With the Ringing of the Phone

I have a confession to make.  Sometimes I wonder if God is really listening to my prayers.  I know intellectually that He is, but there are those moments when my emotions tend to override my intellect and I find myself wandering through a wilderness experience in life questioning whether or not the Lord is listening to my cries for guidance and strength.  If I were tempted to beat myself up over that moment of weakness, the devil would surely be more than happy to help me do so.  Sometimes faith is just plain hard work done in the face of what seems to be overwhelming evidence that we're in this thing called life pretty much alone.

The truth of the fact is simple:  Faith is only real, growing faith when it's all we have.  No evidence.  No clear indication of God's hand at work in a situation.  No real human reason why we should believe that the Lord cares for us and is always listening and working on our behalf.  Faith is simply faith.  It is a strong belief in God based on spiritual apprehension (understanding) rather than proof or immediate verification.  Often, our faith is all we have to hold onto during tough or uncertain times.  And every time we exercise faith, God not only sees, but He rewards us for that.

Earlier this morning I was sitting in my recliner praying about a certain situation that currently exists in my life.  It seems as if I've been praying about it for quite some time now, but I still do not have any clear, concise answer as to what is happening or what the future holds for me in this regard.  Today, I asked simply:  "Lord, if it is Your will, please give me just a glimpse into Your plan.  I'm weary in waiting, and I need Your strength and assurance to continue on in the battle."  I picked up my Bible and opened it to the book of Job. 

"There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blamelss and upright (righteous), and one who [reverently] feared God and abstained from and shunned evil [because it was wrong]."

(Job 1:1)

During the time of Job, righteousness was measured by adherence to the Law of Moses.  However, with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, righteousness became available to all who choose to accept His sacrifice and identify with the Son of God as personal Lord and Savior.  Therefore, by virtue of my salvation through Christ, I am righteous in the eyes of God... not perfect, mind you, but righteous nonetheless.  

"For the Lord delights in Justice and forsakes not the righteous."  (Psalm 37:28)

I am assured today that God is listening to my prayers.  The telephone rang during my Bible study and it was to offer me a glimpse into what might be ahead for my ministry.  I still don't have all the answers, but God has graciously and lovingly reassured me that He knows the desires of my heart and He wills to give them to me in His perfect timing.  So, today I will tackle the challenges of this day.  Tomorrow is still unknown... to me, that is.  How I rejoice in the omniscience [infinite knowledge] of God.  In Him, I can rest with the assurance that all will come to pass as it should and at just the right time.  To borrow a phrase from an old commercial, "Oh, what a relief it is!"

"Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.  Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart; commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of you load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.  And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun of] the noonday.  Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him."

(Psalm 37:3-7a)

It Could Be Michigan!

Wow, what a week it's been!  My husband and I traveled up to Michigan to meet our brand new baby granddaughter and spend time with our family and friends there, but we never expected to be greeted by the kind of weather we encountered.  Most mornings began with temps in the single digits and wind chill factors of well below zero.  Snow fell almost continuously, mounting up into giant white peaks everywhere we looked.  Driving on the highways required patience and skill.  Numerous reports of horrible accidents filled the television newscasts.  By the time our week had come to an end, Bob and I were more than ready to aim our Buick southward and exit Michigan without looking back.  Nonetheless, we wouldn't trade that week for all the gold in Fort Knox.  It was a blessed time of laughter and love shared with those who are so very important in our lives.

We arrived back in South Carolina on Monday, where the temperature was a balmy 64 degrees and the skies were a brilliant, cloudless blue.  My hubby washed a week's worth of salt and road grime off our Buick while I unpacked and reorganized inside the house.  All the while, the weather forecasters were predicting doom and gloom and issuing winter storm warnings for the whole of South Carolina.  It seemed almost surreal to me.  After all, nothing could quite measure up to what we had just left behind, so worrying about 2 to 4 inches of snow seemed like a waste of energy to me.  I guess in the end, it's all a matter of perspective.

