Thursday's Musings: Running to the Very End

Modified and used 10-27-20 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27  Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!  All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I saw a clip from a race in Brazil yesterday where the leader in the race slowed down to celebrate right before reaching the finish line. The person in second place saw an advantage and put on a burst of speed.  The leader suddenly saw what was happening, panicked and pushed the contender back and lunged for the ribbon.  He almost lost the race because he didn’t run to the very end.  We’ve been talking about our faith journey being like a long distance race.  Too often people quite before the finish line thinking they’ve arrived.  Accepting Christ as one’s Savior is just the beginning.  We never, ever stop running and growing in faith.  To stop and try to coast into heaven will diminish the prize we’ll win here and in our heavenly life.  In the words of Isaac Watts and John Wesley, “I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath;  and when my voice is lost in death,  praise shall possess my nobler powers;  my days of praise are never past  while life and thought and being last or immortality endures.”

Heavenly Father, please help us to continue with the race until we have crossed the finish line. Help us not to slack off before we have claimed the prize of our heavenly reward.

Blessings,
Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: You are Cherished!

Romans 10:11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Ephesians 1:7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

I came across this quote recently, “Shame says that because I am flawed I’m unacceptable. Grace says that although I am flawed I’m cherished.”  In this Sunday’s Gospel lesson we read that Jesus was invited to dine with one of the leaders of the Pharisees.  Those meals were important social events.  Yet even in that place where he knew every move would be watched, he took time to heal a man suffering from edema. Then he tells the host that he should be inviting the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind to his dinners, not just friends and family and other influential people. Jesus spent his life ministering to those shunned by society.  Even though we might be hurt and rejected by others, if we are a follower of Jesus, we know that he cherishes us and counts us as brothers and sisters in the Kingdom. 

Holy God, while we feel undeserving of your love, we know that you do love us and that you will never turn away from us. Help us to share your love with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In Christ,
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: Finding Persimmons in Scripture

Psalm 52:8-9  But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

My dad was out and about a lot with his job. Loving food like I do, he was always on the lookout for good inexpensive restaurants. The best thing he found though was a persimmon tree growing alongside a country road.  Each fall after the first frost we would pile in the car and hunt for that tree to pick those soft orange fruits. It had to be after the frost because if you eat a persimmon before the frost it will “turn your mouth inside out.”  I guess the frost puts the finishing touch on the ripening process. I saw a green persimmon in the road today and made a mental note of the location.  I’ll be back. I’d like to compare persimmons to scripture.  Sometimes a particular scripture may not seem to hold any particular significance for our life until a frost falls.  Then that scripture seems to be almost coming off the page to us.  The one I chose for today was a frost scripture for me as I served as a leader in a church where there was some strife. This scripture reassured me that I would flourish (do well) in the house of God (that church) and to trust God’s love.  It linked me with the other faithful people in the church. It let me know that I and the leaders I served with were on the right track with our leadership.  Where is the frost falling in your life?  If it is, there is a persimmon scripture in God’s word that will help you if you just hunt for it.

Loving God, while all of your Word is good and useful, we thank you for bringing us special words when we face trials.  We praise your Holy name today for all that you have done. Amen.

Have a blessed day,
Paige

 

Monday’s Musings: Grace upon Grace

Ephesians 2:8-9  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.

This scripture ties in with yesterday’s sermon that God saves us through the gift of grace when we have faith in God. A made for TV movie I watched last night partly centered upon grace extended person to person.  Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer together we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  Do we take that seriously?  By extending grace to someone else – forgiveness that can’t be earned – we fulfill the intent of this portion of the prayer.  To extend grace saves us from bitterness and sin and emotional pain and the illness the poison of hate and resentment and unforgiveness can cause.  To forgive a drunk driver for harm they may have caused a loved one does not release them from the penalty they must pay nor from efforts to prevent them from repeating their actions again.  It does free us and releases them into the hands of higher authorities including our Lord.  I don’t believe in “forgive and forget.”  I think we should forgive and remember.  Remember what we have forgiven, remember that the person may or may not deserve to be trusted in the future and remember that one day that person along with ourselves will stand before God where we each will be held accountable for all of our actions. 

Thank you Lord for grace upon grace that you pour out upon us.  Help us to find in ourselves the ability to extend grace to others. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a great week!
Paige

Friday’s Musings: Adjusting the Sails USED

Modified and Used 9-16-21

Philippians 4:10-12  I was very glad in the Lord because now at last you have shown concern for me again. (Of course you were always concerned but had no way to show it.)  I’m not saying this because I need anything, for I have learned how to be content in any circumstance.  I know the experience of being in need and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor.

William A Ward wrote, “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.  Let’s face it, not many people would describe their life as pure paradise.  There are always challenges and disappointments and compromises mixed with the great things.  The secret to living a happy life is to seek the same peace through our faith in Jesus Christ that Saint Paul had.  When we look to Jesus for our priorities some of the things that bother us will not seem as important as they might otherwise.  

Loving God, we pray that you give us eyes to see the good in all circumstances. Thank you for giving us hope when things do not go as we wish.  We pray in the name of the One who is our peace. Amen.

Happy Friday!
Paige

Thursday’s Musings: Input with no Output = Death used again

Modified and used 11-17-20

John 15:5-8 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything.  If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.  My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.

The Dead Sea was one of the most interesting places we visited in the Holy Land. At 1,388 ft below sea level it’s the Earth’s lowest elevation on land. It’s also one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water. Its 33.7% salinity makes it roughly 8.6 times saltier than the ocean. The high salt levels produces an environment in which fish and aquatic plants can’t live. Only minuscule quantities of bacteria and microbial fungi are present.  The sea takes in water but does not give it out, causing the minerals to concentrate and the sea to be dead. Someone compared this to Christians who take in Christ but do not give him out.  Our faith is dead (fruitless) like the sea and like the branches described by John. We are called to live out our faith by sharing the Gospel with others, both in word and in deeds.

Help us Lord, to not have a dead faith, but a productive one.  Give us opportunities each day to share the Gospel in some way with someone else.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: Teflon Faith

Updated and used 7/6/20

Ephesians 6:10-11 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

One of my favorite kitchen tools is our non-stick egg poacher. It sits in our smallest skillet. I do still spray the egg holders with a little olive oil.  I add the eggs to the depressions, season them then add water to the pan and cover it.  A few minutes later I have perfect eggs that slide right out.
 
I’ve been preaching on faith these past weeks. The whole armor of God as described in subsequent verses including Truth, righteousness, faith, salvation and the Spirit will help us repel the temptations of the Devil. We can let all the Devil says to us simply slide right off.

Shakespeare’s Hamlet tried to work out what to do about his challenging predicament:
“To be or not to be, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing, end them.”

Because of our faith we know that we can do the latter with God’s help, armed with God’s whole armor.

Thank you, God for your protection against evil.  We pray that you will keep us strong and armed with all the tools of power that you so graciously give us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Happy Wednesday!
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: The Constant Star

Modified and used 10-20-20  USED

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

I heard a beautiful song this morning titled “Answer” by Sarah McLachlan. The line that grabbed my attention said, “When the stars have all gone out you'll still be burning so bright.”  We hold onto so much in life but no matter how important it may be to us, there’s always the possibility of losing it. God however is the ultimate presence. God will be there through all our triumphs and all our trials.  I like this scripture because it tells me that I can trust Jesus to keep all the promises he made and that his teachings will always hold true. Change is life is inevitable which makes it comforting to know that our Creator is a constant.

Lord, in the uncertainties of life you are our certainty. Help us to find our center in you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Monday’s Musings: Bald Men in the Rain

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

I went out in the heavy mist this morning for a short warm-up before my workout. I was complaining to myself about the mist making my hair a mess when I saw a bald neighbor walking his two dogs.  I thought about this scripture from yesterday.  He wasn’t encumbered with drippy hair! I’m glad I’m not bald but know that there’s a price to pay for wanting my hair to look good.  Sometimes it’s not big encumbrances that slow us down in our journey of faith.  Instead it’s the little resentments, desires for things we can’t afford, lusts, laziness, jealousies and apathies.  They so easily distract us from spending time in scripture and prayer.  The NLT tells us how we run the race with endurance: We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Loving God, please help us to overcome distractions from loving you and growing stronger in our faith and commitment to serving as the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. Guide and strengthen us for the week ahead.  It’s in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed week.
Paige

Friday’s Musings: The Gradual Slide

2 Peter 1:5-10 (CEV)  Do your best to improve your faith. You can do this by adding goodness, understanding, self-control, patience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love.  If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful.  But if you don’t grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven.  My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won’t stumble and fall.

Some days when I go out for my walk/run I want to find the more hilly areas for a challenge but some days I want level ground.  The other day I chose a fairly level section of road, at least I thought so until I turned around to return home by the same path. I realized that the downhill slope was so gradual that I hadn’t noticed it.  I certainly did after I stood at the bottom of the block looking up!  I thought that this is how we often fall away from good intentions. It isn’t anything sudden and drastic. Instead it’s little by little.  As one of my favorite pastors used to say, “Sheep grazing with their heads down get lost one nibble at a time.”  The scripture for this morning gives good advice to help us stay steady in our faith and to grow in it. If we don’t we are in danger of backsliding without even realizing it.

Loving God, please help us to stay alert to changes in our lives that would lead us off our desired course in all our endeavors and especially in our faith. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a blessed weekend!
Paige

Thursday’s Musings: Sing a Song

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

I spoke with an acquaintance this week who’s had more than his share of sickness and grief.  He and his wife both struggle with serious health issues and financial constraints.  There has also been illness and death in their families.  One of the brighter spots comes by the support of their close friends. Someone wrote, “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” I hope that we all can have that type of friend. Share your songs and dreams with them. Counsel them when they need help with decisions and most of all let them know God loves them and so do you.

Holy Lord, thank you for those who minister to us during our darkest hours. Help us to be that type of friends for others and to live after the example of your Son Jesus Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.

Happy Day!
Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: The Nuts and Bolts of Kindness USED

Modified and Used 10-19-20  and again 10-19-21

Colossians 3:12 (NLT)  Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

The other day Joe and I picked up double handfuls of sharp screws in a street near our home. They must have bounced out of someone’s truck. We certainly didn’t want anyone to get a flat tire.  I told Joe that picking up pieces of metal including bolts and screws out of the road is my way of committing little random acts of kindness.  I like the fact that we can do things solely for the pleasure of knowing that we may have helped someone else with no other rewards.  Jesus said:  “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. . .  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  If you don’t regularly practice secret kindnesses, I encourage you to do that in addition to overt acts of kindness to friends and family (and pastors!).  You will find rewards now and in the hereafter.

Loving God, help us to recognize opportunities to show kindness to others.  We commend ourselves and them into your daily care.  Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: When in Doubt Bake Brownies

Luke 6:37  “Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

A few weeks ago some new residents of our neighborhood threw a party.  Immediate neighbors reported that there were so many cars parked on both sides of the road that the street was blocked.  The music was loud and partygoers threw trash in people’s yards.  Eventually police officers had to intervene.  We all wished the homeowner had chosen better renters and wondered if this type thing would happen again. The subject was on the agenda to be discussed at the next neighborhood association meeting.  In the meantime a couple in the neighborhood association baked brownies and delivered them to the young men welcoming them to the neighborhood.  At some point the party was brought up and the guys related that they had no idea 200 people would show up.  I imagine it was a result of people informing friends about the party on social media. They were sorry things got out of hand.  Because the couple was willing to get to know the guys before judging their character a misunderstanding was avoided and we will probably have better neighbors as a result of that kind act.  Let us be slow to judge people and ready to get to know them before we form unkind opinions.

Sometimes we are quick to judge others Lord but don’t want our faults pointed out.  We ask that you convict us of our wrongdoings and help us be more understanding of others.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Monday’s Musings: Baby Named Messiah Must Change Name

1 Corinthians 8:5-6 (NLT) There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords.  But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.

One of the blurbs on the GMA news banner this morning said something like, “Court rules baby can’t be named Messiah.”  I Googled the story and here it is: A Tennessee judge has ordered a baby boy’s name to be changed from “Messiah” after deciding it is a title that has “only been earned by one person and that one person is Jesus Christ.” NBC station WBIR reported that the parents of the 7-month-old went to a child support hearing in Cocke County Chancery Court because they could not agree on his surname.  However, Child Support Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew decided Thursday that the baby, Messiah DeShawn Martin, should be renamed “Martin DeShawn McCullough.” The mother is appealing the decision stating, “I never intended on naming my son Messiah because it means God and I didn't think a judge could make me change my baby's name because of her religious beliefs,” 

Maybe the judge overstepped her boundaries on this but we should heed the scriptures.  The Bible never denies the existence of other spiritual beings, but for us there is one God, one Messiah and one Spirit that shall reign in our lives.  In the meantime, be careful about naming your pets, King, Prince or Duchess. Someone may just report you.

Holy Lord, let us put aside all that would detract from our relationship with you. Please be with us as we start a new work week and help us to always discern what is real and true. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a blessed week,
Paige

Friday’s Musings: How Many Times Did the Rooster Crow?

Mark 14:30 Jesus said to Peter, “I tell you that before the rooster crows two times tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me.”  ……72 At that very moment, a rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered what Jesus told him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down, sobbing.

As I was walking through Master Park yesterday morning I actually heard a rooster crowing. That’s not a usual sound in this urban area.  It made me think about how connected we are across our country. Still I’m more used to seeing chickens packaged in the grocery story than walking around. Then I thought about the rooster crowing when Peter denied Jesus.  The Hapeville rooster crowed once, twice, three times… I said come on, “one more time.”  I remember Peter denied Jesus three times and that I’d heard people talking about the rooster crowing three times.  However if one reads the accounts, Mark writes that the rooster crowed twice while in the other 3 Gospels it crows only once. Does it matter? Not really.  What matters to me is that it served as a reminder that we too can deny Christ especially when we fail to share our knowledge of him or fail to act in ways he taught us.  I asked myself as the rooster did crow the fourth time how I might have denied Christ this week.  Can you answer that for yourself?

Thank you Lord, for planting reminders in our life of your Word.  Help us to stay on the straight path and to celebrate our relationship with you and our salvation through Jesus Christ.  It’s in his name we pray. Amen.

Have a great weekend.
Paige

Thursday’s Musings: Who Do You Trust?

John 14:1(CEB) “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me.

A friend recently shared a link on Facebook to what turned out to be a lengthy infomercial selling a certain brand of Fish Oil.  For some reason the fact that two other brands melted through Styrofoam cups and this brand didn’t equated to greater effectiveness for humans. Like many sales pitches this one mixed some accurate information such as the effects of stress on cortisol levels, with suspect claims. The nutritional supplement generated $32 billion in 2012. There are many false claims being put forth as to effectiveness of these supplements.  Who can you trust?  Who can you trust when trying to improve your health, when purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, when seeking investment advice or in any other number of scenarios?  It’s sometimes difficult to know whose promises are really true.  I’m so glad that there’s one thing that I can really trust and that’s Christ’s promises of grace and eternal life for those who believe in him and accept him as Savior. “Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31-32)

Lord, we want to know the truth in order to make the best decisions yet there are many sheep in wolves’ clothing trying to deceive us. Please give us discerning minds.  Thank you for your Son whom we can trust completely and without reserve.  It’s in His name we pray. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Wednesday’s Devotion: Concerns of the Heart

Hebrews 13:1-3  Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.  Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!  Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

Yesterday I heard a lot about hearts.  I started the day by talking to a friend about pacemakers. During a segment on The Doctors, one of the docs told the TV audience that it was possible to die from a broken heart. On the news, the local health editor said that to prevent heart disease people needed to not smoke, to eat a low fat diet and get aerobic exercise. Then I read an article in the July 10^th Christian Century that said,
“Long-lasting loneliness can make humans sick and even cause death.  Emotional isolation and lack of intimacy is as high a risk a factor for death as smoking. The diseases exacerbated by loneliness are Alzheimer’s, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and even cancer.”  Maybe there is something to say about sites like Match.com!  When we drive down the street we never know who is sitting all alone in the houses we pass and struggling with loneliness.  The Beatles sang, “All the Lonely People.”  As Christians, we are called to reach out to those people and to share the love of Christ.  If you can, invite them to church where they may find genuine care and fellowship.

Loving God, we ask that you lead us to the lonely so that we may offer them friendship and Christ-like love.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In Christ,
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: I’m Not a Patient Person

Tuesday’s Musings: I’m Not a Patient Person

James 5:8  You also must be patient. Keep your hopes high, for the day of the Lord's coming is near.

I have never been a very patient person. Last night at the Fellowship Class dinner I told someone that I’d seen a recipe for fried chicken that called for the chicken to be marinated overnight in brewed tea.  I don’t make things that take two days to prepare. I don’t even make Jello.  The other day a friend shared the events of an almost comical evening as he went from store to store only to be repeatedly made to wait in long lines because of various problems or store inefficiencies.  I said the Lord was testing his patience to strengthen it.  I’m a person of action and really want to see results, but I have learned controlled patience.  The people James was addressing were impatient.  They faced hardship and persecution for their faith.  They all thought Jesus’ return to earth was imminent and that he would end all of their trials.  They were mistaken, but what we know now is that the Holy Spirit was there bringing a bit of heaven to earth. We call it the in-breaking of the Kingdom.  When we become anxious for something to happen, it helps to take a deep breath and pray for patience and peace.  In the meantime, I think I’ll go make some instant pudding.

Loving God, we often become anxious for things to happen.  Yet you have told us not to be anxious but to believe and trust in you.  Help us in these times to seek your perfect timing.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessing,
Paige

Monday’s Musings: Hearing Voices

John 10:24 He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

Yesterday morning I stopped by my office to put on my microphone and pick up my Bible before going to the chapel for Jeans and Jazz.  As I headed down the stairs, I heard voices drifting upwards from the atrium where people gather for coffee and breakfast.  I began to recognize the various voices: Russ, Johnnie, Tommy, Virgie.  I smiled as I thought about those who would be there to greet me and who would be at the service.  Sometimes when we are sad or anxious about something it’s just comforting to hear a friend’s voice.  Later in the day a pastor friend shared a beautiful prayer by A.W. Tozer about listening for God’s voice. It went well with my thoughts about voices.

Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them...let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking voice. Amen.

Have a blessed week,
Paige

Friday’s Musings: Round the Clock Christ

 

Ephesians 3:18-19  I pray that you will be able to understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep His love is. I pray that you will know the love of Christ. His love goes beyond anything we can understand. I pray that you will be filled with God Himself.

Last night I had a discussion with some friends about what time we got up in the morning and if we were morning people or night owls.  One friend walks at 6:15 every morning.  I’m barely human at that time, yet I’m really good at midnight.  We may not all want to be up to see the sunrise but I do hope that the Son will rise in our hearts each day.  Have a great weekend.

Holy Lord, we hope to know your fullness in our lives. Fill us with love for Jesus and with His love.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Thursday’s Musings: My Evening With a Cop

Psalm 139:13-14  You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful—I know that very well.

Tuesday night I rode along with one of Hapeville’s fine police officers. A lot happened in the four hours I was there as part of the Citizens’ Police Academy training.   “We” arrested a man who had a warrant out on him for violation of probation.  After he was handcuffed and put into the back seat the officer remained parked where we picked him up. When the arrested man and I both asked why stay there, he remarked that we were waiting on an answer as to when and where we’d make the transfer to Fulton County authorities.  A few houses up a young woman stood in her front yard as she talked on the cell phone.  Eventually she approached the car. The officer told me that they always drive with their window either down or cracked so they can hear if people call out to them. The woman said to the officer, “Would you like to see my baby’s ultrasound picture?  Someone needs to see it because its daddy doesn’t want to look at it.” That made me so sad for her. She showed us the picture she was carrying in her hand.  The officer asked how far along she was and she said, “five months.”  He then kindly told her that he hoped all went well for her. As she walked back home, I said a prayer for her and the baby.  The Psalmist reminds us that every child is a creation of God and known by God, no matter how the parents might feel about it.  I hope that all does go well for this one.

Father God, Help us to remember that you are the First parent that you love us even if our parents didn’t and you care for our children as if they were your own.  We pray in your one true Son’s name. Amen.

Have a lovely day,
Paige

PS.  I wrote this Musings last night.  This morning as I was walking at the ball fields I saw a young couple standing on the sidewalk ahead chatting with a Hapeville employee who had stopped in his truck.  As I passed I realized it was this girl.  I turned back and ask if she remembered me and asked how she felt.  We talked a moment as I explained to both men how I had met her and who I was.  I told her that I prayed for her the other night and she responded that she prayed for people every day, too.  She introduced me to her boyfriend.  As I neared my house I saw them once again.  He reached out and took her hand and they walked by me hand in hand.  I think this encounter was a God appointment.  Praises to Him always.