Indholdsfortegnelse for May/June 2020 i Mornings with Jesus

BIBLE STORIES ARE SO VIVID. Think of the rich tax collector Zacchaeus, who yearned to see Jesus but was too short. Couldn’t see over the crowd. So he climbed a tree—a sycamore, the Gospel of Luke says. It makes me think of the big sycamore we had in our backyard when I was a kid, and how we climbed it to jump off a rope swing. It was scary. Must have been scary for Zacchaeus too. Taking a risk to see this holy man. Even riskier to find himself noticed and called out by name. “Zacchaeus,” Jesus said, “come down from that tree.” Not only that, but Jesus invited himself over to Zacchaeus’s house. I would have been frantic. Was there enough food in the fridge? Was the silverware clean?…

IN MY FIELD—CHRISTIAN WRITING—I CROSS paths with all sorts of people. In many cases, the main thing we have in common is our faith in Jesus. This isn’t true of my personal life. Some of my closest friends and family look at Jesus and the cross in a different light than I do. They consider the gospel a fairy tale. Others question the validity of any sort of higher power. I’ve prayed and shared my views with them and will continue doing so. Aside from that, I plan to step back and let Christ do His work. That’s good news. He often does better without my “help.” Years ago, my father lost a battle against cancer. This highly intelligent man bore a stubborn streak deeper than anyone I’ve ever met.…

AS A NOVELIST, I HAVE several trusted critique partners who pore over my manuscripts. They suggest places I need more description, flag areas where the pace lags, or let me know when a character’s motivation isn’t fully developed. They also turn their eagle eyes to typos. Today I eagerly opened an edited manuscript that arrived in my email. I skimmed through the chapters, and my writing buddy’s note caught my eye. She had marked a section where I’d accidentally used capital letters for pronouns where the character referred to herself and lowercase letters for pronouns referring to God—the opposite from what I’d intended. I made the corrections, grateful she’d caught my error. Then I chuckled. How like human nature it is to get everything backward! In my real life, esteeming…

HERE’S THAT WORD AGAIN, CASTS. Here, love casts out fear. Perfect love. This whole passage appears in a powerful message about loving one another, love empowered and demonstrated by God’s love for, and through, us in Christ Jesus. When I first learned my unborn son, Isaac, would have a genetic condition that we later learned was Down syndrome, I felt terrified. I felt betrayed, and yes, I confess, even punished by God. How could a loving God let this happen to me and my family after all we’d been through? Yet now I share as often as I can, Isaac has proven to be an utter blessing; to know him is to love him! My fear, it turns out, was unwarranted. Far from a punishment, Isaac is a gift. I’ve…

LAST THURSDAY IN OUR CHURCH-LEADERSHIP meeting, we completed a lesson on character by Carey Nieuwhof. Nieuwhof suggested that as leaders, we should evaluate our true character by thinking about our responses to stressful scenarios, such as getting cut off in traffic or having to redo a work report. The results from our group were amusing and revealing. Sometimes I don’t respond well to stress. A few times, I’ve left a bad impression. I always apologize when I get upset, but after one such incident, a person said, “And she’s supposed to be a Christian.” That hurt. I immediately repented because I knew that my behavior was not characteristic of Jesus. Since then, I’ve been asking Jesus to help me change. He alone can shape me into someone who responds like…

THE OTHER NIGHT, I HAD a dream. I was teaching, wearing a long sweater . . . but no pants. In case you didn’t know, it’s super important to wear pants when you are teaching! I told my dream to my sister, Jenny. She said, “I’m no psychologist, but I would say you are feeling vulnerable.” That is the understatement of the year. My unfettered dreams are showing the real picture. I am operating out of a vulnerable and fearful place. This encouraging verse keeps coming to mind: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” My mind is not even close to being stayed on Jesus. It is stayed on worry and a fear of lost pants. I struggle with trust.…

I ENTERED PUBLIC EDUCATION AS a teacher. That first year almost killed me. The principal put me in charge of a fourth-grade class with forty students. Each child was a chatterbox. Every last one was like a wiggly worm and required classroom-management skills that I did not have. I was given a veteran teacher to serve as my mentor. The principal sent me to workshops to help me organize my classroom. Even with additional help, I left work each day in tears. I was a young woman in my early twenties. My relationship with the Lord was a fickle one at the time. However, I had the good sense to cry out to Jesus in my distress, and He revealed His love for me in Romans 8:1. Despite my immaturity…

