GOD GOES BEFORE US

And the Lord, he it is that doth
go before thee; he will be with
thee, he will not fail thee,
neither forsake thee: fear not,
neither be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8

Moses had already said similar words as above to the Israelites he had been leading. A new leader was required as Moses wasn't going to lead the people himself into the Promised Land. Moses took Joshua to one side to make it official that he would be the new leader of the people in his place. The above verse is just a part of of what Moses said to Joshua.

I don't know what can “rattle our cages” more than huge change in our lives. Even if a family makes a move, going together, there is something very lonely about a huge move of some sort. I didn't have a family at the time, was single working in a Christian Center. I thought I would spend my life there, but God had other plans. After a sermon on Sunday morning, I sensed God's leading for me to leave the position and work I loved so much. Making such a move seemed an impossible thing to do. I had no money, no car, forthcoming job or place to live. It was overwhelming.

Early one morning while praying and pondering, it “came to me” that I had enough college library science hours to have minored in the subject. Just down from my church was a fairly new public library. I borrowed the Center's car and ventured to that library and spoke with the head librarian. After a lengthy conversation, he simply said: “When can you start?” I told him it wouldn't be for at least a week or so. That was fine with him.

I walked out the door of that library and looked across the street. A lady was putting up a “For Rent” sign in the door window of a very old apartment building. I hurried over to speak with her. She had a very small furnished apartment for rent. After conversation and telling her I had no money, she offered the place to me with no deposit. I would be a block from Kroger's, two blocks from my bank, a half block from my church and three large blocks from downtown. I got back to the Center that day exhausted from all the blessings of the day.

From that move, in a matter of a couple of months, I met Brian and within a year, we would be married. It was almost unbelievable how God led in less than a year having gone ahead of me. I didn't know that the library needed new personnel, nor did I know an apartment would need a tenant, but God knew. He knew THE day I needed to go to that library and how He already had my life planned out.

I usually don't like to give this much personal information, but God can teach any of us so much in such a short period of time. I learned to listen and trust Him when he led. I can't say I was a great person of faith at the time, but my faith was reinforced times over in just that one day. A big thing I learned is how God goes before me. When I got to the library, He was already there. When I walked out and looked across the street, God was already there. It was if He had swept everything out of my path to get me where He wanted me to be.

This kind of incident in my life isn't unusual. Probably anyone reading this can think back and see how God wonderfully led in their lives. For us all to have experienced such, something had to die. My dream of living and working where I had been had to die for new life to begin and any kind of death isn't comfortable for any of us, but drastic change usually demands dying to self. In it all, God is always in charge and leads in our lives in very personal ways. We can't see how He's working, but we must have faith to believe that He loves us beyond comprehension and does all things well.

Father God, I continue to be amazed at how You work in the lives of people. You are Sovereign, Someone who knows all and can function on my behalf in such amazing ways. I am so grateful and dearly love every part of You...Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit. It's in Jesus name I pray...Amen

DO NOT FEED THE BEARS

There hath no temptation taken you but
such as is common to man: But God is
faithful, who will not suffer you to be
tempted above that ye are able; but
will with the temptation also make a way
to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Corinthians 10:13

Black bears are a real fascination for folks who come to our mountains. People swarm to our nearby cove to just have the joy of spotting a bear or two. We are near enough to the park to even have bears occasionally visit in our town. If a neighbor spots one, he is quick to alert other neighbors. Black bears are not like stuffed animals one can purchase in a visitor's center. They are very much alive, very fast runners, defensive of their young, unpredictable and usually very hungry.

Black bears really are beautiful signs to behold. The smaller ones are fun to watch as they follow close behind their mommas. As fascinating as it all is, there are signs that warn people to stay at a good distance from any bear they see in a nearby field. My shock is to see the carelessness shown toward these seemingly friendly animals by well meaning visitors. We have seen people do really stupid things. We saw a father with a two year old little boy, edge up to a bear to the point of being just about 10 yards or less from the bear. He just wanted his son to get a good look. There is no way that dad could have outrun that bear if the bear had turned on him and his son.

People are cautioned about feeding the bears. Human food can turn that animal's system into something that is unnatural. If used to human food, bears will seek out human food and such a venture can mean real danger for a well-meaning tourist. Bears can see or sense food left in a car while a family goes for a hike. Bears have been known to open car doors to gain access to delicacies left behind in it. Bears just being bears can end up being euthanized because of the careless behavior of human beings.

