Chippie

by Rachel Evans

Verse for Thought:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Last month I attended a Women’s Retreat. During the breakout session the facilitator told the class a story about a bird name Chippie. Chippie’s owner decided to clean his cage with a vacuum cleaner. The phone rang and Chippie’s owner picked it up. When she looked back, Chippie had been sucked up by the vacuum cleaner. The owner panic and unzipped the vacuum and reached in and got Chippie out. She rushed over to the sink to wash the scared bird off. Since he was wet, she thought the most rational thing to do was blow dry him before putting him back in the cage. Now, whenever someone asks how Chippie is doing the owner’s reply is the same. "Chippie doesn’t sing much anymore—he just sits and stares."

Have you ever felt like Chippie? Have you been sucked up by life, and everywhere you turn there is another problem. Chippie was just minding his own business and the unexpected happened. His life was forever changed by someone else’s mistake. There was nothing that Chippie could have done to prevent the situation from happening and he could not get the quality of life that he had back. However, unlike Chippie we do not have to stop singing. We can go on and live life. As Christians we cannot let the problems of life suck up the life that God had given us.

When the facilitator was telling Chippie's story, I thought that since the bird would have died from the suction. But he didn’t, he still lived. And if birds could talk, I think he would tell us that the experience was the most traumatic event of his life. This made me realize that just because life can suck the energy out of you doesn’t mean that you are going to die. When God brings you through a storm you should tell others about it. You can’t tell everyone your story, but there is someone who needs to hear what you have been through so they can be encouraged to live life.

Let’s Pray:
Thank you, Lord for everything that you have made. I thank you for the storms that you calmed in my life. When other storms arise, give me the peace that I need to know that you will keep me during the storm. Amen

Take the Next Step:
Think of the old addage, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” When trials and tribulations come don’t become bogged down about the situation. Think about how this situation will help you get closer to God. When all is said and done you can sit back and enjoy God’s blessing. We tend to dwell on the past and let it dictate our future, however Instead of letting the past hinder your future, I challenge you to let your past push you into your destiny.

Waiting to Exhale

by Belinda Blevins

Verse For Thought:
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; … Isaiah 40:31a           (NKJV)

One of the struggles we face as children of God is trying to understanding why our heavenly father sometimes delays matters that are so urgent to us.  Only God knows all the reasons.  However, there are several adjustments we can make in our attitude and mindset as we wait.

In the urgency of the moment, it is easy to center our attention on the need instead of God.  We start out waiting for the Lord, but end up waiting on the answer we want.  We become more interested in what He can do for us than we are in Him.

I believe God sometimes delays until we get our focus back on Him.   He wants us to delight in Him, not just what He gives us. The Lord is always working on our behalf.   However, we sometimes cling so closely to a desired outcome that He waits until we let go of our expectations.

Let go and wait on God, trusting that He knows what is best. We do get exalted. He always has our best interest at heart. He is God in the valley and He is God on the mountain!  Aren’t you glad?

Whatever you are dealing with today, release it to Him, sit back and wait, and keep your focus, believing he will answer and intervene…That is good news!   Just know God is working as you wait.  He sees the big picture.   As you draw closer to him your relationship is deepening and you are being strengthened.

Let’s pray:
Father God, thank you.  You didn’t tell us that the cross would not be heavy.  Thank you for being there for us in every situation. Thank you for the strength to wait on you as you work in our behalf. Thank you for teaching us to pray.  Father help us stay focused while you answer our prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Take the Next Step:  
If you are waiting for an answer, keep your focus and release what you want.   Expect God to give you your heart’s desire according to His will.

