Category: Trusting God

Sometimes life seems upside-down. When we draw closer to God, we begin to learn and trust that He has a plan for us and we can let go of many of life’s anxieties knowing that He has our best interest at heart.

Finding Hope in Remote Places

Posted on by Wendy
Remote places are where Jesus does some of His best work.

I recently read the account of Jesus feeding the 4,000 found in Mark Chapter 8. It’s a familiar story that most Christians know. But, this time, I caught a new detail. In verse two, Jesus tells the disciples that he has compassion for the crowds because they had already been with him for three days and hadn’t eaten anything. He was concerned that they would collapse from hunger if he sent them away.

The disciples asked Jesus, “Where in this remote place can anyone get enough to feed them?” Mark 8:4

They were looking at Jesus’ capabilities on a strictly human level even after all of the miracles they had already witnessed. They were in a remote place, far way from any type of assistance in the disciples’ eyes, so how could they possibly provide for these hungry people?

Of course, they couldn’t, but He could. That was the point.

In the past, I have always focused on the miracle itself, the multiplication of the fish and loaves. But this time their location caught my attention. Where they were was important. It was a remote place and that’s where Jesus wanted them. They couldn’t possibly provide for themselves.

They needed Jesus.

I think the remote places are where we too, most often find ourselves acknowledging our desperate need for Jesus. When we are in waiting rooms, or doctor’s offices, or waiting for a phone call, or lose our job, or when we hit rock bottom, or are weathering a pandemic, when we are completely incapable of providing for ourselves is when we cry out to Him.

And just as in this account, Jesus has compassion on us and He provides. He fills our souls with love, mercy, peace and hope. He redeems us and gives us a fresh start.

Jesus feeding the multitudes reminded me not to fear the remote places because that’s where Jesus does some of His best work. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

 

 

The Wonder of Planting

Posted on by Wendy
Anytime we plant, there’s a certain amount faith and wonder involved.

Earlier this week, we were blessed with  fabulous weather. We had several days of warm sun. It’s the last week of February and when we get a day where temps reach seventy degrees, it’s a gift. And since it’s been gray, cold and rainy for weeks on end, it was especially sweet. When my watch buzzed at me, reminding me that I needed to get up and move around, I headed outside.

The earth still looked completely dead and my backyard was covered in piles of leaves everywhere, but I used the opportunity to throw some sticks over the fence and check on the goldfish pond. We covered it with a net in an attempt to keep the leaves out. As I scanned the area, a seemingly dead plant in a pot underneath the net, caught my eye. It was a hydrangea that I planted last year.

To my delight, there were green buds forming on the ends. Life was being produced and resurrection was happening from something that appeared dead to the outside observer.

Millions of people planted gardens last year in response to the pandemic and I recently read an article discussing the fact that our desire to garden during a crisis has been documented back to World War II. In 1943, a Life Magazine Article reported there were 18,000,000 Victory Gardens growing in America. While I’ve no doubt they were started out of necessity, I suspect the planters received much more than food from tending their gardens.

Planting seeds takes a certain amount of faith. Once we dig a hole and put a seed or a plant in it, we can water it. We can fertilize it. But, we cannot make it grow. Gardening or any type of planting teaches us that we are not in control, even though we often so desperately want to be. Sometimes we do everything right with our tending and nurturing and what we plant refuses to thrive. Sometimes we don’t put in nearly the amount of care that we should, yet we are still blessed with a bumper crop.

I think growing and tending are in our DNA. God calls us to plant, because it grounds us and it makes us remember that He is sovereign.

Kindergartners often have a project where they plant seeds in a cup. They are filled with wonder when a fully formed, colorful flower pops up. Planting makes us remember the wonder of God.

A hydrangea springing back to life provided me with some much needed wonder. I certainly can use some wonder in the season I am living in. Perhaps you can too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Daffodil Hope

Posted on by Wendy
We could learn a lot about hope from nature.

