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Posted on March 3, 2021 by beverlyeash

12Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.  All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Reflections can be puzzling. When I left home, my father gave me a hand mirror. I treasured that mirror for many years even after the glass grayed and cracked. It really didn’t provide a good reflection anymore with all the cracks, but I kept it.

At amusement parks you can sometimes find those wacky mazes filled with mirrors that reflect all kinds of craziness. So crazy, in fact, it’s more than puzzling. It’s misleading.

I look forward to the day when everything will be reflected with perfect clarity. I will know myself fully just as I am known completely by God. It is only he who can show me my heart and renew it according to his perfect design.

Until then I rejoice that God knows me completely and is intent on leading me in living a full life. I remind myself that what I see is a bit distorted and puzzling, I am not seeing with perfect clarity. One day all will come into sharp focus and I really believe I will say, “Oh my! I see now!” And all will be well.

Happy Hump Day!

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Posted on March 2, 2021 by beverlyeash

Reflection is a great tool. When I get ready to go out of the house, I utilize a mirror to check myself over. I make sure I don’t have my hair too misplaced or make up where it ought not to be. Checking over my clothes, I confirm I dressed appropriately for wherever I am going.

19As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.

Proverbs 27:19

Water also reflects our image. As Proverbs says, water reflects the face just as the heart reflects the real person. The only problem my heart isn’t visible to others, only to me. When I look into my heart and I see what is really there, only I can change it. Only I can decide what to do with the condition of my heart.

6“The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live! 

Deuteronomy 30:6

I rejoice that I am not alone in the reclaimation of my heart. The Lord has promised to be with me in the process. He changes my heart so I can live the fullest life possible. He uses many avenues to bring about the necessary change and one of those is his word.

22But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

James 1:22-25

How foolish it would be to look myself over in the mirror and walk away, completely forgetting what I look like. I just don’t do that. Neither should we forget what God’s word says to us. It is our life line, the foundation on which change happens.

How about you? Are you brave enough to look around in your heart and see what is really there? Are you willing to let God do the renovation work, reclaiming what is lost and giving you a fresh start?

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Posted on March 1, 2021 by beverlyeash

I had a short stint of teaching school. I loved it so much — the students were amazing and I learned so much from them. One aspect I really loved was talking to the kids one-on-one. I loved hearing their stories, the things that tripped them up, their questions and doubts about spiritual things. I loved it all.

Eventually, I met some of the students’ friends who attended other schools. Maybe they attended the same church or just met in the community and I started talking with these kids too. One young man in particular stands out to me. One evening after a basketball game we were talking and he told me I was scowling. He said I often scowled when I was talking with him.

Well, that was disconcerting. I didn’t want to be scowling at people. So I explored it a bit with my class on Monday. They confirmed that I, indeed, scowl. As I listened to them I realized my face was saying something that my heart did not agree with. I wasn’t scowling at them. In my desire to listen carefully, my eyes narrowed a bit and my head tipped to one side and my mouth straightened into a line — all aspects of a perfect scowl — except I was just listening intently. I didn’t want to miss a single thing the students said.

Just a few weeks ago, I was talking to my youngest sister. After a few minutes she said, “I just love talking to you. Your face reflects everything I am saying.” I didn’t realize it but my face responded to excitement in her voice or if the story was sad, my face responded to that.

I’ve been thinking about my face. What does it say that I don’t mean for it to be saying? If my face tells a story, then I think others might as well. What if the story I am seeing isn’t the one the person intends to be telling? Or what if I looked closely? Would I see the pain that she tries so hard to hide? Would I see fear? Anxiety? Anticipation? How would that change how I approach an individual?

It has been said, “We cannot control the beauty of our face, but we can control the expression on it.” Sometimes I wonder if that is true. I have attempted a poker face; I’m not very good at it. My face just seems to say whatever I am seeing or feeling.

Last week in a hair salon, I saw this verse on their wall.

19As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.