Sin can at times look as innocent as a cuddly little black bear. The sin may seem innocent enough and harmless at best. The problem with little bears is that they quickly grow to be bigger ones, bears that can show their fierceness at times with little provocation. A live bear always has to eat to keep alive and satisfied. Such is the same with sin.

There are so many seemingly innocent things that can take hold of our lives and I'm speaking of we Christians. Somehow because we are God's children, we feel we are immune to the horrible effects of little innocent temptations that can eventually have destructive effects in our lives. Moderation can go out the window when presented with any sin.

One of the attributes of sin, like our bears, is that it demands to be fed. It will plead, beg and nag to be fed. It is relentless. This is why temptation is such a dangerous thing. Many Christians feel they are immune to temptation. Satan loves when we feel like that. What tempts you might not tempt me. Satan has us and our weaknesses all figured out and knows just the right thing to dangle in front of us.

I think the older we become, the more immune we feel we are from most worldly things and that may be true. However, we may have our own set of sins that God still hates. Where some younger person may get hung up on alcohol, an older person may get great delight in gossip and spreading as much negative information as possible. We can have issues of anger and resentment that may seem harmless when just the opposite is true.

I know the “bears” in my life that demand my attention, time and response. Let the real black bears feed on all the berries and nuts they can find. Our answer is to be folks who feed regularly on the Word of God. When faced with the roar of temptations, flee it as quickly as one should get away from any black bear found in a park. Both can be terribly damaging.

Father, thank You for Jesus who died for our sin and to give us life eternal. Keep us alert as to Satan's tactics. May we act against such with Holy Spirit power to resist him while clinging to Your precious word. In Jesus name...Amen 

SUIT UP

Finally, my brethren, be strong in
the Lord, and in the power of
his might.
Ephesians 6:10

Lately I have been so blessed by spending time in the book of Ephesians. I realize we are living in a culture that is tossing and turning in pain. However, it must be noted that this culture of ours is made up of individual people. Like it or not, we're in the middle of it and need all the encouragement we can.

How comforting to know that we are not left defenseless. Our loving Father saw down through eternity our need of tools with which to fight the attacks of Satan. He has given us pieces of spiritual armor with which to deal with the wiles of the evil one. Each piece is important. Without even one piece, Satan will attack that weak area of our lives. Thus we are commanded:

Put on the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11

All pieces of that armour are for the purpose of protection except for one and that is the gospel of peace. We can fend off any spiritual attack with the Word of God. Without that weapon, we just aren't going to have the strength needed to fight any spiritual battle we are faced with.

Many of such spiritual skirmishes I seem to experience are at night, in bed, in the dark, morning hours, and can't sleep. This happens off and on with me and I've learned to just grab my sword (Bible), head for the living room and allow the sword to do it's work. If we aren't very acquainted with our sword (Bible) we wouldn't know what to do with it. However, the Holy Spirit in His loving patience, can steer us in the right direction.

This kind of thing happened to me just about four nights ago. I had some folks and situations on my mind, things God is very capable of taking care of. I got up, headed for my chair in the living room and turned to one of my comfort zones in the Word...Philippians. At my age, I at times think maybe God is ready for me to “hang up my spurs.” There it was...1:6”

Being confident of this very thing,
that he which hath begun a good
work in you will perform it until
the day of Jesus Christ.

I can't tell you how that warmed my heart at about 2:00 AM. You see, when we think of the spiritual armor and the sword, we think of huge negative events that come into our lives. What I'm thinking is that God wants us suited up for any kind of warfare Satan may bring into our lives. A soldier takes great care to know his weapon, how to shoot it, how to clean it, etc. Without that effort, a soldier could be in great danger when in the course of battle.

Let's determine to know our swords (Bibles). Among all the pieces of spiritual armor, only the Word is our defensive weapon. We need it for battle in the hardest of times, but also perhaps in the midnight hours when we need to come out swingin'.

Dear Jesus, You not only died to save us but you have given us the best of tools with which to fight evil the assaults us. Through Your Holy Spirit, may we be encouraged and even excited about being in Your Word for strengthening and encouragement. Forgive our remiss in not making it more a priority in our lives. In Your precious name....Amen 

TAKE ME BACK

Take me back, take me back, dear Lord
To the place where I first received You.

In recent days, the above words from a song have been running through my mind. For all of us, there are places in our past lives we don't wish to revisit,but there are spiritual events we should revisit every now and then. We've all had more time in recent months to do some thinking. Perhaps this thinking has been mostly on the negative side. It doesn't have to be like that for God's kids though. So I have revisited some places spiritually that have been heart warmers for me.

