Thursday, October 28, 2010

Two Verses

For many years, early morning has been my devotion time. I think better in the mornings, and the house is quiet. Then I have all day to think about what I’ve learned or what God has shared with me.

One morning this week, God sent me to Psalm 38:15, “I wait for you, O Lord. You will answer me.”

I am indeed waiting on God – waiting for the full-time job, waiting for Jesus to return, waiting for instruction on how to live and pray and be. Only God knows the type of work I should do and when that job opening will occur. All I can do is wait for him and trust that he will answer.

The next day, God sent another verse from the Psalms. “You uphold me and set me in your presence forever” (Ps. 41:12).

That day, I had an interview and needed God to uphold me. Before the interview, I had the usual butterflies, but when I went into the room – God’s peace upheld me. I knew whatever the outcome, He would set me in His presence forever.

As I wait for the answer, He fills me with His Holy Spirit and gives me the grace to accept whatever decision comes. He will hold me up – now and always.

Two days. Two verses. One incredible God.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

God's Rewrites

At my temp job, I’m rewriting a church’s website. One of the things I’m doing is checking the readability stats for their current website, then rewriting each page to make it more readable. Unfortunately, the American public now reads at a 3rd-4th grade level. So anything on this website above those levels would be almost a foreign language. I’m working to change this website from 9th-10th grade levels so that visitors to the site can understand it.

God often rewrites the lessons of life. When I don’t understand why it’s taking so long to find that permanent job, God turns my questions into truth. This morning, he reminded me from Psalm 37 to commit it to him and he would bring it to pass.

When my car’s brakes started squeaking again, even though I’ve had both sets replaced – God sent me back to Psalm 37 to underline the verse, “Do not fret.”

As I sat in my old club chair this evening and wished for the thousandth time that I had a new recliner, God whispered Psalm 37:4, “I will give you the desires of your heart.”

I think I need to go read Psalm 37 and thank God for the rewrites of my life.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Reunion

Several weeks ago, I attended a wedding reception for the children of a dear friend. It was in Lawrence, the town where my son and I used to live.

The reception was held in a beautifully decorated church fellowship hall. It was a joy to celebrate the marriage of this young couple and to praise God for bringing them together.

But the best part was seeing all the friends and colleagues of my past. As we hugged and chatted, we talked about what we’re doing now – where we are in life and in our spiritual journeys – how our kids have grown. We also mentioned a few of the aches and pains we’re going through, things we never thought we would talk about.

As I munched on chips and salsa, I looked around at the dear, familiar faces. So many men and women that shared ministry with me, prayed together, worshipped in the same church, walked the same trails. I could almost see some of the tapestries God had woven together to merge our lives, to make a difference in this particular time of history. I was proud of the great work my friends have done through the years, glad that my name is associated with theirs in God’s book, confident that so many of them will receive great rewards.

It was a piece of eternity – of that incredible time when we will be finished with this world and we will gather around Jesus, reminiscing about all the ways He let us do his work.

Well done, good friends of Lawrence. I look forward to our next meeting on earth and to that bountiful reunion in heaven.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

No Regrets

Next week, I will celebrate one of those decade birthdays – the kind that seems a lot older than it really is. I’m not worried about marking another year on the calendar. This birthday just makes me that much closer to heaven where I’ll kiss the feet of Jesus.

But the decade birthdays tend to make us ponder the passage of time. So, I have thought about some of the decisions I’ve made in the past, both positive and negative.

I’m so glad I had the opportunity to be a mother. My son is a delight every day. I’m glad I have a college degree, but wish I had earned a Master’s or even a PhD when I was younger. I would have enjoyed teaching creative writing on the college level. I still wish I could have attended seminary, but I’m glad for the Bible training in my Christian high school and college. I wish I could have saved more money, but I’m glad God was faithful even when I was financially stupid. I’m grateful for all the different ministries where I’ve served, but wish I could have discipled more young people. Maybe that will happen in this next decade.

But there is one decision I made that I’ve never regretted. One glorious day, I fell in love with Jesus and gave him my heart. Through all the decades since, even through all my mistakes – He has been faithful. He’s loved me on bad hair days and when my freckles turned into age spots. He’s filled me with His lovely Spirit and allowed me to live in peace. He’s never rejected me; never disappointed me; never hurt me.

We can’t, of course, relive the past. That’s why it’s so important that every day be filled with life and love. We have only this moment, so we need to make the most of it. The best of all my moments involve Jesus.

I have no regrets.