Small town childhood

When Jesus was a child, he grew up in a small town.  Although we weren't told how he spent his time, we can assume that he played with friends, went to synagogue, and grew up with the boys and girls his age that lived near him, much as children have throughout time.  I wonder what those boys and girls thought as he grew to manhood and began the journey that led to the cross.  Did they remember their childhood fondly?  Did they think about the boy they knew, and wonder where the years went?  Did they wonder what became of him?  Did they think he was just another itinerant teacher, wandering from town to town without a place to call home?

Moving back to the small rural community where I grew up has been an interesting experience in many ways.  But one of the most fun parts is reconnecting with my first friends, the girls I grew up with and who knew me in good times and bad throughout the years when I was growing up (and seriously at my most obnoxious.)

It is amazing to see who these women have grown to be, how accomplished, how interesting, and especially, how generous of heart.  The love which surrounded us as we grew up has been imbued within them, and they now shower others with the same love we received.  It is amazing to come home and be on the receiving end of that love, after so much hardship and hurt.

Today I am so grateful for the childhood I had in a small town with some very special women.  It is in coming home and reclaiming my past that I have truly found my future, and I am glad to know that they have been a part of  redeeming the joy in my life.  I cannot think of a better group of women to share my childhood with, and I look forward to many more shared moments to come.

Reconciliation

Jesus came to earth with one main message - reconciliation with our God through him.  It is a message of love, of forgiveness, and of grace; to each other, and to ourselves.

It can be difficult to apologize, especially when the wrongs are great, and the hurt is deep.  It can be even harder to let go of the anger, the pain, and the resentment when we have been wronged.  But ultimately, the harm is greatest  to ourselves when we harbor a grudge, or refuse to accept our own wrongdoing.  Broken relationships, broken hearts, all deny us the fullness of life that God intended for us.

Jesus preached a message of love and forgiveness, and his life was an example of his teaching.  From the woman at the well to those who crucified him, he forgave and spoke about the power of God to change lives.  By following his example, whether extending grace to someone else or accepting grace from others, we allow ourselves an opportunity to rebuild what has been torn apart, or to build something anew which we never expected, and to find that peace within ourselves which he intended for us.

Today I am grateful for the example Jesus gave us of reconciliation.  It is God's plan for us to be in communion with him, and to replace dissension with the power of his love.  If we let go of the hardness in our hearts, no matter whether we are the wronged or the one in the wrong, we can move forward with the love of God filling our hearts instead.

Medical care

In the time of Jesus, the average lifespan was about half of the expected lifespan of today, and 50 was a grand old age.  It is hard to imagine how much more quickly life had to be lived in that time, and how much more you would have to pack into so many fewer years.  Medical care was very rudimentary; even the wealthy, with the best food, drink and care available, could die from the flu or other illnesses easily treated today.  Lazarus, the daughter of Jairus, and many others probably died from illnesses easily cured today.  It could not have left Jesus himself unaffected.

In the United States, we take for granted a world without polio, small pox, malaria or a host of other diseases.  Even AIDS, which was a death sentence just 20 years ago, is now manageable.  People today are suffering in increasing numbers from diseases such as dementia, various cancers, and heart disease, at least in part because we are living long enough to suffer from these conditions.  And we are living longer all the time because of the amazing advances in medical care, which provide higher quality of life along with advancing years.

I am grateful today to be living in a time when medical care is so advanced.  Without the learning and skill of surgeons and doctors, I would not be here to write this, and the world would look totally different for the people who love me.

Prince Charming (or Cinderella)

Most little girls read fairy tales and stories about Prince Charming and Cinderella, and they have their fantasy about who their own Prince will be.  Sometimes, when he finally arrives, it is a surprise, because he is not riding a white horse and carrying a lance, and there is no glass shoe or big moment.

