Category: Building Christian Character

As Christians, people should be able to look at us and see Christ. People should be able to see who we serve in the way we act.

A Call to Love Like Jesus

Posted on by Wendy
In a show of love, compassion and solidarity, the fifth graders purchased and wore shirts to support their friend battling cancer.
In a show of love, compassion, and solidarity, the fifth graders purchased and wore shirts to support their friend battling cancer.

Yesterday I subbed in a fifth grade class on the day before the last day of school. It was a little crazy to say the least. It was also awards day and so many of the parents would be coming to see their child get an award. Oh, yeah and it was also the fifth grade cookout. The kids were pretty revved up.

The day before, they had learned that a fellow classmate, who had been out of school fighting cancer since January, would be returning for the day. They had designed a t-shirt when he was first diagnosed, and they were asked to wear it and they did. Even the kids who were all dressed up, slipped the shirt on over their outfit to show support.

Two banners were made and signed by the excited students to welcome him back.

Ironically, this same group of children had another classmate battling cancer the year before. They wore shirts designed for her too, back in fourth grade.

When the time came for the little boy to arrive, the entire fifth grade class, filed out into the pod. As he came down the ramp and saw his banner, they began clapping for him. He was grinning. He looked happy to be back. Every child gave him a high-five. His mama and daddy walked behind him. His grandparents walked behind him, capturing it all on video. His mama and grandmama cried.

Tears streamed down my face as the children, uncoached, in unison, began chanting his name. It was an incredibly moving moment and I could feel the strong presence of God, whether or not prayer is allowed in public schools.

I picture a similar scene occurring in Heaven, when we overcome obstacles that we have prayed and struggled with. I also picture a similar scene in Heaven when we finally arrive there for good.

We returned to our classrooms and then to the cafeteria for the award ceremony. It lasted about an hour and the little boy won one of the last awards. He was invited up at the end to read a letter he had written. He thanked everyone for the cards and letters when he was sick and then he thanked everyone for their prayers.

For the second time that day, I saw God in public school.

I wasn’t the least bit surprised to learn that this family believed in prayer. The love and appreciation that glowed off of them as they walked through all of those students, could have only come from Jesus.

He ended up spending the entire day with his friends as they all got ready for middle school. He played some basketball with them on the playground and seemed to really enjoy himself.

The story warmed my heart and touched me to tears all day long, reminding me that we do not require permission to make God a part of our children’s lives.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate. But, love and compassion don’t discriminate either. Jesus loves all children of all colors. All lives matter to Him, not just people of a certain color, no matter what the media may tell us.

A bunch of fifth graders and their teachers, in a small town in rural Georgia, totally got it right. Every one of those people involved got to be the face of Jesus and made Him very much a part of public school.

May they be a shining example for us all.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Holding Out for Transformation

Posted on by Wendy
Sometimes things appear dead on the outside, but big change and growth are going on on the inside.
Sometimes things appear dead on the outside, but big change and growth are going on, on the inside.

When my hubby and I bought our house, there were holly bushes growing on each side of our driveway. They are evergreen and require very little maintenance and the deer won’t eat them, so we were happy to have them there. But, as the years passed, they got bigger and bigger and really needed trimming.

Problem was, that since they were so big, the idea of trimming them without cutting ourselves to pieces on the sharp leaves, became a task we kept pushing to the end of our list of things to do. So, the holly bushes continued to grow unchecked until we had issues with them scratching our car doors if we got too close when backing out of our driveway.

The time had come, like it or not, for them to be cut back. I researched on how and when to cut them. They are supposed to be close to impossible to kill, so on a Saturday, we cut them back, way back, and the entire family had the scratches to prove it.

They were really ugly when we finished, very little green left at all, but we knew they would come back stronger than ever.

But, weeks went by and they showed no signs of life. We had some much needed rain and still, nothing, just dead looking stalks.

I examined them every few days and could find no growth. Had we accidentally killed them?

Finally, over six weeks after we cut them, new life appeared. I was jubilant.

