The title is my favorite quote from Dr. Charles Stanley. I have one more message to share before I go on sabbatical…

I don’t share full articles on my blog, but I often include quotes from other articles or blogs that have had a significant impact on my life. Today, I came across a post that deeply resonated with me. I strongly believe the message it conveyed, especially when I reflect on my own experiences.

I have a deep impression that my great-great-grandmother, Priscilla, from Ireland, prayed for future generations, including me, even though we never met. I also pray for children who have yet to be born, particularly within my family line. If it wasn’t her, then I believe it was my “adopted” Godparents, Hank and Ruth, who have long resided in heaven. One of their consistent prayers was in alignment with God’s will, which is the only explanation I can offer for the journey I’ve been on.

We are a breath and a prayer away from sharing how God saved us and changed our lives. What will you do today?

Do It For The Ones You May Never Meet –Jessica Jecker Simply Jecker (Used with permission)

There are assignments you will complete that you will never see the fruit of with your natural eyes.

You will obey, you will labor, you will pray, you will give, you will stand, and you may never shake the hand of the one whose life was changed because of your willingness to lay down your life.

But, your yes echoes into eternity.

What you say yes to in a moment of surrender does not stay in that moment- it reverberates through generations, through bloodlines, through timelines you will never physically step into.

Heaven does not measure obedience by visibility; it measures it by eternal impact.

Some of the greatest acts of obedience will never be celebrated on earth.

There are callings that will not come with applause, assignments that will not come with affirmation, and obedience that will feel hidden, costly, and misunderstood.

But the word of God still says, “obedience is better than sacrifice.”(1 Samuel 15:22/Bible verse added)
Sacrifice may impress people, but obedience moves Heaven.

We have been trained to obey when it makes sense, but the Kingdom was never built on comprehension; it was built on surrender.

Scripture does not say obedience is equal to sacrifice; it says obedience is better than sacrifice.

Because sacrifice can be offered without the heart, but obedience demands your will.

You may not understand the “why.”

You may not see the “how.”

You may not receive the explanation you want.

But delayed obedience has delayed the harvest attached to it time and time again.

Some of you are asking God for clarity when He is asking you for compliance.

Some of you want direction when God wants surrender.

And today I hear the Holy Spirit saying, “Do it for the ones you may never meet.”

Pray the prayer you won’t get credit for.

Say yes to the assignment that brings no applause.

Build what you won’t get to inhabit.

Plow ground you won’t get to harvest.

Because there are souls attached to your obedience.

Your obedience is not just about you, it is about
generations.

It is about divine intersections you will never witness.

It is about the person who will encounter God because you stayed faithful when it would have been easier to quit.

It is about the child who will grow up in freedom because you broke the cycle.

It is about the sinner who will meet Jesus because you obeyed God in secret.

Some of you are standing at a crossroads where Heaven is waiting on your yes.

Not a loud yes.

Not a public yes.

But a costly, quiet, surrendered yes.

Do not despise obedience that feels small.

Do not delay obedience waiting for confirmation.

Do not negotiate with God when eternity is on the line.

There are souls attached to your obedience.

What you do today will echo into lives you may never meet, until you stand together in glory and realize your yes mattered more than you ever knew.

So obey.

Do it now.

Do it afraid.

Do it without understanding.

Because understanding can wait, obedience cannot.

-Jessica Jecker Simply Jecker 

Actually, I’m,

I will be off all social media until February 1st. I am sharpening my manuscript, writing more, and mailing everything completed to publishers! God willing, I will have great news when I return! Prayers appreciated for no distractions.

Until then…

Clickety-clack, click-clack, click, clack, tick, ding.

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”

(Luke 1:46-46/NKJV)

     During my devotions this morning, I was reminded of the song Mary sang when her cousin Elizabeth celebrated her arrival and offered her a blessing, saying, “Blessed is she who believed…” Mary’s song of praise declared, “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

     It is easy to see why Elizabeth could believe in miracles, such as a virgin giving birth to the Messiah, especially since she herself was experiencing a miraculous situation: she was pregnant in her old age! Luke 1:41 tells us that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, which reinforced her faith. However, what truly captivates me about Mary is her undeniable and unwavering faith in the unknown path that lay ahead.

     Take a moment to reflect… When a woman faces a difficult challenge, she may have faith that God is by her side, but it provides additional reassurance when a sister in Christ affirms her, encourages her, and surrounds her with prayers. Do you have that Christ-like friend? Are you an encouragement to your sisters in Christ?

     The only thing Mary knew for certain was that an angel visited her and told her she would give birth to Jesus. Her response was, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord: may it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38, AMP). She received no further instructions. My heart’s desire is that when God tells me to do something, I won’t question, “Why?” or “How?” or “When?” or “Where?” I simply want to say, “Yes, Lord, whatever You ask, I will do.”

     When the angels informed Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth, was also expecting a child and due soon, Mary went with haste to visit her. Fast forward to the time after Jesus’ birth, when the angels appeared to the shepherds who were watching over their flock.

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-11, 16).

When something exciting is about to happen or has already happened, you don’t dilly-dally; you rush out to see what all the fireworks are about. Just like the shepherds who encountered the angels, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host!”!!! My son cannot run because he was born with legs that extend outward, but when he sees something that excites him, you better believe he wobbles as fast as he can to get to it.

     What excites you this Christmas? Is it the beautiful trees and sparkling lights? Or is it the stacks of brightly colored presents under the tree? What about the parades, pageants, light displays, and Christmas performances? What makes you dress up, bundle up, and rush out with enthusiasm? …with haste?

In this moment of history, there are many people like Mary and the shepherds, who are poor. Others are broken, homeless, and without family. I pray that they, and you, will look beyond the glitter and gold to honor and glorify God. Let us, with haste, actively and urgently make His greatness known through our lives. This year, and every day after, let us celebrate the gift of Jesus and His salvation. Celebrate the King!

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:13-14)

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TnfVMAOpo0

A few months ago, I shared my change in book plans with some close friends. I wanted to be accountable and obedient to God by making this public. Everything seemed to be going well with writing. I found a Christian self-publishing business, completed the book, and received the edited draft from my editor. However, I felt an unrest in my heart that I couldn’t identify, so I decided to pause the process for the time being.

A self-publishing agency that a friend used shared daily encouragements on their Facebook page. These encouragements were phenomenal and always motivated me to write more.

These are from Redemption Press:

• Write for the one reader who’s desperate for what you have to say.
• Your story, your book – it matters. Now go write!
• The words you’re afraid to write are the ones people most need to hear.
• Silence the inner critic and give voice to the message entrusted to you.
• Write like your story is the answer to someone’s midnight prayer.
• Your calling as a writer is sacred – keep walking it with courage.
• Small, steady words today can become someone’s life-changing chapter tomorrow.
• When you feel unseen, remember–faithfulness is never wasted.
• Writing for the applause of man will leave you exhausted. Write for the One who called you.
• You’re not just writing words-you’re planting hope.
• The pressure to be “further along” is a lie. You are exactly where God is shaping you.
• You were never asked to carry the outcome-just the message.

