A Life without Shadows

“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Tim 4:15-16

Most of us can name certain people who come to mind when the question is posed, ‘Who has had a powerful and positive influence on your life?’ No matter what age we most likely can point to someone from whom we seek counsel and respect. This was the case for young Timothy as he was building a ministry to share God’s message. This passage was part of a letter from Paul who was his mentor, teacher and dear friend. Part of Paul’s spiritual success was a result of living out this advice to the young adult. Paul blocked out the noise of the world and drilled down on the essentials for being impactful in God’s kingdom. He began with the importance of being diligent which is one of the 7 heavenly virtues. Diligent behavior is a belief that work is good in itself. He urges the young man to give himself wholly to those whom he is sharing the gospel. He is not to follow some of the commands but all of them in whole. He then encourages Timothy to be watchful of his life examining his actions so they may closely match his doctrine. He then ends with the beautiful promise that if Timothy perseveres his life will be blessed and so will those around him. This passage paints a beautiful picture of living a life of both spiritual and secular integrity.

What does a life of integrity look like? That life looks like who we are in public is the same as who we are when nobody is looking. It means that we don’t choose certain truths but embrace all of God’s principals. A life of integrity means we look to Christ and how He lived on earth…choices He made… His behavior as it aligned with God’s word. This doesn’t have to be difficult and all of us have a starting point. Our beginning choices can be to refrain from continuing the gossip…choose to not tell that little white lie that helps us benefit…ignore the world’s message that you are entitled to live selfishly. ‘Billy Graham has been listed frequently among the top ten most admired men in the world. Graham’s scandal-free life and career are examples of Christian integrity. It has been said he is a ‘man without shadows.’ His personal character and spiritual leadership reflect integrity and bible faithfulness.’ Life Lessons from Women in the Bible, Rhonda Harrington Kelley, p. 77.

May we all seek to discover the beautiful blessings from living a life of spiritual integrity grounded in God’s unchanging truths. Everything that flows into our lives will be God’s best in transforming our hearts and renewing our minds.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Our Promise of Fully Known

“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” Luke 15:20.

“Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of evangelist Billy Graham, has often shared the story of their once rebellious son Franklin. During his wildest teenage years Ruth, a worried mother, wrote in her journal: ‘Every time I pray especially for him God says: Love him…Which seems odd because I love every bone of him. But God means show it. Let him in on the fact. Enjoy him. You think he’s the greatest. Let him know you think so.’” Life Lessons from Women in the Bible, Rhonda Herrington Kelley, p. 70. I know that many of you who are reading this are painfully aware of living and watching this parable play out in reality. Some of you have teens that are rebellious while others of you have adults who wear the title of prodigal. I remember myself years ago vacuuming the floors as tears flooded down my face. I was lamenting to God in remorse telling Him how sorry I was that I had not been the kind of mother to prevent what was happening with my child. There have been only 2 or 3 times in my life when I believe I audibly heard the Lord, and this was one of them. I felt He said, ‘Brenda, this is not your sin to reconcile. Your job is to love your child…be there for your child…pray for your child. The rest is up to Me.’ In that moment, God gave me the best gifts…peace, a plan and a promise.

When I read this verse this morning certain words stood out… ‘But while…his father…filled with compassion…ran…’ Suddenly another verse came to mind: ‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners [still a long way off], Christ died for us.’ Romans 5:8. Christ had to take on our sin so we could take on His righteousness. He had to become the sacrifice for our prodigal hearts so that our Father could coming running to us in His compassion. In order to have reconciliation with each of us God had to briefly look away from His own Son’s suffering so we can all be called sons and daughters eternally. I can’t even wrap my mind around how fast God ran to meet Jesus at the gate. In one hand He held a crown and in the other a royal robe. I’ll just bet those beautiful eternal words that we hear at celebration of life ceremonies were first coined when God laid eyes on His resurrected Son. ‘He…said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master’ Matthew 25:21. And the party started, and the celebration will never end. When we cross over into our Father’s kingdom, He will come running towards us and our faith will become our sight. And just like that, what we knew in part will be fully known!

Fanning into Flame

“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…” 2 Tim 1:5-6.

