Be Still

One step forward, two steps back… Add a little tune to this phrase and you could have a depressing country western song. You may even have a greatest hit on your hands because it seems to sum up the way many feel these days. This short phrase has been playing like a broken record in my head lately as I have adjusted my plans to meet the reality of each new day.

I’m a planner and this year has not been an ideal year for planning much of anything. Scheduling any type of event has involved thinking outside the box, being creative, and always having a contingency plan. (And writing in pencil, not pen.) I handled it pretty well at first and found my energy in being creative and trying new things. When Plan A wouldn’t work as smoothly as I had thought, I quickly opened the playbook for Plan B…then Plan C…Plan Q…

I had navigated all the twists and turns this season has had to offer fairly well until a few weeks ago. As I was washing the dishes one afternoon, in the quiet of my kitchen, my heart was burdened with sadness and defeat. My mind had been drifting through the many emotions swirling through me when I looked up to see a small scripture card hanging on my window. The gentle whisper printed on the card said, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still. Exodus 14:14.” The words punctured my soul as I considered the fact I had perhaps been trying to fight a battle myself in the days prior.

Moses confidently spoke these words to the Israelites as they stood on the bank of the Red Sea. After leaving Egypt they had found themselves caught between an army who wanted to do great harm and a raging sea without a bridge. Instead of holding fast to the Word of God and remembering all His promises, the Israelites were fixated on the obstacles surrounding them. Perhaps we feel some of the same fears and anxieties now as we stand here wondering how we will ever cross this sea of division and virus talk. I don’t know about you, but I have heard and done my fair share of whining and grumbling, much like the Israelites. Energy all wasted on complaining about the problems around us, rather than simply being still; faithfully trusting our Sovereign God’s timing. As the Israelites anxiously waited on the shoreline for what was next, the Lord spoke and Moses obediently reached out his hands. As he stretched his arms over the water, God fought the battle as the sea opened and a path to freedom was given. Step by step the Israelites put one foot in front of the other all the way to the other side – on dry ground, no less!

I took in the words on the small card as I continued my task in the kitchen. Shortly after, my mind turned to praise and thanking God for the many battles He has fought on my behalf, even the ones I’m unaware of. The burdens weighing me down were lifted from my heart and I was reassured all would work out in His perfect timing. The next several days I stayed focused on what God was doing in this situation and did my best to be obedient to His leading – step by step. As I did I still encountered obstacles and doubt, but I surrendered it all to Him. Want to know what happened next? God fought the battle and not only did He take care of the situation, He provided in abundance!

May this be so of us today as we faithfully trust God’s plan in this time and place. May we hold steadfast to His promises and find our hope and strength in Him alone.

“The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Exodus 15:2

Becky Ossefoort

 


Safety Rules

Safety / sāf-tē / noun

  1. The condition of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss
  2. The action of keeping safe

There seems to be a lot of talk this year about safety. Actually safety has been a hot topic for a long time, just ask any business that’s regulated or been investigated by OSHA. The change comes in what we are trying to be safe from.

The “Stay Safe MN” slogan grinds my gears every time I see it, so I’ve been evaluating my angst about safety. Many catchy phrases popped up in my Google “safety” search: safety doesn’t happen by accident; safety isn’t expensive, it’s priceless; when safety is first, you last; safety rules are your best tools.

Most of these slogans were promoted by employers trying to limit insurance claims and other problems at their business, but there are many things that we do to keep ourselves and others safe. Babies are strapped into car seats, boaters wear life jackets, bikers sport helmets. We remove snow and ice from our sidewalks, we clean splattered bugs from our windshields, we secure the handrails on our stairs. Steel-toed boots, leather gloves, hard hats, ear muffs, and goggles are all tools of safety. In the name of safety, my husband is required to wear high visibility clothing at his job, and we buckle up every time we get in a vehicle, (which, I might add, was instrumental in my daughter’s safety a few months ago.) Choosing safety isn’t stupid.

So why does the push to stay safe make me cringe?

First, we have to trust the item or action that provides safety. This is different for each person. Not everyone wears their seatbelt, safety glasses, or helmet. Although some safety measures are regulated by law, not everyone complies. Our confidence, or lack of, will determine our actions. It will also have consequences. King David declares in Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Where is my trust?

