God Is With Us!

This past Sunday morning at approximately 1:30 a.m., the doorbell rang.  Chills ran up and down my spine.  Questions filled my mind.  Who was it?  What did they want?  Why were they here?  I was genuinely scared.  Immediately, I began to pray.  While I didn’t have an answer for the questions racing through my mind, I knew that God had everything under control.  I had the reassurance that God was with us.

My dad went to see who was banging on our door violently and ringing the doorbell repeatedly.  An individual who was under the influence of either drugs or alcohol had flipped their car and landed in a neighbor’s field.  This person had come to our house for help.  We called 911 and soon they were being attended to by the EMTs.  I prayed that they would be alright.  And I also thanked God for standing beside us, protecting my dad and me, and giving us His wisdom and peace even in an uncertain situation.

Sometimes, it is difficult to have faith that God will be with us through every trial in our lives.  I cannot tell you that it was easy to trust God while someone was beating on our door in the middle of the night.  There are times when we will be frightened to the point of trembling.  In these moments, our human nature tries to take over and tells us that everything is not okay.  But if we listen closely enough, we will find that there is a still, small voice saying, “Child, I am with you always.  Everything is going to be alright.”

Other times, it is so easy to trust God completely.  Last weekend, I attended a church ladies retreat.  At the retreat, we laughed and enjoyed a lot of delicious food, including delicious, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and copious amounts of fresh strawberries straight from Plant City, Florida.  Most importantly, we were fed spiritually.  By Sunday morning, we were on cloud nine.  Right before the communion service, we received news that our retired pastor’s cancer was in remission.  At this very moment, God seemed so very near.  Trusting God was so simple.

On Monday morning, I learned that Pastor Jim had gone on to be with the Lord, having stepped through Heaven’s gates peacefully in his sleep.  He was such a kindhearted man of God, who was humble in every way.  He loved his family, his church family, and most important, he loved Jesus Christ with all of his heart.  We prayed for Pastor Jim on Sunday, just as we had been doing for months.  And on Monday, our prayers were answered.  Only it wasn’t the answer that we were praying for.  You see, we don’t always understand God’s answers, but we can always be assured that He knows best.  When we are on top of the mountain, trusting God comes easily for us.  But when we are in the valley, it becomes much more difficult to trust that God has a perfect plan.

I want to encourage you today.  This valley that you are going through will not last forever.  Sometimes you have to go through a storm in order to enjoy a rainbow.  Even in the sunset, there’s sunshine awaiting you.  Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”  Don’t rely on what your human mind can or cannot comprehend.  Rely on God.  God knows exactly what you are going through.  He is right there with you and He will walk every step of the way right by your side.  The Bible says that He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).  Things may not make sense to you right now, but a day is coming when everything will be made clear to you.  God will show you His plan for your life in His timing.  Trust in Him.  Follow His steps.  Take comfort in the fact that God is always with you!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Are You Okay?

This past week, people have continuously asked me how I was doing. Even people I don’t know have stopped me and asked how all of the Suwannee Middle School faculty and staff were doing. I appreciate their concern very much, and I know this is one great thing about living in a smaller, rural community. Still, there were a few moments this week when someone went the extra mile, so to speak, to truly show they genuinely cared about how I was doing. It wasn’t, how are the students, or how is the school? It was, how are you? Not only that, but they took the time to listen to my response. You see, they could see the sadness in my eyes and in my actions. They knew I needed a smile, a hug, or a word of encouragement. And they simply wanted to know the answer to the question, “Are you okay?”

Sadly, we get so busy in our daily lives that we forget to ask if people are doing okay. Oh, we may ask how they are doing, but we may not take the time to ask someone if they really are doing okay. Many times, we greet someone by saying, “Hello, how are you?” Instead of really wanting to know how they are at the moment, it almost becomes more of a courtesy to ask such a question. Unfortunately, people may ask this question as a formality, yet they may not even care how the person is actually doing. Because of the large number of times people ask this question each day, the sincerity with which it is asked is sometimes lacking. Still, there are times when we encounter someone who goes the extra mile to ask us how we are really doing and if we are really okay.

Recently, one dear friend took time out of her busy day to put her arm around me, and then proceeded to ask me if I was doing alright. Then, we shared how we were both feeling about the loss of Coach Edwards. Our sentiments were the same: shock, disbelief, sadness. She asked me if I was okay. She also said if there was anything she could do to help me, she would; all I had to do was to let her know. In truth, she helped me more than she will ever know, just by showing that she cared. Another dear friend gave me a hug, and asked me how I was holding up. Then, she gave one of the sweetest, most unselfish gifts of all: a listening ear. She listened to my sorrows and joys, my worries and cares. And she offered support when I needed it most. These two kindhearted ladies took time to see how I was doing. And in doing so, I left them with my head a little higher, my steps a little lighter, and my smile a little wider.

