Guard Your Heart

 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” ~ Proverbs 4:23

The election cycle was finally over.  For months, defenders and detractors engaged in a kind of civil war creating perpetual chaos.  It was expensive … and caustic … and exhausting; causing rifts in families and between friends.  Aaron felt bludgeoned by it all - like tennis shoes in a dryer.

He went to bed on New Year’s Eve still feeling somewhat stunned and mildly depressed.  He fell on knees in prayer wondering how the greatest nation on earth had fallen to such depths and worrying how it would ever turn around.  Before his head hit the pillow, Aaron lifted his eyes to Heaven and cried out, “God, why don’t You do something?”

God often spoke to him in the middle of the night, probably because that’s when he was the quietest.  Listening to God was a priority that Aaron constantly needed to remind himself of.  Much like tuning out social media, he had to dim the noise to listen to the Father.

God’s response was simple and concise, “I did do something, I created you.”

Aaron woke the next morning more hopeful - 2020 was finally over.  It needed to be.  And he had some decisions to make.

While it seemed that in a year dominated by ignorance and hatred, he decided to believe people wanted something better.  He’d gotten a giant wake up call.  So, he decided to wake up being the BEST he could be.

Cynicism was a cowardly refuge - a spiritual state so toxic that it clouded his ability to see faint opportunities.  I also gave rise to increased social isolation.

As a person of faith, he decided it was time to reject cynicism, defy apathy, and celebrate good.  Nothing could be greater than the Lord’s calling to show compassion for the sick, to feed the hungry, to demonstrate His humility and forgiveness in action.

He decided not to let the election interfere with his making every day as meaningful as possible.  Continuing to be mired in withdrawal and negativity served no one.  Aaron actually found the election result a great motivator for deeper spiritual practice.

Further, he decided to show up and bear witness to pain, in all its intricate manifestations, yet work to keep his heart open; choosing kindness, empathy, and love.  For that’s where the real healing begins.  And he was certainly up for the task.

Everything that comes from us, whether it be actions or words or even our thoughts, flows from our hearts.  So, guard it carefully! 

God could have made every heart “good to go.”  Instead, He decided to let us start with deceitful hearts requiring an assurance of faith to transform them into His likeness.  So, buckle up.  It’s going to be a life-long process.

Lord, create in me a clean heart, one that’s pleasing to You.  “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” ~ Psalm 19:14”  Amen

Rise and Shine

 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” ~ Deuteronomy 5:12

Food carried so many wonderful childhood memories for Anne; memories that satisfy the taste buds, the heart and the soul.  She recalled recall dozens of happy reflections, but none more special than learning how to make challah with Bubbe.

Challah is a tender, subtly-sweet egg bread typically eaten on ceremonial Jewish occasions.  It’s delicious, but according to Grandma, there are some deep spiritual lessons to be learned from the challah baking experience itself.

“Baking challah,” she said, “is my meditation.  So, it’s important to have an intention when baking challah since it takes far more time than baking brownies from an instant mix.”

For young Anne, it seemed that waiting was the worst part.  But Bubbe reminded her that the toughest part was creating exactly the ‘right’ condition for the dough to rise.  “Dough like love, will rise and shine if they were reverent and waited in wonder.”

Anne waited (without peeking) while the yeast and honey activated each other, rising the mixture in a bowl covered bowl left in the sunshine.  When it had risen into a puffy miracle, Bubbe dumped it on the counter and slapped it flat again; explaining that life does that to us as well.  “Our job,” she said, “is to knead the bread until it becomes flexible and shiny.” 

After one more rise, she’d separate the dough into 3 long pieces (representing truth, peace, and justice) and line them up next to each other. 

With fingers gnarled like old tree roots, they moved delicately braiding one hunk of dough over another, like arms intertwined.  She’d whisper:

“This is Reuben’s gift of leadership; may he use it to help Aaron with his struggling business.  Kayla has a gift for making things beautiful, may she use it to help Rayna find a husband.  This is my gift of patience, may we all use it as role models for our children.”

On she went, weaving the family’s resources with the challenges of others, pausing between each so Anne’s tiny fingertips could touch each intersecting place.  Once plaited, she let her jewel rise one final time.

At dinner that night, Bubbe lit each candle before cutting the golden Challah and gave each person a slice.  Grandma winked at Anne knowing that all were nourished with their prayers and blessings. 

When the child helped Bubbe clear the table, she asked if someday she’d be a good mother too? 

“Yes, my darling,” she answered.  “When you expand the love in your heart - love in the world also rises.  By loving others, you can braid the resources and challenges together in what seems like impossible situations.  Your life will come alive again and again.” 

She kissed Anne’s fingertips again as they each took one final bite of the Sabbath bread.

“Blessed are You Lord, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and taught us to separate the challah from the dough.  Just as I’m fulfilling this mitzvah with all my heart, so may Your compassion keep me from sorrow and pain.  Amen.”

