He woke up with a very sore and scratchy throat.  His sinuses pounded and even his eyes felt sore and aching.  Sitting up in bed, he tried to clear away the cobwebs and drowsiness.  He could hear the footsteps of his wife approaching the bedroom door.  What was he going to tell her about their plans for the day?

Having been up since before sunrise, his wife had tried not to disturb her sleeping husband.  Tiptoeing down to the kitchen she prepared her coffee and grabbed a book she had been looking forward to reading.  She watched the sky as it grew lighter.  The reflection of sunlight on the oil refinery made it appear more glorious than it actually was, giving it a glow that belied the often smelly and smokey institution that it is!

The hands of the clock had spun around to 8 am, the time they had planned to leave the house this morning.  In one hour, the World Men's curling draw was beginning in Moose Jaw - a game between Canada's team and China, the two top teams of the championship so far.  The couple loved the game of curling and were quite excited that such an important event was hosted so close to their home.  She laid aside her book and quietly walked to the bedroom to check on her husband.

She could tell with one look that this man had a "man-cold" and he appeared miserable!  "Want a hot drink?"  She stepped to his side of the bed, feeling his forehead for a fever and gathering the used tissues piled on his nightstand.

"Yeah, I guess so."  He moaned, coughing and then reaching for another tissue.  "I don't think I'll be able to go anywhere today."  

"No, I don't think so either!"  And the woman left the room to bring a hot drink and some vitamins for her ailing husband.

Disappointment.

The curling game isn't that important, the wife said to herself.  We can watch it on television.   She leaned on the counter as the Keurig sputtered and gurgled to produce a steaming mug of coffee.  Her heart fought with her mind, recalculating the plans for the day that they had made.  Disappointment settled in and threatened to cast a shadow on her thoughts.

It was a perfect day for a short road trip.  But to be honest, they were going to be driving the following day to Edmonton for Grandma's 90th birthday celebration on the weekend.  Was it worth pushing their health when rest was really the answer?

As she took the mug of coffee, she resolved not to be heavy over this failed outing. She nudged the bedroom door open, smiling and handing the drink to the man.  He smiled weakly.  "Sorry," he croaked.

"Hey, I'll get the TV set up on TSN and we can relax in our recliners.  Prime seats, hot coffee and snacks.  It'll be fun!"

*****

Of course, you know this couple is me and Walter!  We've got a busy weekend ahead of us and don't want to miss his mother's birthday party.  So we'll rest, pump the liquids and vitamins and hope for the best!

As I write, Canada is up 4-2 over China in the 5th end.  God knows our needs, has His divine hand on our plans and will guide us in the big and little things!  I'm so glad we can trust our heavenly Father and even give Him our disappointments.  

There will likely be more curling competitions we can watch in person, more opportunities to enjoy one of our favourite pass times.  God is so good!  We live a blessed life and have so much to be thankful for - why let a "man-cold" rob our joy?

Have a good day, everyone! 

 

This morning I woke really early - before the sun had risen.  I made coffee and prepared for a nice, long stretch of time for reading, praying and writing in my journal.  Who knew that I'd be on a treasure hunt through the Scriptures?

With my tools all set out and ready for searching, digging and retrieving those nuggets of pure gold, I got comfortable in my rocking chair, putting my feet up and setting my coffee mug on a side table.  I started in Psalm 37, then wandered into Isaiah 43 and finally found a vague trail to Isaiah 60!  I was reviewing some precious promises the Lord has used in our journey the past year and some months, and I was thrilled to discover new thoughts and truths as I dug deeper and examined the jewels of His Word.

I spent some time carefully unpacking Isaiah 60:22 - a verse someone mentioned on the weekend but didn't give a reference.  So I did a Google search and finally found this verse in the New International Version:  "The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation.  I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly."  In light of the words of warning and condemnation that Isaiah spoke over and over to the nation of Israel, the prophet wove hope and promise, as well.  These words became true in 1948 when Israel was given portions of the land God had designated for them.  He did this swiftly and defended His people when they were attacked as a vulnerable and weakened new country!  

Today, this word encouraged me that God will take the small, weak and unlikely ones to accomplish His purposes.  The key word is "time" - God will do this in His time and according to His pace.

