Clear Vision

For months now--yes I do mean several months!--my glasses have seemed cloudy to me. I kept thinking they just needed to be cleaned, but they would never really get better. My sweet husband kept telling me I needed to go get new ones. I knew it had been over two years since my last opthomologist appointment. ( I see my retinal surgeon every month for my macular degeneration, but he doesn't deal with eye glasses.). I knew if I took them in asking for new glasses they would want me to see the Dr. so I made an appointment.

My actual prescription didn't change much--they did improve it just very slightly.

When I went to order my glasses, she said the reason they were cloudy is because the anti-reflective coating was coming off. She said that can happen after 2 years, although she assured me the coating they now have is much better and more scratch resistant.

When I went to pick up my new glasses I couldn't believe the difference! I could actually see so much better, and the lenses were so clear. When I got home and started working on my computer I told my hubby, "Oh my goodness! My computer screen is so clear and bright--it's amazing!" He was very happy for me, but couldn't resist adding "I've been telling you to get those taken care of".

I couldn't help but think about that verse in I Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.

I'm very excited that my physical sight is so much clearer. And although we now can only get a glimpse of our Savior through descriptions in His Word, I know it will be so thrilling and wonderful when we are able to see our Lord and Savior face to face!

Calling Your Own Shots

Those of us who are bloggers have gotten used to "calling our own shots", in the world of photography at least. This article gives another perspective on calling our own shots.

My pastor, Joel DeSelm, has a regular column in our weekly paper. Today's article seemed to build on some thoughts that our family had last weekend. We were talking about how God is Holy, and as such, His thinking, perceptions, and view of circumstances is different (and much better) than ours.

I wanted to share at least part of this article. Maybe someone who reads this will be as blessed and encouraged as I was.

"According to an ancient legend, a certain small village sought to strike a bargain with God. They had been experiencing many years of poor harvest, and thought they could improve on God's way of doing things.
So they asked God for permission to plan the weather for the next year's harvest. To call their own shots in terms of rain, sunshine, etc. God agreed.
During the next year, everything worked exactly as the village requested. Whenever they asked for rain, God sent rain; when they asked for the rain to stop, the rain stopped.
When the villagers asked for sunshine, God sent sunshine. As a result, that year the corn and wheat were higher and thicker than before.
However, when it came time to harvest the crop, the farmers discovered that the tall corn had no ears, and the the thick wheat had no head of grain. The villagers complained bitterly to God.
God replied, 'When you asked for rain, I sent rain. When you asked for sunshine, I gave sunshine. But you never asked for the harsh north winds. Without the harsh north winds there is no pollination, and with no pollination there is no crop'.
How easy it is to think that we know what's best in our lives. It is human nature to think that we can orchestrate the events of our lives for our ultimate good, isn't it?
But the truth of the matter is, we simply cannot see the big picture. Our understanding is limited and our vision is often distorted. We cannot comprehend the long-range impact of events, incidents, and decisions.
Fortunately, the God revealed in the Bible is not only all-powerful and all-knowing, but He is also all-loving as well.
If God wer only all powerful, He could be a wicked despot and a cruel dictator. If He were only all-wise, He might be an impotent genius. But because He is all-powerful, all-wise, and all-loving, He is able to accomplish far more in our lives than we could ever accomplish on our own. And those attributes make God worthy to be trusted.
We often don't understand why God allows certain circumstances to take place in our lives; we can't comprehend how good can result from so much evil, tragedy and pain.
But the mind and heart of God are unable to be completely understood. As God states in Isaiah 55, "My ways are not your ways, neither are my thoughts your thoughts. For as far as the heavens are above the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts".
Trust in His wisdom to do what's best. Trust in His power to work in the hearts of people and in the midst of the circumstances. Trust in His love to do what's best for you in whatever it is you are facing.
Not only will the corn eventually grow tall and the wheat thick, but a rich harvest will be yours that you could never have realized, left to your own devices."

Lord, help me to trust you for my circumstances and for your rich harvest in my life.

Kids, Dogs & Cats--Best Friends Forever

A friend of mine sent these to me. Most of the time when I get something sort of cute or inspirational, I don't pass it on. I feel like people don't want to be inudated with lots of stuff. But I couldn't pass these up. Take a look and enjoy!

These last two pictures remind me of our golden retriever, Chloe, who recently joined our family. I'm not a big fan of doggy kisses, but Chloe doesn't seem to know that. It's in their blood to kiss and lick as a sign of affection.

The caption on the e-mail I received with these pictures said, "So who needs a babysitter?"

Spring Cleaning

Last Thursday I did my Spring cleaning in one of my upstairs bedrooms. The window was broken and my husband had to replace it, and so things were kind of a mess. Besides which, I've been using that room for anything that didn't have another designated place. I don't use the room much so it was in dire need of cleaning. My son is coming in 2 weeks so I wanted it to be clean before he came. Thus I delved in and cleaned it from ceiling to floor and found places for all the "treasures".

As I was cleaning that day, I was thinking that my heart and soul really need a spring cleaning also. For at least a month it seems I have been very restless. I don't know what has caused it for certain. But I have been feeling like I need to figure out a purpose for my life. It seems to me like I'haven't done much worthwhile for some time.

In my heart, I know that there are a few things that I'm doing for the Lord. I am mentoring a woman in prison, who I feel has had significant spiritual growth since we have been writing to each other. I have sent her a Bible, books (such as "Purpose Driven Life"), etc and with my encouragement she is now also working on Bible memory. I have been to see her three times in this past year since I started this relationship with her.

I also help my husband in the radio ministry for "Radio Lumiere" in Haiti; and I've helped in our Sunday School class at church. But still, I've had this restlessness of spirit.

As I've been thinking about this, these 3 words/phrases have come to mind:

Cleansing/Pruning/Remaining: John 15: 2- 4 ...every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

When I had finished cleaning my upstairs room, it was clean and orderly, and could be more useful.

Transformed: Romans 12: 2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what god's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will".

My room was certainly transformed from chaos, dust and dirt t0 being clean and attractive.

Teachable: Psalm 25: 4-5 (This was one of my first memory verses this year) "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth, and teach me. For you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

I don't know what cleaning my room taught me, except possibly that maybe I should keep it clean on a more regular basis.

I am trusting the Lord to give me a calm spirit, and to show me His way, and to help me be fruitful in His service. I pray He will do a work of spring cleaning in my heart and soul and keep me teachable, and show me ways that I can be used by Him.