Monday Morning Memo: Choosing Peace Part I

I was looking for something recently and I came across a series of devotionals I had written several years ago concerning having peace when there is chaos around us.  As I read them, I felt like I should bring them up-to-date and share them with you again…possibly because we all just might have a little bedlam in our lives these days.  

 

Have you ever heard the expression, the “tyranny of the urgent”?  It came from a little booklet written in 1967 by Charles Hummel and it quickly became a classic.  He argued that we often have a choice between things that are urgent and things that are important – and far too often, the urgent wins.  In other words, we often spend our days doing whatever is yelling at us the loudest, even if those things aren’t what are most important.  We run ourselves ragged day after day with our stomachs tied in knots, just trying to silence the noise.

As a result, we often end our day frustrated, exhausted and discouraged. Our nerves are on edge and we lash out at those whom we love the most.  And peace?  Well, unfortunately many haven’t felt peace in a very long time or even thought it was possible, because most people around us are absorbed in the same rat race that we are experiencing.

 

I knew this had become the “normal” in our society, but it has become much more evident during these days filled with Covid-19 and the upcoming election.  Flip on the news and it takes just about a nanosecond to be reminded of the chaotic world in which we live. People going every which way, fighting over whether masks should be worn, fighting over who should be elected and basically just trying to scream louder than the next person. 

I came across a book several years ago entitled, Calming The Storm Within: How to Find Peace In This Chaotic World  by Jim Lange.  Mr. Lange caught my attention when he stated, “Chaos is a part of life that cannot be avoided.  We need to actually embrace the chaos because God allows it for our own good.”   He followed it with this prayer, “Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much that You would allow chaos and trouble in my life.  You know what I need and You know that staying in my comfort zone is not good for me.  Help me to remember this the next time I face chaos and to be thankful in the midst of the storm.  Help me to see it from Your vantage point so that I can choose peace in the midst of it and I can be looking for You during the turmoil.  Amen.” 

Did you catch what it said in this prayer?  This prayer asks our Lord to help us see the chaos from His vantage point so that we can choose peace.  Whether our schedule is way over-packed or fairly empty due to quarantining…whether everyone around us is screaming or everyone is silent because we are all alone…we can choose to have peace. 

In the next few weeks, I plan to share with you some of the highlights that I ascertained from this book, along with what the Lord is teaching me on this subject.  I know I have a lot to learn about this and hopefully what I share will also be of help to you.

 

As we begin a new week, let’s pray for the Lord to help us see the chaos around us from His vantage point so that we can begin to choose peace.  Remember, the world is watching us to see how we react to life’s pressures and maybe, just maybe, if they see us choosing peace, they will want to hear about our Jesus!

 

“And let the peace that comes from Christ 

rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body you are called 

to live in peace.
And always be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

Monday Morning Memo: For "Someone"

I have a question for you to start your week.  How often are you thrilled with what you see when you look in the mirror?  All of the time?  Most of the time?  Rarely?  Never?

 

I was thinking about this question last week and it made me think of all the times in my life when I have looked in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw.  The times when I have wished I was like someone else.

Why can’t I be as pretty as her?
Why can’t I be as thin as her?
Why can’t I be as creative as her or him?
Why wasn’t I given the athletic ability with which she or he was blessed?
Why can’t I be as smart as she or he is?
Why can’t I write as well as she or he can?

I could go on and on with my list.  There have been many times when what I saw in the mirror, just didn’t measure up to what I thought was “perfection”.
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So when I saw this graphic a few days ago it really hit home.  It is so hard for me to believe that not once had God looked at me and thought:

I sure wish LuAnn was as pretty as ___________.
I sure wish LuAnn was as thin as ___________.
I sure wish LuAnn had the same creative ability as ___________.
I sure wish LuAnn was as athletic as ___________.
I sure wish LuAnn was as smart as ___________.
I sure wish LuAnn could write as well as ___________.

Not once has He done this.  God created me to be me and I can waste so much time in my life trying to be someone else, that I miss out on who and what I am.  I am a child of God who was created in HIS image.  I am a child of God who is so dearly loved, that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins.  I am a child of God who has accepted Him as my Lord and Savior and, as a result, I have a home that is being prepared for me in heaven.  When He calls me home…I will spend eternity with Him, my Heavenly Father.

