Ponderings

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Ordinary or Extraordinary? It's Your Choice!

The last time I wrote a blog post I was enjoying a period of early retirement. I was between jobs, praying that God would show me what to do in that season. I hoped that writing another book might be part of his plan but I couldn't quite seem to find the inspiration or motivation to write anything more than my daily journal entry. My life of leisure was short-lived and I returned to the best job I've ever had, doing work that God has uniquely equipped me to do.

Will I ever write another book? Probably not, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Despite the fun of book fairs and book signings, meeting fellow authors, and having a sense of accomplishment, I have found that embracing the ordinary in this season has probably been the most extraordinary journey of my life. More than ever I believe that God's words are true:

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. -- Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

If you feel your life is an ordinary mess, you're in good company! Embrace your ordinary and look for God's little touches along the way. They're there. For me, they're in the hearty laughter of a son at the end of a stressful work day, the quiet beauty of a daughter who inspires others with her creativity, and in the heartfelt song of a spouse whose love of singing cannot be contained. You might find God's touches in the hands of an aging parent, the shoulders of a compassionate friend, and in the stranger that bought you a cup of Starbucks on a morning when you really needed a second cup to give you courage to face another day.

It has been said that life is what we make it. I confess I fail miserably at making a good life most days. I prefer to leave that job to the One who knows me best, loves me most, and has promised me a life of purpose and peace as I keep my eyes fixed on him.

Friday, October 8, 2021

Still I Wonder

As I settle into my sixties and a season of "early retirement," I find myself wondering how long this season will last or whether God will call me back into the work force one last time. After resigning from my previous job earlier this year to take care of family matters and assist with a kitchen renovation project, I began spending many hours in prayer and studying scripture to try and ascertain what God's plans for my future might look like. I still don't have a clue. I only know that if I am called back into the work force I want it to be in a position that He has uniquely qualified me to fill. For now, though, I am content to be on call for whatever might arise in the course of each day, whether that be transporting a friend to an appointment or taking care of more mundane tasks around the house.

The past few months have been delightful. I am immensely grateful for a closer walk with God and the flexibility to travel, spend time with family, and just "be there" for my husband and kids. Being a homemaker has always been my favorite job, and retirement is something I look forward to, when the stress of being ruled by clocks and calendars becomes a thing of the past.

The prospect of returning to past jobs has no allure for me; I'm not the same person I was when I worked in those particular positions. Still, I can't help but feel that I am supposed to be doing more. I trust that in His perfect timing, God will issue His call in an unmistakable way. Time is short. More people need to hear the Good News of salvation and experience God's love. It is my hope that somehow He will position me in a place where I can be of service to others and a vessel of His love and light to those struggling to find their way in this dark world.

Saturday, September 25, 2021

So Much to Ponder

People are pondering many things these days -- why COVID is still with us, why there is so much hatred, and why there is so much violence in our land and around the world. Recently, the Kroger store in my hometown of Collierville, TN, was the scene of a horrific mass shooting that resulted in the death of a dearly-loved member of the community and serious injuries to more than a dozen others. The shooter took his own life as he concluded his vicious assault. No one knows why. We are all still numb with shock, utter disbelief, and unbearable sorrow. Even though I no longer live there my heart is broken. I shopped in that store for fourteen years prior to moving out-of-state, and my son worked there during high school.

Many of us follow the news these days -- perhaps a little too closely -- and wonder what could possibly happen next? Sadly, something will come along to eclipse recent events and shake us to our core again. I find it all a little overwhelming, don't you? Overwhelming, but not surprising. After all, the Bible tells us there will be days like this. In 2 Timothy 3:1-4 (NIV), we read:

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God --

The stories and images just this week have nearly overwhelmed my heart -- senseless gun violence, border agents herding immigrants and refugees like cattle, battles over a vaccine designed to help us recover from this pandemic, and devastating wildfires started by a suspected 30-year-old arsonist. Where is the justice? Where is the humanity and compassion that we need these days just to survive and be part of the solution rather than the problem?