There were many more like this, and I wish they hadn’t stopped posting them! However, the one that caught my attention has become a pivotal part of this transformation of my journey: “It’s not your platform that opens doors; it’s His hand.” This quote captivated me. I wanted to control the book, which is why I chose to self-publish. But God wanted the control back. Ultimately, it is His story in my life.

His faithfulness,

His rescue,

His guidance,

His grace,

His calling.

I admit, I was a little disappointed. I had planned for the book to be published on November 5th! What better time for a book on gratitude to be published before Thanksgiving! But you know what’s better? God’s perfect timing so that the book reaches the publisher He wants and the person He wants to read it.

I have willingly accepted God’s guidance. I will complete the edits and send the manuscript out to Christian publishers.  I’m not worried about rejection. I would have some great company that has been there before:

• Agatha Christie waited 4 years before her first book was published.
• Alex Haley – Roots – was a long 8 years.
• Anne Frank received 15 rejections
• Beatrix Potter – finally published her own book.
• E.E. Cummings had 14 publishers reject him.
• J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 publishers.
• Jack Canfield – Chicken Soup for the Soul – had 134 rejections.
• James Patterson was rejected by 12 publishers.
• John Grisham was rejected by 16 publishers.
• Judy Blume had rejections for 2 years.
• Madeline L’Engle – A Wrinkle in Time – had 26 rejections before receiving a Newberry Medal. (A friend of mine will like this one).
• Karen Kingsberry wrote 4 True Crime books but had 30 rejections for her first Christian novel – Where Yesterday Lives.
• Finally, Max Lucado – On the Anvil – was rejected by 15 publishers.

These statistics are from Google sites, so I am not convinced of accuracy, but the point is that I am trusting God first.

I am unsure how long this process will take, but I am assured, without a doubt, that He will carry it to the end. (Romans 8:28)

Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.  (Charles Stanley)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

     Sometimes it’s a whisper… “Thank you, Jesus.”

     Sometimes it’s a gut-wrenching plea… “God! I need help!”

     Sometimes it’s a change of heart… “God fill me with joy and gratitude.”

It’s waves of prayer by believers and nonbelievers alike. I don’t want to take the holy privilege of an invitation to communicate with the Almighty God and toss it to the wind. I also don’t want my prayer to be when I only need something. I desire the holy communion of conversation with the Lord to be everlasting.

     Everyone craves to pray more and experience close communion with God. Everyone who loves God yearns to be led by Him. Sometimes, it’s beyond my understanding that, after experiencing the amazing closeness of God, I can pray in the morning or with my son, then rush through the rest of my day. I’m trying to learn to ask God’s direction about everything I do. Do I need to buy that? Is watching this movie really what You would have me do (even if it’s a clean, wholesome movie)? Lord, I need grace to talk with this person. Lord, please give me peace in this overwhelming situation.

     Many pastors and Biblical leaders have preached on or shared about ways to experience transcending prayer times with God:

• Josh Piper wrote an article on prayer, What Should We Pray For? He listed 35 things to pray to God for… based on what the early churches prayed for.
• Tim Challies wrote a book on Pilgrim Prayers, devotional poems that awaken your heart to the goodness, greatness, and glory of God.
• Charles Stanley wrote a devotional titled, The Fabric of Your Life, sharing how Amy Carmichael made a habit of collecting short prayers written throughout the Bible… One of her favorites is found in Psalm 119:175, “Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; and let Your judgments help me.”

I have extended several prayers using Bible verses. It’s often said that the best way to pray to God is to use His Word. I was blessed to sit on Amy Carmichael’s prayer bench in South India. I could have sat there for days.

Books available on prayer…

• Frank C. Laubach – Man of Prayer.
• Charles Stanley – Prayer: The Ultimate Conversation.
• Tim Keller – Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God.
• C. S. Lewis – How to Pray.
• A. W. Tozer – Going Higher with God in Prayer.
• E. M. Bounds – The Power of Prayer.
• Charles Spurgeon – Prayer & Spiritual Warfare.
• Amy Carmichael – I Come Quietly to Meet You: An Intimate Journey in God’s Presence.

There are hundreds of other books on prayer. I have read many. I need a more disciplined structure, not to make my prayer time legalistic, but to ensure I fully experience the joy that God has for me.. Charles Stanley said, “Prayer is one of the best ways in which we can honor God. When we pray to our heavenly Father, we are acknowledging that He is God, that He truly is the high and exalted One who lives forever and whose name is Holy. God alone deserves glory, and we ascribe honor to Him when we pray continually – that is, maintain a Godword attitude throughout the day, asking Him to govern every detail of our lives.” Let that hit home.

There are also numerous stacks of prayer journals available, but I’ve found them to be quite pricey and limited in writing space. As I mentioned in my last blog post, I want to develop the habit of writing out my prayers to God. While I can’t detail every single prayer due to the many challenges in the world, I definitely have at least thirty minutes each day to devote to writing my prayers. Don’t you?

This is what I’ve come up with for myself, and I would love to share it with you

This form is designed to capture a name or one or two words, which I can then elaborate on in written form below. Since it is a Word document, I have the flexibility to change the titles above the boxes if I feel led in a different direction for my prayer. I can also remove the colored background, but I appreciate the visual distinction it provides. I am happy to email it to you at unwaveringprayer@gmail.com

.

    

Now, with the prayer points, I can write a heartfelt letter to the Lord, or I can create bullet points for specific requests. If you’d like to try this approach, all you need is paper (I’m partial to journals), a hole punch, and a folder to keep everything organized!

Finally, I thought of another way to encourage prayers throughout the day. I will be using a laminated bookmark and a laminated tag to write names on them with an ultra-fine sharpie marker (which can be removed with nail polish remover). I can keep a bookmark on my countertop or kitchen table where it is clearly visible. I can also hang the other tag over the rear-view mirror or on a knob in the car, so it’s within sight when I’m stopped at traffic lights or in the school pick-up lane. Additionally, I can easily carry it in my purse or pocket!

AND! The first 20 people who send me an email at: unwaveringprayer@gmail.com, will receive a laminated bookmark or laminated tag!

I want to pray more. I hope you do too.

• Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you;… (1 Samuel 12:23)
• Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore! (1 Chronicles 16:11)
• If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
• I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. (Psalm 17:6)

I would love to hear about the books you have read on prayer or your personal system for prayer. Please feel free to share in the comments so that others can enjoy them as well!

