Monthly Archives: January 2011

Finding a Champion

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Because we raised four sons, our driveway resembled a used car lot or even a junk yard. The boys became experts at finding automotive bargains and owned many a car with a sticker price under $500.

They knew how to fix most of what was wrong with their purchases and usually kept them running for years at a time. Collision insurance was unnecessary, and “ride-pride” was never a problem.

One of those cars, a Chevy Nova bought as a college-car for $400, has become a family legend. Bought eight years ago from a librarian who drove it only three blocks to work and back each day, it’s become the longest-owned vehicle of the 61 cars we’ve owned over 41 years. It was actually sold two times, but none of us felt right about that. In both cases it was quickly bought back.

Like a homing pigeon, this car keeps coming back to us. I wrote about its coat of many colors (six of them) in another post [June 26, 2010], and now it boasts a seventh identity, snow-camouflage, the perfect fit for a Michigan winter.

Last weekend Nelson bought it back yet again from a friend in TN who had owned it only a month. In driving the eight hours home, he couldn’t get over its excellent performance: 30 miles per gallon, straight-arrow handling and a steady ride even at 85 mph.

Some cars are lemons, some are champions. Although this car has a few cosmetic flaws, we aren’t surprised when strangers offer to buy it. Even this week another would-be buyer wondered if it was for sale.

I know a handful of people who are much like this car. They remain fresh and interesting no matter how old and refuse to be discouraged or give up on life.  Enthusiasm for each new day runs high, and their optimism is infectious. They have the rare ability to find something good in even miserable circumstances and then focus on those.

God works this way, too, pointing out the positives to us, particularly when we’re surrounded by negatives. He says, “I know you feel unlovable, but remember that Almighty God loves you more than you’ll ever know,” or “Yes, this day will be a challenge for you, but I’ve gone ahead and made the rough places smooth,” or “I understand how lonely you feel, but isn’t it great to know I’ll be with you, no matter what?”

And one thing is certain: God will never sell us out and promises we’ll never get taken from him either. He’s paid a dear price for us, and we’ll always belong to him.

Always.

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)

To my children:

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I’ve been thinking about which Scriptures to pray over you during 2011, and God has shown me the passages “with your names on them.” So this post is for you, although anyone who desires can read along.

Nelson: Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  May God’s Spirit do awesome things through you during this year of  leadership in Youth With A Mission.

Lars: Ephesians 3:17-19a – “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge.” May you know God’s love for you this year in new, energizing ways you’ve never realized before.

Linnea: 2 Thessalonians 3:3 – “The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” As your measure of needed strength and endurance increases in mothering Skylar and Micah, may the Lord be your lavish sustenance while simultaneously protecting you from Satan’s plans to wear you out or discourage you.

Adam: Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” In the difficult work of being the family provider, anxiety can make a steady assault. May God’s supernatural peace envelop you instead.

Klaus: John 15:3-4 – “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” As you see increasing evidence of Christ’s daily presence in your life, may he cause you to become more and more productive and to bear eternal fruit for him.

Hans: Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” As you feel stretched thin, may you always find time to approach God’s throne to receive the perfectly measured grace that will sustain you.

Katy: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”  May God supply this list of essentials as you work with Nicholas, Evelyn and Thomas each day, causing your love for them to grow.

Louisa: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” As you continue to study the Bible full time, may all these purposes of Scripture unfold in your life as God equips you for whatever is ahead.

Birgitta: Proverbs 3:13 – “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.” As you study diligently and make decisions, may God’s wisdom, so different from the world’s, be what guides and blesses you daily.

Skylar, Nicholas, Micah, Evelyn, Thomas: Ephesians 6:2a – “Honor your father and mother.” May each of you steadily grow in cheerful cooperation and obedience.

Praying for you at this end,

Mom/Marni/Grandma Midgee/Mee Mee

“Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

Hidden Away

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The other day when Mary and I were walking onto the beach near my home, we noticed a bulge in the snow-covered dune about twelve feet long and four feet wide. What could be hiding there?

This beach is completely empty during three out of four seasons, used only during July and August. Summertime families store small sailboats and kayaks on the beach, tethered to posts driven into the sand. Netted bags of toys, low beach chairs and sand buckets are left, too, a testimony to the honest character of those using the beach.

Summer swimmers have no formal supervision, no life guard on duty, and we’re all fine with that. But what would happen in an emergency? Could people on the beach quickly reach a drowning swimmer if necessary? Would they be willing to dive in and try?

Thankfully that scenario hasn’t come up, but if it did, we have an ace in the hole: the lump under the snow. It’s an aluminum row boat lying bottom-up on the sand, currently out of sight like a hibernating bear. But come summer, the snow will melt and the boat will show itself, reminding us we have a way to rescue someone in crisis.

God sometimes operates in a similar way. Although he has a variety of solutions for our various rescue needs, he often keeps them covered until we’re desperate. (At least that’s what it seems like from our perspective.) When we’re desperate, we call to him for help, and that’s the key. If we don’t call, he may not rescue.

A recurring theme in Scripture is people recognizing their need for help, then acknowledging that God is their Source for it. If we search for help everywhere but in him, he’ll let us try to get it done on our own. When we acknowledge we can’t make it apart from him, he comes out of hiding.

Last fall when Jack and I walked the beach, I noticed a blue kayak still lying on the sand near its post well after all the other boats and items had been removed. I thought someone would eventually come for the kayak, a pricey-looking boat.

As September and October came and went, the autumn winds picked up, and gradually the kayak filled with sand. By Thanksgiving it was all but covered over, and before the first snow fell, it was completely hidden.

Now, it’s not even a lump. I believe I’m the only one who knows it’s buried there. If the owner arrived to retrieve his boat today, he’d sweep his eyes across the beach and say, “Someone must have taken it.” To his understanding, it would be gone.

Is this what happens to God’s rescue if I don’t appeal to him? Does he keep his plans a secret? I believe he often does. Knowing this, I’m motivated to dialog with him, cry out to him, recognize his role as my rescuer on a daily basis. He’s invited me to do this, specifically mentioning me by name, and I’d be a fool not to accept this invitation.

And in July, if someone posts a notice looking for a blue kayak, I’ll know what to do.

 

“I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” (Isaiah 45:3)