After launching our canoes down the Elkhorn Creek we didn’t make it 20 feet before we were cruising down the creek BACKWARDS.  I had pictured us leisurely drifting down the winding creek and was not expecting a “challenge to the marriage” type of experience.

It was my understanding the person in the back was responsible for steering the canoe.  Of course my husband, (the one in the back) was expressing a few words about how I needed to help out from the front.  We maneuvered our canoe back in the frontward position and what started out as a frustrating moment turned into a delightful morning.  It was a true picture of our marriage over the past 26 years.  Sometimes we’ve gotten turned around and it felt like we were drifting down the creek backwards.  Jumping out of the canoe has never been an option for either of us.  Tonight, out of the blue my husband said, “You are my lady; 100%; Lifelong!”  He is a committed sternman and I am his committed bowman.

As he has steered our marriage over the years, my paddle was not meant to be responsible for the main steering.  There have been times when he could not see the imminent obstacle ahead and I’ve had the responsibility & privilege of using my paddle of influence; adding my wisdom and insight, and complementing his already existing leadership from the back of the canoe.

This has taken incredible discipline on my part since I’m convinced there have been times I may have been able to lead better in particular situations.  Yet I chose to submit to his leadership even if it meant floating down the creek backwards for a period of time.  I admit I have misused my paddle.  I may have intentionally knocked him in the head or the back side or splashed unnecessary water his way. In the end, his leadership has proven best.

If your marriage is floating down the creek backwards, DON’T JUMP!  Perhaps you need to pull your paddle out of the creek and allow your husband to steer the canoe.  Or perhaps your paddle is needed to assist in maneuvering the vessel into the corrected position.  Maybe that means you saying “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you” or “You lead and I’ll follow.”  There can only be one sternman in the canoe!

How are your paddling skills?

Copyright©2015, Gloria Stucky

Photo:  “Boat Silhouette” by Gualberto107/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A homeless man and his 6 children showed up at my door.  Rather than knocking they allowed themselves into my house and proceeded to the kitchen.  In shock, I followed behind them where the man pulled a drink out of the refrigerator. Since I did not recognize the drink container I suddenly realized – they had been here before!  This was not the first time they had allowed themselves into my home.

While we awkwardly discussed their story at length his children were incredibly well behaved.  They sat with great expectation to my response to their need for shelter.  He was working hard to save enough money to afford housing for his family.  In the meantime, he was depending upon the kindness of others.

My heart was heavy with desire and I desperately wanted to help!  I knew I did not have the beds or bath to host such a large family without causing great sacrifice to my own family.  My head was swimming with ideas of how to respond.  How could I make a difference?

I noticed the door that leads into the attic was open.  We keep the door locked at all times.  We hardly use the attic other than storage.  Why was the door open?  Curiously, I walked up the stairs to investigate.  To my utter shock there were six beautifully made beds.  They looked like something out of a magazine.  How did those beds get into my attic? Who made them look so beautiful?  The Lord had sent another to come and help me help others!

I woke from my dream confused!  For a long time I contemplated the details of the dream of the homeless family and how closely it related to my own life.

My heart desperately longs to help others through my speaking ministry.  I dream of opportunities to present God’s word.  I study and diligently work on goals and spiritual disciplines.  Yet, the door appears locked and I am limited to what I can accomplish on my own.  That very week I had approached an organization to request consideration as a speaker for their weekly devotional.  I was discouraged because it appeared as though I may not meet all qualifications.  Sometimes the door is locked and we must rely on the help of the Lord to send others.

That morning I prayed and asked the Lord to specifically send another to open an attic door of opportunity.  I was bold in asking specifically that He would move on my behalf that very week!

Today, I received a speaking invitation!  When I read the invitation I began to sob.  Immediately, the Lord reminded me of my previous prayer.  He did not just send anyone – He sent a very dear friend whom I greatly respect and admire.  As an early believer I sat under her teaching for years.  I once asked the Lord to give me the heart she had for His word and the ability to present it with such passion and sincere desire.  The invitation was incredibly humbling!  My God cares about the desire of my heart to help others!

He cares about the desires of your heart too!  Do you have a dream or desire?  I hope you dream big dreams; dreams that are greater than you can accomplish on your own.  Go after those dreams!  We must do everything we you can to accomplish our dreams and be sure to have faith that the Lord will send others to help open the attic doors!

What is your dream?

Copyright©2014, Gloria Stucky

Photo by “Family” by Graur Codrin/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Our church had encouraged us to participate in SERVE LEXINGTON, a project challenging our members to get into the community and serve others. It sounded like such a great idea when Steve & I signed up with Habitat for Humanity®.

