Job 8:7 “Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.”

This is an exhortation from Job’s friend.  Job is whining, which is understandable.  A person can only handle so much before, at the VERY LEAST, they have to vent and complain.  Job is first reminded that God does NOT pervert justice.  Justice IS justice, and God is just.  Job is then encouraged to continue to live an upright life and God will “rouse” himself on Job’s behalf.  God will wake-up, He will work, He will ACT.  This is a verb!  God will DO things for you!  So much so, that the things we lament over losing, will seem insignificant to the things we gain in our future.

Am I surrounding myself with friends who remind me of God’s promises? Am I allowing God to dole out justice?  Am I believing in my amazing future?  Am I living a righteous life?  Am I trusting God to work? 

Lord, thank you for my amazing God-honoring friends.  Thank you for taking the burden of judge and justice from me.   Thank you for showing me that I am getting stronger in areas where I have been weak. Thank you for WORKING on my behalf and for orchestrating an amazing future for me and my treasures.  You are so good.

Nehemiah 9:19 “But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night.”

The children of Israel were so fickle, all or nothing, hot or cold, off or on.  They took incredible steps of faith and walked in blessing and favor, being miraculously led through an unknown place.  When they got overwhelmed by their situation, they just did an 180o, literally began worshipping an idol.  But God still showed them mercy, allowed them to regroup, and still guided them.  And His miracles were exactly what were needed at that moment.  His provision was specific to the need and situation and left no question as to who was providing.

I am like a child of Israel.  My love for God runs deep, but so quickly I forget what He’s brought me through.  I lack faith and obedience.  I get overwhelmed regularly.  But, God is so merciful and patient with me, He is still guiding me.  He is still providing for me.  My future is not totally clear.  Yes, I can see the path directly in front of me.  The excitement for life that my children show me daily, is my miracle pillar of cloud in the day.  My prophetic dreams and absence of loneliness in the evening, is my pillar of fire at night.  These things give me courage to keep moving forward.  I’m on the right track.

Lord, I am so thankful for your mercy and patience.  Help me to absorb it so much that it seeps onto others.  Thank you for your guidance and provision.

Luke 19:33 "He replied, 'If they kept quiet, the stones would burst into cheers!'"

The religious leaders were offended by the crowd proclaiming Jesus as King.  They wanted Jesus to rebuke them, and to basically dispute their claims.  Not only did Jesus NOT rebuke them, but he validated their claims by saying that if they didn't praise him, then the ROCKS would.  That is serious moxie... go Jesus! 

What a praise WORTHY God we serve!  I might as well lose myself in worship to him.  I might as well proclaim his goodness!  I might as well be so obvious about it that people take note, and may not like it or, heaven forbid, approve.  He is so WORTHY and demanding of praise, that if I don't praise him... if we as his children don't acknowledge him as Lord.... then the literal STONES will rise up and do it.

Lord, let my every breath be about you.  As much as I like rocks, minerals, and stones... I do not want them to do my job.  You are worthy of praise!  You are the blessed King of heaven.  Thank you for who you are....good, faithful, love, in-control, competent, aware of the details, the master planner, the healer of hurt hearts, the cleaner of tainted minds, the victor, the defender of those treated unjustly, the restorer of brokenness, the resurrector of dead dreams, the hope that erases disappointments.  You are amazing!

1 John 3:18 My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. 19 This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. 20 It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

Love is an action.  Loving is the fruit of living a God-life.  Love is the antidote for self-criticism.  Gods’ love overrides our guilt, shame and worry.  God’s love knows us intimately.

May I keep God’s love central in who I am becoming.  May it flow easily in and out of me.  May I receive God’s love in every nook and cranny of my being so that I can share it with those around me.  May I sponge up God’s love so fully that I leave drops of its overflowing wherever I go.  May my life be a mess of God’s love.

Thank you God for your unending, undesereved, all consuming, and perfect love.

Jeremiah 26:27 After the king burned the scroll containing the words that Baruch had written at Jeremiah's dictation, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 28 “Take another scroll and write on it all the words that were on the first scroll, which Jehoiakim king of Judah burned up.

Jeremiah was prophesying to the king of Judah and to all of his people.  The king didn’t like what the Lord said, so he burned the scroll, thinking he was then destroying God’s word.  So God instructed Jeremiah to write it down again, only this time, he ADDED more to the prophesy, including a warning to the king.

No matter WHO tries to destroy the word of the Lord, (in this case it was a King, a powerful leader) it will persevere.  Ignoring, fearing, showing contempt or apathy to what the Lord says, will not erase the fact that the Lord has spoken.  If someone tries to destroy God’s word over your life, it can be resurrected, and God will add MORE to it. God’s promises will win.

My friend Kelly and I were discussing this scripture and she added this observation from John 20:21 and 22 “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you!  As the father sent me, I am sending you.’  And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”  Kelly shared that man tried to destroy Jesus, but he returned bringing with him the added gift of the Holy Spirit.  Man CANNOT destroy what God has given, and when they try, He will return it, and then some!

Lord thank you for your wisdom and for your word that promises a return.  It cannot be  destroyed or forgotten by YOU.  Thank you for bringing it back up even if it’s been forgotten or ignored by us.

Jeremiah 29:8 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” …11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 God is speaking this to the Israelites who are in exile.  They are literally waiting to be brought back to their homeland, but instead God gives them this promise.  He actually encourages them to plant themselves where they are, to build relationships, to pray for prosperity in the land where they are, in essence… to LIVE and LOVE. 

This promise has spoken to me and my children more through this season of exile than any others.  My kids can all quote this scripture, and we repeat it to each other when we have those moments of fear and uncertainty.  When our future is not clear and seems bleak, and our hearts are breaking again over what could have been… we remind ourselves that God has a plan for us, that his plan for us includes blessing and hope.  That He has a FUTURE for us!  I am encouraged to not just wait for that future, but to really live and to love where I am now.  God’s promises come true each day.  Each day is yesterday’s future.  I am challenged to pray for peace and prosperity every day, no matter where I am in life.  I am reminded to plant myself, establish relationships, be connected with the people in my life, wherever I am today. 

