Trees and Chickadees

Little birds are amazing in their resilience. It is always mind-boggling to me that they can survive winter storms, where do they go? How did the Lord make them so that warm blood flows in their tiny toothpick legs when everything else is frozen? My feet are always cold, I wonder how the little birds feet stay warm. One day I was walking, I had been asking the Lord to help me, I need his reassurance, peace, and help so often. On this walk, I noticed that every time I came closer to small birds, they flew up to a higher place, like a pine tree. The Lord told me he wants me to be like the little birds that are always returning to their tree for safety. He wants to be my safe place, and where I constantly return when I need peace and reassurance. Like the pine trees, with branches that are green all year, his love is always there for me. 

Another time I went on a walk, as a strong wind was ushering in a heavy winter storm.  Tiny balls of ice and snow had begun to pelt the ground. Being outside while wind and clouds are gathering for a storm is awesome if you are dressed warm. I passed a wide and towering evergreen tree with snow and icicles on its thick branches. Close to the trunk of the tree, out of the wind, was a little black and white chickadee. This little bird was chirping insistently, and looking right at me. It kept chirping as if it had a message for me. It seemed to say, "I'm OK, I'm safe, here by my tree." Jesus is our safe place, our shelter, our hiding place, especially in the trials we go through. 

Chickadees are small, and might seem insignificant, but they are hopeful, joyful, and resilient. It is amazing to me that they can survive the cold temperatures and winter snow. How do they keep warm when they are smaller than the palm of my hand? God made them to survive the winters. They glorify God just by being themselves- the joy and trust in God they convey, is hopeful.

Wherever you are, know that Jesus wants to be with you through the storm and in the sunshine too. He paid the ultimate price so that he could do that for you and me. 

He wants to be our shelter and safety, because He's the only way we'll get through life OK. He is the Way and the Truth. He is the Wonderful Counselor who wants to lead you through your trials. Others might not understand, but He does.

After big snowstorms, it is interesting to watch the snow melt from the snowbanks on the hills and mountains. The water runs down the streets and in the gutters, in small rippling waves that just keep coming, all hours of the day and night.  Just as the snow can't help running down the mountain, the Lord's love can't be stopped from flowing toward his children. We are never far from his love, because his love is the very force that gives us breath and life.

God's Love and Snow

My husband's father passed away due to the effects of a stroke earlier this winter. We were all heartbroken, it felt sudden and way too soon. On the day of his funeral, a heavy snowstorm covered everything with a foot and a half of snow. The next day, we went out to shovel the snow off of our driveway. Every twig, every branch of every tree was outlined by white snow. It hadn't melted yet, or been blown away by the snow. Normally snow does not stay more than a few hours undisturbed on the oak trees' twigs and branches. Temperatures change quickly and the wind comes up, or the sun comes out and melts the snow off the twigs and branches, even though the snow stays on the ground much longer. But this snow stayed on every twig of every tree, for 2-3 days. It was beautiful and unusual. It reminded me that just as the snow covered every detail, God's love for us is over every detail in our lives. Because of what we had just been through, we felt loved and felt hope in seeing the snow.

I had seen snow like this before, it was meaningful to me. It was several years ago, a few days before our daughter's biggest surgery. The surgery ahead of her at that time would be complicated and long, and the details of how it could be done were unclear to me. I was worried about so many things- the surgery and complications, leaving our kids at home, staying at the hospital for an extended time.  A few days before the surgery, it snowed heavily. Every detail of every branch was covered with beautiful white snow, and the snow didn't melt for a couple days, which is rare. I felt that in the snow was a personal message for me. Every detail of our daughter's surgery and the next few weeks would be covered by the Lord's love for us, just like the snow was covering every twig of every tree. I hung on to that hope and love because I needed it! And it was true, the surgery went well. Everything that we could have thought of and more was taken care of by the Lord. There were difficult moments, but we could feel the Lord helping us and blessing us.

Snow several years ago, a few days before our daughter's surgery

When I saw the snow on the day of my father-in-law's funeral, especially how it stayed on the branches like it did just before our daughter's surgery, I knew that there was something special about the snow. It was reminding us that Heavenly Father's love covers every detail in our lives. He knows.

Jesus compared himself to a grain of wheat, a seed, that had to die to give others life. "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels- a plentiful harvest of new lives." John 12:20 NLT.  It is interesting to see the different translations of this verse, other translations say a grain falls to the ground and dies. The NLT translates it as a kernel of wheat is "planted". This shows our Heavenly Parents and Jesus' loving intentions for us, in his sacrifice. 

It is easy to think of Jesus when we see seeds on trees and flowers. I especially love to see how the birds are provided for by the seeds. There is a tree with little red berries in our yard, the berries are the seeds of the tree. The day of the funeral, when it snowed so heavily, the red berries were weighed down with heavy snow that looked like snow cones. Small icicles that looked like teardrops were forming on the berries. The berries reminded me that Jesus carries our burdens, weeps with us, and also offers himself to give us life. 

My friend shared this about icicles: In symbolism, icicles remind one to be still - they count the passage of time with each drop of water they emit. Be still and know that I am God. 

A few weeks later, I was still processing everything that happened when Grandpa passed away, and was out on a walk. I passed some dried-out sunflowers. I thought of the beautiful sunflowers and the changes they had gone through since summer. The bright yellow petals of the sunflowers had fallen off, the stems and leaves had lost their green vibrance, the stems had dried out, and they were standing in 2 feet of snow.  It's too bad that the days of summer glory are past for the sunflower, I thought. Then it seemed that the flowers replied, "These are my glory days, I get to feed the little birds in winter!" It surprised me, and made me think of the small and big things we do to take care of each other, it is an honor to do what we can to help others. It also made me think of Jesus, and the price he paid suffering for our sins. 

Did Jesus feel that way about his suffering for us? Did he look at his sacrifice like that? In Jesus' hardest moments, he was feeding us, giving us life. Maybe it is in our winter times, our personal difficulties, that Jesus' love shines the brightest, and we are most grateful for his unchanging love for us. Those are the times when we realize how much God is caring for us and aware of every detail in our lives. In our times of darkness, his light shines the brightest. Our hope is in Jesus and his promises.

I hope that whatever difficulties you have in your life, you can see God's love shining just for you. And that you find opportunities to pass his love on. 

Fires and Flowers

Three years ago, a huge fire tore through the mountains behind our home. The towns closest to the fires were evacuated as firemen stayed behind to fight the flames. 

After the fires were out and it was safe to come back, people went up the canyons to see the heartbreaking devastation. It was the next summer before we went. Seeing the destruction, we wondered how many decades it would be before the forests we love were healed. Thankfully there are patches that the fires missed. This summer in the same canyons and mountains, wild mallows and wild hollyhocks blossomed in the burnt areas of the forests. These are part of the mallow family. The contrast of burnt, black trees and pink and white mallow blossoms was beautiful. The mallows delicate pink and white flower petals lit up as the sun shone through them. The flower petals looked like fairy wings hovering in the burnt forest.  The flowers felt hopeful. Mother Nature was healing the burn scars with the same herbs we would put on a burn or wound- plants from the mallow family.

What is growing in the mountains is not as coincidental as I once thought. God put his healing and help in the plants for us. One herbalist said that the flowers in the mountains grow specifically for the illnesses that come in the winter. If you see a lot of flowers in the mountains, the flowers might be there to help us overcome the winter illnesses later that year. It is interesting that what we need is provided by God in nature, even before we need it. 

When one of our children was a baby, I was trying to take a video of him. Our 4-year-old jumped up and down with his hand up, yelling, "Take a picture of me! Take a picture of me!" Sometimes when I am walking, a plant will call my attention, seeming to say, "Take a picture of me! Take a picture of me!" I want to tell you about a mallow plant that called my attention like that.  

In late spring, we went to a large cross on a hill overlooking the valley. It was just an activity to get us out of the house, something we all needed. Around the cross, is mostly just dirt and rocks, although there are many plants on the way there. 

Snowy mountain top and hill with a cross

As we were coming back from the cross, the first flower that was on the trail was a reddish-orange flower. This little plant with reddish-orange flowers was calling my attention as plainly as if it were jumping up and down and yelling "Take a picture of me! Take a picture of me!" It had something to tell me, but I didn't know what it was or recognize the plant. 

Scarlet Globemallow

I stooped down and took its picture. When I got home I looked it up on a plant identification app. It was scarlet globemallow. This resilient plant thrives in neglected soil, in dry, harsh conditions. It needs very little water or care to grow, it grows to be less than 1 foot tall. The name scarlet globemallow reminded me of the scripture, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Isaiah 1:18. The name scarlet globemallow, is very much like the Spanish word for red blood cells. Red blood cells are known as "globulos rojos" in Spanish, meaning red globes.  I couldn't help but think of Jesus' blood that was shed for us, was what the plant was communicating. I grew up speaking Spanish, the Lord was using what is familiar to me- like he does for each of us. This scarlet globemallow flower wanted to be seen and noticed there, it had something to tell me. 

Going through my notes of past herb walks, I came across this information about the mallow family, from Homegrown Herbalist. The mallow family motto is "It's OK, we can get through this." Mallows are added to almost every herbal formula because they have soothing, cooling, and mending properties that make them wonderful healers. The flowers, stems, and leaves are all medicinal and useful, but the strongest medicine is in the mallow roots. It hit me that the message of the scarlet globemallow and mallows in the burnt forests was more than I had first understood. They were testifying of Jesus and forgiveness, and there was a message of hope, "It's OK, we can get through this." I was stunned by the intelligence, love, and testimony of Jesus in the mallow plants God created. Putting the pieces of the scarlet globemallow's message together, "Though your sins are like scarlet, because Jesus gave his blood for us, it will be OK and we can get through this."

Sometimes what's hardest to get through is our own sins and shortcomings. For me the times when I act in anger and impatience, hurting those that matter most to me, are the most discouraging. When Jesus talked about loving others, the real testing and application of love for God is within our homes and families. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34 ESV. Matthews also records Jesus saying, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." Matthew 25:40. How humbling it is when we get it wrong with the people that matter most to us. Don't worry, my family is OK. I just wish I didn't lose my temper so often.

When Jesus was on the earth, when he healed people, he also forgave them. "Sins" is what we knowingly do wrong, but also refers to our human, mortal condition. The trying to do what's right but getting it terribly wrong at times, the exhaustion, the doubting, all of what afflicts us in this fallen world. All of those mortal weaknesses will be made right because of Jesus. 

