Happy New Year!

Posted on December 31, 2021 by Wendy

May 2022 be a year filled with intentional living.

As I sit on the edge of a brand new year, I always find it meaningful to reflect on the year that is coming to a close. Sometimes it’s been such a good year, I hate to see it end and other times, I find myself sprinting to midnight, anxious to turn the page on the calendar for a brand new start.

But, the older I get, the better I get at remembering the many blessings of the past year. Even in the worst of times, there have always been more blessings than I can count and certainly more than I deserve. I am also reminded that as a Christ follower, January 1st is simply symbolic. Grace gives me a chance for a brand new start every single day that I wake up and a chance to do life better than the day before.

While I’m not big on resolutions, I do like the idea of focusing on a single word for the year. In the past, I have used thankful, to remind me that I have so very much to be thankful for. I’ve also used abundance, to remind me that I always have so much more than I need. I’ve used trust, to remind me that God loves me and He always has a plan. Last year it was transform, to remind me to not be afraid of change and to push me to do my part in changing what I wasn’t happy with.

Every year I settle on a word and then I write it in places where I will see it. It reminds me to be intentional. In the end, living with intention is always my goal.  New Year’s Eve just serves as a reminder. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Happy New Year!

Wendy 🙂

Categories: Holidays | 2 Comments

The Call to be Light Bearers

Posted on December 24, 2021 by Wendy

We too, can offer light in dark places.

My family and I recently visited a Christmas light show. We chose our ticket time carefully because we wanted to be sure it was completely dark. Who wants to watch a light show in the daylight? We were not disappointed. Even though it was overcast and misting rain, the lights were spectacular against the dark night.

As we get ready to celebrate the birth of Christ, it makes perfect sense that it’s the darkest time of year. We have less daylight this time of year than any other time. In fact, December 21st is the longest night of the year. That darkness allows the lights shine even brighter.

As people of faith, we look towards the spiritual light that Christmas represents.

The prophet Isaiah said it this way, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

In his Gospel, John wrote about Jesus, “In him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” John 1:4 and “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.”

While we all like to focus on Christmas being the most wonderful time of the year, I think it’s important to remember that it’s a really dark time for many people. We live in a broken world. There is sickness, death, loneliness and heartbreak on this side of eternity and for some, the Christmas season magnifies loss.

But, as people of faith we are called to be bearers of the true light of the season. Like the Christmas lights that we see everywhere, we are called to shine in the darkness. There are so many ways we can choose to act differently than the world expects us to.

We can give to charities or buy toys for the less fortunate. We can invite someone to a Christmas Eve service. We can let someone out ahead of us in traffic. We can offer a reassuring smile to the frazzled mama with the screaming toddler, at the grocery store or stop to chat with the elderly man at the hardware store. We can pay for the person behind us in the drive thru line or post kind encouraging words on social media. We can invite someone to share Christmas with our family.

In short, we can open our eyes and go out of our way to be the face of Jesus to a world so very desperate for a glimpse of Him.

A Christmas light show reminded me that people of faith are called to be a Christmas light show too. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you did too.

Merry Christmas!

Wendy 🙂

Categories: Building Christian Character, Christmas | Comments Off on The Call to be Light Bearers

Do Not Be Afraid

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Wendy

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged , for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious hand.” Isaiah 41:10

One of my family’s favorite Christmas movies is, “Home Alone.” We’ve seen it a dozen times, but we watch it every year and laugh like it’s the first time we have seen it. We watched it last week and found ourselves entertained as usual.

One of my favorite scenes takes place in a church. It’s Christmas Eve and a children’s choir is singing. Kevin knows that the two bad guys are coming to break into his house and possibly do him harm, but he has decided to fight and it’s as if he instinctively knows he needs to go spend some time in church first, to prepare for the fight.

While there, he runs into Marley, an old man he has been terrified of the entire movie. They talk, the old man and the child, and share some wisdom that each needs to hear. Marley tells Kevin he doesn’t need to be afraid of him, but Marley admits to Kevin that he is afraid to call his son because he doesn’t know how he will react. Kevin calls him out.

“No offense, aren’t you too old to be afraid?”

Marley replies, “You can be too old for a lot of things, but you’re never too old to be afraid.”

Kevin seems to accept that fact. They talk a few more minutes and Kevin heads home to defend his home and with Marley’s help, in the end, he comes away victorious.

Marley’s words in the church seem particularly pertinent this year. We are surrounded with so much uncertainty and fear; it’s almost palpable.

Yet, as people of faith we should note that the Christmas story reminds us at every turn that we are not to be afraid. In Luke 1:30, Gabriel tells Mary, “Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God.”

In Matthew 1:20, when Joseph is thinking of quietly divorcing Mary, an angel appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David , do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Then in Luke2:8-11, we find the shepherds, minding their own business, watching their flocks and an angel appeared and they were terrified. “But the angel said to them. ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Marley was right. We are never too old to be afraid, but the story of Christmas reminds us not to be. God is with us, so it is well. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Categories: Christmas | 4 Comments

Remembering the Reason for the Season

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Wendy

A gift from a neighbor tells the true story of Christmas.

On the day after Thanksgiving, we put up our family Christmas tree. At some point, among the Christmas decorations, my son found an Advent calendar I had saved. When we first moved into our house, my kiddos were 3 and 5 and the sweet lady who lived across the street, brought them an Advent calendar. I had no idea that it was the beginning of a tradition. She brought them a new one every year until they were in middle school.

My son pulled the calendar out and started going through the days, reading them aloud as he went while I continued to decorate the tree. Day one was the Bible. Day two was Joseph. On Day three when he said, “There’s Mary and Gabriel;” he got my attention. He continued and I listened although I didn’t let him know it, until he got all the way to the birth of the Baby Jesus.

I’ll have to admit that this mama’s heart and eyes were both full.

Even thought he’s twenty, there was something about hearing my child recite the true meaning of Christmas that filled me with joy.

I thought about it long after the tree was done. I thought about all of the players that go into faith building. I thought about our sweet neighbor who shared her faith in such a quiet, but incredibly meaningful way. I thought about his Sunday school teachers and the many Christmas pageants he participated in and the Christmas Eve candlelight services where we always sang Silent Night and I thought about the importance of telling the story we believe in.

The Christmas season is fun and meaningful in so many ways. There are parties and gifts, Christmas trees and lots of goodies and beautiful traditions that get handed down from generation to generation. While those are all good things,  as people of faith, we are called to remember the true meaning of Christmas and to share the story with others.

The truth is that Christmas is the story of a teenaged girl who said yes to God’s plan for her and her fiance who stood by her although he had every reason not to. That obedience changed the fate of all mankind. It’s the story of God’s provision for His people. It’s the story of the birth of hope. It’s the story of a God who loves His children so much that He decided to become one of us.

It’s a story worth telling over and over. An Advent calendar reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

 

Categories: Christmas | 2 Comments

The Christmas Cactus Testimony

Posted on December 3, 2021 by Wendy

The Christmas Cactus knows its job is to announce that Christmas is coming despite its circumstances.

About a week ago, I was delighted to find small, bright pink buds on my Christmas Cactus. I tend to it year round, but once a year, it rewards me with stunning tropical blooms. When I see the little buds, it’s like a little announcement from Creation itself that Jesus is coming. It makes no difference to that little plant what new viruses or variants are surging or what new political  chaos is raging.

It’s purpose in life is to announce that Christmas is coming and it does so with great enthusiasm.

Years ago, when I first got it, I planted it in a pretty white ceramic pot that thought suited it beautifully. Last week, my hubby accidently knocked it off the plant stand and it fell crashing floor. Once I realized that he was ok and I saw the shards of white all over the floor, I rushed to see what kind of damage was done to the plant. I was pleased to see very little damage to the plant itself, but the saucer part of the pot was mostly gone.

I didn’t dare repot it while it was covered in buds, fearing it would go into shock and not bloom, so I bought a plain, ugly, plastic saucer to put underneath it. It definitely wasn’t as pretty as before. I mean, the pot was toast. It made me a little sad to see it broken.

But, over the next few days, the buds got bigger and brighter. I found myself drawn to it one day after work. The plant it seemed, was blissfully unaware of the ugly saucer it was sitting in. It’s job was to announce the coming of Christ and it was happily doing its job despite the circumstances.

I’ll have to admit that I felt both inspired and humbled at its defiance.

How often do we allow our circumstances to hinder our worship and our mission? When life sends blows our way, how do we respond? When we lose a job, or a relationship falls apart or we get a bad diagnosis, do we stand tall like that cactus and continue to point others to Jesus or do we curl up in a ball and wait until the sun is once again shining and life is good to resume our worship?

Life on this side of eternity will always be a mix of both good and bad. A Christmas cactus reminded me while we have no control over our circumstances, we do have control over our response to them. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

 

 

Categories: Building Christian Character, Christmas | 2 Comments

The Beauty of Connection

Posted on November 19, 2021 by Wendy

Sometimes the smallest gestures can foster connection.

My day job includes work as an academic advisor at a university. The students have to make an appointment with me before they can register for the next semester. I always give them the option to meet with me over zoom or in person in my office. Many of them choose zoom. After almost two years of the convenience of not having to actually go to meetings, they like the idea of meeting in their dorm room or apartment. It’s less awkward and it takes little to no effort on their part.

