A Father for All
A friend recently posted that the pastor of her church had passed away.
It wasn’t until we spoke that I understood how much this person meant to her.
She described him as someone who was like a father to her, and a grandfather to her children.
A deeply felt loss.
He was like family.
In His word, God tells us that we are His children.
His sons and daughters.
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are…”
1 John 3:1 (ESV)
His love for us is so great, that He did not want to spend eternity without us.
That would be a deeply felt loss.
Because we are His family.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (ESV)
My friend shared her story about someone who was like a father to her.
A relationship that had an impact in her life.
Sharing our stories about the One who is our Father makes Him real to others.
If someone who doesn’t know God sees Him working in our lives, it opens the possibility to them that He can work in theirs, too.
This is not just a relationship that can impact our lives.
It is the most important relationship we will ever have.
How is God showing up for real in your life?
Friends, share your stories.
Make Him real for someone who doesn’t know Him.
He is a Father for us all.
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Encourage
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLTShare this:
Are You Ready?
The word is everywhere.
Local news, national news, social media.
It seems like everyone will be impacted.
What am I talking about?
The winter storm that seems to be affecting over half the country.
Now, living in the northeast, we tend to be a little more prepared for these storms, unlike our friends in the south.
But this storm has everyone talking.
Even those of us here in the north are getting prepared for the snow, ice and extreme cold.
In addition to stocking up on the usual bread, eggs and milk, water and rock salt are flying off the shelves.
My husband and I just left the store with extra batteries in case the lights go out.
Many people are concerned about losing power.
Going down my mental checklist of what I needed before the storm starts, God put a different message in mind.
Wouldn’t it be great if My Word was everywhere?
Local news, national news and social media?
Because everyone will be impacted.
I am coming back.
Unlike the uncertainty of the storm, this you can be sure of.
Why do you prepare more for a snow storm than you prepare for heaven?
Friends, we have an idea of when the storm is coming this weekend.
But we have no idea of when He will return.
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:44 (NIV)
Even though no one knows the exact day of His return, just like with the weather, there will be signs.
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.” 2 Timothy 3:1-4 (NLT)
How do we prepare?
If we stay connected to the Source, we should have nothing to fear.
He provides everything we need.
Worried about water?
He is the Living Water.
“Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:10-14 (NLT)
No bread left on the shelves?
He is the Bread of Life.
“Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 (NLT)
Worried about the lights going out?
He is the Light of the World.
“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT)
Friends, just like preparing for the storm, we should be preparing for His return.
Are you ready?
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When Less Equals More
We are an elite group.
That description is not because we are rich or famous.
Most of us come into this group with no special skill set.
We are more “jack of all trades, master of none” if you will.
Our training did not come through classes or lectures, but more from watching the models around us over the years.
Many times we cry through the tests, thinking we have the right answer only to find out the question was different than what we prepared for.
All of our time is consumed by being the best, only to find out with each passing year we return to novice status.
This seems glaringly obvious now.
It’s like starting a new job at the bottom when you have 18 plus years of experience.
Mothers of adult children, welcome!
And if you are not one, I promise that someone in your circle is.
We recognize each other now not by the Froot Loops in our hair or the stains on our shifts.
Playdates are in the rearview mirror.
No longer are we dropping our kids off at the front door, but watching them on Life360 to make sure they made it back safely to their apartment.
Instead of wearing our kids jerseys at sporting events, we look back on the Memories we posted about their first hit or dance.
There is a quiet recognition that we are in a season of less.
Less in person communication, more one word texts or requests for the Disney code that was just sent to you.
Less moments walking in the front door after school, more times walking in for a short visit just to do laundry.
Less advice being asked for about this problem or that one, more wondering if you ever taught them enough to live on their own.
Less time in their world, more time alone in ours.
Figuring out who we are in this season of life.
Our title has not changed, but our role is drastically different.
If I am being honest, I am not always handling this new role well.
Maybe I am not alone here.
But I know that God is trying to teach me something in this season.
Even though sometimes I cry through the lessons.
Here is what I am holding onto in this season of less.
Less equals more now.
- More prayers.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11(NIV)
This verse hangs in our home.
When I am worried about my sons, I hold onto this.
Inserting the names of our children in this verse as we pray is the reminder that God not only has good plans for us, but also for our children.
