In Other Words--Move in My Less

Thank you for joining me for In Other Words this week! I pray you will be blessed as you follow the links and read what the amazing ladies who write for this meme add to the conversation.

“There’s somethin I learned when I was homeless:
Our limitation is God’s opportunity.
When you get all the way to the end of your rope and there ain’t nothin you can do, that’s when God takes over.”
~ Denver Moore~
Same Kind of Different As Me
(co-written with Ron Hall, with Lynn Vincent)

I'm sure it won't surprise my regular readers that I have a few control issues. I like knowing what is happening, why it is happening and when it is going to happen. I don't do surprises well and it takes very little to to move me out of my comfort zone. God has lovingly and methodically expanded that comfort zone over the years, but when the circumstances get rough I definitely try to reign it in.

This past year been one that God has said to me "I'm in control, just trust me." And it has been hard. Who am I kidding, it is still hard. Yet there are some eye-opening things that God has done and has taught me and has allowed me to see in this year. One of those things he used to open my eyes was this book, "Same Kind of Different as Me." It challenged me, it made me cry, it made me laugh--sometimes simultaneously. I walked away wanting to be a little bit like any of the three main characters in the book.

When I read this quote (above), my heart resonated with it. The logical part of me said "but I've never been homeless." God whispered in my spirit, "but you have been ----less." I let you fill in the "----less" for you. Maybe it's jobless, or childless or friendless or courageless (*shrug* it could be a word). You know what is the "----less" that has brought you to the end of yourself. The thing that made you say "ok God, I get it, I'll trust you." I know what it has been for me. Before reading this book, I would have labeled that thing as being a liability, a character flaw, a problem. But Mr. Moore reminded me that it is none of those things. It is instead the opportunity for God to move in my life. It is the breathing space that moves me out of the way so that God can move unhindered by my interference.

Are you at the end of your ability? Do you see no way forward? Have you faced your "----less" and shuddered or cringed? Maybe it is time to embrace it. Maybe it is time to thank God for the opportunity that he has created in your life for his spirit to move. Maybe it is time to let God take over.

Father God, you know the "less" in my life. You know the "less" in the lives of the readers who visit here today. Help all of us to see the opportunity for you to move in those qualities. Develop in us the trust that is necessary to not interfere. Make us "less" so you can be more. Amen.

A Battle Fought, Finally Won

A chronic medical condition changes the way people relate. And it changes everyday life.

It's been that way for my mother. For twenty-two years she has lived with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. For eighteen of those years she has had little mobility, and the last several been totally confined to a wheelchair. She has had round the clock care and has found it easier to simply sleep in her recliner rather than be transferred into her bed. I know that each visit is most likely the last visit.

Last Tuesday night (23rd) she altered her routine. She held her head up for her evening medications and then at ten o'clock she asked to be put in her bed. At eleven-thirty CST (five thirty a.m. GMT) I received the call that she had gone into a comatose state. Her lovely caregiver held the phone to her ear, and I said good-bye. Joyce said she smiled. We hung up.

At eight-thirty Wednesday morning, she opened her eyes. Joyce asked her if someone was there to get her. She looked past my niece through the window. The doorbell rang. It was the pastoral care minister from Mom's church. During the time it took to go and answer the door, my Mom left. As one of my cousins later put it "she fought that MS battle a long time and she finally won it."

Obviously I did not make it to her home in time to physically say good-bye. I did not get there until Thursday night. The last week has been a whirlwind of decisions, family and things that have to be done. The service honoured her well. The time with family was lovely to have under the circumstances. The decisions are too many, too soon. Therefore many are being deferred for a few months. I've returned home to get some things done here. We will return to Texas at a later date to deal with things.

Please forgive me if I am more quiet than normal. Words are not coming yet. They will. Words are how I put things in line in my head. But right now, there is just silence.

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
~Habakkuk 3:17-19~

The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me."
~Song of Songs 2:13~

Hosting In Other Words

I'm sorry for my abrupt absence. I'll write about it soon, but still trying to find the words. In the meantime, I have the privilege of hosting In Other Words this coming Tuesday. The quote I chose is from the book "Same Kind of Different as Me" and is the telling of a friendship that grew between an art dealer and a homeless man. It is well worth the time, tears and laughter you will spend if you choose to read the book. I'm focusing on the following quote:

“There’s somethin I learned when I was homeless:
Our limitation is God’s opportunity.
When you get all the way to the end of your rope and there ain’t nothin you can do, that’s when God takes over.”
~ Denver Moore~
Same Kind of Different As Me
(co-written with Ron Hall, with Lynn Vincent)

I hope you will come back Tuesday to read how God is speaking to me in this quote. I'd love it if you would write a reflection on the quote and link back to us as well.

Have a blessed weekend!