The Refuge of the Lord

 What do you remember about your childhood? I have a few select memories of when I was young but I don't remember much else. 

One day I probably begged to go to Grandma's house when Dad was heading somewhere else so he dropped me by her house in the town of Albion, Iowa. These were the days when no one locked their doors. I went to the door and entered after knocking several times. I was 5 or 6 years old. Grandma wasn't home and Dad had already left.

I walked around the kitchen and dining room, looking at all her pretty things. She had a collection of pitchers, (which is why I now have a collection of pitchers that includes one of hers). I soon became bored so I found something to write on and wrote in my elementary way that I had been there and signed my name. 

I decided to walk home, a distance of a couple of miles. I knew the way so I proceeded, walking along the busy road toward home. 

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps," (Proverbs 16:9 NIV).

I got as far as the corner of the gravel road we lived on and a car stopped beside me. It was full of people I didn't know but they said they were headed to my house so I reluctantly got inside their car. I was tired and may have been crying. 

"He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge," (Proverbs 14:26 NIV).

The folks that picked me up were relatives from out of town so I was safe and secure. I know it was God's protection that was with me on my walk. 

Thank you, God.

Anniversaries

"Rejoice in the Lord always I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV). 

I'm thankful to have 47 years with my husband today. It seems amazing that it has been that long already. But when I look back at all we have been through it doesn't seem possible that we packed so much into only 47 years. 

We started out with nothing but wedding gifts and a new mobile home. We each had jobs but I'd spent my last $50 to buy John's wedding ring. Our wedding was so simple compared to these days. Just a cake and punch reception in the church basement, before rushing off to start our 3-day honeymoon in St. Louis. We packed a lot of driving and touring into those hours and I remember feeling out of place in our fancy hotel; just 18 and 20 year-olds braving the cold, cruel world together.

Now, life is good. We are both retired and able to spend our days as we choose. God has blessed us greatly with a wonderful family, a comfortable home, good health, and the peace of God. Our reality is far better than I ever dreamed of as an 18-year-old. I'm so thankful that we have grown together in our faith during these years.

Thank you, God, for the blessings. I Rejoice!

COVID-19 Week 31

Life is continuing to be a new adventure that is becoming old. Masks are the norm, outside of our homes. We don't go out except for necessary errands like grocery shopping. A few Zoom things have returned to in-person meetings with masks and social distancing, including church as of last Sunday.

Our family is experiencing the risks and advantages of using airlines during COVID-19. So far trips during the pandemic have been safe for us. This week we are glad to have our daughter-in-law and two grandchildren visiting from Virginia! Yeah! It is so wonderful to have time with them. 

We are enjoying watching the kids deal with their virtual learning classes and assignments. I now understand how much work it is for mothers or fathers who help their students work online. There are network issues, program issues, log-in issues, motivation issues and more. It is challenging and hard work. I have great respect for all parents working through these times.

It is also interesting to see what subjects second and fourth graders study these days. They are so smart! I've been away from school days too long. The teachers have very challenging days. I'm amazed at the creativity they need to keep their students interested and engaged. Kudos to all parents and teachers!

"We will tell the next generation the praise worthy deeds of the Lord...which he commanded our forefather to teach their children, so the next generation would know them," (Psalm 78:4b-5b NIV).

I still have teaching to do as a grandmother. I ask God to give me the words I need to say, the opportunity to speak, and understanding from my grandchildren.

Tell It To Your Children

"Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation," (Joel 1:3). 

When I came upon this scripture verse this morning it reminded me that as a grandparent I have a responsibility to my grandchildren. I need to make sure that they know the history of faith in our family so they can carry it on to future children and grandchildren. They need to know about my personal path to faith and my husband John's story, too.

My grandchildren need to know about my ancestors who came to Iowa from Indiana and settled along the Iowa river in Marshall County. They met with neighbors on Sunday mornings to worship together until they decided to establish the first church in Marshall County, Bethel Grove Church. It is the church family I grew up in and both my parents grew up in it and met and got married.

My grandchildren need to know how I grew up in a Bible-studying church where I professed my faith when I was 12 years old. But that was just the beginning. I studied in youth group and church camps. Then as a young adult I was asked to join a local group of women studying Friendship Bible Coffee materials. Based on mostly books of the Bible, I learned so much from the weekly fellowship with the faith-filled women, their experiences and how they held on to their faith no matter what happened in their lives.

I still meet with a group of those ladies to study scripture monthly. They are my prayer warriors, lifting me up in the low times and rejoicing with me in the good times.

Faith grows. God's not done with me, yet. I continue to study my Bible and learn through hearing the Word at worship and sharing my faith with those I've come to love through fellowship gatherings and group study. 

I need to tell this all to my children and grandchildren. 

Jesus' Burden is Light

 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I an gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV).

