Heart Burdened

I wake this Sunday morning heart burdened. My prayer list has grown with heavier concerns than normal. My cousin lies in ICU for treatment of cardiomyopathy, a baby from our church family seems to have exhausted all medical treatment for his cancer, a couple I know travels seeking care for a rare blood disorder, a single mom in our homeschool group prepares for radiation.

When the requests feel this daunting, I find myself guilty of focusing on 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray without ceasing,” without noting the entire sentence. 1 Thessalonians is a letter from the Apostle Paul. A letter is not read in chapter and verse, it is read through, poured over and treasured. This was true in Bible times and remains true in our current times of texts and emails. Paul did not text the church in Thessalonica to “pray w/o ceasing.” Paul wrote, “Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

What sound advice!

1. Rejoice always – Praise God for who He is. God is the Great Physician, still seated on the throne of glory. God does not rest. God is capable to do so much more than we ask (Ephesians 3:20). While these attributes are a mere sampling of God, they allow believers to rejoice greatly. AND, so we should.

2. Pray without ceasing – Our hearts should be burdened, for the sick, the grieving, the poor, the lost and many more. We should pray with faith for God to bring healing to this lost and dying world.

3. Give thanks in all circumstances – The most difficult of three sometimes. We have much to be thankful for even in the midst of trial. My cousin is receiving excellent medical care in the best heart hospital in the US. In each prayer request I lift, I can give thanks for something. AND, so we should.

When I pray with new perspective, my burden is lifted:
Dear Father, I rejoice and delight in your ability as the Great Physician. I ask Lord that you would heal my cousin from these heart issues and return him home healthy to his wife and young family. Lord, I thank you for the medical staff providing him excellent care. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Root Beer Float

A clear glass allows you to see each fantastic morsel of yumminess. The scoops of vanilla ice cream packed tightly, the root beer carefully poured over the ice cream to fill every cranny and of course, the whip cream on top is the sign of perfection. The deliciously sweet snack with just a hint of spiciness, a perfect combination.

The sight gives way to deeper thought than big spoon or little? I enjoy a float more when I can see what is to come. I enjoy seeing the full picture. The transparent glass gives sight advantage for every bite to get just the best of everything.

I’m a root-beer-float kind of friend. I like root-beer-float types of friends. I don’t do fake. Even in the messiest of times, I’m a transparent glass to show the good, the bad and the ugly. What you see is what you get. I’d love to tell you that I have some great surprise behind door number 1, but you might be disappointed. I’m what you get. And, all I ask in return is that you be you. You be you in the good, the bad and the ugly times of life. In my opinion, that’s what true friendship is all about.

Think about it: If I’m a fancy glass, you might think I’m too fancy to use on a regular basis. I know my fancy glasses are up high in a cabinet reserved for fancy occasions.

I like friends that have different shades. Friends that have lots of normal vanilla. You might think it’s boring and mundane, but I bet we can enjoy the normal together. I love friends that carefully pour root beer into every cranny. That’s right, they take the sweet and spicy parts of life and pepper them in. They are careful that the sweet and spicy don’t overflow (that’s a Drama Momma).

So, what type of friends do you look for?