Spencer's Mom

Except a kernel of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

The Fruit of Our Lips

Praise God, more snow!!!!

Praise God, more snow!!!!

“He is thy praise and He is thy God.” Deuteronomy 10:21

The bright light escaping from behind the shades shook me awake and I sat up quickly straining towards the clock. Only 6:35. I pulled the shade down and it snapped up, making more noise than I wanted. My eyes were instantly assaulted so much so that I sat back on the bed and gasped. Who would guess? Who could imagine? Snow! At first glance about 6 inches of powder, glazing the trees, fences, roads in immaculate white, bringing the mounds of snow and ice beneath back up to it’s original three feet. In my pre-caffeinated state, I slowly pondered my first response. More snow. That’s just…then remembering my vow to Jesus that I would stop being such a whiny curmudgeon, I smiled at the winter wonderland and said, “Wow, that’s pretty!”

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. Hebrews 13:15 NLT

Sacrifice of praise. That little phrase has never ceased to give me pause in the 27 years I have been hearing it. It seems like an oxymoron; that sacrifice and praise should inhabit the same thought. Wouldn’t praise be natural, spontaneous and just…right? Sure, when it comes to worshiping Jesus Christ, there is no one that deserves more praise. And when life seems grand and expectant with blessing that comes from above, it is right and tough to stop praising our God in heaven. Then why is it a sacrifice?

Flip back to the Old Testament. The fruit of our labor, the first- fruits (meaning the best) was set aside for God and His holy altar. It wasn’t that He needed a bunch of lambs and oxen and turtledoves. But he wanted to see if we would trust Him, especially when things looked bad and without hope, when giving was hard, especially our best. Sometimes the best was someone else’s worst, but it didn’t matter. God was looking for trust, for bold faith.

I can be on every church outreach, leading a Bible study, paying tithes and exemplary in church attendance, but still holding my best from God. Jesus has already provided the ultimate sacrifice. He is both the sacrifice and the altar for us. Now he just wants the fruit of our lips. Words. Beautiful fruit that glorifies His name. Not rotten fruit that complains; about the pastor, the music, the temperature in the sanctuary. I stand guilty more than once on all charges. Rotten fruit, with those pesky little fruit flies flitting around. Gross.

So I decided to turn my world upside down this morning. Instead of job, school, people I want to fix and more snow at the top, I set Jesus on the altar of my heart. How? Praise. Prayer. Worship. Beyond my routine, until it felt a little like…sacrifice. And then I did something I hadn’t done in a while. I went out and knocked on a few doors and caught a couple of people in parking lots. “Do you know the love of Jesus Christ?” Some stopped to talk, some were busy. But here’s the thing. I want to give Jesus my best, not just the usual, the 99 cent special. And right now that means getting out of my snuggly warm comfort zone and looking hard at the people Jesus died for, who still haven’t heard this glorious truth. It doesn’t matter if I see results or if any one else does. It pleases the One I love the most.

Hebrews continues, “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” v.16.

Wow. So simple. Wake up and say Thanks Jesus, because with You in charge, it’s going to be good. Even if the snow piles up to the roof, if the car breaks down, the bank account circles the drain, the door slams in your face. Turn your world upside down and give Him the best seat. He is my praise, He is my God.

 

 

Having a Heart of Praise

She said YES!

The pond was beautiful this morning. The woods looked as if God had sifted confectioner’s sugar over the trees and it was cold enough to hold the dusting of snow in place, making the path a distinct white trail. My thoughts drifted upward and my heart was soon filled with praise and gratitude towards my Father. A friend, who I think is so funny, once said, “There’s always something to thank God for. You can thank Him for those little coffee creamers if you just can’t think of anything else!” I do recognize seasons of life we go through when the Thanks list seems to run short. And let’s face it…it’s a lot easier to complain. But she had a valid point.

Christmas Eve my son Jake proposed to a beautiful young woman named Kayla, who loves him and more importantly, loves Jesus as much as Jake does. This adds an excitement and richness to their future that is hard to explain, unless you also share that love with your spouse. Yet I was reflecting on the not-so-distant past as I hiked the frosted woods this morning. For several years after Spence died all I could do was plead with God to take care of my two remaining sons. I was broken; emotionally, mentally, even physically for a time and I understood my inadequacy to fill their needs. I grew up in a family shattered by loss, all of us adrift in a black ocean of sorrow. I did not want that to be their story too. My journals that I kept then reflect my desperation. God, take care of Miles. Watch over Jake. I must have looked pathetic, but because of His great mercy, He just saw me with eyes of compassion. I love when the psalmist says, “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me and heard my cry.” I picture God stooping down like a father to small hysterical child and with His arm around them, saying, “Yes, I’m here, I’m here. What is it child?”

Miles married a beautiful girl who loves God and who has been a perfect daughter to me besides being a wonderful wife and mother. My granddaughter sings songs about God’s love to me. And a wedding is planned for this July. As I walked through our Creator’s winter wonderland this morning I mused over days where coffee creamers might have been at the top of my “thank-you” list. And I don’t regret those days because so much sweeter are these days of incredible blessing and answered prayer. “Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think…” (Eph. 3:20)Yes. But may my heart in every season be an offering of praise to the One who IS able, especially when we are not.