Monday Morning Memo: Rinse & Repeat

I shared in a life update at the beginning of March, that I had just had surgery on the Achilles tendon of my right foot.  It was the result of me tearing both of my Achilles tendons at the same time last August and after spending the winter in two boots, trying to get them to heal, it was determined that surgery would be needed.  Since the right ankle was deemed as the worst, it was the “lucky” recipient of the first surgery.

 

We had hoped to wait until this fall to operate on my left one, but due to increased pain, surgery was completed this past Tuesday.  Having the second surgery only four months after the first one wasn’t ideal, but if you know anything about my past health history…nothing rarely goes as planned.

 

The day of surgery, my doctor walked in and said, “Well LuAnn, it’s just rinse and repeat.  What we did last time, is what I plan to do again today”.  And he was right.  This operation was pretty much like the last one, except this one had some extra bursitis to clean out.  So now I have begun another year-long recovery.  If you’ve ever had this type of surgery, you know the word “fun” is rarely used to describe these days.

 

I’ll be honest, during these past months I have prayed and prayed and prayed, trying to find out why God has allowed me to go through this time of pain and waiting…but I’ve heard lots of silence.  No writing in the sky…no lightbulb moment…no big spiritual revelations.  The only thing I have sensed is Him saying, “Not your will LuAnn, but Mine”.   I guess that was an answer…but not the one I wanted.

 

How do you do when the Lord’s answer is “wait”?  Hopefully you are better than me because I wouldn’t win an award for waiting patiently.  I always feel like action is necessary to follow His will and so patiently waiting, while I recover, is just a huge waste of time.  I think I often feel like the Lord needs my help to get something accomplished and I’m probably mistaken about that.  He needs my obedience…He doesn’t really need my help.  But He does allow me the privilege of having a role in seeing something come to fruition…because He loves me that much.  

 

It’s similar to how it was when our children were growing up.  There were many tasks around the house which could be accomplished easier and much quicker if I just did them myself.  I didn’t need any help from them to get certain jobs done, but because I loved them and wanted a closer relationship with them, I would sometimes ask them to help me.  Those times brought us closer as we worked side by side to see our task completed.  It’s the same way with our Jesus.  He is more than capable of doing everything himself, but because He wants a closer relationship with us, He offers us opportunities to work side by side with Him.  What a privilege!

 

In Appointed to Bear Fruit, I read these words, “We must be willing at every moment to surrender to His will. The Father is at work, through the Spirit, to bring the completed work of Christ to the world. He knows where workers are needed and sends them to these places. Even though it may seem that going there will lead to financial loss or greater family struggles, we are to rejoice because we have confidence in what the Father is doing. With all humility, we should accept the portion which God has prepared for us. Glorify His name by believing His promises for your spouse and children. No matter what happens, we can have complete confidence that the Father is directing our lives, and great joy can be found in submitting to His will. Nothing else will ever bring the true satisfaction that our souls are longing for”.

 

Yes, it comes down to surrendering to His will in every moment and I’m pretty sure that means every moment of waiting.  Maybe during this time, He has more pruning to do in me, so I am prepared for whatever lies ahead.  Ouch.  That’s a scary thought J

 

Are you also in a time of waiting?  Do you feel like what you are going through is just another time of “rinse and repeat”?  If so, you and I can have complete confidence knowing that He is working out His perfect plan behind the scenes.  And when everything is in place…at just the right time…He will invite us to work with Him, side by side, to see His plan come to fruition.  For now, we will have joy, knowing that even as we wait, He will never leave our side!

 

But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, 

and so am I.”

John 5:17

Monday Morning Memo: Talk Less?

I love to talk.  That statement will not be a shock to those of you who know me personally.  I’m very rarely at a loss for words…whether they have meaning or not…I usually can think of something to say.  Sometimes this is a blessing and sometimes a curse, because too much talking can easily lead to putting my foot in my mouth by saying the wrong thing.

 

It probably doesn’t help that sometimes people actually pay me to talk.  Isn’t that crazy?  I am paid to stand in front of them and do what I love to do.  That just blows me away.  When I think about it, I feel humbled and incredibly blessed.

