A glimpse of the path ahead..........

This was one of those really rare, first week of Novembers.  It was WARM (like close to 70) and sunny and just a wonderful late Indian Summer days- that is, until today.  True November weather showed up today in lower 50's and windy and cloudy.  But I really enjoyed this week outside.

During my day with the twins we went on a long walk (while their mom spent the entire day collecting piles and piles of leaves from their many, many, many oak trees.)  Their street is amazing on any day of the year, but on this fall day it was lovely.

Their street dead ends into a forest preserve and when I reached the end of the road, I first saw a coyote cross the road, several feet in front of me.  Once the coyote crossed over into the trees, I walked a bit further.

And just as I got to this spot, a very large deer jumped out of the woods and ran across the road.  It seems really amazing that we live in a very crowded suburban neighborhood, yet so close to home you can step into nature.  Or have "nature" simply cross your path.  

Then, to continue my outdoor adventures, Gwen and I took the kids to a small, nearby animal farm.  When Gwen and Doug were little we often visited this wonderful park that includes an old railroad caboose.  It is small enough that the little ones can easily walk the entire park and they have lots of farm animals to see up close.  They have two coyotes and they don't look nearly as shaggy or scaring when they are in a pen! There was also a deer standing right next to the fence!  Not as surprising as seeing a deer leap across your path, but still very neat. 

Anna was interested in all of the animals and we had fun looking at the chickens! (Anna was a chicken on Halloween!)  She was a bit obsessed with the cow and several times took off running to get back to that pen.  It was just a great way to spend several hours outside in November.  I am very aware of how blessed I am to be able to spend my days like this. It is a wonderful gift.

Over the last couple of months, I have been really seeking direction and guidance from the Lord.  This week there has been so much encouragement to not forget the destiny that has been spoken for you.  So I have been revisiting the things that directed me in the past.  But there has also been a strong reminder that Jesus doesn't want us to just camp in one place.  Everything about our Christian life is a WALK.  Over and over we are reminded that you have to step out and go.   And through out the Bible, people ended up in situations that were not what they expected.  So this is a great time to keep walking and while remembering what we THOUGHT we were supposed to do, we should also be expectant for the very new thing that Jesus is doing.  

In the last two days I have received two very interesting emails.  The first email concerns a ministry to children in Kenya and the second email concerns a ministry to children and families in Uganda.  Hummm. After a trip to Kenya and Uganda in 2004, I have often said that I left a piece of my heart in those countries.  Each of these emails represents the potential to connect and move in ways that I had never expected.  Even if neither of these opportunities work out, it is still a huge encouragement to me.  

I am doubly grateful today.  Grateful for the amazing week outside, walking on those leaf covered roads and paths.  And I am so grateful for the reminder that Jesus is guiding me along the path into the next destination along the way.   And I am so thankful that Jesus knows my heart and is preparing that spot to answer the desires of my heart.  

Jesus, thank you for the wonderful weather of the last week.  Thank you for time to spend with my family.  Holy Spirit, keep us all expectant for the new things and the new paths that may be ahead for us.  Remind us of all that you have shown us, but help us to be able to imagine a change for the future.  Thank you Jesus, for your love and care.  Amen

Getting through the blizzard of 2015.... and staying on the path!

Yes, Chicago got slammed by an early February blizzard that started on Sunday and moved on into Monday.  This photo was taken on Monday morning and that snow on my car is AFTER we had cleared it off TWICE on Sunday.  Fortunately, almost everything was closed on Monday, so we had plenty of time to deal.....again.....with the snow.  I love this picture since I have to believe that this "WAVE" of snow on our garage roof was especially for us.  I mean, we love the beach!  Ken is really not fond of winter.  Or snow.  Or shoveling.  Or grey winter days.  So this wonderful wave of snow also came on a bright sunny day when we did not have to rush to leave the house.  If you notice the snow stuck on our neighbors house, you will see evidence of the true "blizzard" that we experienced on Sunday night.  That wind was wicked!  And it was the wind that created our wave.  We were very blessed with no power outages (there were many in our area) so we stayed safe and warm and cozy in our house.  And yes, we can really feel the difference that new siding with added insulation and brand new windows bring during a blizzard.

All I could think of was the verse from Isaiah 1:18.... though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.   After this big snow (which, by the way was the fifth highest snow total for a single day - 19.6") everywhere you looked, was just white.  It was truly beautiful.  Fields of white not marked by anything.  And the surface was blown smooth and shiny by the wind.  I loved thinking about the amazing truth that we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus....and so we are white as snow!  Yes, that was a good place to focus during this storm.  I also spent some time thinking about how thankful I am that during the "storm" that has been hitting my family, we are covered by that same wonderful blanket of Jesus.  Yes, this blizzard was a great picture of the powerful presence of Jesus during any storm.

