I posted a few days ago about ”The Year-Round Christmas Club” and just wanted to share my “January” tree. We have had a number of viruses spread through our house since November. That combined with seemingly unending ”gray days” along with the reminder to be a light for Jesus, nudged me into keeping my tree up all year! 😊 In February I’ll post my Valentine tree ❤️❤️❤️🥰.
Your friend,
Tiffany
The following is an excerpt taken from Bible In One Year 2020, Nicky Gumble, You Version Bible App. It resonated with me because so often I forget communing with God is easy and enjoyable. Sometimes I forget that He loves me, imperfections and all. Just as we long to be around those we love, God simply longs to be with us. Many times in the past, I’ve experienced a feeling of condemnation or that I was never living up to all God expected of me. I pray you experience God’s true love minus any condemnation/negativity you may have felt in the past from religious experiences or other sources. You are totally loved just as you are!
Your friend,
Tiffany
Talk As You Walk
I love walking. Apparently, it is one of the best forms of physical exercise. Of course, walking is also a means, and for some people their only means, of transport.
Walking for whatever reason is more enjoyable with someone else. Walking and talking is a great way to communicate with family, friends and also with God.
The point is that we are doing two things at the same time. We are not just taking exercise or travelling. As we walk together we are in communion with one another. Both Enoch and Noah ‘walked with God’ (Genesis 5:24; 6:9). They didn’t just sit, kneel or stand with God (the kind of actions we would often associate with spending time with God), but they were also in communion with God when doing something else. While you are doing other things – working, eating, exercising or relaxing – you can be in communion with God at the same time.
Psalm 3:1-8
Walk with your head held high
Matthew 2:19-3:17
Walk in step with the Holy Spirit
Walk in relationship with God
Genesis 4:17-6:22
-Human beings are the pinnacle of God’s creation. God created us to walk in relationship with him.
I originally posted the following blog a little over two years ago. Lately, I’ve been thinking a good bit about purpose…probably because of the new year, discussions about resolutions, etc. There have been times when I struggled with purpose and understanding the “whys“ of life. The thought came to mind more than once lately of how much I’m encouraged and even inspired by those who share their stories, struggles, and how they’ve made it through hard circumstances with God’s help. I’ve been blown away at times by others sharing how something I’ve shared has encouraged them! It’s totally God’s hand at work-nothing I’ve accomplished alone.
Today I want to encourage you, yes you, to continue to share your story- in writing or otherwise. While you are doing so, look for the little ways God reveals He is at work in your life. You may be shocked at just how real and ever present He is. Don’t worry if you are in a season like Frodo where he ”wished the Ring had never come to him.” We don’t always get to choose the situations that come to us in this life, but God promises to use the hardest of circumstances for His glory, if we will allow Him to! I hope you enjoy the following and pray you experience God’s presence continually no matter the circumstance. Blessings!
Frodo: I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times; but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case, you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.
J.R.R. Tolkien
The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1)
My husband and two older kids were watching Lord of the Rings recently, and this quote caught my attention, again. I remember it making an impression on me the first time I watched The Fellowship of the Ring, and this time I stopped again when I heard it and reflected on the meaning. We don’t get to choose what circumstances life throws at us at times. It reminds me of a cross stitched quote my mother had hanging in her bedroom years ago. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” If you’re like me, just thinking of that makes you nervous! How will we know what to accept and what to change? The answer is in trust.
We often don’t get to decide what cards we are dealt in life. Sometimes the game of life seems to deal us good cards, and sometimes it feels like we get only the bad. We want to fix everything, to make everything right, but that is not always possible. Some things cannot be changed no matter what we do. If we’ve prayed about it, and are following God’s leading, really all we can do is trust God and keep moving forward. We don’t have to worry about deciding what will and won’t happen in our lives, we can leave it up to God! Let Him decide that, let Him allow the things He wants to happen in your life. All we have to do is use the time, talents, and treasures He has given us. Is it easy? No! Do we always understand? No! Did God allow the circumstances that are happening in your life right now? Yes! All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).
