Indholdsfortegnelse for September/October 2022 i Mornings with Jesus

September and October are months of great transition. Summer vacation is ending. A new school year is beginning. The leaves are changing color. In the midst of all this change is a powerful reminder from Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) that Jesus is our constant— “the same yesterday and today and forever.” What a reassuring message! Even with the beginning of a new school year, season, and chapter of life, Jesus never changes. He is the same good and loving Savior who walked among us 2,000 years ago and still offers us comfort, guidance, and hope during every season of life. Let the uplifting devotions in Mornings with Jesus help you realize that Jesus is the anchor to your soul—the very One who secures for you the eternal hope of heaven and…

ON A RECENT SURVIVAL-TYPE TELEVISION show where contestants are completely and utterly alone in a hostile environment, one contestant woke to find his small shelter surrounded by wolves. The animals came within 3 yards of the man. By my estimate, that’s 300 miles too close. I’ve wondered how I would react if my path crossed that of an animal that was bigger, stronger, fiercer, faster, and hungrier than me. One of the black bears that occasionally wanders into our yard. A bobcat that doesn’t just cross the highway in front of my car but is on my walking trail. One of the wolves that howls at night in our wooded neighborhood. My natural instincts are to freeze or flee. The Bible says there are times when the right thing to…

THE NUMBER OF MISSIONARIES WITHIN our international nonprofit ministry is growing. That means God is doing a good work, and for that I’m excited and grateful. The gospel is spreading, more disciples are being made, and more people are practicing generosity toward God’s kingdom. That’s all good. But growth also means more behind-the-scenes administrative work, additional staff care, more volunteer recruitment and training, and so forth. I’m often away from home for a total of three to four months every year. When I’m on North American turf, I’m either writing or spending time with my family, all of whom live far from Vancouver. Nothing thrills me more than serving Jesus, and this ministry is what He’s called me to do. I marvel at the health and strength He gives me…

THE OTHER DAY ON TWITTER, I noticed someone posted, “I highly recommend loving Jesus.” It struck me as interesting, probably because it was one of the few things on there that was positive, sweet, and, at least in my feed, not controversial. I kept thinking about it and agreed that I, too, could highly recommend loving Jesus. The biggest reason is in today’s Bible verse: grace. Loving Jesus means I walk around in an atmosphere of grace. I inhale grace and exhale it. I’m bathed in it, sheltered by it, fed by it, and led by it. Grace holds my hand. I pull it over me like a blanket for comfort. I put it on like clothes to meet the day. Grace is the lens through which I see people…

A FRIEND RECENTLY MOVED HERE to Minnesota from Hawaii— just in time for a record cold November. I asked if her family had enough winter clothes. “We're getting there,” she said. I joked about how hard it must be to endure our climate when her body is used to Hawaii. She laughed and said, “Yeah, but I’m noticing that when it’s really cold, everyone feels it. Even folks who have lived in Minnesota all their lives.” She’s right. No matter how many years I’ve lived through the cold seasons, there are days that a winter morning can still shock me with its harshness. Thankfully, I can dig out my long johns, warmest sweaters, a hat with ear flaps, and cozy boots. I have ways to keep the freezing temperature from…

TWO OF MY COUSINS LIVE in economically depressed southern Italy. Jobs are scarce and corruption is rampant, a painful contrast to the areas physical beauty and warm people. My cousin Desiree lives in a two-bedroom apartment with her husband, two teenagers, and my ailing, elderly aunt, Zia Marisa. Life is very hard, but Desiree has a sweet and sunny disposition. But after a series of recent challenges, I could hear the weariness in her voice. An ocean away, there was little I could do. Or was there? Even though we were going through a tough time financially, my finances were flush by comparison, and I knew it was by grace. I also knew that my parents moving to America fifty years ago meant I have opportunities my cousin and her…

DURING MY YEARS OF SINGLENESS, I served in my church and stayed in fellowship with believers, but I still often felt alone and unloved. I was mopey and sad at times, and it was sometimes hard to worship Jesus. That empty seat next to me on Sunday mornings would mock me, saying, “If you’re so loved, why are you alone?” But as I meditated on this Scripture verse, I pictured the Lord smiling down on me, just as He smiled down on His beloved Son Jesus in Matthew 17:5—not because of Jesus’s accomplishments as the dutiful Son but just because Jesus was His Son. I treasured that vision because I was already middle-aged, had just ended a relationship with a man at the Lord’s direction, and my mom, Gloria, had…

MY HUSBAND, GENE, AND I live on a boat. Just for fun, we keep a list of items that have fallen overboard. The list includes three pairs of cheap reading glasses, a baseball cap, a screwdriver, and a winch handle. The latter disappeared while our boat was tied to the dock. It slipped into the murky water and vanished, sinking to the river bottom in seconds. Thankfully, Gene was able to retrieve it, but the other things are long gone, never to be seen again. Their fate is a good visual of what happens to our sin when Jesus forgives us. Figuratively speaking, He takes our sin and hurls it into the sea. This description blesses me big-time. You see, Scripture doesn't say He accidentally drops our sin overboard and…

