Finding Grace #419

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was fun and a little unusual!

I took Monday off work to spend time with Lydia for her spring break. We ran a few errands together, and then I walked to Starbucks to meet a friend for coffee. We had a good chat, and she mentioned how grateful she was for my help as she’s been going through a difficult time. Then, I walked back. It was less than a mile round trip, but it felt good to be out enjoying the beautiful weather. It reached the 60s that day!

I worked my full tour on Tuesday but didn’t arrive at the office until 1 o’clock. That’s because I went to see three Veterans first. I went to a nursing home and two private residences in Fargo and Moorhead. The nursing home is very close to my house, so it made sense to start there. I noticed a goose on the roof, which made me smile to think it was guarding the facility! The rest of the day was spent charting, but I felt rather productive!

Wednesday was another short day since I had my taxes done before work. It was also RD Day, and we had lunch and a game for staff. This included trying to match fun facts with each coworker. We laughed a lot, and the two ladies on maternity leave brought in their babies so we could see and hold them.

Thursday was another lovely day, perfect for walking to the middle school for Lydia’s teacher conference. She is doing well and has received all good reports. It is great to see how she has grown this year! As a side note, someone confirmed Lydia is officially taller than me!

Friday was the last day of working extra hours. The last four months have been very good. But, I have been nonstop busy with patient care. I was grateful for the money and time to complete my work. But it will be nice to get back to my normal routine on MONDAY when the two dietitians return! We also had a new worker start, and we are all grateful to be fully staffed again!

Today, we were invited to a coworker’s house to visit. We took Sandy’s donuts and hung out with my friend, also named Natalie, her husband, and two little boys. It was fun to chat about all sorts of fun topics and see Natalie out of our normal environment! 🙂

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Finding Grace #417

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Reed Lake photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a fulfilling week in so many ways! It was incredibly challenging at times but I felt good how it all turned out. For instance, work was mentally taxing, but I did my best, was thorough, and did quality work.

I felt like I was taking an eight-hour test every day of work. I had my own patients, plus several others. I took care of those two new tube-feeding patients, covered home-based primary care, and helped cover the rehab unit. Today, I was also on-call and had a patient to see, so I returned this morning! He was very sweet, and I was happy to see him. Whew!

We had a blizzard on Tuesday, which meant Lydia stayed home from school. I had to go to work, of course, and had a busy day, as usual. Driving to work took twice as long and was an adventure, but God protected me!

My coworkers and I spent several hours preparing for a heart health fair, and I was concerned the weather would cancel it. Thankfully, it went on and was a success. We had a visual lineup of twelve foods with fat, ranging from olive oil and other plant fats to butter, bacon grease, and other saturated fats. It was fun to see the response and explain the differences. In short, plant fats (oils) are liquids at room temperature and don’t clog up the arteries, unlike saturated animal fats.

On Tuesday afternoon, I had two home visits, one in Fargo and one in Dilworth (MN). The weather wasn’t much better, but I made it home safely afterward. My driveway was full of snow drifts up to my knees, so I parked on the street. My hired snow service came overnight to clear away the snow. Much of the snow is already gone!

Thursday was Leap Day! I enjoyed a game of Qwirkle with Lydia at home, but earlier in the day, I had a timely conversation with one of my coworkers. Her dad is in the hospital, and I encouraged her. I hugged her and prayed for her on the spot, which I hadn’t planned to do but just was in the moment. It was so cool when she said she prayed, asking God for direction and encouragement today. I loved being His instrument!

I really enjoyed calling my parents last night. They are full of parenting wisdom, which I love to soak up! Otherwise, today has been mostly catching up and relaxing after the busy week.  Have a great rest of your night!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Let Me Count the Ways

Happy Valentine’s Day! Do you have any special plans today?

Typically, I keep this day fairly simple, though I usually give Lydia a little chocolate or a token gift, such as jewelry or flowers. She loves little surprises!

Valentine’s Day can be difficult for some people. You may or may not have a “date” today, but either way, perhaps you can still appreciate all the different facets of love.

God is love, so we can look to Him to fill us with His love and let it overflow to others. Love is meant to be given and received, shared. As such, it takes work (even in the best circumstances). It’s not always a piece of cake or a heart-shaped box of candy!

Lately, I’ve been counting all the ways I see God’s love and grace in my life. (Remember the cottage cheese?!) I hope that by sharing them with you, you will be inspired to look for Him in your daily routine, too!

