Susan Allen Panzica: disappointments

Showing posts with label disappointments. Show all posts

Forget it! Or Remember?

Happy New Year!

On Jan. 1st, I updated my facebook status to read:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Is. 43:18-19

Seemed like the perfect verse to usher in the new year along with Paul’s words from Phil 3:13-14 “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Seems like starting a new year gives us opportunity to do a lot of forgetting.

Yet I also recall verses that tell me to do just the opposite – remember!

Repeatedly in Scripture the Lord urges His people to remember – His covenants with them, what He has done for them (and us), what they (and we) had been, how they (and we) angered God, how He forgave.

In fact, Isaiah himself who wrote “forget the former things” also wrote:

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” Isaiah 46:9

So what’s a girl to do?

Forget or remember??

Well - a little of both.

Alas, I find myself remembering things that have little value, hurtful things, foolish things, things that should be long forgotten. These are the things that Isaiah says to forget – “do not dwell in the past.” In Paul’s description of the race of life, these things are weights that drag us down and keep us from pressing on toward the goal.

What we are to dwell on, to remember, is the God that is like no other. The One who redeemed us when we were unworthy, the One who sustained us when we couldn’t go on, the One who grants us peace beyond understanding, the One who helps us to love the unlovable and who loves us unconditionally, the One who made us and REmade us.

So in 2016, what will you remember? And what will you forget?

New Year - new news!!! My website is all new! Please visit me at susanpanzica.com. To continue receiving these blogposts, visit the Eternity Cafe page and subscribe. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement over the years. I pray you will enjoy the new site and future posts for years to come. Let's talk! I welcome all comments and feedback.

Of Birth and Death

The picture above is at the WTC memorial.
The rose was placed on Bruce's birthday.
This photo honors both his birth and death.

Today is one of those days where you can’t help but remember the exact moment when you heard the news. You know where you were, who you were with, what you were doing. I was standing in my kitchen watching the smoke billowing from the World Trade Center, a building I worked in for 11 years.

Each year brings another anniversary of a day that changed the world as we knew it, a day we commemorate the lives that were lost.

So often we are living in the aftermath of an event that left us full of tears. Now we’re in a dark time, experiencing the pain of suffering, despair, heartache.

Much like the disciples must have felt on the Saturday after the crucifixion.

They waited in their despondency, unaware of what was to happen the next morning; the joy of new life, resurrection, rising from the ashes of pain.

And that’s where faith grows.

On Saturday, I heard barely a peep about the snow, just that 2-4 inches were expected. We got 12-14 inches.

But on Monday, the coming snow was all anyone could talk about on TV, radio, social media. Blizzard warnings and expectations of 18-24 inches, whirred people into a frenzy.

It turned out to be the storm that wasn't. Oh we did get snow, about 8 inches in my area, but the storm stayed farther east than expected and hit areas farther north.

"Jan. 27, 2015 will go down in the annals of history as the day New Jersey came to a standstill for a blizzard in another state." nj.com

Forecasters blamed it on "sinking air" and gushed apologies. “My deepest apologies to many key decision makers and so many members of the general public,” said Gary Szatkowski, meteorologist-in-charge ... “You made a lot of tough decisions expecting us to get it right, and we didn't. Once again, I'm sorry.”

From politicians to business owners to school superintendents to stay-at-home moms, we all made decisions based upon expectations: closing services and roads, early dismissals from schools and businesses, buying more groceries than we could consume in a month.

People complained when we were expecting snow.

Then they complained when we got less than expected.

What was it that fueled these complaints? Not the snow, but rather the expectations of it and their response to those expectations.

It's not just about snowfalls. It's about life.

Disappointment is a direct result of expectations that aren't valid. <<Click to tweet>>

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Mark 10:21-22

“Follow Me.”

What if the rich young ruler made a different choice? What plans did Jesus have for him that he missed?

Jesus offers us the same opportunity.

To read more, join me over at Laced With Grace.

Seriously??

The following is a guest post from Donna Bolster:

photo credit: Donna Bolster

Ah, spring is finally here!
But what is this?
Snow?
On April 16??
SERIOUSLY???

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my windshield, icy and crusty ~ certainly not what I expected! I was on a mission to get to work early. But this put a wrinkle in my plan.

Suddenly I thought about the women on a mission to Jesus' tomb to anoint his body for burial. They were probably thinking:

Ah, our Messiah is finally at peace.
But what is this?
The tomb is empty?
On Sunday morning??
SERIOUSLY???

