Savor The Flavor!

Lee and I have been on a low-carb diet as of late, which means no pasta, no potatoes and no bread for five days out of the week. But today was a day off and what I was most hungry for was a burger (with the bun, thank you!) and some French fries. I got as far as the red light outside the restaurant before I starting digging in the French fry bag. Oh. My. Goodness. They were sooooo good and suffice it to say that I thoroughly enjoyed each and every bite. And it got me to thinking about my life and how often I rush through my day, my week or even for seasons of my life just gobbling down the wonderful blessings that my Father has bestowed without giving them a second thought. Sometimes I get so busy planning for my next good thing that I completely miss the beautiful blessings that are for TODAY! Papa is so faithful to bless my life (yours too!) with big and small touches that speak of His divine nature…of His unconditional love…of His perfect plan-but sometimes I am so distracted by what lies ahead that I miss it. Ever been there?

Society tells us to plan, plan, plan and do, do, do…but our Father calls us to B, B, B!

B In Today-I’m just like you; I want some sort of heavenly outline of all the good blessings that lie ahead…It’s almost like I want to experience tomorrow’s blessing in the here and now and the truth is, it just doesn’t work that way. Imagine for a moment that it is a friend’s birthday and as they’re blowing out their candles they informed you that their “wish” was that they could receive every single birthday gift that they’d ever receive throughout their lifetime…but right now. We’d all say that that was an immature thing to wish for, but how often are we missing the joy of today by longing for tomorrow’s gifts and blessings? Somewhat like I learned to fully enjoy my fries, God wants us to savor the flavor of the blessings His generous hand has earmarked for-TODAY!

B Still-We need to consider s-l-o-w-i-n-g down. The never ending, ever present to-do-list is just that; never-ending and ever-present! There will always be more to do tomorrow. What if just for a bit today, we chose to accept that tomorrow (and all of its good, bad and ugly) will surely come…tomorrow and then just savor the flavor of today’s treasures? I wonder what simple joys we would experience if we were willing to stop striving and just get still before Him. Is He a big enough God that He can hold our tomorrows until we actually get there? My heart cries YES! For if we find Him insufficient for our measure of earthly tomorrows then how can He be trusted with eternity?

B Alert- I think we need more practice being watchful for today’s blessings! They are everywhere around for the eyes and the hearts who are looking! Sometimes we may find them in the quiet beauty of a sunset, other times we will see them in a “chance” conversation with a total stranger or perhaps today’s blessings will be ushered in through a small random act of kindness done for us (or even better BY us). The blessings of everyday will be varied and unique…our Creator is incredibly creative (pun intended) so every single day will hold different treasures for us to savor the flavor of!

B Thankful How can we know if we are living in today or borrowing tomorrow’s blessings? I believe it is clearly evident in how full our hearts are with thankfulness and gratitude. Think about it, if you fully grasp when a priceless gem is given to you, you just can’t help but be grateful! And the best part is, every time we receive something from our Father’s hands with a heart brimming with thankfulness; it becomes a blessing to our lives…even when the circumstances surrounding it may not be pleasant. We need to trust that His hand holds only things that will be for our good. This was brought home to me the other day when I was unpacking the groceries. Our Sheltie, Bella was watching me open cupboards and empty bags. She was sure that there MUST be something there for her from one of my “magic” food bags. Lol I tried to explain to her that none of this was anything she’d want to eat and to prove it I showed her a piece of what I was opening at that moment; a box of S.O.S. pads and she promptly tried to eat one.

And I heard the voice of my Papa who said “See Sandy, she trusts you and thinks that without fail everything from your hand is good for her.” And to be honest in that moment I longed for a heart that fully trusted that everything my Father’s hand allows is for my ultimate good. Instead, I am at times a “picky eater”; I am selective about the “table” that my Father sets before me. I tend to choose this and that, preferring more of this, less of those and none of that! But if I will choose to submit myself to the banqueting table that He provides for me today with a heart of thanksgiving, then that has the power to shift my perceptions and my perceptions can alter the course of my life and also the lives of those around me.

Think about it…our gratitude has the power to alter not only our perceptions, but it can transform the very palatability of our lives! A thankful heart for the unique blessings of today can empower us to savor the flavor of every exquisite treasure that our heavenly Father has hidden in this day!

Papa, Forgive us for the way we are sometimes so busy watching for tomorrow’s blessings that we miss the incredibly unique treasure that You have planned for today. Open our eyes Lord to see the good of our present season and fill our hearts with an overflowing gratitude for the mercy and the many rich blessings You have bestowed. 

{{{Wow!}}} I can’t believe that it will be a year this week since I launched this blog! Time certainly flies when you get to do something you love!

I just wanted to take a minute to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to each one of you who have joined me on this “first leg” of the journey!  It has been a blessing to my heart to get to share with those who are near and dear to me as well as some from around the globe whom I have never met. In fact Hope and Light has had over 5000 page views from at least thirteen different countries and it is growing every month! Glory to God! I count myself highly privileged to have you each on this journey with me as fellow travelers!

For my readers and subscribers; I pray that this blog has shined a little light when the path that Papa has you on was murky and that you sensed a strengthening in your hope as you walked through the good, the bad and the ugly that has been this last twelve months. I hope that you have sensed my prayers for your precious lives and that you too feel a little bit more connected to our amazing Body of Christ!

It has been my great pleasure to share the encouragement that Papa has sown in my life and it has been my joyous privilege to chat with anyone who would listen about my first love; Jesus Christ and I pray that this blog has served to reflect at least a little bit of who the Lord is and how greatly you are loved by Him!

I have enjoyed your input and comments, those here on the blog and the many more that were given in person. Please keep them coming, because apart from you, this blog is just my thoughts, which could be pretty boring : ) We are sooooooo much better together and are wayyyyyy more than just the sum of our parts, because the Body of Christ is truly synergy at its very highest level.

In addition to comments, a number of you have had questions about my blog. I hope this answers most of your questions. If not, feel free to e-mail me at sandy.lee.anderson@gmail.com or just message me on Facebook and I'll do my best to help : )

What are you inviting me to do?
Visit/Read my blog, simply said. I am not asking YOU to set up a blog (although perhaps some of you are feeling the pull to do so...so go for it : ) I’m just inviting you to peruse the posts, make comments if you’d like and come back as often as you’d want and if you’d like; subscribe so you keep up to date with what Papa’s is directing me to share : ) That’s it in a nutshell!

What does it mean to subscribe to this blog?
This means that you will be emailed the new weekly devotional...it’s the easiest way to stay updated with what is happening on my site.

How do I subscribe?
Go to the blog, to the right of the most current post you will see the words “Follow By E-mail”. Put your email address in the box right below that and then click the “Submit” button to the right of that. An “Email Subscription Request” box will open up, directing you to follow the very simple directions. You should pretty quickly receive a verification message from “FeedBurner Email Subscriptions” that is entitled; “Activate your Email Subscripti​on to: Hope And Light For the Journey “. This is the service that delivers email subscriptions for Hope And Light For the Journey. You will need to click a link listed in this email message to activate your subscription. And once you respond to that email you will begin receiving the new devotionals about once a week. (If you don't see a confirmation e-mail in a reasonable amount of time please check your bulk/spam folder.) Also, if you are still having an issue with it, but want to subscribe…just message or send me your e-mail address and I’ll put it in for you-but you’ll still have to respond to the verification email : )

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Finally, if you are blessed by this blog...then by all means share it with those you love or those who may need some hope and encouragement...that’s why it’s here! <3 <3 <3

http://hopeandlightforthejourney.blogspot.com/

Thanks again for joining me for this journey! I am confident that the best is yet to come!

Blessings,
Sandy

PS. Later this week I’ll post a regular devotional : )

 

 

 

 

Waiting; Who Me?

