Prison

When I was a senior in high school, we took a school trip to San Francisco. For a girl from upstate NY, this was a special experience. Exploring Alcatraz, I was struck by the starkness of the prison and the reality of confinement. Visiting reminded me of why I never wanted to lose my freedom. We left the island grateful to return to our lives.

While I’ve never been imprisoned behind walls, I have sometimes felt trapped in my mind—held by loneliness, despair, discouragement, fear, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. I realize these feelings shouldn’t dwell in a believer’s heart since Jesus, through his resurrection, has set us free from every stronghold. God gives us the strength to endure, while the chains will be completely broken in heaven. I remind myself that with God we can overcome anything. As Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances… I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” This encourages me to seek contentment through God’s strength. God promises to never leave us and gives us the power to endure, especially in difficult seasons.

Sometimes we have no control over the things that happen to us, such as an accident, a bad diagnosis, losing a job, a marriage falling apart, broken relationships within family or friends, or being overlooked for a promotion that we deserve. In these times, I often wonder about the bigger picture. Perhaps, when I go into despair and discouragement over one of these hardships, or something else, it is because I am playing the short-term game, while God has a long-term goal in mind. Maybe God spared me from something by not answering my prayer for a promotion because he has something better for me. Maybe someone wasn’t really a good friend, so God removed them from my life. Maybe the relationship with family just needs a time out so old wounds can heal, restoration can take place, and the relationship can be stronger than before. Maybe God had been calling me out of a job situation for a while, and I didn’t listen, so he removed me from the work environment, or maybe just sometimes bad things happen, and that is when I have to really lean on God to sustain me, encourage me, and help me through all the injustices of the world. One of the hardest concepts for me to live with is that I may not know the “why” this side of eternity, and I may have to wait until I see him face to face to understand and see all the answers that I have been longing for. And perhaps, once I get to heaven, none of these issues will matter because I am finally home, where I have been meant to be since I was born.

The end of 2025 was difficult for me, not for any reason, but mostly because I was living under the bondage of discouragement. Once I got into the discouragement cycle, I couldn’t seem to get out of it. It was like Satan had a firm grip on me and slowly dragged me down. More than likely, if it had been a rapid descent, I would have sought God sooner, but because it was a slow fade, I did not even realize what was happening. I blamed it on the holidays and having so much to do to host family and friends and get ready for Christmas. I smiled and said all the right things, but inside I felt like I was drowning. I lost all joy in celebrating the birth of Jesus, and I just wanted to get through December. I believed the lies that I was not that important to God and didn’t really believe that God had a plan for me. Thankfully, God’s truth shone through all the darkness. The chains were broken, and I walked out of the prison I put myself in, in freedom. Through time with God, the truth became so relevant that I now walk in security that God loves me, sustains me, provides for me, and has a plan for me. I matter to God, and that is the only thing I need to believe.

This journey has shown me the importance of truly believing in God’s love. As I’ve studied His attributes, I’ve realized it’s hard to trust God if I don’t really know who He is. God doesn’t just have mercy—He is mercy. The same is true of His love; it’s not conditional or occasional, but constant because it’s who He is.

When I forget this truth, I start believing the enemy’s lies—that my problems aren’t important to God or that I must take control myself—and that’s when I become enslaved by fear. The only way to break free is to turn to God, and His truth found in Scripture. Through Jesus, we are born into God’s family, filled with His Spirit, and empowered to live in freedom and joy.

I love the Bethel Music song “No Longer Slaves.” Part of the song says “From my mother’s womb, you have chosen me, love has called my name, I’ve been born again to your family, your blood flows through my veins, I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God … We’ve been liberated from our bondage, we’re the sons and daughters, let us sing out freedom.” These are powerful truths; we are chosen, loved, part of God’s family, liberated, and can live in freedom.

It is possible to have joy even when circumstances are against me. I can look at Paul as an example. He was joyful even while sitting in prison. I am sure he was chained, malnourished, mocked, and cold. Yet he still praised God and wanted others to believe in his God. He wanted his captors to believe in Jesus as their savior. He let God be in control and submitted to God’s ways and will. I believe Paul did this because he deeply believed that God is merciful, loving, powerful, and mighty.

Physical prisons today differ greatly from those in Paul’s time. And each person’s prison experience is unique. Some prisoners find God and are changed; likewise, we can find God in our own struggles and be transformed. Our circumstances are not a life sentence. Because Jesus died and rose again, believers can experience true freedom even in the midst of difficulty.

We are free from the enemy’s lies and empowered by our Heavenly Father. When we accept Jesus as Savior, sin loses its power to enslave our thoughts and actions. As Scripture reminds us, “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15, NLT).

The enemy seeks to bind us not through our circumstances, but through lies—convincing us that we don’t matter to God or that He has forsaken us. Yet even when we can’t change our circumstances, we have the power to choose how we see them. We can call out to God in faith, trusting that He hears us, loves us, and will help us. In Him, we are no longer slaves to fear or sin, but beloved children walking in freedom.

I encourage you to read your Bible, pray, and seek out who God says he is. It has been liberating for me to study the attributes of God. Don’t listen to the lies of bondage but live in the freedom of who God is and who he says we are: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are”. (1 John 3:1 NIV)

Let it Go

I will never forget one winter day in 2010. Nothing spectacular happened; it was just an ordinary day. The kids were in and out because of the fresh snow. I spent all morning getting the kids dressed in all the snow apparel and wiping the floor clean of the snow they and the dog had dragged in. I was so frustrated by the afternoon that I called my husband at work and said, “That’s it, I’m done. We can move south”. He had wanted to move out of the Northeast for a while, but I did not want to. I felt at home in this area; I knew what to expect, as it was familiar, and my family was nearby.

