Some Gave All

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

I hope Memorial Day brought to mind the American lives sacrificed in war. My reading of historical fiction as broadened my appreciation of veterans in many arenas—the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WW1, WW2, the wars in Korea, Viet Nam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Whatever our political views, the men and women who fought, bearing arms and stretchers, sacrificing safety and security, deserve our respect and gratitude. But let me spotlight a different cadre of soldiers—the men and women who travel to foreign countries armed with the Gospel.

These “soldiers” left comfortable homes and ventured into dark, unfamiliar places to bring the good news of truth and freedom. Many Christians give some for the sake of the Gospel. Some Christians give all—like Davy (23) and Natalie (21) Lloyd. This young missionary couple married in 2022 and moved to Haiti to minister in an orphanage and school. On May 23 they were murdered by gang members.

This Memorial Day season I have an increased appreciation for those who serve—in the military and in missions. “Thank you” seems too small. Financial support and prayers also seem too small, but they are what I have and what I will give… for those who give all.

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart

Wedding Thoughts

~ Barbara ~ 2 Comments

As I read through Jesus’ parables I noted that two were about a wedding—His wedding. We’re all invited and it will be like none we’ve ever attended. It will be the wedding of all weddings. The beauty, the vows, and the feast will supersede anything we’ve experienced. Take a look and see if you can identify the “R” word I designated to each parable.

Jesus’ describes a lavish wedding banquet prepared by a king for his son. Amazingly, when the servants invited guests, they didn’t come—actually, it says they refused to come. It seems that most were too busy but others reacted to the invitation with violence, killing the messengers. This did not change the king’s plans—the banquet would be held, the celebration was planned and anticipated, all of time and history pointed to this singular event. So he sent his servants to the streets and they invited all the people they could find, “the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled” (Matt 22:10).

A second parable tells of ten young women waiting for the groom to arrive for his wedding banquet. He had been so long in coming the women fell asleep. When the wake-up call awoke them, five discovered their lamps had burned out and they were without oil. The other five, known as the wise virgins, were prepared with extra oil—they didn’t risk being left out. Jesus’ closing words in His story were, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matt 25:13).

The two R’s I came away with were these: Be responsive. Be ready.

It is a wedding feast we will not want to miss.

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart

Thoughts about Justice

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Inspired by a parable I read, I began to think about justice and how we all want it. Justice for the trafficked, justice for victims of terrorists, justice for anyone unfairly deprived of their rights or taken advantage of. A cursory word search in the Bible will show that justice is dear to God’s heart. Jesus demonstrated this in a parable recorded in Luke 18:1-8.

A judge was beleaguered by a persistent (nagging) widow who repeatedly came to him requesting justice. He didn’t care about the woman’s plight but begrudgingly responded to her pleas only because he wanted her to leave him alone. Jesus points to the poor example of the human judge’s behavior and asks a question,

“Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?
Will He keep putting them off?”

If we feel our cries for justice are not heard, I recommend the practice of the widow—keep asking. Jesus concludes with a promise:

“I tell you, He [God] will see that they get justice, and quickly.”

The “quickly” confused me until I realized that although the wait to see justice may seem long, when it does come it will quickly set all wrongs right.

Justice is promised.

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart

I Love Spring

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

I love the burst of green that seems to change the landscape overnight—a brilliance of color shooing away winter’s gray.

I love blossoming cherry trees, magnolias, and dogwoods and the sight of golden forsythia swaying in the breeze.

I love to hear birds chirping and watch them gathering bits of grass and twigs for nests.

I love colorful crocuses and hyacinths, daffodils and tulips flaunting petals of pink and purple, yellow and red.

I love shedding bulky winterwear in exchange for lightweight wraps.

I love days that stretch longer and stretches in the seventh inning of a ballgame.

I love seeing neighbors work in their yards while their children ride bikes and shoot baskets.

I love sunlight shining from blue skies dotted with cotton candy clouds.

I love fresh strawberries, sweet and juicy, that hold the promise of becoming sweeter and juicier.

I love spring rains that produce splashing puddles, flowing streams, and full reservoirs.

I love spring because it’s a season of promise. It reminds me that winter is not as harsh or fruitless as it appears because it’s always followed by a season of hope, whether in nature or in my personal life.

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart