When God entered time and became a man, he who was boundless became bound. Imprisoned in flesh. Restricted by weary-prone muscles and eyelids. For more than three decades, his once limitless reach would be limited to the stretch of an arm, his speed checked to the pace of human feet. Lucado, He Chose the Nails  

I could call it an ordinary day; in human terms, it was, in fact, a busy time of great importance. You see, a Roman edict had been spread throughout the Empire that all who dwelled within its borders must travel to their ancestral homes to be counted for tax purposes. That’s how a young, tired, and probably very dusty couple came to be in the town of Bethlehem. Wouldn’t you know that the baby she carried decided to be born into all that confusion, and no one, except the cattle and sheep in the stable with them, even noticed. The locals were too focused on making a few bucks while all the travelers were in town, and the travelers were visiting family members they hadn’t seen in ages and making preparations to return to their homes.

But the angels noticed, and they kicked up quite a fuss, lighting up the sky and scaring a group of lowly shepherds, who then travelled to see this special baby. And that is the short version of how the “hope” of the world was born.

After being circumcised, visited by the Magi, making a mad dash to escape the evil King Herod, and returning home only to find that danger still lurked, Jesus was finally settled with his family in the town of Nazareth. And there, he quietly grew to be a man. Other than one story of the twelve-year-old being lost during a journey and then found by his parents, where he was teaching in the temple courts, we know only what our imaginations can conjure about how “hope” spent his first thirty years. It was then that his ministry began. Often, his encounters with the people of the area where he preached brought more questions than answers. “Who is this man?” “How can he call himself the Son of God?” “He doesn’t really heal people, it’s all a sham!” And yet, many followed and heard his stories and believed he was something special, even if they weren’t quite sure exactly how he was special. But they would know soon.

When the time came for him to complete his ministry, he left his disciples, again with questions, left his mother, who had followed him over many dusty miles, and voluntarily walked to his own cross. Oh yes, there were moments of anguish, but he remained dedicated to his pre-ordained purpose. And then he was gone. After all his promises of eternal life, all his parables, all his miracles, he died. Just like any other man nailed to a cross, he died. His close followers were shocked, dismayed, and in denial. They loved him—they treasured their moments with him, but he was gone. The hope of the world had died that Friday!

And aren’t we blessed to know the rest of the story? We know about Sunday morning, the empty tomb, when Mary Magdalene, shocked to find the body gone, went in search of Peter and John. They raced to the tomb and wondered where their Lord had been taken. The other disciples, who had scattered to the wind in their escape from any known association with the man called Jesus, came tiptoeing back, one by one. Was it curiosity or a tiny shred of hope that he might yet be alive? We’ll never know… but we do know they still hid behind locked doors. Jesus, however, no longer needed doors. He simply appeared from the other side of the wall, and the shocked expressions on the disciples’ faces changed to joy as they began to realize he wasn’t dead at all. In fact, “hope” had been born again. And this time, it wasn’t just for the Jews, but for all mankind—you, me, our families, our friends, and even people like the criminal on the cross beside him. No matter what we’ve done, we’re still his children and worthy of his grace if we choose to follow him.

Why did he do it? What would cause him to suffer the torture and humiliation, the taunts and spitting? Only one thing…he loves us and wants us to be with him!

But you, Lord, are my shield! You are my glory! You are the one who restores me. Ps 3:3 CEB

Hope was born in an animal stall at Christmas, and many believed it died on a cross at Golgotha. But it didn’t. Hope is alive! It was born again on Resurrection Morning!

Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet….John 13:5

Feet are definitely an underrated component of our bodies. We take them for granted and abuse them terribly until they decide to complain. We wear shoes that are inappropriate for providing good support, choosing style over functionality. We trim our toenails incorrectly, causing ingrown nails, pain, inflammation, and infection. Feet are exposed to all kinds of grime and, let’s face it, sometimes they can be downright stinky.

The average eighty-year-old is thought to walk between 75,000 and 110,000 miles in a lifetime, based on 6,800 to 7500 steps per day. The earth is just under 25,000 miles in circumference, so these figures would mean we travel a distance equal to anywhere from 3 to 4.4 times around the earth. That’s a lot of walking!

As the daughter and granddaughter of two very affected diabetes patients, I have learned to be aware of the condition of my feet. My mom and my paternal grandfather both suffered from the disease, so I became a prime candidate to inherit the genetic propensity. To date, I have no symptoms, but I continue to be vigilant. I watch my weight, try to eat a healthy diet, hydrate generously, get proper exercise and rest….just normal good health practices. I also keep a close watch on my feet. Any change in appearance or sensation gives me pause to wonder, and I have a talk with my doctor.

On Sunday morning, as we were driving from church to the restaurant we had chosen for lunch, a red light stopped us. As we waited, watching cars zipping this way and dashing that, each going to a specific destination, I couldn’t help thinking how different it was for Jesus and His followers as they travelled to Jerusalem for the final week of Jesus’ life on earth. I’ve only been in a desert a few times in my life. I had plenty of water and was seated comfortably in an air-conditioned car. Even though I’m a pretty avid walker, I can’t imagine how they endured walking everywhere they went. And they did it through dry, filthy sand with only sandals on their feet, not always knowing where water would be found or if it would be fit to drink. By the end of the day, their feet were a grimy, nasty mess, sore and tired, covered in calluses, much in need of a cool, refreshing bath and a deep massage that likely didn’t happen. Based on the region Jesus covered during his three-year ministry, it’s been estimated that his average walk each day was about twenty miles, more on some and less on others.

Considering the conditions of the land the people of Jesus’ time inhabited, it’s easy to understand why the ritual of foot washing was so necessary. When a landowner finished his work for the day, he was met at the door by the lowliest of his servants, basin in hand, ready to cleanse the feet of his master.

But when Jesus entered the upper room to dine with his disciples, covered in an apron and carrying a basin of water, his best friends couldn’t really believe what they were seeing.

Why would he, their teacher and mentor, stoop so low as to wash their grimy feet? His hands had shaped the planet, and one day every nation would kneel at his feet. But now, he washes their feet. Why?

He wants his disciples to know how much he loves them. Max Lucado

Make no mistake, this message was not just for his disciples…oh, no! It was for every one of us. If we don’t allow him to cleanse us from all the grime of our past sins, we will never know peace and will not be allowed to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

“No.” Peter protested, “you will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” John 13:8 NLT

This was just one step toward his journey to the cross, but a monumentally essential one if we choose to know him as our friend. He’ll take all our baggage and wash it away, white as snow, and make himself at home in our hearts, if we let him! Are you ready to have your dirty feet washed?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don’t rely on your own intelligence. Know him in all your paths, and he will keep your ways straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 CEB

Influencer is a term we hear often these days, and I wondered about its origins, so I googled it, of course. It seems influencers were around as early as the 1700s, but the term was used in reference to sales marketing. It wasn’t until between 2012 and 2015 that the internet had us searching for a job title for bloggers and social media personalities. With this definition as its source, by 2019, the word “influencer” was officially added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

You can’t live on this planet and keep up with news or social media without being touched by an “influencer.” News anchors share their opinions rather than presenting factual news. Celebrities, be they actors, musicians, or athletes, express opinions without filter on all social media platforms. Politicians communicate through social media, sometimes becoming quite brutal. Activist groups use social media to attract crowds wherever there happens to be an event that doesn’t agree with their agendas. Even some religious leaders have been known to overdo the personal influence factor. There is an influencer everywhere we turn.

To be fair, our first encounter with influencers begins at birth when our parents have total control over our lives. Then we add in siblings, extended family, and neighbors.

A few years into our lives, we’re hauled out of the comfort of home and off to school, where teachers quickly assume the influential role. As we progress through primary and intermediate levels, more and more influencers outside of home become dominant in our lives, especially peers. Until high school graduation, family members are still around to offer guidance and advice. But after graduation, life really changes. We must face whatever comes and make our own decisions. The influencers in our lives will impact every single one of those decisions.

