In Sweet Fellowship

Psalm 55:12-14
If an enemy were insulting me,
I could endure it;
if a foe were rising against me,
I could hide.
But it is you, a man like myself,
my companion, my close friend,
with who I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
at the house of God,
as we walked about
among the worshipers.

It is not something we, as Christians, wish to discuss and are loathe to reveal lest we discourage others from attending church, but it is a reality.  A reality which recently descends upon my husband, Danny, and me in a most unexpected, unprecedented and hurtful way; one that completely blindsides us and leaves us reeling.  When those we held closest as we walked with them among the worshipers turn against us with fangs bared, we wonder, what has happened to sweet fellowship?

In the years I've been a member of Facebook, I've witnessed too many friends who have been discouraged and disheartened by the way they have been treated in their churches.  At the least, some have left their house of worship in search of a more embracing congregation.  At the worst, some have thrown Christianity aside altogether, seeking blindly now for a faith outside of The Way.  Lost and broken, they struggle and strive to find in the unfamiliar a hint of the love they once hoped to know through Christ.

When he asks people he meets why they don't attend church, this is what Pastor Wallace hears most often:  "They're all hypocrites!  Who, in their right mind, would want to be part of that?"

Wallace's answer?  "Yes, we are all hypocrites.  We are all sinners.  That's why they and you and I need to be there."

That's why they and you and I need to be there . . .

We are fragile.  We are fallen.  We are prone to forget the saving grace of Christ Jesus when we have been hurt or wronged.

We see through our eyes, not God's.  We long for our kingdom, not His.

We are all hypocrites, in desperate need of Christ's healing.  Christ's salvation.

It's all too easy to draw up "enemy lines" and endure the slings and arrows coming from our foes, but when those same slings and arrows are hurled at us by those we count as friends?  Trusted friends?  Those with the kiss of Judas on their lips?

What do we do?

Jesus has the answer.

Forgive.

Seventy times seventy times seven and more.

Forgive.

Then?  Forget!

And welcome everyone into His Kingdom by inviting them to join you in sweet fellowship at your house of worship.  Show the love of Christ to them.  When you do that, those who feel forsaken or hurt or lost will know they have found a safe haven in your church and in your heart.

~

Have you been hurt by a church experience?  How did you react?  How did you deal with your disappointment?

Prayer:  Father, we, as Your children, are supposed to be loving and forgiving, even when it hurts and our hearts are breaking.  Help us to remember that Your precious Son, Jesus, gave the ultimate sacrifice that we might learn to forgive and forget in Christian love, sweet fellowship, no matter what the circumstances.  May our churches be places of warmth, welcome and acceptance for the lost and the seeking.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.

Angels Are Not Just Heard on High

Proverbs 4:18
The path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto a perfect day.

It is the day after Christmas.  My husband, Danny, and I are scheduled to drive the long stretch to my mother's house to spend the day with her.  Danny has had problems with an implant which, after a remarkably healthy run of five years, becomes infected.  Dr. T., his oral surgeon, gives it everything he has to save it previously in the month, but this ornery tooth decides to come loose at the most inconvenient of times.

"Martha, call your mom," Danny calls to me from the hallway as I'm sipping coffee and checking my e-mail.  "We can't make it today."

"What's wrong, honey?"  I ask in alarm.

"It's the tooth.  I can feel it wobbling.  It hurts to swallow.  I've got to see about this today."

"But, Danny, it's the day after Christmas!  Won't the office be closed?"

"They should have an emergency answering service.  I'm calling as soon as I'm out of the shower."

Danny places the call and waits.  After two hours, there's still no response.  What was supposed to be a shining and perfect day is fast deteriorating into one of doom and gloom.  In desperation, Danny scrolls through his most recent calls on his I-phone, praying that he hasn't deleted his surgeon's cell phone number from the list.

Miracles of miracles!  Danny finds it!  Promptly he calls and leaves a message explaining the situation.  Within ten minutes, Dr. T. returns the call and sets Danny up with an appointment at 2:30 that afternoon even though his office is officially closed for the holidays.  He has no dental technicians available, but his wife, who is a pediatric dentist, agrees to assist in the procedure.

