Silhouettes - Job 26:7-14

"He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing. He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it. He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness. The pillars of the heavens quake, aghast at his rebuke. By his power he churned up the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces. By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent. And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?" Job 26:7-14 NIV

When I was living in France years ago, my friends and I had a summer eve's picnic on the grounds of a 17th century chateau, Vaux le Vicomte. After enjoying a wonderful evening of fellowship amidst the backdrop of this candlelit chateau, we headed back to Paris reluctantly leaving behind this beautiful sight. Darkness had begun to settle across the fields, while a remnant of the setting sun lingered off in the distance. As we drove away, one of my friends commented on the simple beauty of three trees. The details of the trees were lost in the growing darkness, but their silhouettes contrasting against the fading sunset captivated our attention. It was a stunning sight!

Silhouettes can have an alluring, almost mysterious, beauty to them and are sometimes the subject for pieces of art. (Anyone else have a silhouette portrait of yourself or one of your kids?) Lovely as they may be, silhouettes don’t capture every last detail, rather they merely trace the outer limits of an object, person, or surface.

Looking at this trio's silhouette, Job’s words flooded my mind. “And these are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of him!” Truly, this side of eternity we see but a silhouette of God.

All the incredible things we see, know, hear, and experience of the Lord are but the outer fringe of Him. They are merely a silhouette - the outer limits of His love, grace, might, power, strength, mercy, and wonder... Can you imagine what He must be like in His fullness?! Jesus came to show us. He embodied the fullness of God in flesh. However, the sin in our hearts and in the world around us have much the same effect on our spiritual vision as on the night of our picnic: much is lost in the darkness. Oh, but one day soon we will come face-to-face with Christ and the Light will outshine the darkness! We shall see more than a silhouette of the Almighty as the radiance of His glory will come into full view.

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV

Friend, there is so much more to the Lord Almighty than we can even begin to fathom. Reread the passages above and remember Who your God is. Remember His power, His might, His tenderness, His love, His forgiveness, His grace, His patience, His beauty and His countless wonders. And remember: what we can see and understand now... these are but the outer fringe, a silhouette.

Truly, how faint the whisper we hear of Him…

Valleys of praise - Psalm 95:5

In 2008, the American economy took a nosedive into a recession. Many lost jobs, experienced financial hardships, or saw their industries negatively impacted by the economic landscape. My husband's industry was one of those that took a pretty hard hit: real estate. Forde is a land broker, which, broadly speaking, means he helps clients buy and sell large tracts of land for development or investment. As you can imagine, not many people were wanting to purchase much of anything, especially large tracts of land during such uncertain times. Suffice it to say, 2008-2010 were pretty bleak days in the Britt household. Land deals that were set to close fell apart left and right. This meant Forde wasn't closing deals and didn't for 22 months. In a job that's 100% commission, that's 22 months without a paycheck. It was a painful season, and many times I downright hated being there, but the Lord sustained us, and richly blessed us in and through that season. This post below was originally written on November 28, 2009, in the midst of this very trying season of life. You could say we were on the valley floor...

“The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.” Psalm 95:5

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, our Life Group (small group bible study) took time to share some of the blessings we would be celebrating this Thanksgiving. Knowing we would be doing this, I took some time to reflect upon what I am thankful for this year. 

In doing so, pictures of glorious mountains and deep, lush valleys flashed across my mind, in large part because the topography of our year has mirrored these images. Indeed, it has been a year of unrivaled mountaintop experiences and long, tiresome treks through gorges of trials. And yet, the Lord has shown me that both experiences provide reasons for much, much praise. Not only have I learned so much about the Lord’s heart, His church, myself, and my wonderful husband, but I have also come to see and appreciate the marriage between mountains and valleys in a whole new way.

Physically speaking, valleys are most commonly created by some form of moving water. When glacial ice gets to moving, a U-shaped valley like that found in Glacier National Park may be formed, while V-shaped valleys like that of the Black Canyon are formed by the erosive effects of a river’s flowing waters. In both cases, as the water or ice travels along, land recedes, little by little (or chunk by chunk), valleys are carved… and in the process, mountains emerge. We don’t have one without the other for mountains and valleys are uniquely bound in the creative genius of our God. He beautifully and wonderfully created the topography of the earth so that the floor of the valley gradually turns into the slopes of the mountain. 

Consider for a moment that the same could be said of the relationship between life's valleys and mountains.

