Diane Mickler's Blog

The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles. Proverbs 18:8

My Daddy had a lot of interesting sayings and names for folks who lived in and around our home town. One never knew what he’d come up with on any given day. However, he had really special names for his three girls, and they were meaningful and full of love, most of the time.

Daddy used names like sugar, pal, little bit, britches, and others for us girls. The one name I always thought was funny and cute was doodlebug. I never really thought about the bug to which it might refer, what it was, or what it resembled., but this week, I had an occasion to research it, and the doodlebug is a little different than I had imagined.

It appears that the doodlebug is a crafty little fellow. He lives at the bottom of a little cone shaped hole that he burrows in the sand. He gets down as low as possible so he’s always looking up at everything else. When the ant comes around and gets on the side of this carefully prepared cone, the doodlebug feels a few grains of sand slide down.

This sand signals him that “food” is up there. At that point, he begins to throw sand on his victim. What he’s trying to do is drag the ant down to his level so he can be his dinner! That’s exactly what we do when we gossip.

Sometimes we can take on the role of the doodlebug in our everyday life. There are occasions when we are tempted to throw dirt on others hoping to bring them down to our level. We gossip, and we can’t help ourselves.

Gossip is defined as casual conversation or reports about other people’s lives which can often be unkind, unverified, or malicious. Gossip can be totally innocent as when it’s done during small talk or social chatting. It can also be malicious when one spreads damaging rumors or negative details.

No matter how innocent, once spoken, it’s rather like a feather in the wind. There is a story of a man who once went to a wise leader or judge after spreading a viscous rumor about a neighbor. The judge told him to take a feather pillow, cut it open, and put a single feather on the doorstep of each home in town that might have heard the rumor.

The man did it and returned a few hours later. The judge told him to “go back and collect every single feather.” The man protested that the wind had blown them all over the countryside.” The judge replied, “And neither can you withdraw the harm of your words once they are spoken.”

Just like the doodlebug might do, gossip and false testimony directly drove the betrayal, unfair trials and crucifixion of Jesus. For example, Judas was influenced by growing opposition and criticism of Jesus among the religious elite and agreed to betray Him for thirty pieces of silver.

During His trial, accusers and false witnesses twisted Jesus’ statements while whisperers, negative reports, and pressure from the chief priests swayed public opinion turning the Jerusalem crowd, who once welcomed Jesus, into an angry mob who shouted “Crucify Him.”

A person’s reputation and career accomplishments can be seriously damaged when “false accusers” get together and spread gossip. A young person can be ostracized from their friends when “gossipers” get together and twist facts. A business can be ruined when gossiping patrons give negative reports which prove to be false.

No one is immune from being affected by gossip, and none of us are able to completely avoid being guilty of gossiping. While you can never be known and judged by what others say about you, you can be known and judged by what you say about them.

The story is told of four ministers who got together for a friendly gathering. During the conversation, one minister said, “Hey, our members come to us and confess things, let’s do the same.” They all agreed. The first one confessed that he liked to go to movies and often went on Wednesday night during church dinners. The second one confessed that he liked to smoke cigars. The third confessed that he liked to play poker. The fourth one refused to confess anything.

The others were stunned and pressed him to confess by saying, “Come on now, tell us, we’ve all confessed something.” Finally, he answered, “Well, I’ll tell you, I love to gossip, and I can’t wait to get out of here.”

During World War II, the government launched a massive national awareness campaign using the slogan, “Loose Lips Sink Ships.” It served as a stark, urgent warning to citizens not to casually repeat overheard details, troop movements, or rumors. Casual talk in a local diner or bar could leak classified information to the enemy resulting in torpedoed vessels and the tragic loss of hundreds of lives.

Casual, careless speech is never harmless. None of us are perfect, and none of us are immune to the temptation to be a doodlebug. Aren’t we glad Jesus has experienced it all, and He understands and forgives?

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. Proverbs 15:3

The years of growing up in a small South Georgia town were relatively quiet and most of our friends and family grew up rather protected and naïve. When the opportunity to attend a party or drive to another town for a movie presented itself, my mama would always say, “Watch your surroundings and be aware, because you just don’t ever know.“

Those words can apply today in so many situations. You never know what might be right around the corner in our world and in our lives. Sometimes things are scary and not a desirable situation, but sometimes the situation can be uplifting and even surprising! You never know.

