El Roi

The God who sees.

It’s so often used as a threat and a stick with which to wield condemnation, casting aspersions to make us recoil with discomfort, imagining a God waiting with relish to observe what sin we may indulge in today, taking note of our faults then calling us to account. It exudes negativity and the need for punishment.

If the seeds of bitterness hadn’t already taken ahold then the looming threat of ‘God can see you’ would certainly fertilise and assist their growth! A sense of self repulsion / never being good enough would add to possible doubt and anger ... how on earth can I live in a spiritually acceptable way?

That’s not my God! It’s certainly not the characteristic of a truly loving father.

Of course I’m not refuting the fact that God is all knowing and all seeing in that He does indeed see and know our sin. However he takes no delight in that, it grieves him. His desire is to forgive it and to wipe it away with no recourse or dredging it back up again.

My God is full of tender compassion and loving kindness, willing to save anyone who looks to him and cries out for help. He sees, yes he sees … he sees the broken heart; he sees the loneliness; he sees the suffering, the grief and pain; his heart breaks too … he sees those innermost struggles and anxieties; he sees the doubt, the shame, the fear … he sees the weakness; he sees the vulnerability; he sees the cruelty and he sees the caving in to temptation. He sees to the deepest depth of your heart and soul … and he loves. He loves so much. When hurt in the worst way possible, when you have no ounce of self respect left, when you even doubt his presence … yes even then he adores you. To him you are most precious and of great value and worth. 

He sees you right now exactly where you are and he cares. He cares about those momentary stresses and the tiredness which the cares of the day have led to. He sees and understand the nervousness about the next step in your life and your struggle with patience. He understands the complexities of mental health and addiction. He knows and he sees it all.

Hagar was used and then discarded. A single mother alone with a child, abandoned, frightened and facing a slow death, but God saw her (Genesis 21). He protected and provided when no one else was around.

Jesus sought out individuals and noticed those who were invisible or insignificant to others, even those who were hated by the majority (like Zacchaeus). Each one precious to him (the man at the pool of Bethesda), each one seen and known (the woman with the bleeding disorder). It didn’t mean there weren’t problems in life but it did (and does) mean that he is with us in them … now that’s a pretty wonderful and reliable hand to hold.

We are fully known and unconditionally loved! ❤️

Nothing you have done is irredeemable.

I stumbled across the most relevant song, beautifully written and sung by Kathie Lee Gifford and Nicole C Mullen, please take a listen … 'The God Who Sees':

https://youtu.be/l6sX4Vw8mx0

I am so glad that God sees me. No matter that there are millions of other people on the planet … he sees me … and he sees you. It’s like the warmest embrace and most reassuring security you could ever imagine or wish for.

Ingrid x

Weeds 🍃

Tend the garden of your heart and soul.

I have a garden. I love it, truly I do.

I wrote in a previous blog post about gardening (Sept ‘21), how that I was struck by considering how God created a garden, not just speaking it into being, but planting it (Genesis 2v8) … it’s as though He actively took part in the planting and design of it, especially for his new human friends.

Today I’m rather more taken up with weeds! More specifically this one … “Ground elder is a herbaceous, perennial plant. It spreads via rhizomes (underground stems), which can regenerate from just a tiny fragment left in the ground … ground elder can easily creep in from a neighbouring garden or nearby wasteland. It can also be unknowingly introduced with new plants if pieces of its fleshy, white rhizome are hidden within the compost of the rootball or are tucked away among the roots of the plant.” (RHS)

I call it a weed but it is in fact a plant. There’s no stopping it! It’s taking over my borders and infringing upon anything within its underground rhizome reach. It would take dedicated time every day to get on top of it, or to just poison the whole garden, killing everything then starting from scratch (not too desirable or environmentally friendly). However, if I had been here when the first one crept over from the neighbors garden and had carefully dug it up, roots and all, then fastidiously watched out for the next one and proceeded with the culling process, I would have protected my garden and not have the huge influx which I now face. I inherited the ‘problem’ as the ground elder was already rather happily established when I purchased the property but the principle of careful maintenance and awareness of spread still applies.

So many distractions, excuses, good works and seeing the needs in others can take our focus from the weeds spreading in our own spiritual lives. Subtly, under the surface, creating a invasive root system which then presents above the surface as something ugly. Discretion and wisdom are required to pay attention to the warning signs of early weed growth and then drastic action required to kick them in to touch before their roots multiply.

In every life this weed may present itself in a different way. Your vulnerability and temptation will be different to mine. 

Be warned … it is so easy in life to see the ‘weeds’ in someone else and to even encourage them to deal with them (Matt 7v3-4), whilst your own invasive network is galloping away, taking over another area of your heart and life.

So the next time you reach for your ‘roundup stump killer’ or even just see some weeds, consider the soil of your heart and take note of what’s being nurtured. The more we fill our minds and souls with God’s word and truth, the less space there will be for toxic substance. The fruit of the spirit (Gal 5v22-23) and armour of God (Eph 6v10-18) will bring light and life, quelling negative invasions. Those subtle workings of darkness in the shadows desperately want to emerge in outworkings in your life and mine (1 Peter 5v8) … let’s say no! and daily make sure our root system is embedded in the true vine (John 15v4), one which bears fruit for the glory of our God.

Ingrid x

Happy Father’s Day ❤️

 

Trust

What a wonderful time of celebrations we've had recently in commemoration of the Queens Platinum Jubilee 🇬🇧. To retain integrity and the commitment to serve those who come under her figurehead, Queen Elizabeth II is one uniquely special human.

With scarily intrusive media and the smallness of the world these days, along with the insatiable desire for gossip, it's astonishing that Her Majesty has remained so preserved from slander. Throughout history I suggest she's among very few who have had to lead for such a length of time yet have retained admiration, respect and love from those who know her, even if at arms length. Whilst other leaders flail to maintain any sense of dignity and honesty, she remains unflappable; resolute in her duty; calm in her disposition and unswerving in her faith.

It's her faith which appears to ground her despite circumstances, demands and grief. This solid foundation ... her trust in God; her higher power to which she can defer and go to for help, guidance and counsel.

Trust cannot be demanded, coerced or be found at a whim when the sudden need for it is upon us. Trust is gained as a natural consequence of a relationship worked on.

Who is the Queen likely to trust? Not many I wager! Those whom she does trust will be people whom she has got to know over a long period of time. They will have shown time and again their loyalty, care, devotion and commitment to her without the need for any public recognition in return. Yet even the best of confidants here on earth can fail, slip up, have a change of heart and cause disappointment.

There is only one on whom we can depend, and like Her Majesty, it is God alone.

Even though He is God, it does not mean that we will find trusting Him easy, especially when we face trials and temptations. It is only through the development of a close relationship, maturing over time, that our first response in the face of a storm will be to intuitively trust Him. When that trust and a deep, inner knowledge and acute awareness of His care, grief and pain alongside ours, is our primary reaction, only then will we know the peace that passes all human comprehension. It will take up residence within us confounding all other more human responses ... because it is from Him. 

God will never misuse trust in Him. He will never take advantage, abuse or demand a favour in return. He wants our dependence, love and trust ... He wants it so much (that special relationship bond with each of us), so much so that He gave all He had, His only Son ... in return we get grace for those times of need, peace, liberty and hope for a much better future!

Abide in Him; develop a daily knowledge of who He is; depend on Him for all things ... the natural outcome = trust, peace and freedom. ❤️

Ingrid x

 

God’s will

Ok so I appreciate that the title of this blog is rather a huge subject and greatly debated with many schools of thought by those far more qualified and learned than myself.

So that being said, I’ll of course stick to my simple ramblings and musings.

Following a conversation with a new friend and realising that we both had big decisions to make this year, I was driving home asking God to make his will known and to show the way ahead to both her and myself. 

I struggle with the fact that it’s so hard to know what God’s will is for a certain decision when in fact it should surely be easy because after all He wants us to walk in His will, so why wouldn’t He make it clear for us … to help us avoid mistakes? As I questioned God again with this whole thought process I realised what I needed to do was to stop all trains of thought and clear the crazy chaos of cognition away. My jumbled thoughts racing in all directions just clouds and fogs up rather than bringing clarity.

At that point, God through Jesus simply said and says “Follow Me”. That’s it!

What better way to calm the soul and make sense of the scrambled egg mind. At the sound of those words from the one who holds my breath in his hands whilst upholding all things by the word of his power; the need to understand every detail relating to my options and plans just melts away. It’s ok. He’s got it.

All I need to do is to make sure I’m following Him. That’s it. 

I may not know what lays ahead. I may not understand the paths I could be asked to walk or decisions which will unfold, but I do know that if I am following God through His word (Jesus) then he will be the light, shining the exact amount needed for my next step. He will light the way and provide for the way … and it will be good.

Perspective and priority … first things first, just follow Him. All else will fall into place and be amazingly less significant than how it appeared prior to the re-shuffle in priorities and perspective.

Jesus wasn’t complicated or cryptic, he simply said “follow me”. There was no need for questions around provision or timings, location or salary. He was more than enough to satisfy any anxieties, and he still is.

Live in the moment and follow Him. No one has or ever will regret it.

Ingrid x

Peace, perspective and a prayer

Martha Washington once said “I’ve learned that the greater part of happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances”.

Now granted, our circumstances are often very likely to thwart bubbling happiness. A grief; a diagnosis; false accusation; injustice; heartache; conflict; war; debt … however it is our disposition when after the initial human response period has passed, which does in fact dictate our ongoing potential for happiness and peace. 

Each one of us would more than likely resort to some form of horror, shock or despair at unexpected and extremely challenging circumstances but it is the ability to then dig deep and tap into the bedrock of truth in our faith which gives that propulsion forward into growth, maturity, wisdom and acceptance. This can then lead to that peace we are told about in God’s word (so therefore it’s true) beyond human comprehension (Phil 4v7). Our dispositions change, becoming ones of light and happiness despite circumstances.

As Paul stated so simply to the Christian’s at Philippi … he was not at all worried about his circumstances but had learned within any given situation, to be content. There’s a inner peace needed when you’re content, truly content. It breeds a serenity and poise which elevates that person to a higher plane no matter how destitute their condition may seem to others looking on.

I’ve quoted before “Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties” (CS Lewis). I know having peace within doesn’t mean happiness without, but it does give a perspective from the divine. A knowledge of God’s working within will be noticeable externally and almost tangibly flow out to others … no doubt cascading an uplifting effect to any in its wake.

Let us prayerfully be those who despite the cares of this world, can trust that our God is big enough and cares enough to uphold us, give us peace and love through our circumstance so that others see that same love in our eyes for them and their own challenges. Let us be light, bright enough to dispel darkness.

Lord let me be your hands and feet

To show your love and mercy

Your wisdom and your tender heart

To everyone I meet.

Ingrid x

Rooks

Hello readers! It’s been a while. I’ve been convincing myself to stop writing this blog and call it a day. I’ve told myself that no-one would notice or miss it, which may well be true, but the fact of the matter is that I have missed it in some ways. When I used to write something twice or three times a week, I benefitted greatly in a personal way. So here I am … going to share my complaints about Rooks! 😠 🤦‍♀️

I think they are rooks at least, rather than crows, although I find it hard to tell them apart. Whichever they are they are immensely annoying right now.

To say I must look like some frantic maniac at the window may be an understatement if you ask my children! I would be too embarrassed to count the amount of times during one day that I rush up to the kitchen window, flailing my arms around and bashing, likely to put the wooden spoon through the window itself. 

These large birds just keep returning to hang off the feeders meant for the smaller species. There were 2 which would make their appearances at the back of the house and once scared off by this crazy human, would simply fly to the front of the house to access the feeders hanging from the apple trees! 🙄 Oversized pigeons would join them to make my infuriation levels reach fever point. To add insult to injury, there are now four of the dastardly birds … as though they’ve recruited reinforcements. 

1 Kings 17v2-6. God specifically chose the ravens (pretty much like the rook) to feed Elijah morning and evening with bread and meat during the time he hid in a ravine east of the Jordan river. Now why did God do that? Why didn’t he choose the mighty Eagle? Who knows. Maybe it was simply to acknowledge the fact that despite appearances and manners, everything God created has a purpose and is precious to Him. Maybe it was so that you and I are reminded of this fact every time we shoo away a rook!

God’s ways are higher and greater than ours. He values the ravens and the rooks. He takes note of every fallen sparrow (whom I much prefer seeing in my garden). He wishes us to mount up with wings like eagles. His creation is diverse and beautiful.

The rooks in my garden are more than likely just trying to feed themselves and in time, their young. My preference is for the smaller garden birds yet these cumbersome greedy black birds once took food to a prophet hiding by a river as directed by their creator. Amazing! It’s sort of beyond my comprehension to fully grasp that if God asked one of the birds in my garden to do something specific or go about a task, that they would have no choice but to fulfill it and obey. 

It’s a lesson I need to learn over and over, in fact more than one lesson … 

The first part is to not be judgmental based on appearances. In certain settings it could well be me who’s perceived as the rook! 

Secondly, to appreciate that everyone has a role to play and is of immense value to God no matter how I may feel or react. My annoyance could well be misplaced with the appearance of something masking the purpose beneath. 

Thirdly, no matter what we’re asked to do by God, the only sensible and wise thing to do is to obey.

I muse upon the fact that many lessons can be learnt from a garden. Mindfully spend time with nature and learn from her many profound yet simple instructions. You will grow wiser and nicer too! 😊

Ingrid x