The other day I had the pleasure of having lunch with a woman from my church who I discovered had been under the spiritual influence of my grandmother for a big part of her life in Wesleyan Women’s Ministry. I was so excited to hear her stories about how she both witnessed and was influenced by the life of my grandmother. My grandmother fell deeply in love with Jesus when she was 16 years old and the flame never died. I was sharing a story about her yesterday with one of my best friends. When Grandmother was pregnant with Daddy, she began praying faithfully for a godly spouse for him. It was Christmas and my grandparents went to a Charlotte church to enjoy a nativity scene. Over twenty years later, it was revealed through a story my mother told them that as a 6-week old she was in the manger as baby Jesus at that church. Grandmother prayed for 20 years for a daughter-in-law who she set her eyes upon as a 6-week old. Grandmother and Granddaddy passed their amazing faith onto Mother and Daddy who in turn instilled in us the love for God and the devotion of that love. I don’t remember a single day when their words and actions didn’t fan into flame their gift from God – His message of love, redemption and reconciliation.

As a grandmother, I have tried to have an impact on my grandchildren sharing with them what was imparted to me. Generational faith is one of the most important things you can talk about, share and exemplify to this generation who needs it desperately due to our culture of anything goes. My grandchildren have grown up watching their mother seek God and celebrate Him through worship and actions. They have grown up watching me begin my day in Bible study and prayer time. They have respected it, talked about it and even participated in my time with questions about God. One of the sweetest things Kherington ever said to me was that she just knew God thought I was a good student. Now that is a compliment I will treasure in my heart.

Of all the gifts we can give to our children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews or those younger people in our sphere of influence is our testimony of how God has faithfully been there in all seasons. They need to know that they were loved enough that Jesus died to give them life forever. I am overwhelmed when I think about four generations of Miller/Emmons/Privette/Neal girls kneeling to worship the same God. God has placed in every one of us His most beautiful gift – His Son who gave up His life so we could share one with God. There is nothing more important than to exemplify a life hidden in Christ to those young eyes and ears who are listening. Not only is it a suggestion but it is a beautiful commandment from the Alpha and Omega…the Beginning and the End…Who was, and is, and will always be!

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” De 6:5-7.

Morning Symphony

"Who gives the sun for a light by day and the fixed order of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, Who stirs up the sea's roaring billows or stills the waves when they roar -- "the Lord of hosts is His name." Jeremiah 31:35

The other morning, I was considering the things on my calendar for that day that needed to be accomplished. It was the morning of the full moon and it was as if someone had tossed a brilliant fireball into the heavens…oh right…that is exactly what God did! As I sat there amazed at the reality of God’s omnipotent power I could just picture God’s communion with the heavens as He considered His agenda for creation that day. He commanded the clouds to bow as He signaled for the moon to come a little closer to the earth. He placed His hand on Heaven’s dimmer and brightened the moon to its fullest brilliance. He motioned the stars to dance around the light of the moon as the celebration continued. And then suddenly as a maestro signals to the musician to rise and play their solo, God signaled the sun to rise creating its own symphony of beauty. As I glanced up, I was so blessed to see both the moon and the sunrise side by side.

This picture reminds me that God is the ultimate multitasker for both creation and humanity. He can create joy while there are painful circumstances. He can put both fellowship and communion in the lonely hearts of His children looking for love. He can extend life when death has been spoken by man over our loved ones. He will raise the spiritual body as we lower the physical one. Even in darkness He provides the brilliant light to lead us through that season. God commands Satan to bow where He determines, and draws the boundaries binding evil. He closes the door on seasons that are at their conclusion while He welcomes us like a host through the door of new beginnings.

I’m not sure why we spend our time in futile worry as we navigate through our seasons. Our worry accomplishes nothing and is counterproductive to our worship. God is in complete control of every precious detail in every single situation. He is in control of everything in the heavens and all things on earth. Every single expereince through which we live has been thought out, laid out and played out by God. God guarantees that all things from Him will be good and motivated by His love.  May we only consider what today will bring and take comfort that God is the author of every story being written.

Our Expansive God

“My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” Luke 1:46-47.

As I have written before my grandmother recorded her prayers and fellowship with God in journals for over 60 years. One of her experiences left a ‘faith-print’ in my heart when I read a particular entry. She was home alone for a few nights while my granddaddy was called away for work. I’m not sure if this was the first time she was home alone at night, but it certainly embedded fear deep in her soul. She was on her knees begging God to strengthen her…comfort her…protect her. As the Spirit overcame her, the Word flowed into her and echoed God’s promise into her fear. ‘The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them’ Psalm 34:7. I will never forget the beautiful ink that spilled onto that page. She wrote, ‘My God will be faithful to protect me and I shall have a bigger Christ in the morning.’ And I believe that was her Luke 1:46-47 moment when her soul magnified God. She was rejoicing in praise and pen that God would save and that her faith in God would be magnified through the experience. She understood that fear fought by faith would be dissipated through the power in her prayers.