 

And the exciting news?  The same is true for you! Not once has He looked at you and wished you were more like ______________(insert the name of your choice).  Not once has God looked at you and thought He made a huge mistake.  NOT ONCE!  You were also created in His image and He loves you more than you can ever imagine.   And He loves you just the way you are…right now.

Yes, He loves you and me with all of our flaws and imperfections and nothing we have done or no inferior quality that we might have can diminish His love for us.  I don’t know about you…but that just blows my mind!

Does that mean we should never strive to change those qualities that hinder us from looking like Jesus?  Of course not.  Striving to reflect His image should be our focus every day, by making choices that we know will please Him.  It is a continuous process in which He loves us where we are today…but wants even greater things for us tomorrow.  Why?  Because He loves us that much.

I just feel like someone needs to read these words today.  Someone feels they are a failure.  Someone doesn’t think he or she has worth.  Someone is thinking that if they were just like ___________...their life would be perfect.  So if you are that “someone”…when you look in the mirror today…don’t concentrate on what or who you aren’t.  Concentrate on Who created you and in Whose image you were created.  Remember…God never makes a mistake, so He didn’t make a mistake when He made you and He loves you right where you are TODAY!

So God created mankind in his own image,

in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

Monday Morning Memo: A Legacy to Follow

I had the privilege of officiating at two funerals last week.  That may sound a little strange to many of you…putting the word “privilege” in the same sentence as “funeral”.  But I have always felt honored when asked to speak to families and their friends at a time when they, more than likely, need encouraged and comforted.  

 

Funerals almost always make me do some introspection.  Both of the Christian women who were laid to rest, left a legacy for their families to continue.  I was so touched to hear that one of them, even when her health was not at all good…was still looking around the nursing home to see who might need a friend.  The other woman was always more interested in how others were doing, than she was on her own well-being.  These dear saints made a difference in this world and, more than likely, in eternity.

 

Funerals always make me face the reality that I sometimes want to ignore.  I will one day leave this world and stand before my Jesus.  I’m guessing that in that moment…He isn’t going to ask me how much wealth I was able to accumulate.  He isn’t going to ask me if my home was larger than my neighbor’s.  He isn’t going to ask me if I achieved fame as I pursued the ministry He called me to.  And believe it or not…I don’t think He will ask me if I was a Republican or a Democrat.

 

I do think He will ask me if I genuinely loved those with whom He put in my path.  Did I spend my days looking for those who needed a friend?  Did I spend my time reaching out so others could see His love through me?  Was I more concerned about the well-being of others than I was about what was in it for me?  And maybe the hardest and most seat-squirming question…had I been willing to do whatever my Jesus had called me to do…regardless of the cost? 

 

My mind knows my answer to each of these questions should be “YES”…but if I’m honest I know I have fallen short.  It is easy for me to fall into the trap of making excuses…

 

         *I’m too busy

         *I’m too tired

         *They do not believe what I believe

         *I’m not qualified

         *What if I do what Jesus is asking…and I’m laughed at?

         *What if I do what Jesus is asking…and I fail?

 

Trust me…I could go on and on.  But I know that on that day when I see my Jesus face to face…none of my excuses will be valid.  I will be standing in front of the One who was spit on…beaten…ridiculed and hung on a cross for me and I’m pretty confident I won’t even be able to choke out my lame excuses.

 

Ephesians 3:20 is a verse that is often quoted…but I’m wondering if we really believe what it says: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”  Just think…if we really believe this…we know that we have God’s mighty power working in us!  And if that is true…we have no reason for any excuses.  He has promised to give us whatever we need…whenever we need it…to accomplish His perfect plan in us.   He is just waiting for us to be obedient…so He can do mighty things through us for His glory!

 

Oh, what a difference we could make in this world…if each of us had the courage to be completely obedient to the plan that Jesus has set before us.  Not only would it have a huge impact today…but I think we would leave a more powerful legacy for those who come behind us to follow.  

