Trust

Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

—Psalm 131:1-2, NLT

Peace is where I find you, Lord. It is that place where I have a heart at rest—one that doesn’t seek recognition or approval. In you, Lord, I don’t have a front to maintain or a point to prove. I can be honest with myself and with others when I don’t have all the answers. Only you have. I can’t fix anything. Only you can. Like a weaned child, who has matured to the place where it no longer needs its mother’s milk, I allow you to be in control. I trust you to handle and take care of each problem. You sometimes direct me into places of hardship to take care of what you deem necessary, but it is through those times that I learn to lean more on the truth of your Word and less on the milk of what I feel. Your altar is always with me—a place of surrender that quietens my soul. And in my surrender, you carry me through or above any pain to victory. I make my life your choice, Lord, and whatever comes, I place my hope in you.

© 2017 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com

YOU MAKE ME RIGHT

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. —Proverbs 16:3, NIV

As much as I want to be perfect in what I do, Lord, I can’t. Sometimes it seems the more I try, the more I fail. When I believe I have discovered all my mistakes, then I find more. I keep striving—trying to live up to a perfection that I can’t obtain. And then after trying to get it right, I find I have failed in my attempt again.

I don’t own any failure. It belongs to you. Everything I am belongs to you so my failure also belongs to you. I can’t keep that failure festering and hurting inside my heart until every sense of worth is destroyed. The “what ifs” I ask myself will only bind me to that failure. Being consumed with that failure only places my failure on a pedestal instead of placing it on your altar. It is my choice to make that failure an offering so that I can learn from it and not dwell on it. You understand where my failure began, and you alone can make it right. You always teach a lesson that will keep me from another failure. Seeking your will in every decision I make—committing that decision to you— Lord, you will establish the work of my hands. You will teach me a lesson that grows your purpose in my life and empowers that lesson with your anointing.

I will move forward trusting you. I rejoice in your promise of renewal. Praising you that I don’t own my failure, I discover that your plan is greater than any failure that I might make. Stepping forward from doubt caused by failure, and moving forward in faith, I shall find your peace. I commit to you all of me—the good and the less than perfect—the things that haven’t come together right, and I make my life an offering. You will make all right as you wish. 

Copyright 2017 Lynn Lacher

Released

My heart is stretched, Lord. I did not think it could stretch any further, but it continues to stretch beyond what I believe is my limit. It is more resilient than I realize, and, if I had not faced this time of loss, stronger than I would have ever known. I could have stubbornly retreated and isolated myself from your love and the love of others you send to encourage me. But the mask would have been too hard to hold in place. The effort to hide from your love would have drowned me.

“I will give you a new heart,” you whisper each morning I awake to circumstances beyond my control. “I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 36:26, NLT). There is no way I can hide from you, Holy Spirit. You find my breaking heart through walls of false protection. The façade cracks—my stony heart melts into flesh. And this pain, which has isolated my heart, brings me to this place of surrender where I find you. I meet you—again and again, and in that deep place where your heart releases mine, I find freedom from all that wounds my heart.  Your joy becomes my strength. And life, instead of destroying me, becomes the catalyst that daily fires my soul.

© 2017 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com

Love Beyond Your Need

“He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6b, NIV).

Christmas can be a lonely time for those who have lost a loved one. It can be a sad time for those who do not have a loving family. It can be a lonesome time for those who have no one in their lives to encourage them and offer hope. Even if you are in a loving church that brings joy to your life, Christmas can still be a sad time when those church friends gather with their own families. The season brings joy to so many, but it is also the time of year when so many feel alone.

If you are one who has a loving family and friends, then share your Christmas with others who don't. Open your heart to others who have no one this season. Love with the love He has given you. There is someone in your life who feels deserted. There is someone who needs a touch from a loving hand. There is someone who needs to not only hear the words “he will never leave you or forsake you,” but to experience them. If you are one who feels alone, remember the greatest promise that offers hope. You are never really alone. The Lord will never leave you. He will never forsake you or abandon you. When it seems the rest of the world is too busy for you, He is not. When your own family does not love like it should, He does. When you feel rejected, you are not. If you have asked Him into your heart, He is your Savior, and you are not alone.

Love beyond your need. Give because you, too, are needy. Whether you are alone or not, Jesus calls you to reach beyond yourself—to love others with His love that knew no boundaries. If you have any encouragement from knowing Jesus Christ—if you have any comfort from His love— reach out with tenderness and compassion. Do nothing out of selfishness. With humility place others above yourself, and love with the passion with which He loves you (Philippians 2:1-4). Give yourself away expecting nothing in return. Share your heart and experience the joy found in dying to self. Experience the promise of abundance in a heart that He alone fills. Never forsaken—never forgotten—never alone, you are fulfilled.

Copyright 2017 Lynn Hampton Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com

 Thank you for allowing me to share my heart with you, and for you sharing your heart with others. You are never alone.

Not About Me

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

—Philippians 2:2–4 (NIV)

Is my life one of promise? Do I offer hope? Do I encourage others when they are unable to encourage themselves? Am I sensitive to someone else’s pain? Do I unconsciously throw fuel on the fire of their pain with casual words that have not been inspired by God? Do I put the needs of others before my own? Do I find a way to just do enough? In my words or actions, I speak either encouragement or defeat to another person. I speak life or death to another heart.

