Psalm 27:13 "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord."
I've known OF despair. Defined, the word means: (noun) loss of hope; hopelessness, (verb) to lose, give up, or be without hope. Despair, a tool of the devil, is like a hammer to your heart. Pounding it, pulverizing it. Losing shape, the heart sinks, bringing with it a shoulder slump, a hanging head, hair in face, and shuffling feet--that is if you move at all.
Do I have reason to despair?
This coming week marks our son's birthday; his 33rd--if he were still present on this earth. Of course, grief took its rightful place in my heart and mind. Yes, it is still there. I say for me, it is OK that I visit it on occassion, open the floodgates and truly feel the depth of how I miss my oldest son, Timothy. While I visit with grief, I have a restraining order against despair.
What are the charges against this criminal, this stalker?
Robber of joy, murderer of spirit, embezzler of grace, cheater of will and purpose.
Slam the door, lock it, and throw away the key.
Can I get an Amen?
Knowing the Chief of Eternal Security has its advantages. The Holy Spirit set up His comforting sentinel around my heart, and Hope never left. I believe in the goodness of the Lord and I see it every day, even through the bloodied gauze of grief.
Lord, another September day comes and we celebrate the gift-memory of a son named Timothy Brian. Thank you Father for Your outstanding goodness to me, for filling me with understanding and a purpose to fulfill. I praise You, the lifter of my head, until that day when earthly birthdays no longer matter but heavenly birthdays fill the sky with infinity candles set in the lampstands of Promise.
Hello faithful friends, welcome back to *Friday Footnotes. Taking one Friday off for Labor Day, I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable summer. I look forward to inspirations and encouragement from the Lord in and through His Word and my observations. Thank you for continuing to encourage me.
Walk well.
I Peter 2:15 "For such is the will of God that by doing right, you may silence the ignorance of foolish men."
Returning to school, one dissapointment surfaces. Our extra 15 minutes for lunch on Fridays is now a thing of the past. Someone higher up, in an office downtown, decided it wasn't necessary. With no nutrition break, our only respite comes after 4th period where more than 2000 kids plus staff attempt to down a lunch, have meaningful conversations with peers and build relationships in a short half an hour.
The subject came up today in one of my classes; the kids wondering why and if this could possibly be temporary or at least some options negotiated...
I have many interesting kids in my classes and one particular young man had this idea.
"I'm like Martin Luther King Jr. and Ghandi. I can make changes in this world with my words."
Though he is in the autism spectrum, youthful and idealistic...he's got the right idea.
Jesus spoke in parables and preached with heart-searching application when quoting Old Testament truths. One day, the Pharisees brought a woman to Him, accusing her of adultery. Caught in the very act, they threw her at Jesus's feet, demanding He follow the law and commence stoning her to death.
He replied, "He who is without sin amongst you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
He then wrote something in the sand and these accusers, these non-negotiaters, began to depart one by one, leaving the woman with no one to condemn her.
No one knows what Jesus's words were, but they prevented this woman's ultimate demise.
We know God's Word changes things. Our belief, our direction, our passion, our eternity; we gladly embrace Scripture and the teaching of our spiritual leaders. By doing right, living righteously, God tells us we may silence the fools. Who around you seem foolish, off kilter, unwilling to negotiate and demanding? The whole world, right? Let us who serve the Lord, leave the judgment to God, persuing peace. We may not get a longer lunch, but we might give someone a long time in eternity by our obedience.
God, we know Your greatest joy is when we trust You to do Your work through us. Help us to see and pray for those opportunities to be an "activist" for change through prayer and by doing the right thing by Your standards.Help us not to compromise, but negotiate change by shining Your light and girding ourselves in Your truth.Empower us to be meek, gentle servants of Your Perfect Peace and Love. Thank You Lord, Amen.
See John 8: 1-11
