Tenderness & Compassion

 

It happens.  Our little ones do things we would prefer they don’t.  We say, “Don’t jump on the bed” and they proceed to jump and the bed breaks.  We say, “Stop horsing around with your sibling” and before we know it, someone is crying.  As children grow older the “Don’t” statements are different.  We talk about many topics that we didn’t anticipate we would have to deal with.  The conversations have mixed results and there are times the “Don’t” statements and the subsequent actions are in direct opposition.

As parents, we tend to manage all of these situations with a similar end result – love and compassion.  We forgive our children for their behavior or actions and love them, not matter the disobedience.  They know they can come to us for that unconditional love and understanding, especially when they come and say, “I’m sorry.”  On those days, our hearts swell with love.

As adults, due to our sinful nature, we also disobey.  When our Heavenly Father tells us “no” (through the power of the Holy Spirit and His Word), there are times we move forward in our own way, not God’s.  We break things – ourselves, our relationships, and so much more.  Our hearts may know better, but the devil takes over. 

When we disobey, we know we have done wrong.  The Holy Spirit helps us to know this through our conscience.  Many times, that guilt of knowing we have done wrong and disappointing God can overwhelm us.  It can be difficult to know that our sins are forgiven.  Maybe the sin is ‘too large’ to have God forgive me.  Maybe I feel I need to live this the guilt of this sin for the rest of my life – that I need to be punished daily for the sin.  The weight of guilt-driven sin can sometimes feel as if it will never end. 

My friends, we have Good News.  The compassion that we show our children is even greater when the compassion comes from God.  Not only does He love us despite our sinful nature, because of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection, the sin is wiped away – clean from our record.  When we come to God saying “I’m sorry”, He is there with open arms saying, “I will always be here – waiting for you.”  His tenderness and compassion are ever-present.  Our doubt and guilt can only be replaced with God saying, “Your sins have been wiped away – My love covers it all.”  If you are struggling with a sin that ‘just won’t go away’, remember that God has forgiven you.  There is nothing left for you to do except to accept His forgiveness.  Let joy replace guilt and hope replace doubt!  Your simple faith in God is all He asks!

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your tenderness and compassion.  When I can’t forgive myself, you are there waiting for me with the love and forgiveness of a father.  Help me to feel the forgiveness and take the weight off my shoulders.  In your name I pray, Amen!

Lighten Up

 

Hammers, nails, screwdrivers – yesterday found us at some of our children’s homes playing ‘fix it’!  It’s always nice to help out and spend time brightening up their places.  As we drove home, I thought about how each of their homes have brightened up – whether it is new paint, new lights, or new children, each of their homes have something added to them to brighten things up.  I thought maybe it was time for me to do a little brightening up of my own.  Maybe not to our home, but to me!  Could it be time for a new hairstyle?  New clothes?  New shoes?  How my mind wandered.

I then delved a bit deeper into my thinking.  Maybe it isn’t the appearance that needs to be brightened up.  Maybe it’s time for me to find a way for me to shine outward to others – to let my light shine for God a bit brighter!   The notion of shining our light for God is not new.  Our verse for today speaks emphatically about letting our light shine for others, that we may share the goodness of God with those around us.  It reminds me of a favorite children song, “This Little Light of Mine”!  I was recently singing this to my granddaughter, who especially liked the part about not hiding our light ‘under the bushel’.

Shining our light to others is an important part of being a Christian.  Our ability to show others how wonderful God works in our lives and how He can impact their lives is our responsibility.  As our simple faith in God grows, our light shines brighter – helping those around us to see the gift of faith.  So the question becomes, how can I shine my light brighter for God?

·         Bible Study:  In order for me to share my light brighter, I need to ensure I have the fuel to shine bright.  Diving into God’s word is a perfect place to start.  Whether it is a formal Bible study or picking a book or chapter to delve into, gaining the knowledge to share with others is a great start.

·         Prayer:  Asking God how I can shine brighter will bring guidance from the best counselor there is, God!  Go to Him and ask how you can use your gifts and talents to shine to others.

·         Servanthood:  Being able to share God-given talents with others is a wonderful way to show others the goodness of God.  Helping out at church, helping a neighbor in need, ensuring you stop by to see the elderly – all ways to bring the light to those who need it.

·         Notes of Encouragement:  Maybe it is writing a note to someone who needs to see words of encouragement.  Helping those around us to get through a tough time may start by seeding words that Jesus loves them and will take care of them, no matter the circumstance.

Whatever way you choose, step out in simple faith, and know that shining your light for others will make your light brighter.  Let “This Little Light of Mine” shine for the world to see.