As the waters of life rage (and they inevitably do), God not only allows and creates the valley, but He also brings forth the highly treasured mountaintop as well. Sometimes you experience the valley floor alongside a mountaintop experience; sometimes they are very far removed from one another. But they are always intricately connected. Our appreciation and understanding of both are highlighted by the contrast of the other. You understand the grandeur and magnificence of the mountain most when standing in the valley and seeing, experiencing the mountain towering over you. And only when standing at it the peak of a mountain do you have the vantage point to more fully see and finally grasp the depth and scope of the valley’s breadth beauty. After all, in nature as well as in life, it is the valley below that punctuates the lauded mountaintop views.

Plus, Psalm 23 reminds us of other reasons to thank the Lord for the valleys. 

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4

Green pastures are rarely found at the peak of a mountain as conditions usually aren't conducive for much growth. (Picture above the tree line...) Rather, it is near the valley floor where the environment is so much richer and more conducive to lush, green growth. Plants, flowers, trees, and all kinds of life can more easily flourish on the valley floor. This reality is also true of life's valleys: the conditions for growth are most abundant on the valley floor. There the Lord restores my soul...your soul.

Indeed, I have seen this to be true this year for it has been there at the deepest, lowest parts of our valleys, that the Lord has restored my soul and brought me a new understanding of Christ as my Shepherd. Furthermore, even though God has led us along ways unknown to us (as is also promised in his word – Isaiah 42:16), He has led us. Because He has been our guide, I can trust that these unfamiliar paths are paths of righteousness, and the rough places along these paths will one day be made smooth.

Though I have often failed to remember the Lord’s faithfulness over the past year, the rocks cry out... as they have always done (Luke 19:40). I have learned and now know that when God creates a valley, He simultaneously creates a mountain. And I have seen the Lord live up to His promises and prove Himself to be who He says He is. From the valley floor, Christ has given me new eyes to look up and see the grandeur and majesty of our Shepherd and Guide who has been leading us all along, even to that valley floor. And because of Him, I can give thanks from the bottom of my heart when the waters of life are raging for I know God is at work and God is always, always good.

Wherever you may find yourself this day or the next, this season or the next, remember that when the Living Water moves, His glory, sovereignty, and faithfulness are exposed in the valleys and mountains He creates in the landscape of your life. Pray for eyes to see and a heart to trust. Remember, the waters are His and His hands have formed the topography of our world, our hearts, our lives, and our experiences. 

Listen as the rocks cry out. 

In doing so, may we then delight and give thanks for how intricately the Lord weaves together the valleys and mountains of our lives. May this knowledge help us patiently hope for how the Lord is working all things for good in the topography of our lives turning the floor of our valleys into the slopes of our mountains. May it also help us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus trusting Him relentlessly during time spent in the lush grounds of our valleys – growing. 

Thankful,

Jessica

The desert or the stream - Jeremiah 17:5-8

Having recently shared a post about saplings, I thought another related post regarding trees would be fitting. =) Enjoy!

“This is what the LORD says, ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in the salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’” Jeremiah 17:5-8 NIV84

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.”

Ouch!

These words pierced my heart like an arrow! If I’m really honest with myself (which I don’t want to be), these words paint an all-too-accurate portrait of where my heart often is: in the parched places of the desert. Such a realization also led me to the painful truth that what has led me there is a wayward heart… a heart that has not been fully trusting in the LORD and has not put complete confidence in Him.

I’ve partially trusted Him. But, I also tend to place a healthy portion of my trust and confidence in flesh: my strength, my abilities, my understanding, my experience, my knowledge, my time management, my systems, my plans, my husband/friend/expert's advice, experience, knowledge, understanding… you get the picture.

In God’s grace and mercy, He gives us many blessings that include talents, abilities, knowledge, experience, etc. I'm not neglecting the gift and blessing those can be, rather warning about what happens when we trust and rely on the blessing over the Blessor! When we do this - trust in the blessings over the Blessor - we find ourselves on a slippery slope that lands us in the middle of the “parched places of the desert.” I can assure you, after visiting this place on too many occasions, the terrain of such a place is exactly as God describes it: a wasteland, parched, and lonely.

But… (Oh the beauty of this passage! There’s a “but!”)

“But, blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” 

Quite a different picture is painted of a person who puts their full trust and confidence in the Lord! Such a person “will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

This... this picture sounds so inviting. This is where I want to be.

The scene painted by these words reminds me of a view I saw daily while living in Colorado. My brother and I lived in a house perched high atop a hill overlooking the Gunnison Valley. Looking down into the valley, the river's location was quite obvious - just find the ever-so-conspicuous double-line of trees meandering along the valley floor. It was hard to miss. Because these trees’ roots were “sent out by the stream,” the trees never lacked water, and could, therefore, grow and flourish despite the dreadful winters that plague the valley.

These Colorado trees are like the tree described in Jeremiah 17:8. Despite the surrounding conditions, the trees survived, and not only that, they thrived! Such is a person who puts his/her trust and confidence in the Lord. Despite the surrounding conditions of life, your heart and spirit, your faith will survive, and not only survive, but thrive. However, keep in mind that much like trees we go through seasons, so "thriving" may look barren and bleak at times. Please don't lose heart if you are in such a season! It is just that, a season..

Many trees shed their coat of leaves standing barren in the winter season. Even still, a healthy tree, stripped though it may be, is gathering strength, soaking up that water, garnering nourishment as the winter prepares it to be bigger and stronger come spring. Each year a ring of growth marks the survival of another winter. (What might your "rings" be?)

Regardless of your season of life, it's worth noting how effortlessly we slide into "trusting in man" and depending on oneself (or others), and not the Lord, for strength! We don't typically fall into the desert; we slide into it. Satan fights a fierce battle making it ever so easy, ever so enticing, ever so alluring, ever so simple to do one inch at a time. Hence why Christ's followers are given the full armor of God: life in Christ is nothing short of a battle; we need nothing short of armor!

Be mindful that Satan will do whatever he can to keep or place your trust in man, or your own strength, because he knows that if he does this successfully, he will keep you from sending out your roots by the streams of living water found in Christ. As a result, expect that in big and small ways Satan will always be tempting you to slide down into this pit, furthering this pattern, confirming the lie that God and His ways can't be trusted.

Therefore, “put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11) “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Know that in doing so, you will be blessed and built up, which will make you much like the trees that outlined the Gunnison River's path: thriving despite the season. Yes, your confidence in the Lord will be ever so conspicuous to a watching and wondering world.

Friend, consider your heart today. Where are the roots of your heart being sent out? Are you sending your roots to the broken cisterns of man, or the abundant streams of Living Water found in Christ alone? Each day we get to take steps in either direction. So, which will you choose: the desert or the stream?

Blessed are those who put their trust in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him…


*originally written May 12, 2006; edited April 2015

Pilate's surrender - Luke 23:34-25

"So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will." Luke 23:24-25 ESV

In the week leading up to Easter, I reread the gospel accounts of the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. As I do, I try to see myself in all the characters. (Not too hard to do, sadly!) I'm the person in the crowd yelling at Pilate, "Crucify Him!" I'm Mary and the other women weeping, distraught over what has transpired. I'm Peter denying Jesus in both word and deed. I'm Judas as I kiss Christ with betrayal. I'm the soldier healed by His hand. And I'm Pilate, not sure how far I should go in standing up for Jesus.

Pilate has always been a perplexing character to me. History characterizes Pilate's leadership as being headstrong, strict, and authoritarian. And yet in the gospel accounts of his interactions with Jesus, we see a reluctant Pilate vacillating in his decision. He is not quick to condemn Jesus though his position would've allowed him to be.

His hesitancy and delay in condemning Jesus signals that Pilate sensed something was different about Jesus. Upon questioning Jesus, he could find no guilt in the man (Luke 23:4, 14), but this conclusion did not please the crowd. So, he sent Jesus to Herod for questioning, but Herod pardoned Jesus and returned him to Pilate. Pilate again tried to release Jesus, but encountered more opposition from the chief priests and rulers. Yet again, Pilate addresses the crowd, with concern, confusion, and hesitation in his words for he was "desiring to release Jesus," (Luke 23:20) finding in him no guilt deserving death.

But, the pressure from the crowd and the mounting political tension caused Pilate to capitulate. He delivered Jesus over to their will. The NIV 1984 version translates this verse as Pilate "surrendered Jesus to their will."

This wording got my attention: "surrendered Jesus to their will." How many times have I allowed the "crowds" to win? How many times have I acquiesced and surrendered Jesus to the pressures surrounding me? Countless!!

How many times have I surrendered Jesus to my will?

Ouch.

