Someone Lurking In The Shadows

       

         As a child with an Amish background, I was sheltered from a lot of the ‘worldly happenings.’  I didn’t grow up Amish, but both my parents did, and while they no longer were part of that Faith, their own upbringing colored and influenced the way they raised my sisters and me.  

       We children rarely went anywhere alone, yet we weren’t taught to fear others.  My husband will tell me in a heartbeat, that I’m way too trusting, so he’s always compensating!  I’ve learned what is safe and ‘smart’ and understand about not going into places where I may find harm.  I am not so naïve I don’t understand the importance of staying away, even in a public place, those who “look” threatening or in some way menacing.  

             And of course, even as I child I learned the obvious of not getting in a car with a stranger, don't take candy from someone I don't know, and to hold my purse in such a way it can’t be grabbed by a passerby, wanting the contents!  That said, I still have the mentality, there is good in everybody!

            These lessons were taught to our children, so they were a lot less naïve, than when I grew up.  Our world has changed a lot since then and now we need to be alert to those who lurk in the shadows, not only for adult (particularly seniors) attacks, but for our children, who are stolen to be sold into the sex trafficking arena.  This is beyond frightening.

            A friend shared recently how she and her daughter went shopping in a mall.  Her daughter is a beautiful, carefree young teen who wanted to walk just a bit ahead, to ‘window shop’ at another store, while her mom was checking out a vendor, in the center of the isle.  She was advised to not go beyond her view, but sure, enjoy!  In a matter of a moments, a man approached her daughter and began asking questions.  Mom noticed immediately, and interceded on behalf of her daughter, who was totally confused, by the questions and the behavior displayed the man.  Mom rescued her daughter from a likely very unpleasant situation, but lamented another young girl probably would face the fate she rescued her daughter from, and which no child should have to deal with.

            It makes you wonder what kind of world we live in.  I shudder when I think about my younger ‘trusting’ behavior.  I wonder who lurked around the corners I may, or my parents, may not have seen.  It also makes you wonder what all we must teach our children and how young.  We can’t always be with them, and at some point, they are going to ask to spend time with friends – without us anywhere nearby.  How do we handle our beating hearts, out of fear of someone lurking in the shadows?

            It’s hard to say, and even harder to do, to say simply, “I have to leave them in God’s hands.”  It’s true, as parents we must be diligent in our teaching, and remain on top of situations that could go badly.  But God tells us 365 times in His Word, “Do not fear!”  That’s got to count for something.  

            If we live our lives in fear, our emotions will be transferred over to our children.  We need to rope it in, and use our fears productively, by educating—with honest long talks about the “ugly-lurking shadows," and discussing what-ifs.  This allows growth into new and different situations gradually.  But we also need to be down on our knees asking God’s ‘hedge of protection’ around our young ones (and older ones!), and for the courage that we have trust, and faith that He will look after them.

A Heart Right With God

           

          We are a culture that uses the word ‘love’ every day.  A person may say, “I love ice cream,” or “I love these shoes!”  Still someone else may say, “I love you,” and it means, as a sister or brother--- or as another Believer.  There is also the love that is shared between a husband and wife and the love that happens between a parent and a child.

            Valentine’s Day is Friday and it’s considered the day of love.  Valentine’s, candy, flowers and other gifts are exchanged between a large range of friends and family, whether it’s between a classroom of children or husband and wife. 

            We talk about loving someone with our whole heart.  The Bible talks about loving God with your heart, soul, mind and strength.  So, where does your love come from?  Is it different in each of these areas?  Depending on who you talk with, there is apparently, a vast difference!

            When we define the soul, we are talking about our core identity, personality, even your “essence.”  It describes those ‘things’ that shape the product of your life including, but hardly limited to, those things you value and treasure, what and who you admire, how you spend your time and money and even how you make decisions.

            When we talk about our heart, it’s obviously not our physical heart since it is an organ of the body that pumps blood, but our emotional heart contains so much more of what we call ‘love.’  This is the control center, if you will, of where our emotions reside.  We find empathy, sadness, joy, pain and hurt, loss and more.  Some might say I’m describing the ‘gut’ which may be true.  This is why, however, when we say ‘we love,’ ----we love with our ‘heart.’  It can be filled to overflowing or empty, dry and grieving.

            I think it’s interesting to note that the Egyptians, when mummifying their dead, removed every organ except the heart!  They believed this organ needed to remain with the body, if the person was going to travel into and through eternity.

            What’s even more interesting is knowing that in order to spend eternity with Christ, our hearts are again called to action.  Our hearts need to accept Jesus as Savior, who gave his life’s blood (and thus his heart---- the organ needed to pump it), in order for us to walk the streets of heaven.

            As we share love this Valentine’s Day, perhaps we need to have a valentine heart for our Lord.  We celebrate Christmas and Easter for the sacrifice Jesus made, why not celebrate the love the Father had, to offer his Son for us; and further the love Jesus shared, by being willing to go to the cross and take our sins upon him for every man, woman and child across the globe and through ages past and present. 

            There is no greater love than this!  

            Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.


https://www.timesreporter.com/news/20170212/facts-about-valentines-day

Picture credit:  https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=free+pictures+of+hearts&id=231C16C2B9D0AA96CEDD9338AB4632C10874ECA2&FORM=IQFRBA

Mental Health and Being A Believer

            

          I was chatting with a friend of mine at a gathering recently who was sharing some of the complications in her life.  Quieting, so no one else around could hear her, she said, “My daughter is dealing with depression right now and I don’t know how to help her.”

            Some years ago, I went through some very trying times and found myself ‘sad.’  It never occurred to me that I might be suffering from depression, until a doctor looked at me and said, “Mrs. Harding, you are suffering from depression!”  I was aghast!  How could a Believer in Jesus have depression?  Aren’t we always supposed to be joyful?  How does that fit in with sadness?  In some ways, this confounded and amplified my already ‘sad’ demeanor.

            During my growing up years, I recall a stigma being attached to being a Christian and being depressed.  Yet, I knew the Bible discusses depression through King David and Saul.  In fact, the boy David played his harp for Saul to ease his melancholy and despair.

            The Psalms are filled with King David’s honest outpouring of anguish over sin, a pursuing enemy, and fear.  During his lowest times, he would cry out to a God who he knew loved him and accepted his weaknesses.

            King David wasn’t the only Godly man who struggled with defeat and despair.  Elijah, a great spiritual warrior found himself so low he asked God to take his life!  (1 Kings 19:4)  If God can place these great men and others who appear in His Word for us to learn from, why can’t it be acceptable that I, too, have moments of despair?  

            I believe it’s what we do with that despair that matters.  Admitting we have a problem is the first step and then taking the necessary measures to move forward so we can again walk in the light.  We need to understand we are not alone and it isn’t our fault.  Our mind and souls can be damaged in ways we can’t understand.  It is our responsibility to get help for it, however.

            When Jesus was faced with death on the cross, he too was filled with anguish and despair, but he did not sin.  Still, in the Garden of Gethsemane, he asked his Father if there was another way, yet accepted, willingly, his destiny.   He understands what it means to be at a very low point in life.  

            We also need to remember, regardless of where we are in life, and whatever has a hold on us, God is still with us.  He is near to help us walk through the trial, whether it be through his Word, during our prayer time, with another Believer or Pastor, or even through a trained medical professional. 

            Being depressed or having other mental health issues can place our lives in turmoil, but we have a God who loves us, knows us, and wants to help us rise above it.  Sometimes that will mean recovery.  Other times it may be management.  Either way, we are not bad people when we feel weak, filled with despair and sadness, lost in a chasm of darkness.  God will pull us out when we reach for Him.