One weekend, I watched a football game on TV. The score was tied, and it was up to the kicker to win or lose the game. He gave the ball a mighty kick, and it soared through the goalposts. Just before he was mobbed by his happy teammates, the kicker raised his eyes to heaven and pointed upward. He seemed to be saying, “Praise God! The victory is won!”
I have no doubts about the sincerity of this young man, and I have seen other athletes make the same gesture – after the home run, after the three point shot, after the tape is broken at the finish line. I enjoy the ecstasy of the win, but I also wonder about praising God during the agony of defeat.
The Apostle Paul encouraged us to give thanks in all circumstances – not just when we win, but also when the job doesn’t appear, when the disease is not healed, when we have more questions than answers. Can we praise God as fervently from the lonely room, from the hospital, from the cemetery?
This Thanksgiving, I still have questions, but I’m grateful God knows the answers. Even if he doesn’t share them with me, I want to be thankful for His presence while I question. Even if my three point shot for a published book bounces off the backboard, I want to raise my eyes to heaven and say thank you for the attempt. Even if the job isn’t secure and the Christmas goose isn’t fat, I want to point skyward and praise the One who makes Thanksgiving possible.
“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Hope Waits for Heaven
Yesterday, I shopped for a Christmas gift for my great niece. She’s eight months old, and a real sweetie. I found a darling corduroy outfit, but also wanted to buy her a toy. None of the rattles or teddy bears seemed right. Then as I strolled through the baby aisle, I noticed a soft doll - perfect for little Ainsley.
But as I carried the doll through the store, I suddenly missed my daughter. Rachel was only three months old, safely growing in my womb, when she died. Although it’s been 27 years, I still miss her. I grieve because I never had the opportunity to hold her, to kiss her, to watch her grow up.
Completely overcome by fresh grief, I retreated to a quiet corner and cried for my loss – for the years I had spent apart from my daughter, for the missed birthday parties, for the dolls I never bought her.
“Oh, God,” I prayed, “please tell Rachel how much I love her, how much I miss her. And thank you that someday, I’ll see her in heaven where we’ll never be separated again.”
Although it’s healthy to release our grief, it’s important to keep our focus on the One who gives comfort. Hope waits for those who wait for us – the mothers and fathers, the grandparents and the sweet children who leave us early. Hope waits to see Jesus Himself, who holds our loved ones in the palm of His hand.
But as I carried the doll through the store, I suddenly missed my daughter. Rachel was only three months old, safely growing in my womb, when she died. Although it’s been 27 years, I still miss her. I grieve because I never had the opportunity to hold her, to kiss her, to watch her grow up.
Completely overcome by fresh grief, I retreated to a quiet corner and cried for my loss – for the years I had spent apart from my daughter, for the missed birthday parties, for the dolls I never bought her.
“Oh, God,” I prayed, “please tell Rachel how much I love her, how much I miss her. And thank you that someday, I’ll see her in heaven where we’ll never be separated again.”
Although it’s healthy to release our grief, it’s important to keep our focus on the One who gives comfort. Hope waits for those who wait for us – the mothers and fathers, the grandparents and the sweet children who leave us early. Hope waits to see Jesus Himself, who holds our loved ones in the palm of His hand.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tribute to Caleb
Today is my son’s 25th birthday. I am so grateful that he has reached this milestone. God has come through on the promise he gave me when Caleb was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor: “The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.”
I’m also grateful for the person Caleb is, for the young man who continues to work part-time and go to school part-time, reaching for his goals. He’s come through so many difficult times with a great attitude, a desire to make something better of himself and a smile that makes this mother’s heart do an extra thump.
He was a happy child, even when sick. He would throw up and announce, “Thar’ she blows!” An early talker and reader, he passed all the kindergarten tests with ease. When the other kids were asked to name an animal, they said, “Kitty or doggie or tiger.” Caleb answered, “Chameleon – they change colors, you know.”
Junior high and high school were difficult, but Caleb made it through. He focused on his music, winning an award as the fastest drummer, and marching in step with the FreeState band. He helped me around the house and left notes to encourage me. One note hangs on my kitchen cabinet. Caleb wrote it after I lost my job, “I know you don’t like roller coasters, but God is taking us on one. I’ll hold my hands up the whole way, and we will be okay.”
The Stage 3 cancer was a blow, but Caleb marched through his chemo and radiation treatments with ever-increasing courage. Even now, he uses his scar as a conversation-starter and refuses to wallow in self-pity. He understands how fragile life is and how precious each moment can be. He is looking forward to finishing his degree in criminal justice and securing a great job – hopefully, near the beach in California.
Someone recently asked me who I admire. I answered, “My son. I admire my son.”
Happy birthday, dear Caleb, and many more.
I’m also grateful for the person Caleb is, for the young man who continues to work part-time and go to school part-time, reaching for his goals. He’s come through so many difficult times with a great attitude, a desire to make something better of himself and a smile that makes this mother’s heart do an extra thump.
He was a happy child, even when sick. He would throw up and announce, “Thar’ she blows!” An early talker and reader, he passed all the kindergarten tests with ease. When the other kids were asked to name an animal, they said, “Kitty or doggie or tiger.” Caleb answered, “Chameleon – they change colors, you know.”
Junior high and high school were difficult, but Caleb made it through. He focused on his music, winning an award as the fastest drummer, and marching in step with the FreeState band. He helped me around the house and left notes to encourage me. One note hangs on my kitchen cabinet. Caleb wrote it after I lost my job, “I know you don’t like roller coasters, but God is taking us on one. I’ll hold my hands up the whole way, and we will be okay.”
The Stage 3 cancer was a blow, but Caleb marched through his chemo and radiation treatments with ever-increasing courage. Even now, he uses his scar as a conversation-starter and refuses to wallow in self-pity. He understands how fragile life is and how precious each moment can be. He is looking forward to finishing his degree in criminal justice and securing a great job – hopefully, near the beach in California.
Someone recently asked me who I admire. I answered, “My son. I admire my son.”
Happy birthday, dear Caleb, and many more.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
True Satisfaction
The temp job has ended, so once again I am looking for that full-time job with benefits – out there – somewhere.
Last night, the divine whisper sent me to Psalm 63:5, “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods….”
It’s true that rich foods can be satisfying. Just today, a wonderful friend brought me a strawberry shake from Dairy Queen – richly satisfying. But I know tomorrow, I’ll be hungry again.
Other things in this life are satisfying: new clothes, a different hairdo, redecorating the house – even a full-time job. But none of these things last. None of them really satisfy those inner cravings for security, intimacy and peace.
How do we find true satisfaction that lasts? The verses preceding and following Psalm 63:5 answer the question. “I will praise you, God, and honor you as long as I live,” “I lift up my hands to you in prayer,” “I praise you with songs of joy,” “I lie awake, thinking of you.”
True satisfaction is found when we focus on God’s love rather than our problems. Complete security is found in Christ; not in jobs. Real intimacy is found in the arms of our loving Savior. Sweet peace is felt as we trust God for the answers.
The richest satisfaction in life is knowing that we belong to God, and nothing can ever take that away.
Last night, the divine whisper sent me to Psalm 63:5, “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods….”
It’s true that rich foods can be satisfying. Just today, a wonderful friend brought me a strawberry shake from Dairy Queen – richly satisfying. But I know tomorrow, I’ll be hungry again.
Other things in this life are satisfying: new clothes, a different hairdo, redecorating the house – even a full-time job. But none of these things last. None of them really satisfy those inner cravings for security, intimacy and peace.
How do we find true satisfaction that lasts? The verses preceding and following Psalm 63:5 answer the question. “I will praise you, God, and honor you as long as I live,” “I lift up my hands to you in prayer,” “I praise you with songs of joy,” “I lie awake, thinking of you.”
True satisfaction is found when we focus on God’s love rather than our problems. Complete security is found in Christ; not in jobs. Real intimacy is found in the arms of our loving Savior. Sweet peace is felt as we trust God for the answers.
The richest satisfaction in life is knowing that we belong to God, and nothing can ever take that away.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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