Decisions and Consequences

1/30/2026

Psalm 16:9 "Your Word is a lamp unto to my feet and a light unto my path."

Proverbs 16:9 "The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

I have been thinking a lot lately about the consequences of poor decision making. I don't think anyone gets through this life without some decision they wish they could change because of an undesired outcome. Whether it is that meal that didn't taste quite right but you ate anyway resulting in GI issues, an expensive purchase that was made in haste and it caught you short paying for bills or necessities, or possibly a perm you thought would give you those sought-after loose beachy waves that actually made you look like Bob Ross, you may find yourself feeling a minor regret that quickly passes. Other decisions have a much deeper reach and may take years to unravel or heal from. 

Then there are decisions that have far reaching and lifelong consequences. Unfortunately, these kinds of hasty. careless, or even carefree decisions usually affect other people in our lives as well. They can be vast and wide in scope. The worst, though, is when a decision impacts the most innocent of us all: our children. People often enter into relationships without fully considering the future because falling in love is so "of the moment". Vision can easily - and often does - become myopic. When a relationship ends, and children are involved, it leaves a mark even when it is the most agreeable and magnanimous parting the likes of a Gwenith Paltrow coined "conscience uncoupling". 

Please do not misunderstand me; there are absolutely valid reasons for ending a relationship, such as when there is mental or physical abuse involved to any degree. Sadly, this does not account for many of the relationships that I have personally seen dissolve. I have even heard, in recent years, women referring to the men they are about to marry as their "first husbands" and vice versa.   

Today, I saw a Facebook reel of a young woman about to be married surrounded by her bridesmaids. They all, in turn, prayed for and over her before she walked down the aisle. It brought tears to my eyes. I have seen similar videos when fathers or parents pray with their child directly before the bride or groom say their vows. The most powerful image for me, however, is when the bride and groom themselves have a time of prayer before they make a lifelong commitment, usually back-to-back or each standing around a corner (keeping the tradition of not seeing each other until the ceremony). Do any of these moments of prayer guarantee that the marriage will last? Of course not, but putting God first certainly sets the right tone and course for a union made with a covenant.

Several weeks ago, in my women's Sunday School class, the topic of making a covenant came up. It was in regard to entering into membership at a church. It got me thinking that the word "covenant" is not really used in our society or culture much anymore. In layman's terms, it is a pledge or contract backed with a promise. The Biblical definition is a binding agreement or solemn pledge between God and humanity. 

We, as a society, do not take entering into a covenant with as much gravity as perhaps we should. Aren't we grateful, however, that God's covenants with us are forever binding? For through God's covenant, we are offered eternal salvation through Christ. If only ours to each other were eternally binding as well. 

Hebrews 9:13-15 "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant."

A Complicated Grace

 

1/20/2026

Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”

This past fall, I began leading the women's Sunday school class at my church. I hadn't been attending the class since the Covid-19 lockdown, but that is a story for another day. Two wonderfully committed and Godly women, and dear friends of mine as well, taught the class for approximately 30 years. Under their leadership, the class became a place to share everything and anything that was happening in people's lives in a loving, safe, and nonjudgemental environment. They built a true sisterhood among the women. 

Even though I had only attended a few times since 2020, I was welcomed back with open arms. The teaching model had changed recently as these two lovely leaders tried to step back and find their heir apparent. The ladies in the class were encouraged to volunteer facilitating on different Sundays and teach what God had led them share. This past fall, a short study was agreed upon to begin the year. I offered to lead one of the nine weeks in the study, but boy did God have another plan for me that I never saw coming. One chapter turned to two, and two turned to three, and before I knew it, I was facilitating the lessons for the rest of the book. To say I have been richly blessed by being so lovingly accepted back into this wonderfully faithful group would be a tremendous understatement. Then being encouraged to continue in this leadership role has also richly blessed me.

Currently, our class is using the book, Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa Terkeurst. So far, I am finding it to be very well crafted, and it has led to a lot of conversation and sharing. It is not, however, an easy study.

A quote that I shared from the companion study guide goes as follows: “Forgiveness is a complicated grace that uncomplicates my anger and helps me see beautiful again.” Some of the ladies unpacked this quote very personally, and some unpacked it by thinking of the grace that is freely given to us all by Christ’s sacrifice. As I was preparing to present this quote, I had a conversation with my son. We think very much alike, although he is far more intelligent and wiser than I. The following is what came from that conversation. (This is mostly my son, with a tad of me.)