 

I was thinking about this one day when I read a section of scripture in the Bible.  Matthew 17:1-5 says, “Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.  As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.  

 

Peter exclaimed, ‘Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here!  If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’

 

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.  Listen to him.’”

 

You see, Peter and I have a lot in common.  I think he loved to talk too, and in this account, he couldn’t wait to jump in, take charge and tell Jesus his idea.  Yep, that would be me.  But did you catch what the scripture says right after Peter shares his thoughts?  It says, “But even as he spoke”.  So, before Peter is even done talking, God interrupts him and tells him to be quiet and listen to what Jesus has to say. 

 

Wow.  I wonder how often God has tried to get across to me that I should be quiet and listen because Jesus has something important to tell me…but I’m too preoccupied with trying to get my point across to Him.  How often do I just keep rambling on and on and I neglect to hear what He has to say to me?  Maybe what I’m trying to tell Him…wouldn’t seem so urgent…if I was listening to what His thoughts were first. 

 

It makes me wonder what our world would be like, if more of us made a point to do more listening to our Heavenly Father.  I can’t help but think it would be a better place…a place with less stress because our thoughts and ways would be more in line with what He wants for us.  Maybe we wouldn’t get off course so easily, if we listened before we talked…listened before we acted. 

 

Today I’m going to try to talk less and listen more.  I really do want to know what Jesus is trying to tell me.  Plus, it just might give my husband a break too…so I’ll be killing two birds with one stone J

Monday Morning Memo: Heavenly Prime?

I have no idea how you are…but you have probably figured out by now that I’m not a good “wait-er”.  If I get in my head that something should happen, I usually think it should happen now.  Or better yet…it should have happened yesterday!

 

I think I can blame our world for some of the reasons I feel this way because we live in an instant society.  Many things I own in my kitchen are there because I want to do things faster.  I own an electric mixer because I don’t want to take the time to stir something by hand.  I own a microwave, because heaven forbid, I would have to wait for something to heat up on the stove.  I own an instant pot, because I want to cook our meal in the fraction of the time that it would take in the oven.  And of course, I own an Air Fryer because that takes much less time to heat up and clean-up is quicker too.  It’s a win-win!

 

Then, I’m sure many of you have Amazon Prime and usually don’t have to wait more than 48 hours to have something delivered to your door.  Doesn’t it just fry your goose when you go to order something and it says it can’t be sent via Amazon Prime?  You mean you have to wait three additional days for it to ship?  Outrageous!

 

Don’t you wish God had Amazon Prime?  Oh, I’m sure it wouldn’t be called that, but it could be called Heavenly Prime.  When we need an answer quickly, we could just go to our computer…pull up www.heavenlyprime.com...put our order in and within 48 hours our prayer would be answered.  We could even sign up for updates to be sent to us so we would know exactly when our answer would arrive.  Oh, and if the answer we received wasn’t exactly what we thought it should be, we could send it back, no questions asked.  Ahhhh, what a life that would be!

 

But that’s not reality, is it?  Unfortunately, many times in our lives the only answer we receive from God is to wait.  Ughhhh, I often find that difficult to do.   “Wait patiently for the Lord.  Be brave and courageous.  Yes, wait patiently for the Lord” Psalm 27:14. “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act” Psalm 37:7a.  “But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently” Romans 8:25. “Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised” Hebrews 6:15.  Those verses are just a few reminders of how we should wait. 

 

My difficulty in waiting pretty much goes along with my times when I lack trust…which I wrote about last week.  One feeds the other.  But I’m thinking that each time we can successfully wait on God…trusting His timing and His answers…we get one step closer to looking like Him.  And isn’t that what our goal should be?

 

I love the verses in Psalm 5:1-3 which say, “O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning.  Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you.  Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.  Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.”  I find it amazing that the King of Kings wants to hear my requests (yes, even when I am groaning) and then I am to wait expectantly.  Because once I have fervently prayed to Him, I am to wait…believing He will work all things for His good and His glory…and in His timing.  

