Broken Eggs ~ Five Minute Friday

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Broken Eggs

If you’ve been around small children much you know they can create a lot of noise! You also know that it’s when they’re quiet, you need to worry most. I found this out many years ago while folding laundry when I suddenly realized I no longer heard my young son playing as I had earlier. My motherly radar on high alert, I went to investigate.

The refrigerator door wide open, there he was, his bare little toes wiggling in a large, slimy puddle of shattered, empty eggshells and all they’d once contained. Looking up at me with large innocent eyes, in his sweetest voice, he said, “I just wanted to see what would happen. Will you help me put them back together?”

Well, we all know how that went don’t we? While tiny hands picked up some of the broken pieces of irreparable shell, they couldn’t remedy the oozy, gooey, mess left behind. A challenging job even for mommy hands!

Isn’t that just like us? We open a door we shouldn’t. Let our curiosity direct our actions. Find ourselves keeping quiet so no one discovers what we’ve thought or done. Sometimes we “just want to see what happens.”  And before we know it? The consequences of what we did lay at our feet. Fractured relationships, broken trust, empty dreams, results we didn’t expect or plan for. There WE are, standing in the midst of a mess we can’t clean up.

Little boy tears fell with the realization that the broken eggs couldn’t ever be made whole again. I don’t know about you, but all these years later, I can find myself in the very same place. As I attempt to pick up the pieces, my grief, fear, regret, or a multitude of other feelings overflow down my cheeks. It’s then I recognize, that fixing what I’ve broken is out of my “child-like” hands. Been there? I’m learning that’s the very moment we need to place it all, as slimy, oozy, gooey, and shattered as it is, into The Father’s hands.

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

We all know cracked eggs cannot be put back together and unfortunately all we’ve intentionally or unintentionally let “fall and break” may not be mended either. But, amazingly when we look up and ask for God’s help to fix what’s broken, ultimately, it is  you and I who are lovingly restored.

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.”
 Romans 5:8-11 (NLT)

There is so much that is broken in our world, but I don’t want to ever forget how broken I am and the amazing gift God has given me in making me whole through Jesus on the cross and out of the grave!  I hope you find some encouragement here this week as I’ve written with the others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to the prompt “Broken”. I thank you for your presence here and am blessed by you more than you know! 

 

Permission Slip

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“This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4 (NLT)

Permission Slip

Every year about this time, anticipation began to build in my Second Grade classroom. The children knew that Spring meant our annual field trip. Field trips were not one of my favorite parts of teaching. Preparation, organization, coordination, navigation, communication, attention. All that work didn’t mean anything though, without one more important “tion”: documentation.

The day permission slips for the trip were passed out was full of excitement! Chatter filled the air and wiggly bodies filled the chairs. Each year on that day, I’d say the same thing. “These need to be taken home, signed, and brought back as soon as possible. You cannot make the trip if you wait too long.”

As you might guess knowing the nature of kids, some students brought their signed forms back the very next day and didn’t need to worry again about making it to our destination. Others needed a little reminder of where we were going and how wonderful it would be, to get them to return their slips. A few just weren’t sure they even wanted to go. They didn’t quite trust that it would turn out the way I told them it would and required some extra support. And then there were always one or two children who had lots of excuses why they hadn’t done what they needed to do to go on the journey with us. You’ve probably heard it before: they were too busy, they forgot, their friends told them not to go, or they’d been careless and lost their permission slip.

In a blink of an eye, the day before the trip would arrive and the afternoon would find us cleaning out backpacks to make them lighter to carry. The conversation would center around all we’d hope to see and do. There’d be questions. I’d offer reassurance. Anticipation was at an all time high, except that is, for the ones who’d waited too long. For them, the future looked bleak, felt like punishment, and tears usually flowed as they thought about being left behind.

You know? The nature of adults isn’t any different than that of kids. We can see the same patterns of behavior in all areas of life, as I saw in the midst of planning an elementary school field trip; even when it comes to where we’ll go to spend eternity.

Are we prepared? Taken care of all our “tions”? Salvation, justification, sanctification, so that we needn’t worry about our destination and can travel with a lightened load of sin? I hope so!

“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NLT)

Or, do we need a little reminder of how wonderful Heaven will be?

