Category Archives: Blog

Rely ~ Five Minute Friday

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“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

What Can We Rely On?

At the risk of sounding like my grandfather, “Back in my day, things were built to last!” For example, in the early years of our marriage we purchased a simple, ivory refrigerator. Boy did we feel like adults! Years later when we moved, it moved along with us and that fridge continued to work without a hitch for almost 30 years. 

Then, seven years ago we moved into our new house and with it came shiny, modern appliances. Would you believe that in that short time, we’ve had to have the ice maker in our refrigerator serviced on THREE different occasions? Our grandsons were here once while it wasn’t working so I’d made ice the old fashioned way. When I got the white plastic trays out of the freezer to give the boys a cube, they put their hands over their cups and said, “I want real ice!” Oh my how times have changed. But the truth is, we are spoiled and depend on our ice maker to spit out moon shaped cubes whenever we want them.

Here are a few more things I rely on:

~My cell phone to help me stay connected
~Air conditioning to combat the heat
~A key that always unlocks the door
~Our car to get me where I’m going
~The generator to provide power when there is none

What would you add? Whatever it is, guess what? Just like the 3X “new” ice maker in our refrigerator, these things on my list and yours can also, and probably will, fail. Things are dependable until they’re not.

Here’s a hard thought: People are the same. We want to trust those around us, especially the ones closest to us and in turn, they place their confidence in you and me. But, (and that’s a big but) no one is perfect and so, there comes a time when we too are reliable, until that is, we’re not. So what in the world can we rely on? The answer is nothing. There’s not one thing “in the world” that won’t let us down.

But, (and this is a bigger but) there is One, not of this world, that we can confidently put our faith in!

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”
Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8 (NIV)

So, here’s my new list of things to rely on:

~Jesus is our connection between Heaven and Earth
~He is the ONLY Way to avoid the “heat”
~God sent his Son to be our Key to eternal life
~Through Him, can we only be sure to get where we are going
~There is nothing that provides more power than the blood of Jesus

What would you add? Whatever it is, if it’s about Jesus, guess what? He. Will. Never. Fail!

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”
Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

As much as possible, you can “rely” that each week I will write along with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com Why don’t you click on over. You won’t be disappointed.

Replace ~ Five Minute Friday

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“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10(NLT)

Never Too Lost

If you’ve read many of my words here you know that I am a memory hoarder. Whether it’s a photograph, hand written note, trinket, song, or just a remembrance that slides into my thoughts, I treasure them all. It’s not that I live in the past, but rather that I cherish it. 

Many years ago when my children were young, my Grandma gave them my Grandpa Frank’s leather case full of keys to play with. Soon, they were used to start a “car” and later to unlock the door to a “house.” The kids loved those keys and so, when it came time for us to leave, Grandma told my son and daughter to take the keys with them. Believe me, they were well used!

Fast forward and we now have grandsons. When putting together their toy box here I thought of those keys and added them to the other things I’d collected. Once again they became a popular source of entertainment bringing an “engine” to life, unlocking a “treasure chest,” or whatever else a little boy’s imagination could come up with. And yes, I too loved that case of keys.

At the end of a visit several years ago as I put things back in their place I realized the well-worn leather case with it’s variety of keys was missing.  I searched high and low, over and under, in and out, but never found them. It seemed they were gone forever and it made me sad to think that I’d lost not just the keys, but something that could never be replaced, the connection they were to my Grandma and Grandpa Frank.

Life is funny. Early last week out of nowhere, those keys came to mind. I don’t know why, just that I once again mourned their loss. On that very day the temperature outside was cooler than it had been in a long time and on a whim I decided I was going to do some trimming in my flower bed. As I began to work it occurred to me that I’d received some fancy clippers as a gift and wondered where they were. I began digging in my gardening/bird feeding pile in the garage and found the tool at the bottom of the heap. As I lifted them up…..are you ready for this? There, lying on the concrete floor underneath the clippers was the beloved key case! I’m not going to lie, a tear or two of joy and thanksgiving were shed. 

