Weathering the Storm

We never know what life is going to throw at us.  When I was a teenager, I thought my adult life was going to be absolutely wonderful.  I would have the job I wanted.  Live in the right house, in the nicest neighborhood, in the best city.  I thought I would have the kindest, best-looking husband, and perfect children. 

I thought this would happen because I would be the one to “make” it happen.  Everything would be my choice.  I would choose my career and pick out my house.  Then real life found its way to me and the devil came with it. 

Now that I’m older (and wiser, I hope) I understand I can’t control every circumstance of my life.  Sometimes things happen as a result of bad choices true; but sometimes things just happen. 

When mom was in fourth grade the house they lived in burned.  I’ve heard her talk about how frightened she was.  They lost material things; but thankfully no one was hurt.  It was something that just happened. 

I know people weathering all sorts of storms right now through no fault of their own.  They’ve lost life-time jobs during this pandemic.  They’ve taken on the role of caregiver for parents or their spouse.  It’s not something we think about often; but it happens. 

Many of us lost loved ones over the past couple of years.  I know parents who go through many sleepless nights because they are concerned about the condition of their child’s soul.  

Ecclesiastes 9:11 brings great comfort to me.  “Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.”

It is the last part of the verse which brings me comfort because it tells me things just happen sometimes.  This passage helps me realize that at some point in time all of us have weathered at least one storm.  At least that is what I think of. 

I think most of what I wanted as a teenager was to make my own choices. I wanted that “control” most of us want when we are that age.  As we grow and mature as Christians, we realize it is God who is in control.  It is up to us trust and obey him. 

Even the most faithful among us will go through tragic, heart breaking stuff.  The fastest runner does not always win.  But the winners always finish.  In the Christian race, it is not speed that counts.  It is love and faithfulness. 

We cannot give up!  When life gets so very tough and we don’t know how we will make it, we need to hang on to our faith. Stand fast. Our God will help us make it.

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22

 Christ above all things - Robin

A Big Ole' Diamond

I keep thinking I've told this story before, but I cannot find it.  If this is something I've already posted, I apologize for the duplication.  

My middle son Alex has always had a generous heart.  He likes to show his love for others by giving them things.  One year when he was pretty young, Alex set his heart on buying something for his grandmother.  Her birthday was coming up soon. 

He wanted to give her a gift just from him. Mom used to collect elephants. She had several in her collection and they were beautiful. Alex decided he would buy her an elephant keychain. He knew she loved elephants.

We took him shopping. The store had a large selection of keychains on one of those display stands that turn. I remember we looked that display over from top to bottom.

There were all kinds of key chains. They had just about anything you could imagine – except one with an elephant on it. Not even one anywhere in that store. None at all.

I was so sad for Alex. I knew how much he wanted to give his grandmother an elephant keychain. He finally looked up at us and said, “Well if I can’t give her one with an elephant on it, I guess I will have to get that big ole diamond up there.” And he pointed to where it was.

Robert reached up for it and I could see why Alex had called it a diamond. It was a round or spherical shaped crystal prism. It was really pretty. The “diamond” reflected the light in several different bright colors.

Alex said he hoped Grandmother would like her ‘big ole diamond’ since he couldn’t find an elephant. I smiled and told him she would love it, especially when she found out it came from him.

When Mom opened her gift, she did love it. Alex explained that he tried to find an elephant key chain, but never could so he got her the diamond instead. She gave him a hug and told him it was just right.

Sometimes when we think about the majesty and power of God, we are so humbled. God created us – He is the giver of all life. We are nothing without Him. Literally.

Yet, He loves and blesses us continually. James tells us “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17)

Of course, the most perfect gift was His Son’s sacrifice for our sin. We can never repay Christ for what He did for us.

Oh, Alex wanted to give his grandmother that elephant keychain. In the end all he could give was what he called ‘a big ole’ diamond.’ And in the end it was quite enough for her.

God doesn’t want any “thing” from us. He wants our love, our obedience, our loyalty.

What God wants is all we can give. He wants us. In the end, that will be enough.

Christ above all things -Robin

Living Sacrifices

Sometimes ordinary, everyday people do wonderful things for the cause of Christ.   

There are two wonderful ladies who help with the North Mississippi Ladies’ Retreat.  They live about three hours away; but they attend every year.  A few years back they offered to help us with our folders.

The folders contain articles, poems, and other written materials pertinent to our selected theme.   They do a fantastic job with this.  Their work is a blessing to all of us.    

One year on Friday morning as we prepared to leave I received a phone call.  It was Andrea.  She just found out her sister was in intensive care in the hospital in Jackson, MS.  It is a little more than 160 miles from Durant to Tishomingo State Park.  Andrea and Melanie were already on their way here when she heard about her sister. 

As I spoke with Andrea, I could hear the concern in her voice.  In the back of my mind, I kept saying "God, please let her sister be OK."  This was quickly followed with "we can have a retreat without folders - we don't have to have them -- it will be alright. She needs to get to her sister."  My mind raced between these two thoughts.  

 Then she said something I did not expect.  She said they were about an hour away from Tupelo and if someone could meet them there, we could still have our folders.   These two women were willing to travel another hour to meet us.  Naturally, the extra hour would have to be traveled back.  This meant it would take an extra two hours for Andrea to get to her sister.  I was overwhelmed with emotion!  

I almost told her not to worry about it -- we would be fine.  I knew she wanted to get to Jackson as quickly as possible.  But somehow I knew bringing the folders to us was what they needed to do.  

