The Father Who Loves the Unlovable

"God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."~Romans 5:20-21 NLT

Have you ever felt unlovable by a family member?  You may have many friends and family that love you, but maybe there is that one family member that you feel just doesn't love you. I have a friend who has tried all her life to be a faithful and loving daughter to a father that demands perfection and only seems to love her for the works she completes rather than an unconditional love. The more she does for her father, the more he demands of her. In his presence she has no freedom to be who she really is because he mocks her faith and belittles most every human being he speaks about. Disagreeing with him at times has caused violent outbursts which sends her into the role of the child with her father the disciplinarian. She so desperately wants to be loved for who she is, but the reality, at least in her mind, is that she is only loved for what she does. She's not perfect, but she tries wholeheartedly to please her father, but it only takes one slip of not agreeing with him and she finds herself in a firestorm of anger, hate, and abuse.

After years of counseling from professionals and support from a loving husband, she continues to try to hang onto a relationship that is one sided. It's not balanced. The counselors have told her to let go, but she can't. I often wonder why when the pain is so deep and the scars so evident it wouldn't be easier for her. She can only be who her father wants her to be when she is in his presence or the cycle of abuse begins again. Grace is not a concept the father has ever understood or cared to grant to her. She can't explain to her loving Christian friends what it's like to not be loved by her own father. She feels alone and as if there is something wrong with her that her own father can't truly love her. She begins to question if she is actually lovable, or what's wrong with her?

So how to handle this heartbreak and pain she endures? When the tears flow, I remind my friend that God's grace is sufficient and truly unconditional. God accepts the fact that we are sinful beings, but  as the verse tells us, he "brought those sins to death." He did that on the cross. He knows her heart and feels the pain along with her. He is the only loving Father she may come to know, but He is all she needs. Her faith in God has been the rock that has held her together when at times she knows she couldn't without His help.

If you have someone in your life that doesn't love you for you, that you love dearly, please remember that God knows our hearts. Remind yourself that God's wonderful grace gives us the right to stand with God and spend our eternal life with Him. Do your best to hand the burden over to God, and when you're feeling unlovable, think of the sacrifice on that cross that was for you and for me. Now, that's a Father that loves unconditionally and life with Him is eternal.

Let us pray . . .

Heavenly Father,

Broken hearts can tear us apart on the inside. I pray for those that have come to know the pain of loving a parent that doesn't return love to them. Thank You for a love that is so big and so bold that even we cannot comprehend its blessing in our lives.  In the moments when we feel worthless and unlovable, may we find refuge in Your Love for us.

Amen.

Bind Us Together

"Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."~ Colossians 3:13-15 NIV

As strange as this may sound, when I was a young child I loved the smell of the school paste that was so readily available for classrooms in the 1960's.  I remember taking globs of glue out of the container and smearing it all over my paper so that I could paste on my cutout art pieces.  I would try to press the lumps out of the pictures, but even after it dried, it seemed that my artwork had taken on a wavy characteristic. As I carried home each piece, I was so excited and proud of what I had accomplished. I had taken something ordinary and in my mind made it extraordinary. 

Putting things together with glue is not always an easy task. If you've ever tried to put tiny and dainty pieces back on an object with glue, you know it can be a challenge. It's not easy work. It can be frustrating. 

I love the Bible verses that Paul wrote above that make me feel comforted and  uncomfortable at the same time. He writes, "Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony."  It makes me hum the song, "Bind us Together."  When we stand in a circle and sing this song with hands locked in one another, it's a great feeling, but what happens when we leave the circle?  Somehow that bonding loses something. That's where letting Christ rule our hearts comes into the equation.

Often times, it is so much easier to look at how others aggravate or annoy us than it is to think of ways we aggravate or annoy other people. We can blame it on circumstances, but when it comes down to it, it is a personal decision how we react and how we treat one another. I wish that meant we could all agree on everything. However, God created each of us unique and special, and honestly, we don't always think alike.  So, how do people that don't think or act alike bond in perfect harmony as the verse asks us to do?  

Living in perfect harmony seems to require two basic elements that are love and respect. If we are bound by love and respect, I think the verse above that says, "Let the peace that comes from Christ rule your hearts" is asking us to dig deeper. If we allow Christ to rule our hearts, we become peaceful people rather than offensive creatures. If someone tells you that they are voting a different way than you are, you focus on the love and respect you have for them rather than thinking they are wrong. If a friend's faith leads them to believe in a different way than you do, you focus on the love and respect you have for them rather than judging them.  It's that simple and that difficult all at the same time.

God does call us to be bound together. Remember the glue I wrote about earlier? You may end up with a few lumps or having to be very careful when you use glue. Things may not look quite the way you would like them to, but remember that little girl that came home with that dried wavy and lumpy artwork? It brought her happiness and joy even though it wasn't perfect. As we work to bind together as Christians, we have to remember that binding together may not always be pretty. We may have to sacrifice our pride and assertions at times for what God asks us to do. If Christ rules our heart, and we put love and respect into all relationships, we can trust that God will help us find peace within our hearts. If we learn to trust, God can take ordinary relationships and turn them into extraordinary ones. 

Heavenly Father,

As we come together in groups of two or more, remind us that you are the glue that can hold all things together. Help us to extend love and respect to all people regardless of their circumstances. We know it's not an easy task, but we trust that you will help us find peace in our hearts as we do our best to honor your teachings.

Amen.

Seeing Through God's Eyes

"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see."~Hebrews 11:1-2 MSG

Christian faith is a mystery in its own way because it honestly can't be defined in a box. This faith is a personal response to a loving God that also can't be seen or narrowly defined. Often what we see, can be confused, by what truly exists. It's only when we look beyond what we see, that we really come closer to learning truth.

My husband and I are very blessed to have a wonderful neighbor that is as close to a perfect neighbor as one could have. He is one of the most kind and caring people I've ever met.  What makes him unique is he's a little rough around the edges. He's not interested impressing people, but he is interested in caring about people. Sadly, he has been battling a terminal illness for the past couple years, yet, he refuses to let it drag him down. Each day he continues to beat the odds he was given when he was first diagnosed. A clinical trial drug has been a gift to extend his life. He lives each day to its fullest. He always has a smile and friendly word to share. Recently, I was very upset when a salesman made derogatory remarks about this neighbor assuming that he was some kind of low life vagabond. The salesman saw a man a little rough around the edges and judged him by sight alone. He had no idea what this man faces each day and the journey that has brought him to this place in his life. The salesman wanted to neatly define the man by categorizing him by sight alone.