 

Well, I still wish I could sign up for Heavenly Prime…but since I can’t…I’ll keep working on waiting, praying and believing.  My answers may not come in 48 hours…but whenever they show up…I’ll know they are perfect for me and won’t need to be returned!

Monday Morning Memo: No Excuses

Have you ever noticed how often we tend to use the word “but” in our day?  I know it’s time to get up…but I’m just too tired.  I love my job…but my boss is just too hard on me.  I’m so thankful for my kids…but they sure drive me crazy sometimes.  I know the person who works next to me needs the Lord…but I’m sure I’m not the one to tell him.  We say one thing…but we often feel the need to clarify what we said.

 

I’ve been thinking a lot about the word “but”.  The reason is I’ve heard myself say it over and over again.  I know I just need to trust…but…and then I’ve given an excuse as to why it’s too hard.  I know I need to trust God for my family’s or friend’s difficulties…but…I love them so much and I want to just fix things. I know I need to trust God with my health…but…I’ve been through so much and what if I get worse?    I know I need to trust God for whatever happens today and tomorrow…but…I’m so scared of what might occur that will be out of my control.

 

Bingo.  I have a hard time trusting God…because I want to be in control.  To completely trust Him, means I take my hands off any situation I am facing, and allow Him to be the One with the steering wheel.  It means I don’t just say I trust Him, and then keep taking the reins back over, trying to manipulate Him to do what I think is best.  It means I trust Him to work out every detail…in His timing…and for His honor and glory.

 

When I look at this logically, I have to ask myself, Why?

 

1.      Why wouldn’t I trust Him with my health, since He is the One who “made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.”  (Psalm 139:13)

  

2.    Why wouldn’t I trust Him with my family or friends, since believe it or not, He loves them even more than I do.  Not only did He create me, He created them too, and knows everything about them.

3.    Why wouldn’t I trust Him with my today and my tomorrow, since His Word tells me to, “Trust in the Lord with all my heart; do not depend on my own understanding.  Seek his will in all I do, and he will show me which path to take.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

So today… I. Will. Trust. God.  Period.  No ands, ifs or buts.  No excuses, no rationalizations, no manipulation.  He alone is worthy of my complete trust, and honestly, He really doesn’t need any help from me J

 

What about you?  Do you find yourself saying that you trust God…but…your actions show something entirely different?  Why not leave the driving to Him today.  Your path may not take you where you think you should go…but…I’m confident your destination will put you exactly where He wants you to be. 

Monday Morning Memo: The Look

 

Oh, I remember it well.  I don’t think it happened often…but then again maybe it did, and it is just a part of my past which I have conveniently forgotten.  I’m guessing it took place at some point in your years of growing up also because, more than likely, all of us at some point were the recipients of “the look”.

Yep, we’ve all been there.  Maybe it was when we were sitting in church and whispering and giggling with our friends took precedence over listening to the sermon.  Maybe it was when we were out in public with our parents and our behavior looked more like we were raised by wolves instead of by hard-working adults.  Regardless of the situation, many of us can remember those times when all our mom or dad had to do was give us “the look”…and we knew we better straighten up or sitting down might be rather painful for awhile 

Memories of those days came flooding back to me one day when I was reading scripture.  It was a passage which I have read many, many times before, but on this particular day, a sentence jumped off the page at me.  It was the story of Peter denying that he knew Jesus three different times.  We pick up the story in Luke 22:59 when someone recognizes Peter for the final time, “About an hour later someone else insisted, ‘This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.’  But Peter said, ‘Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.’  And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.’”

What stood out to me when I was reading was the fact that the Lord gave Peter “the look”.  I just can’t imagine the despair which went through Peter at that moment.  Jesus had forewarned him…but I doubt Peter thought he was capable of doing such a thing.  But he did…and as a result, all Jesus could do was look into his eyes.  Immediately, Peter felt shame like he had never known before.  Jesus didn’t scream or yell...all He did was look.

