Friends or God-Sent Angels

Friends or God-Sent Angels

“A friend loves at all times, And a brother (or sister) is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 NKJV

     Divorce is hard on friendships—individuals and couple friends. It was like a bomb was set off in their midst and the fallout debris went for miles and miles. Looking back I see how my divorce had reverberations in their lives too. Divorce just sucks, and no one within the realm of the divorcing couple escapes some wounds.

     This chapter though is about the friends who were the God-sent angels in my life. I had four friends who truly loved at all times, even when I was particularly unlovable. These, in their love and God-prompted actions, managed to nurse, nurture, protect and guide me through the first couple years.
    Without these four I would have crawled into my bed and never left the house again. Except for Erin. The mother instinct in me was stronger than the desire to hide and grieve. For her I could still manage to function. That was a God-given strength.
    Somehow these four very different human beings were assigned by God to be my friends. One of them was just for this time and I would not have made it without her misery-loves-company personality. But when I began to recover -- God separated us. I see the wisdom in it now, but at the time it hurt greatly. The other three are still with me. Amazing given the trials I put them through. I know their love is true. One of them became my husband, Alan. One has been my friend for 36 years….since we were sixteen years old. The last, but not least, has been my friend for 23 years.
    They stuck with me—even when it wasn’t really me. They arranged birthday celebrations, met me for dinner or a movie, took me to church, invited me to Bible studies, and even helped me plan adventures. They helped me adjust to a New normal. They helped rebuild my self-esteem. I WAS worth knowing and loving. I WAS worth spending time with. I WAS worthy to be a King’s daughter. Because ultimately they pointed me to whom I am in Jesus. Savior, brother, friend, in Him I AM always worthy.

Anger -- Day Five

 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:30-32 NIV

     It was twenty-six months after my ex moved out of the house when my daughter told me, “It’s too hard to live angry all the time and I’m tired of it.” Can you relate? She’d tried to live that way and she didn’t like who she became. She’d lost friends because of it; lost time, sleep, pieces of her that she was now trying to find or restore.

     I could relate. I knew where she was, but had decided earlier in this season of divorce that I did not want that lifestyle. I did not want to become a bitter old woman, nor a man hater, even though there were too many days to count when I did hate anything male. I gradually recovered from that during my second year. I knew intellectually and spiritually that it was wrong and pointless and self-destructive.

     At some point in time, forgiveness will need to be considered, prayed about and chosen.

     It is a choice you will have to make for yourself, your relationships, and your relationship with God, and your future. Unforgiveness eats away at you like acid. It destroys, ages and taints your entire life. I am speaking from my experience.

     Forgiveness does not excuse the details, the pain, the betrayal, nor the shattered hopes and dreams. Forgiveness recognizes that a wrong was done. Forgiveness recognizes that none of us is perfect, and all of us are very human. Flawed and sinful. Forgiveness recognizes that Christ gave us, you and me, what we did not deserve nor could ever earn. Through Christ you can eventually and prayerfully forgive your ex-spouse.

Practical steps: Make a list of what was taken from you by the divorce. Take the time to write everything you can think of: security, trust, financial support, a partner and anything else that comes to mind. Now realize that they are never going to give these things back to you. This is hard, I know. Cry or yell as long as you want, and then go burn this piece of paper and say, “I forgive you.” Then reach for Jesus’ hand, turn around and walk away. When memories surface remember this act and remember it freed you from a life of bitterness. 

Your thoughts: _______________________________________________

   ^“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

^“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:25 NIV

Anger - Day Four

^“A fool gives full vent to his anger,
       but a wise man keeps himself under control.”

Proverbs 29:11 NIV

     We have all done things in anger, said things in anger that we wished later we could have taken back. That is what this verse is talking about. We are not always wise though and especially in the middle of a divorce, wisdom is hard to find. So we must lean on those smarter than us, those less emotional than us for guidance. A calm sure loving voice at the other end of the telephone. Without good friends, who knows the trouble I would have gotten into. I remember one night I was so angry I kept driving in circles around the city. I was too keyed up to go home to an empty house. I needed an outlet for my anger and I was looking for trouble.
           God lead me to a church parking lot. He provided pen and paper to vent my anger on instead of myself or someone else. I wrote the letter to my ex telling him how furious I was, how betrayed I felt, how unfair he had been, how low of a man I thought he was and more. By the time I finished I was exhausted. I drove myself home, took a hot shower and fell into bed. I gave the letter to my counselor.

Practical steps: God will provide a safe place to vent if you seek Him, and sometimes even if you do not seek Him. When physical activity isn’t available, then pen and paper are the next best thing. Cry out to God because we are His and He cares for us.

Your thoughts: _________________________________________________

 ^“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Anger- Day Three

 ^“A gentle answer turns away wrath,
       but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1 NIV

Adversaries. Where once a couple had stood, now stood opponents. How do you battle without losing sight of the goal-- to end the war? To reach a peace treaty with as little blood shed as possible? You need a cool calm spirit. You need a gentle spirit. You need the Holy Spirit. During the first year of my divorce I felt the voice of the Spirit whisper to me “Be Still” and “Trust me.” Repeatedly. Only those words.

When David and I would meet to discuss dividing money, belongings, I needed that calm Spirit, that guiding influence. It would have been too easy to accuse, judge, argue, threaten and curse at him. And it would have stirred up his “anger” as the verse above says. Then we would have needed lawyers to talk for us, although sometimes they are necessary because of various legal matters.

Those whispers into my spirit were like invisible cloaks I could slip on and disappear for awhile. It allowed me to be present, yet not to overreact or act emotionally until later in the safety of my bed or with a friend to protect me. I did not always feel God meet me there, but you and I both know that our feelings are tricky and can’t be trusted. The valley of divorce makes steps of faith feel like you are moving five hundred pound weights attached to your feet. Yet those steps are needed if we are going to cross this valley without becoming bitter old crones.

Practical steps: Memorize a verse or two about the Holy Spirit that you can use to calm yourself when meeting with the soon-to-be ex spouse. Or write them on an index card you can pull out of your pocket or purse at anytime. 

Your thoughts: ________________________________________________

^“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 NIV

Anger - Day Two

^“In your anger do not sin; 

       when you are on your beds, 

       search your hearts and be silent. SELAH” Psalm 4:4 NIV

     

     ….and listen to God. Hear His whispers. Do not spew, spit, fret, and curse. Walk through the corridors of your heart and expose the anger, but do not get caught up in it. Show it to God and ask for Him to take it so you can rest. 

     I prayed so often: “I am angry, Lord. Help me. Help me not to retaliate. The anger is real. I hurt. Revenge is what I WANT, but you say revenge is yours. I want him to suffer as I suffer. Take this from me.”

     Dear Sister in Christ, as you lie in your bed at night, you need peace to sleep, so search your heart and be silent. God our Father knows your hurts. To sleep well we must let go of the anger, and let God put His soothing healing touch on your sore places.

     For months I felt nothing—numb. The anger would erupt like a volcano that only the cooling rain of God could soothe or tame.  That rain came in the form of a safe place to retreat, soothing ocean music, good books, TV shows where the good guys win, praise music, phone calls from caring friends and being still. An anger eruption could drain me for days because I had so little energy. Divorce drains you of all emotional and physical reserves.

     My divorce was unbelievably civil though. We chose that. Our last act as a married couple because we both love our daughter. Neither had any illusions that this would be easy, but because we put her first--our meetings were civil--most of the time. One night I lost it because he made an insensitive remark to our daughter and she called me crying. I called him and yelled and cursed. I am not proud of it, but it was needed for me. My anger was important and he needed to be reminded that his actions had repercussions and there was a limit to my civility.

     I had to repeatedly lay the anger down at God's feet. As a dear friend would say, I had the learning curve of a squirrel. The nights I refused to let go were wakeful hard nights, but I did reach a place, a time, where I wanted the sleep and the peace more than the anger. You will too.

 Practical steps: 

If you want to sleep, each evening turn your heart over to God. Let Him stroll the rooms and corridors, and spread His restoring light and life. Feel it, believe it, and visualize it, whatever helps you is okay.

