Advent 2022 - Ponder PUZZLE

My sister and I love doing puzzles. We have 'puzzle rules' or etiquette when we work puzzles together. We sat down with a friend once to work on a puzzle, and she reached across the table to grab a piece, and you could almost hear the gasps as my sister, and I looked across the table at one another - that's not proper puzzle etiquette! I chuckle when I remember that event. We also visited a family member we hadn't seen in many years. She and her husband had a puzzle set up in their den, and we were fascinated by how they arranged their puzzle pieces. They had a system too. Little things like assembling the edge first, sorting by color, placing all the pieces on the table, or leaving them in the box to search like a treasure hunt. Everyone has their favorite method of working a puzzle.

A bit of trivia - the word puzzle, used as a noun to describe a game like we commonly use it now, is a relatively new definition. When I looked up the word puzzle in my 1828 dictionary, it wasn't even mentioned. The puzzle definitions are as follows: 1) To be bewildered, to be awkward. 2) perplexity, embarrassment. 3) To make intricate; to entangle. As Mary journeyed through her pregnancy she had to be puzzled. Bewildered, embarrassed, perplexed, how could she not be these things? Telling people she was pregnant, and by some miraculous method? Definitely puzzling.

When I work on a jigsaw puzzle, I always want to have certain things in place. I like to know that all of the pieces are present. I want an excellent picture to follow to visualize what the finished puzzle will look like. I want clear areas to work on, especially when putting together a puzzle with another person. When I ponder Christmas, it is much like a puzzle. I want a clear calendar schedule of all the traditional things I want to do. I want everything to be in place and to go as planned. There are certain areas that everyone in the family works on to make our Christmas season follow tradition, at least in my mind! I want everyone to follow the same plan I have, to feel like I feel. 

I just read over that and paused; wow. Mary had none of that! She had no clear picture of what was to come. There is no way she could imagine life after she gave birth, given how her pregnancy started. She had to wonder how all the pieces of life would fit together. Bewildered and perplexed don't seem like good descriptions of what she must have felt. Yet she was obedient and trusted God.

I want to approach Advent this year as an unknown puzzle. Instead of a familiar picture, where all the pieces fit perfectly together, and I arrive on Christmas Day when the last piece is put in place, I want to approach these next weeks as a mystery. To be open to exploring new ways God may reveal Himself to me. I want to be like Mary, trusting and willing to be obedient. Sometimes I get so caught up in the familiar, the expected, that I leave no room for surprises. Working on a puzzle without a picture can be frustrating or seemingly impossible. None of us have a clear picture of what life will be, yet we can approach each day with wonder and awe. Taking one piece at a time and seeing how it all fits together, one day, we will see the beautiful picture God has planned for us. 

Challenge:

1. Do one thing today that is a challenge.
2. Step out of your ordinary routine and ponder what God has for you.
3. Ask "why," then accept the message you receive from God and see where that piece, that hard thing, fits in your life.

It may be to call someone that has come to your mind. Or dust off writing paper and pen a letter to a friend or relative. Or it could be to talk to the neighbor you have lived next to for years but never talked to. Perhaps God is asking you to do something you think is impossible!

When Mary went to visit Elizabeth, they were both pregnant, she was greeted with these words: "You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said". Luke 1:45 NLT

Prayer: Lord I want to believe you have great things for me. Open my heart and eyes with wonder to listen for Your guidance. Help me set aside my plans and expectations and move forward in obedience to follow You. Help me not be so focused on the final picture, but embrace the piece of life that You have for me today. 

Advent 2022 - Ponder GIVING TUESDAY

 Bombarded by 'days': Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday. The first three mentioned have to do with shopping. Then today is all about giving. It is interesting to research why all of these names came to be. Giving Tuesday was established in 2012 and is touted as a 'global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.' It is one of those things that, at first glance, seems like a good thing. A day for everyone to focus on giving. I'm going to step out and share something about myself; I don't like big non-profit organizations that spearhead massive movements like this. I can be very cynical about them. While millions have been donated to worthy causes on this one day each year, I wonder why it is so easy. 

It kind of gets me thinking about checking boxes and appearances. "Oh, it's that time of year again!  I give to a worthy cause, I gather the family together to attend church together for the second time this year, I took my donation to the food bank for Thanksgiving.......". See, I get very critical. I spent some time this morning looking inward. Do I need to donate to some worthy organization today simply because my calendar says it is time to do so? Many of us are feeling the pinch right now in our bank accounts. It caused me to ponder how I give, why I give, and my motivation.

