New Thing

 

2021 is almost over.  I am certain that there are many responding to that statement with, “Thank Goodness.”  It has been another difficult year, filled with tough decisions, unfortunate circumstances, and trying times.  It is hard to shake off times that have frustrated us or made us sad.  Those feelings can be a result of loss, such as loss of a job or even loss of a loved one.  Those feelings can also be a result of us not being able to do things as we used to do.  For example, we may need to think twice about booking a vacation, wondering if we will be able to travel freely in a foreign country due to COVID.  It can also be something more day to day, such as thinking about putting on a mask before entering a store or bringing a vaccine card with us to enter a restaurant.  Many wonder, are the old days ever coming back?

Today’s verse has us focusing on God’s message to the Israelites, promising them deliverance into a new path for them.  God was making things new for them – as He does for us.  I believe verse 18 of Isaiah 43 is just as important as verse 19.

There God shares, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”

That is so hard to do.  It is difficult to forget the past or the things that once were.  We may have enjoyed different things from the past, only to have new ways in front of us that may not be as comfortable or resonate with us.  It is during these times that God should be front and center in our lives.  He was with us in the past.  He knows how we felt during the past.  Yet ahead is the new – and God isn’t just going to be there for the new, He is creating the pathway for us.  Through his divine power, our lives will be full and will have just what God wants us to have.

We may look at the new path and say, “Nope, not for me.  I’d like to go back please!”  The new way, though, is God’s way and that will never leave us empty.  God’s path will bring us on the journey we need to be on.  As the verse states, He will create rivers in dry wastelands – He will create something out of desertedness.  He can always give us more out of loss, more out of frustration, more out of trying times.  When we persevere through those times with God, we always see a brighter sunshine ahead of us.

During 2022, let’s resolve to leave 2021 behind us and get excited for the newness that God will bring into our lives in 2022.  May our focus be on the new path ahead of us, forgetting what we need to forget from 2021 and living in the newly created river of 2022.  Blessings for the New Year!

Heavenly Father, thank you for creating the new path forward for us.  May we leave the old behind and be blessed with your mercy and love in 2022.

Peace in Fear

 

It is hard to believe that in a few short days we will be celebrating Christmas.  Once again, it seems to have come upon us all too quickly.  We have walked through the Christmas story this Advent, exploring how it has provided us insight not to be afraid.  Whether it was Zechariah, Mary, or the shepherds, in Luke we found the words, “Don’t be afraid” surrounding the birth of Jesus.  Today, I move to Mark when Jesus, himself, states the words, “Don’t be afraid.”

In this context, Jesus is speaking to His disciples as he walks on water to the boat where the waves are tossing the disciples’ boat.  As they saw Jesus walking on the water, they cried out in fear.  Yet, Jesus calmed them and stated the words, ‘Don’t be afraid.’  That brought such peace that Peter was willing to step out of the boat onto the water and began walking towards Jesus. 

There have been many times in my life when I was afraid.  There were times when it was a physical nature, such as zip lining through the forest of Costa Rica or white-water rafting.  There were other times when I was fearful for health reasons, either my own journey with cancer or when others I loved were sick.  Other times, it was when I needed to step into a new chapter of my life, either a new job or a new relationship.  Just as the disciples on the boat, I was afraid.  It is in those moments that I needed to hear Jesus say, “Don’t be afraid.”

Oh, to be a disciple in that boat and be able to hear Jesus’ words directly!  How wonderful would it be to see Him walking in the horizon when I was fearful and have him utter those words!  Although Jesus may not be physically in front of me, His words ring loud and clear in the Bible.  His words come to life as I read them, impacting me in the way Jesus’ words impacted the disciples.

Jesus’ words of comfort in not being afraid brought the disciples peace.  They also bring me peace.  When I am troubled and afraid, Jesus’ words of not being afraid brings me the peace that I need.  The peace to move forward.  The peace to step out of the boat into Jesus’ hands.  The peace that passes all understanding.

How fitting that the fourth Advent candle is one of Peace!  Reflecting over the past three Sundays of Advent, we saw the candles represented in our ability not to fear.  The first candle is one of hope – prayer providing us hope.  The second candle is one of love – God displaying His love for Mary and us.  The third candle is one of joy – the joy of all the blessings God provides.  The fourth candle of peace – the peace we are afforded when Jesus utters the words, “Do not be afraid.”  I pray this Advent season has brought you the hope, love, joy, and peace you needed.  May you all enjoy a very Merry Christmas!

Dearest Jesus, your birth and life have taught us so much on why we should not be afraid.  When our lives get the better of us, please turn us towards you, Jesus, and may we hear your words, “Don’t be afraid.”  In your love, Amen.

 

Don't Fear Blessings

 

I cannot imagine being one of the shepherds who saw the angel appear to bring the good news of Jesus’ birth.  Shepherds who were out doing their job when an angel and the angelic hosts shared the news that all would be saved.  As we have walked through the Christmas story of Luke, we once again see a time when an angel proclaims the words, “Do not be afraid.” 

We saw Zechariah’s prayers being answered so late in life when he could have been afraid of what would be ahead for Elizabeth and him.  We saw Mary receiving God’s greatest gift, wondering why she was chosen, but the angel explaining she had found favor with God.  This week, we find ourselves with the shepherds, herding sheep, and being the first to hear of the great news of Jesus’ birth.  Do not fear good news!

Have you found yourself in that situation?  The Lord blesses you with some wonderful news that you may even fear?  You receive great blessings, and you wonder, “Why me?”  Something happens that you did not expect, and you say, “This can’t be meant for me?” Have you have even used the words, “This is too good to be true!”  I know I have found myself in these situations, almost afraid that the goodness that was bestowed upon me was not meant for me.  I have questioned God about the blessings He has shared with me, afraid that they would be taken away.  Have you ever found yourself in the same situation?

When our Lord blesses our lives, we should not be afraid of the goodness He gives to us.  We should rejoice in His name the bounty that He provides.  All good things come from God.   We should not be afraid to receive God’s blessings.  He loves us and cherishes us.  He knows exactly what we need when we need it.  He provided our Lord and Savior Jesus on that night in Bethlehem – sharing with the shepherds the greatest gift of all.  That wonderful night, the angels once again brought good news that was meant to be shared throughout the land. 

When blessings come our way, we should not question them.  We should not be saying, “Why me?” or “Are you sure this wasn’t meant for someone else?”  God has given to us what we needed, and our response should not be one of fear or disbelief, but one of joy and thanksgiving.  God never comes to us in fear, He comes to us in love.

When a blessing is bestowed, think back upon the greatest blessing we have received, our Savior Jesus.  During this Advent season, let us not be afraid to pray fervently, let us not be afraid to know that God has found favor with us, and may we never be afraid of the blessings God has given to us.   May we rejoice to God and thank Him always for His gifts – especially the gift of Jesus!

Heavenly Father, may we never be afraid to accept the gifts you so graciously give to us.  Let us cherish all that you provide, giving thanks and praise!  During this Advent, may we be reminded that you never come in fear, but you come in love.  Let us bask in the sunshine of that love each day.  Amen!

Favor with God

Happy Advent!  Did you know that the phrase, “Do not be afraid” is used in the Bible 365 times?  It must be a phrase that God wants to ensure hits home – at least every day!  There are many things in this life that can scare us – snakes, dogs, spiders, the dark, etc.  There are also very personal things that can scare us – the fear of being alone, the fear of imperfection, the fear of failure, the fear of dying.  Whether the fear is an extrinsic or intrinsic fear, it is real for the person dealing with it.  It is not easy dealing with fear. 

If we put ourselves in Mary’s position, we can appreciate why she would be fearful.  To be visited by an angel and then be told you are going to be the mother of Jesus who will save the world?  That is a tall order.  My fear of going to the dentist seems trivial compared to Mary’s fear.  The words addressing Mary’s fear are, to me, some of the most powerful in the Bible, “you have found favor with God.”

Favor with God!  What does that mean?  Is Mary God’s favorite?  Is she going to receive special treatment?   What does it mean to have God’s favor?  Through some research, I have come to understand that God’s favor can mean God extending His divine kindness, understanding and grace to us who do not deserve it.  God’s choice in Mary may come from God’s desire to have Jesus’ journey begin in the humblest of ways, someone who was devout to God and knew the meaning of grace.

The question becomes, can we find favor with God?  Can we experience God’s favor?  The answer is yes!  We receive God’s goodness and grace every day.  His favor falls down on us when we believe in Him, just believe.  Earning God’s favor is impossible.  There is nothing we can do, no matter how great, where we should expect to have his kindness, understanding and grace.  In Ephesians 2:8, Paul clearly shares for us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God.” 

God’s favor on us comes from our faith in Him!  All we can offer God is our faith and love.  Thank goodness that is all He asks of us.  In return His favor – His love, kindness, and grace – flows from Him.  I know I can use all of what God can offer in my life.  My need for forgiveness is real and His grace and mercy provides that forgiveness.  Remember, God values YOU, he favors YOU!  We are children of God!  That certainly brings joy to my heart.  I pray it does the same for you!

Heavenly Father, thank you for finding favor with me!  Your divine grace and mercy are with me each day.  My earthly works could never be enough to gain your favor, but through your grace, I am a child of God.  Thank you!  Amen. 

Don't Fear - Pray

 

Advent 2021 is here!  There is something about the Advent season that stirs my heart as we begin to prepare for the arrival of Jesus.  This morning, I spent time reviewing the themes of Advent I have written about in the past.  Over the last seven years, they have spanned everything from the gifts of Christmas to the characters of Christmas.  I struggled on what to share and decided to go to the source, the book of Luke, chapters 1 and 2, where the story of Jesus’ birth lies.  I read and re-read those chapters and realized something wonderful (don’t we always find something wonderful when we delve into this story?).

There, in the pages of my Bible, I noticed how many times an angel shared the words, “Do not be afraid.”  Three separate times with three different people in three different scenarios.  Today’s post will focus on the angel who came to Zechariah in the temple.  The angel was bringing the news that Elizabeth would bear a son.  All of this seemed unbelievable to Zechariah, as he and Elizabeth were no spring chickens.  Yet, as we know, God works in ways that man will never understand.

Zechariah was a true man of God and very obedient to God’s laws.  He prayed for a son.  In God’s Time, his son would be delivered.  How many times have you prayed the same prayer, over and over again, wanting God to deliver in YOUR time?  When that happens, we wonder where God is.  Why isn’t He answering our prayers?  We can begin to become afraid that God is not going to answer the prayers we are offering to Him.

There have been times in my life when I believed that was the case.  I was truly afraid God was not going to answer the prayers I put up to Him.  I was afraid that He was not listening to me. Yet, God delivered.  Almost always it was never in my time and many times not in the way I was praying.  He knew better.  He always knows better.  He delivered what I needed, not what I wanted.  I may have been afraid to walk in the path He provided for me, yet when I walked in that path, the outcome was always greater than my ways.

Friends, let us be reminded as Zechariah was so many years ago, that God hears our prayers.  Each and every prayer.  Let us not be afraid to walk in the answered prayers God gives to us.  Let us boldly go where God sends us.  Receive His gift of an answered prayer as a blessing.  As the angel said to Zechariah, “Do Not Be Afraid.” 

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us not to be afraid of answered prayers.  There are times when your time and your answers are quite different than that for which we may be praying.  Yet, we know you are the author of our lives.  You author the best story for us.  May we rest in the comfort of you all-knowing ways.  Bless us this Advent Season.  Amen!

Giving Thanks

 

It is about that time, the time when we gather to give thanks!  Over the years, especially when all the children were home, I continuously tried to find ways for us to make November a ‘month’ of Thanksgiving.  Many times, it was our chain of thanks.  Slips of paper donned each person’s plate every dinner in November.  We each wrote on that slip what we were thankful for and shared it with each other.  Then we would connect the slips of paper and the chain would begin.  You can imagine, with six of us, how the chain swerved in an out of all the areas of the kitchen and often extended into other areas of the home.  I pray that our children’s memories of that are as fond as mine!!

As I think back on those days, and other ways we tried to share thanks during November, I remember our thanks being the ‘positive’ things we were thankful for – our family members, our friends, educators, pastors, things we received, etc.  We always focused on what we had received for which we were thankful.  Today’s verse, though, reminds me of many ways we should have had this verse ‘front and center’ for our thankful sessions.

Each part of these verses brings forward the value of thanksgiving.  Please walk with me as I reflect on how Thanksgiving can be ‘improved’!

·        Rejoice Always – not just on Thanksgiving Day, not just during the month of November, but every day, throughout the year!  This can be hard to do. Our days get busy, our minds flow elsewhere, and the wonderful, gentle blessings we receive during the day get passed over as we race to the next thing to do.  Rejoicing always means that our thankful spirit is always looking for the blessings and always looking to God.  It means we need to be mindful of all that is around us and the impact and importance of it all. 

·        Pray Continually – not just in the morning or evening, not just when we need that ‘special something,’ not just at dinner time, but ALL the time.  Prayer has always been to me a conversation with God; time to share with Him all that is right and not so right in life and have Him share with me my role in it all.  Again, when the day gets busy, we may forget to spend that time with God throughout the day or focus on just when we need something.  It means never giving up on the prayers that are close to our hearts and thanking him for the blessings He gives.

·        Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances – so hard to do!  It is easy to give thanks when our prayers are answered, or the blessings are right in front of our faces.  It is so much more difficult to thank Jesus when things are hard, when jobs are lost, when finances are tough, when test results are not what we wanted to hear.  Instead of doubting where God is during those times, giving thanks during those times deepens our faith.  When we give thanks during challenging times, we are saying to God, “I trust you that all things will work out to your will – your perfect will.”  Thanks can seem a tall order, but when our faith deepens, we are lifted up.

During this Thanksgiving, may we find ways to rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances to the glory of God.  May our hope and love in Jesus bring us to a deeper reliance on Him.  May Thanksgiving become every day!

Heavenly Father, thank you for providing us Scripture that we can live by EVERY day.  In your name, Amen!

Exposed Sin

 

In New England, as Autumn continues, the beauty of the leaves starts to fade.  Vibrant colors of red, orange, and yellow turns to muted browns.  Not only are the colors of the leaves changing, but there are many other changes.  Frost greets us every morning, the temperatures slide down the thermometer and the winds start to kick up.  The last of what can be harvested before winter is completed.  Preparations begin for winter.

One of the most notable changes is not only the leaves colors, but the fact that they depart from the trees and begin to cover the grass.  Everyone begins the mad dash of picking up the leaves to ensure they are not on the ground before the first snow.  Once the leaves are gone, the tree is completely bare.

 

As I looked at the tree above, and noticed the beautiful leaves were gone, what was left behind also had its own beauty. The nakedness of the tree was still something to marvel.  The way the branches intertwined with each other, the sturdiness of the trunk supporting branches large and small, and the smallest of twigs in the edges that gave the leaves their beauty.

I could not help but think of our Lord.  In the depths of our sin, we are totally exposed to God, much like the bare tree without any leaves.  We cannot run or hide.  Although others may not see the sin we have, our Lord knows all of it.  The sin that intertwines with other sins, the sin that may show ‘beauty’ on the outside but is dark on the inside.  Although we may feel bare, Jesus does not see us like that.  He died on the cross to ensure our sin blows away in the wind and what is left behind is a beauty and love that only Jesus can give us.  God sees our exposed guilt and replaces it with forgiveness and love.  What solace there is in knowing Jesus takes away our sin and replaces it with eternal life!  When you look at those bare and exposed trees, remember that your exposed sin is forgiven! 

Dearest Jesus, thank you for the gift of forgiveness.  As you see all our sin and the darkness that surrounds it, we also know that you died for our sin to be blown away and replaced with love and grace.  Thank you, Jesus!!

Gift of Good

 

It was a good day.  An exceptionally good day.  Things went right.  Maybe not perfect, but things seemed to click together.  When days like that come across our path, we smile a bigger smile, we hug a little tighter, and we appreciate the day a bit more.  As I rested my head on the pillow that night, I wondered why that particular day impacted me at such an important level.  Then it became clear.

I went out of my way to help others.  I watched others helping others.  It all felt good and right.  Have you ever noticed when we go out of our way to look past ourselves and focus on others how our days are brighter?  When we spread kindness and love, our world seems to come together.  It has been hard to see that lately.  There is so much discord that it can be difficult to see the good when all we seem to hear and see is negative.  That should never stop us from being the best we can be and to help others do the same.

When I read our focus verse for this week, I tried to think of ways to ‘motivate’ another to an act of love, kindness, and goodness.  I have always been one that has believed I can create a motivating environment, but not necessarily motivate someone directly.  In my heart what that means is I can assist in creating an environment where people want to do good things and be better people.  I can assist in creating an environment where people feel love and give love.  How can I do that?

By modeling the behaviors that I want to see in others.  If I want to see more goodness in the world, then I should model goodness.  If I want to see more kindness, then I should be kind.  If I want to see more love, then I should be extending love.  Isn’t that what Jesus did when He came to earth?  From the very beginning, he brought goodness, kindness, and love into this world.  He made people around Him better people because of who He was.  He helped the disciples to share God’s love with others because He loved others.  He modeled a sinless life so we could aspire to lead a better life.  No, we will not be sinless, but we can aspire to be better people.

If we want to see acts of love and kindness in others, we need to show those acts first.  Do not wait for someone else to be nice to you, smile first.  Do not wait for others to say hi to you, say hi first.  Reach out a hand to others – they will reach back to you.  It will be a good day, a particularly good day, when all things feel right if we step out in love, kindness, and simple faith first.  When those days happen, you will feel Jesus’ love in your soul.  There is no better feeling than that!  Praise Jesus for the ability to act in love and kindness.  Thank Him for filling your soul.  Love others as He has loved you. 

Dearest Jesus, thank you for modeling the behavior I should have every day.  Let me see opportunities to share love and kindness in a broken world.  Let me reach past myself to others and have them see your love and grace.  Let me shine your light!  Amen!

Beauty of Pain

 

October is one of those months.  I absolutely adore and look forward to all the beauty this season brings, as referenced in the previous posts.  I look forward to all my senses being awaken through autumn.  I revel in the beauty seen through the leaves, the wind on my face, the smell of wood fires, the taste of crisp apples and the touch of a smooth pumpkin.  For eleven months out of the year, I yearn for all these wonderful aspects to come to life.

Yet, there is one feeling that always creeps around the corner and sneaks up on me when I least expect it in October - the feeling of pain.  It is as if it peeks around the edges of my life, waiting for me to let my guard down and then it hits me so hard it takes my breath away.  In October of 1999 I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  In October, the pain of that day comes running back.  The pain of the months that followed that day flood into my mind.  It is as if every detail of those days is etched in my mind.  When those feelings hit, I begin to relive those days, whether I am in the car, in church, at my desk, and even when I try to lay my head on the pillow.  Those memories come crashing back.

As painful as those memories are, I also remember the beauty of that season in my life.  I remember the generosity and love that poured out to me.  I remember seeing God’s face in the doctors and nurses who tended to me.  I remember cherishing moments and days stronger than I have ever done so before.  Most of all, I felt God’s hope!  Each day my reliance on God became stronger because I could not rely on myself at that time.  In doing so, I felt closer to God than every before.  I learned what it was to let God have the driver’s seat. 

Pain in our lives can drain every bit of energy we have.  Even the most positive folks can refocus their attention to the despair pain brings into our lives.  Whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual pain, it can release havoc in our lives.  Yet, as God shares in Romans 5, this is when we need to rejoice the loudest.  It is during these times we need to share thanksgiving.  Trials in our lives provides opportunities for us to release to God our pain.  Problems in our lives provides opportunities to let God do his good work.  Romans 5: 1-5 became my mantra when I was ill, and it is my ‘go to’ in the Bible when life throws me lemons.  It is a wonderful reminder of God’s love for us and how the trial in our lives leads to hope in God.    

Sharing verses 3-5.  “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the holy spirit, who has been given to us.”  Let these words sink in when troubles come your way and let God’s love shine amidst adversity.

“Dearest Jesus, thank you for being our guiding light during troubled times.  May we turn to you, and release to you, all that weighs heavy on our shoulders.  May your love engulf us and show us the great hope in you.  Amen”

Beauty of Stillness

 

Beauty can be seen in a multitude of areas in our lives.  As shared in previous posts, it can be seen in changes experience of anticipation of experiences to come.  Those experiences can lead to a life that could rival a full-length action movie.  Constant work to do, constant chores to get done, constant lists to cross off – our days can begin to run together with no end in sight.  The busyness of this world continues as we try to rest our weary heads at night, with thoughts racing through our minds of things that we did not get done or problems we did not solve.

My life can be like this.  The ability for me to relax can be met with a sense of guilt.  The words racing through my mind are, “I am certain there must be something that I should be doing.”  Those words do not last long before I realize that there is a small chore I forgot or something I wanted to get to, and that moment of rest changes to busyness.  Is there anyone reading who is nodding their head in agreement?

In walks the pandemic.  For approximately one year, the world seemed to stop.  There were fewer places for us to ‘go,’ less dinners with friends and family.  The days of one chore running into another had turned into moments when I walked around the house trying to ‘find’ something to do.  The time slowed down a bit, and so did I.  My husband and I spent more time on our deck, enjoying our backyard and each other’s company.  I realized the importance and gift of stillness!

In the stillness, I saw more of God’s beauty in the simple things in life – the squirrel playing in the tree, the movement of the leaves in the trees as the breeze blew, the smile on my husband’s face.  I came to cherish those times.  The world then ‘opened up’ again, and the days began to look increasingly familiar to ‘pre-pandemic’ times.  Busy days returned.  Places to go crept into our lives.  Stillness was replaced with busyness.

Today, though, I stopped.  I longed for the days of stillness. I longed for the feeling of peace.  I went back to my place of stillness, the deck.  I took the time to look upon God’s beauty and realized that He provides stillness as a gift.  In our stillness, not only can we see God’s beauty, but we can feel God’s presence.  When our lives are too busy to be still, we can’t feel when God is with us.  His presence is replaced by people and things.  When we are still, we can feel God warming our hearts and filling our souls.  Talking to God is not all we should do in stillness; we can be still and listen for Him to speak to us.  In stillness, we can experience His love!  I know I can certainly use to experience more of God’s love in my life!

There is much beauty in the world around us, beauty that God gave us.  Yet, ensure you make a little time to be still and appreciate the beauty God is giving YOU!  In that stillness, God is giving you the peace and love that only He can give.  We just need to be still to receive it!

Dearest Lord, help us to take time out of our busy days to be still.  In that stillness, may we appreciate the gifts that you give to us.  May our simple faith be drawn to your love and may you provide us peace for our souls.  In your name we pray.  Amen!

Beauty of Different

 

The beauty of fall in New England spans so many senses.  The pumpkins in the fields.  The apples dangling from the trees.  The crisp air blowing past your face.  The smell of a wood fire from a neighbor’s home.  Yet nothing surpasses the beauty of the leaves.  Whether a year filled with vibrant color or a year glowing with subtle hues, the leaves make it autumn.  I watch for the first leaf to change color in mid-August and follow the journey on our trees during the next three months.  I continue to be amazed at how each leaf gives off a distinct color.  You can have the same tree with reds, oranges, yellows, and greens all sharing same branches.  It is the differences of those leaves that create the most beauty.  One trunk, multiple beauty.

Reflecting on all those different color leaves turned my attention to all of us on this earth.  Each of us has our own different color.  It could be the color of our skin.  It could be the color of our personality.  Maybe it is the color of our actions.  Each of us is not like the other.  Our thoughts, our words, our actions are different than the person standing next to us.  I say to our Lord, “Thank God!”  I do not know about you, but I can certainly only manage one of me (and I am sure my husband is saying the same thing!).  There is such beauty in the colors of all of us and what we bring to this earth.  God created us to be different, not to be the same.  It is those differences that we should be celebrating, not criticizing, about each other.

The leaves of one tree may change into many different colors.  It does not mean that the tree is ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ it means that beautiful differences can come from one place.  So, it is with God’s people.  Our foundation is our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  From Him, the beauty of all of his people shines through.  He is the trunk, we are the leaves, shining our colors for the world to see.  The beauty of our differences rooted in Christ Jesus is truly a miracle.  When we focus on all of us being one with Jesus yet giving off the color of our skin or our personality, it is something that should be marveled and revered. 

As we walk through this earthly life, may we reflect and appreciate the differences in the person next to us.  May we smile and say to ourselves, “There is another miracle”!  God made us, each of us, with a plan of how we can share our ‘colors,’ just like the leaves of New England.  Let us celebrate those differences with a sense of awe and wonder.  Only God can create the Beauty of Different.

Dearest Jesus, although we are one with you, you have created each of us to share our colors!  May we shine our colors to others, and more importantly, may we respect and celebrate the different colors around us.  Thank you for providing us the beauty of being different.  Amen.

Beauty of Friendship

 

Forty years.  That is a long time for about anything, but for a friendship?  I would say that is a long time.  I have been blessed with a friend I have had for forty years.  In forty years, a lot happens.  In our case there were our own weddings, a divorce, multiple children being born, children being married and grandchildren.   There were health issues, relationship issues, and parents’ passing.  This weekend I got to see my friend of nearly forty years.

Much has kept us from seeing each other, especially these past few years.  I am sure many of you can relate as well.  During the pandemic, many of us refrained from seeing friends.  We had our ‘circle’ and we stayed within it, ensuring that our families would stay safe.   It was a ‘drought’ of friends’ time.  I missed it.   I am extremely fortunate that I have a wonderful husband who is truly my deepest friend.  Yet chatting with others warms my soul. 

During the ‘friend drought’, I had to remember that the greatest friend I have has been with me for a long time – longer than even 40 years.  This friend is with me every day, supporting me, listening to me, not just warming my soul but filling my soul.  This friend guides me, holds me close, and listens to me day or night.  Who is this friend?  Jesus!  His friendship is deeper and wider than any friendship I could have on earth.  The hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” so wonderfully depicts this friendship.  My favorite verse:

Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Jesus wants us to be his friend; he invites us to this holy friendship.  I feel so honored to be in His friendship ring and that He calls me by name.  He lovingly shares all of God’s secrets with us.  He gives us Scripture that we can peak into those secrets and hold them close to us.  Jesus gives us an opportunity to be with him any time we need him.  What a gift and blessing of true friendship He has given to us.

These past six months many people have, once again, gathered with friends.  Laughter, hugs, memories, are now being shared around a table versus on face time.  The ‘drought’ is starting to wane, and our lives are filling up again.  The next time you have the privilege of sitting next to a friend, let them know how important they are to you.  Warm their souls.  Then when it is quiet, and you have a moment, thank Jesus for His friendship; for always being there no matter the worldly conditions.  His love and friendship last an eternity.

 Dearest Jesus, thank you for blessing us with friends.  As we begin to gather with our friends again, let us be reminded of your friendship with us.  You never leave us.  You sit next to us and share in our earthly situations.  You guide us and love us.  Thank you for letting me always come to you!!  Amen.

Beauty of Change

 

When I share with people that autumn is my favorite time of year, there are usually two responses.  One is “I very much agree with you, mine too.”  The other is, “Autumn is a time when everything dies, how can you like that?”  Of course, I have no problem responding to the first comment.  The second has given me pause.  I have never seen autumn like that, but it is true.  As the three months of autumn passes, what is alive seems to have died.  The green leaves eventually fall off the trees.  The green grass begins to go dormant stopping its growth.  Most plants, including colorful hardy mums, find their way to brown.  Things to begin to die off.

Yet, the process of that change is beautiful, especially the leaves.  The green leaves first turn beautiful colors of red, orange, and yellow.  That process takes a bit of time.  You may walk past the same tree for three weeks and notice an array of beautiful changes in color before the leaves fall.  One cannot help to go through autumn thinking about change.  It always brings me back to significant changes in my life.

At the time, I need to confess, during those significant difficult changes, I found it tough to see the beauty of the change.  Many of those times found me complaining, filled with anxiety and frustration.  Looking back, I realize the importance of that change in my life and the path God was taking me for my greater good.  Yet, it certainly did not feel like that – and beauty was nowhere to be found.

Change in any form can be stressful.  Out of our comfort zone, we may feel lost and alone as change moves through.  Brothers and sisters it is not the case.  Beside us, every step, is God.  He is with us when we are anxious or frustrated.  He is with us when we are scared and feeling alone.  He provides us the strength that we did not think we possessed.  He guides us to be brave.  Most importantly, He can help us see the beauty of the change that is happening. 

It is hard to see that beauty when the change is a failing relationship, a difficult health diagnosis or a loss of job.   Yet, we have a change in history to look back upon to see the beauty and hope during difficult times.  As Jesus took the long walk to Calvary for all of us, His death looked as if hope was no longer.  As we all know, three days later, his resurrection has given us all hope from that day forward.  The beauty and hope of Jesus’ resurrection can bring us the strength and courage to face any change!  As you walk through autumn and see the leaves change, remember the beauty of change, albeit difficult.  Remember the hope of Jesus.  Stand strong and be courageous, because you are walking through change with your heavenly Father, who sees the beauty in everything. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for walking each step of change with us.  Help us to see the beauty in the changes of life.  Be there to lift us up.  Encourage us to be strong and courageous.  Calm our anxieties and bring us to peace.  In your heavenly name we pray, Amen!

Beauty to Come

 

It is that time of year – my favorite time of year – autumn.   I patiently (or impatiently) wait for these few weeks of autumn all year long.  The crisp air, the beautiful breeze, the mums, the pumpkins, the apples – I love it all.  Yet, what I wait for in anticipation the most is the leaves.  The leaves are truly an amazement to me.  On this earth that God graciously gave us, we see the beauty of color all around us.  The leaves are just one small gift of beauty.  The blue sky, the white clouds, the green grass, the yellow sunflowers, the orange carrots, the red apples.  The list goes on and on with the beauty of color. 

This year, the gentle colors have started a little early – easing their way into autumn’s beauty.  It’s as if the leaves are giving us a bit of a foretaste of what we can expect.  We know, every year without disappointment, there will be an array of colors to brighten our world.  I thought about the foretaste that Jesus has provided.  Foretaste is inferred a few times in the Bible.  It is always referenced in the goodness that will be coming. 

        “…set his seal of ownership on us and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what   is to come.”        2 Corinthians 1:22

    “Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose id God, who has given us the Spirit as a   deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”  2 Corinthians 5:5

This beautiful world that God gifted us is our foretaste of what is to come.  The beauty that we see is just a small glimpse into the beauty that God has waiting for us in heaven.  Beauty here on earth can be seen in so many different places.  Yes, the leaves share their brilliance, but there is also beauty where we may least expect it.  A smile, a hug, a note of kindness, a caring touch, a prayer.  All of this and so much more is the foretaste of what we will receive in our eternal city of heaven.  How incredible that day will be!  We will see Jesus’ face and all the beauty he has in store for us. 

May the foretaste of the leaves changing remind you of the foretaste of the gates of heaven!  You, my friend, have a place in heaven; a place that has been prepared just for you!  Be the beauty for someone else as Jesus is the beauty for us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the autumn leaves.  As we know beauty will abound  us through this season;  may we be reminded of the eternal beauty you have waiting for us in heaven.  Help us be reminded of how we can be the beauty in others’ lives here on earth as we await the beauty guaranteed to us in heaven.  Amen!

 

 

Bread of Life

 

Today is family dinner day!  To say I am excited would be an understatement.  We all made a commitment at the beginning of the year to get together at least every other month and break bread together.  Since then, we have had some wonderful dinners together – enjoying good food but more importantly, enjoying the love shared within our family.  Sometimes we celebrate birthdays (like we will be celebrating Nanny’s today😊).  Other times, it is just the fact that we are together for another dinner that makes the day special.  There is something about eating together that brings comfort and joy.  It is not only in today’s times, but also in Biblical times as we see in today’s verse.

I reflected on the many times in the Bible people broke bread together or ate together and how often food was the center point for many of our familiar Bible stories and parables.  The word bread is mentioned 492 times in the Bible.  From manna with the Israelites to fishes and loaves of bread at the feeding of the 5,000, bread is often referenced.  It was a staple at the table in Biblical times.  It can be that way in today’s times as well.  How many times do you go out for dinner and a basket of bread is brought to the table?

As we know, bread and Jesus have many correlations.  The strongest is when Jesus refers to himself as the Bread of Life.

“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”  John 6:35.

When Jesus shares this beautiful declaration, he is sharing that He is all we need in life.  He will “fill us up” with all that we need, body and soul, to live our earthly lives.  By believing in Him, we will never go hungry or thirst, as he will provide.  How many times have you questioned God by saying “Where are you?  Why don’t you help me?  Whether it is struggling to buy groceries or struggling with grief and heartache, there are times when we wonder if God is out there for us.

Never wonder – God will give us exactly what we need when we need it.  Whether it is a piece of bread or peace of mind, when we go to God with our troubles, He will respond.  Remember, God loves you.  You are His child; He will always be there for you.  He is there with you at every meal and every moment of the day.  Be grateful and thank Him for your daily bread! 

Heavenly Father, we thank you for being with us at every meal as we break bread.  We thank you that you are our Bread of Life and that we will have eternity with you.  May we celebrate this at The Lord’s Supper table during communion and lift your name up in praise.  In your ever-giving name we pray.  Amen!

