Another Bend in the Road

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I wasn’t looking for more changes. I thought I’d lived through enough, but God’s “thoughts are not our thoughts. Neither are our ways His ways”. Isaiah 55:8–9.

Losing my husband, selling my home, moving back to my home state, and now my hometown didn’t seem like welcome changes at first, but as the complications of combining households is lessening and my new relationship deepens, I see the wisdom of my life coming full circle. I have roots here I didn’t have anywhere else. Old friends, more family, and a lifetime of memories. The good ones now outshine the sorrowful ones. I feel more peace and contentment than I’ve had in a long time.

Unless God has other plans for my future, this should be my last relationship and my last move. In fact, Ed has asked God that I go before him, so I won’t face being a widow again or another move. A beautiful thought.

But whatever God has planned for my future, I trust Him completely. There’s good in all things, even the unexpected bends in the road. I don’t always see them at first, but they appear eventually. I’m already seeing good things in this recent change.

As I’ve written before, we may not know what the future holds. All we can see is today, an hour at a time — stepping-stones leading us toward the fulfillment of God’s plan for our lives. But no matter where our path takes us or what sorrows we endure, the path will also bring great joy. 

I’m living the joyful now. That’s enough. The future is in God’s hands, however that might manifest. I trust Him to be with me no matter the situation. Why not? He has been with me through every life change, the sorrowful and the joyful.   

Thank you, Lord, for bringing my life full circle, back to my roots, my family, and my friends. Thank you for giving me a good man to spend the remainder of my life with, however long that might be. Amen.

 

 

Life as a Celebration — Every day?

 

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In Our Daily Bread, the author asks, how can we celebrate life and eternity with God today?

My first thought, many of my problems and struggles melt into only annoyances when compared to eternity. Most have a short lifespan. A day or a week. The more serious aren’t as frightening knowing even death isn’t the end of life.

However, I won’t lie. It takes a huge amount of faith to actually live that way every day, especially when the cares and concerns of this world press down or facing a life and death situation. But when a rainbow appears unexpectedly in a stormy sky, it lifts my spirits, reminds me there is more to come in this life and the next. Comforting scripture pops up in unexpected places, and for a moment, I celebrate the fact that God loves me enough to bother sending signs and confirmations of His love.

Afterward, my troubles often fade away or become more bearable. A change of attitude. A letting go. Of giving God the problem to solve and stepping back to see how He works it out, celebrating the resolution, freed from the burden of having all the answers.

So, I suppose what I’m trying to say is, even during the hard times, we can celebrate the truth that God made us, He loves us unconditionally, and He will walk with us through the hard times. If we pause and take the time to look, we can see Him in every aspect of our lives. That indeed is something to celebrate. Every day. Amen. 

A New Chapter Begins

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I mentioned my new relationship in previous posts, and I have an update. Ed has proposed, and I have accepted. I won’t extol his virtues here, but just let me say he is a good, God-fearing man and one of the kindest, most thoughtful men I’ve known.

It seems odd, almost surreal, that I am doing this again at my age after so many other relationships. But as I have said before, never tell God never again. He may have other plans. And in confirmation, he has cleared every obstacle on this new path.

The first, Ed has four dogs and I have one. His are rescues he saved from being sent to the pound. They range from a Chiwawa to a pit bull. We were worried his dogs wouldn’t accept Cooper. However, after a slow introduction, they are just one big happy pack. (Five dogs. Yikes! But it works for us.)

The next hurdle was what to do with the furniture I won’t be needing, as we will live in Ed’s home. Ed suggested I give them to my grandson and his fiancée, who are marrying this coming spring. Perfect solution which makes letting go much easier. In a tradeoff, and in shades of The Notebook, Ed has a loft above his garage that he plans on converting into an office and art studio for me. Talk about being blessed.  

Another happy change, I am moving back to my hometown, closer to my daughter and grandsons, cousins, and longtime friends.

It’s been almost two years since my last husband passed away. I have grieved, healed, and grown in both wisdom and faith. I’m ready for this next phase of my life. However, I will never stop loving those who came before. Nor will I ever forget them. Amen.

