Rising Up in Gratitude


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
November 18, 2009

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. –Psalm 121 1-2 NIV

The remnants of Tropical Storm Ida weren’t supposed to leave such an impression on the Outer Banks. And the storm wouldn’t have if it had not merged with a low pressure system off of the coast. But it did. And it became a historic nor’easter event instead. Some people would have preferred a hurricane rather than a nor’easter. The thinking is that the short duration of a hurricane is no match for the long, drawn out three day pounding of a nor’easter. Looking at the aftermath of such a strong storm left many with great loses of property and whole communities that were inconvenienced because of washed out roads. The cleanup begins and loses totaled. Even though the storm clouds and heavy rains are long gone, fear of storms and all the “what ifs” linger on with many people. It is a natural response, but God is supernatural and that means we can lift all of our fears and concerns up to Him.

The Outer Banks community is already embarking on a clean up, a rebuilding, a replenishment of sorts in the attempt to look beyond the storm and into the future with a vision. The people of the Outer Banks are resilient and strong and just like so many times before, everything will be back in order again.

In church on Sunday we sang the words to the hymn, “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”. The refrain goes like this: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.” We can take a lesson from the strength of a community to rise up over our losses, our grief, our troubles and with our eyes upon Jesus, we can live for the future and not the past.

Thanksgiving is in a few days, and we all have something to be grateful for despite the losses that have come our way. We are all God’s children and He makes us adaptable, capable and fills out hearts with love and gratitude. However the day is spent, we must remember to give Thanks to our Heavenly Father, knowing that all blessings flow from Him!

A New Season


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
November 11, 2009

And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years ,-Genesis 1:14 NIV

The fresh green of newly sprouted rye grass, the yellow, red and orange leaves on the trees, the smell of swirling smoke from neighboring fireplaces and the cool, crisp air is what November means to me. The swishing sound of someone raking leaves and pine straw is music to my ears. A bright orange pumpkin and pot of yellow potted mums by the front door says “welcome”. Okra pods and dried hydrangeas are ready to set aside for spraying with gold paint for handmade Christmas wreaths and centerpieces. McIntosh apples are plentiful now for that warm chunky applesauce at supper. I believe it is true what they say, that the heart of the hone is the kitchen. That’s the gathering place. Good food warms hearts and souls. Laughter and conversation spills forth when everyone converges upon the kitchen at the end of the day. Reading the mail, petting the dogs, setting the table, starting supper and sharing the day happens in our kitchen. With the coming of cooler weather and shorter days, I find myself looking for comfort. A warm supper, a soft afghan to curl up with afterwards and my pup beside me, it’s the perfect evening. I believe November is a nurturing time of year. In a few weeks it will be Thanksgiving. The time we devote to counting our blessings and sharing food and hospitality with family and friends.

When we had to change our clocks recently, I easily remembered how to do it….spring forward and fall back. And I get it right every time!! (Now if I could just get help changing the clock in the car!!) When seasons change, it is also a good time to take stock of things, including our spiritual life. To sit before God and see if we are still on the right track. Are we doing what He would have us do? Are we growing, increasing our faith with each day? Are we doing more for Him and others? Are we loving more and forgiving always? Is our spirit open to Him or are we going down our own path? We can find peace and comfort in God’s Presence. In His Arms. Whatever may be in our hearts that we carry and are concerned about, we can turn it over to Him. He allows us to “fall back” on Him when we turn over our concerns. To release everything to Him frees us and gives us the chance to seize the many opportunities He brings for us to be able to “spring forward”, even if it is so simple as to step into a new season with peace.

Dusk


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
November 05, 2009

Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. –Psalm 17:3 NIV

The definition of dusk is the time of day immediately following sunset. That time is also called twilight. When I am at the beach, the ability to see such a large expanse of sky enables me to see the most glorious sunsets as if it were a panoramic view. But the time I like best is dusk. Those few moments when the sun has vanished from the horizon, yet the clouds still reflect the fading light is beautiful. Sometimes the sky is ablaze with fiery reds and oranges. Other times, pinks and shades of purple dominate the sky. One can’t help but think about the largeness of the universe and that we are just a speck of life in the scope of things. Looking at the sky at dusk is the final salute to the day as I hope with all my heart that the day was used as God would have me use it.