In fact, in real life, Prince Charming is sometimes not so charming, and he may just slip up on you without your even realizing it.  (To be fair, I suspect Cinderella may not have been a bundle of joy every second of the day either.)  Occasionally, he arrives wearing a dirty old coat and jeans, or he is sitting on a sofa watching television.  Maybe he works hard, but he also burps at inopportune moments.  Perhaps he takes care of the car, but he doesn't always hold the door open when you have your hands full.  He is, in short, a real person, with good points and the odd flaw, and no one is perfect.

God knew people needed each other.  It is why he created a helpmate for Adam.  Men and women compliment and support each other, and God knew it would be good for them to be on a team working their way through life.

Today I am grateful to have found a Prince Charming of my own.  God knew exactly what I needed, and he has provided for me in a surprising way.  Even though we aren't perfect, God knew we were perfect for each other.  We are fortunate, indeed.

Grace

When my children were growing up, they made lots of mistakes, as all children do.  But my capacity to forgive them always exceeded the amount of wrongdoing by an infinite amount, not because they deserved it, but simply because they are my children, and I love them that much.  God is the same.  Whether we are a thief on the cross, minister, truck driver, office manager, felon, retired, teacher, stockbroker, executive, or terrorist, God has the capacity to forgive endlessly and immediately.

Jesus died on the cross for every single person, no matter what they have or haven't done in their life.  That is the power of grace.  Forgiveness, salvation and life everlasting with our God simply by accepting him into our hearts, even if we cannot understand the mystery of who God is.

Today I am grateful for a God who loves with such reckless abandon that he sent his perfect son to fight for my soul.  There is no greater gift than the power of the resurrection.  I am humbled in the shadow of all he has done for me.

Light

And God said, "Let there be light.  And it was good."

When winter days are dark and gloomy, the light is dim and the sky is overcast, it is a reminder of the dark world.  Jesus brought light into the world, and renewed our faith and hope.

Life is filled with light moments.  There are moments of big renewal, and moments of small victories.  This weekend, the most holy in the Christian church year, we celebrate renewal, as we await the glory of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning.

Today I am grateful for the Light of the World, who sacrificed everything so that I might be saved.

Indoor plumbing

In the time of Jesus, people had to go to the city well to draw their water for their daily needs.  They were dependent on the women of the household, primarily, for having fresh water available.

Today, we have fresh water throughout our houses and places of business at the bump of a tap.  Just how much we take it for granted is demonstrated by the consternation when there isn't a drinking fountain or restroom available for our use whenever we want one.

My first cup of coffee and my morning shower are two of life's great pleasures for me.  Although I can survive without either, together they enhance my life substantially, and make me a lot easier to get along with. I cannot imagine having to wait for my coffee until I returned from the town well.  My family will get a giggle from the thought of my having to interact with others before I am fully awake, but I am glad it isn't necessary for everyone's sake!

Today I am grateful for indoor plumbing.  It has made my life easier in ways I barely think about, but which I appreciate every day.

Living poor

Although the Jews in the time of Jesus were waiting for an earthly king to come and save them, he was born into the working class family of a poor carpenter and his wife.  It is difficult to imagine they had much in the way of extras, although I suppose they had the basic necessities.  Every society has its haves and have nots, and the world that Jesus lived in was no different in that way than the one we inhabit today.  Jesus learned to live life the hard way, in preparation for the ministry years to come.  And I think he learned about what life is like for the majority of the people he came to save for eternity.

It is easy to envy those with a lot of money.  Life looks a lot easier when you never have to worry about paying the mortgage or the electric bill, and no is what you say because you want to instead of have to because you can't afford something.  But having too much money comes with its own set of problems, and there is a reason that Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than the rich to get into heaven.  Money allows you the illusion that you have control, and creates the impression that you don't need any help with your life.

I have spent quite a lot of my life living on the edge.  I have had to balance which bills to pay, how to manage with too little money and too many obligations, and have had to learn how to say no.  It has forced me into prayer, to ask for help, to realize my dependence on a God who provides for every need, but not necessarily every want.  Although having more money would be nice, it is not a substitute for the understanding I have gained by my dependence on God's mercy, and my trust that somehow God will make it all work out.  And he has.  Every single time.