The Lord opened doors, and my husband found a new job in Texas. The job required him to relocate in early June, so he went ahead of us. Once the school year ended and we sold the house, the kids and I would follow. Like anyone who has moved, especially a long distance, it is better to clean out as much garbage as possible before the move, so the load is lighter, and you don’t have as much to unpack. As I was cleaning and preparing for the movers, it became apparent that we had accumulated a fair number of things that we no longer needed, benefited us, or simply no longer wanted. Someone needed to take some stuff to the dump. That someone was me, and I was not looking forward to that. It was a task that my husband had always handled, but now the job was mine. After much encouragement and hem-hawing, I finally loaded up the minivan and made a trip to the local dump. I backed the van up to a large container and got out to unload all my no longer needed treasures. I took the first item out and threw it into the container. It felt as if each time I threw something away, I lifted a weight off my shoulders. I couldn’t wait to get to the van and throw out the rest of the items. There were several trips to the dump that day and in the days that followed. With each trip, I felt lighter; it was a liberating experience that I can’t really explain, just one that I experienced. Since then, there have been many trips to the dump, and occasionally, a dumpster has been brought into the driveway to dispose of items.

Not once in all these years have I looked back and thought, ‘Oh, maybe I need that,’ or gone back and tried to retrieve something from the trash. I was glad to be rid of material objects that were no longer serving a purpose or holding me back, as I had clutter that I did not need. As I was walking one morning, the memory of this time came to mind. I thought, Why, when I have given things over to God, do I go back and take them back? The things I take back may be personal, emotional, or spiritual thoughts or behaviors that I need to release, but I hold onto them. If I do give them over to God, I usually try to reclaim them. I ask myself, “Why can’t I leave them at the foot of the cross and walk away unburdened and live in freedom and the joy that comes. One reason I go back and take things I have left is because, on some level, I want to be in control of my own life. I think I know how to handle this, or I don’t need God to handle this.

On the other hand, it may be because I don’t fully trust God to handle it, especially in his time, not mine. When God does not move the way I want or in the time frame I have in my mind, I may think, “Oh, forget it, I will take care of it”. Psalm 37:5 tells us, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act”. This verse is a beautiful promise that if we surrender and trust the Almighty God, he will act. He won’t always act the way we want or in our time, but the promise stands that he will act. As long as we live, we will always need to clean out areas of our lives. Just as I left the dump and went home to find more items to discard, I can continually examine my life and invite the Holy Spirit to reveal the areas I need to surrender to walk in the freedom made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Each time I let go of something, I can return to the Spirit again, asking Him to search me more deeply and uncover anything else that weighs me down. Psalm 139:23-24 speaks to the wisdom of going to God for renewal: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way of understanding.” This ongoing process of release and renewal leads to true freedom—a lightness of soul that is only possible because of Christ’s finished work on the cross.

God tells us in 1 Peter 5:7 to “humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you”. The act of casting implies throwing something into God’s care and surrendering control. The beautiful part is the promise that God cares for us when we are vulnerable and surrender to Him. Another great verse is Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” What a significant message to come to Jesus and lay your burdens down. Again, Jesus promises us something if we are faithful in coming to Him: rest and peace. Also, we can live in freedom from carrying burdens by ourselves. As we take his yoke on us, Jesus shares the burden, making the task and work easier. We are never alone, and by surrendering to God, we can walk away lighter, freer, and better equipped to be a witness to the world around us.

After we arrived in Texas and unpacked all the boxes, I realized that I needed to buy a few things to make our home feel like home. When we leave our burdens and cares at the foot of the cross and walk away, we must ask the Holy Spirit to fill up those spaces with new attitudes, behaviors, and actions that honor and glorify God. First, we must search our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to show us what we need to surrender to him so that we can grow and flourish, and then rely on the Spirit to help us walk and walk in obedience, trusting His strength to transform us day by day in the likeness of Christ.

Surrendering completely to God invites us into a life of freedom—resting in the assurance that He is working all things for His glory and our good. Sometimes that means letting go of what is old so that He can bring forth something new and life-giving. And when we feel unsure of how to release what burdens us, we can turn to the Holy Spirit, who gently guides, strengthens, and renews us.

 I encourage you, through the Spirit, to take an inventory of what you no longer need and to have the courage and boldness to cast it all on Jesus, walking in the freedom He so graciously offers.