Second, I question if we worship safety? Safety, and security often dominate the prayers that I hear from the kids in my classroom… keep us safe on our way home, keep us safe at school, keep my friends safe, my family safe, etc. One would wonder if we live in a hostile country where our safety is in question day in and day out. At one time, I forbid the use of the word safe during our prayer time so we could think beyond our physical security. There is so much more that we could pray about. Instead of praying for safety, lets pray for courage. “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love, and of self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7) I believe that God is concerned with our physical well-being. Scripture tells us that he watches over the sparrows and flowers and knows when each hair falls from our head. But I also believe that our priority is to seek Him, not safety. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

Third, do we serve a God of safety? Is following Jesus a protection guarantee? Is a life that’s free from pain our reward for faith in God? Jesus said, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) That doesn’t sound very safe. Jesus also said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Regardless if you have had similar thoughts or different ideas regarding safety, may we all take heed from words found in Philippians chapter 4: “Rejoice in the Lord always… let your reasonableness be known to everyone… do not be anxious… let your requests be made known to God… with thanksgiving… and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Erin Jacobsma

 


Lend A Hand

Hands down, this is one of the most disturbing news stories in the past two weeks. A court in Slovenia on Friday sentenced a 22-year-old woman to two years in prison for deliberately cutting off her had with a circular saw to make a fraudulent insurance claim.

The district court in Ljubljana said Julija Adlesic agreed with her boyfriend to have her left hand severed above the wrist at their home in the capitol early in 2019. She was found guilty of attempted insurance fraud. About a year earlier, she signed contracts with five different insurance companies, the courts said. The woman stood to collect more than one million euros (approximately $1,185,000), about half paid immediately and the rest in regular monthly installments.

Her boyfriend was sentenced to three years in prison while his father received a one-year suspended sentence.

The pair had taken her to the hospital, saying she had injured herself while sawing branches. Authorities said they left the severed hand behind rather than bringing it to the hospital to ensure the disability was permanent. But police recovered and it was reattached.

Prosecutors said that days before the incident, Adlesic’s partner searched for information on the internet about how an artificial hand works. They claimed that was another proof that it was done deliberately. During the trial, the woman claimed innocence, saying she would never have cut her hand off deliberately. “No one wants to be crippled,” she told the courts. My youth has been destroyed. I lost my hand at the age of 20. Only I know how it happened.”

The trial has attracted lots of public media attention in the small Alpine state.

“We believe the sentences are fair and appropriate, and will serve their purpose,” Judge Marjeta Dvornik said.  (https://abcnews.go.com /international/wireStory/Slovenian-woman-cut-hand-insurance-payout-72946034)

After reading the story you gotta hand it to her, she was dedicated to her plan, even if it was cut short by the courts.

Rumor had it that, after the court case, a reporter asked Julija how the investigators determined it wasn’t an accident to which the woman replied, “I’m stumped. It doesn’t matter, I cut off my left had so I’ll be ‘alright’.” Maybe, but I couldn’t help but wonder if the court costs will eventually cost her an arm and a leg too.

I’m not sure Julija was aware that a bird in the severed hand is worth two in the bush. And then you never know how this might have affected her friendships, like after she gets out of prison, will anyone give her a hand if she wants to go shopping at the second hand store?

The more I thought about it, I think the Bible has some things to say about people who try things that are underhanded. From Proverbs 13:11, “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.”

Or from Proverbs 28:19-20, “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.”

And probably the most applicable from Ecclesiastes 5:13-14, “There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.”

My heart breaks for this woman and her boyfriend. If she just would’ve followed Jesus’ instructions in Mathew 5:30, they might have avoided prison time. “And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.”

May it not be so with you and me that we want to get rich and fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge a person into ruin and destruction.

Always willing to lend a hand,

Mike Altena

 


Learning From Mistakes

His name is Blue. But there’s nothing blue about him. His coat is black and brown, peppered with gray. Even his eyes are brown, not blue. He’s a spunky, energetic hound that loves people and attention. He was born to hunt and most often you will find him with his nose to the ground. He’s not even my dog. He belongs to my son, but he has taken up residence at our farm for close to a year and loves the wide open space. In dog years, his age is close to mine so when he started howling at 6:00 in the morning to go to the bathroom… well, I can relate.

As I shuffled to the garage to let him out of his kennel, a thought entered my mind that I should grab his shock collar. I dismissed the idea as quickly as it came. After all, we were just going out for a bathroom break not a morning walk. I opened the door to the great outdoors, and while I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, Blue took two steps over the threshold and then bolted across the front lawn. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon and I could barely make out what he was after. I hollered his name, and wished I had grabbed the shock collar. I knew we were in trouble when the dark object of Blue’s attention turned and revealed a white stripe down its back. The skunk tried to retreat, but the dog with a one-track nose was determined to investigate and see who this furry friend was. Within seconds, the “friend” became foe and Blue was squinting his eyes and rolling in the grass, and we were both regretting our decisions.

My eyes burned as I googled what to do next. I quickly changed clothes and rushed to the grocery store, while the dog was left chained to the tree to deal with the consequences of his decision. I returned with an arsenal of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, Dawn dish soap, and tomato juice. The bathing process began, and while the tail-wager appeared fresh and clean, the stink lingered.

I’ve been reflecting on several life lessons from this encounter with our striped adversary.

First, I’ve been contemplating whether the fleeting thought to put Blue’s shock collar on was actually a nudge from the Holy Spirit. The prophet Isaiah tells us that “whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Perhaps the Spirit was trying to save me some trouble and I ignored his voice. This probably happens more often than I care to admit. Thoughts enter my mind to call a friend, send a card, pay a visit, shut my mouth, walk away, let it go, and I dismiss the thought. Lord, help me to pay better attention, listen more closely, and do what you say!

Second, we are free to choose, but we are not free from the consequences of our choices. The Bible records an abundance of examples of people who were sprayed with the consequences of their decisions… Adam, Eve, Cain, Abraham, Sarah, Lot, Isaac, Esau, Jacob, Judah, Joseph… and that’s just a few from the book of Genesis. And rarely do the consequences of our decisions only affect us. Just as I had to deal with the backfire of Blue’s choices, the ex-wife reels from her partner’s decision to have an affair, the father suffers from the choices of his prodigal son, the business owner agonizes over government decisions, and our world is still in turmoil from decisions made thousands of years ago. The stench lingers. Lord, help us make choices that honor you!

Third, God always provides a way out from temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” He is a Way Maker. We don’t fall into sin, we choose it. We can also choose to walk away. Lord, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Fourth, no matter what we have done, what mistake we made, what opportunity we missed, Father is waiting for us with arms wide open, offering his grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Lord, thank you for loving us and cleansing us from all our filth!

May we be lifelong learners, who learn from our mistakes or from the experiences of a dog named Blue.

Erin Jacobsma

 


A Servant’s Heart

Life has a way of turning on a dime, doesn’t it? All week I’ve been meaning to begin this little article for our Sunday publication but somehow kid’s events, work, and a driver’s test scheduled in Marshall kept me from getting it done. (Marshall is not convenient, but he did pass!) I did, however, take the time to start a new Bible study and was sure my article would focus on Genesis 1. But as I said, life has a way of turning on a dime. Early Thursday I was startled awake when Josh’s phone began to ring. We all know a phone ringing before the rooster crows is usually sad news, and it was. My mother-in-law had called to deliver the news of Josh’s sweet Grandma Ossefoort passing away during the night – just shy of her 96th birthday. As my day went on I knew I had to get this little message written so I could get it turned into the office on time, but all I had on my mind were sweet memories of Grandma O.

