Romans 8:5-8
Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn’t pleased at being ignored.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the interest of fairness, I will talk about our other cat, Lucy, today. Lucy is a “tuxedo” (black and white) who is pretty much attached to me (while her sister, Mabel, prefers to hang with Greg 99% of the time). To say that Lucy is self-absorbed would be an understatement. Don’t get me wrong, we love and adore both of our cats – and spoil them rotten! Both are the most vocal cats we have ever known… but “No!” is not in Lucy’s vocabulary! When she wants my attention, she will squawk and squall like she is dying. Or if I am trying to sleep and she wants my attention, she will either paw at me incessantly (front paws declawed, thankfully!) or she will lie down next to me and thump her tail so loudly it echoes in the bed springs!
Granted, Lucy is a cat. And I guess a cat is entitled to be self-centered… it’s kinda their job! But when it comes to our own lives, we are often so much like Lucy – or worse – and God is not pleased. We are either kicking, screaming and insisting that He do something for us… that He give us every one of our heart’s desires (which are not necessarily the same as His desires for us)… or we completely ignore Him and strike out on our own to do things our way. OR… we figure out another way to get what we want. Like Lucy, if God doesn’t answer as quickly as we wish – or in the manner we prefer – we have ways of making our requirements known!
Often, end result is not pretty. We end up miserable, defeated and disappointed… and feeling anything but peaceful. If only we had sense enough to trust God… to seek Him in all things and to desire what He desires. If only we thought of God first…and second… and third…and put our ego on the back burner. We can’t even begin to imagine what God would do for us if we would do this for Him. But as my Mam-ma Polly would say, “I tell you what”… I’m willing to try. Are you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I passed through our living area this morning and caught a glimpse of Mabel, our calico cat, lying atop a throw that was folded over the back of our couch. She looked so serene… all is well in her little world. She knows that she is fed and cared for… that we love her to the moon and back. She wants for nothing and trusts us for everything. And unless one of our kids is chasing her or she thinks our “tuxedo cat” Lucy might get a morsel of extra chow, she is at peace.
What about you? Do you have peace in your life? Do you feel God’s love and care? Are you confident that Jesus has paid the price for you – your sins and shortcomings – so that you can handle whatever “life” and the devil throw at you with hope and courage? Do you want for nothing and trust God for everything? Isn’t it time you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Romans 15:30-33
Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation I am taking to Jerusalem. Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.
And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
One of the themes of a recent episode of A&E’s Duck Dynasty was helping out friends and family members. Jase Robertson noted that a perk of being part of the Robertson clan is that if you need help… all you have to do is ask for it. It’s no different in the Christian family…we help each other out in ways great and small. And one of the greatest ways we can help one another is through prayer.
I know that some of you hesitate to ask others to pray for you. You may be too embarrassed… or too proud. You may feel that your request would be an imposition. You may say, “He/she is so busy or has so many burdens. I can’t bother them to pray for me.” You may feel that you don’t need others prayers - that God hears you, and He will answer – and this is sufficient. You may feel that the intercessions of others are not necessary.
Here’s the deal. Praying for others is one of the privileges of being a Christian. When you don’t call on others to pray for you, a blessing is blocked. Christians do not have ESP… they cannot always discern when a friend or family member needs – or wants – prayers to be offered on their behalf. We must be open and honest… and ask our brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for us. By the same token… we must stay awake and alert. When we see a friend or family member with a need, we must offer to pray for them.
In Genesis 12:2 and 3, God tells Abram, “You will become famous and be a blessing to others. I will bless anyone who blesses you…” Prayer is a great tool for creating blessings – and peace. I have experienced both as I prayed for others… and as others prayed for me. So join your circle of friends and family in their struggle by praying to God for them out of Christian love. In the words of Duck Dynasty’s Uncle Si Robertson, “the buddy or family system means we help each other out.” The buddy system exists for Christians, as well. Are you praying for others and asking them to pray for you? Isn’t it time you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Romans 15:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Greg and I watched Amour, an award-winning French film about an aging couple who face serious challenges after the wife suffers a stroke that leaves her paralyzed on her right side. The couple – former piano teachers in Paris – both make numerous adjustments to their home and lifestyle to accommodate her affliction. Then she suffers a second stroke that leaves her bedridden and unable to speak. Understandably, she loses hope… and over time, so does her husband. After the movie ended, Greg and I looked at each other, and I said, “I pray that God spares us this kind of ending.”
I know that we don’t get to choose what happens… and I would never dare to tell God how things ought to go. I know that His plans are perfect… that there are reasons and outcomes that I cannot envision. I know that I must trust Him completely… and for the most part, I do a pretty good job of this.
Still, I don’t have enough fingers and toes to name those I know personally who are currently facing situations that seem hopeless. I think of a friend who just had babies she had fostered for most of their little lives removed from her home yesterday in the dark of early morning… whisked away to live with a cousin they had never even met. I think about friends who have a spouse who is seriously ill and the decisions they face daily about the care and well-being of these spouses – and themselves. I think of a friend who will bury her brother in a couple of days… and another who sits at her brother’s bedside as he appears to be losing his battle with cancer. I am reminded of my friend Mich, who lost his battle with a cancerous brain tumor that he didn’t even know he had three months ago. I have prayed today for a high school classmate, whose grand-daughter was born yesterday with Down’s Syndrome and three holes in her little heart.
I know families who struggle from day to day to pay bills and put food on the table… and others who just can’t seem to get it together in their interpersonal relationships. I know some who struggle with addictions… smoking, drinking, drugs and more – and wrestle with kicking their habits. I visited this week with an elderly mother who lives in an assisted living facility. Her daughter is fighting for her life in a hospital in a nearby city, and this mother had not received any word about her condition in two days. Another resident I visited at the same facility was deeply concerned about his friend who is experiencing health problems as he stresses over caring for his wife. I picked up the local paper and read about a man who was arrested for receiving a shipment of illegal drugs at our local post office. His mother lives on my mother-in-law’s street, and my sister and I attended elementary school with him. I thought about how hopeless she – and all of these dear people – must feel.
