Judging Words

 

I heard two people speaking with each other a few days ago.  The way they were talking, you would believe that they were judge and jury.  The spoke about a friend as if the person could do no right and every word the person spoke and action the person took was so wrong.  It was 35 minutes of this constant back and forth, only to have the ‘friend’ arrive and the entire conversation changed. 

I thought about the conversation I heard and immediately became the ‘judge’ that I had just heard:

·         How could people judge another person the way they did?

·         How could they not recognize there may be other circumstances the person is dealing with?

·         How could the conversation change so radically when the person showed up?

As I walked through the scenario, it was time for me to take a self-reflective look.  Have I ever experience being the person people were judging?  To be honest, there have certainly been times when this was the case.  I remember how awful I felt when I recognized people were judging me.  Yet, and more importantly, were there times when I was the ‘judge’ in a scenario or with a person?  I have to admit that there have been times when I was playing judge.  

I also hear much judgment when I turn on the news.  I think much of America has become self-proclaimed judges and juries.  Hearing people speak about others in a judgmental and painful way does not seem to do anything except continue the divide that we see in America today.  People believe their own thoughts and actions are “right” and the other person’s thoughts and actions are “wrong.”  All of that talking has resulted in barriers being lifted up instead of bridges being built. 

Upon reflection, I realized that nothing positive ever came out of those times when I judged.  I remember feeling guilty about it afterwards, thankfully, to the Holy Spirit.  I realized that when I judge and measure others, I will too be judged and measured.  The only One who has the right to judge is our own Jesus.  Because He died on the cross for me, He has the right to judge me and penalize me, for all my negative actions.  Yet, which is one of my most favorite words of the Bible, He looks past my imperfections.  Jesus looks past judging me to the person that He sees on the inside, one of His chosen. 

When we believe the right thing is to judge others, may we take a step back.  Let us realize that the only One who can judge another is the One with no sin, Jesus.  Let us leave the judging to Him and may we take on the building of bridges!  May we take the time to understand each other instead of judging each other.  May we take steps towards building bridges and not barriers.  May we find peace.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for this important verse to help us understand the important of leaving the judging to YOU.  May we reflect on moments when we judge and realize that our job is not to judge, but to build peace amongst each other.  Equip us with the tools to thrive in that environment.  In your name we pray, Amen.

The Missing Piece

 

Puzzles – I love them and hate them.  I see the picture on the box and determine that it will be a wonderful puzzle to spend time putting together.  I eagerly take each piece out, ensuring that all the pieces are turned face up.  I spend time putting the frame of the puzzle together first and then begin working on the middle of the puzzle.  I get excited when one part of the scene is complete, and I can move onto the next.  Then, it happens.  That dreadful moment when I realize I have lost a piece to the puzzle.  I look on the table, on the floor, neighboring tables – everywhere – to see where the lost piece is.  At that moment, I feel defeated.  A couple of days later, I find the piece tucked behind a chair cushion or under the puzzle box – triumph!!

When I was reflecting on that this past week, I realized that there have been times in my life when I have felt as lost at that puzzle piece.  I have felt lost in helping my husband through a rough path at work.  I have felt lost as a mother when my children had a problem that I could not fix.  I have felt lost as a daughter when I could not take away my mother’s pain.  I have also felt personally lost.  I go through times in my life when I feel like something is missing in my life and that the days run into each other without any purpose.  All of these times in my life have been difficult to navigate. 

Difficult, that is, until I realize what I am missing.  It is during those times that I realize that the missing puzzle piece is Jesus in my life.  When I toil with thoughts of how to make things better, where to find my purpose, how to bring joy to those around me, I realize that my goal is to manage it on my own.  I must know something or somehow to make everything better, to find the path.  It is then that I notice the reason I am lost is because I have not gone to the One who is waiting for me with open arms, the One who is seeking His lost sheep.  When I go to my Jesus in prayer, when I open my Bible to seek answers, He never disappoints.  In Jesus I find the missing piece when I am lost.  In Jesus, I am able to get my answers, fill the gap, and the whole picture becomes clear.  In Jesus I triumph.

