Holding Tight

At the peak of a bare cypress tree, a great white egret clung tightly to the branch and scanned the lake. His slender neck formed an S as his eyes traveled back and forth. Without even swaying, his spindly legs held him firmly. 

            I stared in amazement at his inspiring feat. Behind him, a pink sunrise turned into a blanket of gray. Despite the change around him, he remained stoic and focused. 

            As I watched him, I thought of the anxiety and fear in the world because of the coronavirus. Facts and opinions screaming at everyone. Overwhelming uncertainty. 

            Each morning in my serene, lakeside retreat, I spend time with God. Reading the Bible, daily devotionals, and prayer prepare me for the events of the day. 

            Watching wildlife slows me down and reminds me of my blessings. God created beautiful flowers, unique animals and awesome sunrises. Animals teach lessons in survival, focus and doing what they were made to do in each situation. 

            For a few minutes, the smallish, white bird rested. Then he lifted his vast wings and took flight. His perching and flying bodies looked quite different. The time of rest prepared him for his impressive flight.

            As we hear disturbing news and predictions, it is important to retreat and let God provide peace and strength for the journey ahead. 

You have been my constant helper; therefore, I sing for joy under the protection of Your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand reaches down and holds me up. 

(Psalm 63: 7-8 The Voice) 

Loving Father, in our unsettled world, provide peace. Give us hope and strength for the days ahead. Amen

Spread Peace and Not Fear

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)

Like a burst of flames, sunrise lit up the sky beyond the lake. A new day of opportunities awaited me. 

            Days and days of dire predictions and endless charts with numbers of those infected and deaths filled my mind. Huge numbers of schools, churches, businesses, and even Disney were closing. 

            Officials warned of horrible consequences from the Coronavirus. Guidelines for citizens to follow circulated in the media. After all the terrible news, newscasters and doctors said to remain calm. 

            Anyone who constantly watches and listens to the alarming newscasts becomes fearful and anxious. 

            The beautiful sunrise reminded me that the sun comes up every day. God doesn’t shut down His creation. Birds continue to sing joyously. Flowers bloom in vibrant colors. New leaves sprout from dormant branches even when our world is in turmoil. 

            In the chaos, we realize that we are not in control. Of course, we try to contain the illness and follow the guidelines for safety but we have no guarantee we won’t get sick. Reality hits that only God controls His world. 

            We can pray and reach out to those who are frightened. Phone calls, emails and text messages can include Scripture passages and words of hope. 

            Isolation from normal activities offers opportunities to fully engage with family and friends whether near or far away. In the quiet, we can take a walk and truly notice nature. 

            Read, do a craft, clean out closets, write a letter, play a game, paint a picture, accomplish neglected chores, watch funny shows, play an instrument… Endless possibilities surround us. 

            Instead of lamenting what we are missing and forming horrendous stories in our heads, we can focus on the present and be thankful for what we do have. 

            Just as panic spreads so can love and calmness. 

Loving Father, in our distress and fears, give us peace and contentment. Amen

Uninvited Isolation

Coughing. Sniffling. Fatigue. For days, I shuffled from my bed to the couch and wrapped myself in a warm, fuzzy blanket. 

            My exercise was to drag myself to the kitchen for water and return to the couch. 

            Old TV shows like Concentration, Colombo, Password, and  McHale’s Navy entertained me. Books and magazines provided companionship. 

            Except for visiting my doctor, my only trips outside were to check for mail and retrieve the garbage can.  

            Every day, I hoped my ordeal would end. Instead, I cancelled activities I really wanted to attend like an Amy Grant concert, Bible study, Emily’s archery competition, Molly’s softball game, church service, a friend’s birthday lunch, a neighborhood get together… 

            At first, the cancellations bothered me a lot. But then, my misery lessened. Friends brought soup and left cold remedies at my door. Many neighbors offered to pick up food when they went out. One got my medication at Publix. 

            Each day emails and text messages kept me company as friends and family checked on me. Prayers were offered. 

Even isolated at home, I didn’t feel totally alone. 

            Although I regretted missing so much, I was thankful. The bronchitis and fatigue would fade and my normally busy life would resume. 

Thankful for: 

A warm, comfortable home 

Clean water to keep me hydrated

Food in my refrigerator

Books

Electricity for lights, TV and computer

Doctor

Medications

Neighbors bringing food and medicines

Phone to get text messages from family and friends

            I thought of those with terminal illnesses who would never be well. People in nursing homes who have lost independence. Residents in Tennessee who lost homes and loved ones in the recent tornadoes. Millions around the world who are hungry, cold, discouraged and live in fear. 

            My temporary illness and isolation helped me see how blessed I am. 

(Whenever we’re sick and in bed, God becomes our nurse. Nurses us back to health. Psalm 41:3 The Message)

Heavenly Father, thank you for all of my blessings. Encourage and strengthen those around the world who face obstacles. Help them know the love of Jesus. Amen

          

Young Lives

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40: 29-31 NIV)

Girls streamed into the clubroom at Southwind, a Young Life camp. As the music began, they sang and danced. Skits made them laugh. 

            Then the speaker took the stage and looked over the audience. He prayed. Groups of teen moms and their Young Lives’ leaders sat on the floor and listened to his message. 

            “No matter what you have done or what has happened to you, God loves you,” he said. 

            Those words apply to everyone but were especially poignant for the girls in front of him. Every teen had a child or had one on the way. The weekend camp was for them to be served and loved. 

            I watched from the back of the room. My heart ached as I saw girls who should have been experiencing normal teen lives but were responsible for one or two children. What would they go home to? What were the circumstances of their pregnancies? How would they manage? 

            At the end of his talk, the leader instructed the girls to do what Young Life does at their camps. Find a spot alone. No talking or leaving. Spend time with God. Think about the message. The evening rain kept everyone inside but each girl and leader found her own space.

            Even with over one hundred people in the room, silence filled the room. Lights dimmed. A sense of calm surrounded us. 

             Some sat upright. A few leaned against the walls. Several spread out on the floor. Heads bowed. Eyes closed. 

            Tears trickled as I prayed. I thought of the pain and uncertainty in their young lives. Girls who need Jesus. Babies who need strong mothers. Moms who need stable homes for themselves and their children. Leaders who meet with the girls regularly to offer love and support.  

            A noise broke the stillness. A sniffle. Then sobs. I prayed for the anguished teen. I couldn’t see who it was but God knew. I prayed that her leader would be able to comfort the crying mama. Her tears flowed not only for herself but for each girl in the room. 

Heavenly Father, be a loving father to the young moms and their children. Give strength and patience to those who are supporting them. Amen

            Young Life doesn't start with a program. It starts with adults who are concerned enough about kids to go to them, on their turf and in their culture, building bridges of authentic friendship. These relationships don't happen overnight — they take time, patience, trust and consistency.  

Our Mission  Introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.​

Unforeseen: Paying It Forward

Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 3: 12 The Voice)

My bouquet of flowers traveled down the conveyor belt. The lady in front of me placed a plastic barrier between her groceries and my purchase. 

            As the items moved toward the cashier, my mind raced through my to do list. Without thinking, I walked forward. The young man picked up my flowers and placed them in a cart. Then I noticed groceries in the same cart. 

            When I prepared to pay, I heard the cashier say to the lady, “Oh, I thought those were yours. I rang them up on your bill.”

            With a smile, she said, “Never mind, that is ok.”

            I tried to hand her the money clutched in my hand. She shook her head. 

            I tried again. She refused but said, “Pay it forward.”

            “Thank you. I’m giving the flowers to someone.”

            With a smile, she pushed her cart from the store. 

            The thoughtfulness of a stranger warmed my heart. Even though she hadn’t planned to buy my flowers, she took the opportunity to be generous. Her unforeseen kindness continues to ripple through my life and now yours. 

Heavenly Father, you constantly give me opportunities to be kind and loving. Help my heart be open and willing to serve. Amen

Three Strong, Loving Friends

Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus…

He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately, he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. (Luke 5: 18-19, 25 NIV)

An empty wheelchair stood by the edge of the lake. I looked around for its occupant. Wondering. 

            Red canoes lined the dock. Sunlight sparkled on the lake beneath a cloudless azure sky. Teenagers in life jackets gathered in small groups on the beach and pier before they ventured out onto the lake. 

            Then I spotted him in the bow of a canoe. Because he couldn’t walk, how did he get into the boat from his wheelchair? 

            Two young men paddled the canoe out into the middle of the lake. Other boats joined them as happy voices drifted across the water. 

            Each canoe held two or three sailors with at least one buddy, who spent the weekend with a special needs friend. My heart smiled as I watched and listened to the chatter. 

            Several minutes later, a canoe floated to the shore with a smiling young man in the front. Though nonverbal, his grin expressed words he could not speak.  

            The two paddlers and another friend carefully placed their arms around the large young man in the canoe. They lifted him from the boat and carried him across the beach to his wheelchair. He wasn’t able to raise his arms or legs to help them. They talked to him even though he couldn’t answer with words. 

            Everyone along the shore and on the pier watched the selfless act of kindness. 

            A leader said to the three young men. “What a blessing you are.”

            One of the boys answered, “We are the ones who are blessed.”

            As I watched the scene at Young Life’s Capernaum camp, a weekend for special needs young people, I thought of the friends of the paralyzed man in the Bible story. He had a need and they carried him to Jesus where he was healed.  

            Our Capernaum friend wasn’t healed physically but his heart was full of joy. The three young men gave him an experience he may have never had and may never have again. Their gift with the love and compassion of all four young men touched all who watched. Especially me. 

Love comes in many forms. 

Loving Father, thank you for those who show the love of Jesus to those who can’t repay it in the same way. Help us to be Jesus to whomever we meet. Amen. 

A Detour on Our Shopping Trip

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3: 5-6 KJV)

An elderly lady by the side of the road caught our attention.

As my granddaughter, Emily, and I stopped at a light during our shopping trip. 

            Neither of us could read the entire cardboard sign, but we saw the cross at the bottom. 

            We looked at each other and knew we needed to do something. 

            “Look in the console. I think there is an energy bar in there,” I said. 

            Emily pulled out the bar and a small bag of trail mix. We knew our time was limited. 

            From two lanes away, I knew Emily wouldn’t be able to get out of the car safely. She rolled her window down. Before she could toss the snacks to the lady, the light changed. 

            With cars behind me, I had to move forward. 

            “Grandma, she looked so sad. She thought we were going to give her something. We need to go back.”

            I agreed and made a u turn. Thankfully, no cars blocked my way at the intersection. I pulled into a drive near the lady and her walker. Emily stepped out of the car and handed her the food.

            She smiled and thanked Emily. She looked carefully at the two gifts. From her seat, she looked at us and mouthed, “Thank you.” 

            The light changed, and we drove off. We will never know her story, but we both realized we needed to help. Our small contribution wouldn’t solve her problems but hopefully, her day was brighter. We acknowledged her instead of looking straight ahead. 

            It doesn’t take a lot of time to make someone feel cared for and special. Whether it is someone by the road, an overworked clerk, a garbage man, a teller at a bank, or someone who lives in your home. Everyone likes a bit of gratitude and love.  

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us opportunities to serve and follow your example. Amen