Author: Kimberly Fraker

Doubt Full, Fear Less

/ Kimberly Fraker / Leave a comment

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  Psalm 56:3

Have you ever kept a journal? 

I have journaled off and on for years. When I was a young girl, journaling wasn’t a thing, so to speak. Diaries were. You know that small hard back book filled with empty pages with a lock on it to keep thoughts and secrets safe. Even though that lock could be easily picked, and all of those diaries could be accessed using the same key (or so it seemed), as a child I found having a diary to be exciting – something of my own that no one else was allowed to have or read. 

Today, you can find a wide array of journals (the modern diary sans the locking mechanism) – pages lined or unlined, colorful or plain, with a ribbon marker or without, some with inspirational quotes or scriptures. I can spend hours looking for just the right one for just the right collection of thoughts. That’s right, I keep multiple journals. I have a travel journal, a home project journal, and a journal for writing ideas. Name a topic and it’s worth journaling about; however, the most cherished journals from my past are the ones containing ordinary daily thoughts, recollections, and reflections. 

Recently, while rearranging and repurposing some décor to make our house fall fabulous, I found some old journals of mine. Two, in particular, are very special – they are the journals I kept while I was pregnant with each of our children.

God has great timing. My daughter is expecting twins within the next month (our first grandchildren) and she has been asking me a lot of questions. As time passes and I believe we often forget that which is unpleasant, some of my answers to her questions about the upcoming blessed event and motherhood have been vague clouded by time. Upon reading the journal I kept for her, so many memories came flooding back. This journal is just what she needs to fill in the gaps and increase her understanding as she embarks on this great adventure called parenthood. 

As I turned each page where I chronicled the past for my son and daughter to absorb in the future, I realized these books aren’t just a play-by-play account of events. They encompass so much more. Within the pages, as you might expect, are my hopes and dreams for myself and each of my children. What they also include that I didn’t expect to find are my insecurities, doubts, and fears. Not just about their birth and motherhood but about myself, my abilities and even my appearance. The words are real and raw. Doubt Full. And a bit fear full as well. 

I couldn’t wait to gift each child with their book so they would know how their stories began, more about who I am (for better or worse) , and how loved they are.

Reading and reflecting, I realize how Doubt Full life is. I am sure this isn’t just me, right? 

No matter how confident and strong I consider myself to be and want others to believe me to be, underneath that layer of confidence and strength there are doubts and fears. 

I doubt a decision. I am afraid I made the wrong decision.

I doubt my ability. I am afraid I will fail. 

I doubt I am enough. I am afraid I am not enough.

Doubts and fears are normal. Some of us are great at hiding them, but we all have them. We just need to keep them in perspective. 

The other thing I noticed throughout my journals is a focus on prayer and thanksgiving. I mention at various times what I have prayed for and give thanks for the things God has given me in my life. In the good times and trying times, I never lost my focus on the Father. I don’t know why this surprised me. I guess because sometimes I get entrenched in the doubt and fear of life and take the love and care of God for granted. My writings made me realize that even during the times I know I strayed from my faith walk, God was there, and I knew it deep inside.

Throughout scripture, there are reminders to have faith, to give our fears and doubts to God. As the saying goes, let your faith be bigger than your fear. It doesn’t mean you won’t fear or doubt or worry. It does mean as you live your life Doubt Full you can Fear Less with God by your side. 

Keep this in mind as you move into this new day. A new day where you acknowledge your doubts, your fears. A new day where you are reminded to share it with God and turn the outcome over to Him. 

Today and every day, you can be Doubt Full and Fear Less. 

(You might even consider starting a journal – it might help someone else in the future, just when they need it most!)

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.  Psalm 34:4


Show and Tell

/ Kimberly Fraker / Leave a comment

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.                              Micah 6:8

When I was in kindergarten and first grade, an opportunity was given to students on a rotating basis to bring in an item from home to show the class and tell about it. I have fond memories of Show and Tell time. Sometimes the teacher would pick a theme like a favorite book or a topic that complimented a lesson and occasionally it was left open for whatever each child felt was important or interesting to bring and share. 

I remember my teacher explaining how Show and Tell would work by modeling it for us. She brought in her favorite book and walked us through the process of what we should do when it was our turn to share. 

I loved Show and Tell. I liked seeing things brought in by my friends and learning more about each classmate. But mostly, I enjoyed it when it was my turn to participate. I can remember carefully selecting just the right item and how excited I was to explain it to the others in my class. Once it was a puppet and another time a picture and later a book.

I have always been a rule follower and somewhat of a teacher pleaser, so when my turn came, I was careful to follow the example set by my teacher; consequently, it frustrated me when others did not. I wasn’t sure why that one child brought in a stuffed animal when the teacher clearly instructed us to bring in a picture of a favorite toy or why that one boy kept asking if he could bring in his lizard when the teacher said, “No live animals.” Come on, people – get with the program!

Micah 6:8 reminds me of Show and Tell time. Jesus came to Earth and showed us what is good and pleasing and the Bible tells us clearly what is required of us. Simply stated in this verse, we are told to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Each of these things were modeled by Jesus and are reflected in scripture. Now, it is our turn to put that into practice. To Show and Tell others so they will know too. 

Why, then, does this seem so hard? 

To act justly, I should treat all people with dignity and respect. I need to do what I say I will do, say what I mean, and mean what I say. To act justly requires action. When injustices are seen, we should seek to correct those. It sounds simple enough, but it gets complicated when our personal feelings cloud our judgement. It can be hard to empathize with others who are not like us. Instead of sitting on the sidelines and remaining silent, we are called to exercise empathy and take action. 

So, how about loving mercy? This is often compared to kindness and extending kindness to others. Let’s be clear about this and what it means. It means extending kindness to ALL others, not just the ones who can do something for us or the ones who are like us or the ones who are kind to us. It means extending kindness to the people who upset you, to the people you don’t understand, and to those who you know nothing about and who can do nothing for you. Loving mercy means extending forgiveness too – ouch! That can be a difficult one.

Act justly … love mercy … 

Now, all you need to do is walk humbly with your God. We each must accept that we are dependent on God. We should not be arrogant and put ourselves above others. We must acknowledge that all that we have is from God. Without Him, we are nothing. This can be hard to swallow – a piece of humble pie so to speak. We grow up learning to be independent – to be out on our own. Just like when my young child pushed me away and said he could do things all by himself. We do that to God. We think we don’t need Him. We push Him away. We want to do things all on our own. As adults we must revisit this concept of independence where God is concerned. Walk humbly. Be subordinate to His will in our lives.

Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly. 

Show and Tell.

Now it’s your turn. Think of the example set by Jesus and the teachings in your Bible. Use these as a guide. 

Come on, people – get with the program! Show and Tell.

Roles and Responsibilities

/ Kimberly Fraker / Leave a comment

(Sorry for the lag since my last post. September in Georgia was challenging and devastating for many. In one month, there was a tragic school shooting, Hurricane Helene, and then a massive chemical fire. Consequently, I took a few weeks to step back and remain silent as I felt my fervent prayers were more beneficial than any post or posts I could author. I find at times there is great power in silence – more on that in a future post. As I continue to pray for those in our state and those in neighboring states still reeling and beginning slowly to recover from the events of September, I am getting back to the blog and offering reminders to all that God is in control and working for our good.)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.             Isaiah 9:6

I learned very early, at the age of 15, that when you accept a job it comes with an established set of responsibilities associated with the role of the position. The employer has specific expectations for the performance of your duties. From my first job at the local community pool to various positions at a popular amusement park to opportunities in the field of advertising and public relations to my career in education, the responsibilities grew along the way in proportion to the position and my experience. 

