DebraBee

Control….we want it, we need it, we won’t let go of it without absolute dire circumstances calling us to release the reins! Remember some of those old cowboy movies where the runaway stagecoach would take a turn for a bad situation and the only solution was to let go of the reins and jump?

It’s that jump where everything matters. A leap of faith that you are better off than the destruction you were heading for? Trouble is our fear of being hurt from leaping. Let’s look at that thought closer though. It’s pretty simple to understand….definite destruction to stay on the ride and hold those reins for what you know you are headed for, or let go and jump straight into your hope?

Songs can find their way into my very soul. For quite a long time I’ve had an old Beatles tune hum itself to me….Love, Love, Love…All you need is Love…

It speaks to me in a simplicity I can’t describe. When I sing it to the youngest member in my family, he just gets it enough to sing it back, and even sings it to himself as he plays. That’s a song that resonates.

We need more love songs…

I threw on some sweats, grabbed a favorite t-shirt and a thin jacket with pockets. My hair was a wreck but I didn’t really care. Spending time with my husband was good as we headed out to a favorite place. Walking beside him I smiled inwardly when I noticed our steps to fall in unison. We didn’t converse much and I was okay with that.

I have known my best friend for many years now, but he can still be such a mystery to me despite our familiarity. I wondered at his quiet thoughts. I am fascinated when he holds my hand in silent love. I restrained myself not to stare at him in my curiosity nor did I give voice to my questions. It was enough to just walk beside him.

The dawn is yet to be. My home is quiet and I sit writing in the light of a sole candle. Even as I gaze upon it with wonder, the flame increases as though it longs for me to notice its power and brightness.

Today marks the birth of my King in our western culture. I have put on a love song and closing my eyes I sit still. The only gift I have for my Savior is all of me. My hopes, my dreams, my time, my life, my hunger to know more of Him.

My husband told me the bank shut down our Visa card on Christmas eve morning and I had to wonder about the users across the world. What made them so desperate for flowers and tech toys to use stolen credit?  Was it for them? Was it gifts for another? Either answer didn’t satisfy my curiosity.

The credit legitimately belonged to us, but I still didn’t feel any desperation to run out to use it no matter the season. Do we really need to have “stuff” so badly we are willing to go to jail or into debt for ourselves or to impress others? Christmas feels hijacked by frenzied shopping. It’s time to take it back for the celebration it truly is. Our greatest gift is the freedom purchased just for us.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

“And you took the words right out of my mouth, it must have been while you were kissing me”…..lyrics from a Meatloaf hit from quite a while back. Only one line to echo in my head at strange times and I wondered about it.

Our mouth is where our speech comes from and is also our biggest challenge for choosing our destiny. Do we choose life or do we choose death? Lately, when I’ve given thought to say the wrong thing, I feel as though I am hushed and then reminded of what I know in my heart’s teachings to be the right response.

Whether I am silent or have something of kindness to share, it astounds me. I know there is nothing in me that can win such battles. Each time I can feel poison upon my lips….my Beloved kisses me, taking these words from me before I can ever release them.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eats its fruit.

Song Of Solomon 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth-for your love is more delightful than wine

My plants have been giving me the “look” and I am wondering if I can do right by them. I love greenery but it’s never been my forte to have a green thumb. For me to keep plants alive and relatively healthy takes some thought. My thoughts are to buy the hardier ones that literally wilt so you know when to water them. I had to trim some this week and it’s never easy for me to cut away on them even though I know it will help them be healthier.

As time carries on I can reflect on the many ways I am being “trimmed”. There are weeks when it feels traumatic at best and like I’m dying at worst. I am grateful my husband can recognize when I am wilting and helps me to drink of the water I need for sustenance. He is sensitive to know when I need more of the Son as well and opens wide all windows and doors for a free flow of the energy which brings my foliage back to life.

I lay my head on the body of the guitar with my ear pressed against the curve of the wood. As I strummed on the strings, I loved the hum and vibrations. There was a rich depth I couldn’t hear with my natural ears until I pressed in as close as I could get to the guitar. A recollection of a friend’s writing came. Her sharing was about how John had laid his head upon the chest of Jesus.

I wondered about that again. What did he hear that none of the other disciple’s heard? What rich hum and vibration depth was he privy to? Resting my ear on the musical instrument, I wanted to listen to every note as played. I wanted it to come deep into my soul so I’d hear the song always.

John 13:23 (NAS) There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.