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Path ~ Day 23 ~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Acts 2:28

Path

Took a little jaunt this week to find a hidden waterfall we’d read about in “Southern Living Magazine.” As we hiked the seemingly tranquil trail, we came to this spot. It stopped us in our tracks as we tried to figure out how to best move ahead.

For years I’ve worn a bracelet that says “Enjoy the Journey” which I want to do. It’s a good thought. Until that is, the path gets tough. I don’t know about you all, but I haven’t yet mastered rejoicing when the way ahead is a tangled mess, an upward climb, and it seems there’s no clear way out. 

Lucky for us, once we looked around we found there were trail markers to show us the way to go so we could navigate up and around the challenging area and reach our destination. As we all know, things can be going smoothly as we travel through everyday life and then they’re not. All at once we don’t know which way to go or even how to take one step forward.

“Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.”
Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT)

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105(NLT)

When obstacles block our way, we’re tripped up, or don’t have the strength to keep going, not by luck, but by Divine plan, when we look, will find a Guide to show us the way ahead, too. One thing I’m learning is that God’s Word finds us where we are and takes us to where we need to be. The pages are full of “step by step” directions to journey through life and guess what? Even enjoy it. Is it easy? No, it takes work. Always straight? Nope, but always the best way. Will we know what’s up ahead? Uh-uh, but when we read about and are lead by the truth, there’s no doubt about it, we will definitely reach our destination!

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 8:12 (NLT)

Still ~ Day 22 ~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

Still

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

I’ve just returned from a much needed respite from the world. After several long, challenging months my favorite traveling partner and I packed up our necessities and headed out hoping to leave all the extra baggage behind. The moment we walked into our little cottage, I felt we’d been guided there. And as it turned out, bringing a little, was just enough.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

Surrounded by lush beauty, I knew it was going to be a place of refuge, one where we’d be nourished, replenished, and find rest. Exactly what we were desperately in need of, and now a way had been made for them to be provided.

“He leads me beside still waters.”

There was a path from the house going down to the lake. Those were sacred steps as I sensed God’s Spirit near the water. The lake taught me much as I sat by its side. Ripples formed when the smallest of leaves hit the surface reminding me how I can let little things cause disruption in my life. The ups and downs of the waves after a boat passed by mimicked the highs and lows in life but sitting on the floating dock also showed me that riding those waves could be navigated if you hold on. But it was the glassy surface of the perfectly motionless lake that had the biggest impact. A motionless, mirrored surface allowed what was above to be reflected on it. I noticed that when the water is churning you can’t see anything from above at all, but when its totally still, a display of color and shape is revealed.

“He restores my soul.”

When in choppy waters, we grab for anything that we think will hold us up, it’s the same when we are in turmoil; we are intent on helping ourselves stay afloat. Our days feel vague, murky, and exhausting. Only when we quiet our hearts and minds, can we begin to reflect on the things above. The One who actually saves us. The One who calms the waters. That’s what the last few days have done for me, afforded me solitude, peace, and restoration. Being still inspired me to gaze Heavenward and it gave me a renewed outlook, one in which the beauty of God’s goodness and grace came clearly into view.

Psalm 23:1-3a (ESV)

Taste ~ Day 20 ~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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Taste

What do you mean I have to eat this? When I was first diagnosed with high blood pressure I tried to cut out all salt. Not a grain, nada, no shaker allowed. Ever done that? It. Was. Awful! Things I once loved no longer tasted the same and I didn’t desire them anymore. The experiences of cooking and eating had lost all their appeal and my appetite disappeared.

Thankfully, I learned that not all elevated blood pressure is caused by salt and I was able to add some back into my diet. Boy, things really started looking up then. I’m here to tell you that scrambled eggs, french fries, and popcorn are nothing to savor without being seasoned with salt. I continue to appreciate the good flavor it draws out of food, today.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how could it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13 (NIV)

Just as my salt-free diet was tasteless and did nothing to attract me to the table, so our Christian witness will be if we are blasé about all God has done for us. Am I salty? Are you? We should be living lives with zest, that are bold examples of Jesus, and our words and actions creating a hunger in others to want to know more.  Being the “salt of the earth” means we need to act to preserve those who will otherwise perish. My friends, we are to be the ones who invite others to The Table, offering them a taste of the body and blood of Christ, a meal they will never forget. (Nor should we!) That’s when things will REALLY look up!