On Tuesday, it was back to work, as usual.  That meant that I was spending time with the grandkids.
Zeke decided it was a great day to play with trains.  He has a huge amount of Geotraks (which is a marvelous train system from Fisher Price).  We built a big "up and down" track, but it wasn't long before Zeke's very long train was chugging around the house - off the tracks!  Anna was having great fun crawling after the train (while occasionally taking a swipe at a car or two - much to Zeke's dismay).  You can see his face as Anna gets a bit close to the train!  Thankfully, I was able to distract Anna with her own vehicle.

When I was on my way home (in yet another snow....sigh), I was thinking about Zeke taking those trains off the track.  Boy have I ever done that a time or two.  Even when I knew that there was a path - a track - that I was supposed to be on, I have chosen to jump the tracks and go my own way.  At times it seemed fine, but then I ran into those unexpected obstacles.  And before you know it, I was longing to be back on those tracks.  Even when there were ups and downs on that path laid out there for me, I felt protected and safe.  Off of that path, going my own way, I did not feel safe or protected. Yes, this was a great reminder that I need to stay the course and keep on keeping on.  Even when I may be tempted to go off in another direction.   I love the verse from Psalm 119:105  "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path."   Isn't it interesting that we don't get a wide-screen view, looking off into the future.  All we get is a lamp that just is enough to see where we put our next step and a little bit of light showing the path right in front of us.  Yet it is enough.  If we stay on that track!  Yes, I am so thankful to be able to breathe out a bit, and relax.  Knowing that I may not be able to see what is around that next bend, I know that my feet are on the right path.

Jesus, thank you for making us white in the covering of your shed blood on the cross.  What a great gift for us.  Holy Spirit, thank you for showing us in the Bible the direction that you have for us.  When things seem so dark you remind us that we have all the light that we need.  Thank you for a plan, a path and a destiny laid out for each of us.  Jesus, thank you for all of the times that you gently guided me back to the right track.  Help us all stay right where you want us.  Amen

Prints in the snow.....

It snowed again today.  Just a light dusting.  It was actually raining and icy when I left the house for my small prayer group meeting.  The salt trucks were out in full force.  At some point during my meeting the rain turned to snow leaving a very pretty covering on the sidewalks and lawns.  I noticed these tiny very cute prints in the snow as I was walking to my car.  Some cute little birdie had been taking a stroll across the sidewalk.  And that got me thinking about the paths that we chose to walk.

Yesterday I blogged about the presence of Jesus, which was the focus of the conference that I attended.  My friends and I talked about this at our meeting this morning.  What a blessing it is to have like-minded people to discuss and mull over and contemplate things.   And today we practiced being in the presence of Jesus.  The presence of Jesus is not just reading the Bible or talking about Jesus or even praying.  All of those things CAN help you experience the presence of Jesus, but they are not THE presence.  You have to choose to welcome the presence of Jesus to experience it.  This blog is not about getting into a big discussion about the theology or traditions that might arise from the things I am sharing.  But I hope that it will make you stop and think and consider that very personal choice towards the presence of Jesus.

When I saw those little prints in the snow after talking with my friends, I immediately thought about this story.  When I was about four years old, I had a very powerful dream.  This was no ordinary dream, I knew that as soon as I woke up!  In my dream I was walking in a very beautiful garden.  When I close my eyes I can still see that garden!  The amazing thing is that at 4, I had never seen anything like this place.  It was green and lush with trees and plants everywhere.  There were flowers lining the path that wound its way through all the beauty.  Suddenly I was aware that there was a man walking with me, and he was holding my hand.  As we walked down that path, he told me exactly who he was.  He explained that the story that I had heard in Sunday School about Easter was really true. He went on to explain that Easter was not about the Easter Bunny and candy but how he died on the cross and came back to life.  And then he told me that I needed to always tell the truth about those things. I needed to share the truth with everyone that Jesus had died for all of us and was alive and living in that wonderful garden.  Even now, more than 55 years later, I can still feel his hand holding mine.  There is no doubt that after that dream, I knew exactly what path I was on and the footprints I was walking in.  Now it would be a wonderful story if my life had been a "walk in the park" (catch that phrase....just like my dream) from that point on.  But the truth is, that didn't happen.  I told my mom about this dream and she just sort of blew me off.  She told me it was just a dream and people didn't "talk about these things".  She told me that I should not tell anyone about this dream.  And I was obedient.  As a matter of fact, that dream was not in my mind until many, many years later.  It wasn't until I made a choice to welcome the presence of Jesus into my life, that the dream came back into my memory.   And I believe that this is the first time I have shared this on this blog.  Yet this is the truth.  And Jesus told me to share this truth with everyone.  In this dream was the presence of Jesus.