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law… do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. (Joshua 1:7)

     Several weeks ago, I had wanted to share a prayer chart design that I had created. God had been working in my heart for a long time about praying more, and even though there were times that made me pray immediately, there were so many times that I was forgetting to pray more often. Have you ever said, “I’ll pray for you,” and do so once, and then a few days later or a week goes by, and you realize you haven’t prayed again?  During that same time, God put a beloved hymn on my heart that I had not heard for years. One morning, I woke and found I was humming it. Living for Jesus, a hymn I adore because of its reminder of our relationship to Jesus and the path He has given us, no matter what the cost was, like other hymns, Take My Life (my life hymn), Have Thine Own Way, Lord, and I Surrender All.

     I even had someone help me with the prayer chart format. I’m sad to say, as a former teacher, that I am terrible at drawing or cutting straight lines or formatting precise designs on the computer page! But life gets busy, or I believe now, the enemy was diverting my attention. What put me back on focus? God… and my son.  I’ve been doing an insane amount of simplifying by pitching stuff and giving away household items.  I’ve only been back in the U.S. for seven years. Where did all this stuff come from?? One day, while my autistic son was recovering from a week-long attack on his damaged kidney, he decided to go through my books while I was busy in the kitchen. My son adores books. He has tons of his own, but occasionally would pick up one of my books and carry it with him throughout the house for several days. Something about the color or the design on the cover would catch his attention. He would lay it down after a while. I would pick it up and put it back on the bookcase. He would go back and take it off the bookcase. It had to be near him while he was playing on the floor. But this time, he didn’t choose one or two books; he took about fifty books. I walked into the living room to find him sitting on the floor with a pile of books surrounding him… he was smiling. I gave up the dream years ago of the books remaining alphabetized by author.

     He had been so sick this time that I couldn’t yell at him. I sat on the floor with him and slowly gathered a few books without even stacking them upright in any order. I just put four or five on top of each other and laid them on the shelf. As I was doing that, a piece of paper fell out of one of them. I opened it up to find a prayer that I had written to the Lord years ago. I knew that God was convicting me again, not only to work on the prayer chart I had created but to also follow the steps that he had put on my heart to share with others about writing out prayers to God (more on that later). I confessed my sin for not being obedient and assured Him I would do it as soon as my son fully recovered.

     As I write this, it is now October 21^st, two weeks later. I haven’t forgotten what I told God I would do, but I let the enemy distract me and voice his opinions in my mind. “But the LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us…” (Psalm 108:8-9). God is most patient and forgiving! Think about it! Someone reminded me that “Even the galaxies are held by the same hands that hold you.” It’s so easy to complain. But not only do we have everything we really need, but we have an eternal home for those of us who have given our lives to Christ.

     God has been amazingly working in my heart the past few days through my study time in the morning. He knocked my socks off this morning and put me on my knees. Oh, we have chatted about sin… including worry, being inpatient, not doing what He told me to do (I will update the book progress on the update page). We’ve discussed why chastisement is necessary. Even Charles Spurgeon said, “To be left uncorrected would be a fatal sign… Yet see, the correction is “in measure”: He gives us love without measure, but chastisement “in measure.” It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy, the measure of love, by which our chastisement is regulated. Far be it from us to rebel against appointments so divine.” But then there are the Divine appointments in my morning study… like this morning.

     As a former teacher, I concentrate and focus when it comes to observation. As children in our family, we were told to not speak unless spoken to. I learned a long time ago how to watch body language and facial expressions. I learned to observe the details carefully of my parents and my siblings. That skill became monumental in my abusive marriage. Those who have previously lived in abuse understand that. But that skill became a gift when I began teaching and then as a trainer in South Asia. Sadly, in my older years, I observe too many expressions and body language when people talk to me. I should be just listening to what they are sharing.

     However, when it comes to reading devotions, I have this spasmodic disability in page turning. Occasionally, I will turn a page in a devotional and land on the wrong date. I do not pay attention until I’ve finished going through the commentaries and meditating on what I’ve learned. It doesn’t happen too often, so I think of it as God wants me to know a certain message that day. Well, this morning, God had a tremendous message for me that coincided with an error that I made on the 19^th.

     On October 19^th, in a devotional I have by Dr. Charles Stanley, the title was “Triumph Against All Odds.” The key verse was Judges 7:12. Having seen that, I read Judges 6:12. The opening sentence of the devotional was, “Do you need special encouragement today?” Boy, I desperately needed encouragement that day. Judges 6:12 fit that perfectly! “And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, ‘The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”  Yes! That’s exactly what I needed. The remaining devotion spoke on how God did not allow Gideon to remain discouraged; Gideon’s boldness was renewed, and so much more. I was pumped up! LORD, (I said), I’m going to move forward with confidence and trust You! LORD, you told Gideon, “Go in this might of yours… Have I not sent you? Surely, I will be with you.” I finished the commentary on the verse, the closing prayer empowered me, and I was set for the day. Then I realized my mistake. I shook it off. It had been a memorable time with the Lord.

     Until this morning…

     The first thing I do in the morning when I wake up between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. is, well, grab my coffee and let the dog out, then I pray, and read the verse on the Bible app. I research the commentary on the verse and am usually encouraged by what theologian Matthew Henry has to say about that verse. There is also a 2–5-minute vocal commentary on the app by a pastor or some female Bible teacher. I never listen. My son is sleeping; the last thing I want is for him to disturb my cherished morning time with the Lord. So, after I’ve researched the verse, I read their small written comments on the verse.

     This morning’s verse was Judges 6:12. Yes, correct this time… It’s on the app. Check it! But this time, I re-read verse 13 differently “Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of the Midianites. And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, …. Have I not sent you?”  With that, I began to weep, and not intentionally, but started writing out a prayer to God. I was, and am, grateful for everything God has done in my life, but the last several weeks have been extremely difficult for changes that are coming up in 5-6 months, disdain from doctors concerning my son’s unexplained suffering, questioning their procedures, and a private situation that keeps happening… I poured out my heart in tears. But then I said, “I don’t understand why. I do feel deserted in this area, but I trust only You, and I will follow You, Lord. I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You.”

     I stopped writing and decided to take a chance and listen to the pastor on the app that day. I don’t have to write anything about what the preacher said. It’s below, and once you hear it, you will understand how the Lord corrected me and encouraged me. I especially appreciated in the video where Pastor Palau said, (speaking to God), “You know how my brain works or doesn’t work!”. I can relate to that sentiment! The other miraculous, amazing thing. The name of the pastor was listed on the app… Palau… Hmmm… I looked it up. Sure enough, it was Pastor Luis Palau’s son. How is that jaw-dropping to me? I was a prayer counselor for Pastor Luis at one of his public evangelist events in Redmond in August 2002, five months before I went to Asia!

     Miraculously, in finishing that app, there were printed words just to me… “Don’t leave this time.” It wasn’t, don’t leave the Lord, I would never forsake Him. It was a reminder, don’t stop what He called me to do. Be encouraged! When the Angel of the LORD told Gideon he was a mighty warrior, Gideon had not fought a battle yet. He was hiding in fear!