In God's creations are messages of hope for us, like the scarlet globemallow and the mallows in the burnt forest, "Though your sins are like scarlet, because Jesus gave his blood for us, it will be OK and we can get through this." 

Jesus' teachings the Passover night before he was arrested (John12-17) are the most beautiful, profound, and comforting teachings. He told his friends that in the world they would have trials and sorrow, but in him, they would have peace. "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Jesus' peace carries you and me through the sorrows and trials of this world. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27. 

On that Passover evening, Jesus talked to his disciples about his coming death, and the suffering they all had ahead of them. He told them it was like when a woman's time has come, and she knows she will experience the pains of labor. She is grieved because of the pain, but when the child is born, she forgets her pain because of joy that a child is born. "When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." John 16:21-22. The closest women in Jesus' life, like his mother and Mary, would have understood Jesus' explanation about birthing pains and the joy that follows birth. I think the women that were closest to Jesus were also present at the Last Supper, they were witnesses to his crucifixion and resurrection as well. Perhaps Jesus' remarks about women suffering childbirth were to honor his mother. Mary was misunderstood and rejected, and she suffered great pain in giving Jesus life. Jesus was about to suffer great pain to give us life.

Mary and Baby Jesus by Jean Keaton

I wonder how Jesus' friends, his mother and family felt witnessing the terrible events that led to his death. They were close witnesses of Jesus' betrayal and arrest, the scourging, the crown of thorns, watching him carry his cross, and then watching his agonizing crucifixion. How could his mother and friends witness those terrible scenes without going crazy? This article had a good take on it, I highly recommend reading it. Jesus' mother and friends were witnesses to his death, but more importantly, they witnessed his resurrection and triumph for all of us. Yet in those moments of Jesus' suffering, feeling anger, fear, the impulse to fight back, would have been very normal responses. Peter's drawing of his sword to defend Jesus in the olive grove is very understandable. Jesus had his Father's will to do, and he told Peter to put his sword away. I asked the Lord how his friends and family were able to bear watching him suffer. The answer I received was, they kept their eyes and focus on Jesus and what He was doing. They took their cues from Jesus, in how he was handling all of it, he was teaching them in his suffering. He was in control even in those terrible moments, remaining true to his Father and true to us. Remembering Jesus' sacrifice and his life given for us puts any of our trials into perspective. Keeping our eyes on Jesus is critical for us too. What is Jesus doing, what is Jesus working on today, when the world seems like it's going crazy? What work is He doing now in your life? Do I trust that he is still in control? Do I trust that Jesus has overcome the world, and won the victory for us? Teaching us to trust Him more is a big theme for many of us.

How can we keep our focus and attention more on Jesus, and the work he is doing today? What messages of hope do you see that Jesus has placed around us? In what ways have you felt angels lifting and healing influences, like the mallow flowers healing the burnt forests? 

I like this song "Another in the Fire" (link to the song). The author of this song wrote it after receiving a heartbreaking diagnosis for his child. He uses the word "reckoning" to describe that challenge. To me "reckoning" is a good word to describe a challenge, it means facing myself, my beliefs, and my weaknesses. Jesus does not ever leave us alone in the challenges. The phrase "another in the fire" refers to the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3. They were thrown in the king's furnace for not bowing to and worshipping the king's idol. Jesus saved them from dying in the fiery furnace and stood in the fire with them. The king who had condemned them to death by the fiery furnace saw "another in the fire" with them that looked like the Son of God. 

I hope we can keep our focus on Jesus and what he is doing. Because we believe in Jesus, we trust that incredible joy will follow the birth pains that precede Jesus' return. 

LYRICS:
Verse 1
There's a grace when the heart is under fire 
Another way when the walls are closing in 
And when I look at the space between 
Where I used to be and this reckoning 
I know I will never be alone

CHORUS 1 
There was another in the fire standing next to me 
There was another in the waters holding back the seas 
And should I ever need reminding 
Of how I've been set free 
There is a cross that bears the burden 
Where another died for me 
There is another in the fire    

VERSE 2
All my debt left for dead beneath the waters 
I'm no longer a slave to my sin anymore 
And should I fall in the space between 
What remains of me and this reckoning 
Either way I won't bow to the things of this world 
And I know I will never be alone

CHORUS 2 
There is another in the fire standing next to me 
There is another in the waters holding back the seas 
And should I ever need reminding
What power set me free 
There is a grave that holds no body 
And now that power lives in me
There is another in the fire    
Tag
There is another in the fire    

BRIDGE
And I can see the light in the darkness
As the darkness bows to Him 
I can hear the roar in the heavens 
As the space between wears thin 
I can feel the ground shake beneath us 
As the prison walls cave in 
Nothing stands between us 
Nothing stands between us 

VERSE 3
There is no other name but the Name that is Jesus 
He who was and still is and will be through it all 
So come what may in the space between 
All the things unseen and this reckoning 
I know I will never be alone 
I know I will never be alone 

CHORUS 3
There'll be another in the fire standing next to me 
There'll be another in the waters holding back the seas 
And should I ever need reminding 
How good You've been to me  
I'll count the joy come every battle 
'Cause I know that's where You'll be
Tag 
I'll count the joy come every battle 
'Cause I know that's where You'll be

Hope and Pruning

When I look at the news, it is very discouraging, but in nature, hope is everywhere. Hope is in the waves of yellow flowers that blanket the hillsides from early spring to late fall. Yellow means hope and joy. Maybe the Lord knows we need many reminders to be hopeful and joyful, so he blankets the hillsides many times each year with yellow flowers.

