I'd Dance If I Could

Old Clock by George Hodan

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens
a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

Some days are so filled with joy that I want to dance. On Tuesday, we welcomed a sweet granddaughter into the family. I don’t know how other grandparents feel, but for me the birth of a baby never fails to make my heart flip-flop. I am so amazed at God’s creation that I have trouble putting into words the joy that bubbles up and overflows. The tiny little toes, stretching hands, little lamb voice, unblemished face and turned up nose, even a dimple, and her sweet, pure soul reflect the beauty of God’s love. When I held her close she smelled new, like fresh rain.

Even as I rejoiced over the birth of my granddaughter, a dear friend was letting go of someone she loved. The circle of life. Although my friend knew her loved one was joining Jesus in heaven, she mourned the loss of this precious soul. Ecclesiastes tells us that there’s a time for everything. A time to mourn, a time to dance, a time to weep, and a time to laugh. God knows the best time for everything. 

Praise God for the miracle called life, and the time to rejoice in his love.

What Bible Verse are You?

Isaiah 40:30-31
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

If you are a fan of Facebook you’ve probably run across one of those little quizzes (5-7 questions—unscientific) that asks, “What kind of flower are?” “What color is your brain?” “What Disney movie are you?” I’m pretty sure my brain is the same color the text books show, and well… I took the Disney one and turned out I should be in Alice in Wonderland because I’m artistic. Hmmm… not my favorite but hey it’s just a goofy, little quiz.  A new test popped up on my feed the other day that asked “What Bible verse are you?” Out of curiosity, I played along.

The culmination of information drawn from about 6-7 questions gave me Isaiah 40:31. When I read the verse, I thanked God for the timely reminder. Even young people who are still physically able get tired. I’m not old, mind you, but I’m up there, closer to 60 than 50 now and I do grow weary. The current heat and humidity make my arthritis ache. Balancing several tasks at work makes me tired. And I could continue to whine—but I won’t. I am thankful I have a strength that defies human ability. When I’m exhausted from daily living I have a God who bolsters me, he gives me his strength and helps me move one more step. I love God and know that no matter what happens in life, he has my back. He never leaves me hanging and he comforts me. He alone renews my strength.

What Will You Eat or Drink?

Matthew 6:25-27
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

My daughter, Maggie, noticed a nest of baby Robin’s in an arbor. We watched the momma bird find worms and carry them to her babies. When the momma flew to the yard, we peeked at the precious ones. The new little creatures, totally dependent on their parents, opened their beaks in anticipation. In the robin species, Mom and Dad both gather worms and berries for their hatchlings and even carry away their excrement to keep the nest clean. Just as the babies are cared for by their parents, Mom and Dad Robin are taken care of by God.

Matthew reminds me not to worry about what I wear or what I eat. God provides. As a follower of Jesus I’m assured that my heavenly Father takes care of me. Even when I think I’m without I never am. I am saddened that sometimes I spend too much time thinking about my next meal, what I’ll wear to work, or when I’ll sleep. All basic needs and all met by my Father. Why worry when God takes care of me better than I ever could. I’m blessed to have a husband who loves me and our wonderful children and grandchildren.  And if you see me you know I have plenty of food and am well clothed. This all reminds me not to worry and instead to praise God for his love and care. He is my Father and I love him.

Happy Father’s Day!

The Great American Game

John 7:16-18
Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.  Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.

I love baseball. The rhythm of the game helps me relax. This summer four of our grandsons are playing the great American game. My family has a long friendship with the game. Grandpa Griffith hosted baseball games at his farm in the 1920s and 30s. Mom remembers watching the men lift their bats and run the bases. One of the things I’ve witnessed watching t-ball is the little guys learning to make decisions. If they field a ball they have to figure out where to throw it (first base). If they hit the ball, where do they run? Seriously, more than a few have picked third instead of first.

Much like life, baseball is a game of choices. Every day I’m faced with decisions. What to do, how to react, what to say. But, I have an advantage when it comes to decisions. I talk to God and seek his wisdom for what I should do. Like the baseball player looks to the coach, I seek God’s wisdom. You see, I love God and I want to do his will. In all of my choices, I seek God’s wisdom and when I forget, I struggle. God gives free will, he wants me to choose. So I choose him. I Praise God for his wisdom and the freedom of being a believer.