Love in the Storm

Jun1

Philippians 2:4 – Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (HCSB)

Proverbs 16:24 – Pleasant words are a honeycomb sweet to the taste and health to the body (HCSB)

 

Recently, I was staying with my grandchildren while their parents were out of town.  They only live about two blocks from their school, so we had planned to walk every morning and afternoon.  One morning it was drizzly and misty, but we discussed it and decided it was nothing we couldn’t handle.  I grabbed a travel mug girlanddogof coffee, put the leash on the puppy, passed out umbrellas, and off we went!  We were talking and singing and just having a great time until we got right in front of the school and the clouds opened up!!!  It was as if someone had flipped a switch. “Pouring” doesn’t really begin to describe the rainfall. At this exact moment in time, in the worse than pouring rain, with teachers and parents and students crowding the schoolyard — the puppy decides it’s potty time!!!  I was overcome with various emotions — worried about my grandchildren, embarrassed about the puppy, totally helpless in a situation that had seemed so controllable at the beginning.  I told that story to four different people – two family members, one close friend, and one recent acquaintance. One family member asked only about the children. The close friend and the other family member asked about both the children and the puppy. Only the recent acquaintance showed concern for me.  She expressed sympathy for the chaotic moment in front of the school and also for me having to walk back home in the storm.  I started to think how much that situation is like life in general. We think there may be a little trouble ahead, but it’s nothing WE can’t handle. Then comes the storm!  And while we are enduring the storm, thinking it’s the worst that can happen, something comes along to prove us wrong — and of course there always seems to be an audience!  For sympathy and comfort we turn to our families. We can come away from our birth family feeling inadequate.  We may come away from our church family feeling judged. But, then sympathy and comfort come to us from an unexpected source.  A simple “How are YOU?” can make such a difference in someone’s life. Sarah Fielding said “The words of kindness are more healing to a drooping heart that balm or honey.” Lord, help me to remember that showing interest and using kind words can be a great gift and a soothing balm in someone’s life. Storms will come. Embarrassing moments will come. But, help me to show Your love through my love and be a living example of John 13:35 (By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” HCSB).

Target Practice

May12

Psalm 55 :12-14 — Now it is not an enemy who insults me—
otherwise I could bear it;it is not a foe who rises up against me—
otherwise I could hide from him. But it is you, a man who is my peer,
my companion and good friend! We used to have close fellowship;
we walked with the crowd into the house of God. (HCSB)

 

Lord, I’m sitting here with my coffee this morning feeling very beaten down and discouraged. As I was speaking to a group about being encouraging and welcoming to people, I felt that a church member in the audience was almost heckling me. What was meant to be “discussion time” seemed to become “target hit targetpractice time” as verbal arrows began coming my way, and they were hitting their target’s bull’s-eye. The comments were neither encouraging nor welcoming! I have spent many hours revisiting what was said and the manner in which it was presented, and I can only quote King David from Psalm 55 – “my thoughts trouble me and I am distraught” (v.2) and “my heart is in anguish within me” (v.4a). I know that my words are not without error and I don’t even pretend that everyone will always agree with me or always like what I say, but this attack was a total shock. Like with David (vv.12-14), it was unexpected, and I felt “sucker punched” because it came from a church member. Lord, I know that as believers we need to hold each other accountable, but sometimes fellow church members can take that as permission to go to extremes with criticism. I know that Proverbs 27:17 says that iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another (HCSB), but this feels more like being hit with the iron! Unlike David’s pleas in v.15, I am not plotting revenge or asking for You to bury this person alive (although a bad case of laryngitis would have been nice!). No, I am questioning myself – what I said as opposed to what I could have said; how I handled the situation as opposed to how I could have handled the situation. In verses 6-8, David wants to run away – that’s how I feel right now too. Maybe I shouldn’t speak to groups…..maybe I shouldn’t speak at all …..maybe I should just run away to the desert! Or, maybe I should give my hurt and frustration to You. Maybe I should take the advice David gives in verse 22 and go forth in full knowledge that You will take care of it. Lord, I feel very beaten down. I’m discouraged. My confidence has been shaken. But, my help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:2 HCSB), and I will conclude this situation just as David concluded Psalm 55 — I will trust You (v.23).

Pardon Me!

Apr17

Mark 11:25 – And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. (HCSB) 

Matthew 6:14-15 – For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (HCSB)

 

It seems that “forgive” has been my word study recently. I’m hearing sermons about forgiveness. I’m reading daily devotions about forgiveness. I’m reading a novel with the theme of forgiveness. I’m hearing other people talk about forgiveness. Are you trying to tell me something, Lord? I don’t really have a “get-even” attitude, but does that really equate forgiveness? I recently heard someone say that refusing to forgive someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. We know that would never work, but everyday we encounter people who are holding tight to their anger, letting it eat away at them while the person they are refusing to forgive is going merrily along, possibly not even aware of the situation. Am I one of those people, clutching my anger like a child would a blanket? Lord, help me to never lose sight of the fact that You know my disappointments and my anger. You tell me that I need to forgive – not to benefit the other person but for my own wellbeing.   Doctors tell us that anger and resentment lead to physical ailments and degeneration. You tell us that anger and resentment lead to spiritual ailments and degeneration. I saw a post on a social media site that said “Forgiveness doesn’t forgive their behavior. Forgiveness prevents their behavior from destroying you.” Lord, Your Son died a horrible death so that I could have a relationship with You. Am I am letting my stubborn pride and anger come between You and me? How many times have I said “Please forgive me, Lord” but then walked away with no forgiveness in my heart for others, much like the servant described in Matthew 18: 26-29? How many times have I said the words from the prayer model You gave, asking You to forgive me as I forgive others, fully expecting forgiveness from You without any plan to forgive others? Lord, I come to You asking for Your help in letting go of my unforgiving spirit. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me.

No Thanks Necessary or None Given?

Mar22

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (HCSB

thanks-1095396-sMy husband read somewhere that a husband should thank his wife for going out with him when they go to the movies or to a restaurant or whatever.  Trust me, at our house he does not need to thank me for going out to eat!  He may want to thank me for not running him over as I race to the car, but he doesn’t need to thank me for eating out.  Let’s see — looking at a menu instead of planning a meal; telling someone what I want rather than having to cook it; walking away instead of washing dishes – I’m good, no thanks necessary!  As I’m enjoying my cup of coffee this morning and remembering last night’s dinner out, I begin to think about the idea of giving thanks.  Some people are really good about sending thank you notes, some just don’t do it.  It is embarrassing and frustrating to me when I need to know if a gift was received and am forced to ask!  I have a friend who believes that if anyone gives her a gift of any kind, it is because God laid it on that person’s heart, so she never thanks the giver for they were just doing what God told them to do.  True, but a little thanks goes a long way and people want to feel appreciated.  Do You feel that way about Your people, Lord?  You bless us in so many ways everyday, and we take the blessing and walk away without even a thought of thanksgiving and no mention of appreciation. Psalm 107:1 says to give thanks to You because You are so good to us, but are we being like those people who irritate us because their lack of acknowledgement seems to dismiss our gift? Luke 17:11-19 tells us about ten lepers.  Am I more like the nine who walked away with my blessing or the one who gave thanks?  Psalm 105: 1-2 tells us to not only give thanks to You but to tell people how wonderful You are.  Do I tell everyone I see about a nice gift a person gave me but keep silent about the amazing gifts from You?   Lord, I come before You today giving thanks for all of the ways You bless me and giving special thanks for the gift of Your Son. Today as I enjoy the gift of life, I will not only give thanks to You but also tell of Your wonderful greatness.

Being Salty

Mar4

Matthew 5:13 – “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. (HCSB)

 

salt-shakerI was looking on a web site that gives household tips and read about adding a pinch of salt to the brewing basket of the coffeepot. There were several tips that involved salt and that lead me to thinking about how Jesus said we are the salt of the earth.  Of everything He could have said, why salt?  The Salt Institute tells us there are over 14,000 different uses for salt.  I started researching salt and found that salt is used in food, drug, agricultural, chemical, and industrial areas. Salt is the only rock humans can eat.  Like a snowflake, every crystal of salt is uniquely different.  The human body needs salt but we cannot make it for ourselves; we must take it in.  Roman soldiers were paid in salt.  Ever heard the term “not worth his salt” to describe a lazy person?  Salt is used to preserve meat because it stops rot.  Salt is an antiseptic, a cleansing agent.  Salt is used to melt ice on wintery days.  When the correct amount of salt is placed on food, the salt disappears but the flavor of the food is enhanced.  Colossians 4:6 says that our speech should be seasoned with salt. Jesus has called us to be salt, to add flavor to the world around us, to stand against the rot of a sinful world. But, salt that has lost its taste is worthless.  Pure salt does not lose its saltiness, but contaminated salt does. Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to this world, not be so much a part of the world that we can’t make a difference, not to become contaminated salt.  Does that mean that we should only socialize with people who are just like us? Salt is powerful but is absolutely worthless unless it is applied.  Matthew and Mark both tell us that Jesus said “go out into the world and teach the gospel.” Romans 10:14 reminds us that people can’t know the truth unless someone tells them. Salt sitting on the table is pretty but it must come into contact with the food to make a difference.  There is even a book by Rebecca Manley Pippert titled “Out of the Saltshaker & into the World: Evangelism as a Way of Life”. People need salt but need someone to give it to them.  People need You but need someone to show the way.  Lord, I want to be salt.  I want to be uniquely different from the world but still enhance the world.  I want to be worth my salt in Your sight, Lord.  I want to be the salt of the earth.

Lots of Words – Nothing to Say

Feb22

Colossians 2:8 – Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

My husband and I were recently on the receiving end of a hard sales presentation.  Our salesman knew A LOT of words, and he liked using as many as possible each time he spoke.  It seemed that every time one of lotsofwordsus asked him a question, he would talk for at least two minutes and never come close to giving an answer.  I started asking questions that I really had no interest in the answer; I just wanted to see him maneuver around an actual answer!  He was very good at empty answers.  He knew a lot of words.  He knew a lot of high-sounding words.  He knew how to take his great collection of high-sounding words and arrange them in a way to actually say nothing.  People can sometimes get in situations like that and get caught up because the words are high sounding. They get captured in a riptide of words and, before they realize what is happening, they are carried away.  Paul said the Colossians were being captured with high sounding words that had no substance. There are well known pastors today that use a lot of words, a lot of high-sounding words.  What they say sounds good, but they never actually say anything of substance.  They, like our salesman, use a lot of words to say nothing.  Someone very close to me is an avid follower of a celebrity minister who, in my opinion, uses a lot of high-sounding words to say nothing.  In a discussion one night, I made the comment that he uses pretty words just to make the listener feel good.  Her comeback was “Sometimes you just want to hear pretty words to make you feel good.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 says “For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.” (HCSB)  John F. Kennedy is quoted as saying, “The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.”  We know that people are listening to the high-sounding, pretty words to give them comfort, but C.S. Lewis said “If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.”  Lord, You know that we live in a world of people looking for comfort and ending up with despair.  The world needs truth, not just pretty words that bring self-satisfied comfort.  Lord, I pray for the people who are trading Your words for high-sounding words and myths. Lord, I pray for Your people that we would share Your words, words not from human thinking but from Christ.

For This Child I Prayed

Feb12

1 Samuel 1:27 – I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. (NIV)

Today is my sweet baby boy’s birthday.  He is 35, but he’ll always be my baby!  Celebrating his birthday brings up memories of his birth-day and other days as well.  At that time you took the pregnancy test in the doctor’s office, and I can remember waiting anxiously and excitedly for the results.  When the nurse announced “positive”, I went straight to my husband’s office because I just couldn’t wait for him to get home that afternoon to tell him the happy news. Because of injuries I had sustained in a car accident before we were married, the doctor had told us that I would have difficulty conceiving and carrying a baby to term, so this was indeed happy news!  It still makes me smile to think about telling our parents and grandparents.  When I told my grandmother, she gave me a quilt that she had made in advance for her first great-grandchild.  That quilt was the centerpiece of our nursery and is now on our granddaughter’s bed.  I was so excited to be pregnant that I would wear maternity tops over my regular pants!  In the hours before his birth, I taught kindergarten on Friday, shopped all day Saturday, went to church Sunday morning then had friends over for dinner and a movie Sunday night.  I went to the hospital in the early hours of Monday morning.  We were the first people at our hospital to do Lamaze so it was an interesting few hours (the nurse thought I was hyperventilating), but by 7:30 that morning I was holding myBabyShay baby boy – 28 days before his due date!  When we called people to tell them about the baby, no one believed us.  My principal told me to stop being silly and get myself to work!  My granny squealed, “I knew it was a boy.”  When reminded that she had been saying “girl” all along, she immediately replied, “well, I knew it was one or the other.”  When we called my parents, my dad was on the far side of the farm feeding the cows.  My mom got so excited that she walked through the snow to find him and they both walked back to the house, leaving the tractor sitting in the pasture!  Our son had infantile asthma, and there were times of getting in the crib with him so he would not be afraid under the croup tent, sleeping on the floor beside his bed so we could hear him breathe, and holding him so the medicated mist could blow in his face.  We prayed for him and over him daily from before he was even born and have seen so many prayers answered.  We have prayed petitions; we have prayed praises: we have prayed scripture. When he was a little boy, we started praying for the unknown little girl that would one day be his wife.  The first time we met that special young lady, my husband and I both knew that prayer had been answered as well.  We have seen this sweet baby boy grow into a strong Godly man, husband, and father. Like Hannah, I can say “I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted what I asked of Him”.

Finishing With Honor or Just Finishing

Feb8

 

Hebrews 12:1 – Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. (HCSB)

I don’t like to start something and not finish it. I recently talked to someone who just completed a craft project that she started four years ago. Four years!??!!  On the same project!??!!  I would have been so agitated and probably given myself an ulcer just knowing I had that unfinished project waiting for me. I would have given up sleep, TV, food, — okay, maybe not food — but I would have been totally driven to see the completion of that particular project. I love needlework and pretty much always have something in the making — sometimes for a specific reason, sometimes just to be busy.  Sometimes I’ll have a “just to be busy” needleworkin the works when I need to begin a “for a specific reason” and have the most difficult time starting one while knowing I have left something incomplete.  I like to complete projects that I start in such a way that they honor the pattern, but as I’m running the race that I started with You, Lord, am I running in such a way that I will complete the race with honor to You?  As I am pondering all of this over a cup of coffee, I think of 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (HCSB).  When I finish the race, will I finish having kept the faith or will it just be cessation?  I don’t know specifics about what caused this person to lay aside her project four years ago, but I know that it just got easier and easier to not even think about getting on with it and, after so much time had passed, really not knowing how to start. I begin to think of Hebrews 12:1 that tells me to lay aside the things that are holding me back and get on with the race that is before me, and verse 2 tells me how I need to do it — keeping my eyes on Jesus.  I know that working on a craft project and running the race for You, Lord, are not the same thing, but I also know they are both things that I want to do well.  I like the praise and accolades that I get from a well done craft project, but how much better to hear those precious “well done” words from You.

Hiding the Stains

Feb2

Psalm 51:2 – Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin (NKJV)

 

I started pulling up the carpeting in one of our rooms today. To just look at it, it looked okay.  I’m pulling it up because we are putting in wood flooring. As I was pulling up pieces, I started noticing stains and marks on the underside. What was visible looked good, but the hidden parts were stained. Some of the stains were stainnew, some were many years old, but I had spent many hours and put much hard work into hiding them from sight. As I took my coffee break, I started thinking about myself and how I am exactly like that carpet.  I have wrinkles, gray hairs, and could stand to lose a few pounds, but overall, I look okay on the outside. But, when God looks at my innermost being, my true inside, how do I look?  He sees the stains left by sin in my life.  To the world, it looks as if I have forgiven that person, but is the stain of an unforgiving nature still there?  What about the stain of that sin I’ve hidden for so long, the one no one knows about?  Just as I have spent many hours and put much hard work into trying to hide the stains in the dirty carpet, I have spent many hours and put much hard work into trying to hide the stain of sin in my life. Some of my sin stains are because, even though I have asked for God’s forgiveness, I am so ashamed that I can’t forgive myself.  Some of my sin stains are because, even though I asked for God’s forgiveness, I still tend to revisit the memory of that sin.  Psalm 5:17 says that I need to come to You with a contrite heart.  Lord, I am kneeling before You today, not only discarding stained carpet but asking You to discard the stain of sin in my life.  As David prayed in Psalm 51:2, I am praying today.

Lots of Plans

Jan25

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (HCSB)

Isaiah 55:8-9 –  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration.“For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.(HCSB)

eating cakeMy husband and I are celebrating our thirty-ninth wedding anniversary.  As we had planned a wedding, we had planned our married life.  I was in college when we married but was going to graduate, teach for three years, then be a stay-at-home mom to our three children. My husband had taken a leave from college and was working when we were married but was going back to college, become an accountant, and climb the corporate ladder.  We were going to build our dream house in our hometown and live happily ever after.  I did graduate, and my husband did become an accountant, but the corporate ladder turned out to be a step-stool because  God had another call for my husband – to the ministry.  We left our hometown, and my plans, that I thought were so grounded,  suddenly flew away!  My three years of teaching became twenty-seven. Because of health issues, we only had one child (but he has blessed us more than any three ever could). My time of staying at home came after our son had a home of his own. The hometown dream house has become a beach dream house but is still a dream.  Our plans have had ups and downs, turns and twists, but we were right about the “happily ever after”!  My grandmother used to say that God laughs when we make plans, and He must have had a hardy chuckle at the two of us!  As I look back over the last thirty-nine years, I am so  thankful that my plans flew away and were replaced with  Your plans, Lord.  Your ways are so much better than mine. Thank You for the change of plans!!