Little things add up

Every day I walk in my neighborhood I take my trash grabber with me and a bag for collecting trash while I walk. It is amazing how much trash there is floating around on a daily basis. The worst days are when it is windy on trash pickup day. Things blow all around.

Here and there, it all adds up. These all can be labeled in different ways:
Cigarette butts
Little alcohol bottles
Fast food trash
Yard trash
Tools
Masks
Gloves
Candy wrappers

Every day I walk around the neighborhood I come back with a plastic grocery bag full of trash. And it is a result of a variety of contributions from the neighborhood and as well as the people who drive through it.

And it makes me think about the daily things in my own life. I have my own bad habits, good habits, dangerous habits, healthy habits, careless habits, caring habits, mindful habits, and mindless habits….

As I gather up the collection of things in the neighborhood “on the daily” or “on the weekly” it is a bit of a reflection of what I am doing with my own life. Am I being intentional about cleaning up some of those bad habits? Have I become so accustomed to them that I don’t even see them anymore? I bet the people in my life notice them even if I don’t. And I have some little eyes and ears around every week who see and hear my reaction to things. I don’t want those little ones to catch bad habits from me.

As you think about your daily habits, be encouraged by your healthy ones. And consider working on one of the unhealthy ones. We all have some of both. But, if you find a habit that is blocking your progress in another area of your life, it might be time to make a change.

Establishing a new pattern can help bust an old habit. God knows how we are, but He also desires us to be moving towards healthier choices and better ways of communicating. If you take an honest assessment of how you are doing and offer it to God, He will surely equip you with resources to overcome those areas where you need a little help. He absolutely loves you just as you are. And He wants to be with you as you grow in love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness!

Father of Compassion

I stumble. I fall. I do those things I wish I would not do yet again.

Even though I get frustrated with myself, I have never once imagined God ready to pull His hair out because I am not “getting it.”

Instead, I see His mercy and grace and compassion.

It isn’t that the wrath of God does not exist. But the Bible illustrates many situations where God showed compassion: Jesus feeding the crowds, Jesus meeting the woman at the well, Jesus healing the many, many people He healed.

Maybe all of those different scenarios are for us to see ourselves in them.

God does not tire of hearing from us. When we are coming to Him it is usually out of our own need or we are coming on the behalf of others.

Even if we aren’t coming to Him with pure intentions He can take and shape our prayers to become “His will.”

As humans, we can get tired of repeated situations with the humans around us. Our fuses are sometimes short for our siblings, co-workers, neighbors, spouse, children, or grandchildren.

He is the Father of Compassion.

My prayer is that I respond as one who is frequently shown compassion, mercy, and grace. I hope to reflect my Father’s heart.

Lapse, Relapse, and Setbacks

We’ve had illness at our house since February 1st.

Today is March 16th, and I am ready for a healthy home.

I have a cough that is hanging on a bit. But I really can’t figure out if Don’s illness has morphed from the original or he was on the mend but then had a relapse.

Of course, we won’t ever really know. And it doesn’t much matter. It’s just how it is.

But, it got me thinking about lapses — in judgement.

And relapses — which don’t always involve judgement but sometimes do.

And then, of course, setbacks which cover a wide range of things from mental, physical, spiritual, financial, and more.

They are all interruptions that take you off the path you had hoped or planned to be on. And they can be frustrating.

But, there is also some learning that can happen in those times as well. Are you teachable? Are you curious? Would you like to figure out how to get closer to solving that persistent problem?

And, possibly, is this that “thorn in your flesh” that I suspect we all have? The Apostle Paul talks about his in 2 Corinthians:

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. [2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV]

We are living on an Earth riddled by sin. And our sin contributes to it as well. What if this thorn in the flesh is actually something for our good — to keep us tethered to God and dependent on Him for our every day? At the very least it can be something used for our good, by God.

I am not a theologian. But I know God loves me. And I trust His work in my life.

Sometimes I cause my own grief and sometimes difficulties are thrust upon me. I lapse and relapse. I have and will continue to experience setbacks in all the ways.

But, I am confident in God’s work in and through it all. I pray you are as well!

His grace is sufficient for you, for His power is made perfect in weakness!

Default Responses

If I am feeling off and then have what I consider a challenging conversation, you might find me responding in my “default” setting.

I would love to say my default response is grace, love, and soft like a little bunny but it isn’t always.

When I am feeling vulnerable, depleted, or unappreciated I may respond with some ugliness.

This is why it is so important for me to anchor my day with God. Remembering His love and provision for me and acknowledging His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love. It doesn’t make my responses perfect. But, if I get too many days away from remembering His work in my life, I more easily switch into a default response.

We can be so hard on ourselves…

Have you ever noticed that sometimes you are harder on yourself than you are on others?

