Our Stability
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Always the Same
2020 has been the year of changes.
That is putting it mildly, some of you are probably thinking.
The ways that we work, shop and go to school have been altered.
Curve balls are thrown at us on a daily basis.
Yesterday was no exception.
An eerie feeling came over me as I entered the building for my yearly appointment with my oncologist.
The center that was once bustling with activity now felt like a ghost town.
No walks where breast cancer survivors and supporters could gather this year.
In person activities and gatherings have shifted to virtual.
It has been almost 10 years since my diagnosis.
Connections with others were the very things that helped me through my own journey.
And as I made my way back the empty hallway after getting my temperature taken at the door,
I ran into a staff member who had helped me through my treatment years ago.
We sat and chatted about the change in the atmosphere.
Limitations in how the staff interacts with patients and how the patients interact with each other left a heaviness on my heart.
Everything just feels different.
And when everything feels different, this is the verse that I hold onto:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLT
He never put limitations on how He interacted with His people.
Not if they were considered unclean.
“Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8: 1-3 NLT
Not if they were considered unworthy.
“Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” John 4: 7-10 NLT
Jesus knew that they craved connection.
Connection with the One who brought hope into their brokenness.
The same hope that is available to us today.
The only limitations that are placed on how I interact with our Savior are the ones I put there myself.
He is always available, ready to listen to our hearts, whether they are joyful or heavy.
He never withholds Himself from us.
And in a world that is constantly in flux, my heart is grateful that He is my constant.
My prayer is that you allow Him to be yours as well.
That is putting it mildly, some of you are probably thinking.
The ways that we work, shop and go to school have been altered.
Curve balls are thrown at us on a daily basis.
Yesterday was no exception.
An eerie feeling came over me as I entered the building for my yearly appointment with my oncologist.
The center that was once bustling with activity now felt like a ghost town.
No walks where breast cancer survivors and supporters could gather this year.
In person activities and gatherings have shifted to virtual.
It has been almost 10 years since my diagnosis.
Connections with others were the very things that helped me through my own journey.
And as I made my way back the empty hallway after getting my temperature taken at the door,
I ran into a staff member who had helped me through my treatment years ago.
We sat and chatted about the change in the atmosphere.
Limitations in how the staff interacts with patients and how the patients interact with each other left a heaviness on my heart.
Everything just feels different.
And when everything feels different, this is the verse that I hold onto:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLT
He never put limitations on how He interacted with His people.
Not if they were considered unclean.
“Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8: 1-3 NLT
Not if they were considered unworthy.
“Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” John 4: 7-10 NLT
Jesus knew that they craved connection.
Connection with the One who brought hope into their brokenness.
The same hope that is available to us today.
The only limitations that are placed on how I interact with our Savior are the ones I put there myself.
He is always available, ready to listen to our hearts, whether they are joyful or heavy.
He never withholds Himself from us.
And in a world that is constantly in flux, my heart is grateful that He is my constant.
My prayer is that you allow Him to be yours as well.
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The Same
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At All Times
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Sing to Him
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With Heart and Mouth
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With My Song
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You Can’t Make This Up
You can’t make this up.
If you have teenagers, you should be well acquainted with this phrase.
The phrase that was uttered the other night when my son and his friends strolled into my living room on Monday night with ducks.
Emphasis on the plural.
Not one, two or even three.
Eight.
During the book club that was being held at my home.
To say that they thought this was a great idea would be an understatement.
Heat lamps and food were purchased to care for these 3 week old babies.
These kids were serious.
But they had missed one crucial step when making this decision.
No one had asked their parents if they thought this was a good idea.
The parents were taken by surprise.
Now, the ducks were adorable.
We could all agree on that.
But the impact that decision would have on others was not thought through.
The who, what, where and how had been overshadowed by the appeal of these cute furry creatures.
I have to confess I am no different than a teenager some days.
I do not always consult my heavenly Father first about my decisions.
My choices do not always line up with what His will is for me.
The appeal of something that brings me short term joy may have weighty consequences later, ones I have not considered.
My impulsivity and human inclinations take over.
And just like buying ducks, I don’t always consider how my decisions might impact those around me.
Maybe I am not alone here.
But unlike earthly parents, our heavenly Father is not surprised by anything that we do.
Even when we rebel and don’t consult Him about our choices, He always takes us in.
“But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.” Daniel 9 : 9 NLT
After the initial shock of the chirping wore off, our group of parents had a chuckle and knew we would have a story for later.
Friends, I am certain that Father God has many stories He could share about us.
Gratefully, the same God who was full of compassion and mercy for Moses has that same compassion and mercy for you and for me.
“The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,“Yahweh![a] The Lord!
The God of compassion and mercy!
I am slow to anger
and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” Exodus 34:6 NLT
And that is something you cannot make up.
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Mercy
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Before Me
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