Carrying Out Your Mission: Why making your bed is important

Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence. In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.

—Proverbs 3:5-6

“Do you always make your bed?” my niece remarked as she peeked through my open bedroom door.

Taken aback by her unexpected question, I wanted to say, “Why, of course!” Instead, I answered, “Honestly there are days I don’t, especially if I’m in a hurry. But if I’m having company, most definitely. It does make me feel better when I do.”

Since our exchange, I have pondered that question—and my response. Why do I feel better when I make my bed?

                                                       

Valentines for the Soul: Call Me

My dove in the clefts of the rock,

    in the hiding places on the mountainside,

show me your face,

    let me hear your voice;

for your voice is sweet,

    and your face is lovely.

—Song of Songs 2:14

Have you ever been so in love that your breath catches in your throat when your sweetheart calls? Seeing their name light up your cell phone screen sets off butterflies in your stomach, and the bonus of seeing their face through video chat sends you over the moon.

Matters of the Heart: Why are some prayer requests readily answered while others are not?

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

—Colossians 4:2

Long after the chocolate candy was depleted, I kept the heart-shaped container, a delightful box in a vintage pattern topped with a red lid and satin bow. I placed it in the center of the table and soon found myself jotting down prayer requests on slips of paper and dropping them inside. My daughters added their own matters of the heart. My friends also contributed to the collection.

Most of those requests were written in 2011. I still have the box and the tiny slips of paper remain inside. I kept them so I could check later to see if and how God responded.

My daughter Emma, a new high school graduate at the time, wrote: “Kimmie getting better from her surgery.”

Too Important to Miss

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

—Ephesians 6:18  

“No!” Mabel stopped me just as I reached down to scoop up the scrap of paper from the floor, “Leave it there. It’s my reminder.”

“What? A reminder on the floor?” I laughed.

“Hey, it works. You noticed it.”

I had to admit she had a point.

How do you remind yourself of important things? Write them on the calendar, leave strategically placed notes, or make lists?

I’ve done it all. In fact, I’ve even been known to write messages on my bathroom mirror with a dry-erase marker.

Hey, it works.

But I’ve also been known to miss the important things because I’ve overlooked my reminder.

The Planning Committee

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

—Psalm 32:8 

Today was the big day for him.  I knew he had to be nervous.  At least I was – when I was observed by my administrator.  “I’ll pray for you,” I called through my colleague's classroom door.

“I hope I don’t need prayers!” he replied with a chuckle.

“I take all the prayers I can get,” I returned with a smile.  But on the inside I kept thinking about how differently we view prayer.

What I consider a vital part of Plan A is Plan B for others.  But it hasn’t always been that way for me.  How many times have I excluded God from the planning committee only to have to call Him in for the clean-up?

Imagine

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.—Ephesians 3:20-21

If you know me, you know of my desire to publish my children’s Christmas book, The Prettiest Sight to See:  A Story of the Holly Wreath.  You may also know that some of my friends gave me a beautiful berry-laden holly bush for Christmas last year and that I planted it in a symbolic act of faith, trusting God to bring a fruitful harvest.  As suggested, I planted the tree alongside my driveway so I would see the gentle reminder every time I drove by.  In front of the holly, I positioned a yard ornament emblazoned “Believe.”  Perfect!

Several months passed by, and without fail, each time I passed I turned my eyes toward the shrub, believing one day my prayer would be answered.  Then one day I noticed that the once beautiful plant with lush green foliage polka dotted with red was bare.  I gasped.  What happened?!  A few scraggly brown sticks was all that remained.  What does this mean, God?  Certainly my dream hasn’t died, has it?  I believed, God. Why would You allow my symbol of hope to succumb?