Tag: freedom in Christ

Posted on in Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Words, Worship

Oh, How He Loves Us

Yesterday, on my way to pick up Lydia after work, I was once again in the car listening to the radio. The K-LOVE host read the verse of the day. Isaiah 43:25 (NLT) says, “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for My own sake and will never think of them again.”

In context, the whole chapter is about the coming Messiah, whom we know as Jesus Christ. But, I only heard part of the verse at the time. I looked up the verse later, but the part that stood out to me was “for My own sake.”

Surprisingly, the verse didn’t say “your own sake.”

As I thought about it, I was touched. Why would God blot out our sins for His own sake? I’m sure there are more theologically important points, and you can check out some commentaries here, and here.

But, either way, here are my simple thoughts, initially. I hope it brings encouragement and causes you to consider the topic on a personal level, too.

  1. God is full of love and mercy, and His grace knows no bounds. Extending mercy and grace brings Him great pleasure, and it’s a part of Who He Is. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves; it rests on Him alone, and He is fully aware of that.
  2. God is eager to forgive us. Moreover, He doesn’t want to hold our sins against us. (Although, as a perfect Judge, He does hold us accountable if we don’t accept Jesus’ death and sacrifice as paying the penalty for our sins. Jesus is God’s solution to save us from Hell, which is otherwise our automatic default.)
  3. God really wants to be with us and do away with anything that hinders our relationship. Maybe He also doesn’t want the reminder of our sins, any more than we do! That said, do we crave having a relationship with Him in the same way, or do we take it all for granted?
  4. Sin is a heavy burden for us to bear, but God took care of it… and wants to move forward already! He doesn’t want us to be weighed down in guilt any longer. We can live in freedom and Victory… Thank, You Jesus!
  5. And finally, I asked Lydia for her thoughts. She said, “He just really loves us!” 🙂

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Gracious Heavenly Father, You are infinitely wise and full of goodness. Thank You for doing for us what we could never do for ourselves. May we walk with You always, and worship You in gratitude every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Why do you think God blots out our sins for His sake, not ours? Have you accepted God’s gift of salvation and forgiveness for your sins?

Task: Check out the commentaries linked above. Also, listen to this song, “How He Loves,” by David Crowder. It’s a classic!

Posted on in Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Worship

Perfectly Loved

Do you have a favorite song right now? Currently, I love “Perfectly Loved“ by Rachael Lampa (featuring TobyMac).

I recognized her name but couldn’t recall where I might have heard of her. After a quick online search, I realized I have her first CD from years ago! This is a new song, however.

The tune hits those emotional notes, and the message is spot-on. Every time I hear it on the radio, it speaks to my heart. Here are some of the song lyrics:

“Ooh, even when you were runnin’
Even when you were hidin’
Never been a moment that you were not perfectly loved
Whеn you barely believеd it
When your eyes couldn’t see it
Every single moment, you’ve always been perfectly loved”

Free photos of Heart

Later, the lyrics mention being “perfectly human, made from the dust” which just makes me so grateful for all that God has done in me and through me.

The song is a good reminder that God knows our flaws, faults, and failings, yet He loves us anyway. God knows our shortcomings and meets us right where we are. He invites us to join Him in His work, but He knows our limitations and covers them with his grace.

God knows our weaknesses, yet He empowers us with His strength. He never gives up on us, even we give up on ourselves. He is always cheering us on!

“God loves us the way we are, but too much to leave us that way.” –Leighton Ford

I don’t know about you, but I find all of this very encouraging. Whatever we are going through, God already knows. He’s right here with us, extending me grace and also mercy when needed. He stretches us and prompts us to grow, but He doesn’t leave all the work up to us. Thank You, Lord!!

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God, thanks for loving us no matter what. Thanks for walking with us and carrying us when needed. Also, thanks for the gift of music; may our lives be a sweet symphony to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is your favorite song currently on the radio? Do you prefer to sing in the car or in the shower?!

Task: Listen to “Perfectly Loved” and let it marinate in your heart and mind!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Personality, Wisdom

Sprinkles, Leaves, and Kindness

A couple of Sunday mornings ago, we were preparing for church when Lydia had an ‘accident’ in the kitchen. She was not hurt, but when she reached up into the cupboard for the cinnamon-sugar shaker for her toast. In a flash, Lydia touched a small condiment container full of tiny sprinkles, which immediately crashed out all over the counter, sink, and floor.

“Mo-ooooom!” Lydia yelled. She needed help.

