Everyone has surrounded me in love
Friends and family far and near, old and new
Cards, flowers, letters, calls, meals, texts
I’ve felt remembered.
Everyone looked the same
They had all participated together
Each one wearing a #SuttonStrong shirt
I felt supported.
Everyone went above and beyond
Such generosity from our churches
A bounty for the Ronald McDonald House
I felt grateful.
Everyone found ways to say, “Welcome Home!”
Balloons, signs, silly string, sirens
Celebrating with our family
I felt such joy.
Everyone praying
Even some I’ve never met
Those prayers sustain us
I feel blessed.
Anyone can be an “Everyone”.
“𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥.” 𝘏𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝟷𝟹:𝟷𝟼 (𝘕𝘐𝘝)
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” Colossians 1:13 (NIV)
Above
When this sneaky intruder perched himself above my bird feeders I was NOT happy. Sitting perfectly still, he camouflaged himself silently amongst the branches waiting to trap and eat one of “my” birds. His presence there was also keeping them all from being fed.
You know, there’s a devious adversary who’s hovering over us, too. He’s a master of deceit and disguise. Patient, he lurks and before we know it he’s able to capture us when we’re off guard. I’m talking about Satan, The fallen angel from above. The ruler of this world we live in. (explains a lot about all that’s happening, doesn’t it?)
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
There are few of us, myself included that willingly come within the predator’s reach. But once we’re enticed and snatched from where we want to be, it often takes time to realize it, because as most beasts of prey do, he toys with us for awhile before we are consumed.
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NIV)
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”James 1:14 (ESV)
Deceived, lured, enticed, but wait! My own desire? If we stop and think about it, most often when we find ourselves in the snare of the devil it’s because he was able to convince us to pursue the seemingly harmless things WE long for or avoid what WE don’t want.
It’s a battle. Satan has so many wily ways to tempt us (me), and once we succumb, we find it difficult to get close to Christ and His Word and our souls aren’t fed. That my friends, is when we literally begin to waste away. Thankfully, this is not the end of our story! God has already defeated Satan and provides a defense for you and me.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11
Luckily, when confronted, the unwanted hawk at my feeders fled and the birds returned to eat. The same is true when with God’s armor, we resist the devil. He retreats and we draw near to the One who provides all we need to truly live.
“We love each other because He loved us first.” 1 John 4:19 (NLT)
Establish
This gal LOVES family traditions! So much so, that I’d clung tightly to the ones we’d established over the years (some since my childhood) without much variance despite our children being grown. From new PJ’s on Christmas Eve, to saying what we’re thankful for around the Thanksgiving table, to everyone’s favorite dishes for their birthdays, it was the same every year and that’s just the way I liked it. Then in a blink of an eye things changed.
Life does that…change, I mean. I’m not a fan. Now, not all changes are bad ones. We’ve been blessed to add a new son and daughter to our family. What you don’t really think about though, is that with them comes their own beloved traditions and families to celebrate them with. I never thought I’d survive not being all together on Christmas Day. That transition was hard! Maybe you know all about it.
We’ve all been through it. A loved one is gone, someone moves away, out of nowhere a pandemic hits, or it snows and travel is out of the question. Whatever the reason, the truth is that what WE establish in our world is only temporary.
That realization set in once again this summer as I sat scrolling through Pinterest. Our youngest grandson was about to celebrate his first birthday. Traditionally, it has been me who’s baked and decorated the boys’ “smash cakes.” So there I was, searching for ideas when reality hit hard. Sutton’s health had changed in a split second and now, he wouldn’t (maybe ever) be able to eat his own birthday cake, or Halloween candy, or Christmas cookies. Talk about difficult…
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)
Learning to let go of MY deeply-rooted traditions has been a process, but surprisingly (to me) doing things differently isn’t so bad after all. Getting together on a different day, sending things in the mail and then being on Face Time together, or thinking outside the box to celebrate in new ways can be just as meaningful as those time-tested favorites of seasons gone by.
As it turned out, I was able to make a cake for Sutton to smash on his birthday. The ingredients were different so that it wouldn’t harm him if he happened to get some in his mouth, but it was made with the very same love that I made his brothers’ with. That’s the thing that change is teaching me, it’s not really the traditions that are important. It’s the love we share.
