I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

When we went to the beach, we did something we haven’t done before. We collected sea glass. We found green, brown, and even black sea glass. They were frosty looking with smooth edges that came in all different sizes. It blows my mind that people find broken pieces of glass and take them home as a treasure. They aren’t being thrown away, they’re being collected!

I had to find out a little about how sea glass is formed. Wikipedia says that sea glass begins as normal shards of broken glass that are then persistently tumbled and ground until the sharp edges are smoothed and rounded. In this process, the glass loses its slick surface but gains a frosted appearance over many years.

People who collect sea glass as a hobby want to know the story behind what they find. Was it from a medicine bottle or a soda bottle?  Was it from a plate or a jelly jar?  Was it from a windshield or from art work?  Was it from the time of the Great Depression?  Was it earlier or more recent?

The glass starts out all nice, new, and shiny. Then, something happens to cause it to break. What is left is that sharp edge that can cut so easily.

That’s life for human beings too. That’s our story.  We start out new and innocent when we are born, but gain sharp edges along the way. It happens each time we deal with something unpleasant in life. It could be anything from a negative comment to a loss of a loved one. Yet, there’s hope for our sharp edges to be smoothed out.

Did you know that it takes sea glass 20-30 years, sometimes even 50, to get to where it’s the appearance that is desired? For us, God is the one to smooth our rough edges. Don’t get frustrated when it doesn’t happen overnight. Just like sea glass, it takes a bit of time. It’s a process that continues all through our lives.

The character trait for today is Discretion-recognizing and avoiding words, actions, and attitudes that could bring undesirable consequences (definition from characterfirst.com).

Today use discretion in what you say and how you act so your sharp edges don’t cut those you come in contact with. Emotions are one of the main things that bring about negative consequences. When I questioned a wise woman about how to handle undesirable emotions, she told me not to let them control me. When I asked her how to not let them get the best of me, her answer was very simple. She said, “Be nice.”

You’re a treasure to God no matter how you go to Him. He just wants you…your rough edges and all. However, I believe each time you simply be nice in the face of overwhelming emotions, you are allowing God to smooth out those rough edges. Then, you become the treasure to all those around you, not just to God.

but test them all; hold on to what is good, 1 Thessalonians 5:21

I remember one year when we went on vacation, I had someone tell me that it was important to take our truck. I was thinking of the gas and how the smaller vehicle would be easier to maneuver, but I trusted his judgement. He believed with his whole heart that was what God was telling us to do. Here’s the thing I’ve learned…who am I to argue with God? Now, don’t get me wrong, I might “discuss” with Him (something I need to work on), but we both know who’s going to win.

We were visiting the Shenandoah National Park and something didn’t seem quite right with the vehicle. It was a little nerve wracking because when you’re going down a mountain, you want your vehicle to be in prime condition! Although something seemed off, we made it to the bottom of the mountain and everything was ok again. We drove that vehicle several more hours until we made it to our final destination.

Once we got there, poof, definite problem! We were able to make an appointment with an auto mechanic that was very close to where we were staying. He was so kind and honest that we were relieved to have the problems with the truck happen exactly where they did. If it took any longer to fix, he was going to give us his own vehicle to use.

Now, the man who talked us into taking that vehicle blamed himself for our problems.  Did our friend hear God wrong? I had such peace about everything that I’m quite sure He heard God loud and clear.  I absolutely believe that we were supposed to take the truck on that vacation.

It wasn’t a time when I was asking, “Why me?” I realized that there was a deeper reason than to annoy me that the truck had to be fixed while away. I may not know for sure, but maybe I would’ve been by myself with the boys. We could’ve broken down in a dangerous area. I know that it happened when it did and when it was supposed to.

The character trait for today is Discernment-understanding the deeper reasons why things happen (definition from characterfirst.com).

With it being Christmas, please take some time to understand the deeper reasons why we celebrate this special time of year. Listen for God’s voice and try to discern how He wants you to celebrate the birth of that special baby that was born so long ago. Examine what you do, and hold on to what is good, but find ways to change what needs changing.

Merry Christmas!

 

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23

I was thinking about the weekend we painted our home before we move in. The hardest workers were my parents and my aunt and uncle. They took their time off on a holiday weekend to help us be able to move out of our rental by the end of the month. They worked tirelessly from morning until night, just to get up and do it all over again! We taped, we brushed on paint, and we rolled on paint…all weekend. They never grumbled or complained, they just did.

We worked so hard during those days, but we needed to get the job done. Do you know that I have great memories of that weekend? It wasn’t just because of us preparing to move into a home that we bought, it was because of the memories.

There was the laughter in seeing my hubby head out to the store every ten minutes to pick up something else we needed. I think he was really getting out of the painting. Come to think of it, he is pretty smart. I don’t think he has painted yet after all these years!

The memories also consisted of all the groaning my aunt did as I told that same guy who was running off…again…I loved him. Isn’t it great when family can tease you? Hey, we still don’t leave without saying that to each other.

There was the memory of the first use of the bathtub that weekend by my little one (my oldest) who ate one too many M&M’s…Grandma!