I’M GLARING AT MY HAND weights. Bright orange 8-pound hand weights sit 3 feet away from me when I’m at my desk. Why am I glaring? They’ve been sitting in that same spot for months, and I am not one bit stronger than I was when I bought them. It’s too late now to get my money back. And they do make great paperweights. But my wrists are still weak from daily keyboard tasks, and my biceps are nothing to brag about. My forearm muscles aren’t straining to be noticed through the skin covering them. And my posture hasn’t improved a bit from their presence in my office. Too often I apply the same rationale to growing in strength and courage in my walk (or my sit) with Jesus. There…

LAST YEAR, MY FRIEND ANGIE was diagnosed with a fast-growing breast cancer. Practically overnight, she was undergoing very aggressive chemo, fighting for her life. This was especially troubling because she was just forty-four years old and had a twelve-year-old—my son Pierce’s good buddy—at home. Up until her illness, we’d just been casual friends, moms who made small talk at baseball games. That changed. I stepped up to organize meals, and Angie, knowing I was a passionate Christian, started reaching out to me more and more. We’re like-minded: analytical, practical—thinkers with a philosophical bent. Suddenly, Angie and I are connecting on a very deep level, and truth be told, she’s helped me every bit as much as I’ve helped her, if not more so. While wondering if she will live or…

THE OTHER DAY I WAS wrestling with a hard issue. I felt embarrassed for not being stronger, for not handling it well, for not knowing 100 percent what to do. I turned the problem over and over in my mind like a gemstone under a light, trying to see it from every angle and identify the flaws. I suspected where things had gone wrong, but I couldn’t see how to fix it. And for some reason I didn’t want to pray. It was like when your friend asks if you want to talk about something and you don’t. You’d rather do anything else. Yet I knew I couldn’t figure out the matter on my own. Today’s verse from Matthew came across my radar, and instead of the emphasis being on…

WHEN MY FRIEND JACKIE BREATHED her last of almost ninety years’ worth of breaths, I lost a prayer partner like no other. I mourned not having my friend with me after forty years of friendship, serving in ministry side by side, sharing Jesus through the everyday and the exceptional. But I also mourned the loss of her prayers for me. Beyond a friend’s traditional prayers for family concerns, health, and financial needs, Jackie devoted herself to praying for my writing and book launches and travels for speaking. Days ahead of time, she'd sit with her Bible and collection of favorite quotes to create specially tailored encouragement regarding whatever I faced. Before I loaded up the car or packed my luggage for a flight, she’d call to share that biblical encouragement.…

MY HUSBAND, ZANE, AND I are opposites in many ways. He’s competitive and I’m not. I obsessively clean and he doesn’t mind clutter. I’m a planner and he’s spontaneous. Unfortunately, we’ve fallen into a trap of arguing with each other about ridiculous little things, such as which drawer to use to store the toothpaste. During our engagement, our premarital counselor warned us of the detrimental pattern of silly arguments. He told us to remember that we’re on the same team and we’re not each other’s enemies. Although our personalities are so different, I never thought we’d become a couple who argued all the time. I asked my group of close friends to pray for us. Turns out, they, too, sometimes struggled with senseless arguments in their marriages. Then, one of…

MY HUSBAND, KEVIN, IS NOT only a pastor but also a composer. He began writing songs while attending college and has now composed over two thousand. When Kev wrote his first hundred songs during the eighties, every reference to Jesus was “He” or “The Man” and included titles like “Surely He Is Lord” and “Behold the Man.” But as Kevin grew to know Jesus better, his lyrics cast Jesus not as an unknowable creator, but as a lovable, personal shepherd. Driving to work last week, I sang “Hallelujah! Jesus Is King”—a snappy tune Kev wrote for Vacation Bible School. I could almost feel Jesus’s smile and hug as I serenaded Him. Then it hit me: Jesus craves our fellowship more than we long for His. That thought led to a…

HIGHER ON A LADDER THAN was comfortable, I shouldered one end of a support beam while my husband, 9 feet away, shouldered the other end. We worked and sweated to hoist the beam into place overhead. No big deal. It was only going to hold up the entire second story of our house. What could go wrong? Our first attempt failed. The beam was just a smidge too long for the opening we’d created when we removed a wall separating the kitchen and dining room. We climbed down from our perches, balancing the beam by sheer determination. A saw stroke or two later, we climbed up again. My end of the beam slid into place. I held it snug, grunting, groaning, and pretending I had enough strength while my husband…

