Ugh!

I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news. I also don’t like to be the receiver.

And I certainly don’t like to have my hopes up about something and have it not turn out the way I anticipated. Sometimes things do not look at all the way we imagined.

I generally try to reframe these types of situations when I can. It just isn’t always possible. I need to make peace with being disappointed. It’s just a regular part of life.

We live in a world where people will disappoint us and, honestly, we will disappoint ourselves.

It’s a fallen world.

And to think that there is something wrong with things not always going “my way” is an illusion. This life is not for me. I am here. I enjoy my life, but it is not the end game.

And life is relatively short in the scheme of things. But sometimes it can feel quite long, depending on our expectations, circumstances, and duration.

So now what?

I have to fall back on what God says.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.  Proverbs 3:5-8  NIV

What stands out to me today?

Don’t be wise in your own eyes!

God’s wisdom goes far beyond my own. And this is where trusting in the LORD comes in.

In what areas of your life are you learning to trust God more?

Blessings on your day!
Liz

Whether or not you recognize or acknowledge the giver of a gift, you have received a gift.

I was chatting with a friend recently who has seen prayer after prayer been answered in her daughter’s life. But her daughter continues to be blind to these answered prayers. I pray one day she recognizes that God has still been lavishly giving to her some beautiful gifts — in answer to her her mother’s prayers —

It seems that many of those who have been raised in a Christian family are actively rejecting the Christian faith. It’s not looking “a little different”, it isn’t about “a different denomination” or a neutral position. It seems to be a complete rejection of God and the Christian faith.

I have listened to a lot of friends who have had similar experiences and it is heartbreaking and so interesting, too.

I grew up in a family with an occasional connection to God. I don’t seem to remember being in one church but a little here and a little there until I ended up at a church where I could have easy, regular access. My brother was the new organist. I was 12. He needed someone to help in the choir and so there I was at church twice a week. Once for choir practice and once for church. And it just went on from there.

My mom had been disillusioned by behavior in the church — quite honestly, I don’t blame her. I have seen some ugly stuff. But, it never caused me to wonder about God’s goodness. And when things did not go “my way” or when I strayed away from the narrower path, I always knew in my soul about God’s grace and God’s gifts. Even if I wasn’t surrounded by it actively His provision was all around me. I longed for that connection — possibly because it wasn’t in my day-to-day experience.

We are encouraged to bring our children up “in the Lord” but maybe all that familiarity squelches any kind of longing for God on their part. God isn’t the forbidden fruit or relegated to an obligatory service two holidays a year in the midst of family life.

Even those who are wrestling with a Biblical understanding of God are still be provided for — in ways they don’t know, see, or acknowledge. I think that is spiritual blindness that prevents them from seeing. And the prayers and petitions are often through a parent, grandparent, sibling, or friend.

Your prayers are a provision. It is a great honor to intercede for those “who know not what they do.” Keep praying!

Blessings on your day!
Liz

It always amazes me the connections we have with others.

It’s a small, small world….

It really is. I have two cool examples of it but, truly, there are many, many more.

Example 1: About 10 years ago I am in Hungary with my cousin who speaks no English and I know a thimbleful of Hungarian. We walk into a little shop in a little town and I am thinking it feels very familiar. So, I communicate this to my cousin (somehow) and she explains to the guy that I am looking for things to sell to my customers in the U.S. and she starts to tell the story about my mom and mentions her name and the business name. And, lo and behold, he knew my mom and had worked with her and had heard the news — knew she was ill — and had passed away. He was so excited to meet me and we continue to work together.

Example 2: About 5 years ago I was in Hungary with one of our tour groups and we are visiting another little town. We had an egg decorating workshop with an excellent instructor. She doesn’t speak any English. After our class I ask my tour partner to introduce me to her because this gal is one of those people that loves to pass on cultural heritage through folk art and I want to see if there is a way to work together. So, my tour partner does a quick run down of who I am — and, more importantly, where I came from (my mom) — and this gal’s face lit up! She was soooo excited to meet me. She was so sorry my mom had passed away. And while I haven’t figured out the way to teach a class with her just yet over Zoom, we are working together in other ways.

God has been bridging the gaps for me in this business adventure since the beginning. And we was working on those bridges before I even knew this would be the adventure I would be on.

I know this is a physical kind of situation and it doesn’t really seem to be directly connected to FAITH. But, it is. God’s provisions — they are in our physical, emotional, and spiritual world. He is daily providing for me in small and large ways.

And He is doing that for you, too.

Follow the strings in relationships, in connections, in provisions — you will see that they all lead back to God who has always been in the business of “bridging the gap”, starting with Jesus!

Blessings on your day!
Liz

This is always such an exciting time of year! So much is bursting forth!

We have a variety of flowers in our yard.
There are new sprigs of grace.
Wild onions.

All the birds — chirping so sweetly.
Looking for food and nesting material.

The days are sunnier. I just need to make sure I get outside and soak in it.

Daffodils are blooming. The tulips are getting there.

The blooms and bids are telling us that things are changing.

Our thermometers or weather apps might show us what is happening for only today, but soon we will be fully into Spring!

Hooray!

Baby bunnies, squirrels, and birds.
Only a light jacket.
Rain showers and puddles.
Spring thunderstorms.

I am ready for the new season. I love being in a place where we can watch each season unfold.

I am always so amazed at God’s design for our world — the seasons, and the beauty of each one. The diversity of the plant and animal kingdom. It’s unfathomable how much beauty there is and how much can be lerned.

Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of the seasons. And providing us with the encouragement to bloom and bud connect with You for guidance and nourishment!

Blessings on your day!
Liz

I have been considering freedom as we are coming up on the anniversary of one of Hungary’s attempt at freedom from being ruled by someone other than themselves. Hungary has struggled with that many times over the last many years. They have wrestled for freedom and lost.

