Give Me Some Skin!

I have learned that if you listen very carefully, you can hear God speaking through the lips of your little ones. There have been numerous times when the words of my young children brought conviction upon me as I hustled through the daily routines of the busy parent. God’s Word tells us we are to have the faith of a child. I think that as adults we can learn much from our children if indeed we really listen.

One stormy evening many years ago, we were putting the children to bed. Our boys shared a room and went on to bed without incident. Our three-year- old daughter, however, was another story. She was already planning her strategy to sleep with us.

She was not exactly pleasant bed company, as she usually ended up sleeping crosswise with her feet in someone’s face. I steered her back to her room and placed her back into her own bed. We visited for a few minutes and said another prayer. Before I left, I tried to reassure her of her safety, with all of her teddy bears tucked in tightly around her, and then reminded her that Jesus was always with her too.

Pining for the inevitable last word, she looked up at me from beneath her blankets and with the saddest of eyes said,

 “But I need somebody with skin on!”

So as she climbed into our bed (yes, she won that one), I lay there beside her and thought about the depth of the words she had just spoken. I realized that too many times in ministering to others we attempt to offer a quick fix with words of consolation and promises of God’s presence.

There is a popular phrase among church leaders stating, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I have found this to be profoundly true. There are times when someone needs more than brief consolation; they need you!

And isn’t that what Jesus calls us to do?

Second Corinthians 1:3–4 declares, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions, that we may be able to comfort those which are in any affliction, by the [same] comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God.”

God does not comfort us just to make us comfortable but to make us comforters!

I question the sometimes-flippant use of the adage “misery loves company.” It can be inclined to suggest the notion that misery prefers like or similar company. If that is true, then misery will always be miserable. What misery really wants is help! It wants understanding, compassion, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and acceptance. It wants to be heard, and many times, it just wants to be held!

God is calling us to put into practice with others what He has done for us. Recognize that sometimes people need more than just a pat on the back; they need true, heartfelt comfort, full of mercy and compassion. It is the beauty of the family of God living out the kingdom of God.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the times You speak to us through our little ones. Give us ears to hear and hearts to receive. Help us to comfort others with the same comfort by which we have been comforted. Teach us to be sensitive and compassionate. Teach us to be Jesus … with skin on! In His precious name, amen.

Freedom Fighters

(Page 99)

When the kids were small, we took on a project of hatching quail eggs, raising them until old enough to release. We eagerly gained the use of an incubator and a few dozen very tiny quail eggs. Placing the box on a counter beneath a window, we positioned the special lamp over our new and crowded maternity ward. We then watched expectantly the following weeks for the first signs of life.

The miracle began one day as we noticed the eggs moving ever so slightly. Their movement reminded me of the dancing beans I had seen as a child. Excitement grew as we heard tiny tapping sounds from within the shell. This was the moment we had been waiting for!

Trust and Obey

Though my mother held no college degree, she was an amazing teacher. At a very young age, her ability at the sewing machine completely captivated me. So little by little, she began instructing me in the craft of sewing. As genetics would have it, Mom and I were both sticklers for detail, so we were a good match as teacher and student.

I learned to pay attention to every notch and marking and to follow the pattern guide precisely. Most important was the preparation and layout of the patterns in order to have the best possible foundation for my creation. In addition to that, pin, pin, pin, and pin some more in order to hold my project together until permanently stitched.

The greatest thing she did as teacher was demonstrate her confidence and belief in me. She would make sure I had everything going in the right direction, and before walking away, she would always add, “I know you can do this!” She did not stay and hover over me but instead went back to the work in which she previously had been engaged.

I remember at times being somewhat fearful at her leaving, but I also remember feeling empowered. I truly believed that if she trusted me enough to leave the room, she must also truly believe I could handle the challenge. My mother did well in teaching me the powerful principles of trust and obedience. She trusted me with all her sewing tools and machines, as well as my ability to follow the guides as she taught.

Likewise, I fully trusted her knowledge and understanding of what she taught, and I closely followed all her instructions, knowing that I could still call on her at any moment. Scripture also teaches us of the powerful principles of trust and obedience, along with the peace that accompanies the faithful and obedient heart.

Additionally, it teaches that God will not allow anything to come into our lives that we are not capable of withstanding.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13)

Just as one can be tempted to sin, one can also be tempted to doubt God’s sovereignty. When I became gravely ill, there were times when at first I questioned whether I was able to handle such an enormous challenge. I also remember specifically the day God reminded me of what my mother had taught me as a young seamstress, and something clicked in my head.

Immediately I became empowered and, oddly enough, rather excited when I stopped to realize that God must trust me completely to allow me to bear such a difficult burden. Thankfully, I had spent several years in “faith training” in the word of God, so I had an excellent foundation in place and was fully prepared with all the directions and instructions I could possibly need. In addition, I learned to pray, pray, pray, and pray some more, as prayer was a necessity in holding it all together in those days. I simply trusted and obeyed.

Often our doubt is a sign of our own spiritual immaturity and lack of faith. Conquering doubt demands a growing, obedient relationship with God. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17)

Trusting the wisdom of my mother enabled me to easily accept every level of her training, eventually strengthening my level of confidence, along with increased skill. Likewise, our trust in God strengthens and increases our level of faith and ability. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Prov. 3:5) 

Doubt is destructive. God knows this and wants us to know it too. “The Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in Thee!" (Ps. 84:11-12)

Holy God, like a shepherd, You lead me to green pastures and quiet waters and restore my soul. You walked with me through my valley of the shadow of death and comforted me in my sorrow. You prepared me with Your promises in the presence of bad news and anointed me with Your healing oil. My cup surely overflows from Your goodness and kindness, and I will tell of Your wonders all the days of my life. Amen.

Precious Testimonies

(page 145) 

Teaching Bible stories to kindergartners is both challenging and rewarding. My husband’s description of working with little ones is, “like lining up grasshoppers,” and I think it fits perfectly for that age group.

As a Vacation Bible School volunteer, I had signed up to teach this lively class. Having memorized the stories in order to retell them effectively, I sat on the floor amid the young grasshoppers. As I spoke, one little girl began to wriggle her way toward the front, settling directly in front of me. She was listening intently to the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. Her eyes were locked and intense as she began to lean forward with curiosity.

Recognizing that I was wooing her with my enlivened message, I looked directly at her as I spoke, and she nudged in even closer. With wide eyes, she gingerly raised her hand. I paused to allow her innocent query.

“Do you have on lipstick?” she questioned in a loud whisper.

My bubble burst as I realized I had “captured” her, not by my energetic reiteration of the story of Joseph’s coat, but rather the shiny pink coat on my lips.

Sharing God’s Word with others is both challenging and rewarding. If you’ve ever sat across from junior high or high school students and watched as their eyes glaze over, you know what I’m talking about.

But the key is just do it! Share the good news of Jesus Christ! It doesn’t matter if you haven’t memorized all the scripture you promised you would. If you know Jesus Christ, He is all you need!

When Jesus called Saul (who we know as Paul), he had not spent years in seminary. In fact, he had been actively persecuting Christians. What could Jesus possibly see in him, and what did he have that he could possibly share with others?

When Paul arrived in Damascus following his conversion, and after Ananias restored his sight, “he immediately began to proclaim Jesus saying, ‘He is the Son of God’” (Acts 9:20). All Paul had was a genuine encounter with Christ. He had a life-changing experience, recognizing the depth of his sin and the wretchedness of his soul, compelling him even more to share his experience of God’s mercy and grace.

Later, when speaking to the Corinthians, Paul said,

"When I came to you, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified … My message was not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God."  1 Corinthians 2:1–5

Though the bells and whistles (and pink lipstick) may draw the crowd in, the Spirit of God alone draws the heart. Bells and whistles are only added attractions, but they are not life changing; nor will they provide you with a testimony. They are simply tools used to present the message of Christ.

You may not have had a Road to Damascus experience as Paul did. Some testimonies are certainly more colorful than others are, but that doesn’t make your story any less valuable or effective. If you have had a personal encounter with Christ, then you have a testimony.

It is what God has delivered us from, brought us to, and led us through that become our message. It makes your story and mine real and effective to the glory and praise of God.

God of wonders, how grateful we are for the anointed ones You send to minister the message of Christ. We thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit, who draws us in at our appointed time and who will give us utterance as we faithfully give testimony to the power of God at work in our lives. All praise and glory to God our Savior!