Coming to know God, is a lot like coming to know the people around us. We have to abide in faith trusting that God has created all people and things with a purpose for us to learn more about the truth of why WE exist. Each person that enters our lives has a story to tell. Whether they are homeless or a CEO, they have been on a journey to get to this moment in time. The Bible verse above reminds us that God is our foundation from which we should stand to see. As we learn to see through His eyes we come closer to understanding truth. It's a lifelong process. It's so much easier to see through our own eyes, but judgement diminishes as we stand firmly on God's foundation of truth. We come to know God more intimately as we experience living life through His eyes. The added gift is that we come to know others in ways that God knows them as well. Our own purpose in life becomes more evident in this process because our hearts and minds will be led to see the true needs and value of others. We aren't randomly chosen by God without purpose; God has chosen each of us to fulfill a purpose in His world. 

So, today as we venture out into the world, remember to take off the sunglasses, and see with the Sonshine. Often times there is so much more to see when you look through the eyes of our loving God.  

Visionary Father,

When You created this intricate and beautiful world we call home, You had a vision of peace and harmony. Help us to stand firmly on the foundation of faith and truth You have created that will allow us to see through Your eyes, hear from Your ears, and feel from Your heart. Grant us the gift of learning truth that can only be taught by You.

Amen

"Do Something!"

Paraphrasing Judges, chapter 19:25-30 a horrifying story develops as a man gives his concubine to a group of men that rape and abuse her through the night. Knocking at the man's door the next morning she collapses. The man in horror finds her body in a clump. He dismembers her body and sends 12 pieces to the 12 tribes of Israel. He says to the messengers in the last verse, 'Say to every man in Israel: 'Has such a thing as this ever happened from the time the Israelites came up from the land of Egypt until now? Think about it! Talk it over. Do something!'" MSG


Last night, I watched the movie, "Brothers," and afterward I felt deep sadness for what our troops face in war zones and how they deal with it when they return home. I thought the movie was going to be about a love triangle, and in a way it was, but not in a romantic kind of way. The human spirit is always in jeopardy of being crushed because of the evil that exists in this world. It left me with this lingering question, "How does one go on when the pain of the past haunts the present?"


When I woke up this morning, I still felt an uneasy feeling about the movie last night, and for whatever reason Judges 19 popped up when I was seeking guidance on another Biblical reference. I was sickened by the story, but tried to focus on the lesson of the scripture. God has a way of weaving lessons into our lives. First the movie and then the scripture that both seemed dark and left me feeling challenged to find ways to deal with the fact that every day people have to move on when life changing events forever change them from the outside in. 


My first instinct was to ignore the Bible reading and move on to something that made me feel better. I'd rather not think of such horrible things. But, I felt God had purpose for placing this on my heart. I thought it interesting that the man could have just buried her body and tried to move on, but instead he moved forward trying to make a point that this is unacceptable. His next words were inspiring. "Think about it! Talk it over. Do Something!"  In other words, don't sweep this sinful ugliness under the rug, but instead come to the realization of what is happening and do something to make sure it doesn't happen again. It was a strong message to wake up!


The movie last night and the Bible story reflect the dark sin of what is happening in our world. God has asked us to be His light in even the darkest corners and to have eyes to recognize where the dark corners exist. Often we would like to move on and not talk about these things because maybe if we ignore them, they will go away. But, in reality, if we as Christians ignore the darkness, we become part of the darkness because we aren't shining God's Light.


"How does one go on when the pain of the past haunts the present?" In most of our lives, there are dark and painful situations that change us and/or those around us.The truth is we need to think about it, talk about it, and as the Bible scripture said, "Do something!"  Whether you send a note of support to a vet or someone who is suffering or whether you are a missionary in a country in turmoil, everyone can do something. Each of us have purpose, and we can't just ignore the painful suffering that exists. We need to shine God's Light in the darkness.


Heavenly Father,


The darkness and evil that exist can be overwhelming to the human spirit. It's like an infection that festers and causes pain. We ask you to give comfort to those that suffer especially those that suffer in silence.  Help each of us to give support to those that are in need and to shine Your Light where darkness exists.


Amen

Dried Up and Broken

"It is God who takes water from the earth and turns it into drops of rain. He lets the rain pour from the clouds in showers for all human beings. No one knows how the clouds move or how the thunder roars through the sky, where God dwells. He sends lightning through all the sky, but the depths of the sea remain dark. This is how he feeds the people and provides an abundance of food. He seizes the lightning with his hands and commands it to hit the mark. Thunder announces the approaching storm, and the cattle know it is coming."~Job 36:27-33 GNT



The thunder and lightening last night brought about some much needed rain in our near drought stricken area. The crops and vegetation of all kinds were truly suffering, and rain was desperately needed. Our yard was scorched looking like a dried out cut hay field in late August. The weather forecasters gave small chance for anything but spotty rain, but somehow we were blessed to receive the rain that the plants needed to sustain life. 


When we awoke this morning, there were new signs of life all around our yard. Every plant in the garden seemed to be standing a little taller and looked so much healthier than the night before. Patches of green in the lawn seemed to be surfacing everywhere. Rain is something we count on, but in reality we can't make it rain. We can pray and wish for rain, but we just can't make it rain. Honestly, we have no control over it.


As I walked around the yard this morning, I thought about those moments in our own lives that we can sometimes feel all dried up and broken like the grass beneath my feet. We can't wish that feeling away. We can pray and wait patiently for direction in how to move forward because sometimes we aren't able do it on our own. Moving forward is what we want to do, but we are stricken with the suffering, and it's taken all our power and energy away.