I was still getting ready for the day but rushed out to see what happened. I was a bit angry when I saw sprinkles in every direction, but tried to stay calm and just started cleaning up.

It took about twenty minutes to move aside (and rewash) a few dishes on the drying rack, shake off a package of English muffins, and clean out the toaster. Yes, sprinkles were EVERYWHERE.  I found them on the stove, under the blender, in the sink, and on the floor.

Of course, this made us a little late to church, and honestly, I was still a little upset. I felt Lydia should have seen it coming and been more careful. Similar ‘accidents’ have happened in the last few weeks, where she drops something because she wasn’t paying attention.

But mostly, I was annoyed that I ‘always’ have to clean things up. A parent’s job never ends! Lydia helped, but I did the majority of the work because I could see more of the mess.

Now, Lydia is fairly conscientious, as am I. A touch of discipline usually goes a long way for her. Thus, I have to manage my emotions, so she doesn’t take them to heart. I can’t prevent all the world’s problems, but I can prevent her from taking on my anger or drama and turning it into fear. Been there, done that!

We talked about it on the drive to church because we needed to clear the air. I’m so glad we did because we had a good time worshipping God together!

Later that day, Lydia and I took went on our Autumn Adventure. I took a cute picture of her throwing up some leaves in the woods. It was like a ‘ticker tape parade,’ and I loved seeing the joy on her face. Then, we went to eat and had a fabulous time.

Now, I could have let the stress of the morning stop us from having fun. But, I extended grace to Lydia, and it made all the difference. In other news, I found more tiny sprinkles all throughout the week. 😉

Well, you may have heard the saying, “Throw kindness around like confetti.” To me, that implies an abundance of generosity and goodness toward others. It also implies celebration. But, I never thought about it in the context of parenting! 😉

Truthfully, kindness isn’t the same as being nice. It’s loving someone enough to tell them what they need to hear, or show them tough love.

So… last night, when I was writing this blog post, guess what I found in the kitchen. Yep, a solitary white sprinkle! This time, I just smiled and moved on.

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God, thanks for Your lovingkindness, which knows no bounds. You are always quick to forgive and extend us grace. Help us share Your love with everyone we meet; may kindness spread just like sprinkles… everywhere! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: How can you ‘throw kindness around like confetti’ today?

Task: Here’s a simple double-check for you: Make sure all the lids are tight on all your pantry and refrigerator items. You’re welcome. 😉

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #345

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free photos of Coast

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was relatively low-key and smooth. Not much happened out of the ordinary, but sometimes that’s a good thing!

On Monday, I was off for Columbus Day. I appreciated having off the federal holiday; it’s a free day for me because Lydia still has to go to school! I planned to do a little relaxing, but instead I was very productive! I worked on a self-evaluation for work and took a two-hour test for continuing education. I also worked on some business stuff related to my book. It all was a huge relief and accomplishment!

Work was busy, as usual, but I was able to stay on top of my paperwork for the most part. I had several opportunities to advocate for my patients this week, too. On Friday, we had a chili cook-off, and two of my coworkers (on maternity leave) brought in their newborns for a little visit. It was so good to see them and eat some yummy chili!

Ironically, I saw three newborns this week! Two at work and one at our house! Yes, our friend brought her baby over again this week. It was fun to watch Lydia snuggle with the baby. I’m glad we were around to help out!

Today, we called my mom for her birthday, and had a great time talking with her! We also did some chores, and I completed an hour of working out. It was a fun goal, but I don’t do that every day. This afternoon/evening, Lydia went to friend’s birthday party, so I finally had some time to relax. I made some pancakes and brownies… I made them healthier and used up some Greek yogurt in both recipes! I also watched a movie, worked on my blog, paid some bills, and did some reading. It was a beautiful day outside too. Perfect for some alone time!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom

Autumn Adventure

Lydia and I had a great day together on Sunday! Here is a brief recap:
At church, we witnessed baptisms between services, which prompted a good conversation about what it is all about. Lydia is thinking of getting baptized, though I want it to be her decision.
We also enjoyed fancy drinks on one of the couches in the lobby, while catching up with a friend. This friend is another single mom, and she and her son are doing really well. It was good to hear all that God’s doing in their lives.
Then, we went to two local parks to see the beautiful fall colors. We spent about an hour walking/hiking around. The colors were on-point, and we got some cool pictures.
On a whim, we drove around some more, following the pretty sights around every corner! We ended up near the downtown area and ate pizza for lunch. We laughed while we drew pictures and played hangman on the paper ‘tablecloth.’ I appreciated hearing more Lydia’s thoughts and interests.
Later, we relaxed at home and enjoyed more time together. We spent a little time on Zoome with family, then watched television and ate a little ice cream. All in all, it was a fun adventure with my girl, and I am so grateful for the time with her!
A couple of thoughts crossed my mind while we were out and about. First, as much as I love spending time with Lydia, God loves spending time with each of us even more! Oh, how He loves us and went to great lengths to be able to be with us. Thank You, Jesus!
And second, we found great joy in seeing God’s creation and being in it. But, He finds even greater joy seeing our delight in what He has made. He made all things and yet wants to share them all with us! Seasons come and seasons go, but God with us through them all.
Finally, as my friend on Sunday reminded me, as pretty as the leaves are at this time of the year, they are still part of this fallen world. Just think how glorious Heaven will be!
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God, thanks for the gifts of family and nature. Each season is so different, but Your faithfulness endures! Help us see Your mercy and grace every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Questions: What are your favorite places to see the beautiful fall colors? Are they local to where you live, or do you enjoy traveling to see them?
Task: If you can, take a short walk outside today and look for the beautiful signs of autumn!
Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #344

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free photos of Harvest

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a busy but relatively calm week!

Work was fairly quiet. I had plenty of patients and tasks to do, but I had a little more time in between each thing. I don’t know if I was more productive or not, but I certainly felt more productive because I actually got things done! It felt good to finish most of my work, as I was a bit behind the last few weeks!

On Tuesday night, my friend brought her month-old baby over! We were able to chat and give them a change of scenery. The baby had been crying all day and not sleeping well. Then, Lydia and I both enjoyed holding her, while my friend ran a quick errand. She’s still adjusting to taking the baby around town… there is so much to prepare for! Of course, the baby slept the entire time for us! 🙂

Speaking of babies, on Wednesday night, we volunteered at church. I have helped many times over the years, but Lydia is just easing into it. As a parent, I see that she’s at the point of needing to serve or risk being bored with church. We signed up to help in the 3 to 5-year-old room but ended up filling in for the 4 to 23-month-old room. It was not quite what Lydia expected, but she adjusted. One little girl attached herself to Lydia, who was the only one who could calm her down! In addition to playing with the toddlers, I changed three dirty diapers and wiped several snotty noses. It’s been a while since I did that!

Today, we did our normal Saturday chores, but mostly we just relaxed. I made some delicious vegetable beef soup. I used low-sodium V8, ground beef, frozen mixed veggies, and a few seasonings. I’m looking forward to having leftovers for a few days!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

A Few Loose Screws

Lately, I have done a lot of hands-on work around the house. I have moved benches and deck furniture, and I put up the Christmas lights as I prepare for winter. I have taken a few trips to the recycling station, too.

In addition, I have taken apart several things to sell. These include a table and four chairs, two ottomans, and a weight bench. I was making room for other priorities. Most of the items were fairly easy, but it was challenging to tear the table apart. It hadn’t been moved in twelve years, so the screws were in tight.

And, I have put together some things, too. These include a dolly and two pieces of exercise equipment (upgrades for my personal gym!). The dolly was actually the toughest thing of all because the metal just would not cooperate and the directions were a little confusing! I did manage to get a couple of bruises, but nothing to worry about.

All in all, I followed all the directions, and thankfully, I haven’t had many parts left over!

Free photos of Stainless steel screw

As I was piecing together one item, the directions mentioned how if certain screws weren’t in just right, it could cause an accident, or even death. They were tiny screws!

I made sure to double-check all the nuts, bolts, and screws. Just to be sure. I wouldn’t want to put my weight on something and have it fall apart.

In fact, I was incredulous that my safety could depend on the smallest component. A few loose screws could be quite a problem!

Then, I got to thinking… God holds all things together through Jesus and the power of His Word; no screws needed! Not just my life or yours, but the entire world. He is more than capable!

Whether it is a lot of steps or just a few, God always knows just what needs to be done. He wrote the directions, or guide, to Life! We can trust Him to hold the full weight of whatever we are going through. He will protect us but also catch us if we happen to fall. He’s got us covered!

Ultimately, God loves us even when we have ‘a few screws loose.’ 😉 We fall short, but He accepts us as we are. He can take all of our mess and make something strong, beautiful, and purposeful!

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God, thanks for covering us with Your wisdom, strength, grace, and love. You never let us down! Help us trust You every step of the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you enjoy hands-on tasks, like putting together items around the house or refinishing furniture? What are your favorite tools?

