Creatures of Habit

It's said that old habits die hard, but frankly new habits die hard, too. This was never made more obvious to Brad and I then when I recently moved a garbage can to a different location in our new home. We've not lived in this house a month yet, so we're still figuring out where we want to put things. Originally I had put our 13-gallon garbage can in our breakfast nook around the counter from the kitchen. Then a few days ago, I got the idea to put a smaller can closer and handier underneath the kitchen sink. I moved the bigger can in the breakfast nook to a far corner, to still have it available if needed. However, since we'd been throwing away garbage to the original location, Brad and I found ourselves going back to that area over and over again ... after it had only been there two weeks. It was a similar situation with our refrigerator. While waiting for a new fridge to arrive, we were using the old fridge which had been relocated to the laundry room. Even after the new refrigerator was in place, we found ourselves still walking the gallon of milk back to the laundry room fridge a good five days later. We are definitely creatures of habit. And how quickly we can instill those habits.

That being said, I found myself quite easily breaking a habit I had prior to the move: my devotion time. I like to spend the first part of my morning in Bible reading and prayer whether silently or through journaling. When we moved last month, with all the different things that needed done - unpacking, rearranging, cleaning, etc. - I found that I neglected my devotion time. I went right to the jobs and ignored that time with my Lord. I might say, "I'll get to it," but then never did. The Lord doesn't like it when I neglect that time, so he started waking me at 2 or 3 a.m. If I won't set aside time for Him, then He'll make so I have to. So in the middle of the night I was reading Scripture and praying. That's not a bad thing. I cherish those times with God (some great learning was done), but I still wasn't making room for Him myself. Then I started getting sick every morning. Allergies. They would wipe me out, not just in the morning, but all day. This morning I woke up and started to go about the day's work and began my usual early repetitive sneezing, In exasperation, I said to myself, "Everything can wait." I stopped what I was doing, grabbed my Bible and journal and found a cozy quiet place to sit.

I'm in the middle of the book of Daniel, so was reading Daniel 4 about Babylon King Nebuchadnezzar's crazy dream about a mighty tree, cut to the ground, stripped of its leaves and fruit scattered. Daniel interprets the dream for the king telling him it's actually about Lord driving Nebuchadnezzar from his throne for a bit, even to the point of madness, until he acknowledges that God is the Most High. Daniel gives the king this advice: "Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue." (Daniel 4:27) Rather than heed the advice, the king, just 12 months later, heralds his own mighty power and glory. Oops! So of course the dream comes true. The king becomes animalistic, eating grass like cattle, his hair thinning like feathers and his nails growing like claws. Creepy. Seven years later, he acknowledges and praises the Most High God and his kingdom is restored.

What a wake up call for me! I'm not a king, nor have a built a great city. I'm not eating grass, losing hair or growing scary claws. But the Lord was certainly getting my attention. I think the Lord gave me a little leeway with the busyness of the move, but that time is over. GOD COMES FIRST. He always does. I had created a new habit of ignoring my Father, and was suffering for it. The suffering can manifest itself in different ways, from loss of direction, loss of time and stumbling over road blocks during the day to even more grave issues, especially if making wrong decisions when not focused on the Father.

And when I do set that time aside for Him, it's so glorious! I delight in who He is! I confess and rid myself of sins! I learn something! I lift many others to Him for interaction and healing! I thank Him for the many blessings and challenges in His fine-tuning and pruning. Gosh, I missed that.

I've read it takes just 14 days to create a new habit, so I will be making a conscious effort to sit down with my Lord every morning. And soon hope that instead of looking at my unused Bible and saying, "I'll get to it," will instead say, "Everything can wait. It's time for my Jesus."

We're still not quite used to where the new garbage can is - Brad will walk over there and let out an "arrrrggg" when we realizes he's walked to the other place - but we'll get there. The new location is more efficient and smarter ... just like the devotion time habit I'm working on.

Unseen Enemy

I am tired. Of sneezing that is. I have been having allergy reaction after allergy reaction since we moved into our new home. As I am allergic to dust, pollen, grass, pine, etc, it can be hard to narrow down what the culprit could be, but more than likely it's cat dander. These reactions have all the usual cat-dander symptoms. The former resident had a cat, and once those microscopic skin cells hit the air, it's hard to rid a location of them. Rip out the carpet, paint the walls, wipe down all surfaces, vacuum under appliances, change filters and clean out air ducts ... these are all recommended. And it still could take six months to get it all out. I'm in for a long road. Some days are worse then others. And you know it's bad when I will go outside to cut the grass in a effort to get out of the cat-dander house.

