Preparing

Every year, we are bombarded with holiday shopping and sales that start the day after Halloween. I have to admit that I love the Christmas season, so I don’t mind seeing Christmas decorations early. I’m even guilty of putting my Christmas tree up right after Halloween. I love to have the Christmas cheer around me during Thanksgiving dinner.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the Christmas holiday season, so I try to take a moment this time of year to prepare my heart. I remind myself that although this is a festive, cozy time of year, it is also a time for giving. That are so many people in need throughout the year and especially at Christmas. Our giving doesn’t have to be monetary. Many people are in need of kindness, a smile, or a gesture of love. We can give much to others from our heart through acts of kindness. We can bake some cookies for a neighbor, offer to help a friend with an errand or problem, or pay for someone’s coffee one morning. Even small acts of kindness go a long way.

The great thing about being kind to someone else is that the reward of our giving is joy for us. Have a wonderful holiday season as we move toward Thanksgiving and into Christmas. Remember, “Jesus is the reason for the season!”

Dont’t throw in the towel

I’ve been reading a Bible devotional on my You Version Bible app. It’s called “Launch out into the deep!” By Lisa Singh. It gave me some needed encouragement, and I wanted to share it with you. Hopefully, it will give you some encouragement.

We all know that God wants us to live an abundant life. An abundant life comes from talking with God (prayer), seeking Him (reading the Bible), and following His commands (obeying His Word). I don’t know about you, but even when I think I’m doing all of those things, I can still become discouraged.

In Luke chapter five, Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesarat talking to the crowds of people surrounding Him. Jesus saw Simon Peter’s fishing boat and decided to get in it, thinking it might be easier to teach the people from the boat. Jesus asked Simon Peter and his crew to take the boat out a little from the shore. So Simon Peter got in the boat and took Jesus out from the shore. 

When Jesus was finished speaking to the people, he looked at Simon Peter and his crew and told them to take the boat out into the deep and “let down the nets for a catch (verse 4).” Simon Peter was a fisherman by trade with years of experience. I can see him shaking his head back-and-forth as he said something like, “Lord, with all due respect, we’ve been fishing all night and there is nothing to catch.” In fact, he and his crew were exhausted from fishing. But after he told Jesus that, he said, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets (verse 5).” According to verse 6, “When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.”

This story reminds me of the saying in the above photo. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve become discouraged when I’m trying to live a life for God, or when I’m trying to be that good mom, or when I’m trying to be the loving wife, or when I’m trying to compassionately care for my patients, or when I’m trying to write a good story that tells of God’s love. So many times, I’ve wanted to throw in the towel. Life can be exhausting.

Discouragement affects all of us. The thing is, just when we are on the edge of quitting and want to give up, God speaks to us. He tells us, “No, don’t give up. I am with you, and good things will happen. Trust My timing.” Friend, don’t give up. God hears you and sees you. He understands your feelings of discouragement, your lack of confidence, and your feelings of inadequacy. He says, “Don’t give up. Keep trusting Me. I am helping you. You’re almost there.” Cast your nets out one more time.

Lavender Sky

Lavender Sky

By Denise Janette Bruneau

Now available at Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com

He loves you

I’m not sure about you, but my mood can change from day to day. I know I should be more even-keeled than that, but sometimes the events in this world affect my daily life. I can be feeling as if everything is good in the world, but then something as simple as catching some of the news...or seeing a big bill in the mail…or looking up at the towering pile of laundry to wash, can start my descent into a funk. 

Maybe you can relate to my minor moodiness, or maybe you’re going through a more serious trial…a divorce, the loss of a loved one, depression, or a betrayal. I just want to encourage you today by reminding you that God sees you, He understands you, and He loves you.

“See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands.”  Isaiah 49:16a

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear him.” Psalm 103:11

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

He never changes

Although we are still having some warm weather, fall is officially here. It will only be a matter of days to a week before the weather cools and then becomes cold, as we prepare for the winter months. The seasons are predictable and we expect them, because God cycles them through each year.

For me, every new season is welcomed. Just as I can’t take the cold of winter any longer, God brings out the sunshine and warmth and bestows spring upon us. Then, just as the hot, humid summer days become almost intolerable, God drops the temperature, and graces us with the cool, crisp air of fall.

Unlike the seasons and everything else in this world, God never changes. He is always the same. His love for you never lessens. His care for you is steadfast. No matter what season of life you are going through today, remember how much God loves you. He wanted me to remind you of this today. He is with you, He wants you, and He loves you so much.

“Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Gift

Everyone has an expiration date. I know this isn’t something we like to think about or focus on even for a moment, but it’s true. As the years go by, I am saddened to hear about singers and actors who have passed away; these are people that I grew up listening to and watching in movies. When we are younger, somehow we are convinced that we have immortal lives.  As the process of aging starts to catch up with us, many of us realize that we are on this earth for a limited time.

Me with my mom during her months of chemotherapy in 2016

Today, my mom and I celebrate extended life on this earth. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago on September 9. Through God’s grace and excellent medical treatments, she is still with us and doing well. She is a daily reminder to me that God does perform miracles. She had advanced stage breast cancer, and at the time of her diagnosis, I was convinced that she only had a few months left with me. God showed me that He has a timing for each one of us. Her time was not the time I was so certain of. I’m so thankful for more time, more memories, and more laughter with her.

On September 9, 1999, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of thirty. I was a third year medical student at the time, and I was devastated. In my thirty years, I had overcome some bad relationships, finally graduated from college, and I had just started to have confidence in my ability to do some good in the world. I had finally been admitted to medical school after two years of applying, and I was studying so hard to become a successful doctor so I could help sick people. I couldn’t understand how a good God could allow this cancer in my life. I couldn’t understand why He would bring me to this point and then tell me, “No more.”

I struggled during that initial diagnosis and treatment, but God had a plan that I couldn’t see. After surgery, radiation, and more surgeries, I was cancer-free. It wasn’t easy, and I had to endure some physical and emotional pain. In fact, the scars will always be with me. The thing is, God wasn’t finished with me yet. He didn’t cause my cancer, but He chose to bring me wholeness again. I feel heartache as I realize that this healing doesn’t happen for everyone.  There are many people, even younger than I was, who have succumbed to the effects of cancer, and their sweet lives on this earth have ended. Almost all of us know someone this has happened to. With all of my heart, I believe that God has His reasons. I believe that God’s protective and loving arms take some children and adults to be with Him before their earth years are lived out. It’s hard for us to accept losing someone we love so much.

My graduation cake and memories of my cancer struggle

Today, I focus on the positive and I celebrate my life. I am grateful for the years I’ve been granted, for the time I’ve had to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation, and for the moments I’ve been able to share with my family and friends. Every day we’re given on this earth is a blessing. Knowing this, I focus on the legacy I want to leave behind me one day. Did people see me as someone who loved God and others? Did my family and friends feel loved and special? Did I treat strangers with kindness and respect? Did I show them God’s love?

Our days are numbered, and thankfully many of us have been gifted with many days. Job 14:6 says, “A person’s days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.” What legacy will you leave behind one day? Who do you serve? How well you do love others? How well do you love who God made you to be?

Though we have a mortal expiration date, God can renew us each day. “Therefore do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16. This gift of renewal from God is there for the taking. He offers us strength and courage on this earth, and He offers us eternal life when we turn these short lives over to Him.

I pray today that God would open your eyes and heart to His wonderful plan for you. I pray that you would come to understand His great love for you. His love for you is specific and on purpose. He has a plan for you…a special plan for you.

When God says “no”

Have you ever felt like God might be telling you “no” to something you think you want? This morning I awoke early after having a dream about someone from my past. I awoke feeling sad and a little distressed. Old feelings from that time in my life resurfaced, and they were feelings I’d rather forget. During those early years in my life, I chose a path that I’m pretty sure God did not agree with. I chose a relationship that promised security and wealth and love. Only, after a time, the love was not there. I suffered silently for a few years feeling like a victim. After I cried out to God for help, He shut down that relationship. He had never approved of it, but He did allow me the choice, and I struggled because of my choice. Even when that relationship ended, I was still devastated. I no longer knew who I was or what or who I was living for. I didn’t know what or who was good for me. I suffered the pain of loss for some time.

But as I grieved the loss and worked through the pain, God started pointing out His plan for me. He helped me get admitted to medical school. He helped me become a doctor.  He saved me from dying from breast cancer. He introduced me to the man of my dreams, and I married him. He gave me a daughter to adopt and a family to love.

I look back and see that I had believed lies. I had searched for the wrong things thinking they would bring happiness. Even after making the wrong choices and falling into a pit of despair, God came along and picked me up, brushed me off, and set me on the right path—His path for me.

When God is telling us “no,” it’s because He knows what’s best for us. He wants to save us from pain and heartache. He knows what paths will lead to our despair, and He tries to guide and direct us onto His safe and prosperous path. However, God is not a dictator.  He gives us choices, and He lets us make them. If you ever find yourself in a dark place on a path that you know is headed for a bad place, it’s never too late to cry out to God for help. The journey back to His safe path may not be easy, but in the end, it will bring you peace and more joy than you can imagine.

Fear not

My eight-year old daughter ran into my room last night and exclaimed with excitement, “Mommy, come look at the rainbow!” I jumped up and hurried with her to the front porch. There was a perfect, beautiful rainbow across the sky. While we were admiring and enjoying the beauty of the rainbow, there was a sudden flash of lightening followed by a very loud, thunderous boom. My daughter immediately hurried to my side and yelled, “Let’s go in, mom!”

It doesn’t take long for fear to overcome our other emotions. We can be having a great day, and then something happens that elicits that gut-wrenching feeling, and then fear becomes our dominant emotion. Fear drowns out our healthy, positive emotions. I can be focused on homeschool and enjoying teaching my daughter, and then I remember that I have to pay bills, or submit a form for work, or complete a project. In an instant, fear of forgetting or not completing my tasks creeps in and ruins my positive mood.  In those moments, I can actually feel the stress seep into my being.

Fear of anything can strangle our positive emotions of courage, joy, and hope, and can zap our strength and resolve. Fear is a slick emotion that can overcome us in a second. When I feel fear becoming a dominant force in my day, I remember God’s promises. My favorite one comes from Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

When I’m at work, out shopping, or at home, and I feel frustrated with the way someone is treating me, Hebrews 13:6 reminds me that, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” When the fear of loneliness is present, I remember John 14:16, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.” When I worry that I might not be successful at something that I need to try, I look at James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Fear is always going to creep up on us. We can expect it. The enemy of this world is sly, and he knows just how to get to each one of us. The thing is, we can use God’s promises to help us combat these fears. God’s promises are stronger than any fear. We can crush our fears, or at least stop that fearful train of thought, by remembering God’s promises to us. God gives us power to overcome.

Tackling our fears is not always easy. Most of the time, it’s not. Some days we may have to repeat those promises over and over because our fear is strong. The enemy doesn’t give up. He will keep jabbing at us to break us down and make us feel weak. But God doesn’t give up on us either. We are His children, and with His promises for us, we are able to overcome any fear the enemy throws out. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37.

He wants you

Have you ever thought about how much God wants to call us His own? The message I often hear evangelists, pastors, and Bible teachers talk about is how we must come to God through our faith and accept Him into our lives. This is true. After all, God let’s us a make a choice to have Him in our lives—or not. He is gracious enough to give us a choice. But have you ever really thought about how much God wants to take you into His arms and call you His own?

Psalm 103:11 says, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him.”

Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will He not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

 John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave them the right to become children of God.”

I John 3:1a says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”

Ephesians 3:17b-18 says, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ...”

There are times that we all feel unloved. Life gets hectic, people in our lives get busy, and days go by. The love we expect from our human relationships can fail us depending on the day, the stressors, and the mood. Just remember that God’s love for you is unfailing, unconditional, never-ending, and meant specifically for you. There is no love like His—for you. You are loved so much.