Living Well, Finishing Well

We all want to do things well. For each of us "doing well" will look very different. The season of life we are in,  life circumstances we experience and what we believe will all affect how we define doing well and ultimately affect our finishing well.

In the Christian church, we are in the midst of the Easter season. For many it is a time of reflection on the horror and the beauty of the cross. There, Christ's work was accomplished to save us from our sinfulness and restore us to a right relationship with God. The ultimate sacrifice was made for me to be forgiven. Gethsemane was that dark night which lead to the cross and death, but burst forth brightly in the resurrection of Christ. Sorrow and love were mingled as blood poured on the ground, but death had no hold on him. Stunning!

When I survey the wondrous cross
 on which the Prince of Glory died;
 my richest gain I count but loss,
 and pour contempt on all my pride.

 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
 save in the death of Christ, my God;
 all the vain things that charm me most,
 I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
 that were an offering far too small;
 love so amazing, so divine,
 demands my soul, my life, my all.
1707 Issac Watts

Having put my faith and trust in Christ I often catch myself thinking,"Do I live like I have put my faith and trust in Christ?" Am I coldly mouthing words? Is the gospel reality as fresh in my heart and mind with the passion and zeal as the day Christ changed my heart? Do I live my life in such a way that people can't help but see Christ in me? When its all been said and done, did I do my best to live the truth? Did I live my life for you?

Dear reader, these are good questions for us to be asking ourselves. If you are like me, living in the 4th quarter of life, these thoughts and reflections become more frequent.  So today, as my mind is full of soul music I find myself connecting the dots between the wondrous cross, a thorny crown pressed into flesh, love so amazing, so divine, Lord, I'll live my life for you. Only what I've done for love's reward will stand the test of time!

When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for You
When it's all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I've done for love's Reward
Will stand the test of time

Lord Your mercy is so great
That You look beyond our Weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Making sinners into saints

I will always sing Your praise
Here on earth and ever after
For You've shown me Heaven's my
True home
When it's all been said and done
You're my life when life is gone

Lord I'll live my life for You
Robin Mark

Bursting Forth

It has been an unusual and early spring for our mid-western climate.  I am struck each day at the beauty of the blossom of spring. Pictures can not  come close to capturing the daily, hourly bursting forth of color against the backdrop of an azure blue sky. Though my attempts with the camera are not in vain, they don't even come close to reproducing the images. I keep looking and watching at this gorgeous display trying to capture it in my memory to be retrieved if winter returns for one last hurrah!

 Today, while driving home from my routines, I found myself completely immersed in the worship and wonder of the God I love. What beauty to behold!

It is the Easter season in the life of the Christian. What an appropriate  phenomenon to be experiencing the awakening of the season from winter to spring at this time. Dark and cold has burst forth into light and brilliant color. It causes me to ponder the darkness of Gethsemane and the cross bursting forth into the light of the resurrection. We were once lost, but have been found. We were once spiritually dead, but are now alive in Christ. Just as we take refreshment in the brilliant and colorful display of our early spring, we are invigorated by the wonder and the power of the cross as it brings us from the dark winter of our sinful souls into colorful spring of life found only in Christ.

All Is Well Even When the Elevator Gives You The Shaft

Some moments stick in your mind like glue to paper. We call these times defining moments. Change is in the air. The wind begins to blow in a different direction, and we find ourselves defining our new normal.

Through the course of the past 32 years we have had many such moments. Grief, loss, sorrow disappointment, and dashed dreams have all found their presence in the warp and weft of the fabric of our lives. Do we despair? I would not be honest with you if I said,"no and thank you for asking, but we have it all together." That would be a lie beyond proportion.

On this journey of life I have learned that as a child of God we are to walk the path of suffering because Jesus walked that path to bring us back to God. It was the only way our sins could be forgiven. Why should we expect so little pain when He endured so much? Joy shows up where sorrow looms.

It has been 10 years since Byron took a walk down a path he had hoped he would never walk. I am honored to have him share with you why he can say it is well even when the elevator gives you the shaft.

Meet My Husband Byron

Ten years ago our lives took a distinct turn after a flurry of doctor visits to evaluate my wife's crescendo of odd neurological symptoms.  One visit led to another which finally led to an MRI of the brain to evaluate these new concerns.

As a physician, I have often been amazed at the significant weight of health and emotional problems many patients carry.  I have been privileged over 27 years of practice to observe many profound acts of courage from patients as they confront these significant, life-changing challenges.

I have also been reminded, sometimes rather painfully of the sterile, unemotional way in which I have carried this type of life-changing news to my own patients.  I am reminded over and over again of the privilege and responsibility of communicating tactfully and truthfully to patients but, perhaps, more importantly helping these patients see a path of hope and purpose in this turn of events in their lives.

I will never forget the important lessons of ten years ago in my own life as I walked quite unsuspectingly and unemotionally into the neuro-radiologist's MRI viewing room with my wife's MRI images tucked under my arms.  Tossing the films up onto his view-box and taking what seemed to be a very quick look, he casually and rather flippantly, for the first time, identified and named the chronic, progressive neurologic disease that for the rest of our days would become the uncomfortable "guest" in our lives and define a new "normal" for us.

I recall a sudden rock-like weight forming in my stomach. Quietly thanking the radiologist, tucking the films under my arm to go home I  now had to deliver this news to my waiting wife.  Walking down the hall toward the elevator I recall a flood of emotions, thoughts and questions crossing my mind.

There are few milestone moments in our lives that we look back on with a crystal clear memory.  These moments of significance land oftentimes unexpectedly and painfully but not without purpose.  I am reminded of the gift of God's grace which not only foreordains our life's sweet and bitter providences for His glory and our good, but sustains us through them.

With tears in my eyes, I recall standing alone at the hospital elevator shaft for what seemed like an eternity.  Feelings of doubt and uncertainty flooded my mind and emotions only to be replaced by the quiet sweet assurance that yes, even this, as painful and fresh as it seemed, had come into our lives for a grand and noble purpose.

Not infrequently now, when I find myself waiting alongside an elevator, I am reminded of this stone of remembrance. I am grateful for the Lord's comfort and strength that He has so graciously lavished on my wife and me since that defining moment by the elevator ten years ago.

I know that God is good and that I/we are in His hands...

Induced Sleep Deprivation

Daylight Savings Time! We look forward to it when it rounds the calendar bend. Days get longer with the turn of the clock. Today, when I went to my regular exercise place everyone that came through the door looked like a college freshman who had just pulled an all nighter studying for exams. As we all slogged and yawned around the work-out circuit we all agreed this daylight savings time thing is great, but.....

Change is not always easy. Whether we admit it or no, we like things to be predictable. We have a difficult time when routines get upset or plans don't go the way we think they should. But, we have a God who never changes, and Scripture reminds us of that in so many ways.

Malachi 3:6a  “For I the Lord do not change;" 

Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 119:89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

As I am struggling through my day full of difficulty and change, disappointment and despair, I will take joy in the God of my salvation because He NEVER changes and His promises are true no matter the circumstance. I already feel invigorated and full of joyful hope no matter what the moment brings, even if it is as small as sleep deprivation.

Deep Weeds

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12

Spring is springing upon us. Warmer days mean it is time to get the garden cart out and head to the woods. Today is one of those days. I was out there faster than you could say, "jack rabbit!" And then, discouragement hit!

For 23 years I have been tending to the woods and every time I am there it looks like no progress has been made. Creeping Charlie!  Buckthorn! Virginia Creeper! Poison Ivy.! Yup, we have it all. And then, there is all that other nasty stuff!!

Why does it always seem that the bad stuff takes over the good? I can't find the hostas and hydrangeas that were planted and carefully tended to last year. I really need help. The roots of this stuff are so deep; I only scratch the surface. I am in very deep weeds.

Today as I weeded and pulled, yanked hard and tipped over I thought a lot about my own heart. The weeds of sin and pride get so easily tangled and deeply rooted in my heart. It robs me of joy. The struggles of life feel a lot like the futile gardening escapades in the woods. I am going nowhere fast. The entangling roots of sin need to be yanked out.  I need to be seeking the Lord, putting my faith and trust in His Word. I need to take my focus off the need and turn my face upward to Jesus the author and perfecter of my faith who for the joy set before Him endured the cross despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrew 12:2.

I need the root of sin yanked out by Him so I  can know His presence.  Just like I need to free my hydrangeas from the poison ivy that entangles them so they can grow into beautiful blossoming plants, I need to have a heart that is freed from the deep roots of sin, and that comes only by humbly bowing at the foot of the cross. Then, when the fiery trials come my way rather than producing sin in me, forgiveness and faith will bear the fruit of joy and deep roots of satisfaction in Christ!!!!!!!!  "Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus!"

