It Applies

I love walking outside. It is my favorite form of exercise. I find that it not only keeps my body healthy, it also has amazing benefits for my mind and spirit. As I head outside and close the front door I leave all household responsibilities behind me for a while. My mind gets a chance to clear out all the clutter of unnecessary things that can start to bog it down and clog it up. It is a wonderful time to reassess the priorities of which things and tasks are really of any importance. Most often my thoughts turn to God when I’m out enjoying His creation, which leads me to the spiritual benefits.  God is the best walking partner. He’s a great listener; He gives great wisdom and advice; He always walks at the perfect pace.

All around my neighborhood are beautiful, majestic mountains. Sometimes I gaze at them with great joy, and once in a while it is with a heavy heart.  Often as I walk surrounded by these mountains a certain song comes to mind which is based on Psalm 121, “I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth”. One particular day as I sang this song on my walk with God, I found that I could substitute all my blessings and life situations in place of the word “help”.  “Where does my health come from?” “Where does my family come from?” “Where does my salvation come from?” “Where do my friends come from?” “Where does my home come from?”  Where do my provisions come from?” “Where do my joy, hope and peace come from?”  “Where do even my trials come from?” And so on….. Everything I have comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth. It applies to everything! There is no better way to come home refreshed from a walk than with this song in your heart and on your lips. There is joy in knowing that everything comes from the Lord.

Cupcakes and Toothbrushes

I was thinking back to this past Christmas and one of my favorite parts was spending time with my sons on Christmas Eve morning. We had family coming over that evening for dinner, gifts and all the usual festivities. We had ordered tamales for our meal so there wasn’t much prep needed, which freed us up that morning. In the days leading up to Christmas I had decided to make some chocolate peppermint cupcakes complete with sprinkles to give as gifts. We usually give gifts to people we know- family, friends, neighbors, co-workers. This year I had the idea to hand them out to the homeless people we see at various locations around town. I figured they probably don’t get many gifts, if any at all. I thought they might like a little care package as well. So along with the cupcakes each person would receive a bag with some toiletries inside, all tied up with a Christmas bow. I was so happy that my sons were up for the adventure and wanted to join me. We drove around town on a Christmas Eve mission determined to give out these treats and share the love of Jesus. Each person we met was so grateful. As we were approaching one man he greeted us with a joyful “Merry Christmas”.  He was very kind and immediately ate his cupcake with gusto. Another man that we met couldn’t believe that we were doing this together as a family. We had a short visit with most of the people we met. The one man we didn’t get to visit with was asleep under a tree by the side of the road. In this instance we decided to let him sleep. I pulled our car up to the curb and my older son quietly got out and set the goodies under the tree next to him, so as to not disturb him. That didn’t exactly go according to plan. The man peeked one eye open and suddenly jumped up. I don’t know who was more startled, him or my son. Watching from my car I was a bit concerned, hoping the man didn’t have PTSD.  Very fortunately he didn’t. My son smiled, motioned to the cupcake and bag he had left and then hurried back to the car. As we drove away the man was sitting under the tree enjoying his cupcake. This encounter makes me laugh just thinking of it. I think this might become a tradition.

Psalm 82:3, Defend the weak and the fatherless;

    uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

A New List

Go here, go there. Do this, do that. Buy for him, buy for her. Make those lists and check them all twice. With all of the hustle and bustle that usually comes with the Christmas season we often lose sight of what really matters. We are often overcome with anxiety and hurriedness, instead of experiencing the peace and joy that Jesus came to give at this miraculous and holy time of year. At that first Christmas so long ago in a stable full of curious animals, Mary and Joseph had their minds filled with a singular focus; the birth of their sweet baby Jesus.  The shepherds who watched over the flocks by night heard the angels declare with joyous song the arrival of The Son of God; The Savior of the world. Filled with awe and wonder they hurriedly ran to join the celebration in Bethlehem. Everything centered around the birth of Jesus on this most special night in all of history.

 It is time to make a new list- Put Jesus first. Remember the simplicity of His beautiful and humble birth. Appreciate the grace and mercy that God has shown to me through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son.  In His honor, love, give and show kindness to others. Give smiles, hugs and encouraging words freely. Slow down and appreciate the time with loved ones. Make memories. Bless others.

