As an elementary school student, I learned reading, writing, and arithmetic. Unfortunately, I also learned that I was poor, dirty, and unpopular.  I am not sure I had ever realized that before being a pupil at Willow Drive Elementary.  Over the six years spent at the school, I became increasingly self-aware and in my case that was not a good thing. 

A memory of fifth grade has been rolling around in my head today.  Each day at recess, we played kickball.  I was a captain and another girl that we will call Beth was a captain.  Each day we would make the same choices of who would be on our team.  One by one we called their names and they came and stood with us as we prepared for the battle on the kickball field.  My team always consisted of the not so popular or not so athletic ones.  Beth would always choose the popular kids and the athletic kids.  Every single recess, my team got pulverized. We could never defeat them. 

One day it dawned on me that the problem was my choices.  Because my mindset was that I was less than or felt rejected, I would never allow myself to make victorious choices.  (That was my mindset, not necessarily those of others.)  I chose to walk in defeat, rather than rise above the lies that I told myself.  Lies like:  nobody wants to be on your team, those other people don’t like you, you will always lose because it’s what you were born to do.  Lie after lie filled my mind.  

I’m not sure what happened, but on a Thursday recess I decided to choose differently. I chose athletic kids, I chose both popular and unpopular people.  I chose differently because I was tired of being defeated.  I can still clearly picture the look on Beth’s face. She was shocked that I would dare choose differently than before, and she wasn’t happy about it.  I marched on the field ready to play ball.  We smoked them that day!   I jumped.  I shouted.  I smiled.  I experienced victory!  

What was the difference between that Thursday and all those other days?  The difference was my choices.  I chose to override what my mind was telling me, and I would take authority over those thoughts, and I would position myself for victory.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2. (ESV)

As a child of God, we do not have to stay defeated by our thought lives.   As I sat with the Lord this morning, I began to realize how easy it is to live like that fifth grader, never expecting to have victory and making choices that promise defeat.    Too often, we hear about peace from God but never experience it.  We hear about victory from God but feel defeated.  We hear about the joy of the Lord but remain sullen.  Why?  Mindset. 

As believers, you and I have been raised with Christ and we are to seek things above.  We are to set our minds on things above.  That is a choice.   Beth was not happy when I made the choice for victory.  The devil will not be happy when you decide not to keep your mind filled with the problems of earth and a mindset that says that it will always be this way.  There is  a phrase that’s been around awhile and one that we would do well to use.  When we walk out on the field of life and Satan is ready to defeat us, we should be very vocal and very firm, “Not today, devil, not today!”   I must choose to keep my mind stayed on Jesus and the work He has done in my life.   I am going to live and experience the victorious life that is mine!

Today, I am going to walk out on the field of life and choose victory!  Even if Beth is staring me in the face, I choose victory.  Even if Satan is whispering in my ear, I choose victory.   Today, I choose to keep my mind on Jesus Christ who is sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession FOR ME!  I choose victory!  How about you?

As I sat in our first church service on that Sunday morning in 1972, I was trying to worship, but fear was interrupting my focus on God.  Gaylon’s first pastorate was in Camden, South Carolina.  It was a small congregation in a small building in a small city.  At age twenty, I really had no clue what it meant to trust God.   One of my greatest fears was how we would pay the bills. 

Gaylon and I had worked all week moving into the church parsonage which sat right next door to the church building.  We had been married less than a year and had accumulated little in that period of time.  Our furniture style was early pastoral!   By the time we moved into the house and got things straight, we were out of money.   Our cupboards were bare, and I do mean B-A-R-E!  We had nothing to eat in the house and were awaiting our first paycheck after that morning service.   My mind was filled with “what are we going to do” thoughts.  My situation definitely appeared bigger than my God. 

That morning after the service, a couple invited us to go to a local restaurant for lunch.   (I really wanted to do a Holy Spirit dance!)  We gratefully  accepted their invitation and we were taken to one of the nicest restaurants in town.  We both had wonderful steak dinners, and afterward, we received our first very small check.  VERY SMALL. 

