“Buy one, get one free!” We’ve all seen ads or promotions that read like this. The word, “free” does get our attention but is anything in this world really free? When we consider this for a moment the question makes perfect sense. American economist, Merton Miller explains, “if you take something out of your left pocket and put it into your right pocket, you are no richer.” Companies take stuff and give it away at their expense. So, what is free to the customer does, in fact, cost the merchant.

Advertising agencies understand the powerful human emotion that is triggered when they see the word free. But, ironically, according to psychological studies, while people like free stuff, “we want to feel like we’ve earned it.” What a conundrum!

Switching gears, I hear so many times from people who share their faith in Jesus Christ, that eternal salvation is free for the asking. Indeed, Scripture does promise this amazing benefit when living in a personal relationship with Jesus. While the promise is true, the Gift to the receiver is only part of the story. The cost of eternal salvation was paid in full on a cross by the blood of Jesus Christ. Like “right pocket, left pocket,” Jesus gave His life for mine and yours. This exchange alone is what completes the story. Through the shedding of and the washing of each individual heart with His blood, those of us who are imperfect are seen as perfect in the eyes of God. Those of us who are unrighteous are known as righteous. Those of us who are unlovable are loved beyond our wildest imaginations.

Now, to address the conundrum: we can’t accept Jesus’ “free” Gift and still “want to feel like we’ve earned it.” No work or act of any kind could ever be enough to cover the cost that has already been paid, or to make us feel better about accepting the gift offered to us by God. Believe it and receive it are our only choices. Friend, there is no better offer on this earth!

If you are a woman reading, then you will totally understand the question I’m going to ask. How many times have you reached into your jewelry box for a necklace only to pull out several chains that have somehow become a tangled mess? No matter how hard I try, whenever I travel and bring along more than one necklace, it happens. It’s as though when no one is looking the chains become mysteriously “active.” Men, you may also identify because you are often asked to remedy the situation by patiently unsnarling the twisted metal.

Like jewelry with a life of its own, sometimes my life feels as though it’s gone awry. Recently, in more than one situation I felt out of sync with the people in my world. As an introvert, I am a much better listener than a talker, however, for several days, every time I did open my mouth I seemed to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Has this ever happened to you? When alone, I gave myself a good talking to and declared to “fix it!” But, when I tried to fix it, I only made things worse.

After much angst, I decided to calm my anxious runaway heart and take my concerns to God. As I lay in bed, my body felt as though an electric current was running through it with pent up uneasiness. So I prayed, God, You know my heart better than I do, and You know my intentions. Please show me what I can do to make this awful feeling of dread go away. If I need to apologize to someone, then show me; if I need to change my thinking, then help me. But, God, I can’t live another minute with my derelict emotions. I know these feelings are not of You. Please take control. Amen.

Friend, I believe I am not unique in this scenario. Unrest is often a clue that we need to draw closer to The One Who can bring order to an otherwise tangled up messy place in our lives. I love the Scripture passage from Zephaniah that God “will quiet you with his love.” Sometimes, we just need to be quieted to receive God’s love.

Shhh…can you feel it?

“Under no circumstances are you to leave the vehicle!” These are the stern words spoken by our guide as we left our tents heading for the bush. Botswana Africa is the most beautiful natural habitat I have ever seen in my life. When we left each morning on safari, I felt that humans are only guests in this vast land the animal kingdom calls home. Sometimes, I even felt a little intrusive when attempting to capture the “perfect” photograph as they were merely going about their typical day of playing, hunting, killing prey and eating. As long as we remained in our vehicle we also stayed safe; otherwise our presence might be perceived as a potential threat. Apparently, the wildlife has become so accustomed to seeing the safari carriers with passengers that we now appear as part of the landscape.

One late afternoon while in search of a leopard having been spotted by another group, we sat quietly and so still, waiting for our four-legged friend to show himself. We were within a few feet of his cave when a bee came into our vehicle, terrifying one of the passengers. Suddenly, our focus shifted to helping the bee victim stay calm for both their sake as well as the greater good. After a few minutes of taunting us, the bee flew away.

