The Comfort Zone

"The fear of the Lord leads to life:
Then one rests content, untouched by trouble."

Proverbs 19 v:23 NIV

A few days ago I watched a white breasted nuthatch fly from a tree limb to the bird feeder and then slide down the side, scrabbling for a grip. The sunflower seed was there and waiting but the poor little guy had to work to stop himself at the perch. I think he was wondering if the bird feeder was waxed. LOL

This reminded me of how life can slide out of control if God isn't the cornerstone, keeping us from falling when times are tough. We are enduring hard economic times which leads to tension. But faith in God, knowing He is our Helper in time of need, will bring us through these difficult months. A better tomorrow awaits us. We need to find our comfort zones so we can think clearly and take positive steps that will lead to a better tomorrow. We need to let God clear our minds from panic and doubt.

When I am struggling I hum the hymn Rock of Ages, which was written by Thomas Hastings in 1830. This song has survived many difficult decades and still reaches out to those in need. It's been a favorite of mine since childhood.

Rock of Ages - stanza 1

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee;
Let the water and the blood
From thy side, a healing flood,
Be of sin, the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

When life starts going wrong, I tend to feel guilty and say, "If only I hadn't done that, or if I had done that I wouldn't be experiencing this stress," whether financial or personal. Rock of Ages brings my bearings back so I can find firm ground.

It's so much easier experiencing life knowing I am not alone. :D I am not perfect and know that God knows that too. :D Jesus is a huge positive in my life and He guides my continual journey.

Dear Lord, help me make wise choices during these difficult months where everything is upside down. Amen.

Find inspirational hymns or Bible verses that comfort you. They'll keep your feet from sliding out from underneath you when the world won't let you take hold. :D


Blessings, Nancy J

Never Alone

"... And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:20 NIV

While watching maple leaves drift from the trees this year I noticed the barren branches that have been left exposed to the coming winter. How lifeless they looked without the fluttering leaves keeping their constant motion in the wind. I snapped many of these shots trying to figure out the message I was trying to grasp.

Then it surfaced. Vulnerability. The starkness of the branches reminded me of the times I have been ill and needed to depend on others in the hospital and at home until I could move around again. I was like those branches, wishing to feel alive again. I was waiting, waiting, through my pain and praying I would heal quickly. The days dragged on while I was convalescing.

One spring after a major operation, my husband wanted me to see the creek below the ridge during the spring thaw. It was a time when beavers were busy building a dam and mallard ducks floated with the snow thaw current in pairs. It was a time we always shared, while rejoicing that the land had awakened once more from a deep winter's sleep. A symbol of the cycle of life.

"But I can't climb down the ridge in this shape," I told my husband, disappointed that I would miss this moment in time when the creek had turned into a rushing river. I was still walking with great discomfort.

He smiled. "Then I will carry you."

Gingerly Jeff carried me down step by step while I clung onto his neck and laughed for the first time in weeks. I was alive again!

Seeing and hearing the babbling and overflowing tannin water made my heart sing. And gave me more strength to work toward healing. It awakened me and gave me courage to wait out the time needed without complaining of my circumstances.

I remembered the saying, God doesn't give us what we can't handle.

So I don't have to feel vulnerable during those times of trial in the present and future. I know the Lord is with me. I have not been promised a carefree and easy life here on earth. During those hard times I know God's arms will be around me, even more sure than my husband's. :D If my hubby could carry me down a ridge and back up again a few minutes later, I know God can accomplish greater feats :D

I am never alone.

We are never alone. No matter what we go through. Christ has His loving arms around us. He knows our every second, our every breath, our every need. No matter what season of our lives we are experiencing, God is with us.

Dear Lord, thank you for your promise of being with us always. Please help those who are vulnerable and hurting to heal. Let them feel your loving arms around them and guide them with your Word.

Amen.

Blessings, Nancy J Locke

The Lord's Prayer

"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place.
When he finished, one of his disciples said to him,
"Lord teach us how to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

He said to them, "When you pray, say:
"Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation." "

Luke 11:1-4 NIV

The above photo displays Snail Shell Harbor which I visited a couple of weeks ago. Scenes like this make me wish I knew more about how Christ connected with His Father while overlooking an expanse of water like the Red Sea with its calm or wavy waters.

Scenes like this remind me that the Lord brings Light into our darkness. As I stood on the Snail Shell harbor bank shivering in my hooded sweatshirt, I watched the silhouettes of the black landscape lighten in the peachy orange dawn, the light illuminating the water first, to where I couldn't take my eyes off it.

We naturally seek the light. Love the warmth of the sun on our faces, love a cheery and glowing fireplace in the middle of a blizzard, love the light shining in others' smiles and wonder how they can be sooooo happy? I've heard that the eyes are windows to the soul, for they tell a story. I want to be a happy soul. :D

Jesus can wash all darkness away. The darkness that brings on a bad mood and testy relationships. The darkness that draws people apart. The darkness that strains diplomatic relations with other countries. The darkness that takes life out of living.

When I am feeling blue, and those days do come, I pray the Lord's Prayer and know that is what Jesus instructed me to do. This prayer encompasses all I am feeling and Jesus hears my wants and needs through it.

How blessed we are that the Lord's Prayer waits for us. That the Lord can make His face to shine upon us and give us that blessed peace we all search for, even in difficult times. The true Light is always there, waiting for us to lift our eyes to the heavens and drink from the Living Waters.

Have you prayed today? Give it a try if you haven't. :D

Blessings, Nancy J