By the next weekend, our bank account was still barely breathing.  I thought to myself, “Is this what ministry is?  Go to church, smile, and starve!”   As we entered the door of the church on our second Sunday,  we were broke again and the cupboards were bare.  I just wanted to get to the end of the service and get another small check.   The same couple came up to us and invited us to lunch again.   Once again, we were treated to a great lunch and received a paycheck. 

The next weekend rolled around, and I perused the cupboards in my kitchen, finding only peanut butter and bread. But my faith arose!  I knew that the same couple would surely take us to another fine restaurant.  I could not wait to see where we would go.  I was a child of God and only the best would come my way!

Following the service of our third Sunday in Camden, Henry and Trixie walked up to us again.  I smiled big and was ready to walk through the doors of another fine restaurant.  Henry gave Gaylon his check, said goodbye, turned and left.  There I stood at the parsonage door instead of the restaurant door!  “God, where are You?”  I felt God impress on my heart, “I am right here.  Will peanut butter and bread feed you?  Will peanut butter and bread meet the need? I promised to meet your needs not your wants.”  That Sunday’s lunch was peanut butter sandwiches.

I learned a valuable spiritual lesson while eating those peanut butter sandwiches.  I learned that my “wanter” was bigger than my “needer.”   Oh, I know those are incorrect vocabulary words, but those words  express so well the lesson I learned!  That day God Himself taught me His word.  “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” – Philippians 4:19-20. 

At another pastorate, we faced difficult financial times in the church.  There was not enough money to pay the bills of the church, much less meet our personal needs.  I remember Gaylon coming home, and with tears in his eyes he told me what happened that day. He and his secretary spread the bills out on the desk and asked God to provide.  Shortly after that prayer in the office, a member of the church stopped by the church.  He and his family had been gone for a while, and he wanted to drop off their offering.  It was enough to pay the bills that were due.   There was a whole lot of shouting going on that day!

Presently, we are in tough times in our country.  Inflation is affecting us all, and maybe you find yourself overridden with fear instead of faith.  How will we get through this?  What does the future hold?  For the child of God, it is imperative to remember that He made a highway through an impassable Red Sea; He fed five thousand with a little boy’s lunch; He flew in Elijah’s meals on the wings of a raven; God made manna out of dew in the desert so His people could eat; He provided money from the mouth of a fish to pay a tax bill!   The Bible is filled with stories of God’s miraculous provision.

God does meet the needs of His people.  God does sustain us.  Whether we have a peanut butter sandwich or a ribeye steak, He  provides.   

Is fear gripping you today?  The Psalmist tells us what to do.  “So, my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago;  I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you;  I thirst for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, Lord.” – Psalm 143:4-7

Stop and remember the goodness of God.  Recall the times He has come to meet your needs (not your wants.)  Jot those things down.  Meditate on the works of God.  Spread your hands out to God and ask Him to do it again.  He is the way maker, miracle worker!  That is who He is. 

For several years now I have worn an Apple watch.  I am a major fan!  My watch can show me my emails, my texts, my calls, and my calendar.  It was my Apple watch that helped my cardiologist to see that I had been experiencing Afib for months before coming to see him.  My watch kept a record of my EKGs and recorded in bright yellow the times I experienced Afib.   I could go on and on.  As I said, I am a fan of my Apple watch.

Apple watches offer a feature that I use every day.  It allows me to set three goals and these goals show up as circles to be closed.  Mine is set up to show calories in red, exercise minutes in green, and stand hours in blue.  I am so happy when the red and green circles are completely closed!  Hallelujah, I have reached my goal for calories to be burned and exercise is done for the day!  But that blue circle – that blue circle is much harder to close.   Some days I would like to erase it from my watch!

The blue circle requires that I stand up and move around each hour.   My goal is to stand up and move each hour for at least twelve hours per day, and if I don’t stand and move around, I cannot close the circle by the end of the day.  In fact, if an hour is coming to a close and I have not moved, my watch buzzes my arm and gives me a message, “Time to Stand.”  Let me say that “Time to Stand” is not always a welcome message to me.  I would rather stay in my comfortable position and not be challenged.

