I can imagine all of us have had seasons of difficulties. Actually, some more than others, it seems. Corrie Ten Boom – as above – survived a Nazi concentration camp. She and her family were tortured because they hid Jewish people in their home. She wrote a book about her experiences titled, “The Hiding Place.” Because of a ‘clerical mistake,’ she was released. I see the hand of God in her release as she did. Women her age were not generally released. As people of faith, the times of difficulty test the genuineness of our faith and help us grow in faith. Corrie Ten Boom kept her faith amid horrific circumstance. She also shared that as she walked with the Lord, year after year, she understood less and less and just ‘abided under the shadow of the Almighty’ more and more. (Psalm 91.1)
Another woman of faith, Joni Earekson Tada, wrote a book and writes, “true wisdom-it’s found not in being able to figure out why God allows tragedies to happen, it is found in trusting God when you can’t figure things out. God is attracted to the weak, He is drawn to the needy, and He is near those who acknowledge their spiritual poverty. God lavishes His grace on those who consider themselves undeserving.” That describes many of us.
Some days are more difficult than others, but we have hope. We have the Living God Who leads us and guides us each day. When He leads us into the ‘wilderness’ – so to speak – He walks with us. One of the most encouraging scriptures to me describing God’s Divine providence and His making a way where there looked like there was not a visible way for help is Psalm 77.19 (the NLT) that reads, “Your road led through the sea…a pathway no one knew was there.” God is leading and He gives hope to those who feel they have no hope. He has 1,000 ways to deliver us from our circumstances.
We are encouraged to come to place where we say what Habakkuk 3.17-18 says – “Though the fig tree does not blossom, and there is no fruit on the vines, though the product of the olive fails and fields yield no food ,though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet will I rejoice in the Lord…” He is a faithful God to help us.
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Don’t we all love those days when everything goes right. Work is good, family is happy, lines at the store are short, you hit all the lights green, no flat tire today, you won a scratch off! Wow, life doesn’t get better. It is easy at these times – when things seem to go smoothly and our performance seems adequate – to think we are on God’s A-list and must be loved and valued.
Being born a long time ago makes me feel pretty old – especially when I meet someone born in 2002. Can you imagine not knowing who Fonzi is? Or not having seen the Monkies live on Ed Sullivan? Who’s Ed Sullivan some ask? Yes, I get it. I used to wonder what it was like in the 1920’s. There are those who remember.
It’s not just because I am a veterinarian that I think pets are the most wonderful things we can have in our lives. My entire family moved 800 miles away and left me and my dog, Rudy, to take care of everything. What an unexpected turn of events. To be honest, at first, I was afraid to be alone where I had never lived alone. Rudy has surprised me and has been my faithful companion through it all. He has been quiet, but when needed, shows me he will not let anything or anyone hurt me – at least not without a fight from him. Feeling more safe is just one lovely thing a pet can bring us.
Many years ago I attended a Christmas concert my step daughter sang in. Before she came to the stage, the younger children sang their songs. One sweet little song was, “Must Be Santa.” The first graders were darling as they sang, “Cap on head…” and put their little hands on their heads. Then they patted their chests as they sang, ‘suit of red.’ The little ones continued, “Special night, beard that’s white,” and, of course, rubbed their chins. Then they sang, “Must be Santa.”
Summer – a new season is here! Sunshine! Warmth! Time for so many fun things. My summers are filled with swimming, fishing, kayaking, and ocean fun. I love it- it’s time to do all of these things all over again. Summer is also a time for cook outs – lots of hamburgers, dogs, steaks and sausages on the grill, macaroni salad, picnics and outings with family and friends. It feels like vacation every day. We also enjoy walks in the wooded areas and on the beach, bike rides and movies. We spend time planting flowers as well as watering and weeding them.
My Aunt asked me once why I read the same Book over and over. She said she thought it would be boring. I said that I have read the Bible over and over for over 40 years because each and every day, the Living God shows me something new in His Word. It is the most exciting thing that happens to me. When I sit to read, I open my Bible and ask, ‘What will the Lord say to me today?’
In a movie about detective Elliot Ness, he repeatedly says, “Let’s go do some good.” One day Mr. Ness walked into the locker room to overhear the men he worked with laughing and mockingly saying, “LET’S GO DO SOME GOOD.” They stopped when they noticed him standing there.