(G)Leaning on Grace

14  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15  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. 16  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.                                  Matthew 5:14-16 NIV Our world needs light!   The oppressing darkness of hate, discord, confusion, and fear are overwhelming. Every day we are inundated by the news reports and social media posts that feed the frenzied emotions of harried panicked people who feel like they must respond. They must act. Doing so mostly out of anxious emotion, not calm consideration. Now, in no way am I saying we should all stand by, say nothing, do nothing, be complacent. But I do feel there is a...

Watching a child learn to walk, run, climb, slide and fall is exhilarating and exhausting. I mean, where do they get that energy, anyway? At the ripe young age of three, my grandson has already gone through the beginning stages of learning to balance and be independent. Watching as he wobbled his way to standing. Finally letting go and having no support but his own two strong but unstable chubby little legs. Taking that first unsure attempt at a step because there is something just across the room that he just had to have. That tottering step turns into a sudden plop of his bottom onto the floor... Oh, well, he will try again. The almost fearlessness of toddlers as they attempt to get motivating. It's a grand thing to witness. But then, as they grow a little more and come to learn that sometimes those falls don't feel so good. The constant use of the word "no" that they seem to ignore. The beginning of caution buds in their little hearts and minds. S...

It’s time for confession. I’ve been really struggling with a lack of motivation, self-discipline and self-control for some time now. Even though I would love to blame my problems on the outrageous and unpredictable state of the world today, it’s not about covid-19 or being on lockdown. It’s not about being cooped up in the house for days or even the seemingly unending period of rain and gloominess.  It’s about the troubled and unsettled condition of my heart. I have been battling thoughts of unworthiness, disappointment, and destructive behaviors. I have spent money I don’t have. I have procrastinated on work that needs to be done. I have gained close to 30 pounds in a never ending cycle of feeding my insecurities and the shame of having let things get increasingly unmanageable.  This has to stop! I began a new personal Bible study in an effort to seek God and regain some measure of order. When I am not in communion with God as I should be, life gets chaotic...

Yesterday. What was so incredible and wonderful about yesterday? Let’s see… Amidst the pandemic craziness, there was a historic first drive-thru graduation at my alma mater. Sitting in line at the local mall parking lot to pick up a preordered harvest box of fresh vegetables, I was able to watch my great nephew graduate from high school via a Facebook broadcast. Who would have even considered such a thing even last year? It brought back memories of ceremonies of the past and the anxiety that has been rampant over the last couple of months stressing over how the graduating classes of 2020 would be able to participate in this long standing tradition. Even though our massive extended family could not all be present, as each graduate was allowed a single vehicle to be in attendance and drive-thru with the graduate, we all were still able to witness this  momentous achievement through the miracle of technology where ever we happened to be.  Now that’s exciting! This event...