RECENTLY, I WATCHED THE CROWN, a Netflix drama about the life of Queen Elizabeth II. She’s portrayed as a woman who suppresses her emotions, especially as she ages. I watched uncomfortably as I saw myself in her and wondered if this was due to my English heritage and my upbringing in a family who rarely expressed their emotions openly. Because God made us emotional beings, I decided to do some research. Some articles suggested that suppressing emotions can cause increased blood pressure, negativity, and impaired memory. So it’s important to express our emotions. But it’s interesting to note that emotions are freely expressed throughout Scripture. Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly in front of Eli, the priest, because she had no children. Hannah was so overcome with sadness…

WHILE VISITING A ZOO, I passed a grandmother standing with her preteen granddaughter. She called the girl by name and said emphatically, “You are the greatest person in the world.” Her words startled me. Later, they made me more determined than ever to help foster a healthy, Christ-centered self-esteem in my own grandchildren. I grab every opportunity to praise them and make them feel special and dearly loved, because they are. But I also want to help them grow up to be sensitive to the needs of others. I want them to be like Jesus. Human nature tends toward self-centeredness. Even after walking with Jesus for a few years, His twelve disciples argued over which of them was the greatest. The mother of James and John asked Jesus to let…

WE RECENTLY BOUGHT A NEW home and inherited a 90-gallon fish tank. I knew nothing about aquariums and didn’t have the desire to learn. It seemed like too much work. Within a few months, the water was murky, the live plants were overgrown, and algae covered the top. I did a quick clean with a net and skimmed the algae off, pulled out the overgrown plants, and added water. It didn’t take long before it looked filthy again. One of my sons was home and he decided to help. After hours of research, he found a fish called a bristlenose plecostomus that would clean the tank. It looks like a little orange catfish. As he was on the phone ordering this tank cleaner, I thought about the fourth and fifth…

MOVING ONTO A SAILBOAT MEANT purging almost all our earthly belongings. One exception was a box containing the letters my husband and I wrote to each other during our long-distance engagement and my collection of Mother’s Day and birthday cards from my kids. I could not bring myself to throw them away. I treasured these words. They make me feel wanted and loved. That’s how Jesus’s words made people feel. On one occasion, He spoke to a woman whose medical condition made her untouchable (Luke 8:43-48). With no human options left for healing, she sneaked through a crowd and touched the hem of His garment. Jesus could have scolded her for being so bold, for presuming upon His kindness. He could have rebuked her for contaminating Him. Instead, He focused…

HOME, SWEET HOME. Perhaps you grew up in a sweet home. Maybe you did not. Nonetheless, today’s verse contains a concept of home that is perfect, and it’s not a place I ever leave because Jesus never leaves me. He promises that if I love Him, I’ll obey Him, and then He and the Father will come to me. They’ll make Their home in me wherever I am. But what does this mean? I’m sure I can’t conclusively capture it, but here are some things it means to me. It means a father who provides for me, a brother who’s always in my corner, and a mother who gathers me in her arms like a hen with her chicks. It means safety, and security, and a place where I can…

SPENDING TWO WEEKS WITH MY youngest granddaughter, Lexi, gave me an opportunity to know her better. During that time, I watched her learn several new skills. She graduated from taking two or three consecutive steps to walking six or eight. She learned to blow kisses and identify her nose. She began folding her hands when we asked the blessing on our meals, and she learned to play “This Little Piggy” with her toes. Her parents, her grandpa, and I clapped and cheered for her each time she practiced those skills. She clapped for herself, and flashed a toothy grin. We celebrated Lexi's first birthday during that visit, and I recalled the day she was born teeny, pink, and utterly helpless. Seeing the difference one year made in this baby’s development…

SEPTEMBER Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience. WHENEVER PEOPLE ASKED HOW THEY could pray for me, my requests were usually about minor issues, such as clarity about a decision or how to use my time wisely. Not that those aren’t important—I believe God cares deeply about my daily desires, big or small. But I sensed Him encouraging me to start praying boldly and sharing my bold requests. Then I read the Bible story about the two blind men in Matthew 20. Who knows how long they sat on the roadside begging for money and food to sustain themselves? But when they heard Jesus was near, they shouted. Some in the crowd tried to hush them, but that only made them more determined to attract Jesus’s attention, so they…

A LONG, NARROW ROAD RUNS through my town. It’s a mountain railway that carries eighteen trains a day. Living in a historic railroad town is nostalgic, with the lonesome call of train whistles, clanging bells, and the high-pitched sound of steel wheels squealing on the rails. (Even as I write this, I’m enjoying the sound of train whistles calling in the distance.) I especially love gospel train songs that compare railroads to the road to heaven—songs about getting on trains bound for glory. Narrow paths—railroad tracks in my case—have featured repeatedly in my life. As a child living next door to a track, I'd hear the train going by during the night. When I had small children of my own, we took a camping trip in the Pacific Northwest. Heavy…

