The Birth of Compassion

This morning I experienced an unforgettably beautiful and tender moment with my 3(almost 4) year old son.  I've been reading "Another Man's War" by Sam Childers, about his life and work with orphans in Sudan.  On the back cover there is a heart-wrenching picture of a small child grieving with some unknown, probably unthinkable pain.  The child's eyes seem to lock with yours, tears streaming down dusty cheeks, mouth opened in a silent wail of the soul.  I was reading this book when Isaac came up to ask me something about his legos.  That's when he first caught a glimpse of this crying child's picture.  He stared at it for a few seconds.  Then his face crumpled, his eyes welled up with tears, and he crawled up into a corner of the couch, face buried in his hands.  I immediately set the book aside and went to him.  I asked him what he was feeling; he replied that he was sad for the child.  With my own eyes brimming with tears and voice choked with emotion, I took the next several minutes to hold him close and whisper with him about that feeling: compassion, to see someone else's pain and hurt for them, and to want to make it better for them.  I explained that, though painful, it is actually a good thing; compassion is the heart of Jesus inside of us, moving us to love others as ourselves.  Then we prayed softly together for God to be with that child, wherever they were and whatever they were hurting from.  Stroking his thick hair and soft cheek, I marveled at my son, eyes so full of pain and love for a child he's never met.  Here sits a happy, healthy boy living in a free country, safe and with every physical and emotional need met...and his heart is breaking for the child who has none of that.  I long for my children to live compassionate lives, but that is something I cannot give to them.  It must grow within them from the Spirit of God inside.

What blows me away is that a year ago God gave me a picture for Isaac: an arrow.  At first I argued with God that it didn't fit him, because he is a tender, content boy whose name means "laughter".  An arrow felt too hard and cold.  Then God showed me the elements of the arrow:  the tip is Love, the shaft is Faith, and the fletchings (feathers) are all the Fruits of the Spirit.  God revealed that Isaac will be a weapon against the kingdom of darkness by living in Love and Faith and Joy and Gentleness!  This morning I witnessed him take a first step towards his destiny: the birth of compassion in his heart.  As I watched him encounter this strong emotion for the first time, I imagined what exploits he will undertake in his life, compelled by the love of Christ to protect the innocent and provide for the poor.  I snatched that priceless moment to speak those seeds over him (You are a strong and brave boy with a great heart of love, God will use you to help and protect children like that who have no one to fight for them), and watched them fall into the soft, freshly tilled soil of his young heart.

Holy Spirit, rain upon those seeds of Jesus in my children.  Father, let the light of Your face shine on them.  As they learn to live in love with You, cultivate Your dreams for them in the hidden places, until they grow into mighty oaks of righteousness.  And teach me, also, Lord, to live from that deep, powerful place of compassion.  Move my heart, as Your heart moves, so that I may pray the prayers that You can agree with!  For Your sake, Jesus.  Amen.

Bliss to you!
Sarah

Reveal the Father

The presence of a child reveals the existence of a father.

I want to live my life in such a way that I reveal the nature of God.  When others look at me, I want them to know that there is an Everlasting Father because I am His child.  Words are not sufficient for this.  I must authentically find my identity in relationship with Jesus.  Majority of that happens in the secret place.  Who am I really when it's just me and God?  Learning Who He is and how He desires me to relate to Him is something that takes time.  I know what kind of life pleases my Heavenly Father because I sit with Him often, relishing His pleasure over the parts of my life I get right, and allowing His empowering grace to work on the parts that I don't.  The result of this private relationship is a "well-loved child" mentality in the outer spheres of my life.

When life gets too big for me to handle I have a seat with Him in heavenly places.  I like to think that seat is His lap!  I have access to a place that I can crawl up into with boldness like a child.  There, in a position I didn't earn and therefore cannot lose, I find a strong shoulder to cry on, an ear that is always open, and a ready smile to savor the wonders of life with!  It is also the best place to be quiet and learn the secrets of His heart.  I know with my own children, if I want them to really hear what I want to say, I pull them close and talk softly, whether it be words of approval, a story, or a teachable moment.  They listen best when they are secure in that irrevocable position of "beloved child".

