Month: March 2018

Good Friday Reflections

Posted on by Wendy
Today may look dark, but Easter is coming.

Today is Good Friday. It’s the day the Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus. It’s tempting to skip over and head right on to Easter Sunday. Living on this side of the cross, we know how the story ends. Yet, to fully appreciate the glory and magnitude of the resurrection, we have to acknowledge the crucifixion.

In Mark, Chapter 15, we find Pilate talking to the chief priests about Jesus. Pilate knows He has done nothing wrong and is willing to set Him free. But, they would have none of it.

Nope, the folks in charge wanted Jesus gone and out of the picture completely. They were tired of the talk of miracles. They were fed up hearing about the massive healings and the feeding of the multitudes. They didn’t want to hear about people being raised from the dead. They didn’t want to hear about forgiveness and faith.

They didn’t want to change from how they had always done things. They liked the status quo.

And for a short while, it looked like they got their wish.

Although one would have to wonder if the earthquake that occurred along with the tearing of the temple curtain, at Jesus’ death, made them question their decision to have Him killed. The Bible doesn’t tell us.

They had Saturday to bask in their accomplishment. I suspect they were thinking they were back to business as usual, but Sunday morning changed everything. On Sunday, when the tomb was found empty and Jesus appeared, hope and redemption were born.

The people in charge, have been trying to get rid of Jesus ever since. From the persecution of the earliest believers to the persecution that still goes on today, apparently hope and redemption are just too much for some people. The concept of forgiveness and grace is something worth jailing, torturing and killing Christians over.

And while we sit and shake our heads, thankful that we don’t live in such a barbaric part of the world or in such uncivilized times, aren’t our own leaders getting rid of Jesus at every turn? Prayer is no longer allowed in school and there are people who have lost their jobs over praying. Different groups have fought to have crosses removed from public places. Nativity scenes have been banned in parts of our country.

As we reflect upon the somber outcome of Good Friday, may we pray for revival in our own lives, and in our communities, and in our country, and in our world. Yes, the world looks very dark right now, but we know that Easter is coming. Jesus has risen and He’s coming back.

Can I get a hallelujah?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

There’s Beauty in the Story

Posted on by Wendy
There’s beauty in every chapter of your story.

Last weekend, I took a walk. I was thrilled that it was at last warm enough to get outside and walk. I was not disappointed. The trees, bushes and flowers, in my neighborhood had burst into life and there was color everywhere.

On my way back home, my new neighbor was pushing her child in a swing. I commented on the design of the swing and how it looked like a lot of fun. We chatted a few minutes. Her oldest daughter is getting ready to start pre-kindergarten and we talked about the area schools.

After a little while, her little girl grew impatient and so I directed my conversation to her. I asked her if she had an Easter dress and if she was going to any egg hunts. She was and she happily told me about them.

When I said goodbye and went home, I marveled at how quickly the time had passed. When we moved into our house, my kids were four and six. Our next-door-neighbors were empty-nesters. Now I have a sixteen-year-old and a college freshman. Those empty-nesters retired to the lake and a young family moved in.

We are no longer that young family.

But, as fun as Easter dresses and egg hunts were, I have to say, that I’m enjoying this chapter too. My daughter is coming home from college for Easter and she’s bringing a friend. We went Easter dress shopping while she was home for spring break and it was much easier than it was when she was little. We had a lot of fun.

I can simply buy a new shirt for my son for Easter; his presence isn’t even required.

We will attend church together and we will go out to eat and actually enjoy the conversation. I find it exciting to see the young adults that my babies have grown into.

Sure, I sometimes miss having littles, but I’m embracing this chapter too. I’ve come to learn that when we walk with Jesus on our journey here, there’s grace and beauty in every chapter. The best is never behind us because we don’t even get to the best on this side of Eternity.

Everyday that I wake up means God is not finished with me yet. There are fresh assignments and adventures, and new ways to learn and grow.

A conversation with a young mommy reminded me that every chapter matters because the Divine Author isn’t finished writing my story. Perhaps you needed reminding too!

