Hey, my beloved Siestas!
I am writing you from a bumpy altitude of about 28,000 feet on my way home from the Greensboro, North Carolina Living Proof Live. It’s Sunday early afternoon, a day later than I was scheduled to fly out. When I checked in at the United Airlines’ desk in Greensboro, a screen popped up saying that my itinerary had been altered and asked if I wanted to proceed. I reviewed the itinerary carefully on the screen and compared it to my schedule and could not for the life of me tell any difference. I shrugged my shoulders and carried on with my check-in and never gave it a second thought.
I got to Washington DC for my layover and looked at the screen in the bustling corridor for the gate number to my 5:10 PM flight and that’s when I saw it. My flight was so delayed out of Honolulu (seriously?? straight to DC??) that our earliest departure would be 11:00 PM that night and, best-case-scenario, would land us in Houston at 1:30 AM. That translates to a final home-getting out in the sticks where I live at about 2:45 AM. Hmmm. When I checked at the customer service desk to see if there had been any update on the schedule, the attendant confirmed the bad news as delicately as she could and added that the flight was at risk of cancellation and that, if she were me, she’d switch to a flight the next day and run for my life to a hotel. Otherwise I could get stranded in the middle of the night with no plan. So, that’s what I did. My dear and most excellent assistant, K-Mac, hopped on her computer at home in Houston and started finding me a hotel room nearby while I stood in another line to book this flight and waited for the next 2 hours in baggage claim for them to find my suitcase.
It all sounds worse than it was because Jesus stayed so near me. Typing those words, I could almost cry. He is so gracious. I’ll get to more of that in just a moment. I tried to call my man a couple of times before I made a final decision but couldn’t reach him. I hated the thought that I was going to cancel out of that flight and come home the next day without even letting him know in advance. When you’ve been married as long as we have, a few days pass and it just doesn’t feel right not to be back together. I started to say, “When you’ve been married as long as we have, you get used to one another,” but I said that not long ago to Keith and he looked at me glibly and said, “Lizabeth, I’m used to my underwear. I love my wife. That’s why I want to be with her.” And it made me laugh.
The older we get, I sometimes have the quickest shot of panic go through me when I say bye to him. It’s only on occasion. The rest of the time I keep my wits better about me. But sometimes before I walk out the door I touch his tan face, lined handsomely by the years and Texas sunshine, and I permit myself the moment’s agony, “What if I never saw this face again??” Ugh. Even now that wells a lump in my throat. I know I’ll see him again in heaven and throughout eternity but he’ll have his immortal body and not the one I helped heap a considerable amount of age on. And he’ll be my brother and not my husband.
That’s kind of a game changer.
I left Keith a few voice mails but had been in baggage claim a while after making the final decision when he called me back. Of course, he gave me his blessing and said he’d never want me in a car in Houston after midnight and out to the country at 2:30 in the morning if we could ever help it. I knew he’d say that but I also knew we’d miss each other that next Sunday morning.
“And now,” Keith said, “I don’t even have to feel guilty about going to a sporting clay shoot tomorrow.” That right there is vintage Keith.
“Honey, you still could have gone.”
“Oh, I know, Sweets,” he said, “I was going to go but I’d have to have felt guilty about it.”
I laughed. Just when I’m feeling all gushy about him, we get a fresh reminder that he and I are still mostly oil and vinegar (not saying which is which because that depends on the day) but at least we like being bottled up together. Yep. Almost all the time these days.
God was so good to us in Greensboro and so spared us the strivings of the flesh with the fullness of His Spirit that I very much did not want to get a bad attitude about the flight drama and 2-hour suitcase search. I also knew that, once I told Sabrina and K-Mac that I was stuck, they were liable to shake their heads as the wonderful, responsible coworkers they are and think again that it’s not the best idea for me to go alone. This is a loving discussion (from all sides) that comes back to the table again and again. They are so dear to me. I have no idea what I’d do without them. The thing is, I love traveling alone. It tends to offer me the strongest sense of Christ’s presence and often seems to amplify His voice to me about the message. But it can on occasion have a challenging side.
This was not really one of them. I laugh every now and then with Sabrina that no matter who she could send with me, I’d have more travel experience than any helper would by about 20 years. I say that laughing. At this point, I am fairly well versed in the airline drill as much as a civilian can be. And I truly do love to fly the friendly skies. Our compromise is that I go alone on a LifeWay event (like Living Proof Live) because they have an incredibly good and familiar system once I land in that city but that, if I’m heading to any other event, I take an assistant. Of course, all that is more than you want to know but I am stuck on this long plane ride and in the mood to talk to somebody. And you’re the one stuck with me.
About an hour and 45 minutes into the wait in baggage claim, I did almost feel like crying for a split second because I’m so completely drained after an LPL and couldn’t yet see rest in sight. I texted Amanda and Melissa and asked them to press in and pray a smile on my face a bit longer. They did.
And I ended up getting more than a smile. Right after that, the United agent in baggage claim told me they’d finally found the suitcase and it would be down in 15 minutes. It was. I cheered when I saw it, both fists in the air, and the agent grinned.
