Influence

Influence

 

O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling. –Psalm 43:3

 

The beach has been such a part of my life since I was a child. It made sense that I would share my love of the beach with my own children. They were influenced by me and both of our children love everything to do with the beach today. I enjoy seeing parents taking their children to the beach for the first time or out on the pier with their first rod and reel. Little children want to emulate their parents. We don’t have to tell them what to do as much as we must show them by our actions and live a life that would make them want to follow. When our actions and words surround them, that is called “influence”. We each have the power to influence anyone.  It is a mighty thing to know that something we can say or do could shape another person’s life, choices and decisions.

 

Using our influence in a subtle way is far better than actually telling someone what to do. To be told what to do can often be received as unsolicited advice, unappreciated wisdom, and just plain interference. To have success in this area, we must realize that our actions carry more weight than our words.

 

How are we using our influence in our everyday life? Who do we look up to? Who looks up to us?  Everything that we say and do reflects our character which reflects our relationship with God. If we are using the gift of influence to guide others, we must pray that it is God’s Light and His Truth leading us to lead others.

Today

Today

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

–Psalm 118:24 NIV

 

More than once, I have found myself leaning against a sand fence and thoughtfully staring at the ocean into the distance. I wonder if there was someone on the other side staring back at me with a heart full of hopes and dreams, too! It is a great past time to wonder what lies beyond what our natural eye can see.  At times I wish I could see supernaturally for what is coming next week, next month or next year. But, God knows best when He limits our vision to the “here and now”. When I was a child, my friends and I wished our life away, as though we were in an anxious race to mark time quickly, so we can become adults. Only to become adults, and long for the carefree days of our youth again! How foolish we were!

 

The Bible teaches us to not worry or have fear about His Provision. We aren’t to worry about tomorrow, just live in today. Worry can’t accomplish anything. In fact, worry is actually a sin. It cancels out our prayers.   We are to trust God for His blessings and favor.  It is a blessing to just being able to live and enjoy each day in contentment without fear or anxiety. He provides for us in all ways, each day. God brought this message to me another way this week. As I was going about the house, I was humming a hymn. Finally I paid attention to the song He put in my heart. It was “Great Is Thy Faitfulness”. The refrain says it all:

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Autumn

Autumn


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass

Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches. -Matthew 13:32 NIV

One definition for the word “autumn” is reaching maturity. Autumn is the time of year when the harvest comes in. The seeds planted in spring are ready to be harvested now. If summer droughts and disease didn't affect the plants and they made it through, then the harvest is to be celebrated. From just a tiny seed, so much is provided. This is a fun time of year to go to the various produce stands to see the pumpkin patch's, fruits, nuts and Indian corn. We have enjoyed decorating our home with a wreath of colorful fall leaves, nuts and acorns and miniature pumpkins. Each year when my children were little, we went to the country fields to walk the rows of pumpkins so they could each find their special one. We still laugh at the time I brought home a 75 pound pumpkin and had to strap it in the front seat with the seatbelt! Our front porch was always decorated with pumpkins, pots of mums and that handmade wreath. We even hung a cluster of Indian corn with a ribbon to the mailbox.

In our spiritual life, we can also enjoy the benefits of a harvest. But we do have to plant seeds first. So how do you do that? First it is the prayer of salvation that invites God into our heart. Making Jesus our Lord and Savior. Then it is reading the Bible to learn how to apply the principles to our life. Did you know the Bible will talk to us about how to have relationships, how to raise our children, how to be a light in the darkness? Probably the greatest thing any of us can do to strengthen our bond with God is to meet Him each day in prayer. Hopefully we should have a hunger and thirst for Him. Making time to do this is also an act of obedience and it is good discipline. It is as though we are showing up each day for our assignment from God. We can ask Him to mold and shape our day so that it glorifies Him.

Praying is like planting seeds. We know if we have done the work, the harvest will come. We know that in our prayer life, the harvest is when our prayers are answered with a solution or wisdom for being able to cope. Sometimes before we can plant seeds, we have to plow up the soil and amend it. The soil may not be good and if so, nothing will grow. That applies to us spiritually as well. Forgiveness and bitterness have to be pulled out by the roots. They are weeds in our garden. Letting go of anger and disappointment too. Again, more weeds. Only when the weeds are gone, and the soil is right can we plant our seeds with confidence. A harvest awaits us if we are willing to do the work. That is how we can begin to walk in spiritual maturity.