Often times in our lives, we find that God sends just what or who we need to survive the emotional and sometimes spiritual drought we are experiencing. When we pray for help, we give all our worries and needs over to God. It's what happens next that is like the rain that saves the plants in the drought. Sometimes, it's the friend who calls out of the blue, the friend who sends a note of encouragement, the friend that calls and needs your help, or maybe it's the friend that loves you too much to let you suffer alone. Strangers appear in our lives that seem to come from nowhere that touch us in a way that changes us. Being loved and needed are ways that God sends life saving CPR (Caring People Resources) right smack into our lives like a shower of rain in a drought. 


I've been through some of those droughts, and I can honestly say that I have felt like that grass in our yard as I wondered how I was going to keep going. But, through prayer, God continues to send showers of CPR (Caring People Resources) to breathe new life into me at just the right time. He sent a spouse that sends showers of faith and unconditional love into my everyday life. Stretching me into more communities of people is often painful since I'm more of an introvert, but I've been blessed abundantly by the people I've met and what they have taught me about them and about me.


Like Job alluded to in the scripture above, we all know there are things about this world that only God knows. God's wisdom is beyond our comprehension, and He has created a world that is amazing in so many ways. He doesn't have back up plans; He always has a foolproof plan in place.  Dried up and broken is not where we want to find ourselves, but when we are, how refreshing is it that God sends exactly what or who we need into our lives to restore and rejuvenate us? Yes, that much needed rain comes in one form or another when all seems hopeless, and in an instant, new life is breathed into us. 


Heavenly Father,


Thank you for knowing our hearts and minds in ways that are hard for us to comprehend. We give thanks that you send refreshing showers of CPR (Caring People Resources) into our lives during those moments of emotional drought and brokenness. We give thanks and praise for the abundant gifts and blessings that you provide for us.


Amen

The Gift of Common Sense

"My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble."~Proverbs 3:21-23


Have you ever had one of those moments when "you've decided" that someone else is upset with you and you don't know why? They haven't said it or approached you, but somehow you're sure by something that was said, not said, done, or not done that they must be irritated with you. Often what happens next is that you begin to change whenever you are near this person. Your feelings begin to lead you to behave differently in their company. You might even find yourself avoiding that person.  Suddenly an imaginary wall has appeared and strengthened in your own mind, and you've been the sole builder. 


These verses in Proverbs remind us of how important it is to not "lose sight of common sense and discernment." Common sense tells us that if there's a problem with someone, it is best to try to figure out a way to tackle the problem head on. Discerning and praying about how to approach the misunderstanding would be such a healthy direction to take. Unfortunately, it's easier, as I know, to build walls and avoid the conflict. By walking away with ruffled feathers rather than confronting the situation head on, I don't have to physically face the conflict that mentally continues to live on in my mind. 


Friendships take a lot of work, and I think these verses bless us all with some really good advice. If we discern and pray through our problems and use our common sense, we create healthier friendships and come to value others and ourselves in a much more positive manner. I wish I could say I have mastered this practice of communication, but on occasion I still find myself retreating rather than doing what I know is right. God has given us the gift of common sense, the key is learning how and when to use it. 


Heavenly Father,


Thank you for the gift of friendship in our lives. Remind us that true friendships can withstand the storms of life if we come to You for guidance as we discern the problem and use our common sense. Grant us the wisdom to be the kind of friend to others that we yearn to have for ourselves. 


Amen

Everyone Has Worth

"Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. 'What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?' Jesus, overhearing, shot back, 'Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.'"~Matthew 9:10-13 MSG


Last Saturday morning I was in Davenport, on my way to help on a mission project when I saw something that touched me in a very strange way. As I drove up the long Brady Street hill, I saw a long line of what seemed to be homeless and poverty stricken people waiting to give plasma. They were waiting for the plasma center doors to open so that they could earn a little cash. 


I started pondering the idea of how sad it is that the poorest of our population stand in line to donate plasma for a few dollars. But, then as I prayed about this I came to see it in a different way. God always provides in ways we cannot see. Sadly, people around the world need plasma for any hope of surviving particular illnesses. The general population has very few people willing to donate plasma for free. The poverty stricken are lifesavers for the sick and weak. The poor earn money for food to sustain life while the sick are blessed with the lifesaving plasma. Each are cared for in a very special way.


When I read this scripture, I thought about how often people don't see the worth in those considered to be riffraff in our society. The Pharisees were disgusted that Jesus would lower himself to eat with the "outsiders." I'm guessing those standing in line at the plasma center that morning would not be people that most of us would invite to dinner. But, it is exactly these people that Jesus asks us to reach out and help. Imagine how their lives could change if they were to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior? Each time we make an effort to help the poor, we are inviting the "outsiders" to come to know Jesus in a loving way through us. 


Jesus entrusts us with the responsibility to carry out His mission to help others come to know Him. The mission isn't just to love and support those that are easy to care about, but rather it pushes us to find ways to help the poor and weak, even those that may be considered riffraff. If we think the poor have little worth in our society, we might want to stop and think about that lifesaving plasma they give. Everyone has something to share, and everyone has worth in the eyes of Jesus.


Heavenly Father,
Open our eyes and hearts to the "outsiders" that are in need of coming to know You in their lives. Help us bring them into Your flock, so that together we further Your Kingdom. Give and grant us motivation and courage to find ways to go beyond the church walls to be Your disciples. 
Amen

God's Acceptance

"Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living."~Romans 14:1-9 NLT


Recently, I sat with a friend discussing some different theological understandings about how different Christians denominations understand their faith. Being a Lutheran, God's grace and love are at the center of everything we're taught and believe. Others preach fire and brimstone with the fear of God at the center. The variations are endless. Within each denomination, different theological understandings lead Christians to disagree on even the most basic Biblical Sacraments like Communion and Baptism. These are only two examples of many, many, more!


The verses above are what every Christian should pull out of their pockets when they find themselves divided rather than united on this mission to serve our Lord and Savior with other Christians. God is reassuring us that if we are "fully convinced" in our minds that we are properly worshiping and serving Him, He understands that we are faithful to Him. This doesn't give us a free pass to not grow and learn, but it does give us comfort in knowing that even when we don't agree with one another God knows that we are faithful in the theological roots that we have come to know Him through.


In a college speech class, I did my final speech on capital punishment. I was against it, and another student prepared a speech supporting capital punishment. I was determined to do whatever it took to sway the class my direction with my speech. I began by turning off the lights, asking the class to put their feet flat on the floor and their hands flat on the desk, and finally, telling them they could not move. My speech began in the back of the room talking to them about a fictional crime they had committed, and because of that crime the execution that was now going to take place. I tried to help them feel what the criminal feels before the execution begins. I talked about the sad childhood the convict had endured leading them to make so many wrong choices. As I continued this exercise, I told them that I was now going to flip the switch and their lives would end. I turned on the lights at the moment the execution was to take place. I walked to the front of the room, and it was the most captive audience I have ever had. I even had a couple of students with tears in their eyes. I won the class over to my way of thinking and an A+ on my speech. But, was I truly right about whether capital punishment should or should not ever be used? Not everyone feels the same way. I had found a way to sway the hearts and minds of the majority of the class to a different understanding.


Words and teachings have great power. After my speech, a student came up to me and shared their view of capital punishment had totally changed, and they felt they could never support it again. You see, what we are taught and how we are taught have a profound effect on who we are and what we believe. The Bible is at the center of all Christian churches. Each denomination decides where they will put the emphasis of their teachings, and each person reading the Bible interprets it a little differently. The teachings of the Old Testament and the New Testament often are in conflict with one another, and at times they complement one another. Quite honestly, you can't just pick a verse out of a hat to tell others that they are right or wrong. If that were true, women should still be wearing head coverings and  growing long hair. Anyone wearing a tattoo would be considered sinful for their action. That would take a lot of us out of the Heaven pool. It's as if the Bible is sometimes used as a weapon rather than the love letter from God that I feel it is intended to be. The Bible is so much more complex than that. It's a woven book of understandings. Each thread needs another to allow even more meaning to evolve. You count on the church leaders to guide you, but you still have the responsibility to discern the Word on your own. 


Once you've come to your own understandings through church leadership and study, God knows that you have come to be "fully convinced" in your mind that your life and actions are a product of your own individual environmental understanding. So, regardless of what denomination of the Christian church you attend, just remember that God knows your mind and heart. I'm guessing that He doesn't want our divisions in understandings to draw lines in the sand, but He would rather see us come together to build a sand castle of faith built with many different rooms. Each has its place in His Kingdom. Have faith that if your heart is in the right place, God will take care of the rest. Don't let divisions of Biblical theology take away from the strength that can be found in Christian diversity as we all learn from one another and this wonderful gift from God called the Bible.


Heavenly Father of All Christians,


As Christian churches find themselves interpreting your Word in different ways, we ask that You give us each individual direction in living our lives with actions that please You. Help us to set aside differences in theology as we come to understand that You know us better than we could ever know ourselves. Guide us to work together to further Your Kingdom.


Amen.

Who Are Your Friends?

"Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible. They've made a full report back to the church here, a message about your love. It's good work you're doing, helping these travelers on their way, hospitality worthy of God himself! They set out under the banner of the Name, and get no help from unbelievers. So they deserve any support we can give them. In providing meals and a bed, we become their companions in spreading the Truth."~3 John 1:5-8 MSG

Who are your friends? Seems like a simple question to answer, but recently during a Sunday sermon I found myself conflicted about how I would answer it. This question has haunted me for the past couple of weeks. The dictionary definition of friend is quite broad. It can be as simple as an acquaintanceship to someone you trust. Trust is at the core of lasting friendship in my life.When others check out my Facebook page, some may conclude that I must have lots of friends. However, I realize that within this group, I would need to use all the dictionary definitions to allude to why each person is on my "friend" list. I also find myself pondering this second question, "Who do I really trust with my inner most thoughts?" Yes, there are people from grade school to most every walk of life I've journeyed. But, how do I answer those two questions?

The American Social Review reported in the June 2006 issue that since 1985, 25% of Americans have no close friends, and the average number of close friends had dropped from four to two in that same time period for the other 75%. In November 2011, Matthew Brashears, an assistant professor from Cornell University, conducted a study that found of 2000 college students the average number of close friends was 2.03. This at an age when it seems friendships would be abundant and easily made. What's happening? In the Facebook era, you would think that we have come to know each other better than ever before, but instead we're becoming more isolated and alone in this world. Maybe it's easier to be a friend on paper or a computer than it is in real life? 

I began to evaluate by sorting my friends into groups. First, I thought about who I could count on in a tragedy. I counted six close friends that I knew I could call any hour of the day or night, and I believe they would be there. Now, with 399 friends on Facebook, that is a pretty small group. The irony is that three of the six I counted aren't on Facebook! I was questioning the purpose of Facebook connections at that point. But, then I decided to think about the group in who would act on a prayer request in my life. The numbers shot up, and I felt really blessed to have so many people that would care enough to intercede with prayer. I was starting to feel a little better about Facebook. Last, but not least, I thought about God laying the names, needs, and joys of friends that I've met throughout my life on my heart, so that I could pray for them when a post generated the opportunity to do so. Finally, the conflict and dilemma about whether Facebook had any real purpose in my life was calming within me. I could see God had a purpose to keep me connected. 

Yes, we travel along in this life meeting new people, making new friends, and learning more about life through each of them. Deep and true friendship takes a humble heart. In order to develop a close friendship, you have to be able to listen, understand even when you don't agree, care even when it hurts, love even when love isn't earned, and forgive even when you feel hurt. That takes a lot of energy! It's fun and easy to laugh together or share a Sunday pew together, but to be a real friend it takes so much more. If we can find our way to true friendship whether it be two or six, we should be thankful for the gift. We should also be thankful for those extended friendships with people that care enough to pray, hug, and love us in ways that lift us through the joys and trials of life.

The Bible verses from 3 John remind us that when it comes down to it, we are to be a friend to those around us even if they are strangers. They might not appreciate us or ever get to know us, but God knows that we are reflecting His love to others every time we extend any element of love and care in another person's direction.

Finally, I have found a little peace about Facebook friends. Yes, in some ways, some are strangers from my past, but each is a special child of God that somewhere along the way God may need me to step up and be His servant in an unexpected way. I find myself back at that key word: trust. If I truly trust God, He will use me in ways that don't always make sense to me, but in ways He needs me to be a friend to others. Reminds me of the song, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." I guess that's the model of the most endearing friendship we can seek in our lives.

