SOME GREAT GIFTS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

The LORD has done great things for us and we are filled with joy!

Psalms 126:3 

When we began to decorate our Christmas tree with stars, I picked them up at Hobby Lobby, Michaels and craft shows. Friends began to give them to me and we would look for them whenever we traveled. Most of the earlier ones that were 6 for a dollar have been replaced with ones that have sentimental value!

A couple of years ago David and I took a trip to Alaska. It had been on his bucket list for some time. As we went from place to place we kept looking for a star ornament. Since the North Star was part of the Alaskan flag, we thought it would be a cinch to find. We couldn’t find one anywhere. On one of our last days, I found one in a shop. They were in a basket by the register and were small. Just a little bigger than a quarter. I showed it to David and we put it with a couple
wooden butter knives and went to pay out. The knives were $3 each. When she rang them up, the total was almost $100.00! Thinking surely there was a mistake, I questioned the native sales lady. She explained my tiny star was from the antler of a reindeer and was $70.00! David knew I was ready to take it off my tab and quickly intervened.

Our Alaskan cruise was such a gift for my husband. Almost every picture I took was of him looking at the natural wonders there. I would catch him on our room’s balcony weeping over the beauty all around him. Every Christmas as we put my expensive little star on our tree, I get to celebrate this man who is always a gift to me.  ( When we take the tree down the star is put up separately. I don’t want my kids getting rid of it, when we are gone! )

What are you celebrating this year? 2020 has been full of disappointments and if we are not careful we will miss some celebrations God provided for us. Put the good dishes on the table, light some candles and throw some confetti, Have a party to remember the great things in your life. 

 

IF YOU CAN’T GET OUT OF IT, LEAN INTO IT

“Not that I have already obtained all of this, or have 

already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which 

Christ Jesus took hold of me.    Phil. 3:12

I use my phone to make grocery lists, to take notes from sermons and to write down ideas that grab my attention.  Back in Augusts of 2017, I wrote the words, “if you can’t get out of it, lean into it.”  I don’t remember where or why or even who uttered those words, but today I find they speak to me. 

Since February, I have made plans for the worst-case scenario.  Just in case the virus became widespread, I stocked up on Vitamin C and extra food.  I never considered we would be separated at least six feet from our little worlds.  It never entered my mind that I would not be able to see my children and grandchildren whenever I took a notion.  This morning, as I lay in my safe, comfortable bed, I told the Lord, “I’ve lost patience with this virus!”  (In my spirit, I might have heard, that He was losing patience with me!)


As I took my coffee and Bible to the table and began to pray, I wondered what God’s plan was for me in 2020.    I wondered what His plan was during coronavirus.   I wondered if God was finished with me. The Scriptures above spoke to me this morning.  God took hold of me when I was a young girl and placed a calling on my life, but I’m not currently doing a good job with that calling.  


The fact is, we are all stuck where we are until this virus runs its course.  Lives are being changed and challenged daily, but there is no getting out of it.  It’s time we “leaned into it” and looked for the places God wants to use us in this time.   


What is it that Christ took hold of you to do?  How are you using the gifts he bestowed on you?  Churches and Schools have moved online.  Singers are singing online.  People are standing outside doors and windows encouraging others.  Neighbors are praying and applauding those who work in healthcare.  Ask Him how He wants you to minister during these trying times. Then let’s all get busy!

P.S  If I can pray for you, please let me know.  I've got nothing but time!

A FEW FUNNY THOUGHTS

  

Yesterday I posted an entry that was spiritual and a little serious about this pandemic.  Here are a few things that I think on that are not so serious.  

1. Everyone is locked at home and there is really nothing on the television worth watching.  We don’t want to stay on the news channels, or we would lose all hope.  I wonder if others are watching as much of HGTV as we are.  David walked in the other day to see me measuring a wall to tear down.  He said NO.  He is so rude, I mean what does “load bearing” mean anyway.  

2.    A note for future pandemics, the “bob” haircut is not aging well in the days of no hair appointments.   I currently look homeless and David is watching YouTube videos to see if he can help me out. 

3.  I have washed my hands so much they have aged decades beyond my years (and trust me there are not that many decades to age beyond my years.)


4.   I’m trying to sleep more so that I will not be awake so many hours that can lead to more eating.  This practice has led to possible bed sores!

5.    I downloaded a guide to declutter your house in 30 days.  We fell apart on day 1.  

6.  Because of our lack of success in #5, we are so grateful, we are not needing to homeschool anyone. 

7.  Desperate times call for desperate measures, I have started a sourdough starter.  You have to remember to "feed" it every day.  Because of #5, I'm a little concerned it might starve.  My Pioneer friend, Connie, is going to be so proud of me!

8.  We have a little Yorkie, Sassy, that we have spoiled so much.  We are now discussing what will happen to her little rotten self if something happens to us.  She is very needy, but super cute.  If we get sick, I will be taking applications.

You guys take care.  You are greatly loved and fervently prayed for. 

  

FAITH IN THE FIRE Daniel 3

Along about the second week in March, time changed for David and me.  We have spent the most part of the past almost 4 decades telling our boys what they should be doing.  In March, they turned the tables and told us we were grounded and were confined to our home until further notice.  This is also the time the media began calling people over 60 “elderly”!  While it has been a bit challenging, we are healthy, happy and have a pantry full of food.  We have been spared from most of the trials so many are going through.  Each night, I lay awake praying for those who are suffering through this awful pandemic.  I don’t know what the future holds for any of us, but I do know God has us in His hands right now.


I have always loved the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  As you read Daniel 3, you will find the young Hebrew men refusing to bow down to the idol made by King Nebuchadnezzar.  He was getting ready to throw them into a fiery furnace that had been heated up 7 times hotter than normal.  The brave young men faced the angry King and then said “Our God CAN deliver us, but even if He DOES NOT,  He is still good.”  The men were thrown into the fiery furnace. When the King looked in, instead of them being consumed by the fire,  he saw a 4^th man in the fire!


I heard a sermon several weeks ago on these Scriptures.  The Pastor said, “We know from Scripture that the King and his soldiers saw the 4^th man in the fire, but we are not told that the 3 Hebrew men saw who was in the fire with them.” 

What we are told is that the 3 men came out of the fire, not scorched, not burned and they didn’t even smell like smoke!  We also know that the King then recognized the power of the God they served.  Honestly, how is that possible?   I can’t go to a restaurant where they are cooking fajitas without having to wash my hair and clothes to get the smell of smoke out!



My encouragement to you is to keep your faith in this current fire.  Even if we don’t happen to see Jesus with us, others will.  Trust the One who has been faithful in the past.  Trust the One who knit you together in your Mother's womb.  

Every time I walk down the hall to our bedroom, I'm reminded of this message.  I'm not sure what will happen to David and I, but I do know the God I have served since I was a litle girl will bring us through, whether here in this world or in eternity with Him.