My friend of many years and I shared interests in Christian fiction, especially when it came to one of our favorite authors. Our conversations sounded like the chatter of a book club, while rehearsing what was happening to the fictional characters, as if we were discussing living people we knew.

Weeks later, my dear friend was diagnosed with a form of cancer requiring treatment. Weakness set in to her aging body; therefore her reading hobby ended. The thought came to me to contact this favorite author’s office and ask if she had the time to call my friend who was battling this disease. It was a bold move ~ you never know how busy well-known people are ~ nor do you realize how many pull at them to have ‘special time.’ In fact, as days passed, I no longer thought about it, figuring it would never happen.

Two weeks passed, and my sweet friend called exclaiming that she’d received a phone call from the author, and that they had talked for half an hour!! She was elated!!! and indicated that she had learned I had prompted this meeting. No one could have been more surprised as I was that this author did not consider herself “too great” to take time for a sweet fan.

I was gifted with a free VIP “meet and greet” ticket this week to actually have the opportunity to thank this author in person for her kindness to my friend. After reminding her of this phone call she’d made several years ago, I saw the look on her face  as she quickly remembered. She said that the two-week delay in response had been because her dad had been in the hospital and had passed. I said: “You are no doubt a great author; but your kindness and time given to my friend, especially at such a time as this, revealed your godly character.” We hugged, and had pictures made together.

It is my joy to promote those I admire who are building the Kingdom of God. Karen Kingsbury has been anointed by God to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ through story line. One of her books has already been made into a movie [“The Bridge”], and another will be out in May. The Redemption Series, about the Baxter family, is scheduled to be aired on television in September!

Father God is promoting His daughter’s gift and releasing it into our world that is in such need of inspiration in the midst of life’s struggles. Karen’s fictional characters are ‘real’ in that they experience adversities along with the joys of the faithfulness of the One who promised to never leave us nor forsake us.

Thank You, Lord, that Your daughter was not “too great” to love her fan. “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” [Matthew 5:5]

Someone once said that one of the most difficult things asked of us by our Lord is to wait. [Sigh] I don’t even like to type the word ‘wait,’ because of what it implies. Impatience stirs within my soul and growls at the word. It’s no wonder why…admittedly, I want what I want when I want it!

Yet free will stirs a bit of fear in me because……..what if He permitted me to have ‘what I want when I want it’? Scary thought! Okay…I’m asking Him to quickly tuck me back into submission to His will, His timing because I could possibly get what I want when I want it.

Even thinking about asking Him “HOW He’s going to fulfill His promise?” ~ well, that’s off limits!

Psalm 84:11 has been rolling around in my head for the past 24 hours or so. “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” I love the ring of those words ~ they speak of His promises: good things. Yes, I like those ‘good things.’ The hitch is: it is His meaning of the word ‘good,’ not mine.

The ‘good’ that He speaks of is that which has lasting value–eternal value. This leads me to examine what it is that I am wanting when I want it. Is it considered ‘good’ in His eyes ~ or am I desirous of what seems to be good in my own, or in the world’s, eyes?

An upright soul is one that has no cross purposes with God’s will. It’s a straight soul, one that adheres to the wisdom of God in all circumstances. It’s a soul grounded in truth; it’s undefiled, and it’s full of integrity.

Therefore, to ask “HOW He’s going to fulfill His promise?” is to assume that He does not know best, that He does not purpose the best, and that I must get busy helping Him out…because He’s surely not going to come through for me!!

Just so I won’t forget that I’m to walk ‘uprightly,’ I looked up the word ‘downrightly.’ After studying the antonym, I believe I’ll just wait on Him.

I am told that it is not a good habit to allow the vehicle’s gas tank to get very low because the sediment that settles in the bottom may very well get into the engine. Whether that is technically true or not, I’ve not forgotten the advice. Admittedly, I will push the limits at times…those times when I am too hurried to stop and fill up the tank.

An empty tank is a dangerous thing ~ especially when it involves the human spirit. We are in need of regular infilling, or the sediment of the soul will surface and clog us up. Sediment looks like grumbling, complaining, consistently speaking poisonous words or projecting a nasty attitude. The technical term could be called “emissions.”

Isaiah prophesied that our gates should be Praise. “No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders; but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.” [60:18]

A thankful heart stirs up the good fuel for the soul, and it avoids bitterness. In essence, it fills our tanks. It would seem that we have but two choices: [1] a thankful heart, or [2] a soul, bitter heart. Fill her up, or let her run on dregs. Emissions will tell the tale.

“I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.” [Psalm 7:17] I will keep my tank filled so that emissions will be to His glory and to others’ relief!

Seldom do I stumble over boulders; more often I stumble over small things: a dog’s toy, a shoe, a small rock; even more offensive are words. It’s the relatively small things that trip me up and possibly cause me to lose balance.

Jesus admonished us that we need endurance ~ that is, pressing through all the obstacles that line our pathway. Strewn along the way are offenses that either halt the running of the race set before us…or delay it.

Jesus warned: “Then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another…And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” [Matthew 24:10-12 KJV]  Three chilling concepts are listed: betrayal, hatred, and cold love. All are results of an offense leading to a hardened heart. Spiritual consequences.

Offenses do come ~ in fact they pepper the pathway. When we are offended by someone, most often by someone we care for, our expectations are dashed. No one actually plans to carry the offense, yet the ‘evil movie producer’ brings all words and tones back to our remembrance, repeatedly. Then we eat “emotion stew.”

A wise brother stated: “Give no offense and take no offense!” This statement assumes that offenses will come; therefore, don’t take them up! The weight of them disables us, then halts or delays our walk with God.

Failing to stop reading a text message while walking, I stumbled on a step I was approaching, and that left me sprawling. My right thigh took the brunt of the impact on the hard step. The result was a deep, knotted bruise. The internal bleeding of that bruise left an unpleasant sight and great soreness.

Not to over-spiritualize the event, but I’m paying attention to a lesson learned: Without clear vision of stumbling blocks ahead, I may lose my balance. The impact of such a fall–let’s call it an offense–leaves internal pain with external evidence. The knot that formed underneath that bruise took quite a bit of time to dissolve and return to normal.

Note to self: Watch where you are going and what lies before you. Offenses wait to be taken up and made into “emotion stew.”

We’ve watched our sons in football and basketball, beginning at their ages of 8. They both played well in sports, with the oldest son advancing into a college football scholarship. Whether rain, snow, heat, or humidity, we were there to watch them be successful team players. There were just a few times they were benched during the game, yet we knew that even then they had to be dressed and ready to step in at any given moment ~ with hopes of bringing the team to victory!

So it is true about our spiritual readiness. We must be dressed and ready, for the battle rages! Paul prepared the Church for the battle by writing: “Be strong. Take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Put on the whole armor of God!” [Ephesians 6:10+] He wasn’t speaking of IF the enemy’s schemes are waged, but WHEN!

Even while pausing and sitting on the game-of-life’s sidelines, we must be spiritually uniformed and ready to stand against the opponent of our souls. Then, when intensity of battle demands, we’re ready to step into the fray with the weapons of our warfare. When the immediate happens, we have no time to go to the field house to dress.

Wardrobe check: Do we lean upon our own understanding ~ or wear the helmet of salvation, thus having our thinking lined up with God, and being ready to advance in His authority? Are we wearing the ‘shoes of peace’ ~ or are we stirred up in our soulish, emotional reactions? Have we taken up the shield of faith, whereby we overcome ALL the fiery darts of the wicked ~ or are we greatly distracted by the impish cleverness of the enemy? Have our minds been re-orientated to the mind of Christ ~ or do circumstances distort our view? Have we taken up the one and only offensive weapon necessary, the Word of God, as our sword ~ or do we fall into our own understanding?

Paul wrote: “With this in mind, always keep on praying!” Prayer invites heavenly intervention into earth’s struggles; and effectual prayer affords us the rights and privileges promised for battle. Who wants to go to war without the Commander in Chief’s orders and protection?

