A Hop, a Skip and a Jump!

“…Do not be afraid; only believe.”
Mark 5:36

It was on a bright June morning in San Antonio, Texas that my “walk” began. Old habits are hard to break! As usual, my credit cards and I took our customary trek toward the Mall. “Something” made me lose my bearings as I found myself headed in another direction. I became aware that my standard trip to the MALL had been cancelled.  I knew the clerks would miss me, but the need to be with someone whom I had missed surpassed the need to drag out my credit card.  (Shocking, I know.) That “Something”, the Holy Spirit tugged at my heart and encouraged me to listen and follow.

Up against bright blue summer sky the steeples of San Fernando Cathedral guided my way.   I had driven by this 275 year old church many times, but had never taken the time to step upon its sacred grounds.  Today the Holy Spirit was calling my name towards this blessed spot. As I approached the Cathedral, my heart quicken at the possibility of what lay ahead.  At the entrance of the Cathedral, a peace fell upon my soul.  Tears came to my eyes as I put myself aside and listened to the Holy Spirit and the plans of my Holy Father. The concept that my life would never be the same as I went deeper in my journey with God enlivened me.  The Holy Spirit’s plan may not be world changing.  It may influence only a few, or as hard as it is to realize, She truly may be concerned only about me as I live for my Father in heaven.

On this life changing summer morning as I followed the sultry four mile path back to the hotel, there was no fear of not being able to reach my destination. As my heart soared I called upon my Lord and kept my heart open to the next destination He had planned.  All I had to do was heed Jesus’ words, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”  I have a walk planned for us.  Let’s put on our tennis shoes, leave our credit cards behind, and step out together in the belief that we have nothing to fear, just joy to embrace.

POINTS TO PONDER*

*Before reading these ideas, turn off the radio or TV.  Close the door and tell your family you will be back in a few minutes.  Give yourself the gift of time to ponder.

“…Do not be afraid; only believe.”

Mark 5:36

As was Jesus’ custom, He was walking through the dusty streets of the village speaking and praying with people on His way.  Word of His healings and teachings had spread as well as  the crowds of people craving to get close to Him.  Among them was the synagogue ruler, Jarius.  Just as he had navigated his way through the crowds to the only One who could heal his daughter, Jarius received word that his precious child had died.  He was advised not to “bother” Jesus any longer. It was too late.  Mark 5:36 tells us Jesus’ response, “…do not be afraid, only believe.”  Jarius did this, and his daughter was brought back to life.

As I “pondered” on this verse, I found my heart at peace with the words, “only believe.”
As I left San Fernando Cathedral, my sacred place, these words quieted my soul.  Perhaps these questions will direct your “pondering” this week, or maybe another part of this verse spoke to you.  What questions could become part of your time with the One who listens to all of our needs?

1.  Have you ever felt the tug of the Holy Spirit on your heart?  What caused it?  Think hard, it might have been just a slight nudge, or God may be waiting for you to follow that “something.”  Are you ready to feel His pull?

2.  What do you truly believe?  Why?  Can others see your “beliefs” in you?

3.  Are the words “only believe” easy for you or do you need “real” proof?  Where could you find this evidence?

Will you pray with me?  Perhaps you would like to talk to our “One,” one-to-one!
Dear Holy One, Your words “only believe” give us such freedom. As we feel Your tug on our hearts, allow us to trust with certainty that You, dear One, will guide us on our journey as we put our fears aside.
Trusting in your love,
Your Believing Companion

PRAYER TALKS

“The Jesus Prayer”

“Pray without ceasing.”
I Thessalonians 5:17

The Jesus Prayer is an unpretentious prayer whose words are repeated over and over.  Effortless in language, but life saving in times when our mind is too tired to pray, our spirit too troubled to sit still, and yet we need to feel the strength of our Lord surround us with His unending love. This calm in the storms of life is unadorned but soothing to the soul, spirit and heart. The Way of the Pilgrim, narrated by an unknown pilgrim, traces his walk across 19th century Russia. Searching to fulfill Paul’s teachings in I Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing,” he carries a Bible, knapsack, bread, and prayer rope.  During his solitary journey, he met a monk with a unique gift for guiding others. This learned man provided the answer for which this traveler had been looking.  The monk directed the pilgrim as follows, “The unceasing interior Jesus Prayer is the uninterrupted, continual calling upon the divine name of Jesus Christ, with the lips, the mind, and the heart, while calling to mind His constant presence and beseeching His mercy, during any activity one may be occupied with, in all places, at all times, and even while sleeping.  The words of this prayer are as follows: Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me!  If one makes a habit of this supplication, one will experience great comfort and a need to repeat this prayer unceasingly, so that eventually one will not be able to live without it and the prayer will flow of its own accord.”

