Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks put the circumstances of our lives, both good and bad into God’s hands and help us see them through His eyes. Last night our beloved daughter-in-law Melinda slipped from this world into the presence of Jesus. And while we are overwhelmed with grief and shock, these words are promises to which we cling. Melinda has finished her race. Her battle with cancer is finished. And while that pernicious disease claimed her physical life, it could not touch her soul. That remained fully and exclusively in the hands of Jesus with whom she now lives. Nancy and I didn’t know how to process the news that came in three words. “She is gone.” Yet as sadness rolls over my heart I sense the message echo back from Heaven, ” She has arrived!”
The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. Proverbs 27:7 KJV
In our backyard grows an old Myers Lemon tree that my father planted. Though our tree is no more than six feet tall, it yields a harvest of lemons so abundant that we have to share them with our neighbors and friends! In today’s verse, we read about a contrast between sweet and bitter things in life and though lemons are not known for their sweetness, it is amazing how our little tree has taught us so many lessons about it. That lesson begins in February, just after the last lemon is picked and I begin pruning the tree. First, I have to be sure to put on a thick long-sleeved shirt and heavy leather gloves, to protect me from the long thorns of our little tree. I cut out any dead branches, cut off the low hanging branches and trim back the tops and sides to keep it compact. When I am finished our tree looks forlorn and bare, but just a week or two later, you would understand why. Stepping out into our backyard (or anywhere near our house) a powerful and beautiful aroma as the lemon tree fills with blossoms. What the fruit itself lacks in sweetness; God pours out in its flowers. Then God adds some really long thorns so that we must be very careful when we pick its fruit.
If your life feels like it is filled with the thorns from bitter experiences, remember our lemon tree. God is not through with you. Just like our little tree, It might be pruning time, but the sweetest blossom may be right around the corner. And just like our lemon, God often chooses to guard His sweetest fruit with the longest thorns. He knows about every sharp and bitter thorn, but He wants us to see that those thorns are simply reminders of what is still to come. So, let’s accept with patience our bitter times, knowing that a harvest lies ahead that is filled with the sweetness of all God has in store!
When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” and from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:26-27 ESV
When we read the stories of Jesus calling His disciples, it becomes clear early on that He had a special job for three of them: Peter, James, and John. Though Peter’s brother Andrew followed Jesus first and was the one who told Peter about Him, it was Peter who was called to be the leader, and despite denying Christ at His trial, Peter was the same boldly preached to thousands on Pentecost. At first, thousands became Christians, but then a few months later, the second in that inner circle, James was put to death for his faith. But what about John? If Peter were to lead, and James to be martyred, what did Jesus ask John to do? Jesus called Him take care of His mother.
While Peter was out preaching, and later on Paul became the greatest evangelist of all time, John stayed home, and there accomplished two things: He wrote about Jesus and He took care of Mary. Maybe there were days when John wondered why he couldn’t have a more exciting ministry. Why couldn’t he go on a mission trip, schedule a speaking tour, or organize the growing church? In fact, after the first few chapters of the book of Acts, John disappears from our view entirely. It wasn’t that he wasn’t as smart, couldn’t speak well or know how to lead. The central issue of John’s life was that He was asked by Jesus to take care of someone most precious to Jesus: His mom!
In memory-care ministry, we are not asked to speak to large crowds, to oversee the construction of a new church or to travel overseas. Instead, Jesus calls us to enter a world that others hope to avoid, and many would like to forget. So, on days when you wonder if you are making any difference, you feel exhausted, or confused, just remember John. When we read through the New Testament, we don’t find a single word that John said, and yet he was called the disciple whom Jesus loved. You are likewise loved by Jesus, and He will fill you with His love for others as you continue to trust Him and just take care of mom!
The eternal God is your refuge and His everlasting arms are under you... Deuteronomy 27:33a NLT
On Friday nights, when our children were small and we wanted to go out, we used to trade baby-sitting duties with another couple. Sometimes they would take our two rambunctious boys, and on others we would watch their three active girls. Kathy and Susie, the two older girls, were easy to watch and when their bedtime came, they generally lay down and slept after a good-night prayer and kiss. But little Debbie, wanted nothing to do with going to sleep that way. For some reason she would only be quiet if I picked her up and gently rocked her as I walked back and forth in our apartment. Then slowly she would doze off, and I could sit down in my easy chair. But anytime I tried to quietly lay her down on the bed, to sleep, the very second her tiny body touched the comforter, she would wake up and begin fussing. Then with a sigh, I would pick her back up again and hold her close until she went back to sleep. Now, God may have everlasting arms, but I do not! Let me tell you, that as much as I loved little Debbie, I was never so glad to see Ken and Linda when they came to pick up their kids!
Those long-ago memories still give me a chuckle and remind me of my own relationship with God. He prepares me for many things, but often, just like my little friend I am fearful and feel unready for them. I want to feel those everlasting arms holding and rocking me all the time. God has promised to never leave us, and yet there are times He would like us to trust Him enough to just lie down and rest a while. But He is also a patient Father, knowing our weaknesses and fears, and when we cry out, He comes and again with those everlasting arms, picks us up and holds us. What a comfort to know that whatever we are going through, we can always count on His everlasting arms and know that one day in His perfect time they will carry us all the way home!
I do hope you enjoy hearing again this simple rendering of the old hymn which we sang at Life Care this week. Have a blessed weekend everybody!
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