Cultivating Faithfulness

I used to watch my youngest son sit in the floor with a box of those building blocks that snap together. Of course, this was many years ago, but the memories are still clear to me. With his small straight back, his head tilted down, and his little hands so nimble, he’d assess, plan and arrange all those little pieces until he had a masterpiece. Afterward, I’d have to make sure that the sheet of instructions was carefully tucked away inside the box for future reference. “Mom,” he’d say, “I need the map. Let’s not lose that, shall we?” And I would smile primly and say, “Of course, son. We…

“Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.” (Joel 1:3 ESV) Our week at the beach was simply divine. Nineteen adults and fourteen children from less than a year to over 80 years old. How could it not be full of life and rich with love. We started the week, as is our tradition, with Communion, and also with gratitude for the legacy of these family gatherings that began with my parents. As we witness the faithfulness of God together, we are aware of God’s command to instill in our children the knowledge of Him we have received by grace.…

I am a list maker. And, I’ve been known to have lists of lists. Before you make any snap judgments about my need to control, let me be perfectly clear: I plan, with a deep conviction that God orders. Besides, whatever latent or repressed fears I may have that things will go awry if I don’t have a detailed list for any conceivable contingencies, He is quite able to deal with them and with my heart. The reason I am currently making lists is because we are packing to leave for our annual family vacation at the beach. Most everything has been checked and rechecked, and so here I sit…

Cares. Burdens. Anxieties. How often Scripture implores us to lay them down at His feet. He says we are not to fear, to be anxious for nothing, to give Him all our cares, because He cares and because He is victorious. (1 Peter 5:7; Luke 12:22-32) And, as a faithful believer, I try to do just that: give them to Him and acknowledge His Lordship in my heart. I am, however, also prone to pick them up again. My trust wavers, and I fail to remember that He is bigger than whatever I’m facing. Or, my pride intrudes, and I put my reputation above His. It may take me a…

It is late in the evening, and it has been a sweet Sabath. We were asked to serve Communion with several other couples and were early to church for prayer with the pastors and elders in preparation thereof. The reading of Scripture always pierces my heart and enlivens my spirit, and it is so very good to remember all He has done. His people have been doing so for thousands of years. We remember, and we speak of these things to our children and their children, and the gift goes on, generation after generation. After the service, and after greeting so many of our friends, we went back to mother’s…