Monday, November 30, 2015

UnMemorable
By Becci J. Terrill

He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 3:30 (NKJV)

Recently, a friend and I were discussing wedding planning. She has more experience in this area than I, so I appreciated her wise advice. Every bride wants her wedding to be memorable, but every bride’s budget is different. My friend said that with the many expenses involved in a wedding, it is best to prioritize areas and focus on those that are most important. One area that she addressed specifically was food. As you can imagine, this is a huge expense for any wedding, and it is difficult to please everyone - - no matter what your budget might be. She said their goal was that the food would be “unmemorable.”

Unmemorable? That didn’t make sense to me until she explained. Their goal was that guests would enjoy the food, but it wouldn’t be the focus of their memories - - rather they would remember the delightful time spent with family and friends.

This piece of advice stuck with me, and caused me to look at other areas of my life differently. So much of life is focused on gaining a good name and reputation for one’s self. We want to be remembered for who we were and what we did. We even have special places where we remember “unknown” soldiers. The idea of being “unmemorable” would be the ultimate failure.

But in Scripture, I read about people like John the Baptist, who spent his entire adult life pointing people to Someone other than himself. He didn’t want attention. He lived in a desert, away from people, but people came to him. Instead of talking about himself, he told people about Jesus. He made statements like, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  He didn’t want people to remember him. He wanted people to remember Jesus.

What about me? When I step in front of people, my first concern should not be “What will they think of me? Will they enjoy what they hear?”  My first and only concern should be  “Will people see Jesus in what I do? Will they hear Jesus speaking through me?” My life should reflect Jesus, not me. He must increase, and I must decrease. He should be memorable, and I should be unmemorable.

Face it. We all want to be remembered. Let’s be the kind of people who are remembered because of Jesus.

GOING DEEPER:
1.  What do people remember the most about you? If Jesus isn’t at the top of the list, how can you change that?

FURTHER READING:
Study the lives of John the Baptist and the Apostle Paul. Both men had great impact for Jesus, and neither cared what others thought of them - - only Jesus.


Becci Terrill is a wife and mom to two adult daughters. She is the Children's Ministry Director at Oakwood Church. 

Friday, November 27, 2015

Psalm 66
(NIV)


Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
    Sing the glory of his name;
    make his praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power
    that your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down to you;
    they sing praise to you,
    they sing the praises of your name.”[a]
Come and see what God has done,
    his awesome deeds for mankind!
He turned the sea into dry land,
    they passed through the waters on foot—
    come, let us rejoice in him.
He rules forever by his power,
    his eyes watch the nations—
    let not the rebellious rise up against him.
Praise our God, all peoples,
    let the sound of his praise be heard;
he has preserved our lives
    and kept our feet from slipping.
10 For you, God, tested us;
    you refined us like silver.
11 You brought us into prison
    and laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let people ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and water,
    but you brought us to a place of abundance.
13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
    and fulfill my vows to you—
14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
    when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you
    and an offering of rams;
    I will offer bulls and goats.

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God;
    let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
    his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened
    and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
    who has not rejected my prayer
    or withheld his love from me!

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Psalm 118
(NIV)

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say:
    “His love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say:
    “His love endures forever.”
5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
    I look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
11 They surrounded me on every side,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my defense[a];
    he has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of joy and victory
    resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16     The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,
    and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has chastened me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;
    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord
    through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
    you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 Lord, save us!
    Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.[b]
27 The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
    up[c] to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Giving Thanks
By Susan Klein
 
"Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverance and awe."
 
In the fall of 1863, President Abraham Lincoln drafted an official proclamation for a day of Thanksgiving and praise, to be observed every successive year on the fourth Thursday of November. In this proclamation he states,
 "The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God."  "No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People."(1)
 
 As Americans, we gather together with friends and family on this day to celebrate and give thanks for the bountiful blessings and freedoms which have been bestowed upon us. As Christ-followers, let us consider how we might worship our God in an expression of gratitude for these gifts which come from His gracious hand. Scripture gives us some thought-provoking tools to accomplish this.
 
