Baby Come Back

A few days ago, I noticed an eerie shadow protruding slightly behind the sponge that sits on the far side of my bathtub. The shadow didn't disappear with the time of day, so after awhile, I finally mustered up the courage to investigate. That little shadow was the short stem of a baby flower! I quickly recalled the cleanup from some gardening I had done just a week ago, and realized that this scrubber, which was just one step away from the dumpster, lay host to a new plant. Once used for the occasional tub scrubdown, that raggedy ol' sponge had transformed into the new home for a poppy sprout.

Just recently, I was once again struck by the awesomeness of God's redemptive nature - His extraordinary ability to redeem that which was lost, and even that which is outright antagonistic, where He is consciously forsaken. Our souls can be dead in the world, but then the Spirit reinflates our hearts the moment we turn back towards Him. How close to that trash bin we can be, and then suddenly, there is life renewed. What an opportune time for that sprout to bring life to that seemingly useless sponge. Rubbish becomes the bearer of new life. So once again, I was reminded that the Lord confirms the truth He communicates to us. I bet that's just God's form of punctuation. "Let's just make sure they know it's Me and that's My message...period...for now." But oh, just to hear His sweet voice. It's music to my ears.

If we would just stop feeding Him illustrations, maybe He could stop preaching. Until then, I'm going to first service to get a seat up front. Wanna join me?

Let Go Part II

All I have in my head for this entry is the urge to let go. God has been admonishing me to more than just be still, be patient, and wait. He has been admonishing me to let go. It's like that feeling of learning to ski. As a beginner, I was stiff and unyielding, overadjusting and flexing every muscle to compensate for the imbalanced slipping and sliding on the slopes. Once I relaxed a bit (mind you, this took a couple seasons), the turns came much more easily. I don't know about you, but it is amazing to me how much easier it is to capitulate than it is to labor, and yet I fight it every step of the way.

It is burdensome to hang onto what ails you or what you don't understand or what is not completely in your control. People can easily fall into one of those categories. We're all so different, and those who find their way into the intimate confines of your constitution can be, well (if I may call the glass half empty), liabilities. You risk their making a misguided move only to wound you. It is a gamble we willing take in order to enjoy the fruit of friendship, and better yet, fellowship. But when the inevitable contusions are inflicted, forgiveness is the only way those wounds and scars can heal.

In Matthew 5:3, Jesus wisely affirmed this in the truth that "blessed are the poor in Spirit". How ironic is it that once we reach the end of our proverbial rope, God will go beyond our earthly limitations if only we ask Him.

And so I humbly acquiesce, I willingly yield, I surrender all. "...Yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)

Looking forward to the freedom.

Sifting through my past blog entries, I was surprised to see that in my first edition of Let Go (http://anniebob.blogspot.com/2006/01/let-go.html); God was teaching me something somewhat different.