Daily Wisdom for Women - February 28, 2023

 February 28, 2023 - Called to Holiness  "Do what I tell you; live what I tell you.  I am God.  Don't desecrate my holy name.  I insist on being treated with holy reverence among the People of Israel. I am God who makes you holy and brought you out of Egypt to be your God.  I am God. "  Leviticus  22: 31-33.

A key concept for me in this reading was that the opposite of being holy is common, profane, or worldly.    Instead we should strive to be whole, healthy, and truly alive.  We can do this by 'actively living out HIs love in the world around us.'   If we look around us, or if we listen to the media or spend too much time on social media, we can be pulled into that world of being common, proface, and worldly.  It is really important to remember to ground ourselves in the word of the Lord and remember to follow Him. 

Life-Giver, show me how to be truly holy, separated from all that is broken and dying within me and around me, so that I can live and love for You alone.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women - February 27, 2023

 February 27, 2023 - Thirsty for God   "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."  Psalm 42: 1-2

Once again there is the reminder that material objects are not that important in our lives.  Relationships are good, but they pale in comparison to the relationship we have with God. As the devotion says, we do have a longing in our souls to become closer to God.  Because we want that close relationship, we continue to read our Bibles, attend church services, start and end our days with prayer, and yearn to understand how He is always with us.

Living God, my soul is thirsty for You  May I seek Your living water each day, knowing that only You can quench my desire.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women February 23, 2023

 February 23, 2023 - Patience   "I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.  He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.  He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God."  Psalm 40: 1-3

 

I am not a patient person---far from it.  It's not so much the 'I can hardly wait until......' that makes me impatient.  It is usually with other people and what I expect from them that makes me impatient.  Like if someone is supposed to call me or let me know about something----and I am still waiting to hear from that person.  Or if I am sitting in a waiting room for a doctor's appointment, or even a nail appointment, and the clock is ticking past the time I was to be there.   If I am trying to be somewhere by a certain time and there is a slow moving vehicle in front of me, or I hit every red light, or there is so much traffic.  Or if I am ready to check out at Meijer or Payless and there is just one lane open and there are five people in front of me.  

However the devotion is talking about God's timing.  And there is that word 'light' again (Rhonda's Word of the Year).   Somehow it just doesn't seem to fit what I just listed in the previous paragraph.  But maybe.....I am supposed to be standing in line because that prevents me from being in the vehicle at the traffic light and being hit by a car whose driver ran the red light.  Who knows?  

 

Teach me patience, Lord.  Remind me that Your sense of timing is not the same as mine---but that, ultimately, You will work out all the details of my life.  When I can't see You either inside my heart or in the world outside, help me rest in the assurance that a new song is on its way.  Amen. 

Daily Wisdom for Women Feburary 22, 2023

 February 22, 2023 - Alone Time  "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got us, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."  Mark 1: 35

It is important to find 'alone time' with God.  This verse stresses that gently to us.  It also suggests that morning is a good time to find that 'alone time' that we need and that will nourish us.

The busier we are, the more we need to make time for prayer.  That line in the devotion is so true, but it is also so hard to do.  I can't remember too many times when I was SO busy at school or at home or a combination of the two, that I stopped what I was doing and prayed.  Maybe I did---I just don't remember.  I could have prayed while I was driving to school in the morning or after a busy day while I was heading home.  

I do remember arriving at school and not remembering driving past Ann and Bud's road or going over the railroad tracks!  Maybe I was praying then?

I like the idea of reading scripture, pondering devotions, and praying first thing in the morning.  I try to do that, but I am not always successful (as I type this at 12:30 pm).  My days just seem to be better if I start the day with devotions and prayer.

Since this is a habit I have developed since we moved to the new house, I do wonder sometimes how different my days would have been if I had been starting them in a similar way all of those years I was teaching.  

Remind me, Jesus, that the busier and more active my life is, the more I need to find alone time with you.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women February 21, 2023

 February 21, 2023  God Knows My Heart   "All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you."  Psalm 38:9

Since God knows what is inside my heart, there is no point trying to hide anything from Him.  He also does not judge us or criticize us for feeling the way we do.   

That concept has been hard for me.  When we were growing up, Mom always told us that God would not like us for doing one thing or another or acting in a certain way.  She was still criticizing us as adults, reminding us how un-Christian-like we were.   One of her favorite snarls was "And you call yourself a Christian..." after she was blasting us about something.  

But I know, and I totally believe, that God is with us always, that He isn't keeping a running list of our transgressions to punish us with, that he is isn't judging us, and he isn't criticizing us.  

My God is a loving God.  