Jesus says a lot about himself in this scripture. He offers us peace, love and healing if we walk with Him. He says He is gentle and humble in heart. Oh, how often Jesus has proven that. He has always stopped to heal those sick along the side of the road when they call to Him, filled with belief in Him. Jesus promises that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. When we walk with Jesus in our life our burdens become service for Him and the load becomes bearable.

This promise of walking with Jesus is one of my favorite scriptures. I think of it often as the peace I will find when I die but it really is applicable during life. I believe Jesus meant for us to find peace amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy life. Raising children, working, busily helping at the church, gardening, cooking, cleaning, and farming are all examples of what Jesus wanted to share the burden of with us.

My Life Application Study Bible suggests that people of Jesus' time were burdened by their sin. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior we can release the burden of sin from our yoke forever. People were also burdened by unfair demands by their religious leaders, oppression and persecution or weariness in their search for God, my Study Bible adds.

It's a new day. Why not try taking on the attitude Jesus offers, share His yoke and make our burden lighter today. Whatever burdens you today can be shared with Jesus and will become light. What a wonderful promise He gives.

Thank you, God, for sending Jesus to be our Savior. Let us share His yoke and make our burden light. Amen.

Ask, Seek, Knock

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8 NIV).

This past weekend we took a drive to Eastern Iowa to view the leaves along the Mississippi River. It was an enjoyable get away with our masks in place outside of the car. I took my camera along, of course. I found it was hazy on Friday so none of the colors seem to pop as I would have liked. But we sought and found some beautiful leaves. 

We visited Iowa's Pikes Peak and the Yellow River Forest, drove along the river and stopped in Guttenberg at the Locks and walked through Amana on our way home. I enjoyed the views of harvest happening along the way, the contrasts of the green grass with tan fields picked clean. 

We asked for safe travel and received. We sought beautiful Iowa views and found them. We knocked on the door of Eastern Iowa and it was opened to us. We experienced God in all the beauty we saw. No human can create leaves of the full spectrum of colors we saw; only God can. The colors are right here at home, too. Take a short drive in your own home town and you will see the same majestic art near you.

Thank you, God, for the beauty of Your Creation. All we have to do to experience You, God, is Ask, Seek, and Knock.

Lost and Found

When we were looking for a house somewhere near our son's family in rural Grimes, we had a realtor who drove us around to houses we wanted to look at. We were pretty much lost and not paying attention to how she got us where we wanted to go. So when we decided to buy this house in Ankeny, we had no idea how to get back to it and it wasn't on GPS yet because it was a new build!

We eventually found it, of course. 

One of my favorite parables that Jesus shared is the parable of the lost sheep.

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep ad loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent," (Luke 15:4-7 NIV).

I love to picture this rejoicing in heaven, every time someone accepts Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior. If you haven't chosen Jesus yet, I'd love to talk to you about it. Jesus is a wonderful Savior!

The Unexpected

Sometimes things happen that are unexpected. A surprise visit from a friend or grandchild, a weight loss, a bluebird sighting on the deck, a knock at the door, a phone call, or a colorful balloon sighting over Ankeny. Many unexpected things are good. The things above are blessings usually, like the balloon we saw flying over Ankeny last night. We had a distant view of the balloon but its colorful design made it visible from far away. 

I like nice surprises. They are gifts of grace. Delightful. Heart-warming. Spirit-lifting. Wonderful blessings.

Not all unexpected things are good, they can be challenges.

There can be unexpected illnesses, car crashes, falls, sports injuries, bumps and bruises, a sleepless night, a lost item, or the death of a pet.

No one likes unwelcome surprises. They are burdens, challenges, painful times, difficult to get through.

Jesus knew the disciples would face the unexpected as He fulfilled His purpose on earth. So He tried to prepare them by explaining what they might face.

"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the whole face of the earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man," (Luke 21:34-36 NIV).

Watch and pray in all times of unexpected circumstances. God is always listening. 

Be Prepared

 Welcome to October. The month of falling leaves, pumpkin spice, baseball playoffs, and changing colors has arrived. It’s a beautiful time of year. And it happens to hold my husband’s birthday and our anniversary, so that makes October special to us.

When we planned our wedding for late October I really didn’t worry about the weather as it was planned indoors in the evening. It was a beautiful fall day but by the time our cake and punch reception was over, it was down right chilly. So my new husband put a beautiful white, fur-trimmed coat around my shoulders as we ran to a friend’s waiting car.

 

October holds a variety of weather from cold bristly days to warm surprises in late autumn. The birds and ‘snowbirds’ prepare for a trip south while the rest of us make the semiannual exchange of wardrobes, pulling out the coats and sweaters once again.

 

And in case you haven’t noticed all the commercials on television and yard signs posted, it is also an election year. October is a month of preparing for the chance to use our right to vote.

 

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear,” (2 Timothy 4:2-3 NIV).

 

Timothy’s wisdom was well beyond his years. This scripture couldn’t be more relevant to today’s current events and issues. Be prepared by knowing the Word. October is a good month to spend time reading the Bible and studying the Word. So slip on a sweater and cozy up with Scripture; be prepared.