The women couldn't believe their eyes when they saw it abandoned. It was certainly not what they expected. And it definitely put a wrinkle in their plan.

God wrinkles our plans with unexpected situations. Sometimes they are blessings; sometimes they come as trials; sometimes they hardly make any difference at all. But in every situation, God seeks to be glorified. He designs every situation to point us to Him.

We can see His plans as wrinkles in our plans, or we can look for the blessings and hurry to tell everyone we know about the ways that He works, as those women did on that first Resurrection Day.

Well, all I know is that the snow cleaned all that nasty spring pollen off my car. And now it is gleaming almost as brightly as my resurrected Lord on that Sunday! I praise Him for all the situations in my life. Let me glorify Him, look toward Him and see the blessings in everything that comes my way.

Hallelujah! Happy Resurrection Day!

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Matt. 28:6-8

Donna's personal mission statement is to continuously grow in God's power and to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit in her daily life -- in short, to be a good and faithful servant. She is a blessed wife, mother and grandmother, and a leader in her church and at her workplace.

Dying to Defensiveness - How Silence Can Make Us More Like Jesus

Last Wednesday, I attended the Ash Wednesday contemplative service at my church. What a blessing to take an hour to simply rest and ponder the sacrifice Jesus made for us, for me. At various stations, we had the opportunity to read Psalms, take communion, remember Gethsemane, etc. When I read this verse, I was moved to tears despite its familiarity:

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. John 19:1-3

To continue reading, click over to Circles of Faith.

Snow Day Lessons

Bringing back a post from 4 years ago - evidently another snowy winter.

Feb. 13, 2014 - and it ain't over yet!

Today's post is just stating the obvious -
there are lessons to be learned in the storm, any storm.

God never wastes a hurt, a problem, a sorrow when yielded to Him. In every storm, there's something to be learned, an attribute to be developed, an insight to be gleaned. And once again, today's snowstorm provided more blog fodder.

I keep hearing the refrain, "This winter just won't end. I'm ready for spring already." Well, that makes for pleasant small talk. We can all commiserate, but the truth is that winter will end. It always does. Even if you live in Alaska or Antarctica, there are seasons. Winter will become less fierce in those regions. For us, don't expect winter to end yet. It officially ends in March, not February, but it will end. In the summer, we'll be saying, "This summer is so hot, it just won't end." But it will end. It always does.

Life has its seasons, too. When my son came back from one of his mission trips, he desperately wanted that spirit-filled mountaintop feeling to continue forever, but with each passing day, he slowly settled into the "ordinaries.” We shared that if all our time were spent on the mountaintop, it too would be come ordinary, not a unique, sacred, set apart time. Also, if all our time was spent on the mountaintop, we'd be useless to those who need us in the valley. We'd miss the lessons that He teaches us in the deep, dark seasons of our souls. Jesus can calm any storm. If He lets the storm rage, He will calm the child.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter was eager to set up tents to remain there on the mountain. But the gospel writers all say that Peter didn't know what he was talking about (Mt. 17, Mk. 9, Lk. 9). Jesus didn't spend all His time on the mountaintop, but He did make it a point to have some time there. A season, if you will.

Years ago, when my husband and I honeymooned in Hawaii, we met a guy who told us that he had to fly to California once a month to get away from the sameness. Paradise - sameness? Are you kidding? But he wasn't kidding.

Here in NJ, I do feel blessed to experience the variety of seasons.

And may it help me to remember that spiritually, there are seasons, too. The chill of winter will end - it always does. The scorch of summer will end - it always does.

And until it does, let's remember and appreciate that there are lessons to be learned in the season that will make the next season easier to endure.

Some seasonal encouragement:

Be prepared in season and out of season… 2 Tim. 4:2

She is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Psalm 1:3

Have you experienced a storm that yielded a lesson learned?

ps - as I post this, I'm listening to the roar of the snowblower as my husband is outside hard at work in the midst of the storm. This is a lesson to me now - to not wait out our storms doing nothing but fearing or complaining or just being lazy. Let's do what we can when we can even though it can be difficult at the time. Otherwise, when the snow stops or the issue calms down, the mess left behind will be much harder to deal with.

pps - here are 2 other posts from that snowy year. Enjoy!

Snow Day Lessons - Part 1
Snow Day Lessons - Part 2
Oh boy! Reading these, I seem pretty smart then, what happened??? Why can't I remember what God shows me??

Ok I promise - that's it from me for now ;D How about you? What lessons is God teaching you through your storms?

I WILL!

Driving to the airport following the She Speaks conference, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting next to our driver, Bug. Among other things, we talked about the men's group he leads at his church in NC.

The whole time we talked, I couldn't help but stare at his bracelet.

/========== I WILL ==========\

Bug shared that the bracelet is from his men's group study on the book Courageous. The men are encouraged to "man up!" and take responsibility to be the godly husband and dad they're called to be. The other side of the bracelet says I RESOLVE.

But for me the I WILL was huge.

I usually fall into the I WANT TO camp, often falling short of completing what I set out to do.

I want to send a note or make a call to let a friend know I'm thinking of her.
I want to 'ship' some writing pieces but I keep "perfecting" them which is in reality just procrastination.
I want to finish projects around the house but I keep finding some other "priority" to do instead.
I want to be faithful in reading the Word, but sometimes my eyes just glaze over the words on the page, that is if I even take out my Bible in the first place.

My "want to's" are pretty well established.

But if I'm honest, I'll call it what it is - sin. That's what Paul called it:

The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? Rom. 7:21-24 MSG

Thankfully, Paul doesn't stop there. He answers that question with this:

The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. Rom. 7:25-8:2 MSG

I'm painfully aware that there is an enemy who doesn't want me to do kingdom work. Since I'm easily distracted, he'll dangle some bright shiny thing to divert my attention whenever I start about my task. If you're a task-oriented person, he'll use some other tactic.

But let's also be aware that he is a defeated foe. We stand in victory, already bought and paid for!

My action steps following this conference are bullet-points on the back page of my workbook. I want to do them, but will I DO them?

Yes.

Yes, /===I WILL===\

When tempted with distraction, I will remember that bracelet and I WILL do what's He's called me to.

There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Phil 1:6 MSG

The One Who calls you is faithful and He will do it. 1 Thess. 5:24 NIV

What do you struggle with wanting to do, but not actually doing it? Let’s be accountability partners! Leave a comment below. Together, let’s say I WILL, and then let’s DO IT!

Joy is a choice

When the Apostle Paul was in a Roman prison, he wrote several letters. His prison was no Ritz Hotel, and he was chained to a Roman guard night and day. His freedom robbed, he nevertheless continued on his mission. He opens his letter to the Philippian church by thanking God and praying for them. Then he goes on to say:

To keep reading and for a great tip on how to cultivate joy in troubled times, click here where I'm at Laced With Grace.

Oklahoma Hope

"So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation." 1 Peter 5:10

This verse above was how I ended my last post - a post about rubbish being restored. Who knew? Who knew what devastation was to occur within 36 hours of that post? Only God.

It's hard, no it’s impossible, for me to hold it together seeing the images and hearing the stories from Oklahoma. The children. The destruction. The seemingly randomness of it all. Why were some spared while others were obliterated?

To read the rest, please click over to Circles of Faith where I am a contributing writer.

From Rubbish to Restored

SLOW DOWN!!! My husband Tony shrieked as I drove down the street. I thought there was mortal danger ahead and nearly caused some myself, but no - he wanted to scan the yard sale we were passing.

And that's why I don't drive when he's in the car.

But this week, he was passing a house in lovely Franklin Lakes when he spotted an amp sitting at the curb. Being the master guitar player (and garbage picker – you didn’t hear that from me) that he is, he couldn’t resist. He stopped, and the owner told him that the amp was broken and Tony was free to take it. And being the master Mr. Fixit that he is, he did just that. He took it home and repaired it to work perfectly!

This is life with Tony.

Sometimes we feel like that amp - broken, useless, good for nothing but the garbage heap. At one time, we were new, clean and fresh, but life was hard. We might have been treated badly. Perhaps we were ignored or overlooked. Maybe we made some bad choices that hurt others or ourselves. And now we feel wounded or inadequate.

We feel like the amp out on the curb might feel – broken, defeated, alienated, separated from what could have been.

What we need is life with Jesus, the original Mr. Fixit. He takes our broken pieces and makes them like new.

