Category: Wisdom

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

In a Dry and Barren Land

Have you noticed that much of the western United States seems to be in a moderate to severe drought? We’ve had temperature over 100 degrees in Fargo, which is unusual to say the least! My grass is rather crispy in spots, and I have only mowed one time! 

From full-on deserts to out-of-control fires, droughts are serious. 

While we can’t do much about the weather, besides addressing climate change perhaps, we can make the best of it. We can thank God for His provision in every season. And, we can pray for rain!

Spiritually, there are some parallels to drought conditions. Our spirits can feel hot and dry at times, isolated. We can grow impatient with what we want to see and feel, but don’t.

Unfortunately, in a spiritual drought we can miss the joy of God’s presence. He is still at work even when we can’t understand what He is doing. But if we’re not careful, we can miss out on all of His goodness, too.

We can miss the heat and sunshine. We can miss the breeze sent to cool us down. We can miss beautiful flowers, as well as birds chirping. We can miss morning walks and ice cream in the evening. We can even miss opportunities to praise God!

If you are feeling dry and without spiritual hope, cry out to Jesus. He’s right there with you. Like a fountain, He will refresh you and set you back on the right path.

Late Monday night, there was an unexpected thunderstorm. The thunder and lightening woke up Lydia, and she had difficulty falling back to sleep. It’s not fun feeling vulnerable and afraid!

I was thankful for the rain, but I also needed to be a parent and comfort my child. I ended up letting her sleep with me, and of course she slept soundly after that!

I was thankful to be her safe place, pointing her back to God Himself.

Then, last night, I introduced Lydia to the Sound of Music. It’s nearly a three-hour movie, so we’ll have to finish it later. But, we gave it our best shot!

She recognized many of the songs and had fun singing along!

I could have easily just focused on my long to-do list last night; there is always something to do! But, instead, I enjoyed some refreshing time with Lydia.

If we know where to look, we can find peace, hope, and restoration in the desert setting. God made beautiful sunsets, flowers, cacti, and camels, right? 

Similarly, spiritual deserts can also have beauty. While they may or may not be preventable, our attitude (weeding) and willingness to trust God (watering) certainly make them more enjoyable.

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God, thanks for refreshing us with Your grace and love. Help us turn to You in the dry times of life. May we not wither away, but please restore and renew us. Have mercy on us and heal our land. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What have you been doing to stay cool in this heat? Do you prefer the hot, hot, hot weather?! Or, do you prefer more moderate temperatures?

Tasks: Read the lyrics to this song, “We Will Stand (In This Dry and Barren Land)“. Bonus points if you can sing it or play it on the guitar! Pray for rain and God’s renewal.

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer, Travel, Wisdom, Worship

Grand Forks Getaway

As I previously mentioned, Lydia and I had a special getaway last weekend.

We had a great weekend about an hour north in Grand Forks, North Dakota! I had made a short list of potential activities and places to visit. But, as always, God took my loose plans and put His own spin on them!

On Friday evening, we visited dear friends at a park and were visited by the ice cream truck! My friends have three kids, ages 2 to almost 6, and they are all so cute. The little boy, the middle child, wanted to hold Lydia’s hand, sit right next to her, and have her carry him. It was fun seeing Lydia respond favorably to him and his sisters. As an only child, she’s not used to siblings!

Then, Lydia and I drove across the border to Cabela’s in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. She loved it and even came out with a new stuffed animal! Soon, we crossed the bridge back to the North Dakota side. We walked around downtown before heading back to Minnesota for our car. Later, Lydia lived it up at the hotel arcade. She even won first place in the racing game! Reminds me of her dad!

On Saturday morning we had breakfast with the same friends, this time the kids were left at home. The man was one of Dave’s Caterpillar coworkers and a pallbearer at his funeral. After Dave died, I gave him Dave’s Bible. It felt like the right thing to do to bless this ‘CAT guy.’ God has blessed that small act of faith, and it has been fun to see him lead his family toward Jesus.

