Faithful

The vacation had been short. The trip was relaxing with mountains and streams beckoning to my emotions. Alfalfa fields were green with expectation of a rich fall crop.
We had been looking for a summer home or a getaway from the scorching valley heat. Finding an oasis of a cozy cabin and a small trout-filled lake with wild Canadian geese afloat the glistening water, cried out to my heart and soul.
This was the place of our dreams, more than my mind could grasp. Could this be for us? We would have to wait patiently for the Lord to create a way for all the legal maze we would have to go through to acquire this beautiful piece of property.
Arriving home in the late afternoon, I soon discovered that the horses had no water and the temperature was hovering around the 100 decree mark. My first response was anger for the person who had said they would water the horses. Somehow they were unable to follow through with their commitment. However the tub was still empty, good intentions or not, my horses were thirsty.
Then my frustration turned to the realization that I had done that to my Lord on different occasions. When asked to be a helping hand, or a friend in deed, to a friend in need, I had either forgotten or was too busy. "Oh Father, I pled, please forgive me for I have been an unfaithful servant too. Not going where you wanted me to go, watching things on T.V. that was unhealthful to my thoughts and emotions. Also eating food that was unhealthful for the temple of Your Holy Spirit. So I come to ask forgiveness again. Please help me to be a servant who truly listens to You and then faithfully follows the instruction given by Your gracious promptings, for I long to hear those precious words spoken to my heart." "Well done thou good and faithful servant, thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" Matthew 25:21
p.s. The land and log home were subsequently sold on the court house steps at auction to someone else several years later.

The Glossy Image

The image on glossy photographic paper stirred my imagination. It was a small lodge like building, beautiful in the woods, mirrored by a lake and lush green grass in abundance. The trees looked full and tall as if standing as sentinels around the meadow. Perfect for sheep I thought. So far away. Could we travel that distance to a new home? Would our family come to visit for the holidays? I continued to look longingly at the picture in the brochure the agent had sent. The roof line was steep suggesting snowy winters. The windows large, inviting sunlight to travel across the rooms. How delightful I thought. I had been drawn into the picture. The forest beckoned, also the boat on the dock called to me. The sunlight drew shadows through the trees creating streams of brightness that played across the path. I longed to be on the path...

I heard my husband call me back to reality. "Let's go and look for ourselves." He encouraged me. So we went on the journey seeking a new place to live.

But photos and dreams are different than real life. The house was ordinary, the pond could not be seen even from the third floor bedroom window. The path and trees were so small and uninviting. Oh how disappointed I was.

"Father, I'm so thankful that this earth is not our home. That You truly are preparing a place for us, where the trees do stand as sentinels about the meadow, making safe pastures for the sheep of Your fold. Where the lakes and water will be abundant.
Where the River of Life flows for all to drink. Where the lush verdant grass will be like carpet under our feet. Until then, You give us a small glimpse, even if taken by a clever photographer to sell some real estate, to allow us to see a vision of Your handiwork in the heavenly land. Where eye hath not seen nor ear heard what You have gone to prepare for us.* Praises for imagination and beauty and the constant whisper in my heart that Your love is more precious than houses and lands. Keep my eyes fixed on You as I continue on the journey to my heavenly home."

*1 Cor.2:9 KJV

Lot's Wife

I am Lot's wife I know it...
I can feel it in my bones.
I keep looking back to Sodom
Where my children are alone.

Or is it just my children
My friends they are there too,
O dear Lord in mercy
Help me turn my face toward You.

And there's my house I treasure
With furnishings so fine
Please heal in my affliction,
So the praise can all be Thine

Help me make this journey
For these problems are my fault.
Please don't let me be paralyzed
In a pillar turned to salt.

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brc