Making the Most of Every Day of the Week

Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV1

A couple of days ago I found something I wrote for Mother’s Day a number of years ago. In it, I had likened my motherhood experience to the days of a single workweek—because that is how fast the years had seemed to fly by. On Monday, I was changing diapers, fixing bottles, and praying for a good night’s sleep. By Wednesday, I was helping sound out words, drilling multiplication facts, and attending school events. At the time of my writing, I found myself on Friday evening.

I wrote about each of my children and how they had grown over the years. I mentioned my oldest daughter’s upcoming marriage. My youngest daughter was in the thick of high school activities. And my son was about to graduate from high school and go off to college.

I ended my essay with my climbing into bed on Friday night and resting my hand on the massive shoulders of the man I had laid next to for nearly a quarter of a century. I praised God for His grace upon our family up until that point. And I mentioned that Saturday was coming. Although I knew not what it would bring, I was confident that God would lead us through the coming day in the same manner He had led us through the previous ones.

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Life After Death

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” Luke 24:5b-6a ESV1

Life after death is usually in reference to where one will spend eternity. But in the context of Easter, it takes on a little different meaning. Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection–His return to life after His death–to a restored human body that walked again on Earth for a short time and then ascended into Heaven in bodily form.2

As we approach the Easter season, we are reminded of Jesus’ death. The horror of crucifixion becomes more vivid in our imaginations. And the enormity of our sin and the greatness of God’s gift is refreshed in our memories. Taking time to remember Jesus, His sacrifice, and His conquering of sin for our sake is a significant part of this season. Likewise, rejoicing over the fact that death could not keep Jesus’ body in the grave and that Satan has lost his power over humanity is of utmost importance. But we will miss the full extent of this celebration if we never consider our own personal Easter stories. But I must ask: Do you have an Easter story?

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So Known and So Loved

“And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” John 17:3 ESV1

Last year about this time, I was watching my grandchildren so my daughter and son-in-law could go on a Valentine’s Weekend Retreat with their Small Group. I got to spend some special one-on-one with my preschool granddaughter while her baby brother took his morning naps.

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Unpacking the Gift from Jesus

During the Christmas season, much of our time, effort, and money are expended on gifts—gift buying, gift wrapping, gift-giving, gift-receiving, gift opening, etc. And if we have a Christian background, we make sure to fit Jesus in there somewhere among all the gifts and gift-related activity. I would like to take some time now to recognize Jesus and unwrap the gift He has given us. May God clearly show each of us where we are in unpackaging His gift.

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