On this Thanksgiving Eve I am thinking about what it really means to give thanks. We have this one day a year to remind us here in the US that giving thanks is important. But to whom or what do we give thanks? This is the more important question in my opinion.
In our fast paced world we have a tendency to overlook those to whom we should say thanks. When was the last time you thanked the janitor or cleaning person? When was the last time you thanked your mother or father for being your parent? When was the last time you thanked God for all you have?
If you've done those things recently, thanking those we take for granted, did you mean it sincerely or was it just a rote "thanks"? Being sincere in giving thanks is as important as saying thank you. So tomorrow, when you sit down to the feast we call Thanksgiving, think about what you're giving thanks for and then take time to tell that person just how thankful you are for them the next time you see them.
Blessings, Becky
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Healing
Healing is a funny thing. There is more to healing than meets the eye. It takes so many things to bring it about.
It takes time. Often more time than we want it too. We are an instant society which causes us to be impatient with anything that takes what we believe is too much time to happen.
It takes work. Your body and your mind have to come back into sync with one another so that they can function again as one. This often means that you must rest more than you believe you should have to.
It takes faith. Without faith, no one can feel they are completely whole. Faith works on both the body and the mind to bring about wholeness.
I am slowly healing in body, mind, and spirit. But I am a long way from being whole and well. It will take more time, more work, and especially more faith.
It takes time. Often more time than we want it too. We are an instant society which causes us to be impatient with anything that takes what we believe is too much time to happen.
It takes work. Your body and your mind have to come back into sync with one another so that they can function again as one. This often means that you must rest more than you believe you should have to.
It takes faith. Without faith, no one can feel they are completely whole. Faith works on both the body and the mind to bring about wholeness.
I am slowly healing in body, mind, and spirit. But I am a long way from being whole and well. It will take more time, more work, and especially more faith.
Blessings, Becky
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death
Have you ever really thought deeply about this verse from Psalm 23? There are many ways to look at this verse. What does it mean to go through something? Well, for starters it means that you will not be stuck there forever. This thought is very helpful as it brings comfort and hope to the one in the valley. Second, it means that you will experience valley times that will feel like death is about to swallow you. But because you are going through death has no hold on you.
The whole verse reads "Yea, though I walk through the valley of hte shadow of death..." (Ps 23: 4a KJV). When we are walking some trips seem to take forever and we wonder if they will never end. But they do. And so too will the journey through the valley. But as we walk through, we need to ask ourselves, "What is the lesson or message God wants me to learn or at the very least hear or experience?"
A person can never rush a journey when they are walking, they will only tire themselves out and have to remain in that place longer than they need to or want to. A slow steady pace is what is required for someone to move through the valley. Keep focused the destination and you will get through, with the Lord's help.
The whole verse reads "Yea, though I walk through the valley of hte shadow of death..." (Ps 23: 4a KJV). When we are walking some trips seem to take forever and we wonder if they will never end. But they do. And so too will the journey through the valley. But as we walk through, we need to ask ourselves, "What is the lesson or message God wants me to learn or at the very least hear or experience?"
A person can never rush a journey when they are walking, they will only tire themselves out and have to remain in that place longer than they need to or want to. A slow steady pace is what is required for someone to move through the valley. Keep focused the destination and you will get through, with the Lord's help.
Blessings, Becky
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Insights and Random Thoughts
It has been longer than I thought since my last post. I have been on an emotional roller coaster over these past few months as I have adjusted to living in a parsonage without my husband. He has had to remain at our home so as to continue farming. This has caused me quite a bit of consternation and trepidation.
As I have become more comfortable with this new living arrangement, other issues have come to the fore. Issues that I have had to deal with and am still dealing with. But God never promised that life as a Christian would be free of problems and issues, he only promises to "walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death." (Paraphrase from Psalm 23)
I have come to realize that every time I experience a season of upset, discomfort and introspection I am walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Often when I look back I see that I have become a better person for all that I have been through. That each time, I emerge from that valley a bit lighter and a better person because something that needed to die in me has done so.
It is not an easy process walking through the valley and sometimes I remain in the valley a long time. But I always know that I have God right there with me, just a thought, just a prayer, just a call away. He is there waiting for me to surrender my will to his so he can continue to help me become all that he has planned for me to be.
