Jesus

dandelion wars

Posted on by Grace Day

Yes, I am still battling the dandelions in my yard and they are winning! By this time of year, I would have thought the weather would have joined the battle on my behalf and simply killed all the dandelions with cold temperatures. But we have had mild weather so far this fall, so my grass is still green and my dandelions are thriving. (my front porch flowers are still alive also!) I am happy about the latter but not so thrilled about the former.

My battle strategy of late has been both unconventional and utterly unsuccessful. Perhaps it is time to rethink my current methods of dandelion combat. Of course initially, in the spring I employed the services of a lawn care company. They kill the dandelions with their magic weed killing formula applied strategically and liberally. Although, in retrospect, I did have to request additional treatments this past spring/summer, because the dandelions in my yard staged a comeback or they resurrected from the dead? (whichever seems more plausible) Maybe it’s true that “you can’t keep a good dandelion down”?

Now, if you remember from previous posts, the dandelions’ unexpected return to my front lawn resulted in me receiving very legal sounding letters from my HOA. This caused concern and the need for additional anti-dandelion treatments this summer. So you can imagine my surprise at having to deal with dandelions in my front yard once again, during the months of October and now November. The dandelions have staged yet another comeback or possibly a successful coup! And they appear to be multiplying!

I don’t see the dandelions initially when they are bright yellow because they are low to the ground and hidden by the grass. But then, as if by magic, my lawn is filled with silver spheres of fluff atop long, slender stems. They are actually kind of beautiful against the backdrop of the still green grass. However, I know what those perfect silver balls of fluff represent – seeds that will turn into more dandelions – hundreds of them. Dandelions are definitely dedicated to God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply!”

So my plan of late has been to pick these stems with the silver fluff spheres full of seeds while the spheres of seeds are still intact. Then I carefully deposit said silver seed spheres into the trash. My reasoning is that if I get them before the wind has a chance to blow the fluff balls apart, thus scattering the seeds everywhere, I can prevent the seeds from falling to the ground, germinating and producing exponentially more dandelions.

Every day I execute this battle plan to perfection. I pick and dispose of all visible dandelion silver fluff balls, taking great care not to set loose into the air any of the seeds. This is ironic because as a child one of my favorite activities was blowing apart the dandelion fluff, so I could watch it float away, carried on the wind. Doing this was strangely magical and satisfying simultaneously, because just like birthday candles, one always makes a wish before attempting to blow all the fluff (aka seeds) off the dandelion stem.

While others were wishing upon stars, I was wishing with dandelion fluff and in so doing, I was aiding and abetting the dandelions in their mission to multiply, cover the earth and subdue it. Little did I know that years later, I would find myself fighting against dandelion multiplication, in an effort not to arouse the ire of my HOA. To this end, I persevere in picking dandelions from my lawn before they have a chance to disperse their seeds.

At present, however, this is not a successful strategy. Every day when I arrive home from work, I notice my front lawn again adorned with multiple stems topped with silver spheres of fuzz, even though just the day before I had removed every single one. Not only this, but their numbers seem to be increasing each day, despite my vigilance and persistence. I am losing the dandelion wars big time.

Why isn’t my battle strategy working? Maybe because, as is inevitable, some of the dandelion fluff is blown away before I get the chance to remove the dandelions from my yard. I can’t keep watch twenty-four/seven, so some seeds will succeed in floating away and taking new territory. Realizing I need to be more proactive, I also pick any yellow dandelions I see, so they don’t even have the chance to turn into seed filled fluff. But somehow, there are still plenty of silver fluff balls that appear as if by magic, even though I thought I had picked off all the yellow dandelions before they could go to seed.

Clearly, I am not getting to the root of the problem. (pun intended) My battle strategy to date has not included digging up the roots of the flowers (or weeds as they are more commonly called). Digging up dandelions by their roots is hard work and takes much more time than simply plucking the tops off of the plants. I would have to get down on my knees. I would have to be willing to get my hands dirty. I would need to put in the time and the effort needed to win this dandelion war. Clearly, I am not that committed.

At this point it occurs to me that getting to know my adversary better, would enable me to form a more effective battle strategy. To this end, I have studied my enemy and in the process, have learned some fun facts about dandelions.

Dandelions have really good roots. This is why they survive and even multiply in less than ideal, even adverse conditions that kill other plants. This explains why the dandelions in my yard thrive even while my grass withers in the summer heat. I think dandelions have better, sturdier, stronger roots. And my research proved me correct. Sonya Query, master gardener, says this about dandelions – “They can grow in almost any condition and can regenerate from a little piece of root left behind when weeding.”

Resilient – that’s what dandelions are. Query also says dandelions have long tap roots which are hard to pull out in their entirety. This is why dandelions are so hard to eliminate permanently. Because of how quickly their seeds can spread and how deep their roots can grow, defeating dandelions is definitely a daunting task. It is precisely their deep root that makes them so hard to get rid of. And each dandelion plant can produce up to 20,000 viable seeds which are dispersed by wind over long distances. Dandelions are definitely a formidable foe! No wonder I am losing the war.

BUT – now that I have studied my enemy, the dandelion, I kind of admire and respect my adversary. Why? Well, besides being beautiful (I love their sunny yellow color and their mystical silver fluff ball beauty) they are also strong, tenacious, resilient and adaptable to multiple circumstances and conditions. Dandelions are survivors. Dandelions are tenacious. Just when you think you have them beat, they stage a comeback. Dandelion’s are overcomers.

I want to be more like the dandelions adorning my yard. Just as their roots run deep, I want my faith roots to run deep, deep enough to survive all of life’s storms and changes in circumstance – just as the dandelions survive their constantly changing weather environment. They not only survive, they thrive and multiply because of their deep roots.

How ironic that after learning more about my adversary, the dandelion, I want to be more like my foe. I want my roots to run deep, so deep that I will be steadfast in adversity – so deep that I will remain faithful and even flourish when I find myself in the hostile environments of governments and of cultures and of historical times. I will be like the trees described in Jeremiah –

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Being deep rooted like the dandelions is necessary for the survival of my faith.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7)

Rooted in Christ, the solid Rock, (now there’s a paradox for roots) – I can withstand life’s storms and furnaces, of which there have been and will be many. Remember, the dandelion will grow back if even a little of its root is left in the soil. So will my faith be preserved through every flood, furnace and tornado of life as long as even a mustard seed remains. And like the dandelions, who Query says “can grow in almost any condition”, my faith can flourish no matter my circumstances. In fact, Paul says –

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

Having the roots of my faith in Jesus Christ, that’s the key – just as the dandelions’ deep roots are the key to their survival. It’s like Paul told the Ephesians –

“that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19)

“being rooted in love” – God’s infinite, lavish, undeserved, undying, compassionate, merciful, eternal love – love, that’s good soil, the kind of soil in which my roots can run deep like the roots of the dandelions that have taken up residence in my yard, the kind of soil in which my faith can grow strong and produce fruit – just like the dandelions! (who are no longer my adversaries but possibly my new role models)

I guess the dandelion wars are over . . .

sincerely, Grace Day

pursuing peace

Posted on by Grace Day

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, . . . It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.” (Psalm 133:1-3)

Peace seems to be more elusive than ever these days. Peace is highly sought after but hard to find. It is definitely desirable, so much so that I am told in Hebrews –

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

and Romans gives me further instructions about how I can pursue the peace that I long to experience –

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath,” (Romans 12:18-19)

Peace – what everyone wants, yet what no one seems to possess. Anxiety is at an all-time high, while peace seems only an elusive dream. Jesus said –

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Jesus also told His disciples –

“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)

Jesus is called the “Prince of Peace” in Isaiah. The peace Jesus brings to me and to you, dear readers, is not what the world offers, if indeed the world offers anything at all that remotely resembles peace? I don’t think so. The world may define peace as simply the absence of conflict, in which case peace would be impossible to find or to experience for any length of time at all. Currently, conflict seems to be the norm in our lives on every level, from interpersonal to international.

How I long for a respite from the chaos of conflict! I’m guessing you do, too? I know I crave peace, if only for a moment, in this continually contentious world. Maybe that’s why I like this promise from God’s word so much –

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” (Isaiah 26:3)

God’s peace will keep me when I look to Him instead of expecting the culture to give me what it does not possess and so cannot give. And there’s another benefit to the peace God gives – it is a protective peace. In Philippians I am told –

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present my requests to God.”

the result of my doing this?

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

God’s peace is a peace the world cannot understand because His peace does not depend on my circumstances which continually change like the wind blowing first one way, then another. God’s peace is a gift that keeps me – it protects me, just as His word promises it will. It guards both my heart and mind. God’s peace keeps watch over both my emotions and my thoughts. God’s peace brings me rest and calm in the middle of my storms.

It’s like Peter walking across the stormy sea to Jesus. As long as Peter was focused on and looking at Jesus, he had no problem walking on the water. But when Peter turned his gaze from Jesus to his circumstances (the wind whipped water all around him) his emotions (fear) and his thoughts (now anxious and doubting) replaced the peace and hope and courage, he had momentarily experienced during the storm when his attention was solely fixed on Jesus.

Having received God’s gift of peace, I want to practice peace in my daily life. I will actively pursue peace. In fact, this is a command found in Psalms –

“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14)

To this end, I will keep my mind “stayed upon Him” and “with thanksgiving make my requests to Him” – knowing He has promised it is His peace that will guard me if I do these things. As I “make every effort to live in peace with all men” I will remember –

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

I will practice peace by watching my words. If I desire peace, I must actively pursue it and practice it “as far as it depends on me.”