I yearn to have a prayer that will flow from me as easily as breathing. To have the Jesus Prayer be such a part of my very being that I utter it before having time to crater in a crisis, is my hope.  In this way I will always be able to call on my Lord, praise His mercy and repeat this short, heart felt prayer.  Let’s sit together and pray without ceasing these amazingly, comforting words.

“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”

AS YOU JOURNEY

Are you seeking to deepen your spiritual life?  Are you choosing to walk a new path with God?  If you wish to share a comment please send it to [email protected].  It’s always great to hear from others as we journey together.

The following books have guided me as I have begun my life more fully awake:

THE WAY OF THE PILGRIM translated by Olga Savin
DO WHAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO by Helen Bruch Pearson
www.sfcathedral.org   San Fernando Cathedral”

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God–truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:24

I can just imagine the sleepy walls stretching their arms and yawning in ways they had forgotten. Slowly opening their tightly closed eyes as they examined the strange new world around them. Where was all the noise coming from? The home had been lonely for two years. No squeals from the playscape, no splashing in the pool, nothing sticky on the cabinets, or footprints on the floor. But no longer, life had returned. But my oh my, I must admit I hope the walls were snoozing during the days of remodeling and moving. I was definitely on Santa’s naughty list this year. Some moments I was sweet as my grandmas’ punch, but other times I acted like my grandpa’s bull, Amos. I was missing Christmas again this year, and not just because of Covid-19. The busy bug had entered my world and I didn’t have time for Him.

This year was busier than usual. The Christmas carols were serenading me as I sped from store to store looking for just the right color carpet or picking up extra paint. My favorite Christmas channel was on the television with its Christmas movies of love and hot chocolate, as I clicked away ordering presents on my computer, but the Holy days weren’t quite sinking in. 

The kids were coming Christmas day and it would be our first party in our new home. I was so excited as I cooked and decorated, yet dear Jesus was not in his crib in the stable. He was not close by, the stuff was, but I just kept ignoring the “Reason for the Season.” I had more Santas on display this year than nativities. That’s impossible at our house, but my baby Jesuses were in some mystery box and I just didn’t have the time to find them. It’s Jesus’ day, the Holy’s time, and I’m usually blessed to go along for the wonderful ride, but not this year. I was missing Christmas. I didn’t see any Advent services, hear Christmas choirs, or listen to inspiring sermons. I was busy, oh so very busy.

After the house became quiet again, and all the loves of our life left, the peace descended where joyful craziness had once been.  Full of expectations, as I glanced through the pictures taken I was blessed to be shown I was mistaken. 

Traditions acknowledged every moment with the Saviour, and He was in the middle of the joy, laugher, prayer and fun. He was there even though I didn’t have my morning prayers. He was there when we couldn’t go to church on Christmas Eve. He was in the midst of the TV service, we watched, it wasn’t the same, but Jesus knew He was still in the middle of my world. As I read Luke 2, the grand babies hung their verse on the tree, until Jesus birth hung before us among the sparkling lights, just like the stars that shone over the stable in Bethlehem. I could see Jesus among us. We all held our breaths when we let the “littles” hold their own candle as we sang Parker’s request, Feliz Navidad and closed with Martha’s Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I held out for Away in the Manger while we were blowing out the candles. Once again, our precious One was showing me His unconditional love.

Our house put on a new self as we painted and spruced it up and awakened it to an exciting new world. Ash Wednesday is February 17 , and with it a chance to live an intentional life for Him. I sure don’t want to get on the Easter Bunny’s naughty list. I want to get my “virtual” ashes on my forehead, say my Lenten prayers for 40 days, and be there when Jesus rises among us. So on Easter morning, I won’t have missed a thing, and my nature will be made new. Blessings in the name of Christ who is behind us, with us, and in the days to come.

You know this story I just shared with you is my story, not yours because we all have our own.  But if you were touched or moved by something I wrote and the Lord tapped you on the shoulder I’m thankful, if not thanks for following along.

Why don’t we ponder some thoughts that came to my mind.

Points to Ponder:

1. Have you ever missed God??

2. Has God ever surprised you?

3. What is your reason for the Christmas and Lenten season?

Pray with me: I love you Lord. You hold my hand as I w all through the busiest of days. You are there when I don’t even realize it. Only you can open the paths for me precious One. I’m slowing down just to be with you.

 I hope you’ll be my walking partner as I navigate my way through a life of whimsy, grace, and a lot of love for our Savior. You can read about my adventures on this blog, Wandering the Path, or if you’d rather, join me on my podcast Wandering the Path with Debi. 

And remember, as my Auntie used to say, “No matter how bumpy the journey, your path has already been cleared.”

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