All too often I am like Pilate and succumb to the pressures of the crowd, the desires of this world, or to my own will despite the fact that I yearn to surrender to Jesus and His will. Always. It's hard to do, but as we approach Easter, join me in considering how you relate to the characters of these biblical accounts. Specifically, are you, like Pilate, surrendering Jesus to the crowd, to this world, to your will?

Or... are you surrendering to His will?

I pray it's the latter. If it's not, just remember that apart from Jesus you can do nothing (John 15:5), not even surrender to Him. So, ask Jesus today to help you surrender rightly to His will, in big and small things, in big and small moments. Only then can we be less like Pilate, for with Christ and in Him, we can do all things, even rightly surrender.

In the process of surrendering,
Jessica

A sapling's lesson in strength - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Originally written January 16, 2006; edited March 2015

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV

When Katrina blew through the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama coasts in August 2005, she left a gruesome wake of damage, not just in the three states hit, but also extending into Florida and Texas. When we visited my mom's side of the family for Christmas that year, I was able to see the damage along the Mississippi coast firsthand, and I was flabbergasted! Despite ongoing clean up efforts, the magnitude of Katrina's devastation seemed omnipresent even four months later. Houses and entire neighborhoods were obliterated. Miles inland were flooded or destroyed. Debris was still everywhere. The pictures just didn't do it justice!

On our way to the family Christmas gathering, which was 15-20 miles inland, we passed acres upon acres of woods, which were littered with remnants of Katrina's force. One home in particular left a lasting impression. The property looked like a war zone! Big, huge trees were snapped in half or completely uprooted with the mass of its roots left dangling in the air. It was unbelievable to see these massive trees blown over like a row of dominoes. And yet, there was a stark contrast on this property. While the enormous, old trees lay destroyed or uprooted, a vast majority of the little weak trees - the saplings - stood rooted and firm in the ground. They miraculously managed to withstand the storm's destructive winds.

Sure enough, the further we drove, the more common this sight became. Big trees uprooted or split in pieces, while the little, weak trees remained. Apparently, the small trees had one thing going for them that their huge counterparts didn't: their small trunks were weak. This weakness meant their trunks were more flexible and pliable so that they could bend, not snap in two, in the force of the wind. In this particular storm, the saplings' weakness proved to be their strength. Their weakness was God's grace to them. 

Mile after mile, acre after acre, the Lord kept driving this point home: in their weakness was their strength. In their weakness was their strength. Paul's words were vividly coming to life before my eyes. In the midst of pain, suffering, hardships, calamities, weaknesses, and insults, it's easy to let this truth fade from the forefront of our minds, isn't it?!

Yet the truth remains. "When I am weak, then I am strong."

Scripture is not clear on what Paul's weakness or thorn was, but the truth about which Paul writes applies to other followers of Christ, regardless of our thorns. There is a reason we are given "thorns." It could be to keep us humble, to cause us to rely on God and not ourselves, to strengthen us, to remind us that His grace is sufficient, or for some other reason we may never understand this side of eternity. Yet one thing is abundantly clear in this passage: our God is sovereign over all things, including our thorns, hardships, weaknesses, and calamities, and if you're a follower of Christ, He will always be moving in and through your weaknesses, your hardships, your persecutions, your thorns. In fact, by God's grace, you may discover what the little trees discovered during Katrina: it is your weakness that becomes your strength.

As I reflect on this scene in processing some of my own weaknesses and hardships, I am encouraged to go before the Lord to seek His help on seeing Paul's perspective. I pray you will, too. May we see them for what they are... a gift... "a thorn was given me in the flesh," and that thorn keeps us in constant touch with our limitations and our need for a Savior. We are desperately in need of God's grace. Always!

I am convicted by this thought of these weaknesses, thorns, hardships, calamities, persecutions, insults... limitations... as being gifts given. I need to quit focusing on the handicap and struggle they bring, real and difficult though it may be, and start also appreciating the gift that comes with it. Like the saplings, maybe this weakness is God's provision for my survival, His grace to me... His blessed protection that I just can't see or understand this side of the storm.

My prayer today is that you and I don't resist our limitations, weaknesses, and hardships so much as we allow them to push us to our knees, surrendering them and letting Jesus take control. I pray that in that process as Christ's power rests on you, and in due time, we will learn to be content as we begin to see how the Lord uses them as a magnifying glass for His power (and our ultimate good).

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

His grace IS sufficient. He is all we need. How I need to believe and trust this more.

