by Sharon O | Mar 26, 2015 | Uncategorized
The days were moving closer for Jesus and for his ministry to end.
He knew those who learned to follow and walk with him, would experience the darkness of spirit and sadness of soul, when seeing him on the cross.
I imagine the heaviness of heart weighed him down.
He was God, and man fully capable to be both in the same body.
He still felt our feelings. He still felt our sorrow.
He still felt our deep sense of being alone.
When he was in the room with the disciples, breaking the bread with them and sharing the wine.
He knew he would be leaving them soon. They had to have felt his heavy heart and different mood.
Have you ever spent time with someone who had a heavy heart and a ‘quiet countenance?’
Yeah I have and it is a bit ‘unsettling.’
Jesus was in that ‘mindset’ of pulling in yet trying to minister to them.
He knew Judas would betray him, in fact he told him he would.
Luke 22:21 Jesus said, “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. For it as been determined that the son of man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.”
The disciples could not fully understand what he was staying.
How could they? I am not even sure Judas understood it.
It is hard to watch someone you love leave. The disciples were sure he wasn’t leaving for good.
They could not take in to their ‘hearts’. Denial is good for a season when someone we love is very ill.
Denial was also good for the disciples.
For they were about to learn a lesson about emotions and commitment and promises, that would follow them for a lifetime.
They were all sure they would stay with Jesus through anything that might take place.
How shallow were they to think that was possible.
When we know someone is ill or dying, we do what we can to grab onto the hope of keeping them here.
I am sure the disciples thought ‘if he was leaving’ he wouldn’t go far.
It had to have been really hard for all of them.
When we know the middle of the story we can understand it better.
The beginning of his life was Christmas, then he grew into a young man, and then the day came for him to became ready to show his ‘spiritual side’, when he did signs and wonders and told stories in parables for a few to understand.
Those who who followed him learned to love him.
When he said to them he was leaving, I believe the wall of their hearts went up and they quit listening.
We can’t blame them. No one wants to say good bye to a loved one.
Denial is a part of death we rarely hear about.
But it’s real and it’s necessary to process the loss that is to come.
I am sure the days following Jesus death the disciples talked about what he told them.
It’s like when you reach for the phone to call your loved one only to realize, you can’t.
You remember and move back into the times of sharing and memories and you wish so much for them to come back to you just one more time, with heaviness of heart, you remember.
by Sharon O | Mar 22, 2015 | Uncategorized
Before Jesus death he had been preparing the disciples the time would come when he would be leaving and going away from them.
They really didn’t fully understand what he was telling them, and I would imagine his patience was tested a time or two by their behavior when he taught them so often only to have them not understand.
There was one specific time when Jesus focused on Peter.
Knowing his heart already, Jesus desire was to not only test his heart response but to teach him.
Remembering when he was in the garden and he was being real with them and asked for some support from them, “stay up with me and pray.”
When he returned he found them sleeping and not supporting him at all.
It must have been a lonely place for him, emotionally.
Jesus was very much aware of the agony of the cross and his heart and spirit was weighted heavy with the knowing, of the flogging, the torture, the weight of the wooden cross he would carry and most of all the isolation and separation from his Father.
I imagine his heart was heavy when he looked at the disciples who he had learned to love and knew he must say good-bye.
He focused on Peter one evening and said to him,
“Peter you will deny knowing me three times after my death.”
Upon hearing this Peter flat out disbelieved him. He said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even die with you.”
Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
Now we can’t blame Peter for being brave and promising.
Wouldn’t we all say the same?
I won’t ever deny you Lord, yet when the pressure comes and we are asked the question.
If our answer would mean life or death to us, what would we all say?
It is a very fair question to sit with.
As we move closer to the Easter story let us challenge ourselves to think of our response.
by Sharon O | Mar 21, 2015 | Uncategorized
The word prompt for this Friday is: Real
You write for five minutes with no editing and no over correcting.
Real:
Dictionary.com said real is something that is true, it actually exists.
This goes with my last blog writing about Jesus.
He was real from the moment in time before he was born as a baby, and then grew into the man he became at age thirty three when he was at the end of his ministry.
He was real. Not an imaginary figure that we talk about and read about in story books.
He was real. A savior. God’s Son.
He really did exist and it really was a special moment in time.
I think it brings me a lot of comfort to know he was who he said he was and the fact that he loved us, no matter how we treat him or disbelieve him. He loves with an open heart and mind.
I have been thinking a lot about friendships lately.
The real ones I have. I am by nature not a fake type person.
If you met me in ‘real time’ hopefully you would see me as I am.
There is no pretense or fake appearance. I am who I am.
I desire real friendships. Relationships who can be real with each other.
Also within that reality we might have to say something strong or truthful or even discerning, so that other person can realize, ‘this is an issue.’
Jesus did that. He told it like it was. He did not mince words or try to not hurt feelings.
He believed in the process of change and he loved to change lives as he saw they needed to be changed.
He was real and he was honest and he was compassionate.
The word for the day is real.
Let us do our best to do that and be that with each other.
When someone asks you,”how are you?” maybe today is the day
to finally say, “Not so good can you talk and pray with me?”
by Sharon O | Mar 20, 2015 | Uncategorized
When I think of the story of Easter it is not so warm and fuzzy as the Christmas story.
Where Mary labored during the journey to Bethlehem, with Joseph walking the donkey beside her thinking long and hard about the new life they would be making together.
Where the angels helped bring the story to life telling each player about hope to come.
The Christmas story had so many key people involved, each were critical to the prophecy of the story.
A baby would be born, his mother would be Mary and He would save his people from their sins.
It was all pre-ordained since the beginning of time, from the Old Testament to the New.
God planned it and it had to happen exactly the way it happened.
The Easter story is not too much different.
It is filled with a mixture of joyous jubilee, on Psalm Sunday and then quickly turned into a brutal ‘murderous death’ and Crucifixion.
It is also about relationships.
If you follow the life of Jesus, he met with and knew many people and loved deeply.
It was all a part of the whole picture. The story of Jesus.
So many people were involved in the scenes that created the Easter story, just like the Christmas story.
God involved people, just like you and me.
He could have done it differently but he didn’t make that choice.
It was purposeful and powerful to finish the story in this dramatic way, so we would understand as much as we can and believe deep within our hearts his love for us.
As we read in the word about the events leading up to the day of Crucifixion, we read that Jesus was deeply moved and emotionally torn, just as any of us would be feeling when death is near.
In the garden we find him withdrawing and prayerful.
He had been preparing them for the last few days that death was pending for him, and even though he was God in the spiritual sense, he was also man on the personal level.
No one wanted to be crucified. It was torturous and brutal.
It was humiliating and horrible. It was terrifying and painful.
In Luke chapter 22:39 the word tells us Jesus struggled in vs 41:
He walked away about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup from me.
Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief.
He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? get up and pray so you will not give in to temptation.”
The journey to follow was his journey.
He knew it would be hard and he also knew it must happen.
He also knew at a time of great stress some would walk away from him.
I often wonder how he stayed so strong and firm, but I also know it was the power within him being restrained. The reason for his birth was in full preparation for his death.
It was all in the master plan.
I often wonder what the disciples thought about as they remembered the scenes and the memories shared with him. Just as we do the same when we lose someone we love, we often look back and remember the fond moments we spent with them.
Remembering the conversations shared.
The tender moments of friendship and memories treasured.
Do you suppose they remembered Jesus in that way?
I think they had a combination of fond memories and deep regret.
He told them over and over he would be leaving them soon.
And they never really got it.
by Sharon O | Mar 16, 2015 | Uncategorized
It was thirty seven years ago… our son was three years old and looking forward to being a big brother.
I was so glad the new baby came later than his birthday, as he really wanted his party first and even though she came early it was after his big day of turning three and becoming a big boy.
Six days later I delivered a beautiful baby girl, after four hours of labor.
