God whispered the words in the title above for the first time on a camping trip when our boys were young. I was sitting on the shore of a small protected lake in Wisconsin keeping my eyes on our son. My husband and I had let Jeff, maybe 8 years old at the time, take our canoe out by himself.

He was perhaps 50 yards from shore, sitting, smiling, enjoying, probably listening to the birds, and feeling the slight rock of the canoe in the warm summer breezes. It was the perfect picture of peacefulness, for Jeff and for me.

Enjoying, peacefulness, awareness, listening ~ all words I would use to describe sabbath-living. I imagine for Jeff that was a time of sabbath, even though in his short 8 years he had probably never heard the word. There was nothing else he was supposed to be doing. There was nothing else I was supposed to be doing.

Now that same phrase, there is nothing else you’re supposed to be doing, often surfaces when we’re on vacation.

Just last month I sat on the wide front porch of our VRBO, cuddled in a soft blanket, and my vacation phrase came back. The creek was running loud because of the thunder storms the night before. The deep green of the Cottonwoods and the lighter green of the Aspen were quiet that morning, the breezes non-existent. The sky was slowly morphing from overcast to patches of blue. I sipped my coffee and breathed deeply of God’s gift of sabbath. There was nothing else I was supposed to be doing.

A simple sentence ushers in contentment, peace, and profound truth.

Another sentence I haven’t forgotten brings a smile and ministry. Together these two sentences have brought definition to what I have come to call sabbath-living.

You don’t look Jewish. It was spoken to me a few years back and in remembering, now like then, it makes me smile. I was in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport and had struck up a conversation with a fellow traveler. I learned that she was a Bible study leader in a well-known Bible study ministry. I told her I was on my way to facilitate a Sabbath-Living retreat. Her surprised response, you don’t look Jewish, tumbled out of her mouth. For her the word sabbath was a cultural word connected with the Jewish faith.

I laughed and responded, I wasn’t Jewish, I was Christian.

For me, the phrase Sabbath-Living is a way to describe a life-style of connecting with God, and enjoying His presence. It defines my (almost) daily times with God, my quiet time and what I hear referred to as extended time with God.

And I’ve come to call the retreats I lead Sabbath-Living. They are a time of developing and deepening your friendship with God, of listening for his love, resting in his presence, and of experiencing sabbath-living.

In enjoying these times of sabbath, I also know, there is nothing else I’m supposed to be doing!

“Be still and know that I am God,
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10

The phone call came, a year ago, as Bill and I were driving west for a week of vacation in Utah. It was Sunday. My sister had taken Mom to the ER, her third trip to the hospital in four months.

It never occurred to me that they would install a pacemaker.
It never occurred to me that Mom would not recover.
It never occurred to me that we would bring Mom home to Hospice.
It never occurred to me that Mom would experience heaven in less than two weeks.

We continued on.

Los Vados, our vacation destination, is tucked in a beautiful canyon near Moab. This lovely home has beckoned us back many years to enjoy the desert quiet, the solitude, the remote location, and the swimming pool. Up the hill from the deck is the one place we are able to get a cell connection. I walked up that hill many times Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday as my sisters kept me up to date with Mom in New Jersey. Late Tuesday afternoon, we decided to abort vacation and I headed east.

These last few weeks I’ve been remembering, re-living, grieving, and going through not a few tissues. One year ago today _____, one year ago today _____.

And in the midst, I’m thankful.

Mom is in heaven free of those earth-bound realities that so frustrated her 97 year old body.

I’m thankful for the heritage of values that Mom left for me. The values of presence, of family, of hospitality, of faith, of honoring, of creativity, of hard work, and more were all woven into the fabric of her being.

“She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;”
Proverbs 31:27, 28a

Although I live those values differently, Mom planted the seeds and faithfully watered those values. They took root in my life.

Perhaps the value seed I’m most thankful for is the unique seed of release and support. Mom, and Dad too, knew how to release their daughters, to give us wings, to allow us to become.

