Cedars and Palms

A while ago my husband received a summons for jury duty. For the first time in his life, he qualified for an exemption. He could be excused from jury service simply by affirming: "I am over seventy years of age and do not wish to serve." What a convenient way out! Sometimes in my weaker moments I wish for a similar old-age exemption from trials of faith. Wouldn't it be pleasant if we could be excused from afflictions simply by affirming, "I'm too old for this!" Instead, we face some of life's toughest trials when we are elderly--chronic pain; loss of a spouse; reduced mental acuity; limited mobility; minimized living quarters. In sovereign wisdom, God allows his aged believers to encounter strong tests of faith. Consider what happens to Daniel. The old statesman is in his eighties when King Darius decrees that everyone must pray only to the king. Death by lions' jaws awaits anyone who disobeys. What does aging Daniel do? He keeps on w...

As I write, I'm sipping coffee advertised as "good to the last drop." In other words, the whole cup promises to be flavorful and pleasing, with no bitterness at the end. It's a good slogan for coffee. It's also a good goal for life! I'd like to be good to the last too--striving to please God throughout my life, with no bitter dregs at the end. That's why I pay attention to the cautionary story of King Asa in II Chronicles, chapters 14 through 16. Asa starts his reign well, does many good things, but somehow gets derailed in old age. Consider some of Asa's accomplishments as king of Judah. He removes pagan shrines, demolishes idols, strengthens national defenses, and renews the nation's covenant with the Lord. When threatened by a huge foreign army, he runs to the Lord first: "O LORD, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in you alone." (II Chron. 14:11 NLT) The Lord g...

I like the frozen food aisle best. I walk through it every week, even when there are no frozen items on my grocery list. Why? For the joy of enlightenment. Here's how it works: Start when the aisle is empty of other shoppers. The motion-sensitive lights in the freezer cases will be dark. As you begin moving, enlightenment dawns step by step. As you near the pizza section, the case lights up. Approach the frozen vegetables, and brightness bursts upon you. Get close to "Entrees," and they are illuminated. At the end of the aisle, look back with a smile. Your entire path has been bathed  in light--just when you needed it! Each time I enjoy this experience, two Scripture verses pop into my mind: Light is shed upon the righteous. (Psalm 97:11 NIV) The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. (Proverbs 4:18 NIV)   I used to think the light of God's guidance was mostly for the young. Afte...

I was in kindergarten when envy first grabbed me. Every day, my best friend and I opened lunch boxes with food prepared by our mothers. We each received a sandwich, veggie sticks and fruit. All was well until Ginny’s mother began adding a Tootsie Roll™ candy to her lunch. Day after day she received a delicious chewy treat.  Soon I grew discontent with my own lunch. My mother did not believe in giving me candy at lunchtime. I lost my happy spirit. Generosity would have said: “Ginny gets candy every day, and I’m glad for her.” Instead I grumbled to myself, “Ginny has something I don’t have, and I need it.” Lunchtime was spoiled for me. Envy won. We smile at the foolishness, but we understand the feeling. The tendency to compare our lot with others never seems to disappear. We look in others’ “lunch boxes” and find our own lives lacking. Even at advanced age, it’s easy to wish we had what others have—energy to serve, freedom from chronic pain, family close by, ample fu...