August 1, 2018
Warms of sun hugged my shoulders and kissed my face as I reached upward and into the bushes. I soaked in the blissful moments of quiet and revelled in the occasional chirping of birds. Breathing deep my heart gave a sigh of relief. It felt good to have a little space to myself away from the commotion and chatter of the children.
Just that morning, spontaneity hit. Knowing blueberry season was almost over and we hadn't taken time for that in our busy summer I decided something needed to be done. So I gathered up the children that were at home, packed some popcicles, cheese sticks and ice water and jumped into the bus. We took the time to stop by the neighbors and bring a friend along.
The past year has been so crazy busy, with trying to build a house, going through a hard pregnancy, giving birth to our eleventh child and lots of other dynamics that filled our lives to the brim.
I gave my husband a hug the day before and told him that I don't ever want to build another house . . . It's just almost taken us to insanity with all that we have going on.
So, we came searching for berries . . . and possibly a bit of tranquility in the outdoors . . . Though I really didn't expect to find any quiet moments at all . . . God did the "exceedingly abundantly above all that I ask or think" . . . I did! I found blissful moment after moment of quiet . . . In the outdoors . . . picking berries with the warm sunshine on my back or face, whatever way I was turned . . . The call of the birds reminding me that I was not alone in life, God was there . . . The slight breeze reminding me that I live in an amazing three-dimensional world . . . The wild joy in my heart of my Father God bestowing upon my soul the space I so longed for . . . And the incredible awareness of how I so nearly missed this gift . . .
Recently, God has challenged me to look for and list all the ways He is blessing me "Exceedingly abundantly above".
In the past, I have testified that God's word says that His grace is sufficient . . . And it IS sufficient/enough though it doesn't always (or often for that matter) FEEL that way. So I concluded, after searching my heart, that this exceeding abundantly above stuff, I have not really been believing that it is truly so . . .
Like one can not believe this? Am I inadvertently calling God a liar because subconsciously in my heart I am not finding it true in my life . . . This needs to be reviewed I thought . . . rectified or reconciled . . . I cannot go on living for God when I am not fully believing this . . . After taking to God about it, he suggested this . . .. And I have been amazed! . . . God truly is faithful. God truly is not a liar. God truly is true to His Word! I am finding it so!
"Exceedingly abundantly above" . . . How do you see this played out in your personal life?
Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
A number of years ago, a good friend of mine blessed me with a special gift of a saying carved in wood. "Prayer changes things". I was thrilled with the gift, though in my heart I wasn't thrilled with THAT saying . . . If all things, couldn't it have been a "really neat" saying? . . . Over time I began to hear God's voice speaking to me through those words that I wanted to reject/ set aside for something different.
I came to realize that it really is true. Yes, I believed it in my head, but my heart was having a harder time with it in several circumstances in our lives . . . God was giving me the BEST gift with my friends choice of words for me . . . At the time, my idea and God's idea was different. God clearly states in Isaiah
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." I am so human. I have fallen short so many times. I am slowly learning a bit to think more like him and follow His ways more. . . It truly is a journey . . . This walk of life . . .
And I found, that that saying fit what I needed to learn perfectly . . . I needed to learn that yes, prayer changes things . . . It changes ME!!!
It changes the way I LOOK at life wether through God's eyes, with the Eternal in mind . . . or through my own thoughts and ways that are definitely focused a lot lower to this earth, to my own fleshly wishes and desires . . .
Back to my berry excursion . . . So, I was out there among the grass, the brush, the trees and bushes soaking up the sunshine of His Grace when I hear the call of one of my daughters. "Mom"
"Yes?". I answered, thinking I would needed to head back now. Loraine and the two little girls has started picking the ripe chokecherries that greeted us as we stepped out of the bus. I, remembering how easy it is to get lost here, ventured out into the bushes in search of blueberries but energy up picking what God had provided right in front of me.
No answer . . . Alright then, I thought, I will stay here. I am greatly enjoying this and it sounds like I really am not needed at the "Grand Central station" yet.
Awhile later, I hear the call again, "Mom?".
This time I answer, "What? I'm here!" . . . By this time, the thought had occurred to me that my child might just want to know that I'm still around . . . That I didn't just disappear . . . Or get lost like I warned and cautioned them about lol.
And sure enough, there was no response this time either. The third time she called, she confirmed my thoughts with her reply, "Mom? . . . Just wondering were you are."
Now this particular daughter is fourteen. And she is not particularly scared of things . . . But she, can I say, is still a child and needed her Mom's reassurance that I was still there even and especially when she couldn't see me and we were out in the "wild".
God speaks softly . . . He who made mothers after himself . . . Knows how to be gentle . . . He who made us His children, knows just what we need.
My heart immediately burst with song . . . This was God speaking . . . This dawning of realizing that that's exactly how I relate to Him my Father/Mother . . . I call out to Him quite frequently just to be reassured that He's there and so so often with life's burdens that weigh me down. . .
I can't go on in my own strength . . . I need His Precious Presence . . . His assurance that He's near . . . Though I can't physically see Him or physically hear Him . . . He's there, answering back . . . Calling my name . . . Reassuring me that He is there, that He is near . . . But, oh, it's so much BETTER than I can be to my daughter . . . Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Exceedingly abundantly above . . . How has He incredibly blessed??? . . .
In order for me to answer that question, I have to let you in on a secret. Now really, this is not some mysterious mystery, but it does take an open heart to understand and open eyes to clearly see . . . As with Jesus' parables, let those who are willing will grasp it well . . .
May I ask you a question . . . What do you think of when you hear the word blessing? . . . Do we revert to the modern day definition of blessings meaning being physically blessed with good things/gifts?
There is no hint of material prosperity or perfect circumstances in any New Testament reference. On the contrary, blessing is typically connected with either poverty and trial or the spiritual benefits of being joined by faith to Jesus . . .
Can you believe me when I say that the greatest blessings usually come through trials and hardship . . . That some of the absolute BEST blessings are a deeper faith in God, a closer walk with Him, a stronger hold onto the Eternal . . .
Listen to these verses . . .
“Blessed are the poor in spirit. . . . Blessed are those who mourn. . . . Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake . . . Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:3–4, 10–11)
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28)
Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven. (Romans 4:7; quoting Psalm 32:1)
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial. (James 1:12)
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. . . . Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Revelation 14:13, 19:9)
So, how do I view God and His blessings . . . ( To be continued)
