How Much More?

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness…” Isaiah 43:16-19

I was reading this passage today and suddenly the image of a machete came to mind. I looked up the definition and was shocked to see all the functions it provides. One function that is very important is the power to clear new paths and blaze new trails. Another function is to remove dead plant residue by scalping the above ground vegetation while leaving the root in place. I began picturing the Lord in an overgrown vegetative terrain swinging a machete blazing new trails in our lives with same power in which the world was created…the same power that sent the rains to Noah…the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

Making new ways in the wilderness…clearing new paths…blazing new trails…removing dead plant residue. This should lift the heart of everyone reading this since we all have new things to come… new blessings to harvest. There is a beautiful statement in the Bible that echoes this exciting sentiment. Matthew 7:11 beckons us to consider ‘If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!’ Much more indeed! More than our greatest loneliness…more than our emptiest bank accounts…more than our deepest grief. He tramples on evil and swings His power blazing the path for new found hope. He resurrects the dead places in our hearts and in our dreams with His Spirit leaving the root of renewal and joy for the future.

I know what my ‘how much more’ looks like. I am wondering this morning about your 'how much more'. Is it the healing of your grieving heart or the repair of your broken marriage? Is it the return of your prodigal child or the phone call for future work? Is it the remission of your medical illness or the reconciliation of a broken relationship? Whatever it is God is up ahead swinging His power to clear a good and future path on which you will walk. He is blazing new opportunities for each of us since we are His children. He is orchestrating your 'how much more' and it will be great! Keep your focus on the things up ahead instead of the things that lay behind. Remember that looking at the path behind you just might prevent you from seeing the path before you.

Reading Our Mail

“In the beginning God…” Ge 1:1 “Even so, come, Lord Jesus…Christ be with you all. Amen.” Rev 22:20-21.

This morning as I was thanking God for His beautiful words in the Bible the image of my daddy’s handwriting came to mind. There are few things as powerful as our individual handwriting as it relates to the emotions they emote. My dad has been walking with Jesus for more than 8 years, and we miss him terribly. I went to a certain drawer and found a card just to see his handwriting again. It is amazing how powerful ink on a piece of paper can be. The writing on the card would be meaningless without relationship to fuel it. It is the fellowship that Daddy and I experienced that makes these words come to life and wash deep love and devotion over me.

God has written all His children a beautiful love story from Genesis to Revelation. He signed it personally with His blood and longs for relationship. He shows us His nature through the stories and He reminiscences about our past brothers and sisters in Christ. He writes of His undying love and reminds us of what joy we can have together if we walk with Him. He comforts us just like my dad comforted me through cards of encouragement during tough times. He celebrates with us on the pages of His love stories as we relate to being on the mountaintop at certain times in our own lives. God has written 66 love notes to us and to not open them would be like leaving unopened envelopes from our loved ones… unread words of love, joy and laughter…unread mercies of encouragement and hope.

I would give anything to open my mailbox and see an envelope with the writing below ascribed on the front. But just like our verses this morning, Daddy had a beginning and an amen. His amen affirmed a life of ‘So be it’…a life of ‘It is done’…a life of ‘His kingdom did come.’ Until we gaze at the face of Jesus and our faith becomes our sight, let us take the privilege of reading His love letters to us each day. Through reading God's letters we can become our own letter in Christ.

"It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." 2 Co 3:3

Pearls of Grace

“Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

The other week while I was walking at Folly I rounded the corner and saw this huge pile of oyster shells. They were stacked up and void of any pearls, having no value with their destination being the ocean floor. They smelled foul and they took up space on the ground which would normally offer parking. I couldn’t help but to see this mound of empty contents and broken shells as things in our past.

We allow our broken dreams and sinful seasons to take up space in our hearts. We fail to believe that we are worthy to be forgiven. We hold on to bitterness that leaves a foul smell in our words and attitudes. We fail to see that the oyster shells of our past developed beautiful pearls of our present. We dwell on what was done to us last year instead of being focused on the beauty of today. ‘For some of us, we can’t shake the thought that we might not be forgiven for something we did to someone. Others of us have a hard time forgiving someone who offended, hurt, or greatly violated us. Or, even more often, we can’t seem to forgive ourselves for a past choice or action.’ What Matters Most, Karen Ehman, p. 96.

