Simple Thoughts

How many of us grew up going to church with our families on Sundays? How many of us participated in youth sponsored events at church? Bowling, movies, ice skating, Bingo, ice cream socials. How many of us want our own children to go to church and allow our neighbors, grandparents, and bus ministries to get them there?

I remember a conversation I had with a neighbor. She said, “You are the family we know that goes to church.” Basically, what she was saying was, “I like that your family goes to church. We don’t, but good for you.”

I am happy to be known as a church-going family. Friends, family, co-workers, neighbors will come to me asking for prayer, advice, counseling. I want to be prepared. I want to go to church to be taught by a bible teaching pastor. Church feeds my soul, lifts me up spiritually, refocuses me on God and off worldly pursuits. Church brings me into fellowship with other Christians.

We are created to worship our Creator God. If you don’t go to church anymore, who or what have you replaced God with? If you want to go to church but don’t know how, message me. Let’s have a conversation. God is present. Be present with Him, even at church.

Ephesians 3:20-21 ^” Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Acts 2:42 “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”

Words that fill the page that are not my own. Words that remind me of Who God is. Words that touch my heart. Words that bring comfort.

“Only God is outside the boat, sovereign, stable, and strong enough to calm the storms.” Jennifer Benson Schuldt

“Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them. Let them exalt Him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation.” Psalm 107:31-32

“You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness; but will have the light of life.'” John 8:12

We’ve done the work. We’ve made the preparations. We are staying on top of the latest hurricane updates. We are mindful of the power of a hurricane. This is not our first rodeo. We take it seriously yet we are not panicking.

Now… we wait. I’ve been sitting on the front porch, enjoying a refreshing, steady breeze. Not a common occurrence on Labor Day in Florida. Making the best of the time. Thinking about the creative hand of God, the protective hand of God, the redeeming hand of God. This keeps me centered. This brings me peace.

1 Chronicles 29:11-12: ” Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the One who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from You alone; for you rule over everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and at Your discretion people are made great and given strength.”

I was recently invited out by a friend to try a new type of Yoga. I’ve only done Yoga a few times and I am not quite sure of all the moves. I politely declined, went home and started to make other plans. The other plans, it turns out, had fallen through, and I now found myself with free time. I quickly texted my friend and said yes to joining her at her Yoga class. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with her and a relaxing Yin Yoga, something I needed after a stressful week.

It is so easy to stay within our comfort zone, to say “no” to trying new things. It takes effort, it takes intentionality to say “yes.” Saying yes means opening up to new experiences, going new places, meeting new people. God didn’t design us to live in a bubble, to remain comfortable. He wants us, me, out there, trying new things, meeting new people. Sharing the gospel, speaking of my testimony, offering wisdom from a life of trials and mountain top experiences.

Let’s practice saying “Yes!” Yes to a friend. Yes to a spouse. Yes to a co-worker. “Yes, Lord, here I am, send me.” Isaiah 6:8

Growing up, when dinner was called, we all quickly washed our hands and gathered around the table. There were 8 of us and we had assigned seats. My parents at either end, the 3 older ones on one side, the 3 younger ones on the other. We didn’t mind, it was routine. Once at the table, we would pray, giving thanks for the bounty, the hands that prepared the meal for 8, and asked the Lord’s blessing on the meal and the nourishment it provided. Plates were passed, laughter was present, fellowship occurred. I sit at a table for 2 now, occasionally spilling over to 4, 6, 10 depending on the crowd. I get the same pleasure today as I did back then. Prayer, food, fellowship.

The food we eat provides nourishment and comfort, brings enjoyment. I am sitting at the dining table now, but rather than eating food, I am reading and studying God’s word. It is providing nourishment and comfort for my soul, gives me peace and joy. His word steadies my heart, fills my soul. I am taking time to dine with God. I pray, intake the food of His word, and fellowship with my Savior and Lord.

John 6:51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

I am blessed. I live in the country and am allowed time to listen to the sounds of nature: the birds, the roosters, the bees. As I sit and commune here, I am filled with wonder and awe that God has created all of this.

I have a niece who lives in the city. Bricks, cement, roads, cars, people are her sounds of the day. She commented this summer that she needed some green time… time spent away from the city, time spent inhaling the fragrances of the country, spending time in the green spaces our country has to offer. It gave her a new perspective and allowed her to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of her daily grind.

Even if it is just sitting on your porch, take the time to breathe in, breathe out. Praise God during your green time moments.

I need to do this, then this, then this, etc… You know the drill. The list keeps getting added on to, you begin to sink under its weight. You work, you hustle, you focus, you work early, stay late, ever running behind.

Sometimes we need to step back and re-prioritize. I haven’t written in 2 weeks. This is personal for me. I am disappointed that I have allowed work to consume me. I am correcting this path today. Making a commitment to spend time in God’s word, meditating on His truths, allowing my mind to be filled with Him, daily.

Psalm 100:1-5
“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”

This is the entire Psalm. 5 verses.
Shouting. Worshipping. Singing. Giving Thanks. Praising.
All of these active verbs are directed to God. The One who is worthy of shouting with joy. The One we worship. We praise His name for He and He alone is high and lifted up.
Let His words touch our heart, reach the depths of our soul as we give thanks to Him. 
Let’s start today by worshipping Him.

When I was young, pursuing athletics, I had the support of my parents. Being blessed with five sisters, I am able to call any one of them on any given day for support. As a wife, I have the support of my husband. A new job, a new interest like writing, a new challenging workout, he is there.

As a Christian, in my daily walk, I have the support of dear sisters in Christ who teach me, challenge me to step out of my comfort zone and are there for me to talk to and pray with, as well. Life can be hard, challenging, trying us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I pray as you are going through a challenging season, you have a support system behind you. I pray you have God with you and in front of you as you navigate through this season. You do not go this alone. Being in a relationship with Jesus means He hears you when you cry out to Him. He will still your heart, your anxieties. He is there in the quietness of the night where doubts and fears arise. Ask God to help you, lead you, direct you. Not just today, tomorrow, or this season but every day. Draw closer to God, embracing His drawing of you to Him.

Hebrews 4:15-16 ” This High Priest of ours (Jesus) understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

What is it about as we age, as the kids fly the coop, we get up early? When I was in my 30’s and 40’s and an older friend said she’d been up since 4am, I’d look at her and be like, “Are you crazy? Go back to bed!” I was knee deep in raising kids, running on caffeine and little sleep. Now, in my 50’s, the kids are grown. I am able to get plenty of rest, living off much less caffeine and here I am, up at 4am! I’ve cleaned a bathroom, colored my hair, did a workout, walked and fed the dogs, made coffee for my husband and now I’m sitting on the front porch listening to the early morning wake-up calls of nature. No, this is not the norm lest you think I’m now a crazy lady! But I do find myself enjoying the early morning quiet, time to myself, no demands, just a focused calm.

Aging is a part of life. I am now considered an elder in some circles. Younger women looking to me for wisdom, gained from experience. Am I ready to speak? As I search God’s word for insight on aging, I am brought to this verse in Psalm 90:12 which says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Wherever you are in life, no matter your age, let this be a verse we keep in our hearts as we live daily for God.