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.’ ” Revelation 21:3-4 (NLT)

“And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.’ ” Luke 23:43 (NLT)

Maybe, we want to commit to the journey but are still just a little unsure and need some support.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NLT)

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)

Have you been wondering about my students through the years who failed to do what they needed to so they could go on the field trip with their class? Well, the truth is, I never wanted a single child to be left behind so I did what teachers often do, made phone calls, visits, sent reminders, all to be sure that each little one was ready to go on the day of our trip.

“It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52 (NLT)

Maybe as we read this, our hearts cry out because we feel that it’s too late. We’ve been busy, letting others influence our decisions, or haven’t admitted yet that we’re lost.  Now, we only see punishment in our future, like some of my students did. But guess what? Also like them, we too, have someone who doesn’t want anyone left behind! And the Good News? No permission slip is required for this journey! Jesus has that covered. He signed His name in His own blood for each and every one of us, so we can ALL make the trip! So the question is, Are YOU ready? Am I? This is the one place we don’t want to miss!

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promises, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)

“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
1 John 2:1 (NLT)

“Who then will condemn us? No one-for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” Romans 8:34 (NLT)

Today’s post was written to the prompt “Permission” with my friends at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com I’m looking forward to reading what others have created.  I hope you’ll click over and read some, too! I thank you with all my heart that you have joined me here. Please know that it is a gift I don’t take for granted. As I’ve been writing this afternoon as song has been playing in my head. The chorus goes like this:

“Are you ready for the trumpet?
Are you ready for the call?
Soon the angels will assemble to usher in the Son of God.
Will He find you faithful?
Will He know your name at all?
Every moment brings us closer.
Are you ready for the call?”

 

Share Four Somethings ~ March

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Share Four Somethings ~ March

Spring has sprung here in my little part of the West Virginia mountains! Daffodils and crocus have burst forth from the cold ground, leaves are emerging on the lilac tree where my bird guests find their buffet, and the robins have returned doing their “dance” in the grass with the worms below. (The worms are not willing partners). Yes, March has brought blessings of Spring and for me, this month has presented other blessings, too! Join me and others at http://www.heathergerwing.com as we share our “Four Somethings” for the month.

Something Loved

“The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.” Psalm 29:11 (NLT)

March is a big birthday month in our family! Both my son and daughter were born in March. Then we added a son-in-love who was a March baby, too. And….yours truly also celebrated a birthday this month. Not sure how it’s possible that I’m 62 years old, but I’m so grateful God has brought me this far! Truly, every day is a gift!

I don’t know about you, but not being able to gather with family and friends had really begun to weigh on me. My heart felt heavy and my soul, weary. That’s why I loved receiving “visits” from those I love in the mail. My spirit bloomed like the early Spring flowers with each envelope I opened and message I read! To say I am blessed with special people in my life is an understatement! Now, I can’t wait to be able to tell them so in person!

Something Read/Said

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. with less of you there is more of God and his rule.” Matthew 5:3 (The Message)

This whole idea about “being blessed” can be complicated. It’s something I’ve been talking with trusted friends about, engaging in social media on the subject, and this month, participating in a study about it. The Bible has a lot to say about what it means to be blessed and it doesn’t always match our worldly view. Each day in March, the ladies at http://www.faithfullyfollowingministries.org posted a key verse and often with it, insights others have gained in life about the subject. My “Something Said” came from a young woman on day 15 of the study. Alyssa Nelson shared this:

“What makes us blessed is not having all the things we’ve decided we need, even if those are good things, it is to see God for who He truly is and to know Him deeply and personally.”

Such wisdom from a young heart! Her words were the focus I needed and they will stay with me  even though the #Blessed study is over! I encourage you to click over and read more for yourself!

Something Treasured

“May the LORD bless you and protect you.May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)

I have to take you back to my birthday for my “Something Treasured” this month. Not only did I receive lovely cards and notes, I also was given some fun gifts. Truth be told, I don’t need a thing. That being said, I really enjoyed opening bags and boxes containing just the “perfect gift”! I’d hinted to my mom (ok, I sent her the link) about this cute Dove Planter filled with little succulents. It didn’t matter that the delivery date for it was past my birthday, I don’t know about you, but I’m happy to spread the celebration out as long as I can!

Well, a few days before my birthday I received a small box in the mail from mom. Imagine my surprise when upon opening said box, a very strong fragrance escaped! I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what she’d sent and why! Was I ever tickled when under the tissue paper I found this ummmm…aromatic…bar of “Dove” soap with a message on it. Oh, how I giggled at her creativity and how happy I was to receive my hoped for Dove Planter a few days later! Blessings come in all sizes AND smells!