All the time

by Shelia Gaines

Verse for Thought:  
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Many years ago, the daughter of one of my good friends came into my office as I was eating. She reminded me that it was “way past lunchtime”. I told her that I had been very busy that day and did not stop for lunch at noon. By the time I got around to eating, I did not realize how late it actually was. She responded by telling me about a poster she had seen with a message at the top that read, “I was put here on earth to accomplish a certain amount of things before I leave”. The bottom of the poster read, “At the rate I’m going, I don’t think I will ever die.” She was only in the third or fourth grade and I was a little surprised that she could make such an excellent analogy, but I just laughed at her and went on with my meal. However, what she said always stayed with me and I think of it often. It’s actually a very funny way of reminding us that our time is not our own. Whether we like to think about it or not, today’s verse for thought reminds us that we were indeed put here on earth to accomplish a certain amount of things before we leave. The bad news is whether we accomplish those things are not, our allotted time here does not change. So many people leave this earth never fulfilled in life because they squander it away waiting for a better time to do what they would like to do. Sadly, this is even true for those of us who feel led of God to accomplish things in and through ministry. We allow fear, hurt, disappointment and other challenges of life to rob us of many great accomplishments. Do you ever wonder how many missed opportunities you have had to touch the lives of others or even enhance your own life for the better? Think about that as you go through your day today and take inventory of your daily accomplishments. Are you satisfied with them? Is God?

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your precious gift of time. Show me how to make the most of it by yielding it to you, always mindful of the fact that everything I have belongs to you. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Take the next step:
Everyone has the same twenty four hours each day. Try making a list of things that take up your time. Estimate how much time you spend on those things. Ask God to help you manage your time in a way that is pleasing to him and helpful to you. You might be surprised at the results.

Flip Flops and Rain

by Stephanie Gaines

 Verse for Thought:   
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:10-11.
 

I was rushing that day.  I was late for class.  I threw on the first thing I could find, slid my feet into the first pair of flip flops I saw and headed toward the door determined to be avoid any further delays.   Only to open the door and realize it was raining.   Determined to get to class as soon as possible, I only spent a brief second thinking about my feet getting wet in the rain.  I was on a mission and did not want to waste time putting on the proper footwear. 

Now, granted, in hindsight, I can see the wisdom in going back to change shoes, especially since I was already late.  However, at the time, I didn't see the problem until I rushed outside and in my haste slipped in the mud and almost fell flat on my face.  Hence, today's topic, "Flip Flops and Rain Don't Mix."

The 14th and 15th verse of today's scripture in Ephesians 6 goes on to admonish us to "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."   It's one thing to get caught out in the rain in flip flops.  But, it another story if you know that it's raining and muddy out and to still go out with your feet unprotected.   That does not show readiness.

How many days do we get up and "go out into the world" without the protective armour of God?  We know what we need to do.  But, we allow the cares of life to keep us from taking care of ourselves.  If we are not at our best, we can not give others our best.  Is that where you find yourself today?  If so, it's not too late.  Just like I ended up having to go back and change my shoes that day, you too can change your path today.  You can choose the right shoes for the right path that God has for you.

Let's Pray:
Dear God,
Show me how to use wisdom in preparing to walk the path you have chosen for me.  Help me to understand that when I go out unprepared, the harm that I can do to myself is often greater than the inconvenience of taking the time to do it right.  Thank you for always being there to pick me up when I fall.   Amen.

Take the Next Step:
Spend some time reading the entire chapter of Ephesians 6.   Be a good steward of everything that God has blessed you with, your natural body and your mind and spirit.  Take care of it, keep it protected and keep it strong.

Let Go

by Cynthia Edwards

Verse for thought:
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1

You probably know people who prefer to go with the flow rather than to make a plan. They have a lot of things going all the time and often will overcommit themselves because they are afraid of letting somebody down. They end up being involved in or doing a lot of things simultaneously, but not doing anything effectively. I am learning to let go of some things. I am also learning that when we let go, all the terrible things we thought would happen, usually don’t. My focus is now on order and discipline. Instead of being afraid of not doing enough things, I am trusting God to show me the things he desires for me. I am living according to Philippians 1:6, confident that my belief and trust in God will lead to completion of the good work that he has begun in me.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching me how to let go, how to be at peace. Show me how to seek order instead of chaos, remembering that you are not a God of confusion, but of discipline and order (I Cor. 14:40). Amen.

Take the Next Step:
Read the fourth chapter of Philippians. Ask God to reveal to you things that are robbing you of your peace. Trust him to reveal these things to you and seek his guidance in releasing them. “Let go and let God.”

