Jenny’s Journey from Darkness to Light

Jenny’s Journey from Darkness to Light

Jenny’s Journey from Darkness to Light

A Short Story About a Young Girl Who Finds the Light After Living in Years of Darkness

Jenny sat near the front of the church, staring at the altar.  The heaviness of grief that weighed on her shoulders was nearly unbearable.  Her eyes burned from the tears, and her chest hurt as if her grief had sucked all the air right out of her lungs.  Her mother, Ruth, had been her biggest fan, her most expressive cheerleader in life, her one constant source of steadiness in a life already rich in hardship. Jenny’s young life had been lived more in darkness than light.

At the age of 20, Jenny had already suffered more than most people suffer in a lifetime.  Her cancer diagnosis came as a child. She was only 12 when she was diagnosed with a commonly treatable form of leukemia.  She fought hard to beat it.  By the age of 15, she celebrated the end of her cancer treatments.  She was then a cancer survivor.  It was a hard fight, but she had won the battle.  Jenny’s mother had been her only support system; actually, her mother and her church lady friends who supposedly prayed for Jenny through her battle with cancer. 

Jenny’s father left her mother when she was only nine years old.  Jenny hadn’t been too upset over her father’s absence.  Her good memories of him included one trip to the zoo when she was four, a bedtime story when she was six, and the bike he had bought her for her seventh birthday.  She would rather forget all her other memories of the man.  Jenny’s father was a man with many demons of his own.  He took out his frustrations in life by beating up on her mother and mostly yelling at Jenny.  Jenny took the verbal abuse as an indication that her unpleasant home life was somehow her fault.  Now, with her dad gone, it was just Jenny and her mother – and those church ladies her mother talked about all the time, the church ladies her mother genuinely loved, although Jenny didn’t understand why. 

By the time Jenny was 17, she had no use for church, church ladies, or anything or anyone except for her mother, who had anything to do with a God who would allow so much pain in life.  She remained close to her mother, who had shown Jenny nothing but love and patience, but she temporarily found solace in a boy who was just as rebellious as Jenny had become.  Jenny’s mother had tried to reason with Jenny and even the wild boy a time or two, but every time her mother brought up the Bible or any religious reason for better behavior, Jenny tried even harder to rebel against it.  She didn’t believe in God and didn’t want to.  If there were no God, then her behavior wouldn’t matter to anyone but her mother, who would get over it, or so Jenny thought. 

It was the year Jenny turned 18 that she realized her mother wasn’t wrong about everything.  She had been right about Tim.  The day Jenny told him she was pregnant, he bolted as quickly as he could.  He wanted nothing more to do with Jenny, and he certainly wanted nothing to do with a baby.  He was a “free spirit” who didn’t want anything tying him down to anyone or anything.  Jenny thought about having an abortion, but her mother once again demonstrated patience with Jenny that Jenny couldn’t understand.  She had given her mother every reason to kick her out of the house. Still, Jenny’s mother, although disappointed in Jenny’s behavior, pleaded with Jenny to keep the baby, reminding Jenny that her chances of ever having a baby in the first place were uncertain due to her childhood cancer treatments.  Ruth took Jenny to a pregnancy care center, where they showed Jenny her baby on an ultrasound screen.  They gave her videos and booklets about prenatal development and pregnancy care.  Along with Jenny’s mother, they developed a plan to help Jenny through what they claimed would be a blessing to Jenny, not a problem, and certainly not a punishment or a curse.  Jenny only hoped they were right. 

Over the next several months, Jenny kept all her appointments at the pregnancy care center.  While watching her baby grow, she completed her prenatal courses on time.  She was amazed at the intricate design involved in the development of human life.  She stared at the ultrasound images, wholly enamored of the baby growing inside her.  It was obvious that a preborn baby is not a clump of cells but a masterpiece that a Designer can only create.  For the first time, Jenny entertained the idea that maybe her mother and her church ladies were right about the God they worshiped – and constantly prayed to on Jenny’s behalf. 

Jenny had become particularly fond of one church lady in particular.  Chloe was younger, not too much older than Jenny.  Chloe was fun.  Jenny hadn’t realized until she met Chloe that not all church ladies were old and drab.  Some of them were younger and fun.  Jenny realized that she would have known that if she had gone to church with her mother.  Chloe was the one who had gone with Jenny to all of her appointments at the pregnancy care center, not because Chloe or Jenny’s mother hadn’t trusted Jenny to keep the appointments, but because Chloe wanted to be there for Jenny when Jenny’s mother couldn’t.  Ruth had taken on a second job to help Jenny with the baby and help her get onto a better path in life. 

Chloe had been there for Jenny every step of the way. Jenny finally realized that for the first time, she had a real friend, a friend who loved her unconditionally, almost as much as Jenny’s mother, Ruth.

As Jenny neared the end of her pregnancy, Chloe helped Jenny get a job in the store where she worked.  She would start 8 weeks after the baby came, and Chloe’s mother, Rachel, would watch the baby during the day while Jenny and her mother worked.  With Jenny’s new job, Ruth could drop her second job, allowing her to spend time with Jenny and her new grandbaby.  Things seemed to be getting better for Jenny and her mother. 

In her eighth month of pregnancy, Jenny had finally agreed to go to church with her mother and Chloe.  By then, Jenny knew that church ladies weren’t so bad after all.  Jenny wasn’t sure that prayers did any good, but those church ladies were serious about their church stuff, and as Jenny had experienced first-hand, they were servants.  They had brought Jenny and her mother food, and sometimes Jenny saw them hand Ruth an envelope with money and gift cards inside.  Jenny was grateful for those church ladies.  The least she could do to show her appreciation was to go to church with them.  On the first morning Jenny agreed to go, she passed by her mother’s bedroom.  She heard her mother talking to someone, but it didn’t sound like Ruth was on the phone.  Ruth’s door stood slightly ajar, so Jenny peaked in.  She saw her mother knelt on her knees by her bed, talking and crying.

Ruth had cried a lot in life, but this time, she wasn’t crying because her husband had left her, or because she had so little money, or because Jenny had been diagnosed with childhood cancer, or because Jenny had become a wild teenager, or because Jenny was nearing the end of an unplanned pregnancy.  No, Ruth was crying tears of thankfulness.  She thanked God for the blessings He had given her.  “Blessings?” Jenny thought.  As she listened to her mother pray, Jenny realized how strong her mother was.  In spite of all the hardships she had faced, her mother was thankful for God’s provision, for her home, for food, for their old car that still worked, for paid bills, for friends who supported her in every way they could, for Jenny, and Jenny’s baby.  Jenny stepped away from the door, wiped the tears from her eyes, and finished getting ready for church.

Church hadn’t been so bad.  Jenny was afraid others would judge her for her past behaviors, but the people she met at her mother’s church welcomed Jenny with open arms.  She had never been hugged so much by so many people in all her life.  Even the nursery ladies told Jenny they couldn’t wait to rock Jenny’s baby in the church nursery rocking chairs.  Jenny felt that they were assuming too soon that Jenny would return and bring the baby, but by the time they were ready to head home, Jenny understood why her mother loved this place so much.  Jenny felt totally at peace there, welcomed, and even loved.  Jenny felt sad as she and her mother exited the church, not because she had been disappointed in the experience but because the morning was over.  Jenny wanted to go back.  She placed her hand over her baby bump, remembering the intricate design of the human life growing inside her.  She felt with a growing confidence that maybe her mother, her mother’s pastor, her church lady friends, and the people at the pregnancy care center were right after all.  Maybe there was, and is, a Master Designer.

The following Sunday, Jenny got up early.  This time, she wasn’t going to church to show her mother and her church lady friends how much she appreciated them.  She was going because she wanted to go. She wanted to return to the place where she had found a sense of peace and learn more about the God she had decided might exist after all.  When she walked past her mother’s room, she heard her mother praying again, but this time, she was praying for Jenny to find salvation in Jesus.  Jenny knew what her mother meant because Ruth had often explained to Jenny who Jesus was and how people can spend eternity with Him if they repent of their sins, believe Jesus is the Son of God, and make Him the Lord of their lives. Jenny had only recently felt that even if there was a God and He had sent His Son to die for others, she couldn’t believe He wanted to have anything to do with her.  If He cared anything about her at all, then He wouldn’t have allowed so many bad things to happen to her.  Now, she thought that maybe her mother had been right about many things, not just Tim.

Jenny sat with her mom and Chloe, listening intently to their pastor speak about the Trinity, God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  She heard words of Truth spoken so passionately that they flowed straight into her heart, her heart that had believed so many lies in the past.  Suddenly, the Truth was revealed to her in a way that could only come from God, who is real and personal, cared about her, her life, her baby, and had a plan for her future.  When the altar call came, all the prayers lifted for her by her mom, Chloe, and all the other church ladies were answered in the way they had prayed.  Jenny looked at her mom through tears of joy . . . joy, something Jenny had never really known until that moment.  When Ruth’s eyes met Jenny’s, she knew.  She knew what was about to happen.  Jenny took her mother’s hand, and together, they walked down the aisle to the altar where Jenny prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior, and for the first time, she experienced the Light.  Her past had been dark and filled with disappointment and hurt, but today, her life has become filled with light, joy, and hope for her future.

Two weeks later, Jenny gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.  Jenny’s mother assisted her during the delivery, and Chloe waited in a nearby waiting room with several other church ladies.  The past three weeks had been the best days of Jenny’s life.  She was a single mom at the age of 19, but she wasn’t alone.  She had her mom, her friend, Chloe, the church ladies she had grown to love and consider family, but best of all, she had the Lord.  She held her baby girl tight and felt at peace.  She didn’t know what the future would hold, but she knew that whatever she had to face, she would never be alone.

