Are you going to trust me?

Are you going to trust me?

by | May 12, 2022 | Belief, God, Trust

“Trust me,” my husband Matthew used to tease. I knew right then I’d best beware. He was up to something.

This flash from the past popped into my mind as God spoke to me about trust during my morning devotion. Oh, I say I trust Him – and really, I do! But overwhelming thoughts sneak in when I least expect it. Worrisome thoughts. Fearful thoughts. Sometimes even dark thoughts.

God calls us to trust. This means trusting no matter the circumstances. That trust – or confidence – allows us to be calm in stressful situations. That’s trust in action.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.     Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

Trusting in Christ strengthens us. He is our strength, if we will let go and trust. I have reacted in ways that absolutely came from the Lord’s strength, not mine.

Shortly after Matthew’s death I learned something that had my head spinning and my stomach in knots. Breathless, I cried “Lord, what am I going to do?” In my spirit, I heard God say, “Are you going to trust me in this?” In a heartbeat, I thought “I don’t know what else to do but trust you.”

And that is what we are called to do. Even in our desperation, put our trust in action. Trust the one who is trustworthy no matter your: 

situation;

heartache;

conflict; or even

your next decision.

Reading the word of God tells us how. Let the words of Christ wash over us in a new and life-changing way today. Chances are, God just may be up to something.

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)

Does Mother’s Day bring smiles or tears?

Does Mother’s Day bring smiles or tears?

by | May 8, 2022 | Blessing, Sorrow

I hope you have had an amazing Mother’s Day, whether you were being honored or celebrating your mom.

I am grateful for a day with my family, but I also recognize that today may not be a celebration for some. Maybe you lost your mom and sadness made up most of your day. I pray that God would bless you and that your memories would put a smile on your face.

For those who want to be a mom but have yet to experience that joy, I know you long for the day. I remember what it’s like to want a baby in an all-consuming way.

The first Mother’s Day after our baby Ashlynn died at birth, I could hardly hold it together. My heart was so empty, the pain unbearable.

But God in his mercy dropped a baby in our lap just two months later. I met him when he was three hours old. It was love at first sight. He grabbed my finger with his hand and held on like there was no tomorrow.

With two other boys following, I accepted with gratitude that I would be a boy mom. And we haven’t stopped going, playing ball and challenging each other yet. Everything, and I mean everything, is a competition. You boy moms know what I’m talking about.

I tell you this story because many times we don’t know why tragic things happen. With our world turned upside down, we are at a loss as to what to do next.

I certainly don’t know all the answers, but I do know that Jesus does. I want to encourage you to stay strong and cling to Him. He is the one who can bring blessing from pain, joy from sorrow, and hope from crushing circumstances.

Numbers 6: 24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you:

The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you:

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. 

Are you being tested?

Are you being tested?

by | May 5, 2022 | Belief, God, Obedience

It was a test of patience for my friend.

“Your son still on campus today?” she texted. “Yes,” I responded quickly. She called a second later.

Her son’s car was illegally parked and about to experience a visit from a tow truck. Since he didn’t answer his phone, she asked me to call my son and have him walk to his dorm room, bang on the door and wake him up.

Guess what? My son didn’t answer either. It was mid-morning.

The funny thing is, I had the same scenario happen two months prior, except campus security called me in the middle of the night. Those college students knew the rules but ignored them.

The Israelites faced a different kind of test. A much more consequential test.

After fleeing Egypt, they made it to the edge of the land God had promised. They were so close, yet so far away. The test was to:

  • follow God’s direction
  • conquer the land and
  • live in the paradise God had set aside for them, the land He had prepared for them. 

Somewhere along the journey, they lost their way.

After spies returned from scouting the land, Joshua and Caleb encouraged the assembly to go and take possession. But the other spies told a different story. 

Their fear had already defeated them. Their fearful outlook led the rest of the community into alarm and distress.

That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” Numbers 14:1-3 (NIV)

Their mistake?

The Israelites listened to the wrong voices, ignoring God’s direction. They decided it was too risky to cross the Jordan into the land.  And they failed the test. Scripture says the Lord forgave them, but they paid dearly for it. You can read the entire account in Numbers 13-14. 