We worked it out.  One of our ladies (also named Melanie) was leaving for the park a little later than the rest of us.  When I called her to explain the situation, she was quite happy to meet them -- even though it meant more driving for her too.  

What do you say to women like that?  I mean, really!  Well what can you say except thank you?  Thank you for what you do. 

They all went out of their way for a wonderful work that glorifies God and encourages other women.  To me, they were living sacrifices.  And because I know them personally, I know it is a part of who they are.  It came as naturally for them as breathing.

For me this series of events demonstrated what people do for one another when God is in control of their lives.  Everything  fell into place like a puzzle waiting to be completed.  God will always bless a work that is for His glory.  

The point is that our sacrifices aren't always "some great thing," as Naaman's servants reminded him (2 Kings 5:12-14).  Being a living sacrifice means putting Christ first every day.  Sometimes it means doing little things for others - showing kindness to the co-worker who gets on your last nerve -- reading a bedtime story to your child or grandchild when you're so tired you can barely hold your own eyes open. 

It could mean bigger things too -- like giving part of the money you saved up for Christmas to someone who really needs it.  Those who live for Christ make sacrifices of all kinds.  God is always pleased with loving acts of service to others. 

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”  Romans 12:2

Christ above all things - Robin

        

Not Left Alone

         He came in alone.  He was a few minutes late - our singing had already begun.  But he was there.  He made the choice to be there even if he came by himself.  He sat right in front of me and I leaned up to pat him on the shoulder.  I wanted him to know I was glad he was there.  He needed to know that.  I needed to show him that. 

     I'm talking about one of our college aged guys.  He and his family are part of our church family, so he is not usually by himself.  Circumstances were such that he was that particular Sunday night.  For some reason, his family couldn’t come; but he did anyway.
      It says a lot about the character of someone who chooses to attend worship alone.  Over the years, several of our younger church members faithfully attended Bible class and worship alone.  They had no one at home to support their Christian endeavors; but still they loved the Lord enough to join the assembly of our congregation. 

Two young girls used to come together.  They attended worship and participated in youth activities.  They were both too young to drive, but somehow they managed to be there every time we met.  Many of us loved these girls and showed an interest in them.

Another Christian teenager attended with us.  She usually came with her grandmother; but when she got her driver’s license she drove on her own.  Well- that’s not completely true – at least not all the time.  She often brought visitors with her.  I always respected that.  This young lady knew she was part of our church family.

There are the young mothers who attend alone – perhaps her husband has no interest in coming to worship.  Perhaps he is on duty in the military.  Perhaps she is not married.  The reason she is alone does not matter.  What matters is that she is there – with her children in tow.  

Most people attend worship because they love God.  They want to serve and please Him.  It seems to me living the Christian life with no support at home would be difficult.  I would think it takes a strong, rock-steady faith to continue the Christian walk. 

How do we give our fellow Christians a sense of belonging?   We can open the hand of fellowship.  Speak to them.  I don’t mean just walk by and say ‘hi” either.  I mean actually have a conversation with them – a loving and caring conversation.  Maybe even sit with them.

Invite them to be a part of any extra activities taking place.  We should do whatever we can to let them know we have a genuine interest in them personally. 

God knew we would need each other.  In His infinite wisdom He knew some Christians would have no support from family or friends.  This is why Christ built the church.  His precious blood paid for it. 

The church is a group of believers who obey and follow Christ.  They study the Bible for themselves.  They do the best they can to honor all His commandments and they love one another as a family.  Everyone belongs.

 Those who walk in alone should never be left alone. 

“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you” – 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Christ above all things - Robin

Did You Go See Her?

 Did You Go See Her?

Years ago, I was an assistant teacher in the 2 and 3-year-old class on Wednesday night. There were about four students in that class and they were very busy little children. One Wednesday, one of the little boys announced that his great-grandmother had died.

The teacher and I both knew about this. It was announced on Sunday and I think the funeral was either Monday or Tuesday. Her passing was still fresh on the little boy’s mind.

The teacher, in a quiet, gentle voice said. “I know. I heard about that and I’m so sorry.” The little boy than asked – “Do you know her? Did you ever go over there?” I never thought a child so young would think about asking that question. But here this little one was asking.

The teacher nodded and said, “Yes. My husband and I went to see her a couple of times when she got so sick.” Our young student nodded when she said that. I think he was glad that his Bible class teacher knew his great-grandmother.

That young man is now grown and married. He attends another congregation not too far away and helps with the youth ministry there. He loves to serve the Lord!

Ladies, this still hits home to me. I am not nearly as good at visiting as I should be. I do sometimes, but I know I should do more. I am so thankful for those in our congregation who do such a great job taking care of their sisters and brothers in Christ!

Oh what an example we can set for the young souls around us when we do things for others. I do not know if the young man even remembers this conversation from so long ago. But I do know, as young as he was, it meant a lot to him at the time.

He knew someone he loved had been shown love by someone from the church. Think about it for a moment. How important was it for him to know this? How important is it for any child to know the church is like a family and we all love and care for one another?

Our children should feel safe, happy, and loved when among the members of their home congregation. They should be able to feel the joy we share as we gather together for worship or any other kind of activity.

I’ve used this passage before, but I think it is an important one to remember. Jesus said in John 13:35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Shouldn’t this start with our children?

Christ above all things - Robin