Isn’t this how life goes for us every day? Perhaps we don’t have a fear of being eaten by leopards or lions, but our enemy, Satan, does try to distract and somehow lure us out of the “shelter of [God’s] tabernacle,” which is His very presence. When challenges come our way, do we stay calm and focused on the promises of God’s Word, or do we panic and forget that Jesus will keep us “safe in his dwelling?”

The world can be a “jungle” with dangers, distractions, and annoyances everywhere. As we make our way through, if we put our trust in The One Who best knows the terrain, we will enjoy the “ride.” Then, at the end of the day, we can rest in the knowledge that we will arrive safely home.

Regret is the debris of yesterdays’ mistakes. I know this is true because, after seventy-one years of life, I’ve experienced many yesterdays and a lot of mistakes. Spoken, hurtful words I can’t take back, actions causing other people pain, and misunderstandings left unresolved just to name a few trappings of our human nature. Friend, are you able to identify with my situation, because if so, how are we to deal with our dilemma?

Unless we choose to live as a hermit, we must interact with people every day. Perhaps you live with someone or lots of someones in your family; spend time with a co-worker or friend. Maybe your only outing today is at the grocery store or other shopping places. Wherever people are, opportunities exist that challenge our humanity. Some personalities are prickly like a porcupine. No matter who crosses their path they manage to poke and grate on everyone’s nerves. Sometimes, misunderstandings over something someone does or says create hurtful feelings either by or to us.

On our way through security leaving Africa, (I told you there would be stories to share!) my son-in-law remained with me to help, but as his family entered the passport station, he joined them. As he passed the couple in front of me, the man angrily confronted him for cutting in line. My son-in-law smiled and explained the situation but to no good end. I immediately saw the Sharp family sitting in a cold, damp cell somewhere deep in a continent, never to be heard from again! We moved onward, and I’m here to tell you this story, so “All’s well that ends well.” By the way, the last time I saw our “friend,” he was being detained for some reason.

A few years ago, I heard something I will never forget. “Keep short accounts!” In other words, as soon as I realize disharmony exists in “my world,” I should do everything possible to make it right. You and I cannot always “make right” difficult circumstances, but God instructs us to at least try to our best ability. Once we give our utmost effort, with God’s help, we can all move on.

Let’s offer to others what has been given freely to us, GRACE.

The gifts are wrapped and under the lighted and beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg linger in the air from the cookies that are baked and ready for the taking in the colorful tins sitting on the counter. The season is filled with excitement and anticipation as the days get closer to December 25th.

Is this what your house looks like? Maybe. And, I genuinely hope it does. But, in my experience, the above scenario exists only on the seasonal greeting cards I open at this time of year. My house is decorated, this is true, and presents are mostly wrapped and under the tree, and when you enter my home you may even smell something yummy lingering in the air, but I am keenly aware of the pain that lingers as well; people who are no longer with us to share happy moments. I’m also well aware of those who are ill or homeless.

My words are not meant to bring you down, however; just the opposite. The hope that you and I have is not in the atmosphere we create with tinsel and glitter that leaves a mess in its’ aftermath. The Gift God gives you and me is tangible and everlasting. Jesus doesn’t bring hope, He IS our Hope! From the stable manger to the cross to the empty grave, Jesus IS. In our loneliness, illness, and sadness, Jesus IS. When this world falls short of keeping its’ promises, Jesus IS. Even if our houses look and smell beautiful, Jesus IS.

Unfailing love, covenant keeper of peace and compassion beyond measure, this is what Jesus IS. From everlasting to everlasting, Jesus IS.

Come, Lord Jesus, come!

You may have seen the video that has gone viral on social media. Let me set the stage.

The Christmas pageant is moving along beautifully, just as planned. The young choir is singing Silent Night, Holy Night, while the live nativity plays their parts. The six and seven-you-old Mary and Joseph are seated behind the manger that holds the baby Jesus, and the manger is surrounded by three, maybe four-year-old human “sheep.”