One day last week as I parked my car at work, I felt weariness set in. It was cold and gray out. As I got out and put my gloves on, I grabbed my umbrella because we were expecting rain again, I sighed. I trudged up the hill and waited for the light to change, so I could cross  the street to get to my office. After playing real life Frogger, I’ll have to admit, I felt both my conviction and resolve to be a light to others that I made a mere hour earlier, fading fast.

Maybe I am the only person who struggles with this? I sit at my cozy kitchen table in the quiet of the morning with a cup of coffee and read a devotional. I write down Bible verses. I pray. I resolve to go out into the world and be the light of Christ to others. I resolve to be at peace and not let the petty annoyances of life affect me. I resolve to remember that God has a plan and to stay focused on Him.

Then I walk out my door out into the world. It’s cold outside. Someone cuts me off in traffic. It’s raining out and my feet get wet. The wind blows hard and my resolve and conviction tend to get blown away.

But, as I walked a few more steps, I was greeted by a planter box full of budding daffodils and I had to stop for a minute. It was amazing how they stood in such stark contrast against the gray skies and the loud traffic. It was almost as if they defiantly chose to offer hope even though there was no visible reason for them to, at least to the human eye. It was as if they knew something that I didn’t, but isn’t that always the way with God’s creation?

I smiled and felt my peace and resolve return as I headed inside.

I thought about those budding flowers for the rest of the day and about hope they represented. They were determined to bloom despite the circumstances. As people of faith, aren’t we called to do the same?

Some budding daffodils reminded me to stand up straight and point the people living in this dark world to Jesus with the power of hope, no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Reminders of His Presence

Posted on by Wendy
The timing of the sunrise text was no coincidence.

One morning, late, last week, I was running a little late, getting ready for work. It was my first week back in the office after recovering from being sick and I was exhausted. I was also feeling a little discouraged about the movie, Groundhog Day, feel, my life had recently taken on.

The news was the same everyday. The pandemic was still raging on. We were were still wearing masks and socially distancing at almost a year in. Our nation was still divided even after the election. I felt both physically and mentally exhausted. Maybe you can relate?

Before I went downstairs, I prayed that God would reveal some truth and offer some hope through His word, in my daily devotions and that He would allow me to feel His presence. I know He’s always working and I know He’s always close by, but this morning, I prayed for reassurance.

I was not disappointed.

The first devotion I read, centered in on Esther and her being exactly where she was at exactly when she was for a reason, for such a time as this. I felt encouraged.  Could this same concept apply to me? Didn’t Esther and I worship the same God?

I already felt better when I navigated to my next reading. This one focused on the prophet Elisha found in 2 Kings. Elisha’s servant is trembling because to the physical eye, they were surrounded by enemies on all sides. There was no escape. Elisha reassured him that, “there were more with us than with them.” But the servant was not convinced. All he could see was the enemy. So, Elisha prayed that God would let the servant see what Elisha knew to be true. God in His goodness, answered his prayer and it was revealed that the hills were filled with horses and chariots of fire. An unseen angel army was protecting them.

As I pondered the faithfulness of God in sending not one, but two messages of encouragement, I received a text from a friend. It read, “The sunrise is absolutely stunning.”

As I got up and walked to the front of my house to take a look, the majesty took my breath away. I went outside in the cold and snapped some photos and sent it to two other people.

When I went back to the same window, just a few minutes later, the moment had past. Of course, the sun was still there, but the brilliance and the color was only there at that moment when my friend felt prompted to text me about it. I was both humbled and amazed at God’s timing.

As I reflected on the meaning of it all on my drive into work, I was reminded that I too, am here at this time in this place for a reason, because God has a plan for me even though at times, it looks like Groundhog Day. I was also reminded that because I am His, there are many more with me than against me. And the timing of that sunrise? There are no coincidences with God. That too, was carefully planned.

Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

Seeking His Light

Posted on by Wendy
He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.” Psalm 46:10

On most mornings, I eat my breakfast and read several devotionals. I drink my coffee and write down my thoughts. I pray. My kitchen table faces a group of windows and lately, it’s been really dark out in the mornings. But, one particular day, as I was grumbling to myself about the darkness, I felt a nudge to turn off the lights above the table.

So, I did.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that when I turned off the man-made light, I could see God’s. It wasn’t bright sunshine, but it wasn’t darkness either. It was a little message of hope of the day to come. As I sat there praying, I thanked God for showing me the light and the more I gave thanks, the brighter it became.

For the rest of the week, I did the same. I would read my devotional and then turn off the lights and God met me there every morning. When I actively sought His light, I found it.

The first chapter in Genesis tells us that God created the heavens and the earth and right after, in verse three, He said, “let there be light.” And there was light and He saw that it was good. I have always been encouraged that right after He created the heavens and the earth, He created light. He didn’t need the light. He created it for us. He knew we needed it and He gave it to us.

In the same vein, whenever I find myself stumbling in the darkness and I actively seek His light, He always provides it in some way. On that particular morning, He showed me the same light He has been providing since the beginning of time, reminding me that He is timeless, ever present and always providing, even when I am too busy or distracted to see it.

In this noisy, angry world that we find ourselves living in at the moment, He reminded me in the quiet of the dawning day to, “Be still and know that I am God.” Then He showed me the same the next day and the day after. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too. May I suggest a sunrise?

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Giving Thanks for the Prayer Warriors

Posted on by Wendy
Texts from Prayer Warriors brought me a deep sense of peace.

It’s been a dreary past couple of weeks at my house. My hubby and I, despite our best efforts, contracted Covid-19. We had what would definitely be considered a mild case. We didn’t have any breathing difficulties. We didn’t end up in the hospital, but it was a miserable experience.

As soon as I learned that my hubby tested positive, I reached out to some prayer warrior friends of mine and asked for prayer. The numbers were on our side, but I was seeking a deeper intervention from people who I knew would stand in the gap for us. I received daily texts and sometimes beautiful pictures, from people who I knew were praying and the peace that came from those prayers was priceless. A former pastor and dear friend of mine even called me and prayed for us over the phone.

It turns out that the hard reality of social distance and quarantine that was thrust upon us, was no match for the spiritual blessings that were showered upon us.

When I began to feel better and I was looking over the texts, I marveled at the faithful people who God has put in our lives. Some were from mission trips. Some were former co-workers. Some were current co-workers. Some were old friends and some were new friends. Some were family. My daughter even texted me to tell me that someone she met on a mission trip who has never even met us was praying for us.

I was truly humbled when I thought about how God carefully weaved these people into the fabric of our lives and how He knew when I met each one of these people that we would one day be sick and would need their prayers. He knew a pandemic was coming one day. He was not caught by surprise and just like He was with Joseph in Egypt, He was with us.

As I write this, the sun has finally come out after days of being shrouded by clouds. I am feeling better and I stand amazed at the power of prayer. I am reminded of the beautiful gift that a faith community is even when they are people that you rarely see. As a dear friend of mine once said, “Relationships built with Christ at the center are different than all others. They are deep and lasting.”

Those are wise words indeed.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

A Call to the Light Bearers

Posted on by Wendy
We are called to be God’s light.

Last week, I watched in complete dismay as our Capitol was overrun and overtaken, not by foreign terrorists, but by Americans. People who’s anger and sense of disenfranchisement boiled over and they felt led to take matters into their own hands. Chaos reigned for a time both in Washington DC and all over social media. The enemies of freedom all over the world cheered.

I’ve no doubt Satan danced in utter delight.

I felt a spiritual darkness deep inside my bones over the next few days. I prayed without ceasing asking for God’s guidance and for His mercy upon our land. I read the Bible and I texted some of my strongest prayer warriors asking for perspective.

On Sunday morning, as I was continuing to pray about it, I felt like I got what I had been seeking.

