Monday, November 27, 2006

Bump in the Road

Just when you think that life is finally moving along smoothly, a bump in the road pops up and we experience a huge jolt. What do you do? We had this happen this week over the Thanksgiving holiday. All the plans and preparations were accomplished with little fuss and praise all around. Then the phone rings and life turns upside down. My 82-year-old mother fell getting out of bed hitting her head on Thanksgiving morning, and ended up having emergency brain surgery. She is holding her own and we have been given hope that she will fully recover. There is no way to prepare for these kinds of happenings. Only God knows what the future holds – for all of us. Trusting God is a daily challenge in both the good times and the bad. Yet, I walk by the stones that I have piled by the side of the road and it reminds me of the times He has met me in the past. I know He is comforting my dad and giving peace to my mother. During this time, our family closes in to support and encourage each other – and we wait. However, our hope is in the One who made us, heals us, and gives us life each day.
I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, 'You are my God.'
My times are in your hand.
Psalm 31:14,15 (ESV)

Monday, November 20, 2006

Thanksgiving Thoughts

This has been a year of change for us. As I reflect on all that has happened, I can truly say, “The Lord is good.” Our pastor reminded us yesterday to have an attitude of gratitude – in all things. The big issues are easy to list but he shared a few examples of the simple things – the ones easily missed:
I am thankful for…
The partner who hogs the covers every night, because they are not out with someone else.
The child who is not cleaning his room, but is watching TV, because that means he is home and not on the streets.
For the mess to clean after the party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.
For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am in the sunshine.
For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.
For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means that I have clothes to wear.
For the alarm that goes off in the morning hours, because it means that I am alive.

I am very thankful for the significant things in my life -- my husband, children, grandgirlies, friends—both old and new, home, health, faith, and freedom. But the pastor’s list gave me a different perspective and encouraged me to reevaluate those daily events that often annoy or irritate me and to find ways to be grateful. If I have learned anything this year, it is to celebrate each day. We can count on problems, crisis, illness, and brokenness to touch us but our God is able to meet every one of our needs with His power, wisdom, and love. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 (NLT) Take a few minutes before Thanksgiving and write down God's blessings to you this year – both in significant and minor ways. Why? After the children of Israel had experienced the miracle of walking across the dry land of the Red Sea, God gave instructions to take stones from the riverbed and pile them by the side of the path. The purpose was to remind them of God’s faithfulness every time they walked by and saw those stones. So when storms hit, pull out your list! Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:4-5 (NLT)

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Who Done It?

I like a good mystery, whether it is a movie, television program or book. I don’t like scary ones but the kind where you solve the “who done it.” Some of my favorite programs were Columbo and Mission Impossible and today, CSI. Yet, when unexplained events occur in my life, rather than enjoying the suspense, I want immediate answers –all the details laid out for me to see. This past week has been one of those where I shake my head and wonder what God is thinking. A series of events has changed lives in ways that I could never have orchestrated and I might have done differently if I had been in charge. However, I was just a bystander acting as coach and cheerleader for loved ones confronted with an opportunity that was going to take them far beyond their wildest imagination. Life changing decisions challenge us to seek information and answers, particularly when our emotions are in turmoil. Family and friends can give opinions and options but only God has promised to give both wisdom and understanding. Sometimes we have to search for direction since we often don’t get letters in our mailbox or email with step by step instructions from God. Instead, we have THE Letter, the Bible, which includes all the help that we need. All we have to do is ask our Father, pay attention and listen to His leading. I still have a few questions that I intend to ask God someday about all this but I trust Him that His plans are the best for all of us and He will give us peace.
yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Proverbs 2:3-6 (ESV)


Friday, November 10, 2006

It's Character, Stupid

The election is over and the results are in. Depending on your political persuasion, your mood about the future is encouraged or disheartened. Everywhere you turn post mortems are being written on what happened and why. I think Chuck Colson’s thoughtful conclusion hits the mark, “You can talk all you want about the unpopularity of President Bush, or the Iraq war, or immigration. But what this campaign really boiled down to was, well, when it comes to conservatives, it's character, stupid. If conservatives don’t learn that lesson, they will spend a long time in exile — and deservedly so.” Theodore Roosevelt wrote, “Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.” God had something to say, too, Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. Habakkuk 2:4 (NLT) I can do nothing about the changes going on in the houses of power in Washington, D. C. but I can make sure that what happens in my house follows the principles given by God. I want a reputation of love, harmony, good times, honesty, and integrity to be present for all who cross the threshold of my front door. My desire is that family will feel at home, guests and friends who enter will feel appreciated and cared for, and strangers will know they are welcome. I have been involved in that political arena in the past and know the dangers inherent with such power. I left that avocation and now my desire is simply stated in 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT), I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. To be able to stand before Him and hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”—now that is winning!

Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Election Day

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message)

Today will begin with a real sense of urgency for some people and others will head into the demands of the day oblivious to the national election. The television will be consumed with reporters and pundits chronicling trends, movement, opinions and ultimately votes. The one thing we won’t hear is the advice given in Proverbs. God is the only one who can lead us – not our national leaders, our pastor, or our friends. They will fail themselves and us. Yet, we have the great and awesome responsibility to vote and must not ignore the challenge presented today. Your candidate or issue may win or lose but your one vote insures that you have been part of the solution rather than the problem. Take this passage to heart and listen for God’s direction as you head to the polls – He has promised wisdom when we ask Him for it. He will not be surprised by the election results today. Trust Him to have it all under control.

Saturday, November 4, 2006

Thankful Heart

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) During a phone call with my daughter yesterday, we discussed the importance of teaching children to have an attitude of gratefulness. Parenting is always a challenge and in this day of abundance, media advertising, and targeted marketing, it is natural for a child to express the “I want it now” syndrome. The “it” may not even be a toy but time and attention. Yet, life’s demands require choices with our resources of time and finances and our responsibility is to teach our children to be thankful for what they have. We brainstormed about ways to encourage the girls to have a thankful heart, especially timely with both holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner. How about adults? Do we suffer from the same attitude? Do our expectations and desires cloud our thinking so that we miss the good things that God is doing for us? After the past couple of weeks, I am grateful for a smile on Mark’s face. The unexpected visits by new friends encourage me that we are cared for. A gift of a yellow day lily sitting on my kitchen counter demonstrates God’s love of beauty. Let’s take inventory this month and list the daily small graces given by our Father…and give thanks.