As much as we might like it to be, His life in us is not about what we want or how we might prosper. It is all about what He desires for us to sacrificially become for the sake of someone else. His desire is for me to love others as He loves me—and tenderly and compassionately give my life away while expecting nothing in return. Freely He gave. Freely I should give. He desires for me to encourage and speak life where there has been death and to bless those who are downtrodden and hurting with the healing presence of Jesus Christ.

I pray that He molds my life into one that is not about me. I pray that I always see with His eyes, hear with His ears, and understand with His Spirit in order to help others realize their potential in Him. I pray that I put another life before my own. I pray that I always love and encourage with His grace and truth. I pray that I never let go of believing in His promise for someone else. I pray that my life becomes broken and spilled out as He was broken and spilled out for me.

I want no masks that veil my heart. Revival of the heart never holds back. It is always seen in loving action. May I bring Him joy by encouraging with the love and grace He has brought to me.

—Form Me, Fire Me, Fill Me, page 151

© 2017 Lynn Lacher

He is Your Gift

          If you are someone who is alone this Christmas, I will tell you that I don’t know exactly what you are going through. I don’t understand what it means to be without a husband or family at Christmas. But I do understand loss. Mother is gone. Daddy is slowly fading away. I do understand how your heart breaks when those you love are gone from your life.

          Companies, like Hallmark, remind us again and again that Christmas is a time for love and for families—a time for sharing presents and home. Warm and cozy feelings are their goals—along with a hot cup of cocoa to soothe and renew our visions of sugar plum sweetness. Over and over again, we are reminded that what the retail world tells us is true. And loneliness is magnified. Loss becomes greater. Despair draws us in, and we feel abandoned—without hope in a world that has left us behind.

          Jesus was not born into a world of sugar plum sweetness. He was born in a lowly manger, with little comfort, because there was no room for him in the inn. He came alone, without fanfare, to offer himself to be our greatest love. He was born to give himself away with no expectation of a gift in return. His love was born to be freely given—never to be earned. He knew loneliness as we will never know loneliness. And His loneliness was offered at Calvary as His greatest gift so that we might know God’s fullness and joy no matter our circumstance or our pain. He is our answer for loneliness. He is the answer for our pain of loss.

          If you are alone, do not feel abandoned. You have not been left behind. Your Comforter has come so you can rest in His unselfish grace. His heart knows your loneliness. He knew it at Calvary, and for your pain—your loss—for your life, He gave all He had to give. His gift for you is His life. There is no greater love than that which came from innocence to love you through this season right into the next.

          Yes, loss is real, but He understands it in ways I never will—in ways you never will.  Do not strain to understand his grace. Your mind cannot receive what is meant to heal your heart. He is your gift.

© 2017 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com

For Just a Moment

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. — Jeremiah 29:13 ( NIV)

Christmas is without you again, Daddy. You live another Christmas far away from us in your mind. You don’t realize where you are or what is happening to you. You don’t realize that you had only one year with your new bride. You don’t realize that Peggy, your youngest, has moved to Massachusetts from England. You don’t know the years are passing, and that you have not had a chance to help Peggy fix her new home, or a chance to enjoy the gift of a new marriage. You don’t know these things, but we do. We know what you have lost, and your loss breaks our hearts.

What can never be lost are the memories we hold close. The joy-filled scenes that we will never forget. We don’t know what you remember and what you don’t, but we know who you are. We know the example of commitment and unfailing love you always lived. You always taught that if we sought an answer, we would find it.

Daddy, I have taken that lesson and so many others with me all the days of my life. I never got the math you tried to teach me, but I got something else. You taught that once I have given my word that I’m committed, but also with that commitment must come wisdom to know how to deal with the inevitable struggles and pain of life. You always nourished my independent spirit, but also showed me how to submit it, when required, without losing myself. You taught me God’s love in each moment of pain, and in each moment that called for my surrender.

I sit beside you while you are sleeping. You will not wake up, and no one has been able to keep you awake all day. Your mind, no longer understanding simple directions, has retreated once more. It hurts terribly, and I suddenly yearn for God’s love to hold me. Then I remember your life lesson that if I seek an answer, I will find it.  If I seek God in this painful moment, I will find Him. So in the silence, I ask, and I hold your hand. And the peace of God, which passes my mind’s ability to understand, settles in my heart. Your hand stirs just a little within mine, and then is still again. For just a moment, you have known. For just a moment, you have remembered.

© 2017 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com

Reach for Him

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:11(KJV)

Unto us a child is born—but not just any child! He is a child born to save the world. He is a child born to save you and me. He is a child born to change our hearts. This child speaks hope where the world speaks discouragement. This child gives joy where the world offers despair. ”He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair” (Isaiah 61:3a, NLT).This child gives what the world can never give—peace in the heart of mankind.

