June

June


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
May 31, 2011

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest”.–Exodus 33:14 NIV


The month of June has come quickly this year. It’s been a favorite month of many for a lot of reasons. The children love it because it signals the end of school and the beginning of summer. Families pack up for vacations that they have saved all year for. Neighbors gather together for fireworks and a backyard hot dog. Picnics, grilling out and paper plates become the norm. Watermelons are sliced and shared outdoors. A good time has been had by the younger set evidenced by kool-aid stains on t-shirts in colors of cherry, orange and lime. Band-aids cover the scraped knees from bicycle mishaps. Fathers labor over their lawns in a battle against the weeds and Moms brace for whatever the summer brings knowing she must be adaptable. Summer becomes a chance to enjoy family, slack up a little and enjoy the tastes and joys of it all.

But in all of our busyness, I think God would have us not forget Him. A small child was asked what did he pray for that day and he replied, “nothing, I didn’t need anything”. We seem to have a tendency to only go to God with our requests when we are in crisis or have a real need. When things are going great for us, He can be easily pushed aside. As summer begins, we should invite God to be present in all we do, plan and enjoy. God is more important than ever as we pray protection over our loved ones that are on the go this summer season.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
May 26, 2011

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. -Psalm 5:11 NIV


It was not always known as “Memorial Day”. The day where we remember and honor those who have lost their lives while serving our country. It was originally called “Decoration Day”. This commemoration dates back as far as 1868 when flowers were placed on graves at Arlington National Cemetery of soldiers who died in service. Soon after, it caught on, state by state. Since the 1950’s, American flags have been placed on more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery on the Thursday prior to Memorial Day each year. Just a few years ago, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts began placing a single candle on over 15,000 gravesites in northern Virginia on the Thursday prior to Memorial Day. The tributes continue annually to show honor and respect.

But the traditions of the past are more forgotten than remembered. Memorial Day has often signified outdoor parties, picnics, three- day weekends, the unofficial start to summer, and maybe the first dip in the swimming pool. But as we grow older, the significance of the sacrifice made by the fallen soldiers presses on our hearts. They are heroes. Many of the people serving the armed forces today are very young. Some may not even have a personal relationship with Our Father. Imagine being away from the comfort of family and familiar surroundings, living with war and not knowing God. As Christians, I believe that God is calling us to pray for the protection of these brave servicemen and women, both at home and abroad. In all of the celebrations and fun that a Memorial Day weekend suggests, perhaps we can take time to go to God in prayer to ask His blessings on families that have lost loved ones and to cover His Holy Armor on those brave people that are currently serving us. If we all prayed a prayer for peace, and each prayer was a light, together we could illuminate the heavens with our petitions!

Taking Steps


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
May 18, 2011

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. -Proverbs 16:9 NIV

Inside each of us are our dreams, hopes, desires and wishes. I love talking to little children about their dreams. They are so enthusiastic when they share their thoughts. There is a fresh innocence to their words that tumble so freely from their hearts. This time of year, the high school seniors are preparing for graduation as a new path unfolds in front of them. Many decisions await them about how to pursue their dreams and what steps to take. Graduating college students are ready to put their education to use as they seek their place in the world. But dreams aren’t just for the young. Changing careers, lifestyles or even moving from one place to another are all part of the process of redesigning ones’ life. But whatever it is that we feel we are “called” to do or pursue, we must always check with God first.

It is really His Plan for us that we should be following rather than going out on our own. I know this for sure. If we are operating within His Plan, His Umbrella of Protection, then we are on the right path. We may stumble and fall, we may even fail, but it is with the knowledge that sometimes God takes us down certain roads to build up our faith, to humble or to strengthen us before we can go further. He is constantly encouraging and teaching us through the daily experiences we encounter. But, what if nothing is happening? Maybe we don’t know if we are in God’s Plan or not. In fact, we may have put our dreams on hold for so long, we have given up. That is when we take those first steps. Martin Luther King, Jr. is quoted as saying, “Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” It is important to follow up our hopes and dreams with action. We can trust God to open the doors for us if we are obedient and walking a godly path. He will surely close doors for us and redirect us if we get off course. It is as if He is taking us by the hand. We just have to trust Him.

Today

Today


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
May 11, 2011

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!

Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass

May 04, 2011

My soul finds rest in God alone; My salvation comes from him. -Psalm 62:1

One year we rented a charming antique-filled cottage on the sound and it had two hammocks. That was great except there were four of us! The hammocks were situated on the front corners of the old style house secured by sturdy hooks on the ceiling of the covered porch. We each took turns “nesting” in our favorite hammock, complete with a pillow and even an old quilt to wrap up in at night while stargazing. It was great fun to see if two of us could comfortably fit in one of the hammocks together, but it was even more fun trying to get out of it without being spilled onto the floor!

What is more peaceful than a hammock? The inventor’s of the hammock, the Spaniards, originally wove threads together from the Hammok tree dating as far back as the 1600’s. What originated as a tropical invention has now swept across all boundaries and cultures as a useful, functional piece of furniture, inside and out. The gentle swaying motion of the hammock can be hypnotic. Being cradled in one is the ultimate in rest and relaxation. The troubles and cares of the world instantly disappear and for that moment or two, we are lost in our own deep world of solitude and peace. The hammock is accommodating of any age or any sized person. The way it molds into the shape of the individual makes it a customized fit.

It is fitting that on Mother’s Day we talk of solitude and peace. It is something that many Mother’s don’t get enough of. But whether we are Mother’s or not, we each know our limits and we instinctively know when to withdraw long enough to recharge our batteries. Luke 5:16 says that “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed”. When we long for the lazy days of summer in a hammock, that is our cue to find a quiet place and commune with Him. God can meet us anywhere, even in a hammock. He will restore, renew and revitalize our spirits if we make the time to find rest in Him.