Recently, I smiled at a story my daughter told me about a little four-year-old friend. The little fellow was telling her about his older sister who was hit in the face with a softball. “Oh, no!” my daughter had exclaimed. “Is she alright? “Well,” he answered matter-of-factly, “she wasn’t then, but she is now!”

Later as I thought about the little guy’s comment, I realized there was actually a good deal of wisdom in his innocent reply. Sometimes, we’re not okay. We may have physical hurts and pains. Comments may scar and wound us. We may be scared, worried, lonely, or just downright angry or mad. We’re in a place that we don’t want to be and we’re not okay. While most of us find ourselves in that “not okay” place from time to time, the real question is what we do next. What do we do to get to a better place?

I’ve learned that it’s easy to get stuck in my “not okay” place. A couple of weeks ago, my back put me out of commission for about a week. I had to practically roll out of bed, stand up by sheer grit and determination as I would hoist myself up by clinging to a walking stick, and then I would clutch that stick for dear life until the back spasms would stop. It was not a pretty sight. I hurt and I didn’t like where I was. In the middle of my pain, however, there was little I could do but pray for relief and accept the help of others for the simplest of tasks. Needless to say, I was not okay.

I learned, or should I say, I re-learned, a lot about myself that short week. In addition to the pain, I began to feel sorry for myself. This was not the way I expected to begin the summer. I hurt. I was getting further and further behind with things I needed or wanted to do. I felt that no one could understand the depths of my hurt and despair. Poor me!

In addition, the more I bemoaned my condition, the more prideful I became. I hated for others to have to do things for me, or to do the things that I normally did. While I hated to burden others, however, I realized deep down that I really questioned if they would do things like I did. I mean I still remember the time my husband cleaned everything in the bathroom with a bottle of Windex!

When I wasn’t worrying about how well things were getting done, I was questioning if anyone really needed me. They seemed to be doing pretty well in spite of all the extra demands that I added. Poor me, again!

Do you see the cycle of depression I so easily drifted into? Soon I was becoming more crippled by my irrational thoughts than by my stressed-out back. But once again, as He has so many times before, God came to me right where I was. He didn’t wait until I started acting better or got myself straightened out. He met me where I was and helped bring me out of the depths where I had allowed myself to fall. What did He say?

• ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

This has always been one of my most favorite verses of Scripture. I remember its truth coming to me at one of the darkest times of my life when I lost our first baby. God ever so gently, then, and countless times since reminded me that nothing – absolutely nothing – could ever separate me from His love. I’ll be honest I cannot understand a love like that. Too often, human love demands we measure up and do what is expected. It doesn’t want to love us when we’re unlovely, when we’re bitter, when we’re not easy to love. But God loves us in spite of who, what, or where we are…..and that leads to the next thing I was reminded of.

• And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).

God’s love leads to grace. We are saved by grace and we live by grace. This verse reminds me that when I am at my lowest and weakest, Christ’s grace will still be sufficient. And even more His strength is perfect in my weakness. When I give up and let God, His power can be manifest in my life.

God reminded me that no matter what I’m going through I’m covered with His love and grace. It is in Him, in His Presence, that I can discover the way out of my “not okay” place. Psalm 91:1-2 states: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”  

In God’s Presence, we find whatever we need for the situation we’re in. Just consider a few of the things that the Book of Psalms remind us about what God’s Presence can mean in our lives. He is my shield (3:3); He lifts up my head (3:3); He is my refuge (9:9) and my strength (18:1); He is my support (18:18) and my shepherd (23:1); He is my helper (30:10); He is my hiding place (32:7); He is my joy (43:4); He is my defense (59:9); He is my God of mercy (59:10); He is my shelter and a strong tower from the enemy (61:3). It is God’s Presence that makes my “not okay” place alright. As I bring everything to Him and surrender it to Him, even when I hurt, even when I don’t like where I am, and even when I don’t understand, there in that sweet place I’ll find whatever I need to get me through whatever I’m facing.

I wasn’t okay in the midst of my pain, but God got my attention and reminded me of His Presence. I wasn’t alright then, but I am now!

 

 

Yesterday, in an instant, I was taken back twenty-two years to one of the hardest times in my life. That Saturday morning was beautiful, just like yesterday, when I received a phone call that turned our family’s lives upside down. My Dad had collapsed and was being rushed to the hospital. As my husband and sister rushed to the hospital, I rounded up all the kids and went to sit with Mom. It wasn’t long before we discovered the terrible news. Dad was gone!

What takes me back to that morning? Sometimes, I just turn the calendar to June 1 and I think about it. At other times, it can be something that reminds me of that fateful day – a beautiful, sunny morning; the sound of sirens around lunch time; sometimes, even the sound of my husband washing cars or kids splashing in a wading pool (that’s what was happening at our house on that morning) can take me back and make over twenty years seem like yesterday.

But while I can be transported back to that day in an instant, I don’t want to stay there. Why? That day was about heart-breaking loss, separation, and an empty space that could never be filled. I don’t want to stay in that place. Instead of thinking about how hard it was to lose him, I want to remember how good it was to have him for my Dad. I want to remember the fun times we had together. I want to smile about the hard, but needed, lessons he taught me. I want to think about the times he was there for me, the times he was proud of me, and the times we were just together.

As I was thinking about this, it occurred to me how true this is with my Heavenly Father as well. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming to think about what Christ did for me, the way He was scourged and beaten, and nailed to a cross. I can get stuck on how I don’t deserve such a sacrifice. I can get hung up on how much He did for me and how little I do for Him. Without Christ’s death, I would never have forgiveness of sin. But when I stay with Him on the cross, I never live the life that He died to give me.

When I accept what Christ did for me – not because I deserve it, but simply because He loves me – and step out in faith to live this life He has given me, I truly discover what it means to live. And in the process, I come to know not only my Savior, not only my Lord, but also my Father. I come to know Him, the One who receives me and accepts me (see John 1:12), the One who loves me unconditionally (see Romans 8:38-39), the One who is always there ready to listen to me and help me (see Psalm 46:1), the One who corrects me and forgives me (see Psalm 86:5), the One who rejoices over me (see Zephaniah 3:17).

Instead of thinking about the way my Dad died, I want to remember the way He lived. I want to remember his laughter and joy, his loyalty and compassion. I want to remember how hard he worked and how much fun it was when he played. I want to remember road trips, picnics, ball games, and carnivals. I want to remember….remember….remember….and, hopefully, part of these good things that I remember will become an integral part of who I am.

Likewise, I want to experience life with my Heavenly Father much the same way. When I think about Him, I want to remember how He saved me, but also how He’s walked with me. I want to remember heard prayers and answered prayers. I want to remember struggles I went through and how my Father stayed close. I want to remember the sometimes hard lessons He taught me, and the unexpected joys that He often gave me. I want to remember…. remember….remember…. and, hopefully, as I walk with Him day by day, something of Him will be reflected in my life as He works to make me more like Jesus. Yes, I want to remember, but I want to remember life!

“The Lord your God is in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

(Zephaniah 3:17)

 

Earlier this week my husband and I took off for a few days to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It had been awhile since we had done so, we both were ready for a road trip….and, after all, 39 years is definitely worth celebrating! So off we headed to come one step closer to completing another item on our bucket list (that is, if we really had a bucket list). A couple of years ago we finally completed traveling the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of our favorite places. And this year we decided that perhaps we could come one step closer to completing another desire – to visit all of the lighthouses in North Carolina. We still had two to go, Cape Lookout and Bald Head Island. Both have to be reached by boat or ferry, however, and we only had a couple of days. So, we decided to tackle Cape Lookout this year and off we headed.

Traveling roughly seven hours to the Cape Lookout National Seashore, we arrived (after driving through much rain and clouds) to an absolutely beautiful, cloud-free sky. With only two hours left for ferrying and returning passengers, we decided to wait and catch the ferry the next morning so that we could spend the morning on the seashore. Alas, we awoke the next morning to pelting rain, stormy skies, and a 60% chance of rain. Traveling to Cape Lookout lighthouse appeared as dim as the lighthouse’s shadowy image appeared off in the distance. But, hey, this was our anniversary trip! There were still things we could do in an area that we rarely get to visit and maybe, just maybe, the weather would improve so that the ferries could run to the seashore later in the day. Thus began our discovery of unexpected “blessings!”

–A tiny little motel with no coffee or coffee maker and a constantly running/roaring portable air conditioner….but it’s location unequaled, sitting directly on the inlet complete with fishing boats, marina, and a view of the lighthouse off across the horizon.

