Good Friday? Really?

As a child I struggled with calling Good Friday - Good Friday. I felt guilty calling a day good that was the day my sin put Jesus on the cross.  I felt like calling it Good made me one of the mockers and witnesses cheering on this horrible act.  What could be good about Jesus dying on the cross?

My mind , even now, wanders back to what it must have been like to witness the crucifixtion.  As one of His followers - would I have doubts that maybe the mockers are right? Maybe He was just a man. If He is the Mesiah , why doesn't He come down off that cross?? Why go thru this torture.  Would I have forgotten that He told me He would come again?

I can imagine they went home , just as we do when we lose a loved one, heartbroken, angry, questioning.  I don't find any mention of any of them anxiously counting down the three days from Friday to Sunday. They were mourning their loss. They had forgotten that Sunday was coming!

As a Christian today, we have a gift. The Bible. We have historical, scientific and medical evidence to back up this event and the resurrection.  We don't have to mourn today - because we know Sunday is coming!

Without Good Friday - there would have been no opportunity for Jesus to take the weight of my sin on His shoulders.

Without Good Friday - my eternity would be where I deserve- in hell.

Without Good Friday - there can be no resurrection - which is the cornerstone of what makes our faith different than others.  He wasn't just a good man - He was a King who lived a flawless life, died, was buried and after three days rose again and was seen by more than 500 people.

So, I am forever grateful for Good Friday - that the Lord gave His one and only Son...For me, For You, For all who believe.

Lord,
Thank you for Good Friday. Thank you for loving me enough to wash away my incredible sins.  Thank you for the gift of Your word. Because it is thru that gift that I know - Sunday is coming! Thank You that we serve a risen Savior. He is Risen indeed.
Amen

Running the Race

I love to run. I hate to run. I love to run. I hate to run.  I buy new outfits, new shoes just knowing they will make it more fun. Guess what?! I still have a love/hate relationship with running.

But, one thing I truly love about running....the finish line!!! My heart beats faster knowing the end is in sight! 

I asked my daughter..."What do you think it means to run a good race for Jesus?" Her response touched my heart.  She said, "Think about running on the trail - there are ups and downs and twists and turns - but if you keep your eyes on Jesus the course is easier. He wants us to keep our eyes on heaven - not on the twists and turns." I love the wisdom of honest, young, trusting hearts. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love this verse. I can so easily see the image of me running - running away from sin...running away from selfishness...running away from pride...running away from anger...running away from all of the ways Satan tries to entangle me. 

There are "cheerleaders" along the race. Some , thankfully, offer support and encouragement to run your race in step with Jesus. Several running buddies have often slowed down their own run - to offer support and wait for me so that we can finish the race together.  I've seen many sweet friends turn around and go lift up a friend who has fallen behind.  Others, sadly, don't understand this race.  It is those that I think especially need to see our response to the twists and turns.  

We can give hope to the hopeless when we help them see Jesus.
We can give love to the loveless when they see Jesus.

We can give the lonely a friend when they know Jesus.

Lord, I don't always understand the twists and turns. But, I commit the race to You. May those passing by see my eyes fixed on You. Thank You for providing the strength I need along the way. Amen

Signs

My sister and I walked in to the restaurant.  The lady behind the counter barked, "What can I get you?" It pierced our hearts. The harshness of her words seemed to almost knock me backwards.  How could she be so cruel? Did she not see my broken heart? Couldn't she tell how fragile we were? Obviously  not.  We ordered and quickly got back in the car.  As we looked at each other, tears started to stream down our faces.

You see, we had just left the funeral home, making plans for our mom's funeral.  Our best friend, our support in good times and bad, our mentor, our encourager, our cheerleader - was gone.  After a brave  battle with cancer - she was gone.  Resting in the arms of Jesus.  No more chemo, no more hospital bed, no more fear - but also no more "here".  Our next hugs would be when we reach our heavenly home.

We thought our sadness was so visible - yet to this person - we were just another customer and just another sandwich to make.

We thought it was written on our face - we knew it was written on our hearts.

That got us thinking how much easier it would be if our hurt was easier for others to recognize. What if there were "signs" to help others be more kind when we are hurting.  I can imagine passing people during the day..."Happy", "Lost Job", "Sick", "Struggling", "Lost" , "Scared", etc... wouldn't it be so much easier to help someone if we just knew what they were facing?!

If it were only that easy, but we don't know...We walk by people that would be  wearing those exact signs and we miss the opportunity to hug them, to encourage them, to cry with them.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4: 8-10

It doesn't surprise me that we were looking for kindness when our hearts were broken - we had witnessed our mom show kindness to a multitude of people - undeserved kindness. The sort of kindness that you know comes from Jesus.  We asked her once, "How can you be so nice to ____? They are not nice to you!" Her response, "Girls, be kind. You don't know the circumstances behind their mean spirit, but you can change their heart by being kind."  We watched over the years as this person softened and actually became a pleasure to be around.  Mom had a gift for seeing the signs.  She also had a gift for being kind even when she couldn't see them.  So, even when the signs are unclear - it can change someone just to be kind. Take the time to get to know them.

Our love of Jesus can take many forms.  As it says in 1 Peter - we are all given gifts to be faithful representatives of God's grace here on earth.  I was blessed to see His love thru her.  I am forever grateful that she took the time to introduce us to Jesus. More than that, I am grateful that I could see Him thru her.  Helping me to have a better picture of what being a Christian looked like during a normal work day.  I pray that I can give my daughter the same gift.

Lord,
Thank you for my mom.  Thank you for letting me have her for 35 years.  Thank you for the many lessons she taught me.  Help me to be aware of those around me.  Help me to be that same picture of Your love that she was for others. Help me to slow down and to look for the signs.
Amen

Being Goal Oriented

This isn't the first time I've been up late walking circles around my house to get those last few steps or calories burned.  When I had a Fitbit it was to get over 10,000 and now with the Apple Watch it is to get all three circles around to goal.  I call myself goal oriented.  My husband has another term....obsessed!! I can't go to bed without those circles showing I met my goal. If I have to miss a day I find myself feeling sad and defeated. I failed. I missed my goal! I missed it by 20 calories! Might as well be 200!

As I was looking back through my workout history I saw that I've only missed my goal about ten times in the past six months. Not too shabby. 

Then I thought, what if my spiritual life had that same resolve. I will NOT go to bed without spending time with the Lord. I will NOT step a foot on my floor without giving Him my day. What would my goal chart look like if I tracked my time with Him?  I imagine it would not be quite as pretty. 

Don't get me wrong - keeping my body healthy is important. But, keeping my heart and soul healthy is more important.  My spiritual growth won't be tracked by my Apple Watch - but by my growth in understanding His word.  Of all the things that I work out to get smaller...my spiritual walk will grow bigger as my worldliness becomes smaller.  

I will not be defined by the world's beauty - but by my beauty in the eyes of Christ.  He doesn't care what dress size I wear.  He doesn't care if I met my circle goals on my watch.  He cares if I was light in a dark world. He cares if I spent time with Him. Allowing His word to wash over my sinful nature.  

So, I will continue to be goal oriented. But, thanks be to Him, my goal is shifting. Allowing Him to transform my body to be more like His. I love the passage below! 

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:14-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Lord,

Thank you for the urge to increase my walk with You as well as my walk on the treadmill. Thank you for pointing me to this passage and reminding me that You alone can transform my body, heart, mind, soul.  Continue to re-align my goals to be more like You.

Amen

Reflections of a Year

Reflecting

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77:11-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Most of us will spend this week reflecting on the past year and our hopes for the year ahead.  This has been a tough year, but one that has deepened our faith. I have more wrinkles, more gray hair, a few extra pounds...but, I also have a deeper relationship with my Lord and Savior.  My quiet time yesterday was focused on the many "reflections" of God I've seen this year.  He carried us through health issues this year that began in January and we can hopefully leave as a memory in 2016. He encouraged us when we were discouraged with how difficult it can be to have a daughter in middle school.  He gave us a deeper desire to learn and study His word to have a Biblical world view. Even with all of this, I still feel that there are so many reflections that I have yet to see. That gives me much hope for the upcoming year. My focus is in making my reflection more beautiful to Him....

What am I reflecting? 

When I look in the mirror do I see a reflection of Him or of the world? The worldly part of me reflects my jealousy, my urge to be liked, my earthly desires. I pray my reflection continues to evolve into Him. That even with the struggles - you will see Him instead of me.  Looking past the wrinkles to appreciate that with the wrinkles also came an increased knowledge of my faith. That I will be able to reflect back on my growth and look forward to an even "prettier" reflection next year.

Who am I reflecting? 

I want to reflect transparency. With transparency also comes vulnerability. Allowing others to see my pain and hurt. Allowing others to see the One that gives me strength. Any blessing has come from Him. The heartbreak is made easier thru Him. When I look in the mirror - I want my reflection to be Him.  I still see too much of me and my hope is in the coming year that reflection continues to change.  