Heavenly Father,

As we strive to be a friend to others, help us understand that sometimes a friend can be a stranger or one of our closest friends. Remind us that our purpose in this world is to make our faith in You visible to others. Even if we find ourselves alone and isolated at times, we know that we have a friend in You and no one can ever separate us from Your friendship.

Amen

Take Back the Wheel

"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires."~2 Peter 1:2-4 NLT


After spending the day with my grandson (age 3), I stopped to smile and think of some of his observations and curiosities about life. After some discussion about baseball teams, he informed me that Aunt Sherry is a Hawkeye fan. He said even though cats like to eat little birds, Hawkeyes aren't good for us to eat. Looking into his precious dark brown eyes, it took all the energy inside myself to not laugh out loud. I  replied that I agreed, and I, too, doubted that Hawkeyes would be very healthy for us to eat. 


The mind is an interesting place. One thought leads us to another, and the discussion can change in an instant. What we fill our minds with on a daily basis is similar to an interstate filled with ramps to enter and exit as we go. The daily main route is usually from point A to point B, but the ramps we choose often have many deviations. 


The road well traveled is that road where we feel comfortable like Interstate 80 from Chicago to Denver. You can almost put the car on cruise for the entire trip, and you have a good idea of what your surroundings will be and how to cope with them along the way. Few surprises are bound to pop up. You stay in the car except for an occasional food, restroom, or gas stop, but nothing really exciting happens. Often in our daily lives, we can be on that same trip. We find ourselves going through the motions with little thought about how the day progresses. Have we given up the wheel of direction?


A decade or two back, I decided to start taking back the wheel. I realized that what I watch, what I listen to, what I read, what I admire, and what I love can be strengthened when I make better choices. The more I filled my mind with God's word, prayed throughout my day, made better choices, and loved more unconditionally, I was amazed to find that my life and my thought patterns were changing. For example, every time we pick a television show, we are filling our minds with thoughts and ideas.  I started really thinking about what I absorb in my daily life. I made little changes like listening to Christian radio to help me think and dwell more in my relationship with God. As I tried to make better choices in all areas of my life, I could feel I was growing closer to God. 


I'm not saying I don't enjoy some good old rock and roll, or that I don't laugh myself silly at movies that really aren't morally sound on occasion, but what I'm saying is that I began to be more aware of the choices I was making. It's somewhat like a diet. We all know what is good for our bodies, but once in a while that ice cream sundae looks too good to resist, and honestly it's a joy to have one along the way. The point is that the diet keeps one on a healthy track, just as our choices each day keep us on track spiritually.


So, like my grandson, our thoughts tend to travel in all different directions. He hears stories about Cubs, Cardinals, Illini, and Hawkeyes, and comes to a conclusion that isn't of sound reasoning, but it's the way he's absorbed things around him at his tender age. As adults, the more we focus on and choose what we soak in each day, the more sound our perspective becomes as well. We need to take back the wheel on this interstate highway of life, so that we become deeply rooted in and devoted to what means the very most to us in our lives.


Heavenly Father,


Each day we make choices about what we absorb around us. Help us to take back the wheel as you help us steer in Your direction. Remind us that even the little choices we make throughout the day can make a big difference.


Amen.

The Seemingly Impossible, Possible!

"They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination."~Nehemiah 6:9-10


Over the past few months, my husband and I have been studying the Book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was quite an interesting man in the Bible. He was able to do things that seemed impossible, but he found possible through God. The lessons in this book of the Bible are endless, and so each time we read and reread, we find a new treasure nestled in scripture.


I thought of Nehemiah yesterday morning. I'm an early riser, and as I sat at my computer, I heard the vertical patio blinds behind me tap together. I thought it was Rosie, our family cat, but she was no where in sight. (She weighs over 14 pounds, so you can't miss her.)  About five minutes later, I heard the noise again, but still turned and saw no movement of any kind. 


What happened next couldn't be made up unless, you're a very talented writer. Across the floor faster than a child on a slip n' slide came a field mouse right past me. I should let you know that I am deathly afraid of mice. I screamed and my pulse rate doubled in a matter of seconds. The field mouse began a very strange configuration doing figure eights across the floor repeatedly; first going behind a couch in our family room, and then back through the kitchen around the table by the patio door. I didn't know what to do. He wouldn't stop.


Living next to the woods in an older house lends favor to mice finding the tiniest holes to come in and want to make themselves at home. Normally, the only mice I see are two or three we catch in traps during the winter. My husband is always the faithful trap cleaner, so I don't deal with the problem. But, there I stood screaming and standing on a chair with a mouse doing figure eights over and over again.


My first instinct, was to pray, "Lord, please help me figure this out." So, I prayed. I then called Rosie who had been sleeping on the job, and she came immediately. She seemed as stunned as I did watching the mouse go back and forth over and over again. I had hoped she would grab the mouse and end the problem, but, instead she just watched. So there we stood gawking at the mouse with an occasional scream to add to the scene.


And then, I came up with a plan. I opened the patio door about 3 inches wide, and as Rosie stood on one side of the table near the door, I placed myself on the opposite side hoping that somehow the mouse would consider going out the door instead of running right past me. It seemed like an impossible plan, but it was all I could come up with at that moment.


Well, seconds later, the mouse came between us on the figure eight course it had been traveling. It didn't know what to do as I stood in its path. It tried jumping up on the wall and came to realize that it wasn't able to climb. Rosie took a step closer to it as I closed in from the other side, and what happened next was absolutely unbelievable. The mouse dashed out the patio door onto the deck and ran for its life!


Sometimes things happen in our lives unexpectedly, and our first reaction is to believe we don't have the strength, courage, or knowledge to deal with it. Now granted a mouse in the house isn't a very serious problem, but there were valuable lessons for me to soak up from this experience. I found that I could overcome the fear of dealing with mice when the job fell on my shoulders. I learned that I could come up with creative solutions in the midst of chaos. Most of all, I was reminded that God is there for me to go to anytime that I don't know what to do. 


Nehemiah had great things to accomplish for God's people, but he counted on God to guide him one step and one day at a time. Most would have thought that his goals were impossible, but they soon learned that Nehemiah was counting on God as God was counting on Nehemiah, and the once thought impossible had become possible before their very eyes.


So, whether our problems are small or seem impossible, it's important to remember that with God, we navigate our way through them. I couldn't pray the mouse away, but I could pray for the Way to guide me. I found out that I'm stronger than I thought I was, and maybe, I'm a little less afraid of mice today than I was yesterday. 


Heavenly Father,


You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life that provides us with all we need to handle whatever comes our way. Whether the situation be small or overwhelming, help us to learn that leaning on you will help us tap into strength we may not yet know we have within us.


Amen.

Motherhood: An Undeserved Privilege

"Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."~Romans 5:1-5




Mother's Day is one of those days that I focus on how thankful I am that my husband and I were blessed to have children. It's also a time I think back about becoming a mother and the loving responsibility this gift has laid on my heart.


As a child in elementary school, I remember the career books in the little three room school library that I attended were a little different than what you would find today. The boy's and girl's career books contained stereotypical choices  that were once thought to be only appropriate for men or women. The books today are much broader and encourage children to look at any and all career choices, but I'll never forget a book that I checked out numerous times. The book showed careers for girls, and inside the pages was a wife and mother caring for her family. It was considered a career choice. I wish I still had access to that book because it would be delightful to peek inside those pages once again.


Even as a young child, I dreamed of having a family, and I prayed regularly that someday I could become a mom. That is what I wanted more than words can express. After graduating from high school, my husband and I were married.  Two weeks after our first wedding anniversary came a surprise bundle of joy that has forever changed our lives. I remember that intense feeling of love that was something so different than I had never experienced before. I knew from that moment on that this child was a miracle and a gift. 


Yes, we were young parents, but our love for God and this precious little girl, developed into a beautiful family. Three years later, our rambunctious little boy was born, and together, our little family, faced the joys and trials of life together. Often times, I feel uncomfortable telling others that we had our children so young, but in reality, it was all a part of God's plan to keep us on the right path. His plan for us to grow closer to Him was intricately woven in ways that I'd love to explain, but won't fit in this blog.


Parenting takes a lot of wisdom, and having God to turn to 24/7 led us through the storms of cars, boyfriends, girlfriends, peer pressure, heartaches, discouragement, disappointments, school, college, health issues, and uncertainty. I wish I could say I handled everything the best way it could have been handled, but in reality I failed many times. God's grace reminds me that even my failures are all part of the parenting educational process. Thank goodness for the gift of grace! I was learning as I went. But, as I look back our lives were so FULL of joy! My husband and I have loved being parents from the first moment we laid eyes on each of our two children.


So, you may wonder why did I pick these Bible verses to share today when thinking about motherhood? Being a parent and being a child of God are both undeserved privileges. Each teaches us that we have choices that help us develop endurance and character. As parents, the greatest gift we can give our children is raising everything that they are facing and all their needs to God in prayer. As we pray, God will provide wisdom to us and them as we navigate through life. As we grow to trust Him for everything, we will become more confident in His wisdom, and thus developing our own character and ability to trust that somehow we can endure whatever comes our way.


I give praise and thanks to God for the two precious children He entrusted my husband and I the privilege to raise in this sometimes tumultuous world we inhabit. It was an undeserved privilege as is the love God provides for us each moment of our lives. 


As Mother Day approaches, remember that mothers often have a tough job. It's only with God's wisdom that we can overcome the obstacles that will occur in a way that is pleasing to Him. Happy Mother's Day to the moms reading this, and to all those moms that brought you into the world. Wishing you a day filled with joy!!


Tender and Loving Father,


Thank you for the blessing of children that enable your own children to be loving parents. Grant us the gift of wisdom to guide those we love.


Amen.

The Power of the Word(s)

"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!"~Psalm 139:1-6 NLT


Email has opened up communication in so many different ways. We are able to stay in touch with others with one click of the mouse. Snail mail is used just a fraction of what it once was for correspondence purposes. This instantaneous communication resource leaves us faced with new ways of thinking about the words we choose to communicate and the responsibility that comes with them. 


Communication is the power of words that hold within them the responsibility to represent who we are and what we are trying to reflect to others. If you're like me, you've had that moment when you sent a friend an email that was misunderstood.  As you read back what you wrote, you suddenly began to see how the words may have been misinterpreted. The tone of humor couldn't be felt with that silly line you wrote, or the depth of your pain was looked upon in an accusatory way toward the reader. When a reply is received, you find yourself totally stunned.  How could this person not know me better than this? I wouldn't write something that would reflect that about me. Now,what to do?


Yes, we can find ourselves in trouble with the power of words. It's then, that we must turn to the power of the Word. Fortunately, God knows exactly what we meant in that email, and for that matter in every word we use. He doesn't misinterpret what we are thinking, writing, or saying. Oh dear! Now, that is going to get me in trouble. I continue to find myself saying things I wish I hadn't said, and when I realize that God knows what I said and the reason I said it, I can find myself wishing I could hide from God. But, as the psalmist writes, God's "knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!" He knows everything about me! Everything! Even before I ask for forgiveness, He knows my need for confession and forgiveness before I ask. 


Well, here comes that responsibility part that is often easier to put aside. If God knows us completely, don't we have a responsibility to examine our own hearts as well? Where did those words come from? What motivated us to make the wrong decisions? What allowed us to think that somehow we were more entitled than others? Even the questions are uncomfortable because I've had to ask them many times. The power of God's Word in Proverbs 14:20-22 tells us, "Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother. Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path. Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success." NLT We know who our main Adviser is,and in order to use the power of words in our lives to represent who we are, or even more importantly who God wants us to be, we need to study His Word to responsibly to stay on the right path. 


Words are such a gift. Each word we choose tells more of a story about who we are than the story we're telling. Don't underestimate the power of choosing not to use words. Some things are truly better left unsaid. So, stop and think about the words you choose to communicate with others and especially those you love. Do your words or lack of them reflect the love of Jesus in you?


Great Adviser,


Guide us through your Word to become more responsible with the words we choose in our daily lives. Let the words we reflect to others be honorable and bring joy to you.


