Toward Danger

By Tracy Smith

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

A couple of years ago, I saw a news headline about a former U.S. Marine who saved a baby from a smoking vehicle. The details were pretty amazing. On his way home from his wedding rehearsal, he heard a mother crying for help.  She and her daughter were trapped in their smoking car. Without a thought, he ran toward danger to help free the baby. His brother and future father-in-law also ran toward danger and saved the mom. What is even more amazing is that this young Marine had lost both legs to an IED in Afghanistan - - running toward danger was not new to him. [1]

This got me thinking about professions that require people to run towards danger: law enforcement, firefighters and the military are just a few.  I am so thankful for those who make it their job to face danger in order to save others. I do believe that some people are hard-wired to be the ones who run into danger to save others. They are the ones who become law enforcement officers, firefighters and soldiers.

As I read this article only weeks before Veterans Day, it made me think about our military and how thankful I am for their willingness to face danger to keep our country safe. And I’m thankful for the training they receive to do the jobs they do. In the article, the Marine tries to explain his actions by saying, "With the Marines, you are taught to be prepared and act.” His training overtook his conscious mind, and he was able to act in a way that saved a little girl.

May we know our Lord’s Word so well that when we are in a difficult situation our and knowledge of Scripture can automatically fill our mind and prepare us in our actions (Psalm 86:11).

The things our military men and women do to keep us free are not easy. They run toward danger on a regular basis. For that, they deserve our respect and our thanks.

If you know a veteran or someone who is currently serving in our military, please consider thanking them for their sacrifice and their service.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Do you know someone who is hard-wired to run toward danger rather than away? Are you willing to thank them for what they do to keep others safe?

2.  Do you know God’s Word so intimately that it would automatically fill your mind in a tough situation? If not, are you willing to take steps to change that?

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 6:10-17; I Corinthians 16:13

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of Junior High girls.

[1] http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/10/17/marine-amputee-rescues-baby-from-smoking-car.html

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. 

Hanging Fruit

By Vernette Kureck

  

"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples"

John 15:8 (NIV)

Fall is such a bountiful time of year. Gardens are giving up the last of the produce before the temperatures drop and the vines and branches wither. Orchards are being picked clean so nothing will go to waste. And who hasn't enjoyed the crunch of a bright red apple before it gets ready to drop to the ground? Farmers' markets reveal the choicest and most colorful items. Not only pretty to look at, but oh so good and healthy, too. Who knows how many hours were spent cultivating, fertilizing and weeding? Nothing like reaping the benefits of someone else's labor.

                                                  

I was thinking of this when I realized we have spiritual fruit that is also available. This fruit is great to look at, and it reveals a healthy relationship with Jesus. Galatians 5:22 tells us that "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Cultivated by the Holy Spirit, it ripens as the bearer maintains an enduring relationship with Jesus. Love comes first because it is God's greatest quality.

 

When Christians rejoice in their salvation, our joy reflects God's character. With reconciliation to God, there is freedom and confidence in approaching Him...with peace being the by product. Patience comes from following God's timetable and plan, and kindness is God's tenderness and mercy. When you help to benefit someone else, goodness is being exhibited. And if it is done consistently and loyally, faithfulness is exposed. Disciples guided by Jesus, the chief Shepherd, are offered rest and comfort with gentleness. Being teachable and grounded in God's Word with self-control demonstrates discipline. All of this bounty brings honor and glory to God.

 

What is interesting, though, is that the fruit is not for us. It is meant to be given to others. We are to bear much fruit attracting others to God. Sometimes it is easiest to go for the low-hanging fruit. You know what I mean...do the simplest or easiest work first to produce a quick fix or good-enough results. We can have ordinary fruit or hybrid fruit. We can have fruit that looks good on the outside, but is soft and tasteless on the inside. We can have fruit that never matures and just drops off the tree or vine, or fruit that is pruned off. Who wants that?

 

Or we can have the Holy Spirit's fruit. Ripe. Delectable. Ready to be shared.