Be like Joshua, be like Deborah, be like Jehoshaphat, be like Gideon. Be encouraged, you mighty man or woman of the Lord! God is with you!

And if the enemy throws a fiery dart at you? Pray – read God’s Word – repeat verses you have memorized – or pick up a hymnal and sing amazing words giving glory to God. Most of the words of the hymns were written down during or after tragic things… It is Well with My Soul.

Go from strength to strength (Psalm 84:5-7)

** I will update regarding the book on the update page: Sailing Waves

** I will share the prayer aid pages in a couple of days

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/67rDV07jz7E

     God blessed my heart greatly in my devotions and Bible reading time this morning. He has continued having me meditate on writing something for the women in the food line and be an advocate for single parents.

     Many people believe that if you are a follower of Jesus Christ and experience bad things, it indicates that you are not following God’s will. Similarly, those who do not believe in Christ may be seen as frivolous, careless, and irresponsible. However, this perspective is far from the truth, especially for single parents. The rising cost of living, the lack of affordable housing, and the scarcity of reasonably priced childcare—particularly for disabled children—have contributed to the increasing statistics of homelessness.

     Sometimes, God allows us to face difficult situations to capture our attention. For example, my recent visit to a food bank opened my eyes to the deeper needs of women. As a result, the finalization and editions of my book would have been very different, and I wouldn’t have even considered creating a small book for them to read. I am genuinely grateful to God for guiding me through the difficult periods of loss (in terms of my health) and need (such as food and housing). I believed that because of my experiences with abuse and rejection, I had the authority to minister to women. However, I have come to realize that single parents often endure burnout, loneliness, and fatigue as they strive daily to survive.

     Several years ago, before I became a single parent, our church’s singles group organized events to support single moms. We would have a car care day where the men would repair their vehicles or change the oil, while the women provided refreshments. At other times, if a parent was unwell, we would sign up to deliver meals to their home for a week. These small gestures meant the world to a single mom.

What could you do to encourage a single parent? Sharing the love of Christ is often a physical action to meet real needs.

     The other group that God has burdened me with over the past five years in our area is for elderly people. So many of them have friends who have long passed away, or their spouse has passed away, or is extremely ill and bedridden. Most of their grown kids either live in a different state or are busy with their own jobs, children, and responsibilities. So many times, the elderly just want someone to talk to.

     I am deeply grateful to God for the precious time in His Word this morning. He reminded me of my commissioning twenty-two years ago – as elders of the church laid their hands on me and prayed – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:16) There will be many times in this journey of life that you do not know what to do… but always keep focused on Jesus (2 Chronicled 2:20). He will reassure you of His presence and that He will provide for your needs.

Dr. Charles Stanley mentioned these words of wisdom:

• You think you do not have an option when facing a difficult challenge, but you do. You can choose to turn to God and bow down before Him, or you can turn and run away in fear.
• You are called to follow Christ for a purpose.
• When challenges come, go to God in prayer. Confess your inability and your need for Him. Humility is a sign of great strength, not weakness.
• Trust God to do the impossible in your situation and give you victory.

     The beautiful excerpt below by Pastor Charles Spurgeon, and the hymn, are both reminders that sorrows only last for a moment, and all our praise should go to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

Excerpt from: Faith’s Checkbook – Night of Weeping, Joyous Day – Charles H. Spurgeon

His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. – Psalm 30:5

“Come, my heart, begin your hallelujahs! Weep not all through the night, but wipe your eyes in anticipation of the morning. Tears clear the eyes for the sight of God in His grace; and make the vision of His favor more precious. All is well.”

Praise Him, Praise Him – Fanny Crosby (1869), Tune: Joyful Song (Allen)

1 Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O earth– His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! highest archangels in glory;
strength and honor give to His holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children;
in His arms He carries them all day long.

Refrain:
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness.
Praise Him! Praise Him ever in joyful song!

2 Praise Him, praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.
He, our Rock, our Hope of eternal salvation—
Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus, the Crucified!
Sound His praises! Jesus, who bore our sorrows!
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep, and strong. [Refrain]

3 Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever.
Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!
Christ is coming, over the world victorious;
pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong! [Refrain]

“…and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a)

      I drove by a food bank yesterday that was sponsored by a large church in the area. I was surprised to see a long line. I didn’t go to donate food; I was checking options for next month for us. It’s been a challenging year. The LORD has been testing me intensely the past year. This morning, when I was doing my devotions, I reflected on the people in line at the food bank and prayed fervently. Then God opened my eyes.

     I had been determined to publish the book of God’s faithfulness in my life by the end of the year (God willing), and future ministry was the path that God was leading me on. But why were so many deeply difficult things happening in my life? What had I missed? I realize that, like many others, I still operate on an earthly timetable with God. I firmly believed that 2025 would be the year when God opened new doors, after seven years of silence regarding many directions. Why do I struggle with God’s timing?

Ecclesiastes 3:11 

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

1 Timothy 3:14-15a 

…that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time…

     I genuinely do believe that, To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven… (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

I understand that sin in the world leads to troubling events and, at times, tragedy. I know that every household has its complex situations. However, when a series of challenging occurrences continues for over a year, leaving you struggling to cope, it is natural to question God. We all do this. 

     I am gradually learning that as we age, our bodies begin to deteriorate. Throughout each episode of physical malfunction, I have relied on God to provide me with strength as a single mother of a disabled son. I placed my trust in Him and expressed my gratitude. Indeed, God has given me the supernatural strength I need, even with my body breaking down.

 Still, God turned up the fire… unbeknownst to me why.

     It all started with surgery on my right knee, followed by a procedure on my spine to repair a fracture. I’m facing upcoming cataract surgeries and may need a procedure on my left knee as well. Additionally, I’m waiting for an endoscopy to determine the cause of my difficulty swallowing, as well as my persistent cough that occurs when I lie down at night. A specialist warned me thirty years ago that my severe GERD could lead to cancer. Furthermore, my lack of sleep exacerbates the situation due to the severe chronic pain I’ve been experiencing since January 2021. Then there are the falls—the loss of balance, the trips, and the moments when I catch myself just in time to avoid cracking my head open. Instead of using nail polish on my toes, I prefer to color-coordinate Band-Aids! A week ago, I had a fall that sent me to urgent care for X-rays of my ribs, which may still need further examination through a CT scan after my son returns to school. I understand that these procedures are minimal compared to what my friends are facing with MS, cancer, and other life-threatening diseases.

     Having a disabled child adds to the challenges we face, especially since nationwide services for families with disabilities are often lacking. The state dissolved my son’s Medicaid agency, which forced us to scramble to identify which doctors accept which insurance agencies. Additionally, the local children’s hospital and clinic, which are supposed to care for disabled children until the age of twenty-two, have been pushing teenagers out at age eighteen due to a shortage of professionals. My son is nineteen. Finding a non-pediatric doctor for a nonverbal, low-functioning child is incredibly challenging. However, we are starting to make some connections, and I believe God has been good to us during this process.

