You know the type!  Their life appears to be too good to be true and their relationships look perfect.  Sometimes I just need to know people are real:  they have struggles, have an occasional spat with their spouse and even question God from time to time, or just have a bad day.

As I was preparing to teach a class, I became overjoyed reflecting on God’s goodness in my life.  I just couldn’t help myself.  He is so incredible!  He doesn’t need me.  Yet, He allows me to serve Him and calls me to love on people.  He has even equipped me to do so.

Before I stood to teach, I prayed and asked God to help me contain my joy.  I wanted to “Serve the Lord with gladness!” (Psalm 100:2) but I feared I had turned into that obnoxious person who gets on people’s nerves because of my elevated state of gladness.

I can rejoice and be completely genuine in my service to Him knowing “God is not served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything.”  Acts 17:25

Are you serving the Lord with gladness?  I warn you, if you spend time reflecting on who He is and how He has & is working in your life you too may need to work to contain your joy!

Copyright©2017, Gloria Stucky

Photo by Seth Doyle/Unsplash

Heading out the front door for work I discovered my keys were missing.  I am insanely persistent to place them in their proper place since wasting time looking for items makes me crazy.  The moment invested in depositing an item in its proper place saves me the future headache of searching.

My keys had just arrived in the mail the day before.  My husband had taken them as a spare set on our out-of-state road trip and accidentally left them behind.  They were missing for a week which was incredibly inconvenient and now the very next day after their return they are missing AGAIN.  I felt frustrated, “Where did HE put my keys?”

Then something humbling happened!  I remembered I had gone outside 5 minutes earlier to start my car for warm up.  My missing keys were in the ignition right where I had left them!  Instant conviction flooded over me.  The Lord would no longer allow me to deny the bitterness I had allowed to take root in my heart.  I was embarrassed by my own ugly sinfulness.  I felt so indignant toward him yet I was the problem.

I was self-righteous as if I never make mistakes or disappoint.  I can assure you that is not the case.  This girl errors regularly.  I was holding him to a double standard.  I want to be forgiven but I didn’t want to forgive him of his perfectly normal mistake just because it had caused me such inconvenience.

My mind filled with Jesus’ words, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Mark 12:31.  I am called to love my husband as I would want him to love me.  I definitely want him to forgive me of my mistakes and not hold grudges or be bitter.  I’m so thankful for a Savior who loves me enough to correct me and call me out on my sinfulness!

Has someone made a mistake that has inconvenienced you?  Are you holding it against them or harboring bitterness?  Could you reflect on your own lack of perfection and consider forgiveness?

“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Luke 7:47 NKJV

Copyright©2017, Gloria Stucky

Photo by Katy Belcher/Unsplash

After the angel told the shepherds the good news of the Messiah they hurried off to take action!

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. Luke 2:15 – 18

Friends, we too must follow the example of the shepherds. We must hurry off to share the good news of the gospel of Christ!

Corrie, a 96-year-old family friend lives in North Carolina. For years she has resided in the same facility with a woman who would roll up next to her and not speak. Recently, the Lord impressed upon Corrie to tell her silent (not so friendly) friend about Jesus.

So she asked, “Do you know where you are going when you die?” Her silent friend responded, “Yes, my daughter is having me cremated.” Corrie said, “No, I mean do you know you are either going to live with Jesus in heaven, in a glorious place, or be in a terrible place called hell?” The 95-year-old woman looked at her and said, “No. No one has ever told me about that.”

I admit I was suspicious in believing that she was in her right mind and has lived 95 years in the United States without hearing about Jesus. Yet our sweet friend confirms she shared the gospel of Jesus with her and they prayed together as she accepted Christ as her personal savior.

Ask God to put on your heart a specific person(s) to spread the word of Jesus.  Now follow the example of the shepherds and hurry off to take action! No matter their age, they may have never been told the good news about Jesus.

Copyright©2016, Gloria

photo by Josh Felise from Unsplash.com

Although our society caters to instant gratification, some things just can’t be rushed.  Time feels like it stands still when awaiting the birth of a baby.  Mary and Joseph had been waiting for months and the wait finally came to an end.

“…the time came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”  (Luke 2:6b-7 ESV)

God chose the exact timetable when the religious, cultural and political conditions were in place to bring history to fulfillment in the long awaited Messiah – the birth of Jesus Christ.

Waiting for God’s timing in our own life can be a great challenge.  His timing continues to prove to be perfect even when our trust is not.  Whether you desire to hurry the arrival of a joyful event, rush past the pain of your current heartache, or receive the desire of your heart we can remain hopeful in spite of our wait!  The birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of what God said He would do.  Jesus is evidence that God always keeps His promises.

Take a moment to thank God for His perfect timing in your own life and remind yourself of Isaiah 40:31.

³¹ But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.   Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

 

Copyright©2016, Gloria

A Baby’s Feet” Image courtesy of shaniamsalem at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Are you deep into your Christmas planning or maybe you like the thrill and crowds of the last-minute shopping?  The first Christmas was not part of Mary’s plans.  She already had plans but her plans were interrupted by the announcement of the angel Gabriel.

“…Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…” (Luke 1: 28-32a)

But Mary already had plans!  She was pledged to be married to Joseph and this so called “favor” was not part of their plan.  God’s favor was about to mess up Mary & Joseph’s life.

Are you willing to allow God’s favor to mess up your plans?  For years, I’ve prayed for God’s favor on my own life and my family. We often think of favor as status or a blessing to our own lives but God’s favor does not set us up for status.  Favor is for service and always involves blessing other people.  This Christmas season, how can you specifically serve another with the favor God has placed on your life?  It may require you lay down your own plans to serve others!

Copyright©2016, Gloria Stucky

“Jesus Manger Shows Birth Of Christ And Christianity” by Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Another Monday morning approached and I was preparing to head out for work.  As I considered the week ahead, I was curious what problems awaited.

Then I received the following statement in an email:

“Do you ever wish you could have one day at work without problems?  I know everybody wishes that — but I’d like to explain why you should embrace those problems. Many of the challenges you encounter aren’t just a hindrance to your job, they are your job. And your ability to tackle them not only gives you more experience, but it qualifies your fitness for the position you hold.” Michael Hyatt

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He offered her the last lick of his ice cream cone but she didn’t want it!

Meet my parents, Arnold & Norma Brewer!  They are celebrating their 58^th Wedding Anniversary today.  We took them to dinner to celebrate and I later asked them the following questions!

What has been your favorite season of marriage? 

• Dad: “1958 through 2016.  Each day is a gift from God.  Enjoy it!”
• Mom:  “Each season is continually changing and new.”

I love that they did not reflect back on the “good old days” but choose to live engaged in the present season looking for ways to love today and make this their favorite season! What are you sowing into your marriage today to reep your favorite season tomorrow?

 

What advice would you give a young couple starting out?

• Dad:  “Be ye kind one to another.”  Eph. 4:32
• When I asked which of them has been more kind over the years, mom said “Dad.”

Someone has to lead the way in kindness.  Why not step up and be the one.

 

Any other advice you would offer?

• Dad said, “Tell them you love them every day.”
• Mom added, “He’s convinced me he loves me.  Christ in the relationship makes all the difference.  You don’t know how to love until you get the love of God in your heart.  The love of Christ makes you appreciate what love is all about.  God’s love is a sacrificial, self-denial love.”

Both of them live lives of love!  They love the Lord their God with their all. They love & live by His Word.  They love on His people!  If they know YOU they love you!

 

What individuals have influenced or encouraged you in your own marriage?

• They both answered: “Mom and dad loved one another.”
• Dad: “I never heard them argue.”

Parents, the way we love one another has an amazing impact on our children.  Let’s be committed to setting the example of loving well so they may follow the example to love well.  It’s a lesson that goes deep into 58 years of marriage!

 

Dad’s closing comment before we called it a night:  “I hope it lasts for 58 more!”

Copyright©2016, Gloria Stucky

We’ve had an incredibly blessed month at work!  With this blessing comes hard work, long hours, MANY opportunities to problem solve and manage projects.  My position also provides the responsibility to lead my team whom I love and am blessed by daily.

At one point this month (I’m embarrassed to admit) I said out loud, “I don’t want to do this anymore!”  I threw a 3-year-old sized tantrum in my heart.  The kind of tantrum when the mom pulls you out of the store screaming, leaving a cart full of goods behind, because you have completely melted down and lost all control.  I fought the urge to throw something across the room!

Sometimes when we lose perspective our blessings can begin to feel like a curse!  Have you experienced a blessing that felt like it exceeded your ability & strength to manage?

• A toddler asking more questions than you have answers
• Another ruined carpet thanks to that suddenly not so adorable pet
• A “discussion” with your spouse that didn’t go well
• A vehicle demanding maintenance – depleting your monthly budget
• A teenager pushing the boundaries – again
• Another activity added to your already full schedule

It was clearly time for a break!  I quickly gathered my things and headed out the door! I went for lunch at one of the favored ham stores in town.  They provide fantastic fresh salads smothered in protein.  I had neglected myself and I needed to take care of a basic need.  They are not known for their speed but I was in no hurry to head back so I waited patiently.  Upon checkout the man handed me the salad and said something that took me by surprise, “This was made with love.”  He was completely serious and not in the creepy-awkward way.  He had poured himself into his work with love.  He had perspective!

When our blessings (God’s benefits) begin to feel like a burden as they sometimes do, let’s take a break and “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits..”

¹ Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103: 1 – 6 (NIV)

Have you allowed a blessing in your life to become a burden?  Stop and take a moment to praise God for His benefits!  It’s amazing how a short break can help us reset our persepective.

Copyright©2016, Gloria Stucky