Tabitha

Steve and I follow the daily lectionary guide for our morning prayer. This morning, we were led to Acts 9:32-43. It's an obscure little account of Peter visiting the believers in Lydda and while there he heals a paralyzed man and raises a woman named Tabitha from the dead. Here is the phrase that stood out to me. Speaking of Tabitha, the Living Word says,

"She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor."

While her friends (widows) were mourning her death, they were showing Peter all the coats and clothes she had made for them. Peter clears the room and tells Tabitha to get up.

Think about Tabitha with me. Think small. She was always doing kind things. Not big things, not amazing things, not newsworthy things, kind things. And she was always helping the poor.

I wonder...did Tabitha have to be told to do 'random acts of kindness?' Did Tabitha have to be trained to 'do outreach to the poor?' Did Tabitha flounder around wondering what her life purpose was and how she should invest her time? Did Tabitha go to a conference on how to care for the needy and live like Jesus?

I wonder as the widows gathered if they were surprised to find out that they weren't the only one Tabitha sewed for. I wonder if there were delightful exchanges of, "she made me one too!" I wonder if stories of her many little kindnesses were shared through tears of gratitude and fond memories of sweet conversations they'd had with this woman who was always doing kind things.

I wonder if Tabitha was simply a woman who believed Jesus. And this honest belief produced what He promises in John 7:37-38. Anyone who believes in me will never thirst and rivers of living water will flow from your heart. This River is so kind.

What an amazing river flowed from our mentor Tabitha. So much so that Jesus raised her to keep flowing. I can't wait to hear of her many kindnesses that flowed after she was raised from the dead.

Lord Jesus, thank you for inviting me today to always do kind things for others and to always help the poor.  Thank You for inviting me, once again, to simply believe You. Lead me today in that way of life. You lived it, Tabitha lived it, and I long to live it too. Simple. Beautiful. Small. Content.

Treading in His steps

Who then is a faithful and wise servant? Matt 24:45

Oh, to desire His will to be done with my whole heart, to seek His glory with a single eye, to realize more of the fulness of our precious Jesus, to live more in the light of His countenance, to be satisfied with what He bestows, to be grateful for the favours He confers, to be ever looking to Him, treading in His steps, and waiting His speedy return. (Hudson Taylor)

As I'm waiting (expecting, paying attention) on the Lord for direction with each step as His servant, it has been so encouraging to know that the desire itself is a gift. The desire to go where He leads, do what He wants, live how He guides etc. When I desire His will with my whole heart, I experience more of His fulness, live more in His light and am satisfied in this moment. When I seek Him and listen for His voice, rather than reacting to my shallow desires, His hand is open and ready to satisfy every hunger and thirst.

Psalm 145 When You open Your hand, You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

Lord, may I desire Your will whole-heartedly! May I seek you with a single eye and realize your fulness and satisfaction, in the light of Your countenance today. This in itself is a miracle. That I, dust, can share in Your glory simply by looking to You; Grateful for everything, looking to You, treading in Your steps (WOW!) and waiting for You to take me home. The steps of the beautiful feet that brought good news to the world and into my heart. Thank You Jesus. May You transform me into a faithful and wise servant every moment You give me breath. Because of Your love, I pray in Your name, Amen.
Are you feeling thirsty? Confused? I encourage you to just show up attentive to His open hand and as you silently join Him, let Him pour His living water into Your soul. 

Enough

Last night I found out dear friends of ours lost their 24 year old son in a motorcycle accident. More sorrow. As I look back on the last few years there has been much to celebrate! But, there has also been much to grieve. I really can't imagine walking this earthly road without the Shepherd alongside. Giver of Joy, Man of Sorrows.

My daily meditation led me to John 6:27-40 today. If you click on that reference you can read it for yourself.

My response and invitation:
You've told them they don't want to be with You for Who you are, but just for what You can do for them---for the miracles. They see You, but they don't believe You. You're inviting them to LIFE eternal, imperishable; they are asking for manna. You're offering complete-ness; they're asking for crumbs. They see You, but they don't believe You. They are listening, but they don't hear. You're telling them all they need to do is believe in You, the giver of Life, but they're asking for fast food now. 