Free Leaves Frost photo and picture

So here goes! We got a little snow last week, and it is already melting! Perhaps Spring is not too far off, as I have heard more birds singing! I also saw a few geese in the river, which has been thawing intermittently.

I attended an online meeting this week. The host greeted me (and others) by name, which made me feel seen. It would have been very easy to say, “Hello, everyone!” and just move on. I actually felt like I was more a part of the team, even though I didn’t know half the people present!

I went to a home visit about an hour away for work. I enjoyed listening to the radio and heard several songs about God’s love. It was a peaceful drive, and I was glad to spend the time with the Lord… while getting paid! 😉

The two-hour round trip flew by, and I enjoyed the beautiful flat view. I am a Midwesterner, after all! It was such a sweet surprise to see two hawks and a bald eagle when it flew across the road right before me!

Later, I stopped for gas and used some store rewards for eighty cents off a gallon! I previously had trouble getting my account to work correctly, which is why they all built up over months. However, one of the store employees took the time to help me and explain why it all was disconnected. He also provided a phone number for more extensive customer service, promptly fixing everything!

Recently, I noticed a cute little heart in the bottom of a cup after I finished my drink. It brightened my day. Another time, I picked up some fancy bread from Great Harvest Bread Company. Oh my, it was divine! I’m calling that an extra bit of God’s grace… taste and see that the Lord is good! 

Free Thailand Leaves photo and picture

To clarify, all of the above examples are just a small sampling — truly, there are plenty of times when it doesn’t go my way. Even so, I can “count them all joy” because they help me lean on God all the more. It’s not all about me!

God’s love, mercy, and grace are endless toward His children. In fact, we are blessed to be a blessing. That means we can serve others with a cheerful heart and gratitude for all God has done for us. We can even choose to be inconvenienced so others can have it a little easier. Then, they may draw close to Jesus, too!

During another home visit this week, I met a Veteran who was still adjusting to his new home. He was having a difficult time but started beaming when I fixed the problem with his bedside radio. He loves classical music, and I hope it brings him a little peace.

At work, I took some difficult calls to help out a friend. On another day, I offered a coworker my (cleaned) earplugs to help her focus when construction noises interrupted her concentration. I took someone else a couple of Papa Murphy’s pizzas to help her during a rough time. I love my coworkers and count them as dear friends!

God’s love permeates all we do. His grace is all around us; it overflows in abundance. As you notice Jesus in your life, be sure to thank Him! You are perfectly loved, known, and accepted. There’s never been a moment where He left you alone.

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God, thanks for all the ways You love me! Open my eyes to Your blessings and help me share them with others. Help me point people to You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Where have you seen God’s love and grace in your life this week?

Tasks: Trace God’s blessings in your life this week, and then see how you can bless others!

Finding Grace #413

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Tree Leaves photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a good week!

Work was a little unpredictable but fairly normal! I ended up staying a full day on Friday to help cover. I had several patients where it seemed like God had assigned them to me specifically. I was able to encourage them and discuss topics beyond just nutrition. It felt gratifying!

The weather was in the 40s, and we might have broken a “heat” record for January. I think most of the snow is now gone, though we didn’t have much to begin with. I’m not holding my breath that it will stay like this. It is only February, so anything is still possible!

Lydia had an impromptu friend sleep over last night. They had a fun time and stayed up until after Midnight. They watched a movie, played games, and made some treats. I’m grateful Lydia has good friends. I heard a lot of laughter, which was music to my ears!

This afternoon, Lydia and I went to the theater to see The Chosen. Currently, Season 4, Episodes One through Three are showing! Each episode was very different, but so well done. There was a tragic shocker at the end… I recommend going to see it for yourself!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Big Star or Bust

It amazes me how the Nativity story is something we have heard and read about year after year, but it always has something new for us!

Whether you think about it from the perspective of the Shepherds, Mary, Joseph, the Angels, Wisemen, or even the animals (surely they were surprised, too!), there are so many angles! In other parts of the Gospel of Luke, I’m sure Anna, Simeon, and Elizabeth had some important insights, too.

All of the people in the Nativity story had their lives interrupted by a little baby. And, not just any baby; Jesus was/is God!

It’s likely they were each struggling in one way or another. The Roman occupation would not have been easy. Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds were not made of money. Even the Wisemen would have been worn out from a lengthy journey. Nonetheless, they all regrouped and went with it, apparently!

