Bird Poop Happens

                                                 This past weekend, my daughter, Kristen and I made the long trip up to Kentucky to visit my son, Dave and his wife, Leslie. Being Memorial Day weekend, Kristen had an extra day off from school so it made the trip worth the eight hours to get there.

Saturday morning, we three girls went out on the deck to enjoy the sunshine and the nice breeze. This is the kind of weather I like to sunbath in because you do not feel the heat so badly until later in the afternoon. I was content with the calmness as I relaxed and soaked up some rays.

We were laughing and joking about this and that, when something out of the blue happened. Suddenly, I felt a plop of bird poop hit my left arm. It was not to the left or right but slap dab in the middle near my watch. At first, I could not believe the bird, which I never saw, could have had such perfect aim. Then, I wanted to tell that bird a thing or two. Finally, I merely went inside and washed it off. When I came back out, the incident became the joke and our laugh for the day.

 

Later, I asked the Lord if there was something he wanted me to see since the bird’s aim was so sharp. That is when I hear Him speak to my heart.

“Don’t allow sudden negative actions of others steal your joy.”

This has been a difficult lesson to learn. Suddenly, a phone call or friend would come by and upset my day with their attitudes or actions. I would mull over the situation again and again. At first, I wanted to lash back or cultivate self-piety but I knew neither one of those answers was a positive solution. After I started praying, God began inserting this phrase into my thinking.

“Are you going to let them steal your joy?”

When the Holy Spirit said it the first time, it surprised me. I wasn’t sure how to respond. I felt justified in my feelings of anger and piety. However, the more I thought about what God was trying to teach me, I knew I had to learn to clear my thoughts of “them” and turn my attention to something more joyful like my plans for the rest of the day, events coming up or maybe even make plans to visit a friend. Cultivating the joyful thoughts in that moment would be the strength I needed to overcome. Once I changed my thinking, my attitudes and actions followed too.

What do you do when your life is suddenly pooped on? Has God ever tried to get you to wash your mind clean and move on to more pleasant pastures? Next time you get plastered, do not let the negative situation get you down. Begin to cultivate joy and watch your strength arise with overcoming power.

The joy of the Lord is my strength. 

Nehemiah 8:10

The Guest

Being able to purchase my new home 6 months ago was God’s signal I was moving out of Egypt into my own personal Promised Land. I had imagined what moving out would be like for along time. Now I am getting to live out what I had dreamed about for years.


Unpacking, I placed each of my colorful additions in their new locations. With each piece, the house seemed to come alive. The more I placed the more alive the rooms became. Then, the peacefulness in my heart began to flow. In my excitement, I made God a promise in gratitude for not only for what He had just given me but also for what He had brought me through. I promised God I would use my home for ministry. My heart wanted to share with others the wisdom and the home I had gained.

This past week I got my first call about 10:00pm. A good friend of mine wanted to know if I would be willing to take in a homeless young girl for a few days before her court case. Morgan had fled an abusive situation where she feared for her life.  From the moment she came through the door, Morgan kept thanking me for letting her stay in my home. She felt so fortunate to have a safe place to go. We talked for a while about her circumstances and then I lead her back to my guest bedroom.

Over the next 3 days, Morgan and I shared many experiences of how God had helped us overcome circumstances with His principles and with the help of those He had placed around us. As I kept listening to Morgan’s story, I never sense she was bitter towards her abuser in anyway. I was amazed! In fact, Morgan said she had become a strong and independent person thanks to this ugly situation in her life. She felt piety for the one who hurt her emotionally all those years but she was now praying for them to know God too. Morgan was not making this statement because it sounded like something she ‘should’ do as a good Christian but she meant the prayer from deep within her heart. I was amazed at Morgan’s spiritual maturity at 17. I know that Morgan may have other issues to deal with because of the abuse but she is well on her way to total freedom.

Good News! Morgan won her court case. Not only that, but she has been able to maintain an A average in high school and in a class at the local college. She has also secured a new job. Now, Morgan will be able to start afresh with what she will need to succeed. Blessings on you Morgan!

I have dealt with challenging circumstances wanting to trap me with bitterness. And for a while, I let the situations overtake me. However, when I had had enough of bitterness stealing my joy, I prayed. God came in and threw me a lifeline. I grabbed hold and followed His lead. With faith, wisdom and perseverance, the chains finally fell to the ground for good.  Like Morgan, I had overcome was well.

How about you? Is bitterness stealing your joy because of your past? Are you ready to break free from the chains? God is throwing you a lifeline by making His principles available through His Word and by the people He plans to send your way. He is waiting on you. Talk to Him, listen to Him, start the search and allow Him to begin to set your heart free.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be absolutely free.

John 8:36