“Three things will last forever-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
“For I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak.” Jeremiah 31:25 (BSB)
Encourage
We’ve all seen them and if you’re like me you can look around and see one right now. I’m talking about the mugs, calendars, signs, candles, and more, that are adorned with familiar Bible verses.“Be still and know that I am God” is lit up right across from me as I type this. These are verses we cling to and have memorized. They give us hope. We turn to them for comfort. Believe me, I’m speaking from experience! In the last months I don’t know how many times I’ve repeated “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
But, I’ve felt anything but strong as we’ve navigated through a devastating health emergency with our grandson. Remembering well-loved verses certainly helped me through my days, but it’s actually been scripture of a different kind, a verse of weakness, that’s encouraged me the most lately. Read these words spoken by a desperate father who brought his son to Jesus:
“The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24 (NLT)
Honestly, I think I’ve lamented about needing help with my unbelief more than any other verse in recent weeks. How is a verse about a lack of faith encouraging you ask? Because I’ve been there. You too? Wavering faith, like mine and maybe yours, is what prompted this Father’s words, but they weren’t offered up to the Heavens as mine have been, they were spoken directly to Jesus. Think about that. Even knowing all Jesus could do (like we do), He, standing face to face, let his lacking pour out directly to the Son of God!And how did Jesus responded? He finished what he’d started with the man’s son.
Jesus didn’t abandon them or reprimand the father for needing help to believe. He didn’t say come back when you have it all together or that he had to be further along in his faith journey to experience Jesus.That my friends, is what reassures me; that in our weakness, Jesus won’t leave us on our own, stranded in our lacking, either.
Often when our strength is gone there’s another common go-to verse:
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
We often stop there but Jesus doesn’t. He continues in verse 29 to say:
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
I plead, “Help me in my unbelief.” “Let me teach you,” He says. “Put it down. Learn from Me.” Jesus doesn’t expect us to be spiritually strong all the time. He knows there’s much we still need to know. Instead, He encourages us to come to Him directly, pouring out our unbelief and everything else that leaves us spiritually weary. And then, we can rest in the promise that Jesus, who began a good work in each of us, will continue until He finishes what He’s started. Worth repeating, don’t you think?
“Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see-how good GOD is. Blessed are you who run to him.” Psalm 34:8 (The Message)
Whole
“I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!” That was a slogan for Alka Seltzer back in the 70’s and a catchy one at that. I remember people would be heard saying those words at restaurants, around dinner tables, and at the ice cream parlor. I’ve even said them once or twice myself as this picture proves! (The hair? Don’t ask!) Whether finishing an entire bag of potato chips in one sitting, munching through a four-serving bag of microwave popcorn by myself, eating way too much on my first trip to Pigeon Forge, TN (the picture again), or you add your own to the list,“the whole thing” can leave us feeling full – of food or whatever else we’ve partaken of- AND fuller of regret.
There’s one thing though we can never fill up too much on, and that’s God. The Psalmist puts it like this:
“God – you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains.” Psalm 63:1-3 (The Message)
I don’t know about you, but I often let myself desire chocolate chip cookies and a Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee more than I hunger and thirst for God. That is of course, until life has me stumbling through a dry and weary place, it’s then I finally realize I’m actually starving for Him.
“Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to GOD. He got you out in the nick of time; He put your feet on a wonderful road that took you straight to a good place to live. So thank GOD for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. He poured great drafts of water down parched throats; the starved and hungry got plenty to eat.”
Psalm 107:6-9 (The Message)
When trying to fill up on our own, we can easily find ourselves in disbelief because we’ve messed up the whole thing, gotten the whole thing wrong, spent the whole thing, lost the whole thing, been consumed by, or consumed the whole thing. Thankfully Jesus, while in his own desert place, reminds us of what we truly need to really live.
“Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: ‘It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.’” Matthew 4:4 (The Message)
It’s not in a fizzy liquid where we’ll find our relief, but in tasting the life-giving, life-nourishing Word of God, not just a bit, but the whole thing!I’m believe that once we take it in, we won’t be able to get enough!
“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.” Matthew 5:6 (The Message)
“Love is patient and kind.” 1 Corinthians 13:4a (NLT)
Patient
Introducing Mr. G and Mr. B. They are patient patients sent to the boys from the staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital to help them learn more about what their little brother would be coming home with. Mr. G has a G-Tube in his tummy and Mr. B, a Broviac Tunneled Catheter in his chest, both supply nutrition to someone who’s body cannot absorb it on its own.
