Devotions

Are you watching…..

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I am learning more and more that people are watching everything I do. Why should I be surprised? I do the same thing to them. My husband and I love to sit in the mall with a cup of coffee and enjoy the sights — I mean the people.

Years ago, I was at a garage sale miles from my home town and church. I was calling to my husband to come and look at some goodies, when all of a sudden, a voice came from the other side of the table, and said, “I know you”. Of course, that day I was dressed in my cleaning clothes, and my hair and make-up were not the best. When I looked up, I really had no idea who she really was, so I needed to ask. Her response to me was, “I never would have recognized you, but your voice is what I remember.” Interesting, I thought. She had come several times to a “Ladies Night Out” at my church and heard me speak. She remembered my voice.

Oh, if I had been talking fresh to my husband or yelling at my kids in a way that would not have been a good testimony, would my voice have touched her ears again? She is not a believer, so I invited her to come out again to our ministry. May my voice always bring pleasant sounds to someone’s ears.

Another time I was in the dining room where I work, and as usual, after lunch, my coffee cup was crying out to be filled. Without thinking, I filled my husband’s cup first and then mine. I then sat down, took creamers from the bowl, then the sugar, and passed them to him first and then to myself. He is my first love, next to the Lord, and I just look out for him and try to love him in even the silly ways like this. One of our staff members came to me later and said that she loves watching us in the dining room and elsewhere. She loves the silly “love things” we do for each other.

Our life should be filled with joy, love, friendship, and most of all, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 2:3 (New International Version)

“…He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” Psalm 32:8 (New International Version)

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go…”

These are two very simple examples of how someone was watching me and
remembered me. My voice was remembered for the words I spoke and my actions
remembered for the love I shared.

What is someone seeing or hearing in you today?

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

What’s happening in your World?

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Since the beginning of March 2020, we have been hit with this silent enemy that we all cannot wait to see gone. This thing we call “the virus” has stopped life, school, food supplies, lives, and so much more.  It has our focus on things we probably have not thought of for months, years, or forever.  We are reevaluating our lives, changing things around, making plans, and accommodating new ways. Some of us are out of work or have shorter hours; kids are not in regular school situations, etc.  What in the world is happening?

My youngest son has autism, and he has a very basic and black and white view of life.  While all of this is happening in our world and we are running around trying to figure it out, he has simply told me we are living like Noah. My first thought was — what is he talking about?

Gavin went on to say that God promised no more floods of water will cover the earth, but He just covered the whole earth in this virus.  And Gavin is right. The entire planet has this virus covering it.  What a thought!!!!

I had to stop and think about what this virus could mean, and I need to reflect back on the story of Noah first. When we remember some of our Bible stories as a kid, we remember the animals, Noah building the ark, the flood, and storms.  I never really thought about the magnitude of the entire story until I first saw the Ark, near the Creation Museum, a year ago.  They have many areas that depict the different scenes of the flood.  There’s one that got me right to the core, and as I stood and looked at it, the tears were flooding my eyes.  It showed Noah’s family in the ark looking out of the window, watching as the flood waters came, and the many lives that were drowning and crying out for help, but it was too late.

In reflecting what my son, Gavin, said on how God is flooding the earth with the virus, are we crying out to God?  I don’t know the mind of Christ, what God is doing, and why right now.  But all in all, I do believe that this is a time for God to move in the hearts and lives of people.  This is a time for people to have things taken away from them. We have been given one big thing, and that is called — TIME!

For such a time as this — Is God trying to get your attention?  Do you need to cry out to Him for salvation and eternity? Do you need to set some things right with Him?  For those of us who know the Lord as our personal Savior, what is God trying to bring to our attention?

With all that is going on in the entire world, I cannot believe that the Lord is not trying to wake people up.

So, what is happening in your world today, and what changes do you need to make?  Remember that God told Noah to build the Ark, and to tell others about Him.  We have the security of our salvation, and that is our Ark. We are secure and safe for eternity, but what about those around us? Don’t let them drown in the flood of the virus and/or life without speaking to them about the Lord.

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

 

What are you passionate about?

