Big Lesson - Tiny Insect

They appeared on our deck last year in record numbers. More than a nuisance, if not dealt with, they would eventually cause pretty severe damage. Carpenter ants. They seemed to be on a mission. A relatively straight line of them emerged from the far side of the deck and traveled to the downspout closest to the screen room, before disappearing from sight. Where were they going? We needed to find their nest before they turned our house into a feast.

While making a call from our screen room the next day, I noticed one of the pesky ants crawling by the door latch. As I sat and observed for a few minutes, ant after ant marched up out of the thin strip of wood that formed the seal between the doorframe and the door. So that was it! That's where they were coming from! Sure enough, after I snapped my phone shut and investigated further, I saw where the ants had begun making their nest. A quick trip to the garage for some ant killer and the insects were a thing of the past; their home thoroughly doused with pesticide. It felt good knowing that our house was no longer a smorgasbord for these 6-legged creatures.

As I celebrated my victory that day, I was glad I had eradicated a pesky invader. I wasn't in the mood to consider the wisdom of the ant. Yes, you read that correctly. Ants are wise. Such a tiny insect, yet in the book of Proverbs, Solomon points out its wisdom. "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest" (6:6-8; KJV).

A lesson in diligence is just waiting to be learned if I observe the ant. Science backs up scripture when it reveals that ants live in highly organized colonies, each ant responsible for a specific job. Some ants are responsible for cultivation of food sources, others engage in warfare, while others function strictly as workers. These ants don't have a boss, yet they carry out their individual jobs without fail. Talk about self-motivation! No need to call in the motivational speakers, these guys don't rely on cheerleaders to get them pumped up. They know a job needs to be done - so they do it!

When food is available, they gather it! No use holding meetings and strategizing about better ways to collect and store the food. Instead of talking about it, they work and accomplish their purpose. What about me? I have a choice to make each day. Will I be productive or give in to the temptation to procrastinate? If I tiptoe after 'Procrastination,' what will be the outcome? Solomon's answer stands in stark contrast to the outcome of the diligent. "How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man" (Proverbs 6:9-11).

Put plainly, when I give in to laziness and allow myself to be drawn away from my responsibilities, I'll come up poor and empty. 'Laziness' tries to convince me that I should put off today, what can be done tomorrow. It whispers in my ear that I don't need to spend time in God's word today, because I read an extra chapter yesterday. It convinces me that I don't really need to keep track of my spending because budgets are way too restrictive anyway. When I follow after 'Laziness' I end up discouraged and frustrated. In spite of its allurement, 'Laziness' is not a good friend! Refuse to hang out at procrastinate gate!

Wow, what a big lesson from such a tiny insect! Each one of us has the opportunity to choose our course for this day. Two words that begin with the same three letters, but have very different outcomes. Procrastination or productivity? Which will you choose today? Look to the ant, and be wise!

Do you struggle with procrastination? What helps you to overcome this hurdle? I'd love to hear your tips for staying on track!

Ever Faithful

The day dawned bright and sunny. In spite of Accuweather's prediction for potentially severe thunderstorms, not even a cloud dotted the morning sky. Each of the previous weekdays held the possibility of rain, but by Friday, not even a single drop had moistened the ground in our neck of the woods. As we completed final preparations for the party, we were hopeful that the rain would hold off for one more day!

Our daughter, Riley's graduation get-together was planned for Friday evening from six to nine in the evening. The hourly forecast was calling for a thunderstorm to roll in right in the middle of our celebration. If the gathering would have been an indoor event, there wouldn't have been a reason to give it a second thought. But, you guessed it! We had set up tables, chairs, and decorations outside to accommodate the sixty-something guests who had RSVP'd.

