SATURDAY (IT REALLY IS) July 11, 2015  GETTING BACK TO REALITY

Getting back to reality means questions.  I am constantly asking questions; to myself; to God.  As I sat down to spend time with the Lord this morning the questions came.  I always write the date, the time, the weather, and where I am.  I did so in my journal and the following is the rest of what I wrote:

“Simple lines on a page.  Denotes I AM here.  Later it will tell others that I WAS here.  I exist in this moment of time.  What will it matter 100 years from now? I hope to some lives that I’ve touched it will matter because they too will be living in eternity with God.  The wisdom a blog reader sent in last night “only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last” has made me do some thinking.  Oh how true are those words.  And what I must remember is that every action, every word I speak, has the power to make a profound change in another’s life.  For good or for bad.”

My time was interrupted and I didn’t get back to my written journal until this evening as I opened up to write my blog.  I hadn’t yet written a poem and as quickly as I sat down at the kitchen counter this poem came spilling out of me.  More questions.

ONLY WHAT’S DONE FOR CHRIST WILL LAST

By Kathleen Martens

July 11, 2015

Only one life am I granted to live.

How will I spend it?  To what shall I give?

Does it matter what I choose to do?

How will my life help others through?

What words can I say that will fashion a soul?

Is it important as to what are my goals?

Do I need be concerned about my actions,

Or who I’m involved with, or with what factions?

Do I live for self, care not for others?

How do I address the needs of my brothers?

All these questions swirl in my head.

No matter what I do, someday I’ll be dead,

Though I am here now in 100 years will it matter?

If the answer is “NO”, there is nothing sadder.

Will even one life be changed by me?

Will I be the cause of where someone spends eternity?

Will something I said change their course of direction,

And their spiritual life, given an inspection?

That they would know God in an intimate way

Because of the words that I say today?

I have “only one life, so soon will be past,

Only what’s done For Christ will last.”

This poem is inspired by the words of wisdom sent in last night by Robin.  Thank you Robin for your inspirational wisdom.

The Lord gave me words of confirmation after I wrote this poem.  I sit here now debating if I am to share them on my blog.  And I hear in my heart “The words I give to you are for you to share”…OKAY…here goes.

These are my heart sounds that I believe are from the Lord:

“Every word you say, every action you do, do it as unto Me.  What one person can do to influence another to turn to me is the great commission I have set before you.  Let your life tell My story.  Actions always speak louder than words.  Live out your salvation that others will know there is something different about you.  My message will be shown by what you do, how you love, then and only then, by what you profess.  Be my disciple wherever you go.  You may be home but I will still be bringing to you those who need to hear My voice.  Encourage and confirm others.  There are so many who need to hear what I speak to you.  It does matter.  Every day of your life matters.  When you touch one life it has a rippling effect.  Each life you touch will in some way touch and influence another life.  No one is unimportant.  I love the multitudes.  Let your heart be tuned to Me, but keep your eyes on the multitude.  There is always someone who is ready to hear my message for I am wooing the lost.  Be my voice to those searching.  You are my beloved.  I will give you strength and courage.”

It is a bit intimidating to me to share my actual journal writing.  A blog is not my personal journal but rather a chronicle of my trip; my days since I’ve been home.  It is more about what I’ve done or thought so I don’t lose it in the haze of my old age memory.  When I give you a peek into my journal it’s sort of like I am undressing in front of a crowd.  AND I WOULD NEVER DO THAT!  I think God is preparing me to share more of what I have already written and I need the courage to do so.  Well, he just impressed upon me that He will give me strength and courage so I will accept that and believe it to be true.  I have courage about a lot of things, and for all those things I give thanks.  Now I guess it is time to step out and let him boost my courage in the areas yet untraveled.

My “chronicles” today are meager.  Listened to a great sermon in bed before getting up.  I am waking up earlier and earlier since I’m going to bed early.  Dave must lie down as much as possible so we lie there together listening to the words of a minister in Modesto where I attended in April while I was there.  I love his teaching.  Maybe I already told you about him but I want to mention him again so if someone doesn’t read that blog but reads this one they will have the resource to find the website.  Google “Modesto Calvary Chapel” The pastor’s name is Damien Kyle.  Excellent teacher.  Dave and I are listening to the series of Matthew.  If you want some more good teaching you can google, City Church Madison Wisconsin, where we attend and receive some interesting sermons as well.

Worked outside in the yard today.  Weeded a lot and planted several pots of flowers and a planter in the back yard where I am starting a perineal garden.  The yard got away from Dave this spring due to his long work hours and all the spring rain watering the weeds.  We have a big yard, lots of borders and gardens and LOTS OF WEEDS THAT CREEP IN FROM THE WOODS! After lunch I went to the gym, then came home to neighborhood gab with the ladies on the street.  We live on a circle (cul-de-sac) with 4 houses.  Everyone is always working in their front yards, or garage, or back yards.  We live a community where there are no fences.  One yard runs into the next one.  I love the openness and freedom of this kind of living.  It was very different getting used to all the fences around homes in some of the states.  We’ve lived here almost 30 years now.  We’ve seen one generation die off, another come and go, and we’re still here.  I hope I go out head first.  Or is it feet first?  Oh well, I hope I live here till I die.  Just thought you’d like to know Dave.  I don’t’ think I’ve ever told him that.  I’m the one that is always wishing we could sell and downsize.  He’s the one who wants to live here forever so he can work in the yard.  After today’s weeding I can’t wait until his leg is better!

I finally came in the house, fixed dinner just in case we got hungry, started writing my blog and it’s 8:30 and we still haven’t eaten.  I guess I’ll close so we can eat and go to bed.

Tuesday I will start working on my design work for the wedding album I must do.  I need uninterrupted hours and that will be the first day for such a possibility.  Who knows, since there are so many Saturdays between now and Tuesday perhaps I’ll even finish my unpacking.

Good night.  Still waiting for some more wisdom to come in.  Please go to contact tab and give me a line!