Today I am grateful for being poor.  It has given me an understanding of my dependence on God for all my needs, and keeps my eyes focused on him.  There is nothing more I truly need.

Peace

Jesus spent a lot of time in the company of others.  His family, his disciples, his friends and crowds of eager strangers followed him wherever he went.  At times, it got to be a bit much, and he had to escape from the constant attention.

The chaos of life can be overwhelming, and sometimes we need to take a break and get away.  At best, there is a constant temptation to overload ourselves with activities and people, leaving very little precious time for reflection and calm.  For too many years of my life, I searched for peace in the midst of dysfunctional chaos.  God allowed hardship to occur, which forced me to make the necessary changes which led to where I am now.

Today I am exceedingly grateful for the peace and calm that I have in my life.  Cutting out the toxic areas is painful and difficult, but the end result is a stillness in the heart that allows you to feel the love of God in a whole new way.

Aunts and Uncles

We are given very little information about the life of Jesus as a small child.  We know he lived in the home of a carpenter and his wife.  We know they had other children.  And we know that he knew his purpose in life from a very early age.  But we don't have a picture of him playing, we don't know how he celebrated Passover and other holidays, and we don't see how he interacted with friends and relatives.

But we know he had adult relatives, and we do have the briefest glimpse that they were trusted, because when they were traveling back from the temple and Jesus was not with his parents, the Bible tells us they thought he was with their relatives.  They only discovered later that he was not, and hurried back to find him.

Aunts and uncles are a gift to us in many ways.  They are trusted and in the best of cases, they love us and care about us like substitute parents.  They uplift us and bolster our spirits when times are difficult, and they share our joys in the best of times.

Today I am grateful to have been loved by so many wonderful aunts and uncles, and a couple of great aunts and uncles, too.  They are each special to me in their own way, and I cannot imagine my life without their love and influence.

Art

Since the days of the cave dwellers, humans have created works of art.  Sometimes realistic, sometimes stylistic, sometimes indescribable,  art defines generations, periods of time, and cultures.  Some of the most exquisite artwork was religious in theme, with heaven and hell, Madonna and child, and other Biblical themes portrayed in startling colors and displays.

Although artwork during the time of Jesus would most likely have consisted of sculpture, woodwork, or metalwork, we can assume that Jesus appreciated the beauty created by artists in his midst.  I have no doubt that when he saw something beautiful created at the hand of a talented artist, he felt the same things I feel when I gaze upon a beautiful piece of artwork.

The best art is timeless, evoking emotion across generations of viewers.  It challenges our preconceived ideas, and involves us at our most basic level.  It can inspire, it can trigger emotion, it can cause us to think.  The works of art to be found throughout Europe and Asia are breathtaking, and the cathedrals where so much artwork is contained are almost overwhelming in their awesome display of creative talent.

Today I am grateful for the beauty created by artists through the centuries.  The works they have created have given such great pleasure and awe.  When I contemplate their talented vision, I find a little bit of heaven on earth.  That is the true gift of art - an opportunity to see the hand of God at work.

Father

Although we know that Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus, and raised him in his home as his own son, we do not really know much about the carpenter or his life.  It was inevitable that Jesus would be formed and trained in the way that Joseph wanted him to go, because men were the head of the household, and the father was in charge of his family.  His role in the life of Jesus is cloudy and hard to discern, probably because Jesus remained focused on his father in heaven.  But we know he accepted his pregnant betrothed bride and agreed to raise her child as his own.  And Jesus was called the Carpenter in his own time, so he must have spent many hours learning his trade at the feet of his father.

Fathers have so much influence on their children, whether they are present or not.  Their place in our lives informs our view of men, of husbands and of fathers going into adulthood, and their presence or absence impacts our decisions and how we live.

Fathers aren't necessarily born to the job.  Most learn as they go, just like mothers.  Some come to it late, with the family already in progress.  But however they come to the job, fathers make a difference in the world of their children.

Today I am grateful for fathers.  They lead, they challenge, and the best of them inspire us to be better people as adults.  It is a high calling, and I am proud to be my father's daughter.