This man was mourning the lost of his best friend, who had just died from COVID-19 complications earlier in the week. So on Saturday, we talked about faith, Dave, family, our Caterpillar connection, and more. He acknowledged that our visit seemed like God-ordained meeting. I am so grateful I could encourage this couple because they have been such an encouragement to me!

Then, Lydia and I drove around town, visiting Widman’s confectionery and the University of North Dakota/Ralph Engelstad Arena (known for intense ice hockey games!). Later, we went to the Blue Moose Restaurant and ate tapas, walked around the mall, and visited a local indie bookstore. Lydia also drew a crowd with her marksmanship skills at Scheels!

Saturday night, we spent a couple hours at the water park in our hotel. It was huge, and we had a blast on the water slides and practicing Lydia’s swimming skills. We even ran into another friend! Then, we relaxed and watched a movie while eating some snacks.

On Sunday, we drove about 20 miles west to Turtle River State Park. We had fun hiking around and were glad we went early to beat the heat. It was gorgeous! Then, we came back home and listened to an audiobook on the way. Lydia played with a friend while I did some yard work before family Zoom.

When making our plans, it took me awhile to decide what to do and where to stay. I was trying to decide about the water park and what other attractions to see. I was also uncertain if I should contact my friends since it had been a few years since we saw them. I didn’t want them to have to adjust their plans. Turns out, I contacted them on the same day they found out about the loss of their friend. Wow!

Our whole trip was covered by God’s grace. I’d like to take Lydia to Medora, ND sometime, too, but this was the best weekend we’ve had in awhile!

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God, You are so good and faithful! Thanks for leading us and for guiding our steps. Thanks for helping us encourage others as we honor Dave’s life and legacy. Help us continue to be a blessing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you been to Grand Forks or Medora? What do you like to do on vacation? Do you like to relax or go sight-seeing? Do you make big plans or just meander?

Tasks: Next time you are considering a trip or step out of your normal routine, prayerfully go for it! Invite God to direct your path and see how He moves on your behalf! You never know just how He may use you to bless someone else.

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

Life in Color

Last Friday night, Lydia and I watched a show on Netflix called Life in Color with David Attenborough. So far, it’s really good!

If you like nature documentaries (or David Attenborough’s voice) like we do, this is right up your alley. We really enjoyed watching various birds around the world. A peacock showing off his feathers, the flamingoes dancing around, and birds of paradise trying to win mates.

We also enjoyed seeing flowers, butterflies, and tropical fish in UV light. There’s also a giant shrimp and poison dart frogs wrestling in the cutest way. And that’s just episode one!

The part about UV light and how animals see was very interesting. On butterflies, for instance, we see the basic black and white or orange or yellow. The butterflies see each other differently, in iridescent purples and greens and pinks!

On Life in Color, we saw that (what appear like) basic yellow fish actually have unique markings visible under UV light. In fact, two very similar yellow fish were actually different species altogether! This could help each animal identify one another, but for me it was a good reminder. There is more than meets the eye.

On this documentary and others, we see a mere sample of the world God created.  In light of that, it’s easy to see just how small we are! For starters, think about human attempts at space exploration. Kind of humorous when you think of it. Valiant effort, though! 😉

Interestingly, the first (grainy, incomplete) pictures of Earth from space were taken around 1947. The famous Blue Marble picture was taken in 1972, relatively a short time ago. Then, there’s also outer space, with images from the Hubble telescope and others. God sees it all at simultaneously, though!

Don’t forget God made underground caves and deep jungles, too! Yes, there’s always something exciting to discover! Not to mention only the beauty, but also to learn how each of them work and are interconnected with each other. Mind-blowing, right?! 

As we were watching the Netflix show, this thought came to mind: “If God can create such wonders and sustain millions of species around the world, surely He can take care of me, too.”

I already had been having a good day, not one filled with doubt or dread. But, even so, peace overwhelmed my heart, and I felt so special as I thought about God’s wisdom and love. Thank You, Jesus!

I hope, you too, can soak up God’s love for You today. His grace covers you!

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God, thanks for making such a beautiful universe for us to enjoy. May we understand Your heart for us as You draw us near. May we also be wise stewards of our resources. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you enjoy nature documentaries? Do you have any recommendations for me?

