To A New Year

"Be not afraid, O land;
  be glad and rejoice.
  Surely the Lord has done great things.
22. Be not afraid, O wild animals,
  for the open pastures are becoming green.
 The trees are bearing their fruit;
  the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
23. Be glad, O people of Zion,
  rejoice in the Lord your God,
  for He has given you
  the autumn rains in abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before." Joel 2: 21-24

This says it all. There is nothing else to add, really. :)

Fear is counterproductive.

Instead, be happy. Enjoy the process, enjoy the moment, take pleasure in your work, whatever it is. We can rejoice in the simple pleasures life provides us, simple pleasures that also foreshadow a deeper joy to come.

"The trees are bearing their fruit." Something to believe, especially when you've planted the seeds.

The Recipe for Success

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

 Easier said that done... Despite how straightforward this proberb is, I believe there are several ways to understand it. The lesson I take from it is to learn to let go at some point, and to realize that as you build your own success, you do not necessarily have everything under control.

You can take advantage of an opportunity (and you don't want to miss one), but you cannot always control when one will appear. You can learn to spot it, trust your guts and act on it. In other words be gutsy and trust that it will pay off.

You cannot necessarily control circumstances, but you can make the best of them even if it means beating the odds. You have to trust that you can do it and that, to borrow some friends' expression, your luck is around the corner.

This might sound strange, but that verse also reminds me of team work. You do your part, and when you have done all that you can, you, for those who believe in such a concept, abandons it in the hand of a higher power. This is particularly relevant for a writer. You've spent months, years working on a single story, polishing your draft, revising a gazillion times. Then comes a time where you have to let go. Submit the story to a power other than yourself, higher than yourself, more experienced. Trust your story into the hands of an agent, of editors, of booksellers, and eventually of readers. Trust is key.

A rejection is a good thing, because I believe it makes you and your story stronger. YOU because you have to get passed it and look at the positive side: the story wasn't right for a certain editor or agent, which means a better opportunity, one more suited, will come along. It can also mean that your story is not strong enough yet. It is encouraging: it is better to find out now, before the story gets published and hit the shelves to catastrophic results. Lastly, it can also mean that you have to leave the story alone for the time being, especially if you feel that you can't look at it anymore, or you cannot think of ways to improve it. Put it in a drawer and strong from that experience, start afresh.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

Help Is on the Way

"People say that time will heal
But you know, they just don't feel what you feel
Times are hard but God is so good
He's never failed you, and He said He never would"
Song "Help Is on the Way," by Michael W. Smith and Israel Houghton. Click to listen.


Believing in God is a crazy thing. It is! It's irrational. It makes you think the impossible can happen --and it does happen. It restores joy and peace where there was sadness and distress. It forces you to go beyond yourself, to stretch the realm of what you can accomplish. It puts you in ridiculous situations, where only God Himself can salvage your reputation. When you're hurt, it makes you comfort someone else instead of having the self-pity party you feel entitled to. When nevertheless you've hit rock bottom, a hand appears out of nowhere and reaches to yours: a friend calls and nags you to come and visit, until you give in. Another emails to check on you. Someone you barely know would look after you in insignificant, yet positively impactful ways. The little things count.

Yes, believing in God is crazy, but it is also a wonderful journey. Never boring. At times maddening. Always fulfilling.

Here's a word to hold on to today. Regardless of what is happening in your life, God says,
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrew 13:5

The whole verse reads,
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
    'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

So no, you're not forgotten. He watches over you, He has promised.

Careful What You Say?

"A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating." Proverbs 18:6

I'm really not sure how to understand this one.

Peaceful Heart & Trust

"1. Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; 
 2. for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
 3. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
 4. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:1-4

It's all bout the heart and what's in it. Maybe we can hide what's in our heart from men but not from God. He knows our heart is sometimes frustrated and unsatisfied. He talks of a cycle some refer to as "karma", or "reaping what we sow". Do not envy those who do wrong, trust that you wouldn't want what they're reaping.

The third verse strikes me particularly: "dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." You might not like where you live right now, or where you work, or where you go to school, or else. However, is it safe? If you trust in God, you know everything happens for a purpose, and that in everything He wants to bless you ("And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him" Romans 8:28)--doesn't mean you will have it easy, that there won't be any trial, but you will have the strength to face them and to be victorious. He invites you to dwell, and to enjoy where you are, because it is safe. Because where you are, He is with you, as He says Himself: "I am with you always." Matthew 28:20

He knows our heart. He knows our desires. And He has already provided, because He loves us. So let's delight in Him. :)

Jesus' Request

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in Me." John 14:1

I am struck by the first three words: " do not let..." They tell me it takes a strong will to do so, a conscious decision not to go down that path. These words are not saying that 'not worrying' is an easy thing to do. They say, 'fight against the inclinations of your heart if you have to, but do not let it be troubled.' Almost like calming down a panicked child who is screaming out of fear. It takes some convincing to cool people down when they are in that state of mind.

I will take Your word for it. I will believe before my eyes see. So I trust in God, and I trust in You. This is going to be quite an experience... :-)

Cure to Anxiety

Seriously. Seriously?

There is always a reason to be anxious. Take health for example: parents' health, siblings, children. Did I mention H1N1? Money, fear to be laid off, given the current economy, or to be a victim of extortion, like we read it happening to other people in the news? And of course the list can go on... We can't help but worry. It's human nature, isn't it?
Yet He says,

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

Not that it's easy to do, or that you even feel like it. Still. Let it out. Say out loud what is bugging you. Release it. Because He says so. :)

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Being Covered

"I got you covered. I got your back"

I sometimes read or hear that, and it generally applies in situations where one is more or less in distress, and another one is being reassuring, as if saying, "Hey, I'm your friend. You can count on me. I'm vouching for you."

