School Shoes

Near the end of August most school age children are given the opportunity to shop for new school shoes. As a child I was no different. Because my family lived in a rural setting, there was a 45 minute drive to the nearest department store. Shopping for new school shoes was an event.

The event began with much anticipation. New shoes! I was going to have new shoes! As my family drove to the store I wondered, "What will my new shoes look like?"Ties or slip-ons? Brown or black? Heel or no heel? I would know the answer very soon. Eventually we arrived and went directly to the store's shoe department. Various styles were selected, tried, and a final decision made. Since the shoes must last all year, the decision was an important one.

When we arrived home, I carried the shoes up to my room and placed the box into my closet. Reverently, on the night before school began, I took the shoes out of their box and laid them beside my new clothes. Those shoes would never look as nice as that first day of school.

Years have passed since my annual shoe shopping trips Most of my children have outgrown such trips as well. My wardrobe is now full of a wide variety of shoes: black, brown, red, and even orange provide me with a plethora of choices. Heels, flats, boots and athletic wear extend my options. I am blessed to have so many choices! Nevertheless, as school begins each year I am reminded of the enthusiasm generated by the thought of new shoes and a new year of school. Such excitement! Oh, to be a student again!

Dear sisters, a moment...As followers of Jesus we are students for life. Our lives are to be active in pursuing the goal of continued growth into the image of our Saviour. Our every thought is to be captive to Christ! Are you there yet? I'm not! Psalm 119:27 states:

"Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders...."

We cannot understand without intentionally becoming and remaining a student of God's word. If we are in a place of service within the church this truth should especially renew our student heart. As we live Christ before others in the church let us make certain to wear our school shoes. When we put them on we remember that there is still so much more to learn.

"Study to show thyself approved unto God; a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."(2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) 

Changing Gears Shoes

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."(Proverbs 27:1)

Too many weeks have come and gone since I last shared some thoughts. Life can be so busy...and unpredictable. Still, I am prompted by a series of events that have served to remind me that I am not in control. One would consider this an obvious statement, but it seems to require regular repetition.

With the approach of summer I made my typical list of goals to accomplish. The list was simply lovely, but something happened on the way to summer that I did not plan. My first reaction was frustration and discouragement. I liked my list! Finally, I asked out loud, "Okay Lord, what must I learn?"Speaking the words out loud served to strengthen me. (I had not only thought the prayer, but heard myself speaking it!) Slowly, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Hebrews 12:7 : "Endure hardships as discipline." Verse 11 of Hebrews 12 continues:

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." 

I still have my list. Some items will be accopmplished, some will not. A gear change was required. The One in control made the change because He is a loving Father. He is working to produce a harvest of righteousness in me.

Sisters, has our Heavenly Father changed gears on you? Bend and submit. He wants us to share in his holiness. Eventually we will be able to joyfully shout, "Let the harvest begin!"

 

Springtime Shoes

"Therefore , if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." ( 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Have you been outside recently? It's spring! One can actually walk outside without a heavy jacket....a sweater will do. The dull brown and gray of winter is slowly being transformed with life. The grass is a rich shade of green. Tree buds give way to tender yellow-green blossoms. Flowering trees burst with assorted shades of pinks, purples, and white. Delicious scents fill the air. Birds sing their cheerful songs. Somehow the sun feels warmer that it did during the winter. It is easy to be filled with a sense of expectation, of hope.

 All the sights and smells of spring communicate a common theme: NEW. Such is the theme of our lives as believers. Only new wineskins can be filled with the fullness of Christ. Christ's teachings are declared new by those who heard them. He establishes a new covenant with us and offers us a new command. We are given new life and made a new creation. When we experience a new birth in Christ, believers are to put on a new self  to live in a new way.Followers of Jesus look forward to a new Jerusalem where they will receive a new name and a new song. A completely new heaven and a new earth will be created by God. In fact, in the end, everything will be new!

Believers welcome the new, the wonderful "fresh start" given to us through the blood of Christ. As PW's we sometimes must face a "springtime" that we do not welcome. It is an unexpected time of new beginnings. There is a new church family, new committees, new activities, and the potential for new friends. At times all the newness can be overwhelming and downright painful because it reminds us that the beloved old is gone. The idea of starting anew is intimidating and emotionally draining to some of us.

Dear Sisters, allow me to remind you again of the beauty of springtime - the beauty of fresh beginnings. Enter your springtime with expectation and hope. God brought it to you! Enjoy the freedom of NEW.

"He who was seated on the throne said, ' I am making everything new!' " (Revelation 21:5)

 

What a Beautiful Savior! Shoes

The head, 

weary and beaten, a circle of thorns pressed into its bloody brow. 

The face,

 full of  agony from severe and unrelenting pain.

 Gasps for breath.

 Arms,

 stretched out wide and held in place with spikes driven through the hands.

 A body,

 beaten and bruised, scarred and bloody.

Feet,

stationary and held together with another spike.

And blood.

Everywhere.

Isaiah 53: 2 - 4 states:

"...He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

No physical beauty, true. Yet there is no greater beauty to a sinner in need of forgiveness. This bloody beaten man, the Son of God, displays the beauty of redemption: precious blood willingly given to cover our sins.

Isaiah 53: 5 - 6 continues:

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Sisters, there is the beauty! His wounds bring healing. At this wonderful time of year, take time to remember the wondrous atonement offered to us through Jesus. Wash and be healed.

Marvel at the Beauty.

