“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well….All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:14, 16)

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

How many hats have you worn in the past week? You may have picked up a “nurse’s cap” as you cared for an aging parent or a family member who’s ill. Many of us wear a “chef’s cap” as we attempt to provide nutritious meals for those we love. Some days “short-order cook” might be more accurate! Chauffeur, counselor, teacher, project manager, accountant, activity director – all are common roles within our homes.

We wear hats outside of our homes as well. You may also have a career, a ministry, a role within your neighborhood or community. Our lives are busy, our relationships complex, and with each change of hat we have a new set of expectations to fit the role. Soon we can find ourselves driven by the competing expectations of others. We find ourselves under stress.

How is a woman to wear so many hats? One secret is found when we each learn how God made us. We’re not all to be gourmet chefs; not all are gifted musicians; not all are able to coordinate events for dozens of women on a shoestring budget. God has given each of us talents and abilities to use in His service. He’s also given us areas where we can learn to depend on others for their expertise. God has not called me to be you, nor has He called you to walk in my shoes.

As we learn contentment in His plan for our lives, we may find courage to remove a few ill-fitting hats. We may also find a new freedom to invest ourselves more fully in areas of our own giftedness. This brings honor to God, as we align our activities with who He made us to be. It also benefits those around us.

Lord, You are the One who designed me. You know how I’m wired and have a good plan for my life. Help me to live in accordance with Your design. Guide me as I evaluate competing expectations and priorities today, and help me honor You with the choices I make. Amen.

Question: Do you find it hard to say no? How do you keep from getting overwhelmed?

“Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5)

One bright spring day a number of us decided to go to Rock City. Although a few had been there before, it was the first time for several in the group. Each bend in the path held another surprise. As my sister and I caught up with one another on the events of the past months, it was easy to miss a sign or two.

As we came to a fork, my sister said simply, “Which way shall we go?” Someone pointed to the left, and off we went.

She didn’t realize this path had only one way to proceed across a deep ravine: a swinging bridge.  The alternative would require us to backtrack to the fork in the path, then cross a stone bridge. Those just ahead had stepped quickly onto the bridge, and my sister had some misgivings as she saw it swing back and forth. Sure, the ropes looked sturdy, and there were no major visible gaps, “but…”

After a few protests, and with the “encouragement” of those behind, she stepped onto the swinging bridge. As she grew comfortable the conversation resumed, and we enjoyed the journey. (Did you know that if you get enough people walking in step, left, right, left, you can exaggerate the swaying of a swinging bridge? Yes, select members of the group had to try it!) The view was gorgeous, and we made it safely to the other side.

When faced with an unforeseen obstacle, we often have a choice to proceed down that path or to retreat to the relative safety of a “stone bridge.” There may be another way across the ravine you are facing today. A retreat and detour is sometimes a valid possibility.

When God is the One who has brought us to the edge of that swinging bridge, He gently encourages us to walk by faith across that bridge. He won’t abandon us. Like the swinging bridge at Rock City, our bridge may begin to swing in the wind. It may even begin to sway due to the effects of others walking on the bridge. Keep on walking with Him, dear one. He may often point out a breath-taking view as you cross, and will bring you to the other side in His timing.

“Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5 NIV)

Lord Jesus, You are my Savior and my Guide. Sometimes I face unexpected “swinging bridges” or bends in my path. Help me to trust You and follow Your lead this day. Amen.

Questions: Are you needing to cross a bridge of faith today?

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“The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.” Psalm 145:8 (NKJV)

It happened again! I misplaced my keys. The morning was going well. I was ready to meet my day with plenty of time to spare … until I reached in my purse for my keys. They weren’t there! I searched the pocket of my jacket, emptied my purse, and looked on my table and kitchen counter. I checked my desk, my dresser, the couch. Had they slipped out of my pocket to the floor and then slipped under the bed? No.

They were nowhere to be found.

By now, I was no longer ahead of schedule. I went to the car to check there. Wait, I opened the house door so … let me check there. No keys. In desperation, I prayed, “God, You know everything. You know the hairs on my head and the words I will say before I say them. Surely You know where those keys are. I’m running late now, will You show me where they are?”

I walked back into the bedroom where I immediately laid eyes on the keys!

“Thank You Lord!” I prayed as I let out a sigh of relief.

As I headed to the door, I thought back. When I’d lost my ID badge, He’d shown me where to look. When I could not find a favorite jacket, He reminded me to check the trunk of the car where I’d tossed it after a recent outing. I’d misplaced a card, and He knew exactly where it was. Badge, card, keys, and coat … from time to time in my hurry I have misplaced things that are important to me. There was a list, yet each time He’d come to my aid.

As I gave thanks for His care, I was gently reminded. “Compassion.” Hmm. Oh. “Have I lost that too, Lord?” I asked.  I had been short with someone the day before, and had struggled with my response to a friend. “Lord, You’re right. Can You help me find compassion again too?”

I knew He could, and as I asked for His help, I began to look for opportunities once more to show compassion to several people in my part of the world. Within hours, I saw opportunity after opportunity to show compassion toward others – compassion that He’d reminded me of and had provided!

“The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.” Psalm 145:8 (NKJV)

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.”  1 Peter 3:8 (NKJV)

God, Thank You for Your gentle reminder. Help me depend on You moment by moment today to “find” what I need. Give me compassion for others and the courage to respond with compassion as I see needs. Amen.

Need someone to listen? We do.

The children were sharing why they loved their fathers. One little munchkin caught me off guard. Why did she love her daddy? Because he sings silly songs with her! Can you imagine? What was important to her right then was not a roof over her head, food on the table, or some new toy. I’m sure she would miss the roof or the meals if they were not present, but that wasn’t even a question in her mind. Instead, we heard “My Daddy sings silly songs with me!”

What a challenge for those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ, and call God our Heavenly Father. Are we more concerned about the provision of “things” or His presence? Do we enjoy the fact that He delights in spending time with His children? Can we even begin to imagine the joy and security of a relationship where our Abba Daddy takes time to “sing silly songs” with us, to paint a sunset or the inside of a seashell for our delight? His heart must leap for joy when we simply want to be with Him, and to share our free time with Him.

Sharing our needs or desires in prayer is an important part of our communication with God. Telling Him about our fears, burdens and other feelings should be a normal and natural part of our conversation with Him. Yet there is more. Can you hear the joy of our God in this verse? “The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). What an awesome God!

Help me, Lord, to slow down today enough to hear Your joy and laughter as You desire to spend time with me. I want to enjoy being with You, taking pleasure in the reality that You are a loving Father who can “sing silly songs” with Your children. Open my ears and my eyes today to the special moments You have planned for us to share. Amen.

Questions: Are you too busy to hear God’s voice?  What needs to take place in your daily life so that you slow down enough to spend more time listening to God?

About the Author Winsome Smith
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“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want” (Psalm 23:1).

The little boy hesitated only a moment when asked, “Why do you love your Daddy?” Other children shared a variety of reasons they loved their fathers, and then he boldly proclaimed, “No monsters under my bed!”

How that simple statement spoke to me of my Heavenly Father. Much like that child, there are things in my world that don’t make sense. At times I hear an unexpected “noise in the night.” The potential of a monster crosses my mind.

What monster do you face today? Is it a rocky relationship? An unknown prognosis or a loved one’s illness? Maybe there are needs that you don’t know how to meet, or a potential obstacle in the way of your goals. It may not be night, literally, but the unknown may frighten us.

Can you hear Him? Gently, persistently, our Heavenly Father responds to our fears of the present and the future. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “…don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

As a loving Father, He comes to us with tender compassion when we cry out in the night. We don’t hear condemnation for our fear, even when it is something that may be unreasonable to someone else. Instead, He remembers His love toward us, and knows that sometimes we don’t yet understand that the monster is not as big as our imaginations have created. He may help us sort through what is real, what is only potential, and what simply is imagination. The “monsters” won’t catch Him napping or away on a hike. In any case, He calls us back to His presence, to the security of His embrace, and assures us that He is there. His presence meets our deepest need for security, even when it’s stormy outside.

With that little boy, I can say, “I love my Abba Daddy, because … there are no monsters under my bed.”

Thank You, Lord, for calming my fears and for assuring me that I won’t battle monsters alone. Thanks for reminding me over and over, I am not alone, and for helping me rest in Your embrace. Amen.

Questions: What monster are you facing today? How can God help you with your situation?

About the Author Winsome Smith