The following sequence of verses makes me think of that:

"But now, this is what the Lord says--He who created you, O Jacob,
 He who formed you, O Israel:
 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. 
 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 
 and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
 When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The flames will not set you ablaze.'" Isaiah 43:1-2

The Builder of the House

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." Psalm 127:1

So the question is: do I walk alone?
I get up in the morning and get busy: take care of the house, clean here and there, get ready for school, for work. I get there, and get busy once again, so busy that I never have time to look at the clock. Six PM rings and it's time to go home. I can't feel tired.  I barely have time to relax. Since I am not Super-Whoever (and what do I know about aliens, anyway? :-D) I feel my strength diminish, bit by bit... Wait a minute.

I get up in the morning and get busy: coffee's smell soon perfumes the house. Cereals are in the bowls, pancakes are warm and tasty, everything is ready for everyone. I take the big one to school, the little one follows me to the market. I clean here and there. I listen, I smile, I cheer. Do not kid yourself, relationships do take work. I'm happy, but why do I feel tired? Wait a minute. :-)

I see this little inscription in a corner of the room. A quote delicately painted in blue, on a wooden plate decorated with flowers and cute birds. Someone--I forgot who--offered it to me years ago. It is one of these things in the house that I see without seeing anymore. Why does it catch my eyes this morning?

"In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for He grants sleep to those He loves." Psalm 127:2

For some reasons, it makes me feel less guilty about taking that much needed nap.

Hope

" 'The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their forefathers to possess,' says the Lord." Jeremiah 30:3

To whom believes God speaks through the Bible--among other ways, "For God does speak--now one way, now another--though man may not perceive it." Job 33:14--it is commonly considered that when He addresses Israel, His people, He is also speaking to me, to you, and to whoever loves Him and has placed his trust on Him.

In this context Israel had been taken captive for years. In our context, it could be that we have felt stuck in a certain situation for some time. We've tried to get out of it, we've done our best to solve it, to invite peace, however without success. The situation has appeared beyond our control, and maybe we have felt captive.

God promises deliverance and restoration.

It's New Day

"It's the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

It's the day the Lord has made. It is actually the day He has made. What do I mean when I tell someone, "you made my day?" Don't I mean "you gave me great news?" "You made me happy?"
This morning I choose to rejoice ahead of time, because I know who made my day. I decide to leave worries under the rug and to enjoy the present. I choose not to worry about tomorrow, "for tomorrow will worry about itself." Matthew 6:34

Today is a day of victory. Because He says so. :-)

When You Can't Pray

Have you ever experienced these moments where you want to pray, you really do. For whatever reasons:

It could be out of self-discipline. You make a point to meditate every day. To pray every morning before leaving your house. Maybe before each meal. Maybe before closing your eyes for a good night sleep.

It could be because you are aching. Feeling desperate. Being sick. Only Heaven can help, you think.

It could be that someone you know is going through a hard time--lost a spouse, a child, a brother. Someone you know needs your prayers.

Still you can't pray. Maybe you think, I don't know how to do it. Or, who am I that God will even listen? Or yet again, does prayer really work?

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that word cannot express." Romans 8:26

For God so loves us, that His Spirit intercedes for us. There are prayers surrounding us, even when we can't mutter a word.

Because He says So

This is one of these gloomy days. The sky is gray, and so is my heart. Maybe yours. One of these days where you do not feel upbeat, do not have the strength to put on an optimistic mask, so that people around you won't feel uncomfortable. Because, who wants to be around a long face? A depressed soul?

You think of your future, but can't pass the gray sky. Or the blunt ceiling above your head.

Yet He says,

"'For, I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

So you let you heart beat again. You let hope sneak in. You let yourself believe that maybe one day, one day, something good will come out of what you are going through. You let peace happily take over.

The Spirit Within

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

Timidity: How many lost opportunities because of our timidity? How much would you, would we be able to accomplish if it were not for our timidity. You are at a conference. You need answers. You want to learn more about a specific topic or craft, but your shyness stops you from raising your hand, from approaching your favorite author, speaker, teacher with the burning question. You just missed an opportunity that could have changed your day or who knows, even your life. You missed an opportunity to network, possibly to make a new friend. Timidity. You see the sad face. The tears. The pain. However you're too shy to come closer and to show compassion.

Remembering that when you trust God, you are never alone. "I am with you, always." Matthew 28:20
No matter how weak you feel, He gives you power, love and self-discipline. The French version of that verse also translates: strength, love and wisdom.

Power. Strength: You need it to keep moving forward, and to believe regardless of how you feel inside.

Love: Can you genuinely accomplish what needs to be done (your work, your studies, what ever duties you have, small or big) if you do not have an ounce of love for it or for the people who will benefit from it? Would not the lack of love make the task unbearable, or boring, or meaningless?

Self-discipline: Self-discipline keeps the goal in front of your eyes. Self-discipline makes it happen. Self-discipline and wisdom."If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 Wisdom to make the right decision. Wisdom to keep the right balance. Wisdom in the spoken word.Wisdom in waiting. In Hope. In strength. In love.

New Town, New School, New Friends.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

New everything. How do you start over and still move forward?
Inevitably (or was it "evitable"?) I have made mistakes. Took on more than I can carry in terms of engagements. I have been told I need to slow down. Pace myself. Rest. Heal. How do you do it when you feel that time is short? When you want to help in the little time you are given?
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
You learn to trust God and to be patient. You accept that His timing is not yours. You trust that He is never late. You trust that He will instruct you and teach you the way you should go, that He will counsel you and watch over you. Always, regardless of the circumstances.