 

 

"Not again!" Shoes

It happens, doesn't it? After a period of extended trials, there comes a wonderful time of peace. When the peace comes it is so easy to think, "Okay, I've been through a lot. Surely this time of peace and comfort will last for awhile." But then it doesn't. From out of nowhere, totally unexpected, a new challenge or trial comes.

This recently happened to me. As soon as the challenge emerged on the horizon, the Holy Spirit quickly reminded me:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4: 6-7)

 I went outside and gazed up at the star-filled sky....

" Do you trust ME?"

"Yes God, I do. I can remember the countless ways you have cared for me thus far. I know you will provide. I know you are at work. You are the God who placed each star in the sky. I trust you." 

I stood there, struck by the assurance that so quickly filled my heart. Would such quick assurance have filled me just two years ago? No. What happened? TRIALS.....lots of them. Remember the James 1:2-4 passage?

"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 in anything."

Sisters, we are a product of our trials. If we profess that God's word is Truth, then we cannot abandon that Truth and live in confusion, anger or doubt. We must persevere, embracing the Truth. When we persevere we grow, and as we grow we develop a history. It is a history of God's care and provision. It is a history we can remember when faced with yet another trial, a history we can share with others. It is a history of triumph.

In closing, please be encouraged by the words of Charles Haddon Spurgeon:

" ' I myself will help you,' declares the Lord. O my soul, is this not enough? Dost thou need more strength than the omnipotence of the United Trinity? Dost thou want more wisdom than exists in the Father, more love than displays itself in the Son, or more power than is manifest in the influences of the Spirit? Bring hither thine empty pitcher! Surely this well will fill it. Haste, gather up thy wants, and bring them here - thine emptiness, thy woes, thy needs. Behold, this river of Good is full for thy supply; what canst thou desire beside? Go forth, my soul, in this thy might. The eternal God is thine helper!"

 

A Cup of Warm Milk Shoes

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." (2 Cor. 1: 3 - 4)

Now that you are all grown up, have you ever enjoyed a cup of warm milk in the evening before bed? Warm milk, sometimes flavored with molasses, was always the cure for insomnia during my childhood years. As an adult I forgot about warm milk until one of my children had trouble falling asleep. Then I remembered.

Warm milk. Smooth. Soothing, warming the insides, comforting, enabling rest. Warm milk reminds us in a very small way about the activity of the God of all comfort. He warms our hearts with the truth of His word. He soothes and cares for us during our times of trouble. Because we are comforted we can rest.

As we drink a cup of warm milk, it is always nice to share its comforting warmth with another. So it is with the comfort given from our heavenly Father. His comfort empowers and equips us to provide comfort to others during their times of trouble. In fact, one of the reasons he comforts us is so we are able to comfort others. It is an expectation.

Have you received comfort from your heavenly Father during a time of trial? Share that comfort with others! Are you experiencing a time of trouble? Remember that the Father of Compassion - your Father - offers you His comfort. It is a comfort so much greater that a simple cup of warm milk.

Legacy Shoes

" legacy: n. 1. Law. money or other property left to a person by will; bequest. 2. something handed down from an ancestor or predecessor." 

Recent weeks have found my husband and myself reviewing and revising our will. It is a sobering sight to see printed words about one's death and disbursement of personal property. The sight causes a general reflection about life and in particular my own life. Questions arise, most notably: "What kind of legacy do I hope to leave?" This is not about money or property. This is about the "something handed down."

For a follower of Christ, a legacy is so much more than the transfer of stuff. It is the transfer of those things which are of eternal benefit - those that point others to Christ. This spiritual legacy can be found in an assortment of places in your life. As a PW, you often have the privilege of beginning new areas of ministry in the church where you serve. Even if you are unceremoniously swept away from a given church, the legacy of lives touched and ministries begun remains. Such knowledge can serve to encourage you as you deal with any pain from unloving treatment by a church that your husband has faithfully served.

If you are a mother, leaving a legacy may feel even more pressing. The question? What are you doing today that can spiritually impact your children and future generations? Psalm 145:4 offers one suggestion:

"One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts, they will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty..."

Your children need you to tell them about Jesus. They also need you to pray for them...from the time they are in your womb (and even before!) until your dying day. In my personal devotional life I have taken this to heart. When my oldest daughter went into high school, I began a separate prayer journal just for her. The plan was to start one for each of my children when they entered high school and give it to them when they graduated.(They are pictured above.) Plans have changed. I discovered that prayers were still needed as they moved to college and then after college too...who knew? There is now a different plan that goes like this: "Don't stop writing prayers until you are physically incapable or you die."

And so I continue. At least once a month I sit down and write prayers for my children, dated, and in their individual journals. Of course there are daily prayers spoken on their behalf. These are the prayers that my children will never see or hear. The journal prayers will remain, written in my handwriting for my children and their children's children to see. It is a tangible spiritual legacy that is being prepared on their behalf.

What about you? Are you preparing a legacy within your church and home that is honoring to our Lord? Have you taken time to consider what that might be? If you haven't why not take some time this week to prayerfully consider your spiritual legacy. Be intentional. It is of eternal importance.

"We're pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road; And those who've gone before us line the way. Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary; Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace. 

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses; Let us run the race not only for the prize; But as those who've gone before us, Let us leave to those behind us, The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives.

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful; May the fire of our devotion light their way. May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe, And the lives we live inspire them to obey.

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.

 After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone; And our children sift through all we've left behind; May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover, become the light that leads them to the road we each must find."

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful." 

(from Find Us Faithful  by Steve Green)