What is your test today?

  • What step is God asking you to take?
  • What giant keeps you from crossing over to the other side?
  • What obstacle holds you captive?
  • What hurt still grips your heart?

Listen to the One who calls you to follow His direction. With Jesus by your side, you CAN cross over and conquer the giants. You CAN take that step of faith. You CAN overcome that obstacle.

What will it take?

What will it take?

by | Apr 28, 2022 | God, Obedience, Rest

The melodic chirping of a bird awakened me from my morning slumber. Reading in 2 Kings about the kings who did evil in the eyes of the Lord had ushered me right into sleep. With my head down, chin to my chest, I couldn’t fight it any longer.

It’s the miles, not the company, right? Trying to fit everything into the day is as familiar as the daily rising of the sun. We rush throughout the day until we collapse in bed at night, then force ourselves up the next morning to do it all again.

Once, I even fell asleep while talking to someone on the phone! How embarrassing.

What will it take to get us to slow down and rest?

Ceaseless activity is not part of God’s plan. Busyness will eventually catch up with us. There was once a man who fell asleep as he listened to the Apostle Paul preach. Problem was, he sat in a window and fell out of the third story. I wonder if his busy lifestyle finally caught up with him, too. He obviously needed rest. (Acts 20:9)

 Jesus taught us to rest by example. He also calls us to work wholeheartedly, but then to rest.

  • We can rest during trying circumstances. While in a boat with his disciples, Jesus slept during a furious storm that had seasoned fishermen fearful. (Matthew 8:23-27)
  • Removing ourselves from everyday worries and constant activities (even good ones) allows us to find rest and strength. Jesus knew when it was time to leave the crowd and headed to a mountain to pray and be alone. (Matthew 14:23)
  • Rest doesn’t always mean sleep. Resting in the middle of our journey just might present an opportunity to help someone else. Not only did Jesus stop to rest as he traveled through Samaria, that break gave Him an opportunity to meet with the Samaritan woman. Many Samaritans believed in Him as a result. (John 4:1-42)

In today’s world, rest remains a hard-to-find commodity. If we take the time to rest, we get a fresh perspective, a new outlook and renewed strength. It’s even vital for physical and mental health.

Let’s follow Jesus’ lead. Work in all our strength and power, and then take time to rest – and unplug. It might be just the thing that God uses to bless us with what is good and worthwhile.

Attitude Adjustment

Attitude Adjustment

by | Apr 20, 2022 | Belief, Joy, Moments

At the whack of the tennis ball against the net, our hearts sank. This match determined whether my son and his tennis partner made it to the next level – state – and we just lost the first set.

The second set was closer. We pulled ahead, then tied and eventually won the set in a tiebreaker, which meant a tiebreaker to determine the winner of the match.

I cannot tell you how intense that match was. My son, usually upbeat and positive, was in the dumps. His partner had to talk him off the loser’s ledge, so to speak. And he did! With a changed mindset and sheer determination, they won. The significance of a positive attitude, being willing to do your best no matter the outcome, speaks volumes.

St. Augustine once said, “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.” The boys were working. The parents were praying. There were even a couple of hail Marys happening on the sidelines too.

Are you pulled in other directions, sometimes even to a dark place? Sometimes to defeat? And sometimes to another vice?

A changed attitude can launch us back into a life of victory.  

Consider Esther’s story.

When Mordecai refused to bow down and worship a government official, he sealed his fate and that of the Jews in every province. He went into the city wailing loudly and bitterly. This caused his loving cousin, Queen Esther, great distress. Mordecai sent word urging her to go to the king and beg for mercy for her people.

Her initial attitude was it can’t be done. The rule was that just approaching the king was illegal and grounds for execution. Unless the king held out his scepter, she would be put to death.  

Mordecai encouraged her – helped her focus on her task – with these words. “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14

Then Esther changed her mindset and got to work. She told Mordecai to gather all Jews and have them fast for her. She and her maids fasted. After that, she went to the king.

Esther did what it took to save her people. Her commitment of “If I perish, I perish” spoke volumes to the Jews in that day and serves to encourage us today.

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