Yes, I’ve heard stories of how pain can change people’s lives for the better. Pain is a most effective wake-up call, that’s for sure. Pain is also necessary to alert us to health problems. At various times I’ve suffered excruciating pain, both physical and mental, and I’ve learned God never left me throughout those awful struggles. When I was bent over in pain from kidney stones, I prayed for relief. It didn’t instantly come, but what did come were thoughts of how much Christ suffered for me on the cross. Though I was hurting beyond what I could imagine, he was there. That lesson has stayed with me. But I still hate pain and pray for the day when pain will be no more.

Usually I have my days planned, even sometimes writing down what needs to be done and in what order. As I also ask for God’s involvement, I shouldn’t be surprised when my plans are superseded by his. Like today, my plans included a trip to the bank, post office and gas station. None of that worked out. No, today will be a day dedicated to solemn reflection, meditation and prayer. This day is September 11, a day to remember all those still suffering the losses of that horrific tragedy. This happened years ago but God hasn’t forgotten. He shares in the pain of those who lost husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers. It will never be just another anniversary of a bad day for them. And, neither is it for God.

The thought came to me one day, am I taking God for granted? After my early morning devotional, do I go around the rest of the day, watering my plants, sweeping my floors, preparing meals, without God continually in my thoughts? Yes, at times I do take God for granted. I take him for granted in the same way I took my parents for granted when I was a child. No matter what, I knew they loved me and would provide for me and protect me. Thoughts that they wouldn’t never entered my mind. Only later did I realize what they had sacrificed for me. Only then could I really understand and show my appreciation for their care. Much more than for our parents we can take God for granted, but let’s be sure to show him how grateful we are that we can.

One of my friends leases part of her property to someone with sheep. At first they were leery of her, but as she kept bringing them bits of food, they started coming up to her back fence in anticipation of a treat. So, when she approached them from another part of her property, she was surprised they shied away from her. She might bring them treats at times, but she isn’t their shepherd. Sheep aren’t the smartest of animals, but they do know their shepherd. Jesus often referred to himself as the shepherd and his followers as sheep. Even if we aren’t the smartest, we know whom we can always trust to provide and care for us.

Some mornings while enjoying my cup of coffee, praying, reading devotionals, meditating, before I know it, hours have gone by. Oh no, the day’s almost half over and I haven’t done anything! Those thoughts are followed by, Wait, what could be more important than spending extra time with our Savior. I’m retired, even with my daily chores, I have more discretionary time than those families still struggling to balance work, chores and children’s activities every day. Why not spend extra time praying for those who, unlike me, have to squeeze in a little prayer time whenever they can.

Have you ever had someone treat you disrespectfully and every time you think of that person you remember the incident, even though it may have happened years ago? It could have been a few negative words or even a smirk on their face at something you said. Nothing earth shattering. When that happens to me I feel so childish. They didn’t slap me or spit in my face or yank my hair. Even worse, they didn’t beat me or torture me in any way. They may have disagreed with something I said or talked down to me or said something to make me look foolish, but they had no desire to kill me. Thank you, my Savior, for your unconditional love. Thank you for your forgiveness, even to those set on destroying you. Help me follow your example.

As I left dinner with my friends, the guys warned us about deer on the roads, out earlier than usual. They said because it was so hot and dry, the deer were looking for water. Of course, Psalm 42:1 came to mind as well as the hymn, “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you….” Those deer are taking chances showing up in the middle of the afternoon, but they need water—desperately! The psalmist seems to be in a bad place. He knew the habits of deer and used that analogy to express how much he needed God. Just as the deer need a continual source of water to survive, we need a constant spiritual connection to our Lord and Savior—desperately!

One day last week I had big plans but woke up with a headache. My youngest daughter and I are prone to headaches. Even a rise or drop in barometric pressure can set them off. A cup of coffee can take care of some of them, but others can’t be ignored. If we don’t do something we get nauseous and are down for the day. We don’t complain much about our sensitivity because otherwise our health is so much better than many others. Having to rethink my schedule makes me remember the old saying about “well laid plans.” We can make plans, and that’s good to do, but we can never be sure about tomorrow. Better to put each and every day in God’s hands and be grateful for them.

Life has its transitions. Some are life changing. When my first baby was born, I experienced a sacrificial love unlike any I had ever had. No longer was I a teenage wife, I now had the responsibility for a brand-new person I would give my life to protect and care for. Getting married, beginning a new career, facing retirement are other significant passages in life. But even more than any of these is accepting the call of Jesus to life eternal with him. Here is one who has already given his life for me. Now I offer it back to him, not sweet and precious like a newborn baby, but tarnished and broken, stained with sin. And, he said, it’s OK, I’ve got this!

He’s always there and he’s huge. When I water my flower garden, I carefully avoid his web. (He may be a she for all I know.) The butterflies, bees and hummingbirds ignore me, moving slightly out of my way as I water. They’re also ignoring the ever-so-patient spider, which I’m thinking could not be in their best interests. Sure enough, when I watered this morning, Mr. Spider had a large bumblebee wrapped up in his web. Capturing something as large as he is must have been quite a battle. Predator and prey, today the spider was the predator but tomorrow he could be the prey of a hungry bird. That’s the way of this world, but it won’t always be so.