I may be wrong, but it looks to me that the boat in the picture is traveling at a high rate of speed. The picture reminds me of how I sometimes travel through life. I speed through one task at a time splashing and creating waves. As I reflect on my post from yesterday on abiding in Christ, I am reminded of what was going on in our world this time 2 years ago.

Two years ago we were in the beginning stages of the pandemic. We were in the midst of being quarantined to our homes and in a sense, forced to slow down and wait. Waiting wasn’t easy. Slowing down and waiting caused some anxiety at first, but many of us learned to appreciate our time at home. Many home projects were completed, books read, and puzzles assembled. More importantly, many of us drew closer to God and spent more intentional time in prayer and devotion. We were abiding in Christ, whether we realized it or not.

My tip on this Transformation Tip Tuesday is to intentionally slow down and wait. Take time to reflect on where you were 2 years ago and let that reflection shape your perspective on today.

Have you ever heard a scripture hundreds of times and one day you hear it differently? Yesterday was one of those days for me. In Sunday School we discussed what it means to “abide” in Christ. I have known the definition of abide for years: to remain stable or fixed in a state. However yesterday I understood the meaning even more. Read now the context of the scripture as written in the NIV.

““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

NIV uses the word “remain” to mean abide. Now read The Message version of the same passage.

““I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:1-4‬ ‭MSG‬‬

The Message version uses the words “live”, “make your home”, and “joined.” All of these words help paint a picture of how encompassing it is to abide in Christ. Abiding in Christ is not just praying during my devotion time, but approaching every aspect with prayer and discussing it with Christ as my friend. I must use the lens of Christ to see EACH person. I must work EVERY task with the hands and feet of Christ. Then as a result of abiding in Christ I can better display the fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The beautiful statue in the picture was donated in memory of one of the matriarchs of our church. This week, the image of the statue will remind me of my new insight of what it means to abide in Christ. On this Mindset Monday may each of you have a heightened awareness of abiding in Christ. May we each share every aspect of our day with our Jesus and as a result, may others see Christ through us.

Today is Spiritual Sunday. Today is a new day. Today holds new promises and blessings. Often we get caught up on the mistakes we made yesterday. We linger in the world of should haves, could haves and would haves. Let’s not look back today. Instead, let’s embrace the promises and blessings of today and give praise. As you start your morning, listen to this version of Morning Has Broken by David Phelps. Praise God as you ponder the possibilities of this Spiritual Sunday.

Today is Finish Friday. What does your day hold?Do you know for sure what ups and downs you will face? I feel sure you really don’t know the answers to those questions. Just like the path to the end of this dock, our day may appear to be clearly laid out. However, we may meet an uneven board that causes us to stumble. In this picture taken when it was snowing, we are unable to see beyond the covered portion of the boardwalk. Is that the end of the dock or is this more boardwalk on the other side? Are there houses, trees, or both beyond the dock? Beyond the dock is unclear. For us, beyond our next step is also unclear.

Today as you finish your work week I will share a prayer from Paul to the Philippians.

“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, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:9-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

May each of us view the day ahead through the lens of love. May we compare our obstacles to our Christ. And may we give all praise and glory to God.

For each day, February 1-14, I placed on the door inside my children’s bedroom, a heart with words of affirmation written on it. A few of the hearts had general affirmations but most were specific and unique to each child. Brainstorming the list and planning this project proved to have a positive affect on me too. I became acutely aware of the power of affirmations. Last night I was the recipient of positive affirmations and it made all the difference in my evening.

After a long day at work and then a weekly service project at church, I went into Walmart for a few necessities. Needless to say, my mood was not that great that I was going into Walmart so late because I know Walmart trips can sometimes become much longer than intended. I was tired, hungry, and ready to get home. I quickly moved through the store and had most of the items I needed but I still had to go to the pharmacy side of the store. As I moved across the back of the store and turned to move towards the pharmacy, a young Walmart associate spoke, “Hey! How are you?” I answered like I usually do in passing conversations, “I am doing well. How are you?” We both kept moving in the same direction as he answered me, “I will be much better when I get off work.” His response encouraged me to continue to engage with him as we both walked towards our destinations. “What time do you get off work?” I asked. “Not until 10”, he answered. We continued our conversation swapping stories of how late he stays up versus how early I wake up. As we walked, we passed a mom and a first grader from the school where I work. They both spoke and just as we were almost out of their sight I said to the boy, “See you tomorrow Buddy!” The young man immediately said, “You must be a teacher!” The mother responded, “She is!” The young associate’s demeanor completely brightened. He began to compliment me and thank me for being a teacher. He went on and on with words of affirmation and encouragement as he shared the impact teachers have had on his life. As we parted ways, we both had a more positive attitude. I finished my shopping and reflected on the impact of his gracious words.

Today is Thankful Thursday. Spend some time today thinking about the words you use and the words you hear. Today, thank others who have influenced you with their words. How can you use your words to impact others today? I am so thankful for those who encourage and lift me up with their words. In turn, I pray I can also use my words to positively affect others.

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I almost fell into the trap. Yesterday, as I scrolled through Facebook, I stopped on pictures someone had posted of all the home improvements she had recently completed. The pictures looked like a shot from an HGTV show. As I read the comments of praise for her creativity and work, I began to feel bad about my lack of such. I began to brainstorm a list of projects I should do to spruce up my house. I began to feel bad that I am not more talented.

Thankfully before I went too far down into the rabbit hole of comparison, the memories of scripture caught me.

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Here is the Message version of the same scripture.

“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:4-5‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Thank you God for bringing to mind this scripture! If I had continued down the path of comparison, not only would I feel bad about myself but I may have then been jealous.

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
‭‭James‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This Water Walking Wednesday, instead of falling into the trap of comparison, let’s be content.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:6-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let’s focus on our blessings and be thankful for our gifts. Let’s start our day by listening to You Say by Lauren Daigle. Let’s believe God at His word about us!

Today is Transformation Tip Tuesday. This morning, as I showered, I randomly thought about orchids. I had no idea why I suddenly thought about my bridal bouquet having an orchid in the center. The thought seemed so out of the blue. Later as I prayed about what to share with you this morning, I began having doubts and allowed insecurities to creep in. What makes me think I have anything worth sharing with you? What qualifies me to share?

As I sat down in the den to write, I realized Satan was egging on my doubt. To combat Satan and to change my thought pattern, I began searching for scriptures that would give me confidence that God could use me. God reminded me that I am His handiwork!

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:8-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I looked around my den and my eyes were drawn to this beautiful orchid that is a new addition to our home. Orchids, in all shapes and forms, have always been my favorite flower. One of the reasons orchids are my favorite is because each bloom is so intricate and unique. AHA! That’s why God had brought such a random thought of orchids to my mind early this morning. Even before Satan placed doubt in my mind, God placed a symbol of His love in my thoughts. God made each of us in a unique and special way to be a witness of His love and to be a blessing to others. You and I just need to be open to listen and obey. You and I need to be willing to be transformed to do good works prepared for us. My good works may be different than your good works. We are each unique like the blooms of an orchid.

My tip for you today is to open your mind to ways God is transforming you into His likeness. How is God using you today? Don’t be surprised if He reminds you in something as random as an out of the blue thought.