Category Archives: open hearts

Window by the Water

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My friend Margie has a lovely home near the outskirts of town that is somewhat like a refuge. She has a small table by a window of the den that looks out on a yard surrounded by statuesque trees and lush green foliage. You feel as though you’re in a sanctuary when you share a cup of tea with Margie at that little table. The view changes when hungry squirrels creep toward the tree nearest the window to see what Margie might have for them that day. So many birds know this sanctuary as well. So many, that is, that the melodies coming from limbs and branches make you want to look up and sing along. Once in a great while a family of deer will make a cautious stroll across the yard from the forest at the back, right up to the tree by the window. I’ve seen them once. The doe looks and walks like a true lady. The buck peers around in protective watch with every step, and the fawn toddles alongside happily. I stare without moving a muscle.

The draught with which we’ve been plagued this summer dried up the creek behind the trees. It’s the only water source for critters all around the property. Margie knew the deer were desperate, and she set out a large bucket of fresh water for them every day. I know what a kind and generous heart this lady has, and I knew how anxious she was to help this little family from her little forest.

They came alright. The buck was certainly looking for something, but still cautious. Margie watched as the three of them neared the bucket the first day they spotted it. The buck got the closest, sniffed carefully once or twice, then hastily bounded away with the clan, never touching the cold, clear water in the bucket. He must not have been thirsty enough to trust then, but they were back the next day. Same scene, much to Margie’s sorrow, because she was well aware of their thirst. Temperatures were in the high 90s, the yards were baking for miles around. It wasn’t until the third day that the deer were brave enough to bend down and drink from that bucket. I wish I could have been there to see it, but I loved how Margie told me all about it, because I appreciate her compassionate spirit so much.

It’s like that between some people and God. He’s made a way for us to drink from the wells of His Living Waters and never thirst in our soul again. His open arms have gone to the farthest extreme to win our hearts and our trust when He gave His Son’s life up for ours. He is the generous and loving God Who delights in giving us His very kingdom. He spares nothing to protect and provide for His own who love Him. No one outgives Him.

And here’s us. We might creep a little closer to check out His motives — even ask about what He offers in His Word, thinking either it’s too good to be true, or He’s standing behind all of us with some big stick waiting to crush us with one blow if we can’t live up to some impossible standard. Rubbish.

We are so needy, and He is so good ALL THE TIME. His love saves and restores and protects. The deer had to let go of their inhibitions. We have to let go of our sin. Why is that hard when real living is as easy as surrendering to the cooling, soothing clear Voice of Love and promise?

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.” Ps. 42:1

Come to Jesus. He’s watching at the window, only a prayer away.

Until next time, sending love.
Marsha

Woman to Woman, Let’s Drop the Facade!

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Womanhood. I really enjoy it. In the years of growing to understand the love of God Himself who crafted me as the woman I am, I’ve become more and more passionate about helping others recognize and welcome that love. Problem is, it’s not always easy to show love and acceptance to other women. We can be so competitive.

I’ve seen so many women living in performance mode, wanting me to join them on the same stage and prove myself so they’ll accept me. It’s like a school girl game, and it often begins in misunderstandings and jealousy, then ends tragically in crushed hearts and rejection. One woman said to me once, “I’m keeping you at arm’s length and I’m watching you”, after I had accepted the role of women’s ministry leader at a large church.

You what?! What was she misunderstanding about my heart to bring unity among believing women in my circle of influence? What was she threatened by? I only wanted to help! Did I dress too nice, look too pretty, or have too big a house or something? Come on, now. Let’s all grow up.

This handicap can turn the atmosphere of a church into a circus of painful emotional acrobatics. I’ve been guilty, too, and I hated it. I asked God about it, realizing there was likely as much hurt in the church among women as outside it. Maybe even more. That’s sad.

What does ‘loving each other’ really mean? How can we help each other avoid the trap?

The first important step, I believe, is to let the Lord love each of us as an individual, as a Woman With Destiny in the Kingdom of God. It’s the love you and I have always wanted, the one that satisfies and never fails. His love has no pre-qualifications and no hoops to ever jump through. It’s the love that calls us to a heavenly stage where we are each applauded for who we are, not for what we can or can’t do, or what we do or don’t have. Why in the world would a woman not want that when it’s all we’ve ever hoped for? Run to His arms, His open arms, agree with Him about you, and let Him love you.

And always, understand that hurting people hurt people. Not every woman who prays the sinner’s prayer has totally grasped the love that requires no performance. We get trapped in old thinking that makes us fight and claw our way into the limelight or, in some cases, hide in the shadows– both choices stemming from some kind of desperate fear. Ask God, and He’ll give you a glimpse into the heart of a woman who needs an example, not a critic or a competitor. The capacity to which we let God love us is the way we’ll love others. God’s kind of love has no fear in it. None. It’s selfless; no stage necessary.

When you and I let God, through Jesus, love and heal us, we’ve got something real to give away to others who are trying to find that love in the wrong place and the wrong way. We can live to prove the rumors and the gossip and the slander wrong. God IS Love, and He Himself is our defense.

We don’t need to scramble for the microphone, Ladies. We don’t need the limelight. We don’t need the shadows. We need each other. And the deeper we go in to these last days, the more it will be true.

Sending blessings,

Marsha