Last week, we, along with Rob and Susie, had tickets to go to City Springs Theatre and see Les Misérables. We met first at a restaurant to grab a bite before the show. As expected, the restaurant was packed with patrons hoping to eat before the 7:30 start. It was a little hectic for the wait staff because they knew that everyone wanted their meal about the same time!

In our family, it is our habit to hold hands and pray before our meals even in a restaurant, so we grabbed hands and Randy began to pray. I suddenly felt the presence of someone to my left, and when I peeked, I saw a waiter standing next to me with his eyes closed holding a plate.

Thinking he must be in a hurry, I nudged Randy to stop praying in order to allow him a chance to put the plate on the table. As we stopped and looked at him, he said, “No, don’t stop. I want to pray with you.” You never know the heart of others.

The funny thing is, when we looked at the plate he’d been holding, it wasn’t ours! It belonged to the table beside us. You just never know, but it was a blessing to have that young man be a part of our prayer.

As if that weren’t enough, a short time later, Randy got up and left our table. In a moment, I saw him hugging a lady, and they were both laughing. In a little while, I saw them coming to our table. You never know the memories that can flood your life when you realize that your children’s babysitter from forty eight years ago in Bowdon, was that lady! That night was a blessing, and God sent it our way! You never know what God has planned.

We never know all the ways that God watches over our lives until things happen that turn our thoughts to Him. He knows every detail of our lives, and He is watching over us all the time. The fact that He knows all this can be comforting or disturbing depending on what we are doing at the time.

There is a story about a farmer who had a small patch of corn that hadn’t done that well one year, so he decided to “borrow” some corn from his neighbor’s field which had a much better yield of corn. So, with a large sack underneath his arm, he took his son with him to “borrow” some of his neighbor’s corn.

He quietly went to the farthest corner of the field. He looked carefully to the right, then to the left, then ahead of him, and then behind him. As he was reaching out to get that first ear of corn, his son piqued up and said, “Daddy, you forgot to look up!” I wonder how many times we forget to look up! You never know when God is looking, but nothing escapes Him!!

When we don’t know what God is doing in our lives, it invites us to trust the bigger picture that we can’t see. Our human minds can see only a fraction of what God is orchestrating. He often leads us through detours in order to build patience, character, and faith.

So how do we find peace when we don’t know? First, let go of the need to have every answer and lean on God’s character instead. Next, pay attention to quiet, every day moments where comfort or grace show up unexpectedly. Finally, reflect on the times when you were carried by God’s faithfulness through difficult moments. Not knowing protects us from bearing the weight of outcomes we aren’t ready to handle yet.

My Daddy, although not able to carry a tune, loved to “sing” the words of an old song by Henry Warren and Mack Gardner entitled You’ll Never Know. These are the words he repeated: You’ll never know just how much I love you. You’ll never know just how much I care.

We will never know what is just around the corner, but we do know how much God loves us and that He is faithful.

The Lord is good. A stronghold in the day of trouble. And He knows those who take refuge in Him! Nahum 1:7

Last Friday we remembered the twenty fifth anniversary of the September 11th attack on the Twin Towers. Despite the fact that it happened a long time ago, it is an event that continues to play a determining role in the lives of those of us who were privy to the event.

Questions abound to this day about what really happened on that awful day, but most of us remember the events as though they occurred yesterday. We remember where we were, we remember what time it was, we remember the horror, we remember the disbelief, and we remember the state of denial.

As teachers, we all remember gathering students together in our classroom trying to carry on normally while the school was in lockdown. The televisions were turned off, the children were asked to pack up their things early, and we waited for busses and frantic parents to arrive as if it were just another day.

A short time later, we learned of the passengers of United Flight 93 and their heroic efforts as they formed a plan to fight back against the hijackers. Their collective efforts forced the plane down in Pennsylvania preventing it from reaching its target in Washington, DC. We remember.

Webster defines remembrance as the process of bringing a past event or person to your mind. Remembrance begins with deep personal identification. It begins with remembering the loss of our fellow citizens, and making their pain our own.

Life is uncertain for sure, and sometimes insecure. The acts of September 11, 2001 brought us to a place where we realized how little control we hold. It reminded us that no one can say with certainty where they will be twenty years from now. We don’t know what good or bad lies in our future just like that fateful day took us all by surprise. Only God knows the future, and He is for us!

There are some things we should remember about that day. First, we should remember the ones who lost their lives. We remember the first responders, family members, and fellow workers who were willing to give their lives in an effort to save others.

Next, we should remember all those who were left behind. The first responders, family members, fellow workers, and all who were there and remember the events of that day. We remember all the ones who live with the physical and emotional scars of the horrors they witnessed or experienced that day.

Then, we should remember the price of freedom. America is still the land of the free and the home of the brave. We remember those who paid the price for our freedom.

Finally, we should remember that when we ask, “Where was God?” the answer then as now, He was on His throne just as always. He was and is in charge, and he shines His light in the darkness.

Two days after the attack, a firefighter who went into the first World Trade Tower that was hit, did an interview. He said that as he entered a hallway all he could see was smoke, so he turned on his flashlight. As he walked forward, he began to yell, “If you can see this light, follow it, because I know a way out of here.” To his astonishment, voices began to call to him, and he was able to lead six people to safely. Three minutes after exiting safely, the building collapsed killing all who were inside. God provides a light in the darkness.

On September 14,2002, a year after the attack, Billy Graham said this at the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance in Washington. Yes, our nation has been attacked, buildings destroyed, lives lost, but now we have a choice. We can either implode and disintegrate both emotionally and spiritually as a people and as a nation, or we can choose to become stronger through all the struggle to rebuild on a solid foundation. That foundation is our trust in God.

We remember. God Bless America.

Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop–on a light stand – Shine. Keep an open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 The Message

Football season is finally here, and it is no secret that the older Micklers are huge UGA fans! We both attended there for our college years, loved every minute, and yelled Go Dawgs with enthusiasm. We also influenced our children to take the right path. We did our best to influence them to attend UGA as well, and we were confident they would.

However, we apparently failed miserably! In our family, we now have four graduates of the University of Mississippi, three students currently attending there, and one who just got accepted! The influencers were obviously Ole Miss grads, and now we have been influenced to also yell, Hotty Toddy!

The word influencer in this world of today now has two definitions. The general (or normal) definition is: Anyone who exerts influence or guides the actions of other people. The social media and digital definition in modern culture is as follows: Someone who builds a loyal following on platforms like Tik Tok, Instagram, or You Tube by sharing content in a specific niche.

The influencers of today have built a loyal online audience and use their voice, trust, and content to shape the opinions, behaviors, or buying choices of others. Although I am far from an expert on this new trend, it appears that it has gone far beyond its original intent.

On Monday night during Naomi Osaka’s first round victory at the U.S. Open, a spectator was caught on camera using a bright right light to take pictures of herself during the match. She was an influencer. A larger group of influencers in a suite, began to follow suit taking videos of themselves during the match. The chair umpire eventually asked them to take their seats.

The players and spectators were upset. Osaka said, “I think it’s just common courtesy when you come to a sporting event, you respect the rules.” The conversation in the stands quickly spread to the rise of influencers and how they were spoiling the match.

When did we get to the point where we allow a small group of people to break the rules and influence others to do the same?

We influence others in our daily lives and whether it is for good or bad, we need to be aware of others that are watching and learning from us. For example, a mother took her young son shopping. After shopping in one store, the clerk handed the young boy a lollipop. “What do you say, the mother said to the boy?” The boy replied, “Charge it!” Parents do influence their children whether we like it or not.

Another mother was taking her little boy to school because his dad had to go to work early. Halfway there, the little boy said, “Mom, where are the idiots?” “What do you mean,” asked the Mom. “Well,” said the boy, “Usually Dad and I see at least three or four idiots on our way to school.”

We influence others in so many ways, and we probably aren’t even aware. The ways are varied such as; sports, cars, houses, hobbies, habits, vacations, clothing, food, and even religion. We can influence others for Christ by our love and devotion, or we can influence others against Christ by our negative attitude and actions.

What are we doing as Christians to influence people for Christ? Dolly Parton has gotten a lot of attention since her sudden and untimely death. People are amazed when they hear all they she did for others. This woman did her influencing quietly and by example through her sweet spirit and loving heart. What an example of a dedicated and influencing Christian!

Edgar A. Guest in his poem entitled, Sermons We See, said:

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I’d rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way. The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear. Fine counseling is confusing, but example is always clear.

We all have influence. The question is, in what direction is our influence leading others? We all need to think how we can influence others for good rather than self promotion.

