Really? Treasures in White Powdered Donuts?

And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan.  He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

Joshua 4: 20-24 NIV

We have short memories. Joshua instructed the Israelites to remember God’s work in their lives by setting up twelve stones. Today, we use other ways to help us remember. We mark the blessings of special moments and events with albums, videos, framed photos, and certificates. We record the heights of children on growth charts, use a bookmark to keep our place, and unfortunately, note the site of a fatal accident along a roadside with flowers and photos.

I like to mark my Bible. I note dates; names, if I pray a verse for people; and an encouragement or promise I cling to. I underline, make notes, and star passages. My marks help me remember.

Sometimes, markers come in the form of other objects-like my white powdered donuts.

Last week I had the gift of spending five days at the beach with friends. My 48^th wedding anniversary fell in the middle of the week. That morning I grabbed a cup of coffee, my Bible, and several small white powdered donuts and walked to the beach alone.

To an observer, it appears to be a strange observance, but not to me. It was one of my stones of remembrance. 

Whenever our family took beach vacations, at least one breakfast was marked with white powdered donuts on the beach. It was a sweet tradition observed early in the morning with few people around. So, tradition told me I would mark and remember my anniversary, albeit alone, with the same.

I sat looking at the magnificence of the ocean, waves coming in regularity, a gorgeous blue sky dotted with white cotton clouds-God’s grandeur in full view. I remembered my seasons of God-given joy: children building sandcastles, my husband fishing, grandchildren splashing, and past anniversaries.

And I opened my Bible.

Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

I marked the date. On my sixth anniversary without my husband, the beach is still my beautiful peaceful place; the waves come and recede, so similar to the changing sting of grief and loss; the sun still shines, and treasures of truth remain: God is always good, His love lasts forever.

I rest in those markers and give thanks.

What markers do you have that remind you of God-given joy and truth? 

Are There Treasures in Assignments?

When I taught college undergraduates and distributed my syllabus, the first thing most students did was flip pages to look at the assignments. How much reading did I assign? What about projects and due dates? Tests? Was there a term paper?

Some students approached the semester enthusiastically, despite the workload. A few students rolled their eyes; and yes, I even had one or two claim I was asking too much. 

Each student had a choice to grow and learn that semester. I wasn’t a “mid-term and final” professor. I offered opportunities for several unit tests, oral presentations, projects, clinical observations. Students might excel in one area and not do as well in another, but it meant hard work. Would they accept the challenge?

Assignments. They imply purpose, time, work, interest, learning, ability, and a due date. I took my responsibility seriously to prepare students for their professional life’s work. I wanted them to grow and become their best.

Life assignments are the same. We often question our assignments. What’s the purpose of this hurdle or detour? Seriously—all this? It’s definitely something I didn’t choose or want and I didn’t volunteer. Life assignments take time, work, and sometimes tears. Interested? No. On my radar? No, not remotely. Interfere with my plans? Yes, but I need to do it-a due date of sorts. Learning—lots to learn. Sometimes, trial and error; sometimes, uncharted territory and unknown.

My friends confirm those questions and responses. Chronic illness, a deviation from a planned life script, widowhood, financial challenges, prodigals, tension in relationships, special needs children, caring for aging parents, and disappointments, are some of their assignments. But they will also say: 

     We accept the challenge: We’re growing in our life’s work. Our hard assignments bring opportunities to depend on God and become our best even in our weakness. We have grace. "And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." 2 Corinthians 9:8 NASB)

     We learn: It’s a curve and often we’re unprepared, but I can pray, "Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." (Psalm 25:5 NIV)

    We appreciate: Complaining about the assignment is like missing an opportunity, but I have hope. "Not for one minute, have any been without God’s love and faithfulness.  But you, Lord, are a compassionate God, merciful and patient, with unending gracious love and faithfulness." Psalm 86:15 (NIV)

    We have a new ministry: We can only pour out what’s been poured in. I often hear, "If you haven’t had a similar experience, you don’t understand. You may observe and encourage, but you don’t know"- the pain of a prodigal, when you haven’t experienced it; the struggle of a special needs child-not if you’ve been an honor roll student. But, if we’ve been there, we have a ministry. ^“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV)

   We may not like the assignment. We vacillate in the way we live it out—from tears to acceptance and sometimes question how path. We think the assignment is unthinkable and one we would have never wanted or chosen, but the assignment, in the right perspective, offers another treasure: security. We rest in that truth.

Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup. My lot is secure. 

Psalm 16:5 (NIV)

How have your approached hard assignments? Have you found treasures?

The Treasure of Trust

Several years ago, many of us watched the TV quiz program “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”. Contestants were given opportunities to win money by answering questions of increasing difficulty. Beginning with easy multiple choice questions, the categories moved to questions with one obvious “no” answer, but unless you had expert knowledge on a subject, you had little idea of the right answer. At that point, the game show host offered options: walk away with the money you had earned, or use your lifelines- remove two choices so the field was narrowed and your chances of being correct were better, or phone a friend—one who might know the answer. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn't.

We face choices too. 

The mocha java chip vs. the caramel macchiato is an easy one depending on your taste for chocolate, sweetness, or calories. Other decisions might involve spending a large sum of money and knowing this is a “good idea vs. a bad one”. Sometimes issues present fine differences between good, better, and best and the decision isn’t an easy one.

How do we respond? Probably similar to the game show contestant:  a definite “yes” or “no”; eliminate choices; look for the better or best option; or phone a friend for wise counsel.

Sometimes the obvious, or the best options just aren’t there and we don’t see a solution. So,

when we face something so big, we can’t understand it,

   so deep, we feel we’re sinking,

    so unknown, we can’t define it                                           

       so unfamiliar, we can’t describe it, or

           so painful, we think we’ll break…

   we just stand, trust, and hold our Father’s hand. 

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 55:6 (NIV)

Can you share a verse that is your “go to”  lifeline in difficult times? 

What considerations do you make when faced with choices?