Lately I have had to deliberately turn the channel and listen to something else besides the news because the news is mostly bad. Mostly. It has been said that if we didn't have bad news, we'd have no news at all. We look for truth in media only to find none. Therein lies the problem. We are looking to the wrong source for the truth and good news we so desperately long to hear. Perhaps it is time to turn off the TV, put down the newspaper, silence the podcasts, and reach for our Bible. Most people own or have access to God's word, but how often do we actually read it?

In John 16:33 (ESV), Jesus gave his followers a warning and a promise which applied to those who followed him then and apply to us who follow him now:

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

This is not the only passage that deals with the troubles common to man, or the problems we face; there are many others. A quick look in the concordance at the back of your copy of the Bible will reference such things as money, sin, adultery, drunkenness, idolatry, injustice, slavery, murder, poverty, and depravity -- things we read or hear about virtually everyday through print and TV news, social media, and in conversation with those around us.

The Bible is also filled with God's promises of hope, peace, justice, forgiveness, redemption, supply, healing, restoration, and joy. But the most exciting promise for me is that Jesus will return to our wretched world to take his followers to live eternally with him in heaven, and heaven will far surpass anything we could dream of! In Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV), we read:

Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Those of us who have confessed our sins, professed belief in Jesus, and received his free gift of salvation -- his death on the Cross in our place for our sin -- have the blessed assurance that we are forgiven, that he has indeed overcome the world, and that he will return to take us home to heaven one day. Do you know Jesus as Savior? If not, I pray you will open your heart to him and receive his salvation. He loves you and wants more than anything for you to know the joy and peace a personal relationship with him will bring.

Life on earth is not going to get any better, at least not according to my Bible. But through a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we can be assured that he will be with us in every trial we face (Isaiah 43:2), his provision will meet our every need (Philippians 4:19), and he will return some day to take us to the home he has prepared for us in heaven (John 14:1-4). Oh, the wonder! Just ponder it.

Friday, September 17, 2021

From Limbo Land to Promised Land

A few months ago, I made the prayerful decision to step out of the work force in order to take care of some personal matters, tend to family business, and focus on my relationship with God. At the time, I was dealing with a lot of anxiety, or perhaps the restlessness that sometimes occurs when God calls us to another area of service. The benefits far outweighed the apprehension of forfeiting a paycheck. I have enjoyed the freedom and flexibility of having time to travel and spend time with out-of-state family; doing domestic duties and running errands during the week instead of on the weekends; and most especially, spending more time with God each morning, reading and writing scripture and praying about all that is going in the lives of family, friends, our community, nation, and world. That in itself is a full time job, and at times a stressful one!

Still, I have often wondered, Is there something else I am supposed to be doing with my life? Before I officially pronounce myself "retired," is there some place where I am meant to use the skills and abilities God has honed in me these past forty years to love and serve others for his glory? Quite honestly, the thought of returning to work is daunting and makes me anxious. However, I feel a little guilty about not wanting to give up the benefits of "early retirement" which I have so enjoyed these past few months. As Christ-followers, we are commanded to "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV). Easier said than done, right?

Lately I have found myself in the familiar and uncomfortable "limbo land" of not knowing what God has in store for me. His word tells me, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). But where, Lord?

God is clearly up to something. I don't pretend to know what that something is, but I am beginning to feel that familiar holy tug on my heart that signals a change is coming. I'm not sure I want it to. I am fighting to hold onto the comforts of home, the flexibility and freedom of the past few months, and the long quiet times I have enjoyed with him daily.

After pouring out my heart to God about my concerns, fears, hopes, and dreams, he answered me through my devotional reading from Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts:

Behold, My hand is upon you to bless you and to accomplish all My good purpose. For this hour I have prepared your heart and in My kindness I will not let you fail.

Only relinquish all things into My hands; for I can work freely only as you release Me by complete committal...As was written of old: "Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass" (Psalm 37:5). I will be your sustaining strength; and My peace shall garrison your mind. Only TRUST ME -- all I do is done in love.

My arms are around you, and never have I loved you more! I will make you like a garden of fountains whose streams are fed by the mountain springs.

Bring me all that puzzles you. Many questions need no answer, for when the heart is at one with the Father, there comes an illumination of Spirit that transcends thought. Understanding becomes a state of heart rather than an achievement of the mind.

Lord, not my will but thine be done. Lead me from my limbo land into your promised land.

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Why I Almost Pulled the Plug on Facebook

Like many, I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. I saw a mean-spirited post this morning that offended me enough to make me want to pull the plug on Facebook, but I had a change of heart and simply blocked the post. Why not just go with my first instinct and take a break from social media? Because that is precisely what the devil would have me do. (Yes, Satan does exist. Last time I checked, I don't take my orders from him!)

Facebook is a tool many of use to keep up with family and friends, especially those in areas hard hit by natural disasters or who are in need of prayer because of illness, financial hardship, or personal loss. If Satan can keep us from praying for and encouraging one another, he wins the battle -- and make no mistake, there is spiritual warfare on social media. Facebook is also a place where many people go to find inspiration, encouragement, and fellowship with other Christ-followers. It is often a platform where ministry and blessings happen. What the enemy intends for evil, God uses for good.

In Ephesians 4:29 (TPT), the apostle Paul writes, "And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them." As a writer and a human being that is what I hope my posts accomplish -- the building up of those who need encouragement and hope. I won't say I excel in this, but I do try my best not to offend others by hateful, mean-spirited posts or comments. Let me apologize for anything I may have posted that offended you in any way.

Life is too short to be mean-spirited. If ever we needed huge doses of love, encouragement, and hope it is now. I am thankful that most of my friends and family are kindhearted souls who look out for others. I need and appreciate your kindness. We all do.

Grace and peace,

Dee Dee

Monday, August 30, 2021

Another Day

Another day finds me wondering what God has in store

And longing to find a little something more

More grace, more patience, more love for mankind

More knowledge, more wisdom, a little more time

To do what is needed and things I want, too

To offer up prayers for my loved ones and you

To see more of God in the world that surrounds me

To sit in God's presence until his peace astounds me

To relish this day as his love gift to me

Since another day is not guaranteed

Help me know what to do, Lord

Make the most of this day

So that others might know you're

The Life, Truth, & the Way

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Would We Even Notice?

So I say to my soul,
    “Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed.
    For I know my God will break through for me.”
    Then I’ll have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again.
    Yes, he is my saving grace! -- Psalm 42:11, The Passion Translation

With everything that is going on in our world today -- the COVID pandemic, natural disasters, mayhem in Afghanistan, poverty and hunger, human trafficking, escalating crime, political corruption, and social unrest -- many of us are spending much time in prayer and doing what we can financially to help those in need. Yet our prayers seem ineffective and our money insufficient to provide any meaningful relief. We might even wonder if God hears our prayers.

Many of us are in constant prayer for God to remove COVID from our midst, to ease the tensions and bring peace to Afghanistan, to restore and rebuild lives and livelihoods that fires and hurricanes have destroyed, and to do away with all the evils in our world. To what end? If God were to miraculously and instantaneously remove the scourge of COVID -- something he is totally able to do -- would we even notice? Would we acknowledge his hand in such a miracle and fall to our knees in worship of the one true God, or would we simply breathe a sigh of relief and go on our way, unchanged and unworthy of his great mercy?

Lately, I have wondered how God would have us pray in response to all that is happening in our world. Concerns for family, friends, and our fellow humans across the globe may be overwhelming to us, but they are not to God. Perhaps prayer alone will never bring about the changes and solutions we so desperately long to see. But what might God do if we pause our repetitious prayers and simply begin to worship and place our faith in him? Would he even notice? Somehow, I think he would. In fact, I am convinced that worship is the key to touching his heart.

God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work in us (Ephesians 3:20). He is worthy of our praise, even if we feel unworthy to offer it.