–A simple local restaurant with signs proudly proclaiming “Now Serving Breakfast,” but failing to mention that breakfast was only available on weekends….but they served delicious fresh seafood the rest of the day by the friendliest wait staff you would ever want to meet.

–A fifteen-mile trip off the island in a desperate search for coffee (if you know me….you would understand)….but, finally, a McDonald’s!

–And at McDonald’s, a tall cup of my black brew, nice COLD coffee…but a sweet server who made a fresh pot just for us!

 

Do you see where this is going? The following morning, as we sat in a place simply called “Restaurant,” and watched a dear lady take orders and rush back to the kitchen to fill them, it came as no surprise that our carefully taken orders for sausage and eggs arrived a few minutes later with bacon instead of sausage. As we nursed our coffee cups (yes, we found coffee), we couldn’t help but smile at our “perfectly planned” anniversary trip. Later as we left, taking steaming cups of hot coffee with us, we drove to the end of the island, sat in the car in the rain, and watched the water lap against the rocks and the seagulls forage and play around the water’s edge. And then I was reminded…there’s always a blessing!

There’s always a blessing…although the ferries still did not run even though the sun pushed through the clouds and produced a beautiful, sunny day. There’s always a blessing…although a favorite restaurant I remembered from a visit to a nearby town now closes after lunch when we showed up for dinner. There’s always a blessing!

I admit, however, how easy it is to lose heart and give up on looking for the blessing. When things do not turn out the way we expect them to or desire them to, it’s much easier to resign to our fate, and perhaps even grow ill and irritable, than to push against the obstacles and see the blessing. But I am learning that when I succumb to discouragement when things don’t go my way, I am actually showing a lack of faith in God to work things out in His time and His way.

What I’m also learning is that I seem to have no problems trusting God with the big things in my life….those things that are completely out of my control. Yet, I can get tripped up with minor setbacks and inconveniences. And I have to ask myself…Is God not in control of these simple things, too?!!

David declared in Psalm 18:29: “With You I can attack a barrier, and with my God I can leap over a wall.” He continued: “God—His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides Yahweh? And who is a rock? Only our God” (Psalm 18:30-31). God knows about the deep desires of our hearts. Likewise, He knows about those minor inconveniences or problems that can wreck our carefully laid plans. While we may be caught by surprise, God is never surprised. And what is more, He’s right there with us whatever we’re going through. With His help, like David, we can “attack our barrier,” or “leap over a wall.” God gives us the power and strength to fight, endure, or take whatever action needed to persevere.

In a later psalm, David declared: “Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me” (Psalm 30:2). Sometimes, it is us instead of our situations that God wants to change. At still other times, God may need to get through us and our preconceived plans to actually change our situations for something much better than we envisioned. But regardless of the why, or even the way, we can totally trust our lives and ourselves to God. And, in the process, there’s nearly always a blessing lurking somewhere….” “You turned my lament into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, so that I can sing to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise You forever” (Psalm 30:11-12).

On the last day of our anniversary trip the day dawned bright and sunny. We eagerly headed to the ferry, delighted to see the gates rolled back. Yet, even then, we hit a snag as no one else was there and they needed a minimum of four passengers to operate the passenger ferry. After waiting for about an hour, we agreed to pay a double fare so that we could at last make it to the seashore. So, for $20 each, we had a private ferry to and from the island, and were able to spend about two and one-half hours, almost all alone, on the Cape Lookout National Seashore. It was quiet, it was beautiful, it was a blessing!

Later after we returned to our little motel, I began working on this devotion. I couldn’t help but smile again as the air conditioner stopped roaring and the lights went off, as workmen outside turned off the electric power. What a perfect ending to a road trip filled with blessings! And as the cool air began to blow once more, I felt God must be laughing with me….yes, there’s always a blessing!

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving …. Oops! Happy Mother’s Day!

I just cannot celebrate Mother’s Day without my heart overflowing with thanksgiving. I’m so thankful that God gives us mothers. I’m so thankful for my own precious mother who now celebrates in Heaven. I’m so thankful for the privilege of being a mother and for the four kids (yes …four…our firstborn celebrates with my mother, her Mimi) that He so graciously entrusted to my husband and me. I’m also thankful for the countless other women (some mothers themselves and others not, some younger, some older) who have helped “mother” me through different stages and situations in my life. And most of all, I’m thankful for the God who allows us to serve Him through others as we mother.

As I rejoice over the blessing of mothers, my thoughts naturally turn to my own precious mother, the one who birthed me, who loved me (even when I messed up), who believed in me, who taught me right from wrong, who watched for me and cared for me, and who taught me by example how to live.

In some ways, I can see my Mama in me. For sure, I can think of five ways that I know I’m like my Mama.

Five Ways I’m Like Mama

1. My family means more to me than anything else on earth.

2. I love to cook, but I have to clean.

3. Food fixes everything.

4. There’s nearly always a reason to celebrate (even the simple things).

5. Planning and preparing is a joy in itself.

There are other ways that I truly wish I were more like Mama. These are the things that

sometimes bring tears to my eyes as I remember Mama.

Five Ways I Wish I Were More Like Mama

1. Mama served her family and others from her heart….not what she ought to do, but what she genuinely wanted to do.

2. Mama sacrificed quietly….at the time I didn’t see it because I didn’t know that she would probably have liked a new dress or shoes, or perhaps she didn’t always prefer chicken necks and backs to breasts and thighs.

3. Mama found joy in everyday simple things…. Picnics, car drives, visiting relatives and friends

4. Mama knew how to be content.

5. Mama persevered when times were hard, when there was difficulty or trouble, when the future was uncertain. She carried on, hung on, and kept on keeping on.

As I was writing this I asked my two daughters what they remembered about Mama. Immediately, they both smiled. The memories that tumbled out made us laugh and threatened tears, but in the process I was reminded that mothers forever mother. It is a calling that we never outgrow and the concern for the children we mother and care for never wanes.

So, this Mother’s Day, once again I thank God for Mama, for the privilege of being a mother, and for the many other women who, in one capacity or another, help mother His children. I honestly do not think there could be a greater privilege on earth! Happy Mother’s Day!

Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
(Proverbs 24:3-4)

After a weekend of rain and a Sunday with continued rain and torrential downpours, I huddled in my favorite chair with my laptop, a current writing assignment, and my favorite word game, Every Word. It was nearing midnight which is not unusual for me to greet the early hours of the new day. I had long since abandoned my writing and thinking and was mindlessly playing my word game when the house went completely dark as the power went out. I admit as I had listened to the heavy rain and had experienced intermittent breaks in the electric power, I had kind of figured that this might happen. I sat for a moment in the quiet and complete darkness.

I heard the usually quiet little creek next to our house roaring loudly and I could only imagine in the darkness how badly it might be overflowing its banks. The sound of the continuous rain pelting the roof did little to convince me otherwise. I was interrupted from my thoughts by my sweet old grand-dog, Snickers, a husky-retriever mix, who had been curled up by my legs on the ottoman. I could feel her restless movements and could tell that she was confused by the sudden darkness. I patted her side and reassured her all was okay and that it was time to go to bed. Seeming to understand, she got down and I could hear the familiar click-clack of her paws as she headed to the bedroom.

Meanwhile I felt my way into the bedroom to retrieve a flashlight so that I could see to shut things down and put things away. It wasn’t long, however, before I heard the click-clack of Snickers’ paws again as she came to find me. She stayed close on my heels as if needing to be assured that things were okay. When I finally made it back to the bedroom and slid into bed beside my sleeping husband, I realized that Snickers had followed me to my side of the bed. Instead of stopping at her dog bed, she had continued on my heels and, in the darkness, I could feel her front paws on the side of the bed waiting for my okay for her to jump up. I patted the side of the bed, signaling it was okay, and felt her lurch her frame onto the narrow spot on the side of the bed.

Now, Snickers is not a small dog. She is normally content to sleep on the floor where she has plenty of room. On those occasions when she does join us, she usually waits to be petted, and will then gravitate toward the foot of the bed. But not last night! Instead she lay down right next to me, resting her head against my arm. I heard a contented sigh as she dozed off. I lay there for a while in the darkness before going to sleep myself and I thought about God.

You see, Snickers is a big dog. She’s a sweet dog and well behaved (which we owe to her parents). But she is also a dog who scares easily. When we Skype with my son and daughter-in-law, she runs and hides – there is something that unnerves her about the voices in the computer. She is afraid of storms and can get spooked by something as simple as a new cap my husband wears or a sound with which she is unfamiliar. I knew that Snickers had been unnerved by the sudden darkness, not to mention the roaring water and pelting rain. Yet she found solace, safety, and peace by coming to me and staying close by me.