The first time I met this little gem of a woman was at a Christmas party when Josh and I were dating. She was busy in the kitchen making her famous chicken and there were swarms of people I had never met. The size of the crowd was a bit intimidating and it had everything to do with the nine children she had raised. I could tell each person meant the world to her just by the beaming smile on her face. Her welcome made me feel very special, but over the years I learned it was nothing out of the ordinary rather, just the way Grandma O treated everyone. As the years continued Josh and I were married and soon lived a short block away from her. Some of Kaylie’s first words were ‘Bamma O and our children were spoiled and loved with every encounter. From time-to-time she would watch them for an hour or two, each Sunday she hosted after church coffee for crowds of people, and she worked every day serving lunch at the elementary school until she officially “retired” at the ripe age of 85. After her retirement, she had a little more time to relax but you knew to call before you visited to make sure she was home. She stayed busy visiting and helping friends around town and serving coffee to the “old folks” at the nursing home – many who were younger than her. Grandma O was a very simple and humble woman who never had much, but trusted there would be enough. She worked hard her whole life, found great joy in serving others, and loved well. In turn, she was loved well by many and she will be missed.

As I said, the topic of my article this week changed from my original thoughts and ponderings. It was supposed to be based on Genesis 1 where we find the story of Creation and my focus would have been on the gift of rest after a good, honest week’s work. The timing could not have been any better – after all, it is Labor Day weekend. But instead, God’s reminder of Grandma O’s servant heart among her daily work seemed to speak louder to me today. (Her apple bars she made each fall come to mind as well. ☺) I’m reminded of several scriptures as I reminisce of her beautiful, kind heart, but perhaps Philippians 2:1-4 fits her life the best. “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”

May it be so of us too, as we go about our daily tasks and routines that the humble and gentle love of our Savior would pour from us as we look to serve those around us with a true servant’s heart.

Becky Ossefoort

 


Anniversary Sentiments

The subject of this article isn’t what I thought it was going to be, but I hope you still like it because it cost me $13.98. See, just before I was going to sit down and write my other thoughts, the Spirit reminded me I had better get an anniversary card because our anniversary is tomorrow (August 28).

Now normally a tradition on our anniversary for Vicki and me is to go to the card section in some store and look for the card we would give each other. Then, after we find just the right card that verbalizes the exact sentiment of our hearts, we exchange the cards and then read them right in the aisle of the store. Then after we wipe our tears of joy and happiness away we put the cards back and then we share a little public display of affection.

Of course, the whole point is to save the $13.98 we would’ve spent on the cards so we can buy pizza later. But we decided we weren’t going to do that this year because this anniversary is a special year for us; yep, 39 years of marital bliss.

Anyway, I go over to Lewis to find the perfect card. Now, have you ever noticed how self-centered and lame those anniversary cards are? Just listen to the message of this card. He tries to tell her how much he loves her, but who is the focus of the card?

To the woman I love with all my heart.

Marrying you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

You’re my partner, the love of my life, and my best friend.

Having your love makes such a difference in my life—

just knowing you’re there, supporting and caring for me means everything…

I’m grateful for our life together. I love you so much and I always will.

Happy Anniversary.

Yes the whole message is all about ME! The romantic words on the card are all about everything the wife does for her husband. For some reason I picture this husband as a couch potato who doesn’t haven’t a job. I picture the husband who buys this card for his wife is like a child who uses his wife as his comfort blanket. Of course he loves her! “Just knowing you’re there…” What?!! I can tell he doesn’t want to talk to her or do anything with her, he’s just glad she’s in the same room. He says it “means everything…” although; he didn’t take the time to give some concrete examples.  Poor woman, he didn’t love her nearly as much as he loved himself.

And then how about the message of this card. Like, who makes this stuff up?

To the woman who makes my life amazing.

I wouldn’t change a thing about our life together—

Every step, every challenge,

every beautiful moment that has brought us to this day makes us who we are.

I’m proud of us, of all we’ve seen and done, and I couldn’t be more in love with you.

Happy Anniversary

Okay first, isn’t Jesus the one who makes our life amazing? Second, maybe this guy can’t think of anything he would change about his marriage, but I bet his wife could. I could think of lots of things I would change. (Having written that for the whole world to see, I’m pretty sure Vicki is going to want to talk about that while we eat our pizza. Please pray for me. ☺

And no, not every challenge or every beautiful moment has made us who we are. Who we are is only by God’s grace which then erases any chance of becoming proud of who we have become. Apparently the author of this card doesn’t even know that pride comes before the fall. So, let’s give credit where credit is due. The reason I couldn’t be more in love with Vicki is that God has filled our hearts full of love by his Holy Spirit.

