Go To The Next Pitch

For several years, my son was a baseball coach. During that time, I attended many games - both as mother of the coach and grandma of the (world's greatest) second baseman. One of the cliches I heard the coaches use so often was "just go to the next pitch." Which meant, do not let your mistake slow you down, move on with the game and do what you know to do. I thought that was good advice for a sporting event but today I found a spiritual application for it.

Psalms 23 talks about when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

Isaiah 43:2 says, "when you pass through the waters I will be with you. And through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Isaiah 43:16  "Thus says the Lord, who makes a way through the seas and a path through the mighty waters."

Are you seeing what I see? The key word is through.

God fights our battles as we keep walking.

In Isa 43:8 it says, "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past."

Keep moving forward. God is with you. He will help you.

Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always. Even to the end of the earth."

That's all I got - sorry it isn't more eloquently written. But, the point is, God never intended for us to settle down in one season. He wants us to always keep moving.  Life is painful, sometimes even debilitating. We have good times and times that are not so good and God is with us every step of the way.

Sometimes moving forward is like walking through wet cement. It sticks to our feet and pulls us downward as we squish our way along. There are days when we really want to crawl back in bed and cover our head -- some days I do -- but there is the still small voice which says, "this is the way, walk ye in it."

And so we walk.... walk...  the next pitch is waiting for you.

Love y'all!

The Portal

So, yesterday, I passed through that "Old Age Portal," called 70. It was stressful, intimating and wonderful, all at the same time. But, this morning, I really cannot remember too much about it, so glass half full, right? Lately, people aren't saying, "You are NOT old." Instead, I hear more of  "You look good for your age." What does that even mean?

True, in the last decade, I have experienced a slight decline in my physical being which moves a little slower - perhaps because it has more to carry these days. I have also noticed that  my mental clarity seems to float in and out at will. But, that's another post for another day. Today I am pondering on this large opening over my head. It loomed in the distance for a while and frankly I was a bit surprised to find it right on top of me.

Since the name of my blog is Seasons and Memories, I think it is appropriate before I pass through, to take a moment and look back over the seasons and recall some of the memories of my first seven decades on this earth. Standing here in the portal door, I can turn and look back and see the terrain of my life. Mountains and valleys are interspersed with deserts and fields of golden grain. There are highways where life zooms by in a blur, and soft green meadows where the days laze by softly. Torrential rains and gentle showers combine with hurricane winds and delicate breezes. The turns and curves are obvious, also the dead ends. I notice barriers that are broken and road blocks torn down by my speeding car, but also winding roads where slight slopes were taken with grace.

Life has taught me lessons and shown me things I never dreamed possible. Some I received with an open heart, some I wished had been torched and thrown out before I ever saw them. But, that is the thing with life, we rarely get to choose what we experience. There have been times of almost poverty and times of over abundance of money. Personally, I prefer the latter, but the truth is, I was just as well provided for in both extremes.

There were times of heaviness and loneliness that I thought would be my undoing. Times when I wanted to close the garage door, crank the car and forget it all. But, those times did not last. Before I plummeted into a place of complete hopelessness, God always pulled me out, wrapped his big arms around me, set my feet and mind straight and started me on the right path again.

And, of course, there were times of such happiness that I thought my heart would burst right out of my chest. There were parents who loved and protected me, marriages - yep, plural - children, grandchildren, cousins by the dozens and friends too many to count.  I have been loved. Some folks would even say I have been spoiled, but that doesn't bother me. I kinda like being spoiled.

There has been pain, both emotional and physical. There has been healing and restoration. There has been salvation, rescuing and relationship. You know, as I write this and think back, I do not want to change one thing that happened. Even the sadness, the want and the rejection had a place in creating the person I am today. "Thank you, God, for everything you have done, everything you have been to me and everything you have in store for the next decade."

Several years back our cousin, Troy Miller, was pastor of the Church of God in Wildwood, FL. We visited whenever we were in town because God normally showed up and also because he was an awesome preacher. There was a lady who sang a song that has stuck with me through the years. No, I can't remember the name of the song. I am seventy, remember? But the lines went something like,

Hasn't He always come through for you?  You may not know how, you may not know when, but He'll do it again.

