Lord, Let My Mercies Be New Every Morning

One of my favorite verses is found in Lamentations 3:22-23
"His mercies are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

I love that promise. The problem is --
Sometimes my mercies aren't nearly as new and fresh.

Have you ever had one of those moments when something really wasn't that big of a deal -- but somehow it became one?
I have.

Recently, I caught myself being disappointed over something that could have been settled with a smile instead of a sigh. Looking back, I realized the issue wasn't really the situation.
It was my heart.

Isn't it amazing how quickly we can extend mercy to ourselves while expecting perfection from the people we love most?

If we're not careful, little irritations become big offenses.
A forgotten phone call.
A slow cashier.
A driver who cuts us off.
An order at the restaurant that's not quite right.
Or someone who simply didn't think the way we would have.

Then the Holy Spirit quietly whispers,
"Donna -- how many times have I shown mercy to you?"
Ouch!

Jesus never runs out of mercy.
He doesn't wake up grumpy.
He doesn't love us according to our performance.
Every sunrise arrives carrying another fresh supply of grace.

If His mercies are new every morning --
Perhaps mine should be too.

Colossians 3:13 reminds us: "Bear with each other and forgive one another -- Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Today I'm asking the Lord to soften my heart.
To help me choose kindness over criticism.
Grace over grudges.
Mercy over being right.

Because when I stand before Jesus someday, I doubt He'll ask whether I won the argument.
But I have a feeling He'll care very much about whether I loved well.

Lord -- thank You for never running out of mercy toward me. Help me give that same mercy away -- especially to those I love most.

Living on Assignment

Last Wednesday, four of us found ourselves gathered in a hospital waiting room while our dear friend's husband underwent hip surgery. Although I had only just met one of the couples that morning, you would have thought we'd been lifelong friends.

With four chairs facing each other, we prayed, laughed, shared stories, and enjoyed my homemade banana bread and watermelon while the hours slowly passed.

And something beautiful was happening that none of us could have planned. I was reminded once again that God has a wonderful way of turning ordinary moments into holy ones.

A man -- sitting nearby -- overheard a conversation we were having about the estate sale business my sister and I once owned. He quietly walked over and asked for advice about his late father's home and furnishings.

What began as a conversation about furniture -- quickly became something much deeper. Our conversation drifted from furniture to faith.

That was when my friend (the patient’s wife), gently asked the man if he knew Jesus. He admitted that he'd been disappointed by religion.

We asked if we could pray for him. He said “yes”. And our dear friend waiting for a word about her husband’s surgery -- belted out a prayer of courage, faith and the Gospel message. Right there in the hospital waiting room.

No one planned that appointment. God did.

Right there in the waiting room. No church building. No stained-glass windows. Just five ordinary people, one hurting heart, and a God who never misses an appointment.

As we prayed, I couldn't help but think --
Maybe we weren't just waiting for the surgery to end.
Maybe we had been sent.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to do."

Perhaps EVERY DAY -- is an assignment waiting to happen. Are we the ONES God calls?
A conversation.
A smile.
A prayer.
A word of encouragement.

As Carl and I celebrate our 3rd-year anniversary today (my, how time flies), I'm reminded that the greatest memories aren't simply counted by years. Perhaps it's about celebrating three years of availability.

And, that's a life worth living and celebrating!

#onassignment #DivineAssignment #jesussaves

Lord, Please Swaddle Me

We all remember these words from Luke 2:7 "And she (Mary) wrapped him (Jesus) in swaddling cloths.."

Sunday after Sunday, I see this precious mama and baby – sitting right at the front of church. The baby is wrapped snugly against her chest in a soft swaddle. He is about 5 months old. His Mama told me -- outside the snuggle, he is a fast-racing crawler.

But, at church, while everyone else is standing, singing, talking, and moving about, that little one peacefully sleeps through the entire service.

Not a peep. Not a fuss. Just perfect rest.
Curious, I asked his mama about it.
She explained that swaddling helps babies feel safe and secure.

I read about it and further saw the gentle wrapping reminds them of the snug comfort of the womb. Their tiny arms stay close to their bodies, so sudden movements don't startle them awake. The gentle pressure calms them, comforts them, and helps them rest.