By the time I got to the curb, I’d missed the hotel shuttle by a few minutes and would have to wait another thirty minutes for the next one. I grabbed a cab instead. After checking into the hotel (at a good rate, thank you, Expedia.com), I took the elevator to the fifth floor, and began wheeling my cute, light blue briefcase and big ole suitcase down the hall. That’s when I got tickled. Out loud. I may have even bent over laughing. Our subject matter in Greensboro had revolved strongly around increasing our time in the “secret place” with Jesus. I had told them that I was exhilarated by the challenge and could not wait to get started into a deeper secrecy with Him. Let me just say, Jesus took me up on it. Immediately. I had all evening with Him then all the next morning with Him. Just the two of us. We ate dinner together. Well, we sat at the same table is what I mean. I think He was fasting. But He was fine company indeed.
(That’s gorgonzola on that beef medallion and the sides are fresh spinach and fried polenta. It was fabulous, especially because I was really hungry.)
I missed Bayou City Fellowship and my brothers and sisters at church so much this morning but, thanks to podcasts, got to have my own church service right there in the hotel room. With Jesus. By myself.
Then I got on this plane, got into the air, put my headphones on and listened to “Crown Him with Many Crowns” (the Chris Tomlin, and Kari Jobe remix on the Burning Lights CD) and cried over the pure awesomeness of this One who saved us by His own blood. It’s always awkward to cry on a plane with a stranger in the next seat touching elbows with you. I opened to the Book of Revelation in my red soft leather Bible and read the passages about crowns cast at His feet and crowns placed upon His head.
Revelation 4:9-11…
And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for You created all things,
and by Your will they existed and were created.”
Revelation 19:11-14…
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses.
The words kept echoing, “Worthy are You!”
It’s almost more than my heart can bear. Amid the brevity of this vaporous earthly life, we will all soon see the face of the One who is so worthy of our worship and the priority affections of our hearts and the focused attentions of our minds. The One worthy of our faith when we cannot see our way. Worthy of our taking the way of escape when temptation beckons us into a whirlpool. The One worthy of gracing others because He has forgiven us at so high a price. The One worthy of counting on when the world calls us fools. The One worthy of taking at His glorious Word.
Don’t you on occasion find it slack-jawing astonishing that this same Jesus seeks us out and wants to be with us? It’s happened to you just like it’s happened to me. If you’ve known Him long, you’ve unexpectedly found yourself alone and lonely only to realize that He has temporarily isolated you just to be with you. And you realize you’ve never been less alone in your life.
Most of the time I accept the thought of His pursuit of us with genuine appreciation but with a certain amount of familiarity. I’ve read it enough in Scripture to believe it and receive it and want it in the worst way and enough to feel weird and worried if I go too long without sensing it. Other times, I’m thrown facedown over the wonder of it. I’m there right now. All of us in this community get why we should yearn and press past every obstacle to get to a place alone with Jesus but, seriously, why on earth would He yearn to do the same with humans? It’s just too much to wrap my mind around sometimes.
“He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us.” James 4:5
Sister, Jesus is hemming you in. If He’s backed you into a corner, it’s not to isolate you but to freshly exhilarate you. He loves you. He’s seeking you out. Slow down and let yourself be caught by this holy jealous-for-you love that will not let you go. We are not just tolerated. We didn’t make it in by the skin of our teeth. We have been planned for and pursued. We are the deep desire of Someone’s heart.
Did you think I’d forgotten why we’re on here today? Smiling.
Nope. It’s just taken me a while to hash out my selection this time around. I know we’re supposed to stick mostly to one verse each 2-week period but I just can’t help myself. Some things can’t be sliced up with a knife and fork and taste the same way on a tongue.
Beth, Houston. 3 When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, 4 what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have given him dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet. Psalm 8:3-6 ESV
You, Lord, YOU crowned us??? What were You thinking?? You have multiplied, O Lord my God, Your wondrous deeds and Your thoughts toward us; none can compare with You!” Psalm 40:5
Jesus, we long for the day when You will split the sky like the veil before the Holy of Holies and bound through the heavens on horseback, Your crimson robe whipping in the wind behind You. Every eye will see Your glorious face. And on Your head will be many diadems.
Crown Him with many crowns.
Awake, my soul, and sing.
Let’s have those verses, you Scripture-memorizing women of God.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Katy, Ann Arbor, MI. John 14:27
New International Version (NIV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Marty Stringer Daphne, AL
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. Psalm 5:11 ESV
Leslie, Sand Springs, For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. 1Cor. 14:33 ESV
Leslie
Wisner, La.
“Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.”
Matthew 6:9-10 Message
Krisitie Nanes, Clearfield, UT
“..in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB
The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,
Nahum 1:7 (NIV)
Lori, Toledo
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or via conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”
Kristie Nanes, Clearfield, UT
“..in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB
NIV
Psalm 18-1
I love you, o lord my strength
Becky Harris, Groesbeck, Tx. : James 1:2-3 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow.