The reason I call them “patient” is that the boys wanted nothing to do with them and so there the bears sat, waiting for Carson and Owen to get to know them better. They were sent to help but the thing is, picturing what Sutton has been through isn’t something they liked to think about. They wonder why it happened and don’t want to envision all he’s experienced. These bears reminded them of their little brother’s suffering, of how their lives have changed, and so they wanted to keep their distance while they waited for things to get better.
As I put the bears aside, it occurred to me that at times we can feel the very same way about what Jesus endured. He too was sent to help, but often we don’t like to think about all He encountered to accomplish it. Getting too close to Him can remind us of the grief, anguish, and pain he bore so our unworthy lives could change. Instead, we try to keep our distance, just until we’re better, more deserving. Thankfully, Jesus is patient too.
“But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:16 (NLT)
“When Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor-sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 2:17 (NLT)
Sutton is home now (a true miracle) and in spending more time with him, the boys are realizing he’s the same brother they love, are becoming less focused on the wounds themselves and more on the fact that they’re part of a plan to give Sutton life. I’m guessing you can see where this is going.Yes Jesus, our brother, suffered wounds too but on our behalf. He did it willing as part of God’s loving plan to give a new life to you and me. A TRUE MIRACLE indeed!
I predict that someday soon Mr. G’s and Mr. B’s patience will pay off and they will be welcomed into the menagerie of all the other stuffed animals the boys have. And their tubes?I think the boys will learn to celebrate them, like Sutton’s, for the healing they bring. Let’s not wait any longer and celebrate Jesus in the same way.
“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3 (NIV)
The Walk
A long day at war with worry and fear,
Little boy squabbles, and
Needs far and near.
Head is pounding. Thoughts running wild.
Tears threaten to spill, Lord
Do you see me, Your child?
Shoes on feet. Helmet on head.
“The evening is calling us
Let’s take a walk before bed.”
Step after step, labored and slow.
Boys on bikes buzz by
Leaving a trail of laughter as they go.
Longing for an answer, I lift up my eyes
Turn the corner. Stopped in my tracks.
An unexpected surprise!
There in every hue of His love
God’s peace painted for me
Across the sky above.
Finish our stroll bathed in pink light.
A beautiful reminder
We’re never out of His sight.
“MiMi, the sky!” I hear them say.
Smiling, I thank God He is with me,
And that tomorrow’s a new day.
“I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” Psalm 57:9-10 (NIV)
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
Day 1: “Need”
We are a generation of stuff, overrun with things we think we need. The proof is on our porches, in outbuildings, our closets, self-storage units, and in my own garage. I used to teach my Second Graders the difference between a want and a need. It’s a lesson I’ve been reminded of in the last few months and one most of us could use a refresher on. Really, we only need the basics for life like food, water, and shelter. All the rest we can get by without. Difficult, challenging times make it clearer than ever that “things” are not what will sustain us.
The chorus to the hymn above has run on replay in my mind for weeks now. “I need Thee, oh I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee.” Maybe you’re like me and have found yourself in the midst of an unexpected situation in which you have no control over or the strength to face on your own. That’s when we learn what needs are truly essential: the Bread of Life (John 6:35), the Living Water (John 4:14), and the Shelter of the Most High (Psalm 91:1).
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
God, who sees us at our worst and best, strongest and weakest, when we’re rejoicing and grieving, knows what we want, but more importantly, He knows and is able to provide exactly what we need, not just for ourselves, but so we might share with others. God’s abundant blessings of praying friends, supportive communities, encouraging church families, and overwhelming love from others doing “good work” have been what’s helped my family endure these past months. So now it’s my turn to richly give those in need, not stuff, but the abiding, overflowing love we’ve been shown. A love that sustains not just life now, but for eternity. #31Days2021 #writingprompt #fmfparty #1/31
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Out of Order?
At the beginning of each new school year a “Meet the Teacher” night was held for my incoming students. And every year I listened as parents proudly listed all the things their son or daughter already knew: letters, sounds, fact, numbers to 100, 500, 1000. I’d smile, shake my head, and say to myself, “we will see.”