Beloved people of God, we are in a period where Heaven is buzzing us – “Time to Stand.”    The Bible says, “…When the day of evil comes…stand your ground, and after you have done everything… stand. Stand firm then… Ephesians 6:13-14

I was a bit reluctant to write this blog because it is much easier to stay in my comfortable position.  It is heartbreaking to watch our nation imploding morally and spiritually. Brothers and sisters, I’m here to tell you today, “Time to Stand.”   It is time to take a stand by applying our Biblical values to all we say, do, think, and live.

Eventually, we will all come to moments when everyone else is doing one thing, but God has called us to do something different. To choose purity can impact our dating lives. To choose integrity can affect our move up the career ladder.   To choose God can impact our friendships. 

The Bible is full of stories of people who made the choice to stand.  Daniel chose to pray to his God and be thrown into a den of lions. Three Hebrew children chose to stand for God and be thrown into a fiery furnace.  The early disciples chose to preach the truth even though they would be beaten for doing so.

We are in an hour where we must choose to stand our ground against the enemy like never before. The Bible has much to say about standing. We are exhorted to stand still, to stand fast, to stand fast in faith, to stand fast in the Lord; and, then after we have done all that, just stand.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  Our spiritual watches are buzzing us, “Time to Stand.”   

Her name was Mary. That is not really her name, but we shall call her that.  When I met Mary, she appeared shy, troubled, and nervous.  In fact, when I would try to talk with her, she could not even look me in the eye. 

Mary became part of our church and said yes to my invitation to walk with me sometimes.   Over time Mary began to open up to me.  She told a tale of how she had been unfaithful to her husband.  He had found out about it, and  Mary ended the relationship with the other man.  In just a few weeks, Mary realized she was pregnant.   The timing raised a question about who the father of the child was.   Mary’s husband became enraged and forced her to terminate the pregnancy, and she had never been able to move beyond the guilt.

I began to talk with Mary, sharing with her scripture showing the total forgiveness of God, His love and acceptance.  Mary understood what the Bible said.  She understood that God had forgiven her.  The problem was that Mary had never forgiven herself.  Mary felt she should be punished for the rest of her life and that she should not be allowed to ever be happy after what she had done.  I wish I could tell you that Mary was able to move on, but Mary never could forgive herself.

Many are stuck today because of something in their past.   Struggling under self-condemnation is not the way God wants us to live.  Stop replaying in your mind the old recording of your sin, which stirs up guilt, but instead replay the truths of God’s Word. God says in Romans 8:1, 2, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”    God says in Ephesians 1:6 – “He has made us accepted in the beloved.”   Rehearse these promises when the recording in your mind starts playing.  As you take hold of His forgiveness and release your guilt, you will walk out of that jail of self-condemnation into the joy of abundant life.

The story is told of a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. The lad was given a slingshot to play with while he roamed in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target.  Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back, he saw Grandma’s pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day, Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.”  But Sally said, “Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen.”  Then she whispered to him, “Remember the duck?” So, Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, “I’m sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.”   Sally just smiled and said, “Well that’s all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help.” She whispered again, “Remember the duck?” So, Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s, he finally could not stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.  Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, “Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window, and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.”

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done that the devil keeps throwing up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, unhealthy habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.); whatever it is, you need to know that God was standing at the window, and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He is just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.  The wonderful thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets.  You do not have to be a slave anymore.  Be free!

A little over four years ago, in all my grace and glory and in front of several family members, I took a tumble down some stairs.  I forgot about my pride pretty quickly because I knew I had badly damaged my ankle.   At first, I couldn’t even feel my foot, but in time it was excruciatingly painful.  I could not get up on my own, and of course walking was out of the question. 

My son and husband were able to get me to the car and take me to the hospital.   After a few days, the swelling was down enough for surgery to repair my ankle and leg.  The recovery period was rough as far as pain was concerned, but even more so because I couldn’t put weight on the foot for several weeks.   My only choice was to become dependent on others.

