Contentment....not always easy to come by!

Whinning and complaining is so easy to do. It takes no training whatsoever. I am not sure about you, but I seem to come by it pretty naturally. I like to think I have overcome it....

A few weeks ago , I was off to a cottage with my husband Bill for a few days. It was warm and sunny every day!It felt like summer and I loved it! There is something about the sun that warms you all the way to your toes                                            

The drive home was a different story. I found myself complaining about all kinds of things,I can't even remember what they were now. The next day I was speaking at a ladies meeting. I didn't have a clue what I was going to say. I wanted it to be fresh,real and honest.  I asked God to just just give me a word that I could talk about with the women. Well let me tell you, I waited a long long time. Finally, very early in the morning I heard only one word..."contentment". 

I was so hoping for a nicer word, prayer,praise,anything,but that. Talk about a lack of contentment! So, I opened my Bible and read Phillipians 4:12-13. If you read the verses, Paul talks about how he has learned the secret of being content in every circumstance. What is the secret?

" I can do all things through Christ who strengthes me"(Phil. 4:13).

Practising contentment is a choice. I am in need of help however and I do look to God to help me. This is another one day at a time battle.

How are you doing in it?

Hope for Heavy Hearts

There are times when I honestly think... will it ever be sunny again; outside or even in our lives? Some days can be pretty discouraging. We all have great days and not so great. The question is how to make a rainy day not seem quite so dark?

It has been a particularly rough week for Bill and I. I feel weary and a wee bit discouraged to be honest with you. I find it easier to believe God when the sun shines and everything is at it should be-according to me anyway. 

That is not how life works out though. Hard things happen. People make bad choices and we suffer the consequences with them. Then there are people very dear to us, who get sick and recovery looks doubtful. Yet God promises us in His word that He is with us. He helps us through the storms that life seems to land on our path. 

How do you get the stuff you know is true in your head to land and seep into your heart? To be honest with you, for me, it is a choice. I switch what I am staring at. If I keep staring at what is breaking my heart, then the clouds will remain, even when the sun shines outside my window.

Psalm 37:18 says "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." It comforts me to know that He is near. When my heart aches, He is not far off. That comforts me.

Isaiah 41:10 is one of my favorite verses. It  says "So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed-( or lose courage),for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand".

You may think- well, your troubles must be over if you are thinking like this. No they are not over, my heart is still troubled- deeply troubled. I chose today to put into God's  hands these burdens which weigh me down. I will likely have to give them to Him again in about an hour. It is like that sometimes, especially when the burdens are  people precious to you. God is right there, waiting to receive back the very burden I gave over to Him three times already today. He is patient though. He gives me peace again. I put my eyes on Him.

He is bigger then any cloudy day or difficulty we face. He may not "fix" things the way I want Him to or even with the speed I think He should. He will take care of it though. 

He wants us to trust Him. His love for you on this day has not changed. May you find hope and peace for your heart today!

Words and No Words….

It is amazing the freedom some people have to say whatever they want, whenever they want. Sometimes, it is no big deal…. But others, it is quite the opposite. 

 Our words can have three different effects, one can breathe life, and one can suck the life right out of you…. Some can leave you unchanged.

 It is hard to know what to say in every circumstance. Let it be said, sometimes silence is the best option.

 We live in a culture where silence is not very popular.  I remember a story my husband Bill told me. He was a very young man at the time. He arrived at a very remote reserve in Northern Manitoba. He knew not a soul. To his utter delight a knock came to the door of his humble cabin. There before him stood a grandfather with his grandson. These guests had come for a visit. Bill was full of questions and noted very quickly however, that they had not come to talk. Just share his company. Silence followed for the next 30 minutes. The old fellow got up and said “ thank you for the nice visit. We will come back”.  Then they left.

 To be honest with you, silence is not my strong suit. I know however, there are sometimes, when that is simply what is best. Learning to be good with just silence. Wow, what a challenge. It is something to think about anyway. Even silence can be life giving.

When the times for words to be spoken do come, may they be well chosen and may  there be just enough and no more.

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12: 18.