Finding Peace

Finding Peace

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. -Psalm 85:8 ESV

October is here again!! Seems that these seasons are coming too fast! Pumpkins, fall colors, and cooler weather all adds up to the essence of “fall”. I have never known a month that I loved more than October at the beach. When we were youngsters and Daddy bought the new little beach box beside the ocean, I remember we could throw open all the windows and have a fabulous breeze blow through the house. Our deck was the perfect place for seeing shooting stars.  We slept with the windows open and could hear the waves tumble to the shore. The woolen blankets would feel damp by morning with the salt air pouring in. Hot chocolate never tasted so good in the mornings to take away the chill.  We always woke up with great expectations of good things each day because the beach never disappointed us. Even the rainy days were wonderful. Things were simpler then in the 60’s and we didn’t require so much stimulation to be happy like it is today. Building sandcastles, playing cards, putting together a puzzle with the family are wonderful memories that still carry me through. Now I see families playing with their cell phones over a meal in a restaurant. They aren’t talking to each other. Children can’t look out the windows on a car ride but instead have videos and movies they watch until their eyes glaze over.  Television must be on at all times to “provide company”. No one seems to like to be still and quiet.

God’s Peace can be found in those still and quiet times. But to the young generation, there doesn’t seem to be a value in quiet silence. I think it may be looked upon as a punishment to sit still and certainly silence can be so boring or so I have been told!! With so many conveniences and electronics available to make life easier, it appears we are busier than ever.  How much can we cram into one day? And at the days end, do we fall asleep in peace or are our minds rehearsing what we will do tomorrow? I suggest it is the latter.

October is such a beautiful time to be outdoors. Turn the phone off. Take a walk. Sit on the porch. Walk the beach. Spend time to remember what a peaceful mind and heart feels like. Rediscover the sweet sound of nature and your own heartbeat. When we are quiet, God is then allowed to speak to us. He drops ideas into our minds. He plants seeds on the inside of us so we can dream big. Fill the void with Him and everything else will fall into place. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. –Philippians 4:9 ESV

The Ocean

The Ocean

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. - Psalm 145:3 NIV.

 

The ocean has a hold on me. It is so powerful.  I have a large amount of respect for what it can do when unleashed. The waves that pound the shore in rhythmic fashion remind me of a strong heartbeat…some days beating faster than others.  Going to sit by the edge of the ocean makes everything better. It is as if the waves wash over me and cleanses my soul in quietude and refreshes my mind at the same time. The ocean breathes its salt air on me and I feel wrapped in a blanket of calm. I can think better and there is clarity.  For years I have wondered what was the real secret of the ocean….is it the salt air, the breezes, the serenity, the sound of the waves? I suppose it adds up to all those things. Water has a calming effect on so many of us. To each their own. Some people need to fish, while others surf the waves.  We are all unique but unified in the fact that many of us hunger for the ocean in some way or another. And we all agree on one thing, the ocean is a force that deserves our honor and respect.

 

God is most worthy of our praise, honor and respect as well. Yet, I don’t think He gets His due. The busyness of our schedules and our fast and furious lives leaves little time for Him. Our mind is where our heart is…or is it the other way around? I think both ways apply. God seems to get the leftovers at times. “Oh I’ll get to God after everything else is done and I can relax and really focus”….haven’t we all said that?  We can pray or talk to God anywhere….driving in the car, vacuuming the floor, pulling weeds, walking the beach. We are told to pray continually (I Thess. 5: 17). Some times my talking to God turns into prayer and then back to talking again…..I don’t really know the difference. He deserves to be exalted in our lives. And to be appreciated and for us to allow Him to guide us in His Way and His Will. God’s power and mightiness are so much greater than anything we can imagine. While our footprints along the ocean’s edge may get washed away with the tide, our memories of our time with God will be forever written in Heaven and our heart.

 

 

 

 

Walking through Life

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose  -Romans 8:28 ESV

 

My morning routine includes a walk on most days. The pace is just right and sometimes I realize the walk is over before I know it. Being deep in thought, I suppose the walk has become habit without a lot of concentration on my part.  But that one time I stub my toe or trip over something reminds me to pay attention and not take things for granted.  Likewise, just when we feel like we have the world by a string, something comes out of nowhere to dash our hopes and we are left with disappointment. It is disheartening to feel that our dreams are slipping away. That our hopes have aborted us and we sit alone in disillusion. Whether it is a sore toe or one of life’s lessons, both hurt!

 

What is the definition for disappointment? It is the failure to fulfill our expectations. Better said, disappointment is the gap that exists between expectation and reality. It has happened to all of us. This past week I had to sit down and cope with several disappointments. They can come so suddenly that it sucks the breath out of you. No, nothing devastating, just setbacks that will turn around for good as they always have. But don’t we set our minds to the way we think things should play out and when they don’t we find ourselves stunned!