As we reflect on this year, I am grateful for the many opportunities to deepen my Christian walk. I am grateful that while we aren't big on "resolutions" that we all committed to continuing to change our reflection. 

Lord,

I have seen many of Your faces this year. Comforter, protector, encourager, friend, giver of grace. You have walked with us, You have carried us. You have protected us. You have supplied our needs. You have calmed our hearts. You have deepened our desire for You. You have opened our minds to learn. You have never left us. We praise You for this year. We pray that we will become a better reflection of You in the upcoming year. 

Amen

Commitments

Rethinking Commitments

I'm tired. Don't feel sorry for me. Most of my tired comes from "elective" activities. Commitments that I signed up for freely and under maybe just the slightest amount of guilt. But, nevertheless, they are things I signed up for. 

A full time job, a family, numerous volunteer organizations and I'm tired.  Then he (a colleague) said, "I think we need to reset our commitments." What?!?!?!? Are you kidding me? Do you know I am running on about 3 hours sleep. Do you know I got up an hour early to help at my child's school? Do you know that my husband's love language is quality time and I have not been able to spend any with him in five days?! Do you know that I have a 5:30 AM flight in the morning which means another three hours of sleep....my mind flooded with all of the clever remarks that I could say....I will show him...rethink my commitments my foot (hopefully your mom taught you what that means!)...I will make you think - rethink your commitments. Ha!

Then, by His grace, I thought. First, let me review what my commitments have been. I reviewed the last six weeks and I saw where, not because I had been lazy or neglectful - but just have had several unforeseen events come up, I began to see why he felt I was elsewhere. Next, I stopped to pray. Help me to immediately turn this over to You. Quiet my mouth and help me to speak in kindness. Do not allow this small event to steal my joy for this day you have given me. 

Our talk went fine and it was clear that I had done a poor job communicating events that were likely to be getting in the way of our scheduled time. I had under communicated and over committed.  (An issue that can cause great problems if you long to make everyone around you happy).

As we are nearing the end of 2016, are you over committed and under communicating with our Savior? He can sometimes be the easy target for busy schedules.  

I challenge you , as I plan to do, to reset the communication with the Savior. Not a New Year's resolution , but a New You resolution! For there is no better way to live a life of peace than one committed to your communication with Him. Give your day to Him. Give your life to Him. Even if someone tries to steal your joy, go back and recommit it to Him. 

I mentioned my 5:30 AM flight, meant alarm clock set at 2:50 AM. But, even still, I gave my first moments to Him. Reading my devotion for the day and turning my day and my life into His hands. 

Lord,

You made me in your perfect way. You knew that I would want those around me to be happy. You also knew that would mean I would be tempted to say "Yes" far too many times. You've been gracious to show me what my loved ones need to feel my love. I thank You for the reminder to reset my commitments. My first commitment is to You. I commit my days to You. You know I will need reminding from time to time. Remind me that my joy rests in You and is not up for the taking. Quieten my heart and mind when I begin to feel my joy is at risk. It is Yours.    Amen

“Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day."”

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭8:61‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Above The Clouds

"To him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. who made the great lights— His love endures forever. the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭136:4-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On a recent flight, I looked out the plane window and saw this beautiful sight out my window.  We were flying above the clouds. 

As childish as it sounds, since I lost my mom I love to fly. When we get above the clouds I feel closer to her. Almost like I am closer to heaven. 

On this flight, I was also reminded that if I can stay focused above the clouds - His light shines brighter. 

This was a very cloudy day on the ground. But look at how beautiful it is above the clouds. A bright and beautiful day. Bright with His creation - but hidden from the ground by this layer of clouds.

When I make the decision to not focus on the cloud - but to focus on the Son - I shine brighter. I could focus on what is wrong - OR - I can stay focused on what He has done for me by providing His Son. 

I love the word play with both the sun and the Son being wonderful gifts from God. Especially during the holiday season where we celebrate the birth of our Savior. I am especially grateful for this gift. 

Lord,

When my focus shifts to the clouds - help me refocus to your Son. The clouds will come and go - but your Son will not change. It reminds me of Your promise in James that every good and perfect gift is coming down from You and there is no change or variation in You. You promise that there will be clouds. But, you also promise that You are there. On the ground it may feel like the sun has disappeared on the cloudy days - but if we shift our focus above the clouds - we see that You are still there. Ever faithful. Ever constant. Never changing. Thank you for the gift of Your Son. 

Amen

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭ESV