Author: Karen Foster

I'd like to say I've changed, but after decades of living, I still have the same four passions. My relationship with Jesus, spending time with family, attending live theater, and writing devotions & first-person stories about a loving, faithful God who reveals Himself in our every day circumstances.

Winter blues vs blue skies?

Ever had winter blues? Those long dark nights when depression burrows deep into the soul, leaving it frigid.

Ah, but it’s not winter. The sun shines bright and dances on the lake. School bells have a reprieve while children play. Summertime: the venue for ice cream, baseball, and vacations. Happy days, not blue.

Happy you say? Does ill health or death take a holiday? Does bad news avoid the summer months? Think again, look around. How many troubled people see half- empty cups rather than summer’s glow?

They’re not alone. In the Bible, King David wrestled with “losing hope.” But as his depression deepened, he knew where to seek help. His words in Psalm 143:1-12 contain the prescription:

“I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works. I think about what you have done” (verse 5)

Remember God’s faithfulness, the times He came through in a hard situation. Think about God’s blessings and mercies that are new every morning. Keep a spiritual journal for such a time as these.

“I reach but for you. I thirst for you.” (verse 6)

Gaze vertically instead of horizontally. Focusing on my earthly circumstances robs my joy, debilitates me, and derails my faith. As I lift my eyes to the Lord and tell him my troubles, I can expect Him to:

“Show me where to walk.”  (vs. 8) My human understanding is short-sighted especially during depression. Rather than ask why, ask God to show how to walk through difficult days.

“Save me from my enemies.” (vs. 9) Too often, I’m my own worst “enemy.” Unguarded thoughts, relying on emotions instead of God’s character, and unmet expectations sabotage me. Or I allow “the enemy,” another person’s opinion of me or actions, to carry too much weight.

“Teach me to do His will.” (vs. 10) Health benefits are guaranteed when I come before God with a heart fully submitted and willing to learn from my circumstances. Am I willing to ask God to teach me no matter the cost?

“Lead me forward on a firm footing.” (vs. 10) God may not change the circumstance, but He is with me on the journey. The Lord keeps me from stumbling if I stop running ahead.  Am I willing to follow Him even in this?

In time, the Lord will “bring me out of this distress for the glory of His name.” (vs. 11) And there will be blue skies again.

I’d Rather Be a…

As I was rocking in my bench swing this morning, I overheard a private conversation in my flower bed. Sounds ridiculous, I know. Who’s ever heard of talking flowers unless of course one reads Alice in Wonderland? Anyway, I hated to eavesdrop, but their words struck a chord. Here’s what they said:

 

“I don’t like being a Day-lily. I’d rather be an Iris.”

“Seriously? Don’t you know people call you the perfect perennial plant? Your flowers are dazzling. In fact, the name lily translated in Greek means beautiful. That’s why the woman planted you in her garden.”

“She also planted Irises. The Greek name for those perennial plants is rainbow. Their fan-shaped flowers come in a variety of colors. And they’re prolific. Have you noticed how quickly they multiply?”

“They’re not perfect. Did you see their tall flowering stems last month? The woman had to stake the poor things because they couldn’t stand erect. What’s the point of blooming, if you’re lying on the ground and no one can see you?”

“Admit their sword-shaped leaves are unique.”

“Yes, and God could have made you a weed, but He didn’t.”

“But if He did, I could grow up between the cracks of cement. Trust me, weeds are hearty. The woman fusses because they invade her garden. It’s a constant battle.”

‘The point is God created you as a Day-lily; not a weed or an Iris. “Consider the lilies…not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”(Luke 12:27)

“But if I’m meant to be a Day-lily, why can’t my flowers be yellow like those other Day-lilies?”

“How can you grow and not recognize your blessings? You have full sun and plenty of water.”  

“Is that the only tune you hum? Be thankful. What’s wrong with wanting more from life? Maybe I want to be in the County Fair Flower Exhibit.”  

“You’re right Day-lily. You  should have been an Iris. Now you’re only a discontent and envious plant. Pray you get a fungus so you can bloom and die like your flowers that typically last 24 hours.”

“Your attitude is horrible! I’m not listening to you, Marigold. You’re an annual flower. You won’t even be here next year.”

Their talking ceased. I could hear a pine needle drop….

Until a chirping bird said,. “I don’t like being a Finch? I’d rather be a Hummingbird.”    

Joy in the Morning

Joy : Silhouette of a beautiful girl jumping over sunset Stock PhotoDrive to the airport terminal, wait for the new arrivals. Search for my son’s face among a sea of strangers. At last I see him smiling, walking in my direction. Feel his arms around me, hugging me to his chest.Joy rises like mercury in a thermometer.