Thankful for weakness and the grace (and protection) it gives me... or trying to be,
Jessica

A windy ride - Romans 8:28

Originally written April 22, 2004; edited March 2015

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 ESV

Several years ago I was able to spend the summer living and working with my brother, Garrett, in Gunnison, Colorado. During my time there and at the encouragement of my adventurous brother, I discovered a new hobby: road biking. Not only was it great exercise, but it also provided me with an amazing new way to enjoy God's breath-taking creation that surrounded me in the Gunnison Valley. I most often rode alone and loved to ride down new roads to explore, camera in tow. I also enjoyed taking a familiar path to the river with a book, journal, and pen to find a peaceful spot along the riverbank to read, write, and just soak in the beauty of the Lord.

One such ride left an imprint on my heart that I think of often. The day was absolutely brilliant... the Carolina-blue skies with not a cloud to seen, a bright sun was shining glistening off the river, and there was a wonderful breeze. It was one of those days I just wanted to soak in. So, I chose one of my favorite routes that led to the river's edge and off I went.

When riding a bike, even a slight wind can make your ride a bit more difficult. Therefore, my attitude towards the "wonderful breeze" changed rather quickly. From my perspective on a bike trying to plow through the breeze, it was turning into quite a windy ride making me strain much harder than I usually did on this path. This in turn led to some grumbling, and I let God know I would greatly appreciate it if He could calm the winds, since after all I knew He could, so I could no longer be distracted by the burden of the wind and could once again just enjoy the scenery and ride.

Shortly after this internal dialogue ensued, I came upon a curve in the road. As I rounded the bend, I was no longer in the wind. HALLELUJAH! The wind had ceased! Praise the Lord!

Relieved, I pedaled along... but then I started to get hot... really hot... miserably hot. I just thought the wind was bad! The heat was 10 times worse! Before I knew it, I was begging for the wind again.

Then it clicked. There was a reason for the wind; it fit into God's plan for good, not harm.

The wind served as God's provision to protect me from the heat. It also provided some added resistance to help build and strengthen my muscles. Yes, that meant more effort and strain, but the resistance was working together for a good outcome. And I'm sure the list could go on! Regardless of the reason, it became clear that God had sent the wind to bless, not burden me and that He knew why the wind was needed, even when I couldn't understand its presence and simply felt annoyed, bothered, and burdened by it.

I often try to remember this ride whenever I encounter fierce winds in life. Maybe these "winds" are sent to protect me from the heat of something else. Maybe they are being used to develop strength, endurance, faith, trust, hope, some other fruit of the Spirit in me, or another reason altogether. Whatever the reason, Scripture speaks loud and clear to the fact that trials of various kinds will come, but that when they do, even then God is sovereign over everything. Furthermore, because I have been called, I can know and trust that all things will work together for good. Maybe I simply haven't turned the corner of understanding to see how the Lord is working these things together for good.

Whatever the circumstance, my windy ride reminds me to trust the Lord and remember His promises... that for those who love God and are called according to His purposes, all things work together for good, even the windiest of trials.

Pressing on,
Jessica

Verses to reference:
John 16:33
2 Corinthians 4:17
James 1:2-4
1 Peter 1:6-7
1 Peter 5:6-7
Psalm 71:20

Barren trees: beauty in desolation

"Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

Yesterday morning I awoke to a wintery surprise outside my windows: snow! White flakes were gently falling from the sky above, adding another layer to the thin blanket that already covered my yard. As I gazed outside, marveling at the serene beauty, I was, as I so often am this time of year, struck by the sight of the trees. Bleak. Barren. Desolate. Stripped. Fragile. Dead. Their barren beauty, highlighted all the more by the snow outlining their naked frame, spoke to my heart and reminded me of a moment I had when I lived in Crested Butte. 

Here is an edited version of what I wrote about that moment on January 17, 2003: 

During my ski break a few days ago, I was alone on a lift just enjoying the beauty of the day. It was superb! Deep blue skies, barely any wind, and fresh snow on the mountain... a truly stunning day! As I rode along, I began thanking he Lord for His beauty captured in this moment, beauty that spoke of His awesome power and unfailing love. 

About this time, I noticed the trees. The aspen lose their leaves and stand naked throughout the winter, while the evergreens remain wrapped in their blanket of leaves. Though the beauty of the snow-capped evergreens was a captivating sight, it was the twiggy aspen trees that captured my attention. 