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

sincerely, Grace Day

a solitary sentry

Posted on by Grace Day

“Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.” (Lamentations 2:19)

When my children were young, these words seemed ever before me as a constant imperative. Actually, as I write this I am convicted and reminded that this kind of prayer is a necessity no matter the age of my children. Have I grown weary in the carrying out of my sentry duties? Now these words come to mind –

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

I am definitely feeling weary and discouraged, but I don’t want these feelings to cause me to abandon my post, to forsake my sacred calling as a sentry. Like Habakkuk –

“I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what He will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.” (Habakkuk 2:1)

A sentry is defined as “a guard or watchman whose job is to stand and keep watch to protect a place.” So I am to do two things as a sentry – stand and keep watch. Both of these actions, standing and watching, are more challenging than you might initially think. Both require much perseverance and endurance. In 1 Corinthians I am given these instructions –

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men (women) of courage; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)

In Ephesians I am instructed with these words –

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then . . . And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:13 & 18)

Standing and praying, waiting and watching, guarding and protecting – the work of a sentry is the carrying out of a sacred assignment. In Matthew I read this –

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” (Matthew 24:42-44)

“Stand firm,” “keep watch,” “always keep on praying,” – this is my assignment as a sentry. I am waiting and watching always, ever vigilant at my post. Shepherds were the sentries of their day. They would stand at their posts, watching, guarding, protecting their sheep continuously. If they left their post at any time, a predator, such as a mountain lion, could enter in to steal, kill and destroy the sheep under their care.

Shepherds kept watch during the long nights in order to guard what God had entrusted to them from any enemy attack. They were solitary sentries, alone at their post, although there were other solitary sentries watching over other flocks on other hillsides. But the work of a sentry is done in solitude.

Today I am a solitary sentry – standing firm, watching expectantly, praying fervently – waiting for my Lord’s return. Shepherds, being the sentries of their day, were witness to the announcement of Jesus’s first appearance.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ ” (Luke 2:8-12)

This monumental announcement came to the sentries, those at their posts, waiting and watching faithfully, through many years of long, cold, dark nights. The reward of these faithful sentries?

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ ” (Luke 2:13-15)

Did you catch that? “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven”, meaning angels came to them, delivered miraculous, wonderful news to them personally. And not just a few angels either. The text says, “a great company of the heavenly host (aka angels) appeared.” They appeared to the sentries, those who were at their posts – standing, watching, waiting – just as they had done through the watches of many a night before this particular night when the heavens opened, filled with light, angels and music.

A praying sentry watches out for the bad, waits with hope for the promised good, believes that like the shepherds, they will eventually behold the beautiful if they stand firm at their post, praying without ceasing. This is my assignment, perhaps yours, too, dear readers? Actually, we each are needed at our post of prayer and watchfulness. It is a solitary calling, each one of us at our particular post on the wall, crying out to God, standing, watching, waiting. The sentry is the first to spot danger and sound the alarm, the first to receive good news and make it known.

This is an exciting time to be a sentry. We are waiting on Jesus’s return to earth, even though we do not know the day nor the hour. Which should make us all the more vigilant as sentries. My assignment as a sentry is described by Isaiah in this way –

“I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6-7)

I am a weary, lonely sentry in a dark world full of deaf ears BUT the One who keeps watch over me, the One who knows when a sparrow falls, is the perfect sentry over all creation, a sentry who never slumbers nor sleeps. He will enable me to stand firm at my post as I call out to Him day and night –

“Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, let Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)

Come Lord Jesus, come quickly!

sincerely, Grace Day

grandma knows best

Posted on by Grace Day

This must be why old sayings, no matter how cliche, actually stand the test of time and still ring true today – because, as Solomon said, “there is nothing new under the sun.” So my grandma’s wise words and favorite sayings are relevant for every generation. Being a lover of books, (remember books, all you digital agers?) one of my favorite wisdom sayings is – “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” The meaning of these words may appear self-evident, nevertheless given our human natures, I and perhaps you, too, dear readers, continue to make judgements based on a book’s cover, without ever taking the time to open up the book and actually read what’s inside.

However, this old maxim actually refers to people, not books. Probably because we make the same mistake with people that we do with books, every day. We see people’s “covers”, their outward appearance, and we make judgements about them based on how they look, without ever taking the time to get to know them, which would allow us to learn what the person is like on the inside. Everyone has a story, but I can’t learn that story unless I look beyond the cover and “read” what’s inside. With people, listening is how I “read” what lies beneath the cover of their unique book – their life story.

Some say that in this age of social media, such as Facebook, all we see of other people is their “cover” – a cover that they carefully craft and present to the world via what they choose to put online. There is no way for us to open up the cover online and see what lies beneath. But this is not a new problem brought on by a digital age. How far back does this tendency to “judge a book by its cover” go? Well, consider what happened with Samuel, a prophet of God, who lived more than three-thousand years ago. God called Samuel out for this very thing – the exclusively human habit of “judging a book by its cover.” Here’s what happened –

“The Lord said to Samuel, ” . . . I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king. . . . You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.’ Samuel did what the Lord said. . . . Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ ” (1 Samuel 16:1-7)

Aren’t you glad that our Creator, our Heavenly Father, doesn’t judge us by our outward appearance, but by our hearts? God doesn’t judge me by how expensive or how fashionable my clothes are, by my hairstyle, hair color, skin color, height, weight etc. Why? Because my heart is more important to God than how I look on the outside. Jesus confirms this truth when He says these words –

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (Matthew 23:27-28)

Calling someone a “whitewashed tomb”! That is a pretty big insult, to be sure. Jesus was saying the religious leaders of His day looked good on the outside, because they wore the appropriate robes befitting their position in the culture BUT – Jesus knew their hearts and He called them out in front of everyone, revealing that on the inside they were hypocritical and wicked, conditions of the heart that Jesus equated with the decay of death found inside a tomb. (remember Lazarus had only been dead four days and he already smelled really bad when Jesus called to him to come out of his tomb)

Jesus didn’t have to “judge any books by their covers” because His special x-ray vision sees all of us clearly, completely and accurately, not just our exteriors or covers. This is made clear in Hebrews where I read –

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)

I find this revelation both disconcerting and comforting. I can’t hide anything from my Heavenly Father, He sees all of me – the good, the bad and the ugly. (and still He loves me, died for me and extends to me His mercies “new every morning.”) I can’t hide from Him, (Adam and Eve tried to do that unsuccessfully) and all that I am and all I have done is “uncovered” before my Heavenly Father’s eyes. No matter how diligently I attempt to “whitewash” my outward appearance, it will never be enough to deceive my Heavenly Father one bit as to what’s going on inside of me.

So here’s my situation. I can’t hide from God and I find myself without cover before God. BUT – in an ironic twist God is both my hiding place and my cover. King David said this about God –

“You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Psalm 32:7)

And remember when God said to Moses –

“Look, stand near Me on this rock. As My glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove My hand and let you see me from behind. But My face will not be seen.” (Exodus 33:21-23)

This account reveals God as both hiding place and covering for Moses, and today, this same God is exactly that for me and for you, too, dear readers. He wants to be our hiding place and our covering amid the dangers and the storms of this life. The psalmist said of God –

“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ . . . He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Psalm 91:2-4)

It is Jesus’s blood that covers my sins. So even though God is the One before whom everything about me is “uncovered and laid bare” as it says in Hebrews, God is also the One who provides my covering. Kind of like in the garden with Adam and Eve, their sin was not hidden from God. They were exposed and naked, BUT – it was God, Himself who made their new clothes (coverings) before He sent them out of the garden because of the choice they had made.

Wow, have I digressed! But perhaps not so far as it would appear. Being an avid reader, I don’t want to be one to go around judging books by their covers. I have been wrong too many times. I want to look beyond the cover. I want to discover whatever uniquely inspiring story is written on those pages inside the cover. Likewise, I don’t want to make this same mistake with people either. I want to look beyond outward appearances to what is on the inside, the heart of a person. Unfortunately, I don’t possess my Heavenly Father’s perfect x-ray vision. So I have to take the time to listen, not only with my ears, but with my heart, in order to learn the stories of others, allowing me to see beyond their outward appearance. The words that hang next to my front door are a constant reminder of this daily challenge – they are a sacred charge to me, saying –

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” (Antoine de Saint Exupery)

What is essential to know about a person is not going to be known from the cover, from their outward appearance. Like God said to Samuel, I would do better to look at the heart like God does. Grandma was right all along when she advised me not to judge a book by its cover. Even though I don’t have my Heavenly Father’s supernatural vision, I can take the time to look beyond the cover, beyond outward appearance, and give everyone a chance to be seen, heard and known for who they are, not what they look like. And just maybe there will be those who will do the same for me.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)

sincerely, Grace Day

talking trees

Posted on by Grace Day

Have you heard them recently? The trees, that is. I know you must have, as they are impossible to miss this time of year. These days the trees are practically shouting their praises to God all day long. At least that’s how it is here in the Midwest, where the trees celebrate autumn by turning their leaves every shade imaginable, including multiple shades of yellows, golds, oranges, reds, russets and colors I don’t even have names for, that manifest themselves when the sunlight hits their leaves. It’s as if the trees are participating in one last choral festival of celebration and worship before they lose their leaves and fall silent until spring comes to wake them up again.

In Psalms I read – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4)

However, the trees are definitely getting in on the action of declaring God’s glory and they are giving the heavens some stiff competition. I can’t help but notice that the trees have become especially vocal as they glorify God with their vibrant, breath-taking array of colors, with every leaf on every branch declaring their Maker’s praises! It is beautiful to behold! And the heavens are participating by providing the perfect backdrop to display these multicolored talking trees. The skies are turning the most beautiful shade of clear, bright blue – nothing like an October sky!

Everywhere I look, I see trees displaying their colors, their branches lifted to heaven, leaves laughing in the wind. I see them, I hear them, I am drawn into their celebration of God who created them. The chatter of the trees seems only to increase as more and more of their leaves turn from green to the bright colors of autumn, until their praise and worship symphony are at full volume, drawing me completely into their celebration of joy and thanksgiving. It is inescapable. (not that I want to escape) I go outside and my spirits are lifted into joy, as I walk in the presence of God’s talking trees. I can’t help but offer up my own praise, worship and thanksgiving to God, following the example of the talking trees that seem to be everywhere I look, each one more glorious than the last.