She was five pounds and a few ounces and very tiny, with a sweet round head and darker hair than I ever imagined. I had to have an emergency C-section because she was in the wrong position.
It was fine with me as long as we were both fine and healthy.
We named her Sarah Kathleen meaning “Princess, dear to my heart.”
She changed our family of three to four and immediately brought so much completion to our family.
We were young and didn’t really know what we were doing with two little ones, but we managed and we grew together as a family.
Sweet baby bringing so many sweet memories.
So long ago.
We have been so blessed to watch her grow from a little girl,
to a young girl, to a teen and than to a mom.
It is both amazing and a blessing to say, “Happy 37th birthday,”
God gave us a beautiful daughter, a sister for her brother,
and years later a mommy to her beautiful daughters.
A tiny daughter was born to you, then twins joined your world.
They all were preemies, Faith was 2 lbs 11oz and Hannh and Alexis
were 4.6 and 4.10 all were so tiny and so precious.
Three sisters hand in hand walking together in this journey you provided for them.
A daughter was born.
Then three more joined the story.
The circle of life continues and we rejoice in their beauty.
We are proud of all of you.
I am proud to be your mom, and especially proud to be their grandma.
We will always be here for you and always remind you how much God is blessing you.
A daughter was born and we are so very thankful.
by Sharon O | Mar 16, 2015 | Uncategorized
Our grand daughter Faith Elizabeth got baptized today.
It was sweet. Of course grandma cried.
She looked so happy and peaceful and so cute.
Her dad was there, her mom was there and of course grandpa and I.
She is almost age sixteen which is an ideal time in her life to make important decisions like, following Jesus.
I am proud of her and have been praying for her since she was pre-born.
Then as a tiny two pound intensive care baby, I prayed.
Then as a little one growing up, I prayed.
She has always had a heart for the Lord.
I do believe teens have influence over other teens.
She invited six to eight young people to youth group, and asked her grandpa to be the driver picking them all up in time for the youth group session.
They all came, because she asked and because teens are looking for something positive and real, and people who care for them.
We have prayed for her for the longest time.
One time when she was a tiny one, around age two we witnessed an outside baptism and she watched each young person get in the tub and then be baptized. After a dad had baptized his two children, she stood up in the chair and yelled with her tiny ‘little girl voice’,
“Do it again, God’s in the water.”
Yes she has always had a heart for the Lord and we could not be any more proud.
Such a sweet proud moment for grand parents.
by Sharon O | Mar 11, 2015 | Uncategorized
My son… turned 40 yesterday.
I said 40… wow I cannot believe it is here.
I turned 60 in December so it is true.
We were young, inexperienced parents barely out of our teen years.
I so remember the first time holding this tiny little boy.
I didn’t know what to do.
I loved and cuddled and sang and rocked.
His daddy wasn’t really sure either.
Pretty scary for first time parents.
To realize you are the key people in the life of this one tiny baby boy.
Christopher you are and have been always a blessing to us.
You amazed us with your joy, your sweetness and your ability to keep us very busy.
I sewed that shirt you were wearing, your dad had one too.
Yep dad and son look alike outfits, too cute.
You had a huge vocabulary by the time you were age three.
You talked and talked and talked, and sang and entertained us always.
Today you are 40.
I am proud of you, and I am so blessed to be your ‘mom’.
Our Son…
A uniformed officer.
A son, a brother, a husband and father of three little boys.
Happy Birthday Son… you make us very proud.
by Sharon O | Mar 8, 2015 | Uncategorized
The rule is to write with no editing or over processing for five minutes.
The word given was gather.
Matthew 23:37
“how often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Dictionary. com says gather is to: to pick up piece by piece, to scoop up or collect or accumulate.
When we think of the word gather it doesn’t sound too important yet in the Bible it is mentioned two hundred and sixty nine times.
That is pretty impressive.
What do you think of when you hear the word?
Gather, collecting together. The image of a mother hovering over her babies suggests protection, and safety.
That is what God is trying to tell us here.
We gather together to be safe, unified and to be less alone.