 

 

GOING DEEPER:

1. How is your fruit hanging?

2. Who do you need to share it with?

 

FURTHER READING:

John 15:1-11

 

Vernette and her husband Ken have been married 49 years. They have been blessed with eight grandchildren from their two sons and their wives. She serves Oakwood on the prayer chain and with Family Promise. 

 

More Than a Sign?By Lexi Cole Ellis

“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” Acts 13:38 (NIV)

 

 I pass a large yard sign every day on my way to work inviting all to “Find God” at their church. I’m definitely pro-front-yard signs, but I must be honest. Every day, I mentally go back and forth with some extreme conclusions that range from:

 

            Good for them, they’re declaring their house will serve the Lord! 

            But then I think...putting a sign on your front yard doesn’t count as
            evangelism.

And then I arrive at...why am I even spending time judging fellow
 believers?

 

I next think of a friend who came to the Lord because of a tract (a miniature sign handed to her by a stranger).  But then I think of how relational the gospel is - - that often it’s not a tract or a sign that brings one to Christ - - but those who conversationally share how they’ve been transformed by grace. I think about the Samaritan woman telling her whole town that Jesus had changed her life. But then I recognize that at least a tract or a sign is proclaiming the urgency of the gospel. I spend the rest of the car ride debating with myself!

 

I end up at a place of more. Maybe “gospel-sharing” is more than a sign AND more than building a relationship first. Maybe it’s both. Because God is the God of action. He does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, and He doesn’t need to be limited by the confines of what we perceive as the “right” ways to advance the gospel. He is a God who graciously uses His (imperfect) people who put their faith in Him, and who then become ambassadors for His incredible Good News.

 

There’s still more. When we accept God’s gift of salvation, He also gives us the Holy Spirit: a Guide and Counselor, a Convict-er and Prompter. Maybe instead of judging a sign, I should ask the Holy Spirit to swiftly judge my heart and reveal what I myself should be doing to advance the gospel? Maybe those who put the sign up in their yard felt the Holy Spirit’s nudging, and they obeyed. Praise Jesus!

 

So now, as I drive by that sign every day, it’s not a reminder of my theology debate. Instead it’s a reminder that we are called to hear the Holy Spirit’s prompting to invite people to find God. We are called to be actively begging God for open doors and being bold enough to take them, regardless of what that looks like.

GOING DEEPER:

1.      Take time with the Lord today. What does “gospel-advancing” look like for you right now?

FURTHER READING:

Titus 3:4-7; Romans 1:16-17

 

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing and serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator. 

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.”

Psalms 23:3b-4a (NKJV)

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 seventeen-year-old Callie and fourteen-year-old Elias. 

Her Name is Woman

By Susan Klein

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

Her name is “Woman.” God lovingly created her, just as he did “Man” (in Hebrew, iysh). Man named her “woman,” or ishah, denoting her feminine difference from his masculinity. Scripture paints a beautiful picture of God’s love in the “how” and “why” she came to be. Taken from the very flesh of Man, yet created in the image of God the Father, she was formed and fashioned precisely and purposefully. She was tenderly presented to Man as his helpmeet, or counterpart, like two separate pieces that fit perfectly together as one. As God reflected on the masterpiece He had crafted, He deemed it “very good.”

Today’s culture has painted over this beautiful picture, at times, rendering it unrecognizable. Mankind has skewed the image of God’s goodness and creation, as well as His purpose in forming Woman. Some paint their pictures of Woman as “the weaker sex” which devalues her worth, while others try desperately to paint her as “dominant” over man. Still others take a different approach and try to paint her gender-less. The pictures they paint are not as the Creator painted. They will never be the masterpiece God intended. They are phonies, not “very good.”

While our culture challenges us to repaint (or redefine) our roles as women, we need not succumb to the confusing portraits they place in our line of view. We need only to focus on the brush strokes of the Master Painter.

v   He painted us as a counterpart to man, fitting together, not clashing. (1)

v  He painted us feminine, to complement man’s masculinity. (2)

v  He painted us with purpose, or having jobs to do. (3)

The Woman God painted is free to celebrate her own unique and specialized creation! Whether she rules over a nation as did Deborah over the Israelites, or she tends a garden as did the first woman Eve, or she raises children and practices hospitality as did many women throughout Scripture…she can be confident in her God-given role.

Which painting would you prefer, a masterpiece or a fake?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Which brush stroke/characterisitc  of “woman” might you be wrestling with in view of today’s culture?

2. Are you confident of your “masterpiece” status, or has our culture tarnished your view?

FURTHER READING:

(1) Genesis 2:24; (2) Genesis 2:21-23; (3) Genesis 1:28, 2:20b

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.

Imitating God
By Sarah Walker

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love...Ephesians 5:1-2a (ESV)

In 1 John 4, we are told that God is love.  And in 1 Corinthians 13, we are given a list of what love is. What would happen if we combined those two concepts and listened to what God is telling us about Himself? The revelation from God’s perspective would go something like this:

 

“I am patient and kind.

I do not envy or boast.

I am not arrogant or rude.

I do not insist on my own way.

I am not irritable or resentful.

I do not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rather I rejoice with the truth.

I bear all things.

I believe all things.

I hope all things.

I endure all things.”

 

When we struggle with being patient, we can call to mind those times when we have seen the patience of God towards us when we did not deserve it. We might not be patient, but He is. We can imitate His patience. When kindness is the furthest thing from our hearts, we can remember a time when God was kind to us even when our actions did not justify a kind response. We might not feel very kind, but God is. We can imitate His kindness. And so on down the list...

When we feel empty, worn out, unable to give anymore... We can look to God, who is love. We can look to Him, and how He has modeled that love towards us and towards those around us. And remembering that we are His beloved children, we can look to our heavenly Father and emulate Him.

It is not in our own power, or in our own strength, that we can accomplish this. It is only as we watch our heavenly Father at work and desire to walk in His footsteps. He has shown us the way to do it. He is a loving Father who first shows us how to do something, and then asks us to mimic what He has shown us.

 

Let us live our lives that way. Not mustering up our own willpower and strength to love ourselves, our families, our enemies and the world around us.  But rather, let us see our heavenly Father model how to do it for us...and then imitate Him.

 

GOING DEEPER:

1.      How have you seen the love of God at work in your own life?

2.      How can you imitate that love today?

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 3:17-19, 1 John 4:7-12

 

Sarah is married to Scott and is a full-time mom to their two young sons. She and Scott co-lead a summer/winter neighborhood small group.

The Guide

By Tracy Smith

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”

John 16:13a (NIV)

This past year, my 15-year-old son was diagnosed with benign hypermobility syndrome (commonly referred to as double-jointed). The medical definition is, “Benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) is a connective tissue disorder with hypermobility in which musculoskeletal symptoms occur in the absence of systemic rheumatologic disease.” [1] But to a 15-year-old boy, it means that he can bend and stretch in ways that others cannot. And he can gross out and/or amaze people very easily!

When talking about this once, someone asked me why “benign” was in the name. My understanding is that the characteristics my son displays, if paired with other characteristics that he does not have, could then mean he had something called Marfan’s Syndrome. Marfan’s has other health problems and issues that are more serious. Since my son does not have enough markers for Marfan’s, his set of characteristics are considered “benign.”

This got me thinking about things in life that, in and of themselves, are benign, but if they are not used correctly or paired with other characteristics, they could become something more serious. There are many examples, but a few come to mind that are especially relevant today are: online time, TV watching, gaming, time spent on social media, etc. It is really anything that takes our time away from other things that we should be doing, or away from people we should be spending time with. All the things on the list, or anything else that you can think of, when used correctly or in correct time amounts are benign. But with all of them, a line can be crossed that can make them damaging or addicting.

What is that line? Is it the same for everyone? How do we know when we’ve crossed the line? The Holy Spirit is our Guide in this. I know I’ve felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit more than once in regards to something that was taking up too much of my time and inching out of “benign” territory. John 14:16 says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” [2] We need to be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is telling us regarding our habits and behaviors.  We need to allow Him to be our guide.

GOING DEEPER

1. Is there something in your life that you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you about?
2. If so, what is your action plan regarding this?

