PATHS OF IMAGINATION

My daughter woke in the night with an extremely painful earache. I applied warm, moist compresses to the area, the proper thing to do. As I sent her back to bed, I stayed awake imagining . . . . By the time I was finished imagining, I had my daughter deaf in both ears and enrolled far from home in a school for the deaf.

How silly, I thought, as I awoke the next morning, realizing that my daughter was better . . . not totally deaf.

I began to wonder on what other paths my imagination takes me throughout each day? How about your imagination? Where is it taking you?

We need to commit our every thought into God’s keeping or our imaginations truly will run away with us - far from God.

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5

We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ . . . . II Corinthians 10:5

Heavenly Father, I place my thoughts and imagination into Your hands for safe-keeping. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

TORNADO TREASURES

Weather forecasters spotted a tornado 15 miles to our west, headed directly toward us. Sure enough, as we looked out our kitchen window, the sky was dark and foreboding. My family and I gathered around the kitchen, discussing our plan to run to the basement if we spotted anything resembling a funnel cloud.

We knew if a tornado hit our home, everything we owned would be blown away. Each of us began grabbing objects we wanted to save and would take to the basement with us. As the sky drew darker, I noticed that we weren’t grabbing anything. There we each stood, empty handed, ready to go to the basement if we needed to do so. All we wanted was each other!

Jesus tells us that our lives do not consist of the abundance of our possessions. It became quite clear in a crisis that day - objects meant nothing to us, yet the people whom God had given us to love were the true treasures.

Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Jesus in Luke 12:15

Heavenly Father, thank You that You often show me what You treasure most. Please help me to treasure those same things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A PLACE APART

The food mixer was whirring. My daughter way playing a silly CD while cooking. My son was in and out with questions and comments as he prepared to leave for the day. In our funny little house there is no place where a person could find a quiet place apart. Each room is connected to another. Each person’s noise is heard by everyone else. When I long for a quiet moment with God, what can I do?

Jesus lived in a busy world, too, with people clamoring for his attention constantly. Yet He often withdrew physically to a place apart where He and His heavenly Father could communicate. He also was continually connected with the Father in that still place in His heart.

Let us do the same! We can meet with God at any moment no matter what our
outward circumstances. Sometimes we can physically draw apart to a quiet place. If we cannot do that, we can always communicate with God in the stillness of our hearts.

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart.
Matthew 14:13

Heavenly Father, I thank You that, no matter what is gong on, there is always a place apart in my heart where I can communicate with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

ORCHESTRATED BY GOD

The day started out like a three ring circus. My daughter was putting on her raincoat and boots for a trek across the road to help our neighbor with her farm chores. Mama cat walked in the back door and promptly threw up on the rug. Her five kittens were running everywhere as we attempted to put them, their litter box, food and water outside on the porch for the day. Every time the back door would open, in would run the kittens . . . again . . . and Mama cat, too. It truly was a circus! I began to pray for God’s protection.

In the afternoon, farm chores and household duties were completed. Kittens and Mama cat were asleep on the porch. Quiet reigned. My daughter finished using the typewriter and moved into the kitchen to bake some brownies. My work was finished in the kitchen so I began to do some typing. It was like a smoothly flowing orchestrated piece.

What a difference the two segments of the day represented. One a circus with all of its stress, the other like a well-orchestrated symphony. God must derive extreme pleasure as we allow Him to bring harmony to our days.

And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. Isaiah 21:17

Heavenly Father, please orchestrate my every step today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A SWIMMER'S STRUGGLES

Tom and his friends were having a day at the beach. You could hear their laughter and you smiled at their antics. Suddenly Tom was being carried out to sea by the strong rip tide. The harder he tried to swim, the faster he was being pulled away from shore. Although his friends went for help, Tom wasn’t sure he could keep on swimming, even a few more strokes, until help arrived.

Suddenly Tom sensed that the Lord was commanding him to stop swimming and tread water. He obeyed, trying to relax as he did so.

Often we, like Tom, struggle to extricate ourselves from our troubles. We kick and squirm, trying to push our way out, ignoring the Lord’s encouragement to rest in Him. Finally when we quit our struggles, the Lord reaches down and plucks us from our swirling circumstances. As He holds onto us with oh, so steady hands, we wonder why we hadn't stopped struggling long before.

He reached from on high, He took me, He drew me out of many waters. Psalm 18:16

Heavenly Father, please give me wisdom to know when I should keep swimming and when I should tread water - waiting for Your next directions. In Jesus’ name. Amen

POISON IVY

A poison ivy rash had developed on my hand which, if treated with a simple application of homemade soap, would stop itching and disappear within days. As time went by and I neglected to apply the soap, the rash became angry looking, spreading up my arm.

One day, while visiting our local library, we noticed that Bill, a volunteer there, had also developed a case of poison ivy. The rash on his arms and legs was blistering badly. Feeling intense sympathy for his plight, I promised to drive home, get the special soap for him and return so that he could immediately apply it. The horrible itching would stop and he would begin healing.

Isn’t it interesting that we jump quickly to help someone else when, for ourselves, we procrastinate, allowing our own bodies to suffer. Certainly, since God has given us these bodies to use as instruments to serve Him, then it is our responsibility to be good stewards of them until He returns.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? I Corinthians 6:19

Heavenly Father, thank You for opening my eyes to others’ needs. Now please open my eyes to my own needs and show me to be diligent in the care of the body You have loaned me. In Jesus’ name. Amen

ENOUGH POWER

In the morning before my son went to work, he informed us that there was a tornado warning.

As we scanned the sky, our power blinked off and on a couple of times. In our house, loss of power meant more than the loss of electricity for lights and stove. It also meant loss of the use of any bathroom facilities - no showers, no hair washing, no brushing of teeth...no water. Breathing a sigh of relief because we hadn’t lost power, we went about our morning tasks.

Showers were quickly taken and breakfast was cooked. Even though we carried out our normal routine, we noticed that there was a brown out - just barely enough power to use the stove and toaster but not enough to turn on the television to get a weather update. The overhead lights barely glowed, the microwave was unworkable and the refrigerator bulb was dim.

As we were almost ready to head out the door, my daughter decided to use the hair dryer. As she plugged it in and attempted to get it going, suddenly all was dead, quiet. All of the electricity which had been slowly coursing through the house was gone.

As we surveyed our situation, ready to go, my son said, “We had just enough power to get us out the door!”

Oh, how clearly our heavenly Father could be seen in this situation. He provided just exactly what was needed, exactly when it was needed. God always provides abundantly for our every need. We never have to experience a brown-out or even a power outage in our spiritual lives. God abundantly provides us with the strength to do whatever it is that He calls us to do each day.

. . . as thy days, so shall thy strength be. Deuteronomy 33:25

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing me with the strength I need each day of my life. Your promise of strength encourages me to look around to see what else You may want done. Thank you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

GOD OF ORDER

Working in a library for four years made me realize the importance of accuracy and a sense of order. Every book is given a number when cataloged into the system. At a moment’s notice, if a book is needed, the librarian can look for that particular book by a specific number at a particular place on a shelf.

The process, however, breaks down if someone places a book other than in its proper place. Perhaps due to a careless error in re-shelving or a misreading of the book’s number, the book may be out of order, unable to be found.

Our God is a God who takes delight in a sense of order. Look around you at the universe. All is in order. The sun and its planets are placed so that day and night have a specific order. The oceans are placed in specific places. Plants and animals show a certain order in their creation and function.

Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or show forth all His praise? Psalm 106:3

Heavenly Father, please open our eyes to see Your order in the universe. Help me maintain a sense of accuracy and order in MY little corner of the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

DISCIPLINE

At her son’s request, a woman took him to hockey practice each morning before school. They had to leave the house at 4 a.m.

After attending school all day, the boy would then go to basketball practice or football practice, depending on the season.

Of course, there was homework interspersed with scout meetings, soccer practice and sleep-overs with friends on the weekends. His parents could see that he was becoming exhausted but hated to step in to limit his activities in any way. They wanted him to be “happy”.

Why have we, as a society, become so child-centered? We approve of anything and everything our children want to do whether it is good for them or not - all for the sake of giving our children a “happy childhood”. Haven’t we gone a little too far?

Disciplining our children means not only correcting them for wrong behavior. Disciplining them also means giving clear direction to them as they try to move in too many directions at once. Discipline means helping them maintain a schedule which allows their growing bodies to rest and to get sufficient nutrition to ensure proper physical and emotional well-being.

Discipline your son (daughter) and he (she) will give you rest; he (she) will give delight to your heart. Proverbs 29:17

Heavenly Father, please provide the wisdom I need in guiding my children in wise living. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A NEW PHASE

Friends of ours are entering a new phase of their lives. Their children are grown and living on their own, their business is thriving. Now, all of a sudden, both sets of our friend’s parents are in need of time and attention as the retirement years have given way to health problems.

Our friends are being called upon to help, not only with the grocery shopping and errands, but with the actual physical care of their loved ones. Their already full schedule is now bursting at the seams.

