Is your best ahead of you or behind you? A decorative sign in the store that read, “The Best is Yet to Come!” left me feeling sad. I looked at the young lady shopping next to me and I thought, “The best is yet to come for her, but my best has passed.” I continued shopping with a heavy heart. On the drive home, I began to think about how different I thought my life would be. How about you? Do you believe your best days are before or behind? Are you relying on youth, finances, good health, physical strength, a strong mind, abilities, or relationships to qualify your “best”?
What are your greatest responsibilities? Do you have others relying upon your leadership or service? Since I find my life quite full these days, I am more committed to praying larger, more specific prayers. I am consistently asking God for wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. (1 Kings 4:29) And I expectantly anticipate His answer!
Have you ever been disappointed? I recorded the following journal entry in January in response to a challenge offered by our church. We were to select a word to represent the new year. That sounds easy enough, but I wrote:
“All I can think of is the word disappointment because I feel very let down by the year and not very hopeful for the following year to be much better!”
You all, is that not so very sad? When I read this entry, my heart ached for the girl who penned the words 6 months prior. I longed to travel back in time and give myself a hug and say, “It will to be okay! You’re not going to believe what all happens this year.”
My husband and I sometimes spoke pig Latin when we didn’t want our young children to understand what we were saying. For instance, “After we put the kids to bed let’s eatyay iceyay emecray.” [eat ice cream].
I have always admired Jesus’ gifted communication. Communicating with parables allowed some to clearly understand what He was saying, all the while intending that others would not have a clue. In Matthew 13 the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” (verses 10b – 11)
According to Blue Letter Bible, the word parables means “a placing of one thing by the side of another.” Jesus used parables to place something unfamiliar beside something familiar to explain spiritual truths. I love parables because I’m a visual person. I can barely order off a restaurant menu unless it has pictures. Read more
We rented a pontoon for our family gathering. When the anchor was thrown overboard, we realized the anchor was not actually attached to the long rope. The anchor went flying into the deep waters never to be seen again. I’m feeling weary by my sinful heart these days and there is an ongoing need for repentance. Thankfully, God’s promises are not anchored in my righteousness, they are attached to the One who placed them in my heart! God’s promises are anchored in God!
Here are a few points that have greatly encouraged me about David’s story lately!
Four months of preparations and I could hardly wait for the first session of my bible study to begin. I couldn’t sleep for excitement. I slipped out of bed in the early hours of the morning pleading with God to allow His spirit to work through me in writing homework sessions and crafting messages that would inspire and encourage.
After the first session, I could not believe how quickly my heart connected with the moms. I felt vulnerable at the heightened level of transparency God required of me in sharing my own story. The teary-eyed responses served as painful reminders of the hardships and sacrifices that so often accompany motherhood. The technology required for moms to join in via live video from five states only heightened my nerves.
Six weeks into the project as the study was nearing the end, I was beginning to feel exhausted. I told my husband, “After this class, I’m going to take the rest of the year off from ministry!” Honestly, I think even my husband needed a break. Such level of commitment comes with sacrifices made by our loved ones.
Have you ever felt like giving up due to exhaustion? Maybe you are there now! God even rested from all His work!
And then I read Paul’s words…
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
2 Corinthians 11: 23b – 27
Suddenly, my efforts felt so small in comparison to Paul. Instead of giving up, I enjoyed a much-needed break to refresh and regenerate.
And now I’m asking God, “What next?” God breathed a deeper desire into my heart to serve Him more.
When Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s she had no physical evidence to bring her faith to sight, but God used Elizabeth’s words to confirm what He had already spoken to Mary through the angel. We get a beautiful glimpse of Mary’s heart when she appropriately breaks out in song where her words reflect 12 different Old Testament passages!
A slight struggle broke out in the middle of the store between me and the 20-lb. frozen turkey I was trying to place into my grocery cart. It made me laugh out loud then I couldn’t wipe the ear to ear smile off my face. The thought of the aroma of that turkey, and the laughter of family soon to fill my home, made me feel incredibly happy. Me and that turkey had a moment right there in the store. Every person passing by smiled at me as if my smile had become as contagious as a yawn. Thanksgiving was coming and so was my family – so I thought.
As we drove home from Nashville, I looked up and commented on the beautiful trees. My husband smiled, “Yeah, I’ve been noticing them.” But here’s what he didn’t say, “We are half way home, those trees have been all along the drive and you are just now noticing!”
The previous day was cold and rainy so we took the grandkids to the mall. Me, Steve and the three grands headed to the play area while our daughter and son-in-law gladly went off on their own.
On the way, I made a quick stop into a kid’s clothing store. A young lady greeted me. I said hello and smiled and continued with my task. A few moments later I saw my daughter! It startled me, “Oh, Hi! What are you doing here!” She smiled at me and said, “Mom, you just saw me at the front door. You spoke to me and you smiled at me.”
It was still dark when my 5 am alarm went off and I immediately hit snooze. I repeated the pattern several times.
Once I finally slide out of bed, I quickly fell into my morning routine – sitting with a hot cup of coffee in my favorite chair with my Bible. You can imagine the conviction that poured over me when I read the following:
As we drove home from Nashville, I looked up and commented on the beautiful trees. My husband smiled, “Yeah, I’ve been noticing them.” But here’s what he didn’t say, “We are half way home, those trees have been all along the drive and you are just now noticing!”