We arrive at the office early; Dr. T. and his wife arrive on the dot.  We have no idea what holiday plans they have scrapped to be the angels we need in this moment, but they greet us with sincere smiles and Merry Christmas wishes.  The procedure takes less than thirty minutes.  Danny is relieved from his nagging discomfort, and we are free, all of us, to enjoy the remainder of this blessed holiday in uneventful bliss.

And we realize:  Angels are not just heard on high.  They live and dwell right here among us.  We know Dr. T. and his wife are devout Christians, but on this day, we also know that they walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

Danny sends them a heartfelt thank you note the next day.  We are both so grateful for their sacrifice of time, for showing extraordinary love and care for a patient, for going above and beyond the call of duty.

They are the just, shining their light full force.

They turned our not-so-good-horrible-miserable day into one of perfection.

Isn't that what God promises He will do for us when we ask?

~

Have you experienced a time when someone's sacrifice in love and caring for you made all the difference?

Prayer:  Father, we thank You for those angels in our lives; those who rise above the moment to tend to the needs of others without any expectation of reward in return.  They show, by being just and merciful, the light You wish us to shine unto a perfect day, the day in which Your light is perfected in each and every one of us.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.

Make Us Fruitful!

John 15:2
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Our home is surrounded by trees.  It's wonderful in the summertime when the southern sun beats down brutally, yet we stay cool and comfortable beneath a lush canopy of leaves.

There are drawbacks, however.

Dead branches.  Arching over our roof.

Hanging precariously over our deck.

A potential disaster just waiting to happen . . .

My husband, Danny, finally decides it's high time to have the branches removed right before our family is to gather here for Thanksgiving.  As always, he does his research before hiring a company.  Danny finds one that is not only reputable, but also offers what we both agree is a more than fair price to take down these "limbs of doom."

Fascinated by the whole process, and amazed at the young man who seamlessly scales the tree trunk, I decide to capture some moments with my camera.

What a relief it is to have the branches not bearing fruit removed from the otherwise healthy and thriving trees!  Maybe, in their own mysterious way, the trees appreciate it, too.  Freed from excess and unnecessary baggage, they can continue to grow, stretching their fruitful branches heavenward like arms raised in grateful prayer and praise to God.

~

Are you in need of some spiritual pruning?  Pray to the Master Gardener, the One who can trim those dead limbs of yours and make you a new creation in Him.

Prayer:  Father, please make us fruitful for the sake of Your Kingdom.  Cut away from our hearts and souls those dead places which keep us from connecting fully with You.  Prune us for Your honor and glory.  In Jesus' name, amen.

These Words of my Mouth

Psalm 19:14
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

For years, I keep a journal.  Seven volumes line the inner shelf of my wardrobe; my memories gathering dust.  Waiting for me to one day return and read about the joys and sorrows of my past, and perhaps, discover some connection between the person I was then and the one I am today.

Why do I stop writing a journal?  Why do I lose interest in an activity which brings me much solace and comfort?  Allows me to share my deepest, most precious thoughts, even if they are meant only for my eyes and God's?

Danny and I marry in 2005.  That's when the need and urge to keep a journal melts away.  Here is my soul-mate, my beloved, with whom I can share my every thought, my every feeling.  And he can share the same with me.  A real live and lively love; much more satisfying than the ramblings of drying ink on inanimate pages.

So, I simply lose the drive, the compulsion, to maintain a journal.

Fast-forward to the spring of 2011 and the beginning of this blog you are reading today.  I find with writing daily devotionals (yes, I really did start out posting a reflection per day), there is even less of a desire to return to a hand-written journal.  As I include many personal experiences and family photos in my posts, Meditations of My Heart serves, in some ways, as a memoir for me while, I hope, it provides inspiration for you.

Christmas 2014:  I unwrap a package from my son, Daniel.  I'm amazed to discover that it is, of all things, a journal!  But it's not any ordinary journal.  Oh, no!  At the bottom of each blank page is a quote from scripture, the idea being, of course, that the words which will grace the page will reflect the meaning of the passage from the Bible.

