The Magnitude of a Moment

     We have been all over the place this week, haven’t we? From a prayer answered in one moment, to a moment of healing after deep struggle, to unexpected death in a split second of time. This morning, I am savoring the moments with our grandson, Gavin, 8 months old.

    I was teary-eyed yesterday on my early walk thinking about the fact that neither of my parents lived to see our two daughters. What a sweet blessing to be caring for this very special little boy.

     Perspective leaves us with the passage of time, gone so quickly. Who can explain it? Today I smile as our grandson is working hard at crawling. Sometimes, he just gets tired and lays his head down on his two little hands as if to say, “I just need a break!”  Cuteness overload!!  His laughs make our day. He is the only one on the planet who smiles at my singing, “Jesus Love Me.”

     And even in the late afternoon, if he is a little whiny, I relate, because I’m tired and whiny, too. These moments, as they all do, will move forward into new milestones, into hesitant steps, training wheels, and cars. After all, Gavin's sweet mama was just learning to crawl a few short moments ago. But, let’s slow down.

     Today, stop for the magnitude of a moment. I hope your special moments will include people you love. Whether it is a spouse, a child, a niece or nephew, a grandchild or a friend, stop and tell them you love them. Sit and smile at the memories and remember the magnitude of one small moment in time.

     It is to be treasured, tucked away and savored over the passage of time.

“A new command I give you. Love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

For this is the message you have heard from the beginning. We should love one another. 1 John 3:11

Father,

The moments You give us go so quickly. Today we understand the importance of love, of taking in each precious second of loving one another. Thank you for the blessings You have lavished on us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

No More Shaky Groud

     So far this week, we have talked about prayers answered in a miraculous way, of lessons learned through hard times, followed by healing and strength, and getting through the tragedies in life. How do we do it? If we could see the future from a young age, I’m not sure any of us would choose to live through it all.  Whew! All of us have our stories to share. God works through all of our stories. He is available all day and all night. He doesn’t sleep.

Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4

     In the middle of a sleepless night, talk to Him. After a tragedy, let Him comfort you. When you are facing a decision, listen to Him. When you don’t have an answer, wait for Him. When you are lost, let Him carry you.

     In the middle of the muddle, He is there. In the bottom of the pit, He will lift you out. In the times of rejoicing, He rejoices with you. Let Him be your constant companion through this life. I can’t imagine it any other way. Lean on Him.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:3

     If Jesus is your foundation, you will not be shaken. He will be your foothold, when the ground is shaking beneath you. He will hold you steady. Jesus is our rock. Here are His Words for us today.

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

Jesus,

You are the Rock, our foundation through it all. When the streams begin to rise, keep us afloat and above it all, set us on our firm foundation. It is You.

Amen

A Moment In Time

     One moment in time. A stolen car. A police chase. Three innocent people killed in a split second of time on their way home from a gathering of friends. Tragic. Senseless. One of them was an acquaintance of ours, and a good friend of good friends. As sorrow is shared with others, we continue to talk about that split second, that one moment in time, the wrong place at the wrong time. Ten seconds earlier or later, they would still be with us.

     Our lives are fragile. Three lives taken so quickly, so unexpectedly, so tragically stop us in our tracks. God knows the number of our days. He knew us when we were conceived and He knows where we are now. If you read through Psalm 139, you will find the intimacy with which God knows you and how He will be with you every moment of your life.

     He watches over our coming and going and He is with us forever. A comfort through the tragic, a presence in the mundane of everyday life, and a hope for the future. The hope of a heavenly home.

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14

The Lord will watch over your coming and your going, both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:8

Father,

We don’t have all the answers, but You do. Be with the families and friends of those who have died. Comfort their hearts with Your calming presence. Give hope in their sorrow.

In Jesus name,

Amen

A Time To Heal

     It is impossible to know the hearts and minds of one another, even those closest to us. 45 years after high school brought back just how difficult those days can be to so many; trying to fit in, being bullied or labeled or hiding emotional pain.

     I had several conversations leading up to our reunion with someone I did not know well back in our high school days.  I would have described her as one of the “cool chicks,” and truth be told, I was a bit intimidated by her

    Turns out high school had been a terrible time for her. Many hurts had followed her for years after and she became an alcoholic. She had not been to any reunions and was filled with apprehension at the thought of this one, even though she has been sober for decades now.

     With some encouragement from old friends, she came. She has begun reading the Bible and we were able to talk a bit about healing and moving forward. I told her she could be a blessing to others. Junior high school and high school can be tough. How wonderful to be at an age where we can be ourselves, to share and talk with those we did not know well and to dive into deep conversations. God is good and He is moving.

