Francie sat with Mom and Dad every meal at their retirement home. Her table choice was because she looked for people who loved to laugh and those who had a good outlook on life. She was a delight and mixed well with my also-delightful parents. 🙂

Francie always had a cute story or a clean joke to tell. She kept her apartment door open all during the day with an understood invitation to come on in and have coffee with her “if you please.” Francie’s heart was always open. When I asked her to tell me how she kept her heart from wrinkles, she would just throw her head back and laugh. I don’t recall if she ever answered me.

On second thought, she did. Her attitude was always upbeat and selfless. She made small note pads from recycled greeting cards that had been donated to her. Her daughter cut the cardboard backing and white sheets of paper. Francie used the tape to bring all the ingredients together. She told us that she called her pastor of her home church in West Virginia to get the most recent church enrollment [close to 200]. Then she would make certain that every one of the members received a note pad. She signed them on the back “With love, from Francie.”

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” [Nehemiah 8:10]

This amazing woman spread joy wherever she went. Did I mention that Francie was legally blind? My daddy had the privilege of cutting the meat on her plate before she could eat. She was in her 90’s with the usual aches and pains, along with battling colon cancer. None of this ever wrinkled Francie’s soul.

I’ve set my goal. Lord, I want to be an unwrinkled soul like Francie when I get old [oops, older].

My first white Bible was a gift from a dear friend soon after I was became a believer in the Lord Jesus. The inscription inside the front cover read: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” [Philippians 1:3] I’ve never forgotten this endearing scripture, chosen just for me. Paul is addressing the church at Philippi because his heart was full of gratitude for the evidence of Christ Jesus’ work in them. Somehow my friend was seeing His hand upon my life; and it brought her great joy.

The Message reads: “Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” [Philippians 1:3-6 The Message]

The receiving of that gift was over 55 years ago. Her influence upon my life led me to Jesus. Her sensitivity to those ‘triggers’ to pray prompted me to accept and to follow Him. And, yes, He did in fact begin a work in me.

Prayer triggers come in the form of promptings motivated by the Spirit of God. Though we often ignore or minimize those triggers, we cannot measure the results that will come when we do in fact heed them. In my case, it led to salvation and strength to walk on with my Savior. Those thoughts that crossed her mind ~ which triggered her prayers ~ changed my life.

Jesus taught us: “Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.” [Luke 6:27+ The Message]. There’s an energy that rises when we are poked, prodded, or provoked; we all recognize that force that erupts from within our flesh. Sometimes we aren’t successful in keeping it under the lid.

Jesus continues: “Respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If they slap you in the face, stand there and take it. If they grab your shirt, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. If they take unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.”

I was 13 years old. A girl in my circle of church friends had broken up with her boyfriend six months before this particular day that I had just returned from summer camp. I’d given my life to the Lord Jesus and was a brand-new believer. My dearest friend/pastor’s daughter had taken me shopping for the first time at the Christian bookstore. While we were browsing, this girl from church entered the store. She demanded of me: “Step outside!”

Shocked by her rage, and bewildered as to the reason why, I went out in the parking lot with her. She began to rant and rave about the fact that her ‘prior’ boyfriend had invited me to a movie [group event]. It seemed that, if she couldn’t have him, no one else was going to. No doubt my dear friend was back inside the store praying for me.

Grace beyond anything I had ever experienced in my life took over my emotions. My mouth remained shut [a sign and a wonder]. His peace flooded my soul. And, as I listened, I realized that I felt sorry for her. This was nothing short of the grace of God because I know that the energy inside me wanted to be spent otherwise!

After she released all her fury and frustration, she said to me… “And you know what else makes me so mad?” I shrugged. She said, “You never get mad back at me!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

The Spirit of God whispered to me: “You won!”

The ‘dailies’ can become hum-drum…something like the monotony of the constant one-note humming of the bee…or like the aggravating, incessant non-musical beating of a drum. In facing some things to do today, I asked the Lord how to perceive them correctly. I didn’t expect to hear: “Name That Tune.”

Now that He definitely had my attention……..this phrase took me back to the television program of many years ago. The contestant was to name the song with as few clues as possible. One chord, a note or two…and the game was on. In considering some of my ‘dailies’ today ~ my first reaction to the first chords or notes of what I had before me ~ gave rise to the opportunity to name the tune of this responsibility: joyous or hum-drum.

Paul wrote: “Take your everyday, ordinary life–your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life–and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out [where my daily tunes are named]. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. [Whew! the song already sounds better] Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity [naming your tune for you], God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” [Romans 12:1-2 The Message]

The song’s frequency, developed in my attitude towards my dailies, can become the song that He wants sung through my life today. He doesn’t write bad songs; but I can sure sing a sour note!

Therefore, I offer my ordinary day as a sacrifice to Him, mix in some gratitude that He walks before me, and He turns it into beauty. Sing Your song through me, Lord.

This particular Bible study began in Billie’s home. She admitted she was courageously extending herself by having people in. Her previous ‘comfort zone’ was serenity and quietness ~ alone with no one to invade her space. She took a deep breath, passionately cleaned her house, and opened the door to the group of us women … trusting the Lord that this was meant for her growth.

The fellowship around the Word of God was wonderful! We learned from Him, while we learned that we all had normal struggles as young mothers. Sitting at her feet was her small terrier dog who had suffered from seizures for years. She apologized for the disruption; however, as he was about to suffer another, we prayed and commanded the seizures to leave. He was delivered from this malady and never had another one for the rest of his life. Billie began to see some of the benefits of breaking out of the solitude and inviting others into her space.

We laughed together. We cried together. Honesty was the thread woven among us that day as we gained trust in one another. So honest was my friend that, at the end of that first Bible study day, she placed her hands on her hips, and with elevated voice said: “It’s not fair! It’s just NOT fair!”

We inquired as to what was not fair. Laughing at herself, she said, “I worked my fingers to the bone cleaning house, scrubbing down walls, windows and blinds; disinfecting the bathrooms, dusting every inch of my house, and the only rooms you ladies have been in have been my den and one bathroom!” She realized how often she’d let herself be cheated of life’s joys.

Lesson learned: It was not nearly as difficult to prepare her heart and home as she had made it. She had over-prepared and over-thought it. We promised we didn’t expect her home to pass a ‘white-glove’ inspection!!

Perfectionism remains a barrier to so many relationships. Our minds dictate that we are not perfect enough, don’t have a perfect home, might seem imperfect in some way, while comparing ourselves with others…so we close up and close out those who otherwise might bring healing to our souls.

“Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it?” [Galatians 3:2-4 The Message]

Rushing out the door, leaving two sick children with my husband, I jumped in the car and sped up to make up for lost time. A pop quiz was about to take place.

About halfway to my destination, the police officer stopped me. I was driving 48 in a 35 mph zone. Remembering very well the teaching I’d recently heard by Derek Prince on how our driving habits reflect our Christian walk, I humbled myself before the officer, and thanked him for protecting me, and others, from my carelessness. I left a shocked officer standing beside his car as I drove off ~ yep, now obeying the speed limit.

In those days, the penalty was a $35 fine, which seemed pretty steep to me at the time. Nevertheless, I submitted ~ with my soul deeply convicted by Prince’s teaching.

Arriving at the funeral home ~ knowing the service had already begun ~ I entered the main door. A Christian brother in our fellowship was in the lobby, having just arrived himself. My face revealed my frustration in tardiness, as well as my concern over being reprimanded for breaking the law. Joe asked for explanation of my frenzied look. I explained not only my violation, but my ticket. He inquired of what fee I would owe. I whispered the amount as we entered the chapel doors.

Three days later I received an envelope in the mail with a check for the $35 fine fee from Joe, with a note saying that the Lord instructed him to give me money to pay for my ticket.

Civil laws are a minister of God, placing us accountable to God. [Romans 13:4] I had pushed the boundary lines, justifying that I was late and needing to make the service on time. But the Lord placed an officer in my pathway for protection ~ a pop quiz ~ and this time I submitted. The reward awaited me and spoke volumes to my otherwise rushed soul.

This pop quiz grade was curved. Next time, I might have to pay the fine myself. Lord, help me to love Your laws that I might obey them.

The bride and groom tied the knot during their vows. With a strand of rope in each hand, they twisted and wove their strands into a fisherman’s knot, symbolizing the joining of their lives together. Though the fisherman’s knot is among the easiest to tie, it remains one of the strongest. Their marriage vows were spoken yesterday; with great joy, we pronounced them husband and wife. This fisherman’s knot will not only be displayed in their new home but, with God’s grace, will be evidenced in their marriage.

“It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there’s no one to help, tough! Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night. By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-strand rope isn’t easily snapped.” [Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 The Message]

We were built for being in relationship. Even the Trinity represents the love of the Three working together as Divine Community. They yield to one another to fulfill the entirety of Father God’s purpose. How can we manage otherwise?

Sharing life together with a partner, sharing work together with others, sharing wealth [what substance we have], and helping someone who’s fallen to get back up…this is community.