Faith

Imagine being 75 years old, settled in a comfortable life, surrounded by family, friends, and traditions. Then one day, as you are going along, the Almighty God speaks to you and calls you to follow him in blind obedience. He asks you to leave your land, family, traditions, and everything you know behind and enter a new territory. On top of everything else, you live in a country filled with idol worship and don’t know the true God personally. I ask myself, would I say yes? Would I say “sure, I am not losing my mind, hearing voices, and I will abandon my family, town, culture, and language and go into a land that God will show me”? Abraham did just this. While he experienced a couple of setbacks in obedience at the beginning, he eventually made progress. We know the story. He obeyed, and in old age, he had a son, and through that son, a great nation was born. True, there were some setbacks along the way, but God’s plan always prevails, and what God wills comes to fruition.
What would my life look like if I had the faith of Abraham, Daniel, Joseph, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Daniel was thrown into a lion’s den because he would not stop praying to God. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Later, after serving in the palace, he was thrown into prison and forgotten. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace because they would not abandon their faith and belief in God by worshipping an idol set up by King Nebuchadnezzar.
All these examples show us the power of unwavering faith in God. Where does this power come from? Today, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, alive in our hearts, if we have accepted Jesus as our Savior. However, I believe that true faith develops over time and through a relationship with God. Yes, the Holy Spirit helps us, but He does not wave a magic wand, and faith appears. Faith is work and takes time. God is personal and wants to be involved in our lives. He is patient and works on our faith life a little at a time. Joseph’s first time living in faith was not in prison. I am sure there were times along his life’s journey (being sold by his brothers as an example) when his faith started to develop. Each hardship and trial built on the last so that when the day came and he found himself imprisoned, he could believe in God and trust him. He served God in prison by helping the guards and other prisoners. Not only did he trust God during this time, but he also strove to be useful to God.
I don’t know why Abraham believed and obeyed God. He had no personal history with God. Maybe he had begun to wonder about the creator of the universe instead of the idols that surrounded him. It appears that God took the initiative in the relationship with Abraham. In any case, he did believe and was obedient. My other examples did know about God from their childhoods. They had heard the stories of God’s faithfulness, goodness, and truth. Knowing about God is not the same as knowing God. Each of these men had to undergo their faith journey and learn to trust in God.
Daniel came out of the lion’s den unharmed. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fiery furnace without a hair on their heads singed. Joseph was released from prison and given a place of prominence in the palace. God rewarded their faith in miraculous ways. What do we do if our faith goes unrewarded in this way? What happens if the prayers we say seem to go unanswered, the healing doesn’t come, and the addiction takes the life of a loved one? Did God not reward our faith? Did we not have enough faith? Does God care about us as much as the people who do receive answers the way they desire? Not even close! We will never completely understand God’s ways; his ways are not our ways. We must believe in his perfection and sovereignty.
We may not see miraculous answers to our acts of faith. However, we will grow closer to God in our relationship. We can cultivate inner peace and joy in our hearts as we navigate these journeys. Through the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, we can face difficulties with resilience and strength and have God’s wisdom in our lives. Faith enables us to know that we are never alone, and this awareness empowers us to live in freedom. These are all ways faith rewards us in this life. There is also a life to come – eternity. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who endures trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Our faith is rewarded here and in the future.
It is false theology to believe that God will not give you more than you can handle. The Bible does not say this. Christianity is not about self-sufficiency, but about faith, trust, and reliance on God to help in every situation. It is all about God’s grace to us. We will face some situations that seem unbearable and overwhelming. We will not be able to handle them on our own. No number of positive thoughts and pulling yourself up by your bootstraps will help you. Only turning to God and His faithfulness in these times will carry you through. You must have faith.
Studying the Bible and seeing God’s faithfulness through the living word can encourage our hearts to keep believing. I have a stack of Bible promises that I go through, especially when my faith is wavering. Psalm 91 is one of my favorite psalms for encouragement in God’s faithfulness. Sharing your stories with others can encourage them to persevere in trust, belief, and faith. Satan wants to keep us discouraged and lose faith. He knows that God loves us and is here for us; he wants us to question God’s goodness and to forget the times when God sustains us.
What would my life look like with deeper faith? Honestly, I don’t know. I am sure the heroes of faith did not think their lives would take the twists and turns that they encountered. They may not have felt prepared to overcome the trials and difficulties they met. But, one day at a time, with trust and belief in the Almighty God, they lived to bring glory and honor to God. We can do the same today.
You may feel like you are wandering around, looking for direction, or as if you have entered a lion’s den. Circumstances and people are trying to tear you apart. Perhaps you feel as though you are in a fiery furnace, where everything around you is trying to burn you and take the very breath from your lungs. Trust in God’s faithfulness as these great heroes of faith demonstrated for us. You may feel abandoned, but God, who created you, has not abandoned you. Difficulties of life forge our faith. Press into God’s presence and let faith grow and flourish.
Reliance on the Holy Spirit and belief in God’s faithfulness to sustain and help us overcome will build our faith one day and one trial at a time.

FEAR

CRASH. I heard this sound while watching TV and eating my lunch. The next thing I heard was my dog Isaac running up the stairs. He leaped on the couch and ran over to sit on my lap. All 22 pounds of him was shaking and afraid. I don’t know if he created the crash, but whatever the cause, he was just frightened, and he ran as fast as his little legs would carry him to where he felt safe and secure. He knew I would protect him because of the way I have reacted to him in the past.

As I thought about this incident with Isaac, I was reminded of when my children would either call out to me at night or climb into bed with their dad and me. They were afraid and needed comfort, protection, peace, and love. The question I have for myself is, where do I go when I am afraid?

The fears I face as an adult may differ from those of a child. At times, the anxieties of life are overwhelming, and fear takes over my mind and heart. I may worry over my children, that they will be safe as they drive, make good decisions at school, and be protected as they come and go. There is no end to the number of ways we can and will take on anxiety. The answer to all these instances is always the same—Jesus.

Jesus is our source of strength and hope. He is an ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). God knows we will experience fear. There is some debate about how often the phrase “do not be afraid” or its variations appear in Scripture. The point is that the command not to fear appears many times throughout the Old and New Testaments. Although expressed repeatedly, this command is one of the hardest to follow.

Some of the things we may fear are the unknown, loss, failure, rejection, and change. According to science, we fear to survive. Those who lack a proper perspective on fear will not survive the obstacles and challenges of life. We have been taught not to walk out into traffic for fear of getting hit, not to touch a hot stove for fear of getting burnt, to keep our distance from people with communicable diseases so as not to get infected, and to run for our lives when a sound or someone scares us. We have all heard to trust our gut. If you feel something is off, it probably is.

I see the point of fear as a form of protection; however, everyday fear is not good for the soul. It robs you of the joy that comes from simply being alive. If I am always looking over my shoulder, I am not enjoying today. Fear over tomorrow will rob you of the joy of today. I read a story about a family where the father was not feeling well. He and his wife visited several specialists because they thought there was something very wrong with his health. Even after receiving a clean bill of health, they would go to another specialist because they were afraid for his health. During a visit with the last specialist, they reviewed the entire history of their journey, so he ordered additional tests. After reviewing the results, he met with the family. He told them there was nothing wrong with him, and his best advice was not to be afraid and live their life; wise advice for all of us.

Living in fear brings nothing good into my life. It may leave me paralyzed with anxiety and worry. I may not be able to make wise choices about upcoming decisions. I may drive my family crazy because I worry about them and don’t trust them to make good decisions. Fear may keep me in a rut because I’m afraid to make a life change. Worry and fear will adversely affect every aspect of life.

We will all experience times that feel out of control. Initially, we may feel like we can handle the chaos. This external chaos may gradually affect our internal ability to cope over time. We will inevitably begin to feel worry and fear. What is the antidote to fear in this chaotic and stressful world? David says in Psalm 23, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. How could he make such a bold statement? I believe it is because he knew whom he trusted – God. God is the only person worthy of all our trust. He loves us in a way that we will never comprehend. We must learn to trust in his love and peace to overcome anything we face in our lives.

The first step is to run to the Father and pray. Like my dog knew he was safe with me, I know I am safe in the Father’s arms. As we learn to lean into trusting God in all circumstances, we can have peace not from this world but from the Father. Philippians 4:6 stresses that we should not be anxious about anything but rather, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present our requests to God. Many Christians often quote this verse. However, we forget to quote v.7 with it. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” What a tremendous promise that we will receive His Peace as we relinquish fears and anxieties to God. Jesus also told us in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.”