     Finally, last year, I had to hire a lawyer to gain guardianship over my son. Though he is of legal age, he is not cognitively able to make decisions for himself. This process requires me to submit yearly reports detailing everything he has done over the past year. Recently, I received an email informing guardians that we now have to attend a training class on guardianship! I served as a foster mother for fifteen years in Asia, so I feel pretty familiar with these responsibilities. It seems that the challenges never end for any of us. I know several people who care for their elderly parents, some of whom are in hospice care. The overwhelming responsibility of caring for our loved ones can bury us beneath a mountain of paperwork and requirements. We didn’t ask for this season in our lives, and I’m sure many of you didn’t either.

Are you caring for a spouse who is disabled? Do disagreements divide your family? Are you almost homeless with the high cost of living? Our landlord is old and beginning to fail in health. One of her sons just passed away a couple of weeks ago. Her lawyer told her to start selling her sixteen rental houses. 

     Katherine Wolf, who became disabled from a stroke, said, “You didn’t choose this season, but you will choose what to do with this season.” Has the tsunami of responsibilities overwhelmed you? Are your burdens weighing you down? Have you lost your strength for one more procedure… one more step? When I get overwhelmed, the Lord always leads me to my life-gratitude psalm… Psalm 40. The first two verses are how God brought David out of a horrible pit… and He also brought me out of the miry clay… more than once in my life. I remember those rescues.

Verse 3 – He has put a new song in my mouth – Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.

Verse 4 – Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust,

Verse 5 – Many. O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

     I know you might feel lost and broken right now… “Breaking open offers the seeds of second chances, not just to ourselves, but to all who seek new life.” (Katherine Wolf) As I prayed about the people in line at the food bank, I mainly thought about how I could encourage the women. If my book were published, it would be too overwhelming to read standing in line. Even my editor, who was supposed to edit my book in two weeks, took three. Parts of the story reminded her of things in her past, and even though she is healed, she had to step back and meditate on that healing. I have always known that after this book is published, I wanted to write a 40-day devotional of instances when I saw God’s hand in Asia. But God removed the weariness from my eyes and the slump from my shoulders… what if I could share in a brief book, promising stories of God’s faithfulness in the tough day to day stuff… might it give these women waiting in line encouragement to put one foot in front of the other, especially if they didn’t know the truth of God’s love?

What can you do with your crisis currently that might add strength to your endurance?

God took me to Psalm 84 this morning during devotions… 

“My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. (v. 2) Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. (v.5-6) They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion. (v.7)”

 Matthew Henry states: “Those are truly happy, who go forth, and go on in the exercise of religion, in the strength of the grace of Jesus Christ, from whom all our sufficiency is. The pilgrims to the heavenly city may have to pass through many a valley of weeping, and many a thirsty desert; but wells of salvation shall be opened for them, and consolations sent for their support. Those that press forward in their Christian course, shall find God add to grace to their graces. And those who grow in grace shall be perfect in glory.” 

 Ride out the storm.

Let your heart run towards God even through the deserts, the trials, and the losses.

 God is everything we need. God is enough.

Meditate on what blessings of rain you can share with others.

Just remember… keep focused on Jesus.

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:13-14)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4,7)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQan9L3yXjc&list=RDXQan9L3yXjc&start_radio=1

Pardon the title error in the last blog post for those who receive it by email. The font was defective, so I had to change it. Enjoy your reading!

“But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.” (Psalm 77:11-12/NLT)

Wait, God! I thought You wanted me to… I thought You said… ??

Have you been there before? Wondering why God seemed to be changing His plans and seemingly closing doors?

The LORD sent me the following devotional (below) six days before I would learn the reason for the severe pain in my lower and upper back. I also had constant pain in my neck, which was causing ongoing headaches. I had completed (barely) a series of three consecutive MRIs nine days before. The process lasted two hours. I panicked and had them pull me out, not knowing I only had four minutes left to go. I’m extremely claustrophobic. Fortunately, I had not messed up any of the process, and after a breather, I was sent back in for the remaining minutes. The orthopedic department had not called or emailed me, providing an explanation in layman’s terms about the results. I only received the technical report, which seemed like jargon to me.

God prompted me to send a message to my rheumatologist to ask her whether the MRI results indicated any reason for my right hand locking up. She emailed me to say that she had not received the results, which are usually sent to her by all my specialists. I made several phone calls before I reached someone to quickly send the results to my rheumatologist.

The doctor immediately called me. My condition was severe, with a compression fracture in my lumbar spine and a herniated disc in my neck. I’ve been in pain for over thirty years, and severe pain off and on for the past four years. I still do manual labor. It is in my genetics. My ancestors were impoverished potato farmers from Ireland who immigrated to the United States, where they worked in woolen mills and as house cleaners. I have always known the importance and value of hard work. Throughout my life, I have worked intensely and diligently. If I had not learned about the condition of my back, I would have been overexerting myself in things I usually do.

Because of God’s prompting, I realized that I needed to rest. The doctor kindly called in some prednisone and some muscle relaxers. I am grateful to God for this specialist who carefully monitors my other conditions and went above and beyond, contacting me and ordering medication to help since my orthopedic doctor was gone on vacation.

But what about the plans that God gave me that I had been moving forward on?

If you watch and listen closely, God will speak to you through His word, others, and circumstances. He is not changing His mind; His promises and word are always true (Hebrews 13:8). Sometimes, He gives us delays for reasons we may not understand. Although we may try to bulldoze our way through, we should take only one step at a time. There is always a significant reason behind it. God’s timing is always, ALWAYS perfect.

He Constantly Abides (C. H. Spurgeon) from Faith’s Checkbook.

The LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people. (1 Samuel 12:22)

God’s choice of His people is the reason for His abiding by them and not forsaking them. He chose them for His love, and He loves them for His choice. It would dishonor His great name for Him to forsake them; since it would either show that He made an error in His choice or that He was fickle in His love. God’s love has this glory, that it never changes; and this glory He will never tarnish. 

By all memories of the Lord’s former lovingkindnesses, let us rest assured that He will not forsake us. He, who has gone so far as to make us His people, will not undo the creations of His grace. He has not wrought such wonders for us that He might leave us after all. Our Lord Jesus is no changeable Lover. Having loved His own, He loves them to the end.

What severe circumstances are you experiencing currently? Illness? Cancer? Loss of income? Disgruntled family issues? Are you completely lost and confused about what’s happening in your life? Trust me… if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, He will never leave you or forsake you. The next time a plan you’ve been working on, feeling led by God, seems closed, remain in prayer… continue to listen… and wait. Don’t be discouraged or frustrated. It may not be a stop sign, but only a yield sign.