Sin separates us from peace that our hearts long to know. Jesus Christ came into the world to lay down his life so we could experience the peace of His loving forgiveness and grace. His purpose was you, and it was me. He was not forced to give up His life, but He gave it freely without restraint. Because of His obedient and sacrificial love, sin was crucified at Calvary. Now we can go into the presence of an almighty God and find help in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16). There is hope in the midst of discouragement and despair. There is the promise of eternal life to come—and joy and peace now. Jesus’ name is the name above all other names. He is the one who is your answer.

Are you struggling with despair and hopelessness? This Christmas ask Him into your heart, and invite his presence to take what you were never created to handle. His peace which exceeds anything your mind can fathom will guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7). His joy will claim you. His purpose will guide you. His power will sustain you. His promise will fill you. He offers a beautiful life for the ashes of a burned-out one. He offers a life of joyous blessing and praise instead of a heart of despair. He offers hope and an abundant life. Just ask Him. Surrender what has separated you from His love. Surrender all that has burdened you. Give it all up. This Christmas reach for Him.

© 2017 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com

Daddy's Music

I look at you, Daddy, and remember you as you once were. You had such a brilliant mind, and such a committed heart. I still see the man in this article that was published in the fall of 1999, when the computer world was concerned that computers would crash at midnight on December 31^st.  I still see your dedication and your loving commitment—perhaps not the same way as seen in this article, but I catch glimpses of Bud Hampton that remind me that all is not lost.

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DADDY’S MUSIC

Bud Hampton leans back in his office chair, arms crossed, staring at the computer monitor, nodding as each highlighted note advances across the screen, carefully listening for any mistakes in the bass section of  “Walk Along Beside Me, O My Lord.” His mouse suddenly clicks, adding the tenor to hear the effect. Satisfied, he introduces both the alto and soprano. The blend is more than harmony. It is perfect.

He brings a strong desire for excellence to this computer project.  It is the same desire he has exhibited his whole life—first as a farmer, later as a computer systems analyst.  The end result has always been something carefully completed. It is no different now that he is retired, and he has no way of knowing I find his dedication inspirational.  I’m allowed. He’s my father.

Thirty years ago, Daddy gave up farming to pursue computer programming.  Before Apple had ever stirred a Windows dream in Bill Gate’s mind, Daddy constructed a DOS BASIC program to help him learn his part for his church choir music.  One note at a time for his then tenor voice, the part played faintly through the small internal speaker of his IBM 286.  Vacation in Georgia always included his latest anthem entry. Throughout a technology-driven Microsoft revolution, he pursued his DOS BASIC entries.

Several years ago, my parents moved to Alabama to live near me. They joined St. Mark United Methodist Church in Anniston, and Daddy dutifully entered his singing part in his old computer. When I acquired a new Pentium in 1996, I offered my old Gateway 486 to my parents. With it came a Midisoft program, I’d never used. Daddy loved it. As new music was introduced to the choir, he entered it into the program. Hours every day were devoted to developing the soprano, alto, tenor, and bass parts for the church’s choir music.

Desiring Windows 98, he purchased a new Gateway system. Suffice it to say that it was loaded and ready to spring into action. The old Midisoft program had to be upgraded for the new operating system. Daddy donated his old 486 to the church—and continued to put each choir selection into the computer with instructions on how to use the system. Now any choir member could learn his or her part, add another part to try out that combination, or listen to himself or herself singing with accompaniment.

Even if Bud Hampton wasn’t my father, I’d find this daily contribution to a church choir encouraging. He is one of the sought-after COBOL programmers. He could have given his choir music up to debug legacy programs to make them Y2K compliant—and to make lots of money for himself—but that would have taken away from his project.

Here’s something to think about. Maybe you’re retired with time on your hands. Maybe you’re an at-home computer whiz and member of a church choir. Consider what a computer and a few hours a day in ministry might do. Bud Hampton finds it is just right.

© 2017 Lynn Lacher                        October/November 1999  Scroll Magazine

www.lynnlacher.com

With Great Joy

Christmas 2017. It is almost impossible to believe, but here we are. It is just around the corner. I remember the Christmas in 1968 Pat gave me my engagement ring. It seems like it just happened, but the years tell a different story. Grady was born in 1970. Tricia joined our family in 1972. And on we advanced through the decades with our two children now married, and grandchildren and a great-grandchild to bring joy. There have been so many life lessons to be learned throughout my 69 years. There have been joys, and there have been heart-wrenching times. Mama passed in 2013. Daddy is in memory care at Autumn Cove, and the sweet bride he married in 2015 suffers through the pain of loss with us.

Life has happened, and it continues to happen until the moment when I will be called home to be with the Lord. This Christmas I celebrate the gift of Christ’s life for mine. I celebrate His grace that fills me with love beyond what I can offer. I celebrate my family. Life is a beautiful gift we often squander or waste. Each moment is a chance to love with all our heart. That moment to love will never come again. Love those who are in your life. This Christmas celebrate life with your family because you never know how long you may have. Celebrate the gift you have been so graciously given. It came at the greatest cost.

Now I pray “to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy”—I pray you will allow Him to fill your heart and make this Christmas one you will remember with great joy. His joy will carry you through life’s heartaches, and, one day, straight into eternity with Him.

(Scripture—Jude 1:24, NLT)

© 2017 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com