Gather up the fragments

by Shelia Gaines

Verses for thought:
When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. John 6:12-13 (KJV)

“Give him the fragments of your broken life, my friend.  The potter wants to put you back together again.” 

Over time and with continued use, the files and folders on a computer can break down or become fragmented.  When this happens, it causes the system to run slowly and experience processing problems.  In severe cases, some programs may stop running all together.  Thankfully, all computers come with some type of defragmenter tool and usually let the user know when something needs to be done.

Have you ever wished for a quick fix to a problem or situation that left you feeling broken and fragmented?  Perhaps you are struggling with a family problem, a broken marriage, financial insecurity or low self-esteem. If this is where you find yourself today, you are not alone.  The opening quote is from Tramaine Hawkins song, The Potter’s House.  She reminds us that no matter what broken situation we find ourselves in, there is hope, salvation and healing in the Potter’s House.  Isaiah 64:8 reminds us that we are the potter and our heavenly father is the clay.

Today’s verses for thought do not pertain to something that happened after a planned feast.  It was after thousands of people found themselves in need of a miracle.  Jesus not only performed the miracle of feeding five thousand people with so little, he also admonished his disciples to make sure they gathered up all the fragments that were left so that nothing would go to waste.  

Are you in need of a miracle today?  Why not allow Jesus to gather up the fragments of your life and make you whole again.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for being the potter.  Mold me and make me into everything you want me to be.  Help me to trust you even when I don’t understand the process and feel broken beyond repair.  Please take the broken pieces and make me whole again.
In the name of your precious son, Jesus.  Amen
  
Take the Next Step:
Why not take a moment and search online for the lyrics to The Potter’s House.  Let these words sink into your spirit.  Ask God to pick up the pieces of your fragmented life and watch miracles happen.

Too Blessed to be Stressed

by Belinda Blevins


Verse for thought:
I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.  Psalm 120: 1 (NIV)


I had only been on the job for a few days.   It was during a very stressful period of my life.  I was dealing with situations where I saw first- hand, children being charged with different crimes. I had no idea it would be so stressful, and I was having second thoughts about this job.  However, even in my distress I began to see an opportunity to encourage the children as they passed through the system.

The thought of someone going through difficult times made me realize that I could see the person rather than the problem.  Some were depressed and some had other personal problems.   At times I found myself in tears for these children.  I remembered those who go out weeping, carrying seeds to sow, thinking of the good to come for them in the future.  I consoled myself with these two verses from Psalms 130:1 and 128:1.  In the first verse the psalmist says “Out of the depth I cry to you Lord.”  The second verse lets me know that “blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.”  These verses helped me to stop and realize I was in that place “for such a time as this.”

I could have allowed those situations to keep me stressed.  But, instead I chose to concentrate on the reasons “I am too blessed to be stressed.”   God is always in control, even when he is working through you to help others. We must be confident and glad to do what we have been called to do. It may seem stressful at times and you may want to quit.  However only you can do what is ordained for you. God has deposited in us a boldness, so be courageous, not stressed.  We are called to make a difference in situations by trusting God and walking by faith.

Today I am glad I got that job and feel confident that several lives were changed because of the fruit I continue seeing today.


Let’s Pray:
Father, thank you for blessing me to be a blessing!  Thank you for fruit of the seeds sowed in stressful times.  Father, help me to continue even when I don’t know what to do. Thank you for the faith to be the confident woman you created.  Help me be an encourager in the body of CHRIST.  In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Take the next Step:
Yesterday is gone.  Today is all we have.  Tomorrow is not promised.   So in the stress of the day, remember you are too blessed to be stressed.   Share what God has invested in you. You can!!!  JUST do it.  Be Blessed.

Hitting Snooze

by Stephanie Gaines

Verse for Thought: 
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.    Psalms 139: 11-12

My mother, of all people, can tell you that I am not a morning person.  If I don’t have to be up for any particular reason, there’s no telling what time I’ll actually roll out of bed.  When I have to get up early, I always set my alarm at least 30 minutes before I have to get up; just so I can hit snooze.   After hitting snooze at least six times, I realize I should probably go ahead and get up.   As I hit the snooze button this morning I realized how this can relate to our walk with God.

Maybe it’s just me, but there have been times when I’ve hit snooze on my walk with God.  Life will wear me down and I get so tired that I just keep saying, “Just give me five more minutes, God.”  Snooze.   I silence the alarm and go back to my life.  The life I feel I should have when I’m being selfish. The stress of trying to do everything right will get to me and I’ll just want to give up on it all.  Snooze.  I feel like I’m trying to please others and God and, again selfishly decide, I’m tired of this.  Snooze.  I continue to go through life and an opportunity presents itself, an opportunity to wake up and get back to my relationship with God.  Of course I think to myself, I’m not ready and not at a place where I will fully put my heart into it.  Snooze.  I go to church and just go through the motions, not wanting to fully get involved.  Snooze.  

This morning helped me realize that no matter how many times I hit snooze, my alarm is still there telling me to get up.  No matter how many times I tell God I’ll get back to him, that alarm will still go off and I realize it’s time to get up and continue my walk with God.  I get over my weariness and pain, I stop complaining about how hard life is, I get up and put on my “big girl” pants and get ready for the life God wants for me.

Let’s Pray:
Dear God, I thank you for your love and patience.  I know that even when I have strayed, your love has still remained.  Help me to be encouraged to be a faithful servant.  Give me the strength to challenge myself to continue to strive towards a closer relationship with you.

Take the Next Step:
Take some time to evaluate your life and relationship with God.  Are you running away from God’s calling by hitting snooze?  If so, don’t be afraid to ask yourself, why?  Be completely honest with yourself.  Make a list of things you need to work.  Don’t just remember it, WRITE IT DOWN!  Put the list somewhere you will see it every day as a reminder.

*If you feel you need an accountability partner, make sure you’re actually going to let them keep you accountable. Don’t ask them to keep you accountable if you plan to lie about your progress.

Til Death Do Us Part

by Rachel Evans

Verse for Thought:
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  Ecclesiastes 4:12

My husband and I were married in 2008.  On the day we registered for our marriage license, the clerk seemed surprised that both of us listed our parents as still married.  We were very blessed to have good godly examples of marriage. However, we still had a lot to learn on our own.

Many couples assume that just the act of getting married will make life better.  They marry on the premise that their partner will “complete them” and unrealistically expect that partner to take up the slack for all imperfections they possess. Brides and grooms all across America spend as much as a year or more planning a wedding that usually last less than an hour.   Unfortunately, not many of them put in that kind of effort into building a lasting relationship with one another.  After the music fades, the presents are opened, and the guest leave, reality sets in for most couples.  The fairy tale ends with the daily stresses of life.   Sadly, many marriages fail because the couples do not realize that learning to handle those everyday trials is what will make their relationship stronger.  Instead of working on the relationship, they either give up and end the marriage or go through the motions for years, pretending that everything is okay.  These are the very ones who committed so much time, energy and money in order to create the perfect wedding.

This concept also describes how some Christians view their relationship with Christ.  They feel that when they make a commitment to Christ they are signing up for a fairy tale life.  He will give them new jobs, cars, houses, and anything else that they think they deserve.  When life throws them a curve ball, they think God has failed them and that the fairy tale is not going to come true.  When trials and tribulations come, remember God gives us those experiences to test our faith.  The next time you face a tough time in your marriage or in your life, ask yourself if you are really committed to Christ or are you using him as fire insurance.

Let’s Pray:  
Lord, in this season of wedding preparation, I pray that couples and families prepare not just for the wedding but also for their future lives together.  I pray that they will always allow you to be the third member of their relationship.  In Jesus’s name, Amen

Take the Next Step:
Read Psalm 34:19-22.  Ask God to show you how to apply this to your marriage and your everyday life.

Committed

by Shelia Gaines




The pilot radioed back and said “We are committed!”   I remember a pastor sharing this with us as he told of an opportunity he had to ride in the cockpit of a plane during a flight.   He said that once they were airborne and had reached a certain altitude, they were committed.  That story resonated in my spirit and I have never forgotten it.  “We are committed!”   In other words, there is no turning back now.   The plane was already in the air. The time to make sure everything needed for the flight is onboard and the plane is flight ready is before you leave the airport.  You can’t turn around in the middle of the flight to go gas up the plane or stop and let someone off before you get to the next airport.  If something goes wrong, the pilot can’t go all the way back to the airport, he has to know what the emergency procedures are and be confident in his ability to execute them.  A good pilot realizes that the people who have boarded the plane have put their faith in his flying ability. The pilot made the commitment to learn how to fly the plane before he ever flew with passengers.   Choosing any profession in which you are responsible for human lives takes great courage as well as commitment.   How reliable is our commitment to those things God has entrusted us with?   When you choose to follow God, you take on a great responsibility because you are accountable to not only God, but your fellowman.  However, you do not have to be afraid.  Just as flight school and other training prepares a pilot before the passenger board the plane, the word of God lets us know that Jesus has already prepared the way for us before we were even born.  Furthermore, he has made it clear that we do not have to walk alone.  Meditate on Joshua 1:9.  “Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Let’s pray:
Father, I commit this day to you. Pour into my spirit everything I need in order to give today everything I have got.   I have committed my life to you.  Help me to walk in victory and not fear what the future holds, being confident in the fact that you hold the future.   I praise your name and lift you up.  Amen

Take the Next Step:
Make a list of thing that you are committed to.  Ask yourself when was the last time you made a selfless sacrifice for anything or anyone on the list.  Ask God to show you ways to recommit to those things in a way that will be pleasing to him.    

We Walk By Faith

by Belinda Blevins

Verse for thought:
"‘If you can’?"  said Jesus.  "Everything is possible for him who believes."  Mark  9:23 (NIV)

God is ever seeking to teach us the way of faith.  In our training there must be room for trials of faith, the patience of faith, and the courage of faith before we realize what will lead us to victory.  Being disciplined!!  Have you prayed to God and the answers not come?  What do you do?  Do you continue praying, believing, and being steadfast even if you can’t see or feel God moving?   At times like these we know we have the power because we have experienced God move in the past.   As we develop our walk of faith, the word of God is working on our behalf.  Our faith is getting stronger everyday even though the answers to our prayers are delayed.  Often God delays on purpose.  It may not be what we are looking for.  However, in times like these our soul is being trained.  Growth and development is taking place.  Just like Elijah.  Elijah is one whom God used.  In the beginning his faith was not great; consequently through the discipline and his position to which God called him, he stayed faithful.  It is hard at times but through courage and discipline, it is possible.  We just need to be still and trust.

Let’s Pray:
Father God, as we walk by faith and believe today, help us to trust you.  Help us to trust that you are working on our behalf for our purpose and plan, for your good.  Father, help us to be still and realize that you are God, and with you all things are possible. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Take the next Step:
When you are out today on your journey, if you see someone who is weary, take time to stop and show love.  If you can, give them a word of testimony on how God is working in your life.  It can’t help but encourage them to walk on.

A Wake-up Call

by Shelia Gaines

Verse for thought:  
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and will remind you of  everything that I have said to you. John 14:26 (NIV)

Although the conveniences of cell phones have made them less popular, wake up calls are usually requested by hotel guest who needed to be up for a meeting or on the road by a certain time.  A wake up call can startle you out of a deep sleep.  Even if you are an early riser, that first call in the morning can still be a little irritating.  However, the thing to remember is you don’t receive a wake-up call unless you request it. What you do after you receive the call is up to you.  The hotel employees will not come to your room to get you out of bed, but they will give you a call to let you know that it’s time for you to wake up. You have a choice when you receive the call.  You can say thank you and go back to sleep or you can go ahead and get up and get about your business.  If you go back to sleep you run the risk of over sleeping and missing an appointment.  It’s possible that you will wake up on time anyway, but you still take the risk.

An article in the Experiencing God Study Bible, Amos is described as “a prophet who spoke God’s words faithfully to a people who had grown complacent in their life styles and asleep in their faith.  He was sent to wake them up.  They were doing well, enjoying the king and everybody was prospering, but they were spiritually dead.  Have you ever found yourself at a place like that?  Maybe things seem to be going well, everybody seems to be happy, but something seems to be missing for you.  Well, maybe God is nudging you to “wake up”.  Often we are going through the motions but we don’t have a real relationship with the Lord.  If this is where you are today, why not wake up and take to heart the words of one recording artist who said, “I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking, what if I had given everything instead of going through the motions?”  Sometimes God has sent us someone to give us a wake-up call, but we are just saying thanks and going back into a complacent sleep.  

