The weekend dragged as I faced too many days, unemployed. My knees scraped raw as I knelt beside the bed, crying out to God for help. The new job hadn't surfaced; I felt rejected and alone.
Yet the definition of hope includes believing, especially when we don't see the answer. The "evidence of things not seen" concludes the writer of Hebrews as he describes faith. Hope and faith are sisters, both requiring the foundation of trust.
On Sunday, I found another buoy to hang on to, recorded in the Psalms: "We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."
My hope is not found in the job nor in the security it brings. My hope is in the very presence of my Husband and Maker - Jesus Christ.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Be Still
How can we be still when we're feeling desperate ?
This week, God has told me to "Let it be and be still..." - the famous verse found in Psalm 46:10.
I've been going to job fairs, searching job boards, applying online, calling, etc. So far, I've had lots of interview experiences and several more ball point pens - given away at the job fairs.
But no job.
It's actually been a good week, focusing on who God is, praying, searching the Bible for answers. My stress levels have gone down, because I'm not doing the work. I'm being still and letting God do the work. Still no job, but more peace.
The answer is in the rest of Psalm 46:10 "Let it be, be still - and know that I am God."
That's the key - knowing that He is God, that He is sovereign, that He knows what's supposed to happen and when.
Being still and letting God be God is the key to total peace and the answer for our prayers.
This week, God has told me to "Let it be and be still..." - the famous verse found in Psalm 46:10.
I've been going to job fairs, searching job boards, applying online, calling, etc. So far, I've had lots of interview experiences and several more ball point pens - given away at the job fairs.
But no job.
It's actually been a good week, focusing on who God is, praying, searching the Bible for answers. My stress levels have gone down, because I'm not doing the work. I'm being still and letting God do the work. Still no job, but more peace.
The answer is in the rest of Psalm 46:10 "Let it be, be still - and know that I am God."
That's the key - knowing that He is God, that He is sovereign, that He knows what's supposed to happen and when.
Being still and letting God be God is the key to total peace and the answer for our prayers.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Watching the Sparrows
Every morning, I grab my over-sized coat and venture out to the deck to feed the birds. Sometimes I see the scarlet cardinals, who always come in pairs. Most days, the obnoxious bluejays appear. During the winter months, the snow birds settle in for a snack.
But the species that comes every day is the sparrow. She is not the flashiest bird, but she is definitely the most intense species. Every morning, she waits on the deck and flutters a few feet away when I come out the door. As soon as the birdseed is spread on the deck and in the feeder, she is back. She works diligently and doesn't leave until every last seed is consumed.
I like the sparrows, because they remind me of the care and protection of God. In Psalm 84, we are reminded that God cares about the sparrow and provides a nest for her to shelter her young.
During these days of job searches, waiting for phone calls and dressing for successful interviews - I stay focused on hope because of one truth. God cares about this sparrow and her chick. He loves me, and he loves my son. He will show us where to find enough seed for another week and when it's the right time - he'll provide the perfect job.
But the species that comes every day is the sparrow. She is not the flashiest bird, but she is definitely the most intense species. Every morning, she waits on the deck and flutters a few feet away when I come out the door. As soon as the birdseed is spread on the deck and in the feeder, she is back. She works diligently and doesn't leave until every last seed is consumed.
I like the sparrows, because they remind me of the care and protection of God. In Psalm 84, we are reminded that God cares about the sparrow and provides a nest for her to shelter her young.
During these days of job searches, waiting for phone calls and dressing for successful interviews - I stay focused on hope because of one truth. God cares about this sparrow and her chick. He loves me, and he loves my son. He will show us where to find enough seed for another week and when it's the right time - he'll provide the perfect job.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Pre-Existing
My son is searching for health insurance. He's trying one of the high risk pools, hoping they will accept him without a huge premium or high deductible. He's only 24 years old, but has a pre-existing condition. Although he's cancer free now, he had a malignant brain tumor removed two years ago. He's been through chemo and radiation and has a scar on the side of his beautiful head that breaks my heart every time I look at it.
He's working part-time, going to school part-time and moving toward his future plans. But the current system locks him out of health insurance, because of this pre-existing monster.
It makes me angry at the injustice and worried for the possible scenarios. But God is sovereign. He knows how to help us.
Sometimes we suffer from pre-existing strongholds. They may have been placed on us by generational sins or by our own follies. But they have a strong hold on us and only the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit can remove them. If we hang on to the sovereignty of God and keep our hope in him alive, he will give us the assurance we need to keep going.
Nothing pre-exists God - and that's the best insurance we can ever have.
He's working part-time, going to school part-time and moving toward his future plans. But the current system locks him out of health insurance, because of this pre-existing monster.
It makes me angry at the injustice and worried for the possible scenarios. But God is sovereign. He knows how to help us.
Sometimes we suffer from pre-existing strongholds. They may have been placed on us by generational sins or by our own follies. But they have a strong hold on us and only the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit can remove them. If we hang on to the sovereignty of God and keep our hope in him alive, he will give us the assurance we need to keep going.
