Lynna Clark

By Lynna Clark

For years my tagline has read, “Only a minute, but eternity is in it.” So many times a life changing Truth comes in a tiny golden nugget. For instance, this quote from one of my favorite authors came like a small but delicious caramel. Have you tried those soft ones by Werther’s that are covered in chocolate? Yum. Sorry I can’t share my stash with you, but here’s this.

“Gratitude always leaves us looking at God and away from dread. It does to anxiety what the morning sun does to valley mist. It burns it up.” *

For instance: Instead of dreading the holidays because without David everything will be sad and different, I’ve begun giving thanks for all that the Lord has blessed me with. I’ve found that when I do that, my anxiety is replaced with thoughts of baking pumpkin bread, or making a list of gifts to search out for my loved ones. I didn’t say it was easy. In fact I think it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. But! I still have so much!

Gratitude: Scripture is so laced with it that I’m having a hard time choosing the best verse. Let’s go with this one:

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” -Colossians 3:17

Your kindness to me during this terrible time of grief has been amazing. Can I ask you for one more thing? Hold my hand and walk with me. Together let’s choose thankfulness over dread, and watch with amazement as God burns away our anxiety like sun on the morning dew.

*God Will Carry You Through by Max Lucado

By Lynna Clark

Oh the stuff I am learning. How to change the water filter… how to empty the vacuum canister… how to take apart the outdoor umbrella base to empty it of water so it doesn’t freeze… All sorts of new tricks. I guess I took for granted many things David did for us; just being the man of the house. Part of it was his way of protecting me from using strength he knew I didn’t have. But mostly he just stayed in behind the stuff that I never thought about. Who knew the vacuum would eventually fill up if no one flipped that little latch so the dust would fall out? Thank the Lord I had sense enough to hold it over the trash can before I tried it. Then our water began tasting like a combination of metal and bleach. And it dawned on me. The filter needs to be changed. Kinda like the box of soda in the fridge which helps keep down odor. It’s supposed to be changed? Huh! Who knew? So I lefty-loosied the filter until my hands gave out. Then realized I had it upside down. So then I righty-tightied it until that sucker popped off and behold! Clean water was mine again! Woohoo! I am woman! Hear me roar! Or something more fitting for a woman of God.

Lest you think I’m a total dingbat, [too late, you say?] I’ve always been in charge of the finances. David never looked at our money or worried about our lack thereof. He knew I’d manage it. Occasionally he’d say, “Stay off Amazon for a while. I might have bought something I’d like to be a surprise.” So I would. I wouldn’t even check my emails until he’d tell me his package had been delivered. He loved surprising me.

There are some things however that can’t be learned, or fixed so far. There was a supermoon a week or so ago. David and I used to step out on the back deck once the moon was above the trees just to enjoy the beauty of it together. He’d gather me in front of him, wrap his big ol’ arms around me and we’d just gaze into the heavens at the Lord’s beautiful handiwork. Eventually he’d kiss me on the head and we’d silently go back inside. I never imagined grieving over checking on the moon by myself. I’m afraid this Christmas will not be the most wonderful time of the year. If I’m being honest, I almost dread it. But then I’m reminded. If he had not loved me so well, I wouldn’t miss him so much.

Fifty three years together. Two years dating plus fifty one married. All that love in exchange for the grief that is mine for now. Not a bad trade-off when I think of it that way. Especially in light of the fact that I’ll see him again in the not too distant future. What a wonderful day that will be! Even better than Christmas.

By Lynna Clark

From the book of Ecclesiastes come these beautiful words:

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.”

The writer, King Solomon, son of David goes on to say this. “God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.”

As you know, currently I am in a season of grief. Having lost my beloved David to cancer this summer, I couldn’t imagine ever dancing again. However. I’ve been trying to walk outside around the house in an effort to build up my strength. Yesterday when I finished and came back in to rest, I felt something crawling on my neck. A stink bug was tangled in my hair but just loose enough to explore the outer reaches of its new home. Turns out, it was a time to dance. Darlin’ this granny can move! Even in my dotage, I was able to get back out the door and shake him from my fuzzy head. I’m just glad I didn’t fall and break a hip. Dang stink bug. Apparently one can experience several seasons at once.

I like Solomon’s conclusion. Let’s be intentional to enjoy the life the Lord has blessed us with while we can. It’s full of wonderful joys and as David and I learned rather quickly; it can be gone in an instant. Let’s love while we can, and dance every chance we get.

By Lynna Clark

“Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” -Psalm 127:1

I love home improvement shows. Well, for the most part. If they get all drama-fied I don’t bother. It really aggravates me when they don’t think ahead; Then act all surprised when things don’t work out. I think that’s the gist of the wisdom in Psalm 127 as it applies to building our families. Intentionally ask for and include the Lord’s wisdom in each step. This is a great blueprint for our families in every season.

Bonus verse and one of our favorites: “Through every generation Lord, You have been our Home.” -Psalm 90:1

Also, sorry for the loose application of the letter X. Apparently there were no xylophones used in ancient worship.