Let’s Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing your Holy Spirit to “wake us up” when we get on the wrong track.  Help us to answer your call willing, trusting that you always have our best interest at heart.   Thank you for your unconditional love.  Amen

Take the Next Step:
Give yourself a wake-up call. Ask God to show you what you need to do to grow your relationship with him. Look around at the people he has placed in your life.  Is there someone who needs a wake-up call?  Why not listen to what God has put in your spirit and give them a ring?

Living in God's Full Blessing

by Belinda Blevins

Verses for Thought: 
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.   Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Sometimes it is hard for us to rise to the challenge of living our lives as sacrifices to God.  If we are honest with ourselves, we will realize the reason for this.  It is human nature to want to be in control of any situation.  When we yield our lives totally to God, he is in charge of everything.

Everything we do or think must conform to the word of God.  It has taken me many years of trial and tribulations to realize such a high calling is impossible without the Holy Spirit guiding and helping me.  I know this to be true in my heart but I still find myself trying to make it on my own strength and will from time to time, only to come back to the realization that I can’t make spiritual progress alone.  When our lives line up with the will of God, everybody else won’t always understand or agree with what we do, but God will be pleased.  The more we seek and trust him, the closer we come to walking in God’s perfect will for our lives.

Is something in your life today keeping you from moving closer to God?  Why not offer it to God, renew your mind, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance?

Let’s Pray:
Father God, thank you for blessing me as you have.   I commit myself to you fresh and new this day.  I ask you to help me to live holy, have a transformed life,  follow you and be empowered by the Holy Spirit.  If there is something in my life holding me back, reveal it to me and give me courage and faith to overcome it.   I do not want to conform to the world’s standards.  I want to follow your plan and live by the standard of your word.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

Take the Next Step:
Make it a point today to offer a simple act of kindness to a stranger or even a friend.   Treat someone to a cup of coffee.  Send a card or a note of encouragement.  Take a few minutes to call and say I was thinking about you.  Be a living example to others, be an example of offering yourself in worship, and you will see growth in Christ.

Not what I expected

by Shelia Gaines

Verses for Thought:

A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. John 16:21 (NKJV)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (KJV)

The doctor spoke calmly to my oldest daughter, “I know you wanted to do the water birth,but I think there’s a little too much stress on the baby. We need to go ahead and get him out of there. Are you o.k. with that?” I suspect that my daughter’s quick agreement came more from the pain of labor than any resignation concerning water birth.

As soon as she received my daughter’s permission, the doctor’s calm manner was immediately replaced with medical emergency protocol. She whipped a cell phone out of her pocket and spoke rapidly into it. “I need you in here now!” The nurse she spoke to was coming down the hall at a dead run even as the doctor closed her phone. They moved the bed so fast they forgot to unplug the IV from the wall. My oldest daughter was whisked off to surgery as my youngest daughter, my son-in-law and I stood there momentarily stunned into silence.
The next few minutes were difficult ones for us. We called family members and called on our faith. Our prayers were answers and we saw a healthy baby boy minutes later. Today’s verse for thought reminded me of the morning my grandson was born. I was disappointed that my daughter had to experience an emergency C-section and my son-in-law experienced one of the most joyous events of his life in the midst of great danger to the most important person in his life. However, that precious bundle of joy made it all worthwhile. What a blessing it is that even when circumstances overwhelm us, God stll blesses us with small miracles.

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for being a loving God and for always doing what's best for us,even when we don't understand. When things don’t go as expected, help me to turn to you and remember the promise from Romans 8:28 knowing that you have a purpose and will work things out for our good. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Take the Next Step:
Read John 16 and Roman 8. The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, meditate on those things and remember that while trials and tribulations will undoubtedly come, you do not have to face them alone as long as you know the overcomer. Don’t make the mistake of allowing the cares of life to keep you from living.