Time. Sometimes it feels like it’s dragging and flying at the same time. It’s what our lives are made of. We only have a limited amount- say 100 years if we’re lucky. Not to sound all gloom and doom, but life goes by faster than we think and we really don’t know how much time we have here.
“All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us”.
That makes me not want to waste time doing unimportant things. It makes me want to be kinder, to love and give more. To not worry as much. To make sure I’m fulfilling God’s purpose in my life.
I love the way Sam, Frodo’s friend, stays with Frodo throughout his journey with the ring. Whether Frodo fully realizes Sam’s devotion or not, it is obvious to the viewer that Sam is a true and loyal friend. I think Sam is a reminder that God sends encouragement when we need it and He makes sure we know we aren’t ever alone.
The situation we find ourselves in that we have no control over was meant to happen. Remembering that brings us peace. It will all make sense eventually, if not in this life, in the one to come!
There is hope and joy in simply knowing you are living out your purpose. It was hard for Frodo to see the hope and joy in his situation when he was carrying the heavy burden of the ring. We all have a burden of some sort. Think about what burden you “wish had never come to you”.
All the human emotions you feel are normal. But remember, there are other forces at work besides the bad ones, there is good at work, too! God is in control of our lives if we’ve put our trust in Him. Our “burden” didn’t catch Him off guard or take him by surprise. He’s working when we can’t even see it and “that is an encouraging thought”.
Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light”
Your friend,
Tiffany
Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?
L. M. Montgomery
We are the sum total of our experiences. Those experiences – be they positive or negative – make us the person we are, at any given point in our lives. And, like a flowing river, those same experiences, and those yet to come, continue to influence and reshape the person we are, and the person we become. None of us are the same as we were yesterday, nor will be tomorrow.
B.J. Neblett
If today is not your day,
then be happy
for this day shall never return.
And if today is your day,
then be happy now
for this day shall never return.
Kamand Kojouri
The Woman had told her that Tomorrow never comes, but Elizabeth knows better. It will come sometime. Some beautiful morning she will just wake up and find it is Tomorrow. Not Today but Tomorrow. And then things will happen…wonderful things.
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Windy Poplars (Anne of Green Gables, #4)
The sun’ll come out tomorrow, so you gotta hang on till tomorrow.
-Little Orphan Annie
Happy New Year! As we begin a new year, I am reminded that each day is new, and each tomorrow is fresh. Even if I make many mistakes or fall short in some way today, the first day, tomorrow, is ALWAYS a new day!!
Today, I wanted to share another devotion from Bible In One Year 2020 (Nicky Gumble). As I was reading, the words, ”every day is an opportunity for a new beginning,” jumped out to me.
So many of us start new year’s resolutions that we quickly ditch, but when I think about the fact that EVERY day is new, fresh, with no mistakes in it, I’m motivated to focus on the now…just today and maybe tomorrow. I’m reminded not to get bogged down in looking at the whole year, not to get frustrated if a bad day comes my way, and not worry if I don’t meet certain goals on one particular day. Each tomorrow is a new beginning!
The following devotion is lengthy, but has some really awesome, encouraging points.
I’m praying for you today, as you start the new year. I pray you are encouraged and optimistic about the fresh start of each day of 2022!
Your friend,
Tiffany
New Year’s Resolutions
I belong to a squash club, which is also a gym. Each year on 1 January they bring in extra gym equipment. The place is packed out. By about 7 January, they move out all the extra equipment, as most people have given up their New Year’s resolution, and the club returns to normal!
There is nothing wrong with making these common New Year’s resolutions. Of course, all of us make resolutions that we fail to keep.
The good news is that each year is an opportunity for a fresh start. But then so is each week. Every Sunday is the first day of the week – a new beginning. Actually, every day is an opportunity for a new beginning.
The first three words in the Bible are, ‘In the beginning…’ (Genesis 1:1). Each of the passages for today tells us something about new beginnings and new opportunities, and suggests some possible New Year’s resolutions.
Psalm 1:1-6
‘Delight’ in the Bible
If you are beginning the challenge to read the Bible in One Year, this psalm has encouraging words for you.
