Author: Wendy

Finding God in the Storm

Posted on by Wendy
Sometimes the rainy seasons are when we can see God most clearly.

Last week on our way back home from my parents’ house, I was following my hubby’s truck. I was a little amused at the route he decided to take that day because he usually chooses a different way. I got stopped at a light when we turned and slow car got between us. I’ll have to admit I was a little annoyed and on top of that, the sky above had turned ominously dark.

I completely lost sight of my husband, but I drove on, enjoying the music on the radio hoping the rain would hold out. When I reached the busy four way stop that we go through all of the time, my car suddenly lost all power and stopped. I tried to restart it, but to no avail. I grabbed my phone and called my hubby and told him what had happened.

As I waited for him to come back, a young man pulled up in a truck beside me and asked if I needed help. I told him my car had died and my husband was on the way. The first drops of rain began to fall when he asked if I wanted him to push me off of the road. I thanked him and put it in neutral. As he pushed, another man across the road asked if he could assist. When I was safely off of the road, I thanked him again and he was on his way.

It began to pour down rain at this point and a lady in a different car stopped and asked me if I needed any help. I thanked her and told her help was on the way.

My hubby arrived and we called a tow truck. He retrieved everything from my car and we went home.

While no one wants to have car trouble, the entire experience left me feeling God’s presence. As Christians, we know that we will have our fair share of storms and difficulties, but the Bible promises us that we never have to endure them alone. From the moment my car stopped, I was offered help, not from one person, but from three.

The car trouble allowed me to see the goodness that still resides in most people, even thought the media would have us believe differently these days. I will probably never know who the guy was that moved my car safely from the road, but I know who placed him there at that exact moment and I said a prayer of thanks for him that night.

Having car trouble in the rain reminded me that we truly never walk alone. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy šŸ™‚

The Desire to Be Known

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Jesus knows your story.

We live in a society where everyone wants to be known. One quick scroll through social media and we find everything from peopleā€™s vacation photos to what they cooked last night for dinner. Thereā€™s certainly nothing wrong with sharing photos and milestones on social media; I love keeping up with the happenings of friends and family when I canā€™t see them in person.

Sometimes though, the sharing becomes a comparison game. We want the world to see and acknowledge our perfect spouses, houses, children and lives. There seems to be a deep need for recognition from people.

The Gospel of Matthew shows us another way.

In Matthew 28:1, the text says that, ā€œAfter the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.”

How would we react today at being referred to as ā€œthe other Maryā€ in an important news story?Ā  Did the writer not know her last name, or did he just not care?

Was it because women didnā€™t matter much during that time?

While that could be the case, I donā€™t think it was.

Maybe omitting her last name was on purpose because her last name truly didnā€™t matter. The story was not about either of the women. It was about the Resurrected Christ.

In Matthewā€™s account, in ten short verses, these two women encountered angels, saw an empty tomb and then encountered a very much alive, Jesus. When they saw Him, ā€œthey clasped his feet and worshiped him.ā€ Matthew 28:9b.

Jesus told them, ā€œDo not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.ā€ Matthew 28:10

Why would Jesus choose to appear to women first if they had no worth?

The Gospel shows us repeatedly that Jesus valued women and that women freely and openly worshiped Him.

Perhaps that humility is why He chose to appear to them first. When they saw Him, they immediately worshiped Him.

These two women literally got to be the first. They were clearly both known by Him and Iā€™ve no doubt that they are now spending eternity with Him.

I suppose we have all felt like the ā€œother Maryā€ at one time or another. We all know Mary Magdaleneā€™s story. We know nothing about the ā€œother Mary,ā€ but we should be encouraged because the truth is that Jesus knew everything about her.

Another truth is, He knows your name and your story too and in the end, thatā€™s all that matters. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

WendyĀ šŸ˜Š

A Call to Community

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“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

In the past week, I have read and heard several different devotions and sermons that focused on the Road to Emmaus account found in Luke 24:13-35. I have learned to pay attention when the same scripture crosses my path within a short period of time because God often uses His Word to communicate with us. So, when my hubby casually mentioned that the same scripture was the topic in his menā€™s prayer group, I knew I needed to sit down and prayerfully read the account again.

Thereā€™s so much to learn in those twenty-two verses.

I think itā€™s noteworthy that when two followers are discussing Jesus, He joins them. They werenā€™t in a place of worship. There was nothing formal. They were simply discussing Jesus, the crucifixion and the accounts of the resurrection.

Of course, Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, ā€œWhere two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.ā€

We can always trust Jesus to keep His promises.

