40

 I am 40. 

When my parents were this age, they seemed ancient to me. This one hurts a little more than any other birthday. It signifies the passing of some eras that were sweet & sentimental. 

Nope- I don’t need to rewind to my 20’s… I’m good. But, my 30’s, they were wonderful, and so formative to who I am today.

Something about this aging process has brought out the real in me. Oh yes, I have some strong sentiments that I can boldly say at 40, that I would not have uttered at 30. You ready? It’s going to be a fun list:

Hummus- ew. I just can’t. I used to pretend I could just because it’s healthy… I used to buy it just to let it take residency on the second shelf of my fridge.

Washcloths & underwear, you know what they have in common? They are not worth folding. Drawers and baskets contain them just fine.

Top 40 radio- it’s mostly gone by the wayside… we may try the Kidzbop versions from time to time,  but as for me and my house, we shall not be well-versed in the slang and nuances of twenty-something writers. 

I can live without my phone… It makes me its slave so easily some days. 

The older I have gotten, the better my relationship has gotten with dessert. Amen! The temptation just isn’t there anymore! 

There’s nothing like being with my kids… there’s also nothing like being without them——even if just to drive thru Dunkin Donuts alone 😄.

There is no person who is too scary or intimidating to chat with.

My house is cluttered. I am not Joanna Gaines.

I am a better wife at 40 than ever before. Forgiveness, kindness, even “no commenting” go a LONG way. 

Opinions- this one is a BIGGIE. I am learning that the opinion of others is worth less than what I originally thought. I used to thrive in my youth on the opinions of others. Now? My audience has 1. The One who is sovereign, Creator, and over all. I need no applause or criticism if it’s not found in Him.

There’s my list… a little older and bolder, but I pray wiser by the day!  Thanking God today for all His blessings in my life, which unfold continually. Love to you all 🥰

Love Beyond Comprehension

”The Lord is merciful and loving, slow to become angry and full of constant love.” Psalms 103:8 

This verse was in my morning devotions, and it got me thinking...

Most humans could not be described this way. Instead we can insert any name and also the opposite of each adjective, and here is how we could describe many people- “ ____________ is bitter and rude, quick-tempered and filled with constant annoyance.”  (Yes, this could be me, and this could be you...depending on the day.)

Take the slowest grandpa driver and put him in front of you as you are on your way to work. What’s your reaction? 

Your toddler misplaced your wallet... how do you feel now?

Someone you love dearly just shattered your kitchen window, your feelings, or your plans. We react negatively, naturally.

But God, He reacts supernaturally, in all circumstances!

His love knows no bounds. He doesn’t get too tussled by your or my missteps.  He doesn’t want the mistakes of our yesterdays to be defining all of our tomorrows. 

In the Old Testament’s book of Exodus, he hand-picked the Israelites as His chosen people, and in my best attempt at a quick recap, He delivers them from slavery in Egypt, gives them protection through their desert journey (like splitting the Red Sea so they could walk on dry land & then allowing it to crash down upon the Egyptians pursuing them), and allows them to eventually arrive into a Promised Land where they could be a free people. He provided food and water in this hot and dry countryside. Yet, all was not well with these people.  They grumbled and complained in the desert and a journey of 11 days turned into 40 years!

Their people began a movement of unbelief. God was angered but still chose love. God provided some guidance in the form of the 10 Commandments, as a way of showing how much he wanted them to succeed. The mistrust of God brought on new worship of false gods, and in time, God chose to give the Promised Land to a generation of younger, believing Israelites.

We are not THAT different than these wanderers of the desert. We can be stubborn, unbelieving, and way too proud of ourselves. We tend to take credit, take advantage, and D-I-Y our way through life without often consulting the One who brings forth the sunrise of our days. We grumble and complain when things aren’t just right, even though we have been provided for time and time again. We, humans, so easily forget His faithfulness.

And God? He shows us mercy every time. He is the standard by which we should live. 

Aren’t we glad He is not thrown this way and that by emotions? 

Aren’t we blessed to be loved constantly, and not just when we behave?

