Three Times

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10-Day 250: Today, I am grateful for three times.

There are so many times in the Bible that we see examples of a message given three times. Dr. Kale taught us that for a message to be truly heard, we must give it three times.

Tell them. Tell them, again. Tell them you told them. You will see the same commercial three times over the course of a couple hours. Advertising knows this to be true.

I have never forgotten that lesson from Dr. Kale. Once isn't enough when something is new, when there is fear or when there might be confusion. Our God knows we need to hear certain messages again and again.

In Joshua 1, Moses has died and they are about to enter the promised land. God tells Joshua to "Be strong and courageous." three times in four verses, and then again in verse 18. He needed him to really hear the message and believe it.

There are troubles and trials in our days, but we are not alone. Sometimes 40 minutes can feel like 40 years. Sometimes, 40 years can feel like 40 minutes.

Whatever the trial might be, "the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." This is soul food. It is a word we can trust. It is His word.

Be strong and courageous. Be strong and courageous. Be strong and courageous.

So things bear repeating.

Today, I am grateful for three times.

Slip Resistance

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10-Day 249: Today, I am grateful for slip resistance.

This is such a perfect verse for the world today. There is a slippery slope that makes some things seem okay because it is culturally acceptable. Acceptable does not make something good or right.

True story... this is not a new trend of modern times. Remember, every current time was a modern one. Every convenience and invention that made life easier is one they soon believed they were entitled to not live without.

I love the direction given to keep us on path. The instructions to help us sift through what is "modern", what is "culture" and what is offensive to God. I don't get to decide what is offensive to God. I am instructed to study to "show myself approved".

I am not saying it is easy. I get so many things wrong - some days go all wrong. I am saying we are directed to :

"Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation." - Luke 22:39

Not get up and judge. Not get up and offer your own wisdom or interpretation. Get up and pray. Such sound advice and very modern wisdom. Timeless, in fact!

Praying means I am not complaining. Praying means my tongue isn't running wild and uncontrolled. Praying means I am not judging another human. Praying means I draw near to the Father and he draws near to me.

Today, I am grateful for slip resistance.

The God Who Sees Me

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10-Day 248: Today, I am grateful for "The God Who Sees Me".

I heard a sermon that included Hagar over the weekend. I am always captivated by her story from Genesis 16, no matter how many times I hear it or study it, I find something new.

Genesis 16 tells the painful story of infertility. And, the consequences of human impatience and interference when God does not seem to be keeping His promises fast enough.

The Egyptian slave girl, Hagar, served Abram's wife, Sarai. God had already promised Abram that his descendants would number the stars, but they grew impatient. Abram was 86 years old. Sarai appeared too old for children (Isaac would come later) and they took the situation out of God's hands and into their own.

That part of the lesson in this story is very convicting for me. How many times do we try to "help" God? Newsflash: He's got this. He doesn't need our "help." In fact, our help can get in the way and cause other undesirable outcomes.

The scriptures say Hagar flaunted her pregnancy before Sarai, so I will not call her innocent. Sarai was unkind to Hagar. Sarai is not without blame, either. I have read that the custom of a servant bearing a child was not uncommon, but just because it was culturally acceptable does not mean it was a good idea or God's idea.

Everyone suffered because of human interference with God's plan. Free will - a gift and a curse - is still a part of every life story.

Back to Hagar...

Hagar eventually ran away. She found herself at a well. She was pregnant, powerless and feeling defeated. She knew about the God of Abram (Abraham) . Hagar knew of His power and His ways, but on that day, she really met Him.

God showed her that He knew who she was and about her situation. She was stunned and called Him, Beer Lahai Roi, "The God who sees me".  What an amazing feeling to be known and seen. Amazing and a bit intimidating, too. 

"She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen  the One who sees me.” - Genesis 16:13 

Whatever trial you are suffering through, there is a God who sees you. You are never alone. You do not have to feel defeated. Whatever we are going through is known to Him.

Today, I am grateful for "The God Who Sees Me".

Hummingbirds

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10-Day 247: Today, I am grateful for hummingbirds.

They are such miraculous little creatures. They are like a combination of bird and insect like qualities. They can hang suspended in one place while their wings flap so fast all we can see is a blur of movement. It allows them to pause in place to drink the sweet nectar from a flower.

We have a a couple that stop by our pond and flowers. They are always a surprise. We can’t really predict when they will visit. I can’t help but pause and watch them. They are a source of wonder.

Jesus told us to “consider the lilies of the fields and the birds.” They don’t don’t worry or fret. They trust His design and His provision.

Today, I am grateful for Hummingbirds.

Patterns to Follow

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10-Day 246: Today, I am grateful for patterns to follow.

My friend, Holli, makes some of the most beautiful quilts I've seen. I love watching her talk about them because it makes her eyes light up. She takes patterns and magically brings them to life. For her, the patterns come to life in her imagination before she sews the first stitch.

Having a pattern does not mean you do not pour something of yourself into the project. In fact, I believe it is the exact opposite. A pattern is a guideline. It is a place to start. It gives the artist a place to start.

Paul gave these instructions in letters to the early church:

"What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." -2 Timothy 1:13-14 

Keep the teaching sound. Know the pattern of sharing the Good News. Guard it. Share it. Celebrate. We follow the path to the cross, but each story of salvation is unique.

Today, I am grateful for patterns to follow.

Good Directions

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10-Day 245: Today, I am grateful for good directions.

Love this scripture. I often look to YouTube and other places to find direction and to fix things. I want to remember that His instruction and that His direction is the best

"This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." -Isaiah 48:17

Today, I am grateful for good directions.

Jennifer

 Daily Gratitude Year 10-Day 243: Today, I am grateful for Jennifer.

I truly won the jackpot in the Sister-in-Love department on both Randy's side and mine. I am so grateful for any time we get to spend together.

Jennifer is the one I get to see the most because she lives the closest. I am so grateful my little brother chose well. She fiercely loves all of the people she calls family and friends. She has a kind heart and a generous spirit.

Jennifer is as much a part of the Bess/Lindgren clans as she is the one she was born into. We are all grateful for her and don't tell her enough. I am trying to be more intentional in letting her know how deep and wide my love is for her. We have shared nearly a lifetime of joys and sorrows. I didn't pick her, but I would choose her again and again.

When Ruth suggested to Naomi that being in-laws was more that a legal title, the grieving Naomi did not know what to do with it. Three widows stood in sorrow, clueless of how to press on. Orpah went back to the life she had known before. Ruth did not.

Ruth clung to her miserable Mother-in-Law and chose to love her no matter what. Ruth didn't give in to the grief, she plowed through it. She didn't give up on Naomi. She tried to share her resilience with Naomi. She gleaned the wheat so they could eat.

"At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. -Ruth 1:14-16

There are seasons of celebrations - like weddings, vacations and birthdays - and there times when we hold each other up. That is what sister's do. I am so grateful she is my people!

The anniversary of her arrival on the planet is always a reason to celebrate. Happy Birthday, Jennifer.

Today, I am grateful for Jennifer.