Dwight L. Moody was once criticized for a grammatical error he made in his sermon. He replied,” I am using all the grammar I know for Jesus Christ. Are you?”

A real relationship with God is the starting point for influencing others. Let your light shine for Him this week!

This is the way; walk in it! Isaiah 30:21

It’s hard to find a reliable source these days! We are constantly on the lookout for email scams, spam phone calls, and solicitors who offer unbelievable deals if we will only give them a chance. Who do we trust?

The story is told of a respected author, along with her husband and friends, who were on a mountaintop discussing which direction to go. One guy said, “That’s south!” Another countered, “No, that’s east!” Everyone threw in their two cents worth until finally, the woman’s husband produced a compass and said, “We can settle this real fast.” Within seconds, the compass confirmed that they were, in fact, facing due west. The only reliable source, the compass, had the final say, and nobody was about to argue with it!

Randy and I were returning from Oxford, Mississippi after visiting family when we came to one of the many recently added roundabouts. Unfortunately, we took the wrong exit. It didn’t take long to realize we were not in familiar territory, so I pulled out my cell phone and called on Waze to help!

Thinking that Waze was a reliable source, I added the address, and we embarked on quite the adventure through unknown territory. We visited Starkville, Columbus, and some beautiful farming communities along the way. We were way off course, so we decided to make it an adventure. Needless to say, Waze got us home, but in a very round about way. I wouldn’t call it a reliable source in this case.

The trip was long, but outside of Birmingham we found a Buc-ee’s, which we learned from a reliable source, is a must see. Since, we had already added an hour to our trip, we decided to stop in and see this massive travel center. It was quite an amazing place with food, gifts, clothes, and a busy fuel station! We even happened to run into Buc-ee himself! Our reliable source was a good one.

In the course of a day, many voices claiming to be a reliable source vie for our attention. Some of these sources sound like experts on life, finances, politics, and health, but they can be dead wrong. The bottom line is we need to know which voice we should listen to because if we look only at our circumstances at the time, we will become disoriented.

The path of our lives can change in an instant. An unexpected phone call, a floundering relationship, a job loss, a sick child, a bad medical diagnosis can make east look like west or north look like south. When that happens, it’s easy to lose our bearing, lose our direction, or jump to conclusions, and end up on the wrong path. The reliable source seems to be nonexistent.

The Bible says, “Whether you turn left or right, your ears will hear a voice saying, ‘This is the way…walk in it.'” However, there is only one true reliable source, and that is Jesus. He spent three years walking this earth spreading the good news, preaching, and performing miracles. It is interesting that even though the disciples spent all this time walking with Him, observing His miracles, and listening to His teachings, they still had trouble with their faith at times. Just like us, they struggled with discerning the reliable source.

There is only one true source of wisdom and truth, and Peter recognized that when he asked, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

In this life, we don’t need to know every detail in advance, and that is how God works. Often He doesn’t show us the big picture because we would be overwhelmed and think it was impossible. He wants to develop an unshakable trust in His character and goodness. This acceptance means that in order to fulfill His plan in our lives, we must depend on His strength.

“If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.” Max Lucado

The reliable source is Jesus.

I delight to do Your will! Psalms 40:8

This past week,my sisters and our husbands spent the weekend at Kathy’s lake house. It wasn’t the usual chaos of children and grand children, but rather the six of us and two old (but extremely loved) dogs.

We weren’t constantly doing the obedience training that just comes naturally when children and adults are together, but rather, we just relaxed and took in the scenery and enjoyed catching up.

The two sweet old dogs who are the epitome of obedience training just sat by us, listened, and slept in the shade. It is the obedience that is born of a loving relationship that drives their respect and love for us, not the obedience born of punishment, obligation or rewards.

In our case, we rescued our dog from an organization, but in actuality he rescued us. He came to us already knowing the obedience commands, having a loving spirit, and a heart ready to give love and affection. Unlike some other dogs who might have been abused, he evidently had loving obedience training, and he is a joy!

Ruth Graham once wrote: “Tonight as I sit on the porch, our old German Sheperd dog lying at my feet, thunder rumbles in the distance. As the storm nears, he tears into the front yard to meet it, furiously doing battle. As it passes, he returns to the porch convinced that he has driven it away.

