tough times

Running to Her Father’s Arms

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

The children’s choir was singing in church that morning, as they do once a month. The kids all look their best on that day. Girls are in their Sunday dresses and boys are wearing their shirts tucked in their pants. They look sharp. And they sound great as they sing with the worship team. They practice every Sunday after church, and they learn a new song for the next month.

But it was after the children’s choir was finished that the next scene took place. The kids came down off the stage and went to sit with their parents. Then I saw the girl who had stood on the back row of the risers run into her father’s arms. She was wearing a white hat with a blue floral ribbon that matched her pretty dress. She looked very stylish. But something had happened sometime during the morning. I’m not sure if it was while the kids were seated waiting to sing. Or was it while they were singing? Or when they moved off the risers? I’m not sure. I just know that in that moment this young girl was very upset.

As she lunged at her father’s lap, he wrapped his muscular arms around her. She clung to him with all her might and leaned against his strong chest. He held her close as she cried her pain into his ear. He gently rubbed her back as he listened attentively and whispered fatherly advice. He loved his daughter and he was willing to listen to her cries and pleas while seated in a a church full of fellow believers. He wanted the best for his girl, and it was obvious that he would change the events that caused her tears if he could. But he couldn’t. So he held her close and showed her the love and attention of a caring father. And he wasn’t ashamed to show tenderness in front of those sitting nearby.

In that moment, there is no doubt that this ten year old girl felt loved. She knew she could count on her father’s arms of love wrapped around her soothing her cries. She didn’t doubt at all that he would welcome her with open arms. He was sitting in the pew waiting for her to come sit beside him when he noticed her wounded heart. And he tended to her wounds in the way any loving father would do.

The following Sunday, I saw her sitting with her family. But this Sunday was different. When she saw her friend run to sit with a new girl in church, this same girl who was being held by her father the week before jumped up and ran to sit with this new friend, as well. All was right in her world again.

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4

I wonder. How many times when we’re hurting and our ego is bruised or our world has been turned upside down do we just sit alone nursing our hurts? Do we even stop to run into our heavenly Father’s arms with our needs and concerns? Don’t we who have been following Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior know that he’s waiting for us? He wants to hear us tell him the fears we’re facing. He wants to hear us say that we’re uncertain about something in our lives. That we don’t know which way to turn. Or how to handle a situation. We need someone who is always available to be there for us. And do we ever stop to remember that our heavenly Father is there waiting for us to come to him?

Maybe it’s time to stop and ask ourselves who is the first person we run to when we’re in trouble? If it isn’t God, why not?

One of the great themes of the Bible is that God is our protector. He never stumbles and falls. He never trips over his words or thoughts. He is strong yet gentle. He is jealous yet loving. He is just yet forgiving. He is exact yet comforting. He is perfect yet understanding. He’s the Creator of the universe yet he’s the lover of your soul.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

Oh. I know. It’s easy to try to handle all our problems in our own way and timing. It’s easy to think that our spouse or our circle of friends are the only ones we can really trust with our big issues. But unlike that little girl’s father who didn’t know her problem until she told him, our heavenly Father already knows our problems. He’s waiting for us to run to him and fling ourselves into his waiting open arms so we can spill our guts to him. He’s always available to listen and surround us with his love.

We have to know that even though we believe in the protecting hand of God, we will still face trials of every kind. We are not exempt from evil or destruction or disease. We may face unending persecution or financial ruin or deep heartache. We may be rejected by those who once professed love. Yet we can still abide in the sweet presence of our God. He will not leave us or forsake us.

When a parent protects their child who has run into their safe embrace, the child may not feel the tremors of unease in their parent. That small child may not hear the heart’s groaning of their parent as they plead with God to save their child from the serious diagnosis or the trial they’re facing. The child will rest easy in the safety of their parent’s love, knowing that they will do all they can to ease the worries of their child. So, too, as we’re being held tight in the arms of our loving Savior, he is holding us steady against the ever increasing waves of evil penetrating our culture and world. He is sheltering us from an eternal destiny of destruction as we rest in his saving and forgiving grace. Regardless of the trials and troubles we’re facing, we can rest assured our salvation is in him.

In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

~Keith and Kristyn Getty

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord ! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33

When Life Stinks

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I’m not sure which is worse to live through. A cold house in the middle of a very cold winter when the furnace isn’t working. Or. A hot house in the middle of a very hot summer when the air conditioning quits working. I hate to say it, but I’m living in a very hot house right now. And this past winter, it was a cold house. As I type this, I’m waiting on a repairman who can hopefully help resolve the problem.

And the verdict is in. We need a new air conditioner. Oh. The old one still works, but the coolant is no longer legal to use. That requires us to purchase something we really don’t need but we do need. Apparently, there’s no way around it. Isn’t it funny how life works. And we’re also waiting to hear if our home warranty company will cover the cost. Or at least part of it.

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes the unpredictability just stinks. And usually we just have to adjust when the unpredictable sinks to an all-time low. Oh. It could be anything that surprises us. Catches us off guard. An unexpected home repair. Or an unexpected illness or diagnosis. It could be a job loss. Or an unplanned pregnancy. Or the loss of a loved one. Or a local tragedy. Perhaps it’s a huge unexpected change of plans. We never know when life will trip us up.