Everyone will experience fear in life. The question is what or who we turn to when fear and anxiety come upon us. Allowing the Peace of God to enter my heart is another step toward experiencing worry-free living. I must know the truth of the Bible so I can discern when the enemy is deceiving me during times of fear. God does not change; He loved, protected, and cared for His children in the Bible, and He will do the same for us. Each day will come with a new set of issues. Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  There is no need to worry, for our Father knows what we need even before we do.

In God’s Antidote to Worry, I love how Pastor Frank Santora put it: “Worry, or double-mindedness, hurts both our ability to stand in faith and our ability to function successfully. So, one of the most powerful weapons against the daily attacks of the enemy is having a heart filled with the Peace of God. The Peace of God gives us the power to incapacitate the enemy and subdue every problem sent our way. It’s one of God’s most powerful gifts in this life.”

Don’t struggle under the weight of whatever is keeping you in fear and anxiety. God never asked you to carry the burden of fear. Give it over to God, trust him fully, and then experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. Stand firm in the truth of who God is and who you are to him, his child. He loves you, knows what is best for you, and always wants you to trust him.

Rest

Have you ever had a day that unexpectedly pops into your mind, bringing a rush of emotion? We all carry memories of moments we wish we could forget, but those aren’t the ones I’m talking about. I’m thinking about the days that make us smile—a spark of joy as we relive a memory, a time that warms our hearts and reminds us of the beauty in life.

One such day for me is my mother-in-law’s funeral. Don’t get me wrong, the day was extremely sad. If I close my eyes, I can remember the pain of the day, the well wishes of so many friends and family, and the emotions of saying a final goodbye. But what was so precious to me about that day was a moment with my son. We were at the meal following the funeral, which was happening for a while. My son, who was four at the time, grew very tired. He was overwhelmed by all the people and chaos of the day. He came to me at one point and wanted my attention. I picked him up and continued to speak with people. He fell asleep on my shoulder as I gently rocked back and forth. Exhausted by all the events of the past several days, he could no longer stay awake. He wanted the comfort of his mom and to rest. This memory is precious to me because it reminds me that my son felt safe in my arms, could shut out all the noise around him, and sleep.

Recently, I found myself wrestling with anxiety, my mind swirling with uneasy thoughts as I tried to fall asleep. This treasured memory from 18 years ago surfaced at that moment, almost as if God Himself brought it to mind. At first, my thoughts focused on my son, but then the image changed, transforming into something even more profound. I saw myself resting peacefully on Jesus’ shoulder, cradled and carried by Jesus. It was a gentle reminder to trust God in all situations and relax. Just stop running and wrestling with my cares in my strength. Trust and rest in the one who created and sustains, protects, and provides for me.

It is such a beautiful and comforting picture to be held by Jesus. My parents hung a picture of Jesus holding a small child in our home. Both were radiating happiness and joy. I grew up with this picture, so I never thought much of its significance. As my father’s health deteriorated, this picture brought new meaning to me. I could picture my elderly dad as the small child, held by his Savior, smiling brightly. This image brought me such peace, knowing that God the Father saw my dad as a little boy to love and protect even as my father struggled in his earthly body.

These two memories have led me to think about resting in Jesus, a practice I struggle with. It is hard for me to shut my mind off when I feel there is so much to do or I need to control how something gets done. I am discovering that God wants me to slow down and, in some situations, stop. He wants me to rest. He does not need my help to lead me on the path He has designed for me.

I often wrestle with the idea that rest means the absence of activity. But I’m beginning to realize that rest can be entirely different—it can be active, purposeful, and restorative. Acknowledging this has brought me new hope.

God’s rest is not necessarily physical, but I believe it can be. Elija was running for his life and was exhausted. He rested under the broom tree and was fed and ministered to by an angel (1 Kings 19:4-8). However, most of my unrest comes from my restless heart, my mind that won’t shut off and keeps replaying a situation. God wants to set me free from my negative thoughts. I am a new creation once I accept Christ as my Savior. The old has passed away, and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Along with a new mindset, I need to renew my mind daily to combat my sinful nature. I must stay close to Christ to overcome the obstacles the enemy puts in my path to deter me from living fully in the joy, peace, and hope available. I have found that the fastest way to stop the negative thoughts is, when they appear, to stop and pray. I want to say that I have gotten better at doing this immediately, but sometimes, I may go down the slippery slope of self-pity before the Spirit reminds me to pray and not face this dark thought or attitude alone. The other spiritual practice I have found to help is putting on God’s full armor every morning. This practice is another level of protection from the enemy (Ephesians 6:13-18.). Verse 15 says, “And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary explains that this refers to a believer’s stability and strength from the gospel. This stability gives us peace as we face our battles.

Only through our relationship with Christ can we find complete rest. (Matthew 11:28-30). Also, only in Jesus will we find complete peace (Jesus as Prince of Peace). When we fully give everything to God and hold nothing back, we will see the joy, peace, and hope our souls long for. Once we fully embrace the love our Savior has for us, we will experience unexplainable joy in being held in our Savior’s arms. As we let His love take root in our souls and deepen our relationship with Jesus, we can’t help but radiate a vibrant, overflowing joy. This joy allows us to tell others about the extraordinary work of our loving, protective, faithful God.

We can feel completely safe, loved, and comforted as we imagine Jesus holding us. Psalm 91:4 shows us a heavenly Father who completely covers us with his presence, giving us refuge, and his faithfulness will shield us. We are not meant to face life alone. There’s such comfort in knowing we’re safe in the arms of Jesus. Fanny Crosby’s old hymn, “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” captures this feeling so beautifully. It’s a reminder of His faithfulness to hold us close, no matter what physical or spiritual trials we face.

The joy of accepting Jesus’s love is like being wrapped in the safest, warmest embrace, where every fear and burden melts away. I feel genuinely seen, deeply loved, and completely at peace in His arms. Together, we share a joy that fills my soul to overflowing. I am His beloved, held tightly in His grace, and my heart sings with joy, knowing that this love will never let me go.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see how much the Savior loves and holds you close.

ARMYWORMS

I sit in a chair by my bedroom window for my quiet time in the morning. One morning, I looked out at my front yard and noticed a dead patch of grass. This was incredibly annoying because the grass was entirely redone earlier in spring. We spoke with the landscaper, who said to water the grass more. As late spring turned into summer, the yard got worse and worse, to the point where the majority of the grass was destroyed.

