Walk in His Way in 2014

Friends of Faith:

Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways. Ps 128: 1

I often wonder what my life would be like if I could, in my humanity, completely live this one single Psalm, this one line of scripture.

I often wonder what ALL our lives, our community and our world would be like if we ALL could truly, completely, walk in His way—if evil and temptation, society and deception never entered our lives.

And Sunday, this Psalm was followed by the beginning of my favorite “to be” readings, a reading I continually strive to live better. Another reading that makes me wonder if….

Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col 3:12-21

I know that to live this sacred reading completely seems “idealistic,” difficult and virtually impossible for mere human beings.

But we aren’t “just” human… Through our baptism we are God’s children. And God makes all things possible. Possible to try, possible to hope, possible to forgive, possible to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient, for it is what HE calls us to do.

And then the peace of Christ will control our hearts.

It is possible to hope and to pray that everyone we love will join us in faith, because God makes possible the gift of faith to everyone. And he gives everyone the free will to open their hearts and eyes to be taught by example through the peace and joy surrounding us in our own lives.

So have the courage to mentor, teach, and if necessary admonish and ultimately seek forgiveness for those who sell God and their faith short.

Heavenly Father, In the name of Jesus, I give thanks to You in all that I do. I yearn for and seek patience with those who seem to discount Your goodness. Give me compassion and kindness in abundance for those who are unaware of Your gifts in their lives. May the joy, the peace and the hope I have been given as a gift bring others to seek You, to know You and to Love You. Thank you for the gift of faith which controls my heart and helps me to walk in Your way. Amen.

Be thankful and let the peace of Christ dwell in you richly. And may God grant you an abundance of faith and forgiveness to share with others.

May your lives be blessed by Your resolve to Walk in His Way in 2014.
Happy New Year,
Charlotte

Caught in the Storm

Women of Faith:

I was awakened this morning to continuous lightening, wind and rain pounding against my window and darkness caused by no electricity, tree branches, roof shingles and debris scattering across our yard. I can’t remember the last time we actually felt the need to go to the basement in the storm, but this morning was one of them.

The weather seemed to be reflecting the storm of my out of control life. All I really wanted was the peace of a calm restful night.

Summer has always been busy, but for some reason the last few weeks (and the upcoming several) have made me feel as if I am caught in a storm not of my own making. While the calendar isn’t all that full of “have to’s,” there seems to be a continuous list of responsibilities and needs, all seemingly urgent.

We’ve had travel plans and company; parties and friends; good times and sad times with friends and family. I feel like I have a million things to do but no time to do any of them. My list of “to dos” is growing faster than I can write. And I am having a hard time deciding what should be made the priority.

I feel caught in the storm.

I keep trying to get my bearings, to stand up straight and to find the light but I am being knocked around by heavy branches and worldly debris. I feel like I am running against the wind.

Every project, every responsibility has a deadline and that deadline was yesterday; every need seems to have an urgent desire to be fulfilled, and every friend and family problem seems to be something of great importance.

No I’m not complaining about life. I know that I have more than I need. I know that simply living in America gives me blessings that I consider “basic” and the rest of the world can’t even comprehend.

I am blessed by friends and family to love and that love me. I have enjoyed opportunities to be in their presence, whether for a few short hours or a few precious days. I have food, shelter, clothing, a job, health, a standing barn and freedoms that many only dream of.

Just making the list of these basic gifts makes me feel overwhelmingly guilty. And I am reminded that my purpose isn’t of this world; that God will provide my daily needs and that my reliance on God is really all that is important.

“Then would the waters have overwhelmed us; the torrent would have swept over us. Over us then would have swept the raging waters. Blessed be the LORD, who did not leave us." PS 124: 4-6

I know that the storm that I feel is just His way of saying there is something far more important than my wants, than my desires. That the storm I am caught in is of my own making.

What I also know is that God is using both the physical, thunderstorm; and the mental, struggling, out of control feeling; to remind me that it is God who is supposed to have control of my life.

