Finish what you start

Finish what you start

by | Jun 30, 2022 | Determination, God

Unfinished Business

Completion. How many times have I started something only to leave it unfinished? Baby books, photo albums, workout programs, diets (I usually bail around week 2 of a diet), etc.

One day, I’m going to finish them.

I can work cleaning one room of the house, leave it to take something to another room, just to get distracted and never make it back to complete the task I had originally started.

Not so for Solomon. The Lord gave Solomon the task to build a temple for Him. David wanted to build it, but God said he wasn’t the person to do it. God appointed Solomon.

“All this,” David said, “I have in writing from the hand of the Lord upon me, and he gave me the understanding in all the details of the plan.”

David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord, my God is with you. I Chronicles 28:19

These words ring true today as in the days of Solomon. I need to hear them because I don’t feel strong and courageous most of the time. But these verses remind us to stay strong, to have courage and to finish what we start.

They remind us that the Lord is with us. We can put our fear aside, along with the discouragement, and live with purpose. We can live with a determination to complete the work.

Complete the task

It took 20 years, but Solomon built the temple of the Lord and his own palace, as well as rebuilt many villages and cities in his kingdom. I’m sure there were difficult days, setbacks and maybe a few distractions, but Solomon completed the work.

All Solomon’s work was carried out, from the day the foundation of the temple of the Lord and was laid until its completion. So the temple of the Lord was finished. 2 Chronicles 8:16.

Others completed their work as well.

  • Noah finished the ark.
  • Moses got the Israelites to the promised land.
  • Jonah delivered his message to the Ninevites (although he learned a lesson along the way).
  • Ruth stayed with Naomi.
  • Paul finished his race.
  • John completed the task of writing the last chapters in the Bible.

Would you pray with me?

For months, I have written and re-written thoughts to include in a book I believe God has called me to write and share with others.

I hope that I am close to doing just that. At times, I have listened to my own negativity, tempted to quit. But I am committed to finishing the task, hoping to help someone else along their journey.

Would you pray with me in that? I would be grateful if you would walk alongside me until the work is complete.

Is there something you need to complete today? I pray that today is your day of completion too.

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Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man. Colossians 4:23

Everyday blessings refresh and restore

Everyday blessings refresh and restore

by | Jun 4, 2022 | Belief, God, Hope, Support

Texas-sized offer

He dropped off his business card at my house the afternoon of my husband Matthew’s memorial service. I didn’t see him, but he left a message. With a heart as big as Texas, he offered to mow our yard for a season and teach my boys how to maintain it when they were older.

And he did just that. While my head was spinning with the events of the previous few days, God sent someone to lighten my load.

Ziplock treasures

He shows up at my back door every few months with a Ziplock bag in his hand. His words are few, just “I went fishing today and brought you some white perch.” His demeanor is quiet, his actions loud. He wears generosity admirably, and I am blessed by it. I’ve learned to accept the gift and appreciate the giver (and to pan-fry white perch like a pro).

A box of chocolates

She calls every year around Father’s Day checking if we’re in town. “I want to drop off something,” she tells me. The first few years were a variety of chocolates, which the boys and I devoured. Later, she left a healthier choice.

Many people are generous and thoughtful following the death of a loved one. But it’s uncommon to continue blessing someone for six years. Her consideration of my boys, especially during a time when they feel loss, refreshes my spirit.

Be refreshed

Paul tells us that the Christians in Corinth refreshed Titus’ spirit.

By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. (2 Corinthians 7:13; emphasis added)

That is what God has done for me, and I bet He’s done the same for you. He refreshes us through people. He restores our hope with kindness given. It may be through family, friends or acquaintances, or the warmth and thoughtfulness of a good neighbor.

Don’t miss the encouragement God delivers at your doorstep. And take a moment to be a blessing to someone today.

God showed up

God showed up

by | May 19, 2022 | God, Trust

For Elijah, God showed up in a whisper. (See 1 Kings 19:11-13)

For me, God showed up on a motorcycle.

Driving through a not-so-safe-small-town on my way home from a funeral in Tennessee, my car blew out a tire. I didn’t hear anything, so I wasn’t certain of it at first. But my tire gauge told me my PSI had quickly dropped to 22. After that, it began declining every few seconds.

I called friends who lived close by. No answer. I thought, “if I can make it to a gas station on the edge of town, it will be well lit.” By the time I arrived, my PSI number was nine. My heart sank when I saw only darkness surrounding the station.

Why were they closed? It was only 10 p.m. on a Friday night. I had no choice but to pull up to the air pump and try to get air in the tire. That didn’t work because by that time, the tire was completely flat. Zero air in it.

As I stood by my car, I saw someone driving toward me on a motorcycle. I quickly ran and jumped in the car; I wasn’t taking any chances. He yelled, “I’m not going to hurt you,” as he passed me. He drove to the end of the parking lot, turned around and headed back my way. My heart in my throat, I cracked my window as he stopped beside me.

His name was Jeremiah. He told me he had seen me from his house, knew the area of town was dangerous, so he came to help. He informed his wife, “I’m going to go help that old lady.” Okay, so my night was getting worse by the second. I’d never been called old lady before, at least not to my face!

I said a quick prayer for protection and got out of the car. My rescuer talked in colorful language while changing the tire out with the spare. At one point, his head darted out from under the car seconds before the jack stand collapsed. My concern escalated.

As a side note, a friend talked with me over the phone as I spoke to Jeremiah throughout the entire encounter. Always quick to help, she had jumped in her car and headed my way, arriving the second time around with the jack. Jeremiah secured the spare tire, loaded the old one in my car, all while sharing many of his life stories. I thanked him as we said our goodbyes.

Later, sharing my story with another friend, she suggested, “God sent an angel to help you.” My quick reply was, “He was no ‘angel.’ I don’t think angels talk like that.”

However, Jeremiah means appointed by God in Hebrew. I had no doubt that God sent him to my rescue, riding in on a two-wheeled chariot, rough language and all.

Be confident of this. God walks beside us when we are afraid. He isn’t just for the Moses’ of the world. He’s for us too. After the death of Moses, God told Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5 NIV)

Just as God called Joshua to trust, we can trust Him at his word and put our faith in Him.

What is your story? How has God rescued you? Do you need rescuing now? I share this story because I’ve been there countless times. Sometimes from my own mistakes and failures. Each time, God has been beside me, sending his appointed to save the day.

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)

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.

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