Jesus came into my heart, one sunny morning after an evangelist's sermon. I could take you to the church and where I was sitting at the time. (Renovations would keep me from taking you to that pew now.) What a wonderful day. We were given little copies of the book of John with a place on the back to fill in our name and date of salvation. I still have it although it looks as worn as I do. I often go back to that day. Little did I recognize at that time what that decision would mean in my life and eternal future. After all, I was only ten years old at the time. There's never been a regret. How often do you return to that time in your life? It should be a heart warmer for you as well.

I received my first Bible at the age of 12, two years after being saved. I admired my friend Donna's Bible. She marked verses in it that were meaningful to her. I had never seen that before and began doing that when I got my new Bible. I still have done it with every Bible I've owned. King James was the Bible in 1949 everyone used. We could never have looked into the future to see all the translations we have now. I have used one in particular I feel a confidence in...however...in these days of revisiting time gone by, I have again pulled out a KJV I have had on a bookshelf. I'm so enjoying going back to the “thee's and thou's.” The Holy Spirit, our teacher, taught us well from the KJV we all grew up with and He still does.

A fun thing I'm doing with returning to the KJV is listing those verses and passages I memorized years ago whether in Sunday school or Vacation Bible School. Some I've never forgotten although their addresses are vague at times. Of course, there is Psalm 23. Long ago in marking my Bible, I underlined all of the personal pronouns like me, my and mine. That made that precious Psalm my own. Although memorized, I still like to read it and absorb all of it's promises on the written page.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:11

I've gone back in memory, remembering those past preachers and teachers in my life. They'll never know how appreciative I am of their investment in the life of a little skinny, tow-headed girl. I'm going back in grateful memory of those folks. They'll never know the difference they made in my life, secondary only to my Savior.

I remember the days of old; I meditate
on all thy works; I muse on the
work of thy hands.
Psalm 143:5

I would encourage us to look back more often. Spiritual highlights in our past lives can be such treasures and blessings for today.

Dear Father God, how grateful we are that You never change. You are our loving Father past, present and future. More important, Your love and care for us never changes. Thank You for all those dear folks in churches and other places You chose to be blessings in our lives. Thank You for Jesus and Your sweet Spirit. In Jesus' precious name...Amen 

AFFLICTION

It is good for me that I have
been afflicted; that I might
learn thy statutes.
Psalm 119:71

When I think of affliction, I think of the first time I remember hearing the word. Polio was the big panic when I was in my latter grade school days. A really sweet girl from our school in a couple of grades lower than mine had “caught” polio. She had to immediately be put in what was then called an “iron lung.” Even with polio, there wasn't a panic I knew of. Schools didn't close nor masks worn. I'm sure parents and teachers were watching out for us. Thank God there was a polio vaccine that came on the scene preventing a great deal of damage across the country.

I heard adults use that A-word, but just thought it was a sickness someone was going through. I know now that affliction covers anything that has to do with pain or suffering. Affliction isn't always going to be physical. There are people who are afflicted with any number of hardships, disease, pain or other troubling events. So several years ago, when I came across the above verse, it was puzzling to me. How could the Psalmist possibly see affliction as being a good thing?

Through time, I've come to understand some things first by looking at many of my past difficulties, many of which I didn't see coming. Some afflictions I also brought on myself. Ten years ago, I didn't ask for bladder cancer. When the doctor told me of it, I wish I could say that my response was “blessed be the Lord.” I was really in a state of shock. God got me through it with treatment, and in those days, I felt such a closeness to Him. That was amazing to me.

When affliction comes, no matter it's cause, it usually comes on quickly. Some circumstances may start small and grow, but many times it comes to us with a shock. Very often it comes with a phone call or a knock on our door. Mental stress brings a different kind of affliction as it is a very lonely thing, often not revealed by anyone who is afflicted with it.

The above verse from Psalm 119, seems to take on a positive look. Affliction is a time of testing God hopes will be spiritually beneficial. Our times of affliction may not be times we first think of when it comes to spiritual growth. However, that's exactly what God means for us in such times. If I've never learned much from these difficulties, I have learned one big thing. It's in my best interest to pass any test God sets before me, for if I don't pass the test, God may retest me. Retesting may be harder yet.