Lydia made a funny comment about the Wisemen recently, who would have traveled several months or possibly years. She said, “What if they had a sign on their caravan that said ‘Big Star or Bust?!'” We both laughed, but it made me think a bit more.

Free sirius star big dog illustration

Do I go all in as I seek Jesus? Well, I usually try to, but my cracked car windshield is getting replaced today. With the colder weather, I didn’t want to take any chances.

It was rather inconvenient, and I was at a loss for what to do. Then, two friends were willing to help me swap my car with a rental after work (yesterday and today). God knows what I need and how to solve it!

Oddly enough, the car I ended up with last night was not the one I rented; it was one that was available! I could choose between a big truck, a little truck, a minivan, and a Chevy Spark. I was thinking of just getting back and forth to work and didn’t want to have to figure out the size and spacing on the fly. So, I chose the compact Chevy and laughed all the way home.

See the picture – it looks like the back half of the car is missing! At least I saved a little money with the smaller car! 😉

Sometimes, “Big Star or Bust” has to be a group effort. We are not meant to live in isolation. Even Jesus had a family and friends, as he ran a public ministry. He had to rely on others to some degree. Although He was often on the go, He always had time for what mattered.

This season can be tough in many ways. Hustling and bustling often lead to stress, while high expectations can lead to disappointment when things don’t go as planned. If you are dealing with grief or loss, well, that can take sorrow to a whole new level.

I know full well the grief cycle mixed with holidays. Feel free to look back on just about any post from each December I have blogged (starting in 2015). Each year has gotten a little better, thankfully! And, I am grateful for all the continued prayers and support.

Perhaps your “Big Star or Bust” journey is different than mine. Your strengths and challenges are unique, but so are your resources. God’s grace is sufficient whether you have a lot or a little. Just keep bringing Him your best, and be willing to accept a little help along the way!

Keep moving forward, and you will find the Prize you seek (Jesus!) if you don’t give up. #bigstarorbust

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God, thanks for the gift of laughter amid a potentially difficult season. Thanks for taking good care of us. Help us chase after you with all our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have a “Big Star or Bust” experience?! How are you pursuing Jesus this week? What does that look like for you?

Task: Whatever challenges you face today, turn your face to Jesus. Seek Him with all you’ve got. He completely understands and will never let you down!

All About The Box

Oh, the fun and joy of a big box! We received two big boxes last week with some basic household supplies. Immediately, Lydia wanted to get into one of the boxes and pop out of it! Her laughter was contagious!

Then, at dinner, we discussed the day, that is, work and middle school. Lydia questioned why God lets some people “get away with” something and how He prompts others to apologize or forgive. We had a good conversation about God’s plan and expectations for His children vs. those who don’t follow Him yet (their choice). We also discussed the differences between the Old and New Testaments, and how Jesus’ death and blood set up a new system for dealing with sin. It’s a free gift, but not to be taken lightly!

Then, I decided to use the boxes to help me show Lydia a concept about God. I used one big box and a smaller one from the garage to create a visual.

I told Lydia, “Pretend I am God, and this big box is the universe I created. Then, this little box is Earth. See the LEGO people and animals! While God is outside our understanding of time and space, He’s also here with us. So, no one really gets away with anything. His judgments are right and just because He can see everything and knows our hearts.”

I went on, “Someday, every person will have to give an account for their words and actions. Sure, He could just reach down and deal with everything instantly, and someday He will. But right now, He is so patient with us (2 Peter 3:9)!”

(We can fool others and ourselves, but we can’t fool God!)

God can interact with each of us personally. Like a LEGO set, He can move people, mountains, and circumstances any way He wants. But He also responds to prayer and requests for help.

I imagine God leaning in to look for those who try to please Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). There’s probably a lot of joy mixed with sorrow. May we be found faithful!

Being human, we often lose sight of what is happening in the world. Our little corner of the box has its own issues! But, it helps me to remember this visual because I can more easily see my problems in light of Who God is and how big and powerful He is.

God is all-in and ‘all about the box’ because it contains His most precious creation(s). Us!

This box visual also helps me trust God when there are things I don’t understand. Like when Dave got cancer and died. (Check out my book for more details.) But, God knows what we don’t and sees what we cannot. I don’t have to have all the answers to walk by faith.

Moreover, Jesus humbled Himself and got in the tiny little box so He could truly understand what we go through and rescue us. He is Emmanuel – God with us. Therefore, we are not alone and without hope.

