Adjusting

My right eye is still adjusting to all the excitement and disruption of last week’s cataract surgery.

It takes time.

I noticed a new weird thing and asked my eye doctor about it at my one week check up yesterday. Apparently I can see the outer edge of the implant — which is not the word I would have thought to use — and it will take time for everything to settle down in there. He said to give it 30 days.

It takes time.

Lots of things take time. I actually prefer to do a deep dive and get super focused on projects and get them taken care of, but that really doesn’t work for most things.

Relationships.

Savings accounts.

Healing.

Strength building.

Big projects.

It’s important to allow the time needed and even allow extra time because things don’t always go as planned.

I can do my part. But I also need to trust God with His part. If He is guiding me…

…and I am listening…

the next steps will be in front of me.

I am trusting God with His timing. He knows our needs and well provides [for] us. Loves us every day the same — He even call us by our name!

In the Word

This is friendly reminder that any devotion or book is not a substitute for being in God’s Word.

I get it, life is busy. But interacting with Scripture needs to be our first line of defense against satan’s wiley schemes.

Speed reading probably isn’t the way to go here — I suggest a good soak.

I just heard a podcast today and a suggestion was to pick a short book or a couple of chapters (about 15 minutes of reading) and read the same thing for 30 days. If you think that might be a little much, you can change up the translations for an interesting twist.

But, whether you do that or go through the Bible in a year or three — it doesn’t matter.

God brings His Word to life as we breathe and read and hear it. Sure, having some explanations is great on occasion, but you can trust God to enlighten you in a variety of ways.

Being IN the Word will help your stand ON the Word. It will be in your heart — on your mind — and that is where God does His work — on each one of us.

Don’t worry about getting it all right and all the best practices. God created you in an amazing way. How you connect with His Word can look differently from those around you. If you want to listen, do that. Read? That’s great. Write it out? Ooh, that connection between reading or hearing and writing is so good for retention.

He invites us to join Him in Scripture. Let’s accept that opportunity and grow in it!

Trash and treasure

If you have ever visited garage sales, estate sales, or thrift stores you know that there are things for sale that vary in value.

Sometimes that kind of stuff is even left at the curb!

The owner was done with it and that’s that. Sometimes there is much more to the story, but we just don’t know it.

And, it happens for people, too. For any number of reasons, there are people out and about and they aren’t valued or taken care of.

Sometimes, they have no concept of their worth!

But, God surely knows. And since we know God, we should know it, too.

Be sure to treat people as the gifts they are, even if they don’t have an understanding of their value.

Maybe even especially if they don’t.

When we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Romans 5:8

And he died for them, too!

Colors

My cataract surgery was successful! I

only needed to have the right eye done at this point. But, that sure makes for an interesting situation. If I was a painter or someone who depended on seeing colors accurately, I would be in big trouble.

What I see isn’t “true”. The colors I see with my left eye are not the same with my right eye. It’s fascinating and unnerving all at the same time.

But the world is brighter. I have clearer vision. The changes are pretty dramatic.

But what is right? What is true? Is it the lens?

You would think you could trust what you see with your eyes. Apparently, I cannot. Each eye sees different colors.

All this to say — I need to be walking more by faith anyway. I mean, really, whatever I see is only from my perspective. God doesn’t promise me His big picture vision, even though I do ask for it. That’s not what He is looking for.

He is looking for faith and trust.

My eyes are open and I am looking at what I can see around me. But I am listening for His voice and walking forward in faith!

Refreshment

Are you looking for a tangible way to feel refreshed, renewed, and reborn?

Take a shower!

But, not just any shower. Take a shower and remember your baptism.

God wants us to come just as we are!

— no need to clean up

God wants us to let Him wash away our sins!

— no need to clean up first

God wants us to trust that His work is enough

— there is nothing we add to His work

Think it over. How can a simple shower remind you of God’s work?

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me!

Following instructions

I will admit that I don’t follow instructions all that well. I don’t like to read directions. And of you tell me something, you might as well also write it down because I likely won’t remember the fine details. But, since I know this about myself, I extend the same courtesy to others that I would like.

You can tell me but also write it down. And then check in if you want to make sure I am on it. I am not offended if you do!

