Crazy Ideas

 

God speaks to me in songs, and often He awakens me with a tune running through my mind. I literally greet the Son singing. Not a bad way to start a day, now is it?! Yesterday morning as I was reading my Bible a song taken from Psalm 27 kept playing over and over in my heart:

"The Lord is my light and my salvation, the Lord is the strength of my life!
The Lord is my light and may salvation, the Lord is the strength of my life,
And I will not be afraid. No I will not be afraid!
The Lord is my light, The Lord is my light, the Lord is my light!"

Many times I have shared with my readers the words from contemporary Christians songs that touch my soul. There's a new one called "Thy Will" by Hillary Scott that reminds me of my prayer to always be in the center of His will. People mindlessly recite the words of The Lord's Prayer and totally miss the part about "Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." I've commented on this on more than once, as it is so important to understand the power found in the Word of God.The lyrics of "Thy Will" are very powerful and so like my life:

 I'm so confused

    I know I heard you loud and clear

    So, I followed through

    Somehow I ended up here

    I don't wanna think

    I may never understand

    That my broken heart is a part of your plan

    When I try to pray

    All I got is hurt and these four words

    Thy will be done

    Thy will be done

    Thy will be done

    I know you're good

    But this don't feel good right now

    And I know you think

    Of things I could never think about

    It's hard to count it all joy

    Distracted by the noise

    Just trying to make sense

    Of all your promises

    Sometimes I gotta stop

    Remember that you're God

    And I am not

    So

    Thy will be done

    Thy will be done

    Thy will be done

    Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is

    Thy will be done

    Thy will be done

    Thy will

    I know you see me

    I know you hear me, Lord

    Your plans are for me

    Goodness you have in store

    I know you hear me

    I know you see me, Lord

    Your plans are for me

    Goodness you have in store

    So

    Thy will be done

    Thy will be done

    Thy will be done

    Like a child on my knees

    All that comes to me is

    Thy will be done

    Thy will be done

    Thy will be done

    I know you see me

    I know you hear me, Lord

Since early childhood Jesus has been my Protector, and He is the only true Best Friend. He had to remind me of that recently, and I had to ask His forgiveness for even letting Him think He wasn't enough for me. He truly is, and I am content with things the way they are.

Are you "free?" Brennan Manning asked Rich Mullins that question when they first met. Rich responded by asking Brennan what he meant. Brennan said, "A free man wouldn't have to ask." Well for the first time in a long time I feel free! I feel as if a burden has been lifted from my heart and mind, and I feel free to receive what Abba has prepared for my future.

As with music Abba has a way of speaking to me through little bits of wisdom He plants along my way. This week while I was driving through Penasco I noticed the school sign read "Wisdom begins with wonder." Immediately a smile lit across my face, because I knew He was reminding me of the wonder I have always had, and this very gift is part of who He created me to be. Not too long ago at a time when I was overwhelmed with my job, and personal problems were clouding my judgment, I met a man at the gas station named Cristeo who told me that his father told him never to lose his curiosity. Again I smiled and said, "Yes, my Father tells me never lose the wonder!" I think we have the same Father.

Yesterday I had lunch with my two friends Sharon and Flo. The three of us enjoy getting together monthly, sometimes more often, just to enjoy each others diversities. We were celebrating my birthday, and Sharon gave me a necklace with a medallion with an inscription of each side. On one side it says, "Trust Your Crazy Ideas" and the other, "Always Color Outside the Lines." She knows me so well! She also gave me three coloring books and a box of colored pencils to push the message home! She encourages me to follow my heart, and she knows this means thinking outside of the box.

Each person is called to a unique gift and calling, and sometimes the call is a solitary one, and many will misunderstand. I am on the road less traveled. Last Sunday I celebrated my "emancipation" by turning 66, a long-awaited day of freedom. Although preceded by hurt, pain, and a deliberate attack of satan to destroy me, it became a time of forging, as the strongest steel is forged in the hottest fires. I returned home celebrating my life and once more eager to serve. I realized the kind of person I am, because with each test recently I have made a conscious choice to respond in kindness, while satan tries so ardently to stir up anger. When my guard goes down that is the time satan's henchman show up to try to destroy me. But I am learning that I cannot be destroyed, because my faith, my hope rests in Jesus, my Savior and Lord. He knows me so well, and because of my relationship with Him, I hear His voice above the noise of pain, hurt, and disappointment.This is my prayer for the helpless ones who cannot speak or fight for themselves. Who feel they are not good enough. I think it is summed up in this quote from Max Lucado's book, No Wonder They Call Him the Savior:"

"You are valuable just because you exist. Not because of

what you do or what you have done, but simply because you are.

Remember that. Remember that the next time you are left

bobbing in the wake of someone's steamboat ambition. 

Remember that the next time some trickster tries to hang

a bargain basement price tag on your self-worth....

Just think about the way Jesus honors you...and smile."