 When I was a kid, I remember having this cassette player that had microphones attached to it. I loved that thing. I played and sang along with cassettes all the time. My favorite cassette had a song that went, “You got to ask if you want to receive. You got a seek if you want to find. You got to knock. For the door to be open, ASK is God's way."
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Matthew 7:7 Asking has always been a hard thing for me. For some reason I cannot disconnect asking for things from discontentment. I get stuck on the Philippians 4:11 where Paul tells us, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” The Greek word used for content means sufficient for one's self, strong enough or possessing enough to need no aid or support. My mind gets stuck on that if I am content I shouldn’t be asking for things. If I am asking for more I must not be content with what I have.
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 Southern hospitality is legendary but it is also very real. I have been blessed to have learned from the example of my mother, grandmothers and aunts. To properly host guests requires preparation and forethought. You want those that come in to feel comfortable and welcome. The space should be tidy. The floor swept. The table cloth should be fresh. Refreshment ready to serve.
And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. 2 Kings 4:8-10 KJV 2 Kings tells us of a great lady. She could probably teach all of us a thing or two about hospitality. We don’t know her name, but her actions speak louder than any name. Elisha passed by her home on the way to Shunem. The Bible says she constrained thim to eat bread. The Hebrew word there is hazaq. It is the same word that is used for when the angels took ahold of Lot and his family bringing them out of Sodom. She had no intention of Elisha passing by without food and rest. This wasn’t a one time invitation, but the Bible tells us that any time he passed by he would stop in to eat with her. He had an open invitation.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. - Ephesians 6:12 KJV
Every morning we open our eyes and walk out onto a battlefield. The battlefield of our mind stretches before us. Battles will be fought there that will guide the course of our day and eventually our lives. Thoughts our mind entertains, moves to our hearts and then comes out through our actions.  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6 KJV
It is one of my favorite times of the year, spring garden season. My grandpa had a garden when I was growing up and I have always loved the idea of having one myself. When we were newlyweds I attempted container gardening but never had good results. Then the 2020 shutdown happened. I was one of those bored out of their mind people who tried gardening. My husband built me a cute raised garden bed in our front yard. He bought good soil and let me get to planting. I had no clue what I was doing. Most of my seeds came from the free seed libraries. My friends and I had so much fun texting and sending pictures, especially since we couldn't meet up. I actually ended up with a beautiful, fruitful garden. God has taught me a lot through my gardens. Sometimes it is the actual garden that illustrates something to me, other times it is in the stillness of the garden that I can slow down and hear Him.  I was never what you would consider an outdoorsy child. I didn’t like to get my hands dirty, the heat or bugs. Give me a book and air conditioning instead. That being said, I do have a few memories of playing in the dirt. Spoons and measuring cups now became tools to dig holes and make mud pies. At the time, the spoon served the purpose of digging just fine. If the endeavor became more serious than just play, like digging a hole to plant a tree, the spoon would soon cause some serious frustration. A spoon’s created purpose is to stir or ladle. A shovel was created to dig.
All over Instagram there are reels showing “new” ways to use everyday items. Your water hose sprayer breaks, poke holes in a water bottle and use that. Ideas like that can help in a pinch but if you use that everyday you will get frustrated. A bottle was not created to be a water sprayer. The word purpose is a noun meaning the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. Many times when we get frustrated in life we have lost the purpose of what we are doing.  We live in a world of distractions. We are constantly bombarded by people and things wanting our attention and wanting our attention now. Things that seem urgent can take the focus off things that are important. As a society we have forgotten how to disconnect. Phones are constantly going off with notifications from apps and social media. We have a constant stream of news and opinions flooding our consciousness. With so much vying for our attention we can lose focus on what should be a priority.
When Jesus heard [of it], he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard [thereof], they followed him on foot out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. Matthew 14:13-14  How many times do we feel down in the dumps and think, “Well, I am in the valley.” I have even heard people say, “You can’t always live on the mountain top.” Just like I think we look at mountaintops through rose colored glasses, I think valleys get a bad rap. If we equate our high moments with mountain tops, our low moments get associated with the valleys. Actual physical valleys are beautiful. Many have a river or body of water. The soil is fertile and the vegetation lush. Just the same we need to look at our spiritual valleys through God’s unique perspective.
As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, [and] as cedar trees beside the waters. - Numbers 24:6 KJV  I have two happy places, the beach or the mountains. Because I live close enough to the beach to enjoy it regularly, the mountains have become our favorite place to vacation. The beach is my regular recharge, while the mountains are my escape. I love to sit on the balcony of where we stay and watch the mountains as I drink my coffee. Something about it grounds me and brings me peace.
The Bible frequently mentions mountains. There are 130 verses in the King James Version Bible that mention the word mountain. Many sermons have been preached concerning mountaintop experiences. Personally I feel we see the mountaintop through rose colored glasses. Commonly we see it as times of victory and triumph, whereas the valley represents our low points in life.  The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. - Matthew 13:1 KJV
There is something about the beach that is good for my soul. Now I am not talking about beaches like most people think about. I live in Florida but not “that” Florida. We live in the area that is referred to as The Forgotten Coast. If you don’t want tourist traps or crowds, this area is where you go. Sometimes I can take my kids to the beach and there may be only two or three other families. Last year I was unable to go to the beach due to health issues. Since God is restoring my health, I have decided to go every chance I can. Recently my husband and I took our date night to the coast. We ate dinner by the water and walked the beach as the sun set. The salty breeze was blowing. The waves were crashing against the shore. The sand was squishing between my toes. In these moments it felt like all the world was brought back to the basics. The earth beneath my feet, wind blowing in my face and the sound of water in my ears. I was reminded of my foundation.  It is the most peculiar phenomenon. Usually after church service everyone stands around visiting. I will be in a group chatting and hear my name spoken on the other side of the room. In the midst of all those voices I hear my name. I am not having a Samual moment. My husband is talking about me to someone. Honestly, our friends think it is quite funny. The thing is we have been married for eighteen years, I know when he says my name.
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. - John 10:2-4 KJV |
