children of light

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
Ephesians 5:8

Photo by Aaron Paul Lazar

seasons of friendship

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

If you had to choose one of the following which would you choose: Colorful SPRING flowers, a Sunny SUMMER Picnic, a Crisp FALL Hike or a Crackling WINTER Fire? I enjoy all four of those choices so it would be very difficult for me to choose my very favorite. I have always been glad to live where I can enjoy all four seasons. After the recent loss of a college friend I started thinking that there are seasons for friendships too. When we make a connection with someone they may end up being part of our life forever or they may just be in our life for a season. Friends are drawn together at a certain point and play an important and special role in each other’s lives for a particular length of time. Just as some seasons are longer than others friendships are of varying lengths as well. We all travel through different seasons and meet different people along the way. These people help develop our character and mold us into who we become. Instead of looking back and being sad about a relationship that is no longer vibrant we can celebrate that season for what it was. We can remember the fun times, learn a lesson from the bad and reflect on the importance each friendship had in our lives. People don’t send as many Christmas cards as in the past but what a wonderful way to keep a connection going. A friend may not be active in your current season but it’s always nice to get a reminder of the past and to catch up a little on their present. Many people have reservations about using facebook but I have found it a blessing to my friendships. No matter the distance I can connect with childhood, high school and college friends in addition to relatives, previous coworkers and present friends. It’s fun to add a status update or picture and come back later to find “likes” from people spanning several seasons of my life. No matter how much we try we can’t keep all the connections current. We may have lost touch with childhood chums and we may not ever talk to a college buddy again but that doesn’t diminish the value those friendships had during their season. Enjoy looking back on past seasons and don’t forget to look at those around you now, cherish your relationships and make this the best season yet.

Prayer: Lord, we know that you created our world and you ordained the seasons. You have a length and purpose for all things. Help us remember that every season in our life is important. Help us in our friendships Lord. May we use every season as an opportunity to draw close to those around us and form positive friendships that will draw us closer to you. Lord, help us make meaningful connections as we travel through each season of our lives. Amen.

Devotion by Marge McCoy
Photo Courtesy of McCoy Family Photo Album

broken things

God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume .
— Vance Havner

Photo by Aaron Paul Lazar

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red, brown, yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children
Of the world.

Jesus died for all the children
All the children of the world
Red, brown, yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus died for all the children
Of the world.

Jesus rose for all the children
All the children of the world
Red, brown, yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus rose for all the children
Of the world.

Lyrics by Herbert C. Woolston
Photo courtesy of the Garrigues Family Album

children

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 19:14

Photo by Marge McCoy

do you not know?

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
Isaiah 40:28

Photo by Marge McCoy

the shelter of Your wings

Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!
Psalm 61:4

Photo by Elizabeth Pike

childish things

1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Photo by Vivian Holbert Young

snapshot

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

Looking through old family photos I came across this picture of my grandmother and her sister by a huge Elm tree. How wonderful that about one hundred years ago someone (probably my great grandfather) noticed this tree and then thought enough about it to get a camera and pose the girls for this snapshot. A moment in time was preserved for generations. Not only does the photo capture a very large, older tree, it captures two carefree souls on a beautiful day. The girls, a picture of youth are posed by the tree, a picture of maturity. It would be fascinating to figure out the age of the tree and interesting to know if the old elm tree is still standing. This tree showcases rare beauty. The beauty is in its strength, in its growth and in its immovable nature. I’m sure the tree saw a fair share of storms over the years but big or small it weathered them all and remained solid. There might have been trees growing near this one that were prettier, leafier or even of better quality wood but this was long lasting. There is steadfastness in this tree that younger tress would have to wait years and years to develop.

God desires for us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Savior. We can be like this mighty Elm. We can live a life that makes people want to stop and take notice. We can be rooted and grounded in the love of Jesus and go forth to spread His message. We can be a comfort, a shelter, a picture of steadfastness.

Dear Lord, when the storm clouds gather and threaten to shake us, may our roots go deep so that we can stand firm and weather the storms. Guide us as we seek to leave childish things behind and help us on our journey as we grow into mature Christians.

Devotion by Marge McCoy
Photo Courtesy of Curtiss Family Photo Album

morning prayer

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Psalms 5:3

A Child’s Prayer for Morning

Now, before I run to play,
Let me not forget to pray
To God who kept me through the night
And waked me with the morning light.
Help me, Lord, to love thee more
Than I ever loved before,
In my work and in my play
Be thou with me through the day.
Amen.
— Author Unknown
Photo Courtesy of Curtiss Family Album