Author: Martha Pereda

Do you feel like you are walking around with the weight of the world on your shoulders? Maybe you have some big decisions to be made concerning your work or career and really don’t know which way to go. Maybe one of your children is in a hard place or getting ready to move away, and you so want to hold on but must let them go. Maybe you or someone close has gotten a scary diagnostic and your faith in God is waning. Or maybe you see trouble in your marriage and are losing hope. Whether you relate to one of these or your case is another, the burden you feel is real.

Many carry the burden of “trying to find who they are”. If you’ve ever felt like you just don’t know what you are doing in this world or can’t seem to find your way, that can all change today. Not a single person has come into this world by accident- even if that’s what you heard- that you were a surprise to your parents. You were not a surprise to God, far from it. And God didn’t create us wondrously and then drop us into this world to figure things out on our own. Even as Psalm 139 makes clear, God personally designed each one of us, no two alike- that’s sure true for my six children! He knows our every thought and word even before we pronounce it. And, there is nowhere we can go that he is not there with us. According to Ephesians 2:10, we are God’s work of art and when he created us, he also prepared a blueprint for our life with plans designed specifically for us to walk out. Your family, background, personality, and gifts – with all your quirks and originality- make you uniquely prepared for those plans prepared for you. So, have no doubt, you are special and your identity is not defined by what you’ve done but by whose you are… the God that made you and loves you is ever present with you.

There’s the burden of changing someone- your husband or wife, a child, mother-in-law (Ha!), or a friend. Who hasn’t felt like you should be able to fix them or at least better them? Believe me, it was never intended and just plain is not going to happen, and you probably make matters worse trying. I learned that the hard way. And keep learning. Because there is something in us women that just wants to fix things. Anyway, the best thing I can do for my marriage is to continually grow to be all I should be and pray blessing on my husband on his journey. The best thing I can do for my children, is to teach and train them in the ways of God and let God do his part. And as for the rest around me, I should give life in all I do and bless them. Only God can do the changing, even as I also am still under construction. So love and be patient.

There’s the burden of past hurts and failures. When we are disappointed, rejected, or outright hurt by others, we have a choice, whether we are conscious of it or not. Either we forgive and let go, or we don’t, and we carry it around in a suitcase for the rest of our lives. When our life simply doesn’t look like we thought it would at this time of the game- be it that our prince charming never showed or the one we married turned out to be a frog… the kids came before the career, so you’re still working where you did 20 years ago or you stayed home instead… adversity came and you never moved from the starter home… or you lost someone near and dear way before expected. While we can’t change things that have happened, we can choose how they affect us.

The burden of anxiety can be almost unbearable. What if I lose my job? i may even lose my house. What if I get covid-19? I’m overweight and have diabetes, so I will most likely die. And if its not that, well, my mother died of cancer, so I’m a high risk. What will my children do without me? What if my son that went to basic training gets hurt and I don’t even know? What if my husband’s new secretary is pretty? What if my car breaks down again, and I don’t have the money to fix it? What ifs probably keep you up more nights that you want to admit.

Alright, it’s time to take every one of these burdens off your shoulders. Are you ready? It’s a two step plan. Number one, you have to recognize the burden and that you want to be rid of it. That takes humility. Because as long as I say, I’m fine, I can do it, I am living in pride and all the while, suffering for it. God is not going to snatch the burden from you, he is waiting for you to give it to him. That is the second step. Number two, cast your cares- all your cares, every one- upon him. That means take it off your shoulders, out of your hands, and leave it with him. Careful! Don’t pick them up again. Don’t go back and tell God he’s taking too long or not doing as you would. Give him all and trust. Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Psalm 55:22)

In the hardest times and greatest storms, remember what God says. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. (Isaiah 43:2)

In the ups and downs of raising children, remember who gave them to you and that he loves them even more than you or I can. Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.(Psalm 127:3)

In every decision, big or small, you don’t have to go it alone. Ask God. James 1:5 says, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. So, ask, listen and follow.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

There is so much going on in the world today that seriously concerns me. Of course, there are the out of control protests where innocent people have paid dearly with losses they never should have. Political agendas are rampant and it seems the media reports things however they see fit. Even social media is now censoring videos and comments- not on a moral basis, but on whether it aligns with their position. I mean, when I cannot post a video that simply shows the wonder of the development of a baby in his mother’s womb, because it has “inappropriate content” but a video of an explicit sex scene shows up on my phone and I ask for it to be blocked and they tell me it checks out fine… something has definitely gone wrong.

