Hope and Encouragement

Forgive my impatience, Lord. Sometimes I want this world to be heaven-like right now. But I know that you have a plan. Remind me to learn from you during the difficult times and to trust in Your faithfulness. I’m so grateful You keep Your promises. Thank you, Lord.

A Woodland Sanctuary

As I walked the nature trails, I wandered off the beaten path.  Large toadstools nestled under a grove of blue spruce trees attracted my attention.

Pushing aside branches, I walked fifteen feet, entering a small clearing.  The ground, carpeted with years of accumulated needles, felt soft beneath my feet.  A chorus of crickets broke the silence.  In the distance a woodpecker drilled, searching for insects.  Inside my clearing, all was shadow, quiet and still; it became a sanctuary that soothed my soul. A smattering of bright red sumac leaves provided stained-glass windows.  I sat on the carpet of spruce needles, gazing at the beauty all around me, and I felt the presence of God.  Strains of “This Is Holy Ground” ran through my head. 

Looking through an opening between the horizontal branches, I observed the golden radiance of the late afternoon sun. Outside my sanctuary, the seed heads of the natural prairie grasses glowed transparently in the sun’s light, creating a stunning contrast to the shadowy grove.  I had to capture the breath-taking scene on film.  When I put the camera to my eye, I focused on the branches in the foreground.  They seemed large and dark, like horizontal prison bars, and the golden glow of the grasses in the background was barely noticeable. I refocused the camera. Then the tall, dried grass, shot through with light, became the focus of my picture; the branches in the foreground almost disappeared.

As I took my picture, I thought:  how often do I focus on the branches in front of me that impede my spiritual way, and thus fail to see God’s light just beyond?  How often do I become discouraged over minor problems instead of focusing my thoughts on the brilliance of God’s majesty or the comforting glow of his love? It’s all a matter of focus.

Remembering the lesson of the camera’s focus enables me to thank God in all situations and focus on His spiritual light shining beyond my earthly troubles.

Father let my eyes see beyond the earthly; let me steadfastly watch your spiritual light.  May I always focus on the wonders you have created, on the wonder of you.

Hebrews 12:2-3 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”

More Like Jesus

Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God.

Amy Carmichael

Amen to this! Make me more like Jesus.

No Fear


“The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.”

― Oswald Chambers

Teach me, Lord, to rely only on you. Then I will have nothing to fear.

The Beckoning Whispers

            As I sit in the kitchen, the sound of the sea beckons me. From the beach house, the waters whisper, calling me to the beach. I grab my sunscreen and my towel and walk across the street and into the soft, dry sand. I sink ankle deep with each step, the gentle waves whooshing louder the closer I come. In moments I reach the water’s edge. The ocean’s beauty never ceases to amaze me. Blue stretches as far as my eyes can see. Summer’s gentle swells roll on the beach, breaking only a foot from where I stand.

Only when I step into the water do I feel the strength of its pull. Standing ankle deep, my feet sinking into the sand, I let the waves break against my legs. Small as the waves are, I feel their strength as they rush to the shore. I venture a little deeper, and the water breaks against my thighs, splashing up to my waist. I brace myself as larger waves approach, knowing they have the strength to knock me down. After breaking, the waves rush back to their ocean home, pulling against my legs, beckoning me to come deeper, to immerse myself in their crystal clear waters.

I look beyond the small summertime Pacific waves, and see the blue curve of the ocean’s edge, miles out to sea. I marvel at the power of the water, stretching for thousands of miles in every direction. A hundred yard from where I stand, the waves boom and crash against rocks and coral, thundering across the bay. What tremendous power lives in the ocean! It’s so great and so strong my mind cannot fathom it. Nor can I explore its depths. I observe only what washes ashore and what I can see from a few hundred yards out, as far as I feel safe swimming.

Just as the gentle waves washing the shore call to me, God calls His people in a still, small voice. In the quiet times when I listen for His voice, He calls to me, beckoning me closer. When I listen, He speaks clearer, louder.

As I wander at the edges of God’s greatness, experiencing His waves along the shore, I sense the awesome majesty and greatness of Him, stretching farther than my eyes can see, deeper than my mind can conceive. I hear His voice in still, small whispers, washing my soul clean, and I long to plunge in, swimming stroke by stroke nearer to the heart of God.

Father God, thank you for the beckoning whispers of your creation, drawing me ever closer to You.

Psalm 46:10a “Be still and know that I am God.”

Quiet in the Chaos

“The devil has made it his business to monopolize on three elements: noise, hurry, crowds. He will not allow quietness.” Elisabeth Elliot

Lord, help me to find quiet in the noise, calm in the hurry, and solitude in the crowds. Teach me to listen to your still, small voice, even in chaotic times.