Obedience

 

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A friend asked for a paperback copy of the first book of my Lions and Lambs series, And Then Came a Lion. Before I gave it to him, I scanned the book. I felt sick to my stomach when I found numerous errors not present in the eBook. Evidently, I used a different document when I published the paperback.

Besides the errors, I noted the weaker writing. I’ve grown as an author since that first book, and I debated about revising it. I’m currently in the middle of editing my newest fantasy and don’t want to stop, but neither can I imagine ignoring the needed changes in this book.

While I warred back and forth, God weighed in this morning. My devotions included a passage from the Book of Daniel. As I have written before, God sent references to lions (and a real one once) to encourage me to write this first book of the series.

 I can’t ignore the coincidences, not to mention I want my friend to read a better story. I've told him I will give him a new copy once I've republished the book with the corrected manuscript in a few weeks. I'm also updating the digital copy too. Then back to my new story.

Who knows, perhaps the time spent away from the new one will give me a better perspective. Regardless, I’ve learned never to ignore God’s directives. If it's important to Him I make these revisions now, then I will be obedient. After all, He is far wiser than me, and following His will is always the best course.

Dear Lord, give me the inspiration to make this book better and give me the patience to make the changes. Amen. 

Seasons

Ecclesiastes 3:1 declares that there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. 

Each holds its own challenges and joys. How we face them depends on the strength of our faith and our trust in God’s plans for our lives.  Do we listen to naysayers or our own fears and ignore God’s will? Or do we step forward with confidence and trust? 

“For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. 

Yet it’s hard to look for the good that can come from suffering. We see only the pain. But when we look back, we see where He encouraged us and carried us over the rockiest sections of the path. If only we relinquished our desire for control, our anxiety, and fears into God’s hands at the beginning instead of clinging to them and making ourselves more miserable. (And sometimes those around us too.) 

God doesn’t want us to be afraid, but our human nature is weak. We fall toward disbelief, allowing worry to entangle us in a merry-go-round of anxiety. Even in joyful seasons of our lives, we often worry about the details. How long will this season last? How are we to navigate this change? Are we following God’s will? 

As I enter a new, joyful season of my life and face the many changes that brings, this scripture comes to mind. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6. 

He will solve every problem and show us every step. All we need to do is ask. 

Thank you, Lord, for your mercy, your guidance, and your encouragement. May I never rely on my understanding. Only yours. 

Amen.

 

The seasons of life are many. Each holds 

 Amen.

Standing Firm in Faith

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God tests our faith, sending storms to disrupt our quiet lives.

Both my sister and Ed have received the same scary health diagnosis in a preliminary screening, and both are facing the same follow-up procedure to confirm or clear the test results. I understand how they feel after having been on the receiving end of a scary diagnosis myself. It rocks your world and tests your faith. 

 The good news, only 25% of the initial test results are accurate and the follow-up is only a precaution. This gives some comfort to both them and me. 

Still, my imagination wants to stir up the worst-case scenarios, which is the devil trying to shake my faith in God’s promises. Did God not give me this promise?

 ^“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

I believe Ed is the future God promised.

Which brings up another point. Being in a new relationship, my focus tends to lean heavily in that direction. Is God testing my faith like he did Abraham when he asked him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac?  Is he testing their faith for reasons I don't know? 

Whatever the purpose of this new test of faith, I’m leaving both Ed and my sister in God’s hands, standing firm in my faith in God’s promises. God never revokes a promise.

“… do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.

Yes, Lord. I believe. Amen. 

Walking in Faith

 

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All journeys begin with a first step, and another, and another. The farther we travel, the heavier each step becomes unless we have hope of finding resting spots along the way.

We get up each morning and restart our journey. This section might be easier or harder than the one before, but one thing never changes. Our faith will give us the strength we need to face whatever trials await us.

“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Jeremiah 40:31.

This scripture lifted my spirits in a very personal way. First, I strained the hamstrings on both of my legs during my last move. The simple acts of walking or getting up and down from a chair are difficult. According to my doctor, only physical therapy will heal the injury. With effort and prayer, I’m confident I too will eventually walk and not be weary.

I’ve grown weary in other ways too. My heart longs for a place that I can once again call home, a place with deep connections to family and community.

