The Bridge of Trust

Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

So beautiful, so true – that one simple verse really spoke to me.

I realized that I tend to follow the path of fear initially, but that is NOT God’s path! Why don’t I immediately recall ALL of the times God has blessed me beyond belief instead of gravitating to the “what if’s”!?

I’m so sorry, Lord. These have been sterling opportunities to trust you with my whole heart. Why do I even let fear tumble around in my mind?

I was really looking forward to closing on the sale of my duplex on Sept. 30. I would finally be out of that business, which will bring me great relief. I’ve been praying for the good of all involved – the tenants, the buyers, the realtor and myself.

Now there has been a delay and closing was moved back a couple weeks. I was disappointed but still hopeful. Then one of my tenants gave notice that he is moving out the end of this month. Being that he is the original tenant in the duplex he got to put in his own appliances, so will be taking all the kitchen appliances with him!

At this point, I cannot seek another tenant because the buyer may have plans of moving in. So, my mind explored “what if” the deal fell through… It would be quite expensive to miss a month or two of rent and have to pay to replace all the kitchen appliances. Plus, if I did need to find new renters, it would be hard to rent if the building is also for sale (been there, done that!).

But in following that train of thought, I had stepped right into the devil’s snare! He wants me to focus on the “what if’s.”

So my thoughts traveled across a new bridge. Since I had already been praying about a solution that was good for everyone, maybe this is God answering! With the tenant moving out, the new buyer would not have to ask anyone to leave; the tenant would leave by his own choice; and I would be out of the rental business. Sounds just like God, working all together for good.

Even though there are questions about what will happen in the next week, this is my opportunity to trust in Him and keep my eyes on the One who is in control. If things don’t happen as I would like, I will cross that bridge when I come to it – and not worry or fret about it before. God is good and it’s His voice I want to listen to.

Loving and gracious God, I’m keeping my eyes on you. You are the anchor for my soul, the only One who’s in control, so I will cast my cares on you!

Very Truly Yours

Daily, I ponder what it means to abide in Jesus. I think through being connected to Him with all my thoughts and pursuits, so that I can stay on the path He has for me. God created me and He knows how I operate best. He gave me specific gifts; He planned my potential. If I stick with Him, I’ll be on that plan.

But I am much more than a puppet on a string. Oh yes, I have the freedom to try to do it all myself, my own way! However, I am limited when I am on my own and there is no satisfaction in self-indulgent ways. I feel much more complete when I am others-focused. I need others and, most of all, I need Jesus. A branch cannot bear fruit if it is disconnected from the Vine, and neither will I if I am not connected to Him. (John 15:4)

It is in being connected to that Magnificent Vine, trusting Him for my nourishment and direction that I can thrive and flourish. 

So, instead of being compelled by what the world wants, I am guided by heavenly wisdom. Instead of a driving competition for my own success, I stay focused, do what He asks, encourage others along the way, and let God open the doors. Instead of trusting in my own accomplishments or my bank account to provide my worth and happiness, I am trusting in my Lord to give me what I need, as I need it. And He is faithful.

So, the more of myself I can surrender, the more of me that is in His hands to work with. God is my loving Father, who planned my potential. Why wouldn’t I want to stay close and watch His plan unfold?

Lord, today I want to be fully yours – very truly yours – surrendered to you in a way that you do the work YOU want to accomplish. Let your glory unfold in the world around me.

We Have This Hope

It was an amazing hike, with gorgeous views of Sedona's red rock landscape all the way. Upon reaching the top of Doe Mesa, a 400-foot incline, the view in every direction was breathtaking. And there was an amazing view in the sky, as well. (See my 10/22/13 and 10/12/14 posts for the added joy behind the second photo.)

My son Zach and I took our time exploring the truly awesome views near the edge, enjoying the prickly pear cactus, yucca and agave, and the colorful lizards. We had great conversation all the way up, but the experience at the top inspired us to ponder our Creator and Eternity.

In the morning, I had read Hebrews 6:19, which says, "We have this hope as an anchor for our souls, firm and secure."

Thank you, God, for a precious reminder of that gift.

Beyond the Wall

On my drive to work this morning, I saw a pair of colorful birds fly across in front of me as I pulled up to a stoplight. My eyes followed them to a flowering tree where they lit. Orioles! A pair of them. It stirred my excitement as I watched them playfully flit from branch to branch and take off in flight again.

They landed on  tree inside the maximum-security correctional institution, which is surrounded by high stone walls. Yet, despite their surroundings, they were free to fly about as they pleased, even beyond the wall.

