Darkness turns to Light
I love the way God brings people into your life just when you need it. They often don’t even realize they are the messengers of much needed words. I received one of these notes today. “You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light” (Psalms 18:28, NIV). Not only was it the perfect verse, it was a much needed devotional. It reminded me that although things may not yet look different, that light is about to break forth. It was a reminder that things will come in God’s time and that favor will then come through much more than I ever imagined. My dear friend doesn’t send me daily devotionals-we do check ins every now and then. What are the odds that this exact devotional would have come to her today and that she would think to send it to me? Godwink.
If you remain in me…
I have mentioned that I have been working on intentional prayer. Although I have shared in previous blogs that I am in the midst of a season of abundance, I am, like many of us, in the midst of spiritual battles as well. I don’t think that, as believers, we are ever free from a constant pull to move away from God. The enemy does not want us to draw nearer to God, instead he wants to pepper us with lies and doubts so that we turn away from God and dwell in darkness. Some days are easier than others. Yesterday was not one of my easy days. I recognized an anger below the surface that I could not trace its origins. I felt, well, off. So as I went to bed last night, I ended the day in intentional prayer that my anger be removed and that I would have the scales removed from my eyes and my ears opened to God’s truth and nothing else. Then, I woke up this morning in intentional prayer again. The first affirmation today was a shared memory via text associated with a verse, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:17, NIV). Then, I heard a song that reminding me to not be afraid and that “This is for my Glory”-I need to “choose to listen and believe.”
An ending and a beginning
It’s not everyday that you have the opportunity to celebrate a life well lived on the same day that you get to celebrate the joining of two lives and a new beginning. This weekend I had the chance to do just that-what a blessing. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10, NIV) is the verse that resonated with me on both occasions. The devotion and dedication to a life well lived was evident in the morning’s service. A hero, a warrior, father, grandfather, brother, husband, and friend. As I sat there listening to the service he had planned for the last three years, each verse seemed fitting, each memory shared illustrating his humble leadership and sincere care for others above self. A man with high standards but well respected. His impact on those of us that remain was evident by the heartfelt words that expressed the deep sense of loss and grief while remaining joyful and grateful for the time we shared while he was on this earth.
God knows what you need…
Today has been one of those days of continuous reminders that God knows exactly what we need. I love Psalms 91:9 reminding us that “The Lord is my refuge” but I love the following verses more. He reminds us that “no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike you foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent” (Psalms 91:11-13, NIV). In recent days, I have felt the weight of the world on my heart. Today, that weight was lifted by the angels that God put in my path.
In all things-glorify God
I start each day in prayer and on the rare occasions when it is not the first thing I do, I remedy it the first chance I get. Each day starts with a prayer of thanks. I say aloud prayers of praise and thanksgiving, even on the days it may not feel like I have much to praise (there is always something!) I then pray for protection, discernment, and guidance in all that I do. I pray that in every encounter that I listen to God’s direction. “if anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11, NIV). Lately, I have been even more intentional. Just as it states in the verse, I pray that God not only give me discernment, but that He give me the right words to speak and lead all my actions. How is that for admitting we cannot control anything? It is not in our hands, but God’s hands.
Quit trying to steal the pen
I had an amazing weekend at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove in North Carolina. This place is and has always been mine and Rob’s special place. We always joke as we drive through the gates that we can queue the turkeys, deer, and bear along with blooming mountain laurels and amazing landscape regardless of the season. It is truly a special place on earth where you can feel God’s presence as you are surrounded by all that He created. We try to come here at least once a year for our military marriage retreats or personal spiritual retreats. It’s a special place where we can sit in quiet and open our ears to hear God and each other. I highly recommend a visit!
Victory to those anointed
I have a dear friend that reminded me once to speak prayers of praise and thanksgiving, to speak glory into being. I shared that once with a friend in need, and her prayers were answered three times over. I sat back and thought through so many of my blog posts and the stories of survival, perseverance, and miracles. God is and continues to be present in our everyday lives, and for that I am thankful. It is so easy to dwell in the darkness and become overwhelmed with all the chaos that goes on around us, but God is still present. I used to read miraculous stories in the Bible, but I never thought there could still be miracles today…until I was healed, until I saw others healed. We are not so different than the Israelites that wandered for forty years. They saw miracle after miracle yet still struggled to obey and believe. How thankful are we that God gave us Jesus so that our sins may be forgiven, so that we have hope in Him.
Divine Strength versus Self Sufficiency
One of the things I have, and continue to find fascinating in our Christian faith is the celebration in the suffering. I love the verse, “As iron sharpen iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17, NIV). God refines us in the trials and tribulations. When we are brought to our knees, we turn to God and depend on Him completely. Our strength does not come from self, it is divine strength. Sometimes, we need a reminder. Sometimes we need to face evil in this world to be reminded that God overcomes it all.
Use your gifts
This past week, I have spent time with caregivers and have been humbled by their selfless hearts. I have heard of calls in the middle of the night resulting in immediate flights across the U.S. to be by the side of the patient when needed. I have heard of planned short visits resulting in enduring stays to ensure the support needed is received. I have seen a parent giving all that they are to a sick child at the sacrifice of self over and over again. I have seen the angels on earth in hospice nurses that provide the comfort and support needed by families over and over again knowing the pain and suffering they will see with each engagement. I have seen a daughter going to the bedside of a parent injured and requiring surgery while caring for her own child. Their strength and perseverance are immeasurable. It amazes me that there is room in their chest for the size of their hearts. I am in awe of their gifts, I am in awe of their sacrifice day after day ensuring necessary care is there when needed.
Carry each other’s burdens
I think one of the biggest understatements I can make is saying this is a busy week. Rob is traveling, I am traveling with both military and civilian demands, Hope has a dance competition…and the list goes on. These are the weeks when it’s all hands on deck and everyone chips in to make sure key times are not missed and to provide relief when needed. Some say it takes a village, we live in that village! I could not have the freedom to focus and do what I need to do with work if I did not have others willing to help carry the weight of all that is needed back home. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NIV). God calls us to help each other, to treat each other as Christ treated the least of us while He walked this earth.