Play Date With Jesus, Having a Child Like Faith

“For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light,” Psalms 36:9.

© Diane D. Ramirez

I love this picture of my grandson, (who is ten now) he’s taking such delight in the simple pleasures of life. Water pouring over him like a fountain. The joy of the water splashing on his face. The pleasure of being drenched. The pure joy expression and excitement, as he takes in this moment, is priceless.

There’s several spiritual lessons, we can learn as adults from this picture.

1. Experiencing life from a child’s viewpoint

2. Enjoying the moment, being in the now

3. Exhilarated pleasure from Abba’s world

 Experiencing Life From a Child’s Viewpoint

Children see life through the lens of purity and curiosity. Their world is to be explored, and are, with bright eyes. Children touch, and are fascinated with how things work. Why is a question they ask often. Why is the sky blue or why is the giraffe’s neck so long?

Life, for them, is to be pondered. Within their soul is an innate inquisitiveness to learn, experience, and take hold of their surroundings.

I believe this is one of the very reasons, parents and grandparents adore their offspring, as they too can re-experience life through the point-of-view of the child. Everything is new again. And that is a wonderful feeling.

© Diane D. Ramirez

Jesus’s disciples, when parents brought their children for him to bless, felt it was an intrusion . . . but Jesus did not.

He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:16, 17 (NIV).

Jesus has an important message for us: Children possess the Kingdom of God. What a powerful and profound statement Jesus made about children—and we are to be like them in simple faith, accepting, receiving, experiencing God’s world, both in the natural and supernatural.

The kingdom of God, as outlined in the Strong’s concordance is basileia, and means:

1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule.

The third definition is: of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.

How do we hold on to that child like faith, yet be mature Christians?  The goal, I submit, is to rekindle wonderment into our moments, being present in our now. Realizing that within the child’s spirit resides the Kingdom of God.

When we face our adult life—the struggles, conflicts, worry, fear, uncertainty, and pain, we need to close our eyes and find our inner child like faith, which perceives Jesus as our ever present, protecting, interceding, and loving Father. The Abba Father, who will embrace us as we run into his arms like a child.

Enjoying The Moment, Being in The Now

Living life distracts us from the simplicity of our moments. As a parent, how many of us have said to our children, “Not now, I’m busy?” But now is all we have. What if God told us, not now. I’m busy? It would fill us with rejection and crush us. The moment, the now, is extremely important. Why? Because that is all we have and are certain of.

There is so much, which can steal our “play-time.” We need to make a play-date with Jesus. By this I mean, experiencing the present of our now . . . good or bad, inviting Jesus into that space.

© Diane D. Ramirez

As within that time, we can learn, we don’t rush and try to push aside what is happening, what we’re feeling or not. We need to contemplate, what this “now” is telling us or expecting of us.

I’m learning that gratitude in the now, helps lessen sorrow, worry, and fills any emptiness when I allow my thoughts to linger in the past, which only robs me of the present and overwhelms me with sadness.

Retraining our thought patterns, to stop the rewind button of the past, is essential to staying and appreciating our now. To do this we can be aware of:

1.     Sounds
   1.         Hearing laughter
   2.         Listening to every note of the music and the different instruments
   3.         Hearing the birds singing, the ocean waves, the cars passing by
2.     Sight
   1.         People’s faces, are they happy, sad
   2.         Your surroundings (ignore the unfolded clothes and dirty dishes)
   3.          Admire that rose before you walk into that building
3.     Touch
   1.          The feel of food as you prepare it
   2.         The feel of your clothes as you put them on
   3.         The the breeze as it brushes against your face
4.     Smell
   1.         The neighbor’s BBQ
   2.         The freshly laundered clothes
   3.         Your soap as you shower
5.      Taste
   1.         Enjoy that double fudge ice cream cone
   2.         Savor the taste of the medium rare rib eye (or well done)
   3.         Fill the cool liquid pass over your taste buds

All these senses can keep us in our moment when we are tempted to fly back into the past, or leap ahead of what ifs in the future. Gratefulness in the now, allows us to be present.

Exhilarated Pleasure From Abba’s World

© Diane D. Ramirez

Here’s another awesome picture, of one of my grand kids, who is eight now. She’s swinging for the first time. She is exhilarated by the feel. The expression on her face, is one, I believe, God would love to see on us, as we become abundantly satisfied in him, with a child’s faith.