The promise is that if you ‘delight’ in God’s Word and ‘meditate’ on Scripture ‘day and night’ (v.2, MSG), your life will be blessed. Happiness comes from what happens to you. Blessing is what happens to you through knowing God and meditating on his words.
God promises you fruitfulness (‘which yields its fruit in season’, v.3b), vitality (‘whose leaves do not wither’, v.3c) and prosperity (‘whatever they do prospers’, v.3d), though not necessarily material prosperity!
This message is backed up by a glance across at the ultimate fate of ‘the wicked’. The psalmist does not try to pretend that the wicked don’t sometimes prosper. He simply reminds us of the transitory nature of their prosperity – ‘they are like chaff that the wind blows away… [they] will perish’ (vv.4,6).
The key to lasting – and ultimately eternal – fruitfulness and vitality lies in your relationship with God. As you seek to follow ‘the way of the righteous’, you are assured that the Lord himself will watch over you (v.6).
Lord, thank you for your wonderful promises as I resolve to make a regular habit of delighting in your word and meditating on it.
Matthew 1:1-25
Focus on Jesus
Resolve to focus your life on Jesus. The Bible is all about Jesus. The New Testament opens with his family tree.
As we read the list of Jesus’ ancestors, it is encouraging to see that they include Tamar (the adulteress), Rahab (the prostitute), Ruth (the non-Jewish Moabite), Solomon (who was conceived after King David’s adulterous affair with Bathsheba), as well as many others. Thankfully, God uses sinful human beings and, therefore, can use us. Whatever your past, however broken your life may seem right now, God can use you to do something great with your life.
The very name ‘Jesus’ means, ‘he will save his people from their sins’ (v.21). Every time we use the name Jesus it reminds us that our greatest need is not for happiness or contentment (although these may both be by-products). Our greatest need, as with Jesus’ ancestors, is for forgiveness. Therefore, we need a Saviour.
The beginning of Matthew shows us that Jesus is the completion of all that is recorded in the Old Testament:
All of history, prophesy and promise, is completed in Jesus. Your whole life is completed in Jesus. Every part of your life: your work, family, relationships, friends, memories and dreams are completed in Jesus.
Lord, thank you for this promise for the new year – that, in Jesus, you are with me. Help me to focus my life on you in the year ahead.
Genesis 1:1-2:17
Enjoy God’s creation
You are not here by chance. This universe is God’s creation. You are made in his image.
Genesis gives an account of the beginning of the universe. It goes way beyond the scientific theories of ‘how?’ and ‘when?’ It answers the questions of ‘who’ and ‘why?’ Scientific theories do not prove or disprove this explanation. Rather, they are complementary.
Reading this passage through the lens of the New Testament we see the whole Trinity involved in creation. The Hebrew noun for God (Elohim) is a plural noun. The Holy Spirit was involved in creation (1:2). It was through Jesus that creation came into being: ‘And God said…’ (v.3a). Jesus is God’s Word and through him the universe was created (see John 1:1–3).
In the midst of this account of the creation, there is an amazing throwaway line showing the immense power of God: ‘He also made the stars’ (Genesis 1:16). We now know there are probably between 100 and 400 billion stars in our galaxy alone, and our galaxy is but one of around 100 billion galaxies. He made them all, just like that!
The pinnacle of his creation was human beings. You are made in the image of God (v.27). If we want to know what God is like, it is men and women together (‘male and female’, v.27b) who reflect his image.
Every human being is created in his image and should be treated with dignity, respect and love. Your ability to communicate with God is a reflection of the fact that you are made in his image.
God approves of all that he created. He said, ‘It is good’. Many people feel worthless, insecure and of no value. But God did not create rubbish. God created you. He loves you and approves of you. He may not approve of everything you do, but he loves you unconditionally, wholeheartedly and continually.
We see in this passage that work is a blessing: ‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it’ (2:15). Work is part of God’s good creation – not a result of the fall. This passage also reminds us that taking care of the environment is right at the heart of God’s plan for human beings.
