Humanity Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Tabetha’s Devotions

January 10, 2018

Who Cares?!?!

Psalms 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?

January is a rotten time of year. Every commercial seems to scream “You are fat!” I don’t care if you are watching TV, scrolling social media, reading your email or picking up a magazine. You are bombarded with this message.

Then there are all the other messages that tell you are unorganized, lazy, or totally in debt.

I am not saying some of these things aren’t true, but there is one huge problem with all of these messages. They start you down a road of COMPARING!

I am convinced comparing is the go-to weapon of choice for the enemy. If he can open that door even a smidge, he gets you hooked. Your mind starts down a trail that is so hard to turn away from.

You try the first exit and it leads you to depression and despair because you don’t measure up. The next exit has you all holier than thou because at least you are not as bad as that person. No matter where you turn your focus remains on one thing…YOU!

Let’s get to the truth right now. You start worrying about what everyone else around you thinks. You are afraid people are not going to like you and think you aren’t good enough.

How do I know this? Because I have worn out way too many pairs of shoes on that journey. Can I tell you something I am trying to remember?

Who cares!?!?

I don’t care if I ever look like those rich, skinny women, with the perfectly organized house and thousands of followers on Pinterest. If God wanted me to be them he would have made me them. God made me the way he wanted me with my own unique qualities and talents. I need to be more aware of what he thinks of me.

You know what he thinks of you? He loves you right where you are now.

He doesn’t care if you fit into a bikini. You are perfect to him.

He doesn’t care if your home looks like the cover of a magazine. You are perfect to him.

He doesn’t care if you have organized your entire life on the most beautiful planner money can buy. You are perfect to him.

There is no need to be afraid of what everyone else thinks because the Lord is ou light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of our life — of whom shall I be afraid?

Let’s not wear out another pair of shoes trying to compare our lives to someone else. Instead, let’s skip down the road of life together enjoying what we have and who we are.

January 5, 2018

No Strength to Carry On

Psalms 18:28
You Lord, keep my lamp;
my God turns my darkness into light.

Have you ever cried so hard and so long you literally had none left? No more tears. No more energy. You were totally exhausted. You may have even collapsed. You have no idea where you will get the strength to move on from that moment. You don’t have one more step in you.

Yet, somehow you do.

Where does that strength come from?

Why does your heart continue to beat? Your lungs continue to breathe in and out. The next day the sun still comes up and so do you. How?

I have been there. When my first husband came to tell me he no longer loved me and wanted a divorce. When my mother called to tell me my brother had been murdered. Saying goodbye to loved ones for the last time.

How did I take my next step? The same way you will. Hope! Hope that the next breath will be a little easier. The next day will find a smile somewhere.

I will tell you it will not be easy. It may even seem impossible at times, but it will happen. Life will continue on and you will find smiles and laughter again.

God will keep your lamp burning and turn your darkness into light.

January 3, 2018

Be the Light in Someone’s Day

2 Samuel 23:3-4
The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’

How can I make someone’s day?

During Lent last year I was challenged to do random acts of kindness each day instead of giving something up. I had so much fun sending little thank you notes to people. I even snuck a card to a lady working in the drive-through window on a very cold and busy morning at McDonalds. I know I was supposed to be blessing others, but spoiler alert I got blessed too!

You never know what baggage someone is lugging around or what scars they have. You may be the only smile or kind word they get. Never pass up a moment to be someone’s sunshine. It doesn’t matter if it is your spouse or the rude cashier, everyone deserves a smile, thank you, can I help you or may I pray with you.

Generosity doesn’t take a lot of money. It just takes a heart!

Light up someone’s world today. You just might be the only thing keeping them from total darkness.

Lord,
Help me be like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain to someone today.

December 18, 2017

Be A Snowman!

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Be A Snowman:

Be a jolly, happy soul
Spend some time outdoors.
Avoid meltdowns.
Be well-rounded.
Live well, life is short!

My friend posted this on her Facebook page today and I just fell in love with it!

Seriously with all the hustle and bustle of the season, we need to take some time and be a snowman. Find the little things in life that make you smile.

Remember we don’t have to do it all. It is OK to say no. And for goodness sake, nothing has to be perfect! Not the decorations. Not the cookies. Not the wrapping. Or even the gifts.

This is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. See it through a child’s eyes. Enjoy the pretty lights. Hold your breath for the sound of jingling bells. Inhale the wonderful smells around you. Sing Christmas Carols at the top of your lungs and totally off key. Or as one of my favorite movies puts it…

So grab your hot chocolate, Christmas cookies and turn on your favorite Christmas movie. And when life sends you a snow storm, start a snowball fight!

May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May He make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May He turn his face toward you and give you peace.

December 13, 2017

Peace, Bah Humbug!

Mark 6:31 (NIV)
Then Jesus suggested, “Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.” For so many people were coming and going that they scarcely had time to eat.

I’m afraid I’m going to say something that’s not very popular. Some days, I hate Christmas. I know this sounds really bad. I’m really not a Scrooge. There are just some days I feel pressured during this season.

Here is why…

#1- I am a teacher. I spend the first part of December wrapping up lessons and preparing for semester finals. I deal with kiddos that finally wake up after 16 weeks and realize, yes she will fail me if I don’t turn things in. Maybe she will let me make up 16 weeks of work in a couple of days.

#2- I appreciate all the people who put countless hours and love into preparing parties, secret Santas, cookie exchanges, and other get-togethers. I feel awful turning people down but I can only be in so many places at once. I only have so much money to spend and I love you all but my grandkids come first.

#3- During this season, I also have play obligations and church functions to add to my evergrowing list of places to be and yet I must find time to decorate my own house and make it look all cheery.

#4- My family also celebrates Hanukkah so there goes 8 more nights of must be somewhere at sometime.

#5- Add to all of this the shopping, cooking, wrapping, mailing and shrink my heart and call me the Grinch! Bah humbug!

I know I am not alone in these feelings. I also know my schedule may seem pretty empty compared to others.

Can I offer a little advice?

Breathe! That’s it. Just. Breathe.

I could do my best impression of Linus and recite the reason for the season. I could read you the Christmas Story. But I am not going to.

I am not going to add to your stressed-out brain. I know people mean well, but seriously I don’t need guilt piled on top of my to-do list. What I need is a minute to call my own and recharge.

I need a moment to make my cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate and curl up with God and say thank you. Thank you for my moment of peace on Earth.

Take time this busy season for you. Fill up on some peace, so you can spread goodwill toward men.

December 4, 2017

Mary Who?

Luke 1:38
Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”
Then the angel left her.

I am fourteen years old. I have known forever that our Redeemer was coming. But I NEVER imagined he would be coming like this. Through me!

Who am I?

I am just a young girl from Nazareth. Everyone knows nothing comes from Nazareth.

But yet you chose me. Me. You called me highly favored.

Who am I?

I am a young girl. I am not even married yet. Oh my! My poor fiance. He could have thrown me to the side. He could have killed me.

But he didn’t. He loved me. He cared for me. He accepted this child as his own.

Who am I?

I’ve never delivered a baby. I am so far from home by myself. Without my family. What if I do this all wrong? What if I am a terrible mother? What if you hate me?

But you didn’t. You were so tiny. You loved me. You changed me. You came to save and redeem me.

Who am I?

I am every woman and man who has been called to a purpose. A bigger purpose than themselves. A purpose they feel so ill-equipped for but answer “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”

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 1, 2017

Hang on! Call on! Move on!

First I would like to apologize for not blogging the past couple of days. I have been battling the stomach flu.

It is amazing just how horrible you can feel from a little itty bitty microscopic thing! This dude can bring you to your knees in a matter of minutes! I am not ashamed to say I found myself in the fetal position praying God heal me or take me now, don’t leave me like this!

I was physically in pain, but have you ever been in so much emotional pain that you felt this way. Well, I know a couple of guys in the bible that did!

Jonah was:

Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the LORD God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
–Jonah 4:5-11

Elijah also had his issues:

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the Gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die.

“I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

1 Kings 19:1-4

If these two great prophets can have issues that make them feel overwhelmed and distressed why don’t we think it is OK for us to feel that way sometimes too?

We are all going to go through periods of our lives that seem like too much to carry. The important thing is to hang on, call on and move on.

Hang on…James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Call on…Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Move on…Philippians 3:14 I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.

Don’t give up! Never Surrender! Simply Hang on, Call on and Move on!

October 26, 2017

God Shops at Walmart

Proverbs 18:16
A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to say tonite. Then I went to the store!

Going to Walmart can bring anyone to Jesus. He always seems to find great teaching moments there…like patience. Did I mention I was born without a shopping gene? LOL!

Tonite was not a patience lesson night. Tonite was actually a fun trip.

I got my stuff and headed to the checkout. All the lanes were packed. OK, maybe there was a little lesson in patience.

Anyways…

I was behind this cute couple with an adorable little boy of about 2 years old. He immediately started getting excited over my service dog. He then started telling me about the chips and dip and canned pears they were buying.

The checker rang them up and the young father looked in his wallet clearly nervous. He leaned to his wife explaining they didn’t have enough. She started trying to decide what to put back when God reminded me of the $20 I had in my pocket and of days gone by.

You see my husband and I raised five kids on a shoestring budget. Heck, lots of times we were so poor we couldn’t afford the shoestring for the budget.

I told the family I had this and go ahead and take the groceries. They started to protest but I told them I had been there, done that and I wanted to help. They couldn’t thank me enough.

I don’t say all of this to pat myself on the back. I am telling you this because I wanted to share my high. I was the one who was truly blessed. I looked back at my life and smiled at how God was always there when we needed him. I was honored that he used me to deliver those same blessings to someone else.

Tonite God used Walmart to usher this giver into the presence of the great.

Tag: Humanity

Who Cares?!?!

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No Strength to Carry On

Like this:

Be the Light in Someone’s Day

Like this:

Be A Snowman!

Like this:

Peace, Bah Humbug!

Like this:

Mary Who?

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The Empty Chair

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What’s My Motivation?

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Hang on! Call on! Move on!

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God Shops at Walmart

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