- More gratitude
.
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.” Psalm 127:3 (NLT)
Our sons and daughters are a gift from our heavenly Father.
God knew exactly who He was choosing to be the mothers of our children, in every season of their lives.
He chose us.
Even when we are feeling unsteady, that is something to be grateful for.
- More trust.
“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9 (NIV)
This verse not only reveals the love the Father has for us, but also emphasizes the fact that He understands more than anyone the act of letting a child go.
When I start to worry about sending my sons into the world, I remember that God sent His only Son out of the comfort of His home into that same world.
And He was with Him step of the way.
Even when we let go, He never lets go of our children.
Or of us.
Even when our roles change, He remains the same.
In this season of less, I need more of Him.
Wishing you many blessings this Thanksgiving, whatever season you find you find yourself in.
He is with you.
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Being An Encouragement When You are Feeling Discouraged
Your joy is your own; your bitterness is your own. No one can share them with you.”
Proverbs 14:10 (GNT)
It has been a minute since I have written anything.
Being completely transparent, I have felt pretty discouraged lately.
Many thoughts and ideas have come and gone, but I have struggled to get them from my head onto the paper.
How can I be an encouragement to others when I am feeling discouraged?
Just like a slow drift away from the shore line, I have felt myself moving further and further away from where I want to be.
More importantly, where He wants me to be.
Maybe I am not the only one.
Whether it is a series of small changes or one large shift, sometimes it can feel like we are treading water and no one seems to notice.
And even though our minds are racing to get back to the shore, our bodies feel paralyzed to move.
But God.
When it feels like no one understands, He does.
Insert our recent Bible Study on the book of Proverbs.
One verse in particular challenged me and left me with questions.
Here are some different translations for Proverbs 14:10 –
“The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.” (ESV)
“The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations.” (MSG)
“Only the person involved can know his own bitterness or joy— no one else can really share it.” (TLB)
“No one else can know your sadness.
Strangers cannot share your joy.” (ICB)
“Your joy is your own; your bitterness is your own. No one can share them with you.” (GNT)
That singular verse sparked much discussion.
Don’t we share in the joys and the sorrows of our friends and loved ones?
Certainly a stranger cannot share in our joys.
If we do not stand by someone in their troubled times, it makes sense that we should not share in their celebrations, right?
As our group dug deeper into these translations, we came across some commentaries that made sense.
Simply put, no one knows us like God.
Not our friends, not our family.
Even the people closest to us cannot know how we feel all of the time.
Even when we are feeling adrift.
Only God fully knows the depths of our pain and the fullness of our joy.
Some friends come to us in our youth, others as we age.
Family members play different roles in different seasons of our lives.
A parent brings us through childhood, and if we are fortunate sees us becoming an adult.
A spouse or a child will only have known us in our later years.
But God has been with us each and every moment.
He has been with us from the beginning.
God reminds Jeremiah that He knew him before he was born.
“The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1: 4-5 (NIV)Luke reminds us that God notices everything about us, even down to the hairs on our heads.
“What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right?
But God never overlooks a single one. And He pays even greater attention to you,
down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! Luke 12: 6-7 (MSG)
God does not need Life 360 to know where we are. He knows our every move.
“You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.”
Psalm 139: 1-4 (NIV)
Every. Single. Detail.
Going back to Proverbs 14:10, the wisdom in this verse can be summed up in this quote:
“Each man is a little world in himself, which God only fully sees through and understands.” Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament
Disappointment is born when we expect others to fully know us like our Creator does.
How many times have you felt overlooked or unseen by others?
How many times have you looked to others to fill a void that only He can fill?
Friends, I don’t pretend to fully know your joys and sorrows.
But I know what it feels like to be discouraged.
The greatest encouragement comes from knowing the One who created us and spending time in His presence.
Even when you feel like no one notices, God always does.
No matter how many times you feel adrift, He knows exactly where you are.
When you are feeling discouraged, you find encouragement and hope in His Word.
And if you are like me and need that reminder, grab a sister or brother in faith to talk with and pray.
To the sister who sat across the table from me and listened to my heart, I know that He was speaking to me through you.
Blessings in heaps.
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In the Middle of the Storm
After scrolling and seeing the picture of a lawn chair at the bottom of my friend’s pool, I curiously read the caption above her Facebook post.
“That was one crazy storm.”
Apparently, the night before the winds were strong enough to take down large branches and several trees in the area.
And blow my friend’s chair from her patio into her pool.
Casually, I made the comment that I had slept right through it.
But this is not always the case.
There are many times that I don’t sleep through the storms that blow through my life.
Sometimes, the force feels like it is enough to take me down.
My thoughts swirl around and it’s difficult to find my balance.
And like the chair at the bottom of the pool, I feel like I am going under.
On those days, I forget Who is in charge of the winds and the rain.
Despite knowing He is always with me, I start to focus on the storm instead of the Savior.
This is how the disciples responded when Jesus slept through a storm, even though He was with them.
“One day He got into a boat with His disciples, and He said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him?” Luke 8: 22-25 (ESV)
Jesus, fully human and fully divine, understood what it was like to be caught in life’s storms.
As we start to read Matthew 14, we see Jesus removing Himself from others after He receives the news of John the Baptist’s death.
The loss of His friend.
Unspeakable grief.
And yet, in the midst of His own pain, Jesus had recognized the crowds who had followed Him to His place of solace were going through their own storms.
He understood their pain and had compassion on them.
He brought healing and hope, even when He was hurting.
“Now when Jesus heard this, He withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by Himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed Him on foot from the towns. When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
Matthew 14: 13-14 (ESV)
And then if that were not enough, Jesus did more.
He fed the masses, both physically and spiritually.
“Now when it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to Him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And He said, “Bring them here to me.” Then He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.” Matthew 14:15-21 (ESV)
The story does not end there.
After all of the miracles He had performed that day, Jesus took time alone to go pray.
The disciples, who were far off on the boat, witnessed yet another miracle of Jesus walking to them on the water.
They did not immediately recognize Him, and were afraid.
“Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Matthew 14: 22-27 (ESV)
Just like the disciples, sometimes I do not recognize Him, even when He is close.
And like Peter, I forget my faith when He calls me to take the next step.
I take my focus off of Him.
“And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14: 28-33(ESV)
Friends, I do not know what storms are blowing through your lives right now.
You may feel like you are sinking.
But Jesus understands your struggles.
He has compassion for you.
Don’t take your focus off of Him.
He is with you always.
Even in the middle of the storm.
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Remaining Close to God in a World Pulling You Away
“But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.“
Psalm 73: 28 (NIV)
Walking the dogs is something my husband and I enjoy. Our 5 pound Morkie, Max, comes with me. Our son’s 80 pound black lab, Dallas, is John’s responsibility. I know that I will not have enough strength to control him. Ready with his new harness and 26 foot retractable leash, proudly purchased by my husband, we set out. I watch as the two of them walk ahead. Dallas is easily distracted by the sights and the smells around the neighborhood, using almost all of the lead that my husband has provided. John remarks that Dallas should stay closer to him. Why would he remain close with all of that freedom?
My anxiety rose each time Dallas got too far away from my husband.
Similarly, my anxiety increases each time I get too far from God.
But our God does not go anywhere. I am the one who is easily distracted by the world around me. I am the one who pulls away. Like Dallas, I am given the freedom to move or stay. Our Father’s desire is for us to remain close to Him. Just like I’m not strong enough to control Dallas, I cannot rely on my own strength to keep me away from the pull of the world. I need to remain close to the Father. Spending time with Him not only brings me strength, but also guidance as I move about my day.
Each day I wake up, I have a choice. I can start the day giving my full attention to the One who fills me or to a world that often drains me. Finding quiet time in prayer and in the Word allows me to reflect on His many blessings. Even Jesus needed to spend time alone with the Father. He removed himself from the crowds to simply be in His Father’s presence. Beginning the day with the gift of peace that only comes from spending time with Him strengthens me to face whatever lies ahead.
Remaining close means being intentional. Being still before the busyness begins. My mind often races when I awake thinking of my to do list. There are many days I reach for my phone before I reach for my Bible. Maybe this sounds familiar. But each day, I try again to start with being quiet. Gratefully, God is always there waiting with open arms. Our God never moves. He simply waits for us to be still.
Read Genesis 3:1-13 (NIV). Adam and Eve had everything they needed in the Garden of Eden, but were distracted by the one thing that they could not have. What distracts you from spending time in His presence? Ask for His strength to help you remain close to Him.
