Standing Firm

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."  1 Corinthians 15:58

Sunflowers.  If there is one flower that I am in total awe of, it is the sunflower.  There are so many aspects of this flower that amaze me:

• The height - some sunflowers can get as high as 6-10 feet  
• The size - the sunflower itself can be huge
• The use - the flower can be used as sunflower seeds, oils, even to create paint

With everything so majestic about the sunflower, I believe what amazes me most is the stalk.  Although not nearly as "glamorous" as the sunflower itself, the stalk is amazing.  The stalk helps the flower to stand firm.  Very few sunflowers "droop" with their weight or even during difficult weather.  Typically, the flower stands tall with the help of the stalk.  

Looking at the sunflower, I am reminded of how we can stand firm, like the sunflower, in our daily lives.  With Jesus as our stalk, we are able to stand tall against the difficulties of this world.  Whether it is temptations, trials or tribulations, we are able to stand firm in the knowledge that Jesus is holding us up and not letting us droop.  He continues to give us nutrients and strength to be useful in His kingdom.  Whatever our labor, Jesus is there to support us so that we can do His will and walk in His ways.

The next time you see a sunflower, be reminded of how useful you can be to those around you - extend a helpful hand.  Stand tall against the evils that are around you and know that if you face tough times, the strength of Jesus will lift you up so your sun can shine for others.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for the sunflower.  May we learn from this majestic flower how we can stand tall in your love - holding us up so we can help others.  Bring strength to all of us!  In your name we pray.  Amen. 

God's Hands

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Family vacations - although the planning can be stressful, the delivery is typically very sweet.  Hence, it was this vacation.  Our family of 6 was joined by our children's friends for a total of ten.  Add to that my brother's family of three and my mom - the total was 14!  Throughout the planning stages, there was much tribulation (most of it in my worrisome head).  Yet, as the week played out, each day found us gathered together, laughing, smiling and enjoying each other's company.

It always amazes me that when something large is planned, no matter how each and every minute may be planned, it may not always turn out as I envisioned.  For many of you who know me, you know that vacations are usually methodically planned.  I held back this time and left it, truly, in God's hands.  I asked for His help to guide our time together to be filled with memories, and He didn't disappoint.  I believe one of my largest struggles is just that, taking it out of MY hands and placing it into God's LOVING hands.  

As our verse for today shares, our dear Lord knows all plans for me - and for my family.  I have total faith that His plans are not harmful plans.  It is my decision to move things into MY hands that I start to have problems.  Certainly, if He knows every hair on my head, He can certainly know what my life will entail.  Yet, when the family was gathered around the table, it wasn't my future that I was as concerned about.  It is the future of my children.  That is the future I have to give to God the most.

If it was up to me, I would orchestrate each of my child's lives.  Not that I need to have that much control, but because I don't want to see them hurt or let down or betrayed.  I have learned early, though, that those times of hurt or other disappointments are the stepping stones to build us up - many times building us closer to God.  Knowing that my children's lives are in God's hands does provide me comfort.  In their eyes I see the hope and future God has for them.  In their eyes I see grace and mercy.  In their eyes I see forgiveness, for others and themselves.  In their eyes I see God's love.  

God was most definitely on our family vacation with us.  When vacation ended, the children all left us and went back to their lives, just as we did.  I cried.  I remembered when they were little and the end of a family vacation didn't mean they all dispersed - we all went home to one house.  Not any more.  As adults, they all have their own lives.  Today, though, I live in the love God gives us, knowing that their hope and future lies in the best hands, God's hands.

Blessed Father, thank you for always being with my family.  Whether we are near each other or not, I know that we are in your hands God, where our future is strong and our hope is alive.  Please bless all of us, and our families.  May we find comfort knowing that in your hands our families' futures are filled with love.  In your name.  Amen.

Just Like Riding a Bike Again

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."

2 Chronicles 15:7

Family vacation time!  All the planning of flights, renting a house, menu outlines, etc. came down to the final point - the renting of the bikes.  I took stock of all who wanted to rent and then the big decision came, do I rent a bike for myself.  Many of you may say, "Sure, why not?".  I'm not the most athletic person and I can only try to remember the last time I was on a bike.  Years would be an understatement.  I think we are talking decades!  Yet, I took the first step, the mental step, and said YES, I will rent a bike.

We drove up to the house and there they were - the bikes!  Let's get real - we aren't talking mountain bikes, just the easy beach bikes that one drives on bike paths.  So, this morning, the decision was made by Juan and me, let's go for a bike ride.  My dear husband knows just how daunting this was for me so he insured the bike seat was right and that I was pointed in the right direction (remember when you were a kid and you were being taught how to ride a bike?).  With the petals just at the right spots and open road ahead of me, I was off.   After stumbling a few times (and going off the road), I thought twice as to whether this was going to work.  Then it happened, I got the swing of things - I was riding a bike again.

As we rode along the trail, I felt like I had success - I was able to ride along and not hit another cyclist.  With that, we were able to ride to the beach and see the beautiful scenery.  It was incredible,  The wind was blowing through my hair and I felt great.  My first thought was, "it is just like riding a bike again."

I have to say, this verse came to mind as I was struggling along the side of the road - debating whether this was a good idea or not.  I kept working at it and didn't want to let the situation get the best of me.  I kept trying, and I was rewarded.  That is how our dear Lord is with us!  He understands how difficult situations can be for us.  Our goal is to keep trying and to work hard with the life God has blessed us with.  Not every moment is going to be smooth sailing.  Yet, if we are strong and do not give up, God will reward us.  And those are the sweetest moments - like being able to ride a bike again!!

Heavenly Father, we thank you for providing us the moments where we need to persevere and not give up.  We know that if we continue in the path you provide for us, there are sweet rewards - rewards personalized for each and everyone one of us.  Blessings are so much greater when we work hard at them.  Thank you Jesus!!

Birds of Different Feathers

"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.  On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."  1 Peter 3:9

As I sat in the backyard with my cup of coffee this morning, I was looking at my bird feeder.  Between the birds at the feeder and those "waiting their turn", there were many different types of birds.  Yet, what I found most intriguing was the singing.  The cardinal chirped in small quick beats.  The mourning dove sang in a longer stride, with an up tone at the end.  As I listened more intently, I could hear numerous birds singing.  Each bird was singing in a very distinct way.  They looked different and they sang different.  Yet together, it was as if they were in harmony - and the beauty of one complimented the next.

I'm thinking if birds can do this, why can't humans?  Why can't all of us sing our own language and compliment the next?  Why can't we all look our own yet come together in harmony?  This past week, the insulting words and hateful comments seemed to be all around, especially on social media.  Every time I turned to my phone, I seemed to see hurtful comments being shared.  I started getting very angry about it.  Why are people so nasty?  There are difficult and horrible things going on in this world.  Yet, do we have to add to it?

The answer is NO!  We don't have to be a part of it.  We don't have to be a part of nasty things on Facebook. We don't have to be a part of the gossip.  We don't have to have the negative attitude.  We can do our part.  We can be the change.  I know what you might be thinking, "One person really can't make the difference in such a huge issue!"  Perhaps you are right, our own actions may not change the world.  Yet, they may change that ONE person you are speaking to.  Maybe others seeing your positive viewpoint will come along with you.  You never know if the situation that you're going to walk into is the one that needs a positive statement.  It's time to take the bold step away from the criticism and into the light.

We need to walk like Jesus did.  He brought harmony between different people.  He used words of love and truth and hope.  He accepted each person as they were, regardless of their different feathers.  When we all can gather together and walk in the steps of Jesus, we are creating the world as God intended - with joy and peace and love.  I don't know about you, but that is a world I would rather be a part of.  So let's not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.  Let us be the blessing that people need!  Let us sing the songs of hope to all.  

Jesus, help fill my mouth with words that sing praises.  Help me to turn away from negativity and critique and focus on positive and hope.  May the words that fill my mouth be those that are not filled with evil, but with joy.  Let others see the love you so richly give to me.  In your name I pray.  Amen!