With tables festively decorated, candles and tiki torches lit, and six dozen balloons floating lazily in the afternoon breeze, we began noticing dark clouds that seemed to materialize from nowhere...their billowing forms creeping across the sky hinting at the weather to come. As I made the final trip out to pick up the sheet cake and ice, I silently prayed that the Lord would hold back the predicted rain. I glanced toward Sawnee Mountain, one of the few places untouched, as yet, by the sinister clouds. I was reminded of the words penned by King David, "I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help; My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth" (Psalms 121:1-2; KJV). No matter what happened with the weather, I knew God was in control.

Back at home, last minute food preparations were coming together, when my husband, Steve, poked his head in the back door to let me know that the first drops of rain had begun to fall. I began tossing a plan 'B' together, as we continued to pray that the Creator of the universe would hold back the rain. I remembered another time the Lord had been called on during a storm - unlike our storm, the one mentioned in the Bible was life-threatening.

Christ had asked the disciples to row across the Sea of Galilee, to reach another city. The story picks up, "But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy" (Luke 8:23). These weren't cowardly men. Remember that the disciples were seasoned fishermen who had endured several storms on this very lake. Yet this storm left them terrified! How could Jesus sleep through this? They wasted no time waking him and relaying their concern, "Master, master, we perish" (Luke 8:24a). In full control, the Lord "arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith: And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him" (Luke 8:24b-25).

To know the One who is in charge of it all! If the winds and water were obedient to Him, I was confident that He could stop the raindrops even now as they made their way from sky to earth. We continued to pray. As we made several trips in and out of the house, transporting food to buffet tables, we were keenly aware that the drips of rain had stopped. Thunder rumbled in the distance as the first guests arrived, but we decided to continue with our original plan of an outdoor celebration.

Throughout the evening, guests commented on the torrential downpours they had driven through as they made their way to our house. The thunderstorms were all around us, yet aside from those few drops of rain as we set up the buffet tables, no more rain dampened our party. The Lord answered our prayer and held back the rain! Our God is so gracious!

It's amazing to see God at work. What a testimony of His love for you and me. He is worthy of all of our praise. "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever, To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever" (Psalms 136:1-4). Even in the small things, He is ever faithful! Praise His wonderful name, today!

The Final Days

With graduation only days away, and family coming to visit - you guessed it! I'm unplugging for a while to focus on this special time! See you soon!

Psalm 57:7-11 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

Perfect Provision

For days our pond was 'disturbed' by humans. Humans we had paid to fix a multitude of problems. Once finished, with the final boulder in place and the spring-fed creek raising the pond back to its normal water level, it didn't take long for 'them' to come back. Literally within hours, the wildlife we were accustomed to, had returned.

A family of four deer stepped gingerly down to the water's edge to get a drink. A red-shouldered hawk kept his gaze fixed on the pond, watching for even the slightest movement from something edible. A brown water snake glided effortlessly through the pond from one side to the other. Once again, our yard was teeming with God's creatures. I hadn't realized how much I had missed them. The pond acted as a source of life for these 'friends,' large and small alike.

Just like the pond provides for the wildlife in our yard, God's word provides for each one of us. Although the needs of the animals are different, the pond clearly meets each need. Our individual needs vary greatly, yet God's word provides for each and every one of them. From our greatest need for salvation to our daily need for wisdom and guidance. From our need to be loved, to our need for assurance of God's presence. The Bible holds life-giving words that provide nourishment for our souls.

Even as I am able to see my reflection in our pond, the law of God acts as a mirror, reflecting my sin and showing me my need for a Savior. I'm reminded of a certain Pharisee, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He was a deeply religious man, yet, unlike the other Pharisees, Nicodemus was convinced that Jesus was a teacher come from God. For fear of the Jews, Nicodemus approached Jesus at night. Jesus responded to him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3; KJV). Seeing Nicodemus' confusion, Jesus explained further, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Nicodemus believed these life-giving words of Christ and later we see the difference they made in his life. He and Joseph of Arimathaea boldly approached Pilate to ask permission to bury the body of Jesus, following His crucifixion. Honoring Christ was now more important to Nicodemus than honoring the Pharisees.