ON ONE OF OUR TRIPS up North, my hubby and I found a smooth rock that formed a gently curved bowl. We also discovered a round white stone that fit inside. We brought them home, and marveled at how much they looked like modern sculptures we’d seen. I called it Mother and Child; my hubby called it Baseball and Mitt. It’s amazing how many different things we see in those two stones. As with abstract sculpture, viewers bring their own perspective. It’s interesting how many different perspectives people bring to their understanding of Jesus. When He walked on the earth, confusion reigned. To some, He was the son of a poor local carpenter. Others saw Him as a potential political leader. Some believed He was a new incarnation of John…

OUR CHURCH HAS A COMFORT dog, Gideon, who visits shut-ins and others who need a lift. This morning Gideon helped teach the children’s message and demonstrated how well he obeys. His example showed me three truths that I can apply to following Jesus. First, Gideon has a handler. She provides for him, protects him, and takes him to the people who need a visit. Similarly, Jesus cares for me and supplies my needs. He also places me in a community where I can serve. If we listen to our Shepherd, He’ll guide us to the right place. Second, Gideon obeys his handler. He doesn’t make a move without a command. I felt humbled as I thought of how often I ignore Jesus’s direction to “stay” or “come.” Gideon’s obedience was…

WHEN A NEIGHBOR RENELLA INTRODUCED me to one of her longtime friends and quilting-group buddies, I fell in love with her on the spot. At ninety years young, Laverne’s sparkling personality spilled over with joy, wit, and a sense of fun. But soon after, Renella called to say that Laverne had suffered a stroke. Four days later, Laverne passed away. Renella later sent this email: When I went to Laverne’s wake, all of her family, including the nine “great-grands” were there. Her daughter-in-law, Linda, told us about a conversation she overheard between two of the little boys, ages five and six. “Where IS Gran?” the younger boy asked his cousin. The older one pointed to the casket and said, “She’s asleep over there in that treasure chest.” I could almost…

MY HUSBAND AND I ARE decluttering our house. He pulled out a wooden box. “This really doesn’t hold much, but you gave it to me.” “That’s all right,” I reassured him. “Put it in the giveaway bag. My turn. I wore this sweater when I was pregnant, so I’m sort of attached to it. Should I keep it?” “Hon, that was twenty-four years ago. I think it’s time to let it go.” It’s amazing how difficult it can be to let go of possessions—even those that are broken or useless. Removing clutter involves difficult choices and mental effort to discern what’s really important to us. Yet these things we’ve invested in are so very temporary. My house often feels cluttered by objects. But my days can also become encumbered by…

ON DAYS WHEN I’M ABLE, I use online Pilates classes to stretch and strengthen my muscles. One of the important themes in Pilates is the way each part of the body is connected to the rest. If my hip is torqued, my back can’t work properly. If my back hyperextends, my legs aren’t as free to move in their sockets. The alignment of each part of the body is important, and even if I’m working on a movement that only uses my feet and ankles, I try to be aware of the placement of my head, neck, shoulders, ribs, etc. We’re all familiar with the image of the Christian community as the “body of Christ.” Yet it’s easy for me to forget that my actions affect the rest of the…

MY SON AND HIS FAMILY live on the southwestern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. My husband and I wanted to show them our sailboat shortly after we bought it, so we headed their direction by sea. Thankfully the winds and waves were gentle. Nonetheless, we rocked and rolled for two full days and one night. Our daughter-in-law invited us to sleep in their home rather than on our boat in a nearby marina, and we accepted. That night while getting ready for bed, I stood on one leg to remove my jeans. To my shock, I suddenly keeled over sideways and hit the floor. What in the world caused that? I wondered as I picked myself up, grateful no one had witnessed my tumble. A seasoned fisherman later told…

ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIE lines comes from the The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Patel is a young man struggling to revive his family’s dilapidated hotel. Whenever something doesn’t work out or a problem arises, he tells the other person, “In India, we have a saying: ‘Everything will be all right in the end. So if it is not all right, it is not yet the end.’” Some people scoff at what they see as Patel’s blind optimism, but guess what? By the end of the movie, things do turn out all right. Maybe I need to hear Patel’s favorite saying every day. Don’t get me wrong—I understand that we live in a world broken by sin. I know that Jesus told us to expect troubles in this earthly life.…

WHO LIKES BEING CRITICIZED? I sure don’t. Except by my friend Jen! Jen has this way of pointing out my faults that takes the sting out of it. She’ll laugh when she hears about something I’ve done and say, “You are a piece of work!” or she’ll say with a genuine grin, “You should come with a warning label!” This is her way of letting me know that I’ve done something that’s more brazen or confrontational than I realized at the time. The key is the love in her response. It’s what comes through first. Her eyes smile when she’s giving me this feedback. Hers is an honest response to my honest way of being. This blend of honesty, love, and lightheartedness is probably why I can take the critique.…

