Rejoice Journal

This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118: 24)

When someone asks how my day is going, I often say, “Oh, the same old routine, nothing new, just another day.” Yet every single day, no matter how mundane it might seem, is filled with God’s beauty and blessings. 

I recently started a Rejoice Journal. I'm learning to look for the extraordinary amidst the ordinary things in everyday life. 

Here’s a recent entry: 

Today, in the wee hours of the morning, as I drove down the mountainside on my way to work, I was blessed by a full moon sprinkling showers of light over the woods. I saw an owl in flight and white tailed deer munching grass by the side of the road. Thousands of stars twinkled in the dark sky, and I was reminded that God knows their names. How amazing is that?

He counts the stars and calls them all by name. (Psalm 147:4)

I passed a small farmhouse with a dim light peeking through the curtains in an upstairs window. I wondered if a mother might be up nursing a baby or soothing a fussy toddler back to sleep. I remembered my life as a young mother...early morning feedings, tiny fingers curled around my thumb, the sweet scent of baby powder, and the contentment of a sleeping baby cradled in my arms. I said a prayer of thanks to God for allowing me to experience motherhood four times. How did my babies grow up so fast?

Looking back through the journal entries encourages me to keep an attitude of rejoicing as I go about the dailiness of work and home life.  Even when circumstances seem dismal, my heart is broken, or it feels as if my dreams have been shattered into a million pieces, there are still moments to celebrate.

Today may seem like just another day, but by unearthing the tiny treasures woven amidst the dull and dreary fabric of life, it can become an extraordinary day.

What will you find to rejoice about today?

My New Visitors

  

Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn? Do you count the months till they bear? Do you know the time they give birth?  They crouch down and bring forth their young; their labor pains are ended. Their young thrive and grow in the wilds; they leave and do not return. (Job 39: 1-4)

I have new visitors!  A doe and her two fawns have been stopping in every afternoon to dine on the raspberries in the backyard. This curious little one doesn't seem to be afraid of people and walks towards me when I'm outside. The mother doe and other fawn shy away and usually run back into the woods when they see me. I look forward to their daily visits and gladly share my raspberries with them. 

I feel so blessed to live in the mountains. It never gets old. Each day brings a new adventure as God's diverse creatures pass through the 8-1/2 acre woods I live in.

Lessons From Ruth

But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates me and you. (Ruth 1: 16-17)

I lingered in the book of Ruth this morning during my devotional time for quite awhile, just savoring the choice nuggets of truth. It's a small book of the Bible, consisting of only four chapters, but the message revealed in it speaks volumes. Ruth sets a perfect example for women to emulate today. 

What did Ruth do that makes her character admirable? In the opening chapter of Ruth we see she is a woman who has been thrust into a harsh season of life. Her husband has died. Ruth makes the decision to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi, rather than returning to her own people. She takes the hard road rather than the easy one. She makes the unpopular choice, especially since Naomi referred to herself as a bitter woman. Have you ever dealt with someone who was angry at the world and bitter? Not once do we see Ruth complain about her mother-in-law. Ruth was committed to being there for Naomi in her time of need. We don't see a bit of selfishness in Ruth. What we see is a woman who loved unconditionally. 

Ruth was also a very hard worker as she gleaned in the fields to gather food for Naomi and herself. She could have lived out her life as a victim of her bitter circumstances, but instead, once again, she chooses the hard way. She gets busy working instead of complaining or worrying about how they are going to make it in a time when it was extremely hard for women to provide for themselves. Ruth was faithful and trusted in  God's provision and protection. She never complained about how rough her life was. We don't see her throwing any pity parties for herself and the grim situation she was facing each day.

Ruth also listened to Naomi's advice. She knew wisdom came with age, and she didn't ignore the counsel of someone older and wiser. She wasn't quick to do things her way. She willingly accepted Ruth's guidance. The thing that stands out most to me about Ruth was the example she set. She didn't just talk the talk, she truly walked the walk, as we see in the following verses: 

Boaz replied, "Ive been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband--how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." (Ruth 2: 11-12)

Because of Ruth's faithfulness, her story has a happy ending. Boaz married Ruth, providing her with financial security and a future inheritance. Naomi's sorrow was lifted as she received the blessing of a grandson to fill her aching arms.