Early spring flowers- arrowleaf balsam root flowers with snowy mountain in background

Dandelion

Spring flowers teach us to draw strength from our roots, they are nourishing and help us wake up and get things moving (dandelion, arrowleaf balsam root). 

Late spring flowers on hillside

Fall flowers teach us to find healing and rest in letting go, releasing what is stagnant or excessive in us (golden rod, gum weed). 

Gumweed, a wonderful medicinal plant

Sunflowers remind me that God feeds his little birds even in winter. The seeds in the sunflowers stand tall in snowstorms, the seeds are food for birds. Sunflowers tell us that God provides for his creations, we can trust his care in the storms of our lives. 

Late summer sunflowers and mountains

When I look at nature, it reminds me we have a wonderful God that thinks of every detail. We can trust in his care. He deserves our trust and love 100%. There is nothing he does not notice, he is our Creator and Savior.

How does the Lord speak to you? What is it that stirs your heart to think of the greatness of the Lord and his promises? For some, it might be music, gardening, yoga or running. I listened to a young woman speak about finding God in competitive boxing. I suspect that where we find God is as diverse as we are as people. For me it is being outside in nature. I walk outside when I am frustrated, can't make sense of something, or just need some fresh air and to connect with our Creator.  I often need the better perspective that being in nature offers. 

I want to tell you about a nectarine tree that we started from a seed, from a fruit we bought at the grocery store, because in some ways I am like the tree. The original nectarine had a floral sweetness, with white flesh and red skin. Our tree has grown from seedling to a mature tree. Despite being very large, our tree will only produce 4-5 fruits that are quite marked with scars. It seems to be plagued by many pests and diseases. Seeing how often we water it and take care of it, it should be producing more. Much smaller trees will give us many gallons of fruit. We had one good harvest many years ago- it was awesome. We have been working towards another good harvest for years. 

We have tried all the natural remedies. We fertilize it in the fall and spring, and deep water it all summer. Every spring we prune it. My dad helped me to spray it and get some of the pests that bother it under control, but it still grew hardly any fruit last year. This spring, standing next to the tree I asked the Lord if we should cut it down. The Lord told me this tree needs more frequent pruning, not the once-a-year spring pruning of the other fruit trees. It sends all of its energy to branches that shoot straight up and don't produce fruit, those need to be cut down more often. It's probably competing with the neighboring trees to be a shade tree instead of a fruit tree. As I was pruning this tree for probably 10th time this season, I wondered if I was done pruning. I heard the nectarine tree tell me "Yes, you're done! That's enough pruning!" It still had many, many fruitless branches shooting straight up all over. I felt bad to break off so many of the shooter branches. As I broke the shooters off the tree, I told it, "You are a fruit tree, not a shade tree. We want to enjoy your fruit, that is why you are planted here, not for shade. I don't want to lose you because you don't have any fruit." The pruned branches are collected and thrown away or saved for a campfire.  This year the tree has given us more fruit, and we have loved the fruit, although it is still heavily scarred. We will keep working with the tree for a better harvest.  

The Lord told me that I am like this tree, he has to remind me often to put my energy toward the fruit, not the leafy but barren branches. What is the fruit that the Lord wants from me? What is the fruit that the Lord wants most from you? Coming to know the Lord and having a close personal relationship with him is the fruit. Coming to taste and know the sweetness of his love. Sharing his love with my husband and children first and then family and friends is also part of the fruit harvest. 

Sometimes it is hard to be the pruned tree, to see branches broken off. If you ask the Lord to show you where you need to change and where you are wrong, he will! One time I was feeling discouraged about some challenges as I was walking. It was a cloudy day, but on a hillside not too far away, I saw the sunlight fall on some peach trees that were blooming with pink flowers. The Lord told me he loves peach trees because they are willing to be pruned. 

When God's plans are different than our own, it can be sobering and humbling. It reminds us that we are always in his hands, the clay that needs molding. I told the Lord that being pruned and shown my weaknesses hurts. He told me that everything he does is out of love for us. I can trust in his care and be at peace in him. 

It is easy to trust in the Lord when everything is going well in our lives. How is our trust in Him when our comfortable, predictable lives are turned upside down? I think about the Christians in Afghanistan, would I have faith in the Lord if it endangered my life or my family?  Having the kind of relationship with God that you trust him in every situation, and you find peace in his love is the goal. He is our comfort, our fortress, our hiding place. There can be hope and peace even in dark times.

Sunset with yellow flowers, trees and mountains

What are we to hope in? Our hope is in Christ. Our faith and hope is that Christ will take us by the hand and lead us through whatever challenges lie ahead. The scriptures tell us that more turmoil lies ahead before the coming of the Lord, but we can be at peace in him and his individual care for us. 