I WAS A SCHOOL MENTOR for several years. Once a week, I’d have lunch with an at-risk young girl and informally talk to her about academics, friendships, and dreams. I enjoyed it, and I think the girls did too. My second year, I was assigned a nine-year-old named Serenity who was anything but serene. I knew she had a very troubled family life. Serenity was unpredictably angry, often contrary, and sometimes utterly defiant. I was lost. Serenity didn’t respond to my love, humor, or my other usual ways of connecting with kids. She loved thoughtful gifts but always wanted more. She liked crafts but was downright mean when she needed help. We often played games, but she cheated and gloated about winning. I knew intellectually these were all defenses she…

I’VE COME TO REALIZE THAT it’s good to regularly rehearse the triumphs Jesus has orchestrated in my life. When bigger obstacles come, remembering past victories and rescues helps me overcome the new ones—just as David thought about the lion and bear he’d already fought, when he had to face the giant problem named Goliath (1 Samuel 17:34-36). In my life, one of the giant areas has been finances. When I decided to freelance, it was often difficult to believe Jesus would provide for me long-term. If I was hired to write a book, I hoarded the advance money due to fear that there might not be another deal anytime soon. Even one year when I had a salaried job, I lived meagerly on one paycheck a month—and banked the rest…

WHEN I READ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE verse, it would be natural to think, Okay, how I can do something nice for a neighbor? (That’s a good start.) In fact, my husband, Andrew, and I bless a couple of widows in our neighborhood with gifts in their mailboxes on various holidays, just to let them know they are valuable to our community. But when I meditate on this verse, what sticks out is the “as yourself” part. How can I go a step further and show love to people in a way that’s more meaningful to them—the way I myself like to be loved? Since charity (love) begins at home, I try to show this kind of thoughtful love in simple ways. For example, not clanging pots or dishes when my husband…

BEFORE I MARRIED A FOOTBALL Coach, I had no idea the game was such a science. In the early days of our marriage, when it was just us, I learned this by watching recordings with him, breaking it down play by play, and taking note of what each player did in order to strategize. Little did I know this skill would serve me well one day as the mom of a quarterback. Most of the time, though not all the time, I now have at least a clue what’s going on when a certain play is called. One of the most interesting things about football, I think, is the waiting. When both teams are on the scrimmage line, they’re waiting for my son, Harper, to give the snap count. If…

WAITING PATIENTLY IS NOT a strength of mine, but I’m working on it. After our last dog passed away I wanted a new dog—soon. My husband, Zane, didn’t. I kept showing him adorable puppy photos and explaining why we should adopt a new dog. Finally, I convinced him. But he wasn’t as excited as I was, and the first few months were rough. A puppy is demanding, and Zane didn’t relish the responsibility. First Samuel 24 provides an inspiring example of a time when David waited well and didn’t take matters into his own hands. David was on the run from King Saul, who was trying to kill him. At one point, David hid in a cave and had the chance to kill Saul and immediately become king, but he…

I BIT MY LIP AND clicked the attachment. My publisher had forwarded a journal review of my newest novel. A good review in a literary journal can open doors for libraries to order the book and bookstores to stock it. I squinted at the screen, scared to read the opinion oi a story I’d labored over. Then I grinned and shouted a prayer of thanks. The description of the novel was beautiful. I floated the rest of the day, buoyed by the approval of someone I didn’t know. The next day I saw a post from a friend whose book had garnered a terrific review in a more prestigious journal. My joy deflated. I suddenly felt second rate. Ashamed of myself, I asked Jesus to forgive my attitude and change…

THIS MORNING, A PHONE CALL informed me that I owed a debt—a debt I didn’t know I had! I needed to get the necessary information so I could pay my debt. But before I could find out more, a ringing telephone jarred me from a deep sleep. I realized then that I’d been dreaming. But once awake, that distressful phone call in my dream still haunted me… A debt I didn’t know I had?! How could that be? What could that mean? While pondering that, Jesus revealed to me what my dream meant, reminding me that, when He died on the cross for my sins, His death paid the debt for my sins—a debt I didn’t even know I had. Before accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I was…

I USED TO BE AFRAID of the dark. When I was a girl in my parents’ house, I loved it when I went to bed and they were still up. I could hear the soft, muffled sound of the TV, and light from where my mom was grading papers would drift down the hall, lending just the right amount of luminescence to my room. I also used to be afraid of dark times in life. If I’m honest, I still am. But I have learned there are treasures to be discovered in the dark that aren’t visible in the light. Like stars. And sounds. In the dark, we have to rely a lot more on our other senses, such as hearing, and we listen better than we would otherwise. That’s…

OCTOBER Be present in all things and thankful for all things. IN AN EFFORT TO STAY healthy, I have started eating salads at lunch. I am incorporating all the colors of the rainbow: green spinach, cucumbers, and peas; purple beets and onions; red tomatoes; orange sweet potatoes. I am getting hungry just thinking about it. But the thing is, even with all of those delicious veggies, something is missing. It needs that little extra something to push it over the top—salt. If there isn’t that hint of salt, the veggies taste bland. There is nothing worse than going to the trouble of preparing a delicious meal and then having it fall flat. That small sprinkle of goodness brings out the fullness of the flavors. Jesus says that I’m the salt of…

I WAS STARTLED TO OVERHEAR a disgruntled volunteer in the church snap, saying, “I’m not just a warm body!” The remark surprised me, as I thought to myself, What’s wrong with being a warm body? I’m a warm body. Were all ’’just warm bodies” doing various acts of volunteer service as unto the Lord. Though I said nothing, that heated comment stayed with me. It caused me to reflect on all the warm bodies in our congregation who serve without thought of accolades or recognition. Warm bodies who pray, encourage, prepare lessons, teach classes, arrange and rehearse music, make coffee, wash dishes, change diapers, buy toilet paper and tissue and paper cups, clean the church, weed the flower bed, paint the walls, make repairs, print the bulletins, attend planning meetings,…

MINNIE WAS A COWORKER IN a jobs program for disadvantaged youth. Minnie was hilarious, many times without even trying to be. Everyone in the office adored Minnie. One day Minnie came to work looking glum. When I asked her what was wrong, she said, “I feel so unnecessary.” The way she rolled her eyes when she said it made me laugh. So Minnie! But when I thought about her statement, it was anything but funny. In our frantic, impersonal world today, how many of us feel unloved, unwanted, or unimportant? I know I've felt that way. I need to reassure myself that Jesus’s love is constant and unwavering. Whether I deem myself good, bad, or somewhere in between, Jesus loves me just the same. His love is eternal and perfect,…

A WOMAN I’VE KNOWN FOR years struggles with mental health issues. This complicates our relationship. I’ve weathered numerous bouts of her hurtful accusations and behaviors. Recently she said I didn’t care about her and returned the unopened birthday card I’d mailed, telling me she wanted no further contact. It’s so complicated. My efforts to show support and my attempts to be her friend have failed. Some days I feel so sad for her, for us. I understand that her mental health issues are largely responsible for her behavior, but it still hurts to be mistreated by someone you love. Jesus knows all about it. He handpicked twelve men to train as ministry leaders. He invested time and energy in them. He poured wisdom into them. He put up with their…

SOME MINISTRIES ARE ACCIDENTAL. WHENEVER I run into anyone from my old church, the comment is always the same: “We miss your laugh!” I never planned to have a “ministry of laughter.” It was an accident. I love humor and a good joke. I did wonder what people thought when I was the only one laughing out loud when the pastor told a funny joke. But, as more and more people thanked me for my laughter, I became comfortable with my accidental ministry of laughter. After relocating to another state, I’d planned to start a worship dance ministry. (Dance was my background, and I’d trained for leading worship dance ministry.) But the Lord had other plans. The Holy Spirit put a comedic monologue on my heart, addressing a touchy subject…

MY DAUGHTER GRACE IS STRONG, beautiful, brilliant, and kind. This year, she started college with a full scholarship and hopes to finish her undergraduate and law degrees in five years. She also started having night terrors. Her university allows her to live at home, but still she found little rest. We tried melatonin, sleepy teas, and reading before bed, but there were many tearful nights. Sometimes, there is no logic behind anxiety—it just is. So the amount of soothing I gave or telling her all the reasons she was safe didn’t matter. My baby couldn’t sleep. Eventually some combination of snuggles from our Boston terriers and her younger sisters eased her into slumber. But of course, life happens, and sometimes the sisters were smooshed or the dogs were dirty, and…

WHEN YOU HEAR RACCOONS FIGHTING, you don’t wonder, What’s that animal out there in the dark? Their distinct, whiny screech— a possessive “give-me-that” sound—is easily recognizable even if a person is tucked into bed two stories above the deck on which the raccoons are partying. My husband and I removed anything they might find worth fighting over—sunflower seeds in the bird feeder and high-quality potting soil (which they’d apparently deemed snack worthy). It didn’t matter. 1 hey still regularly visit the deck and make a ruckus around 11 p.m. Destructive little critters. Jesus’s followers sometimes act like critters. We whine at one another even if we have to invent something to complain about. Decades ago, the standard church joke was that every Sunday noon meal was “Roast of Pastor.” Everything…

ISN’T IT FRUSTRATING THAT WE can’t be God? What I wouldn’t give to snap my fingers and fix difficult situations! Sometimes I wish I could just be good enough and do enough to make it all better, to never make mistakes, and to heal all the hurts that stretch so wide and deep in the world. But alas, I cannot. I never could. Ann Voskamp wrote words that comfort me in this: “You aren’t the one who got it all wrong… you aren’t the one… left ashamed, you aren’t the one who isn’t enough… you aren’t the one who is XY, or whatever terrible Z you whisper at yourself at 3 a.m.” She also wrote, “Your core identity is that you are the disciple whom Jesus lavishly loves right through…