God thank you for this promise.  Thank you for reminding me again that you know what is going on.  Thank you that I am not in charge.  Help me to continue to learn to trust You in everything, and in the promise of Your plans and future for us.  Help me to truly live each day to its fullest, and not wait until the “right moment” to take it all in.  Thank you that each day is a day of promise.

Amos 9:14-15 "They'll rebuild their ruined cities. They'll plant vineyards and drink good wine.

Amos is prophesying to the nation of Israel.  He’s just reamed them and told them all of the horrible things that they are going to go through, but then… God will redeem them.  They’ll rebuild… implies action on the part of the Israelites.  Their RUINED cities will be rebuilt, but with effort on their part.  Planting and working are also verbs.  Yes, they will have land that they can WORK, and food that they can WORK for.  He will do HIS work and provide for them what they need.  What God is promising them is stability.  An example of us doing our end, He will do His end.

I feel like I can claim this promise as my own.  The kids and I have been working hard, and God has provided.  So many miracles have been present in our lives.  The fact that we still have a home, that my car is paid off, that I have had a banquet of groceries, that I've made my 3^rd trip to Hawaii, my own personal mecca, in the last year.  (after a 16 year absence)  And this time I got to take my kids, which is a dream I have held in my heart since I was 18 years old.  I am encouraged by this promise of stability.  I know that yes, God is our constant, and that no matter what life brings, we are stable in Him.  I am excited, and massively nervous, to be planted, stabilized, and sure in the work that God has for me.

Oh God… I don’t know exactly how you are leading me, but when you’re ready to reveal it, please make it OBVIOUS.  I will keep working hard in trusting you.  Thank you for giving me the tools to rebuild, plant and to work.  Help me to keep developing those skills.  Thank you for providing for us.  Thank you for knowing the dreams in my heart, and for dusting them off.  Give me courage to keep going for them.  Give my kids hearts geared for adventure.  Let them feel stable and planted in our future, wherever and whatever that may be.

Johh 14:16 I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you.17 This Friend is the Spirit of Truth….

The SPIRIT of truth is our friend.  What is a friend?  Someone we can trust, who is with us no matter what, who looks out for us and advises us, someone we want to spend time with.  The term “spirit of truth” is a great awareness and association with truth.  The “spirit” of truth permeates our thoughts, our motives, our decisions, not JUST our words as in speaking the truth.  The spirit of truth helps to mold us into who we are, just as our friends also help to shape us into the people that we become. 

Am I hanging out with my friend the spirit of truth?  Have I invited her to my thoughts?  Have I asked her opinion about my motives?  Have I included her in my decisions?  Have I listened to her when she has spoken?

Lord thank you for providing me with the friend who will always be with me.  Let me remember to be a good friend back and to spend time cultivating this friendship.  Help me to introduce her to my children so that they will want to spend time with her too.  Give me wisdom and patience to listen to her and to take her advice.

Hebrews 6:18 God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.

This is one of those think about it until your brain hurts circle.  God is who he says he is.  He will do what he promises.  It’s WHO HE IS.  He couldn’t break his word even if he wanted to.  He can’t do that! 

What promises has God made to me?  Am I believing them?  Do I understand that God is unchanging?  What promises have I seen come to pass in my life?  I am an over-comer.  He says it.  He will provide all my needs, He promised.  I am healed by the blood of Jesus, He did it.   All of the promises in his word apply to me.  All of his character traits are constant and true.  He is love, he is faithful, he is all consuming.  He is truth.

Lord thank you for who you are.  It’s mind boggling that that includes complete trueness to yourself.  I am still trying to find out who I am, and then struggle with complete obedience to being exactly who I am.  You just are.  Thank you for being so constant and good. 

Colossians 1:19 So spacious is He, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in Him without crowding.

God is so big that all of my stuff not only fits, but it actually has a place in Him.

I feel overwhelmed a lot.  Homeschooling, trying to understand each of my children as a unique individual, figuring out my destiny, figuring out how not to figure out my destiny, but rest in God…  my sense of adventure that gets me antsy every few months to do something new.  Feeling anxious about my future, my finances, the happiness of my kids.  And of course not to mention my brokenness, my shame, my loneliness, and my pain that still overtake me sometimes without a moment of warning.  I can rest in God with ALL of these things.  I can put my feet up on his footstool of grace and relax.  I can stretch my arms out wide in the vast room of God’s love.  I can browse the shelves of God’s library where he’s got all of my stuff organized.  I can take a dip in the pool of God’s kindness.  I can roll out my yoga mat and breathe in God’s promises.

Oh Jesus thank you for this picture of your provision.  Thank you for being so big that everything fits.  Thank you for being so faithful, that it fits with room to spare.  Thank you for being so loving that it fits in a certain spot.  Thank you for knowing and welcoming all of my stuff.  Thank you for making sense of it when it just seems like a big mess to me.  Continue to remind me and show me that I don’t have to make sense of it.  That I can just relax in your orderly roominess and breathe.

Hebrews 2:17-18 For this reason he had to be made like them,[k] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted

The Lord became human so he could experience and feel all that we experience and feel so that He could be merciful and be an example for us.  I think this is interesting that it says “might become merciful” implying that maybe He wasn’t already.  When reading the stories in the Old Testament, I think there is some truth to that statement.  In OT testament times, if you disobeyed God, He was likely to kill you on the spot.  But we know now that Jesus suffered greatly, was tempted greatly, and truly understands how we feel when we are hurting.  The only difference is, He didn’t HAVE to go through it all.  At any point He could have said, “forget this, I’m God!” and go back to his Deity self.  He chose his humanity, and stuck with it until the plan of salvation could be realized, because of his GREAT love for us.  He knew that we needed a new plan, a new salvation understanding, that we needed Jesus.