Life is hard.  Jesus never promised us a carefree life.  What Jesus has ALWAYS promised is to be there for us, to be the missing piece when we are lost.  Just as the shepherd goes after the one missing sheep, just as we seek the missing puzzle piece, Jesus will seek us out if we are lost.  When we have lost direction, the Holy Spirit will nudge us toward Jesus.  All we need to do is seek His name and in Him, find triumph.  The next time you are feeling lost, as if you are not sure which direction to turn, reach out to the find the missing puzzle piece in your life – reach out to Jesus.  I guarantee you He is waiting for you!

Dearest Jesus, thank you for the Holy Spirit who nudges us to find you when we are lost.  When days become difficult and we feel as if we have lost our way, focus us on prayer and worship.  May we realize the lost piece in our lives is you and may you bring us back for the full and clear picture.  In your name we pray, Amen.

Time of Rest

 

It has been a long two years.  The last two years have been filled with dreams shattered, plans changed, and us doing things that we never imagined.  Home-schooling children while working remote, masking up when going out, educating ourselves in areas of medicine we never thought we would need to, and for many of us, embarking on a new work platform.  Being in the Human Resources field for well over thirty years, I can truthfully say I never experienced anything like this in my career.  While working from home, work and home was blurred.  There did not seem to be a beginning or end of the workday, it all was one.  Works hours started at 6AM and many times did not end until 11PM.

Work is not the only area that weighs heavy on us.  Our home lives have changed as well.  We have new stressors that have emerged.  Children and school can still present challenges.  The economy has brought on worries that we have not had in some time.  Physically going on vacation may be something we can do but affording it can now be a challenge.  The pressures of this world can seem overwhelming, and many times, out of our control.

Weary and burdened.  Those two words can resonate with us these days.  It seems as if the weight of the world is on our shoulders.  We cannot sleep, we cannot eat, and we do not know where to turn.  Our verse for this week is a verse I keep close to me – in my day timer at work, on my phone, tagged in my Bible – places where I can turn when the words weary and burdened are so real.  Put your name in this verse and feel Jesus talking to you, “Come to me, Susan, you who is weary and burdened.  I, your Jesus, will give you rest.”

When I say those words to myself, my weariness decreases and my peace increases.  I immediately realize I am not in this thing called life alone.  I have the one and only Jesus who can take away my burden.  In His words, I find the rest that I need at that moment.  It is at that time that I know I can go on.  It is in His love, that I find hope.  Close your eyes and repeat the words from above.  Breath in and know that the Lord God is with you with every step you take.  Know that our Jesus wants you to come to Him – willingly go and seek His rest.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for the invitation to rest in your arms.  When this world seems too much to bear, thank you for being the place I can go and receive peace, love, and hope.  In your loving name I pray, Amen.

Opportunity of the Moment

 

The checklist!  The errands!  The activity!  The meetings!  The worry!  The frustration!  My days are filled with constant movement and constant thinking.  My family will attest I am an expert in lists and in turn, an expert in getting things done.  Friday night (I do not even wait until Saturday morning), the weekend list is created.  It may range from the weekly events such as grocery shopping and laundry to events that depend on the time of year.  This weekend found the list consisting of buying plants, planting them, getting the sprinkler system going, exchanging the winter clothes in the closet to the spring and summer clothes, etc.  You get the idea . . . and the list was long.

I started to check off items on the list Friday night and I moved into Saturday with laser focus!  Time to get things done.  I find that most of my life is like this.  I make lists at work, checking things off as the days roll on.  Vacations can become a series of what we are going to accomplish on certain days, leaving truly little up ‘to chance’ and ensuring that we see EVERYTHING there is to see!  I have always seen this as one of my greatest strengths.  I have chatted with many folks who possess this same ‘superpower’ – the master list maker. 

For years this was the best way to get through life, especially as a working mom.  Without the list, I was convinced things would result in chaos.  Yesterday, as my hands were in the dirt planting zucchini seedlings, the wave of revelation came over me.  I have had this wave before.  As days get busy and time is moving faster than I can keep up with, the wave rushes over me.

