“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 than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” – Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV)
Patty often cautioned those around her against “borrowing trouble”, and I am sure the basis for her advice was probably inspired by the passage of scripture from the book of Matthew. This passage of scripture is an excerpt from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where His teaching on the subject of worry is very direct and beautifully illustrated. I often recall Patty’s words and remind myself of Jesus’ teachings when I feel the “worry monster” overwhelming me.
Do we have a human tendency to worry? Oh yes! Are any of us perfect enough to say in all honesty that we never worry? Oh no! There are plenty of circumstances in life to provoke us to worry constantly if we so choose. Will I keep my job? How am I going to pay for college for my kids? Will I be able to afford gas to get to work if prices go any higher? Where will my family and I live if the bank forecloses on our home? All of these issues and more are certainly cause for concern, but we have a choice. We can live in the land of worry and “what if” scenarios or choose a healthy level of caution and proactive living and enjoy the blessings of our everyday lives. If we are able to keep the time spent in worry and outright fretting to a minimum, our lives have room for those things that really matter.
If we don’t “borrow trouble”, then we are bound to be much healthier. Chronic worry feeds chronic stress, which leads to a watershed of physical and psychological problems. High blood pressure, heart disease, stomach problems, depression, sleep disorders, and so much more all have ties to a lifestyle of high levels of chronic stress and worry. In essence, worry will not add that additional hour to our life; it can even shorten our life. I believe that is why Jesus was so adamant in His teaching on that subject.
When I reflect on those times that I spent fretting over a situation (usually something out of my control), I wonder how much of that time could have been spent finding joy. I wonder how many times I missed hearing a bird sing or watching a beautiful sunset. How many times did I miss the music in the laughter of a child? As I grow a little older and wiser and closer to God in my faith walk, I realize it is the small things of joy that should take priority over needless worry. After all, God is there to supply our needs and care for us in times of trouble. Who are we to tell Him in our fretting and worry that He is not big enough to handle that? Live in an attitude of intentional joy and “don’t go borrowing trouble!” Wise advice from a dear friend and mentor. Thanks Patty….
Be Blessed Always -- Winnie
March 27, 2012
March 23, 2012
"Do not compromise your witness. Let your light continue to shine."
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. -- Philippians 2:14–15 (ESV)
This scripture jumped out at me as I contemplated composing this blog. A Facebook friend shared it as his post for the day with the comment, “Do not compromise your witness. Let your light continue to shine.” Those words are simple and straightforward, yet adhering to them as a standard in everyday life is not always easy.
I think of my friend, Patty, as I read this scripture and know that she stayed the course as she lived, worked, loved, played, painted, and journeyed through this life. Patty would be the first to tell you that she wasn’t always a bright light, but I admired her spunk and ability to see herself honestly and, if needed, extend an apology if she thought for a minute that she had done something to compromise her witness. In our last Sunday school session before Patty died, she talked about “losing it” with the doctors during a very stressful episode in her son’s recent hospitalization and surgery. It was an intense time for her and yet, she sheepishly told us that she went back to the family and patient next to her son, and apologized for her “bad attitude” during her son’s crisis. How many of us would do the same? I place myself in that situation and can not in all honesty say I would think to apologize to a perfect stranger for doing what comes naturally for a mom – protecting her young. However, that anecdote from Patty’s life has given me pause to think more intentionally about my attitudes in so much of my life and interactions with others.
If we are to truly do more in living out the purpose God has given us, we must live the words of the Apostle Paul written centuries ago to the Philippian church. One can only surmise that the people in this church struggled with their actions and attitudes as Christians just as we do today. We know that God sees our hearts and actions, and that alone is reason to be uncompromising in our witness. However, the stranger on the street or in that long checkout line at the store is also watching. The way we handle the mundane irritations and frustrations in life on our worst days may be the critical witness for others in their journey to the cross and salvation. I am challenged to be more mindful of my attitudes and behavior as I go through this life. My prayer is that God through His Holy Spirit will prompt, rebuke, and refine me to be that shining light in this world so others may find their way to the cross and a relationship with the Lord.
~Winne
This scripture jumped out at me as I contemplated composing this blog. A Facebook friend shared it as his post for the day with the comment, “Do not compromise your witness. Let your light continue to shine.” Those words are simple and straightforward, yet adhering to them as a standard in everyday life is not always easy.