As I seek wisdom and guidance in my daily life, God's word reminds me of our spring-fed creek. Much like a spring, His word bubbles over with verse after verse related to these topics. The book of James encourages me to ask for wisdom, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5). If I'm to be wise, I'm to begin with reverencing God, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever" (Psalm 111:10). God promises to guide me, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye" (Psalm 32:8). He shares a characteristic of those whom He is able to guide, "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way" (Psalm 25:9).Valuable words of life.

On those days when I question God's love for me, His word is replete with precious truth. King Solomon writes, "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me" (Proverbs 8:17). When I'm feeling all alone, scripture reminds me otherwise. "...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5b). Again in the book of Matthew, "...and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20).

Whether your need is similar to one mentioned here, or totally different, you can be assured that God's word is a treasure trove waiting to be mined. Take time to search the scriptures today, the life giving words you need can be found within the pages of God's holy word!

Heavenly Father, Your word is truth and light. Thank you that the answers to all of life's questions can be found within the pages of the Bible. In the words of the Psalmist, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God" (Psalm 42:1). Quench my thirst, O Lord. Amen.

Full Potential

The countdown has begun. Our daughter, Riley, has ten more days of high school before graduation. Exciting days. Bittersweet days. She pulled together some photos to include on her senior collage, and a flood of memories hit me. Adorable baby pictures, mixed in with those capturing her bubbly toddler personality. Pictures conveying the slightly awkward 'tween' stage that included braces, and pictures that assured us that those braces were very worthwhile. Beautiful memories.

What a privilege my husband, Steve, and I have been given by God - that of parenthood. A privilege and a big responsibility! As flawed humans, trying to raise a daughter in the nurture and admonition of the Lord is challenging, to say the least. Thankfully, we aren't left on our own. When God calls us to a specific task, He also equips us. As Moses questioned God's decision to send him to Egypt to free His people, God reminded Moses of this truth, "Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say" (Exodus 4:12; KJV). God's wisdom and strength are ours for the asking. He promises us, " Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7).

As the years have sped by, and she's moved toward independence, we've had to realize that Riley isn't really ours. She was fearfully and wonderfully made by our Heavenly Father to bring Him honor and glory. We are entrusted with her, but in reality, she belongs to Him, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). He has a plan and purpose for her life. How exciting to know that she's in the best hands possible - those of the Master!

Our prayer for Riley can be summed up in the words Moses penned for the children of Israel, "love the Lord your God,...walk in all his ways, and...cleave unto him" (Deuteronomy 11:22). Love Him, obey Him and cling to Him. When God's word is alive and active in the life of a surrendered believer, there's no limit to what God can do! Can you see the potential? We're looking forward to all God has in store for you, Riley! Strive to reach your full potential for Him! Mom and Dad love you!

What has God called you to do? How has He equipped you? Are you ready to reach your full potential? Let me hear from you!

Preparing

He was the youngest of Jesse's sons. A shepherd by trade. Not your typical choice for a king. But God's plans don't follow man's logic. As the prophet, Samuel, stood before Jesse, one likely candidate after another passed before him. God made it clear to Samuel that He had not chosen any of these young men to be king. Samuel heard the doubt in Jesse's voice when he responded to Samuel's inquiry about other children, "There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep" (1 Samuel 16:11; KJV). Jesse hadn't even thought to call his youngest son, David, to this special gathering, automatically ruling him out as a potential candidate for king.

When David arrived from the fields where he had been tending his father's sheep, the Lord's response to Samuel was immediate, "Arise, anoint him: for this is he" (1 Samuel 16:12). In obedience, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David, "and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward" (1 Samuel 16:13). Chosen by God. The next king of Israel.

Put yourself in David's shoes, or sandals, if you will. One day you're tending your father's sheep, and the next thing you know, the renowned prophet of the Lord appears at your door, vial in hand, and as the lukewarm oil drips off your hair, the Spirit of the Lord grips you! Dozens of questions must have filled David's mind. He certainly didn't feel like a king. How soon would he be moving into the palace? Who would take care of his father's sheep? What would his responsibilities include?

