The Finish Line

 

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

The Finish Line

They told me it was just a few more feet ... miles ago.

Were they lying because they didn't think I would notice, or that I would be so glad for the outcome that their deception wouldn't matter?

Or, did they truly believe what they said?

Whatever the answer, I can tell you my feet are bloody from the journey. My knees too, because once my feet gave out, all I had left was a crawl. See my hands? Raw. My knuckles are gnarled from arthritis setting in 10,000 miles ago. I don't know if they'll ever be soft and pain-free again.

Nevertheless, the journey is worth it.

My first glimpse of victory was small, distant ... much like the cloud a fist's size spoken of in Elijah's day (1). It was a promise. All the hope I needed to take another step. Move another foot.

Each foot became a mile. Every mile, a milestone. At each milestone, I could hear my predecessors cheering me on to the next: "You can do this!" My heart could hear them call from heaven.

Do they really call from heaven?

I don't know, but memories of them from childhood echo their cheers long after they've gone home to Glory. I'll hold onto these glimpses into their wisdom and their praise from yesteryear.

Besides, it's their words that propel me forward. Their unconditional love has shown me the way. It'll be their devotion to our Savior that keeps me looking to the Cross for comfort as well as discipline; because, if not for the Cross, I wouldn't know true love and devotion. I wouldn't know that the pain and discouragement crowding my judgment over the past years -- cancer, stroke, death, pain, infirmity, loss, broken relationships and bank accounts -- was momentary in comparison to eternity.

If allowed, the brokenness of this life can burden us with the trials we face (2); so, we must always remind ourselves that having persevered under trial, we will "receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (3).

Believe me, or don't. My journey is far from over. When I do cross the finish line, feet in shreds, knees bloody, hands gnarled by arthritis, all things will be made new, every tear wiped away, and the greatest victory celebration will begin -- for eternity.

(1) I Kings 18:44

(2) John 16:33

(3) James 1:12

God Bless the USA

 

Freedom is never free. Honoring those who gave their all, today and every day. 

Robert Gourley. Great Uncle WWII

Sticks and Stones

Trust your words ...

Three syllables, yet life-changing.

I was navigating a time of deep sorrow, while simultaneously compelled to pursue goals, passions, and dreams close to my heart. Time was of the essence. One such dream, since childhood, was to author books--best-selling novels to be exact--but had nothing in my portfolio.

One day, I found a site where I could write for a challenge to a given topic each week. Of the requirements, one of them was 100 - 750 words.

I joined the challenge. Over time, I noticed the growth in confidence and friendships. As we entered our weekly stories/devotionals, we would go through the entries and read, comment, encourage, and try to guess who wrote each one.

One day, someone whose writing I respected and admired, commented on my story, encouraging me to "trust your words." She reminded me of how powerful words can be, especially when used as tools rather than fillers on a page.

The results of learning to trust weren't immediate, nor did I fully understand the implications; but eventually, I exercised prose every day. Learning. Growing. And I was reminded of Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

This is not only for preparing a document, writing a story, or giving a speech of any kind, but also for every thought that spills across our lips and floats over the airwaves. When we speak, we effectively prophesy--for better or worse.

Remember the chant: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?

It's a lie.

Long ago, I'd determined to never speak negatively over my children. I believed we, as parents, have influence that reaches into eternity over whether our children succeed or fail, thrive or give up.

Similarly, speaking harsh words to others can--and often does--cause injury. We can't always see the wound, sometimes the effects of these invisible wounds don't present themselves until later, when we're no longer present to witness the bleeding. But this doesn't mean that the wound didn't exist, or that we didn't inflict said wound.

Sadly, many of us will refuse to speak negative words, because we understand the concept. But we will say things--even in jest--about ourselves. Self-deprecating words like, "How dumb," "What a goof," "That was idiotic ..." or we may say things about our situation, "I'm falling apart," "There's no way things will change ..."

Believe me, I've said them. Lately, I'll say them then think, oh, maybe I shouldn't have said that ...

I am learning that it's vital we mind the words we speak over ourselves. By doing so, we steward the life given to us by God. We are the disciples Jesus addressed when He said, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man" (Matthew 15:18). From Proverbs, we read, "As in water face reflects face, so a man's heart reveals the man" (Proverbs 23:7). 

Scripture is abundant in its direction to watch the way we speak:

Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little. 

Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool does not do so. 

Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips.

Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ...

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace ...

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath ... 

As we can see this brief sampling of Scripture, how we speak is of vital importance. We can utter words of life or death. Hope or defeat. We choose. 

I choose LIFE. How about you?

In the Weeds

 It's been a while. 

Life has a way of getting in the way of our hopes and dreams. We can get caught up in the weeds, choked into silence, wishing we had a voice ... that voice we once had when we were young, full of hope for the future.  Before the responsibility of children, home, career ... 

Jesus would often teach his disciples in parables. Stories with spiritual lessons explained with natural, human experiences. One such story, "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold" (Luke 8:5-7 NKJV).

He went on to explain this to his disciples, telling them the thorns were representative of the cares of this world that choke out the truth, and passion for life. This makes me wonder if the letter to the church of Ephesus: "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love" (Revelation 2:1-4 NKJV). 

Life had become a matter of checked boxes, lists, doing right, shunning wrong ... but the heart became calloused because of the chaffing and pain brought on by the "thorns" of this world. Friends turned their backs, families fell apart, loved ones "died too soon," and prayers seemed to fall to the ground--unheard. But it would be against everything we believe to deny the One whom we know deep within holds the answers to life and death.

Eventually, fatigue that cannot be shaken settles in. Health concerns begin to plague our lives. Studies reveal stress, anxiety, and worry often play integral roles in elevating blood pressure and breaking down immune systems (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). 

Jesus didn't leave us with the choked, lifeless person who'd been overrun by the cares of life. Instead, he said in Revelation 2:5,7 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent ... to him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."

This gives hope. Overcoming discouragement or hardness of heart lies within remembering, and reminiscing over God's goodness in our lives. What was it that brought us to Him? Were there any events, needs, or answers we searched for and found as He led us?

Whenever I rehearse His goodness over my past, I begin to see Him again in my present and find it within to trust Him with my future. My soul begins to feel renewed.

Over time, I plan to share instances of God's goodness, His grace, His love and faithfulness. 

Cleveland Clinic (2022) Do stress and anxiety cause high blood pressure? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-stress-cause-high-blood-pressure