humble

Friday, March 15, 2013 (6:45 a.m.)

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Island Princess

Thank You Father,

So many things to say “thank You” for.

Saturday, March 16, 2013 (3:54 p.m.)

Off the coast of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Island Princess

And just like that we were off and running. Well, zipping actually. Through trees. In a rain forest. During the dry season.

I'm not remembering a time that I have felt THAT tired! Beat up. Done in. Exhausted. Thank You for the good sense You gave me to know when to say when and call it a VERY early night. Thank You for the refreshing rest that allowed me the energy it took to enjoy touring the countryside of an extremely 'humble' area.

Humble. A very good word. The right place to start this late afternoon. “Humble: of low social, administratve, or political rank; lowly, working-class, poor, modest, unpretentious, plain, simple”. I thought of my dad's family much of today. Seeing many things reminded me of the few things I know about his humble upbringing.

Father, I didn't know them. I believe them to have been honest, hard-working, humble people. I like to think they were.

Your Word (James particularly) is speaking to me of the importance of humbling ourselves. That I ask You this evening Father. I'm going with The Living Bible translation here Lord which takes me straight into a song from the past.

“Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and sincere grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Then when you realize your worthlessness before the Lord, He will lift you up, encourage and help you” (James 4:9-10).

♫Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up higher and higher And He will lift You up...♫ Lift us up Blessed Father. We love You so much. Thank You for loving us first. Amen.

(329 words ~ 5:05 p.m.)

request

Thursday, March 14, 2013 (6:59 a.m.)

Island Princess

At Sea – to Puntarenas

Awesome God,

This morning I have a request. It's been three years since my mom 'passed', 'went home to be with You', 'died'... Three years and I still don't even know how to refer to her death.

(7:42 a.m.)

My original request this morning was going to be that You would work in me that I would honor my mom this day. Honor her life. Honor her memory. After searching Your Word I'm asking that You would help me honor her in knowing how to properly express her present state of living with You.

Too many times I don't know what I think I know. Just because I think something to be true doesn't make it so. My understanding of Jesus' words to Lazarus' sister Martha lead me to believe that three years ago today, my mom merely stepped into her life with You.

John 11:25-26, “Jesus told her, 'I am the One who raises the dead and gives them life again. Anyone who believes in me, even though he dies like anyone else, shall live again. He is given eternal life for believing in me and shall never perish. Do you believe this, Martha?'”

I believe this Jesus. I believe my mom believed it. I believe she is there in glory with You. And I also believe, without knowing how to substantiate it, that she is somehow still here near to each of those who loved her. I believe You to be omnipresent, that doesn't mean the same for her.

What words would You have me use to express myself? How would You have me honor her on this third anniversary?

I love You so much. Missing her, loving her is made easier by believing her to be with You. Teach me Your Truth that I would share it accurately with others. I love You Father. I trust You. I thank You and I ask You to work in me to bring honor and glory to Your name. And honor to my mom. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(356 words ~ 8:25 a.m.)

opportunity

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 (12:55 p.m.)

Island Princess

The Panama Canal – Culebra Cut

Wow God!

Thank You! I was just getting ready to complain and explain. Instead You reminded where I am and the amazing opportunity You have provided. I've done nothing to deserve this current excursion yet here I sit, awed by things I never expected I would encounter.

(2:05 p.m.)

The Panama Canal - Pedro Miguel Locks

Father, again I thank You. This time for the kindness of a husband with whom I had previously squabbled. Not feeling 100% I chose not to leave our stateroom. Out of sheer kindness of his heart, he carried a large plate of food back for me. Nice guy. Good man. Extremely good man.

(3:26 p.m.)

The Panama Canal – Miraflores Lake,

approaching Miraflores Locks

I think the difference between the last locks and these we are approaching is in me. As I consider the quality of the man You have given me to love and be loved by I find myself lost in the description. The grading of coins comes to mind. There is good, very good, fine, very fine...

(191 words)  

memories

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 (6:00 a.m.)

On balcony in route to Cartegena, Colombia

Island Princess

Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You for sleep, food, friends and fun. Not necessarily in that order. Father, You are so good. So faithful. So loving. So kind.

Memories popped up last night. Memories of a time long ago. I confess, “Dad”, I didn't know what to do with them. So I ate. I came back to the room and ate whatever I could lay my hands on.

Blessed Lord, use these current memories and thoughts and wonders to Your good and to Your glory. I was just about to launch into a list of feelings. Instead I will turn to Your Word.

As it turns out 1Thessalonians seems the perfect place. Paul, Silas and Timothy ~ I can't even keep reading. Each time I begin, tears start as well.

(146 words)

provisions

Monday, March 11, 2013 (5:49 a.m.)