One day this week, I had an appointment to go to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned. I had dreaded this appointment for quite some time, as routine cleanings are somewhat uncomfortable due to my overly sensitive teeth. I worried about how much it would hurt and whether or not the dental hygienist would be gentle or not. As soon as I sat down with everything in place, the hygienist asked me if I was okay. Consistently, she asked this same question over and over during the entire process. And she didn’t just ask the question and keep working. Instead, she listened to any request I made and corrected anything that might have been making me uncomfortable. You see, she didn’t just ask the question as a formality. She cared about my well-being. She cared if I was experiencing undue pain or discomfort. She cared if I was okay or not.

On your journey through life, there will be times when people ask you if you are okay. Sometimes, they will be sincere and take the time to hear your response. Other times, they will hurry on to their next appointment without even giving you the time of day. I am thankful to know that I can cherish the moments when someone takes the time to show they care. And during the times when people do not genuinely want to know how I am doing, I am grateful that there is One who will always care how I am doing. Jesus Christ is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). There is never a time when I cannot talk to Him. And there is never a time when He will not listen. He will always take time to see if I am doing alright. And He will do the same for you. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He will always love you. He will always care for you. And He will always want to know if you’re okay.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

A New Sense of Direction

When was the last time you stopped and asked for directions?  Maybe you searched for the desired destination on your Global Positioning System.  Perhaps you called someone on the phone to find out which way you should go.  It probably didn’t matter where you obtained the information, just so long as you made it to your destination safely and on time.  In life, there are many places we must go and appointments we must keep, but the most important directions we will ever read are the ones in God’s Word.  This Book is a roadmap, not for the highways and byways on which we drive our automobiles, but a map for life itself.  It tells us where to turn, where to stop, and where we should be at all times.  If you find that you are lost on your journey through life, Jesus Christ can help you find a new sense of direction.

Today, the dog that took up residence on our doorstep this week seemed to get a sense of direction.  He started walking toward our hay barn on the hill and disappeared out of sight.  All of the sudden, it just seemed as if something clicked in its head, and he knew which way to go to get home.  No, he didn’t have the ability to search for his owner’s house on Google Maps.  But God knew which direction he should go, and I am sure that God guided him all the way home.  Now, he is no longer sitting on our doorstep, looking like the misplaced canine he once was.  Even though he didn’t have a written map with him, he seemed to know exactly where he was going.  Unfortunately, finding the right direction is not always so easy, especially for people.

Sometimes, there are directions in life that have nothing to do with driving a car down the road.  These types of directions cannot be found on the Internet or any other electronic gadget for that matter.  You see, life is not equipped with a GPS unit that will continuously tell us to “turn left” or “turn right.”  Some decisions will be extremely difficult.  Some journeys will be nearly impossible.  Some roads will be treacherous.  Yet, you can take comfort in the fact that Jesus Christ will be with you every step of the way.  And with Jesus by your side, you will always know which direction to turn.

Perhaps you have made a wrong turn in your life and do not know how to cope.  You may have left your family, seeking a better life or a more fulfilling existence, only to find that single life is not what you truly desired.  It may be that the absence of the love of your family is nearly more than you can bear.  Or you might have entered a life of drugs and alcohol, just to realize that these things only provide a temporary reprieve from the difficulties you are facing.  You may have decided that these things are not the ultimate answer, but you do not know how to get back on the straight and narrow.  Or you could be someone who was raised as a Christian all of your life, but have recently found yourself straying away from Jesus Christ.  Now, you may be trying to find your way back home to the safety of His arms, but you’re so far away, you do not know how to get there from where you are now.

Jesus Christ has not forgotten you.  He cares for you.  He wants you to come home.  There is no spot on this earth that is out of the reach of our Heavenly Father.  He knows where you are.  He knows everything you have done, every turn you have made, every road you have taken.  Even if you made poor choices, He loves you unconditionally.  He wants to guide you and direct you, and He wants to help you make it home.  The Bible says, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6 KJV).  He doesn’t want you to stay lost, wasting your life in all of the wrong places.  He will give you directions, leading you to the right places.