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Childlike Faith

Posted on by Wendy
Childlike faith is something we should all strive for.

Yesterday, we celebrated Palm Sunday at our church, just as many churches did around the world. It’s the beginning of Holy Week that ends with the celebration of Easter. I’ve been in churches where the children walk in carrying palm branches and somehow we always sing a song with, Hosanna in it.

After church, out of mere curiosity, I did a little research an the term Hosanna, because I never knew what it meant.

The word hosanna was only used one time in the Old Testament. It can be found in Psalm 118:25. The root word in Hebrew is hoshiya na. It means, “Save us or deliver us.” Over the years, it’s meaning changed to, “Salvation or deliverance has come.”

The Book of Matthew tells us When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds were shouting, “Hosanna!” and placing their cloaks on the ground as well as cutting branches for Jesus, who was riding on donkey to walk on. Jesus didn’t stop. He went straight to the temple where he first, drove the money changers out because they were not there for any type of holy pursuit.

But, right after he cleared out those who were there for the wrong reasons, He welcomed those who came to Him with needs. He healed the blind and the lame. Apparently it didn’t take physical sight to know that salvation had come and those who sought Him out that day were healed.

But, as the healing went on, there were children shouting, “Hosanna!” in the temple courts.

I am always astonished at how the Holy Spirit uses children to speak to us, when we take the time to really listen. The voice of a young child can both praise and convict us. It’s as if babies are born with the wisdom and faith of heaven that they lose a little bit of with each passing year. It usually takes years of prayer, worship, and study to get it back.

On that particular day, I don’t know whether they were begging for salvation or giving thanks for it. I suspect they were giving thanks and if so, how did they know? How did young children know that they were in the presence of salvation when the religious people in charge, had no clue?

Jesus had already told His disciples, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

Palm Sunday reminds me of the importance of childlike faith. As Christians, we don’t live by sight. We sometimes forget that. The blind sought Jesus even thought they couldn’t see Him. It also reminds me that Jesus is still in the healing business. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Kindergarten Logic

Posted on by Wendy
What if we were willing to extend grace to others like God so willingly extends it to us?

There’s a clinic in the office in the school where I work. There’s a little boy that comes in a couple of times a day for medical reasons. When he comes in in the morning, he often asks me to walk him to activity. I will find out where he needs to go and we walk and chat.

Sometimes it’s just down the hall and sometimes it’s all the way at the gym. When it’s at the gym, I will tell him that there aren’t many people I would walk outside for in the freezing cold. He always just grins.

A couple of days ago, I was walking with him and he spotted his class coming up the sidewalk. As soon as he saw them, he told me I could go.

I chuckled all the way back to the office. I had been dismissed by a six-year-old.

I thought about that precious child even after I got home. I thought about how special he was to me and how I enjoy walking with him. I also thought about how it would never occur to me to get my feelings hurt by his dismissal. He didn’t mean anything by it. He had found his class. He no longer required my assistance.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all live with the clarity of kindergarten logic?

It really made me think about other situations where I may have gotten my feelings hurt by someone who had no intention of hurting them. I really don’t believe for the most part, that people go out of their way to hurt each other. I think for whatever reason, they are focused on themselves at the moment instead of the other person.

I think oftentimes we can either choose to have our feelings hurt or choose to believe that someone’s words or actions really aren’t about us, but about them.

There are certainly times where someone does go out of their way to hurt us and that’s not okay, but I’m not thinking about those times. I’m thinking about a careless word or comment that we can allow to snowball into a giant boulder, when we could have chose to simply overlook it.

As parents, we do that for our children all of the time. There’s a certain amount of grace required to be a parent. But, what if we were willing to extend that grace to others? What would our lives look like if we were willing to let the unintentional stuff go?

What would our relationships look like? What would our workplaces look like? What would our churches look like?

Maybe living in peace and not in constant turmoil, is a conscious choice that we must make daily. I think it’s probably worth it.

A kindergartner reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Never Count God Out

Posted on by Wendy
“But with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

We were recently discussing the Book of Exodus in my Sunday School class. We were at the part where Moses went to Pharaoh and told him to let God’s people go. Pharaoh refused. He probably knew of the God of the Israelites, but the Egyptians had many gods.

He counted their God out.

It turned out to be a huge mistake on his part. There were plagues and death and God showed up for His people in a huge way. Pharaoh did in fact, let the Israelites go.

A few day’s later, I was reading a daily devotion on Esther. It pointed out that God is not even mentioned in the book and there was evil everywhere. Yet, God was at work for His people even when they couldn’t see Him. The evil Haman, counted God and His love for His people, out, just as Pharaoh had generations before.

It turned out to be a huge mistake that ended up costing him his life.

Last weekend, I came across an article on a new movie called, “I Can Only Imagine,” that made me think of both Moses and Esther.

The movie is based on the song of the same name, by the Christian group, Mercy Me. When it was released, it became the most played contemporary Christian song of all time.

The movie is about a boy who grows up with an abusive father. But, it’s about the redemption that comes from knowing God. It’s core is the premise that God can redeem any situation for good. There really are no exceptions.

The critics hated it. Metacritic gave it 27 out of 100. Rotten Tomatoes critics gave it 5.7 out of 10 or 63%. It was expected to make between $2 and $4 million on its opening weekend.

Once again, they counted God out. Once again, it was a mistake.

After making $6.2 million on its first day, estimates were increased to $14 million. It ended up making $17.1 million opening weekend. The average reviewers, (people who went and saw the movie) on Rotten Tomatoes, gave it a 4.8 out of 5, of or 96%. The film received a rare A+ Cinema Score.

As I read the story, I just had to smile. An independent film company made a film that tells the story of hope and forgiveness that glorifies God. The mainstream media critics snubbed it. But, people came out in droves to see it.

Why? How could the “people in the know,” be wrong?

They counted God out.

It frankly comes as no surprise to me that people are thirsting for a story of hope and redemption. Don’t we all need that in our lives?

The success of, “I Can Only Imagine,” is a tangible reminder that all things are possible with God and we should never count Him out. Perhaps you needed reminding today.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Intentional Resting

Posted on by Wendy
It’s impossible to overestimate the value of intentional rest.

It was a beautiful day on Sunday. Out pastor even joked that it was the second sunny Sunday we have had since January. Although I’m sure that’s not accurate, it certainly felt that way. It was in the seventies and I felt myself longing to get outside. I can always hear God best outside.

I stifled a grumble when I opened the door to my porch. Everything was coated in a blanket of yellow pollen. There were spiderwebs everywhere too. The porch has not officially opened for spring time business and was in desperate need of some bleach and a scrub brush, but I resolved myself to see past the winter grime and just sit and be thankful for the weather.

I had other senses besides my eyes and I was determined to use them. There was a breeze, but it wasn’t cold. The birds were singing. I could hear my neighbor’s chickens clucking and I was reminded of the chickens in my childhood. I smiled and gave a prayer of thanks for the convenience of grocery stores. I do not miss having chickens roaming around.

It wasn’t long before I heard the little girls next door riding around in their Power Wheels tractor. I smiled again remembering my own children’s Power Wheels Jeep and four wheeler. I said a prayer of thanks for my kids and all of the memories of their childhood.

A little while later, I heard a hawk calling. I never saw him, but I knew he was near. I said a prayer of thanks for the wonder of nature. When I heard a bee buzzing, I was thankful that my porch is screened.

I found it interesting that the longer I sat, the more relaxed I became and the more thankful I became. It wasn’t like my to-do list had become any shorter. My daughter had been home from college for a few days and I chose to spend every minute of quality time with her instead of cleaning the house, so the house was as big a mess as the porch was.

Yet, the more time I spent intentionally relaxing, intentionally seeking peace and the presence of God, the less it mattered.

I suppose God knew this when He prescribed for His people a day of rest, a day of reflection, a day of thankfulness, a day of worship. When we take the time to be still and listen, He always makes Himself known and when He makes Himself known, we can’t help, but be filled with peace that can only come from Him.

