“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”             Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Do you ever have those days when you just think to yourself, “My heart just isn’t in it today”?

Possibly on the way to work, at church, with your chores, or just looking in the mirror? 

I do. Sometimes I don’t just think it. I say it out loud. I have even confessed it to others. 

Some days, I am just not invested in the task at hand. Deep down I want to be on fire and totally devoted to whatever I am doing. The quote on my signature line of my email sums it up: “Each day I wake up determined to change the world and have a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.” (paraphrased from E.B. White)

The truth is some days or at times I just don’t feel it. I am not sure why. That feeling – or lack of feeling – drives me crazy. I feel out of sorts, discombobulated. No sense of purpose. No sense of direction. I just go through the motions.

Sometimes those motions are slow – like I am walking in mud. Nothing is truly getting accomplished. I am meeting the minimum requirement to exist. Then at other times, everything moves in fast forward – hurrying from one thing to the next. Just checking off tasks from the list. During one of my whirlwinds, I can remember saying to my children, “Take as much time as you need, but hurry up!” My version of exercising patience, I guess. 

During those times, I just can’t find the meaning. I can’t find the joy. No one stole it from me. I just can’t locate it. I must have misplaced it. 

I begin to wonder if I have done something to cause this emptiness. Have I done something differently? Am I doing this all wrong? I get bogged down. 

Then just as suddenly as I lost heart, I remember – pray. I remind myself to pray. 

Pray for joy – pray to find the joy. And if not joy, peace. Pray for the kind of joy and peace that only comes from God. 

Today, have you misplaced your joy? Have you lost heart? Is your heart just not in “it” today? 

Pray. Pray about it. I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.

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

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise.”     Ephesians 5:15 (NASB)

So there I was walking swiftly down the hall at work, sporting some really cute three inch heels with no back strap. (I know this detail means very little to the men reading this, but all of the women are shaking their heads knowing what’s coming next or wondering if I got a great deal on the cute shoes.) As it goes, my right foot landed a bit sideways on one of my steps causing my whole foot to turn in and me to slip. 

Instinctively, I looked around after regaining my balance wondering if anyone saw what happened. Then, I began to check the floor as if something on the perfectly clean floor caused my slip up. Seeing nothing, of course, I resumed my walk even more confident and purposeful on my mission. 

Much in the same way, I occasionally slip on my Christian walk – OK, so it is more like frequently. Then, I catch myself acting in a similar manner as I described above. It goes something like this: I am speeding through life, moving swiftly down the halls of time. I do something I know goes against my Christian way of life and beliefs. I might join in the gossip, use some unflattering vocabulary, judge someone before I give them a chance, skip Bible study, and the list goes on and on. Upon realizing my slip up, I worry – wondering if anyone noticed. Did someone who knows I am a Christian notice I wasn’t “walking the talk”? Or worse did I cause someone else to stumble? Maybe negatively influencing a non-Christian who saw me and thought, “… And she’s a Christian?!” Next, I look for someone or something else to blame. Creating excuses like I have been really stressed lately, someone was mean to me, nobody’s perfect! I brush aside my mistake and before you know it, I am well on my way again. Full steam ahead. Zooming through life until the next stumble. 

Isn’t that the way it usually happens? You don’t mean to trip, slip or falter as a Christian, but it just happens – when you least expect it. Ephesians 5:15 reminds us to watch our step. Be wise in your Christian walk. The next verse clarifies the reason:

“…making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”  Ephesians 5:16

You don’t have to look far to find evil in our world. Furthermore, time is often not our friend. It is up to us to use our time wisely and to make the most of the days we are given. 

All the more reason to be careful how you walk and … watch your step! 

“… but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

One of my guilty pleasures is fast food. Sometimes I just can’t resist those salty, golden French fries. On days when I decide to treat myself, I will drive out of my way to swing into one of my favorite fast food locations to place my much anticipated order.

Occasionally when this happens, the line at the drive through window will be wrapped halfway around the building causing my heart to sink – this is supposed to be “fast food,” right?! However, almost always I put my car in line which extends it even farther.

To me, it is worth the wait.

What else is worth the wait? Waiting in a mob of crazed shoppers on Black Friday to get a great deal on the latest technology. Waiting for a seat at my favorite restaurant; Waiting on a call from a friend to schedule a get together or waiting to see a doctor when I don’t feel well. These are all well worth the wait to me. 

Your own personal “worth the wait” list may be longer or shorter depending on your tolerance and patience. Although in this fast-paced, instant gratification world I believe most people aren’t willing to wait on much – because we usually don’t have to. 

As I look back over my “worth the wait” list, I realize most of the things on my list are silly or insignificant. Yet to increase my personal happiness, I would most surely wait on each and every one of them. 

My list makes me question – I am willing to wait for French fries but am I willing to wait for the Lord?

To that I have to answer – not always.

I ask God for answers. I pray for outcomes. But, I get impatient. I want God to operate on my timeline. I am inclined to believe He isn’t listening to me when I don’t see a result in what I consider a reasonable amount of time. I catch myself asking: Aren’t you listening God? Don’t you care, Lord?

Why is it I am so patient waiting 6 cars back to place an order for food but I am so impatient with God?

The psalmist wrote in chapter 40 verse 1, “I waited patiently on the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.”

It is all about patience.

You would think by now I would realize God is worth the wait. As frustrating as it may be, sometimes the wait is part of the answer. The wait can prepare us for the outcome. For better or for worse, His answer is perfect with perfect timing. The outcome He orchestrates is part of the bigger picture called life.

God is worth the wait. 

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”      Psalm 27:14 (NLT)

Sometimes the answer to our prayers is bold and clear and at other times it is quiet, subtle. Regardless – yes – God’s answer is worth the wait.

So what in your life is worth the wait? Catching the perfect fish? A long awaited vacation? 

How do those things compare to how God works in your life? Most likely, you will find those things pale in comparison to what God is doing in you and through you over time.

The next time you drive up to make your requests known to God and you find  you have to pull over and wait because the answer does not come, remember (before you get frustrated): Wait for the Lord. God is worth the wait!

“I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.”  Lamentations 3:24 (NIV)

“… he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;”             Psalms 103:10-11

As a young girl – a preteen – I remember picking a flower seeking insight and direction regarding a burning question: “Does he really like me?” I plucked each petal in search of the answer – 

            (first petal) He loves me.         (second petal) He loves me not.

While alternating these phrases, one petal at a time floated gently to the ground until only one remained …      He loves me – not.

Not exactly the answer I was looking for so I did what any other stubborn child would do – I picked another flower (and another, and another). Even when I got my wish and believed, He loves me, it wasn’t true or at least not for long anyway. 

With time and maturity, I came to realize that no amount of petal-plucking could ensure someone would love me.

Don’t we act the same way toward God? We think he picks and chooses who to love.

He loves me.  He loves me not.

            I share my gifts and talents with others – He loves me.

            I have a moment where I don’t use my church words – He loves me not.

            I’ve done all that I should; pray, read my Bible, attend church regularly – He loves me.

Things from the past come to mind making me feel shameful, embarrassed – 

He loves me not.

You keep this pattern going and end with one last proverbial petal and you conclude:

                        He loves me not. How could He?

If you find yourself with one last petal and it is labeled, He loves me not, I am here to remind, tell, and emphasize, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Read Psalms 103:10-11 again.

Thankfully, God does not treat us we deserve. His love is unconditional, transcending all reason. His love for you is as high as the heavens. Vast, immense, beyond measure.

So next time you’re tempted to pick yourself (your words, thoughts, actions) apart like that flower, remember and recite He loves me.

How can I be sure?

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  On that you can depend!

“We don’t see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as He knows us.”  (I Corinthians 13:12 MSG)

I love fog. Foggy mornings are the best!

The fog gently rolls down from the mountain, silently shrouding everything in its path, transforming objects into shadows. The heavy mist hovers and then lays delicately across the fields.

I think it’s just beautiful. It hides the flaws and allows me to pause, be still.

I love the unpredictability of the fog. You never know just when it will appear. Randomly, it is denser in some places than others. It can be a thin veil lightly suspended in space. Or in the heaviest of fog, holding my hand in front of me, it takes on a ghostly appearance. Mysterious.

I love fog … however, in the area between where we live and where I work, the fog becomes so thick at times it makes driving a challenge. Luckily, I feel like I know these roads like the back of my hand, so I rely on my instinct as I navigate the route to work or home. 

I trust that the road hasn’t changed even though I can’t see two feet in front of me. Zero Visibility – Trust becomes my guide. 

I can be moving along at my usual speed, encounter a small patch of light fog – no problem. Then, suddenly I enter a heavily laden stretch and I tense up. I trust that roads and landmarks remain the same even when blurred or out of sight; yet I am anxious. I grip the steering wheel more tightly … drive more slowly … remain on guard. 

In a fog, things aren’t always what they seem. It isn’t until you are right up on something or get into a clear spot that you can clearly discern your surroundings. 

That’s life. Things aren’t always what they seem. At times, you don’t see what’s coming until it’s right up on you. It’s not until the fog lifts or you’re in a clearing that the moments of your life make sense.

Life is living with the fog. When it rolls in and becomes heavy, distorting your view. When you have zero visibility. You must let trust (in God) be your guide.

Today, do you feel as if you can’t see clearly? Do you have days, weeks, patches of time where you are squinting, peering through a mist, trying to find your way? Let trust guide you. 

Trust that God sees you. Trust that God knows what lies ahead. One day, the weather will clear and in the brightness of His glory, we will see everything clearly. We will see Him as clearly as He sees us. 

Today, know that God is there. Zero visibility for us – no problem. God sees it all. Let Him be your guide.

“Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always.”           1 Chronicles 16:11

Do you ever struggle with prayer?

I do. 

I feel like I don’t have time. There is just too much to pray for and about. 

I feel like I don’t know what to say. It is so hard to get started.

I am just so busy I can’t sit still – be still – long enough.

All very poor excuses.

I know how important prayer is – a time to be thankful, a time to seek more, a time to cry out. Yet, I still don’t do it consistently.

Face it – Prayer is personal. We each have to find what works for us as individuals. 

I have recently been struggling with these thoughts and one evening as I was preparing for a good night’s sleep, I stumbled upon a simple formula to get my prayer life back on track. 

I was washing my face before bedtime, thinking about how tired I felt and how I would love to skip that part of my nighttime routine. Offering myself a little positive self-talk, I told myself how much better it was for me to take a couple of minutes to cleanse my skin and mind before bed. 

That’s when it happened … I made the connection. I need to take at least a couple of minutes (or more) each day to cleanse my soul. 

I thought about how I could apply my nightly practice to my prayer life to make it simple. To get me back in the habit. A simple routine to jump start my prayer life.

Then, I developed this basic pattern to make sure I always have time and make time to pray. 

Here’s how it goes: (Just fill in your own blessings and cares to make it your own.)

Dear God, 

I first want to praise You for all of my blessings both seen and unseen (eyes) my family, friends, a safe home, a good job, rebirth, and the renewal of my spirit.

Because I know (nose) You hear (ears) me when I pray, I lift in prayer my cares and concerns – my needless worrying, my friend’s illness, and the unrest in our world. I ask (mouth) for Your mercy and grace.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

By remembering this simple pattern – eyes, nose, ears, and mouth – you can face every day with prayer.

Start now and tomorrow just Face It (with prayer).

“All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.”   Proverbs 15:15 (NIV)

AYCE – All You Can Eat! 

Who doesn’t love seeing that on the menu?

Even if you don’t think you could, or should, eat until you can eat no more the idea is enticing. It makes you feel like you’re getting a better deal – that the meal will surely leave you satisfied. 

All you can eat – Count me in!

The scripture above from Proverbs, tells us that when you have a happy heart it’s like that all you can eat buffet. The options are endless. The good stuff just keeps coming and you are satisfied. 

What a great reminder of the importance of perspective. When you approach each day in a positive, optimistic way, you only see the best spread out before you. 

A 40% chance of rain today means there’s a 60% chance that it won’t. 

Your glass isn’t half empty – It’s half full. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. 

Facing a challenge without the proper resources? Remember necessity is the mother of invention.

Let your continual feast start today. 

Turn your obstacles into opportunities. Make the most of what is spread out before you. As a result, your heart will be full. You will be satisfied.

Remember to cherish each moment, each day and the good stuff won’t stop coming. 

“Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never send away.”    John 6:37

As Is.

For Sale – As Is.

Free – As Is.

I love a good sale; however, when I come across an incredibly good deal and I think it is too good to be true, it usually is. 

Like the time I found a popular stand mixer for less than $100 (it’s usually $300+) – I was ready to put it in my virtual cart and proceed to checkout when I realized in very small print it read “factory reconditioned.” Like those great deals you see only to discover the box damaged and marked “purchase as is.” Or that used car, which is an amazing bargain, but it has a few cosmetic imperfections and no warranty. 

“As Is” signals something isn’t quite right. It’s used … damaged … less than. 

When the seller knows something won’t get top dollar, it’s labeled less desirable. So, guess what – it’s discounted. 

Now, I am willing to take some things As Is – those things that that have imperfections that no one else will notice or see. Those appliances that are a scratch and dent deal are my favorite when I know I can hide the imperfection. However, I am selective – some might say picky. 

Through the years, I’ve always heard come as you are regarding church. 

As Is.

But can that really be?

Yes, it’s true.

God takes us As Is. Imperfections and all. Even when some things aren’t quite right. 

When you’re damaged – physically, mentally, spiritually. When you’re less than. 

When you’ve been discounted by this world, God wants you As Is. No questions asked. 

Now, that’s a great deal!

Today, know you are highly valued by God – As Is. 

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

Well, here we are again … crossing the threshold into another New Year. 

When I was younger, my friends and I would make New Year’s resolutions – lose 5 pounds, drink more water, exercise daily, eat better, and so on. You know how it goes. Generally, those resolutions lasted 4 – 6 weeks – maybe three months max – before they were pushed aside and forgotten.

Later, as an adult, I abandon those empty resolutions and adopted the practice of choosing a verse of scripture from the Bible for the year. Something to read and focus on throughout the year as a means of self-improvement. I liked the positive motivation I gained from my choice each year; however, I again found myself falling into a pattern of either choosing a similar verse each year or just relying on some of my favorites:

This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. It just wasn’t pushing me to branch out or stretch myself in new ways. That trend ran its course and I found myself in need of something different to find, set, and maintain my focus for self-improvement in each New Year. That’s when I came across the idea of choosing a word for the year. 

Just one word.

I love words. I love the challenge of finding just the right word. I love committing to that word and seeing how I can apply it to different aspects of my life using it in various contexts encouraging growth, reflection, and renewal. I feel like choosing just one-word challenges me to take action, engage with, and apply that word and its meaning. 

In the past, a New Year’s word would just come to me and be my word. I just knew what I wanted it to be. Most recently, it has been the word Intentional … for two years. I had a lot of work to do in that area apparently. This year it hasn’t been as easy to choose. Those words considered include impact, value, identity, vision, and I (I like the challenge of this short word that means so much). 

How about you? Have you made a resolution? Have you chosen a verse of scripture from the Bible? Have you chosen one word? 

Maybe you should consider it. 

You may be wondering which word I picked.

Worth.

I want to be cognizant of what is worth my time, energy, and resources. What in my life is really worth it?

I also want to remind myself of my worth. I am deserving. I am valuable. I am worth it.

To begin my exploration of this word and what it means to me in my life and work, I found some scriptures that support it and give me a foundation for reflection and motivation in this new year:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, 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

^“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”    Luke 12:6-7

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10

So, here we are again crossing the threshold of a New Year. A New Year of possibilities and opportunities. Open Doors that are mine to close. What will you do with this gift of the present? What will keep you positive, focused, and motivated as you head into the unknown days ahead?

Just one word may help you sort it out, accomplish your goals, and stretch you farther.

Happy New Year! 

* Jon Gordon, speaker and author of The Power of Positive Leadership (along with numerous other books) is promoting the One Word Challenge. He even co-authored a book about it – One Word that Will Change Your Life. I encourage you to accept the challenge. Choose your word and see how you can use it on your journey through this New Year. 

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him’ …  After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” Matthew 2:1-2 and 9-10

After Christmas, I like to leave my house decorated into the New Year. My husband is usually anxious to get it all cleaned up, but I always try to stretch it out a little more each year. I tell him I’m waiting for the wise men. (Truthfully, I enjoy the lights on the tree, the time of reflection, and the focus on all that is good, calm, and peaceful.) 

Going into this New Year, I am reflecting on the wise men and their journey. I tried to research how long it took them to find Jesus and how far they traveled. Since the recorded information is a bit vague there are many varying views. Some say it took them a couple of weeks or no more than two months. Some say they traveled 400 miles while others say 700 or 900. One person even tried to apply some additional logic saying that if the wise men only traveled at night which is when they would see the star then it would take them two and a half years for the journey. Wow. Lots of speculation but no real answers. 

I don’t really need the answers. The meaning isn’t in the length of the journey or the time devoted to seeking. The meaning is the journey. It is the act of seeking. 

The wise men set out on a journey with an unknown destination. Focused on a star. They were devoted to following the star. Following it through the desert – no matter where it took them – so they could find their King. 

We each are a bit like the wise men. Out on a journey. Destination unknown. Following what we believe.

What we believe often appears most clear at Christmas. The world stops – or at least pauses – in various ways. The birth is acknowledged. But what happens, when the tree is gone, and the decorations are packed away?

Much like the wise men – we must follow that star! 

The wise men weren’t there for the birth. Their arrival was after the fanfare. But they maintained their focus. They stayed true to the cause – even across the desert. 

As we face the dawning of a New Year, let’s make a commitment to follow the star. Each day. Even through those desert days when we are fatigued and weary.

You might be thinking, “What star?”

You decide. What will keep you focused? What will keep you headed in the right direction toward meeting your King?

Is it more time spent in prayer? Is it becoming more active in church? Is it reading your Bible more? Is it devoting yourself to service? 

Before the Christmas lights are gone, while all is calm and all is bright, reflect on the past and leave It in the past. Set your sights on the future and the promise of each new day. 

Find your star.

Spend the New Year following that star and you, too, will be overjoyed!