by wendy | Nov 11, 2021 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God
It is especially quiet at Cornercopia this week. Actually – it is me that is quiet and that is unusual! I can’t help it though – I have laryngitis. I really can’t manage much above a whisper and even that, at times, is painful. It’s funny, I don’t realize how many everyday tasks require communicating with my voice until I don’t have one to use.
Jerry and I are both talkers. When we are home together, we often yell to each other from the other room. Neither of us have great hearing so that usually results in some frustration. Yesterday, I was working on the computer and Jerry asked me a question from the other room. It wasn’t as if he was just announcing something – he actually wanted a response. Normally, I would yell back, “Hang on a minute!” or “Come in here, I can’t hear you!” but I couldn’t yell – so I said nothing. He tried again. I whispered, “You will have to come closer,” but of course he couldn’t hear that. Finally, he came into the room and I motioned for him to come close. When he was close enough, I was able to respond.
We live in a loud world. We are accustomed to shouting above the mayhem in the midst of our busyness and expecting others to hear us and respond. We seldom stop what we are doing and come in close for an intimate conversation. This time of quietness has reminded me that God does not try to compete with our crazy life. He does not respond to flippant shouts from the other room nor does he yell over the noise to get our attention. He prefers for us to come close, look Him full in the face, and listen with anticipation. How will we hear Him if we are not willing to be still and quiet?
Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live.
Isaiah 55:3
by wendy | Nov 11, 2021 | Direction, Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Encouragement from the Word, Focus on God, Trusting God
I was recently told, by a person who has been exposed to the Word their whole life, that Scripture just doesn’t hold their attention. I can understand that – especially if it is perceived as an assigned reading that “should be done.” I can remember trying desperately to comprehend my high school history book, but no matter how many times my eyes moved over the words, my brain simply refused to enter the information. It just was not interesting to me – it seemed to have no bearing on my life.
I have, at times, felt the same way about the Bible. Rote reading that didn’t make sense and certainly didn’t seem to apply. Once I began to understand though, that Scripture is a book of stories – accounts of the lives of real people like me who struggled – reading it became a lifeline instead of a chore. Suddenly, reading the Bible illuminated the darkness of my crazy life, helped me make sense of the chaos, called me to focus on the important things, and gave me courage to keep going. Scripture not only holds my attention – it compels me!
Yesterday, I was studying our Youth Sunday School lesson. We are using The Gospel Project curriculum and it is taking us consecutively through the Bible. The current unit carries us through the Exodus and wandering of the Israelites in the wilderness. Because we have been traveling through Scripture in the order that it happened, we are invested – familiar with the whole story. We have just experienced the awesomeness of God’s power as He orchestrated the release of the Israelites from Egyptian captivity and brought them through the impossible obstacle of the Red Sea. His people have been led and protected every step of the way, but as soon as they felt some discomfort, they fell to doubt, fear, and complaining. Under the commentary in my lesson, I wrote the following message: “When we focus on the challenge, we shake in fear. When we focus on God, we are encouraged.”
That lesson resonated with me. It seemed like a phrase I might need some day to encourage someone. I closed my book and continued on with my plan for the day – a busy one full of appointments with new shops and processing orders. By the evening, I was feeling overwhelmed by the growth of my business and the increase in my responsibilities. The things I had prayed for were happening – and it was scary!
As I crawled into bed, feeling anything but relaxed, I texted with my mom. “This is stressful.”
“Just focus and trust the Lord,” she replied. Those specific words were like a flashback!
I left my bed and pulled out my notes from earlier in the day.
“When we focus on the challenge, we shake in fear. When we focus on God, we are encouraged.” I had been right – I would need those words to encourage someone – that someone was me! The lessons learned by the Israelites wandering in the wilderness were a blueprint for my own wandering. As I read their story, I am reminded about the amazing show of power, provision, and protection God has showered upon my own life. When I read about their doubt and fear, I recognize my doubt and fear. When I see the kindness and grace that God showed them over and over – the patience He displays in their hard-hearted and hard-headed struggle to move forward – well, let’s just say that I can relate.
