Encouragement

Mother Theresa or Attila the Hun?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

One day we are born. From that day on each of us is formed by everything and everyone we encounter. We begin a journey, one fraught with difficulty, joy and opportunity. The journey’s end cannot be predicted. When we are wise we rely on our Creator and on each other. When we are self-centered we lose touch with those closest to us and to the One who set the sun in the sky and whales in the ocean. We have a lifetime – no matter its length – from first cry to last sigh. 

 Because of our human nature on some days we are Mother Theresa, charitable, passionate servants, and full of mercy. On other days we’re Attila the Hun, all about power and self-interest. The decision about how we will live is up to us. Will we be charitable servants or barbaric invaders?

Our God is not the great puppeteer. Our life choices are ours. Believers are better prepared for the charitable servant path. We have the fruit of the Spirit to call upon: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. On the days we feel like Attila the Hun we need to remember God’s promise to be with us all the days of our lives, even when we're acting more like Attila than Theresa.

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Share the Light

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Compassion lightens a load. Kindness relieves a burden. Humility puts the needs of others first. Gentleness relieves your fears and the fears of those around you. Patience replaces selfish ambition with trust in the One. Place your emphasis on service and your life is enriched in ways you never imagined. Share the Light.

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Every New Day

Psalm 100

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
² Worship the Lord with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the Lord is God.
  It is he who made us, and we are his;
  we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
  and his courts with praise;
  give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
  his faithfulness continues through all generations.

The Lord Takes Delight In You

 Be the Reason Other People Smile

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For the Lord takes delight in his people; He crowns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4

When you have done your best and you’ve been told by critics that your best isn’t good enough, it’s easy to get down on yourself. More volunteers are discouraged by criticism than are retained by praise. Pointing out the chinks in a plan rather than looking for ways to shore it up accomplishes nothing. The Lord takes delight in all of us. What kind of world would it be if we delight in others? Take delight in the people around you. Be the reason they smile. Help them succeed.



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Hope and Faith

There Are No Barriers

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Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

People are often branded early in life and unable to get past whatever label is pinned to them.

She grew up with abuse and cruelty, her fate is sealed.

He grew up with alcoholic parents, he will be an alcoholic.

Domestic violence in that house shaped the children; they will grow up damaged.

And the list goes on.

God recognizes no barriers. He sees in all of us the potential for change and renewal. His promise is to be with us in all circumstances and to see us through whatever may occur. We change our future when we give up who we are to God and allow him to be at work in us.  

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Morning Has Broken

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23

Every day is a new day. Persevere. That’s my word for 2012, adopted at the first of the year. God’s time and mine may not be the same, that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t keep going, stay on the road, and walk through every door God opens. On Jan. 1 and every day since, I have resolved to remain positive and work hard. God has a plan. My job is to make use of my gifts, learn and prepare, work at the work I have to do with all my heart, as working for the Lord, and be ready to go when called upon. Failures are self-inflected. Successes are God-driven. Stick with it. Hang in there. Trust God. He knows what he is doing.

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A Spring Moment

“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. Luke 12:27

This week the first tulip in our yard opened. Now there are several more, an irregular row of yellow blossoms bright against the spiky green leaves. The flowers open as the day progresses, folding back into themselves as evening falls. I am astounded by the beauty of these harbingers of spring. Awed by their color. Filled for a moment with a desire to laugh with joy at the sight of them. Were I a child I would drop to my knees and stare at them, believing I could watch the wax and wane of their life cycle. I would touch them with care, fearful of damaging something so delicate. I shake my head and hurry on, and then stop for just one moment and say, "Thank you Creator God, for your gift of tulips."