Extending grace is like working in a garden. The work can be hard, hot, dirty, uncomfortable, and generally unpleasant. You have to dig up and fight the weeds that can choke out the flowers, but when done, what is left is beauty.

 “Forgiveness is not erasure; it is progress and growth.”  RGC

The ultimate act of grace did not reset time, but it allowed us to move forward in a different way with God. The original garden was not reopened, but our relationship to God was. The physical location was lost, but our connection to God was restored.

Nothing about Jesus’ ultimate act of love and grace was easy. It was the most complicated act in all of space and time. It is only because of His grace extended to us that we can extend grace and forgiveness to others. Although forgiving a deep injury can feel like the most complicated deed, it is nothing compared to what the Savior endured on my behalf.

Time to get weeding. As always, I am a work in progress.

To Serve

1/10/2026

1 Peter 4:10 " As each has received a gift, use it so serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Last year, we met a lovely young woman with a true servant's heart. She has a deep and abiding faith in our Lord. She also was raised in a culture that elevates service to others and a respect of elders. Sadly, that is very different than the culture I am used to. When we had her over for dinner, she was visibly uncomfortable when we told her to sit and relax while we prepared the meal. She explained that in her culture, younger people are taught to serve older people. A beautiful lesson indeed. Again, very different than what I am used to. She could not help herself as she grabbed several dishes and rinsed them to be placed in the dishwasher; she had to be of service somehow. She no longer lives close, and I miss her. 

In this new year, I am meditating on what it means to serve others. Is it just doing small acts of kindness? Is it opening your home and hosting meals for people? Is it giving funds to those in need? Is it visiting someone? Is it lending a hand, making a meal, talking to a stranger, or giving a hug?

Certainly, there are many careers that are service oriented, but what am I called to do as a disciple of Jesus? When He walked this earth, Jesus served others in all He did: in teaching, healing, feeding, and showing love and grace to others. With mercy and love, He served all of humanity by giving Himself unto death for the forgiveness of our sins. That act can never be matched and was utterly undeserved. Matthew 20:28 "Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

I think true faithful service has a component of being poured out. This, I believe, can take on many forms. Sometimes it is a physical act, like meeting a need for a person who may not be able to shovel snow, rake leaves, or do household chores. It may also mean taking on the full care of someone who can no longer care for themselves. It may be that you have been called to be a missionary or serve in your local church. For some, like my young friend, service seems to be part of their DNA; something baked into their very being. 

I know one of the areas God has called me to is listening to others when they are in distress. I know some people can do this without absorbing all the emotions that come with pain and suffering, but I cannot. Empathy compels me not just to listen, but to feel someone's pain as well. Would it be easier for me to not support others in this way? Certainly. Would I be listening to God's call on my life? Certainly not. 

Service is not easy; it takes time, intention, and willingness. Godly service also takes obedience, prayer, and being led by the Spirit. So often, however, it is easy to let "self" get in the way. It is something I have done thousands of times. We can even have the motivation of trying to fill the need just because a warm body is required. When service is of God, it fills both the giver and receiver, and when it is not, the receiver may be blessed, but the giver may be drained, frustrated, or even resentful. 

Be careful, fellow journeyer, to always be led by God. It is my prayer to do so as well. 

As always, I am a work in progress. 

New Year and I'm Called Back

1/1/2026

Deuteronomy 31:6 "be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you."

Hello again, my faith journeying friend. I'm back in this new year feeling called to write here again. I started this blog on January 1, 2020, not knowing what was ahead for the entire world. I committed to write every day. Only God knew how the writing would save me during that unprecedented time. Thank you, Lord. 

God has brought me through so much over my lifetime, and often I can only see His lessons and purpose for the trials and storms once He brings me through to the other side. I think this may be true for many of us. 

This past year has been a time of change, truths unveiled, and exhaustion. I am, like many of us, am a weary warrior. However, God IS always faithful, and my hope is in Him. 

This morning, my family had a shared devotional time. My husband read out of a devotional he has been using. The focus was on the number 10 and how significant it is in so many ways. It spoke to me as I was considering how to go about this new writing commitment. I will be uploading a new blog post every 10 days. This will give me time to pray, listen, and be thoughtful about what I say. I ask only for your prayers that God will lead me and that I will get out of the way. 

As always, I am a work in progress.