I think of my friend, Patty, as I read this scripture and know that she stayed the course as she lived, worked, loved, played, painted, and journeyed through this life. Patty would be the first to tell you that she wasn’t always a bright light, but I admired her spunk and ability to see herself honestly and, if needed, extend an apology if she thought for a minute that she had done something to compromise her witness. In our last Sunday school session before Patty died, she talked about “losing it” with the doctors during a very stressful episode in her son’s recent hospitalization and surgery. It was an intense time for her and yet, she sheepishly told us that she went back to the family and patient next to her son, and apologized for her “bad attitude” during her son’s crisis. How many of us would do the same? I place myself in that situation and can not in all honesty say I would think to apologize to a perfect stranger for doing what comes naturally for a mom – protecting her young. However, that anecdote from Patty’s life has given me pause to think more intentionally about my attitudes in so much of my life and interactions with others.
If we are to truly do more in living out the purpose God has given us, we must live the words of the Apostle Paul written centuries ago to the Philippian church. One can only surmise that the people in this church struggled with their actions and attitudes as Christians just as we do today. We know that God sees our hearts and actions, and that alone is reason to be uncompromising in our witness. However, the stranger on the street or in that long checkout line at the store is also watching. The way we handle the mundane irritations and frustrations in life on our worst days may be the critical witness for others in their journey to the cross and salvation. I am challenged to be more mindful of my attitudes and behavior as I go through this life. My prayer is that God through His Holy Spirit will prompt, rebuke, and refine me to be that shining light in this world so others may find their way to the cross and a relationship with the Lord.
~Winne
March 12, 2012
"Do More Than Just Believe!"
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” – Romans 8:28 (NLT)
Patty Berry Rhodes was one of those folks who often used just a few words packed with a spiritual punch of meaning and inspiration. “Doing more” was not just a cliché for Patty, it was her mantra and captured the essence of her faith walk and service in this life as a disciple of Christ.
As I pondered and prayed over how to compose this first of what is hoped to be many blogs, the words of the Apostle Paul kept coming to mind. It is a familiar passage of scripture, and it also aligns perfectly with the message of “doing more” and being very intentional in the way we live. Paul and Patty had at least two things in common. Both were very bold in their faith and intentional in the way that they lived.
When one lives with intention, faith, and a desire to serve out God’s purpose, the end result is a life well-lived and a witness for Christ to anyone who comes in contact with that individual. As I reflect on this quote from Patty and Paul’s written word in Scripture, I see nothing passive in either statement. Believing in and of itself can be a very passive thing. I believed in God years before I became a true follower of Christ. It wasn’t until I fully grasped what it means to be fully devoted to God and the saving grace of the cross that my walk and faith turned into an active process.
Intentional living and “doing more” requires that we make an active choice to answer God’s call and seek continually and purposefully His direction for our life. The sincere heart who seeks to live in concert with the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 8:28 will receive direction and prompting to do more than sit passively and watch life happen. Christ followers are purposeful and find joy in using their talents, time, and treasure to live in such a way that others see that joy and engage in the pursuit of spiritual discovery. Essentially, they look at the lives of people like Patty and say to themselves, “I want whatever it is that she has!” True faith lived out in actions rather than words alone will get the attention of others.
May God bless you this day and always… Winnie
Patty Berry Rhodes was one of those folks who often used just a few words packed with a spiritual punch of meaning and inspiration. “Doing more” was not just a cliché for Patty, it was her mantra and captured the essence of her faith walk and service in this life as a disciple of Christ.
As I pondered and prayed over how to compose this first of what is hoped to be many blogs, the words of the Apostle Paul kept coming to mind. It is a familiar passage of scripture, and it also aligns perfectly with the message of “doing more” and being very intentional in the way we live. Paul and Patty had at least two things in common. Both were very bold in their faith and intentional in the way that they lived.
When one lives with intention, faith, and a desire to serve out God’s purpose, the end result is a life well-lived and a witness for Christ to anyone who comes in contact with that individual. As I reflect on this quote from Patty and Paul’s written word in Scripture, I see nothing passive in either statement. Believing in and of itself can be a very passive thing. I believed in God years before I became a true follower of Christ. It wasn’t until I fully grasped what it means to be fully devoted to God and the saving grace of the cross that my walk and faith turned into an active process.
Intentional living and “doing more” requires that we make an active choice to answer God’s call and seek continually and purposefully His direction for our life. The sincere heart who seeks to live in concert with the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 8:28 will receive direction and prompting to do more than sit passively and watch life happen. Christ followers are purposeful and find joy in using their talents, time, and treasure to live in such a way that others see that joy and engage in the pursuit of spiritual discovery. Essentially, they look at the lives of people like Patty and say to themselves, “I want whatever it is that she has!” True faith lived out in actions rather than words alone will get the attention of others.
May God bless you this day and always… Winnie
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