"Nothing in my Hands I Bring..."

http://sojourner-ephraim.blogspot.com/2009/02/everything.html

Ah! The above is a link to my sister Paige's blog. As I read her blog this morning her account of her dream seemed a direct response to my posting last night about my Mother-to-God "show and tell". If you're reading this Paige, this is *so* good. I know that I wrote in your comments sections, but i want a record of this in my blog... to be a reminder to me of this morning and the love of God for me alone. I find that as a mother, I often bring all the things I'm "working on" to Him to show... my children. And yet, He wants everything stripped away, just to come alone. Frightening sometimes to come "empty-handed"... This hymn continues to haunt me the past month: Rock of Ages... "Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to thy cross I cling, Naked come to Thee for dress, Humbly come to thee for grace..." Beautiful reminder that I am interesting to Him and *loved and accepted* too, even without anything in my hands as an offering. He wants to speak to me alone sometimes without distractions, without anything to depend on as a "conversation piece" beauty.--j


Here is my sister's dream... it's such a beautiful image to me.

"i had a funny dream last night - as i went to bed with this song in my head...i was singing to Him... this song...& i wanted to lift my hands - with my palms raised - to show him that all i had - was for him - & all He wanted to give me - my hands were open to receive. i went to take my hands out of my pockets & lift them in the air & all manner of little toys & nick nacks fell from my pockets & slipped between my fingers as i started to raise my hands... little balls, thimbles, pennies, paper clips...& i realized that i had to put it all aside in order to give my full attention to the task at hand. Funny little picture of what the inside of my head likely looks like to Him when i come before Him."

Show and Tell...and JOY!!

Curt came home early today and the kids were still on a high from some of the projects they have been working on. The older 3 had 10 minutes to write a fictional news report from a "news station" on the moon. The date would be July 20th 1969, the day that Neil Armstrong landed there with Apollo 11. They had to include as much information about the moon that they could remember from the past week. Robin (grade 2 was only expected to give a few facts and draw a picture of the landing.) When the 10 minutes were up I told them to gather in the living room for presentation. Ellie went first as she had a bible verse she has been trying to memorize. Everyone was very patient as she held the paper in front of her 5 year old face and slowly read through the verse line by line. Sadie of course is not slow to figure out when there is an opportunity to shine. When Ellie finished, she yelled out "MY TURN!!" She stood up on the fireplace ledge and smiled smugly at us all until we started clapping. Then, satisfied with her applause, came to "snuggle" again. Next was Robin. She held up her picture. It was then i realized that she had basically drawn a whole lot of aliens with an "eyeball shop" and one of the items in the store was what my children refer to as a "hind" (end). How lovely! I insisted that she give me some of the scientific facts pertaining to the moon. Darren blurted out..."Hint! There are NO aliens!" And he giggled behind his paper. Robin laughed and rattled off "...no oxygen, no atmosphere, rocks fall on the moon and make craters...". Hmmm, next time she will write a paper too. :) Darren and Carrie got up and gave cute little presentations "reporting live from (insert their nicknames here) station" There was even an interview with Neil Armstrong. As soon as the older two were done, Sadie insisted that we perform the "puppy song" for Curt. Now, ever since Darren was a baby I used to play music on the piano and tell stories. When it would thunder, i would pound on the lower keys making minor chords and then high splashes of upper keys. Rain would be descending high notes. Sunshine would be suspended chords, and puppies, well they would be fast, clownish chording. She went wild barking and acting out the story for Curt. Robin played the music for "the puppy begging" with sliding notes on her fiddle.
Some days feel like I've worked till I'm bone weary and there is nothing to show for it. Other days, God just pours joy on every little effort and I see again that He's building something with these days I'm laying into His hands! This family, these children are my offering back to Him. I'm going to not hold tightly to frustration and weariness, but hold my hands *open* to Him with my own mother-to-God "Show and Tell". Hands open for him to pour His JOY over and through it all.

Psalm 92:4
For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the work of your hands.