Rest is not an optional extra. It is what God did (‘he rested’, v.2). These days of rest (days off, holidays) are days of special blessing: ‘God blessed the seventh day and made it holy’ (v.3). Holidays are holy days. They point to the fact that life is primarily about being rather than doing. Don’t feel guilty about taking time off. Holidays are good in themselves. They are also a time to recharge spiritually.
Don’t work too hard. God took time to rest and enjoy what he had made. You are not supposed to work constantly. You are created with a need for relaxation and rest – taking the time to enjoy your work and the fruit of your work.
In Genesis 2:16–17 we see that God gave Adam and Eve far-reaching permission (‘you are free to eat from any tree in the garden’, v.16), with one prohibition – ‘but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil’ (v.17a). He warned them of the penalty if they disobeyed (‘when you eat of it you will surely die’, v.17b). You do not need to know and experience evil. God wanted you to know only good.
Lord, thank you for this universe that you have made. Help me to keep well away from evil and to enjoy all the good things you have given us to enjoy.
Pippa Adds
Matthew 1:18–19
How difficult this must have been for Mary, her parents and Joseph. They must have felt embarrassed and ashamed. We see why Joseph was chosen to be Mary’s husband – he was very impressive. The girl he was about to marry was pregnant; he would have been justified in being furious. Yet, he didn’t want to humiliate her – he planned to ‘divorce her quietly’. We see how he acts after an angel appeared in a dream and told him to marry Mary (v.24). It must have taken faith to put aside what people thought and raise a child that was not his own.
Verse of the Day
‘The Lord watches over you’ (Psalm 1:6).
We’ve had a bit of drama around our house lately. Okay if I’m honest, it’s pretty much always a circus, but a few days ago the stomach virus hit some family members. 😳 If you know me well at all, you know I despise a stomach virus, even more than the coronavirus. (Yes, I know Covid is potentially more serious, but I truly think I’m going to pass away every time I throw up.)
I didn’t get sick yet, so far it has only hit my husband and my oldest son, but meanwhile I’m suited up complete with a mask and disinfecting everything!
So while I’m disinfecting, cleaning, and putting away Christmas decorations to get my mind off the stomach virus particles floating in the air, I thought about how I hate taking down the Christmas tree. It’s just so warm and inviting and the living room feels so stark and empty when it’s gone. Then I contemplated keeping it up all year.
I’ve never considered myself to be a year-round Christmas person. No offense to anyone who is a member of the year-round Christmas club, I’ve just never been one of those people.😂 In fact, every year the holiday season usually propels me to a level of stress that is unmatched the rest of the year. Yes-it is usually because I’ve gotten wrapped in the activities that have nothing to do with Jesus’ birthday🤦♀️-but the pressure is a reality nonetheless.
Anyway, so I’m taking down the ornaments, the ribbons, the wreaths, and I kept thinking about the Christmas tree and still couldn’t push away the thought of leaving it up. I began to wonder about the origins of the Christmas tree and came across some neat historical info. One historical account stood out to me the most and I wanted to share it:
It is believed that the first known Christmas tree that was brought inside and decorated was during the 16th century by a man called Martin Luther. It was said that on his walk home, he saw the stars through the evergreen trees and went home to tell his children that it reminded of him of Jesus. He later wrote a sermon about the experience for his church, leading to the spread of people decorating the trees with candles as a symbol of letting Jesus into their homes. In modern terms, the meaning of a Christmas tree is that the Christmas tree represents Jesus and the light he brings to the world, for Christians. (excerpt from What Does the Christmas Tree Represent, Christmasphere)
After I read the above, I decided. I knew I had to leave the tree up. I need the visual reminder, you know? Not only as a reminder of Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s presence every day in my life, but as an admonition to be a light for Him. This world is full of a lot of darkness at times. However, each word and act of love and kindness-every time we are Jesus’ hands and feet to a hurting world- we are shining His light.
So in the middle of the crazy, circus, stomach-virus-filled house, I became a year-round Christmas person! I guess the other members of this club realized something I didn’t for so long. Every day is a chance to shine the light of Christmas. I pray I always remember this nugget of truth, each day, of the coming New Year. Friends, I pray you remember always you are a light, too! Shine for Him, always.(P.S. I’ll post updates of my Christmas tree throughout the year.😊 Most of the decorating ideas will probably be from Pinterest.🥰)
Happy New Year’s Eve!
