Musing on Multiple Disasters--Storms, Wildfires, Tornados

From the catastrophic tornadoes in Alabama and Missouri in the spring to the today’s aftermath of storms and the Texas wildfires, natural disasters have been big newsmakers this year. Thousands of people are homeless from floods and tornados. The Texas drought, a tragedy in itself to farmers and ranchers, has fueled the wildfires currently burning in dozens of places. At today's count more than 1000 homes have burned down so far.

I have been trying to process this biblically. Here are my thoughts and I would love to hear yours.

Seeking and Knocking

I find myself doing a lot of waiting on God these days. For the past year I have been transitioning from my job to something else—not quite sure what. I have finished the book that I set out to write, but I wait to know what to do with it. I have speaking engagements on the spring calendar while I wait for direction as to what to say. More income would be very nice as we face retirement years so I wait for opportunities.

What do we do during a time of waiting?

Friends--Unique Gifts from God

Do you love fresh flowers? One of my favorites is a gardenia, not because of its beauty but because of its delicious fragrance. I could easily pick one out if given a blind smell test of a number of flowers. Of course for their beauty, roses can hardly be beat. I look forward to receiving a dozen red ones from my husband each year for our anniversary. Each type of flower provides a unique gift to the person who enjoys it.

Recently I have been thinking about various people whom I know. I see each one as a unique gift from God—family, friends, co-workers, fellow believers.

How are you a gift to your friends? What gifts do they bring into your life?

Defining Modesty

I read a blog this morning calling for a return to a sense of modesty in the church. As I perused the comments, I realized what a highly-charged topic this is! Some commenters were unfair to the author by accusing her of judging others. Others suggested that the culture determines the definition of modesty. Some commented that only God could show individuals what to wear. Of course, many agreed with her, decrying the revealing clothing they frequently see, even at church.

How should we define modesty?

Jesus, the Ultimate Hero

With temperatures in North Texas over 100 degrees every day for a month so far this summer, my husband and I have gone to see a number of movies. We always enjoy movie-watching, but I can’t remember going quite as often as we have this year. Most of them have been action shows, ranging from stories about aliens to “Harry Potter 7.” Some have been pretty good while others have been weak in plot, characters, and acting. Whether good or bad, many of our choices focus on a character who rescues those at risk—the earth, the universe, the town, the pretty girl, etc.

Big Mess-ups!

I am just sick and tired of messing up—unintentionally hurting someone, making a bad choice, being mistaken, and on and on! I hope you know what I mean. Although motivated by something positive, I too often end up accomplishing something negative.

I’m just tired of my own brokenness and wish God would just zap me and fix it! I guess that’s coming eventually but not quite as quickly as I would like! I wish it would happen in my earthly life rather than in the eternal one to come. Why can’t becoming like Jesus come more quickly and easily? Do you ever feel that way? Do you have times of regret over your words, actions, selfish heart—things done and not done?

Living on the Edge

I remember my first trip to Colorado at the age of seven. As an inhabitant of the flat Texas coast, I found it both exciting and scary to ascend Pike’s Peak. I could hardly bear to look out the window when we veered next to the precipice, fearing our car would slip on the curves. However, avoiding the danger would have meant missing the grand view of the Rockies and the valleys below. Despite my terror of heights, I would choose to travel that road again any day to once again observe God’s majestic creation!

God has challenged me to consider whether I value my safety over his will. Am I too fearful and controlling to risk the dangers of walking with God when he takes me to the edge? Are you?