For Such a Time As This

Our church usually offers two alternatives for Adult Sunday School.  One follows the traditional class published by our church headquarters.  There is a new book each quarter, which often is broken into a couple of different units of focus.  For the summer months, the themes are "Triumph of Christ's Kingdom (Daniel and Revelation)" and "Help for Life's Journey".  The second option we refer to as the "elective class", and usually involves selecting a book to study or DVD series.  Interestingly, our current class option came our way from someone who doesn't even attend our church.  They had the study materials on hand, and felt led to pass them on instead of letting them collect dust on their bookshelf.  Thus it came to be we are now pursuing a DVD Beth Moore Study on the book of Esther.

The story of Esther has long fascinated me, and a fresh perspective is always welcome.  If you've never read her story, I would encourage you to do so.  You will find it in the pages of the Old Testament, sandwiched between Nehemiah and Job. Or an alternative would be to watch a 2006 movie rendition called, "One Night With the King", which follows the Biblical account fairly well.  Esther's story is a fairy tale type story, where a seemingly insignificant young lady finds herself in a position to change the course of an entire nation.  One of the portions often quoted from chapter 4 and verse 14, finds Esther's cousin, Mordecai, sending her the message, "And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

The story of Esther is one of destiny.  She was placed in the right place at the right time for God's right purpose to be fulfilled.  Perhaps my life story doesn't involve being invited to a palace or marrying a king.  Still, I sense God has a purpose and calling on my life, just as He did Esther's.  How about you?  In the comings and goings of your life, do you see God at work, "for such a time as this"?  Please feel free to share how God is working in and through you or your church to make an impact on your community.  We can all learn from each other, and with God's guidance make a difference in the world.

All Gone But the Memories

The "Before" Picture

It has been a bittersweet day which started out with a bang. . .and a beep, beep . . .and a crash!  "What is going on out there?" ran through my mind until I realized the concrete crew we had hired to replace our sidewalks had begun the deconstruction phase of the project.  First to be removed were big chunks of sidewalk.

Then they progressed to taking down the little deck outside our front door, railing and steps.  Soon the only thing left was the dirt they would rebuild on.

 

As I visited with one of the workers, I commented there were a lot of memories packed into those pieces they had removed.  Somewhere around forty years of memories.  How many times were those steps used to access our home and by how many different people?  I thought of our parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles and scores of relatives and friends who came to visit and left by those stairs.  I thought of our children learning to walk up and down them, and then in more recent years our grandchildren doing the same.  If concrete steps could talk, they would have lots of stories to tell!

 

Crossing my mind was a memory of the time a little fawn wondered into our yard in the evening and a curious little girl and boy came out onto the steps to investigate.

 

I thought of countless dozens of petunias which had added a splash of color in the adjacent planters during the summer months.  At Christmas it was a Nativity scene which graced the same planters.  Artificial flowers filled them with autumn colors in the fall and welcome colors of spring when it was not yet warm enough for the real thing.

As I looked back, I also thought ahead to the completion of the project and how different things will be.  The stairs will descend to the west instead of to the south to avoid the inevitable patch of ice which seemed to accumulate every winter.  A broader base will provide the foundation for a small deck with space for a couple of chairs to relax in.  It will take some thinking and planning, but factored into the new layout will be a means to continue planting petunias and displaying the Nativity Scene.  It will be a "work in progress" for a time, but hopefully, when completed, it will be the source of many more memories in the years to come.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

and He will establish your plans."

~Proverbs 16:3

It Ain't So Bad!

Today is my birthday.  It's a big one.  6-0!  I've known it was coming for quite some time now, and must admit the fun involved has been well worth the change to a new decade!  Several ladies from my church joined me for lunch at the Columbus Café, about a 30 minute drive to the east.  Another lady who attends our fellowship recently took over running the business, and we enjoyed our time together and some great food.

We arrived back in Crosby just in time for me to pick up my mother-in-law for our weekly "Music Makers" outing to the nursing home.  Although two of our regulars were unable to be there, the rest of us did our best to entertain the local residents.  Here's a sampling of our music!






Next on the agenda was a drive to Williston, which is about an hour south of us.  We met our daughter and her family at one of the Mexican restaurants and proceeded to wait for a large table to open.  It seemed to take forever, but it gave us some quality time with the grandkids who didn't complain about the wait.  (It was good thinking on their mother's part to give them a few snacks beforehand!)

 

Turns out it  was well worth the long wait.  Our granddaughter exclaimed, "This is really good food!  It's like a feast!!"  But the best part was the birthday cake which came later on, made and decorated by my daughter.  She remembered my favorite. . .white cake, with lemon filling and 7 minute frosting.  She found recipes on the Internet, not knowing I usually just open a can of lemon pie filling and make the frosting from a mix!  "You did good, Rebekah!"

 

 

 

Opening presents was filled with excitement. . .with a good percentage of it coming from the grandkids!  Grandpa had ordered a kit to make a bank for our Lego community, and they were sure we should start assembling it tonight. 

On the ride home, I thought back on the day and had to admit I was blessed.  And now the day ends with a prayer of thanksgiving to the One who has provided each and every one of the blessings.  Yes, being 60 is going to be just fine! 

 

Something's Missing!

Today is Mother's Day, the day when most everyone posts a picture of themselves with their mother on FaceBook.  Sadly, as I look through the many photo albums in our home, there are very few pictures of my mother and I together.  I have come to the conclusion this is what happens when the "family photographer" passes the trait on to her child.  In the photo albums of me growing up, my mother was always the one taking the pictures, and as time progressed I gradually took over as the one behind the camera.  Consequently, opportunities to be in pictures together were very rare.

Thankfully, although there are no actually pictures, there are many memories which float through my brain, especially on days such as today.  There were many times of "helping" in the kitchen, with my favorite being the baking.  If vanilla was involved we always had to smell the wonderful aroma.  Birthdays meant getting to page through a little book of decorated cakes and choosing our favorite for the year, knowing a party with family was always part of the plan.

As I sing the alto line of the hymns at church, I think back to sitting by my mother in church and hearing her do the same.  Perhaps it is the reason singing harmonies comes so easy.  Although I don't remember her often playing the piano, I do remember her teaching me a catchy little duet.  She would play the chords on the bottom and I would play a variety of tunes to fill in on the upper notes.  Not long ago I found myself teaching my grandchildren some of the same tunes, only this time I was the one playing the bottom chords.

During this season of planting flowers, my mind often drifts back to helping her fill the front planters with petunias and geraniums and the back planter with moss roses.  Work the dirt, dig the holes, fill them with a drink of water first, then add the starter plants.  Gardens were also a part of the summer routine, although my favorite part came when the peas were ready to eat straight from the shell!

Looking back on our wedding, I now realize how much my mother contributed, especially since the date was only three days after Christmas.  She always made the holidays extra special,  and I can now see and appreciate the extra effort she put into throwing a wedding into the mix.  Of course, at the time, I was more interested in my future husband than tending to details, so it's a good thing she was there to help pull it off.

When our daughter arrived and I needed to go back to work after four months off, she was there to volunteer her services as a babysitter.  They lived five miles out in the country, and she offered to drive in every morning so I wouldn't have to wake the baby if she was still sleeping.  It was another example of the "above and beyond" she invested in everything she did.

It was tragic to lose her at such a young age.  She suffered a brain aneurysm at the age of 68, leaving a huge hole in our lives.  Yes, something is missing, and it is much more than pictures.  But the good news is we have the hope and assurance in God's Word there will come a time we will once again be together.  Although I must confess Mother's Day seldom comes and goes without a few tears shed, it is comforting to know God's love and faithfulness never come up missing, giving me reason to simply smile and whisper heavenward, "Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  See you again in God's perfect timing!!" 

 

The Unexpected Gift

Have you ever received an unexpected gift?  Each spring as blossoms appear on a small bush located at the corner of our house, I'm reminded of the fact we sometimes receive things we weren't expecting.  Triggering the memory is a small bush we first noticed two years ago, and each year we find it growing a bit larger.

Because it was not planted by us, we are not even sure what type of bush, or even perhaps tree, it is.  Since it is located just under a downspout, we are guessing it was gifted to us by the wind, or a bird and the added moisture in the area caused it to spout and grow.  If you recognize the blossoms as a particular variety, be sure to let us know!

 

Last year there was evidence of a few "fruits" starting to grow, but unfortunately the birds had them for a treat before we could figure out what they were!

 

How often in life do we receive unexpected gifts. . .or pass them on to someone else, for that matter.  Each spring, I am reminded of the importance of being grateful for these blessings, as well as initiating a few in the lives of those God has placed in my path.  It may be a loved one, or even someone yet a stranger.  Keep your "God eyes" open and look for opportunities to pass on the gifts God has so generously placed in your life.  They may be unexpected in the life of the recipient, but exactly what they need!

 

 Open my eyes that I may see
   wonderful things in Your law. . .

-Psalm 119:18 (NIV)



Standing Corrected!

After sitting under the preaching of Dan Johnson today, I came to the realization there was error in what I had written last night.  In reference to the writers of the Gospel accounts, my indication was all four men were friends of Jesus.  As a part of Dan's message today, he included mentioning the fact Luke did not personally know Jesus.  Isn't it interesting how God works?

Doing some further research tonight, I found tradition credits Matthew and John, disciples of Jesus, with penning the books which bear their names.  On the other hand, Luke was a friend and companion of Paul, and a doctor also credited with being a great historian.  His knowledge of Jesus and pathway to salvation came through the witness of Paul.

Mark also had a "second hand" view of the Gospel, one which he received from his friend, Peter, who was one of the original disciples of Jesus.  Some suggest Mark was recruited to preserve Peter's memories during the time Peter was being held in prison.  The important thing to note about both Luke and Mark is their willingness to hear and pass on the "good news" they received about Jesus Christ.

As I stand corrected, there are a couple of lessons which stand out.  First off, there are times I work too hard to find a deeper meaning to record as a "seeking lesson".  Perhaps I need to bear in mind there are some things to share which don't necessarily have to include a spiritual application.

Secondly, although I have basically been a follower of Christ for as long as I can remember, there is still much I have to learn!  The key is remaining open to instruction and maintaining a willingness to stand corrected when necessary.

As if God knew all this would transpire, the devotional I read tonight was about removing from my mind all thoughts of failure.  Instead, what appears to be "failure" should be considered as one step further toward the goal of a high calling in Jesus.

Tonight I am thankful for men like Dan Johnson who carry with them a lifetime of Biblical knowledge and a willingness to share.  I'm thankful for a God who listens to my ramblings and then patiently works a way to bring out truth when error slips into the equation.  Mostly I am thankful for the preservation of the Gospel accounts over the years.

A passage of Scripture comes to mind:

But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him?

And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him?

And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?

And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?

That is why the Scriptures say,

"How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring Good News!"

 

It seems there is a long line of "messengers" between those who first listened to Jesus and those of us who now call on His name to save us.  What a blessing to know God cared enough to keep the narrative going.  And don't forget to do your part to pass the message on. . .there are many who have not yet heard!