Growing Pains

 Have you ever experienced a loss so painful you described it to yourself as "That just knocked my props right out from under me and where do I go from here?" I have, a few times, but somehow something better followed the devastation, sooner than later. Often the something better came quietly, without trumpets and flashing lights, but quietly, gently, unnoticed unless you're expecting it and watching for it.  So, Child of God, lose that "rained on, poor me" attitude and watch, wait for your Father to show you the next step, but don't sit waiting for a roadmap from where you sit all the way Home.

God has given me a few extra years and a long memory, enabling me to sit, looking back over time and see the path I blindly followed, not knowing how things would end up.  I found a few surprises that gradually increased the strength of my faith and understanding of the God I was born to serve.

The term "double trouble" hardly describes my early 40s--losing my 62-year-old mother to cancer while struggling through a 7-month-long divorce, not something you bounce back from, but gradually I realized new independence and confidence going forward with two daughters in high school and college and then their marriages, then continuing not quite alone, with God. 

I had always been reluctant to quit a job, never trusting the unknown for a better future--sort of a bird-in-hand rule. I had left my first adult job when I married and moved out of town, left the next when my first child was on the way, and post-divorce, I certainly depended on the job I had, despite the worldly culture and unfairness there, so my next test a few years later was being laid off right before Christmas, along with a couple of other over-40 ladies, replaced with younger girls we had trained! No Panic!

As I cleaned out my desk (after the past 14 years), I remembered God had once solved another unsolvable problem. We three had needed a more dependable car but had no room in my budget for a car or for repair bills--and found a 3-year-old Dodge Charger, only 12 miles out of warranty. Needed a new car, couldn't afford one, got one--and somehow it was paid for before having a single repair bill. Can you say blessing? 

Clutching that last paycheck in hand, I deposited it and went directly to the unemployment office, then to a temp agency, where I worked for several weeks until they sent me to Abbott Labs, who offered me the position, at a slightly lower salary than I was used to, but in faith I took it, and began moving toward a debt-free life, finally achieved before retirement at 65.5, including home mortgage!  One day I thought I was knocked off my feet, a few weeks later was safely ensconced in a dependable job where respect, trust and security reigned. 

My future turned a new page as I followed blindly, trusting my gradually increasing faith, even today, approaching my 90th birthday joyously. I began this praise devotional series to my Father in Heaven in 2015, which will continue so long as I can get to the computer and record what I know of His thoughts and His presence. Of course, I look forward to the end of this journey, but even now He is present with me every day. Blessed!

No matter the future, whatever circumstance or mischief from our enemy Satan, never give up. Plant your feet, stand on God's promises, count on His love, and leap over any obstacles in your path, because His path will lead you Home at last. 

Never give up. Give it to God. 

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”   (John 16:33)

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”–Psalm 91:2

“For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” - Philippians 2:13

Piecing Things Together

 Enjoy jigsaw puzzles? A while back I had a neighbor in Assisted Living who spent her afternoons bent over jigsaw puzzles, day after day, month in and month out, humming hymns as she worked. I wondered why she found them so gripping, week after week. Simple bits of colored cardboard in peculiar shapes that somehow became identical to the tiny photo on the box top. This took dedication, perseverance and patience, and she never gave up until her job was complete--and then she began again on the next one!

I remembered when as a child I had struggled to complete even a single puzzle; I often found there were a few pieces missing and once found a few leftover pieces that had no place in the puzzle. and I marveled at her skill. 

Even today I sometimes feel lost, as though something is missing in my life because I can't see a solution to my current problem and I'm fearful of finding answers to my many questions about my future. Also, I occasionally see extra pieces of my life I should change--they just don't fit my picture of what a Jesus follower should be, and I despair--until I remember I know Someone who sees the whole picture of my life from His perspective and He carefully, fits together my life in living color and He has laid aside a pile of extra pieces that didn't fit His picture of me, off to one side. 

I know I can trust my Heavenly Father's work in choosing only those pieces that perfectly match His picture of me.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe" (Ephesians 1:18-19).

Wake up!

 Wake up, Get up, Suit up, Show up--there is a battle to be won. There is a time to shelter in prayer, in worship, but never turn your back to the enemy of God and His people, who knows and prepares for the great battle to come--Remain vigilant! Hold the fort! Be ready with the mighty weapons your God has provided you. Help train those warriors new to the Faith, who may not understand what/who is coming, who may not yet realize that in this battle, there are only two options: Fast Forward or Retreat, no safety in comfortable rest stops along the way.