Next morning, turn on the computer. Open an email from my “God friend.” See the photo of her little man, newborn, long-awaited answer to prayer. Joy rises once again. My heart does a cartwheel.

Skim the latest updates on my Facebook friends. Celebrations captured and shared. My “forever friend” dances in the arms of the handsome groom, her newly-wed son. Her sentimental smile is bright as the sun.

More photos. Different friends. Grinning with their grown children. Newly graduated.  One just finished high school and the other earned a college degree. I love seeing these families united, having fun.

“A joyful heart is good medicine.” (Proverbs 17:22) Like the cherry cough drops I savored as a kid.

If only life wasn’t filled with bitter pills that make me frown and gag. But that’s another blog.

Today, across this land, many of my beloved friends are celebrating milestones. My heart rejoices because I’ve prayed for them over the years, listened to their concerns. So now I praise God for these answered prayers, and having my immediate family together beneath one roof.

Relish: the moment when joy abounds.

Realize: there is a time for everything. “A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

Remember: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5)

“If only we can anticipate the morning, and feel in the night of sorrow that underlying Joy that tells of confident expectations of the morning.” (God Calling Journal)

“Rejoice: in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.“ (Phil. 4:4) even in the night of sorrow.

Log off my computer because JOY has come.

Must not waste good celebration time. Need to wake up sleeping heads with the smell of bacon frying in the pan, and blueberry waffles.

Time to enjoy.

Put on the Oxygen Mask

By Saturday morning, I was tapped out.

All week, I had been with people. Serving some. Listening to others vent. Now I needed to visit jail for one-on-one counseling, but I had nothing left to give.

My head pounded. My body was like a limp rag. How can I share the gospel when I can barely remember my name? I had to reschedule.

Too often, helping humanity seems more exhausting than yard work or housework. My back may ache as I pull weeds or push a mop, but I’m on autopilot. At the end of the task, I feel productive, even energized.

When it comes to people, particularly listening to their problems, I’m drained. That’s because I absorb people’s moods like a sponge. Think I can fix them. Fall back into people pleasing.

“You’re an answer to prayer,” someone told me, after I resolved her problem. Now I have the problem.

Practically speaking, I must:

Set boundaries

Stop rescuing

Say NO…without guilt.

Spiritually speaking, I must:

Meditate on the Word

Ask for Wisdom

Obey God’s Will 

   In Mark 1: 21-38, Jesus spent the day in Capernaum healing many people with various diseases, and casting out demons. Verse 33 says “the whole city had gathered at the door.” So how did Jesus avoid burn out?

 Verse 35:  “And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out to a lonely place, and was praying there.” 

Simon hunts for Jesus and says, “everyone is looking for you.” But prayer was a priority. Jesus understood His purpose (verse 38) and wasn’t going to be derailed by everyone’s demands.

If Jesus, in his humanity, had to pray and seek the Father’s will, then I must:

  • Have the mind of Christ so I can…
  • Have a sacrificial servant’s heart so I can…
  • Have His love and strength to help others without sabotaging myself. 

Bottom line, I must:

Remember prayer gives me a right perspective so I can respond properly to my relationships and problems. 

In other words, “Put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.”

And take a deep spiritual breath.

 

 

 

  

   

Hurry up and wait!

We’ve been traveling in the car twelve hours. My body longs to eat and rest, splash water on my face.

Look at the map. Calculate the distance. How much longer till we’re there? “There” is a hotel room reserved with my name.

But we’re in the middle of rush hour traffic. Breathe deep, try to relax as five lanes of speeding vehicles zip by me, ride my bumper, cut me off. All trying to get ahead.We almost miss our exit. Make a wrong turn. Hit a detour. Wait for the light to change.

Impatience and frustration become my travel companions.

Not unlike my life.

Always in a hurry, but forced to wait. Earn a degree, find a spouse, have a baby, get a job, house, promotion, vacation, retirement, grand babies, fill in the blank________. List changes, never ends.

I’ll be happy when…

I’ll smell the roses when…

I’ll follow God when…I get where I’m going.

Sometimes I feel like Moses and the Israelite nation wandering the desert for years, wondering why God won’t lead me to the Promise Land sooner. Knowing God is present, but tired of waiting. So I grumble and rebel. (Numbers 14)

Like the Israelite nation who let fear and unbelief keep me from moving forward. Then take matters into my own hands, and forge ahead without God’s leading, inviting disaster because I refuse to trust God and obey His directions.

If only I could learn to walk out this life, one day at a time? Trust God in the desert and detours?

Knowing there’s value even in this?

Then I’ll have arrived…………