How those keys got there? Why I hadn’t I seen them before? I have no idea. However, I do know a reignited memory, unexpected cooler temperatures, and the thought of a gift I could use to make my job easier all lead me to a pile where those long lost keys had laid for years, under the exact tool I was looking for. Coincidence? I think not!

What a perfect lesson for me and maybe for you, too.

We can find ourselves at times in an unexpected place that we’re not even sure how we got to or how to get back from.

We’re never too lost that we won’t be found.

Life circumstances may be heaped upon us, leaving us feeling buried and unseen.

We’re never too lost that we won’t be found.

Overcome with worry and fear, we often believe we’ve lost our connection to God and that it can never be replaced.

We are never too lost that we won’t be found.

Sometimes, we are that one sheep that wanders away from the other 99, goes astray, and lose our way.

We are never too lost that we won’t be found.

“For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.”
Ezekiel 34:11-12 (NLT)

Coincidence that God calls himself our Shepherd and promises to find the lost? I think not! He will look high and low, over and under, in and out, whatever it takes to bring us Home where we belong.  I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a memory worth holding on to!

Joining with the lovely group at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com . Click over to read their offerings on the prompt, “Replace.”

Leave ~ Five Minute Friday

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“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Waiting For Them To Leave

They’re still here. I have been waiting for them to leave for weeks now, but they just keep coming back. I’m talking about the grackles at my bird feeders which haven’t had food in them for the aforementioned weeks to try and convince those persistent, big, black birds to move on permanently, alas with no success. Not only do they swoop in and consume all the birdseed, they also keep the little, pretty birds from visiting. For one (me), who loves bird watching, this situation is discouraging!

I’ve been waiting for something else to leave too. Not just for weeks though, but rather for years and yet, they just keep coming back. I’m talking about big, dark, anxious thoughts. I try my best not to provide “food for thought” in the hope they won’t linger long. It seems to work for a while but then, they plunge right back in devouring my peace of mind while keeping the “Still Small Voice” at bay. For one (me and maybe you, too), who loves Christ, this situation is discouraging!

I know there’s nothing I can do to keep the grackles from coming around. There’s also nothing I can do about unwanted thoughts from invading my nights….nothing on my own that is.

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying pray. Let Petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

These days I try not to look out at the empty feeders but when I hear the familiar squawk of hungry grackles I rush to the window to scare them away. Maybe one day they’ll get the message and move on. 

I’m using the same technique with those pesky middle of the night worries. When I recognize their presence instead of as I like to say, rehearsing disaster, letting one distressing thought lead to another, I’ve instead begun to immediately rush to God to pray them away. Maybe one day MY little mind will get the message and the fears and anxious thoughts will move on for good!

Until then, just as I’m picky about the birds that I feed, I’ll continue to be selective in the thoughts I entertain too:

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”
Philippians 4:8 (The Message)

For one (me and maybe you, too) who loves Christ, fixing our thoughts on such things takes discouraging to encouraging; anxiety to peace. It’s wonderful when “Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Let’s leave it all with Him.

So, the lesson for us today? Simply remember this: worrying is “for the birds!”
(Sorry, I couldn’t resist)

Watch ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:24 (NLT)

Watching for True Colors

Our two older grandsons were here for a visit last week. I’d planned activities to do with them every day. One of my favorites was something my grandma did with me when I was young.

While visiting grandma at her lake cottage, she’d send us out to gather Queen Anne’s Lace blossoms. Returning with our bouquets we’d find glasses filled with water lined up on the table and food coloring waiting for us. Each would choose a color to add to the water and then we placed our flowers into the glass. That’s when for me, the vigil began. 

As hard as I tried, I couldn’t keep myself from almost immediately stopping at the table to look for changes in my white blooms. I’d watch for any little sign that something was happening. Grandma would remind me to be patient and I’d truly try. But, my anticipation often got the best of me. 