Droplets into Sunshine

 

I looked out the window as I flew into the clouds Thursday morning.  On ground, it was pouring down sheets of rain.  As I traveled higher into the sky, I flew into those rain-filled clouds.  I was fascinated by the rain droplets on the window.  At the top of the window, one droplet would slowly move to the next one.  The droplet would get bigger and heavier.  By halfway down the window, the droplet would be so heavy it would barrel down the window to the bottom.  I watched this happen over and over again – each droplet picking up weight and falling to the bottom.

These droplets of water couldn’t help but remind me of our sin.  One on its own may seem like not a big deal, it moves slowly into our hearts and souls.  Yet, we never have ‘just one sin’.  Our sins are like the droplet that falls into another one, picking up speed.  When one sin gains momentum, we begin to fall into sin greater and greater.   Our sins become so heavy that they bring us down ‘to the bottom of our window’.  All light seems to be replaced by the weight of our sin.  It can be a dark place.  I’m certain we have all experienced the darkness of sin.  It can be a place where hope seems to be replaced by despair.

As the plane continued to lift through the clouds, I rose above the rain to the sunshine.  Let me share the good news my friends!  There is light among the darkness.  There is sun after the rain.  This sun (son) is Jesus!  He is the one that took on each and every one of our sins, each sin that drops into another sin, weighing us down into darkness.  Jesus is the one that followed through with His Father’s plan. 

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Through His love and His death, we are saved from the darkness of sin.  Through His love and His death, we are brought into the sunshine.  The weight has been lifted from us by Jesus.  We will sin.  We will have moments of despair.  We were born into sin.  We are not perfect.  Yet, let us not forget the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection.   His love brings us into the light where we can live every day knowing that our sins have been removed through faith in Jesus.  We can walk with a lighter step knowing how much Jesus loves us.

As we move into the week ahead, may we be reminded of Jesus’ love and his bright light that lifts us from the darkness of sin.  Smile that smile a little brighter and share that hope with someone who needs to know why you are smiling.  Jesus loves me, this I know – for the Bible tells me so!

Dearest Jesus, through your love and your death, the weight of sin is removed from my heart and soul.  When despair blankets over me, may you wrap me in your loving arms and remind me of the most precious gift of your death and resurrection.  Warm me up and bring me into the light of salvation.  In your name I pray.  Amen!

Gift of Labor

 

Days at work, like any day, can be good or bad, happy or frustrating, joyful or sad.  I am certain that if I asked you to share a “good” day at work and a “bad” day at work, you would easily come to the table with many experiences.  Throughout my career, like all of you, I’ve experienced good and bad days at work.  Have you ever asked yourself the question, “Why am I doing this job?  What is the purpose?”  I know I have and depending on when during my career I have asked that question, the answers have been different.

A couple of years ago, that question seemed to be playing in my head repeatedly.   As I tried to analyze the different answers that came to mind, I realized one thing – I seemed to be missing something.  What was the purpose of my work and why was “I” the one tasked to take this path?  Should I be going down a different path – a different career?

It was then that this verse came to mean so much to me.  It wasn’t a coincidence that God had me turn to my Bible just to this chapter and verse.  He knew what I needed and drew me to the answer.  This verse, carefully written on a piece of paper in my day timer, helps to remind me daily of what I am doing and why I am doing it.

Our labor or career path is truly a gift from God.  No moaning or groaning, let me finish.  God brings us many wonderful blessings and gifts; too numerous to count.  Gifts of family, friends, homes, experiences, etc. are precious and close to our hearts.  Yet, the gift of labor is also one that God provides for us.  Many of you may be smiling and saying, “Okay, Susan, I have many gifts, but the gift of work?”  Yes, God provides us even the gift of work.

For some of us, we may have been on the same career path all our lives.  For others, the career path may have changed several times.  God provides us the gift of work to be able to sustain ourselves and our families.  Our work is a blessing from God and could also be a blessing to others.  I think of the doctors and educators that have crossed my path.  They truly have been a blessing – teaching me, healing me.  Their gift from God has blessed me.  We don’t know how our gift of labor may be touching others.

Our labor of purpose may not just sustain our everyday needs, but it may be the gift God gave you to reach others.

We tend to look at our work as a way to make a living and bring sustenance to our lives.  We may lose sight on how our gift of labor is intended to be used by God in a way we may never realize.  When we change our focus and see that our work isn’t just for man, but truly is from and for God, our mindset changes.  I know it dramatically changed my heart when I realized that my work and its purpose wasn’t always going to fill me up – it may fill others up.  Through our work, we can share God’s purpose for our lives with all those we come in touch with.  

The next time we may be dreading going to work, remember who we are working for!  We may be working for someone, but more importantly, we are working for God.  That should bring a pep in all our steps!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of labor.  May we realize our work has purpose, God purpose.  Help us to look at work as a gift from you, and may we eagerly do our work with you in mind.  Amen!

No More Weeds

 

It’s nearing the end of the summer in New England.  For those of us who enjoy fall, we have been waiting many months for the next season to arrive.  Yet, the end of summer means end of summer work.  The garden has faded and it’s time to pull out the plants and ready the soil for the fall and winter.  The annuals that lasted from spring to summer are starting to die off.  Those last pesky weeds seem to be creeping up with the latest heat and it is time to get those weeds out of the soil.

Yesterday was weeding day for me.  I looked at those weeds far too long, it was time to get them out.  As I pulled each one from the ground, I noticed they all had different root structures.  Some were deeply rooted in the soil; others’ roots were closer to the surface.  Either way, when I was done, it was nice to see the beauty of the plants surrounding the weeds shine through.  Getting rid of the weeds let me take my attention off the bad to see the good.

