The Miry Pit…….His Abundant Mercies!

“I waited patiently for the Lord;
    He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.” Psalm 40:1-2

Awhile back I was really struggling with some issues. Even though I had remained close in my relationship with God, I felt at my wit’s end. This went on for quite some time. One day the heaviness was particularly pressing. God provided me the time with Him and I cried out to Him. I asked His forgiveness of my self-focus and asked Him to take me to a better place in my thinking.

The next thing I read was the verse above. I was humbled and amazed. He knew just what I needed to hear. The following sentences were among those that came after the scripture:

“Rest knowing all is so safe in My Hands. Rest is Trust.”

“My Hand is not shortened that it cannot save.”

“Hold on to the rope. How foolish are your attempts to save yourself, one hand on the rope and one making efforts to swim ashore!”

And then He gave me 3 practical steps:

1. He drew me from the pit of destruction ~ SAFETY

2. He set my feet upon a rock ~ SECURITY

3. He made my steps secure ~ GUIDANCE

Another translation says, “He established my goings”. I love that! No matter where I am or where I am going, He established it! WOW! How incredible!

The issues haven’t changed or gone away. But, I am more calm because of His faithfulness through His Holy Word. What an Awesome God!

Happy Birthday Brad!

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3

I have loved you for 37 years now! You are the best part of my life. The best laughter. The best happiness. The best contentment. When I am with you, everything in my life is manageable. God created you specifically for me and for that I am forever grateful to Him. The love of our years has brought me such joy! I am a better person because of you. We have grown up together and weathered many storms. We are a better couple because of all we have endured.

You are a good man. A very good man. I love to watch you preach and am continually amazed at what God says through you. I am humbled that He would allow me to be your wife.

I pray that we have many, many more birthdays together. From our first in 1977 until today, I have loved you and feel privileged that you have loved me too.

Have a very Happy Birthday!

All my love………….Robyn

 

A Bit of Grace….

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.   Philippians 1:6

Sunday, during worship, I had an epiphany. We were singing Redeemed; the version by Big Daddy Weave. As we sang, these words rang in my soul:

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, “Child lift up your head”
I remember, oh God, You’re not done with me yet.

It was a reminder that I am still on the journey. As unhappy as I am with myself some days, I remembered that I am not the finished me. God still has plenty of work to do in me and through me.

And I breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Then the next epiphany, perhaps the more important:

If He isn’t done with me, then He isn’t done with the Christian that rubs me the wrong way; or the one that I just don’t “get”; or the one who I’ve washed my hands of.

And my exhale was an audible sigh.

Thank goodness the music was loud so I wasn’t heard.

How many Christians have I “given up on” because they irritate me? I know I don’t have to “like” everyone, but God calls me to love in His love. I can do that. But do I offer the same grace that He offers me? No, probably not. Hmmmmmm…..very convicting.

I am grateful to be a “work in progress”. I’m very thankful that God hasn’t finished His work in me. I’m thankful He hasn’t finished His work in every other believer. From glory to glory we all get through life as best we know how. So, today, I have a little more grace to give my brothers and sisters in Christ.

To God Be The GLORY!

Resting til Restoration

RESTING. Resting in HIM through the little monotonies of daily living. Resting in the faith that has developed over the last 42 years. Resting in the good; resting in the bad. Resting when life slaps you in the face. Resting when you win the spiritual lotto. Resting is keeping perspective and not letting life carry you away with it. It is a constant state of being. Resting.

Rest in everything knowing that it has been sifted through the Fingers of God before it reaches you. Rest in the little blessings He gives along the journey. Rest in the precious moments that won’t come again. Rest in His everlasting love and under the shadow of His wings. Rest in His Words. Rest in His forgiveness. Rest in Him.

Rest in Him until the restoration comes. Sometimes restoration takes a long time. Sometimes it comes gradually; at other times it is immediate. Rest knowing it WILL come. Even if it is at the last earthly breath. We will be restored. Until restoration, I rest.

Road Weary, But Wiser

The past 6 days were spent traveling from here to Kyle, Texas (South of Austin); all around Austin and home. The trip down I spent in the 3rd row of seats (usually trunk space) with Gabriel as 7 of us rode together for a true family forging adventure. The little kids were so good! Their time consisted of car seats and “being good” in front of relatives, most of whom they hadn’t ever met. Four generations of Cooper’s from as far away as Washington State gathered for the first time in years to celebrate family and Brad’s Dad’s (James Franklin Cooper) 80th birthday (he is the baby by the way!) Uncle George, 94, was the oldest. Dillon, 5 months, was the youngest.  Of the original 8 Cooper children, 4 are still living and were all in attendance. Six of the 8 original families were represented. Altogether there were 67 in attendance. Thirty-three of those were from James Franklin’s clan.

Sunday morning, Taryn, Tristyn, Gabriel, Jenny, Emaline and I piled into the car and started the long drive home. We stopped in Grapevine for some fun at the Great Wolf Lodge and then drove the rest of the way in on Monday. The drive was rough with more construction than not the entire way; a brush fire along the highway; a semi truck wreck that backed traffic up for miles and car trouble in OKC. So I spent a lot of time monitoring the different levels on the dashboard displays. The trouble in Oklahoma was electrical, but I also was aware of pretty significant oil and radiator leaks. So I kept checking all of the levels. As I was in the front seat by myself, I had quite a bit of quiet time while I drove. It occurred to me that I should be keeping as close an eye on the dashboard of my spiritual life as I was monitoring the Yukon gauge readings.

Low Fuel ~ Is my tank filled with the Presence of the Holy Spirit through a close relationship with God? Or is my level indicator on empty?

Oil Level  ~ Am I bathed in the oil of the Holy Spirit, or is my reservoir dry?

Electrical Warning Light ~ Are my senses heightened to hear from the Holy Spirit at any given moment, or are they dulled by the drone of every day monotony.

Warning Light ~ Do I pay attention when my spirit feels a “warning”?

Tire Pressure Monitor ~  Is my faith flat and spongy…….over-filled…….or just right?

Seatbelt Indicator ~ Am I traveling the road of life safely buckled by the belt of Truth?

I could draw more analogies, but this should get my point across. Every time I sit behind the wheel of a vehicle I should pay attention to my surroundings and the gauges on the dash. Shouldn’t I be as careful behind the wheel of my life every moment of every day?

 

Happy Birthday Trissy, My Joy!

Twenty-nine years later and you are still my Joy! I marvel at the woman you have become. I see the touch of God on you and continually wonder at your beauty both inside and out.

Watching you be a wife and Mommy is such a blessing! You are making your home a place of rest for your husband and a place of continual nurturing for Emaline. As the years go on, it may be more difficult to maintain those goals, but persevere! You will reap the blessings of your efforts.

You are a beauty, Tris! Our little Kansas Day Baby! I love you so much!

Mom

Happy 3rd Birthday Princess Jenny!

Oh how you have stolen our hearts! You had me at your first breath and have captured me every moment since! You bring us smiles, laughter and joy every day. You are smart beyond your years in feminine wiles and already know how to use them on your Papa! You know how to get whatever you want from him! You can both frustrate us and make us laugh in almost the same breath.

You are a precious little girl filled with love for your “babies” and belly laughs when you are happy! You light up every day when we meet Gabriel at the bus stop. Without fail you run to meet him and throw your arms around him. You love to be cuddled and loved. You love playing with your babies. Did I already say that? Let me say it again! You love your babies! Dressing them, undressing them, feeding them, changing their diapers, changing their diapers, changing their diapers!

You fill this home with a strength of love that makes me want to be a better Grammy. You are my little helper all day long. Finally another cleaner in the family! All I need to do is give you a bottle of spray cleaner and a paper towel, or fill the sink with dishes and you are set for an hour or more. You always want to help. And you do not want to be told that you are too little. It just crushes your little spirit.

You have my heart, Princess Jenny. I love you so very much! Happy 3rd Birthday!

Grammy