Proverbs 27:19

My question for myself, and for you, is this: what does your face reflect? Is it an accurate representation of what is inside? What do you see reflected in the faces of those around you? Are you pausing to see what others are saying without really saying anything?

Happy Monday! It’s going to be a great week!

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Posted on February 26, 2021 by beverlyeash

Twenty-six days of awareness of the Lord’s blessings. The phrase that sticks with me throughout my day is, “let me be singing when the day is done.” Initially, my impetus came from another phrase in the song — “the sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning, time to sing your praise again…”

It’s been good for me to focus on something every day for which I can bless the Lord. This month has been filled with twists and turns that I didn’t anticipate and — Wow! It provided so much opportunity to change course and adjust, all the while giving praise . . . finding one of 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord.

My prayer is that you have also had opportunity to find reasons to bless the Lord and at the end of the day, you are also singing!

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Posted on February 25, 2021 by beverlyeash

14How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.

James 4:14-16

Perhaps you have someone in your life, like I did in mine, who responded to any planning with the tried and true phrase, “Well, if it’s the Lord’s will…” or “Lord willing, we will…” And my eyes rolled believing that planning a shopping trip would surely be within the Lord’s will for the next day. But there is something to learn in this woman’s dependence on the Lord.

This week I have taken the opportunity to highlight the wisdom of holding our plans lightly, knowing that ultimately, planning is up to the Lord. He is the who sees the end from the beginning and knows if the plans we make will come to fruition. I am acutely aware of how quickly plans change and the disappointment that accompanies those changes. It seems the opportunity to flex has been my constant companion these days.

So, my daily prayer is acknowleding that this is the day the Lord has made and then praying Jeremiah’s prayer from his writing:

23I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. 24So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle.

Jeremiah 10:23-24

Especially the last words, but please be gentle! May these words be the hope you need in the changes you experience today!

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Posted on February 24, 2021 by beverlyeash

Sometimes a song just says it better than anything. As I awoke this morning, I was singing the familiar chorus based on Psalm 118:24, “This is the Day.” Wanting to listen rather than sing, I grabbed my I-pad to search for the song on YouTube. I had to chuckle listening to the various renditions until I found this one. I hope you enjoy it as you rejoice in the day the Lord has made for you!

May this day be filled with blessing and joy that comes from knowing the Lord has it all planned.

Happy Hump Day!

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Posted on February 23, 2021 by beverlyeash

22The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. 23This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. 24This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:22-24

This is the day the Lord made. What will my response be to this day? Will I rejoice in it? Will I be glad in this day, no matter what it brings?

As I read this verse again, I notice something I’ve missed before. These verses are prophetic, they point to Jesus. He is the stone the builder’s rejected — mentioned in the New Testament no less than five times. When I rejoice in the day the Lord made, I am rejoicing in the fulfillment of God’s plan to build his kingdom on the cornerstone of Jesus’ life.

Truly, this is a good day! One that deserves our praise! Today, the 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord include rejoicing for this day — the one he has made!

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Posted on February 22, 2021 by beverlyeash

9We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9

21You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

Proverbs 19:21

24The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

Proverbs 20:24

23I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. 24So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle.

Jeremiah 10:23-24

Yesterday my sister and I were talking about how our lives have taken turns we didn’t expect and yet, those turns and changes brought blessing we would have other wised missed.

So often I hold tightly to my plans, the direction I decided I ought to go, the course I plotted. When something comes along that changes those plans, what is my response? I have been challenged to make the adjustment, to live in the present moment of what is rather than looking back to what was going to be.

Even as I write that I imagine myself going in one direction while looking over my shoulder at where I have come from or where I could have gone. When I do that, I can’t see where I am going, I miss all the beauty of what is right in front of me.

There’s another aspect of change that I’ve been thinking about. Jeremiah says it well in the verses above. Sometimes a change in plans is an opportunity for God to correct me. Correct my trajectory, help me change my course or perhaps, correct my attitude, behavior, priorities — whatever is getting off course. It’s an act of grace.

So I join Jeremiah and pray, “Correct me, Lord. But please be gentle!”