It has comforted me so much to know that Jesus is with me and that He knows how I feel.  That He has a plan and He will see it through.

Jesus thank you for your mercy.  Thank you for your understanding.  Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your salvation.  Thank you for getting your hands dirty and just being in this life with us. 

I Kings 19:11-15 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He replied again, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” 15 Then the LORD told him, “Go back the same way you came…

God will sometimes set things into motion, but he harbors us, protects us and nurtures before things happen. He is not in the bad things that shake up our lives and destroy our plans.  We are probably scared, holed up in our cave as the wind roars and the ground shakes.  Yet even in the chaos, the destruction, the LOUDNESS of the enemy’s storms, He whispers to us.  He doesn’t yell above the sounds to get us to hear him, but His gentle voice cuts through the wrath of what is going on around us.  It gives us the strength to come out of our cave and to face the damage that awaits us.

I imagine myself going for a walk in the woods, minding my own business, getting refreshed, and then the Lord, looking a lot like Clark Kent, comes up next to me , takes my hand, and leads to a cave.  He starts a fire, gives me a blanket, smiles, and tells me to stay put, that I’ll be safe there.  Then he leaves, and I see him jump over the edge of the cliff, then waves at me as he flies by with his superman cape billowing behind him.  Soon I hear the wind start to howl.  I hear branches snap from trees, and rocks tumbling down the hillside.  I feel the cave that I am in tremble as a huge rock rolls off the top of it.  Then the ground starts to shake, and dust falls from the roof of my rock shelter.  The pathway in front of the cave disappears as the earth quakes.  Huge black clouds form and begin to unleash their pent up anger.  The thunder is deafening and I jump as lighting strikes a tree right outside the entrance of my den.  The tree bursts into flames and soon my cave is filled with smoke.  I’m thinking, “I just wanted to go out for a walk, mind my own business, enjoy nature.  I didn’t want to be caught by a natural disaster!”  I lay on the ground, pull the blanket over my head, and hum as the sounds of storm wage war outside.  I feel warm and safe and apprehensive at what it must look like outside.  I’m wondering, “How long this storm will last?  How will I ever clean up the mess?”  Soon, amidst the ROAR of the destruction, I hear God whisper in my ear that it’s OK to get up and take a look.  I ease my way to the mouth of the cave, holding onto the sides as I stumble to the opening.  Clark is standing next to me, pointing out where the fire started, what the wind revealed, how the earthquake changed the landscape.  He points out Superman hovering in the sky observing but not interfering with the calamities.  Superman smiles and salutes to me and Clark.  That’s sort of weird and funny.  I smile back, and start working my way through the mess, going back to where the path was clear, back to where things made sense, back to where there was no destruction.  Clark and Superman will take care of the mess left by the storm.  

Thank you Lord for being better than Superman.  Thank you for harboring me, thank you for revealing things, thank you for strengthening me.  Thank you for allowing the storms to come.  You are truly amazing.

Jonah 1:6, 14-16 The captain came to him and said, "What's this? Sleeping! Get up! Pray to your god! Maybe your god will see we're in trouble and rescue us."…14 Then they prayed to God, "O God! Don't let us drown because of this man's life, and don't blame us for his death. You are God. Do what you think is best." 15 They took Jonah and threw him overboard. Immediately the sea was quieted down. 16 The sailors were impressed, no longer terrified by the sea, but in awe of God. They worshiped God, offered a sacrifice, and made vows.

These men did not worship God, but ordered Jonah to pray to God.  They got so desperate to stop the storm, that they then at least prayed a prayer of recognition to God.  After they threw Jonah overboard, and the storm quieted, they knew God was real and powerful, and they worshipped him and promised their lives to him.

Doesn’t God use the storms in our lives to shake people up?  Even in the storms, He reveals himself.  Jonah was in complete disobedience to what God was calling him to, and the Lord still used that situation to bring others to Him.  Romans 8:28 in the message says, “That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

Lord that is my desire through all of this heart break that has happened in my life.  Let it all count for something.  Let my story help others.  Let YOU be revealed as healer, restorer, beautiful savior. 

Philippians 3:15-16 So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Once you get on the right path, the one that God has designed just for you, and you WANT to accept everything that God has for you, He will help keep you focused.

Am I wavering in my commitment to the path God has me on?  To the life I feel He has called me to?  Are there things in my life that are distracting, or damaging that may be blurring my vision?

Lord, keep doing a work in me.  Remove whatever those things may be that distract me and confuse me, even subtle internal things.  Take it all Lord so that I can be complete in my commitment to You. 

2 Kings 4:32-35 Elisha entered the house and found the boy stretched out on the bed dead. He went into the room and locked the door—just the two of them in the room—and prayed to GOD. He then got into bed with the boy and covered him with his body, mouth on mouth, eyes on eyes, hands on hands. As he was stretched out over him like that, the boy's body became warm. Elisha got up and paced back and forth in the room. Then he went back and stretched himself upon the boy again. The boy started sneezing—seven times he sneezed!—and opened his eyes.

The boy in this story is the result of a promise.  His mother was a faithful woman, who showed insight and compassion to Elisha and because of that, God blessed her with a son.  She didn’t ask for it, but the Lord revealed to Elisha that having a baby was a dream of hers, one that she did not even voice.  She asked Elisha not to tease her with such a promise because to do so would hurt worse than not having a baby in the first place.  So, of course God was not teasing her, and blessed her with a son.  One day, the boy died.  The mother marched right over to Elisha and reminded him with anguish that he had promised not to tease her.  Elisha went straight away to the boy, she didn’t even have to ask him or tell him what had happened.  The way that this verse describes how Elisha prays for the boy, makes me believe that they were friends, that they had a relationship.  The symbolism of Elisha covering the boy with his own body, shows such love, such intimacy, a picture of sacrifice…willing the life from his own body to enter that of the boy’s.  The boy did start to warm up and come alive, but Elisha didn’t stop there and wait for the boy to revive himself.  Elisha kept praying and stretched out on the boy again, until life soared through boy’s body and there could be no doubt that he was alive.

