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“The second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39 CSB

The neighborhood I live in is very compact.  A lot of houses are crammed into a very small area.  We have a lot of military that are here for a year and gone.  In the seven years Ron and I have lived here, we’ve had a new neighbor each year in the house to our right.  Both neighbors to our left have been here since we moved in when we got married. Where I live now, compared to where I grew up is very different.  A lot of my neighbors I had as a child are still there. I didn’t know what it was like to have a constant stream of new neighbors moving in around me like I do now.  But my husband did, because he was raised in the military. He was born in Japan and has lived all over the world because of his Father’s career. He has taught me how to love new neighbors well.

The first time Ron and I had a new neighbor, he immediately wanted to go over to meet them.  I was too shy and afraid, I didn’t want to bother them. But I made a little gift bag and away we went, that was seven years ago.  Now, as soon as we get a new neighbor, I can’t wait to meet them. I can’t wait to hear about their lives. One of our neighbors took an intelligence job in D.C., we had to be interviewed for his clearance, that was fun.  One lovely couple were transferred to Hawaii. Our latest neighbors moved back to Chicago after making a go of it here with their young daughter, they just didn’t like East Coast living. Currently, their house sits empty as I wait for new friends to move into it. 

As I wait for new friends, I celebrate my old ones to the left. Last year, when Ernestine, a widow, had heart surgery, I was her contact person. I will never forget the day she knocked on my door and told me I was her person. I had no idea what she was talking about, but since her children both live far away, she needed someone near she could count on, she chose me.  What a privilege it was to help her through that time. Now she’s back out running the streets, bringing joy to the world everywhere she goes.

What I love most about neighbors is the opportunity to share Jesus with them.  Not in words, but in actions. Our Korean neighbors behind us, we share trash duty.  He always takes our trash can to the curb, we always bring his in after it has been collected.  He doesn’t speak English at all, but we have managed to find a way to communicate without words.  They brought us the best bread I have ever eaten at Christmas. Even though we don’t understand each other’s language, love overcomes all barriers.  We are able to love each other without words, just as Jesus did.

Today, I’m thankful for my neighbors and the opportunity to practice Jesus’s love on those closest to me.  What are you thankful for?

“I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you up when you turn gray, I have made you, and I will carry you;  I will bear and rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4 CSB

My Bible was laying open to this chapter when I started my quiet time.  When my eyes landed on this verse, my heart swelled with gratitude for all God does for me, for all of us.  The subtitle of this chapter in my Bible says, “There is No one Like God.” The message is for the remnant of Israelites that are left, reminding them God has always been with them, always will be with them.  He is their God. And He is our God. He does the same for us.

I began writing this devotional yesterday, which isn’t typical.  Usually once I start writing one, I work until I finish it. But yesterday I couldn’t find the right scripture, until today.  When I read the last part of the verse where God carries us, where He bears and rescues us, I thought of our first responders.  The men and women who rush into danger when everyone else is running out. I thought of the fireman coming out of a burning building, a child in his arms he has just rescued.  I thought of the police officer putting his life on the line every day to protect others. I thought of the EMT’s that rush to accidents, trying desperately to save lives. They are His hands and feet here on earth.  They are the ones He sends in to literally carry us out of danger, they bear and rescue us. These men and women are His image bearers.

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”  We use the term “God’s hand and feet” often, but I’m not sure we truly understand, it really is all of us. First Responders give us a vivid picture of what it means in extreme circumstances.  But so do working Mom’s who, after a long day at the office, come home to cook dinner and take care of their children. The loving wife as she cares for her ailing husband. The friend who drives in the middle of the night to hug you when they know you need it.  When we hold the door open for someone or smile at a stranger, all of these acts are ways we’re God’s hands and feet. All of us have a part to play.

I’m thankful for First Responders who put their lives on the line every day for us.  What are you thankful for?