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV)

 

Effort ~ Day 19 ~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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Often, we can put a lot of effort into getting what we want or think we need. Sometimes, all that effort gets us is a predicament.⁣
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“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦, 𝘴𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵, 𝘴𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰t 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘎𝘰𝘥. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘴𝘬, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴.” 𝘑𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝟺:𝟸-𝟹 (𝘕𝘐𝘝)⁣
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Now, most of us don’t kill to get what we desire, but I have “done in” my bank account by stretching it too thin to buy something I just had to have. Can you relate? We sacrifice time with our families to try and get ahead at work or we fight our consciences when we know we’re going after what we shouldn’t have. A desire for more, coveting what’s not ours, motivated by the wrong things..yep, a predicament!⁣
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What do we do when we’ve turned our lives upside down, we’re hanging by a thread, and don’t know our next move? Stop striving and look Up!⁣
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“𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮? 𝘔𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 from 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋, 𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩.” 𝘗𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝟷𝟸𝟷: 𝟷𝘣-𝟸 (𝘕𝘐𝘝)⁣
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Kind ~ Day 18 ~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31a

Kind

Who knew there were so many different kinds of Fungi? Not me. 50,000 according to Google! They all share common characteristics but their appearances differ from one another and they don’t all act in the same way either. God created them to be unique but also to need a relationship with other living things.

Sound familiar? There are so many different kinds of people in the world. 7,794,798,739 as a matter of fact, and growing!(thanks Google) We don’t look, act, think, dream, or anything, exactly the same way either. And yet, we share certain characteristics; the most important being that our truest selves are created in the image of God. We’re also designed for relationship, with God Himself, and with others.

God was pleased with all He created and said, “It is good” about everything, not just some things. I think we forget that way too easily. So, here’s a little reminder for us all:

Be kind to all kinds!

I know it’s simple, but just think what our world would be like if we all lived it! Good, right?

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (ESV)

#31days2021 #theresafungusamongus🍄

Treasure ~ Day 15~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4 (NLT)

Treasure

As I stepped into the house, the house I hadn’t been in for three months, my house, I was greeted by a host of sorrow and joy. Happily, I was back home where I belonged, but I was grieving too having left my grandsons after being with them for so long. They say that “home is where your heart is.” If that’s true, it explains why my heart feels divided like a puzzle of many pieces. 

When I moved to West Virginia for my first teaching job I left part of my heart behind with my family. The home my husband and I have created was made with heart and soul. As our children married and moved away, parts of my heart packed up and left with them. And then there are those grandsons of mine! Each one carries a fragment of my heart tucked in theirs. 

A heart pulled in the directions of home, honestly, it leaves me a bit off-kilter with an ever-present sense of yearning. Maybe you know exactly I mean. And as much as we treasure all those we love, having a divided heart can leave us feeling unsettled.

Pondering this, it’s occurred to me that God places that very sense of yearning in our hearts for a purpose. His purpose. If you’re like me, when in one place you long for another. When in another, you wish for somewhere else. The truth God wants us to know is that a divided heart is never satisfied and I’m learning that the desire we feel for home, to be in the presence of love, will not be fulfilled here. We should instead be preparing for a move!

“Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:20-21 (NLT)

“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.”
Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)

Jesus tells us in John 14 to not let our hearts be troubled. He also assures us that a place is being prepared for us. When we step into the glory of our Father’s house, the Heavenly Host will welcome us with only joy. There’ll be no sorrow, crying, or tears. And that divided heart? It will be made whole, sealed with perfect love. And my friends, we will finally know that we’re Home where we belong!

Toward ~ Day 14 ~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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“Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.” Proverbs 27:1

Toward

Sitting at the stop sign waiting to pull onto the main street I watched the traffic hoping for an opening. One by one the cars passed by. Near the end of the line came an older model and I noticed the passenger side window was down. As it approached, a young man in the seat stretched his arm out the window pointing directly toward my windshield making the image of a gun with his hand. Looking straight at me, eyes locked on mine, he acted out pulling the trigger.

Had the gun been real, I’d have died that day, in my car, at a stop sign, on my way to the Piggly Wiggly. Life is fragile. I didn’t need to be reminded of that with our tiny grandson in the hospital fighting for his life, but, it’s important to remember how easy it is for us to forget that.

Busy days, wrong priorities, self-confidence, and so much more can blind us into thinking we have all the time in the world to get it right. Then, in the blink of an eye, “normal” life shatters into a million pieces and is gone.

“The reality is you have no idea where your life will take you tomorrow. You are like a mist that appears in moment and then vanishes another.” James 4:14 (The Voice)

Jesus also knew the fragility of human life as He carried his cross toward the hill of Golgotha where he would be crucified. Jesus did die in that moment. He died with his eyes locked on you and me and He didn’t look away. Why? Because He knew that His death gives us the opportunity for new life.