To see the sky at dusk means that I must look up and not down. My eyes have to rise up to the clouds, to look over the landscape. That is what it means to live above our circumstances. What we should try to do with each day is to not focus on the problems, our shortcomings or anyone else’s or the lack that surrounds us, but instead try to see the good and God in everything. Sickness may come, or recovery from illness may seem too slow. The children need so much attention and the mundane tasks of everyday life are leaving us with an empty cup. God would have us look up above over these things. Look beyond. Look up to Him. When adversity knocks on the door, how we handle it tells it all. Our actions, attitudes and the words that tumble out of our mouths when we are knee-deep in problems or pain can be a blessing to us and those around us or not. It is our choice. I believe that as we sleep each night, God renews us and purifies our heart. When we wake up we have a new, fresh start. It is up to us to try to end each day the way we started, which is receiving God’s Love and Peace, and no matter what the day brings, doing our best to stay in His Love and Peace, so that we can give it to others.

Keeping God’s Light Within


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
October 22, 2009

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. -Matthew 6:22 NIV

Where are the nice people? So many occasions where people could be nice and pleasant, but they have chosen not to be. Just going through everyday life, it seems to be rare if someone holds open the door. Or in the grocery store parking lot, people are just leaving the carts for someone else to deal with. A friend and I were talking about this recently and it seems that courtesy and kindness are dwindling away. It appears to be contagious. Being thoughtless is giving way to insensitivity. And it adds up. Before long, a mindset develops to care only about self and ones’ personal agenda, wants and needs. Looking out for one another or bringing a moment of kindness without anything in return is becoming rare. Let’s concentrate this week on what we can do to make this better. It starts with little things like giving a smile and a kind word to someone. Letting another person go ahead of us in line. Taking the cart back to the grocery store. I know we can make a difference. The economy, our age, our circumstances, the lack of time or money doesn’t give us the freedom to behave in any way less than what God intended….and that is to show brotherly love to one another. He will use us as an instrument to help others but first we have to have a heart to do so. I am guilty of this. Being in a hurry or being busy is no excuse for being discourteous. I may have missed some opportunities to be a witness to God in my own busyness. How could anyone see God’s Light within us if the light is not on?

Autumn Flowers


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
October 22, 2009

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. –Isaiah 40:8 NIV

This past week I went to a flower farm where zinnias and sunflowers were still blooming. The vibrant colors of fall were evident in the fields of flowers just waiting to be picked. I brought two handfuls of flowers home for the dining table and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Buds of sunflowers slowly opened during the week as the zinnias wilted one by one. Flowers, I think are one of God’s gifts to us. When I look at a flower and examine the petals and the intricate structure, it is a reminder of God’s perfection at work. The arrangement of the seeds in the center of a sunflower is a geometric wonder to me.

If God worked so hard to perfect the flowers, then is there any doubt that he would have done less when he formed us? Stop along the beach and pick up a shell. Look at it. The ridges, the colors, the perfect shape. Another achievement that nature gets to take credit for under the umbrella of God’s artistry.

We are so much greater than a flower or a shell. We are a masterpiece made and created by God. We would not be here if God had not breathed life into us. Each person has a purpose in this life. It is important to fulfill that purpose but to do it God’s Way and not our own way. What does that mean? We just don’t want to get ahead of God and take the plan for our life and make things happen in our own time. Instead, we are to know God through His Word and grow from His Instruction. We are to lean on Him while He takes time to develop, refine and prepare us for the plans He has in store. Like a flower unfolds, one petal at a time, we are the same. One day at a time. One step at a time. Trading impatience for patience. Trusting God every moment to lead us to the purpose and plan for our life.

Docks


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
October 14, 2009

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! -Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV

The definition of a dock is a place where vessels are moored. We certainly have plenty of docks on the Outer Banks. Marinas, neighborhood and residential docks dot the landscape and provide a safe place to tie up for those travelling on water. Mostly made of wooden planks and pilings that go deep below, some docks even sport benches where one can rest or watch the water traffic pass by. The main purpose of the dock however, is to have a place to bring a boat in for more supplies, rest or parking until the next time out.