In my search for this little nugget, I found another similar verse in Habakkuk 2:3 "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end - it will not lie.  If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."   I take heart that God's vision is the one that will prevail.  Humans may attempt to cast vision and set goals but God may override even the most carefully laid out plans!  And again, it is about just the right time or "appointed time." Waiting seems like such a long, slow process; but God's promises will surely come.  What feels like a delay to us is His wisdom and goodness at work!

It is good to enjoy some treasure-hunting on this last Monday in March!

 

 

 

 Family.

I can honestly say that my family - our family - is my greatest joy!  I look forward to special occasions, holidays and random visits with our grown children and now our granddaughter.  The longing to know they are doing well, to see them succeed and to share in their lives is so deep!

From my youngest remembrance, I would play house, make little paper doll families, draw floor plans for houses, make up names for moms, dads and their kids!  A home and family is what I desired more than anything: more than a career, fame or fortune.  Since I grew up after the women's liberation movement and had any opportunities open to me for my future, why did I have such a strong drive for the traditional wife and mother roles?

In Bible times, family meant a secure future.  Having many children, healthy sons and daughters, would guarantee financial provision, care in one's old age, protection from harm.   Family was to be a safe and solid relationship built on love and trust. A widow was often vulnerable to being taken advantage of, and if she had no children, she needed to provide for herself or rely on others' generosity.  The Scriptures required the Jewish people to make sure orphans and widows were well taken care of and God punished people and nations for neglecting or abusing the weak, poor and alone.

God blessed my husband and me with three wonderful and healthy kids.  Raising them was a lot of work and took more wisdom and patience than we had in our natural selves!  Some of our greatest moments were at parent-teacher interviews when our children's teachers would commend us for raising such nice, polite and respectful kids.  Wow!  We knew we couldn't take the credit.  It was with the Lord's help that each of our kids has grown up to be hard working, Jesus-loving adults.  We are just so proud of them!

For those who struggle with infertility, that can be the most difficult journey with the deepest pain.  I've been spared that terrible heartache but I know many who lost little ones or could not conceive.  The loss, blame and guilt can be overwhelming.  

I think of Sarah, Abraham's wife and the many years they were not able to have a child.  God had promised them many descendants and it looked impossible for them to ever see that promise fulfilled.  Miraculously, God answered their prayers and longings.  Isaac was born!

I think of Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, who would cry out to the Lord for a child.  His other wife, Peninah, had several children and would mock and tease Hannah for her barrenness. At the annual feast in Jerusalem, she would pray and seek God in the temple, to the point that the priest thought she was inebriated!  But God heard her cries and gave her a special son, Samuel.  He became a great, godly prophet and priest.  

I think of Elizabeth, whose husband Zechariah was priest in Jerusalem.  They also were barren and had likely given up all hope. They were in their elderly years, past childbearing. What chance was there for this couple to have a family?  In God's graciousness, He granted them the blessing of a son, John the Baptist, who was the last in a line of prophets before the Messiah came.  He ushered in the Lord Jesus Christ, preaching repentance to prepare the way of the Lord.  

Not all who struggle with being single, being childless or being alone, have "happily ever after" endings to their life stories.  God has a unique purpose for each of His created ones and His only promise is that He will never leave us or forsake us.  He provides us with family, His family.  By faith, we can become part of this divine family with our heavenly Father, brothers and sisters who serve Jesus Christ, and extended families with bonds that are deeper than blood.

Our little granddaughter (and her parents!) came to visit us yesterday for an overnight stay.  Seeing her in the arms of our son, waving to us through the living room window, made our hearts leap with joy and our faces plastered with silly smiles!  Her hugs and giggles blessed us beyond measure.  When she would take our hand and want us to follow her and play with her, we experienced such happiness.  

How much more the Father longs for us to be with Him!  Jesus often talked about His joy in us and making our joy full.  Relationship with us is His greatest joy and He loves us so much that He died for us so that we can live forever with Him!

If you don't know that peace, that joy of being part of God's family, reach out to me or someone you know who is a Christian.  We'd love to share our journey with you.

 

 

 

A theme this week has been going through trials and enduring hardships.  I read James 1:2-4 in devotional readings and found that even though those verses are familiar - I memorized them in highschool in preparation for Bible quizzing - new truth seemed to permeate my heart.