Okay, I will leave that for now.  I am sure that many of you are wondering what is going on.  I guess that this is the path I am on right now.  The path of sharing the truth.  And to encourage you to all make a choice to welcome the presence of Jesus.  Just ask!

Jesus, thank you for reminding me to share the truth.  Holy Spirit, bring the presence of Jesus to us and give us grace to welcome that presence every day and every hour of every day.  Thank you for friends and fellowship that strengthen us.    Help us all to see the path that you have laid out before us.  Thank you for little birds that leave footprints.   Amen

Follow the Leader and stay the course!

Zeke got to be the leader this morning, at the bus stop.  Follow the leader is a favorite game in the couple of minutes that we have before the bus comes.  Zeke, like most three year olds, is not very happy when he doesn't get his way.  And his way is usually to be the leader!  The girls are pretty good about working it out with Zeke.  And we are working on taking turns.  Ellie is dressed like it is winter time, in her ladybug hat because today was her first ever "Field Trip".  Her kindergarten class went to the pumpkin farm.  And it was a dark, gloomy kind of cold day.  Yes, it was a very exciting day for her.  Later on in the morning, when Anna was taking a nap, I got to thinking about "Follow the Leader".

Isn't that what we are all supposed to be doing?  Following THE leader - Jesus!  And the good news is that he is playing this game of follow the leader with each of us as individuals.  There is a perfect path for us to walk and all we need to do is be content to follow along.  There have been plenty of times when I wanted to be the leader so I rushed ahead, or even ran the other way.  Boy was that a big mistake.  Yep, there were times that I walked very close to the edge of the cliff.  Or walked smack dab into a mucky, muddy patch.  It would be so much easier to just follow the leader!  

Then there were all of the times that I thought I was letting Jesus lead me, when I was still trying to steer the course.  I am sure that you can relate to this.  I just sort of tried to edge my way next to Jesus.  I was thinking that I really knew exactly what I was supposed to be doing, where I was supposed to be going.  Surely I knew better than anyone else what would make me happy.  Or what would solve my problems.  Yeah, this wasn't a good idea either.  Trying to override the leader never, ever works.  If two people are trying to steer, the only thing that happens is trouble.  

Isn't this really silly?  It is much easier to be a follower.  I don't know why we always resist.  Especially when we know WHO the leader is!  Jesus always knows what is the best for us.  He promises to always show us the way, if we will just listen to him and follow in his footsteps.  I think it is extra hard to keep our eyes on the leader and follow along, when things don't seem to be going so well.  It is during those times that it is so easy to feel our faith waiver.  Which is why it is so good for us to surround ourselves with good friends who can help us stay the course.  These are the people who remind us who Jesus is.  They also help us look back at how far we have come.   And through their testimonies, we are encouraged to walk on, following the leader.

Jesus, thank you for this very clear reminder that I just need to keep my eyes on you.  Holy Spirit, thank you for friends that help us stay on the right path.  Jesus you are so good to us!  You welcome us back, even when we run ahead of you.  When our choices lead us into trouble, you are there to rescue us.  When we struggle with the path we are on, you just keep leading us on.  How amazing!  Thank you for another revelation of your great love.  Amen

Seeing Eye to Eye..........sometimes!

I just love this picture I took on Thursday of Anna and Zeke.  They just love being together (usually). Now that Anna is mobile and crawling everywhere, she sometimes gets into Zeke's toys and at that moment, he is not to happy with her.  He told me "Anna is rude!" which is his word for not being very nice.  But I captured a moment when Zeke was playing with Anna and letting her touch his favorite blanket.  Anna is just all smiles whenever she sees Zeke.  I am sure that Anna will do quite a bit of following in Zeke's footsteps. For right now, they see things "eye to eye".  I expect that might not always be the case.  But I know that Anna will look up to her sisters and brother and watch the way that they go.  Yes, I have been thinking about footsteps and the paths we walk over the last couple of days.

