by Devon Brogan

(I heard a similar story to this on the radio one morning on the way to work; I added some details.)

 

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it. (Isaiah 30:21)

 

A father and son woke one sunny morning and decided to go for a hike in the woods. As they were walking, the little boy, with stick sword in hand, was engaged in the most epic imaginary battle. Swinging his sword at the imaginary beasts, the little boy was having the best time.

 

The father called out to his son, “Hey! Do you know where we are?”

 

“Nope!” the little boy replied, with a swipe and a jab of his sword at an ominous looking bush.

 

“Do you know how to get back to where we came from?” the father asked, a bit of concern in his voice.

 

“Naw, Dad!” the boy replied while jumping off a big rock, sword pointing into the air in triumph.

 

The father called out, “Do you know where we are going?”

 

“Not really…it’s okay!”

 

The father called the boy over to him, knelt down, and looking in the boy’s eyes he asked, “Aren’t you scared that you don’t know where you are, how to get back home, or where you are heading? Doesn’t it frighten you that you may be lost?”

 

“No, Dad! I’m not scared because you are with me!” the boy replied and ran off to continue his epic adventure.

 

We have no need to be afraid or nervous of where we are or where we are going because our Father is with us always. He will never leave us alone. He wants us to be as children and live with joy and not with worry. I trust in the Lord that He will point the way for me and I will do the work He wants me to do. I rely not on myself but on the Lord for protection and guidance. As long as the Lord is with me, I have no reason to fear and I will never be lost. I love this story because it is also something each child can relate to and understand.

 

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

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