Giving is a personal thing, and there is nothing wrong with giving during the holiday season. Angel trees, Salvation Army bell ringers, and local organizations that support needy families and children are all good things. I challenge you to think about all of these things and wonder: do families only need a meal between Thanksgiving and Christmas? The gift given on Giving Tuesday may go to an organization that helps throughout the year, yet I think that is the easy way. Give a monetary gift once a year, then check off that box. I guess the reason this gets me thinking is that I can't write the big check. I can't support these causes as much as I would like simply because I have needs to be met. So I find myself thinking that I need to help more. 

Giving for me is God-directed. I'm not talking about tithing and giving to my church; I'm talking about what I give to others because I genuinely believe God wants me to, as an act of honor to Him. I'm blessed to be part of a church body that gives all through the year. From numerous care services to meat provided regularly, there is a spirit of help every day, not just on one designated day of the year. Every Sunday, as I drive onto the church grounds, I see the steers in the pasture and realize they are there to ultimately provide food for those in need. That is their purpose. Giving is part of my honor and praise to God. My purpose is to give of myself as an act of worship to God. 

Yesterday we pondered why; today, I challenge you to expand on that and ask yourself why you give. If you choose to give during this Advent season, what is your reason? 

God gave us Jesus, the ultimate gift. The greatest gift I can give is to share Jesus with others. As with any gift, how it is received isn't up to me; only the giving is my responsibility. How will you share Jesus today?

Challenge: How do you feel when you give? What is your motivation for giving? Do you expect something in return when you give? Ponder today how giving impacts your life.

For further reading, dig into 2 Corinthians chapters 8 & 9. Paul writes extensively about generous giving.  Ponder this: They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.2 Corinthians 8:5 NLT

Prayer: Lord, help me to have a giving heart. To listen for Your voice and seek to only serve You. Direct my giving in ways that will lead others to You. When I give, multiply that gift so that others will see You and desire to serve You. Lead me in generosity, whether it be money, services, time, or prayer. Let all that I do be to Your glory.  In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Advent 2022 - Ponder WHY?

 Perhaps you have heard the story of the young woman who always cut the ends off each time she prepared a ham. When asked by her new husband why she did that, her answer was, "That was the way mom did it." This sparked the couple to start asking why. When the woman's mother was asked, she said, "That is how your grandmother did it." Grandma had died years earlier, but the woman asked her grandfather why grandma cut the ends off of the ham.  His answer "So it would fit in the pan."

Often we do things because we learn them by example or simply because our parents said so. As adults, we then don't often stop to ask "why"; we just go along. As we move through this Advent season, part of pondering is asking why. Why do we celebrate Advent? This question prompted me to do a little digging. I grew up and later worked in a protestant church that always celebrated the Advent season. I looked forward each year to the ceremonies and traditions, usually focused on waiting, expectation, and preparation. I never really questioned why we did those things. I simply used the time to focus my prayers on the coming of Christmas, trying my best to put Jesus at the front of the season.

This year I dug a little deeper. I found one fascinating article that pointed out that Advent celebrations in history often had a twin focus, that of the second coming of Christ and the focus on his birth. If you would like to read this author's point of view about Advent, here is the link:

The History of Advent 

There are many instances throughout the day when we can ask "why." When difficulties arise, we may shake our fists at God and say, "Why are you allowing this?" Do a quick search in your Bible app or concordance and discover numerous instances of people asking why.  Answers don't always come; keep asking. Dig deep to learn the why. 

Why do I believe in Jesus? Why do I keep praying for loved ones when they don't seem closer to turning back to God? Why does my faithful, God-loving friend suffer from an ongoing debilitating illness? Why did my friend withdraw from me for no apparent reason? Why do I love baseball? (Sorry, had to throw a lighthearted one in there!) The questions continue, just like a curious toddler discovering the world. 

Today explore some of your "whys." 

Challenge: Take notice today of something you always do and ponder why you do it.

