Oh Deer!

by Macy Johnson

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:11-12 NIV)

Driving home from choir practice one dark Wednesday night several years ago, I was startled by a large doe standing perfectly still in the middle of the deserted two-lane highway. I quickly tried to mentally shove her off the path of my car. Bang! Into the ditch she landed! Thankfully, my car limped home and to the shop the next day to be repaired. Wish I could say the same for the poor deer.

Angel Choirs

by Macy Johnson

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,

praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”

(Luke 2:13-14 NIV)

With the Christmas season comes concerts, lots of them, for an accompanist. My first was a Sunday afternoon Community Christmas program, playing for small groups and a soloist. Each selection sounded like heavenly choirs.

Playing the piano for school choruses is a special treat. I block out an entire day to rehearse at the middle school with assigned time slots for each song. At the beginning of the semester I recorded all the accompaniments for the director to use in class. But now it was time to appear in person for live rehearsals, just days before the performance.

Precious Jewels

by Macy Johnson

“He carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high,

and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, 

coming down out of heaven from God. 

It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that

of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.”

(Revelation 21:10-11 NIV)

Words are jewels, tools that God uses to touch our hearts through our minds. They encourage us and others through us. Words are blessings, gifts from God, a lavish pouring of His presence, jewels from our Father’s hand.

Guarded Gates

by Macy Johnson

“They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates

of the house of the Lord – the house called the Tent.”

(1 Chronicles 9:23 NIV)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

(Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

There is a lot of discussion these days about gates, borders and boundaries. It takes me back to biblical times. Old Jerusalem’s gates were named for their specific functions: the Fish Gate, the Fountain Gate, and the Horse Gate, just to name a few. Upon their return, after decades in captivity, the Jews posted guards around the clock at each gate during the rebuilding of the city wall. There were four gates opening into the temple courtyard in Ezekiel’s vision: North, South, East, and West.

Contagious Obedience

by Macy Johnson

“A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said,

“Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.

“I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”

(Matthew 8:2-3 NIV)

People near Jesus refused to touch the leper, afraid of contracting his disease. Jesus boldly pushed past their reluctance. Allowing himself to come in contact with the man’s leprosy, Jesus pressed His healing love into the sick beggar’s darkness. He obeyed his Father’s command to bring life from death.

Sunrise Reflections

by Macy Johnson

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

(Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)

As the sun rises over the water through my office window it brings good-morning kisses from my heavenly Father. Like walking into an art exhibition, I find myself face to face with the artist and his newest masterpiece. The wonder and beauty leave me breathless, stunned.

Memory Bridges

by Macy Johnson

“I will make every effort to see that after my departure 

you will always be able to remember these things.”

(2 Peter 1:15 NIV)

I love the sound of a fishing boat speeding across the lake past our dock, or a cruising pontoon filled with laughter enjoying the summer sunset. It reminds me of when I visited my Nanny and Granddaddy as a little girl at their home in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

Shallow Waters

by Macy Johnson

“His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant!

You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

(Matthew 25:21 NIV)

A new friend recently met me for lunch at a local coffee shop. I picked her experienced, writer’s brain.

“Just start writing… small, baby steps,” she offered. “You don’t have to publish a book or do anything grandiose. The Spirit will guide you in what He wants you to write.” Scratching the surface, I acclimate to the waters before I dive into the depths of His plans for my writing. I walk along the beach of His stories, stick my toes in, enjoy the wonder of His words.

Hershey Kisses

by Macy Johnson

“Man does not live on bread alone

but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

(Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV)

I struggle to learn obedience in the area of eating. Addicted to food, I shove aside the spiritual for the physical.

God blessed me with this weakness to teach me that nothing He creates is ever meant to satisfy my desires. Everything looks delicious, but the taste… disappointment, again.

Teaching Opportunity

by Macy Johnson

“During the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, 

“and tell the people all about this new life.”