Whatever the affliction, God's desire in it is for us to learn more about Him and His Word. These difficult times are not times to skip spiritual activities....Sunday school, church, Bible reading and prayer and even serving others. A lady said to me: “I'm so down, if I read my Bible I'll get nothing from it.” I said to her, “Read it anyway.” Prayers may change even into complaining. God can take our being upset. He can take our venting in our prayers. After all, He knows our circumstances anyway. He won't allow any difficulty in our lives leaving us alone and helpless. When affliction passes, we'll know God so much better. That's His desire for us and so much more.

Dear Father, help us to remember that there is no affliction that can come into our lives but that it is filtered through Your loving fingers first. Strengthen us in such times. Keep us from bitterness and anger in those days. May we come to know You better through it all. Thank You for Your unconditional love. In Jesus name...Amen 

WORSHIP

Come, let us worship and
bow down, let us kneel
before the Lord our Maker.
Psalm 95:6

So many people through the years have spoken privately or in the course of a spiritual setting of this thing of worship. Of course, the world has used the word with regard to hero worship of favored people such as (“I worship the ground she/he walks on.”) The world also worships fame, money, things,etc. But how are we Christians to view this thing of worship?
I realize a myriad of books have been written on the subject, but my very finite mind chooses to view it in a simple, practical way.

Worship was always been meant for one Person. Worship for we Christians has to do with our Heavenly Father, Jesus and His Spirit and for them alone. How is worship defined for we believers? When we worship God, we are giving our complete attention to Him as we express our honor for His greatness. We may have our own definitions of worship, but that is only a knowledge of it. We don't worship words and definitions. It's something we do regularly out of our loving relationship with God. God delights in His children worshiping Him. I've listed some things below in the fashion I'm accustomed to doing that can contribute to our putting worship into practice.

W-ord
Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
II Timothy 2:15

O-bedience
If ye love me (Jesus), keep my
commandments.
John 14:15

R-ejoice
Rejoice in the Lord always: and
again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4

S-inging
O sing unto the Lord a new song:
sing unto the Lord, all the earth.
Sing unto the Lord, bless his name;
shew forth his salvation from
day to day.
Psalm 96:1,2
WORSHIP

H-eart
Let the words of my mouth, and
the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in thy sight, O Lord,
my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

I-mitate
Be ye therefore followers of God,
as dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also
hath loved us....
Ephesians 5: 1,2a

P-raise
But I will hope continually,
and will yet praise thee more and more.
Psalm 71:14

There are many ways we might choose to worship our Heavenly Father. My list isn't exhaustive. You might think of some words to go with those letters that would be worship for you. Whatever the methods we choose, our worship should be backed up by our living. It's not a one time thing for just a moment. The wonderful thing is that we can be people of worship anytime and anywhere. Worship of God should be a vital part of who we are. He deserves no less.

Dear Father, we love You more than we can express. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness for the so many times we disappoint you. Through Your Spirit, strengthen and encourage us to be more for You than we've ever been. We worship and praise You. In Jesus' precious name....Amen 

DECORATION DAY

I thank my God upon every
remembrance of you.
Philippians 1:3

For as long as I can remember, this day we refer to as Memorial Day was called Decoration Day. That day started very early for us. Mother had folks saving their tomato juice cans that were used as receptacles for flowers that would be left at each grave we visited. There were some flowers she purchased, but with some peony bushes, we had enough flowers for each container. We traveled to at least three cemeteries that I remember. Two were so far out into the country, being able to locate them was in itself a real task.

At the last cemetery we went to, the farm ladies had a spread of food put out that would shock anyone. The men had brought saw horses and boards to lay on them. That became a VERY long table. Each lady brought all of her home cooked specialties that would blow your mind. There was lots of hot coffee and sweet iced tea at anyone's desire. The meal usually started after everyone had decorated the graves of friends and loved ones. When you got a plate from one person, you could go anyplace at that table to get whatever you wanted. There were no paper plates or plastic glasses. I never saw a plastic fork or spoon there as well only regular metal utensils.

Decoration Day was a day to remember loved ones who had died. After some years, the day was renamed to Memorial Day that paid extra homage to those in the military present and past, especially those who died in the service of our country. When just a little thing, my Mother received a phone call that my Dad's best man at his wedding had been killed in the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. Both my parents wept over that and we made haste to go to the home to be with his widow. Many tears have been shed since WWII over so many who died on the field of battle as well as in the air.

So today we remember and some will do some decorating at various cemeteries. Remembering all those who have gone before us is a good thing. However, I don't think we do that just on one day.

