Preparing for a Holy Encounter | Readying Yourself

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In many ways, encounters mean everything to one’s progression forward. People judge others on first encounters. We often hear the importance of making a good and lasting first impression. It will determine if one should go deeper in the relationship or not. Opposite that, there are experiences with encounters that can go sourly wrong if not handled correctly. Think of a surprise meeting with a wild animal such as a bear.

Moses learned early on in his encounter with God that God cannot be approached in a haphazard fashion (Exodus 3:2-5).  One must be very serious when coming into the presence of God.  The standard has to be raised from the normal, and the steps which one treads to approach Him must be done with reverence because He is God.

Approximately two months after God’s final blow of the last of the 10 plagues, the death of all the firstborn in Egypt, and Israel’s departure from that land, the people have traveled and arrived in the wilderness of Sinai (Exodus 19:1) and are now camped at the base of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:2).

Moses was then called up the mountain to come before God (Exodus 19:3).  From that place, God began to speak words of promise and instruction for Moses to relay in the hearing of the people.  God wanted them to remember their deliverance and how He brought them out of that land of oppression (Exodus 19:4).  Afterward, God laid out stipulations for being in a covenant relationship with Him.  Unlike the Abrahamic Covenant which was unconditional, the Mosaic Covenant had guidelines, rules, and rituals for the people to follow: “If ye obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant,” God spoke, “then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people,” (Exodus 19:5).

Moses then called the elders of the people together and relayed all of this to them and their status as a “holy nation” (Exodus 19:6-7).  After, the people agreed to do what God commanded (Exodus 19:8).

But now that they have met with Moses and received these terms, it’s time for them to prepare their hearts, minds, bodies, and souls to meet with God.  Moses was relaying all this pertinent information as God’s mouthpiece to them, but God wanted a one-on-one audience with His chosen people, His peculiar treasure.

As far as the purpose for that audience, God made it very clear: “Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee forever,” (Exodus 19:9).  God wanted them to hear and experience His power up close and personal.  He wanted them to hear and bear witness for themselves, as He spoke with Moses, so that they might believe and listen to Moses as His chosen leader, who receives His words and instructions and passes them on to the people.  Although the covenant is for all His people, it was given to Moses; thus, it is referred to as the Mosaic Covenant.

For this “meeting” to take off properly, what the people do beforehand is of great importance.  They had to consecrate themselves before approaching God.  Filth had to be washed off, clothes had to be changed, and the people had to be sanctified (Exodus 19:10, 14), or “set apart.”  Boundaries had to be set (Exodus 19:12-13).  His sacredness was going to pervade that mountain, and the people needed to respect His presence.  During that time, even intimate relations with their spouses were prohibited to be considered ceremonially clean (Exodus 19:15).

Friends, if we are to go deeper, if we are to be a people who will draw near to His presence, then we must, ourselves also, prepare for the approach as they did in the days of the ancients. Not with ceremony, but with sincerity. Not with rituals, but with a heart seeking an intimate relationship with the Father as the driving force. There is no greater place to be, nor any greater experience to experience than whole and beautiful, sweet fellowship with our God.

But when we start discussing rules, compliance, and the like, it tends to put people off. As we are born with the nature of free-will beings, sometimes it bucks against the very thing that is most helpful for us to have a better life. That is discipline, order, and obedience to the One who knows the healthiest guidelines for our lives to be directed by.

Any child of God should hunger to be nearer to Him than the day before. Therefore, daily, we need to monitor and adjust our approach if need be. We need hearts and minds prepared for the encounter.

How do we do that?

We must ready ourselves.

For anything important we want to do or any event we want to attend, we work hard to make sure we are properly prepared. Oh, how much more the effort should we put forth in readying to meet our God!

The people of old had to wash off any dirt and be sanctified. Is there anything that needs to be removed from your life that would be an impediment to the approach? Hebrews 12:1 says, “Lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Everything that wants to hold us back; everything that stands as an obstacle to our spiritual success; everything that works against our salvation, preventing us from a proper approach.