It wasn’t a matter of watering the lawn more; it was a matter of armyworms that had invaded my grass and were eating their way through it. The front of my house is west-facing and gets full sun in the afternoon. It was explained to me that the infestation thrives in the sun’s heat. Since there is little tree coverage over the majority of my lawn, the armyworms went to town.

The death of my grass did not happen overnight. It took several weeks to really see how damaging this infestation was becoming. As I looked out at the lawn one morning, I realized this is what can happen to my life if I let the infestation of sin take over. Often, it seems that there are “little sins” that I don’t deal with. I either don’t recognize them or think they aren’t so bad. Maybe everything would improve if I just “watered” my life by praying a little bit. I can’t just read the Bible or pray and get rid of what is destroying me, but I have to do what it says. First, I must accept Christ as my Savior to release my soul from eternal destruction. Once I follow Christ, I strive to live a life worthy of Christ’s sacrifice. Of course, I will never fully attain this, but I must try every day to die to myself and live for Jesus. The beautiful thing is that God knows we are weak and will fail. He forgives us over and over. God wants a relationship with us, even though we will fail and the grass of our lives will wither because we cannot survive the heat of life on our own. God provides shade so we don’t have to bear the heat of living in this sin-scared world. The Bible is full of instructions for our good and God’s glory.

I must be honest with myself and look at my life realistically. James is a wonderful book for believers on how to live. He instructs us on living in wisdom, not showing partiality in our relationships, and the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue, to mention a few. The first chapter of James talks about how all of us will face trials and temptations. James encourages us to walk away from temptations because if we give into them over time, the desires of our flesh will grow into sin and then eventually death. He explains constructive ways to live. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the work, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says”. To rid myself of the sin and destruction of my life and let the green grass begin to grow, I have to do the hard work of implementing God’s righteous standards in my life, not just acknowledging them but doing them. It is not enough to read the Bible and pray; I must incorporate the teachings and God’s leadings every day. This is how the rot of living a sinful life will be stopped, and new growth will begin. As I was thinking about my front lawn, I realized it isn’t just knowingly committing a sin that can rob me of lush, green living. My attitude, feelings, and emotions can also be a destructive force. This could all be wrapped into sin in my life. I often don’t think of my feelings, emotions, and attitude as sinful, but they can be. Am I anxious in my thoughts? Am I getting upset with people because of how I process a situation? These are also opportunities to turn to God for instruction and help through the Holy Spirit. Satan is the “armyworm” in my daily life. He desires to infiltrate the green pastures that Jesus leads me in. Satan is the ruler of this world and hates not only God but us as followers of Christ. His main goal is to destroy us in any way he can. Every day, when we wake up, we wake up behind enemy lines. We must begin the day by focusing on Jesus and asking him to help us live victoriously throughout the day. It is possible to overcome our enemy, but not on our own strength and power. 1 John 4:4b states, “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” John is talking about discerning the evil spirits of false prophets. Still, I feel it is equally applicable to overcoming Satan, who is, after all, the source of false prophets.

Eventually, the sweltering days of summer came to an end. Finally, we could aerate and scatter grass seed over the destroyed yard. Nothing changed at first, but with enough water and time, beautiful new blades of gorgeous green grass began to fill in the rough, dried, brown patches. From afar, everything looks almost back to normal. There are patches where the grass is sparse, but with enough time and fertilizer, each blade will get healthier, and new grass will continue to fill in the bare spots.

I pray my life is like this. Eventually, the hot days of temptation will come to an end, and I will get a rest. Only for the whole process to begin again down the road. Until I draw my last breath, I will struggle with trials and temptations. I must learn to seek the shade of God’s presence and not live in the scorching heat of trying to go through life alone. I pray the armies of heaven are released to guard my life and protect me. I also trust the Holy Spirit to water and fertilize my heart and soul so that I will grow in strength and stability in my relationship with God. By God’s grace, I first call on Jesus to be my Savior, but then God enables me to live triumphantly in this sin-filled world.

How can I trust God to help me as I go through life? How can I be sure that he will be there for me as my life seems to be filled with death and destruction either by my sins or the poor choices I make? I must rely upon his faithfulness and the truth that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The Bible has many instances when God showed up in ordinary people’s lives and helped, sustained, and delivered them. God is a God of renewal and revitalization. Deuteronomy 20 is a great example of God instructing the Israelites as they prepared for warfare. We are also in a war, and his promise in Deuteronomy 4:4, “for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory,” also applies to us.

I did not see the armyworms, but their destructiveness was very evident. Often, an infestation of our spiritual life will be seen in our physical life. We can resist Satan and be renewed and revitalized in our spiritual life to live a beautiful, lush, and rich witness for our Heavenly Father.

I pray that we can get out of the scorching heat causing destruction and live in the shade God provides for our good and protection.

Sword

Have you ever faced an enemy? Someone who wanted to do great harm to you? I have not, to the best of my knowledge, had someone who wanted to harm me so much that they hunted me down and cornered me to the point I feared death. I have, however, an enemy who is out to destroy me in any way possible. The weapons he uses against me are usually discouragement, sadness, anxiety, fear, feeling overwhelmed, and loneliness. I get so tired of fighting this enemy, Satan, and some days, I want to give up and give in self-pity. There are days I want to climb back into bed, pull the covers over my head, and hide. I don’t do this, but some days I want to. I am learning that on those days, to fight back under the power and authority of the almighty God.

On one of these days, I was reading my devotional in Our Daily Bread. The passage referenced was 2 Samuel 23:8-12. This passage references David and his mighty warriors. It tells of the exceptional exploits of these warriors as they fought for David, slaying the enemy with swords and spears. The Israelites fled in the face of their enemies, but these mighty warriors stood firm, killing the enemy. Verse 10 says, “But Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day.” The first thing I see is the obedience of a soldier and the blessing of victory by God. But what really stuck out to me, and continues to, is he was so committed to defeating the enemy that he held tight to his sword so long and tight that his hand froze to the sword. Wow!! Am I that committed to my weapon against my enemy?

Ephesians 6 gives us the armor of God so that we can pray over ourselves, friends, and family as we battle with our enemy. The first piece of armor is the belt of truth, and the last one is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. I have been thinking about what my life may look like if I read and studied my Bible so much that my hand froze to it.

