God Watches Over You.

Psalm 121:5-8 (NIV)

5 The Lord watches over you—

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,

    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—

    he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going

    both now and forevermore.

The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg.

It had been a year since Susan, thirty-four, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. Once a fiercely independent woman, Susan now felt condemned by this terrible twist of fate to become a powerless, helpless burden on everyone around her.

"How could this have happened to me?" she would plead, her heart knotted with anger. But no matter how much she cried or ranted or prayed, she knew the painful truth her sight was never going to return. A cloud of depression hung over Susan's once optimistic spirit. Just getting through each day was an exercise in frustration and exhaustion. And all she had to cling to was her husband Mark.

Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all of his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. Mark's military background had trained him well to deal with sensitive situations, and yet he know this was the most difficult battle he would ever face.

Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted Susan and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task.

Soon, however, Mark realized that this arrangement wasn't working - it was hectic, and costly. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But just the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. She was still so fragile, so angry. How would she react? Just as Mark predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I'm going? I feel like you're abandoning me."

Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened.

For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. He made her laugh, even on those not-so-good days when she would trip exiting the bus, or drop her briefcase.

Each morning they made the journey together, and Mark would take a cab back to his office. Although this routine was even more costly and exhausting than the previous one, Mark knew it was only a matter of time before Susan would be able to ride the bus on her own. He believed in her, in the Susan he used to know before she'd lost her sight, who wasn't afraid of any challenge and who would never, ever quit.

Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself!

On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year? Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?"

The driver responded, "It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected like you are." Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and asked again, "What do you mean?" The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady."

Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there had been darkness.

God watches over us in just the same way. We may not know He is present. We may not be able to see His face, but He is there nonetheless! Be blessed in this thought: "God Loves You - even when you are not looking."

Dear Lord, thank You for watching over us, even when we aren't looking for You, You are there watching to make sure all is well. Help us never forget to be thankful for all You do for us.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Praying Hands

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  (NIV)

9 Two are better than one,

    because they have a good return for their labor:

10 If either of them falls down,

    one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

    and has no one to help them up.

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

    But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered,

    two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood.

Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of Albrecht Durer the Elder's children had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy.

After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or, if necessary, also by laboring in the mines.

They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg.

Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation. Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works.

When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant homecoming. After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and laughter, Albrecht rose from his honored position at the head of the table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition. His closing words were, "And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you."

All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated, over and over, "No ...no ...no ...no."

Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands close to his right cheek, he said softly, "No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look ... look what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother ... for me it is too late." More than 450 years have passed. By now, Albrecht Durer's hundreds of masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolours, charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings hang in every great museum in the world, but the odds are great that you, like most people, are familiar with only one of Albrecht Durer's works. More than merely being familiar with it, you very well may have a reproduction hanging in your home or office.

One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply "Hands," but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love "The Praying Hands."

The next time you see a copy of that touching creation, take a second look. Let it be your reminder, if you still need one, that no one - no one - - ever makes it alone!

Dear Lord, we thank You for those You bring into our life to help us accomplish the things before us. Help us never forget those special people. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God's Love is Powerful.

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

On April 6, 2000, Ricky and Toni Sexton were at their home in Wytheville, Virginia. Shortly after noontime, Ricky, who suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease and is confined to a wheelchair, remained in the house while Toni went outside to walk the dog. As soon as she got to the driveway, a fugitive couple, Dennis Lewis and Angela Tanner, roared into their driveway, pointed pistols at Toni and ordered her into the house. The couple was on the run fresh from a gunfight with police in Tennessee.

Inside the house, the Sextons turned their hostage experience into an opportunity to demonstrate Christian love. The Sextons listened to their captors' troubles, fed them, showed them gospel videos, read to them from the Bible, and prayed and cried with them. During the thirty-six hours of negotiations with the police, Ricky Sexton refused his own release when Lewis and Tanner suggested that they might end the standoff by committing suicide.

The standoff had an unusual ending. Before surrendering to the police, Angela Tanner left $135 and a note for the Sextons that read: "Thank you for your hospitality. We really appreciate it. I hope he gets better. Wish all luck & love. Please accept this. It really is all we have to offer. Love, Angela and Dennis." One of the requests the fugitive couple made upon surrendering was to speak to a state police chaplain.

Christian love is patient and kind and is a powerful force. Will you take a minute and share it today?

Dear Lord, thank You for the love You have shown for each of us. Help us seek ways to show it to someone today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

A Lesson From a Poor Butterfly.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

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.

As we move away from winter and into Spring I thought this was a great story to think about.

"Poor little butterfly," the young girl said. "Poor little butterfly."

Then reaching down slowly so as to not scare it away, she slid her tiny fingers underneath, urging it to step upon her hand.

It would appear to anyone that this delicate creature was lifeless leaving behind remains of what once was.

But not her. She sensed something. She knew right away that there was indeed some life left in this most fragile example of God's work.

The butterfly nearly tumbled onto her hand, wings folded straight up, apparently unable to fly.

Then, perhaps it was the warmth of her hands or the welcoming response to the attention it was given, but the butterfly began to walk slowly up to her palm.

"Poor little butterfly," she repeated again as she brought it closer to her face.

"If I could kiss you I would, " she said.

The butterfly, appearing to respond, slowly opened its wings, to reveal its beautiful design and colors. Now open fully, the child brought it closer and gave an angel's kiss of love.

Just off in the distance watching this precious moment, her grandmother walked toward them.

"Oh, you have found it," she said. "I was waiting for it and wondered where it was."

The child looked a bit surprised and said. "You were waiting for this butterfly? Why?"

"It is sent to remind us," grandmother said.

"But it is dying. I feel sorry for it. Don't they fly away when it gets cold?"

"Yes, they do. But one is always chosen to remain behind," she said.

Maybe this was just grandmother's way of softening the truth so that the child would not be saddened by the thought of the butterfly dying. But what unfolded here was an incredible moment, an opportunity seen and taken to teach a lesson of love.

"Why would they choose to be left behind?" the child asked as she gently stroked the butterfly.

"They don't choose to be, they are chosen," she told her.

The child looked down again and held it closer.

"It is a great honor to be chosen. The story goes that God realized that when winter comes color disappears. The color of the flowers fade into the earth and all the delicate butterflies leave for warmer places. So, God decided that one should remain to remind us of the beautiful world He has created and the promise of Spring's return."

The child looked down and then lifting her head slowly, she whispered, "And I found it, grandmother."

"Yes, and with that you have a great responsibility," she said as she held the young girl's face in her hands.

"What?"

"You must now take time to see God's colors in the darkness of winter. You must be the sunshine. You must help those who have forgotten how beautiful life is, to see the color of God's love for them."

"Oh, grandmother. I don't know how to," she said.

"It is simple. Be yourself. People believe only what they see. Like the flowers and butterflies. But God makes people beautiful inside. It is up to us to bring that beauty out by loving each other, helping each other and when we find someone who has fallen, just like that butterfly, it is up to us to pick them up, caress them and care for them. For one day it may very well be His Chosen One left behind."

The child moved closer to her grandmother as they sat admiring God's messenger.

Take time to see the beauty, the colors of God in the people around you. Reach out to them in love.

You, too may find the "Poor little butterfly!"

Dear Lord, help us take the time to see Your beauty and not only that but to share it with those around us. Thank You for all You have given to us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Showing God's Love

Daniel 9:18-19 (NIV)

18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

As we strive to show God’s love how many of us have these circumstances and thoughts.

- Play church without really knowing You.

- Condemn others without even trying to walk in their shoes.

- Consider eternity as utterly boring, as an unending church service, without contemplating your promises uttered in your love letters addressed to us.

- Prioritize our to-do lists without considering time to draw close to you.

- Value our leisure more than the needs of the oppressed.

- Consume the riches of our planet without admiring the beauty of your creation.

- Neglect our marriages without assuming our responsibilities.

- Ignore the plight of our own children as if our passions are of more value.

- Are consumed with fear of the unknown, without even considering that trusting You will grant us inner peace.

- Make a nothing of eternity and an eternity of nothing.

- Are absorbed with thoughts of self instead of reaching out towards the unlovable.

- Are more concerned about our upcoming bills than sharing Your love with the hopeless.

As His follower have we drifted so far away that we cannot discern the footsteps left by You? Have we become so complacent with the unfulfilling attractive promises of this world that the word "love" has become extinct among us?

Let’s  ask the Lord to revive us! Holy Spirit come and reignite Your everlasting love.  Fill us with your passion for the lost and may we stand united, loving one another deeply, so that the hopeless can now the loving God who cares for them.

Dear Lord thank You for hearing our plea. Thank you for helping us to become more loveable. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Are You United in Your Puruit?

John 12:24-25 (NIV)

24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

The Romans in Jesus' days had an ingenious strategy for confronting their enemies. It is called the Phalanx Formation, or "Phalanx" for short. Soldiers would stand side by side in ranks, and each man's shield served to protect not just himself, but his neighbor as well. If one soldier fell due to injuries, one would take his place. When the soldiers began to tire, they were replaced by those standing in the middle, thus giving them some time of reprieve. Unity was essential, and as long as they stood as one, they were impenetrable against any enemy on foot.

The soldier had to literally resist the urge of panic, for as long as they were willing to die in combat, success would be guaranteed, and survival was the natural consequence. If a soldier decided to run away from his Phalanx, however, in order to save his own life, not only would he be easy prey for the enemy, but the Phalanx would grow weaker, for the poor example of that soldier who ran away would encourage others to follow suit. After all, it's pretty scary to be in the middle of an active battlefield!

There was one rule. Soldiers were not to engage the enemy at any cost. In holding on to their shields with all of their might, they're only job was to let their shields do the work. Only when they saw an opportunity to disable the enemy would they be allowed to use their swords. One quick strike, generally in the stomach area, would do the trick. Again, unity was the most important element in the strategy.

The same is true for us, the followers of Christ. If we cling to our lives, and especially if we want to be in charge of our own lives, we are heading for disaster. Unity would never be our goal, and we would tend to weaken our fellow believers! Remember, those soldiers who ran away from the Phalanx in order to save their own lives were the very ones that were easily slaughtered! They were the ones that indirectly encouraged disunity and potentially led to the destruction of their phalanx.

It's not for nothing that Jesus prayed ardently the following prayer: "I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:11, NIV2) Without unity we are easy prey! Our priorities become skewed and we start to think only about ourselves, which can lead to our own destruction, especially when calamity appears out of nowhere. Where would we run to? To ourselves?

What should be uniting us the most? Shouldn't it be what Jesus urged us to do on many occasions: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35, NIV2)

Again, if unity is not our goal, we will weaken the fellowship of believers. We tend to think solely of our own welfare, but love is the answer to all things. Imagine the difference we would make in this world if we genuinely loved like Jesus showed us to do. Hunger would be eradicated (This is only possible if we all joined the cause to help the ones dying of hunger), hope would be revived, and our churches would become too small to accommodate the millions of people who would be knocking on our doors, wanting what we have: an undying love for humanity with a hope that far surpasses any calamity.

We live in a scary world, but it doesn't have to be scary to us. We can make a difference, if we are united in our pursuit.

Dear Lord, we pray that we would be united with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We pray that those around us we see you through our actions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Do You Let His Love Make a Difference?

1 John 4:19 (NIV)

We love because he first loved us.

I read a story about Michael, a boy whose father had left before he was born, whose mother had died of cancer.

Whenever Michael talked about his mom, he painted a picture of love and Christian care. He was with his aunt and uncle, a couple who didn't understand or especially like children. It was almost with a sense of glee that they regularly informed Michael he would be homeless if it were not for their generosity.

In spite of all Michael had gone through he managed to remain a gentle and gracious child. Perhaps in a desire to postpone going home, possibly because he had a genuine desire to be needed, Michael often stayed after school. In the classroom he busied himself cleaning erasers, picking up papers, and doing a host of little favors for his teacher. Michael loved the one-on-one attention. That's the way things continued until Thanksgiving.

Then, without explanation, Michael stopped staying after school. At the end of the day he simply disappeared with the other students. Confused, the teacher finally cornered him and asked, as gently as she could, "Michael, where have you been? It's not the same without you being around."

Michael kept his eyes fixed on the ground. He mumbled, "Really?"

"Really! It's not the same," said the teacher.

After their brief exchange, his teacher  thought Michael might start staying after school again.

He didn't.

Then, right before Christmas break, Michael sidled up to her desk. He had a crumpled bag in his hand. He confessed, "I don't know how to wrap a Christmas present, but I made something for you." He gave her a box made out of Popsicle sticks. The teacher did the appropriate oohing and aahing and then she added, "Michael, is there something inside the box?"

He admitted there was, and then quickly added, "But you can't see what's inside."

"And why is that?"

"Because it's invisible. You can't see it, or taste it, or touch it, or smell it." Michael said, "But it's in there."

"What is it?" The teacher asked.

"My mother said it was something that makes you unafraid when you're scared, and can make you feel safe when you feel alone."

"And what can do such wonderful things?"

Michael whispered, "It's love." And with that he quietly and quickly exited the room. As for the Popsicle-stick box with invisible love in it, the teacher keeps it displayed in a most prominent place.

Michael knew love from his mother and from his teacher. They were reflecting the love they had received from the Savior.

No matter your circumstance or situation, no matter the grouches and curmudgeons you have in your life, I pray you may know the love of the crucified and risen Christ as well.

His love makes all the difference.

Dear Lord, thanks You for all You have done for us. Help us love others because You first loved us. In Jesus' Name. Amen.