Thinking about Snickers made me think about me and God. What do I do when I’m scared? What do I do when I’m worried about something I don’t understand? What do I do when I don’t know what to do? God’s Word is abundantly clear.

“Hear my cry, O God;

Attend to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For You have been a shelter for me,

A strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;

I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.”

(Psalm 61:1-4)

 

God has more than proved Himself faithful in my life. He has shown me time and time again that He is a God that can be trusted. Instead of succumbing to fear about things that are going on in the world, instead of fretting over things I don’t understand or worrying about things which I cannot fix or control, I need to run straight to that Rock. Like the psalmist, as I cry to Him (come before Him in complete honesty)….abide in Him (seek Him and His way, read His Word, obey Him)…. and trust in Him (surrender everything…my fears, my doubts, my worries, what I just can’t understand), He will shelter me (provide a harbor for me in my storm, give me refuge, be my sanctuary).

Just as Snickers sought me in her fear, I need to seek my Master and listen to His voice. I need to stay close on His heels for direction and guidance. And just as Snickers found safety and contentment curled up next to me, I, too, even in the middle of the darkness or the storm can find peace and refuge in the shelter of His wings.

Have you disagreed with anyone lately? Have you disagreed with another Christian, a family member, another usually like-minded individual? Disagreement s and disputes are going to come to all of us. I know that I have had my fair share over the years. No matter how hard we try to avoid conflict, it seems to come at one time or another and oftentimes it seems to show up when we’re least expecting it.

While disagreements and disputes can be expected in this world, one of the things that has been most bothersome to me over the years is when my disagreement is with another believer or with a close friend or family member who usually agrees with me. I mean I can understand when I disagree with those who do not understand my beliefs, those who do not know my God who believe differently, think differently, and act in ways contrary to my beliefs. I can understand why we disagree. But it has been harder for me to deal with those conflicts that strike closer to my heart with people I know and love and who are seeking to follow the same God I serve. I can understand David’s anguished cry to hear that his trusted counselor, Ahithophel, was a conspirator with David’s own son, Absalom, as he attempted to overthrow the throne.

“For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it.

Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him.

But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance.

We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng.”

(Psalm 55:12-14)

As in David’s case, I don’t think it’s the matter of just having a disagreement with a friend or brother. Even when we’re seeking to honor and serve God in our lives, we are individuals and we may look at things differently. None of us are perfect and none of us are always going to get it right, but the trouble comes when our disagreements escalate and lead to something greater and more divisive. In simple terms, we allow our disagreements to give way to sin. James states it this way: “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:15). Our desire to get our way, to prove our point, to win an argument is just like any other desire or temptation that motivates us to get what we want. And that is when sin takes over and a simple disagreement, even a misunderstanding, can lead to conflict, betrayal, division, and if not addressed, irreparable consequences.

So how do we keep our differences from escalating to such proportions? It’s hard when our feelings have been hurt, when we feel strongly about an issue, or when a point of controversy rests close to our hearts. And, at the same time, I’ve discovered that unchecked, undealt with differences, even when seemingly small or minor, can often cause me just as much anguish as bigger controversies. And I’ve also discovered that my response to any of these differences can contribute to this anguish. But the Scriptures do offer us some help and guidance when we find ourselves struggling in these areas.

Paul told the Corinthians:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God

for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself

against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity

to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience

when your obedience is fulfilled.”

(2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

In this passage, Paul is giving us some insight as to how we should “war,” no matter what type of disagreement or controversy we face. The key part of this verse to me is the phrase “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”  What do I do when I get mad? What do I do when I don’t agree? What do I do when I know I have been wronged?

I know what I have done….

I have fussed and fumed to those who would listen. I have sought to build my arguments to defend my position. I have tried to tear down or belittle my opponent to make me feel better. In short, I have sinned.

But I also know what happens when I take every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ and take them to God….

He gives me peace in the middle of my anguish. He redirects my vision, perhaps showing me something I need to do or maybe something I had not thought about. He showers me with His love and understanding and, in turn, helps me to respond to others with more compassion and grace. He reminds me that He is in control and that the battle is His.

I can honestly say that there is no comparison between these two responses. When I yield to sin, I reap anguish, discord, and a troubled mind and spirit. When I take every thought captive and surrender them to God, He gives me peace, renewed purpose, and a sound mind and spirit. When I think of the difference my response makes in my own life, I cannot begin to fathom the difference it can make in the lives of others, particularly non-believers, when they see believers disagree by taking every thought captive, surrendering them to God, and allowing Him to take control!

