Author: bonniejeancarr

Too often, I catch myself being a bucket, but God calls me to be a sieve. How about you? O.K., so you are probably wondering to what on earth am I referring. Answer is found in Christ’s own words. “Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” John 7:38 (ESV)

A bucket is a vessel used for holding H2O. Content within a bucket is intended not to escape. A sieve is a vessel through which water flows. Content poured into a sieve cannot be contained.

We, Christians, are called to be God’s vessel. Through us is meant to flow God’s love. We are to be a stream bringing God’s existence and promises to those who know Him not. Think about it. Aren’t we called by our Heavenly Father to be His sieve and not a worldly bucket?

Shamefully, I own up to moments when I’m more a bucket than a sieve. It’s easier to hoard God’s blessings than to let them flow through me, so they can be shared with others — many of whom are strangers to me. To my personal family, I would never not give everything and be a sieve. Then there are the instances when lack of physical energy, enthusiasm and time cause me to delay giving anything to others outside of my family; and I, in reality, become a bucket. However, praise God that through His enlightenment and grace, today brings hope that tomorrow I can change from being a bucket to a sieve.

There is a calculated limit to the worldly water a bucket can hold. There is no limit to how much of God’s life-giving water can flow through a sieve. The only uncertainty is will I (we) allow the world to turn me (us) into a finite bucket; or will I (we) answer God’s call and allow Him to use me (us) as His infinite sieve?

Life is a battle. Sadly, today’s world offers great verification of this age-old claim. I am not arguing this reality. I am focused on the vision we cling to in our barrage scarred world. In fear, do we solely see clenched fists; or with confidence do we “soul”y focus on open palms? Clenched fists measure defeats. Open palms gift immeasurable triumph.

Modern day images depicting much of mankind reveal clenched fists that are raised and eager to pummel anyone whose body stands in the way, whose voice proclaims different views or whose existence is deemed disposable. Ancient to present time, the image of Christ, our promulgated leader, exposes open palms that are nailed to a cross and longing to protect all whose souls stand in HIS WAY, whose voice proclaim HIS GOSPEL and whose being seeks and accepts HIS REDEMPTION.

As children of God, where does our, yours and my, personal stare find us focused today? If clenched fists dominate our vision, then trepidation is free to run through our veins. If our eyes are cast on the cross and Christ’s open palms, then God’s inner peace can, and will, rest in our hearts and souls. The choice is ours. Will we succumb to overwhelming fear as the world’s clenched fists seek to raze us; or will we take root in faith, trusting Christ’s open palms offer the promise to raise us? None of us can completely escape fear of the clenched fist world around us; but we can choose to dwell in, and on, our open palmed, Divine Brother who promises, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

I’ve been in “heaven on earth” this past week. Nothing in this world beats spending time with my grandbabies. However, it was not Grammy who led the way this trip. To be honest, much wisdom was garnered from my little ones. I, now, more fully understand why “Jesus said, Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 (ESV). No doubt about it, I have only to enter the world of my grandbabies to fathom deeper how God longs for us older ones to worship Him.

For instance, let me share my lunch experience with RoRo and BoBo. Having prepared their favorites and set them on the table, I called them to the dining room. Immediately upon securing RoRo in her highchair, her tiny arms reached out. BoBo’s were, also, extended. Stretching mine to hold onto theirs, BoBo closed his eyes and bowed his head. Grammy led the prayer, and both little ones joined in. BoBo repeated, phrase by phrase, our litany of “thank you, God ” and “please, God”, while RoRo reverently babbled her praises.

Talking to God before each and every meal is not second nature but “first of nature” for these little children. What about us, adults? No matter where these babies are, they do not eat before they talk to God. What about us, adults?

After our prayer’s “Amen” was when I committed the cardinal sin. Nonchalantly, I had the audacity to sit in BoBo’s and RoRo’s Daddy’s chair. Now RoRo might only be 21 months, but she blurted out an earsplitting aria of disdain. The lyrics were “NO, DATS DADA’s!!!” She kept repeating the refrain till my bottom was out of her DaDa’s throne. Herein, rested, or I should say rose, supreme baby wisdom — wisdom, I shamefully admit, that we, adults, forget or, worse yet, discard.

Look at our world, today. Everywhere you gaze, God’s place is lost, usurped and disregarded. Human beings place themselves as gods and rule from their needs and wants. We fail to even seat God, our Father, in our midst — let alone give Him the place of honor. However, if you ever want to see how God yearns for us to revere Him, look to preschooler BoBo, baby RoRo and other little ones. Nobody can replace their DaDa. Daddy is their hero. He can do anything. Nobody can fill his throne, shoes or place in their lives. Time spent with Daddy is the pinnacle of, not only, their sunny days, but also, their dark nights.

Shelves of books line the wall for BoBo and RoRo. Surprised, but delighted, I learned that RoRo’s favorite stories come alive within the covers of her “Bye Bull”. Declaring “Story Time” finds her racing for the bookcase and pulling out her heavy children’s “Bye Bull”. Dragging it to you, her sweet little face shines with delight. What about us, adults? When we pick up our Bibles, do we get excited, or do we feel we are labored with obligation?

Minutes ago, as I finished reading the “Bye Bull” to both RoRo and BoBo and tucked them in for afternoon “Quiet Time”, I picked up my own Bible and turned to Matthew 18:2-3 (ESV). “And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven’.” This Grammy is so grateful for being schooled in “Bye Bull” wisdom through the blessing of my grandbabies.

Where do you place God? If we eavesdrop on conversations (even Christian ones) God is often only seen or spoken of in the past and the future. The present is expressed as a time when evil surrounds us and the faithful eagerly wait for “Christ to Return”. Christ to return — this has come to imply, for many, that He is not here today. Herein, I believe, is one of mankind’s most debilitating mistakes.

We look around us and see so much physical hurt and destruction. It’s automatic to envision our world without God; but God has not abandoned us. He promises, “I am the Alpha and the Omega … who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”. Revelation 1:8 (ESV)

No matter how bleak our present may appear, God has not disappeared. Much the opposite, God always walks behind, beside and before us every step we take. At the moments when we can’t walk, He stoops down, picks us up and carries us — baggage and all. What’s more, God does not stretch His arms from yesterday or tomorrow to do this. He reigns in today; and it is from our midst that He reaches out and saves us despite (and in spite of) our current struggles and sins.

God does not belong in a library catalogued under Ancient History or Postulated History of the Future. He is actively present in all current arenas of life. Realizing and standing on this truth is powerful inspiration and ammunition to surmount whatever on earth befalls us. Remember, to the world David defeated the giant, Goliath, with only a lowly sling shot and stone. However, to all who witness with faithful eyes, David felled Goliath because his Highly powerful God was by his side. This same God, “I AM”, remains by our side, twenty-four/seven, in all our present-day battles.

Society abounds with lonely people, feeling as if the world excludes them and passes them by without even a glance at their presence and worth. The cure for their loneliness is not the world recognizing them, but their recognizing God never ignores nor abandons them. We all might be a lone soul trying to reach the reward of eternity, but we are never alone. Our triune God is not even a hair’s breadth away. Our Heavenly Father lifts us into His arms when our arms are too weak to hold onto the journey. The Cross of Christ, our Brother, continually tears down all the barriers along our path. The breath of the Holy Spirit, minute by minute, pours direction, the will and the way into our heaven bound travel.

The need is not for God to show up and be seen. It is for us to recognize He never left. We, Christians, might stand up for God more boldly and tear down some present-day pagan idolatries confronting our lives, if we rip off the blinders and focus on God who, this very day, faithfully stands, right dab center, in the midst of our personal universe. This very moment is the time to faithfully see, feel, live for and love our God, who reigns in (and has the power to rein in) the present, as well as the past and future.

Thus, next time you long to see God’s existence, don’t look to the past or future. May you, instead, discover “HE IS” with you — behind, before, beside and beneath you, no matter where you go or whatever you face. GOD IS your present in the here and now. Amen and Halleluia!!!

A newly acquired pool pal texted me Friday mid morn. Her daughter, an elementary teacher in a poor section of a city three hours from my doorstep, was under lock down. Shots had been heard, and the small number of early to arrive students were secured with their schoolmarms. Gratefully speaking, the worst had been averted, and this tragedy never made it to mass media. None the less, it did leave a tragic, forever, imprint on the lives of a few of our young brothers and sisters in Christ.

Earlier, that very same morning I had shared the sidewalks with the youth in my own neighborhood. They were gathered in clumps. The boys (half asleep) and the girls (wide awake chatterers) were waiting for the school bus. I felt like a single lump dodging around them as I navigated my morning walk. Though my earbuds were what I listened to, my mom’s heart heard a deeper message.

Ironically (or maybe God inspired), my thoughts while maneuvering around the budding scholars centered in how primitive our ability to safeguard them has become. Sick, devil driven forces now pose one of the greatest threats to the safety of students seeking to be educated. Schools, yesterday, used to be the place where young minds could fulfill their dreams. Can’t help but worry if, today, students’ minds might fear that school is where a nightmare is more likely to explode. No child should ever need to tread this quagmire for the sake of being educated. Wrong as this is, and as upset as it makes me, I have no power to stop the evil haters who thrive on destroying children. However, God does. Therefore, I have given myself a Devine inspired, standing homework assignment. I WILL PRAY FOR GOD TO DO WHAT MAN CAN NOT.

Now, as this Grammy encounters all the young ‘uns on my morning walks, in appearance I will solely be circling around them to continue onward. In truth, I will be encircling all of them in intercessory prayer that God edges a perimeter of His protection around each and every soul mounting a school bus that day.

I extend my assignment to your hearts, too. Sidewalks across America are filled with our children waiting for their yellow bus. It will do your heart good to exercise. It will do your soul good to pray for our Nation’s students. How about timing your walk so you can pass our sidewalk waiting youth. As you do, silently pray that each child of God is sealed in their Heavenly Father’s protection as they go off to unseal the knowledge planted in their hearts, minds and souls. “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1John 5:14 (ESV)

“Lately, my favorite beach has become a battlefield lesson. It’s been a dream for the surfers and a “standing up to a nightmare” enlightenment for me. So many times, in life we are called to stand up to fierce waves. The surfer delights in this challenge. However, my most desired swim is in tranquil seas. However, such is not most of present-day life.

Recently, while ambling the sandy beach, I’ve been amazed that forceful waves are breaking at the shoreline, as well as out where the surfers await their ride and conquer. What a simile this is to our current world. No one need swim into rough waters to encounter overpowering turbulence, for it has arrived at our doorsteps. My personal perspective is this has become anticipated, and even prepared for. We have come to expect the waves. None the less, what today’s shoreline walk messaged me is that withstanding the backlash is where my strength needs to grow.

As I trek down the sand, it is now second nature for me to prepare and brace for the onslaught waves. They are clearly visible in front of me. Recognizing one headed in my path, I stop and plant my bearings firmly in the beach foundation under me. Same is true for my moral and spiritual bedrock. When I see forces headed at me with intent to topple me, I anchor myself in God and His strength, not mine.

What I discovered on my latest seashore excursion is I’m off guard and unskilled in a backlash assault. Getting bushwacked, this is the challenge I now need to both anticipate and train for. A backlash comes from behind. It also builds force from its direction, which most often is steam rolling downhill. My life is accustomed to uphill battles, where I see the challenge looming in my path. Till now, I never even gave thought, let alone precaution, to withstanding what lurks in my blind spot and strikes from the rear. I’m ready, so to speak, for life’s frontal attacks. Let opposition, unanticipated and hidden from detection, strike and the daredevil task becomes my just not being totally bowled over. Forget defeating the opposing force. For me, remaining even wobbly upright is commendable.

Terrifying undercurrent, simply spoken, is Satan loves the ambush attack. He delights when I, nonchalantly, assume the day ahead of me must only beware of a frontal near miss and not fraught with the danger of his rear hiss.

