Good morning dear ones,
What do you do with a monocromatic day? You know the kind that comes in shades of gray? Today, I made a decision to think about the blue sky above all these heavy, dripping clouds. Much like other situations where darkness seems to prevail, we get to choose to look up. I will start with agreeing with Psalm 34:1-3..."I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together."
Selah...pause and think about this! So, looking out my window I noticed an unusual sight. A herd of Buffalo grazing on the mountains east of us! They pass through only a couple of times a year and most times I miss seeing them. But, not this morning! Our granddaughter came running to tell us. I love surprises like this! When we open our eyes and are constant in giving thanks to God, we get to see wonderful things. Again, I had to look up to those high places to see those amazing creatures.
What are you going to do with the gray areas of your life? Worship is like adding touches of color to your days walk. As simple as saying, "Thank you Father." Keep in mind that He alone is our refuge, our deliverer and with Him there is no want. His eyes are upon us and He hears our cry. When we feel the crushing of trials and we carry the heavy burden of a brokenheart, He saves us!
Magnify the Lord in the storm. Magnify the Lord when all the color is drained from your day. When you are afflicted seek His healing touch. Bless the Lord at ALL times! Seek Him first and foremost and you will not want for any good thing. Because...He is able to keep you in all your ways.
Yesterday, I heard some good news that came out of the Paradise Fire in California. A family of ours not only lost everything they owned but the help that was to come through the insurance is delayed. Some money came for them so they went to the store to buy the necessary items they needed. Their young son clutched a rubber ball in his hands. It was the only toy he had in his backpac when they were fleeing for their lives. The ball fell from his hands and he cried and cried. People helped on hands and knees to find the ball under the shelving. Even some firefighters from Oregon came to help. Their kindness was impacting! They even purchased toys for the two children and the store helped with their needs. Favor from God and man, just what they needed.
What makes this story, though I am not able to convey all the details, is the outpouring of God's grace! The fire didn't take our families lives, like many others. Even with the hardened heart of the children's daddy, God still pours out his mercy. Our prayer is that God will use this tragedy to reveal the unfailing Love of Father God to them. That all the walls previously built to keep God out will come tumbling down in the power of His amazing Love. All for their good and for God's glory! Blue sky above the smoke filled sky of their lives.
Oh, isn't the Lord good to take time to pay personal attention to one heart at a time? We serve a personal God people! He is not a stone idol that cannot speak, see or hear. He is longing for an intimate relationship with each one of us. Praise His matchless name!
Sometimes we experience a meltdown. A place where we come to the end of ourselves. A place where we have no other arms to run to, but the arms of the Father. How many of you know what I mean? When nothing helps, nothing makes sense, what do you do with the gray?
I love to see how the Lord works through tragedy and brings those He loves to triumph through Jesus Christ. I love that He has done this very thing for me! I know there are others who were lost along with their possessions. Some still are missing in the heaps of rubble. A higher number than we would like to admit to knowing. So many are still waiting for news of their loved ones. The loss comes under the weight of the mightiest storm. Fire, wind, smoke.
How are we to handle this? All I know is what I can read about the lives of so many in my Bible, real people. In every case their refuge was found in seeking the shelter of God; whether King or pauper. Psalm 91:1-2 says..."He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!"
This is how to handle the fiery trials we meet. To become refined gold for the Kings purpose. We go through them and walk in the promise that God will be our shelter, our everything. Amen?
Today, I still tear up thinking about the mighty things God is doing, not only for our family in their time of need, but in many others. The stories vary. The devourer is constant. But, God is greater! We serve an awesome Lord! His plans are always good and bring us out of the pit into the Light of His grace. Give Him thanks today for all He has done in your life! Thank Him in everything. There is a silver lining out there. There is a rainbow of promise. You will find no greater Love than that of the Lord Jesus.
As you go on your way today, take time to reach out to others. Even the smallest expression of kindness will bring a smile to someone today. Give thanks. Be a blessing. We will return tomorrow as the Lord wills. Bless His name and exalt Him for He is worthy of praise! In the blessed name of Jesus, amen.
Abundance is...above are blue skies