Your thoughts: ________________________________________________ 

“I will lie down and sleep in peace,
       for you alone, O LORD,
       make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 NIV

Anger - Day One

“Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to kill? But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”  Mark 3:4-5 NIV

     Jesus got angry. He got angry at narrow-mindedness, lack of compassion, and the need for control. He was angry with their hard hearts. Anger in this form is a righteous anger. It is an emotional reaction to an unjust situation.

     There is nothing just in any divorce situation. Adultery, violence, verbal abuse, lack of love, growing apart, addictions are all unjust situations that can and do throw marriages into divorce. Some couples survive, but is very much a personal and case-by-case choice. A decision made in prayer and discussed with God. I believe God does not like divorce, but I also believe God is compassionate. Abundant life is not found at the end of a fist or through repeated betrayals. Jesus would be angry at the injustice of those situations as well.

     So is it okay to be angry? Yes. It is not okay to act out in that anger. Did I want to do bodily harm to my former spouse or at least to his truck? Yes! Did I want to tell my family all the horrible things? Yes, yes, and yes. Did I? NO! Did my tongue call him every name in the book, and say aloud words I did not even know I knew? But not in front of my child. I am not perfect. I repeat--I am not perfect. But in acting out our anger, we usually do ourselves more harm. When the anger is spent we are so worn out and sad that it hardly seems worth it.

     Jesus did something good in his anger—to right a wrong.  Can we learn to do that? Can we vent our anger properly? 

Practical steps:

The batting cages are wonderful for venting anger and releasing stress. A fast-paced walk is good for your body, heart and mind. Choose an activity that will physically push you.

Your thoughts:
__________________________________________________

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Ephesians 4:26 NIV

Week Two - Anger or Everyone Feels It

 “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath,

Do not fret; it only causes harm” Psalm 37:8 NKJV

     This verse is much easier read and studied, than acted upon and accomplished.     

Anger comes in many forms as mentioned in the scripture above. I can testify that I was angry at my husband for leaving me and our daughter. I was angry at the lack of communication.  I was angry at my inability to repair the damage done by fear and insecurities. I was angry at my inadequacies as wife and mother. I was angry at him for not trying harder, longer, better, whatever it took to restore our marriage. I was angry at God, for not answering my prayers the way I wanted. I was angry with my family for still saying they loved my soon-to-be ex. That was like a Judas betrayal to me. They could still love him, but to tell me was like a slap in the face, and I wasn't certain whose side of the fence they were on.

     Degrees of anger oozed through me. The waves of ooze were sometimes slow, steady and constant. At other times the waves were fast, fierce and drowning. I have drowned in my anger. Not the way to go, I assure you.

     So how did I deal with it? I wish I could say I did one episode at a time, one situation at a time, and one person at a time, but that is not true. Most of the time I was a composite of various angers and it would slosh from one situation to the next situation. Not good. Not good at all. It took months to begin untangling the roots and sources and causes of my various angers, and then to address each one.

     I had an awesome counselor who kept telling me to ask and answer the hard questions. What was I really angry about? Who was I angry at and why? Had I prayed about it? Was I ready to get past it? Was I ready to forgive? That last question is a significant one, but even more important is talking with God about your anger and listening for His response. Slowly, God and I untangled the various angers. Slowly, God and I addressed them, and ever so slowly, consistently, faithfully, God helped me to forgive. Remember last week's topic? It takes time, but God will work with you in dealing with the anger. 

Time - Day Five

 ^“Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus." Acts 3:19-20 NIV

     Were there sins involved in your divorce? My sins were sins of neglect, selfishness, and cowardice in talking about the hard things. Is divorce a sin? I do not know. Yet sin is real and in our world, and we are flesh and bone. I had to confess my sins, take responsibility for my part in the failure of my marriage. God knew. I knew. There was no point in hiding from it.

     So even though my faith was crumbling, I prayed to God to help my unbelief. I prayed for God’s healing. I prayed for refreshing. I needed the winds of forgiveness to refresh my spirit. I needed the Holy Spirit to remind me of his presence. I needed to know He was near and would always help defend me from the temptation of sin.

     Divorce does not bring out the best in most people. Divorce has a tendency to bring out the worst. But that is why Jesus died for us while we were yet still sinners, to save us from ourselves. Let God breath a refreshing time into this season of divorce for you.

Practical steps:  For refreshing I read the Psalms, or a favorite devotional, or spend quiet time on the back porch with my coffee and my Father in heaven.

 Your thoughts: _________________________________________________

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6 NIV

Time - Day Four

“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.”  Luke 4:13

     Even the devil had to wait for an opportune time! One of God’s fallen angels had to wait. Because there is only one who controls time--God. God knows the hour of our birth, and the hour of our death. He knows our struggles, our triumphs, our hours of despair and our hours of happiness. And He knows best how long a human heart needs to heal.

     God crafted the human heart. He knows the physical workings and the spiritual/emotional workings. Time is not the enemy: time is the cure. Just like a broken bone needs to be set by a doctor and given time to knit itself back together; a heart needs to be set by the great Healer. Though an x-ray would not have shown the break in my heart, it was real. The pain in my chest was real. The nights I spent with a pillow curled to my chest in order to keep my heart from spilling out in pieces on the floor were real.

     I had to give my heart into an expert’s care. The bandages were invisible to the naked eye and took awhile to get in place. Hurting creatures react badly to anyone getting close to their wounded place. I was the same way. But consistent hugs from friends, long and strong and comforting, laid strips of gauze around the broken halves of my heart. Phone calls, cards, and prayers added the white tape to hold the gauze in place and yet allowed the break to breathe, not fester.

     The bandages got ripped off a few times that first long year, reopening the wound, but my dear God-sent friends who knew the process by now. They listened to me rant, rave, sob and all the while they began wrapping my heart again with their tender loving care.

     God is the only one who knows the opportune time to free me or you from the bandages. But when He does remove the last strips of gauze we will be stronger, healthier and more compassionate than ever before. I genuinely believe this to be true.

Practical steps: Receive the loving attention of friends and family. Make time for them. Accept their help and kindnesses. It’s a sweet salve that eases the ache of a broken heart.

Your thoughts: _________________________________________________

“By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Heb 11:11 NKJV

Time - Day Three

“On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”  Matthew 10:18-20 NIV

In the first two years of my divorce I experienced moments when I simply did not know what to do. Without a partner--a backup to bounce decisions off of--I was hesitant, unsure, frustrated. Not because I couldn’t make decisions, because I could. But the loss of my spouse--even thru divorce or especially through divorce--made me question myself. Could I make good decisions? Could I trust myself to know what was best? My longest relationship outside my family had failed. I was partially to blame. What did that say about me? Simple decisions became nearly impossible and in that autopilot survival mode, God took care of me.

My daughter, Erin, got to school, got fed, got insulin, got picked up from school when her sugar went too high and she became incoherent, and she got through the last four months of high school and graduated. I think back and it is like watching a bad TV movie.

Drama, drama, drama.

But when it was time, I gave an answer, someone picked up Erin’s car from school, my dad took the garbage to the street, the laundry got done and the groceries were bought. My body went through the motions while my mind and spirit were curled up in the palm of Jesus’ hands protected and safe. Then little by little, like a butterfly, I began to emerge from the cocoon of His hands.                                                      

Practical steps: Learn to lean on your Heavenly Father for support. When you can’t, He can. Start the day with a simple prayer. Lord, take this day and guide every decision. Amen.

Your thoughts: _______________________________________________

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Day Two - Time

^“But I trust in you, O LORD; 

       I say, "You are my God."

My times are in your hands; 

       deliver me from my enemies 

       and from those who pursue me.

Let your face shine on your servant; 

       save me in your unfailing love.” Psalm 31:14-16 

     As a Christian, what does it mean that my times are in God’s hands? It means that every year, month, week, day, hour, and moment belong to Him. It means He is in control of life. It means not a moment passes that He isn't aware of us and where we are and what we are doing.

     Are we being tempted and chased by sin? He knows. Are we suffering in silence? He knows. Are our days without hope and interminable? He knows. If we awoke with a smile and a prayer, He knows. If we awoke and can’t figure out how to put our feet to the floor, He knows. Our times are His.

     This Psalm says to trust God with your times, with your days, with your circumstances--good or bad. It says: I trust God. I believe God. I know you will save me from the dark days, long cold nights, and weary body, soul and mind. This Psalm calls upon God and his unfailing love. He will answer, in His time.

Practical steps: Post verse 14 where you can see it throughout the day. Repeat it to yourself in the moments of emotional turmoil. I trust in you God. Be with me.

Your thoughts: _________________________________________________

“I was afraid and thought that he had driven me out of his presence. But he heard my cry, when I called to him for help.” Psalm 31:22 GNB

Day One -- Time

Time 

^“Then the LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Gen 18:10 NIV

     I loved being pregnant. I loved the stretchy clothes, eating six times a day, and watching my stomach grow. I was fascinated at the whole process, and read all kinds of books. The ultrasound pictures of what my daughter, Erin, looked like at twelve weeks and twenty weeks were amazing to me.

     But time seemed to pass slower and slower the closer I got to my delivery date. I was huge, and was only comfortable in one pink sweat suit and one ugly striped flannel gown. It was TIME for this kid to be born. So why does it take forty weeks to make a baby? God had a plan. I’m sure of it. Maybe because I needed time to adjust to my changing emotions, changing girth, or changing hormones. Maybe I needed time to change the priorities in my life because I was going to be someone’s mama.

     Whatever the reason, time is a necessary element in the procreation and birthing a family process. Time to paint, prepare a room, have baby showers, and stock up on diapers. Though sometimes the days pass slowly and our feet swell, the day when the baby is ready does come. We must wait. Waiting is never easy. Whether we are waiting for a child to be born or to heal from a heart-sickness or a physical healing. It just isn't easy. But it can be done.

                     Practical steps 

     Cultivate a day by day attitude and accept each day’s challenges and blessings. Know that each day brings you closer to healing; each step through the valley, each day’s travel brings you that much closer to reaching the other side.

Your thoughts: _________________________________________________

“and she became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham when he was old. The boy was born at the time God had said he would be born.” Gen 21:2 GNB

Time or No One Wants to Hear it

WEEK ONE

“There is a time for everything,

And a season for every activity under heaven.”  Ecc 3:1 NIV

    I lived through a season of divorce. Its climate was quite variable and unpredictable. Hot angry nights followed cold autopilot days. Then the never-ending tears of days were interspersed with brief moments of sun. There were quite a few grey overcast days but sometimes storms of emotions popped up unexpectedly. Drought and downpours were not uncommon.

    None of the above is pleasant, but it can be survived. God’s word says there is a time for everything. I remember reading this and thinking, “Even divorce?” Time to weep, that scripture made sense to me. Time to mourn definitely fit my situation. But where was time to divorce? It’s time itself that is necessary. It’s the only constant predictable cure that I have found and experienced first hand.

    I know you don’t want to hear this. I didn't either. I wanted it over, done, finished and to move forward. But time was what was needed to heal my heart, the distrust I felt towards everyone, and what allowed the pain to reside.

    Time allowed distance to dull the ache and gain perspective. Time sharpened hindsight. Time allowed and inspired growth, change, and the act of being still. (“Be still and know that I am God,” from Psalms 46:10 became my mantra.) Time allows you to draw near to God and invites God to carry you over those dangerous cracks in your life foundation, while providing soothing words that mend those same cracks.

    I wanted to be well quickly. I wanted to get on with it, start over, stop wasting time--which is how I perceived the last two years of my marriage. I tried desperately to be the wife he wanted, the wife God expected, and a good mom too. I prayed, read the books, and saw two counselors to try and figure out what was wrong with me. I begged God to restore, recreate, renew my marriage, but it was not to be. So, let me be done with this.  I was exhausted. Mentally. Physically. Spiritually. Emotionally. 

    Mentally, I had been to see two counselors.

    Physically, I suffered through humiliating tests to see why my body was having pains and sleeplessness, to be told it was the stress of my marriage. The symptoms were real, but the cause was anxiety.

    Spiritually, I believed God had abandoned me. I believed the rules applied to everyone but me. Either God simply did not love me or the “rules” about being a good wife--good housekeeper, bookkeeper, caregiver, help mate, companion, kind and generous—did not work.

    Emotionally, I felt rejected on all levels. The man who had lived with me for twenty years had walked away. He did not love me. If I was not worthy of his love--the person who should know me best--then would anyone ever love me? I shut down emotionally for a very long time.

    I am happy to report all of the above has changed for the better. Time, sweet time, was the needed cure. Time to heal on all levels with the help of God, sweet Jesus, and dear friends.

A New Direction for this Fearles Heart

THROUGH THE VALLEY OF DIVORCE

Introduction

     God laid the desire to write this book on my heart as I emerged out of the valley of divorce, holding tightly to His hand two years ago. There are scars, but the wounds have mostly healed. My heart was battered, but not crushed. There were days I knew without a doubt that I would not make it another hour, yet here I sit writing this to you.

     Two of the hardest elements to handle in the whole divorce situation were the isolation I felt and the slow passage of time. I truly believed no one could understand, nor could even relate to my anger, hurt and sense of abandonment. I was so alone and so lonely, and I couldn’t have survived without my friends. Even when I pushed them away, God sent them back to me. God sent them to listen, to hold me up, to cry with me and to even laugh on occasion.

     There were so many days when I survived purely hour by hour, the passage of time amplified by my chaotic emotions, physical stresses, and mental disillusionment. I didn’t believe the counselor who told me to give myself time, or the books I read that said the same thing, or the cliché that “time heals all wounds”.  What I believed was what my senses were telling me: I could not survive this madness even one more hour. Yet, I did. Time, sweet time, has passed and the madness has gone.

     My faith had been a strong vital presence in my life for more than ten years, and especially the last few years before my divorce. The divorce shattered that faith. Where was God? How could He let this happen? The divorce process made me feel like I had been kicked in the chest with a soccer ball. Losing my faith was like that soccer ball becoming embedded and refusing to let me breath.

     I would like to share with you my journey through the valley of divorce.

     The joke goes: A man fell down a manhole and couldn’t get out.  A priest walks by and the man calls out “Father, can you help me out?”  The priest says a prayer and walks on. A doctor walks by and the man calls out again, “Hey Doc, can you help me out of this hole?” The doctor writes a prescription and tosses it in the hole. Then a friend walks by, “Hey Joe, can you help me out of this hole?” Joe jumps in the hole. “Man, why did you do that? Now we are both stuck down here. Joe smiles and says, “Yes, but I’ve been down here before and I know the way out.”

     Hopefully God will use me to point the way for you.

    

FEBRUARY 1 2013

Touch the Inside                                            February 1, 2013

Dear Family and Friends, 

^“You created my inmost self, knit me together in my mother's womb. For so many marvels I thank you; a wonder am I, and all your works are wonders. You knew me through and through,”   Psalm 139:13-14 NJB

            In my 52 years I have seen the mountains of Colorado and Tennessee, the deep green-blue Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. I have taken pictures of sunrises and sunsets from atop a cruise ship and from a balcony in Jamaica. I have smelled the roses in my mother’s garden and the wild honeysuckle at my grandmother’s. I have watched horses run from my window in Ireland, and gazed in awe at the depths of the Grand Canyon.

            All of these wondrous things convince and convict me of a God who is the Master Craftsman. Yet of all these marvelous creations He considers us, you and me, His crowning glory. We are His workmanship, formed with His hands, and with His very breath He brought us to life. In His image He formed us.  “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Gen 1:27 NKJV

Why do we resist the understanding that we matter to Him?

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6, 7b NKJV

 Why do we doubt that He loves and cares for us?

“casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1Peter 5:7 NKJV

He took the time and thought and energy to craft each of us.

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Luke 12:7a NKJV

 He knows us, planned our lives, and He wants us to live abundantly.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

I don’t say all these things for us to get puffed up in our own importance but to remind us all that who we are in Christ is what matters most. Through Christ we have the strength we need. Through the Holy Spirit living in us we have the guidance we need. Through Almighty God we have life. And that my dearest family and friends should free us to live the abundant, fruitful life that God has planned.