How do you find joy and peace when you feel so hopeless… and helpless? How do you forge ahead with confidence in the midst of such trials and suffering? There is only one answer… Jesus! Through the power of His Holy Spirit, we can feel calm and peace when life swirls around us like a whirlpool and threatens to suck us down into the depths of despair. Because of Jesus, we can believe that we will laugh again… that we will find happiness, serenity, rest and renewal…that Someone far more competent and powerful than we are is in complete control… and that all will be well. Because of Jesus, we can dare to hope and believe that God’s plan is perfect… and we can rest in this.
Today marks 50 years since the infamous speech by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that is known to many as the “I Have a Dream” address. I also have a dream… that God is working out everything, according to His perfect plan… that I can rest in this hope and find His peace and joy in even the worst of circumstances. What is your dream? Where is your hope? Will this be the day that you rest in the LORD and begin to operate in His peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Romans 14:19-21
So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. You’re certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God’s work among you, are you? I said it before and I’ll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don’t eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
“The two best times to keep your mouth shut are when you are swimming and when you are angry.” This quote appeared a few months ago on the Facebook wall of my friend Mich Magness, who was celebrated and buried in Oklahoma today. Mich was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor known as Glioblastoma on June 14th and died August 23rd. He was only 52. I’ve talked about Mich in previous devotionals, so I won’t repeat the story of how we became friends. But I have to mention Mich today, because he truly understood these verses in Romans 14. Mich stood up for what was right… and he spoke out when necessarily. But Mich was very careful not to judge others… or to criticize or speak in a way that would make the other person feel inferior or unimportant. And that’s why so many people loved him so dearly.
Sunday afternoon, Greg, my mother-in-law Elaine, and I went to see the movie, The Butler. We found the film to be extraordinarily good. As my dear friend John Birdsong put it, “I thought it was an amazingly courageous look at an ugly time in America, and even though we have granted racial equality in our country by law, there are many people who never saw what was going on or understood the human toll our racial divide took on real people and real families. I thought the movie told a story that needs to be heard again and again.”
John is one of the most fair, honest men I know. He always presents his thoughts in a careful, gentle manner. Still, he took flak over his movie review… as he has for other comments in the past. In many cases, Facebook commenters lodge their attacks and ugliness at John himself. At times, it’s gotten very personal. This happens all the time… not just on Facebook, but all over the place. Even in church and Sunday school classrooms, people often voice their opinions as if they are straight from the Gospel, giving little consideration to who might take offense. These people are entitled to their views… but one statement spoken unkindly or with judgment can condemn someone else (even inadvertently) and cause him/her to turn away from God – possibly forever! In other words, these people may decide that…”If this is how those who serve God feel… and perhaps even how GOD feels… then I don’t want any part of Him!” And in essence, the “meal around Jesus’ table” is ruined.
Again, I am not asking you to compromise your values… or even to sugarcoat the hard teachings of the Bible. But I am suggesting that you think carefully about what you say and how you act… that you temper your opinions with a hefty dose of grace and mercy – and the love of Christ. Be gentle. Make sure that you are acting and speaking in a way that represents Jesus Christ and everything He stands for… compassion, generosity, forgiveness, acceptance, and kindness. Remember our place in the word as Christ’s disciples. We are not the judge and jury… we are His hands and feet – His humble servants. Nurture others and quietly guide them toward a right relationship with Jesus… don’t hit them over the head with a hammer!
For the most part, critical, opinionated Christians are not bad people…they just don’t pause to think about their words and actions and how they might affect others. I’m asking each of us to take a hard look at our lives and see where we have “spoiled the meal” with our behavior. Like the quote from Mich’s wall reminds us…let’s learn to keep our mouths shut more often – and not only when we go swimming!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Romans 14:17-18
God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you’ll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My mom posted on Facebook about a guest speaker at her church who admonished members not to glare at those who sat on “their” pew. She went on to recall a man who did exactly this to our family one Sunday when we lived in Gore, Oklahoma. Apparently everyone in the church congregation knew this was the man’s regular “spot” each Sunday… but we were clueless. I double-checked with my mom… she says we moved - RIGHT AWAY! She also says that the church members were not friendly… that for the six months or so that we lived in this town and attended church there, most did not ever introduce themselves, so we didn’t know their names. She also recalls that she thought my Sunday school teacher was really nice… until she learned that the woman had gotten into a fight with another woman at the beauty shop…and hit her on the head and flattened her hair curlers!
Now you may be asking yourself what this all has to do with today’s scripture passage. In the example of the man claiming a pew, I believe this is much like Biblical references to those who claimed that certain foods were “unclean” and should not be eaten. It’s another case of imposing rules that take on a religious importance or significance… but God didn’t put any there! They really have nothing to do with authentic service to Christ. In fact, such “rules” can be quite disruptive and destructive.
As for the Sunday school teacher who fought at the beauty parlor and the unfriendly church members… neither of these behaviors were pleasing to God. And by acting in this manner, these folks were discounting their faith to those around them. Nobody wants what you are offering if you serve it up unkindly. And those who focus on rituals and routines… or fail to exhibit the qualities and characteristics of Jesus and His love, grace and mercy… often negate their supposed “faith” and do far more harm than good!
Because we are human… and imperfect… we often find it easy to lose sight of what is important. Our attention span is generally that of a gnat… and we fail to stay focused on Jesus – and to single-mindedly serve Him. When this happens, things go haywire… God is not glorified… and peace is nowhere to be found. Remember… people are watching. They notice when you put things, traditions and personal agendas ahead of God. They see how you play fast and loose with your faith and take the “it’s nobody else’s business” approach to your relationship with our Heavenly Father. They take a long, hard look at your attitude that “I’m not hurting anyone… this is between God and me” and they wonder just how much you desire to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. You may even cause them to question the motives and sincerity of Jesus himself! Did He really mean it when He said He loves us? Was His gentle care, grace and mercy for real? Or would Jesus be first in line to glare at us from the end of a pew or smash our hair curlers when He didn’t like something we said or did?
At the end of the day, what matters is pretty simple… our relationship with Jesus Christ and how we serve Him. If we let anything get in the way or take our focus off of Jesus, we are setting ourselves up to operate in chaos… and we are opening the door to offer a poor example of Christian faith to others. Neither sounds peaceful… or desirable to me. What about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Psalms 119:165
Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Recently, I tried out a couple of new recipes I found on Pinterest. We invited my mother-in-law, Elaine, over for dinner. It’s always dicey to try out new recipes on a dinner guest, but Elaine is a good sport… and the dishes were actually quite tasty – crock pot lasagna and a peanut butter pie. As we finished dessert, Elaine asked, “Did you have a recipe for this pie?” I laughed and said “Oh, yes… no telling how this pie would have turned out if I had made it up in my head!” I know that I would probably not have thought to follow the same steps – and the taste and texture of my “version” would have been markedly different!
There are a few dishes in my repertoire that I have made enough times that I don’t really need to follow a recipe (although I guess technically, I still follow the recipe in my head!). But printed instructions for most entrees and desserts serve as a comfort – and a confidence booster! If I follow the recipe, I have a pretty good idea that I won’t stumble… and that gives me great peace. The same can be said for sewing patterns. When I veer off course and try to create a garment without referring to the pattern and instructions, I have a pretty good shot at making something that is un-wearable… or at the very least doesn’t fit correctly. And when I stray from a recipe, there is a fairly good chance the dish won’t be nearly as tasty.
When it comes to following God’s instructions, there is really no difference. We can try to do things our way…and sometimes skirt by with little repercussion. But more often, we experience an epic fail. We make a huge mess of things…and our life is anything but peaceful and filled with days of “smooth sailing”. And it’s almost always because we didn’t follow “God’s recipe or pattern”.
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (CEV), we read “Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only true God! So love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Memorize his laws and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you’re at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning. Write down copies and tie them to your wrists and foreheads to help you obey them. Write these laws on the door frames of your homes and on your town gates.” In Matthew and Luke, Jesus instructs us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. This is what I would call a good “pattern” or “recipe”! If we will truly commit to following these guidelines, our lives should be filled with steady steps and great peace. There will surely be “bumps in the road”… but God will be with us to help us regroup and move forward.
Whose “recipe” or “pattern” will you follow? Will you love the instructions God has given us and make them an innate part of your daily living? Are you really willing to risk God’s peace and a relatively bump-free road in life just to have your own way? Are you following your own rules… or God’s? How’s that working for you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Romans 14:13-14
Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is. I’m convinced—Jesus convinced me!—that everything as it is in itself is holy. We, of course, by the way we treat it or talk about it, can contaminate it.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A few weeks before my Mam-ma Polly died, she fell one day and hit her head. The nurse at her facility called me and said, “Do you want me to put her in my car and drive her to the ER?” I told her that I did not want her to do that… Mam-ma was under the care of Hospice, and I had promised her “No more hospitals!” The nurse thought the head wound needed stitches. I asked her to call the Hospice nurses, and I got in my car and drove to the facility to check things out for myself.
If you have never experienced a head wound, they bleed profusely. It looks like every drop of blood in your body is quickly exiting via your head! I kept reminding everyone that when Mam-ma fell one Christmas Eve on our driveway and hit her head, the blood poured from what ended up being a tiny puncture wound. “Let’s get this cleaned up and see what we have,” I suggested.
The Hospice nurse cleaned the wound and we determined it was indeed small. Mam-ma insisted she was fine! She did NOT want to go to the ER for stitches. With virtually everyone except the Hospice nurse looking at me like I had grown horns, I opted to let things be. A loving and very competent aide checked on Mam-ma every thirty minutes through the rest of the night...the next day, she was perfectly fine.
Had I taken Mam-ma to the ER for stitches, we might have sat there waiting for hours… something that was very hard on a woman who was 100+ years of age. The doctor would have poked and prodded and ordered all sorts of unnecessary tests… and then the medical staff would probably have sewn up her wound and sent her home – exhausted - in the wee hours of the morning. As it was, she spent the night in her own bed, woke up feeling fine, and moved forward with her daily routine.
If I had opted to take my grandmother to the ER, I would have made her life more difficult than it already was. Believe me, I did not make any decisions concerning Mam-ma without a LOT of prayer. At the end of the day, Mam-ma made it abundantly clear that she was ready to go to heaven, and she did not want any of us getting in her way! She trusted God to know when and how to call her home…and I did my best to see that her “holy alliance” with Him was not contaminated by human actions. We were both at peace with this agreement.
Hopefully you are not making end-of-life decisions. But I would bet the farm that you are making choices that could go either way in the “holy alliance” battle. Maybe you are speaking out about thoughts and behaviors you view to be sinful… but you are doing so in a manner that makes others look at you and say, “If that’s how Christians behave, I don’t want any part of it!” Perhaps you have been critical or derogatory toward some who disagree with your beliefs, and you have failed to recognize that your own attitudes and behaviors are unkind, unloving… and borderline sinful! Suppose your conduct is less than perfect (HELLOOOO… NOBODY is perfect!)… yet you are quick to tell the other guy why he/she is wrong and “needs Jesus”!
Do you see that you may be “contaminating a holy alliance” with God? Do you see that you very well may be doing more harm than good when it comes to adding to the Kingdom of Heaven? Can you grasp that these are not attitudes and behaviors that foster an environment where God’s peace can flourish – for any of us? Please read this passage… more than once! Examine your heart – and your attitudes and actions – and see where you are trying to decide what is right for others. This is not God’s plan for us… and it does not create an atmosphere of peace and spiritual growth. And that’s really what we’re after… or it should be!
In order to please God and operate in His peace, we often have to move over and get out of His way. Where are you standing today?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Psalm 94:18-19
When I felt my feet slipping, you came with your love and kept me steady. And when I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Sometimes “life” kicks us in the gut… and for me, the 1990s was a long decade of “gut-checks”. In July 1992, my father-in-law died suddenly from an aortic aneurysm. He was not quite 70, and we were shocked and stunned by his unexpected passing. In October 1997, my dad underwent a “routine” arteriogram to search for coronary blockage. A few hours later, he was fighting for his life, as “cholesterol showering” had caused shavings and sprinkles of cholesterol plaque to block his kidneys and other body organs. By November, he was in full-blown renal failure and placed on dialysis.
My dad spent much of the next six months in and out of hospitals (mostly in). While we “carried on” with a family Thanksgiving meal, my mom ate her turkey dinner in a hospital cafeteria. A sudden life-threatening episode sent Daddy back to Little Rock to the hospital in the early morning hours of Christmas Eve… so we celebrated a week later when he returned home. By February, the doctors had told him that there was no cure… that he could choose to stop dialysis and probably live only a couple of weeks longer. Daddy chose to keep going.
Meanwhile, my 37-year-old brother, Tim, was battling liver failure. He would have good days, and very bad days… and in September 1998, his body gave out. Thirteen months later, my dad would undergo a “routine” surgery followed by a massive stroke the next day… and then he suffered a fatal heart attack. As if this were not all more than enough to bear, Tim’s beloved dog Carmen (who had become Mom’s constant companion) contracted tick fever in the spring of 2000 and died. AND… my Mam-ma Polly’s dear companion of seven years, Deb, succumbed to bladder cancer. I’d call all of this a “gut-check”… wouldn’t you?
Today, I learned that a dear friend – and fellow church member – is getting her own “kick in the gut”. Her husband died in February. Just a few weeks ago, her dog became very ill and had to be put down… and now she has learned that her brother’s oncologist is saying things have taken a drastic turn, and he probably only has 2 weeks or less to live. Sometimes, life is incredibly messy – even for the most faith-filled Christians. I would imagine that my friend very much feels like her feet are slipping… that she is burdened with worries and insecurities and wondering how on earth she will ever put one foot ahead of the other again.
Here’s where Psalm 94:18-19 comes in - and why I shared these personal experiences with you…when our feet begin to slip, the worries and insecurities overcome us and sheer panic sets in. God is there to lift us up and keep us steady. He will carry us when we cannot walk. He will comfort us and make us feel secure. He will do this by sending friends and family members to surround us. God will allow our own messy “gut-checks” to serve as encouragement for others as we say, “He got us through this… and He’ll get you through, also.”
I don’t mean to diminish grief and suffering. Just writing a note of encouragement to my friend brought back a flood of thoughts and memories of my own brother and all we shared in his last days. But at the end of the day, I have tremendous peace. I have experienced incredible joy and blessings in the last 2+ decades… even in the midst of great sorrow and loss. And it’s all because God’s love came and kept me steady. What He has done for me… He will most certainly do for you.
Many are worried and burdened today… and you may be among them. I want you to feel God’s presence. As your feet begin to slip, feel His hands under your arms…lifting you and steadying your gait. Recognize the rhythms of God’s steady breathing as He draws you close to Him and says, “I’ve got this!” Relax and sink deep into His loving arms… rest in His peace… trust Him. This will most likely not change the outcome of your circumstances… but it will change how you are affected by them.
God understands your grief and sadness… your frustration and pain. These are natural reactions. But He offers supernatural peace and reassurance. Take refuge in His nurture and safekeeping. Know that God is leading others to pray for you… to love you and serve as His hands and feet on this earth. Don’t let your “gut-check” become a fatal blow. Feel the steady “grip of grace” that surrounds you… and rest in God’s peace - today and always.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Psalm 73:25-28
You’re all I want in heaven!
You’re all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
God is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.
But I’m in the very presence of God—
oh, how refreshing it is!
I’ve made Lord God my home.
God, I’m telling the world what you do!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I saw a story on CBS Sunday Morning about 30-year-old Nick Vujicic, an Australian man who was born with no arms and no legs. Nick has small “feet” on which he hobbles around, yet he is able to do virtually everything you and I can do with fully functioning limbs. He swims, plays soccer, and even golfs! Life has obviously not been easy for Nick Vujicic, and he will tell you that from ages 8-13, he was angry with God for allowing him to be created this way. He was also bullied continually by his peers at school. In fact, Nick tells in this interview about a day when he was 10 and his father helped him get into the bath tub. Nick asked to be left alone. His father shut the door, and Nick turned himself over face down and “let go” in an effort to drown himself. He could not go through with this, and the thought of hurting his mother, dad and brother in this way made him choose to live.
At age 15, Nick read John 9 and gave his heart to Jesus, and he says on his website, www.lifewithoutlimbs.org, that “I knew I had to make my life right with Him, but I blamed Him for my pain. I read how Jesus said that the blind man was born that way so that the works of God would be revealed through him. I said to God that if He had a plan for that man I certainly believed that He had one for me. I totally surrendered the ‘needing to know the plan’ idea and trusted in Him one day at a time.” Today, Nick is married, the father of a perfectly “normal” little boy… and an international evangelist and motivational speaker whose message in part is that…”My faith in God and my personal relationship has given me the power, strength, humility and grace to ask Him to change me one day at a time. That if my circumstance doesn’t change, then I’d ask Him to change my heart, for all things come together for the good and for those who love Him.” Nick Vujicic offers hope to others by reminding them that they are not alone…and that God will not allow them to go through more than they can handle.
As I read this passage, I’ll be honest… I was immediately struck by the verses that talk of skin that sags and bones that are brittle. For many of you, these things are a long way off in your future… and others among you are right there with me! I thought of the days when I look in the mirror and see another “age spot”… even more white hair… and a little more of me than there was when I was in college! And yet, I also see someone who is refreshed, calm and peaceful, and oh-so-content! How can this be? I give you one word… Jesus! On the days when the devil starts to remind me that I’m not as young as I once was… that I can’t physically do all I used to do in a day… that I walk into a room and forget why I am there, can’t recall familiar names, and lose simple objects like my phone and car keys – or the TV remote…I start humming a happy praise song or thanking God out loud for His ever present help and for meeting all of my needs (and helping me to find the missing object or recollection!).
I find that I don’t care as much about shopping these days… that “things” are not nearly as important as relationships… that I truly do have everything I need. And when I hear about someone like Nick Vujicic, I am doubly humbled to think that God has blessed me so abundantly. What’s the big deal about a head of hair that is quickly turning white and knees that seize up once in a while? In God’s eyes, our bodies and outward appearance do not define us… it’s all about the heart and soul!
