SERVANTS

I watched a documentary about a homeless, mentally challenged man who was befriended by the documentary team. In dire need of foot care, the man accepted the journalist’s offer to help. She cleaned his feet and clipped his unsightly, misshapen toenails. I’m glad I had already eaten my dinner when I watched the gross, vivid scene. It took courage on the journalist’s part to go beyond her task of interviewing by stooping over to serve the man in such a way. Would that I had such a servant’s heart! How about you?

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

A Servant’s Heart

           

One time while visiting the Crex Meadows wildlife refuge, I watched a family of red fox at their den. While three of the kits romped and tumbled nearby, the mother lay outside the den entrance and washed a fourth. Holding the kit still with one paw, she proceeded to lick it clean from the nose down to the pads of its paws. She worked with diligence and thoroughness, showing her mother’s heart throughout the entire process. What a delightful sight! And to think she had to do this three more times.

Most human parents also take great care with their children. Many parents go the extra mile for them, willing and content to take on necessary but lowly tasks, the type that often go unnoticed by others. I once had neighbors who farmed the old-fashioned way. They raised four children without the conveniences of a car, a tractor, inside plumbing, or electricity. The father walked two miles to town for groceries, cattle feed, and their other needs. With their milk checks, they gave each of their children a college education.

Their lifestyle brought derision from some townspeople but admiration from neighboring farmers who sometimes benefited from the couples’ unselfish service. 

Many people in our society perform onerous tasks daily. Such people may be easily forgotten, preempted by others who offer more visible, perhaps heroic service. But they deserve as much honor and recognition for their humble acts of service—acts we might shun—as anyone else.

Our best example of humility is Jesus, who not only washed His disciples’ feet but stooped to the lowest, most loving act—dying undeservedly on the cross for our sins. His example should compel us to look for opportunities to serve others, not only with socially worthy acts but with service that may go unnoticed by others. Jesus teaches us to serve each other as the mother fox served her kits’ needs. He used foot washing as an example to show humility and a servant’s heart.

Foot washing means bending over, which is perhaps the essence of humility. Foot washing today can mean performing any acts of love that cause us to stoop lower than we’re used to—cleaning someone else’s toilet, wiping the drool from an invalid’s chin, holding a dirty child.

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)

Lord, give us the will and desire to swallow our prideful attitudes and serve You by loving others in even lowly ways. Thank You for Your supreme example of humility, service, and love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

MOUNTAINS

I have a mountain of work staring me in the nose, but am taking time to write some Flash Fiction. Hemingway wrote a six-word story that inspired me. He wrote: “For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.”

If that doesn’t tell a story, what does? So I came up with a few of my own. What do you think?
(1) Big booboo. Big kiss. Final tears.   (2) Free pups. Mom died. Rabies.   (3) Reel in. Lost it. Stupid boy.   (4) Yes?...How bad?...Rallied?...Praise God.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE  by Sally Bair

Things That Surround
   
One of the most beautiful spots in North America is the area near Hyder, Alaska. As my husband, grandsons, and I approached the town in our motorhome one summer, we found ourselves completely surrounded by majestic, snow-capped mountains. We drove up one of those mountains along a steep, narrow, rocky road that brought on a few white knuckles, and a wheezing cough from our vehicle. But it was worth the effort. We viewed an endless panorama of mountain peaks across the narrow valley. We also had a glimpse of several abandoned gold mines, evidenced by their weathered shacks along and below the edge of the road. And the trip upward brought us closer and closer to a huge glacier on the next mountain. What a sight!     

There was one thing wrong with that unforgettable place, however. Almost everything seemed to be in shadow. Among all those mountains there was simply not enough room for the sun to cast its rays except at mid-day when it shone straight overhead. For a brief time then, some of the shadows retreated. I can imagine how dark the winter days are there, when the sun strides across the sky at such a low angle that direct light cannot reach most places. One would have to climb a mountain in order to see the shine of the sun.

Isn't that how it is with us, sometimes—when the shadows of life keep us in the dark? There is a song of worship that goes, "When the things that surround become shadows in the light of You … I worship You." We all face mountains in our lives—illness and pain, death and divorce, rejection and unmet needs. Those mountains seem insurmountable. Others are deceptively positive—riches, popularity, recognition …. But they can impede our spiritual growth. 

The light of God's love can shrink our mountains into a tiny puddle of shadow at our feet. Jesus said that if we have even a little faith, we can move mountains. All it takes is a small leap of faith, and then we will reach His light. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Lord, give us the strength to remove the mountains from our lives that are preventing us from making spiritual headway and from worshiping You with our whole heart and soul. In Jesus’ name, amen.   

OH HAPPY DAY! THE LORD IS NEAR

The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, and everything shines with joy. If it were dark with rain and wind, I would still be joyful because I know that God is with me. He is my Savior, protector, and strength. He is my sustainer, provider, and hope for the future. How about you?