The NASB says, “They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And you give them to drink of the river of Your delights,” Psalm. 36: 8.

Abundance in the KJV strong concordance means “fatness.” This is the fatness, I wouldn’t mind having! Wouldn’t have to worry about losing those extra pounds.

Abundance also means: a. Plentiful; in great quantity; fully sufficient; as an abundant supply. In scripture, abounding; having in great quantity; overflowing with.

Also, KJV and the HNV use the word “make” instead of “give.” I like how it reads in the KJV, “They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.”

Imagine what it would be like if we actually experienced God’s river of delights or pleasures, daily. The word picture I get, is a dog when he’s scratched on his tummy. His leg moves uncontrollably. He’s delighted, satisfied, and exhilarated with pleasure, as his master loves on him.

Would you mind if God made you drink from his river of delights? Or another word we could use is “cause” you to drink. I know, I wouldn’t. I think it would be absolutely exhilarating to understand, feel, know, accept, relish in God’s abundance and drink of his pleasures. Think about it!

© Diane D. Ramirez

The verse before this is: “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings,” Psalm. 36:7 (NASB).

What does a child do when they are afraid? They run to their parent for safety. It’s when we take refuge under the shadow of his wings, where our Father’s lovingkindness greets us. Then we’re to drink our fill in the house of the LORD. And to experience his river of delights.

We too, should practice running under our Father’s wings, hiding under his shadow, when life or the enemy tries to rob us of being exhilarated from the simple pleasures of life and growing in grace. It’s so easy as adults to fret, become dissatisfied, and frustrated.

The dictionary defines a feeling of exhilaration as: elation, euphoria, exultation, exaltation, joy, happiness, delight, joyousness, jubilation, rapture, ecstasy, bliss.

My prayer is, we can learn to experience, enjoy, and be exhilarated—like a child, as we embrace the fatness of Abba’s house and drink from the pleasures of his river, in our daily moments. And when those moments are rough, we will run to our daddy, like a frighten child, for our refuge and peace.

 Please tell me, below how this article ministered to you. Or leave me a message on my author FaceBook page. I’d love to hear from you.

Be well my friend!

 

Kindness, A Christmas Gift Worth Giving

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop

 

Recently, while checking in for an appointment, I heard a voice say, “Aren’t you Ramirez?” Surprised, because who would know me in all of Hollywood and call me by my last name. As I turned around, it took me a second to recognize his face.

    “Oh yes! We were in the sleep apnea class together. How are you?” I asked.

     With tears hanging on the edge of his eyes, he began, “Your gesture in class really made an impact on me. When you touched my hand, it meant so much to me. That was the first time anyone had shown me any sympathy.”

At class, this gentleman shared with me—in the last three months, he buried a friend and two brothers. He had a grieving heart. It was obvious.

Simple acts of kindness, can make a difference in someone’s life and I think we neglect to understand it’s far reaching potential.

What did I do? Three simple things.  I . . .

1. Listened as he shared his recent losses.
2. Touched his hand to show that I sympathized with his pain.
3. Acknowledged his grief by simply saying, that must be really hard.

When this man expressed his gratitude—for my act of kindness, I was humbled and glad. I had no idea how much a simple touch could reach deep into a person’s soul.

Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” Acts 20:35b.

Giving is not just monetary. Gifts of kindness can come in all sorts of packages. We just need to keep our eyes and ears open for an opportunity to bless another.

Of course, the greatest gift of kindness, mankind has received, is God giving of his Son. Whom he fittingly named Immanuel, God with us.

God Showed His Kindness in the Flesh

The beginning of this verse, found in Romans 6:25, might be hard to swallow, for some; however, it’s the end of the verse I want to focus on. The scriptures starts with, “For the wages of sin is death . . ..” Although, the children of God can rejoice, as the injunction to the choice of sin is not left there. The verse goes on to say, “ . . . but the GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” [Caps mine for emphasis].

Now we can take a deep breath!

Through God’s kindness, he gave us the present of his presence, by coming to earth. He wrapped himself in the flesh of a babe.

“And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger,” Luke 2:12 (NKJV).

“For unto us a child is born, Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV).

God’s kindness is a hard act to follow. For no one can give a gift, which saves souls from death, for that’s a Divine Miracle. Yet, we can give the gift of kindness that touches the core of others in tangible ways. In doing so, we share the light of our salvation.

We can be mindful of our surroundings, the people and what’s being said. We have opportunities every time we leave our homes—into this big world of hurting and lost people, to touch a life. To give a smile. To give a person our place in line. To give up that supreme parking space. You get the picture.

So this Christmas, not only remember the gift of kindness, which God bestowed upon us through his Messiah, but be intentional in offering your kindness as a gift to others.

And the truth is, you don’t have to look for opportunities. They’re usually right there in plain sight. You and I can make all the difference in the life of just one person, so give the gift of kindness this Christmas.

This is what Christmas is all about—Celebrating the eternal gift found through Christ Jesus, because God is a kind God. He did not desire to leave us in a dying and decaying world. Rather, in his loving kindness, he sent Salvation as a gift for all.

William Penn wrote, “I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore there be any kindness I can show…let me do it now.”

MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May you be more blessed by giving then receiving

For Your Listening Pleasure:

Celtic Woman / Chloe Agnew – ”O Holy Night”

The Gift

I drove my van into the driveway of the mobile home and took a deep breath. Soon a young woman with wet long hair opened the screen door and stepped out-side. Her belly was swollen, her face sunken and pale.

The guy behind her, with tattoos and missing teeth, seemed cordial as he smiled. What am I getting myself into? The use of street drugs played its toll on them. Now she faced homelessness and a pregnancy. As I greeted her it appeared she lacked proper nutrition and her glassy eyes indicated she’d used recently.

We couldn’t find anyone else who wanted to help her; after all she was released from jail for drug trafficking and petty theft. My husband and I were taking a risk moving her into our home. Were we inviting trouble? Putting our children in harm’s way? No sooner did doubt surface, a wave of peace rushed through me. Then an overwhelming sensation of love fiercely assaulted me, for a person I didn’t know. What did that mean?

Weeks before my first encounter with Brianna, I did a “What if?” What if a homeless family knocked on our door, smelly and hungry, needing a place to sleep? Would I politely refer them elsewhere or offer hospitality without fear and judgment?

Now my what if stood before me. Suddenly an unconditional love, which impregnated my heart, subdued my uneasiness. Within days Brianna became a member of our family. Yet I still couldn’t understand why this uncanny connection to support her, so filled my being.

We celebrated the birth of her daughter, Athena, mid October 1987. We worked with her to be free from her addiction, get a job and apartment. Unfortunately her cravings for heroin siphoned every ounce of her will to fight—even a recovery home did little to conquer this demon.

Within eight months of Brianna being on her own, we received a frantic call from the Santa Barbara County jail. “Please, go get Athena . . . Don’t leave her with my boyfriend,” her voice shameful but her soul pleading.

Her boyfriend refused to release Athena to us. The Police found him with her in a run down house with drug paraphernalia and no running water. They estimated she sat in her car seat drenched in urine and feces for more than 12 hours. Once Brianna’s baby was placed into a transition home, we petitioned the court and within three weeks became Athena’s foster parents.

Again we helped Brianna work toward healing—working, living on her own, and doing well without drugs. But to our dismay, after six months, her partner was released from jail, reintroducing drugs into her life. Her visits with Athena decreased and we lost connection.

However, on one particular Sunday, I received a call, “Can I come see Athena?” The tone in her voice engaged my sixth sense—something was up. “Of course you can, we’ve missed you.”

Upon her arrival we hugged and visited as she fed her baby lunch. Then suddenly she said she had to go. Perplexed by the short visit, I walked her out, noticing her expressions were guarded. Halfway up our driveway she turned, catching my gaze. She didn’t have to say a word, I knew. I knew she came to say goodbye, for good. Her eyes beckoned me to care and love her child as my own. My heart agonized for her. Was my discernment correct?

Within several days we received a call from Arizona’s women’s prison. This confirmed what I knew to be true. She was saying goodbye that Sunday afternoon. Although I knew she wanted to crawl out of her abyss of hopelessness, I understood she felt powerless to battle her monster. And I also sensed she felt she was not ready to mother, yet the painful idea to release her child for adoption was more than she could bear.

Then it became clear to me—why I had that tremendous unconditional love for her, only a Power greater than I, could know a person’s thoughts and anguish, one needing care, love, and people she could trust with her child. My spirit connected with hers, as God knew I’d become her child’s mother. My what if turned into a life altering, faith building challenge of reaching into the heart of another only to be honored with the job of raising her child, a thought that never crossed my mind.

