On this page:
"A Lesson Learned From My Pets" by Linda Tinker
"God's Sense of Humor" by Karen DeLoach
"He Can Rebuild You, Too!" by Michelle DeLoach Harris
"His Answers" by Karen DeLoach
A Lesson Learned From My Pets
The house is quiet, and I listen to the sound of my dogs sleeping. Their breathing is such a peaceful sound. It's not always quiet. Sometimes they snore! But even then it is a calm, soothing sound, the sound of rest.
They always want to be near me. Whatever room I'm working or playing in, they follow me there, lie down, and soon are fast asleep. I like to think it's because they love and trust me, and feel safe with me. But I'm not completely naive. I know that a dog is loyal to the one who supplies its food!
When their routine is interrupted by a trip to the vet or the groomer, it makes them nervous, but still they follow me, trusting. And when the detestable experience is over, do they turn up their noses and say, "I can't believe you would do this to us. I'm not about to go home with YOU!" ? No, they run to me joyfully, ready to go with me, glad to be with me.
I see in my pets a picture of how God wants me to be. He wants me to follow Him in what He is doing, and be at perfect peace and rest in that place. I don't get to do nothing, like my dogs, but still I'm to be perfectly relaxed and calm because my trust is in Him, I love Him, I depend on Him. He is my provider, my keeper, my loving Master.
I realize that this may seem naive and simplistic. As a human being, I have many responsibilities and activities in my life that dogs don't have to worry about---"stress factors." But I am instructed by the Word, over and over, to lay every bit of that in the Father's hands, and not worry or fret. I should have complete trust that He is in control and will take care of me. And in that I'm to rest.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6, 7
~ Linda Tinker
|
God's Humor
There are times when I relish God's sense of humor! Especially when I'm watching one of those nature shows on the Discovery Channel. My husband loves the programs about animals. (Personally, I am an avid classic movie fan - but watching old black and whites is a luxury best saved for a Saturday afternoon when Bill is at his shop engrossed in one of his many car projects.)
After a hard day at work, Bill likes nothing better than to relax with a bowl of popcorn and watch God's creatures in action. Like the program on the mischievous Rhesus monkeys, whose comical antics kept observers entertained -- until the ornery little critters invaded people's homes, stealing their food right out of the kitchen cabinets. One monkey, when shooed by an irate housewife, ran across a table, jumped out the window, and ran down the street, never losing his grip on his prize - a torn sack pouring a trail of meal several yards long. We felt sorry for the monkey's victims, but still we couldn't help laughing.
Surely you have observed God's sense of humor in nature - whether it be in the waddle of a penguin, the silly smile of a chimpanzee, the amusing antics of kittens at play, or the startled delight of a tiny baby who has discovered his own hand for the very first time.
Recently I observed God's sense of humor in a certain area of nature and wasn't particularly tickled by it. I was standing in my living room having yet another 'battle of the wills' with my youngest child. I turned and caught our reflection in the mirror above the fireplace. What did I observe as I looked at the pair of us in the mirror? A menopausal woman with her teenage son! Talk about raging hormones! What a quirk of nature! God surely has a sense of humor. And, in this case, Bill has a ringside seat for all the antics!
~ Karen DeLoach
HE CAN REBUILD YOU, TOO!
Never understanding the reason for feeling so sad...
Struggling to fight, it took all that I had...
Shameful and lonesome for so many years...
My sorrow continually worsened with uncontrolled tears...
The darkness grew heavier with each passing day...
I tried to forget it, in every possible way...
The nagging of my sanity followed me like a cloud...
Deep and dark was the life, I had allowed...
I did not know that peace was for real...
I could not imagine the love that I now feel...
The Lord led me to the altar one special day...
He told me to follow Him, that He'd show me the way...
As He took me by the hand, He shared His awesome grace...
He walked in and remodeled that once broken place...
He carried my burdens the day He carried the cross...
Taking them to the dead sea and giving them a toss...
My heart He renewed, my spirit He's lifted...
Taking all that I was, He's carefully sifted...
Strengthening the good and rebuilding the broken...
His love is one very treasured token...
If He knocks at your door, please don't hesitate...
To lose that chance would be a huge mistake...
Open quickly and invite Him in...
His love will return again and again...
So when you are feeling a little blue...
Cherish the love that is proven true...
Search for Him and He shall appear...
Reminding you that He is always right here...
Sometimes when you least expect...
He steps in to rebuild the wreck...
Our Lord knows when we need Him the most...
He knows us all from coast to coast...
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who goes forth continually weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. - Psalm 126:5, 6
~ Michelle DeLoach Harris (This was written by Bills niece Michelle who was wondrously saved and delivered from drug addiction.)
HIS ANSWERS
"Where are you, Lord?" I cried aloud, like a frightened child
crying in the night for its parent.
"Fear not, for I am with you," came His comforting reply.
"What a lonely afternoon," I mused, gazing out the window
at a dismal, gray sky.
"Lo, I am with you always," came His gentle reminder.
"I can't bear this sorrow alone," I wept, after
hearing news of a great loss.
"I will not leave you comfortless," came His calm assurance.
"I've cried until there are no tears left," I said, my voice raspy,
my eyes dark and hollow.
"Your tears are never wasted. I have saved every one of them," came His sweet promise.
"I feel so worthless," I pined, smarting under
the insult of one who didn't care.
"The very hairs of your head are all numbered," came His certain affirmation.
"I've failed again," I sobbed, shedding sincere
tears of repentance.
"Thy sins be forgiven thee," came His merciful promise.
"Lord, I want my life to count for you," I declared,
thinking of eternal things.
"Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men," came His stirring challenge.
"Imagine the joy of seeing Him face to face," I whispered, my heart full of longing for my Savior.
"Surely I come quickly," came His hopeful proclamation.
Whatever my longing, whatever my heart's cry ---
His is the answer I need.
~ Karen DeLoach
|
