I'm Tired

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV

I'm tired. Aren't you tired? I'm tired. My spirit is tired. I have physical energy for days but my heart is burdened. I try not to let it interfere with my obligations but it's hard. It takes every ounce of my being to keep running. Yeah, I'm tired.

And no, a quick prayer will not magically lift my weary soul. It's not a mythical potion like coffee. It's a process. It's letting God know, hey, today I'm tired. Give me strength to make it through my work. Hey God, I'm still tired. Give me strength to do this one thing. It's telling him how you feel. God's not afraid to hear it. In fact, he already knows and wants you to admit it. Then the healing process can begin.

So yes, God can restore a weary heart. And he will. Give it time. God will be there for as long as it takes.

Truly Free

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

My mother passed away this week after a battle with dementia. Such a cruel war raged on a brilliant mind. Ever since my dad died she had talked about wanting to join him. Her faith in her Lord and her certainty about her eternal future overrode any fears she had about death. She knew there was freedom to be gained in the spirit and this week she fully experienced it. She is now truly free. As hard as it is on those remaining behind, we can rejoice because we know where she is and who she is with.

We can have freedom in the spirit because we know our sins are forgiven. Ultimate freedom will be ours when we are forever with the Lord.

This isn't the happiest post I've ever written but it's the most peaceful. Knowing where she is, that I'll see her again, and that she is free, truly free, her mind beautoful again, will keep me moving forward.

I Am Still His

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23‭-‬24 NIV

As I think about this verse I can think of no words I can use that will enhance its beauty and perfection. There are pieces in God's word that are just so perfect that they need no additional explanation. They are understandable, believable and wonderful just as they are.

Today was a heck of a day. And I may not have prayed or thanked God as often as I should have. But He is still here with me at the end of my day, speaking to me, giving me strength to get these words to you. It's important to him that you know how much he loves you. Today may have been rotten but I am still saved. Today I may have wondered what God was doing in my life but I am still his child. I am still his. He is still here.

Perfection.

Solving Puzzles

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 NIV

I love to play solitaire. I have an app on my phone that gives me a daily challenge puzzle. I play both the traditional solitaire as well as spider solitaire. I have learned, as most of you may already know, that almost all solitaire puzzle combinations can be solved. In fact, so far I have solved 100% of all the spider solitaire puzzles I have attempted. The daily challenge puzzle for the traditional solitaire game has been, so far, always solvable. However, there is one catch: sometimes you have to replay the puzzle and make one move differently in order to solve it. One. I'm working the puzzle, moving cards around, and get to a point where I'm stuck. So, knowing the puzzle is solvable, I try again. But do you think I'm gonna make the same moves twice knowing I'll get to the same outcome? Nope. I try different moves. Sometimes it's only one move that makes the difference, like moving the 8 of hearts off the deck onto a black 9 instead of the 8 of diamonds which is on an adjacent deck. It's the card underneath that then triggers the solving of the puzzle. One move can make a difference!

The same can be said for words and actions. One word or action can make a difference - good or bad. And the great news is we already know what move we shouldn't make - use harsh words - don't answer angrily to a routine question. I've done it. I'm tired. I don't want to talk, and my answer comes out with the wrong tone, implying I'm angry or upset.

A lot of times in playing solitaire I don't know what different moves would make a difference, but here God gives us the piece of the puzzle we need to solve it! Carefully use your words. Consider your actions before moving. It can make a big difference in how your puzzle is solved.

Keep Moving Forward

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV

I am constantly reminded to do what I do with thanks and grace, making sure I am humble and grateful, showing God's love in all I do. I'm also constantly reminded that us pitiful humans fail miserably at this. Every. Single. Day.

It's not that I'm not grateful. But my propensity for human kindness is limited in my current physical body. I personally think God has a sense of humor and gave us all these directions he knew we couldn't follow just to see what kind of trouble we can get ourselves into. And it's a lot. My heart and my mind say two different things, warring with each other over the tiniest stuff. Again, cue God's smirk as he watches me figure it out.

And really it's what it's all about. Us figuring this thing out day by day as we grow closer to eternity. It's like daily deposits into the ultimate retirement account. It drains you now but the payoff is huge. So I'll keep messing it up and fixing it and messing it up again. So will you. So will all of us.

Keep smiling and moving forward.

Have Courage Be Kind

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV

Today was Friday the 13th. Usually I don't get worked up over superstitions, letting the day go by like any other. Well today lived up to its name. My email, among other things, got hacked. The person even managed to purchase a few things on my credit card. I spent the better part of a few hours changing passwords, calling companies, freezing my card, and checking bank accounts. It's nothing major but was a major inconvenience.

I could file police reports, have them go after the person who did this. But then again what good would that do? Justice is one thing, vengeance is another. It's tempting to want to take from someone when they've taken from you, but God's grace says to forgive, do good and move on. It's not the easy thing to do, but nothing worth doing is ever easy.

So I now have new passwords to remember and will be down a credit card till we get a new one. But my conscience is clear. I've done what I need to do and I forgive them and will move on. It's what we do.

In the words of Cinderella, have courage and be kind.

Oh, Be Thankful

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NIV

We sure can worry about a lot of things, can't we? We worry about our families, money, jobs, world affairs, what the president will tweet next, all sorts of things. We worry to the point of frustration, where little things can then set us off causing an instant, intense reaction. None of this gives us peace.

The peace of God is not even imaginable as there is no way to understand why, in the world we live in, that Christians can go about their business seemingly without a care. It's not that we don't. It's that we have faith in the one who is in control. That is a peace truly of another dimension.

Oh, and be thankful.

A Daughters Wisdom

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Psalm 119:93 NIV

I had dinner tonight with my daughter who lives in another city. We didn't have a lot of time but we had quality time. I love our talks even if they are more infrequent than we both like. I also love that I learn something about myself through her wisdom. She has always been wise beyond her years and I love that about her.

Tonight she reminded me that I really do care about others simply because they are humans living this life with us. Which is why my heart gets heavy if I feel someone doesn't like me or if I've upset someone. She said look at Jesus' life. He loved everyone, but so many hated him for no reason. But he still loved them enough to die for them.

We may not be able to make others like us. But by remembering God's words and modeling Jesus' life, we can truly live as God intended: in the fullness of his grace to be with him in eternity. This is how this verse translates to every day life.

Thank you Lord for reminding me and thank you for giving my daughter the wisdom to remind me.

Top Dog

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 NIV

Sometimes the human ogre in me wants to shout this to someone. I bet yours does too. To coworkers, friends, cabbies, students. And not in a good way. I'm talking top of your lungs telling someone you are the alpha, the top dog, the one in charge, do what I say or else.

Well, we know better...most of the time anyway. But aren't we glad that God is not human. He really is the beginning and end of all. He is the hope and light of the world. He is all, he is everything.

When you think you've come to the end of your rope, God is there because he's the end. When you are afraid to start something new, God is there because he is the beginning. When you feel afraid in the middle of the storm, God is there because he is the storm and it must obey. We never have to be afraid or alone.

God is all, God is everything. Let him be your everything.

Believable

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25‭-‬26 NIV

I'm sitting here watching Star Wars with a cat on my lap. Star Wars is my favorite film series of all time. I love the characters and the story. But can you believe that there are real light sabers or death stars that can destroy planets? Not so easy to believe because we know it's fantasy, and we'd have to suspend what we know about science and reality in order to make it work.

Jesus was speaking directly to a woman in this verse. He was telling her that he is the way to eternal life. What he was asking her is to suspend all we know about physical life. He knows this, which is why he asks her if she believes it. I also think he was making she understood what he was saying so that there was no confusion about who he was. He knew that if she had just a little faith he could do great things through her.

In order to understand God and his plan we must suspend what we know and, as Yoda says,  unlearn what we have learned. Learn to let go and let God plant faith in us. Do you believe this?

Share Your Sandbox

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16 NIV

A co-worker of mine shared his faith today by sending out a message to some workers he knows. He shared the Easter message he heard at church this past Sunday and wished us all a blessed week. This particular young man is such a happy joyful person to be around. He always has a smile to share. It makes you just want to bottle up what he has to keep around for when you need it. He's sharing God's love and light.

We've been told our whole lives to share and be good. This is a simple concept that we can't seem to grasp. There's more than enough room in the sandbox and enough toys to go around. Sharing is good, especially sharing the good message of eternal salvation.

So be good and share your sandbox.

Off the Cuff

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. Proverbs 17:28 NIV

We all know that one person. That one person that knows everything about everything and has the only opinion available about everything. Chances are you really like that person and generally speaking, they are a good soul, but with a wayward tongue. You find yourself not saying much around them, not because they are dominating the conversation so much as you are not willing to have your known facts questioned by someone who doesn't know those facts. It's also possible you don't put much stock in what they say, doing your own research to come to a conclusion, even if it really does match with theirs.

Then we all know that one person who doesn't say much at all, saving what they want to say for times when they are asked either directly or they are clearly in the room because of what they have to say. It is in these people we tend to listen and not question as thoroughly as those who talk off the cuff. This is who the talker should try to emulate. There may be times when the non-speaker really doesn't know what's going on but because they only speak when there is certainty, there is more weight to their words.

I've learned over the course of my life to listen and process before I say anything - most of the time. Obviously emotions can sometimes take over but I have learned in my time that once words are said, your credibility can be shot for a lifetime. So I tend to take the high road and it's not an easy one, but I believe it's the correct course for me. I want to offer wisdom and clarity, not confusion and bad advice.

So just because I'm quiet, doesn't mean my mind isn't going 100 miles an hour. Discernment, which is what this proverb speaks about, is learned through practice and prayer. May we all get there one day.

ABCs

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NIV

I play Sudoku. I like the challenging games, especially the harder puzzles. It may take me a while but I figure it out. But sometimes, I play the easier versions. Why? I like simple. I'm a person of simple tastes. I'm not picky. I'm not even that finicky or particular about things. I have my quirks, yes, but for the most part, I like to keep it simple.

Which is why I love this simple version of God's truth about faith, hope, eternity and grace. Salvation is not complicated, nor should it be. No incantations to learn. No stations. No saint names or memorization of verses. That's religion, not faith. God's truth is simple. Believe, confess and declare. Some even say it is as easy as ABC - accept, believe, confess.

Life is complicated enough. Let's God's love simply be.