I began considering the things that God has done on my behalf and the behalf of my family and friends. I only had to look back prior to 2006 compared to now, to see how large God has become, and how He has magnified my faith through fearful seasons. In cases of my grief He magnified His comfort in greater portions than my pain. When my child was walking in darkness, He sent His angels to encamp around her in protection. I know that I will experience many more seasons where the God I discover will be greater than the God I presently know.

We will either magnify our problems or magnify our God when fear envelops our lives. When fear and pain become our companions, we must remember past ways God made Himself larger than our circumstances. If we withhold certain areas in our lives from God, we miss out on the beautiful magnification of His power. No matter what circumstances we face, may we all have a bigger Christ tomorrow than we have today.

A True Beauty

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward…rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 3:3-4.

Facebook offers many interactive tests and entertaining challenges, some which I pass over and some which I happily receive. Presently, there is one going around where we are asked to post a picture from 10 years ago beside a current picture. There is absolutely nothing that appeals to me about this, but I LOVE seeing everyone else post. I don’t think I’ve seen one person post this activity with drastic changes. All my friends look just as beautiful as they did 10, 20 and 30 years ago. This is probably because I know them and love them, and completely see their beautiful hearts.

I believe this is what God meant with today’s passage as we consider the biblical definition of beauty. If I could post my spiritual life 10 years ago next to my present spiritual life, it would be a picture of an infant beside a picture of a toddler. I have a great deal of growth and maturity to attain, but I’m thankful that God never tires of growing us into the beauty of Christ. As I look at my children’s pictures of yesteryear, they are so precious to me. As I look as present pictures of them my love has just gotten stronger for them. They have grown into the beauty of responsible adults, and Christian people caring about others. God as our Father, looks upon us with the same love and adoration.

In the Bible God continuously talks about the condition of our hearts being our true beauty that is incorruptible. ‘Inner beauty is the virtue that matters most to God and that sustains a relationship…The Bible most often praises a woman’s heart. True beauty comes from within and is reflected in the countenance.’ Life Lessons from Women in the Bible, Rhonda Harrington Kelley, p. 39. As our bodies get older hopefully our hearts get younger. And while our bodies show signs of aging, our hearts show signs of growing. When we look into the faces of others we usually will see into their hearts, and their beauty will reflect whatever resides there.

“For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.

The Danger of Self Focus

“But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder, and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’” Ge 24:45

At first glance there is nothing special about this verse, but as my preacher says, ‘Context is everything.’ Our story is about a servant of Abraham who was sent to the city of his master's extended family to bring back God’s chosen wife for Abraham's son, Isaac. The Lord had imparted to the servant that he was to request a drink from a woman who would not only oblige, but also offer to provide water to the servant’s camels. Before he even finished his prayer to God, beautiful Rebekah appeared like an angel before him. She responded with kindness…not just kindness…but selfless action for the benefit of another. ‘And she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink and I will give your camels a drink also.’ (v. 46)

I began thinking about how in that one sentence, God most likely answered the prayers of many people. I am confident that Rebekah had dreams of falling in love and sharing a life with another. I feel certain that the servant loved his master and wanted his desires to be fulfilled. I am sure that Abraham and Sarah had prayed for a daughter-in-law for their beloved Isaac. And in that moment of routine when Rebekah was going about her usual day everything changed…prayers were answered…hearts were connected…lives were joined as one. So, I began to consider what if Rebekah had only been looking out for herself on that routine day? What if she was too busy…too worried…too hurried to talk to the stranger at the well? What if she gave him a quick drink and didn’t even notice the thirsty camels?

Some of our greatest blessings will be ushered in through our kindness to others. Some of our most lifechanging events are a result of being present in the moment and giving our time and resources to the needs of people with whom we daily interact. Rebekah had great kindness, uncanny awareness and uncommon generosity. She went above and beyond and found the man of her dreams and built a legacy that we are still reading about today. As we go about our regular routine today and doing our normal to-do’s may we share the same attributes of Rebekah and have eyes for those other than ourselves. Our biggest blessing just might be dependent upon our kindness.

