Hope and Encouragement
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Focus Upward
It has been a wet summer around our place this year. While moisture is needful for the garden to flourish, the abundance of it has created a massive weed problem. It is a year where I have seen new varieties of weeds – not exactly the kind of diversity I am trying to promote in my garden. Usually I don’t mind a certain amount of weeding. It goes with the territory. I love to garden and not everything that grows will be of my choosing. This year, with the increased amount of nuisance plants, weeding has become burdensome. Trying to clean up the garden in between rains has become an…
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Hiding Out
Did you ever play hide and seek? I remember long summer nights where all the young people on our block would play that game for hours together until it was so dark we could barely see. We never played in one specific yard but for quite a distance down our street. It was always fun to see if I could find the perfect hiding spot where I could sit with great delight and watch the others valiantly try to find me. Nowadays we often find ourselves hiding out for a different reason. The news reports are full of negative Covid stories: a celebrity gets Covid after his own birthday party…
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Unmasked
I don’t get into urban areas very much at the best of times and even less in these pandemic days. Every time I go in of late, there are more changes. Since my last trip in, masks are now required by law for any indoor place. Having masks being commonplace is something I never thought could happen here. It changes my approach to a lot of things and I am sure it does the same for others. One of the most challenging activities with a mask is trying to read people’s emotions. I am used to conveying a lot of meaning through my facial expressions because I am not a…
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Strength of my Heart
Limp noodle. Fuzz brained. Dead tired. Overwhelmed. Absolutely drained. Emotionally exhausted. Physically spent. Do any of these phrases summarize how you are doing at the moment? As much as we want to live vibrant Christian lives, there are days when strength seems fleeting and life is more challenging. I find it helpful at these times to remember that true strength does not come from within myself. Sure, I might be determined to get something accomplished or be aggressive in pursuing a goal, but I can only power through so much on my own. Inevitably my own strength fails. I take comfort in the word of the Psalmist: “My flesh and…
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Who is She?
The doorbell rang and the members of our small Bible study group instantly were on the alert. Our pastor had informed us that a young woman had approached him, asking about a women’s Bible study group. While he said he couldn’t divulge the details, what he did tell us was that she needed a group of women to show her support in a rough time of her life. We weren’t sure what to expect when the door opened. The woman at the door looked in at us with a mixture of trepidation and caution, but also with purpose. As she entered the room where we sat around prepared for our…
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Make a Difference
I remember the day vividly. As a second year student at my college I knew what the annual awards ceremony would entail. My high expectations for the results of the day were evident in my cheery demeanor. I dressed carefully for the evening event, wanting to look my best when I walked across the stage to receive an award. During my first year I had seen others winning awards for their active involvement and leadership in our Christian college. As someone who didn’t compete on sports teams I was glad to see a broader focus at my school that honored those who contributed in other areas as well –…
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Don’t Stop Seeking
These days there is certainly no lack of things to worry about. The media continues to portray a world where disease and violence run rampant. Families are torn apart and many do not know where their next meal is coming from. Job security is nonexistent for many. I could go on and on with things that raise concerns in our lives today. I am not immune to the worry bug. Thankfully, when the cares and concerns of this life want to take hold, I know where to turn. My favourite Scripture in times like these is Matthew Chapter 6 where there is an entire section entitled “Do Not Worry”. …
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It Hurts
With extra time at home I have had the opportunity to sort through some old files. I was intrigued to find a collection of writings from many years ago. It’s interesting to go back and review my words from another time. I am going to share one such blurb with you now because I feel it is pertinent to us in these times: Lord, it hurts so much I think I am going to scream. Why must I be in constant pain? Will there ever be any relief? I don’t know how I am going to go on. Do these words sound familiar? We all experience pain in various…
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Grab a Brick
I love Lego. When my children were growing up we always had a large amount of Lego bricks so everybody could get in there and build their own massive creations. It was a wonderful rainy-day/winter activity with all of us, me included, down on the floor and sifting through the blocks to find that perfect one to complete our structures. I still have that bin of Lego and it resurfaces when my grandchildren come to visit. They know where it is and it is usually the first thing they go to when they get into the house. Before I know it, the living room floor is covered with the myriad…
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Trust in the Lord
A child gets into a car, gleefully enjoying the adventure of a trip somewhere. There is no concern about whether the car has enough fuel or if the traffic is congested. The child is oblivious to road conditions or mechanical issues with the vehicle. For each journey, the child trusts that the parent driving the car will bring them all safely to where they need to be. This confidence allows the child the freedom just to be and enjoy the ride. In contrast, when I get in my car, there are a myriad of possible thoughts going through my head. What is the weather like today? Do I…