Life is a bit like that, I think.  There are those times when things seem out of control, threatening, and even dangerous for us.  At times like those it is difficult to navigate the road ahead of us, and if we're not cautious we may end up in the ditch of despair.  Somehow we seem to make it through the storm and emerge on the other side with a greater appreciation of the clear skies and sunshine there.  Nevertheless, we may be reminded that even in the best of times, another cold blast of life can be hiding just around the corner. 

Here in South Carolina the newscasters have urged people all day long to be prepared for the possibility of power outages, frozen pipes, and dangerous outdoor conditions.  They have encouraged us all to put fresh batteries into the flashlights, wrap our pipes to prevent freezing, and keep stocked up on all the food staples.  Surely, being well prepared for the incoming inclement weather will keep our discomfort to a minimum.  And so it is with life as a whole.

Sometimes, during the bleakest winters of our lives we forget that there are sunny, warm days ahead.  Conversely, while enjoying the warmth of pleasant days, we may forget that life can change overnight and without warning.  We would be wise to make spiritual preparations that will see us through the worst of times and practice praise to acknowledge the best of them.  Living in a constant state of thanksgiving, acknowledging and praising God for His loving provisions, and carefully studying the Bible for insight into how we are to live according to the Lord's purpose and plan are all those preparations which will keep our discomfort to a minimum when the storms of life assail.

The weatherman says this snow event will only last for a day or two.  By the upcoming weekend we should be back into the upper 50's or lower 60's with plenty of sunshine.  It may be winter now, but spring is just around the corner.  And even at its fiercest, the winter of 2014 in South Carolina could certainly be worse... it could be like winter in Michigan! 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I Am Not a Punching Bag

God never intended for me to be a punching bag... not for others or for myself.  All too often I launch attacks upon myself in condemnation of all the things I am NOT and all the things I do WRONG.  Although I am usually quick to overlook and/or forgive the shortcomings of those around me, it seems much more difficult for me to recognize that I, too, am a human being, with all the weaknesses and faults that come with the territory.  Here, however, is the good part-- through the power of the blood of Christ I am made holy and complete in the eyes of God.  My sins and shortcomings have been forgiven, and that means the sins I committed in the past, those I will commit today, and the ones that await me in the future.  Sin exists in this life.  As a human, I cannot escape that fact.  But glory to God, I do not have to succumb to sin and live in constant self-deprecation because of it.

I am not a morning person.  By that I mean that I am not at my best early in the morning.  Typically, I need at least one good cup of coffee to prime my motor and get me started for the day.  After nearly 33 years of marriage, my husband has come to recognize this fact and is willing to overlook my shortcomings in that area.  In fact, he more often than not chooses to simply allow me to sleep until I am ready to awaken naturally, even if that means he has to prepare his own breakfast and pack his own lunch before heading off to work.  He even chooses to be especially quiet and close the bedroom door so that the lights and sounds of his morning preparations do not disturb me.  I must confess that I have sometimes felt very guilty about that.  As a wife and homemaker who takes her responsibilities very seriously, I've often felt condemned over the fact that I sleep past the time that many of my friends do.  I've heard the stories about preachers who arise before the chickens and venture out into the woods with their Bible in hand to spend quality time with God.  I have even personally known women who get up before sunrise to prepare a full course breakfast for their husbands and families.  I admire those people, really I do... but I am not one of them.  However, I have come to understand that once I do get out of bed, I rarely stop moving and working throughout the day and usually accomplish far more than most of my friends and acquaintances.  It is not the number of hours that I am awake... it is how I choose to use the number of hours that I am awake that matters.  So, I have chosen to accept that God made my body in such fashion as to require a bit more sleep in the morning and stop beating myself up over that fact.

When we look at other people and judge ourselves according to their examples, we will almost always end up either feeling badly for our shortcomings or glorifying ourselves for being "so much better" than someone else.  Let's face it, there will always be those around us who are in worse shape than we are.  Perhaps their finances are in a worse mess than ours.  Maybe they weigh more than we do and are less dedicated to a healthy lifestyle.  They may not spend as much time in prayer and Bible study as we do.  However, it doesn't take much looking to find those who far exceed our accomplishments in all those areas.  Each one of us is a unique individual with our own particular strengths and weaknesses, and we have been created by Almighty God to serve Him despite any obstacles we may perceive in this life. The Apostle Paul says it this way:

"Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves!  However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely."  (2 Corinthians 10:12, Amplified Bible)

We must guard against the mistake of comparing ourselves to those around us.  God has not intended for all His children to be exactly the same or to have the same spiritual gifts.  His desire is that we each become the unique and productive individual He has designed us to be and to use those gifts He has specifically given to us for His glory.

I believe the greatest hindrance to our service for the Lord rests in our self-condemnation and the mindset we develop over those things we see as weaknesses in ourselves.  We spend so much time beating ourselves up that Satan really doesn't have to expend much energy on us in order to make us ineffective witnesses in this life.  If only we could focus on those things we're doing RIGHT, and stop worrying about all we're doing wrong, we could surely accomplish amazing things for the kingdom of God on this earth.

I am not an early morning person, but once I get out of bed (usually sometime around 8:00 a.m.) I am ready to hit the ground running.  In fact, I am even able to discipline myself to arise at 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday mornings so that I can get ready to head off to seminary classes and arrive in a timely manner for them, well-groomed and ready to learn.  I may not thoroughly enjoy those early morning days, but I CAN embrace them with a positive attitude and tackle the challenges of each one.  For the rest of the week, I am content to accept the requirements for sleep that my body needs, knowing that once my feet hit the floor I will be well-rested and have a clear mind to accomplish all God has for me to do that day.  While someone else is taking an afternoon nap to make it through the day, I am at my peak performance level and will be able to successfully complete whatever it is I choose to do.

I may not always measure up to some man's (or woman's) standard of what they think I should be, but praise God I no longer feel the need to do that!  And each day I pray that God will help me stop placing my expectations onto those around me and allow Him to convict, to change (where and when necessary), and to work in and through everyone who loves Him and is "...called according to His purpose."

"But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work.  He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without  [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor."

(Galatians 6:4, Amplified Bible)

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

It is not uncommon for me to awaken during the night with a need to use the bathroom.  For most of us over 50 years of age, this is a commonplace occurrence and one that we simply take in stride.  I generally wander across the bedroom in the dark and make my way to the toilet and back to bed almost by sheer instinct, to simply drift back off to sleep.  Last night was a bit different, though.  I awoke in the earliest morning hours to make my constitution journey to the bathroom, but as I arose from the bed a rather "sick" feeling swept over me.  I became aware of a dull headache immediately.  As I slowly navigated through the darkness, a sense of nausea began to creep in.  By the time I made it back to my bed I was wondering, "Am I coming down with something?  Why do I feel so sick?"  Since my husband and I are fully involved in planning a trip to Michigan to spend time with our daughter and her family and to meet our newest grandchild for the first time, I was understandably concerned that an illness setting in could derail all our plans.  I got back into bed, settled myself, and chose to go back to sleep with the hope that morning would bring a better sense of wellness.

As is always the case, morning did indeed arrive right on time.  My husband had risen earlier than I and was already gone from the house to make an early morning business meeting with a colleague.  I sat up in the bed and quickly began to realize that the "sick" feeling from the earlier hours had not dissipated.  My stomach was unsettled and a dull throbbing had taken over my head and neck.  The first question I asked myself was, "Did I do something last night that would have resulted in me being sick today?"  By that I mean, did I choose to eat something unhealthy that might have upset my stomach?  Had I made dietary choices that could now be affecting my blood sugar and/or blood pressure?  Did I allow myself to go to bed feeling angry, without resolving whatever might have caused that anger to well up within me?  Was I harboring any bitterness or unforgiveness in my heart against someone?  I can honestly say that my answer to all these questions was "no."  You see, sometimes the "sick" feelings we experience in life are simply the consequences to unwise choices we have made.  However, since my conscience was clear I determined that this low level malady was simply Satan's way of trying to interfere with my joy and contemplation of our blessed reunion with our daughter, son-in-law, and precious grandchildren... and I refused to accept it.

