leslee-baron

Beyond Belief

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 18:46:26 GMT

My husband, Nate, recently brought up an argument we'd had several years ago. I was mad at him for bringing it up again and embarrassed to rehash the situation in front of our friends, but more than anything, I was angry that he still didn't see things my way.

I didn't want to be at odds with him, though, especially over an old issue (that I thought was resolved), so I asked God to help me let this go and move on. God answered that prayer, but not in the way I expected. When I asked God to help dissolve my anger over this subject, He opened my eyes to show me that Nate was right. (Gasp!)

I hadn't listened to him when he told me how important something was to him because I believed my logic trumped his emotions. In my mental game of rock, paper, scissors—logic versus emotion edition—I was sure my rational argument would always win.

It took five years for me to see why I was wrong. My husband's feelings that day did matter, even if what he wanted to do wasn't logical to me. Five years after the argument, I finally returned to him and apologized for not listening.

Fast forward to last week. I was out for a run thinking about something else that has me feeling conflicted—a loved one's relationship with God. They've told me they believe in God and even pray and regularly ask for His forgiveness. But they are missing something. They recognize Jesus as God, but not as Lord.

Just believing God is real isn't enough. James 2:19 says: "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." However, there is a critical difference between intellectually acknowledging who God is and having a transformative relationship with Him. Demons, who we know oppose God, acknowledge His existence (they "believe" and "shudder"), but this kind of belief doesn't translate into submission, love, or transformation.

It's one thing to recognize who God is, but knowing him as Lord is like the "2-step authentication code" you need to unlock your all-in relationship with Him. Until you see Jesus as God AND Lord, you're missing a critical component to your belief in God.

Friend, where do you stand on the spectrum of belief? Are you huddled far to the side of unbelief, or do you lean more towards the other side of trusting in Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Likely, you are somewhere in between. What separates those who simply believe in God from those who've surrendered their life to Him is allowing Him to be both Savior and Lord of our lives.

Like I was blind to the relevance of my husband's feelings during our disagreement, many people can't see their need to make Jesus the Lord of their lives. If you sense something is missing in your relationship with God—a true surrender—I encourage you to pause right now and ask Him: "God, help me see where I'm holding back. Show me what it means to make you not just my Savior, but also the Lord of my life."

Will We Believe?

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 01:14:35 GMT

Choosing Faith Over Worry

My oldest son, who is active-duty military, had been home for a two-week visit. The day he was scheduled to fly back to his base, he left our house at 4:30 AM after saying goodbye to his family, his dog, and his fiancé. After two flights and a long bus ride, he reached his car. Nearly 24 hours of travel later, in a country where he didn't speak the language, his car broke down, nearly driving him into oncoming traffic before stalling out. My son was 6,587 miles away from home on a continent across an ocean, and there was nothing I could do to help him.

In another instance, my daughter called from college, four hours away. "Mom, I locked my keys in my car!" I tentatively asked where her spare keys were. At home. In my kitchen. Once again, I was powerless to help.

Just when my son was at the end of his resources, God sent a church van driven by an American pastor, who stopped to help. And though my daughter had driven all around town that morning, she was on her college campus when she locked herself out. Campus security was there to assist her. She could have been stranded during any of her errands, but God allowed her to be locked out at school, where help was available.

Through situations like these, the Lord has shown me that I can trust Him with what matters most - my kids, my family, my finances, my future. This should give me peace and keep my worries to a minimum. It should , but that's not always the case.

My pastor recently shared a passage from Psalm 78:32 that caught my attention: "In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe." The Israelites had somehow forgotten all that God had done for them - the miracles He performed, like parting the Red Sea, guiding them with a cloud by day and fire by night, providing water from rocks in the desert, and sending manna from the sky.

I'd like to think that if God did those things for me, I'd never forget or doubt Him! But I'm not so different from the Israelites. God has intervened in my life more times than I'm aware, leaving more than enough evidence that He's aware of my concerns and more than capable of addressing them.

After all God has done for me, how can I still worry? Where does my doubt come from?

My pastor posed a simple question to our congregation: “Will we believe God?”

Friend, I'll ask you the same: Will you believe God to care for what's burdening you? Can you look back on your life and see the times when God came through for you in ways you never could have on your own? Bills paid when you lacked the means. Relationships restored that seemed irreparable. Illnesses healed when the prognosis looked grim. That's the handiwork of our God! What's impossible for us is possible for Him. But we have to believe that He is able.

He won't always help us in the way we want, but that's not because He can't. It's because His ways are best and result in His glory. If He can stop my son's car before it stalls in traffic and send an English-speaking pastor in a place where English is rarely spoken, He can be trusted with whatever concerns you're carrying.

Look back on your life and consider some of the hardships you've overcome. Can you see God's handiwork there? If not, look harder. He's been with you every step of the way.

As we're reminded in Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Friend, you can trust in God's ability and willingness to care for you. He's proven Himself faithful time and time again. We just need to choose to believe and then rest in His love and power.

A Conversation Often Avoided

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:02:36 GMT

But what if they don't know?

We talk about our workout routines, a recipe we tried, a book we read, the pockets in a new dress, and about a million other things that aren’t important. But when it comes to matters of eternal importance, we often fall silent. Why is that?

Recently, while discussing the topic of salvation, the person I was talking to interrupted me mid-conversation. When he stopped me, I had been hurrying through my side of the conversation, assuming he knew and understood everything I was talking about. “What if I don’t know? Tell it to me like I don’t know.” I can’t stop thinking about his request. I don’t want to stop thinking about it because it reminds me of the importance of clear, straightforward communication about matters of eternal significance and not making assumptions about what people do and don’t know.

So let me ask: Do you know where you’ll spend eternity? I know it’s a big question, but one with an answer that can bring peace and assurance. You can know before you die where you will spend eternity. You don’t have to wonder, weigh the difference between the good and bad you’ve done over your life, or hope that the universe will sort it out for you. Let me share with you, as if you don’t know , how you can be sure about your eternal destiny.

The Problem of Sin

We all sin (Romans 3:23). But why does that matter? The Bible tells us that our sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59.2), who is perfectly holy. This separation leads to eternal death (Romans 6:23), but the good news is that this isn’t the end of the story.

God’s Grace

Grace is God’s gift to us. We can’t earn grace, and we don’t deserve it. But because God loves us, He sent His son, Jesus, to die for our sins—the ultimate expression of His grace (Romans 5:9).

Jesus’ Sacrifice

When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the penalty for our sins. But it didn’t end there—He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death. His resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith and our hope for eternal life. (Romans 6:23)

Accepting God’s Gift

God offers us the gift of forgiveness and eternal life in Heaven. But like any gift, we must accept it before it belongs to us. We receive God’s gift by confessing our sins, turning away from them (repentance), and placing our faith and belief in Jesus (Romans 10:9-10.)

I think this is the part that is most confusing to people. Accepting a gift you don’t feel you deserve can be hard. It might make more sense to you that you need to earn that gift, which could be the reason many people try to work their way to Heaven. However, the Bible says the way to God is through faith, not good works. If our good works could get us to Heaven, then Jesus died for nothing.

When I accepted God’s gift 35 years ago, it changed everything for me. Not only did I gain assurance about my eternal destiny (not that I was too concerned about death as a young teenager), but I also found purpose, peace, and joy in this life.

Your Next Step

If you are ready to accept God’s gift, you can do it right now through prayer. Tell God you’re sorry for your sins, thank Jesus for dying for you, and invite Him to be the Lord of your life (Romans 10:9-10).

This is just the beginning of the good He has planned for you. I encourage you to tell someone about your decision, start reading the Bible, talk to God through prayer, and find a church where your faith can grow.

Friend, you are at the beginning of an incredible journey. God has good plans for you, not just in eternity but for here and now! You could wait until Heaven to get to know Him, but you’d be missing out on discovering all He has in store for your life.

Verses Referenced

Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Isaiah 59:2: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”

Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[ a ] Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 5:9: “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”

Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 10:9-10: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Serving One Master | Tale of a Dog Walker

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 18:56:37 GMT

Did you ever see one of those pictures of a dog walker casually strolling down the sidewalk, surrounded by a pack of pups of all shapes and sizes? I frequently think about that unrealistic scenario when I'm out walking with my three dogs. Three dogs, one me—the odds are rarely in my favor!

On most walks, I feel outnumbered and outmatched. If only they would all go the same way at the same pace without constant sniffing, scratching, peeing, pooping, and lunging at everyone and everything that that runs, walks, or rolls by. But as you can imagine, that never happens. Multiple times each walk, I find myself frozen in the middle of the path, arms pulled taut in different directions, leashes tangled around my feet, questioning why I thought this was a good idea.

It's in those frustrating moments that Jesus' words in Matthew 6:24 come to mind: "No one can serve two masters...You cannot serve both God and money." The Moody Bible Commentary explains it well: "A misplaced heart leads to a misaligned will that tries to serve two incompatible masters...Eventually defaulting to one or the other."

When I'm being pulled by three different dogs, only one of us can truly lead—either me or one of them. There can't be four masters. It's the same with our priorities in life. If our career climbs to the top, we devote our best efforts, overtime, weekends, thoughts, and energy to work success. If relationships rule, we pour ourselves into keeping others happy and thriving. How we invest our time and energy shows what's really mastering us.

Many of us would say that God is our master, me included. But I wonder, if someone examined my days, would they find evidence to support this? Or would they see hints of other masters—materialism, comfort, status?

As I untangle my feet from a web of leashes once again, I'm reminded that when I allow myself to be pulled in multiple directions, I'm not serving the Lord with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. There can only be one master of my life. When it comes to me, I choose the one true Master, Jesus, who gently leads me back when I find myself pulled in multiple directions.

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24)

JUST FOR FUN!

12 TIPS FOR WALKING MULTIPLE DOGS!

If it's at all avoidable, don't do it. (Ha! I laugh because I don't take my own advice.)
If you must walk multiple dogs, beg someone to go with you.
Always wear shoes with good support and sticky soles. Your feet must be able to firmly grip the ground when you need to dig in your heels to restrain your pack.
If you must wear gloves, wear something with some grip or traction. Do not wear gloves that are smooth or silky. You'll never get the grip you need to hold all those leashes.
Use leashes with a second grip handle closer to the dog's collar. You'll need that to keep your dog from jumping at other dogs, bikers, people, scooters, baby strollers, etc. (If you think that sounds awfully specific, you would be correct.)
Have your poop bags ready to go. If you buy those compact rolls of dog poop bags, separate the bags from the roll ahead of time, and open them up.
Speaking of poop bags, watch out for holes.
One more poop bag tip, always bring more than you think you'll need. You'd be surprised how many times three dogs can poop.
If you want to try one of those double-headed dog leashes, try to use it for two dogs who walk at a similar pace.
Do not make eye contact or say hello when approaching another person with a dog. Once you make eye contact, your dogs consider this permission to make contact—and it will not be with their eyes.
When walking multiple dogs in the winter, watch out for black ice, regular ice, snow, and any potentially slippery surfaces. If you get pulled by multiple dogs on ice, your backside will meet the pavement. (If you do wipe out, hold on tight and don't let go of the leashes when you fall!)
And whatever you do, never, never, ever let all your dogs walk unleashed like I did back in February 2023!

Happy dog walking!

Why Did I Even Consider This?

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 19:15:13 GMT

It was not the job offer that I expected. This offer was bad . The pay was awful, the work was not something I wanted to do, and the environment felt chaotic.

It should have been an immediate hard pass, right? But it wasn't. I really wrestled with what to do.

Why would I even consider a job like this?