In all of our remembering, we often forget One who died for all of us. We don't tend to remember Him on this day but why not? Jesus gave more on our behalf than any relatives or persons lost in military service. He died that we all might have life, and have it abundantly. His name is Jesus. His name isn't on a grave marker because there was no need of one. He died and rose again in victory over Satan and sin. He is ours for the asking...asking Him into our hearts as Lord and Savior. Let's spend some time today remembering Him, what He gave up to come to earth and all He did for us while here. Of all the ones we remember, there's not a one who has risen from the dead in some cemetery, but He did and did it for you and me. Lest we forget!!

Thank You Father for Your love and for sending Your loving Son to die for us all. We can never repay You or Him for newness of life. We remember You today with hearts of gratitude. We love You and we remember. In Jesus' precious name...Amen 

EVERYTHING MEANS EVERYTHING

In everything give thanks; for this
is God's will for you in Christ Jesus
I Thessalonians 5:18

Sometimes I dislike words like “all” or “everything.” I've found those words used mostly when it comes to some kind of commitment. I find such words in a small cluster of verses written by Paul to the Thessalonians. In Paul's first book, in chapter 5, such a cluster with commitment verses are found in verses 15-22. Read them sometime and you will see what I mean.

I've centered on verse 18 for a reason. It may not be an issue for you, but it has been for me. In fact, I believe many Christians have, like me, a problem with ingratitude. I remember with young children in the home or at school that a well-meaning adult might say to a child, “Can you say 'thank you'?” We prompted our children all the time in those early days to be thankful all the time and not just at Thanksgiving.

Verse 18 is a little different from just expressing a general word of gratitude. It's the second word in the verse that throws me everytime....”everything.” Some translations use the word “all” but the urgency of thought is the same. The verse doesn't start with the second word in the verse...”Give thanks.” Giving thanks isn't something to do as it is to be...a consistent attitude.

Giving thanks in everything is a tall command. It's easy to give thanks for all the positive things in our lives. We live in a very prosperous era. We may not be wealthy as Wall Street would calculate wealth, but in comparison to many parts of the world, we are rich. Most folks have few worries about food to eat or shelter over their heads. In fact, counting our blessings may even be difficult in thinking up a list of all the blessings in our lives.

But what about the negative things in our lives? We have spent the last year feeling almost like prisoners with the virus going on and all the confusion regarding it. At the same time there have been upheavals in our country as well. Any of us of age cannot recall such goings on in times past. Oh, there have been demonstrations, but watching buildings burning, political crime and criminal events have been most disturbing. How can these things ever bring us before God with hearts of thanksgiving?

What I've found I can be thankful in it all involves two facts in my life. The first fact is that I love and serve a God who is Sovereign. Whether the worst of folks believe in Him or not has no bearing on who He is despite their attitudes. He is in charge of anything and everything in our world. If that's hard for to grasp, I look at the second fact and that is that God always has a plan. It's never a backup plan as God doesn't need such a thing. To me it all looks like a giant disorganized and evil world with everything out of control. God views His plan and how He's working it.

So that's my concentration in my “everything” of thanks. I can honestly and lovingly give thanks that God is Sovereign and still on His throne. Nothing or no one can threaten that fact. I can also be grateful that He has a plan in it all, but especially a plan for my own life. No matter what's going on, He has His hand on my life with a divine plan that is mind blowing if I could see how it all unfolds.

It's God's will that we be people of gratitude. We don't hear enough “thank you's” espressed. Thank you notes aren't sent .as in past years. It's not that we aren't grateful, but we just don't think to express our gratitude like we should. When we express gratitude in any setting, there is consistently one thing that happens...that is, we take our minds off of self. That in itself can be refreshing. No matter our present circumstances...our everythings...God still deserves our thanks in it all. It takes a personal mind set to be grateful in everything...it won't just happen.

Thank You Father God for how Your Word speaks so clearly. Give us hearts of obedience when we see clearly Your desire for our lives. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for us and for Your Holy Spirit that guides and directs us through these troubled times. We love and appreciate You more than we can express. THANK YOU! In Jesus' name...Amen 

IN HIM

There is therefore now no
condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life
in Christ Jesus hath made me free
from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1,2

This week, I was watching a travel program that took the guide to a small town in Switzerland. It's a neutral country in the world and one doesn't think those folks would have a care. However, to the guide's surprise, a local man who was showing him around, revealed that most houses in one small town had bomb shelters in their homes. The guide was shocked that a seemingly secure people would feel they required such.

We all want to feel physically and even emotionally safe. There are steps we can take to insure some of that, but not completely. The place we believers have come to know for ultimate security is being IN CHRIST. Those two words are found 70 times in the New Testament. Paul uses those words most in his epistles. They are words no one should take lightly as they indicate things so vital and comforting to ever be comprehended.

The most letters I wrote in my life was while attending a Christian college. I had seen letters my friends wrote home or to friends and saw they always closed their letters with: “In Christ, Sue.” “In Christ” was a very popular ending to many letters written by believing friends. For me, I consider now it was being pretty glib, with little thought. However it is said or written, “in Christ” is nothing to be casual about.

Jesus is many things to the believer. Our Savior is the major thing that can head our list, but He is so much more. He is our provider, protector, comfort, and yes, our spiritual bomb shelter. He through His Spirit can fend off Satan's assaults, but that's not always something on our prayer list. Paul tells us in Romans 8 of just some of the promises from God that are ours when we are “in Christ Jesus.” As believers we aren't condemned and we are free from the law of sin and death.

For it all to come together, however, there is an indication mentioned that shows evidence of how we are expected to function “in Him. The fact is that in this relationship, we will not walk in the ways of the world, but in the ways of the Spirit of God. That really is asking so little. Our salvation doesn't rest on our doing anything but accepting Jesus as Savior. The evidence, however of that relationship will be our spiritual walk.

What a blessing to be in Christ. He extends, in over abundance, His love and so much more including the assurance of eternal life with and IN HIM.

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to die for the sins of mankind. Not a one of us deserved that act of love. Help us to be faithful in our walk and so live as to give You all the glory. Help us to rely on You for strength and guidance as we strive to walk in You. In Jesus precious name...Amen 

WRITING ON THE WALL

But ye are a chosen generation, a
royal priesthood, an holy nation,
a peculiar people; that ye should shew
forth the praises of Him who hath
called you out of darkness into
His marvellous light.
I Peter 2:9

During a revival service and during invitation time, I was surprised to see my Mother walking down the aisle with her arm around her mother. We called my grandmother “Mom” (she spelled “Mam”) at her request. She was not a church goer at all, but agreed to go just that one time with Mother. I don't know what all transpired that night, but do know that there were good, positive changes in Mam from that night on.

After that night, Mam never missed a church service. She was in church for Sunday school and all services of the week. She read the New Testament once and often twice each month. She was a tither. She joined the ranks of what we called the “Loyal Mothers.”

One thing I came to notice was the change of wall décor in her little apartment. She had on her walls the usual pictures from nature and a few family pictures. I went to the junior high school only a couple of blocks from her apartment so went by to see her often.One day I saw a real change that I would never have expected. On her walls were some new plaques huge, but with print that could be easily read.

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS

GOD LOVES YOU

...and there were others. It was later that she put the GOD LOVES YOU plaque on a wall because I made it at camp one summer for her.

Mam had few people coming and going from her apartment, but the messages were there on her walls for any visitor to see. They were an encouragement to her and hopefully to others who visited. I loved seeing those plaques even as a young girl. (In face, I have one of them even now hidden away.). I don't think she knew of it because I never mentioned it at the time.

All of this recently came to mind as I was viewing what is hanging on the walls of my own home. I was surprised to note such things from where I am presently sitting. On my walls are family pictures, copies of spiritual artwork, encouraging spiritual sayings and one small plaque that I hope keeps me humble...”I'M JUST A RAGGEDY ANN IN A BARBIE WORLD.” It doesn't sound very spiritual, but for me, it keeps me real and it's to the point. It also causes more comments than the other things.

When much younger, I can recall adults talking about negative incidents about to happen that for them were “writings on the wall.” This of course, indicated something, usually negative in nature, that could or was about to happen. That saying for them was an indicator of things to come.

There are other walls people pay attention to and that has to do with the walls of our lives that can be so easily read by people. Some folks will know us better than others. Strangers might also observe things in us for the good or evil. What is there to be read on our walls? What is the testimony of our lives that can be readily read, that can hopefully be a blessing in the lives of others. For some, what they read from the walls of our lives may be the only witness they will ever see of Jesus.

Dear Father God, may any message spread through our lives be a blessing and encouragement to others and a glory only to You. May we be aware that people are watching and reading us all the time. May they see You in us. In Jesus name...Amen