Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Being a Blessing


In the darkness a desperate cry is heard, “Seeing me broken in the room, yet never a needle to stitch a shattered piece of my heart…”  The Wayfarer had been walking along when the sounds of a painful, broken heart reached his ears.  He listened attentively as the agonizing story unfolded, piercing his heart, causing him to feel the pain of this fellow Wayfarer.  He could only look up to the Father and plead, “Abba, what can I do to come alongside to aid this one calling out for relief from pain?” 

The more the Wayfarer heard the more compassion he felt for this young, Precious One in need of true love that only comes from above.  He realized this meeting was not mere happenstance, but one orchestrated by Abba Himself.  Over the many years of his own heartaches and suffering there were others who came alongside to apply ointment and dressings to the wounds.  They helped him to heal and become strengthened, enabling him to journey on in his endeavors.  Much wisdom and understanding had been gained through those years, along with a compassionate heart to reach out to others in distress.

Looking to Abba the Wayfarer asked for guidance and insight to be an encouragement that will be of strength to her.  Abba had put a desire in his heart to stand in the gap, offering friendship, showing her kindness, care and concern for her wellbeing.  The Wayfarer continued to pray for her and her children that they would receive all the love and comfort they would need to carry them through the heartaches and struggles confronting them; that they would overcome the obstacles and be strengthened in the process.

They continue on their journey, receiving words of encouragement when needed - growing in their determination to live life to the fullest.  Abba goes with them, as He has done for the Wayfarer throughout his life.  In the meantime the Wayfarer continues to be blessed by this Precious Gem who shows so much joy in the midst of her trials.  Truly Abba is enriching her life as she puts her trust in Him.

Though the Wayfarer desires to be a blessing and encouragement to this Precious One it is he who is receiving encouragement and blessings from her.  He is further amazed by such a one who has been under much agonizing stress yet having the ability to radiate great joy to those about her.  However, she has shared moments when she’s alone and overwhelmed by fear of what lies ahead of her, wondering how she can cope.  Other times she has the fear of being under attack of the enemy.  It is during such moments when Abba sends messages of encouragement and assurance that He is ever present with her.  Once again she has renewed strength and increased trust in Abba.

The Wayfarer has confidence that she is growing stronger and overcoming many of the obstacles in her path.  Yet he wonders how much pain she may still be enduring when she is in her quiet moments.  He continues to offer words of encouragement and is diligent in prayers for her and her family.  He is committed to remain alongside of her for as long as may be required.  To some this would be considered a burden but when Abba puts it in your heart it is a joy.  This may last but for a season or it may last a lifetime of true friendship.  Only Abba knows.  Regardless the outcome the Wayfarer has complete trust in Abba and is at total peace.

Is there someone that Abba has put on your heart to come alongside to help out?  Are you being a blessing to others or a burden?  The Wayfarer would encourage you to look to Abba to strengthen you to become the person you need to be to others.  That we would all become a blessing to those who need us in times of distress.  Shalom and blessings.

Monday, February 9, 2015

The Cycles of Life

Each sunrise and sunset brings the Wayfarer further on his journey with a new beginning each day.  While he reflects at the end of this particular day he recalls that some point in bygone days he took a similar path.  As life is one of unending cycles – each day is a cycle of the rotation of earth, each seven days starts over with day one, each year cycles through twelve months and so it continues in cycles.  Life is really no different as we repeat situations over and over.  How often has the Wayfarer encountered the same situation over and over but with differing circumstances, only to have the same results?  Life is filled with patterns that cycle over and over to the point that all seems meaningless.  The expression is often used of one having a “monkey on their back” or that a demon is always on them.  What is the purpose of such patterns of cycles and what are we to do with them?

While the Wayfarer considers these matters he’s reminded of the movie, “Groundhog Day” where the character played by Bill Murray repeats the same day over and over and over for an indefinite period of time.  As the movie plays on with the same cycle repeating itself he finds himself in a state of frustration to the point of suicide, but can’t even succeed at that because he awakens the following morning with the same day repeating itself.

At some point he decides to make adjustments for the repeated failures of each, repeated day and begins to improve his life.  He learns to play the piano, develop relationships by trial and error and become a better person overall.  He realizes when he fails at something he has the opportunity to make adjustments for he knows the day will repeat when he awakens. And so the plot progresses to the point where he finally awakens to a new day and has won a new relationship through perseverance.

Is this not like life in general?  Though the Wayfarer does not have the same day repeating itself many of the circumstances in life do.  It may be in relationships that have failed, or at least gone down a wrong path.  So what happens with the next relationship?  Trying the same actions end up with another failed relationship.  Or how about the job?  Tired of the same routine, so try another job only to discover the same situation over.  Again failure to overcome the problems facing us during the cycle.  So what is the purpose of all these cycles?

The Wayfarer discovers that it is really Abba’s Grace that allows the cycles to repeat so we have ample opportunity to learn how to overcome those failures that tend to repeat.  He just needed to make the discovery that regardless of the cycles he no longer needs to respond as before but rather be an over comer of the failures.  With a new relationship his desire is to see it the way Abba sees it, not the way he did in the past.  With the new job he learns to approach it with different attitudes that please Abba.

Finally the Wayfarer has entered a new day with new life.  His focus is not on what he wants for himself but what pleases the Father, and that brings new purpose and meaning in his life.  No longer does he dread looking at the cycles in life but rather anticipates them because of the new joy that comes with it.  Learning that giving of himself to others adds pleasure to his life.  Now with each new day comes other challenges that may differ from previous ones and so the process re-cycles – how to make the right choices that will enhance his life rather than living the same drudgery as before.


Finally, no longer is it “Groundhog Day” but a progress that moves forward in a new day, though the cycles still continue.  It’s a new outlook, a new attitude, a new purpose with meaning.  May you leave “Groundhog Day” and discover the “New Day” in your life, along with the new attitudes and purpose with meaning.  Shalom.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Walking through the Shadows

It’s been a long, unending journey for this Wayfarer but not without meaning for he has realized that the journey is the destination.  So he continues on trekking through forests, over mountains, along meadows and beside streams.  Many places along the way are dark and dreary, little light showing through the shadows engulfing him - mile after mile of shadows and darkness with no relief in sight.  The mind is bombarded with thoughts of evil lurking about, ready to overtake him.  Fear grips him, but he pushes on hoping to find respite from the drudgery.

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil!”  Yeah, right!  Easy for you to say.  What’s this you say, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…?”  Ok, I’ll believe that when I see it.  So were the thoughts of the Wayfarer many years ago while experiencing the dark shadows in the valley.  Where’s the good in a divorce?  Where’s the good in the ridicule and discouragements at every turn?  Where’s the good and mercy in all the heartache, hurt and pain striking at every miniscule opportunity?  Nothing but shadows and darkness with a rare, occasional, millisecond glimpse of light.  Only enough of a glimpse to give him the courage to continue in hopes of coming through the darkness, though doubts lingered he would ever walk into the light.

It was during such times that drove him to his knees in prayer.  Taking several hours of each day to read the Scriptures, even though the pain remained and the darkness enshrouded him.  Where is this “goodness and mercy”?  The reality had not pierced his thoughts that Goodness and Mercy had been following him each step of the way.  It was unfailing but his focus was on the darkness that enveloped him and was unable to see through the density of that darkness.

As he continued to pray and read the scriptures daily he discovered that little by little new strength and courage was gained.  Peace began growing inside, bringing comfort and relief.  Over the span of several months the Wayfarer realized the amount he had grown in his journey through the shadows.  He could actually detect the changes in his life, which were imperceptible on a daily basis, but looking back over those months he could see the measure of his growth.  New character had developed, making him a better person.  Finally, the understanding came that Goodness and Mercy had not failed him. 

He could now pray to the Father, “Abba, if the divorce, pain, heartaches, discouragement is what it takes to bring me in closer relationship to You then I'll gladly go through it again In a heartbeat, if need be.  Forgive me for allowing the distractions of this journey to keep me from you.  You are ever present in the darkness to bring comfort.  Your Goodness and Mercy are with me and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever.”

The Wayfarer continues his journey and often the road is treacherous and dark, but in those places he finds comfort in Abba.  The pain and heartaches are lighter and fewer, but when they are encountered there is always Goodness and Mercy surrounding him.  The Wayfarer has learned to walk in the shadows for the light is always within him.  Certainly, the journey is the destination for we never arrive this side of eternity.

You cannot go on this journey with the Wayfarer, for it is his and his alone.  You have your own journey to travel, taking you through different forests, other mountains, meadows and streams.  All the dark places you must travel for your journey is for you alone and is your destination.  Though you must travel it alone, you are never alone for He, Abba, is always with you.  It is for you to discover each new day, with its challenges and struggles.  It is for your growth and development as you learn to walk through the shadows and at times through light.  It is yours to overcome those heartaches, pains and discouragement that enable you to grow in character and maturity.  For you, too, are a Wayfarer on a journey, be it by choice or leaving heel ruts along the way.  From this Wayfarer may you find shalom and comfort on your “destination”.