As I looked at the aspen, I was struck at how they stood. Picture a person with their hands held high in praise, or a child grasping for the special treat a parent is handing down, reeeeeaching for whatever it is, sure it is a treasure. That is what these aspen resembled. They looked as though their hands were raised in praise to their Creator, reaching for every good thing He had to give them. I felt as though the words of Isaiah 55 were coming to life before my eyes! 

"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12

A glorious sight made even more poignant by what sunk in next. The aspen that so captivated my attention were barren. Having been stripped of their leaves, the leaves that help make these trees so unique and lovely, they stood, twigs glaring against the snow, barren, bleak, and desolate. And yet, they stood in a posture of praise. 

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

As I sat watching these trees burst into a song of praise before me, I was reminded that though I may occasionally feel as these trees look - stripped, barren, bleak, and desolate - I should resemble them in another fashion as well: arms raised high in praise, reaching for the One who graciously bestows all that we need and every good thing. How I need to take on their posture in all seasons of life!

I admit, I don't always feel so inclined to do this! In fact, giving thanks amidst a winter season of life can make this task exceptionally difficult, excruciating to do. However, Scripture can encourage us in these times. The God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10). For those who are in Christ, we are further promised an abundant life (John 10:10). Abundance rarely comes without its trials, but those light and momentary afflictions are preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17) - as hard as that may seem to believe in the trial!

God has a reason for every season (Ecclesiastes 3:1), and seasons of what seem like barrenness and desolation might be necessary in order to have a season of "leaves." I know I all too often forget this reality! Furthermore, I have learned that seasons of barrenness, bleakness, and desolation offer the sweet blessing of knowing and loving God for God and not just His blessings. May we be willing to receive such a gift, trusting that our heavenly Father knows best. 

I'm thankful for the twiggy branches of the trees that remind me of eternal truths. I pray you and I both are given the grace, mercy and strength to give thanks in ALL circumstances for we can rest assured that this is God's will for us in Christ. It may just be that praising God despite our circumstance is what yields an eternal perspective and ruthless trust to enable us to face our trials and afflictions, our fears, our bleak seasons with hope, truth, and peace. 

Never forget your heavenly Father loves you passionately and furiously, even in life's winters! Whatever your season, learn from these barren trees and take on a posture of praise. May you go forth in joy and be led forth in peace... may you be able to see glimpses of His beauty even in desolation. 

Thankful, 

Jessica

Sweet Tea - Psalm 119:103, Proverbs 13:19

Originally written November 10, 2003; edited on February 4, 2015

My Mammaw was famous for her sweet tea... at least to my brother and me. Sweet tea was rarely to be found in the house of our childhood because my mom (wisely) chose to keep the temptation of this sweet nectar out of the regular drinking rotation. Therefore, sweet tea was aptly referred to as "Mammaw's Tea," because we only had it at her house in Mississippi. Not until my teenage years did I learn that Mammaw's Tea was really just plain ole sweet tea. (Great secret, Mom!)

Mammaw is no longer with us, but my mom inherited her mother's art of making amazing sweet tea. However, it remained a mystery to me. For years, I tried to imitate their tea and failed miserably with every attempt! Mine never tasted quite right... until I discovered their secret: put the sweetener in first. Doing so allows the sugar (or sweetener) to dissolve fully and, therefore, infuse the hot tea and water as it is poured into the pitcher.  I'm sure there are other great methods to prepare sweet tea, but in my experience, this order leads to perfection every. single. time.

Making tea recently reminded me that my life needs to mirror this method.

What in the world am I talking about?

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103 ESV

I need Jesus to be first. I need Him to be first in my heart, in my desires, in my relationships, in my priorities, in my everything. To help align my heart in this order, I need His word and time alone with Him to be the first part of my day. Put the sweetener in first. 

As life's demands and responsibilities have escalated, this time with the Lord has become increasingly more precious, appreciated, and needed, but also increasingly more difficult to maintain. Kids wake early. Dog and kids get sick. Smoke alarms remind you to check their batteries at 4am, or toddlers throw a party in their cribs from 2:30-5am, thus enticing me to turn off the alarm. I oversleep. My unending to-do list takes precedent over my devotional time. Whatever my excuse or legitimate distraction, I've come to see that whatever I pour in to my day first tends to flavor everything that is poured into me throughout my day. It sets the tone for how I will interact, respond, and receive the day God gives me as it unfolds, which is all the more reason for me to apply the sweet tea secret to how I order my days, as best I can. Then my day, my heart, and my mind are sweetened and flavored with His truth and by the time I've had with Him, and not overpowered by the bitter, painful, and frustrating moments poured into my world on any given day.