One verse that keeps me focused:

Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much. Psalm 119:140 NLT

Prayer: Father God, help me today as I ask why. Reveal things to me, and change me in ways that may not be aligned with You. Help me to see why I make the decisions that I do, and help me accept Your will even when I don't know the answer why. Help me trust. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

Advent 2022 ~ Ponder

It has been several years since I wrote a daily advent devotional, and I decided to give it a go again this year. I write these mainly for myself, and if anyone else gets a thinking prompt or draws closer to God, that is just a plus.

Each year I choose a word of focus for the year. My word for 2022 is ponder. 

Definitions from Webster's 1828 Dictionary: To weigh in the mind; to consider and compare the circumstances or consequences of an event, or the importance of the reasons for or against a decision. To view with deliberation; to examine. 

A lot of thought goes into my process of choosing a word. I usually spend the week between Christmas and New Year's Day in the process of prayer, listening for various word possibilities, then examining my life to determine what I want to focus on in the coming year. I look at synonyms, I do word definition trees, and finally, in the silence between God and me, I decide on a word. When I was considering ponder I came up with this general statement: to search, to scrutinize, to explore, to discover the truth. To me, it was so much more than simply thinking!

Like for all of you, 2022 was a year of ups and downs, unexpected pleasures, and disappointments. All in all, just like any other - interesting. Looking back over 2022, I have been blessed with new and treasured friendships that I didn't expect (though I prayed for). I have taken a once-in-a-lifetime trip that was a total surprise. I have sat in hospital and emergency rooms with loved ones, wondering what was coming next, crying out to God for protection and healing. I have started a new educational journey, which was a giant leap! I turned 65 and joined the ranks of "old" people. My list could go on and on, and I pondered decisions and possible outcomes with each one.

As we enter the season of advent, waiting for the commemoration of Christ's birth I ponder what comes next. Just as Mary faced the unexpected and seemingly impossible I choose to go boldly ahead in the direction God has for me. It may be scary, and seem impossible, but if God says go, I will go! How will you approach the unknown? When God presents you with something unbelievable, will you go forward in faith and obedience? 

Today I am committing to going forward, even amid significant doubt and fear. Perfect love drives out fear, and I know God loves me perfectly, as He does you. I pray that you will join me in pondering what God has for us this advent season, and perhaps like Mary, we will experience unbelievable and magnificent gifts from God. 

Challenge: Ponder what you would like to hear from God this season. How will you respond to what you hear? 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

Prayer: Lord, hear my voice as I cry out to you. Make the way clear as I ponder what you have for me. Soften my heart so that I am ready to go where you lead and discover the unimaginable wonders that you have for me. Help me love perfectly as you do and banish any fear that remains in my heart.  In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

*I will post these advent thoughts each day on my Facebook timeline. If you want to read them elsewhere, you can click the link on this blog post and receive them in your email. I will not send a separate email like I did in the past to not clutter up inboxes that may not want to receive them.

"I'm watching you......."

The members of my family use a phone tracking app called Life 360. My husband, daughter, son-in-law, granddaughters, and I all have this app installed on our phones. We first installed the app when we lived in cities a 4-hour drive apart and wanted to be able to see where we each were on long drives to each other's homes.  My daughter installed it on the girl's phones as a way to see where they were when away from home.  Since my husband doesn't drive anymore he feels connected to all of us when he is at home alone and can track us on the app. At first glance, it is a good idea and gives all of us peace of mind when we are apart.

Lately, I have been realizing that it is a source of anxiety for me. While I like being able to see where 'all my chicks' are, I also noticed that I drift into worry at times.  When my teen granddaughter is spending the night with a friend and my mind starts to go to places like "are the parents home? Is she safe?" If she forgets to charge her phone and I see that her battery is low I start to panic thinking that no one has landlines anymore, what if there is an emergency!? 

The app also only provides a partial picture. An example lately was when I was out and about and I got a text from my husband "Are you at Sam's Club?"  He knows I don't shop at Sam's, (I am a die-hard Costco girl!) but the app was showing that I was at Sam's.  In reality, I was at the women's shelter thrift store that is in the shopping center next to Sam's, but because the app recognized Sam's that is where it said I was. 

About two weeks ago a troubling new feature to the app popped up.  It is called bubbles.  My granddaughter was spending the night with a friend, and when I glanced at the app I saw that she was in a 'bubble'.  The bubble was designed to put an invisible shield around a 25-mile radius of the person's location.  She didn't even know that the app had applied the bubble to her location.  As admins of the account, the adults were able to remove that bubble, but I realized that one button setting could change the entire way the app was used. Our purpose in using the app is to give us peace of mind that our loved ones are safe, but just like in life, there are always ways to get around a system and hide our actions.