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you, and is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth." Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him." (Ruth 4:13-15)

And that's not the end of the story. Ruth, a foreigner from Moab, became the great-grandmother of the most celebrated king in Israel, King David, an heir to the very throne of God! God can bring astounding conclusions to stories of heartache and suffering. We see this repeatedly throughout the scriptures.

What can we learn from the book of Ruth? We should choose to serve others rather than follow our own selfish desires. We need to commit to being faithful even when it isn't the popular choice. We should be obedient to God and trust Him during the worst of life's circumstances, because we can't see what amazing work He is doing in the midst of our heartache and suffering. We can rest assured that blessings always follow obedience and faithfulness.

Ruth is a perfect example of how God loves to redeem ordinary women for His extraordinary purposes.We can rejoice today because we have a redeemer, Jesus Christ, who will rescue us from every bitter and dismal circumstance we encounter if we trust in Him. Praise His name!

Children Won't Wait

As we celebrate Mothers Day this weekend, I struggle to find words powerful enough to describe what being a mother means to me. To say I'm incredibly blessed is an understatement.  The most wonderful gifts I ever received were my children:  Heather, Justin, Josh, and Heidi. The blessings multiplied when I became a grandmother to sweet little Amayah, Austin, and Cabella.

In honor of Mother's Day, I would like to share the following poem about motherhood. It may seem a little old-fashioned in our modern day world, but the underlying message is still the same--being a mother is the most important job a woman will ever do. To all the mothers out there, Happy Mothers Day!  

Children Won't Wait 

There is a time to anticipate the  baby's coming, a time to consult a doctor;

A time to plan a diet and exercise, a time to gather a layette.

There is a time to wonder at the ways of God, knowing this is the destiny for which I was crafted;

A time to dream of what this child may become,

A time to pray that God will teach me how to train this child which I bear.

A time to prepare myself that I might nurture his soul.

But soon there comes the time for  birth--

For babies don't wait.

There is a time for night feedings, and colic and formulas

There is a time for rocking and a time for walking the floor,

A time for patience and self-sacrifice.

A time to how him that his new world is a world of love and goodness and dependability.

There is time to ponder what he is--not a pet or a toy, but a person,

an individual, a soul made in God's image.

There is a time to consider my stewardship--I cannot possess him.

He is not mine. I have been chosen to care for him, to love him,

to enjoy him, to nurture him, and to answer to God. 

I resolve to do my best for him,

For babies don't wait. 

There is a time to hold him close, and tell him the sweetest story ever told;

A time to show him God in earth and sky and flower,

To teach him to wonder and reverence.

There is a time to leave the dishes to swing him in the park;

To run a race, to draw a picture, to catch a butterfly, to throw a baseball, 

to give him happy comradeship. 

There is a time to point the way, to teach infant lips to pray, 

To teach his heart to love God's word, to love God's day--

For children don't wait. 

There is a time to watch him bravely go to school, to miss him underfoot,

And to know that other minds have his attention, but that I will be there to

answer his call when he comes home, and listen eagerly to the story of his day.

There is a time to teach him independence, responsibility, self-reliance, 

To be firm but friendly, to discipline with love,

For soon, so soon, there will be a time to let him go, the apron strings untied--

For children don't wait. 

There is a time to treasure every fleeting minute of childhood.

Just eighteen precious years to inspire and train him. 

I will not exchange this birthright for a mess of pottage called social position, 

or business, or professional reputation, or a pay check.
An hour of concern today may save years of heartache tomorrow.

The house will wait, the dishes will wait, the new room will wait--

But children don't wait. 

There will be a time when there will be no more slamming of doors, no toys 

on the floor, no childhood quarrels, no fingerprints on the wall paper.

Then may I look back with joy and not regret.

There will be a time to concentrate on service outside my home,

On visiting the sick, the bereaved, the discouraged, the untaught;

To give myself to the least of these.

There will be a time to look back and know that these years of 

motherhood were not wasted.

I pray there will be a time to see him an upright and honest man,

loving God and serving all.

God, give me wisdom to see that today is my day with my children,

That there is no unimportant moment in their lives.

May I know that no other career is so precious,

No other work so rewarding,

No other task so urgent.

May I not defer it nor neglect it,

But by Thy Spirit accept it gladly, joyously, and by Thy grace realize,

That the time is short and my time is now--

For children don't wait. 

~ By Helen M. Young

                                                                                                                                                                      

The Goslings Have Arrived!

Every morning I've been rushing out to the pond to see if the goslings hatched yet. Today I was greeted by father and mother goose and their new babies. The parents got pretty aggressive when I tried to get up close, and I wasn't able to get quite as near as I wanted to. I still managed to get some great pictures and a few videos though. 

I've grown rather accustomed to the mother goose sitting on her nest in recent weeks.  Each day after work I would take my daily walk and then sit down on the pier next to where she was nesting. Once the goslings hatch, the geese don't stay around very long. Usually within a week or two they move on to a new location. It's a reminder to me that we should always take time to enjoy the things in life when we can, because tomorrow it might be too late.

Spring morning at the pond

Flowers

 

The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come....~ Song of Solomon 2:12

But why, God?

 How great are your works, O Lord, how profound are your thoughts! (Psalm 92: 5)

I often find myself questioning God lately. My husband filed for divorce last month after a two year separation. I've prayed for reconciliation daily. Friends, family, and the church prayed. I've extended forgiveness and love to him on numerous occasions and offered him a chance to leave his girlfriend in Ohio and come home. He has no contact with our four children or our three grandchildren, leaving over 30 years of marriage and everything and everyone he knew and loved behind. I don't understand it and I guess I never will. The years since he left have been filled with numerous difficulties. My health issues have escalated. Yet, with the loss of my husband's income, I have to work as much as I can just to stay afloat, and there still isn't enough money to pay the bills at the end of the month. My dad's health has also declined. Often I am physically and emotionally wiped out just trying to make it through each day. 

This morning I turned to one of my favorite passages of scripture: Job: 38-42. Job had gone through a lot of hardships, much worse than what I'm experiencing. He questioned God and got quite an earful when God responded to him. Reading the familiar scriptures always brings a smile to my face. 

God offers no answers to Job, only more questions:

• "Who is this who darkens my counsel without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you and you shall answer me.
• Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
• Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place?
• Have you entered the storehouses of snow or seen the storehouses of hail? Where is the way to the place where the lightening is dispersed or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth? Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorms? From whose womb comes the ice. Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens?
• Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? Do you send lightening bolts on their way? Do they report to you, 'Here we are'?
• Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food? 
• Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn? 
• Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread his wings toward the south? Does the eagle soar at your command and build its nest on high?"

God continues questioning Job throughout chapters 38, 39, 40, and 41 for a total of 129 verses. It's quite a humbling experience, not only for Job but also for me. Job's meek reply in chapter 42 sums up perfectly how I felt this morning after reading the above verses:

"I  know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?'  Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.  (Job 42: 1-6)

The book of Job always brings me back to reality. I know God is sovereign over everything, but sometimes I just need to be reminded! I still don't understand why I'm experiencing the things that are presently happening in my life, and I don't like them. However, I'm filled with awe as I reflect on the majesty and power of God revealed in the closing chapters of Job.  Like Job, when I "see" God as He truly is, I can humbly accept each trial and difficult circumstance in my life knowing it's all part of God's sovereign plan. 

God blessed Job immensely during the second half of his life. God is like that. He specializes in miracles. He can bring beauty from ashes, and he redeems those who are lost and without hope. A blessing is waiting for us if we persevere through the hard stuff. We may not even see it until we arrive in heaven, but we know the best is yet to come, because with God every life story has a happy ending.

