Today I read the story of Naaman, a LEPER.
What impressed me about this story
was the character of Naaman,
who must have been an impressive man.
He was the army commander of
the King of Aram.
And it says in 2Kings 5:1,
that he was highly esteemed and respected
by the King!
From what I know of lepers, they were shunned
during those times because leprosy was incurable!
The King sent him off to the King of Israel,
to see the prophet Elisha,
and the prophet sent Naaman
to wash seven times in the River Jordan
so that he will be healed.
At first Naaman was adamant
because Elisha did not even bother to see him,
and he said proudly, "Are not the rivers of Damascus,
the Abana, and the Pharpar,
better than ALL the waters of Israel?
Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?"
Sometimes we have expectations of God,
and when God does not fit in the box,
we are also adamant and proud
and unwilling to see things from God's point of view!!!
After the prodigal son in the Gospel of Luke,
Chapter 15, returned home, the son who had
stayed behind and was obedient, complained,
"Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat
to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns who swallowed up
your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf!"
Here, obviously this son has also boxed in
his father.
Perhaps he was secretly yearning
to go off on an adventure or even to have a party!
But he DID NOT ASK!
The father's answer to him shows
his heart,
"My son, you are here with me always;
EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead
and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found."
Yes, everything the Father has is ours.
Sometimes He does not give it to us yet,
because He wants us to be more mature,
but sometimes He is waiting for us to ask.
How gracious is our God!
In Luke 13, Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree.
There were no figs on it and the owner told the
gardener to cut it down.
The gardener said,
"Give me one year. I will take care of it,
fertilize it, cultivate the ground around it,
and prune it so that it will bear fruit."
In 1 Corinthians 3:9 it says we are God's garden.
God is our gardener who takes care that
we grow well, bloom and bear fruit!
Let us not box God in with
our own idea of who He is.
He says to us,
"Everything I have is yours!"
Believe Him!
Every week I choose one wonderful visitor
who leaves a comment
to receive an ATC from me.
I know it takes so much time and effort
to leave a comment
and I appreciate it soooo much!
This week,
Random.org chose,
Random.org chose,
#19, Ayala Art.
Visit her blog to see a lot of enigmatic faces!
Sometimes I put on my best pajamas
and join these great parties!
I agree we should never put God in a box or expect Him to do things our way. He knows what's best for us; we just need to trust and obey. I really enjoyed reading your insightful post and admiring your beautiful artworks. You're so creative!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed week in the Lord! Hope you'll stop by my blog when you get a chance :)!
Dear Patsy
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading your words I thought of how we need to allow our Lord Jesus to wash us with His blood before we can enter into His rest! Thank you for a thoughtful post.
Blessings
Mia
Love this post. I'm guilty putting God in a box sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing with us again, Patsy. Your art and your words are such a blessing as you create and share the love of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed week, my sister in the Lord.
Karen
Word Art Wednesday
Lovely thoughts, connected by your lovely work. Everything he has is ours--yes, I need to be reminded of this. Often.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful art work in your journal. So colorful and wonderful writings. Thanks for joining us at WAW.
ReplyDeleteGreat perspective on how we put our own experience and expectations on God, and forget that through him nothing is impossible. I especially love the parable from Luke and the drawing you made. So very lovely and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteLove the peeks into your journal. "We have not because we ask not." I think we live way below the blessings we could have if only we would ask.
ReplyDeleteOh, we so think we know God and yes, we box him. There is so much more I could be receiving if only I were open and would ask! I always enjoy your artwork and thoughts. Thank you for sharing both today. :)
ReplyDeleteI am loving the little crown upon her loving head. It really ads a lot to the drawing!
ReplyDeleteOh, Patsy, these pieces are beautiful. Iove the story of Naaman. One of my favorites. It reminds me how the ordinary can cleanse us--how the holy is in every moment.
ReplyDeletePatsy. I love your words and your art so much. YOU ARE such a blessing and I love to see how you live out your faith in pictures.
ReplyDeleteAm putting this post on Twitter under the #sdgsisters!
ReplyDelete