Children are very adept at rote learning. That is, repeating things enough times that they become comfortable with them and can repeat them on demand, as long as they are in order. Whether spelling words, answers on a study guide, or numbers to 100, the true test is being successful even when things are OUT of order.
My family and I have been experiencing the same kind of test. If you’ve read much of my writing you probably know that I am a comfort zone gal. I like my days to repeat over and over in the same way. The repetition allows me to seemingly meet the demands of life; as long as it remains in order, that is.
In recent weeks however, our lives have felt completely OUT of order! My youngest grandson suffered a traumatic health emergency and now our schedules, priorities, plans, dreams, just about everything, have become rearranged. May I say, it is anything but comfortable. As you might guess and maybe have experienced yourself, it’s left me feeling extremely weak so I’ve been clinging to this familiar verse:
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
These words reassure us when our worlds are in chaos. As He often does, God is teaching me in this unexpected, upside down, mixed up, time in our lives and it’s occured to me, that we (I) may say these words from memory, without real thought of the true meaning, which lead me to read Philippians 4, verse 12. Here are the words Paul writes leading up to these often repeated ones:
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12 (NIV)
Just like my second graders, the true test comes when we’re victorious even if nothing is as we thought it would be. So, whether in joy or sorrow, fear or courage, peace or anger, health or sickness, “whether living in plenty or in want”, we can be content in “all this”, not on our own, but through Christ. What I’m learning (maybe kicking and screaming) is that life is never going to stay in order, and maybe, just maybe, we (I) shouldn’t want it to be, because it’s in those times when we’re blindsided, off balance, out of sync, discombobulated, and uncomfortable that we look to the One who DOES stay in place, to give us the strength to be content in it all
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ ” 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NIV)
I’ve joined with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com today to write to the prompt “Order.” I encourage you to click over and read more! I have been so overwhelmed and grateful for all the prayers given for my family and especially for Sutton from this wonderful writing community, our family, friends, and even people we don’t know. God is working and prayers are being answered. Follow Sutton’s journey at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070279381003
“Smile, when you think you can’t. Smile, get up and dance. Smile, there’s a bigger plan. The storm only lasts for a while. So smile!” The Sidewalk Prophets Photo credit to Claire Cottrill Photography
Facelift
Recently, I was invited to an on-line cosmetics party and the hostess asked a question about our biggest skin concern. My immediate response was, “I can only choose one?” But, out of the choices she offered, my answer was “wrinkles.” Spending time in the sun and the passing years show on my face. Some might say I’m in need of a facelift. You know, where they pull your saggy skin back and in the process give you a perpetual smile? No thank you! But the truth is, I do often need another kind of facelift. One that’s not given because of time in the sun, but rather, one that is the result of time with the SON!
“We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us imposters. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.” 2 Corinthians 6:8-10a (NLT)
Life is hard. You and I know that things don’t always go our way. Friends betray us. Jobs are lost. The world shuts down. Dreams feel out of reach. People die. We could spend all day adding to the list. And when I’m faced with worries, fears, and challenges? My face shows it. It’s not just my skin that sags, but my mouth droops, eyebrows slump, and my demeanor, well it just wilts, taking those around me down with it. You see, unlike the disciples, who, by the way, knew all about how hard life can be, I lose sight of joy. I need a face lift! Been there?
Throughout the Bible the disciples show us what it means to live with joy. Now you might be thinking, “Cindy, no one is happy all the time.” I agree. Joy and happiness though, are two different things. Being happy results from what’s happening around us. Always having joy, comes from the Spirit inside us. I’ll bet you’re like me and can name people in your lives who like the disciples, have experienced tragedy and yet rejoice. They’re the ones who remind us, that in the midst of our biggest concerns, we can still smile by lifting our face to the Son.
“Since you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Think about things of heaven, not things of earth.” Colossians 3:1-2
I continue to learn (yes, it takes me a while) that it’s all about perspective. If I stand too long in front of the mirror (focused on myself), all I see are the wrinkles of life. But a face lifted from the imperfections, heavenward toward Jesus’ perfection, allows us to echo Paul’s words above in 2 Corinthians 6:10, “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.” Always, my friends! And that’s the uplifting way we want to face life and to share with others. Let me leave you with these words:
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15: 13 (NLT)
Now, if that doesn’t give you a everlasting smile, I don’t know what will!