Task: Next time you buy something with a lot of pieces to assemble, reflect on how God organizes the pieces of your life, too. You are a perfectly designed masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

Sweet Relief

This week, I had a simple medical test/procedure. It was fairly straightforward and, as such, almost not worth mentioning. But, I wanted to share a little of my experience in case it benefits someone else… 

In short, I have had mild gut issues over many years. I had similar issues as a kid, in college, and before/after Dave died from colon cancer. I don’t know if my symptoms are related to internalizing stress or my Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, an autoimmune disease I have had for twenty-five years.

Indeed, I mentioned my concerns to my doctor after Dave’s funeral, but then talked myself out of further testing when she offered it. I was really emotional at the time and didn’t want deal with it. I don’t recommend that avoidant approach, however!

Earlier this year, I got my back in better shape and realized my gut could also use some help. I had gotten so used to the discomfort that I just assumed it was normal.

To clarify, my symptoms are somewhat normal… no overt signs of disease. But, some people are just more sensitive than others, and I tend to have gut discomfort when others don’t (even when we eat the same foods). The gut is known as the ‘second brain,’ so when it is not functioning correctly, it can impact quite a lot of other things!

Free photos of Manzana

Well, this year, I again spoke up at my annual physical in May. This time, I requested a referral to gastroenterology. I appreciated that both of the providers listened to my concerns, though I was still a little nervous.

In June, we decided to do some more testing, which occurred this week. The prep was less than glamorous, but the results were “pretty darn good” to quote the doctor running the test! 🙂

Leading up to the test, I kept my focus on Jesus and took on His peace, which is freely given. He is the Source of my life and strength, so it is always wise to trust Him.

On the day of the test, everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. They were so kind and knowledgeable that it put my mind at ease. I was able to relax and go with the flow. It was a much different feeling than when I waited for Dave’s test results all those years ago.

When the doctor introduced herself, she agreed it was good to get tested since autoimmune diseases can often run together. I briefly mentioned my concerns, especially since Dave had zero symptoms at his colon cancer diagnosis. (Mine was a test to rule out a wide variety of potential illnesses!) She was so compassionate, and I was glad I chose her to do the test!

Free photos of Fruit

I still have those mild symptoms – and a follow-up for potential next steps – but ALL my results came back clear! I don’t have celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, an ulcer, micro-colitis, diverticulosis, H Pylori, cancer, or anything else. Whew, I am so relieved!! It is still possible to get a generic diagnosis (like IBS or a food intolerance), but I can’t self-diagnose those things. Thankfully, we ruled out all the major red flags!

My hunch has been that it just will come down to paying more attention to my food choices and how they affect me. I already do this to some degree; as a Registered Dietitian, it’s right up my alley. Fiber and water are key! But, even though I eat well and enjoy most foods, my gut may think differently.  😉

Other good strategies will include ongoing stress management to lower chronic inflammation; continuing my exercise routine, so my gut runs well; and getting adequate sleep to restore my system each night. This is easier said than done, but I am committed to doing the work it takes to feel good consistently.

Professionally, I always tell my patients: “You are your best advocate, and you know your body best.” Today, I am thankful I was brave, despite my earlier fear. I am glad I advocated for myself, and I am grateful for the good results. We only get one body, and we have the privilege of caring for it, as a Temple.

All in all, I wanted to praise God and to share a little— but not too much– with you about my health journey (a.k.a. my Forty-Year Tune-Up)! Also, I want to give a shout-out to the three women doctors and their staff who have helped me.

Thank you for reading and celebrating with me!

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God, You are so gracious and merciful!! Thanks for protecting me and giving me peace of mind. May I continue to make healthy choices that honor You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What part of this post resonated with you? Do you need to advocate for yourself or someone else?

Tasks: Listen to “The Healing“ by Blanca and Dante Bowe. Sing out your praises to God! He is Jehovah-Rapha, the God Who Heals.

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #342

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free photos of Autumn leaves

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a busy but good week! We celebrated the first day of fall with some cooler temperatures. The colors of the leaves are starting to pop!

This week’s highlight was talking to my neighbors (new and old). I offered Lydia’s old jacket to my new neighbor for her daughter. It was a special moment, and I gave her a hug. She and her husband both thanked me a couple more times. Another neighbor had an important medical appointment, and I was glad to hear her good news. I’m really grateful to live in this community.