But now here it was Friday night and we were exhausted.  Neither of us was excited about our commitment for the following day.  “Do we have to go?”  We seriously thought about abandoning our commitment.  Realizing it was not an option, we tried to encourage one another:  “We’ll be so glad we did.”  We went to bed dreading the following day.  We were so tired and had so much to do of our own.  How could we commit an entire day to serve another?

We showed up Saturday morning and the team so happily greeted us with smiles.  We were given our instructions and directed to the small house on the corner where we would spend our day serving another.  We worked hard!  We laughed, we made new friends and we were incredibly blessed by the stories of the other workers.

A curious woman who had been driving by stopped and offered plenty of conversation but didn’t offer to help.  She said, “I wish I had time to volunteer.”  I thought to myself, “We’ve all put in a full week and have plenty of our own work to do but we have CHOSEN TO SERVE.” One of the other volunteers was bold in his reply, “You have time.  You’ve had time to have three strokes in the amount of time you’ve been here talking.”

We were there serving because we chose to be there serving.  We were there serving because Christ calls us to serve others!

 ¹⁶ By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. ¹⁷ But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?   1 John 3:16-17 (NKJV)

We left the project exhausted and yet exhilarated by the experience.  As we walked to the car to leave I glanced back at the homeowner.  She was smiling ear-to-ear admiring the results of the day’s work.  I knew we had made the right choice.  We have the awesome privilege to serve others!

Copyright©2014, Gloria Stucky

Photo by Mitch Lawrence

The load is heavy and we cannot bear it on our own!

As I grow more aware of the need for Christ’s power in my life, developing a deeper prayer life has become a priority.  I started my day at 5 am in an extended time of prayer.

Then read about a father who brought his boy who was possessed by a spirit to the disciples to drive out the spirit.  The disciples were unsuccessful so Jesus rebuked the impure spirit and commanded it to come out of the boy and never enter him again.

Jesus had previously given the disciples the authority to cast out demons.  They were attempting to accomplish one of the very things He had sent them to do yet they were unsuccessful.

They asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” (Mark 9:28b).  He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:29)

Is it possible the disciples, who had experienced previous success, had approached the task in their own strength rather than prayerfully drawing on divine power?

The Lord has called each of us as believers to specific tasks.   May we not attempt to function in our own power or rely on previous success.

Let’s prayerfully depend upon the One who grants the strength and power to succeed!

What is your task at hand and are you relying on the power of prayer?

Copyright©2014, Gloria Stucky

 “To Do File Shows Organizing And Planning Tasks” by Stuart Miles

We’ve walked down a few rocky roads to get here and after 27 years of marriage, here are a few things I find incredibly attractive in MY man and one that makes him IRRESISTIBLE!

• He can bring home the bacon AND fry it up in the pan.  As I’ve increased my working hours Steve has become incredibly helpful in cooking meals which frees me up to be his helpmate in other areas.  Men, don’t be afraid to make your way in the kitchen.  Ladies, get out of his way in the kitchen and let him do his thing even if it’s different than your thing!

• He works hard to support our family and keeps it positive.  He rarely complains and yet patiently listens to me communicate every detail of my day.

• He is an unselfish lover.  That’s all I need to say about that.  Husbands, be unselfish lovers.  Wives, give your man the opportunity to be an unselfish lover.  It’s a gift from the Lord and healthy for our marriages.

• He verbally expresses his love for me and tells me I am beautiful on a regular basis.  He says it with such sincerity that I believe his sincerity. Men, sincerely tell your wife how much you admire her beauty.  Ladies, accept & acknowledge his words as truth.

• And here is something I find IRRESISTIBLE about MY man.  Are you ready for this?  He prays for me!  A few weeks ago I felt overwhelmed with the responsibilities of my day.  My stress had reached an unhealthy level.  Sensing my heaviness he acted and what happened next made him irresistible!  He wrapped his big strong arms around me and began to pray over me and my day.  As the words flowed from his mouth I admired him all the more for his leadership!

Men, pray over your wife!  There is little more appealing to us than to have our husband lead with prayer!

Ladies, what do you find attractive about your man?

 Copyright©2014, Gloria Stucky

“Couple Sitting Face To Face” by Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

After my husband and I attend an event, when we leave the building he will often tell me “You were the prettiest woman there.”  He is constantly praising me and has long convinced me of his sincerity in believing I am a beautiful woman (both inside and out).

This week as I dressed for work, he sat on the edge of the bed talking.  He said, “Baby, you look incredible in that dress.”  I continued with my task and did not give any recognition of his words.  So as I slipped on my sweater, he said: “That sweater makes you look fat.”

I immediately turned with a look of shock!  He definitely got my attention.  He smiled and brought to my attention how often his praise falls on deaf ears.  He was testing me to see if I would notice a negative comment.