Amen

Traveling Through the Valley of Weeping

" What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem."~Psalm 84:5-7 NLT


Decades ago, my mother-in-law shared hosta plants that she had dug and split from her yard with me. I had never grown hosta and wasn't sure how much care they would need. I quickly came to love hosta and their unique qualities. My yard is filled with many different varieties, and I find great joy in watching them grow. 


Sometimes, the hosta plants become too big for the area they are planted, and I have to dig and split them like my mother-in-law so lovingly did so long ago. The process of splitting hosta plants is an interesting one. If you want to move the entire plant, you have to dig all around the plant and remove it from the ground. The root system is similar to a turnip in consistency. It's a mass of root.  I then take a very long and sharp knife and cut through the root mass splitting the plant into two or more new plants. I often wonder if the plant feels pain during this process. It is now forced to change it's entire future growth because the root system that it was accustomed to no longer exists.  In order to maintain life, it has to accept the change.


Last summer, I was blessed to receive a couple new varieties of hosta to add to my many hosta gardens.  The problem was they had to be moved in late June. Needless to say, I wondered if they could handle the stress of the move when full seasonal growth had taken place. I also had to split them in order to have the strength to lift and carry them home. They looked sickly and terrible throughout the summer and fall. I cared for them by giving them extra water, fertilizer, and mulching. I didn't know what spring would produce, but I was dedicated to helping them through the transition. When spring arrived, those beautiful points erupted from the ground letting me know that the love and care I had provided had made a difference. They are growing into exquisite plants never revealing all they went through last summer. 


This past week, dear friends lost their son, and they are going through the Valley of Weeping that the Psalmist talks about in the verse above. Their pain is intense, and it has forever changed their lives. Their family root system has been split in a way that has left them devastated and yearning for what was rather than what lies ahead. Many weep with them wanting to care for them in any way they are able. They will need extra love, care, and support as they journey through the seasons ahead.  


This family has a strength that will sustain them. They are on a pilgrimage here on Earth to live their lives dedicated to loving and serving our Living Savior. They have no doubt that a day will come when they can reunite with their son. Sadly, like the hosta plants that I've split in my garden, they are forever changed. The change has occurred, and now they are faced with how to go on. It's at moments like these that God is counting on His people to step up and be His hands and feet in their lives. He sends us out to do His work in a world filled with brokenness. 


As the seasons pass, I know that like my hosta plants, my dear friends will be undergoing many changes. Their hearts are wounded from their loss and this next year will be transitional to their future. They will be growing a new family root system missing a part that was so precious to them. I am certain that as time passes that God will find new ways for them to become firmly rooted and once again be able to find joy in their days. I trust completely in that because God never deserts us in those Weeping Valleys. The refreshing springs of Living Water will arise.


Heavenly Father,
Let us pray for those traveling through the Weeping Valleys. The journey may seem dark and painful with each step taken. May we find hope in the refreshing springs of Living Water that will maintain and enrich life. 
In Jesus Name We Pray,
Amen

Confusion! What should I do?

"Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”"~Acts 19:31-34


Using our voices in this society can have quite an impact. Earlier this year, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation that has been raising funds to support breast cancer research, prevention, and treatments for the past three decades made a decision to pull all funding from Planned Parenthood that may have forever changed the foundation's future. After outcry from those that supported the efforts of Planned Parenthood, the foundation reversed their decision. When the decision was reversed, those that supported the initial decision to pull funding from Planned Parenthood, found themselves at odds with the foundation as well.

In a matter of a few weeks, this reputable breast cancer cure driven foundation had lost respect and support of many that championed their efforts. It's really frightening when you think about it. With this one decision all the lives that have been saved and all the good that has been accomplished was and still is teetering on what its future will hold. All across the nation, the support for Susan G. Komen races has substantially declined. Day after day I read that people are no longer willing to support this organization and are taking their donations and sending them elsewhere.

 In the Bible story above, the crowd was gathered and a mob was forming, and it became obvious that few even knew what they were protesting and couldn't distinguish the Jews, the Christians or the idol worshipers of Artemis from one another. Confusion had taken over. They were on different sides, but didn't really know who was on their side or not. The shouting continued, and it wasn't until it quieted down that they all came to realize that if they didn't all quit protesting that they would all find themselves in trouble with the Roman government because protests weren't allowed. They would all suffer if they didn't come to this realization quickly. 

This leads me to questions that I often find myself asking, "What is my motive in what I'm doing?" "Am I lost in the confusion of the problem that I can no longer see clearly?"  "Is my protest aligned with what is best for for God's purpose and plan, or is it just a protest to be protesting?" Wow! Tough questions!  Often we can find ourselves smothered by the crowd and in a state of confusion. It's then that as Christians, we have to take a step back and look at how God would answer these questions as He is watching our actions.

Different beliefs and opinions lead all of us down different paths of understandings.  The Susan G. Komen foundation made a decision that I'm sure they wish they had never made. They tried to "fix" it, but found that trying to fix it, only made it worse. So, we're all faced with the difficult question as to whether to continue support or not. After answering the questions above, I find myself looking at God's plan and purpose for the Susan G. Komen races. I've found my answer in my heart, and I hope that after asking yourself the same tough questions that God will lead your heart to His purpose and plan in whether to continue support or not. And remember as the crowd gathered in this Bible story, they soon came to realize that the protest itself was the real problem that came with consequence if they didn't find their focus.

Healing Father,
Please help us to not  be defined by the mistakes and sins in our lives. Help us to use our lives to show love and support to causes that protect and care for those that need it most.
Amen

Stuck in the Middle

"The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."~Genesis 2:9


Last Sunday, I found myself sitting in the middle of the pew with people on each side of me. When it was time to leave, I realized that I would have to wait until either one side or the other was finished talking and ready to exit because I was somewhat stuck in the middle. Sitting in the middle of the pew, takes away some freedoms, but it reminds me that as Christians, we often find ourselves sitting in the middle having to wait, listen, and then choose how to proceed.


This morning on the news an area comptroller has been accused of stealing over 30 million dollars from the city that had entrusted her with distributing the city's funds to the appropriate recipients. She found herself in the middle. The funds came to her office, and then she was to proceed according to her job description, but something happened, and now the question remains, did she use her middle position to work toward good or evil?