This week, Lydia and I both noticed Dave unexpectedly coming up with ‘random’ people. I had two people ask about my personal details, one Veteran and one nurse. I politely answered, and they were apologetic and kindly offered support. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about Dave and the Veteran especially identified with my loss. Then, Lydia had younger kids at the Y asking her what happened because one of our neighbors was talking about it. I don’t think they meant any disrespect, but it put Lydia on the spot.  I think it turned out alright, though it is still a little strange these conversations all happened in one week!

For my work week, I had a lot of fun teaching an inaugural class called “Eating to Reduce Pain and Inflammation.” We are affectionately calling this “ERPI” and hope this series is a turning point for our Veterans. Sometimes cutting back on unhealthy foods, or adding healthy ones, is not that exciting. But, we have found that pain is a big motivator in making healthy changes!

On Thursday, I picked up Lydia and her friends from Biogirls. It is fun to be the driver for a bunch of girls and listen to what they are talking about. There was a lot of laughter!

Really, Lydia had an exciting week all around. On Tuesday, she celebrated a friend’s birthday. She and others were invited to surprise the girl at her house and then stay for treats. Then, on Friday, Lydia took a school field trip to the planetarium!

Today, I was on-call for work. I did not have to go in, which is always a nice surprise. Either way, we had family come to visit and stay with Lydia just in case. It’s always nice to have company!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Immigrant Introductions

Lydia rides the bus to school each week, and I am grateful the bus stop is in front of our house. I, along with a few other parents, stand out there with the kids to make sure everything goes well. I don’t really worry about Lydia, but I do enjoy using that time to catch up with some of the neighbors.

Recently, I noticed two new kids running to get on the bus, a boy and a girl. It happened to be pajama day at school, so the little girl had a cute pink robe. It provided warmth and looked cozy on the slightly cooler morning!

A few days later, the father joined the kids at the bus stop. I introduced myself to him, as well as the kids. I will have to work on learning the kids’ names; I couldn’t quite make them out, even after I asked them to spell them. But, smiles go a long way in these instances. 🙂

Thankfully, their dad had a name I recognized right away. It was similar to some of my other African friends’ names, representing a character quality or similar word in English, such as Courage, Boldness, or Blessing.

Free photos of Children

The father is a specialty nurse at a local hospital. Originally from South Africa, they just arrived in America less than three months ago. I look forward to hearing more about their journey, and I was quick to welcome them. But, I also put myself in their shoes. 

I offered to help, if they need something as they acclimate to their new surroundings. I also asked if they were ready for the winter. The father said he had “never set foot on snow.” I don’t think he fully understands just how cold and windy winter will be!

Winter is just around the corner, and I want them to be prepared. I asked if he needed help finding snow gear. I swapped phone numbers with him and sent some links/pictures of snow pants. I also listed other items, such as hats, gloves, and snow boots. He was grateful.

I wouldn’t normally mention that after just meeting someone, but it seemed important to make sure this family has the heads-up. Lydia and I did this a few weeks ago because I know how fast the season can change and don’t want to be caught off-guard.

Earlier this week, I wanted to check in with my new neighbors yesterday at the bus stop. The kids are doing well, but the dad was at work. Thankfully, today, I met their mom! Talk about perfect timing!

We made introductions, and I asked her about the snow pants. 🙂 I invited her in to show her what I meant. When I opened the closet door, I saw Lydia’s old coat from the last two years! I was so happy because I thought we had donated it, and it was still in good condition! I offered it to her, and she was so sweet and grateful. She quickly understood what I meant about snow pants and coats needing to be thick.

We also exchanged numbers, and she wrote down her kids names so I could see them and pronounce them correctly. I answered some questions and asked if they had found a church, a grocery store, etc. Thankfully, they have been able to find a place to worship and shop!

It is fun to learn about different cultures, welcoming foreigners and making new friends. Sometimes there is controversy if we should allow certain immigrants to come to the United States. That’s beyond the scope of this post, and while I don’t have all the answers, I can certainly help my neighbor. That’s always been important to Jesus.

Of course, it is wise to be cautious; we don’t have to help every person we meet. Though, in this case, I felt comfortable, and it seems like the right thing to do.

I am interested to see how it all plays out and will let the Lord lead me as I try to be a friendly face to these new friends. I want to learn more of their story!

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God, thanks for my new neighbors and the opportunity to show them kindness. Help me be a good witness to them, as they acclimate to their new home and country. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you enjoy meeting people from other countries? Do you have any fun stories to share?

Task: Open your eyes to see the people around you. Be willing to speak up, ask good questions, and help out if the Lord leads you.