Our Father is not angry with us!  He has an open lap ready, full of the riches of His glory for us to partake from as our inheritance!  We are His children, not because of our goodness or worth, but because He gave us Life and calls us by His Name!  Let us live as well-loved children, and reveal the Father's heart to the world around us!

Bliss to you!
Sarah

Ephesians 1:3-14
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love ⁵ He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. ⁷In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace ⁸which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight ⁹ He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him ¹⁰ with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him ¹¹ also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, ¹² to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. ¹³ In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.


Ephesians 2:4-10
⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Praying In Giggles

Last night, during prayer time before bed, Isaac (3 yrs old) was bouncing around, laughing, and talking goofy gibberish.  Knowing our Lord's love of children and their ways, I smiled and asked my silly son if he was praying in the Spirit.  He replied enthusiastically, "No, I am praying in giggles!"

I'm sure Jesus speaks that language, too!  In fact, sometimes laughter is the most effective prayer there is!  It is, after all, agreeing with His heart!  Some days it's easier than others to see why Jesus asked us to become like little children!

Bliss to you!  
Sarah 

Psalm 2:4
⁴ He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. 

Job 8:21
²¹ “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouting.

Deuteronomy 16:11-12
¹¹ and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name. ¹² You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.
[more than a slave released, I have been raised from the dead!!]

Psalm 32:11
¹¹ Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

Jeremiah 32:40-41
⁴⁰ I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me. ⁴¹ I will rejoice over them to do them good and will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul. 

Zephaniah 3:17
¹⁷ “The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

1 Peter 1:7-9
the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ⁸ and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Take All You Want!

This morning, during my personal worship, I took out one of my bottles of anointing oil.  I dabbed my temples and behind my ears, to remind me throughout the day as I catch the scent that I am my Beloved's!  As I started to put it away, Isaac (3 yrs old) said, "Mama! I want some!"  I gladly agreed and placed a dab of the fragrant oil on his forehead.  Again, I started to replace the lid when he pointed to his feet, "And some right here, Mama!"  Smiling, I dabbed both his wriggling feet.  Pulling up his jammie legs, "And some here, on my knees!"  ... "And all the way down my legs!" ...  "And put some on my hands, Mama!  On all my fingers!" ... "And don't forget my face!" ... "Some on my cheeks, and my nose, and my chin, and my forehead, and all around my neck!" ...  By this time, I was beaming with joy at his enthusiasm!  And he was shining with oil from head to toe!  There are some things (cookies, TV, candy, etc.) that I will put limits on.  But my heart bursts to see my child's eagerness to get more of the anointing oil!  My response to him was, "You can have as much as you want!"

I have a hunch that God feels the same about us!  I want to come into His presence like a child, "Abba, can I have more?  And don't forget here!  And anoint this part, too, God!  And all around over here!"  His oil never runs out!  And Holy Spirit is always more generous than we give Him credit for!   He beams over us and loves to pour out the oil and the wine!  I think I am the one who has to tell Him "Enough!  I'm saturated, I can't hold anymore!  Let me absorb this much first!"  He is a God not of measure, but of fullness!  Haha!  Can't you hear Holy Spirit saying through joyous laughter, "Take all you want!  The world around you needs My fragrance!"


He is the God of more than enough!  Soak it up, as much as you want!  He won't cut you off!


Bliss to you!
Sarah


Luke 24:28-29
... and [Jesus] acted as though He were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.”  


John 1:16
¹⁶ For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 


Ephesians 3:16-21
¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, ²¹ to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Say YES!

Lately, I've been incubating different ideas about destiny and obedience.  I find myself in the midst of a life transition, a time between seasons.  I am coming from a deliciously rich and beautiful summer season, chuck full of sweet memories and precious times, with a peculiar absence of stress and tension.  I stand on the verge of a season of...what, I don't know.  Maybe less sunshine.  Maybe more chilling winds.  Maybe the trees will lose the luscious leaves and go dormant for a while.  Maybe snows will fall and confine me to my house.

As I first eyeballed these possible changes, I would get a fearful dread in my stomach.  Though outwardly agreeing with the changes, inside, like a spoiled child, I felt like my heart was stamping a foot, pouting, and whining through gritted teeth, "I don't WANNA!"  After a couple weeks of this charade, I decided to have it out with God over this particular issue.  I articulated my true feelings and fears (this was more for my benefit, because He already knew everything).  Having emptied my "Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions" box, I got up to leave.  But God wasn't satisfied with only letting me vent.  His aim is not to help us feel better, but to give us what is missing in our experience of Him.

His response to my whining?  He reminded me of a situation with my daughter just that morning...I was trying to give Hannah a bath.  Hannah did not want a bath.  Hannah cried and fussed and whined and made the whole process much longer and more difficult than it had to be.  In the midst of the power struggle, I said to her, "Hannah, I am your mother.  I will not ask you to do something that is bad for you.  Trust me.  I'm not asking you to like it, but I am asking you to obey.  Just say, 'yes'."  As this scene came back to my mind, I felt Holy Spirit whisper lovingly into my heart, "Sarah, I am your Father.  I will not ask you to do anything that will harm you.  Trust Me!  I am asking you to obey.  Just say, 'yes'!"  I melted into Daddy's great heart of love and patience for me.  What a perfect Father He is!  In that moment, His grace washed over me and abolished all my fears.

He then reminded me of a special Scripture He had given me to pray a couple months before:  Proverbs 31:21 "She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet."  I had prayed it every day faithfully, but hadn't grasped the application for my life.  Finally, that verse made perfect sense to me...I do not have to fear the changing of seasons, or even the harshest of seasons, because I and all my family are covered in the scarlet blood of Jesus!  In the middle of the coldness and seeming barrenness of a winter season, there is a bright and warm beauty!  Though the winter is vastly different from summer, it is a time of grand celebrations and intimate closeness, filled with it's own memories and joys. I received this verse in Proverbs as a promise from God, with Him I will face the changing seasons of life with joy and peace.

Shortly after this, I heard the album "Destiny" by Beckah Shae.  As I listened, I felt almost like God had given her those songs specifically for me.  Music is one of my favorite ways to connect with my feelings about God and life, and it is also one of the biggest ways God encourages me.  The words to one particular song fit so perfectly with what I was going through.  I'd like to share it with you....

For Such A Time As This
Beckah Shae
I'm just an ordinary person with so much resistance and so many hindrances
I'm just a common average woman with an ugly past, that keeps tryin to hold me back
Limitations all surround me and this world thinks that it's drowning in hopelessness
Then I hear you call my name out loud and I say yes!
Just a moment for a lifetime, For such a time as this, I say yes!
I've been chosen to arise, For such a time as this, and I say yes!
Alive awake alert, I know I don't deserve why I'm in this position
But I'm here ready to serve
Willing to lose it all, I'm answering Your call
Oh heart and soul please listen for the mandate must be heard
Your grace and favor crown me and I need Your strength around me
Cause I still fear how hard it might be
And what's worth living for, if nothing is worth dying for?
I'm gonna make a stand, I'm gonna make an echo
I'm gonna make some history, with His story!
Writing the pages of today to read about tomorrow's change
Cause I know I was made, for such a time as this


So, to anyone out there struggling to do what God has asked of you...don't be afraid of the changing seasons, there is a promise from God that the snows of life will not harm you!  He is a perfect Father who has plans to prosper you.  Destiny is no farther away than a YES!