Morning by the Creek

This is the little creek that runs through our property. I spent most of the morning there yesterday just soaking up the beautiful sights and sounds of nature. It's the best medicine there is for soothing the soul. I hope you enjoy visiting my little piece of heaven here in the mountain.

They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and water gushed out.
 (Isaiah 48: 21)

Spring is coming...the geese have arrived at the pond!

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord, let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. 

(Psalm 145: 21)

Embracing the Beautiful Things

 He hath made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11 

Winter has been drab and dreary here in the mountain this year. Warmer than normal temperatures, rain, mud, and overcast skies have taken the place of sunlight falling over glistening white, snow-covered branches and hills. While I don't mind the warmer temperatures, I long to see the woods dressed in dazzling ice-frosted trees. I miss how the snow illuminates dark January nights. I miss the quietness that falls over the mountain when the ground is blanketed with a covering of soft snow. It's hard to see beauty when everything appears so drab. Then today, I woke up to the sight of a male and female cardinal sitting quietly amidst the dreary brown background. Their beauty stood out even more because of their dismal surroundings. 

It made me wonder, do I shine brighter in the ugly seasons of life? Christians are supposed to represent Christ's light in a dark world. I hate to admit it, but often I don't shine very bright when times get tough. I grumble and complain. I get stressed and lose my temper. I think thoughts I shouldn't, and I allow discouragement to obscure my vision of the beautiful things that surround me each day.

A lot of ugly stuff has crept into my life recently; the near death and illness of my father, my pending divorce signaling the end of three decades of marriage, issues with grown children making poor choices, flare ups with my own health, and the reality that my job will be ending due to modern technology.

It can be difficult to see anything beautiful during the messy times in life, but there's always beauty around us if we look for it. Some of the lovely things I've experienced recently in this present bleak season are: A grandchild's sweet smile and tiny hand grasping mine, a warm and inviting house to come home to after being cooped up in an office all day, a rainbow following a rain storm, an elderly couple walking across the street holding hands, the warmth of a cup of tea in my hands, an act of kindness from a sister in Christ who I didn't know, laughing with my best friend until we cried over something only the two of us would find humorous, deer in my back yard, a moonlit sky, an unexpected letter from an old friend, the pleasure of reading a good book, and of course the bright cardinals in the tree outside my kitchen window this morning.

Focusing on the lovely things will help us get through the rough spots and those messy seasons when life really doesn't make sense.Just like the cardinals brought brightness to the dull-looking mountain landscape, we can illuminate the darkness when we look beyond the bleakness. Our positive attitude and joy can inspire others to embrace the beautiful things in life.

A Calm and Quiet Soul

But I have calmed and quieted myself,  I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. (Psalm 131: 2)

Who doesn't desire to feel calm, quiet, and content? The above verse of scripture creates a beautiful image of one who is peaceful and content. An infant becomes distressed and restless when hungry, and is instantly quieted when placed to the breast for nourishment. Once a baby is weaned, he trusts that his mother will continue to feed him as she always has. He is content just to be near her without desiring the breast for sustenance. 

As we journey through life, many things will bring distress and restlessness to our souls--bad news from the test results at the doctors, a spouse who walks away unexpectedly, a rebellious child, chronic illness, job loss, or financial problems. In each of these situations, we can be like a weaned child--contented, trusting, assured that all will be well. 

Our Heavenly Father is right there by our side when we are faced with circumstances that shake our souls and fill us with fear and trembling. He will provide our needs. With childlike faith, we can rest in the One who never leaves our side.

No Excuse

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.  Romans 1: 20 (NLT)

Each time I look out over the mountains, I'm reminded of the God who created all things. It brings to mind Romans 1: 20. How can one not believe in God when they look at creation? Scripture says we have no excuse for not knowing God. From the majestic mountains to the vast oceans, we clearly see Him in the things He has made. Life itself is a miracle, and the complexity of the human body and how it works certainly did not happen by accident. All creation shouts the existence of a Divine Creator.