Your friend,
Tiffany
I always loved Mr. Rogers as a child, so when I ran across the following article by Joyce Chen, I had to share it. Blessings today and every day.
Your friend,
Tiffany
Before there was Blippi, before there was Blue’s Clues, there was Mister Rogers, aka Fred McFeely Rogers, the host of the eponymous children’s television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Rogers was the sort of TV host that both kids and parents trusted and enjoyed. Known for his calm demeanor, friendly attitude, and astute life lessons, Rogers established himself as an icon for the more than three decades that the PBS show aired. He began each episode by changing into one of his trademark cardigan sweaters and slipping on some sneakers while singing the show’s theme song, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” And he concluded each episode with the song “Tomorrow.”
The series ran for 31 seasons, from 1968 through 2001. On the show, Rogers dispensed timeless wisdom about how to be kind to others, how to feel good about yourself, and what to do when you’re up against your worst fears. He used everything from puppets to songs to chats with friendly neighborhood pals to teach kids about the importance of empathy and compassion, encouraging his young viewers to dream big, explore the world, and above all else, be kind. Here, we’ve rounded up 20 of Rogers’ most memorable quotes, reminders of the good old days of turning on the TV and spending an afternoon in the neighborhood.
ON KINDNESS
All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors — in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.
As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has or ever will have, something inside that is unique to all time.
When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Imagine what our real neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered, as a matter of course, just one kind word to another person.
ON LOVE
Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like “struggle.” To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.
Everyone longs to be loved. And the greatest thing we can do is to let people know that they are loved and capable of loving.
Listening is where love begins: listening to ourselves and then to our neighbors.
I don’t think anyone can grow unless he’s loved exactly as he is now, appreciated for what he is rather than what he will be.
Mutual caring relationships require kindness and patience, tolerance, optimism, joy in the other’s achievements, confidence in oneself, and the ability to give without undue thought of gain.
ON HEALING
Forgiveness is a strange thing. It can sometimes be easier to forgive our enemies than our friends. It can be hardest of all to forgive people we love. Like all of life’s important coping skills, the ability to forgive and the capacity to let go of resentments most likely take root very early in our lives.
There is no normal life that is free of pain. It’s the very wrestling with our problems that can be the impetus for our growth.
When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting and less scary.
ON LIVING LIFE TO ITS FULLEST
It’s not so much what we have in this life that matters. It’s what we do with what we have.
The thing I remember best about successful people I’ve met all through the years is their obvious delight in what they’re doing, and it seems to have very little to do with worldly success. They just love what they’re doing, and they love it in front of others.
It’s good to be curious about many things.
You rarely have time for everything you want in this life, so you need to make choices. And hopefully your choices can come from a deep sense of who you are.
ON INDIVIDUALITY
If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of.
We all have different gifts, so we all have different ways of saying to the world who we are.
It’s really easy to fall into the trap of believing that what we do is more important than what we are. Of course, it’s the opposite that’s true: What we are ultimately determines what we do!
The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self.





So I’m currently in a bit of a predicament. My son with autism was having a meltdown and I decided to take him for a ride in the van, which is one of his favorite things to do. When I cranked the van, I noticed it was getting a little low on gas so I decided to go fill up. I arrived at the gas station and wait in a long line to get gas, and finally pull up to the pump. Unfortunately, they the pump was on the passenger side of the van and the side to fill up the gas tank is on the driver’s side. (I knew this when I pulled up, however I still had to back in several times so the pump would reach. 🤦♀️😂) Finally, I was able to position the van to reach the pump. So I filled up the tank, put the nozzle back and got back in the van. I put the keys in the ignition to crank the van and all I hear is “tick tick tick tick.” 🤦♀️ I tried to crank it again with the same results.
It’s dead. At the pump. With a long line of people waiting to fill their vehicles. I’m stuck….with my autistic son who is now ready to ”go bye-bye” and is starting to get worked up. So, I call my husband and explain what has happened and begin to tell the people in the next few cars behind me that my van has died at the gas pump on Christmas Eve.
