Psalm 127 is attributed to Solomon, “the man to whom God gave wisdom and understanding beyond measure.” I Kings 4:29. It’s part of the body of Psalms titled, the Songs of Ascents, words about real people on their journeys of faith. Real people, like us.

“Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.”
Psalm 127:1

We started building our house together in 1972. In 1976 and 1977 it expanded greatly. God entrusted us with two boys. We are thankful for both our sons and the men they have become.

Entrusted – a great privilege, a great responsibility. We stumbled into parenthood exited and clueless. What does building our home, building into the lives of these two look like?

We read. We prayed. We cried. We lost sleep.

We took comfort in the wisdom of Dr. Dobson, “If there was one correct way to parent, it would be in the Bible.” It is not.

We continued habits we started before they joined the family, now with expanded applications. “Second verse, same as the first, a little bit louder and a little bit worse.” Do you remember these lyrics from Henry VIII, I Am, originally sung by Herman’s Hermits? The second (and third) verses of our house building (family building) looked much like the first, yes louder, not worse.

Bill and I continued our personal time with God.
The boys came to church with us as infants becoming familiar with church nurseries.
We sought the wisdom of those older and wiser, from books and from people we knew.
We continued our habit of hospitality.
We continued our family vacations each summer, usually camping.
We enfolded the boys into who we were.

We didn’t want our labors raising two boys to be in vain.

“It is in vain that your rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.”
Psalm 127:2

True confession – in our silver-haired years, we don’t want vanity to describe us. We no longer stay up for the 10 p.m. news. I cling to Deuteronomy 33:12, “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him,” (NIV). I am thankful for sleep.

We don’t want anxiety to define us. “The Lord is near. do not be anxious about anything,” Philippians 4:5, and 6 (NIV). We’re human. Anxiety comes uninvited. Recently I was reading a memoir. The author’s adult son died while hiking. Anxiety entered. Both our now adult sons love  hiking. I needed to apply the imperative. I needed to remember the Lord’s nearness.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.”
Psalm 127:3

A heritage, something that has been gifted to us. Dave and Jeff are gifts to us from God. God is their owner; we stewarded his gift for a season. A reward – not earned, but cherished.

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.”
Psalm 127:4

Dave and Jeff have expanded the target of our arrows. Dave’s hopes is that his work will make a difference in civil rights. Whereas Bill’s and my primary congregation has been the college campus, Jeff’s congregations go from the cradle to the grave.

“Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”
Psalm 127:5

We’re blessed by our size 2 quiver.

According to my Bible notes, the gate is the place where justice is administered. When the Lord builds the house, there is no shame, even in the reality of hards.

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, May 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last two months we’ve been gifted with time to be with all of our GRANDS. In March it was with the older two, now both active teens. We spent lots of time together in the car on the way to or from school or one of their other activities. It was precious talk time.

Last month we enjoyed a week with the younger four. Toddler Leah just turned two. The older three are seven, nine, and twelve. We were amazed at how much each of them had grown. Miniature golf, long stroller walks, little league baseball, and a picnic at the lake all created memories that will last.

It was definitely NOT wasted time. It was time invested in building family relationships, a gift for Bill and me. “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,” Psalm 127:3.

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Last December, I titled a page in my journal, Remembering Back – Looking Ahead. I filled the page with 2021 memories in the order they came to mind. From visits to vacations. From what I had read to what I had written. From classes I had taken to living out my love of teaching.

I pulled this page full of rememberings into five observations.

1. Keep growing and developing into who God created me to be. Keep writing.
2. Keep times of quiet, and reflection in my time with God.
3. Keep times with family a priority, In person, on Zoom, in prayer.
4. Keep ministering along side Bill to our collegiate staff.
5. Be realistic about our capacity as we live out our calling.

And then I asked myself, How should these memories relate to 2022? What is the wisdom God wants me to apply? These weren’t New Year’s resolutions as much as an understanding of how I want to live out who I am in my silver-haired years.

At close to the half-way point of 2022, how am I doing? It’s been good to review and ponder my reality. Is my time being wasted or invested?

Number 4 needs to be expanded to encompass my heart. I love investing in women who want to grow in their friendship with God ~ that goes beyond women on our collegiate staff. Often that happens over a cup of coffee with friends from church, or with neighbors.