I couldn't help but smile. Then I couldn't help but think...
“Lord, I need to be swaddled too. Not in a blanket. But in Your peace.”

How often do we allow fear to jolt us awake?
Worry keeps our minds racing.
Disappointment steals our rest.
The "what ifs" rob us of sleep.

Meanwhile, our Heavenly Father gently whispers:
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

What if we trusted our Father the way that little baby trusts his mama?
No striving.
No resisting.
No fear.
Just resting close to the One who holds us.

Psalm 91:4 paints a beautiful picture:
"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge."
What a heavenly swaddle!

Perhaps that's what Jesus meant when He said,
"Come to Me -- and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

I'm still learning. Some nights I sleep only a few hours before my mind begins to wander.

But that precious baby reminded me that peace isn't found in perfect circumstances.

Peace is found in the arms that hold us.

So today I'm praying a simple prayer...
"Father, wrap me in Your love. Swaddle my anxious heart. Hold me close enough that I can finally rest in You."

Because there is no safer place......than in the everlasting arms of God.

#babyswaddle #UnderHisWings #swaddle

Let's Ask for Wisdom

What a good idea -- the request and the gift of wisdom!

If there were ever a time to ask for wisdom -- it's now – right now!

Every day we're bombarded with opinions, headlines, social media posts, podcasts, and people who confidently proclaim, "This is the way!"

No wonder so many people seem tossed back and forth, changing direction with every new idea that blows through.

But God has never intended for His children to live that way.
Proverbs 4:7 gives us one of the greatest pieces of advice in all of Scripture:
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding."

Notice it doesn't say, "Get wealth."
Or popularity.
Or influence.
It says, “Get wisdom!”

James tells us exactly where to find it:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault." (James 1:5)

What a promise!

God delights in giving wisdom to those who sincerely seek Him.

The wisdom of this world often says, "Look out for yourself."
God's wisdom says, "Love your neighbor."

The world says, "Win at all costs."
God says, "Walk humbly with your God."

The world encourages revenge.
God teaches forgiveness.

I want to be deeply rooted in God's Word so that when the winds of confusion blow -- and they surely will -- I will remain firmly planted in His truth.

Wisdom doesn't begin in Washington D.C. Or Austin. Or any state capitol.

It begins in our hearts.
It grows in our homes.

It is nurtured around our dinner tables, in our churches, and during quiet mornings with an open Bible.

Perhaps the change we long to see in our nation begins at home -- much closer than we think. We pray for wisdom and when it comes -- our family influences a neighborhood.

A neighborhood impacts a city.
And a city shapes a nation!

Let's ask God today for the one thing He says is the principal thing. It’s WISDOM!

God quietly says, "If any of you lacks wisdom... ask Me."

#wisdom #PrayForWisdom #walkhumbly

Come Closer -- Heaven

Yesterday I wrote a blog entitled “This is like Heaven to Me”.
WHAT? This gnarly, angry, hateful and unkind world we live in – calling it “like heaven?”

Honestly, the world doesn't get us. It doesn’t understand why Christians can have peace in the middle of uncertainty, joy in the middle of sorrow, hope in the middle of loss, or gratitude in the middle of hardship.

It isn't because we're pretending life is perfect.
It's because the Holy Spirit lives within us.

It’s choosing Jesus -- because every time we choose His voice over the enemy's, His peace over our panic, His truth over the world's lies -- heaven comes just a little closer.

I know God would want us to declare “heaven” for so many people who think they are living in hell on earth. Oh, that they would come to know the peace, joy and happiness in living in the mindset of God's faithfulness right smack dab here on earth and one day heaven will be our home sweet home.

That isn't theologically saying we are in heaven. It's saying we can live under heaven's influence while we're still on earth.

Jesus taught us to pray: "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)

In other words – bring a little bit of heaven here. What is heaven like?

There is no bitterness.
No fear.
No jealousy.
No gossip.
No hatred.
No anxiety.
No tears.
No sin.

And every time we choose forgiveness over resentment --
Every time we choose peace over panic --
Every time we choose gratitude over grumbling --
Every time we choose love over anger -- we’re allowing a little of heaven’s atmosphere to invade earth. That's why Paul wrote in Philippians 3:20, "Our citizenship is in heaven."

And since our citizenship is heaven – we ought to think differently.
Speak differently.
Love differently.
Forgive differently.
Hope differently.
Not because life is easy --
But because we're citizens of another Kingdom.

And how do citizens of heaven speak – let me show you!

"The world may choose fear. We choose faith."
"The world may choose anger. We choose grace."
"The world may choose despair. We choose hope."

Why? Because we’re already living with our eyes fixed on our heavenly home. Won't it be wonderful there?

This Is Like Heaven to Me

Yesterday morning -- out of nowhere, I found myself singing an old hymn I hadn't thought about in years.
"And this is like Heaven to me..."

Where in the world did that come from?
I wasn't listening to Christian music.
No one had mentioned the song.
It simply floated into my heart.

As I sang those precious words, I realized something.
The songwriter wasn't saying life was easy.
He wasn't saying there were no troubles.
He wasn't saying he'd already arrived in heaven.

He was saying that living in the presence of Jesus brought a little taste of heaven right here on earth. Now compare that with how the enemy wants us to live.

The enemy wants us to live as though heaven doesn't exist.
Biting our nails over tomorrow.
Believing we're not good enough.
Replaying hurtful words.
Comparing ourselves to everyone else.

Listening to the lies that whisper, "You'll never measure up."
How exhausting!

Then Jesus invites us live as though heaven has already begun in our hearts. He speaks:
"Fear not."
"I am with you."
"My grace is sufficient."
"My peace I give to you."

Suddenly, our circumstances may not have changed -- but our hearts have.

The Apostle Paul called it "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)

That's a little piece of heaven settling into an earthly heart.
One day, when Jesus returns, we'll experience heaven in all its fullness.
What a glorious day that will be!

But until then, every time we choose faith over fear...
Peace over panic...
Praise over complaining...
Hope over despair...
We're experiencing just a little foretaste of what's ahead.

And that's exactly why that old hymn still rings true.
"And this is like Heaven to me..."
Because wherever Jesus is welcomed...
Heaven touches earth.

Triggered -- or Transformed?

Have you ever noticed how quickly something can "trigger" a reaction? Like that chigger that takes a hunk out of you???

OR --

Like a child talking back.

Like someone getting to us.

Like the phone doesn’t stop ringing.

Like the traffic won't move.

Like someone posting an unkind comment.

Or -- like seeing that Dairy Queen commercial and we're triggered for a bowl of ice cream. AND, it sounds like the best idea we've had all day! (Please tell me I'm not the only one!)

I've come to realize that being triggered isn't the problem.

It's what we do AFTER we're triggered that matters.

My circumstances may push the button, but my heart chooses the response.

When my feelings get hurt, when disappointment sneaks in, when I'm tempted to grumble or indulge a craving, I have a choice.

I can react – or I can run to Jesus.

King David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23–24)

I love that David didn't ask God to first change everyone around him.

He asked God to search HIM.

That's becoming my prayer too.

"Lord, why did that comment hurt so much?"

"Why am I so impatient today?"

"Why am I looking for comfort in a bowl of ice cream instead of in You?"

I've discovered that my triggers are often little warning lights on my dashboard. They reveal places where God is still working on me that will bring me healing, freedom, and peace.

Jesus never points out our weaknesses to shame us. He lovingly reveals them so He can transform them.

The more I invite Him to search my heart, the less power those triggers seem to have. Slowly, my reactions become responses.

My frustration becomes patience.

My hurt becomes forgiveness.

My cravings become opportunities to lean on Him.

I'm still -- a work in progress -- and yes, every now and then a Dairy Queen commercial still gets my attention!

But I'm learning that the Holy Spirit is stronger than my strongest trigger.

Today, instead of asking God to remove every irritating circumstance, I’m asking Him to transform my heart.

Because when our hearts change, our reactions begin to change too.

And that's a beautiful work only He can do.

Let’s See Like Jesus

Think about it. Seeing what Jesus saw.
When everyone else saw children as interruptions, Jesus saw future disciples.