T- Trust in the Lord and do good, (Psalm 37:3a)
H- Honor the Lord with your wealth, (Proverbs 3:9a)
A- In all your ways acknowledge Him, (Psalm 3:6a)
N- Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- - think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
K- Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, (Colossians 3:1b)
S- Sing praises to God, (Psalm 47:6a)
G- Give thanks in all circumstances, (1Thessalonians 5:18a)
I- Requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone, (1Timothy 2:10)
V- And over all these virtues put on love, (Colossians 3:14a)
I- Walk before me in integrity of heart, (1 Kings 9:4)
N- Whoever is kind to the needy honors God, (Proverbs 14:31)
G- "Fear God and give Him glory," (Revelation 14:7)

GOING DEEPER
1.      
On this day which has been set apart, how might you worship God with your gratitude? 

 
FURTHER READING:
 
Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood.
 

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

A Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart
By Brita Crouse

“Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it. We may receive it gladly, with thankful hearts.”

When I was in college, I had a psychology professor who started out each week by asking us what we were thankful for from the previous seven days. His reasoning for this weekly ritual was both scientific and spiritual. Every Monday, he would remind us what studies have proven: the positive impact that talking about what you are thankful for has on overall life satisfaction and happiness. The more you talk about your blessings, the happier you will be with your life. Also, talking about your blessings will make you more aware of the ways God is working in your life.

Being the curious college student that I was, I decided to put his theory to the test in a practical way. It was my junior year, infamously the most difficult one. My roommate and I were struggling to stay positive. We both had leadership roles within our dorm, which weighed heavily on us, as well as rigorous academic schedules. Things were rough and our tendency was to complain. A lot. But, putting theory into practice, we decided to make a list of things we were thankful for, hopeful that our attitudes would change.

God works in amazing ways, let me tell you. He changed our pessimistic, cynical attitudes right around when we made that list. Some of the things we put on the list were silly, like the Packers or frozen yogurt. Some of the things were more serious, like each other and our church. But, each item on the list was important to us, and God had somehow used every item to bring us closer to each other and to Him. I would say my professor’s theory was pretty accurate!

It can be so easy to complain about our circumstances. But wishing we were someone else, living somewhere else or doing something else does not change anything. God desires to bless us, but we sure ought to acknowledge those blessings. Sometimes I need to remind myself that I am a religiously free, college-educated, working, independent woman just to give myself some perspective and a change of attitude.

If each of us took more time to think and talk about how blessed we are, I’m sure there would be a lot less complaining and a lot more praising. Even more…we can easily turn our weary, hardened hearts to happy, thankful ones, just by counting our blessings! 

GOING DEEPER:
1.  What are ways you can be actively and daily counting your blessings?
2.  Make a list of what you are thankful for this week. Share that list with someone close to you.

FURTHER READING:


Brita is currently working toward her Master’s in Counseling at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has called Oakwood her home church for the past seventeen years.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Understanding Grace
By Tracy Smith

"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)"


I recently read A Heart for Freedom by Chai Ling, one of the student leaders in the 1989 Tiananmen Square uprising in China. In writing her memoir, she struggled with how much personal information to include in order to fully tell her story, including sad choices. Her husband especially struggled with her sharing certain things since he feared how people would judge her, until he heard the following at a conference:

"The key to understanding grace, Dr. Keller said, is recognizing that we are all dead in our sins…If we were merely sick in our sins, there would be degrees of illness and degrees of treatment. But dead is dead. When we're dead, we don't need treatment, we need a resurrection, and there is nothing we ourselves can do to bring that about. So grace is not only a free gift from God, it is also indispensable to our lives. On top of that, even though grace is a free gift to us, it was purchased at the price of Jesus' life - - which makes it infinitely costly, as well. If we have received this gift of grace, Dr. Keller continued, which is both indispensable and infinitely costly, on what basis do we look down our noses at others for the sins or wrongs they have committed?" 
[1]

This made me think of how often we judge others based on our own "pyramid" of sins. To use the sickness analogy from the book: Those sins at the bottom of the pyramid are not so bad, they don't even require medicine! The ones above may need some antibiotics and the ones in the middle may require hospitalization, etc. We look at where we are and judge those around us based on where they are in our own little pyramid. We forget that no matter how we view the sin, the cost was the same - -Jesus’ life!

As Dr. Keller pointed out, the Bible says we were all dead to sin. Not degrees of sickness - - death. We are all in the same place: guilty and in need of a Savior. I wonder what would be different if we refused to judge the sins that bring others to Christ… and what would happen if we all were as transparent as Chai Ling.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Whom are you judging and need to extend grace instead?
2. What in your life is God is asking you to be more transparent about?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 3:24; Titus 3:3-7

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood, serves on the Women’s Ministry Special Events Team and works with a great group of Junior High girls.

[1] Ling, Chai, A Heart for Freedom (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2011) 321.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Keeping Burnout At Bay
By Susan Klein

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”
1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)

Having been “on the run” since fleeing King Saul, David eventually settles in Gath, and becomes a mighty warrior and the favored servant of King Achish. Preparing his men for a large battle, King Achish tells David he cannot fight and must return to his home. Disappointed and bewildered at the king’s request, since he knows how much trust the king has placed in him, David and his men return to find their town raided and burned by the Amalekites, and their women and children taken captive. David and his men weep aloud until they have no strength left to weep. As if that is not devastating enough, his own men become so embittered that they want to place blame on David and even speak of stoning him!

At this point, no one could possibly blame David for giving up! He has served his king, fought relentlessly, and faithfully led his army. And for what? The thanks for his hard work is to be told to “go home.” Adding insult to injury, he finds his town destroyed and his family, along with everyone else’s, carried off by the enemy. And then, while weeping in great distress, his trusted friends choose to place blame on him. Talk about burnout! I’d probably throw in the towel and head for the hills! “No thank-you! I don’t need this job anymore! You can’t pay me enough to stay at this.” Sound a tiny bit familiar?

But this is not what David does. He is not about to succumb to burnout! Verse 6 says he encouraged himself in, or found strength in, the Lord. The word “encouraged” here can be interpreted to be fortified, repaired, to prevail, recover, strengthen and withstand. David takes a “time out,” and fortifies himself with what we could infer is some intense alone time with his God. He finds renewed strength and endurance in the only One who can give it to him. He doesn’t let his emotions get the best of him when the chips are down. He goes for some refueling!

After his much-needed time with God, he finds himself not only refreshed, but with renewed purpose, ready to go after the raiders of his town. And he is rewarded by carrying with him God’s blessing and promise to recover all that was taken from him.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How do you tend to respond to the pressures of your job or of life?
2. Just as David and Jesus himself did, don’t forget to spend some alone time with God being refreshed and refueled.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 28:6-8 

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood.


Thursday, November 19, 2015

Stripping Season
By Karen D’Amore

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.”

A hush befalls summer as it slips into seasonal slumber. The transition into autumn stimulates my senses into over-drive, with bursts of brilliant scarlet, crimson and gold dotting the landscape. As Mother Nature stirs with climatic nuances… the winterization process begins its descent… one falling leaf at a time. Awed by nature’s cyclic phenomenon, I was drawn to explore the scientific intricacies of autumn.

Research disclosed that tree roots, branches and twigs can endure freezing temperatures; however, most leaves are too fragile and cannot. Plant tissue too fragile to endure the harsh winter freeze must be sealed off and shed to ensure a tree’s survival.  As the autumn sunlight decreases, veins transporting sap within the leaves will gradually close. A separation layer of cells then form at the base of the leaf stem. Once this layer is complete, the leaf is separated from the tissue that connects it to the branch…and it falls off. (1)

In the Midwest, autumn reflects vivid brushstrokes from the paintbrush of God. The landscape - - chameleon-like in its changing colors - - transforms from lush to barren as trees are stripped bare of their leaves. Learning of the necessity for the trees to be stripped of their leaves in order for them to survive drew me to see parallels in the believer’s spiritual life.

As Christ-followers, we must undergo a similar stripping process. In order to be “transformed into the likeness of Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:18b, NIV), there are attributes from our old self and old life which must be stripped from our lives. This stripping process is critical to our spiritual survival.  God’s work in His stripping process calls us to discard…not accumulate. He spurs us to toss ungodly traits or habits, purge impure thoughts, put off carnal attitudes and repent of sin. “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self…” (Ephesians 4:22a, NIV).

Just as nature eventually replaces leaf-stripped autumn trees with new leaves, we must replace our stripped away carnal traits, with new Christ-like attributes. “Be made new in the attitude of your minds…putting on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22b).
“Autumn is a symphony of permanence and change.”
--Bonaro Overstreet (2)

As you succumb to the changing season, invite spiritual revival. Be stripped for the sake of holiness and be changed!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Pray to be stripped of anything hindering your spiritual growth.

FURTHER READING:

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility.  She also serves on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events team.


Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Don’t Look at the Water!
By Jen Wollner

“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, 
cried out, “Lord, save me!””

Two of my children used to hate having their hair washed during a bath. They just don’t like the water running into their eyes. I keep saying, “Look at me and keep your head up,” but both of them will inevitably move and all the water goes right into their faces. They are so focused on the water that they can’t focus on me. Occasionally, they will follow my instructions and when their faces end up dry, they are glad they trusted me. But, even with this proof of success, fear and doubt oftentimes still rise up in them the very next bath time.

We read of a scenario like this between Jesus and Peter in Matthew 14. Jesus sends the disciples out on the Sea of Galilee while He goes up on a mountainside to pray alone. During the night, He goes out to meet them…by walking on the water! When Peter sees Jesus, he says, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus obliges and says, “Come.” So, Peter gets out of the boat and begins to walk on the water toward Jesus. Suddenly, though, he is aware of the strong wind and waves around him and he becomes afraid. As soon as he takes his eyes off Jesus, he begins to sink. Interestingly enough, just hours before, the disciples had witnessed Jesus miraculously taking two fish and five loaves of bread and turning them into enough food for about 5,000 people…with twelve baskets to spare! In spite of just having witnessed the Lord’s power and provision, Peter’s doubt and fear still crept in when he focused on his situation instead of on Christ.

There are many fears we are facing today, aren’t there? Maybe it’s relationship woes, financial crisis or health problems. Whatever it is, it will eventually sink us unless we stay fixed on Jesus. When we look only at our circumstances and the storms going on around us, we become filled with worry. But, when we look past the wind and waves of life and stay close to Him, we are filled with peace and joy. Our faith won’t be perfect and there will be times when we slip back into doubt and worry, but with the Lord’s help, we can refocus on Him.

As Peter was sinking in the waves, he cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out and caught him. Each time our fears begin to sink us, let’s call out to our Savior for help. He won’t let us drown!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What are you most afraid of today? What can you do to turn away from your fear and focus more on Jesus, your ever-ready Rescuer?

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 6:34


Jen and her husband are busily parenting three elementary-aged children. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Lessons from Kickball
By Lexi Ellis
 
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way 
you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use,
 it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
 
I recently noticed something while supervising recess. During kickball, a kicker often sends the ball back to the pitcher, claiming it was too fast or not straight. Automatically, the outfield complains. "Just kick it."  "Hurry up!"  "That was straight!"   However, when the teams have switched, the once-complainers do the same thing, demanding the "perfect pitch." Now the new outfield team complains, echoing identical phrases. Back and forth, the outfield complains at the kicker sending the ball back...until it's their turn.
 
And while it's funny to watch, I realized we often do the exact same thing: We're critical of someone else, but find plenty of excuses for when we do the exact same thing. I'm annoyed when someone is running late, but justify why I'm late myself another time. I make a judgment on someone's response and then have that same attitude another day. Unfortunately, this isn't unheard of in the Christian community. We are heartbroken by past prominent Christian leaders who were vocally critical of sin...only to find out they were entrenched in that same struggle.
 
The Message paraphrase of the verse above uses "sneers" and "smudges" instead of the common "splinter" and "plank in the eye" translation. If I'm honest, there are times my thoughts quickly jump on someone else's smudge - - his or her failures or faults. And sadly, our dwelling on this smudge often is, in reality, an attempt to inflate ourselves. How foolish of us! Jesus goes on in this verse to call this what it is: pure hypocrisy. Dwelling on someone else's smudge and ignoring my own sneer is not only a lack of compassion, it reveals an uglier, judgmental condition of my heart.
 
Being critical of others' shortcomings quickly turns into something I use to boost myself up. Unfortunately, because we all have sin and things we're working on, the things I'm critical of are commonly the very things I am no better at when I remove the excuses I use to make my own faults "different" or "okay."
 
It's pretty silly seeing my kids complain and do the same thing moments later in an easy-going game of kickball at recess. But I'm thankful for the reminder to reject time and energy spent on others' smudges and choose to invest it in asking for His help in continually addressing my sneers.
 
