“These are the wise sayings of Solomon, David’s son, Israel’s king – Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it’s going; A manual for living, for learning what’s right and just and fair; To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. There’s something also for the seasoned men and women, still a thing or two for the experienced to learn – Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.”                           Proverbs 1:1-6, The Message

Because we all seem to have enough stuff in our lives, I find myself challenged to find gifts to send friends and family who live out of town. I never want to send something that isn’t needed or will just sit around. I like to give (and receive) something to be enjoyed – preferably something that is consumable. 

With this in mind, I stumbled upon the idea of sending food items. My son was thrilled the first time I sent him, in his words, “the gift of meat” – specifically steaks. (Sorry if you’re vegetarian or vegan.)

To select his gift, I painstakingly (no pun intended) perused gift box selections to choose just the right cut of meat. I learned rather quickly that those described as “seasoned” filets, rib eyes, New York strips, etc. were much better than the regular ones but not as good as the cuts identified as “aged to perfection.” I ultimately chose the seasoned filets for the cost and the quality – a cut above the rest so to speak.

Not long ago, I was referred to as “seasoned.” I am relatively sure it was a compliment and not just a way to say I’m old. In context, the reference was to my years of tenure in my profession. My time and experience have made me seasoned – not new, veteran, tested. I have had time to improve, get better at what I do like a seasoned athlete, a seasoned professor, or a seasoned pastor.

Time-tested and experienced is generally preferred over a rookie; however, just because you are seasoned it doesn’t mean you are aged to perfection. You can continue to improve, much like those steaks I considered. 

The introduction to the book of Proverbs states there are still things seasoned men and women can learn. The purpose of Proverbs is “To give prudence to the naïve, to the youth knowledge and discretion, A wise person will hear and increase in learning, and a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel…” (Proverbs 1:4 – 5 NASB).

If you are seasoned like me and think you’ve seen, heard, and lived it all, think again.

There is still much to learn and experience especially as a seasoned Christian. The book of Proverbs is a great place to start. If you’ve read it before – read it again. I am confident you will gain new insight. 

Remember, you may be seasoned but you are not yet aged to perfection.

Dear Lord, 

I am often tempted to think I know it all or that I am the one who can teach others a thing or two. Thank you for the wisdom passed on through Solomon and the book of Proverbs that provides “fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate” the minds of those who are seasoned like me.

Amen.

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; You have taken hold of my right hand.”  Psalm 73:23

Think of times over the years when you held someone’s hand. What comes to mind?

Is it the hand of a parent so you wouldn’t wander too far? Is it the hand of a sibling while you crossed the street? Is it the hand of a friend playing a game? (Red Rover, Red Rover …) Is it hand holding in the dark of a movie theater? Or is it holding someone’s hand during a difficult time?

I have many memories like these too. Think of a recent or special time you held someone’s hand and why.

For me two things come to mind. I held the hand of my fragile mother when she couldn’t find words to say and I didn’t know what to say. Also, I held my husband’s hand just because. Yes, after over 30 years of marriage we hold hands and sit on the same side of the table at restaurants. After all this time, we like to be close and hold hands, just because.

Now, imagine holding the hand of Jesus. Upon your profession of faith as a Christian that is exactly what you have done. You have taken hold of His right hand.

Can you think of a time when it was clear that Jesus held your hand?

I can remember several times. The time He held my hand and pulled me close so I would not run off in the wrong direction, saving me from making a poor life choice. The times He held my hand to form a stronghold when someone or something was coming right at me – just like that game of Red Rover I held tightly to Him to stand strong. He also held my hand while I silently grieved and I have felt His touch in the quiet of the morning, just because. 

He is continually with me and with you. He is always near to hold our hand even when no one else physically can or will. 

As a new Christian starting to walk with Jesus, the feeling is so tangible, His presence so evident. The excitement of entering this new life is vibrant. We take His right hand and walk so closely, like little children crossing the street, good friends, and young couples.

As the years pass, do you stay close to Him – just because?

Do you feel that celestial squeeze of your hand during tough times? Maybe through the words of a friend, the lyrics in a song, or a verse of scripture?

Do you feel the energy and gain resolve to do the hard things because you feel His grip on you?

Do you sit silently because you can’t find the words and just feel His presence?

That’s what holding hands with Jesus feels like. 

