I was spending the day with a friend. When we started to get hungry I reached into my bag and pulled out two muffins. When I offered one to her she said, “Are you sure? I don’t want to take your lunch.” I quickly assured her that the reason I brought two was so we could share.
Reflecting on this, I realized that out of my abundance it is easy to share. The more difficult task is to share when I don’t appear to have anything extra to give. This is where submitting to God and trusting him for the outcome comes into play.
The things that God asks me to share aren’t necessarily material things. I have learned first-hand the power of a caring heart. Taking the time to really listen to someone can make a huge difference in their life. God has given a limitless supply of love. All he asks is that I share his love with others.
Talents and abilities are also gifts that God has given me to share. On my own there are few things that I can accomplish. When God prompts me to do something on a larger scale than what I’ve done before I become frightened. Insecurities and self-doubts become magnified in my mind. It is only when I give my meager gifts back to Jesus that they become multiplied. He will never ask me to do anything that is beyond his power to accomplish through me. I need only to submit. When I stop trying to do things in my own strength and let God work through me, I am in awe as how he takes my little lunch, my meager offering and uses it for his glory.
“There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. John 6:9-11 (NLT)
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Sundogs
A friend and I were traveling in northern Alberta. It was just after 8 am and a very chilly -19°C. She was driving and I was enjoying the beauty of the snow-covered landscape under a clear blue sky. As we rounded a bend, I witnessed something I’d never seen before. I said to my friend, “Look at the sky. It looks like a rainbow that is going straight up and down.” She told me it was a sundog. She had seen them before but never as vibrant as this one.
It seemed to come down from the sky, stretch across the frozen fields and reach right out to us. It was phenomenal to observe it cast its coloured hues across the trees and buildings we passed. There was nowhere to pull over to take a photo, so we etched this image into our memories as we thanked God for providing this visual gift for us.
Later I researched sundogs and found that they are a member of a large family of halos, created by light interacting with ice crystals in the atmosphere. I saw several pictures of them online, but none as breathtakingly beautiful as the one we had seen.
If God can create such splendor by shining the light of the sun through icy skies, I wonder what he can do in my life. When I allow the light of his son, Jesus, to shine into my cold life, there is no telling what beauty he can produce. My life becomes bright and reflects his glory. This can create a radiance that can not only be seen by others, but will point them back to him. When I live my life in a way to reflect the light and love of Jesus, I too, will shine like a sundog in the frozen atmosphere.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)
Transformation
My son enjoys bringing flowers to his wife. One bouquet contained something unexpected that kept the whole family enthralled. Attached to one of the stems was a chrysalis or cocoon.
My granddaughters were fascinated to have this nature lesson right in their house. The first day it was a clear sac with a smooth green caterpillar inside. On the following day, this sac held a black shriveled version of the caterpillar. The transformation had begun and the excitement was mounting.
Day by day they checked to see what was happening. The cocoon remained clear enough that the contents could be seen. No change was visible in the shriveled black creature inside. The transformation was happening deep within and not where human eyes could see.
This reminded me of a transformation that occurred in my life. The Lord took my good life and changed it into something so much better. This was also done on the inside, where no eye could see. My heart became more loving. I became more accepting. As the changes occurred, I was able to give more and more of my life to Jesus. He has taken my willing heart and is transforming it into something that can be used for his glory. The metamorphosis is not yet complete. I am excited to see what he has in store for me next.
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV
Remembering
Tomorrow is November 11th, Remembrance Day. This is a day set aside to honour the brave men and women who serve in the military. They deserve so much more than one day of our thanks. A minute of silence to remember them is not enough.
These men and women put their lives on the line for us. This is done out of love for our country and for mankind. They know the risks when they sign up. As we have learned recently, the casualties can be on home soil as well as foreign.
Many of us would risk our lives for a loved one. Few would do this for people they do not know. This is done to give us the freedoms that we so often take for granted.
These brave men and women show a love and dedication that was modeled over 2,000 years ago by Jesus. He also came to serve and gave his life for us. There is no greater love than to sacrifice oneself for another.
Thank you.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 NIV
Contest
I’m sending out an extra post this week because I’m looking for your feedback. My new book will be out in the spring and I’d like you to help me choose the title. The book is a collection of short inspirational stories such as the ones you receive from this blog.
All votes back to me by November 15th will be entered into a draw to win an autographed copy of the new book. You can vote by commenting directly on the blog or by going to the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/timewithtandy
We have three to choose from. Each would have a subtitle of “Finding Inspiration in Everyday Things” Which title would grab your attention?
1. A Twist of Life
2. Is There a Story in That?
3. Dragonflies, Snowdrifts and Spice Cake
Emergency Scene
My husband and I were driving on a major highway when the traffic slowed and merged to one lane. We were expecting road work to be the cause of the delay. Soon we came upon a large sign that said: Emergency Scene Ahead, and realized that this was not the case.
Up ahead, in the median, we saw a semi with its roof crushed and windows shattered. Its trailer was being loaded onto a flat deck, while another tow truck worked on the cab. The warning signs had given us the time to slow down and move over to give emergency crews space to work.
Thinking about these warning signs, I wondered what signs I have in my life to warn me of emergency situations ahead. The biggest one is my conscience. The Holy Spirit speaks to me, warning me of things that will cause problems. When I heed these warnings, things go smoothly. It is when I ignore the warning and forge ahead that I put myself in danger.
In order to live securely I need to spend time in prayer and pay attention to the leading of the Holy Spirit. By doing this, there will be less emergency scenes in my life.
The Lord’s beloved people will live securely with him. The Lord will shelter them all day long. (Deuteronomy 33:12B) GWT
Rubik’s Cube
Recently I received a small Rubik’s Cube on a key chain. This was a game that had both entertained and frustrated me in the past.
According to Wikipedia, the Rubik’s Cube is the world’s top selling puzzle game. Although it reached the height of its popularity in the 1980’s, it still has the power to fascinate its users. This was demonstrated when my grandson picked it up and asked to play with it. When I told him that he could have it, he was thrilled.
The cube has nine coloured squares on each side. When it’s new, each side contains its own colour: red, blue, green, yellow, orange or white. As it is turned the colours shift to other locations, changing the pattern. Returning it back to the original state is very difficult.
Looking at the cube, I recalled a lesson of how it related to everyday life. In life, each new experience shifts my pattern. Left to my own devices, I’d probably stick with the safety of knowing everything will remain the same. When I give control to God, he leads me on exciting new adventures. As I learn and follow God’s will for my life, he transforms me. The pattern is constantly evolving and I look back, amazed at the changes that have made my life more colourful.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NLT)
Moving On
Due to unforeseen circumstance, we had to say good bye to the convertible we had enjoyed for the past few years. Hail damage had taken its toll. Originally it was going to be repaired, but things don’t always work out the way we think they will. After a week in the body shop we were informed that the cost for repair was too great and the vehicle was being deemed a total loss.
It was sad to realize that we could no longer drive down the highway with the top down, an unimpeded view of the blue sky above and the breeze in our hair. This model is no longer being manufactured so we can’t replace it with a similar one.
Now it’s time to move on. Instead of being sad to see it go, I choose have fond memories of the past but to focus on the excitement of something new and different. We went vehicle shopping and have found something else to drive.
This is a reminder of my life. Nothing lasts forever. I can choose to focus on what was in the past or move ahead and enjoy what is happening in the present. Each day has new offerings and I need to be open to receive them. The events in my life may not happen as I had planned them, but I know they have been orchestrated by God. He is in control and his timing is perfect.
Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (GNT)
Injury
Someone else commented that using the other arm would force her brain to create new pathways. Joking about this, we said that new pathways for our brains could be a good thing.
The thought that stayed with me was the new pathways. God has many things planned for me which I will never discover if I’m not willing to forge new paths. Like anything new, it will feel awkward and uncertain in the beginning. When I pray to God for guidance and trust in him, those unknown paths will be able to lead me in a life full of exciting adventures.
I have commanded you, “Be strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 GWT
Toy Box
My father built a toy box as a gift for my son’s first Christmas. It was shaped like a truck and painted red. He had planned on building a little seat in it but was very ill and not able to complete it before he passed away a few weeks later.
It has held toys for children and grandchildren for many years now. It is no longer needed in my house but it is a reminder of my father so I felt it needed to stay in the family. My son has girls so didn’t want it. It was offered to my daughter’s son and he was thrilled to have it.
When we delivered the toy box to our daughter’s house my six-year-old granddaughter was upset that it was for her brother and not her. I explained that my father had built it for her uncle and it was to go to boys in the family. He didn’t have any boys which was why it now was passed on to her brother. I thought I had satisfied her with this answer until she looked at me with a worried expression and asked if her brother was now going to be part of her uncle’s family!
The thought of belonging to family and family legacies being passed on made me realize again how blessed I am to be a part of the family of God. The legacy that he has passed on is available to everyone. Gender has no bearing on the gifts that he bestows. The family I was born into has no impact on how he feels. God loves me unconditionally and calls me his child.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 NIV