The holly had been hard at work regenerating, even though I couldn't see it.
The holly had been hard at work regenerating, even though I couldn’t see it.

I thought about the new growth on that holly bush for several days and every time I checked on it again, there was even more. The holly reminded me how we sometimes want something so badly that we pray and we pray about it.

As time passes, we sometimes begin to lose hope and believe that whatever we are praying about is dead. It can range from anything to a relationship to a dream of some kind. But, perhaps we are too quick to give up hope.

Perhaps, like this holly, even though it appeared dead, there is work going on, on the inside and at just the right moment, the new growth is ready to burst forth.

As I thought about it, I was reminded that butterflies go through the same kind of phenomenon. Who would believe that inside an ugly gray cocoon, that rare beauty will emerge? A creature that crawled on its belly becomes a creature that can fly.

But, it takes time. Transformation takes time.

The good news is that God is incredibly patient with us in our impatience, and even in our lack of faith. But, if we keep praying and learn to wait on His timing, He can create something magnificent out of the ashes.

Growth can burst forth in areas that we had given up as dead, just like my holly bush.

Sometimes I need reminding, perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

More Jesus

Posted on by Wendy
If stress is ruling our lives, perhaps we need more Jesus.
If stress is ruling our lives, perhaps we need more Jesus.

Yesterday morning, a friend of mine posted a link to a blog on Facebook. It was titled “Take a little wine for your stomach (or how to live well in a stressful world.) It was based on 1 Timothy 5:23 which reads, “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and frequent illnesses.”

Here’s a link, if you would like to read it: http://artofholiness.com/2016/04/20/take-a-little-wine-for-your-stomach-or-how-to-live-with-sinful-people/

Being  someone who has coped with stomach issues caused by stress, for years, I was intrigued and not only did I read it, but I read it to my hubby too. It was a good article which had me thinking all day.

My first thought was in today’s super secular society with very little respect for God, I’m surprised some alcohol selling establishment doesn’t have the quote emblazoned in neon somewhere, touting that the Bible says we should all get sloshed for our health.

We’ve become pretty skilled these days, at making the Bible say, what we want it to say.

But, anyone who knows anything about the writer of that letter, Paul, would know that there’s no way that was Paul’s intent. Paul, however, was no stranger to the strife that goes on in churches and he was writing his young friend a letter of encouragement.

Churches are made up of broken people, kind of like gyms are often made up of people who aren’t in the best of shape, but are trying to get fit. Broken people can make us crazy and if we try to control or fix them, we are creating a ton of stress for ourselves.

The bottom line is, we can’t control or fix them.

For that matter, we can’t fix anyone in our lives, not even our own kids, spouses, or friends. We can share the truth with them. We can pray for them. We can pray with them. But, in the end, only Jesus can actually change them.

I think Paul was telling the younger man who was newer to the faith, to relax. Making himself sick over things he couldn’t control was useless, so perhaps he should drink a little wine. In other words, to chill out because God was in control.

But, then my hubby shared his thoughts about a deeper meaning and they were even better. He pointed out that wine, in Christianity, represents the blood of Jesus. Water was great and Timothy needed it to live, but to thrive and to not be riddled with stress and anxiety, which was leading to his health issues, what he really needed was more Jesus.

The same goes for us today. We tend to worry about everything, to the point of making ourselves sick. We try to fix and change people. We stress over all kinds of situations completely out of our control. We wonder if God is listening to our prayers. Is He going to help us or liberate us?

He has done even better. He sent Jesus to redeem us. Sure, a little wine may help to relax us. But, if we really want peace, we need more Jesus.

A Facebook post reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

 

Never Be Afraid to Grow

Posted on by Wendy
It's always amusing to see something grow that people say can't be done.
It’s always amusing to see something grow that people say can’t be done.

I was recently watering my African Violet. It’s a plant that came in a tiny pot. Because of their size, people often put them on window sills to add color. They make special pots for them and everyone who knows anything about growing them will tell you that you have to buy those special pots because they have to be watered from the bottom not the top.

I have no idea why. That’s just what I was told.