But as they released, they continued to support. Mom was always interested in my family. What were the boys doing; how were the boys doing? And as our boys grew and married and had families of their own, I could always count on Mom to listen to all my gramma stories. Even into her 90’s she welcomed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren into her home.

As I remember back one year, I’m also more deeply thankful for my three sisters.

 

Our relationship changed this past year. We’ve walked through the valley of the reality of death together. At times it’s been hard. But it has also opened new doors among us. I’m appreciating each of them in new ways. I’ve experienced strengths that covered for my weaknesses. I see those value seeds that Mom planted alive in them as well, blooming differently than mine, but blooming complimenting their own unique designs.

Mom ended her life well. I think Mom would say, mission accomplished. She left each of us a giant gift, a picture of her love. Thank you Mom! I love you.

 

“Tell your children of it,
and let your children tell their children,
and their children to another generation.”
Joel 1:3

 

 

 

 

Ann Voskamp’s words in the introduction to her book, The Way of Abundance, caused me to stop reading, grab my highlighter, re-read, and think, and think, and think.

“Isn’t all fear … just a belief that God’s love ends?”
(page 13)

 

Do I believe God’s love ends? No, but do I live like that is my belief?

Last March my husband Bill woke up on a Tuesday morning and most of the vision in his left eye was gone. His vision was normal when he put his head on the pillow just eight hours before. After several tests, two doctors, and a month’s time, he was diagnosed with Naion. Thankfully the vision in his right eye was normal  … until May. Now Naion is in both eyes! Bill is living with only peripheral vision.

“When Jesus saw her weeping … he was deeply moved … and greatly troubled.”
John 11:33, italics mine.

Jesus loved Mary a lot; he was deeply moved and greatly troubled! He loved her and hurt with her over her loss, the death of her brother Lazarus.

Jesus loves my husband too, and hurts with him. In Mary’s case, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. We are praying that Bill’s vision will be restored, but so far God is manifesting his love in other ways.

In describing God’s love, Ephesians 3:17-19 is a bit of an enigma. “… that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend … what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge …” How can we know something that surpasses knowledge?* (Italics mine)

Psalm 139:6 (The Passion Translation), “This is just too wonderful, Deep and incomprehensible!”

This truth may be beyond our understanding, but not beyond our trust.
This truth is dependent on God’s character, not my fathoming it.

God’s love has no limit!

God’s peace is incomprehensible! It has no limit. Philippians 4:7.

God’s mercies never end! They are new every morning. There is no limit. Lamentations 3:22.

God’s greatness is unsearchable! It has no limit. Psalm 145:3.

*According to my study Bible, the notes of Ephesians 3:19 tell me, “To know what surpasses knowledge is the sublime privilege of the Christian.”

“Can you find out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?”
Job 11:7

“Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”
Romans 11:33

I wonder, what are you living with that challenges you with the truth that God’s love, his peace, his mercies, his greatness, and so much more know no limits?

 

 

Hello Echoes of Grace Friends,

Welcome back! I’m glad you returned.

After an extra long summer break, the technical glitches have been solved, Echoes has a new look, and I’ve been collecting thoughts to share with you.

The new picture above is compliments of my good friend, Kathy Lorimor. Motivated by Psalm 16:11, I collect pictures of paths. I especially love this one because this curvy path leads through the woods. I love walking in the woods. And because of the twists and turns on this path, it reminds me of our lives ~ full of twists and turns.

My prayer for you is that the words of Echoes each week will offer encouragement to you as you traverse the twists and turns of your paths.

With September usually come many opportunities to join, to grow, to serve. My email box has been bulging the past few weeks. I bet yours has too. But we all have limits!

 

So the question … when to say yes, when to say no, and when to say maybe? One opportunity that landed in my maybe pile is GriefShare. Mom died last September. I wonder if God will meet me through this ministry. Maybe.

Keep reading and I’ll share with you one principle that helps me land on the yes, the no, or the maybe.