“So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”  Romans 14:12 CSB

I’m thankful for my friend Sarene, she keeps me on track with Scripture.  I make mistakes when I write the Scripture reference sometimes at the top of the devotional.  Sarene double checks me every day. I’m writing this on Oct. 24th, I had the Scripture reference incorrect on the devotional.  I had Isaiah 41:3, but it was actually Isaiah 43:1. I transposed the numbers, which I do from time to time. Sarene reads the entire chapter of whatever verse I post each day with the devotional.  Her discipline helps me serve each of you better. And she does it with such love, this morning’s text is an example. “Good morning beautiful! The Scripture reference doesn’t seem to match the verse.”  I can accept correction when it is done with such love. But Sarene helps me more than she knows.

Full transparency, I struggle with pride, always have, always will.  When I started on this path of writing, I had some pride issues that needed to be addressed.  Sarene helped me do that, and still does. The first time she sent me a text that my Scripture was wrong, I didn’t receive it as well as I do now.  I pridefully thought I couldn’t make a mistake, not after how hard I worked to write the devotionals, especially the Scripture. How could I possibly get the Scripture wrong?  But you know what, she was right. I did have the Scripture reference wrong. Usually it’s a typo, or I reversed the numbers, but whatever the reason it’s wrong. I never want to get the Scripture references wrong, I’m so thankful Sarene double checks me.  I count on her too double check me now. Sarene has helped me receive feedback on my work. She helps me stay humble, realizing I’m fallible as the next person. Her diligence makes me a better writer. I’ve asked her to hold me accountable and she does with love and grace.  I’m grateful.

Accountability is something we all need, although we may not want it.  I establish accountability in all areas of my life. I attend WW for the accountability.  My husband and I have a budget, I’m accountable to him for the money I spend, as he is to me.  Sarene holds me accountable in my walk with God by making sure I get the Scriptures right. Ultimately, today’s Scripture means one day we will be accountable to God for all of our actions here on earth.  I know, left to my own devices I can get into trouble. But when I have family and friends who will lovingly correct me when I go astray, then I know I’m heading in the right direction.

Today I’m thankful for accountability.  What are you thankful for?

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy, dwell on these things.”  Phil. 4:8 CSB

Ten years ago on this day, in the middle of a violent thunderstorm, my friend Denny passed away.  His wife, Claudine was by his side. Denny was a transplant patient. Suffering from Hepatitis C, he needed a liver transplant.  They were on their way home from a doctor’s appointment in Richmond on 9/11/01 when they received a call they had found a match. He received a new liver that day.  Occurring on the same day as the falling of the twin towers, they had mixed emotions about the blessing. The donor was not a victim of the attacks. I met Denny shortly after the surgery.  I had become friends with Claudine in a women’s Bible study, a friendship that remains to this day. When I spoke at Denny’s memorial, I used today’s verse to describe him. Denny was all of those things to me.  He was an amazing guy I had the privilege to know.

I was single when I met Denny and Claudine.  They showed me what I wanted one day in a marriage.  They were best friends who loved Jesus together. Claudine and I would go for long bike rides together, often Denny would call while we were gone.  I never heard them hang up the phone without saying I love you. Denny had a patience with Claudine that was joyful to watch. He understood her in ways she didn’t understand herself.  When he passed, the heartache Claudine felt was hard to witness, their bond so close. But God was their core. He was their rock. Through them, I witnessed what a marriage centered on Jesus looked like up close and personal.  They didn’t put on pretense, they didn’t try to be someone they weren’t, they just tried to love like Jesus, always.

As I watched Denny’s journey, I saw his faith in God.  I watched his dependence on Him. Claudine and I did a Bible study on contentment in their home as Denny lay dying in the next room.  In the midst of their deepest valley, they sought God. I had the privilege of witnessing a faith like I had never seen before. I learned how intimately God is with us in our darkest moments.  I saw the faithfulness of God as He carried them through their days. I learned much about God through their friendship and the love they showed me. But I wouldn’t have met this amazing couple if it wasn’t for a Bible study. If I hadn’t signed up for Fit4Life, and sat beside Claudine, I would have never known the rest of the story. I would never have met Denny, I would never have experienced such a wonderful friendship.

Today, I’m thankful for Bible studies and the people they bring into my life.  What are you thankful for?