When reading this well known passage in Genesis this morning, I am reminded that each day we find ourselves in the middle more often than not. Every decision we make leads us to the next moment of our lives. It may be as simple as stopping at a red light rather than running it. Maybe running that light won't have a consequence this time, but maybe next time, we could find ourselves responsible for injuring another person or worse yet, taking the life of another. Each time we decide how to respond to a friend in need, we are in the middle. We have the opportunity to change their lives by being Jesus in the world, or to remind them how painful it is to not have Jesus in their lives.


Adam and Eve weren't unique to coming to the middle of the garden. Those apples from the "tree of knowledge of good and evil" are something we bite into each day. Jesus provides us the knowledge that we can rely on to help us make good choices each day that are pleasing to Him, but we sometimes fail. But remember, that "tree of life" in this passage? Perhaps, this "tree of life" mentioned so early in the Bible, is symbolic to the tree or the cross that Jesus hung on. It's where we go to remind us that when we fail using our own knowledge that we have somewhere to go for forgiveness. 


Life would be much easier if we could find a way out of the middle, but God has placed us right smack dab in the middle of this society. He is counting on us to look to that "tree of life" with every decision we make. Remembering and honoring that sacrifice on the cross each day of our lives will lead us to make better decisions. So whether, you're stuck in the middle of the pew, entrusted with great or small responsibilities, or reflecting the love of Jesus in your life with your thoughts, words, or deeds, remember that the "tree of life" is the place to turn for guidance.


Heavenly Father,
As we read this passage from Genesis, we thank you for the "tree of life." Help us each day to look to You for knowledge and cling to Your promises. Teach us that as we find ourselves in the middle, our direction away from the middle should always be toward You.
Amen

Daily Renewal

"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."~II Corinthians 4:15-17 NIV


Sometimes despite our best efforts, we may find ourselves in a dental chair with our dentist hovering over us reaching into our mouth with that dreaded drill. Today, I was a victim of a 25 year old filling that was leaking into what was left of my healthy back tooth. The compound in my tooth used so long ago was strong, but day after day, the stress caused the filling to chip away and break down. I settled into the chair, and then my dentist appeared with drill in hand.


As my dentist was drilling, I concentrated on relaxing and seeking that inner part of me where the Holy Spirit dwells so that I could do everything possible to keep the anxiety afar. I said a prayer for strength, and I knew the prayer was heard.  My dentist shared that he could still remember the day he put in the original filling. He told me at that time he felt I needed a root canal, but we would see how long the filling would take care of the problem. I made up my mind at that moment that I was going to do everything possible to avoid a root canal. He made the decision to remove all the old filling, so the drilling continued. When he left the room for a short moment, I moved my tongue, and I could feel that terrible emptiness. My tooth seemed vulnerable to anything at that point. Without a new filling, it would have no hope for survival. It would not be able to withstand the daily regiment I put it through. As he filled the tooth with a new compound, I felt such a feeling of relief to know that my tooth has a great chance to survive in the years to come. My tooth was renewed and was now protected by this compound that dwelled within it and filled it completely. 


I thought back to that original moment when I concentrated on the Holy Spirit coming to help me with the anxiety as the procedure began. I trusted that with His strength I could face the ominous drill. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but, I had a peace inside that I wasn't in this alone. My tooth without that filling could not survive in this world. It wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure of all that is expected of it. It would be broken and useless in no time. 


The verses above remind us that God is inwardly renewing us daily. Our bodies are the place that the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Without the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are very vulnerable, like my tooth, to not being able to withstand the pressures and expectations we deal with each day. The Holy Spirit goes with us and keeps our heart and mind safe from all we face. We know it's not always going to be easy, but we know that what we have inside won't chip away or break down. As the verse says, "the light and momentary troubles are achieving us for an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." We will have those moments that are difficult, but we trust that the Holy Spirit is that solid core inside that fills us completely and walks with us every step of the way, and we know eternal glory awaits when the walk is done.


Holy Spirit,


As outwardly, we find times that we suffer or face challenges, may your inward presence that dwells within us remind us that we are never alone. Thank you for renewing us daily for the journey to eternal glory.


Amen.

Strength in Suffering

"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."~Isaiah 41:10 NLT


Families are very complex mini cultures. No two are alike, and the chemistry between family members isn't always congenial. A friend shares the stress she feels as she continues to try to live her Christian values by example in a family that mocks Christianity and degrades her time and time again. She struggles with the balance of being a disciple and peacemaker, as the pain and depression brought on by the family culture she was born into and dwells within, continues to pierce her heart. It seems the more effort she puts into the relationships within her family, the more broken and oppressed she feels. A grown adult, there are times she comes to me like a helpless child unable to move forward, seeking comfort and unconditional love. 


The stories in the Bible about suffering for our faith are many. Yet, often the stories of suffering lead us directly to God for guidance. Prayers are heard, and  God often sends His children to those suffering so that they may feel His love and comfort through those He dwells within. My friend knows that she can come to me and many other Christian friends in her life that will remind her that woven in this relentless suffering is this unique and mysterious gift of God's love that can sustain those who love Him through any storm. Sometimes it takes someone to listen, someone to share a hug, someone to pray with, or just someone to sit quietly with to get through the worst of the storm. After the storm, there are often difficult times ahead, but feeling God's intense love at these critical moments, that one feels the inability to go on, is their means of survival. 


I don't know why so much suffering exists. The only thing I cling to is understanding the above verse from Isaiah that tells us that God is with us and He will strengthen us. He doesn't just say that He will hold us up, but He says He will hold us up with His victorious hand. Victorious reminds me that after the suffering, there will be victory if our trust is placed in our living and loving God. At those critical moments when my friend feels like she can't go on because the pain is so immense, I'm humbled that God may use me to be the person she reaches out to at that time to help her feel His strength. I've seen her become stronger as the years pass, but on occasion, she shrinks into that little girl so alone and so afraid. She may never be able to entirely escape the suffering, but she trusts that as the storms of suffering arrive she will find her strength in the Lord.


Heavenly Father,


Sometimes as your children, we may feel like outcasts in society and even possibly in our own families. Thank You for the reminder that regardless of how dark the storm, You will provide the strength we need to move forward. Thank You for the people You send into our lives in those critical moments that mirror Your love for us. 
Amen