Daily Wisdom for Women - March 12, 2023

 March 12, 2023 - All Clean!  "Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life."  Psalm 51: 7-8

We were just talking about laundry.  We got together with Gary's two sisters and their husbands to celebrate one sister's birthday.  The discussion drifted in many directions, but one topic was the chores their mother had for them to do on Saturday mornings.  The absent younger brother had stated several times that to this day he has never done any laundry.  Ever.  Not at home when growing up.  Not in college.  Not since he and his wife have been married.  Never.    

I don't mind doing the laundry.  I like to sort whites and like colors.  Maybe it's something that I just like to do because no one else in our family seems to mind tossing everything in the washer together.  Gary.  Megan. Hilary.  I also pull things out of the washer to hang up to dry instead of tossing everything in the dryer.  Actually I was thrilled when I saw the laundry room in the new house because there was a rod already in place for hanging up clothes to dry.  No more hanging them in the living room on the edge of the shadowbox!  

Therefore, when I read the devotion today, I was intrigued because we had just discussed laundry. While the conversation never drifted to stain removal, I know all too well how a dropped splot of spaghetti sauce can permanently ruin a white sweater (re: dorm life at ISU) or how a grease spot on the front of a sweatshirt no matter how many times Shout is sprayed on it.  I like the analogy of the 'dark splotches' that can cling to our lives---anger and hatred and shame in our hearts.  Try as hard as can, apply Shout to those stubborn stains, and they still linger.  It is good to know (and remember) that God does indeed have that all-purpose cleaner that will soak us in forgiveness.  How wonderful is that!  I am so thankful that He can cleanse us of our sins, our anger, our hatred, the shame in our hearts and that we can be given a fresh start and a snow-white life.  It's time to quit beating myself up about things that I remember from the past and start over because I remember that God has given me a fresh start!

 

Father, thank you for your unlimited forgiveness.  Please help me see myself the way you see me.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women - March 11, 2023

 March 11, 2023 - All of Us   The greatest law is this, "Listen, Jewish people, 'The Lord our God is one Lord! You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'" Mark 12: 29-30

 

I have been struggling all week with the loss of my friend Sheri.  I feel guilty because I didn't see her as often as I should have and now I regret the time not spent with her.  I know that my fear of passing on germs to her in her fragile state was a primary reason that I didn't see her.  But I could have been a better friend and called her or sent notes or stopped by to drop off a plant or something to cheer her up during her rough battle with cancer.

All of that is past now, however. She has gone to be with Jesus and her pain and suffering that she endured for the past five years is over.  The messages that I am seeing on FB, posted by her family members, have been so full of her love for Jesus.  She truly did love God with all of her hear and her soul and her mind and with what little strength she had.   Her legacy will live on with her grandsons, with her daughter and son, with her nieces and nephews, with her sister, brother, and mother, and with her husband.  She also has touched the lives of many students and her friends.  

I will miss her.  I can hear her voice and her laughter.  I have been thinking about the many things we did together, the conversations we had, her smile, her love for her family. I hope that I can learn from her legacy as well and show my love for Jesus as she did.

God, You want my heart, my soul, my mind, and my strength.  I offer what I can to you from where I am today.  Amen.

Daily WIsdom for Women - March 10, 2023

 March 10, 2023 - We Are His - "For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.  I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine."  Psalm 50:  10-11

I like the thoughts in the devotion today.  The animals are created by God---all of them.  We are created in His image.  All of us.  All of us are important to him, and we are all unique.  We also  are created to have a relationship with God. 

I honestly do not know how people cannot believe in God.  I don't know how they can look at the stars in the sky, a sunrise or sunset, a storm brewing, blooming flowers, baby goats, green grass or a falling snow and not believe.  All of God's creations!

 

Dear Lord, thank you for calling me yours.  Thank you for finding a way for me to have a relationship with you and a way to access your great, perfect, unending love.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women March 9, 2023

 March 9, 2023  Words Matter - "If anyone says to this mountain, 'God, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them."

 

Importance of words.   "If we believe the words we say with all our hearts, those words will impact our actions and what happens next."  "The way we think and what we say actually do impact our circumstances."  "Our words can be positive or negative."   Finally, "We can look at a circumstance and choose to say what we can't do or we can choose to ask God what He can do."

All of those statements have meaning to me.

As an English teacher, I encouraged my students to use a variety of words when they were writing and speaking.  Increasing their vocabulary was important, not only to show maturity, but to show intelligence and to say exactly what they meant.  As a person I know that words can encourage, can put a smile on one's face, and can create happiness, but I also know how hurtful they can be and often how those harsh words can create impressions and memories that can last a lifetime.

Also it is true, I believe, that our thoughts become words and often influence our actions.  Therefore, if our thoughts are negative, then our words will be also and in turn our actions are not beneficial to ourselves or to others.  Conversely if we are thinking positively, then we are more likely to be happier, put a smile on our faces, and be encouraging to others.  