There are ups and downs in the flow of life. Some good. Some bad. And some ugly. At times, the trouble sticks around indefinitely, and other times it’s short-lived. We never know what life will bring, and we don’t know how our troubles will be resolved. But we can still find good in life even during the most difficult of times.

Oh. I know there are deeper troubles we can find ourselves in besides living without air conditioning. I’m thankful that, at the moment, this is the only trouble we’re in. Because it’s momentary, we will see the end of it in a relatively short time.

I’m thankful at the moment for a portable air conditioner that’s keeping the house modestly cool. Plus. We have fans going during the day and night. And we’re sitting outside under the big oak tree keeping cool for awhile each day. Oh. We’ll have a new cooling unit installed, but we have to wait in line with all the others who are experiencing similar troubles.

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:6-7,10

When life throws us into a spin of tough times, we must lean on God. He is the God of all comfort, and he will sustain us. When the uncertainties and emotions ebb and flow, we have a constant source of strength. God is an ever-present help in times of trouble.

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Psalms 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

When we are walking through a very dark valley, can we still find good in life? Can we push away the fearful thoughts that can overwhelm and discourage us? I know from experience that during the toughest times of life, I lean in closer to God than I do when life is going my way. I seek his presence more, because in the low times I realize I can’t handle life on my own. I don’t know why I think I’m handling life well on my own when things are going smoothly. It’s second nature. But we need God in every day of our lives, not just during the tough times.

And during the easier days we also need to spend time with God. Filling our cup of life with his goodness and love and kindness. It’s only when our cup is full that we can dip into the excess during those unexpected difficulties. Life is good at all times when God is the center of our lives. Our circumstances may be difficult, but God is always, always good.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalms 23:4

God’s gracious presence is with us during even the worst times of our lives. He doesn’t leave us. We must reach out to him for strength and support. He loves us with an everlasting love during every period of our lives. He doesn’t love us only when life is easy. He loves us as much during the difficulties we face. His love never changes or ceases.

I know someone who was traveling internationally this week. She arrived, but her luggage didn’t. And the power was out, meaning the water also didn’t work. What a way to start a missions trip. Was she excited and on fire for the assignment, or was she fuming at the inconvenience of it all? Fortunately, her luggage showed up three days later, after she had made an emergency shopping trip.

Life is full of events we don’t ask for. It’s in those moments that we have to realize that God is still God, and we are not. He walks beside us during every trial life throws at us. Regardless of how big or small it may seem to others, God is in the midst of our troubles allowing us to fall back on his grace and mercy. He’s waiting for us to call out to him in our moments of need, as well as in our moments of plenty.

Be still, and know that I am God! Psalms 46:10

All creatures, when in distress, run to their refuges. ~Trapp

Living Through the Fire

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I don’t recall any of the events I’m about to share, but here are things I know. I lived through a house fire. I was roughly two years old when our family home caught fire. I was too young to remember any of the details. I don’t recall smelling the smoke throughout the day but not knowing where it was coming from. I don’t remember seeing the house in flames as my parents tried to save us as well as some of the household items. I don’t remember my six year old brother getting off the school bus to see his home going up in flames. I don’t know if my parents even had a phone in the house at the time. I have no recollection of any part of that day. I was way too young. But I know it happened, because my parents talked about it on occasion. But rarely. They never went into detail of the horrors that day. All I remember them saying was that there was a fire in the attic flue that they weren’t aware of until it was much too late.

The only things I remember that were saved, along with us four kids, was a cushion off the couch and my mother’s wedding dress. I don’t know if they were able to save any other furniture or clothes. I don’t know if they had to rely on family and friends to refill our new home with everything a home needs, but I’m sure they did. I know my birth certificate didn’t survive the fire. They did save some pictures, but I don’t remember what else from my early days of childhood survived.

When my dad built the house that we moved into later and my parents lived in for the next fifty years, I was subconsciously afraid that our house would burn down. When we moved into the new house, I was still very young. It was a ranch style house with a rough finished basement where we lived for seven years before the upstairs was completed. Every night when I went to bed as a child, I would pray that our house wouldn’t burn down in the middle of the night. My two sisters and I shared a bedroom that was next to the “furnace” room. It was a coal furnace, and in my child’s mind it was exactly like the furnace that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into. But the door of our furnace was a small square that would be impossible to walk into. But I could imagine the three men walking around in our furnace with the fourth person who joined them. Being so young and not remembering the fire, I was so afraid that the furnace would explode at night on the other side of my bedroom wall. I was afraid we would be caught in the fire and be unable to escape. Thankfully, that never happened.

As I see the horrific photos and videos of the fires of LA, I am appalled that such a travesty is happening. At this point, it is unknown if it was intentional or not. One can only hope and pray that it wasn’t. But I’ve read that due to mismanagement of the forests and funding, it was only a matter of time until a fire of epic proportions flattened the city, or at least portions of it. I think of the families and lives that have been disrupted. Some will never return to what was once normal for a very long time. These fires are as disturbing as the hurricane that disrupted and displaced so many lives in North Carolina and nearby states a few months ago.

