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.

STRESSED BODIES

It was the end of April. Some friends, who are printers, asked if we would help them collate 1000 books with 39 pages each. We emptied the calendar and cleared the house to make room for 3-4 work stations. What we didn’t take time to plan were the meals we’d be eating on-the-go for the next week. Thus, we’d bring in burgers or grab a quick sandwich, burning thousands of calories as four of us worked through the week at lightning speed. Our bodies could feel the stress put on them by the prolonged, repetitive movements of gathering page after page. Finally the books were boxed and placed in the kitchen for our friends to pick up. We, and our overworked muscles, were grateful to be finished.

Isn’t it strange that when life gets rushed and hurried, that one of the first things we neglect is care of ourselves - sleep, rest, nutrition, time out-of-doors?

According to the Scriptures, our body is God’s temple where His Spirit dwells. Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate what we are doing to ourselves. The Lord has given us each a magnificently created body. May we treat it with kind, loving respect so it can serve us for many years until the Lord returns.

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
I Corinthians 3:16

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me such a magnificent tool to use - my body - for Your glory. Please help me to wisely care for it. 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.

WRONG DIRECTIONS

Have you ever been given the wrong directions? You know your destination but the map is confusing to you so you call ahead to clarify before you even set out. The directions given to you on the phone seem more confusing than the map. You try it but find you must call again. You end up talking with another person whose directions seem clear and to the point, easy to follow. When you get back in your car to proceed, however, you discover that these directions take you nowhere. Your frustration level continues to rise. You wish someone would just tell you simply how to proceed.

How good it is that the Lord is always willing to give us clear, workable directions for any situation in which we find ourselves. He doesn’t want us to become lost, either!

A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Heavenly Father, thank You for being so faithful to me, Your child. In Jesus’ name. Amen

BALANCE

We love to work, work, work, thinking we will relax and enjoy the garden . . . a book . . . our children . . . when the work is finished. Somehow, though, the work is never finished. We never seem to get around to the other parts of life. The children grow up. Books are left on the shelves unread. The gardening season passes without a moment’s enjoyment. We only do the work, work, work . . . missing out on life itself.

Did God intend that our days should be full of toil and sweat, falling into bed exhausted, only to do it all again the next day? This manner of life is not what God’s Word indicates it should be.

He longs to lead us beside still waters. In His Presence are places of peace. In the midst of a busy world, let’s draw aside to Him in His quiet places. We will find rest for our souls.

He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul. Psalm 23:2

Heavenly Father, please show me how to balance my life so that I may experience Your continual restoration. 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.

PRUNED !

In the spring I found some poor bedraggled miniature rosebushes on sale - $.25 each. How could I resist? Home they came!

As the weather warmed and the forsythia began to bloom, I knew it was time - to prune and plant. Out came my pruning scissors and I set to work, ridding those sad-looking plants of diseased and dying branches.

It was a severe pruning, to be sure. Next, in the ground they went with the hope that they would grow well - strong and healthy, yielding multitudes of miniature roses throughout their season.

As I watched for the next few weeks, I saw that some rosebushes already had some lush growth. Other rosebushes, however, began to die. Each had received the same pruning - the difference was in the healthiness of their root system.

May I ask - when God prunes your life by removing those things which separate you from Him, how are your roots? Are you rooted in Jesus? May God’s pruning result in fresh new life in each of us!

...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in Love, may have the power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17-19

Master Pruner . . . do Your work in my life today . . . and tomorrow and in future days until You return for me, please! In Jesus’ name. Amen.