Month: October 2022

Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

The Gift of Touch

As I write this, I am looking out at a winter wonderland. Big, fat, fluffy flakes of snow have been falling all day and, as they land in the needles of the ponderosas that surround my home, they give me a feeling of warmth. I know — it’s snow! If I go out and shake a tree limb, cold snowflakes will cascade down on me. They’ll touch my skin, and I will not feel warmth — I will feel the cold.

I am in awe of the incredible gifts our Father has given us. The gift of touch particularly astounds me. I think about how I can feel the temperature of the room, and how I brace myself as I walk into what I know will be a cold mountain stream. The receptors found in our skin can only be described as a miracle from God.

God allows us to share His love as we reach out and touch the arm of someone who needs comfort. I find this wonderous, that we are given the gift of being able to impart His love, mercy, and hope to others. The compassion we can share through a simple touch cannot be described in words. Touch strengthens the bond of a relationship. To touch someone is to simultaneously give and receive comfort.

Senses — sight, hearing, taste, and smell — are all still developing in newborn babies – but we are born with an acute sense of touch. Touch is crucial to healthy physical and emotional development. I pray that the intricacies of how we are formed will always fill me with wonder for the God who created me and walks with me each day.

Jesus healed with His touch as He walked this earth and He restores us today through the sacrament of Holy Communion. He healed a leper in Matthew 8:2–3 — He stretched out His hand and touched him. He invited the children to come to Him, so that He might lay hands on them and pray in Matthew 19:13–15. He healed a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment in Mark 7:31–37. Jesus shares His very body and blood in Holy Communion, offering me the forgiveness of my sin.

Bell Telephone had a popular advertisement in the 1970’s and we all sang along with, “Reach out and touch someone. Reach out and just say hi.” But our Lord gave us our senses and I will credit and thank Him as I reach out to others.

Lutheran Women in Mission love to give and receive hugs. We touch others with Jesus’ love through service, prayer, and gifts from our hearts. We are blessed by God with this gift. What a pleasure it is to bless others in the same way! Touch someone today with a smile, with a word of encouragement, a hug, or a phone call — and tell them why compassion lives within you!

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

Debbie

AboutDebbie

Three Dogs and a Paintbrush

I will begin by saying this blog is primarily to entertain without any spiritual or intellectual value whatsoever. I just find my husband’s wit entertaining.

A few weeks ago, I flew to Fargo, North Dakota so Scott would not have to travel the 1,100 miles back to the ranch in Colorado by himself. He drove up to help with my son’s most recent project of converting an old (1895) church into a family home. Bonus! — I got to spend time with my son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons. Oh, yes, and endure the love and attention of three very large, and very active dogs.

My son, not wanting us to get bored, thought it would be great if we painted the newly constructed shed. While my daughter-in-law Eileen (high school principal) worked, I offered to make their weekly laundromat run. Scott began painting the shed. As I was folding clothes, I received a text and the photo included in this post — a photo of Kane covered in light grey paint. The text reflected my husband’s sense of humor. It said, “Do you think he’ll need a second coat?”

I thought it was horribly funny. My daughter-in-law — not so much. All three dogs performed self-highlighting treatments that day, until Scott finally put them inside the shed.

I don’t normally write a blog without meaning. I guess the lesson would be, “You get what you pay for,” or maybe, “Watching paint dry isn’t boring after all!”

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

Debbie

AboutDebbie, Lutheran Reflection

Letting Go

I love this time of year. As the trees turn to brilliant colors and their foliage falls to the ground, I find joy in walking and listening to the rustle of the dry leaves beneath my feet. I love the scent in the air. There is a quote that says, “In Autumn, the trees show us how beautiful it is to let go.” I find that intriguing because letting go can cause great pain.

I remember when my father died in May of 2012. Scott and I had spent nearly every weekend traveling from Bismarck to Cavalier, North Dakota (about 4 ½ hours each way) to visit him and each Sunday as we headed back home, I would say, “See you next weekend, Dad. If not, we’ll see you in heaven.” He always replied, “You sure will!” One weekend, within an hour of our arrival, the nurse asked my sister and I if we wanted to call my mother. “He doesn’t have long now,” she said. My immediate response was, “No, not yet!” How selfish that was — but how normal for someone who loves another so very much. God’s timing is not our timing and I know Dad was ready to meet Jesus.

Letting go is a good thing even when it is accompanied by pain. Saying goodbye to someone you love, knowing they are going to be with Jesus; letting God heal anger; admitting my sin and asking for forgiveness — all of these may cause pain — and all of these allow me to begin anew. Another quote reminds me to let go of past hurts — “To heal a wound, you need to stop touching it.” Thank you, Holy Spirt, for filling me with Your strength and comfort!

As a sinful human being, my first reactions may often be selfish. As a child of God, the Spirit fills my heart and mind with the comforting words of Scripture.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2).

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5).

Today, let the trees show you how beautiful it is to let go. Let the Word of God fill your hearts with a new perspective and find comfort in His promises.  

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

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