So today, I say “thank you talking trees” – thank you for letting your lights/leaves shine, giving glory to Your Creator, my Heavenly Father. Thank you for reminding me of God’s constant, glorious presence and for inviting me to join with you in thanking Him and in praising His name. Truly, the talking trees of autumn are one of the best, of God’s many “good and perfect” gifts. Surely, these words ring true –

“This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears, all nature sings and ’round me rings, the music of the spheres. (and of the talking trees) This is my Father’s world; I rest me in the thought, of rocks and trees, of skies and seas – His hand the wonders wrought.”

Thank You God for the talking trees of autumn!

sincerely, Grace Day

the influencer

Posted on by Grace Day

Full disclosure or necessary disclaimer, before I begin. I am not, nor have I ever been, on Facebook or TikTok or Twitter (now X, I guess) or Instagram or anything else, so I don’t know a lot about this, but I hear the term “influencer” often these days. It seems to be the new cool thing to be. So I’m wondering if “influencer” is now like a career choice or is it just a side gig that some people choose to do? Is “influencer” something you can put on your resume under “work experience”?

If you are an influencer, are you self-employed or does someone hire you to influence other people? Now something occurs to me. Isn’t this what we used to call “spokespersons?”, who were people, such as famous athletes, who were hired to promote certain products? They would get paid to endorse particular brands or products. Well, that’s been going on for years – well-known actors or athletes hired for the purpose of selling us stuff. Maybe just the name has changed. We now call them “influencers.”

Sounds so important, doesn’t it? When asked what you do for a living, you simply reply – “I’m an influencer.” (I wonder if that requires a four-year degree or if you need a masters degree to be an influencer?) Something to ponder. Just how does one become an influencer anyway? Although, it occurs to me that we are all influencers at times, while at other times we are “the influenced.”

I find myself wondering, who or what do I allow to influence me? And who am I influencing for better or for worse? Social media provides a plethora of platforms a person can use to become an influencer. In fact, I have a nephew who is a successful influencer on social media in the world of competitive swimming. He’s so good at what he does, he was sent to Paris to cover the Olympic swimming events. Being an influencer has its perks!

Turns out, being an influencer is no longer just for the famous Hollywood or sports icons. Everyday people can become influencers by gaining a following on social media spaces such as YouTube, with podcasts etc. There are even categories of influencers based on number of social media followers such as mega influencer, macro influencer, micro influencer, and nano influencer. But even the nano influencer can have up to ten thousand followers. And that’s considered a small sphere of influence.

While the name “influencer” sounds very cool and cutting edge to me, I think it is a job title I can never aspire to given my lack of involvement with technology in general (I have a flip phone) and the fact that I only come into contact with a very small number of people on a daily, weekly, yearly or even a lifetime basis. Perhaps I would do better to stick with what I’m already doing or consider something less glamorous than “influencer” for my next career move.

BUT – there’s always a “but” right? It occurs to me that I’ve already been given the job of “influencer” by my Heavenly Father, my Creator, my Redeemer. He redeemed me for a purpose and as it turns out, that purpose is for me to be an influencer. I can find my job description recorded in Matthew, when Jesus told His disciples –

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Make disciples, teach others – these certainly seem like things an influencer would do. But there’s more to this gig of influencing others. Here’s how Jesus described to His followers what He wanted them to be doing as they went about their daily lives –

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Salt and light – two very influential elements in our world. And Jesus tells me I am both of these! Salt was a preservative necessary before refrigeration and it is something which enhances the flavor of our food. Salt makes life better. Maybe that’s why saying about someone, “He/she is the salt of the earth” is a compliment meaning they are a kind, good, trustworthy person who is highly valued.

Likewise, light is essential for life. The sunlight causes all things to grow while warming the earth. It’s no coincidence that Jesus said of Himself –

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

You and I are invited to be influencers every day of our lives if we accept Jesus’s declaration over us that we indeed are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” You and I don’t need a social media platform to be influencers for God’s kingdom, to be salt and light in an otherwise tasteless and dark world. The personal touch is needed to be a hand holder, a burden bearer, a helper, a healer, a candle lighter, a friend who “loveth at all times.”

The truth is – you and I are influencers, whether we realize it or not. We may not have signed up for it or sought the title of “influencer” but we do influence those around us, either positively or negatively. It is inevitable. We have an impact on those we interact with each day. That impact is called influence. I want to be an intentional influencer – an influencer with a positive purpose given to me by my Heavenly Father.

I have already received the assignment, as have you, dear readers, to be His salt and light in this world. We are the influencers chosen for this time in history, so let’s not “lose our saltiness” nor “hide our lights under a bowl.” Being this kind of an influencer would be an impossible challenge for me, if I were not myself wholly and solely influenced by the one and only Influencer that truly matters, my Heavenly Father, Creator of the Universe, Almighty God.