No Expiration Date

“And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.” Ge 21:1-2

This passage is a very important and encouraging passage to me and probably also to you. Sarah had been barren most of her adult life, and more than anything else on earth she wanted to have a baby. Her desire like many of our desires was completely out of her control. No doubt she prayed and begged God for what came so easily to the women around her. She was faithful in her prayers and lived a righteous life, but the years still delivered the emptiness of a nursery. At one point being tired of waiting on God she manipulated the circumstances and commanded her husband to sleep with her maidservant. Her manipulation worked as the servant became pregnant. But the contentment she thought it would bring her was just as empty as her arms. Instead of conceiving a child Sarah conceived bitterness which birthed jealousy and hatred. Finally, after her repentance the LORD gave her what He promised her at 90 years old. ‘When she rebelled against God’s authority, her life was shattered. When she repented of her rebellion and submitted to God’s authority, Sarah was blessed beyond her wildest imagination.’ Life Lessons from Women in the Bible, Rhonda Harrington Kelley, p. 33.

I am so encouraged by the passage because it reveals the process of God blessing His children. He visits us in our prayers when we share the desires of our heart. He speaks guidance and wisdom in our prayer life aligning our desires with His. He not only answers our prayers that aligns with His will, but He knows the exact set time of fulfillment. There is an unanswered prayer that I have been lifting for over a decade. He has met me in these prayers and promised me things that I will receive down the road. I no longer need to continue lifting the same prayers. Instead I thank Him for the future fulfillment of promise He made to me long ago. When I get to that desire, I pray ‘Thank you Lord for 'your will, your way and your when' that You will bring this blessing into my life. Great is your faithfulness!’

For the woman who awaits someone to love…keep praying. For the heart that has been broken…keep believing. For the man who has not work…keep searching. For the one who has the illness…keep fighting. Our prayers NEVER go unheard, and they never expire. God gave my grandmother the promise in her 70’s that she would write a book of spiritual journaling. That book was published at 99 and released around her 100th birthday. GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS!

Go Forth

“‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe…’ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ And he who died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’” John 11:41-44

I never get use to God’s timing when preparing our hearts during tough times. The Lord led me to the tomb of Lazarus this morning to stand alongside the mourners who had lost all hope. I moved a little closer and leaned in to hear what He was telling those whose hearts had been broken by the death of their loved one. I hear Him praying to God thanking Him for the miracle, yet I know that laying behind the stone entrance are unanswered prayers… a life snuffed out…a reason to weep. But then as I am consumed by their pain, Jesus calls out to Lazarus and commands him to rise. Once Lazarus appears bound by his graveclothes and blinded by cloth, Jesus tells them to remove all that binds him and let him go.

Tomorrow many including myself will walk to the stoned entrance of Chris’s burial place. We will hear the words of Jesus no doubt from the pastor. He will lift prayers to God just like Jesus lifted thanking Him for the life of Chris and the plans He has for him. Just like the words of Jesus were for the benefit of the mourners, the pastor’s words will be for our benefit. As we sit in our seats mourning, listening and reflecting, Lazarus’s story will become Chris’s story. We will be told to consider how bound Chris was on earth like we all are, and through the ceremony celebrating his life we will be asked to ‘loosen him.’ We will help remove the graveclothes and in eternal freedom ‘let him go’ with Jesus to his perfect and holy Home.

Jesus understood that the mourners needed to have a part in bringing forth the body from death to resurrection…darkness to Light…the imperfect to the perfect. God knows that we also need to be a part of the process in saying so long for a little while, until we trade in our earthly bodies for our heavenly one. Chris’s blindfold has been removed, and what He is seeing is only what we can imaine for now. But one day, we too will open our eyes to the brilliant Light of God where there is no darkness …no sickness...no tears…no sadness. So, with a sad but confident heart we say to Chris ‘Go forth! Claim your royal position in God’s eternal home.’

"For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'” 1 Co 15:53-54

Running Out of the Grave

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalm 139:16

Yesterday, I watched Seacoast Church online and was so blessed by their message. Their new series is called Unwritten based on our unwritten year of 2019. We see it as a year that lays blank before us inviting us to write our story. However, the message Unwritten encourages us to ‘lay down our pen’ and allow God to continue writing the story that He began before we were even born. Our verse above reminds us that God has already recorded in His book every moment and day we would live…the lovely and the unlovely…the joy and the pain…the victories and the defeats. And most importantly the day where the ink runs dry on earth and when our faith becomes our sight.

Yesterday morning while in my home church I was thinking about our friend Chris being in Heaven, along with my dad and other loved ones. The worship team began performing one of my favorite songs Glorious Day by David Crowder which speaks of leaving our old way of life and walking in a living relationship with God. As I sat there considering these things, God joined me in my reflection and gave me a new version of this song. This version speaks of earth being the grave from which we will run when He calls our name. Its melody echoes reminders that earth is full of shame, sin and sickness, a weight we were never designed to carry. This rendition speaks of going from living in dark tombs to running into the citizenship of Heaven. When He lays down the pen and calls our name, we will not be able to run fast enough out of the grave to join Him in His eternal day. We will never write another story separated from God. As I await our friend’s celebration of life ceremony on Friday, I will carry in my heart this image of Chris running out of his grave into the brilliance of God’s wonderful light!

“I was buried beneath my shame, who could carry that kind of weight? It was my tomb till I met You. I was breathing, but not alive. All my failures I tried to hide, it was my tomb till I met You. You called my name, and I ran out of that grave! Out of the darkness, into Your glorious day!” Glorious Day, David Crowder

Costly Fruit

“Do not be afraid…for the open pastures have turned green, the trees bear their fruit, and the fig tree and vine yield to their fullest.” Joel 2:22

My grandmother always began praying for a year verse from the Bible near the end of the previous year, and during the year supporting verses were given to her through the Spirit. Years ago, I also began praying for a verse to plant as a foundation for that year. The verse above is one of the verses from a passage of Scripture the Lord brought to me for this year. I was excited with the prospect of open pastures…picking fruit…full yield…perhaps work in ’19?

As the year has unfolded with it’s first fruit of 4 days it seems the yield is grief support. I have had more discussions with people who either are facing the death of their loved one or grieving the loss of one. Three families I know are facing what looks to be a new home for their loved ones where bodies are made whole again, and a special place in Heaven has been prepared for them. One being my 17-year-old granddaughter as she considers their close family friend connected to life support. As she listened to my conversation with my daughter tears escaped her eyes and she quickly wiped them away and turned her head. She lost her dad almost 5 years ago and this man was her dad’s best friend. I encouraged her to never be ashamed for her grief, for grief is love turned inside out. It is the raw outward expression of an inner love that has no place to land.

Following up on that discussion was my niece’s visit last night which I treasured. She is 18 and is trying to make sense of the world. Her view is through the eyes of loss, pain and delayed grief. We talked for hours and in the dimly lit room I could still see her red face, her tearful eyes and searching heart. She too seemed to fight the tears but that dark little space where two hearts intersected the same loss became a small place of healing. She shared that all she wanted now was peace, love and light instead of the past hurt and anger. I read once that unprocessed grief can manifest over time in anger. I believe she is now at a place of exhaustive grief…grief that is giving up on its original plan…grief that is ready to march on in battle…grief that is searching for peace and acceptance…grief that is moving over allowing life to share a place in her heart. I’m so proud of my niece who is not willing to be defined by what she has experienced, rather reaching for something higher than her loss. We talked about Beth a lot and shared tears and laughter…joy and pain…hopes and dreams.

As we sat there and talked, I was transported back 40 years to when Beth was 18 and the similarities are staggering and breathtaking…and yes, heartbreaking. But the open pastures must mean opening painful loss for the benefit of another. If this is the fruit that my year is offering, I must admit it is costly fruit, but green, nevertheless. God has given us everything we need to yield the fruit of comfort to others, and our experience and testimonies are the branches from which they grow. I’m so thankful that the sap running through is the flow of the Holy Spirit which replaces whatever we give away in the name of love.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 2 Co 1:3-5

Bragging Rights

“Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.” Ruth 1:14

This is a story of two women at a critical crossroad with lifelong consequences. As young women in Moab they discovered a new family who came to town with 2 young men as sons. These women fell in love with not only the men but with their parents. No doubt the family shared their beliefs, their challenges and their victories with their daughters-in-law but the most wonderful gift they gave these foreign women was an introduction to the One true God of the world. Eventually their father-in-law died and a decade later both women became widows, all in the course of 10 years. I can’t even imagine the heartbreak, grief, tears and hopelessness this family must have felt. All they had left was who they had come to know and love…their mother-in-law. And now, she had decided to go back to the town from where she originally traveled. Now they were forced to either leave what they had known all their adult lives or return to their old way of life. Staying in their current set of circumstances was no longer an option. Ruth chose to step out in faith and followed Naomi back to her country leaving her old life behind. Orpah chose the path of least resistance, chose familiarity and the ease of disappearing back into her former life. And just like that, she also disappeared from the pages of the Bible while God breathed the story of Ruth onto the pages.