Autumn has arrived in all it's glory here in the mountains. What a treat it is! Each day when I look outside, the woods are bursting with marvelous colors. The orange, red, and yellow-hued leaves brighten even the dreariest rainy day.  The drive down the mountainside is breathtaking. Again, it serves as a reminder of the God of the universe. It just makes sense. All the theories that science has come up with to explain creation just don't make sense. Life is too intricate and fascinating to be accidental. It's mind boggling to think about how a baby forms into a beautiful human life practically from nothing. Again, we clearly see God at work. He is visible in the wildlife, plants, and flowers. We see His workmanship in the sun, moon, and stars. The skies proclaim His glory. 

As the beauty of the autumn season unfolds, I pray you will pause from the busyness of daily life and all the distractions it brings, and reflect on the marvelous creation outside your window. Take some time to be still and remember God, the Divine Creator, who made all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small.

The Flowers of the Field

   “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." (Matthew 6: 28-29)

Remaining in the Vine

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15: 5)

I decided the housework and other things could wait this morning, and I savored a time of prayer, Bible reading, and Bible study here at home by the pond, my favorite place in the world to be.  A delicate breeze was blowing the sweet smell of honeysuckle through the air. As always, I was in awe of the beauty of the mountains, the warmth of the sunshine, the birds singing, and the sound of the creek trickling behind me. It never gets old, no matter how many times I experience it and I never get enough of it. It's about as close to heaven one can get here on earth.

It was a lovely time of quiet reflection on what matters most in my life. I cherish times of peace and serenity, because they are so few and far between. When I make time to be still, it keeps me focused and gives me the strength to keep going. 

God gives us what we need most exactly when we need it. It was no accident that my First Place 4 Health Bible study lesson today contained the following quote: 

"The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil, and rush here to seek for sunshine, or there to find rain. No; it rests in union and communion with the vine; and at the right time, in the right way, is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus." ~J. Hudson Taylor. 

Such a profound truth in a simple quote! I hope I never forget it. I often find myself worrying, working, rushing around trying to fix situations, trying to find answers to life's problems, and stressing myself out. It's usually during the times when I'm worrying and hurrying that I neglect my Bible reading and prayer time the most.

I need to remain in the vine, connected to Christ, who will provide all the nourishment I need to bear fruit in His perfect timing. I'm so thankful he is the Vine. Being a branch, I can abide peacefully in Him and wait; knowing and trusting that He will supply every need in every circumstance.

Flowers Appear on the Earth

"Arise my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in the land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the  blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me." (Song of Songs 2: 10-13)

The new leaves are forming on the trees and the flowers are blooming in abundance here in the mountain. Beauty, joy, and life seem to be bursting forth everywhere I look. On Easter morning I was greeted by the arrival of six new goslings by the pond. Life feels new and fresh again after the long cold Winter season.

The verses above from Song of Songs are some of my favorite passages of scripture. Life is hard and often filled with stress, pain, and suffering. My heart waits in expectation when I sense my Heavenly Father calling me to come away with him for a time of much-needed refreshment and renewal. I'm filled with delight as I step away from the busyness of daily life to marvel at the beautiful things He has created. As I breathe in the fragrance of the flowers, I feel the stress melt away. I sense His presence so clearly when I take time to be still before Him and bask in the wonder of His creation.

Our Heavenly Father desires us to seek Him and to love Him. He is there waiting. All we have to do is pray. We can talk to Him like we would a friend and simply tell him our struggles and our burdens. He will forgive our sins. We just need to ask Him for forgiveness. 

If we accept His invitation, He will infuse our exhausted and weary souls with tranquility, peace, and joy. He desires an intimate relationship with each of us, but we have to respond to His call to "come away" from the crazy pace of life and spend time with Him. 

Is He calling you today to "come away" and leave your worries behind? How will you respond?