Shoes

There are many people in this world who have no shoes to wear.  They create footwear out of materials at hand - old tires, cardboard, whatever they can find to protect their feet as they walk through life.  Even in the coldest weather, my feet have been kept warm by the cozy boots I have on hand, and I have never truly suffered from a lack of foot coverings.

Jesus walked throughout his ministry, covering thousands of miles in the years he traveled around preaching.  His feet were often sore, I am sure, and his sandals would not have offered much protection from the rocks and stumbles and stubbed toes that naturally happen to uncovered toes.  Although he did not complain, I am certain that his feet suffered for his ministry.

Today I am grateful for shoes.  My feet have carried me all over the world, and the shoes I wear keep my feet safe and protected from weather, germs, and discomfort.  I cannot ask for a greater blessing than happy feet!

Sun

Here comes the sun!  One of the happiest songs of all time, extolling the virtues of renewal that comes with the emergence of the sun from the gloom.  During winter, we see very little of the sun.  Generally overcast and darker outside, when the sun comes out, it is like the earth is new again, opportunities suddenly exist, people come out of their homes, and everything just generally seems more upbeat.

Life is kind of like that, too.  When we are depressed or sad, things going wrong, we are unhappy, it is dark and gloomy in our hearts and minds.  Then something happy and positive happens, and the gloom lifts.  It is as if the sun has suddenly emerged from behind the clouds, and our whole outlook is brighter.

God knew that light was needed for the earth, and he created day and night.  He understood the need for restoration of body and soul, and gave us both for that purpose.

Today I am grateful for the sun, which warms the earth and renews nature, reminding me that there is always the possibility of restoration within, as well.  Each day is a new opportunity, and the sunshine reminds me of the possibilities each time it shines.

Bed

At the end of a long, hard day, there is nothing more comforting for me than to crawl into my cozy bed and start the process of winding down to rest for the night.  It is warm and safe and comfortable, and it provides a haven from the cares of the world that sometimes weigh me down.

Jesus was homeless during his ministry, without a place to call his own to lay his head at night.  He depended on the kindness of friends and relatives to provide for his physical refreshment, and I am sure there were often uncomfortable nights spent on floors or even in boats, as he struggled to get away from the crowds who followed him everywhere he went.

Today I am grateful for the bed in which I renew myself each night.  It is more than my Savior had, and I appreciate the blessing of comfort which it provides me each night.

Food for thought...

The Bible is filled with stories of the faithful who have fasted.  It is the deprivation of a basic need, and the absence of food is impossible to ignore.  It requires action, the body demanding fuel to keep going.  Humans cannot survive for long without it, and the drive to get it is one of the strongest we have.

There are also stories of Jesus sharing meals with friends; turning water to wine at a wedding feast, and making five loaves and two fishes feed thousands.

Food is usually at the center of family time.. Most people associate comfort and love with the food put before them, and many people show their loving touch in the creation of the food their family will eat.  Food brings people together in common need, and provides us with a pleasurable experience together.  No wonder the devil uses food to tempt the faithful.

Today I am grateful for the delicious food I have to eat each day.  It sustains both body and soul, and gives us a comfortable place to be with others. 

God's time....

A week ago, a death in my family caused me, once again, to contemplate why things happen as they do.  He was young by today's standards, only 55, and it doesn't seem right that he should be gone already for no obvious reason.  How do I reconcile myself to this?  How do I accept that someone I loved was done with his earthly journey when I wasn't done with him?  These are difficult questions  that people of faith ask themselves just as often as people who don't believe.

But if I have faith that God has a plan, then I have to also believe that this is part of his divine plan, because God doesn't make mistakes.  And that is where I find my answer.  I don't have to understand, because it is not about me.  It is about my cousin and his journey, and sometimes, as with everything in life, there is a conflict of interests.  In this case, his interests were more important than mine, and his earthly journey was done.

God's timing is always perfect.  He knows our every need, and he understands eternity in a way we cannot.  When things happen that defy understanding, it is not necessary for us to have a perfect explanation.  It is necessary to have faith that God has a plan, and that this is a part of it.