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Posted on February 19, 2021 by beverlyeash

2You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.

Psalm 8:2

Valentine’s Day for many was filled with chocolates, flowers and special dinners to celebrate love with a significant other. Dave and I weren’t able to be together and I really wasn’t thinking about flowers, chocolates or fancy dinners. My mind was focused on helping my mom and I stay healthy.

Unfortunately we were both exposed to Covid the week before so we spent the week isolating, social distancing and staying active while at the same time watching for symptoms to indicate the presence of the virus. I noticed the first symptoms early in the week and by Valentine’s Day I was pretty sure we both had it. A rapid test confirmed that I was indeed positive. Mom needed a longer acting test to confirm the virus in her.

Actually, I didn’t need the positive test to know that we were sick. Valentine’s Day proved to be the pinnacle of the virus for both of us. Mom went downhill quite quickly. I felt inadequate, alone and unsure where this journey would take us. I shared Mom’s condition with my siblings and soon one of my sisters arranged to come and be with us. Already having recovered from the virus, she seemed like the best option for a second pair of hands.

Earlier on Sunday, my youngest daughter shared her experience at church that morning. Finley, my oldest granddaughter (4 years), was sitting with her during the worship service. At one point, Finley leaned over to Katlyn and said:

There is a new storm coming and it’s dark and cloudy but white birds can fly in it if we take it steady and slow.

When Katlyn asked her where she learned that she responded with a a shrug, “Storms always come.” And she returned to her worship.

I was absolutely so taken by the wisdom of this child. I don’t know who the message was for or what storm she might have been referencing. I do know that when I went to bed on Sunday night, I claimed it for myself. I thanked God for his sustaining power, that he is my shepherd and I have all that I need; I can fly in the coming storm if I take it steady and slow. I kept repeating, “steady and slow!”

Mom had a rough couple days but is now recovering beautifully! It is miraculous! We did make it through the storm when we took it steady and slow.

Perhaps you are facing a storm of your own. I invite you to claim this word of wisdom for yourself. The Father says you too can fly through it if you take it steady and slow! Have faith and carry on!

And listen to the children in your life! Jesus said their mouths have been taught to praise! (Matthe!w 21:16)

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Posted on February 18, 2021 by beverlyeash

30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 

Ephesians 4:30

Sometimes, as a parent, my children grieved me. Not so much anymore, but when they were younger, like in high school. When my son was a senior, I went to Arizona to attend my nephew’s wedding. It happened to be the weekend of senior prom. Friday afternoon – the prom was Saturday – I had an all important maternal conversation with my son. I asked some every pointed questions about his plans for Friday and Saturday and he promised me all would be well.

It was a few weeks later I discovered he had lied to me. No real harm had come from it, but I was grieved. It made me so sad that he lied to me – my trust was shaken. There were other kids involved, but I wasn’t grieved by their behavior — only by my son’s deception.

It seems to me that I – we – are grieved by situations/people that matter to us. If we are not vested in a person, the behavior and actions will not impact us in the same way. I was grieved because I love my son deeply. I want the best for him and this was not the best.

Scripture tells us that it is possible to grieve the Holy Spirit. Perhaps you are like me and have a distorted idea of why the Holy Spirit is grieved. After all, is it because I didn’t follow all the rules to the T? Did I do something wrong? Was I not enough?

Simply, the Holy Spirit is grieved because he loves me so much. He observes that I am making decisions that won’t bring about the best life for me, and it makes him sad. When I don’t move when he says move, or stay when he says stay, he is grieved. He knows that his leading is for my best, fullest life. He sees it; I don’t.

Perhaps it might help if you consider a situation that grieves you a great deal. What grieves you about it? Is it because you care so deeply? Imagine then for a moment that the Holy Spirit feels that strongly for you. He has a plan for your life and he wants you to prosper and enjoy every moment of it. When you don’t listen, when you go your own way — he is grieved.

Take a moment to pause and consider your ways. Ask the Holy Spirit if you have grieved him and then wait and see what he says. Restoration is worth the effort!

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