He is reminding me that I need to remember my blessings; he is reminding me that He
is in protecting me. He is reminding me to PRAY, to be quiet and to listen. And He is reminding me that I need Him in my life more than I need any of the other things I am trying “to do.” That His Spirit will work if I let it. That He will sort out the priorities if I let Him.

Heavenly Father, I praise You who are all powerful, You who never leaves me, and You who that always protects me. Thank you for being the light in the darkness of the storm. Thank you for protecting me from the debris of life. And thank you for my many blessings. Help me to allow you to have control of the turmoil that is life. I look forward to the peace granted by Your Spirit in the calm after the storm. Amen.

I pray that you will all be protected from the storms of life (and weather) this week.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Life is One BIG Prayer!

Women of Faith:

Where is God in this moment? Is God in your relationship, no matter who or where you are?

“Where two or more are gathered in my name…. I am there.” Are we praying together (with our spouse, or our faith family) to ask God’s guidance and help to make our relationships more meaningful?

As a child—our parents meet our basic needs and they are to be the “first teachers. Is God in this relationship helping the parents to teach the child how important God should and will be as they grow?

As a young adult—we are given the freedom to explore and make choices, tough choices. God will always be our conscience to remind us of right and wrong—if we let Him.

As we begin new careers—We put ourselves in places where we can touch others with our faith and are often reminded that everything in life won’t go OUR way. But, there is a better way: God’s way. Each time we make a new relationship, we are also making new decisions (career, personal and spiritual) Do we let God guide us, both to choose our friends and make our decisions?.

Newly married—placing God firmly in the center of a new relationship from the very beginning. The “honeymoon time” serving as an example of peace and harmony and true love to always return us to the sacramental relationship, and the covenant we make as two with God.

As young parents—we become isolated in the noise, sleep deprived in our needs. Prayer is what will get us through the day, if we find time, even a second to give our burdens to God. Our young children will feel His presence if we feel His presence. But we must remember to look for it. Special dates with our spouse brings us back together as a couple so that we are always remined that He is at the center of our family. The husband and wife relationship is designed by God to be the journey to closeness with God. It is where God’s love culminates as we begin each new life.

Parents caught in the middle—Too busy to slow down, with tough reminders, decisions and sufferings as we watch teenagers grow. We have to make time for each other, take time to pray, to worship and to look for God in every moment. If we are without prayer, we are without God and we will lose focus, we will lose our way. Is God with you? Are you praying enough? Are you giving Him control so that the stresses become less of a burden?

Middle age and empty nested—A time that can be just as isolated, unless God is in the middle, or at the center of our relationships. All those previous reminders to pray are building blocks, each one becoming stronger. They are reminders that we are not here for ourselves, but to serve each other as family members, especially husband and wife, but also serving our neighbors together. We will feel both sadness and joy as our children make their own choices. Are we asking God not only to be part of our lives, but to help guide those we love?

Grandparents—We get wrapped around a little person again. And yet our control has been taken away, because they live too far away, even if they are in the house next door. Love, trust, pray, and give God control. AGAIN in the center of all of our relationships!

Growing old, maybe without our best friend—Ah, sadness, but if life has become one big prayer, we will be asked by God to return to Him, through nature, and also through the natural return of service by others giving back to us. We will finally have time to truly look at His beauty in nature. This is the final surrender of our sufferings and control. Our hearts will be full if we have let God be our prayer!

Dear God, Praise be Your place in my life. Thank you that no matter where I am, You are with me. Help me to always return to you. Help me to let you control each moment of each day. In each stage of life when I feel isolation, please be with me. Help me to allow Your Word to guide me and your arms to carry me. May my heart always be open to your grace and love. Thank you for shouldering the burdens of my sufferings and my aloneness. Help me to feel your love, accept your comfort and find peace in the journey through faith, hope and love. Amen.

Where is God in your life today? Give Him control so that you will have the grace of love and peace today. Life is a Prayer.

Blessings,
Charlotte