Well we made it to February and many of us turn our thoughts to LOVE. Thank you Valentines Day!

It would be interesting to know how many people get engaged on Valentines Day. The romance, young love and of course the diamond ring.

There are the sweet handmade cards and art projects from our young children, which are now saved in the cedar chest.

This year on our Christmas tree we had a new ornament from our daughter, Bethany, it read “I love you more than toilet paper”. Now if that doesn’t warm your heart. It’s a reminder of the crazy year of 2020.

Did you ever play that back and forth game “I love you more than ____________”. More than chocolate, my toys, pizza, TV, shopping and the list is endless often ending with infinity.

The only true winner of this little game is God Himself. He loves us above anything He has created and the lengths He went to to show that love by sending His son Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that He gave is only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

So whether you get flowers, dinner out with your sweetheart, a handmade card or even toilet paper. Know this for sure that God loves you more than ___________.

Here I sit with my face at the window looking outside and who should show up but my “Negative Nellie”. She’s in my head and once again pointing out my loss of independence, the fear and anxiety, loss of income, the envy of people walking and driving and, of course, the depression.

Instead of telling “Negative Nellie” to go, I allow her to stay and repeat her words over and over again until I finally am in tears and I call out to God ENOUGH!

And then I let God replace “Negative Nellie”. His peace covers me like a warm blanket knowing He understands.

Do my circumstances change? Nope! My attitude does, because I crave the calm that comes in knowing that He is in control.

To be honest, I will go through the “Negative Nellie” stuff again but I know not to let her stay and to replace her with what God can do in my heart and mind.

I sense that many of us are currently sitting at the window, looking out, listening to our own “Negative Nellie”. Don’t let her get comfortable. Chase her away with God’s promises.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Phillipians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

As I sit at my window a song comes to mind:
Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here. Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

Years ago in a town in North Central Wisconsin in the month of January two girls were born. That would be Me on the 28th and Melody on the 30th. Now honestly there is nothing amazing about that but let me add a few more details. Our mothers have the same first and last name (they married brothers). They had the same doctor in the same hospital. So while growing up we heard many times that we had been switched at birth. Our parents eventually built houses in the same neighborhood with our back yards connecting.

Yes I’ve known Mel all of my life. A friendship that I have always cherished. Even though we didn’t always live close there were always planned visits and letter writing and of course birthday cards. For about the last 15 years we have lived close enough to get together for our favorite French toast breakfast.

Mel is that loving, caring, feisty woman that you always want on your side. When I was diagnosed with MS she bought me a walker because she knew I would need one. She would call and check up on me encouraging me and letting me know how sad she felt for my struggle. But she was also struggling with a brain tumor. My heart was broken because I knew she was facing a difficult road.

It’s been almost a year now that Mel passed and has been experiencing the joy of heaven. But oh how I miss her! As I write this with tears running down my face I am so thankful for the lifetime of memories that Me and Mel shared.

This is one of my favorite writings because it is so true in my life.

I believe in the sun,
even when it is not shining.

I believe in love,
even when I do not feel it.

I believe in God,
even when He is silent.

How many times in my life have I asked God to say something to me as to what I should do. I’ve asked Him to even write it on the wall like He did in the Old Testament, Maybe even whisper clear direction.

While there has never been an audible direction to me, there have been times of clarity as I read my Bible and the words are just for me. The wise words of counsel from a family member or a dear friend.

I’m sure we have all felt that seemingly silence from God. That ” I wish He would just tell me what to do”. With tears streaming down my face I realize that “I am not in control but I am dearly loved by the One who is”. So in reality I want to control all things in my life, and when God isn’t doing it my way I find Him to be silent. When He really isn’t silent He’s working on my behalf I just don’t know exactly what it is. I must trust!

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.

During High School I had the opportunity to help in an early childhood class in our church. The lead teacher, Edna, was great with the children. She saw something in me and she encouraged me to pursue teaching. I realized how much I enjoyed the children and being a part of their learning. My education in college was Early Childhood.

I have enjoyed teaching many children’s classes and then eventually directing and teaching in a Preschool. All those little people eager to learn basic academics and being fascinated by the world around them. I loved finding new ways to teach everything from numbers and the alphabet to watching caterpillars become butterflies.

Not only did I enjoy teaching children but soon I was teaching womens classes in our church. Now I understand the teaching was on both ends of the age spectrum but I loved teaching women also. I have learned so much about the Bible and the truths that are in that book.

I believe we all are teachers because of the influence we have on people. Does our influence inspire others like Edna did for me? Do we see the potential in children and adults? Are we that encourager in someone’s life? It’s not an easy task.

Now that school has started, as well as many Bible studies, be that encourager, the positive influence. You don’t have to be standing in front of a class to do this, but you do have to be available for God to use you in someone’s life.

I so enjoy reading the Psalms in the Bible. Recently I went through all of them and highlighted the word refuge. A refuge is a shelter or protection from danger or distress; a place to flee to get away from people or places that are unsafe. Sometimes our refuge place is somewhere to go that is quiet, away from the anxiousness of this world.

As a little girl I would build a blanket tent. Maybe you had a tree house. As a teenager my refuge was to close the door to my bedroom. Being a young mom sometimes just getting in the car and going to the grocery store alone would work. We all need a place of refuge.

So I have a place of refuge but in that refuge place is where I meet with my Lord. I find as I am there that He is my refuge, my safe place, my stronghold, my rock, my fortress, my shield, my guard, my deliverer. And I have come to realize that it isn’t so much the place but who I am meeting.

I remember trying to make the picture perfect refuge place that I could meet with God. Then I realized that He is just saying to me “Will you just sit down with me?” He doesn’t need the scented candles, the comfy chair, the soft blanket, the cup of coffee. I can find my refuge, my safe place in Him, my personal relationship with Him.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I will take REFUGE, He is my shield and the strength of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18: 2