First, to be victorious, I must know the truth. To know the truth, I must know what the Bible says about God, His sovereignty, power, plans, and who I am to God, to mention a few things. For a soldier, the belt would hold all weapons, so they were easily accessible. It was the foundation on which to build their defense. The truth about who God is and who he says I am is the foundation on which I can stand in my daily battles.

The promise that is dearest to me is that God is always with me. This is stated multiple times throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Isaiah 41:10 states, “So 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.” What a powerful promise in and of itself. But, if you read verse 9b, “You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you,” it is even more meaningful. I don’t need to be afraid because God chose me. The God of the universe, who needs nothing from me, chose to love, uphold, and help me. This is a truth that I need to cling to in battle. I am not alone. I am able to fight because I am being upheld by the righteous right hand of the almighty God. Amazing!!

Each one of us faces different battles. I face different battles on any given day. One of the most significant battles we face is fear. This is such a problem that God states 365 times in the Bible, “Do not be afraid.” We are to be fearless! I can stand against discouragement and despair because my foundation is in God. The God of the universe profoundly cares for me and for all of creation. He says he loves me, is with me, provides for me, defends me, and prays for me. If I believe this to be true of the character of God, then I can live in peace and hope. If I study and truly know the word of God, I can swing the sword and take out any enemy that comes my way. I must believe, though, and not doubt. I must be sure that I am not fighting alone. I can tell my enemy to leave me alone, not by my power or strength but by the amazing, all-encompassing power of the living God. As David said to Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:45, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord.” He defeated his enemy by trusting in the Almighty God.

These mighty warriors of David all had something in common. A deep belief in and commitment to who they were fighting for. They were fiercely loyal to David and defended him against an enemy that wanted to kill him. They were bold, courageous, and brave. They believed in David so much that they put their lives on the line to cross enemy territory to get David water (2 Samuel 23:15). I need to be bold, courageous, and brave in my battle against my enemy. The difference is my king does not need me to defend him. The beautiful difference is my king defends me. He gave me the weapons to defend myself against his enemy, which became my enemy because I follow Christ. God gave us his sword to encourage, instruct, and embolden us. He is the great I AM. He lovingly holds us, covers us, and provides for us. His word can give us peace, strength, and shelter from our enemy. A Bible verse that I cling to during some battles is, “May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Reading 2 Samual 23 was so meaningful to me because I have faced several battles this summer. I have been in physical pain and had many medical bills, as three of us had medical issues this summer, one car accident, and faced my father’s failing health and his death. I felt overwhelmed and wondered how everything would work out. God has provided comfort, resources, protection, guidance, and, most importantly, his presence with me daily.

As I go forward in my journey, which some days will turn into a battle, let me hold fast to the sword. I want to hold it so tight and so long that my hand freezes to it. God will give me the strength to keep swinging it from side to side, wiping out each enemy that comes. Let me be bold and courageous, not in my own strength but in the strength and power of the Almighty God. The passage goes on to say, “The Lord brought about a great victory that day.” (2 Samuel 23:10b). I pray that God brings about a great victory for me as I stand my ground and fight an enemy that I can’t see, but I absolutely feel. I pray that anyone who cries out to God in battle and holds fast to their sword also experiences a great victory.

I pray that I am so devoted to my king that I am willing to stand and do battle against any enemy who comes to take away my attention or loyalty to my king, the Lord Jesus.

Let me be God’s mighty warrior.

Humility

We live in a society that celebrates greatness. We honor those who excel in a chosen field and host many award ceremonies. Growing up in a Christian home, humility was stressed. Pride was something to be avoided because it was against God. We heard the scripture that “pride goes before the fall” (Proverbs 16:18) referred to. After losing an argument, we are often told to eat humble pie. I have always considered myself a humble person. However, this past spring, I realized that while I may be humble in my relationships with my family, friends, and strangers, I do not display the same humility to God.

While studying the story of Joseph in Bible study, I was struck by how I have always thought about humility on a horizontal level (human) and have not thought about it on a vertical plane (spiritual). C.S. Lewis says, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less .”This was very eye-opening to me. Socrates said, “The only thing I know is that I know nothing.”

Somewhere in my life, I came to associate humility with a low view of myself. This could not be further from the truth. I got humility and self-judgment confused. My pastor recently said that low self-esteem and pride are two sides of the same coin. In both situations, the self is the main character, not God.

As we continued to study Joseph, we learned what true humility looks like. Joseph had everything taken from him many times. He was sold into slavery by his brothers, lied about by Potiphar’s wife, and thrown into prison. He was forgotten after interpreting the other prisoners’ dreams. How did he keep going on and trusting in God and the dream that God had given him? It was because he had the right heart attitude toward God and himself. He knew that nothing in this life was about him, but everything was about God.

True humility is having a servant’s attitude, heart, and actions. Joseph served with the correct attitude of heart in Potiphar’s house and in prison. We can also see humility in Moses, a meek servant who submitted himself fully and faithfully to God, and David, who was far from perfect but humbly repented of his sins and knew his power and authority were given to him by God. Jesus’ mother, Mary, is a beautiful example of living in humility. This young girl gave birth to the son of God and yet gave glory to God and called herself blessed. The apostle Paul is a marvelous example of living a changed life after encountering Jesus as Savior. I am sure he lived the rest of his life knowing who he had been and what he had done, compared to the new man of God he became after repenting and turning his life over to God to be used by God for God’s glory and kingdom.

Of course, our most significant example of true humility and servitude to God is Jesus. Jesus, the Son of God, had all the rights and privileges in heaven. He is part of the Trinity and is perfect and holy. And yet, this son of God came to earth, lived a perfect life, and then, amazingly, died a horrendous death to save us from our sins. He took all the sins already committed and all the sins still to be committed and paid the penalty for us. He bowed his knees before the almighty God and went to the cross in true servitude and humility.

How do we express humility toward God? I thought I was doing just that. I read my Bible, believe that everything comes from God, and pray for direction and God’s will in my life, to name a few. While reading a devotional, I realized that pride may come in many forms. I pridefully think I will get myself through my day. I pridefully think I supply the needs of my family. At other times, I expect perfection from myself or others. I was amazed to discover that having a perfectionist attitude is a form of pride. Only God is perfect. I may be inadvertently creating idols that I am bowing down to by expecting perfection in an imperfect world. The Bible is very clear about us not having any gods before God. (Exodus 20:3) Any time I focus on self rather than God, I am displaying pride.

