Notes on a compass with no needle

I'm standing in an open expanse, holding a compass with no needle. 

Who carries a compass with no needle?

Useless! 

Carrying a compass with no needle leads to circle-making in the sand. 

Round and round I go with no direction, no aim. 

Purposeless. 

Being tossed around by each wave that washes up to shore.

Where is my rudder? Where is my true north? 

Walking in the wind and sand, I look back to see that my footprints are being filled in as I walk.

There's no turning back, because there will be NO. WAY.

I look forward, still holding that useless compass with no needle. The sand swirling around my ankles. 

Where do I turn? 

What direction do I take?

I'm left with this empty compass in my hand. This useless instrument meant for guidance, but now just a burden to carry. 

To carry me to what? I do not know.

I want to be walking. But, to where?

I want to be going. Forward. Forward.

But with no destination in sight, I'm paralyzed in my own footprints. 

Palm outstretched, it only holds the needle-less compass. No more holding the promise of a dream fulfilled. But, holding the emptiness of a dream possibly swept away.

If I let go of it altogether, where will I be?

The weight may be lifted, but then the dream is really gone, and may not ever return.

Am I okay with that?

Am I okay with the fact that the dream may change, and I may never dream it in the same way again?

Will I be content with just Him? 

{linking up at The Weekend Brew}

eyes wide open: beauty and purpose {day 14}

Leaf

Disconnected from its life-giving source,

beautiful in its vibrant color

it is nevertheless dying.

Yet floating.

As if on outstretched wings,

trusting in God's purpose for it.

Even though its earthly purpose is now past, 

it did not live in vain.

For a season it gave life to the tree from which it came.

And, even in the dying there is beauty.

***********

May I be like the leaf.

Beautiful.

Trusting.

Carried.

For the season that is my life.

Realizing my ultimate purpose;

to glorify God in my body

to rest in my Father's care.

see day 1 for a list of all 31 posts

The strength of the Dandelion...

 Dandelion arrives in early spring,

(before any of her counterparts)

wearing her yellow bonnet.

She brings no insecurity with her.

She is known by all, but appreciated by few.

This does not deter her from being herself in all of her glory.

She's strong.

She knows herself.

She outshines even the more glorious.

Even when others' beauty fades, she still shines.

She never questions her worth or purpose.

Oh, to arrive on this earth like her.

Beautiful.

Strong.

Undeterred by opposition.

The Waiting Place

I watch from this waiting place. 

The air seems stale, like it's just waiting to breathe in freshness and newness. 

There are windows here, but they are covered with haze and fog. I can't see out.

 If I take a finger and draw an opening on the foggy window, all I see beyond it are shifting shadows. Light mingled with dark, but nothing is clear.

What can be good about the waiting place?

Does it give me intelligence? Wisdom? Or just more unknowing-ness?

Does it provide space....

space in my mind to ask questions?

space in my heart to search for answers?

space in my soul to search harder for God?

The waiting place, friend or foe?

My heart will have to decide.

A Prayer for Marriage

Yesterday marked our twenty eighth year of marriage. July 28, 2012. As I was spending time with God and my journal in the morning, this prayer came out of my heart and onto my journal's pages. By recording it here, it's my hope that maybe some of you might be encouraged to seek God's strength and will for your marriage. Our marriage has entered a new season. Empty nest. Our purpose of raising our children is now finished and we look forward to a new season of growing friendships with our adult children. If it weren't for God's help, guidance and love, our marriage would not be what it is today. It is only by His grace that we have life, have love and can have hope for a future of fruitfulness for Him.

Lord, you have brought us through fire and water to the place we are now. (Psalm 66:12) Thank you for the healing you have brought us individually and as a couple. Thanks that you've given us so many blessings we don't deserve. Wonderful young adult children, and a family that is expanding to add now a daughter-in-law. You've given us good health, sound minds, and a vision for our future. We both want to live lives of significance and purpose, Lord. I know that because of what you did for us on the cross, we already have that. (John 14:6)

I ask in Jesus' Name and by His blood that You would release us into the next season in our lives. I believe Your plans for us are very great. Plans for welfare, and not for calamity. A plan to give us hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Thank you that you are in ultimate control, even though we long to be. Thanks that you see all things from beginning to end. You are outside our space and time continuum. I ask you, Lord, from your vantage point, to fulfill Your will in our lives. Cause us to be fruitful and content wherever we are, Father!


Help us to use our gifts and talents for you. Help us not to judge others for what they have, and what we think we don't have. Help us to have an eternal impact on our children, future grand children, friends, family and the world around us. That's what we both want. Lord, only what we do for you will last.

Unify us, Lord, for it is only in unity that we have strength, power and influence for your Kingdom.  Make us quick to forgive each other and others. Give us understanding of each other and patience in our weaknesses and faults.(Colossians 3:14)

Protect our marriage from ungodly and evil influences, Lord. Protect us from Satan's schemes and keep us both on the narrow path, Lord. It is only by keeping to the narrow path of your ways and your will that we find life. Life in all of it's fullness. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Help us to remember what is truly and really important, Lord. Not the externals, but the internals of humility, integrity, love, honor and holiness. Give us both a hunger and thirst for righteousness. And, as we seek righteousness in you, lead us into your peace and joy. Lord, you promise us joy in following you and your ways. I receive that joy, Lord! I receive your peace on behalf of both of us and our family!(Romans 14:17)

Bless us today, Father, and every day. Bring us into even greater areas of influence for you, Lord. Fulfill your plans and your vision for our marriage. May your kingdom come and your will be done in us, and in our family. In Jesus' precious Name and by His Blood. Amen.

A scripture verse that I've leaned on so much through the years is Psalm 37:4-7a. It says,

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him."