A couple of days ago we enjoyed another full moon. It was absolutely beautiful. For a couple of days before and a couple of days after, if we are blessed with a clear sky, we can enjoy the beauty that is the full moon, in all its splendor.
They say that people see a man in the moon; that the shadows on the moon create a face. Personally, ever since I was about 14, I can remember looking at the moon and seeing a "perfect" family portrait. It is a dream that I hold on to, for the day when God chooses to bless me with a new "picture". For now, I simply enjoy the beauty of the night sky and dream.
The other morning when I went for a walk at 6:00 a.m., my world was illuminated by that spectacular moon, and the stars that were shining brightly. The sun was nowhere to be seen. Actually that is an incorrect statement. You see, the moon in and of itself, does not give off light of any kind, it is actually simply an object that reflects the light of our sun.
I would like my life to be just like the moon, except, instead of reflecting the sun, I would like to reflect the Son. I want people, when they look at me, to see the love of the Son of God shining out from within me.
In The Message, Proverbs 4:18 says, "The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine."
Ephesians 5:8-9 says, "For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true." (NLT)
When people see me, I want them to see a woman who longs for the light of God to shine brightly from within her. My faith in God is not just a part of who I am, it is who I am. It is my desire to live a life that is good and right and true. This is not something I can do on my own, but only as a result of being an instrument to reflect the Son. I love that idea, I love being able to be a reflector for people to see Christ.
Now, I can't wait for next month, when the full moon rises again. I hope for clear skies, so that I can smile and reflect on the fact that I can be just like the moon.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
There Is Seeing, Then There Is Really Seeing
About six weeks ago, I went to get my eyes checked. I have had to wear my glasses more and more over the last year and I knew it was time to get new ones. The prescription stayed in my wallet for about 5 weeks before I took it in to order new glasses. I picked them up yesterday afternoon and when I put them on, wow, what a difference! I could see with my old glasses, the prescription change was not that drastic, but the crispness to everything with the new ones is amazing. My new glasses made me think about seeing, about really seeing.
I remember as a kid watching my church build a new building down the street from my house. The construction site was boarded up with little holes, every so often, so people could peak through and see what was going on. Sight was limited to what I could see from my angle, and since I was about 9 years old, that sight was very limited. The people working within the construction zone had a much better view.
Life is like that. So often we think we see things clearly; we think we know how God is going to work in our lives. We can base it on past experience, on other people's experience, but we can be missing out on so much because we can tend to put God in a box and not trust Him with our lives. We see our circumstances from our limited perspective, but God is over the construction zone and He can see the entire picture. He knows who will walk into our lives next week, people who will influence our lives, who will make an impact on us, who will change our direction. He knows which path will be good for us, and which path will not. God knows which path would be best for us to choose and we need to know how to be in tune with His heart so that we will choose it. Second Corinthians 5:7 says "We live by faith, not by sight." That is what we need to learn to do.
It reminds me of when I was a kid. My Dad was legally blind, and there were times when I would close my eyes to pretend I was blind too; to see what it was like in his world. I would walk around, bump into things, but I could open my eyes whenever I wanted to, I could open my eyes to see. It was interesting because there were things I could do better when I had my eyes closed; things I can still do better with my eyes closed. Believe it or not, if it is too dark to see the lock in the door, I close my eyes and use my fingers to find the lock. Closing my eyes, helps me to take the focus off seeing the lock and simply focus on finding it. For me, it works.
When we stop trying to figure it all out on our own, when we choose to trust God's heart, then we will begin to see; we will begin to really see.
God, help me to trust Your heart. Help me to really see.
I remember as a kid watching my church build a new building down the street from my house. The construction site was boarded up with little holes, every so often, so people could peak through and see what was going on. Sight was limited to what I could see from my angle, and since I was about 9 years old, that sight was very limited. The people working within the construction zone had a much better view.
Life is like that. So often we think we see things clearly; we think we know how God is going to work in our lives. We can base it on past experience, on other people's experience, but we can be missing out on so much because we can tend to put God in a box and not trust Him with our lives. We see our circumstances from our limited perspective, but God is over the construction zone and He can see the entire picture. He knows who will walk into our lives next week, people who will influence our lives, who will make an impact on us, who will change our direction. He knows which path will be good for us, and which path will not. God knows which path would be best for us to choose and we need to know how to be in tune with His heart so that we will choose it. Second Corinthians 5:7 says "We live by faith, not by sight." That is what we need to learn to do.
It reminds me of when I was a kid. My Dad was legally blind, and there were times when I would close my eyes to pretend I was blind too; to see what it was like in his world. I would walk around, bump into things, but I could open my eyes whenever I wanted to, I could open my eyes to see. It was interesting because there were things I could do better when I had my eyes closed; things I can still do better with my eyes closed. Believe it or not, if it is too dark to see the lock in the door, I close my eyes and use my fingers to find the lock. Closing my eyes, helps me to take the focus off seeing the lock and simply focus on finding it. For me, it works.
