Soar

Did you ever watch an eagle soar through the sky? What an amazing sight to behold. Majestic and strong, this beautiful bird will rise and crest with the wind. God says that we can mount up with wings like eagles. I like that promise!



Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30,31

These Bible verses are special to me. In fact, after attending public school up through the eighth grade, I had the opportunity to attend a little Christian school for my high school years. Isaiah 40:31 was our field hockey team's theme verse.

On various trips, I remember riding along in the yellow school bus to and from our games singing with the rest of the girls, "They that wait upon the LORD, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles..."

Surely that Scripture song has come back to me again and again, on good days and days that I'm having a really tough time. You see, with Jesus Christ, we can mount up and rise above life's circumstances, just like an eagle. The LORD surely will carry us through.

Teach me LORD, teach me LORD to wait!

Live the adventure,
Susan

What a Workout

After finishing an exercise class at the gym the other day, I was walking down the steps behind a few of the other women. I couldn't help but hear the conversation. It went something like this:

"I'm tired of this weather."

"Yes, it's so dreary and cold outside."

"I can't wait for spring to arrive."

"Yeah, I can't wait for some warm weather."

Interesting, I thought to myself, because about six or so months ago I heard a different conversation from a similar group of women.

"I'm tired of this weather."

"Yes, it's so blistering hot outside."

"I can't wait for winter to arrive."

"Yeah, I can't wait for some cold weather."

Now, in times past I used to take part in these types of conversations. It's very easy for me to rattle off what I don't like or even what I wish was different.

So how do we change?

Philipians for 4:11 says, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Like the apostle Paul, are we willing to be content? It's interesting to realize a few verses later is Philippians 4:13. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Paul did not have an easy life. He experienced many hardships. So how do we like the apostle Paul learn to be content?

I believe it begins with a thankful heart. In my regular Bible reading, I've been delving the depths of the book of Daniel and oh what wonderful life giving truths God's been showing me. Next week I look forward to sharing, Lord willing, some nuggets of truth God's been laying on my heart about an area with which I struggle: contentment.

Oh Lord, teach us to thank You in all things and live each moment for You, no matter the time, the place, or the conditions. You are our everything! May we find our joy in You, Jesus.

Live the adventure,
Susan

Joy, Joy, Joy

This is my youngest son Joel's Kindergarten class singing at their school Christmas concert. (My Joel is the fifth child on the left with his mouth wide open - hee, hee, hee! Just click on the picture to get a closer view.)

My heart just wells up with JOY!

One summer many years ago, I was walking home from a playground with my ten-month-old son Jared. (Jared is now sixteen.) As I pushed his stroller along the bumpy path, I met an older woman. After we exchanged pleasantries, she politely asked, "Is this your only child?"

Now normally that question would not have been a big deal except for something that had happened six weeks previous.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried my best to paste a smile on my face. "Yep," I said, my lower lip quivering. "He's my only one." In my mind I added, "Yep and he'll be the only one I'll ever have since my husband just died."

So why am I posting this at Christmastime?

Because as the months progressed, I knew I needed to give all my unfulfilled dreams to Jesus and leave them there. It wasn't easy. Many times my desire for a husband and more children seemed to strangle my perspective on life. Each time that hurt would surge, I just kept laying it at Jesus feet.

God tells us in I Peter 5:7, "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." (Amplified Bible)

So why is it when we have anxieties or worries or concerns that we try to take them back from God? God tells us to leave them with Him once and for all. Why? Because He cares for us and wants what is best for us.

God works differently in the lives of people. Not everyone sees their hopes and dreams fulfilled. But sometimes God gives us visible reminders of His eternal promises in everyday life. In my life, God blessed me once again with the joy of loving a husband and the birth of another child. God in His infinite wisdom knows just what we need. And in that knowledge, I find rest.

So as Jim and I, along with our oldest son Jared (Jim adopted Jared after we were married), Jim's mom, my grandparents, and parents, watched Joel sing his little heart out on stage, I was acutely reminded that although God allows sorrow, He also brings joy. My little six-year-old boy is a daily reminder of God's willingness to give unexpected surprises along life's journey.

May you find the true and abiding source of JOY - JESUS! God loves you so much!

Live the adventure,
Susan

Soar

Proverbs Journey – Day 15 “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13


The other day, I hopped onto the tire swing my husband Jim made for our boys. I grasped the thick thirty-foot rope and held on as Jim gave me a giant push. I threw my head back, breathed deeply, closed my eyes and soared.

“Yea, Mommy!”

I smiled and opened my eyes. My youngest son, Joel, stood next to the sturdy oak and clapped.

Having fun makes us smile, doesn’t it? I cherish simple moments, when God gives gifts of joy wrapped in everyday happenings.

Life’s journey will bring times of joy and sorrow. But even in times of sorrow, God brings moments of joy. Our spirits don’t have to be broken.

I remember fifteen-years ago, after my first husband Gerry died, my brother-in-law helped attach a child seat to my bike so I could take my one-year old son riding.

The fall leaves painted the landscape in a brilliant portrait of red and gold. Breathing deeply, I glanced back at the smiling face of my baby boy.

Take the moments of joy God gives and claim them as a down payment of the unbelievable joy he has in store for us in Heaven. When we trust Christ, he promises the trip of a lifetime.

