Treasure Moments

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." -Luke 2:19

I once heard it said, "Potential treasure is hidden inside every chaotic situation". If that is the case, I believe life is filled with special treasure moments. Some are just a little more difficult to uncover than others. It takes time to discover and really ponder each treasure of our day. There are so many moments we miss, simply because our schedules are filled to the limit and running over. A very wise older lady once told me, "You never get these days back. Take time to treasure every minute." This prompted an idea with me. I will begin recording every treasure moment that comes my way in a journal and take time to reflect on those moments...treasure them...allow them to penetrate deep into my heart. I would love for you to join me on this journey. Share your "treasure moments". Just yesterday, Garyn woke up extra early from nap. What normally would have been an inconvenience to this very busy agenda minded Mom, suddenly became a "treasure moment". We rocked, we cuddled, we laughed...(I mean really laughed hard) One of those down to the pit of your stomach laughs. I realized, the giggle of a soon to be 3 year old is so contagious! I don't want to miss these moments...that special note left beside my coffee pot each morning from my pre-teen daughter...that very quick hug and kiss as my teenage boy rushes off to school. Those irreplaceable "treasure moments". What are those moments to you?

Perspective is Everything

One of my biggest struggles is with me. I never realized the impact my thoughts have on me until I read chapter 2 of Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst. 2 Corinthians 10:5 gives much hope to those of us who struggle with "destructive" rather than "constructive" thought patterns. "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Knowing Christ gives us the power to "take captive" destructive thoughts and "demolish" them is a life-changing truth. How many of us spend day after day demolishing ourselves...beating ourselves up over wrong choices or regrets? I love Lysa's quote, "I can wallow in what's wrong and make things worse, or I can ask God for a better perspective to help me see good even when I don't feel good." I had no clue how soon I would need to put this encouragement to work in my life. Yesterday was one of those "destructive thought days"...self-esteem struggles...regrets...stress...(2 batches of burned cookies)...you get the picture. I found myself thinking things like. "You can't do ANYTHING right!, You can't get it together!" "What is wrong with you? At one time you managed bank accounts for a living and now you can't take care of a 3 year old?"...After crying over my burned cookies and batch of raw cookie dough (which by the way couldn't even be completed for lack of 1 egg), I remembered what I just read moments before. I stood in my little kitchen, and called out to a God who could change my destructive thoughts to constructive. I wish I could say, lightning flashed and a gorgeous batch of cookies Betty Crocker would drool over appeared, but that wasn't the case. I had to swallow my pride, phone a friend and ask her to pick up store bought cookies, and be still for a while. Through the day, God sent many unexpected calls, messages, and one sweet friend to deliver a King Size pack of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. God ministered to me, changing my thought patterns right where I was and blessed me beyond words. I never want to forget this day or the lessons I learned through my burned cookies. Yes, proof..."perspective is the key to not coming unglued".

Blooming Where Planted

A few years ago, I discovered the quote..."Bloom where you are planted". I really didn't realize the impact this quote would make on my life. I thought of it again last night after discovering one of my flower pots overturned under the carport. I'm still searching for the culprit ( I'm thinking it could have something to do with a two year old, very curious little guy I know). Just last week, I carefully planted flower seeds in that pot, watered them, and set my freshly planted pot out to soak in the sun. I have to admit, I was a bit broken hearted as I scooped up the dirt and discovered tiny plants that were just beginning to bud. As I carefully placed the soil and very small plants back into the pot, God whispered  to my heart. Sometimes, we find our lives overturned because of not so great choices or circumstances beyond our control. During those times, we have two options. We can either surrender to the hands of an almighty God (and master gardener) allowing Him to replant us, care for us, and nurture us back to health. Or, we can choose to remain in our overturned state and eventually wilt from lack of nourishment and care. Despite my very limited gardening skills, I do believe the little plants are going to survive this. When I checked this morning, they seem to be doing very well. I'm so thankful we have a God who specializes in taking overturned lives and making them bloom beautifully again. Sweet sister, give Him your mess, stay in the nourishment of His Word, and spend time soaking up His mercy, grace and love. Stand tall (just like my tiny green sprouts) with courage and faith in the One who makes all of us bloom beautifully where we are planted.

And Jesus Sat Down

Today's reading contains the great "Sermon on the Mount". Here, Jesus ministered to a multitude of people in need. We find in the final verses of Matthew chapter 4 just who made up this massive audience. We might be surprised to find it was not made up of people of great stature or the wealthiest dignitaries of His day. It was not made up of the religious leaders or people of public importance. No, this crowd was very special. Matthew 4:24 describes the crowd listening to Jesus bring this great sermon. This crowd included those who were sick of all kinds of diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed. Doesn't quite sound like the most note-worthy crowd to be speaking to. Yet, this is the crowd God chose to hear one of the most powerful sermons to ever be presented. This morning, I noticed something very special about the way in which Jesus presented His message. Matthew 5:1 says, "Now when He saw the crowds, he went up on the mountainside and sat down." Jesus delivered the greatest message of all time sitting down. I wander.. did he chose this method of presentation in order to be "approachable" to his listening audience? Did he choose to humble himself to their level in order to make eye contact and not seem to be speaking down to them? Jesus could have delivered His message with extreme authority and power. Yet, He chose to sit with them...speak to them...and be with them. No wonder the crowds were drawn to this amazing teacher...the precious son of God. Who has God placed at your feet to minister to today? Will you choose to follow after Christ's example of being humble and approachable to "even the least of them"?

Guard Your Heart

Reading for Today:      Hebrews 3:1-4:13          Genesis 48          Psalm 38

"See to it, brothers (sisters), that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." Hebrews 3:12

Everywhere I look this time of year, I see hearts. From heart-shaped boxes of candies to heart-shaped diamond necklaces...hearts are everywhere. Don't get me wrong, I love this time of year. February is my favorite month (might have something to do with being the month I was born). I love everything about this month, especially the chocolates! In todays reading, we are reminded of a much more serious side to the heart. Our hearts represent who we are, what we place our trust/values in, and a very frightening reality that our hearts can lead us astray. We find in Hebrews the rememberance of what happened to the Children of Israel who allowed their unbelieving hearts to cause them to turn away from the Living God. Oh how quickly our heart can fool us. We are emotional thinkers. Following our hearts can be extremely dangerous. We must always compare the feelings of our hearts with the truth of God's Word. This month, every time we see a heart shape, let it remind us to do a heart check. Proverbs 4:23 says it best, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

He Knows How We Feel

Reading for Today:      Hebrews 2       Genesis 46:28-47:31          Psalm 37

Hebrews 2: 18, "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."

When it seems no one else can possibly understand, we have one who does. Christ is always with us, defending us, loving us, and ministering to us. He doesn't just "say" He understands our hurts or temptations. He does understand. He walked this earth, lived in the normal days of everday life. He suffered rejection, fear, physical pain, extreme weariness, and the piercing of ridicule. He chose, not just to do the job of redemption half-way, but all the way. His death redeemed us through this ultimate sacrifice, and His life on earth equipped Him to relate to us in every area of struggle. Do you feel alone? Does it seem no one understands what you're going through? Jesus knows how you feel. Pour your every hurt out to one who not only understands, but has the power to change your struggles into victories.

Angels Among Us

Reading for Today:    Luke 24:1-12          Genesis 43           Psalm 34

Psalms 34:7, "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them."

When Lillian was a new-born baby, I found myself gripped with the fear something would happen to her during the night. I read all the books on how to position her to sleep safely. I removed all blankets, pillows and stuffed animals from her crib. I turned the baby monitors on full blast, and still I couldn't sleep. One night, as I rocked her before bed, I prayed a prayer asking God to place angels around her crib and keep her safe through the night. I remembered this verse in Psalms, and for the first night in a long time, I slept like a baby too. It gave me peace knowing angels were encamped around her watching over her while she slept. That prayer became an every-night prayer. To this day, she wants me to pray it over her before bed. Even Trice, in all his toughness, will not go to bed without this same little prayer. We've prayed it many times when John was out of town and we were afraid. Sometimes, we face scary nights in life. We need to be reassured we have someone watching over us, loving us, and delivering us. The next time your heart is gripped with fear, remember this special promise... the angel of the Lord is encamped around you and your loved ones.