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, 
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

For Keeps

 

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

There are many things that can worry and upset us; troubles, hardships, and like Martha even busyness. I can so often identify with Martha and her misplaced focus. “Tracy, Tracy, you are worried and upset about many things. Things that seem good and important at that instance, but have no real lasting value. Oh, to be like Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus. Soaking in His presence, letting Him revitalize my soul.  When I make time with Him my number one priority I am then able to tend to the things of this world with a peaceful, proper perspective. Time with Jesus is always a wise investment, which holds eternal value. The treasures that come from these encounters will not be taken from us; they are for keeps.

Doggone Good

                                                        

 God is so good!!! Earlier this summer we were dog sitting a relatives’ black Lab puppy. She was a big cuddly, bundle of energy. She was a wonderful, sweet, floppy addition to our family for about five weeks. Over the course of her time with us I would take her on daily walks through the neighborhood. She was a pure delight to watch as she discovered new sights, smells and sounds at every turn. Everything was a curious adventure. Most days as we walked I would laugh to myself and sometimes out loud at her silliness. One day however made me cry instead of laugh. We were minding our own business strolling down the sidewalk enjoying our evening together, when all of a sudden a vicious, wildly ferocious Chihuahua (yes, I said Chihuahua) came charging at us. It was yapping like crazy and nipping at the sweet innocent Lab. The Lab just looked at her very bewildered, not understanding why they couldn’t be friends. To defend my dog I bent over and scooped up this out of control beast. I held it in my outstretched arms facing away from my body and face. All the while it continued in its’ frenzy. I saw two men up the sidewalk a couple of houses away watching the whole situation. I tried to tell them that this dog was terrorizing us but they just smiled and went on with their conversation. I turned and started walking down the street in the direction of my own house which was quite a distance away. I couldn’t let the dog down or it would continue biting mine.  So, I stopped and I went to the gate of the first house I saw and slid the little brute through the bars of someone’s gate. Well, unbeknownst to me it was the house of one of those men. He came over immediately, completely outraged that I would possibly put a dog into his yard. I tried to explain, 1- I didn’t know it was his yard, 2- I was going to come back for it and help find its home once I had gotten my dog to safety. He wanted to hear none of my explanation, so he opened the gate let the monster out and it began biting his own little dog. I asked him how he liked it. The Chihuahua ran away and I began my very emotional walk home. I was so angry at his heartlessness and also frustration at my motives being misunderstood.

Over the past few months I have only passed by this man a couple of times. One of the times I accidentally said hi to him (because I usually say hi to everyone I pass). I had been praying for a chance at restoration, and forgiveness in my own heart towards him.

Well, today was that day. God is so extremely good. He desires reconciliation for all relationships. After all He is the Ultimate Reconciler. He reconciled us to Himself even though we didn’t deserve His grace. This morning as I turned the corner to enter my neighborhood I encountered a couple of women trying to entice and corral a little dog who had wandered into the rather busy intersection. I pulled over and joined in the effort. We got him away from the intersection and onto a side street which was still pretty busy. One lady got out her dog bones to lure the dog. The dog was very skittish and would bolt anytime we got too near. Soon another neighbor stopped to help with his leash in hand. He did get close enough to get a glimpse of the dog’s name. Then yet another couple tried to use their own dog as friendly bait. Still the dog wouldn’t come close enough for anyone to grab. I was praying that God would calm the dog and cause him to come to anyone us of. Suddenly it dawned on me that I might know which house he belonged to. I hopped in my car and drove up the street and around the corner and parked in front of the house where I had had my previous encounter just months earlier.  I walked up to the porch, knocked on the door and a woman answered. I asked if she had a dog with the same name as the one wandering around.  Indeed she did. It was her dog!! It was the dog of the man I had been avoiding, yet praying for. I told them to hurry and follow me to where their dog was at. We rounded the corner, they got out of the car, and their dog ran immediately to them. He was now safe and sound!!! Relief was felt by everyone involved. The couple thanked us all. The woman came up to my car window followed by her husband and asked how I knew it was their dog. I told her that I had remembered seeing a small dog at their house before and thought it might belong to them.  I didn’t  make any mention of the previous encounter. That was in the past. But, I am pretty sure I saw recognition in the husband’s eyes as he gratefully smiled at me. Only God could orchestrate reconciliation in such a way.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19, All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

 

Two Lessons

This semester I am in a Bible study on the “Sermon on the Mount”, which is a message directly from Jesus to His followers. Throughout the Sermon we find many life lessons, some told as parables (a story used to illustrate a spiritual truth).  This weekend I had the pleasure of experiencing two of these parables all in the course of about two hours.

