Good News!

I heard on a recent radio broadcast that the #1 cause of death among US teens ages 15-19 is suicide – greater than deaths by accident, illness, injury, etc.

That is astonishing and deeply troubling. The world is in desperate need. Hopelessness, discouragement, and depression are driving young people to the very edge where they think their only option is to opt out of life altogether. The voices calling out to them have nothing to offer except more of the same… distress, turmoil, anxiety, fear.  Something must be done to restore joy, purpose, fulfillment, and hope to them.

Rather than focusing on all that is wrong – hatred, division, hostility, fear, failure – let’s redirect their focus toward all that is right and beautiful.

To the one who is despondent: There is a God who cares and cares deeply. 1 Peter 5:7

To the one who feels unloved: There is One who loved you so much He sacrificed His very life to save yours. John 3:16, Romans 5:8

To the one who feels anxious: There is One who speaks to anxiety. Matthew 6:25-34

To the one who sees ugliness: There is beauty in creation – flowers, trees, birds, animals, stars, sunrises and sunsets, ocean waves. Go out into nature. Listen and look up. Psalm 19:1, Psalm 104:10-25

To the one who is lonely: There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

To the one who feels abandoned: There is One who promises never to leave you. Hebrews 13:5

To the one who feels unheard: There is One who says, “Call to me and I will answer you.” Jeremiah 33:3

To the one who feels unnoticed: There is One who sees you wherever you are. 2 Chronicles 16:9

To the one who feels unknown: There is One who knows you better than you know yourself! Psalm 139:1-4

To the one who is in the pit of despair: There is One who wants to lift you out of the pit. Psalm 40:1-2

To the one who feels like giving up: You can be a victorious conqueror. Romans 8:37

While not ignoring what is wrong with the world today, let’s keep our focus on the promises of God. We have good news to share. And everyone needs to hear good news! Let’s share it.

Blessings,

Ruth

WHAT ARE YOU GIVING UP?

Many people choose to give up something for Lent … chocolate, sweets, meat, soda, caffeine, television, social media … These are some I recall hearing about. The purpose seems to be to focus more on Christ and His sacrifice, and less on things that distract us, to become more disciplined and prayerful during the 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday.

What if we would choose to give up – Irritability with annoying behaviors of a family member … Grudges against someone who wronged us … Complaining about inconveniences and interrupted plans … Habits that hold us back from moving forward … Anger when things don’t go our way … Impatience with other drivers … Pride that puts others down and promotes self … Selfishness that refuses to yield … Worry about things out of our control – What if we gave those up?

Maybe then, others would be more willing to listen to our message – the Easter message recorded by the Apostle Paul in the Scriptures:

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

He Lived.

He Gave His Life.

He Rose Again.

He Ascended to Heaven.

And He Is Coming Back! Hallelujah!!

What are YOU giving up?

Blessings during this Lenten season,

Ruth

Multiplicity of Thoughts

Do you ever have times when there are so many thoughts and questions swirling around in your head, that you don’t quite know what to do next? Maybe it’s a heavy workload, or things that need doing around the house, or projects you wish you had time for, or people making demands on your time … ?

If so, dear sister, you are not alone! We take on a multitude of endeavors. Some are thrust upon us, some we pick up ourselves, and some … well, some are just too good to pass up! But all of them, yes ALL of them, take energy and add stress (some good, some bad) into our daily lives.

I came across this cool Bible verse the other day and it hit me in a way that it never had before. Oh, I had read it multiple times, had taught it, even! But this time, this day, when I read it, it hit me square between the eyes.

“In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19

Yes! I had a multitude of thoughts within me … thoughts that went off in many directions. I needed the comfort of God to get me through. I needed to delight in Him, His promises, His presence, His peace. Instead of allowing the question of what to do, paralyze me from accomplishing anything, I needed to ask Him and then let Him guide my path.

Seeking Him is the answer to the question of what and when. He is near, and He hears when His children call out to Him.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6 (NASB)

Cry out to Him. Let’s ask Him to direct our thoughts, our steps, our plans, our words, our projects. Let’s delight in Him today and every day.

Blessings,

Ruth

Letting Go

Yesterday we took our daughter and her children to the airport. The four weeks they spent with us passed soooo quickly! As we left them to board their flight back to Austria, I couldn’t help but think of all the times we left my parents behind in the 17 years we were living in Africa. I remember the exciting ‘hellos’ and the sad ‘goodbyes.’ I acknowledge their commitment to us and to our work, and the love they showed while letting go.

I think of the moms who are letting go of their children now that summer vacation is over – seeing them go off to schools, or colleges, to military service, marriage, or new jobs. For some it is the first of many letting go’s. For others it is not the first time, but it is still hard. A piece of your heart is leaving. If you could, maybe you’d hang on tight and keep that loved one close … but you know that would not be love. Love sometimes means release and a series of letting go.

Take courage, Mom. You’ve done your best to instruct, train, encourage, and challenge your children to be and to do their best. Fully entrust them into the hands of the One who never fails. The One who sticks closer than a brother. The One who will never leave them or forsake them. The Eternal God is their refuge and strength and He’s yours, too!

Cling to Him in your sadness.

Lay your burden of worry at His feet.

Trust Him to see and hear them, even when you cannot.

Thank Him for being ever-present with them wherever they go,

and with you wherever you are.

The following Scripture verses encourage me. Maybe they will encourage you, too.

• 1 Peter 5:7
• Psalm 55:22
• Hebrews 13:5
• Proverbs 18:24
• Psalm 46:1
• Deuteronomy 33:27
• Psalm 139:1-12

Blessings,

Ruth