lightness to my step

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33 ESV)

In my reading this morning I was challenged to have a "lightness to my step that is observable to others".  Translation - even a Silent witness.

What is different about me then the world?  Even in trials I know the outcome because I personally know the creator.  Isn't that enough to control my attitude, my outlook my confidence?  Based on me, you wouldn't think so sometimes.

This morning as I stepped outside my immediate world had exploded with activity - squirrels dove for cover, the bird feeder had been instantly emptied, and geese flew by as if on cue squawking their glee at returning for the spring.  On this golden morning it was easy to feel the presence of a creator - my walk was light.

But, when violence and sickness doesn't make sense or makes me feel helpless my lightness cannot go away, for in that time of trial my testimony to His greatness would be declared the most powerfully!  May I always remain in Him.

I have no choice but to conclude that trials are the unveiling of Him in me - the true test. if you will.  Can I see Him even in the darkness?  I pray I can so others can see Him too.

trials

The Bible talks about how adversity and trials lead to maturity and a deeper understanding and trust in the Lord.

Trials also offer others an opportunity to pour into your life like no other time.

I find that when everything is going well I don't need anyones' help or care, or at least I don't think I do.  But the moment something goes wrong or I become weak - I need others around me to be strong and I need their help.

This may be why one of the greatest opportunities in ministry to serve is when there is illness or the loss of a loved one.  These difficult times make people extremely willing to 'let you in'...deeply in.

My hubby is the primary person on staff to organize and conduct funerals.  When I can, I go with him.  I understand now why it's so rewarding to assist people in this time of loss.  They are receptive, attentive and very interested in the Lord and in any reassurance you can give them regarding their loved ones final destination.  They need you.

I suppose since my main responsibilities are usually in a large service or event setting, these small intimate settings offer a more immediate response to our work.  You know where you stand, what you've accomplished and that it mattered that you were there.  Trials bring people close, and they never forget that you cared enough to be there and to help.

It is obviously never my desire for someone to experience loss, but I do thank God that my husband and I can share such a deep experience in others' lives.  That we can try to be the hands of the Lord when someone needs that kind of support....What a privilege.

tests and trials = pruning

Although I do not claim to have deep theological understanding, God has filled His Word with tons of practical teachings and everyday examples for common folk like me.

This morning, following the heavy rains of the past couple days, I spent about an hour working on our flowers. There were many, dead, soggy, damaged blossoms that needed to be removed. I noticed the dead blossoms also on the deck - the pieces that had become useless to the plant and fallen away.

As I began to work on them and started to see the beautiful results of my work, it dawned on me exactly what God was talking about when He uses the gardening analogy of pruning in the Bible. As areas of our lives become dead, and things need to be removed He promises to prune them just as a gardener does with dead branches. He cannot tolerate dead areas of a believers life and so He allows trials or uses other people, whatever it takes to prune them from our lives.

John 15:2
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Growing up I often thought when I saw a true believer suffering through trials, that maybe they had done something wrong. Now I know it is just the opposite! Those he sees potential in, those who can make a difference, those who love the Fathers dearly - they are the ones He tests and allows what we perceive to be negative circumstances to enter their lives.

I love that the Lord brought this simple example to my attention this morning. The examples of His nature teach us so much and demonstrate the amazing attention to detail He created around us...FOR us!

Pruning is a promise, not a maybe for those who are His children...the beautiful results of testing and trials yield a bounty that an easy life can never offer.

Thankful

I am going to try to thank the Lord for as many things as I possibly can think of leading up to Thanksgiving this coming week.

I am overwhelmed at His blessings this year.

I am thankful for my husband of 32 years, more than I can EVER say.

I am thankful for kids that love family and their Lord.

I am thankful for my parents and siblings.
I am thankful for amazing friends that would drop everything to help me if I asked.
I am thankful for unselfish fellow staff members that share a common vision.
I am thankful for our congregation that could choose to be anywhere in the world but chose to come to church to worship!

This is not to say that there have not been great trials and problems this year, but, if we can look beyond our circumstance to see God's sovereign will - even in trials we can be thankful.

(Ok, so sometimes I'm ticked for a while when disappointment comes.)

But, when I get over myself... that makes me thankful for forgiveness! ha ha

What are you thankful for? Please share!

testing = faith

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

I don't like tests. I have trouble passing them. Why did God decide it takes trials to grow my faith? David Nasser said, "Tests force us to apply what we learn, or to realize we haven't learned enough." Tests reveal what we know and what we believe. Pain produces character in our lives.

What helps us is the understanding that we live for the next life, not this one. Forward thinking. My head is sometimes so wrapped around this world that my focus is not forward.

I am not afraid to die and I know to be absent from this life is to be present with Christ. But, to count it all joy in the midst of testing, that only happens with a heaven mindset. When trials come as they surely will, I pray I can face them with this kind of Godly perspective.