Author: Judy Elmer

One hot day as my husband and I were coming out of rehab and walking to our car, there was a horrible stink outside. It was the kind of stink that took your breath away. It was a stink bigger than any stink bug! I wanted to hold my nose but I couldn’t because my hands were full. As we were slowly walking to the car I said to my husband, “Let’s get our mind off this stink. Let’s pretend we’re standing somewhere else. I’ll go first. I’m standing on the beach looking out at the ocean and the breeze is wonderful. Now it’s your turn. Where are you?” Without hesitation he answered, “I’m standing between two dumpsters!” Sometimes it’s hard to get past the stink in life, but God’s Word guides us to… Therefore stand in awe of God. Eccl. 5:7

I have found that sometimes it’s hard to look beyond my brokenness. But I’ve discovered that when I deliberately turn my focus off myself and my circumstances and choose to praise God, there’s a change in me. Looking up and proclaiming the truth about God changes the way I think and feel. Even in those days when you feel there’s no way you could look up…be encouraged…you can! His help is available.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Before my husband’s stroke we used to dance. After his stroke we thought our dancing days were over. Walking and balance was (and still is) the priority. We recently went to a fundraiser dinner/concert and there was a dance floor! When the music started, to my surprise my husband said, “Let’s dance.” Sooo, we found a small space on the dance floor and with his cane and leg brace on, we danced! As we held on to each other I’ll never forget that frozen smile on my husband’s face. As we cautiously danced I remember thinking…only God could bring us to this refreshing moment.

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. Psalm 30:11

Fortunately we have the inspired Word of God, along with accounts of eyewitnesses who saw Jesus, walked with Him, and followed Him to answer the question—Who is Jesus?

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

When I look at this picture I have to laugh. It reminds me of my hair. Some mornings I feel like my hair looks like this. As I’ve grown older my hair is doing strange things, like being frizzy, dry and bushy. Even my young grandson said, “Nana you got fuzzy hair.” Growing older is a challenge for me. I don’t look the same as I did in my youth. I’ve talked to Jesus a lot about my hair. Many times I’ve expressed how important hair is to me. But God continues to remind me in His Word what’s MOST important. ❤

“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7

These birds look like they’re having fun at a pool party. I wonder if summertime is their favorite time of the year? It’s mine. I like the warmer weather and lighter-longer days. I never learned to swim, but I sure like gathering around the pool for food and fun. Fall has a lot to behold with all the beautiful colors, and Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Winter is not my most-liked season. Although as a teacher, I remember those glorious, snowy mornings I woke up to the announcement—“SCHOOL IS CLOSED TODAY.” And then comes Spring…flowers, alive, green, Spring! God is certainly not boring. The beauty and uniqueness of each season testifies to the love and creativity of God. And to think these seasons are only a faint glimpse of what God has in store for us.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9

“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zep.3:17

I can’t get over that God sings! And to think He sings over me and you is breathtaking. I’m convinced that one day all those who have placed their faith in Jesus, the One True God, will hear Him sing. Wow! We have lots to look forward to.

When I was a young girl I lived in the country on a farm in Indiana. I have good memories about those days, as well as some bad memories. I remember how free I felt laying in the grass and looking up at the clouds. With my imagination and the formation of the clouds, I saw the shapes of all kinds of animals in the sky. But a not so good memory was that dark, stormy afternoon the tornado came through. I was so afraid. Lightning struck our chimney and the doors of the barn blew off. Some people lost a lot more from that tornado. There’s no easy answer to why things happen the way they do in this broken world. But one thing for sure… in tragedy and suffering, God’s love for you doesn’t run out. His love is constant and He will not leave you. He will hold your hand and walk step by step with you through the tough times. God still has it. We can trust Him even if we don’t understand.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

Have you ever felt like you’re in a battle? I mean, where you find yourself struggling, and your battle cry might sound something like… “The emotional pain is too deep and my strength is fading.” Or, “I’m afraid and this is taking too long.” Or, “Why is this happening?” None of us are exempt from suffering. Jesus understands the suffering that ignites the battle cry. He cares about our emotional, mental, and physical well-being. A battle cry that ends with a call for Jesus to help is never ignored. He hears your battle cry. Jesus is our Warrior King that enables us to walk by faith and rise up!

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Psalm 24:8

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Gen. 1:31

I believe God has a sense of humor. When I look at how God created animals I have to laugh. I’m convinced He deliberately made them for our delight. And our delight in God’s creation honors Him. I bet Jesus laughed with His disciples. I feel sure His sense of humor was evident while eating with friends and at weddings too. I expect you could hear some laughing when Jesus was with the children; and those fishing moments are bound to have brought some laughter.