The Right Clothes

By Virginia Smith

My husband and I enjoy taking trips together on his motorcycle. Last summer we rode down to Escalante National Park in southern Utah, and before we left I took the opportunity to do a little shopping. I had a jacket and helmet, but they were out of style. Now, that doesn’t matter one bit to my husband, but it does to me. I mean, what will the other biker chicks think if I zoom down the road sporting out-of-date clothes?

So, I went shopping for some snazzy new biker gear. Motorcycle clothing is expensive, but I was prepared to spend big bucks for a helmet, because I know how important head protection is. And I wanted a new riding jacket made of reinforced mesh with protective pads at the shoulders and elbows. The saleslady stuck with me, showing me different styles and commenting on the way certain colors complimented my complexion, – you know, the important stuff.

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Humbled By The Thought

By Cynthia Ruchti

If asked to name someone who exemplifies true humility, who would, you choose? Let’s say Jesus is off limits, because, frankly, He’s off the charts when it comes to humility. Name a contemporary. Famous or infamous.

Having a hard time? Mother Teresa came to mind, but she’s no longer a contemporary.

Why is humility such a radically obscure concept in today’s world? Why is it so foreign a thought that we struggle to think of a single living example? And how will we ever teach it to our children and grandchildren if we can’t point to someone and say, “See? Like that!”?

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Don’t Forget To Back Up!

By Kathy Willis

I’m not good at backing up my van. Okay, I admit it! I try to use my mirrors, and I move my head around to visualize things, but I’m still awkward at maneuvering the car in reverse. There are some parking lots and parking garages that do not allow enough wiggle room, let alone parking room. I’m a novice.

On the other hand, I’ve noticed our new puppy enjoys going in reverse as much as she enjoys moving forward. All that’s missing is the back-up horn blaring a warning: “Watch out for Jazzy, she’s backing up!” She doesn’t even look where she’s going; no mirrors to consult. She just reverses her footsteps in the same locations as when she was moving forward. It works. She’s a pro!

I’m programmed to advance, not retreat; to progress, not regress. Most of my leadership training focused on one point: moving forward. We studied goal setting, becoming a visionary, striving for success—but nothing was ever said about the need to go in reverse every once in a while.

I’ve had a life-journey reversal this week. I can see how it will be good for me. Reversals cause me to reflect and to grow. They cause me to evaluate what is really important in my life. They keep me humble and grounded. Success without trials only produces empty victory, full of shallow egotism. Real growth happens when life says, “Go back. See what you missed. Learn from it.” Backing up allows us to see things in the proper perspective.

Sometimes the object we must go back to is our “first love.” Revelation refers to the church that lost her first love. They were challenged to return; to back up and find where they lost it. When I lose something, I have to retrace my steps, and remember what I was doing when I last had “it.” I’m making a fresh commitment to remember my First Love (Jesus), and to accept reversals as they happen, knowing they will conform me into His image.

Author Quote: “Don’t forget to back up” is not just a motto for your computer, but your life!

“Thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works,” Revelation 2: 4b-5a KJV.

Today’s devotion is by Kathy Carlton Willis, wife to Russ, pastor’s wife to many, author, editor, publicist, and speaker.  Kathy Carlton Willis Communications encompasses her many passions.  Learn more about how she desires to “Shine the Light on Him and His” at: http://kcwcomm.blogspot.com/ or http://www.kathycarltonwillis.com/.

WINDOW WITH A VIEW

By Cynthia Ruchti

Just beyond our bathroom window, Adam and Eve Barnswallow built a nest on top of a wooden shutter. As the season progressed, we watched the parents tend the nest and warm their eggs. Eventually little fluff-heads attached to massive, always-open beaks peeked over the edge of the nest.

When my then five-year-old granddaughter Grace was at our house one day, I took her by the hand to show her the incredible sight. Six now-adolescent barn swallow babies were crammed into a tiny mud-and-fiber nest. Grace took such delight in watching the mom fly back and forth with nubbins of insects for her children. We mocked their bird voices as we watched the beaks open and close.

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God Can Do It!

By Kathy Carlton Willis

I was reminded this week just how big our God is. I knew, I just KNEW that God had something around the corner for us. I had guesses as to how He might take care of us and show us a glimpse of His love. But I didn’t REALLY know. In fact, I had no clue just how powerful God is to change our outcome.

I think what I’ve experienced can be called “mustard seed faith.” I had a little bit of faith. I had faith enough to think mustard seed-sized things might happen. But God took my little bit of faith and honored it by showing me just how BIG He is. WOW!

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