Oh, and we can’t forget the trip to the ER because I twisted my knee coming off a ladder. Apparently, there are certain things that pregnant women aren’t supposed to do. Oops! These were the crazy memories that we look back and smile at.

The character trait for today is Diligence-investing all my energy to complete the tasks assigned to me (definition from characterfirst.com).

I will always be grateful for those who invested all their energy to help us get moved into our new house. There were several people in and out over several days. They all pitched in because they cared. They didn’t just offer words, they offered their time and energy.

Today, if a job needs to be accomplished, do it with diligence. Be able to look back at tasks done with fond memories and laughter. Also, tell your spouse you love them each time they walk out the door, even if someone is going to give you a hard time about it!

 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 2 Timothy 4:7

The other morning, I went to take the pup outside in the dark when I saw it was raining. I didn’t have an umbrella with me, but wanted to get him out to do his business. I figured I’d rough it, so I just pulled my scarf up over my head. I might have looked silly, but I wanted to stay dry! As soon as I stepped out, down I went. That wasn’t just any old rain! Everything was pure ice outside. How did I forget that freezing rain was forecasted as a possibility?

I didn’t get hurt at all, and that was the least of my problems. I still had to get the pup to an area where he could do his business. This seemed like an impossible task. I didn’t have ice skates, and even if I did, they wouldn’t help me because I don’t know how to ice skate! I shuffled, I slid, and I did what one might think of as some funny dance moves. I supposed I would’ve had to crawl if necessary. I had no choice but to get from point A to point B to complete my mission.

The character trait for today is Determination-purposing to accomplish right goals at the right time, regardless of the opposition (definition from characterfirst.com).

This made me think about how many times we just feel like giving up. If our goals are lined up with God’s goals for us, we shouldn’t face opposition…right? Not true! Sometimes it’s when we face the most. The devil doesn’t want us to accomplish God’s will.

What’s going to stop us from quitting? Not wanting the devil to win seems like a pretty good motivator to me. He would do too much celebrating if I got upset because that pup did his business anywhere but where he was supposed to, and frankly, this is where my stubbornness can be a positive thing. I don’t want him to win because each time he does, he gets a little bolder, more confident, and savvy in keeping us down the next time. He isn’t just winning over us, we’re letting him win over God. I don’t like seeing the bad guy win…I root for the good guy!

Today, be determined! Then, rely on God to help you deal with the opposition. He’s always waiting to help you make it across the slippery path we call life. You might need to shuffle, slide, or even crawl, but never give up! If you fall, don’t slink away like the devil wants, but have courage and try again. I found this little saying: Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.

Don’t give the devil the satisfaction of winning; keep your determination, and if necessary, just try again tomorrow! Fight the good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith.

 

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. Luke 16:10

It’s a tradition for my boys to kick off their holiday season by ringing the bell for the Red Kettle Campaign.  Last weekend they spent just an hour of their time raising money for the Salvation Army and thinking of others. We watched many people, just like us, bustle in and out of the store they were stationed in front of. We realized how the boys appreciated a simple smile or a small word from the customers, amidst the chaos, even if they had nothing to donate.

An amazing thing happened…God touched our hearts through a little boy that couldn’t have been any more than three years old. He was trailing along behind his mother. She looked like she was on a quest…head up, shoulders back, eyes straight ahead. This little boy had on a pair of jeans; he looked like a little man. He was very quiet and calm, but started earnestly digging into the back pocket of those jeans without slowing down. I was curious to see what was so important in there. It was a shock when that little hand pulled out a quarter, which he simply dropped into the kettle and kept going.

The simplicity of how he deposited that quarter without looking for any acknowledgement simply astonished me. This is how we’re supposed to do things! He had an intensity in his actions to give, but didn’t need to make a big deal out of it. After he put it in the kettle, which his mother never even saw, he just kept following her with a simple grin to the boys. That was God shining through a little boy with an open heart.

The character trait for today is Dependability-fulfilling what I consented to do, even if it means unexpected sacrifice (definition from characterfirst.com).

You’re probably asking yourself how my story about the little boy goes with today’s character trait. The thing is, dependability isn’t just about checking off the items on your calendar. Most of us know we’re to keep our word and show up when we say we’re going to, even if a “better” offer comes along.  That’s the simple way of describing dependability.

Now let me ask a question.  Can God depend on us? We sure can depend on Him. He gave us all kinds of promises. Then, He even sacrificed His own son in order to fulfill what He consented to do. When you think about it, there’s no one more dependable. That brings me back to my question. Can God depend on us?

When we feel a nudge from Him to smile at someone, can He count on us? When we feel Him wanting us to give that “quarter” we’ve saved up, can He count on us? Is He able to depend on us to be His face, His hands, His love here on earth?

I challenge you to stop focusing on the chaos around you today, and tune into the Holy Spirit inside of you. This is when God will shine through you to touch others just like He did with that little boy for us. Look for Him in the midst of chaos. Make eye contact, smile, and have a nice word for those who are around you. Show that God can depend on us to be His blessing to others.