have you retired?

 "And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great." Job 8:7

I have to tell you, this devotions has SO MANY possible angles.  And as i type i'm not sure which path it might take. Maybe you should stop reading this one, and write your own.

For my friends who have retired, most of this might sound familiar.  Retiring can be viewed as a chapter short of death OR as a new beginning.  Two drastic views, right?  I'm somewhere in-between them. When i was a child, i'll never forget when the local meat market man retired, he died the next month.  People kept saying, "retirement kill him."  I'm sure that had an indirect impact on me in dragging my feet to retire (besides the fact i LOVED my job).  You retire and die??  No, thank you. 

At church we were given the opportunity to pick a STAR word for the year… a guiding light, so to say, for 2025. As I returned to my seat, I turned the star over to find the word “expand”.  I had no immediate thought or feeling. I felt like this year was more of a time to wind down instead of expand. Was I wrong?  Expand?  Yes, that is exactly what I needed to do. 

Besides enjoying more time with my grands and family, i started imagining all kinds of fun things i might do.  I could attend a morning Bible study, volunteer at church or other organization, start a cooking\ Bible class for students, have a “what’s cooking?” plan  and sell select items, offer a pickup/do this service… all of a sudden I started getting excited about my new chapter. And to think, God stirred my heart with a star of HOPE and TRUTH.  Our latter days are called to be great, not meaningless. 

Do you need a star for your year?  I know where some are. 

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe,

veneal

the secret battle

"If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come... All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 2:17-19    

 Over or under?

I imagine i am not the only one dealing with this battle.  Whether it's the paper towels or the toilet paper, many of us have a preference of over or under.  And if your household is like mine, it's not an unanimous choice.  It's obvious who put the roll on based on the direction it rolls... at the time.  Because those with a strong preference will change it to our liking when we can. So, whether it's a new roll or an "ongoing roll", it's easy to tell who used it last. The roll will tell, and the battle rolls on without a word.

Do you have any secret battles with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers?  How about our Father? If not, i applaud you for your adaptability and flexible understanding.  If you do, i hope it's over silly, insignificant issues of no importance.  

But if the issues are life altering/threatening, destructive, hurtful or mean spirited, i pray your secrets come to light for reconciliation.  May these battles resolve peacefully and to the benefit of all.  With secret battles there is no winner, only harm, pain and separation for both sides.  The constant struggle to prevail will strip one of strength, shift the focus from God to self and possible damage or destroy relationships with others and God.  Lean into God, our Perfect Counselor, and find true peace with your next decision.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

where are you going?

"Be still and know I am God." Psalm 46:10

Sometimes when life is confusing or overwhelming, i just want to fly far, far away.

But no, don't let that be.  Father, clip my wings and let me stay underneath Yours, because i KNOW the only place for true peace is with You.

For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy." 

amen, amen.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal

we have a choice

"Do all things without grumbling or complaining, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life..." Philippians 2:14-16

To be/do or not to be/do... that is the question.

During the recent winter "storm", i had a surprising outing.  Around 1pm Saturday, i went to return a purchase.  After walking in the store from the frigid weather, i found the service area literally in the dark.  Was it closed? Where were the helpers?  Confused, i turned to a smiling employee and asked her where they were.  She politely told me i'd have to come back another time --  likely tomorrow.  What??!?  So now, i have to take my item back through the Arctic to the car and then come back to shop??  She smiled. I felt chilled to the bone.

As i slowly turned to leave, I heard a man calling, "Wait little lady, wait." 

With simmering confusion, i turned to see who he meant.  Running up to me, he politely said, "I can help you."

So, here came my first choice... greet him with an icy face or a smile.

As he happily processed my refund, i asked him why the department was empty.  He shared he was the only one in the store managing all the front store business of checking out and service from 7 to noon.  53 employees had called out.  Instead of complaining, he was doing all he could.  His do-all-i-can attitude melted my sour disposition.

I next decided to stay and shop in the sparsely-stocked store with a new attitude.  I was grateful for what items i could find, and thanked every employee i passed for their choice of being there.  Not only did they smile, but i felt a smile ignite within me too. 

May we encourage and show appreciation whenever we can instead of grumbling about what's missing or wrong.  Spreading JOY delivers richer rewards for all than spreading misery.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

need a reminder?

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

With some major changes in my life, my soul required an extended boost of comfort, encouragement, JOY and peace this year.  Instead of rushing to take my CHRISTmas tree down, i decided to wait. One of my best holiday experiences was from a couple of years ago, when I left my tree up until Easter. With a few changes, it is the perfect all-CHRIST tree. I switched the lights from colored to white, and only left decorations reflecting Christ and my family.  

I am now enJOYing some of my most peaceful nights, remembering and reflecting on the full story of Jesus  Wouldn't you agree Christmas would mean nothing, if it weren't for Easter?  Just like Easter would mean nothing, if we don't love  the Lord with all our hearts, mind and soul, as well as love our neighbors as ourselves.

Father, thank You for Jesus... the baby, the man, my Savior, Your Son.  You knew we required Him in all forms for all seasons and emotions... from joy to sorrow to humble thanks.  May we remember it all with a heart full of love and service to You and others.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

safe at home

  "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." Psalm 34:8

I'm not sure what's in store for us this weekend or in the days ahead, but as long as it includes God, we can be confident it will be good! He knows what we need.

Be filled with the One who warms the heart and soul with His love and peace in all seasons.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal

a day of mourning...

"Jesus replied:

 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself..." Matthew 22:37-39

I don't typically post 2 devotions a day, but today is not a typical day.  It all started this morning when we allowed our sweet Bella to go "home".  With heavy hearts, we let her go.  But not without a flood of emotions and gratitude of all she unselfishly gave us... unconditional love, pure loyalty, laughter, encouragement, faithfulness, protection and peace to name some.  She was not just a dog, she was our beloved fur girl. There are times we didn't always agree or like her ways, but i would take all her good and bad habits a million times over to experience the greatness of a friend she was to all our family. The saying is so true, the greater the love from a fur friend, the greater the loss and pain.

After releasing Bella to the heavenlies, we returned home to find President Carter's funeral in progress. We walked in during his grandson, Jake's, eulogy which caused me to stop, listen, laugh and cry, as well as Rev. Andrew Young and the other eulogies that followed.  I miss leaders like Carter.  President  Carter was not just a President, he was more importantly a great man and humanitarian.  A man of respect, integrity, truthfulness, humbleness and faithfulness just to site a few of his honorable traits.  As President (as with all Presidents),  there were times people didn't agree or support his decisions.  Some might say he was not a great President because of decisions or issues that personally affected their wallets.  I'm not sure if I agree with this thinking anymore, especially when it deters efforts to improve the well being and care of others.  Even so, i would take all his good and bad decisions one million times over to experience the greatness of a person he was to ALL mankind.  

I'll say it again... the greater the love from a person, the greater the loss and pain.

I'm feeling a tremendous, painful loss today for my family and my country.  

God bless you, President Carter, and rest in peace.  And if you see Bella, give her a pat for us.

"He has shown you, friend, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal