Your Stress

Wow! Labor Day weekend. The traditional end of summer for which I am not ready. I'm hoping for and expecting many more summer like days and experiences. Of course I can say that since I do not need to return to school or a new fall church program year. Joyce and I have enjoyed the wonderful Holland Farmer's Market where we get much fresh fruit and vegetables. This has been a treat though I must confess a certain way to rid your billfold of any cash it might have. We have made a few trips to the beachfront to watch sunsets or just to watch boats go in and out of the canal between Lake Macatawa and "the big lake" (Michigan). At the end of this week we travel to Fulton where we will assist in the moving of my mother from her home to the Fulton Nursing Home. We pray that her attitude will be accepting and cooperative. We believe it will be for her best.
The following quote comes from the Spiritual Formation Bible related to Luke 12:49-53:

"Although we would like to believe that the walk of faith is all light and warmth, we can't avoid the reality that it can also be fiery: 'I came to bring fire to the earth.' Being a disciple of Jesus is costly. Loyalty to Jesus Christ may cause division rather than peace. Referring to the cross and his resurrection as a "baptism," Jesus says, "What stress I am under until it is completed!"
A life of faith isn't about being happy and popular, but about aligning ourselves with Jesus. Picture Jesus carrying each stress in your life to the cross, one by one, as each thought of a personal or family conflict comes to your mind. Finally picture yourself being baptized-- dying with Jesus, then rising to walk in newness of life."

The life of faith for me continues to be a work in progress. Some days it is so great but then on others it is weak, struggling, and little. Thankful that God is steadfast, consistent and dependable in being there with and for me. The promise is sure that God will not leave us or forsake us.
Blessings on each of you.
"Do what God says. Say what God does.