The pandemic measures, while claiming to make things better by saving lives, have affected economies, stirred up ill feelings in those that don’t agree on face masks and such, distanced families, isolated people, and subjected many to increased loneliness and futility. Where before we went out to breathe fresh air, now I struggle to breathe behind the mask. I often turn to smile at someone, just to remember they can’t see my smile. Even friends that tend to be loners are feeling the lack of interaction and facial expressions to light up the day. We were not created to live alone but in relationship with God and others.

Although these and many other things concern me, I refuse to worry about them. Does that sound like a contradiction? Well, in reality it isn’t. But I think today more than ever, we need to know the difference between concern and worry and the roots of each one.

Are you under financial stress because of the lockdown and worry about the future? Have you believed that if you love your child, then you should worry about him? Or you think that worry over a loved one’s safety is justified and even proof of your love for that person? Many moms think it is practically their duty to worry about their children. But is it?

Concern is the proper mindset for caring about important issues, decisions, events or conditions. When an issue gets a persons attention as a potential danger or problem, they focus on taking the necessary action to prevent or resolve it. Worry on the other hand is thinking, thinking, and thinking again about the issue with all the possible what ifs and negative outcomes. Concern is more fact based and focused on problem solving. While worry is fear based, anticipating and suffering time and time again the worst scenarios that usually never materialize.

Here are a few examples. When the lockdown began, concerned citizens went to buy their normal two weeks of toilet paper, but many didn’t find much or any because those worried by heresay that it would run out, hoarded buying large quantities- then it did run out. A concerned mom looks at the clock and thinks her son is half hour late, he must have gotten held up at work or in traffic. A worried mom may already be thinking he’s had an accident. A concerned mom sees her daughter with the wrong crowd and talks to her and does what’s necessary to protect her, while a worried mom may rant and rave and not sleep at night, sure she is going to end up on drugs. When your son enlists and goes to basic training, as a concerned mom you send him as well prepared as possible and trust he will come through fine, while the worried mom thinks all day about him getting Covid, how he gets yelled at, not having food he likes, and all the ways he can get hurt.

Jesus said, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26 NKJV)

Once you have put your trust in God, and he has become your heavenly Father, there is no longer a thing in the world that should worry you. He knows you, loves you, promises to never leave you, has made every provision for you, and will work all things together for good in your life. Worrying won’t change a single thing, except stealing your peace and enjoyment today, and maybe even your health. So, rest in him.

How can we keep concern from turning into worry?  First, put your trust in God, giving him your whole life and every expectation. Read his plan for you and his many promises in the Bible. And pray, pray, and pray again. Every time you have a concern that begins to make circles in your head, pray and give it to God. If your child has not returned home at the expected time and you are concerned.  Pray.  Maybe you are concerned that your job may be in jeopardy.  Pray. God will provide. Prayer brings peace in knowing that God has everything under control.  Regardless of the outcome, He has it covered.

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. (Philippians 4:6-7 AMP)

¿Qué haces cuando no ves contestada tu oración? ¿Te enojas? ¿Te desesperas? ¿Te deprimes? ¿Sientes que Dios se ha olvidado de ti? ¿Buscas culpables- tu esposa porque no se somete, tu esposo porque está fuera de orden, tus hijos porque te hacen enojar, el presidente porque no hace lo que crees debe,  la vida porque te tocó mala suerte, tú mismo porque no cambias…? ¿Le reclamas a Dios?

                El apóstol Pablo fue uno de los más grandes mensajeros de Dios, quien viajó por todo el mundo conocido predicando el evangelio y escribió gran parte de la Biblia como la conocemos, así que no cabe duda que él anduvo en la voluntad de Dios. Sin embargo, en  2 Corintios 12 leemos que dice tener un aguijón en la carne, un mensajero de Satanás que le abofetee y le pide a Dios tres veces que le fuera quitado pero no lo hizo. ¿Por qué no? Dios le dice, Bástate mi gracia; porque mi poder se perfecciona en la debilidad.

Bástate mi gracia; porque mi poder se perfecciona en la debilidad.