If you are struggling with some particular aspect of your life, don’t sit on someone else’s porch, simply because you cannot find your way home again.  Ask God to help you.  Ask Him for His guidance.  Ask Him for a new sense of direction.  He will show you how to get home.  God’s Word says, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him” (Psalm 37:5 ESV).  Trust Him today.  If you are going the wrong way, God allows U-turns.  He loves you more than you could ever imagine.  Open up your heart, listen to His voice, and allow Him to guide you to the life you have always dreamed of living.  Don’t wander around aimlessly.  Look to God for a new sense of direction.  He will bring you to a place of peace, joy, and hope.  Best of all, he will bring you home.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

One Day, I'll...

Did you ever hear someone say, “One day I will do this, one day I will go there, one day I will (fill in the blank)?”  Many times, we get so caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities we must uphold that we lose sight of the fact that we need to cherish each and every moment.  In this life, we have no guarantees of tomorrow.  Because of this fact, we need to live in the moment.  If we want to vacation with our family, we need to do it.  If we want to live out a lifelong dream of purchasing a motorcycle, boat, or mountain cabin, we need to make it happen.  And if we want to reconcile any differences we may have with our children or other loved ones, we need to mend the broken fences and nurture these relationships, as opposed to neglecting them.  In this world, we cannot put off until tomorrow what we could do today.  Why?  Because we never know how many tomorrows may remain.

Nearly three years ago, I remember talking to my Mom about my future wedding day.  We discussed all of the details in depth, from the tiered wedding cake, complete with a fountain in the middle, to a garden of daisies and roses sprinkled throughout the sanctuary.  She was to be my Matron of Honor.  Everything was going to be perfect.  The only thing I had to do was wait for that special someone to come into my life, in God’s timing.  I knew that “one day” my Mom and I would enjoy sharing my special day together, along with my Dad and new husband.  Little did I know that God had other plans.

Since my Mom went to be with the Lord, I have often talked to my Dad and a couple of close friends about my future wedding day.  At first, I wondered how I could have a wedding without a Mother of the Bride…and without my Matron of Honor.  Since this time, God has shown me that He has a dream for my life.  No matter what trials come, He is in control.  While I do not understand His plan, I know that He will remain faithful.  And He even cares about my wedding day.  In His infinite goodness, He will provide a Matron of Honor and perhaps, a Mother-in-Law of the Bride or other dear friend with whom I can share this special day.  And of course, I am prayerfully trusting God to send that special someone as well!  In spite of the changes that have taken place in my life, I know that “one day” my special day will take place, according to God’s dream for me, not my own.

Often times, we seem to forget that God has a plan for our lives.  We may also ignore the fact that our steps are ordered by the Lord.  Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”  Notice that God gives us the freedom to plan what we will do along life’s journey.  Yet, you cannot omit the second part of the scripture.  God has established our steps.  Our steps have been planned out, before we were even born.  God knows what we should do and when we should do it.  He knows if we will do His will, or follow a treacherous path of our own choosing.  He also knows when we will walk our very last step on this earth.
If you knew that you only had one week left to live on this earth, would you live life differently?  Would you go out and buy things you’ve always wanted, but have put off purchasing?  Would you travel more in seven days than you ever have in your entire life?  Would you say “I love you” more often?  What would really you do?  Take a moment to contemplate the honest answer to this question.  Now, think about the way you currently live your life.  Do you spend your money wisely?  Or do you either waste it on frivolous things or pinch every penny, never to enjoy a luxury now and then?  Do you cherish each moment?  Or do you simply go through the motions of life?  Do you cherish time with your family?  Or do you take them for granted, spending more time with your coworkers, television, or computer?

On countless occasions, I have heard someone who is nearing retirement say, “One day, when I retire, I will go on a cruise.”  Or they may say, “One day, I will rent a motor home and take a road trip out west.”  Or “One day, I will go visit my grandchildren.”  Sadly, I have also seen some of these same individuals develop physical ailments before they retired.  Often times, their health prevented them from experiencing the dreams they had waited their entire life to fulfill.  One dear friend had many dreams, yet she had a heart attack a short time before retirement.  As I sat at her memorial service, I recalled the many things she had planned to do with her husband, children, and grandchildren.  For this sweet friend, “one day” never came.

King Solomon was a very wise individual who gives us advice on enjoying life.  He wrote, “So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad.  Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 8:15 NIV).  This scripture tells us that even amid the work we must complete in life, we will have joy simply by enjoying life.  He also gives us some insight as to the varying number of days or years we each have on this earth.  He states, “However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all” (Ecclesiastes 11:8 NIV).  Regardless of what things must be done, we need to realize that our days are numbered.  While we do not know how many days of our life remain, we should live each one as though it truly matters.

