Month: July 2022

AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Reflection

Looking Back, Moving Forward

Man and woman walking through airport smiling while pushing suitcase carrier with son riding on it.

I was sitting in an airport last week watching a young couple with a very small child. I remember traveling with my children when they were small. I look back, not with regret but with nostalgia.

I wish I would have cherished each moment much more — just stopped and let the scene form into a cherished memory, complete with the happy feelings that surrounded the occasion. Do you ever look back and wish you could do it all over again? — not just to fix your mistakes, but to relive the really good parts of your life? — the birth of a child, touching the soft skin of a newborn, their baptism, cheering at their first soccer game, getting soaked during family water fights, my son’s excitement as he got ready for his first hunting trip, and the list goes on and on. I don’t want to live life all over again. I just wish my memory was much more vivid.

In the airport, my attention turned to an elderly man, shuffling past me with a walker and an oxygen tank. He looked tired but determined. Traveling through airports is challenging for all people, at any age and in good physical shape. I took a moment to pray for this man and ask God to give him the strength to get to his gate and the joy of a reunion with family or friends. I also asked God to give me the patience and perseverance He has shown me in this man.

Of course, I have regrets as I look back at some of my life decisions. I think we all do. But I have sought forgiveness at the foot of the cross and His grace was poured down upon me. How can someone be given so much and not want to thank God?

I didn’t feel any older when I looked at the elderly man and I didn’t feel a yearning to be young again when I looked at the young couple with the newborn baby. What I felt was blessed. I am blessed to be right where I am, right now. God gave me life and my parents had me baptized into the Christian faith. I am thankful for my past — even for all the mistakes made and lessons learned that God has used to build my character. Now, He has brought me here to this time and this place, and given my life purpose. I am thankful for this moment.

I am blessed. So are you. Let’s reflect His light everywhere, even in the chaotic airports of our lives.

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

Time Priorities

I can’t believe it’s mid-July! Where does the time go? Time just seems to fly by, doesn’t it? Why do we say time flies? Time is one of the most consistent things measured. One second = one second. It’s constant and every living being is given the same amount of time each day.

In a recent Bible study, we were asked to write down the most important things in our lives. I earnestly made my list.

  • God
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Spending time with them

We were then asked to write down how we spend our time each day. We were to write down how many minutes we actually spend on our activities. Then, we were told to compare the lists. Did those important things on our list correspond with what we spent our time doing? How we spend our time exposes what is truly important to each of us.

Take a few minutes and make your own lists. When compared, do they confirm what’s important in your life — or convict you? I’m not sure I want to share with you what my list revealed …

Time is free but it’s priceless. You can’t own time, but you can use it any way you choose, and you can never get it back. God has a perfect plan for our lives. He gives us time in increments, teaching us with each step how to walk by faith.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps (Proverbs 16:9).

In my narrow vision, time may fly by quickly or seem to slow down, but God’s timing is always perfect and beyond my comprehension. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9).

Ecclesiastes 3 is quoted often. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: … By faith, I believe that is true and I ask God to realign the things I do to correspond with what He has put in my heart. At the end of my life on earth, I pray, by the grace of God, I will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Thank you, Lord, for each moment you give me. Let me use it to glorify Your name and share Your love. In my Savior’s name. Amen!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

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