 

Monday Morning Memo: The Days to Come

They are words I am hearing a lot these days.  It seems like many are feeling the same way and I can see the concern on their faces as they speak about the current condition of our country.  I have been told over and over again, “I worry so much for my children and grandchildren.  What kind of a world will they have to endure?”

 

Honestly, it may be a good thing that we don’t know what we or our family will have to go through in the days ahead.  What we are promised is that our God does know what tomorrow will bring and He is already there.  Nothing will be a surprise to Him and nothing will catch Him off-guard.  He is faithful…and that is what we need to remember and it is in Him that we need to put our trust.

 

So, if we don’t have a clue what tomorrow will bring for our loved ones… what can we do for them today?  If we are truly concerned for our children and grandchildren…what can we do now to help them be prepared for whatever comes in their path?

 

This came to mind recently as I was mailing out a couple of my books.  I turned to a page to sign my name and there was the dedication I had written to my grandchildren.  I hadn’t read it for a long time…so I took a few minutes to refresh my memory.  I had penned…

 

Dedication to my Grandchildren

 

I was told for many years that being a grandma was something wonderful, and even though I knew that was probably true, there was no way I could really understand until I became one.  As each of you entered the world, my heart just expanded to hold more love than I ever imagined was possible.  As I looked into your eyes, I vowed to do all I could do to be the grandma that Jesus would want me to be.

 

I want each of you to know that I will always have time for you. Remember that grandma loves you more than you will ever know, and spending time with you is a blessing. I want to have fun with you, explore with you and laugh with you.   I want to listen to your funny stories and play make-believe.  I want to hold you, read to you and kiss your boo-boos.  And there will be times when I will just want to “be” with you, without having to do anything at all.

 

I will not be successful as a grandma though, if all you remember about me is that I was someone with whom you had fun.  More importantly, I want you to be able to remember me as a grandma who loved her Jesus with all her heart.  When you are with me, I want you to see Jesus.  When I talk with you, I want you to hear words from Jesus.  When we explore this great big world together, I want you to find Jesus.  When I hold you close to me, I want you to feel Jesus in a special way.

 

There is nothing more in this world that I want for you, than to love my Jesus with all your heart.  He will never leave you or disappoint you.  He gave everything so that you can walk with Him with every step, every day and someday spend eternity with Him.  

 

Unfortunately, I’m not going to be a perfect grandma, but I hope my love for you will outshine my imperfections.   My prayer is that as we do life together, each of us will learn and grow from each other, and be better Christ-followers as a result of our relationship.

 

When you read this book I have penned, I want it to remind you of just how much I love my Jesus and how much I love you.  You are truly a blessing to me.

 

Love & Lots of Kisses,

 

Grandma

 

I can’t read these words without getting teary-eyed…because I love these precious souls so deeply.  I want each of them to not just know me…but more importantly…know my Jesus.  But what if my actions and reactions during this crazy time in our world aren’t reflecting Him…but reflecting my selfishness and my self-centeredness?  What if all they see is me screaming to get my own way and name-calling those who don’t see things the way I do?

 

You see, even if I am right in what I believe…even if all my opinions and facts are Bible-based…if I’m not showing Jesus’ love through me, what will my children and grandchildren learn?  Oh, I’m guessing they will still learn from me, but it probably won’t be anything that is beneficial.  

 

You and I can’t see tomorrow.  You and I, more than likely, can’t stop bad things from happening in our world tomorrow.  But there is something we can do today to help prepare those, whom we so deeply love, for the days ahead.  We can do all we can to be Jesus with skin on for those who come behind us.  We can show them how Jesus loves others.  We can show them how Jesus forgives others.  We can show them how Jesus shows compassion…even to those who disagree with Him.  Yes, we can show them Jesus…by allowing them to see His ways in us.

 

I am definitely not a perfect mom or grandma; I’ve blown it many times.  But I am committed, with Christ’s help, to do all I can to not just speak about my Jesus…but show Him to them too.  I need to remember that they are watching and that the old saying, “Actions speak louder than words” is often so true.  My prayer is that what they “see” in me will line up with what they “hear” from me…because turning their eyes towards Him…will help them face whatever life has in store in the days to come.

 

“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.  If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”

 

1 Corinthians 13:1-3