Seeking Lost

Our neighborhood lies adjacent to a retirement center, and I have been sensing the Lord leading me to stroll the girls over there seeking out ways to serve. So far, we have met Dorothy who was scheduled for cataract surgery the next day, and Ethel who says she's lived there for eleven years and rarely sees children. A friend who works as a physical therapist says that she has patients there who've told her she is the only person that ever comes to visit them. Yet, most likely, these older Americans will soon meet their Maker and face the judgement. They are sinners like the rest of us, in need of a Savior and His saving grace. Lord, send us to Your sheep in the forgotten places.

Pool Time

In the early years of my marriage one of my favorite summer pasttimes was parking myself poolside and working on my tan. Now twenty some odd years later, I have greater goals for my girls than piling up endless hours of pool time. There are other problems with the pool besides the pilfering of precious time, but if we are in a war (and we are are) with a cunning adversary (which he is), our time may be the most important loss in pool play. The Bible bids me to be busy doing good works. Jesus gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:14) Lord, help us to sense the urgency of the Gospel and to believe that the real joy lies in living it.

Clean Later

Holding two baby rattles in one hand, I quickly answered the door with the other. "Let's make this quick," I was thinking, as I smiled at a neighbor and sister in Christ on the other side of my mess. John had taken Jesse outside, and I was on a frantic mission to straighten up and bring order to our inside world. Though our friend had just come by to drop something off, she began to chat, and then she started to talk about spiritual things. My mind was flying from room to room as she shared some things from her heart. Though I did slow down enough to engage her in the conversation, it occured to me much later that I had never even thought to invite her in. Oh, Lord, help me to put people before projects.

His Timing

Only hours after reading a blog written by a missionary in Japan, I met a lady from Kobe, Japan! In all the years I've lived in this area (46), I can't recall ever having met anyone from Japan. My mind was freshly filled with all things Japanese, and an easy conversation began to flow between us. Though she has only been in the U.S. for five years, her English was very good, and we parted with promises to get together again. Throughout God's Word, I see His Hand working to have people right where He wants them right when He wants them to be there. "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

Be There

Two people talking. Are they listening? Two people talking, occasionally taking a call on their cell phone. Are they listening? Two people talking, occasionally taking a call on their cell phone, occasionally texting. Are they listening? Two people talking, occasionally taking a call on their cell phone, occasionally texting, occasionally tweeting. Are they listening? Listening requires great skill and patience. It is rarely done well even in a quiet room with no interruptions, yet it is something we all long for and desire. Being heard, being understood. Lord, help us to love each other with lavish listening.

Motivating Growth

By the end of summer, our lawn lacks luster. The long dry days, the multitude of moles, the frequent fights with fungus result in a less than appealing appearance. Nevertheless, as fall arrives my husband aerates, overseeds and fertilizes. He puts out mole traps and slug bait. He waters, transplants, and works! Not much happens...at first. Around December, he usually comments, "I think I'm going to give up on this lawn. It looks terrible, and I can't get rid of these moles!" But, then there's spring! Beauty, the fruit of his labor, blossoms at last. And, suddenly he is ready to get back to the business of making a masterpiece out of his mole hills. So often, in my efforts to share my faith with others, I don't see any fruit, and I am tempted to give up. Then the Lord will send the beauty of those first signs of growth in someone I've been praying for, and suddenly I'm ready to get back to the business of making His Name known among the nations! "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them they should always pray and not give up." (Luke 18:1)

Frequent Failures

Can I confess to you that I fail quite frequently at living like Jesus? I was watching my one-year-old daughter trying to walk and run in a new pair of shoes. She was falling repeatedly, yet each time she would quickly jump up and continue on with the same zeal that she had had before she fell. My own failures often lead me to discouragement and despair. Lord, when I fall help me to get up and get going for Your glory! "Do not gloat over me my enemy. Though I have fallen, I will rise; though I sit in darkness the Lord will be my light." (Micah 7:8)