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.” (Daniel 2:20-22)

Now that’s influence! So’s this –

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21)

“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; He puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. . . . From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth – He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” (Psalm 33:5-8 & 13-15)

That’s influence! The earth is full of God’s influence – His “unfailing love”, His righteousness and justice, His glory –

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4)

That’s complete and total influence! That’s what the Creator of the universe has. God is the Influencer. There are other influences and influencers vying for my attention and my allegiance, but God is the One whose influence I trust and who I want to guide me. He alone has my best interests at heart. He said so –

” ‘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)

If I am to be God’s influencer, I must be influenced by Him alone, my trusted Heavenly Father. To that end, these words are my daily prayer – that I will –

“Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways I will acknowledge Him, and He will direct my paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

living life under the influence of the One and only Sovereign Influencer,

sincerely, Grace Day

revisiting the crime scene

Posted on by Grace Day

I do this often – return to the scene of the crime that is. It is unavoidable unless I want to find a new grocery store, and I don’t. So every time I need to purchase food, like today for instance, I encounter them, smiling cheerfully, alluringly, innocently at all the passersby, including me. The sight of the sunflowers, there among all the other flowers for sale, triggers me every time. I can’t help it. I clutch my credit card a little tighter as I pass by, experiencing perhaps PTSD from the time they, the sunflowers, hid my credit card deep in the recesses of their water bucket, while I frantically searched the whole store looking for said credit card.

Now I know the sunflowers I see today are not the same sunflowers that took temporary custody of my credit card on that fateful day. Still, I can’t help myself. Call it stereotyping, profiling, guilt by association – but the sight of those cheerful sunflowers feigning innocence triggers me every time. I am remined of the panic and fear I experienced at their hands. (well, ok, their petals)

I didn’t realize until today that PTSD can be so persistent, or that I may be transferring my distrust of sunflowers to other varieties of flowers as well. This makes no sense, but feelings often prevail over facts and logic. I wonder if I will ever pass by the sunflowers again, without experiencing some uneasiness associated with the memory of the panic they caused me.

As I write this, it occurs to me that I need to forgive the sunflowers. Forgiveness may well be the cure for my PTSD. I need to forgive and forget in order to be set free. But can I do this? I’m reminded that God does this with me. God is not “triggered” by my past sins, my present sins, nor my future sins. He sees and knows them all – and yet He chooses something truly remarkable – forgiveness. I read in Jeremiah what God says,

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34)

This is great news! God forgives me and forgets my sins. The prophet Micah understood this about God, writing –

“Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:18-19)

If God can do all that for me, surely I can forgive the sunflowers their one and only transgression against me. God’s assurance of His forgiveness, gives me the freedom to live for Him, knowing He is not holding my past sins against me. He tells me this in Isaiah, saying –

“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25)

Shouldn’t I do the same for the sunflowers and remember their crime no more? After all, I want the PTSD to stop. And there’s no reason to wait for an apology. The current sunflowers have no idea what their predecessors did to me. They weren’t even in the store when my missing credit card incident occurred. They were probably still unplanted seeds at that time. (see post – “it was the sunflowers”) So the choice is mine alone. The sunflowers are clueless. Kind of like I am sometimes. How grateful I am that these words are true –

“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:10-12)

I’m so grateful to be the recipient of forgiveness that I want to be the giver of forgiveness, too. In fact, I will try to carry out Paul’s instructions in Ephesians, when he says –

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

I guess I can extend that to sunflowers, too.

sincerely, Grace Day

the detour

Posted on by Grace Day

I didn’t expect it yesterday and I definitely didn’t expect it again today – but there it was, again – the detour. The road was blocked. I couldn’t get through. I would have to find another way to get to my destination. Maybe not a huge problem for people with GPS, which is most everyone, actually. But for me, being GPSless, and in unfamiliar territory, an unexpected detour is a problem.

Being forced to make a quick decision, I turned left, no longer heading toward my destination, no longer in familiar territory. Searching for the first opportunity to turn right and head again in my desired direction, I found no such opportunity for quite some distance. When I did finally turn, I felt like I was pretty far off course. I was driving by a large park, which I entered at the next turn, promptly becoming even more lost, if that is possible? Are there degrees of lost? Can you be only a little lost as opposed to completely lost? At any rate, I didn’t know which way to take to get me back on the road I was on originally – the road that would eventually lead me to my desired destination.

But at least my surroundings were beautiful. I was in a park on a sunny fall day. Maybe I should just enjoy the detour and forget about my intended destination? Detours can do that, you know. If they are distracting enough, detours can cause you to forget where it was you were headed in the first place. But not today. I was determined. I would not let this unforeseen, unplanned detour, deter me from my desired destination. So what now?

I was at a “T” in the road, unsure which way to turn. (did I mention that I am naturally directionally challenged?) Fortunately, some people were walking by just then, so I rolled my window down and asked them for directions. They were happy to oblige and thanks to their good directions, I was able to find my way through and out of the park and back onto the road I needed to take me to my destination.

