Nourish Your Heart

Today I see the pretty blue sky above the green trees. It is beautiful Lord. I see the bright colors of flowers and they are beautiful. Thank you for making the world have beauty to please my eyes.

I see the wind blowing and feel it on my face. I see the butterflies flitting through the yard. I feel the sun warming the earth. And I feel the coolness of the clouds as they cover the sun. I hear the sounds of birds singing your praise and I remember to thank you Lord.

I look into my family’s faces. I see their individualism and how precious they are. I rejoice in the variety you give us Lord. I hear music and enjoy the playing of instruments. I especially enjoy the piano. The beauty of it sometimes moves me to tears.

Even small animals I share my house with and insects who frighten or annoy me bear the stamp of your intricate designs. Each has a place here on this earth.

I know there is sin and there is a downfall of man’s morals. People get hurt and they die. There is destruction. There are disasters. But there is another place. A place that you have made for us.

This new place is a home for us without the destruction of this earth. It is a place where we won’t have sickness or broken bodies. It is a place without tears or sorrows. It is a place we trust to come in the future. It is a place of rest and beauty where we will be with the God we trust in now.

I trust in you today God. I feel the peace you give me as I gaze on the beauty you provided here. And I trust in you for the place coming soon where the beauty is even greater.

2 Corinthians 5:7 It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going.

(My grandmother, Anna Daisy Siemens, wrote poetry and prose. This devotion was written and published for Devotions for the Deaf in 1994)

Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Isaac set an example of peace. While he lived in the valley of Gerar, King Abimelech told him to move since their servants were constantly at war about water rights. Isaac moved — again and again. He moved and dug new wells. But Abimelech finally wanted a peace treaty with him because he saw how God blessed Isaac for his peaceful ways of living.

Jesus says, “…my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.)

James 3:18 says, “those who sow in peace will harvest righteousness.” The Hebrew writer goes one step farther to say, “Live in peace and be holy for without holiness we will never see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 - Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.) Peace is a part of holiness.

Prayer: Lord, please give me perfect peace so that it may flow to others in need.

It escapes me on the darkest of days. I cannot see my hand in front of my face on those days. Where is God? Why has he not answered? Why does he not come to me? I need his presence. I need his strength.

On those days hope has faltered in the face of my pessimism. I am busy strengthening my list of sorrows. I am writing down every last slight. I cannot believe the snowballs of bad or ill-timed things.

I had it all figured out. I would have my summer of relaxation. I had it last summer. It was beautiful. I can remember all the days when life was so calm and peaceful. I had your ear. You listened to me. I treasured your words and your presence.

I wanted that experience again. It was a rough year. Good things happened. But so many things were hard. I wanted to learn about you and I did. But I had so many choices. And then, just when I felt I was on the cusp of a new enlightening experience with you, it all fell apart.

My prayers hit the ceiling, what prayers I can utter. I cannot seem to get a grasp. I know I should be thankful. I know I should be grateful. I have so many blessings in my life.

And yet, hope, it fades. Hope is the beginning of faith. Without hope I cannot see that life will be better. I cannot see your love in my every day. I will not see the small things you do for me. And if I see them, I will claim that they are not enough.

I am acting as a spoiled child. When the parents have nothing to give, the child feels unloved. I am acting that way. I know you love me God. I know that you have joy for me. I know that you have desires that you wish me to feel. I know that you have peace for me. I know that it is here, close at hand.

I just need to reach for it. But why am I still here in this place? Why do I still feel so angry and petulant? Guide me God of hope. Take my hand and lead me. Hold me in your arms so that I feel your safety and peace even in this storm that is my life.

You are my hope. You are my strength. You are the power that fills my life. You are the joy that paints the sky blue, then starts over with the colors of the rainbow. You are my joy. You are my energy. You renew my energy every morning. You fill my life with hope. Thank you.

Romans 15:13 Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!