Growing up in Oklahoma, with both parents working during the day, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents on their farm just outside the city.  Instead of a babysitter, mom or dad would get up earlier on their work days and meet Grandpa Lacquement half way so my brother and I could spend the day on the farm while they worked.  I applaud my parents for making this extra effort for us. 

My love for my grandparents grew to awe and wonder for how they worked a farm with all kinds of animals from peacocks to cattle, goats and sheep.  There was the chicken house that gave them chicken and eggs to eat and sell.  (No, I don’t know which came first!) There were the side businesses of raising and selling Siamese kittens, parakeets and cockatiels.  There was always a pony in the back lot for grandkids to ride.  It wasn’t a glamourous farm, my grandparents barely made ends meet at the end of each month, but it was a place for kids to learn to fish in the ponds, while avoiding the cows, with plenty of land to roam and explore. 

Grandpa’s real trade that brought in extra money was carpentry.  He had the gift to understand exactly what a client wanted then build a cabinet or add on a room to fit their specifications. 

I thought Grandpa and Grandma could do anything.  I was in awe of how Grandma cooked.  Fresh biscuits every morning for breakfast and lots of fried chicken on Sundays.  I followed Grandpa around wherever he went and hammered him with questions daily.  “How do you do that?”  “Why do peacocks spread their wings like that?”  “Can you teach me to fish like that?” “Can I build something from your scraps of wood?” 

The constant question was, “Can you show me how to do that.”  Now that I am grown, have grandkids of my own, I remember my roots.  I learned the ways Grandpa and Grandma read the Bible and prayed EVERY day, asking the same question of God that I asked them so often.  “Lord, teach me.  Show me Your ways.”  God did and they obeyed.

Because of my loving, intimate relationship with Grandpa, I wanted to be where he was, learn what he knew and do what he did daily.  Because of my loving, intimate relationship with God, my Father, through Jesus Christ, His Son, I want to be in His Holy Presence, hearing His voice, learning His ways and obeying Him quickly for God loves me even more than my Grandpa could love me.  Mind.  Blown.

Lord, I’ll run the course you lay out for me if you’ll just show me how.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Part 4

Psalm 119:25-32, The Message

I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse!
    Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
When I told my story, you responded;
    train me well in your deep wisdom.
Help me understand these things inside and out
    so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;
    build me up again by your Word.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
    grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
    I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
    God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
    if you’ll just show me how.

TRUTH:  God will show us how to live His way.  Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life.  It all begins with believing in Jesus then asking God to show us how to live His ways, our best life here, constantly growing more in love with Him while maturing in His character.

Proverb 4:1-5, The Message

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
    pay attention and gain understanding.
² I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
³ For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
⁴ Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.
⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.

WISDOM:  Get wisdom and don’t run from it.  Embrace wisdom and seek to understand.  Engage in learning who God is and how He works in our lives.

Abba Father,

Thank you for taking me back to my roots of growing up with people who knew you intimately and who were engaged in your ways.  They sought wisdom from you daily and now I do.  I seek to understand this world only enough to help others find and follow you.  People wander around without knowing your everlasting love and care for them.  Show me your ways and how you work so I can imitate what you do.  Help me to love others like you love me.  Teach me your ways, Lord and help me to apply the lessons learned.

In Jesus Name, Amen