This wave is ‘being in the moment.’  It is when I realize that in the spirit of getting things done, I might be missing the opportunity of the moment.  I have always believed this wave is the Holy Spirit saying, “Stop, Look, Listen, Appreciate.”  It is the opportunity to appreciate the moment I have and to not focus on how quickly I can get one list item completed before moving on to the next.  The opportunity of the moment can come in many shapes and sizes:

·        Stopping whatever we are doing to listen to the person speaking to us – truly listen.

·        Looking into a person’s eyes, not running past them with lightning speed.

·        Taking time to prepare a meal knowing the nourishment it will provide.

·        Looking at the beauty around you while taking a walk.

·        Slipping your hand into your spouse’s hand while on the couch watching tv.

It is these moments where we can feel God’s love in our hearts and, in turn, share His love.  This is what God wants for our lives, making the most of every opportunity.   May we ask the Holy Spirit to nudge us to take advantage of these moments.   Do not let the list drive your life – let the opportunity of the moment drive your heart.

Dearest Father, pour your love upon me.  Help me to focus not only on the things that need to get done, but on the moments where there are opportunities to appreciate and share your love.  May I realize that it is you, Dear Lord, nudging me to live wisely in your name.  Amen.

Watchful Eye

 

“How did you know that?”  This was a question I often heard from my children.  They always seemed astonished that I seemed to know when they went astray.  It could have been doing something they should not have done or not doing something they should have done (and that was usually around the dreaded chore list)!  My common response to their question was, “I have eyes behind my head!”

As they grew older, the watchful eye I had when they were small followed them into their teens.   Not only was the watchful eye out when they missed curfew, but it was also out when they achieved high-reaching goals and solidified sibling relationships.  The watchful eye continues to be with them, even if they are no longer living under our roof.  It may have moved from a watchful eye to a keen ear – noticing a tone in their voice or a hesitation in their speech on a phone call, but the keen ear will move to a face time call and an eye for their hurt.

I remember my mother providing that watchful eye for me.  She ensured I was not hurt when I was a little one.  That same watchful eye was there guiding me down a path of independence and self-reliance.  It was my mother’s eye that led my eyes to the Word of our Lord and a faith that continues to grow.  Without my mother’s watchful eye, I would not have learned how to have that watchful eye myself.

Eve.  Sarah.  Rebekah.  Hannah.  Elizabeth.  Mary.  Ruth.  All wonderful and famous mothers in the Bible.  I love going back into the Word to search for those incredible role models from Biblical times.  They truly inspire in wonderful ways.  Many of them had that same watchful eye.  The mother that utterly amazes me is Jochebed. Her name is mentioned once, yet Jochebed had the key role of Moses’ mother!  Talk about a mother who loved her child, loved him enough to send him down the Nile River to safety.  Knowing that her son was in jeopardy of murder, she put him in the basket towards Pharoah.  We know the story from there – she becomes Moses’ caregiver, and the rest is truly history.

As a mother or caregiver, our watchful eyes are with our children throughout their entire lives.  May we be grateful for the mothers and role models of the Bible and the watchful eyes they had on those that grew to be Biblical heroes – and our Savior!

Dearest God, thank you for providing mothers’ watchful eyes to see all the goodness of their children, ensuring their safety, and helping to guide them in Your Word.  Amen.  

Live our Lives in Love

 

Two years ago, life stood still for a while.  Many moved from working in an office to working at home.  Restaurants were closed.  Churches were closed.  We found ourselves stepping back in time.  The rat race of rushing here and rushing there was replaced by staying at home, holding tight to our families, and living a different lifestyle than we were used to.  We learned some lessons back then that I hope we continue to incorporate into our lives moving forward.  These lessons include the words shared in our verse today. 

What I am hoping is we live our lives in love:

•         Compassion – having concern for others.  Let us not turn back on those that may need us because we are too busy.  May we find opportunities to reach out to those that may need a phone call, a visit, or a friend.  Jesus never ceases showing us compassion, even when we do not deserve it.
•         Kindness – the quality of being friendly.  Go the extra distance to the stranger that you meet.  Buy the cup of coffee for the person behind you.  Speak a kind word to a stranger.  I love in the Bible where Jesus’ kindness oozes through the pages.  A touch of His hand to each stranger He meets changed their lives.  We can do the same.
•         Humility – humbleness.  This is one of my favorite words as we do not see this much anymore.  To bring our own importance down to build up another around us can be life changing.  We do not have to be the best or have the most.  We just need to be grateful for what we have!  Is there any greater example of humbleness than our Lord dying on the cross for our sins?
•         Gentleness – tender.  Our words are such powerful tools throughout our days.  To speak in a gentle manner, to our children, our spouses and our coworkers can do much for our relationships.  The words our Lord speaks to us could certainly be harsh, but he speaks gentle words of love.
•         Patience – tolerate delay or suffering without getting angry.  This certainly can be my greatest challenge.  Often, we want things done on our timeline and in our manner.  When we work on our patience, we incorporate the words listed above into strong actions – not taking our anger out on others.  If there is ever an example of patience, it is certainly Jesus.  I can only imagine the level of patience He must have with me.  I certainly should have that same level of patience with others.

Chapter three of the book of Colossians is a wonderful chapter to read.  Paul lovingly shares how we should live our lives, to the glory of God.  Living our lives with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience not only impacts those that are around us, but ourselves as well.  Our hearts will be filled.  Our souls will be filled. And our lips will share the good news of Christ with others.  Let's Live our Lives in Love!

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us chapters in the Bible that help us to understand how to live our lives.  Whether time slows down a bit or we are living a busy lifestyle, understanding how we can positively impact others through our words and actions and living our lives that way should be a priority.  Amen!

Fear in the Waiting

 

Immediate Fear!  There are many times in our lives when fear is thrusted upon us by the circumstances we find ourselves in.  We are walking in the woods and a bear is upon us.  We are driving in the winter and a snow squall is upon us.  In these situations, the danger comes upon us quickly and we have an instant reaction of panic or fear.

Yet, what happens when the situation is NOT immediate.  Those times in our lives when the fear comes in the waiting of certain situations.  It may seem comical for some, but I have a deep fear of the dentist.  I have never had a terrible experience at a dentist.  I did not even have a cavity until I was twenty-six.  Going in for a cleaning throws me into a fearful state.  Any procedure bigger than that?  I will leave that up to your imagination.  What will they find, will it hurt?  The fear of the unknown takes its toll on my psyche.    Once done, I leave, and I am fine – until the next six months arrives.

I think back upon other times in my life when fear was not immediate but was deeply rooted when I needed to wait.

•         Fearful of the diagnosis while waiting for biopsy results.
•         Fearful of surgery results of a loved one.
•         Fearful of what chemotherapy will do to my body.
•         Fearful of not meeting expectations of others

The fear in waiting can be daunting.  It can overcome every part of our mind and body.  As my fear in waiting grows, so does my ‘what if’ scenarios that go with that.  It is hard to have that ‘glass half full’ mentality when the devil is reaching in and guiding you to the darker side. 

In walks the One who conquers fear.  In walks the One whose power over death can bring power to us.  In walks our Lord!  When we focus not on fear but faith, the power of our Lord replaces the darkness of the fear.  Faith does not mean that what we are fearing goes away, it means that we have One who will walk with us during the waiting.  Jesus will be there when we get the results, He will be there during chemo treatments, He will be there while working towards a better marriage or job.  Our Heavenly Father is with us during the waiting and brings us through to the other side. 

The result of our fears may not always be what we want to hear.  In my case, the diagnosis was cancer, the chemo made me extremely ill, and the result was divorce.  What I found was that when I put my faith with the Lord, the fear subsided, and God’s peace engulfed me.  That faith may have been through a certain Bible verse I would say repeatedly, a devotional I read every day, or as simple as prayer.  When I gained faith in the waiting, the fear receded.  And the love of Jesus filled me.  Instead of being afraid in the waiting, I pray that all of you will find faith in the waiting.  Find faith, find love, find peace!

Dearest Jesus, may I turn to you when I wait.  Help me to take the fear that I have and move it to your faithful guiding hands.  Pour your love around me and help me to see that whatever fears I have in front of me, Your presence and love abounds.  Amen!