MY SON’S GIRLFRIEND WAS A recent contestant on a national singingcompetition TV show. Her schtick was that she’s always the opening act for bands doing gigs in the city where she lives. They dubbed her the Universal Opener. The opener paves the way and gets everyone warmed up and ready for the big-name headliner. It’s a pretty important gig, but with none of the glory. Similarly, John the Baptist paved the way, getting the people ready for Jesus’s public ministry. His job was preparing the way for the Lord. John’s ministry was foundational for introducing Jesus’s public ministry to the audience of that day. Yet there was no glory in it for John. It wasn’t about him. His purpose was merely to point people to Jesus. In a sense, we…

MY HUSBAND, JEFF, AND I had been working in the yard all day, and it was too late to start supper, so we decided to pick up burgers at a drive-through. When it was time to pay, the worker told us, “No charge. The people in front of you paid for your meal.” What a lovely surprise! To pay it forward, we picked up the check of the person behind us in line. I craned my neck to get a look at the lucky soul who’d benefitted from our kindness. Would she wave, throw a kiss, honk? Disappointingly, she didn’t acknowledge our gift. Why hadn’t I expended such effort to see the person who’d bought our meal? Easy. Rather than wanting to offer gratitude, I expected to receive it. It’s…

THE NEW BATTERY IN MY daughter’s car kept draining, needing a jump start. An auto mechanic ran a diagnostic test, discovering a problematic AC reactor. Once the necessary part was ordered, it was an easy fix. When I’m emotionally drained, or haven’t been spending enough time in the Word, I need a spiritual jump start. Today, when my “reactor” kept overreacting to minor frustrations, I needed a spiritual diagnostic test. The word auto comes from the Greek autos, which means “self.” Apostle Paul said to perform a self-diagnostic test, to see if we’re being true to our faith. He said to check ourselves, to see if we’re living as Christ-filled believers. I performed my own self-diagnostic test today, troubleshooting possible causes for my less than ideal reactions. I’d gotten enough…

MANY YEARS AGO, I CHECHKED out a library book about God’s grace. After all this time, I still remember turning the page to read the writer’s assertion that the crucifixion was an accident and that Jesus did not need to die for our sins. I thought about how much of the Bible, including John 3:16, this author had to ignore or deny in order to make that claim. In Matthew 16:21-28, Jesus told His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer terribly, be killed, and rise again the third day. Peter pulled Jesus aside and corrected Him, insisting that such things could not possibly happen to Him. Peter reprimanded Jesus—think about that! Jesus, the One whom Peter had watched perform miracles and raise the dead. The One who had…

I GREW UP IN COLUMBIA, Maryland, a tidy, affluent suburb conceived by visionary developer James Rouse. A model of urban planning with everything carefully placed, Columbia had strictly enforced codes, too. You—d hear about lawns that hadn’t been mowed. Later, I moved to the charming arts hamlet of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, where there was little if any zoning. Our ranch-style home was on 4 acres of beautiful parklike land, with lots of shrubs and trees. Doesn’t that sound great? Well, it was, but I couldn’t see the park because of the shrubs. For a few years, I was fixated on achieving the highly manicured landscapes of my childhood, so I pruned and waged war on weeds. This was a frustrating and futile battle for perfection, when the luxuriously natural…

RIDING MY BIKE EARLY THAT morning, I spotted him slowly making his way across the road. I knew he might not make it. Should I stop and help him? Ugh, no. I tolerated turtles at a distance, but I sure didn't want to touch one. Besides, he carried germs for salmonella. Yet I’d seen too many turtles smashed in the road. He’s one of your creatures, Jesus. I knew what I needed to do. I rode home as fast as I could, grabbed an old towel to pick him up, got in my car, and drove to where I last saw him. I couldn’t have been gone more than five minutes, but the turtle was nowhere in sight. I pulled the car over and searched the grass surrounding the pond…

MISS SOPHIE, AN ACTIVE MEMBER of my childhood church, was deaf. Her husband didn’t share her faith. She never had children of her own. But those things never stopped Miss Sophie from living a full and joyful life. Her secret? Motivated by love for Christ, she was always keenly interested in other people—everyone around her, as a matter of fact. She loved on me during my teenage passive-aggressive years. When I brought my boyfriend to church on weekend visits from college, she’d tease us, calling us “the lovebirds.” When I moved away as a young wife, she sent letters filled with expressions of love and her Guideposts magazine from the previous month. Whenever we went back to visit family, I always managed a visit with Miss Sophie so she could…

