I wear eye glasses. I have worn glasses for many years, and I still have no idea how they get dirty so fast. I have a very bad habit of cleaning them on whatever is around — a tissue, my shirtsleeve, or the blanket I wrap myself in each time I sit on the couch. My husband has given me many glass cleaners to curb this habit and I do appreciate his efforts, but there never seems to be one around when I notice a smudge on a lens, and so the bad habit continues — because I want to see clearly.

I want to see clearly, but my perception of what is real or true may very well become clouded, not by smudges on my glasses, but by my own opinions, doubts, and sins. This is why personal time with my Savior is so important to me. When I approach the Lord in prayer, He gently exposes the dirt and grime, the hurt I have felt, and the prejudice I have shown to others. He knows my sins and my despair, hears my cries of repentance, and then — washes it all away! Being in His Word allows me to learn from the past, trusting that God has already secured my future, and living in the moment with the peace and joy that can only come from faith in the Lord.

Of all the senses God has given me, I think I value the sense of sight the most. For those who are physically blind or sight impaired, God has heightened their other senses so they can “see” in other ways. God has also given me many ways of “seeing” that don’t involve my eyes at all. I can benefit from hindsight (learning lessons from past experiences), foresight (looking towards the future with knowledge and thoughtful consideration), and insight (intuitive understanding of a person or situation). Most of all, I have the gift given to me in baptism — I have faith in Jesus Christ. I believe, not because I can physically see the Triune God but, because I have faith. For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

I’m looking out of my living room window at the balanced rock that towers above the closest mountain top. (The photo attached to this blog was taken in the summer. Snow covers the rock right now — beautiful!) As a painter, I study what my eyes “see” — depth, color, contrast of light and shadow, and texture. I appreciate most art but love a painting that is realistic. It gives me great pleasure to capture in paint a scene that God created and I thank God for my eyesight and, even though I can’t keep them clean, for my glasses. I thank God for the gift of faith that allows me to “see” my Lord in His creation. I thank Him for keeping my spiritual lenses clean and for the gift of His Son, so that I will one day clearly see the glory of heaven.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).

And, while I might not find an eyeglass cleaning cloth close at hand, my Savior is with me always!

A blessed 2023 to each of you!

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

Debbie

No one plans on being disappointed. No one plans to be frustrated or stressed.

I have just celebrated Thanksgiving with family and friends — that, my dear friends, was NOT disappointing at all. It was fabulous!

The week before Thanksgiving, however, my flight was delayed to the point of missing all the connecting flights to Colorado Springs. After a very productive trip to St. Louis, I was eager to get home and prepare for having my mother visit for two weeks and I was disappointed that I missed the last flight home.

Denver connections are always unpredictable in the winter, and I wasn’t expecting this snowstorm. But my Lord knew. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8–9).

As I deplaned in Denver (five hours past the scheduled arrival time), I asked the attendant at the gate if I had missed the last flight because many of the connecting flights were also delayed (I still had hoped to catch that last flight, but it was not to be). It was almost 11 p.m. and my travel agent had already booked me on an 8 a.m. flight the next morning. I love my travel agent! It was time to decide what to do. The roads were … not good and, if you have been to the Denver airport, you may be aware there is not a cluster of hotels in the immediate area. There is a hotel at the airport, but the rooms started at $600/night. So, I made the decision to just sleep in the terminal. It would be an adventure, right?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6–7).

I took stock of my assets — half of a Twix candy bar, a bottle of water, my carry-on, purse, and my winter coat. I was in good shape. I headed to the Southwest Airlines terminal — I knew they had couches instead of individual seats with armrests between each seat. I found a nice place with room to lie down, used my carry-on as a pillow, ate my Twix, drank my water, put on my coat, and laid down. The announcements for many delayed flights continued over the loudspeakers. The lights were bright and sleep eluded me. I opened by suitcase, found a pair of black slacks and wrapped them about my head. I wish I could have taken a photo — I’m sure I looked very classy! Eventually, I fell asleep.

I woke at 4:30 a.m. to a very busy terminal. I collected my belongings and freshened up in the restroom. I made my way to my gate and was delighted that one vendor was open, and the coffee was hot. My 8 a.m. flight was delayed until 9:30 a.m. and my car, in the long-term parking lot in Colorado Springs, was covered with 6 inches of heavy snow. I was tired but frustration had never really taken hold.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken (Psalm 55:22).

Through this whole experience, I did not see one person shout at another. I saw disappointed passengers and tired airline personnel dealing with inevitable delays respectfully, if not cheerfully.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Disappointment is not meant to define us. It is not meant to hold us hostage or weigh us down into the mire of frustration. An interruption in our plans allows us to look to God and seek His will — and His peace!

Experiencing disappointment allows us to go to the Savior, tell Him of our situation (even though He already knows!), and ask Him to solve the problem or give us patience. Do I always do this? NO! But I find great comfort in Scripture verses that enter my mind and heart in times where my plans were not His plans.

When I arrived home, Scott and I sat down with a cup of coffee, and we decided we may never know why I was “blessed” to spend the night in the Denver airport. I may have avoided a terrible car accident coming over the mountain pass, I may have allowed someone to catch that last flight that really needed to get home, or God may have wanted me to visit with the man in the line for coffee where I shared my experience and my faith. Only God knows, and that’s good enough for me.

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

Debbie

Some days, my heart bursts with love overflowing. On a recent Saturday, I was blessed to spend time with seminary students’ wives at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne campus, studying the Psalms. Author Diane Grebing presented her retreat package titled, “God’s Quilt of Comfort: Wrapping up in the Psalms.” (This is available free on the LWML website).

Wonderful conversation and the scent of coffee filled the room, but it was the Scripture passages that filled my heart this day. I believe that God chooses a time for His Word to fill me with wonder when I need it most. I was surrounded by fellow sisters in Christ, but it was God’s presence I felt most fully.

It reminded me of being at the communion rail. Fellow members may kneel on both sides of me but when I receive Christ’s body and blood, and His assurance of forgiveness, it is just me and my Lord. A church building filled with people and music, and yet it’s my Lord and Savior’s loving embrace that captures my attention.

God gifts us with Christian camaraderie and strengthens our faith through these relationships. In the midst of providing the gift of fellowship, Jesus also provides us with the intimacy of His love, His comfort, and His promises. This is, to me, a wonder, and my heart fills with love for my Lord.

This is a fairly short missive, but I see no reason to write more words. Be in God’s Word. Immerse yourself in His promises and ask Him to open your mind and heart to His will. I’m pretty sure your heart will fill with love overflowing as you feel His embrace!

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

Debbie

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