I look at the story of Satan being cast out of heaven and think in amazement; how could he be so full of himself that living in the very presence of God was not enough, and he wanted more power and position. If I am truly willing to look at myself, I will see the same attitude reflected in my life. How often do I say, either by my actions, choices, or self-consciousness, that I know better than God? I am reflecting on times when I did not wait for God to answer a prayer before I acted. Or I did not give God time but acted in my best interests. Admittedly, sometimes the situation worked out fine. Still, other times, I had to deal with the fallout of my prideful choice. I would have been spared some heartache if I had acted with humility and not pride.  

Humility is more than just thinking of yourself less; it is also knowing that you are not responsible for your own success. I think when we have been blessed by God, we tend to lose the sense that everything we have or are able to achieve comes from God and the abilities he has given us. I have realized that having a thankful heart is the biggest weapon against forming a prideful spirit. Thank God every day for all the blessings, big or small. Thank him for his faithfulness, goodness, and love.

God hates pride because he knows what it will do to us. Pride will destroy us if it is not cut off. Pride lies to us about who God is. Pride is an invasive weed that winds its way around our hearts and tries to choke out our belief in God and his faithfulness, goodness, and love. We may think that God does not care about us when bad things happen, or we feel like we have entered the silent years. (Think of Joseph’s story) Life keeps coming at us, one hurdle after the next, and we don’t know how we will make it through another day. We will fail if we are trying to do it on our own. Humility occurs when we realize we can’t make it on our own and turn to God in complete trust. We must bow our hearts and minds to God and let go of the illusion that we are in charge. Pride does not allow us to ask for help. Humility gives us the freedom to admit we need help and that we are not all that is required to get through life triumphantly.

Getting a proper perspective of any pride we may be harboring in our hearts is vital. Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 16:4-5 makes it very clear that although we may not see or believe it, God sees everything, actions, and thoughts, and the wicked will not go unpunished. I think this does not just apply to our earthly relationships and actions but also to how we humbly serve God in our hearts.

I have realized that displaying humility is about knowing who you are and who God is. There is peace, comfort, and freedom in having a humble heart and releasing your life into God’s hands. I had to change my thinking and realized humility is not about displaying weakness but meekness. I am trying to stop fighting for control and allowing God to have his way even when I don’t understand what is going on. I must stop telling God, “I can take it from here, thanks for the assist,” but humbly trust God and allow him to have his way. After all, it is the best way forward.

Solar Eclipse

We just experienced a wonder in the heavens. In a spectacular display, the Moon passed between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the Earth in the latest solar eclipse. Depending on where you live, you could see either a total or a partial eclipse. My daughter is fortunate enough to live in Dallas, Texas, and experienced darkness in the middle of the day. She said that it was surreal and a little crazy to see streetlights coming on in the afternoon. Seeing God’s power and authority on display in real time was so amazing. Humans cannot control the rotation and orbit of the Sun, Moon, and planets. Once again, God’s power and authority are displayed for all to see.

As I gazed up at this phenomenon (with my special glasses), I could see the Moon moving over the Sun and blocking some of the brilliant light. This eclipse reflected my life at times. Sometimes, the sin in my life covers over the brilliant light that Christ wants to shine through me as his ambassador.

The sin eclipsing the light may seem small, like worry, anxiety, fear, greed, lust, and self-centeredness. As children of God, these sins may partially block the light of Christ shining in our world. This blockage may not just affect the world around us; it could also distract us to the point we can’t fully see or feel God’s light and power in our lives. If we do not recognize and confess this sin, it will continue its movement over the light and further dim the light available to guide us in our journey or not give the world around us the opportunity to know the giver of light and life, Jesus.

Our sin-filled life before accepting Christ as our Savior is like a total eclipse. The light of God is not in anyone who hasn’t accepted Christ, and they have no access to the light and are left in the dark, fumbling through the dark, hoping to find their way forward and looking for peace.

Since childhood, we have been told not to look directly at the Sun. If you are not adequately protecting your eyes, damage can occur that permanently damages cells in the retina. To see this magnificent display of the solar eclipse, you had to look at the Sun through special glasses. God is spirit, and because we can not see his face unless he reveals it to us, we look to the source of light and life through his son, Jesus. We can not stand and be in the presence of such glory that God has, but we do have access to his power, light, life, and glory through the gift of prayer. James 5:16b says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Ephesians 3: 14-19 and 1 John 5:14-15 are another great scripture references telling us of the power of God and our access to this power through prayer.

As I watched the eclipse, the Moon moved slowly over the Sun, blocking the sunlight shining on me. I am reminded that sin in my life may also be like this. Giving in to sin’s temptations may be a slow-moving process. So slow that I may not even realize it is happening at first. Over time, if I continue on the path of unrepentant sin, the sin takes over, and eventually, I am either totally or partially blocking the light of Christ in the world I live in.

There was a day long ago when complete darkness in the daytime took over, shutting out sunlight. Some people think there was an eclipse on the day Jesus was crucified. Although, most experts believe the cause of the darkness was not an eclipse. The total darkness of an eclipse only lasts a few minutes; on the day of crucifixion, the darkness lasted for three hours. In those hours of darkness, it might have seemed like the enemy was triumphant over God and darkness was blocking light. I am sure the people felt the oppression and despair of living without light. They may have been confused and wondered how to move forward. They were plunged into darkness because the sin of the world had taken the life of our Savior. When I have given into the dark side of my soul, I may also wonder how to move forward and find light to guide me in my everyday life. Praise God; three days later, the son of God rose in life forever, destroying the power of darkness over those who choose the light of the world as their Savior. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we have the light of the world, now in heaven, seated on his throne, interceding for his brothers and sisters. We can live in light through repentance and a life dedicated to following God and his ways. Just as the Moon moves and the Sun appears in full, we can always overcome our darkness through the power of God and let the light of Christ shine brightly once more.

