Pacific toes....

One year ago today,
on a cold, snowy Sunday morning,
I decided I'd had enough winter
and threw some things into my car
and headed west!
(I must admit to being tempted
to head out again now!)

I went from "tired of snow"

to "on the road" in less than an hour.

I told my girls I was going west

and would let them know

when I got where I was going.

I didn't get there until I hit the Pacific coast.

My second heartbreak was very fresh

that cold, snowy morning.

I was awash in sorrow and grief

for Al and now Harlan.

The Pacific coast was not far enough!

The hurt just followed me there!

But do you know what else followed me?

Every inch of the long drive there?

The Holy Spirit!

As I drove those many miles,

I looked at the beauty of God's creation,

I wept buckets and buckets,

I prayed nearly non-stop.

And the Holy Spirit was right there for all of it!

The Great Comforter!

And He really, truly is!

I sometimes think about my hurt

and realize how much worse it would be

were it not for the presence of God,

        His care,

                His concern,

                        His love,

                                His protection,

                                        His healing.

And I am so grateful!

During that trip, 

as I walked the quiet beach

and cried out to God,

I admit that the tempter came to me.

I looked at the empty beach,

I looked at the waves,

and I thought to myself

how easy it would be to just walk out into the surf,

and let it take me away.

And then, on that quiet beach,

Jesus came walking on the water.

Oh, not literally.

But He was there!

And as I reached my hand out to Him

and cried "Help me!"

He quietly drew me to Himself,

wrapped His loving arms around me.

Cried with me,

        and for me.

Just as He did for all of us on the old rugged cross!

Can you picture it?

Jesus,

hanging on the cross.

Your face in His mind's eye.

Your sorrow and grief in His heart.

Your tears rolling down His precious cheeks!

He died for your sin(s),

He died for my sin(s),

not for all mankind as a unit,

but for each of us as individuals!

And He died for all the

        heartache,

                and sorrow,

                        and loss,

                                and sickness,

                                        and all the other destruction

that the enemy ushered into the world!

What sacrifice!

        What love!

My Tears Rolled Down His Cheeks

He bore my sins upon the cross

I've oft been told it's true.

My guilt flowed down the rugged tree,

He gave me life anew.

But oftentime, it seems to me,

We stubbornly fail to see

that other's crimes were hung there too,

with Christ upon that tree!

With that in mind, we must confess,

He bore our sorrows too!

For sin's what causes grief and strife,

my sin affected you!

And now I see that on that day

when blood ran down that tree,

the pain He knew was what Id' feel

When you accosted me.

He paid the price, He looked through time,

and saw mankind was weak.

Yes, mingled with the sweat and blood,

my tears rolled down his cheeks!

 @2015

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in Him,

and He helps me.

My heart leaps for joy,

and with my song I praise Him.

                                                                 ~~ Psalm28:7 NIV ~~