GOING DEEPER:
1.  Take time to honestly reflect on the time and energy you spend on others' smudges.  
2.  Take time alone with your God to repent and ask His forgiveness.
 
FURTHER READING:
 
Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School. Lexi serves with Children's Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Into the Valley of the Shadow of Death
By Elin Henderson

“He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name sake. Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”

What are we to do when the Shepherd’s path of righteousness leads us straight into the valley of the shadow of death? Aren’t those paths supposed to just go through the green pastures and by the still waters? Isn’t restoration, feeding, and ongoing care all part of His pastoral program for us? Then, what in the world are we doing in the valley of the shadow of death?

Oftentimes, the paths of life do not follow the plans we have in our heads. If we come upon suffering, we automatically think it must be because we strayed off the “straight and narrow” and now find ourselves on the wrong trail. We then conclude that God had to come down and put us through a few dark valleys to remind us to stay on the right path. While that could be true, I can’t help but see these two verses in Psalms 23 side-by-side and ask myself, could suffering and deep need be just what He wants for me right now? I didn’t necessarily stray off the righteous path but rather the righteous path took me straight into the valley of the shadow of death.

Many faithful servants over the years of history faced serious suffering. Not always was it a punishment, but many times it was a test of faith and a soul-strengthener. It is in these valleys full of shadows, fear, death, evil, enemies, and the unknown, that our Good Shepherd reminds us time and time again of His presence, never to leave or forsake us. From entry to exit, there is a change that takes place within us as He demonstrates His watchful care over us.

So, the next time you find yourself heading into a valley, remember that the Shepherd has led you there and He won’t abandon you. Allow Him to guide and direct you through the shadows and the death, and may you emerge on the other side, more in love with your Good Shepherd and with a deeper faith in His guidance, direction and care.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What encouragement do you find is Jesus’ purpose and example in suffering for us?
2. How can your valley experience be a help to someone else?

FURTHER READING:
I Peter 2:21, 3:18, 4:19; 2 Corinthians 1:4; Philippians 1:29


Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to fourteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias.

Friday, November 13, 2015

One Day to Live
By Karen D’Amore

“Teach us to number our days…”

I was packing for vacation when I learned of my friend’s hospice placement. It’d been eighteen months since her diagnosis with stage-four pancreatic cancer; a diagnosis carrying a death sentence that doctors believed would come quickly. After being advised to get her affairs in order, Pam embraced the uncertainty of her tomorrows.  Living daily with the mindset that she had…one day to live…she used every doctor’s appointment and chemo session as a platform to point others to Jesus. With Jesus perpetually radiating from her cancer-ravaged body, she allowed Him to use her cancer for His glory.

I felt conflicted about leaving on vacation knowing Pam’s hospice status and the uncertainty of her numbered days. Thinking this over while waiting in line to board my plane, I had an epiphany. We all stood in numerical order according to the pre-assigned numbers on our boarding passes. I couldn’t board the plane and choose a seat until my number was called. As I pondered this boarding system, I saw parallels in the numbered days of our life. We’re each holding a boarding pass…to our final destination… but with an unknown number. Unlike the sequential order of our numbered boarding passes for the plane, only God knows the number we hold.  God has predestined the number of our days!

As my number was finally called, and I boarded the plane, God stirred in my heart a strong conviction regarding “time” and the brevity of life.  As I thought about Pam, I was keenly aware that God would be calling her number very soon. And as I reflected on the past eighteen months of her life, I was impacted by how she lived each one of those days as if it were her last. Living with a hypersensitivity to the briefness of her time…she allowed God to redeem her limited “time”…for His express purpose.

Regarding the uncertainty of time, I spent my vacation deeply introspective. My souvenir watch serves as a constant reminder that our days are numbered. This fact of life was reinforced when Pam’s numbered days came to an end - - just days after my return home. Reflecting on the many years that she and I were friends, I will best remember and revere how she redeemed her final eighteen months. How she profoundly impacted my perception of our “numbered days” and revealed the value of using our time wisely. I’m inspired to live with her mindset of having only… “One day to live!”

As the minutes on the clock sound…TickTockTickTock…remember to make each day count for the Kingdom…as tomorrow is never guaranteed!

GOING DEEPER:
1.  How can you gain an eternal perspective regarding your time?

FURTHER READING:


Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.