Work while the day is here.  Daily read your Roadmap (Scriptures) before setting out for the battleground. 

You snooze, you lose.

All roads may lead to Rome; only one way leads to Heaven.  He said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32,

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.    John 14:6

Who is Jesus?

Most of us have heard of Him; many of us think we know Him, Few of us understand Him fully. He wasn't a prophet, though He fulfilled hundreds of ancient prophecies about His coming. He was not just a good man, He lived His days on earth with the rest of us, yet was unique in that He never sinned, He lived His life and gave it to pay the penalty for all the sins of mankind, past, present, future. He wasn't a created being like the rest of us.

Instead, He was and is Creator and Ruler of All There Is. and now sits on His throne in the heavenlies, ruling over His Creation.  And He promises that ALL of us will see him (at least once) when our Judgment Day arrives. What comes after that? We each get to make that decision--and please understand: by postponing or failing to make the decision, we will ultimately, unhappily, by default, seal our fate: never to see Him or any joy again. He made it easy, just follow His instructions in our daily lives and each day we are another day closer to Heaven and life and love forever.

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  John 6:35

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt. 5:14-16

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." 7So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8“All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11

“My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” - John 10:27- 30

1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.    John 14:6

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11-25, 26

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:5

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.   Philippians 3:20

 God explained my path to follow in this way:

                            Moonlight

The moonlight spreads its silvery glow
Transforming ordinary things below.
The wonder is--if truth be known,

The moon has no light of its own!

If it went off on a path of its own,
I'd see what it is--a mere chunk of stone!

Its true nature exposed, scarred by its past,
Then the source of its light, revealed at last.

By faithfully circling around the sun,
The beauty it shares is easily won.

When my life on earth, Father, is finally done,

Let it show I steadfastly turned 'round Your Son. 

          

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?

 Dear Family and Friends,

This morning I received a wake-up call so strong I hesitated to share it. After praying and considering it the rest of my day, my first instinct of "too little, too late" and just now read my email devotionals from 3 pastors I follow, which encouraged me to share my awakening and am compelled to share a note of courage to us all.

Like many concerned Christians, I had almost given up on saving our country and our people. I regret to confess that sadly I had mentally bid farewell to the world, counting it as lost. Many of us, I fear, have heard enough about earth's last days that we're beginning to hunker down, clutching our loved ones, mentally bidding the rest of the world farewell -- and perhaps--good riddance.

Now, I'm older than our dear Pastor Jeremiah, and the only muscles I have left are above my neck and in my heart, so I had mentally given myself a pass from the biggest battle we will face in this world, yet this world needs each of us and we were each carefully placed here at this time for a purpose--for God's purpose and to glorify Him. 

While I was moaning (praying) this morning, I was interrupted by a clear picture of all the times Israel left God, was enslaved, redeemed and forgiven, only to repeat. Perhaps Sunday morning Christians and the rest of us must go through a dark patch of history, along with those who we believe deserve it, before God snatches us back from the brink! (Perhaps the Israelites thought they faced the end too) 

He seems to be saying to me, "Your nation has had it so easy, you thought I owed it to you. Now you must take your turn with My discipline as is fitting to remind you whose you are--now, roll up your sleeves, hunt up that suit of armor gathering rust in your hall closet, listen for marching orders and stop packing for your trip home--I'll tell you when the battle is over. You have work, much work, to do before I call you home! Reread the last pages of My book:         W E    W I N!

At my age, I figure my chances of being around for the fireworks to come are slim, but I have family I love, including 2 tiny great-grandsons and want them to know our God and be safe from evil as they enjoy their time on earth, before following me to Heaven, without any distraction from the terrible evils we have allowed to run free. I know you hope for safety of your own loved ones too.

We all crave to arrive home to be with the Lord, but it could be decades, eons, weeks or seconds before the trumpet will announce that day. Yes, it could be tomorrow--perhaps not--but when He comes, His bride, the church, must be ready, prepared, without guilt for work never done.