                Dios no está enfocado en nuestra comodidad ni que no batallemos ni suframos. Ese es el mensaje plasmado por el mundo en que vivimos que nos dice que debemos hacer lo que nos hace sentir bien, seguir nuestro corazón y disfrutar la vida porque solo la viviremos una vez. Hay un problema fundamental con este mensaje- ¡no es bíblico! Desde Génesis a Apocalipsis  vemos que el pueblo que sigue a Dios será atacado por Satanás, aborrecido por el mundo, afligido por muchas situaciones y probado en todo para ver que hay en su corazón y si seguirán fieles a Dios y sus propósitos a pesar de todo.

El mundo de hoy nos ha condicionado a pensar que los símbolos de una buena vida son la comodidad y la felicidad. El plan de Dios no es nuestra comodidad. Nuestra tendencia natural es orar pidiéndole a Dios que cese nuestro problema- que pare el sufrimiento, que dejen de oprimirnos, que se acabe la prueba…  Pero estas son oraciones miopes, enfocadas al corto plazo, y actúan como un corto-circuito del plan perfecto de Dios. 

                 La primera carta de Pedro a la iglesia prácticamente empieza y termina con este tema: el sufrimiento y las pruebas son algo que debemos esperar y aun agradecer como de Dios para un propósito.

                1 Pedro 1:6-7  En lo cual vosotros os alegráis, aunque ahora por un poco de tiempo, si es necesario, tengáis que ser afligidos en diversas pruebas, para que sometida a prueba vuestra fe, mucho más preciosa que el oro, el cual aunque perecedero se prueba con fuego, sea hallada en alabanza, gloria y honra cuando sea manifestado Jesucristo.

                1 Pedro 5: 6-9 Humillaos, pues, bajo la poderosa mano de Dios, para que él os exalte cuando fuere tiempo; echando toda vuestra ansiedad sobre él, porque él tiene cuidado de vosotros. Sed sobrios, y velad; porque vuestro adversario el diablo, como león rugiente, anda alrededor buscando a quien devorar; al cual resistid firmes en la fe, sabiendo que los mismos padecimientos se van cumpliendo en vuestros hermanos en todo el mundo.

En cada situación, en cada prueba, hay una lección que debemos aprender. Y si no aprendemos la lección, vendrá otra situación similar, y otra y otra, hasta que aprendamos y pasemos la prueba. En cada situación, Dios está mirando para ver  más del carácter de Cristo reflejado en nosotros, porque esa es la meta para establecer más de su reino en la tierra y prepararnos para su reino eterno.

What made the disciples and Christ followers shut themselves in the upper room before Pentecost?

Imagine what they had been through. First, they were living in a dry spiritual time, not having heard from the Lord through the prophets for some 500 years. I see people get depressed over not hearing from him for 500 hours. The religious leaders of the day made it their business to show the people their inadequacies before God, adding to God’s law even more rules according to their own self-righteousness, suppressing any hope. And as if that were not enough, Israel lived oppressed by the Roman Empire, forced to pay taxes and homage to a faraway ruler. Oppressed, depressed, suppressed… they certainly were not free. Then, along came Jesus!

Jesus showed up declaring, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Jesus didn’t just talk love, acceptance and forgiveness, he modeled it everywhere he went and in all he did. He preached a love that bridges every difference, whether racial, positional or experiential. He was not afraid to touch the unclean or contagious, sup in the home of men of ill reputation, call the outcast his neighbor, cast out evil spirits to free a life, ignore man-made regulation of spiritual activity, or confront apparently upright people with their religiosity and hypocrisy.  While he was the Prince of Peace, he did not bring peace everywhere he went, but sometimes quite the opposite, because his message and his life was so contrary to the norm and the comfortable.

While he was not a violent reformer, he definitely was about reform, and the people seeking light and truth found it in him. Faith grew in them as they heard his words (Ro.10:17). Hope sprouted in their hearts, as they saw prophecy being fulfilled before their eyes (Ro.15:13).  And total unconditional love was poured out before them and in them, as they witnessed Christ’s death on the cross and then his victorious life after resurrection (Ro.5:5).  There was no way they could be the same, and they didn’t want to be.