If we’re off to college, professors pick up the mantle of influencer, and peers pose countless challenges. If the military is our choice, I don’t think there are too many drill sergeants who will allow us to make our own decisions. If we choose a specialized trade or any job working for someone other than ourselves, our boss will have a major influence on the way we perform, at least on the job. And let’s face it, in one way or another, we all become influencers, but what kind of influence do we project?

If, by this point in your life, you haven’t dressed yourself in the full armor of God and become a close friend of Jesus, you’re likely to find yourself in a heap of trouble. The temptations will come, and decisions will have to be made. If you don’t have a good faith background, you can easily fall prey to any number of scams or simply wrong ideas made popular by influencers.

But it’s never too late, and many of the influencers we encounter throughout our lives are good ones. Jesus was, and is, the most powerful influencer of all time, and He has always accomplished his purpose quietly. He won’t coerce you. He’ll stand outside the door of your heart and wait. It’s your decision to open the door, but once you do, you will have a friend forever. And He will equip you to be a strong influencer yourself, one who by example leads the people surrounding you, literally or virtually, to the real truth that lies within our faith.

So, when you find yourself at a questionable crossroad or prepare to make that next social media post….. Listen to Jesus. Take care to ensure that you are a good and faithful influencer.

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, this is the way you should go…..Isaiah 30:21 NLT

Whom shall I send…..Here I am; send me. Isaiah 6:8 (NLT) 

A storm was brewing to the south and west of us. Forecasters had warned us for days that all the indicators were coming together to suggest a very rough night….but, how bad would it really be? We’d prepared our safe room by adding bottled water, non-perishable snacks, flashlights, batteries, a change of clothes for each of us, and a few important small things we didn’t want to lose. Our phones were fully charged. By late evening news time, our local forecaster said that the storm appeared to be weakening and was making some slight course corrections. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all. A little complacency set in until that familiar shrill warning sound came screaming from my phone beside the bed! It was time to get into our safe room!

Not a bad beginning, but in order to make my point, let’s try that paragraph without capitals or punctuation, then imagine reading a three-hundred-page book that way.

(a storm was brewing to the south and west of us forecasters had warned us for days that all the indicators were coming together to suggest a very rough night but how bad would it really be wed prepared our safe room by adding bottled water nonperishable snacks flashlights batteries a change of clothes for each of us and a few important small things we didnt want to lose our phones were fully charged by late evening news time our local forecaster said that the storm appeared to be weakening and was making some slight course corrections maybe it wouldnt be so bad after all a little complacency set in until that familiar shrill warning sound came screaming from my phone beside the bed it was time to get into our safe room)

This illustration shows how simple writing tools add impact and clarification to a string of words that otherwise are very difficult to assimilate. A sentence ends with a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point, and a new sentence begins with a capital letter. You can also use CAPS to emphasize a point, as in a text, WHERE ARE U? And they also offer respect to the proper names of people and places.

A period simply indicates that a portion of the work has ended. A question mark is self-explanatory. An exclamation point indicates surprise, wonder, awe, or even fear. It is often preceded by the word “Wow!” And that can be good or bad. Quotation marks indicate a dialogue between two or more speakers, or they can attribute a quote, but I tend to use italics for my quotes. Apostrophes allow us to contract two words into one or to indicate possession. I often use a series of periods or a long hyphen—to indicate a break in my thoughts, a time period in between two thoughts, or a portion of a quote omitted. Parentheses did not appear in my sample paragraph, but I often use them for further clarification of a grammatically correct sentence. And then there is the comma, an indication to pause, an effective tool to separate words, phrases, and thoughts.

Let me tell you, on a computer, writing even a paragraph incorrectly, void of any capitalization or punctuation, is no easy feat. AI would not allow me to use the word I in the lower case, and it constantly corrected my many intentional errors. However, even though it wants to be a substitute for our creativity, we must check it thoroughly because no matter how hard it tries, it just can’t mimic the “human factor.”