I’ve learned that six and eight year old boys don’t share the same excitement as I had way back then….but that’s ok, I kept watch for them.

My floral activity wasn’t a total loss. The boys were actually interested in the process of it all. Quite a discussion was held about the why’s and how’s of the white flowers turning red, green, and yellow. This MiMi and ole teacher was pleased that they already knew that the stem carried the water to the leaves and flowers and that in nature, that is how a plant is nourished.

You know, it’s the same for you and me, really. As Christians, Christ, the Living Water inside each of us also supplies everything we need. And I’m realizing that nostalgic flowers aren’t the only thing I’ve been watching for change in; I’m keeping my eyes peeled for any little sign that my “colors” are different than they used to be too.

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

So, what does old life gone, new life begun look like? Bright hues shining in dark times. Cool tones while under pressure. The longer Christ lives in us and we in Him, He will perfectly color our lives. We should become a living palette of every shade of love to those around us and beyond.

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. We love each other because he loved us first.”
1 John 4:16-17a, 19 (NLT)

I don’t know about you, but for me the vigil has begun. I’m taking a good look at myself  for changes that paint a picture of Christ. I sure hoped they’d come more quickly…. I know God (and grandma), I’ll try and be patient but, the anticipation sure is great!

Joining with the wonderful writers at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to write to the prompt “Watch” this week. Click over to read more!

Impulse ~ Five Minute Friday

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“All you that are righteous be glad because of what the LORD has done! Remember what the holy God has done, and give thanks to him.” Psalm 97:12 (GNT)

Look For the Joy

This picture popped up in my Timehop today and my first impulse was to quickly swipe it away. Looking, even in a glance, brought so many memories to the surface. Difficult memories, such heartache filled memories that at first I didn’t want to be reminded of, but then, just as quickly I decided to look more closely at this photo taken two years ago of my youngest grandson and me and something changed. My heartache became heartfelt gratitude.

Just two weeks prior to this picture our little one laid in a hospital bed hooked up to more tubes and wires then you can imagine fighting for his life. We were still in shock with all that had happened but as you can see, he was (and is) a miracle. In those fourteen days he’d returned to us the playful, smiling, precious boy we knew despite all he was going through. So today, that’s what I’m choosing to let this picture help me remember.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2 (NLT)

You and I know that life IS difficult and filled with much heartache. I don’t know about you, but when I’m in the midst of it all, looking at a trial as “great joy” doesn’t come naturally. I’m learning though, that when we can go back days, months, or yes, even years and picture all that God has accomplished, the blessings received, and how far we’ve come, that despite all the suffering, joy CAN be found!

This is a hard time of year for our family as we recall the events two years ago. Our first impulse is to look away because it’s just too painful to revisit those awful days, maybe you know just how that feels too. But James, a servant of God and of Jesus reminds us to reconsider, not to turn from it, but to look more closely at what’s changed. And you know what has? We have. 

“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:3-4 (NLT)

None of us long for troubles to come our way, but when they do there’s comfort when we look to those memories from the past that pop up, focus on how God has seen us through, and noticing all the ways He transformed our weeping to rejoicing, ashes to beauty, and our heartache into joy,…

“Therefore we do not lose heart. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”
2 Corinthians 4:16a, 17 (NLT)

I’m linking up with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com again this week. Click over to read more.

Music ~ Five Minute Friday

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“But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.” Psalm 59:16

Name That Tune

For the first time in a long time wrens have taken up residence in the house I have just for them. How do I know they’ve moved in you ask? Wrens have no problem making themselves known. 

Do you remember the show, “Name That Tune” where contestants challenged one another with how few notes it would take for them to identify a song? As a music lover I enjoyed playing along. You too? There are songs that even today when I hear the first few notes I can immediately start singing along with, or when listening to just a couple words of the lyrics I’m able to identify the artist, sometimes those introductory beats can take me right back to another place and time and to exactly how I was feeling when I heard it. Well, that’s how it is with a wren’s song too. It doesn’t take too many shrill notes for me to recognize the song, who’s singing it, and how they are feeling about having found their place.

