HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Today was day two of the migraine that had kept me at home and in bed... with curtains drawn. As I lay in bed with the blankets pulled over my head, a multitude of thoughts swirled through my head.

I thought of all the different tasks waiting for me at work... the things I should have been there doing. I thought about my house and the things that needed cleaning and straightening. From time to time, I could quiet my mind enough to sleep... and then I would wake up again to "chase rabbits" in my thoughts.

The thought "rose like a bubble" to the top and "popped"... about the blog I wrote yesterday... the one concerning the "disquietude" I felt in my heart and in my spirit concerning the current affairs of our country... and the impact the recent election could have on our future.

It was then that I realized that I was looking at the situation in the "natural". I wasn't looking at the condition of our country through eyes that recognized that God is in control. I wasn't looking through "eyes of faith".

Nothing has happened that caught God unaware. Nothing took Him by surprise. The Lord knew what would be going on today before the United States was even formed into a country... and long before that.

That doesn't mean that life in this country won't be different from what we have known in the past. That doesn't mean that we won't have to make adjustments in our lives that we have never imagined. It does mean we have an intercessor who is always in the presence of God, interceding for us.

No matter how bleak things may look... no matter what we hear on the news or read on the internet... we have to remember that our God does indeed have a plan for us... remember that He alone is in control... and remember He is our Hope for the Future.

If God is FOR us... who can be against us.

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

I believe that today begins a changed life for many of us. Our Christian President left office today and a new presidency began.

I hope and pray that our new president will bring good things for our country. I hope that he will do all he can to restore morality, justice, and equality to all the people.

During the presidential election, I felt a "disquietude" (is that a word) in my spirit that has not gone away... but has only worsened over time.

I don't want to sound like some kind of "doom's day prophet"... but... I believe we all need to pray fervently for the new President to hear from God almighty. We need to ask God to lead and guide him in every step he takes and every decision he makes.

We need to draw closer to the Lord ourselves because this new season feels like a "time of change" for sure... and I'm not sure that change will come in the way that many are expecting.

It is time for God's people to look up.... to God ... for guidance..... and to look inward... to examine heart and mind.... to set priorities and get in tune with the Lord.

Lord, forgive us all where we fall short and help us meet the challenges that face us today.

An Interview With Grand Nana Lou

Questions from Mama's aMusings...

1.What is your favorite scripture? Proverbs 3:5,6

2. What is your favorite color M&M? Red

3. Who has been the most influential person in your life? My Mother

4. Where do you see yourself in ten years? Right where I am, doing the same things I'm doing now.

5. If you were in a movie, what actress/actor would play you? Susan Sarandon... It's the eyes.

MY BROTHER'S KEEPER

I can remember a time long ago when life moved at a much slower pace. Neighbors actually knew each other… and were a part of each others’ lives.

All the neighborhood children would gather in the vacant lot beside my house where we could play our game of choice. Sometimes it would be baseball, football, or cowboys and Indians. Sometimes we would just play hide-and-seek.

Most of the moms kept an eye on the “brood”… and each of the kids ran home for supper when our individual “Mom” shouted our name.

If an illness, a job lay-off, an accident, or a death occurred in the neighborhood, there would be phone calls, visits, food brought in, and offers of assistance of all kinds. These people all reached out to each other and took the time to minister to one another. They shared what they had… even if it wasn’t a lot… back in the days of no air conditioners, microwave ovens, or fast food.

Ten years ago, I fell and broke my ankle as we prepared to take my daughter to the hospital to give birth to my granddaughter. Friends, family and church family were faithful to call, come by, and do all they could to meet our needs. My church has always been faithful to care for their own. All churches don’t share that habit.

In 1998, life had become much busier and the world more complex than the one I had known as a child… yet somehow these busy, two career families still found a way to reach out and be “the hand of Christ” extended to my family.

Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear ye one another's burdens”… - Sympathize with, and assist each other, in all your weaknesses, difficulties, tests, grievances, trials....“and so fulfill the law of Christ”. - The law of Christ is the law of love: something our Lord heartily recommends. Love is the thing He makes the distinguishing mark of one who is His disciples.

Today… ten years later… I am witness to others in need… going through trial after trial… going without notice. Has life become such a hurried thing that the “body of Christ” has stopped reaching out to those with whom they share pews on a regular basis? Do physical and emotional needs go ignored?

Sometimes all that is needed is a phone call from someone who cares. Just a word of kindness when one has reach the “end of their rope” can help them “tie a knot and hang on”.

There are families who are hurting… and in need of an encouraging word… who hear nothing from those who are supposed to be their “brothers and sisters in Christ”. They face tests and difficulties without notice... from pastor or layperson alike.

*** “Lord, When did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison, and go visit You ?”

The Lord will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brother of mine, you did for Me.’” Matt. 25:37-40

Likewise... whatever we didn't do for the least of these... we didn't do for him as well.


May God open our eyes to the needs around us... and lead us each to “bear our neighbor's burdens” as He sees fit.