He Sees

Through a series of events over the course of a few days, I was unexpectantly blessed and reminded of God’s love expressed in personal ways, as well as through the love of others.  I had come across a quote and immediately thought a photo of a bleeding heart would fit perfectly.  While out on a road trip to visit a beautiful waterfall with my daughter, the opportunity to capture some bleeding hearts presented itself when we stopped afterward for dinner.  The restaurant had a beautiful bed of them along the front of the building, and the sun was in its golden hour… the perfect lighting.

The next day I was asked if I could facilitate our ladies’ Bible study this week since the facilitator/hostess would not be there, and something completely unrelated prepared me to share something not mentioned in the DVD or workbook.  I play an online game called Words With Friends, and I often learn new words through it.  One such word was raya, which I researched and discovered is one of three Hebrew words for love and means “a friendship or companion kind of love”.  It can also mean “wife”.  While discussing the study, I was able to relate that the Hebrew word for love in a particular passage paraphrased from Song of Songs 8, was ahava, which is a covenant, committed kind of love, and we can find strength in knowing that God is committed to us.

This morning I awoke with a song on my mind.  Although I’d heard it before, the lyrics were unfamiliar to me, because I’d only recently added it as a free download to my music library.  I quickly searched for it and listened intently.  While it didn’t really fit with how I felt when I woke up, (which was burdened and not with a sense of victory, hope, or solace), I was so blessed by the encouragement and the feeling of love and peace that swept over me at the reminder that God sees even small victories and not just failures.

Later in the morning, a godly friend sent me a message to let me know she’s praying for me, and she included this blessing, “May you feel the tender presence of your Beloved today…”  She could not have known how meaningful her message would be, because you see, the third Hebrew word for love is dod, which means “beloved” and is a more intimate type of love.  Then this afternoon, I received a card in the mail from another friend letting me know that I am loved.  My heavenly Father knew my state of mind, He knew what I needed… and He supplied it in the most personal and loving ways.

He sees…

Just An Observation

My daughter and I often have wonderful discussions while traveling in the car.  During a pause in one such conversation, a thought came to mind; the word servant is within the word observant.  The prefix -ob means “toward or turning to”, and servant means “someone who is watchful and attends to something or someone”, so the word observant basically means “toward or turning to being someone who is watchful and attends”.  In other words “to turn one’s eyes off self in order to see and do what needs to be done or simply to notice what’s going on around you”.   A good servant must be observant, right?  But then I considered how a good leader must also be observant as well.

A friend sent me a link to an article about how some people approach an attempt to prove the Bible is or is not reliable based on Old Testament chronology.  The difference is in their approach.  What does that have to do with being observant?  Well, the article mentioned two methods of approaching the subject:  the inductive method and the deductive method.  It said, “Broadly speaking, deduction starts with principles, whereas induction starts with observation, that is, with evidence.”  See?  Did you notice?  It mentions observation and caused me to consider how a good servant and a good leader must both be careful not to assume things about those they are serving and leading.  They must not start with their own preconceived ideas or prejudices, but they must be watchful and attentive to what they actually observe.  Just as in science, a good scientist doesn’t start with his or her own preconceived ideas or prejudices either, but must be observant to draw factual conclusions based on empirical evidence.  So, too, must a good servant and a good leader base his or her conclusions by observing and examining all the evidence and thus, judging righteously.

Ok, so what does that look like in practical terms?  Well, parents are both servants and leaders to their children, right?  Have you ever, as a child, been wounded by a parent when he or she jumped to a false conclusion?  Or has a boss or spouse jumped to conclusions and passed judgment before even talking to you about it?  How did it make you feel?  And did it help the situation or make things worse?  No one likes to be misjudged.  On the flip side, have you ever been tremendously blessed when someone met a need, gave you the perfect gift, or saw something in you that no one else had seen?

A good servant observes the needs and desires of those being served.  A good leader observes the talents, strengths, weaknesses, and needs of those being led.  True leaders are observant servants.  Aren’t Christians taught that if we desire to be leaders, we must first learn to be servants?  And wasn’t Jesus the greatest example of all?