At the time, I didn't have any other leads. I knew I would eventually find a job, but when I thought about my family's financial well-being, I felt rushed to get back to work, and that was giving me trust issues. Trust issues, meaning, should I trust myself and take the first offer I got, or was I willing to wait and trust God to provide the right opportunity at the right time? When you put it like that, the decision seems obvious!

During this time, God had been working in me, and I was starting to trust Him in a deeper way than I had before. The time I spent reading the Bible felt new and refreshing. But I was anxious about being without a job. One night, when I lay awake feeling overwhelmed, Philippians 4:6-7 flooded my memory. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I prayed that night, making my requests known to God. And in return—peace! God took everything I thought I understood about being unemployed and all those fears burdening my heart and replaced them with peace. My circumstances put me in a vulnerable position that allowed me to trust Him in ways I hadn't before. It was actually pretty cool.

Another neat thing happened in the days following the bad offer. God spoke so clearly through my friends. While deliberating about what to do, I asked my friends for advice and prayer. And they did not disappoint! What I couldn't see clearly, my friends could. (Sidenote: If you don't have a few friends you can turn to for prayer and honest, godly counsel, get some! Join a life group at your church immediately and establish your pack!)

Liz reminded me, "[The Lord] has given you clarity so far. It might be a hard no."

Stephanie pointed out, "God has led you so faithfully, and I see in you such a willingness to follow him and where He leads...it seems the delay is intentional."

Laura wisely said, "The Lord will help you know what to do, but I know he doesn't want you to make any decisions based on guilt, fear, or shame (Romans 8:1)."

Jennifer pointed out, " It would be a constant battle knowing all the time and energy you'd be putting into the job and not being [fairly] compensated . Don't sell yourself short. "

And Cindy observed, " I wish it [the position] was something you really loved."

The Lord used these ladies to speak truth to me in a way that helped me see so clearly. I graciously turned down the job offer and resigned myself to waiting it out and trusting God for His best.

Friend, I know this can be hard to do! Sometimes, I want something so desperately that it feels impossible to wait on God. It's easy to settle or convince myself that the thing I came up with on my own is good enough. When I give up waiting on the Lord because it feels like He's not listening or not going to answer how I want Him to, I'm setting myself up for more disappointment.

God's way is always best because what He has for us is better than our immediate happiness—it's holiness, which ultimately leads to joy.

Friend, I don't know what you are going through today. And I won't pretend that what worked for me will work for you. (I wish there were a magic, no-fail formula we could share with each other!) But what I do know with complete confidence is that time spent meditating on God's Word is never a waste of time. Whatever you are up against, filter it against the truth in God's Word and enlist some godly friends for backup. And remember what my friend Laura wisely said, " The Lord will help you know what to do!"

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

More of You, God (Less of Me)

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 12:00:01 GMT

I left my last job running (sprinting, really), closing that door firmly behind me. I ran directly into another job and just kept on running. The new position was just a temporary one, and I (wrongly) thought I'd be able to fill in temporarily for our church's communications director while simultaneously looking for (and securing) my new permanent position. That did NOT happen. Lol. Little did I know how hard I would work in that temporary position. At the end of the day, I had very little left in me for a full-on job search. And suddenly, there I was, having jumped off that unexpectedly fast-paced employment merry-go-round and officially unemployed.

I would have been happy about the break if not for the fact that I wouldn't be collecting a paycheck and for the intrusive thoughts that were casting doubts about my self-worth and financial stability. Really happy, in fact.

But finding a job is harder than it should be. The current application and interview process is absolutely broken. I've applied for jobs that read like they were made for me and didn't even get the opportunity to interview. I felt worried and scared about what would happen if I wasn't contributing to our family's income. When it came to my job search, I felt like I'd run straight into an impenetrable brick wall.

Yet here's the thing: I fully believe, like, 100% fully believe, that the Lord ushered me out of my last job. His handwriting was all over my departure—the way He provided a "soft landing" in the temporary position at my church and in the positive way the terms of my resignation were received. Yet there I was, battling insecurity, depression, and fear, wondering what might happen if I didn't secure a new job fast.

Where was all that faith I had three months ago when I confidently handed in my resignation in exchange for a short-term position?

I'm still trying to figure this all out, and as backward as this may sound, I think my faith may be stronger today than it was in December when I turned in my notice. Why stronger now? Because I've been wrestling with it, proactively searching for answers, and working out my faith muscles in ways I hadn't used them before.

I recently heard something in a message from Jackie Hill Perry that resonated with me. She said, and I'll paraphrase, that although we tell God we want more of Him and ask Him to fill us up, we are too full of ourselves to allow much room for Him—much less more of Him. She gave the example of a nearly full water bottle. If you hand that nearly full water bottle to someone and ask them to fill it up with fresh spring water, they can top you off, but your bottle is already full, so you won't be getting much of the fresh water. That's how I've been with God, asking for more of Him but giving Him very little room to fill me.

Have you ever said: "Lord help me..."

"...find a job." And then try to make a mediocre job offer sound like a gift from Him?

"...meet 'the one.'" And then try to justify how someone who doesn't meet His standards is the one God sent?

"...overcome this sin in my life." And then make excuses or justifications as you modify the sin to a more "acceptable" measure?

I am learning that God is able to meet my needs. And when I surrender my independence, He will meet my needs in ways I've never experienced. The more I let go of doing things my way, on my terms, in my time, the more room I give God to work in His holy and perfect way. And in this way, I get the more of Him that I've been asking for. But I'll never get there if I don't surrender my plan. My need surrendered to His will, becomes the platform on which I will receive more of God.

What does this mean in regards to my job search? Well, for starters, it means letting go of my independence and trading my best for God's. (This is not the same as becoming irresponsible and giving up on looking for a job.) It means taking Philippians 4:6 to heart. God tells us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." So, as I am looking, applying, writing, and rewriting my cover letter for the hundredth time, I am not giving in to worry or anxiety, but I am bringing my need to God—over and over again. I am committing my job search to prayer and petition.

Friend, I know it takes an extra amount of faith to let go of something important, like the desire for a job, a life partner, or a child. I know it can seem impossible not to feel anxious, pointless to ask God over and over for the same thing, and even irresponsible to trust God instead of fretting. But when we surrender, we give God permission to meet our needs in His best way, and we get to receive more of Him. Yes, it is easy to trust the Lord when we feel in control, but there is so much more we will learn about Him and receive from Him when we fully surrender to His plans and purposes.

What do you need to surrender to allow more room for God?

Discerning the Voice of God

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 22:54:37 GMT

(Amidst the Noisy Voices in My Head)

Last year, I worked remotely as a content writer. Most of the time, I sat at my desk and worked independently, without the distraction or interruption of meetings or co-workers. But, at random times throughout the week, I would get spontaneous Zoom calls from my boss wanting to review a proposal I'd submitted.

Most of the time, when he would call, he hadn't read my work beforehand. I'd stop what I was working on, answer his Zoom calls, and then watch him skim my document, looking for edits. I would sit at my desk, watching his expressions on my screen as he read, paused, and pondered. Then, as his head turned back to face the screen, I'd prepare myself for the critique.

"Don't use puns," he'd say in a father-knows-best voice. "They're cheesy."

"This headline to your story doesn't make sense. Rewrite it."

"You've missed the whole point of this program."

"Where did you get this information? This can't be accurate."

I didn't mind his feedback but wasn't crazy about his condescending delivery. I appreciate good edits and feedback, even when it involves swallowing my pride and starting all over. However, I wouldn't say I liked sitting across the screen from him, waiting for him to review my work, and then getting barraged with negative feedback. It made me dread those Zoom calls.

I didn't dread those meetings because his assessment was inaccurate. I dreaded his calls because they made me feel small, sometimes stupid, and inferior.

I've spent a fair amount of time thinking about this. I couldn't help but draw a parallel between how we may perceive God watching us disapprovingly, scrutinizing our choices, and how my boss delivered his feedback about my proposals. Have you ever felt like God was watching, just waiting to catch you doing something wrong? (I have.) In your thoughts, have you ever imagined Him saying:

"That was such a stupid thing for you to say!"

"Why did you do it that way? You are an embarrassment."

"Is that the best you can do? Anyone else could do better!"

Friend, God does not talk to us like that. When God speaks to us, His Words are full of truth, grace, and patience. One of my favorite examples of God speaking is in 1 Kings 19:12 when the Lord approaches Elijah.

Elijah has been through a huge spiritual victory. He challenged the prophets of Baal in a "battle of the gods," so to speak, and won. (Naturally!) Yet after this big win, Elijah ran and hid. He was exhausted and even depressed. When the Lord sought out Elijah, He spoke to him in a "gentle whisper" (1 Kings 19:12, NIV). No accusations, no tone of disbelief. He was gentle and understanding.

When Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate the fruit from the tree of good and evil, God didn't call them names or tell them how stupid they were. When He walked into the garden, He asked, "What is this you have done?" (Genesis 3:13) Again, no name calling. No adjectives or expletives.

How about Saul's encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus? Acts 9:1 reminds us what Saul had been up to, breathing murderous threats against the Lord's disciples and looking for Christians so he could throw them in jail. When God stopped him on the road, Saul heard God's voice: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4). If anyone deserved a scolding from God, it was Saul. But even with him, the Lord's tone is calm and practical. He approached Saul with a legitimate question; He didn't firehose him with accusations.

Are you catching on to what I'm suggesting? God doesn't talk to us like the voices in our heads do. He didn't even speak to those who opposed Him in the mean, hurtful way we let the voices in our heads talk to us.

God spoke gently to a tired old prophet like Elijah and calmly to Adam and Eve after they gave in to their sinful nature and altered His perfect plan for all humanity. He even spoke patiently to Saul, whose favorite pastime was hurting God's people. How can you believe He'd speak anyway else to you , His child, friend, redeemed?

The Bible calls the devil a deceiver (2 Corinthians 11:3), accuser (Zechariah 3:1), and the father of lies (John 8:44). He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). When he lies, he speaks his native language (John 8:44). If the voice you hear sounds like any of these descriptions, stop listening immediately because that's not the Lord's voice or His thoughts about you.

Dear friend, let us be discerning of the voices we allow to shape our thoughts, actions, and views of ourselves. Listen for the Lord's voice—it will be the gentle voice whispering messages of truth, patience, and grace.

Time To Be Real

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 20:14:09 GMT

It was not a typical Friday night for me. I was sitting in a crowded pub in Milwaukee, surrounded by my family. There was a live polka band playing (yes, you heard that right, a live polka band. Like I said, I was in Milwaukee.), and the upbeat sound of the accordion had everyone's toes tapping. Suddenly, my daughter said, "You're going to "BeReal" with me!" and leaned over to include me in her selfie.

Are you familiar with BeReal? I'd never heard of this unfiltered app until about a year ago when my daughter told me I was about to BeReal with her and took my picture with her phone. If this is a new concept to you, BeReal is an app where you show what's going on in your life in real-time. You never know when you'll be prompted to BeReal, but once your phone tells you it's time, you have two minutes to snap a picture of yourself being real in the moment. There are no edits. No filters. Just you in the moment.

As we jump into the new year, I'm going to be real with you. Although I had more than a two-minute warning, the Lord recently prompted me to take some quick steps of faith that will force me to be real about how I trust Him.

Around this time last year, I started a new job. But after just a few months, I knew it wasn't a good fit. I stuck it out, tried to keep an open mind, and waited to see if the tides would turn while learning whatever I could from the position. But as the weeks passed, I sensed so strongly the Lord prompting me to resign. Which, honestly, sounded better and better every day.

But I wasn't about to quit my job without another lined up. So, I prayed and waited while I applied for other jobs. As the days went by without any interviews, I felt this desperation growing in me. I knew I needed to leave this job, and I even felt like the Lord was prompting me to resign, yet it felt foolish to do so without something else lined up.

Then, the Lord intervened in an unexpected way. The communications director from my church was about to take a 10-week leave. We'd already agreed that I'd fill in for her while she was out, carrying out the most essential functions of her job while she was away. A week before she was scheduled to leave, without a shadow of a doubt, the Lord distinctly prompted me to send her this text, "If you weren't trying to respect that I have another job that I am trying to work around while filling in for you, would you have more things to assign to me while you are out?"

She replied, "Yes, but they are BIG projects, and I don't have time to prepare you for them before I leave."

The Holy Spirit prompted me to text one more thing, "If you had more work to pass over right away, I'd quit my job and dedicate my time to your projects and my job search."

In less than 24 hours, she'd come up with a list of things I could work on in her absence, got the extra hours approved by the senior pastor, and I'd written and turned in my letter of resignation.

I quit my permanent job for a 10-week assignment in less than a day. And it felt great!

In the back of my mind, there is some doubt about what will happen when the 10 weeks are up and this temporary position is over. Finding a job is hard work and takes time. The odds are not in my favor that I will have a new job by mid-March. But for whatever reason, I'm not worried about this. This 10-week assignment feels like a gift, a way out of the wrong job while trusting Him with the rest. With such a strong sense of certainty, I know the Lord is in the details. How do I know this? That's easy—it's because I feel so much peace about a decision that would ordinarily give me so much anxiety.

Be Real with Me in 2024

Whereas I am not a big fan of suddenly being pulled into someone's selfie, I am all in favor of being real with each other. I want you to be real with me when I ask you how you are. And I want it to be ok for me to be real with you, to tell you how I'm really feeling. Above all, I want us to be real enough to talk about how we see God working, or maybe not working, in our lives.

I took a leap of faith when I handed in my notice without a solid plan for what's next. I trust that God will be real with me—real present, real in guiding my steps, and real in growing my faith to trust Him more.

As I commit to being real in the new year, I am encouraged by the reality of God's presence and guidance in my life. In times of doubt about what the future holds after this 10-week assignment, I feel peace knowing that God is not confined to my timelines or limits. He is real in every step I take, guiding me even when the path ahead seems uncertain.

So, as you navigate your own journey of being real, I encourage you, friend, to recognize the realness of God in your life. Be open to His promptings, even when they seem unconventional or go against the norm. Trust that He is real in guiding your steps and growing your faith.

Happy New Year!

Stepping Stones of Faith

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 14:00:25 GMT

One of my absolute favorite things is to hike through the woods with my people and pups. It doesn’t matter if it’s the same old trails or someplace new—the fresh air and exercise always refresh me.

Let me take you back to a day we were hiking at Starved Rock State Park. We’d walked awhile before we found a pretty waterfall and some caves to explore. All we had to do was cross a little stream to get to the other side. But there was no bridge in sight.

Now, my husband and kids didn’t hesitate. Without a second thought, they stepped rock to rock to get to the other side. But I was momentarily stuck in place, thinking about how wet socks and shoes could ruin my day.

I wanted to be on the other side with my family - exploring, having fun, and posing together for cute photos. But I wanted a sure and easy way over that stream that didn’t include the chance of getting my feet wet. After looking around and finding no other option, I tentatively took the slippery rocks to the other side and was glad I did. It was beautiful over there, and I got those special pictures with my family that every mom treasures.

Our Figurative Bridgeless Streams

This got me thinking about the figurative “bridgeless streams” that are common in our day-to-day lives. For example, maybe on the other side of your stream is a better job, a more fulfilling relationship with your significant other, or children that come the first time you call. We want these things, sometimes even desperately, but don’t want to take the slow route. We’re not willing to chance a slip or the figurative wet shoes or take the necessary risk to get there. We want direct access through the bridge.

A 40-Year Walk for an 11-Day Journey

Have you noticed that God doesn’t usually take us on the fastest, most direct path? In my experience, fast and direct is rarely His MO! For example, did you know that the Israelites could have completed the trip from Egypt to the Promised Land in 11 days? Yet, God purposely led them through the wilderness for 40 years! Forty. Years.

God was training His people to trust Him. He made good on His promise to provide. He led their way with a cloud by day and a flame by night, satisfied their need for nourishment by sending manna and quail from Heaven, and provided water from a rock to quench their thirst. Yet they grumbled and complained and insisted on learning things the hard way. (Sound familiar to you too?) It was more important to God that His people learn to trust Him than it was for them to arrive at the Promised Land on their timetable.

Stepping across wet rocks requires us to be alert, patient, and willing to take things slow. It’s the same with the lessons the Lord is teaching us. Learning to trust Him is more important than getting to the other side quickly—no matter what awaits us. My good friend recently reminded me that God’s best often comes to fruition through our small steps of obedience.

Slow Down

Friend, whatever it is you are eager to accomplish, whatever the coveted item is on the other side of your stream, slow down in getting there. By looking for the fastest way across, you take the slowest. God is not interested in how quickly you get there. But He’s very invested in your willingness to seek, listen to, and trust His lead. When you do this, those stepping stones that once looked wet and risky end up being the most secure and certain way across.

When Someone "Flips Their Top"

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 01:16:01 GMT

Learning to Listen

My Grandma Betty has been gone for many years now, but I still remember roughly 30 years ago when she was battling breast cancer. She'd decided to have a mastectomy and eventually got a prosthesis.

Grandma had a big, outgoing personality, and I remember how eager and unembarrassed she was to show anyone curious how her prosthesis worked. We were standing in her bedroom one day when she asked me if I wanted to see it. Before I could politely decline, she lifted her shirt over her face. Grandma wasn't embarrassed, but I sure was!

The longer I live, the more convinced I become that we all are a little like my Grandma Betty. I'm not suggesting that everyone's willing to flash their tops. (Thank goodness!) But whether you're 10, 15, 25, 50, or whatever, I bet you've got a scar to show or a story to tell.

What do you do when someone unexpectedly lifts their top? (Figuratively speaking, hopefully!) Sometimes it can be awkward. There are times when I don't know what to say. Many times, I can't relate. At times, the topic seems so personal I wonder why they are telling me. But more often than not, I find myself at a loss for words, the right words, and I'm not sure what to say. I don't want to come across as insensitive, or unknowingly say the wrong thing.

As easy as it is to say the wrong thing, you can't go wrong with being a good listener. As they tell their story, I listen to hear how God was at work. They may not be ready for me to point it out, but it's always a blessing when you can catch a glimpse of God's intervention, redemption, or His presence in the hardship.

Are you familiar with the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis? (Or you may know the story from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat .) His jealous brothers tossed him in a pit and later sold him to some merchants who took him back to Egypt. Imagine the emotions Joseph must have felt! Fear. Betrayal. Anger. Sadness.

This young man was sold into slavery by his brothers, became a servant in Potiphar's house, was falsely accused of sexual assault by Potiphar's wife, was then thrown in jail, and seemingly forgotten. Eventually, Joseph rose to a position of power after interpreting the Pharaoh's dream and became the one whose plan and preparation spared Egypt from the upcoming famine. So, when he saw his brothers again after all these years, he undoubtedly had a lot to say! (Where would he even start?!)

Although the Bible doesn't give us a play-by-play of their dialog, the text shows that Joseph's brothers stood back and let him talk. They listened. (Genesis 45:3-13) That was probably a good move. What could they possibly say, given the situation? My second observation is that because Joseph's brothers were listening, they didn't have to wait long to hear how God used Joseph's position for good despite their original evil intentions for him.

What a gift we can give our friends by simply listening. What a gift we receive when we are trusted with someone's story and see God at work. The next time someone "flips their top" to show you the scar, whether literal or figurative, lean in, listen up, and take a close look. You honor them by listening, and your faith will be strengthened and revived when you see how God was with them in their trial.

Balancing Faith and Feelings

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 19:51:51 GMT

Why You Can Have Them Both

W e all know that when a Southerner says, "Well, bless your heart," it's not typically a compliment. I'm originally from WI and have lived in the north my entire life, but even a midwestern girl like me recognizes a southern jab when she hears one. Saying "bless your heart" is just an insult in disguise.

Recently, it dawned on me that we Christians also have a way of trying to put a positive spin on things when they're not so nice. The southerners have, "Bless your heart," and we say, "But God is so faithful…"

For example, someone might say, "I lost my job and can't afford to pay any of my bills. I'm really stressed, and I'm scared that I'm going to lose my house. (Cue brave smile) But God is so faithful…."

God is faithful, and this absolutely should bring us comfort. But let's be real. I know from my own life, and I bet you do too, that sometimes, even though God is faithfully by my side, some situations really stink! Yet often, as a Christian, I feel like I'm expected to grin and bear it (with God faithfully by my side).

But God's faithfulness should not diminish the fact that I'm hurting or struggling. There are two sides to each coin. In this case, on one side is the hurt, frustration, or injustice of what you are going through. And on the other is God's faithfulness. Both sides are very real, and you don't have to choose one over the other.

Mind you, I'm not a psychologist or therapist or anything like that, so this is all just my opinion. But too often, I've heard Christians disregard their feelings and play the faith card instead, and I just don't think it needs to be one or the other.

We don't need to cover our feeling s with faith. God created us with feelings. Throughout the Bible, Jesus himself expressed emotion. He wept tears of sadness, flipped tables in anger, displayed frustration, and showed compassion—all in a righteous way. Our feelings don't challenge our faith; they complement it.

Friend, don't be afraid to acknowledge your emotions and view them as a reflection of our Creator's design. And at the same time, find comfort in God's faithfulness. It's not a matter of choosing one over the other but rather welcoming both—our feelings and God's faithfulness. In this balance, we honor Him and are honest with ourselves.

When God's Answer Is No

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 21:28:52 GMT

This summer, I've been wrestling with some things that made me feel down and a little off. These issues were starting to impact my faith in negative ways. And even thoug h I've been a Christian a long time and know that God doesn't always allow things to work out how I think they should, I'd let this become a wedge between the Lord and me.

I let a week slip by without reading my Bible, and soon, my prayer life, which felt like a stale repetition of the same words day after day, felt dull and one-sided. I thought if I was bored with my prayers, surely God must be too.

A Sudden Realization

A few weeks into my inadvertent prayer and Bible fast, I was missing my fellowship with the Lord. I found myself thinking frequently about Him and about the things I'd let get between us. Then one day, it dawned on me. I was expecting God to do something He never said He would do, and the space I could feel between us was not because He'd moved away or stopped listening—it was because I had. He was still listening to my prayers and knew what I asked. But His way is best, so His answer was no, or maybe not now, or not like this.

Making This Relatable

Picture someone you love—your spouse, child, or best friend. Now think about what would happen if they asked you for something that was in your power to give, but you knew it wasn't best for them or that now wasn't the right time. You wouldn't give it to them, right? Out of your great love for them, you'd hold back giving your loved one what they wanted, even if they wholeheartedly believed it was good and right for them.

I think this is very much what it looks like between God and us. He knows us best and sees the whole picture—from beginning to end. We know how much He loves us because He died to spare us from the punishment of our sin and secure our spot with Him in eternity. So when we pray, and His answer is no or not now, it's because He loves us and is waiting to give us His best—not because He doesn't care, isn't listening, or has moved away from us. Quite the contrary, He loves and never leaves us.

