I went to bed early last night – the result of 5+ hours on my feet serving at our church’s Fall Festival. There was lots to do for those attending from bouncy houses and a train ride outside to cookie decorating, musical chairs, a cake walk and lots to eat inside. People from our church neighborhood and even those just driving by stopped to enjoy what was provided. I greeted many of them while helping my husband make and hand out cotton candy. I was most grateful for the reality that we were turning back the clocks last night, resulting in an extra hour of sleep.

That brought to mind this morning a thought: what would I do with an extra hour every week or even every day? Would I spend it on my phone or tablet, pick up a good book, watch a recorded program or just sleep it away? An extra 24 hours – what a gift!

There are so many needs today. People are hurting physically, financially, and emotionally. How can I or you help? One person at a time as God leads. The Bible tells us in many ways to use our time to help others and bring glory to Him. “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” (Colossians 4:5) “Be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galations 6:9) Jesus himself gave us a Golden Rule to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Matthew 7:12)

Since we won’t have the gift of an extra hour for another year, I guess we need to plan for those opportunities to serve others. Believe me, you will be blessed as you use your time to serve others. One extra hour can definitely make a difference.

God bless – Sue

The last three weeks have been brutal. Starting with the Minnesota Catholic school shooting in late August, followed by the horrific stabbing of a young lady in North Carolina, the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and several school shootings – it has been a tragic and emotionally exhausting time. Some people can shrug off tragedy that doesn’t affect them personally, but we as a country have experienced far too many in a short period of time lately. I really wasn’t prepared to also remember 9-11 just one day after Kirk’s death. It added another layer of sadness to the grief I already felt.

How are you doing and what are you doing to get through your days? Did you watch any of the Charlie Kirk Memorial service televised yesterday, September 21? It felt like salve to an open wound, especially the music and worship by the overflow crowd. Songs of praise to God and remembering a life lived for Him reminded me that in the end, God is in control of it all. When I don’t understand and the “whys” are too many, I have to trust in my Heavenly Father’s nature and remember how good He is.

It still hurts to see what is happening in my country and around the world. Then I consider what the Bible says: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual force of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12). We are in a spiritual battle daily, and must choose which side we’re going to be on – God’s side or the world’s side, which is evil. Jesus told us to love in order to overcome hate. The most overwhelming example of that premise for me came yesterday as I watched Kirk’s widow, Erica, address the tens of thousands of people at State Farm stadium and tell them, “My husband, Charlie, wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life. I forgive him because it is what Christ did. The answer to hate is not hate.”

What a difficult thing for her to do, but it was such a merciful action filled with grace and a lesson to all of us. May we choose God’s way to overcome the darkness of this world.

God bless – Sue

In the midst of a busy week, I was brought up fast to the startling reality that everything can change without warning. Of course that wasn’t a new lesson, but it definitely reinforced what I had known, just not experienced recently. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in doing life with school, groceries, housework, appointments, sports activities, worship and service, that the thought doesn’t enter your mind that tomorrow might not look like yesterday or even today.

In the span of two days, I lost two friends. One death, however sad a loss, was expected; the other, a tragic heart attack, came out of nowhere and was totally unexpected. I am left feeling numb and kind of empty, but have been reminded that tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone.

That lead me to another thought. If “I should die before I wake,” what of worth would I leave behind? What would my legacy be? Money, houses, fashion, cars, etc. won’t last, and shouldn’t be my focus. In this age of entitlement and increasingly bad behavior, should my actions mirror those of a lot of people I see or be of a more giving and caring nature?

I guess mortality is on my mind this week, the time represented by the dash between my birth and death. I’ve been admonished in the past to make those years count, but this past week really brought it home to me in a profound way. I hope this post reminds you as well.

God bless – Sue

I woke up this morning and noticed that my perpetual calendar still read July 31. As I turned the block over to August, I thought of how busy July had been – filled with church and personal activities. VBS preparation with decorating and a block party for the neighborhood, then the five actual days of “Magnified” with it’s theme, “Oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3). My eleven 4th/5th graders kept me very busy that week. I wish their energy was transferable!

Next came the food pantry drive-thru giveaway on Saturday, followed by our church anniversary celebration with special music and a delicious meal after the service. I had one week to rest before my husband and I drove the 1,000 mile round trip for his family’s reunion which is always a blessing. I’ve never really understood how sitting in a car can make me so tired, but it always does.

Now that all of July’s activities are over, I have flipped all my calendars over and am contemplating how quickly this summer is passing by. I inevitably carried that thought over to my life. It can’t be possible that I am in my 70s! How about you? Does life seem to be passing by too quickly? I am reminded that we all have a set time for the dash between our birth and death dates. How we use that time is what’s important. I pray that we all use our time wisely, and your August is one to remember.

God bless – Sue

These words of encouragement from renowned pastor David Jeremiah appeared on my newsfeed yesterday, and I wanted to pass them along. Biblical truth can always shed a light on difficult times. God told us what to expect in His word. So much of the Old Testament prophesied what would happen in later times. The New Testament bears witness of what earIier prophets wrote. Nothing takes God by surprise. Rest assured that He is in control.

God bless – Sue