The followers of Jesus that watched him be arrested, scourged, beaten, nailed to a tree and crucified must have felt like their hope had vanished. In the cruel agony of those moments, they didn't realize they had witnessed the most sublime act of love ever. Our Creator and God gave his life willingly for us, not saving his own life, though he had saved others. In the cruel cross was the triumph of Jesus' love and spirit over flesh, the greatest victory earth has known. In the willing gift of his life and blood was birthed hope and new life for us. The moment of earth's greatest loss and pain became the moment of love's greatest victory, Jesus overcame it all. This was followed by his resurrection, where death for all of us was overcome by Jesus. In Jesus and his victory is our hope. 

Moments that to us may feel hopeless and cruel may actually be birthing something greater than we can see in the moment. Surely our faith in the Lord and his return will not be unchallenged or untried. But God is still here for us, he does not lie. His promises are sure. He will uphold those who love him. 

What scriptures give you hope? What in nature gives you hope? I would love to hear!

Last year I compiled a list of scriptures with pictures for homeschool handwriting practice. What comfort is found in God's words and promises!

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken . . . " Isaiah 54:10

"Mightier than the waves of the sea is his love for you." Psalm 93:4

"Depend on the Lord; trust him, and he will take care of you." Psalm 37:5

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for what He has done . . . Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worth of praise." Philippians 4: 6-8

"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him." Psalm 62:1

"The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never leave you. He'll never desert you. So don't be afraid. Don't lose hope." Deuteronomy 31:8

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

"The battle is not ours, but God's." 2 Chronicles 20:15

"Lord you made the heavens and the earth with your great power, there is nothing too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He doesn't faint or grow weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak and increases the strength of him who has no might." Isaiah 40:28-29

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love him." I Corinthians 2:9

"What does the Lord require of you, but to act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

"When you pass through the waters I will be with you." Isaiah 43:2

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:24-25

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness." 2 Peter 1:3

"I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Philippians 3:8

"Don't let your heart be troubled you believe in God believe also in me." John 14:1

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

"Lord, renew my energy when I feel tired and weak." Psalm 103:5

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." Psalms 42:11

"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act." Psalm 37:7

"For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways." 2 Thessalonians 3:16

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars: he calls them all by name." Psalm 147:3-4

"Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you." James 4:8

"Look at the birds of the air that they do not sow, neither do they reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they:" Matthew 6:26

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

"He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:4

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

"Behold I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:16

"Now may the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

"Behold God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2

"I love the Lord, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live." Psalm 116:1-2

Broken Tree Limbs and God's Healing

Trees are amazing. They provide shade in the heat, wood for our homes, fruit for food. A few times I have felt the Lord using trees to teach me, God put some special lessons in trees.

An evergreen tree's resin has a wonderful smell but is very sticky. Recently on an herb walk, I learned that evergreen resin is also very healing. It was anciently used for healing wounds, and herbalists still collect the resin to make healing salves.

When a tree's limb or branch is broken off,  the wound causes the tree to reach down to its roots to draw on the healing properties deep inside it. Whether the broken limb or insect boring a hole into the tree, the wound brings forth the healing properties from the depths of the tree's roots. That made me think about wounds in trees and in people. 

At times you or I might feel like the tree that loses a limb and mourn for a loss in our life, or an unexpected trial. For many of us, this year has been so hard- we miss the simpler times. Our challenge might feel like we've lost a limb, a vital part of us that we depended on is gone- a relationship, a job, health. It may feel like our trial doesn't make sense, and seem impossible for the trial to be turned into anything good. The difficult things in our lives make us reach deeper to our roots for healing, for Jesus, our Master Healer, the Balm of Gilead. We find Him there- waiting for us, in the hurting and the praying. The trial becomes part of our healing if it brings us to know the Lord better. 

A while back I was diagnosed with diabetes. Thinking diabetes would be lifelong, I felt terrible about it. I asked the Lord why I got diabetes, I had been trying to be healthy. He told me that he wanted more time to walk with me. What?! That was amazing to me.  Why would He want to walk with me?  Doesn't he hear me yelling at my kids, complaining about unimportant things, and know what a mess I can be? He knows I need Him. That is why he walks with me and you, even if we aren't worthy of Him. I began walking more and asking the Lord to walk with me. Spending more time talking to the Lord has brought so much more peace into my life. Jesus helps me straighten out the messes I get myself into regularly. Thankfully my brothers who work in healthcare helped me with diet and exercise tips and I no longer have diabetes. I never knew it was reversible, but it is, thank the Lord! I realized how much I need Jesus to be part of my life, to give me guidance and peace.

After learning about how amazing tree resin is, I noticed more carefully what the trees do when they lose a branch. We walked through an aspen grove with my kids. Aspen trees have white, chalky bark that is smooth like paper. When branches are broken off of the aspen, the aspen tree heals its wound. The shape that is left on the aspen's bark where a limb was broken is an eye. 

The Lord showed me that where there is a  loss, is the opportunity for eyes to see more clearly. To see more of the Lord's hand and design for growth. To reach upwards more than before. Our trials make us see God moving in our lives. In the trials we see that He has been there all the time. 

We are so dependent on Him for everything, but we don't realize it until we are brought to our knees. His love and sustenance is lent to us, it is in every breath, in every heartbeat. His love is what sustains us and keeps us alive from minute to minute. We don't see Him sustaining us because we mistakenly rely on other more tangible things. When the tangible, physical thing we rely on are taken away we can see that our support and everything we have comes from the Lord, He has been sustaining us our whole life. Jesus alone stands unchanging, firm, always there for you and me. We see Him better when we are stumbling to get through a challenge. The trials also give us appreciation and compassion for what many others have gone through. I had not felt so keenly my dependence on God until trials let me see where my help comes from- it is all from God. None of it is of my own making. 

Returning to the aspen tree, once I asked the Lord why it was called a quaking aspen. The aspen leaves shake and quiver with the slightest breeze, always rustling and moving. I asked, "Why does it quake? Is it afraid?" The Lord answered me, "Why don't you ask the tree?" I had never thought of asking a tree and actually receiving an answer, but I asked. "Why are you quaking?" The tree answered, "Joy! Joy for the coming blessings, for the coming of the Lord!" It made me want to be less fearful of what the future holds and more joyful and trusting in the Lord.

Another time on a walk, I was feeling like I was on the outside. Trials can sometimes leave you feeling like you are not part of some circles anymore. What you worry about is suddenly very different from what other people are worried about and talk about. Surely the devil fully exploits this to make us feel divided, alienated, and alone. Everyone has challenges and worries, they are just different ones. Our enemy is not each other, but the devil. This day on a walk, I was wondering if I was on the outside of God's favor, or love, just as I felt on the outside in some circles. I asked the Lord if this was true. He told me to look at an oak tree that I was walking past. He asked me where the acorns were on the branches. 

Looking at the branches, I could see that the oak tree holds the acorns close, in the center of the branches. He told me that is how He feels about me. For Him, we are the center of his thoughts, his work and his creation. We are His seed. We have his full attention and love. We are not on the outside, we are in the very center. Then he had me look at a sunflower and notice where the seeds are. 

The sunflower's seeds are in the center, similar to most flowers and fruits. The Lord's children are always at the center of his love, his attention, and care. The Lord's creations tell us of his love for us. His love surrounds us. His love is deep within our roots, and we are never far from His love.

I listened to a speaker talk (link) about Psalm 23- it is the Psalm that starts with "The Lord is my Shepherd". He talked about the phrase "He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies." 

The Lord doesn't always remove us from our enemies, as much as we pray for the challenges to be removed far from us. Often the Lord walks with us through them, giving us what we need for the moment, reminding us of his love, instead of taking away the trial immediately. In the presence of our enemies, a table is prepared for us by our Lord. Wow, Jesus, our Shepherd, prepares a table for us, in the presence of our enemies. What amount of thanks would be enough? 

Whatever challenges you are facing, or whatever lies ahead for you or me, the Lord is working in the challenges. There is something special in the waiting, the praying, the hurting, and relying on God. Trust and faith in the Lord grows to become knowledge that He is aware of us and providing for us. Others may not understand all you are going through, but He does. Others may not have the answers, but He does. Jesus' delight is to be with us in overcoming the struggles we face.  All glory, honor, and praise be to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who overcomes everything. 

My husband, Edward, shared this song with our children recently. I love the message that Jesus is there "in the waiting, in the searching, in the healing and the hurting." Jesus is the "blessing buried in the broken pieces." Having our world turn upside down helps us to see what really matters- Jesus and our relationship with him is what matters most. I also love the part in the song that says "Where I've been and where I'm going, even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it, There was Jesus." Here is a link to the song in case the video doesn't show up. 

There Was Jesus 

Zach Williams and Dolly Parton (Cover), Better Than Kings

Every time I tried to make it on my own

Every time I tried to stand and start to fall

And all those lonely roads that I have traveled on

There was Jesus

When the life I built came crashing to the ground

When the friends I had were nowhere to be found

I couldn't see it then but I can see it now

There was Jesus

In the waiting, in the searching

In the healing and the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute, every moment

Where I've been and where I'm going

Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it

There was Jesus

For this man who needs amazing kind of grace 

For forgiveness at a price I couldn't pay 

I'm not perfect so I thank God every day

There was Jesus, there was Jesus

In the waiting, in the searching

In the healing and the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute, every moment

Where I've been and where I'm going

Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it

There was Jesus

On the mountain, in the valleys (There was Jesus)

In the shadows of the alleys (There was Jesus)

In the fire, in the flood (There was Jesus)

Always is and always was

No I never walk alone (Never walk alone)

You are always there

In the waiting, in the searching

In the healing and the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute (Every minute), every moment (Every moment)

Where I've been and where I'm going

Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it

There was Jesus

There was Jesus

There was Jesus

Redeemer, Friend

In the turmoil of this year, have you had moments where the Lord has spoken to you, and it is was what you needed to hear? I hope that there have been moments where you have heard his voice to you. He can turn the night into day for each of us. I wanted to share an experience that taught me about Jesus' personality, and his care for us. It may be outside of the box a bit, but it is what I love about Jesus. He is unexpected, showing up when I least am expecting it. He is more loving and kind than I ever have imagined. And He is willing to walk and talk with me and you. We have access to Him, directly and personally we have a connection to Him- independent of any organization or religion or any earthly leader. Jesus is our Shepherd, he wants to be part of our lives. 