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the Cross.” [Colossians 2:15]

It was a cloudy, somewhat rainy day as we laid our dear friend to rest; but be assured, there were no clouds nor rain in Heaven the few days prior as she was received by her Lord! When the news came that my friend had passed, I heard the words: “You’ve been among the great.”

I have to admit I challenged those words coming right out of my soul [or was it You, Lord?]. To say someone has been ‘great’ is to say a mouthful! How many people in our lifetime can we say have proven to be ‘great’? Sadly, few and far between…unless we have differences in opinion as to what makes someone ‘so-called great.’

Nothing compares to what the scriptures define as ‘great.’ Jesus said, “Whoever is great among you must be your servant…” [Matthew 20:26] He continued to teach: “Whoever humbles himself [herself] shall be exalted.” [Matthew 23:12]

Humility is a rare attribute ~ even in Christian circles. To explain the way to become ‘great’ in colloquial terms is, “The way up is down.” Who is one of good reputation? ~ but one who has served mankind. Who is one who is authentic–flawed yet transparent? ~ but one whom we call ‘real.’ Who is that one who faces adversity and never gives up? ~ but one who walks humbly with their God. Who lives to share hope in Christ with others? ~ but one who knows Him well.

Greatness is not measured by the world’s opinion of outward success but by the depth of inward, godly qualities.  The greatest of these humble qualities is love. Since God is love, the closer one walks with Him, the more our inner being becomes filled with His love. Love then may be manifested through compassion and empathy shown to others.

After reading the Word regarding ‘greatness,’ I must agree that I’ve been among the great. She now has her reward: Jesus! Thank You, Lord, for sharing her with us!

More than one person has said to me, “This is my go-to place.” What they were explaining was their “safe place of hiding” when pain came through circumstances or relationships.

Recoiling to our ‘go-to’ place is a common move that prompts a person to suddenly spring or flinch back out of fear, horror, or disgust. [Webster’s Dictionary] We recoil to that safe place where we gather our thoughts and regroup our way of response or reaction to what has happened. How well I know…I’ve parked there many times.

Paul wrote to the church to “Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.” So, how do we discern what is good? If the Word of God calls us to “righteous judgment” [John 7:24] and we are to be “wise as serpents, but harmless as doves,” [Matthew 10:16], then we are encouraged to emerge from our “Go-to” places in righteous response.

Our spirits are sensitive instruments intended by God to not be affected by outward influence, or even by our own soulful reactions, if we desire to be accurate in our discernment. We cannot know people solely by what they say and what they do. Words and actions do not always reflect the full, accurate story. It takes the Spirit of God to rightfully divide the truth. The author of Hebrews writes [4:12] that the Word of God is able to “judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” We are not able to do so without His revelation.

Father loves a broken and contrite heart. [Psalm 51:17] A broken and contrite heart is one that has been brought to a state of submission to the will of God, as opposed to insistence upon its own will. After our wills have been submitted to God’s leading, our response will be led by the Spirit.

“Go-to” places are fine as long as they are temporary, healthy hiding places. David wrote of the best “Go-to” place being underneath the shelter of Father’s wing. [Psalm 91] While in that place where we can hear from Him and learn of His ways, we are empowered to emerge as repairers of the breach.

Time is a great commodity ~ one of tremendous value to us all. How we spend it reveals much about us. To step in and lend a hand to one who is in need takes time as well as our means.

Often we are called upon to just listen…sometimes for hours until someone’s soul empties of their frustrations. Lending emotional support to a brother or sister while they are in the midst of crisis, or an important decision, or just feeling overloaded with life, is beyond monetary value.

Paul writes: “Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, ‘How can I help?’ Jesus didn’t make it easy for Himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out.” He implied, “I took on the troubles of the troubled.” [Romans 15:1-6 Message]

Across the years as our family, we remember how others have stepped in and lifted a burden through prayer, service, monetary gifts, repairs needed in the home, and loyal friendship. These acts of kindness have filled our hearts with joy. Over 40 years ago, I was rendered helpless when my thyroid gland shut down. My arms and legs were extremely weighty; it took all the effort I could muster just to fill my lungs with air. For five weeks, the church we attended took over the care and entertainment of our children, prepared three meals a day, cleaned our house, and, most importantly, prayed for my healing. These acts of service were quite humbling…for I had to learn how to receive! I had to overcome embarrassment, temporary helplessness, and to receive help with a mountainload of needs of our family.

What I learned about receiving was an unforgettable life lesson. Receiving provides the opportunity for another to give — sowing a seed that will reap a harvest when they are in need.

Voice mails can be exasperating ~ particularly if you are needing to contact someone immediately. Duly noted: it works both ways. I’m sure others have been put off when they could not reach me. We all like immediate response.

Jeremiah 33:3 [Message] reads: “Call to Me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.”

His promise is to answer us ~ not always the answer we wished for ~ but ‘Father knows best.’ His line is never busy; He says He will answer. In fact, not only will He answer, but He wants to tell us ‘marvelous and wondrous things,’ things that we could never have figured out on our own.

I’m an avid journal writer. I’ve listened to and recorded messages from the Lord for years. There’s no doubt in my mind that He has remembered every message I’ve sent to Him. Most important though are the ‘marvelous and wondrous things’ He’s shared with and promised to me.

What does He want me to do with the messages He’s spoken to me? He wastes no words. He is intentional. His plan is in place ~ and it’s a good one. My faith must re-awaken to what He has said and what He has promised me.

A Prophet once said, “When you receive a prophetic word from the Lord: Load it! Aim it! and Shoot it!” 

My understanding of that admonition is: Load it…that is, take it off the proverbial shelf and accept it by faith. Aim it…that is, come into agreement with its purpose, regardless of whether I understand its full intent. Shoot it…that is, speak it into the spiritual atmosphere by calling it in by faith, expecting to see it come to pass!

“…Things that you could never figure out on your own…” The ammunition that comes through His spoken word is the power that sets the Kingdom of God into motion through my life. Its caliber and eternal capabilities are more effective than anything I could do on my own.

Snowy days ~ slow-down days. Roads became hazardous and cold winds began to blow. Icy roads altered my usual activities as my busy pace was idled, then was switched to another gear. Accumulations in closets and over-laden drawers had been a constant ‘de-clutter’ reminder since we moved to our home six years ago. So the tackle began.

The further I dug into the accumulation, the better it felt. The rewards have been: cleared out closets, organized drawers, bags of give-away items to share with the less fortunate, and, most of all, the joy in finding some misplaced treasures.

Among the discoveries was a red box. I couldn’t remember when I’d seen this box nor its contents. Among the precious items were cards and letters to me from my children, written from childhood to more recent times. I laughed and I cried over all the contents.

To name a few: I won’t forget the Valentine card from our late son which read: “To My Sweetheart [hand-written underneath the pretty greeting card words was: ‘To my first sweetheart’]”… Letters from our first son while in college in which he shared his days with us and wrote crazy nicknames to his siblings and dog … A several-paged Snoopy booklet greeting card from him, with pages of ‘thank-you’s’ for the specific things he remembered while growing up in our home … Funny cards from our oldest daughter thanking me for loving her in spite of growing pains [Where did she find such hilarious cards? Oh, how I laughed!] … Misspelled words written in a child’s love language by our youngest daughter in her first attempts at writing in kindergarten — thanking me for cleaning out her ‘droros’ [chest of drawers]. Again, I laughed. I cried. These are mama’s heart treasures.

“I will give you the treasures that are hidden in darkness, and buried riches of secret the places…” [Isaiah 45:3]

Re-visiting their expressions of love have warmed my heart on these cold days inside. The mental recordings of those days were re-enacted and my heart was refreshed. Children are so free to express their love; adult children tend to get a little more reserved about their feelings ~ though they do tell me they love me. Father God knew I needed some reminders of those tender, child-like, hidden treasures in the red box.