30 years, 40 years, 50 years and beyond – He is continually with you, sitting right beside you – just because. Take His hand and never walk alone.

Dear Lord, 

I pray that I never let go of your right hand or stray so far that I feel I can’t reach you. What a blessing, a comfort, and a joy to have You continually with me. 

Amen.

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens … a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance …” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 (NIV)

Happy Fall Y’all! Yes, Fall finally arrived in Northwest Georgia. 

I know – the official first day of Fall was back in September, but that generally doesn’t mean much here. One year we were still swimming in 90-degree weather on October 1^st. 

Not this year though. The pool floats are deflated, put away and the pool is officially closed. Our once super-hot days have been replaced with cool mornings and mild afternoons. However, that doesn’t mean we won’t see another abnormally hot day. 

We are fortunate in Georgia to have four distinct seasons annually. The length of each season will vary year to year, but we get a little bit of everything – sometimes all in one day … or so it seems. 

Especially in the Fall. 

I find it difficult most days to decide what to wear. I’m cold in the morning and ready for a sleeveless shirt by the afternoon. Then, I’m cold again once the sun goes down. A long-standing joke here is if you don’t like the weather stick around, it will change.

Change. 

The seasons of the year change often when we least expect it – like someone flipped a switch and suddenly the weather is different.

Different.

We also experience seasons with our emotions. We can be in a season of great joy followed by a season of sadness to be followed by a season of doubt or gratitude or … you name it. 

Like the weather here, I am in an emotional season that changes when I least expect it. I feel different. Not bad, just different. Things are different.

This week it has been one year since my mother passed away. I knew this anniversary was coming but, just like Fall this year, the emotional season it brought caught me off guard. A thought, a memory, a song, a feeling enters my day and the grief is palatable. 

Also, this week my daughter is getting married. We have been planning for the Big Day for almost a year. I knew this time was coming but just like the warmth of the Fall afternoon sun it excites this Mother of the Bride more than I could’ve ever imagined. The garter made from my wedding dress, the song for the father daughter dance, the vows being written by the bride and groom create an overwhelming feeling of joy and pride.

It’s like all the seasons in one week … one day … minute by minute. 

As unpredictable as the Georgia weather.

I share this today because I know I’m not alone and I know this season will evolve in time and circumstance. I wrap myself in the love of our Heavenly Father and those I hold dear. I truly embrace the words found in Ecclesiastes. 

This is my time to weep and to laugh. 

Today is my time to mourn and later this week is my time to dance. And dance we will – in celebration of our sweet baby girl who found genuine love and happiness and to welcome to our family the young man who captured her heart and ours.

Dear Lord,

I thank you for the years of love and laughter with my mom. For her guidance and grace. Thank you for the joy of the marriage of daughter and the time to celebrate with those we love knowing we carry those who are gone in our hearts. 

Amen.

“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”

                                                                                                            Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

I grew up reading cartoons in the Sunday newspaper – the funny paper. One of my favorite cartoons has always been Family Circus by Bil Keane. I even had the opportunity to meet him after becoming a teacher and he personalized a cartoon for me. Safe to say – I am a fan. 

I think I was drawn (no pun intended) to Family Circus because it depicted life’s real messes through a typical family. The kids weren’t perfect, and neither were the parents but love always prevailed. 

Occasionally in the comic, ‘Not Me’ would be featured.  The mom or dad are searching for who owned the muddy footprints in the house or who broke something and each family member when asked states, “Not Me.” The children actually visualized this imaginary culprit. 

Growing into adulthood, I discovered Not Me wasn’t only in Family Circus. As it turns out, he (or she) is everywhere. Sometimes that can be a good thing but sometimes it isn’t. 

The way I see it, there are three faces of Not Me. 

There is the Not Me when avoiding blame. 

“I didn’t do it.”

Or Not Me when it’s time to volunteer at church or in the community. There must be someone else, right? 

“I can’t do it.”

Or the Not Me who draws a line in the sand.

            “I won’t do it.”

There is an easy way to rid ourselves of the negative Not Me. We can eliminate the three faces of Not Me in our daily lives and replace it with one – the One who makes our lives more content and meaningful.

“It is God who works in you …” (Philippians 2:13)

            Not me but God through me.

Serving on a committee at church. 

