Honest Reflections

One-minute read.

Reducing stress, when we laugh, we take in more oxygen, which helps stimulate organs, improve circulation, boost brain health, and enhance relaxation. So, when did you last laugh?

Good, belly roll laughter doesn’t happen often enough for any of us. But when we follow the Lord, He will give us reasons to squeal with joy, even in the pit. Learning to laugh at ourselves will start the ball rolling.

Cleaning out my father-in-law’s attic after he passed, the July heat caused the dust to coat me, leaving me filthy from head to toe. Taking a selfie, I sent it to a good friend, and we both chuckled at my appearance. Two years later, I still chuckle when I think of the memory.

God does great things for us every day. The breaths we take, the food we eat, His provision gives us life. And Jesus showed us how to live it. Portrayals of the Savior smiling and laughing help me better envision the loving nature of God.

Christ came not only to save us, but also to give us life in abundance. Living fully for the Savior includes laughing often, thanks to the joy-filled hearts that come from His saving grace.

Summer Fun Activity:

Blow bubbles

One-minute read.

As a child, every night at dinner, I said the prayer for the meal:

“God is good, God is great, thank You for this food. Amen.”

Short and sweet, we couldn’t eat until I said the words. The routine felt more like a chore than a worshipful act. Now, Ron says the prayers over our meals, not the exact words, but still short and sweet. Those moments when we enjoy a meal together, acknowledging God for it, have become a favorite part of my day.

Meal times, whether just the two of us or with friends, have an intimacy to them. Discussing life’s happenings, the good and bad, while eating defines an aspect of fellowship that Jesus exemplified.

Many of the Savior’s pivotal moments occurred while He shared a meal with His followers. The most famous dinner, the last supper, gave us direction for remembering and honoring Him long after He ascended to heaven. Breaking bread with others honors Jesus and draws us into a closer relationship with Him and those who share our table.

Thank God for His provision and enjoy the food He provides. Find gladness as you share a meal with others, remembering the Lord and glorifying Him.

Summer Fun Activity:

Visit a water park.

One-minute read.

On vacation in the Finger Lakes region of New York, sitting outside our camper, the sun warming me, the birds serenading, rejoicing in the Lord comes easily. Giving thanks in this circumstance doesn’t take much effort; my prayer, praise, and worship.

But at other times, rejoicing always, praying continually, and thanking God takes more effort.  The loss of a job, a loved one, or a relationship can spiral us into the pit of despair, where looking up at the Savior seems impossible. At these times, Corrie Ten Boom comes to mind, a holocaust survivor who praised God for the fleas.

Imprisoned for hiding people from the Nazi’s, she found herself in bleak circumstances, with countless other women, including her sister, locked in crowded barracks, with fleas. Because of the tiny insects, the guards wouldn’t enter the room. Corrie and Betsy miraculously smuggled a Bible into their prison and started studying the word with the other prisoners. Honoring today’s verse, they thanked the Lord for the fleas that kept the guards away and allowed them to study His word.

Whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, find one reason to thank God. Look to the Savior for strength to persevere, and discover the joy that comes from the Lord.

Summer Fun Activity:

Eat Ice Pops

One-minute read.

Sunday mornings when the worship band begins to play, my heart leaps with joy, especially when they sing one of my favorite songs. Closing my eyes and lifting my arms, God’s spirit rejuvenates me from what lies behind and prepares me for what will come. Strengthened and renewed, the time spent in corporate worship with other devoted followers of Christ encourages me like nothing else.

Our strength comes from above. When the tolls of this world begin to weigh us down, we have a Creator ready to lift the burden from our shoulders and replace it with His strength. Knowing that our time on earth has an end, we can trust in the Savior to help us persevere until He calls us home to Him.

When you need strength, drop to your knees, lift your arms to the sky, and ask the Lord for help. Allow His Spirit to fill your soul, strengthening you for the battle ahead. You have a trustworthy God, ready to help you, whatever your need. Tuning into Him will align your heart with the Creator’s endeavors and give you divine tools to help fulfill your purpose.

Lean into the Lord, receive His strength and guidance, and experience divine joy.

Summer Fun Activity:

Go on a bike ride.

One-minute read.

“I want to open a campground in my seventies. Yeah, that would be fun!”

Sitting around the campfire, Ron started dreaming about what we could do a couple of decades from now. As he talked, I began praying, realizing that anything could happen between now and then, but God willing, with prayerful waiting, maybe one day we will own a campground.

Waiting on the Lord to fulfill God-sized dreams strengthens us. As we begin to hope and pray for future events, seeds begin to grow, and paths begin to appear. Hope energizes us and gives us strength to continue the journey when life tries to bog us down. We need aspirations to keep hoping for a better tomorrow.

In Jesus, we have the best hope of all, Him and the eternal future that we will share, basking in the light of His glory forever. Hope in the Lord, allow the Almighty to give you strength to persevere, knowing you won’t grow weary as you run to your destiny.

With Christ, we have all we need to achieve our divine purpose, strengthened by the Savior, the impossible becomes possible. Run towards your dreams with the hope of the Lord leading you.

Summer Fun Activity:

Go on a nature walk.

One-minute read.

For my fiftieth birthday, we took a trip across the United States to Colorado. Driving into the state, we climbed the mountain in our Dodge Ram truck, the Crusader, a 2014 fifth wheel in tow behind us. As the hill steepened, we couldn’t see anything over the hood. An unforgettable moment; from our view, it felt like driving off the edge of the world, unable to see what lay ahead of us.

Faith often feels like walking off a cliff. We don’t know what will happen when we take the next step, no visible sidewalk in front of us. Trusting God means moving forward, even though we don’t know what we will find, with confidence that the Lord will provide stable ground for our feet.

Even though we couldn’t see the road ahead of us that day years ago, we trusted it existed. In the same way, we can trust that wherever the Lord leads us, He will provide a way for us to get there. Following Jesus takes us on an adventure like none other. As we experience our life of faith, we will enjoy an abundant life, living in the divine joy of the Savior.

God leads us; we don’t have to see the path ahead to trust that it exists.

Summer Fun Activity:

Do something new.

One-minute read.

Over the weekend, I ate meatloaf twice: once at Cracker Barrel and again at a local restaurant. Growing up, the ground beef concoction graced our table regularly, but in my adult life, I rarely make it. So, when I saw the specials, I couldn’t resist the temptation to taste the goodness of the simple dish.

Eating the scrumptious loaf of meat made me want more of it. When we taste something good, we can’t help but want more deliciousness. Tasting of the Lord’s goodness leads us down the path of righteousness because it makes us want more of Him.

From the moment Jesus enters our lives, He begins to transform us.  As we begin to experience the change, we draw closer to the Savior and desire more of Him.  The Lord’s goodness gives us unconditional love, grace, mercy, peace, and divine joy that fills our hearts, despite our circumstances.  Who doesn’t want that?

Taste of the Lord’s goodness, then keep on tasting as You seek and follow Him.  Experience the divine gifts that only come through a relationship with the Savior. In Christ, we have all we need; nothing in the world compares to life with Jesus.

Summer Fun Activity:

Make homemade ice cream.

One-minute read.

Understanding the vastness of creation and the Creator can’t happen from our human perspective.  Look around at your surroundings. Writing from my backyard, I see green grass, towering trees, and flowers in bloom, all of it created by God for us. 

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” Genesis 1:1

Life began because God initiated it.  When the earth had no shape, he gave it one.  With four words, “Let there be light,” (Gen. 1:3) God dispelled the darkness, and the world came into existence.

All of creation glorifies God.  Watching the sunrise or set mesmerizes us with its beauty.  The changing seasons illustrated the circle of life and the need for change.  Waves crashing against the shore, coming from depths beyond our comprehension all the work of the Lord’s hand.

As you enjoy these last days of summer, let the beauty of creation draw you closer to the Creator.  Thank God for the beauty He created, and enjoy the blessings of nature.  All the earth sings of the Lord’s sovereignty, the work of His hands in every molecule, combined to form the world we know.

Summer Fun Activity:

Visit the beach.

One-minute read.

When Christmas came around the first year Ron and I dated, I had anxiety about his gift.  Afraid I wouldn’t like the present, I didn’t want to hurt my love’s feelings.  However, as usual, I worried for nothing.  The small heart pendant, featuring a pink flower encrusted with jewels, fit me perfectly, and expressed his feelings.

Every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord.  Ron’s knowledge of me helped him choose the perfect token to express his love for me.  And God gave us the perfect gift we all needed when Jesus came to Earth in human form.

Today, take stock of the perfect gifts you’ve received from above.  Thank the Lord for the Savior who paved the way to reconciliation and a relationship with our Creator.  Then, list the divine gifts God has bestowed on you: family, friends, homes, food, transportation, clothing — the list becomes endless as we start counting our blessings.

Even more so than earthly fathers, our Divine Dad loves bestowing blessings upon us.  When we seek and follow Him, we will discover joys that we can get no other way.  The Lord wants to bless us, and when we use those blessings to help others, we bless God in return.

Live for the Savior, receive His gifts, and share them with all you meet.

Summer Fun Activity:

Go shopping for a new outfit.

One-minute read.

Reading about David collecting the necessary things needed to build the Temple, and then Solomon doing the work, I couldn’t help but think of God’s provision.  From precious metals and fine cloths to skilled workers with attention to detail, the Lord provided everything for the father and son to complete their tasks.

As our sovereign Creator, God has dominion over everything under the sun and beyond it.  Wherever the Almighty guides us, whatever divine tasks He assigns us, the Lord will give us the tools we need to finish the job.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Phil. 4:19

What we want and what we need differ.  Just because we want a new car doesn’t mean we will get it.  Instead, we can choose to be grateful for the one we do have.  The more we appreciate the Savior’s provision in our lives, the more we will recognize it.

Start making a list of your blessings.  You will quickly find God has abundantly blessed you, providing all you need when you need it.  Speak to the Lord from the heart, tell Him your needs.  Ask God for provision and watch as He provides.

Summer Fun Activity:

Go to an AdventurePark