We each have work-related expectations and duties, but we also have less official roles and responsibilities that we fulfill in our lives. I am wife, mom (and a dog and cat mom too), daughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt, in-law, friend, volunteer, and soon-to-be grandmama. With each of these informal titles there are obligations and expectations too. Add all your personal accountabilities together with those that go along with your paying job and the total most likely exceeds your capacity for performance. 

For example, you may be exceeding those expectations at the office but as a result you won’t be winning spouse of the year. Or you may be the exemplar for the model parent but to maintain that you miss a deadline or two on the job. It is definitely a balancing act. I often tell people if things are good at home and stressful at work (or vice versa), I’m good. It’s when both are rocky that I’m in real trouble. 

Being all things to all people in all roles is an impossible expectation; however, many of us place that on ourselves. Superman got nothing on me* – right? Wrong. None of us are superhuman and we can never consistently be everything for everyone in our lives. But there is someone who can. 

Upon birth, Jesus was given some very weighty roles and responsibilities: Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace. He is our Mighty God. This is what we need to remember when we feel the pressure of those accumulated expectations of all the roles we play in our lives. To balance our roles and responsibilities we can lean on the one who can do it all. The one who can be all things to all people. Everything to Everyone. 

Are over extended?  Are some things slipping on your list of responsibilities? If so, slide those things right over to the Everlasting Father. He will help you strike the perfect balance.

The weight of the world is on His shoulders. It doesn’t have to be on yours.

*Charlie Puth lyric from “One Call Away”

Searching …

/ Kimberly Fraker / Leave a comment

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.             Matthew 6:33

I am part of the last generation that remembers what life was like before the Internet; however, I have adapted quite well to the luxury of having infinite information at my fingertips or now, even upon verbal request. In our home, if anyone is curious about something or poses a question to which we have no answer our standard, funny phrase is “just ask The Googles” (you may substitute Siri, Alexa, or any of those other virtual assistants).

I love being able to go online and search for anything and everything, but I most appreciate the ability to quickly find a solution to a need (like a DIY stain remover or operating the high tech components in my car) or to compare prices on items and services.  

Yes, the World Wide Web is an amazing resource, but it can also be a black hole. 

Unfortunately, I find myself searching and continuing to search even after I find what I am looking for or something close enough to it. I get pulled in further by those pop-ups and pictures. I continue to click to see if I can find something better or an amazing deal. I just can’t be satisfied ending my search with the first “best match.” 

Minutes, hours, or days later I am still searching as I try to locate the perfect product at the perfect price. This exercise in futility can result in my original find being no longer available … frustrating.

As if that isn’t bad enough, I find myself doing this when I find what I’m looking for at a local store too. My thought being maybe there is something better, cheaper, nicer … online. So, there I stand in the aisle of the store hoping I have cell service to continue and possibly complete my search.

To complicate matters, I typically generate a picture in my mind of exactly what I want and when the stores or the Internet don’t have exactly what I picture, I keep searching. I won’t accept what is right in front of me that certainly fills my need simply because it doesn’t exactly match what I had in mind. 

Do you do this? It can’t be just me, right?!

Put this in a spiritual context. 

God answers your prayers but you fail to see it because the response isn’t exactly as you want it, so you go on searching …

You feel you need more food for your soul and your local church or your place of employment offers book studies, small group gatherings, or prayer groups, but you look past those opportunities – still searching … 

You need to spend more time studying your Bible and praying; although you could carve out time early in the morning or right before bed, you reject those options – still searching …

You need hope … faith … patience … understanding … love … and you have the Bible app, a Bible on the shelf, and God available to listen to your prayerful whispers 24/7, but you’re still searching …

Today, if you have a need or feel something is missing STOP.

Stop searching. 

Look at what is right in front of you. Take those chances for spiritual growth and deeper connections with Christ that can and will fill your needs. Try taking advantage of opportunities that are right under your nose or at your fingertips even if they don’t exactly match the image you created in your mind. 

Stop searching. 

Recognize God is here with you now providing exactly what you need. 

Choose Love

/ Kimberly Fraker / Leave a comment

(This is a repost from a couple of years ago. As my husband and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary this week, I was reminded of this verse in 1 Peter. Today and every day, I am thankful to have my husband walk alongside me – through the years gone by and those ahead. Every day, we choose love and it just gets sweeter and sweeter.)

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 child 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.

Sleepless

/ Kimberly Fraker / Leave a comment

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

Young, naïve, and filled with energy, sleeping until noon on the weekend was the norm. Play hard all day – Sleep sound all night. Play hard all week – Sleep in on the weekend. No problem. This pattern lasted until I started adulting. 

Becoming a young adult, a parent, and a professional in my field changed all that. I became restless … sleepless. Unable to sleep all night because of things I had on my mind. I found myself waking up with worry. Will we have enough money to pay the bills? Are the kids ok? Is someone crying? Did I forget to do something important for work? Is that person upset with me? These are just some of the thoughts that interrupted my sleep. 

If I wasn’t worrying about one of those things, I had numerous ideas running through my mind. Things I needed to remember or wanted to do. Pay for school aftercare … Remind students of … Ask teachers about … Share this thought with … Remember this idea to enhance a lesson … Pursue this creative thought … You get the idea. It was nonstop. My brain never turned off.

Advancing in my career, I became even more sleepless with increased responsibility for the care, education, and safety of others. Is bad weather moving in before dawn? Should I cancel or delay school? Must remember to meet with (student, teacher, parent) to address behavior or mediate conflict. How can I better motivate others? Board member wants to meet first thing in the morning – what can that be about? How can we increase student success? Teacher satisfaction? Public perception? Why are those social media posts so hurtful? Countless, endless contemplations over time hijacking my mind, robbing me of sleep … making me to be sleepless.

I never knew just how sleep deprived I lived my life until I retired from the career to which I devoted so many years and so much time. No more wonderings, what ifs, or weight of the world worries to make me sleepless. The school dreams stopped. The kids are married and happy. Finances are in order. My husband and I have more time to enjoy each other as well as travel and pursue hobbies. I find myself in a very sweet time of life.

I suppose you expect me to say I now sleep like a baby – not so. Now, I wake up in the middle of the night and find I have nothing (or very little) running through my mind. I stare at the ceiling, count sheep, try to come up with something that is on my mind but there is no reason for this sleeplessness. Maybe I just sleep less. Just age, I guess. 

I am sure you are familiar with the child’s prayer Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. My parents taught it to me, and we taught it our children too. The version I recite is:

Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake, 

I pray the Lord my soul to take. 

God bless … (insert specific names here).

Amen

Thinking of this prayer that ushered me into numerous safe, restful nights of sleep in my youth, I decided to create an adult version specifically for the sleepless times I have now. A prayer to occupy my mind until I am lulled and able to once again slumber. My new prayer is:

Now I lay awake at night,

I pray the Lord will hold me tight.

If I cannot fall back asleep,

I pray the Lord my thoughts to keep.

God bless …

I continue by adding my specific prayers of praise, protection, power, and promise for individual family members and friends. This helps me navigate my thoughts toward Heaven and my body successfully back to sleep.

Finding yourself sleepless?

Try this practice of prayer when you’re lying there wide awake desperate for a few more hours of shut eye. I wish I had thought of it sooner instead of wasting precious time and rest on the worry and weight of this world.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Proverbs 3:24

Mugshots – The Book is Here!

/ Kimberly Fraker / 1 Comment

As a subscriber, you are among the first people with whom I am thrilled to share my big news.

I am so excited to let you know Mugshots: Life’s Moments Captured for Christ is now published! My thanks to WestBow Press for their support and assistance throughout this process. Mugshots (the book) is a collection of some of my devotional writings: some old, some new, and some redone.

Mugshots: Life’s Moments Captured for Christ is available for purchase through the WestBow Press online bookstore and Amazon in paperback as well as other retailers. The ebook will be available in the next few weeks for download through Kindle.

Thank you so much for your encouragement and most of all for reading!