Heavenly Father, help me to shine my light for all to see!  Amen

 

Hope in Darkness

 

I remember the day well.  It will always be a part of my soul.  The day that I lost hope in the darkness.  I had prayed and prayed for so many things.  I prayed that the results of the chemo treatments I had wouldn't continue to plague my health.  I prayed that the workload I was trying to endure would ease up.  I prayed that the marriage I was trying to save would either heal or move on.  I prayed that the relationship wouldn't be such a burden on my soul and heart.  Nothing was happening.  God didn't seem to hear me and if He did hear me, He wasn't responding.  I was losing hope that He would ever hear me.  The faith that I always had seemed to be wavering.

That day, that fateful day, I lost control.  I sat in my car, sobbing.  I didn't know where to turn, I didn't know where to go.  I just sat there and cried.  The only place that seemed to have refuge was in a church seat.  That's where I drove.  In that chair, I looked at the cross and sat sobbing and pouring out my heart. The hope that seemed to have left my heart was being restored.  My faith, that seemed to have been lost, was coming back.  I left everything I had at that cross.  The hope that Jesus gave so many over 2000 years ago when he rose from the grave was the same hope my heart seemed to be feeling again.  My faith, my simple faith, had returned.  Not everything was fixed, but Jesus gave me the strength to continue to fight.

This past week seemed to be a week of darkness.  So much had gone wrong, to people I know, to situations that occurred.  They joyous uplift of the new year seemed to be overshadowed by things that had gone wrong.  I did as I have done so many times in my life.  I turned to the One who can bring hope in the darkness.  I brought my fears and my prayers to Jesus.  In my words and my thoughts, I prayed.  I prayed for healing to so many.  I prayed for joy amid the sadness.  I prayed for faith in the doubters.  I prayed.   I prayed that other's faith would be restored as mine was.  I prayed for strength for all.

Jesus is with us, even when we don't feel Him close.  He will always be our hope in the darkness.  The plan he has for us (remember Jerimiah 29:11), will never be what we expect, but it is always His plan.  Jesus' goal for our life is that we stay close to Him, stay close to His plan.  It may mean we need to endure adversity and heartache.  Yet, He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).  He is there for us, even in our darkest hours.  Have simple faith!!

 Dearest Jesus, continue to be our hope in the darkness we endure.  Shower us with your light, your hope and may our simple faith continue to believe in You.  Amen!

2023 Plans

 

Happy New Year!  Hard to believe that another year has passed by so quickly.  Once again, everything seemed like a blur in the journey of life.  There were good times and challenging times.  There were times of happiness and times of sadness.  There was loss and there was gain.  I know people who are ready to put 2022 behind them and move forward.  Others enjoyed all the moments of 2022 and would like to relive them again. 

From previous posts you may know I am not big on resolutions.  It is because I have set them over my years and have failed at most of them.   I have always looked to myself to see what goals I should set, what burdens I need to release, and what challenges I should face.  I have looked to ‘me’ to set my future!  I am certain I am not the only one who does that.  Self-talk such as “What changes should I make in my life?” “What should I pursue more of that I’m not doing today?” or my personal favorite, “What can I do to gain more happiness?” creep into my mind as I try to settle on new things for the future.  As I look over those questions, I become overwhelmed – the pressure to select just the right goals for the future.

Goals are wonderful as they can assist us in mapping out how to live our lives differently – whether personal or professional.  This year, I am going to look at this a bit differently, and not approach this from MY viewpoint, but from GOD’S viewpoint.   The verse for today is very dear to me – it is one that I tend to go to when I do not know where to turn.  We are not supposed to know our path – there is only One that knows about each turn we should make and each goal we should set.  The plans and goals for me are known by Our Creator, the One that knows all.  When I read and meditate on this verse, it points out to me over and over again the path I need to take – the one that follows God.

Should be easy, right?  I find it difficult. Releasing my life fully to God sounds risky.  Does He really have everything planned out – my hope, my future, my life?  Here is the good word my friends, HE DOES!  If we believe in our Lord, we will know that He brings to us all that we need – and much more.  He lays our future out for us.  He lets us see the journey ahead of us.  He provides us hope.  I think we could all use more hope these days.  God only asks one thing from us – to have simple faith that He is our provider, that He is our savior, that He loves us more than anyone else.  Simple faith will bring us our journey.

Through the encouragement of another, I am selecting one verse this year that I am going to pray on and rest in.  This year, for me, it is Jeremiah 29:11.  I am going to hold close this verse to my heart and ask God to reveal to me HIS plan, HIS hope, HIS future.  Yes, I will set goals, but I will do so with my Holy Father, not on my own accord.  This will not be easy for me, and it may not be easy for you.  Letting go is hard.  Yet, when God is in the driver’s seat, our destination will always be the right one.  Happy New Year!

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that YOU have our plan for us, and you are more than eager to share that plan with us.  We need to have simple faith that you will deliver – and you always do.  Grant us our plan, our hope, for the new year and beyond.  Amen!

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!