LIKE PETER, I WORRY WHEN I am faced with the storms of life. Too often, when life gets wild, I forget to stay focused on Jesus. We all have storms in our lives, but Jesus is there for us. A day at the lake with my boys when they were small brought this truth home to me. My husband, Clay, and I were enjoying a day of fishing with our six-year-old twin sons, Jeremy and Joshua. After a few hours, I noticed a little bit of water in the back of the boat and mentioned it to my husband. “Don’t worry,” he said, “the boat is fine. It’s just a small leak. It’ll be all right. We’ll be leaving soon.” A few minutes later, I turned and looked at Joshua.…

A MAN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD was robbed and beaten to death. I saw the report on the evening news. While I did not recognize the man’s name or face, I grieved the loss of his life. I grieved for my city that is plagued with high rates of unemployment, poverty, and crime. I have considered packing up and moving to another neighborhood or another city and state. Each time I make this proposal to my husband, he reminds me that unemployment, poverty, and crime are problems across the nation. He is right. There is nowhere to run from these problems. My protection or safekeeping is not a place. My protection is a person, and His name is Jesus. Gospel artists sing, “Jesus is a fence!” And what is considered the…

YESTERDAY, MY FITNESS TRAINER ASKED me about my summer plans. I was pleased to tell him I am finally doing something I have been dreaming of for the past twenty years—writing. Then I described the type of writing I am doing and explained to him why I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to write. I told my trainer that the dream started years ago after Jesus saved me and I became aware of the fact that Jesus loved me unconditionally. It was such a life-changing revelation for me that I felt the need to let everybody know. I started writing about the love of Jesus, adding Scriptures to my writings so I could show anybody who didn’t know that His love was real, unconditional, and transformative. A few…

MY HUSBAND AND I LEAD short-term mission teams to Eastern Europe every summer. The teams’ mix of personalities and giftedness always makes us smile. Peggy B. has participated in our evangelistic family camps in Poland nine times. She’d been our daughters’ preschool teacher, and she loves kids, so we knew the children’s program would be in good hands. Some volunteers coordinate crafts. Others teach workshops about marriage or parenting. Some lead games, and others serve in worship. Some find joy serving behind the scenes—organizing supplies, babysitting infants so the parents can participate in Bible study, or connecting with campers one-on-one. They see unmet needs and quietly fill those gaps. North Americans who speak fluent German have joined us as well, and used their language skills to connect with German families.…

WE RECENTLY SENT MY SON off to our church’s weeklong sleepover camp. Pierce was uncharacteristically anxious and looking for reasons not to go. At first, we were prayerfully clear about our decision to send him, but then my husband and I started to worry a little. My husband and I talked and prayed with Pierce about it, naming his utterly normal fears. We asked Jesus for peace, reassurance, maybe a familiar face, and above all, a life-changing time with Jesus. By the time we pulled into the church parking lot, he was ready to go. As we made our way toward the church, his basketball coach emerged with a smile of recognition and warm greeting. He’d just dropped off his son, Tre, Pierce’s teammate, who would be on the same…

WAITING IS AN UNAVOIDABLE PART of life, isn’t it? This morning, I waited for the leak in our brand-new air-conditioning unit to be fixed. All week I’d hoped to hear the results of my grandson’s MRI and news of my teenage granddaughter’s first trip to camp. Meanwhile, my daughter sat in the ER, waiting to learn if her foot was broken. My husband and I have endured our share of long waits. We’ve waited for job offers during times of unemployment. We’ve waited for homes to sell, and we’ve waited to hear if offers on homes we wanted to buy were accepted. I’m still awaiting answers to prayers for some of my deepest longings. The Bible gives extreme examples of waiting. Jacob waited seven years to marry Rachel, the woman…

ONE DAY BEFORE LEAVING WORK, I was moved to call a member of my church, Mrs. McGee. Since I was also eager to get home in time to watch my favorite game show, Jeopardy, I told myself, “I will call Mrs. McGee another day.” However, my soul would not rest until I dialed her number. When the elderly widow answered the phone, I chimed, “Hello! How’s it going?” Mrs. McGee explained that she needed someone to purchase and deliver dinner to her home because her daughter had to work late that evening. Mrs. McGee went on to say that she was not on any restrictive diet and whatever I purchased would satisfy her appetite. I stopped at a local diner to purchase a blue-plate special complete with iced tea and…

A FRIEND IS A WATERCOLOR artist. She paints peaceful scenes from her surroundings in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Appalachia. She posted some of her recent watercolors on social media, a handful of which I owned in a set of note cards she’d given me. Social media went wild over the simple but strikingly beautiful artwork. My artist friend was overwhelmed by the response. Creativity was so much a part of her, but having it recognized by others lifted her heart in a way few other things did. When Jesus stood on the shore of the Sea of Galilee or surveyed the vast valley from the top of a mountain retreat or walked in the cool of the evening in Bethany and the garden of Gethsemane, He must have…

I STOOD IN FRONT OF the mirror one morning to comb my hair. As I raised the comb to my temple, for a split second, I saw my mother’s face in my reflection. People tell me often I look like her. On that morning it was clear to me too. My small eyes, round nose, and cheekbones were inherited from my mother. I was so moved by our uncanny resemblance that I sat down before work to write the following poem: The matter is out of my hands. I am my mother—all over again. To see my mother in my very own features called to mind Scriptures in Genesis. They tell us we are made in the divine likeness of God and His Son. Because we are created so, the…

I LOVED THE MOTHER’S DAY floral arrangement that Kevin, my younger son, sent me last year—at first, that is. An assortment of small blooms in several colors spilled over a cobalt blue (my favorite color) vase. I texted my thanks to Kevin along with a picture. He called me immediately, shocked that the flowers looked absolutely nothing like what he’d ordered. Kevin had browsed through pages of arrangements on a website, finally choosing one in colors he thought I’d like, arranged in a vintage-looking pitcher. My local florist delivered something completely different. The next day some of the flowers had already wilted. I contacted the company. They claimed to have left a voice mail letting my son know the arrangement he ordered was out of stock, but his phone showed…

MAKING A LIVING FROM WRITING is hard. I haven’t earned anything in a month. My situation made me think about the story of Jesus and Simon Peter. Jesus said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish” (Luke 5:4, NLT). For a while, I’d considered closing my business, but I cried out to Jesus one more time. Is it really time to give up? Lord, what’s Your will? Then I came across a Bible verse, and I felt a tug in my heart. “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17, ESV). Establish. Establish. Establish. The word kept echoing…

THIS MORNING I STUMBLED TO the kitchen to pour myself a cup of tea. My body ached, and light-headedness had me gripping the walls for support. It was going to be a “stuck in bed” sort of day. My grandson was sitting in his booster seat at the table and lit up. “Book?” he asked hopefully. He loves when I read to him, even though we have to squeeze it in around his family’s busy routine. “Not today, buddy. Gramma’s not feeling well.” He gave me his most sympathetic look. “Hug?” he asked. I picked him up, and he nestled into my shoulder, patting my back gently. Bliss and comfort in a little two-year-old package. The experience left me thinking about the many ways Jesus sends us comfort. When we…

A WELL-KNOWN FASHION MAGAZINE RECENTLY ran an online feature about royal wedding gowns, no doubt prompted by Prince Harry’s nuptials. There were dozens of pictures of royals from every continent, dating back to the 1940s. The caption offered just enough information about the bride, groom, and gown to spark the imagination. There were Cinderella and Cinderfella stories. There were elaborate, custom couture outfits that could drain treasuries. There were even simple frocks the royal brides dared to buy off the rack or design themselves. Having eloped in a simple ivory day dress, I never wore a fancy wedding gown or had a wedding full of fanfare. I tell myself it was my practicality and thrift, but in retrospect I know I felt unworthy of the pomp. My eternal Bridegroom, the…

TODAY I SPENT TIME OUTSIDE pruning grapes, wisteria, and hydrangea—and remembering my parents. They were landscapers, and as they worked, I’d watch. The care and wisdom they displayed when tending plants fascinated me. How could they know when and how much to trim off ? Wouldn’t it hurt the plant? Why were some bushes pruned so hard? They taught me by their actions. I learned the proper techniques slowly, until they seeped into my soul. Prune back to the joint to keep visual integrity. Cut on a slant to speed healing. Trim at the right time for that particular bush or vine so it doesn’t go into shock, and will blossom or bear fruit next season. Years later, as an adult, I keep these tips tucked inside my mind like…

PARENTS LIKE TO BRAG ABOUT their children, and I’m no exception. So let me tell you how proud I was of my daughter, Holly, when my husband and I visited over a long Memorial Day weekend. My son-in-law’s mom was also visiting, so Holly had planned special meals. On Monday, I helped her make side dishes to accompany the brisket smoking on the grill. Then, before dinner, she prepared lasagna from scratch, salad, and homemade rolls for neighbors who had a newborn baby. She started to make a dessert for them, but I talked her into sharing the one she’d already made for us. The next time we visited, Holly was on crutches from a broken foot, our grandson was facing serious surgery, and our son-in-law had deployed. A few…

“ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH SUNSHINE?” my doctor asked. He may have noticed my I-work-at-my-desk-all-day pallor. “I work at my desk all day,” I told him. “But I take vitamin D supplements.” He looked at my lab results. “Your calcium is on the low side of normal. Are you eating enough dark greens?” “Not to worry, Doctor. I’ll take a calcium supplement, or two.” This is how the appointment progressed in my mind as I prepared for my annual physical. I was compiling the list of medications and supplements, conscious that I was supplementing much of what the human body can normally get from a healthy diet and ten minutes of fresh air a day. How often do we try to do the same with our spiritual health? We depend on…