Given this is how I operate, it is no surprise to me that my Creator gets me! God covers all of the learning styles in His Word. He knows we often need to hear and see things — and we need reminders.

What is a Bible verse you have committed to memory because you need the reminder for yourself? I would love to see it!

When we hide God’s Word in our heart, we are following His instructions. That doesn’t mean we will do everything perfectly, but we have a better chance of making better choices when we have God’s Word influencing our day!

Your rearview mirror

I don’t always recommend looking back — mainly because it can throw us off while moving forward. You need your eyes to take you where you are going next.

But, that is the beauty of using a rearview mirror. It’s a glance. And, that is all it should be.

Unless, of course, you are remembering God’s faithfulness over the course of your life. That is a place to spend some time, especially if you are looking forward to something that is unknown like a job change or relationship change. Maybe there is an unexpected death or medical diagnosis.

God is with you!

It is worth it to look back and document how God has provided for you in the past —

Have you gathered some stones for a remembrance spot? Have you marked the places of God’s faithfulness by journaling? How do you remember?

We have many accounts in Scripture highlighting God’s faithfulness. Have you written any accounts of your own? Do your friends or family members know of your faith journey?

Think about three important times where God’s faithfulness was apparent. Consider writing or otherwise recording those times. Find someone to share it with. And consider making or buying something tangible that can help you remember His faithfulness. A faith marker can serve as a quick reminder. Yes, we should be looking forward and ready to embrace the day. And when we glance in our rearview mirror, seeing all the faith markers along the path of our life helps us remember He was, He is, and He is to come.

God is with us!

Spiritual mentors

Throughout my life I have had multiple people who bestowed spiritual wisdom on me.

Of course, a lot of that has come through God’s Word. I have been reading the Bible and gleaning spiritual truths from there for decades. But then there are writers and speakers of more modern times — some who passed away long before I knew they existed.

Then there are those who are still living who don’t know me.

And, finally, there are others who are in my life — they know me.

I have considered sending a note to some of the living — to thank them for their words and their impact on my faith.

So, think about the spiritual elders in your life — your neighbors, special friends, church members, or family members — and let them know their impact on your spiritual growth.

And if it isn’t easy or possible to express your thanks to the people, thank God for their presence in your life and ask God to bless them.

Put your own mask on first

If you have flown anywhere you might remember the instruction to put your own oxygen mask on first before helping someone traveling with you who cannot do it themselves.

And that is how it is with giving to others. We need to be sure we have something to give from.

A depleted soul is in need of receiving — of being filled up. And it is easy to be depleted these days. There are so many worldly things clamoring for our attention. There are also worthy things we need to focus on. And all of it can be draining.

God is in the business of filling us up with His mercy, grace, love, peace, and more. But a constantly moving vessel cannot easily receive. It takes time to absorb and soak in God’s Word. When we pause with God’s words — through a sermon, personal study, prayer, or music — and allow it to captivate and engross us, we will find that is time well spent. We know God will meet our needs and give us enough.

May we go to the Source for our needs and be still enough so God can fill us up for the demands of the day!

Clear vision

This week I will have surgery to address the cataract in my right eye. While I have cataracts in both eyes, only the right one is a problem at this time.

Have you ever noticed your vision or perspective change slowly over time? I rarely do. But, when things get to a point when it really feels different then I seem to realize that something has been happening, over time.

It’s kind of like the frog in the kettle. You don’t really notice where you are — maybe you are lulled into complacency — until it is (almost) too late.

Of course, I don’t feel like I am too late dealing with this cataract. And, by the end of the year my left eye might need to be done, too. That would be convenient, “deductibly” speaking.

But, if we are speaking about the way of the world and the destructive rabbit trails and worldly views that can subtly and quickly surround us, now that can really cause some issues.

How do we stand guard and protect or ensure God’s perspective is coming through?

By walking close to God.

Surrounding ourselves with Scripture is a big help. Regular communication with God — even if it is lamenting 😊– just keeping that door open is also important. Attending church services or Bible studies — and having Faith- filled friends and family are all ways to ensure — or at least help — your spiritual eyes to be aware and in synch with God.

And, sometimes, you might need to go “under the knife” to address the issue.

God is there, too!