I think of the word in an old song we used to sing, “we gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing.”
It is a hymn and a wonderful little tune.
The first part of the Matthew verse has “Oh Jerusalem.” God addressing the people.
The verse seems so fitting right now with the unrest and disharmony over in the land of God’s people.
Many wars and rumors of wars. God is asking a coming together. In safety and in protection.
The verse could also imply we refuse to move and draw near to him.
In order for someone or something to gather, within a group there must be co-operation.
The verse said, “you were not willing.”
That is a powerful line as I cannot imagine telling God, the maker of everything, No, I don’t want to.
Sometimes our independence can cause us great harm or even death if we don’t listen to the warning.
Let us choose with a ‘firm decision to encourage each other,”
Let us choose to gather together in prayer and in compassion.
Let us gather together to ask his blessing over all that we do.
by Sharon O | Mar 4, 2015 | Uncategorized
No these are not blooming yet in our yard but the weather has been incredibly warm in fact the weather man has stated we might even be getting a seventy degree day soon.
I am not ready for this warmth. Although it is nice.
We didn’t really have a cold winter and you know how bad the bugs are going to be since they didn’t get frozen during the cold spell?
Yeah I am not sure I will enjoy it.
Spring is pretty. It is cheerful.
It is almost my favorite time of year as it creates beauty and newness all around as leaves and buds are forming new ‘flowers’.
I say almost because my most favorite time of the year is the fall.
Now you can see the dead fall like ‘leaves’ begin to bloom into a new blossoms, daffodils are emerging from cold and damp grounds along with the crocus bulbs.
I remember as a young person one house we used to always drive by had placed the crocus bulbs in the context of the words, “It’s spring”. So when they bloomed one could see and read those words.
It’s spring where new life is taking place and birds begin to build nests and baby lambs are born.
Found this photo on google as a free stock photo and it shows so much sweetness.
Spring really shouldn’t be here yet, it seems way too soon for bulbs growing and baby animals being born.
I love the awakening from the dark of the earth to the fresh sunny skies of blue and soft clouds.
The master plan of our master gardener created seasons for life and abundance,
after a time of winter rest and darkness.
Just as our hearts and souls need the rest in winter, and a time for hunkering down under blankets, good books and hot cups of coffee.
We also need the freshness spring brings with new awareness that life again begins at a new level.
That hope of new adventures and experiences will take place and we will be warmed by the warmth of the sun and crisp breezes.
I am not ready for this warmth but I am ready for some change.
While we watch flowers growing and little lambs with wobbly legs, let us be reminded that we are in a new season for a new time and hope brings a new sense of anticipation.
Are you anticipating anything fun or exciting in this season of change? Spring is almost here.
Let us wait with great patience for new adventures to begin.
by Sharon O | Feb 27, 2015 | Uncategorized
My husband is getting better slowly.
Recovering from major surgery is always hard on the body.
It is challenging on many levels.
He has done well within the midst of a few set backs… he is back to work part time.
He is also driving now, which I am sure he is happy about.
Any time we recover from any trauma it is a hard painstaking journey.
Physically and mentally it is a relearning of what was once ‘easy’.
A full knee replacement requires a major ‘amputation’ of the leg on the upper and lower with a knee removal, then a new knee is fitted in and around the old ‘space’.
The doctor has done many and knows what he is doing but it still sounds awful.
Yes it sounds horrible and the scar is really rough it is close to 14 inches long.
He was bruised from hip to ankle then we had a trip to the ultrasound room for blood clot checks.
We all know how serious that is.
His surgery was on January 20th and he is very tired.
We both are and it has been draining and hard and worrisome for me, to watch him struggle to stand, then walk and navigate the stairs going up to our room.
He is getting better slowly.
He is trying to do what the doctor tells him and yet they might have to go in for more ‘adjustment’.
Meaning he will be knocked out with loopy drugs and they will realign the leg and shake loose the tightness.
It has been hard. One step forward and then a few back.
Some day we will look back on this and know it was worth it.
For now we are not over this ‘recovery hump.’
