CHANGE IS GOOD By Melanie Schurr

My life has taken an interesting sudden change. As my children have both flown the nest, and it is now just my husband and I, I could not deny I missed that nurturing side of me that still had so much more to give. I don't recall exactly how the idea of being a "nanny" came upon me, but the thought of making a little extra cash at something I knew I'd be good at was appealing.

It wasn't long before I found someone who was seeking exactly what I had to offer, but I cannot deny that the first week of taking care of an eight week old infant was not without its difficulties. Not only had many facets of child care changed since my own now adult children were little, but I was also now approaching it as a forty-seven year old woman, not an energetic twenty-something.

By the end of the day, I was pooped!

However, in a very short time, it all began to come back to me; all those little tricks and skills us mothers learn by way of hands-on experience. I also noticed that being around a young child again caused me to have a rekindled appreciation of new life, along with a sense of meaning and purpose for my life now as a more mature woman. "I have the ability to teach this child," I thought. "I hope that I can become a positive light in her life."

Sometimes change can be frightening or difficult. However, all change for the better is always a step in the right direction!

What about you?

Is there something in your life you need to change, get rid of, stop doing or break ties with?

Today is the day to make the change!

DO YOU CARRY YOUR UMBRELLA? Author Unknown

We all have something to learn from this young girl.

As a drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community of farmers was in a quandary as to what to do. Rain was important to keep their crops healthy and sustain the townspeople' s way of life.

As the problem became more acute, a local pastor called a prayer meeting to ask for rain.

Many people arrived. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in. As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles and socializing with friends. When he reached the front his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the meeting.

His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He noticed an eleven year-old girl sitting quietly in the front row. Her face was beaming with excitement. Next to her, poised and ready for use, was a bright red umbrella. The little girl's beauty and innocence made the pastor smile as he realized how much faith she possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.

All came to pray for rain, but the little girl had come expecting God to answer.

CAN YOU SLEEP WHEN THE WIND BLOWS Author Unknown

Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.

As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farmhand?" the farmer asked him. "Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him.

The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work. Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!" The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

MORAL: When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life? The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm. We, as believers in Christ, secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God. We don't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the midst of the storms. I hope you sleep well! Enjoy the day! May God Bless You and Yours.

EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED By Sally I. Kennedy

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4

Things didn’t go quite like I’d planned today. “Imagine that,” I thought. Well, if there is one thing in life we can be certain of, it’s change. When our kids were growing up, I recall feeling strongly about preparing them for change in their lives, to understand the need to be flexible without compromising our values and who we are.

The names for the Lord God Almighty, our triune God, are many in the Old Testament scriptures. Among them are Jehovah Shammah, the God who is there. That is one of my favorites. Also Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our banner, who goes before us, and Jehovah Rohe, the God who heals.

My personal extra name for God is Jehovah Surprise, the God of the Unexpected. Not that anything happening catches Him off-guard. He’s not up in heaven, looking down, exclaiming, ”Oh my gosh! Look at that!” Rather, I’m the one who is continually surprised by events and people. Sometimes I even surprise myself. That is not always so great.

There’s a saying, ”We make plans and God laughs.” And yet another saying, “Life is what happens while we’re making other plans.”

God may be full of surprises, yet He is still in control, still the sovereign God of the universe, still on His throne, the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The Lord’s love and faithfulness is about the only thing we can expect in the midst of the unexpected. The good news is we can count on Him in our constantly ever-changing world.

TAKE IT WITH YOU By Sally I. Kennedy

Most days when I leave home I have my cell phone glued to me. In the unlikely event that I forget to take it with me, I turn around and go back and get it if possible.

For a lot of years I got along fine without a cellular phone. “What’s so important about having it now”, I asked myself just this week, “especially all the time?” There is something more important to have when I leave home – or even at home. Armor, spiritual armor.

When Paul wrote a letter to the people at a church in Ephesus, he closed it with an important wrap-up, instructions on putting on this armor, and what it’s for. You never know what a day will bring. It is a more-than-good idea to not leave home without it, your spiritual armor.

‘A final word... put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.. hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’ Ephesians 6: 10-17