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God, You are greater than anything we can imagine. Your mercy and grace have no limits. Thank You for being so kind and compassionate toward us. Thank You for Jesus! In His Name, Amen

Questions: Are there any household objects or tools that make you think of God and who He is? How would you explain God’s love to a child?

Tasks: Put together your own visual for how you perceive God. Then, share it here or with someone in your own life (corner of the box).

Not So Average

Recently, I had the chance to learn a little about one of my Veterans. I have met with him before, but we had a little more time to chat this time. He was seriously the most average-looking man. That’s not a diss; there was just nothing remarkable about his appearance to distinguish him from anyone else. I would never have imagined he had a fantastic story about his experience in the service!

He was an engineering student who ended up in the Navy. He spent time on submarines fixing some of the electrical panels and went all over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans! He was on the USS Yorktown (CV-10). This ship was named after the one that sank in Pearl Harbor.

This man was in charge of temperature-controlled areas on the ship, including the refrigeration deck and the part where they held nuclear weapons with several layers of security and codes. He said he was sometimes afraid, but he learned to stay calm!

Yes, he had nuclear clearance (!!) during the height of the Cold War, and he finds it a little perplexing (or irritating) when people treat him like an old man…

“Excuse me, Sir, do you know where you’re going? or “Sir, can I see your driver’s license?”

Free Ship Yorktown photo and picture

In 1968, this Veteran met the astronauts from Apollo 8 and was the one who lifted the space capsule out of the ocean with a crane and put it on the ship. He said they practiced for weeks to get it just right. Then, he showed me a picture of him in his uniform with the Apollo 8 command module, and so I had to research it!

After leaving the Navy, he returned home and finished his degree. He had a long career and is grateful to have raised a family. He took advantage of the opportunities that came his way and trusted God. In short, he was far from average!

The conversation I had with this Veteran was eye-opening. He really did look so average, yet he had so many adventures! I’m sure many of my Veterans are similar. And, I wonder how many times we do that to others. We assume we know all we need and overlook their gifts or what makes them special.

I was encouraged because sometimes it is easy to swirl in a cycle of being too busy, not busy enough, or feeling anonymous. I was challenged to keep moving forward and keep trusting God’s plan! He knows who we are and where we are. He has not forgotten us!

Free Space Travel Apollo photo and picture

On the surface, Jesus would have looked relatively average. He was born in a filthy stable to a poor family. His humble beginning certainly would not have set him apart in any way. He would have appeared basic at best. 

Sure, Jesus had some important highlights, but he was often misunderstood. His family, followers, and even his enemies did not fully grasp what He was all about.  For instance, he was both praised and chided for healing people and doing other miracles.

He was betrayed by two of his followers (Judas and Peter) and abandoned by the rest. He died a criminal’s death, which would have made him an outcast. Yet, He offered love and forgiveness until His very last breath.

I am so grateful Jesus had grace and grit. He dug deep and obeyed His Father. He did not give up when circumstances got tough. He did not back down or give in to the pressure. He was crushed with the weight of our sin, but He rose three days later in Victory!

So, don’t overlook the mundane if you feel blah, meh, or average today. With God, you are anything but! As we see in Hebrews 11, He can use the most random event or the most unlikely person to accomplish His purposes! So, trust God and step out in faith!

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God, thanks for not doing anything halfway or average. You are subtle sometimes, but You are never dull or status-quo! Help me be diligent in the daily grind, but also expect You to show up and do something amazing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you ever discount yourself or others? How might you turn that around, to see yourself or others from God’s perspective?

Tasks: Think back on some of your greatest adventures. Praise God for the work He continues to do in your life! You never know what’s around the corner. Be on the lookout for God-given opportunities and be quick to obey so you don’t miss out on something great!

More Meaningful Multicultural Moments

“Mom, this is another letter that starts, “Greetings from Paul!'” Lydia said. I had to laugh a bit, as she’s been reading a lot of the Bible’s New Testament lately. The Apostle Paul did write quite a bit of it, namely in letters to believers in various cities. He interacted with several different cultures all over the Mediterranean region!

I was still thinking about this Saturday night when we attended a birthday party for an African boy in Lydia’s grade. These are the immigrants we met last year at the bus stop – and the very first thing I asked them was if they had snow gear!

In full disclosure, I was so happy to be invited, but I wasn’t quite up for going. It had been a long day with a delivery, phone calls, laundry, and feeling crummy from my flu shot the day before (for work). I was tired.

Nonetheless, we wrapped up a couple of LEGO kits and decided to go for a little while before returning home. However, I knew leaving early could be a bit of a challenge because of certain cultural differences regarding time.

Free earth world planet illustration

You see, I am prompt and hate to be late… but sometimes others consider time differently. The invitation said 5:30 p.m., but the mother told me to come “anytime after 6 p.m.” So, we decided to go right around 6 o’clock and were the third family to arrive.

The younger brother (fifth grade) started to answer the door, but he ran away before opening it to tell everyone, “Lydia came, Lydia came!!” Then, the younger sister (third grade) came and peeked out the window as well. She also squealed and ran to get her dad, who thankfully opened the door. Seeing their excitement, immediately, I was glad we came.

They gave us a tour of their new house, having moved from a small apartment a few weeks before. My friend and some other ladies warmly greeted us as they made fried rice. Many of these people also work in healthcare – highly qualified doctors, nurses, and CNAs. Some of them are immigrants, as well.

Within a few minutes of arriving, I smelled the delicious food and forgot I hadn’t felt well for much of the day. I decided to stay awhile, especially when my friend introduced me as his “first friend here in Fargo who welcomed his family.”

Later, I ate some goat meat stew, jollof rice, as well as seasoned beef and chicken. I chatted with a high school student who happens to play the viola. I’ll be sure to look for her when she and Lydia’s schools have a combined concert in November.

Free Jollof Jollof Rice photo and picture

This girl’s mom took a while to warm up to me. She questioned if I had ever had African food before (yes, I have!) and made some other comments. Perhaps she felt like I was invading her cultural safe zone. I did not take offense, as it’s likely she’s experienced much more discrimination than me. Thankfully, we soon bonded over some drinks, and by the end, she offered to share her food with me. 

Two hours later, we finally decided to go. I thanked my friends and hugged them goodbye. I waved to everyone else, and they all seemed grateful we came. It was a fun night, and I carried the weight (impact) of it home with me!

The next morning, I received a text from the family thanking us for coming. They were “especially surprised” that we stayed the whole time. 🙂 I’m so glad I decided to stay.

I’m sure the Apostle Paul felt like this sometimes. Looking for commonalities with people who were so different. Having awkward conversations at times and some misunderstandings. Hitting roadblocks but bonding over food and faith. Bringing the Good News of Jesus to everyone he met. These nuances require compassion, wisdom, and persistence.

Isn’t God good?! I love how we can always lean on Jesus. When He is present, nothing else matters as much. Not only are we His ambassadors, we can become brothers and sisters in Christ! All around the world, His love changes lives… and we are conduits of His grace.

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God, thanks for all the ways You love us. Thanks for creating so many different types of people. And thanks for opening up a way for people all over the world to know You, through Jesus. Help us bring Your light everywhere we go. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you ever had authentic African food? Do you enjoy trying new things?

Tasks: Next time you are invited somewhere new, go and stay awhile. Try new things and don’t be the first to leave. Perhaps look at it as being on mission for the Lord. Be His ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20) and share His love!

Putting On God’s Armor

As you may recall, last week I mentioned Lydia was reading through her Bible chapter by chapter. Last week, she read the Apostle Paul’s letter to Christian believers in the city of Ephesus during the Roman Empire. And, together we discussed it to make sure she really connected with God’s truth.

Ephesians Chapter 6 is all about spiritual warfare. Paul writes about putting on God’s armor daily; for me, a Roman soldier comes to mind. I’m sure there are many books, sermons, and articles discussing them in depth!

But, for our purposes, I wanted to do something hands-on. That way, Lydia would remember the lesson, be able to apply it, and “stand firm” in her faith!

As we reviewed Ephesians 6:10-18, I told Lydia to stand up and put on God’s armor. Yes, she had fun acting it out! The belt of truth is first (v. 14), and perhaps it is first because it went over a tunic before the heavy armor was added. But, we decided to save it for last… keep reading!

Next up… the breastplate of righteousness. Lydia acted like she was putting on a shirt, and then crossed her heart with her arms. I asked her what a breastplate would be used for. “Protection” was her response, and that is true. But, I also think of Proverbs 4:23, which says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” We talked about our emotions, distractions, and holding offense. Also, I mentioned how Lysa TerKeurst says, “Emotions are indicators, not dictators.” Emotions give us clues, but don’t run the show.

