Grabbing my sunglasses from my purse as I wove my way through the bakery department I steered the cart with one hand trying to avoid shoppers and cookie displays. Some thought at the deli counter had brought tears to my eyes and I could tell I was very likely to have bright red eyes and nose from the pressure of unshed tears. Now I was actually crying behind the privacy of the sunglasses. Lovely dark sunglasses that provided protection but made it difficult for me to find which gallon of milk I wanted.

My sensitivity level is always high on 9/11. I learned to respect anniversaries such as D-Day and the Attack on Pearl Harbor. But I and everyone of a certain age joined those of national heartbreaking experience when we lived through that terrible Tuesday in 2001.

So when I borrowed my daughter's car and listened to the song below, I appreciated more than ever the artist's description of a loving relationship and how when we are committed to someone their struggle matters to us. When we choose to love and accept the other person right where they are at: their mess becomes our mess.

To me this message explains how millions of us who have no personal connection or loss in one of the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, or the field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania were yet shaken and broken hearted and still grieve over the memory of that day. 

The beauty of someone loving another person enough to embrace the whole package, mess and all, reflects the love of God. 

But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us,

 by the fact that while we were still sinners,

 Christ died for us.

 Romans 5:8 AMP

So we have come to know and to believe

 the love that God has for us.

 God is love,

 and whoever abides in love abides in God,

 and God abides in him.

 1 John 4:16 ESV

Dear Lord, thank You for being aware of us and loving us before we ever became aware of You. Please help us to love You, and to love our neighbors, near and far, known and unknown, as much as we love ourselves (see Luke 10:27). In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

What is the worst traffic you have ever been in? Behind an accident when the emergency crew closed all lanes of traffic? Racing through bad weather in order to get home and avoid even worse? Well, 25 years ago this week thousands of Germans sat in huge traffic jams to cross the newly opened border while guards stood back allowing them to come and go. The celebrations surrounding the opening of the borders and the fall of the Berlin Wall were ongoing. A city and a country were no longer to be divided; the people were free to visit family and friends, seek employment, and purchase goods. Their present and their future lives were changed.

For 37 years the Germans had lived with a closed border of concrete and barbed wire. But how many of us create our own borders: walled in by fear, regret, disappointment, or resentment?  I have met people so trapped by something that happened (or didn't happen) that 20 years later it is still their primary focus and everything they discuss comes back to it. I do not want to miss out on the present, or the future, God has for me- because I won't forgive myself, or someone else, or even God, for the past.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander,

as well as all types of evil behavior.

Instead, be kind to each other,

tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

Dear Lord, thank You for all of the plans You have for us. For providing a vision of Your love to hold on to when we go through difficult times and challenges. Please search our hearts, and show each of us, any area where we are building walls where they shouldn't be. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

I choose you do you choose me?

he hopeful eyes of the young woman watched each of the investors as she waited to hear her fate. Would they invest in her idea? The West Texas Investors Club (a show on CNBC-similar to the popular Shark Tank show on ABC) made her an offer. For a certain percentage of her business, they would become her partners. She cried and laughed at the same time and everyone hugged. After she left the room, one investor commented, "I think she really just needed our friendship" while the other one nodded in agreement.

I was struck by the observation and the sincerity of those investors. How amazing would it feel to have someone say to you, "I like you, and I am going to invest in you"? How would each day, week, month, and year, be different if each one of us knew that there was just one person who would always be there for us?

As much as we would love that feeling, and appreciate a relationship where someone invested in us, this cannot be one way. Just like the investors who form partnerships - there are responsibilities and expectations for both sides. We can't always be on the receiving end. We have to give love and respect to receive acceptance and care.

One time a friend said, "Hey, I haven't heard from you!" Before I could reply, he said, "Of course, I could have called, too."

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, 

since love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8 ESV

Dear Lord, thank You for loving us with Your everlasting love (see Jeremiah 31:3) and for choosing us (see John 15:16). Please give us wisdom and understanding on how to choose to care for others with love and respect. Please help us to recognize that we are choosing relationships and how to let go and allow others to make their own choices in relationships. Help us to get past our own busyness and reach out to others when we think of them. We know it is not just the thought that counts because actions speak louder than words. In Jesus Name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

Casting Crowns performs "Does Anybody Hear Her?"






A balancing act

The cafeteria had been practically empty for the whole shift. Spring break was just around the corner and few students were eating in. As the student staff cleaned and chatted a man who appeared to be homeless came in and asked if they had anything they could give him. The sweet young woman at the register said she was sorry but she couldn't help him. The other students reminded her of the food that would be going to waste. Resisting their pressure and pleas she turned the homeless man away. 

She did her job. She was diligent and faithful. But what about the food that would be thrown away? As she properly kept the rules did she miss an opportunity to do good? Of course, it wasn't her food to give away. Could the group of students have pulled together and paid for him to come in and eat a hot meal? 

Listening to this true story, I thought of our pastor's message about the art of rule breaking. That same young woman has a heart for missions and hopes to be able to go to a country that is closed to missionaries. She will probably have to break a few rules to teach about the love of God. She will no doubt sacrifice financially to fulfill this call of God in her life.

As I consider the struggle to balance between doing what is right and following man-made rules, I wonder how I am doing in my own life? I have no right to waste other's resources that are in my care. But am I recognizing and acting on opportunities God sends my way to do good? I wonder.

To love him with all your heart,

with all your understanding

and with all your strength,

and to love your neighbor as yourself

is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

Mark 12:33

Dear Lord, thank You for the opportunity to do what is good. Please give us eyes to see and hearts to understand and recognize what You are showing us. May we use our hands, our smiles, our resources, to do what is good each day. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

"My Own Little World" performed by Matthew West