 

Sometimes I have really questioned my heart, my thoughts, my beliefs, and my faith. Just because I write an inspirational column doesn’t set me apart or give me immunity from low valleys in life. In fact, I am convinced sometimes that God purposely allows difficulties so I will have something to write about!! God has his sense of humor and I try to keep mine too! Seriously, when in the depths of the valley, it does feel like we are all alone. Then God sends us help through a scripture, a friend or someone in passing that lets us know that He has us covered. As I said this week, God will make it work out. I don’t know how and I don’t know when, but we can trust Him. And that we must do!

 

What is the opposite of disappointment? Perhaps we could include words like success, blessing, happiness, encouragement, help, comfort and more. So how do we climb out of disappointment into blessing? The simplest way is not focus on defeat or disappointment but look over it, beyond it. By focusing on our lack, we won’t see the abundance on the other side. I know this is hard. Frustration mounts as time goes by, but God does have the last word. Surrendering our situation to Him instead of circling our problems and reliving them over and over will bring us up and over into God’s grace and favor a lot quicker!!

 

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Balance

Balance
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
September 11, 2013

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. -Matthew 6:33 ESV I look out my window as I write today and see flowers blowing in the breeze. I love it and am so pleased that good watering and fertilizing have produced amazing flowers and foliage to enjoy. As with anything, it takes a mixture of things, a balance of ingredients to make something good. The sun, the rains, good soil, plant food and proper pruning all play a part in a beautiful end result. What is balance? It is described as a state of equilibrium; an equal distribution. When things run aground, it is usually because something is out of balance. I have heard it said that we should live daily with these equal parts: prayer, family, work and play. The opposite of that is to be imbalanced. If you spend too much time on one, the others will become neglected and suffer. Think of a garden bench. If one leg was shorter or longer than the others the bench would be lopsided. It would then have little value. Translate that to everyday life. If the student that watches TV after school instead of doing homework doesn’t change, he will lose his footing in class. When the workaholic leaves home early and comes back late, he misses out on family time that cannot be reclaimed and so on. We should work hard and play hard, and not confuse the two!! There is a true, deep pleasure and residing happiness that comes when things are in harmony. When our hearts are filled with the goodness of the Lord and we stand sheltered by Him, balance is easier to obtain. That is how it was meant to be. God gave many of us the ability to laugh, to have fun, to sing and clap. He gave us a mind so we could apply ourselves in the workplace or at home for the good of our family. He taught us to pray and He has an open door policy! And many of us have loved ones we cherish that bring richness to our life. The key to keeping our balance is knowing when we have lost it, but He can help us find it, if we seek Him and are willing.

Changing Landscape

Changing Landscape

But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
-Isaiah 43:18-19

The next season is upon us. The sea oats will be no more than golden stalks in a few weeks. Grasses will turn brown as the days grow shorter. The summer haze of humidity will be chased away by blue sky and fall breezes. It is one of my favorite times of the year.

Nothing stays the same. Haven’t you heard that said? And oh, how true it is. When things are good, don’t we silently wish for time to stand still so we can savor those great times? And when things get rough, the getting gets tough and abundance is as fleeting as a cloud. Those are the moments we want to get through in a hurry. There is something to learn in good times and bad.

What I thought was a totally devastating change was when we moved to another city far from anything familiar. I simply couldn’t accept it and struggled to get over it. And then a few years later, when a sickness required specialists and treatment, I realized God had moved us to the right city, for the right care, at the right time. After that, I learned to not second guess God and just follow Him.  God moved us again and when my husband took ill, God made sure just the right doctor was on call that day in the ER to do a delicate procedure that he was an expert at. Again, God came through. This accounting of God’s Presence in our lives has played out again and again. We are not special. We are not “head of the class”. We are simply His Children. Now there are more changes ahead.  Our son, our daughter in law and precious grandson are relocating in a few weeks to be near us from another state. I know this is God ordained. The time is right. Their house is sold, the job is secured and their new house is waiting for them. This is a sweet season we are entering and we feel blessed.  While nothing stays the same, there is always change to contend with. We have to take it all, both the good and the bad, while never hesitating to root our faith in Him just like those sea oats are rooted in the sand. We sway back and forth and endure everything without ever breaking. Doubts and fear can cloud our vision and cause us to bend far, but faith sustains us in the changing landscape ahead, if we allow it. God is faithful especially when we are.