I have nothing to hide from my loved ones.  On the other hand, what if I am planning a surprise, I stop at a favorite store to get a treat and gather with others at a location for the surprise - I either turn my location off and cause anxiety for those watching, or I spoil the surprise because they are 'watching'. I watch maps of my family driving and wonder where they are going, who are they going to see, will they be safe? The anxiety grows, all because of a tool designed to provide peace of mind. I shudder to think if my parents had been watching my every movement as a young adult! If I question my adult child too much, soon she will turn the app off to avoid my questioning.

This morning I got thinking about God having the ultimate Life 360.  He sees it all. He not only knows all that we are doing but also what we think. He sees the interaction of all the world. I can't imagine what he must see when he looks at the direction we choose and the places we stop. He probably shakes His head sometimes and thinks "There is a better route, why don't you take it?"  or "Where are you going child, don't you know that is dangerous?"

Each of us chooses the path we walk and the stops we make along the way. Even though I feel the need sometimes to turn off my tracking app, I don't like being constantly watched, I also am very thankful that I have a God that never stops watching me.  He allows me to make choices, and sometimes I have to suffer the consequences of those choices. If I had listened more intently to Him perhaps some of the sufferings would have been avoided.  When I look at the paths my children and grandchildren take I often see there is a better way.  But just like God does with me, I have to allow them to make their own choices, and sometimes that means suffering consequences.  My desire is to spare them harm and pain, just as God wants to spare me from those things.  Yet the choice is always mine.

We will continue to use the tracking app, but I will do my best to see it only as a tool and not as a cause of worry. I must build trust, banish fear and always turn to God and believe that He is watching in all things and I pray that my family turns to Him as well. 

Proverbs 15:3 The Lord is watching everywhere; keeping his eye on both the evil and good. New Living Translation

 

I'm back!

I've not been gone; simply many life changes in the four years since I last posted an entry. Here are the highlights:

Both Waylon and I have fully retired from full-time work.

We sold our home in the country and moved across the state to settle in Montgomery, TX.

We have traveled the road of various health issues (Waylon), and I have moved into the realm of the "old" as I passed the 65 milestone.

We are closer to extended family, and our daughter and her family have also recently moved near us. God continues to bless us in ways beyond our imagination.

The most significant change for me was a decision that didn't come easily. I have always loved school and learning. I could be a perpetual student and love every minute of it. However, I decided to return to formal schooling a few months ago. I am enrolled in a degree plan for a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling. I recently spoke at my Bible study group to about fifty women and used the examples of women who accomplished monumental things late in their lives. Some days I realize deeply that most of my life is behind me. Yet, on other days I am filled with the desire to keep growing and expanding my life in ways that may seem foolish to others. What will I do with a Master's degree at my age? What benefit will it be to others? I'm not pursuing it to accomplish any one thing. I'm simply following the prompting from God to do it!

The first-course submission was a challenge. My writing wasn't up to current guidelines. Did you know it is no longer standard to put two spaces after a period in writing? My typing instructions from the 1970s are all wrong. That was just one aspect of returning to school; others were time management, reading detailed texts, and sometimes questioning why I was doing this. The satisfaction of learning new things and expanding my knowledge of subjects is a wonderful benefit of being a student once again.

Yesterday I stopped by the local yarn shop to pick up some supplies for a contract knitting piece. As I was visiting with the ladies in the shop I made the comment "Why did I think going back to school at age 65 is a good idea?" One of them said to me "You would still be 65 if you didn't, so why not do something you love?" That is my challenge to you today - do what you love. Listen for God's prompting in your life and after prayerful consideration follow that prompting. 

In Bible study at Lone Star Cowboy Church ladies' ministry, we are delving into the book of Ecclesiastes. The third chapter is a well-known one, with a long list of seasons.  There is a time for everything, and though our lives change in circumstance, our ability to adapt through it all is a chance to explore what God may have in store for us. I may be having to relearn grammar rules, but the more important thing I'm learning is that God is not done with me yet! Every day is a new day to learn, grow, love, and serve Him. How will you do that?

Romans 12:2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. New Living Translation

 

It's not what you think - or is it?

Journeys are interesting! I have been reflecting on my life over the last year or so.  Actually, let's go back 45 years!  About that time I started my first outside the home paying job at the age of 16.  I worked at Sprouse Reitz five and dime store in my hometown of Jackson, CA.  That great store had been a favorite of mine when I was younger, located on Main St., I would walk there to get penny candy when I was spending time at my Dad's tire shop.  I knew I wanted to work there when I was old enough. At Sprouse Reitz I learned to measure fabric yardage through a runner to calculate the correct amount.  (I had been sewing since I was 9, so I knew the importance of a straight cut on the grain). 

I learned how to cut roller window blinds, measure out bulk candy, take inventory and walk those wooden floors checking that things had been put back in place properly.  I worked at that store all through high school summers and weekends, and even continued for a year after that as I attended trade school I still came home on weekends to put in time at the store. 

One of my favorite things was working the register, it looked much like this one:

I remember the wooden drawer, the 'ding' that the it would make when opening and of course how to properly count back change.  No computers in those days! My work life has been quite the winding road over these last 45 years. I pursued so many things, and all so different. Some would look at me and say "she has no career, she chases so many different things".  Here I am again, just starting a new job at the age of 61.  What I came to accept is that bills need to be paid! Things I thought I would do, or that I am trained to do don't always come together when living in a small town with limited opportunities.  Those that know me also know my 'loves' : ministering to people,  helping others, spending time with my family (especially the grand girls!) , knitting and of course Christmas. Yet who would have ever thought that all these years later, after my first job in retail, that I would  again be  working a cash register in a Christmas Store! 

As I worked a shift yesterday I realized many things.  When you work in a retail position it is all about helping people.  When it is in a Christmas Store (that also has wonderful holiday items for year round, gift items, collectibles and so much more) people just seem to be happy when they enter. Whether they are purchasing an extravagant hand made ornament, or a $2 trinket the customer loves a personal touch.  When I count back their change correctly or call them by name after reading their credit card, the personal touch often brings a  larger smile to their face.  Does my degree in administration, my certification as a Life Coach or my years of leadership schools and training make me over qualified to work a cash register or stock merchandise shelves?  No, quite the opposite!  All of my years at various professional endeavors has given me a wealth of information about people.  Do I still dream of my home business being successful so that I can travel and do some more things on my bucket list? Of course, but my purpose right now is being fulfilled.  I may not be seeing my granddaughters quite as often, or my house may not be as orderly as it was, but I can go to sleep at night knowing I'm working, I'm contributing, and perhaps making someone's day a little brighter when they have walked in to a store to purchase a fun item. 

In looking back I have worked at 4 or 5 different retail jobs scattered between other jobs of teaching, leading, mentoring and more. It's really all about the people. 

My favorite passage in Scripture is from Jeremiah. You will see this verse in many places, as people separate it out as a "life verse".   It has popped up in my life in many places, the most recent was when working with the Christian Women's Job Corps as the focus verse.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope" NLT  

I used to think of that verse and say "see, God doesn't want me to be where I am - He wants me to have what I want!"  Well, a dear friend in Bible study many years ago commented on that when I said it was my favorite verse.  At the time I lived in a town that  I really hated,  I actually lived there for 25 years.  Looking back some of my best, and closest, friends are those I met in that town.  I just knew I didn't belong there.  This friend said to me "read the whole passage!"  So I did, and have many times since then.  This verse is part of a long letter to the people who were exiled in Babylon.  His prophetic words to them? Prosper where you are.  Build homes, plant gardens, marry, have children and more. In other words live where you are.  Most importantly - pray.  All these years later, I never forgot that word from my friend Cathy.  Though I strongly believe that God wants the best for each of us, He also wants us to be fully present where we are, and recognize the blessings in our lives.

So here I am, 61 years old, working in a 'lowly' retail position again and loving it. Yesterday I met people from 8 or 10 different states, I talked to a man who lives just a few miles from my home town in California and above all I made people smile and they did the same in return. 

I'm thankful that I can still work and I trust that God has blessings for me in it.  You may be doing something you don't think is right for you, take a harder look - there is a blessing in there for you to find. 

Besides, who better than me to work in a Christmas Store!? (From the gal who keeps a countdown on her phone year round!)