I also love that when Jesus was going to depart and they asked Him to stay, He stayed. These men were in shock and disbelief over what they had seen and what they had heard, yet they were wholeheartedly seeking Jesus. When we humbly seek Jesus with open hearts, He will always be there.

Even when we canā€™t see Him, He is there.

But, I suppose what spoke to me most, was what happened in the breaking of the bread.

The text says, ā€œJesus took bread, gave thanks and began to give it to them.ā€ Luke 24:32

When we sit down at a table to fill our physical need, but intentionally remember to give thanks to the One who ultimately provided it, we are openly acknowledging that we are both physical and spiritual beings. When we ask God to bless what we are about to eat, we take it a step further.

We live in an ongoing tension on this side of eternity. Itā€™s easy to recognize the physical. Itā€™s right in front of us. But, acknowledging our spiritual needs takes effort and discipline.

Jesus didnā€™t have to give thanks for that bread; He is part of the Trinity, but He chose to give thanks, probably so those two men would always remember to do the same.

Verse 31 tells us that when He gave them the bread, their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.

Even though Jesus left them right after they realized who He was, those two men returned at once to tell the other disciples that they too, had seen the risen Christ. Keep in mind, it was a seven mile trip, so that was 14 miles for them in a single day. They couldnā€™t wait to share what they had learned.

Maybe we need to be reminded of the importance of breaking bread with other believers. Community is so important.

Scripture has a way of meeting us where we are. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

WendyĀ šŸ˜Š

Fig Tree Inspiration

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We always have the choice between mourning for what was or celebrating what is.

About a month ago, we had some unseasonably warm weather. Everything started blooming. Then, we were slammed with a cold snap. For four nights, my hubby and I covered our tender hydrangeas. Unfortunately, we couldn’t cover our fig tree. It’s really big, but also very established and we felt like it would be ok.

It had already put out some nice big leaves. While the hydrangeas that we were able to cover had little brown spots on the ends of their leaves showing some damage, the fig leaves turned completely brown and withered. The hydrangeas bounced back fairly quickly, but our fig tree showed no sign of life for a long time.

I began to worry about it a little bit. Had the cold snap killed that mature tree?

Finally, I saw some signs of life, a few little green nodes. It was slow, but it finally started coming back. I removed most of the dead leaves, but a few were too high for me to reach. As I was examining it this week, I was amazed at all of the new green growth bursting around what looked completely dead. I had allowed myself to become discouraged because I couldn’t see signs of life.

But, that fig tree, with its established, deep root system, was at work beneath the surface. Life was still there and regeneration was going on even though I couldn’t see it.

As I looked at the withered leaves still hanging on the branches among the new bright green ones, I was reminded how easily we can get discouraged in our own cold and dark seasons. We too, sometimes believe that our prayers aren’t heard or that growth, regeneration and redemption aren’t possible.

But, God sometimes starts at our roots and the important, hard work that goes on, happens on the inside. That work and growth sometimes take a lot longer than we think it should. We wonder if change will ever occur, but then it does and life bursts forth, just like those tender brand new leaves.

I could mourn what was lost when I think how big the original leaves would have been without the cold snap.

Looking back and mourning what could have been is always a choice.

But, as I marvel at a tree that looked completely lifeless a couple of weeks ago, I choose to celebrate its life and new growth, so very thankful that it made it through a dark time. It reminds me that I should do the same during my own dark times. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy šŸ™‚

He is Still in the Boulder Moving Business

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He is still in the boulder moving business.

I recently watched an Easter service where the pastor showed a picture of what the boulder probably looked like that sealed Jesusā€™ tomb. It was massive. Most internet searches say it would have weighed somewhere between one and two tons.

That photo sprang to mind when I later read Mark 16: 1-3: ā€œWhen the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spicesĀ so that they might go to anoint Jesusā€™ body.Ā 2Ā Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tombĀ 3Ā and they asked each other, ā€œWho will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?ā€

I marvel at their faith. They loved Jesus. They wanted to serve Him in the best way they knew how, which was anointing His body. They got up first thing in the morning, got what they had together and went to serve. There was no physical way they could move that stone, but they went anyway.

They brought what they had. They showed up and had faith God would too.

Their faith was rewarded.

ā€œBut when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.ā€ Mark 16:4

Their stubborn desire to serve Jesus with the gifts that they had, gave them a front row seat to the greatest miracle ever bestowed on humankind. In Markā€™s Gospel, they were the first to witness an empty tomb.