Tasks: Make a list of your favorite places in nature. Maybe you enjoy camping and hiking, or maybe you have a traveling bucket list. Then, consider what it would feel like to know God made them specifically for YOU to enjoy. Let that awe carry you back to His heart!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Beets for Breakfast

Oatmeal, bagels, muffins, toast, cereal, fruit, eggs, etc…. Usually, I keep my breakfast simple and straightforward. I’ll eat just about anything, but I don’t try anything fancy Monday through Friday due to time constraints.

So, the other day, I was throwing together my breakfast in a rush. My usual options just didn’t sound appealing, or in a couple of cases, I had run out of those items. So, I grabbed whatever I had on hand.

That day, I ate beets for breakfast, as well as some other veggies, and egg, and some cooked whole grains (barley and millet, that day) all tossed together!! Everything but the egg was leftover from other meals. I added the egg for some protein on a whim, but I don’t usually use the stove in the morning. 

And hey!! It was surprisingly delicious!! Beets are one of my favorite vegetables, along with peppers, onions, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. While I don’t normally think of them as breakfast food, that day, they were perfect. Plus, the boost of creativity made me happy as I left for work. 

Guess what? My lunches for work are often like my breakfast. A little bit of everything thrown in one container. My coworkers always ask what I brought, and I show them all my leftovers! Yes, cooking for two means eating the same thing for a few days!

Professionally, I ask people every day about their lifestyle habits and their relationship with food. People tell me all sorts of interesting details! Then, I help them make small changes that add up and help meet their goals. I love being a dietitian!

Lately, at work, I’ve had several patients tell me of their favorite food combinations. One person loves dipping saltine crackers into coffee, while another enjoys potato chips and ice cream, too! Sweet and salty, perhaps?!

There’s no real right or wrong way to eat breakfast or lunch… or even dinner. Sure, I’d recommend a healthy mix of protein, carbohydrates, and even some non-starchy vegetables, less sweets and fast food. But ultimately, it’s important to just eat something. 

Regardless of what you eat for breakfast (or if you eat first thing!), I see a parallel for how God meets our needs. Sometimes, the solution is straightforward and sometimes it’s a little more creative (or crazy?!). But, it always is just what we need, when we need it.

We can look to Jesus as an example. He came as an ordinary baby, died as a criminal (though innocent), rose as a Victorious King, and then prepared breakfast for His disciples.

Surely, He knows what He is doing. We can trust His timing and provision!

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God, with You nothing is random or an afterthought. What may feel like chaos to us is just an opportunity to trust You more. Help us see You in each part of our day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you like beets? What are your favorite breakfast foods? Do you keep it simple or do you go wild? How can you trust God more today?

Tasks: Let go of preconceived ideas for what your day should go like. Let God surprise you!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

Persistence in Prayer

Jesus often woke up early, while it was still dark, to go pray. It surely was the key to His success and gave Him increased fortitude to do His work. Afterall, He came to die.

In Luke 11:1-13, Jesus then teaches His disciples how to pray. The Lord’s prayer is followed by an example of persistence in prayer. This is a well-known passage of Scripture, but sometimes it is difficult to keep praying for something you still don’t see.

For example, sometimes I pray for awhile about something and then move on to other things. It’s not that I forget about them or that I don’t think God will provide for me. Sometimes, I just get distracted by life. Or, on occasion, I can be more focused on the prayer and outcome than I am letting God do the work on my behalf.

Whenever that happens, I lay off praying and just give it to God.  I can trust Him to do all He has planned for me. While I wait, I am patient and obedient.

Then again... what if I am avoiding the issue altogether due to fear? Is fear holding me back from God’s best? Even though what I pray for is good, it will still bring change.

This came to a head last week when I was at the dentist. The hygienist mentioned something I have been praying for off-and-on (trying not too be obsessive!). With her hands in my mouth, I could only listen to her perspective and murmur feedback. 🙂 She’s in a different spot than I am, so it was interesting that we would have similar prayer requests.

Regarding that particular prayer, lately I have been taking a ‘laissez-faire’ approach. I am open minded to receiving a blessing, but I have decided to wait and see what happens.