The people of old set boundaries and had to remain where the borders allowed and not enter where they prohibited. Previously, I shared, “God’s Word is filled with instructions, commandments, statutes – lines, if you will, not to confine us, but to give us a life far greater.  Jesus taught, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).” (We Need the Lines/WordforLifeSays)

His holy Word shows us the guidelines for the approach. It reveals to us not only the importance and how of drawing near to our Heavenly Father, but also life principles and directions that will help us to keep the pathway of relationship clear of obstacles and hindrances: “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble,” (Psalm 119:165).

We are promised “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). In that, we should not want anything to come between us and the moment of that great, holy experience. So, like the ancients, what we do beforehand will determine how close we can draw near.

The Bible encourages us to “Examine yourselves…” (2 Corinthians 13:5); prepare for our day of approach both now for relationship, and for eternity, where we will finally hear those blessed words: “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:23). For it is then and there, we will experience the Holy Encounter like never before.

God’s desire has always been to have an up-close and personal relationship with each one of us. May we let nothing hinder our coming closer. Are you ready?

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22

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“Don’t Romanticize Life!”

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Cultivating Slow Living

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If you have ever spent time in a garden, you know to get the most out of what you are planting, you must first spend time cultivating the soil. This involves preparing the soil to support the life of the seed or the plant. It is about nourishing and amending the soil. This ensures it will have all the healthful benefits needed to reach full maturity and fruitfulness.

Many want fruitfulness. However, the way we have been pursuing it has left many less than satisfied. They feel deflated, worn out, and frazzled because of all it takes to reach it in this world of demands.

Our modern culture allows us to do many things. This increase in perceived productivity has been helpful in some areas while taking its toll on others.

The physical, emotional, and mental burnout that people have come to equate with success has created dissatisfaction. This has awakened a not-so-silent call for a better way to live. There must be more than this constantly rushing about.

Many have become aware of the unhealthy way our over-rushed and overworked culture has pushed us forward and the term “slow living” has regained our attention. Dealing with constant busyness and hurried lifestyles has caused some to take a step back. In this, they reflect and reevaluate what is really a priority for them to have a wholesome, balanced, and healthy life. And what many are finding out is that there is a real need to put space on the calendar or the everyday routine of life to let go, and get slow.

Slow, misunderstood, and used wrongly, can be viewed as laziness. But slow can be beautiful because you are deciding to be purposeful with your life. Moving forward at a hundred miles an hour is not your goal, rather you account that people and life, in general, are made for so much more than mere zooming by without the time for deep connections. So, you take the time to love, nourish, be intentional, and simply live and enjoy all the ways God has blessed you.

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You are cultivating, on purpose, the ground of your life to support more than agendas and achievements. The abundance you are desiring cannot be confined to such trivial things. The greatest example is in our relationship with Christ.

Jesus promised us an abundant life (John 10:10). That abundance is not about forcing or focusing on things we can gain in this world or material wealth. The richest thing one can invest in to be more intentional with the life they have been given is more of Him. That cannot happen if we are always distracted by constantly doing and never taking the time to sit and be where He is (Luke 10:40-42).

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10).

Cultivating slow living is not about shirking responsibilities or approaching life with a lackadaisical attitude. This is about valuing everything I have been given, especially the people in my life, and I want to care for each and honor each in a way that lets them know I esteem them, I am here for them, and I love them. I want to use this life in a way that pleases God by stewarding well what He has given me and not have my focus continually on climbing some invisible ladder of success.

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Think about what pursuit has you running about at a hurried pace today? The Bible tells us, “He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour” (Proverbs 21:21).

It is so easy to get caught up in what has been dubbed “the rat race,” but our daily living is made for more. These days, people, and moments are gifts to us by our Heavenly Father and we are encouraged about how we spend our time with each (Ephesians 5:15, 16).

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”
Ecclesiastes 3:1

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Changing what we pursue and how we pursue it will make our lives a lot less stressful. Take time today to slow down, prioritize, and recenter on what matters most. There is so much more to life, and we don’t want to miss it.

So, how do we make this change?

  • Prioritize – Look where you are now and what you want your tomorrow to look like. To achieve your desired outcome, what can you let go of or shave down some so that you don’t always feel at your wit’s end. I can attest to the fact that often we take on more than we are capable of in any given season. Laying something aside right now doesn’t mean it’s not important; it just means it doesn’t fit in with the season of life I’m in right now. So we prioritize, bringing out the best without being overburdened with things that can wait.
  • Recenter – Once you have strained out the main priorities for your right-now season, you can recenter and mark your path forward. When using a GPS, sometimes I look at the overview screen of the trip to see the highways and streets we must travel ahead of us. But when I need to get back to dealing with where I am currently on my journey, I need to hit the recenter button. While it’s okay to think about the future (the Bible encourages this often), we must also pay attention to where we are in our present moment. What needs our immediate attention right now? How much strength, time, and commitment can I put into this right now? These are important questions to ask. We often get hurried and over-stressed because we want to deal with all the right-now stuff the along with the what-ifs of the future stacked on top of it. Most of the daily things we deal with can be broken down into more manageable tasks and delegated to other times. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing (an attitude that overworks us).
  • Go slow – take a deep breath and move forward at a manageable pace. There have been times I have prayed and asked God to help me steward this day or for the best way to handle the tasks in front of me. He, who is the “Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:9), has the wisdom and strength your day needs. Trust Him with your schedule. We are given gifts to be productive, but remember, God, who is the Author of those gifts, is also the Author of rest (Genesis 2:2,3). Not just with the Sabbath, but throughout Scripture, His call to rest is a call to trust in what He is doing in your life during this season. We become filled with ideas and inspirations and want to put the pedal to the metal and give it our all. And that’s fine. But if you are feeling burned out and extremely overwhelmed, you have to question is this what God has for me in this season, or is it me rushing ahead? And if we feel it is the Lord’s leading, perhaps we need to revisit steps 1 and 2 to be sure we have shaved unnecessary things away for now.
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Don’t be disheartened. Schedules often need to be revisited to see if everything we have going on right now is for our optimal good. Recently, I have personally had to revisit how I approach certain tasks, and it is helping me see that although I love my routines, some routines or expectations may not work for certain periods of life. We must be willing to move and adjust when feeling led or if we feel like this particular thing isn’t working for now, and trust God with the outcome.

We want to cultivate a life where we are productive under God’s grace without completely feeling exhausted and stressed as if we are being buried under the burden of each day’s demands. Sometimes, slowing down will help us to do just that. Enjoy this life God has given.

Blessings ~

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Community of Believers | We are here for one another!

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Dear Reader, the challenges of this life come in many shapes and forms. Regardless of how it comes or what it appears like, the blow of difficulties can often be softened when another will come alongside to help shoulder the load. I am resharing this post to encourage us in our need to look out for the welfare of one another:

Races can take you through many terrains. Running uphill is hard. The more you go, the steeper the incline, the harder it gets. Breath after breath, your chest heaves for relief. Push after push, your muscles cry out for mercy. And, just when you thought you had no more in you, just when you thought you couldn’t go any farther, imagine for a moment, from behind there comes these hands out of nowhere that steady your stride and help propel you forward. On the side of you come these smiling faces with encouraging words, grabbing hold of your arms and helping pull you up that incline so that you might finish your race. They want to help you make it.

Just as runners need each other on the steepest climbs, so, too, do we need each other in our spiritual journey. We rely on our association with fellow believers to not only run well, but to finish well.

The Apostle Paul often described our Christian life as a race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). We run it. We press for it. But, sometimes the way gets hard, and if it had not been for the grace of God, we would not have made it. 

As the community of racers pushed and pulled the struggling runner uphill, so, too, God will minister to us to help us run our race. Often this is done through the community of believers who will come alongside the one who needs support.

In this world, as they say, the struggle is real. May we, as a community of believers, recognize the support that each one needs. May we join our fellow Christian race runners and offer the help and encouragement they need to make it. May we see beyond our own race and allow God to use our hands and smiling faces to help bolster someone’s faith as they strive to make it up the inclines of this life.

We all have the same goal in mind: to finish the race. We need each other to do it. As a community of believers, our job goes beyond spreading the gospel, being a light in this dark world, and all the other spiritual stuff it entails. Our job is also to seek the welfare of one another, to help those around us. We ought to be there for one another. We need to be present and involved in what they are going through, champion companions in this race, so that, as the Bible says, “that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it,” (1 Corinthians 12:25-26).

The hardest climbs can be conquered when we support one another. 

More encouraging verses and quotes:

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow . . .” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a

“God has chosen us to help one another.” Smith Wigglesworth

“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But… the Good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?'” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

“Forget, and Be Fruitful!”

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While every day we have is a gift, admittedly, some days are harder to move past than others.  Hurts, disappointments, and pain can sit on people like heavy weights.  Past negatives can seem like an insurmountable mountain we may struggle to climb. So, I pray today’s devotion will help to lighten the steps on the path you are walking and encourage your heart to keep moving forward productively in faith.

And one person who can teach us that is Joseph. He was a man who suffered trials, unfair treatment, and affliction, and yet overcame them all.  His relationship with his brothers was filled with ridicule, lack of support, jealousy, and hatred, which caused them to look unfavorably upon him.

Eventually, their hostility toward their brother led them to do the unthinkable and cast him away by selling him into slavery. The sting of their betrayal was with Joseph as his new life began as a slave in Egypt. But thankfully, this would not be the end of his story, nor would his heart rest in bitterness here.

Though in his land of affliction he originally found favor, unfortunately, there he was also lied about and mistreated, adding salt to the open wounds he had already suffered, eventually finding himself thrown in prison.

And although he was held in prison, prison didn’t have a hold on him. Joseph’s character never changed. In prison and alone, he was still willing to help others by working, being faithful, and using the gift that God instilled in him in revealing dreams.

Unfortunately, once again, he was overlooked and forgotten and left to deal with life alone.  The awesome thing about his story (and ours) is that even if he felt like it at times, Joseph was never alone.  God had a great plan for his life.

Many of us are familiar with how God elevated Joseph from his affliction and blessed him with a position of great honor in the palace after revealing the meaning of Pharaoh’s dream.  Eventually, he became governor over all Egypt, where everyone bowed to him except Pharaoh.  What a change of life and position!

After coming to power, Joseph married and had two sons: “And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.  And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction,” (Genesis 41:51-52). 

His story shows that when stepping into new days, we do not have to carry the unwanted baggage of days before. We can declare, as Joseph did, that we are ready to move on and be fruitful in the place God has us in right now, for that’s what his declaration in naming his sons meant.

Every day, God has opened a world of opportunity for us to forget the past and move on into something greater.  We may not be the governor of Egypt, but I don’t believe God has allowed us to see this new day for naught.  We were designed to make the most of our time here and now and be fruitful right where we are.

Fruitfulness is a desire of God for His people: “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper,” (Psalm 1:3). 

Therefore, today is the time to venture forward in faith and be productive.  Today, we can release the weight, lay down the heaviness, and walk confidently and abundantly into where God has us for this season. This is your time. Today is the day of new beginnings!

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The Power of the Release Button

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Dear Reader:

Let this be your declaration today: “I do not have to control everything. The Author and Finisher of my faith is in perfect control. I may not know what’s ahead, but I know my God does – and He is sovereignly in control.”

We allow ourselves to be held captive by how we believe things need to be, said, or done. Yes, in our days we want and crave a certain amount of order, but we cannot order everything that is going to take place. We are not the Creator. We are not God. Nor do we have the abilities He does.

