Don’t Let Your Guard Down
My brother owns a contracting business that largely centers around land restoration. Because I work with him, I’ve been in some pretty interesting places and done some pretty interesting things. I’ve worn waders and walked across a wetland, rode a 4 wheeler while ‘spraying the edges’ at a controlled burn, and unfortunately got a Ranger stuck in a very wet marsh, more than once! I’ve planted hundreds of trees, walked through weeds that were way over my head, and sprayed herbicide from a punt boat my brother was ferrying. However, my favorite activity is caring for the trees in our tree farm. But one time this summer, I wasn’t in the tree farm for over two weeks. Upon returning, it was overrun with 3-4′ weeds! It didn’t take me long to realize you can’t let your guard down when you’re caring for trees.
We Have to Guard our Thoughts!
This is also true in our thinking. We have to guard our thoughts. The world comes at us hard: it is constantly giving us something to worry about. However, we don’t have to listen! Romans 12:2 (ESV) states, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” When everything seems hopeless , we must fill our minds with something hopeful. Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) states: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Did you catch that? PERFECT PEACE. We can believe God when He says, “I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you.” (Isaiah 46:4, NLT)
Things to do today: (Click on links above for easy access.)
- Read another blog called ‘Hold Fast to Peace.’
- Listen to the song, ‘You Say’ by Lauren Daigle.
There’s something about the Christmas season that is simply magical. It’s literally overflowing with joy. Two of the things I really like are the sights and sounds. My taste in the music of Christmas is a bit eclectic: I love ‘O Holy Night’ but I can easily join in when I hear ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.’ (Perhaps not my proudest moment…) Similarly, don’t even get me started on the lights. Popping with colors or stunning in white-I find them mesmerizing. I’m pretty fond of Christmas sugar cookies too, occasionally eating them Christmas morning for breakfast. (Don’t judge me; that’s on my schedule again this year.) Christmas feels like a 
Joy is essential, and sometimes hard to find while shopping. Today while I was out and about, I came across a good sale. With perseverance, I found a great-looking pair of comfortable shoes. Later in the day, I was surprised to find two right shoes. Unfortunately, I am not saying the shoes were just right; I am saying the box contained two right shoes. Those shoes weren’t working for me, but somehow I found them. However, settling for shoes that don’t fit wasn’t even an option.
When I look back to my childhood I remember the excitement of the night before Christmas. We all waited in wonder. Clearly, we had hope for tomorrow. My four brothers dreamed of bicycles, bb guns, and toy trucks. I wanted stuffed animals, an Easy Bake Oven, and Barbies. Unfortunately, more times than I can count, my Barbie found herself strapped to the back of a mini bike. (It could have been any brother, but Doug was definitely a creative schemer.) For Barbie’s sake and mine, I changed what I asked for the following Christmas. But on Christmas Eve I still knew, “There was hope for tomorrow.”
One of the reasons I like hiking so much is because you know as you move along a trail there’s more ahead. It makes me hope for the next bend in the trail. Recently I hiked with my niece Tasha in Phoenix, Arizona. We traversed smooth, sandy paths and sharp-edged trails. We even climbed over 4′ boulders on our way to the summit of a mountain. Sometimes a curve on the mountain trail displayed a vista view of the valley below. Other times we’d see ‘The World’s Tallest Cactus,’ (in my opinion), or the dramatic incline of the trail ahead. Continually, we relished in the anticipation of seeing something amazing.
My mom and I recently visited Maria’s Sunflower Field of Hope and learned there’s always a reason to hope. We walked a path through the gorgeous flowers and saw prayers written and attached to the sunflowers. The prayers from Maria Children’s Glioma Cancer Foundation funds several research studies across the country that have led to new clinical trials and breakthroughs for children’s cancer. It was started by Megan and Ed McNamara in 2007 after their daughter Maria, 7, died from a brain tumor. The display stands as a giant reminder that there’s always a reason to hope.
My nephew and I love to go hiking in the reservoir near my house. One day while walking along a familiar path, we were surprised to see a huge vine hanging down right in the middle of the trail. Immediately, we arched our necks to look up towards the huge treetop where the vine started. Seeing it was secure, we knew Ben had to try it out. It was pretty high off the ground so we were both a little nervous. There was a notch near the lowest point so I lifted him up and put his foot there. My only instructions were ‘Hold on tight!’ As with a swing, I pulled him back and let go. I’m not sure whose smile was bigger as he conquered this new experience.