The dust will continue to pile up long after we’re gone, but the peace and love that we can pass on after spending time with Him, has the potential to change lives. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you needed reminding today.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Change Helpers

Posted on by Wendy
The extra hour of light is always worth it.

Last Saturday night, we did the yearly change from standard time to daylight savings. We sprang forward an hour and in the process, gave ourselves an extra hour of daylight.

I really love that extra hour. It gives me more time to exercise or work outside. It signals that summer is coming and the days are growing longer. I prefer longer daylight and less darkness. I suppose we are wired to seek the light.

But, there’s a trade off. For about a week after the adjustment, I’m exhausted. That extra hour of light, cost me an hour of sleep. I work in an elementary school. The kids will be tired and cranky for a week and the adults will feel the same.

Isn’t it amazing how just one hour, sixty little minutes, can throw us for such a loop?

But, it does. Human beings are creatures of habit. It’s so very easy for us to become entrenched in where we are and what we are doing even when it’s bad for us. Most of us, including myself, tend to be very resistant to change, even if it’s for our own good. Think: taking up exercise, eating more healthy, going to bed earlier, putting down the electronics It could even be more serious things like closing the door on a bad habit or an unhealthy relationship.

We may start something new with good intentions, but a few days into it, like Wednesday after Daylight Savings Time, we are bleary eyed and ready to give up.

I think the key may be to take a friend or two on the journey to change. Good friends can both cheer us on and call us out, at appropriate times. Good friends can help us remember why we wanted or needed to change in the first place. Good friends can be both hand-holders and drill sergeants.

Change is hard even when it’s for the best and let’s face it, the human will is weak. But, it’s often necessary for our growth. So, if a change is what you need, say a prayer, always the best way to start, and grab a friend to help you along. And to quote Dr. Seuss, “And will you succeed? Yes you will indeed! 98 3/4 per cent guaranteed.”

Daylight Savings Time reminded me about the difficulty, but also the beauty of change. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

The Call to Lifelong Learning

Posted on by Wendy
If you woke up today, God has something to teach you.

I’ve been reading a daily devotional by Jonathon Cahn, called, “The Book of Mysteries.” It’s a fascinating read that often explains the fact that many Hebrew words have double meanings.

Cahn wrote, “that the word for disciples in Hebrew is, “talmidim.” It comes from the root word, “lamad,” which is linked to teaching or learning, so the disciples were the taught ones or the learners.”

He went on to say that our lifelong mission here on this side of eternity is to learn something about God everyday.

I found this idea fascinating and did a little research of my own. Of the 90 times Jesus was addressed directly in the Gospels, He was referred to as, “Teacher,” 60 of those times.

The people who were blessed to walk with Him physically, seemed to understand that He had something to teach them every single time they saw Him.

So, what is the significance of that information for believers today?

I think as Christians, we often tend to fall back on what we already know. We went to Sunday school as kids. We attend regular worship service as adults. We may even teach the basic stories of Jonah and the Whale and David and Goliath to youngsters.

But, what are we doing to actively learn ourselves?

I work in a school, so I’m surrounded by teachers. They are always going to professional learning classes. They are always seeking new ways to disseminate information. They are always looking for ways to connect with their students.

If Jesus is the ultimate Teacher, then shouldn’t we expect Him to do the same? Shouldn’t we expect Him to be looking for ways to connect with us in deeper ways to show us His nature, His plans, His ways?

Are we willing learners or do we feel like we know all there is to know about God? Are we just sitting around ready to graduate?

If we call ourselves Christ followers, then we call ourselves disciples, which means we have to be active learners and seekers of God’s Word and God’s Will.

If you woke up this morning and are reading this, God is not done with you. He still has something to teach you and you still have something to learn. The question becomes how do you go about learning and listening?

Is a once a week worship service enough? Are we involved in daily prayer and devotional time? Are we reading the Bible? How can we be better learners? Thankfully, like all good teachers, our Teacher, never gives up on us and He expects the best.

So, wherever we are in the learning process, He will happily meet us there. A daily devotional reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have a awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Seasonal Decisions

Posted on by Wendy
Sometimes we have to participate in removing the dead things to reveal the beauty that lies underneath.

I woke up on Sunday morning with a headache and a sore throat. My ears were popping. My head and nose were completely stopped up. I was miserable and I knew why.

There’s a very specific time of year for me, when my seasonal allergies are at their worst. I can pin-point it down to a couple of weeks. I can use antihistamines, decongestants and nose sprays, yet it happens anyway. I sometimes even lose my voice.

You would think that I would come to dread this time of year. You would think that I would follow recommendations and stay indoors. You would be wrong.

Nope, on Saturday, I was outside with my hubby raking leaves and deciding what we should plant in front of the house. I simply can’t help myself this time of year. The temperatures are warming up and the earth has burst into life after its winter slumber.

While I could leave my hubby to rake all by himself, I want to be a part of it. There’s something almost spiritual about removing piles of dead leaves and discovering new green growth underneath. Those leaves had a purpose at one time and then they turned brilliant colors, but their season has passed and they need to be removed from the fertile ground that they cover.

So, every year I subject myself to the misery because I know the change that is coming. I know this because it happens every year. It’s part of life here on planet earth. it’s part of the seasons. If I don’t do some work now, I will miss out on the growth and beauty that is coming.

Jesus often used the environment when talking to the crowds. They were farmers, and fisherman, and tradesmen. They were people who worked with their hands and so His message connected with them.

God told Noah after the flood, “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8:22

Sometimes misery is part of change. Sometimes we become emotionally or spiritually uncomfortable before something brand new and beautiful happens. This is God at work in our story. It builds trust. It builds faith.

Every year during the spring, in mid-March, I have the choice to be a part of the change or to play it safe and stay indoors. While there are some days of discomfort that come from the decision to participate, they will pass. The pay offs are well worth it. My work is always rewarded.

Some seasonal allergies reminded me that change and beauty are on the way. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Daffodil Encouragement

Posted on by Wendy
It takes strength and grit to stand tall and spread joy when the world around you is bitter cold.

Yesterday, on my ride to work, I marveled at the beautiful sky. There were clouds, but the sun was shining through them in a stunning way that I couldn’t help but notice. I thanked God for the morning show and I asked Him to show His face to me that day and to give me the wisdom to see it.

When I arrived at work, it was really cold outside, but I couldn’t help but notice the cheerful yellow daffodils that were standing proudly as if somehow in defiance, of the cold snap we were experiencing. They encouraged me to do the same.

But, the day turned out to be crazy. It was spring picture day at our school. The photographers set up in the wrong place. The phones rang off the hook with questions about picture day. Parents kept showing up to pay for pictures without the correct change. The photographers ran behind and the classes were having a long wait in the hall.

By lunch time, everything was ironed out and running smoothly, but a headache had set in at that point. By the end of the day, I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I desperately needed some peace and quiet. It was also kindergarten registration and so a new round of noise and questions was just starting.

But, when I walked out of the door, I was met once again by those daffodils. They were still standing tall, doing what they were called to do and I remembered then, my resolve to do the same. I wondered how well I had done at standing tall and spreading cheer that day.

With that thought still stuck in my mind, I encountered a mama and a daddy bringing their little girl to register for kindergarten. She was walking in the middle and holding one of their hands with both of hers. She was dressed in pink and grinning from ear to ear.

How could I not be moved? This child and her parents were beginning a brand new exciting chapter. I fought back tears, remembering bringing my own children to kindergarten registration. Where had all of the time gone?

I stopped and asked her if she was excited and she happily told me she was as her parents smiled with pride. I told her we were excited to have her and she smiled as she skipped along with her parents.

I took a moment as I got to my car and I looked back at the school and those daffodils and I thanked God for showing Himself not once, but twice in the five minutes before. He was there in the flowers and He was there in the child’s face.

I thought back to my morning prayer and I was once again, moved to tears. Some daffodils and a child, reminded me when we really seek God, He will always show Himself. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