Ok, that’s enough fun; hopefully you’ve enjoyed giving some thought to my challenge of finding a meaningful anniversary card. Please pray for Vicki, 39 years is a long time to be married to me. He who finds a wife finds a good thing. Proverbs 18:22. And the wife must respect her husband ☺, Mike Altena

 


Let’s Talk

Many of my evenings this summer have been spent with young people who have already entered into their marriage covenant, or who are about to. In addition to addressing nine other areas of their relationship, much time is spent on communication. According to the Prepare/Enrich material that I use in our sessions, communication is, “We share feelings and understand each other.”

One statement on the pre-marriage assessment is, “I wish my partner were more willing to share his/her thoughts and feelings with me.” To which most gals are like, “Yes!” And most guys are like, “No, she shares more than enough of her feelings with me.”

Whether you and your spouse have developed healthy communication skills, or your communication could use a dose of vitality, I thought I would share an adapted version of some communication tips that were sent to me from Prepare/Enrich.

When you finally get the chance to reconnect with your partner at the end of the day, what do you say?

“Hi, honey. How was your day?”  “Good. How was yours?”  “Good.”

There’s definitely nothing wrong with that question! It shows you’re interested in each other’s daily lives and can be a great way to start a more in-depth conversation. But when you both start asking the question mindlessly and responding with one word answers, it might be time to say hey, we can do better.

So what could you do to take your end-of-the-day conversation to a deeper level? Therapists and researchers John Gottman and Bill Doherty both believe that “rituals of connection” are an important tool in nurturing successful relationships. Create a daily ritual where you intentionally reconnect each evening, whether it’s after supper or after the kids are in bed.

To get you started here are five questions to ask instead of “How was your day?”

  • What made you laugh out loud today? This might sound like a silly question, but more than likely it will lead to sharing a story, whether it’s to provide context or explain what happened. Out of this you might learn more about your partner, increasing your connection.
  • If your day was a meal/song/color, what would it be and why? Here’s another question you can have fun with, but that can actually give you insight into the flow of each other’s day.
  • What gave you a sense of accomplishment today? Sure, you might find out about a big work project or the third day in a row of hitting their step goal, but the conversation might take a deeper dive as well. Maybe they don’t know how to answer because they’ve been struggling with balancing work and home responsibilities, and that’s okay. The goal is to have a more meaningful conversation or at the very least give yourselves the opportunity for one.
  • How would you like today to end? Maybe their day was so busy they didn’t have a spare moment to catch their breath, and now all they need is some quiet time to relax. Maybe it was a bad day and they just want to leave it all behind them and play games with the kids. Either way, it gives them an opportunity to tell you exactly what they need – and an opportunity for you to help make it happen.
  • What did you learn today? Sure, this might sound more like something you’d ask your kids after school, but hey, we adults learn new things, too! Maybe it’s an interesting factoid from that new podcast they’re listening to. Or perhaps they learned they shouldn’t stay up so late reading (they were dragging today) or to always make sure the blender cover is on tight. Whatever it is, you can hopefully also learn something new about each other.

In Song of Songs 2:15 the Lover invites the Beloved to, “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” May it not be so with you and me that we would let a lack of authentic communication with our spouses be the “little fox” that ruins your marriage.

Grace and peace to you, Mike Altena

 


Almost Home

This past Monday I traveled to Sioux Center to pick up our oldest three granddaughters so I could bring them to Inspiration Hills where they spent a few days with Vicki. Shortly before we reached Rock Valley, I heard a little voice from the back seat asking a question I hadn’t heard in a long time. You guessed it, Noelle who is four years old asked, “Grandpa, are we almost there yet?” She was so excited to reach our destination.

I responded by letting her know we were about half way to which my seven year old granddaughter responded, “Really, Grandpa, it seems like we have been traveling only for five minutes.” Sauren then went on to explain to Noelle that the drive to Inspiration Hills would not take that long at all. For one granddaughter, the trip wasn’t going fast enough because she couldn’t wait to so see Grandma and the cabin. For the second granddaughter, the trip was going really fast. And then there was Rilyn, she was already sleeping in the front seat, oblivious to how fast the trip was or wasn’t going.

