Category Archives: God’s character

A Sure Thing

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I often think of Nate and his present-day surroundings. He’s four years gone from us, which translates to four years in the presence of Jesus. Scripture gives an inkling about what he’s experiencing, but for the most part it’s all a question mark.

???????????????????????????????While walking the Lake Michigan wave-line, which I often do, I keep my eyes on the stones underfoot. Because of winter’s wild waves, beach glass and choice rocks can easily be found at this time of year. Although I carried a collection bag, my mind was a million miles away, and I hadn’t picked up a single stone.

I was walking in a familiar place, but where was Nate walking? What was he doing? He’s already met Jesus and no doubt has been supernaturally humbled, falling to the ground as we all probably will when we see our Lord. Has Jesus touched him on the shoulder the way he did John? (Revelation 1:17) Has he said, “Don’t be afraid. Let me show you some of the marvels of Paradise and tell you things that will astound you.”?

Is he learning of specific times a guardian angel saved him from accidents? Or how his prayers were answered? Or what Jesus’ parables mean, even the ones that didn’t get written down? Has he been given answers to all of his questions?

As I walked along the beach, I felt left out. I know I’m headed for the same miraculous experiences Nate is now having and wouldn’t dream of rushing God’s time table to get there, but I just wanted to understand at least part of what was happening to him today. That’s all.

Watching hundreds of stones pass beneath my toes as I walked but picking up none, my eye suddenly landed on something special. Not even half an inch long, it was a stone of nondescript grey. The reason it caught my eye, though, was its square shape and the perfect heart carved inside it.

Heart rockI picked it up and stared at it. As I did, God flooded my mind with a message. “I realize you’re frustrated not knowing what’s happening to Nate. You’re also bothered by not being able to watch my interaction with him or listen in to our conversation. But what about the conversation I’m trying to have with you today? See that stone in your hand? With a million rocks under your feet, what were the odds you’d find that one?”

I knew the answer: a million to one.

Although there’s much I don’t know, I do know one critical thing. Jesus loves me and told me today. And as I turned toward home, I contributed to the conversation by saying, “Lord, I love you, too.”

“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” (1 Peter 1:8)

Happy Hope

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At the start of the summer travel season, here’s a re-post affirming that God goes ahead and prepares our way, from May 26, 2010:

In my quest to fly home from England after visiting with Hans and family there, it was all bad news.

My Buddy Pass from friend Kevin was free, though it did put me on standby status. But I’d made it onto the flight over on the first try, so when it was time to fly home, I walked into the airport with confidence. After all, there had been 20 open seats the night before.

The agent glanced at my status and said, “Oooo, ma’m. It doesn’t look good for you today. We’re overbooked, and you’re at the bottom of the standby list. We won’t even check your bag, because you probably won’t fly today.

“Take your bags and find a place to wait,” he said. “Come back in an hour, and we’ll see.”

“Is there any hope?” I said.

“It’s always best to hope.”

Stand-byI wheeled my bags across the airport in search of an empty chair and plopped down next to a woman whose luggage tags matched mine. We were after the same empty seat on the same crowded flight. She eyed my tags and said, “Who knew the airline would strike this morning?” Twenty empty seats: poof.

Feeling powerless, I prayed, reminding God he’d promised to go with me on this first trip after Nate died, preparing my way.

An hour later, I took my bags back to the counter, “Mr. Hope” was gone, but the woman in his place said, “Put your suitcase on the scale, ma’m. You’re listed on this flight.” I didn’t even ask.

As I rushed through the airport toward my gate, loudspeakers urged passengers to heed “the final boarding call.” Stopping to get a boarding pass, I wondered if I’d be plucked from the flight at that point, but the agent just smiled. “Here’s your seat now, love.”

I didn’t look at it but headed for the plane thinking, “It’s always best to hope.” I was the last one to board. While urging people to find their seats quickly, the flight attendant glanced at my seat assignment. “You’re right here,” she said, pointing.

First row.   First seat.   First class.

That trans-Atlantic flight was one pampered ride: a bed-sized pillow, down blanket, gourmet meals chosen from a menu, my own TV, and a travel bag filled with goodies. Though I don’t know how it happened, I do have a hunch:

Kevin’s email the day before the flight had ended with this line: “We’ll be praying for you to get on, and to get a seat in first class.”

When there was no way, God had made one, proving the ticket agent had been right: it’s always best to hope.

”Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:30)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Please continue to pray about my feeding tube, which is acting up again.
  2. I’m thankful to have been able to address wedding invitations with Stina today.

Reaching Up

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Veggie TalesEmerald has discovered TV, and of the few videos she’s seen, Veggie Tales is her favorite. Even if we’re in the kitchen and I begin humming the Veggie Tales theme song far from the television, she immediately goes into a bouncy little dance, pumping clenched fists up and down in a move her Auntie Louisa taught her.

My supply of children’s TV is all on VHS tapes, but thankfully we still have the old VCR, and so far so good. I like Veggie Tales because they focus on teaching character traits, using Bible stories (and vegetables) to flesh them out. Emerald isn’t partial to one tape over another, as long as they all include the music she loves.

photo 3(1)My TV is mounted five feet high in a purposeful move to prevent the 90 curious fingers of 9 grandchildren (ages 5 and under) from reaching the controls. Poor little Emerald has to crane her neck straight up to watch Veggie Tales, but that hasn’t stopped her from bonding with Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber.

Once in a while, when the TV is off and she’s nearby, she’ll reach up, look at the black screen and say, “Bob?” hoping he might appear. I sometimes wonder what’s going on in her head with the complicated reality of television bumping up against her non-existent understanding.

Maybe that’s how it is between us and God. We try to understand everything Scripture says about him, but it’s all fairly complicated and beyond our reach. Certain parts of the Bible have stymied scholars for centuries, and even when all sides of the debate are presented, we still walk away scratching our heads. We’d like to “get it,” but generally the only thing we “get” is confused.

photo 2(3)Maybe it’s enough if we just keep watching and reaching the way Emerald does. She looks at the screen and sees Bob and Larry there, not caring about the how or why.  And when the TV is off, she’s eagerly anticipating the next time she’ll be together with them.

The same holds true for us. We don’t need to understand the how or why behind a complex God who is well beyond our understanding. We just need to keep looking up, keep reaching for him, and eagerly anticipating the next time we’ll be together.

“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Thankful tonight for people willing to donate leftover tube feeding formula. At $900 every month, that’s a big savings.
  2. Please continue to pray for an earlier appointment with the tube specialist to ease discomfort. Still scheduled for July 2.