FAITH - LOVING THE LORD AND LOVING OTHERS (LIVING ON TARGET)

The bitter has broken. We’ve had below-zero temps but today it’s 40 degrees and the sun shines bright. I leave Samuel in charge during lunch break from school and I go for a run. When I return, the younger boys are waiting, slingshots in hand.

“We’re ready,” a son says. “We have the ammo from Mr. Roger. Can we have a few more minutes of lunch break?”

I look into their green eyes – these two youngest sons. They’re full of hope. Yesterday, a friend from church gave them a bag of white marbles. “Be careful,” he said. “Don’t shoot at one another. Set your target in an open space and be wise.”

I think about our afternoon home school subjects. It’s a weighty load. Then I look at the sunshine that stretches over the living room rug in wide, gold bars and I have to give in.

“Careful,” I say.

The boys are off.

And as I watch these sons, standing together and slinging marbles at a pizza box they’ve fashioned to a bulls-eye, I wonder….

Am I living on target? How close am I to hitting the mark?

I think of Jesus and his reply when asked which command in God’s law is most important.

Jesus said, “’Love the Lord your God will all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” Matthew 22:34-36 MSG

I watch from the window as my boys shoot and bolt into the marshy yard to retrieve their marbles. I watch until my breath fogs the glass.

Lord, let me live on target.

When I think about it, when I pare it all back and look at time and talents and what I’ve done with what the Lord gives, I worry that I fall short. Busyness robs my intention and sets me off track.

Lord, let me be wise and obedient. Let me love you first and others next.

I stand there a few minutes longer, watching my boys play under the unusually warm January sun. When one boy hits the target, the bulls-eye center, there’s a celebration.  A loud, heartfelt cheer.

I smile and clap and tap on the glass. I give a thumbs-up and the boys do a thumbs-up back. Their joy is bright as the day.

Hitting the target is precious.

Lord, empower me. With Your Spirit and direction, I can live well for You.

Winning the Battle of What-If Worry

We’re sitting close, four of us on two loveseats, but we still lean in to listen. This is our prayer group and what we share here comes straight off the soul. We’re transparent. We’re open. We praise together and ache together and it’s the prayers of these ladies that sustains me when the struggle is hard.

We all wrestle with a tough circumstance. We all fight an unseen foe.

I share about what’s happening in my world and then my friend shares of what’s happening in hers. As she speaks of difficult things, I’m compelled, drawn, to her countenance. My friend’s words come in a soft, even flow. Her shoulders are relaxed. Her hands aren’t curled to knots and there’s something beautiful on her face that pulls the attention of my heart.

It’s peace.

“How do you do it?” I ask later. “How have you gotten to this place – this place that appears quiet and  calm?”

My friend thinks for a moment and then shares spirit-deep. “It’s the Lord,” she says.  “I’m learning to surrender. It takes time, and I’m not always there. But it’s gotten better.”

Later that night, the winter wind howls over the dark and my what-if worry rages strong too. I get caught here often. Worrying for the future of one I love. Conjuring what could happen and getting lost in the murk of fear. But as I lie in bed, the Lord reminds me of the conversation with my friend.

Surrender.

The LORD shall  fight for you , and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:14 KJV

The wind keeps blowing, it’s harsh and shrill, but these Words that have come to my Spirit become a salve. I close my eyes and think of the Lord’s power. His glory. His compassion and faithfulness and even His love for me. And though He is more than I can imagine, I feel my muscles relax. My heartbeat slows. I let each what-if worry run through my mind but this time I hold it against the Lord’s strength.

And it becomes powerfully clear to me that the only way to win the battle of worry is to lay my own weapons down.

To disengage.

To recognize that the One who is all powerful is powerful in battle for me.

He’s fighting the war in my mind and he’s fighting for my loved one too.

Oh, the peace that I can hold when I’m willing to let go.

I pray into the night, for some time, but the prayer has changed. It doesn't flow from a place of panic or from the ragged place of a heart consumed with fear. There is, instead, gratitude. I thank the Lord for His Presence in the battle and for the things that He will do – for the things that He has done.

And as I fall asleep, I think of my friend and the peace on her beautiful face.

The way to win the battle of worry is in the strength to let it go.

The Grace and Joy of Christmas

Hello Friend,

In the Christmas-wild, sometimes the meaning is lost.

Sometimes I'm too busy to think about, to rest in the joy that the Gift of Christmas brings.

Recently, my youngest son reminded me of the grace-gift of God...of the reason I can rest and breathe and receive life.

Here's the link to my recent Family Grace post:


https://www.guideposts.org/blog/the-love-and-grace-of-christmas-joy

Hoping you had a grace-filled Christmas - rich with love and peace and joy.

After the first of the year, there will be some changes to my blog, but I hope you'll still be here.

You are a blessing to me.

Lovingly,

Shawnelle

The Strong Truth of Christmas

Hello Friend,

The other day I was moved, soul-deep, my the simple message of a marquee sign.

Oh, the power of the Presence of the Lord...

This truth is sustaining. It's an anchor for the spirit.

I'm so very grateful.

Here's the link to my recent Family Grace post:

https://www.guideposts.org/blog/the-truth-about-Christmas

Wishing you peace, joy, and love on these days before Christmas. You are a blessing and I'm thankful you're here.

Lovingly,

Shawnelle

Finding Peace After Worry

Hello Friend,

Worry grows stronger when the night goes dark...

but the Lord recently reminded me that He is near. I'm His child. He watches over me and thus I can rest.

Here's the link to my recent post at Guideposts:

https://www.guideposts.org/blog/finding-peace-after-worry

Wishing you peace and joy on this December day....
and the blessing of sweet rest!



Lovingly,

Shawnelle

Prayerful Path to Christmas

Hello Friend,

What joy when those first Christmas cards begin to come in! It makes me smile to see a boy running from the mailbox, most of the mail tucked under an arm, but Christmas cards held in hand.

Over the years, we've turned this blessing into an opportunity to pray for our family and friends. This prayerful path to Christmas can stretch beyond the season, into the new year, and even beyond...

Here's the link to my recent post at Guideposts:

https://www.guideposts.org/blog/the-prayer-path-to-Christmas

Wishing you peace, love, and joy today...

Lovingly,

Shawnelle

Rejoicing in God's Creation

Hello Friend,

Have you ever stood in a moment so precious, so dear, that your spirit fills with awe for the Lord? When His Presence in the ordinary is extraordinary?

The season's first snow took me to that place, and I'm grateful.

Oh Lord, open my eyes to Your great goodness and grace in the small moments...

Here's the link to my recent post at Guideposts:


https://www.guideposts.org/blog/rejoicing-in-the-seasons-first-snow

Thank you for sharing this time with me. You are a blessing.

Lovingly,

Shawnelle