God answered my prayer with scripture. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.

During my last visit with my daughter to my hometown, friends asked me to breakfast. At first, I hesitated, then decided not to blow off the invitation. I’m so glad I listened to that nudge from the Holy Spirit.

My friends invited one of our former classmates to join us. Ed and I had often crossed paths before I moved out of state, and his kindness always impressed me. Fifty years later, we are both single and at a crossroads in our lives. We both felt an instant connection, which has only intensified with every phone call, text, and visit since that initial meeting.

Now I understand why this scripture kept popping up in so many uncanny ways over the course of this last year. “Then the Lord God said, ‘It’s not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.’” Genesis 2:18.

And so, those who wait for the Lord not only see their strength restored through His grace, but they will also see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living, regardless of age or circumstances.

Thank you, Lord, for blessing this woman with renewed strength and a companion to walk with, side by side, with You. Amen.  

Sabath Rest - Every Day

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This morning’s reading in Our Daily Bread resonated deeply. Especially after all the work of relocating, unpacking, and all the other moving-related chores. Rest seemed a far away concept.

However, the reading wasn’t referring to just physical rest on the seventh day. We can enter into a Sabath rest any day of the week, regardless of what tasks are waiting.

True Sabbath rest is resting in complete trust in God, not worrying about tomorrow, or dredging up the past, and not struggling to control every aspect of our lives.

I’m closer than I have ever been to that ideal, spending less and less time worrying about what might be coming next. After all, God walked with me through every trial, sprinkling miracles along the path, lightening my burdens, uplifting my spirit, and encouraging me to take the next step. Why would He stop now?

My prayer at the moment is to find a new purpose for my life. With no one to care for except Cooper, I feel a little lost, but I rest in His promise. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Although His plan has yet to unfold, it will, and judging from the miracles of the past, whatever He has planned for my future will be better than anything I imagine.  

“I believe that I shall see goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. [I will] Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let my heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14.

And take a Sabath rest from all my worries. Amen.

An Embarrassing Lesson in Patience

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Even with all my strategizing, there still seemed to be an endless amount of moving tasks. In the middle of it all, I had to make a trip to the grocery store and the gas station. I only had peanut butter and half a loaf of bread in the pantry and nothing in the way of substance in the refrigerator. I was even out of coffee creamer. The gas gauge hovered just under a quarter tank.

With my To Do List running through my mind, I pulled into the gas station and followed an orange Volkswagen to the pumps. Rather than pulling up to the forward, empty pump, which was the correct thing to do, the driver stopped at the last one . How rude. I would have to sit and wait behind her until she finished.

Not willing to wait while the pump in front of the Volkswagen was sat open, I pulled out around her and backed into the forward pump.

The attendant shook his head. “You have to go around and wait behind the Volkswagen.”

Not understanding why, I started to protest, but he reiterated that I had to go back. With all the other pumps full, I did as he said and sat tapping the steering wheel and fuming over the wasted time.  

To my further dismay, the attendant fiddled with the gas cap on the Volkswagen, unable to get it replaced. After several interminable minutes, the driver got out, and the two of them fussed some more.

I tossed all my meticulous plans out the window and turned on some music, resigned to be there a while.

Finally, the two had the cap positioned, and the woman climbed back into her car. Several more minutes passed before she pulled out.

My lesson came next.

When I pulled forward, I saw the sign on the forward pump. It was out of order.

As with so much else in life, we get into trouble when we run ahead of God’s plans, impatient with what seems like delayed answers. Then, we end up regretting our hastiness.

Dear Lord, help me to exercise more patience when my plans are disrupted, trusting Your timing rather than forcing mine. Amen.   

Do Not Fear, I Will Help You

I am in the midst of
moving. Unfortunately, due to other commitments, my family cannot assist me. While I am physically able to handle the demands of moving, it is a daunting task. However, God is indeed my helper as He has proclaimed in Isaiah 41:13.

First, the move is a good one, saving me $800 a month in rent and utilities. The apartment is new, only two years old, and beautiful both inside and out. This is the view from my ground-floor patio. God has indeed blessed me. 