Dear Ones, I pray our Father gives each one of us the vision and determination to say, "Not yet.  Lord.  Lead us, give us wisdom and strength and courage to speak, love, act, and vote together." We may be the last generation of adults educated before moral choice is dead history, never to be known by our children in tomorrow's schools! Don't wait by the door to be taken out of this mess, waiting for someone else to fix what's broken--good riddance to it. So long as we each know someone not yet booked in for this flight to Eternity, let's not act like the game is almost over, wash our hands and wait - alone - by the door without holding the hand of a friend or family member and bringing him with you to the Door to LIFE, while it is still open. Don't show up alone! 

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.  Romans 8:16-17

 I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Philemon 1:6

 

Growing Up

 Thinking about my newest family member, my great-grandson and watching him grow and learn more about the world around him, has shown me a clear picture of life's stages and milestones as we grow and learn about this broken world and the next perfect home now being created for our eventual home, if we choose to walk toward it.

He already has strong opinions on what he wants and needs at 9 months and insists on getting it   N O W!  As his simple diet gives him strength and his eyes see more things just out of reach, he will begin to try to get what he wants and he will squirm, crawl, climb and stretch out his hands to reach something new, something so attractive that he will push himself to find a way--learning to walk, to extend his reach to sample more new things daily. Never satisfied to stay quietly in his crib, playing with simple toys that formerly amused him, he grows as his vision of the world grows.

Occasionally, a child is born with problems that fail to allow him to grow and mature due to our imperfect world, tainted by sin of our first mother and everyone is saddened by the tragedy of its fail to grow and mature, perhaps growing to adult size, without the ability to care for himself, thrive or understand the world around him.

Perhaps that is how our Father God sees us, watching us discover new things about the world we hope and try to ready ourselves for--or are we sitting in our crib, waiting for someone to feed us and bring us new toys to entertain us, never venturing to crawl across His floor, never trying to use our unformed muscles to extend our reach, our potential capabilities we were born with.

Many Christians are content to live in the shadow of His palace, feeling our way through life, wishing to become wiser, stronger, bolder, to prove our devotion, yet never see why we're missing the life like other people we know--with abilities we can only dream of. We're now bored by the pablum for babies and covet the meat other Christians seem to thrive on, with their strong teeth devouring strength-giving vegetables and proteins. 

We've read about the exploits of God's people throughout time and finally we cry out to our Father, "You used them and blessed them mightily--why not give me those abilities?"

Then, if we truly listen for His reply, we hear Him say, "I thought you'd never ask. Remember, I challenged you, "You have not because you ask not?"

As your eyesight clears, you can now begin a dialog with your Creator as you grow and learn what He expects you to do: learn, grow, serve, and love, one day at a time.

        “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” - Romans 8:26

The Good Parent

 We didn't choose our parents--they chose us. They invited us to share their home, their lives, taking responsibility for training us to build good, wise, strong adults who can make intelligent choices for their lives. 

Some parents choose to ignore their duty in this regard; they figure the "universe" will teach their unfortunate children to avoid repeating mistakes through conflicts and lost battles with someone stronger, often resulting in bitter, unhappy people who learn to fight for everything they want.

Some doting parents want their children to have all the finer things they themselves never had, everything they want; the parent will sacrifice themselves to indulge every craving, creating disillusioned immature adults who will believe the world owes them whatever they want, when they want it--with no effort from themselves. Their goal becomes more, more, more! 

Blessed are the children of wise, dedicated parents who try to instill in their children self-respect and respect for others, teaching them the balance between privilege and responsibility. In short, these parents are more concerned that others will respect their children than whether their children will love them. They strive to instill a moral compass leading to the child choosing the wiser path for their future. 

Would the wise parent let a 5-year-old play in the street, dodging traffic? Would he buy a 14-year-old a car?  Is it cruel to deny his child such fun when they see other kids with those playthings?  A wise parent sees farther ahead than his child can visualize. A wise child raised in love can trust that his parent knows things he himself cannot fathom.

God tells us He is our Loving Father, and proved it through the life, death and resurrection of His Son Jesus for our sin and rebirth. If He could sacrifice His beloved Son in our behalf, would He be petty enough to deny us anything we desire, unless He knew (as we do not) what great harm would befall us if He allowed it.

Why do we have problems? Exercise and effort build muscles. Problems build spiritual strength and faith--same thing. Our lives are spent experiencing problems, leaning to overcome them and learning from them how to trust our Father more every day. Want to know your future? He says, "No way!  Know, trust Who holds your future!"

    “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

 2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.          James 1: 2-4