In this day and age, I know that times are hard.  I know the economy is suffering.  Still, I have seen firsthand that life has no guarantees.  You may save up money to do something or go somewhere “one day,” and that day may never come.  I Timothy 6:17 (NIV) says, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”  Don’t wait until you retire, or strike it rich, to do the things you want to do with your family and friends “one day.”  Instead, put your hope in God, and He will provide a way for you to experience the enjoyment of life in the here and now.

Personally, I know that our lives truly are but a vapor, as we read in God’s Word.  James 4:14 (NIV) states, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”  Our lives on this earth are only temporary.  There is no guarantee of tomorrow, and we need to ensure that we do not worry about “one day,” but instead cherish today.  I am so grateful to God for giving my Mom, Dad, and I the opportunity to travel and enjoy each other’s company as much as we did.  I would be even more brokenhearted if I was sitting here today, wishing that “one day” had ever come.  Neither my Dad nor I regret any trip we ever took, even if it caused a financial hardship.  And we continue to travel, as much as we can and often as we can.  Why?  Because we can tell you firsthand that waiting until “one day” may be too late.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Sweet Talk

Do you really think about the words you speak?  Has someone said something that really bothered you or maybe hurt you?  Or did you hear someone making inappropriate comments behind someone else’s back?  As Christians, we need to ensure that our speech is sweet.  The words that come forth from our mouth should seek to encourage, uplift, and share the love of God.  We need to not only walk the walk, but talk the talk as well.  And when we do talk, we need to build others up instead of tearing them down, bless instead of curse, and love instead of hate.  Inevitably, we need to ensure our lips do not bring sourness; instead, we need to make sure our words are sweet like honey.

I’m sure we have all heard the old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”  In reality, this statement is entirely false.  Bones will eventually heal, but broken spirits and crushed hearts may never fully mend.  Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) states, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”  I am sure none of us desire our words to act as swords.  Still, it is so easy to fall into that trap where you are tempted to say something that would best be left unsaid.  We need to guard ourselves against this reckless behavior, and do our best to bring wisdom and healing through the words we say.  If you have been the one on the receiving end, being pierced by the words of another person, do not hold a grudge.  Instead, pray that they will find the sweet talk that comes from knowing Jesus.  You’ll be amazed at what God can do when we ask Him to intervene!

This past weekend, I received a tweet containing a quote from Lisa Whelchel, who was speaking at the Women of Faith Over the Top tour in Billings, Montana.  Lisa was quoted as saying, “Pay attention to how someone talks to you about other people.  That’s probably how they talk to other people about you."  When I read this statement, I took a moment to think about what it meant.  Quite often, I have people tell me things about other people.  But, I typically have little thought as to what they tell others about me.  Wouldn’t it be nice to be a fly on the wall, able to hear everything that was said about you?  Of course, this could be a negative thing, since the knowledge of every word spoken about you could cause you to become sad, discouraged, or downright angry.  Be careful what you say and listen carefully to others.  And separate yourself from conversations that may bring harm to others.  Words truly can be hurtful, and we need to think before we speak.  Not only that, but we need to think about who we are speaking to and who we are speaking about before we utter the words.

Proverbs 11:11-13 (NIV) says, “Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.  A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”  In our relationships with other people, we need to maintain a level of trust.  Trust is an integral part of a friendship.  If you cannot trust your friends, your friendship can only go so far.  But if you have a solid foundation of trust, you will find that your friendship will be long-lasting and completely worthwhile.  As Christians, we should strive to be supportive, loving, and trustworthy friends, as opposed to being  gossiping, hurtful, and untrustworthy companions

Many times, it is so easy to just blurt out whatever pops into our head.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that should not be said, at least not to everyone around us.  Part of being a good parent, sibling, or friend is to know when to speak, what to say, and who to share it with.  God has given us the precious gift of speech.  We need to respect this gift and use it wisely.  God wants us to love our neighbor.  In order to show compassion for others, we need to ensure that our words are filled with the love of Jesus.  The words we speak should be carefully considered, so that we can avoid offending someone, putting someone down, or causing grief for another person.  So, the next time you hear someone engaging in sour words, pray for them.  And the next time you find yourself being painted into a corner, getting ready to share something you really shouldn’t, pray that God will help you hold your tongue.  Do not allow your words to be bitter.  Stick with Jesus and let your talk be sweet!

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer