Finding My Way

 

Luke 15:20 NIV, "So he got up and went to his father.  But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

This Saturday morning started off like all Saturday mornings.  I set my alarm to get up a little earlier so I could watch the US Women's National Soccer team play in the Olympics and also to get ready to go to an outing down in Nashville, Indiana.  I made my breakfast and took care of my dogs like I do every morning.  I have one small dog inside and the one pictured is outside most of the time.  Her name is Noodle and she is a rescue that we got as a puppy.  She is so sweet and loves to be loved.  She melts into you and loves attention as you can tell.  

I sat down to eat my breakfast and continue watching the game but I noticed that Noodle had not come up on the patio to eat her breakfast snacks.  At first I didn't think much about it but as the minutes ticked by, I decided to get up to investigate.  I stepped on the back patio and yelled for her but she did not show up.  I went through my service door in my garage and as I opened the door, I realized that the gate to my backyard was open.  I stood and recounted my steps from the night before and I was certain I closed the gate.  I ran into the house and looked at the history of my security camera and while I did not see Noodle, I did see another dog that was loose as he had a long rope of some kind trailing him.  I concluded he must have jumped up on my gate and opened it and Noodle seen this as a way to escape out of the yard.  I was devastated.  I changed my clothes and text my parents, they live down the street, and off I went to try and find her.  I live in the country so I have woods around my area and lots of other dogs.  This wasn't her first time of escaping and she has a route that she normally takes.  I started following the path that I thought she would take and checked in with my parents and some family members.  

As luck would have it, my cousin and her husband caught the culprit I seen on my camera.  I knew Noodle would not be too far in front of or behind the other dog.  I continued to drive around and I finally spotted her.  I stopped my car and jumped out to run out to her.  In the past she would normally take off the other way, but as I ran toward her and yelled her name she ran toward me and dropped at my feet.  I bent down and loved on her and told her I was so happy to find her and I could tell she was very happy to hear my voice and knew she would be safely home soon.  It did take me a little bit to get her home as she was exhausted, hungry, and thirsty from her journey outside the safety of her home.  I was so happy to get her back in the yard and thankful for my dad's help.  Noodle can be stubborn and frustrating.  But I was so thankful to get her home!!!  

After I got home and settled down from the morning adventure, the story of the prodigal son we can read in Luke 15:11-32 came to mind.  I won't type it all out as you can read it for yourself, but in the story a man has two sons and one of them decides he wants his inheritance early so he can leave his home and live a wild life.  But the son runs out of money and a famine strikes the land so he ends up working for a farmer and taking care of pigs.  He comes to his senses and realizes that he can go home and become a servant in his father's house because they are able to eat and have better living conditions than what he is experiencing out on his own. So he takes off to go home and in the meantime his father is out on the porch and is looking into the distance and he sees his son walking toward the house.  His father lifts up his robe and runs out to his son, back then it was not customary for Jewish men to do this, but he was so happy to see his son return home.  He meets his son on the road and hugs and kisses him and is so thankful he has returned. His son tells him he is sorry and that he wants to be a servant in his father's house, but this father says no we are going to throw you a party because my son is home!! What an incredible story.

Jesus tells us this story because that is a picture of what God does when we turn from sin and turn to Him.  In this story the son says in Luke 15:21 NIV, "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son."  It is so easy to feel unworthy of God's love isn't it?  It is easier to feel unworthy than to believe that God loves you regardless of what you have done and where you have been.  But Jesus is telling us in the story that is not the way it works.  God is waiting for us to turn from sin and to rely on Him and his mercy, grace, and salvation.  Jesus made a way for us to run home and to freely take the gift of salvation.  Romans 5:8 NIV tells us, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  

Every single one of us are that prodigal son running home into the arms of Jesus.  He is waiting on that road ready to greet each of us!!!  Our thirst can be satisfied in His living water only He can provide.  John 4:14 NIV says, "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."  Jesus grants us salvation, a Home, and the only water that can satisfy our thirst.  

Will you run home toward Jesus?  Will you accept his gift of salvation?  Have you already accepted His gift but are still thirsty because you haven't allowed yourself to taste the water only He can provide? Are you living an abundant life now and enjoying all that God has to offer while we are still here on Earth? 

I am so thankful Jesus told us this story so we can picture His heart for us!!!  I am so thankful that He led me to Noodle and helped us get her home safe and sound!!!  Will you allow Jesus to find you?  

MUSIC FOR THE SOUL

My love for music is something that I have never really talked about in my blogs.  I have been in love with music my entire life.  I grew up helping my mom clean the house as we listened to Elvis, Beatles, and any music that spanned the decades from the 50’s to the 70’s.  She would put an album on or turn on the radio as we would dust and sweep our house on Fridays.  A lot of my memories of my childhood revolved around music.  From cleaning the house with my mom to riding in my dad’s 57 Chevy as we would visit family and friends at the Dog and Suds on Saturday nights; priceless memories with great music.

My love of music went deeper as my teenage years were spent in the 80’s.  In my opinion it was the best decade for music.  I will admit I loved hair metal, and still do.  I would go out cruising with my cousins and friends as we blasted out favorite bands.  Life was carefree and the music was amazing.  Attending general admission concerts was a favorite past time for us. 

Music has helped me along the paths of my life.  Certain songs take me back to an exact moment of time that I will always associate the two as one.  There are bands that speak to me on a personal level that I must see live when they come to town.  Music helps heal my heart and soul.  There are songs that remind me so much of Kirk.  Kirk was a self-taught guitar player and was in a couple of bands in his younger years.  I loved listening to him play.  When he died, he left behind three guitars that are priceless to me and Emily.  They are such beautiful reminders of Kirk’s love for music and his legacy of being an incredible guitarist.

Music has also played a role in my relationship with God.  Christian music takes my love for God to a new level.  The worship music at my church feels like a full blown concert.  Our band is so incredible and the songs we sing speak to my soul.  There are so many that helped me along my Christian life as well as my widowhood journey.  One such song is called “How He Loves” by John Mark McMillan performed by David Crowder Band.  Here are some of the lyrics:

“And He is jealous for me. Love’s like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory. And I realized just how beautiful  You are, and how great Your affections are for me. 

And Oh, how He loves us , oh Oh, how He loves us. How He loves us ohh..”

The song goes on to talk about God’s great love for us.  The lyrics remind us many times just how much He loves us.  This has to be one of my most favorite Christian songs and I wish our church would sing it more.  The lyrics speak to me and as tears rolls down my face, I raise my hand up in praise for my Lord and Savior; He does love us so!!!!

This weekend is Easter.  Easter is a celebration of Christ’s rescue plan for us fulfilled.  Christ came into this world as a humble baby, grew up as a faithful servant and Son of God, and fulfilled His mission by sacrificing His life on a wooden cross and resurrecting three days later!!!  He laid down His life for each of us.  When He was nailed to that cross, our sins were nailed with Him.  Isaiah 53:5 NIV says, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”  Jesus paid it all!!!  He was beaten, mocked, spit upon, He was made to carry His cross to Golgotha and there His feet and hands were pierced with nails and they raised that cross so that He was suspended with His body weight hanging on those nails.  Can you imagine the pain and agony that had to be?  Imagine your body weight bearing down on those nails.  He did that for you and me!!!  In John 15:13 NIV Jesus tells us, “Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  Jesus loves us so much that He laid down His life so that we can be reconciled with Him.  He took on our sins, nailed each of them to His cross, and died in our place.  He fulfilled that promise on the third day, Easter Sunday, through His resurrection.  John 11:25 NIV Jesus is talking to Martha about His resurrection.  He says, “I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” And then he asked her, “Do you believe this?”  So I ask you..Do YOU believe this? 

I believe Jesus came to Earth on a rescue mission to save me from my own sins.  He tells us that to receive His gift of salvation all you have to do is believe in your heart and confess with your mouth.  In Romans 10:10 NIV tells us, “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and you are saved.”  And once you are saved you will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus and with your family and friends that were saved before they passed.  Can you imagine the reunions that await us in heaven? 

Jesus loves us so much that He carried all of that sin, even when He led a sinless life.  Oh how He loves us!!!  Just like the song tells us so many times.  Listen to the song and meditate on the words and His love for you!!!!

Happy Easter to you!!!  Love to each and every one of you as you celebrate Jesus!!!