Month: July 2026

flashback – reverie & reflection

Posted on by Grace Day

I am searching for an old Bible study book from some years back. I am certain I have done this particular study in the past and am convinced I must still have the book. It must be somewhere in my house, if only I could find it and avoid buying another one. So far, I have not found said book. BUT – I did just discover something I wrote only a few years ago, (although it seems exponentially longer than that). My words are hand written, scribbled on scrap paper, this paper tucked into a book that got my attention even as I searched in vain for the book that I currently need.

My words took me by surprise even as they took me back to a time not that far removed from today. How soon we forget, I thought, as I read what I had written regarding those days. Perhaps a flashback is in order, dear readers. Doesn’t the saying go, “history will repeat itself if we don’t learn from our mistakes.”? In any case, these were the thoughts and reflections I found scribbled on scrap paper, tucked away in a book, a book that was buried in a stack of books until I came across it today and read this –

“I am surprised by the ordinariness of this day. In these extraordinary times we go about our business as if nothing has happened – walking through our days waiting for the other shoe to drop. The first shoe to fall fell quickly, before we had time to question how we would walk forward with only one shoe.

The day that first shoe dropped, it was an ordinary day – which was no surprise – these were ordinary times. Oh sure, there had been a recent rumor or two – a rumbling of something – but it was business as usual for all of us – until it wasn’t anymore.

Schools closed overnight. Businesses and restaurants shut down. No weddings. No funerals. No birthday parties. Gatherings of any kind were forbidden while the streets remained packed with angry protestors day after day, night after night. Liquor stores were open. Churches were closed. No eating out – but some did. No haircuts – but some did. We are told not to visit our loved ones. It is too dangerous. We are told to distance and to isolate. I wait in isolation, fear and silence for the other shoe to drop.

Now two and a half years later, I look around the classroom and wonder. I wonder about many things. There is no reminder here save one student wearing a mask – a last visual vestige of the trauma thrust upon us so suddenly and so completely that we could not catch our breath – and then they masked us – ensuring we could not breathe freely nor speak freely. The masks were silence’s symbol and fear’s announcement simultaneously – ‘be afraid and be quiet’ they proclaimed, ‘no questions allowed – the science is settled,’ they said. Reality told a different story, but reality was not to be believed. They were. And the shoes continued to drop – our freedoms disappearing with each new thud. No travel, no contact, no work, no worship, no community – only isolation and fear.”

Reading my own words took me back to a time I had already forgotten – an unwelcome flashback for sure. How had “fifteen days to flatten the curve” turned into more than a year of forced restrictions in our personal lives? I remember markings on the floors of stores telling us where to stand, to ensure that we were properly distanced while waiting in line. I wonder if some of those markings are still there? I wonder if there were markings on the streets ensuring the protestors kept their proper and required distance from each other?

Well, enough of reverie and reflection for today. Time for me to be thankful for our God given freedoms. I am reminded of the words of Isaiah –

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Isaiah 61:1-1-2)

God came to set you and me free. In Galatians we read –

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

In John we read –

“To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ ” (John 8:31-32)

I have an innate longing to be free. We all do. At present, around the world many people are enslaved and oppressed by governments currently in power. But this is not permanent. Ultimately, freedom is ours in Christ. We have His promises as our hope. Jesus told us –

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

and –

“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’ ” (John 8:34-36)

forever free – thanks to the redeeming rescue of our Savior, Jesus!

sincerely, Grace Day

giving up?

Posted on by Grace Day

Did I mention I’ve been cleaning out my garage? It does seem to be an ongoing, ever present, never ending task, a task that never gets crossed off my to-do list because I’m never finished. I’ve decided there’s a very rational reason that I still have all this “stuff” although much of it probably should be thrown away. If I throw an item away it means I have given up on it. It means I see no value, use or purpose for said item any longer. The item could be worn or broken or stained or outdated, any number of things might be true of a particular item. With clothing, the problem might be only that it is no longer in current fashion or maybe it is missing a button or has a small stain. With mechanical items, maybe they too are outdated or maybe they are simply missing a small but essential component necessary to their proper functioning.

In any case, I hold onto these things because I hold onto hope that they still have some value, some purpose, some use to someone somewhere, and therefore should not be given up on and thrown away. I hold onto the hope that these things, whether toys, clothes, household items, electronics – whatever it is – that they can be repurposed, repaired, restored, rehabilitated to give them a second life – a new life of usefulness to someone who needs whatever the item might be.

I guess I see the possibilities, the potential, the promise in each item and find myself unwilling to give up on any good use of said item in the future. It’s not my fault really, that I hang onto stuff, unwilling to give up on how it could be used and refuse to throw it out with the trash. I come by it naturally, this desire to give a second chance and a third chance and more chances, rather than give up. I get it from my father, my Heavenly Father. God never gives up on me. That’s why giving up is not in my nature either. I am my Father’s child.