Those first followers of Christ went into the upper room for 10 days of prayer and fasting to be invested with the power and unction from the Holy Spirit- not to hide away from coming trouble but to be ready to become the biggest troublemakers the world had known. Yes, the first Christians were big-time troublemakers who went against the norm of darkness in the world, publicly speaking the truth not cowering before persecution, snatching captives from the lies and powers of Satan, and teaching a living gospel that transforms lives spirit, soul and body.

Abraham encountered a God he didn’t know, but when given a great promise, he met the challenge to get up, go out into the unknown and walk with God. Joseph had a great dream but then suffered the worst betrayal and unfair treatment over and over again, but yet held onto his faith in God and, against seemingly impossible odds, God brought it to pass. Moses had a life-changing encounter at the burning bush, but he didn’t stay there, but got up, went out, and became the liberator of the people.

The first believers went into the upper room to be equipped to be witnesses at home and abroad. Yes, they were taught the gospel of the kingdom and the apostles’ doctrine, but being witnesses is much more. The word comes from [martus] which is martyrs. Did they want to be mocked, ostracized, be beaten in public squares, be wrenched away from their families, face lions, or die horrific deaths? Of course not! They were just as human as we are. But after the tremendous outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost, the first believers did not camp there but went out willing to live, preach and even die for the light and love that they knew the whole world needed… even unto you and I today.

Have you like I been asking God to use you in the great harvest that is coming? I pray God pours out his Spirit on us anew, that the routine and ordinary would not suffice, but we would yearn for the life of love and power that can rescue from eternal damnation those around us and transform our world for his kingdom.

Debemos asegurarnos que el Dios que les presentamos a nuestros hijos es el Dios de la Biblia, porque de eso depende su fe y su caminar.

1. No le des a tu hijo un “Diosito”.– Entiendo que esto es algo muy cultural y de buena intención, ya que se usa “ito” para mostrar cariño y confianza (hijito, mi hermanito, mi casita, mi perrito). Y así muchas mamás hablan a sus pequeños de Diosito, que es bueno, les ama y estará con ellos cuando quieran orar. Pero hay un problema fundamental con esto. Las palabras muchas veces llevan un mensaje directo y otro implícito. Dios nunca ha sido “Diosito” y nunca lo será. Usar “ito/ita” es diminutivo, denota pequeño, y aunque lo digamos con mucho cariño, sigue siendo la descripción que le damos. Y es todo lo contrario del Dios de la Biblia. 1 Crónicas 29:11 dice, Tuyos son, Señor, la grandeza y el poder, la gloria, la victoria y la majestad. Tuyo es todo cuanto hay en el cielo y en la tierra. Tuyo también es el reino, y tú estás por encima de todo.

2. No le des a tu hijo un “niño Dios”, como suelen decir muchos, en especial en la época de Navidad. Enseñamos a los niños que los bebés son inocentes e indefensos y necesitan que uno cuide de ellos, obviamente para que tengan cuidado y no los lastimen. Pero entonces, si ven a Dios como un bebé, precioso sí, pero un bebé, ¿cómo quieres que en verdad esperen que les ayude en algo? Nunca fue “el niño Dios” en el pesebre de Belén, sino “el niño Jesús”, quien nació, vivió y murió como hombre quien se despojó de su naturaleza divina mientras en cuerpo humano, para que nos identificáramos con él en todo y podría ser nuestra salvación. Al final de su vida en la tierra, después de levantarse de la muerte y justo antes de ascender a estar para siempre en el trono a la diestra de Dios Padre, Jesús dijo: “Toda autoridad me ha sido dada en el cielo y en la tierra… Y he aquí, yo estoy con ustedes todos los días, hasta el fin del mundo”.(Mateo 28:18-20)

3. No le des a tu hijo un Dios lejano o muy ocupado. He oído a una mamá querer consolar a su hijo que no había visto la respuesta a su petición, “Sabes que Dios está muy ocupado viendo por gente en todo el mundo, así que ten paciencia”. O un papá que dice, “No le molestes a Dios con pequeñeces, ora cuando realmente es importante”. Es verdad que Dios ve por todo el mundo, pero es tan completamente omnipresente que está en todos partes a la vez, y no está como muchas veces estamos nosotros, “presentes pero sin poner atención”.