I think we have all been there.

They get the same information that the students who come to my office get, but they don’t get the connection. There’s something about meeting with people face-to-face that makes relationships more genuine.

I keep a bowl of Jolly Ranchers on my desk and I always offer the students one on their way out. It’s so fun to watch them smile and pick their favorite flavor. It’s an unexpected treat and I have never had anyone turn the candy down. In fact, I have had a few of them that stop in to say hello from time to time and I always offer them another one. They always accept.

It’s such a small thing, sharing a piece of candy, but after a pandemic that had people separated for so long, little gestures seem to go a long way. Connection goes a long way.

Those Jolly Ranchers got me to thinking about connection and church. I think maybe many of us have found ourselves still participating in virtual church. Year after year, Sunday after Sunday, we got up and got dressed and went to church and then a pandemic hit and everything went virtual. Don’t get me wrong, the ability to worship virtually was a gift, but now for many of us, it’s become convenient. It’s easier than getting up and getting dressed. It’s easier than leaving the house. It’s easier than dealing with people, but are we missing connection?

There’s something incredibly powerful when God’s people come together to worship Him. There’s connection with Him and with each other. If we actively sought connection both physically and spiritually and spent more time face-to-face instead of in cyberspace, what would our world look like?

We might be pleasantly surprised. A bowl of Jolly Ranchers reminded me that the beauty of connection is worth the work and inconvenience. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Categories: Building Christian Character | 4 Comments

Called to Bear Witness

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Wendy

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Last week was a rough week for my family. We lost our 14 year old dog, Sandy to a stroke. I suspected that his time was growing short, but his passing still caught me by surprise. When my children were in school, he was my constant companion. When I worked from home for a year during Covid, he was always on his bed next to my desk. He had been a big part of my life for a long time.

I almost didn’t write a post this week because it’s just been a depressing week, but then my daily devotion changed my mind. I’m reading Acts and Paul was sharing what he knew about Jesus. The writer of that day’s devotion said, ” Like Paul, we are also called to bear witness to what we’ve seen. What have you seen today that speaks of God? What have you seen that you can share with others?”

I felt convicted.

While it had been a hard week, I was thankful for all of the years we had with Sandy. He literally showed up at our house and brought my family so much joy and I caught a glimpse of God.

This week, when we had to take him to the vet, one of my sweet co-workers texted me to see how I was doing and I saw God. The next day at work when another sweet co-worker emailed me and told me she had been praying for me, I saw God and when she came to my office just to give me a hug, I saw God again.

When our newest edition, Annie, met me at the door after work, wagging her tail, and bouncing up and down with pure puppy joy, I saw God once again and I was completely humbled by the fact that He knew a month ago, when we decided to adopt her, that Sandy was going to be passing. He knew our hearts would be broken and He knew she would bring us comfort.

As I was walking at work the next day, I couldn’t help but be in awe of fall the leaves on trees. The seasons are changing and we are entering into a season of Thanksgiving and even though I feel a little raw, I am thankful, thankful that God made dogs, thankful that He made Sandy, thankful that He sent us Annie and especially thankful for the friends and family that He has surrounded me with who regularly show His love and grace.

To answer the earlier question, even in a particularly painful week, I saw tons of examples of God’s presence and in the end, I felt called to share.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Categories: Community, Friendship, Watching for God | 2 Comments

A Reminder to Plant

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Wendy

We never know when we are planting seeds.

Last Sunday at church, right after we began singing our first praise song, a young family slipped in and sat in the pew in front of us. They had two young girls with them and they were clearly tired and frazzled.

The older of the two girls sat down beside her mama, but the younger one rolled around in the pew, much to her daddy’s dismay. He handed her a pen and his bulletin, but she wasn’t interested in singing or sitting  down. When the song ended and we were asked to greet one another I leaned over and asked her what she was going to be for Halloween. She grinned and said, “Supergirl.”

I smiled, remembering those days.

We sang more songs and she squirmed more. When it was time for the offering, I leaned over and handed her a visitor’s card that I had drawn a jack-o’-lantern on. She was delighted and ran over to show her daddy. Later, she left her seat and went up the aisle. Her parents were not amused and I’m sure they wished that had have been able to sit further towards the back. During our final song, the little girl gave me a picture she had drawn on the bulletin. I smiled and thanked her. She grinned proudly and then she went off to children’s church.

Her parents visibly relaxed.

I thought of that little girl during the entire service and how hard it can be to parent young children. I remembered the days of trying to get my own kids dressed and out the door for church. I remembered being stressed and annoyed and sometimes even questioning if taking them to church was worth the hassle. Were they learning anything at all?

Of course in hindsight, it was absolutely worth it. I will never regret taking our children to church even if some of those Sundays were complete chaos. I’m a big believer in planting seeds and there’s not much more fertile ground than the hearts of littles.

After we sang our last song, I went over to those young parents and said hello. I told them they were doing a great job. The mom seemed surprised. I told them that I remembered how hard it was to get little ones to church and I remembered the stress and the rushing. She nodded and agreed that it was hard. I assured them that these days will fly by and what they were doing  mattered. They seemed truly grateful to hear those few small words of encouragement.

As I look at my gift of art from a restless child, I am reminded that being a part of the Body of Christ is so much more than showing up to church, singing a few songs and leaving. It’s about seed planting. We all are given many opportunities to plant seeds. Will they be seeds of encouragement, kindness and affirmation or seeds that foster doubt and judgement, or will we decide not to plant anything at all and just stand by in silence?

A little girl reminded me that we all need to be in the seed planting business. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an Awesome Day!

Wendy 🙂

 

Categories: Building Christian Character, Watching for God | Comments Off on A Reminder to Plant

Having Faith in Abundance

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Wendy

Annie reminds me that we need to trust in the abundance in God’s economy.

We recently adopted a pup from the pound. We saw her online and went to meet her and just had to have her. We named her Annie. When we first brought her home, we noticed her ribs were showing and we joked about how we are always good at fattening up our pets. When we fed her the first time, she ate like she hadn’t eaten in days. She wolfed her food down in no time flat and then she went after our other dogs’ food.

I figured it was her first time in a real home and it would take some time for her to trust that there will always be enough. I knew it would take some patience. It’s been a couple of weeks at this point and she still eats like every meal is her last. There are lots of treats and plenty of food, but she still doesn’t really believe in abundance.

There was a time in my life when I would have been frustrated with her lack of trust, but I have to admit that she reminds me a little of all of us on our faith walk. When we become Christ followers, we are given this unbelievable amount of grace. In fact it’s so abundant, we have a hard time accepting it.

We are given gifts and talents to further the kingdom and yet, we are reluctant to share them. Whether it’s financial gifts, the gift of our time, the gift of encouragement or even hospitality, we have been given countless gifts, but like Annie, we tend to be tight fisted with them. Living in this world, on this side of eternity, has made us believe in the principle of scarcity.

What we have to remember is that even though we live in this world, we are not of it. We are only travelers here. We are citizens of heaven and in God’s economy, there is no scarcity, only abundance.

Keeping that in mind, we are called to live not with fists held tight, but with hands wide open, open to receive blessings and open to give them back to a world around us that desperately needs them. We have to learn to trust abundance and believe there will always be enough.

It takes time. Building faith takes time and so, I am patient with Annie, because honestly, she reminds me of me and maybe she reminds you of you. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too!

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Categories: Biblical Wisdom, Building Christian Character, Trusting God | 2 Comments

Seeking the Wonder

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Wendy

“After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:12

A couple of weeks ago, I was driving to work. It was foggy out, but it was a normal day. There was nothing going on good or bad for me, but I was tired and I was running late. I prayed that God would show Himself to me in some small way.

Years earlier, I read a book called, “Wonderstruck,” by Margaret Feinberg. It was about rediscovering the wonder in her relationship with God. She prayed that God would show her a piece of the wonder He was capable of and He obliged.

That premise stuck with me, so from time-to-time, when I find myself in a spiritual doldrums of sorts or I feel that God is far away, I pray for God to show me His wonder. So, that morning, I said that prayer.

As I made the next right turn, I was greeted by a burst of sunshine. It was really hard to miss. I smiled and said a quick prayer of thanks as I whipped into a spot in the parking lot. I jumped out of my car and headed towards my building, I found myself looking over my shoulder to catch another glimpse of the wonder, as I kept walking. I was running late after all, but something deep inside urged me to stop.

So, I did. I stopped and I turned around. I took a deep breath and I took that beautiful light in. I said a heartfelt prayer of thanks. I even snapped a picture.

This time, when I turned around to walk to my building, my soul felt lighter and I didn’t feel like I was rushed. I felt truly thankful.

I thought about my morning encounter for the rest of the day. I thought about how often we ask God to intervene and how often He does and we miss it, because we are busy and distracted. I thought about how often He shows up in a whisper instead of a roar and again, we miss it because of all of the noise.

I was reminded of Elijah’s interaction with God in 1 Kings 19:11-13; “The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”

A morning sunrise reminded me not to miss God in the quiet. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Categories: Building Christian Character, Trusting God, Watching for God | 2 Comments