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2 CSB

At my age, I have heard a lot of pastors preach.  I am grateful for them all, but there is one pastor who is above all the rest for me.  Reverend T. Donald Hamilton is a man I will never forget.  I can see his smiling face as I write these words.  He was my very first pastor at Tidal Presbyterian church and I loved him.  I cannot remember a time when I did not see him smiling. He loved to laugh, he loved the Steelers.  I remember my father commenting the Rev. Hamilton couldn’t preach a sermon without a Steeler analogy in it somewhere.  Whether that is true or not, I honestly can’t remember. But I do know this, Rev. Hamilton loved me as one of his flock my whole life.  Long after we had left the hills of Tidal, he never lost touch with us. He always knew what was going on in our lives. The only request we could not fulfill for my mother’s funeral was having him perform the ceremony, he was too sick.  He passed away not too long after Mom. Reverend Hamilton taught me about Jesus, not only through his sermons, but through his life long friendship with my family.

We take pastors for granted.  We don’t realize the sacrifices they are making with their own families when they are sitting vigil with us in the hospital.  We don’t realize the time and effort they put into their messages, trying to help us know and love God better. We have no idea how hard it is, week after week, getting up and preaching to a congregation that shows no emotion, and doesn’t engage.  One of my friends who has been a pastor for over 40 years says this about being called into ministry, “Try and do anything else, and if you still feel called, then you know it is of God.” Being a pastor isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. Being a pastor is a commitment to love the flock God gives you, to shepherd them and help them battle the enemy attacks.  Being a pastor is a lifetime commitment that can only be understood if you are one. I learned that from Reverend Hamilton by the example he set.

I am thankful for Reverend Hamilton because he introduced me to Jesus.  I’ll never forget the Sunday when I was 12 years old. I can’t remember the content of the message, but I remember the way it made me feel.  His message that day had left me with an urgency to ask Jesus into my life like never before, and so I did. My life has never been the same.

I’m thankful for pastors.  What are you thankful for today?

“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 NIV

Today I am thankful for my niece Casey, her entrance into this world changed my life forever.  I haven’t written about her before because she doesn’t like me to write about her. She prefers her privacy.  Today is different though, today is her birthday, a day I will be grateful for forever. I was living in Pennsylvania, on a college trip to New York City the day she was born.  I did not get to meet her until Christmas. I instantly fell in love with her, I knew I had to move to Virginia. I wanted to be a part of her life, I didn’t want to miss a minute of it.  I wanted to be her Aunt Margie. My aunt had meant so much to me, had been a part of my life from the start, I wanted Casey to have an aunt like I had. Of course, I had big shoes to fill and fell deeply short of them, but I tried. 

I had managed to get on academic probation at the school I was attending the spring after Casey was born.  I had to go in front of the academic review board at the end of the semester. They told me I would have to take summer classes to make up the classes I had failed, then I would be able to attend in the fall.  I did as they said, making all A’s. When I went to register for my fall classes they told me I was not enrolled. I once again had to go in front of the academic review board. I will never forget that Tuesday.  They now had a whole new list of requirements for me to follow, some I knew were impossible to keep. I looked those scholarly men and women in the eyes and said, “No thanks.” I’ll never forget the shocked look on their faces as I left the room.  I went home, called my brother and told him I was moving in with him. I packed all I owned in green garbage bags, threw them in my old Chevy Cavalier and headed south on Thursday. Friday I began working two jobs to save for tuition to start school in January.  I don’t know if I would have done that if it wouldn’t have been for Casey. She is the closest thing to a daughter the Lord has given me, and I’m grateful. She is Cody’s sister, his best friend. She motivated me to make a life change I desperately needed to make.  God used her to get me where I am now.

I am grateful for Casey.  I am grateful for our afternoon naps together when she was a toddler.  I am thankful for the bike rides we took, the movies we saw, the fun we have had.  I am grateful that because of her, my life changed forever. May her life be blessed in all she does, may our relationship always be close, may she never doubt the love God and I have for her. 

Today I am thankful for Casey, my life change.  What are you thankful for?

