Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks put the circumstances of our lives, both good and bad into God’s hands and help us see them through His eyes. Last night our beloved daughter-in-law Melinda slipped from this world into the presence of Jesus. And while we are overwhelmed with grief and shock, these words are promises to which we cling. Melinda has finished her race. Her battle with cancer is finished. And while that pernicious disease claimed her physical life, it could not touch her soul. That remained fully and exclusively in the hands of Jesus with whom she now lives. Nancy and I didn’t know how to process the news that came in three words. “She is gone.” Yet as sadness rolls over my heart I sense the message echo back from Heaven, ” She has arrived!”
Do not move the ancient landmark that your father have set. Proverbs 22:28 ESV Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless. Proverbs 23:10 ESV
In my recent daily Bible reading, I became intrigued with how Solomon talks of ancient landmarks in subsequent chapters. Now the phrase “ancient landmark” used here isn’t the kind of landmark we think of, such as Mount Rushmore or the Statue of Liberty. These landmarks were the ancient boundary lines spoken of in the book of Deuteronomy, which designated the inheritance of each tribe, family and individual. These boundaries were not self-imposed ones decided on by people. Instead, these were the hills and valleys, streams and wilderness areas chosen by God and given to them. Think of the stone walls, which Robert Frost spoke of in his poem, “Mending Wall” where he tells us.
“Good fences make good neighbors.”
Today, we often fear barriers of any kind, considering them to be restrictions, preventing us from experiencing or having something better. These ancient fences which God has placed between us, are given not to divide us, but rather to assign us each a responsibility. And in these two verses in Proverbs Solomon warns us of two opposite errors. Today we are focusing on the first: not trading away our own ancient landmark. We are not to give away, what God has chosen for us, though it may seem right and good and profitable in the moment, as in did for the prodigal, when he headed for a far-off city. The life God had chosen for us is best and no amount of gain, excitement or prestige can better His eternal plan. God has set boundary lines to protect, not restrict us, and our contentment comes when we accept those limits, plant our own gardens, and dig our own wells. If we will just trust the limits God has set, the time will come for an abundant harvest, when God’s blessings overflow so much, that we will have more than enough for our family and then an abundance to share with others!
The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. Proverbs 27:7 KJV
In our backyard grows an old Myers Lemon tree that my father planted. Though our tree is no more than six feet tall, it yields a harvest of lemons so abundant that we have to share them with our neighbors and friends! In today’s verse, we read about a contrast between sweet and bitter things in life and though lemons are not known for their sweetness, it is amazing how our little tree has taught us so many lessons about it. That lesson begins in February, just after the last lemon is picked and I begin pruning the tree. First, I have to be sure to put on a thick long-sleeved shirt and heavy leather gloves, to protect me from the long thorns of our little tree. I cut out any dead branches, cut off the low hanging branches and trim back the tops and sides to keep it compact. When I am finished our tree looks forlorn and bare, but just a week or two later, you would understand why. Stepping out into our backyard (or anywhere near our house) a powerful and beautiful aroma as the lemon tree fills with blossoms. What the fruit itself lacks in sweetness; God pours out in its flowers. Then God adds some really long thorns so that we must be very careful when we pick its fruit.
If your life feels like it is filled with the thorns from bitter experiences, remember our lemon tree. God is not through with you. Just like our little tree, It might be pruning time, but the sweetest blossom may be right around the corner. And just like our lemon, God often chooses to guard His sweetest fruit with the longest thorns. He knows about every sharp and bitter thorn, but He wants us to see that those thorns are simply reminders of what is still to come. So, let’s accept with patience our bitter times, knowing that a harvest lies ahead that is filled with the sweetness of all God has in store!
When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” and from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:26-27 ESV
When we read the stories of Jesus calling His disciples, it becomes clear early on that He had a special job for three of them: Peter, James, and John. Though Peter’s brother Andrew followed Jesus first and was the one who told Peter about Him, it was Peter who was called to be the leader, and despite denying Christ at His trial, Peter was the same boldly preached to thousands on Pentecost. At first, thousands became Christians, but then a few months later, the second in that inner circle, James was put to death for his faith. But what about John? If Peter were to lead, and James to be martyred, what did Jesus ask John to do? Jesus called Him take care of His mother.
While Peter was out preaching, and later on Paul became the greatest evangelist of all time, John stayed home, and there accomplished two things: He wrote about Jesus and He took care of Mary. Maybe there were days when John wondered why he couldn’t have a more exciting ministry. Why couldn’t he go on a mission trip, schedule a speaking tour, or organize the growing church? In fact, after the first few chapters of the book of Acts, John disappears from our view entirely. It wasn’t that he wasn’t as smart, couldn’t speak well or know how to lead. The central issue of John’s life was that He was asked by Jesus to take care of someone most precious to Jesus: His mom!
In memory-care ministry, we are not asked to speak to large crowds, to oversee the construction of a new church or to travel overseas. Instead, Jesus calls us to enter a world that others hope to avoid, and many would like to forget. So, on days when you wonder if you are making any difference, you feel exhausted, or confused, just remember John. When we read through the New Testament, we don’t find a single word that John said, and yet he was called the disciple whom Jesus loved. You are likewise loved by Jesus, and He will fill you with His love for others as you continue to trust Him and just take care of mom!
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