Learning to follow His Lead

"Gracie, you did good.  You have been a good friend."  I was driving her to the kennel to stay while we were on vacation.  She was old and had some health issues.  I had a suspicion her time on earth was short and I wanted her to know she  had accomplished her life work.  She had been my dog, a good dog and friend.

Sadly, my premonition was correct.  Several days later, the caretaker called and Gracie was in trouble.  It was time.   Her time on earth was over.  I couldn't be with Gracie but I had said my last words to her.

I'm not good at endings.  When I read a good book, I'll be consumed by it.  I'll spend all my time reading it but yet when I'm a handful of pages from The End, I'll stall.  I don't want it to end.  I want the experience to go on.

I've finished reading Deuteronomy for several days.  Yet I have delayed my final blog entry.  I have always enjoyed Deuteronomy.  Many shake their heads in puzzlement when I list it as a favorite book of the Bible.

Perhaps comparing Moses' homegoing to my farewell to my dog is a stretch but I started my learnings in Deuteronomy with comparisons of training my puppies and my walk of obedience with God.  The puppies are not really trained enough to get the "Mission Accomplished" speech.  Yet I have hope for them.  I have given the farewell speech to Sunny, Sam, Jessie and Gracie.  It's a good life to be a Sipe dog because we spoil them.  Soon  Mickey and Molly will see the benefit of their obedience to us.  Occasionally I see that look in Molly's eye, looking to me for direction.  It's rare but there!

God led Moses into the next chapter of  his eternal life.  Chapter  34 of Deuteronomy begins as Moses climbs Mt. Nebo just as God told him.  When Moses arrives,  God shows Moses the land, the Promised Land.  Moses dies and God Himself buries him.  Moses was 120 years young, his eyes were not weak and his strength was not gone. No prophet since has known God as Moses did, face to face and done such miraculous signs and wonders and led the people of Israel.

I'll admit that I do want to hear God give me the "Mission Accomplished", but not right away!  I'm not planning a homegoing anytime soon.  I'll stall in this life as long as I can.  I think my eyes are getting weaker and maybe the strength too but I'm enjoying this life that God is directing for me.  I want to learn more and serve Him more.  Reflecting on  Chapter 34 has given me encouragement to finish well.

The good news is that I'm not done with this earthly life, nor am I done with my walk with God. There is another day before me.  New adventures and challenges await!   God has been with me, is with me and will be with me. 

The puppies are still learning to walk on the leash.  They still want to lead the way and rush to a destination, any destination.  I intentionally lead them in the opposite direction and I tell them to "walk with me."

Just as Molly and Mickey are learning to follow me since I have the other end of the leash in my hand, I am learning to follow God when I study His Word.  My study teaches me to glance up at God, just like Molly, to see which direction He is leading, even when I don't quite know where we're headed.

There are 65 other book of the Bible to guide me.  So I do not have an end, I have yet Another Beginning!

Blessed Reminder

"I'll bring bread right away" the waitress exclaimed.  As she rushed away, she turned and added "and water, lots of water." I was with several ladies at a department store restaurant. The special of the day was "Shrimp Diablo".  When asked to describe it, the waitress said it was spicy hot, very spicy hot.  The challenge was made and Gloria and I both proclaimed, "We can handle it!"  She tried to talk us out of it but we had made our decision.

It was HOT, really hot.  So when the waitress came to check on us, she only had to look at our faces to see our predicament.   Today if I saw Gloria, we would laugh that our pride got us into a hot situation because we share this memory every time we see each other.

Whenever I think of Gloria, I remember the greatest blessing she gave me. "I'm going to pray right now for your new special friend."  My friend from across the country was giving me a life lesson and a gift. 

I  had the opportunity to serve on our denomination women's board.  I thought I was there to work and serve, which I did.  Yet through my terms of service I engaged with wise and godly women who gave me thought provoking and promising advice.

Gloria had been a missionary and a pastor's wife.  She knew, by first-hand experience, the joys and fears of a new ministry and the resulting change of home.  I'd just told her that my husband had accepted a call to a church in another state.  I can't remember if I told her that my greatest fear was making friends.  (I like to think I'm a loner but I'm not.  I need a friend or two in my life.)

When Gloria pronounced her blessing on me it gave me encouragement and hope.  She reminded me of who God was and who I was to God.  (He knew me best and knew I was not a loner.)  She reminded me of my future.  There was a friend or two waiting for me because God provides for me.  Gloria also gave me a plan.  When I  got to the new town, start looking for that friend.

I got started thinking about blessings when I read Moses' blessing over the tribes just before he was to die in Deuteronomy 33.   He mentions each tribe by name.  Some of the tribes were just barely  mentioned in half a verse, like Reuben is to live long and prosper.  Other tribes, like Levi, get a lengthier mention with a bit of history, mission and promise.

Too often we think of a blessing just as a thanks to God, like before a meal.  Today I think of a blessing over me as a combination of wish, prayer, reminder, promise and prophecy.  Moses knew the Israelites very well.  He'd seen generations come and go.  He'd heard their complaints, whines and disputes.  He'd seen God provide for their daily needs.  He'd been their shepherd, general and parent.

In his final words, Moses reminds them that, just like his blessing, life starts and finishes with God, His Power, His Provision and His Promise.  Chapter 33 starts with God as King and ends with "there is no one like the God of Jeshurun."

Throughout the blessing Moses tells the Israelites that God has a plan and a future for each one of them.  God cares about each tribe and  knows their name and their personality.  He gives a glimpse into their future to encourage them to follow after God, the source of their blessed lives.

I have used Gloria's blessing over me several times.  When we have moved to a new community, I remind myself that God has friends for me.  I depend on God.

Today I am inspired to live God' blessing over me, to be the God of my life, my details, my fears, my joys, my victories.  God has provided, is providing and will provide. 

There is nothing in this world like God but God.  The world invites and tempts me with so many alternatives.  There is no other who will love, care and protect. 

I am so incredibly blessed.

 

Moses and Mickey

"Sit Molly, Sit Makena, Sit Mickey."  I was struggling to manage the "Jan's home" chaos.  It seems that when I come home from work, the three dogs compete for the loudest bark of welcome.  It's a stiff competition which has resulted in a few dog fights.  So the pack leaders, Dick and Jan, have designated this past week as "Crackdown".  No excitement and rough play. We are going to master the "Sit" command.

I usually have to follow Molly around as she tries to avoid her submission to my command. Makena is right in front of me so it's easy  to get to her.  Needless to say, it is chaos and I'm thankful Dick has never learned to post to YouTube.  It's the real life craziness that inspires sit-coms!   

On Day  Four of Crackdown Week, in the midst of the daily chaos I noticed Mickey.  In spite of the competition, chaos and chase, he was calmly sitting, just like I'd commanded. He hadn't received a second command, a reminder, an enforcement or a praise.  He was just doing as he was told.

At the beginning of the week, I'd read Deuteronomy 32:48-52.  Moses had just finished giving the Israelites all the laws and decrees with an impassioned plea to take them to heart.  On the same day God tells Moses to go to the mountains to view the Promised Land and die.  God reminds him that he's not going to enter the Promised Land because he broke faith with Him in front of the Israelites at Meribah Kadesh.

I'd been pondering this end of life story.  Would I want to know it's my time to die?  Did God really need to remind Moses of his big failure?   What a downer portion of scripture to ponder!

 Then I remembered Mickey, patiently and quickly, following my command.  In contrast to what I think Moses should have done.  I had thought Moses should have made a good case before the Lord to show his overall pattern of obedience was good enough and God should change the verdict.  He'd served his forty year  sentence shepherding whiners and complainers.  Wasn't that enough punishment?   I would have begged and pleaded.  I would have been like Molly barking and demanding.

Then I remembered Mickey sitting in the midst of the barking and competing of daily life. "Good boy, Mickey!"

Mickey is the clueless one of the three dogs.  Mickey doesn't understand why he has to sit while my  attention is consumed by the females. Mickey doesn't understand the "big picture".  We have not accomplished our mission with Mickey.  He may be the best at the "sit" command in the midst of chaos but Mickey has his faults, a sudden bark that restarts your heart, an affinity for destroying pens and shoes and he wants my spot on the couch!  Yet his obedience on Day Four gave me a glimpse at the future and encouragement that one day my dogs will obey.

We have cracked down on their behavior for their protection.  Those dog fights could  escalate and we love all three dogs.  We are looking into the future and shaping their behavior so we can all get along. Mickey obeys, at least in this instance, because he trusts us.

I need to rethink my thoughts on what Moses should have done because Moses was getting his release and reward.  He was going to be "gathered to his people" and be free of the whiners and complainers.  God was in charge of the home going!  Moses had fulfilled his mission and the end was in sight.  Maybe this was God giving him a glimpse into  the future so he'd finish well.

If God is in control of my life and days, and He knows and controls the big picture, maybe I should follow His plan and enjoy my life.  What makes me think I know better than God?  In spiritual matters, I'm really just like Mickey, clueless.  I have my faults too (I listed Mickey's but not mine!) but I am sure that God loves me anyway.  Others, like Molly, may demand God's attention.  I know that in life's most chaotic moments, God is with me,  asking me to obey.

This week I learned a lesson from Moses and Mickey:  in the midst of life's chaos, just do what God says.

The Circle of Life

"I remember you laying on the floor right in front of the TV so you could just reach up and change the channels."  We were reminiscing with some old friends but it reminded me of the world before remote controls.  In the "olden days" the youngest child often functioned as the remote control.  "Son, go change the channel."  When he was a toddler it was so cute and he was so willing.  As he got older, he figured out the situation and commented, "It's not fair."  The father's response was "It's the circle of life and one day you'll have a child to change the channels."  Elton John even penned a song for a hit movie at that time to musically reinforce the concept!

The Circle of Life.  I thought of that as I outlined Deuteronomy 31:24-Deuteronomy 32:47.  Moses gave the people of Israel a Book and a Song.  They were to put the book of the laws, decrees and commands in the ark of the covenant and carry it with them everywhere.  Then he assembled everyone and gave them a song to remember the circle of their lives.

He reminded them to listen up and learn, to proclaim God's greatness, they were warped and needed God, to remember to ask their leaders for guidance and that God's boundaries were for their protection and not a burden.

Then the song recaps their history:  God found them and protected, nourished and provided; yet the people turned to idols and become enslaved to the false; God became jealous and angry;  with regret God turns away from them; God will judge them and yet have compassion; He will show Himself and ask them to choose Him again; God will take vengeance on the enemies and will make atonement for His people.

This is the true circle of life.  As I read the biblical history, time and time again, the Israelites are  living comfortable, because of God's provision.   They forget the Source and follow the temptations of the false gods and get themselves into trouble.  When they can't save themselves, they ask God and in His infinite love and mercy, He delivers them.

In hindsight I pity those poor Israelites but realize that cycle repeats too often in today's world and even in my life.  Too often, when I get what I want, I forget where it really came!  I follow after the temptations of the world and let the world control me.  When I realize I can't get myself out, I cry out to God. He is always ready to take care of me, even when I don't deserve it!  He, Himself, has made atonement for me. 

I think of atonement as at-one-ment.  My life is really best when I'm on the path with God, at-one-ment. My life is provided and protected when I am in at-one-ment. The world entices me with false promises of comfort.

My straying from relationship with God breaks the at-one-ment I have with God.  Even when I don't deserve it, when I have failed in upholding the relationship and left the One path, God is ready to have relationship with me. He has made the Atonement, once and for all (Thank you, Jesus, for paying  a very expensive price for me.) for my failures. When I ask, He will restore our at-one-ment, again and again.

The world can only offer us the circle.  God offers me something unique, at-one-ment. We may feel trapped in the circle of life but God gave us a Book and a Song.  The Book will guide us and warn us but we have to learn what is in the Book!  God offers us life outside that circle.  Listen to the Song as a reminder that even when we don't deserve it God loves us.

Moses tells them the words in the Book and the Song are not just idle words but they are life.  Living by the words of the Book and the Song will give them long lives in the Promised Land.

God has told me I have a propensity for this circle of life and even when I trap myself in that circle, God loves me and awaits my cry for help and delivers me. I learned it in a Book and heard it in a Song.

Now that's a  pretty Great God!

Life advice from a cutie!

"I'll be right there with you."  My daughter-in-law tried to soothe my sobbing granddaughter as I held her.  I was visiting on "grandma duty" to help out.  Yet my granddaughter only wanted her mom and dad.  While her momma held her, she would smile and giggle at me but the instant I held her she melted into a puddle of tears.

It's no coincidence that I read Deuteronomy 31:23 that morning.  God tells Joshua, the next leader of Israel, who will actually lead them into the Promised Land, to be strong and courageous.  God also reminded Joshua that He would be with him.

In my journal I jotted down action steps on how to be strong and courageous.  Decide to be strong. Believe in the mission. Never waiver. Believe.

Then I read this verse in The Message and there were the same words I heard my daughter-in-law use to reassure her daughter, "I'll be right there with you."  In The Message I am reminded to be strong, take courage, lead the way and God will be right there with me.

My granddaughter could have courage as long as she was held in her momma's arms, clutching the collar of her momma's shirt. 

I will have courage to face the world when I remember that I am safe in the arms of God.  I am reminded that I need to get a better grip on God (just as my granddaughter grips her momma's shirt).  The tighter I hold onto God, the stronger I will be and the more courage I will have.

Thanks, you little cutie, for a good lesson for life.

 

My Playlist

"Two sets of three and a four card run."  A Mullin family song we all sing when playing a rummy game.  When we teach newcomers the game we include the song.  Most people listen and smile with a curious stare.  This card game has a different combination each hand.  We announce it before each hand yet my great aunt Margaret would often get confused and save whatever was the last hand.  She would become frustrated and accuse us of changing the rules.  We made up the little verse with a tune for this one hand.  For nearly fifty years our family has sung this little song as we play to remind us of  Aunt Margaret and the challenge of change.

Deuteronomy 31: 1-22 reminds me of the importance of listening and learning to cope with change.  Moses wrote down the law for the priests and elders and instructed them to gather the people every 7 years in the Year of cancelling debt during the Feast of Tabernacles and to read the law. 

I imagined this year of debt cancellation as a time to rejoice for all those who had debt removed but maybe it was a difficult time for the creditors.  Their income was adversely affected. At times of rejoicing and times of challenge these verses remind me to listen and learn the Word so I can carefully follow it.

God instructed Moses to teach the people the song that would help them in times of change and disaster.  God warned Moses that the people would fall away in the Promised Land.  They would prostitute themselves to the foreign gods and He would become angry and turn away from them.  After disaster and difficulty they would ask "did all this happen because God is not with us?" (DUH, yeah... God has already told them several times what would happen! Sorry I just wanted to "vent" a bit.)  "The Song" was to be a witness, a reminder, to them to prevent their falling.  God knew before they even got to the Promised Land that there would be benefits and challenges.  There would be dangerous temptations that would cause the Israelites to stray.

I have lots of little verses in my head.  Some from the world tell me to "protect my stuff" "go for the gusto" and "It's all about me."  Some from my family "in the span of eternity how important is this?" "that's fine for you" and "careful what you speak, you can't take it back."  Some I've learned from my life experience "It's my choice to laugh or cry."   "I'm not going there." "It will be OK."

What songs come from God and remind me to listen and learn and carefully follow?  "This is not my home."  "HE holds my right hand." "I will never leave or forsake you."  "God knows." I like to have a collection of songs ready to address my needs during change, disaster and challenge because, Duh, life happens! 

Often in the morning I wake up with a verse in my head.  I try to focus on the  phrases from worship songs but sometimes those TV commercial jingles come through.

I will start a section in my notebook, and call it "My Life Playlist" to record those "little songs" to have ready for Life. I will add new "songs" to My Life  Playlist as I study God's word and listen.

Today I, again, resolve to listen to the songs from God. Even though the world's songs may be louder,  God's songs are eternally beneficial.

The Color of Courage

"When I grow up I want to be Edythe."  Edythe was old enough to be my mom.   She wore pearls, ruffles and skirts. I wore t-shirts, jeans and flip flops.  She had a warm and welcoming smile. She oozed grace and charm.  When I spoke she listened intently and always made me feel important.  So if she was leading an event, I was there.  I believed in the quality of anything Edythe was involved. 

I was a young pastor's wife looking for a role model.  Edythe was a wonderful example of a great partner for her husband.  She also demonstrated her deep and abiding faith.  I realized it wasn't her pearls or her grace and charm that I should imitate. The most important thing I learned from Edythe was life was about relationship with God.  It permeated her life and was evident to all.

"Joshua to Succeed Moses" is the section  heading in my Bible for Deuteronomy 31:1-8.  In those verses Moses does remind the Israelites of the good news and the bad news.  The bad, Moses will not be going to the Promised Land.  The good, Joshua will lead them over to the Promised Land and God will lead them to victory and give them the land.  Moses' words of wisdom to the Israelites was to be strong and courageous because God goes with them, always.  God will never leave or forsake them.

After my first read of these verses, I did jot in my journal "Moses passes the torch of leadership to Joshua."  Yet today these verses speak to me about courage and strength.  The declaration to be strong and courageous is frequent in this book.  It seems as though it is a command to be obeyed.

Today these verses remind me that strength and courage may not just be acts of obedience but the result of relationship with God.   The bedrock of strength and courage is my belief in God's constant love and care for me. 

The world tells me that strength and courage come from my grit and endurance.  I've often failed at summoning grit and endurance on my own.  I am quick to admit in some areas of my life I "have a yellow streak down my back."  Fear too often dominates me.

These verses assure me that courage does not come from my grit and determination but from my faith in God and in His Love, Might and Glory.  True Grit is living and walking in my relationship with God.  Courage and strength come from my dependence on The Eternal.

To obtain the Promised Land, the Israelites had to believe God would give it to them and to follow Him.  They lost the land when they started to rely on themselves and follow their own ways.

On the threshold of the greatest gift the Israelites would ever possess, the Promised Land, Moses was pointing them to God, as their leader and  giver.  He knew they would be challenged with this new experience and Fear would be their enemy.  The best defense against fear was to have a solid belief in God, who and what He was, is and will be.

I need to believe and walk, follow and depend.  That is my source of strength and courage.

I am going to think of the color yellow in the midst of fear as my reminder to believe God.

Y es, God is able to handle my challenge.

E xpect God to never leave or forsake me.

L ove God.

L ook to God.

O nly God knows.

W hy am I afraid with God going ahead and with me?