by Sharon O | May 25, 2010 | Uncategorized
Returning to the book ‘Waking the dead’ by John Eldredge;
he writes “The story of your life is the story of the long and brutal assault on your heart.”
He continues to say, our hearts are in darkness not realizing the attacks that are always taking place against our ‘healing’ deep within. As adults we walk around with our souls wounded and not grasping the full and powerful healing of Jesus.
In the Old Testament book of Isaiah 61:1 “He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
We are the prisoners, in a spiritual warfare we are not even aware of. Forces surround us daily and attack our journey as Christians. If the enemy can keep us believing we have no power then he has won. John said ‘we cannot see in the darkness until we add the light to it’. John says our hearts are hidden in darkness and we lack freedom to see who we really can become.
My challenge for us to day is to pray for the Lord to reveal to you the dark places in your heart and life and ask HIM to release them so you can become free.
Jesus said he came to heal the broken hearted and set the captives free and the prisoners from darkness.
I don’t believe he is talking about a ‘physical prison’… it is spiritual.
The purpose of this thing called the Christian life is that our hearts might be restored and set free. John said to make your prayers deliberate and often for the battle for your heart is all around you. If the enemy can make us feel like we have nothing to offer ourselves or others than HE has won this battle.
The battle is for you’re heart and your healing.
Let’s press on for the time is now … for healing and hope and restoration.
by Sharon O | May 24, 2010 | Uncategorized
The graveside service is the final good bye
when someone leaves us.
It is a symbol of an ending to a life well lived.
A brass plate or stone tells the observer who is represented at the grave site as information is etched in scratched out letters.
Mom O’s service was yesterday afternoon in a picturesque military burial setting. The green grass and stormy weather set the mood as we drove through the rod iron gates decorated with flags and military emblems. Dad served time in wars and is eligible for military honors and because she shared his life she is able to be honored this way also other than the gun salute.
She might not have been in a war with combat and battles fought but the war she was in was just as honorable.
We met as a family each one of us representing sons or daughters or grand children who brought meaning to her life. We drove to the hillside where her temporary marker rested next to flowers bent with rain. We walked slowly as we protected our selves from the wind and blustery weather.
Dad stood shoulders bent as his oldest son and youngest son held his shaking unsteady frame up
as he wept for his bride of almost 61 years.
The reality of her death hit his heart hard as he read her name…date of birth and date of death.
Each of us stood in silence as the middle son… began to speak about her life… her love and her Lord.
We sang amazing grace our voices mixed with emotion as the pounding rain deafened our notes against the umbrella’s fold. Before we went to this resting place on the hill pea sized hail pounded the pavement and grass receptive to the force of nature.
Not too different than the forcing of a new life for him now.
We believe he will be alright. His heart along with ours will forever be changed because of our loss. She was mama…mom O…Grandma… grandma grandma as some would call her.
She was a wonderful example of a life well lived and respected by all who met her.
As we drove away in different cars we took with us memories of her stored in our hearts forever. We will miss you mom… till we meet again.
by Sharon O | May 24, 2010 | Uncategorized
A bleeding heart ~ broken and restored by God ~ a beautiful picture of His Love and Grace for us.
by Sharon O | May 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
Our Pastor asked two questions the other day when he was in the middle of a teaching.
It made me pause and take note.
It challenged me and in turn I will challenge you.
He said: “How do you live?” and “What defines you?”
As Christians what should define us is the word of the Lord.
There needs be a difference between us and those who don’t believe.
A difference so vast and so clearly defined so that those who are seeking a new way will know who to look for to where to find it.
Dictionary. com says: define: to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; to fix or lay down definitely; to make clear the outline or form of; to specify distinctly; to describe the nature of basic qualities of: to give form or meaning to: “For him, a life is defined by action”…
Definite means “defined, clear, precise, unmistakable” So is the difference for the observer needs to be so clear it removes all doubt.
It is a definite unmistakable difference.
The question how do you live is not just a question of what do you do for a living, what are your hobbies, what are your interests.
I think he is asking….”How do you live differently…?”
“How do you live intentionally…?”
If we say we are followers of Jesus and HE is the LIGHT of the world, we are supposed to be so different that others will see the light within us.
I think that’s what he is asking for us to consider and think about.
What defines you … if someone were to say, ‘Tell me about this person’…what would others say?
I think of modern day people such as Tiger Woods. He was defined and known as a great and awesome golfer but did that really define who he really was??
Pastor said, “Your life is all about who you are becoming.” … who we are becoming.
It is a process… a journey to a different place in our hearts.
The goal to follow after God and the direction he pulls us towards should be the first thing on our agenda so that we can lead others to go there too. If we are Christians the defining truth of who God is and who Jesus is and the Holy Spirit should be wrapped around us so tightly that there would be no question who defines us.
I think it is a huge challenge for us all.
Lord God,
As we journey through the challenges of our days help us to examine our hearts and examine our lives so that we can say to you: In the morning I wait for your leading Lord …in the morning I rest in your presence. Help my life to be so in tune with you that I become blended with your love and purpose so that it fully becomes the definition of who I am.
by Sharon O | May 18, 2010 | Uncategorized
Continuing in the book ‘Waking the dead’ John Eldredge says:
“As long as we have unhealed places within us, these rifts of the soul, we will find it next to impossible to live in freedom and victory.”
He continues to share, “These places keep under mining us at critical moments, cutting us off at the knees.”
This makes great sense to me. Have you ever felt so confident in something and really sure of yourself then all of a sudden you get blindsided with words of accusations and messages?
The voices in your head slam dunk your confidence as you hear:
“You can never do that”….or “You are not capable”…or…” Why would you even try you know you are going to fail.”
Growing up in your childhood someone told your tender heart and the spirit within you that you were not worthy or valued and you believed them. The damaging undermining words took root and you allowed the words to take residence in your heart and bend you in ways that you never should have bent.
The words were lies you had no business believing them.
John continues to say,”We desperately need the stream of Healing, so that we may go on to walk this journey with Christ.”
My challenge for us today is to ask what places of healing do we need to work on?
When I say ‘we’ I am asking you and I to look deep inside ourselves and be open to what we see.
John called them rifts in the soul, little cracks that allow negatives words or behaviors to affect us in the midst of moving forward. Our confidence becomes shattered and our belief in ourselves no longer stand strong and firm.
Today…We need to claim healing…
the Healing stream of Jesus and the waters of the Holy Spirit to refresh our souls.
Lord help us… to slow down….
so that we may see…
and feel and remove…
the broken hurt places in our hearts
so that you… ‘THE GREAT and Almighty Healer …can heal us.’
It is all about becoming who WE really are… a healed Child of God.
by Sharon O | May 13, 2010 | Uncategorized
In the book waking the dead; John Eldredge says: “When we see life from the eyes of the heart, we begin to see clearly the battle that rages around us.”
There is a battle for our hearts.
It is a spiritual one taking place daily… we are not aware of it but it is ongoing and always.
John says: “The heart is the dwelling place of our true beliefs. The store house of memories is stored in our hearts.” So what do we believe and what are we seeking?
In Jeremiah 29:13
“You will find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Are we seeking Jesus with everything in us?
John says: “Christ did not die for an idea. He died for a person.”
“Jesus came to give us back our hearts.” do you remember the song;
Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me.
It is a prayer put to music for us to meditate on.
If we are Christian with Christ in us we will know the contrast between the world’s values and the values of God.
In order for us to hear His voice, we must listen with our hearts.
It is our choice: to listen to God or listen to the world.
Ezekiel 36:26
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you, I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
John said: “We cannot love others if we are hiding from ourselves”… Lord help us to examine our hearts and motives and show us what is hidden as we develop a new ‘heart’ that is full of love and compassion for others.
by Sharon O | May 9, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today our mom went to be with the Lord. She is having a sweet reunion with her son and baby grandson. Her passing was peaceful, the morning was quiet and restful for everyone. We will miss you mom O. Happy Mothers day in Heaven. Now you can sing and dance with the angels… and give Jesus a hug.
We will love and miss you always.
by Sharon O | May 7, 2010 | Uncategorized
This afternoon mom O rallied in spirit and in voice.
She wanted water to drink and she really wanted out of her bed.
That is not possible she can barely move on her own and to move her much will cause her great pain. Yesterday she said nothing all day today she talked to several people and said to my husband as we were leaving, “tonight I will do it.”
We aren’t sure what that meant but we can only wait and watch as the process of her leaving continues. She did manage to drink water from a straw and opened her eyes too.
We are amazed and I think we are watching little miracles each time she rallies and is able to speak to family. The down side is this is really hard on dad for he wants her to sit up and chat with him and go back to crocheting. I know hope is there in his eyes as he rushes over to her side and pats her arm and says to her, “we will just sit here together ma.”
Her journey of death has not been like any book or formula written on the process of letting go.
She is dancing to her own dance and she is the only one who can hear the music. The dance of death is unique and individual for everyone of us.
It is sacred and holy.
Like a birth of a new baby this birth is just as intensive as we stand by and watch the one laboring.
We pray for her passage from this life to the next and in that process we are learning about life, love and relationships. Pray with us as we continue to keep watch… over our loved one.
by Sharon O | May 6, 2010 | Uncategorized
We are now into day six and the waiting continues.
Mom seems peaceful and not in pain. She is not responsive and seems almost in a coma state.
The waiting has been extremely difficult for us all it is a hard thing to watch and be a part of
but in the same sense we wouldn’t have missed it. The journey between life and death is a spiritual one for each of us. I am convinced after watching this that it is a unique and difficult journey for each person heading down that path.
The family is waiting and praying.
Some have gone back to work and back into normal activities. There is no purpose for the whole group to be hanging around watching her every breath.
Dad is doing alright I think it is very hard on him and sometimes he has false hope that she will return to us and be the mom that he remembers.
Love always has hope in its heart.
He has been her love for 60+ years and it is his story to tell. Yesterday he told the visiting nurse how they met. It was a sweet remembering for his heart and mind. I observed his every move as he shared the story of meeting mom and his decision to marry her. It was tender and the nurse who was listening was attentive and caring. She even had tears in her eyes for their story of love affects everyone.
Mom O has been for us… a legacy of love… of compassion… of prayer and of Faith.
Her bible worn and so loved as she read it over and over one has to wonder how many tears did she shed as she poured herself into the words of the Lord.
Everyone who knew her was affected by her gentleness of spirit and faith.
We wait and we pray and ask the Lord what are we supposed to be learning from this journey of death. For me the lesson has been family love and how it expands from parents to children and then to their children. She leaves a legacy of faith for all of us and we hope we can make her proud.
by Sharon O | May 5, 2010 | Uncategorized
I wrote this a few days ago and have been working on it as the process continues. Mom O cannot respond to anyone now she is quiet and resting and seems to be rather peaceful.
————————
She calls her mama …
it is precious to experience and watch the gentleness. The sweet spirit of giving… of the daughters love.
It is heart breaking to be taking care of someone who once took care of you.
It is also an honor at the same time.
I sit and listen as I am moved with great emotion and watch this interaction between the mother and daughter.
Compassion is gentle and soft and ever so caring. Compassion is warm and trusting. Compassion is hand holding as the questions begin between the two of them.
Mama… are you cold? Mama… are you comfortable? What do you need mama?
As the daughter hand rubs against the mama face now burning with fever.
My husband’s sister…My sister in the Lord… Loves on her mama.
It is precious. It is a Kodak moment only a camera would not create the gentleness of spirit that I am observing.
It is what you do when you love someone.
You sacrifice your ‘need for privacy or quiet or sleep’ for the one who you now take care of.
It is what you do
when you love someone.
How awesome it is that we have hope.
We know that when our loved one passes from this place called home to a new one. We will join them one day and forever be together.
The suffering will be over.
The dying body will be changed and the new body will once more be ‘her mama’.
She calls her mama… four days before mothers day.
Every day right now is mama’s day until she lets go and enters heaven.
We thank you mom O for your legacy. Your love and your prayers for us will always be valued. Your daughter and sons respect you highly. We thank you mom O for being a wonderful grandma.
You lived a wonderful life and raised beautiful children who in turn because of your example will raise children who will learn to honor and love your Lord.
Dad sits near your bed and your dog Abbie too. She knows something is wrong with mom O.
The daughter love will always call you mama. You will hold a special place in her heart forever and always.
She calls you mama and your sons do too. We will miss you mama O.