“Now the Lord is not slow about enacting His promise-slow is how some people want the characterize it-no, He is not slow but patient and merciful to you, not wanting anyone to be destroyed, but wanting everyone to turn away from following his own path and to turn toward God’s. Knowing that one day all this will come to pass, think what sort of people you ought to be-how you should be living faithful and godly lives, So, my friends, while we wait for the day of the Lord, work hard to live in peace, without flaw or blemish; and look at the patience of the Lord as your salvation.”
2 Peter 3:9,11a,14-15 (The Voice)

I’m guessing you probably don’t need to be reminded how unpredictable this life is either, but maybe like me, you also don’t want to forget how we should be spending every day, moment, and breath now. And so, we must stop living for ourselves and instead move toward God, living faithfully and keeping our eyes locked on the One who stretched out His arms and with his broken body fixed ours, not just for today, but for life eternal.

Redeem ~ Day 13 ~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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“I know my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” Job 19:25(NIV)


Redeem

Recently, a business failed me. It didn’t meet the high standards it had claimed. My order was  a time-sensitive one, and honestly, I didn’t have a Plan B. Not long after that, a letter came in the mail. As it turned out, the district manager had been overseeing the store that day and regretted the mistake. Not wanting it to effect their reputation, she sent several gift certificates that I could redeem if I wanted to.  I’ll tell you, the way I felt about their future as a store after their slip-up and after receiving the gift certificates was completely different. I think she knew there was little hope of my returning if they hadn’t recognized and apologized for what they’d done. The unexpected gift did change my outlook.

As hard as we might try, we can’t live up to high standards either. Oh we might do pretty well for a while, but then we fail. A lie here, a cross word there, broken promises, heading in the wrong direction, putting ourselves first, and those secret things that would cause our reputations to suffer. Doing what’s right is a tall order, one we can’t fill. Do WE have a Plan B?

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Romans 3:23 (NLT)

Thankfully, we have an Overseer, who does offer a new plan. One of hope for our future despite our missteps. It’s God’s gift to redeem us through the cross.

“and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood-to be received by faith.” Romans 3:24-25a (NIV)

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)

While I am grateful for the gift certificates that were offered, if I don’t use them they’ll expire and I will lose out on their benefit. It’s vital to remember that the very same thing is true about God’s gift of salvation. Unlike my coupons, we don’t know an exact expiration date, but if we wait too long we’ll miss the blessing of eternal life and perish. Haven’t accepted God’s redeeming grace? Do it now! The undeserved gift will change everything!

Everyone ~ Day 12 ~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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Everyone

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Everyone has surrounded me in love⁣
Friends and family far and near, old and new⁣
Cards, flowers, letters, calls, meals, texts⁣
I’ve felt remembered.⁣
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Everyone looked the same⁣
They had all participated together ⁣
Each one wearing a #SuttonStrong shirt⁣
I felt supported.⁣
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Everyone went above and beyond⁣
Such generosity from our churches⁣
A bounty for the Ronald McDonald House⁣
I felt grateful.⁣
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Everyone found ways to say, “Welcome Home!”⁣
Balloons, signs, silly string, sirens⁣
Celebrating with our family⁣
I felt such joy.⁣
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Everyone praying⁣
Even some I’ve never met⁣
Those prayers sustain us⁣
I feel blessed.⁣
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Anyone can be an “Everyone”.⁣
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“𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥.”⁣
𝘏𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝟷𝟹:𝟷𝟼 (𝘕𝘐𝘝)⁣
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Above ~ Day 11 ~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” Colossians 1:13 (NIV)

Above

When this sneaky intruder perched himself above my bird feeders I was NOT happy. Sitting perfectly still, he camouflaged himself silently amongst the branches waiting to trap and eat one of “my” birds. His presence there was also keeping them all from being fed.

You know, there’s a devious adversary who’s hovering over us, too. He’s a master of deceit and disguise. Patient, he lurks and before we know it he’s able to capture us when we’re off guard. I’m talking about Satan, The fallen angel from above. The ruler of this world we live in. (explains a lot about all that’s happening, doesn’t it?)

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

There are few of us, myself included that willingly come within the predator’s reach. But once we’re enticed and snatched from where we want to be, it often takes time to realize it, because as most beasts of prey do, he toys with us for awhile before we are consumed.

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NIV)

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”James 1:14 (ESV)

Deceived, lured, enticed, but wait! My own desire? If we stop and think about it, most often when we find ourselves in the snare of the devil it’s because he was able to convince us to pursue the seemingly harmless things WE long for or avoid what WE don’t want.

It’s a battle. Satan has so many wily ways to tempt us (me), and once we succumb, we find it difficult to get close to Christ and His Word and our souls aren’t fed. That my friends, is when we literally begin to waste away. Thankfully, this is not the end of our story! God has already defeated Satan and provides a defense for you and me.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11

Luckily, when confronted, the unwanted hawk at my feeders fled and the birds returned to eat. The same is true when with God’s armor, we resist the devil. He retreats and we draw near to the One who provides all we need to truly live.