“Looking at them, Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.”  Mark 10:27 CSB

The day before I wrote this, I had coffee with my young friend Julia.  As I stood in line with her and her Mom, Pat, the moment felt surreal. Just two months prior, we didn’t know if Julia was going to make it.  She had given up the will to live, she had lost all hope. In desperation, I posted in our group, asking for prayers and cards to be sent. Soon after the first card arrived, I heard hope in Pat’s voice,  hope I hadn’t heard in months. Things truly started to turn around. A new doctor was brought onto the case with fresh eyes. He had a solution, more surgery was required, but he felt confident it would work.  The surgery was successful, within weeks Julia was released from the hospital. Four weeks later, we stood together in line at Starbucks. I was standing beside a walking miracle. I never thought I’d see her like this again, yet God had other plans.

Julia’s story started in 8th grade.  She had cysts that caused her to be bed ridden for 2 weeks, being bed ridden caused her digestive system to begin to shut down.  This began an eight year journey that has included 10 major surgeries, the loss of her colon, rectum, gall bladder and a ⅓ of her small intestine.  She has seen doctor’s all over the country who didn’t know what to do for her. Her parents were her advocates as they searched for someone who could help their daughter.  She entered the hospital on April 6th this year, her mother’s birthday. She would not leave again until Sept. 30th, 2 days after her 21st birthday. On July fourth, the doctor’s in Virginia Beach said there was nothing more they could do for her.  At 9:00 that evening she was in an ambulance on her way to Duke University, her only hope. The days were dark, the valley was deep, hope was lost. But then strangers who didn’t even know her started to fill her room with cards. They told her how they were praying for her, how God loved her.  As I sat with them on the bright October day having coffee, they shared how they were comforted knowing others were praying for them when they had lost the ability to pray.

As I’ve walked with Pat and Julia through this, our faith has been tested.  Every time there seemed to be hope, it would be quickly dashed. We learned not to get excited when there seemed to be an end in sight, because it never was.  Even now, it’s hard to grasp the miracle that has happened. Yet it has. In January, Julia will start back to school, God willing. Why is it miracles are so hard to believe?  Over and over again, we see in His word the truth of miracles, yet have a hard time believing in them.

I’m thankful for Julia, she is a walking miracle I’m grateful to call friend.
What are you thankful for today?

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.  Therefore my heart celebrates, and I give thanks to Him with my song.”

I am thankful for the song that our founder Heather’s life sings for God.  Heather, as many of you know, has dedicated the last part of 2019 to head bowed, hands open.  Whatever prompting she gets from God, she’s following. In the time since she made that decision she has hosted a fundraiser, committed to leading the 6th grade girls group and spoken at a women’s retreat.  She meant what she said when she made a commitment to God to follow Him, no matter what He asked. She is passionate in her relationship with God, following Him to the best of her ability.

In the verse above, where it mentions, “my heart celebrating,”  I thought of it as the overflow of a passionate life lived for the Lord.  Our songs are the lives we lead, the choices we make. At our recent women’s retreat, Heather talked to us about fear.  She shared how she had overcome her own fears when she first started leading a group. From that one decision to take a step of faith, her life has never been the same.  Now, years later, she’s led several groups and started this one. God has used her willingness, her passion for Him, for His glory. At the end of her talk, Heather asked us to each write down the answer to a question.  What would you do for Jesus if you knew you wouldn’t fail? After we each had written our answer down, we passed our card around to someone else. We then spent time praying for whoever’s card we had, if we had any thoughts for them, we wrote those down as well.  We then read our card to the group, whoever’s card it was would then tell us a little about their dream. There is power in speaking your fears, there is power in praying for them, and for giving them to God. Heather challenged us to go after our dreams, pursue God will all of our hearts, not let our fears get in the way.

As you think back over your life, what song are you singing?  Are you living your best life now, or are you waiting for some unknown future time.  Heather’s willingness to live with her head bowed and her hands open, reminds us all, the time is now.  Don’t wait to do what God is prompting you to do, do it now. Trust in Him that He’ll show you the way. Follow Him passionately, let Him take you where He wants to take you.  Our days are numbered, only God knows how long we have. Don’t let fear keep you from achieving all God has for you.  