Number 2 needs to be worked on! For several years I’ve started my devotional life with the spiritual discipline of sitting and staring, enjoying God’s creation in the quietness of the morning, allowing God to remind me of his love, and to direct my time with him.

“The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;”
Zephaniah 3:17 (bolding mine)

Lately, I’ve found myself jumping into the realities of needed preparations. Am I ready to meet with this friend? Am I ready to connect with my writing coach? Is Echoes of Grace ready for this week? So many things to be ready for! So many things to rob me of quiet, of listening, of experiencing God’s love.

It was good to remember. It was good to review. It is never wasted time to listen for the love of God! It is invested time in what is really important!

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15, 16

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, May 2022

 

 

 

Shirley Jipping Sneller was welcomed into the presence of our Lord earlier this month, congestive heart failure claiming her life here on earth.

My friendship with Shirley – and Karen’s and Sheri’s – goes back over 50 years. It was one of those friendships that although you don’t often connect (we lived in four different states), when you do, you pick up where you left off. And you are always blessed!

Sheri, Karen, and I all knew Shirley in the context of our involvement with The Navigators, a Christian ministry on campus, during our years at Hope College.

Sheri knew Shirley the longest, having grown up in the same town.  In Sheri’s words …

“Shirley and I grew up in the same small town, Hamilton, Michigan. Although we attended different high schools, we went to the same church.
Shirley and I both got involved with The Navigators during our college years. Shirley was in the nursing program at Hope College.
She was such a joy to be around.
She loved to laugh and her heart showed love toward others.
Her commitment to minister Christ’s love to international students was always inspiring!”

 

Karen’s friendship with Shirley: “I was introduced to Jesus at a Youth for Christ meeting during my sophomore year at Hope College. The stories I knew about Jesus finally made sense. That was a very significant night as it was also the night I met Shirley.

Shirley and I became friends. She took me with her to a chapel serving the migrant community on Sunday mornings. Maybe it was there that God planted the seed in both our hearts for international ministry.

I asked for help with my devotional life, and Shirley taught me to ask a few simple questions as I read the scriptures that caused them to come alive for me. Shirley taught me how to share my faith story with others. It was through Shirley’s life that a vision was birthed in my heart of reaching others for Jesus.

After Shirley married, she and her husband came on staff with The Navigators ministering to international students. After I married, for 13 years, my husband pastored a church in a town in Iowa with a large Japanese population. During our time there I taught English classes  for the Japanese ladies using the Bible.

As I write these words, I can see her smile and almost hear her laugh.

I thank God for meeting Shirley and for her influence on my life.”

 

Shirley and me. I so concur with both Sheri and Karen. As my mind swirls with memories of my friendship with Shirley, I remember the sound of her voice, I almost see her smile, and I hear her laugh.

Hamilton is a brief 10 miles from Holland, Michigan, the home of Hope College. I loved when Shirley invited us out to her parent’s home in the country. As a young Christian, I watched her family closely and always left with new ideas and  new encouragement. Her mom practiced hospitality well and as students we benefited.

The gift of hospitality was passed down to Shirley. She and her husband Dave purposed to invite others into their home for dinner weekly. Bill and I picked up on that habit as well. But it’s been lagging the last few years. Remembering the hospitality I experienced at her parent’s home and learning how Shirley and Dave made hospitality a priority in their marriage has lit the fire under me to re-start that practice in our home.

Just a few years ago, Shirley and I sat across from each other in a coffee shop  wondering out loud why we had been invited to the Navigator senior staff meeting. Really were we that old? We were. The small table against the wall allowed our noses to almost touch as she leaned forward with her first question.

“Sue, how is it having daughter-in-laws?” No small talk. Lets jump into the deep end right away. Bill and I have two delightful daughter-in-laws. I don’t remember the specific circumstance of that moment, but a few tears escaped my eyes.

Shirley was living out her heart for ministry. She was reaching out to me in my real life and she loved me well that day. I breathed more easily and our conversation left me not only encouraged but with a conviction to be more bold with the women God allows me to sit across tables from, sipping coffee, and talking about real life. I will forever remember Shirley’s question.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.
Enter into the joy of your master.”
Matthew 25:21

I’m sure Shirley heard those words as she stepped into heaven earlier this month.

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, April 2022

 

 

 

 

Cooper Kupp, a wide-receiver for the L.A. Rams, the MVP of Superbowl LVI, and the one who knows his worth is in his relationship with God, said, “I don’t play for the victory, I play from the victory.”

YES! We too get to live from the victory that Jesus won for us that long-ago Easter morning.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I Corinthians 15:57

I was mad. I complained. I tried to offer my side of the story. I cried. I wanted to fight. It all was so unfair. And it was all in vain. My business acumen didn’t line up with hers. She let me know. She let others know. The hurts multiplied. It was a dark time.

What had been going so well, was turned on its head. I wanted to quit. I wanted to create the victory, not live from the victory. And that was the problem.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory!”

In time, God reminded me of several truths that calmed my raging emotions.
In time, I submitted to the victory Jesus won for me with his resurrection.

Proverbs 3:5 & 6 communicated several of the truths I needed to embrace to experience victory.

Trust in the Lord – I asked myself, where was I going to allow my trust to rest?
With all your heart – Sue, don’t just kinda’ trust. Be all in. The process came one small trust at a time.
Do not lean on your own understanding – A friend interpreted this as God gives me permission to not understand. My understanding needed to rest not in what I thought was right. My understanding can never be the source of my faith.
In all your ways – Even in the hard things, God invites me to concede to his wisdom.
He will make straight your paths – What a great promise!

As I sank into the truth of Proverbs 3:5 & 6, God changed my desires. I no longer wanted to prove myself. I no longer wanted to fight. My tears dried. My desire became trust. My relationship with God was more important. The gospel became the battle I wanted to win. I learned …

When my reactions are defined by trusting God,
my desires are refined by God.

The victory was won through vulnerability. This is me. I’m struggling. I’m not there yet.
Vulnerability led to vitality, to transformation, to new life.

Lazarus was a key player as Jesus taught us, “I am the resurrection and the life”. Because of the resurrection, we can live from victory.

Four days after his death, Jesus is visiting his tomb and asks that the stone across the entrance be removed. Then Jesus stands at the door of the tomb and calls Lazarus out. John 11.

Jesus doesn’t go into the tomb to comfort Lazarus.
Jesus doesn’t say you were the victim. You got robbed of life because I didn’t get here in time.
Jesus doesn’t go into the tomb and say, ‘I’m here with you’.

Jesus called Lazarus out. Jesus didn’t spend much time in his own tomb. He doesn’t come into ours. His desire is that we come out of our tombs, be vulnerable, live from the victory he secured, and allow vitality to define us.

Vulnerability >>> Victory >>> Vitality

Because of Easter, we can live from victory. Be reminded of the cost of that victory with this rendition of Leonard Cohen’s, Hallelujah.

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, April 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A year ago my neighbor and I spent Good Friday morning at nearby Benet Hill Monastery. We walked quietly along the path surrounding the cross. Easter thoughts, just two days away, filled my mind. On that long ago Friday, Jesus was brought to Golgotha. He was crucified, died, and was buried. Then he was resurrected. The resurrection, I can’t wrap my head around it.

The cross is empty.
The stone is rolled away.
The tomb is empty.
The resurrection happened.

We’re invited to live from the abundant victory the resurrection secured.

Andrew is my first cousin, once removed. I love his art! “Abundance” started from the picture he snapped of a Butterfly Bush in their back yard. He blew up the snapshot and painted the photograph. Watching the response of the butterflies to the abundant blossoms on their bush caused him to remember the abundance he had experienced in the reality of two years of Covid. He named the painting “Abundance”.

When I first saw his painting*** I called it Butterflies and Blossoms. For me it is a picture of Easter. The beautiful butterflies had come out of their cocoons; transformed from caterpillars to the exquisite beauty of adult butterflies, their metamorphosis complete. Easter, the resurrection offers metamorphosis or transformation to me too.

The blossoms of the lovely perennial Butterfly Bush had also come alive, their roots sending out new growth for the new season. Roots, new growth, keys to transformation.

Abundance has been one of my words this year. God has been abundantly gracious as I’ve been praying over the reality of the resurrection. My thoughts have been churning.

“So we have come to know and to believe
the love that God has for us.”
I John 4:16

“We show what we believe, not by what our mouths say, but by what our hearts seek.” These words from a recent book encouraged. I wanted to know and believe God’s love for me demonstrated in the resurrection. I began to pray daily…

God, please grow my knowing.
Help me to press on in trust, press on in faith,
press on in knowing you.
May the power of your resurrection be my testimony,
my knowing.
God, please grow my knowing. Amen.

God began to abundantly answer.

Besides bringing my attention to certain scriptures, I heard God’s whisper, Sue, if you could wrap your head around the resurrection, your God is too small!

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly,
than all we ask or think,
according to the power at word within us,”
Ephesians 3:20 (italics mine)

I’ve begun signing my correspondence, FMA (Far More Abundantly). I need the reminder of our resurrected Lord who is working in far more abundant ways to continually transform me.

ABUNDANT EASTER BLESSINGS TO YOU!

*** All Rights Reserved

                                                                       Thank you Larry Lorimor.

The Bible records in much detail the happenings, the prayers, the emotions of the people the week between Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey (a symbol of peace) on Palm Sunday and seven days later on Resurrection Sunday ushering in real peace.

John 16 records Jesus’ continued conversation with the 11 after  their final dinner  together  the night before he endures the agony of the cross. His words to the 11 disciples are also words to us.

“I have said all these thing to you …”

These words or something very similar appear 19 times in John 16.  Repetition highlights importance. John 16 begins and ends with these words.

“I have said all these thing to you
to keep you from falling away.”
John 16:1

Erika and I were looking at the scriptures and thinking about life circumstances together over a cups of steaming coffee. How I need friends to keep me from falling away from truth, from God.

Deuteronomy 33:3 encouraged us both. God loves his people; God keeps his people in his hand. The result – they heard God’s directions and followed in his steps. We shifted our thinking to the new testament and Ephesians 1:11 and 12. Those directions are according to God’s purpose  so that we might be people who bring praise to God.

We agreed, we don’t want to be women who fall away. We want to be women who bring praise to God.

“I have said these thing to you,
that when their hour comes you may remember
that I told them to you.”
John 16:4

How many times have I told you …? Those words from my Mom to me as a child still ring in my adult ears. I have a good forget-er! And the same question coming more gently from my husband, Sue remember …?

No, I don’t remember! Over 100 times in the scriptures I’m admonished to remember. And here Jesus is asking his followers to remember that there is going to be hard times and he will no longer be physically with them to protect them.

Remembering truth is a prescription for those times we all experience.

“But because I have said these things to you,
sorrow has filled your heart.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth:
it is to your advantage that I go away,”
John 16:6 and 7

That raises many questions until I keep reading. Jesus is going away but he is sending the Helper, the Holy Spirit.

Not only do we have the truth of the scriptures for guidance; we have the Holy Spirit to interpret the scriptures for us.

My friend was sharing a personal story about how she was responding to another in her life. My antenna went up. But how could I respond to her in love? “Let your speech always be gracious; seasoned with salt.” Colossians 4:6. Knowing that truth, I prayed; the Holy Spirit whispered. I needed the truth; I needed the truth interpreted.

“I still have many things to say to you,
but you cannot bear them now.”
John 16:12

God knows me well. God knows what I can bear. When C.S. Lewis was confronting God with his sadness, his confusion, his grief over the death of his wife, the Holy Spirit gently whispered, peace child; you don’t understand. But you will. In Lewis’s words he said he experienced the compassionate gaze of God. That’s what I want more than understanding, to experience the compassionate gaze of God often whispered by the Holy Spirit.

“I have said these things to you in figures of speech.
…
I will tell you plainly about the Father.”
John 16:25

There is so much I don’t understand. Post resurrection, there is still much I don’t understand. But I’m following the confidence of C.S. Lewis and anticipating the compassionate gaze of God.

“I have said these things to you,
that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

We recently were staying with our teen-aged Grands for several days. With their greater freedom, I was nervous. Several friends faithfully prayed for me. God graciously said yes. Even with their activities that could have led to heart palpitations, I experienced peace. God overcame my fears.

God has overcome the world. We can know peace, often peace that goes beyond our finite minds. Philippians 4:7.

His purpose is in verse 1, his desire is to keep his followers — the 11 + us — from falling away is fleshed out in the rest of his words. He tells us to remember. He introduces the Holy Spirit. He shares hard things. His end-game is peace.

“I have said these things to you,
that in me you may have peace.”
John 16:33

“for the Father himself loves you,”
John 16:27

Copyright: Sue Tell, April 2022

 

 

 

You’ve come to appreciate Ros’ Scottish wisdom (and spelling). 🙂 This post shares more thoughts on rest; and how restorative rest revitalizes and leads to connections. You will be blessed!

This morning I find myself in my happy place, dyeing material, at the kitchen sink. It is a rest day for us, and the house is calm. One of the girls is with me in the room, content to be absorbed in her own activity while I stand with my own thoughts, stirring a little cauldron of colour. I’m attempting to transform a cream coloured herringbone cotton tape into a vibrant teal.

One of the joys of the last two years, where our leisure time has been so frequently restricted, has been the space to consider rest. With all regular activities paused, there has been opportunity for innovation. Rest, fun, distraction weren’t going to be handed to any of us on a plate: if we wanted it, we had to find it ourselves.

But before we get into all that, let’s go back to the kitchen for a moment where the initial stages of dyeing fabric are in full swing. The concoction of powders has dissolved, now the water needs agitating for a good wee while to ensure an even colour.

Then will follow a soaking, rinsing, drying, and ta da the fabric will be ready to be enjoyed.

As I type, I’m not sure whether the colour achieved will be what I have in mind, but that is almost besides the point. For this is a process-oriented task, not a goal-oriented one. The joy is in the mixing and the watching. Witnessing the astounding feat of these tiny particles of colour, exerting their dominance over the defenceless material, irrevocably stained.

So much of life seems to be striving towards a goal, ticking something off a list, getting on to the next thing. To match our fast-paced lives, we then seek fast-paced entertainment, instant thrills, and in the midst of all that, simple pleasures are oft overlooked.

During those long lockdown-ed weekends of last year, there was a dearth of external amusement. There was nothing, socially, happening, all shops and cinemas were closed. The hills were open, as usual, but in the home, even with copious amounts of screen-viewing, we found ourselves living differently. I began to have a sense of the difference between certain types of leisure activities; those that bring relief and those that bring restoration.

Recreation that brings relief offers momentary respite from the strain. My go-to in this regard is to lose myself in something like a nordic-noir thriller series. Or gin, perhaps. Sometimes it’s the mindless scrolling or following internet rabbit-holes.

Recreation that brings restoration offers something deeper. It offers a revival of sorts to a tired, overwrought soul. An example for me of this is some creative pursuit, such as today’s dyeing of fabric, or being outside.

My bedraggled self often craves the escapism that relief rest brings. I want to absent myself from the often-challenging reality of life, to see the door marked EXIT and walk straight through it. But I learned during those lockdown-ed months that relief rest only achieves that, relief: it’s temporary, and like a drug, you’re always left craving more.

Engaging in activities that bring restoration, though, in someway bolsters or revitalises. When the pursuit has ended, there is a certain sense of equanimity at returning to every-day tasks and people, rather than resistance.

It often requires more effort to pursue a rest that restores, perhaps that’s why it’s not always my first instinct. Relief-rest seems the less demanding option, but often leaves the metallic after-taste of disconnection. I long to disconnect from whatever tensions and strains I’m experiencing, but pursuing that can come with a cost: disconnection from all sorts of other, good, things (people, my own inner-life, God).

Restorative rest, in contrast, leads to connection.

Take for example, today’s endeavour. In standing at the sink, massaging the tape as it relents to the colouration, I witness before my very eyes the creation of something new. I’m taking something dull and adding pizazz. I have to use my intuition to gauge the tone, mixing three different powders. For those moments, I’m a creative genius, in my laboratory, partaking in an experiment. Even writing about it excites me. Creativity excites me, because I’m creative, and made in the image of the Great Creator. I feel connected to a part of me that is so quickly laid to one side as the to-do list dictates other priorities. But today, on our rest, Sabbath, day, I remember that I’m not a slave to productivity – I can play, in a sense, at this sink, on this Saturday morning. What joy.

When we wander the hills, either alone or with others, we connect in wonder with that same Great Creator. When we play a game or laugh with others, we’re connecting. We’re resting, but in these pursuits we’re building connections all over the place, internally, inter-personally, divinely. We’re consolidating our connections, strengthening ourselves for the return to the fray.

Of course, we’re not conscious of any of this at the time – we’re just doing whatever we’re doing – but this is what’s going on under the surface.