Something Ahead

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)

As I’ve told you before, I’m a calendar girl and those empty pages in the midst of the pandemic served to remind me just how much we were missing out on. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to now be able to make plans and write them in those little boxes! We’re still living day by day as we know anything unexpected can happen, but it’s fun to look ahead at the possibilities!

If I’ve learned one thing this past year, it’s to not take our blessings, large or small, for granted. Going to church was one I never thought much about, until I couldn’t go anymore. Last year at this time, churches were closed and Easter felt lonely. As we journey to the cross this week on our way to rejoicing in the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning, I’m looking forward this year, to celebrating together with my church family in our sanctuary, and most importantly remembering from Whom all blessings come!

I always enjoy looking back at my month and picking out things to share with you. I’d love to know YOUR “Four Somethings”! Share them with me in the comments so that I can celebrate them with you. I hope you know that when I count my blessings, you are among them.  I so appreciate the time you offer me by coming here to share in my ponderings! 

 

Jesus Rules!

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I was honored to write this post as part of a series called, “Blessed” at   http://www.faithfullyfollowing.com You can click over to read more of their inspiring words or find them on their Facebook Page called “Faithfully Following Ministries”. Jodie and Donna inspire me and refresh my soul. I know they will do that for you, too!

Jesus Rules!

You don’t have to spend too much time with me before a few of my “quirks” begin to introduce themselves; like, “Hello, I’m a recovering rule follower.”  Many years ago my little girl heart shattered when my dad walked away from our family. As it began to heal, a lie cemented itself in the cracks and I grew up convinced that if I’d only been better, done better, maybe my dad wouldn’t have left. And so, in an attempt to “be good” the confines of adhering to rules slowly but surely became my comfort zone. 

“Praise the Lord! Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.” Psalm 112:1 (NIV)

So, what happens when a rule-loving gal reads in the Bible about being delighted and blessed by following commands like in this verse? Well, just imagine a high five being lifted toward heaven and the words “I’ve got this,” slipping from my lips.

“You shall not murder.” Check!
“You shall not commit adultery.” Check!
“You shall not steal.” You get the idea.

Maybe like me, you think having a commandment check-list complete with heavenly high fives sounds “delightful,” but here’s what I’ve been learning: Obeying the rules isn’t what brings us true blessing. Remember the rich, young man? (A champion rule-follower, himself!)

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 

‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good-except God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’

‘Teacher, he declared, ‘all these I have kept since I was a boy.’

Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow me.’ ” Mark 10:17-21 (NIV)

Friends, Jesus looks at us too, and He loves us more than we can comprehend (quirks and all). His love is so great, He went to the cross to release us once and for all, from the bondage of rules we were never able to obey on our own in the first place. What the young ruler missed, and sometimes we do too, is that following the rules doesn’t change us; following Jesus does! And while we don’t have to go and sell everything, we do need to rid ourselves of all that keeps us focused on our own efforts rather than on Him.

 In life, there will always be rules to obey. The delight comes when we walk away from depending on our own performance to gain a father’s love or whatever we’re in search of, and instead, with thanksgiving, pursue the One who’s already blessed us with everything we’ll ever need.

“But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.” Romans 7:6 (NLT)

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”
Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)

Redeeming Promises~Five Minute Friday

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“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; and my soul, which You have redeemed.” Psalm 71:23 (NASB)

Redeeming Promises

Carefully placed between the pages of my Bible, are “heart treasures”: cards, notes, prayers, photos, letters, and such, that I’ve saved over the years. Things so precious, I want to keep them close to refresh my memory of the rich love they hold. One such gem is this “Christmas Coupon Book” given to me years ago by my young daughter. Each coupon page written in her little girl handwriting, was a gift I could redeem whenever I chose to.

As you can see, I was presented with a wide variety of promises. (My favorite is “kill flies”! We lived in an old house at the time, where in the fall, the flies thought they lived there too. It was a job not taken lightly! ) The thing is, by tucking her words away, I failed to benefit from the opportunities so generously offered out of love, to make my life better.

How often do we do the same thing with our actual Bible? God’s Word is a treasure meant to be held close. We know it’s a gift, full of precious words and rich with love for each of us, yet, we frequently tuck it away for going through later, failing to gain from the life it offers.