By faith, we can step out and do extraordinary things (as a matter of fact, we are expected to – Hebrews 11:6). But even in that, we must remember: “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

In addition to His sovereignty, God is all-knowing (Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20; Psalm 147:5). He sees the bigger picture we may never see. He sees the behind-the-scenes. He sees the past, present, and future. And He knows how to properly orchestrate your life and mine.

So, how does all of this tie into our daily living?

Think of it this way: in our world, buttons are all around us. They meet us in many ways throughout the day: to access elevators, to punch keyboards, to start some cars, to turn on coffee machines, start the microwave, etc. The thing I find about buttons is, they are never there for show. Buttons are always present with a purpose. When buttons are pushed we are looking for some sort of action to follow – a release to function.

How many burdens do we carry because we can’t figure out the right way to do something? How many hours of rest do we sacrifice because we are worried about how all of this will work out?

Today, with God, we have a release button and we must learn to use it. The Bible tells us to, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7).

If you have been moved away from the peace and calm that is rightfully yours as a child of God (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7), may I suggest you push that release button today.

If this life has you teetering because you can’t seem to get a handle on those things that you are fighting with to line up according to the vision and purpose you is think is right – take a step back, and release it to God.

If you know you are trying to control and bring order to many, if not every area of your life and it’s just not working – my friend, release. Do not put more on yourself than you already have to, or carry a load you were never meant to carry.

There is help, and our Help is infalliable, stronger than we can imagine, and limitless in capacity: our Heavenly Father. He is concerned with all the details of your life and it is His blessed Word that carries these promises of release.

Push that button. Let go of the weight and trust God with the release.

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Divinely Marked

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“And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.” Revelation 22:4

There is beauty to be found in all forms of artwork and creative expression. I remember as a child participating in all kinds of arts and crafts projects — one of my favorites was wood burning. Using a hot soldering iron, I would carefully etch a design into a smooth piece of wood. Once the image was marked, it stayed there permanently. It was a lasting reflection of something created with intention and care.

In a similar — yet far more powerful — way, when we are in Christ, there is a divine beauty in us that causes the Lord to mark us as His own. Revelation 22:4 says, “his name shall be in their foreheads.” This isn’t just a future reality — it’s a promise of ownership, belonging, and love.

Life can be challenging. In the middle of hard seasons, it’s easy to lose sight of what God sees in us. It’s easy to forget who we are and Whose we are. But one day, all uncertainty and confusion will fade. The truth of our identity in Christ will be made visible — and undeniable — to everyone.

Yet even today, if you are in Christ, this promise already belongs to you. Ephesians 1:13 reminds us: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth…ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” That seal is God’s eternal mark — a declaration that you are His. Right now, regardless of how others may see you, God sees you as forever His.

So live in the confidence of that promise. Don’t let the world define you by anything less.

Father God, thank you for the way You view me. Thank You for sealing me under the Holy Spirit of Your promise. Help me to remember who I am and Whose I am in the times when I may forget. Amen.

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Seeing Through the Right Lens

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With negativity coming at us from all corners, it can sometimes become difficult to view our world, life, and circumstances through the lens of anything different. However, one of the blessings God has endowed humanity with is the ability to choose. We can choose what we invest our thinking energy into. We can choose what lens we will view our right now time and our future time through.

This idea of choosing a lens isn’t just theoretical—it became real for me during a trip. On a vacation, we had the opportunity to fly in a helicopter. The only problem with that is that I am not too fond of heights. To enjoy the experience (and it is something I wanted to do because I am trying to stretch myself in certain areas) and not to show how unnerved I was, while flying hundreds of feet above the ground, I chose to pick up my camera and view most of my experience through that lens. It made the flight more enjoyable. There were some moments of bravery when I lowered the lens, but when I felt uncomfortable with the heights, I would simply raise it again, choosing to view my experience in this manner.

Friends, as we are going through life, we are not blind to the real pain we and others may experience or those things that unnerve us or uncomfortable circumstances. The Bible tells us that in life there will be many different seasons we may face: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven… a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4).

Regardless of the season, God gave us the power of choice, and we get to choose how we will take in what we see and experience. We get to choose how we deal with what is before us. We get to choose what we believe about what we see.

If one is always viewing adversity through the lens of self-pity and the like, then everything attached will bear the fruit of self-pity. The choice is ours. Or, we can flip our way of thinking like David did to correct his mindset amid adversity, saying, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

How we view what we are going through and dealing with will be determined by how we choose to view it. Proverbs encourage us to, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (4:23). Therefore, we get to choose to be pessimistic about everything or optimistic.

Some things we face may be hurtful, but thank God, that’s not the end of our story. For the believer, our story is written in Jesus, in whom is our overcoming victory (John 16:33; 1 John 5:4), and in the story of His Word is where we find our strength. And that’s where we must lean, trust, focus, and anchor our hope.

Are you having trouble redirecting your thoughts? Consider adding the reading of these verses daily to your routine:

Philippians 4:6-9 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Romans 8:24-25, 28 “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Psalm 31:24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”

What lens are you choosing to view your circumstances through today?

Lord, help us to keep our eyes on You and trust in the authority and promises of Your holy Word which grounds us in the right perspective for our lives no matter what we may face.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

Beauty in the Aged

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Of tomatoes and candies… what an opener, but it would be so true. For that is where this article begins. Simple encounters with passing conversations that started over tomatoes and candies with women who were strangers, but sparked intergenerational wisdom and respect into my life.

My friends, there are many things people will tell you get better with age: wine (although I don’t partake), cheese (I have never tried making my own yet, but I want to), a properly seasoned piece of cast iron (I am currently working on mine to get it there), and so much more, including life skills.

It is the latter of these that I want to bring to our attention. The experiences people gain over their years of living make them somewhat of a repository of information for others to glean and learn from. Something, I believe, that should not be quickly ignored or tossed to the side. And as useful as a good seasoned cast iron pan is, I would truly have to say that one of the greatest things that gets better with age is people.

Over this past weekend, I had the pleasure of holding extended conversations in the middle of stores with women who were my seniors (and yes, these conversations started with tomatoes and candy – smile). Two different accounts, from two different women, in two different stores. And can I tell you, I am the one who walked away richer for those experiences. These women put a smile on my face, as strangers to strangers, just sharing stories, tidbits of life, family tales, and more. Little did they know, in their own little way, they inspired me. Not in one particular thing, but rather just through the experience of getting a chance to chat with them and hear their stories, share adventures, and take in that golden inspiration they offer.

These encounters stuck with me even more when I heard a message following those encounters reiterating the need to take care and listen to the wisdom of those who have tested the waters before us. Those who have had experiences, trials, and life stories to share, that if we listen to, we can learn from by being inspired to try new things, look at situations differently, or even avoid some of their mistakes.

Proverbs 20:29 says, “The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.” That “grey head” carries the marks of a life lived. In that living are tales and accounts they could tell you of ups and downs, of things we may never see or experience, of histories that have gone before, of how to deal with and get through certain aspects of life, even the unpleasant parts.

Picking up books and searching the internet for articles are great, but we have these treasures in the senior members of our communities, families, and churches who may hold a wealth of knowledge and answers for the things we are concerned about or the information we need.

Some use the expression “age before beauty,” and rightly so, but I say there is beauty in the aged. Don’t take it for granted. Dig deeper, ask questions, hold those conversations, and you may have some of that senior wisdom imparted into your own life while putting a smile on their face.

Who in your life carries stories and wisdom you can glean from?