Daze of Confusion

I recently received one of those dreaded middle-of-the-night phone calls. At 3:30 in the morning, my cell phone rang. In mid-dream confusion, I brought the phone close to my blurry, astigmatic eyes and read a number I did not recognize. Immediately, I shifted into panic mode. In the time it took for me to open my phone to answer, my mind had already raced down the phobic path of fear and trepidation. It was a classic case of imaginations run amok.

It turned out to be a wrong number; someone speaking broken English was checking on a ride to the airport. Satisfied there was no crisis, I could put my mind at ease. The problem was that while my mind was at ease, my body surely was not. I was now wide-awake, accompanied by a stomachache and throbbing calves—the side effects of surplus adrenaline. By divine design, adrenaline is a wonderful partner for bodily threats, emergencies and even personal challenges, but at 3:30 in the morning, it is a nuisance.

Ironically, what had set the stage for my immediate panic mode was a conversation that took place earlier in the evening. My daughter had called from the cruise ship on which she and her fiance’s family were vacationing in Mexico. She was quite sick. Although she had received medical attention on board, the fact that she was so far away instilled a level of anxiety in me of which only mothers can empathize.

I went to bed that evening and took my concerns to the Lord. I adamantly believed for her safety and health as well as my peace, and drifted off into sweet sleep. Then, a few hours later the phone call came, and in a sleepy and shaken stupor, I impulsively assumed the foreign number was a call placed from the ship.

As Christians, we are reminded frequently that we are to “walk by faith and not by sight” (or feelings). This is one of the most difficult areas in which believers struggle. We struggle not because of a hyper-hormone, but rather a manic-mind most often out of fear of the unknown.

        Well, what exactly is faith, if we are to walk by it? 

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…and without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:1,6)

        So what harm can fear really do anyway?

“The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted” (Prov. 29:25).

        But I think I can handle this problem on my own; I don’t really need to bother God with this one.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding…and do not be wise in your own eyes” (Prov. 3:5, 7).

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

When life catches us off guard, we find ourselves at first in a daze of confusion. Often, our initial reaction is out of fear and panic, drawing all sorts of irrational conclusions. Almighty God, however, is not a God of confusion but of peace (1 Cor. 14:33). Learning to seek Him in those manic moments will lead us to the peace that surpasses all comprehension, to guard our heart and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)

Furthermore, the Bible warns to “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour…” (1 Peter 5:8)

Yet take heart, because “the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

While the devil is on the prowl, the eyes of Almighty God are constantly in motion to send whatever support is necessary in our time of need. The more we learn to trust the Lord in our circumstances, and acknowledge Him in all our ways, the more we are able to relax, knowing that all power in heaven and earth are in His hands.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. As we hear and speak the truth of God’s Word by faith in all our circumstances, we will begin to see our thoughts and responses line up with His Word. With our mind, body, and spirit in sync, walking by faith becomes more graceful, more resolute, and more courageous.

But cut yourself some slack at 3:30 in the morning.

Blessed Father, we thank you that the evidence of Your goodness surrounds us every day. Though we may not see the reasons for our circumstance right now, we can be assured that all things work together for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. Help us to remain firm in our faith, knowing that we have all the support of heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In My Father's Arms

 (Page 19)

(Author note: This story is particularly special to me in that it is the first story I ever wrote. It was originally a personal letter to my dad on Father's Day in 1993, therefore, it is also the first story in my book) 

~~ ♥ ~~

In the early 1960s, northern Oklahoma endured several especially bitter winters. The frosty wet flurries were a natural kid magnet, so for six snowbound and restless children, dry gloves were in steady demand. With necessity the mother of invention, many times in place of gloves we would layer thick socks over our hands. One frigid afternoon, my brothers, sister, and I were playing in the snow-filled sandbox. They began to get cold and decided to go inside. At the stubborn age of six, I was willing to tough it out.

I was so absorbed in my play and determined to finish my snow castle, I had not noticed my socks/gloves were soaking wet. The outer layer was not only wet but had also become heavy, with little frozen pieces clinging to the ends dangling several inches past my fingertips. Having become quite awkward in the completion of my project, I removed the socks from my hands.

How much better it now seemed to no longer be encumbered by such a hindering piece of clothing. I now had full use of my fingers, giving me the creative freedom I didn’t realize was possible while wearing socks on my hands. Within minutes, however, I began to notice I could no longer feel my fingers. I could barely even move them. Bending my fingers was painful, and though I tried, I could not get my “gloves” back on. In my stubbornness, I had waited too long. I felt helpless as I stared at my stiff, throbbing fingers.

Then I saw him—my rescuer, my fixer of everything, my knight in dirty cowboy boots—my dad! I immediately burst into tears. “Daddy!” I cried. “My hands hurt so badly.”

He did not scold me for staying out too long. He did not tell me how foolish I was for taking my gloves off. The look in his eyes was that of compassion and tenderness. He scooped me up into his arms and carried me inside.

The fire was roaring in the old living room stove. Sitting there together before the fire, he repeatedly cupped his hands around mine, held them as close as he could to the warmth, and then gently closed them around my cold and lifeless hands. After a few minutes, I slowly began to feel life return to my frozen fingers. The painful throbbing had stopped, and I tested my fingers, opening and then closing them again … and again.

I wish I could say I learned my lesson that day in the snowy sandbox, but there would be other times when I would again suffer the painful consequences of a stubborn self-will. The rebellious spirit of the flesh and its attempt to fill the void left from the failed promises of a self-seeking and godless world often brings bitter and lifeless results.

I have always felt the greatest strengths of a man are his tenderness and gentleness. The same calloused hands of my father that toiled unceasingly around the farm gingerly buckled my shoes and tied my bows on Sunday mornings. Those seemingly unimportant things did not go without notice.

But, the most precious thing my dad showed me that day in the sandbox was not just his tenderness and love toward me but also the tender mercy of a loving heavenly Father. I often wonder if there are those who struggle with the love and acceptance of our heavenly Father because they did not feel the acceptance of an earthly father. I am thankful for that demonstration, thus giving me a deeper, richer understanding of the one I call Father, my rescuer, fixer of everything, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Abba Father, You are our shepherd; we shall not be in want. You are our shelter, our deliverer, our comforter, and our refuge. With gentleness and tenderness, You lead us back into the fold when we have gone astray. You lift us high above our trials that we may give You the glory and exalt Your name forever. You are mighty God, Prince of Peace, the Lamb of God, and Father to the fatherless, and we are Your beloved. Amen. (Psalm 23:1-6) 

Dad and me at Thanksgiving 2010.

Life Through Double Doors

(Page 30)

What is it about double doors?  They possess no magical powers. Most are made of solid wood, others maybe of aluminum or even glass. But a few I’ve noticed, throughout our lives seem to represent a rite of passage as we move from one stage of life into another.  It is as if life’s most significant moments must first pass through double doors.

The first set of double doors in my memory was of a light colored wood with long slender windows near the centers. These doors were part of my introduction to faith. They were the doors to my first church as a young child.

Even the elementary school bus had double doors. We rode one of these every morning for about a hundred years.  What always fascinated me about these doors was one door swung one way; the other swung the opposite way.  What can I say? I was easily entertained!

The next set of doors was the entrance into my days of junior high and high school.  They were of a very heavy metal, which took some effort to open, closely representative of the struggles which tend to accompany the teen years. 

A few years later I found myself arm in arm with my dad standing behind double doors made of dark wood that swung open toward the church sanctuary decorated with flowers, bows and candles.  We were awaiting the sound of the “Bridal March”.  I noticed he had tears in his eyes. 

Only a couple years afterward I would find myself moving very quickly through another set of doors. These were very large, very cold, aluminum double doors as nurses rushed me into the delivery room for the birth of our first-born.  We enjoyed this so much; we did it two more times.

There would be more encounters with double doors throughout the years; some we walked boldly through, others we felt as if we crawled through.  With each experience however, came a clearer understanding, sharper awareness, deeper wisdom and knowledge, unspeakable joy, and sometimes a great deal of heartache—the true test of unconditional love.

Maybe it is a silly observation, but for whatever reason, they have become embedded into my memory. Perhaps it is simply to be a reminder of where I have been and where I am going.  To borrow the saying of a pastor I heard years ago, “I’m not where I need to be, but praise God I’m not where I used to be.” 

God is faithful at every stage of our life and apportions to us what He desires, as we are able to handle it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”

Father God, I thank you that You are faithful to complete in us that which You have started.  I thank you that even when we act in disobedience, as Your children, You still watch over us; even arranging the doors of our lives in such a manner as to bring us back to You. Forgive me for the times when I have failed to be faithful, Father. I realize now that faithfulness is the fruit of your Spirit at work in my life. May others see Your faithfulness revealed  in me, in Jesus' name, Amen.