The following year brought joy-filled living.  The year wasn’t perfect because life is never perfect.  Sometimes it was downright hard,  but Jenny felt God’s presence at every turn through all of life’s ups and downs.  Little Ruth, named after Jenny’s mother, grew and grew and grew.  She loved staying with Chloe’s mom during the day, and all the church ladies helped whenever Ruth and Jenny needed extra help.  Life couldn’t be better.  Before they knew it, little Ruth was already a year old.  Her princess-themed birthday party was a huge success, filled with lots of friends and party fun.  Jenny’s mother had made the cake herself.

Two weeks later, when the call came, Jenny had just dropped little Ruth off with Chloe’s mom.  Jenny’s mom had just merged onto the freeway and headed to work.  She never saw the pickup truck that had crossed the median and hit her head-on.  The paramedics on the scene said Ruth had died instantly. 

Now, here Jenny sat.  The funeral ended a little while earlier, and everyone else had left; some of them headed to Jenny’s home to serve Jenny in whatever capacity she needed.  Jenny had stayed behind for a bit, staring at the altar, where she had prayed to receive Jesus as her Lord the year before.  Eighteen months ago, her mother’s loss would have sent Jenny to rock bottom.  She would have suffered this unbearable loss without hope.  Now, here, she had suffered a loss she could not bear on her own, but with the Lord to hold her up, Jenny knew she would learn to breathe freely again, and someday, her tears of sorrow would turn to tears of joy.

Jenny heard footsteps behind her.  She turned to see Chloe coming to join her.  She held little Ruth on her hip.  Chloe sat beside her best friend and handed little Ruth to her mommy. “Jenny, I love you like a sister.  You know I’m here for you always.”

Jenny smiled, “I know.”  She looked at little Ruth.  As she gazed into the eyes of her little daughter, her mother’s namesake, she knew this was not the end of their story.  God has given her a future and a hope.  Her life was once filled with the darkness of heartache without hope, but now her life would be filled with the light of Truth no matter what the future held because her future was now in the hands of God in whom she believes and trusts, a God who has promised her a future and a hope.  Jenny’s journey from darkness to light had been a long and hard one, but now Jenny was ready to live in the Light.

Jenny’s Journey from Darkness to Light

Bible Verses About Discernment

Bible Verses About Discernment

Everyone is talking about the Asbury Revival in Wilmore, Kentucky. In case you haven’t heard about it yet, students at Asbury University began a normal chapel service on February 8, 2023. At the end of the service, the speaker offered the students an invitation to stay and pray after the service ended. Some stayed to pray. Some began to worship. Others joined in. News spread and the revival is still going on as of now (February 18th). I learned about this revival two days ago. Since then, I’ve read several articles about what is or what might be going on there. Some believe a sincere revival is taking place at Asbury University. Others believe it is something else. Some articles are written using the author’s personal opinion as the only source while other cite specific Bible verses about discernment.

Because of the articles, I’m curious about what is going on there, but without more knowledge or a personal visit, I can’t offer an opinion. Is it any of our business? Well, as Christians, are warned to beware of false teachers, wrong theologies, and anything not Biblical. I am not saying that what is happening at Asbury University is not Biblical. They could be experiencing a true revival and one of the greatest ever. What I am saying is that we are warned to practice discernment in all walks of life. How do we practice discernment? We gain knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and discernment by spending time in the Bible. The Bible tells us that God gives wisdom freely when we ask for it. The Holy Spirit helps us discern right from wrong. I’ve compiled a short list of Bible verses about discernment.

Indeed, the Bible teaches us to use all the spiritual tools God has given to those of us who know Him in order to recognize false teachers and false teachings. With the help of the Holy Spirit, knowledge and understanding of God’s Word, and wisdom given freely by God, we can discern right from wrong. Here is a short list of Bible verses about discernment.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 (NIV)

Obviously, we are warned to test the spirits to see if they are from God. We aren’t being “judgy” or “holier than thou.” We are being obedient to God when we test to see if something is from God or not.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8 (NIV)

Surely, if we aren’t careful, false teachings will “take us captive” to worldly human traditions instead of to Jesus Christ.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)

Fear is a reverent respect for a just God. God is loving but He is also just. He will not tolerate mockery for His character or His Word. Fools despise wisdom and instruction but Christians crave it. Fools despise wisdom and instruction because they bring about conviction. Fools don’t want to give up any habitual sins or immoral practices. Fools do not want to repent of their sin. As Christians, we have a desire to know and understand what God’s Word says and live Godly lives according to scripture.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Ephesians 5:6 (NIV)

Without a doubt, we must be careful so that we are not deceived by false teachings. False teachings can lead us astray, causing us to be disobedient to God.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light  (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:6-10 (NIV)

Certainly, we need to look for the fruit. If someone claims to be a Christian or claims that an event is a revival or bathed in the Holy Spirit, is there evidence of spiritual fruit to support the claim? Is the person claiming to be a Christian acting like one? Are they displaying the fruits of the spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self control? If someone is claiming an event is a revival or something similar, is there evidence of spiritual fruit in the community as a result of such event? If not, then we have reason to question the validity of the claim.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)

This verse speaks loudly to our current culture. We cannot change or twist Scripture to fit a cultural agenda. If the Bible says something is a sin, it’s a sin. We can’t change Scripture verses or passages to make a wrong become right. We know that a claim is false if it doesn’t align with what the Bible says. A true Bible teacher or leader will never knowingly lead anyone in a direction that does not align with Scripture.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)

How do we discern what is best? How do we discern what is pure and blameless? We discern these things by gaining knowledge and insight. If we have already studied the Bible on our own, we will recognize a false teaching when we hear it.

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:14 (NIV)

Solid food is the spiritual nourishment of the Bible. By constantly using it, we train ourselves to discern good and evil.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

As I stated in the beginning of this post, God gives wisdom freely to those who ask for it.

I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. Psalm 119:125

We can and should ask God to give us discernment.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

If we trust the Lord with all our hearts, He will always lead us down the right paths in life. The Holy Spirit will never tell us to do anything that is not in line with Scripture. If we feel like we are being led to do something that contradicts Scripture, then it is not God telling us to do it. We must be careful to make sure that we are listening to God and not the enemy who can deceive us.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace – as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. 1 Corinthians 14:33

God is a God of order and peace. When we feel confused about something we think we are being led to do, be careful. God is not a God of confusion. In fact, as we see in the next verse, Satan is the author of lies and lies lead to confusion.

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

Truth is not confusing. It is truth. The world wants us to believe that truth is whatever we want it to be. The world says that your truth may not be my truth but they are both true. This is a confusing statement. If two statements say different things, then they are either both true or only one is true. They can’t both be true. There is not “your truth” or “my truth.” There is only one truth. We can trust that God’s Word is true. If anyone tries to twist Scripture to fit their own version of truth, it is not truth. Satan is a confusing liar. God’s Word is true. Let’s make sure we know who we are listening to.

These are only 13 Bible verses about discernment – how to discern truth from lies, bad or good, holy or unholy. There are so many more. The Bible teaches us how to gain knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and discernment all throughout Scripture. Ideally, we need our own Bibles for studying God’s Word.  Your own Bible should be your first source for discernment. If you don’t have one yet, BibleGateway is a good resource for reading and studying the Bible. If you have your own Bible, BibleGateway offers a huge variety of resources, including commentaries, to help you study. You can go there now to learn more about these topics: wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discernment

If you’re reading this and you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, go here to learn how you can enter into a personal relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit is the only One we can trust to always lead us in paths that align with Scripture. You can trust Him with your life right now.

May you always trust Jesus with your life and gain a heart of wisdom and discernment.

Bible Verses About Discernment

How to Give Thanks in All Circumstances

How to Give Thanks in All Circumstances

As we approach Thanksgiving, we see more posts about giving thanks. My Facebook feed is filled with friends participating in the annual 30 Days of Thanks social media tradition. To participate, you choose one thing each day for which you are thankful. Then, beginning 30 days before Thanksgiving Day, you post about it on your social media pages. This is a good tradition and it certainly helps us all realize the blessings in our lives. Occasionally, or maybe more often than we want to admit, we see someone post something that we have taken for granted. Once in a while, I’ll think, “Oh wow. I didn’t think about that.” And then, there are the hard years, you know the ones. Sometimes we get to November with the weight of the world on our shoulders. With so much hurt and tiredness taking up so much space in our hearts, how do we express thankfulness? Sometimes it is hard, but God, in His Word, tells us to give thanks in all circumstances.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

Giving Thanks In All Circumstances is God’s Will for Us in Christ Jesus

During this time of year, we like to quote 1 Thessalonians 5:18, but often times, we leave out the last part, “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

When times are good, it is easy to concentrate on those first 5 favorite words, but what about the hard times? What about times of loss – loss of life, loss of jobs, loss of homes, loss of relationships, loss of financial stability, loss of reputation, loss of (you fill in the blanks). How do we give thanks during those times? The easy answer is “there is always something to be thankful for.”

It’s true. There is always something we can be thankful for and many of us could, if given a minute or two, come up with at least a small list of blessings even during our most difficult seasons. It’s not always that easy though, especially if we are going through particularly tough challenges. The good news is that God, in His Word, gives us a way to give thanks in all circumstances and He makes it clear in the Bible verse above that giving thanks in all circumstances is His will for us in Christ Jesus. He tells us more. Let’s back up just two verses.