We wonder and ask if these horrible events could have been prevented. We may never know.

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3

As I sit in my comfortable home, I think of the events of my week. Oh. I’ve had the heating man out to tell me why the furnace wasn’t heating our house properly. It was a very minor fix. And then the next day, the roofing guy was here to tell me why we had a leaky roof. This too seems to require a minor repair. All in a day’s work, some might say. I don’t have to worry about where I’ll sleep tonight or if I have a home to go to at the end of the day. I have insurance on my home if a natural disaster would occur. I have a home warranty that will help with repairs. I have a deed that says I own my home. I feel secure at the moment, but we all know that secure moments are fleeting. We don’t know when the winds of change will blow and remove all the security we once felt.

My parents didn’t own the home that burned.  They were renting it.  I don’t know if they had insurance or if insurance was even available.  But I do know that they rebuilt their lives. They didn’t let the tragic loss mar their lives forever. Sure. It was a monumental loss.  Losing your home and earthly possessions is beyond tragic.  It’s devastating.  They didn’t lose their faith in God or in humanity.  They just rebuilt and trusted that God would provide.  And He did.  For some, such a tragedy would test their faith, but my parents’ response to their loss was a testimony to their faith.  Oh.  I’m sure they were shaken to the core, but their faith wasn’t shaken.  At the time, they had four young children entrusted to their care, and they didn’t shirk their duty. Their faith remained strong, and they picked themselves up out of the ashes and rebuilt their lives.

Oh. The fires of LA are much larger and much more devastating than one small house fire. Any house fire and loss of property is tragic, but entire communities of families and businesses have been lost. Most lives have been saved, but it will take years to rebuild. Some may choose to never return. Many had lost their homeowners insurance just months earlier. What will they do? Only time will tell.

When we walk through the fires, we will be tested. Our faith in God can be the testament to others that we never walk alone when we walk through the fire or the flood. God is our ever present help in time of trouble, and he will not leave us. We may lose all earthly possessions, but God is with us even in the deepest, darkest trials of life. He never changes. He knows our names and he loves us with an everlasting love, regardless of our circumstances. Let’s hold tightly to that promise in the days ahead.

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord ; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord ’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the Lord , and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalms 34:1-8

Getting Your House in Order

~ mercyfortheday ~ 1 Comment

I’ve never lived alone until I moved almost three months ago.  And the only reason I’m living alone now is because my husband is still working in our former city. He comes home as often as he can, and he’ll be here full-time in a few months.  So I’m learning what it’s like to be alone more often than I’m with others.  Oh.  I get out often enough. That’s not the problem.

Here’s the problem.  I’ve run into more issues living on my own these past three months than is necessary, in my humble opinion. Take for example, the plumber was here twice in the first month to repair a leak in the kitchen. Then we learned that some of the ductwork in our crawlspace was not connected to the vents.

There are the car problems I had within the first month after moving. And the resulting purchase of a new car. Then there’s the leaky roof a couple of weeks ago after a heavy rain.  The next day when the hvac repairman were here to install new ductwork, they discovered water in the crawlspace. The man of the house who was in another state came home two days early to clear out the water. When the repairman returned the following week, they couldn’t finish the work because they didn’t have enough of the materials.  I’m still waiting for them to return.

Now onto issues of this week.   One evening while sitting on the couch, I heard something fall somewhere in the house.  I searched high and low in the entire house and garage but found nothing out of place. It was just very odd. At three thirty the next morning, I was awakened  by a very loud noise in my house.  I though for sure the furnace, which is twenty three years old, was dying.  And I assumed that the water I heard sloshing around was from my dog taking a very long drink of water. But no. The dog was asleep on the bedroom floor, and the furnace wasn’t running.  After walking down the hall, I discovered that the washing machine had somehow turned on and was running. In the middle of the night. Apparently washers are very loud when they are running without dirty laundry in them. And it is a very startling and disconcerting feeling to wake up to this situation. Especially when the washer isn’t a smart machine and can’t be programmed. And this is a brand new washer. I must say.  It took a while before I was able to get back to sleep. I was never so glad to see daylight that morning. After doing some research on this brand of appliances, I learned that this is a common problem. Yikes.

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

And when I stepped out of the shower the next day, I noticed the ceiling around the shower head looked odd, so I reached up to touch it.  It was wet. There’s a leak somewhere. So much for taking showers in that bathroom at present.

Oh. And our senior dog was recently diagnosed with a disease that causes her to want to eat and drink a lot. This means she has to take frequent trips outdoors at all hours of the day and night. Now I’m getting up with her and going out once or twice a night. Every night. I can’t even get a good night’s sleep and can’t even think of sleeping in. We’re up between 5:30 and 6:00 most every morning. 

As I type this, only a couple hours ago, while sitting on the couch I saw a mouse in the living room. Now I don’t feel safe sitting on the floor. And my sick dog is very needy and wants me to lay with her multiple times a day when she isn’t feeling well. I’m no longer comfortable slipping my feet into shoes because a mouse could be in there. And I’m not comfortable moving around the house in the dark not knowing if a mouse will scurry across my path. I just wonder. How many mice are in this house? Don’t worry. I’m taking steps to rid my house of those rodents.