All is going well until one of the sheep decides to take baby Jesus out of his manger and proceeds to rock him rather vigorously. Mary leaves her position to go and snatch Jesus away from the sheep and return him to his manger. The three-year-old sheep doesn’t like this move one bit! So, she manages once again to get baby Jesus until Mary, who is now being followed around by Joseph, wraps her arm around the neck of the sheep in a half-nelson maneuver and takes her down. All the while, the choir sings, “Silent Night, Holy Night.”

While there is any number of metaphors, we can take away from this scene, the one that most readily comes to my mind is that sometimes when we least expect or want it, life gets messy, but it’s the reality. We all too often set ourselves up for disappointment, especially during the Christmas season, when we anticipate experiencing the kind of scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. Instead, our lives more resemble the story above, good intentions but filled with chaos and confusion.

If we give deeper thought to what the night Jesus was born actually looked like, it would have been anything but serene and peaceful. Mary and Joseph had to make the trip to Nazareth to pay their taxes; something to which we can all relate to as often being a stressful time of the year. And, Mary was obviously nine months pregnant; not the most convenient time to be riding on a donkey. Then, there were no rooms available, so they slept in a barn, and sure enough, Mary gives birth while there.

Friend, I don’t know about you, but this whole situation makes me glad I live in this century, as inconvenient as it can sometimes be. This season, this year, I pray we all remember and accept that “life does get messy.” Enjoy the Gift of Jesus and the eternal life (not perfect life) He came to deliver. He loves YOU! Now, that’s quite something to celebrate, wouldn’t you agree?

The HGTV channel has nothing on me! In my adult years, I have participated in the building and renovation of fourteen houses. Going through the planning stages on paper for me is fun but watching your vision come to fruition is very exciting. My philosophy is that if your ideas work on paper within the boundaries of the floor plan, then it will work in reality when applying the concepts in three dimensions. So far, I have never been proven wrong.

When God sent the angel to Mary revealing that she would give birth to the Son of God, the angel didn’t say, “maybe” or “might” when telling her God’s plan; He said His plan “will be.” In other words, God left no room for doubt where He was concerned. His plan would come to fruition, and His Plan was Jesus.

On this side of history, Jesus is the Living Reality of God’s Plan. But, in the limited ability of human reasoning, we sometimes doubt God’s promises and faithfulness. In this season of Advent as we anticipate in remembrance of God’s fulfilled promise and celebrate the coming Messiah, let us be hopeful in the knowledge that The Lord God is always faithful to His promises.

Please join me today and in the days to come in giving thanks to Jesus our Savior. His presence is proof that God’s Word is as reliable in your life and mine as it is on paper within the hard-bounded book of The Bible. If you are still in doubt, then look around you. We are living in 3-D.

After my husband, Richard passed away four years ago, even after years as his caregiver, I was energized to go out and fight the “giant” of Alzheimer’s Disease that had taken his life. Driven by having lost the one person I loved most in this whole world to the relentless barrage of attacks that left his body intact while destroying his brain, I felt ready for the fight. I am more committed today than ever before to see this struggle to the finish line, but sometimes the small slow-moving victories in research threaten me with discouragement.

Then, I am reminded of a time many years ago when facing a different giant, and feeling a similar sense of despair. God gently and lovingly impressed upon my heart, “Sherry, will you trust me to win this battle even if you don’t live long enough to see it come to fruition?” I didn’t say anything immediately as I had to give honest consideration to this troubling question. Much time elapsed before I could answer. Finally, I told God that I couldn’t find the feeling I wanted to make me say, yes, but I wanted to trust Him; therefore, I would submit to His will without the feeling.

I have lived many years since having this encounter with The Lord, and during this time I’ve witnessed and personally experienced the wisdom of handing over to Him my earthly giants. The enemy of Alzheimer’s is as much or more offensive to The Creator of life than it is to those of us in this world who suffer because of it. So, I will exchange my will for His steadfastness and live with joy, knowing that all power belongs to Him.

What are the “giants” you’re fighting? Will you turn them over to The One Who loves you and Who has the final Word in all of our battles? The Word is Jesus!