As I’m sitting waiting for my husband to get there, Landon starts getting really antsy to leave and this turns into a full blown temper tantrum, autism rage activated scenario.🙃
If Landon teaches me anything, it is thankfulness and to appreciate the good in any circumstance. So I begin to think of the inconvenience, stress, and other emotions many people may be experiencing on Christmas Eve.
It can be a tough season to get through for so many. I would imagine it was pretty tough day for Mary, Jesus’ mother. I find it comforting to know that others who came before us faced inconveniences, struggles, and frustrations, too. I love how Jesus never minimizes what we are going through. He compassionately and completely understands especially in the light of our humanity. Of course he doesn’t want us going around lashing out at others or justifying our bad behaviors because of a difficult circumstance, but he recognizes our efforts to please Him even if we fall short. He sees our heart.
As I was pondering all these things, my husband arrives at the gas station, figured out the battery was dead, and jump started the van for me. We drove away to a nearby parking lot and he gave me his car keys and helped me load our very distraught autistic son into the car.
As my husband got back into the van to drive to get a new battery, I felt extremely blessed. Even though my head was pounding from sitting in the van with a screaming child for about twenty minutes, I knew God was still in control. Despite the unpredictable inconvenience, Landon and I were safe, taken care of, and loved on Christmas Eve. I’m glad in those stressful moments I chose to focus on Jesus and not myself. After all, it is the time to celebrate (our Savior’s birthday), not to complain about something trivial going wrong. I held onto those thoughts long into the evening as “Santa” came to our home and my headache ballooned into a migraine. Yes. I chose thankfulness despite the option to complain.
I can’t say I always do this….sometimes my imperfection shows.
I’m so thankful God showers us with extra grace and love in the inconveniences life presents. Sometimes I think it is simply to remind us that He is there, always. He came to Earth as a tiny baby just so He could live among us and eventually die for us. That is love at its truest. That True Love watches over us in every circumstance. Even when our car dies at the gas pump on Christmas Eve.
Blessings to you and your family during this Christmas Season.
Your friend,
Tiffany
I know I’ve shared several devotions lately…I love reading them. Some, especially, resonate with me. The following devotion was shared by my pastor a year ago on Facebook and popped up in my FB ”memories” today. I don’t know who the author of this devotion is, but it is super! It definitely caused me to ask myself who/what I worship. If I’m honest, lately I’ve spent most of my time on Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, Christmas cleaning, basically working. Honestly I’ve spent more time being like Martha in the Bible than Mary. After reading this, my heart longs to spend more time worshiping at Jesus’ feet than working to accomplish tasks that are not as important. I’m glad I saved this memory at Christmas time because it is usually the time I am busy scurrying about not doing the better thing. I know Jesus is probably shaking his head and maybe even chuckling at me running around acting like someone’s life depends on what Christmas gift they receive. Honestly, it does come from a good place in my heart, but it is Jesus’ birthday! Worshiping and pleasing Him are what really matters. I hope you enjoy the following devotion.
Your friend,
Tiffany
You Are a Worshiper
You, my friend…are a worshiper! There, I said it.
Every day, all day long, everywhere you go, you worship. It’s what you do. It’s who you are.
I don’t know whether or not you consider yourself a “worshiping” kind of person, but you cannot help but worship—something.
It’s what you were made to do.
Worship is our response to what we value most. Worship is about saying, “This person, this thing, this experience is what matters most to me…it’s the thing I put first in my life.”
That “thing” might be a relationship. A dream. Friends. Status. Stuff. A name. Some kind of pleasure. Whatever name you put on it, this thing or person is what you’ve concluded in your heart is worth most to you. And whatever is worth most to you is what you worship.
Some of us attend the church on the corner, professing to worship the Living God above all. Others who rarely step inside the church doors would say worship isn’t a part of their lives because they aren’t “religious.” But everybody has an altar. And every altar has a throne.
So how do you know where and what you worship?
