Peace on Earth

 

It’s less than a week before Christmas.  The Advent season seems to go by more quickly each year.  Plans to do less, buy less, reflect more, once again, seemed to have been challenged.  The focus of peace during this Advent did provide me an opportunity to step back and delve into the many aspects of Christmas beyond the Christmas story.  The peace that was prophesied was coming, the peace of all the blessings we receive, the peace we can gain during troubled times, and now, the peace for ALL. 

That sense of ALL seems to be missing in the world today.  The unity that comes through fellow human beings seems to be lacking.  Our ability to put aside our differences and see each other for who we are, children of God, seems lost.  We tend to focus more on the negative of what makes us different than the positive of what joins us together.  Today’s verse, from angels long ago, reminds us of the peace that He gave us here on earth.

Here, God was speaking to the shepherds.  At the time of Jesus’ birth, being a shepherd was not seen as the best career move.  Many were born into that work.  Yet, this is where God shares the message of Jesus’ birth.  To those whose peace may have been struggling.  They may have not realized the peace that was coming to them, the peace that was in the blessings they received, or the peace  they experienced during troubled times.  It was God who put that aside and shared with them that the peace that Jesus was bringing was for ALL the earth, for ALL who lived, for even the lowly shepherds. 

God’s peace on earth could seem to be missing today.  We have war, we have famine, relationships crumble, health issues arise, and dissent is upon us.  Have faith, simple faith my friends, that God’s peace is with us.  It is in the eyes of those we meet on the street.  It is in the phone call from a friend long ago.  It is in the hug of a child.  It is in the pew of a church.  It is there for us to find, as the shepherds found Jesus in the manger long ago.  Peace is here on earth.  God shared that message over 2000 years ago and He never took that away from us.  As the Advent season comes to a close with Christmas morning next week, may we feel God’s presence with us, the peace that passes all understanding, and may we be the peace that the earth is today.  Merry Christmas to all and may our Dear Lord bless you and keep you.

Dearest Lord, we thank you for giving us peace on earth.  It is that peace that we not only need to see but need to be!  We pray that your unwavering love will engulf us and help us see the peace for all that you gave us.  Amen!

Peace During Trials

 

I was at the nail salon today.  This is typically my ‘quiet’ time.  I have a wonderful nail technician who understands this.  Her interaction with me is just the right amount of chit chat and silence.  It is my time to just relax and not really think about anything.  Today’s visit started that way.  As I was sitting with Rossie filing my nails, I overheard a conversation between two other women.  They were both sharing their stories of sorrow.

One of the women was sharing how she didn’t know what she would do without her husband, that he was so good to her and her family.  He had cancer but was responding well to treatment and she was happy for that.  She continued to share how happy she was that he was in her life.  The woman next to her grew quiet.  I then heard sniffling and she shared how she had lost her husband over a year ago and is still grieving his passing.  She was obviously sad, and I could feel her pain three chairs down.

I listened to both these women and had lived moments similar to their situations in my life.  There were times in my life when sorrow overwhelmed my heart.  The days were filled with sadness and grief.  Trouble seemed to rule my life and happiness seemed to evade me.  We live in a broken world and there are times when brokenness finds us.  I sat in church one Christmas Eve, with no hair as chemo had taken that from me, wondering if I was ever going to get better.  Another Christmas Eve there was an empty chair next to my mom where my father used to sit before, he passed.  Those days were filled with trouble, and I was afraid.

This verse turned my world around.  When I would read this verse, it was as if Jesus was gently reminding me that I was not alone on these journeys.  During trials and tribulations, Jesus would be there to calm my anxious heart and share with me that He is in control and would give me what I would need to restore peace in my soul.  Jesus came to earth over 2000 years ago to give that gift to us.  Jesus came to give us the gift of peace – the peace that passes all understanding.  We can’t fathom what our lives would be like if Jesus wasn’t in it – and praise to God we don’t have to!  He gives us peace, freely.  When we have His peace, we have no need to be afraid.  Jesus is walking right beside us.

As I left the salon, I gave each woman a hug.  I didn’t know them, but it seemed to be what they needed – a stranger who knew that peace would surround them.  During this Advent season, may you know that our trials are opportunities for Jesus’ peace to blanket us and bring us closer to Him.  Take full advantage of that goodness.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for freely giving your peace to me.  During times of sadness and grief, may I always know that your peace is right beside me, providing me all I need that the world can’t give me.  Amen!

 

Peaceful Blessings

 

The second Sunday of Advent and I am continuing on our peace journey.  Last week, we focused on the peace that we could gain if we turned our eyes and hearts away from the daily activities and focused on the one who was coming to bring peace to the world, Jesus.  I thought about that throughout the week as I tried to ‘practice what I write’ in an effort to engage more fully in peace. 

I also tried to remember when I had found true peace, the type of peace that washes over us.  There are many times when peace was found in the middle of trials.  When my own mind could not help me focus on what was correct in a troubling situation, I would turn to the Great Advisor, Jesus, for my answers.  As usual, when I did that, I found that I was able to have this incredible sense of peace that everything would turn out for good.

The other times that I have found peace are in the moments when time seems to stand still with goodness, with an abundance of blessings.  It is during those times, where I have been greatly blessed, that I find such happiness and peace.  Yes, those moments are usually found with my family.  Yet, they are moments that I keep in my heart, much like Mary at the birth of Jesus.  Those moments of peace fill not just one’s heart, but also one’s soul.

We often look to find peace when life is hard, and we need respite from the trials and tribulations we ensure.  Let us not lose heart!  It is also in the moment of incredible blessings that we also can find peace.  As always, we need to take a ‘pulse check’ during those moments to see how we are feeling.  Don’t lose sight of those moments and don’t let them pass you by.  Sit, and reflect.  Listen to those around you – the laughing, the chitchat.  Watch those around you – the hugs, the smiles.  All of it is blessings from Jesus - blessings to rejoice in, blessing to help us understand what real peace is.

