I used to think that God didn’t want me to ask Him to help me with the small things in life because I thought prayer was reserved for only the big things.
All in Trust
Even If…
The change in Habakkuk has been profound. In the company of God, in awe and praise of the Holy One, the prophet has regained his spiritual balance. Even if he’s still shaking in his boots, he has relinquished control: Yet I will wait patiently! (3:16). Judah will be exiled in Babylon for 70 years, but they will return. Babylon will be overthrown.
Right-Sizing God
From his position on the ramparts (2:1) Habakkuk receives the revelation from the LORD. Yes, Judah will pay for her sins at the hand of Babylon. In turn, woe upon woe will be piled upon Babylon (2:6-19). “The LORD is in his holy temple” (2:20) indeed!
The Fog of Fear
Habakkuk—one of those books in the Bible I need the index to find, and cannot spell unless I pronounce each “k” separately. Mercy me! In the days before the southern kingdom fell to Babylon (586 BC), the prophet Habakkuk’s heart was broken over the apparent triumph of evil over righteousness. Decency and peace were crumbling everywhere. Kind of makes us think of society today.
Open Hands
Few things are as soothing for me as watching waves crash on a beach. But the seamless shoreline of peace and harmony can only be created by an endless cycle of giving and taking.
The Safety of Sacrifice
Most of us don’t think of sacrifice as a place of safety. Sacrifice is where we feel fragile and vulnerable (aka, the opposite of safe). I don’t know about you, but I seem to have an obsession with safety in my life. I pick jobs that make me feel safe, I pick people who make me feel safe, I spend money in ways that make me feel safe…
Which Fear Will Control You?
Fear of failure.
Fear of people.
Fear of being different.
Fear of the unknown.
Fear of being known.
Fear of death.
Fear of the future.
When Doubts Creep In
Doubts creep into my mind as quickly as weeds pop up in my flowerbeds.
I doubt my abilities, faith, feelings, God, and thoughts. Sometimes they are fleeting, but usually they result in anxiety.
Seeing Something New
Have you read a note to yourself from the past and later… it spoke to you in a new way?
This happens to me sometimes.
As I write to encourage others, months later the same message has a new meaning to me.
Move Forward
We were hiking in the middle of a mountain forest and our path suddenly… ended.
What do you do?
Do you go backward?
The Time of Waiting
A test revealed I could have… cancer.
Then… there was a time of waiting.
This time of waiting… of not knowing… is the hardest part.
Was my life about to change? Or not?
Love and Grief
I am, unfortunately, all too experienced at saying these goodbyes! But, I was not prepared for six granddaughters to simultaneously wail so loudly that their mothers came running!
Why Would You Call Her That?
The woman in Luke 7 that poured perfume on Jesus’ feet was called Sinner and Sinful Woman by the local townspeople. Jesus called her Forgiven.
Sarah was known as Barren and Disgraced. God called her Princess and Mother of Nations.
Mary Magdalene was labeled Demon-possessed. Jesus knew her as Healed.
In the Silence
The sound of silence… Do you know it?
There are times with God though… when it is too quiet.
Blind Trust
I enjoy the crazy ride of a roller coaster.
All the surprises of things that you cannot see ahead of you… twisting and turning… ups and downs.
But to ride them… it is a step of trust.
A Second Time
Wait… can I try that again?
The gift of second chances.
God was so kind to Jonah. Do you know his story?
The Impossible is Possible
Is there a situation that you are facing that seems hopeless right now?
I have been there.
Fingerprints
I looked out the back door window enjoying the country view of pine trees.
Something blurred my vision… I could see fingerprints.
I had just cleaned the glass… but there they were… again.
I recognized the hand pattern.
Hmmm… I knew who the fingerprints were from.
God has fingerprints…
Drop the Blanket
It went with her everywhere… my daughter’s baby blanket was her security for years. They did everything together. She even named it “Bobbie.” When the blanket was over-loved, I repaired it several times. Eventually, it was packed in a family memory box.
The Next Piece
Life with Jesus is like a puzzle.
There are all these pieces to life… but they don’t always make sense alone.