El Dios de la Biblia es un Dios presente, atento y nada se le escapa. Los profetas de Baal se burlaban de Elías diciéndole que su Dios estaba muy ocupado o dormido, pero Elías conocía a su Dios y tenía plena confianza en él y Dios lo respaldó en todo cuanto le mandó. El rey David conocía a Dios como quiero que mis hijos lo conozcan, como dice en el Salmo 139: Tú conoces cuando me siento y cuando me levanto; desde lejos entiendes mi pensamiento. Mi caminar y mi acostarme has considerado; todos mis caminos te son conocidos. Pues aún no está la palabra en mi lengua, y tú, oh SEÑOR, ya la sabes toda. Detrás y delante me rodeas, y sobre mí pones tu mano. Tal conocimiento me es maravilloso; tan alto que no lo puedo alcanzar.

4. No le des a tu hijo un Cristo colgado en la cruz- si aun está allí sufriendo, ¿cómo voy a confiar realmente que me puede ayudar a mí? Sí, murió en la cruz y esto es central al mensaje del evangelio, las buenas nuevas de salvación que debes enseñar a tu hijo. Pero no se quedó allí, sino venció el pecado, la muerte y el mismo infierno y resucitó y vive hoy para socorrerme en cada necesidad y darnos la victoria. La cruz es historia vital, pero es historia. Más el hecho que hoy Cristo está sentado en el trono celestial reinando y nos da a nosotros, todo el que cree en él y entra a su reino, poder y autoridad sobre los cielos y la tierra- ¡eso es algo que inspira fe y confianza!

Dale a tu hijo el Dios de Hebreos 4:14-16 y dile, Acerquémonos, pues, confiadamente al trono de la gracia, para alcanzar misericordia y hallar gracia para el oportuno socorro. Y el de Romanos 8:31-39 … Si Dios es por nosotros, ¿quién contra nosotros?… Cristo es el que murió; más aún, es el que también resucitó; quien, además, está a la diestra de Dios, y quien también intercede por nosotros… somos más que vencedores por medio de aquel que nos amó…

NO QUIERAS BAJAR A DIOS AL NIVEL DE TU HIJO, ANTES BIEN PRESÉNTALE AL DIOS ASOMBROSO Y TODOPODEROSO QUE OFRECE SUBIRNOS A SU NIVEL.

Pero Dios, quien es rico en misericordia, a causa de su gran amor con que nos amó, aun estando nosotros muertos en delitos, nos dio vida juntamente con Cristo. ¡Por gracia son salvos! Y juntamente con Cristo Jesús, nos resucitó y nos hizo sentar en los lugares celestiales para mostrar en las edades venideras las superabundantes riquezas de su gracia, por su bondad hacia nosotros en Cristo Jesús. Porque por gracia son salvos por medio de la fe; y esto no de ustedes pues es don de Dios. No es por obras, para que nadie se gloríe. Porque somos hechura de Dios, creados en Cristo Jesús para hacer las buenas obras que Dios preparó de antemano para que anduviésemos en ellas. (Efesios 2:4-10)

ESE ES MI DIOS Y EL DIOS QUE LES DOY A MIS HIJOS. ¿Y tú? Empieza hoy.

“Te haré entender.” ¿Qué es lo primero que piensas cuando lees esta frase? ¿Piensas en algún bully que te molestaba en la escuela? ¿O en la voz de tu madre un poco subida o hasta con la chancla en mano? ¿O tu padre con el cinto listo? ¿O piensas en un padre que se sienta pacientemente con su hijita para explicarle una vez más como hacer la multiplicación o como andar en bicicleta?

Una de las cosas que me preocupa mucho de las redes sociales es lo vulnerable que es toda comunicación a ser malinterpretada, porque no oimos tonos de voz, ni vemos caras y gestos, los cuales nos aclaran la intención de las palabras en muchas ocasiones. En la ausencia de estos, cada quien interpreta el mensaje según su propio criterio- lo que conoce de la persona, experiencias pasadas con la persona en cuestión, experiencias pasadas con esas palabras, lo que está pasando en su propia vida hoy – un sinnúmero de factores, que sin querer, nos pueden llevar a reaccionar negativamente. (Mucho cuidado con juzgar o tomar ofensa o compartir chisme. -Pr.26:13)

En el Salmo 32:8, Dios nos dice: Te haré entender, y te enseñaré el camino en que debes andar; Sobre ti fijaré mis ojos. Según la Biblia interlineal, la traducción más directa del original, este texto dice, “Te guiaré en el camino en que debes andar, y te enseñaré; te instruiré con mis ojos”.

