Author: Wendy

Last spring, by hubby and I decided to paint our rails on our front steps. We had stained them previously and there was none left. The bare wood was exposed. We decided to use paint this time, hoping it would last longer. We sanded and primed first. We followed all of the directions.

It looked great when we were finished and it stayed that way for a time. But, fairly quickly, that paint we put on, began peeling off. We scratched our heads, not really understanding why. As the weeks went on, it looked horrible.

A little research informed us that since we originally used stain, it was still there. Even though we could no longer see it, it was buried deeply within the wood and it was oil based, so latex paint was never going to adhere for long. It may look good for a little while, but it would eventually come off.

As I examined the peeling rails and I searched for some remnant of the stain, I was reminded that we too are like that wood, when we spend some time with Jesus. When we spend time in prayer and reading the Bible, the deep truths of grace and redemption permeate deeply into our souls where they stay forever.

Now the enemy may try to convince us that our faith is not real or that we are not enough. The enemy may try to entice us to stray and we will sometimes fail and end up with a coat of gunk on our hearts and souls.

But, the amazing thing about grace is that it will keep that gunk from sticking for long. Once we have known the peace, freedom and joy that come from grace, we know that it will always shine through because like that oil stain, it lies deeply within us, even when we can’t see it.

Wherever we find ourselves on this journey, we can rest assured that once we belong to Jesus, He is a permanent part of us. He gets the final say and no one else.

Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you did too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

As Fall attempts to show itself in my neck of the woods, the mornings are much cooler. Some of the leaves are turning colors, but at the moment, most of our trees are stubbornly holding onto them and most of them are still green.

But, one of the biggest signs for me that Fall is indeed here, is the acorns. My backyard is full of oak trees and long before the leaves turn their brilliant fall colors, the acorns begin to fall by the dozens.

The squirrels are busy gathering them up for the winter and they are almost everywhere I step. I love acorns and all they represent. They remind me of the possibilities we all have access to, when we put our faith in God.

On one level, they provide food for hungry animals. They have a real immediate use.

But, on another level, they are capable of almost unfathomable greatness. Each tiny acorn has the possibility of becoming a mighty oak tree. Oak trees are hardy. They provide shade. They provide homes for wildlife and they provide beauty that only God can create, in the fall. Some of them live for hundreds of years and they each began as a tiny acorn.

We too, have the ability to feed those around us. We can use words and acts of encouragement and love to shine the light of Christ into our often dark world.

We also have the choice to lean in close to Jesus and to trust God to do something big with our lives. We can choose to dig deep and be patient and wait on His timing and we too, can stand tall and mighty like the oak tree and point others to our awesome God.

Oak trees are strong. Some can even withstand hurricanes. We too, have that capability when we stay close to God.

All, of that amazing strength begins as a tiny acorn. Acorns always give me hope and inspiration and there are days when I really need them both. Perhaps you needed them today too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

A couple of days ago, during our morning rush in the office, a little kindergartener came in and tossed a medium sized puff ball on the counter. “This is not my puff ball!” he said angrily.

I took it from him and chuckled to myself wondering why he was so offended by a small fluffy object. It looked almost like one of those puff balls we used to tie on our roller skates when I was growing up.

The little boy went on his way and I placed the puff ball in a drawer where I figured it would remain forevermore. I couldn’t imagine why anyone would come looking for it. What could they possibly do with it?

A little while later, a little girl came into the office and asked me if I had seen a gray and teal puff ball. I was stunned. I could not imagine anyone looking for it. I told her, “yes,” and I pulled it out of the drawer and gave it to her.

Her eyes lit up and she smiled. She pulled a part of a key ring out of her pocket and carefully reattached it to a small loop on it, that I hadn’t seen earlier.

“Oh,” I thought, it was a key chain. It did have a use and it was in fact, precious to someone.

I thought about that puff ball over the next few days. I thought about how easily we sometimes tend to dismiss ourselves as useless in the world around us. We feel we’re not smart enough, or funny enough, or clever enough, or talented enough, or maybe strong enough.

We’ve all been that puff ball, thrown to the side by someone who didn’t want us. That someone could have been anything ranging from a boss, to a spouse, to friends or even family. If we’ve been a part of the human race long enough, we have at some point, been rejected by someone who didn’t want us or see our potential.

But, if we walk with Jesus, we know there’s a better way. If we reach out to Him, Jesus picks us up from the spot we have been tossed and lovingly dusts us off. He calls us by name and finds our own little inner loop that the casual observer may not see. He turns us into something useful, into something treasured.

Just like the little girl was thrilled to find her lost puff ball, Jesus is thrilled to find His lost sheep. It doesn’t matter if people have branded us useless or not good enough. Jesus gets the last word. I find that very comforting.

A gray and teal puff ball reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