It’s easy. You simply follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money, and your loyalty. At the end of that trail you’ll find a throne; and whatever, or whomever, is on that throne is what’s of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship.
Sure, not too many of us walk around saying, “I worship my stuff. I worship my Xbox. I worship my job. I worship this pleasure. I worship her. I worship my body. I worship me!”
But the trail never lies. We may say we value this thing or that thing more than any other, but the volume of our actions speaks louder than our words. In the end, our worship is more about what we do than what we say.
Worship is the activity of the human soul. So not only do all people worship, but they worship all the time. Worship isn’t just a Sunday thing. It’s an all-the-time thing.
If a stranger looked over your actions and words from the last 24 hours, what might he or she conclude that you worship?
I really enjoy reading devotions. The 5-day devotion plan I’m reading now is about peace (Missing Peace, YouVersion Bible). The following was today’s devotion about experiencing peace in the waiting. I know this is so hard for me to do! I have to remember that God is with me in the waiting. I pray that you experience His presence if you are in a season of waiting, too.
Your friend,
Tiffany
Peace in the Waiting
Yesterday, we talked about finding peace in the promises of God, but it’s even more difficult when you’re in the middle of waiting on God. We’ve all been in those seasons where it seems like God is showing up for everyone but you. Maybe you don’t have that job yet. Maybe you would like to be married, but your prospects seem slimmer than ever. Or maybe you’re waiting on a child while it seems like there are pregnancy announcements every day.
Whatever you’re waiting on, know that God has not forgotten you. He is with you in the waiting. In fact, Advent and the Christmas season are built on waiting—waiting for the Prince of Peace to enter the world and rescue all humanity from sin.
Can you imagine how long that wait must have felt? Approximately 750 years passed between the writing of the prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 and the birth of Jesus. For centuries, people waited, uncertain when (or whether) God would actually deliver on His promises. Then He sent His Son, Jesus!
And now? We no longer have to wait for the fulfillment of our peace. Yet we still wait for His second coming, looking forward to the day when our God will make all wrongs right.
So, in our broken world, we experience seasons of waiting. But we know that our waiting seasons are not wasted seasons. As much as we might wish to skip forward to the fulfillment of what we hope for, it’s in the middle of our waiting that we realize who we worship.
Ask yourself: Am I more concerned about getting the thing I want than getting to know God?
It’s a tough question, but it’s a worthy one to ask because it reveals who or what we worship.
Now, here’s the thing: It’s okay to get frustrated and to cry out to God when you don’t understand His timing. In fact, He welcomes that. But our season of waiting isn’t just about getting the things we hope for. It’s about putting our hope and our trust in God.
So maybe you can reframe your waiting season. Instead of focusing on the waiting, shift your thoughts to remembering—remembering who God is, all that He has already done, and what you know to be true about His character.
If you’re struggling to find peace while you’re waiting, know this:
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.Psalm 37:23-24 NLT
God is directing your story, and every detail matters to Him. He is holding you up when things get hard. And He delights in you.
Don’t rush through the waiting process. Instead, find peace in the process by taking the time to pause and discover what God is teaching you. So, today, reflect on these questions as you wait:
As I was going for a walk today, the song Right Here by Jeremy Camp, came to mind. I haven’t heard that particular song in a long time, so when it came to mind like that, I felt like I should share it.
No matter how you might feel, the truth is you are never alone. God’s presence is always with you. Think on that if you are facing difficult circumstances. No matter what goes on in our lives, He is always there. The problems we face do not scare Him away.
Your friend,
Tiffany
All the world is Watching
All the world does care
Even when the world weighs on my shoulder now,
These feelings I can bare
Because I know,
That you’re here, Everywhere I go,
I know you’re not far away,
You’re right here
You’re right here, yeah All these thoughts I’ve wasted,
All these thoughts I fear,
Even when these thoughts have faded,
I still know that you’re here,
So I can rest my hope in you Many of times that I have felt alone,
Many of times that I have felt the world was crashing down upon me,
You always stood here by my side,
You were always thereEverywhere I go,
I know your not far away,
You’re right here
You’re right here, yeah
You’ve Got A Friend 