How can we reach forward to the hope of tomorrow when our hearts are full of the emotions of our past? God promises that when we reach for Him, He will remove our sins as far as the east is from the west. He promises that with the forgiveness He has given us, He will equip us to forgive others. He shows us the example of letting go of yesterday’s troubles to achieve and attain the blessings of today. Christ forgot how mankind treated Him on earth and reached towards the goal of Heaven.

We all have things that pile up from our past, but in Christ we have the invitation and the power to take our loads of broken shells and return them to the ocean floor. It begins with a decision to make space for grace…grace for others and grace for ourselves.

Entitlement Surfing

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:3-8

The other day I read an article of an initiative the police were doing in our area. It was called Operation Interstate Surfing. I didn’t know what this meant so I was interested in the phrase. Interstate Surfing is when instead of drivers sitting patiently in traffic, they pull out of traffic onto the shoulder or upcoming exit lane to pass the other cars. As the lane runs out they cut back into the moving traffic. This is not only rude but also dangerous and that day alone there were 42 arrests. I loved the image below that went along with the story, and it has come to mind several times while driving. For a while, the officers blocked the lane, so no one could thoughtlessly gain access over another.

I was thinking this morning about humility and its definition, so I looked it up. As I read the words on the page, the image of Christ on the cross came to mind. ‘In the Bible, humility is a quality of being courteously respectful of others. It is the opposite of aggressiveness, arrogance, boastfulness…Rather than “Me first,” humility allows us to say, “No, you first, my friend.” Humility is the quality that lets us go more than halfway to meet the needs and demands of others. Humility allows us to see the dignity and worth of all God’s people…It does not deny our own self-worth but affirms the inherent worth of all persons.’ Christian Bible Reference website. Humility does not even think about interstate surfing.

Humanity naturally defaults to pride over humility…our emotions default to entitlement surfing. We feel entitled to assert our rights over others. We feel entitled to break in line at stores when we are running late. We feel entitled to surf past the feelings of others when dealing with a disagreement. We choose our own interest over others and see ourselves better than the homeless person approaching our cars. God instructs each of us to live life on a higher level by seeing ourselves on a lower one. Christ gave us the perfect example of considering the interest of others over His own. Through the humility of His birth, we see no royal crib but a manger with hay to lay His head. Through His humility on earth, we see the heart of a servant, not a King. Through His humility to the point of death, we gain life.

I pray that next time we are sitting in traffic, we will remember that Christ pulled out of His lane and headed for the cross so the rest of us could have the destination of Heaven.

Always About Jesus

“…when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother…and your mother... and I am persuaded as in you also.” 2 Timothy 5

Last week when I had my grandchildren part of the planning process was ensuring I did some fun things with them building moments and memories. I wanted to be sure to share things that would settle in their hearts and minds. Looking back over my life as a child one of the most memorable things both my parents and grandparents did for me was introduce me to the Bible and to God. These memories included the colorful stories of people who I would never meet, the memorable moments of Vacation Bible School, and week-end youth group getaways at Bonclarken. Faith was built through the faith of my loved ones who went before me.

I was reminded of this yesterday while I was walking when I came upon this woman and child. In one hand she carried a securely tucked Bible as she walked along side her granddaughter no doubt. It was a tender moment for me to see as I remember walking along side my grandmother as she tenderly carried the Word in her hands and her heart. Last week I did some fun things with my grandchildren, but I pray that during the time we were doing life they could sense my love for God. I pray that when they think of me they remember how important Jesus is in my life. I pray that when I made mistakes in front of them they understood that God forgives us all. I thank God that He has given me a chance to introduce the next generation to a God who has formed all generations.

The greatest gift we can give to our children and grandchildren will always be the gift of introduction and invitation to Jesus. I remember when I went to pick up my grandson Carson from Sunday School when he was five, I asked him what the lesson was about. He turned to me and said, ‘Emmy, it was about Jesus. It’s ALWAYS going to be about Jesus!'

Carson is right. We should approach every day in every situation with Jesus as the forefront. No matter what circumstance is before us we must always make it about Jesus. Little eyes are watching…little ears are listening…little hearts are at stake.

Tending our Gardens

Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it." Ge 2:15

Yesterday morning as I was walking, I saw a group of people hustling and bustling around a certain area. Some were standing up and some were sitting on the ground. I walked over to see what was going on and noticed that it was a garden they were tending. One woman with sweat on her brow was leaning on her shovel, while another person was pulling up weeds. I noticed that this garden was a special garden, one that was sown in love. It was a memory garden and I’m assuming these people were entrusted to care and tend for the garden.

Of course, my mind started racing about my loved ones and the impact they have made on my life. I recalled how much love, sweat and tears were sown from my parents over the course of my life. I considered the spiritual giants I have had the privilege of knowing as they helped me remove weeds. I have walked the stones of grief through my memory garden, and sown tears watering the ground.

There is a quiet happy spot in my memory garden where my children are still toddlers, and my marriage is both my challenge and my joy. My memory garden boasts of 3 wonderful grandchildren who have helped me revisit my younger days. I have knelt in my garden with a broken heart and raw knees trying to grow faith and hope. Many days I have watched where a single seed of hope was planted praying for rain and future growth. There have been so many times I've had sweat on my brow, leaning on my shovel waiting for God to move. I have a special place in my garden where my sisters and I had pretend beauty pageants, and our little community was whole. My garden has been cultivated by incredible and loyal friends who still tend my garden. As I walk around it this morning, there are still empty acres in which to plant...fertile land for future blessings.

We all tend each other’s memory gardens as we walk out this life together. God has planted a garden of life for each of us and the memories are our blooms. As you go about your day, take a moment to thank God for those who have tended your garden in the past, those who continue and those precious ones up ahead.

Rambler Day

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

When I was in high school there was a school tradition near the end of the year. From mid-May on each morning was ushered in with the possibility that the administration would declare the day Rambler Day. Rambler was the name of our year book and once the decision was revealed classes were suspended for the day. We still went from class to class, but it was only to sign each other’s year book, and the day was loosely monitored. Each day I would arise with hopeful anticipation that we would get to school to discover that special day was upon us. Sometimes I wouldn’t do my homework being confident that school would be disrupted with the joy of the announcement.

There are dreams that are secretly tucked in my heart that I am awaiting fulfillment. Some mornings I even dare to speak them aloud wondering if today will be ‘Rambler Day.’ Will today be the day that Heaven declares the celebration of one of my deepest desires? Will I be caught off guard much like a surprise party? Will it be the day that I share my joy with all of those with whom I have shared my longing?

I was wondering this morning what would your Rambler Day look like? Does it look like a partner waltzing into your life to walk out the rest of your life with you? Does it look like remission or healing in your health or the health of your family? Does it look like a new job on the horizon? Might you awake to the joy of a reconciled relationship? When I think of the greatest Rambler Day that could occur it is the day that I will close my eyes to sleep and open my eyes to the gates of Heaven. When I arrive, there will be no school, only the joy of my faith becoming sight and my reunited loved ones. Now that is a Rambler Day in which I can celebrate, but until then I will anticipate the joy of the wonderful blessings that God has for me up ahead on earth. I will continue to ‘do my homework’ just in case today is not the day. I leave the decision up to the One who knows best and am fully confident that my Rambler Day will be on that perfect day when God gives a wink and a nod. The morning will begin with the sun peaking through the trees with the hand of God giving me my deepest desire.

May we all live like those young children awaiting Rambler Day, and anticipate the beautiful things God has for each of us.

Old Oil and New Hearts

“What then? Only that in every way…Christ is preached…according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but in boldness…Christ will be magnified…” Philippians 1:18b-20

Yesterday my car needed an oil change before I set out for a friend’s house. I had plenty of time before I had to pick up my granddaughter from gymnastics, so I was very relaxed. I sat down in the waiting room while they began removing the old dirty oil from my engine and replacing it with new, clean oil. It was amazing what happened next. While the dirty oil was being drained and replaced with the clean, the same was happening in the waiting room.

There were three of us in the room and we began talking about challenges that we had faced and were presently facing. One man began discussing his son who is a heroin addict struggling to stay clean. The other man was listening intently as I shared my story about my daughter and how she had been redeemed from that life. We began talking about the saving grace of God, and Him being the only cure for whatever struggle we are experiencing. The quiet gentleman began telling us that he was raised Hindu and to this day his parents still have actual idols that they worship. He said that he felt that as he grew up he gravitated away from that. He knew that something inside told him that one God was present, and that God lived within him. He was unsure and untaught, but it was obvious God was pursuing him. The other gentlemen began sharing that the message in addition to God invites us to accept Jesus as a means to God. The man vaguely described what he felt inside which we knew was the movement of the Holy Spirit. This man was being drained of the idol worshipping that had been placed in his life as a child. The Holy Spirit was filling the space with a new oil…an oil that wouldn’t need replacing…an oil that would offer a cleaner heart. At the end, the other man asked if we could hold hands and pray. His prayer was beautiful and bold, including an invitation for the other man to know Jesus, and fully understand the beauty of God’s message of new life.

I was so honored to be a part of that experience and so blessed that the man was bold and courageous… unashamed to share and unafraid of offending him. That is how I want to live out my life. I want to open my eyes to the people God places in front of me. I don’t want to be ashamed or afraid to share the treasure I have found on earth. What then?

Our stories and testimonies will be the new oil that flows from our hearts into the hearts of others. Our shared experiences will serve to drain despair from one and replace it with hope. We only have to open our eyes to see how prevalent the despair is. Let us be AWARE…let us be BOLD… let us MAGNIFY!

"I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest." John 4:35

Our Broken Hallelujah's

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father…” Matthew 6:6

As many of you know I am keeping my 3 grandchildren for the week, whose ages span from 9 years of age to 17. It has been a wonderful week, one of talks, laughter and love. I will leave them tomorrow with even greater love for them than I had last week if that is possible. Each time I’m with them they have changed just a little bit in maturity, personality and preferences. I love watching them grow into the people they will become. Last night when I went to tuck in Kherington, I noticed there was a piece of paper taped to the arm of her trundle bed where her head rests at night. I was so touched when I read it, and she said it is her prayer ever night.

Kherington fully understands some basics about life at a very early age. The kids lost their dad when she was 5 years old. She was forced to believe certain things to allow her heart to love again. Her prayer is a broken hallelujah like many of ours. Her taped note shows that she is smart enough to know that a broken heart needs a reminder to live so pain and joy can co-exist. She has a thankful heart for each family member who remains in her life. She knows that God has the power to keep our loved ones held and protected until we are reunited. Most importantly she somehow knows that there will be those who will challenge her faith. Through this prayer she is committing to God that she will choose to believe ahead of time and will commit to stand firm in her belief.

In the spirit of her prayer along with Father’s Day being celebrated this weekend I wish to lift my broken hallelujah. I will thank my Father in heaven for the family He has given me, no matter the length of time they had on earth. I will acknowledge that God is taking perfect care of my loved ones in heaven, until He pulls back that thin veil and reunites us. My Kherbear prayer will commit to believing God, and everything He brings into my life, both comfortable and uncomfortable, both sad and joyful. I will pray to always take a stand for Him when others disagree with me.

I’m so glad we have the invitation and privilege to ‘go into our rooms and shut our doors and pray to our Father.’ What greater privilege is there to pray to One who holds every detail of our lives in hands.

My Guaranteed Moment

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:33-34

I awoke this morning to a guaranteed moment. A moment over which yesterday has no claim or power…a moment that tomorrow cannot touch. It is a guaranteed moment and I am blessed to walk it out. It includes reflective joy that my children and husband are healthy and I am loved. I have awakened to the knowledge that my 3 grandchildren lay in the other rooms soundly sleeping. My guaranteed moment includes deep gratitude to God that my mother lays asleep upstairs while her sweet husband prepares her coffee. I am out on the deck up in the beautiful mountains of Virginia with my soft blanket draped over me. I am hearing below the breaking of sticks and the rustling of leaves as the deer stare up at me, and quietly move past me as if they have gotten away with something. The birds are singing a song to each other that only they can understand, yet I still am blessed by the music. I have my Bible, my laptop, my worship music and my study and for now that is all that's required to fully embrace my guaranteed moment.