Sailing Winds (writing) side note:

I received the manuscript back from the editor. Yikes! No, she was reassuring that all first-time writers have a load of work to learn and do, and that even editors need editing! She encouraged me that what I had written was good. It just needs a little (or a lot) of tweaking with more effective words to have a greater impact on others. Please pray that, due to my current condition, I will use appropriate times for sitting and writing, as well as standing and walking, when needed. Thanks! More updates on gratitude to come!

“Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11/GW)

The other morning, I awoke with a dark cloud over my head. Nothing unusual had happened the day before. It was the normal fifty things, or fifty people, all needing my attention at once – my lifestyle for the past several months. Battles that seem to never end.  It was very early in the morning. As usual, I let the dog out, grabbed a cup of coffee, and sat down to begin my morning time with the Lord.

I prayed first that God would speak to my heart and open His word to me. God never fails when you pray that prayer. I found comfort in the verses to meditate on in Psalm 145:18-19: “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.“

I love reading commentaries on every verse from great theologians of the past. Their life experiences and devoted time in God’s word help me to glean deep seeds to carry with me throughout the day. Matthew Henry is one of my favorites. As I finished reading Psalm 145 and its commentary on each verse, I began to feel a little lighter already. Then, I turned to my current devotions by pastors whom I trust and cherish… Charles Spurgeon and Dr. Charles Stanley.

Not by coincidence, nor by luck, but from the heart of God reaching out to me, to pick me up, Spurgeon dug into Psalm, 138:7, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.” Spurgeon closed his devotion saying, “Come, my heart, talk this promise over until it becomes a song of confidence, the solace of your holiness. Pray to be revived and leave the rest with the Lord, who performs all things for you.” For as long as I have walked with the Lord, He still amazes me when He speaks directly to my heart. Not surprisingly, Dr. Stanley’s devotion was also on trusting God, “Prayer may not always be the first thing we think of in times of emergency, but it is our strongest source of hope. Simply put, God hears when we call to Him. Trust Him and you will be amazed at the peace He brings to your heart and life.”

And just like that… the cloud was gone.

I had a few more minutes before I had to wake my son and begin getting him ready for school. I quickly went on Facebook to see if I had any messages from my foster sons or other friends in Asia. I had sent one of my sons a message and showed him a link to a friend who is a talented musician. Since my son teaches children how to play keyboard and guitar, I wanted my son to follow this musician.

I scrolled down and found where my son had seen my note, but then the next comment took me by surprise. A friend I had not spoken with or seen in… I can’t even remember how many years, made a comment, “Hi Debbie, I think of you every morning.” I was overwhelmed as tears began to fall. My friend had lit a candle on the biblical cake that the Lord had just fed me. I responded and spent several minutes thinking of her, as well as many other friends I had not spoken to or written to in years. I had thought of them and said prayers for them, but had never told them.

When I was overseas, I was busy 24/7 with ministry, raising my foster children, and building relationships. I only responded to friends and family in other countries who emailed me. Otherwise, I sent digital newsletters to cover everyone.

When I returned to the States six years ago, I had a new kind of busy. I still thought of friends, prayed for them, and wondered how they were doing, but with so many differences in time, trying to adjust back to a part of the world I had left sixteen years ago (now twenty-two years ago), helping my adopted son adjust to a totally different culture, and starting all over again; phone calls and emails were sparse. I had wonderful connections with friends on Facebook, but several cherished friends didn’t use that social media.  I met and contacted several friends in the first couple of years after my return, but then moving from the West Coast to the East Coast made a huge communication gap. Now, the comment, posted by my distant friend, stirred my heart.

I reflected on times past when we used to send greeting cards or letters to one another. Remember those? You used to buy the cards in the store, sometimes the Hallmark store. You would write an encouraging note and often write a Bible verse to encourage the person. Then, you would ensure that you had the correctly priced stamp, handwrite the recipient’s name and address, and then handwrite your name and address on it. You would put it in the mailbox or leave it in your car for several days until you remembered to go to the post office. Obviously, I’m pulling your chain… somewhat.

I made a vow… and I challenge you to do the same. You can buy tons of cards at the dollar store; the value of the card doesn’t really matter. Or packs of writing paper cost one dollar too at the same store! What matters is the surprise and joy the recipient experiences. And I guarantee you, exactly as the Lord touched my heart that cloud-covered morning, if you pray who to send a card or note too, the Lord will make sure it arrives at just the right time to cheer and encourage that person.

So, I challenge you to send out five notes or cards a month to someone you haven’t reached out to for a while. The major cost is stamps – but they are forever stamps. Skip buying a few coffees – it just makes you jittery. Instead, encourage and strengthen someone who might need it.

My longtime friend from years ago posted something meaningful on Facebook, and I loved it. However, I also wish to revive the art of handwritten notes, as you never know whose candle you might be lighting.

A thousand candles can be lighted from the flame of one candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness can be spread without diminishing that of yourself. Ghandi

Give me the Love that leads the way. The Faith that nothing can dismay. The Hope no disappointments tire. The Passion that’ll burn like fire. Let me not sink to be a clod. Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God. Amy Carmichael

I re-read my manuscript several times before sending it to the editor. Each time, certain parts brought me to joyful tears as I reflected on God’s goodness amid tragic moments. Other stories, like my son’s abandonment, made me sob uncontrollably and hug him tighter.

Part one is almost complete. The editor emailed me today with encouraging feedback. She has finished the first round of edits, and we have a Zoom meeting scheduled for Thursday. During this meeting, we’ll ensure that my vision is coming across clearly before I make any changes. Thank you for your continued prayers.

I completed the final chapter of the manuscript today! It will be sent to the editor tomorrow for the first round of edits. My dream publishing date is November 5, 2025. I appreciate your prayers in this process. Soli Deo Gloria – To the Glory of God Alone!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13/NIV)

     It was a dreary morning, but I didn’t care. I had carved out the day before and this day to add a chapter to the book that the Lord had put on my heart. I needed to bring the book full circle, leading people to the source of my hope. The previous day had been zapped by unplanned, time-consuming errands. I was at peace. I still had today.

     I first had to send an email, the second one, to my doctor’s office. I had seen my doctor just four days before. One of my medical issues decided it didn’t like the medicine controlling it anymore, so it decided to flare up, finally taking my voice out with it. I emphasized in this email how important it was to get the referral to the specialist so that I could drive there and make an appointment, since my voice was gone. The coughing and choking were taking a toll on me. I couldn’t go many more days without sleep, and the weekend was at hand. I was also awakened in the night to the sound of choking and honking from my dog. She had a kennel cough. I sent an urgent email to the veterinarian, who quickly informed me that both her clinics were booked. She encouraged me to try back later in the afternoon. I left those major issues to simmer so I could begin to write.