Always a project.

By Lynna Clark

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” -Romans 8:28

When we think of work, it typically involves labor of some kind, maybe even something we don’t look forward to. But I LIKE this version of work; the one where the Lord is doing the hard part. Only He can orchestrate the many details of our lives to give a beautiful, positive outcome. When everything comes undone, it is so good to know that He is in charge and I am not.

Bonus verse: Jeremiah 29:11-” For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Currently these two verses have become almost cliche-ish. I don’t love how they’re tossed into our storms like little fix-all life preservers. However, when we take them to heart, fully trusting that the Lord has a plan, everything changes. All the work, all the plans, all the future is in His very capable hands.

“Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are His.” -Psalm 100:3

By Lynna Clark

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” -John 6:47

“Verily” is one of those old fashioned words we don’t use very often… well, maybe never. But it does start with V and works in this context. Back in the 70’s when I first met the Lord, this verse became very special to me. It was explained that “verily” means “truly.” When said back to back it is even more emphatic. The Lord was speaking to me so gently, but with such assurance. “Truly, truly!” Believe this child! Trust Me and become a part of My family.

So I did. And He saved me.

Here’s a picture of me and David a few years later. He is the one who took me to a place where I could hear the Word of God and understand that salvation came “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to God’s mercy.” Fifty years later, we are still skipping through life together. Except for the skipping part. That would not be wise as one of us could fall and break a hip.

Verily, verily I say unto you, trust the God of the universe. He loves you and has covered your sins with the blood of His own dear Son.

Truly!

The rule of thumb is, “The bigger the corsage, the more you are loved.” Apparently I was very very loved. Still am.

By Lynna Clark

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”-Psalm 143:8

The older I get, the less I know. However this one thing always proves wise. Take one thing at a time. One day, one step, one problem and don’t overlook the joy that the Lord sends each morning. Listen for His Unfailing Love as you trust Him for the next step. Give yourself to Him and ask Him where to walk.

“Let the heavens be glad, and earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout His praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the LORD, for He is coming!” ” -Psalm 96:11-13b

By Lynna Clark

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.” -Psalm 56:8

What an amazing thought; that the God of all Creation would care enough about me to collect and keep track of my tears. When I consider my life, lots of stubbornness comes to mind. Like LOTS. In fact I think that was one of the largest traits mentioned on a recent DNA profile. So embarrassing. But instead of keeping my sinfulness and shortcomings close to His heart, He considers those covered by His Son. All because I’ve trusted the sinless spotless lamb of God. No collection in a bottle there. Instead, Psalm 103:12 says, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”

Tears collected and kept close. Sins cast far away. Oh how He loves us!

By Lynna Clark

Isn’t that a funky word? Kinda like Craisins which is the word for raisins which are actually cranberries. If you’re like me and didn’t know, cremains are the remains of loved ones who’ve been cremated. Well, I don’t guess they’re all loved. But the ones I currently am in possession of sure are. As you know, David passed away almost three months ago. We had decided together that we’d be cremated and that it would be nice to have our “cremains” scattered at one of our favorite vacation spots near the ocean.

“I’m not sure that’s legal,” David wondered as we spoke of these things years ago. “I think I’d rather have my ashes mixed with paint and sprayed onto the motorcycle so I can keep on riding.” For good measure he added, “Make it a glossy black, but don’t cover up the flames Nic ghosted in on the gas tank.” I shook my head at my crazy man and replied. “I’m not gonna have to worry about it. I’m going first anyway, so just pick a place at the beach and sprinkle me into the waves. You’ll probably want to stand up wind though so you don’t end up wearing me home.” He got a weird look on his face then somberly said. “Don’t you dare die first. I can’t stand the thought.”

So annyyywayyy… here I am, three months later without the strength to travel to the beach or anywhere else for that matter. I don’t want to task this adventure to our daughters, so I ordered a small wooden box for the cremains. It’s really pretty with a tree carved in one side. I decided I could live with my beloved’s cremains sitting on our bedroom dresser. No biggie. Then I found a nice little nameplate and had it personalized with his full name, dates, and the salutation he put on all his school correspondence to parents and such. “In His care,” was especially fitting. When it came, I opened the package with reverence, looking forward to seeing this sweet tribute to the man who loved me so well. Look how great it turned out.

Oh well. Somewhere in Gloryland, David is getting the last laugh. Or should I say “Sparky?”

By Lynna Clark

I don’t typically think of hymn writers as comedic. However, listen to this line from William Cowper’s famous hymn, God Moves in a Mysterious Way.

“You fearful saints, fresh courage take, the clouds you so much dread;

Are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head.”

Is that a funny line or am I just losing my mind a little bit? He’s right though. The very thing we fear will often render the best blessing. Hold fast dear friend. That big ol’ dark cloud that’s been following you for days is about to burst. Showers of blessings will blend with all those tears you’ve shed in private to make something beautiful.

From Psalm 43:

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. … For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, Your Savior. … You are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.

The God Who created us, Who loves us so dearly, never ever wastes pain.