Six weeks later I began therapy to learn to walk again.  It was so hard and so painful.  I just wanted to quit!  I shed many tears after leaving therapy, and my feelings said, “Just don’t go back.”   My head knew I had to go back.  Following my feelings would have kept me crippled.  

On one really difficult therapy day, I wanted to cry and scream, but being a victorious woman of God, I sucked it up in front of them.   My therapist finally looked at me and said, “Your problem is you are concentrating on the pain instead of the healing that is ahead.”    Mic drop!  Over the next several months, I learned to walk through the pain.  Some days were hard, really hard.  Today, I walk without a limp and without pain.   How?  I kept my focus on the healing. 

My heart is filled with compassion for so many people who are in the throes of crippling, painful situations in this life.    Life can be downright traumatic.    Perhaps we didn’t even see the tumble down the stairs coming.  Perhaps the tumble is  a health crisis, an employment issue, betrayal or abuse, loss of a loved one, family division.  Maybe something started off like a hill and has now become a mountain.

The apostle Paul wrote, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).   He didn’t sugar coat it.  Paul said, “Life has been tough.  We even took blows that struck us down, but they did not destroy us.”    I am not sugar coating it either.  Life is so painful at times, so demanding at times.  We take hard blows that knock the breath out of us, and maybe knock us to the ground. 

So often we try to medicate the pain with food, alcohol, overspending, immoral behavior, and a host of other things.   Yet, when those things have run their course, the pain is still there.     That battle you’re facing – I know it’s difficult. I know it feels impossible and heart-wrenching, but I also believe Jesus is saying, “Keep your focus on healing.  Keep your focus on me.  The pain is real, but I am more real.  Walk towards healing.”

Consider believing God’s perspective and claiming a victory even when you don’t feel or look victorious.  When the pain is real, keep walking towards healing.   When we do that, we will be able to walk with hope.  

God has given us victory, but we must learn to walk victoriously.    There is the emotional shout of victory, and then there is the walk of victory.   The latter requires walking through the pain on the way to healing.    The latter requires focus on the One who brings healing.  

“Life can throw its best weapons at you, and they are no match for the Almighty God that is in you. Satan will try to deceive you by planting doubt and discouragement in you. Cast all of those feelings on Jesus because His burden is light. Stand firm on the Word of God and in Prayer. You will overcome the evil one. The victory is yours.” – Chuck Musselwhite

Mother’s Day is a day that can produce a myriad of emotions.  Let’s start with a little Mother’s Day humor:

1. “They say women speak 20,000 words a day. I have a daughter who gets that done by breakfast.”
2. “A toddler can do more in one unsupervised minute than most people can do in a day.”
3. I asked a police recruit during an exam, “What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?” He said, “Call for backup.”
4. I hate when I’m waiting for mom to cook dinner, and then I remember I am the mom, and I have to cook dinner.
5. Whoever wrote the song “Easy Like Sunday Morning” did not have kids.
6. When your mom’s voice is so loud, even your neighbors brush their teeth and get dressed.

I love a good laugh, but Mother’s Day can produce far more than laughter. Mother’s Day can produce laughter, love, sorrow, anger, resentment, and emotions I have not even mentioned.  Let’s talk about it.

First and foremost, there is the thanksgiving for our mothers. My mom had such a hard life, but she put up with a lot of stuff so her eight kids would have a roof over their heads. From her I learned what sacrificial love is. Though I did not understand it at the time, I totally get it now. She taught me so many things. After all she taught me to use a big-girl pottie, and that is an invaluable tool in my life. She has been gone for almost four decades, and how I wish I could hold her hand and kiss her sweet face.

There is the joy of being a mother. I feel so blessed to be the mother of Michael, Bryan, and Stephen. I was about as imperfect a mother as could be found when my boys were young. I was still in the healing process of my own life. I wish I had known then what I know now about being a healed, whole person. It is worth it to you, and your family, to get as whole as possible, so you can enjoy the journey. Also, I was such a perfectionist, wanting everything perfectly clean. Moms, you do not have to let it be a pigsty, but do not worry about every little thing, and instead have fun with your children.

For some, Mother’s Day is as painful as it is joyful. Perhaps the relationship with their mother was never good, even abusive. For some, this is the first year without Mother. Others are dealing with barrenness, longing to have a child of their own to hold in their arms. Some have the pain of miscarriage. I know that pain all too well and can still remember how that felt. I am personally praying with young women who long to have a child. How I wish I could take away their sorrow!

Others are caring for an elderly mother, and doing it with great love. Yet, sorrow and exhaustion have become a way of life in many cases.

Some mothers are faced with children that have distanced from them. Maybe the relationship with one or more of their children is strained, or perhaps there is no relationship at all.   Others have watched as their children have become victims of addiction.  I personally know several mothers who have broken hearts as a result of children who are incarcerated. 

Some mothers, like me, have mixed emotions. I have so much joy with my sons, their wives, and those precious grandchildren. Yet, at times I still feel warm tears flow down my face wishing my son Bryan could call. I know he is in heaven and I will see him again, but I wish I could see him now. I recently had a conversation with a woman, who had lost a son. I did not know her, but we both stood and cried talking about our sons. We rejoiced over what we do have but miss our sons very much.

In scripture, Hannah is always the mother to whom I am drawn. Her story is recorded in 1 Samuel chapter 1. Hannah is an example of a woman of faith. She endures years of silent suffering because of her barrenness and the cruel harassment at the hand of her rival Peninnah. She goes to the place of worship, even though she is in pain herself. She faithfully worships, pouring out her tears and petitions. Hannah promised God that if He would give her a son, she would give him back to the service of God. God answers her prayers, she not only keeps her promise, but she also explodes with praise.

As a woman, Hannah knew sorrow for many years, strife in her home, barrenness, and pain. She never gave up on God. She poured her heart out year and year, and God miraculously turned her situation around, BUT only after years of getting up every day to the same set of circumstances. Hannah was a woman of faith, and it was a faith that gave her the strength to face the joys and sorrows of life.

As a woman, wherever you find yourself this Mother’s Day, do not give up on God. I can promise you, God will NEVER give up on you! He hears the cries of your heart. He sees every tear that falls. He knows the depth of pain you feel. Be a woman of faith, for faith will see you through. He understands your sorrow and your pain, and He will meet you right where you are.

“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.” – Psalm 138:3

“That’s too loud!”  This was exclaimed by Joseph Benton while visiting our home recently.  Joseph is our nine-year-old grandson, who is on the autism spectrum.   Children on the spectrum can have some of their senses heightened, which makes normal things to the average person painful for them.  

Papa Gaylon dropped something that made a loud noise, and Joseph looked at me.  I quickly said to him, “Goodness!  That was loud!”   Joseph repeated, “Goodness, that was loud!”   A few times during the remainder of his visit, Joseph would look at me and say, “Goodness is loud!”  While playing with toys, he would look up at me and say, “Is goodness loud?” 

That is a good question Joseph, “Is goodness loud?”

Joseph’s question caused me to ponder about just how loud goodness is.   There is no goodness louder than the goodness of God.  As a matter of fact, Christians will often say, “God is good all the time, all the time God is good!”

Is it really true that God is good all the time?  Absolutely!  However, there are times that we can lose focus of God’s goodness for many reasons, including when we are in pain, when we are in conflict, when we are depressed, when life is stressful.  It is difficult to focus on the goodness of God when things around us make His goodness seem quiet instead of loud.

One of my favorite ways of taking a picture, is to zero in on the main thing, and let there be a faded background of everything surrounding the main thing.   Are there other things in the picture?  Yes, but they are not the focus.  That is exactly how we stay focused on the goodness of God – intentionally focusing on how loud His goodness really is.

It would be easy for me to let the camera lens of my life focus on having a bad childhood growing up with a very abusive father.  It would be easy for me to focus on the loss of a son.  It would be easy for me to focus on all the ministry cancellations because of COVID 19.  My camera lens often wants to go there.    Then, I take the lens of my life and focus on the goodness of God, and His goodness is loud!

Yes, I was abused many times as a child, but because of the goodness of God, I raised three children who were loved deeply, and now have their own families who live in a loving atmosphere – only because of how loud the goodness of God is!   Yes, I lost a son, but then I look at two sons and eight wonderful grandchildren, and the goodness of God is so loud!  Yes, I had cancellations of ministry and loss of income, but because of the goodness of God, I now teach online, which I love!  I love to teach whole books of the Bible, and through online ministry, I am able to do that.  God’s goodness is so loud!   Yes, I lost income because I could no longer travel, but I have been blown away at the resources God has sent to supply every need.  It has been more than enough.  God’s goodness is loud! 

“Joseph, is goodness loud?  Yes, my dear grandson, goodness is very loud!”

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” – Psalm 27:13

It was time to declutter, so I did that just recently.   Usually, I keep things neat and orderly, but in the busyness or life and the “don’t want to do it now” of life, there were things that needed to be discarded, used, or put away.  

In this process of this cleaning, I found multiple candles that had been given to me, and all were in jars.   Some were in my possession for months, possibly even a couple of years.  I asked myself this question, “Why don’t you ever light these and enjoy the flame and the aroma?  Why do you leave them inside of a glass just to be looked out?  Let the light out, let the fragrance out.”   I decided that one by one I would burn the candles, and I have been doing that. 

My husband said to me last night, “I kind of like having that candle burning.  It sets a good atmosphere and gives off a good aroma.”   Yep, my husband/boyfriend of fifty years noticed the light, the aroma, and a change in atmosphere.

We live in a cluttered time in life.   Social media overload. Cancel culture.  Political division.   Racial division.   Family division.  Our minds are constantly bombarded with the latest story that causes division.   It is really easy to get away from the main thing, isn’t it?   Perhaps it is time to bring out the candles and light them.  It’s time for light.

Matthew 5:14-16. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

The dictionary defines light as something that makes vision possible.  It’s definitely time to light the candles of our lives in the midst of all the clutter.  I could pontificate on this for a while, but I shall simply state as my husband did, “I kind of like having that candle burning.  It sets a good atmosphere and gives off a good aroma.”   

The time is now for Christians, true Christ followers, to stop blending in with the clutter.   Let us dust off our souls and let the flame of God’s presence shine brightly.  Let’s change the atmosphere.  God’s people need to pray, and so many of us have been praying.  What would happen is that was paired with the bright light of God’s presence in our lives?   May we declutter our lives today, get into God’s presence, live brightly in a dark culture, and give off the aroma of the wonderful God we serve.  If a room is totally dark, and a candle is lit, the eyes will be drawn to the light.   Light is powerful. 

What does it mean to let your light shine? It is to live in such a way that our lives can bring clarity in dark places.  God’s people should be the most hope-filled people on the earth.  In a hopeless world, shine with hope, be a hope-filled light.  In all truthfulness, none of us can actually be the light. Just as the moon can only reflect the sun’s light to brighten up a dark night, we too can only reflect the light of the Son, Jesus Christ, to this dark world. Live a life that shines brightly, reflecting the Lord Jesus Christ. Light your candle.

“Arise, shine! Let your light shine for all to see.  For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you!” – Isaiah 60:1

God, would you hurry up already!  

Have you ever had that cross your mind?  If you are breathing, you have wondered about the waiting room of God, or the delays of God.   Though we can quote Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD,” living it is quite another thing!

My husband Gaylon was a football player in high school and loves the game.   He attended college hoping to become a math teacher and a football coach.  During his time in college, God began to deal with Gaylon about a call to pastoral ministry.   After prayer and confirmation and after two years of college, he made the decision to switch schools, which required a move from Alabama to Florida.  In Florida, he would attend Southeastern University and begin his studies to become a pastor. 

Southeastern informed Gaylon that he would only be able to transfer one year of his studies. This would add an extra year to get his degree.  Ugh, what wasted time! What wasted money!  He thought, “God, why couldn’t you just send me there to begin with?  That would have saved me money and time.”  

I also attended Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL, and was two years behind Gaylon.   I did not know him the first year I was there, but met him the second year when he was a senior.  Eventually, we began dating, got engaged and married the summer after his graduation.   So, what is the big deal about this story?   Well, the big deal is that if Gaylon had not been required to stay the extra year, we would never have met. 

