Wind Grabbing

I observed everything going on under the sun,
and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 1:14 NLT

The parking lot symbolized what once was but would never be again.

In the early 1980s, Ryan’s Steakhouse was the most popular eating establishment in Greenwood, SC. You could choose from a bar of meats, salads, vegetables, starches, and homemade desserts, or you could order from a selection of juicy steaks. Sunday lunches—as well as Sunday nights after church—witnessed a packed restaurant.

Then other popular restaurants encroached on Ryan’s territory. Places like Chiles, O’Charley’s, and Outback Steakhouse. Ryan’s cut out their signature steaks and went solely to a food bar. Crowds thinned. And one day they closed their doors. Financial struggles—along with waning crowds—made the decision.

What’s left of Ryan’s is on my daily walking route. As I walk up and down its parking lot, I think back to what once was. Cars packed the parking lot and overflowed into a neighboring restaurant’s lot. Lines of people snaked out of the front door, waiting to pay and be seated. The smell of steaks simmering on the grill filled the air—along with conversations and laughter as people mingled.

But not now. Grass grows through cracks in the asphalt. Leaves and pine straw litter the lot. Empty pallets, pieces of rock, and other left-behind paraphernalia spoil the ground. As if someone was in a hurry to leave—or reluctant.

I long for the “good ole” days as I walk through the deserted parking lot. Yet I know they’ll never return. What once brought satisfaction to many—myself included—won’t ever again. King Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, knew disappointment as well. He hadn’t sampled Ryan’s, but he had everything else. As the wealthiest man alive, he could, and did. However, nothing brought him lasting satisfaction. Pleasure was always one grasp away. Just when he thought he had found it, the wind blew it from his grasp.

Such is the nature of things, whatever they are. Restaurants, relationships, play toys, possessions, power, prestige. They’re all temporary—here for our momentary enjoyment. Perhaps that’s why Jesus said to store our treasures in heaven . . . to invest in what outlasts time. Those things that will have a lasting influence long after we’re gone.

The Ryan’s of the world lose their popularity—and maybe even close their doors. Your life, too, will one day end, but you can leave a legacy for others to remember and emulate.

Prayer: Father, guide us to invest in those things that will outlive our lives.

A Different Kind of Christmas

Christmases at my maternal grandparent’s home were different, but just as memorable.

My mother’s parents would have been considered upper middle class by modern standards. When my grandfather died, he had a sizable sum saved. At least it was sizable according to my standards of judging sizable. Checkbook balances never fell below $20,000. For me, that’s rich. I’ve never had that much saved nor have I ever come near having that amount in my checking account. Additionally, my grandfather owned several hundred acres of farmland and wooded areas.

But their lifestyles didn’t reflect the money they had or possessions they owned. My grandfather’s only farm implement was a small red tractor. What he couldn’t do with it, he paid someone else to do. Which was almost everything except plowing and planting. Their home was an old farmhouse with no central heat or air. Not until after my grandfather’s death did my grandmother install one lonely window unit in her kitchen. Neither ever owned a new vehicle while my grandfather was alive. Overhead lights consisted of one bulb dangling from a wire that drooped low enough for a pull cord to be reached for turning it on and off. Their furniture was modest except for a few finer pieces reserved for company and which were nestled in the “front room.” Professionals were never hired to make home repairs. Handymen—more handy than skilled–were called to mend broken items.

Just down the path—a short city block away–lived an aunt and uncle who parroted my grandparent’s example. They too saved most pennies they earned and spent very few, choosing a modest home and down-home living over what they could have enjoyed.

And it was to such an environment that we made our way on Christmas day. The experience was quite different from what I was accustomed to at my father’s parent’s home. Rather than bulging with presents, the tree stood almost alone with just a few gifts snuggled underneath. While I opened presents with great anticipation at my other grandparent’s home, I wasn’t as eager to do so here. These presents didn’t even compare. Experience had proven it. Some of them were used, and others were items a young child had no use for. I often wondered whether they even put any thought into what they gave or just gave because they were expected to. When my parents added these to those already received at the other grandparent’s home, the difference was virtually imperceptible. While I enjoyed the food and getting to see my relatives, the presents didn’t tweak the enthusiasm of a young lad with a less than proper understanding of Christmas.

Yet the disappointing presents were overshadowed by elements I sometimes didn’t discover when spending Christmas with my other grandparents. Sure we had a feast of food there, but it wasn’t the same as here. This grandmother spent her entire day in the kitchen, and Christmas was no exception. She continued cooking and serving while everyone else ate—occasionally not even sitting down until everyone was stuffed and sleepy. And their mindset about presents was starkly different. They seemed to know there were more important things to experience than giving and receiving gifts that may have been purchased with little thought and would be used only for a brief time.