The Birthday Book

Yesterday was my granddaughter, Gracie’s, first birthday. My son and daughter-in-law hosted her birthday party at a local park. It was a beautiful day and a blessing to celebrate with family and friends! She received a lot of gifts, but the most meaningful was a book given to her by her daddy… my son. I’m so proud of the man he has become.

The book is a blank journal in which he has begun a tradition of writing a letter to her for each birthday.  For her first birthday he recorded some of her favorite things, her accomplishments, her characteristics, and an exhortation to always remember not only that he loves her and thinks she is beautiful, but God does, too, “and His opinion is what really matters”.  What a rare and precious gift.  Did I already say how proud I am of him?

I Heart You

Yesterday, my oldest son, Chris, came across this heart in a piece of lumber while he was working.  As I came out of my room after taking a nap, he said, “Mom, I have a present for you,” and he proceeded to pull it from his pocket.  Wasn’t it sweet of him to think of me and take the time to cut the piece of wood down to size?  I heart you, too, Chris.

I’ve been thinking a lot about love lately.  I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that there are different forms of love for the one English word, but the Greek language has four words:  storge, a natural family affection; phileo, a brotherly love; eros, an erotic love; and agape, the highest form of love because it is given unconditionally and is the most difficult one to give.

One of the ‘Beatitudes for Homemakers’ says, “Blessed is she whom children love, for the love of a child is of greater value than fortune or fame”.  I feel so blessed to be loved by my children… and now by my granddaughter.  When she holds out her arms to me, it just melts my heart.

Have you ever found strength and courage in love?  Laozi, a Chinese philosopher said, “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”  In times of distress when you feel like you cannot go on, have you ever looked into the face of a child and found the strength, courage, and determination to persevere?  I’ve heard so many people express strength to accomplish something difficult for the love of family… a wife, a husband, or children… or even for the love of country.

Have you ever been afraid to love?  Ann Radcliffe, an American author, wrote, “Such is the inconsistency of real love, that it is always awake to suspicion, however unreasonable; always requiring new assurances from the object of its affection”.  Really?  The Bible says in 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”  The context speaks of God’s love for us expressed by the sending of His Son as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins in order to be reconciled to Him.  God’s love is perfect, and we should have no fear in loving Him and receiving His love.

In the monologue The Woman at the Well, Chris Kinsley and Drew Francis expressed, “To be known is to be loved, and to be loved is to be known”.  Isn’t there a phrase that says we fear what we don’t know?  Although we also fear what we do know by experience, sometimes we fear what we think we know and have imagined, instead of seeking to know what is true.  We judge unrighteously and without knowledge and may miss out on love and happiness as a result.

I recently watched a short, humorous video by The Skit Guys called Romantically Challenged.  In it, one of the questions asked was, “How many of you have ever done anything for your wife without desiring anything in return?”  Is that a guy thing?  Not that women don’t ever do things without expecting something in return, but the video seemed to portray it as a common thing among men.  Did you know the Bible commands husbands to love their wives?  I know part of the reason is because feeling loved is one of the most basic needs women have, just as being honored and respected is one of the most basic needs and expression of love that men have, but I find it interesting that the Bible often instructs us in the area of our weaknesses.  Hmm…  Leo F. Buscaglia said, “Love is always bestowed as a gift —freely, willing, and without expectation.  We don’t love to be loved; we love to love.”

While there is no formula for love, and if you’re looking for a formula, your focus is misplaced, nevertheless, it’s always nice to get some ideas of how we can express our affection to someone we love.  First and foremost get to know them, what they like and don’t like, and what’s important to them.  David Augsburger, an American Anabaptist author said, “Being heard is so close to being loved that, for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.”  My son knows that I love photography and finding shapes, especially hearts, in everything from clouds to reflections of light and from wood to cracked asphalt.  He knows me.  He has taken the time to listen.  And when he saw the heart-shaped knot in a rough piece of lumber, he knew that although it may mean very little to someone else, it would be very meaningful to me.  Some people like gifts, while others like acts of service such as helping with housework, and still others need a physical touch.  Amy Carmichael, a Christian missionary said, “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”

And one more thing.  Love is like a Ninja, popping up when you least expect it and turning your world upside-down.  (^_~)