            Not me but God through me.

Giving time on the weekend to volunteer at a shelter.

            Not me but God through me.

Using a talent for teaching in small groups at church.

            Not me but God through me.

Using the gift of service by cleaning up after an event.

            Not me but God through me.

Today, consider turning the negative Not Me in your life into the positive One.

            “…to will and to act in order to fulfill [God’s] good purpose.”  Philippians 2:13

Dear Lord,

When I find myself quick to say Not Me, remind me of my purpose – Your purpose for me. 

Help me to begin to change the face of the negative Not Me in my life to better fulfill Your will and purpose for me. 

Amen.

“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy”                                                                                                                                                                         James1:2 (NRSV)

Do you have a favorite character? A fictional character from TV, movies, or cartoons that you really relate to? I do. 

My favorite character of all time is (insert drum roll here to add excitement) … Eeyore, from the Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

You know him – the little, grey donkey with the pinned on tail. I like to think it is his cute persona that draws me to him; however, I am afraid it is because I can so easily relate to Eeyore’s perspective on life. 

Eeyore, with his signature line “O bother,”  shares nuggets of wisdom which are generally negative.  When stuck in a troublesome situation, which happens to be every time he opens his eyes, he bleats a caution to all. Usually something very uplifting for the group like “We’ll never make it.” Eeyore even has his own space properly named: Eeyore’s gloomy place, and sometimes he even travels around with his very own little black rain cloud. His dreary personality is reflected right down to his droopy eyes and his drab grey color. 

Despite the fact that this lovable little character is modeled after a pack animal, he is very human. He personifies the disparity of the human condition.

 As humans, we have the tendency to evaluate circumstances and situations based solely on the surface. Typically, during trying times, the outlook isn’t too good and it is easy to gravitate toward the negative. Sometimes we get stuck in our own negativity – we get stuck with the Eeyore perspective. We fail to look deep enough to see how God is working through us for the better moment by moment, day by day. 

Considering this, I believe there is a better reason I am drawn toward the character of Eeyore. It isn’t just because I can relate to the feeling of having my own little black rain cloud overhead. It is because Eeyore is generally wrong. While he points out the obvious pitfalls of every situation, entire episodes are devoted to the adventures of his friends who prove him wrong. Through all of the trials and mishaps, they always find the good.

Point being: Every little black rain cloud has a silver lining and we are challenged to find it. If we don’t look for the good, our negative, Eeyore mentality not only brings us down but those around us as well. 

I recently saw a poster of a large glass of milk that was half full – or was it half empty? Either way, you get the picture. To the side, an arrow labeled milk where the liquid was drawn and then another arrow pointed out the rest of the space and labeled it as air. The caption along the bottom read: Always 100% full.

So, why not change your perspective. No matter your circumstances. No matter how many empty, gloomy spaces there are in your life. Allow Jesus to make you 100% full. By concentrating on the good we can minimize the bad. Even on the darkest, stormiest day, it is still 100% sunny beyond those clouds. Dark clouds are only temporary. God is eternal. 

Let God change your perspective and change your life.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”                                                                                                          Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

“Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.”                                                                                                     James 5:13 (NRSV)  

                              

Simple Divorce: $199 (uncontested)

That is what the billboard advertised.

This sign on the interstate caught my attention as my husband and I were driving home from a relaxing vacation. Because I love words, my mind began to wonder about how other people might read and interpret that sign.

I think most people read it like this: Get your Simple Divorce for this low, low price! Like a product on an infomercial. 

But I am willing to bet that some people, those looking for a solution to a problem, read it at a glance and interpret it this way:  Simple. Divorce. Like the answer to their troubles. A remedy to their unhappiness.

Far too many people come to that conclusion. If a marriage is broken, just get rid of it. We are like that with most things in our lives. Our disposable society and mindset have brought us to this point. Can it be that even relationships are disposable?

Since when is divorce simple? It can’t be simple – even uncontested. Marriages are about people, emotions, and commitment. Nothing about marriage is simple, not even divorce. Yet, our society has made even that oh so simple.

This is part of our problem. Our human condition. We try to make everything so simple.

If you don’t like something, throw it out. Everything is so easy to remove and replace. Apparently, even the people in our lives.

Are you on FaceBook? Don’t like what someone says or does? Just “unfriend” them. One click. Simple.