Earlier this spring, a course that is usually expensive and requires travel was made available for free, online.  It was directed to doctors and nurses, and was about caring for children with similar conditions to our daughter's. The continuing education would help me as a nurse, and it would help me as a mom too.  Watching the lectures and remembering what those events had been like for us, felt like I was walking through knee-deep mud. I was learning more about the meticulous planning and reasoning that goes into these surgeries, but the emotional part that was resurfacing felt very heavy. I am forever thankful for the doctors that saved my daughter's life but felt sad at seeing the surgeries and procedures' details discussed without any emotional connection. This course was intended for doctors and nurses, when I have heard the same doctors speak to parents they are more gentle. Hearing the surgeries discussed without any personal connection made me think about how fully connected Jesus is to our trials. He understands 100% of what each of us has been through. He weeps with us when we weep, but He also wants us to lift up our heads and rejoice in him. 

The angels announcing Jesus' birth said something that is true for all of us, especially in our trials. "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." The Lord came to give us good tidings of great joy.

As the online conference ended, my phone brought up a photo memory of 6 years ago. It was a picture of our child just before she had one of the tests done that the doctors had just described. She was smiling, dressed in an infant hospital gown, not aware of the difficulties before her. When I saw that picture come up on my phone, at the same time I was taking this online course, I felt the Lord was telling me that he remembered that day. He is connected to it like I am. Parts of that hard day left deep marks in my heart. There are many who have faced challenges much greater than ours. They also have very difficult days engraved in their memories that most of us don't know about. 

Our child had to stay awake for this test, while exploratory scopes and x-rays with contrast were done. She was 1 year old.  Edward held her head, I held her arms. She lay on a metal table without blankets or padding, an x-ray table. The surgeon, a radiologist and a couple radiology technicians performed the contrast studies and scopes. Surprising all of us, she didn't cry. She held still, blinked a lot, and chomped on her binky. A few times she whimpered, almost crying, and we gave her "sweeties", sugar water drops. It was so hard to see her held down and put through this messy test with no medicine. The contrast solution was sticky, and it was everywhere on her and us. The results of the test showed the surgery would be complicated. 

A couple weeks later, I was still feeling raw from the resurfacing of that memory, and other stresses. I prayed and told the Lord that I know he always remembers us and helps us, and I asked the Lord where he was that day. In my mind's eye, the answer came. I saw us in that room having the tests done. The Lord was close to our daughter, squatting so that his eyes were at the same level as hers as she lay on the x-ray table. He was looking right at her, covering his eyes with his hands, then opening them, in a peek-a-boo game. He was smiling at her, and keeping her eyes focused on his eyes as she had this difficult test done.  That's why she was calm during the scope.  He remembered because he was there with us. There is an unequaled sweetness of knowing Jesus cares enough to be with us. Who else would have remembered the anniversary of that difficult day, and reminded me that they were with us, and that it was important to them too? The Lord is 100% connected to us, our trials, and our happy moments. 

When little babies are mentally developing, their minds don't have the concept of object permanence.  If you cover a toy with a blanket, to a little child it is gone, not there. If you cover your face for a moment, they are surprised to see that you are still there after you uncover your face. That is why peek-a-boo with a baby is so fun, it is unexpected to them. As they get older, they understand "object permanence", they know that if they can't see something, they can look for it and find it. We are like a little child with the Lord in that way. If for a moment we can't see his face or see his blessings to us, we begin to wonder if we've lost him or if he is still there. Knowing the Lord is still there when his face feels hidden is difficult, but is a step toward maturing faith. Finding Him when we thought he was hidden from us fills our heart, we begin to understand that the Lord's connection to us is so deep, He will never leave us alone. There is peace in knowing He will always be with us.

Are there areas in your heart where grief and sadness have been swept to the corners or hidden under the rug? This year may have made some of those tender areas resurface. Invite the Lord into those hidden corners of your heart. Ask the Lord how he saw that moment, and where He was. Invite his glory, his love, his redemption, his victory over death and sin to come into the broken parts. The Lord redeems us as a whole. He also rescues and redeems the moments that feel broken. Jesus and his love are the balm, the healing that we so much need. What a loving friend our Redeemer is!

 

Wonderful Counselor

Desert evening primrose on rocky trail

 I wanted to share a few experiences that have taught me about Jesus' love for you and me. Some of them have to do with parenting, and special needs, that is where I have learned more about the Lord. A couple years ago I was walking. It had been a very hard day for our child with special medical needs the day before. I had just heard about another little girl with similar conditions that had been unfairly treated medically, leaving her with lifelong ramifications.  My heart ached for these little ones, for what they have faced and for what may still lie ahead for them. I felt angry at the injustices of people who don't understand, adding to the load already carried by these children. I asked the Lord to walk with me and to help me feel peace again. I apologized to the Lord for my anger and frustration, "Sorry I don't have anything nice to say to you." The Lord answered "It's OK, I can take it, I can take your anger. Tell me." I saw myself banging my fists on the Lord's chest, crying, angry, frustrated at the injustices of our fallen world. He didn't turn me away, or reproach my feelings, he just listened. I felt that these little children are in his hands, and that they had been doing a great work, bringing people to Him. He reminded me of the blind man in John in whom was manifested the power and works of God (John 9). My anger evaporated. In it's place was peace, not my own, but peace given to me from the Lord. When I turn to Jesus, the Savior takes my ugly, angry feelings, and in return gives me understanding and peace, helping me through the trials. What an amazing friend we have in Jesus. What love he has for each of us!