Thinking about it, those around us whether they are music lovers or not should be able to identify our “tune” very quickly too. As Christians, our lives should sing a song of mercy, love, and grace on repeat.

“He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.”
Psalm 40:3 (NLT)

When we are standing in the looooong, sloooooow line at the Wal-Mart checkout lane what tone will the audience in front and behind us overhear and identify quickly? Sitting in an overcrowded, understaffed restaurant hungrily waiting for food, who will the patrons identify as the as the One (or not) behind our words? Tired, stressed, stretched to our limit, where will our biggest fans, those who matter the most to us be taken to, a place of harmony or dis-chord? It will depend on who our heart is beating in rhythm with.

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT)

I guess what I’m saying (and learning) is that we need to be like a wren. It shouldn’t take long for others to recognize the “new song” we sing, determine whose we are as we sing it, and that we’ve thankfully found a place provided just for us.. We shouldn’t have any problem making it known who we are: brothers and sisters in Christ. How you ask? Well, I can name that tune in one note……

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:35 (NIV)

A “LOVE-NOTE” of course! And that one note my friends, will be music to the world’s ears! Let’s invite them to sing along!

Want to discover more “Music”? Click over to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to “sing along!”

Aspire ~ Five Minute Friday

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“And think about grassy fields-the grasses are here now, but they will be dead by winter. And yet God adorns them so radiantly. How much more will He clothe you, you of little faith, you who have not trust:” Matthew 6:30 (The Voice)

Teetering on Trust

“It is life and death.” Words I never imagined I’d ever write in my journal and yet, two years ago today I found myself doing just that. Our youngest grandson had been life-flighted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and his future, our future, was teetering between those very things: life and death. You may know exactly how that feels, too.

At ten months old, that precious little boy of ours lost most of his intestines due to them traveling through a small, undetected hole in his diaphragm and the blood supply being cut off from them for too long. But, praise God he survived and despite his many challenges he thrives today as a true, living miracle!

As I reflect on that experience two years ago there are many emotions, thoughts, and memories churning around inside of me. I moved in and cared for my two older grandsons while their parents stayed at the hospital. For three months there were ups and downs, joys and pain, discouragement and hope, fear and oh, so much bravery. I leaned on God’s strength more than I ever have in my life and He got me through.

Those weeks of desperate prayer, worship through praise music, reading Scripture, and receiving unbelievable support from those around us brought me to a place I’d never been, an ah-ha moment when I finally was able to say to myself and to God, “I see now. Even in the worst times You are with me working things out for the best even when I don’t understand. I. Can. Trust. You.” Let me tell you, this was a place I’d wanted to be for a long time. Trust has never been easy for me and I was relieved that I’d finally made it.

Fast forward two years and here’s the rest of the story: I still have a long way to go. Even though I didn’t think it would, worry has crept back into my life. Fears overtake me in the night. Anxiety steals my breath. And trusting God with every part of my life? I think you can probably tell I’m struggling. Oh me of little faith. The good news is the fight isn’t quite as hard as before because I’ve seen God light the way through such a dark time and that helps me to remember He guides me now.

And so, I continue to aspire to be more faithful. To trust God with everything, everyone, and all of me no matter what comes. If I’m honest, it’s scary to type those words and to believe them because I’ve lived long enough to know that desiring more faith and trust often means walking through more of those “teetering” experiences for growth to happen. I’m guessing you also know that.

“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line-mature, complete, and wanting nothing.”
James 1:2-4 (The Voice)

I’m not wishing for hardships, quite the opposite really, but I am encouraged by these words and truly hope for a blossoming faith no matter what lies ahead. And when I need an extra reminder of finding joy in my troubles I just need to look at his smile! If this boy can smile with all he has gone and goes through, then I can embrace what comes and “ultimately find joy” in the journey, too. I pray you are encouraged to do the same and together we can say for certain, come what may, “I trust You.”

