EMPTINESS--ONLY ONE SOLUTION

Many times I have wondered what my life would have been like if God had not rescued me from myself and called me into a close relationship with Him when I was just 12 years old. "Blessed" best describes my life in spite of many heartaches, losses, and broken dreams. But, my constant companion has been the God of the Universe; my Stability in the storms and my Comfort in the calamities.  He gives me peace in my soul and strength of meaning.  In thinking of the recent suicides in the news my heart goes out to such desperate people because I know God could have changed everything for them.

My friend Jerry Cudney recently posted this in his daily notes.  "Isaiah 58:11:  “The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones;  you shall be like a watered garden.” Do you live a life of unfulfilled dreams and expectations?  Are you looking for another human to satisfy those needs?  David Jeremiah suggests that it is impossible for a human to meet a need that only God can MEET.  Those of us who live “unfulfilled lives” may be looking for the needs you have to be filled by another person, when God is the ONLY One who can really meet it.  Ask God to make your life a “watered garden” that will bloom when and how God directs & provides.  Allow Jesus Christ, your Savior and Lord, to reveal Himself to you as the “Lover of your soul”, and you will be amazed at how He will fill your life with unconditional love.  Share with the Lord how needy you feel, and allow Him to Fill You Up!"

Some of the most encouraging words in the Bible are in Habakkuk 3:17-19.  "Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, 
Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. 
The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places;..."

We were made by God for a close relationship with Him; nothing else can satisfy our soul. 

DEEPENING OUR THOUGHTS ON MEMORIAL DAY

Today Mark, Hannah, our grandson Gabriel, and I had the privilege of sharing about our soldier killed in action, Gabriel De Roo, at the Memorial Day Service at our local cemetery. Here are the brief thoughts I shared for my part of the event:

Perhaps like you, my deepening understanding of the significance of Memorial Day has grown through the years.

Growing up in Northern California in the 50’s during times of peace and prosperity I had little connection with military life.  Memorial Day was always the day our family went to pick cherries and came home to listen to the Indianapolis 500 on the radio while we prepared the cherries for canning.

When I married in the 60’s, my husband was in the Coast Guard and so Memorial Day became more meaningful, but still there was a blur with Veteran’s Day.

But 12 years ago when our dear son in law was killed by a sniper in Iraq, my whole view of Memorial Day became solidly fixed on the true meaning of this special day.  The loss and heartache experienced by spouses, parents, and family of those who gave their lives for our freedoms became completely clear to me.  For our family God was our greatest comfort—knowing that He was lovingly in complete control of all that came into our lives—but also, knowing his care for our sorrow. 

Today Memorial Day is a beautiful blend for me of remembering the brave people who have died for us and remembering the God who comforts the brokenhearted.