And, as is typical of my messages, there is a purpose behind my rhetoric. You see, I believe that God uses capitalization and punctuation in every aspect of our lives. His many names are capitalized to recognize His ultimate authority. Sometimes, He places a period in our way, a hard stop, a warning to go no further. And then, He may leave us with a question to answer about our future, our blessing of free choice. Each morning, He provides the wonder of the sunrise and adds the sunset as the exclamation to our day. This teaches us about gratitude. He often provides very pregnant pauses between our requests….and His responses, a lesson in patience. And many times during our days, He inserts commas to offer us opportunities to pause, to think, and to reason, possibly to reconsider a course we’ve embarked upon or been tempted to take. Each of His punctuations is a reminder that He is always there and caring for us.

I love the phrase, “It gives me pause.” It makes a comma seem like a well-placed gift, an opportunity to do better, be better.

I think I’m facing a defeat or an end. But it’s only the Lord’s comma—a pause, not an end. (Pray a Word a Day from Guideposts

It is Sunday as I write. It’s been a week since the silence of a laid-back afternoon was shattered by a shrill, screaming alert on our phones. We grabbed for them simultaneously and found a blue alert regarding a truck that was being sought by law enforcement. A little bit later, as Ken was checking for messages and news, he learned the reason for the alert. Evil had certainly come to our little corner of the Ozarks. A Christian County Deputy had been shot and killed during a traffic stop, and the search was on for the owner of the truck that had been revealed by cameras. We all know how that tragedy played out in the dark of night.

Late in the week, we were told that the US and Israel had commenced air strikes on Iran. That news sparked unrest throughout the world, as we would expect, and mass shootings have now occurred on US soil. Is this the beginning of the end? I can’t answer that question. Nor can you or any of the many who try to predict what God will do. Only He knows when our final hour will come. But the message He gives to us for the time that we walk this earth is clear:

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:21

It’s a very simple message, but one whose mission is very difficult for humans to implement. We want to have revenge; feel we are entitled to it. But in the face of evil, we are told to show goodness, to be the light of Christ in this troubled world. The challenge is great, and we cannot meet it alone, but the Creator will share His strength with us if we ask for His help and obey His word. More than ever, we must make the choice as to whose we are.

In any tragedy, those left behind are at the beginning of a journey, one of deep mourning and tremendous loss. They will pass through many stages in their grief. But someday, when the hurt and anger have settled, when the weight of the tragedy lightens a bit, and they seek to move on, then comes the hardest part. They must choose whether or not to forgive the transgressor.

Forgiveness is a hard, hard step to take, especially during very emotional circumstances. But, if we are to have true healing and the freedom to move forward, forgiveness must be a part of the process. Jesus said it all when He hung on the cross:

Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:34

Just as Jesus interceded and asked forgiveness for those who tortured him, we are to forgive those who hurt us. We tend to believe that forgiveness absolves the one who has hurt us, if we’re honest, we often want their guilt to continue. But we must remember that we can’t control how our transgressor will respond to an offer of forgiveness. We can only control our own actions. The man who committed his hateful act in our community last week has already sealed his fate. But his victims—the families, friends, colleagues, and even those of us who grieve on the sidelines—have a choice to make, to heal or to hold on to the evil. I pray we will be like Jesus—and be His Light in the world. Out of evil, God has brought goodness. He did it before—He can do it again

…there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. John 2:1

The first of our grandchildren is planning a wedding in December, so there is a bit of excitement in our oldest daughter’s home. Contrary to Ken’s and my personal experience, it seems the first obstacle in planning a wedding these days is securing a venue. Getting the desired space requires a lot of patience and usually a wait of a year or more, maybe even two years. Whatever happened to holding a wedding in a church and a reception in the church activity center? Planning the event is a huge investment in time and money, usually resulting in mountains of stress along the way. I’m glad we were married in simpler times. Traditions change, but the key to a happy and satisfying life as a couple is to focus on the marriage more than the wedding.