THE UNMISTAKABLE SOUND OF CLAWS on metal interrupted my devotions. I stood up from the loveseat, flung my hands in the air, and whined, “Again?” My 18-pound cat, Wally, stood on the back porch, gazing up at me. His emerald eyes held an angelic look. When I opened the door on a bright September day, Wally rushed to the counter where six pouches of cat treats stood. Each a different flavor. A year before, when Wally was a kitten, I began the unwise habit of rewarding him with treats each time he was outside and returned home. Now he went outdoors at every opportunity. He knew those treats awaited him on his return. I opened a yellow pouch and set a couple treats in front of Wally. Then I gave…

DURING A WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY on the topic of spiritual gifts, we realized there’s one important spiritual work and ministry that is seldom acknowledged: the gift or ministry of showing up—of participation. We agreed that the ministry of showing up is vital and discussed how much we appreciate it when a sister in Christ gives of herself by making it a priority to show up to spend time in fellowship with the family of God, whether it’s for a worship service, Bible study group, church potluck, or prayer night. The Greek word koinonia, which is used several times in the Bible, relates to the ministry of showing up. Koinonia refers to fellowship, participation, community, and togetherness. I may not always be in a place in my life where I can…

AFTER A LONG SEASON OF various struggles, I was spending a rare quiet morning in prayer. I was interrupted by the sound of a snare drum in the park across the street. I peered out the window and saw a few high school students gathering. More cars pulled up and more drummers emerged. Soon an entire drum corps began an amazing rehearsal. And then—even better—they marched down the sidewalk and all the way around our block. Neighbors emerged and applauded. My spirits lifted at the drummers’ musical skills and impressive coordination as they twirled drumsticks and marched in step. Their strong rhythms stirred courage in my heart, as if in answer to my earlier prayers. While I waited for them to come back around, I chatted with my next-door neighbor,…

CRYSTALS ARE A BIG DEAL in a town near my home. Crystal shops abound. As a self-avowed “rock puppy” with an appreciation for minerals and stones, I can understand the attraction. However, for some, the crystal allure is akin to a religion. These people consider crystal shops as spiritual, almost holy places. In fact, that town’s slogan is “Where heaven meets earth." A long time ago, before I was walking with Jesus, I used to be drawn to such places. Now looking back, I recognize my folly. I can still appreciate the natural appeal of quartz crystals and other rocks as God’s workmanship. But I no longer view them as spiritual or magical. Because I now know the truth of Jesus, I no longer believe them to be endowed with…

MY BROTHER IS THE SUPERINTENDENT of schools for our little country district, and he deals with situations that seem impossible but must be dealt with anyway. Whatever the situation, he’s the one ultimately responsible for our kids. I’ve seen him with dark circles under his eyes more than once. When he comes home from the office, he stays up late poring over data and planning. And then he has to make the call. Some situations do have a rational solution. But sometimes leadership takes you deep into shades of gray. After all, if big problems were easy to solve, they usually seem that big to start with. But a wise person does her homework, exhausts all resources, tries her best, and makes a decision. Then she throws herself on the…

I’D NEVER FELT SO ALONE. My husband, Jeff, was away in Dallas and floodwaters from a tropical storm were encroaching on our house. The power had gone out, and darkness engulfed me. When I wandered outside to see how much the water had risen, I spotted a shadowy figure walking under an umbrella. “Pat, is that you?” yelled my neighbor Virginia, who was newly widowed and alone. We hollered back and forth a few times and then promised we’d call and check on each other. Virginia hadn’t lived across from us for long, and I didn’t know her well, but here we were—just the two of us. Fear gripped me as I contemplated what I would do if the water came in the house. We’d come close with past hurricanes,…

IN MARK I2:4I-44, JESUS WATCHED people drop money into the temple’s collection box. With so many rich people putting in large amounts, many bystanders would have failed to notice the poor, elderly widow who quietly slipped in two copper coins. But Jesus saw her, and He knew her heart. He told His disciples that her gift was worth more than the bigger offerings because she gave all she had to live on. When Jesus walked on the earth, He noticed the poor, the elderly, the lepers, the grieving, the demon-possessed. He hasn’t changed. He doesn’t only pay attention to famous singers, speakers, television preachers, or church leaders. He also sees the young mom struggling to meet the demands of a growing family, the lonely resident in a nursing home, the…

I STARTED A NEW JOB recently, one that I had prayed for while waiting for several years. A successful interview, as well as my education, previous work experience, and references all helped me snag the position, but I still felt I needed to prove my worth after I arrived at the office. I also knew that I would be evaluated by my supervisor every thirty days for the first three months of my employment. So, I made sure that I arrived on time, met deadlines, turned in quality work, and presented myself as a pleasant and reliable colleague. I didn't want anyone to regret the decision to hire me. What a relief that I don’t have to prove myself to Jesus! He knows all my sins and shortcomings, yet He…