Bliss to you!
Sarah

Joy

My daughter, Hannah, is four years old.   She is lively, imaginative, and energetic.  Life is brimming over with emotions for her, ecstasy and tragedy are daily occurrences.  She is never dull or boring.  If you’ve spent more than a few minutes with her you will know this to be true!  She is also one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever known.  (I can say that shamelessly because she looks nothing like me!) 
Her complexion is olive toned.  Her hair is a lustrous brown that is so dark it looks black.  Her large eyes are pools of dark chocolate, framed in long eyelashes and sparkling under expressive eyebrows.  Even when she’s mad, she possesses a kind of dramatic beauty, like thunderclouds over the mountains.   But it’s her smile that takes my breath away.  

When Hannah laughs, her whole being exudes the most natural, stunning beauty.  Her already pretty face brightens to the point of brilliance when she smiles.   Her heartfelt joy visibly pours out of every feature.  Her smile consumes me.  It is impossible to see it and not be called to join in her happiness.  It is no wonder that her middle name is Joy…she has it and she gives it! 

For me, Hannah serves as a reminder of the beauty that joy brings, not only to the face and countenance, but also to those who are around it.  The world needs more of our heartfelt, passionate, free-flowing joy!  Share your beautiful smile!  Laugh easily!  Shower your world with joy! 

Pursue Beauty…
Sarah

Oh, my beating heart!

The other day, Sam was playing with Hannah in the family room. I snatched the opportunity to jump in the shower. I had just finished and was combing my hair...smiling at the playful coo's from a father and his daughter enjoying each other's company below. Just then the giggles stopped with an abrupt THUD. I heard my husband's intonations of concern, nearly drowned out by my daughter's painful cries. Time seemed to halt as I moved. "What? Sam! What HAPPENED?!" I yelled as I quickly left behind the bedroom, the hallway, the stairs. My mind filled with horrid visions of blood and injury. I was at my baby's side in an instant, though it felt much too long. As my arms scooped her from her father's embrace, my eyes and hands examined her tiny body. No blood. No injury. She had merely toppled over while sitting, thudding that pretty little head against the metal leg of her swing. There wasn't even a bump or a red spot. Her crocodile tears were soon dried up in my arms, as Papa distracted her from her shock with his bright smile. She was cooing again within seconds. It was only then that I noticed my pounding heart. It was only in the moment of relief that I realized the adrenaline coursing through my body and mind. I held her very close and smooshed her cheek to mine, thanking God for her safety.

Wow. What powerful emotions awakened in me at the thought of my little daughter getting hurt. Protectiveness. Fear. And that strange selflessness that wishes desperately to take the pain upon myself in order to relieve her. These emotions are a result of us being made in the image of God. After all, is He protective of us? Fiercely so. I don't think God feels fear, but He was so unwilling to lose us that He made the ultimate sacrifice. And He DID take our pain upon Himself for our relief. It's amazing how being a parent can so enhance our view and understanding of God and why He does what He does.

What's Good For Me

Ok, so Hannah has eczema. The dry patches first appeared when she 
was about 3 months old, so I took her to the doctor. She said it's common enough and to just put lotion on her daily. So, that's what I did. Turns out, Hannah doesn't like to be slathered in lotion twice a day. She would cry (read: scream as if she's dying) every time I put it on her. Those giant tears rolling down her cheeks and those pitiful wails 'bout broke my heart! But did I stop putting the medication on her? No, of course not. It was good for her. It was going to heal her. She didn't like it...and I knew that. But I also knew that she couldn't understand the true purpose for it. She could only feel and understand the discomfort it caused her in the moment...she didn't know that it would make her better in the long run.

Oh, thank you, dear daughter, for being a mirror for me! I am a lot like you. How many times have I turned my tear-stained face and wailing heart to heaven, begging God to stop the discomfort of the moment? Too many. And how many times have I paused in my pain to ask if He has a deeper purpose for it? Too few. Jesus sees my "dry patches" and His desire is to heal and hydrate. Now I understand a bit more of His heart, and how it breaks to ease my pain....but not the temporary pain. He longs to bring eternal healing. I pray I can learn to trust Him more completely. He knows what's good for me.