I'm the one who moves away.

I'm the one who gets tired of waiting.

I'm the one who misinterprets silence for absence.

Transform Your Thinking

Friend, the next time you choose to hold back something "good" so your loved one can have what's best, remember that God does this same thing for you. It's time to transform your thinking. Think of God's "no" as "I love you" and His "not now" as "I have something better for you." I guarantee things will feel different when you start thinking this way. Instead of feeling like God doesn't care or isn't listening, you'll feel like the treasured and protected child of God that you indeed are.

The Blog That Almost Didn't Happen

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 01:36:41 GMT

Picture me sitting next to a wastepaper basket overflowing with my rejected, crumpled-up attempts to write something inspiring or funny for my friends to read. Everything I started felt all wrong. I looked for inspiration in all my regular sources and some new ones too, yet every time I'd get started on a new idea, I felt a strong sense that it wasn't the message the Lord wanted me to share.

I always try to write honestly about what God has been teaching me, sometimes even to the point of sharing things I'd rather keep to myself. So today, I'll admit that I've been distracted lately from the thing that matters most to me. And I think that's why I am struggling to write this blog.

For the past two months, my reading through the Bible plan got interrupted by other things. When I got back on track, some of the enthusiasm I'd had before was gone. That's been disappointing. And when I sit down to pray, my prayers suddenly feel stale, and I'm struggling to find the words and devotion that once came so naturally. I'm missing that close fellowship that had come so easily not long ago.

So how can I encourage you in your walk with the Lord when my own suddenly feels less like a walk with a loving father and more like sitting alone on a bench (albeit a bench at a busy park with lots of noises, things to look at, and multiple interruptions)? I'll share with you the same thing I'm telling myself. Just keep showing up. Keep reading your Bible. Keep praying, confessing your sin, and inviting the Lord to work in your life. Persevere with expectation. And maybe we'll find that what feels like God's silence is Him waiting for us to tune out the distractions and tune into His voice.

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him." Psalm 62:5, NLT

Belonging

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 16:20:55 GMT

I was standing in the middle of the high school football team’s practice field, which at the time was set up for a regional cross country meet. Loud 80’s rock music was playing over the PA system. The late fall wind was whipping my hair across my face. My toes were already freezing in my wet shoes. But I didn’t care about any of those things as I stood there watching my daughter on the other side of the field.

It was about five minutes before race time. The runners on the girls varsity cross country team were huddled in a circle, gearing up for a big race on a freezing cold Saturday morning on a wet and muddy course. Guns and Roses’ Welcome to the Jungle was blasting over the PA system. And my daughter, the tallest by several inches, was in the middle of a huddle of runners dressed in purple, psyching herself and her teammates up before an important race.

And momentarily, time stood still as I flashed back to a memory from just two years earlier. Same girl. But a very different girl. Still the tallest in the group, but she’s not surrounded by a pack of friends or even accompanied by a single companion. She’s at my side. Always at my side. She could be surrounded by peers, even peers with similar interests and values, yet still be very much alone. No matter if it was for reasons of her own doing, some subliminal vibes coming from the other girls, or a combination of both, whatever the reason, she felt like she didn’t fit in, and she didn’t really try to.

But at this moment, she belonged with this group of purple-clad runners. She was accepted. Welcomed. And surrounded by friendship. That moment made such an impression on me that I went home and wrote about it. (Once I thawed out and could feel my fingers again!) But what does it mean for us today? How many of us have had an experience like my daughter's—when we felt alone, left out, or like we didn't fit in? If we are honest, I bet we've all been in her place at one time or another. Maybe you were...

The only single person mingling among a group of married couples.

The only non-mother in a group of women talking about their kids.

The new member in a group of old childhood friendships.

The only woman at the boardroom table, all the other chairs filled by men.

In those uncomfortable moments, when loneliness creeps in, and you are desperate to feel like you belong, remember what Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:4: “ For he [God] chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”

God chose you. You belong to Him. You have a place with Him. And He will never leave you. You have value.

Yet, in a moment of total transparency, I must admit that even though I know God has chosen me and am dearly loved by the Father, sometimes I still want a friend at my side or to be engulfed in a hug. We can be that for each other! We need people to remind us that God chose us while simultaneously needing friends whose physical presence says, "You belong here with me. You are welcome here. I am here for you."

Today, challenge yourself to look for the one who needs to hear that God has chosen her—and tell her! Look for someone who is standing alone—and be a friend.

Warning Lights

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 13:00:03 GMT

When Life Feels Like More Than You Can Handle

When every warning light on my car's dash turned on at the same time, naturally, my first thought was, "Oh no!"

But my second thought was, "Me too, car. Me too." (More about that in a moment.)

Since I don't speak car, I rely on those little red and orange lights to tell me when my car has a problem or anticipates a need. Many of these lights are straightforward, such as tire pressure (check the air in my tires and add or release as needed), low gas (get gas, duh!), or even the dreaded check engine light (which usually just means I'm due for an oil change, but a trip to the mechanic might also be necessary).

But where do you even start when so many lights go on at once? It felt like a huge emergency, but at the same time, it also felt like maybe my car was overreacting. Either way, so many warning lights could not be ignored, so we started with a Google search.

Long story short, one of those orange lights was telling me that the sensor on the back of my car was dirty, preventing some of the safety features from working. I wiped the sensor with a clean rag, started the car, and waited for the light show. But the lights didn't come back on. All those dang lights had been on to warn me that the sensor in the back of my car was dirty. Talk about dramatic!

But that situation got me thinking. What if people had little red and orange lights across their faces? What might those lights be saying?

I'm hurt.

I'm brokenhearted.

I'm depressed.

I'm overwhelmed.

I'm lonely.

I'm scared.

I'm done.

At the time of my car's mini-meltdown, inwardly, I felt very much the same. My new job was a little stressful. I felt stretched too thin between work, home life, church commitments, and maybe a few too many volunteer obligations. And although the calendar might say it's spring, I am so weary from the cold, short, dark days of a long Illinois winter. So, when I saw my car warning me that everything felt broken, it felt relatable.

When You Feel Your "Warning Lights" Turning On

This time the issue with my car wasn't really an issue at all. I just needed to notice a dirty sensor and wipe it clean. The solution wasn't difficult, expensive, or even inconvenient, but it was necessary.

I'm no expert on cars or the human body, but I know one thing for sure. Friend, if you feel like you are doing too much, you are. Cut yourself some slack and listen to your body. Start by looking objectively at each appointment on to-do on your list and ask:

What would happen if I didn't do this?

Can any of these things wait for another time?

Could someone else do this?

Am I expecting too much of myself?

And most importantly, are these things on God's plan for my day or on my plan?

Once you answer those questions, hopefully, you'll see something that you can cut out—even if it's just temporarily. Like the dirty sensor on my car was no big deal, you might notice that it's a bunch of non-essentials that are making you feel stressed, over-extended, or overwhelmed.

So, cut yourself some slack and listen to your body. Allow yourself to take a break. If it feels like something is wrong, then something is wrong. Make another list. This time, list the things that refresh you: a walk, coffee with a friend, a good book, prayer, a nap! Then, choose something from your list and do it until you feel like yourself again.

Sometimes life IS hard, but the Lord promises to help and uphold us. Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Doesn't that sound nice? The next time your load starts to feel like too much, go to God and allow him to gently and humbly take your burden and give you rest. And like the clean rag that wiped my car's sensors clean and deactivated all the warning lights, His gentle touch will bring you rest.

The Year I Turned 46 on My 45th Birthday

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 14:00:06 GMT

I was the girl who always wanted to be older, who grew into the woman who naturally wanted to be younger. The year I turned 29 was the first of about 12 birthdays when my family put the numbers two and nine together on my birthday cake. And when you turn twenty-nine twelve years in a row, it's easy to forget how old you really are!

Three years ago, I turned 46, or so I thought. It made sense. My husband is 11 months older than me, and he was 46, so logically, I was 45 turning 46. Fast-forward several weeks later to my husband's 47th birthday when a childhood friend convinced him that he was 46, not 47. We did the math repeatedly, and sure enough, my husband was 46, which made me 45. But to double-check, I called my brother, who is two years younger, and asked him how old he was. You already know, right? He was 43, confirming I was 45. 

Ok, so here's my point. I was convinced I was 46. There wasn't a doubt in my mind. Even though I sincerely believed I was 46, that just wasn't the truth. No amount of belief would change the fact that I was wrong about my age. 

This got me thinking about how easy it is to accept the things we believe as truth, even though that's not always the case. I can be very sincere about what I believe and still be wrong. Sincerity isn't the same as truth. We are entitled to our beliefs and opinions, even if they are wrong. However, there are some subjects where the difference between what we sincerely believe and what is actually true is important.

I can't speak for you, but I don't have to be right about everything (despite what my husband might think)—just about the things that matter. Above all, I want to be right about what I believe about God. So that means I'm not going to automatically believe everything I hear —even if it's something I hear in church, Bible study, Christian radio, or read in a Christian blog like this one. Proverbs 14:15 says, "The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps."

You might believe there are many different ways to get to heaven.

You might believe that Jesus was a good person, but not God.

But can you show me where the Bible supports either of these statements?

In John 14:6, Jesus tells Thomas, one of the disciples, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father [God] except through me." The Bible tells us plainly in John 14:6 that the only way to God is through Jesus. This same verse also tells us that Jesus is the truth and life. So if you believe something different, even if you are sincere about it, the Bible disagrees with you.

Friend, when it comes to the important things, don't just believe. Instead, challenge your thoughts and see how they align with God's Word. Believe what you want, but if you want to know the truth about who God is, read your Bible.

Don't Miss the Beauty

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 02:14:23 GMT

Picture this. I was walking on a deserted trail in a nearby forest preserve on a cold and windy winter afternoon. The wind chill made it feel about 12 degrees, and the ground, and everything else, was frozen solid. Yet I was soaking up the solitude and the absolute beauty of the moment.

And then, reality set in, changing the peaceful vibe real quick.

It turns out I wasn’t actually alone. There was a woman ahead, and she was calling to me. The wind was carrying her words, so I had no idea what she was saying until it was too late: she had a dog, and it wasn’t friendly.

Because I was so certain I was alone, I’d let my three dogs run off-leash. And naturally, as soon as they noticed the lady and her unfriendly dog, all three took off after her. Just like that, my Zen moment in the woods was over, as I took off running after my dogs in a completely futile attempt to stop them.

As I raced through frozen tall grass in my winter boots and long coat, I absolutely, 100% completely forgot all the commands I’d ever taught my dogs. (So much for all those obedience classes!) At some point, I fell, knocked my knee on something hard, and lost my hat. But I got back up and kept running. When I finally approached the lady and her dog, two of my dogs came to me, and I grabbed them by their collars. But my baby dog, my fuzzy nugget, my little snuggle bug Golden Retriever would not retreat. He’d summoned his inner junkyard dog and was in it to win it. As the woman yelled, “Can you please put your dog on a leash,” I realized that I no longer had their leashes in my hands and that, at some point, I’d lost my mittens too.

In the end, I miraculously got all the dogs in my control (thank you, God!), found the dropped mittens and leashes, and we went our separate ways. No one was hurt, but I was really shaken up. I was mad at myself for not paying better attention and letting three dogs run off-leash. (Seriously! What was I thinking?!) I felt stupid and very, very thankful that things ended up the way they did.

