Thank you!

Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Michigan

In mid-October, Steve and I drove to Niagara Falls, the Canadian side, to mark our 25th anniversary year. I can’t describe the power and splendor of the Falls—you hear the roar of the water as you watch it crash into the Niagara River. Our dog, Lexi joined us on our trip. She was the hit of Niagara Falls. As we walked along with her on the leash, nearly everyone we passed wanted to pet her. She’s a small, friendly dog and gladly accepted all the attention.

From there, we headed west through Canada to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where we visited Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The Upper and Lower Falls are in two different parts of the park, and both were gorgeous surrounded by peak fall colors.

We spent the rest of our vacation in Door County, Wisconsin. Thankfully my sister lets us stay in her cottage. We drove through and hiked in Peninsula State Park several times. The fall leaves were on full display. We also finished a project since everyone who uses the cottage tries to leave it a little better than they find it.

I got Covid, then I gave it to my husband. That forced us to stay inside. We rested, read, and watched some DVDs. The cough left me with a strained abdominal muscle, but that has cleared up now. I’m thankful we got to enjoy our longest vacation ever.

All this to say, I’m sorry for not posting while we were out of town. I do my best to write every other week, and some of you have come to expect to hear from me. Please forgive me, faithful friends.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and commenting on my posts. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Shepherded By God

Photo by Gu00fcl Iu015fu0131k on Pexels.com

He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. Psalm 78:70-72

When the prophet Samuel wondered who God had in mind to be Israel’s next king after He rejected King Saul, Samuel was sent to the family of Jesse of Bethlehem. The eldest son, Eliab looked to be the best prospect and Samuel thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 1 Samuel 16:6. That turned out to be so not true. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (verse 7)

David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons, yet he was the one God had chosen. Samuel anointed David that day in front of his brothers, and “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.” (verse 13)

David led Israel for many years, but before that he had to endure much hardship and years in the desert because of King Saul. God gave David opportunities to grow in grace and endurance by facing those challenges. He was preparing David for His special purposes. The words from Psalm 78 describe how David led Israel: “David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” From humble beginnings, this man rose by the Spirit of God to lead the Lord’s people with integrity of heart.

“The Lord is my shepherd,” says David in Psalm 23. There are examples in scripture that remind us that God as our shepherd. (Gen 48:15, Psalm 28:9, Jn 10:11) In Psalm 78, David is said to be “the shepherd of his people Jacob.” The verse goes on to say, “And David shepherded them. . .” David was Israel’s shepherd, and God was David’s Shepherd. We who help lead God’s people must first be led by our Father in heaven.

I’ve seen my share of hard times. When our son was born with a serious health condition causing developmental delays, God helped me thank Him and gain courage to learn to care for my son. My faith and my prayer life grew as a result. Through those years, I did my best to shepherd my children and found joy in teaching kids in Sunday school and Awana Club.

How about you? I’d love to hear how the Lord has guided you through and delivered you from evil and harm. Write a note in the comments or send me an email testifying about how the Lord has worked in and through you because of challenges and setbacks. Let’s celebrate the way God shepherds us and the integrity and skill we gain in the process. We stand as survivors and give glory to God!

Please pray for the nation of Israel today as they are at war with terrorists from Hamas.

Unexpected Turns

The temperature falls a little every day, and my days of bike riding outdoors will soon end for the year. Though I get a similar workout on a stationary bike in the exercise room of our building, it’s not the same as riding outside. I felt thankful that the rain held off so I could ride the other morning.

Most days I bike on the trail at the forest preserve northeast of us. It’s easily accessed by crossing the street, riding north through a village park and down a quarter-mile gravel road connecting to the 2.5-mile trail.

About a year ago, I decided to diverge from my usual route to a trail near the YMCA. My schedule that day was open, the weather warm and sunny, and a longer ride enticed me. New upright handlebars made riding my old ten-speed Schwinn more comfortable, too. So, I crossed the street, rode through part of the preserve, and headed out the north exit. From there, I went east along a two-lane road to the trail.

After navigating mostly on sidewalks and grass, I crossed the road, hit the YMCA trail, and made the full circle around the lake. What a feeling of satisfaction riding that trail and lake again. I headed toward home the way I came, crossing the two-lane road. Once across, as I steered from grass to sidewalk, suddenly I hit the ground, bike down and knee bleeding.

Thankfully I had worn a helmet, or I might have been seriously injured as I bumped my head on the sidewalk. After taking a deep breath and pushing the bike off me, I stood a bit unsteadily and surveyed the damage. The wound was only a messy abrasion, and I could walk okay. My arm and head felt bruised but not broken. The handlebars were detached from the bike and walking it and me the five miles home wasn’t an option. I called Steve at work, and after telling him I was hurt but alive, he suggested I call a friend who lived near there. That friend was just about to go work in his garden where he would never have heard my call. He came, shoved my broken bike in his trunk, and drove me home.

The route I took was an unplanned one, both to the YMCA trail and home in a car with a good friend. When faced with unexpected turns, we just roll with them in the moment. I could trace God’s hand as I later considered, first that I was okay, and second that a friend was nearby and available to help. Upon inspection at the bike shop, they admitted that the new handlebars had been installed incorrectly. They fixed them at no charge.

Have you faced circuitous routes? Maybe your plans didn’t work out the way you expected. I’ve been disappointed by changes life has thrown at me. Looking back, perhaps you’ll be able to see like I have how the Lord worked things out. We may not learn why things went in a surprising direction, but God gives protection and strength on the trip and straightens what seems crooked.

“I know the plans I have you for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6