When I saw this post from The Passion Translation it was a breath of fresh air for me.  I realized that over the last couple of days I have been thinking about those footprints that I saw.  And it is kind of hard to imagine following the wrong set of footprints.  So, now, as long as you are loving the truth, and have wonder and worship of God you WILL be on the right path, walking in the correct footprints.  PHEW...............  I'm so glad I settled that before I began to write about those footprints.  In fact, I think that is why I got so "stuck" when I started writing about this.  There was a part of me that wondered if all of the "footprints" I had walked in were the "right" ones.  But after this reminder from the Bible, I know that my path has been the "right" path and the right footprints!

And, as far as that "seeing eye to eye" phrase, here's the thing!  I have learned that there is really only one thing that matters...Jesus and who He is and what He did for us.  If I step into some one's footprints for a part of my path, there might be things that don't exactly flow with what I believe.  As long as Jesus is the center and the core of that footprint, then I am in the right place!  I have learned much, and grown much by walking with people who are different than me as far as the "side light" things that seem to divide the Christian community.  One of the saddest things is having one part of the Christian Church degrade or discredit another for one of these "not central" issues.  I think that has weakened the power that we have in Jesus.  So I am not afraid to talk about ALL of the footprints that have been my path.  I am thankful for how I have grown and learned from each of them.

Well, I think that is enough to chew on for today.  I am sure that some of you may be thinking "what is she talking about?" or "is she totally nuts?".  I am convinced that this is exactly what I need to be writing about right now.  This is the beginning of a new year in the Jewish Calendar.  And this year is a year of double blessings.  I am trusting that if you follow along with me, we will both be surprised and amazed by what Jesus is revealing to us.

Jesus, thank you for what you are beginning to speak through this footprint vision.  Thank you for the reminder today that all that is really important is Jesus...who you are and what you have done for us.  Holy Spirit, please continue to speak to us all as we seek to go deeper into the path we are following.  Thank you for grace and love and truth.  Amen

The importance of a clear path........and knowing the path maker!

Today I have been thinking about paths..... First thing today, it was snowing when I got to work.  I had to navigate a snowy, icy path through the parking lot to get in the door.  I was thinking how good it would be to have a clear path to walk on. Instead I was jumping from foot print to foot print to try to keep my shoes dry.  Then early in the day, I was trying to get 14 somewhat uncooperative three year olds to walk in a line from one room to another.  This required walking through the open room (which was set up for a gymnastic class) and had lots of distractions.  Needless to say, it was not a clear path.  It took more than the usual amount of prodding to get them to walk the 50 feet or so into the other room.  Yes, the path had lots of distractions and obstacles, but still.....all they needed to do was "follow the leader"!   Then a bit later, I was in yet another room full of children (and just as a side note, all of the children seem to be crazy and excited and it is still a long time till Christmas), and we were trying to get them to lay on their cots and go to sleep.  As I have said before, this is quite an experience to try to get 12 or 13 two year olds to lay down on a cot and go to sleep - all at the same time.  We do everything we can to make the way clear for this to happen.  We feed them, we toilet/change them, we shut the blinds, we make it nice and dark, we put on soft, sweet music, we cover them with their favorite blankets and give them their lovies.  And then we even pat/rub backs.  Yes, we created a clear path for sleep, but today several children just would not go down that path.  Instead they chose the path of kicking, talking, laughing, etc.  Very frustrating to the path makers! 

When I finally had a couple of minutes to think (after the final hold outs fell asleep), I realized how much I had learned today about choosing a path!  First of all I learned that even if the path is not totally clear, you should look for the footprints.  Secondly I learned that it is very important to follow the leader.  And then I learned it is important to respect and honor the path maker!

WOW!  Quite a bit of information in one mornings adventures!  I was thinking of the first verse that I ever memorized.......    "Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path" Psalm 119:105.  The most important thing is that you have a lamp pointing right at your feet so that you can see the next place you need to put your feet.  That is exactly what I was experiencing walking in from the parking lot.  And then, when you have a clearer path, you can look up.  But you need a light to show you the direction that the path goes.  I am so thankful that Jesus is my "leader" and He is the light of the world.  So when I am walking on that path, I just need to be looking up, and THE light will be illuminating my path for me as I "follow my leader"!  Lastly, I realized how necessary it is to acknowledge that Jesus is the path maker for all of us.  If we think that we are in charge, we will likely run into lots of obstacles and get distracted and never end up where we are supposed to go.  Additionally, we will be very, very tired and cranky when we don't rest when we are told to rest.

Don't think there is much I can add to this............. 

Jesus, thank you for once again, speaking to me through my work.  What an amazing gift. Holy Spirit, continue to write these truths into my heart.  Speak to all of us when we are veering off of the path or refusing to rest.  Give us guidance and wisdom to look up and let you light our feet and reveal our path!   Thank you Jesus.   Amen