If a dock is a place to stop, rest or park for boaters, I wonder if we have a place like that for ourselves. My first thought after God is finding refuge in friendship. There is nothing like a good friend to talk with. Friends often uplift and encourage us. They replenish our souls so we can get back to our lives with restored strength and enthusiasm. Sometimes we can become spiritually dry, and it takes a special Christian friend to offer us prayer and a good ear, if we need it. Maybe all that is required to get back on track is to have someone listen, pray and build us up. When we lose our compass and run aground, it is good if we have a friendship in place where we can go and set anchor for a bit. To have a good Christian friend is a blessing. To be a good Christian friend takes wisdom, time and God’s leading. You will know if you are one, if you do not pass judgement, listen well, invite God into your conversations, and offer prayer. A true friend is like an angel on earth, a gift from God.

Solitude


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
October 08, 2009

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. -Psalm 62:5 NIV

This is the time of year when you can have the beach all to yourself. I love these days of solitude as I do a panoramic scan of the area and it is just me and the sea. The natural beauty of the beach is prevalent. The summer umbrellas and beach chairs have been put away for the season and the natural landscape stands still, at rest for a while, before the hustle and bustle of spring comes about again.

That’s how it is with us at times. We are often on a treadmill of fast- paced activity as we scurry from one project or one place to another. When we get caught up in demands and schedules that are hard to maintain, it takes its toll on us and we no longer think clearly, our bodies grow tired and our good naturedness gives way to grumpiness. Our mind, body and spirit were meant for a period of rest. Being still and at rest is one of the ways that we can begin to listen for God’s voice on the inside of us. It is when we can abide in Him and He can abide in us that we know we are connected.

We function best when we follow a busy time with a rest and period of solitude. If we observe each season from a spiritual standpoint, there is something to learn from each of them. Spring is for planting and sowing seeds of faith. Summer is a growing season when we can put our faith to the test as we walk on the path of our Christian journey. Fall is when we begin to see the fruits of our labor and we see a harvest of prayers that are answered. Winter is when we prepare for the quiet time and the rest where God rejuvenates us and puts in us ideas, hopes and dreams that we nurture and incubate while waiting for spring. Now, we are approaching the time of solitude. The birds, trees and vegetation are beginning to show signs of this as the days are shorter and the temperatures begin to drop. In our Christian life, there are times for listening and times for doing. Learning to be in solitude so we can hear His Voice in our hearts will make us more usable to Him. He gives us direction and leading and if we are willing, God will put us in situations where we can serve Him by helping others.

October


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
October 01, 2009

he Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. –Psalm 28:7 NIV

October is a wonderful time to be at the beach in my opinion. The days are shorter, the nights are cooler. Goldenrod is in full bloom with its mustard colored flowers growing wild here and there. Sea oats look rich in a golden amber hue as they wave back and forth on the dunes in the ocean breezes. Salt spray covers everything. Where tourists once sunbathed on the summer beaches, large flocks of pelicans and gulls have reclaimed those places as their own again. It is sweatshirt weather on most mornings. Pots of seafood chowders and stews are put on simmer all day for early autumn suppers to stave off the evening chill. October spells pure joy to me as it is the one month that everything seems to be just perfect on the Outer Banks.

For a while, I have collected everything I could find with the word “joy” written on it. Tree ornaments, plaques, magnets and more. I use these little messages throughout my home as a daily reminder to stay in joy and not complain or find fault with myself or others. I have learned that it doesn’t take much to get hooked into the emotion of complaining and grumpiness and that is a trap the enemy uses to steal our joy. We have to be on guard against this happening. My favorite definition of joy is “the expression or display of glad feelings”. Being filled with joy can cause us to want to do and share good things for those around us. It is like having a new song on the inside of us. When we can, I think we are supposed to spread our joy outward and see how God uses it to make positive changes in our lives and the lives of others.