     And He is there through every season, with a purpose and a plan and an answer.

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build up, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Lord,

There is a season and a time and You watch over them all. Give us hope no matter the season we are facing. And help us to see beyond the surface into the hearts of others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Power In Prayer

     Our 45^th high school reunion was Saturday night. What a treat to catch up with friends from grade school, junior high and high school. I always pray before any event for opportunities to share or to speak to the people God has in mind. Believing in the power of prayer works and a story I heard this weekend reminded me of just that.

    I spoke with a friend who grew up just two blocks from me and he shared his story from about ten years ago. He caught the H1N1 virus and it hit hard. His organs began to shut down. His wife and daughters and other family members were called to the hospital. They believed he was dying. His blood pressure dipped to 40/20.

     As his daughter raced to be with him, uncertain and afraid, she called the Christian radio station, KTIS and asked everyone listening to pray for her dad to recover. Five minutes later she ran into her dad’s room.

     “How is he?” she asked with trepidation. Her mom said something like this. “Everything was shutting down until about 5 minutes ago. Suddenly things have begun to turn around.” He still had a very long road ahead and was placed in an induced coma for a week, but all of these years later, he is healed. He believes it was because of the power of those prayers that his healing began.  His daughter never fails to remind him that she saved his life.

     Maybe you, too, have a story of a prayer answered in a real way, a time when you just couldn’t deny the existence of a loving God answering your deepest prayer.

I pray that out of His glorious riches, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. Ephesians 3:16

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.  Ephesians 6:18

Lord,

Remind us of the power we have in prayer. Power to defeat Satan. Power to be in contact with You. Power to strengthen our inner being. Power to transform our lives.

In Jesus name,

Amen

You

     Miraculously, over time,  as we discover the workings of our inner being, we develop passions to use in our service to God. Putting it all together can be exciting;’ a new adventure awaits! What is Jesus asking you to do? Where is He inviting you to serve?

     Discover who you are and what you do best. The word “enthusiasm” stems from the Latin, “with God.” I love that! Let’s show our enthusiasm for our God by serving Him in the best ways we can, with our unique talents, gifts and personalities and let’s appreciate the quiet gifts as much as the gifts used up front and center.  We all need each other. Our gifts are forever.

For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

     Jesus gave us the greatest gift of all time, His very own, sinless life was given to pay the price for us and to give us eternal life. Let’s take that gift and give it away. We were blessed to be a blessing.  You are loved! You are uniquely and wonderfully made. You are a beloved child, gifted for His purpose. Give Him your heart and He will direct your path.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

Lord,

Show us what is next. We are created in Your image, uniquely Yours. Let us use the gifts You have so lavishly given us to gift others with that same love and purpose.

In Jesus name,

Amen

You

     Did you know once we have Jesus as Savior, God gives us particular spiritual gifts? Yes, we each have them! You can see more about them in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12 and Ephesians 4.

     We work together to use our gifts for the glory of God and they are used to help the world around us.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7

     Often, the gifts of the Spirit will match up with our natural abilities, but God sometimes pulls us out of our comfort zone. We realize we can count on Him. Our confidence lies in His strength, in His power, in His ability to use us to bless others.

     Watch and observe your children and grandchildren as they grow and encourage them to be comfortable with who they are and how God has made them. Some of the gifts become clear early. Our daughter, Lauren, had a strong faith gift in Jesus from the time she was 4 years old. She taught me along the way. Our daughter Angela has the gift of administration and helps Both gifts fit her personality and her talents.

     Relying on God was difficult for me when I realized He wanted me to begin teaching. Having received my first bad grade in college in a speech class, left me frightened and like Moses, I asked, “Who me?” Obediently, somehow the words changed into, “Here I am, Lord. Use me.”

     The blessings of following His lead are far too numerous to list, but allow Him to lead you into using your gifts. The gift of helps might fit an introvert. Helping others lead, or setting up and taking down after a meeting or class. The gift of hospitality may find you greeting new members in your church or helping to decorate for a time of fellowship.

     Maybe you are a natural leader with the ability to come up with fresh ideas or you have the gift of mercy and encouragement and could fit into a one-on-one ministry for those in need. The list is long and the gifts are many. But we are all members of the body of Christ. How wonderful are His ways.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Sprit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Father,

You work in all of our many parts to make one body of Christ. We all have something to do in the way You choose. Give us confidence to step out and use our abilities, our personalities and our Spiritual gifts to bless others. You continue to bless us right back.

In Jesus name,

Amen