This blog and site will remain active as in the past with updated writings and other information as we enjoy this journey together. Stay tuned for more …

Back to School 2024

/ Kimberly Fraker / Leave a comment

(Many of the school systems in our area start back tomorrow and others will begin in the next week. I wish everyone a safe, successful academic year filled with increased student success!)

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

Just when everyone gets settled into a comfortable summer routine, it seems the fun is interrupted and the big yellow buses hit the road picking up children to take them back to school. Whether you have a child in school, work in a school, or just travel a road that passes a school, you are affected when that bell rings to signal that school is back in session.

Students return to school lamenting the passing of lazy summer days and acting as if they don’t remember what they learned just weeks earlier. Faculty and staff return to school and seem surprised at the lack of prep time and rush to get everything just right even though they have done the same start up routine for many years. Commuters are late for work that first day the big buses run because they forgot how congested the roadways are during peak travel times and about the delays they encounter when they safely stop to wait for children to board.

I can’t help but see a connection between this back to school shock and my spiritual journey. I don’t know about you but looking back at my life I can easily identify times when I have strayed away or taken a “break” from my spiritual routine and training. Like those students who become lackadaisical over the summer and get out of the habit of studying, I have done that regarding my own personal, Christian growth.

It never fails – the spiritual vacation ends with the wake up call to go back to school – so to speak. With some grumbling and complaining, I work to get back in the routine of a life centered on Bible study and prayer. Once I am back in the groove, it all comes naturally and I feel better and function more efficiently when I am focused on the right thing – my life with Christ. 

As we get older, a reminder to return to “the way [we] should go” is important. Just like those students who are returning to their formal training and renewing the desire to learn, as Christians we need to return and renew our commitment to walking in the way of the Lord. 

So if you have taken a vacation from your spiritual journey or are experiencing the summer slide in your soul, take this opportunity to go back to school as a student of God.

Remember those basic teachings and make the commitment to stretch yourself this academic year and grow in your faith. The benefit you receive will be immeasurable. You just might be surprised at how much you will add to your life through your love of learning and the scriptures.

Train and discipline yourself in prayer and devote time to studying the Bible. Then, even though you “go on vacation,” you will not depart from it. 

When that alarm goes off each morning, remember:

Class is in session! 

Stop. Drop. Roll.

/ Kimberly Fraker / 1 Comment

“When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.”                                                                     1 Kings 8:54

Here is a bit of history and a safety lesson: 

In the 1950s, a number of fire incidents occurred due to flammable clothing. The trendy clothing styles during that time were fashionable but highly flammable. These accidents led to the Flammable Fabrics Act in 1953 which set a standard on the flammability of fabrics. 

Later in the 1970s, the National Fire Protection Association determined a need to educate people on what to do if their clothes become inflamed and developed a series of Public Service Announcements to offer instruction and educate the public. Out of this initiative came the Stop, Drop, and Roll technique. Through the PSA campaign this technique and message became so memorable and popular it was soon incorporated into all fire safety educational programming. In short, the message states that if your body or clothes catch fire you should immediately stop, drop to the ground covering your face with your hands, and roll over and over back and forth until the fire is out.

The classic Stop, Drop, and Roll phrase and the visual of the action required is vividly etched in my mind as many songs with movements were used to teach this when I was a child (yes, in the 70s). As a part of fire safety, it continues to be drilled with children at a young age so that the action becomes an automatic response should this ever happen. 

When you read today’s title you may have immediately envisioned this process.

Stop, Drop, and Roll.

You may be thinking, “OK, but what does that have to do with this scripture or this devotional?” Since this concept is so engrained in us, I found an additional, useful application for Stop, Drop, and Roll that can easily be applied and remembered as a Christian. 

Applying these same principles, you can improve your prayer life (with slight modifications). Try this:

When life heats up causing you distress, remember to STOP immediately, DROP to your knees (or drop your head covering your face), and let your concerns, needs, and praises ROLL off your tongue until you get it all out.

To make sure you’re prepared during times of crisis start practicing now so that it becomes an automatic response.

In the morning, STOP what you’re doing, DROP to your knees, and ROLL out your prayer for the day to the Lord. 

Preparing to eat lunch, STOP before eating, DROP your head, and ROLL off your blessing for the meal. 

Coming in from a long day, STOP. DROP. ROLL.

You get the picture. 

Look at Solomon, born in 1010 BC, as an example – this has been going on for years. Intentionally prepare for your prayer life the way we prepare for a lifetime of fire safety and security. 

As stated by the U.S. Fire Administration: Be prepared. Be informed. Be safe. 

Dear Lord,

At this moment, I stop and pause in your presence bowing my head before you to bring to you my requests and concerns as well as my praises. I want prayer to be my first response in all situations. 

Amen.

Oh, Deer!

/ Kimberly Fraker / 1 Comment

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”               James 4:7-8

Each Spring brings the promise of warmer days and later sunsets, and there is nothing quite like seeing the first vibrant colors of this season with a little help from those April showers. We love this time of year and enjoy being out in our yard.

With that being said, my husband and I have spent a good deal of time (and money) – little by little – planting and adding flowering perennials along with some evergreen trees and shrubs to the landscape of our home since we moved here five years ago. It has taken us a while to find the right combination of plants in the best spots around the yard. 

In doing this, we have encountered a few challenges along the way. Two primary obstacles have been 1) the soil, which is hard clay and 2) the wildlife. Until now, we have always lived in a subdivision in a metro area. Here we are more remote – on purpose. There are a lot of benefits to being 20 minutes from just about everything.

When we picked the location for what we consider our retirement homestead, we selected this property because it is a spacious, wooded lot in the foothills of the beautiful North Georgia Mountains and home to a plethora of wildlife including a variety of song birds, turkey, fox, hogs, deer, bear, and an occasional bobcat. We love animals and never tire of looking for and watching to see who stops by on any given day. 

Considering our love for this more rural area and our wildlife neighbors, we did not anticipate that one of these furry friends would be one of our biggest problems – Oh, Deer! We underestimated the love the deer would have for some of our leafy additions to the property. It didn’t take long though to figure out what they like. First, they ate the hosta. Then, the hydrangeas. Next, the roses and the clematis. 

Oh, Deer …

Last year, we thought we outsmarted them as I researched deer resistant plants prior to choosing the replacements for my front flower bed. Proudly, I placed my hardy, floral finds in a carefully planned pattern for my husband to plant. All deer resistant … until they weren’t.

Oh, Deer …

Before my black-eyed susan could bloom, they were nibbled to nubs. Same with the some of the cone flower, roses, and yes – again, the hydrangeas (my favorite). 

I’m not giving in – the battle continues. We installed motion sensor lights near the plants which worked … until it didn’t. Moved all the hydrangeas to the back yard in the fence which worked … for the hydrangeas, but now the deer ate the lantana instead. They never eaten the lantana … until they do.

Oh, Deer …

So much for the deer resistant vegetation. I had to remind myself that these plants are deer “resistant” not deer “proof”!

Of course, there is a bigger lesson here. Turns out I’m a lot like those plants. As a Christian I resist the devil … until I don’t.  Somehow sin creeps back into my life – usually when I least expect it. If I’m lucky, the devil is only nipping at my heels and I quickly notice what’s happening, so I get myself back on track through intentional prayer and Bible study. There are times I neglect my spiritual needs for far too long and my faith looks like those poor plants after the deer graze – shredded, trampled, nibbled to the nub. 

Oh, Dear!

Just as I’ve learned that deer resistant doesn’t mean deer proof, being a Christian doesn’t make me devil proof – I am just devil resistant. 

Take the advice found in James chapter 4 and draw near to God so He will be near to you making you much more devil resistant. Even when you resist temptation, you can stumble, so remember to put on the full armor of God.

“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”      Ephesians 6:13-17