     Although it was cloudy, it wasn’t too cool to sit outside. I do my best writing listening to the birds and the voice of God. I prayed fervently that God would allow me to finish the chapter so that I could get it to the editor before she returned from her vacation. I still had ten days to work with, but I was determined to finish it on this day, thinking I could use the extra time to begin writing the accompanying devotional to this book I had on my heart. But my mind was blank. I read some more scripture, prayed a little more, read some commentaries… but still… I only felt inspired to write a paragraph.

     I decided to rewatch the powerful podcast I had watched the night before, which I had stumbled across. Pastor Levi Lusko and his wife were interviewing the Christian singer TobyMac (stage name for Kevin Michael McKeehan). I was glued to the screen as he shared about his life, music, and the heartbreaking, accidental death of his 21-year-old son. This interview was six years after his son’s death, but the grief and rawness of his deep pain were still there… but so was his unwavering, determined trust in God. He emphasized that God was good no matter what. Throughout the interview, there were tears, but along with the tears, he expressed great confidence in the Lord. The Luskos were the perfect people to interview him as they too had lost a child. She was only five years old, and it had been thirteen years ago, but deep pain unites hearts despite the years. Toby shared that since his son’s death, he had been drawn closer to God, and how more valuable God’s Word was to him. I’ve heard a hundred times that when Christians have experienced great tragedies, their relationship with the Lord is more intimate. Something nonbelievers can’t comprehend.

     There were many gold nuggets to take away from this podcast, including the importance of joy, …the joy of the LORD is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Not blessings, not spiritual gifts, the joy of the LORD. Toby said every morning, the posture of his heart was focused on God. He sat on the edge of the chair every morning, asking,

“What could God do with this day?” “Don’t lean on your own understanding – get out on the edge and trust God. Walk on water.”

We should all aspire to live each day asking how God wants to use us.

“Only when our greatest love is God, a love that we cannot lose even in death, can we face all things with peace. Grief was not to be eliminated but seasoned and buoyed up with love and hope.” ( John Piper)

     The available hours that I had to write soon disappeared. I sent out two more urgent emails to the veterinarian, and another one to the doctor, hoping that I could pick up my son from school (fifteen minutes from the veterinarian) before the bus did, rush to the vet, and hurry to the specialist’s office, and live happily ever after. I received no response from either one, and with no voice, I couldn’t call and share the urgency. I was frustrated that my plans had not materialized.

     My son arrived home late. I was wiped out by this time, but I wouldn’t forget our weekly Friday after-school trip to get a special dinner. My son had had a good day, and I wouldn’t take that pleasure from him. I had one stop at the grocery store for a few staples, and then we could pick up food, hasten home, and enjoy the evening… so I thought.

     Our choice was a fast-food place closed for a year for a remodel. My son adored their waffle fries and chicken nuggets. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do a drive-through without a way to speak, and the weather had changed from gloomy to gloomy with sprinkles. It was still early; the evening rush had not begun. When we walked in, only a couple of people were in line. I whispered his order and stepped back, waiting. But then, the crowd whooshed in. My autistic son was beginning to get a little edgy as the people behind the counter were setting out orders of food, but people near us were taking the bags. My son began to whimper, so I thought taking him out to the car and then popping back into the restaurant was best. But my son was determined not to leave without food. I got him to the door with some reassurance and extra support. But now it was raining steadily. A kind man opened the door for us, but I needed more pressure to get my son out. Someone tapped me on the shoulder and held up a white tennis shoe, apparently my son had kicked off. By now, people were rushing in, the rain was coming down, but the man holding the door stood patiently. He took the shoe from the other man.

     “Can I help you?”

     “No, we are fine.”

     “No, let me help you.” With that, the man stepped outside, bent down, spoke gently to my son, and put on his tennis shoe… in the rain.

I thanked him, got my son in the car, ran back in, got the food, and made our way home in rush-hour traffic.

     I quickly got my son in the house, put his food on the tray, got the groceries there, made special mushy food for my honking dog, and dropped.  My son was also exhausted by then. He lay on the sofa, and before he could sleep, I rushed to his side and said a prayer. And then I dropped to the floor. My night ended with a bowl of ice cream, an inane movie, and a dog honking in the background.

     When I woke up at 2:30 in the morning, the first thing the Lord put on my mind was the man who had held open the door, gave respect and kindness to my son, and put on his shoe in the rain. I immediately dropped to the floor and repented to the Lord. I had just written a book about giving God waves of praise even in the difficult days. I had, twice in twenty-four hours, listened to a man who had lost a child in an accidental incident; but I missed the light and goodness in my day. I still weep as I write this.

     Joni Eareckson Tada once said, “The best we can hope for in this life is a knothole peek at the shining realities ahead. Yet a glimpse is enough. It’s enough to convince our hearts that whatever sufferings and sorrows currently assail us aren’t worthy of comparison to that which waits over the horizon.”

I spent a few more hours awake reading the Bible, praying, and remembering the day that had just passed. I went to our city’s Facebook page, not positive the man was even a member, but publicly mentioned the incident, thanked him for his kindness, blessed him, and mentioned that there were angels among us. Within thirty minutes of that posting, there were 85 forms of acknowledgements and praises for what the man had done. An hour later, there were 287 gratitude likes and several comments. People had a moment of hope that there was still kindness in the world because of that one man’s unselfish actions. The number of people reacting is now 600 and growing..

“Our world today so desperately hungers for hope, yet uncounted people have almost given up. There is despair and hopelessness on every hand. Let us be faithful in proclaiming the hope that is in Jesus.” (Billy Graham)

Don’t miss the blessings in each day.

Be an angel in disguise to a world desperate for light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzExBFZtLUs&t=2s

     “Storms in life are not meant to break us but to bend us toward God.” (Unknown)

As I sat out on the deck, I prayed cheerfully. “Father, guide me, show me Your glory!” I heard the echo of thunder in the background from the storm that would be above my head in about an hour. I have always loved thunder! Especially the big thunder boomers in Tennessee. It awakens thoughts of what God’s voice would sound like. The thunder that rocks the house brings to mind of what the Israelites heard from God when He spoke from the mountain top (Exodus 19:16-17, 20:18). When I asked God to talk to me, I, possibly like you, expected Him to be joyful and speak, “Bless you my child, you have only joy coming your way!” This time, He had a clearer, different message for me.

     As the storm grew closer, the leaves in the trees began to gently rustle. This is another act of God that I love. Remember the divine intervention when God told David when he was getting ready to attack the Philistines, “Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, ‘You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”? I smiled, thinking, God will give me answers for these difficulties I have been dealing with. But God had something else to say to me.

     Within a minute of hearing the leaves gently sway, the storm came in full force. The thunder sounded like a sonic boom. The torrential rain came in sideways sheets, knocking off the vase of flowers on my table and drenching everything in the screened porch. The wind was relentless. I ran for cover inside the house and listened as the tempest intensified. And then… as rapidly as it blew in, it stopped. No lingering light rain, no echo of thunder in the distance, no whisper of wind. Complete silence. I walked outside, stunned. I was seeking blessings, but God wanted me to seek Him.