The Holy Spirit reminded me of the story of Jonah and the city of Nineveh. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh to speak the truth and tell them about Him and His coming judgement. Jonah ran the other way, not because he was afraid, but because he didn’t want God to forgive them. Jonah wanted Nineveh to be destroyed.

But, as evil as the people of Nineveh were, they repented and God spared them.

We can argue all day long about whether God supports a particular political party, but in doing that, I believe we have allowed ourselves to become focused on man and not on God. Let’s be clear here: God can use whomever He chooses to use for His purposes. His hands are in no way bound by someone’s political party affiliation.

As people of God, we need to accept that we are in the middle of a spiritual war here and so our response must be spiritual. We are called to pray for both Trump and for Biden, for the Democrats and the Republicans. We are called to pray that revival will sweep through the halls and streets of Washington DC and on both sides of the aisle.

I watched an interview last week with Mike Huckabee and several other pastors. One of them pointed out that during the ninth plague in Egypt, the plague of darkness, found in Exodus 10:21-23, the darkness was so deep in the land that it could be felt. But, the Israelites, (God’s people) had light in the places where they lived.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 says: “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.”

As children of the light, we are called to spread light not darkness, remembering that darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can.

Now more than ever, we are called to speak truth in love and to pray as never before. The people who walk in darkness don’t know anything, but darkness. We do. Every Christian is here for such a time as this. We may be surprised about what’s going on, but God is not.

We were chosen for this moment. How will we choose to respond?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Blazing a New Trail

Posted on by Wendy
It’s never too late to blaze a new trail!

On a recent walk on my parents’ property, we took our pups and let them roam off leash. It was so much fun watching the pure joy in their wagging tails. They would catch a scent of something and run off a little ways and we would call to them and they would return for a few minutes and then dash off again, following their noses.

I commented to my hubby about how they were always running. I marveled how they didn’t run into trees. He pointed out that they were following deer trails. He said that deer don’t just wander around aimlessly. They have trails that they have made and they tend to stay on them.

I grew up in the country and I don’t know why I didn’t know that little fact, but I was intrigued by the thought that even animals, tend to stick to paths that have already been laid out for them and deer aren’t trail blazers.

As we wind down 2020, we can all agree that this year has been unusual at best. Most of us have found ourselves off of the path we planned in some shape or form. While this off-roading of sorts, has caused many emotions ranging from disappointment, to fear, to anger, to despair; it has also resulted in the blazing of new trails for many.

People have spent a lot of time at home. Relationships have been prioritized. Families began sitting down together for dinner together since all of those sports and extracurricular activities were cancelled. Brides and grooms elected to go ahead and get married without a big, splashy wedding because starting life together was what was important. People moved in droves; many sought quieter, more rural lifestyles. Many lost loved ones.

Calamity has a way of making us refocus on what’s really important. It makes us take stock and take a hard look at where we are and what path we are on. When the busyness gets taken away, we are forced to ask ourselves are we on the path we really want to be on? How did we get here? Are we here simply because it’s what everyone else is doing? Might now be the time to seek the, “Road Less Travelled?”

While we are all anxious for this pandemic to go away, what has it taught us? Do we really want to go back to life exactly as it was? Are there changes that have been made for the good? Should more be made?

The Bible tells us, “And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

A deer trail in the woods, reminded me to end this tumultuous year with some time in prayer. If God is in the lead, it’s never too late to blaze a new trail. Perhaps you needed reminding too!

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

PS I won’t be posting for the next few weeks, because I will be spending time with family. I pray that you have a Merry Christmas and I hope to meet you back here in 2021.

Seeking Heavenly Focus

Posted on by Wendy
Sometimes it’s helpful to stop and check on our focus.

Our neighbors have a cat named Ramsey who likes to torment our dogs. He makes it his business to come into our yard and position himself where my dogs can see him. Sometimes he just comes to the edge of the yard and plops down by the mailbox. Sometimes he comes right up to the windows in the front of the house. When the dogs see him, they go nuts and when that happens he always sits and stays a while.

