Swish

Ephesians 4:15-16

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

A young man dressed in silky shorts and a sleeveless shirt runs up the floor dribbling a basketball. With a toss, he passes the orb to a teammate. In a flash of the hand, the ball swishes through the hoop. The crowd cheers. Welcome to March madness!

I’m trying to imagine what kind of a team Jesus’ apostles might have made. Thomas would question his teammates moves, Peter might change his mind in the middle of a pass. The Sons of Thunder would need to keep their tempers in check, and Judas might score one for the other team. I know it is kind of ridiculous to think about Jesus followers playing basketball. But, every day I am asked to be part of Jesus’ team. He is my coach, and I have a vast number of teammates. Like the basketball players who practice and work to learn plays, I need to exercise my spiritual muscles by reading the Bible and praying. Sometimes I need to pass off to another player by asking for prayer and help. Jesus planned for his followers to work together.

Praise God for those who stepped up to help the recent tornado victims. I’ve seen and heard of many churches reaching out to the local need. Continue to pray for the folks who lost so much and seek ways to help where you can. 

A Yellow Crocus

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Every year my daughter, Maggie, sends me a picture of the first crocus of the season. I love that she shares that first hope of spring with me. A long cold or rainy winter can be a difficult time for people who battle anxiety and depression. Although I enjoy a snowy winter, I still find myself in a dark place some times. If I could change one thing about my life, I’d remove my moments of anxiety that cause negative stress. Since I can’t do that alone I ask God for help.

I try not to allow the anxiety to take over. Instead, I seek times to rejoice and praise him, and I pray and seek his guidance. Sometimes my anxiety may still envelop me, but I know that God is with me and that he brings hope with him. When the stress passes, I find a peace that only comes from my Father in heaven. God guards my heart and brings me peace. I praise God for his love and understanding.

Refreshment from God

Acts 3:18-19
But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…

I sat cross-legged on my bed and turned the white dials, hoping to create an amazing picture on the red box in my lap. As a child, I spent hours playing with my Etch a Sketch. Sometimes my goal was to move the stylus across the entire screen enough times to remove all of the aluminum powder. I also enjoyed writing my name and leaving secret messages for my cousin. Sometimes as I moved the dials, I messed up and made ugly images. The best part was that I could turn the toy upside down and shake it until I erased whatever I created and then start again.

Thank goodness God wants to erase my sin and give me a fresh start. Because he is an all knowing God with great compassion, he gave me an escape plan from my sins. I praise God that he sent Jesus to earth to die for me so that I can be forgiven and live in him. He is a God of second chances who refreshes my spirit with his love.

The Heron of Hope

Psalm 31:23-24
Love the LORD, all his faithful people! 
   The LORD preserves those who are true to him, 
   but the proud he pays back in full. 
Be strong and take heart, 
   all you who hope in the LORD.

One warm February evening my husband and I walked our dogs around the local lake. The yellow and brown overgrown grass gave way to the green sprouts of spring. Water on the lake sat still with no wind to blow against the surface. Olive trotted beside me as we made our way around the edge of the paved lot. Close to the water I heard a rustling sound. When I looked up a great blue heron flew up and over the length of the lake. He raised his body in a majestic fashion and soared into the sky. What a beautiful sight!

Experiencing an encounter with one of God’s beautiful creatures fills me with hope. As the bird spread his wings, he looked like he was reaching up toward his creator. When he sailed over the water, I thought he might just fly into God’s open arms. When I am stressed or feeling down I like to picture God’s arms outstretched ready to embrace me. And, I think about Jesus arms stretched out on the cross. He gave me the ultimate hope. I want to see the heron again sometime, but more than that, I look forward to the day I meet Jesus in heaven. 

In My Heart

Philippians 1:3-7
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

I stood in the store and looked through the red, white and pink sea of cards. As I searched for just the right sentiments to send out for Valentine’s Day, I read funny notes of love, serious declarations of eternal devotion and cute messages just right for our grandkids. I wanted to remember the little ones who I hold in my heart. As I sent each card, I prayed for them with joy, just as Paul prayed for the Philippians.  

The apostle Paul loved his friends in Philippi. As he traveled on his mission trips, he knew that he could rely on them for support and that they shared a love for Jesus. He carried them in his heart and prayed for them. Jesus holds me in his heart. He loves me more that I can imagine. I humbly pray that I return even a fraction of the joy that he gives to me. I praise God that he remembers me and loves me.