What is my life coming to? I know. I know. First world problems. These are minor inconveniences in an otherwise quiet and easy life.  But man. Can this type of fun just stop? I’m ok with boring. I write all this as if these are the only problems of the day. They’re not. They’re momentary distractions that can be fixed.

In saying all this, I’m not meaning to complain. I’m just stating facts and trying to keep a positive attitude. My life’s circumstances could be very difficult, and I’m thankful for my home and all of life’s blessings. We felt God guiding us every step of the way in orchestrating this move, and we know we are very blessed.  Life has its ups and downs. I’m living in a home that wasn’t well maintained for many years by previous owners, and I’m the recipient of the consequences.  

Similar problems can happen in our spiritual lives if we don’t build and maintain a close relationship with God.  We need to confess our sins and root out all the bad habits, ungodly attitudes, selfish desires and lustful thoughts. We must keep our spiritual house clean and in a state of constant readiness for Jesus’ return. Otherwise, we’ll be in a heap of trouble on the day he does return unannounced, and we’ll miss the eternity of a lifetime with him. 

If we don’t keep a close relationship with Christ, we’ll find ourselves in situations we never expected.  We may find ourselves compromising our morals and ethics in life-altering way. We’ll be constantly cleaning up messes and emotions that are out of control when we don’t put our faith in God as our first priority. And we’ll wonder why our life is so messed up. It doesn’t have to be that way. Deliberately sacrificing our will to Christ on a daily basis will keep us walking the path of freedom and grace. Our lives won’t be perfect, but we’ll live forgiven.

We must pray because our days are uncertain. We must live as if today is our last day. We must keep our spiritual house in order. Our world could change in the blink of an eye. And who is ready for that?

So let’s pledge to keep a clean spiritual house. Let’s read our Bible and pray on a daily basis. Let’s meet and fellowship with like-minded believers. Let’s live obediently to Christ’s commands. And then let’s all meet in heaven someday where we will feast and celebrate for eternity. 

Repercussions

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

He walked into my office and chatted for ninety minutes. Yes. Ninety minutes. I lost an hour and a half talking to the big boss one morning at work. And he told me a story I’ll never forget. His friend in Florida, a minister by the way, was driving and hit a thirteen year old girl who was riding her bike. Instead of stopping, he drove away. It was a hit and run. And then he proceeded to drive an hour away to get his car repaired. The young girl is now in intensive care. He was apprehended and arrested. The fate of each of these individuals is in limbo.

The man telling me the story asked why. Why would someone do this? Just drive away? It’s a question for the ages. But it’s not the first time something like this has happened. And it most likely won’t be the last. But it still is a very haunting question. What makes someone do the unthinkable? Was he so panicked that he wasn’t thinking straight? Did he know what he hit? Was he intoxicated? Or unknowingly cognitively impaired? Or was he just paralyzed with fear? It was an accident. Now it’s a crime scene.

I don’t know what I would do in that situation. I hope that common sense would set in and I would stop to help the girl. After all, it’s another human being. But we never know how we will respond until the moment is upon us. And we may do the unthinkable, just as this man did. I’m sure he’s having many regrets as his liberty has been cut short. His twilight years may now be spent behind bars. His retirement savings may be used to pay for legal counsel. His aging wife will be alone. What was he thinking? We ask.

But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Look down and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant; save me, the son of your servant. Psalms 86:15-16

As I was talking to the man, he mentioned that his wife was raised as a Communist. But then she decided to research and study Christianity. She decided that it wasn’t worth pursuing. And as she heard the story of this minister, she asked how a Christian could do such a thing. If that’s the way Christians act, she wants no part of Christianity. I told him that I was a Christian. He quickly assured me that he was, too. I wanted to ask for his definition of being a Christian, but decided that was a conversation for another day.

I went on to tell him that as humans, we all make mistakes. Some mistakes have serious consequences. We don’t always choose to do the right thing. Christian or not. Our mistakes don’t have to define us, but they sure can leave their mark on our lives and on others. Should someone who makes a mistake be punished for the rest of their life? I guess it depends on the severity of the situation.

We’re told it’s not our place to judge. Christian or not. And rightly so. Some mistakes are public knowledge. Others are private and never disclosed. Only God knows our intentions, and he will judge accordingly. Of course, remorse and repentance is always the path to take. We would ask for the same benefit of the doubt if the shoe were on the other foot.

As Christians, we know that God will be with us in our moments of mistakes. He’ll forgive our sins. We should learn and grow from each lesson in our lives. If we learned a valuable lesson and changed our ways after every mistake we make, our lives would be so changed that others would see the difference. But we’re human. We’re always prone to mistakes. We’ll never be perfect. It’s the long road of obedience to God’s commands that usher us forward into each new trial and test. Wisdom comes from learning from our past experiences and obeying God. Let’s show grace to others in their time of need and uncertainty. But let’s also consider others above ourselves and do the right thing. Regardless of the consequences.