As I have become more comfortable with this new living arrangement, other issues have come to the fore. Issues that I have had to deal with and am still dealing with. But God never promised that life as a Christian would be free of problems and issues, he only promises to "walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death." (Paraphrase from Psalm 23)
I have come to realize that every time I experience a season of upset, discomfort and introspection I am walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Often when I look back I see that I have become a better person for all that I have been through. That each time, I emerge from that valley a bit lighter and a better person because something that needed to die in me has done so.
It is not an easy process walking through the valley and sometimes I remain in the valley a long time. But I always know that I have God right there with me, just a thought, just a prayer, just a call away. He is there waiting for me to surrender my will to his so he can continue to help me become all that he has planned for me to be.
Blessings, Becky
Monday, May 17, 2010
Mixed Blessings
This past Saturday I spent the day scrapbooking at the church I serve. As I sat there I thought about how I would no longer be a part of this church family on July 1st the way I was now. And I wondered a bit about how I would feel if I come back for a day-long session at the church and if I did so would that be an ethical violation and breech of covenant? I have no answer for these questions but I do know that the group of ladies that I scrapbook with are wonderful folks and through our discussions they have helped to make me a better person. The dilemas I face as a pastor in situations such as the one from Saturday will always be there. And I will always have mixed feelings about whatever choice I make. But I do believe that such dilemas are blessings, mainly because they stretch us in our faith walk to apply the teachings of Christ.
Blessings, Becky
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Leaving
Over the past few weeks I have been contemplating changes in my life. I will be moving to a new appointment on July 1. This means I will be leaving people I love and meeting new people that I know I will come to love, but right now the thought of leaving so many people I have come to know and care about is somewhat overwhelming. I know I am not the first pastor most of them have had and I definately won't be the last. But I am their pastor, and I am not certain I want another shepherd caring for "my" sheep.
It is that word "my" that has brought me up short. When did I become so possessive? When did I stop seeing them as God's sheep and they become my personal property? These folks are not not mine any more than my children are mine to own, to control, to hover over. Each and everyone of us belong to only one person, God. We are his children, and as such are called to care for and about one another, but to also hold one another loosely.
I need to keep that in mind for all aspects of my life. As I move into a new appointment I need to remember that I am only here for a time. Only God knows how long. And I am called to be a shepherd which means I must do what is best for all God has given me to care for, even if it means turning them over into the care of another. My prayer is that I will be able to do this with the grace and dignity God expects, all the while remembering that it is love that allows me to do this.
It is that word "my" that has brought me up short. When did I become so possessive? When did I stop seeing them as God's sheep and they become my personal property? These folks are not not mine any more than my children are mine to own, to control, to hover over. Each and everyone of us belong to only one person, God. We are his children, and as such are called to care for and about one another, but to also hold one another loosely.
I need to keep that in mind for all aspects of my life. As I move into a new appointment I need to remember that I am only here for a time. Only God knows how long. And I am called to be a shepherd which means I must do what is best for all God has given me to care for, even if it means turning them over into the care of another. My prayer is that I will be able to do this with the grace and dignity God expects, all the while remembering that it is love that allows me to do this.
Blessing, Becky
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Little Easter's
Each Sunday is to be a celebration of Easter, a "little Easter". I wonder, how many of us really think of Sunday and worship that way? For most, we see Sunday as "our" day that is interrupted by Worship. "Why do I have to take one hour and go to church?" is a refrain we often hear. We view attendance at church as something to be endured, a joyless activity that fulfills our obligation to God and allows us to continue calling ourselves Christian.
But what if we think of each Sunday as a day to recapture the excitement and joy of Easter how much more wonderful might Worship and our faith life become? Easter is spring-time and renewal; Easter is spending time with family and friends; Easter is joy and laughter; Easter is celebration of the fulfillment of God's promise to us. I challenge you today to begin to look at Worship in a new light by viewing each Sunday as the day you recapture the experience of Easter, allowing it to revitalize you and prepare you to face whatever life may throw at you with joy and strength and renewed vigor.
But what if we think of each Sunday as a day to recapture the excitement and joy of Easter how much more wonderful might Worship and our faith life become? Easter is spring-time and renewal; Easter is spending time with family and friends; Easter is joy and laughter; Easter is celebration of the fulfillment of God's promise to us. I challenge you today to begin to look at Worship in a new light by viewing each Sunday as the day you recapture the experience of Easter, allowing it to revitalize you and prepare you to face whatever life may throw at you with joy and strength and renewed vigor.
Blessings, Becky
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