Wisdom & Understanding

Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders…” Luke 15:3-5 “Because you always came back for me…” those are the words that caused tears to well up in my eyes in the middle of Pathmark Supermarket. I ran into a friend I had not seen in a while, and in the course of our conversation and standing among the peppers and cucumbers in the fresh vegetable section, she began to tell me about a student of hers. This woman has been in education for many, many years, has seen and experienced a lot. She has taught and helped many from all backgrounds, but when this little guy was put in her charge she knew that it was an unusual case. This little guy though he had the ability to speak, had not spoken the entire time he was in that particular school. Further investigation showed lots o...

What a wonderful honor it is to be a mother, to think that God would entrust us to carry and give birth to His creations. And what an honor it was to have my mother. I miss her...even though I had her for almost 77 years, to me it was still not enough time. Not enough time to hug her, to share with her during our Saturday morning phone talks, to laugh with her. But I believe that she was ready to go home, home to be with the Lord and with my Dad that had passed a little over a year before. So when I begin to get sad I have to remind myself that she and my Dad are "Together forever in the presence of the Lord", which is engraved in their shared memorial headstone. It's ashame that we don't realize sometimes totally how blessed we are to have a good mother until we actually become one ourselves. Because then we can see and experience the sacrifices, the pain and most importantly the joy that our mothers went through for us. How many times have I heard mothers say "...

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber." Psalms 121:1-3 Some days all you need to know is that He is keeping you...it is one of those days for me. I am thankful for the assurance.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 Pretty, yellow tulips, yes that’s what I want! The color of the flowers matched the bright sunny Easter day! After making my purchase I proceeded to drive to the cemetery. A place I used to dread going, but now that my husband’s memorial is there, I see the visit in a much different light. It is a time to meditate and tell God all about what I’m feeling. I don’t visit that often and have learned to only go when I feel the need. After arranging the sunny yellow tulips in a container and placing it at my husband’s headstone, I begin to talk to my Father. It is a very intimate relationship I have with Him, He knows all about me and my shortcomings, how I miss the mark sometimes, how I fail and disappoint Him. And yet, I still feel free to come to Him and share openly how I feel…and He listens patiently. He is not shocked or surprised when I tell Him I am angry or frustrated. He does not reject me because I am not what w...

“You, LORD, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears. Brutal people may attack and try to kill me, but they will stumble. Fierce enemies may attack, but they will fall. Armies may surround me, but I won't be afraid; war may break out, but I will trust you.” Psalms 27:1-3 (Contemporary English Version) I’ve written about this scripture before, but that’s the way God’s Word is; though it never changes, it can give you what I call “Customized encouragement” for what you may be going through at the time. This time these words remind me that I am not alone, and not unprotected. Living as a widow for the past eight years has been a journey and learning experience. The Holy Spirit has been not only my “tour” guide on this journey, He has also been my teacher. Back at the end of year 2008, I felt like the Lord was encouraging me to seek more “Wisdom and Understanding”; to get to know Him better. And that He would give me more wisdom ...

The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 I love this scripture; it speaks of God’s restoration to a people that were in exile and being held captive by a very hostile nation. A people who in no doubt had suffered all that goes along with being taken from your home and held prisoner for years. The writer of this book of the Bible was a prophet who had the undesirable job of telling the people the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth; even it meant bad news…for a season. Zephaniah tells them in no uncertain terms of their rebellion to God, but in verse 17 he begins to tell them that God; who is a God of Justice, is also a God of Mercy. (Micah 7:18 says God does not hold His anger and delights in His mercy) God’s Mercy restores, and He is glad, rejoices and delights in restoration! God is happy when we are happy, He rejoices when we...