We Never Walk Alone
These past few weeks I have been pouring over tons of old photos.
I have always loved taking pictures.
My first camera, when I wasn’t using my parents’ Polaroid, was a Disc camera.
Some of you in my age bracket will remember that one.
But I have adapted with the times, moving through a number of cameras over the years.
From getting my same day prints made at CVS to storing 18,385 precious photos on my IPhone, I have always found a way to capture what is going on around me in the lives of those I love.
It is fair to say that a good number of profile pictures and cover photos of my friends are ones that I have taken.
I’m kind of like the Friend Historian, if you will.
And while I love to just drink in these moments, there have been specific reasons for time spent strolling down memory lane these past weeks to gather pictures.
The first is for putting together slideshows: one for a funeral and another for a farewell.
The second is for creating a picture board for a graduation party of my son and his friends.
Whether you are the moms whose children are graduating, a family who is saying goodbye to a husband and father, or a church who is saying goodbye to a pastor, there has been a common thread sewn into patching these memories together.
We do not walk through this life alone.
From the very beginning, God did not intend for us to walk alone.
He created woman so that man would have someone by his side.
“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Genesis 2:18 ESV
In His Word, He tells us that two are better than one,
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV
From hello to goodbye, from celebration to mourning, through good times and bad, our Father instructs us to have the same love for each other as His Son.
“ So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Philippians 2: 2-5 ESV
It gives our heavenly Father joy when we think of each other and do nothing selfishly.
Jesus thought of us when He left the heavenly realms to come to earth to walk among humans.
Even though there are no pictures, we get snapshot after snapshot of who Jesus did life with in His Word.
I am certain if someone had taken pictures, there would have been more than my 18,385.
He was thinking of us when He took our place on that cross.
He did not do anything out of selfish ambition, only out of His great love for us.
There is another common thread that is woven through these photos.
God walks with us through every season of our lives.
Our Creator has known us since the very beginning.
“For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139: 13 ESV
Somedays I need that reminder.
Maybe you do as well.
In a time when everything feels as if it were changing, the one thing that remains constant is that our heavenly Father is ever present in all of our days.
Friends, may that bring you comfort on the hard days and hope for the future.
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In the Blink of an Eye
Pictures from Timehop on Facebook always delight me.
I love when images of my 6 foot plus boys pop up from when they were playing Little League or outside in the snow with friends.
Especially at this time of year, shots of Easter egg hunts and family dinners make my heart full.
It all seems to change in the blink of an eye.
I believe that those closest to Jesus felt the same during His last week on earth.
There was no Timehop back then, but scripture gives us a snapshot of the days leading up to Jesus’s crucifixion.
It all seemed to change on the blink of an eye.
On what we know as Palm Sunday, the crowds welcome Jesus as He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, waving palms and cheering.
“Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around Him were shouting,
“Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in the highest heaven!” Mark 11: 9-10 NLT
On Thursday, Jesus sits down to eat for the last time with His disciples, whom He calls friends.
Jesus knows that one among them will betray Him.
“When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the Twelve. While they were eating, He said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?” He replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays Him. It would be better for that man if he had not been born.” Matthew 25:20-24 NLT
It all seemed to change in the blink of an eye.
After being betrayed by one of His own, Jesus is brought before the crowds, the same crowds shortly before that had welcomed and praised Him.
But there was no more cheering for our King.
“Then a mighty roar rose among the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill Him, and release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder). Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus, But they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Luke 23: 18-21 NLT
One minute, welcomed with open arms.
The next minute being sent to death, by the same crowd that embraced Him.
This image strikes me at my very core.
Because I know in my heart that there are days that I welcome Him with open arms, and others that I am distracted by the world and want to go with the crowd.
Where do you find yourself this Holy Thursday, friends?
We do not need TImehop to remind us how quickly things can change.
Remember that our heavenly Father sent His Son to take our place on that cross.
Each of us is given unexplainable grace because Jesus came to earth in human form to understand our joys and our sorrows.
He knew what it was like to be the center of attention one moment and betrayed the next.
Knowing that He would suffer greatly, He chose the cross anyway.
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross.” Phillipians 2:8 NLT
He did that for you and for me.