"Count it all joy..." is how James 1:2 starts off and it seems like the absolute opposite to what we normally say when we face trials.  How can we consider it a joyful experience to undergo painful and overwhelming circumstances?  James go on to explain how to work it through.  "Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (verse 3)  Trials are a test.  How can we know if we pass or fail the testing standards of these trials?

God has great things in store for us in following His ways.  They include growth and strength.  He doesn't want us to remain like babies, infants in our faith.  He doesn't want us to be weak, undeveloped and immature.  So God designs, or allows, difficulties to stretch us and determine where our faith and trust really lies.

James continues to teach the benefits of persevering.   "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (verse 4)  Being tested involves enduring through unpleasant, uncomfortable and impossible circumstances.  If we don't endure and quit prematurely before God's work by the Holy Spirit is complete, we circumvent the process.  I think we can agree we all want to be mature and whole, or complete.  We don't want to be lacking anything!  We desire to be spiritual, to be wise, to be strong and healthy.  But it costs.  It takes hard work and resolve.  And it requires us to trust God through these trials and not drop out too soon.

 Listening to a friend's son who is in seminary, speak on this passage of James, really spoke to me.  He explained how the trials we face are "of many kinds."  (verse 1) God doesn't have one-size fits all hardships for His children to work through; we will face trials that are specifically for our individual journeys.  Sometimes the trials may be physical and our health may be in jeopardy.  Or it could be a financial difficulty.  Or a relationship struggle.  Or a family problem.  No matter what the details are, the Lord will give us strength to endure.  His grace is sufficient for all that we must face.  Like a loving father who must discipline his children, our God is always with us and supporting and guiding us even when it feels like He abandons us through tough times.

Be strong, my friends.  Don't give up.  Stand firm and don't quit.  You may be right on the verge of breaking through! And when you have stood the trial and passed the test, God rewards with maturity, completion and the crown of life.  (James 1:12)

May the Lord bless you, whatever you are enduring.  His promises will never fail.

 

 Have you ever made plans, arranged all the details, worked out time, place and menu just to find out that the calendar actually had something else recorded there?

Well, that happened this week.  To me.  Again.

I've done it before, and should have learned from the past.  But at least I realized it before I had a collision of events and people showing up at the same time.  So, with a quick run to the grocery store and a cancellation text for Friday night supper plans, we're good to go!

We'll be hosting some reps for Nipawin Bible College who are part of a  conference this weekend.  I baked some banana muffins and Crackerjack cookies.  I've got a pot of chili simmering in the slow cooker.  They will need bag lunches for Friday and Saturday so I've stocked up on buns, meat, cheese and granola bars!  I had to hunt around for the good ole brown bags.  Safeway doesn't carry them anymore.  But Dollar Store did.  

I do love hosting people and I think one of our spiritual gifts is hospitality.  In our first house, we only had two bedrooms, so we would give up our master bedroom to guests.  A hand-me-down trundle bed served as our extra bed and we would sleep on it in our baby's room back in the day!  We lived in North Central Regina, where our guests would park on the street and take the risk of break-ins.  The wail of sirens would wake those who hadn't gotten used to it.  That was our reality, our ministry.  And we welcomed people for meals, a bed and fellowship.

Now, we are empty-nesters and have extra three beds, two couches and plenty of floor space!  In summer, we can set up a tent for the adventurous ones.  And our wonderful home boasts three full bathrooms so lineups aren't too long! Our master suite is lovely and we don't give it up anymore.  We have our bed and familiar pillows, our own bathroom including a huge walk-in shower.  Even though we love company, it is nice to have a sanctuary where we can rest and then be ready to serve our guests.

 We have a great weekend ahead.  Just need to keep our eyes on our calendar!

 

 Spring is in the air!

I know, just because the temperatures are above zero Celsius does not guarantee spring has arrived; it just feels that way.  Puddles, streams and receding snow banks all add up to spring-like conditions and the very smell is exciting to our frozen nostrils! 

The neighbours are out with picks and shovels, carving drainage trenches in the ice and snow.  Walter was out there joining the trend, and amazing amounts of runoff have disappeared.  I put on a lighter jacket and took my regular walk to the mailboxes down the street.  Although I slipped a couple of times, I managed to stay upright as I navigated the watery ice-covered sidewalks.  Opting for the roadway at times, I also avoided being splashed by oncoming cars.  Winter may make us Canadians a hardy lot, but spring has its dangers, as well.

Standing on our front step, I soaked in the rays of sunshine, almost tasting the vitamin D and sensing my soul beginning to thaw.  I hesitated to come inside, not wanting this sensation to end.  Alas, we are working on our latest newsletter and I needed to help in the process.  Walter sets up the printer for labels; I attach the labels to envelopes.  I write the "Family Update" and "Praise & Prayer" portions of the publication; Walter writes the feature story, adds pictures and completes the general format.  I proofread and do a final edit before press time.  Together, we sign, fold and stuff the letters into the prepared envelopes.  We add postage - which has gone up in the new year - and voila!  I usually take the 230+ letters to be mailed by Canada Post.

The postal strike before Christmas delayed our major mailing.  I sent Christmas cards to our financial and prayer support team. And now, we are finally getting to our New Year/Winter update.  We can never express our thanks enough to those who have stood behind us in ministry, some for the entire 36 year journey!  God bless those who pray and give sacrificially so we can serve by sharing the Gospel in the Indigenous communities across Canada.

I hear the printer running.  My eyes are drawn to the windows, longing to be outside playing in the streams and urging the melting process.  But I force myself to stay engaged in this necessary task and get my supplies arranged.

Have a great day!

 

 A post on Facebook has got me pondering this afternoon so I thought I'd share my musings.

"Give us this day our daily bread..."  Matthew 6:11

In the culture of Jesus' day, in Roman occupied Israel, many people lived in poverty or bare bones existence.  There was no refrigeration, no chemical preservatives. Therefore, food production and meal preparation was a daily reality.  Compared to our lifestyles in this modern day, and in the harsh climate of Canada, the concept of needing bread every day is foreign to us.  We must harvest, preserve and store away our food in the proper season for use during the winter!

The economy of this first century, middle eastern country was very short term.  Most people had daily work.  Some had careers, long term job security, or family wealth, but the average Jew lived on daily labour and wages.  I'm thinking of the parable in Matthew 20:1-16, where the landowner went out early in the morning to hire workers for the day.  He hired them at various hours of that day, offering the same wage for each of them, regardless of when they were hired.  The point I see is that it was normal for folks to be paid at the end of each work day, and then to go purchase the needed food items for the next day.

The imagery of daily bread was established in the Old Testament, when Moses was leading the Hebrew people out of Egypt and to the Promised Land of Israel.  They had nowhere to acquire food in the desert.  They were pressed into full reliance on God.  It took them 40 years to learn that lesson, among other lessons of faith.  And the very day they moved into the Promised Land, God stopped providing the manna from heaven.  He instructed the people to harvest the land and work to grow what they needed.  But, they were to continue a life of faith and dependence on God, to acknowledge that He is the One who provides all that they needed.

When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, the Lord's Prayer became something we say by rote.  We often recite it without thinking of the meaning, that Jesus intended it to be a pattern, not a formula.  As we break down the intention of the phrase "Give us this day our daily bread," we can understand that Jesus did mean literal bread, or food.  He also taught that if we worry about tomorrow's bread, or whatever we need, we are not truly trusting Him to provide.  If we ask for our daily needs, we will learn to trust Him and be content and thankful for His faithfulness.

In applying the principle of asking God for what we need on a daily basis, we can also come to Him for other things.  What about strength?  Do we ask the Lord to give us physical, emotional or spiritual strength for whatever our day holds?  Or do we jump into our schedules and only ask for His help when we run into trouble or find ourselves in over our heads?

What about wisdom?  Do we seek God daily for His thoughts and insight for every situation we face?  Or again, do we only call upon the Lord when we are overwhelmed? 

When we need anything, we can ask and trust that out of His goodness, He will grant us what we ask for.  Patience, perseverance, faith, love, self-control...all the fruit of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22 & 23.  In fact, we can ask for the Spirit of God to fill us up and He will give us more of Himself!

 When we are weak, that is when His strength and power is shown to be great!  As Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, God's grace is sufficient in our times of weakness.  (II Corinthians 12:9)  More than daily bread, we have daily mercies and grace that are new every morning.  (Lamentations 3:22 & 23)  It is such a comfort to know our loving Heavenly Father takes such good care of us.  

I hope that today, YOU have everything you need.  If not, remember to ask the Father for your daily bread and see how He lovingly provides.