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“I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God!” ~Isaiah 61:10 (NLT)

I have been in a sales position for many years now. It all started with me working for a tour company selling packages to Europe, and then working as a Travel Agent and now working in sales at a conference center.

Many times my parents tell me I can sell anything. What happens is, I feel strongly about something and then it turns into a passion of mine and it just pours out. I really do get excited about what I am doing and I guess it rubs off on people.

When I was teaching for a while, I would come into class sooo excited about the new lesson or project I had for my students and they would ask me if I stayed up all night planning this event. They thought I was crazy for being so excited about school work. But I loved what I was doing!

What are you passionate about? Now I know not everyone is a salesperson and we all do not have the passionate drive about the same things. Ask me about my kids, my husband or my home and I could go on for hours. I would end up getting so excited that you would probably walk away and tell me that I am a little nuts!

If someone were to ask me about the Lord would I be so excited? When people see me walking, talking and interacting with others can they see the passion for my Lord? I need to ask all of us this question. What are we passionate about? Can people see the passion fruit growing in our lives?

The Bible tells us to be overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God, excited, passionate are part of this too.

If someone met you today, would they see passion, deep-rooted love, excitement in your life and would your life show the passion fruit that we are to bear? No time for gloomy faces and gloomy lives….we need to be excited about our Lord for the days are numbered.

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

Take a walk with me

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I am reminded every day of Psalm 46:10 which clearly states, Be still and know that I am God.  Did you notice I used the word clearly.  I have this verse on my computer at work, my computer at home and on the bulletin board in my kitchen.  I know myself and I know that I need to be reminded of this often!

Let me take you back a few steps to where I have been and where I am heading.  I have been praying for about a year now for a certain area of my life to open up and for the Lord to show me what He would like me to do.  Of course being STILL and knowing that He is God and in control is so hard for me.  Can you relate?  In my thoughts daily this particular item is running through my mind and I have a list of what I feel is the best thing, how I can organize it, where I fit in and what is needed from me.  I have it all worked out if the Lord would only answer my prayer (oh, yes, in the way I have organized it), I would be in great shape.

Then again I am reminded….of Psalm 46:10 Be Still…..that is a hard task when you are task orientated, always wanting to be busy and on the go.  I am slowly learning over the past year to be still, not to rush, not run, not to jump but to be still.

Yesterday someone walked into my office and we just starting to chat about prayer and what she is working through in her life.  She had the same type of story that I have….praying and having a hard time waiting.  She told me she is learning to walk with God.  What a thought….”Walk with God”; again I am reminded to be still or at least slow it down, not to run, not to rush and not to jump but to be still and wait for the Lord.

What have you been praying about this past year and are you still waiting for an answer?  Join with me and walk with the Lord for a time, during which you will get the answer you need.

Lynn A.C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

Fresh Perspective #Finding Normalcy in the Abnormal

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Have you ever buttoned up your shirt, and the buttons didn’t line up right, and then you could not figure out why the shirt did not feel right?  To me that is how life feels right now…. like a weird-buttoned shirt that I can’t quite get to fit right.

How are you doing in all of this craziness?  COVID19, “the virus”, Coronavirus…. it has taken on many names and we cringe at the sounds of these words.  This virus has us feeling out of sorts and not even knowing what day of the week it is.  I have friends who have told me that they have not showered for a few days, changed their clothes, and have almost become numb in their lives.  This virus cannot take over our lives…. yes, we must live through this time and what is happening around us.  Stores are on limited hours and supplies, schools are teaching differently, we cannot visit with friends for a while, but we can still LIVE!

Come and see how some simple routine things can change your numb life to a normal life.  It might be a “new” normal….but it will help you reestablish a normal.

Lynn A.C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

Staying Calm In the Midst of Chaos! #let’s get practical

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So after reading and hearing the news that most people have their kids home for two weeks….all I hear is complaining and chaos from everyone around me. Now that is not to say that schedules will need to change, and things will need to be tweaked,  but we need to stay calm and be practical about this. Let’s create less stress and less chaos in the midst of this situation that we find ourselves in.

After talking with my sister….she was saying how her state was crazy all week, but this weekend people seem to be calming down a bit.  Staying calm is one of the answers to this craziness!!! No matter if you are single, married with kids, or without kids, and it does not matter your age….we are all in the same boat.  And this boat is not the Titanic, and it is not sinking….it is a boat of change and uncertainty, but being as normal as possible will calm the spirit.