Throughout Scripture, God restores His people, their health, their wealth, their hopes. He restored nations and order. He restored “the crushed spirit of the humble and revived courage of the repentant” (Is 57:15). He brought “sparkle to eyes” (Ps 13:3)

Jesus comforted the alienated and the outcast. He healed the infirmed. He made people useful and vibrant again. And He still does this today. If we let Him.

Will you let Him in today? Will you enter into life with Jesus? How can I pray for you, beloved?

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” 1 Peter 5:10

How To Run The Race

Are you facing disappointments or setbacks? Consider the Olympians who did NOT achieve perfection, who were NOT lauded by the media, but who finished their races nevertheless.

Today I'm over at Laced With Grace sharing about pressing on in the race of life. Won't you join me there?

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Get Rid Of It - For Real

I was so proud of myself.

I've been digging, sorting, and clearing out stuff.

I bagged it, washed it, and carted it to the car to be donated to Ditto, the "upscale resale thrift shop" that raises funds for my kids' alma mater.

Felt like a real accomplishment.

The problem is Ditto's hours of operation aren't in sync with my hours of operation ;D I can't seem to get there before closing time.

And so I have been driving around with my discarded stuff for a week. I went through it - did the inventory. I identified and separated it. I even moved it. But I haven't really gotten rid of it. I plan to, but it's still there hanging around. Moving around. I stopped short yesterday to avoid a car that ran a stop sign, and heard a symphony of shuffles as the stuff in back slid toward the front.

In order for me to actually get rid of this stuff, I have to make a change. I need to change my habits and rearrange my schedule. I have to move out of my comfort zone.

I have some other stuff I'd like to get rid of. Fear, anger, resentment, jealousy. I have done some soul-searching. Taken inventory. Identified what needs to be addressed. Felt some pride and a sense of accomplishment in that.

But that stuff is still hanging around. An unwelcome remark or a difficult situation becomes like that car running a stop sign bringing all that stuff toward the front, a symphony of emotions sliding around my interior. So how do I actually get rid of it - for real?

Paul says, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." But he doesn't leave it at that.
He continues with, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." (Eph. 4:31-32)

James instructs us, "Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent"
And like Paul he goes on, "and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, .. Do what it says." (James 1:21-22)

To get rid of these unwanted emotions and behaviors, I need to move beyond identifying them. I need to replace them with desired behaviors. Clearing out the old creates a void and the old will slide right back in if there isn't something already in its place.

Replace resentment and anger with forgiveness.
Replace doing evil with doing what the Word says.

Then I'll be getting rid of it - for real!

How about you? Do you have unwanted stuff hanging around? How can you clear it out? For real? Let's talk about it.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Dear friends,

Today is my debut as a contributing writer at the devotional blog, Laced With Grace.

www.lacedwithgrace.com

In New Jersey, we have been devastated by flooding. Today's post reflects on the how's and why's some people suffer yet some are spared.

Please click the link to visit me over at Laced With Grace. And pretty please leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you, and will respond ;D

Blessings,
Susan

Hang in there!!

There they sit, like giant beached whales. Mounds of snow, at the edges of fences, by the sides of highways, in corners of parking lots. For the entire winter, our lawns were cloaked in white. The recent rain, wind and warmer weather washed away much of the snow; yet there still remain piles of graying white.

Each of those snowflakes that fell en masse last December were so delicate, it’s amazing that they are still present in March. What can we learn from these fragile flakes that have such staying power?

1. They stick together.
Despite the fact that one person can make a difference - which I absolutely believe - it is also true that there is power in numbers.
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We simply were not made to go it alone. God made us to be part of a body, His body. He made us for fellowship. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another. Heb 10:25
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God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness..." Gen 1:26 He is one God, but He is a plural God (like one family or one class or one snowstorm are singular, yet plural.) He is in fellowship with Himself. We are made in His image, and therefore, we need to be in the fellowship of believers. We are made that way for a reason. We are stronger together than we are alone.
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Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Eccl. 4:12
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2. They were pushed out of their comfort zone.
Oh, it’s so much easier to stay within our comfort zone, isn’t it? But those flakes that remained so comfortable out on the open lawn were the first ones to melt away. It was the plowed flakes, the ones that got pushed and shoved around that remained. If the snowflakes could speak, they would say that it sure didn’t feel good at the time. To the snowflake, the plow seemed brutal, a real bully. But it was precisely because it yielded to the plow that it survived.
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When we don’t understand our circumstances or we have to change our status quo, we have to recognize that there is Someone greater than ourselves in control, Someone who has our best interests at heart.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11
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Recently, a friend shared this excellent quote with me:
"Comfort is the breeding ground for mediocrity. Hardship makes you find your greatness."

