How to Produce Oxygen

I've been making difficult changes. My prayers have been for the wisdom to categorize my relationships..to distinguish which soils are toxins and which are food. As undeniably naive as I am, this isn't something that comes easy. I know good and bad, I know right and wrong; but I struggle with reason. It isn't that I'm desperate to believe everyone is good. It's that I believe it. And I am happy to have a heart that allows the reality of what's behind a character flaw to outweigh the actual flaw - I accredit that only to having prayed for years that I would see and love people the way Jesus does. But now, with a twisted arm and heavy heart, I've finally started praying for the wisdom and courage to form healthy boundaries. It's torturous almost, but I know it's right. 

If you're anything like me, it may have taken a few dying branches to understand the importance of using discretion to create boundaries. We are called to love without condition and without favoritism; but we are warned against being unequally yoked spiritually. 

The problem with taking root in toxic soil is that it will ultimately poison the tree; how, then, will the tree produce the oxygen it was intended to make? 

Don't be deceived. Bad company ruins good morals. - 1 Corinthians 15:33

He who walks with the wise grows wise. -Proverbs 13:4

Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. -Proverbs 14:7

How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the LORD's instruction and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. -Psalm 1:1-3

Absolutely stainless

The other day I was just standing in the presence of the Lord, grateful and showing my affection with arms spread side to side and face to the sky. The worship team at my church played a series of songs I couldn't rename to you if I wanted to because I was so lost in the all-encompassing goodness of the God I love so deeply. I saw this image that was more like a screenplay of a futuristic time-lapse. It started with a birds-eye view of myself standing naked and vulnerable with my hands slightly lifted to show a silent surrender. The surrounding scene was dark but not black, cold but not eerie; and then the focus shifted to another girl and then another and more after those - all of very different build, color, height and stature. One by one each of the girls was touched by a strong hand, and so gracefully went from wearing a worn face and ragged clothes to a beautiful white dress and radiant glow. Each dress was so detailed and unique to the girl, even down to the jewels adorning their neck and hands, if any. It seemed like ages went by while I was witnessing an outstanding number normal girls be transformed into glowing princesses-daughters of the king. And finally! FINALLY it was my turn! It almost caught be by surprise because I was so enjoying spectating. This time, as the Lord set his hand out for a gentle touch of my head, the vision zoomed to me in my glorious white dress hunkering before the cross, taking hold of the dirty feet bound to it by nails. And I kissed them. over and over and over, sobbing with more intensity every kiss until I started climbing up the cross to embrace the sufferer.  His blood dripped onto me every inch of the way and as it hit my cheek or my shoulder or my stark-white dress every time it absorbed into my skin or clothes leaving absolutely no mark. And although I was literally climbing, clinging to every part of his body as it were my own life, the dirt, mud and debris that covered his skin and clothes didn't so much as smudge mine. He was covered in absolute filth and I was..absolutely stainless.


"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though the are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." -Isaiah 1:18