Isn’t it amazing He is ready to hear us when we are ready to chat with Him?

Now, obviously, we are not Him, but in the best of my days, I would love to think that my children, husband, friends, or family would describe me with the attributes of Psalm 103:8...... I desire to be merciful and loving, slow to anger, and full of constant love. My guess is that you would, too.

If I could draw one analogy from this passage in Exodus, I would liken the desert of the Israelites’ wandering to the hardest times in your own personal journey.... but may God’s qualities and displays of love inspire you to live out the same in your life!

While everyone else is choosing to grumble may you not. While the rest of your family is easily angered, may your temper not sway! While others have difficulty showing compassion, may you overflow with it. 

Folks, may these qualities be what set us apart from the rest of the world! May we be so genuine in our character that it is unmistakable that we could be believers of God.

Lastly, may you know the love of our good God. He loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). May you cling to Him, run to Him, seek Him daily. You will find yourself set apart and ready for any of your personal “desert days”.  Allow your faith to make a tangible difference in your life and the lives of others.

The verses below are a collection that all describe God’s goodness. May they share the truths that God is for you, loves you, and wants to be in fellowship with you, in ALL of your days in this journey.

“For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below — there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:38-39‬ ‭

“LORD, your constant love reaches the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the skies. Your righteousness is towering like the mountains; your justice is like the depths of the sea. People and animals are in your care.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭36:5-6‬ ‭

“Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:17‬ 

“He is good to everyone and has compassion on all he made.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145:9‬ ‭

“So that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love. Yes, may you come to know his love — although it can never be fully known — and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:18-19‬ ‭

Control Freak

The following is a short collection of reminders about our power to control...

I cannot control others- their feelings, their responses, their actions.

I cannot control disparaging circumstances like sickness, injustice, poverty, accidents, or death.

I cannot control the weather.

I cannot control the government.

I cannot control the sin of the world.

I cannot control changes in life, stages of growth, the ever-ticking clock.

Most of life is really beyond my control, and if I am not careful, I can start to think that there is something I should be able to do, or manipulate, or remedy every situation...be the fixer of all.  

We love the modern conveniences of swift service, curbside pickup, instant gratification. Perhaps more than any other era of humans, we struggle the most with the things we cannot control because we know very few limits to our precious realm of power. Recently, I marveled at the fact that I ordered my coffee and breakfast items on my Dunkin Donuts app from my driveway, and then while I waited in that drive-thru, I finalized my grocery order online as well. (I should remind you I am a child of the 80’s and late to all the techie parties.)

There is so much readily available to us, that when the solution is beyond our grasp, we are at a loss, a REAL loss.... this is a rarity to us. It is unbelievable and unthinkable that we can’t just solve it or make it go away.

In the true depths, though,  the valleys of this life, where the hurt is bottomless and hope feels non-existent, where you have NO POWER  or ability to control the outcome—— this the battleground at which you are held, as God is working. And as you trust in Him, the Bible promises that, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

The moments at which you can no longer flex a physical, emotional, spiritual, relational muscle, then you are at your strongest place- because the Maker of the Earth is fighting on your behalf. You have never been stronger than in this place- for God is in the pit with you, and you are not in control, but He is! Amen!!

Paul says it this way, “He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me... That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  for when I am weak, then I am strong. “ 2 Corinthians 12:10

For all the things we cannot control, abide every second with the One who can. Remind yourself again and again of His goodness, mercy, & sovereignty. Walk closely, walk wisely with God, who never runs out of power. 

For certain, babies will cry at night. Bad drivers will be in front of you. Loved ones will get sick. A President will irk you. You will be offended by words carelessly spoken.... battles will come, some large and some small.  

To remain immovable and strong throughout the suffering is only possible when you are leaning upon the mighty power of God. He supports you. He gives you the daily strength. He supplies your portion when you cannot. 

Read this: You are strongest when you are LEANING.

For the things you can’t control in this life, your posture is one of yielding, bowing, and surrendering the fight to the only One who can work out the solution. It will be His timing and in His way, but the peace He can afford you is far greater than your power to control any situation.

Philippians 4:6-7-   “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”