After my time with God and being in His word, there are more things that will be added to my day. There will be hours of watching the grand kids splashing around in the pool. Today will include go cart rides, bungy jumps in the dome, and the accusations of cheating at miniature golf I'm sure. Our faces will have remnants of milkshakes around our mouths, and the additional Oreo cookies when we get back home. I am not guaranteed tomorrow, and I will fully walk out the moments of today that string together another beautiful day on earth.

Take a few moments and really breathe in the blessings of today. There will be plenty of ‘these things added to our day’…the day cannot start without us. Most days we determine when the day starts and what is on our calendar. When we begin our day with a pause and an awareness that we have been entrusted with these 24 hours, we will see with gratitude the things God will add to this moment.

Let our pause be an offering to God, who is the only One who guarantees our precious moments. What does your guaranteed moment look like right now?

Fruitful Thorns

“But I want you to know…that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel…that my chains are in Christ.” Philippians 1:12-13

I just love how God works when we don’t even ask Him for anything. Whether He is answering a prayer or just confirming a thought His activity is all around us. This morning a dear friend of mine was texting me regarding circumstances in her family. Hope was on the rise in her situation, and it was a great way to start my morning. I told her that everything I am today is a compilation of the heartaches I’ve experienced and the poor decisions I’ve made. God has used every beautiful and ugly thing about my past to grow my faith. As soon as I began my Bible Study I was directed to the passage where Paul was imprisoned. The passage paints the same picture…that everything that has happened to him has ended up being an encouragement for others, and a new level of faith. Why is that? Because Paul fully understood that people would be chained either to their circumstances or chained to their God. ‘He is in physical confinement, help captive. However, he does not allow his chains to shackle him spiritually.’ What Matters Most, Karen Ehman, p. 20.

I have met people whose past circumstances have shackled them emotionally, doing nothing to bring fruit to their testimony. They remain victims of their circumstances and do so without apology. Others come to mind that live their lives bold and courageous being shackled to God…trusting Him in all things and for all times. These are the Paul’s of our time, and we are called to use our thorns to be fruitful. We are to share our stories of cancer with those who suffer with the disease. We are to open our grieved hearts and kneel with those who must say goodbye to loved ones. We are to stand our ground when God’s truth is threatened. We are to tell our stories of prodigal children, unfaithful spouses, or financial hardship. Thorns in all people…needing expression to make sense of the pain.

There is great fruitfulness in the message that is born from thorns. We must be bold and willing to share our gut-wrenching times with those who need hope. When hope is restored life is worth living. May we all have the desire to consider our thorns and share hope.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick. But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12.

Around the Fire

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making requests for you all with joy…you are all partakers with me of grace…how greatly I long for you all.” Philippians 1:3,8

I am beginning a new Bible study that I just know will be a huge blessing in my life. Paul is imprisoned and in chains awaiting his sentence, but his Christian believers and dear friends were on his heart and mind instead of his dire situation. No where else in the Bible are there such writings drenched in joy. I began thinking of times over the past years when my lifelong friends and I were separated. We all had marriages to build, children to raise and life to survive. Individually we walked out spousal divorces and death, regretful choices, cancer and loss, prodigal children…the list goes on and on. We look back and are all amazed that during those times we were not collectively together. But God always finishes what He begins. ‘…being confident that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it…’ Philippians 1:6

He began a good work when he placed us on the playground together 47-50 years ago. He began a good thing putting us together to figure out and navigate through school. It was such a good thing jumping on the trampoline, laying out on summer days, dragging Main St in our cars, and parties in the basement. He began something precious and joyful, and each day we are recipients of that grace.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, ‘Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?’ My answer is that this pleasure of which he speaks ranks in my top 4. Our good fire is our ongoing texts between friends who geographically live apart, but in heart are always present. Our good fire is the fire of Christ who has us connected in Spirit and love. God was working to complete the good work when Facebook was being created. He was completing it when friend request after friend request from our ‘band of misfits’ popped up on our phones. He was completing it when together we have bid some of our parents a temporary farewell. He was completing it when I whispered goodbye to my sister and received a beautiful card and spa gift from them.