It made me thankful for my own freedom in Christ. Because I focus daily on abiding in him, I need not be dragged down and paralyzed by the weighty things in life. My attitude is positive; my perspective is hopeful. In a sense, I can live above my circumstances because Jesus is with me wherever I go. His counsel, His strength and His provisions are as near as I choose.

Lord, your constant love gives us confidence to be the best we can be. May we live in a way that brings hope to those who stumble in darkness. Thank you, Jesus, for the great freedom we have in you.

Special Memorial

In summer of 2012, Ted and I dug up a bunch of overgrown daffodils in our garden and separated the bulbs. Oh, how they'd multiplied!

We gave some to friends and planted the rest along the back of the yard, giving them room to grow and spread out. Not wanting to waste a single bulb, Ted tilled up more and more space and we planted for hours until all the bulbs had a home. We had the satisfaction of completing the project together and talked about how we could look forward to all those blooms in the spring.

The winter was long, and when I first saw all the daffodils sprouting, I smiled in surprise because I had forgotten about them. Besides, I had a lot on my mind with Ted having been in the hospital for weeks. I thought about how they would make a cheerful homecoming when Ted got out.

Then on May 2, 2013, Ted went home to be with the Lord, but the daffodils burst into bloom as we planned his funeral. It was bittersweet that Ted wasn't here with me to enjoy them, but they reminded me of the new life Ted was beginning.

Now, on the second anniversary of Ted's passing, the daffodils' smiling faces appeared in perfect timing. Each year, I will recall the wonderful time we had working together on this. Each year, they bring with them the hope of a new season. Life goes on, and God makes all things beautiful in His time.

At the time of the planting, we did not have a clue that Ted's cancer would take a turn and that he wouldn't be there to see them in Spring. He could not have known we were planting his memorial garden together.

God, thank you once again for the wonderful husband you gave me, and the many memories we made that I will cherish all my life. Thank you for the daffodils; they are great reminders of your unfailing love, and his.

Love From My Valentine

Abiding in our Lord is so amazing. He speaks to us in so many ways -- customized for each one of us -- in the ways we can best perceive and relate. God's love is so special. Celebrate His love this Valentine's Day.

Today, February 14, has lots of sweet memories for me. I married the love of my life, and we celebrated it profoundly every year...a snowy walk to the ice caves on Lake Superior at Bayfield, a romantic walk in the woods through fresh fallen snow, and Door County weekends with dear friends also celebrating anniversaries.

I still treasure the most beautiful cards, with carefully chosen words. On our last Valentine's Day together, Ted gave me nine red roses for nine years of marriage, made me chocolate-covered strawberries and then gave me three more roses, signifying the three of us -- God, him and me -- and what it takes to make the marriage work.

Though I miss Ted all the time, it's my practice of abiding in Jesus that lifts me and fills me. Look at this beautiful reminder I found in the fresh snow this morning. The wind had swirled and carved away a perfect heart.

Lord, your love is truly amazing! Teach us all to be still, be mindful and to watch for the unlimited ways you speak to us. 

Choosing to Walk by Faith

Inevitably, something comes into my life that wants to draw every spare moment of my attention -- a concern that grows, a problem that consumes, a situation that overwhelms. “Oh God, I’m in WAY over my head,” I say.

The temptation is to want to fix it -- and fix it quickly -- to have peace and order again. So I roll it around and around in my brain, thinking of how I can resolve this issue and restore my life to its former comfort level. In reality, I’m reinforcing the negative as I stress over figuring it out.

I recognize this is an opportunity for the enemy to say, “You need to focus on this. This could go wrong or that could be coming down the road and you need to stay ahead of it. Be ready. It could get worse.”

All the while God is saying, “You’re not alone. I am with you always. I would never leave you or forget you. I have everything under control. Just look to me. This is not YOUR project, but an opportunity to let ME work through you. I am orchestrating everything together for good. Watch and see. I will provide what you need at the very time you need it. Keep your eyes on me.”

So, despite the emotions that sometimes get in my way, I choose to walk by faith, even in the shades of gray, in the waiting time when I don’t know how things will turn out. That’s what faith is after all -- trusting God implicitly, knowing that He knows best and His timing is best.

My job is to keep my attention focused on Him, listening for His direction on what my role is, and then being courageous and obedient in following the last thing I heard Him impress upon me. This is abiding in Jesus. It is where I need to be and where I need to stay. It is where I will bear fruit.

“I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see…”

Thank you, dear Lord, for your ever-present goodness, for your wisdom and sovereignty. There is nothing too difficult for you. Greater is He who is in me than He who is in the world. I have everything I need when I abide in you.

For more encouragement, listen to “Walk by Faith” by Jeremy Camp and “He is Greater” by Mercy Me.