Rejoice Always!

 

 Recently my family had the opportunity to speak at our church for the Sunday sermon.  Dad turned the planning over to me.  I selected the passage and assigned the tasks to each of us.  It was a first for me.  Since our family has chosen I Thessalonians 5:16-18 as our year “verse”, it seemed good to use that passage.  Dad did the Bible exploration and I did the final challenge and prayer.  My mom did the spice!  She added the color by giving a personal illustration.  

I naturally felt a fair bit of stress as this is certainly out of my current routine.  Since the passage says “rejoice always.  Pray without ceasing.  In all things give thanks.” it would not be appropriate for me to meltdown in the midst of this presentation.  Just doing this sermon was an opportunity to put this Bible text into practice.  I must admit running up to the day I slept poorly and made several bad decisions.  Yet the day of presentation did arrive. 

Dad did great.  Mom was outstanding.  Then I was on.  I had a written text to serve as a guide and I plunged in.  It just flowed out and God’s spirit flow through me and into my fingers that were doing the communication.  I felt freedom and passion.  Then it was over.  I felt relief!  Yet, that was just the first service.  I still had one more to go.

God worked in the next service, too.  But I was drained from the experience.  I felt Satan creeping up saying, “You didn’t do a very good job.  You were weak.  What makes you think you could talk to these people?  How could you share anything worthwhile?”  I sat down and wept.  But God used my parents to speak truth over Satan’s lies.  In that moment I could rejoice for my Redeemer is in control of my life.  I am weak, but God is not! He chose me as His spokesman for that time.  I rejoice He allowed me to do His work!  So I am even today rejoicing because God is directing me day by day.  I may look like a broken person on the outside, but I am whole on the inside because my Redeemer is in me!

Get up and Grow!

 My mom and I walk together early in the morning as often as we can.  My mom is content to go to the park and march around it four times and come home.  I have always liked routine and doing the same thing.  Recently in an effort at growth, I have been trying new things. I try new colors of clothes.  I try new ice cream flavors, or new flavors of birthday cake.  So I have been taking my mom on new walking routes.  I see things I have not seen before, or experience new things.  It takes me out of my comfort zone, and even produces some stress, but if I want to grow, I have to step out and try.  The joy in this is I discover new things I like.  AND, I am aware that God is walking with me step by step.  So, get up and grow, Jeffrey!

Now, Where Did That Contentment Go?

 

I have recently been asked if I ever wrote about contentment.  I have implied this but never have taken it on directly.  For me contentment has been like a summer breeze. I mean it is wonderful when you feel it, and uncomfortable when it drifts away.  I experience it fully at times and think, “Wow!  I have finally found contentment!” then, Whoosh!  It is gone. 

As I think about this, I have begun to see it takes a daily surrender of my will to God’s.  I have to decide to live in contentment, accepting what God brings.  It is not a once for all decision, but for me needs to be made day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.

I do not like change and find great contentment in a routine day that never changes.  However, as my parents point out, that is not real life.  Life is often unpredictable and brings new situations which disrupt the contentment I feel in the routine.

So, what do I do?  I can cry and whine, as I confess I do all too often, or I can find my contentment outside my circumstances.  My best contentment comes as I sink into God’s hand, and stay there in the ups and downs of life.  When I am snuggled into God’s hand there is peace and contentment because God does not change.  So where is my contentment when it seems to have left me?  Maybe it is not with me because I jumped out of the shelter of God’s hand!

Come for Breakfast

 

As a family we enjoy doing things together.  We read together, we shop together, we play together, we work together.  It defines who we are as a family.  I think my favorite time together is our family devotions.  Each day we read the same portion of scripture as individuals. We journal what God teaches us.  Then, after breakfast we read from our journals and discuss what we learned and pray together.  It helps us glide into the day.  If guests are present, we expand the family and include them.  Then we go out to do the work God has for us.  So, if you are in the neighborhood, why not drop by for breakfast and God?

Here's To You Dad!

 

Another Father’s Day has come.  People are honoring their fathers and it is really great.  I would like to add my voice.  The other day I was reflecting that God made me to be my dad’s son.  He made me to enter Dad’s life making him a dad.  He fashioned us to cause each of us to grow.  I am so thankful to my dad who understands me.  He has loved me from the start.  He has taught me about God’s love by showing me in practice.  He has given discipline to help me be righteous.  He has accepted my limitations, but never settles for less than I can do.  He expects me to try hard and never stop growing.  I love my dad so much.  I am so glad God chose him for me!

Brilliant Green

 

On a walk with my mom last week, we had a great display of God’s beauty.  The sky was clear, cloudless blue.  Stretching up into that glorious blue were scores of trees adorned in their brilliant green gowns, ready for the day.  Remembering just a couple months ago, only the stately evergreens were dressed up, as all the other trees stood bare in anticipation of spring’s arrival with the new gowns of the season.  The shades of green were endless.  They shimmered in a very light breeze.  Looking up snatches of blue sky peeked here and there among the canopy of green.  Looking down we saw a scattering of pink azalea blooms as fine accents.  Oh, what peace and beauty there was in the park.  I was able to praise God for allowing me to view this splendor as I began my day.  It set the tone for my day, reminding me how the Creator God blends all His creation into a marvelous exhibition, new every day.  Each with its own beauty. Created without mistakes.  All creation created without mistakes—even me!

Adoptions

 

I am grateful for friends who are like family.  They show love and encouragement. Sometimes they are so special, you adopt them.  I have several friends who have become adopted sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles.  Just recently I adopted a grandma.  Mine are both already with Jesus, so with grandmas is such short supply, it seemed good to adopt.  The lady I chose knew my          
Grandma Rice, and has known my family for ages.  She is a most marvelous lady.  She loves Jesus and is one of the best encouragers I know. She is an example of how to finish well.  She lives far away from me, but we can communicate through the internet.  God put her in my life and I thank Him for her every day!  I love you Grandma Weaver!  I am proud to call you grandma!