Thank you, Lord, that you understand me better than I do myself.  I want to share everything with you, even the not-so-nice feelings I sometimes experience: my anger, hatred, jealousy, selfishness, and resentment.  I give my whole self to you, asking that you bring healing to my inner and my outer life.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women February 20, 2023

 February 20, 2023 -  The Authority of Jesus   Jesus...said to them, "All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.  Go then and make disciples of all the nations,....teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion) to the [very] close and consummation of the age."  Matthew 28: 18-20

I don't like listening to the news.  In fact I will avoid it if I can.  Unfortunately Gary likes to watch Fox News and has it on frequently.  Sometimes he will be watching it and when I come downstairs from working in the bedroom, he will switch it over to something else because he knows I just don't like to listen to it.  I don't think it would be so bad if the media didn't put their own spin on things or that some stations will report events while others make no mention of them.  

What we do need to remember is that Jesus is the authority over all of us.  He wants us to honor Him and spread the news about Him.  There is a revival going on at Asbury University in Kentucky right now.  That has gotten a lot of media attention, and there are some that are finding so much negativity in that event.  I really don't know enough about it myself to make a judgment, but on the surface, if God is working in the lives of those college students, then He is working.

Daily Wisdom for Women February 19, 2023

 February 19, 2023 -  Still Before the Lord   "Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself  because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.  Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself--it tends only to evildoing."  Psalm 37: 7-8

I am terrible at controlling my emotions.  I cry at the drop of a hat.  As I read through the devotion today, I don't think I really connected the emotions with worrying and fretting.  The middle paragraph in the devotion mentions that "instead of fretting and worrying, we can continues to be still before the Lord by releasing each negative thought into God's care." 

The advice in the first paragraph is good also---"sit silently in God's presence, turning each thought over to Him as it enters our minds."  I hadn't thought of doing that, but it sounds like a good plan!

I give the details of my life to You, Lord, as well as my emotions.  Remind me not to whine and agonize over life's complications.  Teach me to catch myself when I'm doing that--and then immediately turn my frustration, anger, and fears over to You.  Help me keep those negative emotions from building nests in my hair!  Amen

Daily Wisdom for Women - February 17, 2023

 February 17, 2023 - God of Light  "How exquisite your love, O God!  How eager we are to run under your wings, to eat our fill at the banquet you spread as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water. You;re a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light." Psalm 36:  7-9

Light is my friend Rhonda's Word of the Year, so this devotion really reflects that influence in our lives.  (get that pun....light...reflects... :)  )  

I feel so much better when the sun is shining.  I feel so much better in the daylight.  Really!  Night is not my favorite time.  I don't like winter when the days are short and the nights are long.  The only time I enjoy darkness is during the Christmas season when the lights are twinkling and look so pretty in the darkness.  

Inner light is important too!  Some people just seem to brighten a room when they walk into it.  Some people are just downers, depressing, looking on the dark side of everything.  Of course we like to be around the people who are shining brightly in our lives!    

Who are my lights?

Gary

Megan

Hilary

Matt

Blaine

Landon

Tessa

Cooper

Owen

Lynnlee

Nothing is better than hugs from the kids.  Kind words from the adults.  Being together.

 

God of Light, I want to run under your protecting wings, eat from your table, and drink from your streams of life.  Open my eyes so I can see your light.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women - February 16, 2023

 February 16, 2023 - God's Will, Not Mine   "My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this.  But please, not what I want.  You, what do you want?"  Matthew 26: 39

Yes, I have missed posting for a few days.  I just wasn't 'feeling it' --- too many appointments and too much nervousness and anxiety.  But I feel better now, so here I am again!

How many times have I prayed for God's will to be done?  One time that stands out to me is when Tessa was returned to live with her grandparents after being with Hilary and Blaine for a couple of weeks.  Tessa was so scared, so timid, frightened of any males in the family.  She needed love and attention. It broke my heart that she had to return to her grandparents and see her parents also.  It was so hard for Hilary and Blaine to let her go.  Through out the next two months I prayed for her every day, but I always ended the prayer with "please God, if it is your will for her to return to our family, please let that happen soon and keep her safe and unharmed until she can be back with us again."  I was so afraid of her birth father abusing her and further harming her physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Our prayers were answered on Christmas when Hilary, Blaine, and Landon arrived at Christmas Eve festivities and said they had been contacted about Tessa returning to them.  She did---the day after Christmas, and she never last!  It was God's will that she return to our family!  I truly believe that.

Dear Lord...I am SO grateful that You understand my emotions.  When my emotions try to hold me back, give me the strength to not let those inner feelings shape my outer actions.  Help me follow Your example.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women - February 7, 2023

 February 7, 2023 - Spiritually Rooted  "Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in  a city under siege.  In my alarm I said, 'I am cut off from your sight!' Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help."  Psalm 31: 21-22

Sometimes it is hard for me to remember that God is always with me.  Sometimes I feel like I am alone, that I have been abandoned somewhat, and that I need to pull forth as much strength as I can because I have to do it myself.  That isn't true.   The last few lines in the devotion are very powerful and are worth remembering:

"We may feel depressed, scared, frustrated, or angry; we might not be able to see where God is present in our lives; but God is always listening, always watching, always loving us, and always ready to help."

Lord, when my eyes and ears can't see You in the circumstances of my life, when my heart feels lonely and afraid, give me the spiritual confidence that You are always present, even when I can't see or hear You.   Remind me that Your reality can't always be seen with physical senses or experienced at an emotional level.  Keep me spiritually rooted in You, no matter what happens in my external life.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women - February 6, 2023

 February 6, 2023 - Like Children and Babies   "From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise."  Matthew 21: 26

Two things came to mind when I read this today:

One is that children lose their innocence so quickly.  Landon and I were just talking about this over the weekend.  We were reminiscing about his baseball team that did so well in the summer of 2018, the year we moved.  The boys all played together.  They wanted to win.  They didn't care who played where or how many runs someone got or if they played the entire game or had to sit in the dugout for a few innings.  They were excited for each other and with each other.  Then things changed.  Much of the influence came from the parents---pulling their sons to play on better teams.  Going the 'travel team' route.  Instilling in some of the boys that they were better than the others.  They started to compete with each other rather be together.  If some didn't play any more or pursued different sports or became involved with other things (like 4-H or Boy Scouts), then they were made fun of. Now Landon tells stories of how the 'basketball boys' thinks they are better than others, they bully both boys and girls, they make fun of others who work hard and are successful in other sports or in the classroom.  What happens?  I shared with Landon some of my seniors' observations when we were reading to the K-3 classes at West Central Elementary as part of our Children's Lit unit in Short Stories class.  The kindergartners were so sweet and loved being read to.  They would crowd up to the reader, often wanting to sit in the reader's lap.  First graders didn't care which groups they were in; they just liked being read to.  By the time we moved into second grade, the students were fussing a little if they weren't in the same group as their friends. Third graders?  The least favorite of all of the grades because they had 'attitudes' and would sometimes act bored and ask "Do we HAVE to do this?"  What happened?  What changes to the innocence of those 5 year olds?  Are some of us as adults like those 3rd graders who suddenly think "Why do we have to do this?" when it comes to our worship time?  Are we too much with ourselves and the impressions we make to become like little children during our worship?

The other thing is that God just doesn't care about what we wear, our hairstyles, or our professions because to Him, we are all the same.  I know I taught at a small school in a small rural community.   Everyone knew everyone else, it seemed.  My children went to school with my students, and their friends were in my classes.   When Gary and I were baptized at the Christian Church, Jim nixed my preference for a private baptism, suggesting that a public baptism would show my students that their teacher was a believer.  It also seemed strange to me, at first, to watch my husband and my principal/superintendent serving communion, to watch Chuck sing during the service, and to pray.  It is always different to see someone we are used to seeing in a special place doing what they do, doing something different.  It also contradicts the attributes others often assign to those in roles of authority.  Chuck was not a devil nor was he Hitler.  Those names were assigned to him by people who didn't like the decisions he made that were not in their favor or went against what they wanted.    God doesn't care about our roles in life (how important we are); he is concerned about our faith and our obedience to Him.

Call forth your grace from my heart, Lord.  I want my life to be constantly connected to you, both on the inside and on the outside.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women - February 4, 2023

 February 4, 2023 - False Gods   "Then God gave the people all these instructions: 'I am the Lord, your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.  You must not have any other god but me.'"  Exodus 20:  1-3

This devotion is especially meaningful to me.  I spend too much time on my phone and laptop.  I try to justify it by saying that I keep up with my devotions with Rhonda through our group on Facebook.  I keep up with the Dotti's ladies in our group on FB.   I check email on the gmail site and on my Yahoo account.  I pay many of our bills online.  I use my Kindle to read books.  I check through the FB memories often.  I have ordered pictures for our new gallery in the family room online through either the Walmart site or through Shutterfly.  I look up recipes online.  

