Slowing it down long enough to “abide”
“Can you come to a party?” someone asked.
I checked my calendar and realized that every day between now and Christmas (except for that day) was already filled.
I thought when my kids got older and left the nest that life would slow down, but it hasn’t! In fact, at times it feels like it’s gone into warp speed.
Family pulls one way, and I love those pulls and tugs. Deadlines refuse to go away, and I’m grateful for the work. Responsibilities demand their time, and I juggle, though I try very hard to practice balance.
But what I know can slip away in the busy times is my time with God. I feel that gentle pull right now. I talked with Him today while I put up the Christmas tree. I sent up a quiet prayer for a friend going through an incredibly hard time. I thanked Him for an unexpected blessing.
But we are created to be alone with Him. To push everything aside, if even for a moment, and close ourselves in. And the funny thing is, that while I desperately want and need that, I just keep pushing on, filling that time with other things.
The Bible calls it abiding in Him. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
5:51 pm |
Tree speak: How God helps us grow
If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome!
Yesterday I carried off two large sections of my butterfly tree and set them by the curb for trash pickup. The wind had hit my house hard the night before, and evidently it swirled around my front porch, creating chaos.
“It makes me sad,” I told my husband. “I loved that butterfly tree.”
I received more joy from this one tree than anything else in my garden. All spring long butterflies and hummingbirds flutter around the clusters of lilac flowers that grace the tree. When I walk along the sidewalk the fragrance of those flowers greeted me.
“It’s still alive,” Richard reminded me. “You lost a large section, but it’s still standing.”
I looked back at the remnants of the tree. It was fractured and misshapen. Winter has hit and the green leaves were silvery and the flowers dormant.
But I will nurture that tree back to health. Taking away the dead branches is the first step. Next I will feed the roots, mulch them, and shape the remaining branches. It will not be the same tree, but I expect next spring it will bloom as beautiful as ever. And with the dead and weak branches pruned away, it will flourish. It won’t look the same, but I am excited to see what emerges.
In my own life, I do not look the same as I did 30+ years ago when I fell in love with my Savior. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
9:03 am |
Is your faith in God alone?
Trials demand wisdom, wisdom demands prayer, and prayer demands faith. ~R. Ellsworth
Sometimes I just don’t have the answer. Am I alone in this? I don’t think so.
Not long ago I had an encounter with someone I care about. Something small turned large in a heartbeat. It made me angry. I wanted to hurt this person back. But I paused.
Just for a second.
Because reacting to feelings often lead me in a crazy direction, the opposite of where I really want to go.
What do I do?
A prayer. Whispered where no one could hear. And then I knew what to do. It was exactly the opposite of what I wanted to do, or would have done 10 seconds earlier. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
10:18 am |
From trouble to perfect, really?
One way I love to study the Bible is to take a small portion of scripture and read it, then study it, then read it again and take it deeper. Because I often miss a life changing scripture as I try to take in large chunks of God’s word.
This morning was one of those times.
Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. (James 1:2)
A familiar scripture. One that has proved faithful over the years. When I was sick with cancer. . . when I wrestled with sadness. . . when we were hit financially. . . when my son was injured by a drunk driver. . . my faith deepened as I trusted God moment by moment to live, and to trust no matter the outcome.
Those were hard times.
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:3-4)
I was about to move on to verse 5 and 6 and further, but felt that gentle nudge stop me. So I read that verse again. And the word “perfect” stopped me.
Perfect, really? (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
9:42 am |
We’re adopted
Luke is 5 months old. For those of you who aren’t familiar with his story, we found out a few days before Luke’s birth that he would join our family. He was placed in Melissa and Josh’s arms a couple of days after his birth, and for that we’ll always be grateful.
He’s a funny little guy. Okay, scratch the little part. He’s a hoss. At 5 months, he’s the size of most 10 month olds. He also has a huge personality. He loves nothing more than being surprised and his laugh delights us. Last week I had Luke overnight and when his mom and dad came to pick him up, he snuggled into his mama’s arms and then gave her several sweet open mouth baby kisses.
When I think of Luke, I think of the verse in scripture that speaks of adoption. How we have become sons and daughters of God by Christ’s selfless act on the cross.
When Luke became a member of our family, he received everything we have to give. Our love, and lots of it. Our material goods. An extended family who couldn’t imagine life without him in it.
I can’t imagine loving a little boy more, but if I love Luke this much, how much does this say about God’s love? He chose you and me to be His, to give us His name. To give us all that He has to offer — but in a God-sized measure. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
11:43 am |
What you are saying. . .
I just wanted to let you know that I started using your book Making It Real: Whose Faith Is It Anyway? with my junior high sunday school class.
I cannot tell you how much their eyes have opened to making faith their own in the two weeks we have been discussing it. They really impressed me this week, especially in discussing how their feelings effect how they feel about God and their faith.
And I admit that it has opened my eyes too. I appreciate the thought you put into the book and making it easy to put steps into action. My kids were especially hit hard by the question: How often do you talk to your best friend each week and how often do you talk to God?
So I just wanted to let you know that we are enjoying your book and growing together as a class. Learning our faith, and becoming disciples for God.
From Suzie: Thanks, Stephanie. I love that you took the time to drop this note to me. Reviews on Amazon or notes like this encourage me so much, and I’m grateful. Please tell your students Suzie said hello, okay?
Posted by Suzie @
4:01 pm |