Second, I will not have any yard maintenance, and yet will enjoy the benefits of lovely landscaped grounds. As for the inside, maintenance will even change light bulbs. I need only to clean. At this stage of my life, I’m ready to stop the hard work of maintaining a yard and house. 

As for help, two things happened. My neighbor offered to help transport and unload boxes at the apartment. A new friend I met in the lingerie department in Kohl’s, of all places, has also offered to help. Then, a power company employee working nearby noticed me carrying boxes and helped me unload my car. All these unexpected helping hands are making this move so much easier.

Dear Lord, thank you for all the help you have sent, and for all that You do for me. May I live a life worthy of such blessings. Amen. 

Patience

 “Have patience in all things, but chiefly with yourself.

                                                                                                St. Francis DeSales

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Patience. Oh, how many times have I tested God’s patience? Thank goodness his patience and grace are endless, because if it all relied on my goodness, I’d be in real trouble. I can’t count how many times I fall from grace in just one day.

My most recent failure is patience while looking for a more affordable rental that ticks all my boxes. I want to run ahead and grab something, even if it requires me to pay double rent for a couple of months.  

My common sense says, maybe one month’s rent would not be unreasonable, but not two. After all, I’m not in L.A. or San Francisco, where rental properties are hard to find. I need to give it time. God has promised me He is preparing me a place. (And every day I’ve seen rainbows in my newsfeed, my devotions, and outside my window. Reminders that God never reneges on His promises.)

But I hate the not knowing, the second-guessing, and I admit, some anxiety over finding a place to call home for a few years. I want to urge God to work faster. Scripture reminds me I can’t hurry God. His timing is always perfect, even if His answers seem to be taking too long.

Swinging back to patience for myself, when I fall from grace, it’s easy to be overly remorseful, dwelling on the fall rather than God’s forgiveness and continued grace. However, each failure humbles me, reminds me I am imperfect and in dire need of God’s hand in my life.

“Thank you, Lord, for your grace, strength, and patience. I pray I learn how to have more patience with my circumstances, with others, and myself.” Amen. 

To Love Like Christ

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My devotional asked, when did I fail to love like Christ? My first response, let me count the ways, followed by the memory of a contentious co-worker.

It didn’t matter what I said. The woman disagreed. Even attempts to befriend her didn’t change her disposition. If anything, she became even more combative.

After months of this behavior and one blatantly provoking incident, I lost my temper. In doing so, I played right into her plan to make me look bad in front of my co-workers and bosses.

I can only guess at her reasons. Jealousy? Anger over something outside of work? I’ll never know.

I remember how exasperated Jesus became with the Pharisees. They purposely goaded Him, like my co-worker did me, except he didn’t lose his temper. (Except for the money changers in the temple, but that’s another story.)

He also refused to continue debating them after recognizing their resistance to accepting the truth. I should have followed His example and not reacted to her barbs, and done as St. Paul admonishes us, to pray unceasingly. First, to calm our minds and spirits and to seek discernment. Second, to pray for the woman, asking God to help her with whatever was going on in her life to make her this disagreeable. I did neither at the time.

No surprise, the Bible Gateway quote for the day is from Matthew 22:37-39.

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

I pray I remember this lesson the next time I encounter someone hard to love like Christ.

Have you ever encountered someone difficult to love? How did you handle the situation?

 

 

The Final Letting Go

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I thought I had accepted this new life and was looking forward to a new future, but I dreaded the upcoming Valentine’s Day. I imagined the day would weigh heavy on my heart, yearning for the love I lost. But then God sent the dream...   

My late husband appeared to me in the hospital waiting room. He gestured for me to sit on a nearby bench and took a seat beside me.

He said, “I know we hoped the surgery would give us more time, and I agreed to it, but when I became bedridden, I was  a burden I didn’t want to be and one you didn’t need. As much as I hated leaving you, it was better that I did, for both of us. Now it’s time you let me go, really let me go, and move on with your life.”

I wanted to argue that I wasn’t ready, but recognized he was right. Refusing to let him go was selfish. If I loved him as much as I claimed, I’d let him go.

I woke up changed. Rather than looking back and focusing on what I lost, I now recognize what I accomplished and how far I’ve come. I still love him and always will, but instead of clinging and pining for a life that’s gone, I cherish my memories of our life together and set my face forward, not back.   

The clouds that had plagued our area for so long gave way to sunshine, inside my heart as well as outside my window. I feel lighter, less burdened.

Valentine's day. I woke without the sadness I had expected. Instead, peace filled my heart. No tears. No yearning.

God’s love is eternal and his promises are true. “I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” Jeremiah 31:13.

You have, Lord. Thank you. Amen.  

Merciful Wisdom

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There was a reason God took my husband sooner than I had hoped. One I didn't realize until just recently. 

My sister holds a PhD in Experimental Psychology, the study of human development focusing on the brain. I shared my husband’s MRI brain scans with her. She pointed out other abnormalities in the scans besides the cancer. The brain surgeon didn't address them. He focused on the tumor, the acute, life-threatening issue.

However, the abnormalities, unusual dark spots, my sister diagnosed were signs of early dementia. So, even if the cancer had not taken my husband, it was likely he would have suffered from another form of deterioration. Only divine wisdom understood which course was the most merciful.

In our limited knowledge, we look at the immediate, the current circumstances and make judgements and choices based on them, not realizing there’s always more that we cannot see or understand. 

All that leads us back to prayer, discernment, and following God’s will even when it hurts. We don’t know if this current tragedy is saving us or our loved ones from even worse circumstances. My husband would not have wanted the slow deterioration and to become a burden on me. Nor would I have wanted to lose him twice. Once to dementia and then to death.

I pray God will always give me the strength and the faith to surrender to His will. God never makes mistakes. He is never wrong. He is merciful, wanting what is ultimately best for us and those we love.

Dear Lord, thank you for your mercies, even if they appear as additional suffering. Amen.

A New Thing

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 The 25^th of this month marks the one-year anniversary of my husband’s passing. It has been busy. No pause in the physical and mental demands — until now.

The legal aspects of losing a spouse are finished. The physical and emotional task of sorting and disposing of his personal belongings is done. The selling of our home and relocating are over. The holidays are over as well. Family has settled back into busy lives. We text. We call, but the get-togethers are less often. Life goes on.

With nothing pressing to keep me busy, grief has settled in, along with the accompanying fatigue.. I don’t fight it. When I need to rest, I do. No guilt. Some days are more productive. Shopping, cleaning, painting, writing. Other days, I have little motivation to even get dressed.

Today, I woke with a different attitude. Instead of looking at a day of intense quiet, I anticipate what God has planned. He has promised me a future. Today is yesterday’s future — filled with possibilities and hope.

It is amazing how a change in mental attitude affects your outlook as well as your energy levels. Oh, there will still be moments of deep grief and the accompanying fatigue, but it won’t last as long. For the most part, I’ll be looking for new ways to be useful, to be a part of something outside myself. What that is, at this moment only God knows. But I’m ready. I’m waiting, and I’m watching.

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

Thank you, Lord. Amen.

 

Forget the Former Things…

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 Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:18-19.

 

A divine coincidence this scripture was in my morning’s readings since the one-year anniversary of my husband’s passing is approaching this month. I can’t help but reflect back.

Although I’ve been through widowhood before, this time the changes were far more radical, leaving a home I loved, friends, and church. Yes, the move was necessary and healthy, being back in my home state and close to my family. Still, it’s a big change in a short period.

Have I adjusted? For the most part. Yet, memories of last year still cling.

It’s okay to remember, to hold on to memories — the good ones, but not to dwell there. It stunts the future, and this scripture is God’s way of reminding me I still have a future.

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.

That is my scripture quote for the new year. I even posted the verse on my refrigerator. Perhaps I need to add Isaiah 43:18-19 as well for those dark days when I can’t shake the past.

However, the one-year milestone marks a turn in my thoughts, new memories overwriting the old ones. Not all of them, of course. Mostly, the pain of loss has lessened. The tears are fewer. I'm able to look forward more.  

Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to send scriptural promises reminding me that as long as I have breath, there’s life, and I can’t squander a single day by dwelling too much on the past.  

Amen. 

I don’t know what the next year will bring. Last year was difficult. Yet, I understand life is a mix of trials, challenges, and blessings. I’m already facing a few challenges.