You pour water into the saucer and the plant soaks it up as needed. I followed all of the planting rules and the plant flourished, so I bought a bigger pot. It then outgrew that pot. I searched relentlessly for the right pot to put it in. I never could find one. They were all too small.

In desperation, I re-potted it in a normal pot and began watering it from the top. I figured it had a good chance of dying, but it was going to die anyway if I left it in a pot way to small for it.

Months went by and it didn’t die. It thrived. It’s been years since I have watered it the correct way, but I water it regularly, give it lots of sun and feed it with African Violet food. It couldn’t be happier and at the moment still needs a bigger pot.

As I was marveling at my plant and its progress, I am reminded how often we don’t try new things or follow dreams because someone, maybe many someones, have told us that we will likely fail.

If we want reminders of that simply not always being the case, nature is always a good place to look. When my hubby and I planted a cutting from his grandfather’s fig tree, we were told it wouldn’t bear fruit for at least a couple of years. Imagine our surprise when we had a few figs the first year we planted it.

The fig tree reminds me to always expect surprise when we are dealing with things that grow, and that goes from plants, to children, to relationships, to our faith.

When God calls us to do something, we should expect wonder; we should expect the impossible. Perhaps we have outgrown a tight space of some type like my violet, and He’s calling us to try something bigger. It could be a call to lead or branch out in some way.

We can be tempted to stay right where we are. It’s what we know. We are comfortable being watered and fed in exactly the same way, but when He calls us to try something different, we can expect big things, even though others may doubt.

Sometimes, we can thrive and produce new fruit immediately, like my little fig tree. Sometimes it may take a little time, like my violet. Either way, when we act in obedience and faith, the results are often breathtaking and we find it hard to believe we were ever reluctant to take a new risk.

An African Violet reminded me today to never be afraid to try something different when God calls us to. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Fearless Faith

Posted on by Wendy
This pin apparently struck a chord with a lot of people.
This pin apparently struck a chord with a lot of people.

I pinned the above quote on Pinterest a few weeks ago. I don’t really spend that much time on Pinterest. Quite frankly, it usually frustrates me. I’m not all that creative and I certainly can’t build a house out of wooden pallets, or a coffee table, or even a shelf. That kind of art is simply not my gift.

But, I do sometimes look for ideas for specific projects and I also look for spiritual inspiration there from time to time. I have written about fearless faith before and how Christians are called to live boldly, so “The phrase ‘Do not be afraid’ is written in the Bible 365 times. That’s a daily reminder from God to live everyday being fearless,” was a perfect pin for me.

What I didn’t expect was the amount of re-pins that came from that quote. Almost everyday, I have received a notice from Pinterest that someone else has re-pinned my pin. I laughed it off at first, but then I really began to think about it and pray about it.

What was God trying to show me?

Perhaps it’s that Christians are living in a lot of fear right now for many reasons. We have a presidential election coming up and for many, we feel that there’s no good candidate to represent us and our values. How can we possibly vote for either one?

We have a national debate going on about which sex should use which bathroom. Should people actually be able to choose?

Police officers are being shot in the streets simply for being police officers. Race relations are beginning to look more like they did in the sixties than in the year 2016.

Americans are angry, but we are also afraid. The future of our country seems awfully bleak to many. I suspect that’s why this pin has been so popular.

Realistically, as Christians, what are we to do?

First of all, we need to pray. We need to pray that God will raise up leaders who will seek His will. Then we need to pray for wisdom on who we should vote for. The Bible tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

After much prayer, we have to vote for the candidate who God puts on our hearts and after doing that, we need to pray for that candidate.

If we need some courage, we can seek it from the scripture. We worship the same God who changed the murderous heart of Saul to the Jesus loving, church building heart of Paul.

We need to pray for peace in our country. We need to pray that our young people will stop rebelling against authority as we ourselves seek to try to follow the will of God in our own lives.

We need to remember to put on the entire Armor of God, found in Ephesians 6:10-6:17. We need to remember the words of Jesus in Mark 5:39-40 “He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?'”

The storms are raging right now. There’s not doubt about it, but we have to remember that we worship the God who made the seas and the wind and we are redeemed by the One who can quiet them with a single command.

God is still in control. Do not be afraid.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

A Faith Oasis

Posted on by Wendy
Sometimes if you want some beauty in your life, you have to be willing to do your part.
Sometimes if you want some beauty in your life, you have to be willing to do your part.

I was gazing out my window yesterday at my barren, unappealing deck. It was covered in yellow oak tassels and sticks from all of the wind we have had lately. Both tables were covered in debris as well. As I looked out there, It thought to myself that I really would like to look out there and see an oasis.

I would like to have brightly colored tables and flowers blooming in pots scattered about. Almost as soon as I thought it, a little voice popped in my head that said if I wanted an oasis, a place of beauty and rest, then I should go create it.

I pushed it to the back of my busy mind as I had a million other things to do, but I eventually found myself out there. I got my hubby’s blower and cleared of the mounds of oak crud. I took a six-pack of impatiens that I already had and dug around for some brightly colored pots I already had as well.

I cleaned off the tables and made a mental note to get some paint. It wasn’t finished, but it was a start and sometimes that’s all you need.

It occurred to me as I rolled up the hose and then the cord to the blower that we often have the ability to create an oasis of sorts in many areas of our lives.

Many of us get the importance of prayer, but we neglect to take the physical steps to create the beauty and peace that we seek. We pray for stronger or happier marriages, but we continue to treat our spouse in the same way that ended us up in the desert. We pray that our children will know Jesus and draw closer to God, yet we fail to take them to church regularly or talk to them about our faith.

We pray for a promotion, but continue to arrive a few minutes late to work and take long lunches. We pray for a better job, but don’t send out any resumes.

Many of us long for a stronger faith, but we don’t read the Bible or make intentional time for prayer. I remember hearing Joyce Meyer tell a story once about having a conversation with God. She would speak and He would speak right back to her. I remember wanting that kind of relationship with Him, but not knowing how.

Was she special? No. She was intentional. She read the Bible. She prayed. She asked questions to those who had been Christians longer. She learned obedience. She helped to create an oasis in her relationship with God.

And so can we. There is always hope for whatever areas in our lives seem to be in the desert. First we pray for direction and sometimes that direction is to wait. But, sometimes that direction is for us to do our part. We can count on God doing His a hundred percent.

We are physical and spiritual beings. Sometimes the most difficult step to take is the first. Yet, when we want real change we have to be willing to take it.

Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Encouragement for the Weary

Posted on by Wendy
Commitment means not giving up even when we are weary.
Commitment means not giving up even when we are weary.

Last weekend, I finally planted some tomato plants as well as a few okra plants. I also planted some herbs around the edges of my raised beds in hopes of foiling the very bold and always hungry deer, who are only too happy to jump my fence to get to my plants. Deer won’t eat herbs; so we will see how it all works out.

I planted some annuals too, all very lovingly and looking forward to watching it all take root. I even found myself saying a prayer for  protection over my tender new plants.

I came home from work yesterday and watered everything. There was a fabulous breeze. It’s always so exciting planting something new. I was saying a prayer of thanks for the beautiful day and the growing plants when I was reminded that it’s always great in the beginning.

At the beginning of the growing season, I can’t wait to get outside to check on the progress of fresh life. I look forward to watering and nurturing what I planted with my own hands.

The weather is so nice in the beginning, but as the season wears on, I get weary. As May turns to June, it gets hot and by July, it’s scorching. In July, I dread going outside to water because it doesn’t matter whether it’s 8:00 in the morning or in the evening, it’s scorching hot.

Then there’s the pests. By July, some sort of insect will be attacking my plants. Everything from white flies to tomato worms will be interested in destroying what I worked hard to grow. It’s a never-ending struggle and I get weary. But, I won’t give up.

I won’t give up because I am committed to protect and nurture what I have planted even when it’s not always fun.

I am reminded of other things in life that deserve the same commitment even when we get weary. Exercise plans are always exciting in the beginning. New eating plans are exciting in the beginning. New jobs are usually exciting. New relationships are exciting too. New church memberships and new Bible studies and prayer plans are also exciting in the beginning.

When something is new, it’s easy to get on board. It’s fresh. It’s exciting. Making a commitment in the beginning of anything is a piece of cake. The work doesn’t even feel like work and we are happy and grateful for a while. Then, as the season wears on, we get weary, just like I feel about watering and fighting pests in July.

But, when we feel weary, we need to pray and lean into Jesus. Commitment has nothing to do with feelings. Commitment is a promise and when we are doing God’s work, there is help. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit knows how to pray for us when we don’t even know what to pray.

The Bible also tells us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 That goes for harvests way more important than tomatoes and okra.

Sometimes we need a break. Sometimes we need rest, but giving up on what God has planted in us and for us shouldn’t be an option.

A cool breeze reminded me today. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Backseat Reflections

Posted on by Wendy
What would our lives look like if we let Jesus drive?
What would our lives look like if we let Jesus drive?

My family drove to my parents’ house to celebrate Mother’s Day. The drive takes about and hour-and-a-half. It was a beautiful day, so we decided to take the top off of my hubby’s Jeep.

It was a nice drive down. Being in the front passenger’s side, I was in charge of navigating the radio. I answered to my two teens in the back. Every now and then, I would almost lose my hat, so I had to be mindful of how I held my head.

When we arrived, my very tall son,who was seated behind my hubby, made the comment that his knees were almost under his chin and that we had grown too big as a family, to travel in the Jeep. I laughed. He was crammed in there. Being the shortest in my family, and I’m still not sure how or when that happened, I agreed to ride in the backseat on the trip home.

I learned very quickly, that keeping my hat was going to be an ongoing struggle, so I abandoned it and put it in the floor. My hair kind of blew around my face and I was reminded of boat rides as a kid. I also learned very quickly that I was no longer in charge of the radio and the sun was too bright to fiddle with my cell phone.

For an entire hour-and-a-half, all I had to do was just ride. I had zero responsibility and it was incredibly freeing. I would catch a whiff of jasmine in some spots and honeysuckle in others. I marveled at how blue the sky was and how warm the sun felt on my skin. I observed how green the grass had become and I realized that there are a lot of cows on our route.

None of those things were new or spectacular, but they are observations I would have missed if I hadn’t been in the backseat. They were observations I would have missed if I had been driving or in charge of navigating.

As I said a quiet prayer of thanks for the beauty around me and the wonder that is God, I felt a gentle nudge telling me that the wonder is always available, but I choose to forfeit it when I fight for control. When I worry and fret about the little things and even the big things in life, I miss the wonder. When I feel like I have to fix everything, I miss the beauty. When I feel like I have to say yes to everything and take on way more than I can handle, I surrender peace to chaos.

I was reminded that there is another way. I can choose to let Jesus drive. I can trust that He knows the right path. I can accept that He doesn’t need a navigator; He wants someone who is willing to go along for the ride. He wants someone who can appreciate the wonder along the way and someone who trusts that even in the darkest times, that He’s still in the driver’s seat. He wants someone who has faith that He will get us where we need to go and that He never gets lost.

A ride in the backseat reminded me. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Mother’s Day Musings

Posted on by Wendy
Let's give thanks for all of the mothers and grandmothers out there.
Let’s give thanks for all of the mothers and grandmothers out there.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day. It’s a day where American consumerism runs wild. We are encouraged to take our mothers everywhere from a nice brunch to a spa. Some commercials even suggest that if we really loved our mom, we would buy her jewelry.

I love that a day is set aside to honor mothers. I don’t like that it’s just a reason to go and buy stuff. I suspect that most mothers would love to have a day spent with their children and grandchildren. (That’s older mamas; younger ones, with itty-bitties at home, would probably give anything for a day off!) I also hold close to my heart and keep in my prayers, those women who have lost children and anyone who has lost their mother. It can be a tough day for those people.