Togetherness was more important to these grandparents. I labeled them stingy—and perhaps they were–but then again possibly they knew something I hadn’t ascertained yet. What they gave me was never what I hoped for, but perhaps it was more important than what they could have afforded to buy. And they certainly wouldn’t have had to go into debt like my other grandmother.

Our meals and gift opening were often preceded or followed by the men and boys trekking through our grandfather’s wooded land on hunting expeditions. Deer, squirrel, rabbit, quail, dove. It didn’t matter. We hunted it all, bringing back the smaller quarry and escorting them to a small area of the floor next to the lone gas heater standing guard over the kitchen area.

Though I was sometimes disappointed with this different kind of Christmas, in many ways it was more important than others I experienced elsewhere. Many religionists were disappointed with God’s gift and his view of Christmas too. So poor were Jesus’ parents that a manger was his first home and strips of cloth his first garment. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. (Luke 2:7 NLT) No fanfare over his birth. No parades. No welcoming gifts. No heralding bugles. Just a dark damp stable and a few shepherd visitors.

Numerous people rejected God’s Messiah simply because He didn’t fulfill their expectations. He didn’t blow in on a white horse, nor did He conquer the Jew’s enemies who ruled them ferociously. Rather, He was a humble man from an insignificant town. He grew up learning the carpenter trade and let those His people hated so much insult and eventually crucify Him.

No doubt, Jesus was a different kind of Messiah who arrived on a different type of Christmas, and because of it, many chose not to believe in Him or accept His offer of salvation. But He was God’s kind of Christmas gift. Not wrapped in beautiful bows and fancy paper, but a Savior nevertheless. The type of gift that gives presently and eternally.

Take a Break

Before daybreak the next morning,
Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
Mark 1:35 NLT

When you’re spastic, taking a break isn’t easy.

I’ve never been one to sit and twiddle my thumbs. Sitting and doing nothing makes me feel lazy. Since I only have so much time in life, I want to make the best use of every minute. Having this tendency opens me up to the possibility of over-commitment and burnout. What others ask of me, I usually agree to do—often not pausing long enough to pray first. I love seeing how much I can accomplish in 24 hours. Not that I crave recognition or do things for recognition, but like most people I enjoy being appreciated. Sitting for hours watching a movie or relaxing in conversation with company is difficult. My mind races, thinking about all the things I could be doing that would seem more productive.

Jesus was a busy man. Knowledge of His ability to heal spread like a California wildfire. Crowds crowded around Him. Everyone wanted healing for themselves, a friend, or a family member. Had He taken advantage of every opportunity, He would have never gotten any rest or sleep.

After a long day and evening of healing, Jesus rose the next morning, went to an isolated place, and prayed. When some of the disciples found Him and told Him everyone was looking for Him, He told them He had other places to go. He couldn’t stay in this one place forever.

Breaks from the daily grind of life are essential for good health—mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. We can’t do everything everyone might ask of us. There’s not enough time in the day, nor does God expect that of us. Jesus knew He needed rejuvenation, and it came through a quiet time with the Father.

Quiet times—whether in the early morning, late morning, or evening, are crucial in our service for God. Not only did Jesus’ spirit receive refreshing, but He also received instructions from the Father about His next move. Ironically, it wasn’t where He was—even though there were many there who needed His help. Rather, the Father told Him to move to a different area.

Enjoying life and making sure we’re on God’s track only happen when we’ve taken a break long enough to discover God’s will. So go ahead, take a break—and don’t feel guilty about it.

Prayer: Father, remind us we need breaks to refresh our spirits so we can do our best for You.

Sidetracked

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
Isaiah 30:21 NLT

Getting shoppers sidetracked is a retailer’s dream come true.

After a long day of sweating in the hot, humid temperatures of a South Carolina August, my wife and I showered and readied ourselves for church. Moving isn’t fun, but we had no choice.

Following church, we stopped by the local Wal-Mart for a few necessities: curtain rods and a gallon of milk. Tired from a day of moving, I said, “Now, we’re just going to get those two things and leave, right.”

“That’s all,” my wife remarked.

As we entered the store, we began walking in the wrong direction: the garden center. “You mom said they had chair cushions on sale.”

And so our visit went. Though we only came out with four instead of two items, I had to continually keep my wife pointed in the direction of what we came to get. My recliner was calling my name, but the retailer’s reputation for putting things in my wife’s path that attracted her kept getting her sidetracked.

God did His best to keep the nation of Israel on track. He sent prophets, priests, and judges who kept His ways before them, but they kept getting sidetracked. The pagan nations around them put more attractive things in their path.

I’m not much different than God’s people of old. In fact, I’ve been known to get sidetracked in Wal-Mart myself—just not over the same things my wife does. That’s how the enemy of my soul works. Through experience, he learns what attracts each individual. He won’t try to sidetrack me with clothes or shoes because he knows they don’t interest me. But he will throw up a few tech gadgets, a fancy calendar, or a recently released DVD movie.

I had to continue telling my wife not to get sidetracked. “Keep your eyes focused on what we came for,” I reminded her.

I have to do the same for myself. If I don’t, Satan will lead me in sinful or unhealthy directions. And like a puppy on a leash, I’ll follow if I’m not clothed in my spiritual armor. By the power of God’s Spirit, I can say no, get what I came to get, and go home.

Don’t get sidetracked by Satan’s attempt to convince you that you need things you don’t.

Downsizing…of Sorts

Then he said, “I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones.
Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.”
Luke 12:18 NLT

“Where are we going put it? I think we’re turning into hoarders.”

My wife and I both have asked the question and made the statements. Our love for antiques…especially furniture, keeps us adding to our collection and trying to stuff them into a small townhouse. On a recent move, we decided we were going to downsize—of sorts. Not that we were going to sell anything. We would simply transfer some things from our townhouse to the storage shed.

There were a few items we decided we could live without seeing or using. We loaded them into the back of our SUV and transported them several miles away. Perhaps our kids will want them someday. Or, maybe we’ll once again live in a larger place before we die. And of course, all of our stored pieces are assets we can sell if we need money.

Jesus told about a rich man who was a hoarder—but he wasn’t into downsizing. He was into upsizing. His crops produced more than normal. His barns were full. There was nothing for him to do but build larger barns, store his goods, and eat drink and be merry. Life was good…or so he thought, until God confronted him and told him his life would end that night.

Whether I downsize in actuality, I need to at least downsize in my thinking. Possessions are for this life. I will always love antiques and continue collecting them—and sell a few along the way. But I’m intelligent enough to know I can’t take them to heaven with me when I go.

God gives us things of this life to enjoy, but they are for the earth, not heaven or the new earth. Possessions are tangible, corruptible, breakable, and can be stolen by thieves. Placing my security or faith in them will always lead to disappointment.

My possessions bring me joy, but God expects me to use them to help others and also advance His Kingdom. Seeing what I have as temporary helps me do this with the right attitude and avoid the rich man’s. He was selfish and thought only of himself. And, if by chance, my possessions turn my focus from God, I need to downsize.

Don’t let your possessions possess you. Downsize.

Dog on a Foot

Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.
Luke 10:39 NLT

Of all the stores my grandfather delivered ice cream to, the one where the dog sat on my foot was my favorite.

Aside from a few chain pharmacies and gas stations, mom and pop stores ran the retail world. Small stores owned by local people. Stores where a little of anything could be purchased—including ice cream. And my grandfather was more than happy to supply them with all their customers could consume.

As a young boy, I enjoyed traveling from town to town and through the country helping my grandfather stock these small stores with ice cream novelties. But the one I looked forward to the most was the one where a small dog sat on customers’ feet.

“Where are we going next?” I’d eagerly ask on the day of the week we worked this store.

Finally, my grandfather would say, “To the store where the dog sits on your foot.”

As my grandfather took the store owner’s order, the dog walked over and sat on my foot. Why he did, I’m not sure. Perhaps just one of those odd habits some animals pick up as a part of their personality.

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were Jesus’ good friends. Martha was a busy body, wanting everything to be in order. She was a good hostess. Mary loved to listen to Jesus teach, so she sat at His feet. Martha fussed about it, but Jesus reminded her Mary had chosen the better thing.

The small dog at the store could have reared up on my leg or sat with his tail wagging and got the same response from me as he did by sitting on my foot. He wanted attention from the store owner’s customers. He obviously loved people and craved petting.

Jesus wants the same from me as He did from Mary. But most of the time, I’m a Martha. I get so wrapped up in daily affairs—good things mind you, that I forget to sit at His feet, enjoy His company, and learn from Him. There’s a better way, and Mary and the foot-sitting dog remind me of that. Time spent with the Savior is never wasted. Other things can wait. Listening to Him is more important.

Find time daily to sit at the feet of Jesus.

For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.
Psalm 32:7 NLT

One sheet and 4 kitchen chairs made a perfect hiding place.

Lovey was my maternal grandmother’s half-sister. My memories of her are fading, but I do recall she played with me and my cousin. One of our favorite things was to make a tent. This we did by taking a sheet and spreading it over four kitchen chairs. Seems like an easy enough exercise, but if the chairs weren’t positioned correctly, the entire thing would collapse.

After our tent was constructed, my cousin and I entered and sit. Being young boys, we probably giggled and talked. We were in our hiding place…safe from the world. Though anyone could have easily discovered us by looking beneath the cover, we didn’t see ourselves as exposed.

God was the psalmist’s hiding place. Someone he could run to for protection when his enemies were fast upon his heels. Someone who comfort him when it appeared others had turned against him.

I’ve experienced other than honorable conditions in which I tried to hide from God. Mainly when I intentionally sinned or involved myself in other shameful behaviors. Rather than confessing, I tried to hide like Adam and Eve. Hiding didn’t work for them, and it didn’t for me either. God’s convicting Spirit worried me until I made things right with God.

God would rather me hide in Him for more honorable reasons. I can hide in Him for comfort. When life—or others—have frustrated, disappointed, betrayed, or angered me, I can hide in Him for comfort.

I can hide in God’s love. It’s unconditional. Nothing I do or say can make Him love me more or less. He loves me consistently—although this doesn’t relieve me of living according to His standards.

I can hide in God’s power. Nothing life throws at me is more powerful than He is. Lion, bears, nor an angry king were more powerful than the psalmist’s God, and life’s present enemies aren’t more powerful than God’s power to deliver me.

I can also hide in God’s salvation—not from life’s trials and tribulations, but from sin’s power. Through the forgiveness offered by Christ, I can enjoy the assurance of being forgiven and accepted by God. No more do I dwell under condemnation.

Let God teach you to hide in Him—not from Him or in anything else.

Decisions Decisions

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 NLT

My job was taxing but fulfilling. Deciding whether or not to leave was difficult.

Five years had passed since I’d been employed by a local county. I began as a teller and had moved up to supervisor. Though some days found me wishing for something different, most of the time I was satisfied.

Then my pastor presented an opportunity. Due to difficult circumstances, I had been out of the ministry for a few years. Now he offered me the chance to be his associate and work with the youth and children. I turned down his first request, almost without thinking. Age had crept up on me. I was too old to act like youth ministers are sometimes required to.

A few months later, he approached me again. This time I told him I’d pray about it. Soon thereafter, I accepted the part-time position—a decision that was only the beginning of more decisions to come.

Gas prices were rising, and my position at the county required two hours of driving. As I stopped in at the old country store across the road from my house, one of the new owners approached me about a part-time day manager’s position. I prayed again. Before I knew it, I was putting in my resignation at the county and working two part-time jobs.

According to Paul, God works in us and gives us the desire and power to do what pleases Him…but how?

When I trusted Christ as my Savior, He sent His Spirit to indwell me. Listening to Him helps me make good decisions. God’s Spirit lives in me and works through me. He is not just presence or some force; He is living and moving. He nudges me in the right direction but also nudges me when I make wrong decisions.

Knowing God’s Word also helps in the decision-making process. Here I find God’s principles, wishes, and commands. Having them ingrained in my mind helps me hear God’s Spirit when He reminds me of them.

A further help with decisions comes through prayer. Knowing the Word and having the Spirit makes the process of prayer more productive. As I pray, God will speak to me by His Spirit about things that align with His Word.

Don’t leave your decisions to chance. Listen to God’s Spirit, pray, and consult His Word.

Satisfied

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly.
As each part does its own special work,
it helps the other parts grow,
so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16 NLT

One chose to stay on the farm; the other chose city life.

When my mom was a junior in high school, she chose to leave her family farm and marry my dad. Her new life would take her away from her country upbringing and plant her in cities for the remainder of her life. Mom’s sister married a Navy man but chose to build their home next to her parent’s and remain on the family farm—a place she stayed until her death.

The old homeplace was sold for a negligent amount—and it seemed the same would happen to my aunt’s home. But her oldest son stepped in and decided he and his wife would make it their retirement home. All the hunting, fishing, and golf he could stand. It’s refreshing to know the home will remain in the family.