Rejoice always. Pray continually.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

There we have it. God tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 to rejoice always and pray continually. We can’t dwell on the hard stuff if we are in a constant state of rejoicing and prayer. The hard stuff is there. I’m not saying it will go away. God doesn’t always change our circumstances. I’m not saying it won’t hurt. Heartache hurts, but God can use our hurt. Someone once told me, “Don’t waste your pain.”

That quote stuck with me. Our pain can turn our hearts toward purpose. When God allows pain, we should let Him use our pain for His glory, for His purpose.

You might be thinking, “But how can we rejoice always and pray continually when life is so hard?” That answer is also in His Word. No matter how hard our circumstances, we will always find comfort in the Bible. One of my pastors from many years ago told us that the Bible is God’s love letter to us. All the answers, all the comfort, all the hope we need is found in the Bible. Let’s read all three of our focal verses together.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The next time life seems too hard to handle, remember that you can’t handle it alone. We aren’t expected to handle life’s struggles alone. We were created for relationship, first with God, and then with each other.

How Do We Give Thanks In All Circumstances?

Read God’s Word. [All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)]

Pray [Pray Continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)]

Rejoice [Rejoice Always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)]

Full Disclosure: My heart is not always in a state of constant rejoicing and prayer. Can any of us make that claim? This is something I am working on and I am definitely a work in progress. However, I can testify to this truth. When I am soaking up God’s Word, His love letter to me, to us, my heart settles and my mind quiets. The worries of the day fade as God’s living and active Word takes over the anxious spaces of my heart and mind.

In difficult circumstances, let’s learn to turn our focus to the Father and give thanks in all circumstances.

Living Abundantly in Him,

Tina

How to Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Learning to Pray with Humility

Learning to Pray with Humility

My pastor is taking us through a series about prayer. Prayer might seem like a simple cut-and-dry subject, but have you ever really stopped to think about how you pray? Most of us pray before we eat a meal when we say a blessing. Sometimes, we breathe a prayer of thanks when something goes our way. I used the word “sometimes” because I think that most of the time, our prayers are centered around asking for something we want or something we want to happen. We are learning to pray with humility.

Lord, please help me pass this test.

God, please help me get that new car.

Jesus, please help me get that guy.

Lord, please let me marry that girl.

God, please help me pay the mortgage this month.

Our lists of “Lord help me do this or that” could go on forever. This is a problem. As my pastor put it, “God is not a vending machine. We can’t just press button number 3:16 and get stuff.” Prayer is so much more than asking for things all the time. Prayer is relational, not transactional. Prayer is about enjoying our relationship with the Lord.

Let’s not just learn to pray. Let’s become a people of prayer. What do you suppose stops us from becoming a people of prayer?

Busyness.

We could make a list. Some of our lists would be longer than others, but it all comes down to busyness. We get busy. We get distracted. We become overwhelmed with the the business of busy. Therefore; we don’t take time to pray.

What could God do in our lives and in the lives of others if we learn to pray with humility?

Pray for your enemies.

One of the most humble prayers we can pray is a prayer for our enemies. This is especially hard for me, not that I have any enemies, but if you are like me, praying for people who annoy you or bother you in some way is challenging for you. David gave us a good example of praying with humility. David was distressed, but he prayed for his enemies in Palm 4:2-3.

Let’s look at Psalm 4

1. Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

2. You sons of man, how long will my honor be treated as an insult?
How long will you love what is worthless and strive for a lie? Selah

3. But know that the Lord has set apart the godly person for Himself;

The Lord hears when I call to Him.

4. Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah

5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the Lord.

6. Many are saying, “Who will show us anything good?”
Lift up the light of Your face upon us, Lord!

7. You have put joy in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine are abundant.

8. In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, Lord, have me dwell in safety.

Let’s be like David. Let’s be prayer warriors who fight on our knees.

Pray boldly.

If you belong to the Lord, then you have His attention. He listens to us when we pray. We are set apart. Notice in verse 8 that David is at peace. Prayer does not always change our circumstances, but it will always change us.

Learning to Pray with Humility

What do we need in order to pray with humility?

We need a pure heart.

Psalm 4 tells us to meditate in our hearts upon our beds and be still. We need to worship with a pure heart. When we have a pure reverence for God, we don’t walk in shame or the wrong kind of anger.

Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil. Cling to what is good. Romans 12:9

We need to hate sin.

We need a hearing heart.

Prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue. God has a solution to every problem we will ever face. Sometimes, we need to be silent and listen to God.

We need a surrendered heart.

Jesus gave us a good example of a surrendered heart at Gethsemane when He prayed, “Not my will, but Yours, God.”

We need a trusting heart.

When we trust Him, we will rest in Him.

Will you pray with humility today and trust God with every area of your life?

Learning to Pray with Humility

My husband and I have been married for almost 32 years. Yes, he still takes my breath away, but the love we share is also a choice. It’s a Biblical love because we are in a Biblical marriage. The Bible has a lot to say about love. In fact, someone once said that the Bible is God’s love letter to us. I agree. What does the Bible say about love, you might ask? Well, let’s take a look at the following Bible verses about love.

Bible Verses About Love

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8

Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance. Jude 1:2

Bible Verses About Love

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25

Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14

Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned. Song of Solomon 8:7-8

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

Hate stirs up conflict but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

This is a short list. To read a lot more about what the Bible says about love, I suggest that you get a good study Bible with a concordance. You can look up the word “love” in the concordance and get a list of Bible verses that contain the word “love” in the verse. 

Another suggestion is to subscribe to BibleGateway. You can use BibleGateway for free but subscribers get access to many reference materials including good commentaries. I subscribe and I LOVE it.

This post wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t include 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13. 1 Corinthians 13 is widely known as “The Love Chapter.” Love is a hard word to describe but this chapter in the Bible beautifully describes what love is. Here is 1 Corinthians 13 in its entirety.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The Holy Bible, 1 Corinthians 13

Bible Verses About Love

I Wasn’t Expecting That: A Short Story

I Wasn’t Expecting That: A Short Story

I Wasn’t Expecting That

Hope Bend was a small town in South Carolina that mirrored many small towns depicted in movies. It was a town where everyone knew everyone else. Men still played board games outside the general store, which was still named The General Store. Children still rode their bikes around in their neighborhoods, visiting with friends until the street lights came on, and unsupervised for the most part. One of Hope Bend’s most well-known landmarks was the old country church. The church was founded in 1885. The church steeple stood tall, the perfect accent for the surrounding trees, Magnolias, Red Maples, and Flowering Dogwoods, depending on the season. For Hope Bend residents, it was a sanctuary from the chaos beyond its borders. That was especially true for Amy Baldwin who wasn’t expecting that when she first moved to Hope Bend.

Amy grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. She was used to the city life, but in the months before moving to South Carolina, she had become dissatisfied with life. She lost both parents in the same year. Her dad died in an auto accident. Six months later, her mother passed away from a long-fought battle with cancer. She loved her job as a full-time substitute teacher but hadn’t felt fulfilled there in the weeks before moving to Hope Bend.

Amy’s Move to Hope Bend

Amy’s pastor was an old friend of the pastor of Hope Bend Baptist Church, the old country church with the beautiful tall steeple. He suggested that Amy move there, at least for a little while, so she could spend time away from the city, allow her spirit to calm, and hopefully regain her sense of purpose. Amy agreed but hadn’t expected to fall in love with the quaint little town. Her pastor helped her get a job at Hope Bend Baptist as an assistant to the church secretary. It wasn’t much money, but she also agreed to live rent-free in the basement apartment of one of the church members. It was supposed to be for a short time, but now Amy never wanted to leave.

One Sunday afternoon, after the service ended, Amy noticed a flyer on the bulletin board in the main foyer. “Volunteer Opportunity: Summer Camp for Underprivileged Kids.” The camp would be held at the community center down the street from the church and not far from Amy’s apartment. The flyer said the camp would provide kids with enriching activities and mentorship and promised to be a safe haven. Amy considered the opportunity. This little community had become so special to her. This could be a way she could give back.

After most of the church members left, Amy approached Pastor Ed to ask him if he thought she would be a good fit as a volunteer. He encouraged her to volunteer. The camp hours were long, beginning at 8am but lasting until 9pm. Pastor Ed said the longer evening hours help keep kids off the streets at night and hopefully out of trouble. The camp was scheduled to begin the next week and lasted all summer. Amy could volunteer after work for as long as she wanted.

Amy Volunteers for Summer Camp

A week later, Amy pulled into the community center’s parking lot. Kids were running all around. Most looked excited to start camp, but a few others looked more unsure. Anthony Williams, the camp organizer, called all the kids to order and assigned each one to a volunteer. Amy was assigned 10 kids, each bringing their own unique challenges and struggles.

One of the kids assigned to Amy was Marcus. Marcus was nine years old with dirty blonde hair and deep blue eyes. Amy recognized him as one of the kids who looked unsure as if he felt out of place. While the kids played a game of basketball in the gym, Anthony told Amy a little about Marcus’s story. The boy had lived most of his life in a shelter with his mother. He didn’t like new situations or meeting new people.

Amy glanced over at Marcus. He wasn’t playing any games or interacting with other kids. He looked lost. Amy approached Marcus and knelt at his level. “Hi, Marcus. I’m Amy. Would you like to play a game? Do you have a favorite?”

Marcus looked around the gym. On the opposite half-court from the basketball game was a game of dodgeball. On the sidelines of the large gym, kids were playing with jump ropes, and several groups were playing board games on the gym floor. “Basketball looks fun, but I don’t know how to play.”

Amy smiled at Marcus warmly. “I can teach you. Let’s start by shooting a few hoops over there on the side goal. Does that sound like a fun start to you?”

Marcus wasn’t so sure, but there was something about Amy that he liked. He felt safe with her. “Sure.”

Amy scanned the gym to check on the other nine kids assigned to her. They were all engaged in activities. She grabbed a basketball from the rack and walked to the side basketball goal with Marcus. Amy shot a couple of hoops to show Marcus a few techniques that might help him shoot successfully. Over the next several weeks, Amy and Marcus bonded over basketball lessons. Amy organized two small teams so that they could play against each other. She taught Marcus and the other kids how to dribble the ball, pass it, guard the goal, and even sneaky ways to steal the ball from the opposing team. Amy watched Marcus not only learn to play a sport and love it, but he was also learning to interact with other kids. He became more sure of himself, looking less lost and out of place each day. Marcus was making friends and finding a place to belong.

Marcus looked forward to each day of summer camp, running inside every day to enthusiastically greet his new friends. One morning, Marcus walked into the community center, but instead of greeting his friends, he sat on the bottom row of the gym bleachers. He didn’t look lost like he had looked at the beginning of the summer, but he looked sad. Amy sat down beside Marcus and asked him gently. “Good morning, Marcus. Is something wrong?”

“Well, kind of,” Marcus began with a soft voice. “A few days ago, Daniel asked me over to his house. My mom took me over there, and it was a fun day.” Marcus stopped, reluctant to continue.

“If it was such a fun day, why are you so sad?” Amy wanted to know what was weighing so heavily on Marcus.

“I’m kind of embarrassed.” Marcus continued. “Daniel said he wanted to come to my house someday, but I don’t have a house. My mom keeps saying she is going to get us out of the shelter so we can have a real home, but we are still there.”

Amy Gives Marcus a New Hope

Amy’s heart broke for Marcus. He wanted an everyday life where kids spend time at each other’s homes, eat dinners together, and enjoy sleepovers. “That’s tough, Marcus. I understand you are growing impatient, but you can always trust God’s timing. You are not alone. God loves you and your mom, Marcus. You can trust Him with your life, and I’ll always be here for you as well.

Marcus wanted to believe as much as Amy that God would provide a home for him and his mom, but he wasn’t as hopeful as Amy. “Miss Amy, how do you know God cares for my mom and me?

With a comforting smile, she replied, “He has a plan for each of us, even when things seem hard to understand. Sometimes, hope can come from unexpected places.”

As summer edged closer to fall, the camp became a place of safety and joy for Amy and the children. They shared their challenges, dreams, and joys. Bonding over games, laughter, and heartfelt discussions. Marcus, in particular, learned to laugh as he learned to trust other kids, Amy, and God.

One evening, the kids were enjoying crafts. They were making friendship bookmarks. The kids wrote their favorite friendship quotes, phrases, and Bible verses on each bookmark. They were instructed to make as many bookmarks as they wanted to give to friends. “Miss Amy, can I make one for my mom?”

“Of course you can, Marcus. She will love it.” Marcus gathered enough materials to make enough bookmarks to give to all of his new friends and his mom, and he secretly planned to make one for his new best friend, too. He hoped Amy would love it.

Summer Camp Comes to and End

The leaves on the trees outside the community center began to change from green to shades of yellows, oranges, and soft browns. Summer camp was ending, and Amy was filled with mixed emotions. Although she enjoyed her job at the church, she had missed her job as a substitute teacher. She knew she would enjoy working with the summer camp kids, but she wasn’t expecting that she would get so attached to them, especially Marcus.

On the last night of summer camp, all the camp counselors, the volunteers, and the kids sat around a campfire. Each child took turns sharing what they had learned and how the summer camp experience impacted them.

Soon, it was Marcus’s turn. He stood with a confidence he had not known when he first arrived at camp weeks ago. He was holding two bookmarks in his hand. “I want to thank Miss Amy for teaching me that I can still trust God even when life is hard. His timing is perfect, and His plan for me is good. I made this bookmark for my mom. I wrote a Bible verse on it to remind her that she can also trust God. I also made one for you, Miss Amy, so that if things get hard, you will remember to trust God too. I want you to always remember what you taught me.”

Marcus handed Amy the bookmark. The Bible verse on it was from the book of Romans.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28 (NASB)

Amy was overcome with emotion. Tears ran down her cheeks as she hugged Marcus. “You are so brave, Marcus. You are brave, smart, and so loved by God and by me, always.”

Summer Camp was over, but Amy knew it was not the end. Amy decided to stay in Hope Bend. She no longer wanted the hustle and bustle of Atlanta city life. She wasn’t expecting that when she first came to Hope Bend, but it was true. Marcus had inspired Amy to continue influencing the lives of children. She was ready to move forward with a new sense of purpose.

Hope Bend Becomes Home for Amy

Amy applied for a job as a full-time substitute at the Hope Bend School System. She was hired for the position but was offered something else she wasn’t expecting. The school superintendent had heard about Amy’s work with the summer camp kids. He asked her to lead a new afterschool program for kids whose parents worked later hours. The after-school program would provide kids with opportunities to socialize after school. Older students could mentor younger students. Afterschool personnel would be available to help kids with their homework. Amy’s experience at summer camp provided her with the skills needed to make the Hope Bend Afterschool Program not just a good one but a great one.

A New Friendship Blossoms

One afternoon, Amy was gathering materials for after-school program crafts when she received an unexpected phone call. It was Marcus’s mother, Gwen. Gwen’s voice was shaky. “Miss Baldwin, I wanted to reach out to you. Marcus hasn’t stopped talking about you. He continues to become more self-confident. Yesterday, he asked if we could start going to church. I agreed to take him this coming Sunday. Anyway, thank you for being such a good influence in his life.”

Amy wasn’t expecting that, but she was overjoyed. “Gwen, I’m so happy to hear this! Marcus is a remarkable boy, and it was truly a privilege to work with him.”

Gwen paused, but only for a moment. She glanced down at the bookmark in her hand. “Miss Baldwin, I want to ask you something. If it’s OK with you, I would love for us to meet. I want to discuss what you did for Marcus and how I can better support him as a mom.”

Amy was touched. She agreed to meet with Gwen. A week later, they sat together at a little coffee shop near Hope Bend Baptist Church. They bonded quickly as they shared experiences with Marcus. Gwen shared with Amy her struggles and challenges as a single mom. Then, she told Amy that she was determined to make her situation better.

Amy was touched that Gwen felt free to share her personal challenges. Amy saw a real compassion in Gwen. Gwen loved her son. She was trying so hard to make things work out so that she could better provide for Marcus and give him more opportunities in life. “Gwen, I can see that you are a good mother. I’m sure Marcus can see how hard you work for him.”

Amy shared with Gwen several resources in their community that might help. Together, they came up with several ideas and a plan to make sure Marcus had the support he needed at home and at school. “Gwen, there’s one more thing I want to ask you. You mentioned that you agreed to take Marcus to church. Have you decided where you want to go?

Gwen looked both confused and hopeful at the same time. “No, I haven’t decided where to go. I want to go, but there are so many churches around here. Do you have a suggestion, Amy?”

Amy’s heart lept. She had hoped to suggest her church. “As a matter of fact, I do.” Amy smiled. “I would like to invite you to my church. I go to that one right over there.” She pointed to the beautiful old country church. “I go to Hope Bend Baptist Church. I would love for you and Marcus to come with me on Sunday.”

Gwen was relieved at the suggestion. “Yes, yes. I would love that! Marcus will be excited, too.”

Amy and Gwen met regularly over the next several months and became great friends. Amy would go to Gwen’s home to help Marcus with homework. Amy and Pastor Ed found a family in their church who had an apartment available over their garage. They had agreed to allow Gwen and Marcus to live there rent-free until Gwen could save a little money and get back on her feet. The families bonded, so Gwen and Marcus stayed in that apartment. Before long, Gwen was able to pay full rent. With the help she needed, Gwen had found a low-rent apartment to call home. The Smiths loved having Gwen and Marcus on their property. Soon enough, the Smiths, Gwen, Marcus, and Amy felt like family.

A New Life for Marcus and His Mom

One Tuesday morning, Gwen called Amy. When Amy answered the phone, Gwen’s voice was so excited that Amy could barely understand what Gwen was saying. “Amy! I got it! I got the job!”

Suddenly, Amy was just as excited as Gwen. Amy knew there was a job opening in the office at one of the schools where Amy worked. She suggested to Gwen that she should apply. “You’ll be great there,” Amy told Gwen. “Plus, we will see each other two days per week when I’m at that school.”

Amy was so happy for her new friend. “Gwen! That’s great! I’m so excited for you!”

Gwen continued. “And Amy, there are benefits. We’ll finally have benefits, insurance, medical, dental, and vision. I can’t believe how things have turned around for Marcus and me.” Amy thought she heard Gwen sniff.

Amy’s Renewed Hope and Purpose

Amy’s move to Hope Bend was supposed to be temporary, but there, Amy found a sense of purpose that she had lost after losing her parents. God had placed her in a position to mentor and support the families of the children she worked with. Amy knew she belonged in Hope Bend.

As seasons changed and weeks became months and months became years, Amy, Gwen, and Marcus remained the closest friends. Amy was grateful for the opportunity to watch Marcus grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He truly was a remarkable boy. As Marcus grew older, he took on more active roles in helping Amy and his mother mentor and encourage families in the faith. God’s hand was evident in the lives of the people Amy, Gwen, and Marcus touched.

Before moving to Hope Bend, Amy had agreed to take a temporary journey. At the time, she had no idea where it would lead. Now she knew that sometimes, God’s sweetest plans for His children are hidden in the unexpected. For the rest of her life, whenever she heard someone say, “I wasn’t expecting that,” she would remind them that God did expect it and His timing and His plans are always perfect.

I Wasn’t Expecting That: A Short Story