laughter

He was longing for a son to give an inheritance to, but almost a century had passed and there was still no heir.  Yet the Lord spoke to him, saying, "Count the stars....so shall your offspring be."

It was thought that she was too old, that she would never be able to have children.  She laughed in disbelief at the idea of bearing a son in her old age.  Yet Yahweh Himself asked her, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

God had promised.

They waited.  Time passed.  They stumbled in unbelief and tried to bring about the promise through their own wisdom and means.

Then, at the exact time that God had indicated, a son was born.  He was named Isaac, Yitzhak, laughter.  Though God seemed late and His promise seemed far off, He proved Himself faithful.  Laughter of disbelief became laughter of joy. 

Father, bring us the laughter of joy as we wait and trust in you.  Your timing is perfect and your promises are true.  There is nothing too difficult for you!

gentle

Today I went to the dentist.  Not my favorite way to spend an hour, but definitely worth it to not end up with cavities.  I've only had one in my life.....and I want to keep it that way!  

As the hygienist  began poking and scraping I let her know that my bottom teeth were pretty sensitive and that my jaw had been hurting a little bit lately.  "I understand," she said, "I've had that before too."  

What followed was one of the most gentle, relaxing teeth cleanings of my life.  I almost fell asleep in the chair.  In my half-awake state I wondered why she was so gentle when other hygienists have been pretty rough, attacking my teeth as if they had some vendetta against them.  The answer came quickly:  She has been there.  She knows.  Her own past tooth pain caused her to have compassion on my teeth.  

We have been studying Hebrews in our women's Sunday School at church.  One of the most comforting passages in these past few weeks has been:

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.  Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.  
He says,
   “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
   in the assembly I will sing your praises.”
 And again,
   “I will put my trust in him.”
   And again he says,
   “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.  Hebrews 2:9-18

Jesus himself suffered and was tempted.  He became like us in every way.  He has felt our pain.  He knows suffering and anguish.  He has been there.  Because of this we can trust Him to gently lead us and we can come to Him and find mercy in our time of need. 

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:14-16

Praying that my gentle Shepherd would lead me...

1. Savior, like a shepherd lead us, 
 much we need thy tender care; 
 in thy pleasant pastures feed us, 
 for our use thy folds prepare. 
 Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! 
 Thou hast bought us, thine we are. 
 Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! 
 Thou hast bought us, thine we are. 

2. We are thine, thou dost befriend us, 
 be the guardian of our way; 
 keep thy flock, from sin defend us, 
 seek us when we go astray. 
 Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! 
 Hear, O hear us when we pray. 
 Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! 
 Hear, O hear us when we pray. 

3. Thou hast promised to receive us, 
 poor and sinful though we be; 
 thou hast mercy to relieve us, 
 grace to cleanse and power to free. 
 Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! 
 We will early turn to thee. 
 Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! 
 We will early turn to thee. 

4. Early let us seek thy favor, 
 early let us do thy will; 
 blessed Lord and only Savior, 
 with thy love our bosoms fill. 
 Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! 
 Thou hast loved us, love us still. 
 Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! 
 Thou hast loved us, love us still.