As a reminder, imagine with me for a moment, a “Christ Coupon Book”, to us, from God, each page written with the palms of Jesus’s hands:

Page 1- “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (NLT)

Page 2- “They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. The will kill him, and after three days he will rise.’ ” Mark 9:31 (NIV)

Page 3- “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’ ”
John 8:12 (NLT)

Page 4- “But-When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”
Titus 3:5 (NLT)

Page 5- “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”
Luke 12:24 (NIV)

Page 6- “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you.”
John 15:4-5a (NIV)

The Bible presents us with promises after promises, so generously given, not just to make our lives better, but to offer us eternal life!  The question is, will we chose to benefit from His gift?

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”
Ephesians 2:8 (NLT)

In this time of Lent as we prepare to make our way to the foot of the cross and the empty tomb,  what if we also seek out the treasure of God’s Word once again, along the way. Let’s challenge ourselves to pull our Bibles off shelves, out of drawers, from under the stack and day by day, refresh our memories of all the “treasures of The Heart” we have received!

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!” Psalm 107:2a (NASV)

Writing today along with my friends at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to the prompt, “Redeem”. You can click over to read more thoughts and even join in with us yourself! I want you to remember that I do not take for granted the time you offer me when you stop in. I count it as a gift for sure! 

 

True Colors

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“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’ ” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)

True Colors

A year ago, I sat in this very chair at my hair dresser’s. It was the last “normal” thing I did before our worlds shrunk to the size of our homes. For the next months the real color of my hair slowly became more and more evident. Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror resulted in a double take and stopping for a closer look, left me asking, “Who is that gray-haired lady staring back at me?” The longer it went on, the more the pandemic revealed the “real” me.

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” Proverbs 27:19 (NLT)

I’ve heard it said, maybe you have too, that it’s usually during the worst of times a person’s true colors show. We’ve certainly been going through that kind of time, haven’t we?  All the changes, restrictions, disappointments, and unknowns certainly could expose someone we don’t recognize. When catching my own reflection, there’ve been times I was blue as sadness crept into my days. Shades of envy green grabbed my attention when others were gathered with family and I couldn’t be. It wasn’t hard to see that I also attempted to keep a white-knuckled grip of control on normal life as it seemed to quickly slip through my fingers. Maybe you’ve felt like an emotional chameleon, too.  True colors of my heart? Probably so, but thankfully not permanent ones because like the Psalmist, we can cry out:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NLT)

As you might have guessed, I’m not ready for others to see the natural color of my hair quite yet. Thankfully, my friend and hair stylist can now cover it up for me! So, what do we do about those true colors that creep into our hearts that we don’t want to show the world, either? Thankfully, Jesus’s red blood covers and transforms those!

“And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:21-22 (NLT)

Much has changed between my visits to cover up the gray. Things we never imagined could happen have now become part of our everyday; but, I was reminded as I sat in my hair stylist’s chair, that there IS something we can count on to always remain the same: Jesus and His work in us. (Hebrews 13:8)  Even when our (my) hearts become tinted by the circumstances around us, what a comfort to know that, in His hands, they become a palete of True Colors He uses to create a masterpiece in each us. And this one? We WANT to display to the world!

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

I did a lot of reflection as I sat in that chair this week, knowing all that had happened in a year! I love when God sends me a lesson that I need right at the moment I need it! I pray that it will encourage you, too.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support of being here reading my random thoughts. It means more than you know! C~

 

 

 

Green With Envy ~ Five Minute Friday

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“What will you give me to turn Him over to you?” They offered him 30 pieces of silver.” Matthew 26:15 (The Voice)

Green With Envy

Egos green with envy,
They plotted out their plan.
To rid themselves completely
Of this popular Man.

Jealously quickly mounted
And hatred grew and grew,
As He stole all the attention
From their privileged few.

Intending to cleverly trap Him
They questioned His every word.
But defeated, they soon departed
Amazed by what they’d heard.

Secretly gathered in the palace
A betrayal had begun.
Those egos green with envy,
Would crucify God’s own Son.

“And so the chief priests and the Pharisees, the teachers and the elders, knew that when Jesus told these stories He was speaking about them. Not believing, they looked for a way to arrest Him-a stealthy way, though. They were afraid to make too bold a move against Him because all the people believed He was a prophet.” Matthew 21:45-46 (The Voice)

“Jesus knew these men were out to trap Him. ‘You hypocrites! Why do you show up here with such a transparent trick? Bring me a coin you would use to pay tax.’ Someone handed Him a denarius. Jesus fingered the coin. ‘Of whom is this a portrait, and who owns this inscription?’ ‘Caesar.’ Well then, render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’ And those who had come hoping to trick Jesus were confounded and amazed. And they left Him and went away.” Matthew 22:18-22 (The Voice)

“And almost as He spoke, the chief priests were getting together with the elders at the home of the high priest, Caiaphas. They schemed and mused about how they could trick Jesus, sneak around and capture Him, and then kill Him.” Matthew 26:3-4 (The Voice)

The prompt at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com today is “Green”. All day I thought I’d be writing about the green daffodil leaves poking through the ground and renewal or refreshing. And all day nothing came. I’d pretty much decided I wouldn’t be writing this week when out of nowhere “Green With Envy” came to my mind along with those self-righteous (can’t we all be) Pharisees and in just a little longer than five minutes I was done. I never know when I begin where I’ll end up. Today is a good example! I just have to hold on and go where the Spirit leads me. Thank you for going along with me!  You’re presence here is always a blessing! 

Share Four Somethings ~ February 2021

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As hard as it is to believe, February has been here and is gone! Time has felt so strange! Thankfully though, slowly but surely, time is shifting a little more toward “normal” here.  Schools are back in session full time, we’ve been having in-person church, businesses are able to host more customers, and my calendar actually has writing on it in the coming weeks and months of which I am VERY thankful. Speaking of gratitude, it’s time to look back over the past month with http://www.heathergerwing.com and think about what I’ve “Loved, Read or Heard Said, Treasured, and to What’s Ahead”. Being February, it’s all about love this month! So, here we go….

February Share Four Somethings

“My loved ones, let us devote ourselves to loving one another. Love comes straight from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and truly knows God.” 1 John 4:7 (The Voice)

Something Loved

Showing love, is the something I loved in February! It’s often easy to take Valentine’s Day for granted after spending 39 of them together. Not wanting that to happen, I decided to celebrate with my husband all week leading up to the 14th. What a great time I had picking out little favorite treats I know he enjoys and then coming up with silly sayings to go along with them. It brought me joy to remind him that he’s still the ONE for me! Showing someone they’re loved is always the best gift and we don’t have to (and shouldn’t) wait until Valentine’s Day to give it!

“With every sun’s rising, surprise us with Your love, satisfy us with Your kindness. Then we will sing with joy and celebrate every day we are alive.” Psalm 90:14 (The Voice)

Something Read/Said

In a Voxer message, a friend recently read me some words that truly made my “heart sing”! When I messaged back asking where she’d found them, she shared this wonderful book with me. Sally Lloyd-Jones knows how to speak words of God’s love to the soul. A devotional, “Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing” is that special combination of being written for children and yet, within the pages and illustrations are messages everyone longs to hear, no matter their age! I’m looking forward to sharing this beautiful little book with my grandsons and reading it for myself when I need to, as the Author’s Note says, “listen to whatever God wants to say to me” about “how He loves me and how I can love him”.

“I (God) appeared to them from far away and said: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love-out of faithfulness I have drawn you close.’ ” Jeremiah 31:3 (The Voice)

Something Treasured

Love in real time across the miles: That’s what I treasured in February! My sisters and I spent our early childhood in California while our grandparents lived in Michigan.  The only way for them to share in our lives was through rare, expensive long distance phone calls or after the fact in letters sent across the country. The same was also true for my Mom after we girls went our own ways. While we too are separated by miles, how grateful I am to be able to share in my kids’ and grandsons’ day to day lives right as things are happening! How fun to see the boys play in the first snow of the winter, watch our youngest grand beginning to crawl, and view our son’s craftsmanship displayed at his first show! There’s no doubt that for this Mom and MiMi, loving in person is best; but, being included in long distance, real time love is something I’ll always treasure, too!

“But now faith, hope, and love remain; these three virtues must characterize our lives. The greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (The Voice)

Something Ahead

They began in December at the Prayer Tree: my prayers for the Covid vaccine.  Since then, I’ve been hoping and praying for the call that I received this morning. It’s my turn! I’ve waited and watched as the 80+ crowd received their shots, then the 70+ crew, and now….the 60+ gang that I’m part of are up! I’m not just looking ahead to March 4th though, I’m also looking ahead to what March 4th and the vaccine mean. Soon I will, without fear of unknowingly making someone sick, finally be able to spend time with family. My calendar can once again become a place of plans to gather with friends, birthday celebrations, and holiday traditions! While “normal” of 2019 and “normal” of 2021 will most certainly look different as we move ahead, these remain: faith that God is working all things for good, hope in what’s to come, and most of all, love that never ends!

