SelahV Today by hariette petersen

When Worry Rules Your Mind

"consider the lilies of the field." 

I feel like a scorched lily at the moment.  Though my heart knows that God is watching over me and mine, my mind is like a whirlwind in a field of lilies. My heart knows that:

"The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me."

That "the Lord is my refuge and strength."

That "nothing can separate me from the love of God." 

That if I "trust the Lord with all my heart, and lean not unto my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge Him, that He will direct my path."  

That "if I keep my mind stayed on Jesus, He will keep me in perfect peace." 

That "the Lord is working out all things for those who love Him."

I know all this.

My heart trusts this.

May this moment, this hour be one in which my brother is reassured of these same things.  May he have the peace and calm and power in him to meet the challenges of his day.  Though I do not know where he is or how he is, God knows.  And while I cannot trust people, I can trust God.  Into His hands I lay my burden of worry and "am persuaded that He will keep that which I've committed to Him against this day."  selahV

" All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment." Psalm 6:10

Too Soon To Consider

But when I saw this photo below, I just had to post it on my blog.  I just love cardinals.  I've loved them since I was a child.  I saw them on a regular basis in my home state of Virginia.  They are our state bird.  I suppose on a desolate winter day, when snow covers the earth, these delightful wisps of red are the perfect ornament to see perched in the grey world of hibernation.  Such is the case with this photo I saw on Pinterest today.  It may be too soon to contemplate a Winter's day; it's still hot and dry in Oklahoma. The parched ground begs for rain.  Yet, just this morning, on the way to church I saw a group of small cardinals being led by a lone feathered scarlet dad.  The tiny flock were startled into flight by a group of four young deer that crossed the road.  My heart fluttered with praise and appreciation at the glory of God's creatures. I could not help but consider the color they brought to an otherwise desolate thirsting world.  It may be too soon to consider a snow-covered earth, but it's never too soon to consider the blessings God brings to us in so many ways, every season of the year--no matter how dry or desolate our world may seem.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

Source: flickr.com via Susan on Pinterest

Some Days Are Better Than Others

And no one knows this better than Jesus:  Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem to humiliating crucifixion at Golgotha.  Then from Jerusalem's dump-site to Heaven's throne.  Talk about a roller-coaster ride of emotions.  If Jesus were prone to emotional swings, he'd have a lot to complain about.  Yet, we know that the Lord did not react upon emotion.  At times he had compassion upon people and acted in keeping with the mercy and grace of God the Father.  But each time it is to give God glory, not himself.  Often he told people not tell what he'd done.  Instead of listening to Jesus, they were consumed with joy and elation and amazement; so they gave testimony to what Jesus had done for them.

The blind, the deaf, the ill, the lame, the leprous, the demon-possessed:  they had some really good days.  The pig farmer, the money-changers, the rich young ruler, the pharisees:  they would probably attest to much better days.

It's amazing how we get all wadded up in knots some days:  when people fail to meet our expectations, when problems come our way, we tend to moan and groan and think "why me".  Some people let a red-light dictate their day.  Others let traffic jams and whiney children determine their mood.  

Then there are those people who have every reason in the world to complain: the ones who lose their homes, their loved ones, their health and all financial means to support themselves.  Yet, they exhibit a spirit of joy and optimism that supercedes their plight.  They rise above the ashes of heartache, rejection, rebuke and ridicule.  Their attitude encourages me to change mine.  To read of Paul's beatings, shipwreck, imprisonment and the praise he gave Christ through it all, gives me new courage.  To consider the way the disciples traveled everywhere by foot to share the Gospel with the world, gives me inspiration to endure the day to day struggles I have.

I am so humbled in the midst of some pity party when I witness another person who is in a much worse situation and they are celebrating life with joy and patience.  I am so strengthened by people like that, aren't you?  Yes, some days are better than others, and some could be even better, if we'd just count our blessings and praise God in the midst of them.  After all, Jesus has overcome the world, and in Him, so have we.  selahV

I Come to the Garden Alone

I was only thirteen when I walked into the ballroom and stared at the breathtaking sight.  Giant columns dotted the room and held the massive ceiling in place.  Beautifully decorated tables filled the room.  I'd never seen even one table decorated with flowers and candles; this room had to have 100 or more.  Ladies were all dressed up; there were over 600 people there.  I almost turned around and ran.  I was scared to death.

I had no idea when my 4-H leader asked me to sing a song for her ladies club that her club had so many women.  I suddenly realized why she'd worked for weeks getting me ready, teaching me how to hold notes and sing with more volume as she played the piano in her living room.  Until I walked into that ballroom, I'd felt pretty confident. I literally wanted to cry.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  Mrs. Keys hoped I would get a scholarship by singing in front of ladies in her lodge.  I didn't.  I was disappointed that she was disappointed.  However, there is an up side to this; I never forgot the song:

"I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses...".

I suppose the most wonderful part of learning a song, and failing to please my 4-H leader, is the difference it made in my life 38 years later. In our last pastorate, a dear elderly lady, Mrs. P, was devastated when her husband suddenly died of a massive stroke.  Our music director usually arranged to sing for the funerals, but when we went by to see the widow, she tearfully asked if I would sing a song.  I immediately said "yes", even though I had never sang a solo at a funeral.  I asked if she had a particular song she wanted me to sing, and she said she'd leave that up to me; she was so grief-stricken she couldn't think. 

As a minister's wife I've sang "In The Garden" many times in church.  But I've never sang it solo; I'm usually in a choir or a congregation. On the day of the funeral, I could barely breathe as I began singing. Mrs. P sat right in front of me and looked into my face through tears of sorrow.  I wanted to break down crying--just like many years before. Instead of crying with her, the Lord pressed upon me to smile as I sang. Her face slowly filled with a peace that I can only describe as passing all understanding. Her tears stopped falling down her cheeks.  Pure contentment radiated from her eyes.  I wanted to stop singing and go hug her, but managed to finish without dissolving into an emotional puddle.

Days after the funeral, my husband and I went to visit her and she took my hands in hers, and kept telling me how wonderful my song was and how much she appreciated it.  Then she asked me how I knew it was her husband's favorite song. I didn't know.  But God did. Amazing how God works, isn't it?  I can't begin to count how many times I've sung that song through the years, but I can count the one time it felt like I was truly in the garden with my Savior.  selahV

Source: gypsypurplehome.tumblr.com via Pat on Pinterest

When It Seems Futile

Sometimes we look at the world around us and we see brokenness, bitterness and apathy.  We see people walking city streets who seem oblivious to others around them.  Sometimes we are those people.  Sometimes our world is so consumed with our own thoughts, needs, struggles and trials that all we see is desolation and hopelessness.  We are blind to others.  We think we are the only ones in the world who have such difficulty.

That is not true.  It's a devil's lie that is whispered in our ears so much that all we can hear is his words of gloom and doom.  All we can see is the futility and hopelessness.

Are we dead?  Are we without breath?  Have our hearts stopped beating?  Have our muscles atrophied?  Are our bones dry and brittle?  If you are reading this then the answer is no.  Listen to the Spirit of God within you.  Heed the conviction of His voice.  Ignore the lies of the evil one.  God knows where you are and what you are going through.  He sees the other side of day.  His has the power to bring even dry bones to life.  Remember Ezekiel?

"Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live." Ezekiel 37:4-5

Just as God will cause breath to enter the dead and bring them to life, He is with you to bring life to your spirit, to kindle a fire in your heart, to jumpstart your mind, to remove the scales of doubt from your eyes, to show you the joy on the other side of sorrow.  He is never beyond the futility of man.  He is God.  Mountains are molehills to Him.  Grand Canyons are sidewalk cracks.  Ocean waves are but ripples in a pond. Be comforted, my friend.  Fear not.  The Lord is with you; He is your refuge. He is your strength. He is life amid destruction and death.  "Behold", He "will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live."  selahV