     I remember when I was preparing to go to Peru to serve. God allowed me to go through a year-long process of being accepted by an agency and learning about the future work there. And then He closed the door… and was silent. I was shocked, confused, and wondering what to do next. Hadn’t He opened that door? I admit, I went into the entire experience confident I could do the job. I knew a little Spanish. The weather there was perfect every day, 365 days a year! I had been there before. The people were lovely, and I knew it was the ideal position for me… so I thought. But God remained silent except to show me one verse, repeatedly. Psalm 27:4, “One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek; That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.” (NKJV)

     I felt confident in myself going to Peru. God can’t use people who are confident in themselves. God chose that specific verse for me because He would send me to a place I had never been, where I had no knowledge of the language or the thousands of dialects, and where I would be alone for many years. God wanted me to seek Him because He would be all I would have… and He was definitely enough, above and beyond what I could have imagined (Ephesians 3:20).

     So why was God trying to get my attention this time? Storms can be physical or personal. I confess that I have been doing some comparisons lately. Nonbelievers I know have been blessed abundantly. Believers I know have been able to do their dream ministry, and I’ve been chosen to occupy a stationary place over several years. It’s been difficult. I think about my age, how life is nothing but vapor, and I am anxious about not wasting one minute. But God has a purpose for every storm, physical, medical, and personal.

     I’ve learned much in this stationary place over the last seven years out of ministry. Of course, I do have the ministry of raising my disabled son. God has changed my character and is holding me accountable for my vow to Him to write about His faithfulness. He continues to get me to focus on Him and not others. I admit I have been focused on me and my situation too much… and the obstacles, most likely sent by the Enemy.

     Charles Stanley wrote:
“Are you facing something much greater than your ability to handle? Turn your fear and sorrow over to Jesus. Allow Him to take your hurt and disappointment. When He is in your boat, there is no need to worry.” I believe those who suffer the greatest on earth have the most tremendous confidence of sharing in His highest glory.

Remember the disciples in the boat with the storm that hit them (Matthew 14:22-33). Jesus sent the storm and brought them peace.

What is the purpose of your storm? Ask Jesus to show you what He wants you to learn.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:2-6/NKJV)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YUGwUgBvTU

“… “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come saying ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; …  And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:5-7/NKJV)

“It was a typical day when Joy decided to go down to the beach. She needed answers, she needed guidance, and honestly, she just needed some hope. She was a middle-aged woman who realized that time passed more quickly as she aged. Nothing about her over the past years would draw your attention to her. She was of medium build and much shorter than she desired. Her brownish-blonde hair was past her shoulders now, but no longer had any shine. Her skin was beginning to show her age and the ravages of time. The only outward quality she had was her sapphire blue eyes, but even they didn’t sparkle anymore. The tears had washed most of the glimmer away. She stumbled as she made her way across the rocky, sandy beach, partly because of the unevenness of the path, partly because of her disability. She found a large, sturdy piece of driftwood that looked solid. She sat down to rest. She was so weary, and with her infirmity, and the considerable, unnecessary weight on her shoulders she carried, she couldn’t travel far anymore. She realized she had allowed the world’s trials to overshadow her more than she had noticed. Her outlook no longer represented her name.

As she sat there, the sun’s warm rays felt like a love she once remembered, cupping her face in its hands. The quiet, rippling sounds of the waves began to make her heart beat in rhythm. She deeply breathed in the fragrance of the ocean. The healing sound and scent of the ocean breeze caused Joy to feel more peaceful. Surprisingly, the weight on her shoulders seemed to feel somewhat lighter. A low-piercing noise startled her, and when her eyes opened, she saw a seagull that had landed not far from her. It was focused on the shell it had hurled from the sky, enjoying its morsels, oblivious that she was even near it. She was used to being invisible. Joy laughed inwardly as she observed the waddle of the seagull. It reminded her of herself. Once the bird noticed the intruder, it quickly took flight, and Joy beheld its grace, soaring above the beach. She had once soared, too.

Joy noticed the time on her phone and saw that the sun was beginning to explode into a magnificent palette of colors on heaven’s canvas. She knew she had to leave soon; finding her way back would be too arduous. As she tottered, like the seagull, finding her way down the beach, a smile began to rise, looking at the countless shells, sea glass, starfish, and endless treasures on the caramel-colored sand. She was about to lift her gaze when something shimmered on the ground. She couldn’t make it out until she grew closer. It was a stone, but not an ordinary stone. It was shiny, off-white with streaks of sienna, magenta, a few threads of royal blue, and highlights of gold like Kintsugi pottery. She picked up the stone. It was baked warm from the sun. Strangely, it felt quite weighty for such a small stone, but not too cumbersome to hold. Forgetting the sun beginning to set, she leaned against a boulder and gazed at it. A tear brushed down her face. An explosion of memories came to her as she examined the gold-filled lines on the stone.

Joy felt the Lord was speaking to her audibly. The message was clear, “How long, My child, will you keep running and grieving the losses? You only need to ask and believe; I, too, will fill those dark memories with light and triumph. You no longer need to be just Joy, but Joyful again. I will never leave you nor forsake you. I have seen and collected every tear and written them down. Soon, very soon, you will no longer remember the heartbreak.” Joyful was weeping now. She knew His words to be true. She knew He had been unwavering and had provided for her all her life. When did she lose hope?

Storms would come and go. Sometimes, she had plenty, sometimes a little. Occasionally, she lost everything on this earthly path. But Joyful knew she would never lose her eternal home or His love. She held on to the stone, and even though little light was left to help her find her way, she was no longer worried. She felt like she, too, was soaring. The strength of the small stone reminded her of God’s strength. It wasn’t crushing; it helped her when she was weak. Strength was the word the Lord wanted her to remember. Strength, when others said she was feeble, or dense, or worthless, or medically unhealthy. It didn’t matter what people or doctors said; the above-and-beyond strength didn’t come from medications, treatments, or encouragement from others. It came from God alone.

Joyful kept the stone as a remembrance of God’s faithfulness and vowed that no matter what happened in her life, she wouldn’t forget this moment and all the previous times that God had been steadfast. She didn’t have riches untold, but she was the heir of the God Most High. Earthly things were not at her disposal, but eternal, heavenly riches were in abundance, and she knew that if she spent time with her heavenly Father and focused on His path, He would always help her through each day. Joyful would gather a bountiful bucket of remembrance stones in the months and years ahead.”

This Holy Week, remember all that Christ did for you in this fleeting life and His sacrifice for all eternity. Choose a stone to remind you of His unwavering love and faithfulness.   

And remember to give thanks for the stone that was rolled away! Hallelujah! He is alive!             

(Excerpt from “Waves of Gratitude: Seeing God’s love through the darkest storms.)

Verse references: Joshua 1:5, Psalm 56:8