Obstacles

By Pat

In Matthew 16:21-29, we read about how Jesus rebuked Peter for trying to prevent Him from the harm Jesus had been predicting would befall Him. Even though Jesus had a great love for Peter, He rebuked him. "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but of men." (Matthew 16:23). He would not allow Peter to prevent Him from the job God had for Him.

Do we rebuke our obstacles? As Christians, we are to push forth with the tasks God has for us regardless of what stumbling blocks are pushed into our path. Whether it's the stumbling block of a loved one, friend, or co-worker, or the stumbling blocks of busy-ness, laziness or complacency, we are to push aside the hindrances and push ahead in our work for Jesus, just as Jesus plowed forth, allowing no one to come between Him and God. It's not always easy, but it's definitely worth it! It would have made the Lord's life much easier if He had permitted Peter to save Him from what He knew was to come, but He also knew He could not be obedient to God if he followed the path of least resistance (often my favorite route, I'm sad to say).

So when you're facing trials and tribulations, remember that God is in it, and that God won't bring you to it if he can't bring you through it. Don't be tempted to take the easy road and find a way around whatever difficulty God has brought you to. If you remain steadfast in the journey regardless of the obstacles, it will all be worth it!

"I  have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
(2 Timothy 4:7)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

Trust Like a Child

By Pat

Any time I am with my little grandchildren, I am amazed and how completely trusting they are. When I throw them in the air, they laugh, knowing I will catch them. When we're crossing a street or walk in a parking lot, they hold my hand, knowing that I know when it's safe to proceed. They never question the safety of what we put on their plates, because they know that, even if they don't like it, it's safe to eat it if it's been given to them by someone who loves them.

It reminds me and helps me to truly understand what Jesus meant when He said we must have the attitude of little children. Children trust us to care for them, keep them safe, and lead them. They know we can help with their cut and bruises, and they open their hearts to us with honesty and purity. They don't have to question our motives...they feel safe. How I want to be that way! How I want to show Jesus that same, sweet, childlike love, trust and faith, and stop doubting. I want the same hearts my grandchildren have!

"Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."  (Mark 10:15)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

Be Calm

By Pat

Yesterday was a windy, rainy day, and as I looked out my kitchen window, I noticed a little hummingbird at the feeder on my deck. She sat there on the feeder drinking the sugar water, seemingly oblivious to the nasty weather. As the rain beat down and the wind shook the feeder about, she sat there calmly until she was done drinking. I found myself wishing I was more like that little bird...

Oftentimes when storms rage around me, I retreat in fear until calm, sunny weather returns. Instead of keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus, I allow my fears and worries to overtake me and, like Peter, I let the storms through me off focus. I remove my eyes from Jesus, and find myself unable to find peace in my life in the midst of the storms. I need to be like that tiny little hummingbird, and just hang on! For it's when we turn from Jesus that fear overtakes us and we begin to sink. But just as He did with Peter, Jesus will reach to us. We need only keep focused on Him!

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you."  (Psalm 56:3)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

What Example?

By Pat

I often speak of my granddaughter, Kendra, who lives with us. She is six years old now, and is the source of many lessons. God uses her to reveal things to me about myself. Kendra follows me everywhere I go most of the time she's home, and in many little ways, she is like me, just by watching and imitating me. When she gets out of the shower, she slathers on body lotion, just like me. She uses brown mustard-just like me, and she likes to put potato chips on her sandwiches-just like me. There are many more examples...and as much as it delights me to see this, it also scares me.

Just as Kendra picks up these harmless little habits and rituals to imitate me, I have to wonder what characteristics I have that I DON'T want her to imitate. Do I exhibit patience when I am pressured? Not always. Am I calm when I have many things to get done? Not always. Do I listen without interruption when someone is talking in order to hear the whole story? Do I speak gently, show kindness and consideration for the feelings of others? Think before I speak? Not always. Do I show Kendra what Jesus looks like in every aspect of my day-to-day life? Sad to say, but no, not always.

I want Kendra to see and hear Jesus when she's with me. As she grows up, I want her to read her Bible daily, just like me. I want her to pray diligently, just like me. I want her to love, and give, and listen and care. I want her to think before she speaks, look before she leaps, and put other people first. I need to be the example that will make God proud, but I can't do it without His help. And so, I will continue to pray every day that God will help me to show her every day, in every way, what it means to follow Jesus, so that someday she will say, "God is the most important thing in my life"... just like me.

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

Jesus Freaks

By Pat

A short time ago, a friend and I were talking about what we'd do if we knew the return of Jesus was imminent. Would we be different? Live differently? I couldn't really think of anything major that I would change about my lifestyle, except for one thing. I told my friend I would desperately witness in an attempt to reach my family and friends who are not saved, to warn them that the end is near, in hopes that their salvation was secured. And as soon as the words left my lips...BAM! Convicted! Shouldn't I already be doing that?

I have always felt funny about being too pushy about what I know to be the truth. I have a fear of wondering what people think of me, of thinking I am strange; a Jesus freak. I worry that rather than nudge people towards Jesus, my manner and words might instead push them away. It happens...We've all heard stories about people who have been turned off by over-zealous Christians. But didn't Jesus command us to "go and make disciples of all nations?" And in order to do that, shouldn't I be asking God to help me to overcome my inhibitions and do what I need to do in order to make sure everyone I encounter knows exactly who Jesus is?

One of my favorite Bible heroes is John the Baptist. He was fearless, unique, forward and obedient. He knew he was here to point people to Jesus. He never proclaimed to be great, but instead told everyone about the coming of the great Savior, Jesus. "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' " (Mark 1:3) He didn't care to whom, where, when or how the message was delivered. He only knew he had a job to do, as do we, and he did it!

I want to be more like John. I want to overcome my fear of being avoided, or thought of as weird. I want to witness fearlessly, tirelessly and diligently. I want everyone to know my Lord and be saved. I want to be bold, not timid. I want the Holy Spirit to move in me in such a way that Jesus is made real and glorified in my every word. I want to be a Jesus freak! And with God's help, I can.

"I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." (Luke 7:28)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.