“Let someone go ahead of you in line,” is the matchbox suggestion this week. Not much of a sacrifice under normal circumstances. The problem comes when we’re in a big hurry. Or sometimes even when we’re not in a hurry, we might speed up while driving because we don’t like people cutting in front of us. One time a woman sped up, honking her horn, to get ahead of me to a gas pump. She got out of her car, shouting at me. I realized she thought I was trying to get there before her. I wasn’t, but she was so furious there was no explaining so I drove on. It made me think about how many people have gotten shot arguing over parking spots or in road-rage incidents. “Me first” seems to be our unspoken mantra. That’s just the opposite of what Christ would have us do, of course. So, I’m saying, “You first” instead of “Me first” and hoping that stays in my memory bank longer than just a week. (Yes, even while driving!)

 

Carol turned to me and whispered, “I’m doomed.” We were sitting up front in the choir at chapel services when the preacher said, “The Bible says worry is a sin.” I understood her remark because if worry is a sin, it’s a sin most if not all of us are guilty of. He went on to say if he had a basketball in his hand, it wouldn’t be the same as if Michael Jordan had one in his. If he had a tennis racket in his hand, it wouldn’t be the same as if Roger Federer had one in his. And If he had a slingshot in his hand it wouldn’t the same as if David had one in his. He asked who were we placing our trust in, ourselves, someone or something else or in God? In whose hands are we placing our concerns. He said whenever we start to worry, pray. Put prayer in place of worry. Put our worries in the hands of the One who has the power to do something about them. I’m trying, Lord! I’m trying!

While reading in the Gospel of Mark this morning I came across the account where Jesus was teaching in his home area and couldn’t do any powerful miracles because of the people’s unbelief. The scripture says he was “amazed” at their unbelief. I’m amazed too! This is Jesus we’re talking about, God on this earth. He healed thousands of people, but he could only heal a few in his hometown because they knew him and his family personally. It made me ask myself, is there a danger here? Jesus wants to be in relationship with us; he calls us his friends. But I think we should not ever take this special relationship for granted and forget who he is. He is our God and King. When we pray, let’s have no doubts, but believe and pray in absolute faith. Our Savior is always able and ready to hear from us.

 

She was always there and then she wasn’t. I loved her cheerful, positive nature and she had the best hugs. I didn’t notice at first. People do take vacations, but finally after several weeks, I became concerned. I asked someone if they knew why we hadn’t seen her at church lately. They didn’t know, so we asked our pastor. He sorrowfully said she had decided not to attend anymore. He said it wasn’t anything she disagreed with doctrinally, but she wouldn’t say what the problem was. I tried to call her but it didn’t go through. I emailed her, but no answer. “Recall a happy memory and share it with someone who was there.” I need that matchstick suggestion this week. I’m not through trying to reach her yet. We’ve both attended the same church for many years. Maybe I can help her remember the good times.

Last week we had freezing temperatures; this week it’s in the 70s. My flower gardens are a burst with daffodils and my yard covered by robins. Can spring be far behind? I enjoy the seasons. These signs of spring remind me that this Lenten season, a somber time to remind us of the sacrifice of our Savior, is followed by Easter Sunday, a time of celebration. It also reminds me that, when you put your trust in God, everything changes. The winters of your life turn into glorious spring. Thank you, Lord.

 

 

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season. The Methodist church in town is offering a drive-by opportunity to have a cross of ashes placed on your forehead. Some of my friends, both Catholic and Protestant, find this pretty funny. You can imagine some of the comments. (Do you just stick your head out of the window as you drive by?) I hadn’t thought much about observing Lent until a few years ago. I do eat fish on Fridays with my friends who observe the custom. Though Lent is known as a Catholic tradition, more Protestant/evangelical churches are observing it now. I’ve seen a lot of suggestions for what to give up on Lent on social media, many of which are what we shouldn’t be doing anyway. A pastor friend suggested giving up talking so much and spend that time listening to God. That sounds good to me. So I’m thinking I will observe Lent this year. But I need a physical reminder. I often eat a square of dark chocolate when I feel the urge for something sweet after dinner. So I think I’ll give up chocolate as both a reminder of the spiritual meaning of this season and to spend more time listening to God. Not so sure about the drive-by ashes though.

 

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Have you ever tried to memorize long passages of scripture? When I was much younger I memorized familiar passages like Psalm 23 and the Exodus 20 version of the Ten Commandments, along with some others. They’ve pretty much stuck with me, especially Psalm 23. Now, I’m working on Colossians 3:1-17. I’m learning it doesn’t seem as easy to memorize as it once was. Maybe I’ve just forgotten. When I read about people memorizing whole books of the Bible, I have a lot more respect for them. Why Colossians 3:1-17? Because Paul tells Christians how to live their lives, and not. First, he talks about the not, what Christians should get rid of—remnants of their earthly nature—and then gives positive examples of how we as new creations in Christ should live. That passage is something I want instilled in my brain so I can reference it whenever and wherever I need to. I’ve got it printed and laid out on my desk so I can go over it daily. Unfortunately, I find if I miss a day or two, some of those verses slip right out of my head. I’m not giving up though. I need the reminder and my old brain needs the workout.

 

“To see God in everything makes life the greatest adventure there is.” Not sure who first said that, but I believe it. My daughter Shara surprised me with a visit earlier this week, and we took a drive up to check out a new lodge on an Oklahoma lake. She drove so I could be free to, as she said, “enjoy looking at the new colts” along the way. I didn’t see any but I did see some baby calves. As we drove through the winding roads, we saw lots of trees but mostly leaf bare. The only flowers are the early daffodils. Yes, it’s still a bit gray and drab of color in the winter months, but we saw beauty everywhere. The spacious design of the lodge and its landscaping, the watercolor paintings decorating the walls, the shimmering lake stretching out as far as we could see. God’s creative influence is marvelous, but even more so is the love he shows us through his creation (including daughters who actually enjoy spending time with their mothers!).

 

I love the matchstick suggestion this week: “Reconnect with an old friend.” Although I’m wondering if that means old in the sense of age or old as someone you haven’t seen in a while. It could be both. Anyway, I like hearing from friends, old or not. Using social media is controversial, but it’s certainly allowed me to connect and reconnect with many of my friends and family, here and abroad. And, isn’t it wonderful that when you do connect, it’s like you haven’t been apart that long at all? I’ve got friends like that. Even if I haven’t seen or talked to them for months or years even, I still consider them some of my closest friends. This is a good reminder. I think I’ll connect with one of them right now. Catch you later!

 

Abandon yourself to God so as to fully enjoy joy and peace in your life. The point of my devotional this morning–to have faith and trust in our sovereign God no matter what. He is in control. The word “abandon” when connected to myself is not easy for me. I’ve written about it over the years. And, I like to think I have abandoned myself to God, but, like the old saying, the trouble with being a living sacrifice is that it’s likely to keep crawling off the altar. What does abandoning self to God look like? Abandoning yourself to God includes not dredging up past sins and failures and dwelling on them. Also included is needless worrying about what could happen in the future, and another, trusting ourselves to be able to work out our own problems. I’m not totally there yet, but I’m learning. The more I give it all to God the more I can enjoy the joy and peace abandonment to God brings. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).