Uncertain Times

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I had just finished shopping and was pushing my cart to the car. I assumed the woman walking toward me was planning to do some shopping. So when she stopped and spoke to me, I was a little surprised. She asked if I had some spare change so she could get a bite to eat. I said no. Then she approached the next car. He too said no. I didn’t see which direction she went after the second rejection.

I wondered if she noticed how full my cart was as I said no. I wonder if she realized that I had bought things I needed and then some things I just thought I needed. Oh. She didn’t know the amount of money in my bank account. She didn’t know I had cash in my wallet, but the bills were bigger than I was prepared to hand over to a stranger. Hungry or not, she didn’t get my money. It was reserved for other purposes.

I always feel awkward when a stranger approaches me. I couldn’t lie and say I didn’t have any money. Because I did have a little cash on me. And I knew that a little spare change wouldn’t be enough to feed her. Plus. There’s always that uncertainty that she really needed food. Or did she need a fix? I don’t know. I don’t mean to judge. I’m just always wary about strangers approaching me for money. Oh. There have been times that I’ve shared a few dollars. Just not today.

Did I do the right thing? Was my decision the best one? I have no idea. It’s not that I’m heartless or unkind. I am cautious and concerned. I am suspicious of strangers who walk up to me out of nowhere.

It probably took a lot of courage to walk up to a stranger and ask for money. What if she really was hungry? What if she hadn’t eaten in a few days? She did look a little unkempt. But that could also have been arranged. Just don’t bathe or comb your hair for a few days, and you will start to look different.

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalms 46:1

I wonder what I would do if I was hungry and needed food but had no money. Would I be bold enough to approach a stranger in the middle of a parking lot? Would I notice their overflowing cart filled with odds and ends? Would I wonder if they were lying when they said they had no spare change? Would I be as kind and considerate as she was when I said no? What if she was an angel unaware and I missed my opportunity to bless her? What if I could have been Jesus to her today and I blew my chance? I’ll never know.

Oh. I may someday know what it’s like to be hungry and penniless. These times sure are getting tougher. Gas prices are high. Food prices are high. Tempers are short. There are wars and rumors of war. Things are unsettled these days. And things could get much worse. So I can’t say I’ll never have days where I have nothing to eat. I can’t say that I’ll never have to wander through parking lots begging for food or money. I can’t say I’ll always be freshly bathed.

I see those people standing on street corners and at the entrance and exit ramps of the freeway. Oh. I see their faces. I read their signs. If I put myself in their shoes, I would probably hand them a few dollars. But more often than not, I try to put them in my shoes. I wonder if they really have money in the bank and just don’t want to work. I wonder if their job is begging on street corners. Is begging a new career option? I wonder where they lay their head at night. I wonder where they store their winter coats in the off season. I wonder if they are starving and when they last ate. I wonder how many people actually give them money. And I wonder, after months on end, why I still see them standing there holding a sign.

Life is full of hard choices. Life is also full of hard knocks. Good decisions aren’t always easy to make. Regardless of which side of the equation you’re on. If you have plenty or if you’re in need. One decision could change the course of a life forever. And it could go either way. No one knows what tomorrow holds. But we know who holds tomorrow. Whether in plenty or in want, we can be content in the Lord’s hands.

We know that our God is always ready and able to help us in our time of need. All we have to do is call on his name. Oh. He may not provide a hot meal at the exact moment we need it. But he may. He may not provide employment when the unemployment checks stop. But he may. He may not heal us from an awful disease. But he may. He may allow us to wait years on end to see an answer to the prayer that we’ve been praying. He may allow us to suffer in pain with no end in sight. Throughout difficulties, he continues to love us. Our suffering may be of our own doing. And it may not. But God is always faithful. His love never fails. And it endures to the end. Even when others ignore us or fail us. God is with us.

When God Ordains Hard Things

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

We know that bad things happen to good people. And good things happen to bad people. Bad things happen to bad people. And good things happen to good people. All these happenings are fore-ordained. They’re known ahead of time by God Almighty. He allows all things. All circumstances. All the time.

Matthew 5:45 tells us that our Father in heaven gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. This means that everyone on this earth can plan to have some good days and some bad days. There’s no way around it.

What does it mean that God ordains all things? You ask. What does it mean that he ordains our days?

Ordain: To order or decree by virtue of superior authority. To issue an order. To order or command.

He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts of the Apostles 17:24-28

If you’ve read the story of Job, you know that he lived through one very difficult time. According to the Bible, he had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. Read Job 1:2-3. The Bible doesn’t say specifically how long his troubles lasted, but in the course of one day he lost everything. Literally. His donkeys and oxen were stolen and some of his farmhands were killed. Only one escaped to tell the story. All of his sheep and shepherds were burned in a fire. Only one shepherd escaped to share the news. All of his camels were stolen by raiders, who killed the servants. Only one servant escaped to give a report. Then a powerful storm blew down the house where his children were partying, where they and all the servants died. Only one servant survived to give an account to their parents.

