Everything Changes

Genesis 8:22 “As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night."

Memorial Day ushered in the unofficial start of summer, and I spent it at the beach slathering on SPF 70 and listening to K-LOVE radio.  My nieces and nephews eventually showed up, and everyone enjoyed the cool water and feasted on food only a Cuban grandmother could make.  As we sat in knee-deep water, my eldest niece lamented the fact that her parents won't let her get a summer job (she is 15), and my nephew was bummed about another couple weeks of school.  And I thought to myself:  Dear dear precious teenagers, live in this moment because eventually, EVERYTHING CHANGES.

The Bible teaches us that as long as we are alive on this earth there will be constant changes in our lives, but “change” is not necessarily a bad word. 

What matters most is how we approach the inevitable transitions of life.  Do we embrace the new seasons as opportunities for new blessings, or do we go into denial and hope that when we open our eyes everything is still the same?

One day as I was in deep thought about how quickly I was adding new titles to my life, mother-in-law, stay-at-home wife, Jorge's secretary, quinquagenarian, dog owner...my precious Lord whispered to me, “Yenisita, this is what you have been praying for."

Every time I asked God to help my kids make wise choices in dating, it was for the high purpose of them eventually settling down and starting their own families.  As much as I love them, I would never want them to live at home forever.  

Working for Jorge means that God answered the desire of my heart to help him.

Growing older means that God has blessed me with health.

And Hershey Pie? God's answer for my requests to be joyful!

Think about it. When we pray, we are inviting change into our lives. The transitions and the adjustments, the changing seasons, and the brevity of life, these are all good things! God is God every step of the way,  and each new day – no matter where we are in life – brings blessings.  Let us pray for good changes and then embrace them.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that when we pray, we are inviting good change into our lives.  Thank You for remaining by our side as we live through the seasons, and help us be like the woman in Proverbs 31:25 who “smiles at the future.”  She smiles because she knows in Whom she trusts. Her eyes are fixed on You, and so are ours.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!  

Encourage Yourself!

1 Samuel 30:6 “David was in great distress because the people in their bitterness said he should be stoned…but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”

Greetings,

When we are upset, going through troubles, and find our faith failing we are to encourage ourselves in the Lord.  I, thank God, have never experienced people wanting to stone me, but have had moments of great distress nonetheless. The right response is to encourage ourselves in Him.

How do we do that?    

For me it’s all about purposely reminding myself that God has never let me down. He has seen me through every trial, and I am grateful.  He has seen me through loss, and my heart sings because no matter how tough, every single loss is temporary.  He has guided me down the tricky and often confusing paths of being a good mom, and my kids are alive, I am alive, and we all love each other deeply and powerfully. He has steadily led me in those moments when I did not know what to do, and looking back, I can clearly see His wisdom at every turn.

One such season of complete, “What do we do now?” happened when the company Jorge worked for suddenly went bankrupt.  Within a few days our income stopped – came to a dead halt – and both company cars were repossessed.  I am not too ashamed to admit that we never saw it coming, and that my husband actually rode the bus for a while.  It was rough.  The bills still demanded payment, the kids were in private school, and we had a mortgage to pay. 

Night after long night Jorge and I would go to the Lord and freely admit that we needed Him.  We had no clue what to do or where to turn.  Looking back now we can both see the hand of God moving actively in our lives to get us back on our feet again and onto steadier ground.  The decisions made in the aftermath of that trial, were made only after consulting with God about everything and anything.  God has lifted us higher than we could have ever imagined, Jorge is working in a field he loves, he is his own boss, and enjoying God-given success.

In his distress, David encouraged himself in his God, and ultimately, God “delivered and protected him (Read 1 Samuel chapter 30).”  In our distress, God delivered and protected us as well.  He’ll do the same for you.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We encourage ourselves in You today by saying Thank You for Your faithfulness.  You have been and will always be with us each step of the way.  May we sense Your presence more than ever.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

At All Times~

I am really good at not taking care of my plants.  I have shared before how I have a brown thumb – the antithesis of having a green one.  That’s one of the reasons I have succulents now; they barely require maintenance.  Yesterday, as I was putt-puttering around doing chores, I decided to water some older plants on my terrace, and it was sad to see how dry some of them were.  It took forever for the water to penetrate that tough upper crust of dried up soil, and that’s when my mind came back to Tuesday’s DEVO – especially the part about how some seeds land on hard ground and before they have a chance to blossom are devoured. 

All day I thought about certain seasons in my life where I stayed close to Jesus during struggles and heartache, and then I thought about one particular season where I know God desired to come in and soothe my weary soul, but I wouldn’t let Him.  It’s not so much that I flat out told Him to stay away, but more like me attending church because I was used to it, listening to the great sermons, clapping enthusiastically during the music, and then heading out the door as if nothing happened.  Hardy and nourishing seeds were thrown my way, but I was so discouraged, so sick and tired of being sick and tired, so weary in my faith, so sure that God wouldn’t answer my prayers because certain things had gone on for so long, that I just closed up.  The entrance to my heart was dry and crusty.

I regret all the spiritual nourishment I wasted, and so does my soul.  But I have learned to stop looking back and to continue looking forward to all the joy that awaits. 

Today’s DEVO is a simple reminder to keep your heart open to the Lord.  He desires to help us by providing us with comfort and guidance from scripture.  But it is up to us if we will allow it to take root.  Psalm 62:8 tells us how to do it: “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." The key is to trust AT ALL TIMES - even during those times that do not make sense. If we do that, if we pour out our hearts to Him, then our hearts remain open to receive from Him. GLORY!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for being our refuge.  Help us to pour out our hearts to You always so that there is always a fresh flow of blessings in and out.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~   

It's Only Temporary~

Years ago a soda pop company was giving away prizes found on the bottle caps.  Jorge and I were thrilled to learn that we had won a remote control caddy.  We followed all the instructions and waited eagerly for our prize.  Jorge had visions of playing golf with an automated club carrier, and I was all excited just to have won something. A couple of weeks later the box arrived, and we knew right away there was a mistake.  How can you fit a caddy big enough to hold a bag of clubs into a box that was 10” X 10”?

Because the remote control caddy they sent was a black plastic organizer to keep the TV remote nearby.  Talk about a “DUH” moment.  Nevertheless, we were sad.

Experiencing disappointment is a fact of life.  Not one of us will go through life 100% satisfied 100% of the time.  But in this current day and age of so much bad news, I have great news: The day is coming when we will never be disappointed again!

I can barely imagine what that would be like.  No more headaches, hassles, or stress!  No more sadness, frustration, or fear! No more bitter pills to swallow, worry, or tension!  Everyone getting along perfectly, and everyone and everything at peace having fun with Jesus…      

Romans 10:11 "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (New American Standard Bible)

This verse actually appears in all caps in the NASB version of the Bible, and it’s because God wants to get our attention.  He wants us to embrace this beautiful promise when we’ve had a rough day.  He wants us to thank Him that heaven’s joy awaits.  He wants us to be completely and totally uplifted by the assurance that one day soon it will get better and that it will last for ever.

Next time we experience disappointment, let us take a moment to remind ourselves that disappointment – no matter how harsh – is only temporary.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for this verse.  Life is beautiful, but it has its difficult seasons.  We needed to be reminded that one day only the good shall remain!  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Hold me Close~

TGIF Greetings:)

One of my heroes of faith is a dear friend of mine who is an 80 year old woman.

We actually have several things in common, like a love for Christ and a never-ending concern for our families that keeps us in prayer.

And this precious soul has entered a unexpected season of life where she is sole caretaker for her four-year-old great-grandson.

When the call came that this little boy needed a place to call home, she looked up to heaven and asked God for the strength to do it. Why strength?  Because she already had the love and desire; at her age she needed the energy.

Imagine trying to raise an energetic pre-schooler who regularly goes in the backyard and yells out for his mom because he is sure she must be lost.  He does not grasp the fact that he has been abandoned.

Strong words, but true.  Seven months have passed and not a call or a visit or an anything from his mom or anyone else.

Yet talk to my friend and she will eagerly explain that her youth has been renewed.  That she has been given a purpose, and she will see it through.  That the adventure she is on, while sometimes difficult, is always filled to overflowing with love.  That a particular Bible verse has exploded with new meaning: Psalm 27:10 "Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close."

God is holding this little boy close--through the loving arms of his great-grandma:)

How is God holding you close today? It may not be in a "traditional" way, but it is so, nonetheless. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, No matter what, You will find a way to make sure we are held. Open our eyes to see it, and give us grateful hearts.  In Jesus' name, Amen~

It's a Good Fight~

A post Father's Day greeting to all:)

 

Today we wrap up with some interesting news. After Pam's amazing missionary trip she came back to Miami and prepared to--of all things--retire as a pediatrician.

 

She was already planning to do this before she left on her trip. And going on that adventure was, as they say, the cherry on top. The final flourish on a long and rewarding career.

 

So today's topic is about finishing strong.

 

It's not as though Pam is about to sit back and do nothing. She's about to start a new season of life, and as she contemplates the details of that, we will think about what it means to go out on top.

 

2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful."

 

I am not saying Pam's mission in life is over--hardly.

 

I am saying that while she was in service as a doc there were good days and bad days. Somedays were easier than others. Somedays were happy and some were sad. Some were replete with highs and others with lows.

 

But when you are doing what God created you to do--you do it. You fight through the rough knowing the easier is just around the corner. You run the race (sometimes it's a rat race) with God's vigor that He infuses into you when you pray. And no matter what--no matter how hard it becomes, how discouraged you get, how overwhelming it feels--you remain faithful. Not perfect--FAITHFUL.

 

You press on ahead with prayer and faith. You stick with God and don't turn away from Him. You take Him your questions, your doubts, your concerns, your worries, your everything. You thank Him for your joys and blessings. You don't hold anything back.

 

And when you do that, you finish strong--on top of the world like Pam--knowing you made a huge difference in someone's life. Reaping the pure joy that comes as a result.

 

And why? Because, 1 Samuel 26:23, "The LORD rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness."

 

When we think of rewards we think in terms of currency, like cash.

 

But my dear, sweet friends, there are all kinds of currency in this world. I know more folks right now who would prefer peace over dollars. Family restoration over gold. Joy and contentment over a new car.

 

You can be faithful, full of faith, right where you are. Everyone around you will benefit from someone who is fighting the good fight. It's a fight because it's not easy to day-in/day-out take care of kids, run a household, be a sounding board for your spouse or someone at work...You get the drift.

 

If we, however, will put up our dukes and fold them into praying hands, we will be faithful and we will be rewarded.

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, We come to You now because we need You. Without You we can not possibly fight the good fight. Yes, it's worth fighting for, but we get tired so easily. Fill us up with perseverance today so that we are rewarded by You. In Jesus' name, AMEN~