I look forward to Saturday mornings when I don’t have to hurry out of bed, but can take my time and maybe even sleep till 8:00 or so. This Saturday I was woken up by the next door neighbor’s dog at 5:15. This happens sometimes on weekdays and I usually have to get out of bed at 6:00 so it doesn’t leave much time for falling back to sleep. This particular morning I was able to fall back to sleep for another couple of hours. I awoke at 7:30 to birds chirping outside my window and I continued to lay there enjoying the leisure of the morning. Well, about 7:40 I heard a lawn mower start up out in the front yard. I thought “Oh no, someone’s gardener is here very early”. Maybe someone (me) should tell them they shouldn’t start before 8:00 am. Maybe someone (me) should let the owners of the house know that it’s too early.” Finally the mower stopped and it was quiet again. Just as I was beginning to relax in peace again I heard the mower start up again… in my own back yard!!!  Much to my surprise it was our gardener making such a ruckus at such an early hour!!! My husband had decided to try out a new gardener and this was the time he could come on this visit. I am very happy to report that he will usually be coming later in the afternoon.

So this parable reminded/ convicted me of the one Jesus told on “Taking the log out of my own eye, before removing the speck of dirt from someone else’s eye.” In other words be careful of pointing your finger at someone else, there are always three fingers pointing back at you.

Matthew 7:4-5, How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

My second encounter with another of Jesus’ parables happened as my husband and I were driving around looking at a few garage sales. Once in a while we do this just to spend time together.  This story is a little more somber than the first. We came to a house that was having an estate sale, which neither of us had ever been to. I went inside to take a quick peek around. I didn’t stay inside long at all.  I was overcome with sadness as glanced around the kitchen and family room of this little home. It was filled with dishes, trinkets, and lots of other stuff. These things had meant something to someone. I saw the couch and the chairs set up in the family room and pictured the family that may have filled the space within these walls with love. I could tell that this had been someone’s home until recently. My husband tried to reassure me that maybe the family were just selling everything and moving to Hawaii. From the way things looked I don’t think that was the case. I hope that the person that had lived there is enjoying a new home in heaven with Jesus now. In heaven we don’t need all of our stuff, God will provide everything we need in our new home.

Matthew 6:19-21,  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Harvester

Growing up I would sometimes hear people mention the meaning of their names. Some of them had beautiful meanings that I kind of envied. You see the meaning of my name is “Harvester”, and when I was younger I thought it sounded dull and boring. Over the years I have come to greatly appreciate the meaning of my name.

For many years I have tried my hand at growing oranges and lemons, and each year I would get so excited as the white blossoms turned into little green balls of baby fruit.  These were supposed to ripen to full size fruit, but mine would inevitably all fall off to the ground below.  I am happy to report that my green thumb seems to be doing much better this year. I have four fruit trees which are all doing well this season. My nectarine tree produced a large bowl of juicy, sweet fruit for me this summer. I have expanded my citrus to include a mandarin tree as well as the orange and lemon. I am very pleased to say that the little green fruits have stayed on their branches and are actually growing into what I hope to be an abundant harvest of healthy, yummy treats. My greatest feat this summer was the overflowing, unending supply of tomatoes and green squash. We have a Topsy Turvy tomato plant hanger that has provided me with enough tomatoes for big bowls of fresh salsa and Crockpots full of homemade pasta sauce.  The green squash seem to be from the Jurassic period. I have never seen such huge squash in all my life, and they just keep on coming. I use them in soups, with pasta, in egg dishes, etc.

It seems that I am living up to my name and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Planting, watering and tending to the plants is very rewarding work. The time invested is well worth it. Watching the fruit grow, bringing in the harvest and enjoying the fruits of my labor is a wonderful blessing.

I have found though, that the best part of having the name “Harvester” is that as a child of God I am specifically called to be a “Harvester”, not of fruit but of people. God wants me and all of His followers to plants seeds of love with the message of Jesus to all people. It is wonderful to watch as lives are transformed as they turn to God and He makes their lives blossom into something beautiful. I am blessed to be called His harvester.

Matthew 9:37-38, Then Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

James 3:18, Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.