We choose what we will focus on. It’s easy to get distracted, but just as easy to turn our gaze back to the good stuff.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8
As I read a post this morning that told how the state of Massachusetts just passed a law allowing abortion right up to the time of birth, I was instantly sad and angry. Then a thought came to me: The number of babies in heaven is probably in the billions. I know God must be sad–even angry–at what people are doing on this earth, but then I think He might also be happy to be surrounded by these precious little souls who are no doubt perfect, and certainly blameless in His sight. And just think, one day we will get to meet them all! Can you imagine! I shed tears of joy at the thought of seeing them filling the heavens with smiles and laughter, being loved by God and loving Him.
For over 25 years, Sherry and I have read and discussed a daily encouragement every morning. Currently, we’re re-reading my book “Be Still”, and today’s encouragement started with Jesus, speaking to the disciples in John 16:24, saying, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” The encouragement ends with me asking this question: “If you could ask Jesus for one thing, what would it be?”
At first, I couldn’t think what my one prayer would be, but then it struck me that what I would ask for is something Jesus asked the Father for…
The good news is God’s love does not waiver when mine does. His love is always the same—enormous and beyond comprehension. I will never be perfect, but I will love God, and my hope is, I can love Him as much as He loves me.
For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13
When I was learning to catch a baseball, my dad always told me, “Use two hands while learning.” He said when the ball hit my mitt, put my other hand over it to make sure it couldn’t pop back out of the mitt. It was good advice.
This morning, I was thinking of another saying that’s popular with some of us rednecks; “Here, hold my beer and watch this.” But how these two came together in my mind is interesting. I was thinking about how we are tempted all day, every day, by the world and it’s shiny and exciting things and adventures. We do our best to keep our hand in God’s, so he will help us not to succumb to the temptations, but sometimes we literally look at him and say, “Just this once?” I picture Him smiling as he lets go and lets us make whatever mistake we’re going to make, but I also realize He’s wanting us to not only not let go of His hand, but give Him our other hand as well.
As they were yesterday, the trees, shrubs and grass alongside the walking path were many shades of green this morning. The sky was the same light blue, and the clouds were still white. But, unlike yesterday there was color on the trail today. Dark Blue.
As I approached the trail, I was met by one of the Longview Police Department’s finest. I’m not shy, and didn’t ask if I could, I simply fell in beside her, asked how she was doing, then we walked and talked for about a mile before turning around and heading back. As we walked, we shared our thoughts about current events, family, and other things. We smiled, waved, and said good mornings to those we met on the trail, and then as we came to the trail head, we shook hands, said our goodbyes and she went to her patrol car. You might ask, “So what’s the big deal?” And, that is exactly my point. She was just people. Just one of us. I feel blessed to live in Longview, Texas, and blessed I was able to spend a few minutes of my day with Amy Works.
God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, because He loves us unconditionally, and wants us to be with Him for eternity. How awesome is that? I want to love like that! I want to give everything I have to God and my family and friends so we can all be together with God forever. And, if loving unconditionally is what it takes, then I want to do it! I truly believe if we focus on God and love Him with all we’ve got, He will put that kind of love in us. In fact, I will go a step further and say I think that kind of love is already in us; it just needs to be unleashed.
I think I’m onto something.
The father loves the Son and has placed everything in His hands. John 3:35
I was a frightened little boy, an angry young man, and then I was, for all intents and purposes, lost for many years. Then, God sent the person—my wife Sherry—He knew could soothe my soul and help Him prepare me to do the job He’d trained me to do. Yes, all those things I went through, all those things I did, both good and bad, were simply His method of training me, and in some cases—maybe most of them—allowing me to learn things the hard way.
Now… I’m an old man and I just want to spend the rest of my days in peace and try to be a good man, doing whatever it is He wants me to do. But it turns out… it’s harder than it looks and I’m not very good at it. Maybe it’s too late—too much damage done—I don’t know. I’m definitely going to have to let him lead me to whatever it is I’m supposed to do.
Sometimes, I think maybe if I write it all down—all the mistakes and hurts I caused—maybe I might help someone else to not get lost; to not hurt other people as they navigate this mess called life. But maybe that’s not my job. Maybe we all learn the hard way, while we try to do it our way.
And so, I will just keep my eyes on Jesus, and hope He and our heavenly Father will continue to have patience with me, as I await their instructions. I think I’m ready now.
I talked to Mom today. She sounded so good, so happy, and that makes my heart sing. I love my mom as much as any man can love another person. She’s my mentor, my guide, and my light. I just sometimes wish I could be the man she hoped I would be.
Her husband, Ray Brown isn’t well. So many things going on with his poor old body I can’t begin to list them all. But they keep praying and believing for his healing, and I pray with them. He’s a good guy, Ray Brown is, and I should have shown him more respect and given him more love these past 25 years or so. But I’m not that good a guy sometimes.
As mom and I talked, while I walked, this morning she told me how much it meant to her that I’ve started calling Ray every now and then—just to talk. Then… she told me about a dream she had last night. She said she doesn’t dream that often, and when she does, her dreams are vague and disjointed. But she said this one was vivid and clear. She said she dreamed I was sitting across from Ray, me in a chair facing him in his chair, and I was just holding his hand and smiling at him. But here’s what broke my heart and left me crying off and on the rest of this day. Mom, trying her best not to cry, said, “There was nothing but love in your smile, Charlie. I can’t even describe it.”
I don’t deserve a dream like that. I just don’t.
I can hardly grasp what God has done for us. Knowing we could not save ourselves He sent His Son to take all our sins upon Himself. This is a miracle bigger than healing the sick, raising the dead, walking on water, or feeding five-thousand people with five loaves and two fish. It is the ultimate demonstration of God’s power and love. We are forgiven! We are loved!
So, what’s the problem today? Why do we live in fear? Why are we sad? Yes, we all have fears, insecurities, and sadness but we don’t have to. In John 3:17, Jesus said, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 