Even though I try to justify it I do spend too much time.  When Hilary was complaining about how much time the kids spend on the Switches or Landon on his phone in the car or at home, I explain that nothing has really changed over the years except the materials used.  I used to sit and watch tv programs...game shows or sitcoms, and I wouldn't get things done, like grading or cleaning or switching the laundry around.  Now I look at FB.  In the car we used to tell Megan to stop reading all the time and look around her.  When she started driving, she didn't know how to get anywhere because as soon as she got in, the book opened and it didn't close until we arrived at our destination.  Now kids are on their switches or iPads.   Megan used to take her book into the bathroom and be there for hours.  Now kids take their phones in and sit and chat or scroll through FB.  Same thing going on...just a different method of doing it.

Through it all are we focused on God?  Other than when I share my thoughts on the daily devotions....no.   Right now I am because I am focused on the scripture...kind of.  But most of the time....no.   

Like Rhonda has said often, we both try to focus on prayer more during the day.  It is easier to do that since we are not working and have more 'at home' time.   How successful we are?  Not sure.

All we an do is try.

Lord, thank You for rescuing me from all the things in my life that held me captive.  Teach me to always make You the central focus of my thoughts.  Be my number one priority. Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women - February 2, 2023

 February 2, 2023 - Bursting Out in Song  "The Lord is my strength and shield.  I trust him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.  The Lord gives his people strength."  Psalm 28: 7-8

I really liked reading this devotion.  One thing I miss about driving to school/campus each day is listening to the radio.  I would sing along with the songs, and if I didn't like what I heard, I would change the station.  In our red Escape we have Sirius and I love listening to 60s and 70s music.  

Yesterday when I was driving to Megan's house to work on the laptop using their very fast Wifi, I was singing along with The Mamas and Papas and loving every minute of it!

One thing I did with my juniors was to play classical music during test times.  I had learned about that at a conference, and I decided to try it.  I had a CD collection of Mozart, Beethovan, Vivaldi, and more.   I would always start the music, low volume, after the test began and often played it beyond the time the last test paper was submitted.  No one complained about it except for one person who needed absolute quiet to concentrate.  I do remember one time I had forgotten to press the PLAY button on my CD player.  A student raised his hand and I strolled over to him to answer the question I thought he had about a test question.  Instead he motioned for me to lead down and whispered "Mrs. S...you forgot to start the music."  He really didn't want to ruin his 'image' of being a tough football player by asking to listen to Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" which was always one (four) of the favorites. 

Also my classes had a reputation for the 'music during a test' because if someone came to the door with a message, he/she would always stop when hearing the music, backed out of the room, and quietly closed the door.  

I am fairly sure that classical music isn't want the psalmist meant....but maybe he did!

Daily Wisdom for Women - February 1, 2023

 February 1, 2023 - Forgiveness  "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?  Up to seven times?'  Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"  Matthew 18: 21-22

I struggle with forgiveness.  If you know me at all, you know that my relationship with my mother was volatile at best.  She enjoyed telling people how wrong they were, how much better she was than other people, and how knowledgeable she was about, well, everything. There was abuse, mostly verbal and emotional, but when I was younger there was also physical.  Within the last 10 years I handled the situation much better than previously, and I knew I needed to forgive, but it was hard.  I could never tell her that I forgave her because she would turn that back at me and tell me that there was nothing to forgive her for!  What would she have done that required forgiveness?  If anyone needed forgiveness, it would be me because of all of the bad things I had done, and she could list them started with things that had happened when I was in high school.   She would be appalled that I had the audacity to even think that *I* should be the one to forgive *her* because she was totally blameless for anything.  She never did anything wrong.  She never hurt anyone.  She never made anyone feel badly.   So I struggled.

I still do struggle...a little.  But devotions like this help.  I like the idea of separating our emotions and our actions from whatever offense was committed against us.  I guess I did that in the last weeks/months of Mom's life.  Each time we would be in Wooster in the time from January-May 2017, and there were many times, we would visit Mom.  I tried to keep things civil, even friendly, between us.   For the first time in a long time, she didn't trash me as soon as she saw me and she didn't try to make me feel bad.  I think the trick was that I would ask her about ancestors, using Megan's work with Ancestry.com as the reason.  Once she started to talk about the past, she was fine.  Actually she shifted her antagonism to Greta instead of me, which usually didn't happen.  I felt bad for Greta bearing the brunt of Mom's attacks and hatred, but I was relieved that she wasn't attacking me.  

The last line in today's devotion means a lot to me because I think I have done this in the time since Mom died.  "When we truly forgive someone, we send away those feelings; we step back from them and no longer allow them to influence our actions."  I have tried hard to send away the feelings.  As Gary has encouraged me to do, I have put them in a box and stored that box in the basement.  I have tried hard to step back from the emotions and even though I have some moments when the pain rushes back, I have been successful at storing them away.