I am grateful that I have two arms and legs… that I can walk upright and hug my loved ones… that I am still incredibly sound and healthy in a physical sense. But I am even more grateful for a sound heart and mind. Anyone who knows me well understands that I have become a serious “homebody.” Thanks to technology and modern conveniences, I rarely have to leave the comforts of my house and venture out into the “real world”! Virtually anything and everything I want or need can be delivered to my doorstep, phone or computer screen…even face-to-face conversations with friends and family (although “in-person” interaction with others is still important!). I am even more grateful that I am always “at home” in the LORD… that God is with me… always and everywhere… and that He is truly meeting all my needs.
I know that Nick Vujicic is right… God will not give me more than I can handle with His help… even the loss of limbs, memory, loved ones…or my hair color! And He will do this for you, as well. I am blessed to rest in the peace of God… to reside at home in Him…and to feel his ever present love and care. Where is your home? What matters most to you? What struggles are keeping you from resting in the home of the LORD? Nick Vujicic claims that “attitude is altitude.” Our attitude – our faith, our values, our determination - govern how high we travel… what goals we accomplish, the levels of competence and satisfaction we achieve.
How high are you aiming? Is peace in God and a home with Him at the top of your list of goals and desires? Are you doing everything you can to attain this? Will today be the day you surrender to “needing to know the plan” and trust God to handle things for you? Will this be the day you find your way “home” and rest in God’s peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Psalm 4:8
I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other night after her bath, our 2-year-old niece Zola got her favorite stuffed bear and sat down in a little wooden rocking chair… and she began to rock. I watched her eyelids grow heavy and her head start to bob – and then she would jerk upright and start the process all over again. I asked her, “Zola, are you getting sleepy?” “NO!” came the instant, adamant retort! But within a few minutes, her little head was almost in her lap, as she sank lower and lower and totally conked out in that chair. I told Greg… “The rocking chair has done my work for me!”
I find it ironic that I can sit down to watch television and almost instantly fall asleep… but when I go to bed, I toss and turn for quite a while before I succumb to slumber. Why is that?! For a lot of us, bedtime is when we get still and quiet…but our minds continue to race. We think of all we did… all that did not get done… what we have to do the next day/week/year…and more. Even little children often find it hard to settle down and sleep. In our case, they want “one more” - book, movie or TV show, glass of juice… anything that will keep them up and at ‘em a while longer.
For those of us who are older, the problem may also be trying to cram in one more activity before we sleep… but often, it’s more a case of some type of worry or busyness. We are unable to shut down and relax, because the devil keeps tapping on our shoulder and saying, “HELLOOOOOOOO!!! What are you planning to do about such-and-such?” He gets our mind reeling… and manages to keep it that way until we are so exhausted we can’t help but fall asleep… or so “wired” that sleep is completely out of the picture!
Can I be quite honest here? I have actually tossed and turned at night thinking about whether I’m going to turn leftover chicken into a salad or a stew… and should I get up and check the expiration date on that package of whatever to determine if I need to use it first before I choose some other ingredient?! I feel pretty silly the next morning when I think about it and tell myself, “There was no rush… it’s not like you were going to get up and cook a meal before you slept!” And if you are honest, I bet you have let your mind run away with you about a thing or two at one point or another.
Let’s all take a collective breath and read this passage again…”I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe.” I have found that one thing that helps me to fall asleep quickly and soundly is to pray. I KNOW… sounds weird, huh?! Now, I’m not saying that prayer is boring… or that talking to God puts me to sleep – in that way! But what could be better than to fall asleep talking to God… to have conversation with Him as your last waking activity? We say “night-time prayers” with our little ones… why do you suppose we do this? Do you see that even without realizing it, we are preparing their hearts and minds – and their bodies – for perfect, sound sleep in the “safety” of God’s care?
When you think of the LORD keeping you safe as you sleep, don’t take this word so literally. Imagine that He is handling your schedule… your worries… your frustrations and your fears. God is the ultimate “Night Watchman” who handles everything… and knocks the devil off your shoulder… so that you can relax, refresh and renew - and REST peacefully. I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty awesome to me! Does this mean we will never toss and turn again… or that something is wrong with us if we do? Absolutely not! Everyone will have times when sleep eludes us… for a myriad of reasons. But this is not God’s design - or His desire. God wants us to experience His peace in all areas of our life… even when we are not awake.
So talk to God… thank Him for His amazing love and protection – and for the blessing of being able to sleep soundly in complete peace. Like the little wooden rocking chair that swayed our 2-year-old Zola to sleep, God will take away our every burden and concern – and rock us gently in His arms. Call on Him to do this. Make your last words of the night a prayer to God. Awaken refreshed, energized, calm and peaceful knowing that He heard you…that He guarded your every breath… and He is ready to help you face whatever the day will bring. Rest well in the LORD… and sleep like His baby, because you are!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Psalm 37:4
Do what the Lord wants, and he will give you your heart’s desire.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On Sundays, we usually take Timothy and Zola to lunch after church at a local fast-food restaurant. We’ve figured out that the kids are more interested in the “atmosphere” and the people in the restaurant (and the toys in their meal!) than they are in eating their actual food. So we have started ordering one child’s meal for them to share – plus an extra drink. Even at that, neither child ate much last Sunday, and we ended up taking their lunch home for them to finish later. This did not stop Timothy from asking for ice cream. We are making an effort to support the children’s parents in not giving them dessert if they don’t eat their main meal… so the answer was “Not today.”
Here’s the thing… we would walk across hot coals for our little ones. We would never fail to meet their needs…to see that they are fed, clothed, clean, protected, and healthy. But there are things we can – and will – do for them that go above and beyond their necessities… as rewards for good behavior. This is not a way to selfishly control the children. We are teaching them that positive actions and constructive efforts will be rewarded. And this is the message for us in Psalm 37:4.
God loves us. He wants us to succeed… to be healthy, happy, safe, fed, clothed, and protected. But He has SO much more that He wants to give us… if only we will listen, obey, and serve as He has commanded. When we begin to operate fully in doing what the LORD wants, the rewards sometimes flow so abundantly that we cannot even tie them directly to a specific thing we have said or done. Do not misunderstand me… I’m not necessarily speaking of tangible gifts that we can see, touch and feel. I’m talking about the subtle blessings, like joy and peace in your heart that comes from knowing that you helped someone else… did the right thing… or served when you really didn’t feel like doing so.