 

Knowing My Limits

“You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore”
Psalm 16:11

Ahhhh, September, the gateway to a new year. (I’m a teacher by training. For teachers often September is the start of the year.) Enticing opportunities, good opportunities abound. The I shoulds, I coulds, and the I’d really like to rumble through my mind. And you know, my fall calendar has some white space.

DECISIONS …

My mind wandered to John the Baptist. Much of his narrative is recorded in John 1 and John 3. As I re-read those familiar words, something new caught my attention.

John 1:19 – “… Who are you?”       John 1:23 – “… I am the voice …”
John 1:30 – ” … After me comes a man who ranks before me …”
John 3:28 – ” … I am not the Christ …”
John 3:29 – in an allegory he identifies himself as the friend of the bridegroom.
John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John’s words are all responses to the religious leaders in chapter 1 who were challenging his identity; and in chapter 3 to some of his followers who were trying to understand his limits.

Both times John responds with identity statements.

And his identity determined his participation.
John the Baptist knew his limits.

Could that same principle help me know my limits? YES!

My … Our … most important identity is our child of God Identity. One of my favorite scriptures that speak of this identity is I John 3:1.

“How great is the love that the Father has lavished on us …
that we should be called children of God …
and that is exactly who we are.”
I John 3:1

With that identity comes desires and responsibilities.
With that identity comes opportunities I need to be faithful to.
With that identity comes opportunities I need to pass on and grieve.

Wrapped in my identity are God imposed limits.
Wrapped in my identity is God’s protection.
Wrapped in my identity is God’s design for me.
Wrapped in my identity is another opportunity to trust his love.

I (like you) have other identities that factor into my limits.
I’m a wife, a gramma (and a mother), a friend, a sister, and a missionary to name a few.

Remembering my primary identity, often brings clarity to the opportunities that come my way and define my limits for me.

John called himself the friend of the bridegroom who is Jesus. We too are called friends of Jesus (John 15:15).

As Jesus’ friend, John hears Jesus’ voice, he rejoices, and his joy is complete (John 3:29)!

Living in his limits, knowing his identity ushered in complete joy.

Please come back next week for some thoughts on No Limits.

BTW, when you sign up to follow Echoes of Grace, I also send a short personal note your way almost every week including a devotional thought. In next week’s note I’m going to share some other principles that help me define my limits. Or just email me sue@suetell.com, and I’ll be glad to sign you up.

 

 

 

 

 

Hello,

Echoes of Grace had an extra long break this summer. Not planned, but a good thing. During July (and into August) I needed to work on some technical updates. And for those of you who follow Echoes of Grace, you know that it always takes a break during August. So do mark your calendars for Thursday, September 6 and I’ll enjoy re-connecting with you then.

I’m thankful for the ministries of Markinc and The Navigators this summer. Both have kept the heart of Echoes alive posting my words on their sites. You can see some of the most popular Echoes of Grace posts at www.Markinc.org/dailytreasures/ . Scroll back to the weeks of July 16 and 23 and you’ll find 12 posts there. The Navigator posts are in-house for our staff. But I’ll share with you. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll forward them to you.

But the technical issues did not stop the notes I write to those who have signed up to follow Echoes of Grace. (A few friends told me they appreciate these notes even more than the blog! Hmmm, I’m thinking about that.) So, sign up to follow Echoes and you’re in.

Hope you’re having a restful summer,
Love,
Sue

 

 

 

My antenna is always rotating for more wisdom about rest.

A few years back, Mom shared with me that her favorite scripture is Psalm 23. She started me on a journey of pondering the truths the Psalmist is communicating.

The stone in the picture above is a special gift from two friends after Mom died last fall. Here Psalm 23:1 is from the New Living Translation. The stone rests against the fireplace hearth in our great room and often provides the impetus for my morning prayers, Lord, thank you for providing what I need today.