It served as a great reminder to me that I need to recognize his praise and appreciate his attempts at lifting me up as his wife.

Why is it so easy to overlook praise and appreciation and yet negativity goes right to the heart?

Just in case, I went ahead and changed my sweater!

Suprised Young Woman by David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Copyright©2014, Gloria Stucky

I’ve been running for several years now and to be honest I’ve been perfectly content to go out for a run and just be satisfied that I accomplished the task and often give little regard to my actual performance.

My very generous & thoughtful sister gave me a Baby-G (a device worn on the wrist to measure distance and speed). I find that the days I wear this device my performance significantly increases. I become more aware of my pace and the distance I run. I feel more accomplished (or disappointed) at the end of the run because I am able to measure my performance.

The same runs true in the issues of life. If there is no source for measurement we may be content to go about the business of our day, finishing the task at hand with no regard to our performance. However, if we measure our progress as we go we tend to strive for a better performance and we tend to be more productive.

Do you have a resource for measuring your daily walk? I sure do! The Bible is my most valued tool. I can compare my daily activities to what the Bible teaches.

For example: I can measure my love for others based on the description of love found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails…

When I find myself tempted to be impatient or rude to my spouse, sibling, friend, or co-worker I can say to myself: “I choose to respond with patience because love is patient and love is not rude.”

What is your source for measurement?

“Woman Hand Measure By A Cartridge Meter Isolated On White Backgr” by num_skyman/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Copyright©2014, Gloria Stucky

Spring cleaning has hit hard at the Stucky house.  We cleaned out the basement last week and this week we conquered the attic.  I see window cleaning in our near future.  In our cleaning frenzy I found a beautiful pot that has a crack in the bottom.  I thought about tossing it in the trash but it’s such an attractive piece.  Does the crack make it worthless? 

I can relate since I certainly have a few cracks of my own.  Do those cracks disqualify me or discredit the less flawed areas of my life?

Paul specifically prayed for the Christians in Philippi to be “sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.”  (Philippians 1:10) The word sincere means genuine.  One commentator suggests “sincere” may have originally meant “tested by sunlight.”  In the ancient world, pottery makers would fill cracks in flawed pottery with wax then glaze and paint the entire vessel making it difficult to judge the quality of the piece.  Upon purchase, to avoid being defrauded, the only way to know if the pot was inferior was to hold it up to the sunlight.

I recently had a “sunlight” exposure and sure enough my cracks were revealed. 

We can all strive to cover our cracks and make a pretty outward appearance, but once exposed to the sunlight they become obvious. 

When the sunlight exposes our sin – instead of covering it with outward appearances – we can go to the heart of the matter.   There is a Potter and He is in the business of fixing cracked pots.

⁸ Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)

Rather than striving to hide our flaws, let us expose them to the sunlight and submit to the hand of the Potter!

“Making Pottery” by Photokanok/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Copyright©2014, Gloria Stucky

There was a knock on my front door.  I answered to find a very classy woman 15 years my senior.  She was beautiful, very well dressed, awkward and obviously flustered.  She was struggling with her words, unsure how to say what she needed to say.  She looked at me then glanced at my two children standing beside me and I quickly realized what would follow would not be pleasant.  I directed the children off to a task and invited her to sit on my porch.  I closed the front door behind me to allow privacy as she asked me if I were having an affair with her husband! 

She had found my business card in his wallet and tracked me down suspecting me as the adulterous woman.  I didn’t know how he possessed my card and I didn’t recognize him by name but since we were in the process of filling a rental property I suspected he had come to our open house.

She explained how a community leader – someone close to her family – had an affair with a mutual friend and their sin had not only destroyed two families but rocked the entire community.  She now questioned her own husband.

I had not even dressed for the day, combed my hair or put on makeup and here she was intimidating me with her beauty and class.  I quickly assured her how blessed I was in my own marriage and had no need or desire for another.  I explained how mine and my husband’s commitments went deeper than our own relationship because we were committed to the Lord. 

As we continued to sit on the porch, I comforted her with scripture, we prayed together and I became thankful that she had come.  Had she gone elsewhere they may not have pointed her to Christ, the great comforter.  We embraced and said our goodbyes and I continued to pray for her throughout the week – grieved over the consequences of sin of those I had never even met.

We may think our sin is private and no one will know or be affected but the Bible says “you may be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

” For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”  Luke 8:17 (NIV)

We never know when an opportunity will knock to share our faith and comfort someone, even if that person may feel hostile towards us at first.  So we need to have our eyes open to opportunities, even when we aren’t seeking them out.  You never know who will knock on your door!

“Woman Covering Her Mouth With Both Hands” by photostock/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Copyright©2014, Gloria Stucky