Then, a few days later, I had a great conversation with someone who reminded me we can’t just sit back and wait for the UPS man to show up with our answer to prayer!

I had to laugh and wholeheartedly agreed. We have to fight for the Promised Land!

But then, I wondered, am I being patient… or complacent? 

On Sunday, the pastor gave some very practical tips on prayer. He mentioned the story of when Jesus cursed the fig tree in Matthew 21:18-22 and soon turned this into a discourse on prayer. Jesus was a master at getting people’s attention!

The pastor reminded us we all have mountains in our lives. He said we are like “mountain movers” when we pray boldly and actively work to get rid of the problem. This kind of prayer does not limit God, but expects He can do anything!

The other option is more comfortable, that is, “mountain maintenance,” where we simply landscape around our issues and make them look prettier, but the problem remains.

Generally, I don’t consider my prayer requests to be mountains, but as I listened, I was inspired and slightly convicted. Acts of faith and obedience honor God.

So, I asked myself:  Which of these options requires a leap of faith?

Furthermore, when God blesses us with answers to prayer, He expects us to bless others, as well. Suddenly, I saw how my prayers could be a statement of faith for future blessing instead of merely staying comfortable due to fear. Wow!

As a result of these recent experiences, I am going to start praying for a vision of all God will do when He answers my prayers. I am not giving Him an ultimatum; I’ll aim to be content and at peace either way.

Still, I can rest in the fact God loves to say YES, and even His NO is an ultimate YES.

Jesus is truly all I need.

Finally, we don’t need all the answers to walk by faith. Thus, my faith is not dependent on the outcome, but I can pray with hope and expect God’s goodness everywhere I go!

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God, thanks for letting me join in Your work through prayer and action. Help me pray boldly and with persistence. Give me more of a vision for all You want to do in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How would you describe your prayer life? Is it peppered with doubt or is it persistent with faith?

Tasks: Pray boldly and with persistence! Listen to the song, “Believer,” by Rhett Walker.

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

When Compromise Becomes Catastrophe

Give and take in relationships is important. Compromise can be a good way to solve problems. Hopefully, everyone gets what they want… and no one has to give up too much.

Still, compromise often requires good communication, sacrifice, and possibly discomfort. An example may be fostering a child in need or staying up late to help a friend. In those cases, we hope to share our values through influence.

But sometimes in life, we can compromise our values and that can get us into trouble. If we rely on our own (limited) wisdom and strength instead of God’s, we too easily forget what He called us to do.

We start skimping on details, which may mean skipping out altogether when difficult circumstances arise. If we’re not careful, we can bring catastrophe on ourselves and/or others.

I’m reading the (NLT Chronological) Bible in a Year with friends, and we’re starting the book of Joshua this week. In short, Joshua was Moses’ personal assistant and mentee.

After Moses died, Joshua was appointed to lead the nation of Israel to claim the Promised Land. He sought to do exactly what Moses directed. He was faithful to do all God called him to do.

It wasn’t easy, but he had God’s presence and His Word. (Moses wrote the Pentateuch, the first five books, which tell the story of God’s people and laws to this point).

Joshua was one of twelve spies sent to scout out the Promised Land many years before. He and Caleb brought back a good report, but the ten other spies incited fear in people.

This lack of faith caused the whole nation to wander in the desert for forty years! They ate quail and manna morning, noon, and night all that time. You think Israel would have learned her lesson!

Yet, as we go through the book of Joshua (and the next book, called Judges), we see that although Joshua did right, the entire nation eventually started to do things their own way. 

Sadly, Israel never fully conquered the land promised to Abraham (from near Egypt to the Euphrates River). Instead, they settled for a much smaller portion than God intended.

What happened?!

Well, somewhere along the way, they compromised. They grew comfortable and stopped challenging themselves. According to Deuteronomy 32:15, they grew spiritually fat and lazy. How Israel missed out!

This is a word of caution for us, too! The Promised Land was often called, ‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’ But that doesn’t mean it came easy. They were to fight for the land and then cultivate it. God was with them and for them, but still they stopped short.

Maybe you are waiting on God to move on your behalf. I understand, but maybe He’s waiting for you to be obedient! Yes, each of us has different goals and dreams, but our modern-day ‘Land of Promise’ is also going to take some effort to obtain and maintain!

Don’t get lazy or give up territory. Gird yourself with faith and perseverance. Be bold and courageous! Put in the work and see the results! It will take some time, but anything worth doing is worth doing well.

Don’t get to the point of shoulda-coulda-woulda. There’s no need for regret. Just ask God for wisdom and seek His input first! He will help us navigate our path and bring peace.

If we ask Him, the Lord will help us avoid major catastrophes and chaos. He does not want us to confused. Instead, He has good things in store for those who are obedient.

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God, thanks for generously giving us Your wisdom when we ask for it. Help us come to You when we face compromise. May we not settle for less than Your best. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Can you think of situations in which compromise is a good thing? Conversely, when does it lead to catastrophe?

Tasks: Read these verses Genesis 15:15-21; Numbers 34; and Joshua 1:3-9  about the boundaries promised to Abraham and reinforced later to Moses and Joshua. Then, compare those boundaries to King David’s conquests, in addition to modern day Israel.

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

It’s Gonna Be Okay

The week after the Spring time change (DST) is always a little rough. I didn’t feel it was off to too bad of a start, until I stayed up late two nights in a row working on a project and completely lost track of time! Thankfully, I felt fine, but I was moving slooow. Whoops!

Then, yesterday morning, Lydia slept in through her alarm! We each have our morning rhythms, which is more apparent when the timing gets off. Thankfully, I have built in extra time in Lydia’s schedule, so she wasn’t really too far behind like I was.

When our morning routine gets off, I have learned to roll with it. These are the days where I don’t do the extras. That means I skip the lathering shower pouf, use the lotion that takes less time to soak in, and don’t try anything new (think makeup and hair products)!

On those days, I don’t skip breakfast, but I may grab something portable or forgo the milk in my coffee. One reason I have trained myself to drink it black… sometimes, it’s necessary!

Yes, there are days when it seems everything is just “off” or something dramatic happens. This song, Into the Sea, by Tasha Layton, references Psalm 46:1-3, which says:

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

I have been singing and humming about mountains falling into the sea all week, but yesterday, it made me think. What does it mean by ‘mountains falling into the sea?’

We don’t have mountains in Fargo, which is pretty flat. But, I have seen avalanches and glaciers calving online! And, practically speaking, this is a great picture of everything literally falling apart.

When the ground starts giving way beneath us, God is there to catch us!

Another line that stands out in that song is, “Only good things come from You.” I am reminded that chaos is not directly from God, but He will turn it into something good.

Because He is good… that is, goodness is a part of His nature… He can’t help but use my circumstances for His glory and my good. Of course, this isn’t just to make sure I get to work on time. But, rather that I stay in tune to His timing and follow His lead.

With Jesus on our side, it will always turn out well for us. That doesn’t mean we won’t have challenges, but He is with us and for us! With confidence, we can trust Him and say, “It’s gonna be okay!”

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God, You are good! You sustain me when life is uncertain. Thanks for being my safe place. Thanks for staying close. Be my strength and hold me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions:  On those crazy-busy mornings, would you rather be late and do everything well? Or, do you have a back-up plan to save time?

Tasks: Crank up the sound and listen to the song, Into the Sea, linked above in pink. Then, listen to this song, “Safe Here,” by the same artist! Sooo good!

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

Coming or Going

Lydia and I are coming off a three-day weekend, thanks to Presidents Day on Monday. 

We had considered traveling to Arizona to see family over the weekend, but a few weeks ago, I changed my mind. I had already adjusted my work schedule and traded on-call dates, so that wasn’t the issue. Also, I could have taught my class online, if needed. Basically, I was starting to prepare but didn’t have peace.

Yes, I really wanted to go, but there were several things holding me back. Some reasons were practical, like Lydia missing three days of school, not wanting to fly during COVID, or possibly having to quarantine.

Driving wasn’t really an option this time either. Arizona would be a twenty-five hour trip, one way, with me doing all the driving!

Certainly, Arizona would have been fun, but I still had a sense of hesitation. I could not place my finger on it (besides potential weather issues or having to plan ahead while already feeling time-crunched). In the end, I made the decision to stay home and was glad.

Turns out, maybe God just wanted me to rest!

As it was, Lydia and I had a really relaxing and restorative weekend. Sure, we did a little cleaning and laundry and projects, but we also slept in, worked on a puzzle, watched movies, played Monopoly, cooked some delicious food, and more.

It was just what we needed! I know Arizona would have been worth it, too, and I was bummed to say no. But, with so many variables up in the air, it seemed wise to hold off.

Most people would love to head South at this time of year. Especially in the Midwest right now! Other states are having historic cold snaps, but the brutal temperatures are just our normal winter weather in Fargo. If anything, we’ve had an easy winter… perhaps one reason why I don’t feel the need to escape!

Ironically, two other friends flew to Arizona and loved relaxing in the heat! From their beautiful pictures, it was just what they needed, too!

I’m grateful God leads each of us differently. He may tell some to stay and some to go. He may ask others to speak up and others to stay quiet. The Lord gives and takes away. He loves us in equal measure but will use our unique traits as He sees fit.

We don’t have to feel bad or feel afraid of missing out on life. As long as we are paying attention to Jesus and doing what He says, we will end up where we need to be.

Whether we are coming or going, we can trust Him! He knows exactly what we need!

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God, thanks for leading us and providing for us. Thanks for bringing us restoration and peace as You watch over us. May we bring You glory whether we are coming or going! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you enjoy the blustery winter weather? Do you have any upcoming travel plans? How do you see God blessing you today?

Tasks: Conserve your energy. Instead of feeding negativity, look for what’s going well. Trust that God has you where He wants you!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Bring Your Tough Questions to Jesus

Yesterday, I watched a Bible Project video about “emet,” that is, God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness. I love these videos! Interestingly, the next video in the series says that Exodus 34:6-7 is the most repeated and re-quoted text by Biblical authors. Wow!!

I also heard a teacher from Read through the Word say, “If you can’t quite see God’s faithfulness in your own life, look for His faithfulness in the lives of others… both in the Bible and people you know.”

So, naturally, God’s faithfulness is on my mind this week! That said, it can sometimes be difficult to see faithfulness when you are in the midst of trials or emotional upheaval. But keep looking… It’s there!

Also, earlier this week, I was texting with two different ladies at the same time. One is very close to me and the other I have never met (a friend of a friend). They are both going through the early stages of severe grief, though their losses are different. Neither felt up to talking on the phone, so texting was their preferred option.

I wish I could take away the pain these ladies are feeling, but I cannot. It will take a fair amount of time and effort to process their intense grief. I’m available to help and listen, but I cannot heal their hearts on my own. However, I can point them toward God’s faithfulness. If they draw close to Him, He will be there strength and everything they need.

After my late-husband, Dave, died in 2013, I certainly had a lot of questions with few answers. I chose not to be mad at God, but still I wondered what our relationship was supposed to look like. I was understandably confused and disappointed.

Back then, another friend simply encouraged me to keep bringing those questions to God Himself. She validated my feelings and challenged me to not give up. Her words resonated with me as she reminded me that God could handle all my emotions. All I had to do was keep coming to Him. It was a breath of fresh air!

My daughter, Lydia, is quite resilient, but even so, she does tend to go through periods of mourning for her dad. Her grief is different than mine, and I cannot always shield her from pain and loss. Though, I can to create a safe space to discuss what’s on her heart.

Recently, Lydia showed me a paper from church where the children were asked to write down questions they would ask God. I don’t know what the lesson was about, but on the top of her list was this question: How is my dad doing?

While I hate that she has to bear such loss, I am glad she feels good about asking God tough questions. (She also asked what God’s favorite color and food were, so I don’t think she was too upset on that day.)

Bottom line: Our doubts and fears can yield a deeper faith as long as we bring all of those questions to Jesus, instead of turning away and trying to cope on our own.

