Friday, September 22, 2006

Just Words

Do you still hear the comment of a teacher, doctor, coach, counselor, or parent predicting your future? The words may have given you hope or caused you to feel defeat. But the amazing thing is that you remember them as if they were spoken to you yesterday. Was the prediction accurate? Has your life reflected the opinion of that respected person or did you make your own way? I have a friend who was told by a teacher in the eighth grade that he would never amount to anything. Almost 50 years later, he still struggles with feelings of damaged self worth even after achieving a satisfying and successful career in the very field that had precipitated the remark. However, I had a camp counselor that told me at age nine that I would do great things one day. I’m not sure what God intends for me with those words of encouragement but I have never forgotten them. We are babysitting our granddaughters this week and I am reminded how impressionable and vulnerable the heart, mind, and psyche of these little ones are. We must be so careful with what we say – to speak words of life and not death. In Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord says, “I know the plans I have for your, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Someone may think they have the inside track for our life but only our Heavenly Father knows where we are headed. His plan will never disappoint us and we can trust the One who made us to make sure we succeed.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Heart Listening

I met a young nurse last week at the hospital while undergoing one of those humiliating tests that are necessary “at this age.” She brightened up the room when she walked in to complete the paper work and prepare me for the doctor. I immediately noticed what a pretty girl she was and as we engaged in the normal chitchat of nurse and patient, our conversation turned to moving and how exhausting it can be. She mentioned that she had moved three times this last year. I expressed my heartfelt sympathy and asked her why? Out poured her story: a divorced mom of two who married young (she is now 28), and through a blind date met her prince charming eight months ago. The romance fast-forwarded through the fairytale engagement party, wedding plans with all the trimmings, yet ended with a broken engagement and the latest move. The wedding date had been set for the day after our conversation. But there were no tears of regret in the eyes of this beautiful girl because she was sure that God was leading her in this decision and He had a better plan for her and her boys. I encouraged her in her step-by-step walk with the Lord and reminded her to share the comfort that God had given her during this difficult time with those she meets in the future. After she left the room, I had several minutes alone before the procedure to think about our conversation and pray for Julie. I rejoice that I listened beyond her words to hear her heart. Thank you, God, for giving me Your flashlight to shine on the way. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)

Thursday, September 14, 2006

The Gift of Friendship

Moving to a new area, miles from old friends, has been one of the bigger challenges now that the pressing issues of settling in have been accomplished. Phone calls, email, and cards help maintain connection with those “back home.” However, a new passage in life forces me to step out of the comfortable and meet new people. Experience reminds me that friendship comes in various forms. It might begin as a shared interest in a hobby, children or grandchildren, or vocation. With some, it is forged during moments of intense battle for a common cause. With others, it settles into a comfortable relationship without complication. You cannot hurry a friendship—it takes time to know the heart of a person. For a moment, consider defining friendship as a group of concentric circles. At the center, only two or three people really know the intimacies of our heart. Many more fall in the next ring and are part of our everyday lives in a casual way. A few people live in another city but continue to impact us. And the final ring includes those folks we call acquaintances. Doug Weibe writes, “These gifts of friendship are scattered like ripe fruit in the gardens of our lives, waiting to be tasted and enjoyed. Each gift is given by a loving God, who knows what we need and who desires a friendship with every one of us. Therefore, while we may choose our friendships, we do not create the gift of friendship. We can work on our friendships, but we cannot change them into something they are not gifted to be. This is the pain and the joy, the poverty and the incredible freedom we experience on the journey to becoming friends.” I am on that journey and each time spent with a new “friend” offers hope and promise. Wonder who God will bring into my life tomorrow?

Sunday, September 10, 2006

9/11 and $14

I received an email from a friend about the glorious homegoing of her 94-year-old dad. She writes, “I was surprised by my reaction when Dad took his last breath as I shouted through my tears ‘I am so happy! I am so happy! Dad made it – He is in the very presence of the Lord.' ” As I thought about her reaction, I am in awe at the thought that I, too, will one day stand in His very presence. She experienced first hand what it says in Psalm 30:5 (NLT), Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning and, again, in Revelation 7:17b (NIV), And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Tomorrow, we will remember the tragedy of 9/11 and mourn again for so many lost lives from that fateful day. I did not personally lose a loved one but I lost, as did all Americans, the right to feel safe and secure in this land we love. Yet, maybe the better lesson learned from such an excruciating loss like 9/11 occurs in the continuing story from my friend. She writes that as her brother was later going through his father’s wallet, he came across $14. He mused whether that was all this life had come to—$14? "Then the Lord prompted him with, 'You are not looking at life from the right perspective. What else is significant about the number 14?' My brother said to the Lord, ‘Dad had 14 grandchildren.’ God then sweetly said to my brother 'That is where your dad's treasure was—his grandchildren.' Isn't that just like the Lord to gently turn our eyes back to what is really important – family?” Our treasure must not be centered in our bank account or all the security measures we might establish. We have seen firsthand how these fail. Instead, choose treasure made up of gold, silver and jewels that will never be destroyed: faith, family, friends, and freedom. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21(NIV).

Tuesday, September 5, 2006

School Days

There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1(New Living Translation) My granddaughter, Kate, starts first grade tomorrow and is so excited. Her mother is crying. It signals the end of babyhood and the beginning of her passage into a mature and responsible young woman. Transition from one season of life may be hard whether the change is welcome or not because we become accustomed to certain routines and schedules. We are creatures of habit and like the familiar. It takes work to make changes … dieting is a good example, moving is another. But, the result is worth the personal sacrifice. Sometimes, we have no control over the change and survival comes with trusting God for our lives, our family, and our future. He knows what is best and even though we may shed a few tears, He is gently holding us up during those times. I love the story of Footsteps in the Sand. (Let me know if you have not heard it.) Even change that is welcome such as a marriage or the birth of a child results in enormous internal and external adjustments. However, we can have confidence that God is the author of the book of our lives and He knows the end from the beginning. Take life a chapter at a time and see what wonderful things He has in store. Remember Kate - who can hardly wait for tomorrow!