I always envied my cousins, growing up with open land all around them. Hunting, fishing, romping through the woods. Having pets wasn’t a problem. Leash laws didn’t exist. Being able to raise chickens, cows, hogs, and anything else they wanted without having to wonder where they’d put them or if the smell would offend the neighbors. They lived a very carefree down-to-earth lifestyle.

Because Mom and Dad chose the city life, I had to endure it as well. Though it has its conveniences, I still miss the open land and the perks that come with country living.

I’ve also been known to envy those God is using in ways I wish He’d use me. Paul reminded the early believers that the church was like a body. Each part has a special function, and it is fitted together perfectly. When one piece is out of whack, the entire body is affected.

Curbing my jealousy is an ongoing lesson God is teaching me. Instead of envying what He is doing in other believer’s lives, I enjoy what He’s doing in mine and rejoice in what He’s doing in theirs. I’m not in competition but in cahoots with other believers. Our job is not to fuss and fight but to work together to accomplish God’s work in this world. He gives us unique opportunities and personalities. Even when I share the same gift as another person, I will use it differently.

Rather than envying someone else’s gift, use yours to fulfill God’s plan for you.

Hanging on in Difficult Times

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish.
He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me.
I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me!”
Jonah 2:1-2 NLT

Difficulties are a part of the human experience. From the death of a loved one to unemployment to a difficult school assignment, difficulties run the gamut.

Jonah too found himself in a difficult situation. God told him to go to Ninevah, capital of the Assyrian empire. A very wicked city. God wanted him to tell the people that destruction was on the horizon if they did not repent.

Jonah didn’t want to go there. He had no love for the Assyrians and no desire to warn them about God’s judgment. So he ran to Joppa and hopped a ship going to Tarshish—the opposite direction of where God told him to go.

God wasn’t happy about Jonah’s disobedience. He sent a great wind that threatened to break apart the ship. The sailors were afraid and cried out to their god. They threw cargo into the sea to lighten the load. Meanwhile, Jonah was below the deck sound asleep. The captain finally awoke him and told him to call on his god. Then the sailors cast lots to find out who is responsible for this storm. The lot fell on Jonah. They questioned him to see where he was from and what he had done to cause such a difficulty. Jonah confessed and told them to throw him overboard so the sea would be calm again. The men didn’t want to take such a drastic action, so they rowed harder. Finally, making no progress, they prayed to the Lord, asking him not to hold them responsible for the loss of this man’s life, and tossed Jonah into the sea. Immediately the sea stopped raging.

Jonah in the meantime found himself in a difficult situation. Even in his anger, the Lord was kind and prepared a large fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. While in this difficult situation, he gives us the keys for handling difficult situations.

REMEMBER THE LORD

Jonah said; “As my life was ebbing away, I remembered the Lord.”

Life in the belly of the fish was no doubt unpleasant. Slime, seaweed, stench. A disgusting place for a prophet of God to be. While in this place of meditation, Jonah must have remembered all the Lord had done for him. Though a difficult situation, Jonah remembered the Lord. Here, the magnanimity of his disobedience must have taken hold.

When we find ourselves in difficult times, we too need to remember the Lord. Straying from God’s will and finding ourselves in difficult situations is easy. Sometimes it takes discipline from a loving heavenly Father to help us remember him and all he’s done for us. We have the tendency to forget God in the good times and rely on ourselves.

When that difficult time comes in your life, remember the Lord as Jonah did. Remember he will see you through these times as he has in the past. Trust in him in the good and in the difficult times. Remember what he has done for you.

PRAY

Jonah testifies to having done this also. He said; “As my life was ebbing away, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to you.”

Prayer is important. We need to pray on a regular basis. The Bible says to pray without ceasing. This means for us to be in an attitude of prayer at all times. It is especially important that we pray in difficult times. Prayer will carry us through the difficulties of life just as it did Jonah.

We need to pray as individuals. Prayer is our lifeline to God and the only way we can survive as Christians. In spite of our busy schedules, we also need to pray as families. Family devotions are important. We also need corporate prayer. Churches need to pray together.

We need to praise God through prayer in the good times and for the good things he provides for us, but we need to be close to him in the difficult times as well. Instead of letting the difficult times drive you away from God, let them force you closer to him through prayer.

GO TO CHURCH

There was no church in Jonah’s time, but there was the temple. Jonah said; “And my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.”

Church is a wonderful place to be anytime, but it is a special place to be in difficult times. Don’t wait until the difficult time comes before seeking God. Be in God’s house in the easy times and in the difficult times. The church is a loving family that seeks to give love to those who are hurting.

What will you do the next time a difficulty strikes?