I’M A BIG FAN OF historic architecture and love the stories behind the buildings. On a recent road trip, I became fascinated with a magnificent old structure located in a city’s downtown. Incredible detail graced the windows and balconies, and multiple spires rose like a crown from its rooftop high overhead. Wow! I investigated, learning the grand hotel had been built in the early 1920s and became the town’s social hub. But after only a few years the building suffered financial struggles. It fell into disrepair and was condemned in the 1960s, standing vacant until the 1980s, when it was updated and repurposed to be subsidized housing. Reading about that building’s heyday, I remembered myself as a young woman, the embodiment of a “free spirit.” Pride and thrill-seeking made up…

“YOU’RE SUCH A PERFECTIONIST!” MY younger sister remarked. To prove her observation, she added, “You cried when you didn’t get a perfect score in Spanish,” referring to a language class I took in college. I didn’t recall the crying incident she was talking about, but I admit that I took my studies seriously. I wouldn’t cut classes. I spent extra hours in the library poring over books. I fulfilled any assignment given to me by group mates for a group project. I tried to be a good student. But perfect? No. In fact, I had to enroll in a remedial math class to develop core skills. It’s hard to be a perfect student. It’s even more impossible to be a person without fault in all areas of life. There isn’t…

MINI GOLF IS A FUNNY place to think about Jesus, but that’s what I found myself doing. Club in hand, each member of our family took turns aiming the ball toward tiny holes in fake barns or used advanced geometry to compute bank shots. As I watched, I saw similarities to the unique routes each of us chose for our faith journeys. Though our goals were identical, we all attacked the challenge differently. My son-in-law studied the various traps and used great care for each shot, a reflection of the thoughtful way he lives his faith. My daughter kidded around until the moment she swung the club; then she concentrated on the shot. Secure as she is in her place with Jesus, her joy is infectious, her witness focused and…

A FRIEND WHO WORKED OVERSEAS in the Middle East recently returned home. When he visited our family, he gave us a box of dates—those sweet brown, fleshy fruits of the palm tree. They were delicious. Fruit has always been a refreshing and desirable staple in the Middle East. But in Jesus’s day, a tree full of fruit was a blessing and a sign of prosperity. The purpose of the tree was to provide its owner with sustenance, wealth, and the ability to plant more trees. When Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree by the side of the road, He was more than frustrated when He couldn’t find any fruit. The fig tree was not fulfilling its purpose. It was a disappointment. What use is a tree without any…

MY HUBBY AND I HAVE remodeled three homes, some with true fixer-upper needs. In our current home, we’ve knocked out walls, gutted the kitchen, and finished the basement. Last year, we tackled the downstairs bathroom. For me, the first scary part of remodeling is the point where everything is ripped out, and I wonder if we’ll ever finish the project. The other scary part is discovering what hides behind the facades. When my hubby tore out the Sheetrock of the basement bathroom, he discovered mice nests, wasp nests, decay, and mold. Have you ever had a season of life when you felt the entire building of your life had been ripped down to the studs? Perhaps the job you served for years is torn away. Perhaps the person you trusted…

THIS WEEKEND I VISITED A shipwreck on Oregon’s coast. The massive sailing vessel, the Peter Iredale, ran aground over a century ago on an otherwise uneventful journey from Mexico. It had almost reached its destination when unforeseen strong winds drove it ashore. Lately I’ve been on my own journey of sorts. I’ve been watching my diet and exercising, trying to take off a few pounds. My diligence is beginning to pay off. At home, I make low-calorie meals and when meeting friends for lunch, I order a salad. I ignore dessert menus and drink lots of water. I’m prepared for temptation, blocking it before it snares me. It’s the unexpected enticements I struggle with, the tasty samples offered at the grocery store, the cookies my neighbor brings over. At times…

FATHER’S DAY IS IN A few days. My dad passed away in February 2013, and I think about him every day. We grew closer during the last twenty years of his life. He would often share his life stories, joys, disappointments, and sorrows with me. It was during those conversations that I realized that emotionally, we were alike. We were both sensitive souls who could be easily wounded. He became my best friend, someone who didn’t judge or criticize me. On my toughest days I long to hear his voice because sometimes that was enough for me. In the days after he passed away, it was Jesus whom I cried out to for comfort. As I sang praise songs and fell to my knees, I could feel Jesus’s arms around…