Never too old to grow deeper in my walk with God, my past strolls on the shore confirmed it takes less fortitude to withstand a wave than it does a backlash. Truth is, also, that we can strategize and prepare for a wave coming at us. We are blindsided and caught off balance by a backlash. There is no time for planning a defense here. So, from where does the immediate power to withstand and surmount a backlash come? The strongest of sources to achieve this resounds in Micah 7: 7-8 (ESV). “But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.”

Don’t know about you, but I’m committing this verse to memory and intend to use it as my major weapon against backlash attacks!!!

From the time I was a tiny child to a Grammy in her 70’s, there were many moments when an embattled me sought the refuge of my Dad’s love and wisdom. No battle I ever faced was beyond my Dad’s ability to navigate me through. Only since he’s gone home to heaven, have I fully realized that the foundation on which he guided me through each and every war zone was one and the same. My Dad steered me in the opposite direction of giving up and quitting not because I was born of being a winner but because I was a God borne child.

No matter how many pieces I felt my life broken into, my Dad helped me grasp the sole (and soul) peace that would re-bind my journey into declarative chapters over interrogative sentences. With comforting encouragement, my Dad’s words soothed my worldly wounds with the balm of remembering that “I am a child of God and God is carrying me”, versus “why am I so hopelessly torn apart and where is God when I most need Him?”. Dad’s conversations were never a band aid camouflaging my sores. They were God’s sutures, healing my devil inflicted lacerations.

My Dad spoke one very simple truth. At times, I might have heard him speak with different accents, but the translation was one and the same. On every occasion, my Dad guided me back to remembering “who” (I am a child) and “whose” (of God) I am. Then, he would always have me re-emphasize “GOD IS CARRYING ME”. Finally, my Dad would reverently remind me that THE CHOICE TO STOP ISN’T YOURS IF GOD IS CARRYING YOU!!! Thus, onward and upward, I would go!!!

Guiding me, probably, merited my Dad much of his entry into eternity. No one deserves a berth in heaven more than my Dad, but never a moment goes by that I don’t miss him and selfishly wish his purpose on earth wasn’t yet completed.

Dad, you taught me well. Lesson is learned; but, as you knew and over and over again instructed me, it’s one that, in this fallen world, so often needs repeating.

As I peer out over today’s world, my eyes fall upon so much of society who haughtily believe in their personal ability to save the world, if only the world would accept and follow their expertise and authority. The vast majority of present day leaders (and even followers) are convinced within their individual convictions lies the cure for all the universe’s wayward woes.

In honesty, what I see today saddens me. How far off base our calling, our direction and our understanding of God’s will and way has become. We are not called to save the world. Jesus has already done this, and only He could. We are called to be saved from the world. To accomplish this, not our gifts or works, but our worship of God, is to be first and foremost.

In any (and all) that we, as human beings, can do to make this world a bit better, it is never the result of our personal conceived convictions or power. It is solely, and “soul”y, the result of God’s will, way and power being filtered through us, His flawed and sinful children.

For the world to change and begin to reflect peace, prosperity and harmony, we have to get off our high horses and cease looking to ourselves as ruler extraordinaire. Simply stated, if we want the world to transform into peace, civility, equality and prosperity, we need to jump off our high horses and plop down on our lowly knees.

As human beings, we yield no positive power, field no merited authority or build no humane empires unless God has so ordained and uses us as HIS instrument to accomplish this task. It is time for mankind to stop telling others what we can do and start asking God what HE needs us to do — and not for us but for HIM. That just might be the only hope to make our world a better, instead of bitter, place in which to wait for Jesus to come bring us home to Heaven.

Yesterday I decided to walk not my usual route but along the ocean. I have a favorite spot where the shore is made for walking. Lately, life has been drowning in turmoil. I sensed I deeply needed the peace of the shallow shore. Once more, God proved differently. It was amongst the roar of the waves that God’s soft calling was intended for me to hear — and listen.

Imagine my complete shock when I discovered that in the couple weeks since last I sat by the ocean, the flat shoreline had been changed into a steep incline. Add to this the unusual occurrence of the waves breaking just off the coast. Quite naturally, my reaction was another, “Really, God???”.