Furthermore, one of the sweet blessings that comes in these precious morning moments is that I find the Lord meeting the deepest longing of my heart: intimacy with Christ. We were all wired to desire and need God, and each day we need our daily portion of Him. In His perfect and sovereign ways, He uses our earthly desires to point us to this deeper desire, to Him. Too often I misread these longings or don't look beneath the surface of them to see Him. Yet, Scripture is clear: He is our hearts' deepest desire (Psalm 42 paints a great picture of this!), and His word is the sweetener to our heart, mind, body, and soul. When this longing is met, it is so, so sweet to the soul.

"A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul..." Proverbs 13:19 ESV 

Mammaw would be proud to know her method of making sweet tea has reminded me of more eternal truths. May you and I both seek the Lord on how our hearts and souls' deepest desired can be fulfilled in Christ. May we discover anew just how very sweet it is to be in the presence of our King knowing that in doing so we will discover the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need as Paul writes of in Philippians 4:12-13. May His truth sweeten even the bitterest parts of our hearts and lives.

Put the Sweetener in first, my friends... and I pray it is so sweet to your soul.

In Christ's love and grace,
Jessica

Questions to consider:
- Are you making time with the Lord a priority? When is the best part of your day for you to spend time in God's word?

- How might you have more consistent time in God's word? Do you need to rearrange your schedule or let the Lord erase something from it?

- Do you find the bitter struggles (daily or monumental!) stealing the joy you are meant to have in Christ? How does or how might daily time in God's word help?

The Story that never gets old - John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

My three and a half year old son Braxton loves a good story. The story can come from reading one of his beloved books; he never seems to tire of reading one of his favorite books and has quite remarkably memorized a rather incredible number of his books, verbatim. Another likely source for stories and what thrills Braxton most is having someone just tell him a story. The request for a story comes just about any time of day, but the most common setting for this is over a meal when his big blue eyes look up at you, and with delight and excitement all over his face, he says, "Mommy, tell me a story. Will you please tell me a story, Mommy?"

Having worn out our reserve of creative storylines, Forde and I have resorted to asking Braxton for guidance. Who's in this story? Where are they? What are they doing? This at least helps us have a jumping off point. Almost without fail, the answers to these questions are the same.

Just yesterday morning, I overheard Braxton ask Daddy for a story over breakfast. The questions commenced. The answers anticipated. The all-too-familiar story began.

Braxton is obsessed with the movie Cars (thank you, Pixar!), so our stories usually involve a cast with some assortment of Mater, Doc, Holly Shiftwell, Red, fill-in-the-blank of any Cars characters, and always, always Lightning McQueen. Their location may change, pending his mood or what he's recently read, from Mexico, Tokyo, Paris, London, Texas, Charlotte, or Radiator Springs. Yet, the storyline inevitably follows a very similar pattern. A race, a broken tire, the comeback, and eventually Lightning McQueen proving to be the victor or hero.

Listening to all of this unfold, secretly relieved I wasn't in the hot seat, I laughed to myself. He's heard, read, or seen some version of these stories 9000 times, but it's all he wants to hear. It just never gets old to Braxton. Ever! Each time he hears whatever part of the Cars story we're telling that day, it's as if it's the first and yet thousandth time he's heard it. His eyes are wide with anticipation, body bouncing with excitement as the details pour forth, but he's quick to correct when some detail is slightly off (or not coming quickly enough).

Sometimes I truly marvel at how many times the same story fascinates and thrills Braxton! I get so bored with it and (warning: confession coming!) disappointed when the expected answers come to what story this will be, all too often just simply trying to drudge through telling it one. more. time. (My attitude could use an adjustment!)

Then, it hit me.

The Lord opened my ears to hear something new and eternal beneath Braxton's daily request. Indeed, I was listening to something far greater, far more remarkable, far more beautiful than just a 3 year old wanting yet another Cars story. I was really listening to the echoes of the deepest cry of his heart... and mine.

Braxton's desire for a good story has roots in a greater desire for a far greater Story. God has put eternity in the heart of man (Eccl. 3:11), and in each of our hearts is a deep longing, an unquenchable thirst, and an insatiable hunger for Him, for His truth. We were created to know and walk in a right relationship with God. The fall - sin - broke that, and this desire has been twisted, torn, broken, misguided, overlooked, disbelieved, forgotten even. Yet, page after page, Scripture tells the story of how God has taken a fallen creation, a fallen yet chosen people and redeemed and reconciled them to Himself through His Son Jesus.. It's the story that should never get old!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." 
John 3:16-17 ESV 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 ESV

This is God's story. Intricately woven through every story in Scripture and throughout every page of history are the eternal themes of God's creation, man's fall, redemption through Christ, and restoration to God. The characters and locations may change, but the story follows some part of this pattern... and the Victor, the Hero, is always the same.

Braxton reminded me that the Bible tells of a wonderful love story between God and man, a story that truly never gets old. It's one for the ages! And yet, for many, it's all-too-familiar and boring. For some, it's new and thrilling. For others, it's not worth noting. Too often, I sadly fall in the all-too-familiar, boring camp. Here, too, I could use an attitude adjustment and a daily dose of my son's child-like faith and fascination when approaching God's story.

How about you?

Humbly,
Jessica

The direction of your heart - 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Originally written January 1, 2003; edited January 2015

"May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ." 2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season and have found this new year to be a pleasant one thus far. The start of a new year seems to always bring a breath of fresh air to me. No matter how good or bad the previous year was, something about a "new year" screams new beginning, starting over, a blank canvas, a new chapter. And so, we start of a new chapter: 2015. I love new chapters of life.

As I look back on 2014, I have mixed emotions. The past year had some hardships. There were relational strains experienced, deep, deep grief and loss alongside friends... and of my own, lots of frustrations, bewildering events and seasons (potty training... all year - need I say more?!), busy schedules, and some insanely profound heartache. It was undoubtedly a tough year.

And yet, this same year that is rightly classified in any of the above categories was also a year of rich, rich blessings. I experienced and witnessed incredible growth, miracles of so many kinds, new friendships, deeper friendships, precious new memories, fun adventures, and intense rejoicing. I am truly amazed considering the juxtaposition of this past year and overwhelmed with joy at all that happened. The Lord so faithfully and patiently grew and blessed me through it all. Even the hard parts.

I have no idea why the Lord chose to give us the year behind exactly as He did, or why He's chosen to give us what will come in this new, unknown year. Nevertheless, the Lord has impressed upon my heart a prayer I want to be praying for my boys (husband included!), others, and myself. It is Paul's words in this passage.

May the Lord direct your/their/my heart(s) to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 

Fill in the pronoun desired, and this passage is so rich! These words encourage me to no end knowing that regardless of situation or circumstance, good or bad, hard or easy, confusing or straightforward, the Lord is directing my heart to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ. In the realm of uncharted territory such as a new year, it's comforting to know that the One who has already charted this course is directing my heart and my path... and it's directed to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ.

Being the word geek that I am, I looked up "direct" to expand on the meaning and gain a better understanding. Word searches often enlighten my study of the Word and help solidify God's truth in my mind, as was the case with this passage. While I don't know the exact Greek meaning for the word translated to "direct," just flushing out the English definition alone was powerful! It means to guide, tell, show the way to, aim, or point to something, just to name a few. This really spoke to me about how faithful the Lord is to use everything (yes, everything) to direct us, point us, show us His great love and the steadfastness of Christ.

Yet, do I have eyes to see this, even when the smokescreen of life tries to conceal it? 

Do you?

I admit, I don't always have the eyes to see or the heart to trust this is true. Sometimes I let my circumstances scream too loud. I allow my lack of understanding to trump God's infinite understanding. How I pray to trust Him more this year, to wait on Him, and to believe and really know that in and through all things God is and will be directing my heart to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ. What a wonderful direction of our hearts!

As I begin to dip into the year ahead, just barely putting my toes in at the edge, I'm ever so thankful for Paul's words to cling to, look to, and pray through this year. For I know that wherever the Lord leads me, whatever path He takes me down, whether the terrain is complex, foreboding and seemingly impassable or wide open spaces, He is always directing my heart, pointing me to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ.

This year probably won't go exactly how I hoped or planned, but it will go exactly how my gracious, loving, and steadfast heavenly Father planned. Let us never forget the direction of our hearts this year and always. Remember... and, as often as you need, join me in praying Paul's words while traveling along the road of 2015.

In Christ's steadfastness and God's love,
Jessica