BEFORE MY SPINAL SURGERY IN 2018, I made the house patient-friendly. There would be limitations on my movements, so I arranged items I use on a daily basis within easy reach. I bought a grabber stick so I could pick up things for myself. The doctor’s office advised having help at home the first few weeks. But my husband had to return to work a few days after my surgery, and we had no family nearby. I reminded myself how “tough” I was. While our children were growing up, we’d never had family near us, and my husband worked long hours. Twice in recent years, he’d moved across the country for a new job and left me behind in an area where we were still newcomers. Once I drove myself…

SUNRISE AT THE BEACH IS my favorite place to worship and fully experience Jesus; I’m overwhelmed by His presence there. His majesty is displayed in the splendor of the sunrise as the rays paint the sky with beautiful shades of color. The roar of the waves proclaims His might. The smell of the salt in the air, the feel of the soft sand beneath my feet, and the cool mist all refresh me. When Jesus was on earth, He must have loved the sea also. The Bible tells several stories where He’s on the sea or at the beach. Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when He called two fisherman, Peter and Andrew, to be His disciples, making them fishers of men. In Matthew 8:24–27, Jesus was on…

MY WRITING DESK TODAY IS a patio table in the screen house on the deck. Our quiet neighborhood seems especially silent today because the road in front of our house is closed to through traffic while the county resurfaces the asphalt a few miles to the north. A soft breeze is blowing. The only conflict within sight is a war between two cardinals and a blue jay. The cardinals are winning. It is a place of peace. The garden’s growing at a pace I can almost hear. My Bible’s open in front of me. Peace. But I might not recognize the external serenity if it weren’t for my internal serenity. Despite deadlines, projects waiting for me, family health needs yet unresolved—more than a few pockets of uncertainty—peace reigns in my…

A FRIEND AND I WERE talking about our grown children, and our longing for stronger and deeper relationships with them. I shared that the last time one of my boys stayed with us, I imagined the great conversations we would have. Instead, he was busy and away most of the time, and I had few interactions with him. My friend and I realized that when we set our hopes on our own plans and prescriptions for how things should unfold, we are often disappointed. That disappointment can even lead us to give up on improved communication ever happening. Have you ever felt that sense of hopelessness, the temptation to believe things will never change? We encouraged each other to instead invite Jesus to create opportunities in ways we may not…

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I READ studies that revealed the huge amount of chemicals we’re exposed to by the different toiletries and personal care products we use daily. Since then I’ve jumped on the DIY (do-it-yourself ) bandwagon. I’ve been making many of these products at home, using recipes from blogs that focus on healthier living. Some attempts prove successful, like the two-ingredient eye-makeup remover. Others not so much, including the overly greasy moisturizer. Some people seem to want a DIY faith, creating their own “recipe” by choosing the ingredients that appeal to them. Those attempts will never be successful. That’s why Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sin. One of the final words Jesus spoke before He died was tetelestai, usually translated as…

IN JOHN 16:›› JESUS MADE a promise to His followers: “Here on this earth, you will have many trials and sorrows”(NLT). I can understand that, since this world is opposed to Jesus and all He stands for. But I’ve always had a hard time understanding how I’m supposed to count those trials and sorrows as joy. I do want my faith to become “mature and complete,” but still—joy? Then I heard a story from a friend that changed my perspective on trials. One spring Mike’s neighbor gave him some duck eggs and explained how to incubate them. Mike watched the eggs carefully; he couldn’t contain his excitement when he saw the baby ducks trying to break their way out. When he noticed that some were struggling, he helped them by…

FLORIDA, MY NEW HOME, IS one of the nation’s leading states for fishing. It’s really obvious. Drive by any body of water from dawn to dark, and you’ll see many, many people fishing. Men and women, young and old, from piers, off the coast, in waders, up to their necks, from boats and bridges . . . fishing is everywhere. People who fish (not me) know that casting is not passive. People cast in an athletic stance, forcefully launching their line into the deep. My husband is a longtime fisherman, and I sometimes tag along when he takes our boys. I can testify that casting isn’t as easy as it looks. Today’s Scripture tell us to cast our anxiety— our “cares” in some translations— fling it upon the Lord. Talk…

I ONCE ENROLLED IN A short online course about happiness. From time to time, I would receive follow-up emails from the course coach. In one of his emails, he mentioned that the inability to remember passwords is a major source of everyday frustration for millions around the world. “The main purpose of a password is to offer protection,” he said. To lessen his students’ frustration and increase our sense of security, he gave us a mnemonic device to help us remember our passwords. Then he recommended an app to store our passwords. As soon as I read the word password in my teacher’s email message, I instantly recalled the password given to all of us to access the most glorious realm. It’s a single word that’s so easy to remember.…

MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH A private bed-and-breakfast—the kind where a homeowner advertises a room, suite, or home online—was a raving success. I knew it might be the place for me when I discovered that not only was it in a good location for a good price, but it was called Grace Cottage. What sold me was the online image of the living room of the sweet little cottage—a small fireplace flanked by two comfy couches. On the mantel perched a blackboard-like sign with one word—Hope. I did due diligence in researching the rest—other rooms, extra features, quiet neighborhood, positive reviews and recommendations. But the Hope sign had already made the decision for me. A friend met me at the cottage for three days of work and planning. But the atmosphere…

THE CALLING OF THE FIRST disciples in John 1 crackles with excitement. You can sense the beginning of something big, something that’s going to change the world, as these fishermen see Jesus for the first time and decide to follow Him. Of course, when it was happening they didn’t know how special it was. In fact, one of the men wasn’t sure he even wanted to follow Jesus. “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. Jesus’s response is telling. Rather than being offended, He looked at Nathanael and declared, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” Nathanael said, “How do you know me?” He’s astonished. Amazed. And, I believe, touched. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before…

I AM INSPIRED BY MY friend Akhita in the way she listens to Jesus as He says, “Follow Me.” She is a successful professor and sociologist who intertwines her faith and her work life, even as she respects the boundaries of her secular profession. We went for a hike together the other day, and I loved listening to her muse aloud about how Jesus is working in her life. It was so apparent to me: she lets her relationship with the Lord infuse her work at every turn. For a woman of faith working in an environment where “God talk” is strongly discouraged, this can be a challenge for Akhita. She feels the worldly expectations of her academic profession as voices within her (Publish or perish! Join that committee, you…

SOMETIMES I CAN BE LAZY when it comes to prayer. I know it is my time to commune with Jesus, to seek His face for direction and guidance, and to pray for loved ones, lost souls, and world matters. However, there are times I let the busyness of life take precedence over prayer. I don’t take the time to spend quiet time in prayer. Each time I renew my mission to be more consistent in prayer, I tell the Lord the same thing, “I’m going to make quiet prayer time with You a daily habit.” So this week I am starting over again. I am so thankful that Jesus knows my weaknesses and always gives me more chances. Jesus would often steal away from the crowds to spend quiet time…

I BET I’VE READ JESUS’S Parable of the Sower a hundred times. Maybe a thousand. I’m Southern Baptist after all. I cut my teeth on a black King James Version Bible, and I thought I had these verses zipped up in my mind. But the other day, some completely different things stood out to me. Specifically those bits about holding fast to the Word and bearing fruit “with patient endurance.” I’ve always seen myself like the seeds in good soil. None of the other options fit my experience. This is more of a credit to my parents than myself. With them around, no birds had a chance to eat the seeds, and thorns were not allowed to choke them out. Rather than rocky dirt, the home where I spent my…

“THIS GLASS IS LIKE A person,” our pastor explained, holding up a glass to illustrate his point. “Whatever is inside the glass splashes out when you shake it. If a glass is filled with water, then water will spill out. Tea will spill from a glass filled with tea. A person whose heart is filled with anger will respond with anger. A person who holds fear in their heart will be fearful. A joyful heart will produce a reaction of love and joy.” After hearing this illustration, I began using it as a tool to examine my heart and reflect on how I responded to various trials during different times in my life. When I was in my early twenties and going through a difficult phase, I often responded with…

AS A MIDDLE-SCHOOL TEACHER, I find that the end of the grading period is fraught with anxiety. I am rushing to grade end-of-quarter projects while my students keep asking me, “Is there any extra credit?” They are trying to improve their grades. Yesterday, one student asked, “You mean I have done all the extra credit that I can do?” I told him, “You’ve done everything, buddy.” He was crestfallen. He was longing for the glory of all A’s. There are moments in life when we give it all we’ve got . . . and we still come up short. The righteousness of Jesus makes this painstakingly clear. Our very best works, attitudes, and accomplishments still aren’t good enough to bridge the gap between us and a holy God. There is…

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, Paul makes a bold statement here. He’s claiming oneness with Jesus so intimate that the lines between the two are blurred. Paul’s saying, essentially, that he is dead. No longer there. But in place of Paul, Jesus lives. I was thinking about this the other day when I felt a great deal of anxiety about something I believe God wants me to do. I was leading music in front of my church, and I just started feeling sick. My hands were shaking, which was a problem, since I was playing the piano. I felt like Peter when he got out of the boat and tried to walk toward Jesus. He was doing it, but then he started to sink. Did Peter doubt Jesus? Is that…

