Monday Morning Memo: Am I Willing?

This will be another life changing week for our family, as we will welcome our fourth grandchild into the world.  Our daughter, Megan, will give birth to their third son and we can hardly wait.  

To me, it seems like Megan’s pregnancy has gone by quickly…but then I haven’t been the one carrying the baby!  She has been the one to go through all of the physical changes as this precious little one has grown and developed these past nine months. She has been the one to deal with the morning sickness, the tiredness, the frequent trips to the bathroom and the punches and kicks under her ribs.  She has been the one to, in many ways, sacrifice her body for these past months to enable their son to have life.

I can remember the times when I would get discouraged during my pregnancies and my mom would say to me, “LuAnn, it will all be worth it when you hold your baby in your arms.”  She wanted me to stay focused, to remember why I was willing to sacrifice my comfort, so that someone else could have life.   

This makes me think of all of those who serve in our military.  They too realize when they enlist, that they will have to sacrifice their comfort for a time. They have to be willing to put themselves in harm’s way, sometimes giving their life as a sacrifice, to allow us to live in freedom. They have to stay focused and remember that their unselfish giving is so that others, such as us, can have life.

All of this led me to think about the word “sacrifice” this past weekend.  What am I willing to sacrifice in my life, so that others might have life in Christ? Am I willing to be uncomfortable? Am I willing to suffer if it means that others will experience His amazing grace?  Am I willing to give my all?

I have to be honest, I prove by my actions that my answer isn’t always “Yes” to these questions.  Unfortunately, I’m not always willing.  I sometimes choose my physical comfort over concern for those who need my Jesus.  I’m not always willing to sacrifice anything that may end up causing me pain…even when I know someone else’s eternal destiny is at risk.  Ouch.  That’s hard to admit.  Sometimes I’m just not willing.

Jesus is working on me to be more prepared to do whatever it takes to impact eternity…even if it makes me uncomfortable or causes me pain.  I want to get to the place where, when I hear the word sacrifice, I don’t cringe. Instead, I want to be the one who steps up and offers my life to be used to bring Him more glory and to increase the numbers in heaven.

I can almost hear my mom, who is already experiencing eternity with her Jesus, saying to me, “LuAnn it will all be worth it when those you sacrifice for join you in eternity with your Jesus!”  She would tell me to stay focused, to be willing to give my all so that others can find life.

It all comes down to the simple question, “Am I willing?”     Are you?

Monday Morning Memo: Unexpected "Hiccups"

It seems like I have heard the question “Why?” asked often lately by various friends.  Why is God allowing so many natural disasters to occur?  Why am I being afflicted with one health problem after another?  Why did my spouse walk away from our marriage?  Why did God take my spouse in the prime of their life?  Why aren’t my children following the Lord like I want them to?  Why are we struggling to make ends meet, when others who aren’t following the Lord seem to prosper?

Why?  It’s a question that many of us ask at some time during our lives, and unfortunately, we often don’t receive an answer.  At least we don’t receive the answer that we want to hear.  If you are like me, then you want things to be much more black and white…an answer for everything…and you want to be able to plan your future without unexpected “hiccups”.   Unforeseen detours can sure put a wrench in our plans and that often leads us to ask why.

A friend of mine posted this graphic last week and it really spoke to me.  I would imagine that being thrown into a fiery furnace was not in Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s plans and could have been classified as a major unexpected “hiccup”. King Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown in to the fiery blaze because they refused to bow down to the golden image that he had set up for the people to worship.  Even though these three men knew that they would suffer severe consequences for disobeying King Nebuchadnezzar, they knew that God was able to deliver them.

You would think that because Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing to give their all for their God, that God would just snuff out the flames.  Or maybe He would have the King have second thoughts and at the last minute pull them aside, safe and sound.  No, God allowed the flames to roar as the men were thrown in.  I just love this story.  We read in Daniel 3:19-25, “Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage.  He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual.  Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them in to the blazing furnace. So they tied them up and threw them in to the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes and othergarments.  And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in.   So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisors, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them in the furnace?” Yes, your majesty, we surely did,” they replied.  

“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed!  And the fourth looks like a god.”

If there were ever three people who could have asked “Why?” it was Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but that isn’t what we hear them saying. They trusted their God to do what was best for them and do what would bring God the most glory.  The result?  The rest of the chapter tells us, “Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: ‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!  Come here!’ So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire.  Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them.  Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched.  They didn’t even smell of smoke!  Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!  He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him.  They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.  Therefore, I make this decree:  If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble.  There is no other god who can rescue like this!’”

Wow.  Many lives were changed because these three men trusted their God, even when their circumstances didn’t make sense.  I wonder if I would see more miraculous things happen if I spent less time asking “Why?” and more time just trusting God. If He could protect them from the raging heat…He can probably take care of me during my unexpected “hiccups”.  I may never have the answer to the “why” questions of my life…but I can rest in the fact that I am not alone because my Jesus walks beside me.  

This week, why not join me in asking “Why?” less often and trusting our Jesus to do what is best for us and do what will bring Him the most glory.  We just might see some miracles happen before our eyes too!

Monday Morning Memo: Cheerleaders Needed!