Well, maybe you are also hard on others and you maybe should check on that.

Those voices that are in your head? Sometimes they aren’t kind at all. But, first you need to notice that they are there.

And those thoughts that are not loving and kind are not from God.

Does God love every thing we do and say? No, but He does not condemn us. So take note of the tone of voice floating around in your mind. Ok, it might not be audible, but there is such a thing as self-talk.

Negative thoughts make their appearance and take root at a variety of points in our lives. At some point we need to work through them and dismantle them.

But, spending more time in God’s Word and surrounding yourself with Scripture is definitely an important first step. I didn’t come up with this phrase but I think it can be helpful — it is hard to stand on Scripture when you aren’t in it.

You know how satan’s schemes. He distracts us and we even distract ourselves. Will we ever get to the bottom of it all? Maybe. Maybe not. But spending time with God, offering intercessions for others, expressing gratitude, and memorizing encouragement from Scripture is never a waste.

Write out your thoughts and prayers. Offer them up.

And give yourself the grace you are so inclined to give others!

May God grant you His perfect peace!

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!

Knock, knock

I never really know what is on the other side of the door. I can try to peek out from a curtain window or I can look through the peephole if there is one.

Might it be flowers? Bad news? An opportunity to assist? Am I needed?

There are so many ways a day can go. If you can start your day by being the one to “ask, seek, and knock” you might find that you are in a better position to adjust to the needs of the day.

Approaching God and recognizing His gifts of forgiveness and grace puts our heart in a good space. Offering our prayers and intercessions is a beautiful way to start the day.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened”. Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

Background noise

I have been a little more sensitive to noise lately. I wore headphones when I flew earlier this month. They were not total noise cancelling headphones but, wow, they sure dulled the roar of the plane. It was amazing the difference when I had them on.

What kind of background “noise” is going on in your mind and soul as you move through a day? Is it helpful? Kind? True? Sometimes the rumblings are anything but positive. And it is important to root those out and replace them. Sometimes they are one liners that were tossed your way during your childhood, maybe they were words from someone you trusted, or maybe they are thoughts you have about a circumstance.

Sometimes we are so used to hearing background noise that we don’t even realize its there. But it can shape our day, our week, and even our life.

Below are some Scripture verses you might consider inserting into the “noise” of your day. Turn up the volume on these! They are powerful and worth pondering. You can doodle them, embroider them, write them out and put them in places around your living space. They probably all have a song written based on them. Surround yourself with good news — good words. And share those with others, too!

Be willing to investigate some of the background noise you have been listening to. Chances are they are not good, helpful, kind or true.

Have some other favorites to share? I would love to see them!

John 16:33 (ESV)
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 34:4–5, 8 (ESV)
I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

Romans 15:13 (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Regrets

Oohhhh. I have a few. Do you?

In the past, if I had a sleepless night, I have run through all of the regrets I have.

What a waste of energy. I feel like that is a perfect way for my day to get derailed. And, God is certainly not behind that.

In some situations, there aren’t “do overs” and sometimes our miss “takes” have some serious consequences. Sometimes we have done things simply out of ignorance. Other times, we have done things out of rebellion. Sometime we have deliberately done things or deliberately not done things without truly understanding the ramifications. Have you ever done something even when you were “old enough to know better?” Yea, me too.

How do you deal with your regrets?

Here is what I try to do:

a) realize and admit to the misstep, mistake, sin — whatever it is.
b) recognize that there may be some damage that cannot be reversed
c) if I was doing the best I knew at the time, accept that
d) ask for forgiveness from God and, if possible, from the others who were impacted
e) forgive myself
f) bring it back to God when I am stuck at any one of these steps

As humans, we make mistakes, missteps, and we sin. Sometimes we do this out of ignorance and sometimes it is very deliberate. And there are times that the aftermath of our decisions has some devastating consequences. We are sinners and we are living and working with other sinners. It can be ugly out there. It can be ugly in my heart.

But, God — He takes all of it. He can work through all of it. He can handle all of it. He can forgive all of it. He can redeem all of it.

God can.

Let Him do what only He can do. It won’t make everything rosy and perfect. But, He will bring it together in a message of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and redemption — over time.

It’s personal…

It might be easy to look at the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and be shocked and disappointed about the betrayal by those who had a role in this agonizing and heartbreaking moment as it unfolded.

How could they?

How could God?

Jesus’ disciples, friends, and family had a front row seat. I can’t imagine watching it all. It’s easy to point an incredulous finger and have a look of disgust. But I have to remember that even though this took place before I drew my first breath, God’s plan was laid out…

…for me and my rebellion…

….for you and yours…

It’s personal.

God’s love came down and took our sins on as His own.

God provides all that we cannot: love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and salvation.