Fields of Gold

Visiting from Proverbs 31 Ministries’ daily devotion? Well then, welcome!

“What’s the saddest song you’ve ever heard?” she asked. Her young eyes read mine as if searching for the lines of lyrics.

“Well, I suppose ‘Beloved Wife‘ by Natalie Merchant. It’s about an elderly man trying to navigate life without his beautiful bride of 50 years. Like Grampy Arnold.” She nods knowingly, because who could forget his silhouette against the bedroom window that day?

Stooped over in that straight-back chair, he held his ragged tissue in one hand and his beloved wife’s pale hand in the other. That holey tissue dabbed the end of his nose for the umptenth time in as many hours. Though offered a new one, he wouldn’t let go of this one. Or my Nanny. No, he fought in WW2; this solider surely could fight the time that was quickly taking his wife away.

The truth is though, no man is a match against time. But we can all go up against ourselves. And so he played the tug-of-war game that day: to let his wife go -or- to hold on to her.

From the other side of the bed my aunt gave the gentle tug that swayed the outcome of his internal war. Her whisper rose and fell in harmony with my grandmother’s raspy breaths. “It’s time, Dad. You have to give her permission and let her go.”

{Nanny Sylvia and Grampy Arnold}

Long after Nanny released her last breath. Long after his children and grandchildren shuffled out of the room. Long after the gurney was wheeled in. He gripped her hand and the fragmented pieces of damp Kleenex. As the day drew to a close, the silhouette of this grief-bearing man grew darker in the cavity of that bedroom window.

And I knew then, that truly, the saddest song ever heard is that of a lover-less heart.

Not just the dirges that rise from dear widowers’ hearts. No. The melodies lamented by those who are far from Christ are the most wrought with grief.

I know. I sang that song for years while I wandered away from Him and broke my covenant. Runaway brides have their own unique tunes. And though many aren’t even aware what is driving the lonesome song, they each sound the same.

Our hearts are created to love One: the Christ. And while those who have never fallen in love with Him sing a different type of song, we who have committed our lives to Him and yet don’t cling to those vows have a dirge of sort. Oftentimes depression, stress, sleeplessness (or over-sleeping), anger, irritation and apathy are common. Why? Because our hearts begin to wither without the presence and peace of our true love.

{Picture source: unfound}

I don’t know where you are or what song you’re singing, but I do know this. No matter how close to spiritual death you may feel, He remains. Long after others shuffle out. Long after the day is done. His silhouette fills the window, holding on. Singing His own song over you. “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” {Zeph. 3:17}

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” {James 4:8}

To enter to win “His Revolutionary Love” by Lynn Cowell, please leave a comment below with your favorite song title and/or a version of your “vows” to Jesus (it can be one line or 20 … it’s up to you!}. Thanks so much.

If you’re visiting from Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today devotions, Welcome!

I’d never been yelled at by an adult before. At least, not one I didn’t know well or wasn’t related to.  Yet here my roommate’s mother was, firing off accusations, lighting up our conversation with anger, hurt and condemnation.

And isn’t that what assumptions actually are? Little firecrackers making loud noises and large pains.

Gripping them in our hands too long sears us, burning our emotions. Yet it can be awkward to communicate what we’re thinking. “Did you really mean XYZ … or did I misunderstand?” But holding on to these hot ideas we’ve conjured up is hurtful.

We gotta let them go, recognizing what we read between the lines isn’t what that person meant. Because if we keep holding on, that thought is going to eventually explode: on us and our friend.

I know. I’ve been there. On that phone call with my roommate’s mom. She ranted, raved, hissed and booed. Knocked my religion, my morals and my character. All because she thought I’d snubbed her daughter during Spring Break.

Here’s the wild thing: we weren’t even in the same country during Spring Break. Not. In. The. Same. Country. As in, I had no contact with her daughter. None. Zero. Zilch.

Yet this mama’s emotions had been lit up, fired up, and she refused to put up her misguided assumptions. She blew up without knowing the facts. And was a big part in breaking up our living situation and friendship.

What an even small dose of cool Water would have done for our conversation. It would have cooled her heels and soothed my burns.

Before I light the next firecracker of assumption, I’m planning on dousing it with this: Proverbs 19:11, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” Instead of reading between the lines, I’ll read the Word and let it defuse my fuse. I’m leaving the fireworks for the 4th of July. How about you?

{A Special Thanks to my sister, Rebecca — Grace Interiors & Design — for the use of her fireworks photographs!}

If you are popping over from Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today devos, thanks!!

There are so many ways to know the Lord is present with us, ever near. But sometimes we just need a reminder. Something to lay our eyes on and to tuck away in our hearts.

That’s why I’m excited to share this easy reminder with you.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.

 

#1: Write “Jesus” on small paper

I will remain in you. 

 

Welcome Proverbs 31 Ministries readers…

She’d been unfair, untrustworthy, and stolen from me. I couldn’t even look her in the eye. At least, not without lava bubbling up inside my heart. And that’s a dangerous place for Christ-followers.

The fine line between human anger and righteous anger. Condemnation of another and sharing godly conviction with them.

Maybe there is someone in your life who has sinned against you. Acted cruel. Treated you with contempt.

Maybe that someone is … you.

Maybe you can’t look yourself in the eye for the things you’ve done against yourself … against others. You may be so angry or disappointed with yourself for choices you’ve made. Perhaps a churning and burning lava flare within your heart.

That’s a dangerous place for Christ-followers. Instead of believing the nagging voice of condemnation telling you that you don’t deserve a second chance, you shall always live with shame or regret, that you are evil and wicked and no good …

Instead, tap into the truth the Holy Spirit is speaking; His conviction that leads to life. He offers “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” (Gal. 5:22} But only if we allow Him to.

Start today by disputing the condemnation with conviction. Acknowledge your sin, then acknowledge Jesus. His death on the cross means new life for us. Ask Him for forgiveness and  ask Him for strength to stop that pattern of sin if you haven’t already.

Next, ask for love, joy, peace, patience, goodness and faithfulness. Pray to be filled with all the Holy Spirit offers. His cooling water will squelch the hot lava bubbling up. It may take time… but it will happen.

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