I too have some dreams that have died.  Dreams that God fulfilled in my life that I never even spoke, that I didn’t really articulate.  I feel as though my dream of having a beautiful "perfect" family is gone.  It’s never going to be what I thought it was or what I thought I wanted it to be.  God knows though.  He knows my dream so intimately… it was His idea in the first place.  He isn’t going to just start to heal it, He is going to completely resurrect it.  He wasn’t teasing me.  He knows who we are as a family, what we are supposed to look like, how we are supposed to live.  He is now breathing life into us, putting His hands on our hands, keeping us warm…

God thank you.  Thank you for my family.  I know that where there was once life, there will be again.  I know that you care about the me and my dreams, and that You are working.  You are amazing.

Romans 14:22-23 Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong.

Your relationship with God comes first.  If you are not working on it, seeking it, taking care of it… then your life may not match up with what you believe.  Belief is important, it’s what saves us.  But if you’re not also taking action in your faith, then you are a hypocrite. 

Unfortunately, it can be pretty easy to fall into an apathetic cycle about my faith.  I have thoughts like, “God knows I love Him, I’ll talk to Him later.” Or, “I’ll do two devotions tomorrow because I won’t have time today.”  Yes, there are times when my best intentions just don’t happen, and I can give myself grace on those days.  But if I find myself trying to be too pushy with others about God-stuff, or are just trying to please others… then I’m out of balance.  I’m tiptoeing that line of hypocrisy. 

Lord I SO want my actions to match up with my beliefs.  Thank you for your grace that extends into my busy–single-mom–trying-to-be–all-to-everyone life.  Thank you for helping me on those hectic days to remind me that you are with me.  Keep me gentle towards others and to only desire to please you. 

 

Ephesians 5:15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

We are to be cautious in how we live our lives, make wise decisions, but also to take life by the horns and take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way.  Cautious does not mean boring!  Understand who we are called to be… and live it fully!

Do I know and understand the life that God has called me to?  Am I pursuing that life with wisdom?  Is my cautiousness resembling fear?  Is my boldness resembling thoughtlessness?

Lord give me wisdom, understanding, caution and boldness to live the life that you have called me to.  Let me think things through, then act with purpose on purpose.  Thank you for not calling us to live boring lives, but lives that matter and are filled with adventure.  Thank you that an adventurous God life does not equal rash decisions, but well-planned thought-out steps of certainty.  You are so wise and brave and thoughtful.

Ephesians 4:16-19 And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

Not only does God’s love anchor us, but it calls to us.  While our footing is solid on the foundation of love, we see it high above us, we shield our eyes and squint at it on the horizon, we turn and reach for it behind us, we stretch our arms to the sides to grab it, we jump to the heavens as high as we can to feel it.  All the while we are stretching and reaching for God’s love, we are already on it, we are surrounded b it, it goes before us, it follows after us, it walks along side of us.  Our steps are sure, because they are cushioned by the love of Jesus.  What can possibly make a fuller life than a life filled on every side with the faithful, unconditional love of our savior?

Am I reaching for God’s love?  Am I testing its length?  Am I plumbing its depths?  Or am I just standing here on love with my arms to my sides?  Is your love reflected in my life? 

Lord show me new ways to experience your love.  Help my friends and neighbors to know your love.  Let my children be anchored in your love.  Give us courage to take confident steps.  Give our hearts the assurance that your love is paving a way for us.  May all those who come in contact with my family be assaulted by your love.  Keep the kids and I in the fullness of your love, of your life. 

Ephesians 4:20 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

God is all powerful and creative.  He can make our dreams come true in a way that’s better than we even can think of.  He doesn’t force his plan on us, but He speaks gently to us.  Working in us and changing us until we are ready and able to accept His plan.

I have a pretty keenly developed imagination.  I also am REALLY good at planning things, down to the tiniest detail.  I am so inspired by creative people, by artists and visionaries.  Well, God fits that description better than anyone.  I would never have had the imagination or creativity or thoroughness or attention to detail to plan or create… let’s say… the strange animals in Australia, or red blood cells, or the SOLAR SYSTEM.  That even goes beyond the creative genius of Walt Disney, Gene Rodenberry, Michael Jackson.  This verse is specifically talking about things in our imagination, the dreams that we create in our own minds and hearts.  It’s not talking about the practical planning of our lives.  Yes God will provide for our practical, physical and emotional needs… but He also wants to provide for our crazy creative and imaginative needs!  What do I dream about?  If I took off everything that hinders my imagination, what would I create?  How would I live?  God can outdo me!  And He wants to!  All I have to do is let Him. 

Lord, you are the creator of all.  As you live and work in me, let your creativity work in me too.  May I be inspired by You and live my life as a reflection of the artist that You are.  Thank you for wanting my dreams to come true.  Thank you for reminding me that I still have some, and for acknowledging that they are still valuable.  Thank you for unfolding your plan for my life gently as I am ready to accept it, and able to move into it.

1 Thessalonians 5:22-24 May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!

God makes EVERYTHING holy and whole.  We started out as pure babies, he made us perfect from the start, and can make us holy and whole again.  As we learned from Paul’s example from Abraham (Romans 4:19-25) what keeps us “fit” is our belief in God’s promises that are even yet to come.  God will come through on this!  He can’t help it because He does what He says He’ll do, He is who he says he is.

God’s promise here to me is to make me holy and whole.  Even after heart break, even when life doesn’t make sense, even when my relationships are strained at best, or totally destroyed.  Can I believe this promise without trying to figure it out?  Can I just jump into it?  Can I own this promise and see it even if it isn’t reality yet?  Do I have the faith of Abraham enough to be declared fit? 

Jesus, thank for the promise to make me holy and whole.  Thank you for caring about the parts of me that aren’t and for wanting to restore them.  Give me wisdom, strength and faith as I let you work in me, as I become more like you. 

Ecc. 7:3-4 Crying is better than laughing. It blotches the face but it scours the heart. 4 Sages invest themselves in hurt and grieving. Fools waste their lives in fun and games.

When your heart is heavy, full of shame, grief, sadness, or conviction and needs to be cleansed, you need to have a good cry.  Wise people devote time and energy into grieving in order to accomplish something… which is to be clean.  Grieving is something to be done on purpose.  When the heavy heart feeling comes up, take the time to deal with it right then.  “Scour” is a rough word.  It means to clean something with forceful scrubbing.  I remember my great-grandma would scrub her pots and pans until they were as shiny as when they were new.  It would take her a long time standing there at the sink scrubbing and scrubbing… but man did her efforts pay off!  Sometimes crying or grieving can feel like that.  It can feel like an SOS pad is going to town on our hearts… but the end result will be so shiny and clean!  There is a time for laughter and fun and games, but not when your life needs to be cleansed.  The bible actually says that laughter is like a medicine, good for the soul.  When we get a wound, don’t we first clean it, then apply medicine?  If we slathered Neosporin all over a dirty cut, yes the medicine would help some, but the dirt is still in the wound.  The wound would eventually heal, but it would heal around the dirt.  Isn’t it better to heal cleanly?  Don’t you want to get all that dirt out?!  Have you ever laughed until you cried?  Try crying until you laugh!

I LOVE to laugh, and do it often.  I HATE to cry, and do it often.  I somehow know though that the tears are essential.  I usually feel so much better after I get it all out in a sob-fest.  It’s amazing to me that we have such built-in tools to navigate through what life brings us.  This is an example of such a simple, practical piece of wisdom built into our humanity.  When I feel the tears coming, I just let them come… they are obviously there for a reason.  I have taken the time on purpose to grieve and feel sad.  Owning those moments, acknowledges them, tells them hello, lets them feel welcome, they stay for a while, sometimes put their feet up, but then they know they’ve outstayed their welcome, and they move on.  I have found it’s better to open the door to those feelings, otherwise they will stay there knocking until they drive me crazy.  And when they do move on, it’s only for a while.  They come visiting again, and again I let them in, and again they move on.  In between their visits though, I am living a full and blessed life with lots of love and laughter. 

Lord thank you for having a purpose for the tears.  Thank you for showing me all the tears are actually doing something, other than making my face blotchy.  Thank you that there is a time for grieving. 

Psalm 19:22 But the LORD is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide.

I realize after reading the stories of David, that many of these Psalms he most likely wrote while being chased by King Saul.  David was literally building or seeking fortresses that could protect him and his men from Saul’s army.  He was literally hiding in caves and rocks to escape Saul’s pursuit.  So David has a tangible example of the feeling of safety that the Lord gives his soul.  While seeking safety for his mortal body, David is hiding his soul in the safety and protection of God.  As much as his physical self is in chaos, his heart is deeply troubled because his mentor, his king, his earthly hero wants to KILL him.  David knows that just being safe is not enough, but that his soul also needs respite.  And God is so big and protective that David feels his shattered, scared heart is safe and hidden. 

God protects me and hides me.  Even when my heart is broken, God can handle it.  He fortresses me, protects me, and hides me.  There are times when I have to just not be out and about.  Times when my world is about as big as what fits inside my four walls.  Those are times that my home is fortressing me, and God's angels are walking laps around my house.  I feel it.  I know it.  Those days when I just can't give, I just can't do anything but what is required by my heart and the hearts of my babies.  Those are not wasted days.  Those are the days that I am fortressed, God is restocking the strength and faith supply in my heart, his angels are guarding me, and I am hidden.  I can rest and be taken care of, ready to emerge again when I am ready, and not before.  I am guarded, safe and hidden until then.

Thank you Lord for being so big.  Thank you for being so caring.  Thank you for shielding me from the enemy who pursues me with the intent to steal kill and destroy.  Thank you for protecting me.  Thank you for being such a big fortress, such a big hiding place, that me and my four treasures can all fit.  You are awesome.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Don't shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think. Don't be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear. God's in charge, not you—the less you speak, the better.

I heard a quote by Mother Theresa on time that has stuck with me.  It goes something like this:  She was asked by Larry King, “What do you say when you pray?”  She answered, “I don’t say anything, I just listen.”  Then he asked her back, “What does God say when you listen?”  She responded, “He just listens too.”  When we talk to God, it’s really more about listening.  There’s nothing we can say that He doesn’t already know.  Yes, there is a time for confession, but how are we going to be convicted of anything if we don’t listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to convict us?  Yes, there is a time to audibly praise God, but doesn’t the quiet obedience of our lives worship Him even louder?  Yes, there are times to ask God for something, but doesn’t He already know the desires of our hearts?  Better yet, doesn’t He know what’s best for us?

My mouth is my worst enemy.  I don’t know why I think people or God like to hear me talk so much.  The nuns and monks are on to something when they take a vow of silence.  I have actually lost my voice a few times in my life for no apparent reason, other than maybe God just wanted to shut me up so He could get a word in.  I continually work to be silent, especially in my “quiet” time with the Lord.  When I do, it is amazing the things that I learn, the thoughts that He shares with me, the plans that He lays out for me. 

Speak Lord, I’m listening.

Romans 14:11-12 "As I live and breathe," God says, "every knee will bow before me; Every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God." So tend to your knitting. You've got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.

