Five Minute Friday: Here

Come here.
Go there.

Two common phrases we hear often. 

What struck me about today’s word is the nearness of here.

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

James 4:8a says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

Jesus calls us to Himself.  He wants a personal relationship with each one of His children…one that is close and intimate.  That can only happen when we come to Him and draw near.  How often does He call for me to come near, because I am “over there,” metaphorically speaking?  I am so thankful for His patience with me, a sheep who is prone to wander.

Can you hear Him calling?
Come to Me…
Draw near…
Here.


            

One Thousand Gifts

911.  Soft pink petals

912.  The framed bird's nest she gave me

913.  Watching him lead 16 other children in warm ups

914.  The confident smile he flashed me as he jogged past

915.  Seeing him teach with patience

916.  Seeing her canter on a horse for the first time

917.  Her beaming face as she slowed the horse to a stop

918.  Bird nests revisited each year

919.  Blankets tucked in

920.  Curling her hair

921.  Flowering hedges

922.  Tea with my friends

923.  Winning second place for table decor

924.  Heart to heart talks

925.  Diagnostic technology

Five Minute Friday: After

It’s often the time “after” that serves as the best teacher in life.

In 1 Samuel 7:12, it says that after the men of Israel defeated the Philistines, “Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

Years ago, I began a personal collection of “Ebenezer stones”…a bent nail, a hospital bracelet, a plastic snowflake, etc.  These mementos serve as markers along my road of faith.  They remind me of lessons my heavenly Father has taught me, and times when I look back and take comfort in knowing that He was there, helping and guiding me.

The second stanza in the old hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” reads:

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

When I look at my life, whether traveling through valleys or resting on mountaintops, I can say with confidence, “thus far the Lord has helped me,” and I look forward to the time after this present journey...my arrival home to be with Him forever.

            

One Thousand Gifts

 
866.  Hands lifted in praise

867.  Learning about missionary work in Malaysia

868.  That my children were inspired by the Malaysia presentation to consider mission work

869.  Whistling tea pots

870.  Playing SkipBo with friends

871.  Antique beds

872.  Bradford pear trees in bloom

873.  Pussy willow trees

874.  Historic town squares

875.  Our friend graciously offering to pick up dinner for our children while we were prepping for a concert

876.  Oatmeal raisin cookies

877.  Handwritten memories that touch the heart

878.  Surprise discounts

879.  Sea dragons at the Aquarium

880.  Trying new foods in a different region of the country

881.  Seeing an underground waterfall

882.  Tour guides with a sense of humor

883.  Dry snow that swirls and twirls in the chilly air

884.  Hot coffee on a cold hike

885.  Sweet tea

886.  Free laundry detergent at the hotel

887. The preservation of history through diaries and letters

888.  Coke floats

889.  The nice man with the telescope...

890.  ...who let us see a baby eaglet in its nest...

891.  ...while the beautiful and protective mama eagle looked on

892.  That she loves to name all of the animals she encounters

893.  The imaginative names she comes up with

894.  Spice cake with creamy frosting

895.  Morning sun streaming in the window

896.  How easily they meet and befriend other children

897.  The gracious welcome we received into their homes

898.  Hearing their giggles upstairs

899.  Sweet, endearing little puppy faces

900.  Boys watching basketball on tv

901.  Hearing their running commentary on the game

902.  Those who are willing to listen

903.  Late morning flights

904.  Moving walkways when you are laden with luggage

905.  When all the checked bags arrive

906.  Walking in the front door

907.  The smell of home

908.  Fuzzy bathrobes...

909.  ...familiar coffee...

910.  ...the comforts of home