That encounter in the woods shook me. I walk with my dogs every day because it’s good exercise for them and the fresh air and time outside always makes me feel centered. But since that day, our afternoon walks have not been the same. My eyes are now always on alert, zeroing in on the potential threats and obstacles to avoid. Nothing about my surroundings has changed, but now, instead of noticing the beauty of the bare tree branches contrasting the blue sky or the shimmer of the icy pond catching a ray of sunshine, I see the potential threats. What was once my favorite time of my day, I now anticipate with dread.

And why is that? Nothing changed except for my perspective, yet my peace turned into turmoil. Yes, it’s important for me to be watchful and aware of my surroundings, but when I’m only looking for danger, I miss all the beauty. My eyes are open, but I am not seeing. But now that I realize this, I’m trying to look up and really see. That means I’m noticing the dog up ahead, the runner coming from behind, and the tent pitched in the woods that wasn’t there last week. But I’m also trying hard to see the beauty again too. The way the snow drapes over the wheat-colored prairie grass, bare trees reaching for the clouds through a gray winter sky, and the three tails wagging happily in front of me are all reminders that beauty coexists with life’s undesirables.

Friend, I wrote all this to remind us not to let fear or a bad experience keep us from seeing beauty around us. Life will throw hard stuff at us—bills that feel overwhelming, difficult situations at work, broken relationships, unfilled expectations, and scary diagnoses from the doctor. The hard stuff is unavoidable; it’s part of life—but it’s not all there is to life, so we shouldn’t treat it as such.

The next time you find yourself zeroing in on the trouble, look for the beauty that coincides with the hardship. I promise you it’s there. Maybe you’ll find it in the face of a loved one, in nature, or in a favorite memory that makes you smile. And if you’re still having trouble seeing the beauty in your day, look up. Chances are, there’s beauty right before your eyes just waiting for you to see it.

Struggling to see the beauty in your day? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Turn your focus off your circumstance and focus on the Lord. ( Isaiah 26:12 )
Start by praising the Lord for who He is. He is Savior, redeemer, comforter, healer, provider, protector, and Father.
Affirm in your mind that He is the one true God, the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords, the Author and Creator of your faith, the Giver of all good gifts, and the Sustainer of all things. Thank Him because He is holy, just, faithful, and true.
Meditate on what He has done for you. He’s saved you from your sins, given you eternal life, and intercedes on your behalf to the Father.
Look for Him today. His handiwork is all around you in His creation—in nature, the faces of your loved ones, the prayers He’s answered, and the peace you feel. He is the beauty that surrounds us!

Sources: Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 49:7, 1 Corinthains 1:3, Matthew 8:17, Matthew 6:31-32, Psalm 18:2, 1 Corinthians 8:6 , Psalms 89:1-8, 1 John 5:20 , Romans 8:34

Spiritual Burnout (Why it’s not always a bad thing)

lesleebaron@me.com (Leslee Baron) — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 23:25:44 GMT

You know that sensation when something hard or challenging happens, and you think, "This feels like déjà vu. Didn't I just go through something like this? Why am I back here again?"

Well, I sure do! I find myself in frequent situations that build my "trust muscle."

I say I trust the Lord, and I do, but when something difficult happens, I tend to worry instead of believing God can handle it! And I try to resolve the problem myself. And I lay awake at night, letting anxiety eat away at me. (Anyone else?)

What about you? Do you have a spiritual muscle that seems perpetually under construction? Maybe for you, it’s patience, or faith, or joy, or self-control, or something else. But looking back in the rearview mirror of my life, I see a lot of exercises where God, as my spiritual trainer, had me on what felt like a continuous HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workout to build my trust muscle.

I’ll be honest with you. Until I had this recent revelation (which I will share with you momentarily), I was starting to feel pretty discouraged by what feels like a series of never-ending trust-building exercises. I felt like I’d learned what God was teaching me about trusting Him. But then I’d find myself back in that place again, and I’d wonder:

Why is it taking me so long to learn?

Why do I have to go through this again?

When will I ever get this right?

Why can’t I just trust God instead of worrying about things?

And in frustration, I want to say, “Respectfully, God, my trust muscle is starting to feel burned out! Can we please work on something else?”

But then, I made a connection between building physical muscles and the barrage of trust-building exercises the Lord keeps throwing my way. And suddenly, I had a breakthrough!

Let’s pause briefly to talk about something slightly off-topic—strength training.

When you are trying to build muscle fast, one way to do so is to “burn out” the muscle. You can burn out a muscle by doing repetitive reps with the same muscle until you can’t possibly do one more. You can achieve greater muscle gains faster when you work the muscle like this.

See the connection? You can grow a muscle faster by burning it out with repetitive reps until the muscle feels like it can’t possibly do one more rep . So, is it possible that God also employs the burnout method for developing spiritual muscles? It sure seems like it, right?!

If God is trying to help me burn out my trust muscle, it would make sense that He would put trust-building exercises, and a lot of them, into my spiritual workout! So then, when I feel like I can’t possibly take any more, I know I’m on the fast track to improving my spiritual endurance and muscle tone!

Continuing the analogy, physically speaking, when you work a muscle this hard, you need to give it proper rest between workouts and make sure you are eating healthy foods that will help build back the muscle. It’s similar after an intense spiritual workout. Rest and a healthy diet are always good, but most importantly, we need spiritual nourishment from prayer, worship, and reading God’s word.

Muscle burnout is hard work, whether we are talking about a physical or spiritual workout. But remember, the long-term effects far outweigh and outlast the difficulty ! So instead of feeling discouraged, the next time you feel that dreaded sense of déjà vu, get excited! You're up for an intense, spiritual burnout—and that's a good thing! And remember, you are not in this place because of something you did wrong or didn't get right the first time. Y ou are here because God loves you and is preparing and strengthening you.

I hope my analogy between physical and spiritual burnout gives you a new perspective, as it did for me. Life's challenges can feel extra heavy when we start thinking we are stuck in a spot because of something we didn't learn the first time. And it doesn't need to be like that.

If we want to grow more into the person God created us to be, we should expect spiritual burnout as a regular part of our faith workout. So be ready. Do the things that make you spiritually strong. I am going to work on memorizing Matthew 6:25-34. I recently bumped into a friend at Walmart, and she reminded me that we don't need to worry about tomorrow because if God takes care of the flowers and the birds, He surely cares for us too. That's a truth that I need to dwell on.

W hat about you? What will you do to prepare?

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34, NIV)

Excuse Me, but Can You Tell Me the Way to Heaven?

lesleebaron@me.com (Leslee Baron) — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 13:30:00 GMT

My newly widowed mother-in-law recently bumped into an acquaintance at the store. The woman approached her and kindly said, "I'm so sorry to hear you lost your husband," to which my mother-in-law joyfully replied, "I didn't lose him! I know exactly where he is!"

It sounds like the punchline to a joke, right? But she wasn't trying to be funny. Her husband isn't lost in some supernatural afterlife. Her husband is in Heaven and knowing that brings her great peace and joy.

My mother-in-law shared that story at her husband's funeral last month, and she told it with a smile on her face. Wouldn't you love to be as confident as she is about the eternal resting place of your loved one, or even for yourself? It's heartbreaking to lose a loved one to death, but tragic when you don't understand what happens after you die.

The unknowns of death can be unsettling, even scary. But listen to me, friend. You can know where you are going to go when you die. You do not need to wait until you get there to see where you end up. In fact, please don't!

There are a lot of misconceptions about what happens after we die. And since not many people come back from the dead to report on what happened after they died (and would we even believe them if they did?), whatever you think about life after death involves a certain amount of faith, aka, believing something you can't see. Specifically, believing what the Bible says about death, even when we don't have proof that we can see with our eyes or touch with our hands.

Some believe there are lots of different paths to get to Heaven. Yet John 14:6 says otherwise. "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

Others believe you get to Heaven by doing good deeds. Yet Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved [from sin and punishment for your sin], through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Hmm. So, clearly, we can't "good work" ourselves into Heaven. Then how? How can we be confident that we are going to Heaven when we die? Here comes the good news! The Bible doesn't just tell us what doesn't get us to Heaven. It also tells us exactly what we need to do to get there. And better yet, it's not hard! Give me a few minutes, and I'll walk you through it.

For starters, understanding how to get to Heaven begins by knowing something prevents us from getting there on our own. That something is our sin. Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned," and in Romans 3:10, "No one is righteous—not even one."

Most of us aren't going to disagree with the fact that we all sin. However, I think there is some misconception about "big sins versus little sins." We like to compare our sins to others'. I've never done something terrible like kill someone, so this little white lie is no big deal. Murder er s don’t go to Heaven, but certainly, my little lie wouldn’t keep me from getting in . (Sound familiar?) Regardless, it doesn't matter what we think about sin. It's God's opinion that matters and He says in Romans 6:23, "The wages of sin is death." Death? That sounds like a problem. Don't worry; this is where it starts getting good! The rest of the verse says, "but the gift of God is eternal life [Heaven] through Jesus Christ our Lord." The punishment for sin is eternal death, but God offers us a gift that seems almost too good to be true.

Many of us wouldn’t consider ourselves bad or sinful or in need of saving. And humanly speaking, this thinking may be correct. But when you line it up with the Bible’s teaching, we all have a sin condition. It's not just that we sin but that we can do nothing to remove ourselves from our sinful nature. Millard Erickson said, “...Sin is not defined in terms of what other human beings may regard as unpleasant. It is rather, a matter of failure to love, honor, and serve God. Thus, even the likeable and kindly person is in need of the gospel of new life, as much as is any obnoxious, crude, and thoughtless person.”

So whether we feel like a sinner or not, we all fall short of loving, honoring, and serving God like He calls us to. Yet God knew this would be the case and made a provision for it. Romans 5:8 says, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." In other words, through divine intervention, God has taken care of our sin problem.

God has taken care of it. I don’t need to do something, or a lot of good somethings, to get myself to Heaven. We only need to believe Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. Read this: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved [from sin that leads to eternal death]. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." That, my friends, is straight out of Romans 10:9-10.

Jesus died on our behalf. He did the hard part. What we have to do requires the faith I mentioned earlier. We need to believe in Him, trust that His death covered the payment for our sins and that God accepted Jesus' death as the payment for our sins.

Did I lose you there? Let me explain it in fewer words.

We all sin.
The result of our sin is eternal death.
God sent His Son Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins. God's gift to humanity is His Son Jesus' death and resurrection.
Jesus' death pays the death penalty for anyone willing to receive His gift.
If we believe that Jesus died for our sins and God raised Him from the dead and confess this as truth, our eternity in Heaven is secured!
Bottom line: By believing and confessing that Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins and rose again, I will be saved from my sin and an eternity of death.

Maybe this all sounds too "religious" for you. I get that. Not all of us are as comfortable with matters of faith as others are. But think about it. Even if I am wrong about this, what have you got to lose by believing that Jesus died on the cross for your sin? But if I am right, think of all you have to gain!

If what I've shared resonates with you, I encourage you to take the first step in securing your place in Heaven. You can start by saying a simple prayer. Tell God that you know you are a sinner and believe His Son died on the cross for your sins and then rose again. Ask Him to forgive you and to secure your place in Heaven. God hears our prayers spoken in faith. Even when our faith is small, He's still listening.

Three decades ago, I sat at the base of a mountain in Estes Park, CO, and confessed to God that I was a sinner in need of a Savior. When I asked Him to forgive my sins, I did not know what would happen tomorrow or the next day. But I knew, with absolute certainty, that I would spend eternity in Heaven when I die. And that brings me great peace and hope for my future. I'm not eager for my time here on Earth to be over quite yet, but I don't worry about where I will be when my time is up.

F riend, this is not one of those decisions that you should put off for another time. None of us know when we will die. So make sure you've resolved the issue of where you will spend your eternity before it’s too late. You don't have to hope and don't need to wonder. You can know with certainty where you will spend eternity. And if I were you, I wouldn't put it off one day longer.

If anything here made an impact on you, or if you are ready to be certain about where you will spend your eternity and have some questions—please let me know! I'd love to hear from you!

Lessons Learned on Life's Playground

lesleebaron@me.com (Leslee Baron) — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 12:48:29 GMT

In grade school, my favorite recess activity was playing on the bars. The school playground had three of them—one that hung low, another that was a medium height, and the third was the high bar. Naturally, I liked the high bar. When it was my turn, I’d climb up and position myself for a “penny drop,” swinging upside down by my knees, back and forth, working up the momentum until I’d finally straighten my legs, let go of the bar, and land upright with my feet planted on the ground.

One time, when I was about nine years old, I was in motion, readying myself for the drop. Picture little me hanging upside down with my long brown hair reaching for the ground, swinging back and forth by my knees, trying to work up the momentum I needed to let go. But this time, I mistimed the straightening of my legs. So, instead of simultaneously releasing them, I straightened one before the other. The result was me dangling on one knee until I crashed awkwardly to the ground. Ouch!

I broke my wrist with that fall, but do you think that kept me from doing penny drops again? It should have. But, nope, I was right back up there, swinging from my knees as soon as my cast came off. (In fact, I got bolder and created what my playground pals came to dramatically call the “death drop,” where we’d sit on top of the bar, fall backward, and then flip off and land on our feet. So, take that, broken wrist! I was not afraid!)

Why didn’t the fear of getting hurt again stop me from dropping backward off that bar? Why wasn’t I worried about another fall? I honestly don’t remember what drove me to continue doing drops off that bar. But man, I wish middle-aged me could summon some of the courage of my nine-year-old self!

Back in grade school, I didn’t know much about God or the Bible. Today though, after almost a lifetime of following Him, I know a lot more about the Lord. And looking back on my life, there have been many figurative “mistimed penny drops” where my fall should have issued some negative repercussions. But instead of recalling a lifetime of hurts and failures, I see the protection of my Heavenly Father, cushioning, and probably at times even preventing, my falls.

Friend, I am not saying we should meet at the playground and spot each other on penny drops! (That would be a huge disaster for both of us!) However, we don't need to live in fear or worry when we live in obedience to God's Word. He’s got us. Yes, we will trip, we will stumble, and we will lose our way. That’s life, and those things happen. But we aren’t alone in figuring it out. We’ve got an all-knowing, all-powerful Heavenly Father who has lovingly equipped us for everything life throws our way. But please don’t take my word for it! Open your Bible and uncover for yourself the many truths about God’s love and care for us.

Because we are friends, I’ll get you started:

Psalm 91:11 – God commands His angels concerning me and guides me in all my ways.

Proverbs 3: 25-26 – The Lord is at my side and keeps my foot from getting snared.

Isaiah 54:14 – He removes my terror and keeps it from coming near me.

Psalm 56:11 – My trust in God out weights whatever man could do to me.

John 14:27 – He gives me His peace.

1 Peter 5:7 – He invites me to cast my anxieties on Him because He cares for me.

Philippians 4:19 – God meets all my needs.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the loving way you watch over me. Thank you for protecting me from the falls that could have been devasting and redirecting my footing to solid ground. Lord, you know it’s not all been easy, but I know you are with me. Thank you for walking with me, carrying my burdens, meeting my needs, and filling me with your peace. Please help me remember that I have nothing to fear when I’m walking with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Story Worth Sharing

lesleebaron@me.com (Leslee Baron) — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 13:00:03 GMT

Recently, my life group from church was sitting around a campfire sharing our testimonies. I don't know about you, but when someone asks me to share my testimony, aka the story of how I became a Christian, I used to wish I had a more exciting tale to share. You know, the kind of dramatic transformation that sounds like it was made for TV or a movie... The story of a woman living on the outskirts of respectable society, who years later gave her life over to God while serving time in a state prison. (Actually, I don't really wish for a story like that, but those testimonies are always exciting to hear!)

As multiple friends prefaced their stories by admitting to a not-too-exciting transformation, I started to think about how I disagreed with them. Sitting on the ground with the smoke from our small fire blowing my way, I was in awe at how the Lord caught these women's attention and hearts in such different yet ordinary ways. Their stories were actually quite thrilling to me. Although many of these ladies came to know God without ever having to go through any "made for TV" moments, their testimonies left me contemplating the God who loves us each so much. How is it that He works through the ordinary circumstances of our lives to capture our attention and draw us to Him?

As I considered how God spared many of us the pain and hardship of a life without Him, a couple of thoughts came to mind.

First thought—if the sin in my past is the most exciting part of my testimony, then I'm not telling my story right. The sin should not be glorified—the Savior should be.

Next, those of us who came to know Christ without having a wild, rebellious past or a tragedy that brought us to God should not discount the fact that the very God who created the universe, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, pursued us and saved us from our sin. Our testimony isn't about the junk we used to do that God saved us from, but what He spared us—a life and eternity of being separated from Him.

And finally, sin is sin. Every form of it is something that separates us from God. So, whether our past includes a "big" sin that makes for an exciting or emotional story, or whether it's more of your everyday, run-of-the-mill, "garden variety," it puts a divide between you and God. And that's a big problem that we can't resolve on our own.

Friend, no matter what circumstances brought you to God, share your story with thankfulness and without apology. Your testimony is the story of how God rescued you from a life without Him—and that's always a story worth sharing!

Watching Their Backs

lesleebaron@me.com (Leslee Baron) — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 12:45:00 GMT

I watched his back as he walked to his bus stop. It was my youngest son’s first day of sixth grade. It was also the first school morning I didn’t accompany him to the bus stop. We agreed on this. When he got to middle school, he would walk to the bus without me. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t stand at the front door and watch him until he got on the bus. (Haha! Which I have done for the last two weeks!)

He's the youngest of my three kids, so it's not the first time, nor will it be the last time, I watch the back side of one of my kids as they walk away from me. Nonetheless, something makes me feel so emotional about watching my children walk away from me and towards their independence, whether it's the first time or the hundredth.

Last fall, while trying to hold myself together, I watched my daughter’s back as she walked away from the family van towards her first year of college. A year before that, I watched our oldest son walk back to his dorm on base after we attended his graduation from Air Force Basic Training. I’ve watched their little backs as they skipped across the park to play with a friend, their numbered backs as they’ve jogged onto a sports field with their team, their tense backs as they walked down the hall for an audition, and I’ve watched the backs of their cars, as they drove down the street.

My kids have done things I’m not sure I’d ever have the courage to do, but I like to think that maybe they get a little bit of courage knowing that mom is standing behind them (figuratively and literally) and that I’m watching their back.

As hard as it can be for me to watch one of my kids walk away, I know it’s the direction they are supposed to go. It would be unnatural if their dreams, aspirations, and all the achievements they’ve yet to realize, were back here with me. And as long as what they are walking towards is healthy and positive, I’ve got to encourage them to go where their dreams and the Lord lead them.

But my mama’s heart worries. What if they stumble, go the wrong way, have doubts, or something goes wrong? Spoiler alert: those things will happen. But that’s why I’m still here, watching their backs. Letting them go doesn’t mean they can’t come back when they need support, redirection, encouragement, a break, a hug, a listening ear, or some even some cash!

Even though what our kids need from us is different as they grow up, a few things stay the same. They always need our prayers. Yet there are times when I’m not sure what exactly I should be praying. In those cases, I love that I can turn to Scripture and pray for my kids directly through God’s Word. Once you get the hang of this, you'll find verses you'll naturally want to pray over your children as you read the Bible. (At the end of this blog, I’ll share a list that I frequently pray for my kids.)

I like to think that my standing behind them gives them strength and confidence. Yet as fiercely as I love my kids, I have limits. But with God, there are no limitations. There’s nowhere He can’t go, nothing He won’t see, and no situation too messy for Him. Psalm 139:5 says that He hems my children in—He walks beside them, behind them, and goes before them. And later, in Psalm 139:7-12 , God says there’s nowhere my kids can go that He can’t reach them.

And honestly, my friend, what could bring more peace than knowing our kids are never outside God’s reach? I can think of no better place for them to be.

Praying Scripture for your Kids

Following are some Bible verses I like praying for my kids. All of the passages below come from the NIV. I slightly modified each and inserted my kids' names to make them into a prayer.

God, let your word be a lamp for Matthew’s feet, and a light on his path. Psalm 119:105

May Lindsey gain wisdom and get understanding; and may she not forget your words or turn away from them. May she not forsake wisdom. Proverbs 4:5-6

Allow Josiah to trust in the Lord with all his heart and lean not on his own understanding;
in all Josiah’s ways, may he submit to You, so You will make his paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Give Matthew a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. 1 Kings 3:9

Let Lindsey not become weary in doing good, remind her that at the proper time she will reap a harvest if she does not give up. Galatians 6:9

May Josiah be a hard worker and work at whatever he does with all his heart, as working for You, not man. Colossians 3:23

God, allow Matthew to be self-controlled. In everything, may he set an example by doing what is good, showing integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about him. Titus 2:6-8

Set a guard over Lindsey’s mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of her lips. Do not let Lindsey’s heart be drawn to what is evil so that she takes part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers. Psalm 141: 3-4

Lord, when Josiah sins, may his sin find him out. Numbers 32:23

God, fill Matthew with Your Spirit, for the Spirit You gave him does not make him timid, but gives power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Lord, allow Lindsey to lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make her dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

Keep Josiah from all harm—watch over his life; watch over his coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:7-8

Put a hedge around Matthew and his household and everything he has. Bless the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. Job 1:10

Keep Lindsey safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for her. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while Lindsey passes by in safety. Psalm 141:9-10

Keep the perverse of heart far from Josiah ; may Josiah resolve to have nothing to do with what is evil. Psalm 101:4

May my kids praise you because they are fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, may my children know and believe that full well. Psalm 139:14

You Can Do Hard Things—Here’s Why

lesleebaron@me.com (Leslee Baron) — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 13:00:30 GMT

Friends, this month was a rough one! I'm not quite ready to divulge why, but I will share it was one intense week after another, and I wasn't sure I could do everything I needed to.

In the beginning, I felt overwhelmed by a situation that seemed impossible. I wasn't sure where to begin or where to find the momentum I would need to keep moving forward. It all felt too hard, too big, with too many unknowns, and I did not feel qualified for what I was undertaking. I wanted to quit, and probably would have, had I not felt the Lord nudging me along the way, pushing me forward when my feet felt too heavy to lift on my own.

Flashback to Last July

We were at a gorgeous cenote about an hour from Cancun. (If this is a new word for you, a cenote is like a large, natural sinkhole filled with fresh water. There are different kinds, so maybe Google images of cenotes if you want to know what I am talking about. The one in my story is not the kind you access inside a cave.)

The cenote was so breathtaking that it felt like we had just pulled up into Paradise. When we arrived, we saw people standing on the edge of a cliff about the height of a high dive at the local pool and then leaping into this beautiful, crystal-clear water. One by one, my family took turns walking off the cliff's edge into the cool water. I watched my husband, brother-in-law, niece, nephew, my own daughter, and my 10-year-old son leap from the side and land in the icy-blue water. But I could not do it. Strangers kindly offered me advice. My husband came up to lend his support. My son even offered to jump with me. I'm sure at some point, someone tried to push me over the edge. I really wanted to jump in and join everyone in that water, but it was too hard for me. I couldn't do it. My head and my feet simply were not cooperating. I left that day feeling disappointed in myself but knowing that I couldn't jump into that cenote for whatever reason.

This incident does not define me.

But that cenote incident does not define me. And it doesn't mean I can't do other hard things. It just means I couldn't, or didn't, do that one hard thing. I believe that if God had a lesson for me to learn while leaping off that cenote, He would have given me the courage to step off that cliff and into the water. But that's all water under the bridge now, or water under the cliff, to be precise. Haha!

Because this July, when I looked at what felt like a mountain-sized obstacle, I knew I wasn't alone. The Lord gently took my feet, planted them firmly on the figurative path before me, and guided me step-by-step.

Maybe you're thinking, "Yeah, that's nice for you, but God doesn't work like that in my life." Ok, that's a fair opinion, but I disagree. I'm sure we all have times we can look back to when we faced something hard, called out to God for help, but still felt alone. I've been there. Regarding those moments, I would say this:

You've got to be the one to take that first step of faith.

Think of it as lifting your foot an inch off the ground as you prepare to start walking forward. Just a mustard seed-size of faith is all it takes to lift your foot a tiny bit off the ground in preparation for moving forward. Then, exercise that faith again by trusting and believing that God will help you.

The Bible includes many stories of women who did hard things. A pastor named Caleb Mathias wrote a blog called 12 Badass Women from the Bible where he tells the stories of, well, his title is pretty descriptive, so I think you get it. Check out his blog and learn for yourself what these faithful women accomplished. If you don't want to read it all, at least read what he wrote about:

Shiphrah and Puah. They were midwives at a time when the king of Egypt felt threatened by his unknown successor. As a result, the king made a law that all male Hebrew babies must die at birth. These God-fearing midwives disobeyed the king’s command and risked their lives to spare the lives of the newborn babies. (Read more in Exodus 1:15-21 .)

Jael drove a tent peg into the temple of the general of Israel's enemy. (Read this gross story in Judges 4 .)

And to save her husband's life, Zipporah , Moses' wife, had to circumcise their son! (It's kind of a weird story, but you can read more of it in Exodus 4:24-26 .)

These were difficult things. No doubt they could only do what they did because God was with them. These women took their mustard seed-sized faith, lifted their foot an inch, and took the first step forward. And God provided them with the momentum to finish what they'd started.

Friend, I don't know what hard thing you are up against today, but I know you can do it. (Unless it is illegal, immortal, or dangerous. Then please lift your foot, do a 180, and run in the opposite direction.) Lift your foot in preparation for taking that first step, and trust God to be your momentum and guide. I promise He won't let you down. You can do this.

Still here?

But wait...what if this message didn't feel right for your situation? What if you can't do it this time? Or, what if you don't want to? I'd say that's ok too. Sometimes the timing is wrong, or the circumstance isn't right, or maybe it just doesn't matter all that much. (Like me and the cenote.) However, if you feel strongly that this is something the Lord is asking you to do, then don't be afraid. With God's help, you've got this.

You Are Enough

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 13:00:06 GMT

Have you ever been in a conversation like this?

My friend, we'll call her Abby, looked at me and said, "I look old. And I'm not marketable," implying that she's stuck in a job that overworks and underpays her.

I was at a loss for words. Was Abby serious? For starters, she does not look old, and she's incredibly talented. But it made me pause and admit that we all do this to ourselves. We look critically at our reflection and see our worst: our age, the extra weight, failures, disappointments, those darn bags under our eyes, and on and on.

Why do we do that? Why do we zero in on the negative when we look at ourselves?

Yes, my friend is a middle-aged woman, but that is not a bad thing. In terms of marketability, her age and experience make her eligible for senior-level positions, not doomed to an early retirement job of greeting shoppers at our local Walmart!

When we look at ourselves and see our worst, we fail to see what others see in us and, more importantly, what God sees. My friend, for example, is beautiful and hilarious. She's got a great sense of style and is always dressed in something cute. Not only that, she's so good at making people feel welcomed and putting them at ease. I wish she noticed these things when she looked in the mirror.

But what God says about her is even more important than what I think about my friend. Ladies, we are much more than we see in the mirror because God's Word says so.

The Bible says:

God chose you. (Ephesians 1:4)

God forgave all your sins. (1 John 1:9)

God sees you as holy, blameless, and above reproach. (Colossians 1:21,22)

God has called you to accomplish His purpose. (Romans 8:28,30)

You are justified and declared right in God's sight. (Romans 5:1)

You are a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

God created you for His good works. (Ephesians 2:10)

You are a child of God. (John 1:12)

You are a friend of God. (John 15:15)

God made you fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

Let's take a sidestep for a minute for the sake of an illustration. Have you ever received a drawing from a child, and try as you might, you have no idea what they've drawn for you? You look down at the young artist, and they are so precious. There's something about their sweet chubby face, surrounded by a mop of messy hair that makes them irresistible to you. And as they hand you this hand-drawn token of their affection, you glance down at the drawing and have no idea what it could be. It looks like a dinosaur, but it could also be a house, bird, or even Africa! But they tell you, "It's a bunny!" And although you might have an excellent argument as to why it’s not a bunny, the drawing's creator says it's a bunny, so that settles it. It’s a bunny.

Like the child’s drawing, we are the created, and our Creator has the right to say who He made us to be. We don’t get to argue with who the Creator says we are. So when we think we aren't pretty enough, intelligent, interesting, thin, young, educated, or whatever else enough, we criticize our Creator and say He's wrong about what He made.

The choice is yours. You can go along letting the mirror and the negative voice in your mind define your identity. Or, you can believe what your Creator says about you. One thing’s for certain, dear friend; there will be days when you don't feel like enough. But those are not the days to give in to your mirror's lies. Instead, open your Bible and remind yourself who your Creator says you are. We can't always trust the thoughts in our head, but God's Word never fails, and He says that you are enough.

Not My Finest Moment

lesleebaron@me.com (Leslee Baron) — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 12:05:15 GMT

Not a Blog About My Dog

First off, this is not a blog about my dog. But that doesn't surprise you, does it? I really wanted to write something light and funny this month, something that for once didn't expose my vulnerabilities, and I had a great story started about my dog. All I needed to do was write the final paragraph. But try as I might, I didn't know how to end it. Nothing was coming to me. Laugh if you want, but I even prayed about it and asked God to show me how to wrap up the blog about my dog. Then I let the story sit for a few days, trusting the ending would come to me in time. Then I had a bad week, which I did not want to think about anymore and certainly did not want to re-live. But as I continued to pray about an ending to this blog, I knew with certainty that God wasn't going to give me a conclusion to my funny dog story. Instead, He wanted me to write about what happened this week. So without further ado, here's the blog that is not about my dog.

I played the role of the fool.

Proverbs 12:16 "Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult."

So recently, something happened that made me feel like I had been treated unjustly. More than that, I felt insulted and outraged. I told a friend that I felt like a kettle about to boil over. I wasn't sure how much longer I could go on without something changing. Unfortunately, I was right. Later that day, while talking with my friend, my anger did, in fact, boil over. And it wasn't pretty. I just wanted to vent and for someone to hear me and justify my feelings. I tried to pass it off as "healthy" venting–you know, something we tell ourselves everyone needs to do from time to time. But my venting wasn't healthy, and I knew it. And even though I felt the Spirit telling me to stop, I didn't. My poor friend got an earful of my worst.

As I passionately spewed my venom, I knew I was handling this situation wrong. First, bitterly rehashing all the petty details didn't make me feel better. (In fact, it made me feel worse.) Second, I dragged my friend into my sin and made her an unwilling participant. Third, and most importantly, I disregarded the Spirit's prompting and tossed aside every Scripture I knew about how I should have handled the situation. Definitely not my finest moment.

Justice belongs to the Lord.

In retrospect, I know how I should have reacted. In Matthew 5:38-40, Jesus teaches us how we should respond when someone wrongs us: "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well." Jesus doesn't tell us to turn the other cheek because He thinks it's okay to be mistreated. Hardly! Among other reasons, Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek because justice belongs to Him. We learn this in Romans 12:19, "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord."

This is good news for us. It means we don't have to avenge ourselves because the Lord has our backs.

Who am I trying to please?

Are you familiar with Colossians 3:23-24? It says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

This means I am responsible for giving my best. If the people around me aren't pleased with my work, it's okay. I’m doing it for the Lord, not them.

Pride and humility can't coexist.

The Bible also teaches the value of humility and the danger of pride. Proverbs 11:2 says, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." And Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

That’s my pride when I am getting so worked up over being treated unjustly. And last week, in my pride, I acted disgracefully. There was zero humility in the way I responded to my situation. Consequently, I behaved like a fool and made things worse.

In all (all?) things, give thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us to "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Being thankful in all things neither comes easily nor naturally, yet His Word says this is God's will for us. So even though I was not happy about what was going on, there was a lesson to be learned. God can and will work in the good and the bad. But we have to be open to His intervention and not shut Him out with our sin.

One day I'll be held accountable for all my words.

Finally, the Bible says that gossip and slander are sins. Matthew 12:36 teaches that someday I will have to explain why I said the things I did when I was so angry. "But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken." And in Psalm 101:5, I learn, "Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate."

A Bad Situation Redeemed

Well, needless to say, it was a crummy week. I struggled for several days feeling angry, wronged, and depressed. But I'll be honest. As unhappy as I was before I talked to my friend, I felt worse after giving in to the temptation to get it off my chest and shutting out the Holy Spirit's conviction. The shame of dishonoring the Lord felt worse than what was actually going on.

Although it was a painful lesson, it made a lasting impression. The following day nothing externally had changed, but inside, I knew things were different. I was resolved to honor God with my next step–whatever then ended up being. I know that it's okay to be stuck in a place that feels uncomfortable and unfair. I'm not in danger, and if it gets bad enough, I can simply walk away. I know that as bad as it feels to be wronged by a person, I never want to wrong God in the way I respond. It's much better to be wronged by man than separated from God by my sin.

Friend, I hope you and I can learn from my mistake and spare ourselves some future hardship. My word of advice would be this: the next time you find yourself in a situation not of your liking, before you let anger or the unjustness of the situation get the better of you, stop and pray. It's okay to vent to God and tell him how you feel, but be sure to listen to His voice and allow God's Spirit to filter your emotions and guide your reaction. Because like I experienced this week, nothing feels worse than being separated from God because of your own sin.

What a Bump in the Sidewalk Taught Me About Sin

lesleebaron@me.com (Leslee Baron) — Sun, 01 May 2022 12:15:03 GMT

My daughter and I were standing in the kitchen having an after-school conversation. I thought I’d said something funny, but her reply couldn’t have been more serious.

“Sometimes, I wonder why I say such critical things. Then I hear you say stuff like that, and I know I got it from you,” my daughter stated, her pointed comment marking a perfect bullseye to my soul.

I stood there speechless. It felt like time had stopped. I could feel the sting from the blow where my shame, thrown out of left field by my daughter, slapped me across the face.

Make no mistake. This didn’t hurt because she’d falsely accused me. On the contrary, it hurt because she was right.

Seesaw Sin

I think we all have that one sin in our lives that we ride like a seesaw. One day we feel victorious, and the next, we are confessing it again. Up and down, back and forth between victory and shame.

For me, my seesaw sin is being critical. I’ve confessed and repented of this sin so many times that I feel ashamed every time I have to repent of it again. I’ll go a while without being critical and start to think that I’ve finally kicked this sin to the curb. Then it will pop back up, like an unwelcome houseguest, and make itself at home.

