Thursday, April 7, 2011

A New Name

I over think everything...E-VER-Y-THING.  For example, I have re-typed this blog entry 4 times now.  It was too boring...then too long...then just boring again...now I am on number 4.  It can get ridiculous.  Please stick with this one...it has a point!

I decided the old blog name was just too hard to understand or at least too hard to spell.  It had significance (you can read about it in the very first blog post), but I wanted it to be more simple.  Well, as always, I over thought this decision.  To make a long story short, I tried some names and they were taken.  So...I thought about significant times I have had with the Lord and came up with the current title "Whispers in Breezes".  

I can remember going to watch our friend Will Buie play football for Northview several years ago.  It was a very hot night and I was enjoying watching the people around me.  I remember talking to the Lord while I sat there and specifically asking Him to speak to me.  It was only seconds later that this cool breeze blew across my face.  It was the kind of breeze that is several degrees cooler than the actual temp outside...the kind that moves your hair across your face and makes you smile.   I remember feeling the Lord whisper in that breeze that He was always with me.  It was beautiful.  I have always loved breezes.  The wind just reminds me of the Lord's ways...how they are unseen yet always felt...strong yet gentle...refreshing and renewing.  Just a couple of nights ago I was outside with my Katie and we were looking at the stars  and recalling how Isaiah 40 says God's power holds them all in place, His might keeps none of them from going missing, and how He knows each of their names.  The wind blew as we talked about Him and His character of faithfulness.  We both smiled and acknowledged His presence in that breeze.  I knew right then what to name the blog.  

We have to pay attention to the small details the Lord puts around us.  We so often overlook the small things because we are so determined to find our desires met in big ones.  Some of the most precious times I have had with Jesus were when I noticed small things He was doing around me.  Some of the times I have heard His voice the loudest were in His whispers.  Things change when I am really aware of Him...when my eyes are open to see His working around me, my ears are open to hear His voice, and my heart is open to feel His presence however He chooses to come near.  Those are times when I find the most satisfaction.  I really think this is because I am not pre-occupied with my preconceived ideas of how God should act, speak, and visit, but completely surrendered to His being who He is.  I like that.  He is best at being Him - He doesn't need me to tell Him how to do it.  Boy, would things would be messed up if He listened to my instructions!  I am very thankful tonight.  

Monday, March 28, 2011

Convicted by my own words...Really?!

I am totally outdone with myself. I really don't know what else to even say. It has been over a year since I blogged. Sad. So here is the ugly truth. I have been seriously down on myself. I need to get over it and be done, but I just haven't been able to do it. I decided I would blog Friday. I don't know why, but I thought I should post something. When I logged on I began to read the last two things I had posted. Would you believe the Lord used them to convict me? All I can say is "IT FIGURES". I really felt like throwing my hands up and giving the Lord a big fat "WHATEVER", but I decided that would be irreverent, although, quite honestly, I figured He could have handled my aggravation. Without going into too much detail on my ridiculous struggles of late, I will just tell you I tend to forget how much the Lord loves me. I tend to forget that He has a plan for my life and that He will complete the work He started. I found myself complaining way too much (like my kids & the children of Israel I wrote about in that last post). I just get impatient and frustrated...am I the only one? There is one thing I can say though...I like knowing He will set me straight. What in the world would I do if He didn't? His correction is proof enough of His love. I am thankful for His kindness and compassion. If only His children (including me) would show the same kindness and compassion to others, the church - not to mention the world - would be a totally different place. I wonder if it is as hard for Him to correct me as it is for me to correct those I love...if so...it gives me a whole new view of His heart. It makes me love Him even more.