Get a Grip!

Have you ever become frustrated while trying to unscrew the lid of a pickle jar or some other container?  No matter how hard you try, you just can’t get a grip on the lid.  Yesterday one of my friends was trying to remove the lid from a travel mug and finally decided to wait until she got home.  We both agreed that one of those nifty rubber grippers we have in our home kitchens would likely do the trick.  And of course, if all else fails, we can always rely on the assistance of the man of the house!  In reality, life bears a striking resemblance to our attempts to get a grip on these various types of containers.  In the same way we experience frustration while trying to unscrew a lid, there are times in life when we become frustrated due to the circumstances surrounding us, to the point of almost giving up.  No matter what we do, there are moments when we simply cannot get a grip.

Whether it is a traffic jam on the way to work, a power outage right in the middle of dinner preparation, or a call from a telemarketer when you’ve just sat down to relax after a long day, there are always unforeseen things that happen to interrupt our otherwise routine schedule.  Sometimes these interruptions, though often miniscule and unimportant, become blown out of proportion when we are dealt one on top of the other.  It’s the same way with the pickle jar analogy.  Even though unscrewing the lid off of a jar should not be a big ordeal, it can cause severe frustration if multiple attempts do not produce success.  And while these daily interruptions like an unexpected phone call or an extra stop at a traffic light should not ruffle our feathers, there are times when all of the frustrations of the day and of life in general surmount to the point where we find it hard to keep things in perspective.  Although it is often hard to keep our perspective, we need to focus on Jesus Christ.  He is the Solid Rock on which we can stand, even in a world of uncertainty.

From the eleven o’clock news to the local newspaper, it becomes more difficult every day to come to terms with the troubling stories as they unfold right before our eyes.  A father takes his own life and the life of his children.  A prominent individual slanders the name of Jesus Christ.  A drunk driver causes a tragic accident that kills innocent bystanders.  Seeing all of the sorrow and pain in the world, it makes us wonder how this world can last even another day.  Jesus said, “‘You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in various places’” (Matthew 24:6-7 NIV).  But do not be discouraged!  You see, He also said, “‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world’” (John 16:33 NIV).  No matter what happens, there is hope in Jesus Christ.

What about you?  Perhaps you are fighting a battle of your own.  Maybe you are dealing with depression, feeling as if you cannot get a grip no matter how hard you try.  Every day, you try to focus on the positive only to drift back to those negative thoughts of disappointment and despair.  Or you may be struggling with an addiction, whether it is drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or even an addiction with food that is the cause of your obesity.  There may be moments when you feel that there is no point to trying to wean off of the habit, with the firm belief that you could never make a change.  You could be sitting in the waiting room, wondering when your family member will finally get well enough to come home, having been in the hospital for days or weeks or months.  It may seem like there has been no improvement and you wonder if they will make it through.  Whatever you’re facing today, don’t lose hope.  Jesus will help you cope with your circumstances.  He will help you get a grip on your emotions, your health, and your life.

Friend, I want you to know that everything is going to be okay.  I realize that life may seem hopeless.  Your mind is likely filled with doubt, having struggled with something in your life to the point of complete and utter frustration.  But even in the darkest of midnight, there is sunshine awaiting you.  Jesus Christ is the Light in a world of darkness.  Just like the times you’ve tried to grip the lid on a pickle jar, you might need some assistance.  Don’t rely on your own strength to unscrew the lid.  Rely on God, the One who created you in His image.  Isaiah 40:29 (NIV) says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”  Depend on Jesus Christ who loves you unconditionally.  Whenever you’re frustrated to the point of wanting to throw the jar on the ground, or throw your life by the wayside, allow Him to be your strength when you are weary.  Allow Him to help you handle life’s problems as they come your way.  Allow Him to help you get a grip!  Even when you feel like you’ll slip and fall, Jesus will always be there.  Grip His hand tightly because He will never, ever let you go.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

The Waiting Room

When was the last time you sat in a waiting room in the doctor’s office?  I want you to visualize the setting.  Perhaps the room was crowded, full of people you were sure carried multiple types of diseases.  The children sneezed and coughed profusely, never once covering their mouths.  You picked up a magazine to try to occupy your mind, only to find that it was the same magazine you already read cover-to-cover three months ago.  Sitting there, you wonder why you even made an appointment.  You still have to wait along with everyone else.  You’re probably getting sicker by the minute, being subjected to this germ-infested environment.  Just when you were about to throw in the towel and give up, the nurse opens the door and calls your name.