I have no idea where she is today, and I am also certain she had no clue how many times that song helped my heart. (I hope I told her) Being reminded of His track record and His commitment to keep on doing the same thing, warmed my heart and set my feet to dancing.

Today I have things that are hurting my heart. Personal burdens that threaten to take me under, but I know that I know, He has always come through for me and He will do it again. I also have great joy and happiness in some areas. I am still loved - imagine that??? I am covered, protected and provided for - even in the midst of the storms that hover. And so, I walk in a place of contentment, peaceful with where I am in life and yet expectant. Seventy is going to be an awesome year of revelation and understanding, a time of learning and growing in Him. Why? Because He'll do it again!

Thank you all for loving me - I love you back. And who knows, perhaps we will get to dance together in the wildflowers this year?

BAM! There He Is!

As usual, I am writing this more to myself than anyone else, but I hope you will join in and read along with me. We all know the principle of praising and worshiping the Lord during rough times. We have been taught and know it is important to God. We also know it can be difficult to say the least, and at times almost impossible, to lift up a sincere praise when our world is falling apart. I have experienced some dark times over the years and have found this principle to be true, but I have never tied it to the scripture in Genesis 22:14.

So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided. (NIV)

BAM! There it is. Abraham had taken his son up to the mountain in an act of obedience and worship. He was in the act of sacrificing his son when the Lord stopped him. Yes. But also, in that moment of supreme surrender, the Lord provided.

Over in the thicket was a Lamb - on the mountain top of worship and surrender, Abraham found the Lamb. He named that place Jehovah-jireh which means 'the Lord my provider.' OK - is anyone else as excited as I am right now?

Psalms 34:7 (Amplified Bible) 7 [a]The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers.

Want deliverance - for yourself or for someone else? Want provision in the middle of your pain? Want an answer that only the Lamb can bring? Worship Him. Not out of a selfish desire to have your way, but out of a heart that is in love with the Lamb. Worship Him and Him alone. Surrender your will and your way to His perfect will. Come up high on the mountain top of worship and lay it all down. It is there, in that place of true worship that the Lamb will not only appear but He will be your answer.

John 4:24 God is spirit and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. When we worship in truth, all thoughts of ourselves are laid aside. Only the object of our worship is important.

Trust me, I understand it is not an easy walk up that mountain. You and I have both walked it at times. We all know the path is steep and rugged. For Abraham it was a three day trip just to reach the top. For me it has often been longer than that, but when we reach the top it is all worth it. There in the thicket we find the Lamb.

So, those are my Saturday morning thoughts as I look forward to Mother's day weekend. As moms and dads we understand the pain Abraham must have felt when God asked him to sacrifice his son. But, as children of God we understand the Lord's heart and the fact that He was truly working all things together for Abraham's good. He is the same today. His love for us is unconditional and never changes, but when we obey and worship we see his hand at work in mighty ways.

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Our Mighty Warrior

The Lord has surrounded us with his holy angels to keep and protect and watch over us. At times, in heavy battle He will even send Micheal, the Warrior Angel to fight for his child.

I believe, though, there are times when we cry unto the Lord over a battle so heavy and so long that Jesus Christ Himself will show up as the God of angel armies and do it Himself! He is "The" Warrior!

II Sam. 22:8 "Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth."

I love this verse. It gives me a mental picture of Jesus angry over something the enemy is attempting to bring on one of his children. A little like the mama bear that comes out when someone messes with my child - or yours. Only bigger....much, much, bigger and infinitely stronger. 

Verse 10 - 11 "He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind."

There have only been a few times in my life that I sensed this type of anger from the Lord. It has never been against me or any of his children, but  I believe the enemy sometimes crosses a line where Jesus comes down and takes care of business. And no one ... ever ... anywhere ... can stand against Him. He is the God of angel armies! 

Verse 18: "He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me."

There is no one like Him and there is no one that can stand against Him. There is no battle He can't win and no foe too great. He is our Mighty Warrior! He knows how to deliver those who are His and no one can snatch them out of his hand. 

Sing unto the Lord a new song, for He has come to deliver!