As I watched the news coverage of the total eclipse, I was amazed that even though the Moon had entirely hidden the view of the Sun, a ring of light could still be seen. The Sun’s corona (meaning crown) becomes visible at this moment. Think about Jesus as our king. His glory shines even when the world’s darkness tries to overtake it. He suffered and died for us, paying the penalty for our sins. The darkness of our enemy cannot now or ever overtake his light. Even when it seems you are living in complete darkness, look up. The crown of Jesus is shining brightly, beckoning you to trust him for salvation, making a way for you to spend an eternity with God the Father, the giver of light.

What is overcoming the light in our lives? Are we living in peace and light or the presence of problems, sin, and turmoil? Also, I want to consider whether I am standing in the way of the light shining around me. Is my behavior and witness reflecting the light so I glorify the Son of God, or is my witness casting a shadow over the light, causing darkness to the world around me?

Darkness can’t overtake light completely. Even if one spot of light shines, our eyes will adjust, and we can see something. No matter how dark a day or moment may seem, it is always possible to see some light shining to guide us. I pray that the light overtakes the darkness in my life and I reflect God and all his glory. The next time we have a full moon, look at it in amazement. The Moon does not have its own light; it is the sunlight shining on it and bouncing off. I want to strive to be like the full Moon with the sunlight fully reflected and not like a crescent moon that is only partially lit. The Moon may be a dark sphere in space, but with the light of the Sun shining on it, it is breathtaking to behold. If you ever doubt that Jesus is the light you seek, look to the Word of God for confirmation. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Shine brightly!

Blueberries

One fruit that the grocery store always seems to have in supply is blueberries. Blueberries are native to North America and thrive in our conditions of sunshine, cloudless skies, and cool nights. I only really enjoyed the sweetness of this delightful fruit a few years ago. But once I discovered that I enjoyed them, I ate them all the time. These little berries are quite the superfood, from being high in nutrients and antioxidants to help maintain brain function and improve memory (which has become increasingly important to me as I get older).

I purchased some blueberries the other day and looked forward to returning home. I popped a few in my mouth as I prepared my lunch. Imagine my surprise when I ate that first one and was met with extreme sourness instead of mouth-watering sweetness. Naturally, I tried another and had the same experience. That blueberry wasn’t delightful either.

I started to think about blueberries in a new way. Why are some batches sweet and some sour? We have dear family members who grow blueberries. They gave us some, and they were so delicious. They were plump and juicy, just the way I like them. When I looked at the sour blueberries, I noticed they were all small and shriveled.

As I was thinking about this fruit, I thought about how sometimes people or situations can be delightful or leave us with a sour taste. We all want to spend time with people who bring joy and gladness. However, we also all know someone who is the opposite, leaving us disappointed after interacting with them. Being like the former and not the latter is increasingly important as I age. I want to be someone that others look forward to interacting with.

The easiest way to harvest sweet blueberries is to wait until they are fully ripe. The longer you leave them in the bush, the better. My research on blueberries showed me that new bushes need to have the blossoms removed in the first year. By removing the blossoms, the root system can be established. It seems counterintuitive to me to remove blossoms if you want fruit. But I would see the wisdom in establishing a robust root system if I had blueberry bushes. The bush may survive a harsh winter or rainy spring with a robust root system. What about me? How do I survive harsh winters or rainy springs as I journey through life? I feel like I am just waking up from a long winter. I have been going through a lot of changes. These changes have been opportunities to deepen my roots in the Lord. Two great scriptures are Colossians 2:7 and Jeremiah 17:7-8. At other times, I have felt the Lord may be plucking the blossoms from me. It was extremely difficult to move and leave my oldest daughter in Texas. Being an empty nester has come with its own set of challenges. Trusting God, as he has shown me so much about myself as I was getting my real estate license in two states, was a lesson on dependence on staying connected to Jesus.

Two Christian women come to mind when I think about bitterness and sweetness. The first was a Christian woman that I knew from my childhood. I know she loved the Lord, and I am quite certain that she is in heaven now with her savior. But while she was on earth, she was somewhat of a miserable person. She always seemed to find the negative in a situation. The older she got, the more her disposition seemed to sour, and the less I wanted to spend time around her. She was bitter. The other woman is a dear Christian woman I met at a church in Charlotte. She exudes the love of the Lord. She is well into her 90s now, but every time I see her at church, she always smiles and gives a warm greeting. She is bursting with joy and sweetness. 

I don’t know what makes one person sour and another sweet, but I have a theory: thankfulness. I have read a couple of different devotionals. Recently, both have talked a lot about having a thankful heart. God knows our tendency to become selfish and ungrateful. Many scriptures remind us to be thankful. This idea is expressed in Psalm 95:2, Psalms 106:1, and 2 Corinthians 9:11, to reference a few. When I am grateful, I feel attached to the vine, receiving nutrients and strength from staying close to Jesus. I feel much more joyful and full of sweetness. I know the second woman has had her fair share of trials throughout her life. However, she has stayed connected to God and her faith; she developed an attitude of gratitude. What a wonderful testimony and example to me.

When I have a heart full of thanksgiving, I experience peace. The two states of mind go together. Isaiah 26:3 is part of A Song of Praise to the Lord and states, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” And how can we not experience peace as we remember 1 Peter 5:7: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares for you.” The deep dependence on God brings peace, hope, and abundant joy, even in the harshest circumstances. As we experience more of God, we can be plump with the sweetness of God and bring delight to anyone we meet.

The Aesop quote ” good things come in small packages,” could be said of blueberries. These small berries can bring goodness and delight. However, some berries may leave us with puckered lips and disappointment. Life situations also give us a couple of different options. Each day, as I get up, I can trust and deepen my faith in God or try to go it alone in my strength and abilities. Learning dependence on God can be difficult, but as I see God’s blessings in my life, I pray I will turn faster and quicker to God and his way.

I am confident that as I stay connected to the vine of Jesus and allow God to pluck the things that need to be gone, I will grow to be plump with the sweetness and juice of the Lord. I want to allow the great gardener to tend my life as a gardener tends the blueberry bushes; knowing how the gardener tends my life and develops my root system is done for my best so that I may produce the juiciest fruit. I will reflect this development as I live out the fruit of the spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)

As we allow thanksgiving and praise to guide our days, remove our focus from ourselves, and place it on God, the joy of the Lord will abound. As the Holy Spirit prunes our lives, I pray that we develop such a sweet, blessed fragrance from our time with God that those we interact with are left with hope and peace in God as they see the joy of the Lord filling our lives.