During this Christmas season, as we prepare for Jesus’ arrival, listen, and watch to what is happening around you.  Let peace take over your soul as you realize the blessings that Jesus has given to you.  May the peace of Christmas last you throughout the year!

Dearest Jesus, thank you for providing blessings to abundant for us to count.  In those moments, may we reflect on those blessings and let the peace that can only come from you envelope our souls.  Amen!

 

Peace is Coming

 

Hard to believe it is the first Sunday of Advent, 2022!  This year has flown by (as the years seem to do as I get older).  As I reflected on the impact for this Advent season, the word peace came upon my heart repeatedly.  Peace seems to be a word, a feeling, that has been remiss in the world today.  Between different country conflicts, conflicts within country boundaries, financial challenges, and the stress of everyday living, peace seems to be far away. 

Therefore, I thought that a focus on peace for four weeks may help us to look at our lives in a different way, to feel the peace that God had in mind for us.  This verse, from the Old Testament book of Isaiah, prophesizes about the coming of Jesus.  It is here that we see the plan God has for His Son in our world.  The names of Jesus!  I love this verse – the comfort that the words bring – Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Even before Jesus arrived on Earth, God knew what He would bring to us – peace!  Jesus was coming to bring the peace that we are incapable of bringing to ourselves.  Our lives can seem anything but peaceful – filled with the daily activities that take peace away from our soul.  The good news is that when we turn ourselves away from those daily activities, even for brief moments throughout the day, and focus on Jesus, the peace that ONLY He can provide can envelop us.  The peace can pour over us, the peace can rush into our souls and our hearts, the peace can keep us moving through our lives with hope. 

When the days get hectic and we aren’t sure where to go next, let’s stop.  Let’s close our eyes, fold our hands, and talk to Jesus.  Let’s ask for His peace, the peace that only the Prince of Peace can provide.  Simple faith can take hold of that peace that God told us would enter our lives.  May Christmas Peace Last All Year!

Prince of Peace, help us to search for you when life gets hard.  May the peace that only you can provide shower over us with hope and joy.  Amen!

Thanks and Rejoice

 

The days prior to Thanksgiving are filled with activities.  There is the grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking, baking, etc.  The list seems endless and can leave us exhausted before the actual day arrives!  The actual day of Thanksgiving there is the pressure to ensure the meal is ‘just right’.  As we move through Thanksgiving, sometimes it can be difficult to see the ‘thanks’ in anything. 

Reflecting on the busyness of the day, I realized that this has become a reflection of our lives.  Moving from one item on the list to the next to ensure everything is done ‘just right’.  There is no time for relaxing, no time for chatter.  Just movement.  I find the same thing happening at work as I do at home – moving from one item on the list to the next without any time to chatter.  The days fall into weeks, the weeks turn into months and before we know it, we have lost the art of communication.

I am hoping that this Thanksgiving can be different.  I am hoping that this one we can all bring it down a notch and realize the importance of who we are with and what we are thankful for.  When the children were younger, we used to make a ‘Thankful Chain”.  It was paper strips of thanks that were completed each night and hung together as we worked through November.  Seeing thanks through the eyes of a child helps to put life into perspective.

This Thanksgiving, may we have a change of heart, of soul, and of mind.  May we take the time, each day, to thank those around us – from coworkers, to cashiers, to our family members.  May we realize all the little things that they do that passes by us on a regular basis.  May we take the time to say ‘thank you’ to those near and far.

Let us not lose sight of the One that deserves all our thanks, Jesus.  It is because of Him that we can get up each day and rejoice in the goodness.  It is because of Him that we know that even a bad day is a good day when God walks beside us.  It is because of Jesus that we have a direct line to our heavenly home.  For the sunrise, the sunset, and all the minutes in between, take the time to thank our Savior.  Without Jesus, our lives would face damnation.  May we wake up each day, realize it is the day our Lord has made, and be glad – and grateful – for it!  Happy Thanksgiving.

Dearest Jesus, help to remind us to take time to say thank you to those around us, rejoicing in all they bring to our lives.  May we never forget to thank you, Dear Lord, for each day you give us, for it turns Happy Thanksgiving into every day!

Messy Lives

 

I watched a young mother in a store the other day.  It was obvious that she was frustrated with her toddler.  The toddler had knocked down some product and it was all over the floor.  The quick and abrupt reaction by the mother must have startled the child and he was having a bit of a meltdown.  The young mom was struggling with how to react.  She was frustrated.  She was embarrassed.  She had no more patience.  Her head in her hands said it all.

I’ve been there as I’m sure any young parent has been.  Our children can mess things up leading to our frustration and testing our patience.  I thought about this a bit more and there are times when those we care about, young, and old, can mess up our well-orchestrated plans, leaving us angry and frustrated. 

More importantly, there are times when I have been the one messing things up.  My actions disappointed others, and myself.  The combination of daily life and my sinful nature can lead me to not just messing things up with those I care about here on earth, but my messes certainly must disappoint my Heavenly Father.  I can just imagine God looking down upon my life and saying, “Susan, you really messed that one up.”  How many times I have disappointed God?  How many times I have messed up the plans He set for my life?  That list is endless.

Let’s go back to the story of the young mother.  She lifted her head from her hands and looked at her crying toddler.  She caressed his head in her hands and said, “No matter how big the mess, I will always love you.”   She said those words over and over again.  The toddler moved from crying to smiling, and the two cleaned up the mess and were on their way.  It was beautiful.  That is exactly what God does with my messes.  When what I’ve done seems so big and unforgiveable, He reminds me that nothing, no matter how big the mess is, can ever separate Him from me.  He will always love me, for eternity. 

The verse for today is so powerful.  It reminds us that whatever we have done, how grave our sin may be, God is always waiting with open arms and saying, ‘I will always love you.’  This world can be tough.  Our days can be difficult.  Add on the added stress of sin, and it can be overwhelming. Yet, when we go to the open arms of our Lord, He reminds us that we aren’t meant to handle sin on our own.  We are meant to come with contrite hearts to the only One who can forgive our sins and cleanse our souls – Jesus.  With Him as our father, we are guaranteed forgiveness and love – no matter the mess.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me, regardless of how large of a mess I have made.  Your open arms and forgiving heart are always there for me.  Thank you for letting nothing come between us.  Amen.

Unexpected Warmth

 

The first weekend of November in New Hampshire.  Typically, we are donning sweaters, flannel and my favorite, hoodies.  Yet, yesterday found us all in shorts and t-shirts as New Hampshire saw record temperatures.  Everyone was outside, walking dogs, clearing leaves, riding motorcycles, and enjoying the warmer weather.  It was definitely unexpected warmth for this time of year.  It felt like a warm hug wrapped itself around New Hampshire towns for the day.  People were basking in the warmer weather as we know the colder days of fall and winter will eventually arrive.

It is so easy to get wrapped up in the details of day to day living.  Making the ‘to do’ lists and then ensuring there are check marks next to each item.  Rushing through errands, making dinner, doing the laundry, cutting the grass, etc.  The list can go on and on.  All of those items do need to be accomplished.  Yet, what if we did them with ‘unexpected warmth.’ 

Unexpected warmth does not have to be left to the weather.  As people here on earth, we can provide unexpected warmth to each other in so many ways.

Ø  A warm smile to the person you are passing in the grocery store.

Ø  Letting another car take YOUR parking spot as you park farther away.

Ø  Sharing flowers with a complete stranger.

Ø  Buying coffee for the person behind you.

Ø  Invite the person eating alone to your table.

Ø  Take time to chat with a neighbor.

The list is endless.  Receiving unexpected warmth is like a hug of kindness.  Giving unexpected warmth feels even better.  We never know the impact our actions will have on others.  What we do know is that God wants us to ‘do good’!  He wants us to be the unexpected warmth in people’s lives.  He wants our actions to permeate others.  When I have shared this concept with people, they have said, “They probably won’t appreciate it” or “They are so negative, nothing will make them smile.”  I simply say, “Have simple faith – trust God”!  He will use our good intentions for greatness.  All we need to do is provide the unexpected warmth.

Heavenly Father, help us to find opportunities to provide unexpected warmth to all people around us.  Help us not to focus on the result, but on the action of doing good!  Let us walk in the steps you have for us.  Amen!

Live as Light

 

It is a beautiful autumn evening, a bit warmer than typical temperatures for late October in New England.  As I sat on our deck looking at the trees, I noticed the last light of the evening peaking through the soon-to-be bare trees.  The light of goodness seemed to be saying ‘good night.’  It made me reflect upon the day and a disturbing incident that happened in a nearby town.

 

A few hours earlier, we heard of a road rage situation where a car cut off a tractor trailer on a busy street in a major town.  The driver of the truck got down from his rig to address the person in the car.  Suddenly the person in the car got out and shot the truck driver, to death.  The entire situation seemed incredibly surreal.  When my husband and I were leaving church this morning, we were driving on that same road.  We discussed what could drive two people to be so angry - for one person to be so angry about someone cutting them off that they felt the need to exit their vehicle and how the other person could shoot someone.  The world, and the people in the world, seem to be getting angrier and angrier.

 

Today, I remembered the photo I took last evening, and it started to seep in – we all need more kindness and light in the world.  Darkness seems to have overtaken various aspects of life.  The world seems to have become a darker place, replacing the kindness of light with the darkness of despair.  Where do we fit in?  What can we do? 

 

It may seem over simplified, but it boils down to the children’s song that we may have heard in Sunday School – “This Little Light of Mine.”  I recall the pride of the children when I would teach them this song in Sunday School.  Even as little ones, they waved their pointer in the air, sharing their ‘light’ with the world.  It is time to let our light shine everyone.  It is easy to get swayed by negative talk and gossip.  It is easy to raise voices in anger versus closing our mouths in patience.  Yet, it is time!  Time to:

·         Speak words of encouragement

·         Hold our tongues when positive words are at a loss

·         Smile to strangers

·         Offer that ‘great’ parking spot to the other car

·         Offer kindness to all

·         Treat each person with respect

 

Live as Light!  Let each person you meet see the light that you receive from knowing you have a life of eternity with Jesus.  Let each person glow in your light of hope.  Let each person feel peace.

 

Dearest Jesus, help me to shine “This Little Light of Mine.”  Help me to be the light that others need to see in the world today.  Help me to show others the light that may be missing in their lives.  Help me!  Amen.

Rest

 

Rest – the word sounds relaxing and calm until you actually try to rest!  In the busy days that encompass many of our lives, rest is an action that escapes us.  We may have great intentions.  We may plan to rest during an evening after work or carving out an hour or two on a weekend, yet something needs our attention and we are off to the races, with rest falling behind us. 

There is the physical nature of our lives that has our bodies moving and going constantly – to the next errand, the next chore, or caring for families.  There is also the mental nature of our lives, the constant thoughts that encompass our minds, vying for position on the extensive list of things we need to think about.  Personally, this is the one that I struggle with the most – the constant ‘thinking.’  It will consume all of my mind – even as I try to rest at night.  What should I anticipate tomorrow?  Did someone need something today I did not get to?  What if ‘this’ happens or ‘that’ happens?  Will I ever have enough time?  I forgot to tell someone something.  My mind will race to every possibility or every scenario – especially as I try to sleep.

This verse has always brought my comfort, especially in the physical and mental weariness I can find myself in.  If even God rested on the seventh day of creation, I am certain that He does not expect me to constantly move to keep moving or thinking without rest!  Sometimes this is easier said than done, but when I have asked God to clear my mind at night and take all that I am thinking about, I have noticed that rest has come.

This verse has impact on another part of our lives, our soulful nature.  What are we carrying around in our souls that needs rest?  It could be guilt for something we have done that we have not asked forgiveness for.  Our pride has come between our souls and rest, and we have not reached out to the person we sinned against to ask for needed forgiveness.  It could be shame for a sin that we believe is too great for forgiveness.  We may feel our sin is too great for God to forgive and the shame weighs heavy on our hearts.  It could be worry – worry for health, finances, relationships – so many things.  Our soul may be so burdened by worry that we cannot see the goodness in our lives.

This verse provides rest to ALL aspects of our lives, physical, mental, soulful.  Jesus WANTS us to bring all we have to Him.  He welcomes us with open arms and says to us, “Rest – I’ll take it from here.”  There is no one better in whose arms we can rest, knowing that the future is all that He knows will be.  Come to Jesus, give Him all you are dealing with, and let Him provide you the rest only His love can offer.

Dearest Jesus, we thank you for your open invitation of rest.  Help us to rely on you, not ourselves, for the rest that is needed.  May we bring all that is weighing heavy on us to your feet, Jesus, and may you provide us not only rest, but peace.  In your name.  Amen!

Colors of Hope

 

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If you are in a part of the country where the leaves turn color, this is your time of year!  Part of the many reasons I enjoy the season of autumn so much is the changing of the leaves.  I know there is a very scientific reason for the change from green to yellow, orange and red.  Yet, I tend to believe in the miracle of such a thing.  There are days when the leaves seem to slowly move through the hues of fall.  There are other days when I wake up and they seem to have changed before my eyes.

The beauty of the leaves comes from the sturdiness of the tree.  The strength of the trunk provides the nutrients necessary for each branch to bear leaves (and possibly fruit).  Yet, it is not the trunk that provides the change in color, it is the sunlight and temperature that brings about the change.  The chlorophyll breaks down, the green dissipates, and the colors shine.  It is an amazing process.  If the sunlight and the temperature are not exactly right, the colors are less vibrant.

It reminds me of the importance of having Jesus in my life.  How so?  When I have walked through my life without the sunlight of Jesus, my own personal colors could not shine through.  Thinking back to when I strayed from my heavenly Father, my life lacked meaning, my vibrant happiness had faded, and my hope was gone.  The more I tried to enhance my life with ‘other’ things, my life became very dim.  During these times, I felt as if I was living in a life of grey.

Turning to my Jesus not only provided the hope I needed during those times, but it also provided the color I needed to let God’s light shine out to others.  Holding onto Jesus takes my life from grey to yellow, orange, and red.  It helps to provide the world the colors that only Jesus can give us.  Maybe it is the yellow of friendship, the orange of generosity or the red of love.  Any color given to others is Jesus working through us. 

Take the time, my friend, to turn to Jesus and gain strength from him to give colors to the rest of the world.  Let the colors be as vibrant as autumn leaves.  Let the colors fall from you onto those around you, softly gracing their lives with friendship, generosity, and love.  Let Jesus work through you to others.  Sometimes, our colors are the only thing we can give others – give with passion.  We never know when our colors will land on someone’s grey day.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for providing us the colors we need in our lives to give to others.  Work through us so that kindness reigns and our hope for tomorrow comes through your Word of today.  Bless us Jesus.  Amen!

 

 

Fall into Reflection

 

Years ago, I had the pleasure of sharing some thoughts with a wonderful Women’s Bible Study.  It was my first attempt at sharing my faith in such a manner and I spoke on a topic that is dear to my heart, the seasons of the year.  Not only does each season, spring, summer, fall and winter, bring about changes to the weather in New England, but I always have attributed those seasons to seasons in life. 

Fall has many wonderful ways for us to enter this season of life.  I have always seen it as a season of reflection.  The busyness of the summer gives way to the transition of slower times.  Times to pick apples, sit by a fire with a mug of cider, and breath in the cooler, crisper air.  This time usually has me reflecting upon what I did not get done this summer that still needs to get accomplished before the end of the year.

Yet, the true reflection is that of self-reflection.  Looking into the mirror that Jesus provides to us and seeing if I am the woman, He wants me to be. 

·         Am I the woman in Proverbs 31?  Am I a wife of noble character, do I provide for my family, am I clothed with strength & dignity?

·         Am I the person in 1 Timothy?  Do I pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness?

·         Am I the thankful one in 1 Thessalonians?  Do I give thanks in ALL circumstances, not just the situations that seem best for me?

There is much to reflect upon as to whether I am that person I want to be, and that Jesus wants me to be.  When I think about such things, I realize that under my best efforts, I fall short.  Not every day of my life do I live my best life.  I may try, but due to my sinful nature, I fall short.  I may provide for my family, but am I doing so with a truly giving heart?  I may be giving thanks to my Lord when prayers are answered the way “I” want them answered, but I know I provide God with more questions than praise when my prayers don’t seem to be answered the way “I” want them to be. 

In reflection, and full understanding that I may not be living my life fully in God’s eye, I am comforted and at peace.  Not only do I have God’s watchful eye, but I also have His grace and mercy!  I have God’s forgiveness – knowing that even when I may not be the full person, I could be each day, any of my shortcomings are wiped away by God’s hand.  He sees my heart and knows that I am doing my best.  The reflection is important to see where I can grow.  The forgiveness is important for my eternal life!

God, thank you for your eternal grace and mercy.  As I reflect and see where I may fall short in my life, I know that you are with me, providing me guidance, peace, and comfort.  Amen!

Corn Maze of Life

 

This week autumn arrives.  By now, all of you are aware that this is my favorite time of year.  Which means I could not wait to hit the apple orchard nearby and get a few of those beauties off the trees.  This year, as I pulled up to one of my favorite spots, I saw a corn maze.  Among all of the fall activities such as apple picking, a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, fall fairs, and more, the corn maze is also one that can quickly become a family favorite. 

I have entered a corn maze with such a level of confidence, “I’ll find the end in no time.”  First, it seemed easy enough, just follow the path in the corn.  Then there were decision points – should I go right or left?  Then the corn starts all looking the same.  I have said to myself, “Did I just past this stalk or is it a new one?” or “Am I going in a huge circle?”  Others in the maze provided advice.  I wondered, “Should I listen to them or continue on my path?”  Questions, confusion, anxiety, and fear arose.  I was overly excited when the corn maze guide asked if I wanted help.  YES!

I looked at the maze entrance at the apple orchard and smiled, memories of those days along with a sense of my life.  How often during my life I have walked into a new situation with such confidence?  Self-thoughts of “I’ve got this” ringing through my mind as I navigated the turns and decision points along the way.  My strong confidence quickly turned into self-doubt as I questioned the results of my choices.  Was this the right way to go?  Was this the correct decision to make?  Anxiety and fear covered me, and I took each step on my own, waiting for the results that “I” wanted.  As people offered their advice along the way, I wondered, “Should I listen to them?”

It was at that point that I would turn to my eternal guide, Jesus.  Knowing that he has been on this journey with me all along, He knew my fear, my anxiety, and my doubt.  Yet, usually in a puddle of tears, I would share with Him my journey and I hear Him say, “Follow me – let me guide you!”  It was at that point that I can then breathe, clear my tears, and feel peace.  This peace comes in knowing that Jesus will guide me through this situation I have gotten myself into – and guide me through life. 

Wouldn’t it have been easier if, before I entered the corn maze, I asked the guide which way I should go (not that they would tell me)?  The good news is that we do have a guide who can tell us which way to go – our Dear Jesus.  He wants us to come to Him, asking which direction to head.  This does not mean we will not have strife or difficulties on that path, but we will be on the path that He knows is right for us.  When we enter the corn maze of life, remember, consult with the greatest guide of all Jesus – let Him get you safely to the end!

Dearest Jesus, thank you for being our guide through the corn maze of life.  Help us to turn to you when we enter situations, knowing that your guidance will be the right decisions for our life.  Amen!

Bandaging Wounds

 

Bandaging wounds.  Over the years, when I read these words, it makes me think of when the children were smaller, and their knees got scraped.  I would gently take them, clean up the scrape with soap and water, and put a band-aid on their wound.  The bandage and a kiss made everything better.  Most recently, as my mother had surgery and I change the bandage, I can see that the wound is getting better, and healing is occurring.  One of the careers that I respect the most is nursing.  Nurses work so hard to help the healing process, bandaging wounds on their patients and ensuring their care.

Broken hearted.  A broken heart can be more difficult to see and treat.  Whatever the circumstances may be, when we have a broken heart, it is not as easy as taking out a band-aid and putting it over the wound.  I am sure we wished healing a broken heart was that easy.  Yet, it is not.  Our hearts can be broken for so many reasons:  a broken relationship, a loved one’s passing, tragedy, disappointment, rejection, loss of hope.  The list can go on and on.  One of the most challenging items of a broken heart is that others typically cannot see it, and it is hard for them to ‘take out the band-aid’ and help.

Today marks a somber day in American history, the attacks of September 11^th.  I am certain that if you are reading this, you remember exactly where you were that day, and those memories flood your soul.  That day, and subsequently days after, there was – and continues to be – broken hearts and wounds that need to be healed.  Wounds of our physical bodies and hearts can last a lifetime, especially when reminders are so vivid.  Nurses and doctors worked hard to bandage the wounds of so many that day, but lingering effects from those wounds are with so many more than twenty years later.  Broken hearts are also lingering from the tragedy of that day.

There is only one that can heal our wounds and mend our broken hearts.  That is the great physician himself, Jesus.  He is the only one that can provide the peace that is so desperately needed when our hearts and bodies are broken to this extent.  Our simple faith in Jesus can move our thoughts from despair to hope and from hurt to healing.  In Him, our wounds will be healed.  This can only happen if we, as humans, let Jesus into our lives.  This can be difficult when the hurt of body and heart is so great.  We may believe that NOTHING can heal us.  Let the One who came to earth to bring salvation for our sins enter our hearts.  Let the One who came to earth to save our souls bring hope and healing.  Pray to Him, listen for His answers, read His word, and feel His peace – the peace that passes all understanding.  Let those that Jesus puts in our lives enter into our healing, let them help bind our physical wounds and broken hearts.  Jesus is the greatest healer of all!

Dearest Jesus, great healer, come to all who are struggling with broken hearts and physical wounds.  Heal them, provide strength and peace to all who call upon your name.  May faith grow in all who come to you.  Amen!

Cross to Bear

 

As the rain pours outside my window, it can mirror all that is happening in life.  The phrase “when it rains, it pours” can sum up much of what can go on in our lives on a daily basis.   We review the days and all that they encompass, the mounting lists at work, the mounting lists at home, the commitment we make to others, the lack of commitment we make to ourselves, and then the items that come at us from out of nowhere.  Each one of those areas can put an immense amount of stress on our lives, the rain.  Pile them on top of each other and you move from “rain” to it “pouring” stress into our lives.

My husband and I were talking the other day and he was reminded of something that his parents used to say, “God will only give you a cross to bear that you can manage.”  There have been plenty of times in my life where I thought differently.  There were times when my cross was too heavy, and that God was concentrating on someone else’s life and forgot about me.  Oh, the contrary!!  My cross was not too heavy, I was not relying on the One who could lift the cross for me and bear the burden!

As Paul reminds us in our verse for today, when we set our hope on God, He will deliver us.  When it is ‘pouring,’ it can be so hard to see what can help us.  Sometimes we may turn to things that do not help us – such as alcohol, or in my case, food.  Other times we can turn to things that we believe will bring us relief, such as a shopping spree.  Yet, what we realize is that we will buy things we do not need (and incur debt).  When we turn our attention away from earthly things to provide us hope and turn to the One who can truly deliver hope, the pouring rain begins to stop.  Lo and behold, rainbows of hope appear.

It is hard to live under the cloud of ‘so much I can’t handle it anymore.’  The good news is we do not have to live under the cloud.  Even as the rain is pouring down on us, we know that the rainbow will come.  Trusting in God brings us hope for tomorrow.  Yielding to His broad shoulders to help carry our weight brings us peace.  It may not take away all that is happening, but it does provide us the faith that tomorrow will bring better skies.  That hope drives me to smile again, to walk with a lighter step, and to know that He will give me all that I need to be the person He wants me to be.  Take the leap of simple faith and give your pouring rain to God.  He is there waiting for you to fill up His bucket so He can pour your deserved blessings upon you!

Heavenly Father, please strengthen our faith to have hope in you.  May you listen to our cries and deliver us from the crosses we bear so we may have joy.  Bring us relief to our burdens and perspective to our trials that we know you are truly the one in control.  Amen.

Renovation Faith

 

I could spend hours watching HGTV.  Yes, I am obsessed with watching people take things that are old and making them new again.  My husband and I will debate this every now and again.  His argument is why would the renovators spend all the time and money in gutting a house completely, only leaving its main structure, just to rebuild over it.  Would not it be quicker, and cheaper, just to tear the entire thing down and start from nothing.  I can definitely see his point of view, but still enjoy watching the entire process.

As I was watching another one of those shows this morning, the thought came to mind again.  The renovators were working on a small cabin.  The house had seen better days.  There was rot of walls, unevenness in the floorboards, and it was dark and dingy.  Everything was removed except the original foundation and the framing that held up the house. 

I could not help but think of my life and how it compared to this old cabin and the renovators working on it. I reflected on my past ‘fifty something’ years and realized that along the way, I had made decisions that created rot within my being.  I had experiences that left me dark and dingy.  Daily living provided me times with a sense of unevenness.  Not only have I felt, physically, like I needed a ‘new coat of paint,’ but even mentally and spiritually, my foundation had been rocked.  They were decisions that went against what I knew was right and good as defined by my heavenly father – sins that I commit every day.  They were experiences that created dark days and sleepless nights.  Not to mention the difficulties of every day that can lead my emotions to be a bit like a roller coaster.

Yet today, as I watched the house that was being renovated come back to its original foundation, I thought of our Jesus.  He died on the cross and became my Savior so that I could go back to my foundation and come back to life.  My foundation, rooted firmly in the foundation of God, leads Him to build my life to where He knows it is good and right.  It is when I take over the hammer and nails that the house is not built soundly.  It is when I turn to my Lord that I know my life is built on the solid rock of Him who created me.  I need to let Him take the hammer and nails and form me into the life He meant for me.

This is not always easy.  It should be!  We should be able to build our foundation of this earthly life knowing the heavenly eternal life that waits for us.  Yet, we are sinful beings.  We do not always go to the one place where the rebuilding can occur.  Let us all make a commitment to make that happen.  Let us dive into the Word of God to find where our foundation is and let God build us back up.  Let us get new windows to let the Son shine in.  Let us get new doors where God can enter freely.  Let us build new floors so we can stand firmly in His being.  Let God rebuild our lives so our foundation can be secure in Him!

Heavenly God, our foundation can be rocky.  With the events and experiences of our lives on earth, we can feel as if we are not worth your time and love.  We can feel as if we are an old home who should be torn down.  Help us to turn to you and know that you are the foundation we need to walk in the path you created for us.  May you make us strong and firm in your love.  May our makeover show you to others.  Amen!

Light Peaking Through

 

I know we all have them – those days where everything is going wrong, nothing is going right.  It seems as if the weight of the world is on our shoulders, and we have all we can do to take the next step or the next breath.  Life seems out of order, and we cannot get it back into order.

It was one of those days this past week.  No matter where I turned, the world was turning in the opposite direction.  That was all before 8AM!  Typically, not one for pity parties, I continued through the day, pushing forward determined not to let the day get the best of me.  By 5:30PM, all seemed lost.  The day continued to go from bad to worst and the cloudy sky said it all.

I was driving along, tears in my eyes.   I prayed – boy did I pray.  I asked God for all that I needed in my family, at work.  I just mumbled words that I knew only Jesus would understand.  Then, I looked up.  There, among the clouds, was the light.  The light began by just peaking through the clouds, then there was a brilliance to the sky.  As I drove along the road, the tears dried up as I said, “Dear Lord, you are there.  You will never let the darkness of my days overcome the light of you!”

Did the flip switch on all that was weighing me down?  No, it did not.  But what did flip was me.  I flipped from the pity party to the grateful party.  I began to see all that God had truly blessed me with, not just the things that did not seem to be answered by my prayers.  With that change in me, I was able to recognize the change in other areas of my life.  Change may not have been ‘yes’ to those prayers I gave to God.  Yet, a change of the situation was there – and that is only God’s hand who could do that!

My friends, our days get dark.  Lately, we have much darkness we can focus on.  Not just ‘cloudy skies,’ but ‘darkness of night.’  As we walk through these challenging times, remember that the darkness we face we do not face alone.  Our darkness is met with light – God’s light.  His light has the ability to shine on all our darkness and bring us from the pit of despair to the mountain top of joy.  How does that happen?  By focusing on God and not on us.  Let our faces turn to God and away from the mirrors we face.  In doing so, we get to see His Love and His glory – and that will outshine anything!

Heavenly Father, thank you for pulling us out of darkness with your light.  May we always look to you when our days are cloudy and ask for your help as we walk our next step and breathe our next breath.  Pull us close to you God with your loving arms and extend your grace and mercy upon us.  Amen!

Who Is Listening?

 

I was listening to a business program this morning.  They shared that many employers are not necessarily looking for experience for a position; they are looking for more of the ‘soft skills,’ behaviors that bring success.  One of the skills they focused on was good listening skills.  I laughed a bit to myself as I have been a big supporter of this theory for many years.  Throughout grade school, high school and even college, our focus is to drive knowledge into our children.  Yet, one of the most important communication skills, listening, seems to be left to chance!  If you hear, you must be listening.  We all know that is not necessarily the case.

Developing strong listening skills, active listening skills, can be a characteristic that can follow someone in every aspect of their life, and assist in more developed and healthier relationships.  There are many distinct aspects of listening:  active, passive, empathetic, selective, etc.  My mom and I used to joke that Daddy had selective listening!  Active listening can seem counterintuitive, but true listening and responding by asking questions and gaining insight is a large part of listening. 

Active listening means the recipient is spending time seeking understanding what the person is saying.  They do this by asking questions, paraphrasing, and if asked, providing feedback and guidance.  I thought about some of the great listeners I have had the experience to speak with over my career and all of those traits stand out.  If necessary, the listener acted from the conversation.

The greatest active listener?  None other than our wonderful Lord.  Today’s verse clearly reflects God’s ability to hear and to answer when we approach Him.  Our God is an active listener, responding with questions, paraphrasing our thoughts, and answering our requests.  There have been times when I have questioned whether God was truly listening to me – actively participating in the conversation.  In God’s own unique way, He let me know that He has heard me and provided exactly what I need in exactly the right time. How does God actively listen?

·        God will ask me questions when I share thoughts with him – helping me to reflect on the situation.

·        God will paraphrase and provide me guidance and peace – helping me to navigate the situation.

·        God will speak to me – through answered (or unanswered) prayers of the situation.

God’s listening skills exceed all of our expectations.  He hears words we have not spoken, “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him,” Matthew 6:8.  Believe that our Heavenly Father is not just hearing us but is actively listening to us.  He is actively involved in our lives, every moment of every day.  Call on Him – He is waiting to listen!

Dearest Lord, thank you for being the greatest active listener.  We can go to you with all we have to say, and you gladly listen and respond with exactly what we need.  Help us to turn to you when we need to share and guide us to the direction of grace.  In your name we pray, Amen!

 

Finding Peace to Sleep

 

Sleep – experts say it is one of the most important aspects of life a human need in order to live a healthy life.  Yet, sleep tends to be evasive for many of us.  I know this is the case for me.  Over the years, when life is difficult and there is so much to be concerned about, sleep is the thing that is the first to go – and the one that is the most needed.  As I reflect on this, I have always concentrated on the labors of the day, and the stressors of the world, instead of finding rest in my pillow.  I may get to sleep, but by mid evening, I am up, trying to solve the problems that were on my mind when I put my head on the pillow.   I will mull over every single situation in my head, providing answers to all of them, to no avail.

I know, of those of you who are reading this, that I am not alone.  In fact, according to The Cleveland Clinic, up to seventy million Americans every year deal with insomnia and other sleep disorders.  Sleep disorders cost America’s health care system over $94 billion a year.  Yes, BILLION!  I have attributed to that, trying to find the ‘magic combination’ that will help me get to sleep at night.  Whether it be medicine, meditation, yoga, exercise, or hot milk, people all over the nation are trying to find out what can help them to get a good night’s sleep.

After all these years, I have found that the winning ingredient is not a pill or an app, but the love of my Jesus.  Having been on medication for years, I made a commitment that it was time to rid myself of that and focus on a more natural way to sleep.  The answer, as it always is, was sitting in front of me – my Bible.  There are many verses in the Bible that help us to remember who is in charge, who can take our worry and anxiety, and who can give us the safety of His arms to sleep in.  Jesus is the only one who can offer me the peace and rest that my body needs. 

How do we rest in His arms to gain the necessary sleep?  We pray, we focus on Him, we breathe in and out, knowing He provides each breath for us.  Please, I do not profess that I have ‘locked this one in.’  I still have nights when I chase the sheep forwards and backwards.  After spending time thinking, I change to spending time praying.  I visualize being held in Jesus’ safe arms, knowing that He will not let anything bad happen to me.  Whatever I worry about, whatever I am stressed about, I know will work out the way HE wants it to be.  It may not be my way, but it will be His way – the best way.  Tragedies and sickness happen.  Loss of job and loss of finances happen.  Yet, Jesus will always be there for us, to hold in His arms, and bring us peace and safety.  Trust in the Lord, for He is good!

Dearest Lord, we need rest.  The pressures of the day keep us awake at night.  We are unable to get the rest our bodies and our minds need.  Help to remind us to turn to you, Jesus.  May we give our worries and our pressures to you and realize being held in your arms is the truest peace and rest.  Amen!

Supply Chain Blessings

 

Supply chain woes – they have plagued our buying needs for the past couple of years.  For the first time in many years, our store shelves were bare, especially as we were searching for toilet paper and cleaning disinfectants.  Our need for that special Christmas gift always seemed to be the one on a slow boat – making us realize that ‘Santa was going to be late.’   Then we have had issues with baby formula and other items.  What was once a well-oiled supply chain machine has turned into a difficult experience, with congestion in our ports and tough transportation situations.  Many of us were frustrated with this and wondering if things would ever ‘fix’ themselves. 

It made me think about the blessings we receive.  When our lives are in turmoil, we turn to prayer and our Dear Lord to ask for help.  We may ask for large blessings, like healing for loved ones, assistance with financial strains or faith for those who have lost their faith.  We may also ask for smaller blessings throughout our days such as rest when weary or a word of encouragement when a bit down.  The blessings we ask for are lifted to God – the One who blesses us with all that we need.

The good news is that God’s supply chain never hits congestion.  His shelves are never empty.  God’s blessings flow freely as if we deserved each and every blessing we receive.  We know, as Christians, that we do not deserve anything from God for we are sinful.  Our God is a loving and gracious God, filled with mercy.  He provides for our every need ensuring that our needs are fully met.

God’s blessings are bountiful.  I always am amazed when the Dear Lord provides what I did not even think I needed.  Most days, it is a friendly smile.  The days get busy, and I keep on moving, ensuring I am getting everything done on the list.  As the minutes turn into hours, I may not stop for that necessary break.  In walks a special person to my office to ‘check in.’  I immediately find myself breathing again, looking up from my computer to greet a smiling face.  God provides!  Yes, He provides for the large and small blessings we ask for, but He provides so much more.  He provides for our every need, even those of which we are not aware.

Our needs should not be confused with things we want.  God certainly knows the difference and provides for us.  We need peace.  We need love.  We need joy.  We need hope.  These needs flow freely from God.  He flourishes those needs to us with no barriers.  He freely gives to us the peace that passes all understanding, unconditional love, joy that is every present and hope in our heavenly kingdom.  Nothing on earth can fill our supply chain of those needs other than God.  Let us stop and give thanks for all the blessings in our lives, for they all come to us through our gracious and giving God.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being our constant supply for all our needs.  May we turn to you ask and give thanks for all you provide to us.  We deserve nothing but have everything.  Amen!

Freedom to Love

 

July 4^th, the day that those who fought for the beginning of our country declared us the United States of America.  Since then, we are viewed as a country where many freedoms that are not seen in other countries are realized here.  Recently, we held our annual Citizenship Celebration at work.  Every year, around the 4^th of July, we celebrate those associates who received their citizenship that year.  It is one of my favorite days at work.  These associates, who worked hard to receive their citizenship to this country, shared their stories on their home countries and WHY they wanted to become a citizen.

One shared that he had lived here for about 20 years and realized all the freedoms that were here that were not available in his homeland of India

Another shared that his home country of the Congo in Africa did not offer the freedoms that were here in the US.

·        Others shared that they wanted a better life for their families and wanted to be able to work hard and gain success.

As I listened to these stories, I realized for many of us, the freedoms of this country came to us easy – we were born into them.  We did not have to study for hard tests or be interviewed.  We are citizens and have all the freedoms that this country offers.  We can use our freedoms in many ways and should never take them for granted.

I love this verse in Galatians.  The freedom that Paul is talking about in this verse is our freedom from sin.  Although we have been freed from sin by our Savior Jesus, this does not mean that we can go about doing whatever we please, especially to indulge ourselves.  Paul states we should use this freedom to serve others, humbly, in love.  The freedom to love and serve others is one that we also can use in many ways and should never take for granted.  The Christian love we get to share came at a high cost, the blood of our Jesus.  On July 4^th, and every day, may we remember the freedom of the United States along with the freedom of our sins.  May we daily be grateful for our citizenship in the US and our citizenship with Christ.  Let us love each other and serve each other with pride.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for our freedom from sin.  Because you took the long walk to Calvary, I am able to stand tall in freedom.  Help me, Jesus, to use that freedom for the benefit of others.  May I humbly serve and love others in your name.  Amen!

Blanket of Love

 

I have a half hour commute to work.  I ride down the same highway every day.  I pull onto the highway and then the chase begins – who can drive faster than the next person, who can get the prime spot in just the exact lane they want to be in.  I am a victim to this and typically get that spot I want (many who know my driving skills do not find that unusual).  The other day was different.  Something caught my eye.  It was the beautiful wildflowers, mostly daisies, which had returned for the spring and summer season.  Not just a few that popped up, but blankets of wildflowers everywhere.  They were in full bloom, and they were gorgeous.  They bring such beauty to the concrete of the highway.  Since that day, it has been less on the perfect highway lane and more about reveling in the blanket of beauty. 

I have pondered much on the blanket of beauty.  I knew there was a blog post in that beauty and today it is about God’s blanket of love.  There are so many ways that God lavishes this blanket upon us.  There are times when we need the blanket to envelope us when the world is against us.  I remember when I was going through my divorce, as much support as I might have had, I felt as if I would never be loved again.  Many evenings I cried thinking that love would evade my life moving forward.  Yet, I also remember the feeling I had when I read of God’s love always being with me.  I pictured His blanket of love enveloping me, and I knew that whatever path He would take me, His love would always be enough.  God then blessed me with Juan’s love.

God’s blanket of love is not just for one person, though.  His blanket extends to each and every person on this earth.  Thousands of generations, as our verse for today points out, leads us to know that His love touches each and every person, and together that blanket of love is as beautiful as the blanket of daisies that greets me each day.  His love for us covers all of us in beauty.  It envelopes us in goodness.  It brings us peace.

There is much dividing us lately.  Even as recent as this weekend.  Yet, there is one thing that truly brings us all together, the love our Lord has for us and wants us to have for each other.  We will have differencing of opinions.  We will have our own statements of truth which may not be seen by the next person.  We have plenty to ‘write off’ the person standing next to us.  God does not want that for us.  Our job, our sole job, is to love each person – everyone – the way God loves us.  It is not easy.  I am sure I am not easy for God to love most days.  Still, I know His love is always there for me.  Let us be there for others.  Let us create a blanket of love!!

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the blanket of love that you graciously given me.  I feel that blanket often, especially when the world around me is cold.  Let us be your blanket of love here on Earth.  May we show love, grace, and mercy to all that we meet.  May our love be the blanket that someone needs.  In your loving name I pray.  Amen!