I was thinking about the times when life forces our hand at critical crossroads in our own lives. Decisions must be made, and consequences will follow the choices. So how do we decide the most important things in our lives that just might send a lifetime of ripples throughout our remaining years? We can look to Ruth for several principles before we set out from the crossroads. Ruth followed Naomi’s decision who had patterned her life around God. Ruth was committed to her commitments …Naomi had become her family and everything that Naomi chose Ruth chose. Ruth had developed her own relationship with God, not a borrowed faith from her mother-in-law. So, when the very woman who had been her spiritual role model was disillusioned and devastated, Ruth stepped up and became her spiritual role model. You never know when some aching heart will turn to you to be that faithful woman of comfort and encouragement.

We will all come to spiritual crossroads that will have lasting impact on not only our lives but those in our sphere of influence. Like Ruth we must live our faith in action, not in words like Orpah. We must walk out the hard situations instead of running away to the comfort and escape of something ‘comfortable and familiar.’ Like Ruth we must cling to those who are suffering, showing them life after tragedy and hope after despair.

May our faith demand action and our actions speak faith into another who is suffering. May our faith prompt obedience which will usher in blessings and fruit in all our lives. And may each of our names be included in the testimonies showing that God is still telling stories about His children. All parents love to brag on their children, and God our Father is no different!

First Colors

“Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing: The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue. Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The Lord is all I have, and so in him I put my hope. The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him. So it is best for us to wait in patience – to wait for him to save.” Lamentations 3:21-26

I can’t believe it has only been a few 24’s since I was writing about the New Year and my anticipation of the blank canvas…the underdeveloped colors of the New Year…my first colors. Little did I know that my first colors would be primarily grays and blacks. Even the first sunrise for me was colorless as I awoke to an overcast sky. I feel as if I were blowing up a new balloon with anticipation of its beautifully stretched color only for it to shockingly pop in my face. On New Year’s Eve I discovered a family friend was fighting for his life. He has meant the world to my daughter and grandchildren and was like a brother to her and an uncle to her children. He is a wonderful friend whom I’ve loved since the day I met him with an infectious personality. As I watch my daughter color in her New Year with pain, fear and grief I know she must color my grandchildren’s picture with this news. Through the night I was praying for Chris and as I considered my devotional this morning, I remembered asking the Lord out loud, ‘How can I possibly encourage others when I’m so discouraged? How unfair is it to share my dark colors so early with those who have barely picked up their brush?’

Yet…hope returned when I remembered…God is near every child who calls upon Him. That means God in His great love is standing at the head of Chris’s bed as his watchman. That means God is kneeling right next to my daughter with His arm around her as she begs for his life to be saved. God is right there with Chris’s wife and daughters as they desperately watch for life. It is the only one thing we know for sure when the balloon pops in our face.

So, this morning I find myself encouraged by the only One who can deliver encouragement. I find myself hopeful in the Anchor of my life. I've been extended peace by the Prince of peace. There might be an overcast arch instead of a beautiful sunrise in these circumstances, but God is still painting so there will be beauty. And no matter what the outcome, God never puts the brush down. The beauty of Chris’ life will go on either on earth or in Heaven – just a thin veil separates the two. The Lord truly is all we have, and it IS best to just wait…wait on healing…wait on His will…wait on the ultimate freedom for us all on this earth. We are just passing through this world to discover the incredible colors of our eternal home. And God, in His unfailing love and compassion, will walk with us through each hour of each day. There is always a sunrise up ahead.

I know that many of you have lifted Chris up in prayer as well as everyone involved, and I thank God for every one of you. So please continue to join me in my prayer for Chris, his precious family and my family. I covet your powerful prayers. And never forget…our Father is our watchman, our rear guard and our forever hope. Great are you Lord and great is your faithfulness!