Life is a lot like a doctor’s waiting room.  Each day, there are difficulties we must face.  These struggles will often weigh us down, infecting us just like the germs that may be found in a doctor’s office.  The constant battles we have to fight cause us to grow impatient, much like someone who is waiting for an appointment that is overdue.  Just like the patients sitting in those uncomfortable straight-backed vinyl covered chairs, our names will soon be called.  Unlike the nurse who calls our names from a clipboard in her hand, our names will one day be read directly from the Lamb’s Book of Life.

I want to encourage you, if you are not certain that your name is written in this Heavenly Book, make today the day that you begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Today could be the day that you are called from this temporary home to your permanent home on high.  Have you made your appointment?  If not, it’s not too late.  You have no guarantee that you will breathe another breath.  No man, woman, or child, young or old, has the certainty that tomorrow will even come.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.  Make your appointment for Heaven today.  Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and ask Him to be the Lord of your life.  If you do, your life will never be the same.  And you will know that when your name is called, you will walk through Heaven’s gates to live eternally with the Lord.

This morning, I attended the memorial service for a young teenager whose name was called this past weekend.  There was little warning for her and her family.  She lost her life due to injuries sustained in a accident.  As I sat there, I continuously began to ask myself, “Why?”  Why did this young girl not have the opportunity to graduate high school, go to college, or get married?  Why was she taken from this earth at the young age of fourteen?  Why didn’t God spare her life?  Of course, I know I am not alone.  I’m sure that everyone in the sanctuary had similar questions on their mind.  While sorrow filled my heart, hearing the stories of her vibrant, yet short-lived life, I also felt peace in my heart.  You see, she knew Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior.  She made her appointment in Heaven long ago.  And I know that her name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and I will see her again one day.

While we may not be able to comprehend why things like this happen, we can rest assured that God has everything under control.  He knows our hearts are sad.  He feels our pain.  He sees our tears.  Yet, He knows how our story ends.  Romans 8:28 (NIV) says, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Notice this scripture does not say that all things are good.  Instead, it says that God will work everything together for our good.  Does this mean that we will never encounter a trial?  Does the scripture mean that we will never have a bad day?  No.  What it does mean is that God will take each trial and every single bad day and in His own special way, use them for our good.

You may be thinking, how could the death of a young girl be used for good?  I cannot answer this question.  Only God knows what the future will bring.  He knows our future and He knows our past.  And He is walking beside us right now, in the present, holding our hands as we stumble along the road of life.  Through every illness, tragedy, and even death, He will be our strength when we are weary, our peace when we are distressed, and our hope when we are hopeless.  Even in every moment of heartache, God has given us a promise that we can stake our lives on.  He has promised us that this earth, with all of its turmoil, is only temporary.  We are just passing through on our way to our eternal home, Heaven.  We won’t have to wait in this dreary waiting room much longer.  2 Corinthians 5:1-5 (The Message) says:

For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we'll never have to relocate our "tents" again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what's coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we're tired of it! We've been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less.

If you want to experience the joy of knowing that this life is only temporary, don’t wait until tomorrow.  Don’t sit there in frustration, uncertain of where you will go when you die.  Don’t leave your family and friends wondering if they will see you again.  Don’t sit there miserable because you feel like you are a prisoner to this world of sorrow; instead, cling to the One who will restore your joy, set you free, and light the way home.  Jesus Christ will be a friend who is closer than a brother.  He will love you when you feel unlovable.  He will pick you up when you fall.  And best of all, if you have a personal relationship with Him, He will welcome you with open arms when your life on earth is done.  Don’t sit there, trying to remember if you made an appointment, growing agitated with the long wait.  Make your reservations and set your sights on Heaven until the day you make it home!

In Christ's Love,
Jennifer

Patience Really is a Virtue

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Psalm 37:7 (NIV)

Have you ever had a frustrating experience? Or was there ever a time that your patience was tested? Surely, all of us have been frustrated or lacking patience at some point in our lives. It is during these times that we need to call on the name of Jesus to calm our spirits and bestow upon us the divine patience that only He can give.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Women of Faith conference in Tampa, Florida. Little did I know that my first experience as a Women of Faith Group Leader would not only uplift and inspire, but it would also bring me closer to His throne, strengthen my faith, and increase my patience.

The alarm clock sounded. I woke up on time. Yet I drove out of the driveway fifteen minutes late at 5:45 a.m. Still, I had allowed adequate time to get to my destination, so I was not too concerned. The only thing that concerned me was the fact that my phone picked this particular morning to malfunction. Making this three and a half hour journey without a properly working cell phone had me a little on the edge, to say the least. Quickly, I composed myself and began to pray…for my phone. Shortly after, my phone began to run like a Swiss watch. I’m so grateful that God even cares about the little things. It wasn’t until the last few miles of my journey did I realize just how God’s hand had covered much more than my phone.