If you’ve been trying to go it alone or if you’ve been facing a difficult struggle, hang in there. Remember the frail snowflake that first arrived in December and is still hanging around in March; and recognize that you are on the road to greatness!

ps - the winner of our giveaway book The Hole In Our Gospel is Marja Meijers. Congratulations Marja, and thank you so much for your encouraging comments and for sharing Eternity Cafe.

Stuff

I heard a song recently that struck a chord with me. It wasn’t the tune which got me. In fact, when I first heard it, I was ready to dismiss the song as fluff, “gospel-lite”, not worthy of my attention. But the words convicted me deeply.
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Too often, I’m derailed by small things, things that are so trivial it’s embarrassing to admit I’m bothered by them, “stuff” as Francesca Battistelli calls them. In a world where people experience deep suffering, why do I allow these small matters to rob me of joy and peace?
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The Bible refers to small annoyances such as these as “little foxes that ruin vineyards.” Song of Sol 2:15
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Many small things have great impact.
• A poor widow donated two small coins and was honored for it.
• A young boy shared a lunch of two small fish and five loaves, and it was used to feed thousands.
• The mustard seed is the “smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants...” Mk. 4:31-32
• “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” Jms 3:5
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Small things can have large consequences -- negative ones or positive ones -- depending upon our response to them. We’re given a choice: to just be irritated OR to allow God to use these irritations to shape our character like a file smooths a rough surface.
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This is the Stuff - Francesca Battistelli

I lost my keys in the great unknown

And call me please 'Cuz I can't find my phone

This is the stuff that drives me crazy

This is the stuff that's getting to me lately

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I'm blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin

But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing

It might not be what I would choose

But this is the stuff You use

...

So break me of impatience my frustrations

I've got a new appreciation

It's not the end of the world

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HteoxWzAT8

Is Jesus in the attic?

Since the snow in the Northeast began on Dec. 26th, we haven’t seen lawns; Christmas decorations are still out; and the roadways have had fewer clear days than treacherous ones. Central Park in NYC had a record 53 days of snow-covered grass.
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I have to admit that our own nativity display is still out. We haven't been able to get to it due to the amount of snow and ice covering it. After it was buried with the first snowfall, more and more just piled on top of it. Our other decorations were stored away, but we just couldn't put Jesus back in the attic.

And maybe that's why sometimes things just keep piling up in our lives -- so that we don't put Jesus away. We have a sorry tendency to tuck Jesus away in a corner when things are going well, but when there's tribulation, we call out to Him in greater measure. I've heard it said - nothing improves your prayer life better than big trouble.

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I think with this weekend’s warmer weather, we may be able to finally put away our nativity set. We’ll put away the plastic Jesus, but not His presence.
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"You have made known to me the paths of life;

You will fill me with joy in Your presence."

Acts. 2:28.

While You Were Waiting...

I’ve read it a hundred times. OK maybe not a hundred, but a lot.

The Book of Acts, one of my favorite books in the Bible, full of drama, history, theology.

Chapter 17, one of my favorite chapters, where Paul delivers a powerful message in Athens.

Our adult Sunday School class is studying it. Paul fled to Athens because those Thessalonian rabble-rousers started to agitate the Bereans. Silas and Timothy stayed behind in Berea until Paul’s other travelmates came back for them.

And there it was:
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. Acts 17:16-17

While Paul was waiting…. The 4 little words screamed for my attention.

How many times had I read the inspired sermon that follows these verses and missed the fact that Paul was alone as he wandered around the city, waiting for his fellow workers to join him to begin ministry in this new locale.

“God’s Waiting Room.” I’ve heard the term, even said the term myself. It’s that period of time spent waiting for our life to begin anew.

“When this happens, then I will…”
“When I get a job, get married, have a baby, then I will …”
“When the chemo is over, then I will…”
“When I discover my gifts, then I will…”

Years ago, I heard Elisabeth Elliot share, “We should wait on the Lord the way a waiter waits on tables.” How does a waiter wait? Serving. How may I help you? What can I do for you?

That’s what Paul did. “Paul was waiting . . . So he …” He was distressed with what he saw (idols everywhere) and “so he reasoned with” whoever was around. He didn’t lament that his companions weren’t with him. He didn’t wait until his team was in place. He saw and he served right where he was.

In my husband’s chiropractic office, we have what some call a Waiting Room. We don’t; we call it a Reception Area. There’s a tv monitor that has streams facts about our amazing bodies. The reading materials are about health or about the Lord. Our intention in that room is that while the patients are waiting, they are being prepared to meet the doctor or meet their Maker (not in the fatal sense of the phrase!)

The “waiting room” can be a place of worry or anxiety, a place of uncertainty not knowing what the future holds. It can be a place of preparation for that future. Or like Paul, it can be a place to (cliché alert) “bloom where you’re planted.”

In the allegory book, Hinds Feet On High Places, the character Much-Afraid is on a journey to her Shepherd. At a lonely severe rugged spot, she meets a tiny flower nestled among the rocks. It’s name: Acceptance-With-Joy. The Shepherd later tells her, “When you wear the weed of impatience in your heart instead of the flower Acceptance-With-Joy, you will always find your enemies get an advantage over you.” Her enemies are our enemies: Resentment, Craven Fear, Bitterness, Pride.

On Sunday, our dear friend Irene was in the Sunday School class. She spent most of last year alone in her apartment, exhausted from the chemo she regularly received. Now that her strength is slowly returning, she eagerly makes the long drive to church each Sunday. I asked her about her time spent waiting. Her answer: “It was so difficult, but I got so close to the Lord during that time, I wouldn’t change it for anything.” Irene faithfully leads our prayer ministry and fills the role of “prayer warrior” more than anyone I know, yet the Lord used that time of weakness and waiting to strengthen her in ways beyond her imagination.

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. (Is. 40:31 Amp V.)

Are you in “God’s Waiting Room?”

Do you wait as the Amplified Verse says – with expectation, looking for the Lord, hoping in Him? There lies the key to renewed strength and power, run and not being weary, walk and not becoming tired.

Dear Lord, I pray for those who are waiting. That they may sense Your indwelling power. That they will be strengthened to serve You right where they are. And that in the serving they would become more like You.

I Hate Chipmunks!

In September and October, you walk our front pathway at your peril. We have the most aggressive acorns you’ve ever seen, or felt. Honestly. The dents they render to a car’s hood or roof are nothing compared to the bumps they produce on your noggin.

Then in the spring, I tackle the unhappy chore of removing of hundreds of tiny oak trees sprouting in my garden. So this week, I decided to pre-empt those suckers and rid the garden of them before taking root. Not as easy as I thought. Like giant pistachios, they had already split and many a root sprouted, burrowed firmly in the soil.

Although there were hundreds, maybe thousands, most were on the surface, fairly easy to dig up, but here and there I uncovered clusters of acorns hidden in the stone wall, under the branches of low bushes, concealed among the stalks.

Then I found it - the Mother Lode, the Cave of Wonders, the Pirate’s Booty. No way was this pile the result of falling acorns. This was a secret stash, a stockpile surreptitiously buried in some clandestine plot. This was the resident chipmunks’ winter preparations.

The outward appearances of these adorable little furballs belie their true identity - hideously destructive varmints. They burrow holes in the soil, loosen the supporting rocks, and now hoard potentially damaging future oak trees.

I didn’t see any chipmunks as I was working. No, they save their activities for when no one is around to witness their detrimental deeds. But the evidence of their handiwork is apparent.

Of course this got me thinking….

These acorns are like the barbed comments that people fling our way. And they hurt, not a bruise on the head, but on the heart. Zingers that find our soft spot, and embed themselves. If we let them take root, they will grow and fester and bear bitter resentful fruit. The longer the root remains, the stronger it gets and the harder it is to remove. It is easy to narrow our eyes at the perpetrator, to retaliate, to judge. But Scripture tells us:

… make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison. Deut. 29:18
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Heb. 12:15

After wasting useless minutes fuming at these critters, I realized -
they are just doing what chipmunks do.
All my anger isn’t going to make them more sensitive.

I can’t change them, but I can change my root structure:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col. 2:6-7

Instead of hating the chipmunks, I have a choice.
And with those whose comments dent my soul, I have a choice.
I can let them fester, develop bitter roots, and ultimately poison me. Or I can respond as Jesus did. "Father, forgive them. Those chipmunks just don't know what they're doing." Well, a loose paraphrase, but you get the idea.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph. 3:16-19

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