And just when Job was wallowing in grief, he was hit with boils all over his body. He was miserable. He wanted to die. He asked God why he had even been allowed to be born. And his wife suggested that he curse God and die. But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. Job 2:10

His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him–though he is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:27

How do parents respond when they lose a young child? Because we know that it’s not in the course of natural events for a parent to outlive their child. The heartbreak and disappointment can be crushing. The grief and pain of loss is devastating.

These past two years have brought many deaths and disabilities from a new virus. The pain and suffering have been immense. No population on the earth has been left untouched. How are we to process this event? What does normal even look like anymore? Can we adjust to a new normal that is full of roadblocks?

There are Christians in other lands who are hunted, imprisoned, tortured and killed for their faith. They’re living for God, but they’re in the minority in their land. And those hunting them are determined to rid their world of anything godly.

Consider the police officer who accidentally killed someone when she pulled her gun instead of her taser. And then there’s the cop who killed a child when his bullet ricocheted off a wall. These are hard times for these two individuals and their families. And also for the families who lost loved ones. No one is a winner here. The lives of all of these people are changed forever.

Then there are women and girls being trafficked for sex by ungodly people. They’re sold for their bodies to be used against their will. They have no say in the matter. They can’t escape the abuse on their own. They’re held prisoner by unlawful people.

We may wonder why God allows such evil to happen. After all, he is a loving God. Why do bad things happen? We can question God, but he doesn’t always provide the answers we long to hear. We don’t always learn the reason of the whys that we ask. We may never know.

We’ve been given the ability to choose how we live our lives. We can decide to do good or evil. We can chose to treat others with respect or not. We can choose to hurt others and ourselves. We can choose to deny that God exists. We also can choose to walk in step with Him.

If we choose to walk our own path, then our life will reflect those choices and consequences. And we live that life on our own. We live that life without the comfort or strength that only God can give.

If we choose to walk with God, He walks with us through the valleys and mountaintop experiences. He never leaves us. He will give us strength to face each new day, whether that day brings rejoicing or sorrow. Even when days are hard, and there will be hard days, God is with us.

For some, the suffering and struggles may be lifelong. Even if we are Christ followers, we may live hard lives. We aren’t promised an easy, rose colored life.

Oh. We can grovel and complain and moan and groan. We can question God and curse him. We can cry and destroy ourselves. All in the name of suffering. But suppose we stopped and quieted ourselves. Suppose we listened for the still small voice of God. Suppose we reached out to Him at the darkest moments of our lives. And just suppose He brought peace in the midst of suffering. Because it is possible.

Some of the things that you’ve lost in your life, God is not going to bring them back in the exact same way.

Havilah Cunnington

To experience joy in our struggles and difficulties, we must first acknowledge who God is. Everything but God is secondary in our lives. Everything else is secondary. Yes. That’s right. It’s tough to hear, but God must be the priority. Even during times of intense suffering and grief. If we focus on God, we will see that He is supreme. His love is never ending. His compassion knows no boundaries. His mercy is new every morning. His grace is all sufficient. His power is all encompassing. He is the alpha. The omega. The beginning and the end.

So when the thing we have always feared happens to us, we can have peace and quiet and perfect rest in God our Maker and Redeemer.

Balm in Gilead

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I saw her walking up the sidewalk toward me. I was out with my dog, and I hoped we would move before she ran into us. I didn’t recognize her, at first. She looked sad. There was no smile of greeting or warmth on her face. But I didn’t know her, so I didn’t expect her to be enthusiastic about someone being on the sidewalk with her.

Then I heard a vehicle approaching, so I turned to look. It was a minivan. The driver waved, and I waved in response. Then I noticed the dog in the window. Oh. It was the neighbor a few doors down. And this was their teenage daughter. The family had come looking for her.

She crossed the street and the van’s side door opened. Before she entered the van, I heard the dad’s voice speaking loud and stern. Unsure of what was being said, and being more sure that I didn’t want to overhear the conversation, I turned my back and tried to hurry my dog along. This wasn’t a conversation I needed to hear.

But the van sat there for a few minutes. Hopefully, they were able to work through their differences enough to have a good evening. I guess I’ll never know. But I hope to see the family’s smiling faces as they walk through the neighborhood soon. They seem to be a pleasant family.

Doesn’t every family have their ups and downs every now and then? Your family life may look perfect on social media and to strangers. But what they don’t know may be what’s killing you. 

Just two days later, another teenage girl in my city ran into her house and grabbed a knife. She ran outside and saw one girl knocked to the ground and then began lunging the knife at second girl. Four shots rang out. The attacker’s life was ended by a police officer attempting to save another girl from being stabbed.

Trouble is running rampant in every city and town. Family members are at odds with each other. Neighbors harbor anger and bitterness against each other for no good reason. 

We are living in troubled times.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.
Psalm 24:1

The first brothers in the Bible were not alike. They both offered sacrifices to God. One was pleasing. One was not acceptable. So the brother with the unacceptable gift acted out. He was jealous. In his anger, he killed his brother. Cain killed Abel. Imagine being their parents. The first parents on earth suddenly had their family torn apart by an unnecessary act. Suddenly this family that was created by God was torn apart by evil.

