There's this Tree...

 

Majestic old Cedar... gracing the field along our lake place...

 

Sun gilds it gold in the afternoon sun.

Graceful limbs bow down low...

 

And we think we have fallen just a smidgen in love with this old tree...

Not in the Tree-Hugger kind of way, 

not that there's anything wrong with hugging trees of course...

But...

There is something timeless about her vigil there along the path.

A vigil that our BullDozer man wasn't overly excited about.

As a matter of fact, he was ready to doze her down on several occasions.

We just kept saying no... leave her there.

But that old tree's in the way, he said, a junk tree out here in the pasture...

Shaking our heads, we don't care, insistence dogged our words.

We like her there.

BullDozer man rolls his eyes and points out the scars...

That old tree is weak, will probably blow down in the next storm,

Let me take it out now and save you the trouble of cleaning up the mess.

We walk around her, see where she's faced a battle or two...

 

 

We run our hands over the splintered wood, feel the storm.

BullDozer man is right, she has her scars...

But he's wrong about her being weak.

Lightning and wind have left their mark, but she holds her place right where she stands.

 

Damaged limbs re-learn to dance and graze the earth on their way back up to the sun.

There is nothing weak in that kind of strength...

So, he agrees to leave her be... I think he was mumbling, shrugging, swore I heard something about those crazy Tree Huggers... smile... and every time I drive past those swaying, ever-green branches, my heart sings, just a bit...

 

In life, each of our lives, there are storms...

 

We weather them the best we can.

The winds of fear beat us down, the bolts of searing pain leave us damaged.

Scarred.

We can still choose to stand...

and lift our broken hands up to the Son in persistent faith.

The light of Grace makes us strong to withstand even the fiercest storm.

"But he said to me,

'My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness.'

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness,

so that Christ's power may rest on me."

                                                 II Corin. 12:9

If the storms of cancer have wreaked havoc in your life, may you find this to be so very true... His Grace is always, always sufficient for our needs...  This very weakness we wrestle with is a vessel to showcase His mighty power... the scars become beautiful when turned to the light of the Son.

Lifting you up, dear one, praying for the faith that moves mountains and gives peace that holds you close...

In Grace Always,

                           Jane

Putting on Our Game Face...

Once the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer sinks in and the paralyzing fear and panic settles... and we've taken our first deep breath, it's time to put our Game Face on.

Fighting Cancer is a battle of the biggest kind.  For mom, it was a life and death engagement.  It is the same for most with pancreatic cancer.  The statistics are not in our favor.  And from the moment the diagnosis is made, we are waging war with every tool at our disposal.

It seems only appropriate to sound a Battle Cry...  and this music video is perhaps one of the best around.  I hope you like cats (smile).  They be little and fuzzy, but they are fierce!
 

A Smile for the Journey...

In Grace Always,

              Jane

Hands Held High

When last we left Moses things were getting dicey...

He was raising his hands high beseeching God Almighty for the victory as his beloved Israelites fought tooth and nail against the evil Amalekites. 

 

While his hands were raised, the Israelites prevailed against their enemy.  But as Moses grew weary in the task...think herculean Yoga pose for hours on end kind of task...his hands gradually drooped lower and lower causing the Israelites to lose the "upper hand" in the battle.

 

And then, just when all seemed lost... 2 amazing men came alongside Moses.  Aaron and Hur stepped up the mount, each leaned into Moses, supporting him and then raising his arms so the Israelites could win the victory.  And what a victory.  It was the first battle to be fought after the Israelites had been freed from the Egyptians.  Definitely a defining moment in their journey with God.  It was there that they called him Jehovah-Nissi... God my victory.  (Exodus 17:8-13) 

 

Through-out Scripture we can see that God is always about the Victory and Winning the Battle when his people seek Him.  

 

Joshua and his men could not win the battle alone.  They needed Jehovah-Nissi and Jehovah gave them Moses.

 

Moses could not keep his hands held high alone.  He needed Jehovah-Nissi and Jehovah gave him Aaron and Hur.

 

Aaron and Hur.  A brother and a friend.  Mighty in Grace to see Moses' need and risk all to be obedient to God's call.  They stepped into the gap to plead for the victory of Israel alongside Moses.

 

Beautiful Grace, extended to us through Jehovah-Nissi.

 

Do you see how God is still, this very day, extending Precious Grace to us as Jehovah-Nissi?

 

When one in our midst is in the battle of their life...fighting Amalekites or cancer... Jehovah-Nissi sends a Caregiver...

 

...a Caregiver that comes alongside to lift hands high on behalf of the beloved one.  A gentle hand to wipe the fevered brow, a strong hand to muscle through and encourage, a prayerful hand held high to beseech God Almighty for victory while the fight rages on..

 

...a Caregiver to come alongside and stand in the gap out of love.  And when the Caregiver becomes weary, too tired to meet the need, Gracious Jehovah-Nissi sends the helpers, the brothers, the friends to lean in and support the work being done, a steady strength to help carry the load.

 

Raising Hands High.  For the Beloved.  Beautiful, Beautiful Victory. 

 

And so, no matter, who you are, my friend, there is a lesson to be learned. Whether fighting the Amalekites yourself, or walking up the mount as Moses did, or even finding yourself called in as the support team, Jehovah-Nissi has a work for you to do...

 

Israel was promised the victory against the Amalekites... but they had to go out and fight.  Whatever life has thrown at you, know that Jehovah-Nissi has promised the victory, but you must arm yourself for the fight and walk into that battlefield prepared to give it all you've got.

 

Moses' part was to go to the top of the mount and raise his hands and the staff of God high.  It was the work Jehovah-Nissi had given him to do as leader of the beloved tribes of Israel.  He was their Caregiver.  And if you find yourself in such a role, know that Jehovah-Nissi has also promised you the victory, but when times of weariness come, and they will, let others come alongside to hold you up.  It is a precious work of Grace and Love.

 

Aaron and Hur had the crucial work of attending to Moses' need.  They encouraged him, supported him and leant him their strength when his was gone.  As you travel this life, you will see times when your friends or family are exhausted in their roles as Caregiver...you, my friend, have the awesome privilege of coming to their aid for a brief but annointed time.  And because of your gift, Jehovah-Nissi promises Victory for their beloved.

 

It is Grace Work for the Tired and Weary.  Beautiful, Intricate Design of Victory in Hands Held High. 

 

When we lift our Hands High in praise of Jehovah-Nissi, we can proclaim with the saints of old...

 

God my Victory!