Thursday, November 3, 2011

Proverbs 3:5,6

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind
and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct
and make straight and plain your paths”
(Proverbs 3:5-6, AMP.)

     A few years ago, our Bible Study leader urged us to select a Life Verse from the Bible. My thoughts went immediately to Proverbs 3:5, 6. During the early years of life-changing decisions, I would admit to still being on a “milk diet” – spiritually speaking. But my faith in the Lord was strong enough that I knew to turn to Him, lean on Him to direct my paths.


     The first turning point was the night I was driving home from choir rehearsal and having a conversation with the Lord. The subject? The person I would marry. I laid out my case before Him, specifically naming characteristics that were important to me- like He didn’t already know. Within that hour, His plan was in motion. It would be a year before that request was met when the day His choice for me literally showed up at my door. Time would reveal that the check list was simply a description of my husband of almost 39 years. The one God had already selected. I was merely praying His will for my life.


     The second critical request was for the timing of our having children. There were many issues surrounding that prayer. Trusting Him resulted in bringing a precious three-year-old daughter into our home. The second sweet bundle of joy would be born three years after I silently acknowledged to Him that He knew what was best for us and, again, leaving that decision completely up to Him. These two young ladies continue to bring more joy than we could ever have known to ask for.


     When our younger daughter reached pre-school age, I was ready for another baby, a baby that never arrived. During that difficult time, I could go back to that specific prayer and know that God was in control, and our family was complete. Because He knew what was best, I could trust His perfect will.


     When we decided to pursue my husband’s dream of living in the country, we simply prayed the open door/closed door prayer. That time away from my family and friends resulted in a closer walk with the Lord. He took me out of my comfort zone so I would have to lean on Him. The door swung the other way when it was time to return to our roots; we are now near my mother who needs my help and our children and grandchildren – at least for now.


     My Life Verse has been at the core of every major turn in my journey. I’m confident it’s a prayer that will be prayed for future events, and just as certain that it will be answered as concisely and lovingly as all the other times.

     So tell me, what’s your Life Verse?



Orphans

One of the sad things about living on the outskirts of the city is the constant parade of helpless animals left by owners who, for reasons we cannot know, wish to abdicate their responsibilities to total strangers.


These little jewels appeared in our back yard a few days ago. Hungry and thirsty. Deserted. With occasional coyotes howling and hawks circling, we had to offer them refuge within our fenced back yard. Sadly, the puppy did not survive a severe case of Parvo. The cold evenings mean the mom is sleeping in the inside quarters for our two Shih Tzu’s. She rests quietly inside, willing to accept the care of her providers.

Last year a Bassett Hound was left on the blacktop road that adjoins our short all-weather road. Several of the residents, including my husband and myself, tried to rescue this squatty little body, but she would have nothing to do with us. Plastic bowls holding food and water accumulated in the bar ditches. One night there were four or five cars parked alongside the road as we used flashlights and an officer’s high beam light to try to locate her. A few of us had decided to adopt her. Guess it would have been first come, first serve had the search and rescue been successful.


But, one afternoon, my husband spotted our little neighborhood project trotting confidently down the road – two or three miles from her hiding place. He said she was running with resolve like she had remembered where her home was, and she was on a mission to return there on her own. Sadly, we’ll never know if she reached her destination. Unlike the terrier, she preferred to run from those who wanted to take her in.


Isn’t it reassuring that, in God’s economy, there are no orphans? We are all His children. We can run to His open arms at any time through the grace of His Son, Jesus Christ. We need to be an extension of that love to those around us who may not be aware of a Heavenly Father Who is theirs for the asking:


“A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land”
(Psalm 68:5-6, NASB.)


We can choose to be orphans, like the deserted little pet who chose to wait for the one who abandoned her rather than accept the love and provision from ones who desired to be providers.
Or we can choose the sanctuary of the Heavenly Father Who promises:


I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU”
(HEBREWS 13:5B, NASB.)



Enjoy Avalon’s “Orphans of God”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BkN-4NYQj0