Hope-Full Living

What we need in our world is an army of listeners to help combat loneliness. As I learn about spiritual guidance and pastoral care, listening has taken on a whole new dimension. We hear with our ears and listen with our heart. Jesus Christ shows us the way. Listening takes us on a journey with a person through whatever he or she may be facing and feeling. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with...

When I looked up the word “compassion,” I learned that it means to “suffer together.” When was the last time you suffered with someone? What does Scripture say about His children and what He expects us to do? For example, Ephesians 4:32 tells us to “be kind to one another ...” That’s not easy to do if someone criticizes us in front of others. Or, how do we “seek to show hospitality” as Romans 12:1...

Puzzled by a noise in Mama’s yard, we peeped out the kitchen window. She recognized two men from her church, each driving a lawn mower. When they finished cutting the grass on her six-acre property, I walked down the driveway to thank them and offer money for the gas. “Oh, no ma’am,” Jack said. “This is our ministry to share the love of Jesus with Mrs. Sadie. She’s served our church well, and we w...

Walking along my narrow lakeside road one winter day, I was summoned into the yard of a neighbor couple. Leaning over her deck railing, Sandy said, “We’ve noticed that you sometimes walk late in the day. We’d like you to wear this.” She handed me a neon-yellow reflective vest of the kind her recently retired husband might have worn on the job. I thanked them and now wear their thoughtful gift on m...

As retirees, we sometimes get “take out” from a restaurant. The other day, my wife asked me what I wanted. I said, “Surprise me with something special.” When she came back, she had the perfect meal for me! She said, “After all these years, I do know you.” Even more so, God knows us personally as one of His children. God has searched us, and He knows how we are often tempted to fall into sin. But e...

My grandmother reminded me to be patient when gardening. Some plants need time to establish deep root systems (sleep). The next year they begin to show growth (creep). And finally they bloom (leap). We, too, need strong roots in Scripture. We spend time studying Jesus’ examples of ways to share God’s love. He met people where they were and used concrete means to help them. Our Lord fed the hungry...

Every day we put on clothes as we get ready for the day. We wear different clothes for different occasions. We look in the mirror and get ready for the day or for special occasions. I would guess that you have never thought of putting on Christ and wearing Him during the day for every occasion. When we wear Him, I believe people will see Jesus as we show to them compassion, kindness, humility, mee...

Beginning relationships can be fraught. Remember when your friend, neighbor, or spouse was a new acquaintance? Only your best behavior kept your “warts” from torpedoing a blooming relationship. Time would determine how accepting a person might be for the real you. Years later, you may still feel you don’t measure up, that you must hide your flaws. It is not this way with Jesus. “Before I formed yo...

How do you show care for someone else? With God’s providence as our foundation, we give up our own concerns so that we care for others. Believers strive to build up others in the faith. Jesus demonstrated His care by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the lonely while preaching the good news of salvation. Jesus preached the gospel that included promises of healing, forgiveness, a...

One hot summer day years ago, I had just finished shopping at a pharmacy. As I started to leave the parking lot, a young boy suddenly appeared at my car window. “Can you give us a ride home?” he asked. I asked who he meant by “us.” He turned to point to a woman sitting on the bench for people waiting for the bus. I assumed that she was his mother. Complimented that this innocent child trusted me t...

“Thar’s gold in them thar hills!” Stories abound from the American West of miners seeking their fortune. A very few found it. Most didn’t. Jesus says, “Seek.” Jesus promises, “You will find.” Seek what? Life, peace, joy, grace, forgiveness. Seek where? In the Scripture, the Word of God’s promises in Jesus. Seek Jesus. Find peace. Jesus already sought us, found us, and gave us peace and joy. You wi...

As I have gotten older, I find that I like to read a Bible verse from several translations. The varying word choice can emphasize or clarify thought. This verse in Luke 9:51 is a good example: CEV says, he “made up his mind,” and the NIV says he “resolutely set out.” All three emphasize that Jesus made a choice. He intentionally, willingly, started out and followed the ministry journey set out for...

Not a day goes by where we don’t read, hear, or see advertised a medical solution to improve our memory, remove body aches, take away a headache, or solve a skin problem. The list seems endless. The solutions have a lengthy list of side effects, some even suggesting the possibility of death. Hearing and seeing what is so enticing when we are dealing with a health issue has the possibility of us fo...