May that be the image you return to as you remember the gift of His love this Easter and always.
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Feels Like Home
Over the holiday break from college, my oldest son frequently had friends over to the house.
Talking about everything under the sun, it was evident that they were just happy to be in each other’s presence.
Entering at all times of the day and night, they had full access to the house.
My husband jokingly asked me, “how many people have the code to our garage?”
But there was something about seeing the ease at which they would come and go.
During one of our late night conversations, one of the boys said this to me:
You make it feel like this our home.
I get choked up even now as I write this.
John and I have always wanted our home to feel welcoming.
But to actually have it feel like home to others touches my heart.
And makes me think of our heavenly Father.
I talk with Him about everything under the sun and am happy just to be in His presence.
He is available to me all times of the day or night.
He grants me full access to Him.
No code required.
I come and go with ease, because He is always welcoming.
He makes it feel like home because it is our home.
“Lord, through all the generations
you have been our home!
Before the mountains were born,
before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
from beginning to end, you are God.” Psalm 90: 1-2 NLT
Sometimes it is difficult to grasp that the Creator of the heavens and the earth will pause just to listen to my heart.
But He does.
Every single time.
There is no place that feels more like home to me than when I spend time with Him.
Friends, I do not know what you are going through today
But know this.
The Creator of the world wants you to feel at home in Him.
You can talk with Him about anything under the sun.
He will be happy to have you in His presence.
You are always welcome, day or night.
And you don’t even need the code.
My prayer is that you allow Him into your heart today.
Trust me.
It feels like home.
“I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him.
Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the
power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high,
and how deep His love is.” Ephesians 3:16-18 NLT
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Trusting When We Don’t Understand
It’s unusual for me to get a call from my friend this early.
Or at all to be honest.
She is more of a texter.
But when I saw her name pop up on my phone screen, I took a chance that it wasn’t a pocket
dial and answered.
Much to my surprise, I heard her voice on the other end.
And before even saying hello, she asked this question:
Did that just happen?
In an instant, I knew what she meant.
For the next few minutes, we talked about the events that unfolded in our nation’s Capitol the day before.
Disbelief, fear, sadness, horror.
So many emotions brim to the surface of our souls.
Then another call from a friend experiencing an incredible loss.
And another question.
How do you move forward when you feel so much pain?
A pain that penetrates us to our core and rocks our foundation.
On these days, I struggle with what I can offer those around me who are hurting.
So I listen, offering what Dharius Daniels calls “the ministry of presence.”
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT
When I cannot find the words, I can go to His Word to find comfort.
“Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son.
He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding..” Ephesians 1: 4-8 NLT
When I cannot trust in the things of this world, I can trust in His plan.
“God has now revealed to us His mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill His own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan.” Ephesians 1: 9-11 NLT
There seems to be so much pain and confusion in our world right now.
Some days it may feel difficult to take the next step.
Friends, on those days remember the Creator of the Universe loved you before the world began.
That is something you can trust even when you don’t understand the plan.
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As It Should Be
It wasn’t as it should be.
Every year at this time, our family piles into the car to journey to Beck’s tree farm.
The boys take turns using the saw to cut down the perfect tree.
Once the tree topples down, my sons would drag it to the car and secure it on top.
Afterwards, we travel to Hot Dog Johnny’s to feast on hot dogs, fries and birch beer.
But this year looked different, as everything does.
Because my husband still did not feel well enough to join us, the boys and I decided to adjust our plans.
Instead, we purchased a pre-cut tree from our local fire department.
As the boys and I stood in line for take out, we fondly recalled the many memories we had performing our yearly ritual.
It wasn’t as it should be.
I’m pretty sure that this was Joseph’s thought when he found out Mary was pregnant.
They were to marry first, and then start a family.
Everything looked different than Joseph probably imagined.
“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.” Matthew 1: 18-19 NLT
Can you even imagine being in Joseph’s shoes?
But God knew exactly who He wanted to be Jesus’s earthly father.
“As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins.”
All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and
took Mary as his wife. Matthew 1: 20-24 NLT
The plan in Mary’s head probably did not come close to what our heavenly Father had in store for her as well.
