faith

October 5, 2020

Road Trip

I love road trips. The adventure of getting in the car, hitting the road, and enjoying the ride.

Of course, anyone who’s been on a road trip knows that that the reality is a lot less romantic. There are pit stops, road construction, breaks downs (both automotive and emotional), and boredom. But there are also new sights, interesting people, and adventure.

And the anticipation of the destination, of course.

Are we there yet?

The trip itself is great, but there’s always the destination that we’re moving toward. That ultimate goal gives the whole trip its purpose.

What I came to realize this morning during my quiet time is that this is what the life of a child of God is like. A road trip, final destination, Home in heaven. Eternity in glory.

That perspective made such a huge difference in my attitude today. Not just about today, but all the good times and bad times that have led up to today. They’re all just part of the road trip. Part of the adventures that make up this journey home.

Sure, I’m bound to get flat tires along the way, run out of gas, blow up at my traveling companion. But I’m also likely to laugh until I cry (or pee my pants), experience something breathtaking, and make amazing memories.

And the best part?

The end of the road trip brings me Home. There’s no place like it.

In the meantime, I’m going to try to remember to enjoy the trip along the way.

October 1, 2020

Remember to…

breathe.

Slow down. Live this moment. Experience it. Each one is a gift from God.

trust.

“Do you trust Me?” God asks me this all. the. time. Do I trust Him with the heart-hurts stuff, the it’s-too-much stuff, the gotta-get-it-done stuff? No one is more trustworthy.

surrender.

Trusting is one thing. Letting go is another. Be like Elsa. Let it go.

praise.

Know that the blessing of breath, trust, and surrender come from a great big, worthy God. Tell Him so. Because the telling reminds your own soul. And I don’t know about you, but my soul needs to hear that every moment of every day.

September 22, 2020

Mask Up

Every day when I go to work I cover my face with a mask. I wear the goggles. I sanitize my hands. I monitor and report my health symptoms.

It’s a lot.

And, if I’m honest, I’m tired of it. I know it’s for my own good and the good of those around me, but it’s getting old always covering up, hiding behind the protection.

I need a change of perspective. A change of heart.

What if I look at these things as reminders, as weapons and protection against something more deadly that Covid-19.

My own sinful heart.

What if my mask was a reminder to watch what comes out of my mouth? To be careful to speak words for building up and not tearing down?

What if my goggles reminded me to look at others through the lens of grace and compassion?

What if the hand sanitizer and temperature checks were a reminder to be daily washed in and aligned with the Word of life?

These are crazy times we’re living in right now. Crazy times call for crazy love, and the craziest love I know is the love of Christ.

So, with His help, I’ll mask up, cover up, and clean up. Not just my hands and face, but my soul, too.

September 22, 2020

The Little Things

I started a new challenge yesterday to record one thousand gifts. Graces from the Lord. So I prayed this morning, “Lord, open my eyes to see your graces today.”

I looked. All day I looked. Nothing extraordinary. Where are you? I know you’re there. I know you’re working. Why can’t I see you?

I get home and hear hubby talk about how everything fell into place for him today. How things didn’t go according to plan, but better than planned.

I’ll count his blessings today since I didn’t come up with any of my own, I thought.

Washing dishes after dinner, I noticed the eggs I had collected earlier. Little ones from the chickens I raised from chicks this spring, only now just beginning to lay.

Tiny blessings. Hints of bigger and better things to come.

That still, small voice. “I love you. I’m here and I’m working, even when you don’t see it. Even when you don’t feel it.”

“Thanks, Lord. I love you, too.”

“I love you more.”

July 30, 2012

Bloom in the Holding Pattern

I’ve been in a bit of a funk recently.

I’m ashamed to say that I can get like that sometimes, when life ahead seems uncertain, with no clear direction, no noticeable results from what I’ve been doing, when I’m not sure which direction to head or if I’ve been going in the right direction at all.

But this morning, while I was having my quiet time, I was reminded that God is always at work, even when we can’t see it.

That thought reminded me of something that happened last week on the way home from our island mission.

We had just landed at the airport where we had a lay-over and were taxiing into the terminal when the captain addressed us over the speaker system telling us that we were going to have to sit tight for a bit.  Apparently “something” was going on at the gate we were to debark on and it needed to be sorted before we could deplane.

We had no idea what was going on.  We couldn’t see anything, we didn’t have a radio to hear any of the communications about the issue.  All we could do was sit there, hot, tired, anxious to be on our way, and wait.  Just wait.

But, despite the fact we couldn’t see it, work was being done to prepare the area for our arrival.  There was very likely a whole crew of very busy folks scurrying around, clearing things out, setting things up, getting ready for us.  We couldn’t see it, but it was happening.

That’s what life is like sometimes.  You can’t see what God’s doing behind the scenes, how He’s laying things down in preparation for what’s coming.  You might even be in a holding pattern, sort of wandering around, not being terribly productive, hangin’ in there, just waiting until you get the “all clear” and direction for what’s next.

The important thing to remember at times like these is that God IS at work, even though we can’t see it.  He’s preparing the way, getting ready to keep His promises.

That got me thinking about what promises I could be holding onto right now, while sitting in my own holding pattern.  Jeremiah 29:11 came to mind:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Now, my pastor has always taught us…when you’re looking at a verse, in order to understand its full meaning, look at the passage surrounding it.  So, when I opened up to Jeremiah 29, I started in verse 1.

Jeremiah wrote a letter to the people recently exiled to Babylon, giving them a message from the Lord.  “Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce.  Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.  But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”  (vs. 5-8)

I read this passage and a thought immediately came to my mind…

“Bloom where you’re planted.”

We’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating, and it certainly gave me a boost this morning.  While I’m waiting, I can be busy “blooming.”

And the really neat thing…the thing I can cling to while I’m waiting and blooming…God made a promise.  He’s busy right now, working things out, and in the right time, just the right time, He will reveal His plans and give me direction for my good and His glory.  He says it right here in His word.  All I have to do is hang in there and keep blooming.