Rainy Days

(Hey Dad, skip this post. Bottom line, I didn't take care of the windshield wipers as I should have!)

It happened last Tuesday on my way to work. I was driving and it started to lightly mist. I turned on my windshield wipers and (wouldn't you know) the black rubber part of one of them got caught in the windshield wiper and started to fly around! Needless to say, I found this a little embarrassing. So after work, I thought about driving to Meijer to get a new wiper. I figured that once I got home, I would promptly ask my husband to replace the old one with it. Let's face it, that's what husbands are for.

But did I actually buy it?

No. I didn't.

I thought to myself, I have a lot of things to do today. This is Michigan winter/spring gray week, so I probably should replace it. It probably will rain soon, but it'll be fine. And besides, its sunny right now! I thought the exact same thing on Wednesday and Thursday. Looking back, I could have made time for replacing my wipers, but fell back on  believing that I was busy (which I was)!

Then came Friday. I was on my way home from work and guess what happened? It rained. Heavier than a drizzle, but not a down pour. Thankfully my wipers worked great at eye level. I could see the road, but it sure was uncomfortable.

This got me thinking about things I skip, put off or shorten to fit my schedule (aka that I could have time for with a little planning). It is super easy for praying and reading the Bible to fit into this "it can be skipped, put off or shortened" category. For others, this could be church, spending time in small groups, sharing the gospel or a bunch of other things. Which makes me wonder:

When the storms of this life do come, will I see as clearly as I should by resting in the peace and words of Jesus? Will I steadfastly see him as Lord and Savior of my whole life, including my time management? Or will I only see dimly because I have not sought to set my eyes on him?

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
- James 1:12

It is Not Death to Die part 3

Here are two hymns (for sure worth the watching!) and a poem that have encouraged me in trusting the Lord in death and seeing the goodness of Christ in it! 

Hymn 1

My favorite line of the first hymn is

"It is not death to hear

The key unlock the door

That sets us free from mortal years

To praise you evermore."

Hymn 2

Great back ground story on the writer of It Is Well With My Soul.

Poem

The following poem is in the library of one of our dear friends Peeter. When asked about it Peeter told me that at his former church an elder, maybe 70 years old, was teaching Sunday school that day. The elder said "Let's pray" and had a massive heart attack and died before he hit the ground. A member of the congregational wrote this poem in memory of him:

On the Death of an Elder

"He bowed his head and heart to pray
and, lo, the shadows passed away.
He saw him whom he loved unseen,
the veil of flesh no more between.
Deaths' birth-pang passed so swiftly by
and endless glory met his eye."


"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints [his people]"
-Psalm 116:15

It is Not Death to Die part 2

On Valentine's Day, Brad and I went to a funeral for a lady we barely knew. She's the mother of one of our dear friends. She died suddenly and unexpectedly on February 10th at the age of 57.

I could not help thinking all of the things she is suppose to be doing right now. She's suppose to be with her husband of 32 years in Jamaica this week. In June she's suppose to look on with joy in her eyes as her youngest son marries his lovely bride. In August she's suppose to help her daughter welcome her first baby and enjoy being a grandma for the first time. In December she's supposed to celebrate Christmas with her family and watch them open their abundant gifts, she loved to buy.

She is suppose to finish a lot of plans and have a "full" life. But something unplanned happened:

-She went to bed to experience another glorious morning and rather found the fullness of the glory of God.
-She went to rest from the day and instead found a better rest then she could imagine.
-She went to bed here on fallen earth and woke up in the realm of the Divine.

The least favorite part of my day, believe it or not, is waking up. I'd have to imagine that waking up to God's glory in its full splendor (not confined as it is on earth) is a-maz-ing! It's something I can't even pretend to fathom.

From everything I've heard about this sweet sister, she used her time well. In her death, I am reminded that my days are in fact numbered and are fleeting. I join in with the Psalmist and say:

"Teach [me] to number [my] days that [I] may get a heart of wisdom."
- Psalm 90:12

This passage clearly communicates to me (and everyone!) to use today to serve the Lord, to love the people in my life and to spend my time wisely because tomorrow is by no means guaranteed.

It is Not Death to Die part1

      Some days ago I read a Facebook post by Pastor Okey (read my intro to Okey post here). He wrote about his dear friend and fellow brother in Christ, Terry, who has gone to see the Lord. Here's some of what he wrote:

"...Terry labored faithfully with me for over 20 years in church ministry. Before his health declined he regularly held weekly Bible studies in his home and prepared incredible Wed. evening meals for the entire church to facilitate the church families in being able to attend the midweek service...Terry's prayer of confession in the corporate worship service each Sunday was also so very special and moving...All said, Terry is one of the best friends, and most importantly, dearest brothers in Christ I have had or ever will have. I miss him already and I will continue to. There won't be any more phone conversations asking his opinion on some issue, no more card games (best hearts and spades card player I ever played), no more special meals, nor will his voice again be heard in prayer in the worship service..." 

This week I've thought a lot about Okey's words along side of reflecting on Terry's life. There are so many praiseworthy things to gleam from his death. If nothing else we see the plentiful fruit Terry's life yielded, as told by Okey. The Bible tells us that people will be recognized by their fruit (Matthew 7:16-20) and by love people will know a person belongs to Christ (John 13:35, Galatians 5:6). With the assurance of Terry confession, confirmed both by his words and life, I celebrate this dear brother's life and death. I am reminded that the fruit of my own life (i.e. the works of my hands) gives my confession of Christ a platform to stand on or a hill to fall down. Not to say I am not sinless (and if you read Okey's full post, he talked about the stubbornness of Terry's heart). This brings me to my next thought... 

I am not sure how or why, but Terry was the man Okey selected to pray the prayer of Confession every Sunday morning. I remember Terry's prayer of confession distinctly, spoken with his delightful southern accent. It went like this:

"Our God (pronounced "Goadd") and Father, 

Forgive us for our sins we have committed by doing what ought not to have been done and forgive us for the sins we have committed by not doing what ought have been done..." 

Was there anything super-special about those exact words of his prayer? Not really. So why do I love it and remember it so vividly 7 years later? It's due to the godly example of Terry's straightforward sincerity and faithful regularity every. single. week. Furthermore, I appreciate the  reminder that my sin is not just confined to doing the wrong things, but that to of not doing the right things.

To summarize my gleaming: A godly man's confession of Christ needs to be met with fruit from his life;  when it isn't, repentance is necessary.

But most importantly, Terry confesses his sins no more to the Lord, he confessed them for the very last time. Now his many PRAYERS have turned to unending PRAISE! He is free to marvel at his Savior's feet! Praise the Lord for his amazing grace!