 More than two centuries ago, when Jesus walked the earth, wedding traditions differed greatly from those of today. First, the father of a prospective groom searched for a match he thought appropriate for his son. He then visited the father of the woman who’d been chosen and suggested a union between their offspring. If the father of the woman agreed, the two would then negotiate a “bride price.” Yes, the father of the groom essentially “bought” a wife for his son. This price could be offered as money or goods. Once an agreement was formalized, the couple was considered betrothed, which was nearly as binding as marriage, except the union was not yet consummated.

After negotiations were completed, the groom remained with his family to build a new home for his wife, typically an addition to his father’s home. Perhaps a year or so later, (This is the one part that is similar to today), the families would gather together for about a week of wedding feasting before the final vows were taken and the couple was officially married. Weddings were a time of great celebration; much food and wine were consumed as families and friends shared the joy of the occasion.

The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told them, “They have no more wine.” John 2:3

It was during one such time of feasting that Mary, mother of Jesus, arrived in Cana, a small town in Galilee less than a day’s travel from her home. There is a supposition that her inclusion in the wedding festivities suggested that Mary was a relative of either the bride or groom. Jesus and his disciples were also in attendance. Not long after their arrival, Mary realized that wine was running short and, not wanting the host family to be embarrassed, she went to Jesus and told him of the situation. At first, he told her it was not yet time for him to reveal his ministry, but then he reconsidered, and when servants brought six large empty jars to him and filled them with plain water, he changed it to the finest of wine. The master of ceremonies knew nothing of Jesus’ intervention as he praised the bridegroom for saving the best wine for later in the festivities, but the servants and Jesus’ disciples had witnessed the miracle that had saved the day.

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew) ….”A host always serves the best wine first,….but you have kept the best until now!” John 2:10 paraphrased

This story is recorded as the first miracle of Jesus’ three-year ministry, and certainly it is an important event in that regard. But I think it also shows us another side of this man, Jesus. He came to a wedding to celebrate a special time with family and friends, to share food and laughter. He enjoyed the typical social life of his culture and financial status. He was one of them and so approachable that people quickly came to love him. They clamored to see him and hear him teach. Without a personality that endeared him to everyday people, he would not have built such a following. Yes, at that wedding, Jesus performed a miracle and began to establish himself as the long-awaited Messiah. He also demonstrated compassion toward his host. He knew how to treat people and how to create joy. Those are traits we should all try to emulate. We may not be able to perform miracles, but we can certainly love more like Jesus.

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other…..your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35

….think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and high priest. Hebrews 3:1

“Do you know Jesus?” That was the question my sweet husband asked me over four decades ago while standing on the stairs of the school gym after only speaking with each other a couple of times before. I’ve shared this story in the past, so I’ll not get into details again, but the question has been on my mind a lot lately, and it seems an excellent segue into the Lenten season. Today is Ash Wednesday, the day we begin our spiritual journey to the cross. And what could be a more fitting way to spend these next few weeks than by getting acquainted with the man we know as Jesus.

When Ken asked me “the question,” I was taken aback. I felt it was a very personal question to ask someone he barely knew. Truth be told, he caught me at a distinct disadvantage. I was a Christian, raised in a Christian home. I thought I had held fairly well to correct religious practices throughout my life, though certainly I’d made my share of mistakes….including some pretty big ones. But I knew about forgiveness, so maybe I was a little too casual about my faith…no, maybe about it. I was!

Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you….Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. Proverbs 4:25 & 27

So, did I “know Jesus?” The answer was no, I did not. But the question stirred a curiosity in me to learn. Our work was a detriment to church attendance, as Ken and I were both in the recreation business, and people typically chose to recreate on the weekend. We made arrangements for our kids to be in church and at youth group, but I think we let them down by not being there with them. And, of course, raising teenagers brought its own distractions. I found myself not really applying my thoughts to the idea of getting to know Jesus until our kids flew the nest.

