On the Way to the Ladies' Room

It was the Friday after Thanksgiving day and it was so crowded people were walking all over each other.  Audrey was at the mall shopping with other female family members.  But she began to think perhaps she should have stayed home with the guys. 

Like what seemed to be a hundred other women, she was headed to the restroom in one of the department stores.  The hallways were not made for the holiday crowds. Audrey heard the lady before she saw her.  “Well what am I going to do? I can’t go in there by myself.” 

Audrey noticed the elderly lady was with her son.  He was holding her hand as they walked along.  “I don’t know, Mom.  We are almost there, but I can’t go in there with you.  We will figure it out.”

It didn’t take but a few seconds to realize the son was holding the mother’s hand because he was guiding her down the hallway.  It was her eyesight.  This little lady was distraught because she couldn’t see well at all.  Surely not enough to make her way around in a bathroom with poor lighting. 

Audrey and the son locked eyes.   Audrey smiled.  He said, “Would you….” She didn’t even let him finish the question.    

“Of course!” she said quickly.  She meant it too.  Audrey had a tender heart and really did want to help. 

Audrey’s niece was a few feet ahead of her and turned her head when she heard her Audrey’s voice.  She smiled sweetly.  She wasn’t at all surprised by her aunt’s actions. 

They were at the door to the restroom now.  The son took his mother’s hand and put it into Audrey’s.  “Mom, this lady is going to help you.  I’ll be waiting for you right out here.” 

The little lady seemed quite relieved that someone was going in with her.  Mother and son both thanked Audrey profusely; but she just said “Really, I’m glad I was here.  It is very nice to meet both of you.”

It was highly unlikely they would ever see each other again, but Audrey knew she would never forget the lady or her son.  She really was glad she had been there.  In Audrey’s mind the day was a win for her. 

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Kindness is a virtue.  It is part of the fruit of the Spirit – which means if we walk in the Spirit of truth, our lives will reflect that.  In 1 Corinthians 13:4 kindness is part of the definition of love.  “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.”  Christians should have this quality in abundance !!

There are so many people who are longing for a little kindness to be shown to them.  Treating others with kindness – being considerate of others – actually noticing them as a person,  could truly be a life-saving action. 

Even in the humblest of actions we can show others the light of Jesus by being kind in word and deed. 

Christ above all things - Robin

 

When We Are Hurting

My brother Todd is only two years younger than I am.  We had plenty of arguments while we were growing up; but he was my brother and I loved him.  I didn’t like to see him hurt. 

When we were growing up, we had a swing set in our backyard and it included a slide.  Oh, we all loved playing on the swing set.  A lot of our friends would come over and play with us in our back yard and we all played on swings and the slide. 

The slide was beginning to show its wear and tear.  The edge or border of the slide had separated from its surface. But we still used it. 

One afternoon Todd went down that slide.  He was barefoot just like all the rest of us were that day.  Somehow his baby toe got caught between the slide and its edge.  He lost the tip of his toe just above his toenail. 

He felt the cut but didn’t know how serious it was.  It was bleeding a good bit though, so he went in the house to show Mom.  That was when we found out what had happened. 

That was a scary day for all of us.  Todd ended up spending the night in the hospital.  Mom stayed with him.  Dad was at home with me and John.  When we got to the hospital to pick them up, Todd was still in pajamas.  They had wheeled him down in a wheelchair. 

We were both pretty young.  He was probably about eight – which meant I would have been about ten.   I thought he looked so little sitting in that wheelchair.  I was so concerned for him.  I didn’t want him to be hurting anymore.

We should be as concerned about our brothers and sisters in Christ as I was about my little brother.  We should do whatever we can to bring comfort to those around us who are hurting. We are members on of another.  When one hurts we all hurt or at least that is the way it should be.  

Think about it like this.  Let’s say we trip over something outside and fall.  Maybe we end up with skinned knees.  Our knees are sore and it hurts to walk.  When we walk around on skinned knees, all we can think about is how sore they are.  

Now think about your church family.  Who might be hurting?  Is there someone who finds it  very difficult to walk the Christian walk right now?  Do you hurt when they hurt or weep when they weep?  Do you think about them enough to go offer comfort and let them know you care? 

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  John 13:34-35

Christ above all things – Robin

 

A Look in the Garden

God has loved us from the very beginning of time. In the first chapter of Genesis the at the end of each of the first five days of creation, God saw that "it was good." He was pleased with what He had made.

Something changes at the end of the sixth day – the day He created man. God said it was “very good." Mankind was the crowning glory of His creation. God loved Adam and Eve just as He loves each of us. He walked with them in the garden in the cool of the evening. We can barely imagine the intimate relationship Adam and Eve had with God!

