November 2017 - Tabetha’s Devotions

November 29, 2017

When in Doubt…Phone a Friend!

Psalm 37:30-31
30 The godly offer good counsel;
they teach right from wrong.
31 They have made God’s law their own,
so they will never slip from his path.

Do you remember the game show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

A player was asked a series of multiple-choice questions of increasing (or, in some cases, random) difficulty. Large cash prizes were offered for correctly answering each level. There were three lifelines you could use if you got stuck on a question: 50/50, ask the audience and phone a friend.

Today, I found myself stuck at one of those questions in life that I could not answer. As a matter of fact, the more I thought about it, the more frustrated I got.

Now, I know as a Christians we are called to go right to the source, pray and read the bible to find your answer. However, sometimes I just need that human contact. I need to be able to phone a friend.

God was prepared for that! I have been blessed with a group of friends I can call when I need them. They provide Godly counsel.

My phone a friend was not only able to talk me off the ledge today, but gave me a new perspective. I was able to see my situation from different viewpoints.

I pray that you have Godly counsel and if not I will continue to pray that God brings someone into your life. I will also pray you will fill those shoes for someone else.

So keep those phone lines open! I just might need to phone a friend.

November 27, 2017

Wowzer! What! A! Day!

1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

My student looked at me and said, “I think I fit a whole week into today!” All, I could do was look at her and say, “Amen, Sister!”

Wowzer! What. A. Day!

It started with a dead battery in my car. Followed by $183 mischarge to my credit card. Next came a painful phone call to my doctor’s office who cannot get me in until December 11th. Did I mention I did this whole day without one arm? I have popped the tendon in my left elbow and have to keep it in a sling.

Oh, and please do not get me started on drama club after school! We are two weeks from curtain and my crew still does not know their lines or blocking. It was painful to watch!

So, what can I do about all of this?

Nothing.

What am I doing?

Whining!

Why?

Because I am human and contrary to some people’s beliefs, Christians do not come equipped with rainbows, unicorns and pixie dust!

We get to have long days. We get to have bad days. We get to have Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days!

It is OK. It doesn’t mean God is mad at us. It doesn’t mean we have done something wrong. Hold on to your hats, but it doesn’t even mean Satan is out to get us. Sometimes they are just terrible, horrible, no good very bad days.

So what do Christians do about them? We thank God and move on. God has called us to thank him in all circumstances.

Besides, I know exactly what I am going to thank him for right now.

THANK YOU GOD THIS DAY IS OVER!

November 23, 2017

The Empty Chair

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

A dear friend and one of the strongest women I know spent her first Thanksgiving without her mom. She wrote the most beautiful dedication. I wanted to share her words with you.

I hope it brings you peace and joy. I hope it reminds you, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Today this chair sits empty because of a battle that is over.
However in the sadness of the first holidays without mom, we can find thankfulness.
I’m thankful for the 43 thanksgivings I got to spend with her.
I’m thankful for the gift of adoption that made that possible.
I’m thankful to the stranger who gave up her child and made that possible.
As a mother of 4, I know that was the worst day of her life.
I’m thankful for all the stories people who knew and worked with her have told me this past year.
I’m thankful for all the great memories I have and we are able to share.
I’m thankful that I have an awesome family and the best friends.
I’m thankful for my mom.
She was the best. ❤️

~Wendy Dement

Thank you Marsha for heeding the call to raising a beautiful, strong, Godly woman who has touched my life in so many ways.

To all of the chairs that may be empty this holiday season, know our hearts never will be because you were part of our lives!

November 20, 2017

What’s My Motivation?

Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

Recently I head someone explain how she had gotten hurt by something a friend had said. She wanted to go all Chuck Norris on this friend, but then took a breath and stepped back. She asked her self why was she really angry with this person. What was her motivation for wanting to go and yell and scream at this friend?

Can you imagine for a moment if we all took the time to ask ourselves this question every time we started to open our mouths? What a different world we would live in!

I am not saying there are not times we need to be firm or get a point across, but even those types of situations have ways of working out better when the words used are kind and considerate.

I know as a teacher when my kiddos are getting a little out of control, I do not speak louder. Instead, I begin to speak quieter. Yes, there may be a firm tone in my voice but it is still gentle and soothing. They calm down and are usually ready in a few moments to explain to me, in a much calmer way, what happened.

I am not for one minute saying I have this all figured out. Just ask my hubby. There are many arguments where I speak first and think later. Oh man, now not only did I admit to that, but he has it in writing…lol!

I am going to end this with one more saying I heard this week…

“When you put your mind in neutral, don’t leave your lips in drive!”

November 17, 2017

A New Adventure Just Around the Corner

2 Chronicles 15:7
But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

Still round the corner there may wait,
A new road or a secret gate.
J. R. R. Tolkien

Every time I read the quote above I get nostalgic. I struggled as a child to learn to read. I am dyslexic. No one knew it until I entered high school and a teacher who was also dyslexic recognized the signs.

When I was young I learned to read because of my best friend. Angie read anything she could get her hands on! She would tell me the most fascinating stories of faraway places she had escaped to. I wanted to go!

She was so patient with me as I struggled to make those letters sit still long enough to turn them into words. Never once did I feel stupid with her. She continuously encouraged by regaling me about her newest adventure.

When we finally discovered a few tricks to help me out, I was off! I was soon searching for buried treasure, fighting an evil witch and following white rabbits down holes. I knew with every book I was sure to find a new road or a secret gate.

It has been many years and thousands of adventures. I still love getting lost in a book. Some of my favorite places to escape are with Frodo Baggins, Peter Pan, Tom Sawyer and Dorthy Gale. However, one place I return to the most is to visit with a lion in a land called Narnia.

I don’t care how many times I read the book or watch the movie, I still hold my breath when we first meet Aslan. Then tears swell up and anger rises within me as he lays his life down for Edmund. Finally, the cheers and excitement as he is resurrected and defeats the witch.

Just like my best friend, these adventures encourage me to keep going.

Paul in another book, 2 Chronicles 15:7, also encourages us to not give up. “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

My work was rewarded. I never gave up on learning to read. Now the world (and other worlds) all lay before me.

So, when you face another tough problem remember to keep going because still round the corner there may wait, a new road or a secret gate.

November 15, 2017

Time For A Nap

Mark 4:38

And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?”

I can’t take it anymore, I am laying down and taking a nap! I need the world to go away for awhile.

Scarlett O’Hara had it right when she said, “I’ll think about that tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day.”

Sometimes, I find myself in situations where I just need to walk away. I need to find my cup of coffee, eat the cookie, buy the shoes or take a nap. My family refers to these as I need a normal minute, please. A moment where the world as you know it doesn’t exist. The world stops and you get off. You excuse yourself from reality.

Jesus did it too!

In Mark 4 we find many stories Jesus was going around preaching and teaching. He had a full day. An exhausting day. Full of people. Lots of needy people! I am sorry dealing with all of those people all of the time always needing things from him makes him a saint in my book.

At the end of his long day, he asked his disciples to escape the world with him.They got in a boat and headed out. It says some other boats followed him. O goodie more people with needs right. What did Jesus do? He took a nap!

What is my point here? Well, that is an easy one. It is OK to just take the nap! We need moments to recharge our batteries. We need moments of normalcy. Jesus took naps. Be like Jesus!

Now, if you don’t mind I am going to go take my nap!

November 13, 2017

So Blessed

Romans 15:5-6
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I know normally I do my grateful blogs on Fridays. However, last week was so full I never even got to blog on Friday. Besides after a very bad awful good for nothing weekend, I have broken through and been blessed!

So, here we go!

1. Dad was able to eat on Sunday

2. Dad gets to come home from the hospital on Wednesday

3. Both of my parents’ vehicles died, but we were able to get them taken care of and no one got stranded or hurt in the process.

4. I have wonderful friends and family helping my mom get back and forth to the hospital since she has no vehicle.

5. My husband was blessed with a wishlist item. We got a great deal on a truck that he has wanted for the last several years.

I know things look bad somedays. I know Satan can seem to be pulling every rug he can find out from under you. However, if we can just hang on and keep on keeping on you will find blessings.

Just remember you always have friends around to help you. Make that call, don’t let pride get in the way. We are all called to give a helping hand. This is how we show God’s love to those around us. We help whenever and wherever we can.

November 8, 2017

Learn to Fly!

2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I am reading Anxious For Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World, by Max Lucado. In his book, he talks about an acrobatic team. The flyer explains how the key to their success is remembering he is a flyer and his partner is the catcher. His job is just to jump and let his partner do all the catching. It is dangerous for him to try and catch his catcher when he jumps. It simply is not his job!

Max goes on to compare that to our relationship with God. We have to put our full trust in him. Let God do his job! “Your Father has never dropped anyone. He will not drop you. His grip is sturdy and his hands are open.” It is not our job to control things. we must let go and Let God! As Max puts it, a wonderful thing happens when we let go and let God, we FLY!

Paul went through some pretty horrific moments in his lifetime. If anyone deserved to have fear and trepidation in their walk with God, I am saying Paul had reasons. However, Paul never questioned any of the positions he was left in. Not when he was stoned, ran out of town, or thrown in prison several times. Instead, he went out of his way to encourage Timothy and the church by saying,

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothey 4:18)

Wow! Can you sit back and let that sink in for just a moment? I mean really let that sink in! No matter what we are facing in our lives, God is there. No job, God is there. Cancer, God is there. Divorce, God is there. He will rescue you from every evil attack and will bring you safely to his heavenly kingdom.

What does that rescue look like? I don’t know.

How long will it take? I don’t know.

What I do know is he has promised to catch me. All I have to do is Fly!

November 6, 2017

Peace Be With You

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

I want to start by thanking all of you for your thoughts and prayers for my family. My father came through surgery fine. He did have to have some of his esophagus removed but the doctor was very confident of the work he did.

He will be in ICU for the next couple of days and of course, the next seven days are the critical ones. I have to say, he looked wonderful tonight when we left the hospital. My mother is also doing well and much more relaxed.

My family has spent many days in and out of hospitals through the years including ICU waiting rooms. Families tend to bond while there. Never do you stop and ask if you are the same race, religion, political viewpoint or sexual orientation. You hold each other’s hands, cheer, cry and pray together. Today was one of those days.

A family across the room from us did not get such great news. The matriarch of the family was brought in for open heart surgery. Once the doctor got in, he realized there was so much more wrong. My families hearts went out to them as they received the news.

I don’t know what people do when they receive horrible news and have no hope. I turn to my family and God and no matter what comes my way, I have a place to go for comfort. I am not saying things are always unicorns and rainbows, but I know rainbows will come. I just have to hang on.

God will sometimes calm the storm, but he will always calm the child! Just cast your cares on him because he truly loves you!

November 3, 2017

You Know What Day It Is!

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Do you know what day it is?

Yep it is…

Let’s take a moment to rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

Here are my gratitudes for this week.

1. I had a hard day, but my students stepped up and kept me smiling.

2. I got to come home, get in my jammies and due NOTHING!

3. I am currently reading a good book

4. I have so many wonderful friends in my life that have offered to help my family out over the next few weeks as we face my father’s surgery

and number 5…

There are some days there isn’t a cup big enough in the world to get me through, but I am always thankful for coffee!

Your turn! What are you grateful for this week?

Month: November 2017

When in Doubt…Phone a Friend!

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Wowzer! What! A! Day!

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The Empty Chair

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What’s My Motivation?

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A New Adventure Just Around the Corner

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Time For A Nap

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So Blessed

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Learn to Fly!

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Peace Be With You

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You Know What Day It Is!

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