Have you talked to a student or teacher lately? If so, you probably have heard that these are stressful, tiring days. During the years that I taught sixth and eighth graders, I felt that stress, but would say those two words of the title of this post repeatedly to encourage my classes and myself to keep working hard. Those last four to six weeks of the school year, filled with continued learning, standardized testing, and end-of-year activities are the most challenging part of the school year – not only for students, but also for teachers. Many of the adults in the building needed the same encouragement, as each day brought the need for added patience at a time when that commodity was running low.

As the years passed, there were other times when exhaustion hit and the urge to just stop, to quit, was tempting. The race of life can be hard at times. How much easier would it be if I just walked away from that class, that job, that relationship? However, what would be the long-term loss? I imagine you have felt the same way at times. Let me encourage you as well to program those two words into the back of your mind, pray for wisdom, and finish strong! It will help you power through those tough times in life.

So in the midst of all the current activities, enjoy these days of college graduations, high school proms, and middle and elementary school celebrations, as the days of this school year seemingly evaporate. The final result should make you proud.

God bless – Sue

The pattern is the same for all holidays – there’s a big buildup, and then it’s over. Halloween costumes and candy start appearing before kids are back in school. Likewise Christmas decorations, wrappings, and suggested gifts are sometimes on the shelves before all the scary-type stuff is removed. Then those holidays are over and we wait for next year. I think Easter is different. Let me explain why?

The answer is simple – because Jesus rose from the dead, believers in Him are promised a similar outcome. We are Easter-people! Those who follow the teachings of Christ, are taught that He is the resurrection and the life. That when you believe in Him, you will live again even if you die. Followers will rise again, and have eternal life with their Savior; it is our blessed hope.

Here are a few examples from scripture to explain this point: Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25-26)

“Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man (Adam) came death, by a man (Jesus) has come also the resurrection of the dead.” (I Cor. 15:20-22)

There are many more, but I think my favorite is from I Cor. 15:54-57 which emphatically declares, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” My husband and I concluded our younger son’s obituary with this verse, believing that his death was not the end, but that we will see him again as he trusted in Jesus as his Savior.

The “Now What” of the title of this post is so important. I hope you have the same mindset as I do. Easter makes all the difference – for now and eternity.

God bless – Sue

These are troubling times, as every day we see pictures of devastation caused by the bombing of strategic targets in Iran. The precision and destruction of these military strikes demonstrate the awesome power of bunker-busting bombs on multiple Iranian targets. Weaponry continues to evolve, becoming more and more deadly. Is this true power? If not, what is? Maybe a huge tornado tearing through towns in the Midwest, or a category 5 hurricane with a name many will not soon forget.

Let me introduce you to another thought. Everything we have or are going to experience in life is in the hands of the God who created all things. He has orchestrated the actions of kings, rulers, and presidents down through history to achieve His purposes and for His glory. He knew years ago before I was even born that I would write this post because it was in His plan for my life. Incredibly, He knows you too and wants a relationship with you because of His love for you. He, this God, is the Ultimate Power in life – not the bombs that are dropping or the storms that I mentioned. That awesome God opened the door to a committed closeness with each of us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, for me … and you. Do you know Him – the One whose resurrection we will celebrate on Easter? He’s waiting for you to invite Him into your life. When you do, that Ultimate Power will be with you forever.

God bless – Sue

Who knew a couple of weeks ago that our weather was finally going to resemble Spring? Now that we just completed our “Spring Ahead” night, it definitely seems appropriate. However, for the past several weeks when it was still chilly, whenever I’m outside, I’ve noticed that the birds are very active and chirping amazingly loud. They don’t stop! It’s almost as if they have some reason to be excited. Is this because they’re enjoying the warmer temperatures or could it be caused by something else? Do you think they have the capacity to be thankful? If they can, shouldn’t we do the same.

So much is going on around the world right now that I imagine many people are worried, anxious, and wondering what’s going to happen next. There’s so much suffering going on in many places that people are negatively affected. In this environment, how can we be thankful, and why should we even try? Well, Pastor Rick Warren spoke to that mindset when he said, “There’s always something to be thankful for.” Let me start – I am thankful for my family, good health at my age, an active church where my husband and I can worship and help serve the community. You get the idea – thankfulness can promote happiness. An article in a Harvard Health study supports this and stated that regularly practicing gratitude fosters a more optimistic, emotionally stable, and fulfilled life. 

Returning to the subject of birds, the Bible says that God cares for them. In Mathew 6, it says, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life?”

I need to remember that God is in the business of caring for me as well as those chirping birds, so I can “Cast all my anxiety on Him for He cares for me.” (1 Peter 5:7). If you want another example of our heavenly Father’s protection, look at this verse from Psalms 91:4 – “He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge.” How birdlike! I am thankful to have Him looking after me in times such as these. I hope you are too.

God bless – Sue

(Amazon)

With all the cold wintry storms in places that normally have milder weather, my husband and I have been watching local and national news more than usual. After a few days of non-stop negative, upsetting, and divisive reporting that didn’t involve the weather, I soon remembered why I decided months ago to avoid such broadcasts. How in the world are you supposed to have a positive mindset with one troubling story after another being reported? Is it any wonder that the occurrence rates of depression among American adults has reached historic levels with roughly one in six (about 18%) experiencing or actually being treated for it.

You can ignore the news and turn to social media for some enjoyment – right? Not such a good idea with all the different opinions being expressed in posts or the argumentative comments that follow. So much information online is also misleading or outright untrue, which also leads to the cultural division we are currently experiencing.

What about sports? Watching competition on the football field or from the Olympic games could be a positive alternative to the other choices. This past weekend we had the Super Bowl where unfortunately, the halftime show got more attention and press than the actual game. Once again we were a divided nation with millions tuning into an alternative halftime offered by Turning Point USA, instead of watching the performer chosen to entertain for the NFL championship. Later I decided to change the channel to watch the Olympics and enjoy watching athletes from around the world competing on a world-wide stage. I love to watch skiing and ice skating, and was lucky enough to catch the pairs ice dancing competition. It was wonderful! Then news broke about a controversy involving a French judge giving the U.S. pair a unusually low score, which resulted in the skaters from France winning the gold medal. Do you see a pattern here? The world today is filled with tension, anger, and bitterness, no matter where you turn. It can affect us all.

This post has a title which leads to a different mindset. It comes from a scripture selection written to help us survive the spiritual warfare we are experiencing today. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” I am to intentionally fill my mind with “good stuff” to help minimize those negative influences. This is the battle plan – filling our minds with positive things will help to overshadow whatever seeks to pull us down. So think on those things.

God bless – Sue