Are you ready for adventure? Let’s soar…

Live the adventure,
Susan

A Gift of Love

“Look Mommy, flowers for you!”

"Oh, honey, for me? Thank you so much!"

I carefully gathered my bouquet of dandelions and filled a tiny crystal vase.

My son's face beamed.

It’s the simple gifts, offered up with a spirit of love that touch the soul. Some might not think my “flowers” are beautiful, but to me they are better than the most exotic plumes in the world. Why? Because my five-year-old gave it with a heart of love.

It kind of reminds me of the “widow's mite”. Remember what Jesus said in Mark chapter twelve about this woman who gave the equivalent of less than a penny? “Assuredly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

Becoming a young widow for a time after the birth of my first son, I can only imagine the heart of love this woman had for her God. And Jesus noticed it.

What about us? Do we give to the Lord out of a heart of love or out of obligation? Today, may we examine our hearts, lives, and yes our very motives before a loving God who gave His life so we might live. Truly, He is worthy of glory!

“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23

Living the adventure,
Susan

To God Be the Glory

I opened the door and stepped outside into the cool of the morning. My sister, Wendy, gently closed the door behind us, leaving the rest of the ladies in our cabin to catch a few last minutes of slumber.

We quickly stepped along the pathway leading to the main camp road. I breathed in the fresh country air. “Remember our church youth retreats?”

My sister nodded. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

“It sure has.”

We kept pace next to each other, walking past the white blanket of fog covering the lake. On we strode, continuing down the road until we reached a small bridge. Stopping to catch our breath, we silently watched the water gurgle and splash over rocks and sticks, swirling and twirling in a timeless dance.

Wendy lightly touched my shoulder. “I guess we better get back.”

I looked at my sister and smiled. “I guess you’re right.”
When we reached the path leading to our cabin, I stopped in my tracks. “Look!” I pointed to the orange globe rising behind the trees, trees whose branches had yet to bloom with the green of spring.

I hurried and opened the door to the hustle and bustle of eight women preparing for morning chapel. “Look,” I said, waving my friends outside. “You have to see this.” Within moments, the sun had burst through the fog, its golden beams shooting in every direction.

My sisters in the Lord stood outside, one held a toothbrush, another in her slippers and robe. We huddled close in the crisp mountain air, gazing at God’s awesome display. “Look at God’s glory. Isn’t it just like God’s glory to break through the fog?"

We all agreed. It was unanimous. “To God be the glory!”

Living the adventure,
Susan

Smile!

"We can put a smile on your face." The blinking red digital words flashed on the dentist's billboard as I drove up Street Road. (Pennsylvania has strange names for their roads, don't they? Street - Road)

Anyhow, I thought to myself, "Happiness... going to the dentist doesn't make me very happy." I'm one of those people who have an easy gag reflex. Dentist visits aren't on my top ten lists of fun things to do.

Then I thought about something that happened at a writer's conference last summer. I met with an accomplished author for a 15 minute critique of my children's book manuscript. The premise of my story is a prince who has everything he could ever want feels empty inside his heart and goes on a quest to discover what's missing.

When I had my story evaluated previously by another author/editor, it was suggested that I use the words "not happy" to coincide with "felt empty in his heart" since young children are very concrete thinkers. As a mom, it made sense to me, even though I knew true joy is not defined by things or circumstances. There's a difference between happiness and joy. But that's a difficult concept for young children to grasp.

I shared my insight with this established conference author of many novels and children's books. He stared at me strangely and said point blank, "I don't see the difference between happiness and joy." I felt like someone had taken the wind out of my sails. I was ready for this knowledgeable writer and father to agree with my observation.

Undeterred, I shared with him what happened to me. I said, "When my first husband died I was devastated. I was sad, lonely, and not very happy. But I held onto the joy I had in the Lord. Jesus gave me hope. He died for my sins and saved me for eternity. No matter how bleak things looked at the time, the joy of the Lord was my strength." (This picture was taken two months after my first husband died.)

Quite frankly, I expected him to tilt his head in contemplation and finally nod with acceptance of this new found truth. But instead he looked at me and said, "I still don't see the difference."

Now I was on a quest. I was determined to make this man understand. "What about when Paul and Silas were beaten and put in jail? They were bound with chains and yet they prayed and sang songs of praise to God. Their circumstances weren't happy, but the joy of the Lord worked in their life and the jailer and his family got saved as a result." (see Acts 16:16-34) The author still wasn't convinced. So much for plugging my manuscript. The conclusion of my story is the prince finds "true happiness" (remember, I'm using happy because it's a children's story) or in reality he finds true joy because the prince discovers a relationship with Jesus.

I left the session feeling a bit defeated and more than a little discouraged. But as I thought about it more, I realized something. I had that experience of joy in the Lord despite unhappy circumstances. Even if this man didn't believe or understand, there was nothing I could do. Maybe one day he will experience a life altering event. I do not wish it on him, but life's adventure is sometimes dangerous and difficult.

Like Job said when tragedy knocked on his doorstep, "Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" (Job 2:10) We will face trouble, but we can choose to allow the joy of the Lord to be our strength, whether we are happy or sad, whether we are standing on the mountain top of life or walking through the valley of the shadow of death, God is with us.

Isn't that something to smile about?

"Neither be ye grieved; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Joyfully,
Susan