The day will come when everyone on earth will stand before God and admit that He is the Lord of all.  That reality is out of our control.  We need to just keep on with our work and our walk with God.  It is not our responsibility to force people to know God, or to force a sense of justice on people… their day will come in God’s timing.

This verse in the message is sort of funny to me.  “So tend to your knitting…”  I’m going to take this verse personally, although I am a crocheter as opposed to a knitter.  Actually, I’m going to take this verse on behalf of women, because I don’t know any men who are knitters or crocheters.  The Lord is right, my hands are full!  Taking care of the day to day matters of raising my four kids, of building my friendships, of honing in on the future God has for me, and in the matters of my heart as a Christian.  I can’t afford to waste a single thought or breath in trying to dole out justice to people that I think deserve it.  My heart can’t take it either.  I am wise to let those people go, to let God have His way with them, to know that someday they will stand before God and answer for their lives. 

Lord I am so grateful that You are bigger than me.  That you can handle the things that I need to let go of.  That I don’t have to fix things or people or lives.  I’m so thankful that You don’t expect me to. 

Romans 4:19-25 Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.

God promised Abraham something that was literally impossible, yet not only did Abraham believe God, he OWNED the promise.  He took that promise and ran with it.  Not only did he not argue with God, or analyze the situation, or say “Are you sure God?  Cuz what about this, and that, and they uh….”  He stood READY to receive the promise.  He trusted God’s promise first, then watched to see how it would all play out.  That is what marked him as right and obedient, his belief.  God declared Abraham ready because of his faith, not his ability.  In the same way, it’s our belief in God’s promises that allows God to work in our lives.  Our BELIEF makes us stronger.  It’s our BELIEF in Jesus that saves us.

What areas am I tiptoeing around and asking skeptical questions about?  Do I have the faith to plunge into the promises of God?  Can I believe the impossible?  Can I be declared fit by God because of my faith?  Do I realize that not having faith hinders my progress? 

Lord give me the faith of Abraham.  Help me to control my skeptical mind, my cynical outlook, focusing on my own limitations, obsessing on trying to understand your mysteries.  Help me to just plunge into your awesome love, power and strength. 

Psalm 71:5-8 5 O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O LORD, from childhood. 6 Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! 7 My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. 8 That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.

David is reflecting on the fact that he has loved God his whole life.  In fact, that he’s always had a knowledge or familiarity with the Lord.  He finds so much joy in that, that he continually praises God.  He realizes that his life has a powerful testimony because it reflects God’s presence since before he was even born.

I can relate to this.  I have always known and loved God.  I’ve never felt separated from Him.  Even through the pain and heart ache of when I have been wronged.  Even through the guilt and shame of when I have made mistakes.  God is still with me. 

Lord thank you for always being with me.  Thank you for being my eternal hope.  Thank you for being a constant fixture in my heart.  May my own children have this knowledge of you, this familiarity with your presence, this love for you. 

Proverbs 24:3-4 It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation; It takes knowledge to furnish its rooms with fine furniture and beautiful draperies.

The basics for building your home/family, is wisdom.  Without it, your life cannot even be built.  Your attempts at construction will flounder if you are working without wisdom.  And any builder will tell you that you have to start with a firm foundation.  Understanding is that foundation.  Understanding can be either a noun, a verb, or an adjective.  As a noun, it can refer to an agreement between two or more people.  Such as in the “britishy” movies that my kids and I enjoy… the romantic couple in the movie will enter into an “understanding” with one each other, which is another way to say that they are engaged.  As a verb understanding means to comprehend the nature of something.  In the case of this verse… your family/home.  As an adjective, it means to have a kind disposition.  So, in order to building a firm foundation takes kindness, a comprehension of who are family is called to be, and to be in agreement or partnership with God.  Knowledge is the gravy… getting to know our family, educating ourselves… this will provide the things that we need to function and be blessed on the day to day business as a family.

My kids and I are my home and God truly is my partner in building our lives.  He and I have and “understanding” to raise them together.  I try to remember to seek wisdom as though I am on a treasure hunt.  To pray with the tenacity of Hannah, until I am done.  To flood my babies with kindness.  To educate myself on the personalities, needs and desires of my kids.  To have insight into them, who God has called them to be.  To have the courage to live our highest and best GOD lives, not just a good life.

Help me Jesus to be a wise woman and to BUILD my house.  Let the faith of my children be built on a foundation of your love.  May we have an understanding of You and your ways.  May we be blessed in the knowledge of You. 

Romans 13:11 But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing!

When we get too busy, doing our daily grind… we become oblivious to the things of God.  Our morning times with Him need to be intentional.  This verse not only has a literal meaning, but also a metaphoric one.  We can get so absorbed and exhausted in ourselves.  Our problems, our happiness, our pain, our grief, our purpose, our kids, our friends, our planning…  This self absorption is exhausting!  When we are so lost and focused on ourselves, we are asleep to what God wants to do in our lives.  If we can wake up out of this nighttime, dark state of self, we will see that God lives in the bright light of morning and that He is working!  We need to not only be awake and aware, but we need to be up and about, actively noticing and being about God.  When our focus switches from self to God, the exhaustion is replaced by energy.

Being active about God… what does this mean for me?  I work hard to arrange my day and priorities so that my actual quiet time with Him happens in the morning, while my house is still quiet.  This also means daily getting His thoughts and direction and words for me in my spirit, and thinking about them throughout the day.  While I’m doing dishes -remembering God’s promises, in the midst of the children’s math lessons- knowing what God has called us to, climbing the mountains of laundry-thanking Him for his provision, disciplining one of the kids-receiving his unconditional love.  He is in and of everything.

Lord, thank you for being about me and my life.  I want to be awake and up and about YOU.  Keep my focus off of my pain and pressures, and on Your healing and promises. 

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.

Suppressing is to put an end to the actions of something, in this case, the spirit of God.  Stifle is to end by force, and in this case it’s talking about when someone has a word from God for you.  Both suppress and stifle are verbs, requiring an action or decision on our part if we do them.  Gullible is not a verb, it’s an adjective meaning “easily deceived”.  Check out, keep and throw out, are also verbs, requiring an action on our part.  How would this verse read if we changed these words to their opposites?  “Suppress the spirit, stifle those who have a word from the master.  Also, believe everything you hear.  Don’t question anything, throw away only what is good.  Keep whatever has a hint of evil.”  Either way you read this verse, the real way or my made up opposite way, it is kind of frightening.  Is it right to think that if we believe everything we hear, not only are we being deceived easily, but it also translates into the action of discarding what is good and keeping what is evil. 

Why is it that our human nature is so adept at not believing in God’s ways, but ready to swallow hook-line-and-sinker the ways of men?  Actions require more effort than something that just is, for example “gullible”.  The way to not be easily deceived is to not be lazy, but to take action and do research, talk to people, check your facts, but also, to relax in God’s presence, to allow Him to move, to invite Godly people to speak into your life.  What do I do with my own personality that believes the best in people? That wants to encourage and bring out people’s strengths?  How do I do this and not be deceived?  Well I guess this verse answers that.

Lord, I sort of wish I’d had this revelation about 16 years ago.  Help me to keep your spirit moving in my life, to welcome godly insight from people, to not believe everything I hear, to check things against your word, against your voice, against your spirit that lives in me.  Help me to keep only the good things and to chuck anything that even has the slightest hint of evil as far away from me as I can.  Help me to teach this to my children.  Better yet, teach us together through your revelation and wisdom. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Not only is Christ’s strength revealed to us through our weaknesses, but also his POWER.  We are promised not just to feel strong, but to be POWERFUL!  Strength implies to me that “I can make it, I can reach the end, I will finish…”  But POWER, that’s a whole new outlook!  “I will WIN, I will crush the enemy, I will be victorious!”  When hardships, or heart-break come to us, we are transformed into a POWERFUL warrior in Christ.

When life brings me to these moments of personal weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions or difficulties, let me be encouraged.  Dare I say be grateful?  Even delighted as Paul says he is.  When this happens, it means that an opportunity has arisen for Jesus to work POWERFULLY in my life.  Let me settle for nothing less than His powerful hand moving and guiding me through my areas of weakness. 

Jesus, so many times I just can’t get my eyes off of the hard things, the things that hurt me.  Let me have an understanding, that even IF I am focused on those things, that what I’m really focusing on is a miracle about to happen.  That in those areas of my heart, my attitude, my actions, that YOU are able and desiring to do something powerful in that place.  Help me to submit those areas to you, and to trust your work in them.  You are amazingly faithful and good to me.  I thank you for your grace that covers all of these areas that seem to constantly remind me of my weaknesses.  You are strong there, and you are POWERFUL.

Romans 4:13-15 If those who get what God gives them only get it by doing everything they are told to do and filling out all the right forms properly signed, that eliminates personal trust completely and turns the promise into an ironclad contract! That's not a holy promise; that's a business deal…But if there is no contract in the first place, simply a promise—and God's promise at that—you can't break it.

God’s goodness and grace just IS.  It is truly a gift.  God doesn’t make deals with us about it, that would give us too much credit.  That would negate the gift.  If we were involved in any way in the earning of his grace on our lives, of his blessings, of his goodness, of his forgiveness…that would weaken the message of him.  It actually completely changes the definition of what grace is. 

In what areas am I wheelin’ and dealin’ with God?  What areas of my life am I still striving in to be the perfect Christian, the best example of a godly woman?  Can I do MY best, knowing that it may not THE best, and rest in God’s gift of grace to cover it?

Lord, thank you for your grace.  Thanks for not going into a business contract with me, and letting me feel like I owe you, like I’ve got to hold up my end of the bargain or the deal is off between us.  Thanks for just taking care of me, and for holding out your gift for me to receive.  I’m so relieved.

Proverbs 3:21-26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well,

I notice in this scripture that “Clear Thinking” and “Common Sense” are capitalized, as if they are proper nouns…they are the names of my friends.  These friends are so special that I guard them with my life and keep them in my line of sight at all times.  Much like I do my babies.  Look at the promises attached to Clear Thinking and Common Sense.  Beauty in and out, safety in travel, energy, restful sleep, no drama….  What mamma doesn’t need all that?  

Am I nurturing Clear Thinking and Common Sense like they are my friends?  Do I take care of them and focus on them?  Or do I hang out more with my “friends”, Confusion and Irrationality?  What “relationships” am I indulging?  I guess I can tell by my energy, my sleeping, my  drama level.

Lord I love that you are so practical.  Thank you!

1 Thessalonians 3:12 …And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you… (MSG)

I imagine the scene in a movie (because really, does anyone ever do this in real life?) where someone is pouring a cup of coffee, and isn’t paying attention, so the cup overflows as the person keeps pouring and pouring.  Finally someone notices and rushes to the spill with paper towels to clean up the mess.  Or maybe like in real life, when I’ve filled the kids’ cups up too full, so I have to drink a little off the top before giving it to them.  That’s how God’s love can be in our lives.  Filling us to the brim.  Filling us to overflowing.  Filling us so that people rush to us to soak up what they can get of God’s love.  Filling us so that there is enough extra at the top to drink in before we serve others. 

Am I letting God fill me up to overflowing?  Or am I so self aware that I won’t allow any spillage?  Can I let go long enough to allow God to make a love mess in my life so that it blesses others? 

Lord thank you for loving me.  Thank you for calling me to love others.  I know YOU have enough to go around.  Just help me to be an empty vessel willing to overflow with your love.

Psalm 101:1 My theme song is God's love and justice, and I'm singing it right to you, GOD.

