Fragrance of Hope

Travel Anxiety

As I anxiously prepared for a recent trip, I worried about the weather. I checked on current road construction. I packed all the necessary things. The stress was overwhelming. As we travel on our journey through life, our days can be full of worry too. Our health, finances, and other concerns burden us. Yet, our heavenly Father has promised to provide all that we need: “He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:3). What a joyful, living hope we have. We are being loved and cared for as a child in God’s family. We can live each day knowing that at the end of our earthly journey, our Lord will welcome us home!

Hard Hearts Healed

Hard-hearted. We’ve all known people who fit that unpleasant description. There’s also a good chance we’ve been hard-hearted ourselves at times. God’s Old Testament people regularly grew hard-hearted, worshiping idols and profaning God’s name. That’s why God sent Ezekiel to tell them He would transform their hearts. He does the same for us today. By the power of His Spirit, God transforms our hearts, much like Ezekiel witnessed when we saw the Spirit reassemble a valley of dry bones into flesh and breathe life into them. A similar thing happened at our Baptism. The Spirit entered our hearts, kindling the same faith that sustains us today and assures us of eternity in heaven. “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).

Reflections on D-Day

The 27 military cemeteries in Normandy, France, are a practical result of this verse. More than 9,000 American service members are buried in the main American facility there — men and women who gave their lives for the safety of those they loved. Being a veteran, married to a veteran, it hurt my heart to walk among those graves. And, I don’t think for a minute that veterans are the only ones affected as they walk those grounds. Of course, there was another who gave His Son, Jesus, for those He loved — not just for their temporal safety, but for our eternal lives. Jesus’ death hurts my heart too, because I know my sin had a part in it. But I can rejoice that, in the end, instead of walking through a cemetery, I will get to walk with the resurrected Christ in heaven.

Joyful Reunions

Another high school reunion is coming soon! Since our last reunion five years ago, two close friends from the planning committee are now with their Lord. They will be missed. Reunions can be both happy and awkward. As our memories fade and age lines appear, we don’t recognize as many faces or know what they have been through. However, we do know that God says we will see our loved ones and have a reunion with them someday in heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:17). It is a joyful promise for people of faith! What makes heaven even more joyful is that it is not just a reunion with loved ones — it is also a reunion with Jesus who made it all possible! Jesus’ death on the cross and the empty tomb are what give us eternal life by God’s grace!

A New Purpose

While raising four very active boys who were involved in various sports and activities, I was constantly on the go. A regimented schedule during their school years was a must. Housekeeping, schoolwork, meal prepping, and countless hours in the car were my daily rituals. And I loved every minute of this very purposeful life. Then, my youngest son went to college. I felt a deep sense of loss. My purpose in life was over. I felt that I was no longer needed. I grieved the person I was. What I wasn’t prepared for were the many opportunities the Lord brought into my life. A new career was set before me, more meaningful time with my husband, uninterrupted devotional time, and now, grandchildren! Trusting that God has a plan for my future brings me comfort, joy, and peace as I look forward to a new purpose and plan for my life.