When everyone else saw five loaves and two fish, Jesus saw a miracle.
When everyone else saw fishermen, Jesus saw apostles.
When everyone else saw Saul, Jesus saw Paul.

Jesus always looked beyond the present moment.

Yesterday, I shared about the first through 6th graders who put on a rousing performance – after a full week of learning, performing and stepping up to the plate!

We were watching eternity unfold in little voices.
That thought gave me goosebumps.
And then another thought came.

Years ago, someone faithfully stood in front of a Vacation Bible School class and taught this little Dallas girl about Jesus. They probably have no idea what became of her.

They couldn't have imagined I would one day write over 4,500 morning devotionals, touching thousands of lives around the world.

They simply planted a seed. And God grew the tree.
Now I am one of the people planting seeds.
Isn't that just like God?

Paul said it perfectly: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow." (1 Corinthians 3:6)

That's the beautiful mystery of God's kingdom. We seldom see the whole harvest.

We simply keep planting. Perhaps those little children that I spoke about yesterday -- one might someday become the next pastor.
Or missionary...
Or Sunday school teacher...
Or faithful mom...
Or world leader...
Or grandfather/grandmother...

Or blogger...
Who quietly points people to Jesus every day.
We'll probably never know this side of heaven.
But heaven knows.

One more thing makes me smile. Yes, I want to encourage those in my sphere of influence the best I can. AND, I also want to be encouragers of the next generation – to write, to teach, to show up.

Won't you join me?

Planting Seeds That Last Forever

Last week, we attended the finale of our church's Creative Arts Camp.

Now, before you ask -- no, we don't have grandchildren in first through sixth grade! Ours range in age from 19 to 34. We probably looked a little out of place among all the young families – especially because we were smack dab in the front row!

But we wouldn't have missed it for the world. We went because we still delight in seeing children discover Jesus.

For one joyful week, children learned songs, choreography, rhythm, and teamwork while preparing a delightful musical called "Back to the Beginning".

Through energetic music, laughter, and lots of smiling faces, they traveled from the Garden of Eden through God's amazing story of redemption.

Watching those children sing with all their hearts reminded me of something. Long before I understood all the depths of Scripture, someone planted seeds of faith in me.

Vacation Bible School.
Sunday School.
Faithful teachers.
Loving volunteers.
Simple Bible songs.

Those weren't just childhood memories.
They became lifelong anchors.
I can't remember every lesson from school.
But I still remember songs about Jesus.

I still remember Bible verses tucked away in my young heart.
And here I am all these years later, still clinging to the Savior those dear teachers introduced me to.

Proverbs 22:6 says: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Every volunteer, every musician, every teenager helping backstage, every director, every teacher was doing far more than producing a musical.
They were planting seeds for eternity.

Some of those children may not realize it today.
But years from now, a song, a Scripture, or a simple truth learned last week may be exactly what the Holy Spirit uses to draw them back to God.

We should never underestimate what God can do with one seed planted in the heart of a child. The smallest seeds often produce the greatest harvest.

And, oh, by the way -- I don't think the heroes of this story were just the children.
They were the quiet servants.
The teenager who patiently helped a child remember one line.
The musician who rehearsed one more song.
The volunteer who handed out snacks.
The director who stayed late.
Most of them will never know the eternal impact of what they did.
But heaven does.

Groves of Mimosa Trees

This blog today comes from seeing so many Mimosa trees (my favorite tree) right here in Austin. I took a journey back in time – remembering those trees.

"I'm soooo bored!" Was that you when you were child? My mom wouldn’t let me go far in boredom-land.

Mom's solution was simple.
"Go outside and play!"
And play we did!

Our neighborhood became our amusement park. We rode bicycles until the streetlights came on, opened lemonade stands, climbed trees, dreamed big dreams -- and once, my friend and I decided to dig our own backyard swimming pool.

Unfortunately, my dad wasn't nearly as excited about our 5-foot-by-5-foot masterpiece as we were. Evidently, he preferred grass over mud! Imagine that!

One of my happiest memories was climbing our beautiful Mimosa tree.
To me, it wasn't just a tree.
It was a pirate ship.
A castle.
A fortress.