A FEW DAYS AGO, THE darkness seemed suffocating as I lay blurry-eyed and sleepless. I felt as if I was choking on grief. Surely, all believers have been there—crying out in agony to the God of the universe, demanding some kind of explanation, desperate for that peace that surpasses all understanding, though it seems to have passed by us. But isn’t it arrogant to believe I am somehow out of Jesus’s reach? I was reminded of this when I cuddled up with my family watching one of our all-time favorites, Anne of Green Gables. Anne tells Marilla that she is in the depths of despair, asking for sympathy, only to be hushed by Manilas stern reply: “I have never been in the depths of despair. To despair is to turn…

I CRINGE WHENEVER SOMEONE REMINISCES about being accidentally left behind at a restaurant or gas station on a childhood trip. Sure, they laugh about it now, but until recently I had no idea how it must have felt. I never dreamed it would happen to me, especially in my sixties. During a visit from our son Kevin, I loaded the car with water and snacks for a day trip and climbed in the back seat. My husband, Richard, was moving his truck out of the way, and Kevin was still in the house, so I went back inside to grab a book. I returned to find the car gone and the garage door shut. I’d better call before they get too far! I thought. Then I remembered that my cell…

WHEN I PRAYED ABOUT MY “word of the year” last fall, Jesus’s voice in my heart was unmistakable: Simplify. I wasn’t upset by the prospect of decluttering. For years I’d wanted to make my environment—and my life—less complicated. But then the Lord shocked me with His next idea: Start with the cards on your closet doors. Over the last twenty years, I’d taped and tacked my favorite thank-you cards onto the closet doors in our bedroom. One, which had mo bunnies in a smiling embrace, was from my husband, Kevin. One, which had colorful balloons, was from my daughter after her baby shower. And another precious one was from a student I’d given a Bible to. Oh, Lord, I whined, These cards remind me to keep a thankful heart. As…

TWO-YEAR-OLD LUKE STUDIED THE OPEN Styrofoam container sitting before him at a fast-food restaurant. One half had held chicken nuggets, which he’d promptly devoured. The other half held a few straggling fries. Luke looked from one side to the other. Then, in an effort to close the container, he raised the half with the fries. As he inched it higher, he realized the fries would fall. He stopped, shook his head, returned that half to its original position on the table and said, “Don’t do dat.” He then raised the empty half, closed it on the fries, and grinned. Victory. From the mouth of a child, right? Luke’s simple but profound wisdom comes to mind when temptation strikes. His three words help me resist the devil. When the evil one…

A TINY THROW PILLOW IN my house makes me smile every time I see it. It says, “You’re never fully dressed without cat hair.” So true, if you’re a cat lover. But what constitutes being fully dressed varies according to different camps of thought. The little orphan Annie may have sung, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile,” but personally, I’m never “fully dressed” without lipstick, earrings, and a bra! However, even those essentials are considered inconsequential compared to other concerns. For example, during a couples’ game night with friends, this question was posed to the wives: “What single beauty item could you not live without?” To everyone’s surprise, one honest woman blurted, “Tweezers!” Whether or not I’ve plucked my eyebrows or am wearing a bra, lipstick, earrings, and cat…

I GOT SICK AT THE very beginning of the pandemic of 2020 and was urged to quarantine even though I didn’t meet the requirements for COVID-19 testing. Being in quarantine turned out to be an amazing gift. Shut away alone for two weeks, I spent more time praying, reading, journaling, and writing than ever before. I was full of the inexplicable peace and joy only Jesus can provide. Because I knew many people were struggling terribly, I asked Jesus how I could help. The inspiration came instantly: a daily time of reflection and prayer on Facebook Live. My dear friend Barbara had written something she dubbed the 4 O’Clock Prayer, which inspired my daily 4 O’Clock Faith. So began my thirty-four messages, broadcasted daily, six days a week. Some were…

MY MIDDLE SON, WILL, is prepping to get his driver’s license. After taking driver’s ed and completing behind-the-wheel training, he has taken on the open road, with either Scott or me in the passenger seat. He is very confident in his newly acquired driving abilities. I am, too, until he comes up too quickly to the rear of another car approaching a stop sign. Then my foot slams into the imaginary brake pedal on the passenger floorboard, and I find myself clutching the handle above the door. I also tense up when he is merging with oncoming traffic. I call out things like “Watch your blind spot” and “Slow down” and sometimes “Jesus, help us!” He has told me that slamming on the imaginary brakes or calling on Jesus’s name…

MY FRIEND AND I HAD been invited to a reading event two hours from our homes. My friend came from the southern part of the state, and I drove from the west. The setting was everything you’d want in a reading event. A charming coffee shop with warm lighting, a stone fireplace, hardwood floors, good food, and great ambiance. Holding a microphone and reading to the crowd gathered for that purpose stirred no uneasiness and no fear. It was a comfortable setting with attentive listeners. The discomfort came later. We’d left one of our cars at the hotel where we’d stay the night. After the event, we assumed we’d find our way back with little trouble. But unfamiliar surroundings and my phone’s slow-to-respond navigation system meant “I think it’s this…

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