He’s a German guard dog, carefully trained in search and rescue, attack and obedience. Search and rescue in these mountains can come in handy. I can’t imagine an occasion on which I would give the order to attack, but a well trained dog can sense hostility or spot a weapon (even what resembles a weapon), in which case it’s a wise person who freezes in their tracks.

It’s the obedience training that gives real joy. To stop, to sit, to heel, to lie down, to search, or to stay. A disobedient dog is not only a liability, but he can be a headache. Obedience makes a dog a joy.”

It is the same way with God and His children. There are some of us who have been trained in attack. Nobody likes to talk about them, but we may know a few because they are well skilled in it. These people are always eager to lift themselves up while degrading the actions of others.

Then there are those of us who are trained in search and rescue. These are the people who minister to those around them who need a helping hand, a kind word, or a gentle touch. These are the folks who make sandwiches, pack food kits, and serve meals to those in need.

Finally, there are the folks who have been trained in obedience. These are those who offer simple obedience to God, and these must give him a lot of pleasure. Those who offer joyful, eager, unquestioning obedience are a joy!

When we walk in obedience to God, we align our daily choices, words, and actions with His out of our love and trust, not our fear or obligation. It is a step by step journey of surrender rather than a rigid list of rules.

There are four things I believe will help us show our obedience to God. First, love others selflessly. Just like our dogs love us unconditionally, be of that same mind with others.

Next, give up things you know are wrong. Give up habits and actions that go against God’s teachings.

Then, help those who are poor, sick, or lonely. There are many organizations who need an obedient servant.

Finally, remember to follow God’s teachings in the everyday choices, routines, and thoughts. Be obedient in the small things as well as the major life choices.

The hymn Trust and Obey came from the simple, spontaneous testimony of a young man during a revival meeting in Brockton, Massachusetts in 1886 led by the evangelist Dwight L. Moody. The song leader, Daniel Towner, wrote down his single sentence: “I am not quite sure, but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.” These words were sent to his friend, John Sammis, a Presbyterian minister, who wrote the hymn, Trust And Obey.

When we walk with the Lord In the light of His word; What a glory He sheds on our way. While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.

Obedience training brings us closer to God while empowering us to live life victoriously. It opens doors for God to move in miraculous and powerful ways in our lives.

Fix your attitude on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

In 1977,Jimmy Buffett came out with the song, Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude, which expressed his opinion that changes in scenery can actually change our attitudes and reduce the stress of every day life. He believed that one’s physical location could actually help people relax and let go of rigid expectations. I have to agree, but not all of us are able to change latitude in order to change our attitudes in this life, so we are left to work on our attitudes wherever life finds us.

Attitude is defined as a manner of acting, feeling, or thinking that shows one’s disposition or opinion. Our attitudes can be socially acceptable and good, or they may send strong signals to those around us that it might not be a good day to disagree.

Last week my attitude had deteriorated after dealing with the AI operator at different offices where I needed assistance. So, I decided to make a visit in person to secure the necessary forms I needed. When I entered the elevator, there were two young ladies already in there. They took one look at my face, and one of them pulled out what I thought was a deck of cards, spread them out face down in her hands, and asked me to take one.

I thought they were business cards, so I tentatively took one. She then explained, “These are attitude cards designed to encourage you along your day.” At that point, I realized I had taken two, but when I tried to give one back, she said, “Oh, that’s OK. I’m sure you can use both or pass one along.” My attitude must have been worth a thousand words.

The first card I picked said, “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” I can’t say my heart was really in the task at hand, but it was a thought. The second card said, “Work hard, dream big.” I took that one to mean that all my hard work at accomplishing my task would pay off? It did work at making me aware of the need for a change in attitude.

We choose our attitudes. For example, both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over over the nation’s deserts. All the vultures see is rotting meat because they thrive on that diet. Hummingbirds, on the other hand, ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants.

The vultures live on what was. They fill their days with what is dead and gone – they live with the attitude of the past. The hummingbirds, on the other hand, greet each day with what is and what is to come. They seek new life, and they fill themselves with the attitude that shows the freshness of each new day.

We choose our attitudes. Martin Luther said, “You cannot prevent birds from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building a nest in your hair.” We are responsible for guarding our minds and choosing our thoughts.

How do we get through each day with the attitude God would have us exhibit? Attitudes that fix on the things that are lovely, true, honorable, right, pure, and admirable? First, we should NOT think discouraging thoughts of doubt and hopelessness by meditating on the solution. Think positively not negatively.