As with many things, the places we go for relief aren’t always bad. Netflix isn’t evil, and gin is surely a gift to be enjoyed. But the question remains: what am I hoping my rest will achieve? A temporary reprieve, or something fuller, richer, better than that? And to whom am I looking to find it?

There are times when relief is needed, sometimes we just need to slump. But if we only pursue relief, we miss out on so much. And perhaps this is the conclusion to it all; for all of our life, including our leisure, to be submitted to the true Rest-Bringer. He alone can lead us to quiet waters of connection and provide balm for our soul.

The fabric tape has been soaking as I type. It’s a pretty colour, although not what I was expecting. The colour I was going for is actually now the shade of two of my fingers, where somehow the dye got into the gloves. A reminder for me to carry around for the next few days, of joy in simple restorative pleasure, pure gift from heaven above.

“There’s an incredible phrase in Hebrews: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (italics mine) This statement shows us the path we must take. Only by trusting can we truly please God! If our primary motive is pleasing God, we’ll never please Him enough and we’ll never learn trust. Pleasing God is a good desire. It just can’t be our primary motivation or it will imprison our hearts … When our primary motive becomes trusting God, however, we suddenly discover there is nothing in the world that pleases Him more! Until you trust God, nothing you do will please God.” The Cure, Lynch, McNicol, Thrall. Trust is the verb form of the noun faith.

I bet if you’re a parent or grandparent you’ve experienced something like this picture. I know I have. And sometimes I’ve been surprised that my grandchild has trusted me so explicitly.

But I am a child too, a child of God. And I think this pictures what God desires from me, complete trust. A willingness to bring all of me and cast myself into his arms.

Cast myself into his arms or Relying on God to do something I cannot do.

But so often, I want to DO. So often I want to FIX; I want to have THE ANSWER; sometimes I even want to be the AUTHORITY, especially a MOM authority. And in each case my focus is inward, on me.

Jesus says to the believing Jews, “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32. But … the caveat! The context is in the previous verse. The word abide in John 8:31 can be defined as walking in obedience and continue believing or walking in obedience by trusting.

Only KNOWING the truth does not set us free.
TRUSTING THE TRUTH WE KNOW is what sets us FREE!

I’m learning, there is nothing more potent than trust.
Truth cannot transform without trust.
Love cannot be experienced without trust.
Love cannot be offered without trust.
Community cannot be leveraged without trust.
Pleasing God does not happen without trust.
Character is not developed without trust.

I was stomping around our kitchen one afternoon. I.WAS.MAD! I don’t remember about what. My husband was there too. I barked, Do you even believe I love Jesus? Bill smiled, came to me, and embraced me in a big hug. Of course I do, he responded gently. I melted. Because I trust my husband, I trusted the love he offered. And whatever I was mad about dissipated.

Almost every day I pray, God, what would it look like to trust You today? When I know what I’m expecting the day to hold, I pray more specifically, God what would it look like to trust You today at the neighborhood coffee, for example. Sometimes I hear God’s immediate whisper. Sometimes I say amen and I don’t know how God is going to answer.

How can you please God today with your trust?

“And without faith (trust) it is impossible to please him (God) …”
Hebrews 11:6

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, March 2022

 

 

Exodus 17:8-16 records Israel’s conflict with Amalek. Moses is leading; Joshua, Aaron, and Hur have key roles.

Moses is the one chosen to lead Israel.
Joshua is leading the charge and overwhelmed the enemy.
Aaron and Hur are on the hill with Moses.

When Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed. When Moses lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Like me, Moses is human and he got weary of holding up his hands. So Aaron and Hur were essential players in the victory. Whenever they noticed Moses’ hands drooping, they held his hands up for him. Their victory over Amalek was a team effort.

 

On the Emmaus Road the afternoon of the resurrection, Luke records how Jesus initiated a relationship with two downcast and very discouraged walkers. He came to them, walked with them, and initiated conversation. He asked questions, and listened to their sad story. Luke 24:13-32.

Jesus listened.
Jesus met them where they were on their journey.
Jesus stayed with them until they recognized (not until they understood) him.
And so much more.

I finished reflecting on Luke 24 and my teaching on listening to God with the ladies and returned to the round table I was sitting at with my two friends who came with me and our five new friends.

