A Holy Week reflection…

I am told it is darkest just before dawn.This might be why Jesus said to Judas, the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come to arrest him, “This is your hour — when darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53b).

Hanging on a cross, his followers could not fathom how Jesus’ death could turn out for good. They could not know this horrible situation would soon become victory.

But Jesus knew. Like any human, he preferred not to suffer, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me” (Luke 22:42a). Yet, he trusted his Father with his very life, “Not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42b).

Jesus’ words on the cross demonstrate to us that even in the darkest of times, he still forgave his enemies and loved sinners:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

“Today you will be with me in paradise” Luke 23:43)

Often it looks like darkness is winning. But it can never reign when the light of Jesus lives in you.

Friend, I pray the sorrow and the sadness of the cross reminds you — especially this week — that Jesus is willing to do for you what he did for those while he was dying. He forgives you sacrificially and loves you endlessly.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:5).

I was a sixteen year-old high school girl on the beginning of my Jesus journey. She was an elderly woman at the end of herlife, dying in a hospital bed. Her name was Mary, but we called her Diddy.

I had barely known her until she and her husband, Jack, moved from California to Missouri so our family could enjoy and care for these two elderly people. Aunt Diddy and Uncle Jack had been like parents to my father when he was in his early adulthood.

Her health was failing so I was only able to spend a short time getting to know her. But the connection was instant and we loved each other dearly and immediately. She was crusty, a smoker and had a raspy voice. But she was funny too. We did stuff together. Mostly though, we stayed near her home and simply talked since she required constant oxygen and her energy level was often low.

She had lived a worldly life and I was pretty sure she didn’t know Jesus. So on this particular day, as I sat in the hospital room holding her hand, the one thing I wanted was for Aunt Diddy to know Jesus.

“Aunt Diddy, would you like to see Jesus in heaven?”

“Yes,” she said laboriously.

The room was quiet. The only sound came from a machine helping her breathe. We prayed. And then the impossible happened. Jesus came and took residence in Aunt Diddy’s heart.

I wish I could recall the exact words we prayed. I’m sure they were simple. But in this quiet, sacred space, my aunt asked Jesus to be her Savior. In that moment, Jesus came. I felt his presence and she experienced his promise. Heaven and earth collided in that hospital room.

Not long after that, my Aunt Diddy was in the forever presence of Jesus. It was not the result of anything she did in her lifetime. It was because Aunt Diddy asked and Jesus did the impossible. He saved her.

Regardless if you are just starting this journey with Jesus or you have known him for a very long time, you can be assured of this one thing: Jesus is a Savior and a Friend who wants to do the impossible in your life.

While an entire world was passing by a quiet hospital room, Jesus welcomed a dying woman who wanted to be loved eternally by a Savior. To me, this is what a wild and wonderful life looks like — when Jesus makes the impossible possible.

 

While traveling through India this past week, our tour group was led by the most wonderful guide named Bhawani.

A highlight of the trip was a visit to the Taj Mahal. The weather was dicey, and there was fog and bad visibility. The afternoon we arrived, as if on cue, the clouds parted and the sun came out. It was only the second day of sun the area had seen in the past thirty days. The sight was beyond description. Our visit to this historic place was a memorable and exhilarating experience.

By contrast, the following day included a train and bus ride making it somewhat tiresome travel. Somewhere along the way of the bumpy bus ride, Bhawani, in his typical calm manner, suggested that on this day, we enjoy the “little” happy of the day. Certainly, this day didn’t compare to the inspiration of the previous one but could we still be happy even with the little? So, I pondered:

Could I be a little happy at the unique sights of India countryside from a bus window?

Would I be a little happy the following day as I experienced the most glorious sights and sounds in my hotel in Panna National Forest while lying in bed due to stomach sickness?

Thanks to Bhawani, the answer to both was yes.

In past travels home, a layover for seven hours in the London Heathrow Airport might tempt me to be a little sad. But I’m a little happy instead. The time gave me opportunity to reflect on our trip, write this blog, and squeeze in a few more quiet, uninterrupted hours with my husband before we resume our busy life in Alabama.

Thank you Bhawani for reminding me that in life, “little” happy can be just as meaningful as “big” happy.

As you begin the New Year, if you are feeling like you are living in the land of the unknown, this post is for you.

Recently, I have continually been hearing a phrase in my head:

God knows.

Once I realized I was hearing this phrase repeatedly it seemed like I would hear it even more. It’s surprising how many times people actually say “God knows.” Then I Googled the phrase. There are over 893,000,000 entries posted for these words! That’s A LOT!

I pondered and searched the Bible, “What exactly does God know?”

He knows my suffering (Exodus 3:7)

He knows my every tear (Psalm 56:8)

He knows my temptations (Hebrews 4:15)

He knows my anxious thoughts (Psalm 139:23)

But I also discovered He knows

My circumstances (Genesis 16:13)

My future (Jeremiah 29:11)

My value to Him (Isaiah 43:4)

And then I learned He also knows

My joys (Psalm 37:4)

My victories (little and big) (Judges 4:9)

My hopes and dreams (Psalm 37:14)

The Bible is clear, “God knows everything” (1 John 3:20).

And that is why this post is for you. If God knows everything, that means He knows YOU! You can be assured that even though you may not know what the outcome of this year will be, you can trust this:

Nothing will happen in your life that is out of His reach (Matthew 18:14)

No one will love you more than He (John 13:1)

No place is too far for Him to find you (Luke 15:20)

Entering 2024 you may feel like there are a lot of unknowns. But there is one thing about you and your life you can know: God knows.

It was a first. I’ve never ridden in a tow truck until recently. A flat tire on a busy highway forty-five minutes outside of Birmingham required a tow to the nearest auto repair shop.

Standing on the side of the highway as cars whizzed past me, I waited expectantly for the one vehicle that was going to help me make it home. When the tow truck driver hopped out of his truck, we yelled hellos over the highway noise. He wasted no time in loading my car and then helped me climb into the cab of his truck.

I didn’t know what to expect with this whole big-truck thing, but discovered a clutter-free, squeaky-clean cab. It was actually much cleaner than my own vehicle being towed which caused a bit of embarrassment on my part.

A tow truck ride was never on my list of activities to pursue, but it unexpectedly turned out to be a not-too-bad experience. Honestly, it was a little bit of fun to barrel down the highway in the big rig. The tow truck driver and I chatted about kids, work, and inconsiderate highway drivers. The ride was quickly over and after a drop off to a waiting auto repairman, my new best friend departed. The flat tire was quickly replaced. And in a snap, I was back on the road.

Sometimes it’s the minor, everyday things, like flat tires, that can make life the most challenging — if I let them. But lately, Jesus has been reminding me not worry so much about what I don’t have but instead to concentrate on what I do have. He says,

“The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give you a rich and satisfying life,”  (John 10:10).

In my everyday life, satan wants me to focus on what I don’t have. When I do this, he is able to steal my joy, kill my plans, and destroy my good intentions. However, when I choose to remember what I do have — a full life with Jesus as my guide — I can find joy in something as simple as a first-time tow truck ride.

Through the flat tire experience, Jesus reminded me:

I can be grateful that a tow truck driver was willing to do his job well.

A simple smile is what a tired driver needs rather than the frenzy of a crazy, upset lady.

Jesus wants to show up in all kinds of unexpected places including tow trucks. (I shared that Jesus is his best friend when I handed the driver my children’s book to give to his five-year old son.)

The flat tire experience isn’t one I’d care to repeat. But I am thankful Jesus goes with me through the ups and downs of everyday life so I can be free to enjoy the ride.

Two things happened this week I would like to share in hopes that it will assist you in a tangible way in your daily faith journey.

First, I discovered something new the other day when reading the Bible in a new light. I know being in the Word is important and can’t imagine not reading it. But, there are times when I come across a very familiar verse and I struggle because it can feel like just words on a page.

For example, I was reading Philippians 4:6:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

I love this very familiar verse and pray it often for myself and others. But on this particular day, the Spirit encouraged me to read more. So, I looked to the verse right before this passage which says:

“The Lord is near…”

Now, this is what I read:

“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious.”

It was as if the Lord was saying personally to me, “Susan, always start with Me because I am near. This is why you don’t need to be anxious.”

Sometimes all it takes is simply grouping verses together in a different way to jumpstart a new thought. So, when the verse you are reading doesn’t seem to be really speaking to you, I’d encourage you to dig deeper. Look at the verses surrounding the one you are reading.

I don’t know what is going on in your life, but I want to encourage you: The LORD is near. And because of this, you do not need to be anxious.

Second, I had the privilege of being a guest on a new podcast called “Conversations” which was recently released and I hope our conversation might encourage you in your faith walk. Karen Shayne, the moderator and I chatted about faith journeys, redeeming time, and tips on how to make Jesus a priority in your everyday life.

 I’d love for you to listen and give me some feedback on our discussion. Even more, perhaps you could share what was an “aha” or maybe an issue you wished would have been included.You can listen by clicking the link here

“Faith. It does not make things easy. It makes things possible.” Anonymous