In a word; yes! Waiting in this life is inescapable and whether we get it right or mess it up, it is a persistent companion from whom there is no complete escape. Now the very best kind of waiting is the waiting that is birthed from inner workings of our heart. This waiting is the courageous choice that our heart makes. And since it springs forth from the heart, then the attitudes and postures of our heart are critical.

While we may force our bodies to stay in a waiting position, what is happening on the inside is at least as important as posturing our bodies to a quiet place. Because how we wait is at least as vital as that we wait. And what is happening on the inside will determine the effectiveness of our seasons of wait. We can stand resolutely or even bend our knee, but on the inside if we are waiting with our stomachs in a knot and fists clenched; we accomplish nothing. Or we can surrender the inner workings of our heart to the One who knows us best and who has a perfect plan for our life and tarry with open palms and peaceful hearts and fulfill His every desire for our life. Of course, either way, we will all wait : )

So what does waiting on God look like? Well some of the ways that the dictionary defines waiting are; “to stay in a place of hopeful expectation, to remain stationary in readiness, to look forward expectantly, to hold back expectantly, to be ready and available, to be temporarily neglected or unrealized.” I believe that these are some good starting places.

We need to stay in a place of hopeful expectation while we are waiting. It reminds me of the farmer who was furiously pumping the handle on his new well, when a stranger walked up, glumly shook his head and remarked that the farmer’s well dig must have been a failure. The exasperated and perspiring farmer looked up and asked “How could you possibly know that?” to which the stranger replied “Then where is your bucket?” We need to position ourselves for God to show up and be prepared! Is your bucket ready?

We need to look forward expectantly. Where we need the Lord to move may not happen at this very moment…in fact I have found it rarely happens in this very moment, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be watching for the sign of His movement in our lives. It may be tomorrow, next week or years down the road…but when the appointed time comes His power and presence will surely show up and transform the very foundations of our lives.

Sometimes when we are waiting on God we are asked to hold back expectantly and this can be difficult when we, like race horses are chomping at the bit to leap from the starting gate. Yes, the starting gate is the place where the remarkable horses get separated from the merely noteworthy. For months the young horses are trained to accept the confines of the starting pen while remaining at full alert for the whooshing of the gate and the ringing of the bell that signals the commencement of the race. So that when the gate cracks open, the horse runs straight and strong. And there are seasons in life where Papa calls us to stand ready for His starting bell. If you find yourself anxious and closed in, stuck in a starting gate that you’d never imagined; commit to wait in peace, but be fully prepared, for on a day of His choosing your starting bell will chime and you’ll be off!

The last two definitions seem linked to me and I personally find them the most difficult. Sometimes we are called to be ready and available, but to be temporarily neglected or unrealized. Ouch! Ok, now first off, I need to add a disclaimer that our heavenly Father never under any circumstances neglects us-but I think at least most of us have seasons where it feels that way. We ready our lives and present ourselves available to Papa for His use and then we stay in a place of hopeful expectancy; just listening for His call. We spend our time prepared; looking forward to the realization of our dreams, striving to hear the sound of His release...but the silence mocks our resolve. We hold back expectantly, straining at the starting gate, experiencing the narrow places of existence or ministry that are currently ours, listening with the whole of our being for the starting bell to sound, so that we may break free of the confining gate…but there is only the beating of our heart and the pervasive silence that threatens to envelop us. And in that moment we are tempted to feel neglected and we are dangerously close to believing the enemy’s lie that we will live our lives without realizing the dreams that were planted deep within. But dear friends in those moments we must choose rather to believe the heart and the plan of our heavenly Father who sowed those dreams and promises in the first place! He can be trusted with every situation and circumstance that touches our lives, for always they are filtered through His loving hands before they ever draw near.

Yes, waiting is never easy and of course most of us know that we should wait on God but we are the offspring of a “hurry-up” society. We want everything right now. We have multiple drive-thru lanes because we don’t want to wait for our fast food and self-checkout machines to quickly purchase our groceries. There are instant kiosks at the airports, banks and theaters, all because we don’t want to wait.