The transition from field to palace spanned many years. Each trial David encountered shaped him for the throne. He proved himself to be devoted to God, and no-doubt developed a close relationship with his Heavenly Father as he spent hours in solitude caring for and protecting his father's sheep. He was a skilled marksman with a slingshot. Yet the same hands that were able to take life, were able to enrich life with beautiful music. David was a talented harpist. He was called upon to use his musical ability when King Saul was tormented with an evil spirit. The beautiful music was able to sooth his soul. What thoughts must have raced through David's mind as he played in Saul's presence, knowing that someday he would occupy the throne!

David's zeal for the Lord was again apparent when he faced the Philistine giant, Goliath. David was incensed that this pagan would dare curse the God of the Israelites. As they drew near one another in battle, David spoke confidently, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel" (1 Samuel 17:45-46). A great victory was won in Israel that day!

The people now credited David with the slaughter of the Philistines. Saul saw the people's response and jealousy was swift to follow. David became a 'wanted' man. Hunted by King Saul, and on the run for his life, David became a skilled warrior in the process. Each skill he was acquiring would be essential for his reign as king. At least fifteen years passed between David's initial anointing and when he took the throne. Each trial he encountered served to prepare him for the job God had for him.

The writer's journey to publication is no different. Seldom is a writer awarded a contract without a lot of hard work and effort. The journey is a long one, fraught with successes and failures along the way. Being willing to invest the time and discipline necessary to hone the craft are essential. Writing, editing, and re-writing are all part of the mix. Rejections mold character and perseverance. Attending conferences, making connections and learning my own strengths and weaknesses further prepares me for what God has laid before me. Although I have no idea how long it will take for my dream of publication to become a reality, I am confident, like David, that each hurdle I encounter along the way will serve to prepare me to be a better writer!

How about you? Can you see how God is orchestrating things in your life, to better prepare you for the job He's calling you to do? I'd love to hear about it!

A Season for Everything

The joys and sorrows of life. We all face them. How privileged we are to traverse life's path with those who willingly come alongside us. What a blessing to be an encouragement to another when the roles are reversed.

In the past couple of months, I've watched life's roller coaster deal mountain top experiences to some, while plunging others into devastating valleys. Rejoicing with those experiencing motherhood for the first time, and crying with others over catastrophic marital difficulties, and the death of loved ones. Because of sin, I know there will be difficulty and suffering. I have to admit, it can be a bit overwhelming when the tidal wave of adversity crashes in, threatening to engulf everyone in its path.

King Solomon penned the stark truth, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4; KJV). There IS a season for everything. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul spells out one of the practical responsibilities of believers, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep" (Romans 12:15).

I think I've got the 'rejoicing' part down. It's fun to be a part of the joyous celebrations of life - graduations, weddings, births. The difficulty begins when we're called on to help the one facing marital struggles, be there for the heartbroken, or sit with a dying family member. My tendency is to shrink back from these 'uncomfortable' situations and let someone else handle them. But if I'm to put feet to my faith, I'll overcome my selfishness and be there in both the good times and the bad.

Although I may not always understand the 'whys' of life, I am confident that each circumstance presents an opportunity for faith to grow. James put it this way, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:2-4). The certainty is that trials and difficulties will come. The question becomes, will life's trials and difficulties make or break our faith?

While navigating the pathway of life, everything we encounter is designed to draw us into a closer relationship with the Lord. His plan is not to keep us from pain, but to mature and perfect us, to conform us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). He won't force us to be conformed. The choice is ours. Will we allow the hardships in our life and in the lives of others to solidify and grow our faith? Or will we become disillusioned in the process? The next time you encounter difficulty, or are called upon to be there for a friend, allow yourself to be rooted and grounded in Christ so the storms of life become useful tools to cultivate life-changing faith!