We notice, though, that our friends are more than glad to give all that is needed at this time. They have a real desire to honor their parents in this way. They realize that their parent’s time on this earth is probably drawing to a close and know that the time for serving their parents is almost over. So with loving hands and hearts, they honor them. We applaud their every loving effort!

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you. Exodus 20:12

Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to areas of service for my parents or, if they are no longer on this earth, to others you may want me to serve. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

REST !

Have you ever reached the end of a stress-filled week, longing and looking forward to a day off? A day to rest and regroup? To putter around the house? To spend some time with your family and/or friends?

Then something happens. Your boss asks you to fill in for a co-worker on your day off. All of a sudden your stress level shoots even higher. You dread telling the boss “no”. Yet you know that if you turn your back on the sabbath rest you had declared for yourself, that you will pay the price. That’s how much you know you need rest.

After praying about what to do, it is clear that the Lord is encouraging “Rest!” not more work. With a clear conscience you kindly tell your boss “no, I cannot that day”, offering no details or explanations. Just a simple, kindly “no”.

Because you were obedient to the Lord, you will be refreshed and restored to tackle the next week of work.

Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 5:13-14

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your provision of a day of rest. Please help me to use it wisely so that I may be refreshed and ready. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

HEART TROUBLE

Recent research has shown that in spite of all of the healthy diets, special tests, special surgical procedures and excellent care, people are still having heart attacks at the same rate as they did in the past.

How could that be?

Perhaps it is because we are not obeying God’s instructions to “Let not our heart be troubled....” A troubled heart can turn into many illness and diseases. It’s been proven!

For our own good, let’s guard our hearts and realize that the King of the Universe does not expect us to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders or in our hearts. He has already done that in the Person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1

Heavenly Father, please show me how to guard my heart in order to please You and to keep balance and health in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen

TREASURES

Due to a change in my family’s diet, our 30 year old recipe box was cleaned out. The old recipes were bundled up with a rubber band and stored away. Subsequently, with time and research, new and acceptable recipe cards were written out and added. All was well . . . until we were invited to a pot luck dinner. As the new recipes were reviewed, something was lacking - a delicious, home-style dish we would want to share with our friends.

Getting out the old recipe box was like looking through a treasure chest. There was the cake recipe my mother always fixed for my birthday. There was a friend’s recipe shared with us 30 years ago in her homey kitchen. Another was from Mary who cooked for senior citizens. As the recipes were reviewed, it became apparent each was a treasure embodying warm memories of valued friendships.

If simple recipe cards can invoke such treasured memories of events and people, what else has God surrounded us with which we should treasure?

In the house of the righteous there is much treasure. Proverbs 15:6

Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to see the treasures, earthly and eternal, which You have bestowed upon me for the purpose of blessing others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

BE STILL

Two phone calls came into the house. One came mid-morning and another in the afternoon. The same person left a hurried message for us to return her call. She only gave her name and phone number, no other information. We were unsure what or who, exactly, she wanted.

Eventually we were able to reach her. Unexpectedly, the woman started firing off questions: “Who are you?’ “Why are you calling me back?” Then she began listing all of the places she’d called that day and asked how was she expected to know why we were calling her back.

What a frustrating conversation that was! Not only for us but for her. From one contact with her, we could sense her frazzled, frustrated day.

Oh, how important it is to be still often throughout the day. If we will turn to the Lord for His quietness of manner, we will never find ourselves stressed . . . frustrated. . . angry and without direction.

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

Heavenly Father, when I find myself in a whirlwind of activity, please remind me to be still. Please calm my thoughts and activities as I listen to Your still, small voice. In Jesus’ name. amen.

ANOTHER'S SERVANT

As we look at our friends’ lives, do we sometimes question their judgment? As one returns to work, we as ourselves: “How can she do that, she already has trouble keeping up with her household tasks?” Another, with almost grown children decides to move into a larger home. We wonder: “Shouldn’t she and her husband begin to downsize instead of taking on more expense?” Another friend, in ill health, reaches retirement age and we wonder: “Why doesn’t she just move in with her children - it would be easier?” Before we know it, we seem to have the answer for everyone’s life.

Instead of criticizing others from our limited human perspective, perhaps we need to pray for our friends - that they have God’s wisdom in their decision-making. And let it rest in His capable hands.

Who are you to condemn God’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let Him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord’s power will help them do as they should.
Romans 14:4

Heavenly Father, thank You that we are Your servants and that, ultimately, we answer only to You in the decisions we make. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

IN CONTROL

Do you like to be in control of how things are done in your household or at your place of employment? Do you give detailed instructions every time you ask one of your children or co-workers to do something for you? Or do you just do everything yourself because “it’s easier” or “it takes less time”?

Are we really serving our family members or co-workers if we try to stay in control of all those tasks which should be used as life training lessons for them? Shouldn't we be giving them every opportunity to grow?

Perhaps it’s time to prayerfully consider if what we are doing is really serving those we love in the way that is best for them or controlling them so we can have it our way.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. I John 4:7

Heavenly Father, please show me how to let go of trying to control so that I can be more pleasing to You day by day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

HOT LAVA OR REFRESHING WATER ?

A few years ago burning hot lava began pouring out of Mount Etna in Sicily. As the lava flowed steadily onward, villages and villagers which were in its path were threatened with scorching destruction.

Have you ever found yourself becoming a volcano, erupting with a hot flow of angry, bitter, discontented words? As the hot, angry words spewed from your mouth, did you feel any better or did you scorch yourself and everyone in your path?

According to the Scriptures, Jesus said that our belief in Him results in a heart overflowing with living water, not scalding lava. Whereas lava snuffs life out, living water brings life and healing to all it touches.

May our hearts overflow in only those qualities which honor God and bring His loving touch not only to ourselves but to others.

He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, “Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:39

Heavenly Father, please help me to guard my heart so that only living water is provided through me to a troubled world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

CRITTER CARE

Living on a quiet country road, our house is a prime target for people to drop off unwanted animals. We’ve had dogs, puppies, cats and kittens appear suddenly on our doorstep over the years.

Realizing that each animal is special in God’s eyes, we try to be good stewards of those sent our way. Sometimes we find a new, loving home for them, sometimes we must call the animal shelter. We even have adopted a couple of cats through the years if we felt we could be responsible for them.

One day an emu (a six-foot ostrich-like bird) appeared in our yard. We didn’t allow this strange happening to deter us from helping God’s creatures. Out into the yard we went . . . with a handful of feed to coax her to safety. Off into the cornfields she ran, never to be seen again. The question we ask ourselves: If she had stayed, what would the Lord have wanted us to do with her? Were we willing?

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her
young . . . . Psalm 84:3

Heavenly Father, please give me Your wisdom in every situation which I come upon. Even when I find an emu. In Jesus' name. Amen.

SELF HELP

A woman entered the library requesting a self-help book. The reference librarian, a specialist in her field, led her to the appropriate shelves. Satisfied, the woman began browsing on her own, eventually finding what she wanted.

Have you noticed that there is a super abundance of self-help books today? All for the purpose of educating us and helping to make ourselves into better human beings.

Yet, how can we, who are precious lumps of clay in God’s hands, improve ourselves? It’s not possible for the clay to mold itself. A Potter is needed. It is the Potter alone who has the power to shape us into what He intends.

God, the Potter, may use self-help books to set us on the right path. Yet it is the Potter who has a vision of what He wants to create in us and out of us. As we submit ourselves into His hands, only then can we be shaped perfectly for His use.

O Lord, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou art our potter; we are all the work of Thy hand. Isaiah 64:8

Heavenly Father, I submit myself into Your hands so that You can make of me what You will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A STEP FROM DEATH

Sunday was a peaceful day full of rest, quiet and a delicious dinner with my family around the dining room table. The sun was shining and it felt like the day could go on forever.

The next day, Monday, a storm blew through. My daughter and I could hear the distant rumble of thunder as we worked together in her bedroom. We scurried to turn off and unplug all electrical equipment but were surprised to find that the storm was upon us so quickly.

The heavy winds swirled and the rain pounded the house. All of a sudden we heard a CRACK and a WHOOSH as the mammoth white pine outside my daughter’s window lost half of itself.

Instead of falling on the house and into my daughter’s room like it should have, the swirling winds had twisted the tree as it crashed, causing it to fall parallel to the house. We could barely see out the windows or door since the huge tree covered the entire length of the house. We breathed a quiet prayer of thanksgiving for the Lord’s protection. We truly felt as David did: “There is but a step between me and death.” (I Samuel 20:3)

Some days life seems so serene, like it could go on day after day just the same. Other times life seems so fragile as we realize that death can come in an instant by unforseen danger. No matter what our days bring, we can rest securely knowing that our times are in God’s hands and that our heavenly Father kindly watches over us constantly.

My times are in thy hand. Psalm 31:15

Heavenly Father, no matter if serene or tumultuous, may I live out my days to Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.