Before leaving Indiana last week to return home to Wisconsin, my mom and I took one last walk around the neighborhood. The sun was just beginning to burn away the fog, and it made for a beautiful, memorable and worshipful walk!
Wisdom from the Rocking Chair
Knowing my love for antiques, a friend recently gave me her grandmother’s rocking chair. There’s something about a rocking chair that produces thoughts of wise elderly women rocking back and forth and knitting or crocheting as they exude more wisdom with every stitch. I often wish I could sit at the feet of these women as they speak the knowledge they have gained from their many years on earth and the experiences that resulted in the wisdom they are able to share.
Learning from others is critical to our own growth as individuals. The wealth of information available to us is increasing with every page we read from biographies, every article we read online, every Facebook status, every blog post, every tweet and so on. So why, and again I ask, why, would we not avail ourselves of every opportunity to learn from others?
The answer? I believe that our pride makes us think we are worthy of nothing less than being teachers; therefore, we naturally shy away from admitting our need to remain students even as we teach. I may not like everything a teacher/writer/blogger does, but I want to learn what I can from their experience, wisdom and knowledge, add in my God-focused philosophy of life and be better off for having learned what they were able to teach.
Let me quickly add that I believe we can learn SOMEthing from everyone—even if it is merely becoming stronger in our own beliefs by learning that we don’t want to be like them or follow their teachings at all! But the important thing is to approach each person, each day and each experience as though they were lessons from which to learn.
However, humility of heart is required, for in placing ourselves under the teaching of another we are admitting that we have not yet achieved perfection!
This desire to learn from others is prevalent in the Bible in the life of Joshua. His numerous references to all that Moses taught him demonstrate humility, gratitude and a teachable spirit that formed him into a great national leader. Though appointed by God Himself, Joshua respected the wisdom Moses had gained from following God. Joshua clearly intended to honor Moses—and God!—by applying that knowledge to his own life and to his leadership of God’s people. [I encourage you to read the Book of Joshua and note all the references to the teachings of Moses!]
No matter our biological age, there will be times when we are called upon to sit in the rocking chair and times when we will have opportunities to sit at the feet of others in the rocking chair. May we be willing to view both through the eyes of opportunity and with a heart of humility for the unique set of privileges that they hold.
Guest Post: Blessings at Brunch
Today’s blog post was written by my favorite guest post writer—my mom! After reading this important post with God-focused life lessons, please feel free to leave a comment for Lorraine!
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Recently I had the joyful privilege to have Saturday morning brunch with two of our three granddaughters—one by birth, one by marriage. We wished the third could be with us, but she was several hundred miles away.
Conversation ran from recent experiences to memories from our childhood, from our routine activities to special opportunities, from the anticipation of coming events to just the enjoyment of a comfortable place with good food—over which we could share a time of refreshment.
As our time was nearing conclusion, we centered our thoughts on the most important thing God has taught each of us this year.
The older of the two said her greatest lesson was to realize she ultimately is not in control. She and her husband, our grandson, have spent the last several months watching—and in many ways, directing—the building of their new house. She was able to make various choices but the final decision was given to the builder. She said it was hard not to be in control, but learned that because of the knowledge of the builder, his final authority brought about the finished product that was exactly what it should be.
As we continued talking, we were reminded of how often we all make choices and use our control, or authority, to care for a need—but the Lord, in His great wisdom, overrules our would-be control. Matthew 28:18-19 tells us what Jesus spoke about authority: “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ‘All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’”
The younger of my two special brunch partners had recently traveled to Israel with several friends and people from her church. She was impressed with the greeting of “Shalom,” or “peace.” She said that though she believed herself to be a peaceful person, she was reminded of areas lacking in a truly peaceful spirit. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The peace of God covers every area of our lives!
I was able to share with them that because my husband has a physical limitation that has required my close attention, I have learned much about the sufficient grace that is mine to claim. II Corinthians 12:9 says, “And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
A lovely brunch with two young ladies for whom I am very thankful brought great reminders of what God is doing in our lives and what He is teaching each of us daily through His perfect plan. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Whether our need is learning to yield control to an authority, having the peace of God in every area of our lives, or trusting in His grace to carry us through our every need, we can confidently say that we have a great God!
— by Lorraine Strohbehn
How’s the View?
Over the last five months I have learned more than ever before that my perspective can make all the difference in how I walk my “journey of joy.” This lesson has become very visual for me recently as I realize the varying views I can have from my apartment balcony.
When I am discouraged, it’s easy to walk around with slumped posture and a downward focus. Much like the view from the balcony if I take this stance, my main focus becomes the trash and the items from the past that need to be discarded rather than highlighted.
When I keep a forward and upward focus and trust in the Great Shepherd to lead me, the view changes drastically! Just as the beautiful multi-layered view from my balcony this morning, the view of the future before me takes on a new perspective when my focus is right!
My brother is visiting for a few days from New York, and the two of us enjoyed an early breakfast out on the balcony. He, too, loved the views from the balcony and kept asking me, “What is that place?” and “How do you get to that place over there?” I felt a little non-adventurous admitting that I had never ventured out to discover their actual locations, and confessing that I had merely enjoyed the view! [He is out adventuring while I post this!]
I guess even that element of my everyday life is indicative of the lessons I am in the process of learning: I don’t have to know what’s in the multi-layered scope of my future. I am learning to do today what I am supposed to do today, and trusting my tomorrows to the One Who knows the future!
And maybe, just maybe, in my future, is a long walk to find out how to get to “that place over there!”
Hebrews 12:2, NASB “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith….”
Scripture Saturday – August 25
My parents shared this familiar verse with me last night and it was just what I needed! The amazing truths in this short verse are overwhelming and the fitting choice for posting as my “Scripture Saturday” photo! God bless you as you serve Him with your lives this weekend!