 

 

We rush around hurrying up, we drive continually in the “passing” lane; trying to buy ourselves a couple of extra minutes. Have you ever watched a car (and its frustrated driver) that is in the “fast” lane and they are stuck behind a car who is determined to go the speed limit? You can just see the frustration levels rising! But some things just won’t be rushed and God is one of those. He moves at His own pace. i.e. This isn’t Burger King where we get to “have it our way”. He just isn’t on our time table and no matter how much we “ride His bumper” He’s still going to move at His determined pace.

No, we are a “have it now” society from everything from our continual Twitter feeds to our daily banking information-we want it like yesterday and we’re not too keen on waiting on Papa God either. How often have we been seeking God’s direction and then given up because we didn’t get the answer when we thought we should? But as my pastor, Shawn Franco shared in I Kings 18; Elijah prayed and waited on God extensively before the rain came. Who knows, but that the guidance you’ve been seeking isn’t right around the corner! Waiting on the Lord requires perseverance, so we need to keep our bodies alert and our hearts listening.

 

And Isaiah 64:4 reminds us that God “…acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.” His job is to act, ours is to wait. But what does that look like in practical life? In the original Hebrew, the word “wait” here means “to adhere to”. So waiting is like getting attached to God. The popular 80’s jingle comes to mind; “I am stuck on Band-Aid and Band-Aid’s stuck on me.” Lol  The jingle continues to sing the virtues of the bond of its bandage by promising to stay on through the water, soapy suds and generally no matter what. I think this is a good picture of what waiting on God should look like; we get stuck on Jesus and hold on tight through the wet and slippery places that life naturally affords us. : ) Waiting on the Lord “glues” us to God’s presence. Hallelujah!

 

And Isaiah 40:31 promises “…They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles…” Now we all long to have our strength renewed and soar above the heights, but no one wants to do the waiting part, right? Perhaps we’ve envisioned waiting as seclusion and isolation, but the original Hebrew defines wait in this passage as “binding together by twisting”. So our strength is actually restored and our possibilities begin to soar as we are twisted together with the Lord through waiting. And what could be closer than threads twisted together? No, waiting on God is neither isolation nor seclusion. And it is noteworthy that in mass production, a cord’s strength is relative to the degree of twisting that it experiences. More twisting produces greater strength and it’s the same in our relationship with God through the twists and turns of life! So waiting binds us with God and makes us stronger! Two things that I desperately need, how about you?

In closing, I believe that many of us have great intentions to wait on God for we inherently know that His plan is best, but after praying for a season, discouragement begins to set in; displacing our hope and we consider giving up. But waiting in hope requires an unshakable trust in God’s plan. He alone measures out eternity in the span of His hand, and He alone confidently holds every grain of sand in the hourglass of our earthly life. He alone knows when how long, is too long. He alone understands the number of our days and the works that we were exclusively created to fulfill. He will not be one moment later than His perfect plan dictates.

Today, if you are feeling the confines of the starting gate, being hemmed in before and behind, settle your heart to wait, but don’t you relax and get comfy! For on the day of His choosing, the gates will open and you will run straight and strong the race He fashioned you for! And while it is true that His guidance or promise fulfillment may not come when or in the way we expected or envisioned it; surely His plan is unsurpassed and worthy of any delay it may seem to bring.

 

 

Papa, give us new spiritual eyes that today we’ll envision our waiting to be Your interweaving embrace, where our strength is renewed and we ascend to our God ordained pinnacles! We love and trust You…but help us do it better. In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Note: A sermon by my pastor, Shawn Franco of Cornerstone Assembly of God was the original cause of this devotional. I encourage you to listen to his message which offers different thoughts and perspectives about waiting on God. If you find yourself in a place of waiting it will be a blessing to you.  It can be found at http://www.cornerstone.ag/ 
You will see the Media link near the top right of the site, click there, then on Listen To Sermons, then select the September 8th sermon.