Jesus, Humbled Servant

John 13 tells the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. It was a symbolic act of great love and humility to serve his followers. It was only a foreshadow of the humbled and humiliated man on the cross. He submitted himself to human skin to come to earth for us.

The Philippians hymn says that being the very nature of God, Jesus yet HUMBLED himself and took on the nature of a servant, in HUMAN skin. He HUMBLED himself even unto becoming obedient to death on a cross.

Can you imagine what it would be like to submit your feet to Jesus to wash? Could you do it? A foot washing was done for me by one of my Colorado friends, and was one of the most moving experiences of my life. What an act of love to wash someone's feet.

Simon Peter balked at the Lord performing this service for him. Yet, as Jesus explained the symbolic picture of being cleansed from sin, Peter agreed to it.

The King of Kings came in humble service. He said furthermore that he no longer called his disciples servants, but friends. He comforted them, knowing he was going to be leaving soon to accomplish the work of the cross. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Isn't that humbling? What wondrous love, indeed!

For a Future Generation

Traditions in our household are developed sometimes quite by accident. We are told by our children that something has become a tradition when they like something new. I think this habit of mine has now become a tradition for a future generation. The habit? Going to garage sales during season and collecting little special things for the grandchildren to discover when they come for family night, usually Sunday evenings.

My heart is full of the knowledge that there will be a new granddaughter arriving in August. She has her own stash, through her mother's heart, to collect her little pile of three pairs of shoes this evening. My oldest granddaughter, who is 6, will find a new baby in her carrier to mother alongside her aunt and new cousin. Of course, can't forget about the shoes. For my grandson, who will be a guitar player among other talents, got an electric guitar and a notebook to practice letters and write down stories and perhaps lyrics to songs!

Even though they will not have me forever, they will have no doubt that I poured love into future generations. They will hopefully remember rushing in to find out what treasures I found them. And I will remember the squeals of delight and the hugs.

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Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord...
Psalm 102:18

Vision to see Provision

We took my husband's new motorcycle out in search of wildflowers this afternoon. We headed west and north to Azle, Boyd, and back to Ft. Worth. We found at least a dozen types of wildflowers and had a wonderful time in the great weather here today.

At one point near Boyd I asked him to stop so I could go photograph some Indian paintbrush I saw among the cacti in a field. While I was walking back to shoot them a police officer stopped to question my husband as to whether we needed help, and why he was stopped. When he explained that he was waiting for me to take some pictures of wildflowers in the field we had just passed, she remarked, "Where did she see any wildflowers?"

I don't know how you couldn't see them! Their beauty was screaming to me!

We receive so much provision every day and yet seem oblivious to the gifts that God is providing for us in so many ways. One way to build faith is to start audibly thanking God specifically for all the things he provides. Your vision for provision will improve with praise and gratitude to God.

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Who of you by worrying can add one day to his life?

...and why worry about what to wear? The flowers of the field neither toil nor spin. Even Solomon was not dressed like one of them.

But God clothes the field, which is short-lived. Will He not much more surely clothe you?

Don't worry! God knows what you need.

Matthew 627-30

Light in the Darkness

I have had my eye out for all the regular wildflowers, and have not found any pink primrose accessible for photography until today. I was at a garage sale, and across the street returning to my car I spied them in the corner of a lawn.

The primrose always strikes me as such a tender blossom. It seems very fragile as it is blown by the wind. It appears almost to be translucent in some light, yet shows the veins of life stretching through its petals. These spoke to me of the tender mercy of our God. In the midst of darkness and loss, even to the shadow of death, God will guide us into the light that leads to peace.

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Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 1:78, 79

dedicated to my friend, Karen

Springing Up

I spent the morning at my friend Frannie's. I took a walk around the backyard to see the herbs and vegetables starting in the garden. I said hello to the sheep and went out to greet the ducks. I photographed the peach, blackberry, and iris blooms. New life was springing up everywhere.

Then I spent awhile walking under the mesquite trees full of thorns. They always provide me with a deep meditation and reflection upon the crucifixion. The wonderful surprise, as I looked at what appeared to be almost unnoticeable tendrils of tiny new leaves, was the promise God showed to me of the life after the thorns.

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They shall scourge Him, and put Him to death: and the third day He shall rise again.
Luke 18:33