Jesus In The Empty Nest

 If Jesus were to write a resume' the business of  binding broken hearts would certainly be on it. Jesus came to serve, not to be served and He still serves on the earth binding broken hearts with the Divine Helper, the Holy Spirit!

 The holidays are upon us again and thought I would re-post this for those of us who struggle with either empty nest or  loneliness . 

Lately, I have realized that  it is not always the thing on the outside that crushes the heart but a heart can faint, fail, misfire because of what is going on inside. As a singled mother of many years to 3 sons, now grown, I focused the majority of life on my sons. Keeping them involved in those things that would bring healthy growth and filling what could have otherwise been idle minds and hands.
Out of that kind of concentrated living as one who embraced motherhood responsibilities I knew I was the utmost important person in their lives. My life was full and I found self-worth and value in being their mother.

As my sons grew up and into careers, wives and homes of their own my motivation for anything began to drain. Being their mother had been the driving force in my life. Instead of maintaining a daily lectio divina with the Holy Spirit guiding me through this difficult time  I no longer had my motivating drive. Every good thing I did, I did for them and because of them. They were my supreme motivating factor. Otherwise I was slain by life. My ardent prayer had always been  God help me to be the kind of mother You would have me be.

In looking back I realize some of the times I got sidetracked. Always by my own human frailty. Yes, I smile, there were mistakes and after a few years of sorrow at seeing them I realize these were also part of the whole picture that God in His great mercy and compassion blessed us through in spite of.  I tried unsuccessfully remarriage rather than concentrating on healing. I was too desperate. Still, He allows me to see the great good that was accomplished because of His love in me and His light in our lives. The reality of my imperfectness does not blot out what by His power alone was accomplished  in our poverty of not only finances but of earthly care from a family unit.

The three of us, however crippled by lack, were rich in love. Our great love for each other and God's great love for us. A love that loved us back.

My life as a mother and a good wife for almost 20 years, and then a single mom with an infant and toddler and adolescent son who are all grown and married by now has thus far been the pinnacle of accomplishment in my life. Motherhood has been my greatest achievement and highest earthly honor.

To become the lone person left in that nest has now become the great challenge of my well being. and the thing that was the source of my greatest strength has become the source of my greatest weakness. My Achilles heel.

Even my heart began to fail me and I have wondered if this experience would be the end of my life on this earth so deep  was the tear to my psyche.
I have done, tried, all the goal setting, the positive life filling things I found to try but have only had periods of time I managed to stay afloat and then would go down for the count for longer and longer periods each time as the loneness of the empty nest covered me like a heavy unwelcomed blanket.

Each time the onset of the holidays brought deeper sinking. Holidays are as you know big family time, and with the standard of wonderful years of  Thanksgivings and Christmas shared in my nest I went under for the count again. This last season proved my lowest point, and then come January, when all the tears had been cried and all the pain had been experienced, and my heart truly failed me, I grasp for the one thing that would save me. I returned to the one thing that always saw me through. A love that loves us back.

My new motivating factor had was now to preserve my life and to not allow my heart to remain in that faint condition. However, at first I didn't realize that Jesus the Mender of Broken Hearts was at work.

In a blog entitled ONE MONTH TO LOVE by Kerry and Chris Shook (same author as New York Times Best Seller ONE MONTH TO LIVE) I began to search for direction I needed to grab hold of my only Savior, Lord Jesus. I went back to week one to begin at the beginning and learned about the ancient practice of Electio Divina. The Holy Spirit used those simple living words to speak and give me much needed guidance. 

Here is the guidance I received:

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.“ Psalm 46:10 (NASB)

My Electio Divina from the Holy Spirit to me, 'Doesn't what you are experiencing lead to strife inwardly and outwardly leaving you miserable and sick in heart? '

YES! YES IT DOES!

I humbly admit...I confess, that after so many years in the exalted role of mother it was that importance, that exaltation, that feeling of love and worth and importance  that women need, that I fearfully held in a grip against the monsters in the mind desiring to take it from me!  Am I making sense at this point?

The bible tells us to, 'Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you in due time'.  This speaks to, Quit STRIVING for honor or to be exalted by your family, or with your friends and at your job. STRIVING is a word full of negative meaning. Strife is what is brought about through striving and I am thankful to be guided by the word of God and the Holy Spirit and a faithful pastor's teaching of how to develop that communing with a holy God through the Lectio Divina.  The teaching  and guidance of the Holy Spirit. I t is the power of God working in my life.

If you are interested in beginning your own ancient method of meditation to receive Holy Spirit guidance through that means here is a free website to help you know how to do that plain and simple.

http://www.kerryandchris.org/2013/01/14/one-month-to-love-day-1/

God's life light to me: 
CEASE STRIVING -- Know that I AM GOD! And--
"Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you in due time."  Humilty isn't an 'act', humility is an action.

This may all seem quite over the top for many but I assure you for the one who goes through the situation as with a Through devastating trials God brought me to this moment. I am strong in Him alone for in Him the weak are made strong. I am thankful that God is faithful.


Find the GOOD thing to do, and do it! If any of these words helps just 1 person to be helped then I praise a Holy God with you and exalt in His love, a love that love us back. 

If Jesus were to write a resume' the business of  binding broken hearts would certainly be on it. Jesus came to serve, not to be served and He still serves on the earth binding broken hearts with the Divine Helper, the Holy Spirit! Beautiful.

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,  ~~  Jesus even cares about broken hearts.

Santa's book has two sides, two lists: Naughty & Nice

A definitionof epiphany - the manifestation of a supernatural or divine reality.  

This one comes by way of a Hallmark Movie  

 "Everyone makes mistakes. Its how you respond to them that makes the difference. It's up to us to see the nice side of them too", SANTA CLAUS from Naughty & Nice the movie. 

I find it funny and refreshing how a sweet, sappy holiday Hallmark movie uses Saint Nicholas to trigger an epiphany. As the story goes Santa's book has two sides, two lists: Naughty side & Nice side of every person. We each one have a bit of a naughty and a nice side. No one is perfect and guess what, it's okay. That's my epiphany. Oh my gosh! I love it. It really is about forgiveness, unconditional love and looking for the good in others and things. Even ourselves. No one magically disappears their naughty side and the nice side of us and others doesn't need validation of others to exist and matter as characters in the story dramatize! Truly loving is covering and also giving honor where honor is due.

And here is where this qualifies as an epiphany:
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" St. Peter in  I Peter 4:8 
 (deeply also implies there is a shallow way of loving)
  "Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." Romans 13:7

What a beautiful story for all time not just the season. Simple, sappy, romantic yes, but beautiful =)

  Be your own Hallmark story.

                                    

Sometimes we are dealt discouraging blows in life. Take heart! This will help!!

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/david-encouraged-himself-in-the-lord-john-hamby-sermon-on-god-brings-hope-117983


Are you confused? Forlorn? Feel as though you have lost your way, your joy, your strength and clarity? Perhaps you even feel like you just don't live up to what the world demands, like you just aren't good enough? Maybe like you are not good looking enough? Not rich enough? Or successful enough? Do you just plain feel like you don't have what it takes? 

Most surely the world has dealt its discouraging blows to every good and beautiful thing you had. Though you may feel alone and separate know that NOTHING can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Read this and agree with it in your mind even though it seems too hard. Just agree with it and and make an outcry to God as you agree. I guarantee God in the Holy Spirit will come on the scene. His good and perfect word by His Spirit will do for you what you cannot do for yourself.  Sometimes we suffer but take heart, God has overcome the world and God IS FOR US!

Colossians Chapter 3

Put on the New Self

1Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above; where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God: 2Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth. 3For you are dead; and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then you also shall appear with him in glory.

5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is the service of idols. 6For which things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of unbelief, 7In which you also walked some time, when you lived in them. 8But now put you also all away: anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy, filthy speech out of your mouth. 9Lie not one to another: stripping yourselves of the old man with his deeds, 10And putting on the new, him who is renewed unto knowledge, according to the image of him that created him. 11Where there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free. But Christ is all, and in all.

12Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience: 13Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. 14But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection: 15And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. 17All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

 Hallelujah and Amen! 

 http://biblehub.com/drb/colossians/3.htm  

NEWS FLASH LADY GAGA! WE WERE ALL BORN THIS WAY!