Oh. We could say they had it coming, because Adam and Eve ate the fruit in the middle of the garden. The forbidden fruit. And that introduced sin and evil into the world. So we could blame them. Yes, we could. Ever since that day, evil has not stopped. It’s been running rampant throughout history since the moment they took that bite. So we could say Adam and Eve are to blame. And why shouldn’t evil touch their family in a terrible way after what they did to the rest of mankind. That’s what we could say.

But today, there is evil still running rampant all over the place. It’s swirling around us. Amongst us every day. Sometimes we can see the evil happen. Other times, we’re protected from it.

I think of the story of another family in the Bible. Another family with two sons. The younger son wanted his inheritance while his father was still alive. He wanted his inheritance now. So his loving father gave it to him. The son left home and spent all his money in evil ways. And just when he was out of money and hungry, having to eat food he was feeding to the pigs, he remembered his father. He went home. His older brother, in anger and jealousy, asked why they were celebrating his return. Two brothers who were different had different ways of showing loyalty and love to their father. They were both celebrated by their father in spite of their differences. One thought dead was alive. One who had been faithful was angry and confused.

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. Genesis 6:5

Today in this world there is so much evil. It seems that it can’t be overcome, and it seems to be increasing. Words are said in anger. Attitudes go unchecked. Poor decisions are made. Evil intentions are stored in our hearts. It doesn’t have to be that way. But it is, because this world is full of evil and sin. Yes. It’s because Adam and Eve ate that forbidden piece of fruit. That was the start of the downfall of mankind.

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? Jeremiah 8:22

But there is hope. There is a Savior. There is a way to live above the evil. There is a balm in Gilead who sets the spirit free.

I know the Bible says we are only evil all the time. And yes, we are. But we have choices. We can choose to step around. To step over the evil. We can avoid evil. We can say no. Families are in trouble these days. This world is not safe. This world is unsteady. Even though this world keeps spinning around as was commanded by God in his creation. This earth and everything in it is the Lord’s. All of the people on this earth are the Lord’s. God’s intent was for us to be his and live for him. But because of that first bite from the piece of fruit, things changed. There is no going back to a pure world. But we can strive for purity in our hearts.

The answer is seeking God. Seeking God with all our hearts. Asking for forgiveness for our sins. Living a pure life. Reading and studying the Bible. Praying. Spending time with fellow believers, those who are as hungry to be in a relationship with God as we are. We can’t do it alone. We need each other. We really do need each other. But we need words of encouragement. Words of love. Words of correction. We need to change our attitudes and our intentions. We don’t have to be evil. We can fight the devil. We can say no to his ways and his schemes. We can end relationships with people who are out to hurt us.

We don’t have to buy into the negativity and destruction that’s happening in this world. We can look for truth. We can know truth and stand for truth. But the truth comes from God’s word. We will always find the truth in God’s word. God’s word never changes. God’s love never changes. He wants all of us to be with him in eternity. Let’s make that choice to live pure lives. To live above the fray of evil. We don’t have to get caught up in that web of deceit and lies and anger and hurt and confusion and fear. Yes, I know that life is uncertain. But God isn’t. God is always certain. God is always sure. God never changes. His love for us is eternal. Let’s give our lives to him so we can live with him in eternity. We are his. Let’s live like it.

Shipwreck

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

It was a trip for the ages. 

Paul was in prison and had requested a trial before Caesar. That meant he must get to Rome, Italy from Caesarea, Israel. What he didn’t know was that he could have been released from prison if he hadn’t asked for a trial with Caesar. But since he asked, he was sent to Rome.

It was to be a long and dangerous trip over treacherous waters.  On the journey, they met with a huge storm. God spoke to Paul time and again on this journey, so he advised the crew on what to do to survive the trip. The storm lasted 14 days. Imagine. 14 days on a wooden ship in a terrible storm in the middle of the sea. There’s nowhere to go. There’s no chance of escape. They must ride out the storm. Will anyone survive?

When God spoke, Paul listened and shared the message he had been given. God told Paul he would survive the trip and stand in front of Caesar. So Paul was calm. He showed no fear. God was with him. God was for him. Not against him.  Paul listened to God and obeyed. His life was spared. He earned a great reputation on that trip. He stayed true to God during the difficult storm. 

They had started the trip with good intentions. The ship was loaded with provisions and trade merchandise for their stops at different ports. They had even tied a lifeboat and pulled it behind the ship. But when the storm arose and never let up, they had to start throwing items overboard. They had to set priorities on what was most important. In the end, they threw out most everything. Then they realized they were close to land, so they decided to run the ship aground. Their bet didn’t work. The ship hit a sand barge and busted up. 

When the boat began to tear apart, the soldiers thought to kill all the prisoners. But no. The commanding officer wanted Paul alive because he spoke with great wisdom and truth.  So the prisoners were spared.

Everyone had to swim to shore with only the wet clothes on their backs. But everyone survived.

They. Lost. Everything. 

For the full story of Paul’s shipwreck, read Acts 27.