It must have been a wonderful thing to walk with the Creator! Our Heavenly Father has always wanted to be with us. I can understand that. Don’t we like to be with our children?

When babies are born into a loving family they are greeted with excitement and joy. Parents think their new baby is "very good." They love and teach them as they grow.

God cared for Adam and Eve in much the same way. He taught them how he wanted the Garden kept. Even after their fall, He showed His love for them when He made clothes for them. Small children love to be with their parents. Little girls imitate Mommy and little boys want to be just like their Daddy. Those little ones follow their parents around everywhere. They are always seeking and learning.

As Christians we should desire to be with the Heavenly Father. We should understand our need for Him – for His love and protection. We need to always be seeking and learning too.

Christians strive to be like Christ. We try to live as He lived and love as He loved. We want to be close to Jesus – so that we can be close to the Father also. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6b

I don’t know how long Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden before they sinned. But we know God did not stop loving them. He did not stop caring for them. When Cain was born Eve gave God the glory as she said, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” Genesis 4:1b

God always loves us. We should never doubt that. In Luke 12:-7 we read where Christ told his disciples of God’s amazing care. “Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Christ died for our sins so that we might be reconciled to God – so that we might have a home in heave some day – a home where the tree of life now is (Revelation 22:2). There we will have as close and pure a relationship with God as Adam and Eve did in the Garden.

Christ above all things - Robin

A Dog Named Victor

  Remember to tell your family how much you love them every day!  Let them know how special they are.  Encourage your children and grandchildren.  Thank your support network (whoever they may be) for always being there when you need them.  Remember to thank God for your talents and abilities.  Ask Him to help you use them for His glory!

 A Dog Named Victor

 A few years back Mom and Dad adopted a young dog.  He wasn’t a little puppy; but he wasn’t full grown yet either.  He was a mixed breed with a lot of black lab in him. 

 I think it was one of Mom’s former students who put a picture of him on social media.  I think he was a stray that ended up in his yard; but he already had a couple of dogs and couldn’t keep this one. My parents have always loved dogs – so they went and got this young fella to add to their family. 

Although he was an outside dog from the beginning my parents (especially Dad) took good care of him.  He was so friendly and loved to be petted.  The main thing though was he barked when anyone came up the driveway. 

Dad named him Victor.  

“Victor?” I thought.  “Who names a dog Victor?”  I remember some of us having a conversation with Dad.  We tried to talk him into a different name.  We mentioned several names saying I like this or I like so & so.  

Dad listened for a few minutes and then said, “Well, I like Victor.”  That was it.  I mean after all, he was their dog and I don’t suppose I would really like them trying to tell me what to name mine either.  Victor is a GREAT dog.  He loved Dad and followed him around just about everywhere outside. 

I don’t remember how old Victor is; but he isn’t all black anymore.  Victor has gray in his coat now.  But he still lets Mom know when someone comes up in the driveway.  When I pull up and open the car door, he comes to up to the car to be petted.  Sometimes he puts a front paw on my lap as if he is trying to get as close as he can. 

I still wonder why Dad picked that name for him.  I smile when I think about it.  I smile as I remember him sitting beside Dad on the patio or following him around out in the yard.  I could speculate on the reasons for the name, but that is all it would be – pure speculation.  

One thing is for sure – Victor continues to be a treasured member of the family.  Actually, he is a comfort to me because I can pet the dog Dad used to pet.  😊  I think that makes me the victor! 

God promises to be with us on our darkest days and in our deepest valleys.  Our Heavenly Father does not lie.  His presence in our lives gives us comfort and strength to face the day!

God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. Victor the dog is definitely a blessing. But the ultimate gift is eternal life in heaven!

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  
1 Corinthians 15:57

Remember God loves you more - Robin

Yoda Didn’t Have Anything On My Dad

This morning as I pulled into the parking lot at work, I had my eye on a certain parking space but it was the next row over. It all worked out. No one else slipped in ahead of me. BUT when I got closer to the spot I saw it was a little tighter than I first thought.

I hesitated for just a moment. Then thought, “I’m going to try this anyway.” As soon as those words came into my mind I heard Dad’s voice. “Don’t say you will try, Robin. Say you will do it.” I don’t know how many times he told me that while I was growing up.

When I got to my desk I thought about that quote by Yoda from Star Wars but I couldn’t remember the exact wording. I asked one of my co-workers. “Do or do not. There is no try.” That was it! But Dad pretty much said the same thing for years before Yoda ever came along.

“Don’t say you will try.” Yoda didn’t have anything over on my Dad! And yet, I suspect their motives were pretty much the same. For someone to say they will try to do something, leaves an indication that they may not do it.

