He Guides My Path

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

Some years ago, before GPS systems were popular, my work sent me to a class in downtown Cincinnati. Not used to city driving, I prepared by printing a map. As I maneuvered through exits and streets, I glanced at the map a few times. Unfortunately I did not read the directions correctly and ended up heading toward the west side of town. I hate to admit it, but I panicked and pulled into the V that forms when two roads split off. Not knowing what to do, I called my husband. Bless his heart, he answered his phone, calmed me down and redirected me to the original destination.

So many times in my life, I’ve failed to read the directions that God has given me. I dart this way and that and don’t make sense of life. Most of the time my misdirection comes because I’m not searching out the map that he’s prepared for me. Then I stop and park myself in the middle of my mess and acknowledge his will for my life. God’s given me his book that’s far better than any map and he encourages me to communicate with him. All I need to do is trust in him and he will direct me and help me along life’s path. Praise God for his all knowing and ever helpful guidance. 

How has God shown guidance to you?

Thread of Hope

Psalm 71:16-18
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

My husband and I went out to eat the other day. When we walked in to the restaurant, the teenage workers greeted us with smiles and welcomes. They prepared our food with graciousness. I could tell that they enjoyed their jobs. I work at a college where I am surrounded by young people. Their hope for the future inspires me. When I talk with the students at work or meet those who serve in restaurants or take my money at the store, I’m reminded of the hope they hold for the future.

As a teen, that same hope filled my heart. I knew then that God loved me. Now I’m an adult who’s lived many years and seen a good deal of heartache, God still gives me that continued hope. He’s been with me through the struggles and I know he will remain with me as I age. He stays the same, no matter where I am. I’m thankful that the thread of hope from my youth follows me as the silver shines in my hair and my joints ache with age. 

Heaven is a Wonderful Place

Revelation 21:3-5 (NIV)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

Riding in the car with my daughter and her children, a conversation started about heaven. My granddaughter, a seven year old, didn’t quite understand the concept. Her mom explained that in heaven, people are the best image of themselves and that no one cries or feels pain when they live with God. As a child might, she responded that she didn’t want to go there unless her whole family went with her. Isn’t that what we all want, all of our family and friends to enter heaven with us.

I look forward to seeing my dad and my grammy again, and others who I know lived the life that mirrored Jesus. My imagination cannot fathom the magnificence of the city of God nor the sheer joy. Dylan wanted to know if people could talk in heaven. She’s quite the conversationalist. We assured her that we’d not only talk, but we’d sing and praise all day long. I’m looking forward to eternity with Jesus, how about you?

What are your thoughts on heaven?

Sand Beads

Genesis 22:17-18
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.

Hebrews 11:12
And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

I love the beach. When I’ve had the opportunity to stand with my feet in the sand, and watch the water ebb and flow, I ponder the unfathomable power of God. As the water reminds me of God’s sovereignty, the warm grains that I stand on remind me that he keeps his promises. When my daughter traveled to Israel in the spring, she gathered sand from the Dead Sea. Back home, she took the grains to a lamp worker. The artist fashioned the sand into glass using a torch and created eye-catching beads. Hannah gifted me with three of the glass beauties for Christmas.

In Genesis, because of Abraham’s faith, God told him that his descendants would number as many as the stars and the sand. I wonder if Abraham laughed since he and Sarah were senior citizens. But, God kept his promise. As the Old Testament tells us, the nations grew.

As I wear my sand beads, I praise God for his faithfulness. He keeps his promises and loves his children.

I don’t usually do commercials on this blog, but I’d like to give a shout out to the artist. To see Glennie Sims' work go to: http://calmwaterstudio.com/