Sometimes we are overcome with sadness, grief, and shock and we do not know how or what to pray. This week we have had a lot of rain. I was reminded recently that often after rain, the most beautiful sunsets occur. As we worship on this Spiritual Sunday, may each of us feel the loving presence of God. May we be comforted in the assurance that the Holy Spirit is interceding on our behalf and that the rain will subside revealing a beautiful sunset.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:28-30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

One of my favorite things to do is watch my son Preston pitch. While it is very stressful for me, I also enjoy watching him. There is much about the mechanics of pitching that I don’t know or understand. However, when he is off on a pitch I hear others telling him to be sure to follow through and don’t let up. Often in life we fail to follow through. We may start a project and never finish. The above scripture from Ecclesiastes basically tells us that following through and finishing takes patience. Just as a pitcher must throw one pitch at a time, earn one strike at a time, and one out at a time, we too must chip away at our work at hand and be patient in the process.

On this Finish Friday, let’s focus on the moment, be patient in the process, and follow through to the end of the ballgame.

Thankful Thursday is a reminder to look for God. This week at Vacation Bible School we have been talking with the children about God sightings. We have encouraged them to be on the lookout and to share some of their God sightings with us. I have enjoyed listening to their pure and simple thoughts. Children remind me that as adults we tend to complicate everything. Today I am sharing each of the pictures that I shared previously this week because each was a God sighting for me. Every single day that I am writing, God inspires my words and shows me evidence of His Presence and Power. How about you? Where do you consistently sight God? Those constant God sightings are often ones we take for granted. Today, give thanks. Thank God for continuing to show you His presence and power and give praise. Now go about your day intentionally looking for God sightings. We would love to read about your God sightings in the comments below.

The last two mornings we have awakened to rain, thunder and lightning. Both mornings, soon after opening the front door, the glass storm door has become fogged up and covered with condensation. I imagine that as people drive by they can not really see inside. Likewise, my view to the outside is blurry and distorted.

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the facade I present to the world is also blurry and distorted. I want to be liked, please others, and keep the peace. Therefore I may remain silent and not speak up. Or I may pretend everything is perfect when actually everything is a mess. How about you? Do others see a true picture of you or is it blurry? Are you hiding weakness behind a foggy door? Scripture tells us that our strength in Jesus is found in weakness.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬
This Water walking Wednesday I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone by wiping away the haze on the front door of your life. Let others see your vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Allow Jesus’ strength to shine through. Today, let’s all allow others to see that, “when I am weak, then I am strong.” Weakness may be our strongest testimony.

Again today I will encourage you to examine your focus. Yesterday, as I left my house to go to an appointment, I was feeling a little down about the end of my summer break drawing near. However, as I crossed this bridge I was overwhelmed by the beauty around me…a God wink. God reminded me to see the beauty around, enjoy it, and be thankful. This week in Vacation Bible School we are teaching the children to look for God Sighings, aka God Winks. My prayer for each of us is that we transform our thinking and our focus. May each of us keep our eyes open today for all the ways we see God winking at us. Let’s keep our focus on “things above” instead of the worries and cares of this earthly world.

Our travels last week also brought us near this old covered bridge. It is no longer open to vehicles but we were able to walk through it. As you can see, even as we approached the bridge and began to walk through it, we were still unable to see what was on the other side. The inside of the tunnel was dark and the light on the other side was our guide. Are you walking through a dark tunnel today? Are you uncertain about what lies ahead? On this Mindset Monday, focus your mind on the promises of scripture.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:14-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

No matter what is ahead of us, Our God will light the way and can do “immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.”

Last Sunday evening we were at a ball field. Look closely at the top picture of the smokestacks in the background. While watching the game we were also able to witness the smokestacks disappear due to rain and clouds. A little later the rain cleared and we were left with a rainbow.

Often in our lives we witness much of the same. We walk through our days and suddenly find ourselves engulfed with clouds and rain. During those times we must rely on the faith we have been building along and along to carry us through. On this Spiritual Sunday, spend some time examining the weather around you. Are you currently walking through sun, clouds or rain? If so, are you focusing on the storm or on Christ? Are you spending time in devotion and prayer to strengthen your faith? Refocus your attention today so you can see God’s everlasting light and the rainbow in the distance.