Preemie Saves Doctor

 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith." ~ Ephesians 2:8

Chris Trokey entered the world ten weeks early.  Rushed by ambulance to the region’s only neonatal ICU, the preemie was given only a flip-of-the-coin chance of survival.  He weighed just 3.2 pounds at birth, but within hours the tough little guy started breathing on his own.

Distraught parents searched for a local pediatrician skilled enough to deal with the health issues that premature babies often face.  Enter Dr. Michael Shannon sporting a denim shirt and shoulder-length hair.  He seemed remarkably calm.  They hit it off immediately. 

Weeks later, after several days in which the baby fought a dangerous fever, Dr. Shannon took the entire family into his care.  Working tirelessly to keep the infant alive, he even slept beside Chris in the NICU for two nights so that his parents could return home for some needed rest.

Fast forward 30 years.  As Shannon traversed the Pacific Coast Highway toward the beach, a semitruck pulled out directly in front of him.  The physician had no time to react.  Having remained conscious during the impact, he felt intense pain. His legs and feet, pinned beneath the crumpled dashboard, felt blistering hot.  

Help arrived in less than two minutes.  Engine Company 29 from the Orange County Fire Dept. was nearby; returning to the firehouse when they got the call. Their timing couldn’t have been better.

Arriving at the scene, a young paramedic assessed the accident’s severity at 9 out of 10.  The SUV was wedged under the semi, its engine ablaze with flames scorching Shannon’s legs and feet.  But the man inside the burning vehicle remained strangely composed.

Fire crews quickly doused the flames and pried the roof open to remove Shannon for transport to the nearest trauma hospital.  The paramedic placed Shannon on a gurney and sat with him in the back of the ambulance; siren’s blaring.

Only then did the injured doctor notice the young man’s nametag – Chris Trokey.  Could this be the same man who he’d saved as a preemie three decades earlier?  The same boy whose parents had courageously faced the possibility that their newborn might not survive a frighteningly high temperature?

Ever the professional, Trokey remained completely focused.

The day after Shannon’s surgery for internal injuries and severe leg burns, Trokey and the crew from Engine 29 visited Shannon in the ICU.  That was unusual; firefighters and paramedics routinely save lives.  But this case had been such a close call.

That’s where their connection became confirmed.  Chris Trokey returned Dr Shannon’s favor.  Each of them entered the other’s life at a critical time, watching over them until they got well; giving without expectations and then getting it back when needed most. 

Not a coincidence – a God thing!  Then again, all things are.

Christ my King, it’s tempting to think that we might be able to help ourselves out of our predicaments, but our help comes from God alone.  Help us turn our lives over to You in faith, trusting in Christ’s death on the cross.  Amen

Yoke's On You

 “Come to Me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." ~ Matthew 11:28-30

(Around 6 AD) 

As boys, we played together in the streets of Nazareth.  He was the kind of kid who lived how people should, as if only sunshine radiated from those he met, their flaws entirely invisible.  Most of all, he was my friend.

We loved watching his dad make all kinds of things from wood.  A carpenter in the 1^st century built everything from plows and wheels, to house beams and every need in between.  He might have been best known for his skill in making yokes so necessary to guide oxen in the fields.

A yoke is a piece of wood used to hold two animals together in order to plow fields.  The stronger one bears most of the weight, yet they share the load, doing the work together.  Joseph designed them for specific teams of animals, carefully measured height and shoulder widths. 

When my family moved to Capernaum, everything seemed to change.  The laws have become worrisome.  We’re barely making it; our savings are gone.  I miss my friend; the kindness in his smile, his calming influence.

Today at the Temple, I found my childhood friend … preaching.  Melting into the crowd, I listened in awe as he “sat among the religious teachers, praising God and discussing deep questions with them; amazed at his understanding and his responses.” (Luke 2:46–47)

As he caught my eye, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.  I felt as if our childhood days suddenly came to mind, inspiring him.  I could almost smell the sawdust and hear the sandpaper moving across bare wood as his father silently coaxed the perfect yoke into shape.

His words stole my breath. “Come to Me, all who are heavily burdened,” Jesus said staring directly at me.  “For My yoke is easy; My burden is light.” 

It was as if He could see my inner struggles, my anxious life.

He’d learned how to fashion a yoke from his father.  Hearing Jesus gave me courage.  I felt renewed hope.  I went to the village looking for temporary solutions to temporal problems.  I returned with a longer-term solution: reliance on the providence of God. 

Could my old playmate really be God’s anointed one?

As we yoke ourselves with Christ, walking through the hardships and challenges of life, we’re connected with the One who’s the ultimate burden bearer and lifter.  We’re reminded that the problems we bear aren’t to be dismissed as insignificant (they truly matter to Him!).  He longs for us to trade for his ‘gentle, calm’ support.  One that adds new vigor to our lives as we continue to do the good work that God prepared for us; one that offers our greatest hope eternal salvation.

Father God, the battle feels intense some days.  We feel tired, weary and worn.  It’s hard to keep going in the face of defeat.  But help us remember that You’ll never leave us; that You alone have the power to make all things new.  Amen

 

Choose Your Hard

 “God’s Spirit gives us power, love, and discipline." ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

Jo always wanted to be an author, finishing her very first novel by the sixth grade.  Like many aspiring authors, however, her parents encouraged her to pursue more lucrative studies.  But she’d never stop writing and bringing her dreams to life.

After her application to attend Oxford was summarily rejected, she attended the lesser-known university, earning a BA in French.  Jo worked as a researcher for Amnesty International after graduation.  Living modestly was hard.  But the experience would forever shape her values.

On a four-hour train from Manchester to London, an idea for a novel popped into her head.  She’d spend the next five years outlining the plots for an entire series.  Writing from a mountain of notes in longhand was hard but suppressing her creative energy was tougher yet. 

Bored with her current job, she moved to Portugal to teach English as a second language.  There she met and married a Portuguese journalist.  They had a child together.  It was difficult to be an attentive, loving wife and mother.  But an abusive relationship was hell too.  They split up shortly after Jessica’s birth.  Mother and child returned to the UK.

Single, jobless and desperate, Jo applied for welfare.  Stress began taking its toll.  She even contemplated suicide.  Therapy for depression was hard but feeling dead inside was worse.

She continued plunking out her novel on an antique manual typewriter.  When complete, Jo approached 12 publishing houses; they all turned her down.  Rejection took patience, but she never lost hope.

She’d finally get the green light (and a $2,500 advance) a year later.  The Editor’s 8-year-old daughter from Bloomsbury Publishing had been given the first chapter to review and immediately demanded more. 

Though Bloomsbury agreed to publish the book, they advised her to get a day job, noting she’d stand little chance of making money in children's books.  They further suggested she use two initials rather than her full name; the target audience of young boys probably wouldn’t read a book written by a woman.  Of the initial print run of 1,000 copies, 500 were given to libraries.

Today, Joanne ‘Jo’ Kathleen Rowling (aka JK Rowling), remains one of the best-selling living authors in the world.  Her Harry Potter brand is worth an estimated US$15 billion thanks to a near-cult following worldwide.  Seven best-selling novels translated into 77 languages, eight blockbuster movies and eleven video games.

Rowling’s inspirational story shows that hard work and perseverance can change our lives.  But the alternatives are equally hard.  Losing weight is hard; but it’s difficult to be overweight and unhealthy too.  It’s hard to save intelligently and spend frugally.  It’s also hard to be in debt and constantly stressed about money.

We get to choose our hard.  So, pick wisely.

Father, help me to not lean solely on my own opinions, thoughts, or dreams.  Give me the Godly knowledge and truth as I “choose my hard,” and the courage, strength and confidence as I discern the next steps needed to satisfy Your will for me.  Amen

Its A Beautiful Morning

 “Give thanks to God in all circumstances." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

On this frigid winter morning, Abby hadn’t slept well the night before.  “Please,” she thought, “just let daylight come with the delicacy of a gentle dawn; let me doze underwing.”  But the rising sun had other ideas.  A beam of light snuck through drawn curtains and started prodding her eyelids as they strained to remain shut.

Shedding the last glimpses of a dream, her eyes remained closed; soaking in the warmth of her duvet before letting blue eyes greet the sun's rays.  Reluctantly, Abby uncovered her face and blinked several times.  She sat up, dragging her feet off the bed, and stretched her arms skyward.

Groaning, she sat up on the side of the bed, letting her feet find the floor.  Standing took a little effort – feeling like she’d just finished a full day’s work rather than about to begin one.  Abby wasn’t looking forward to another Saturday of washing clothes, doing dishes, cleaning house, and all the other things that’d been neglected during the past week.

She sighed.  Pulling on yoga pants, shirt, and heavy coat, she already knew what waited on the other side of the door.

There stood Cool Whip - their extra big, extra fluffy white dog.  She adored his smiling face, energetic body, and wagging tail wondering how he woke that way every morning without even a single cup of coffee.

Abby leashed him up and opened the front door so he could take his morning walk and do the necessary business.  He dragged her towards the Maple tree, his nose sniffing all the way, as below freezing winds slapped her face.

She breathed in fresh, crisp air while gazing upward, capturing the morning sunrise blessing the sky with all its beauty.  It was one of those baby-blue skies, not the psychedelic candy-blue nor the washed out grey so characteristic of wintry mornings.  The clouds were as puffs of radiant joy, as if inviting those born of wing to ride warm thermals heaven-bound.

A grateful smile creased her face.  Maybe today wouldn’t be so bad, after all.  Abby looked forward to another day of hugging her kids, petting her dog, talking with my friends, living in God’s grace and sharing her own love as well.  What a glorious gift.

Our lives can be overwhelming at times.  We can easily get discouraged, frustrated, and burned out by circumstances beyond our control.  But, when we remember that God’s in control and our lives are not our own, we realize how our Savior encourages and comforts us in our times of need.

May yours be a day of love, of laughter, of kindness, of goodness, and a one of pure joy. Make each day a blessing that you share with God and with everyone you meet today.

Thank You, Lord, for Your amazing work in our lives, thank You for Your goodness and for Your blessings over us.  Thank You for bringing hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for Your purpose.  Amen