Happy Day!

~ Barbara ~ 4 Comments

We heard the sweetest words at David’s oncologist appointment, “Your son is cancer free!” The doctor spoke it with a period at the end, but we heard it with an exclamation point.

Almost exactly six months to the day we had heard another doctor say, “Your son has testicular cancer.” We were dumb with shock. Our first thought (after no, this can’t be) was How is David going to do this? Chemo, injections, nausea, lying for hours watching destructive poisons drip into his skinny body? But he did it! We did it. And together we watched the Lord, our Shepherd, care for us. Psalm 23 was our reality:

We lacked nothing. Caring Christian nurses were assigned to David; friends brought meals at just the right time; we were keenly aware of the grace of God.

He made us lie down and refreshed us. Yes, hours in a hospital recliner, but also sustaining naps when we got home, and the sweet assurance that we could trust Him in the middle of this storm.

He guided us along the right paths. He brought signs of anemia to our attention, He helped us master the steep learning curve of a cancer journey, and He gave wisdom and discernment to us and the medical staff who were caring for David.

Even though we walked through the dark valley of cancer with a child who had limited understanding, we did not fear because God was with us and comforted us.

In the presence of the enemy called “cancer” we were fed from His table of supply and, truly, our cup overflowed.

As much as we can testify to God’s goodness and love, our greatest joy is that we never lost sight of our future—dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. Yes, we won the battle with cancer and David was granted more days to worship and demonstrate God’s love on this earth. But even if we had lost him in the fight, we had the assurance that he (and we) will live in God’s presence forever. Actually, our awareness of Heaven was made even clearer and the sweet peace of its promise grew brighter.

We thank all of you who were praying for David and us during this time. You made our journey lighter.

Happy New… Wonder!

~ Barbara ~ 4 Comments

Our picture window framed a beautiful scene this morning. The trees were barren spindles of varying shades of gray. Even the two evergreen trees were not ever-green but more the color army fatigues with a slight brown hue.

At the top of the frame was a cloudless sky that can only be described as a pure “sky-blue.” With striking clarity, it provided a breathtaking backdrop for the gangly treetops. The longer I gazed at this artistic display, the more I wondered at its beauty and the vast, unlimited ingenuity of God to create color. I speculated how this scene would look if it was only shades of gray.

What if we only ever saw the world in gray tones? What if that was all we knew and had no conception of color? Just as I was thanking God for colors and praising Him for His unfathomable mind and creativity, an exclamation point appeared at the lower right corner of the masterpiece. A brilliant red cardinal alit on a nearby branch. Then two others joined him, punctuating the scene with remarkable splashes of glory. I sat in wonder—of the view and of the God who painted it.

I never want to lose my sense of wonder! The only way I know to preserve it is to be still and watch for the next awesome spectacle to appear, to anticipate surprises of beauty with a childlike anticipation.

I am forever encouraging my grandchildren to be curious, to question, to wonder. I find I’m in good company and recently shared this quote from Einstein with them:

“The important thing is to not stop questioning… One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplated the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery. Never lose a holy curiosity.”

Now they call me Nana Einstein, which is fine with me because they got the message.

May we never lose a sense of “holy curiosity” and live lives of wonder that respond in worship. 

*The photo is of our youngest grandchild. Although the picture is 10 years old, Parker has never lost his sense of wonder.

Happy New… You!

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Every year our local tabernacle displays this probing sign for Rosh Hashanah:

What will you do better this year?

When I asked myself that question for 2025, suggestions swarmed. I needed to get a practical, manageable handle on my thoughts and develop attainable steps. I grouped them into three categories.  

  1. Plug the leaks—discover those things that steal my time, rob my health, distract my thoughts, and offer me good-enough rather than what’s best. This is number one. It has required honest introspection but has also stirred anticipation of newfound freedom.
  2. Plan specific, measurable steps that will increase my strength—physically, spiritually, and mentally. This includes increasing my intake of healthy food, inspiring reading, and meaningful activity.
  3. Plow intentionally—weed and nourish. Too often I tolerate unwelcome weeds or burrowing pests. When I neglect thoughtless habits or undisciplined thoughts, I have less joy and am not living effectively. It’s not enough to remove the bad, I must nourish the life God’s granted me—which reflects point two.

Grow
in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

This isn’t about rigid resolutions and doomed sky high goals, it’s about doing life better.

So… what will you do better this year?

Happy New… Attitude!

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Last week we mentioned that ruts can rob us of opportunities. When we look deeper we discover ruts can also be embedded in our attitudes. It takes focus and honesty to admit their presence.

Ruts softly lull us into unchallenged complacency. They are comfortably familiar but they are also boring. We can be lured into accepting boredom because boring is mind-numbing. It becomes easier to linger in boredom than exert effort to break free.

What would happen in 2025 if we do choose to leave our attitude-ruts? What if we objectively examine our lifestyle and thought patterns? What if we were bold enough to challenge those unhealthy, comfortable attitudes and began asking questions like these?

  • What am I doing because I’ve always done it and no longer question why?
  • What life-sucking thoughts do I entertain out of habitual recitation?
  • What Biblical truth do I dismiss as irrelevant for me?
  • What dreams have I laid aside because I don’t feel capable… needed… worthy?
  • What have I stored on the back shelf because I’m afraid… or apathetic?

Contented boredom is a dreary way to live. It is unhealthy emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. We were made for more than life in a rut.

God has prepared good things for us. Work to do. Contributions to make. Discoveries to uncover. Freedom to relish. Joy to experience.

Let’s pull ourselves out of our ruts by shifting our inward focus outward and asking God to breathe new life into us.

Happy New Attitude!

Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
Then you will learn to know God’s will for you,
which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NLT