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling

with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in

love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive,

and gave gifts to men.’”

(Ephesians 4:1-3,8)

 

 

 

Knowing God

 A Prayer

I prayed to know You better,

But little did I know,

The path to understanding

Could be rocky and quite slow.

I longed to feel Your presence,

To know that You are near,

To never have to wonder

If You knew my doubts and fears.

But, oh, what You have taught me,

The God you’ve shown to me,

Revealed not in great glory,

But as You’ve walked with me.

For in my times of turmoil

When I’ve struggled for control,

When I’ve fought for my agenda

Or clung to lesser goals,

You’ve stayed right there beside me,

Not content to let me be,

You’ve taught me sweet surrender

To the God who cares for me.

With every disappointment,

With every hurt or snare,

I’ve found a God who understands

And who always meets me there.

And day by day I’m learning

My quest to know You, God,

Is not a destination,

But a journey that I’m on.

For each day as I seek You

And as You walk with me,

You help me know You better

Until one day I will see

You, God, in all Your glory,

The One I’ve yearned to know,

The One who heard my earnest prayer,

My God, I’ll fully know!

There’s nothing quite like a trip to the beach. For about as long as I can remember, going on vacation meant going to the beach. And once that tradition started, it didn’t matter where we went or how far we traveled, we hadn’t had a vacation unless we’d been to the beach!

One of my favorite things to do when we go to the beach is watching the evening sunsets and no less glorious, seeing the morning sunrises – but unfortunately, I usually don’t awaken in time for those! But there’s just something about watching the fiery display of colors every evening as daylight gently fades. The ever-changing and deepening hues of color, their reflections dancing on the water, and the soft sounds of the waves gently lapping on the shore all evoke in me such a sense of wonder. What a beautiful world our God created!

Another one of my favorite things is watching the tiny little sanderlings and sandpipers as they run along the tide line and chase after the receding waves, probing in the wet sand for food. They seem to be always busy, skimming across the wet sand on their tiny, tiny legs. But occasionally, they seem content to pause and watch the surf and even study the two-legged creatures invading their feeding ground. As I watch them scurry and work, however, I again am overcome with how perfectly God designed every part of His creation. From the sanderlings on the beach to the wild animals in the forest, God made every creature with an innate ability to know how to live. What a wonderful world our God created!

As much as I love the beach, however, and no matter how many times I return home wondering when I’ll be able to go back again, there’s just nothing quite like coming back home. Depending on where we vacation, I know by heart the exact place on the return trip home where I will catch that first glimpse of the mountains in the distance. It is a view that never ceases to take my breath away. As I see those mountains getting closer and closer, and when we finally climb up into their depths and are encircled in the layered ranges, once again I am reminded of our good and faithful God. This God is not only the Creator of a world of beauty and order who cares for all He made, but He is also a God who encircles us in His love. He surrounds us with His power and majesty, strengthens and helps us. What an awesome God is our Creator and Sustainer!

As I returned home and unpacked my bags, I admit that it felt good to be back home. At the same time, however, I really missed that walk on the beach on my first night back home. I couldn’t help but smile as to how fickle I must seem to God. But then I remembered what Paul told the Philippians about being content.

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

(Philippians 4:11-13)

While Paul was largely speaking in regard to material need, I think the same applies to the desires of our hearts as well. You see, our hearts are only really at home in Christ. No matter where I go or what I do, my sufficiency, my completeness is not because of where I am, who I am with, or even what I’m doing. I can only know true contentment and peace when my heart is at rest in Him.

I am reminded of Psalm 91 about abiding in God’s presence.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

³ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler^[a]
And from the perilous pestilence.
⁴ He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
⁸ Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
¹⁰ No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
¹² In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

¹⁴ “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

As much as I love being home, and as much as I enjoy visiting other’s homes and places that seem just like home, I can honestly say that I’m not truly at home unless I am dwelling “in the secret place of the Most High.”  For it is only there that my heart is truly home.

As the Easter season comes to a close for another year, once again I am reminded of the completely unfathomable grace of God. I know that I, for one, have been guilty of sometimes cheapening God’s grace. In other words, I joyfully accept it and happily proclaim it. I sing about it and boast about it. But oh, so many times, I forget what grace actually costs.

It is true that grace is a gift. Ephesians 2:8-9 states: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” But it is also true that this grace wasn’t free. It cost Christ His very life. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).

My sin cost Jesus His life. It cost Him pain and suffering beyond comprehension. Yet He willingly went through it all out of His inexplicable love for you and me. I’ve given up trying to explain how God’s love could demand such a sacrifice from His own Son and how the Son’s love could willingly surrender to that demand. I’ve read and heard theological explanations, some of which completely defy my understanding, as to why Jesus’ suffering and death became God’s chosen way for my salvation. Yet I do know, according to the Scriptures, that God’s plan for redemption originated before the foundation of the world (see 1 Peter 1:18-20). It wasn’t a reaction to something that man did that God didn’t know was going to happen. God knew and yet loved us so much that He made a way to redeem us before we were even born. He gave us a Savior before we ever knew we needed one. He gave us grace.

Many of you have probably seen the acronym for grace.

G – God’s

R – Riches

A – At

C – Christ’s

E – Expense

This is truly grace. When we accept what Christ did for us on the cross, we become children of God and actually heirs of God. Like any heir, we have full access to the riches of God. But herein is also another truth that I’m beginning to discover. As heir of the riches of God, I also become a bearer of God’s grace. Merriam-Webster defines grace as “unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.” And following this definition, “a virtue coming from God.” In other words, I receive grace and then I give grace. God’s grace flows through me to touch others.

Unfortunately, however, the grace that God shows to me doesn’t always flow as easily through me to others. You see, when I show grace to others, it costs me something, too. I have to let go of some of my thoughts, attitudes, and preconceived notions. Instead of evaluating everything according to what I think and the way things look to me, I must learn to see others through the eyes of Jesus. It is only as I give up my self-centered way of looking at things that I can become a conduit of God’s grace to others. Paul helps us see that a grace-filled life is the result of a Christ-filled life.

“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:1-7)

So, what does a grace-filled life look like?

• Instead of condemnation, there is forgiveness.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing” (Mark 11:25).

• Instead of retaliation, there is mercy.

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

• Instead of strife and dissension, there is peace.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14).

• Instead of returning evil for evil, we seek to bless others.

“Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9).

• Instead of judging and condemning others, we pray for them.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Grace is not always the easy way, but it is always the best way. Through grace the love of God is demonstrated in unfathomable ways. In spite of what it may cost us personally, what it can accomplish in the lives of others is well worth the cost.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a little girl I never really understood what getting a new outfit had to do with Easter. Oh, I looked forward to it. This was the one time a year that we always got a complete new dressy outfit, as well as shiny new shoes and even a little handbag to match…not to mention Easter baskets filled with candy and surprises. I just kind of figured that this was sort of the commercial side of Easter similar to Santa Claus gifts at Christmas. It was just something we did at Easter.

So, in like manner, when my kids were small, I continued the time-honored traditions. Every Easter Sunday was filled with family dinners, egg hunts with cousins, and of course, the trip to church all-dressed up in brand-new outfits.

And then, just this year, as I was reading about Jesus’s resurrection, something He said got my attention. In Matthew 28, the women had just been told by an angel to go tell Jesus’ disciples that He was risen from the dead and that they would see Him in Galilee. As they hurried to tell the disciples the good news, Jesus met the women and He told them: “Rejoice!”

Rejoice! Easter is a time for rejoicing. The crucifixion was horrible. Jesus suffered a cruel, agonizing death. But on the third day, He arose. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is something to celebrate. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He triumphed over sin and death so that all who trust in Him can be made new and have eternal life. As the apostle Paul stated: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Even more, we can rejoice not only over what Easter means for us today, but also what it means for tomorrow. The final book of the Bible reminds us: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’” (Revelation 21:4-5a).

Easter reminds us that Christ makes – and will make – all things new. That is certainly something to celebrate and get all dressed up for, but, unfortunately, this Easter I don’t have a new outfit to wear. But that’s okay because when God looks at me, He doesn’t see my pitiful rags anyway. Instead, He sees me covered by the righteousness of His dear Son who gave His life for me. Matthew tells us that after Jesus told the women to rejoice that they “came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him” (see Matthew 28:9). What better way to rejoice at Easter than to worship the One who gave His life for us, the One who covers us with His righteousness, the One who makes us new?