As I continued to drive, I began to reflect on our journey through life. I especially wondered why we often find it difficult to enjoy the speed at which life is going. I can remember when our kids were toddlers I couldn’t wait until they got to the age where I could play ball and do other fun things with them. Then when Jonathon went off to college and moved to Minneapolis, I remember thinking that the journey of life is going way to fast.

After a difficult conversation during our Consistory meeting about a very divisive topic that has no real easy solutions, I found myself asking, “Father are we almost there yet?” I just want this journey through the covid pandemic to be over. Like Noelle, I find part of this journey difficult to enjoy.  This part of the journey feels like Psalm 90:10, “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are sorrow and trouble, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”

And yet by the grace of God, I know this is what awaits me, from Revelation 21:3-4 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

May it not be so with you and me that we have become tired or impatient with our present journey, but rather that we keep our eyes fixed on the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross. Consider him so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I leave you the link and some the lyrics to one of my favorite songs by Mercy Me, Almost Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lKdHXfpsFQ

Are you disappointed? Are you desperate for help? You know what it’s like to be tired and only a shell of yourself… Well this road will be hard. But we win in the end. Simply because of Jesus in us, it’s not if, but when. So take joy in the journey, even when it feels long. Oh find strength in each step knowing heaven is cheering you on.

We are almost home brother it won’t be long. Soon all your burdens will be gone. With all of your strength, sister, run wild and free. Hold up your head keep pressing on. We are almost home…

I know that the cross has brought heaven to us. But make no mistake there’s still more to come. When our flesh and our bones are no longer between. Where we are right now and where we’re meant to be. When all that’s been lost has been made whole again. When the tears and this pain no longer exist. No more walking, we’re running as fast as we can. Consider this our second wind. Keep pressing on. We’re almost home. Almost home!

Keep pressing on,

Mike Altena

 


What Is Beautiful In Your Life?

“I’m tired, boss. Mostly, I’m tired of people being ugly to each other.” These words came from the mouth of death row inmate, John Coffey, in the movie The Green Mile as the prison guard struggles with the possibility of Coffey’s innocence. I can echo those words; maybe you can too. I’m tired; tired of the ugly. Tired of ugly actions, ugly attitudes, and ugly words. Tired of ugliness in families, between friends, at retail stores and schools and meetings, on the news, on social media, in the church, and in the mirror.

Backstabbing, shaming, name calling, pot-stirring, belittling, aggression, passivity, apathy, defensiveness, self-righteousness… it’s all ugly. Ugliness seems to be running rampant while beauty seems to be in short supply. Or is that just what the enemy wants me to believe? Is my mind being trained to see the ugly rather than the beautiful?

A question was posed to me during a recent conversation that has been stirring in my thinker. “What is beautiful in your life?” I didn’t have an immediate answer. Maybe I’ve become too accustomed to looking at the ugly. Perhaps my rose colored glasses have been stained.

Beautiful, according to Google, means “pleasing to the senses or mind.” Sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, thoughts… What is beautiful in my life? I started a list:

  • A cool evening breeze
  • Open windows
  • Marigolds full of blooms
  • Aroma of fresh cut grass
  • Baby birds chirping in their nest
  • The ‘pop’ of canning jars sealing
  • Buttered sweet corn
  • Rodent traps that did their job
  • Mask-free conversations
  • Friendly phone call dialed on accident
  • 60 years married for Mom & Dad
  • Forbidden hugs
  • Helping hands
  • Fresh Starts

The beautiful is there in the midst of the ugly. I just need to look for it. I think this is what Peter is talking about when he says “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Wouldn’t that be just like the devil to distract us with our own thoughts and senses, focusing our attention on the ugly rather than the beautiful.