“The deepest pains may linger through the night,
but joy greets the soul with the smile of morning.”
Psalm 30:5 (The Voice)

Chapter ~ Five Minute Friday

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“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5

Leaf Lesson

Despite its fall-like appearance, this is actually what my Japanese Maple tree looks like today in the height of spring. Unfortunately it got ahead of itself. Buds formed early and soon (too soon) new, frilly leaves covered the branches before the other trees even began to show signs of life. I actually pointed it out to my husband telling him that our young tree looked fuller and prettier than it ever had. But then came the frost warning. And then the deadly frost. As you can see, what should have been, could have been, a tree full of life now only displays a limited smattering of its once beautiful, red leaves. 

Springing into action rather than waiting, I’ve at times found myself in the same situation as this over eager tree. I pray for something. The answer is slow (to me) in coming. I pray again. Seemingly nothing and so, I branch out on my own (too soon), ignore any warnings I sense, and end up realizing that by not waiting for God’s perfect timing, the “should have, could have” I’d prayed for was hindered by my rushing ahead. Instead of the full, beautiful result, I instead had little to show for all MY effort.

We can get to a place where we just want God to write a new chapter in our lives and so maybe we pray for love but jump too quickly into a bad relationship, ask for guidance about a new job then out of fear accept what turns out to be the wrong position, or lift up a dream of something we long for, watch others seem to get what they want and so compromise our finances to keep up. Can you relate? The list can go on and on. Ask me how I know….

Here’s the crazy thing too, even if I don’t necessarily act, my thoughts form early and grow at a rapid rate detailing all the scenarios of how I THINK God should answer my prayer! My mind is so full of MY expectations that I know I’ve often missed God’s actual perfect answer for me. Sound familiar? Think the Pharisees! Yikes!

“Then his people believed his promises. Then they sang his praise. Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel!”
Psalm 106:12-13 (NLT)

The reality is my maple tree didn’t have a choice about forging ahead early instead of waiting, but we do. It’s not something we’re (I’m) always good at doing, “waiting for his counsel,” but it’s the lesson those shriveled leaves I see out my kitchen window are teaching me:

Eager for a new season in life? Pray and wait.
Hoping to turn a page? For that different chapter? Pray and wait.
Want evidence of real growth? Pray and wait.
Longing to see beauty again where it once was? Pray and wait.
Prayed and still waiting? Remember “what He has done” and patiently wait some more.

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.”
Psalm 27:14 (NLT)

This is written as part of http://www.fiveminutefriday.com where I’ve joined in with others to write to the prompt “Chapter”. Click over to read more.

Persist ~ Five Minute Friday

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“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34 (NLT)

Look at the Birds

Every single feeder is down and yet, they persist……….

At first, only a couple appeared.  I didn’t think much of it. They were entertaining and I welcomed their colorful plumage. It didn’t appear that they would bother anything. Was I ever wrong! 

For days I’ve watched the two grow into 20 plus! A flock of blue jays that just won’t go away. Oh, I’ve tried baffled feeders, wired-cage feeders, upside-down suet feeders, and they conquered them all. Not only did they consume a great deal of seed, their bullying personalities and frenetic antics within the branches of the tree discourage my “more desirable” bird friends from visiting anymore. They even scared off sparrows with their constant noise and overwhelming number who were trying to settle into the bird house .

Finally, it became clear that I had no choice but to remove every feeder that was drawing them in. It wasn’t an easy decision. If you know me at all, you are aware how much my birds mean to me. And you know what? Those overwhelming visitors have continued to come back several times a day to see if I’ve given in to their unyielding ways and put the feeders back up. 

Blue jays aren’t the only thing that move in here and take over. Worried thoughts can overrun my mind, too. Maybe you can relate. One or two casually slip in. I don’t think much of it. Anything but dull, I find myself entertaining their presence convinced it won’t hurt anything. I was wrong about the blue jays and I’ve been very wrong about worrying, too!

