As we find ourselves in the midst of March Madness …

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”              II Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)

I watched in disbelief as the basketball player slam dunked the ball grabbing the rim briefly before the backboard shattered and the rim came crashing to the floor. As the rim broke from its anchor a portion of the backboard dislodged and shards of glass rained down on the player and the court. 

It all happened so fast. It was an awesome spectacle to witness. I mean, how many people actually get to see that happen up close? It was truly amazing until I realized there was glass everywhere and I began to wonder what to do next. You see, I was responsible for the facility and fixtures.

That basketball goal was 22 years old. In consulting with an equipment supply company representative, I was told that incident should never happen again. Backboards are made differently now. They are built to resist these kinds of accidents. Even if the new backboard shattered one day, no glass should ever fall from the frame. Amazing.

What happened after that in the game you asked? Well, it was fourth quarter and with glass on the court and only one functioning goal, the team went to a half court routine to finish the event but it put a quick ending to the evening. In the aftermath, the floor was quickly cleaned and within a day or two a side goal was switched in place of the broken one to make the gym useable until all of the estimates and repairs could be made. 

Yes, something that took seconds to transpire left a few weeks worth of cleanup and repair. But we not only replaced that goal, we updated its mate as well and took the opportunity to refurbish the rest of our aging equipment too. Now we are better than ever. Funny how one incident can cause you to look around you more closely and identify things that need to be changed. 

Was it inconvenient? Yes. Was it costly? Yes. Was it worth it? Most definitely.

Our spiritual life is very similar. Our spiritual backboard is right there, taking slams daily. In general, it holds up very well under pressure; however, every now and again, we take that one hit that shatters our psyche. We feel splintered, fragmented. Sometimes, what’s left is a gaping hole. The frame is intact but what’s left seems useless and irreparable.

However, as the scripture states we are not crushed or left to despair. We are certainly not abandoned or destroyed. God is there to help us put things back together … stronger than ever. 

The next time you feel “hard pressed on every side” and you get that slam dunk against your soul that shatters and shakes you to the core, call on God to guide you through replacing not only what is broken but rejuvenating other parts as well. 

“’Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.”    Psalm 107:19

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”

 Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)

On a special occasion, my kitchen was filled with the chatter and laughter of family. It was my daughter’s birthday and we were celebrating with an ice cream party with the gang. Parents were assisting smaller children as they made the tough choices… chocolate syrup or caramel? Whipped cream? Sprinkles or no sprinkles? The scene warmed my heart as everyone came together to celebrate and reconnect with family. Plus, you never know what you might hear when you get all of us together. We like to have a good time. 

As I watched one of my youngest nephews put the finishing touches on his frozen masterpiece, my nephew said something cute, spontaneous, and philosophical as only a young child can do. As he and his dad added colorful sprinkles to his treat, he said, “Mr. Sprinkles never lets you down!” The container of sprinkles was shaped like a clown and you simply pop his hat off to shake out the sprinkles. His name of course is Mr. Sprinkles. To my nephew, the supply of finishing treats was never ending as Mr. Sprinkles was always waiting to serve. 

Yes, indeed, in his mind Mr. Sprinkles never lets you down.

But people do. 

Have you ever noticed it is generally the people closest to you that let you down or disappoint you the most? I never hear anyone say, “You know that lady behind me at the grocery store really disappointed me today.” No, it is usually the people we love, trust, value, and depend upon. Our children, spouses, siblings (relatives in general), and yes our friends. 

Sometimes the disappointment is minor. Easy to recover from and move forward. Sometimes the wound is much deeper making us wonder if we can ever move past it. 

People let us down. 

We let other people down. 

Always have. Always will. 

We are only human after all. 

Often expectations are too great for others to live up to so we create an impossible circumstance. Sometimes people make selfish destructive decisions that leave those close by reeling from disappointment. Whatever the reason, we are let down by people and we let it bring us down. Our thoughts include … “I thought I knew you better than that … If you really loved me you would be a better person … You are better than that … What were you thinking?”

The emotions run deep. Relationships are damaged – sometimes permanently. 

Let’s face it – with people we can’t just pop off their hats and shake out the good stuff. We have to deal with the good and the bad. But how? How do we do that when the hurt is so deep?

By depending on the one who truly never lets us down: Jesus.

Even Mr. Sprinkles runs out. 

Not so with Jesus. 

Put your trust in Him – All of it – He will help with the rest.

Dear Lord,

I want to place my trust in you – all of it. When I am weak and misplace that trust in the wrong things or people and experience disappointment and discouragement, I must remember that you are in control. Even when I cannot understand the why of the circumstances, I understand that you know the outcome and are working for my good. Thank you for your trustworthiness.

Amen.

Today, I passed a church sign stating, “Lent is like Spring cleaning for the soul.” That was my sign to share this devotional with you.

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”                                                                        I Peter 2:21 (NIV)

It never fails. Whether completing my weekly cleaning duties or tackling the more detailed “spring cleaning” projects, I can fill up at least one large bag of “stuff”. Stuff I need to get rid of. Items that are outdated or unused – old mail, expired coupons, clothes, etc. Stuff that I don’t need or don’t use. 

My problem is I keep everything – you never know when you might wear those parachute pants again!

In my cleaning frenzy, I usually end up focusing on what to keep rather than what I should throw away. The question in my mind becomes, “Will I use this again … ever?” Consequently, I often uncover forgotten treasures. Cherished trinkets, a card from a friend, a memento of a special event. Stuff I hold dear but sometimes forget I have. Stuff stored up as positive reminders and artifacts of life.

During the season of Lent, people become focused on what to give up. In some cases, it is only a temporary denial of a treat or vise, and, for others, it is the eradication of something that is bad from their life in hopes that the removal will be permanent. This “giving up” something for Lent is to be symbolic of Christ’s suffering. Denying ourselves of something we appreciate or enjoy as a sacrifice. 

This year for Lent, however, I have decided to approach it the same way I approach cleaning house. I chose to focus on what to keep to be more like Christ. I decided to search through my spiritual closet and uncover those treasures I have placed aside choosing one to take on during Lent as a step to become more like Jesus.

I have come to realize that the season of Lent can be more about making the right choices for Christ and not just about giving things up to honor Him. 

I read somewhere that it takes 21 days of consistent behavior to create a habit. With that in mind, during the 40 days of Lent I should be able to master a concept to be more Christ-like.

This task, however, has proven to be more difficult for me than giving up chocolate – or better yet French fries! Yet, I think it will be more rewarding and have longer lasting effects. 

Just like cleaning house can be about creating better habits to keep it clean, the season of Lent can be too. 

Instead of denying myself chocolate for 40 days and then gorging myself on Easter candy, I am focusing on being selfless and I don’t intend to go on a selfish rampage the day after Easter. I hope to make it part of who I am.

I chose selflessness – a hidden treasure. What would you choose? What would you choose to focus on to be more like Jesus? Generosity, knowledge, justice, mercy, forgiveness, unconditional love? That list is long and diverse and some of those concepts are definitely more challenging than others. 

It is difficult to decide what to keep and what to throw out of our homes and our lives. Looking through the qualities of Christ what do find that you can dust off and put on for God?

“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”         Proverbs 4:13 (NIV)

Today is Ash Wednesday – the beginning of Lent. During this time, I generally hear people talk about things they are “giving up” for Lent. Instead of giving something up, I think this is the best time to “Grab Hold.”

I have read several devotionals, articles, and books about letting go. All of them explain the benefits of releasing control or moving on from thoughts that drag you down. People have written volumes about letting your children go, letting the anger go, letting go of resentment, and even letting go of the weight. There are also the old clichés: “If you love something set it free … Let go and let God … Don’t worry. Be happy.”

The “experts” make it sound so easy, but for me letting go has never been easy. I picture letting go as giving up, forfeiting my control (I hate to feel out of control), and careless. To me, it is like riding a bike and taking my hands off the handle bars, throwing my arms in the air, and saying, “Hey, guys look at me!” Do you know how dangerous that is?

I believe holding on to things is synonymous with safety and security. Even if I don’t like the circumstances or situation at least I know what is going on and I can try to do something about it. I can try to fix it or at the minimum worry about it until it fixes itself!

Deep down I know letting go can be a very good thing in many instances. Yet, I just can’t do it. I am much better at holding on. 

For me, a better life, a more content life, a more Godly life is all about holding on. 

Holding on to God.

As soon as I realized I was holding on to the wrong things in my life and I began to shift my grip to grab hold of God, my life was transformed. I became more carefree, more content, more relaxed. 

It has been a slow process – a gradual release of other things in my life – but I definitely feel the positive effects!

To grab hold of God, I had to let go of those other things I had obsessed and worried over for years. I couldn’t let go of everything at once, but the tighter my grip on God became, the more I felt the burdens in my life slip slowly away. I almost didn’t realize what was happening until I noticed I was waking up happier, walking a little taller, and treating others around me with more compassion. 

I found when I focus on God, He takes care of the rest. He equips me with the strength I need to handle difficult situations and the knowledge I need to determine when to step back and let Him work it out for me. 

I have learned that holding on is not a bad thing as long as you grab hold of the right thing – God!

My advice to those having trouble letting go is this: 

Grab hold of God and He will change your life!

(**and always keep your hands on the handle bars J)

 “Not that I have already obtained all of this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”   Philippians 3:12

“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil.” Ecclesiastes 2:24

My husband and I love a good road trip or vacation. A break from our work, chores, and routine. We enjoy an adventure where we can get out to see and experience something different, out of the ordinary. The older we get, the more adventurous we become – always wanting to make great memories through special times together.

However, it never fails that upon returning home after a trip – once the bags are unpacked – we quickly get sucked into our regular work and routine. Then we sit back, reflect on the great trip we had, take a deep breath followed by a sigh, and one of us will remark, “I miss vacation. We had such a great time.” To which the other responds, “But this is pretty great, too.”

Our home. Our life.

The routine, the ordinary, the usual.

Face it – we all have far more ordinary days than extraordinary ones. It’s up to each person to see the precious in the ordinary. To appreciate the routine, the ordinary, the usual.

Your home. Your life.

The Bible says, “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let’s rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 NASB) It doesn’t say this super special day or this awesomely adventurous day. No – This Day.

This day. Each day. Every day.

God made them all.

“Why is one day more important than another, when all the daylight in the year is from the sun? By the Lord’s wisdom they were distinguished, and He appointed seasons and festivals. Some days He exalted and hallowed, and some days He made ordinary days.” (Ecclesiasticus 33:7-9)

I don’t know how your day was today. Mine was … well … ordinary.

No matter what kind of day this was for you – extraordinary or ordinary, I hope this evening you are able to sit back, reflect, take a deep breath, sigh, and think, “This is pretty great, too.”

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this day. This ordinary day. I appreciate the opportunity to take a break and enjoy an adventure but I am truly grateful for the ordinary days too. The ordinary days where I can see your hand at work in my life and in this world.

Amen.

Choose Love

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

                                                                                                                        1 Peter 4:8

After receiving a tearful invitation, I went to meet a friend who was struggling with her feelings. She needed a friend’s ear and perspective. In the parking lot of a grocery store, we sat in her car while I listened to her dilemma. 

Through her sobs, this young wife and mother shared that she was no longer happy in her marriage – her second marriage. She previously struggled through a teenage relationship that wasn’t meant to be. After spending time as a single mother, she was swept off her feet by a man, overwhelmed by his love not only for her but for her son as well. She entered that relationship viewing him as a knight in shining armor. 

Now, she identified his flaws. The armor was tarnished, dented. Her complaints were valid, of course, but also very human. He spent too much time with the guys. He didn’t like spending time with her family. He used bad language around the children. I think he left the cap off the toothpaste too. 

After listening, consoling, and considering her struggle, I asked one question: Do you want to stay married or not? She appeared shocked by my question.

My pastor had recently shared something life altering in a sermon. Instead of praying for a new spouse, pray for the one you’ve got. The things that were driving my friend crazy were annoying but not the end of the world. Her husband had not done anything immoral or abusive. He had a good job and was a hard worker. He wasn’t lazy. He was good with the children. He just wasn’t ideal in her eyes anymore. His armor had definitely lost its shine. 

Think about it though – real knights go into battle. They get dirty, dinged, and damaged by their foe. In life, we all get dirty, dinged, and damaged in one way or another.

Realizing this, the focus of our conversation that day shifted to the idea that the ideal doesn’t exist. Love is a choice. You can be determined to find flaws and focus on what’s wrong or you can choose love. We each have the opportunity daily to make up our mind to be happy. 

For my friend, she could choose to love him or not. Flaws and all. There are no perfect people.  At any time, we could choose to walk away or choose to walk alongside through the good and the bad. 

We all have a choice.

As you walk through life, remember 1 Peter 4:8 states, “ … love covers a multitude of sins.” Not just the sins of others – your sins too.

Think of those closest to you. They choose to love you. 

Their love for you allows ___________. 

Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Compassion. Understanding.

When you allow your love to cover others you create more space for _____________.

Good times. Laughter. Happiness. Joy. 

The next time you look at that friend, spouse, significant other, or even that stranger that cut you off in traffic … “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

You have a choice. 

Choose love.

Dear Lord, 

I am so appreciative that you allow Your love to cover the multitude of sins in my life. Thank you for placing people around me who love me. Flaws and all. Grow my heart, Lord, so that my love overflows covering the people close to me and those I come into contact with each day. 