Then, Lydia put on shoes representing the “readiness given by the gospel of peace” (v. 15). What does that mean, we wondered? I had some ideas, but Lydia started walking about with her imaginary shoes. She focused on bringing peace to those she sees every day; I also was thinking about the gospel which means “good news.” So, we are holy ambassadors, spreading the Good News of peace (see Isaiah 52:7 and 2 Corinthians 5:20). Ultimately, Jesus brings us peace with God, peace with others, and peace with ourselves.

“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (v. 16). This verse was a lot of fun. Lydia held up her arm imagining a shield attached. She thought about it for a moment and then relaxed her arm. As soon as I saw my opportunity, I threw a small toy at her. She jumped and defensively raised her arm in shock. “Why did you do that?!” she asked. I explained that I was trying to prove a point and catch her off guard. We then discussed what a flaming dart (or arrow) might mean. She quickly realized that the fire comes from the pit of Hell, and we must always be prepared for Satan’s attacks.

We moved on to the helmet of salvation next (v. 17). This seems easier to understand than others, as a soldier would have a warrior mentality. Romans 12:2 came to mind, which says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” We must be alert to Satan’s lies and constantly remind ourselves of God’s love, grace, truth, peace, joy, etc. We cannot afford to forget all He has done for us!

The Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (v. 17), is the only weapon listed that is both our defense and offense. Lydia and I have previously discussed noticing lies or myths that would discredit Jesus or make us doubt Him. We then can attack the lies and replace them with Scripture verses. This book is particularly helpful because it matches God’s word with our emotions.

Now, let’s go back to the belt of truth. I asked Lydia why we saved this for last. She got it right away. “Because God’s truth holds everything else together!” John 14:6 mentions that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and Colossians 1:17 records how all things are held together in Him. We cannot be spiritually strong without Jesus!

Finally, Paul writes to keep alert and keep praying. We can’t be lazy or sleepy. We must do all we can to stand strong and stand firm in Christ. On guard!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for giving us all the tools we need for a successful life, including spiritual armor. Help us use it effectively as we live for You and obey. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you ever thought much about our spiritual armor? What components are familiar or easy to use, and which ones do you need to dust off?

Tasks: To read more, click here for the search results related to Ephesians 6 on my blog. 🙂

This Is The Day

Well, it’s back-to-school season for many of us! I love seeing all the first-day-of-school pictures posted by all my friends and family online.

Lydia is starting middle school tomorrow and will be in a new building this year! I’m glad she can walk to school, just down the street.

We went to her school last night (Tuesday) to find her classes, meet her teachers, and try out her locker. Lydia has classes all over the building, but overall, it should be a good experience. We saw some of her friends, too!

The evening was a blessing because Lydia was a little nervous at dinner, and I encouraged her to make the best of it. But, later when we returned home, we both felt at peace. Her teachers were so friendly! She is right where she needs to be.

Lydia has been looking forward to this day for years. Middle school is an exciting new step, but there will also be new challenges, boundaries, and consequences. I pray she continues drawing close to the Lord and relies on Him for wisdom, courage, and grace!

As you may guess, my heart is also being stretched as Lydia becomes more independent. She has taken on more responsibility around the house but also is becoming her own person outside our home. Thankfully, it’s a normal transition for both of us!

Free Lockers School photo and picture

Considering all the above, I was reminded of an article I read a couple of years ago during the peak COVID years. You can read it here.

Essentially, it is a reminder that each of us was born for “such a time as this” (see Esther 4:14). We can trust God even in uncertainty because none of it surprises Him.

God has a specific plan and purpose for Lydia, but also for you and me. Of course, each generation faces its own trials, but from the beginning of time, each day is already covered with an overwhelming abundance of grace. Life can be difficult, but He equips us to fulfill our calling.

It is natural to want to shield our loved ones from pain and make it easy on them. However, I am reminded that pain is not inevitable. I can’t protect Lydia every moment, but I can trust God. Pain can become a pathway to growth in Him, and His mercies are new every morning.

So whether you are facing middle school or even middle age, rejoice. Today is a day of blessing. God sees you and is for you. He has your back and knows your heart. Let Him direct your path!

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God, thanks for carrying us to this point in time and for all Your blessings along the way. Help us to grow in this new day and season. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What are you looking forward to in this coming season?

Task: When you feel overwhelmed, remember THIS is the day the Lord has made. This is the year, the season, the month, the week He designed for You. Rejoice and trust in Him!