What A Sunny Day Will Do To You!!!

Although it is very windy, today is warm and sunny. Birds are chirping. Buds are visible. The daffodils are starting to come up along the woods. I even saw a crocus.

I love changing seasons. For some odd reason they invigorate my soul. Spring's beauty is close. The heaviness of winter is soon behind us. It is hard to have anything but a joyful spirit on a day like today. Drink it in! Soak it up! Savor it to brighten those moments when your day seems dark.

God's promises are much like the freshness of spring.  They invigorate us. They build trust. They are  like a balm during those dark days.  When the storms rise cling to them and you will find great comfort.  The dark winter of sorrow will be transformed into springs of joy

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10.

Is that a promise worth clinging to, or what?

A Tribute to Mom

Defining moments! They mark us. They shape us. They mold us.  February 27, 1996 will linger long in my mind and heart. It was the day our family said farewell, this side of heaven, to my mom. She was beloved! She was not a perfect mother, but she raised me well. Her ways of expressing love were manifested mostly through her deep and abiding devotion to faith and family. I did not need to hear the I love you statement every other minute. I knew I was loved and secure by her care for me.

Grief and loss is an odd thing. It comes in waves when least expected. Yes, even after sixteen years I feel its presence. There are days I wish I could pick up the phone and chat with her. Our conversations were always full of, "How are you doing?" " What are you doing?" " What do you want for dinner when you come?" "Don't wear yourself out!" We always knew our visits to Grandma and Grandpa's house would be filled with all of our favorite foods cooked to perfection, coffee klatches with Mom's friends, updates on the latest needlework projects, current happenings in Dad's workshop, garage projects and yes, the garden. Oh, how I miss her.

There is a strange mingling to joy and sorrow. Sorrow because there is loss. The memories ended way too soon. Joy comforts those losses and misses in the knowing that for eternity my mom is seeing Jesus face to face and knows the glorious riches of heaven filled with worship and  joy eternal!! Dear Reader, even though there is sorrow for the moment remember, "THE BEST IS YET TO COME!"

Make the Most Of The Moment

 Living in the suburbs of a large city provides the chance to spend a lot of time in your car. Waiting in traffic has a way of becoming  a frustration if one does not view it as a time of opportunity. In recent years, I have been developing and practicing my listening skills through carefully selected audiobooks and music CD's while driving. These times have become precious to me as I have listened through books of the Bible, books written about the Bible, or God-ward oriented music. I find myself treasuring these moments as times of intimate fellowship with God.

Lately, as I have been driving hither and yon an old hymn by Franny Crosby, "O Heart Bereaved and Lonely," has caught my listening ear as I absorb the writing from the pen of a woman who spent her entire life in the darkness of being blind. She wrote over 8000 hymns in her lifetime.  She understood suffering and the sweet and bitter providence it is in the life of the believer in Christ. As to her blindness she said:

"It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."

If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Saviour."
quoted from http://www.eaec.org/faithhallfame/fanny_crosby.htm

Fanny Crosby, though blind, was able to see the beauty and the blessedness that is found in affliction. There is much for us to learn from the life of this precious woman of God. When I listen to the words of "O Heart Bereaved..." I find much comfort and solace. As tears tumble down my cheeks I sing in praise of the love, mercy, grace and goodness of our great Savior. Dear reader whose heart is bereaved and lonely this day, "Look up amid thy sorrow," "Look up and be not discouraged," "Look up the clouds are breaking," and remember "YOUR SAVIOR KNOWS IT ALL."

O Heart Bereaved and Lonely

O heart bereaved and lonely,

Whose brightest dreams have fled

Whose hopes like summer roses,

Are withered crushed and dead

Though link by link be broken,

And tears unseen may fall

Look up amid thy sorrow,

To Him who knows it all

O cling to thy Redeemer,

Thy Savior, Brother, Friend

Believe and trust His promise,

To keep you till the end

O watch and wait with patience,

And question all you will

His arms of love and mercy,

Are round about thee still

Look up, the clouds are breaking,

The storm will soon be o'er

And thou shall reach the haven,

Where sorrows are no more

Look up, be not discouraged;

Trust on, whate'er befall

Remember, O remember,

Thy Savior knows it all

Fanny Crosby

What Cleaning Out Old Files Can Do To You!