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally Bair

Tomorrow
   
When I was young, I could hardly wait to grow up and be like my big sister. Then I could wear makeup and go to parties and have boyfriends and …

After marriage when my first child was a baby, I could hardly wait until she spoke her first word and took her first step. Two babies later, I could hardly wait until they were all out of diapers. Later still, I could hardly wait until they were all in school … out of school for the summer … out on their own … 

It seems like all I did was wait for tomorrow. Usually I looked forward to tomorrow with anticipation. Sometimes, however, I viewed the next day with dread: a dental appointment, facing the pediatrician with medical news about a child, getting through my first day on a job.

Why does it take us so long to learn to live in the now? Concern about tomorrow is not an uncommon habit, apparently, for even Jesus spoke about it. "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 5:34) Jesus spoke these words immediately after telling us that we must seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, then everything we need will be given to us.

I don’t believe that Jesus meant we shouldn’t plan ahead for retirement or for possible illness or the cold days of winter. I believe He meant we shouldn’t keep our focus on tomorrow’s plans but to live in the now. I think of the times I’ve spent in the past trying to capture the perfect photo for the future and missing out on the beauty of the moment. When we focus on the moment, we realize anew the wonderful gifts God has bestowed on us. We realize too that our relationship with Him is the most important one we can have—for our days on earth and for eternity.  

Some people die suddenly, thus facing eternity before they expect to. We may die suddenly, too. But if we make sure our relationship with God through Christ is secure and our relationship with others is right, we don’t have to be concerned with tomorrow. God will take care of our tomorrows.

Lord, we thank you for the gift of today. Help us to make good use of it by seeking You first, by showing love to and reconciling with those around us, and by trusting that You will meet tomorrow's needs. In Jesus' name, Amen.

ZYX: THE ALPHABACKWARDS BOOK FOR LITTLE KIDS

I recently read an email newsletter about proofreading and editing that included an interesting idea—that is, read your story backwards. Yes, read it aloud, beginning with the last sentence and making your way backwards to the first. Apparently, you’ll catch errors you hadn’t seen by reading it the proper way, from beginning to end.

Sometimes I read a book that way. Not that I want to spoil the ending, but I want to see if the ending is happy, satisfying, complete.

I’ve written a Picture Book called ZYX: The Alphabackwards Book. Friends tell me I must hurry and get it published. Hurry is not a good word for me right now, as I’m just beginning to market Trouble at Fish Camp and mentally preparing to write the third in my “Ways of the Williwaw,” Survival at Chugach. So, ZYX sits on my table glaring at me. Perhaps what I need is a week off by myself to JUST DO IT. But that takes money. Ah, me. Money and time never seem to even out, do they?

Anyway … here’s a short excerpt from ZYX: The Alphabackwards Book.
Trudy the Turtle sat on a short log
That lay in the water of a big bog.
Ten sat behind her, filling the spaces,
Sunning themselves with uplifted faces.
Tiny the Turtle couldn’t quite fit.
Trudy said, “Climb on my back and sit.”
Tiny crawled up and, oh! The sun shone.
Trudy had given him a place of his own.

I solicit your comments, please. Read it to your young child or grandchild. Do they like it? Let me know what you think.

CONFLICT AND RESOLUTION HAPPEN IN BOOKS AND IN LIFE

Most writers agree that good fiction hinges on conflict and resolution. The main character faces a problem and he resolves it. Real life also finds all of us facing one or more problems. Sometimes we can resolve them, sometimes not. Sometimes they resolve themselves, sometimes the resolution is entirely different than we expected. All the same, we can count on our problems being resolved in the best way possible when we believe in God’s promises and follow His expert advice. Do you?

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally Bair

The Sword of the Spirit

Swords make us think of conflict and battle. Even little kids like to play war with their harmless, toy swords to see who will win the fight. In some countries swords are still used for battle. In most, however, advanced weapons have replaced the lowly sword. Today we usually see them on display, over a fireplace mantle, or in an antique store. Their value has changed from practical weapon to symbolic keepsake.

One sword, however—the Word of God—will neither go out of date nor be replaced with another weapon. As Christians we are to stand firm against evil by putting on God’s armor, including “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17)

A speaker at our church shared about his former life as a drug dealer and user, a thief and attempted murderer, and a Satanist. Abused and ridiculed as a child, he began to associate with older boys who were more accepting of him—although nefariously and illegally. He had been forced to attend a legalistic church when young and developed a hatred for anything “religious.” Satan ruled his life.

As a result, he ended up in jail and prison numerous times. His last time spelled hopelessness for him, except for one thing. By now desperate to be free from his meth addiction, he turned to a Christian ministry in prison. Against all he believed about Christianity, he reluctantly chose to read the Gideon Bible given to him. The words in that Bible pierced him as surely as if they were killing jabs from a sword.

God’s Word is that powerful. “The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

We cannot overemphasize the importance of using God’s Word as a sword against sin and evil. None of us are immune to the need to fight for righteousness. The Bible’s message is as relevant and powerful now as when written. It can change a fallen, hopeless man’s life 180 degrees. It can change the life of anyone who is desperate enough to hear it. No one is beyond hope of God’s forgiveness.

Lord, whether we’re hardened sinners such as the man who spoke at my church or good, upstanding church members, we need Your life-changing, life-giving Word. Help us use it not only for our own spiritual benefit but as a weapon against the sin and evil around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A MOUSE IN THE HOUSE ISN'T A HOPELESS MATTER

I’m super busy today. The short-tailed shrew’s appearance last night put a clinker into today’s prioritized to-do list. Since he (or she) evaded the mouse trap by daintily nibbling the bait (he let me watch him eat), I must try another method which means a trip to town and time rigging the contraption. Where’s an ermine when you need one? The shrew is shrewd, but he won’t out-best me. Meanwhile, by God’s grace I’ll accomplish all I need to in spite of the interruption. May you also keep on keeping on.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally Bair

Keep On Keeping On

All of us experience times when we want to give up on a task, a child’s misbehavior, or a particularly trying situation. I go through an occasional downtime when it comes to writing my weekly devotionals. My brain tells me it’s time to give it up after nine years. Isn’t that long enough? Wouldn’t quitting take some of the pressure off trying to finish other writing projects? They’re stacked up so high that it will take another century to make a dent!

No sooner do I ponder thoughts of quitting than I receive an email telling me how last week’s column touched a heart. Or someone will approach me with a hug and a message such as, “I clip all your articles and reread them and share them with my family.”

At those times, I realize quitting is not an option. For some readers, perhaps my messages are the only Gospel they read. For others, they are encouragement to stretch their faith … or to keep on praying … or to give them hope. Their feedback encourages me to keep on writing.

God uses people to encourage us when we most need them. He wants us to encourage others to keep going. God told Moses that he could not enter the Promised Land before he died because he had disobeyed God. Instead, Moses was to “command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.” (Deuteronomy 3:28)

I can imagine that Joshua needed all the encouragement he could get as he was about to lead more than a million people into an unknown country. He no doubt was familiar with all the people-problems Moses had faced during those forty years in the wilderness. Such a daunting task would tax anyone’s patience.

The apostle Paul also stresses the need for encouragement. When separated from fellow believers who were in spiritual need, he sent Timothy, “our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken ….” (1 Thessalonians 3:2)

An encouraging word or gesture can mean the difference between giving up and keeping on, between joy and sorrow, between hope and despair.

Lord, we thank You for encouraging us—through Your Word and presence—to keep on keeping on. As we are encouraged, help us to consider every opportunity as one to bring encouragement to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

WHEN LIFE GETS IN THE WAY

No situation is ever perfect in this world. A mosquito bothers our sleep. The driver ahead is too slow. A worry holds our thoughts captive. Situations may not be perfect, but God is. He offers His perfect peace through any situation. When life gets in the way, His peace will clear the way.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally Bair

Interruptions

Recently someone asked me if I’m becoming more impatient as I grow older. I said that, on the contrary, I seem to show more patience than ever before. Rethinking my answer, I must add an exception. I show less patience when interrupted by someone or something, perhaps realizing I must make the most of the time I have left.

Interruptions can distract us. As a young mother, I often told my kids, “Don’t interrupt me now.” Even today, I feel stressed when the phone rings during a crucial part of my editing. Sometimes I cringe, frustrated when someone interrupts me while I’m trying to say something.

Can you relate? Or are you like some who let interruptions wash over them like warm water and keep on smiling? Oh, to be like such super-humans!

“Interruptions never distracted Jesus,” quoted G.H.Morling in Quest for Serenity. “He accepted them as opportunities of a richer service. Interruptions were the occasion of some of His most gracious deeds and revealing words.”

There are many instances from the Gospels that prove Morling’s words. Jesus beckoned little children rather than turn them away as His disciples thought He should. He took time to heal Peter’s mother-in-law while at Peter’s house for dinner. He repeatedly stopped preaching and teaching to heal someone in need or to minister to them in other ways. He delayed His trip to bring a government ruler’s daughter back to life so He could heal a desperate, sick woman. He even took time out of worship in a synagogue to heal a man’s withered hand. And when His disciples wanted to send a multitude of people home, He instead fed them with a mere five loaves of bread and two fish.

How can we use interruptions as Jesus did—opportunities to serve others? Jesus’ actions are the best example we have. He spent much time in prayer and worship with His Father away from the crowds, a time of refreshing for His soul, strengthening of His resolve, and listening to His counsel.

Not much is said about Jesus’ time spent with His Father. But sprinkled throughout the Gospel accounts are words such as these: “He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.” Notice that He went to a quiet place alone. When we spend time alone in a quiet place with the Lord, He refreshes our soul, too. He strengthens our resolve to rightly and lovingly deal with interruptions. And we can more easily hear His voice for direction in our life.

Lord, help us use interruptions as opportunities to serve others in love. In Jesus’ name, amen.