(Acts 5:19-20 NIV)

The director of a local university called me two weeks before I was scheduled to teach a class. He said, “Unfortunately, you don’t have the qualifications for the upcoming class you agreed to teach.”

Car Trouble

by Macy Johnson

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

Click-click, click-click. My car wouldn’t start after Bible study one morning.

Navigating the mega-church halls, I asked a passing school teacher where was the nearest phone. She directed me to the school office. But, when I arrived something in my heart told me to turn around and go to the church office at the other end of the complex. Quite a hike.

Housekeeping

by Macy Johnson

“Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.”

(Nehemiah 13:14 NIV)

I’ve been a sloppy heart/house keeper lately. Neither my heart nor my house will clean themselves.

Do I ignore the stench of rotting desires in my heart as piles of dust and clutter multiply inside my home? There is a connection, the physical with the spiritual, just as in Nehemiah’s account of cleansing the temple and tackling personal reform.

Cleansing Blood

by Macy Johnson

“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts

that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”

(Hebrews 9:14 NIV)

I was hooked up to a machine for apheresis (platelets donation) at the local Red Cross center. 

Not long before, I didn’t know what a platelet was, much less that someone would want mine. Platelets are defined as “numerous small disk-shaped bodies found in the blood of vertebrates and associated with clotting.”    

Perfect Timing

by Macy Johnson

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)

One morning following a Bible Study, I spoke with a group of women on the importance of disciplined, daily, personal devotions. Suddenly I realized I was late for a meeting on the other side of town.

The Voice

by Macy Johnson

^“Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

(Isaiah 30:20-21 NIV)

A friend told me about her daily devotions. She allows her Bible to fall open to the place where God wants to speak to her that day. I thought I’d give it a try. My Bible fell open to Isaiah 30. My eyes rested on verses 20 and 21.

I read them over and over, scraping crusty scum off gold… I learn through pain, and the Holy Spirit, my teacher, reveals himself to me minute by minute. He guides me - with a tap on the shoulder (or a whack across my back).

Dream Car

by Macy Johnson

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”  Matthew 7:11 NIV

Picture a brand new blue bicycle secretly stored in an attic. Imagine the father suggesting his son ask for a new blue bicycle for his birthday. The gift is already given, waiting to be received…described perfectly by the giver so the receiver is prepared to accept it. 

My daughter’s dream car was a secret. She told me only that it was a Honda. So, I began my search for the perfect car for Libby.

One morning, while walking through the parking deck at work, I noticed a co-worker getting out of a pretty, white, sports car. As we walked together to our offices I asked about her car. I had never seen one like it before. She had special-ordered it two years before but unfortunately would have to sell it. Expecting her first child, she needed a family car.

Silver Cross

by Macy Johnson

“The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.”  Psalm 119:72 NIV

Christmas 1995 had come and gone. Tax season was in full swing in the little CPA firm in Birmingham, Alabama, where I worked. New tax preparation software was stealing family time, but I diligently continued to lead a weekly Bible Study at my church.

A handful of women faithfully attended the class, usually with small children underfoot. My own offspring played with their school assignments in back of the classroom.  It was a study I led for over 3 years, and interest was dwindling. “Why should I continue to lead this study?” I asked myself. 

That Christmas I wanted a silver cross on a long, silver chain. Everyone I saw wore one – friends at church, co-workers, strangers on the street. Every time I got the urge to buy one for myself, I sensed God hold me back.  

Little Bird, Little Bird

by Macy Johnson

“All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you.  

They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,

so that all people may know of your mighty acts

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.”

(Psalm 145:10-12 NIV)

There was a little bird on the balcony railing outside my window. She coaxed me to stop, pay attention to her, to nature all around. She ranted for a long time. 

I wish I knew what she said, who she was jibber-jabbering with, what birds might be listening. Her chatter sounded urgent, so important, not a pleasant sound. The bird suddenly stopped gabbing and preened herself under each wing.