Jack-O'-Lantern {A Poem}

When adversity carves you open,
Empties out the flesh and fruitfulness
Of life before the knife;
Gouges gaping, jagged wounds
Too severe to scar--

That emptiness carves room for grace
And otherworldly light
To shine salvation into the wounds
Of this dark, frightful night world.

Life beyond the knife
Is not extinguished
But aflame
With glory.


For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7, NIV1984

Revisiting "Revisiting Delight"

Today the bonnie wee lass next door was leaving for school as Ebony and I returned from our walk. Not wanting to interrupt her departure routine, as she was already being buckled into her seat, we crept past unnoticed, or so we thought.

"Kissteena! Kissteena!" I heard over my shoulder, and there she was running down her driveway to give us a hug. Last week was not my favorite week ever, so that was a welcome Monday morning surprise.

(In case you were wondering, she will be dressed as a Disney princess Wednesday evening and ought to be flying her magic carpet to our house for candy as she makes her rounds.)

Her vocabulary has grown by leaps and bounds since the following post from a year and a half ago, but the sentiment still holds true. Even if it didn't, she's studying martial arts now, so it behooves me to stay on her good side.

One evening last week, Allen and I returned from a brief outing at the same time as our neighbor returned from work. We exchanged greetings and let him know we'd referred a family member to his business. Then he asked if we wanted to see his toddler, "Olivia," who was in the truck, too. Of course, we did.

We stepped across to their driveway while he lifted her out and set her down. As she found her balance, he said, "Livvy, do you want to say hi to Allen and Christina?"

She sized us up and then focused on me, down on one knee, and began trotting toward us. Given the slope of the driveway, she picked up speed along the way until finally throwing herself into my arms.

"What a good hug, Livvy. Did you have a good day at school today?"

"'Ehs."

"Actually, she went to her grandma's today," her dad amended.

I relaxed my arms, but she was still holding fast, so I relaxed into the moment instead, stroking her back and memorizing the vaguely fruity scent of her tousled curls. What's that feeling tugging at the corners of my mouth? Oh, yes, I remember. It's delight.

"What did you do at grandma's? Did you dance? I know what a good dancer you are."

"Dance."

"What else...did you take a nap for grandma?"

"Nap," she nodded.

"Did you...play outside? Kind of hot for that, though."

"Pay outside."

"Are you really answering my questions, or are you parroting everything I say?"

"Pehting ehveeting you say." (Somebody give that girl a rim shot.)

She kept hugging my neck a few minutes longer, then sat on the drive and on my lap while her dad talked with us about the city's basketball celebration. After high fives all around, she decided to swing, and her dad decided it was time to go inside where her mother was waiting. The spell was broken.

This small person gave me the gift of a few minutes of concentrated, spontaneous affection, and with it came joy. I had no candy or presents to offer her; she was not, as far as I know, trying to escape an unpleasant chore; she wasn't even sad and seeking comfort. She simply wanted to give and receive love.

How did I respond? I didn't push her away, saying, "Livvy, this is not the time. Can't you see those weeds around the live oak? Get to work." Her affection pleased me to receive as much as it pleased her, evidently, to give.

In my mind's ear afterward, I heard the word of the Lord saying, "If you, then, being evil... how much more your Father in heaven...?"

Can it be that my heavenly Father, just like my earthly one, doesn't care as much about my lists of duties and reading and prayer requests and getting stuff done as I do? as He does my spending time with Him, in His Word, prayer, and worship, without an agenda, but just for the pleasure of each other's company? Can it be that the God of the universe even takes pleasure in my company? Can it be that the commands to learn and keep His Word and to pray are not only good for me in an eat-your-vegetables kind of way but as a means of being close to each other?

Apparently so:

The LORD your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will bring [you] quietness with His love.
He will delight in you with shouts of joy (Zeph. 3:17, HCSB).

He brought me out to a wide-open place; He rescued me because He delighted in me (Ps. 18:19, HCSB).

You will be a glorious crown in the LORD's hand,and a royal diadem in the palm of your God.You will no longer be called Deserted,and your land will not be called Desolate;instead,you will be called My Delight is in Her,and your land Married;for the LORD delights in you,and your land will be married (Isaiah 62:3-5, HCSB).

Jesus answered, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him" (John 14:23, HCSB). 

If you are a child of God through Christ, beloved, your Father delights in you; He delights in me. Let me say that again, in case you missed it the first time:

Your Father delights in you.

This week I personally need to revisit the practice of delight and celebration and reorient my practice of spiritual disciplines (which are primary means of experiencing His love and delight) around the starting principle that He loves me and wants me more than my agenda, even if it's an agenda I thought I'd received from Him.

May the Lord grant us grace this week to rest, even if only for minutes stolen from pressing responsibilities, in His loving embrace. May His delight in us strengthen and sustain all our obedience by adorning it with joy.

************************************************
Reviewing the last week, I'm giving thanks to our Father for
His trustworthiness no matter what ~ a lovely lunch fellowship to conclude the fall Bible study time ~
sharing a friend's sorrows ~ disappointing news that the pink spot on my scalp is basal cell carcinoma ~
caring for sick husband ~ Ebony's sleepy smell (like Frito's) ~ helping Eb with his new puzzle toy ~
beautiful sunset on rare evening walk ~ burger place that delivers ~
perfectly timed prayer words in a blog post ~ CraftLit starting Jane Eyre ~
learning to praise and thank even when that doesn't yield peaceful feelings ~
kind, funny medical staff at dermatological surgery clinic ~ a week with no away-from-home appointments ~
getting back on track learning new Scripture by heart, Eph. 2:1-2 this week
(Joy Dare, # 7790-7804)

We're praying for y'all who are in Hurricane Sandy's path. May God protect you!

Concert of Prayer

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150:6

Shutting the door on the distracting, the unfinished,
I take my prayers outdoors.
The liturgy has begun without me
Yet bids me enter in.

A mockingbird carols its medleyed melody of borrowed psalms.
Fritillaries and queens glide and flutter, drinking deeply the goodness of the Lord.
Bees buzz the possible impossible, flying because nothing is too hard for Him.
Grasshoppers leap for joy in the autumn-dull grass.
Lavender, rosemary, basil, and thyme proclaim the sweet savor of His grace.
The poplar claps its leaves with a sound like falling rain.
Moonflower lifts its tight bud, biding time to waft its incense in the watches of the night.
Cloudless blue arches over all in Aaronic benediction.

Everything that has breath--
And some things that haven't--
Praise the Lord.
(Will I?)

***************
Today I'm saying yes to praise, thanking God for His good gifts this past week:

lunch with Mom and a friend

next-day appointment to have suspicious skin change biopsied

Bible study ladies praying together

employment prayer for a friend's husband answered right away

favorable settlement for Mezzo to replace her car

kind words from new friend

preaching gospel of grace to myself

blog friend working a cue into her day to remind her to pray for me

hour in the shade, delighting in the Creator's presence in the garden

correspondence exchanged with friends

girls' night with Mezzo

guys' night for husband

quiet Sunday nursing colds

watching local sports team win this week

long nap to make up for bad night

starting the week slowly

(counting gifts #7707-7721)

sharing with Ann and Laura's communities:

 

On This Day in October

For October 15, 2012

Outside my window...
The street is quiet, the sunlight filtered by clouds and the strong branches of our live oak (#7615).

I am thinking...
what a gracious blessing praying friends are! (7616)

I am thankful...
My sister resumed driving after her accident, returned to classes but not singing yet, and learned she can receive free legal assistance through the university where she's enrolled (7617-18).

In the kitchen...
Dishes need to be stowed in cabinets, salmon sits defrosting in the refrigerator for tonight, and my list is not shrinking very fast (yet here I sit...). (7619)

I am wearing...
a royal purple tunic, jeans, and sheepskin clogs (7620-21, plentiful clothing and warm shoes)

I am creating...
well, this blog post for one. Also, the second sock of the pair I started early in the year is on my knitting needles, now that the ergonomic issues with yarncrafting seem to have resolved (7622-7623).

I am going...
to lunch with my mom and our breast-cancer survivor friend (7624).

I am wondering...
whether I should be wearing pink for her instead, especially since it's October. Oh, wait, is that not what the question intended? :)

I am reading...
Beth Moore's study When Godly People Do Ungodly Things (fall Bible study); 1 Kings, Psalms, Daniel, and 1 Thessalonians; and an Italian-American novel from the library (youngest sister's recommendation because of our heritage).
(I'm also in the middle of five other books, which is excessive even for me, but none of them are actually getting read at present. There's probably a 12-step group for that.) (7625)

I am hoping...
a pink spot on my scalp is nothing serious (7626, chance to grow in trust).

I am looking forward to...
our last Bible study discussion Wednesday (7627).

I am learning...
to trust God with my loved ones. Again. (7628)

Around the house...
Ebony is asleep in the wing chair next to the computer and all is quiet today. (7629)

I am pondering...
whether I really need more faith or just need to realize all over again how big and mighty God is. Elijah's faith in 1 Kings 18 really challenged me this morning. Am I so confident (1) that God hears prayer and (2) that He can burn up an animal sacrifice, wet wood, dust, stones, and a trench full of water that I'd stake my life and His reputation on it? (7630)

A favorite quote for today...
this whole prayer by Scotty Smith, but here's my favorite bit:

Expel the fears that set up residence in our hearts with a fresh influx of Jesus’ perfect love.... You’ve numbered our hairs and our days. You’ve got the hearts of every king in your hand. Nothing catches you off guard or by surprise. There are no wrinkles in your brow and there’s no second-guessing in your courts. You don’t always do what we want, but you always do what we we’d ask, if we only knew better. You give and you take away—blessed be your name, O Lord. (7631)

One of my favorite things...
time at the piano with a hymnal and no one around to hear. Except Ebony. He's an easy critic. (7632)

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Doctor Tuesday, Bible study and cleaning lady Wednesday, visit with Mezzo Friday (7633)

I am memorizing...
Ephesians 1:22-23, NIV84:
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (7634).

A peek into my day...

7635. Splendor of the King

sharing with Ann, Laura, and for the first time with Simple Woman's Daybook

I Exalt You, O God {Book Review}

Overview

In I Exalt You, O God: Encountering His Greatness in Your Private Worship, Jerry Bridges applies his gift for clear communication of Biblical theology to a 31-day devotional reflecting on four attributes of God: His greatness, His holiness, His wisdom, and His love. Each chapter or day examines some facet of the attribute under consideration for the given section of the book. For example, titles in the wisdom section include "The Wonders of His Providence," "A Mystery Too High," "Everything Orchestrated for Good," and my favorite, "Wanting My Trust--Not My Advice." Each day's reading concludes with a prayer quilted together out of Scripture passages applicable to the day's topic. The well-written introduction lays the groundwork for the ideas of "private worship" and "worship as a way of life," and these prayers contribute to the stated goal that the book would move readers to worship God.

Highlights

As already mentioned, the introduction alone is adequate reason to pick up this book, especially if the concept of worship outside of Sunday morning is a new one. I appreciate the way Bridges brings truth about God's character, which some regard as intellectual and academic only, into an expression of personal devotion to Him. He always brings his accessible explanations back to (or derives them from) the Scriptures.

The wisdom section applies most powerfully to some perplexing difficulties in my life right now. Here are two of the passages I highlighted, just to give you a taste:

…we continually want to be God’s adviser in His providential workings. We continually want to tell Him how certain circumstances should be changed. Or worse, we question God’s wisdom when we can’t understand what He’s doing. 

God’s ways are mysterious. But with Paul we can learn to exult in this with praise:

How fathomless the depths of God’s resources, wisdom, and knowledge! How unsearchable His decisions, and how mysterious His methods! For who has ever understood the thoughts of the Lord, or has ever been His adviser?...Glory to Him forever! (Romans 11:33-36, Charles B. Williams translation)

To this end may the following words from J.L. Dagg encourage us:

It should fill us with joy that infinite wisdom guides the affairs of the world. Many of its events are shrouded in darkness and mystery, and inextricable confusion sometimes seems to reign. Often wickedness prevails, and God seems to have forgotten the creatures that he has made. Our own path through life is dark and devious, and beset with difficulties and danger. How full of consolation is the doctrine that infinite wisdom directs every event, brings … light out of darkness, and, to those who love God, causes all things, whatever be their present aspect and apparent tendency, to work together for good.

So with joy and consolation let us stand in awe of the infinite wisdom of God manifested in creation, providence, and redemption. But let’s do more. One of the marks of a God-fearing person is trust in the Lord: “The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love” (Psalm 147:11). To hope in His unfailing love is to trust Him. As we stand in awe, let us trust Him, even when we don’t understand what His is doing (Kindle location 1427). 

O infinite God! Who has understood Your mind or instructed You as Your counselor? Before the universe was created it existed in all its intricate complexity in Your vast mind. Even the tiny cells in our bodies testify to the sheer brilliance of Your creative genius.

But while we marvel at Your creation, we confess that we often wonder at Your providence. Help us to learn that Your ways truly are higher than our ways, and that You are always working for our good despite the many things we don’t understand. May we fear You by trusting You. 

And may we ever praise You through Jesus our Lord and Savior. 

Amen. (1458)

The day discussing God's wrath (28) also merits notice. It strikes me as rare in this season of the American church for an author to write on God's wrath at all, let alone in the context of a discussion of His love. Bridges does this, and he does it well:

It is not enough, however, to appreciate God’s love only in terms of our initial salvation. We should be growing each year in our awareness of the depth of His love for us in Christ—as we become more aware of the reality of our own sin even as believers. An increasing understanding of God’s holiness, of one’s own sin, and the value of Christ’s death will always mark a person who’s growing as a Christian (1643). 

It's not that I'd been thinking, "Hmm, wouldn't it be great if someone would just write a devotional about God's wrath?" Rather, the Bible, in both Old and New Testaments, does include many references to it, and I find Bridges' perspective here helpful in assimilating those passages into the rest of God's self-revelation.

Recommended Audience

This book provides a clear introduction to four of God's attributes for the young Christian or one new to thinking theologically. I would also commend it to the attention of someone curious about a life of worship, as opposed to an hour of worship, or to someone who has heard of praying Scripture or praying God's words back to Him and doesn't understand how that looks.

This book tends toward the thinking rather than feeling end of the mind-emotions continuum, which appeals to some temperaments more than others. Perhaps because of this, I find for myself it's more a morning or midday read than a bedtime reflection. Despite the lucid prose, the reader must invest some attention and concentration to glean the considerable benefits offered here.

• More info
• Author bio
• Another review by my friend Lisa (with a different selection of quotes)

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. The product link in the first paragraph is an affiliate link.