Whether we come to God in anger, confusion, sadness, disappointment—or even with joy and gratitude—we are changed in the presence of Jesus.

He can handle our deepest concerns because His grace knows no bounds. It may be slow progress, but eventually, we will be on level ground again.

Don’t give up when you don’t get the answers you want. Just keep asking and trusting. God will make everything right in due time.

I’m grateful He knows our hearts better than we do!

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God, thanks that we can bring all our tough questions directly to You. Thanks for Your unmatched grace and faithfulness. Please speak words of comfort and healing; Lord, give us Your peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you find yourself weeping with those who weep? Or are you trying to bring surface (quick and superficial) solutions to deep and lasting grief?

Tasks: If you don’t know what to say to someone who is grieving, perhaps don’t say anything. Instead, show up for them. Be available even just to sit and listen, or help with difficult task. Finally, listen to this song, “God Help Me,” by Plumb.

Posted on in Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

Living Amid the Shadow of Death

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” –Psalm 23:4, ESV

On Sunday morning, my cousin’s precious 12-year-old son (Ethan, her only child) was tragically killed in a snowmobiling accident in Ohio. Please keep his parents and all of my family in prayer. There are no words to describe the collective heartache.

Moreover, lately, I have been aware of other people’s equally difficult losses, too. Whether loss of life due to COVID, other health issues, or even more senseless tragedies, death and destruction seem to be everywhere these days.

In times like these, I think of all my loved ones who have already passed on. It is comforting to imagine Ethan being greeted by my grandparents, two aunts (one of which is his grandmother), and my late husband, Dave. Often, it brings me comfort but sometimes, I have to stop before my grief gets the best of me.

Yes, grief is extremely painful at times. But while I am very aware of the so-called reality of Death, I am also very aware of the ultimate reality of Eternal Life and even the joy found in living in the here and now.

When I can’t wrap my mind around all of the sadness, I take all my thoughts and feelings to Jesus. He is the Source of Life, and He helps me sort out all my problems, emotions, and doubts. He relieves me of those burdens and gives me a lighter load.

But even though Jesus conquered Death (and Sin) when he rose from the grave, we still deal the pain and darkness of it every day. We, as Christ followers, place our hope in God’s eternal wisdom and plan, even we don’t understand it. We mourn differently than those who place their hope in earthly things.

Yet, how do we keep living amid the shadow of Death?

**The ideas that follow are not so much “tips” as they are reflections. Each person handles grief and loss in their own unique way. Nonetheless, I hope these thoughts point you in the right direction, towards Jesus, who will make everything right someday.**

First things first, we draw closer to the Light of Jesus. A shadow is not a shadow without the presence of light. So, in Jesus’ presence, we keep the shadows in perspective.

Similarly, we recognize that Death has lost its power. A shadow constantly shifts shape, but there is no hint of darkness or changing in Jesus (James 1:17). God is God over the shadows (2 Kings 20:9-11). When we look to the Cross of Christ, we will see death for what it really is. Only temporary.

Next, we celebrate the lives of those we love and are missing. We talk about them and share memories of them. We honor them as we place one step in front of the other, living a full life and making the most of our time. Life is so short…but God’s grace is abundant.

We recall that God does not bring tragedy and pain upon His children, but He helps us in our struggles and does not leave us in the valley on our own. He collects our tears and won’t waste our pain. Yes, He promises to use these horrible circumstances for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28).

Finally, we understand God is not surprised by tragedies or twists in our life story. If we are willing to trust Him, He will even use our story to help bring healing to someone else. We can choose to keep moving forward with Jesus.

He is the God of all comfort and peace.

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God, we thank You for the gift of Life. Lord, You are the King and You reign over death. Will You help us to trust You more when we don’t understand? Please bring Your peace and comfort, Lord. Give us courage and strength as we keep moving forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: In the midst of tragedies, where are you placing your hope and trust? Have you asked Jesus to meet you in the midst of your pain?

Tasks: Listen to the song, “Valleys Fill First,” by Caedmon’s Call. Remember to take all your pain, sorrow, and grief to Jesus! He loves you more than you can even imagine.