A Mary Moment

  Just think for a minute what that night or day might have been like for Mary. Having a visit with an angel would be a lot of excitement for anyone. That is for sure. If just the citing of this angel were not enough, the greeting would blow you right over. “ Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you”. (Luke 1:28)

   Wow, what does a life look like that receives that kind of attention from the Lord? Greatly favored. I doubt she was terribly rich. She was not engaged to a king, just a carpenter. No offense to carpenters… they just are not kings!  Everything I have ever heard about Mary and her life up to this point is pretty humble.

   Her response to this word is what I think sets Mary apart. On the news “” But the angel said to her, “ Do not be afraid, Mary, You have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1-30-33).

 She does point out some pretty clear challenges from a human point of view – virgin- no husband, stuff like that. When the angel goes on to say that the “The Hoy Spirit will come upon you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

 Personally, I would have fainted at that point.

 Not Mary, she just receives this news“ I am the Lord’s servant, “ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38

 The main thing that hits me in this account today is simply the way she received the message. She did not point out to the angel her inadequacies; she simply received the plans God had for her. As unbelievably far stretching  this all sounded.

Mary challenges me to receive what  God has given me to do. Am I the best choice? Am I worthy?  Can I really do it? All those questions come racing to my mind. Then I see Mary, the Mother of my Lord. She trusted God, against all odds.

 May I be found doing the same. How about you? What is being asked of you these days? Mary was a pretty humble lady yet she found favor in God’s eyes.

          God’s eye is on the sparrow( Mat 10:29). That is a common bird, even in my backyard.

 



Keep Going!

Quitting was very heavy on my mind when  I was cross-country skiing with a 50lb. back pack. We had climbed ten miles up the mountain. The winding trails seemed endless. We were between two mountain peaks. Our guide said we needed to pass through quickly as the weather changes very rapidly at that elevation. If a snowstorm hit or the clouds came, we would not find our way easily.

I was beyond exhausted and so were the girls I had taken on this crazy adventure. I can’t remember if they were crying, I sure felt like it.

 I remembered a promise God gives in the Bible.

 Isaiah 40:30-31” Even youths grow tired and weary, and young mean stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will walk and not be faint.”

 That sounded pretty good to us at that moment. We called out to God for new legs, new back and renewed strength. We were desperate. God touched us on the top of that mountain. He gave what we asked for. I have never forgotten. It was more years ago then I want to admit to you. The lesson however is one I will never forget.

 Are you exhausted? Discouraged? Is the mountain before you overwhelming?

 There is One who gives strength and renews hope for the journey. Call to God, He does listen.

 You must ask wholeheartedly and believe. He knows the way through the mountains.  



Loving people on the dark and cloudy days…. Even the not nice ones.

 People are cool. I like people. I like talking to them, hanging out with them, listening to them, even when they tell me the same story twice…

 To be honest however- not all people are on my “ please hang out with me, you are easy to love list”.

 I love when people are nice, laugh at my jokes, like the cookies I bake…

 Then there is this other group- not so wild about me, could not care less about the kindness I show them- even worse, takes pleasure in pointing out if I gain weight, horrors like that, don’t even feel bad!!

 My immediate reaction-“ off the list with you!”

 Yet I read in my Bible in Luke 6:35-36 – Jesus words which once again stands all my justified responses on its head!

 Verse 35” But love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great and you will be sons and daughters of the Most High”

 Why Jesus should I do this?

 Verse36” Because He is kind to the UNGRATEFUL and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”.

 When you read these verses all I can say is “REALLY?” Be kind to the people who are unkind to me? Not even just that, but love them!

If all this is not enough, he even says I should lend to these people and not expect to ever receive back what was given.

 Here is what I know. The level of love in action that is being asked here is well beyond me. I need the Author of love and grace to fill me daily. In and of myself, I am not able. How about you?



Stuff You Can't Take Back

I wish words that have been spoken could be returned as easily as the sweater upstairs I bought awhile ago. But, that is not how it works in real life.

 Rather it ushers in stuff like guilt… possibly a sleepless night.

 What are you suppose to do? You can’t take it back. You go , apologize very kindly, and hope they forgive you. Usually they do accept your apology…. Sadly sometimes they don’t. Then what are you suppose to do.

 When this happened to me, the lady was so angry with me, she gave me the cold shoulder. I went and apologized again with little change.

 I was left feeling horrid. Eventually I realized the ball was in her court. I had done everything I could do.

 The next decision I made was to not find myself in the same position in the future.  I learned the very hard way to think before I speak. I try to clarify what I meant really fast. I can’t stand when I think someone is upset with me. I am not afraid to say hard things, but I try to say it kindly and with love.

 Do I ever get it wrong? Yep. I am not perfect. I am a work in progress. I am pretty good at apologizing because I have had so much practice.

 James1:19 “ Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

Col 3:13. “ Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”



The Art of Great Conversation

 I have never been much of a tennis player, but I do know a good game when I see one. The ball goes flying over the net and back again. You don’t see one player bouncing the ball and becoming distracted playing by themselves. Nor do you see the ball going over the net while the opponent just watches the ball go by and lets it just lay there. Now both of those scenarios would make for a very boring game.

 Conversations that are amazing are kind of like that. You both have something to say. It is not a monologue, you say something, they respond. You don’t go on and on about yourself because that is just like playing with the tennis ball on one side of the court. It gets boring pretty fast. It is not like you can’t talk about yourself, but know when you have lost the interest of the one who is listening. I read something once that stuck in my head like glue. “No one is as interested in what you are saying as you”.

 In the same way, don’t let the ball just roll past you, unless it is a not worth pursuing. That also takes some consideration.

 It is always great when you talk or you listen, you look the person in the eyes. That is part of the art of communication, not to mention  knowing what to say and when you have said enough already! It takes awhile to learn that. I feel like I am still learning.

 James 1:19” Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”.

Freedom in Forgiveness

There was an old pair of running shoes I used to wear. They were perfect. They looked gross, but I didn’t care. They felt great and they molded to my feet like a leather glove to my hand.

Bitterness and unforgiveness is a little like that old pair of running shoes. It’s not at all hard to get used to it.  In fact, it can even be comfortable.

I remember the time when I was first told that I needed to forgive my alcoholic father for all that he had done.  My first thought was "That's outrageous! He doesn’t deserve it,” not today or tomorrow or even a million years from now.

The next shocking piece of news I received was the idea that there is freedom in forgiveness. What in the world does that mean?

It is not like you lose the memory of whatever happened, but the power of that memory loses its intensity.

When I was a kid, I loved firecrackers. I loved lighting them and seeing them explode. The bigger the better. There are some simple things you can do that can greatly wreck the whole blowing up part, like soaking it in water, drying it out and then lighting it. It doesn’t work. It is still a firecracker. It smoked, but it lost its bang.

Forgiveness, when done from the heart, it sort of like that soaked firecracker.  In the Bible, Jesus tells His followers to forgive their enemies. If you have said the Lord’s prayer you will remember, it says, “Forgive us our debts as we have also forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).

It sounds like crazy advice. Yet, when I forgave my dad, the angry and painful memories  lost their grip on my heart. Anger started to melt away. I had to forgive him for all kinds of stuff over the years as I remembered more not so great things. You have to start somewhere though. I started with what was the most clear to me.

Not all this happens quickly.  It’s slow, but sure. I asked Jesus to help me with this stuff.

Maybe there is someone you need to forgive. You can ask Him too. He will give you courage and peace. He is like that.

Check this forgiveness stuff out. See what you think.

D.

Blisters of My Soul

You can’t see them but you may notice their effect.

Those blisters are what make me see only clouds on a sunny day.

Blisters make me critical of the people I meet, though they may never hear it.

My cup seems empty when in fact it is rather full.

I complain about stupid things.

I hold onto grudges and rather than forgive.

I have anger that is gently peculating just below the surface.

These blisters seem to trouble my hearing. I hear in a distorted manner. I assume what was never said and it is not positive.

My joy is short lived and hope eludes me. People don’t seek me out and I find I am alone.

I desperately need to find healing for these blisters but there is no salve or prescription available.

I need someone who can reach into my heart and heal these things. They are stealing away my life.

I am tired of them.