I got my summer reading all set for the beach! These laminated pamphlets (from Rose Publishing) with titles like “Proverbs” and “Prophets” and “Bible Maps” and “Bible Timelines” are perfectly going to be my “short” sets of reading for absorbing the Lord’s Word in bite-sized chunks. AT THE BEACH!!!. I really hope to get to the beach quite often – already dreaming of it even though it might be a month before we get there and have to be all bundled up with the sharp ocean breeze, but that is OK. And then when it does get warm enough, I already know the two best shade spots, no umbrella required. Under the pier or under the pavilion on the boardwalk – I know the plans that will be good! Lord willing the sun will shine – and we know the Lord is willing.
And as I see in a bookmark I just acquired, quoting Jeremiah 29, scripture’s wisdom and wish for us is to TRUST GOD – “For I know the plans I have for you.” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The best reading “into” the Word is reading ourselves into it. The Best Better experience is to know that the Lord has given us the Word as Wisdom to live by and live through. And we are to know that the Lord DOES want us to live – so to live BEST – live BETTER – we best listen to His best advice. God’s Word is Better Advice than anywhere else.
That’s MY plan – a plan to prosper – to not harm – to give hope and a future -that plan of mine is to keep reading the Word. The BEST reading is from the Lord!
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You’ll never know dear how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
Love hearing my mom’s voice singing this song when I was a child… I had a great childhood in hindsight, but it’s always us remembering an awkward time with icky teenage stuff, perceived mental rough, life hassle enough, and sometimes age old bluff. I’m SO glad to have it past me. I’m SO glad to be a grown up, but wish for those summers off, the sunshine, the hope of fun.It got summer real fast here in the northeast. I’m not complaining but WOW took me by surprise and my strawberries are done, peonies spent. Spring sprung then skedaddled. Wow. My garden peas planted in hope were a critter crunch for their comfort, I got none, except one, an accidental pea in the flower pot. It grew and developed and I was surprised as it gifted 2 pods full. Yum. 2 more await. Next year I will try to remember to plant this way. I never learn to adapt, but maybe next year.
It’s the sunshine which makes us warm in spring, hot in summer, or hopeful all winter long. We long for sunshine, then we jump inside air-conditioned houses. Hmmm… Whatever happened to shade? Shade in summer is the opportunity to enjoy both. We need to remember to adapt and explore the sunshine but be protected too. What burns us also welcomes us, grows fruitfulness, and lights our way. It’s great except when it’s not.
Can we brace ourselves against the bad attack of sun? Plants do. I guess that’s like life. We need to embrace and brace. We need to adult and child. We need to live and live. Oh, not live and hide but live and live.
Live and Live.
There’s living in all aspects of life.
I complained about hectic life this past week, but I saw a strange sight Friday night, a bus at the train station, with transit authorities, people including kids standing to the side. I thought, I don’t think this is vacation, I really think this is an immigration caravan into targeted cities, maybe not. Or if it’s a search, thats sad. If it’s a broken down bus, that doesn’t usually happen at the train station. I guess I really don’t know, will never know, but I thought of their embrace of a hopeful life even on the move. Then I thought of how blessed I was, how routine life really is, how I do have stuff, a ride, and options. I have a next spring, summer, sun and shade possibilities, I have a lots with many less unknowns than these people. I can see my sunshine and I can step into the shade too. I will always be OK. I’ll know that life lives on…
I can live life in a full capacity – and yet rest to recharge my battery.
God knows, God will lead, God will protect and help us embrace the grace as well as the race. We must keep going and keep knowing.
Life is for living. We should live it. Remember to step into the shade, the intimate God coverage of life. Live, and live it up. Try to even enjoy in the moment. Sunshine today, God always.
New lyrics:
Lord, You are my Life-shine, my only Life-Line. You make me happy when lives are in array. You really know Lord, how much I love you. Please embrace me and lead me today.
Amen
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Psalm 25 – New King James Version – A Psalm of David.
To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses! Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins. Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred. Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You.
Debbie Upper 