I don’t need to give up on myself when I fail despite my oh so good intentions (which is daily) and I don’t need to give up on others either. God doesn’t. Why would I? You and I have this promise from our Heavenly Father –

“being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

I find those words very reassuring. My Heavenly Father will not give up on me! No matter how broken I am, how many missing parts I have, how old or outdated current culture may think me to be – God sees the potential in me (and you, too). God sees the person He created me to be all along, even though I’m not fully that person yet. God is the master of rehabilitation, of repairing, restoring, repurposing me. My Heavenly Father redeems my life. He does not give up on me and throw me out with the trash. No, He says this to me (and to you, too, dear readers) –

” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11)

and God tells us –

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

my Heavenly Father will never give up on me! (or you either) because He loves you and me and we know that –

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)

God is going to finish what He started in me and in you, too. If you feel you’re in need of some repair, some renewal, some rehab – if you long to be fully and completely restored to what God intended for you all along – take heart. We know this –

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

My Heavenly Father is in the restoration business. He promises you and me this –

“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.” (Ezekiel 36:24-27)

I’m so thankful that my Heavenly Father redeems and restores me, rather than giving up on me and throwing me away. This world definitely leaves me with scars. It buffets, batters and burdens me with pain, suffering and loss – things inescapable in this life. BUT – praise God that He doesn’t leave me in the condition in which He finds me – a condition brought on by my sin and by the world in which we live. No, God’s rescue and restoration are wholly undeserved and yet promised to me and to you who believe. God says –

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten – the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm – My great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will My people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will My people be shamed.” (Joel 2:25-27)

You and I may be suffering much pain and loss currently BUT – I will not give up because God is at work in everything –

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

don’t give up – God came to rescue, redeem, repair, repurpose and restore each one of us – His beloved creation – He’s at work in each of us right now and He will not give up on any of us but “will carry it on to completion.” This is my hope.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11)

sincerely, Grace Day

the Provider

Posted on by Grace Day

Remember the story of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens? In it Mr. Scrooge is called “the founder of the feast” by Bob Cratchit. This sentiment is a bit sarcastic given that Mr. Scrooge lived up to his name – he wasn’t really a very generous provider at all. (well, until the end when he had a change of heart) Which begs the question for me and perhaps for you too, dear readers – who is my provider? Do I look to myself? Do I look to others? Do I count on the government to meet my needs?

Circumstances are always subject to change as this world is filled with uncertainty. Must be why the saying “Nothing is certain but death and taxes” is still with us and still relevant. Who will provide our human needs has always been a central question for us from the beginning of our existence. God was the first Provider. He created Adam and Eve and placed them in a beautiful garden that He had created. God provided all their needs until they became discontent, chose their own way and were put out of the garden. Even then, it was God who provided them clothing before they left their home.

“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21)

God has a history of providing for us, especially at those times when we are unable to provide for ourselves that which we most need. Consider Abraham and his trip up the mountain with his son, Isaac. They were on their way to make a sacrifice to God BUT – something essential was missing – the actual sacrifice itself. Still Abraham kept on going up the mountain in faith.

“Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. . . . Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ Abraham answered, ‘God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.” (Genesis 22:6-8)

Now God had told Abraham to take Isaac up the mountain and to sacrifice him there. BUT – at the last moment, God called to Abraham to stop, saying –

” ‘Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ He said. ‘Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from Me your son, your only son.’ Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’ ” (Genesis 22:12-14)

God was Abraham’s Provider then. He was the Israelites’ Provider for forty years. While the Israelites were wandering in the desert, God provided them with manna new every morning to sustain them on their journey to the Promised Land. God is my Provider now, today and every day. He is yours too. We have this reminder from Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi –

“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

I don’t need to waste time worrying or to be filled with fear. My Heavenly Father is more than able to take care of me. In fact, Paul wrote these words in his letter to the church at Corinth –

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Now that is a very reassuring promise. God doesn’t want me or you either, to spend our days consumed with anxiety, worry, fear and stress. Jesus spoke very clearly about this, saying to those He was teaching –

“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 important than food, and the body more important than clothes? . . . Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? . . . So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ 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)

Those last words I have no trouble believing and I bet you don’t either. Each day seems to contain some measure of trouble, challenge, hardship, suffering, pain or loss. Some days just have more than others. BUT – even in the worst of circumstances, God shows up as my Provider. His promise is the same for you, too. King David experienced the worst of times and yet during those dangerous and difficult times He wrote these words –

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. . . . Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:1 & 4-5)

Even in the most dire of circumstances, “the valley of the shadow of death” and “in the presence of his enemies” – King David experienced God’s not just sufficient, but abundant provision. David acknowledged that his “cup overflowed.”

And if I’m honest, I must admit that mine does too. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17) I am the recipient of so many of God’s “good and perfect gifts” everyday that it is impossible not to be filled with gratitude for such undeserved favor.

My Heavenly Father’s most wonderful gifts aren’t even material ones. He gives me His comfort, His peace, His mercy, His hope, His healing, His protection – the list is endless, as is my Heavenly Father’s provision for me.

My God is many things. My God is all things to me. He is my Creator, Sustainer, Savior, Rescuer, Redeemer, Restorer, Lord, King, Defender, Healer, Protector – the One who has my name engraved on His palms, the One who rejoices over me with singing – the One who knows the way that I take – the One who provides for me “immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within me” (Ephesians 3:20) – my Heavenly Father – the Provider of all that I will ever need.

“His divine power has given us (me and you) everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3)

sincerely, Grace Day

mysteries amid the mundane

Posted on by Grace Day

Although my days are usually quite ordinary and uneventful, mundane even, somehow they still manage to be filled with the intrigue of multiple unsolved mysteries. These mysteries can present themselves at any time without warning, but they are especially likely to reveal themselves when I am going through a closet or a drawer in search of some lost item, which is a mystery in its own right, of course. While I may not find the particular sought after item which prompted my original search, I am likely to uncover other mysteries, which is to say, my search inevitably leads me to more mysteries – mysteries without apparent answers – mysteries that defy any logic while simultaneously daring me to solve them.

So while my inquiring mind wants to know the answers to these multiple mysteries, I am forced to live daily with the majority of these myriad mysteries remaining unsolved. But it is not due to a lack of effort on my part that these mysteries remain mysteries. (the assumption here being that if a mystery is solved, it is no longer a mystery – not after the answer becomes known) No, these mysteries remain despite my best efforts to solve them.

Is this true for you as well, dear readers? Do you live surrounded by myriad mysteries that lack a solution? You are not alone. I think most of us do. But our mysteries may be different – except for the universal and most important one. That is a mystery we all share.

However, here are some of my current and more mundane mysteries. I have discovered I possess at least nine remote control devices. Why is this mysterious? Because the fact is that I have only one TV. That accounts for one remote device. The mystery is – why do I have all these other remotes? I wonder what they are for, what devices they might control BUT, I have no clue. Each remote control is a mystery to me. I don’t know what or where their intended device is, the thing that each remote belongs to, the thing that each remote is made specifically for, whether that is a TV, a stereo or whatever it might be? Where in the world are all of the electronic devices that belong with each one of these remote controls I currently have in my possession. It is a mystery I would like to solve. I would love to reunite each remote with the device to whom it belongs. That would be a happy ending.

I also have various and assorted keys laying around. Other than the keys to my car (which aren’t actual keys anymore) and the key to my door – what do all these other keys unlock? I wish I knew. I hold the keys to many unknown things. Each key contains a mystery all its own. There’s a lock out there somewhere which is the perfect fit for one and only one of my many random keys. Likewise, there are other locks waiting to be reunited with the one key that will open them. Each key represents a mystery just waiting to be solved.

Then there are the boxes of old photos I have recently discovered. I’m talking very old, black and white photos of people that I don’t know because they died long before I was born. Some of the photos have names on them, but most are not labeled. Each unlabeled photograph tells a story I am sure, but that story remains a mystery to me, since I am unsure of who the people in the picture actually are. They could be my great grandparents or even further back than that. It is a mystery that will remain unsolved for all of the photos that have no names and no dates written on their backs.

I also come across random puzzle pieces from time to time. These individual pieces have become separated from their original puzzles, leaving me no idea to which puzzle any particular lost puzzle piece once belonged. Each puzzle piece carries with it a mystery all its own. How did it end up isolated and alone? What or who separated it from its rightful place as an important part of a larger whole? This lone puzzle piece is no doubt one of a thousand pieces, pieces that when all connected together, make up one complete, beautiful picture.

I can’t help thinking that this lone puzzle piece would probably like to find its place, the place where it fits, the place where it belongs. It is designed to be connected to the other pieces of its original puzzle. No other puzzle will have a place for this piece. Only the puzzle for which it was created in the first place will have a space for which this piece was specifically designed, a space that only this puzzle piece can fill. Apart from the puzzle, this piece cannot fulfill its intended purpose. Alone and disconnected, this puzzle piece never realizes its potential.

Ever feel like a lone puzzle piece trying desperately to find a place where you fit in? This is the mystery we all share. Where is our place in this world? in this universe? We all desire connection over isolation, yet finding a space that matches our shape proves elusive at first, then eventually becomes downright impossible to find. We each are searching for a place where we can feel like we belong. In this world our search proves futile, again and again, as we try various groups, organizations, causes, clubs, cults – anything that promises us a place, a purpose and people with whom we can share those things. Yet each time we are disappointed, because we are made for something more than what we attempt to fashion for ourselves.

We are each created in God’s image. We are created for His good purposes. We are created to belong to Him as dearly loved sons and daughters. We find the space that only our own unique God created shape can fill waiting for us when we become a part of “the body of Christ”. This has been our destiny from the beginning – connection, not isolation. The apostle Paul described it this way in Corinthians –

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. . . . But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. . . . Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

Many pieces. One puzzle. One complete picture. The lost puzzle piece finds its purpose, finds its place of belonging only when it gets connected to the puzzle and fills its space – the space that only it can fill. In the connection there is completion. There is also peace and purpose. The mystery is solved. The picture of the puzzle is completely revealed.

I will continue to have many unsolved mysteries this side of heaven. Random remotes, keys without locks, pictures without labels, puzzle pieces without a puzzle – and of course, always, socks without a match. But the important mysteries will eventually be solved in eternity.

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:12 & 13)

sincerely, Grace Day