What pulls you away from God? What routines can you change to make space for Him? Friends, the most important relationship we will ever have is with our Heavenly Father.
Tune out the distractions of the world and sit for a while with Him. How good it is to be near our God!
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Lean into Love
It is evident all around us.
In every area of our lives.
I don’t have to tell you.
Like me, you probably see it everyday.
Division.
“How can you even be around someone like that?”
“If you supported him or her, please unfriend me.”
“You call yourself a Christian…”
The list goes on and on.
My heart has felt heavy, watching as friends part ways, family members don’t speak and beliefs are challenged.
It is heartbreaking.
And the enemy is delighted.
In fact, he is overjoyed.
Because he does his best work when we are divided.
Our Heavenly Father wants just the opposite for His children.
He wants us to be united.
Knowing all of His children are vastly different.
In their opinions, their experiences, their appearance.
Despite all of these differences, the same God calls us HIS.
He sacrificed His Son not for one, but all.
Even if the groups today sound different than in Biblical times, this truth remains:
Christ died for all and is in all.
“In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us.” Colossians 3:11 NLT
So what do we do when the world pulls us toward hate and division?
We lean into love.
The Bible gives us instructions to follow.
We must see all through His eyes.
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.” Colossians 3 :11 NLT
Our instruction continues in Colossians.
“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 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: 12-15 NLT
If we are called to share His love with the world, how can we do so if we are unwilling to move out of our comfort zones and enter other worlds?
Look at the model that Paul set before us.
“Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9: 19-23 NLT
When we tear others down, we are not garmented in His love.
God clearly spells out what this love looks like in His Word.
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 NLT
He tells us that our top priority should be loving His people.
“Let love be your highest goal.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT
Simply put, we called to love everyone.
Friends, the enemy’s goal is to pull us apart.
When the world tries to pull us away from each other, remember these three things:
- Clothe yourselves in kindness
- Find common ground with everyone
- Let love be your highest goal…always.
His love is for everyone.
Let it be evident to those around us.
In every area of our lives.
Lean into love.
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Being Thankful in Seasons of Change
Today is a day to be thankful.
But it has been a year of many changes.
Some were planned, others were not.
Some were joyful, others were heartbreaking.
With multiple wedding invitations, I anticipated the joy of witnessing young couples transition into their new lives together.
A baby shower celebrating the arrival of a great niece brought double the joy as a marriage proposal ended the day in spectacular fashion.
A short family vacation to an NFL game filled my heart as my husband and I got to spend time with our busy adult children.
But the unexpected death of a family member was something no one expected.
The loss of several friends who succumbed to illness left my heart feeling heavy.
Missing loved ones who are no longer with us always makes me homesick during the holidays.
Ups and downs.
Light moments and dark moments.
Wouldn’t life be easier if, like getting an invitation or itinerary, we knew the time and day the changes would be coming our way?
But we cannot fully know what God has planned.
“Whenever I tried to become wise and learn what goes on in the world, I realized that you could stay awake night and day and never be able to understand what God is doing. However hard you try, you will never find out. The wise may claim to know, but they don’t.”
Ecclesiastes 8:6-7 GNT
Matthew Henry in his commentary on Ecclesiastes 8 says this: “God has, in wisdom, concealed from us the knowledge of future events, that we may be always ready for changes.”
God prepares us through His Word that changes will happen.
There is a time for everything.
“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 NIV
I confess that even though God shares this wisdom with us, I am often not ready for the changes that occur in life.
But knowing His promises helps me to be prepared to face them.
He is present.
“For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 GNT
He is a safe place.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NIV
He offers comfort.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3 NLT
He offers strength.
“Do not be afraid—I am with you!
I am your God—let nothing terrify you!
I will make you strong and help you;
I will protect you and save you.” Isaiah 41:10 GNT
He offers hope.
“Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3: 21-23 NIV
In addition to His promises, God gives us instruction.
He tells His children to give thanks in all things.
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5: 18 NLT
Friends, I do not know what changes have come your way this year.
Some may have been planned, others may have been unexpected.
But one thing we can trust is that God is unchanging.
He is ever present, offers us a safe place, gives us comfort, strength and hope.
And that is something to be thankful for today and everyday.
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