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.