I taught on listening. My friends, Janine and Denise, embodied it at our table.

Around the table we were getting to know each other and very vulnerable stories poured out.

As Nancy* trusted us with her hard reality, her eyes brimmed and threatened to overflow. Janine leaned forward, connected with her eyes, and asked, May I share with you what I’m hearing? An affirmative nod. Janine listened to Nancy’s circumstances, more importantly she listened to her heart. Janine heard her fear, her shattered dreams, her confusion, and that’s what she echoed to Nancy. There were no solutions, no suggestions. Now Nancy’s tears did overflow. Janine and Nancy connected deeply.

On the other side of the table, Connie* shared her hard reality. Her infant was supposed to be cradled in her arms at the retreat. But in her 38^th week of pregnancy, his heart stopped beating.

I’m so thankful Denise sat next to her. Denise’s words offered her own story. She too has little ones waiting for her in heaven. There were no platitudes. Just the reality that she understood. Her similar experience communicated to Connie that she was not alone. The link to Denise’s story is in the comments.

Janine heard Nancy’s heart. Denise offered story. As I listened in on both exchanges, God taught me and deepened my understanding about listening. Their gifting complimented my teaching.

Janine and Nancy held up my arms that morning and fleshed out my teaching. They were my Aaron and Hur. Their responses supported what God called me to do. I am so thankful.

“Listening to God calling us his beloved
is like discovering a well in the desert.
Once you have touched the wet ground,
you want to dig deeper.”
Henri JJ Nouwen

 

“… ‘This is my beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.’”
Matthew 17:5

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, March 2022

As I write today, in early March, the wind is ruffling the surface of the lake and bending the budding tree branches; in spite of the air’s chill there is no doubt Spring is unveiling herself. It’s also the beginning of Lent, the time each year when many Christians work their way through a period of denial and sacrifice, as Christ sacrificed himself for us. This year, I find myself experiencing Lent in a new way, thanks to God drawing my attention to an article in a popular Christian magazine. A reader related how, rather than giving up chocolate or television for Lent, she instead reflected on people who blessed her life and sent a note each day during Lent to thank them for the gift of their friendship. I was so taken with the idea, I adopted it myself, and truly, it’s proving to be a soul-baring, grace-filled experience.

What is grace? “Grace” is a word that can take on a number of meanings. It can be a noun or a verb. Grace, in the sense I use it here, is both. Grace as in “the free and unmerited favor of God as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowing of blessings.” God has graced me abundantly, and I am so incredibly grateful.

Grace as in “to confer honor or dignity on.” In the joy of my gratitude, I am moved to tell others of the grace they add to my life. In the blizzard of everyday chores, the minutiae of details we feel compelled to address 24/7, we so often overlook the simple graces conferred on us every day. We so often forget to thank those whom God’s grace has given us. We so often fail to recognize grace when we experience it.

The understanding and acknowledgment of God’s grace is transformative. Yet in order to be transformed, we must participate, take an active role. It’s not enough to passively accept God’s gift of grace, which He promises to all of us who believe in Christ. We must also be willing to “excel in this grace of giving” by seeking and seeing God alive in every day, giving Him thanks in the moment for His grace, and like Christ, giving ourselves to others as grace.

I paused a minute during my walk today, taking time to appreciate the beauty of a redbud tree, almost ready to burst into flower. God’s grace was there, too. Redbuds are different than other trees, which first send out leaves, then buds and flowers. A redbud in early Spring looks as if it still is slumbering: it has no veil of pale green. Rather, its branches are stark until, heralded by an unseen signal, they send out clusters of deep-purple buds, resembling dots of blood … Christ’s blood, shed for us. Then, with a bit of sunshine and God’s perpetual grace, those dark buds burst into the glorious bloom of Spring’s renewal.

If God can put his grace into something so simple as a tree in bloom, how much more has He put in us? And how are we acting in response to that grace so freely given? Maybe during Lent, rather than giving something up, we should instead “excel in the grace of giving” ourselves …  to God and to each other.

“… see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
2 Corinthians 8:7

Thank you to my friend Janet Kowalski who shared today’s words. Janet and I met in Alaska last September. What a gift her friendship is. And bonus, she lives in the same town as our younger son and his family. I’m looking forward to meeting up with her for lunch later this spring.