"When I saw this, Mom," Daniel tells me, "I thought about the devotions you write on your blog.  I thought this would help you with your ideas."

I feel the tears stinging my eyes.  I am so moved by my son's thoughtful and heart-felt gift.  I give him a warm and grateful hug.  "Yes, Daniel, this will help," I assure him.  "I know it will!"

And, guess what?  It already has!

~

Do you keep a journal?  If so, do you prefer to hand-write your entries, or do you type them on your computer?

Prayer:  Father, may the words of our mouths and those we write down come from our hearts.  May they ever be pleasing in Your sight, and reflect the glory that is Yours alone.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.

While We Were Still Sinners

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

My daughter, Sarah, and her husband, John, along with their daughters, Virginia Rose and Savannah Jane, regularly visit our house for Sunday dinner.  Those of you who have been following this blog already know that my husband, Danny, loves to cook and plan meals.  For this Sunday's repast, he decides to include Virginia in the preparation.

"Let's do pizza this Sunday," Danny announces.  "I'll get fresh dough from Publix and let Virginia help me roll it out."

"Oh, she'll love that!"  I assure him.

Does she ever!

Danny perches Virginia beside him on our library stool.  As he flours the counter, preparing to roll out the crust, Virginia can't help putting her hands in it.

Before we know it, she is making mini-mountains.

When her Papa is through using the rolling pin, he hands it to Virginia so she can flatten flour into a pretend pizza.  She sees this as an opportunity to practice her drawing.

But, oh, what a mess Virginia creates!

Most times, such chaos in our kitchen would be met with frustration and aggravation on my on my part.  Not today!  Just seeing the joy on Virginia's face as she plays with the flour makes cleaning up a labor of love.

It makes me think about how much God loves us.  Loves you and me, as my grandmother was fond of saying, "Up to the moon and back."  The fallen, sinful, sullied, incomparable messes that we are; covered from head to toe with the flour of iniquity.

While we were still sinners . . . The Lord didn't wait until we cleaned up our act to act on our behalf.  No!  Jesus offered up His perfection to perfect us in every way.  His sacrifice means our salvation.  His suffering sets us free.  Free to be, through Him, in relationship with the Father.

A loving, intimate relationship, full of grace and forgiveness.

A debt we can never repay.

God has turned the flour of sin into a shining white cloak of righteousness which He wraps around us like comforting arms.

Because of Jesus, I know that no matter how many messes I make in this life, He will be there for me when I turn to Him with a contrite and humble heart.

He is my love.

He is my life.

He is my Lord . . .

~

Do you trust Jesus enough to let Him clean up the messy, unkempt parts of you?

Prayer:  Father, how can we thank You enough for the love You have for us?  The love which allowed You to send Your Beloved Son into this world to save us while we were still sinners?  May we always turn to You and trust You to clean up the messes in our lives and forgive us when we fail and fall.  In Jesus' precious name, we pray.

Unequaled Peace

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

In Christ, you have unequaled peace, unlimited resources, unfailing help and unceasing strength to face ANYTHING without fear. ~Donna Pyle at Hydrated Living 

What fears do you harbor in your day-to-day life?  Are they rational, or irrational?  Have you taken the time to analyze them?  Asked Christ Jesus to help you face your fears through His strength and presence?

I have fears.  Even though I know the promise of the Lord, I have fears.

Some are rational.  They belong in the "fight or flight" category of my mind.

I despise heights in narrow places.  My mind convinces me that I have not the strength to hold on; that at any moment, I will plunge over the edge . . .  Vertigo, anyone?

I cannot drive the expressway.  Perhaps, these aging eyes, thought perked by contacts, just don't judge depth or speed correctly.  In my defense, however, if you've ever attempted to navigate Atlanta's metro freeways, you know how many crazies are doing their roaring best to make your journey as unnerving and as stressful as possible.  I'll take the slower, saner back-roads, thank you very much.

When our granddaughter, Virginia Rose, is playing, carefree, on our deck, I'm right there with her.  The fear of her tumbling down the precarious stairs or leaning too far over the edge of the rails only to land in a lifeless heap upon the ground, keeps a healthy fear alive within me.

But then, there are the irrational fears which have nothing to do with our God-given gift of "fight or flight."  These are the ones imposed by society.  By cultural expectations.  By family rigors all too impossible to meet.

These are the ones I believe Christ Jesus would not let trouble our hearts.  As I've made the long journey from religion to relationship with the Lord, I've learned, little by little, to not be afraid of what I used to fear.  To let go and let God who tells me "do not be afraid."  Am I a work in progress?  Of course!  So are you! 

  But these are the fears I have either left behind, or am still submitting to Him for healing.  Fears that have prevented me from realizing His peace which passes all understanding, yet allows you and me to face ANYTHING without fear, without question:

• I must please others, or I am unworthy of love
• I cannot express my opinion to my co-workers if it means I might offend someone.
• I can't live up to those images on the People-styled magazines, and I'm so afraid that everyone judges me in this way.
• I don't have the wealth I should have at this stage in life, therefore, I'm inferior and undeserving.
• If I say what I truly think about a crucial issue, people I care about will abandon me.
• I know if I post this on Facebook, I'm going to suffer the ire of persons who don't really know who I am.
• I know Christ says He is there for me, that He has loved me from the start, but I don't feel worthy.  I haven't done enough in His name.
• I can't tell my family how I'm really feeling, because I can't tolerate the criticism that will follow.

Do any of these fears sound like yours?  Could you add some to this list?

Take comfort, as I am in these days, that Jesus does not give as the world does.  He gives as God gives:  Hearts untroubled, not fearing, filled with peace.

Unequaled peace . . .

~

Will you embrace that unequaled peace in this New Year?

Prayer:  Father of peace, of mercy, and of grace, grant us the courage to face our fears and to leave all our worries upon the light yoke of Christ Jesus, the One who promises to carry our burdens and provide sustenance in His presence.  Release us from irrational fears in this world.  Guide us to trust in Your promises of peace for our hearts, minds, and souls.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.

Live With Wonder

Mark 9:15
As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

Live with wonder - Never lose your sense of wonder.  Look for ways God is working in your life and the lives of people around you. ~Deb Wolf at Counting My Blessings 

My tagline for Meditations of my Heart reads, "Finding the miraculous in the mundane."  It pinpoints what I've attempted to do during the lifetime of this blog.  Sharing personal and ordinary experiences which reflect the presence and involvement of God in the everyday simplicity and, sometimes, seemingly insignificant circumstances of the day-to-day lives we lead.

Because all is holy in His sight.

All.

Living in a chaotic world, one which is anything but just, fair and loving, it is easy for us as adults to view days through jaded, and even fearful, eyes.  We know in our hearts that Christ has overcome the world; therefore, we are not to be afraid.  Yet our minds too often dupe us into the false pretense that we are powerless in the face of the great evils surrounding and threatening us.  We are consumed by the forest clamoring for our attention, and consequently, cannot see the unique beauty of individual trees.

That's not how I wish to live my life.

That's not how I wish to see God's creation.

I reflect upon the shining eyes of our granddaughter, Virginia Rose, when she first spies our Christmas tree with its merrily twinkling lights and its lower branches for her to decorate.  Hers are eyes aglow with joy, excitement, and eager anticipation.

Eyes filled to overflowing with wonder . . . 

That's how I wish to see God's creation.

That's how I wish to live my life.

I want to be overwhelmed with wonder, just as the people who saw Jesus were, and ran to greet Him.  I long to see God working in my life and in the lives of others in a fresh and unfettered way.

With the innocent eyes of a child, radiant with wonder, let me see anew, dear Lord, let me see anew.  And run to You with arms open wide!

~

I have chosen "wonder" as my one word for 2015.  Have you decided what one word will guide and inspire your New Year?

Prayer:  Dearest Father, God of Wonders, overwhelm us each and every day with Your glory that we might see the works of Your hands with the innocent and wonder-filled eyes of a child.  We thank You for all Your blessings as we begin this New Year with hope, faith and trust in You.  May we always be ready to run and greet You!  In Jesus' name, amen.