by Christina Hice

Many mornings I wake up a few minutes before my alarm goes off. My mind instantly is flooded with thoughts—and worries. I think of the day ahead, of kids’ appointments (Neurologist? Pulmonologist? Haircut?) or what is needed for school (did I write that last check for the Band trip? Is it a bake sale day?). I think of school assignments (big papers, projects), tests (midterms that could use an extra prayer), and my kids’ social and emotional well-being. My mind brings up worries for my children, my family, my friends. I think of friendships and broken relationships. I mentally look through my to-do list for home and for work and try to anticipate who may need something today so I can prioritize. By the time I get to the kitchen to start the coffee (let Willowby out on the way…is his hip doing better? Why is the cat staring at me? What did I forget for her?!) my mind is already going 100 mph in 80 different directions. And I have yet to have one sip of caffeinated clarity.

 

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

 

I often need to remind myself to be still. I would like to think that I don’t need to be reminded that He is God, but when I look at all the things I think I am responsible for, maybe I need that reminder, too. I choose to take all those thoughts and worries and boldly go to the throne of grace and lay them down. And I choose to trust, trust in the One who knows me better than I know myself, to work all things out in His perfect will. I choose to be grateful for a God who has already been working on all the crazy details of my life and the lives of those I love. I choose to rejoice in a loving and gracious and merciful Father. And then I choose to breathe, just breathe, and be thankful for those mercies that are new every morning, and let thankfulness and trust in Him be my guides for this day.

 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24)

 

Good morning, Lord. Thank you for today. Please still my racing mind, fill me with your peace and your purpose for today. May what I do be done in joy and to bring you honor. Thank you for caring for all the details of my life, and for providing for all my needs. Increase my faith and let my words and deeds be a witness to You. Amen.

by Mona Dutterer

 

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. (1 Corinthians 13:1-8)

 

Frank and Barb DeCello are wonderful examples of these verses. In the face of hardships that would bring most to anger, tears, or both, Frank and Barb choose joy, laughter, and humor. Through their time together, Barb experienced a few health issues and Frank always looked after her and cared for her. During Frank’s battle with Lewy Body Dementia, Barb has been his strongest advocate; Barb sought out information, assistance, and everything she needed to make the most of her and Frank’s time together.

 

Frank and Barb are able to do this because they put their hope in GOD and they find their peace in HIM. No matter the circumstances, Frank and Barb cling to each other and to GOD, especially during this difficult time of their lives.

 

Their example of faith and of love is evident to any who take a moment to really see them, to see their faith, and to see their commitment to each other and to GOD.

 

(P.S. Thank you GOD for blessing me with a daughter beautiful both inside and outside and with the ability to take my jumbled thoughts and express them so perfectly.)

by Brenda Sullivan (Redstone/ArrowHawk Ministries)

 

(This is a true story of Brenda’s aunt, who is still living, 86 years young.)

Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

The day was so full of beautiful sunshine, though it was so bitterly cold. Everyone was looking for a fire to huddle around. The only heat was the wood stove in the middle of the big room. Luke was keeping it constantly filled so that Grandma Billie would be warm in her little corner of the big house. Grandma Billie and Grandpa Joe had lived in their log home for over 50 years. When the cancer took him in 1990, she stayed in their home, keeping watch over the children they shared and the ones that became a part of the family through circumstances unknown. Grandma Billie has become a part of the only source of Christ that her family has seen. She never gives up on them, though she’s seen so many tragedies in her lifetime, including the murder of her own child through the beating by cousins, just because of a misunderstanding.

 

She has never wavered in her relationship with Jesus. She stands in the gap bringing her little ones with her to church. Though she can hardly see anymore and can hardly walk, she gets someone to take her and the little ones as often as she can to hear the Word of God. She knows that is why she has lived these long 57 years in her adopted homeland, so far from her family and loved ones. The Lord has given her a long life so that she can see her little ones come to know the Christ she met so long ago with her parents, Pastor and wife to the Indian Nations.

 

She reminded me of this verse when we were talking after the passing of my own parents. She said the Lord would make my hurting less difficult when I trusted the Lord. She was right.

 

I keep that verse close to my heart as I think of her now at the age of 86 and how her age is beginning to show. God has made our burden light; as we know and she has said, “It is well with my soul.”

by Anonymous

 

A girl is lost and left in gloom

To walk a night without a moon.

And at her heels come hissing snakes

Condemning all the paths she takes.

And those she finds make no attempt

To lead her from her dark descent.

Until a man she meets at last

Who judges not her paths of past.

He asks her simply to take his hand

And follow Him from the darkened land.

So now at last she sees the sun

And all the darkness begins to run;

And now with light to guide their way

They walk the road to their eternal stay.

by Mrs. C.

Mr. C and I are downsizing. Now before you conjure up an image of a toned, fit and svelte couple, let me say that is not what I am talking about. Mr. C and I are sorting through 54 years of “stuff” which we’ve accumulated. For me they are treasures, each with a warm memory attached; for Mr. C, not so much. We have had a few tense moments (Pastor Todd is on speed dial) as we decide what to keep and what needs to go. (Mr. C is dangerously close to being in the “to go” pile.)

 

Webster defines “treasure” as something of great value; so, if I am honest with myself, none of our “stuff” is a treasure. We truly only have one treasure in life and that is our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It truly amazes me that in Exodus 19:5 God calls us His treasured possession! During this Lenten season we are especially aware of just how much he “treasures” us because we remember the price He paid to redeem us. (1 John 4:10)

 

So there may be a few more knock down, dragged out fights polite disagreements about what goes and what stays from our attic, basement, and closets, but rest assured, we will never part with our gift of salvation that was given to us by God himself. That treasure we will keep and carry into eternity.

 

Father God it is so wonderful to be ‘treasured’ by you. Please never let me forget the cost, the price you paid for me to be called “a child of God”. Thank you Father. Amen

by Jackie Herren & Susan Feaga (Tender Care)

 

While sitting at an employee banquet for my husband’s work, this young, attractive woman came up excited to speak with me. I hardly recognized my former client from Tender Care. It was over two years prior that she had come to the pregnancy center for help with material assistance for her new baby. She was a “regular” customer and she was always treated with dignity and respect. As is often the case, those clients who come in for help more frequently are the ones with whom we are more likely to establish a relationship.

 

During one of her visits to the center, she confided in me that she was going to rehab. I shared with her some of my own struggles and she thanked me for not judging her. I assured her that judgement was not on our agenda, only praying the best for herself and her little girl.

 

These two years have brought sobriety, hope, and confidence to my young friend. She was anxious to show me current phone pictures of her thriving two-year-old and her family. She thanked me for our kindness at Tender Care and for accepting her as she was. I am reminded that Jesus loves you and me right where we are—in our trespasses and sins and in our hopeless state. He was willing to go to the cross for all of lost humanity. I didn’t need to go to a personal rehab to get clean first. I confessed my sins and the perfect blood of Jesus cleansed me and made me a new creation. The former things have passed away and all things have become new. He placed His Spirit in me and causes me to walk in His ways. Those ways include showing His love, free of judgement and condemnation, to every person He places in our path.

 

“Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11)

 

Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:40)

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)