Our Very Own Life Jacket

While living in The Philippines from 1974-76, we planned a trip with a group of friends from the Christian Servicemen’s Center located near Clark Air Force Base. Part of our trip was a tour of Corregidor Island, where the US fought during WW II. As we prepared to go across the ocean channel to the island, I realized we were going to be traveling in a small native bunka boat! Bunka boats are very narrow with outriggers to balance the boat in the water. They are run by a very small motor, and are just big enough to hold a couple of people and the person guiding the boat. Because of my anxiety around water I grabbed a life jacket before getting in the boat. Our guide could not speak any English and looked to be about 16 yrs. old, but Joel reassured me that with everyone around us, we would be fine.

Our trip over was uneventful, and we were able to see where important events in history took place, but on the way home the motor on our bunka boat quit, we began drifting, and the boat started taking on water. Soon we were taking old cans kept in the bottom of the boat, and bailing out water as fast as we could while we watched the other boats move farther and farther away. I was very grateful for my life jacket as Joel and I prayed and bailed and prayed and bailed, while the young man tried to restart the motor. After about 10 minutes we looked up to see a boat coming back for us. Our boats were tied together by rope, and we were towed back to shore as we continued to bail water. What a relief to put our feet back on sandy soil again!

The other day I was thinking about Joel’s and my 41 years together and this story came to mind. I remembered just how many times God, Himself, has been our “life jacket”. He has brought us through many trials, and with His help we have been able to bail ourselves out of many ”sinking” situations. Often I have panicked like I did that day in the bunka boat, and I have desperately prayed for God to save us. Panic did nothing to help me then, but certainly God did. Panic does not help me in my daily life now either. It does not help any of us.

It is a comfort to know we each have our own life jacket to wear no matter where we find ourselves. God is always with us. He provides us with the strength we need to “bail” ourselves out of deep water. More than that, He often rescues us before we get into “sinking” situations, and we have no idea at the time! How blessed we are to be able to put our trust and security in Him as our “life jacket”. Trusting God replaces our panic with His everlasting peace.

***Please visit Charlotte and Ginger at http://www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/ to read more inspirational posts.

Thankful Thursday Thinking

Okay, first of all, I know it is not Thursday...it's Friday, but I have been wanting to start posting what I am thankful for and missed the day so with determination I am following through with Thankful Thursday thoughts on Friday :-).

Giving thanks for sunshine after a long week of dreary grey days.
Giving thanks for Joel being home.
Giving thanks for Joel getting disability even though it is not something we ever thought would be necessary!
Giving thanks for a warm wool comforter ~ my Woolie~ on crisp fall and winter days
Giving thanks for rice socks I can warm in the microwave to ease my aches and pains.
Giving thanks for talking to our oldest son on the phone nearly every day for the past month and seeing him twice and our DIL once.
Giving thanks for our family.
Giving thanks for a loving God who gently reminds me to not focus on the problem but on the PROVIDER!

The Work of the Gardener

Isaiah 58:11 "You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring who waters never fail."

Most days I try to walk around our yard deadheading the flowers in our flower pots and small garden. Once in awhile I am able to water the plants and pull a weed or two, but mostly I leave that to my husband. We are blessed to be able to enjoy pansies, geraniums, day lilies, petunias, Mexican Wedding plants, mums, and more! In the more shaded areas we have pots full of pink, white, and coral impatiens.

The flowers do not bloom as well if left on their own. A lot of work goes into the care of the soil, because if it is not tilled, fertilized, and watered the plants will whither and die. In late Fall we cover the garden with leaves to protect the soil and perennial roots, and when Spring arrives the leaves are removed, the soil is turned over once again, and nourishment is added to prepare for the summer blossoms.

In our own lives God is the Gardener, and in love He prepares, nourishes, weeds, and gently cares for us. Often the soil (soul) needs to be stirred up and tilled, and sometimes transplanted. God knows what care we need to become more and more like Him. As our soil (soul) is tended, weeded, and nourished, we start to grow beautiful flowers (gifts to share with others), becoming more and more of the person God desires us to be.

A garden that is left untended soon becomes covered with weeds that smother the flowering plants. So it is in our lives also. If we do not turn to God in prayer, if we do not read His Word and nourish our soil (soul) we will produce more weeds than flowers, and eventually whither and die.

Let us open our hearts to God’s wisdom in tending to our souls. He is the Master Gardener and He has a Master Plan for each of us. With much nourishment and care, we,too, can grow to bloom into a beautiful garden.

To read more inspirational posts go to www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com where Ginger and Charlotte host Spiritual Sundays.

Mountain Moving Miracles

I read Linny's blog, "A Place of Simplicity" and she speaks often of God as being a
"miracle-working, mountain-moving, awe-inspiring gasp-giving God!" While reading her blog I have been reminded over and over again of what God is capable of doing, and wants to do in the lives of His children. This mantra has touched me deeply and found a home within my soul.
I have started looking for mountain-moving miracles in our own lives, and I have not been disappointed!

My husband and I are "Partners in Lyme". We are fighting a difficult battle, but we know God is walking with us. Joel has had to apply for disability as he is presently unable to work. For two months our congregation paid what is called a medical leave salary for his position as Senior Pastor. He filled out paperwork a month ago and sent it off to the people who needed to also fill it out and send it off to our ELCA so that they could have their own insurance company look it over and decide if he was eligible or not. Unfortunately, our doctor was unable to fill it out and send it off when she received it, as it was put in his medical file when it arrived. Three weeks later we called the ELCA and were told they were waiting on the paperwork from our doctor, so after a phone call, things were set into motion and nearly a month later than expected, the necessary papers were sent off to the insurance company. We were told it could take another month to be approved. Joel had understood that he would continue to receive money from his employer for accumulated sick days and vacation days, but yesterday Joel was told that due to his application for disability, his position had been terminated and he no longer was employed by our congregation! What to do? We needed money for the mortgage, bills, and food. Our out of pocket medical costs for treating Lyme are unbelievable and we don't want to give up treatment. We know we are two of the "lucky" ones because we have options....but I must be honest and say we were pretty stressed out by this turn of events. We did not have to be.

It seems God had a mountain-moving miracle planned for us. Early this morning we received a phone call from the insurance company saying they had just received the paperwork and they were giving us a verbal approval for disability! Wow! No long period of waiting, no wondering if he would be approved, no worry, no scrambling to find money for our daily needs. God is a miracle-moving God and we experienced this today.

Another miracle is in the making in our lives too. A crisis that I choose not to speak about, has been causing our family a lot of stress and worry. Prayers have been raised for God to step in and perform a miracle in the lives of two little ones we love and care about. Today we saw a glimpse of that miracle God is working out. It brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart to feel His love and see the "mountain" beginning to move. We are praising God for the miracle we know is coming!

I am forever grateful for the mountain-moving, miracle-making, awe-inspiring, gasp-giving God that Linny reminded me of. In my battle with chronic illness, I had forgotten the great power of our loving God. Do you have awe-inspiring stories of our mountain-moving God? I know you do! How blessed we all are and may we never forget the miracles God is waiting to perform in our lives!

A Messenger From God

In the early 70's I found myself struggling with my faith. I did not feel close to God and desired a better relationship with him. One evening my husband and I went to a church service with friends and at the end of the service the pastor called people to the altar to pray. I went forward with the hope that I would find some peace of mind in my conflict. Members of the congregation were praying with all of us at the altar, so when someone took my folded hands and lifted them up in praise, I raised my head and opened my eyes to see who was with me. I was surprised to discover I was all alone, even though I still felt the warmth of someone holding my hands in theirs. I believe that someone was not an earthly being, but a messenger sent from God to bring assurance to one of His children during a time of turmoil. I have never doubted God's love for me since that night so long ago.

"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine..... Oh what a foretaste of glory divine...."



For more inspirational posts visit Charlotte and Ginger's blog at http://www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

A Cabin In The Woods

During the late 70’s I saw a movie that remained a favorite of mine for years. “The Adventures of the Wilderness Family” was a story about a family that moved to the wilderness of Alaska to escape the overpopulated and smog-filled big city they were living in. My children used to groan out loud when I would pull the video out to watch yet one more time! It was not the many “dangers” they encountered in the wild that drew me in, it was the beauty of their surroundings, and the lifestyle they chose that was so intriguing. Ever since seeing that movie, when life seems to overwhelm me and I want to escape my difficult circumstances, I often respond with a “cabin comment”. I might be heard saying, “A cabin in Alaska is sounding better and better…” or “Where is that cabin in the woods when you need one!”

Just recently I found myself reading The Message translation of Psalm 55. I laughed right out loud when I came across these verses:

“Get me out of here on dove wings

I want some peace and quiet

I want a walk in the country

I want a cabin in the woods

I am desperate for a change

From rage and stormy weather”

I guess I am not alone in my desire to escape to a cabin in the woods! Although there are a few who choose a remote lifestyle (I have read plenty of books about them), most of us cannot leave our stressful lives or difficult circumstances behind to find a full time place of refuge in the wilderness. But a refuge does await us when we turn to our Lord for help. The Bible tells us that “God is our refuge and strength, our help in times of trouble.” When we turn all our problems over to God, and trust Him to care for us He provides a way of escape….. He is our “cabin in the woods”!

If you wish to read more inspirational posts visit Charlotte and Ginger's blog, Spiritual Sundays at www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com.