MORE INSPIRATION:

“Elderly Wisdom: Dedicated to Those Who Have Tested the Waters Before Us”

“The Treasure of Years”

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

Encouragement While Enduring

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“… when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.” Micah 7:8

Encouragement comes in many ways, although sometimes it may be harder to see than at other times. Some days it may seem you are easily floating, while others, you are barely treading, fighting to keep your head above the waters. So, what do you do when life doesn’t seem to want to play fair, when you’re having a rough go at it, gasping for breath, and the days just seem off and hard to deal with?

Unfortunately, we were never promised an easy road to victory. Oh, my friends, how I wish it were so. Instead, much of the walking we do in this life is on the pavers of difficult days and decisions.

The truth of the matter is that this life we are living can and will be rough and difficult to navigate, even dark at times, but getting through it, we must, and we will. But how we get through it (trudging grudgingly or with a joy that refuses to be extinguished) will depend on where we focus and what we choose to fill our minds and hearts with (Philippians 4:8).

And that is where we start. It’s never about where we are now. It’s never about the circumstances that surround us; it is about who or what has our attention in the middle of those circumstances, for that will help us to keep the proper focus. Micah kept his focus on God, knowing and proclaiming, “… when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.” Micah 7:8

Yes, their situation was not ideal. Yes, it was difficult, and enemies were a real thing. The thing he knew, and what we must constantly remind ourselves of, is that the God of our faith is greater than all. And no matter how dark the days may seem, He is the Light that will never stop shining: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?“ (Psalm 27:1).

To help you stay encouraged in your times of enduring, I have compiled a list of several articles that will encourage your faith and prayerfully fuel you with strength as you are holding on through whatever season you may currently be in. Because, even in the face of trials and the things we just don’t understand, when God is our focus, we can always remain hopeful. He is our everlasting, sure Light.

Where do you need an extra dose of encouragement today? Spend time meditating and clinging to Micah and David’s faith-instilled truth about the Lord being our light in the dark days. May their declarations of faith help to anchor your hope and be your declaration of faith today.

Father God, we may not always understand everything we are facing. We are asking You to help us keep our walk, our faith, and our hearts steadfastly upon You and Your plan for our lives, no matter what our days are like. Thank You for so lovingly being our Light. Amen.

Encouragement While Enduring Articles:

“Before there was Egypt, there was a promise!”

While troubling times can be discouraging, don’t give up. Before there were ever hard times to deal with, God already had a plan of blessing in place. Before there was even an Egypt experience, God had a promise in the works.

“Focus Shift!”

Perspective changes one’s outlook on a lot of things in life. It’s all in how you look at it.

“Hold on to your hope…”

Believe that God loves you more than you could ever know and what He has in store for you . . . one can only imagine. Don’t focus on what you see today because it is only temporary but there is a glorious, eternal future as we move onward and upward toward our heavenly home (2 Corinthians 4:18).

“God is Forever Faithful!”

Don’t measure God’s faithfulness by your present circumstances. God never promised the absence of hardship or adversity in our Christian walk. But what He did promise, in His faithfulness, to be in it all the way with you (Matthew 28:20). Therefore, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised),” Hebrews 10:23.

“Never Too Strong for God!”

There is no weight too heavy that God can’t lift it! There is no enemy too strong that God can’t overcome them! There is no miracle too miraculous that God can’t cause it to come to pass! There is nothing too hard for God in any situation, problem, or adversity we may face!

“Navigating Thorny Places”

We all deal with thorny or hurtful places in our lives. Learn how Paul and Jesus dealt with their thorny places so that God can continue to work His strength through you.

“Only One Option”

Life gives us two options: stop where we are now and walk away, or keep moving forward until our destination is reached. Giving up is not an option. The steadfastness and commitment of our Christian journey are more than obtaining worldly goals. It is a continual pressing onward and upward toward the kingdom of God, and in that, we want to take others along for this wonderful spiritual pilgrimage.

“Take it to the Cross”

Every worry and every fear, take it and leave it at the foot of that blood-stained banner that was raised for our freedom, and find all that you need at the cross.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.