It gives a person an out. Then when they “try” and don’t succeed, the person has a safety net. They can say, “Well, I told you I would try but it just didn’t work out.” To say we will try allows us to fail.

Dad was a strong believer in positive thinking. He often quoted Proverbs 23:7a “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” In other words, if you think you won’t meet that deadline at work, then you probably won’t.

One of his favorite passages is Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Our minds – our thoughts have a great deal to do with how we behave and what we will accomplish. If we think positive thoughts, we will attract more and more positive people.

We will accomplish more in our lives. Our faith will grow knowing that our decisions to follow God’s will leads to many extra blessings in our lives.

Our thoughts lead to words and actions. If we want good things in our lives we must think good thoughts. So don’t try to be Christ like. Make that commitment. Let’s make up our minds to do it. Our heavenly Father will help us along the way.

Remember Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

Christ above all things - Robin

With All Our Minds

The Greatest Commandment is found in Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-34, and Luke 10:27.  I think it is of utmost importance to think on these things. 

As Christians striving to please Christ, it is imperative to learn what God values most of all.  And that sisters, is our love.  This makes total sense because without loving God we will have no desire to honor and obey Him.  This would indeed be a sad state to find ourselves in. 

When we talked about loving God with all our hearts, we talked about love being an action word.  And it truly is.  Still, those actions happen because we make the decision to act.  We all know decisions are made in our minds. 

There are so many verses that speak of our minds.  In Romans 12:2, Paul wrote that we are to be transformed through the renewing of our minds.  Peter wrote that we were to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  (2 Peter 3:18)

In human relationships, love comes from getting to know someone.  Think about our friends.  The longer we know them, the more time we spend with them, the more understanding we have of who they are.  Our friendship grows with time. 

It is the same way for our relationship with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit.  The more we study – the more knowledge we have, the more personal our relationship becomes. 

A study of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) gives us an excellent picture of who Christ is.  We can learn about His love and willing sacrifice for our sins. 

This knowledge of Him leads us to love Him.  We find ourselves desiring to please Him.  Based on our knowledge of Him, we decide to follow Him – to obey His commands.  That choice is made with our minds. 

But we are human and our minds wander, so we must learn to keep our focus on Christ.  Consistent Bible study and prayer is a great way to help us keep our minds on Christ. 

Consistently focusing on God is essential.  We will lose the way if we don’t.  We must desire to grow – so we desire His word which helps us grown .  Thinking about Him, believing His word, and learning about His commands should give us a great desire to serve Him. 

Love is an action.  We know that.  The action begins with a decision.  The decision to follow Christ is made with our minds because we  learned about Him through God’s word. 

I hope this make sense.  😊 I feel like I probably talked in circles a little. 

Christ above all things - Robin

How Wounds Heal

A few days ago I cut myself shaving.  I haven’t done that in a long time, but it was a brand new razor and I got careless.  My ankle paid for that carelessness!   

A couple of days later, I told Mom about it and one of my sons was with us.  Alex  spoke up.  “You know wounds heal from the inside out so the deeper the wound, the longer it takes to heal.”   

This is also true of other types of wounds.  I’m talking about when our hearts hurt.  Heart aches cut into us so deeply they may actually cause physical pain.  The heart must be healed from the inside.  We have to let God in to heal our hearts and sometimes that is so hard to do! 

 God knows we hurt.  The Father longs to help us and He is never far away.  Consider Psalm 34:17-18 – “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The Lord is near to the brokenhearted  and saves the crushed in spirit.”  

 We need God when our hearts are broken, but sometimes we don’t want to acknowledge His greatness – His power – His compassion.  I will admit there were times in my life when I blocked Him out.  I’m not necessarily talking about losing Dad, but other situations at other times.

 Sisters, the longer it takes us to share our pain with God – the longer it takes to turn to Him for help – the longer it will take to heal our aching hearts.  One verse which a a got to verse for me is 1 Peter 5:7 - "casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you."

 Did you realize this is only the last part of a sentence?  I never thought about it until I studied for this devotional.  To read the whole sentence we have to go back to verse 6.  

“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.” 

Ah, now that’s something isn’t it?  We have to humble ourselves under God’s  mighty hand.  It takes humility to admit we need help when our heart is aching.  That only comes with the realization that we can’t do it on our own. 

It isn’t like turning a light switch on.   There are many things we can do to get through our depression or grief or  betrayal.  Helping others is a great way to start. 

BUT  it all starts on the inside – and works its way out to that point.  Faith gives us the strength we need.  Turning to God in prayer strengthens our faith.  Telling Him we need Him strengthens us. 

Thinking about our Savior ‘s heartache and betrayal  helps us realize God does understand our pain.  This is when we remember how much He cares for us. 

This is when our hearts start to heal – from the inside.

Christ above all things - Robin