How shall I dedicate my time besides writing and painting? I have family I can offer to help, but is that it?

 God sent Jeremiah 29:11.

 ^“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

In response, I need to keep my heart and my mind open to whatever his plan might be.

Another challenge is looming this coming summer. I must find a less expensive rental. This current one stretches my finances too thin. However, finding this one was difficult. How hard will the next one be? Will I even find another home for less rent?

God sent these two scriptures through coincidences I can’t ignore.

“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” Exodus 23:20.

Then today, after a lengthy discussion with my son on the pros and cons of finding another home, this was my Bible verse of the day.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3.

Jesus is talking about our heavenly home, but the timing of the scripture's appearance lends a secondary, personal message.

So, I face this coming new year, not with fear but with hope. God has brought me through every trial with more blessings than I can count.

In keeping with that, a friend shared this music video on Facebook. The lyrics are more eloquent than my words.

Michael Combs “Drinking From The Saucer”

 Happy New Year!

 

 

Yāhal

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The Hebrew word for hope denotes a confident expectation or anticipation, the belief in the fulfillment of God’s promises — not wishful thinking.

It wasn’t wishful thinking that brought about the long-anticipated birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of our hope for redemption. Neither is our hope for the fulfillment of God’s promises in our own lives wishful thinking. We have confidence God will keep his promises.

Even in the secular activities, there’s an anticipation and expectation of families reunited, generosity from strangers, and an overall season of cheerfulness.

For Christians, it runs even deeper. If not for the birth, there would be no cross. Without the cross, there is no redemption.

Hope is also looking for signs of God’s presence during times of stress. It might be a rainbow in an otherwise dark sky or an unexpected hug from a friend or stranger. Perhaps a song on our playlist that makes us smile despite our circumstances.

These reminders tell us God sees us, understands our circumstances, and is with us always. He will never forsake us or leave us, and he will fulfill every promise he’s made — even personal ones. There lies our hope, our confidence, our belief for a better tomorrow.

As we enter into this season of yāhal, I pray your Christmas season is filled with God’s presence and blessings. Amen.  

Things That Didn’t Happen

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This holiday season, I am thankful for all the usual things like a warm home, food, clothing, etc. However, I won’t lie. I’m not thankful my husband won’t be with me this holiday season. 

I will spend the holidays with my son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters, which will be special, something I haven’t done in many years, but there will still be a missing part. Times alone. Even so, I’m trying to keep a positive attitude and not dwell on what is missing.

A pastor friend posted a comment on social media. Even if we can’t bring ourselves to be thankful for our current situation, we can be thankful for the things that didn’t happen. As the old saying goes, things can always be worse.

The thought is similar to the sentiment in the Garth Brooks song, Thankful for Unanswered Prayers. Life experience has taught me to avoid praying for particular things and just ask God for help. How can I presume to tell God what’s best? Regardless of the situation, like missing my husband, God will help me through it. And not just me. All of us.

So, this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for what I have — and for the things that didn’t happen.

Amen.

 

A Repurposed Life

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My life has changed so many times, but this new change seems harder. The other times I had a husband or children to care for, which gave me a continued purpose while I navigated the change. This time, I have neither, and I feel a little lost.

I’ve prayed about it, and God seems to have answered through a devotion in Our Daily Bread.

“God repurposes the lives of those he has called.”

According to the dictionary, the word repurpose is a verb with two meanings.

1.     To reuse for a different purpose on a long-term basis without alteration.

2.     To alter to make more suited for a different purpose.

The Bible is filled with stories of lives God repurposed to accomplish his will. For example, Joseph went from slave to ruler, and David went from shepherd to king.    

I’m not sure what my repurposed life will look like. I doubt it will be as monumental as Joseph’s or David’s. Still, I wonder if it will continue as it has for the last eleven months, or will it change to something I can’t even imagine in the coming new year?

That’s both exciting and scary. Yes, I know God has already prepared this new walk of life, but we humans fear the unknown despite our profession of faith. However, I must remember God has told me, ^“…I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

So, use me, Lord, for whatever purpose fulfills your will.

Amen.