It is amazing to me that the Lord has all of his beautiful creations- forests, waterfalls, oceans, all of what He has made is His to be in. Yet it is our brokenness, our lowly and messy lives that he chooses to work. He nurtures the seed of faith and trust in Him, encouraging it to grow. So often I feel like my life is muddy and my feelings are not reverent or holy yet Jesus does not turn away from us. 

One barrier to seeking the Lord is when we feel we will never be able to do everything just right, never be worthy of the Lord answering our prayers. Whether God speaks to us is not at all a reflection of our worthiness, but rather a reflection of God's amazing continuing condescension and desire to work with us.  In the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve saw their own nakedness, or their brokenness, their sin and vulnerability before God, Satan told them to hide, to be ashamed of being seen by God. He told them to cover themselves with fig leaves. God came to the garden, knowing they had disobeyed, but still looking for them and wanting to talk with them. When we see ourselves in our vulnerable, broken, sinful state, the devil tells us to hide, to hide away from God. Sometimes I reach the end of my patience and I reach for something to fill the emptiness. We all have at least a few coping mechanisms, some unhealthy, others healthy. When I am at that point, often I feel ashamed of being so tired, so empty of patience and love, and am afraid of saying or doing something that would bring further regret. The adversary tells us we are not worthy to talk to God when we feel this way and that we should be ashamed. The moments when we feel most broken are exactly when God wants most for us to talk to Him. God is looking for me, for each of us. When we see our sins and feel naked before God, at the end of our rope, that is when God is most looking for us and calling our name. Jesus suffering and great sacrifice for us is His cloak of love thrown over us, the covering of our nakedness before God. His sacrifice for us is what gives us grace. What amazing love He gives us! How wonderful our Heavenly Father, Heavenly Mother and Savior are!  How could I turn to false sources of comfort when the Lord is so understanding and so full of love for me? I have started trying to pray at those times instead of hiding away from God. He tells me things like "You did a hard thing today. I saw how hard you tried. Tomorrow you can try again. I love you."   Where I turn for comfort when I feel broken tells a lot about where my heart is. Do we really love God as much as we say we do? 

Living Water

I have been thinking about the Lord being our living water. "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

Water takes many forms in nature- clouds, rain, morning dew, snow, springs, rivers, oceans, glaciers. From the deepest valleys of the ocean floor, to the unlimited sky, water is there. 

Water's many forms are praising
The Lord's glory, water's sharing.

In white billowed clouds gathering,
Sun's majestic fire reflecting.

Under your wings you're gathering,
Father's light in you reflecting.

In generous rain descending,
Springs from mountains always flowing.

Father's, Mother's love descending,
Given freely, always flowing.

Rivers to the oceans pouring,
Oceans tides, waves, cleansing, washing.

Lamb of God's blood, life, love pouring,
Renewing hope, cleansing, washing.

Thundering waterfalls roaring,

Crashing droplets, rainbows holding.

Lion of Judah roaring,

All power, virtue, love holding.

Silent snowflakes gently falling,

White snow, blanketing, covering.

Heaven's light, grace gently falling,
Pure love, blanketing, covering.

Morning dew drops, jewels shining.
Glaciers, rivers, moving, shaping.

Your love for us sparkling, shining,
Deeper faith, trust, love, you're shaping.

Water's peaceful mirrors calming,
Sometimes rippling, tumbling, storming,

Let your peace still me, calm me

Through life's waves, tumbling, storming.

Deep oceans, blue sky revealing,

True love's depths, widths, heights, for you, me.

Water is God's love, truth, revealing.

Lord, please forever abide with me.

A Gift for You

Last year I shared a blog post about a Take Courage Quilt, a collage of scriptures and a mountain landscape I made. This quilt has reminded me of God's promises and God's love many times. I wanted to share the quilt design with any friends or family who would like a copy (link at the bottom of this post). My son, Samuel, helped me make the scripture print easier to read, and also made a Spanish version of the quilt. I am so thankful for his help in editing it. It is not to be sold, only to be printed for private use and enjoyment.  

There are different options for printing. 

You can download it and print it at any photo center as a picture- Sam sized it 20x30 for printing since that is a common print size. This costs about $10-15, depending on where you print it. If you print it smaller than this, it is hard to read the scriptures. 

Most photo centers also print a 50x60" fleece blanket for about $40.  Sam helped me size the picture for printing this size as well. There are Spanish and English versions of this too. 

Printing on fabric. I used Spoonflower, a company that prints any customer's design on a selection of fabrics-  cotton, silk, satin, velvet, fleece, denim, and other fabrics. It costs slightly more than the photo centers, but it's fun to pick your fabric and choose how to finish it. It will need to be finished with a backing and/or an edge if you go through Spoonflower. I have uploaded the quilt design in English and Spanish and the Original unedited quilt (links highlighted) to Spoonflower. One tricky thing is that Spoonflower only sells in 1-yard increments, they won't sell 1 1/2 yards. This quilt is longer than 1 yard, so you will have to buy 2 yards to get the full quilt. 

This is the download link for quilt. 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Vz5Q23RsFVmzBshRytRrw9lv3zHlXg7R?usp=sharing

My prayer is that we remember all the wonderful things the Lord has done for us in creating our earth, in giving us his Son, for us, in making many miracles and blessings for each of us. I hope we see the Lord's love in what he has created for us.

Below is the Spanish version of the quilt.