I wonder what Jesus was thinking as He looked at Peter.  Peter’s actions weren’t a surprise to Him, so we know He wasn’t shocked.  And, I have a hard time believing that Jesus was thinking, “I told you so, Peter.  I told you that you would fail me.  Way to go Peter…can’t you do anything right?”  I just don’t think His thoughts were condemning.  If I had to guess, I’m thinking that maybe the words which were going through His mind were, “Peter, even though you deny me…I will never deny you.  My grace and love are sufficient, even when you choose to turn away from Me.”

I’m so thankful that those same thoughts are true for me too.  Just like Peter, there have been times when I have let Jesus down…doing things which aren’t pleasing in His sight or neglecting to stand up for Him when given the opportunity.  I’m sure in those moments, He has given me His look…a look not filled with revenge but with grace and love…a look which I don’t deserve…but He’s freely given.

Maybe you are struggling today because you feel like you have done things which can’t be forgiven.  Maybe your past continues to haunt you and you picture Jesus giving you a look of disgust and rejection.  Take time to look into His eyes once again…His grace and forgiveness are sufficient to cover your transgressions.

After he denied His Lord three times, Peter was the one chosen to give the first sermon, explaining from Scripture who Jesus really was and why he had died.  Many were saved because of his words.  If the Lord could continue to use Peter in mighty ways even after his failings…He can surely use you and me for His glory.  So, look up my friend…His loving eyes are fixed on you!

 

“I will instruct you and teach you 

in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 32:8

Monday Morning Memo: Be Brave

Memorial Day.  This is the day when we remember the people who died while serving in our country's armed forces.  I so admire those who have been willing to serve our country so sacrificially.  They not only chose to start a life journey where they would have to leave friends and family, often placed in situations which were far from being comfortable, but then gave the ultimate sacrifice of their life so you and I can have freedom.  We are free because of those who have been brave.

What deeply saddens me is that so many have given their lives for our freedom…but we are now losing many of our freedoms, not because of those outside our country, but because of those inside our country.  Bit by bit…day by day…decisions and mandates are being forced on us which are jeopardizing our freedom to follow the Biblical truths which we hold so dear.  Our country, which was started on Christian principles, is now so far from where it began, that it is almost unrecognizable.  The mantra that is now being shoved down our throats is that “everything goes” …as long as Christianity is not included.

The day is here my friends where it isn’t only the soldiers who serve our country who need to be brave, but we also, as Christians, need to be brave.  Our religious freedoms are being taken away, and we need to be willing to stand up for what we know to be the truths given to us by our Lord and Savior.  It will not be easy, and it won’t be the popular thing to do, but it is what we have been called to do. 

I was reading one day in I Chronicles 29 in the version The Message.  I came across these words of David:

“O God, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this generous spirit alive forever in these people always, keep their hearts set firmly in you. And give my son Solomon an uncluttered and focused heart so that he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel, and carry through with building The Temple for which I have provided.”

David asked God to give Solomon an uncluttered and focused heart so he would have the strength, wisdom and courage to do what God would call him to do.  David recognized that it wouldn’t be an easy road, but knew that as long as Solomon kept his eyes on His God and his heart pure, God would be with him every step of the way.

We serve the same God that Abraham, Isaac, Israel, David and Solomon served and what He did for them…He can and will do for us.  Our job is to make sure that our hearts are where they should be and our eyes are focused on Him.  He will then give us the strength, wisdom and courage to do what God is now calling us to do.

Today I want to remember those who were brave and gave their all for me.  I do not want their ultimate sacrifice to be wasted by not giving my all to make sure our nation returns to its Godly heritage.  Let’s make sure that those who are coming behind us will have their Christian freedoms…because we were brave.

Monday Morning Memo: Life's 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 did God take my spouse/family member in the prime of their life?  Why aren’t my children following the Lord like I raised them to?  Why are we struggling to make ends meet, when others who aren’t following the Lord seem to prosper?  Why am I being afflicted with one health problem after another (ok, maybe that was me asking and not a friend!)?    

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 surely put a wrench in our plans and that often leads us to ask why.

I came across this graphic this past week.  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 into the fiery blaze because they refused to bow down to the golden image which 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 their 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 make sure the King would 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 other garments.  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 flamingfurnace 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!