How often do we make excuses for not being able to serve? We claim that we donā€™t have enough time, talent, or money. Sometimes we donā€™t set out on a particular mission because we donā€™t think we can make a difference. Itā€™s a dark world we live in. Just turn on the news. Can a handful of believers change anything? Is there even a point in trying? Should we just stay at home and pray for Jesus to return?

These three women give us our answer.

We serve a living God who is still in the stone moving business. He moved that boulder on the first Easter morning and He is still moving boulders.

Our job is not to doubt our abilities or focus on our lack of resources. Our job is to bring what we have and serve, no matter how big or small the mission may seem, remembering in Godā€™s hands nothing is impossible. Three determined women reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

WendyĀ šŸ˜Š

Easter is Coming!

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He is risen!

We are at the end of Holy Week. Itā€™s supposed to rain today. It always seems to be either gray or raining on Good Friday. Itā€™s almost as if creation itself, remembers and mourns the day that mankind decided to kill God. It appeared, for a time, that we succeeded.

As Jesusā€™ followers mourned and Peter was filled with remorse over his denial, evil celebrated. I truly cannot imagine how dark that Friday and Saturday must have been.

But, God had a plan.

Arenā€™t we thankful for any statement that begins with ā€œBut, God,”? It always means the miraculous is about to happen, so you better buckle up.

As horrific as that weekend must have been, God knew Sunday was coming. So, when Mary went to the tomb, just as she was supposed to according to Jewish law, she was met by the resurrected Jesus and history was changed forever.

And Peter was forgiven. He took his second chance to acknowledge Jesus and ran with it. He became the Rock that Jesus knew he could be.

As we sit in the gloom of Good Friday, mankind looks as evil as ever. There are those who are still actively trying to kill God and they too, seem to be succeeding.

But, take heart friends; God still has a plan.

Easter is coming.

As dark as our days might be, they arenā€™t as dark as that Friday and Saturday were. Those believers didnā€™t have the benefit of living on the Sunday side of the cross.

Letā€™s take some time this weekend to remember the sheer weight of Friday and Saturday, but when Sunday comes, let’s truly celebrate as a people who are forgiven and loved by a God who is very much alive. He is risen! Praise God!

Happy Easter!

Wendy šŸ™‚

Fruit Tree Lessons

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God can use every bit of our stories.

My Daddy grew up farming. He was one of eight children and they barely got by. Iā€™ve often heard him tell stories of the hard work he and his siblings did, out in the hot Georgia sun, plowing the fields with a mule. They ended up moving into town when he was in high school and his farming days were behind him. He joined the Navy and went on to follow several different career paths.

I suspect if you would have asked him when he was growing up if he ever had any intention of farming again, he would have laughed. Yet, he has always loved to grow things. He grows tomatoes every summer. Iā€™ve seen him grow everything from figs and strawberries to cabbage and blueberries and always successfully.

Recently, my hubby and I wanted to plant some fruit trees. We planted in the fall when they all looked like sticks. There was no sign of life. Daddy told us how to plant them and how important it was to put straw around them. He warned us about the deer and while we knew he was right, we thought we had more time. We were wrong. The deer ate the very first leaf off of one of our fledgling apple trees. We heeded his advice and put some wire around them to protect them. He added pie pans to make noise in the wind.

The deer have left them alone.

When he asked me if we wanted him to fertilize them, I told him I would defer to his knowledge. He went ahead and fertilized them.

Last weekend, after a cold snap, I was delighted to see that our little orchard, which several months ago, showed no sign of life, was teeming with leaves and I was so very thankful for his guidance.

He told me that we could plant our tomatoes after Good Friday. I have no doubt, they too, will flourish.

I often marvel at how God uses our life experiences to help guide others along the way.

Daddy didnā€™t know it at the time, but he was learning valuable lessons in that Georgia heat of his youth, lessons that he now can pass on to his children and grandchildren.

In Godā€™s economy, nothing is wasted.

So, take heart my friend. Whatever circumstance or situation that you find yourself in today, whether good or bad, exciting or mundane, beautiful or incredibly ugly, put it in Godā€™s hands and let Him use it. In His hands we can find restoration, redemption and a peace that passeth all understanding. Some thriving fruit trees reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

WendyĀ šŸ˜Š

The Power of Prayer and Praise

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Prayer and praise together are powerful.

I’m participating in an online Bible study on the books of Chronicles. They are the history of God’s relationship with His people. There are examples of both good and bad kings and lots of examples of the downright failure of humankind to stay faithful to God. King Jehoshaphat was one of the good kings and the account of one of his battles in 2 Chronicles, really stood out to me.

Some of his enemies had decided to fight him for no good reason and he went to God to beg for His intervention. He first praised God’s mightiness and faithfulness, by listing the many ways God had saved them before. Next, he openly acknowledged that they were powerless against the great armies that were coming against them. He said they don’t know what to do so they were asking God for help.

God answered the king through a prophet, “This is what theĀ LordĀ says to you: Donā€™t be afraid or discouraged by this great army because the battle isnā€™t yours. It belongs to God!Ā 16Ā March out against them tomorrow. Since they will be coming through the Ziz pass, meet them at the end of the valley that opens into the Jeruel wilderness.Ā 17Ā You donā€™t need to fight this battle. Just take your places, stand ready, and watch how theĀ Lord, who is with you, will deliver you, Judah and Jerusalem. Donā€™t be afraid or discouraged! Go out tomorrow and face them. TheĀ Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

My favorite part was what happened next. They decided to trust God.

“21 After consulting with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed musicians to play for theĀ Lord, praising his majestic holiness. They were to march out before the warriors, saying, ā€œGive thanks to theĀ LordĀ because his faithful love lasts forever!ā€Ā 22Ā As they broke into joyful song and praise, theĀ Lord launched a surprise attack against the Ammonites, the Moabites, and those from Mount Seir who were invading Judah, so that they were defeated.” 2 Chronicles 20:21-22

Since they trusted that God would provide, they went out singing and praising Him with both their voices and instruments. They didn’t even lift a sword.

The account made me ask myself about my own prayer and trust. When I take something to God in prayer, do I drop my anxiety and trust Him? Do I truly believe that He will deliver me like He has countless times before?

Later in the week, I needed to have a hard conversation. As I was praying about it, a song came on the radio about fighting on our knees. I could totally relate. But then, “I’ve Got Joy,” by CeCe Winans came on and I found myself singing to the top of my lungs. “I’ve got joy in the struggle. I’ve got peace in the storm…I’ve got joy cause I’ve got Jesus.”

I felt at perfect peace when I had that conversation. I was not the least bit surprised when it went well.

A biblical king reminded me to never forget the power of both prayer and praise. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy šŸ™‚

Why We Come Together to Worship

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Worship is about celebrating God’s love for us.

My hubby and I visited a church for the first time last week. We didnā€™t know a soul there which was part of the reason why we chose it.Ā  It was housed in an old warehouse with exposed brick. As we waited for the service to begin, I marveled at how the congregation elected to redeem something old and fairly dilapidated for a brand new purpose.

As we sang a worship song about coming to Jesus as you are and about no one being too far past redemption, we got to the chorus about earth having no sorrow that heaven canā€™t heal. A little boy around three or four went dancing up the aisle and across the front. I smiled at him thinking about how the hearts of little ones are always the ones who seem to find it easiest to worship without reserve and how the truth in that song was worth dancing about.

In modern day church, we simply donā€™t do that kind of thing. Although the Bible tells us that King David freely danced before God, not caring what anyone thought.

The young often have more to teach than we think.

The sermon was on Nehemiah, interestingly enough, an Old Testament book about rebuilding a wall and consecrating it to God, looking at the walls around me, these people appeared to have done the same.

The focus was on why Christians come together to worship.

Itā€™s a legitimate question. Some of us have gone to church every Sunday since birth. I suppose each of us could list a dozen reasons why we go, some of them better than others.

The speaker gave a single reason. He said we worship together to celebrate, to celebrate who God is and what He has done for us. That alone he said, was why we come together, because whatever may be going on with us on a personal level, we have still been redeemed and saved and because of who God is, we are destined for a glorious future and that is worth celebrating.

For the people among us who are struggling, our celebration should remind them of hope and encourage them to hope for something better.

At the closing songs he had everyone in the room come together in the middle of the room as a people of God. He said he knew some of us would be uncomfortable, but to do it anyway. Everyone complied and the college student that I ended up touching shoulders with just smiled at me as we lifted our voicesĀ  together.

I left that service with a light heart and a new perspective. I was reminded that the Church is truly universal and when we come together with other people of faith to worship, the where is of no consequence, but the why is. In the end itā€™s really only about the Who we worship. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day! šŸ™‚

Wendy

Have a Great Weekend

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I have been out of town all week visiting family with no time to write.Ā  I hope to see you back in this space next week.Ā  Have a wonderful weekend.

Wendy šŸ˜Š