When we stop trying to figure it all out on our own, when we choose to trust God's heart, then we will begin to see; we will begin to really see.
God, help me to trust Your heart. Help me to really see.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Radiantly Red
This week as I have been driving to work, I have noticed a gift from God to my heart. In case you haven't caught on yet, I love the beauty of God's creation.
One of the routes I can take to work, includes a road my daughter affectionately calls the road in the middle of nowhere, because pretty much that is what it is. I have encountered deer, wild turkeys, and even had to stop for a goat this past spring. One of the things I love about this road is all the beautiful trees that line a large section of it.
Where I live, in the fall, the trees don't seem to change colour as brilliantly as they did where I grew up. I miss the crisp fall colours. Although it is a little early for the leaves to be changing, there is one tree on this road, and only one tree that has its leaves changing colour already. Every other tree on this road remains green, but this one is changing into a radiant red. Of all the fall colours, red has always been my favourite.
I did a little research on why leaves change colours. I always thought it was the cold weather that caused the leaves to change, but it seems that the lack of light has more to do with it than the temperature. Darkness, it seems has a greater impact than anything else. What is true in nature also seems to be true in life. The dark times we experience can change us.
The past couple of months, I have experienced times of my own personal darkness. I have had more than my fair share of tears as I prepared to say goodbye to my daughter, and this week actually said goodbye as she left on her new journey in life.
What I choose to do with the darkness impacts the way I experience life. I can allow it to have no effect whatsoever in my life. I can choose to ignore the pain, pretend it doesn't exist, and allow it to eat me alive. Year after year I can choose for it not to change me, but ultimately what will happen is, that pain, that darkness will resurface time and again until I deal with it.
Or, right now, I can allow that pain to do its work in my life. I can deal with what I am facing, permit myself to feel the pain, and allow it to mould me into who God wants me to be.
James1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Romans 5:3-5a says, "...but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us..."
The times of darkness that we face in our lives, are the times God wants to use to create something beautiful out of us. When we allow Him to do His work in us; when we trust Him and His ways, we will see a beauty that will shine like no other. Change isn't always comfortable, as a matter of fact, quite often change is difficult, but the end result makes it worth it.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 says, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
As I go through the darkness, it is my heart's desire to be changed by God. I desire for Him to use the darkness I face, to make me more like the woman He wants me to be.
God, please use this time to shape me and to make me shimmer Radiantly Red!
One of the routes I can take to work, includes a road my daughter affectionately calls the road in the middle of nowhere, because pretty much that is what it is. I have encountered deer, wild turkeys, and even had to stop for a goat this past spring. One of the things I love about this road is all the beautiful trees that line a large section of it.
Where I live, in the fall, the trees don't seem to change colour as brilliantly as they did where I grew up. I miss the crisp fall colours. Although it is a little early for the leaves to be changing, there is one tree on this road, and only one tree that has its leaves changing colour already. Every other tree on this road remains green, but this one is changing into a radiant red. Of all the fall colours, red has always been my favourite.
I did a little research on why leaves change colours. I always thought it was the cold weather that caused the leaves to change, but it seems that the lack of light has more to do with it than the temperature. Darkness, it seems has a greater impact than anything else. What is true in nature also seems to be true in life. The dark times we experience can change us.
The past couple of months, I have experienced times of my own personal darkness. I have had more than my fair share of tears as I prepared to say goodbye to my daughter, and this week actually said goodbye as she left on her new journey in life.
What I choose to do with the darkness impacts the way I experience life. I can allow it to have no effect whatsoever in my life. I can choose to ignore the pain, pretend it doesn't exist, and allow it to eat me alive. Year after year I can choose for it not to change me, but ultimately what will happen is, that pain, that darkness will resurface time and again until I deal with it.
Or, right now, I can allow that pain to do its work in my life. I can deal with what I am facing, permit myself to feel the pain, and allow it to mould me into who God wants me to be.
James1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Romans 5:3-5a says, "...but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us..."
The times of darkness that we face in our lives, are the times God wants to use to create something beautiful out of us. When we allow Him to do His work in us; when we trust Him and His ways, we will see a beauty that will shine like no other. Change isn't always comfortable, as a matter of fact, quite often change is difficult, but the end result makes it worth it.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 says, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
As I go through the darkness, it is my heart's desire to be changed by God. I desire for Him to use the darkness I face, to make me more like the woman He wants me to be.
God, please use this time to shape me and to make me shimmer Radiantly Red!
Friday, September 3, 2010
... Even If I Don't See It Right Now
The other day it was dark and rainy. One of my co-workers looked at me and said, "The sun isn't shining today." I had to disagree. I asked her if she was in a airplane above the clouds, if she would see the sun. She wouldn't acknowledge that I was right, she simply responded, "I can't see the sunshine." Just because we could not see the sunlight shining in our little corner of the world, did not mean it wasn't shining. The sun was still shining, the light was simply blocked by the clouds.
How often do we allow circumstances to block God's light in our lives. How often do we simply look at the clouds and allow them to defeat us.
Right now I am sad. I know that this new season of my life is going to be interesting, but right now, as I prepare for my daughter's departure, I am sad. My daughter and I have been close over the years and to know she is going so far and that I won't be able to meet her for a movie, or just dinner, that makes me sad. It is okay to be sad, because it won't last forever, just like the rain, it will end and the sun will shine again, but today, I remain sad.
Each weekday morning when I go for my walk at 6:00 a.m. I look up in the sky as I leave the house. It is still dark and there is one bright star that catches my eye. I look for it now; some days I see it, and some days I don't. The clouds sometimes block it's light, but I know it is there and I am comforted by the fact that I know it exists. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus calls himself the bright Morning Star. When I see my star I am reminded of his presence in my life. He wants to shine brightly in me.
I don't want to stay sad. I am not defeated. I desire to focus on the truth that God is still shining in my heart. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
I know He is with me, I know He goes before me. I know He continues to shine his light into my heart. Sometimes He even uses people with skin on to bring a smile to my face. In the last couple of weeks, He has shone through the friend who sent many a text at just the right time. He shone through a friend who sent an email with a poem to inspire; a poem which I printed and taped next to my bed to reassure me that there is hope for the darkness. Most of all, He continues to shine through the words He has placed in His love story to me, the Bible. All of these, and many more, He has used to encourage my heart.
I will be okay. I know that. I will dance for joy again. I know that. He will once again shine through me to encourage others, I know that.
God has an amazing plan for my life. I know that....even if I don't see it right now.
How often do we allow circumstances to block God's light in our lives. How often do we simply look at the clouds and allow them to defeat us.
Right now I am sad. I know that this new season of my life is going to be interesting, but right now, as I prepare for my daughter's departure, I am sad. My daughter and I have been close over the years and to know she is going so far and that I won't be able to meet her for a movie, or just dinner, that makes me sad. It is okay to be sad, because it won't last forever, just like the rain, it will end and the sun will shine again, but today, I remain sad.
Each weekday morning when I go for my walk at 6:00 a.m. I look up in the sky as I leave the house. It is still dark and there is one bright star that catches my eye. I look for it now; some days I see it, and some days I don't. The clouds sometimes block it's light, but I know it is there and I am comforted by the fact that I know it exists. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus calls himself the bright Morning Star. When I see my star I am reminded of his presence in my life. He wants to shine brightly in me.
I don't want to stay sad. I am not defeated. I desire to focus on the truth that God is still shining in my heart. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
I know He is with me, I know He goes before me. I know He continues to shine his light into my heart. Sometimes He even uses people with skin on to bring a smile to my face. In the last couple of weeks, He has shone through the friend who sent many a text at just the right time. He shone through a friend who sent an email with a poem to inspire; a poem which I printed and taped next to my bed to reassure me that there is hope for the darkness. Most of all, He continues to shine through the words He has placed in His love story to me, the Bible. All of these, and many more, He has used to encourage my heart.
I will be okay. I know that. I will dance for joy again. I know that. He will once again shine through me to encourage others, I know that.
God has an amazing plan for my life. I know that....even if I don't see it right now.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Texting
The last couple of years, texting has become a way of life for me. I love that no matter where I am, I can pull out my phone and send a quick message to someone I know. I can text when I am out for a walk, sitting in the doctor's office,waiting for my turn, or even in the dentist's chair with the hygienist's fingers in my mouth!
Just yesterday, I was texting with a friend in California, making sure she was okay. Recently, a lot of my friends have been texting me to see how I am doing. When I am texting, I can't see my friends, I can't hear them talk to me, but I know they are there and I know they love me.
This made me think of someone else I love to communicate with; someone I can't see, nor can I hear Him audibly talk to me, but I know He is there, listening and waiting.
Over 20 years ago when I was going through a difficult time in my life, I came across a passage that has really stuck with me. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Did you catch that middle part? Pray continually. Some people think that praying can only be done at a certain time of day, or night. Others think that praying has to be flowery, wordy, or simply pious. I think all prayer is, is a conversation with my best friend. I can just be heartfelt, open and honest. I don't have to spend hours at a time, talking non-stop, I can simply shoot little one liners whenever, and wherever, just like sending a quick text to a friend.
So the next time you pick up your phone to text someone, think about sending a quick "prayer text" to God. He is waiting to hear from you and I know He would love it.
God, I simply ask you to speak to the hearts of all who read this. Give them a big hug from me! Love you!!!
Just yesterday, I was texting with a friend in California, making sure she was okay. Recently, a lot of my friends have been texting me to see how I am doing. When I am texting, I can't see my friends, I can't hear them talk to me, but I know they are there and I know they love me.
This made me think of someone else I love to communicate with; someone I can't see, nor can I hear Him audibly talk to me, but I know He is there, listening and waiting.
Over 20 years ago when I was going through a difficult time in my life, I came across a passage that has really stuck with me. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Did you catch that middle part? Pray continually. Some people think that praying can only be done at a certain time of day, or night. Others think that praying has to be flowery, wordy, or simply pious. I think all prayer is, is a conversation with my best friend. I can just be heartfelt, open and honest. I don't have to spend hours at a time, talking non-stop, I can simply shoot little one liners whenever, and wherever, just like sending a quick text to a friend.
So the next time you pick up your phone to text someone, think about sending a quick "prayer text" to God. He is waiting to hear from you and I know He would love it.
God, I simply ask you to speak to the hearts of all who read this. Give them a big hug from me! Love you!!!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
A New Season - A New Beginning
Hi, my name is Cathy and this is my first ever attempt at blogging. I have toyed with the idea in the past but never did anything about it. This summer my life has turned upside down and I find myself in a place where I feel it is time to share what is on my heart with whomever wishes to hear it. I am a woman of deep faith in God, and it is my desire to share what He places on my heart.
For 24 years now I have had the amazing opportunity to be a mom to my daughter. I wouldn't trade any of those years for the world. In a few days she will pack her car and drive a long way to the other side of the country to being her journey. Life as I have known it for a very long time will change drastically. So now I find myself at the doorway to a new beginning; a new season of life has arrived. I am excited at the endless possibilities.
Speaking of seasons, my favourite one is Spring. I love the newness of it all. I love to see the snow leave and everything turn green again. I love the flowers as they bloom and bring colour to my world. Just outside our living room window is a magnolia tree. It is beautiful when it blooms in late May-early June. The flowers are so delicate that a strong wind could take them away from me for another year, so I cherish every day that they stay on the tree. I simply love that tree.
The other day, as I was out for a walk, I saw something totally out of the norm and God used it to speak to my heart. As I was walking I noticed a tree, a magnolia tree that had one flower on it. This tree was about 12 feet tall and about 8 feet wide. It was covered with green leaves and nothing but.... but this one single flower. A single flower placed there by God for me to see.
At least, I would like to think that flower was simply there for me to see it. What it said to my heart was simply this: I never know what to expect from God. I never know how He is going to work in my life. I can predict based on what normally goes on in my life, but every once in a while He likes to shake things up and do things in a way that is totally out of the ordinary, totally out of the norm of how things are done, just to make sure that I know it is He that is doing it.
As I begin this new season, it is a bit on the scary side, but I know I am not alone. I have amazing friends and family who love and support me. AND, above all, I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and will never let me go. What's in store for me? I have NO idea, but I am really looking forward to it.
Isaiah 43:18& 19 say, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
This is my New Season; my New Beginning.
For 24 years now I have had the amazing opportunity to be a mom to my daughter. I wouldn't trade any of those years for the world. In a few days she will pack her car and drive a long way to the other side of the country to being her journey. Life as I have known it for a very long time will change drastically. So now I find myself at the doorway to a new beginning; a new season of life has arrived. I am excited at the endless possibilities.
Speaking of seasons, my favourite one is Spring. I love the newness of it all. I love to see the snow leave and everything turn green again. I love the flowers as they bloom and bring colour to my world. Just outside our living room window is a magnolia tree. It is beautiful when it blooms in late May-early June. The flowers are so delicate that a strong wind could take them away from me for another year, so I cherish every day that they stay on the tree. I simply love that tree.
The other day, as I was out for a walk, I saw something totally out of the norm and God used it to speak to my heart. As I was walking I noticed a tree, a magnolia tree that had one flower on it. This tree was about 12 feet tall and about 8 feet wide. It was covered with green leaves and nothing but.... but this one single flower. A single flower placed there by God for me to see.
At least, I would like to think that flower was simply there for me to see it. What it said to my heart was simply this: I never know what to expect from God. I never know how He is going to work in my life. I can predict based on what normally goes on in my life, but every once in a while He likes to shake things up and do things in a way that is totally out of the ordinary, totally out of the norm of how things are done, just to make sure that I know it is He that is doing it.
As I begin this new season, it is a bit on the scary side, but I know I am not alone. I have amazing friends and family who love and support me. AND, above all, I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and will never let me go. What's in store for me? I have NO idea, but I am really looking forward to it.
Isaiah 43:18& 19 say, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
This is my New Season; my New Beginning.
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