Who would have thought  buying a Scansnap SN1100 could create such revolution? We are going paperless. What does that mean? Drawers of paper, files, and photos have all gone up to the"Cloud" with our nifty little Scansnap. The paper shredder needs frequent oiling, and we will have enough packing material to last us a lifetime. I have come to love the Spartan look of empty drawers.

As I was going through files to scan or toss, it was like taking a walk down memory lane. I came across some old entries from a long since deleted blog I started in 2005 and thought it would be fun to share some of "My Musing," from a Proverbs 31 Mom. This excerpt was from a September 2005 entry entitled, "Reflections on a Sunday Afternoon."

I have been listening to my favorite Bill Staines music, and as I listen to "An Afternoon At Cohan's" I am reminded  of sweet memories from childhood. Who would have thought that getting up early in the morning, walking to the garden with my family, bushel baskets in hand, to glean from our garden's rich bounty of vegetables that my dad faithfully and carefully tended, would hold so much weight in my memory? Each week there was something new to be picked and preserved. My summer memory of Dad was his hoe in hand and for Mom standing at the stove canning anything and everything edible. They provided well in their simplicity!

I remember bushel baskets full of peas, and the early evenings sitting under the shade of the maple tree with Mom's metal mixing bowl between my legs shelling peas endlessly. It was a neighborly event that seemed to take place most often in our yard or the next door neighbor's. When the kids got tired of shelling, we would run off to play whistle or holler, kick the can, hide and go seek, or who can catch the most lightning bugs while the adults finished the job.

Those days are gone, but they linger long, now, in my memory,  and at times are comforting thoughts when the burdens of the day weigh down. I am thankful for those gentle and loving memories. Not all people have them or see that they do. It challenges me to ask myself what kind of family memories am I leaving with my children. In a day when the whole concept of family has been so distorted by the world we live in, it is a good question to be asking, "What impressions am I leaving on my children, and how will it impact them?"

For Byron and me, our greatest desire has been to help our children understand the love of God expressed through Jesus Christ. To know Him is our greatest gain, and to faithfully live that out is the greatest legacy we can leave them. We do believe the statement, "What we do, they will do in excess," to be a true statement. We have asked ourselves over the years, " What do we want them to do in excess? " Answer: To know and love God and to faithfully serve Him from a heart that is anchored in Christ. Jesus said, " The thief comes only to steal and destroy, I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10 (ESV). Just as our garden's harvest provided abundantly for my family when I was a child, so the Word of God, in the context of a relationship with Christ, provides spiritual sustenance abundantly to our souls.

Nearly seven years have passed since I wrote this piece. My hopes and desires have not changed. I have had time and opportunity to see how God has worked in each of my children's lives. God has been faithful to us. He has grown us in so many unexpected ways. Times have not always been easy, but we do see His gentle hand guiding us and His Word sustaining us as we journey through the joys and sorrows of this life. Stay tuned for more musings from a Proverbs 31 mom.

Under Construction

 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5

 For almost a year, I have been driving through construction on a daily basis to get to the places I need to go. Each day brings something new in the construction process. Slower speeds, lots of road markers and occasional lane shifts have become the expected norm until the job is finished. It is apparent to me that there has been a lot of engineering and planning that has taken place in order to make such a large project stay on track and run as smoothly as it has been going. It is evident, as well, that safety has been a big consideration since the road has a high volume of traffic.

Recently, as I was making my way through orange barrels and cones I caught myself thinking that I am under construction too.  God is digging and plowing,  tearing up old surfaces and laying new ones, taking down barriers and building bridges, all the while directing my path through his boundaries of protection and at his safe speed to make me new.  Through the broken pieces of my life He is producing in me endurance, which builds character and in turn produces hope.  What an encouragement to my soul and what a powerful testimony that in all of the construction going on I can trust that I will arrive safely to my destination. Join with me as I sing along my journey through life's construction zone.

 

                       All Must Be Well

Through the love of God our Savior, all will be well

Free and changeless is His favor, all is well

Precious is the blood that healed us

Perfect is the grace that sealed us

Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us

All must be well 

Though we pass through tribulation, all will be well

Ours is such a full salvation, all is well

Happy still in God confiding

Fruitful if in Christ abiding

Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding

All must be well

We expect a bright tomorrow; all will be well

Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all is well

On our Father's love relying

Jesus every need supplying

Yes in living or in dying

All must be well

1847 Mary B. Peters