But, If, Then, So.

Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself. Abraham Joshua Heschel

Hanging perfectly positioned to catch my eye as I entered the store was a lovely summer dress. My intention, however, was not to find a dress for myself, but to find something to spend my $15.00 bonus coupons on before their expiration date. That was today. I had even planned my auto service appointment around it.

Street scene reflections obscure the view of a dress in the window.

The qualifications for the use of this little bonus were either something needed for the household, or a gift for someone else. I was in the blessed position of not needing any clothes and as my husband had so objectively stated, the great-grand darling didn’t need any either. But $15 should not go to waste, I reasoned.

I walked by the dress and scanned the other departments, arriving at the toddler section with Christmas in mind. Finding a pretty appliqued top and printed leggings two sizes larger than her current size would work. My total expenditure would be a mere $6.99 after the coupons. I would be satisfied with that.

Nevertheless, the dress hung there tempting me at 30% off. I could certainly live without it, but the additional $15 off made it even more reasonable. If I felt I'd made a mistake, I could return it for a refund. That's what the grace of God is about. So, it went with me to the register along with the toddler outfit.

I’d only spent $48.98, but I wasn’t happy. I hadn’t wanted to spend any money on anything I didn’t need, especially this summer, when my income had dropped so dramatically.

In the dealership lounge I had a chance to check through my email and found a code for an additional 25% off at the same store. That would bring the total price of both items down to $32.99. Still, I felt uneasy. If I took both items back, would I lose my $15 bonus altogether?

“Once it’s gone, it’s gone,” the cashier said of the bonus coupons; they could not be applied to another purchase. Furthermore, I could not have used the additional 25% off in combination with them.

Unable to accept that as the final answer yet, I decided to return my purchases to the store near home and settled the matter with the Lord on the way. By now, both items had lost their value to me. Indeed, they would both go back. Neither I nor the little one lacked anything, except peace. “Thank you for loving me so. Thank you for disciplining me,” I whispered from a heart of contentment.

It would have been nice to have a “do-over,” but I knew He was abundantly capable of providing that and ever so much more. The $15 did not go to waste after all. It was a bargain price for peace.

 --

Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. Job 5:17 NIV

All discipline seems for the moment painful, not joyful; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby. Hebrews 12:11 NHB

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. I Timothy 6:6-8 NAS

An excerpt from 

While it Is Called Today

A 30-day Photo Devotional

by Dee Marvin Emeigh

Can You See Him Now?

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Each of us sees God differently, according to our experience with Him, our need at the moment, or the things that currently captivate us. 

This doesn't mean He changes, like shifting sand. It means that He meets every need where we are at any given moment in time. It isn't necessary, nor even desirable that we all see Him the same way. What is necessary and desirable, is that we see Him and that we see Him as the source and supply for every need.

• So, what is it that you need? Strength? Guidance? Friendship? Health? All of these are available, if only we would see Him as our source. The relationship Jesus came to give us, in the covenant He established, provides for these and more. 

The problem always comes down to one thing: how we see Him. This is why, on at least one occasion, Jesus asked His followers, "Who do you say that I am?" 

It's an important question, especially when we're hearing a lot of opinions about Him. The truth is, is if we do not see Him as necessary or vital, He will not be. 

We all go astray in this. 

It was true back in the day of Isaiah. In chapter 53 of his writings, we read (verse 6), "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way..." (NAS).

And it is still true. 

We go bouncing along in the business of life and suddenly, we don't even know what hits us, but we're out of the ballpark.

How much more true today than it was a few thousand years ago, we can only guess. We are bombarded constantly with bad news, with ugly reports, with horrific events, with assaults against our morality, our intellect, our peace, our faith. We are steadily immersed in a sea of the way mankind without God lives. We look for models within church buildings and we find forms of godliness.

•  Maxx Lucado writes: "Sin sees the world with no God in it...a godless attitude leads to godless actions...the sinful mind dismisses God...his counsel goes un-consulted; his opinion, unsolicited."

If we do not see Him, we may not be looking, for in the midst of all the world and its troubles, He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. He will be there for us to turn to, if we only will. When we want to turn and run, if we run to Him, He will turn us around and tell us to stand. He will be our strong tower and our shield. We will look for those who oppressed us and we won't be able to find them.

Isaiah 41:10'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' 11"Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish. 12"You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.…(NASB)

Empty Shells

It always seems impossible until it’s done. — Nelson Mandela
 

When the announcement for an art class I had desired to take arrived only a few days prior to the start date, my first reaction was, "I can't." It had been a few years since I'd done anything more than sketches, and now, with a full-time teaching job, professional development to complete for my part-time graduate-level instructor position, housework, and time for family and a few friends, I couldn't imagine being able to add it to my calendar on such short notice. But I really, really wanted to. So, I prayed. 

In a matter of a few minutes, the tide began to turn. I started to see possibilities. The class was only a month long, which would leave me another month to complete my professional development. The household chores could be accomplished in the evening after work and on painting breaks, and family and friends could be accommodated in brief interludes. 

The next barrier was to inventory my art supplies and purchase what I didn't have. Through the blessing of the Internet, all this was accomplished in a few hours. As I settled down to start the first assignment, the delivery truck arrived with the last few colors for the palette. 

Still, I could not have been more anxious.

"I can't do this without you, Lord. I know you have brought me to this point, but I can't seem to get started. Show me how. Show me where to begin." I began to thank Him for the supplies, for the timing, for His leading, for my understanding husband, for the opportunity. Then I dipped the brush in the water. It was, after all, a class. I was taking it to learn and learning involves mistakes.

Immediately I understood. Learning, though I enjoy it now, has always been a challenge for me. If it didn't come naturally, I shied away. I had no confidence in my ability. As time went on, there were things I just had to do. And because I had to, I did. I overcame the anxiety by focusing on the one thing I had to do next, one step at a time. 

Trusting God to show me the first step in the painting assignment, and following Him to the next step, it became a time of communion with Him, of prayer for others, of worship, and of revelation. I am certain that is exactly how it was meant to be. I'm also fairly certain that this is how God has made each of us to be. Not anxious, necessarily, but needy. We don't want to be and we are inundated with messages that tell us we shouldn't be. That's the world we were born into. But, it wasn't always so. In the beginning, man needed God for everything. It was a sweet communion until the idea of self sufficiency was born. 

Personally, I'm glad to let that self sufficiency thing die. Being an empty shell is a beautiful thing. 

The finished painting - Empty Shells

Psalm 37:4-5

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you (The Living Bible).

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life (New Living Translation).

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Happy are those whose trust is in the Lord, Who rely on the Lord.

⁸ They will be like trees planted by the streams, whose roots reach down to the water.

They won’t fear drought when it comes; their leaves will remain green.
They won’t be stressed in the time of drought or fail to bear fruit (Common English Bible).

John 15:5

I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear great fruit. Without Me, you will accomplish nothing (The Voice).

Excerpt from

While it Is Called Today

a 30-day photo devotional

by Dee Marvin Emeigh

www.livwellseedco.com