Facts are facts. We age. We change. We tend to think we can no longer be of service. God extends to us both peace and joy to serve, and we can rest in that. But He also says, “Hey, just a minute; I’m not through using you as My voice, My hands, My feet.” Be active for Him. As you stroll with your walker down the halls of your living facility, hang a sign on it saying, “Jesus loves you, and so do I...

Harassed! Helpless! How easy it can be to feel harassed and/or helpless any day at home, in assisted living, or in the hospital. Waiting for a residence staff member to respond to a simple request. Harassed! Helpless! Overhearing our family discuss “What shall we do with dad?” Harassed! Helpless. Matthew 9 lists six incidences when Jesus had compassion on individuals: a paralytic, a tax collector,...

Do you remember when we collected coupons? We’d clip the sections of the paper that promised savings at our next grocery outing, taking note of the tiny numbers on the bottom. If not redeemed in time, the coupon landed in the trash bin. The words from Isaiah remind us that God’s promises — and, indeed, the entire Bible — hold true now and forever. Our bodies may wear out, our memories may fade, bu...

I read recently that if you were born between 1930 and 1946, only 1% of your generation is still alive today. I am one of those so blessed. God has been incredibly good to me, in both number and quality of years, health, and fulfilling life experiences. He has given me opportunities for service throughout my life. While young, I taught Sunday School, attended youth group (Walther League), and made...

Why is it that so many of us fight, even deny, our aging? For women the cosmetic industry provides assistance. Hair coloring is also helpful. “Gray hair a crown of glory?” We males of course have our Rogaine. When I turned 80, I struggled with that dreaded number, and so I found that it felt much better if I converted my age from Fahrenheit to Celsius. I wasn’t 80 (Fahrenheit); I was 26.667 years...

No college class or single “life lesson” prepared me for being old. But I’ve learned that adapting leadership skills, honed through a lifetime of service, still work! For example, a list of “characteristics of a successful leader” is often topped by a single word: listen. Today, paying attention might require extra focus and a hearing aid, but active listening leads to understanding. Being a team...

One advantage of retirement is the ability to spend more time with family and friends. My husband and I especially love having our granddaughter stay with us for long visits. This provides teaching moments as well as fun adventures. Jesus loved having children around Him. He rebuked His disciples when they shooed the little lambs away. He told the twelve not to hinder those who came to Him. Even i...

Each of us has a story or two about a dark time in our life. For me, it was watching my husband grow increasingly ill as his kidneys failed. For us, God’s miracle of a kidney transplant lifted that particular darkness. Many of you are walking through a dark time right now. Where is God in all of this? He is the light. A phone call from a friend, a meal dropped off by a neighbor, hearing that a gro...

The “ole blue eyes” I know is not the singer of previous generations, but a warmhearted 90-something card player with the most beautiful, piercing, clear blue eyes I have seen. My sister is putting names and faces together when we play cards. We refer to Ron as the one with the beautiful blue eyes. My brother-in-law is right there asking “just how old is this guy?” with a hint of “maybe I should p...

My pastor receives new members at the end of worship services. They are welcomed and introduced to the congregation. One Sunday, Shirley was received. Pastor called her forward to answer questions confessing our faith. Shirley started forward; however, she was followed by 8 other women. Pastor was surprised. “What is happening?” he asked. “Shirley is a member of our Friday morning Bible class. We...

Inside a neglected prayer booth behind my friend’s church, a plant had grown unnoticed. Taller than my head, it had lush green leaves and stems suffused with purple. Branch tips bore spikes of dark berries. It was pokeweed — beautiful, but toxic! Our souls can also bear toxic fruit if left untended. The taste of gossip may seem sweet at first. The bitterness of resentment can be as habit-forming a...

Sacrifice isn’t easy, especially when it requires us to give up something we love and have worked hard for. Things like giving up college to help work the family farm; missing a vacation to attend a funeral; skipping a meal to take a call from a hurting friend; sacrificing your personal time or money to help a neighbor in need. Through the Holy Spirit, sincere love toward others gives comfort to o...