He is well aware that they can’t get to him. Their barks don’t even make him flinch. Now, when the dogs don’t bark at him because they don’t see him for some reason, like they are sleeping, he doesn’t stay long. It’s their frustration that seems to entice him to stay.

My hubby and I have chuckled about this phenomenon for years. It’s like a Roadrunner cartoon in real time. Why do the dogs allow Ramsey to upset them so much? Why can’t they just ignore that cat? They seem completely incapable of doing so.

Last weekend, we had the grand-puppy, Marshall, and I took him for a walk. When we we neared our house, I caught a glimpse of Ramsey fleeing from us. Apparently he had spotted us and feared young Marshall. Now, Marshall was simply enjoying his walk and didn’t even see the cat.

I laughed at the turn of events and thought about how that cat wasn’t so brave and tough when he was faced with the prospect of a face-to-face encounter with a dog.

I thought about that encounter long after our walk. I thought about how we as humans, allow ourselves to be tormented by so many things unnecessarily. We lament about the negativity of social media, yet we don’t stop scrolling. We grumble about the biases of the news, yet we keep watching. Then there are the recent election results.

Just like my dogs, we tend to refuse to turn away from the things that claim our focus and divert our attention from where it should be.

As Christ followers We are called to remember that we are travelers here. This is not our permanent home. We are called to remember that while earthly leadership will always come and go, we worship the God who will never give up His throne. We are called to remember that the Bible is full of stories of both good and bad kings and God used them both to further His plan whether they were willing participants or not.

The Bible tells us this in both Old and New Testaments. “He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.” Daniel 2:21 NLT If you want to see some examples of good and bad leadership, see Daniel. If you want to see what the Christian attitude towards leadership should be, also, see Daniel.

In the New Testament, Paul says, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

So, from a Christian perspective, how distracted are we at this moment? Are we focused on Kingdom things or worldly things? Are we choosing to allow ourselves to be tormented like my dogs and Ramsey or are we choosing to be like young Marshall, walking with our Master, without a care in the world; knowing that God has the reins? Do we believe God is in control or not?

Three dogs and a cat reminded me the of differences between earthly and heavenly perspective. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Peace in the Chaos

Posted on by Wendy
We can still find peace in the chaos because we serve the God who has a plan even when we can’t see it.

As I write this post, I am surrounded by chaos. There are two bookcases in the space where I usually write and I finally decided last weekend, after years of being unhappy with their dated appearance, that I would paint them. I’m not usually one to shy away from a painting project, but these bookshelves held over a decade of stuff that had been placed on them. That stuff would have to be stacked and strewn all over a couple of rooms while I worked on my restoration project.

That meant that I would have to live with some chaos for the better part of a week until the paint was completely cured. I am not a huge fan of chaos. I like for things to be in their place especially in my space where I work and create. When I write about seeing God in the everyday, I usually do it from a desk where I have pictures of sunrises and sunsets and quotes that inspire me. I have pictures of people and places I hold dear and two dog beds where snoring pups provide the only noise.

Yes, that’s the scene I usually write in because I can hear God the best when it’s quiet. “Silent Night,” is probably the Christmas songs that resonates best with me.

But, does that mean that I don’t believe that God exists in the chaos? As I look at my sofa stacked with books and albums, I know that isn’t the case. I know from first hand experience that He is equally active in both chaos and in times of peace. I have found myself in plenty of chaotic situations over the years. Some of them were absolutely through no fault of my own. These were situations that just come from living in a broken world.

Some were completely due to my own choices and bad decisions and electing to pursue my own will instead of God’s.

But, the beauty of the loving God who we serve, is that He was with me through all of the chaos both self-created and otherwise. He has always remained faithful to me even when I wasn’t faithful to Him. He has also taught me along the way that sometimes true restoration requires some chaos.

I gaze again at the stacks of books on my floors, but this time I can smile. I know how much I will enjoy the restored and redeemed bookcases. I know that the chaos is temporary and I am reminded the pain and aggravation in the process are always worth it.

Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