Monday, May 14, 2012

Shattered

Last night I went to a barbecue with some new friends. As we were talking late into the night, one of the young women began to share her story and her hurts. I once read that 1 in 3 women will have something done against their will by a man in their lifetime. For some of us it's just an unwanted grope or touch, but many of us go through so much more. My heart just ached for her, and all the little ones who are scarred by the way they are brought up, no matter the kind of cruelty they suffer.
Beautiful on the outside, but on the inside, broken. Home should be our safe haven, and if yours was, consider yourself blessed. Pass that on.


Little child, crying hot tears in the night
too young to understand, too young to fight
belts and bruises scar more than tender flesh
and too many men like little girls fresh
harsh words echo until they're believed
is it any wonder they search for something to relieve
drugs
darkness
run far far away
grown
but shattered
what is there to say?

There's only one answer
and I know it to be true
You need someone to love you
who's stronger than you
who sees the secret hate
and all that pain inside
who loves you while you pound your fists
and when you try and hide

He's bigger and he's stronger
and only he knows how
to put the pieces of you together again
and he's willing to do it now

Child, just come to him and let him love you like love should be
instead of darkness, come into the light; he'll open your eyes to see
Blood doesn't always make a family- but he'll give you one for eternity
will you come? you're really not alone
you can have a father who is truly a king
he'll heal you and teach you everything
you are a son
or daughter of he that reigns above
And that, my friend, is where you find love.

Father, for all these that have suffered, bring them peace. For those with love to give, I would pray that each and every one of us would reach out to someone who is suffering, old hurts or new, and show them the love that only you can give. Amen.

May you be blessed.









Friday, May 11, 2012

Driving through the desert

Driving home from my a visit with my family, I had to drive through the Mojave desert. It was hot, I was dehydrated, and my lips were cracked and burning. My illness had flared, and I had to stay a couple of extra days before I could drive. As I went, even my water became hot. My high tech air conditioner is to roll down the car window. Several times I wanted to just lay down and rest, but I knew that would only make my situation worse. I had to keep moving. I was lucky enough to find Christian radio stations and I had my CD of worship music, and that praise and worship got me to though.  I thought about the armor of God in Ephesians 6:

Weapon 1:    The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The sword is what we fight with, cutting the enemy off. This is a good reason to memorize, so that you can call up verses when you need them.

Weapon 2: The shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
I'm sure the enemy would have liked me to curl up and give. But the Holy Spirit inside me strengthens me.

Weapon 3: The helmet of salvation. I know who I belong to. He will see me through or bring me home.

Weapon 4: The belt of truth, buckled around your waist...  guarding my tender parts.

Weapon 5: The breastplate of righteousness... bought by the blood of Christ.

As I drove through the desert, I thought of these things.  Our lives are like a journey through the desert. We can't get through this life on our own strength. Well, we can, but it won't turn out how we want it to.
But, " I can do all everything through him who gives me strength.- Philippians 4:13

As I watched the endless tumbleweeds and beautiful Joshua trees flow past, I thought of the intelligence that created so many varied habitats. Most people think of the desert as a dry, dead place, but there is life there.
The mountains in the distance were stained purple as the sun shone bright and hot. I thought of Moses and the children of Israel wandering in such a place for forty years. Would our faith today withstand it? But if we have faith, we have peace, because we know that he knows what was, is, and what will be. We can rest in that.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.-Philippians 4:7

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.-1John 4:4

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us. that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!...-1 John 3:1

My favorite scripture of all is this: For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.- Philippians 1:21

So whether in this body or the next one, I have complete confidence that my Lord and Savior will do with me as he chooses. And since he is so much wiser, I chose to follow the path that he has set before me. Some days are easier and some test my limits, but as the scripture says, he who is in me is greater than the one in the world.

Another thing occurred to me as I traveled. Water is such a precious necessity! How many times did our Lord compare himself to living water? It is so. He refreshes our soul as much as ice cold water refreshes my mouth. Ah, our Father is good.

Consider the Samaritan woman who asked Jesus for a drink of water.
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."-John:4:10
 Fill us Lord, with living water for our souls!

 Blessings to you.