I think this is true for a lot of people, but I see families at Aldersgate together, worshipping, learning, serving the community, and I realize we missed the mark when our kids were still at home with us. They grew up with a belief in God, but I don’t think it translated into a relationship. I regret that and am trying to set a better example with my life now. They say we get closer to God when we find ourselves in tough situations or we’re nearing the end of this life. It’s been my experience that it’s true. We seek God’s help when we need Him, but wander away when times get better. And as we age, we have a greater inclination to live a better life, knowing that the end is closer.

I wish I’d begun to really study Jesus sooner. I could have absorbed so much more, and perhaps I could better remember what I’d learned. But I guess the good part of my story is that, together, Ken and I have enjoyed our journey. We’ve experienced good times and not so good ones, but we’ve tried to keep our focus where it belongs. He still asks people if they know Jesus, and I’m very comfortable with the question now, because I can honestly say, “Yes, I do know Him. He’s my friend.” Do I know everything—not by a long shot, but I’m working on it every day. And so can you.

There are many ways to maintain a Lenten focus. We can sacrifice something we consider of value to remind us daily of His sacrifice for us. We can add a new facet to our lives that serves His purpose. We can fast, as He did, so that our minds become clearer and more open to the example He set. But I think the most important takeaway from this message is to spend time with Him.

I challenge you during this Lenten season to begin the journey or enhance the one you’ve already begun by genuinely getting to know this man, Jesus. His line of communication is always open, and He wants to talk with you.

…..Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

We exist to exhibit God, to display His glory. We serve as canvases for His brushstroke, papers for His pen, soils for His seed, glimpses of His image. Max Lucado (Cure for the Common Life)  

No, I did not misspell the word piece. The piece to which I refer belonged to a puzzle we recently completed. It’s titled The Healings of Jesus Christ, and it could be an incredible teaching tool for anyone new to Christianity or a great refresher course for longtime Christians.

The outer edge of the design contains thirty scriptures that can be referenced for added benefit. Within that border are thirty scenes, blended together, that depict the verses in the border. At the center is a large interpretation of Jesus, arms open in welcome. Excerpts from the scriptures float near the image of Jesus. Each of the scenes is numbered to correspond with the verses in the border. You can see what a great tool this puzzle would be for describing the man who was the living, breathing Son of God. It also illustrates his humility and willingness to mingle with the common folks of His time.

As the puzzle began coming together, Ken and I both became concerned that one piece was missing. Its shape and color were distinctive, and there were no pieces on the table that fit its description. We often acquire our puzzles from flea markets or estate sales, and when you do that, you face the possibility of missing or damaged pieces. Sometimes people are careless when they disassemble the puzzle and break fragile pieces or cause the top layer to split from the rest of the piece. We all have a tendency to snack while working on a puzzle, and some of those snacks get a little messy, and we have encountered mold a couple of times.

Don’t get me wrong, the majority of used puzzles are just fine; only occasionally do we buy one that is questionable in quality. As we drew close to the finish line, it was clear that the piece that had garnered our concern was nowhere to be seen. We finished our masterpiece and searched the floor diligently, peeking under lamps, in the heating vent, in the cracks of chairs, and even in our pockets. It’s amazing how those pieces can migrate. But, alas, no piece was found.

We were really disappointed. The puzzle was so beautiful and could have been a source of enjoyment and learning for others. We had planned to place it in the church library with the other lending puzzles, but we were asked that donated puzzles be complete and undamaged. After some thought, we decided to take it anyway and to place a note on it explaining that a piece was missing, but that it was still well worth the time to work on it and learn a bit along the way.

Before I got around to writing that note, I happened to wander into our guest room for something and saw a dark spot under the edge of a pillow. And, of course, it was our puzzle piece. We’re not sure how it got there, but we were elated to find it. Now the puzzle waits in the church library, complete and undamaged, for someone to enjoy. But, even in it’s imperfect state, I would have been glad to work it again. It was well worth it.

I know that I often mention imperfection, and that’s because we’re surrounded by it. This incredible world we call home always has been and always will be filled with mistakes and imperfections. But the good news is this: just like that lovely image on our puzzle with arms open wide to greet us, Jesus really does offer everyone the invitation. And, as Pastor Sarah likes to remind us, he doesn’t ask us to clean up our messes first. Wherever we are in this life, whatever we’ve done, He extends an open invitation to His house anytime. Our “piece” was restored at just the right time, and Jesus offers each of us His “peace” for a lifetime.

Just like our puzzle, I am reminded that I am not perfect either,

But Jesus loves me anyway.

And at the right time, He will make me whole!

(And that’s a Marcy Barthelette quote.)

 Rest. It’s a fact of life that all God’s creatures and all living things need a time of rest, a chance to replenish. It’s what the winter season is all about. The animals slow their pace, and many hibernate. Plants die back to the ground to give their roots time to strengthen and spread. Trees drop their leaves until spring warmth stirs the sap to rise from their roots again and encourages fresh growth.

I need rest as well, but I don’t feel that I need to be cold to become rested. Quite the contrary, my wrinkled body and frazzled brain could use a good, healthy dose of the tropics right about now. Since that isn’t going to happen anytime soon, I find it helpful to take a lead from Pastor Dennis’ sermon last Sunday and make an “attitude adjustment.” And isn’t it appropriate that all last week, my life included continuous reminders that attitudes often need to be redirected. It’s certainly not the first time that Pastor Dennis and I have been on the same page when preparing our messages. Even though our approaches differ, we’re both all about correct attitude alignment this week.

God wants us to be content in the place he has planted us. He wants us to grow and to flourish, but sometimes we just want to be somewhere else, so we begin wandering that lonely road to nowhere. There’s an old saying, “Wishing won’t make it so,” and I’m here to tell you, no truer statement was ever made. Instead of wishing for a warmer climate, I need to redirect my focus toward cold-weather projects to keep myself occupied until warmer temperatures return. If our meteorologists are correct, things may be looking up this week.

It’s still too early for plants to creep above the earth’s surface or for tender green leaves to sprout, but maybe a little exploring around the

 yard can uncover signs of life right on the cusp of making an appearance. My Lenten rose keeps leaves all winter, as do the coral bells, though they aren’t as lively looking as they will be soon. I’m curious to see how they’ll look as their blanket of snow melts away. That blanket may well have protected them from the extreme cold we’ve recently experienced. It’s pretty amazing how roots can survive under the protection of the earth and even spread. I’ve often been amazed when I’ve planted what appear to be completely dry roots, just sent from a nursery, and then watch them come to life with the right soil, temperature, and water.

They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. Isaiah 44:4

I’m a lot like those plants by the time winter is nearly over, and spring is nipping at its heels. My mind and body long for warm sunshine and new growth. I’m more than ready to start on new outdoor projects, and I’ve acquired several interesting ones over recent weeks. I can’t wait to see how they will turn out.

Until that happens, however, perhaps I should turn my thoughts toward strengthening my own dry roots. They could certainly use a shot of food and water. I’ll start with extra devotional reading during Lent….that’s not far away, you know. And I can always add some extra prayer time. Maybe someone in the neighborhood would appreciate a phone call or a text just to be sure they’ve made it through our bitter cold all right. Maybe I could write a few letters to reconnect with friends and family. I can also read a good book, work on a puzzle, or spend some time on a current pen and ink drawing. It seems I’m blessed with quite a few great ideas to fill my winter days in my warm, comfy house, my fortress when the wind howls and the snow flies, as it surely will again before winter gives way to spring. In my newly acquired frame of mind, I can face the remainder of winter knowing I am truly blessed.

When we find ourselves wishing to be somewhere else and in another time, just like I’m wishing to be in a warmer climate right now, we need to remember God really does want us to be content and thrive where He has placed us. We didn’t get where we are all on our own…

He placed us just where He wants us for a very specific reason. Maybe that reason will become apparent today if we just refocus our attitude and open our minds to the unending possibilities God offers us! We don’t have to live life in the fast lane all the time….sometimes we just need to stop and rest in order to thrive.

….and may the people thrive like grass in a field. Psalm 72:16c