Father's Day

The letter was sitting on the kitchen table. He had read it a few times over, but still felt himself drawn to the envelope with his daughter's handwriting on it. He could hear her voice as he read it, and yet felt as if he didn't quite know her. She was his little girl, and now she was married with children of her own. It was her turn now to care for them, keep an eye on them, worry about them...

She had never done something like this before for Father's day. She had designed her own cards for him, with her own copyright symbol on the back. He couldn't understand why she had not started writing stories or doing more with her writing than she was...but now she wrote him a letter for Father's day. He had been curious as to what the letter could contain. She had never done this before now. Maybe it was because he hadn't been feeling well lately. Whatever the reason, his emotions were playing ping-pong inside of his head. So many memories were coming back to the forefront of his mind as he read the letter again...

Dear Dad,

I thought about what I would do for Father's Day, and was coming up short. Then, I remembered that I gave mom a letter for Mother's Day and she seemed to like it. This is a break from tradition for us. Hey, it is more than you received last year. Sorry about that. Like I said, this is a new thing for both of us. I can imagine that you are feeling a bit awkward at this point, but rest assured that you have nothing to fear. Once you get over the initial shock, you may actually like hearing from me like this. Let's shoot for the moon!

I have always felt secure in your love. Even when you've been crabby, I have known that you have always had my best interest at heart. I have picked up on the real meaning of your questions about how my car is running and whether I have checked the oil lately. I get the picture. I love you, too.

Having a family of my own now has given me an idea of what you must have experienced as a parent. I know how you got your gray hair. It wasn't from Clairol, either! Parenthood can be stressful. I have heard it said that when you become a parent, a piece of your heart walks around outside of your body. I believe that is an accurate metaphor of how it feels to be a parent and watch your children grow. I also believe that God makes us so cute as babies that when we are teenagers our parents remember that before they decide whether to kill us or not. I suspect that may have been the reason that you let me survive into adulthood. I appreciate your forbearance more than I know how to express.


The tears were coming as he read the lines of the letter to himself. Why didn't she ever tell him these things before? What makes people wait to share their hearts with their loved ones? The ache dissipated as he continued to read the handwriting of his daughter. She was going easy on him, but that was to be expected. It was Father's day, and he hadn't been well. His illness affected everyone; from his wife and children to his siblings and extended family on both sides of the family tree.
Still, she hadn't said anything like this before in all of the years that they had known each other. Better late than never, he figured...

He read on and grew eager to see how the letter ended..."richly blessed to have you has a father...thankful for the opportunity to let you know how much I love you...sure that neither one of us feel comfortable with expressing these things to each other verbally as sincerely as we mean them..."

The words were hers, alright. She had a timid side to her that took over and shut her down in terms of communicating. If she didn't want to talk, then he had better luck roping an buffalo in New York City.

His heart was full of nostalgia and gratitude as he read the closing words to his Father's day present...
"May God impress upon your heart the tremendous impact that you have had on my character. Your love has made such a difference in my life....Love you!"

Anna was coming into the room; sporting a look of curiosity on her face that clearly meant she was curious about the letter. His wife of over 46 years was a part of all he held dear. She was beautiful and he adored her. Their children were their gifts to each other; and God's gift to them ultimately.

"Well, dear...how was it?"

"Good. Very nice. I guess I didn't do such a bad job raising her after all...I must've done something right..."

"Happy Father's Day."

The exchange ended with a kiss and a brief hug before Anna heard the buzzer go off on the dryer. She rubbed his back for a moment and excused herself to take care of the laundry. He held the letter in his hands for a moment, and then placed the letter back in the envelope before placing it back on the kitchen table. He would read it again later, just to hear her voice saying what he had wanted to hear for so long. It felt good to be loved.

Psalm 50:15

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."


What an awesome thought that the maker of heaven and earth would invite me to call upon Him! My finite understanding cannot get a handle on just how immense and powerful the nature of God is. It is almost too much for me to even imagine. He says that He will deliver us, and that we will glorify Him. I feel like a little kid getting ready to enter a massive park for the first time. The awe and wonder in my soul fills my cup to the very top; how much more can I hold?

The answer to this last dilemna is clear to me. I am propelled by His love and mercy to do what I was designed for: praise, worship, and writing. (You knew that last one was coming, didn't you?) The frame of His glory and provision flood my soul's landscape and fill in the valleys with good things. I am His sheep, and He is the Good Sheperd. His arms of love enfold me and infuse my spirit with hope, peace, and a fresh taste of the bread of heaven.

My prayer for you today is that you seek and get a taste of the Lord's goodness. Open up the door to your soul, and let your spirit get a good soaking rain. It IS good to give thanks to the Lord. We were made to praise the Lord, and it can be the most fulfilling activity of our existence; as our praises invite the Lord's presence.

Have a cup o'joy,
Lynne

Passion's Flood

The heart had chains around it,
stout and strong...
firmly holding to the bound flesh...

Passions's flood descended
to cleanse and free the heart;
dissolving fear and bondage
with a power unmatched elsewhere in the universe...

The mist surrounded the created pump of life,
dawning the light around it that originated from
the hand of God...

Sweet communion brought the eyes of my heart back
to the reality of human form and trial's nearness...
Passion's flood descended to bring freedom to the captive.

Staying on the Sunny Side...

I have been thinking about the expression lately that says,"Perception is everything". I have to come down on the side of...both sides of this comment. There is much wisdom contained in that comment. I also think that it is an oversimplification that can lead to a load of guilt.

While it is true that a positive outlook can forestall or eliminate the bad habit of pessimism, there is no denying those events in life that cause legitimate concern. Illnesses, financial struggles, interpersonal conflicts, and major life events all produce their fair share of challenges. These challenges are certainly eased by the perception that "this too shall pass", but not magically eliminated. The impact of an event can be felt long after the initial shock to the system.

Fortunately for us, there is a way to lighten the load and invite the Lord's presence into our situations. Are you ready for this one? When you hear it and say, "Oh, I have heard of that before!" I wonder if you will dismiss the power behind the concept. That is up to you. However, I pray that the Lord speaks to you of the freedom available through trying to approach coping with hardship this way.

Pray for the Lord to bring a song to your heart. Spend time praising Him in those pockets of time that normally bring to mind all of the impending mountains moving in on your valley of peace. I am not suggesting that you magically ignore the situation you're in. Praising God and shifting your focus allows for greater intervention of the Lord's power in your life. Perception is adjusted to make the load lighter, and your mind is more occupied with the big picture of God's plans for your life. I am not suggesting that this will be easy, but starting to cultivate the habit in your life will bring amazing results your way.

His words are life, and bring us into His presence when we meditate on them. Far from living in denial or a state of false pretense; praise and prayer are our power tools for survival in a world that only seems to value outward successes and pleasant appearances. Real life is a mixture of roses and manure, no matter how we try to dress up the packaging.

Have a cup o'joy as you get a fresh taste of the bread of heaven. The marriage supper of the Lamb is coming to a planet near you. Let's keep our focus on the Lord, the author and the finisher of our faith.

Musings on Psalm 34:18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

I felt You near
and know Your Spirit
brought the words of Life to
refresh my own...

I knew the encouragement of Your promise...
...of joy coming in the morning
though I could not see the evidence of redemption
in circumstance...

Within me, I wanted to hand You the wounds
and the tears,
but did not know if I could relinquish them in my own strength...

"Teach me to let go, Lord"
I offered up through a veil of weeping...
...and I knew there was noone else like You.

Teach me how to "taste and see" again...
renew my hunger for Your nearness
while the desert looms with arid dreams...

Take from me the broken dreams and
restore to me the hope lost from faded choices...
restore to me, Lord, that which the locusts have eaten...

...so that You may be glorified...

I see in my heart
the desolation chosen over gardens of life,
and the sorrow grown from the thriving tares...
You redeem Your servants, Lord...
and none will perish who take refuge in You...

So now I cleave to You,
and long for your presence...
Clear the tares from the harvest wheat...
purifying me from the sin I've harbored...

Renew my hope...

Joy in the Morning

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him,
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord"

-Lamentations 3:25-26


Awaiting the voice,
straining to sort through the
echoes of past sins
and competing stations of mental noise;
the sound of seagulls and rushing wind
swirls around the figure seated on the shore...

Hope is squeezed out of unspoken requests
and sent to the ear of Jesus with eyes reflecting
sun as well as shadows in the light of day...
"Help me, Jesus" arises from the depths
of confusion and desolate passages;
bringing the freedom to shift focus from the temporal
to the joy of the eternal city awaiting...
...and joy ushers in the peace beyond reason
along with the morning of mercies renewed...

Bridging the Gap

Ezekiel 22:30
"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none."



The figure of clay stands next to the edge,
looking over at the abyss and seeing the other side of the gap...
Looking up, the Spirit moved within soul and sinew;
stirring up the faith within and speaking from deep to deep...

Hands uplifted
rising skyward to reach the hem of glory...
inward locks unfastened,
releasing scrolls and spreading balm as a drawing salve...

Prayer escaping from the depths
arises to the throne of heaven...
following the Spirit's leading to
bring the needs to the awaiting altar...

Spirit walkway grows and bridges
the chasm once supporting naught but air and warfare...
strength and beauty growing with
the blessing of obedience to the call...

Angels brought to conquer sin and darkness...
building steps to bring an end to gaping loss as
strength is brought alongside struggling clay;
raising high the banner of surpassing glory...