Walking after the flesh says, 'That bible teaching is egregious . It is just too hard for me. THAT can't be right! Why, I was BORN THIS WAY.' Remember the story in the bible about the woman caught in the act of adultery? Jesus was most loving and did not condemn her. He told her, "Woman neither do I accuse you. Go And Sin No More. " 

Legalizing sin doesn't make it right. God's right. We are wrong, no matter who is involved. If it were my own earthly family I would most certainly love them but, God is right and we are wrong if we face a contrast to what the WORD says. As a follower of Jesus, You've got to love God more than anyone or anything. Remember what Jesus said some time before the crucifixion as he was teaching a group in someone's home? He was told "Jesus, your mother and brothers are asking for you. Jesus said, Who are my mother and my brother, but those who do the will of the Father?

If you feel your heart is being ripped out because someone you love is living a lifestyle contrary to the truth of the bible just remember, like Jesus, you don't condemn or bring them to be stoned. No. You love them, but don't try and change the truth with science, with feelings, with statutes for their sake. That would be to exchange the truth of God for a lie. Be faithful to God and gentle with His word. Don't lie against the truth. That would do harm. Rather, Speak the truth in love. AND if you can't speak it in love or don't know how yet, just be silent and pray, but DON'T lie against the truth.

Personally, I would rather live in abstinence than walk in something the bible says is sin. That is not because I  so want to be perfect, rather it is because I love God. I believe God. The first commandment states to love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, and your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself. 

It is also written, "If you love ME you'll keep my commandments." There are those who say they love God, but as the bible reads if you don't keep His commandments you don't really. That's it! And not just the ones with sexual roots. but all of the teachings. Stand up for the truth in love. How difficult is it to say, "You know, I love you no matter what, but according to God, that's not right."? 

And remember, The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies NEVER come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. For the love of God, don't condone sin. Don't call evil good and good evil, even in your private self. Speaking the truth in love can be done. Some may not like it but speak the truth in love.

Yes, we as christians have died to sin. We do not live by the Law we live by the Spirit of Jesus in us. Walk according to the Spirit. Not according to the flesh. The law of Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. (from the wonderful book of Romans chapter 8). Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth and then read it. Always ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and He will.  Remember, the law of love, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus sets you free from the law of sin and death! There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

We cannot perform the whole law. We break it daily. That is where God's wonderful grace comes in and God's mercy is poured out on us who walk according to the Spirit. If you are not following after the things of God then ask God to help you to walk according to the Spirit! He will do it.

Walking after the flesh says, 'That bible teaching is egregious . It is just too hard for me. THAT can't be right! Why, I was BORN THIS WAY.'

You were born that way alright Lady GaGA. WE WERE ALL BORN THIS WAY! Born with a sin nature and only Jesus on Calvary can give you power over it. WE WERE ALL BORN THIS WAY! That is why God sent us a Savior. We must be born again . Die to self. Live to Christ. Never the less I die to sin and live to Christ. I die daily to sin. Christ lives in me. 

 I pray if you are a christian who walks in acceptance of sin in your life that you confess it to your Father God. Give that over to your heavenly Father and allow Him to help you. Be sincere. Be earnest. Be hot for God! Don't be lukewarm!

I pray if you are not a christian that you give Jesus a chance in your life.Look up and ask God as I did a long time ago, even though I had been born and raised in church and my grandpa a preacher!  
I looked up into a starry sky and called out to Him...

 I said, "God, if you really are there, if you really do exist, if you really did send your son called Jesus to die for all sin, then I ask you to REVEAL yourself to me, that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are God and Jesus is Lord!" GOD DID IT FOR ME! It wasn't in a minute but all I KNOW is that as I went on about my life a couple of months went by and I realized one day that I KNEW! God gave me assurance.

God had answered my prayer! And if you earnestly pray that prayer then God will do that for you! He will. God did it for me. He will do the same for you.

~ ONE STRAW AT A TIME

Dealing With Depression

Amid the songs, the parties, the food, and gift giving of the many holidays we celebrate there are people who have a fight on their hands. They walk among the crowds in the malls and supermarkets and sometimes they look very much like you. The fight I refer to is one with depression. Some have developed skills that mask their battle while others may sadly become debilitated. Then there are others that meet depression head on with a hope that only comes from faith in God. 
     Whichever the case these all have a fight on their hands. Every  celebration becomes a struggle and every difficult thing becomes magnified or another straw on the camels back. Need a gift to give during a holiday? Reach inside yourself and give kindness.  Kindness is an expression of love and love never fails. That's something you can have faith in even if you never see or feel the direct results of it.
     People need a reason to smile and you and I can be that reason. Lighten the load one straw at a time. Be kind to one another. It can make all the difference in the world. 
     
From My Empty Nest:

http://windowofheaven.blogspot.com/2013/01/find-good-thing-to-do-and-do-it_21.html

LESSON OF ANCIENT KINGS

 ~ Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah ~

In 2 Chronicles chapters 32, 33, & 34 the life and fate of several kings is told. It is of great interest how God interacted with these kings and they with God. 
   Hezekiah was king in the 32nd chapter. Much could be written about him and has been in the book of Isaiah. It is written that this great king did that which was right in the sight of God. As a result he became a great King who had God's help on every side. Hezekiah called on God for help. God was exalted and the people honored God and they honored Hezekiah as well. Hear that which I do not say in these verses 32:23 And many brought gifts to the Lord at Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight  of all  nations thereafter. :24 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death, and he prayed to the Lord; and He spoke to him and gave him a sign :25 But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up; therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem.  :26 Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
   This is a great thing for any great nation of people to do as well as its governing body. You can read on to hear how great a king this man was. However, his greatness could have easily been lost had he not come to his senses when his heart did become lifted up and humble himself before God!. Many interesting things can be learned in reading how God interacted with king Hezekiah and how the man Hezekiah interacted with God. 
  Now, after the reign of Hezekiah and  in chapter 33 his son Manasseh became king at the age of 12 years and reigned for 55 years in Jerusalem. It is written of him that 'He did that which was evil in the sight of God ' . He even seduced the people to evil far greater than all the nations God had destroyed before the children of Israel.  
   You can read about him and how he fell before a powerful enemy that God raised up against him. An enemy that captured him with hooks and took him away in bronze fetters to Babylon!
   In 33:12 it is written of this king in captivity : Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He (God) received his ( Manasseh's) entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. The chapter goes on to tell how Manasseh served God for the rest of his life and of all the ways he served God from that time on.
    Then upon his death his son Amon became king at the age of 22. The king Amon did that which was evil in the site of God to a greater degree than his father had ever done in his short lived 2 year reign. We can learn what to stay away from by reading about this king. 
By some provocation his servants killed him. The people of the land executed these for conspiring against the king. And then came my favorite of the kings in these 3 chapters. Josiah the son of Amon who was only 8 years old was made king by the people. It says a beautiful thing 34:2 - And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David: he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. And also 34:3 - For in the 8th year of his reign, while he was still young (age 16) he began to seek the God of his father David.
   This remarkable story continues on to tell of how he went throughout the land and broke down the idols and the altars in the high places and all the images and carvings were demolished to dust which was strewn on the graves of those who had worshipped them. As we continue into his 18th year of reign as king (age 26), when he had purged the land and  the temple, he appointed men to repair the house of the Lord his God. 
    In the processes of these faithful men in their work to restore the temple one named Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord given to Moses. Hilkiah brought it to Shaphan the scribe who in turn took the book to their king Josiah and read it to him.   
    It does not say how long it had been before this book had been discovered but hear in 34:19 - Thus it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes. 
   There is more for you to read for yourself about this but, the last beautiful thing I will tell you of today from this book is this, which is what the Lord God said to the king Josiah, king of Judah in verse 34:26 -- But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel: "Concerning the words which you have heard--"because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the Lord.
   How beautiful is that? Because you heard Me..you harkened unto my word when you heard it...because you heard Me with a tender heart, I also have heard you! 
  Why do tears well up in my eyes? Because, we as christians have not heard all that God wants us to hear. Here a bit, there a bit. And when we do give ear to the wants and the heart of God to do them as we hear them,  can you see the mercy of His tender heart to us as well?  We need always to humble ourselves before God!

  What have the three kings taught us?
  Like the ancient king Josiah, we discover the truth of God through out our lives. With each new word discovered we either humble ourselves to His word or reject it. 
   Like the mighty king Hezekiah, if our hearts become lifted up we do well to recognize, come to our senses, check ourselves and humble ourselves before God.
   Like the self-willed king Manasseh if, due to our own sin we are cut to the ground, still in our greatest hour of need, humble ourselves to God and beseech Him to help. And once seeing the mighty hand of God in our behalf realize that He is God and leave a life of pleasing ourselves to live a life that is pleasing to God. 

We know that the Lord is God!