The Linda Taylor Story (Part III)

I woke up this morning and asked myself, "Bruce, what citadel have you erected or place in the way of recieving a huge morning hug from your best friend Jesus?"

I've been in a "difficult time" spiritually for nearly a month. I find myself early in the morning reflecting, being honest (ouch), and listening to whatever and however Jesus wants to speak into my life.

Often the answers I hear encourages me to dig down deeper (like peeling an onion - Shrek is one of the "great" relationship movies -don't you think?) and look at some of the root causes to my current heart-spot (attitude).

Today, one of those favorite "lies" came rushing to the surface. The word I love to hate and so often fall into is, "Justice." It's so, so easy for me to fall into all my rights, how fairly I should be treated, how much I deserve in this, MY LIFE. We often live in a society that is crazy-drunk with one's personal "rights."

It's easy to mis-believe that "my freedom" is to do whatever "I want" and not have anyone else stop me, slow me down, or criticize me! What a lie! Whenever I focus on MY RIGHTS I always move towards isolation and self-focused ME-NESS (meanness)! I really believe life has very, very, very, very LITTLE to do with rights and "my justice" and so, so, so, so MUCH more to do with grace (the gift given "just because"). Grace is Gift-giving because someone wants to not because of any actions on our part ("We are able to love BECAUSE God first loved us!" - See I John 4:19).

My focus on everything as a gift, a blessing. so helps me when I'm in a weird "self-funk." Today I heard God say, with a smile, "Bruce yours so looking for heaven to be here right now. It's not yet. Relax. Focus on all the gifts I've given you (jot them down right now) - there are a lot of them." It's so true! AND THAT BRINGS ME BACK TO MY FRIEND, LINDA TAYLOR (make sure you read my previous two blogs re. her Marathon), Linda looked at her toes 12 yrs. ago and knew that the spinal infection could kill her. Instead of looking at how unfair it all was she notes the gift of some of her toes wiggling and waving back at her. SO, Linda focused on the hope and promise of walking, working, and living. Linda not only learned to walk, to continue working as an amazing nurse. She brought joy, encouragement, and adventure to a lot of people last week when she finished the Portland Marathon.

Life is a gift - Jesus is the best gift ever given. He's wanting you to say thank you and never ever once think it has anything to do with how good looking you are or how much you "deserve" to be treated fairly.

You are blessed - have a "I've been gifted" aware-kind-of-day!