A FRIEND, FACING A THICKET of seemingly random yet serious problems with her family, asked me, “Is God punishing me? What else could account for this persistent mess?” The fact is, life this side of heaven is broken. Sometimes things go wrong for no reason, apart from the fall that marred paradise. Other times, we suffer the consequences of, not punishment for, our actions. It’s not Jesus wagging His finger in dismay. He lovingly allows us our free will, the freedom to choose our actions. My friend had made it a practice to critique various family members’ life choices, unsolicited, then discussed her views with others. Eventually word got around and the pressure cooker popped. Consequences. Brought before Jesus, our consequences can be priceless growth opportunities that mature us and…

IT’S ALMOST SUMMER AND “THE living” is supposed to be “easy,” according to the George Gershwin song “Summertime.” But sometimes it’s not so easy. I’m off work every summer, and every summer I have a battle in my mind. In the last few weeks several famous people have committed suicide. Every time I hear about suicide, I am reminded of my teenage and young-adult years when I longed to die. I was hopeless. It wasn’t until Jesus came into my life at the age of twenty-six that I began to look at life through a lens of hope. Having Jesus as my Savior, knowing He is with me and that He cares for me, gives me strength. His presence helps me fight when my mind wants to focus on regrets,…

MY FIRST VACATION TO CANADA’S Niagara Falls was a wonder to my soul. I remember that the white rushing falls roared like thunder and crashed without ceasing into the blue Niagara River. Dressed in rain gear on a boat with other tourists, my husband and I held tightly to the railing as the staggering vessel sailed through blinding sheets of water and we passed very close to the falls. I took several pictures of the Niagara Falls. Only when I returned home and had an opportunity to sit with the pictures did I understand the messages and the metaphors represented in my vacation slideshow. Like the Niagara Falls and their crushing waters that roll without ceasing, Jesus is forever my power source and strength. He is my overflow and abundance.…

I NEEDED A PLACE TO write for a few days—someplace that nurtured my devotion to God so that I could help others tap into their devotion. Lovely friends of mine have a bungalow by the ocean, just the sort of nurturing environment I knew I needed. So I dared to ask if I could stay there during the work week while they were in the city. They said, “Yes!” I felt lucky and grateful and blessed. But when I arrived at the beach house, I was overcome with unworthiness and guilt. Had I forced their hand? Did I deserve to be so generously received into their home? I quickly busied myself with writing, hoping that I could somehow earn the invitation extended to me. Several hours later the vast calm…

I’M A MINIMALIST GARDENER. MY husband built raised beds, so I don’t have to bend over. I mulch with environmentally friendly black fabric so I don’t have to weed. But I do appreciate the harvest—fresh vegetables, beautiful flowers. The day I had free to plant the garden this year was perfect for planting. Soon after, a gentle rain fell. Mixed days of warm sun and refreshing rain followed—ideal conditions for a new garden. With hanging baskets of flowers and herbs planted and thriving, I discovered a leftover basket in which I planted unused seed packets and hung the basket on the deck rail. It hung close to the deck floor, but I planned to move it as the flowers grew. Nothing sprouted. Ever. The chipmunks found the basket just the…

IT’S A ROUGH PATCH FOR me as a mom. My oldest daughter, Grace, is spending the summer at a camp for the top students in our state. It’s an honor for her to be there. She’s having a great time, meeting neat people, learning a lot. Blah, blah, blah. I’m happy for her. I really am. She was excited as we entered the college campus and friendly to everyone as we moved her into her dorm. She was adorable as she skipped away from us toward her first meeting, leaving me standing on the sidewalk staring after her like a lost puppy. On the drive home, my heart ached. That was a week ago. Yesterday, we picked her up and brought her home for church and Father’s Day lunch. Later…

WEDDINGS ARE JOYFUL OCCASIONS. AT least they’re supposed to be. Recently I was talking with friends at a wedding reception. We were laughing so hard I didn’t hear the DJ’s announcement. Suddenly the spotlight was on the dance floor. A familiar song started playing. The father of the bride took his daughter by the hand and led her to the dance floor. He held her in his arms for the father-daughter dance. My joy turned to sorrow. Holding back tears, I smiled faintly, quickly excused myself, and headed to the bathroom. Thoughts of my father filled my mind. He’d left me as an infant. When I met him at fourteen, he told me, “Please don’t call me daddy. I’m an elected official and the voters don’t know about you.” I…

MY FRIEND RECENTLY SUFFERED A serious rejection. My heart broke for her. It was unfair, uncalled for, and put her in a difficult position for her near-future plans. To increase the distress, she’d worked hard the past several years to heal from words that had shredded her soul. Now this. My heart ached as if it had happened to me, but then I realized what I felt on her behalf could be little more than a shadow of what she was experiencing. The above verse came to mind and lingered. But only for a moment. It’s a good thing I remembered the words that follow them in the Bible. Jesus and His disciples had been rejected by a whole town. He’d sent messengers ahead of the team to find a…