A theme is a common thread that runs through all the different areas of our lives.  A song is so many things.  It’s a way to remember something, like a commercial jingle, or it’s a way to express yourself, or it’s an anthem.  So a theme song is an anthem that is expressed in all parts of us.  GOD’S love and HIS justice is the expression that flows through our lives.  HIS heart and HIS righteousness is what is remembered in every thought, every action, every idea and plan of his children.  We have this song running through our heads so much, that we can’t help but sing it right back at the Father of creativity, love and justice.

I’m reminded of the movie “The Emporer’s New Groove” and how Cuzco hires a band to follow him around and constantly play his theme song, and how Cuzco makes fun of the doofy guy, Kronk, for having to sing his own theme song.  Apart from being hilarious, there is a little message here.  Am I more like Cuzco who needs people to sing his theme song over him with great hype and fanfare and then stands in judgement of people who dare to walk their own walk?  Or can I be like Kronk?  Able to sing my own song with pride and to know myself so well that my song is a part of ME, and not put on me by others?  

Lord, let the music of your love and justice be my song.  Let YOUR heart resound in my life.  May my theme be rooted in the confidence of WHO YOU ARE and who you’ve called me to be.

Galations 5:22 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, 23 not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. (MSG)

The fruits of someone following God’s ways are obvious.    Affection, love of life, peace, trustworthiness, compassion, holiness, committed, not forceful, balanced. 

What fruits are showing in my life right now?  When I start to show an imbalance in one of these areas, I can readjust with God.  Check in with Him to see if I’m on the right path still.  How about my kids?  What about my relationships?  Are they mirroring these fruits?   

I love your ways Oh God.  They truly are so much better than mine.

Psalm 77:12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. (NIV)

The Psalmist writes this after he describes his inability to sleep because his brain just won’t stop thinking.  He lays there and thinks about all of his troubles, he’s remembering, he’s writing songs, he’s wondering how the Lord is going to solve his problems… in essence, he has insomnia.  Then a thought clicks and he decides to think about all of the good things of God, all of his works and miracles.  He made a choice to rest his thoughts on the goodness of the Lord.  I bet that’s what he was doing when sleep overtook him at last.

How many times have I laid in bed doing the same exact thing?  Rehashing my history, planning my future, rehearsing details for the next day, thinking about something I would like to create, wondering how God is going to piece together the puzzle of my life….  Could going to sleep really rely on a simple decision to refocus my thoughts?  To let my mind rest on the beauty of God?  Hmmm… can’t wait to try it, which will most likely be tonight.

Lord, your provision for all of the parts of me is overwhelming.  To even include an antidote for insomnia in your word is beautiful.  Let my mind find rest in thinking about your goodness. 

Ruth 2:14 At the lunch break, Boaz said to her, "Come over here; eat some bread. Dip it in the wine." So she joined the harvesters. Boaz passed the roasted grain to her. She ate her fill and even had some left over.

So this part of the story happened after Ruth had already pledged her loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi, and had stepped into a role of taking care of her.  In that role, Ruth took the initiative to get some food for her and Naomi, so she went out to glean a field.  She did not intentionally go to Boaz’s field, who happened to be a relative.  Ruth was a foreigner, a widow, with no friends, no man to take care of her but with an elderly woman depending on her, no connections at all…. and was going to work at somewhat of a personal risk to herself, as it was a common fear for women to be raped or abused as they were out in a far off field.  I think she was really brave, or maybe just really hungry.  Either way, God supernaturally guided her to the right field.   So Boaz happens to see her out there, and asks about her.  I’m thinking that he “noticed” her, that he thought she was beautiful.   Was it really common for the owner of the field to notice and inquire about a gleaner?  She wasn’t even an employee, a hired worker… she was a charity case.  He then instructed his workers to give her special treatment and make sure that she got some of the “good stuff”.  So in this verse, he actually calls her over to enjoy lunch with him and his employees.  Do you think Boaz always ate lunch with his harvesters?  Or was he interested in eating lunch with her?  Hmmm…  He passed her the grain.  Maybe their fingers touched during the exchange.  I can imagine him sitting next to her, not able to take his eyes off of her, making sure that she gets enough to eat.  I wonder if the other workers were noticing his attention to her.  I wonder what they were thinking?  The bible doesn’t mention anything about his workers arguing with him or having a bad attitude about giving her special treatment.  In fact, they went right along with it happily it seems.  This speaks to the love and respect they had for Boaz I think.  Maybe they liked seeing him fall for this beautiful woman.  I’m also struck with the fact that Ruth accepted the invitation, and felt comfortable enough to join in the lunch.  Maybe in her home country, Ruth was not a “charity case”, showing us how she also humbled herself to the lowly position of gleaner, all because she had a mission to accomplish.  Ruth not only ate enough lunch for her, but she also had left-overs and was able to take them home to Naomi.  What an awesome day for Ruth!  She acted in loyalty and kindness, embraced her responsibility, put on a brave face, humbled herself, AND held her chin up in confidence.  She was rewarded with a “coincidental” connection, an abundance of food, respect, and the first glimmers of her love story.

There is so much for me to “glean” from this passage.  Ha-ha.  I too have found myself with no man, but with a ton of responsibilities.  I am not a foreigner, although I do find this position in life quite foreign.  I have embraced my responsibilities, have been loyal and kind, have put on a brave face, have humbled myself, and have remained confident.  I know that God had guided me, connected me with people, has provided more than enough for me, has built up my reputation, and has given me a glimpse of a love story.  I am encouraged.

Lord, thank you for including in your word, these cool stories of your people.  I have always loved the story of Ruth, and just love how she speaks to me.  Thank you for teaching me about loyalty, responsibility, humility, confidence… and that these attributes of a “strong” person can be rewarded with things like ABUNDANT provision, great company, and love.  Thank you for thinking I'm beautiful, thank you for believing in me, and thank you for working out the details of my finances and future.  You are truly awesome.