Loser! Failure! Freak!
Dear Reader, have those words ever rung in your ears? Maybe they weren't audible, and yet they screamed in your brain. Rejection wears many masks, has endless voices.
 What's the biggest prayer you've ever prayed, Dear Reader? Where did the faith come from to empower your prayer?
Did the faith come from previously answered prayers? Or maybe it was a prayer born of desperation.  Once upon a time, I thought I had the job I'd always wanted. I thought I was happy. I thought I was doing what the Lord intended for me.
I was wrong.  14 You are the world’s light—a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. 15-16 Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father. Last month, Tom and I celebrated out 44th wedding anniversary. How did that happen? (Yes, we were infants when our families carried us to the altar.) A few weeks before our anniversary, I was reaching the panic stage while preparing for a school event that was important to me. One of my colleagues kept asking if I was alright. I finally turned around and looked at him incredulously. Didn't he know? (In my sane brain later, I knew he couldn't possibly.) "When Tom is here, I can do anything! I'll be fine when he comes." We'll skip the conversation about the difference between empowering and enabling for now, Dear Reader. Maybe this clip from one of my favorite movies will help. As we were cleaning up a couple of hours later, my colleague told me as soon as Tom walked in the door my face lit up, and I became noticeably peaceful. Dear Reader, God wants our lights to shine, not just for the ones we love, but even more so for the One we love. And here's a thought to spark a little joy in our spirits. Don't you think Jesus lights up when we turn to Him with open arms? I fervently hope and pray, Dear Reader, that your light will shine on those around you, and that you bask in "the lovelight of Jesus's face".   Are you a baker, Dear Reader? Not a dessert maker, but one who bakes bread? Is there anything better than the aroma of bread rising or baking? And don't you love warm, fresh bread with a bit of butter? Our son, James, is an amazing baker! I love walking in the door when he's been baking rolls or bread. There's something kind of comforting about it. And Jesus told a fourth parable.  Jesus took a topic his listeners understood, one that affected their everyday life, to share an important lesson. Long before Mazlow developed his hierarchy of needs, Jesus knew to use the basic need of all people (sustenance) to teach a lesson. If you're a baker, then you may have experienced what happens if the yeast gets too old, or is mixed with liquid that's too hot. Or maybe you're like me, and you simply got too impatient waiting for it to work. But flour and water alone make paste, not mouth-watering hot rolls. The leavening makes all the difference. In the same way, God has given us specific instructions (Exodus 20: 1-17) to have the best lives possible. As we patiently work them into every part of our lives, we begin to see the character of God begin to rise within us. Dear Reader, how have you seen God's character rise within you lately? Is there an area that perhaps has taken more patience, and grace, in order to see evidence of God's hand working in your life? Not to worry, Dear Reader. God's arms are long, his muscles are strong. and He never runs out of patience when it comes to working the best into and out of His children.   Geology was the last class I took to finish a Bachelor of Science degree. The last, and the only one I nearly failed. Of all the college courses I've taken, rocks held the least attraction.
When I went back to this parable, I had to chuckle. At last, a Rock that got my attention. |
Hi, my name is Alice. A Way with Words is about sharing faith,
fun, & encouragement. Thanks for stopping by! I hope you find a little something to take with you. 
A few folks I enjoy hanging out with (click to visit):
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