God could have easily made the path for Gaylon to be at Southeastern from the beginning, and  allow him to graduate in four years.  Instead, it was the longer path which would take five years.   God had a divine appointment set up for Gaylon’s fifth year!  Had he not been there in the fifth year, we would never have met!  God had ordained our marriage and ministry together.  In June of 2021, we will celebrate fifty years of marriage.  I am so thankful for decades of marriage to this man.  I am so thankful for the many years of ministry we have done together.  I am so thankful for three sons and eight grandchildren.  I am so thankful for the delay of God that brought this all about!

All of us who are walking the Christian life have had times when we have been perplexed by the delay, or seeming delay, of our heavenly Father.   God, would You hurry up already!   God is working during the delays of life.  He is not neglecting us, but He is working for us!  Delay does not mean that God has forsaken us.  He hears our prayers, every one of them!  Trust Him with the delays.  Delay is always an opportunity for God to bring forth a bigger and better thing than that for which we asked.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Have you ever seen the hashtag #blessed?  It’s all over social media.  I have a great family – #blessed.  I just got the house of my dreams – #blessed.   I have met the man or the woman of my dreams – #blessed.  My spouse just got a huge promotion at work – #blessed.   Those are all wonderful things to have. 

But what happens when you look at your current circumstances and do not feel so blessed?   I know of a family where the husband and wife both lost jobs and income is scare.  I know of a family who just received an autism diagnosis for their child, and they are just beginning the journey of how to pursue his best options.  I know of a wife who got out of an abusive marriage and now can barely make ends meet.   I know of a pastor who lost his life after battling COVID-19 for a while, and now his wife finds herself alone for the for the first time in decades.  I know of a pastor’s wife who is battling breast cancer.

The above list could go on and on and on.  There is much grief, loss, and unfairness in life.  As believers in Jesus Christ, we are not inoculated against life.  Life happens.    If we are not careful, we will associate being blessed with living in comfort, disease-free, plenty in the bank, and a problem-free life.     That is a shallow view of a “blessed” life.  As a matter of fact, in Matthew 5, Jesus spoke of being blessed. 

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are they who mourn,
   for they shall be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek,
   for they shall inherit the earth.
4. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they shall be satisfied.
5. Blessed are the merciful,
   for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure of heart,
   for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they shall be called children of God.
8. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

These are known as The Beatitudes.   The word blessed in these statements is the word “makarios” which means satisfied and super blessed.  Yet, none of them had anything to do with material things or health issues.   In the period when Jesus was on earth, many believed that having lots of possessions showed that someone was blessed.  They thought the rich and elite were the blessed people. 

Jesus came and brought a whole different meaning to a blessed life.  It is not the elite who are blessed. It is not the rich and powerful who are blessed. It is not the high and mighty who are blessed. It is not the people living in huge mansions or expensive penthouses who are blessed. Rather, Jesus pronounces God’s blessings on the lowly: the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the meek, the mourning. Throughout the history of this word, it had always been the other people who were considered blessed: the rich, the filled up, the powerful. Jesus turns it all upside-down.

Recently I read a great thought on blessings.   It was written by JoHannah Reardon:

“So how could such things lead to happiness? It seems like they lead more to the opposite of happiness. But the Beatitudes tell us one thing clearly. We can never be happy and fulfilled because of what we have.  We may be fooled into thinking we are happy for a while, but eventually it will fold in on us because true happiness can be found only in a relationship with our God Himself. Only the One who made us knows what will truly make us happy and give us satisfaction in life. We must get to the end of ourselves and the beginning of God to gain any lasting contentment in life. And that can happen only through divine revelation and transformation through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. It’s the “pearl of great value” (Matthew 13:46), worth selling everything to gain it. And ultimately, it’s the secret to true satisfaction.”

Thank God for warm houses, nice cars, healthy families, and money in the bank. That can certainly help make life easier.  But that does not compare with being “blessed” because one has the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives.   My name is Barbara Benton and Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.  #blessed!