devotional – Page 4 – Sherida Stewart

TUESDAY TEA in the Wilderness

We went hiking recently….in a land that looks like wilderness.

The trail starts innocently enough…a dirt path with unnecessary cairns marking the way.

But as we hike further, the trail turns into the stone of old lava flows.

The cairns become vital to showing us the correct direction.

The black layers of lava are pushed into mounds. Deep crevices split the rough surface.

But here among the rocks of the wilderness, bright desert flowers grow.

How perfect an example of God leading us through the wilderness…with a gift of life at the end.

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; ²It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, The excellency of our God. Isaiah 35:1-3 (NKJV)

So enjoy a trail bar and sip some iced tea from your water bottle as we marvel at God’s blessings.

MEETING ALONG THE TRAIL…..

Show me Your ways, O LORD;

Teach me Your paths. Psalm 25:4 (NKJV)

I believe God has a purpose when He puts people in our path as we travel our trail in life.

Years ago on a backpacking trip in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming, we were hiking a trail through a meadow. We hadn’t seen anyone for three hours since we left the trail that circled Green River Lake. We came to a woman standing right in the middle of the trail–not to the side to let us pass or off the trail a ways where her husband was finishing up dinner at their campsite. She waited for us to reach her and said excitedly that she was SO glad to see someone else out there in the wilderness. She hadn’t camped outside of campgrounds before, so just having someone else in the area was a comfort to her. We talked with the two of them a bit, then went just a few more feet up the trail and put our tent up, just over the slight ridge. The next day on our way out, we passed them as they waved while taking down their camp. We crossed paths with them a couple of times as we returned to the trail head.

We learn from others who we meet along the way. At times we help others we find crossing our paths.

Two Love Inspired Inspirational Romance books I have read recently mention this same thought, Mending the Doctor’s Heart, by Tina Radcliffe, and Georgia Sweethearts, by Missy Tippens. These are stories of finding love in our lives, but I think the thought also applies to meeting new people as friends or acquaintances.

Sometimes I don’t understand why a person is entering my life, but God has a plan for us. It’s not my path, but God’s path I am following.

It is good to have companionship along the trail. May I be open to learning from this path God has prepared for me. Blessings to you as we meet along the trail.

Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Psalm 25:4 (NKJV)

LIGHT is “My One Word” for 2013…….

LIGHT is “My One Word” for 2013

I subscribe to Seekerville (www.seekerville.net), a blog that helps aspiring writers sail from “Unpublished Island” to the mainland of successful publication. Their blog is always timely and of great encouragement. They had a virtual party on New Year’s Eve, featuring the book My One Word, by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen. (www.myoneword.com) They challenge Christians to “Choose just one word that represents what you most hope God will do in you, and focus on it for an entire year.”

Their message called to me. After some consideration, I have chosen LIGHT as my word for 2013. The main reason, or the first one that came to mind as I decided on this word, is that I want to glow in the LIGHT of God’s love for He is the LIGHT of the world. This is a good choice for many reasons which I will discuss in future blogs.

May you walk in the LIGHT of our Lord!

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

I LOVE THE LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS!

I love all the lights of Christmas!

I love the multi-colored lights sparkling on our tree.

I love the icicle lights hanging from the homes in our neighborhood along with bushes decorated with tiny flowers of light.

I love the dancing flames of our fireplace.

I love the glowing luminarias lighting the path for Mary and Joseph.

I love the flickering candles.

One of my favorite Christmas memories is attending church on Christmas Eve as child…..the pageant, the carols, the story of Jesus’ birth….but especially holding the white candle lit by passing the flame from the candle on the altar to each person from the front pew to the back. As we silently left the church, we would shelter the flicking light wanting to arrive home with our candle still shining.

Jesus is that light.

There is a lighted cross in our window this year, a reminder that there is a light in our lives—always.

Our prayer for you this Christmas is that your path is always lighted.

Blessings to you for a shining Christmas!

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12