Amen.

“If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”                                                                                          I John 1:9 (NRSV)

When my daughter was learning to tie her shoes, it was all I could do to hold back and not just do it myself – especially when we were in a hurry. I would say, “Just let me show you … you almost have it but you’re doing it wrong … if you would just …” I quickly learned that she would not accept my help until she absolutely had to. I learned that until she asked for help my comments and pushing were only hindering the process. 

Knowledge of this, however, did not keep me from pushing her along the way as she grew older. Her stubbornness and my nagging didn’t stop with learning to tie her shoes. It extended to learning to swim, riding a bike, helping in the kitchen, playing sports, learning to drive, and ultimately making life decisions like applying to college, looking for a job … and it continues.

Yes, I have always tried to step in. I try to help in an effort to save her headaches and heartaches along the way only to be pushed away until she is ready to ask for assistance or advice. Consequently,  I have learned to be a little more quiet and patient than before. It seems no matter how loud and persistent I am, the choice has to be hers. 

Today’s scripture reminded me that we do the same thing to God. We push Him away. We want to do it all on our own. He offers us help through others, through scriptures, and through grace. Yet, we look in another direction – our will, not His. 

Often it isn’t until we hit a brick wall, land at rock bottom, or see no other way out that we finally ask Him for help.

Like that stubborn child, we refuse to seek His guidance.

It is only when we confess our sins, our needs, and our desires that we finally receive forgiveness, fulfillment, and peace. 

Much like the old adage: Admitting you have a problem is the first step to getting help!

No one is perfect. We are faced with and guilty of sin every day.

Remember to regularly confess your sins to grab hold of true forgiveness. 

Admit your faults. Acknowledge your struggles. Ask for help. 

God is always there with out-stretched arms waiting for us to ask. 

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”      Psalm 145:18 (NRSV)

“When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been in this condition for a long time, He asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’”                                                                          John 5:6 (NIV)

Misery loves company. Have you ever known someone who is always negative, always complaining? Do you know someone who seems to enjoy being down and out? I think we all do. 

We all go through seasons of our lives where things aren’t going our way. We have peaks and valleys throughout our lives. Yet some people get to the valley and fail to rise above it. Some of us continually wallow in self-pity over difficult circumstances such as illness or circumstance – our own or others – and some of us have very difficult pasts so everything we see is tempered with a tinge of negativity. If it is too good to be true, it probably is. 

A person can become so low for so long that it becomes comfortable. You don’t know any different. You become complacent. You move into this dark time not as a temporary state but setting up a permanent residence. When you do this, you may as well send out change of address cards to everyone you know. It may say something like this: I’ve moved! You can now find me in a permanent state of despair. Come on over and join me – Misery loves company! Sounds silly, I know. But that is exactly what happens through your words and actions. You push people away or drag them down with you. 

In difficult times, we tend to lose sight of how good life can be. Instead of turning toward God and strengthening our relationship with Him, we turn away from Him – thinking He has abandoned us. The opposite is true – we abandon Him. When we experience this, we have to ask ourselves, “Do I wish to get well?” and turn to our one and only Healer. 

In the scripture, Jesus saw this man who had been in a condition, unable to walk, for a very long time. Then, He asked the man an important question, “Do you wish to get well?” This intrigues me. It seems so simple. You might be thinking – of course, the man wanted to get well and so do all of the others around us who are suffering. You are probably right, but first the hurting person has to acknowledge it. I always tell my family and friends: Admitting you have a problem is the first step to getting help. Of course, I generally say this right after they have made a statement about a fault of their own. 

It is hard to admit our own faults. Especially to admit that we need help. It is scary to admit you want to get well. What if you acknowledge you want to get well and then it doesn’t happen?  What if it does? When you aren’t struggling anymore you have to take on more responsibility. Scary stuff. 

So what is the rest of the story? Verses 8 and 9 tell us, “Jesus said to him, ‘Arise, take up your pallet, and walk.’ And immediately the man became well, and took up his pallet and began to walk.”

If you or someone you know is suffering ask, “Do you wish to get well?” If the answer is yes, then I urge you to take the first step. You must be willing to get well or it won’t work. If you aren’t a willing participant in the healing process, you miss God’s blessing. You may not recognize it when you see it. The man in the scripture didn’t recognize Jesus.

Tell God. Ask for His help. Begin by walking closely by His side. Arise, take up your pallet, and begin to walk.

“As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”                                                                                  Genesis 8:22 (NIV)

Growing up and living in the south, I am – on occasion – treated to a ‘snow day’. These impromptu holidays are not brought on by your typical blinding snow storm or excessive accumulation of the white stuff. No, usually a southern snow day is due to freezing rain or a light dusting of snow which paralyzes our city. 

When this happens or there is even a chance of this happening, we stay glued to the television, entranced by each weather update given by a newscaster or reporter relentlessly tracking a snowflake or identifying an icy patch on a roadway. I am sure this is quite humorous to those who live farther north and those in locations where knee high snow drifts are an ordinary part of the landscape.

Yes, sometimes the sunny south does experience the threat of ‘snow’ which causes us to stock up on milk and bread, close our schools and businesses, and huddle around the fire. For whatever reason, we become paralyzed by the idea … even without the visible signs of any wintery precipitation.

It just gets bone-chilling cold and we are frozen.

I understand some of you may live in the bitter cold and the backdrop of your life is filled with snow-covered rooftops so all of this sounds ridiculous. In reality, in this region, we are just not equipped to handle the conditions which are extreme compared to our typical weather. Although, we have made advances over the years to be better prepared in the winter months, our towns still cannot function in the midst of below freezing temperatures and harsh elements.

We remain frozen.

How much does this scenario relate to your spiritual life? Do you sometimes find yourself frozen in worship? Do you approach Sunday morning services as if you will be snowed in, packing your purse or pockets with provisions to get you through? Do you sit frozen on your seat, stiff and unable to move? 

Are you stuck on the side of the road in your journey with Christ? Spinning your wheels, unable to get back on track? Is your spiritual growth at a stand-still?

Are you spiritually frozen? 

This can be caused by extreme eternal factors that are beyond our control or for no visible reason at all.   

We experience ‘seasons’ physically and spiritually. If we don’t make an effort to keep moving and continue growing during wintery times, we become frozen. 

If that is where you are today, then it is time to thaw out, to become active again. The same man that healed the sick, made the blind to see, and caused the lame to walk can help you too.

Let Him thaw out your life and get you moving again. 

Don’t stay frozen. Warm up your spiritual life and cozy up to Christ.

“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.” Song of Solomon 2:11 (NIV)

(Today it is raining where I am, which is what brought this to mind. Sorry this post is a little later than usual – I hope that means it is right on time for you!)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”                       Romans 15:13

Recently, I was listening to a radio station celebrating a throwback Thursday by playing songs from the 1970s. Enjoying some of the songs from my past, I kept listening and singing along to some of the upbeat tunes I remember from that time. The mood suddenly switched when the melancholy sounds of a 1971 song by The Carpenters began to play, Rainy Days and Mondays.

On that day, I felt a connection with some of the lyrics^*:

Talkin’ to myself and feelin’ old
Sometimes I’d like to quit
Nothin’ ever seems to fit
Hangin’ around
Nothin’ to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down …

At some point while listening, I let out a big sigh and said out loud, “It’s not just Mondays that can get you down and today it isn’t raining.” I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I had run out of joy and it was only 7:45 a.m. I tried to pinpoint what had gone wrong that week to identify what was getting me down.

I had let a momentary circumstance drain me of my joy leaving me empty. Thankfully, before I could spiral too far into the pit of despair, I was digging for myself, I realized I am the one who controls what fills the space in my soul. I can let temporary situations fill me with gloom or choose to be filled with joy to the point of overflowing. 

To literally turn my frown upside down, I tuned in to a different radio station – one with all Christian music. It didn’t take long for my internal gauge of joy to go from empty to half full (not half empty) and ultimately on its way to overflowing. Knowing that the God of hope is my redeemer and sustainer of truth gives me joy and peace all of the days of my life. 

Not just on the sunny days or each day that isn’t a Monday. Every day.

Because I have the joy and peace only He can give, I can abound in hope. That doesn’t mean I get by with just enough hope. I will thrive and flourish because the God of hope provides all that is needed for a better day, a better tomorrow, a better circumstance. 

The next time you feel melancholy, like you need to quit or if nothing seems to fit, reclaim your joy by turning to the One who will fill you with all the joy and peace you need. 

Dear Lord,

Forgive me for letting life get the best of me and allowing myself to be drained of the joy and peace that you so freely give. When I feel there is nothing else, there is hope – eternal hope in You. Where there is hope, there are infinite possibilities. Thank you for restoring my joy

Amen.

*Source: LyricFind      Songwriters: Paul H. Williams / Roger S. Nichols.      Rainy Days and Mondays lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group