Today I am grateful for God's timing.  He has provided everything for me that I need.  I cannot ask for anything more satisfying than that.

Shelter

While Jesus pursued his ministry, he would occasionally need to retreat to the home of a friend for some rest and relaxation.  They would give him food, provide a place to lay his head, and uplift his spirits when he needed a boost.  Understanding our human needs was one of the goals of Jesus coming to earth as a child, and the need for shelter and protection from the world, both physical and mental, was part of the deal.

Today, as we watch yet another winter storm approach, I am so grateful to have a beautiful little house of my own to call home.  Many people in this world have little or nothing to protect them from the elements, and I could easily be them.  Jesus knows my every need, and God has provided for me in an amazing way.

When the world rages outside my door, I am safe and warm and protected within the walls of my sturdy house.  Thank you, Lord.

Spring

A new start is always something to celebrate.  Babies, marriages, new job, new house, new car - all are exciting beginnings.  Spring is a time of renewal, fresh beginnings, new opportunity to refresh and make changes.

Jesus was the greatest new start of all time.  He swept away the old and brought new life through his resurrection.  We often focus on the sacrifice he made, but the real story is the victory he achieved.

Today I am grateful for spring, which reminds us of the victory Jesus bought for us all.

Mother

One of the last things Jesus did during his life was to ensure that his mother would be taken care of when he was gone.  Women had very little standing in his society, and without her son to care for her, Mary would have been left without a source of support.  By passing the responsibility for her welfare to his disciple, John, Jesus was caring for his mother in the most fundamental of ways.

But there was more to the story.  His disciple had been traveling with Jesus for three years.  He was unemployed, his teacher was dying on a cross, and they had very little money with which to continue the ministry, to say nothing of providing for physical needs of others.  Mary had many other children in whom Jesus could have entrusted her care.  Why choose one who, at least on the surface, would not be capable of providing for her?

I think the answer lies in the spiritual realm.  Just as Mary was taxed with bringing her child up in the faith and teaching him the ways of God, Jesus was trying to give Mary the spiritual bread of life by choosing someone who would sustain her spiritually.  It is the highest calling of a mother to provide her child with the tools of survival, and faith in God is the key to the toolbox of eternal life.

Today I am grateful for a mother who has taught me the true foundation of faith and salvation. She has given me the keys to the Kingdom.  It unlocks the way to eternal life.

Communication

The internet has given us the world in a way never before available in the course of human history.  What I post from my sofa in small town USA is instantly available around the world, to the farthest reaches of the planet.  It is pretty amazing to be able to share my thoughts and my faith in that way, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

Jesus didn't have the internet, but his words were powerfully spoken.  Crowds followed him everywhere, hanging on his every word. The Bible remains the best selling book of all time, because of the message it communicates.  Jesus understood the power of communicating, and he left us a record of his thoughts which guide us even today.  We each have the power to communicate our faith to others, and the internet is one more tool in the box with which to do it.

Although there is potential for harm if one is careless online, the potential for greater good is also there.  I embrace that potential.  I am grateful today for the opportunity to commit to words what my faith means to me, and to communicate those thoughts around the world through the internet.

So crafty

I am having a garment altered, and the changes I wanted to be made were pretty substantial.  I dropped the dress off a week ago, explained what I wanted, and left, expecting the rather big project to take awhile.  I was surprised to get a call this week, asking me to come for another fitting.

When I arrived, the dress was perfect.  She had taken my vision for that garment, and turned it into exactly what I was hoping for.  Her work fulfilled my dreams, and I am so in awe.

Jesus was raised by a carpenter, and surely understood that process.  I have no doubt that he spent years working alongside Joseph, turning wood into creations that people wanted and needed.  God doesn't make mistakes, and I am certain that he selected Joseph for a reason.  Perhaps it was to show Jesus the beauty of creation.

Today I am grateful for craftspeople.  It is such a gift, to be able to take someone else's vision and make it real for them.  Today I will look for the beauty in the world around me that was created by someone's hands, and appreciate the work that went into it.

Hard work

People come in all shapes and sizes, and their interests vary as much as their physical appearance.  Some people spend their day using their brains, while others work with their hands.  Some people drive, some sit at a desk, some stand.  Whatever you do during your day, it is probably tiring, if you work hard.  Jesus was often tired at the end of his day, and he understands what it feels like to be worn out.  But the hard work yields results, and makes the effort worthwhile.

I am grateful today for the opportunity to have a job.  Millions of people in this world have no place to go, no way to make a living, no opportunity to make a better life for themselves.  I am fortunate to wake up with somewhere to go every single day, even if some days I don't feel like making my way there!

Pets

In Genesis, starting with verse 20, we see the beginning of God's living creations.  Starting with the creatures of the sea, followed by the birds of the air, then the animals on the land, he brought his new world to life with a stunning array of living things.  But it was not enough.  After all the living things were flourishing, then he created humans.  People and animals are meant to go hand in hand through life.  It is how God created us to be.

Pets have a very special place in our lives, from the earliest days of domestication.  They give us comfort, love, and adoration.  They uplift us in all our moods, brightening a hard day, and enhancing our good times.  They are not driven by the ego of worldly pursuits; rather, they are driven by dependence upon us.  But with animals, as with children, our satisfaction of their needs builds trust and love.  I don't know what animals Jesus interacted with, other than that famous donkey who unwittingly played a role on Palm Sunday, but I have no doubt that he would have loved an animal or two along the journey.

Today I am so grateful for all the pets through the years which have made my life incomparably better.  Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, even fish have shared my life and brought me such joy and pleasure.  I have a house filled with love, because every day I have TidBit, Gizmo, Meow, and Gershwin waiting for me, needing me, longing to be with me.  They fill a unique place in my heart, and I am thankful to have them.

Friendship

Jesus came to earth as a human child, and because he did, he understands the full range of human needs.  He had parents, siblings, and extended family who helped and supported and sustained him, and I don't underestimate their important in his life.

But in addition, he had friends every place he went.  He depended on those friends to provide food, shelter, and most importantly, companionship and love while on his journey.  Although most of his friends didn't understand his mission at the time, they cared for his body and his mind, gave him love, and supported his ministry financially and emotionally.  Without them, Jesus would have been a much lonelier traveler in this world.

I am grateful for friends of the heart today, those true friends who are there when things are darkest, and who celebrate with you when the light begins to shine again, even when they have to make a sacrifice for that to happen.  Each and every one is a blessing to me from God, and I am thankful every day for the gift of love they have given me.

Painful parenting

When my daughter was born several weeks prematurely, it was a difficult time for me as a mother.  Hormonal, frantic, and extremely ill myself, I was nearly out of my mind with worry as she battled through her medical issues.  Tubes and wires and machines surrounded her naked little body as she lay on the warming tray, too sick even to be in an incubator.  The hardest part for me was allowing various medical procedures which, in the short term, I knew would be painful, in the effort to save her life and her health for the long term.  Blood tests every few hours, with her blood measured by the drop.  Intravenous lines in her head and her body.  Worst of all, a spinal tap without anesthetic, because her fragile little form couldn't tolerate the medication which would have relieved her pain.

Every time the doctor wanted permission to do another procedure, I had to willfully allow them to hurt my precious little baby, so that in the end, she would recover and be healthy.  It was one of the most stressful times of my life, but I learned a great deal about God and my faith during those difficult days.

God the Father allowed his only son to be hurt, even killed on a cross, to save me for all eternity.  He didn't do it for a vague somebody or other, he did it for me.  It is almost overwhelming to know the pain he endured so that I wouldn't have to.  It is unconditional grace at its highest level, and it was for me.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be a parent, and to feel a little of the pain that God felt when his son was hanging on that cross for me.  It brings me in closer relationship with God, and allows me to deepen the dependence and faith I have in him for all things.

Hungry

We are unconditioned in the United States to understand hunger.  We have food at every turn. megamarkets filled with goodies, and most of the population is overweight, if not obese.  So it can fairly be said that we do not understand hunger, in the way that the truly poor of the world understand hunger.

And yet, for all our material advantages, people are deeply hungry.  So many people are searching for meaning in their lives.  They look everywhere - food, drugs, alcohol, possessions, travel, bank accounts, televisions and furniture and houses, all the toys that make life fun.  But they are still empty, still searching.  God is the sustenance they are seeking, because only in him can you be filled.

Today I am grateful for the spiritual hunger that has brought me to faith.  It is the only food that matters for eternal life.

Living water

Much of the ministry of Jesus involved water.  His first miracle was turning water into wine.  He preached from the water, he pulled disciples from among the local fishermen, he was baptized in the water, and he spoke about water in his teaching.  Water is a vital element for human life, and Jesus used that basic need to illustrate his message on many occasions in various ways.

When Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman by the well, he called himself Living Water.  In that time, the metaphor would have been immediately understood, because the well was the center of life in every town.  Everyone, no matter what their interests, no matter how rich or how poor, whatever their position in the social hierarchy, eventually had to come to the well.  It was both a place for physical refreshment, as well as a place for social interaction.  It was the center of everything, and it was likely the first place a traveler would go to upon entering the town.

Jesus is our water.  He is waiting for each of us to come to the well of life that he provided with his death and resurrection.

Today, I am grateful for the physical thirst which reminds me of the need to drink of the Living Water of Jesus.

When failing is winning...

Yesterday afternoon, I watched as my local girls HS basketball team fell victim to a state championship team that was just a tinch more prepared.  But while our girls were defeated, they didn't fail.  They played with determination and spirit to the very last moment, and they learned something about themselves that winning wouldn't have taught them.  That is the thing about failure.  You learn so much from it.

Today I am grateful for failure, because that is how growth occurs.  Just like pruning a tree, you are forced to sprout new growth through the disappointment.  Jesus paid the ultimate price, losing his life so that we might have eternal life in heaven.  Whatever failures come my way, I am grateful for the opportunity it presents to change and grow and become closer to the person God wants me to be.  That is the ultimate win!

Forged faith

Today I am grateful for a life filled with hardship and grief.  It is never easy to endure the pain of living an uncertain life, and I have had my share of griefs to bear over the years.  I have lost loved ones, including a parent, I have gone through a divorce and watched my children suffer in the process, I have struggled with serious medical issues for both my children and myself, and heard the word cancer applied to me twice.  (Both fine, nothing serious, but still scary to hear.)  Through it all, God has been ever present, uplifting me with his gracious goodness, supporting me in my weakened condition as he brought me to a new humbled attitude of more pure faith.   When the fire burns hottest, forcing us to shield our faces from the heat of the flame, we become raw metal, offered up to God to mold as he sees fit.  It is then that we can do God's greatest work, because we become his vessel.

Thank you God for forging my faith with hardship.

Judge not

I am grateful for a God who never gives up on me. It is so easy to judge others, and to THINK you know what their story is. But God DOES know our story, and even when we go off road from his plan, he still has a plan that will bless us. Whether its a criminal hanging on a cross next to him or you or me, God has filled our world with endless grace. He isn't the God of second chances, as the saying goes. He is the God of endless chances. Have a blessing filled day.

In the beginning....

This year, I have decided to use the season of Lent to remind myself of the blessings for which I am grateful. I thought I would share my little faith journey, in case anyone else wants to join me and follow along.

I have never thought giving something up for Lent made sense. Jesus was the light of the world, and brought us grace and eternal salvation. In honor of his sacrifice for me, and what he brought to me, I want to remember what I have to be thankful for. Jesus was a giver, not a taker. I want to follow him and be the same.

But I am not going to just name something. It has to be meaningful in the context of my faith. So here goes.

I am grateful today for spring. It is a reminder of how Jesus renewed and redeemed us from the winter of our own sinful choices. As the sun rises higher and warms the earth, so too does our Savior redeem us by lighting our path like a beacon in the darkness. Thank you Lord for this blessing.