Next, count your blessings each day and remember how changes in attitude can remind you how richly you are blessed.

Then, pray and ask God for an attitude adjustment. God is ready, willing and able to help if we ask.

Finally, focus on doing your part to secure a good attitude. Let God do the heavy lifting so that you can finish strong. Kathryn Lang said, “You need to change your attitude if you are going to change your world!” Amen!

Have a great attitude day!

The angel of God showed up to Moses in flames of fire blazing out of the middle of a bush. He looked. The bush was blazing away but it did not burn up! God saw that he had stopped to look and called to him out of the bush. “Moses,” He said, “I am right here. Exodus 3:2-4 from The Message

When God shows up in scripture, everything changes. His presence brings comfort, power, and transformation turning fear into courage and despair into hope. If He showed up then, as a burning bush, a soft whisper, or a light from heaven, does He still show up today? If so, how do we recognize Him?

Last week as I was lamenting the fact that I see very few of my old buddies from the pool, a new guy showed up while I was exercising. He just sat down by the pool and began to eat his watermelon slices. We said “hello”, then I went on about my exercises.

As I was wrapping up, an acquaintance from our former pool jumped in and swam a couple of laps. As he exited the pool, the other guy commented on the red, white, and blue U. S. flag bathing suit my acquaintance was wearing. The next thing I knew, they were both over by the hot tub, my old friend was in the hot tub, and the new guy was standing there at attention, saluting him while singing God Bless America to the top of his lungs.

It was odd, but it gets better. In a moment, the two of them began singing a hymn that was familiar to me, so from the pool, I began to sing along. They continued talking, and when I entered the hot tub, the new guy said, “So, I realize that you are a Christian, what’s your favorite praise song?” I said, “Well, I have many favorite hymns, but how about Great Is Thy Faithfulness“?

He nodded, looked at my old acquaintance, and they began to sing it. He invited me to join in, and in that moment, God showed up for me. Who sits in a hot tub and sings hymns in public? It was a unique experience!

They both began to talk about their individual lives as Christians, and when they heard I was a minister’s wife, they insisted we meet again and sing more hymns together. We will have to see about that, but it will forever be quite a testimony that God does show up these days!.

If you are like me, when we see our country struggling, when we see the world in a crisis, when bad things happen to good people, when our loved ones and friends are struggling with illness or depression, or when life just gets hard, you sometimes ask, “Where is God” in all this?

God shows up in the Bible in times like these. When God showed up at the Red Sea, He divided the water for his people. When God showed up at Jericho, the walls came tumbling down. When God showed up in the early church, they boldly proclaimed His gospel and many joined them.

He still shows up today when things seem hopeless. Remember the old saying, “it’s always darkest just before the dawn.” He still shows up because He understands the struggles we are facing. He still shows up because He cares.

I’m not sure if he showed up for me because He knew I needed a new perspective on things, or if He just needed a laugh, but I like to think it was because He loves every one of His children.

Across the street from the bombed out Federal Building in Oklahoma City, where 168 people died needlessly and senselessly, there stands a memorial. At the heart of that Memorial is a nine foot statue of Jesus. But, the statue is not one of a stony Jesus with arms stretched wide, like you may have seen in the Ozarks or Brazil.

No, this is a nine foot statue of Jesus with his face in His hands, turned slightly away from where the acts of terror took place. The plaque reads, “Jesus Wept. “

There are so many times when we wonder why our lives have times when things look so hopeless. When Jesus shows up, we understand how much he cares and what a difference He makes. He brings peace, a new perspective, and a new purpose.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” I think that can be checked off my list!

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go. He’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Proverbs 3:5-6 from The Message

A while ago, I was gifted a small box with the words, God Box, engraved on the top. It is a tiny box with a thin slot on the top to receive small pieces of paper. I have to admit that I had never seen one of these before, and I didn’t fully understand their purpose at the time.

A God Box is a physical container used as a spiritual tool to surrender worries, fears, and things you can’t control to God. You take a piece of paper, write your worry or fear on it, fold it up, and slip the paper into the slot on top. Once they are in the box, they are God’s problem, not ours.

The God Box I received was made by a friend’s father. He made them specifically for the homeless and recovering alcoholics in order to give them a way to turn all their problems over to God. This box makes it possible to admit those worries and fears and trust God to take care of them.