FURTHER READING

Luke 12:12; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage boys, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of Junior High girls.

[1] http://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2093276

[2] ESV version

Living With Uncertainty

By Susan Klein

 “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

Psalm 112:7 (NIV)

Uncertain times are plaguing our nation, especially in the realm of nature. Hurricanes, floods and wildfires are in the media daily. Many people are living with enormous uncertainties. Will the hurricane reach my family? How will we be able to rebuild? What if the rescue teams don’t arrive in time?

Other uncertainties hang in the balance. Will we go to war with North Korea? Will our economy take another downturn? Will troubled race relations continue to escalate?

How do we process all these things, especially in the midst of our own personal uncertainty? Perhaps you have asked…What if I never receive a diagnosis for my medical condition?  Where would we go if we lose our home?  Will I ever be able to bear children?  Will my wayward relative ever return?

Many questions wait to be answered. I don’t know how you respond to uncertainties, but my mind tends to run - - not walk - - toward anxiety. I know, Scripture tells us to be anxious for nothing, but let’s be honest: The battlefield of the mind is a powerful arena! Fears are real, whether they are warranted or not.  At one time or another, fear of the unknown plagues most of us. So how do we live with so many unanswered questions?

King David, a man familiar with uncertainty, struggled with anxious thoughts. While hiding from his captors and unsure of his demise, he wrote some beautiful psalms that give us some great pearls of wisdom.

1) He wrestled. “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble…How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and everyday have sorrow in my heart?” It is okay to wrestle with God to gain deeper insight. He gave us emotions. He expects us to feel them.  [1] [2]

2) He took refuge. “In the Lord I take refuge.” He recognized his refuge wasn’t in the release from his peril, but in the One who was with Him in the midst of it.  [3]

3) He sang songs of praise. “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart: I will tell of all your wonders.”  He found a sliver of strength in his weary soul to praise His heavenly Father, and acknowledge His goodness.  [4]

Uncertainties? They will always exist. Living amidst them? Wrestle, take refuge and choose to praise Him.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What is your go-to response when faced with uncertainties?

2. How might you adopt a new strategy to defend against fear and anxiety?

FURTHER READING:

John 16:33; Psalm 16:5, 18:30-32, 73:26

[1] Psalm 10:1

[2] Psalm 13:1

[3] Psalm 11:1

[4] Psalm 9:1

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.

Can I Have One?

By Jeannine Sawall

  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

While I like to think I have taught my children to have a generous spirit, occasionally, their generosity can be called into question. While eating, I asked one of my boys if I could have one of his french fries.  He started looking in his bag of fries with diligence. I sat there waiting with great expectation; he must be searching for the best fry in the package! Finally, he pulled one out and handed it to me…a burnt little stub of a fry!!  “Really!?!…this is the best you have for me?” I asked.  “If I give you more, I won’t have enough!” was his reply. I told him he had a WHOLE bag of fries and he could share a few with his mom! He begrudgingly pulled out a couple of decent-looking fries to share.

At first, I was a little miffed at his stinginess. I mean, after all…I paid for those fries…technically, they were ALL mine. Whenever my boys ask to share something I had, I happily handed it over. Hadn’t I modeled a generous spirit to them? As I sat there with my thoughts, it came to me that oftentimes I offer the Lord that same stubby, burnt fry as well. How often had He asked for my time, my energy, my talents and I begrudgingly game Him a few minutes, a half-hearted effort or something less than my best? Everything I had came from His hand… didn’t He deserve better than that?

It’s easy to see others’ lack of generosity, but it’s more difficult to see our own. How often has the Lord asked something of us and we’ve offered him the short, burnt fry? Maybe it’s a ministry you’re being asked to be a part of and you feel you can’t spare the time. Perhaps it’s a friend who needs some encouragement and you just don’t feel you have the energy. Or maybe it’s a talent you’re being asked to share when you are feeling overwhelmed already. We need to consider all we have - - our time, our energy and our talents - - as gifts from the Lord and we need to examine our responses when asked to share them. Sometimes, it is legitimate to say “no,” but often, we are called to say “yes” despite wanting to offer only the short fry! We can trust the Lord to always provide us with enough! 