I grew up with many negative comments aimed toward me.  I also listened to my mother bash and criticize everyone she knew, in one way or another.  Those barbed remarks didn't end when I became an adult; in fact, she was still pointing out my faults just weeks before she died.  Those words hurt.  I can't hear phrases like 'common sense' or ' perfectly good food' without thinking about how many times I was told I had none (common sense) or that I would be arrested (because I cleaned out the fridge of all the moldy and rotten food).    I hope I am not doing the same thing to my daughters or my grandchildren.

Words can be encouraging or they can be hurtful. Words matter.

Dear God, remove negative talk from my mouth.  Help me see the world as You do--full of possibilities for You to work in my life and move mountains.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women - March 8, 2023

 March 8, 2023 - Like a Little Child   "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."  Mark 10: 15

I am an observer, and it is always amazing to me (and it probably shouldn't be) when I see adult people, especially those in leadership positions, praying, singing hymns, serving the Lord by being part of a worship team at the church service on Sunday morning.  To watch adult people who usually are 'in charge' and give guidelines to follow or who have roles in the community humble themselves makes me understand the power of God a little more.

Believing in God is not something that is only for the weak and the powerless (like children sometimes are).   Believing in God is for everyone, no matter the age or the position in the workplace or the community.

So often people are told to 'grow up' or become more mature, to be good decision makers, to be in charge of others and set the tone for a set of employees or a group of constituents.  No one expects to see those people bow their heads in prayer, get down on their knees, or confess their sins.  At least that's what I think.

Often when I read a devotion and ponder the message, my mother comes to mind.  Once again, she popped into my thoughts.  I have a feeling that she would interpret the phrase 'like a little child' to mean being childish, to have no abilities to make good decisions, and to have little common sense.  She would mock a person who seemed 'like a little child' because that being like a little child would be beneath her  and she would see herself as more mature and knowledgeable than that.  

One of the many things I am proud of Landon for doing or being is not afraid to show his faith. He sings along with the songs during our church services.  He listens to the sermons.  He raises his hands when he feels moved to do so to praise God.  He bows his head and prays.  He wears a cross each day on a chain around his neck.  He believes and he isn't afraid to show that belief.  Another verse comes to mind from Proverbs "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (22: 6)

Heavenly Father, I want to believe in you like a child believes in the goodness and hopefulness in life.  Free me from being dragged down by my burdens.  Help me live and love you like a little child.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women March 3, 2023

 March 3, 2023 - From Within  "For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts." Mark 7: 21

I am very guilty of thinking of people's bad qualities and am working hard to change my way of thinking.  I need to focus on the good that I see in people rather than their faults.  I always admired two of my friends who could always see the good when things were rough.  As I said, I need to work hard to change my viewpoints.

Thank you for the love that can change hearts, Lord. Thank you for Jesus and his wisdom. Change my heart from within, so I may show others the kindness and love they deserve.  Amen.

Daily Wisdom for Women - March 1, 2023

 March 1, 2023 - Stir My Heart "My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king."  Psalm 45: 1

I like to take notes.  When we were attending the Christian Church in Francesville, I always enjoyed the sermons because Jim was very organized and there was an outline in the bulletin that he always followed. We would fill in the blanks or list points as he had indicated or just take extra notes as needed.  It wasn't very often that I would refer back to those notes, but my 'learning style' is one that thrives on listening and writing notes.  I remember several sermons that just seemed to 'move' me, and if I mentioned that to E. Anne, she would say that Jim always said he was just the messenger, not the one coming up with the good words.  God was speaking through him.  

Now we are attending the Delphi United Methodist Church and Pastor Todd's method of delivery is much different than Jim's.  There is a bulletin with a blank spot for sermon notes.  I am finally getting into the habit of taking notes as he talks.  After Christmas he preached a series on Mental Health.  Each Sunday he focused on a different aspect of mental health, such as anxiety or depression or grief, and pulled in scripture and suggestions for help.  Two of those sermons hit me hard, and at the end I was in tears.  One Sunday the focus for help was on faith, which is also my Word of the Year.  The final song was "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" which is my favorite hymn. I was crying. Gary reached over to hold my hand.  After the service Landon gave me a hug. Hilary came and squeezed my shoulder.  I was mentally and emotionally exhausted.  My heart was stirred.  

Later I shared my concerns about anxiety with Dr. Hart and he prescribed a medication to help.  Two days after that appointment I talked with two of the nurses for my cardiologist.  They were quite encouraging about using the medication (since both of them took it also) and shared that it would take probably two weeks for the med to begin working and for changes to be noticed.  I marked two weeks with the med yesterday. While I knew that I needed to have this talk, it was easier knowing that there is no shame nor does it lessen my importance in the lives of my family to have an issue with anxiety.   Plus the Biblical connection is something I had not considered before.

Have I noticed changes?  Yes I have.  I am calmer.  I am not crying all the time.  I am not scared when I wake up in the morning.  Night time is not as stressful as it had been.  I am not scared and worried constantly like I was.   But the main thing I have noticed is that I am trusting God more to handle the stresses in my life.  I share more with Him.  I talk with Him more often.  I feel more confident in my faith (which is good since it IS my Word of the Year!).    My heart is stirred.

 Dear God, thank You for being a heavenly King I can actually have a close relationship with.  Stir my heart today into worship, into action, and into a life with You beside me.   Amen.