We have had some exciting weeks in our family. Every family has events and milestones that are celebrated…but there are certain occurrences that really rank high enough to cause some heavy-duty rejoicing. What has happened?  Two of our grandchildren have been experiencing the life-altering experience of potty training J

Now for the parents of these precious children, I’m doubtful that the word “exciting” has been used very often during this time of training.  But to their grandma…this is such a fun time. I was working in the kitchen one day when my phone rang and I saw that my daughter was face-timing me.  As I accepted the call, all I saw on the screen was the face of my two-year-old grandson, Ezekiel, and he was grinning from ear to ear.  Without saying a word, he backed up so I could see what was causing his huge smile.  He was wearing big-boy underwear.  If you heard yelling and clapping from my area of the state, it was because this grandma was so proud!  I showered him with praises and told him what a grown up boy he is.

Within just a few weeks, my phone rang and I saw that my daughter-in-law was face-timing me.  As I clicked into the call, there was my two-year-old granddaughter, Emma, smiling from ear to ear.  As soon as she saw me, she said, “Grandma…I pooped on the potty!”  Oh what a time of celebration we had!  I showered her with praises and I told her what a grown up girl she is.

I love these times when I can pour love and self-worth into my grandchildren.  I want them to know that their grandma and grandpa care about every area of their lives and that we are here to be their cheerleaders.

How different it would be if they would call to share their accomplishments, and my answer would be, “Well it’s about time. I mean, for pete’s sake, other kids have been trained for quite some time by now.  What took you so long?  I thought you were calling to tell me something more important than the fact that you are wearing Paw Patrol or Elmo underwear.”

I hope I never do or say anything of that nature to them.  But yet, how often do I say something similar to those who are new believers?  For some reason, I often expect those who are young in their walk with Jesus to just suddenly be changed and not still holding on to their past.  Oh, I may not always say it to their face, but I shake my head when I see them reverting back to their old ways, wondering how long it will take for them to learn. Instead of coming alongside them, being their cheerleader and helping them celebrate each new milestone as a new child of our Jesus, I just expect them to be immediately matured in their faith. No wonder many often get so discouraged that they give up.  

I’m guessing there are many of us who need a good lesson in cheerleading.  The dictionary says that a cheerleader is a supporter and an uncritical enthusiast. Oh how wonderful it would be if we would all learn to be loving supporters and uncritical enthusiasts of those who are new on their walk…striving to look like our Jesus. Maybe if we look more like our Jesus as we help them, they will be encouraged to continue on.  Oh what a time of celebration we will have as we all mature together!  

“So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. You’re certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God’s work among you, are you? I said it before and I’ll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don’t eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.”

Romans 14:19-21 The Message

                                                       

Monday Morning Memo: Our Legacy

Each day I receive an e-mail, which contains various quotes.  I usually skim through the quotes and many of them get deleted.  But there are those that speak to me and I often get my ideas for my devotionals based on something I have read from these e-mails.  I recently came across this quote on legacy and I haven’t been able to get it off my mind this past week.  I kept wondering how the Lord was going to use it in my life and little did I know it would come to life in the hills of Tennessee several days ago.

This story begins four years ago when we were vacationing in Sevierville, TN, and we found an amazing BBQ restaurant in what seemed like the “boonies”.  The food was outstanding and so we were so disappointed when we found out the business had closed the next time we were in the area.  Imagine our delight when I discovered a couple weeks ago that it had reopened and so we set our plans to eat there this past Thursday and then we returned on Friday to once again get our fill of the delicious food.

The establishment, Preacher’s Smokehouse, had a new owner but the food did not disappoint.  Neither did the fellowship.  On Thursday we sat next to a couple from Kansas who love the Lord and talked about the importance of living their lives as an example to those they meet.  Then on Friday, we had the opportunity to spend time with the owner, the preacher himself.  He shared how he works construction Monday – Wednesday to pay the bills,  then runs the restaurant Thursday – Saturday and then preaches right in the restaurant on Sunday.  He told us about the many meals he prepares each week to feed the families in their community that are struggling to make ends meet.  These parents have to work two jobs and live in some of the area motels. So he prepares food to make sure that they, along with their children, get a good hot meal three nights a week. There are no strings attached. The families don’t have to attend church to be fed.  He just wants them to know that there are people who love them and care about them.

We heard about the thousands of meals he prepared to feed those who were fighting the fires two years ago in the Gatlinburg area. He told us about how faithful God was during that time, as person after person came to him to donate propane, charcoal, meat, beans, etc.  Whatever was needed…God provided and the preacher’s face just lit up as he talked about the joy of serving others.

As we drove away, I knew that this quote on legacy had just been lived out right in front of me.  This preacher understands that every day his choices will write his legacy.  It was obvious that many of the things that others hold tightly, just aren’t important to him.  I believe he realizes that when the Lord calls him home, people won’t remember him for how much is in his bank account or what degrees are or aren’t hanging on his wall.  They will remember him because of his love and devotion to his Jesus, which is obviously what fuels him each and every day.

It was a good reminder that the same is true for me. It won’t matter what I own, what degrees I have, how many blog posts or books I’ve written…what will matter in the end is whether I have chosen to serve my Jesus each and every day. Serving Him is what will make the difference on the legacy that I leave behind.  My prayer is that the “pen” that I hold will be used to share the love of Jesus to those I come in contact with, with no strings attached.  Some may never see my Jesus…if they don’t first see Him in me.

By the way, if you are ever in the Sevierville area…I highly recommend that you make the drive to see the preacher and his sweet wife and eat some of their goodies.  I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed! 

“Wherever your treasure is, 

there the desires of your heart 

will also be.”

Matthew 6:21