Jennifer Pardon, Richmond Va,
Romans 15:13
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NIV
Rachael Clark, Jersey Shore, Pa
Col 3:23-24
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (NIV)
Beth from Niamey
NIV
Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age and gray hair, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him. – Psalm 28:7 Amp
Joan G, Allentown,PA But You, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. Psalm 3:3 HCSB
Angela, McKinney, TX
Revelation 1:8 (NIV)
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” say the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Kayla – Medellín, Colombia
And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.
John 14:13-14
Elizabeth, Charleston, WV
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NIV)
Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever.
Psalm 86:11-12 NIV
Suzy, San Antonio, TX
Ps 19:14 HCSB
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you oh my Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
tammy van, tx Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation (NIV)
Sarah, Elkhart, IN. NKJV Luke 6:46
“And why do call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”
Kate
Medford, NJ
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Bobbie
Danville, KY
NKJ
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives
to all liberally and without reproach and it will be
given to him
James 1:5
suzanne, houtson
“…My grace is sufficient fo you, for My strenght is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Allison from Cincinnati, OH
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Dianna, St. Louis
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 ESV)
Kathryn, West Palm Beach, “Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” James 1:8 NIV
Allison from Nashville, TN
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.”
Psalm 103:1 NASB
Katie Melton from Loganville, GA
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
ESV
Emily Mechanicsville, VA
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 NIV
Misti, from Katy, “The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
Ande S. Corryton, Tn
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalms 126:5,6
KJV
Beth C, Huntsville, AL
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Colossians 1:18 (NIV)
Shelly
Rochester, MN
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Melody
Myrtle Beach, SC
“Great are the works of the Lord: they are pondered by all who delight in them.” Psalm 111:2 NIV
Elaine
McVeytown, PA
Colossians 3:9 NLT
Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
Tracey Moyers from Loganville, GA
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”
Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
2 Cor. 4:6 NIV
Mitzi from Long Beach, CA
I delight to do your will my God; Your instruction lives within me.
Psalm 40:8 ESV
rhonda
gilmer
Philemon 1:9
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—
Your post above about having some “secret time with Jesus” is something that I’ve recently realized that my Creator has intentionally implemented in my life. In February of 2012, I awoke one morning unable to move. The day before I was a very active mom/wife, who played racquetball 3 times a week, weight trained 4 days a week, had a busy life. Then that morning, I couldn’t lift an arm without grimacing in pain. I couldn’t brush my hair, squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube, raise my leg to get my clothes on. Nothing.
After numerous blood tests, I was diagnosed with an auto immune disorder called Polymyositis. I’d never heard of it and I was big into the health/fitness field, having worked as a personal trainer. Having “googled it”, I was devastated. This was serious. My life would never be the same.
I’ve cried many tears. I still have those days where I’ve reached my fill and spend the day in tears. But like I said earlier, I’ve come to realize that God was trying to get some time with me. Boy, was he ever serious about it! He made it impossible for me to get through a day without spending a considerable amount of time with him.
You see, with this illness, I can’t even go a few hours without relying on Him for strength. Every single movement is a struggle. My lungs experienced permanent damage when I was initially diagnosed with this — and so I can’t push myself much at all without having to stop and breathe from my oxygen tank. Ridiculous, huh, for someone who could play 3-4 hours of racquetball at a time?! My cardiovascular capacity was something I was proud of. My muscular strength was something I was VERY proud of. My pride and my accomplishments were ruling me and I didn’t even know it.
It humbles me that he loved me enough to wake me up, to get my attention — I can’t get through a bible study, a passage reading, without shedding a tear because he has so broken my spirit. I’m grateful for this. I really am.
Loneliness is something that I’ve really struggled with because this illness is so isolating. Movement is so difficult and so painful that you tend to stay put more than anything. And with me being a social creature, this has caused such an ache in my soul. The longing for interaction. For friendship. For others to care. And I’ve quickly realized who my friends really are. Disheartening.
I came across a quote from Pinterest the other day that hit me square in the face. “Sometimes loneliness is God’s cry for friendship time with you”. That’s it. God was crying for time with me — and now I’m having to rely on him to fill that “loneliness” void. And boy is he ever filling it. (Thank God he’s filling it!)
He’s been using you, Beth, to encourage me. I’ve been watching “Wednesdays with Beth” on my laptop every morning — and have almost watched all the ones listed on the site. I’m not sure what I’ll do when I run out! But thank you…THANK YOU…for allowing God to use you in my life. To draw me back to him in a way I never knew possible!
I love you and pray for you!! Thanking God for you!
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. (Proverbs 12:25 ESV)
Janna – GTA, Ontario
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers — the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?
Ps 8:3,4 NLT
Angie
Purcellville, VA
He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
Psalm 18:19 (NIV)
Lindsey – Edmond, OK
Ps. 139:9 ESV
If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost part of the sea,
Connie, Chariton,NKJV James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
from Houston, TX
Likewise urge the young men to be sensible
Titus 2:6 NASB
Willie
Rosharon, TX
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
try me, and know my thoughts;
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 (AKJV)