Island Princess

Off the Aruba coast

Talk about an early morning wake-up call!

And of course, how could we possibly be here without singing ♫Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya to Key Largo, Montego come on baby we go...♫

Father God, thank You. The sun isn't even up yet and what I most want to do is thank You. Thank You for Your provisions. Your Word speaks of those as well. The NIV concordance takes me to the Psalms. 132:15 tells of Your promise to bless Jerusalem with abundant provisions. 144:13-15 describes “a truly happy land where Jehovah is God.”

Father, I long to match the description set out here for Your daughters. I want to be seen as a woman “of graceful beauty like the pillars of a palace wall.” Strong. Stately [having a dignified, unhurried and grand manner]. Yours.

Work in me this day. As You continue providing provisions I could never imagine, make me grateful. Oh and look there. Change the 't' to a 'c' and we have graceful. Yes Father. Graceful and grateful, my goal for the day. Thank You for loving us and providing so perfectly. We love You. Amen.

(203 words ~ 6:34 a.m.)

creature comforts

Sunday, March 10, 2013 (8:09 a.m.)

Island Princess

351.6 nautical miles from Oranjestad, Aruba

Caribbean Sea

Holy Father,

Thank You. Thank You for the creature comforts You provide us. I confess to You, I am awed by the opportunities I am experiencing. Food. Fun. Friends. Loved Ones. Comforts. Thank You Father.

Thank You that I get to be somewhere in the middle of the ocean and You are right here with us. Thank You that I have Your Word to turn to. Thank You for reminding me that it is YOU who created all this beauty. Sunrises. Sunsets. Stars. Clouds. Color. Amazing, astounding beauty. Thank You.

So, I originally thought my focus here was going to be about all that is going on around me. Thank You for pulling me back to You, the Creator. The One who created it all to begin with. Without Your original plan we would be having none of this. Again, thank You!

Agog! Right here. Right now. Agog with You. Our Creator! Two verses especially have me nodding in agreement. Father thank You. Thank You that You not only created all this beauty, You planned ahead knowing our propensity would be to worship the things You created instead of You.

Romans 1:25 says, “Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they prayed to the things God made, but wouldn't obey the [Creator] blessed God who made these things.”

That's our tendency. We see things. Want them. Aquire them. And ultimately worship them, instead of You. We look to ourselves. We work hard at being self-sufficient. Thank You for the much needed reminders that our greatest need is to “'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only God'” (Mark 12:29). Oh, amen!

And now, back to Deuteronomy 32:6. The words in the concordance are, “Is He not your Father, your Creator”. The Life Recovery Bible says the words of Moses' song this way, “Is this the way you treat Jehovah? O foolish people, Is not God your Father? Has He not created you? Has He not established you and made you strong?”

Oh, how we need to be reminded! The commentary at the bottom of the page tells us, “An important part of spiritual growth is learning to worship God. An important part of worship is praise. In these verses (3-4) Moses takes the time to praise God for who He is – great, glorious, strong, perfect, just and fair, faithful, holy. We also need to take the time to rejoice in who God is and to praise Him for His greatness. He is the Rock, our foundation for a stable life. His work in our life is perfect. We need to recognize God's ability to help and then allow Him to do His mighty work on our behalf.”

Yes Father. Creator. Maker of heaven and earth. THANK YOU! Thank You for the opportunity to explore the beauty of Your creation. ALL of this is only because of You. I am grateful. I appreciate Your kindness. Your generosity. And I worship and adore YOU, the Creator. NOT all that You created. Help me remember and reflect that this day.

Let me be a beacon of Your love. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(555 words ~ 9:21 a.m.)

omniscient

Saturday, March 9, 2013 (8:12 a.m.)

Island Princess

Father God,

YOU know where we are. We are headed south, sailing toward Aruba. There is land to the west of us. We are curious. But You know! I find great comfort in being loved and watched over by You. Thank You Father.

I'm smiling. I just read about Psalm 139. It refers to You as being omniscient. “ALL-KNOWING, all-wise, all-seeing; knowing everything”. I like that. Because You are omniscient I get to sit back, 'enjoy, smile, relax, renew, smile more' and do it all over again. Thank You Father.

There is great comfort and freedom in fully embracing the Truth of Your Word. Psalm 139:3, “You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment You know where I am.” How cool is that! [What? Get up and go to Zumba? I have time? Really?]

Because “You know what I am going to say before I even say it” (v. 4) I am asking You to make sure the words I use today are kind. Helpful. Uplifting. True. Yes Father, I am asking You to be my guide this day.

Let me truly THINK... before I speak, asking myself if what I am about to say is “True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind”. Make it so I represent You well this day. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(223 words)