You will never reject anyone who sees You for Who You are. You will never fail to pour into them Your life, full of compassion, mercy, unfailing love and peace. The bread of life. The bread of heaven. Enough. Complete satisfaction. No more hunger, no more thirst. Enough, whether we are in seasons of temporary abundance or drought---elation, or desolation---You remain Enough.

You wept because Your children wouldn't receive You. You're inviting me to not settle for temporary miracles or miraculous signs; not to settle for what I perceive as a good plan; but to believe in the One God has sent. You are enough. You are enough for...
people in trauma; my sisters in Congo who continue to haunt my thoughts and dreams
my friends in despair
my family in pain
loved ones with incurable diseases
those who are lonely, disappointed, scared

You are Enough for them, and You are enough for me. The I AM.
I worship You---bread of Life
I drink of You---Living Water
I praise You with all of creation.

I can give thanks with all my Heart, because You are Enough.

They Got into the [only] Boat

I had such an amazing time in the Living Word this morning, I just had to share. Can you can relate to this encounter as profoundly as I do!

John 6:16ff (just after the feeding of the 5000 and Jesus goes into the hills by himself). "That evening Jesus' disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn't come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake..." (verse 22 says they took the only boat).

Ok. Stop there. Intentions are good. "I'm going to be patient and wait on the Lord...hmmm, it's getting dark. Maybe He's not coming, oh shoot, there's only one boat left, if I don't grab it, I'll be left here all alone...NOT where I want to be. Hurry up Jesus! Others are saying 'get in, it's fine.' I hate the dark, I can't see where I'm going. I should just wait, He'll bring His light, but ohhhh, it's uncomfortable...move over, I'm climbing in."


V. 18; soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough.

"Why did I get in this boat? This is so scary! I don't belong here...I made a BIG mistake, but I can't go back now, I'm caught up in this storm! I'm an idiot. Why did I rush? Why didn't I just wait like I said I would? When will I learn? Why do I follow the crowd? How could I just leave Jesus behind?"

You get the idea...can you relate? You know the rest of the story. Jesus does still pursue them and brings peace that only the I AM possesses.

Here's my invitation for the day; my daily bread...
Jesus, You're inviting me to learn a lesson from these disciples---to not get in the boat (make any decision or movement) until Your lamp is clearly lighting my path. To not make decisions in the dark---to wait on You. I don't need to live in rough waters in order to see You. You walk with me---You shepherd me through the dark valleys. You never send me off alone to row for miles in rough waters without You. Oh Jesus, thank You. Help me not to jump in the nearest boat because the darkness scares me. Spirit---give me strength to wait.

I'm finding that it's the little boats as well as the big ones that lead to rough waters without His Presence with me. Conversations, comments, attitudes, use of time, energy, words, commitments, etc. My ego and fear lead me to stormy waters. His Presence always leads to peace and rest even in the most intense days of my life.

Drinking, we do not thirst

A well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14

"And the Lord Jesus gives me a well, a spring of living water deep down in my own heart-- His presence there at all times. What do we do with our wells? We go to them and draw. Drinking, we do not thirst. So, having Jesus, drinking of the spring He gives, we need never thirst again."

Hudson Taylor

A friend of mine has been sending me quotes by Hudson Taylor every day this month. All of the wisdom he expresses is born of the theme of abiding. These have been life-giving to me as I reflect on the gift of being connected to the Vine. I love this, "drinking, we do not thirst." It's impossible to thirst while you are drinking! And, we can drink all day long. The Vine even draws the water for us. The Water is His very Spirit. Each morning, as I awake thirsty again...thirsty for purpose, for happiness, for hope, for belonging, for wisdom, for peace, for hope, for strength, etc...all I need to do is show up in my heart to His Presence and He serves me a drink of Him and His living water fills every crevice. 

Again, I can't explain it, but I can experience it, not it, but Him, and so can you. I encourage you today, to simply Come and let Him be Himself and may you receive all that He is.