Blessed are the Invited!

Blessed Are the Invited

I can't sleep, so I just finished a glass of milk with crackers.  I have loved this combo since I was a kid at my grandma's house as a bedtime snack.  She didn't have fancy snacks like we do today, but anything at her house tasted good to me because of the love I felt there. 

I love to feed people and setting a nice table when I have someone over to eat a meal.  I like to use my best china, a creative center piece and cloth napkins.  I long to hear the ooh and ahs as I bring out my, specialty, lemon meringue pie and it makes my day  when someone complains of eating too much.  Hopefully, they can also feel the love I put into it.  

The King James Version of Revelations 3:29 captivates my heart as I imagine eating or dining with the Lord and there is just something about opening the door so that I can "sup" with Him, that thrills my soul.  

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Because I opened the door to Him when he knocked, I am invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb where there will a beautiful table set for me.  I'm sure there will be exquisite china, a breathtaking centerpiece, and, of course cloth napkins but what will matter most is the love flowing from the Host as He feeds my hungry soul.

“Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.””

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

One day I will enjoy milk and crackers with my grandma in heaven but until then I will ponder the love she had for me and the difference it made in my life.  Even more so, I will think about the love my Heavenly Father has for me and the wedding supper of the Lamb.  Blessed are those who are invited!

His Strokes

His Strokes

We have lived in this house for fifteen years and most every year we have painted the front and back porch.   Each year that passes this chore gets harder on these old bones of mine.  As I sit to do the railings, my legs go to sleep, the strain that it puts on my back causes pain and my hand aches from hours of holding the brush.   At times as I paint the railings it seems I will never be done with them and in my mine I have a hard time imagining the whole thing being done.  To say this is not my favorite job is an understatement, but when it is finished, it is worth it!  Sorta!

I thought of my painting experience when I read about Michelangelo today.  Some say he laid on his back on scaffolding as he painted the Sistine Chapel, while others say he stood on scaffolding with his neck crooked for four years.  Either way sounds painful to me.  Much of the time he worked with no one around him to help pass the time.  How many days did his paint brush concentrate on one tiny portion of the painting, or one color?  Did he have trouble, at times, seeing the whole picture?

Many times, as we live our lives with our paint brush dipped in the worries of our day, we cannot see the whole picture.  The world seems to be painted with the dark colors of sin and chaos.  Dear God, help me to see with your eyes the world with your beautiful strokes of unfailing love.  May I trust you as you in your infinite wisdom paint this world as you look at the whole picture and not just one part.  As a song writer once wrote, "When you don't understand.  When you don't see his plan.  When you can't trace his hand.  Trust his heart."  He sees the master plan!

Praise your Holy Name!

“The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭16:9‬a NLT‬‬

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:6-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