Nuestro Padre celestial desea una relación íntima con nosotros, tan íntima como la relación entre hermanas o entre esposos que pueden intercambiar miradas y saber lo que el otro está pensando. Esta es una invitación a acercarnos a Aquel que ya conoce todo el camino que hay delante de nosotros– lo que es más, él lo trazó- y su mayor deseo es guiarnos y enseñarnos el mejor camino. El mejor camino no siempre es el más fácil, el más despejado o el más popular. El mejor camino es el que Dios ha escogido para forjar en mí su carácter y para traer gloria a Él. Entre más conozco su palabra, su carácter, su amor y su fidelidad, más sensible seré en cualquier situación a su guía en mi espíritu y corazón, así como mirando a través de sus ojos. Así como cuando el hijo pequeño le mira a los ojos de su papá y le sigue, confiando plenamente – sea por un camino, saltando a la alberca del trampolín o recibiendo una vacuna- cree, Papá me ama y sabe lo mejor.

Así que cualquier que sea el camino delante de ti hoy- sea enfrentar cambios en tu propio carácter o dejar un pecado oculto, la perdida de trabajo, un embarazo no esperado o la falta del embarazo deseado, un diagnostico temido, el fin de una relación, un hijo extraviado, o algún cambio grande o chico que Dios ha puesto delante de ti- decide seguir el camino que él te indica con mucho amor.

Pero ojo, el versículo siguiente nos da una advertencia, de esas que no nos gustan mucho, como cuando mamá dice: ¿Por las buenas o por las malas? No seáis como el caballo, o como el mulo, sin entendimiento, Que han de ser sujetados con cabestro y con freno, Porque si no, no se acercan a ti. (Salmo 32:9)

Entonces, ¿qué será? ¿Serás guiada por los ojos del Señor- ojos de amor y misericordia pero llenos de la verdad que tanto necesitas? Verdad que despierta y que nos libera de las mentiras que nos han dicho y hemos creído y nos han impedido realizar las maravillas que Dios tiene para nosotros y nuestra familia. ¿O seguirás corcoveando como caballo o mulo y así alargas tu proceso y repites las pruebas?

With all the news and talk these days, you would think someone is totally bent on stealing our peace- peace of mind, peace of home and peace of society. While we cannot change all of society, if each one of us did our part to contribute to the general peace, I think we could see a lot of change in a short time. but it starts with one. It starts with you, and it starts with me.

So, how can I have peace of mind when everything around me is anything but peaceful? When I was little, we often had heavy rains that sometimes would come down for days, but even then there were intervals that got very intense, and we would say, “It’s raining cats and dogs!” (Quite a thought if transliterated for my Spanish speaking friends trying to learn English. )

I think a lot of people feel like it has been raining cats and dogs on them. It started with an epidemic with pandemic proportions that set the world up for pandemonium as fear was spewed from every source you turned to. Go home, lock your doors, stay inside and hope to survive. Kind of like going into bomb shelters during war, but the bomb was really a grenade, possibly in the hand of anyone and everyone you come in contact with, so distrust quickly followed. Then economic turmoil began, as business was closed down for a few weeks then more and more, to the point you start wondering if you are even going to have a job to go back to. And that’s still not all.

Do you feel like it’s been raining cats and dogs on you?

Suddenly, life at home got intense. If you live alone, loneliness began to suround you like a turtleneck that’s just a little to high and tight to be comfortable. Even great introverts find it a bit too suffocating when it is no longer a choice but an imposition. If you have kids, you have gotten to know them a lot more in the last two months, but you may feel you just cannot go on with this unplanned home schooling and having them at home all day every day. So, you say, whatever to get out just a little while, so there you go for groceries. But that just adds to the stress- waiting lines to go in, disinfect, wear mask, keep your distance, don’t find half of the stuff you went for because the shelves are bare, get home telling the little one that runs to meet you, “Wait, don’t come near, no hugs until l I finish the regimen”, disinfect everything, shower, new clothes and your bushed. Enough already!

