“What do you do?”

It’s a common question when people first meet.

We often describe ourselves by our occupation or our hobbies, or sometimes by our family.

If someone has a job they are less than happy in, they may skip over it to describe their interest in motor sports.

Where we use our time and attention is an excellent indication of what we value.

Our values and beliefs are what make up our world view, which includes how we see ourselves.

For the follower of Christ Jesus, what we do should be a reflection of who we are in Him.

How we view ourselves, others, and life should all be founded upon the Word of God.

For Jesus spoke a great deal about what those who follow Him should value.

John 13:34 NKJV — “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:35 NKJV — “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Matthew 5:44 NKJV — “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

The New Testament is full of instruction for the follower.

Ephesians 4:1-3NKJV — I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Colossians 3:12-14NKJV — Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Understanding that what we do and where we spend our time is often a reflection of what we value.

How will you choose to answer the next time someone asks you:

“What do you do?”

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for bringing this to my attention, that I might use future opportunities to testify of You and how You have done so much for me and my family. Lord, I want all that I do and say to reflect Your love for others. Lord, please continue to teach me how to walk in today with love and compassion, discerning the season, and redeeming the time. Lord, I don’t want to waste Your gifts. Please help me to value what You do. Please teach me how to use my time wisely, guarding myself from the “busyness” which can eat away from the things I truly value. Lord, thank You for Your love. Thank You for salvation. I want my life to say, “I’m a follower of Jesus.” I love You, Lord. Thank You for first loving me. Amen.

“Made in the image”…

… “of God.”

Those words struck me as I listened to my Bible app this morning.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 1:27 KJV

At times I’m too familiar with profound truth and I pass by without allowing it to time to steep.

Thankfully, this morning, God’s Word caused me to ponder.

Do I really understand what incredible gift God gave mankind when He created us in His image?

No other creation has this, just humans.

Being created in God’s image is an incredible gift, do I cherish it in myself?

Do I cherish it in others?

Have I not been heedless about my attitudes and actions towards others, disregarding they are made in God’s image?

With the damage of sin, which mars and twists what God created as good, it’s difficult to look on others and think, “They are created in God’s image”.

Misunderstanding, judgement, disgust, hurt, envy, and strife seem to come so much easier than respect and love.

No wonder God told us, from the beginning, not to sin.

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:1 KJV

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Genesis 3:6 KJV

Even now, we easily become ensnared into evil through the work of the enemy and the desires of the flesh.

But God!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:16‭-‬17 KJV

God created mankind in His own image.

And it was good in the beginning.

But we chose sin.

So, God came as a man, to save all who would believe.

Wow.

People are sinful and God’s original goodness seems so scarce, but neither of these things change the incredible value God has placed on each and every human life.

We were created different from the animals.

We were created unique, even from the angels.

And my tiny understanding of God’s love for us should direct my attitudes and actions with regard to others.

Especially, since I was given the gift of salvation through Christ Jesus and as His follower, I have a responsibility to live in such a way as brings glory to God and the truth of salvation to others.

Not revering the creation above the Creator, but rather loving my Heavenly Father so much, that what He values I value.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for reminding me that all mankind is unique and created differently from any other creation. Lord, please continue to teach me how to value others, while still holding fast to Your truths and not falling into ignoring sin or passing it by as unimportant. Lord, You value Your people too much to allow them to do what is harmful and sin hurts us deeply, it separates us from You. Lord, please help me to have Your perspective, to understand Your will, and to walk with love and wisdom and truth. Lord, You alone, are our Savior and I praise Your holy name! Amen.

Insignificant, but valuable

Flowers are insignificant in comparison to many other things, but I value them.

As we were preparing to leave our home in the suburbs, I cut a small piece of the rose bush in the front yard.

It had been a blessing to me from the first day we arrived.

Both summers we lived there it was gorgeous.

I had enjoyed caring for it and wanted to take a piece with me.

The cutting grew well, and I was excited to see it put on leaves.

When the weather warmed up, it put on a bloom!

I’ve never seen this happen before, although I’ve grown several cuttings in the past.

I’m so thankful for this tiny blessing.

As I was thanking the Lord for His answer to my heart’s desire about the rose, I was reminded it’s not the first time He’s done this.

Right before we moved to the suburbs, I was wanting to take a tiny seedling I’d found from our tree in the front yard.

It had beautiful yellow flowers every spring and I loved it.

My daughter was trying to dig out the seedling and accidentally cut the tap root.

I thought for sure it wouldn’t come back to life, but she potted it and we moved it to our new home.

That winter I looked at it often, but didn’t hold much expectation that I would see it come back from dormancy.

To my surprise it did and out grew the pot.

The following fall I repotted it and by the time we moved here, it had out grown it’s pot again, so Handsome planted it.

This spring was the first time it has ever bloomed!

Both these plants are cherished, because they speak of God’s grace.

If He blesses me in these small things I can certainly trust Him with big things.

Even if something were to happen to both the rose and the tree which would kill them, I still have the memory of the little things God has done.

Personally, I find such encouragement in little insignificant things which point to things of value.

God is good.

Psalm 143:10 KJV — Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

God is faithful.

1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV — God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

God is great and His works are awesome.