I agree that few pleasures on earth measure up to the constant, never-changing, never ending love of sisters in Christ. These pleasures don’t have to be 47 years old because God has begun a good thing for me with some other friends. My prayer is that every person who reads this has a few good fires with a few good friends with whom to celebrate life. Grab your friends, hold them tight and always pray for each other. The former, the present and the ones to come.

Sewing Fig Leaves

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” Ge 3:7 “Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Col 3:14

Adam and Eve had it all…the perfection of their environment …the untainted heart and mind of humanity…the objects of God’s affection. They were created and established in perfect love and loved perfectly. Then one day, difficulty and temptation slithered into their lives and before they knew it, they traded Spirit for flesh…perfection for the imperfection…truth for lies…unity for separation and traded love for fig leaves. Previously they were covered in perfect love, love for God, each other and every living thing God made. When the fruit was consumed they removed love and put on their self-made covering. Amazing how fig leaves can separate us from God.

I still find myself some days sewing fig leaves and covering up love. When called to love difficult people I tend to cover myself with excuses of why I don’t have to…sewing fig leaves. When I am called to keep God’s tough commands but only keep most of them…sewing fig leaves. When I choose idleness instead of service, and laziness instead of worship…sewing fig leaves.

We are each called to ‘put on love’ instead of putting on our coverings of entitlement… justification…bitterness…excuses. ‘Putting on love means mustering up a lot of bravery when we don’t feel like it and showing up for the everyday. It means advancing when we feel like retreating. Investing when we feel with withdrawing. Welcoming when worry is so much easier.’ Just Open the Door, Jen Schmidt, p. 137

When we put on love, we are putting on the perfect bond of Christ. Instead of hiding ourselves with fig leaves, we get to hide ourselves in Christ. Instead of creating a barrier of resentment and self-focused love, we get to love through the power of the One who tore the veil of separation. The command will always involve applying love to every situation…with every person…in every moment. We cannot accomplish this without putting on the person of Christ. He is our Bondsman and became our covering once and for all.

So, I pray for each of us today that as we have the privilege to walk in the Spirit, we do not act in the flesh. I pray that we lay down our needle and thread and put on the garment of love that Christ has already sewn with the red thread of His sacrifice.

Owning Our Moments

“Own the moment. The concept seems simple enough. There are literally millions upon millions of moments in our lives that we will either maximize or that we will miss. My greater concern in my own life, and yours is that if you build a pattern of missing moments that don’t appear to be significant, you will miss out on what builds a life.” Owning the Moment, Carl Lentz

One of the pastors at Seacoast Church shared this quote from a book he was reading called Owning the Moment. This quote was very powerful for me and the message stretched across the days into my Bible Study this morning. The exercise was to close my eyes and consider the five sensory experiences. With closed eyes I was able to better focus on what I was hearing. It was the uninterrupted silence of a new day beginning, a day where voice and sound had not yet pierced the quiet. Keeping my eyes closed, I inhaled deeply and smelled the faint remnants of my coffee. I tasted the flavor of my coffee that remained in my mouth. And then I slowly opened my eyes to see things in a new way. And I was overcome with gratitude…deep gratitude…for the things surrounding me.

First and foremost, I saw the pictures of my life that boasted a lifetime of love. I saw a set of parents who raised and loved Bruce all the way into my arms. I saw a set of parents who loved me and my sisters beyond anything else, teaching us how to love God and each other. I saw my own family with whom God entrusted me and Bruce, children of whom I couldn’t be prouder.

As I looked around with a grateful heart and tearful eyes, I saw such powerful items that make up such an important part of who I have become. God’s powerful word…active and alive…slicing between truth and lies…my shield to hold up. My Bible Study…God’s anointing on all these authors’ so that we may grow in Him. My computer… the instrument in which I share the gift God gave me. I was overcome with owning the moment and am so thankful that on this particular day, I maximized the moment instead of missing it. There have been too many moments that I forfeited or squandered because of distractions.