When a problem or situation seems to loom over me, and I feel overwhelmed, I know it’s time to back away to put things back in perspective. If I am up against a wall, I will not see the open doorway just feet away. If I have a dog barking at my heels, I may just run without looking back to see that his owner is about to call him off. If I am so intimidated by a Goliath situation that tells me all day that I just cannot beat this, that I forget (not in brain knowledge but in my thinking) that my God is much bigger and has promised me the victory.

So, how about it? Take some time today to back away from it all and gain a new perspective. Put away your phone, get in a quiet place (it may be when everyone has gone to sleep), and call on God. But sometimes we really need to quiet our mind and soul first to be able to hear God speak to us.

 I invite you to read, meditate and personalize Psalm 42, at least verses 3-5: My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. Why are you aast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.

Begin to thank God for a past occasion when he saw you through something really difficult. Remember God’s promises and his eternal faithfulness to his word, make a note and say a promise aloud because sometimes our ears really need to hear it. And sing a praise song to the Rock of our salvation and the God that is our refuge in times of trouble.

Then, listen to what he has to say to you. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. (Ps. 46:10-11)

The other day I was in a big store looking quickly for the things I needed and was starting to head for the checkout when I saw a long line forming in the main aisle nearest me. As I moved toward the start of the line to see, I asked myself, “What’s going on?” What do you know?! There were 2 employees that had just pulled out a pallet from the back and were starting to open 2 large boxes of bleach disinfectant wipes that would never see their place on the shelves. They began to give one and one only to each customer in the line. As if by inertia, I moved quickly to get in the line before I reacted thinking, I haven’t had any of those until now and really don’t even want them, so I moved aside. But as I stood there a few minutes, I observed how people coming into the store and toward me, as soon as they saw the line, most of them sped to get in it. Now, let me tell you, the line was long and you sure could not see what they were doing or giving. But, it’s like the people knew the drill. They’re giving something, it’s limited, I want/need it, so follow the line. Wow, that had me thinking… would that have happened 6 months ago?

People often pride themselves in not following the crowd and being their own person, but my question today is, how true is that? How much of what we think and do is really a result of the influences that come at us all day every day through social media, web surfing, news, entertainment, and the people that surround us? And how many times do we “get in lines” without really even realizing it?

The times we live in have been characterized by “me”- what I think (and I know I am right), what I want, and what makes me happy (or at least I think it will make me happy). The tendency I see is listening just long enough to get my opinion or solution in, which in reality, may be hearing but not listening (or would it be listening but not hearing? You get my point, right?). How did we get here? Since when does the world owe me? Since when am I more important than my neighbor, whether my next door neighbor, my classmate, the governor or a suffering child? Since when is the world supposed to rotate around me and cater to my desires?

God did not create us to be one in a long line of Oompa Loompas, following suit and going through the chocolate factory of life according to the whims of social influencers and higher-ups in politics and society. But neither did he create us to be a Charlie, believing we are entitled and others should submit to our plan and desires.

Romans 12 is one of my favorite passages of scripture, as it speaks clearly to the practical application of what it means to be a follower of Christ and representative of his will wherever we are and in whatever we do. And the first 2 verses pretty much sum up it all up. I have chosen the Young’s Literal Translation.

I call upon you, therefore, brethren, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies a sacrifice — living, sanctified, acceptable to God — your intelligent service;  and be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what [is] the will of God — the good, and acceptable, and perfect.

The essence of verse 1 is, I am not first, God is, so I need to recognize him and gladly surrender my whole life and being to him- LIVING for him, knowing I am SANCTIFIED -set apart unto him, and always pursuing that which is ACCEPTABLE (pleasing) to him. And verse 2 continues inasmuch as I truly surrender to God… I won’t imitate or be taken in by what everyone is doing or saying, but will be transformed from the inside out by a total makeover of how I think, so I can then discern and act on God’s will. God’s will is never evil but GOOD- but not just anyone’s definition of good, but the good that is ACCEPTABLE (pleasing) to God- his word outlines that. And his will is PERFECT- the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, with the right helps. (If any one of these factors is not ready, go to God!)

So, how about a bit of personal examination, or better yet, do as David and go to God each night as you lay yourself down saying, Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.  (Ps. 139:23-24)

See upcoming series on Renewing your mind.