In this way, I will show my greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations of the world. Then they will know that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 38:23

We may think we’re living in tough times. This past year has been a blur, but yet our eyes have been opened wide. Some people have had the worst year of their lives. They’ve lost much, and there seems to be no end in sight. They struggle to make ends meet. Their kids are still schooling from home. Unemployment has dwindled or dried up. Thousands of jobs have been eliminated. Families have lost loved ones and haven’t been able to say goodbye.

In this life, as believers, we will struggle. But we persevere with God’s help. God is bigger and stronger than all our earthly struggles. He will see us through the best and the worst of times. In this storm of life, God is calling us to go deeper into our relationship with him. Let’s not just serve God on the surface. Let’s not just serve God on Sunday mornings. Let’s be faithful to him when we need him most. He will not waver or falter. Let’s hold onto him.

We will go through rough seasons in our lives. We may stand to lose everything. We may face loss of life and/or livelihood. But we will survive.  In the midst of the storms of life, God is still speaking. He is still guiding us. We must listen closely and do as he says. We must toss aside the things of life that are slowing us down. We must shift our focus on staying close to God and and obeying him.

Do you feel as if you’re in the worst storm of your life? Are waves of doubt and fear crashing in all around you? Do you fear you may not survive this storm? Have you had to toss aside all the extra baggage that you’ve clung to for security and pride? Have you prepared for the storm? Have you dug deep into God’s Word and filled up with His goodness and mercy? Are you ready for the storm that’s brewing?

And just maybe. Maybe it’s time to stop and count the number of times that God has been with us through other storms. Let’s slow down and remember God’s goodness. His faithfulness. Oh. We may not come out of the storm in the same shape we entered it. We may not come out unscathed. But we can survive and move forward one more time. Let’s remember that the God who helped us in the past will help us in the present and in the future. He never changes.

If we listen for God’s voice and obey, we will be safe in the storm. Oh. The waves may roll and the winds may blow. But God is faithful and stronger than any storm we face. We live in confidence of better things to come. We live in the knowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. We don’t have to suffer in shame. We know that on the day of resurrection, Jesus Christ will receive us into his glory. Let’s live with that bold grace and confidence.

This could be your time. That breakthrough could be tomorrow, or it could be next year. But, you have the opportunity to turn however you’re being tested into a testimony. So many heroes were wounded deeply before they were used greatly!

Tim Tebow

Peace in Tough Times

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

These days are tough times for many people.  Some are afraid to leave their homes.  Others are now homeschooling their kids. People have lost their jobs.  Numbers are going up. Numbers are going down. Patience is running thin. Some are wondering when this craziness will ever end.

Someone in my family was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Surgery is being scheduled. Another family member has family members who were impacted by the explosion in Beirut. They are safe for the moment, but daily provisions are uncertain. Another family member is recovering from major surgery and doing well with her daily physical therapy.  And she’s seven years old.

There are people who are coping with this pandemic crisis by drinking daily. When that wasn’t a normal thing for them. They’re trying to cope with the unexpected changes in life. Because life isn’t going so well this year.

There are businesses that had great plans for the future but now find themselves in bankruptcy.  There are families who find they can no longer meet their monthly payments.  There are people who qualified for unemployment benefits but haven’t received a check. 

Oh. These are troubled times. 

There are years that ask questions and years that answer.

Zora Neale Hurston

There is a presidential election in less than three months.  The results could send this country and the world into even more chaos. Regardless of who wins. It’s a wait and see kind of year. Everyone is holding their breath and can’t seem to exhale.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15

These are indeed troubled times. 

Sports seasons have been canceled. School semesters have moved online. Church services are streaming live. High school seniors feel their senior year has been stolen from them.

People are searching like they have never searched before. But what are they looking for?

Peace. Freedom. Calm. Structure. Contentment. Understanding. Patience. Relief. Normal.

People want their lives to be normal again. But what does that even look like anymore? Are we looking at a new normal that we just keep fighting?

Have you found what you’re looking for yet? Are you looking in the right place? Do you that know peace can be found?

Did you know that peace is a gift from God? And he is the source of all peace.

What does the peace that comes from Christ even look like? What does that mean?

Imagine if we lived in a world where peace reigned instead of chaos and confusion. Imagine the life we could have. I have to ask myself. Does peace rule every one of my relationships? Do I think peace before striking the first blow of revenge? Or slinging the first word of accusation and judgment? Does the thought of peace guide my conversations and actions? Does peace rule my emotions?

Oh, troubled soul. Peace is a command that God speaks to us. We are called to live in peace with each other. Peace can only be commonplace if it comes from Christ. Nothing else gives lasting peace. Nothing. If we can’t find peace in these troubled days, then we’re looking for peace in all the wrong places.

Because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. Philippians 4:7

Yes. These are troubled times. But peace is possible in the midst of the storm. Spend time with God. Actually, open the Bible and read God’s word. Let it saturate your heart and mind. Trust God. Don’t just say you trust God. Actually let go of your need to control everything and let God do his job. Oh. It isn’t easy. But it is possible. God will give peace in difficult times. He may not do everything the way we want, but His will and ways are perfect. So let’s trust him. And dare to see what happens in our hearts. Even when life isn’t perfect.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16