Thoughts For Today -- Feeling Lost in a World Gone Mad?

This morning, when I sat down with my morning coffee to watch the news my heart groaned. Another school shooting. This one in an elementary school in Connecticut. An elementary school? I could hardly believe what I was watching. How could it be? Innocent children. Teachers. Dead and injured.

My mind went to the terrified children, the parents and families. Lives devastated. I weep for them all.

The world has gone mad. Just two days ago, innocents were shot down in a shopping mall in Portland, Oregon. Today's shooting is just one more tragedy in a long, long list of  brutal and senseless murders of the innocent. What has happened to the soul of America? How can we change the sickening and terrifying path we travel? Where do we begin?

I dropped into my comfy chair, in my toasty warm home, which is closed off from the world, hidden in a quiet place on this planet . . . but I didn't feel safe. My thoughts went to those who might break into my "safe" haven. I thought about my children and grandchildren who step out into the world every day. How can I keep them safe?

Jesus, my spirit whispered. Jesus.

Heavy-hearted, I picked up a devotional that I read every day. The first line said this, "REST IN ME, MY CHILD, forgetting about the worries of the world." And this. "Hold My hand in deliberate dependence on Me, and I will smooth out the path before you."

God met me, reminding me that He's always with me. He reached out, speaking to my heart. But my mind continued to ask, "How do we find rest in the midst of a mindless, brutal world that pounds on the door of our sanctuaries of safety?"

The devotional continued, "Focus on Me--Emmanuel--and let My living Presence envelop you in Peace. Tune in to my eternal security, for I am the same yesterday, today, and forever."

I was reminded that no matter how unruly and frightening the world may become God is the same, now and forever. His promises have not changed. He has not changed. We can rely on Him to remain with us, to offer His arms of love, His feet to guide, His strength to help us stand. He will never desert us.

His Word is a love letter to His people. Read it. And know that He is God. "Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." We will never be lost when God leads.

Ezra, the priest wrote, "Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." 

Only God knows the way, through this mine field called life. Let Him lead you.

My prayers go out to the families whose lives were so horribly changed today.


May you find grace and peace in God,

Bonnie

Topic Of The Day -- Can Your Marriage Last?

Today, my husband and I celebrate forty years of marriage. Often people are surprised to hear we've been married so long. In today's world long marriages seem to be the exception rather than the rule. I think that's sad.

So, how did Greg and I make it this far?

It wasn't us. It was God. Without Him we wouldn't be together. Thirty-six years ago, we separated and Greg filed for divorce. He told me he didn't love me and never would. Life was awful. I cried a lot and thought I'd never find happiness.

Greg and I were a wreck of a couple, even from the very beginning. The day of our wedding, I walked down the aisle thinking, "If it doesn't work we can always get a divorce." Clearly I had little faith in us.

But God had plans.

Grieving and trying to learn to live on my own, I found Christ. I started praying that God would restore my marriage. Greg, for reasons he didn't understand, would stop by to see me . . . more and more often. Over several months friendship was restored and Greg discovered that he did love me after all. One surprising day he asked me to return to him. I was scared spitless, but knew that being at Greg's side is where I belonged. We were reunited and only two months later, Greg gave his life to Christ. Since that day, we've followed a Christian path together. There have been valleys to walk through and mountains to climb, but we've stuck together.

There is no magic formula. It's Christ. He is at the heart of our relationship. And when we chose one another for the second time we made a commitment to never throw in the towel. The "D" word was not allowed in our home.

Today, I look back over the years and see a long list of things we've done wrong, but so much of our life has been filled with richness and joy. We love each other more today than we did on our wedding day forty years ago. Greg is a good man and I'm so grateful God placed him in my life. And thankful for God's mercy and His greatness.

Every couple struggles--expect it. But don't give up. Instead give yourselves to God. He's in the business of restoration. Believe in Him and know that He can do it.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie