The Art of Communication

 

Today I again experienced the frustration of my inept communication.  It is a very rainy day as a typhoon looms off the coast.  This morning we were trying to reap the benefits of a bit cooler weather and open those windows that we could.  Dad was busy at work; Mom was fixing breakfast and I was supervising it all.  The rain increased and the wind shifted.  Now rain was coming in a large window.  I began saying, “It’s coming in.” over and over.  However my articulation was faulty and no communication was occurring. My dad even mimicked my words asking what I meant, but they were not getting it.  Suddenly my mom saw, and we got action!  That water was cleaned up and that window closed and mom said, “That’s what you were saying.” At last communication happened. 

 

Sometimes that happens to me.  It is frustrating and sometimes disappointing.  However, I must keep trying.  After that experience we discussed how I could enhance my ability. I need to take more initiative to be heard and understand.  Hanging back will not improve my ability.

 

On reflection I am reminded that God understands before I even try to speak.  He gets it every time.  No misses ever!  In Psalm 139:4 it says, “Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all.”  So, I may have many more communication misses here on earth, but with God it is a success every time.  Guess I will do more talking with God.  (And maybe listening, too!)

See You Later, Daniel

 

Recently I had to relinquish a friend to his heavenly abode.  I have known him over thirty years.  I have daily prayed for his healing for most of those years.  You see, he was disabled, unable to walk, or talk.  We rarely saw each other, but we were friends, just the same.  His life was hard.  He had many physical limitations, as well as intellectual challenges.  Yet he did his best to fulfill the purpose God had for his life.  I have no doubt he is responsible for pointing the way to Jesus for many.  His life on this earth was short, but it was not a waste.  It was exactly as God planned it to be.  Like you and I his days were planned by a loving heavenly Father long before he took his first breath.  He did not have to fight all the distractions we live with.  He just lived as God had made him to live. I will miss him, I rejoice with him today because he is now completely healed.  No more limitations. He lives with Jesus.  I am so thrilled for you, Daniel!

Thanks!

 

This week a young friend of mine had a birthday.  He turned three! He and I were both adopted into missionary families so we could find Jesus.  I sent him a greeting online. I admonished him to love Jesus with all he has.  I was completely surprised to get video reply.  There was his cute face and his shy reply, “thanks Jeffrey.”  I watched that over and over letting the joy it brought flood my heart.  I would have loved to hug him and receive a hug in return, but that was impossible at the time.  I was a bit sad I could not see him in person to give my small greeting.  However, God did something more.  I have looked at that video several times.  Each time it warms my heart.  I am slowly learning to give thanks in everything.  You see, that is what God demands. 

 

When I obey that command my heart is at peace.  God changes me; He shifts my point of view and gives me His best.  So today I watched that video again, and it reminded me to thank God again.  Are you thanking God for everything?  I sure hope you are.

Welcome Fall; Welcome Change

 

Fall has come to our area.  It gets cold, well cool, at night.  The days have a bit of coolness on the edges.  Sweaters are welcome.  It makes us sleep better, and be more excited about exercise.  Oh, I do like fall!

God dresses the trees in orange, yellow, red and brown.  Some flowers are spent, but others come along.  Nature is embracing the change.  Much as I dislike change, the change from summer to fall is one of my favorite events. 

This year has been a year of constant change and upheaval.  COVID has disrupted so many days.  It is not about to stop.  I need to learn to look change in the eyes and say, “ok”!  I do not willingly do that, but I must work toward that.  If I peacefully said “ok” to change I would save myself stress and pain.  I could more easily pray, “Your will be done, Lord.”  Jesus prayed that.  He is my example.  Sooooo…. It might be time for me to pray that!

Do What Is Right in God's Eyes

 

Some days I just cannot get myself to be on top of things.  I allow distractions to lead me off chasing phantoms when I am supposed to be doing what God has laid before me.  I sometimes become a distraction to those I love.  Our Fellowship of Three family needs to have each of us working together to be effective tools for God.  We each take turns being out of tune, and then our song is awful. I need to focus on Jesus every day!  I need to turn my back on sin, no matter how inconsequential it may seem.  I need to see what God is doing and choose to be part of that work.  It is not at all productive to do what is right in my own eyes, because my vision is not clear.  Even with glasses on! I need my Scripture eyes to rise up and do what is right in God’s eyes every time.  Help me Lord!

Under The Shelter of His Wing

 

2020 is such a strange year.  I find myself puzzling over what will pop up next.  In Japan we were blessed with a long, very wet rainy season featuring no sun for a month.  The down side was mold, but the up side was cooler temperatures for July. Then rainy season vanished, and the sun poured out all the saved up rays.  The result has been sweltering heat which does not abate much at night.  Being outside is miserable and makes you feel exhausted. 

 

The virus continues to push its way into our lives.  It threatens us, and makes gatherings dangerous.  Our annual summer birthday party had to go on hold indefinitely. We have to throw out all the old customs and reinvent our days.  We are tired, but so is everyone else.  They get no relief.  Stress levels are high.  I am constantly being confronted with my inflexibility of lifestyle.  We all want times of the comfortable familiar, but it is not to be.  So what do I do?

 

I must remind myself that God is faithful and unchanging.  I have to burrow in closer and closer to Him where I find unchanging love and faithfulness.  There I can breathe and relax, and cling to the security of God’s timeless truths.  Focus on God.  It works! In the shadow of His wing I find refuge, and courage to face whatever comes, each day.  It is when I come away from the shelter of His wing that life becomes overwhelming.  So I am writing this in the shelter of His Wing.  We can shelter at home, but it is more secure to shelter under His wing! Care to join me?

God, Horses, and Me

As many of you know I love to ride horses.  I have time scheduled every Friday morning at 9:30 to ride for 45 minutes at a stable near my home.  For many years it has been the high point of my week.  For 2 months I had to stop this because of “The Virus”.  It made me sad, but I understood it had to be.  Yet I missed that weekly rendezvous with a horse. In all the years I have ridden I have been paired with a variety of older horses deemed safe for me.  Most of them I liked, and of course some better than others.  My favorites eventually die due to age and a new horse canters into the favored position.  Before the COVID-19 break I had two fine chestnut horses that filled the favored spot.  When I came back the one I least favored was my first ride.  He was delighted to see me!  He remembered me.  He could hardly stop nuzzling me.  He wanted Mom to scratch the top of his head.  He was obedient and more responsive to me.  The next week I had the other favored horse, but he was not as excited to see me.  Of course I have decided to throw my affection to the horse that remembered me well.

 

It made me think about the fact that God remembers me.  He knows my name.  I am inscribed on His palm.  I need to be excited to see Him each day.  I need to nuzzle in and let Him care for me.  I need to prize Him more than the horse or anything else in this world.  I admit I do not always do it. Lord, help me prize you above all else!