Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

I think my calendar threatened to take over me again yesterday.  As I looked through it and made note of the things I have coming up my heart got heavier and more anxious by the moment.  The frustration part of that is most of the things on my calendar are fun.  Camping with my dad and kids next week, vacation bible school at the end of June, trip to Tennessee with one of my best friends and our kids; all those things are things I am looking forward to.  I tend to get caught up in the planning phase and trying to make sure I don’t forget anything.  I want to make sure there is down time for me and the family so we can just sit at home and play too.  It seems wrong that I rejoice at the blank space on my calendar for today.  This verse reminds me to review my calendar through the eyes of Christ.  If the things on my calendar can be used to serve and honor him or to celebrate the blessings he has given me, it will be fine.  He has never failed to support me in my endeavors that bless him and I know he will never fail me going forward either.  I take a deep breath and go forward into my day knowing he will guide and strengthen me for whatever he has in store.

Lord,

Thank you for reminding me that I am not on this journey alone.  I am not in charge.  Lift the burden of worry from my shoulders and help me dance in the day to celebrate your strength and support.  This is your day, I rejoice in it!  Amen.

Proverbs 13:24 “Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are diligent to discipline them.”

I cannot count the times in my life that I have heard the statement “spare the rod, spoil the child.”  Growing up, I thought this was talking about spanking or physical punishment for bad behavior.  As I talk with my women friends about our kids (only occasionally, you know) discipline is often a topic of discussion.  Only a century ago children were to be seen and not heard; speak only when spoken to.  Expectations have changed dramatically since then and for the most part it is good.  As I guide my children in the disciplines of self-control and respect for parents sometimes I think it would be easier if they didn't speak so often...  The rod is not for corporal punishment.  It is a tool shepherds use to guide the path of the sheep.  We are not called to squash the spirits of our children; we are called to be diligent to discipline.  As I grow in my discipline to God, I pray that learning will bless me in teaching my children discipline as well.  Then we can all step forward as disciples together in the kingdom of God.

Lord,

Help me remember the rod as a tool, not as a switch.  Guide my words and my tone to be of your spirit and not of my wrath.  As you have been gracious and loving in my discipline, help me be gracious and loving in the discipline of my children.  Thank you for these words today.  Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”

I have lost track now of how long my church has been without a “permanent” pastor.  We had an interim, which I love, for about two years and when he stepped down we thought we were really close to having a new pastor seated.  Here we are months later with another pseudo interim pastor who has agreed to stay with us through June and again it seems we are pretty close to having a new pastor seated.  It is hard to move forward without leadership.  Sheep get lost and wander off without their shepherd to guide them.  God has been gracious to my church in providing great leadership in the space between called leaders.  God has been gracious in moving people within the church to step forward and grow into leadership roles they didn’t think they would do.  As I prepare to lead the vacation bible school in a few weeks, I am feeling very much like one of those people.  I am so grateful for the people who volunteered to help me in this project and I pray it will be a blessing to the kids in the church and the neighborhood around us.  Let us encourage each other...

Lord,

Soothe the anxiety that lurks below the surface.  We pray, we work and we fret.  Open our eyes to see the encouragement you have sent through others to ease the burdens we bear and guide us to be ballast for other people’s burdens as well.  Amen.

Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.”

My heart is with friends today.  I have a friend taking her daughter in for a medical test, I have a friend preparing for back surgery tomorrow and I have a friend that is moving away.  I was outside my home with my daughter yesterday and I noticed a young girl down the street that I had not seen before.  When I mentioned it to Rachel, she went and introduced herself and made a new friend.  A couple of weeks ago she made a new friend that has just moved in at the top of the street.  She makes friends so easily!  I, on the other hand, have to talk myself into going and meeting the new neighbors.  It takes me time to warm up to new people and when I do, I don’t like to say goodbye.  This benediction in Numbers has been going in my head all night.  I know my friend who is moving does so with a divided heart.  This day, I simply write to share this blessing with each of you.  I send it to you with love and hope that you will feel it pouring out over and into to you this morning.

Lord,

I love you.  Thank you for the blessings you have given me in this life and that you have planned for me on this day.  Thank you for the blessing of friendship.   As the friends you have brought into my life have blessed me deeply, I ask that you guide me to be a blessing to my longtime friends and new friends as well.  All honor and glory are yours.  Amen.

Proverbs 8:10-11 “Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.”

We are in the process of sorting through stuff.  When I got married we combined all our stuff and since then we have accumulated more stuff.  Every time I go down to the basement the old adage “you can’t take it with you” echoes in my mind.  I have collections that have not seen the light of day in years and when I look around my house there is not a place to put them if I were to set them out on display.    It seems to be a common desire to want to gather more things, more treasure, and more money.  These tangible treasures make us feel worth more, I think.  These verses in Proverbs tell me something different.  If everything was gone, all my possessions, my home and my bank account what would I have left?  I would have the love of the Lord, my relationship with God and the knowledge and wisdom He has given me.  No matter what happens in this life, we will always have those internal gifts that are God given, thank the Lord!

Lord,

You tell us your kingdom is not of this world and these verses clearly remind us of that.  Help us seek true treasure through you and your Spirit rather than clinging to the earthly treasure that only lasts for a moment of time.  Thank you for your instruction and your guidance.  They keep us walking forward to a deeper and stronger faith in you.  Amen.

Jeremiah 3:15 “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

This passage in Jeremiah is another story of God seeking the hearts and repentance of his people.  They cheat, they lie and they turn their backs on Him.  He is angry, but He still calls to them, still wants them to come back and be in relationship with Him again.  Nothing has changed in thousands of years.  We still cheat, lie and turn our backs on Him.  When I came to this verse in my reading, it nearly jumped off of the page at me.  What an incredible promise and I am eternally grateful that He has delivered and continues to deliver shepherds after His own heart to guide us.  He sent Jesus, the Christ and the Holy Spirit who still resides with and in us.  We have His word and His called servants that guide us as well.  The Spirit and the word will help us discern whether the shepherds are after His own heart, if we listen for guidance.  I take courage through this passage and this verse.  In this time of false prophets and fallen shepherds I know God still provides true shepherds and people after His own heart to feed us with knowledge and understanding.  I praise and thank Him for this!

Lord,

Your promise elates me today!  You are faithful to us beyond the walls of time.  Thank you for giving us a continual source of food through your word and your Spirit.  Thank you for shepherds to feed us with knowledge and understanding.  Help us grow stronger in you each day.  Amen.

Psalm 139:14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”

Today my family will gather together to celebrate birthdays.  My son will be four years old this week and whether I like it or not I have another birthday this week too.  I love the fact that my family has always celebrated these little milestones together.  Some people I know raise their eyebrows at how often we get together but I treasure those times.  As I think back four years and the moment I held that tiny little boy in my arms the blessings of his life in mine comes to me anew.  I think of his little hands and feet, his stark blue eyes filled with wonder and the generous soul that is contained by this precious body.  God knit all of this together; each cell, each hair and the very essence of his being.  Then He blessed me and my family by placing this sweet child in our presence.  I struggle more with reveling in the wonderful work that I am so I will start with my children.  God knit each and every one of us together physically, mentally and spiritually.  He placed us where He knew we needed to be and I praise Him today for that.  You are one of his wonderful works!

Lord,

Tears fill my eyes when I think of the blessings my children have brought to my life, how can I thank you?  Help me see the wonderful creation they are becoming and help me see the wonderful creation I am becoming all through your loving and gracious hand.  I celebrate your wonderful works on this day! Thank you Lord!  Amen.