No longer lost, I felt relieved to be back on a familiar road. But I had some time to make up. After all, a detour is -“a long or roundabout route taken to avoid something . . .” I had avoided the runners/walkers participating in the charity event taking place, which is why the road was blocked off in the first place. However, my alternate route proved to be the very definition of “detour” – being both long and roundabout.

At the time, I thought this was just a one day event. So I was very surprised to encounter the same roadblock, at the same place, necessitating another detour the next day. I was put to the test. Would I remember the route I had taken only yesterday, which, though longer and definitely roundabout, did eventually get me back to my original road? I entered the park, recognized soon the place where I had asked directions the day before, remembered what those directions were, followed them again and – success! I came out on the road I recognized! I was no longer lost!

I felt like a conqueror. I think that’s because I didn’t panic, or give up, or turn around and go home due to my fear of getting lost. I didn’t let the detour deter me from reaching my ultimate destination. That’s how I feel about life’s detours – those obstacles, (life’s roadblocks) challenges, hardships, changes in circumstances, all those unforeseen, unplanned things that happen in life, which force me to take detours that I did not choose – I don’t want these detours to keep me from my intended, ultimate destination.

This is a continual challenge for me, because my life is full of detours. Maybe yours is too? But I have decided not to let any of these detours deter me from my destination. Not easy for someone directionally challenged, like myself. I so easily lose my way. It doesn’t take much of a detour to confuse me, confound me and carry me away from where I am desiring to go. When I was lost in the park, I wasn’t sure which way to go. All the roads looked equally inviting on such a beautiful fall day. I felt I was experiencing what the writer of Proverbs meant when he said –

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

How could I possibly know the outcome of each road? Only God knows “the end from the beginning.” I’m glad I humbled myself that day and asked someone who was familiar with the park for directions. I might have gone further off course if I hadn’t asked for help when I did. Reminds me of some more good advice from Proverbs. I am told to –

“Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct my paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I may not have GPS (which I hear can sometimes give less than the best directions?) but I do have God’s word to guide me through all of life’s detours. I can let Him “direct my paths.” When I lose my way, I turn to the One who is “the Way” –

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” (John 14:6)

And that’s where I’m headed. That’s my destination, the Father – my Father, my Heavenly Father. I’m headed to His house. He’s preparing a place for me there. I have accepted His invitation. I don’t want any detour to keep me from showing up. I don’t want to get lost, distracted, deceived, captured, or waylaid in any way while on my life’s journey to my home in heaven. He’s waiting for me there. He’s expecting me. Jesus promised –

“In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)

I’m definitely headed home, but so many detours seem to slow my progress, whether by distracting me or by causing me to become hopelessly lost. Then I can end up wandering aimlessly, kind of like the Israelites wandering in the desert all those years. Still, I know that even in life’s detours, I am not alone. King David knew this to be true – must be why he wrote these words –

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

Truly comforting, my Heavenly Father travels with me on each and every detour I take. Sometimes I may be lost, but as Job says –

“He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

I feel like I encounter at least one detour daily, but often multiple detours. Not all are detours of the physical road experienced in a car. There are detours of the mind, heart, will, time and treasure which leave me equally lost, alone and afraid. Remembering that my Heavenly Father is with me during these detours, gives me the courage to continue in order to find my way back to Him.

During these detours, I find myself agreeing with Job. I don’t panic and lose hope because I remember this promise from Romans –

“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)

God works all things for good! even detours! I’ll try and remember that next time I have to take the longer, more roundabout route, aka. “the detour”

sincerely, Grace Day

the offering

Posted on by Grace Day

How did one boy’s lunch become a feast that fed five thousand men, plus all the women and children that were with them? Simple. He gave all he had, his whole lunch – five small barley loaves and two small fish – these he gave to Jesus. It was not nearly enough to meet the need of feeding the hungry crowd gathered to hear what Jesus had to say. But the boy surrendered his lunch anyway, though it seemed as nothing compared with so great a need.

BUT – “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, He said to His disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.” (John 6:11-13)

They all had “enough to eat” and there were leftovers! That’s what I meant by “a feast.” There was plenty for everyone. A miracle! Could it be miracles happen when we give everything to God? when we hold nothing back? The boy that day gave his whole lunch to Jesus. He held nothing back for himself. Am I brave enough to do likewise?

That young boy didn’t have much to give that day on the hillside. I don’t feel like I do either, most days – have much to give that is. Jesus took that boy’s little and turned it into a lot. He turned it into not just enough, but more than enough. Truly a miracle amid the mundane of the day. Maybe that’s how it works – the offering precedes the miracle? I give myself to God – then He takes the offering of my life and does the impossible – complete transformation – a miracle!

Lord, I don’t have much to offer You. I give You my brokenness. I offer You all of me, all that I am, trusting You to put me back together – to make me whole.

Lord, I give You all my fears, trusting You to make me courageous.

