Works In Progress

My dear friend Teresa reminds us to pass the baton…and to grasp it when it’s been passed to us.

The Priceless Gift of Generations — Teresa Neumann

“Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning?  I, the LORD – with the first of them and with the last – I am he.” – Isaiah 41:4 (NIV)

God was absolutely brilliant when He sorted human beings into different generations.  Can you imagine life without babies, or children, or teenagers, or grandparents or senior citizens?

God could have grown tired in the midst of His creative mode and simply ascribed to humanity the same ephemeral attributes of, say, certain flowers, or fish, or insects.  After all, if humans were like salmon there would be no overlapping generations.  No broad spectrum of age from newborn to ancient-of-days.  No ability to share the unique gifts inherent to each generation.  We would be a sorry mass of tunnel-visioned individuals struggling through life’s various stages with no other living soul to lead or mentor us other than our equally flawed peers.

Take dying, for example.  My mother passed away three years ago.  Though I loathed the painful moments, I learned they were, in retrospect, opportunities for me to function as one of her royal escorts into God’s Kingdom.  She was able to teach me what it is to die nobly and I was privileged to bless her in ways that were only possible because I had the energy and resources of comparative youth.

Again, reeling from the recent news that my father was diagnosed with lung cancer, my niece – a single mom of 13-month-old twins – flew to Oregon with her children to stay with us for two weeks.  The timing was perfect.  Depression has had little time to dig its poisonous claws into me.  Not with twin babies around.

Yesterday, Landon, my downy-skinned, saucer-eyed grand nephew, slept peacefully in my arms for nearly an hour.  I had forgotten what it was like to willingly drop everything to comfort an innocent, baby soul.  It was pure bliss, and feeling his little heart beating next to mine, I was struck by the pricelessness of staggered ages.  One generation gives awe and revelation, another comfort, another direction, another financial security, and yet another wisdom and hope.  We temper each other with our age-appropriate gifts.

So, the next time you pray for your children, pray for their peers.  Pray God will equip and enable America’s youth to do the work of the Kingdom despite a culture that mocks godlessness.  When you talk to your grandparents, remember their failing generation and pray for their blessing.  Pray for the mothers and fathers in this nation, that they would demonstrate the wisdom and love of Christ to their children to the extent they would indeed someday be called “blessed.”

And most of all, remember:  “The plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” – Psalm 33:10-11

Visit Teresa on her blog, The Vortexiverse; a Journal of Vicarious Living:  vortexiverse.blogspot.com

God teaches us unusual things in unusual ways. What can pests add to your life? Read on…

It all began in my daughter’s seventh grade science class. The subject was plants and pollination. The text covered three types of pollination: self-pollination, cross-pollination, and artificial cross-pollination.

The first, self-pollination happens when an excess of pollen in a flower causes pollination to take place within that same flower; hence the name, self-pollination.

Immediately after reading this description my brains dendrites began firing and an analogy began to grow. Prayer and meditation, fasting and Biblical studies will fill us to the point that we can produce that which God has planted in us. This was good. I was getting excited about this science class, much to my daughter’s dismay.

The next method, cross-pollination, is the method in which small animals, rain, wind, and insects carry pollen from one plant to another.

In spite of my best efforts, my mind returned to analogies. What did these things mean for my daily life?

Another name for an insect is a pest. Pests are things that irritate me. Small animals might represent the small inconveniences that arise and hinder my plans and production. Rain could be the dark days that hide life’s sunshine. Wind is the storms that test my faith. Yet the irritations encourage patience by teaching me self-control. The small inconveniences cultivate steadfastness, instructing me in diligence no matter the deterrent. The rain promotes contentment in every season of my life that I may know an unspeakable joy. The wind when rocking me loosens the earth around me allowing my roots to go deeper, producing a stronger faith in Him.

Desiring more, I hungrily read the next method.

Artificial cross-pollination occurs when a person gathers pollen from one particular flower, and, using a special brush or blower, applies it to another flower. I thought back to the different people God has sent into my life. Each had left a signature fragrance that remained long after they had gone. Some had left a sweet smell while others had left an unpleasant odor that lingered for years. In life, people bring both the good and the bad. But each produces its own kind of growth.

The “sweet’ pollinate the Word and encouragement in my life promoting deep, thirsty roots of faith in Christ and juicy fruits of the Spirit. While the “odorous” flit about seeking to pollinate the works of the flesh, blowing strife, anger, bitterness, and hatred into my life. It is a choice whether I refuse or accept their poisonous powder, or as a pollinator myself, brush their lives with peace, forbearance, forgiveness, and love.

The science class ended. I closed the textbook, reached for my Bible, and began applying the scientific lesson along with the Word, humbled by the new perspective on life’s difficulties. Each is a chance for me to grow.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Galatians 6: 7-9).

Like the plants and the trees, I may not have a choice in the “pollinators” that the Creator sends into my life. However, I do have a choice to apply the sweet “pollen” and brush off the “odoriferous” to grow in the garden of the Almighty.

A perfect, memorable illustration for those of us who love dogs, and even, I believe, for those who don’t!

He’s There

Read Psalm 139:1-16

Laney, our dog, came to the back door barking. Then she ran out of the yard and up the hill and circled my small son, barking. In a few minutes, she was back at the door barking, and then once again on her way up the hill, circling my son again all the while barking. I was watching this from behind a curtain at the back door. You see, I had never taken my eyes off of my two year old son.

John Mitchell had been playing in the back yard, where it was fenced and safe, but decided to leave the yard and climb up the hill behind our home. I’m not really sure what lured him, but Laney felt she needed to let someone know. She knew what he was doing was out of her control, and wanted me to know that he was wandering and possibly headed for trouble.

What Laney didn’t know is that I had been watching all along. I knew exactly where he was and what he was doing. I cared for him as much as she did. I knew that if he called for me, or needed me, I could be there in an instant. Watching Laney’s reaction was touching. She had so much love for John Mitchell, she wanted to protect him. She wanted what she felt was best for him. What she couldn’t get him to do, she wanted me to do.

As I stood at the back door, I thought about how many times I have reacted just like Laney. I have frantically gone back and forth to God with requests, about my children and loved ones, feeling hopeless in controlling a situation…wanting Him to do what I think is best. Yet it dawned on me that morning as never before that God never takes His eyes off my loved ones. He loves them more than I ever could, and He is the one who knows what’s best. He just wants me to trust Him. He is lovingly watching and waiting…ready to be there in an instant.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times that I become anxious and frantic in my prayer life. Help me trust You more. Amen.

Thought for the Day:  God cares for us and those we love.

Prayer Focus: Those who struggle with letting go

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7