So how can we stay calm and try to be “normal”?  Well here is my two week plan that I am putting into place. Yes, wash your hands.  Take necessary precautions needed for your lifestyle and where you live. But my plan after that is in place, is to make a list of all the things that I always put off and never seem to have the time to do.

Keeping our hands and minds busy will make the time pass, and it will not allow our minds to go places that are not reality and also allow our imagination to go crazy.

Today I had a friend pick up some potatoes for me since I had to work, and I could not get out.  She was kind and would not take the money for it. So I then told her I would share the soup that I was going to make with them, and that I would also make her some bread.  Since she is a single woman….she does not make homemade soup and bread, so this was a real treat.

Clean out  that closet that you have been wanting to clean, email a friend and check up on them, call someone, text someone, write a letter, sort out those recipe cards that are a mess.  Stop and breath, stop and take hold that you are alive today, and there is a purpose. Reach out to others….we are all human beings and should be respecting each other in a unique and special way.  This does not mean that you need to put yourself at risk….there are plenty of ways to help someone without doing this.

For those of us who have hope of eternity with the God of creation….share that hope today.  We as Christians can rise up and encourage our friends with this plain and simple gospel message.

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

Quick and Soup /Cooking up a Storm

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WOW…..on those days when life’s storms come, and then chaos seems to follow, do you just feel like you want simplicity to come?  We had one of those days this week, and I found myself craving for a simple way of life, and to slow things down so that I could think about what the next step would be.

For me, soup is comfort food, and since I work full time….I don’t  usually have the time to invest in an all-day prep for soup making.  So come and join me for this quick and easy soup recipe. It will not only comfort your stomach, but your soul as I share some ideas of how to get through life when you have days like this. Also, how to turn your soup into comfort for someone else.

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

 

Finding Balance – When too Many Plates are Spinning

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Are your plates spinning in life, and are you overwhelmed where you are today?  Life, for me, seems to keep getting more and more busy, crazy, and nuts. Some days my plate is so full….that I don’t even know where to start.  The thoughts start coming. Where do I start? Work? Home? Kids? Husband? The sound in my head just keeps going in circles. I needed to STOP, and listen for a moment, and pray for wisdom.  The verse that says, “a wise woman builds her home”, became my reality. I have learned over time to take four simple steps in life to keep some balance. Balance and simplicity are what you will find today in this message as you listen.  I hope you enjoy this special event with me!

 

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

 

The Good Old Days

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Philippians 2:14-15

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent.”

Colossians 3:15

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

The Great Depression, this is a time in history that I can only read about.  I was not born in that time, but I can learn to appreciate what happened and how the way of life was then.  Many times I have sat and listened to my dad talk about a meal called Scrumptial; his father would make this for them on Saturday nights with the leftovers from the week. This unique pot of leftovers was the highlight of his week.

Recently, I was listening to an older lady talking about living in the Depression era, and she recalled one of her fondest memories. She remembered that on Sundays they would go to her aunt’s house, but her aunt could not afford heat. So they would grab the kitchen chairs and huddle around the stove while lunch was cooking, and they would get warm by the fire.  She went on to say that they would sit facing the stove to get the front of them warm, and then have to turn around so their backs would get warm. As she talked about this, she was giggling and repeating, “Oh the good old days.”

Fast forward to 2020, and what do we have? Central air, heat in our homes, cars to drive, and so many other advantages. We have plenty of food, clothes, and almost everything we could want or need at our fingertips. Yet, I never hear, “These are the great present days.”  What has happened to us? Why do we not seem like a happy people? You would think with all these “things” that make our lives more convenient and stress free, that we would be overjoyed.

Many times I have said to my husband that I almost wish we could go back to a time like that. A time when we as a people appreciated what we had. Working in a guest service position, I see the side of people that is ungrateful and demanding. I see this at church when we want what we want and demand our rights. What happened to being thankful, grateful, and appreciative?  I personally am challenged to look at what I have and learn to be content in these things and to appreciate them even more.

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother