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Getting Things in Focus
The trees start their dance as the wind picks up speed. Soon the rain joins the chorus and the active weather is upon us. As we sit in our RV in a campground, my uncertain feelings escalate as I read the weather app on my phone – tornado warning! While praying, I look for something to distract me, but the puzzle book I grab does little to help. My thoughts are all still over the place. My mind teems with anxiety as I consider all the unpleasant possibilities. The “what ifs” take hold. I am akin to the tight rope walker who is told not to look…
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You Have a Choice
A year ago, this week, I faced a terrible diagnosis and an uncertain future. My world was filled with “why” questions that had no answers. My summer plans to enjoy some holidays and to prepare for my new job turned into days of medical appointments, surgery, and recovery. As I recall those difficult days, my heart hurts at all I had to endure. I remember my head being in turmoil. My thoughts were a muddle as I tried to make sense of my situation. All of a sudden, everything in my life was coloured by the impact of this disease. I was devastated and wondered how I was supposed to…
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Forget What is Behind
Often, I read and take to heart Paul’s words in Philippians “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 NIV) I am a goal-oriented person and this verse appeals to me. I like the idea of working towards something. Of course, I know I cannot earn salvation – that is God’s free gift. I do like the encouragement this verse brings to keep on going in the walk of faith – knowing that God has the “prize” awaiting me as I look heavenward. What I often don’t consider is the verse that comes prior to this…
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Stepping Out on the Edge
They go about their daily business. Outsiders might call them unskilled labourers. But doing what they do requires knowledge of the weather, of the sea, and of specific techniques. In the societal hierarchy, they are on the lower side of the scale. Yet they do their work with faithfulness and patience in order to provide for their families. These fishermen are going about their daily tasks when Jesus walks up to them. Scripture doesn’t tell us if they had heard Jesus’ message prior to this day. It is highly likely that they already knew something about His work and ministry as Jesus had been preaching in the area. What may…
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Finding Patience
As I explore Scripture, some themes resonate with me at particular times. A recent read of James 5 brought up the subject of patience. My husband and I have a standing joke about my patience…or lack of it. He often reminds me that waiting for something is okay and that God has things under control. I try, but seem to succeed at it more often than not. For many years I considered myself a patient person. I bided my time, hoping that better things would come along. I invested my time, talents, and treasures, hoping that someday they would bear fruit. I worked hard to be tolerant and uncomplaining,…
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What Do I Say?
As I watch people in my life go through challenging circumstances, I want to reach out and offer comfort. Yet, what do I say? I don’t want to sound trite – “Everything’s going to be okay.” – when it really isn’t. When someone I love is in pain – whether physical or emotional – things are not necessarily going to resolve themselves in healing and freedom from the challenge. How do I encourage others in times like these? Often, when we don’t have the words, God does. The Scripture that comes to mind is from Isaiah 41:“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for…
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Reminders
Do you ever have times where things from the past just nag at you? It seems that some days, my past comes back to haunt me. I want to leave those bad feelings/experiences in their place – they are past and done – yet they seem to rise up and integrate themselves into my life in the present, far more than I would like. It is not just the big items that weasel themselves into my day-to-day thinking. Some days it seems like I can remember every little thing that has gone wrong in my life. The devil loves to parade a list of our wrongdoings past us. He wants…
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A Beautiful Spirit
“Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:4 ESV) I grew up with this verse demonstrated to me daily. My mother, a precious gift from God, has a wonderful gentle and quiet spirit. I am truly blessed by her example. She lives a life of faith and hope. My whole life, her bright blue eyes have shone Christ’s light into my life. She has surrounded me with love and support. I am who I am today because of the foundation she laid. Although frail and elderly now, my mother…
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Jump Rope Jitters
Turn the rope. Hop over the rope as it comes to your feet. Turn the rope again and repeat. The basic mechanics of jumping rope are not difficult. Yet, for my students in the early grades, this task can be daunting. Jumping rope effectively takes coordination and a sense of rhythm, which my young students do not all have as of yet. I must say I have had more than a few chuckles watching my students as they attempt to make the skipping rope cooperate. Tangles and missteps abound in the early days of learning. On some students I can see the intense concentration on their faces as they try…
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Restoration
Do you ever feel drawn in a particular direction without a reason? I think at times the Holy Spirit nudges us – directing us in a way to broaden our understanding and grow in the faith. That was me this morning. For whatever reason, I felt compelled to open up a long put aside notebook. It is not a journal like I normally keep – one that documents life events and feelings and perceptions of my world. This one is a place for me to share my commentary on how Scripture touches me deeply and ministers to me again and again. Since I started blogging, this unique journal has largely…