It made me think of my own life.  How often do I focus on the “weeds” of my life and not put enough attention to the “beauty”?   There can be many days when I let the weeds take over the garden of life, bringing my thoughts to a place of negativity and frustration.  These weed thoughts may have different root structures – they could be negative thoughts that are deeply rooted in pain or loss, or they could be negative thoughts that are more superficial.  Either way, the devil can do his work and put me into a “weed” mentality.  Do you find yourself thinking about all that is wrong in life and not focusing on all that is good? 

My friends, Philippians 4:8 is our verse.  This wonderful verse helps us to refocus our thoughts away from the negative and focus our thoughts on all Paul tells us to focus on:  True, Noble, Right, Pure, Lovely, Admirable.  If I kept this verse in mind when my thoughts go to the ‘weeds’, I can easily turn around the negative to the positive.  Thoughts that:

·        Don’t assume

·        Have integrity

·        Mirror God’s thoughts

·        Focus on good

·        Not jealous

When I focus my thoughts on what God wants me to focus on, my burden is lifted and my gaze is to the beauty He has provided.  Join me in getting out of the weeds and shining the beauty that God intends for our lives.  Have simple faith that His goodness will reign in your heart, and thoughts, forever.

Heavenly Father, thank you for providing this important scripture to help me focus my thoughts away from the weeds and into your beauty.  Guide me, my mind, and my heart to focus on all that is good and bring light to those in need.  Amen

 

Own Forgiveness

 Sins – they are certainly troublesome things!  As Christians, we have the wonderful gift that our Savior gave us, the full forgiveness of our sins.  His suffering and death were for each one of us.  Because He died, we get to live, knowing that our sins have been forgiven and that we will one day enter heaven’s gates.  All because Jesus loves us.  One of the greatest gifts we have because of Jesus’ death is to know that each of our sins, great or small, has been wiped away.

Yet, there are days when my sins come back to haunt me.  My sins may be removed in Jesus eyes, and I know in my heart that they are, but there are days when the memories of my sins weigh me down.  It’s the forgiving and forgetting balance.  Think about times when someone has sinned against you.  They ask for your forgiveness and you give it.  Yet, the true forgetting of that sin?  No so easy to do!  We may hold onto it for a while – loathe in a bit of self-pity.  We may stew in silence with the other person not quite understanding what is happening; they were forgiven, right?  We forgive, but we don’t forget.

The same happens for our own sins.  We may know that we are forgiven, and truly believe it, but there are times when we can’t forget.  Those are difficult times as we reflect on our sins.  This is when today’s Bible verse becomes a wonderful reminder of sins forgiven.  Our sins aren’t just forgiven, they are removed!   They are as if they don’t exist.  The devil does his job with us, trying to bring them back.  Our Lord gently reminds us that our sins are no more.  There is nothing to forget for they are removed.

This is the awesome wonder of Jesus’ love.  Our minds can’t comprehend how someone who suffered so much for MY sins wouldn’t want me to live just a little bit of suffering.  Our Jesus?  Not a chance.  He loves us so very much that He doesn’t want us to suffer over our sins as He suffered over our sins.  A love like that doesn’t exist here on earth.  We believe, we have simple faith, and we know that true unconditional love comes from the One who suffered so our sins aren’t just forgiven and forgotten, they are removed.  There is relief and warmth knowing that our Lord loves us that much.  Let’s forgive ourselves, as Jesus forgives us, and replace our sins with love!

Dearest Jesus, it’s hard for us humans to reconcile our sinful nature.  Our sins can come back to haunt us and weigh on us.  Yet, you remind us that you are here, right beside us, to remove our sins and fill us with your love.  Thank you will never be enough.  May you always receive our praise, thanksgiving, and love.  Amen!

 

 

Rest

 

Summer in New England does not last too long. It takes a while for it to get here then once it does, it is short lived before the crisp days of autumn arrive. Therefore, people in the northern states get outdoors as much as they can. From a hike in the mountains to dipping toes into a cold ocean, outdoor time is a focal point. These summer months also afford the opportunity to get away from work a bit and relax.

As there are only a few more weeks to summer, I was reflecting and realized there has not been much relaxing time this summer for me. I seem to have found things to keep me busy and by the end of the weekend I am exhausted, never taking time to rest. My family (especially my husband) gets frustrated with me when it comes to relaxing. For some reason, I feel as if I need to be ‘doing’ something. I assume I am not productive unless something is getting done. I know, I am VERY much like Martha instead of being more like Mary (check out Luke 10:38-42). I am sure there are a few of you out there who can relate.

God made us humans to not only be productive, but also to rest. God himself rested. When he had worked, and saw it was good, he rested on the seventh day. This should be true for us as well. We need to take time to rest. We are certainly no better than God! If God could find the time to rest, we certainly should be able to. What makes us believe that our time and what we need to do is more valuable than God’s time and what he needed to do.

Provide yourself time during the week to breathe without grasping at the next thing that needs to be accomplished. Sit back, let the sun hit your face, and breathe. Take a walk, watch a movie, spend time with family or friends just “being” – sitting around a campfire or enjoying ice cream together. Even, dare I say it, take a quick nap to re-energize. Rest is important. In today’s fast-paced world, the average person gets 6-7 hours of sleep. To function at our best, the National Institute of Health suggests 7-9 hours of sleep!

Rest! It is a cherished word. Take time, not just during the ‘dog days’ of summer, but make it a habit to take time to rest. By resting, we gain energy and can find ourselves with a better outlook on life. When we are tired, the weight of the world seems to be on our shoulders, and we cannot seem to get out from under it. Find time to re-energize and the weight will be lifted. The simple act of relaxation can bring you joy and peace. I’ll commit to doing it if you do!!

Heavenly Father, you rested on the seventh day from your work. Help us to remember to rest. You created us to work hard, but to also relax. Many days we can forget this. May we simply take time to rest from our daily chores and focus on the simple beauty that you have provided for us. In your name we pray. Amen!