The Good, Good Shepherd

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Matthew 18:12-14
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

I'd find the widest maple tree in the yard and squeeze myself as small as I could, behind it. The child who was 'it' would call out "Ready or not, here I come" to let us know they were searching for our hiding place. As a kid, my neighbors, cousins, and I spent endless hours playing hide-and-go-seek. We especially loved playing from dusk to dark. But in the game of hide-and-go-seek, we didn't want to be caught, or we'd be the 'it' person.

As an adult, I rarely play that old childhood game, unless one of my grandkids talks me into it. But I can tell you there have been times when I've played hide-and-go-seek with God. I've buried my head and ignored his wisdom, his call, or his word. I've run the other way in shame, rolled myself in a cocoon of misery and regret. But you know what, he came after me. He sought me out. Why? Because he loves me no matter what. The God who created the universe called me by name and told me I am his child.

Jesus is often called the Good Shepherd. As a shepherd, he searches for that single sheep that strays away from the flock. He chases that one little lamb who lost his way. He seeks in the shadows, climbs the mountains, tears down the walls to find that one who is lost. Once he finds us, he holds us, loves us and gives hope beyond hope. Jesus said he's happier about finding that one lost sheep than about the ninety-nine who stayed put. Why? Because Jesus wants every child of his to be found, to be saved from the evil in this world. He wants every soul to rest in him.

Jesus loves like no other. Love him back.

Faith over Fear

Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Fear is a liar.

One of my brave granddaughters

I stood on the platform I’d waited on the year before. The first time I donned the harness and looked across the water, I stepped into the air and ziplined across with a not so graceful landing. I enjoyed the ride, but a year later, harness on, anxiety and fear gripped me. I’d watched Tim sail across, but I couldn’t take the first step. The person equipping me wasn’t allowed to give me a push. Yes, I did ask her to. Instead, she helped me remove the harness, and I climbed to the ground. Fear had taken over and caused me to fail. I’d let it consume me.

Fear can paralyze, invade with feelings of impending doom, and take over logical reasoning. It can convince me I’m not good enough, or I can’t do this or that. So much is going on in the world that I can’t control, but I do have control over my response. Do I fear what I can’t change, or do I trust in God, who is with me in all things?

In Deuteronomy, Moses tells the people he’s been leading in the wilderness he will no longer be with them. He won’t enter the promised land. Instead, Joshua will take them on the rest of the journey. If I were Joshua, I would have been terrified to take over for such a great leader as Moses. Would I disappoint God’s people, take them the wrong direction, or fail to complete the task? Moses tells Joshua and the Israelites not to fear, but to be courageous because God is with them. Their journey into the promised land wasn’t easy. It took hope and faith.

Healthy fear keeps me safe. The fear I conjure up in my head because I’m gripped by uncertainty can stop me from moving forward in the work God calls me to do. I want to choose faith over fear and trust in God, who delivered the Israelites and will deliver me. Life is hard, but God is bigger than anything that instills fear.

Trust God in faith and leave fear behind.

LOVE

1 John 4:20-21
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.  And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

My mom always said, “You don’t have to like everyone, but you have to love them.” 

Personalities clash, opinions clog, ways of doing things frustrate, and expectations fail. All things that make people dislike one another. I could make a longer list of what makes people dislike or even hate another person, but if you’ve lived this life very long, you already know what’s on the list.

As a child, I thought everyone liked me and I liked everyone, then I grew into a middle schooler and learned the reality of relationships. People who had been friends made fun of me for going to church. I said things to others that were unkind. Some say this is typical middle school behavior, but I say why? Can’t we teach our children to be kind to everyone, no matter who we are? Can’t we do better?

Lead by example. Love my neighbor. Love the person who irritates me. Love the person I disagree with. But how? By showing compassion, having patience, giving grace, praying for people, helping, humbling myself, and the list goes on. Even though I'm not perfect, I can strive to do better.

God calls every one of us to love people and to love Him.