Over the years I’ve learned that like Lays Potato Chips you can’t stop at just a few. Once your imagination feeds worry, a few turn into many, consuming more of life than you ever wanted. Anxious thoughts bully us into thinking they are right and the more they bounce around in our brains, reasonable thoughts make their way in less and less until we are overwhelmed and give in to fear.

A bill bigger than the balance in our checkbook. A symptom that signals something is wrong. A fight that has fractured a friendship. The list goes on and on. They swoop in, we take notice. The noise in our heads and hearts grows. The scenarios and seeming challenges multiply. Everything we try to rid ourselves of those overwrought thoughts is unsuccessful and we find ourselves far from settled.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
Psalm 139 23-24 (NLT)

Here’s the thing, I can’t pick and choose which birds and how many come to my feeders and we certainly can’t always control the circumstances of life, but, we can do something about the thoughts we allow to persist, and the Good News? We don’t have to do it on our own!

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

When we nourish our worries, the longer they’re apt to stay. But when we “take down the feeders,” and instead focus on God through prayer, worship, and reading scripture, we’ll see less and less of them swooping in. Will they come back to see if we’ll give in to them? Probably, but if they don’t find the conditions favorable they won’t stay nearly as long.

That’s just what I’m hoping will happen with those pesky blue jays too. When they find nothing to feed on and are being chased off before they can settle in, I’m counting on those unwanted feathered pests to finally move on. And those fear-filled pests? The same goes for them. How? Well, by looking at the birds…..

“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dresses as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” Matthew 6:26-30 (NLT)

AND by putting our faith in the One who persistently cares more for us than anything else He’s ever created.

Joining in to write with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com Click on over to read more.

Five Minute Friday ~ Have

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“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:21 (NLT)

Have Too Much or Everything?

I have too much! Earrings in a chest that are never chosen, clothes taking up space in the closets and drawers because “I might wear them someday,” dishes stacked away in a cupboard to be used on a special occasion that doesn’t ever seem to come, pictures on every wall, shelves full of knick-knacks, not to mention the garage attic that is full of the things I don’t know what else to do with. I have too much!

There used to be a time when I wanted more, more, more, and truth be told, I sometimes spent money I shouldn’t have to get it. Now that I’m older, “stuff” doesn’t mean nearly as much to me anymore. In fact, sometimes it feels as if it gets in my way.

Remember the story of the rich young ruler? ( Mark 10:17-31) He asks Jesus what he needs to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus instructs him to sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor, and then to follow Him. The disheartened man sadly walked away. His many possessions got in the way of his relationship with Jesus.

And then there’s the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:18-19) when Jesus tells His listeners that the seed that falls among the thorns is an example of those who hear God’s word but the message eventually gets crowded out by the worries of life and the desire for other things resulting in no fruit being produced. Those worries and things get in the way of being productive for God.

If we continue with the story of the young ruler, Jesus tells his followers that the more we have, the harder it is to put Him first in our lives, or as He says, harder even than for “a camel to get through the eye of the needle.” (vs.25) Having more, more, more in this life can make us poor, poor, poor if we let it get in the way of eternal life.

“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NLT)

If you’re like me and “have too much,” that means we ARE the “rich in this world.” Now, I don’t feel that God is asking me to sell all that I have (at least not now), but I do think He’s reminding me, and maybe you too, that we need to check our priorities. What are we holding on to, filling up, and saving for? Are we building up our collections of things or our relationship with the One we need most? What are we more concerned with, all that we have or what we can give to others? Are we living lives measured by an abundance of possessions that are here today and gone tomorrow or storing our treasures for life eternal?

In this world, it’s easy to believe that what we have defines who we are.  We must be careful to not let the stuff of life get in the way of our true identity in Christ because…it’s in Him that we have everything!

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