I copied the words below from Dayspring’s website on June 24, 2018. Their featured article that day written by Julie, 6 Verses to Help You Rest this Summer, caught my attention because of the word ‘rest’ in the title and because Psalm 23:1 is the first verse Julie highlights. Like me, I hope you find it helpful.

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6 Verses to Help You Rest this Summer

Hammock? Check.

My friend John, a pastor, has a brother who embraces the homosexual lifestyle. As a follower of Jesus, John prayed, how should I relate to my brother?

God’s answer, tucked in the words of John’s prayer, came almost immediately. He needs you to be his brother. Of course, so obvious, love him as a brother.

Live out who God created you to be, his brother, and trust God to work out the particulars.

Real life is an unfolding journey without easy answers.

I don’t have a brother; I have three married sisters. We live in four different states. Mostly our journeys don’t overlap. But we are sisters and there are some common paths.

I’ve often prayed John’s prayer, how do I relate to my sisters. And the answer I hear is the same, love them as sisters. Each of my sisters is a unique creation. My love for each one needs to look unique.

I trust Jesus for the how.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I love you.
Abide in my love.”
John 15:9

1. Jesus loves with the love he has received from the Father. So I must be soaking myself in God’s love for me. If I’m not receiving, I have nothing to give.

“Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon
casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
And Jesus said to them,
“Follow me …”
Mark 1:16 and 17

2. Jesus initiates. So I call, I initiate. When I wonder about, when I have joys or heart aches to     share, when I have questions, or just because. Usually the phone calls are not short.

“When Jesus saw her weeping,
and the Jews who had come with her also weeping,
he was deeply moved …”
John 11:33

3. Jesus pays attention. He identifies. So I’m curious. I ask about their realities, their kids, their grand-kids .And I’ve experienced their care especially with our precious Ezra. We too identify with each other.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you …”
John 15:16

4. Jesus includes. And so I include with invitations to special events. I include them in our calendar. And they include me.

We love like sisters, long-distance sisters. Sisters can’t always be there. Sisters don’t always have solutions. But we journey with each other as our stories unfold. I’m thankful for my sisters.

“A friend is always loyal,
and a brother (sister) is born to help in time of need.”
Proverbs 17:17, NLT

 

 

I’m here with you, God.

I’m here for you, God.

I’m here to experience you, God.

I’m here to be loved by you, God.

I’m here to know you in new ways, God.

I’m here for others, God.

I’m here to be all here with you, God.

Penned June 2017
at Our Sanctuary

Actually I was drawn to this picture because of the beautiful cloudy sky above the mountains.

As is usual, the more I write about something, the more I continue to ponder with the Lord. That’s been true with the concept of humility. Below is the link to my post on humility from 3 weeks ago. Scroll to the bottom and you’ll notice 5 additional humility is sentences.

Eating Humble Pie

It was the last few days of our two weeks at our Sanctuary, our small cabin buried deep among the pines of the Wet Mountains, the place where we go to refresh and refuel.

A text came from two friends both sharing their great weariness. I was caught off guard. That was not how I was feeling at all. But of course not. They were in the midst of people, appointments, and do-lists. I was in the midst of listening to breezes, enjoying the chatter of birds, uninterrupted leisurely quiet times, watching the clouds, and one night the Milky Way, Su-do-ku puzzles, and a good novel. They were giving out; I was taking in.

I was reminded of God’s creation account in Genesis 1 and 2. On days 1 -5, God created all those things I was enjoying at our Sanctuary. And he called it “good”. On the 6th day, he created man in his image, and called it “very good”. And then on the 7th day, God rested and he called it “holy”. Our time of rest is holy time.

Holy and not forever.

“And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves
to a desolate place and rest a while.”
Mark 6:31 ESV

Come away – This was Jesus’ invitation to his disciples in the midst of a busy ministry time. To leave behind their normals, their do-list, the crowds, their ministry, and join him.

with me – The New International Version adds this small phrase “with me”. To me this seems important. Jesus isn’t sending the disciples away, he is inviting them to come away with him, let him be their companion. Our Sanctuary is for us (Bill and me) a unique place to go and be with Jesus … and each other.

by yourselves – At this point there are still 12 disciples. The invitation was to all of them, to 12 like-hearted men.

to a desolate place – The NIV as well as the NLT (New Living Translation) says a quiet place. A desolate place is usually also a quiet place. A place to listen well and enjoy what God has created.

and rest – One size fits all does not apply to rest. For my husband to rest, quiet music in the

background is his desire; for me quiet is quiet … except for the sounds of God’s creation. We did something different this time, we kept our phones on ‘silent’. I still checked my messages and emails morning and evening, but I did it on my time, not when my phone alerted me a new message had arrived. This picture magneted to our fridge says, “the best way to recharge is to unplug”. I agree.

a while – The rest our cabin provides does not last forever. It is for a while. There is a time to return. When we returned last week, I knew that there were phone calls waiting to be made. I made them from the place of quiet God worked in my life during our days at the cabin.

For the disciples that particular time of rest was not two weeks long. They were quickly tossed back into ministry. That often is our experience as well.

So we rest a while. Savor the times God graciously provides.

 

 

 

“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” I Corinthians 2:1-5, ESV.

These personal thoughts (or this conversation with God) came as I journaled I Corinthians 2:1-5 . I’ve included more context at the end of the post. Read on.

“And I, when I came to you,”   When I inserted myself into your lives … as I often do … sometimes with people I know, like family or friends … sometimes with people I’m just meeting like you who  signed up for the online course I’m leading.

“brothers”  or rather, sisters …

“(I) did not come … with lofty speech or wisdom.”  I didn’t come like I had it all together, or like I had all the answers. Hmmm, but if I’m the leader or the facilitator, shouldn’t I be at least one step ahead? Paul would answer my rhetorical question with a resounding ‘no’. I’m learning, God doesn’t need my wisdom, he wants my journey, my story, my stewardship. God then can translate that into his wisdom.

“For I decided to know nothing … except Jesus Christ …”  It’s not what I can impart to you; it’s what we can impart to each other about Jesus. I wonder, do my words and my questions reflect this to you who are part of this course? If not, how can I better communicate? Please help.

“And I was WITH you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,” (capitalizing, mine)  The recipients of Paul’s letter understood ‘fear and trembling’ as we understand humility. We’re on this journey together. I was with you. And in my with-ness sometimes I feel insecure or that I won’t be enough for you. Not being good enough is one of the biggest lies I need God to apply his truth to … often.

“and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom”  I noticed, this is the second time in two sentences Paul says the same thing. Emphasis = importance! I don’t say what I’m saying because I have it all together. True for Paul; true for me.

“but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,”  Yes! My desire as I steward my words, that God’s powerful Spirit will translate them to you in ways you need to hear.

(so) “that”  The reason, the purpose, the key … Listen up, Sue!

“your faith might not rest in the wisdom of (wo)men but in the power of God.”  ‘Resting faith’, that communicates. Resting faith in the power of God. YES! Only the power of God is transformational. I’m continuing to ponder what resting faith looks like. Please share your ideas.

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God brought me to this passage when I was a month in to leading a group of full-time Christian workers through the Trueface, High Trust Leader Course. Although I had facilitated this online course several times before, this particular time was a bit intimidating as I considered all of these women peers. And they were.

I’m so thankful for each of these women. Because of their faithful participation, their stories, and their understandings, God grew me. I needed them. I learned from them.

Like Paul who was WITH the Corinthians on their journey, I was WITH these ladies. As I’ve thought about our 16 weeks together, three principles have emerged:

Being WITH them meant:

1. I was not out in front of them trying to fix them.
2. I was not lagging behind them licking my insecurity wounds.
3. I was stewarding who God created me to be and was WITH them in humility trusting God to work in all of our lives.

The High Trust Leader online course will be offered again starting August 1. Hit comment and I’ll fill you in on the details. Or click here to check it out for yourself.