Think about it though. Life isn’t simple. Relationships, whether you are beginning them or ending them, aren’t simple. The actions we take seem simple but the ramifications of those actions or decisions result in a lifetime of consequences.

Answers are never simple. Doing the right thing is often not simple. 

Don’t be drawn in by the temptations of our world. Be skeptical of quick fixes.

Go to God to find your answers. His answers generally aren’t on a billboard. 

Pray about all things in your life. The answers and outcomes may not be so simple but they will reflect God’s will in your life. 

Remember these truths:

 “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”       Colossians 4:2 

“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.” Matthew 21:22

Prayer. Now, that’s simple.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”   Ephesians 4:31-32 (NASB)

I entered the room just in time to see the printer fall, slamming to the floor and breaking. Prior to this, I heard the increasing frustration in my husband’s voice as he battled with the machine trying to get it to produce just one printed page. Consequently, the struggle proved a stalemate until, in a moment of complete dismay, my husband decided to end the standoff once and for all.

Looking over the debris in the moments after the crash, we shared various feelings like “well it didn’t work anyway” and “now we don’t have a printer at all” and “wonder how much it will cost to replace that.”

How many times do we do this in our lives? No, not kill a printer – but how often do we let feelings of frustration and anger take over? We let it take over our thoughts and our actions. How often do we throw our hands up and walk away from the things or people who frustrate us? Probably more often than we care to admit I am sure.

Oh, I like to think I am the calm, level-headed one in our home. Yet, I have those times when anger consumes me as well. You usually won’t see me standing over a broken printer but I let anger and frustration manifest in different – yet still as destructive – ways in my life. 

I let anger build up, taking a toll on my inner being. Even though anger generally does not take over my actions in the moment, it holds my thoughts hostage.

Anger is a complex emotion. Some people are able to get angry and let it go and others hold on to it for a while. Either way when we let anger take over for even that moment, we damage things – like with the printer. On a broad scale we can damage things, people, ourselves, and relationships. Sometimes the damage can be repaired and at other times unfortunately it can’t.

God longs to help us with the anger and frustration in our lives.

First, you need to examine your life. What’s broken? Identify where you need help and then all you need to do is ask for it. Ask God to help you in this area of your life.

God can help. He can help you control or even replace your anger. He can even help you repair your broken printers.

Today, pray for self control and restoration. Give God your anger. Put those things, people, and situations that frustrate you in His Hands. 

Putting things in God’s hands will keep them from falling out of yours. 

“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing;”

Psalms 37:8 (NASB)

“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”                                                                                                                                                    Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

Sitting for hours staring down at hundreds of pieces – colorful cardboard – I start by sorting. I move all of the pieces with flat edges to one pile and begin to divide the rest by dominant colors. Then, I start the process of putting it all together. 

First, the border. All four corners, all sides – done. 

Next, I begin to fill in the interior. Later – days or weeks depending on the amount of free time I have – VOILA! A picture emerges. 

I love puzzles. I have always loved puzzles. I love starting with nothing and ending with a complete picture. I love figuring out where each piece fits and seeing it all come together. 

Many times the pieces fit together perfectly – they come together quickly. Other times, I have to try several times to find the right fit. I think a piece fits perfectly and later I realize it is all wrong when I encounter a road block to putting other pieces in their places. 

When puzzles are complete, they are neat and pretty. A perfect match reveals the whole story. You barely recognize the lines of the individual pieces.

Wow – this sounds like my life! My parents gave me a great beginning by using guidance from God to establish my borders – to give me clear boundaries for my life. Then, it was up to me to put together the rest of the pieces. 

Even more like my life is the fact that sometimes pieces don’t quite fit or I try to force them to fit. Sometimes in life things just don’t line up, which makes for an uneasy feeling. But, when it all comes together it is the best feeling in the world. The feeling of peace, contentment, wholeness. The feeling of accomplishment. 

When I am confused working on a puzzle, I continually check the picture on the box for clues and guidance. Unfortunately, in life there isn’t a pre-painted picture of how our lives fit together. We must rely on guidance from God to find the right pieces and to put them in the right places. The One who knows our whole story. The One who knew us before we were formed in the womb. 

Commit your life to the Lord and He will help you put the pieces of your life together. In time, it will all come together – beautifully.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”               Proverbs 16:3

“My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”                                                                                                                  Psalm 27:8 (NLT)

When I was growing up, my mom would be somewhere in the house calling my name to which I generally responded, “Ma’am?” Her reply was always, “Come here.”

My automatic reply in these situations was, “I’m coming.”

Sometimes I would be outside playing when I was called. At other times, I was right in the middle of a phone conversation with a friend, reading, or something else I didn’t want to be pulled away from. 

When my mom (or dad) called me, sometimes I responded quickly and appeared instantly as requested. Yet other times, I would have to be beckoned 2 – 3 – 4 maybe even more times with increasing frustration before I complied. 

Mom called me for various reasons. She may have wanted me to do something for her, maybe she needed to tell me something, maybe it was time to eat, or maybe she just wanted me to check in with her because she had not seen me for a while.

Today, it is still the same except I get calls on my cell phone. The method has changed but my response remains predictably the same. Sometimes, I respond instantly answering the call on the first ring and then sometimes I am unable to answer the call because of other distractions and it takes me a bit to respond. 

I read today’s scripture and immediately thought of how I respond to the Lord.

I know He is calling me – daily. But how am I responding?

Are you responding to His call?

Do you hit the ignore button – too busy to respond, putting off the call until later? Or do you immediately respond, “I’m coming!” and go to Him quickly to hear what He has for you today?

God has different reasons for calling us. Maybe He is encouraging us to set out on a new venture, maybe He wants to quench our thirst with scripture, maybe He wants to share His love for us or just maybe He wants us to share our love and gifts with others. 

But, are we responding? or how are we responding?

Don’t ignore His call.

Remember to check in with God. Maybe He has something for you to do or maybe He just needs to check on you – for you to see His face … just like our parents did when we were younger. 

He calls us. Feel it in your heart. Then, answer with an emphatic, “I’m coming!”

As our local high school football season begins this week, I thought this reflection would be appropriate. “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the spirit.”     John 3:8 (NIV)

One night at a high school football game, a couple of friends and I were chatting during half time when one of them was distracted by something he found interesting. In the end zone, four spirit flags had been placed in an arc. (Picture those oblong flags some people use to promote their business or call attention to a store or event.)The flags weren’t necessarily the interesting part – nothing highly unusual about that at all. The intrigue stemmed from the fact that only one of the four flags was fluttering in the wind.  My friend pointed out how strange it was that none of the other flags were moved at all. Yet, the one, single flag was whipping at a good pace just feet from the others. 

At the time, this was not a serious moment of scientific discovery; however, we did briefly mention the idea of a crosswind and then quickly ruled that out. As my friend was perplexed, the rest of us proceeded to joke about his deep observation because he dared to distract us with it at a football game of all places! What was he thinking – it was just the wind! Duh!

After making light of this observance and apparently refusing to see what God would have me truly see at the time, later that weekend I came across John 3:8 on the cover of the church bulletin. Upon reading it, I immediately thought about those flags at the football field and suddenly my friend seemed very clever and insightful. “The wind that blows wherever it pleases” chose to effect only one flag that evening. Leaving us wondering where it came from to be able to do that so selectively.

This realization coupled with this scripture caused me to take a closer look and make a comparison. A comparison of the wind to the people in our life. 

People move in and out of our world minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, year by year. Affecting us in different ways. Just like the wind, some folks are that gentle breeze. A cool relief on a hot day. Or the warm wind that envelopes our being and warms us throughout. You know those times when, seemingly out of nowhere, someone says or does something for you that gently raises your flag so to speak. Puts a good wind in your sail. Then there are those people who whip through our world fluttering our flag first in one direction and then quickly in another. Sometimes tangling us around the flag pole.

Worth contemplating as well is our effect on others: How are we like that wind in the lives of others? Blowing wherever we please. In our homes are we the gentle, calm, refreshing breeze or the fierce tornado leaving nothing in our path but destruction? 

The wind is a powerful force – unseen but heard and certainly felt. We talk of the winds of change and so it is with life on Earth … “So it is with everyone of the spirit.” John 3:8

In life we are whipped around by people, events, and circumstances. Life can change direction in a brief moment. Our responsibility is to make sure we are well grounded and secure in our faith so that we can withstand, endure, and – yes – enjoy the breeze!