My hour walk became one of the most aerobic hikes I’ve ever taken. I could barely keep upright, but stubborn me labored on. “Certainly, God has a message” filled my thinking. He did, and it surfaced as I struggled through my “leisurely” walk.

At times, I literally had to stand still and just plant my feet and full weight in the sand not to be tumbled over by the waves crashing onto the shore. Then I realized, such is life! When we are fighting forces beyond our control, and our progress seems (and is) at a standstill, the only way to stay afloat is to sink into the foundation of God as our life preserver. Only then, no matter how the waves of life threaten to knock us down, can God keep us unsinkable. What’s more, between the waves, we must keep going because that is what God’s children are called to do.

Our rock solid, well balanced ground, at times, does disappear; but we must not let such moments ground us into giving in and giving up. Instead, we are christened into Faith that God always anchors our feet, our hearts and our souls in His upholding power and strength — especially, when we meet the unbalancing waves of life.

The inharmonious sound of the ocean orchestra made me strain to hear my earbuds of Christian music. Then I realized, God’s lyrics do not need to be loud and clearly audible to carry us. If His words are engraved in our souls, nothing (not even the roar of the sea) can drown out God’s voice.

As my trek neared its end, I understood one last message. Be it high or low tide, God walks with us on the inclines of all our shoreline journeys. Never will God’s set of footprints be washed away from carrying us when our human endurance is gone and the only human strength we have left is to dive into the port of His all powerful arms. “When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you…” (Isaiah 43:2 ESV)

Like me, I’m pretty sure your life, also, seems congested with the standstill traffic of pot holes, road closures and constantly being re-routed around construction. I’m, truly, not the personality to see road blocks and detours as chances to stop and enjoy new scenic sights. I fall into the “lady on a mission” category and ooze a “get in there and get it accomplished” strategy. I fully understand and accept life is filled with tie-ups, upsets and change of plans. It’s not my disposition, however, to automatically accept a map filled with round-a-bouts as the direction best leading to a desired destination. Thus, God (more times than desired or should be necessary) often delivers HIS chosen course for me through my engaging in a frustrated conversations with Him. “Really, God??? I asked for Checkers; You gave me Chess” is how this particular conversation began.

During the times when there’s a huge load on my plate, it is automatically instinctive for me to knock (even bang down) God’s door. My short coming is never to doubt God is the only compass, fuel and vehicle capable of delivering me, my loved ones and all humanity to where we are called and where an eternity of redemptive peace and grace reign. The route is my stumbling stone.

When I see conflict, struggle, mountains to climb and valleys to crawl through, I want Checkers — a game board you succeed on by only needing to go forwards or backwards and, better yet, jumping over what obstacles are in your path, thereby speeding up the time to overcome opposition. I don’t want Chess — a game board on which you add going sideways and, even, in circular pattern in order to, way down the road, defeat the adversary. In Chess, the more challenging the next move, the longer it takes to comtemplate, devise and deliver strategy. With speed, Checkers out plays the opposition. With perseverance, Chess out smarts the opposition.

Without a doubt, I always ask God for Checkers. So, why does God send me Chess, when I request Checkers? You better believe, I asked Him this very question. God’s shared wisdom led me to understanding by reminding me that His Son’s dedication and perseverance, through a 33 year long process, was what it took to win my salvation. (Ouch!!) Overcoming opposition and gaining this reward for me was not a fast paced, hurdles jumped endeavor. If Jesus took the long, necessary route needed for me and my salvation, shouldn’t I embrace (not complain about) doing the same? Not quite done with His enlightenment, I sensed God adding: being able to dismiss a challenge easily and speedily often translates into being remiss concerning the full weight and impact of both my duly earned effects of sin and my unearned gift of grace.

The road to heaven is a marathon journey, not an around the corner, fast errand jaunt. With remorse and humility, I’m now a tad wiser, and a heap more understanding, of why the Lord continually hands me Chess, instead of Checkers. Game On!!!