Regret. Anger, Sorrow.
Bedfellows I do not choose
Yet they come upon me like
Constant Companions
Hiding for a season, then
Popping their ugly heads up again
When I least expect their arrival
Will I choose Life, Calm, Joy?
As I continue my journey and
Theirs comes to an end
Or, will I ignore, pretend
I am okay—hoping
Regret. Anger, Sorrow
Ride away on the next wave?
Not to surface for another season
“In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it” — John 1:4–5/Amp.
Do you realize that you speak words of Light and Life to many in darkness? As men and women of God, each of us holds within us a special, unique tale to tell. Consider: If I don’t speak, then who will?
You may feel like no one is reading, listening, or appreciating the message you share. But many are reading your words, given by God, to touch and encourage hurting hearts. Truth spoken in love may bolster someone who feels worthless. Your words can give a teenager reason to feel beautiful or give a prisoner hope.
Just yesterday two people commented on how much they appreciated my Facebook posts and my blog. Those affirming words will help sustain me into another week of sometimes thankless wordsmithing. You and I may never know every person who reads our content. But God promises that his word will not return void — meaning those words possess the power to transform lives.
You are making a difference in this oftentimes cold and cruel world. Your light shines brightest in the darkness. So don’t give up.
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“In God we live and move and have our being. It is God who gives life to all, who gives power and being to all that exists. But for his sustaining presence, all things would cease to be and fall back into nothingness. Consider that you are in God, surrounded and encompassed by God, swimming in God.” – quote by Mother Teresa
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“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8
What a great promise — that when I draw near to God, he will automatically in turn embrace me with his everlasting love. The responsibility is mine to freely give myself to him. No one forces me to get close to God or learn more about his character in the Bible and through godly teachers. But I know for a fact that relief and comfort reside when I do act on what I know to be true, honest, just, pure and lovely! “The moments I truly live are the moments when I act with my entire will” – Oswald Chambers. 
The opposite is true when I chose to go my own way and do my own selfish thing … turmoil, chaos, fear, doubt permeate my being and cause all manner of physical and mental distress. This place is not a pretty place to linger. “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” — James 3:7
I have options … choosing to follow the devil = pleasure for a short time, followed by unrest and death; or chose to follow and cling to God = liberation, freedom and life eternal.
Why not be dominated by God and allow the supernatural power of the life of God invade you?
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Day #5: Entering Black Hills, South Dakota – bear country (says a huge billboard)! On Mountain Time zone now, which means two hours behind our normal time.
Just the ride up Mt. Rushmore Highway to see Mt. Rushmore and the President’s faces was worth the ride. Seeing only pictures of the four men doesn’t do the monument justice. It’s true what they say: at least six sets of eyes followed me. Washington, Roosevelt, and Lincoln eyes seemed to follow me in the afternoon sun. Jefferson’s head, slightly tipped, didn’t appear to follow in the same manner.
As I sat at the base of the monument in the outdoor amphitheatre alone in the hot afternoon sun, a few words came to mind. Democracy, decency, morality, pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.
Day #6: Arrived at Custer’s Mansion Bed & Breakfast a bit early (2:30). Swung on the blue swing in the yard until the owners came home. As soon as I walk the path to their front door, the heavy aromas of petunias tickle my nose. Netting is spread over all the flowers. Later, I learn deer tend to help themselves. Curious, since the building is near town and the highway runs along the front of the property line. Tonight, Bob and Pat (our two delightful owners) will house 12 guests. Breakfast is served at 8:00 a.m. 2 from France + 4 teenagers; 2 from Switzerland, and 2 from Minnesota. Delicious fare of fruit plate and almond pastery, fluffy French toast and sausage links. Love their hospitality and home cooking!
In the evening, we rode our motorcycle back for the Mt. Rushmore night lights. What a spectacular sight when tribute was also made to all those who had served in the military from the past and present. They were asked to come to the amphitheatre stage and were given two standing ovations!
Next stop: Gillette, Wyoming
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Remember the 1971 song sung by The Carpenters, Rainy days and Mondays. “hanging around–nothing to do but frown…nothing ever seems to fit…rainy days and Mondays always get me down. What I’ve got they used to call the blues, nothing is really wrong, feeling like I don’t belong, walking around like some kind of lonely clown…” The song went #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Today is rainy and it is Monday, but I really don’t feel down. Actually, I feel happy and well. True, I do talk to myself and feel rather old and sometimes I would like to quit. Often, I feel like I don’t fit, but maybe that’s just life. We can’t all feel on top of the world always. If we didn’t have down days, how could we appreciate the mountain top experiences? The jubilant, happy times just wouldn’t be the same without the trials.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
(2 Peter 1:3—4)
note: I did write this yesterday, which was a Monday, but didn’t publish until today.
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“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life” (2 Corinthians 2:15–16).
My all-time favorite stop to make when I visit Rockford is Herman’s Boy Coffee shop! My first glance at the coffee bar is their current list of specialty flavors of the month:
The aroma as soon as I walk through the door is divine! I could sit in their coffee shop and sip coffee all day long and never tire of the fragrance. There is no mistake that coffee’s been roasting and brewing. I feel right at home in this quiet and quaint atmosphere.
When I contemplate aromas and smells, I wonder if I am a sweet “fragrance of life” to those I come in contact with. Do my words and actions lead them toward God or away from him? When I hear gossip, do I chime in with the most recent details, or do I attempt to steer the conversation in a wholesome direction? The words that come out of my mouth originate from my deceitful heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it” (Jeremiah 17:9).
On the way home, my car smells of coffee beans. I breathe deeply and drink in the aroma.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to be attractive to others and not repulsive. My desire is that they ultimately be attracted to you, your ways, and your heart.
Ask: Are your family and friends eager to be near you, or are they anxious to leave you? Do you contribute to negative conversations or try to respond in a positive, uplifting manner?
Teresa K. Lasher ©2011
The moment I stepped over my Aunt and Uncle’s threshold, I knew we made the right decision. My sister, brother, and I were welcomed with open hearts and arms. No pretense, prior expectations even after many years apart…just pure joy, love, and a feeling of being instantly comfortable. Sleep comes easily even after staying up late into the evenings reminiscing and catching up on current events in each of our personal lives. I feel loved unconditionally and safe. I knew I would not be judged or criticized for the words that freely flowed within the safe walls of their home.
And that’s the way it is when I step into the presence of God as I read his Word or pray. He’s always there, available, with a listening ear. God calls me his friend. I am special because he made me this way.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else…God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring” (Acts 17:24–25, 27–28).
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