I feel like the hearts of all mothers are close to God’s heart. We see over and over in the Bible how God blessed women with children that they desperately wanted. From Sarah, to Hannah, to young Mary, mamas in the Bible, like mamas today, saw their children as a blessing.

I am always moved to tears when Jesus, who was dying on the cross, asked John to take care of Mary. He clearly loved His mother.

I am also amazed and comforted by the fact that God finds ways to provide for those women who have lost children. Naomi lost both of her sons, yet her daughter-in-law Ruth, refused to leave her. She stayed with her and became her daughter. After listening to her wise advice, she married Boaz, Naomi’s relative, and Naomi got grandchildren after all.

God always finds ways to bless those who love, obey and trust Him, in often, unexpected ways.

Consequently, Ruth became the great, great, great, great grandmother of Jesus. Yes, ladies, our influence on the young women around us, matters.

Most of us who have lived a little while know that mothers and grandmothers don’t necessarily have to be related by blood. There are countless people who would be happy to share their personal stories of women stepping into the role of grandmother or mother and influencing and changing their lives. I have a several I could name who were surrogate grandmothers for me.

Paul tells young Timothy in, 2 Timothy 1:5, “I am reminded of your sincere faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”

Does the faith of mamas and grandmamas influence their children and grandchildren? Absolutely. It could probably be argued that one of the greatest contributions we could make to the world today, is raising kind, honest, hardworking human beings, who love Jesus.

So, let’s take Sunday and say a special prayer. Let’s give thanks for our own mothers and grandmothers whether they are still with us or waiting for us in Heaven. Let’s pray for comfort and healing for those who are mourning.

Let’s also remember that we all have the ability to mother and mentor a lost child of God that may be hurting. Let’s pray that He will give us wisdom to see those who might need a dose of our faith. As long as we are living, we can keep on mothering. It’s one of those professions that time makes us better and better at.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Unexpected Places and Faces

Posted on by Wendy
God often shows up in the most unexpected places and faces.
God often shows up in the most unexpected places and faces.

Yesterday was a long day for me. It was only Wednesday, but I had something to do everyday after work. I was truly exhausted and I knew I needed to go and buy groceries because the cupboard was literally bare.

I checked my e-mail right before leaving school and I had a notification from UPS, that the Vacation Bible School supplies I ordered had been dropped off at the back door of our church. People are not consistently there during the day, so I really needed to go and get them. Sigh.

I had prayed that morning for God to show me His face and to help me to be the face of Jesus for others. But, it had been a long not particularly inspiring day. Nothing bad had happened, but nothing great had happened either and I make it my business to search for the good.

I drove to the church, fiddling with the radio, finding nothing I wanted to listen to and being kind of annoyed in general. When I arrived, the package wasn’t at the first door I came to, Uhoh, I hoped it hadn’t been taken. When I got to the other side of the church, there were workmen there, installing a brand new sidewalk and I spied the packages I had come for.

When I got out of the car, I told one of the men how great the sidewalk looked. He thanked me. I told them that VBS had arrived and I pointed to the boxes by the door.

Then, I went to pick up one of the boxes. When I went for a second load, one of the men had stopped what he was doing, picked up the biggest, heaviest box, and followed me to my car. He asked me where to put it.

I gave him a weary smile and thanked him from the bottom of my heart. He told me I was welcome and went back to work.

It seemed like a simple exchange, just a simple kindness, but I knew it was more. When I ask God to show me His face, a lesson I learned from Vacation Bible School through the “God Sightings” challenge, and no, I didn’t miss the irony here; He always does in some unexpected way.

I waited all day long to see a glimpse of grace a glimpse of Jesus, and God saved it for the very end of the day when I was weariest and needed it the most. He sent me a helping hand and a kind smile from a stranger, loading up Vacation Bible School supplies of all things.

I don’t know why I was surprised. That’s usually His way, to show up when I don’t feel that I can take one more step.

I said a prayer of thanks on my drive home and vowed to share

Grace can come in the most unexpected places and faces. May we open our eyes and hearts to see it and may we open our arms and hearts to the world around us, and be it.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