In acting upon my what if we received the gift of a friend, a child, and now 23 years later, the blessing of two beautiful grandchildren.

Today Brianna is recovered and doing well. She will forever be bonded to our family.

(Names have been changed)

The Truth About Blessings

Holidays seem a time we reflect upon the blessings we are most grateful for: Family, friends, homes, and other stuff we deem important for a better quality of life. Right? I’ve been mulling this around in my head . . . what is the truth about “being blessed?”

This phrase I am so blessed catches my ears now and again and usually is proceed by the person sharing an awesome thing God did. This causes me to ask, do American Christians only feel blessed by God when good things come their way? And if we are blessed only by what seems good and pleasing to us, what happens to our faith when the “blessings” turn a shade of gray? When the fine stuff, or dreams we have, are thrashed against the adversities of life—twisting and contorting them into what seems like curses rather than blessings.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BLESSED BY GOD
My online dictionary says it’s to be, “found with favor and protection from God.” When I hear Christians talk about how blessed they are, I think of those outside of the Christian faith, and I see them blessed also. And are we to say those less fortunate then us are not blessed? Scripture states, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; “ . . . for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous,” (Mat 5:44 & 45 NASB; Italics mine for emphasis).

I recall reading Psalm 73, written by a man named Asaph. He was conflicted when he “saw the prosperity of the wicked.” He was bothered that they did not struggle like most people of his time in Israel. To him the wicked and arrogant seemed free from afflictions and not beset by human tribulations. It was not until Asaph, went into the sanctuary of God, in which he understood the true meaning of life, he wrote, “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny,” (Psalm 73:16-17). The fact is, certain blessing do fall upon the forgiven and those who have not received forgiveness in Christ.

Have you not thought, hey I do everything I’m supposed to do but my ungodly neighbor prospers more than I do. The scriptures say, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?” (Mar 8:36). Prosperity does not equal blessings from God; although, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows,” (James 1:7). I see balance. Every perfect gift is a blessing from God but seeking to gain more can bring destruction.

As I reflect on blessings, I think of the simple aspects of life, which are continually with us; yet we take for granted or disregard. Blessings to me, when I lay aside all material belongings, are:

• Waking each morning to another day
• Receiving new mercy from God every day
• Having running water to drink, wash my hands, and bathe with
• Breathing air
• Food to eat
• The ability to use my senses: seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, smelling
• Being loved and loving back
• Experiencing pain so that I can know the comfort of God
• Knowing God through Christ His Son

WHAT DO THE BLESSED LOOK LIKE
Could it be that we mistake being blessed with prosperity? And yet again, is prosperity confused with material wealth rather then spiritual wealth? Jesus said, in Matthew 5, blessed are the poor in spirit
• The meek
• Those who mourn
• Those who thirst and hunger for righteousness
• Those who are merciful
• Those who are pure in heart
• Those who are peacemaker
• Those who are persecuted because of righteousness

With each of those, mentioned above, those receiving blessings are not the rich; the corporate CEO, the celebrity, or Christian who goes to church, reads the Bible, and tithes ten percent or the mega-church preacher—though they may feel blessed. True blessing is upon the meek, the poor in spirit, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness sake.

The promised blessing that follow these individuals are

• The poor in spirit will receive the kingdom of heaven
• Those who mourn will be comforted
• The meek will inherit the earth
• Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled
• Those who show mercy will receive mercy
• The pure in heart will see God
• The peacemakers will be called sons of God
• To the persecuted belongs the kingdom of heaven

When God’s people mirror these qualities they are blessed—blessed with the privilege of partaking in God’s kingdom, His righteousness, His mercy, and being known by Him as His child.

CAN BLESSING BE FOUND IN SUFFERING
What would it sound like if we said things like; I’m blessed—My car broke down; I’m blessed—I can’t pay rent; I’m blessed—my mother passed away; I’m blessed—my cancer is back. Wouldn’t that feel odd, as blessings are associated with good and not unpleasant events? Odd because each of these situations develop pain and sadness; however, I think we neglect that these circumstances are an opportunity to trust in God and to watch His Hand work a blessing out of these difficulties.

The truth about being blessed is we are blessed—always—in good times and bad. I hope to remember that blessings can also come out of tribulations, heartache, and suffering. And I can be grateful that I’ve dredged through them in one piece.

I am not just blessed by what I have but I am favored by whom I know—God the Father, the Ultimate Blessing Giver, who sanctified us with salvation through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.