This world can seem like a meaningless, chaotic, mess – there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t need to be encouraged. I’m thankful that we have been given a guide – not a dry, academic manual of instructions – but a narrative of grace and a reminder that the God of the Universe is alive and active and cares about me!
“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:13-14
by wendy | Aug 9, 2021 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
Our Sunday School lesson last week focused on the story of Elijah and his announcement of a Great Drought. (1 Kings 17) Elijah was a prophet of God and his calling required him to call out the sin of the people. When Elijah announced that there would be no rain or dew in the land for several years, he was simply reminding the people of a consequence of their sin – the refusal to acknowledge God as their sustainer. A drought in the land was divine punishment that would affect the fertility of the land and cause a famine. The very people that refused to give God the credit for producing the rain would find out in a very real way just how powerful God was.
Sometimes things dry up as a result of sin.
Our God is a God of mercy and grace and He does allow things to dry up as a result of our sin and disobedience. When this happens, it is painful – but it is not permanent! God’s love is so great that He would rather see us suffer for a time in order to bring us to repentance and a right relationship with Him than to allow us to be separated from Him eternally. He longs for us to turn from sin and to run to Him.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
Elijah’s announcement of drought for the people meant that the source of water would be drying up for him as well. I wonder if Elijah had concerns as he proclaimed the punishment. But God had plans for His servant, and He sent Elijah to a brook where he would find water to drink and birds to bring him food. Relying on ravens to feed him must have required a great deal of faith, but imagine how Elijah must have also marveled at the clear water that flowed through that stream during a drought!
Have you ever found yourself in a season where you were abundantly aware of the blessings poured out on you? When God places His hand of protection and provision upon you in the midst of difficulty in the world, it can be extremely faith-building. I imagine that Elijah gained strength in that time – and he would need it! When you find yourself in that place, be intentional about your praise and gratitude – be purposeful about cooperating with God to grow and strengthen your faith – and be prepared for what is to come!
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Sometimes things dry up to cause us to move.
Wouldn’t it be glorious to stay in that place? Drinking from the clear, flowing water, eating food dropped from the sky, resting and hiding from the troubles of the world – just you and God and nature. Elijah might have been content to stay there forever, but he wasn’t functioning in his calling there. God used that time to strengthen and sustain and grow Elijah, but the time came when God was ready to use him again – so He dried up Elijah’s source of water and told him to move!
It often comes a surprise – and not a happy one. The stream of income dries up. The sweet friendship dries up. The desire to create dries up. The opportunity of a lifetime dries up. Whatever it is – the thing that has quenched your thirst or fed your soul – it just goes away, it stops, it dries up. And its not because that thing was bad, or because you did something wrong – it may simply be time to move on. It may be time to get back to work – doing that thing that God has called you to do.
“Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him: “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”
1 Kings 17:7-9
Let’s not miss the order of events here! First, the brook dried up – then, the word of the Lord came to Elijah. I don’t know about you, but I would prefer it to be the other way around. I like for God to give me directions first so I can feel comfortable with the way things go down, but this is not usually how God operates.
“God’s ultimate goal for your life on Earth is not comfort but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ.”
Rick Warren
God wants us to develop confidence in Him. The more we learn to trust in Him, the more effective we can be in following Him and doing the work He has called us to do.
Sometimes things dry up to increase our faith.
Each step God led Elijah through increased his understanding of God, of God’s character, and of God’s power. God commanded natural elements (rain and flowing water) as well as animals (ravens) to provide for Elijah’s needs. Once Elijah was confident in that provision, God moved him to a place where he could see God work in a different way – through a desperate widow with free will. Each of these instances grew Elijah’s faith and confidence in order to prepare him for the next thing.
Sometimes things dry up to increase the faith of others.
One might assume that just because Elijah was a prophet that he always viewed things through a lens of faith. But let us not forget that Elijah was a man. When God dries up what seems like a good thing in my life, I tend to wonder, “Why me – why now?” It often takes hindsight to see that it was never all about me in the first place!
The widow that God sent Elijah to was an unlikely candidate to provide anything for him. She was without a provider herself and laden with responsibility for her child. She was down to her last hope, seemingly without any options. No income, no food, no family, no rain – and she had accepted the fact that she and her son would die. This woman did not know God. She was worthless in the eyes of the world – but God saw her and loved her. God used the widow to provide food for His prophet and He used Elijah to provide hope for her! God could have accomplished both completely on His own but He chose to invite them to witness and participate in His work – and He does the same for us!
Oh that I may have eyes to see God moving, a heart to love as He loves, and a spirit willing to be used.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Romans 12:11
What is drying up in your life? Spend some time in prayer, seeking God and His direction. Ask Him the following questions:
- Is there sin in my life that begs for repentance?
- Is God asking me to move (physically, emotionally, spiritually)?
- Am I cooperating with God’s desire to grow my faith? Am I trusting Him to protect and provide?
- Is God using my situation to grow the faith of someone else? Am I willing to be used by God?
Whatever is happening – turn your eyes upon Him. Let go and allow Him to work in whatever way He will. You can be certain that He is working for your good and new things are on the horizon!
”Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18
by wendy | May 17, 2021 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
“What are your plans if the house sells quickly?”
This question is asked of us nearly every day since our house went on the market. We always respond with a smile and a shrug.
”We don’t know.”
The answer rolls off our tongue easily, but the weight of the question bears down just a little more each time. We don’t know. We are trusting God. We are taking it day by day. We are trying to be content and confident – waiting on the Lord.
But the question – the world – begs us to be anxious, fearful, discontent.
“I have learned the secret of being content whatever the circumstances.”
Philippians 4:11
The word “content” in Greek is autárkēs and it means self-sufficient because of the indwelling power of God. His power in me enables me to be content. I have what I need. I am okay. I am not in trouble.
I am God-sufficient.
“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13
I can remain content (God-sufficient) through any situation and even suffering through the power of God that dwells in me.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
I can remain content (satisfied and confident) because I am not dependent on my own strength or on my circumstances. It is God’s power that provides the strength I need.
Did that seem repetitive? I need the repetition – the reminder – the assurance!
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3
When I am discontent (not satisfied or confident) it is because I feel I am lacking something. God reminds us that we have everything we need for a godly life – through our knowledge of Him.
When I find my soul growing discontent from the world‘s questions, I can ask myself these questions:
1. Am I lacking something I need to live a godly life – or is what I am lacking an earthly desire?
This is often a tough one to answer. Is my lack something I need or something I want? How can the lack I feel connect me even more deeply with the One who provides? Can I lean in more fully? Can I trust Him more? Can I learn to wait in Him? Can I practice obedience in the midst of suffering? Can I learn to be content (satisfied and confident) in His sufficiency?
2. Do I really know God and understand His power?
My discontent often stems from worry – and worry stems from lack of trust. Though my circumstances may seem out of control or hopeless, God, who is all-powerful, is still reigning and ruling and has not lost control. I love this biblically-based statement that Emily P. Freeman often recites from her friend and author, James Bryan Smith.
“I am one in whom Christ dwells and delights. I live in the unshakeable kingdom of God. The kingdom is not in trouble, and neither am I.”
James Bryan Smith
When I find my soul discontented, I need to remind my soul that I know who God is and I believe that He has all that I need.
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”
Psalm 62:5 (NLT)
3. Am I trusting that God will provide for my needs?
This has been an important question for me lately. When I recognize the restless impatience growing inside of me, I know that it is a waning trust. Here is how I combat that emotion:
I name it. I call it what it is and then I call it out. I stop the doubt and worry in its tracks.
I ask for help. I call upon the power of God within me to change my heart and mind.
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24
I rename it. “Lord I put my trust in you.” I choose to proclaim the truth even when I don’t feel it.
I act on it. I choose to live according to what I believe!
4. Am I living in a way that demonstrates that trust by learning to be content?
What does it look like to live according to what I believe? I wish it looked effortless and easy, but – for me – its a little more like stumbling and scrambling along a rocky path grabbing for whatever I can hold onto. My flesh wants to worry, my mind wanders off the trail, my heart is nearly always faint. But I cling to the truth and God hems me in and compels me forward. Each step further strengthens me and teaches me to trust Him more.
My fervent hope is that those walking just a bit behind might draw encouragement from watching the work God does in my life and that they might learn to walk in His power too.
Is your soul discontent? Is the world asking you questions that beg you to be anxious? Ask yourself these questions instead and remind your soul that God is good!
“Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:1-5
by wendy | Nov 17, 2020 | Direction, Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
Jerry’s company car reached the required mileage recently and he was delighted to pick up a new lease today. As he travels, he is learning all of the different features – such as the “lane adjust”. If he attempts to change lanes without a signal, it assumes he is drifting accidentally and the car gives him a slight nudge back toward his lane. This seems like it will be a great feature to keep him alert!
I am grateful that the Holy Spirit also provides a “lane adjust” for us. He gives us that slight nudge when we are getting out of our lanes, but He also does so much more. God guides us as we move through life and helps us to know where to turn, when to switch lanes, and when to pause. This is that “guided drift” I have written about before – and it is precisely why we need to be alert and dependent upon God throughout our journey.
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!“
1 Chronicles 16:11
Allow God to guide
In order to receive the full benefit from God’s presence in our lives, we must submit to Him and seek His direction constantly. Jerry and I pray together – inviting God to interrupt our plans and lead us in His. We renew our minds and train ourselves to recognize His leading by studying His Word. And we also seek wise counsel by talking with other godly people about our life and our journey.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be alert for His guidance
Just like that nudge from Jerry’s new car, we must be alert for nudges from the Holy Spirit. These are evidence of God’s guidance and they might include a still small voice from inside us, a Scripture that speaks to our hearts, words from a friend, or a change in circumstance. Whatever the avenue, we should be looking and listening and taking all things to Him in prayer.
“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’”
Psalm 32:8
Adjust as directed by God
We might get a strong clear mandate from the Lord – like Saul, or Moses, or even Balaam, or we might get a whisper that is difficult to discern. But either way, we must be willing to shift and pivot as the Holy Spirit moves us. Obedience is key to a straight path – but we also need to allow ourselves grace as God gives us grace. Even if we miss the nudge – even if we ignore the direction – even if we take a different route, our God is a god of second chances. All roads lead home if we turn our hearts to Him!
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
Unknown Author
It often seems like our decisions are detrimental, but many times our “choices” will have the same outcome. We can decide – will we take the long, slow way, or choose the swift and rocky ride? Life is an adventure and with God as our guide, we are guaranteed to finish well!
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
Isaiah 58:11
by wendy | Oct 7, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Prayer
Against my advisement, our oldest son adopted a dog yesterday. It wasn’t that he isn’t old enough or responsible enough to own a dog. It wasn’t even that I thought he wouldn’t make a good dog owner. I just felt that owning a dog at this point in his life would make things more complicated.
He did it anyway.
The dog he adopted came from one of the hurricane sights. He lived with a foster family before Carter got him, and he had only met Carter a couple of times. He was shy and skittish – no wonder with all he had been through – but Carter felt a connection with him and was really looking forward to getting him home.
The pup (a one year-old mixed breed) sat on my son’s lap the whole way home, but as soon as Carter opened the car door, he bolted. Hours later with many of us to help, the dog continued to hide in the woods across a busy highway, only darting out occasionally. As darkness fell we all felt hopeless – and Carter was devastated.
I prayed that God would keep the little guy safe through the night – safe from predators and safe from cars on the road. I prayed that God would bring him home. I prayed for my son’s heart.
Three of us (Carter’s girlfriend, my cousin, and myself) had dreams that he came home. When Carter called first thing in the morning, I was both hopeful and anxious to hear what he had to report.
“Mom, he came home!”
“I dreamed he did!”
“So did Livi! And he did. I left my car door open all night and he slept in the car. He was there when I came out this morning.”
And once again, I am overwhelmed by the kindness of my God. He cares about the things we care about and He loves to show us His love. He gave us dreams of goodness and peace to reassure our hearts and he brought that little dog home for Carter to love and care for.
Will this little creature make my son’s life more complicated? Yes, he already has. But he will also enrich his life and teach him about love on a different level. Perhaps Carter will even learn more about the amazing love his Heavenly Father has for him.
And Carter had already decided to name his dog Chance…
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