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Lord, I give all my pain and sadness to You, trusting Your presence to be my comfort and my joy.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:10)

“You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,” (Psalm 30:11)

Lord, I’ve been burned. I bring You the ashes of my life, knowing only You can make something beautiful out of ugly ashes.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord . . . has sent me . . . to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,” (Isaiah 61:3)

Lord, I give you my despair, knowing only You can replace it with hope.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Lord, I give you all my doubts, asking You to fill me with faith, for You have said –

“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20-21)

Lord, it doesn’t seem like I have much to offer to You, besides my sin and my shame. But still, You invite me to offer even this to You, saying –

” ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’ ” (Isaiah 1:18)

There’s that miraculous transformation that only You can do Lord. Just like the little boy and his lunch – it wasn’t nearly enough but You made it more than enough. Today, I offer you my broken, weary, doubtful, fearful, sinful self – knowing only You, Lord, can make something eternal and good out of what is temporal and sinful. You are the miracle worker, so I bring my offering to You alone. You invite me to do just this with these words –

“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.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

today I offer you myself, all that I have, all that I am – not nearly enough – trusting You to take what I offer and make it into something beautiful for eternity –

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

sincerely, Grace Day

every breath a prayer

Posted on by Grace Day

“Pray without ceasing” – “pray continually” – “never stop praying” – these are all translations of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 from the KJV, the NIV, and the NLT respectively. But no matter the translation, the message is clear. Prayer is meant to be more than just something on my “to-do” list that I give twenty minutes out of my day, then check it off my list without another thought. Prayer is meant to be a twenty-four/seven life-line – a line that is always open, a line continually in use. I am given this instruction in Ephesians –

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)

Does prayer seem elusive or futile or too difficult for us mere mortals to even attempt? I am told in Hebrews that I can –

“approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that I may receive mercy and find grace to help me in my time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

That is pretty much an open invitation to talk to my Heavenly Father any time I want without the fear that I will be turned away or denied access to an audience with my Creator. Esther, who wanted to speak with the king, her own husband, risked being put to death for simply asking permission to come into his presence, if the king didn’t feel like seeing her at that particular time. Unlike Esther, I have all the assurance I need to encourage me to come boldly into God’s presence through prayer. I have God’s promise that I will be received, that I will be heard, I will be given mercy, and I will find His grace sufficient for my need. In fact, I have this open invitation –

“Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

When I “vent” to friends I worry that I may be overloading them with my burdens when they already have more than enough troubles of their own. With God, I need not have this fear because nothing is too hard for God, nothing surprises Him – He already knows my hurts, my fears, my worries. God knows what challenges I am facing and what I need in order to live this day in a way that honors Him.

“Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely, O Lord.” (Psalm 139:4)

However, I don’t want to take advantage of my Heavenly Father’s offer to “cast all my cares on Him” – prayer is meant to be more than just a complaint session, although God is more than able to handle anything and everything I bring to Him in prayer. I am told to praise God and to thank Him. After all, He is worthy of my praise and my gratitude because –

“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) The psalmist reminds us –

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy.” (Psalm 107:21-22)

Just thanking God and praising Him would take up more time than there is in a day – there is not enough time for me to properly praise and truly thank Him for who He is and all that He has done and is doing. I guess that’s why we need eternity. Praising and thanking an infinitely good God takes more time than I have now! And that’s with praying twenty-four/seven.

But the privilege of prayer extends to something more – more than requests and complaints, more than confession and repentance, more than praise and thanksgiving – I am also given the privilege of praying for others. I can pray the prayers of an intercessor. In fact, I am charged with doing this –

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

and I am to “always keep on praying for all the saints.” But there’s more. Not only am I to pray for kings and leaders and other believers (the saints) BUT – here’s a surprise –

“I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45)

Luke 6:28 tells me to – “pray for those who mistreat you.”

As if my list of things and people to pray about and for isn’t long enough already, now I have to add people who are mean to me to my list? This hardly seems fair. But then I remember that Jesus is praying for me, making intercession for me, continuously, never missing a moment, no matter whether I am acting rightly or wrongly towards Him and towards other people. Jesus prays for me when I am His friend. He prays for me when I am His enemy.

Jesus gave me the ultimate example of praying for my enemies when He spoke these words from the cross –

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Jesus is still praying for each and every one today, including you and me. Hebrews confirms this saying,

“because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:24-25)

Romans confirms this saying – “Jesus Christ . . . is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)

Jesus is interceding for me, and I am given the privilege of interceding for others, even my enemies, through prayer. Between that and “casting all my cares” or giving all my worries to God through prayer and praising Him and thanking Him and worshiping Him through prayer – I can literally spend my days in prayer to God.

I want to spend my days in my Heavenly Father’s presence and it is prayer that ushers me into His presence. Prayer is the reason I enter boldly into God’s throne room. Prayer is what keeps me there. As the song says – “I need thee every hour.”

As the psalmist says – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)

as for me – may my every breath be a prayer to God – whether prayers of praise, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of petition, prayers of confession, cries of complaint and lament, cries of repentance, cries for help, or prayers of intercession for my friends and my foes alike –

let my every breath be a prayer!

sincerely, Grace Day