Psalm 86:10 KJV — For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

Nothing is insignificant if God is working through it.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your love and compassion. Thank You for the flowers, the trees, and so many beautiful things all around us, all pointing to Yourself, the Creator of all. Lord Jesus, I thank You for giving me daily reminders of Your goodness, Your grace, and Your truth. Lord, please continue to guide and direct me, that my life may bring glory to Your name. Please help me to serve You with joy, wisdom, and discernment, not walking in my own ways or my own ideas, but truly guided by Your Holy Spirit and Your Word. Lord, thank You for another day. Lord, I want to honor You with my actions, my words, and my life, please help me to do so this day. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

The hummingbird feeder

No birds at the moment as I scared them away by getting too close!

I love how God uses things in my day to teach me truths.

Not long after it began getting colder our hummingbird feeder began to gain a lot of attention.

Since we hung it up this spring it’s been busy with two or three hummingbirds.

Of course they refuse to share, and although there are several areas on the feeder to drink from normally we only see one at a time because they run each other off.

But lately we’ve had four to five birds chasing each other around the feeder, back and forth across the yard.

One morning I got up to check the amount of food in the feeder because of the fervor I was witnessing from my bedroom window.

The feeder is just out of sight, but the birds flying round and around were not.

As the kids and I watched the birds land and then fly off again as another flew at them in an effort to gain a seat on the feeder, I commented.

“It’s crazy, I wish they could understand that no matter how many of them drink at the feeder I’m going to continue to refill it. If they’d just all share, they’d have enough.”

I suddenly realized that’s exactly what God would say to me.

He will provide.

I don’t need to “horde” things, but to generously share with others as I’m able and to trust God to refill my “feeder”.

Because, there is no lack with God.

Jesus fed the five thousand. (John 6:1-13)

He caused a huge catch of fish.(Luke 5:1-7)

He healed the sick, raised the dead, surely He can and will provide for my need. (Matt. 8:16, Mark 1:34, Luke 4:40, Luke 7:12-16)

Philippians 4:19 NKJV — And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

The hummingbirds at our feeder can’t understand that I care about them and have no intention of letting them starve.

These are God’s creation and He cares for them.

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29‭-‬31 NKJV

God’s love is incredible and I can rest in His provision.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for these little birds and joy our family has of watching them and feeding them. Lord, please help us to be wise and to follow You in all we do. Lord, thank You for the reminder that You are our provision. Please help me to be generous and to willingly give as You lead me. Lord, shine Your truth into my heart and mind and teach me Your ways, that I might not sin against You. Lord, thank You for the birds and the lesson I have each day just outside my window. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Nearly a week

My husband had taken this photo and sent it to me as an “I love you”.

Jase and I arrived back home on Sunday.

We had left on Tuesday for a stay with Tim and Sis.

The events of the previous weekend had prompted the visit.

Plans had been made for me to head up for just Friday through Sunday to help with their yard sale.

However, my asthma had gotten to the point that my husband felt I should relocate for a while.

I love visiting them.

They are such a blessing.

And I breathe better there.

For nearly a week I enjoyed being able to do things and helping with the baby.

It was truly delightful.

Yet, I always miss my husband and our girls when I’m away.

It’s that bittersweet thing.

And I’m so blessed to be so loved.

When I first saw the girls they each hugged me and told me about the goings on.

It felt like I’d been gone much longer.

How precious is the time we have with those we love.

And if I enjoy my family to this extent

how much more does Jesus?

To have us love each other,

to have us love Him,

how great must His joy be!

Yet, how easy it is to take for granted those we love.

We see them everyday.

Did I tell the girls “I love you” before they left for work?

Does my son hear me say positive words as well as the direction and correction?

Have I served my husband today?

It’s good to stop and reflect.

To allow Jesus to hone my perspective.

I don’t want a single day to pass without my family understanding how much I love them.

“Dear Jesus,

Thank You for my family. Thank You for our daughter and son-in-law and grandbaby. Thank You for allowing me time to visit them. Please continue to help me love them as You do. Please help me to stay focused on what is really important. May our family love You and each other, always. “

Wild flowers

It just isn’t the same.

As often as I have tried,
never have I succeeded,
in capturing the true beauty
of a wildflower on film.

I know others are able.

I just haven’t had the experience or possibly the time to truly record the essence of one small delicate wild beauty.

However I often find the same thing in people.

Too often a photograph or even a few lines fails to capture the beauty within.

There are many people in my life who are just not fully characterized in a line or two.

They’re depth of personality,
the meaning of their everyday responses,
the influence upon myself and others around them,
the blessings of just knowing them.

None of these is able to be recorded by any words I can use to describe them.

I was singing along with a song and stopped to think about the words.

“I want to live,  like there’s no tomorrow, love like I’m on borrowed time. It’s good to be alive!”

When was the last time I told anyone near me of their value?

Do I really love and live in such a way as to show those who are of such amazing value in my life that they are?

People are like wildflowers, deep beauty but you can never be certain of how long you will enjoy the benefits of being near them.

“As for man, his days are like  grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.” Ps. 103:15

David goes on to say that just as the wind blows over a wildflower and it is gone the same can be of man.

He speaks of the only thing which remains constant and enduring: God and His righteousness.

So, I thank the Lord for the long list of people who are so valuable.

Thank Him for blessing me with each one.

And as walk through my days this month I will be praying for opportunities to let those around me know how valuable they really are.

Because I can be certain of only a few things.

I want one of those to be: the people I value know how much they really mean to me.