So what should we do about our seesaw sin ? And is there anything we can do to finally gain victory over it? I’ve got an idea, but I’ll need to tell you a little story to make my point.

How many falls before I change my path?

I am a runner and often run the sidewalks and paved paths of my neighborhood. One day, I wasn’t watching where I was going, and I tripped on the sidewalk. I scraped my knee, my hands, and hit my head. But more than anything, I hurt my pride! Here I am, this middle-aged mom in leggings, and I totally wiped out on the sidewalk directly in front of someone’s house. Even though it hurt, I was also embarrassed, so I bounced right back up and continued my run.

The next time I ran near that bump in the sidewalk, you'd think I’d be all the wiser, right? I thought that too, but I tripped in the same place again!! The second time, though, I was ready for it and tucked and rolled onto the grass next to the sidewalk. A little less painful but still super embarrassing! (Seriously! So embarrassing!)

So the next time I was running along that same strip of sidewalk, where I’d already tripped not once but twice, I was adamant there would not be a third incident. Rather than continuing along the sidewalk, I transitioned over to the side of the road. And as I ran by the sidewalk, I saw that bump that had tripped me (twice) and felt like I’d finally beaten it.

We learn from our mistakes.

My point is that we learn from our mistakes. We learn from the things that are painful and embarrassing. And sometimes, we’ve got to fall more than once to learn the lesson. My little example took me falling twice in the same place before I wised up and moved over to the road. Yet, it's taken me way more than two failed attempts to keep myself from falling over that same bump when it comes to my critical spirit.

So spiritually speaking, what does “moving off of the sidewalk and onto the road” look like?

Remember the pain and shame of falling. God uses those things to convict us of our sins and remind us that we don’t want to do that again.
Don’t give up when you fall prey to that same sin again (or again and again and again). Get back up and try again.
Know your vulnerability (aka the stretch of sidewalk with the bump). Be able to identify your weakness to a specific sin.
Create a plan to avoid it. (Ex - If you are prone to gossip when having lunch with a particular friend, invite a third friend who will kindly call you out.)
Invite the Lord into the solution. This is the most important step! Confess your sin to Him and repent of it. Ask for His forgiveness and help to overcome the temptation the next time it arises. And pray! Tell the Lord that this is hard for you and ask Him for His help.

Forgiveness is immediate, but sanctification takes time.

Friend, if you are growing weary of going up and down, experiencing victory and defeat from the grips of the same sin, you are not alone. Don’t be discouraged.

God's forgiveness is immediate when we confess and repent of a sin. However, our transformation isn't always as quick as God's mercy.

Sanctification, the act of being made holy, takes time. And sometimes that means we trip over the same place on the sidewalk (figuratively speaking, of course) more than once. But don’t stop trying. Romans 6:6 reminds us that our old self (the one ruled by sin) died when we became new in Christ. One day we will be totally victorious over all our sins, but it won’t be because of anything we did. It’s all about what Christ did when He paid the ultimate price on our behalf, that we will one day be victorious over all our sins. Thank God for that!

P.S. Thanks to my talented husband, you can now be notified when a new blog is posted! Just type in your name and email and I will send a quick email to let you know I've posted something new.

P.S.S. If you like reading about the spiritual lessons I’ve learned when I wiped out running, check out this blog I wrote for work called What I Learned When I Was Hurt, Disorientated, and Embarrassed.

Learn more about God’s forgiveness.

Use the concordance in the back of your Bible to look up what God’s Word says about forgiveness, confess(ion), and repent(ance). You might even like to pick a passage that is meaningful to you and memorize it. Here are a few of my favorites:

“ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.

I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5

“ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3:19

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Why Giving Something up for Lent Felt Unfulfilling

lesleebaron@me.com (Leslee Baron) — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 12:00:11 GMT

Him: "Did you see that hilarious post I tagged you in on Facebook?"

Me: "Ah, no."

Him: "Why not? Open it now."

Me: "Well, I gave up social media…for Lent."

Him: Looks at me. "You did? Why didn't you tell me?"

Me: Looks back at him sheepishly, wondering why I didn't tell him. "Well, I didn't think you needed to know."

A Little Background

My husband grew up in a Baptist home. Baptists, I've learned, for the most part, don't practice Lent. On the other hand, I grew up with a presbyterian turned pentecostal mother, a non-practicing Lutheran father, attended a non-denominational church, and went to a Lutheran high school. Most of the people I knew were either Lutheran or Catholic and, by default, practiced Lent. My family would sometimes give up something for Lent, but not always.

This year as Lent season approached, I knew I'd be giving up a few things. The idea of giving up grocery shopping, dirty dishes, and cleaning bathrooms sounded like a great plan! Just a shame that Lent only goes for six weeks! Ha!!

All joking aside, I'd noticed some strongholds in my life and felt convicted to break them. The six weeks leading up to Easter felt like the perfect time. So I gave up a few "guilty pleasures" and attempted to turn my attention and devotion to Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection.

Unfulfilled

Now, four weeks into Lent, I'm not so sure this was such a great idea. The things I'd given up in an attempt to draw closer to God feel more like an exercise in self-discipline and not one of a spiritual nature. Worse yet, I don't feel any closer to God.

Giving up some things for Lent has me feeling unfulfilled.

I remember being a little girl, maybe 8 or 9 years old, and giving up candy for Lent. I collected a good amount of candy during those six weeks, and it quickly filled up the single drawer of my bedside table. I didn't eat a single piece of it, that is, until Easter morning. I woke up and immediately opened the drawer and ate every piece before breakfast! Looking back, I distinctly remember feeling disappointed. (Not to mention sick to my stomach!) Eating all those sweets after my six-week candy fast left me oddly unfulfilled. Not too different from how I'm feeling today.

I don't believe the purpose of sacrificing something to draw near to God is realistic unless we also replace it with something else. What good is giving up ice cream, soda, or dessert if you don't replace it with something better? If the desired outcome is to deny self and focus on Christ, step one is the denial, but what about step two? What are you doing to turn yourself towards Christ?

Not a Bad Move; Just Not the Best One

I've wasted the past four weeks denying myself my favorite pleasures but not doing anything special to draw near to God. I forgot a fundamental relationship principle. To be closer to someone, you have to spend time with them. Breaking those unhealthy strongholds in my life by giving them up for Lent wasn't a bad move. But it turns out it wasn't the best way for me to focus on Christ this Easter season.

Don’t misunderstand me. There's nothing wrong with giving something up for Lent as a spiritual discipline. But when we do, we have to remember to fill that void with prayer, worship, and time in God’s Word.

Drawing Near to God

Dear friend, if, like me, you desire to draw near to God this Easter season, spend time with Him. It's far from a profound revelation and it's not hard to do. James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." Psalm 145:18 says, "The Lord is near to all who call on him…"

And if spending time with God is a new idea to you, let me give you a few ideas about how to go about it.

Memorize a passage of Scripture. (I'm working on Romans 8:31-39.)
Read and re-read a selection of the Bible. (Since Easter is approaching, maybe you'd like to read about Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection in Matthew 26 - 28.)
Spend purposeful time in prayer. There are a lot of things to pray about right now. If you need a place to start, skim a newspaper. Or, pray over each member of your family.

Time spent drawing near to God is always satisfying. Of course, there's nothing wrong with occasionally denying ourselves a pleasure as a sacrifice to Him. But in my experience, the real treasure comes when we spend time with Him.

Next year when I prepare my heart for Easter, I think I'll pass on giving something up and instead look for what I can add to my life that brings me closer to Him.

Like a Scarf Untied To Be Carried off by the Wind

lesleebaron@me.com (Leslee Baron) — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 02:15:32 GMT

My husband, our family's primary financial provider, lost his job in January 2019. It was sudden, unexpected, and no fault of his own. The loss came with a three-month severance package, which we were naively confident would carry us over until he found a new job. Unfortunately, the severance ran out way before he got hired again. Yet the Lord took care of us through a consistent flow of freelance jobs.

It meant working long hours out of our basement, without the stability of regular paychecks, company-issued health insurance, paid days off, or a 401k. However, it did pay our bills, and the flexibility of self-employment was nice.

The Perfect Job

Just as the freelance work started to dry up, he got hired. A permanent, full-time job with paid vacation days and BCBS insurance, and best of all, regular paychecks directly deposited into our account every two weeks. I was in heaven! On paper, the job sounded perfect for him! When I first saw the post and read it out loud, I told him, "Don't bother applying. Just show up there on Monday ready to work!"

Well, he got hired, and almost from the start, something felt wrong. They had very little for him to do. He tried to keep busy and "earn his keep" while asking his boss when they expected things to pick up. Three months into his new position, when he got called into a meeting with his boss and his boss's boss, he immediately knew what was happening--he was losing his job, again.

Panic Mode

That brings me to a day in late September. It was a few days away from his final paycheck and a few weeks away from what I feared would be the end of our ability to pay our mortgage, our utilities, put gas in our cars, buy groceries, or enjoy the protection of health care coverage.

I felt mad. Also scared, confused, worried, embarrassed, and really, really alone.

The alone part was hard.

I was embarrassed to tell anyone that we were here–again. And I didn't want my friends and family to judge me--or worse yet, pity me--or to try to give me money. (Insert face in palm emoji here.)

There were moments when I felt weak and desperately wanted to run into a friend's arms for a warm, secure hug. I'd think of my friends, mom, and sister and knew every one of them would warmly embrace me. But something held me back every single time. I sensed the Lord wanted this to be between us--at least for now.

Looking to God for Help and Hope

He is, after all, enough to meet all my needs. (2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.) So I went to Him repeatedly and told Him I was scared. I made myself vulnerable to Him, holding open my hands to Him, inviting Him to pick up my burden. I confessed my sin. I asked Him to use me. I inquired about what was on His heart and told Him, "Lord, if it concerns You, I want it to concern me too."

And at this point, something big started to change for me. Like a scarf I'd untied to be carried off by the wind, the anxiety that had almost consumed me was suddenly gone. I felt a literal release of that heavy burden I'd been carrying myself and a real sense that I did not need to feel anxious.

Best yet, it felt as though the Lord had traded my concerns for His. Almost simultaneously, as He lifted my anxiety from me, He revealed some of His cares to me. I encountered a woman who needed encouragement, another who felt forgotten, someone who needed affirmation, and another who just needed a friend. The more I cared for the things on His heart, the smaller my problem felt. I was experiencing Matthew 6:33 coming to life right before my eyes! ("But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”)

Still Trusting

It's been a couple of months since I wrote about this experience. I am still trusting the Lord to take care of us, and He continues to put His concerns on my heart. That day when we can't pay our bills still may come; in fact, it could be right around the corner. But the Lord has shown me that He'll be with me on that day too, so it's ok.

This is my story, but what about you? Are you worried or anxious about something? What are you holding onto that the Lord wants you to give over to Him?

Unfortunately, there's not a chapter in the Bible titled, "Three easy steps to release your worries to God." I sure wish there was! However, here are three suggestions that I believe are in line with His Word, and if you do them, you can't help but draw near to Him.

How to Give Your Worries to God

Identify when you feel consumed by worry and anxiety, reject those thoughts, and give them over to God. 2 Corinthians 10:5b "...we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Pray. 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
Trust Him to take care of your situation and redirect your energy into the things that are on His heart. Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

These three steps aren't a complete list but work for me when I feel anxious.

Dear friend, don't let anxiety separate you from the promises in God's Word. Instead, free your worries like a scarf in the wind. Now rejoice in the freedom that comes as you release your fears to God.