I got up from bed, turned on the television to hear some anointed preaching from a couple of dedicated Christians whom I admire and support, poured myself a cup of coffee, and took up residence in my favorite chair.  First, I listened to about half an hour of good Gospel preaching.  Next, I turned off the set and went into the bedroom to get dressed for the day.  I began to straighten things up in the house, but not before I chose to go open the window blinds so the sunshine could stream into each room.  I made the choice to tackle my daily responsibilities with an attitude of joy and thanksgiving for each of the marvelous gifts God has given to me.  Since I know that "The joy of the Lord is my strength" (Nehemiah 8:10b), I could navigate the responsibilities of this day in complete assurance that His strength and grace is always sufficient.

II Corinthians 12:9 says it this way:  "But He (the Lord) said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.  Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!" 

To me that means God is ready to help me deal with any "sick" feeling that may come my way in life.  He is a God of immeasurable love and is not the giver of illness.  When I could not honestly identify any sin in my life that had led to my ill feelings, I was confident with the knowledge that they were coming from the Enemy.  No problem... God has given me authority (through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit) to bind the enemy.  Jesus said, "All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me."  (Matthew 28:18)  As a redeemed child of God, I have been given everything Jesus possesses by virtue of my adoption into the family and by the power of His cleansing blood.  All too often I simply do not choose to appropriate that power on my own behalf.  I am quick to pray for healing in other people's lives, but sometimes I fail to recognize the power I have to claim healing for myself.

I have finished my housework for the morning, have enjoyed a few minutes of good preaching on the television, and am now completing my most recent post to this blog.  When I finish this, I'll be entering into a time of Bible study for myself.  I bet Satan is aggravated to pieces over my victory... and I am celebrating it wholeheartedly.  There is a lovely little chorus that says,

 "In the name of Jesus, in the name of Jesus, we have the victory.  

In the name of Jesus, in the name of Jesus, demons will have to flee.  

Who can tell what God can do?  Who can tell of His love for you?  

In the name of Jesus, Jesus, we have the victory!"

If you are feeling "sick" today, ask yourself if there's something you are doing or have done which is contributing to that.  If the answer is yes, confess it, accept God's forgiveness, and move on (leaving that sin behind you).  If the answer is no, then recognize that the Devil will use anything he can to prevent us from experiencing the joy and power of God in our lives.  Rebuke that feeling today in the name of Jesus, call upon the Holy Spirit to empower you, and go forward with the knowledge and confidence of a Father who loves you and desires the best for every part of your life.

"The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield;  my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him.  The Lord is their [unyielding] Strength, and He is the Stronghold of salvation to [me] His anointed.  Save Your people and bless Your heritage; nourish and shepherd them and carry them forever."

(Psalm 28:7-9)

Keeping Things In Order

My youngest daughter once complained to me, "Doing housework is like trying to string beads with no knot at the end of the string."  I suppose to some degree that statement is true.  In fact, on occasion I've been known to say that I no more than get the kitchen cleaned up from one meal than it's time to start work on preparations for the next one.  The laundry hamper is never completely empty, and dust settles back onto the furniture just moments after I've gone through the house with my Swiffer in hand.  And don't even get me started on fingerprints that instantaneously appear on the storm doors immediately after I've diligently cleaned the glass to a sparkle.  Perhaps the realization of housework is what gave birth to the saying, "A woman's work is never done."

I remember one day some years ago when I was damp mopping the kitchen floor following supper.  My husband walk through the room and casually stated, "I don't know why you're doing that.  You clean things that aren't even dirty yet."  Of course, he had not really taken a close look at the floor prior to making that judgment.  Hidden beneath the table was a layer of crumbs and droppings from breakfast, lunch, and supper that day.  Over by the back door, shoeprints heralded the comings and goings of three children and a husband who could never quite get the hang of removing their shoes when they came indoors.  Just in front of the stove, a sticky spot reminded me that not keeping an eye on boiling potatoes can end in catastrophe.  Oh yes, the floor needed a quick mopping to clear away that day's deposit of family living.  My reply to Bob's observation was, "It's much easier to keep something clean than it is to clean it after it's gotten really dirty."

In our spiritual lives there are daily clean-up activities that we should do if we're going to protect ourselves from an accumulation of  "dirt."  When we begin each day with prayer, it's just a little bit like making the bed.  Once finished, we know we can launch into our day without that feeling of guilt associated with having an unmade bed lurking behind the bedroom door.  As we do some daily Scripture reading and Bible study, our eyes and hearts are opened to areas of life where we need to accomplish a little clean-up.  Getting to the matter quickly prevents a build-up of problems that are always much more difficult to handle.  When the fingerprints of harsh words, a quick temper, jealousy, or bitterness appear, we have the ability to instantly wipe them away by turning to the Holy Spirit for strength and sanctification.  If we overlook any of our spiritual life, the "soil" of  this world can leave a nasty mess behind that may be very difficult to clean away.

Housework is not always fun, but I've found that when I have completed my work for the day, I feel empowered and free to enjoy anything else I choose to do.  If I leave the house for some reason, it's always a good feeling to come home to a neat, tidy, and clean home at the end of the day.  It is a haven from the outside world, a place of comfort and rest.  In like fashion, when I begin my day with prayer and Bible reading, everything else just seems to go much more smoothly, and when nighttime approaches I can crawl into bed with a sense of peace and restfulness that comes from knowing my spiritual house is in order.

"My son, keep your father's [God-given] commandment and forsake not the law of [God] your mother [taught you].  Bind them continually upon your heart and tie them about your neck.  When you go, they shall lead you; when you sleep, they shall keep you; and when you waken, the shall talk with you.  For the commandment is a lamp, and the whole teaching [of the law] is light, and reproofs of discipline are the way of life."

Proverbs 6:20-23 (Amplified Bible)

Everyday Miracles

2014 has arrived.  In our household, it almost sneaked in on us.  In truth, I went to bed before midnight on New Year's Eve and my husband was asleep in his recliner when the ball dropped in Times Square.  It was an uneventful beginning to what promises to be a tremendous year.

In the coming months of this new year we will be welcoming our tenth grandchild into the world, which will require we make a trip back to Michigan.  During that visit, we will reconnect with friends and family who live there.  Our oldest grandchild, Benjamin, will be finishing up his basic training in the Air Force and heading out for advanced training followed by his first duty assignment somewhere in the world.  Our middle daughter, Somer, will be completing her basic law enforcement training to become a fully licensed and certified policewoman for the State of North Carolina.  Our son, Shawn, will be facing the challenges and triumphs of a significant new promotion at work.  My husband will be building a personal business from our home.  I will be launching into a new semester of seminary training with the goal of now achieving my Bachelor's degree (having completed my Associate's level courses in early December of 2013).  I will "walk" at my graduation ceremony in Georgia in June of 2014.  Bob and I will be diligently seeking a new church home and family where the Lord would lead us in worship of Him and personal spiritual growth.  All these marvelous things... and more... will happen in 2014.  And yet, the year entered without fanfare, almost unnoticed by either Bob or me.  It seems strange that such a momentous new beginning should occur without great pomp and circumstance.  And yet, in all of my life I find that the most significant occurrences entered quietly into my days.  With only a few exceptions, there were no ostentatious displays of fireworks, no magnificent pageantry, and no stately processions that accompanied them.

When we contemplate God's miracles we are tempted to look only at those grand displays such as the parting of the Red Sea, the feeding of 5,000+ people with a single loaf of bread and 3 small fish, or the instantaneous Creation of all the universe by a single spoken word emanating from the mouth of Almighty God.  Truly, these miracles are worthy of our wonder and awe.  Yet, more often than not, most of us experience a multitude of miracles in the happenings of our everyday lives and they go relatively unnoticed by us.  We rise in the morning able to swing our legs over the edge of the bed and stagger into the bathroom to rinse the sleepiness from our eyes.  We bask in the love of our family and friends.  We enjoy the comfort of a warm house, clean running water, and ample food for our nourishment.  Medications and health care are provided for our well-being.  Education is readily accessible.  We have the privilege of worshiping God openly in our churches without fear of governmental interruption.  The list of miracles we enjoy is endless, but most of them are simply taken for granted and blend into our daily rituals without splendor.

This year I want to be ever mindful of the tender mercies and abundant miracles of my life every day.  I want to live, more than ever, in an attitude of gratitude and amazement for all God is doing in and through me.  I desire to thank Him with greater sincerity than ever before for the gift of His Son and for the provision He has made for my eternal security in Him.  This year... this 2014... I choose to recognize God's love for me with greater awe and wonder.  I know that He has great plans for me in the days ahead, and the anticipation of them is as good as their realization.  I'm in for the long haul, Lord... and I choose to enjoy the ride!

"So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God."

(Ecclesiastes 2:24 NLT)

Love Doesn't Happen By Accident

I may never fully understand why God chooses to wake me from sleep at 3:20 a.m. and direct me to the computer to compose a post for this blog, but this much I do know... when I fail to follow that direction and choose to go back to sleep (thinking that I'll do it in the morning), when morning finally rolls around I've completely forgotten the message the Lord laid on my heart.  I admit that I've ignored His prompting on a few occasions, and every time the inspiration has faded from my memory.  Try as I might, I just cannot bring it back to the forefront of my mind.  So, this time I determined to get myself out of the bed and do what the Lord has asked me to do.  There will be time to sleep later.

This post speaks to the issue of love.  There are those who believe that love is simply an emotion that appears mysteriously in life and over which we have little control.  We even hear and use the phrase "falling in love" as if it were some sort of accident.  I believe that love is a choice we make.  It is a flower that grows and blossoms only when a seed has been sown, watered, and carefully nurtured.  Love-- real, lasting love-- never occurs by accident.

Loving someone takes effort on our part.  It's hard work at times, and occasionally it may not be reciprocal.  That is to say that although we're doing everything we can to love and show love to another person, he or she may not choose to return love to us.  Those times are painful, but we must realize that we cannot control the thoughts, feelings, emotions, and actions of anyone but ourselves.  Love requires action.  It is the daily choices we make for the way we treat others that waters and nourishes the seed of love. 

There are those days and times when I do not "feel" very loving toward my husband.  Perhaps I've just picked up his dirty socks lying on the floor next to the laundry hamper for the umpteenth time, or maybe I've once again cleaned the oil and grease stains from the bathroom sink only fifteen minutes after having just tidied up the entire house.  Maybe I've not slept well the previous night and replacing the empty toilet paper roll for the millionth time seems like more than I can stand.  I may be tempted to fly into a fit of anger and let my dissatisfaction be known, but more often than not (praise the Lord) I am able to make a better choice.  It requires that I carefully weigh the overall actions of my husband and embrace the fact that on a daily basis he chooses to faithfully head off to work every morning so that we can live in this lovely home, have plenty of food to eat, drive a reliable automobile, and pay the bills associated with our lifestyle.  He seldom voices any complaints about his job, and he maintains a steady, unswerving devotion to me, to our children, to our grandchildren, and to many other friends and family members.  When I take that moment to consider all Bob does and the multitude of ways in which he expresses his love for me, it's easy for me to take a deep breath and harness my tongue.  In those moments I choose to act in a loving way despite any temporary aggravation I may be facing.  Now, I admit that I am not perfect in doing this, and on rare occasion I have been know to spout off and let my irritation be known, but down through the 32 years of marriage we've enjoyed that's not happened very often.

You may have heard the expression, "Is this a hill you really want to die on?"  Sometimes I just have to ask myself if the aggravation of the moment is really worth the energy it takes to get upset or the possible backlash that might occur from a choice I could make.  Most often I determine it would be better to simply overlook the minor irritation by remembering the multitude of ways in which Bob expresses his love and devotion to me.  If I am truly bothered by some action he's taken, I will wait until the anger in me subsides and then choose to sit down and quietly talk to him about it later in the evening, when surface emotions are no longer in control of my response.  More often than not, just waiting for those few hours completely does away with my anger and I simply choose to forget the incident and enjoy a quiet evening in the company of this man I love and respect with all my heart.

As I write this post, I can honestly say that I've not been angry with my husband recently, so I'm not really sure why God has put all this on my heart.  Perhaps someone reading my blog is struggling with choosing the right actions that will nurture love in their life.  Then again, maybe I just need to be reminded that I have choices to make every day in expressing my love to those around me.  Love does not just happen.  It is a choice.  It requires work on our part if it is to grow and blossom into the beautiful flower we all desire.  I pray that you might know great love in your life and that you may choose to nourish that love with every choice you make.  One day you'll have grown a glorious garden that will bring joy to your heart and pleasure to all who see it.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

(I Corinthians 13:4-7)

Waiting on God

It has never been easy for me to wait, but the longer I walk in faith with the Lord the more I come to realize that waiting for His perfect timing in life is something I must learn to cultivate.  Recently, I completed all the requirements needed to receive my degree from seminary.  However, because the institution only holds graduation exercises once each year (in June), I must wait until that time comes around in 2014 before I can "walk" and receive my actual degree on paper.  That's just the way it is, and my complaining or wishing it would be different will not change that.  It would only make me miserable to myself and everyone around me. 

At this time we are awaiting the birth of our tenth grandchild, to be born early in this new year.  As I talk to my daughter over the phone I hear the weariness in her voice and the desire to be done with the pregnancy aspect of this newest arrival.  She longs now to hold that baby in her arms and interact with him or her face-to-face.  The waiting time seems unbearable.  She knows, however, that trying to rush the birth could be dangerous to herself and most certainly to the child forming inside her.  The baby's lungs are not quite ready for their work outside the womb.  As each day passes the child grows stronger and more prepared for the rigors of the birth process and entry into this world.  So, with patient understanding, our daughter waits on the Lord to determine that exact moment when a new life will enter into humanity.  We will certainly all share in a glorious celebration when that time comes.

2014 promises to be a time of change for my life.  I am leaving a staff position with a church where I have served for the past 3+ years and have no real idea exactly where God will be sending me.  I do know that He has asked me to step out in faith once again and to trust Him to lead and direct my path.  For now, it would seem, the Lord has determined that I should wait and rest as I ready myself for further service.  I must admit to feeling a bit worn out after a year of full-time schooling in seminary, a second training program at a different school, service to my church, and the rigors of being a wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker.  In truth, I know I probably really need a little resting time for renewal and preparation for all that lies ahead.

In the book of Ruth, we can read about this kind woman who was completely devoted to her mother-in-law, Naomi.  Ruth was willing to do whatever it took to insure that both she and Naomi had the benefits of a home and food.  She had lost her husband (Naomi's son) to death and could easily have returned to her own family, but she chose to remain with her mother-in-law believing that it was the place where God would have her be.  It is a touching story of devotion and strength in the face of deep loss.  Through Ruth's story we can learn that loss at any level does not mean that life is over.  The sun will still rise in the morning, and our lives will go on according to the choices we make.  We must choose to believe that God will "... work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His word."  (Romans 8:28)  Ruth continued to serve Naomi and placed her faith in God to provide opportunity for her along the way.  Indeed He did.  In fact, as Ruth obediently rested at the feet of Boaz, God began a miraculous turn of events that would end in bountiful blessings far beyond anything she could have generated through her own efforts.  (The book of Ruth is only 4 chapters long, and I urge you to read the entire story for yourself.)

Often in this life we are asked to wait patiently and believe on the Lord for His perfect timing and His bountiful blessings.  It is not always comfortable for us to do so.  For some of us, patience just doesn't come easily.  Nonetheless, when we learn to rest in God, we give Him the opportunity to work on our behalf to bring about things we could never dream for ourselves and certainly could never accomplish in our own strength or efforts.  We must let loose of the steering wheel so that God can drive us into the places where He would have us be.

If you have been fervently working to provide for yourself or others, perhaps it is time for you to take a rest and wait quietly upon Almighty God to do that which you cannot do for yourself.  Spend much time in prayer and allow your faith to grow until the fullness of His timing.  He will birth in your life that which you could never dream of doing under your own strength.  The story of Ruth is one of restoration and redemption which led to a place of honor for her in the bloodline of Jesus Christ.  What is God wanting to do in your life?  Do you trust Him enough to let go of the steering wheel and let Him do the driving?

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

(Isaiah 40:31)

Where Is Your Fruit?

For many years I read and heard the story recounted in Mark 11: 12-26-- the cursing of the fig tree by Jesus-- and wondered why such a strange account would be recorded in Scripture.  Since the Lord is never capricious, there must have been a valid reason behind His action against the tree.

First, it should be noted for clear understanding that a fig tree actually bears its fruit before its leaves appear.  In the early stages, that fruit is green and as the leaves come out it blends in with them almost seamlessly.  From a distance, it is impossible to ascertain whether or not fruit is actually present, but a weary traveler would simply assume the tree has something refreshing to offer him if he sees it is full of green leaves.  In this case, as purposefully recorded in Scripture, Jesus and His disciples had made that very assumption as they spotted the leafy tree from a distance.  They approached it believing that they would find some nourishment to aide them in their journey from Bethany to Jerusalem.  When Christ discovered there was no fruit on the tree, He pronounced a judgment against it ("cursed" it), and the tree withered and died as a result.

Believers should take special note of this passage of Scripture and understand that when we claim to know Jesus Christ it is expected that we will bear the fruit of the Spirit which should be living within us.  Going to church on Sunday morning, dropping a few extra coins in the offering plate, or even helping out occasionally with a church sponsored activity (when it doesn't interfere with something else we'd rather be doing) is not an indication of spiritual fruit in our life.  Religious profession and observances are not enough to guarantee our salvation.  If we have truly repented of our past lives and offered our heart to Jesus, the Holy Spirit enters in and begins to produce His fruits of  love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (self-restraint).  Although many profess to be followers of Christ, not everyone who claims the label "Christian" will produce the fruits of believing fully in Jesus and following in His footsteps.

God expects Christians to bear fruit.  James 2:14, 24, 26 tell us, "What is the use (profit), my brethren, for anyone to profess to have faith if he has no [good] works [to show for it]?  Can [such] faith save [his soul]?  You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes].  For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from [its] works of obedience is also dead."  It is easy for someone to claim to be a follower of Jesus.  It is easy to blend right into the crowd of Christians around us.  From a distance, those looking at us might easily assume that we are bearing fruit in our lives consistent with all we profess to believe.  However, upon closer examination (as they begin to know us at a deeper level) will those observers find us without fruit and unable to offer them any spiritual nourishment for their journey?  Just as the fig tree in this account of Scripture had run out of time to produce that which it was created to offer, we also will run out of time in this life.  If all we've ever done is give outward indications of productivity without truly developing any spiritual fruit in our life, we will be judged accordingly when our time to face Jesus comes.

It is important to note here that the Apostle Paul clearly stated, "For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith.  And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)  Our salvation does not come from anything we ourselves are able to do.  However, those who are truly saved and who have turned their lives over to the leading and control of the Holy Spirit cannot help but desire to produce fruit in keeping with their Savior's example.  Through that fruit others will be served and spiritually nourished for their own journey.  The work we do for the Lord is a clear indication of the level of obedience we are willing to show and the beliefs we hold in our heart.

As we approach the New Year, I encourage you to discover your Spiritual Gifts (and yes, every believer possesses at least one gift) and develop them so that you might use them for service to God.  Look for ways to make a difference for the Kingdom in the here and now.  Don't just blend in with the crowd.  Don't choose the label "Christian" for outward appearances alone.  Anyone can call himself a believer, but the proof of that will clearly be seen by the fruit he produces in his life.

"For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time}, that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]."

(Ephesians 2:10, The Amplified Bible)