It might sound a little impossible, but it works, at least for me. I am a fixer. A worrier. I’ve never been able to just let things go. I want to play God sometimes, but every time I do, things go wrong.

This plain ordinary, God Box, reminds me to put my faith in God, and not in myself. Randy’s grandmother loved to talk about leaving all her burdens at the altar at church when she kneeled to pray. However, she said when she left, she picked them all up again.

Some God Boxes have a lid which can be lifted up, and one can look at the prayers that have been written, see if they’ve been answered, and decide whether to leave things alone or try to fix those prayers not yet answered.

My God box is unique because the lid does not open, so there is no way of retrieving the prayers I wrote and put inside. When I put my prayer in, I know I have to leave it there. I can’t take it physically back unless I want to destroy the box.

Most of our stress in life is caused by our need to be in control. Even after we pray and supposedly turn our problems over to God, we have trouble trusting him to handle it. I wonder how many of us put our money in the bank one morning and then stay up all night worrying about it?! We are confident that the bank will take care of our investment. God deserves our confidence that He will handle things.

Sometimes we find ourselves in a downward spiral asking, How? When? What? Where? It is in these moments, that we need to stop and hand it all over to God. Not the limited God that we sometimes think He is, but the unlimited God whose track record speaks for itself. The God whose faithfulness never fails, and the God who has earned the right to ask, “Is anything too hard for me?”

God has promised to take care of us. All we need to do is turn it all over to Him.

Make your petition deep, O heart of mine. Your God can do much more than you ask; Launch out on the Divine, Draw from His love-filled store. Trust Him with everything, begin today. And find the joy that comes when Jesus has His way. Author Unknown

And above all these, put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14

The ties that bind is described thusly: “an idiom describing the shared forces, relationships or beliefs that connect people and create cohesion, loyalty, or mutual dependence.” Most of the time, these ties can include emotional, social, or familial in nature.

This past weekend, Randy and I joined with his extended family, friends, and others in a celebration of the life of his first cousin, Rusty. There are many things Randy and I have in common, but one of the most precious things is the closeness of our extended families.

As we gathered together to celebrate Rusty, the gathering was full of stories of his humor, his love of life, and his love for his family and friends. After hearing inspiring messages by his sister, brother in law, daughter and son, Randy closed it out by reminding us of the three most important ties that bind us: family, friends, and faith.

As all the cousins arrived, it was much like a sense of coming home for each of them just seeing each other. Ties that bind hold us together during times of loss and during times of joy. Even though families are scattered, the ties of childhood and the ties of memories shared bind them forever. The ties that bind.

Each of the friends who attended, many who came from other states, were eager to share their deep respect, admiration and love. They were eager to tell stories of how Rusty was supportive of them during hard times, never failed to stay in touch, and the quality time they spent doing things together. These are the ties that bind.

The faith that he shared with his family and friends was obvious in the consistent life he lived. He consistently loved life, his family, and his friends. The ties that bind.

It is never easy to face life without a person you love by your side, but there will always be the ties that bind us in heaven as well as on earth.

I love the story of John Fawcett who wrote the hymn, Blest Be The Tie That Binds! He was born in 1740 near the town of Yorkshire, England, and he was orphaned at the age of 12. John was forced to work 16 hours a day in a sweatshop, and he learned to read by candlelight during the traumatic years of his youth. He finally mastered Pilgrim’s Progress, the devotional classic by John Bunyan. He was later converted by the evangelist, George Whitfield.

He began his own ministry at a poor church in Wainsgate in northern England where the parishioners could only afford to pay him a minimal salary, partly in potatoes and wool.

After seven years, he received a call to a prestigious church in London. He accepted the call and preached his final sermon at Wainsgate. The wagons were loaded with his books and furniture, and all was ready for departure, when the parishioners gathered around him, and with tears in their eyes, begged him to stay.

His wife said, “John, I cannot bear to leave.” “Neither can I,” said John, “and we will not go!” Later, he wrote a hymn for this congregation at Winsgate entitled, Blest Be The Tie That Binds, recognizing the hands of love he knew in this congregation.

Blest be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. We share each other’s woes, each other’s burdens bear, And often for each flows, the sympathizing tear. When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain, but we shall still be joined in heart, And hope to meet again.

The ties that bind us are many, and whether we are here on earth or have received our reward in heaven, we are still joined in heart and will meet again.