I want to build a pattern of maximized moments such as a gentle breeze on my face…a bird in the beauty of its song…lunch with my children...a smile shared with my grandchildren…my hand in Bruce’s as we walk down the road...silly laughter with my mother. These are moments that build a life…insignificant moments that string together a significant life shared in love, laughter and joy.

How will you own your moment today?

Mr Just Right

“Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him." Genesis 2:18

When I was 24 years old I worked at Duke Power in Lancaster. My plan was to transfer to Charlotte and eventually move back to the city in which I was born. After I applied I received a phone call inviting me to interview for a few jobs. I was very excited, but also nervous. I remember the day perfectly and still laugh about meeting Bruce for the first time. He was my Human Resources contact in charge of my transfer. When I walked around the corner to meet him, little did I know my heart would never be the same. His smile was somewhat mischievous, and his eyes had hints of adventure. He held out his hand and introduced himself as Bruce. I extended my hand and introduced myself also as Bruce. Within 3 weeks I knew I wanted to walk this life out with this crazy man, and today marks 33 years that we stood before God.

God knew it wasn’t good for Bruce to be alone because he is a lover of relationship. When Bruce gives his heart to something or someone, it is permanent. His love is sacrificial providing for his family, no matter what. His love is for the long-haul no matter what comes his way. God made a helper for me who is just right, and I pray each day that I can be his 'just right wife.' He is just the right blend of danger and delight. He is just the right makeup of comedy and crisis. His ideas have been implemented with a mixture of the ridiculous and the resolution.

He was just right for me when I was a single mom for he loved both of us. He was just right for me as two more children were born with whom to share our lives. He was and is a wonderful man and father with a heart for God. He was just right for me when we walked through gut-wrenching times, and whenever I pursued crazy ideas. He was just right for me when I lost my dad and sister. Together we have certainly not been perfect, but we have been just right for each other as God placed us together. To each other, we have forgiven and been forgiven…we have extended grace and received grace…we have laughed and cried…knelt together in prayer and danced together in joy.

He is my ‘just right partner’ and I’m so thankful God knew that it wouldn’t be good for Bruce to be alone. I’m thankful that God knew there was something individually quirky and enduring that would carry us collectively through this life. Happy Anniversary to the one who is still the one!

Room for the Showbread

“You shall…make a table…And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always.” Exodus 25:23, 30

Bruce and I have been part of a dinner club for over 23 years. Month after month 5 couples have rotated offering an evening of fun, food and fellowship. Each couple would go over the top in preparations when it was their turn. Over the years, sometimes we had themes, other times we went to restaurants, and most times we experimented with new dishes on each other. One of the things I loved most was setting the table and sitting down at the table others had set. A table well adorned is a table that invites others to come… take a seat…partake of the feast…an invitation to linger…a time to love.

God had specific commands when instructing His children in the desert. Even in the wilderness there were expectations that a table would be made for those to gather around. God was very explicit as to the way the table should be set. The last instruction was to always place the showbread on the table. ‘The showbread served as a picture of the King’s presence: He was at home, and a meal representing the fellowship he extended to His people was always ready.’ The Study Bible for Women, p. 101.

In thinking of God’s expectations for His children back then I couldn’t help but to think about them in my own life. I know that each morning when I arise I have a new table to set. Will my day reflect a picture of the King’s presence? What will be my placemats? Will my placemats be prayer time and meditation so that they will catch the crumbs of whatever I must ingest that day? What will I prepare to place on my plate? Will I serve grace and mercy, or will bitterness or idleness be the fare of the day? Will I leave space on the table for the Showbread so that my life can display Him as the centerpiece?

The way we prioritize our lives will be the daily table we set. Are we being intentional with the way we are setting our table? Is our table a place of invitation or a place of isolation? Even in the wilderness God promoted community and fellowship, knowing the importance of gathering together. Our hearts will reflect the way we set our lives up regarding fellowship and service. God has been inviting people to the table since He planted trees in the Garden of Eden. He promises each of us a feast in Revelation in eternity. God has set the table for every one of His children, but He will not force us to accept time with Him. May we all take time to come to the table, and see what God has prepared for us, so we may prepare for others.