It's an unfair battle. I can't see the enemy. I can only feel the consequences. It's a daily struggle. It's exhausts me. As a very last resort, I'll take some kind of allergy medication, which typically knocks me out for the rest of the day. No matter what I seem to do, I can't get the upper hand. I shout "Unfair!" into the air and plow through boxes of tissues.

I have friends and family who are dealing with far worse unseen enemies in the form of diseases like cancer. And I am sure they have shouted, "Unfair!" many times.

But even that is not the most evil unseen enemy. There is one far worse. One that prowls the earth like a roaring lion waiting to devour us, the disciple Peter tells us in his first letter, chapter 5, verse 8. He calls the enemy, "Your adversary, the devil." He is one that hopes to derail our faith and make us want to give up. And this enemy actually uses some of the previously mentioned unseen enemies to aid in his derailing. What is Peter's advice to combat this enemy? "Stay alert, be sober, stay viligant, watch out." He also says, "resist him and be steadfast in your faith" in the next verse. So more preventative than combative, just like all the preventative things recommended to remove the cat-dander from this house.

Does this mean you'll avoid all entanglements with the adversary? Probably not, but it will certainly help reduce the confrontations. Other great preventative measures? Prayer, reading Scripture, and submitting ourselves to God. And if Christ's example in Matthew 4:10 is one to follow, then saying, "Be gone, Satan," doesn't hurt either.

Day after day of struggling against an unseen enemy can make a person want to give up, but those who are successful aren't quitters. Plus we have an Advocate who can fight for us who is far more powerful, and it's to Him I turn daily. Prior to 1 Peter 5:8, the disciple tells us,"cast your burdens on Jesus because He cares for you." So it's to Him I turn to for help with an adversary that refuses to back down ... and allergies that just won't let go. These battles are temporary. Christ has the final victory. So armor up ...while I grab another tissue.

Wandering

I love to people watch, and a recent visit to Disney World gave me ample time for it. One morning after walking to Disney Springs from our hotel, as I waited for the World of Disney store to open, I sat on a brick wall and watched the many people go by. I giggled as I watched a young couple with their toddler son. He had been let out of the stroller and was exploring the world around him, his daddy just a few paces behind. I noticed this little fellow repeatedly going in completely the opposite direction that his daddy was encouraging him to go. He would look over his shoulder to see if his dad was watching and purposely ignore his pleas taking off on yet another adventure, his dad frantically chasing him yet again. I was giggling and giggling. At one point the little guy ran full on down to a fence between him and Lake Buena Vista. He again looked behind to see if dad was following. I think dad was as his wits end at this point, so he bent down, grabbed the little fellow by the back of his overalls and swung him into his arms, carrying him back to mom who waited patiently by the stroller. Dad just continued to carry him at that point.

I couldn't help think of our Heavenly Father through all of that. We, ridiculous and adventurous, running completely opposite of our Father's guidance on the correct path, and Him graciously and patiently shepherding us back on the right track. And I can think of a few times when I'm pretty sure He grabbed me by the back of my overalls, picked me up and carried me a bit so I would be protected and refocused on where I was supposed to be.

I'm sure every once and awhile God throws up His hands as we venture far of the path to leave us to our own devices and learn from the wrong choices. I wondered, if that ever present daddy at Disney would have just let his son go off and not watched, protected, redirected and carried his boy, what would have happened to him? Lost? Most definitely. Injured? Quite possibly. Taken by another? In this crazy world, uh huh. Likewise, the same could happen to those who wander away from God's Word, law and direction. Lost? Most definitely. Injured? Quite possibly. Taken by another? In this crazy world, uh huh.

I'm impressed by the Disney dad's persistence in caring for his son. Those days are far from over and I pray he is as resilient as the years go on. And I more so pray for the son, that he listens to his father, obeys and stays on the right track.

We have those same opportunities and choices. God in His great love, has given His creation free will. Praying that we have the integrity, fortitude, awe, courage, strength and perseverance to stick with Him. The journey will be far less risky, far more abundant and certainly more beneficial to our growth. I mean, seriously, we aren't toddlers anymore. Or children or teens for that matter. We know better. Praying we behave as such.

Ready for the Steeplechase

Couple days ago I was reading Jeremiah 12 when I was struck in my heart by verse 5. It says, "If you have raced with men on foot, and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?" The gist of the verse is that if you can't handle the challenges in your life right now, how will you handle what's coming in the future which could be far difficult?

I think people assume life will get better. It has to get better, I hear often. It can't get any worse. But the honest truth is, it can. God never promised us a life free of challenges, hardship and suffering. He did promise us an abundantly full life. But our life isn't about achieving happiness. It's about glorifying the One True God. In everything we do and say, in every circumstance, we're to glorify Him. Job was a perfect archetype of this. After losing his children, livelihood and servants in one day, he said (Job 1:21b): "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

We are starting a new year. And when a new year starts, the tradition is to make bold resolutions to be better, make better choices, do better things, etc. But the reality is, it may not go that way. Not to be a Debbie-downer, but I believe God has us go through certain experiences in our lives so we are stronger and more able to handle what's next, no matter what it is. And it may be just to give us empathy, grace and a servant's heart for others going through similar circumstances.

I've played the video game Candy Crush for about five years. I'm on level 2384. And every single level is harder than the one before. I cannot tell you how many times I've said, "This is impossible," and then later defeat it. And I often wonder how easy those first hundreds of levels would be if I went back to play them. But the reality is with each difficult level, I get better. And it doesn't hurt that I have a few friends who play the game who are far ahead of me, thus I'm encouraged that I can beat each new level I tackle. Likewise I am encouraged by the cloud of witnesses who have gone before me in this journey called life.

A steeplechase is a horse race over obstacles like fences and bushes. Do you know why it's called a steeplechase? It's because the races, which originated in England, were between towns, over streams, stone walls, etc, running from church steeple to church steeple. The steeples were easy markers to see in each town through the countryside as the finish came closer. What a beautiful metaphor in this race track of life! Lots of obstacles in the way, but achievable when keeping our eyes focused on God!

I have no idea what 2019 holds. I pray it will be a blessed one filled with new adventures and joys. And I also pray, no matter what potential trials, changes and heart-breaking events come, that I will glorify the Father in them, and end up stronger, more determined, more forgiving and more compassionate than I was in 2018. I'm ready for the race.

One Difference

While having my devotion time the other 29° morning, I made sure to position myself right in the sunlight. My office is the coldest room in the winter and hottest room in the summer at our house. So on this chilly morning, I wanted to be squarely in the sun.

I was reading Jeremiah 5 at the time ... a sad little chapter where God tells the prophet to try to find just one honest person in Jerusalem, and He will forgive the entire city. You know the Genesis 18 Sodom and Gomorrah story where Abraham begs God to save the cities for 10 righteous people, then He can't find 10 and destroys them? Well, in this instance, God will save the city for one. And Jeremiah can't find one. The people refuse correction, refuse to repent. God calls them "foolish" and "senseless" and promises recompense. God says they are about to be conquered by a nation of mighty warriors that will go on a destruction rampage. And, boy, do they ever. The Persians destroy the city, burn the temple and take captives back to Babylon. It's a devastating blow for the Chosen People, and God says they will ask why it happened, to which He replies: "As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your own land, so now you will serve foreigners in a land not your own." And  they do ... for 70 God-ordained years. But notice that God does not destroy the nation. In the midst of God's prediction of punishment for the Jews, he says he will not destroy them completely. He brings them back to their lands and the temple is rebuilt.

You can hear the anguish of the Father in this chapter. He's frustrated with His children whom He has asked time and time again, through the prophets, to repent and do good, worship Him alone, and care for orphans, the poor and the oppressed. But they don't. "Should I not punish them for this?" declares the Lord. "Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?" He asks in verse 29. Back in verse 22 He asks them why they don't fear Him when He is the Almighty One who set the boundary for the sea at the sand, that that "waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it." This is the God we serve. He may have patience, unbelievable patience, but even God eventually says, "Enough."

While I sat in the sun reading, the sky darkened slightly. Noticing a shadow and sudden drop in temperature for those seconds, I looked up to see a tiny ... and I mean tiny ... cloud covering the sun. We had perfectly clear skies except for that blip of a vapor. But wow, what a difference in temperature it made for the brief time the cloud had possession of the sun. I anxiously awaited for that thing to move on. And it did quickly. But I couldn't help but notice what a difference one small cloud could make. And it made me aware of the power of just one wee thing. The whole neighborhood was darkened by that one cloud. Scary how something so little can easily shadow the light.

But Scripture tells us one can easily make a difference, too. Just imagine if Jeremiah would have found just one honest person in Jerusalem. What a difference it would have made in Jewish history.

It did take One later to make a true, complete and perfect difference. A little less than 600 years later, God sent One to make all the difference in the world and save us all. He brought an inextinguishable light. A gift of atonement and forgiveness to forever cover the multitude of "foolish" and "senseless" sins that we have committed in the 2,000 years since, if we only ask. Glory to the Most High God for His love and precious Son Jesus.

Praying that in the midst of our generation, where there seems to be more than one cloud darkening the nation, we can be the difference that stands on the Word in worship, obedience and love. We sure need it.

Make Jupiter

Last week I spent hours working on a Shutterfly project. I had just got it completed and hit save when I lost the website connection. One thing you learn from being a journalist is that you "save early and save often." All you have to do is lose one completed project to know how important it is to save frequently. And I did for this project. The problem is, when I reestablished the connection and went back to Shutterfly to find the project, it had only saved the first few pages. Everything else was gone. I went ballistic. I was so angry. Hours wasted. I got up and walked away from the computer, my mouth pouring forth speech that was not appropriate for anyone's ears. One of my biggest pet peeves is technology that doesn't do as it's supposed to (I'm sure God is giggling at me right now, thinking of His creation not doing what it's supposed to). So instead of continuing this rant, I decided to turn it into a discussion with God. I don't know that I could even qualify it as prayer, with the ferocity with which I spoke. It was a very one-sided discussion. I needed to vent. So here's pretty much how it went:

"Lord, I'm sorry for these outbursts, but come on! You saw me finish it! I did everything right! It's not fair! God, imagine if you were right in the middle of making Mars, and just as you were about to finish it off, it disappeared. Mars is gone. Imagine how you'd feel! Of course, you're divine, so I'll bet you'd just say, 'I'll make one better' and go make Jupiter."

It was then in the second of silence I gave my Lord that He whispered to my spirit...

"Then make Jupiter."

It caught me off guard. And instantly calmed me. Of course! Instead of wallowing, throwing a fit and complaining, just get back to work and make it better!

So I did.

And the project is. It's actually probably two times better than it was. I was able to tweak some parts, make a far more powerful addition and embellish in places I hadn't thought of before.

Now here's the thing. I would have redone it anyway. And it might have been better regardless. But God did something beautiful in my temper tantrum. Rather than scold me, rather that just listen to me angrily and vigorously expound on my poor-pitiful-me fortune, God in His sweet grace and love, whispered a pretty funny comeback to calm me down. He's so clever. He's so amazing. He's so beautiful. He's so loving. He's so patient. He's so awesome.

Now, I am never going to make a Jupiter, but created in His image, I can certainly make a better attempt at whatever I am working on, no matter the roadblocks, diversions and failures. And trust me, anytime in the future when this happens again ... and it will happen ... I have a new mantra. I will do as God sweetly commanded ... and make Jupiter.

A Mist That Vanishes

I finished teaching a Bible Study on Noah and the ark recently, where participants spent part of the time talking about genealogy. That every human being could trace their lineage back to Noah and subsequently back to Adam is truly amazing, with more emphasis on the "truly." How remarkable to realize that we are all related to one another. It gives you a different perspective when dealing with people who disagree with you or flat out do not like you.

As a result of the study, I decided to do a little digging of my own with ancestry.com to see how far back I could trace my family tree. My objective was to get as close to Noah as possible. Well, truth is, it's impossible with the records we have available today, but it was fun to see how far back I could go. Thankfully, I have an aunt who spends hours doing genealogical research, so most of the job was done for me. I was able to trace our family back to the third century AD. That's pretty amazing itself.

While doing this research, there was something impactful I learned: most of the people I came across were just names. Yes, they had lives with, I'm sure, fascinating life stories, but we'll never know them. There is just no written historical data about most of these people. Names with no stories, no birthplace records, no occupations, no adventures, no spiritual revelations. It was sad in a way. The only people who had any information about them where the sprinkling of royals in the line or those famous for something really good or, ahem, bad. Like good old Algernon Sydney Cook, my third great grandfather on my mother's side of the family, who served in the Civil War. I excitedly looked up military records to learn what I could about his service, only to discover he created Cook's Guerilla's, a terrorist group, and opened at least one brothel. Yay, great-gramps.

But I found nothing on 95% of the names. The only legacy these people left for me to find was their children ... and their children ... and their children.

I wanted to know more, but there just isn't any more available. It made me look at my own life a little closer. While I am grateful for a legacy of two children and the hopes of future grand and great-grandchildren, I don't want my name to be all that's left of me, (although I'll take that over being remembered for something bad). I want to leave a legacy of faith behind me. I want there to be stories circulating long after I'm gone about what was done to grow the Kingdom of God, the miracles of God at work and lives changed in His name. 

There's a song by Branch & Dean called The Dash about the dash between our birth and death years

found on a tombstone. One line in the song says, "Our story's defined by how we spend the dash." Doing this ancestry hunt brought that home for me. I don't want all that's left of me to be two years and a dash.

James 4:14 says, "Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." Our lives are a blip. A vapor. In the words of James, a mist that vanishes. What is the solution? Out-giving, out-loving, out-serving our neighbor in Jesus' name. That's a dash-filled life and legacy.

Praying hundreds of years from now when my descendants do their own family tree hunting, that when they see my name, it's not just a birth and death year they find, but countless stories of serving Christ. Not lost to history but rather motivating the future to do the same ... and leave a legacy of faith.