It is all Heart

I have enjoyed a great conversation with a dear friend this morning.  It all started with an innocent post on Facebook.

This post that I shared started a tremendous conversation between two friends who with the eyes of God can see the heart of the other clearly.  We began sharing how so very often that we, as fellow Christ followers, are perceived as fake.  So often in our desire to portray the love of God, His mercy, and His heart for all man kind, we put on attitudes and actions that are not true of who we are.  I don't view a post such as the one above to be in conflict with my intense love of God and dedication to Him but rather my intention to be as real as possible.

I do put on the witch hat sometimes.  This occurs when I take my eyes off the One True God and focus instead on the things of the world.  No excuses.  I am wrong, and when I fall, I make sure that I fall on my face seeking forgiveness and in turn, go to those I have wronged and seek their forgiveness as well.

My friend put it oh so well this morning.  I come from the deep South.  Not the South the way Tennessee knows it but the deepest parts of the South where Southern takes on new depth, and a much deeper meaning.  To quote my friend, "It's all or nothing in the deep south.   There are variations elsewhere but it's hard to explain effectively.  There are always people who make you go "huh?".  However it is those that are so raw with you, that help you use the full potential of your heart so that you feel every fiber of your being without fear, those are the angels from above."  I call the people that allow this kind of relationship, gifts.  The gift to be wholly you, as God created you, with NO apologies.  This occurs very frequently in the deep South as we are all so very different but bound with the cords of Southern traditions, living off the land, family Sunday dinners, get togethers, and more.

It also explains so very much why I am the way I am.  I AM a deeply Southern girl.  I am all or nothing.  Sometimes for the best and sometimes to my detriment.  But it is who I am.

Heart.  It is a precious things my friends.  Treasure those who allow you to fully live your heart in a protected relationship.

Much love.

Dusty Roads of Memories

American Tribute - Elvis Presley

I listened to this in the early hours of the morning today and so many memories flooded my heart that they spilled over on to the cheeks of my face.

Days of sitting on the carpet in the living room in Louisiana with my beloved granny good witch and my Aunt Bobbie watching this concert as it premiered.  I remember how much we all just adored the voice of Elvis Presley.

You know what else?  I remember these two Godly women and how they would always share with me the very heart of God.  Not words.  Not idle talk.  Rather how each of them lived the heart of God daily and shared Him with me.

I remember quiet Sunday's when we would come home after church, take off our Sunday best, sit around a small brown table together and enjoy lunch, and then "rest" as we waited for evening services.  Afternoons which were filled with a peace that is unimaginable in today's world. 

I don't remember ever once being bored or wanting to go or do anything.  Rather I was content to stay and revel in the love and presence of family.

I fondly remember shared laughter as we would play a prank on my granny, dancing to 45's on the record player with my aunt, but most of all, I remember the peace and love that reverberates within my heart still today.

I remember the joys of being raised in the Deep South.  Hot summer days wandering barefoot along dirt drives, wandering through fields lush with grass, cattle walking through pastures, birds circling over the pond, the smell of hay in the barn, and just the joys of lazy days filled with promise.

I distinctly remember the summer my aunt was going to teach me to drive.  Down the dirt back roads we would go, me all tight gripped on the steering wheel and her asleep in the passenger seat.  Until that fateful day when I managed to straddle two really large rail ties that somewhat constituted a cross over.  I woke her and she nearly flipped over the predicament.  I think she retired as my driving instructor that day. The peels of laughter that came from family as we returned home and shared the adventure with the rest.

Do you know what is great about all these memories?  It isn't just the places, the people, or the situations.  It was and is the over riding presence of God in all things.  That God reigned in their lives and His peace and love flowed through and around them in all that they did.  So when any one would come around, that peace and love flowed freely to you.

And there in that peace and love was the subtle invitation.  The invitation to let go of worry, to let go of hurt, to allow God in.  To welcome El Shaddai, Almighty God, our all sufficient supply.  To partake of the mercy, grace, and goodness that is God.  

It wasn't something shouted at people, it wasn't pushed upon anyone, they didn't point fingers in judgement, they quietly lived their lives rooted and grounded in Jehovah M'Kaddesh (Jehovah who sanctifies / sets us apart unto Himself) and in that, the invitation was clearly given to join the family.

I will forever be grateful that in the midst of a time that sought to destroy that our faithful God made the way according to His promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13

13) There hath no temptation taken you but such is common to man: but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that yea are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye might be able to bear it.

Praise God for His love, His provision, His mercy and grace that are fresh and new every morning....

I had to share my walk down the dusty roads of my memories today with you my friends, because I know there are those who are feeling forgotten, lost, and buried with no way out and no hope.  

There is a way out.  There is hope.  God is faithful.  He has His arms open wide reaching down to you.  Will you grab His hands?  Will you run to the arms of pure love?  

I am always here to share with you, the family that is precious to me and has kept me safe and protected amongst the ill of the day.  

I love each of you so very much...

Be blessed