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“And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work He had done for Israel.”  Judges 2:10 (ESV)

My great aunt Lilly was the best cook ever.  I remember standing on tiptoes watching her add this ingredient and then a smidgen of that ingredient.  Bustling around in the kitchen with her worn apron hiding her round waist; she could make any meal delish.  Her peach cobbler oozing with butter and crusted edges was one of my fave.  And then there was her signature potato salad – I can almost taste it. Without a cookbook in hand, she mastered cooking and took great delight in knowing those she loved enjoyed their meal.

How I wish I had Aunt Lilly’s recipes, but I’m not sure they were ever written down.  If they were, we simply didn’t realize the significance of keeping them in the moment.  Sad reality is they were not passed down so the next generation could enjoy her delicacies.

Ever thought about what we are passing down to the next generation? 

Love the reminder found in Deuteronomy 6:7 when God challenged the Israelites to pass on the secret recipe for success to the next generation.  If they obeyed God’s commands, they would reap His abundant blessings in their lives.  Their days would be prolonged and they would multiply greatly. 

Sounds like a win – win; however, the Israelites were known to easily forget God’s commandments.

Deliverance from the mighty Pharaoh demonstrated His miraculous wonders, yet they were prone to wonder and forget.

God left nothing for guesswork – He spelled it out clearly.  “Teach my commands diligently to your children. Talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

The secret was out – success was theirs for the taking.  Yet we flip through the pages of scripture and find a missing link.  The Israelites cross through the Jordan with Joshua and claim their promised land.  The bounty of all they could have dreamed or imagined is set before them.  Forgetfulness reigns and disobedience follows in the land of good. Perhaps these were the moments when passing God’s commandments to the next generation faded.  Regardless, we watch them waver and rebel throughout the book of Judges.  Sad reality unveils a generation who did not know the Lord.

There’s a lot of incredible things we get to do in this life; great opportunities to seize and enjoy.  But the most important thing is passing onto the next generation the importance of knowing, obeying and loving God.  Aunt Lilly’s recipe was optional; God’s truths are not.  Whether we have birthed children or mentored spiritual children, no one is exempt – let’s determine to share God’s truths with others.

“Father, help us to obey Your commands and never forget the importance of investing in the next generation.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin

TRBC Women’s Life

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.”  Psalm 126:2 (NIV)

The three upper-70’s ladies were standing in church one Sunday morning, visiting before the service began; and as they did, I watched them. Their hair was like shiny silver and their skin showed signs of being well worn. Some of their hands exhibited evidence of arthritis. Yet, the three of them were dressed in lively colors, had makeup on, and their jewelry matched their personalities. They had a fun, loud, jovially-sounding laughter and it was evident they were enjoying one another’s company.

I love to watch people, especially when they are among friends. A lot can be said about people when they feel free to be themselves without the concerns of being monitored for their actions. Even when we cannot hear what people are saying, their facial expressions, and body language can give away the occasion, i.e., whether they are sad, mad, happy, jolly, concerned, or struggling. For those three little ladies in church that day, I could tell it was definitely a good day.

We all need friends and encouragers, especially when life’s curve balls throw our balance off. When we surround ourselves with caring friends, we can’t stay sad, even if we tried. When I was faced with the abandonment of divorce, I was hurting and my pain was very deep. I was grieving the loss of my marriage and tears had become my constant companions. Yet, because I had caring friends who checked on me and made sure I didn’t succumb to the “blues,” I was able to navigate the sad waters of divorce and come out stronger on the other side.

Life is not a bowl of cherries, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely, dark and sad journey, either. Those three little ladies I saw in church had chosen to get out of bed, get dressed and go to church that morning. They chose to have a good day. My struggles with anxiety, grief and sadness from divorce were overcome because I made a conscious choice to not let them drive me down. Whatever your struggle or worry is today, I encourage you to choose joy. If it doesn’t come naturally, surround yourself with your sisters in the Lord, who will lift you up, pray for you, and provide the fellowship and friendship you need during your hard times.

“Father, thank You for our friends and family in You.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

 “Behold I am doing a new thing:  now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”  Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

Flipped my calendar to October and yet, despite the cool temps and colorful leaves, I still think I’m in March.  You know, the birthing of Spring only this year we birthed COVID.  I’ve been working from home for quite some time now – my morning routine hasn’t changed much. Workout clothes have become my all day attire and those same four walls appear smaller by the minute.

So, what’s a girl to do when life seems to be still,  but the calendar hasn’t stopped?  I decided to do one simple thing – I changed out Spring/Summer for Fall.  All my pretty aqua pillows and vases were tucked away.  Pumpkins and harvest blessings now decorate my home.  Simple change but profoundly changed my stagnant view and energized my spirit.

Bet we’ve all been there when we were the ones stuck in place.  Our routines unmoving.  Our circumstances unchanging.  Same morning greeted same night. Sad but true, comfort lurks in the midst of stuck and we often become afraid to do even one simple thing to welcome change.  Easy place to settle in at first but later guaranteed to disappoint.  Without embracing different or new, we will find ourselves stagnant and discouraged.

2020 may have landed us stuck at home or stuck in our routines, but we don’t have to finish out the year unmoveable.  Here’s some tips on letting go of what’s holding us back:

• Humbly come before God and ask Him to reveal any areas where we are unwilling to move forward.
• Embrace the Holy Spirit’s power strengthening us to start with even one small change, which will eventually culminate into greater things.
• Trust God’s plan and not the one we see staring us in the face day after day.  Seek His perspective and trust in His promises.
• Walk confidently in His love, grace and the love of the Body of Christ keeping us accountability to resist our comfort zone.
• Rest in God’s favor – practice hopefulness and gratitude.
• Develop healthy vision – align our perspective with God’s.

Sweet friends, let’s determine to not settle for the norm we’ve grown accustomed to in 2020. Intentionally choose to resist the tendency to deny the possibilities. Let’s seize every opportunity to enjoy the abundant life God desires for His children. 

“Father, You never desire for Your children to be stuck and stagnant – resistant to new adventures You delight in giving us.  Help us to embrace Your view and grow in our relationship with You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin

TRBC Women’s Life