It’s like weeds and flowers. A friend has been volunteering many hours pulling weeds around the church property, especially in the rain gardens by the highway. From the roadway it appears like everything is healthy and green. But take a closer look and the actual shrubs and flowers were overgrown with thistles and vines and weeds of all kinds. Some weeds were so big we had to confer with Gardener George that they were indeed weeds and not plants to be saved. As happens in most gardens, the ugly weeds and the beautiful flowers grow up side by side, and if nothing is done to control the weeds, they will soon take over. As sinful, selfish people, our default is weed watering instead of weed pulling. But we need to nourish the flowers (the beautiful) and pull the weeds (the ugly).

Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Our mind is a powerful tool. May it be said of us that we trained and renewed our mind to see the beautiful.

Erin Jacobsma

 


Heads Up

Our family was able to escape to the Black Hills for a little getaway in July. Instead of the normal sights and busy tourist traps, we decided to pull a couple ATVs out with us and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. We rode through bumpy terrain, trees, and cliffs for two full days. Each of the 200 plus miles ridden was spectacular, but there was one area of trail that left my stomach in knots. The trail itself was not steep, bumpy, or on the side of a cliff. In fact, it was quite the opposite; a nice, gentle, flat, gravel path through the bottom of a canyon. What created the uneasy feeling in my gut were the devastating effects of a tornado that had ripped through the forest about 10 days prior to our adventure. The evergreen canopy which had once dressed the top of the steep canyon walls was now laying on the floor of the canyon. In addition to the splintered trunks left at the top of the walls, thousands of dainty birch trees on the lower slopes were bent on their sides doing everything in their strength to reach for the sun once again.

We wound our way through the shattered canyon and selected a path to take us to an active fire lookout station. The view from the top of the peak is breathtaking and you can see four states in the distance as you scan the terrain. As I was taking in the view I heard a woman’s voice from the fire tower above me ask if I knew what I was looking at. After a short conversation about different landmarks miles away, the forest ranger and I started talking about the tornado that created so much destruction along the trails. She had been at the tower all day observing the storm, but once the wind picked up and there were lightning strikes all around, she headed down the mountain to seek shelter. Thinking about what that must be like up there, higher than the mountain itself, in a small shack built in 1941, I can’t say I blame her!

In the days following the storm, her job from the tower was not only to watch for fire in the distance, she was also the emergency crews “eye in the sky.” She said it was critical for someone to be up there on the peak watching for approaching storms as the crews worked “heads down” in the canyon. Because of the tall canyon walls, one working with their head down (or up for that matter!) would not know what weather was approaching until it was directly overhead, making her job essential for their safety in the event of a severe storm.

Just a few days after the tornado there was another storm and without her in the tower, crews would have been left in great danger. As rain and lightning moved in she reported to crews, “Lightning approaching 8 miles from my location.” As she prepared to move down the mountain to safety, she made the call. “Heads up. Heads up. Move out and seek shelter immediately. Strong thunderstorm approaching 2 miles from my location.” was sent over the radio waves, giving crews ample time to move out of harm’s way.

I found our conversation fascinating and could have listened to her all day, but there were miles of trails to explore. In the days following our trip, I’ve thought about what she shared with me and it has reminded me of the active role the Holy Spirit has in my life. All too often I meander through this life with my head down participating in the things of this world and unaware of what is coming at me, yet the Holy Spirit will send me a warning message, much like the sweet woman at the tower, saying, “Heads up! Pay attention to what Jesus is doing!”

The last several weeks we have been exploring the Holy Spirit with Mike during our Sunday morning worship. As I have done some of my own studying I was reminded in John 16 of Jesus teaching of the Holy Spirit with His disciples. Jesus pointed out to them that after his death they were scared, lost, and “filled with grief.” (vs. 6) Then he shared He would be leaving again, but this time He would send a helper to them. I suppose I was like that in the past. As a child I had grown to know who Jesus was, but when faced with realities of this life, I was scared and full of fear because I felt lost and didn’t have a relationship with Him. Then, one day, I caught a glimpse of Him at work in my life and decided to trust all those words I had heard long ago. Now I live with Him in my heart and His Spirit guiding my steps just as He promised. “13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; he will speak only what He hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

May it be so of each of us as we walk through this journey, with our heads raised, that we may trust the Spirit’s leading each and every moment of our life, sharing His Kingdom with all we encounter along our trail.

Becky Ossefoort