Today I’m thankful for Heather and her passion.  What are you thankful for?

“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.”  1 Timothy 4:4-5 CSB

Today I’m thankful for my new friend Carolyn who taught me about rest at our women’s retreat.  In her talk, she explained how rest is to be restorative for us. But each of us are not restored in the same way.  I loved this point she made. Often times, I think we all think there is a formula for rest, but there isn’t. I find rest when I spend time with my husband.  The day after the retreat, I found rest with him while watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  I had never seen the movies before, he had been wanting a rainy Sunday to watch them again.  We did just that. After church, I made a big pot of chicken noodle soup and we settled in for an afternoon of Tolkien.  We sat side by side.  We ate soup, we held hands.  We had a very restful day which restored both of us.  Others may find rest by working on a puzzle, or taking a nap.  Rest restores us, and we need it.

As Carolyn said, rest is “the first thing we cut, but should be the first thing we prioritize.”  She taught us how God incorporated rest into our lives by creating the Sabbath, a day where you cease to work.  We are commanded to have a day of rest in the 10 Commandments.  Rest is a way we show faith.  When we are resting, we’re showing God we trust Him to run the world, we don’t have too.  Rest restores our soul (Psalm 23:2-3 ESV).  Rest comes in many different forms for all of us, whatever restores us is rest.  Yet we don’t rest because we don’t think it is important. We have every intention of taking the day off, but then the kids have a ball game, your neighbor needs help or an unexpected project at work pops up.  When we don’t make time to rest, we’re playing into the devil’s hands. He wants us worn out and tired, he doesn’t have to work as hard at distracting us when we’re out of energy. When we’re depleted we don’t make good decisions, our brains get tired too.

Carolyn reminded me of the importance of rest.  Why do we need it, why we don’t get it, and what we need to do to get it.  One of my favorite quotes comes from her husband, “The good is the enemy of the best.”  He is so right. We think we’re doing good when we don’t prioritize rest in our lives because we’re doing something good.  We’re watching the ball game, helping the neighbor, doing the project. But in reality, the lack of rest is keeping us from doing our best.  We aren’t at our best if our heart isn’t in what we’re doing. If we’re resentful to be at the ball game, irritated to help our neighbor, or stressed while doing the project, that’s not our best.  Good is the enemy of best.

Today I’m thankful for Carolyn.  She taught me about rest. What are you thankful for?

“For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.”  Ecclesiastes 4:10 CSB

Today is my sister-in-law Jill’s birthday.  I’m thankful to Jill for teaching me what it is like to have a sister.  My sister was so much older than me, we never lived in the same house together, she seemed more like an aunt.  But Jill, seems like my sister, minus the “in-law.” I was still in highschool when we met and she’s been a part of the family ever since, it’s hard not to call her sister.  And Jill has always been there to pick me up when I’ve needed her too. She has always been able to see things in me I can’t see in myself. She helps me to see them too. We’ve had our good times, we’ve had our bad times, but we’ve always been family.

Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes, “Two are better than one because they have good reward for their efforts.  For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.  Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him.  A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 CSB).  We all need friends in our lives, people we can count on when we’re in the valleys of life.  

I recently watched the Lord of the Rings with my husband.  The friendship between Froto and Sam was the kind of friendship Solomon was talking about.  There is this poignant moment near the end of the movie. Froto can’t go any further, he has no energy left.  Sam, barely with any strength himself, picks him up and begins to carry him up the mountain. When Froto tried to leave him behind, multiple times, Sam just ignored him and kept going.  Sam knew the importance of the journey they were on, he knew the importance of reaching their destination. He also knew the heavy burden Froto was carrying with him, Sam helped him carry the burden.  I am blessed, because God has given me that type of friend in Jill. I am blessed because my brother chose well, and gave me a sister. I am blessed because I have a sister that helps carry my burdens.

Today I am thankful for sisters.  What are you thankful for?