A SOFT ANSWER

We knew there was going to be trouble the minute we saw a very angry man and his two children approach the desk at the library. As library clerks, we had talked earlier in the day with the daughter as she tried to obtain a library card. Because they lived out of the district, it would cost a large annual fee. Of course they didn’t want to pay it, thinking it unjust. Now it was time to face an angry father.

We prayed for God’s intervention and a peaceful solution to an otherwise volatile situation. Scripture speaks about a soft answer turning away wrath. The soft words would be our part. We also knew, however, that Scripture talks about turning the other cheek and praying for those who despitefully use us. Which scenario it would be - peace or loud shouting?

To our complete surprise, as we began to express our empathy toward the father, his anger began to cool. In response to our soft answers, his words became softer. Eventually, the man and his children left the library. The issue was unresolved but he knew some steps he could take to remedy the matter. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief and lifted our eyes heavenward in thankfulness to God.

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

Heavenly Father, please show me clearly which words You would have me use today in each situation as it arises. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

CAST ALL YOUR CARES

At the age of 76, it is difficult to imagine being downsized. Yet, that is exactly what happened to my aunt. Suddenly she found herself stripped of her deceased husband’s benefits. Gone is the monthly pension, gone are the health care benefits and prescription coverage. She may even need to consider moving to a smaller apartment. Gone are the benefits she had counted on to last the rest of her life.

Having lived through the Depression Era as a young child, my aunt never knew hunger but did know a loving family with plenty of song and laughter. Although widowed twice, my aunt never knew want - God continued to watch over her, guiding her steps as she worked and raised two children.

How will she deal with these drastic and shocking changes in her life? Hopefully, she will remember all the ways the Lord has led her thus far and she will realize His kind care will continue every day of her life - even now. Yes, her anxieties are many, even overwhelming at times, however God knows . . . .

Cast all your anxieties on him (God), for He cares about you. I Peter 5:7

Heavenly Father, please help me see this scripture as a command, not a request. Please help me obey - for my own good. In Jesus' name. Amen.

PS - A few years later this same aunt at age 82 is helping her grown children who, due to downsizing of jobs and health issues are having financial problems. Amazing, God's grace!

HIS WAY IS PERFECT !

Procrastinating for months, my huge wicker basket of quilt scraps still needed to be sorted by color. The entire job seemed too overwhelming. That’s why it sat untouched.

The basket of scraps was kept under the window in the dining room. Above that perched our air conditioning unit. Unknown to us, water began leaking from the unit into the basket. Drip by drip every square inch of fabric became a soggy mess.

As soon as the problem was realized, out into the sunshine went every scrap in hopes that they would quickly dry. Soon they did! The weatherman, however, probably hadn’t seen it coming, that small gray cloud. Maybe it appeared only over our yard and my fabric. A slow drizzle dampened every inch of fabric again. There was no choice but to drive to the laundromat since we didn’t own a dryer.

After the fabric was dried - again - we journeyed home to begin the tedious task of folding each small piece, placing matching colors in piles and putting them in plastic see-through bags. As I began to grumble and complain, I realized that I had a choice. I could grumble and complain my way through the process or I could recognize God’s hand behind the circumstances and let Him bring good out of the mess. It was time to be thankful and quit fighting God.

When the entire process was completed, I marveled at God’s ways. While I had been procrastinating in doing a job which needed to be done, the Lord used circumstances to push me in the direction He had wanted me to go all along.

This God - his way is perfect . . . . Psalm 18:30

Heavenly Father, no matter what my circumstances, help me to see Your hand at work and to react to You in ways which please You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

IT'S OK

How do I react when the Lord sends adversity my way?

Do I fuss and fume and stomp my spiritual foot? When the weather is below zero and the car won’t start, do I grumble at Mother Nature, forgetting to stop and enjoy the crystals sparkling in the air, realizing that Mother Nature is God himself?

When the snow is knee deep, the car gets stuck and we have to dig our way out, do we rebel against our circumstances and wish ourselves back in bed? When the kitchen plumbing backs up, do we boil over in anger?

Don’t we see that both come from the hand of God - the good days and the difficult? How long will it take to learn to thank Him for both and when the difficulties come, to bow our hearts and souls before the Lord, accept it, say, “It’s OK,” and wait for His direction out of the difficulties?

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that in due time he may exalt you.
I Peter 5:6

Heavenly Father, please give me the grace to say, "It's OK" and bow my heart and will to You no matter what comes my way. In Jesus name. Amen

AN INHERITANCE

I opened the letter and burst into tears. It was from my aunt’s lawyer, informing me that, upon her death, my aunt had left me a small inheritance - a brooch. With tears streaming down my face, all I could think about was that my aunt had remembered me. I repeated time after time, “She remembered me!” I couldn’t get past that thought.

My aunt, an only child, had no close living relatives. She and her husband were childless so they used their money doing good in other people's lives. They sent a ministerial student through college, they made sure that a nurse’s education was provided for a niece. My aunt turned her faith in God into practical everyday activities.

After my aunt quietly slipped away - to be home with the Lord, the letter informing me of her intention arrived. What deep emotions that letter stirred. To be remembered meant so much to me.

The next thought broke through clearly - the Lord Jesus Christ has an inheritance for each of us who have given our lives to Him. It is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept safe for us by the one who gave His life for us. We can truly declare: “He remembered me!”

By His great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled and unfading kept in heaven for you. I Peter 1:3-4

Heavenly Father, thank You for remembering me! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

PASTURE CARE

The pasture fence line was checked carefully. Any gaps or holes were re-wired. Woodchuck holes were filled in. Rocks were moved. Poisonous plants were cut down, dug up and carted away. Our sheep were to be moved into their new pasture soon. All must be thoroughly readied for their arrival. Proper care of our woolly friends would yield healthy lambs and thick fleeces.

As my daughter and I were walking the fence line inspecting every square inch, I thought of our Good Shepherd and how, under His watchful eyes, all of life’s circumstances are readied for us before we even walk through them. Then, to our delight, we find the Good Shepherd nearby each day, guiding and leading us.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Hebrews 13:20-21

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your watchfulness over my path before I even walk it. Please help me to see more clearly Your kind care for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

STILLNESS

It was finally spring. The windows were thrown open, the screens were in place and the curtains were washed and hung afresh. My daughter, for Mother’s Day had given me a delicate wind chime which I decided to hang in the kitchen window. If a breeze came through, a lovely sound would be heard throughout the entire house. As I reached up to hang the wind chime, I marveled at how still it was. I asked myself, “Why, if the earth is constantly spinning, don’t the trees constantly move? Why don’t we fly off of the planet? Why aren’t these wind chimes moving at all?” Of course, we all know the answer is - gravity. Isn’t it amazing, though, that there is stillness in the midst of tremendous motion?

All of our lives, too, are busy with a tremendous amount of activity. There is constant activity in and around us. Yet, at the center of our being, amidst all of the hurry and scurry of being in this world, we can be still, we can increasingly come to know our heavenly Father as He commands and as pleases Him.

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

Heavenly Father, please show me how to be still in this busy world so that I may come to know You better and better with each passing day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.