Evicted!

Dear Landlord,

What did we do to offend you? Why didn't you warn us before beginning the eviction process? Under your desk was such a pleasant place to live. No one noticed us. No one bothered us. For once no discriminated against us.

Until today...

Today the books were removed from the floor. Books we lived in and around and under. Some of us were injured when our webs were ripped apart by the moving books. We had taken such care in decorating the calendar that had fallen behind your desk. You.....you....you drug it out with the broom and snatched it up, destroying the patterns we'd drawn in the dust. Many of us were destroyed when you brandished your broom and dustpan.

We don't know what your problem is, but we will not be recommending your accommodations to our friends. In fact, we will suggest to our cousins living in other parts of your home that they seek other places to live. We hope that you will give more consideration to them than you did to us.

Sincerely,
Spiders and Dust Bunnies

Just the other morning my son called me, "Mom, come quick! You've got to see this really fat bird!" I hurried over to the window to see a very small bird (it did have a round belly) perched on the rail of the front porch. I was surprised that it didn't fly off after both boys and I noisily crowded around the window right next to its perch.

There are butterfly bushes planted beside the porch, and they are just about as high as the porch rail. Suddenly, the little bird lunged at one of itty-bitty butterflies. It lost its balance and missed the butterfly, but the bird quickly returned to its spot to wait. When another butterfly flew close, the bird flapped its wings and went after it.

It was very interesting to watch the bird hunt in my butterfly bushes. I have to admit that I was a little glad he wasn't successful at catching his prey. As I went on about my day I thought how smart the little bird was. He was hungry; he went where the food could be found.

It wasn't long before I realized that I'm not nearly as smart as that wren. When I'm dissatisfied, sometimes I seek to fill that with facebook, friends, food, reading, tv, or any number of things. Often my dissatisfaction arises because I haven't been spending enough time with God. Why does it take me so long to recognize that I'm not filling up on God's Word and His presence, that I'm not even close to what I need? I'm so grateful that He is always there when I come to Him.

Brokenness and a New Year

There's a Joel Engle song we sing in church called "Nothing Left of Me".

Your sacrifice is brokenness
A heart that's full of Tenderness
come and break me Lord
To seek You in Your righteousness
To find You in Your holiness
Come and take me Lord
That I could learn to trust You
In every way to love You

Strip away all that remains for Your glory and Your Name
'til there's nothing left of me
Burn the kingdoms I have made
that You would shine
And I would fade '
til there's nothing left of me'til there's nothing left of me

Your Spirit is the only One
that can conform me
To Your Son
let Him move in me ?
Your grace is written deep in me
You've signed my heart to purity
with Your holy blood


Aren't the lyrics beautiful? I've always sung this and meant it. It turns out I had no clue.

Lately, stripped away is how I feel. But the sweet surrendering spirit I felt when singing this is nothing like I feel now--stripped and bare and raw. I want to cry out to God, "Hey, wait, I changed my mind!" Actually, that probably sounds a lot better than what I've been saying to God lately.

I believe that God is using this very low place in my life for good. I know that He will never leave me nor forsake me. I know that He is good. I know that He loves me. I've always said (well, at least for many years I've said) that He is enough. Enough for my heart. Enough for my hurts. Enough for my needs. I meant it, but...... Now God is teaching me that He is Enough (at this point, that's what I see the lesson being-Irealize that when I'm on the other side of this time I may find that there was another lesson.)

My new year's resolution was going to be to seek God more. I'm thinking it should probably be to seek Him more fully and to surrender completely to Him. See, the problem is: This is not what I want to do!!! I realized last night at church as we sang that my arms were crossed over my chest and my jaw was tight, not only was I sad, but I was really angry. I do not want to be broken anymore. I do not want to surrender my dreams. I do not want to live on faith, stepping when led to step and drawing back when led to draw back. I want to have a plan. I want to know how it ends. I want to be in control. I don't want it to hurt anymore!

Here are my resolutions for 2010:

1. Love and seek God with my whole heart, mind, soul and strength.

2. Surrender control in whatever area God asks (again and again, as necessary) until surrender is complete.


I fully expect that when 2011 arrives, my heart will look much different--if I persevere.