Its pink blossoms became decorations, and the long seed pods became ingredients for the finest pretend soup ever served.

The funny thing is, every time I see a Mimosa tree today, I'm instantly transported back to those carefree summers.

And it reminds me of something Jesus said: "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3)

Children notice things.
They imagine.
They wonder.
They trust.

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, many of us stop climbing "Mimosa trees." We become so busy making a living that we forget to enjoy living.

God didn't create a world filled with breathtaking beauty for us to hurry past it.
Look for a Mimosa tree.
Watch a butterfly.
Listen to a bird sing.
Remember what it felt like to wonder.

We may not climb a Mimosa tree anymore -- but we can still live with the joyful heart of a child. AND we can let our imagination run wild.
Because growing older is inevitable.
Growing dull is optional.
May we never lose that gift.

I’m imagining – maybe my dad -- somewhere in heaven, is laughing about that famous swimming pool we created. And, maybe he'll have a swimming pool there for me and beside it will be groves and groves of Mimosa trees!

Horse Power

One of the sweetest commitments Carl and I have made is this:
We are adventurers -- on purpose.

We want to keep our eyes wide open.
Wide open to God's creation.
Wide open to learning.
Wide open to wonder.

Let's be honest. We could easily spend our days glued to the television, listening to one discouraging news story after another, or dozing in our favorite recliner while life quietly passes by.

But God created a magnificent world for us to stop exploring it.

This week, we were invited to a members-only premiere at the Bullock Texas State History Museum to see the brand-new IMAX film: “Horse Power”.

What an adventure! For the next hour, we traveled around the globe without ever leaving Austin.

We galloped across the Mongolian steppe with a young girl and her faithful horse. We rode alongside America's wild mustangs, watched magnificent Arabian stallions race across the desert, joined mounted police officers in Amsterdam, visited hospital patients comforted by miniature therapy horses, and witnessed endangered wild horses being released back into their natural habitat.

I sat there in absolute awe -- not just because horses are remarkable.

But because our Creator is remarkable.
Psalm 19:1 reminds us, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

I'd add that the horses proclaim the work of His hands, too!

Every animal, every mountain, every ocean, every sunrise, and every star whispers the same message: "Look what God has made!"

May we never become so busy -- or so comfortable -- that we lose our sense of wonder.

There is still so much beauty to discover.
So much to learn.
So much to celebrate.

Carl and I are adventurers – on purpose! We go looking for the fingerprints of God.

And isn't that exactly what Jesus invited us to do?
To open our eyes.
To notice.
To marvel.
To worship.

I hope that you, my dear friends, will take the opportunity to stand in amazement and say, with us…..”Oh what a mighty God we serve!”

Come Along With Me

Have you ever heard the saying, "Don't just talk the talk -- walk the walk"?

Jesus said it even more simply:
"Come, follow Me." (Matthew 4:19)

Not, "Come admire Me."
Not, "Come agree with Me."
Not even, "Come learn about Me."
He said, "Follow Me."

I'll be honest. There was a time when I loved Jesus deeply but lacked the courage to tell others about Him. I'd gladly invite friends to church, but I secretly hoped the pastor would do all the talking. Fear of rejection kept me quiet.

Then something changed.
I stopped worrying so much about what people thought of me and started caring more about where they would spend eternity.

That changed everything. I truly wanted my friends and family to not just follow me but to come along with me. Let's do this together!

I really don't blog to gain followers for Donna. I blog because I want people to become followers of Jesus.

He's the Living Water. How could I keep that to myself?

The world has plenty of loud voices competing for our attention. But only one voice still says, "Come, follow Me."

The disciples weren't perfect. They stumbled. They questioned. They misunderstood. Yet they kept following -- and Jesus kept transforming them.

Isn't that encouraging?
He isn't looking for perfect people.
He's looking for willing followers.

May our words point to Jesus.
May our lives reflect Jesus.
And may someone someday say,
"I found Him because you followed Him."

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
—1 Corinthians 11:1

Jesus never said, "Come, understand everything." He simply said, "Come, follow Me." Isn't that freeing?

If He had required us to understand everything first, none of us would have qualified! Instead, He asks for trust first, and understanding grows as we walk with Him.

Come on, dear friends -- let's follow Jesus together.

The Delight of a Child

Last Saturday, we celebrated my son Ryan's birthday at a wonderful restaurant, Roxie's, in Buda. Like many parents, I wondered, "What do you buy someone who seems to have everything?"
Then it hit me.

Carl and I begin every morning with devotions and reading God's Word together. Last Christmas, I bought us neck lights because the print in our Bibles was getting just a little -- shall we say -- "fuzzier!" (Aging does have its little surprises!)

Eventually, I decided to solve the problem another way -- I bought us a large-print Bible.
We love it!

So for Ryan's birthday, I bought him the very same Bible, engraved with his name. Between a few jokes about getting older, he opened it -- smiled -- and genuinely loved it.

But that wasn't my favorite moment of the day.

Just before we left home, Carl walked out of his closet carrying a two colorful children's activity books.
"Do you mind if I give these to Bailey?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, I said, and I have a pink bag and tissue to put them in!"

Five-year-old Bailey lost her precious mommy to cancer last year. Yet through the loving arms of her daddy, family, and friends, she continues to blossom into one of the happiest, brightest little girls you'd ever want to meet.

Honestly, I wondered if two little books would even get her attention.
Oh, was I wrong!

She hugged us, then spent almost the entire celebration carrying those books from person to person, proudly showing everyone her treasures. She climbed onto laps, smiled from ear to ear, and filled the room with childlike delight.

Watching her made me think of our Heavenly Father and how He loves it when we approach His Word?

Not as another item on today's checklist.
But as His beloved children, eager to discover what wonderful treasure He has waiting for us.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me..." (Matthew 19:14)

Maybe that's because children have a way of reminding grown-ups how to receive God's gifts -- with joy, wonder, gratitude, and excitement.

Lord, may we never lose the delight of opening Your Book -- and discovering Your love all over again.

Growing older may require a larger print Bible -- but it should never require a smaller childlike faith.

Why the Mob Got Mad

Yesterday, I wrote about how Jesus takes dead things and makes them come alive.

Today, let's see what happened when that actually took place.

The city of Ephesus was known for idol worship, witchcraft, immorality, and the magnificent temple of Artemis. It was a city where darkness seemed to have the upper hand.

Then along came the Apostle Paul. For three years he faithfully preached Jesus Christ and "The Way."

Lives began to change.
People abandoned their idols.
They confessed their sins.
They burned the very things that had once controlled them.

The Gospel wasn't just changing hearts -- it was transforming an entire city.

And that's exactly why the mob got angry. Sound familiar?
It wasn't because Paul was harming people.
It was because Jesus was healing them.

Businesses built on idolatry began to suffer. The influence of darkness was losing its grip. Hope was replacing hopelessness.

Whenever light shines, darkness resists.
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6)

The Gospel has never been merely a philosophy.
It is resurrection.

It brings new life to dead hearts, broken marriages, shattered dreams, weary souls, and empty lives.

The same is true today.

Whenever people begin following Jesus, forgiveness replaces bitterness, generosity overcomes selfishness, peace quiets fear, and hope rises where despair once lived.

Not everyone celebrates that kind of transformation.
There will always be voices trying to pull us away from Christ.
There will always be crowds shouting one thing while Jesus quietly calls us another way.

So let's not allow the crowd to determine our direction.
Let's -- let Christ control The Way!
Because crowds change.
Opinions change.
Culture changes.

But Jesus never changes.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

When the world grows louder, let's draw closer to The Way.

Because following Jesus has never depended on the size of the crowd -- it's the faithfulness of our Savior.

When Dead Things Come Alive

Last Sunday, our pastor, Dr. Jonathan Spencer, shared a message that I haven't been able to stop thinking about.

He told a story about his neighborhood.

Like many communities, there's an HOA that collects dues to keep the common areas beautiful. Yet for years, he drove past flower beds that looked -- well -- less than inspiring! Brown. Bare. Lifeless.

He admitted he'd grumble from time to time.
"We're paying HOA dues -- what happened to the flowers?"

Then one day everything changed.
Almost overnight, vibrant flowers bloomed, fresh plants appeared, and what had looked dead suddenly became beautiful again.

I smiled because it reminded me of something far greater.
That's exactly what Jesus does.
He takes what looks hopeless and fills it with life.

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

Maybe today you're looking at an area of your life that feels barren.
A broken relationship.
A weary heart.
A dream that seems forgotten.

Or perhaps you've been grumbling about the "dead spots" instead of believing God can still make them bloom.

Take heart.
Our Savior specializes in resurrection.

Every other religion points people to teachers who have died.
Christianity points us to a risen Savior who still changes lives today.

He doesn't simply improve us.
He makes us new.

So if you've been staring at the weeds, don't lose hope.
Our Master Gardener is still at work.

And when Jesus gets involved, dead things don't stay dead for long. He doesn't simply improve us. He makes us new.

#deadthings #ComeAlive #mastergardener

When Life Becomes a Comedy of Errors

 

If you know me, you know I have a slight affection -- okay, let's be honest, an addiction -- for QuikTrip's Black Mango Unsweetened Tea!

If I'm driving just about anywhere, chances are I'll stop for a refill. (The refill discount makes it taste even better!)

Last Tuesday, however, my usual three-minute stop turned into a fifteen-minute adventure.

I proudly carried in my extra-large refill cup. The young clerk, on his very first day, smiled and waved me over.

I pulled the handle.  Water.

He assured me the tea was probably "on its way."  More water.

After a little investigating, we discovered the problem.  No filter!

Once the filter was in place, that beautiful Black Mango Tea finally began flowing. Success!

As I headed to the register with two giant cups of tea, the manager smiled and said, "No charge. After all you've been through, it's on us!"

I couldn't help but laugh.  What could have been frustrating became one of the funniest parts of my day

.

Isn't life like that sometimes?

Everything seems to go wrong. Plans get delayed. Mistakes happen. Miscommunication abounds. We wonder if the enemy is trying to derail our day.

We can grumble – or we can trust.

Romans 8:28 reminds us, "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Sometimes our greatest testimony isn't that everything went smoothly.
It's that we chose joy when it didn't.

So please trust me!  The next time your day feels like a comedy of errors, don't throw in the towel.  You might need it to wipe up a little spill.

Or -- wave it in celebration when God turns your frustration into a blessing!

After all, our God specializes in taking life's little mix-ups and reminding us that He is still completely in control.

When frustration, impatience, or disappointment begins pouring out of us, perhaps it's not because life is broken.  Perhaps we just need to let God's Spirit filter our thoughts and attitudes.

This Mother's Heart 🎈❤️🎈❤️🎈❤️🎈❤️🎈❤️🎈❤️

Today is a very special day.
It's the birthday of my firstborn son, Ryan Keith Wuerch -- the young man who gave me my favorite title this side of heaven -- Mom! Happy Birthday, Ryan!

#bestjobever

The day Ryan was born, I discovered a love I had never known before. I looked into those tiny eyes and thought, "How is it possible to love someone this much?"

To me, he was the most beautiful baby in the world. (I'm quite sure every mother thinks the same thing -- and we're probably all right!)

We grew up together. I was a very young mother who certainly didn't have all the answers. I made my share of mistakes, prayed more prayers than I can count, and leaned heavily on God's grace.

Then somehow, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, that little boy became a man. (FYI -- Moms who have young little guys and girls -- trust me -- time flies!)

Today, I thank God for Ryan's compassionate heart, his leadership, his love for his family, and his desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Watching him has been one of my greatest joys.

I am so blessed to be his Mom. But being a mother has taught me something even greater.

If I can love my child this deeply -- with all my imperfections -- how much more does our perfect Heavenly Father love His children?

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1)

Max Lucado wrote this: “If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Face it, friend. He is crazy about you!"

YES -- God loves us and even delights in us!
"He rejoices over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

So today, as I celebrate my precious son, I'm also celebrating the incredible love of our Heavenly Father Who celebrates you and me! Oh what an amazing Father He is to all of us!

In closing -- Happy Birthday, Ryan! Thank you for making me a mom and for reminding me every day of just how deeply God loves all of His children. That's for all of us! 🎈❤️🎈❤️🎈❤️🎈❤️