I “love” this practice of looking back before we look ahead. I’d love to hear your reflections on February! Just share them in the comments if you’d like. I continue to be grateful for your presence here with me and my pondering. You are a blessing to me! Happy March!

The Way is Enabled

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“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.” John 10:9 (NLT)

The Way is Enabled

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times, “I don’t like passwords!” Oh, I know they’re necessary to keep our information private and secure, but still. It seems like whenever I’m right in the middle of something, a transaction, purchase, or even trying to add words of encouragement on someone’s blog post, that pop up asking for my password will block my way. Then, I find myself having to go through the steps of getting my book, finding the right one, and entering it in perfectly before I can get where I wanted to go. Anyone else relate?

Recently, I had a day full of worry where my heart raced and my thoughts spun even faster. In the midst of my anxiety I cried out to God. What a comfort to know that there was nothing else I needed to do to get my request right to Him! No password or steps to take necessary.

Think of the Old Testament Priests. They had to get the right clothes, find certain foods, and follow the rules perfectly or their way to God was blocked. Hallelujah, that Jesus, through His sacrifice, has enabled the way for us, far-from-perfect people, to go, without hesitation to God!

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, lies us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)

Maybe passwords are difficult for me because I’m not a technological native but rather a foreigner trying to function in an unfamiliar world. I know it helps to have younger people to guide me in the right direction! It can feel that way living in our day to day world too! Finding ourselves at dead ends and feeling lost is all too familiar; but, we’re not alone in it, either.  Jesus tells us that He is the Gate to go through, the Door that will be opened, and the Way to follow.

“Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. you are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” Ephesians 2:18-19 (NLT)

“So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” John 10:7 (ESV)

“Jesus told him, ‘ I am the way the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’ ” John 14:6 (NLT)

If you’re like me you may not remember your passwords, but here’s the good news: when written on our hearts, Jesus keeps us secure and is the only Word we’ll ever need to enable us to pass from this world into the presence of God. Now that’s worthy of another “Hallelujah!” don’t you think?

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:14 (NLT)

Writing today as part of the http://www.fiveminutefriday.com community and as part of #write28days (even tho I’ve only written 4) with http://www.anitaojeda.com to the prompt “Enable”. Please know that I appreciate you stopping in and reading the things I ponder on. Your presence is a gift to me! God bless.

 

 

Observant or Serving

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“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans 12:12 (NLT)

Observant or Serving

Look closely. Notice anything out of place in my peaceful bird feeding world? Yes! An intruder! As I watched out the window, I was amazed at how focused and in tune with all the birds’ movements he was. And all the while, they had no idea danger was near! Clearly, he had only one thing on his mind: to attack and consume one of my unsuspecting bird friends. 

You know, there’s a prowler after us, too. He’s observant.  Our words and actions are familiar to him. Patient, he waits for the opportune time to pounce and disrupt our peace. Unfortunately, we also often fail to recognize his presence. He likes it that way. It makes us easy to prey upon. 

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” 1 Peter 5:8-9a (NLT)

We’re living in challenging times, exactly the kind a predator enjoys! Now more than ever, we must be extra vigilant and on the look out. Alone, we’re readily vulnerable to his temptings and can be easily consumed, satisfying the enemy’s hunger for more. We must ask God to help us control our words, monitor our minds, think before we act, and to protect those weak spots (I) we each have from being targeted. Luckily, after discovering the trespasser, the bird restaurant didn’t stay open long.  Just as I ran off this unwanted neighborhood cat from his hidden hunting place before he was able to have lunch, we can deter the stalking devil before he devours us. God has given us everything we need for the fight!

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11(NLT)

We spend a lot of our time distracted, watching our phones, TV, other people, our bank accounts, and so much more. Let’s not forget to be alert to the one who lurks in the midst of it all. God has provided a defense so that we can stand firm and be strong in our faith, be a light in the devil’s darkness revealing his hiding places, and victoriously compel him on his way.

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:13-17 (NLT)

May we remain ready for battle, always observant instead of becoming the next “serving” on the enemy’s menu!

Teaming up with http://www.fiveminutefriday.com and #write28days at http://www.anitaojeda.com writing to the prompt “Observant”. Your presence here is a blessing to me. I always pray you leave encouraged. God bless and stay well!