Solomon explains that ‘going it alone’ leaves us unprotected. Friends help us face the worst that life can throw us. For us it was and remains: phone calls, cards, text messages, long and warm hugs, kind words [even those that fail at addressing the pain], meals, flowers ~ countless reflections of how much our son blessed others during his 43 years of life ~ have wrapped our hearts in warmth. Without it, we would have ‘shivered all night.’ Community has taken on a very deep meaning; without it, life is much tougher.

Lesson learned: Tie the knot with those God places in your life for the purpose of community.

Imagine sitting by the Pool of Bethesda with hundreds of sick people surrounding you…waiting for the water to move. Those moaning in anguish around you are maimed and weakened by many sicknesses. You picture yourself as the man who has sat by this pool for 38 years. Over these years, many thoughts have filled your mind. “Healing will never come to me.” “I’m stuck here for the rest of my life!” “My life counts for nothing; it’s fragmented into so many pieces, I’ll never get it back together again.”

Imprisoned by the needs of his life, this man never expected the following question from Jesus: “Would you be made whole?” [John 5:1-9] And, of all places, at the Pool of Bethesda which in Hebrew implies a place of shame or disgrace!

The man could have entertained these thoughts: “Can He not see my need? Doesn’t He know how long I’ve been in this condition? I’m just frustrated! Aggravated! Why such a ridiculous question?”

More excuses: He doesn’t have anyone to put him in the pool. And, by the time he thinks he would get there, someone else was already in the pool. Fruitless…helpless…hopeless were the thoughts he entertained for 38 years.

Surprisingly, Jesus tells him to “Get up. Take your bedroll. Start walking!” The man’s response is pivotal. He does what Jesus tells him to do and is healed on the spot! He then picked up his bedroll and walked off. That is, he picked up the bed roll that he once sat upon.!!!! And, to beat it all, it happened on the Sabbath, the day that the scribes and Pharisees least expected it.

Matthew Henry wrote: “We are all by nature impotent folk in spiritual things: blind, halt, and withered; but full provision is made for our cure, if we attend to it.” It wasn’t the water that needed to move; essentially Jesus was saying, “Receive your healing. Get off your ‘duff’ and start walking!”

“There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” [Proverbs 18:24b] That Friend is one who is sadly and oftentimes overlooked; yet He’s the one Jesus said must come in His place. Jesus said it was expedient [convenient and practical], not to mention exponential, that He go and this one come in His place.

Holy Spirit, our closest spiritual guide, helper, healer, teacher, comforter…and much more…can be neglected. He’s not just an ’emergency 911 call.’ He’s one who desires to be involved everything we do. We must invite Him to be involved. It’s amazing to see just how many seemingly insignificant moments He’ll change to meaningful and even holy…when we give Him the rights.

“If you love Me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and He’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take Him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see Him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know Him already because He has been staying with you, and will even be in you!” [John 14:15-17 The Message]

Holy Spirit is our prayer partner. His communication line is never too busy. He’s always available. And He can be trusted to represent all that Jesus taught. As we nurture His presence, while becoming more aware of His involvement in our everyday lives, we come to rely more and more upon Him.

How soon we can forget, yet Holy Spirit’s assignment is to remind us of all that Jesus taught. His desire is to be our offensive lead, our preventative guard, and our closest Friend in all of this life. No believer need ever feel alone or abandoned.

As written, the world does not have eyes to see him, for they do not know what to look for. But we know Him already … therefore, it’s up to us to reveal to this world how our lives take on meaning and purpose when we walk with our Friend.

Wrestling matches have never been a personal attraction. Seeing people grapple one another, even as a sport, just doesn’t make sense…to me. Adult men and women purposely injuring one another in order to win a title does not entertain me.

There is, however, something that holds my attention, and that is when we are assured the winner is the Lord Himself. He declared through the prophet Isaiah: “I will contend with him that contends with you, and I will save your children.” [49:25]

These words were spoken at a very tense time when the Babylonians defeated Judah. God had forewarned His people that He would punish them with invasion and captivity, if they bowed down to other gods. Because of  persistent idolatry, it seemed that their lives were utterly ruined.

Gracious as our God is, He offered to them a hope that their children would return free. History proves that He did as He promised. Through King Cyrus, the captive Jews and their children were freed and were able to return to Palestine. He ‘contended’ with those who had ‘contended’ with the Jews.

Many parents observe their children and grandchildren held captive to poor habits, agitating emotional issues, pains from family breakdown, unrighteous social influences, potentially resulting in their turning away from God. Our temptation is to try to step in and fight the battle for ourselves ~ to help God out. More times than not, this interferes with the work of the Lord, and it compounds the original mess.

God has promised … and we must trust … that He will “contend with those who contend with us, and He will save our children.” No one, and no thing, is a match for our Lord!