I can relate in many ways.

Of course, there is the ultimate freedom in Christ, which I do have. My faith is secure. Christ has won that battle.

But the day-to-day battles are tiring.

I am freed from _____________.

I am free to _______________.

What kinds of tricks does my adversary use to distract me from enjoying the freedom that is mine?

Distraction
Dissatisfaction
Discontent
Discouragement
Disdain
Disparage
Disapprove
Disgrace

I am being “dissed” in every direction if I let these things run my day and my thoughts.

I lean on God and His Word to permeate my heart and mind. God reminds me of my freedom

If the Son gives you freedom, you are free! John 8:36 CEV

Indeed! Now I need to live in that freedom!

Blessings on your day!
Liz

Are you or someone you love struggling with job woes?

Sometimes the job itself is perfect but the interpersonal dynamics are challenging. Other times its the exact opposite.

You or someone you love might be struggling with the state of your wages, a ridiculous boss, the tension of a buy out, a transfer, instability of market demands, political upheaval that impacts the workplace, low wages vs. too much debt, or any kind of illness that makes it hard to show up.

My go to response (once I remember) is to pray about it. And ask others to pray for it, too. Job struggles can cause tension at home. If we spend 40 hours a week at work, that’s a big portion of our week and it is completely understandable that difficulties in the workplace will mean that some of that stress comes home and impacts home life.

Jobs and the workplace really are such a big part of our lives that it really would be nice to have at least a neutral or positive feeling about them. But when you are chronically unemployed, underemployed, struggling with illnesses, or otherwise in a tough employment situation it takes a toll on other areas of life.

If you are sitting in a great position, give thanks for that and pray for those who are not.

Blessings on your day!
Liz

I think each of us have been given talents — some are very obvious and others are not as easy to see.

First, have you thought about letting your hidden talents be seen by more people? Are you struggling to find out if you have a talent? I hope not. Sometimes we downplay our giftedness — maybe it doesn’t seem significant enough to bring up or we are shy about it.

A talent is best celebrated when it is shared.

God, the good giver, gave us these talents to share them, not to hide them under a bushel.

If you are more on the reserved side and you don’t like attention, believe me, I get it. I don’t think you have to shout from the rooftops, “Hey, I have been given this talent!”

But, you can go on a treasure hunt looking for the talents that others have. Encourage them in their special giftedness, cheer them on, support them with resources or help them make connections.

Too often talents are hidden — but they are gifts: to our families, neighborhoods, communities, etc.

Honor the Giver by seeking out the gifts in others and sharing the gifts you have been given!

Blessings on your day!
Liz

In everyday life, we need friction. Here are just a few, simple examples:

Walking
Driving
Writing
Pushing a cart
Brushing hair

I have a tendency to think of friction as a bad thing. I think it’s because I am relational and when I think of friction it is most often in terms of relationships. And for some reason I categorize it as negative.

But, friction in relationships can:

• Improve verbal communication
• Overcome barriers to connection
• Increase empathy or understanding
• Demonstrate affection or respect more effectively

I am working on being thankful for friction. Of course, the physical aspects of it — what it allows us to do. All that is worth noting.

And also in terms of relationships. Friction can be a signal that something is amiss. And straightening that out is usually worth doing.

In general, friction isn’t always about conflict and I need to keep that in mind.

Are you experiencing some friction in your relationships? Is there a new way to look at it? Have you been asking God for wisdom and insight into potential resolutions?

Blessings on your day!
Liz

I am not sure why I fought AGAINST naps so much as a child because now I fight FOR them!

As I laid my head down for a short nap before noon on a day where I had not slept well the night before it occurred to me that I need more power prayers in my life.

Similar to a power nap, a power prayer is a short, focused opportunity to share with God a pressing concern. Power prayers can, ideally, punctuate our day!

Maybe there is a change in routine we can experiment with during a health crisis or some big event happening in someone’s life. It doesn’t need to take the place of regular prayer time, although it can. But maybe there is an alarm set or a daily event that can be also used for praying.

I know, I am not good at posturing my body for prayer. I don’t kneel, I don’t have a special place where I pray. I just talk to God throughout the day.

But this power prayer can be more intentional:

Every hour on the hour.
On a daily walk.
During break time.
Traveling to or from work.

The days seem to be flying by quickly now and there is no shortage of the need to pray. It is important to take and make the time to intercede for all the things that are happening around us!

Blessings on your day!
Liz

I always try to talk myself out of the easier path.

There are times when it isn’t even an option. But when it is, I find a reason to not let myself use it.

I am not sure why that is. I don’t think God expects us to do everything from scratch. And truly, I have a lot of “helpers” in my life compared to earlier generations.

Washing machine
Dryer
Microwave
Automobile
Computer
Indoor plumbing
Electricity
Heat/Air conditioning in my home and vehicle

The list is endless. And I am thankful for those things listed above and many more.

And there are enough difficulties in life that I don’t think I need to try to make all things difficult. These inventions have made my life easier.

But, the question is, easier for what?

Like, what am I doing with my time instead of all the time it used to take to do all the things like draw water from the well, chop the wood and feed the fire, walk or ride my horse to town, grow all my own things and preserve them?

What did I trade for?

Personal study? Personal enrichment? Time in God’s Word? Service to others? Creating?

I don’t know. I am not sure this life is better than that other life. It is different, that is for sure.

I think I just have to make sure that taking the easy path doesn’t mean I expect an easy life. Life with God can be many things, but easy isn’t one of the first things that pops into my mind.

I don’t even have to press the easy button very often — I have so much around me that makes my life easier. But, I will make sure I press the joy button — especially on those days when I am not “feeling it”.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Blessings on your day!
Liz