But just like Joseph, God knew who He wanted to bring His son into this world.
“Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. And He will reign over Israel forever; His Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” Luke 1: 28-34 NLT
In a year that has brought things most of us could have never imagined, I am reminded of the unimaginable birth of our Savior.
I am encouraged by Joseph’s obedience and Mary’s trust in God.
The birth of our Savior could have looked very different.
Maybe He would have not been born to an unwed teeanger in a stable.
But gratefully, He was.
And it was exactly as it should be.
May this most unexpected story of His birth bring light and hope to your souls today.
We need it now more than ever.
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Today Is the Day
Today was the day.
The day that my son was supposed to finally take his SATS.
But they were cancelled for the third time.
Today was the day.
The day that we were to continue with our yearly family tradition.
Going to Beck’s Tree Farm to cut down our Christmas tree together and then to Hot Dog Johnny’s to grab lunch is something we look forward to every year.
But instead we are waiting for test results to see if my husband is positive for Covid.
As I write this, I am watching him sleep on the couch (socially distanced of course).
If I am being honest, it is hard not to feel discouraged.
And not because we can’t go for our tree or my son cannot take his exam.
It’s because there is just so much brokenness everywhere.
My heart is heavy for my brothers and sisters who are suffering.
For those who are separated from or have lost loved ones.
For those who are struggling with finances.
For those who are not certain if their business will survive or if their jobs will still be there in the new year.
For those who are battling the dark days that accompany mental health and addiction.
For those who feel isolated and alone.
For those who have lost hope.
So I go to the place where hope lives.
In His Word.
A place where I find encouragement and comfort as I wait.
“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”
Romans 15:4 NLT
A place where I am reminded of His promises.
“And in another place Isaiah said,
“The heir to David’s throne will come,
and he will rule over the Gentiles.
They will place their hope on him.” Romans 15: 12 NLT
I remind myself that today is the day that we have hope.
Hope that came in the form of an infant who would become the Savior of all.
The day that despite the struggles belongs to Him.
Friends, it is hard even in this season to not feel discouraged.
Take heart.
The source of our hope is always available to His children.
Today and every day.
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15: 13 NLT
Today is the day to embrace that hope.
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Our Anchor
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Have You Ever Seen Anything Like That?
In your life, have you ever seen anything like that?!
An awestruck sports commentator posed this question after witnessing Tiger Woods win his fourth green jacket in a playoff against Chris DiMarco during the 2005 Masters.
He had witnessed greatness.
Cheers could be heard by spectators as this famous golfer made his final shot.
A touchdown in the final seconds of the game, sinking the last putt, a buzzer beater during a playoff game.
Moments that leave crowds filled with awe.
During this pandemic, it feels like these moments are far and few between.
Many sports seasons have been delayed, shortened, or cancelled altogether.
There is a limit to how many, if any, spectators are permitted at events.
It is a discouraging and sad time for so many.
We are limited in so many ways.
But there is one thing to remember, especially now.
There is greatness all around us.
And not one of us is restricted from viewing the wonders of His creation.
“The whole world is filled with awe at Your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, You call forth songs of joy.” Psalms 65:8 NIV
If we allow ourselves to pause and look, there are moments of awe that He can fill us with every day.
A sunrise or sunset.
The sounds of the birds chirping outside your window.
Watching a child smile.
Even during this challenging time, there are still moments that can fill us with awe and wonder.
Moments that if we shift our focus to Him, we can still ask with awe:
In your life, have you ever seen anything like that?!
My prayer for you my friend is that you are left awestruck by the greatness of our Creator.
Amen.
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Always the Same
2020 has been the year of changes.
That is putting it mildly, some of you are probably thinking.
The ways that we work, shop and go to school have been altered.
Curve balls are thrown at us on a daily basis.
Yesterday was no exception.
An eerie feeling came over me as I entered the building for my yearly appointment with my oncologist.
The center that was once bustling with activity now felt like a ghost town.
No walks where breast cancer survivors and supporters could gather this year.
In person activities and gatherings have shifted to virtual.
It has been almost 10 years since my diagnosis.
Connections with others were the very things that helped me through my own journey.
And as I made my way back the empty hallway after getting my temperature taken at the door,
I ran into a staff member who had helped me through my treatment years ago.
We sat and chatted about the change in the atmosphere.
Limitations in how the staff interacts with patients and how the patients interact with each other left a heaviness on my heart.
Everything just feels different.
And when everything feels different, this is the verse that I hold onto:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLT
He never put limitations on how He interacted with His people.
Not if they were considered unclean.
“Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8: 1-3 NLT
Not if they were considered unworthy.
“Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
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.” John 4: 7-10 NLT
Jesus knew that they craved connection.
Connection with the One who brought hope into their brokenness.
The same hope that is available to us today.
The only limitations that are placed on how I interact with our Savior are the ones I put there myself.
He is always available, ready to listen to our hearts, whether they are joyful or heavy.
He never withholds Himself from us.
And in a world that is constantly in flux, my heart is grateful that He is my constant.
My prayer is that you allow Him to be yours as well.
That is putting it mildly, some of you are probably thinking.
The ways that we work, shop and go to school have been altered.
Curve balls are thrown at us on a daily basis.
Yesterday was no exception.
An eerie feeling came over me as I entered the building for my yearly appointment with my oncologist.
The center that was once bustling with activity now felt like a ghost town.
No walks where breast cancer survivors and supporters could gather this year.
In person activities and gatherings have shifted to virtual.
It has been almost 10 years since my diagnosis.
Connections with others were the very things that helped me through my own journey.
And as I made my way back the empty hallway after getting my temperature taken at the door,
I ran into a staff member who had helped me through my treatment years ago.
We sat and chatted about the change in the atmosphere.
Limitations in how the staff interacts with patients and how the patients interact with each other left a heaviness on my heart.
Everything just feels different.
And when everything feels different, this is the verse that I hold onto:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLT
He never put limitations on how He interacted with His people.
Not if they were considered unclean.
“Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8: 1-3 NLT
Not if they were considered unworthy.
“Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”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.” John 4: 7-10 NLT
Jesus knew that they craved connection.
Connection with the One who brought hope into their brokenness.
The same hope that is available to us today.
The only limitations that are placed on how I interact with our Savior are the ones I put there myself.
He is always available, ready to listen to our hearts, whether they are joyful or heavy.
He never withholds Himself from us.
And in a world that is constantly in flux, my heart is grateful that He is my constant.
My prayer is that you allow Him to be yours as well.
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You Can’t Make This Up
You can’t make this up.
If you have teenagers, you should be well acquainted with this phrase.
The phrase that was uttered the other night when my son and his friends strolled into my living room on Monday night with ducks.
Emphasis on the plural.
Not one, two or even three.
Eight.
During the book club that was being held at my home.
To say that they thought this was a great idea would be an understatement.
Heat lamps and food were purchased to care for these 3 week old babies.
These kids were serious.
But they had missed one crucial step when making this decision.
No one had asked their parents if they thought this was a good idea.
The parents were taken by surprise.
Now, the ducks were adorable.
We could all agree on that.
But the impact that decision would have on others was not thought through.
The who, what, where and how had been overshadowed by the appeal of these cute furry creatures.
I have to confess I am no different than a teenager some days.
I do not always consult my heavenly Father first about my decisions.
My choices do not always line up with what His will is for me.
The appeal of something that brings me short term joy may have weighty consequences later, ones I have not considered.
My impulsivity and human inclinations take over.
And just like buying ducks, I don’t always consider how my decisions might impact those around me.
Maybe I am not alone here.
But unlike earthly parents, our heavenly Father is not surprised by anything that we do.
Even when we rebel and don’t consult Him about our choices, He always takes us in.
“But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.” Daniel 9 : 9 NLT
After the initial shock of the chirping wore off, our group of parents had a chuckle and knew we would have a story for later.
Friends, I am certain that Father God has many stories He could share about us.
Gratefully, the same God who was full of compassion and mercy for Moses has that same compassion and mercy for you and for me.
“The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,“Yahweh![a] The Lord!
The God of compassion and mercy!
I am slow to anger
and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” Exodus 34:6 NLT
And that is something you cannot make up.
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