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Where in your life are you offering less than your best to the Lord?

2.  What can you do to trust Him more with your time, talent and energies?

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 22:37, Romans 12:1

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four great boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves in several behind-the-scenes ministries at Oakwood and has a heart for those who are grieving.

The Gift-Giver

By Elizabeth Cole

“…and [the father] said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

Luke 15:31-32 (NASB)

Once upon a time, there was a really fantastic Gift-giver. He was the sort who took the time to know - - really know - - the recipients of His gifts, and would choose just the sort of gifts that would be best for them.

He also had lavish wealth and could afford to give gifts of inestimable value. He gave gifts that He Himself cherished, gifts that delighted Him and brought Him great pleasure.

And so He gave gifts to those He loved. His loved ones communicated their valuation of His gifts through the way they treated the gifts upon receiving them. Some ignored the gifts. Some were ecstatic when they first got the gifts…but stored them on the shelf in the hall closet, since the gifts could sometimes be kind of messy. Some put the gifts in a place of honor until something…anything…drew their attention elsewhere.

Then there were those who accepted the gifts in humble gratitude, recognizing them for what they were: an expression of affection and confidence from the Gift-giver - - lavish love for both the gift-receiver, as well as the very gifts themselves. Those recipients welcomed and reveled in the gifts, took time to intentionally determine where the gifts could best be protected and cared for, and shouted out an enthusiastic “thank you” to their amazing Gift-giver.

Once upon a time, there was a God who cared enough about His Church to give them “gifts” - - actual people He loved enough to die for, people who needed to experience Jesus’ love through His family, people who longed to know who He is and why it matters. And since He cares so very much for these people-gifts, I would imagine He would give them to faith communities whom He knows will welcome and steward and grow them well…and communicate heartfelt “thanks” through actions, not just words.

Our God has placed those He cherishes in our lives and in our churches this week…as precious gifts from a really fantastic Gift-giver. How’s our “thank you”?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is God calling you to open up time in your week to intentionally care for those He’s bringing into your life or church? Will you?

FURTHER READING:
John 1:43-45,15:17; James 2:1-9

Elizabeth is a wife with three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.

Perspective

By Tracy Smith

“…not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Philippians 2:4 (NIV)

About 17 years ago, I was tested for a blood clotting disorder resulting in a diagnosis of von Willebrand disease. It’s actually not a disease (not sure who named this!) but a clotting disorder. I was diagnosed with the mildest type of this disorder. So what does this mean for me? It takes me a little longer to clot when I have a minor cut or scrape - - not much of an interference, and I also have to wear a medical ID bracelet.

Where things get a little tricky is when I have dental work done (other than a cleaning) or have any type of medical procedure. When those things are planned, I need to go to my hematologist’s office beforehand and get an infusion of an IV medication that temporarily boosts a specific factor, so that the bleeding during the procedure will be controlled.

In all honesty, I used to grumble every time I had to do this. It involves getting the timing down just right for the infusion, and then getting to the other office in time for the procedure. This medication makes my face feel hot, and sometimes I get a headache. One particular time, I was getting my infusion, feeling sorry for myself and really crabby. Then I looked around the infusion room, and I began to feel remorse for my attitude.

You see, my hematologist is also an oncologist, and I was sharing this room with people receiving chemo treatments for cancer. Here I was upset about the inconvenience of getting a medication that made sure I didn’t bleed unnecessarily - - yet I was sharing a room with people being treated for a life-threatening illness! Talk about an eye-opener!

 “Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity”

[1 emphasis mine]

That day I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that I needed to take a look around, choose a new perspective, and focus on others. Now when I get these infusions done, instead of focusing on myself, I choose to pray for the others in that room…trying to see things through His eyes and not my own.

GOING DEEPER

Is there something in your life that you need to gain a different perspective on? If so, are you willing to work on doing that?

FURTHER READING

John 13:34-35; 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage boys, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of Junior High girls.

[1] ”Give Me Your Eyes” by Brandon Heath https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/brandonheath/givemeyoureyes.html