Today I'm reading the last devotional Papa read from a book I loaned him. The title of the selection is "New Markers." A short excerpt:
We can plan. We can hope. But we can't determine what will happen, and when those powerful events come and change our lives, some psychologists refer to them as markers.
So I begin to think of markers in my life; the most recent, of course, being the obvious. Typically I think of Papa and associate the feelings I have with loss. But then I find him, in the pages of this book, in the vivid stories of Grandma's, in the creative use of useless things (I so made an excellent, artsy wall decoration with a wine rack)... in the absence of my morning cough.
A lot of markers are in sight for us- personally, as a family, as friends, as Christians, and as a country. As someone once told me, "never underestimate the devastating power of change." While that may seem quite ominous, change is always in our best interest. Call it fate, coincidences, destiny, or divine planning, I'm sure that you can examine every marker in your life to this point and find some positive in it. Maybe you were born with a disability and it's been difficult for you to 'fit in' -- has it not taught you compassion? Have you not found some of the most beautiful people on the planet hiding in the shadows because they too are different?
I know we as a nation elected a man who wants "change" for this country. Change is good. God doesn't offer us dead-ends. A new direction may be all it takes to save your life. I've cried a lot of tears over change, over the loss of hope, over the realization that what I planned or hoped was not to be. But I've yet to have a day where those changes didn't present me with an opportunity to see God, to thank Him for knowing so much better than I at project management ;).
The prayer from the New Markers devotional:
Dear God who sees all, thank you for seeing me. Sometimes I feel as if I'm totally alone and no one knows my plight-- or cares. You care, and I know You're with me. Don't let me forget.
Amen.
My prayers,
To the Ultimate Project Manager:
Thank you for your continued presence. Even in our darkest hours, we know that we can turn over our burdens to you and feel a peace like no other. Please wrap your arms around the hurting and angry, bitter or confused; I ask that you send a special bear hug to my Aunt Becky and Uncle Jerry right now. Please let a clinical trial on Adrenocortical Carcinoma make tremendous discovers in the very near future; should that not be in you plan, give us the strength to endure what is to come.
Please assist my husband and I as we strive to grow in our devotion to each other, this marriage, and You. Thank you for helping me find a man who desires to have the type of relationship described in Your book; help us to learn each other, love each other, and respect each other to where we are one. It would also be super nice if you could help us meet some other people in the area (or take us to an area where such people exist) that have our common interests and goals. My faith would definitely be boosted if you could help us bump into some people who offer genuine friendship and will enrich our lives, people we could worship or bowl with... without worrying about someone hitting on someone or some other silly destructive event.
Thank you for the laughter and even happiness I've seen in Grandma lately. I know that's You helping her out. Good. She needs someone there and we can't all always be there, but you can. Thanks, thanks a lot.
Lord, you know that I have a serious, serious patience issue. Please help me to remember that You know what's best for me. In the meantime, expect me to be sending out resumes. Please don't be offended. I just believe prayer is followed by action. To sum it up, I would really love it if You could help me find a job with a fair salary, good people, and that I don't hate going to. I'll go wherever You send me because I know I won't be happy until I'm on Your path.
Help the families tonight who are dealing with the worst news. As we now know their pain, take each of our prayers, compassion, and comfort and wrap it around those dealing with the newness of loss.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
A lot of markers are in sight for us- personally, as a family, as friends, as Christians, and as a country. As someone once told me, "never underestimate the devastating power of change." While that may seem quite ominous, change is always in our best interest. Call it fate, coincidences, destiny, or divine planning, I'm sure that you can examine every marker in your life to this point and find some positive in it. Maybe you were born with a disability and it's been difficult for you to 'fit in' -- has it not taught you compassion? Have you not found some of the most beautiful people on the planet hiding in the shadows because they too are different?
I know we as a nation elected a man who wants "change" for this country. Change is good. God doesn't offer us dead-ends. A new direction may be all it takes to save your life. I've cried a lot of tears over change, over the loss of hope, over the realization that what I planned or hoped was not to be. But I've yet to have a day where those changes didn't present me with an opportunity to see God, to thank Him for knowing so much better than I at project management ;).
The prayer from the New Markers devotional:
Dear God who sees all, thank you for seeing me. Sometimes I feel as if I'm totally alone and no one knows my plight-- or cares. You care, and I know You're with me. Don't let me forget.
Amen.
My prayers,
To the Ultimate Project Manager:
Thank you for your continued presence. Even in our darkest hours, we know that we can turn over our burdens to you and feel a peace like no other. Please wrap your arms around the hurting and angry, bitter or confused; I ask that you send a special bear hug to my Aunt Becky and Uncle Jerry right now. Please let a clinical trial on Adrenocortical Carcinoma make tremendous discovers in the very near future; should that not be in you plan, give us the strength to endure what is to come.
Please assist my husband and I as we strive to grow in our devotion to each other, this marriage, and You. Thank you for helping me find a man who desires to have the type of relationship described in Your book; help us to learn each other, love each other, and respect each other to where we are one. It would also be super nice if you could help us meet some other people in the area (or take us to an area where such people exist) that have our common interests and goals. My faith would definitely be boosted if you could help us bump into some people who offer genuine friendship and will enrich our lives, people we could worship or bowl with... without worrying about someone hitting on someone or some other silly destructive event.
Thank you for the laughter and even happiness I've seen in Grandma lately. I know that's You helping her out. Good. She needs someone there and we can't all always be there, but you can. Thanks, thanks a lot.
Lord, you know that I have a serious, serious patience issue. Please help me to remember that You know what's best for me. In the meantime, expect me to be sending out resumes. Please don't be offended. I just believe prayer is followed by action. To sum it up, I would really love it if You could help me find a job with a fair salary, good people, and that I don't hate going to. I'll go wherever You send me because I know I won't be happy until I'm on Your path.
Help the families tonight who are dealing with the worst news. As we now know their pain, take each of our prayers, compassion, and comfort and wrap it around those dealing with the newness of loss.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment