Sweet Sounds From Heaven

This girl just wanted to look at the multi-sliding glass doors that opened on to the pool area. Stefanie called and said any time was good, but they were leaving the following day for a fast pitch softball tournament (runs in the family) and then on to Key West to visit their son, who is in the U.S. Coast Guards. This writer opted to run right over. Yep! They sure are pretty and kind of what she had in mind for the little house she’s designing with lots of help from her friends.

Stefanie was pretty busy and yet had to pack. On the inside she was lamenting about having to take Sally, their 7 month, 5 pound Yorkie to the kennel and leave her for a week. Lindsey and Brooklyn, her two daughters were none to happy about that either. Now, we’re all lamenting; this girl’s been a dog lover for a long time. On the inside I wanted to reach out and help, do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

“Tell you what girlfriend, if you want me to, I’ll take care of Sally in your absence and she can stay in her own home. I live right here in the neighborhood.” Stefanie glanced in my direction to make sure her ears were not deceiving her and made a quick decision to show me how to feed and tend to the youngest girl in her family. How hot to nuke it and stir to cool some, don’t want to burn the baby’s little tongue. The problem was solved. I love it!!

Sally was such a treat, however, this writer quickly learned she could not hang with her 24/7, but at least she was not in a kennel. Sally found every hole in my head. She has the quickest tongue in the East. She got me so tickled, it was difficult to discipline her. She would try to chew on my baggy eye lids, guess it’s time to talk to my doctor. We did not swing from trees, but we did our share of singing and dancing. She always kept her play clothes on. Take your eyes off her for a second, and she’s in it. Yep, she likes her coffee real creamy. Admittedly, it was funny to see her entire little head down in my coffee cup. Her whole face was wet. I’m thinking, your mama’s going to have a conniption. Where’s that washcloth to wipe off your pretty little face? I’m hoping Sally will brush back out and be none the worse for the wear.

Being retired with no obligations, sleeping in is a treat. Not this week. Hadn’t thrown orange juice in my mouth and swallowed it on the run since I lived in the dormitory. Nobody poohs ‘til Sally poohs, just get that straight! It was a stretch, but not one I regret taking. The first day on the job, we went to Gainesville to have dinner with a friend. Wanda has two small male dogs, Max and Chester, she calls her boys. When Sally came out of her pet taxi and saw the two other dogs, her tail was a blur. The boys were tickled to have company. The fenced back yard had St. Augustine grass. Little, short Sally was in high cotton. It was a hoot!!

Thankful for God’s timing in our lives; who knew they needed a puppy sitter. Proverbs 13:12, Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. Stress rolled off all three ladies of the house when the volunteer showed up. God is concerned about every thing that concerns us and He’s right on time. Proverbs 16:9, A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Yes, Almighty God , Creator of the Universe was concerned about Stefanie, Lindsey, Brooklyn and little fluffy Sally!!! She will be my friend forever.  Huh!, and I thought I was going over to look at doors.

Recently a minister came to our church from Montana as a guest speaker. This gentleman was Meek and Deep. It was truly stirring to just listen to him talk. Life takes us in lots of different direction, and if we listen to our heart, were God lives, we’ll end up at a wonderful place, working for the kingdom and helping people. That’s God’s goal and plan for all of us. Listening to the minister, God reminded me of several dreams He had given me, one of them repeatedly. Things started to click in my mind, confirming what I harbor in my heart.

Living in Whitetop with my grandmother during the middle 60’s was a dream come true. Teaching school was a complete surprise, but I enjoyed the kids and we seemed to make a good mix. It was as much an education for me as for them. It was an adventure I cherish now that I’m older. Suffice it to say, hindsight is 2020.

A generation in the Bible is about 40 years. Now, a generation later, it seems that the move back to Whitetop may be on the horizon. Things just seem to fall into place this year, but actually God was working on the transition for decades. Scary, isn’t it when we think that being insensitive to the Holy Spirit could actually thwart or alter HIS plan for our lives. God forbid!

Dreams play a big part of our victorious future. Dreams are often placed in our heart by God and the Holy Spirit (our helper) helps manifest them in the earth. Not just night dreams, but also day dreams. We certainly have a part to play, but what a dream team when God is involved. We all dream, but don’t often remember them. When we awake and the dream is real and still vivid, take heed!

Recently, upon awaking, I remembered my dream. I had just left a restaurant and was walking with a teenager on a sidewalk which had lots of broken pieces and was dangerous to maneuver. Still, we were making progress going in one direction and everyone else was traveling in the opposite direction. It was difficult enough to walk when suddenly I realized my handbag was still in the restaurant. There was nothing to do but return. I’m praying in the Spirit over my bag, which was holding a good deal of money and of course, my identification.

This dream literally wore me out. All these people think I’m creating a new definition for the word, squirrelly. I don’t know what they were thinking, but I know what I think they were thinking. Who’s the weird One??? Well, call it whatever, but upon returning to the restaurant, my handbag was handed to me with everything in tact. Hallelujah! I immediately awoke. This difficult, almost nightmareish dream turned out good.

This dream spoke to me when I pondered it, actually surprised me that it had a good ending. Things can be real tough in life. Often times, it seems like life is just not fair, and it’s not. But, you know what, God said He’d give us double for our trouble. Man, I’m looking forward to a mother load. When difficulties hit our lives, if we’ll just let the difficulty mold us and make us and not break us, we’ll only come out better because of the difficult trial. God wants to break our will, but not our Spirit, similar to horse training. He wants our will to line up with HIS will, which is so much better. It’s the process that is difficult, but without it we are wild and useless.

Jesus endured the cross, looking forward to the prize. He passed the test in the garden, the cross was just an event that He had already surrendered to. It’s not easy to trust someone we don’t see with the natural eye, however, if we’ll just slow down and rest, HIS Presence becomes very real and gives us the strength to endure the difficulty and shine victoriously, glorifying God. Hebrews 12: 1,2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This minister used several scriptures, but one that pierced me was Isaiah 49:1,2 Listen to me, O isles and coastlands, and hearken, you peoples from afar; the Lord has called me from the womb, from the body of my mother He has named my name. And HE has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of HIS hand has HE hid me and made me a polished arrow; in His quiver has He kept me close and concealed me. That is so humbling to me. To read and believe that Almighty God had me conceived, hid, and was and still is and always will be polishing me for HIS mission and purpose.

Making arrows was explained during his sermon; this minister was also quite the hunter. First the branch is separated from the tree. Ouch! Then all the bark is removed from the branch. Ouch, Ouch!! And that is just the beginning. The process is timely, removing all the knots, unevenness, shaving and rubbing until we have a smooth, straight stick. Still it is not an arrow until it is properly balanced. The powerful tip on the front and the feathers on the back, everything must be perfect to use the arrow effectively.

God is working on us, perfecting everything that concerns us, making us ready to be effective in the dark woods of life. Let’s allow HIM to have HIS way with us. Let’s wrestle with God until HE wins. Thank you Father that YOU never give up on us, no matter how knotty, YOU never quit and never throw us away. YOU just keep working YOUR PLAN until we are smooth and balanced and ready for use in the Master’s hands. Thank You Father God that we truly are YOUR Arrows and we will end up where YOU send us. We will live our lives to affect generations to come. YOU will show us things to come and our foresight will also be 2020.