If you really want to experience your heart’s desire, do what the LORD wants…not expecting Him to bless you, but because you want to serve Him – because you are grateful for all He provides, and you love Him. The amazing part of this is that you will not only receive blessings, joy and peace… but you may actually be God’s vessel to deliver these rewards to someone else! Now that will truly give you your heart’s desire!
When we start to consciously ask God to show us what He wants… and act on the answers He gives us… this becomes second nature. Soon, our selfish motives and desires take a backseat to God’s plans… and we begin to operate in His abundance - His peace and joy. I don’t know about you, but these are pretty near the top of my list of “heart’s desires”… they are my “ice cream after lunch” - and I’m ready to do whatever I can to acquire them. Are you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Psalm 34:11-14
Come, my children, listen as I teach you
to respect the Lord.
Do you want to live
and enjoy a long life?
Then don’t say cruel things
and don’t tell lies.
Do good instead of evil
and try to live at peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In our neck of the woods, today is “Back-To-School Day”. Facebook is flooded with photos of kiddos posing in fresh new outfits with their backpacks… ready to start another year of studies. Some hold signs declaring their grade level. Others look less than thrilled to be photographed. Mommas and daddies are experiencing a mixed bag of emotions… glad to see the kids shoot out the door and back to a routine – but also sad to see how quickly they grow.
When I was teaching kindergarten, I remember the teary-eyed mothers who could hardly bear to say “Goodbye” at the door – as if their child was going off to war or something. I remember children who clung to their parent’s leg and didn’t want them to leave – as if school was a big ole scary place… and I was the Wicked Witch of the West! Somehow, it all worked out after that first morning or two. I totally “get” the jumble of feelings that parents experience when they drop off their most precious cargo and place them in the hands of virtual strangers for 7+ hours a day. We have all been so excited about our own little Timothy starting to pre-K. But at the same time, it signals a major shift in the timeline of life. It seems like once children start to school – even a pre-K – the years really begin to fly.
School is a wonderful experience for most children. School is important… the place where we hope that learning will occur in a structured, organized continuum… a setting where social skills will be honed and we learn to get along with others and find our place in society. And as I read this passage from Psalm 34 today, I thought, “This would be a great starting point for learning!” If only we could start our school year by teaching these verses! In a round-about way, I believe this will happen in many classrooms. I started my first day each year with a lesson about the “ground rules”.
I reviewed three “rules” with my students… 1) Be kind to others; 2) Work and play quietly; and 3) Respect other people’s property. This encompassed pretty much every situation that might arise. Say something cruel or tell a lie? Remember to be kind to others. Raise your voice or yell and scream? Don’t forget to work and play quietly. Take a toy, crayon or book that doesn’t belong to you – or someone else was using? Gotta respect other people’s property!
The same verses – and rules – have application for us…even long after we have finished our school careers. If we will heed the words of this passage from Psalm 34, we will have a much better shot at living in God’s peace. If we will “be kind to others, work and play quietly, and respect other people’s property” – if we will strive to do good instead of evil… God will bless us and give us a good life in Him.
I’ve said before that as a former teacher, this time of year was more my “New Year” than January 1st. So why don’t we make this a time that we resolve to pay attention to these verses in Psalm 34… to listen to the LORD, to tell the truth and be kind… and to live in a way that pleases Him and frustrates the devil. In the words of the old John Lennon song… let’s “give peace a chance” to grow in our hearts - and enjoy a long, full life in the LORD. Happy “Back-to-School Day”… may yours be blessed and filled with peace!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Psalm 17:15
I am innocent, Lord, and I will see your face! When I awake, all I want is to see you as you are.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy and I lay down last night to read stories and prepare for bed. He asked me several questions about “when I wake up”… when he woke up, would we go to church? (yes!)… when he woke up, could he play with his toys again? (absolutely!)… when he woke up, could he have something to eat (certainly!)… when he woke up, would he see Uncle Greg and his “friends” (stuffed animals) again? (most definitely!). Each time I assured him, he would smile and relax…and sometimes he would let out a heavy sigh as if he were greatly relieved to hear my answer.
Timothy struggled to surrender to sleep…even after admitting that he was very tired and that all of his energy was gone and he needed to rest to fill up with more. I kept stroking his hair, singing softly to him, rubbing his back and snuggling him. Finally, he drifted off to sweet slumber and rested soundly. This morning, he awoke refreshed and eager to see his Uncle Greg and his “friends”… to play with toys and eat breakfast. He had trusted that my promises were true… and he was delighted to confirm this.
In our spiritual life, we are every bit like a 4-year-old child. We struggle with letting God have control… with letting go and trusting Him to recharge our batteries, so to speak – to renew our energy and meet our needs. We know in reason that we will wake up in heaven someday and meet Him face-to-face. Still, we often toss and turn, as God tries to soothe us and offer us comfort. We think of a zillion things that need to be done or experienced… and we live in a way that says, “I want to trust You and believe in YOU, LORD… I want to serve You and follow Your commands. I trust that You are waiting for me and will deliver on all of Your promises. But I’m having a little trouble giving everything over to You.”
If only we could have a glimpse of what lies ahead… if only we could get a little “sneak preview” of heaven! Then, maybe we would be able to relax and rest in the LORD. Maybe we wouldn’t struggle so much with the things of this world… with indecision, temptation, worry and nagging doubts. Perhaps we would be able to truly take God at His word… and to serve Him out of pure faith and expectation.
Here’s the deal… until we learn to operate in faith and expectation… until we fully embrace the promise of heaven and live in a way that honors our anticipation of life there at the feet of Jesus… we will never truly experience the peace of God. We will always be restless… we will always have trouble with the temptations and challenges of this world… we will always find it hard to truly relax and allow God to energize us. We must learn to recognize God’s presence in our lives on this earth… and to anticipate His presence in person for all Eternity.
Aren’t you ready to “sleep like a baby”… to rest in the peace of the LORD… to operate energetically in the confidence that God is numbering your steps on this earth – and waits to greet you in person when you arrive at Heaven’s gate? Will this be the day that you take Him at His word… with the conviction of a four-year-old who believes that morning will bring new vitality and adventures? When you awake tomorrow, what – and WHO – will you see?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Psalm 120:6
I have spent too much time living among people who hate peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend called me one day to tell me that someone in her family was in the hospital with a sudden, serious illness. She went on to report that another family member had been involved in an accident and suffered some injuries… another was going through a job change… someone else had relationship issues… and she was waiting on lab results for a life-threatening condition. Honestly, she told me all of this with such a matter-of-fact directness that I commented later, “She seems to thrive on chaos!” And it does seem that certain people really are this way. If things are not falling apart in their life… if there isn’t some sort of constant turmoil… they are not “happy” (and I use that term loosely!).
Let’s be honest… every single one of us has challenges. My pastor likes to say that “there is a heartache on every pew.” We may not have multiple major illnesses and accidents or family crises occurring, like my friend… but there are still areas where the devil is trying to wreak havoc with us – and rob us of God’s peace in our heart. I don’t believe anyone enjoys such chaos and turmoil as much as he/she learns to accept it and live with it. Maybe you are one of these people. Maybe you have allowed these things to be such a “normal” part of your life that you don’t know how to truly revel in peace!
How do we turn this around? First, I believe we might have to distance ourselves from enablers… those who continually encourage us to wallow in our disorder. I’m not saying you have to start cutting friends out of your life or become rude and unfriendly toward anyone. I’m suggesting that you consider who you spend time with… what you discuss… and how you feel afterward. If you discover that a lot of the people with whom you are in frequent contact seem to act as accomplices in creating an unsettled or disturbed atmosphere, you may need to add some new friends to your circle.
Here’s an example… I once belonged to a group who got together regularly to eat and visit and socialize. It seemed like I came home from those events feeling tense and uneasy. I didn’t like some of the things discussed… there seemed to be an undercurrent of negativity… and it just left me feeling unhappy. I finally decided that maybe I needed to leave the group. I continued to maintain a relationship with many of the friends in the group – just not in that setting… and I felt so much more peaceful for it!
Secondly, we have to adjust our attitude. We have to make a concerted – and prayerful – effort to seek God’s peace… and to keep it in our hearts. We have to resist the temptation to “go there” when the devil tries to trouble us. When we start to feel uneasy or flustered, we need to say, “LORD, I trust YOU to handle this for me.” Then we need to stick out our chin, throw our shoulders back and say, “God’s got this for me” …and breathe a sigh of relief and calm.
Often, feeling peaceful is a choice! We choose to operate in God’s peace… or to wallow in the devil’s mess. What are you choosing these days? Is it time for you to turn things around... to walk away from people and situations that foster disorder and confusion? Have you spent too much time living among people who hate peace? Will today be the day that you move?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Psalm 119:121-127
I stood up for justice and the right;
don’t leave me to the mercy of my oppressors.
Take the side of your servant, good God;
don’t let the godless take advantage of me.
I can’t keep my eyes open any longer, waiting for you
to keep your promise to set everything right.
Let your love dictate how you deal with me;
teach me from your textbook on life.
I’m your servant—help me understand what that means,
the inner meaning of your instructions.
It’s time to act, God;
they’ve made a shambles of your revelation!
Yea-Saying God, I love what you command,
I love it better than gold and gemstones;
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Thirty-nine years ago today, I married my high school sweetheart. I remember how hard I worked all summer with my mom and my grandmother to get everything ready for the wedding. We made pretty much everything… down to the gowns, cake, mints and flowers! I remember when Greg and I returned from our honeymoon. We still had a couple of weeks before school started at our university, and my family was on vacation in Texas… so we stayed at their house. When Greg returned to his summer job, I still recall thinking, “Now what?” The “hoopla” was over… college still lay ahead of me. But for the moment, reality had set in – and I was more than a little thrown by it all.
For many of us, there are lots of “Now what?” moments in life. When we settle into our college dorm room or new home for the first time, we may have those moments of asking… “Now what do I do?” When the wedding toasts have all been given and the honeymoon trip has been taken… and you return to the everyday world of work, school, household chores – or whatever your life entails, it is normal to have that moment when you wonder, “What is next?” When you finish school and enter the workforce, you may wonder, “Where do I go from here?” As you age, retire, lose family members, peers – or even a spouse, it is natural to ask, “Now what?”
In any life-changing event, there is a time of a “natural high”… followed by a “reality check” where we may wonder what will come next. Even in our Christian faith, we often go through a period of exhilaration… a “mountaintop experience” in which we are filled with joy, confidence, and inspiration to be the most devoted Disciple for Christ. On the Walk to Emmaus, participants are cautioned on the last day as they return home that the world does not operate as we do… that we will face all sorts of challenges and struggles… and the potential for becoming discouraged or complacent is high.
So where does this leave us? How do we avoid the pitfalls and navigate the “what nows”? I believe that these verses help us figure out where to begin… “teach me from your textbook on life. I’m your servant—help me understand what that means, the inner meaning of your instructions.” If we continually seek God in all things… if we listen and learn from His teachings… we can experience peace even in the midst of the most troubling “Now what?” event. God will show us how to proceed in every circumstance… He will guide us – and number our steps. And this, my friends, is worth more than the purest gold or a chest full of diamonds and gemstones.
Even after 39 years, I don’t know for certain what lies ahead… but I know Who is in charge. Because of God’s love and care, I can give my “Now whats?” to Him and rest in the assurance – and peace - that He will show me the right answers. Can you say the same?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Psalm 103:1-5
With all my heart
I praise the Lord,
and with all that I am
I praise his holy name!
With all my heart
I praise the Lord!
I will never forget
how kind he has been.
The Lord forgives our sins,
heals us when we are sick,
and protects us from death.
His kindness and love
are a crown on our heads.
Each day that we live,
he provides for our needs
and gives us the strength
of a young eagle.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was watching a video of my former pastor, John Miles, who is conducting a sermon series on “the hard sayings of Jesus.” On this particular day, Bro. John was talking about a passage from Matthew 19 (verses 7-11), in which the Pharisees tried to trip Jesus up by asking Him about whether divorce was okay. As Bro. John unraveled these verses and dug deeper, he suggested that Jesus spoke past these opponents and addressed a far broader issue. In this case, he maintains that Jesus was demonstrating how we objectify people and things. In other words, we put the focus on “marriage” and “divorce” instead of the people who are involved.
Several examples were given of how we objectify people… how lust, infidelity, and pornography – or even labels like “my husband”, “my wife” [rather than by their first name] - objectify those involved, and we don’t see them as real people with a heart and soul. He talked about how we seem to enjoy arguing about abortion, homosexuality, and other hot-button issues – to the point that we are focused on the label, not the people involved. One person tearfully mentioned to my pastor as they debated a particularly hot topic… “You just don’t know.” Clearly, this person had firsthand knowledge of the issue that my pastor did not possess. And in that moment, he saw a human being – a child of God who was struggling and in need of love and acceptance.
So what does this have to do with our scripture verses in Psalm 103? Everything! If you don’t believe me, go back and read the second half of the passage. The Lord forgives our sins… heals us when we are sick…provides for our needs… gives us the strength of a young eagle… and crowns us with His kindness and love. How can we do any less for those in our midst? The pastor concluded his sermon by noting that none of us are perfect… we all have fallen short in one area or another… yet we are all welcome at God’s table. And we should be welcome among fellow believers! He said several people had come to him over the years and confessed to one sin or another and asked… “Can I still receive Communion?” His answer is… “If God will allow me to serve it… you are allowed to receive it.”
Shouldn’t this be our continual thought? If God allows us to receive his love, kindness, care, protection, strength and healing… who are we to offer any less to others? What gives us the right to objectify – or judge – another creature? When we criticize – or exclude – another person, have we considered our own faults and shortcomings… and the grace and mercy God extends to us? Isn’t it time to drop the piety and pretense… to humbly and gratefully give God the praise for loving us all so incredibly… and to offer this same love to others? Will this be the day that we find true peace in God’s acceptance… and extend it to others in our midst?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Proverbs 3:21-26
Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
don’t for a minute lose sight of them.
They’ll keep your soul alive and well,
they’ll keep you fit and attractive.
You’ll travel safely,
you’ll neither tire nor trip.
You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry,
you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
he’ll keep you safe and sound.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Over the weekend, an 89-year-old woman in our county named Annie Jewell Brooks was awakened in the middle of the night by five young men who had broken into her home. The burglars threatened her at gunpoint, tied her up, stole her television, cash, and other items…and tore through her house looking for drugs. They told Mrs. Brooks to wait ten minutes before calling for help, or they would return and harm her. She waited twenty minutes before freeing herself and telephoning her daughter. Understandably shaken, Mrs. Brooks was not physically harmed. As promised in this scripture passage, I like to think that God was right there with Annie Jewell - keeping her safe and sound. I watched television interviews with this woman, and she strikes me as being gritty, determined – and faith-filled. It may be hard for her to get a good night’s sleep for a while, but I have a feeling she will bounce back from this and rest peacefully in the LORD.
On the other hand, several people seem to have totally lost their heads over this situation. The five young people who did this have been apprehended. Three of them are 19 years old… the other two are juveniles. All are charged as adults with Aggravated Residential Burglary, Kidnapping, and two counts of Felony Theft of Property. These young people were apprehended less than 48 hours after the incident occurred, and press releases and news reports alerted the public that they were off the streets. I am thankful that the culprits have been apprehended. They did a terrible thing, and they should be punished for this, according to the law.
Here’s where things take a wrong turn for me… the comments by fellow citizens to online posts from our Sheriff’s Department and local news media are disgusting. They range from suggestions that these young people be choked and smothered or drowned… to public hangings… to proposals that they be tied up and beaten with a baseball bat – and there was more than one volunteer. This truly sickened me. For the life of me, I cannot understand why any human being believes that the beating and/or torture of another living thing would be appropriate… regardless of what he/she did.
When I look at our own nieces, nephews and young friends, I think… “Soon enough, they will be teenagers or young adults. Someday they very well might make mistakes, as we all do.” It breaks my heart to think that someone would wish to beat them or physically harm them in some way as a consequence for their behavior. Surely there can be no peace in such retaliation. Certainly this does not “square” with letting God have control in our lives… and in all circumstances.
I thought about this a lot in the last several hours… and truly, I’ve stopped reading news accounts of this incident and the accompanying comments. But I did consider how God must feel about this. He watched His only Son be beaten and tortured… and ultimately crucified… for something He didn’t even do! And yet, had Jesus been guilty of the most heinous crime imaginable, I cannot imagine His abuse at the hands of those who apprehended Him could have grieved God any more than it did. When will we truly get it that God loves us and does not want us to be harmed in any way?!
There were a few comments from those who suggested that these teens need Jesus. And while I agree with them, I do believe they should also face appropriate consequences for these actions… and I believe they will. In the meantime, I think we should all take a step back and look at our attitudes… our snap judgment and rash (and often harsh) reactions to such things. Were my own mother or mother-in-law held at gunpoint by five people, I would be upset and disheartened – possibly outraged. But I would like to think that I would share my feelings with God and seek His wisdom about how to react… that I would operate with common sense and rational thoughts… and that I would find peace in allowing Him to control the outcome.
I am praying for the people involved in this incident. I am also praying for those who would rush to judgment – and action… that they would find the love of Christ as they process this situation in their own minds and hearts…and that they would ask themselves, “What would Jesus do?” When we lose sight of the Clear Thinking and Common Sense that God gives us, we grow weary and lose heart… and peace. Those who trust God and allow Him to work in and through them - in all circumstances - can sleep like babies. How will you sleep tonight?
©2013 Debbie Robus
In the interest of fairness, I will talk about our other cat, Lucy, today. Lucy is a “tuxedo” (black and white) who is pretty much attached to me (while her sister, Mabel, prefers to hang with Greg 99% of the time). To say that Lucy is self-absorbed would be an understatement. Don’t get me wrong, we love and adore both of our cats – and spoil them rotten! Both are the most vocal cats we have ever known… but “No!” is not in Lucy’s vocabulary! When she wants my attention, she will squawk and squall like she is dying. Or if I am trying to sleep and she wants my attention, she will either paw at me incessantly (front paws declawed, thankfully!) or she will lie down next to me and thump her tail so loudly it echoes in the bed springs!