February is the month of love. Valentine’s Day celebrates love. So, I may not like everyone I meet, but I can pour God’s love over every person by being kind.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. -1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love God and love people.

What if Today?

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

"What if today we were grateful for everything?" -Charlie Brown

The other day, I lay in bed sick from an upper respiratory virus. My head hurt and my body ached. I didn’t want to get up. Instead, I preferred to snuggle under the covers and feel sorry for myself—until I remembered people going through much more turmoil than myself. No, I didn’t feel well, but I didn’t need to wallow either.

Once the Holy Spirit kicked me into gear, I thanked God for my warm home, my caring husband, my beautiful family, my sweet dog, and the fact I’d recover in a few days and be back to my laptop writing. It’s amazing how gratitude can put life into perspective.

Paul reminds the Philippians not to be anxious, but to be thankful in every situation. EVERY ONE. Not just the times I’m healthy, not just the times I’m well fed, or satisfied with life, but in every situation. And then present our prayers to God. Once I get my attitude straight, then I can bend God’s ear.

Is it easy to be thankful first? Not always. Is it possible? Yes, because God is with me in everything. He’s near and aware of my situation. Do I always respond with thanks? Obviously not. But I’m going to keep on trying. Rather than focus on my anxious thoughts, I want to displace them with gratitude.

And the beautiful thing is, the peace of God, which goes beyond my understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Thank God first.

And When We Pray

James 5:13-16
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

The very name of Jesus heals and brings peace. 

In browsing social media I’ve found people calling out for help, asking for prayer, advice, and information. People hurt, become ill, and find themselves in need. Me too.

Our world has gotten bigger through the internet. The beauty of networking with people around the world is the connection. I have family across the pond and across the states. I’ve connected with authors in Australia and Europe. Behind every post, comment, photo, and link is a person. Someone who is striving to live in this world of chaos and craziness.

I thank God, I not only have family and friends to connect to, but I have Jesus. Matthew West sings the song Don’t Stop Praying and Here Be Lions sing I Speak Jesus. Both songs echo the message to keep praying. Take worries, doubts, praises, and concerns to Jesus. So many times, when I’m scrolling through my social media feeds I pause to read another person seeking prayer for someone they love or for themselves. When I see this, I stop and pray. I’m thankful my friends and family reach out, and I’m beyond grateful I have a place to go with their needs and mine.

Jesus hears us when we pray.

Pray for one another.

Soak in the Light

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Snow snuffed the light.

The eleven inches of snow buried the solar panel for my decorative outdoor lights. In my flower bed, I had placed a shepherd’s hook and hung a recycled, glass bird feeder I had filled with strings of fairy lights. The sun powers the tiny lights, and they illuminate the area. After the snow covered the solar panel, the lights stopped glowing. Rather than dig out the snow, I waited for the sun to melt it, then cleared what little was left.

I missed the glow of the fairy lights. They brightened the night and gave us enough light to see the sidewalk to the front door. After the snow melted and the solar panel gathered light and gave energy to the tiny bulbs, I looked out the window and saw them glowing. Their simple glow brought comfort and joy to me.

Like the fairy lights, if I don’t feed my soul with God’s word, prayer, and community, my light dims and may even go out. I need the fuel and energy I gain from the scripture, communicating with God, and sharing life with people who love Jesus.

I’m thankful for the light my family and friends shine on me. I’m grateful for the Bible that fuels me and the Holy Spirit who guides me.

God’s light shines on my heart and reminds of the sacrifice of Jesus. He died on the cross and took on my sins, so I can live with freedom from the world, have peace in my heart, and be a light for Him.

Soak in Jesus’ light and glorify God.

What an Honor

Colossians 3:12-15
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

The light of love.

Have you ever taken a personality test? When I was a teenager and read Teen magazine (a long time ago), I couldn’t wait to take the personality quizzes and find out who I was. Silly, I know, but at the time I thought one simple test could answer my longing questions of who I was meant to be. Fast forward several years, and I found myself once again faced with tests that helped determine my personality.

A part of me still enjoyed delving into questions at the institute where I worked to determine a bit more about me. At that point in life, I answered questions which helped me see what kind of employee I was or what kind of occupation I should immerse myself in. The answers and results from the occupation tests rang true. Most of them pointed me to counselor, librarian, teacher, or writer. Two out of four isn’t bad.

Regardless of where the man-made tests place me in life, my greatest desire is to immerse myself in who God created me to be. According to Colossians, God wants me to offer compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. What an honor! I can’t do this alone, so I depend on the Holy Spirit to prompt me to live in a way that shines God’s light. It’s a process of continued growth and understanding. I get frustrated sometimes, but I keep plugging away with prayer and hope. That’s all God asks.

Show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love to the people you encounter. We don’t know their story or what they might be going through.

A Willing Spirit

Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Eleven inches of snow covered everything.

January 6, 2025, we had our first snowstorm of winter. Perhaps it will be our only one, time will tell. The weather crew had warned the tri-state of the impending weather. That amount of snow slowed life down for a few days. Schools called snow days, many businesses closed, kids and their parents made snow ice cream, cleared driveways, created snow angels, and enjoyed the day.

For me, snow reminds me of the peace and hope I have knowing God loves me. The silent sound of the first snowfall muffles the cacophony of our world. Neighbors help neighbors, men and women travel the roads tossing salt and plowing snow, linemen keep the electric on, and children find joy in the beautiful white flakes.

When the sun shines on the snow and the flakes sparkle, I see a pristine light like the light God shines on my heart. He purifies my soul and renews my spirit. He restores my joy.

How do I respond? God loves me and accepts me as I am. He has forgiven me and created a pure heart in me. It’s up to me to have a willing spirit to follow Him in obedience as I embrace the gifts and guidance He gives me.

I can talk about God’s love and light all day, but if I don’t respond to Him in obedience, I fail. God has called me to follow Him, to give Him my all, to shine His light. Because I love God, I hand over the reigns of my life and allow the Holy Spirit to work in me and guide me. I use the gifts God has given me to glorify Him and show the world Jesus’ love and sacrifice.

How will you respond to God?

 

Snow Day

When we measured the amount of snow the ruler sunk in eleven inches.

When it snows this much

I find myself praying for the safety of those who must go out,

the linemen who repair the electric lines, 

the people on the snow plows and in the salt trucks, 

and the essential folks who have to work.

On the other hand, I love snow. It's beautiful and quiet.

There's a peacefulness about it.

It's also fun.

sledding,

snowmen,

snowball fights,

snow Ice cream.

Whatever a snow brings to your life I hope you find peace in the beauty.

 

Let Your Light Shine

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Many folks choose a word of the year. Me included.

In 2024, I focused on the word contentment and spent the year reflecting on being content in all circumstances. At times, I struggled with the thought of contentment. Other times, I counted my blessings. By the end of the year, I found myself being more thankful than ever.

In December, amidst the preparations for Christmas, I prayed about a word for 2025. It seemed like the word light popped up everywhere I turned, in Bible readings, in songs, of course, all the holiday lights, and even in my Dove dark chocolate square.

When I looked up Bible verses with the word light, I found two truths to focus on, and I’ll be honest, being light feels a bit overwhelming, but I know God is calling me and will equip me.

John 8:12 reminds me Jesus is the light in a dark world. He offers hope against the darkness and fills my heart with light. In this world we live in, there is a spiritual war between the darkness of sin and the light of Jesus. Because I’m a child of God—I’m also a warrior of light. A bearer of good, hope, and love.

To help me shine for Jesus, I’m reflecting on the Fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Imagine how bright we’d shine as God’s children when we take on all of these attributes. As a warrior of light, I’m also a prayer warrior, bending God’s ear to survive and thrive.

I pray I don’t fail to be a light for Jesus, as I seek God’s help in shining for him.

What will 2025 bring for you? I pray it is a year filled with hope and light.

Happy New Year!

Here comes 2025! 

I pray for a year filled with hope and joy for each and everyone.