The last four and a half miles of Interstate travel took more than 45 minutes to navigate, due to a three-car pile-up. While I am certainly not an expert on vehicular accidents, it appeared that the accident had likely taken place approximately fifteen minutes prior. Fifteen minutes. The amount of time I was delayed. Immediately, I began to pray for those involved in the accident, that their lives would be spared and that God would place His hand upon them. And I quietly thanked Him, too, that I was spared from this accident.

Part of the WOF team praising God

Upon my arrival in downtown Tampa, I had difficulty finding my way through the maze of construction and detours. Yet I ended up in a parking garage, parked right next to a dear friend I had not seen since last year’s Women of Faith event. The entire weekend was a waterfall of unexpected blessings like this one. From a seat right next to the Porch Pals the entire weekend to spending time with dear friends, everything was better than I could have ever imagined. And some moments were so special that an experienced screenwriter could not have penned them so beautifully. There were so many highlights, including my visits with Sheila Walsh, Mary Graham, and so many other special people who have grown so very dear to my heart, along with the sweet spirit that was present throughout the arena. These moments made a wonderful weekend even more precious.



Sheila Walsh and I



Of course, the weekend would not have been as meaningful without the encouragement and inspiration presented by the Women of Faith team. One pivotal moment was when my question was answered by Sheila Walsh and Dr. Henry Cloud during the Q&A session on Friday afternoon. It was as if God was speaking through them, for the Holy Spirit knew exactly what I needed to hear. Natalie Grant’s rendition of “It Is Well With My Soul” brought to mind 2 Corinthians 2:15 (NIV): “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” This scripture exemplifies the way that all of the Women of Faith speakers and artists dedicate their lives to sending off the sweet spirit of the Lord to thousands of women every year.

Every moment of the weekend was incredible. And the entire time, I wondered, how would the weekend have been if I had not left fifteen minutes late? What would it have been like if I had gotten angry instead of getting through to the throne of grace? All weekend, I told others of my journey to Women of Faith this year. And the entire time, I felt as if I was walking on cloud nine. My smile was wider, my steps were lighter, and I am sure I was beaming with joy because I was filled to overflowing with the goodness of the Lord. Little did I know, amidst the fullness of joy in my heart, that God was still preparing another test of my patience.

On Friday night, I walked out of the arena when the event was over, expecting to find the shuttle waiting to transport me to my nearby hotel. Yet, countless buses, vans, cars, shuttles, and taxi cabs drove by, picking up ladies from all walks of life. All except for the shuttle I was waiting for. Fifteen minutes went by. The hotel said they were on their way. Fifteen more minutes passed. The shuttle driver relayed a message via telephone that the roads were blocked. The police said the roads were clear. Twelve ladies remained. The other 7,000+ had found a way to their accommodations for the evening. A taxi cab came by and took four ladies to our hotel for two dollars each. Inexpensive? Yes. Did I go? No. Something tugged at my heart, urging me to wait. Just wait. After waiting for over an hour, the shuttle finally came. Apparently, the shuttle driver was having a difficult night. We had been asked to stop by the front desk when we arrived at the hotel. The manager apologized. Our patience was rewarded with $100 being deducted from our bill. God amazed me once more by turning this aggravation into a blessing in disguise.

Sometimes, God wants us to wait patiently to avoid a harmful circumstance. Other times, He wants us to wait patiently for a blessing that He has in store. Psalm 37:7 (NIV) says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” God’s word does not call us to fidget and become frustrated while we are waiting. Instead, it says that we should “be still” and “wait patiently.” So, the next time you’re in line and someone in front of you seems to be using their debit card for the first time, wait patiently. God may use you to minister to them or someone around you. Or if your flight is delayed, remember that God may know something you do not. Even a small delay could be the difference between life and death. Our Heavenly Father truly knows best.

When I think back to all of the times God has protected me from harm, and I consider the times when I didn’t even know harm existed, I fall in love with Him all over again. He loves us unconditionally. There is never a time in your life that God is not thinking about you. He wants you to listen to His still, small voice. Sure, you may have to wait. Every day, I am reminded that patience really is a virtue. At times, it may be a struggle to demonstrate patience, especially after waiting for days, months, or years. But God’s word says that like Abraham, we, too, will receive what is promised if we wait patiently on Him (Hebrews 6:15). Be still. Wait patiently. And see God move.

In Christ's Love,
Jennifer