Nothing pre-exists God - and that's the best insurance we can ever have.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Abundant Life
In the movie, "Last Holiday", Queen Latifah portrays a woman who believes she has only three weeks to live. She decides to quit her job, cash in her 401K and live the rest of her life to its fullest.
Her character, Georgia, travels to a resort where she wow's the wealthy, sticks up for the workers and becomes the focus of a culinary buffet. She buys beautiful clothes which accent her natural glamour. Throughout the movie, Georgia pampers herself, laughs with abandon and tries every adventurous escapade she can.
Beyond the feel-good message of the movie, we find a spiritual dimension. Even with a normal lifespan of 80+ years, our lives pass quickly. Every day is a gift - to work, to play and to dream. As Christians, we belong in an eternal state, but while we are chained to our mortal bodies, can't we also be an example of abundant living? Sure, life is hard, but sometimes we make it even more difficult with our sad attitudes of just surviving for one more day.
Jesus was not a sad, mopey person who complained about his struggles. He was a King who loved and lived freely. As his children, we emulate his life when we laugh, love and ignore fear. We can learn to wake up each morning and declare the next 24 hours as moments lived for God. We can embrace each hour as an opportunity to spread joy and peace rather than doom and gloom. We can approach each day as a challenge to find the good in it and show love to everyone we meet.
Queen Latifah's character received a new diagnosis and lived to see her dreams come true. Whether we have three weeks or three decades, life represents opportunities to be our best and live as examples of breathing hope.
Her character, Georgia, travels to a resort where she wow's the wealthy, sticks up for the workers and becomes the focus of a culinary buffet. She buys beautiful clothes which accent her natural glamour. Throughout the movie, Georgia pampers herself, laughs with abandon and tries every adventurous escapade she can.
Beyond the feel-good message of the movie, we find a spiritual dimension. Even with a normal lifespan of 80+ years, our lives pass quickly. Every day is a gift - to work, to play and to dream. As Christians, we belong in an eternal state, but while we are chained to our mortal bodies, can't we also be an example of abundant living? Sure, life is hard, but sometimes we make it even more difficult with our sad attitudes of just surviving for one more day.
Jesus was not a sad, mopey person who complained about his struggles. He was a King who loved and lived freely. As his children, we emulate his life when we laugh, love and ignore fear. We can learn to wake up each morning and declare the next 24 hours as moments lived for God. We can embrace each hour as an opportunity to spread joy and peace rather than doom and gloom. We can approach each day as a challenge to find the good in it and show love to everyone we meet.
Queen Latifah's character received a new diagnosis and lived to see her dreams come true. Whether we have three weeks or three decades, life represents opportunities to be our best and live as examples of breathing hope.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
His Presence
I'm in a small group that is studying about the Tabernacle. It's fun to go through those Old Testament passages and rediscover the symbols and meanings. God directed the children of Israel to put the Tabernacle together as a reminder that he was with them in the wilderness.
This week, I read a devotion that referred back to the Tabernacle and encouraged us Christians to remember that God's presence is always with us - even now. Just as the Israelites carried the pieces of the Tabernacle from place to place, so we carry the presence of God with us. Because the Holy Spirit lives in us, we are a temple - a reminder to all that Emanuel - God is with us.
During this job search, it comforts me to know God is with me. When I worry about my son's health, it encourages me to know that God is also with him. As I do my daily tasks, knowing that God is with me helps me stay focused.
It's good to know today that the very presence of God is with me - and also with you.
This week, I read a devotion that referred back to the Tabernacle and encouraged us Christians to remember that God's presence is always with us - even now. Just as the Israelites carried the pieces of the Tabernacle from place to place, so we carry the presence of God with us. Because the Holy Spirit lives in us, we are a temple - a reminder to all that Emanuel - God is with us.
During this job search, it comforts me to know God is with me. When I worry about my son's health, it encourages me to know that God is also with him. As I do my daily tasks, knowing that God is with me helps me stay focused.
It's good to know today that the very presence of God is with me - and also with you.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A Strange Place
We Christians live in a strange place. It is possible to be afraid and still be trusting God. Sometimes we suffer pain, yet have an inner peace. We are in the world and not really of the world. We live on Planet Earth, but long for our home in Heaven.
I'm in a strange place now - looking for a job, trying not to let fear and discouragement be the emotions that define me. Still trusting God to work it out and to send me where I can be the most good.
The Apostle Paul understood our dilemma. He wrote, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
So every morning I get up and say, "Thank you, God, for this good day. Maybe today I'll get that new job."
Every night, I praise God for being with me during the day. Sometimes, with tears streaming onto my pillow, I remind God he has promised to be faithful. I tell him that my son and I need help. Then I go on trusting - in this strange place.
I'm in a strange place now - looking for a job, trying not to let fear and discouragement be the emotions that define me. Still trusting God to work it out and to send me where I can be the most good.
The Apostle Paul understood our dilemma. He wrote, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
So every morning I get up and say, "Thank you, God, for this good day. Maybe today I'll get that new job."
Every night, I praise God for being with me during the day. Sometimes, with tears streaming onto my pillow, I remind God he has promised to be faithful. I tell him that my son and I need help. Then I go on trusting - in this strange place.
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