Hyssop is a plant that was used in the Bible for purification ritualt. It was first mentioned in the Bible in the Passover ritual. They used it to sprinkle the blood on the doors and doorposts in obedience to the command of God.

Hyssop was also used to cleanse those with leprosy, or others who were unclean, as well as to purify homes with mildew, and purify water. It was described in 1 Kings 4:33 by Solomon.Is it any wonder David wanted to be cleansed with hyssop?

We should desire the same in order to remain pure before both God and the ones we are to teach.The visual of God cleansing us with hyssop, applying the blood of Christ in our lives, is just so breath-takingly awesome that I cannot describe how humble and grateful it makes me feel. I know I'm not deserving of it, yet He loves us enough to truly cleanse us and forgive us for my unrighteousness. And when we're all clean, the truth and wisdom He desires for us is much easier to receive and plant. He desires to give us truth and wisdom in the inmost parts.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...." Colossians 3:16

It just seems easier to get it in our hearts without all the grime of the world and the flesh lurking on our skin.

Wash us whiter than snow, Lord. Sweep out any impurities or moral decay that we have allowed to creep in. Purify us so that we may stand clean before You. Please help us to keep our eyes on You, honoring You, living for You moment by moment, and living a life that is clean and pure. Thank You for hyssop and for the Blood of the Lamb and His resurrection power! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Another re-run. I'll start writing again soon.

In Him,

The Perfect Sequence

I love the sequence laid out in this Scripture. I've seen it played out in my life throughout the years and especially throughout these last several days. I tend to throw myself into a pity party when I get sick. I get down partly because of the illness, partly because of the medicines I have to take to get well, and mostly because of myself.

The message of this Scripture doesn't necessarily speak to illnesses like sinus infections, red throat, red ears, respiratory viruses and bronchitis, though. It speaks to life. Oh, how I I tend to miss the first part - rejoicing - in times of suffering! Let's go on a journey and look at the perfect sequence of this Scripture.

Rejoicing

The Greek word for rejoice is kauchaomai. This big word is a verb, which implies action. It's an ongoing thing. It means:

1) to glory (whether with reason or without)

2) to glory on account of a thing

3) to glory in a thing

Whatever our circumstances are, we can rejoice in the midst of it, whether we have reason to or not. What do we rejoice in? The situation? Sure. It's hard, but we can rejoice when illness strikes, when a loved one dies, when dreaded news is delivered or when the economy takes a downward spiral. We can rejoice when jobs are lost or wickedness rules the earth. When morality has taken a nose-dive and we see the love wax cold. Why? Because we know that God works everything out for His own glory.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." ~ Romans 8:28 (NIV)

While we don't rejoice because of our suffering, we can rejoice in the midst of them. How?

Through faith. We know that faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Why? Our faith is in God! God is the ultimate Victor!

"for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." ~ 1 John 5:4-5 (NIV)

Suffering

The Greek word for suffering here is thlipsis. This word means:

1) a pressing, pressing together, pressure

2) metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits

Who among us has not experienced suffering in the forms listed above? The pressure of life is largely due to sin in the world. We live in a fallen world and are under the curse of the land and people given by God back in the day when Adam and Eve made a very wrong choice. We were not promised a life of ease and care-free living here on earth, but what we are promised is that if we trust in God He will see us through our suffering. He will never forsake us.

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." ~ Psalm 9:10 (NIV)

Our suffering is not meaningless. It produces something within us and around us that is for God's ultimate glory.

Perseverance

The Greek word for perseverance is hypomonē. It means:

1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance

a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

b) patiently, and steadfastly

2) a patient, steadfast waiting for

3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

Enduring suffering is not an easy task. We are taken through grief, sadness, shock, hurt, anger, confusion and a whole list of emotions that could easily fill a book. If we remain steadfast and endure, learning to be patient as we go through these, we are promised a reward.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." ~ James 1:12 (NIV)

The same word for persevere is used in Romans 5:3-4! Perserverance has its rewards. God has promised to reward us as we persevere and endure our trials. It's not easy to go through them but God is with us every step of the way. He never abandons us as we endure.

"For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance." ~ Psalm 94:14 (NIV)

As Christians, we are the Lord's inheritance. If you are Jewish, you are priveleged to be the first love of God. As Gentiles, we have been grafted into the branch and have received that inheritance as well. See Romans 11 for more on this subject.

I rejoice that His love is everlasting and that He will never forsake me.

Whatever our trials are, we must lean on God to get us through them. He will help us to endure.

Character

The next step in this sequence is character. We have rejoiced in our sufferings, persevered in our trials and are promised that character is built.

The Greek word for character is dokimē. This precious noun means:

1) proving, trial

2) approved, tried character

3) a proof, a specimen of tried worth

We are living proof and have been approved and tried by God through our rejoicing, suffering and endurance.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." ~ Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

We're ready to do what Christ has called us to do because He has enabled us to do it. He has prepared for us works that we probably couldn't have done had we not gone through the first part of this sequence.

One of the biggest trials in my life that I faced was infertility and the loss of a child to miscarriage. Sydney Michel was born and went to be with the Lord at an early age on July 20, 1998. Because I persevered, not by my own strength but by God's, I am now able to help and encourage other women who have gone through this same tragedy. I have been given a gift to find words to strengthen them and lift them up and encourage them that loss is not all there is. There is a hope for them yet. I've also endured some emotional and verbal abuse as a child from an alcholic father. My father is a recovered alcoholic, praise the Lord, and I have been able to take the lessons I have learned through the suffering of that period of my life and help others.

Similarly, I have been helped by others who have endured trials. While I won't name names, there is someone who has been particularly encouraging to me as she has a relative who is enduring an illness suffered by a family member of mine. She has been a tremendous source of encouragement to me and I have found hope in the character developed through the rejoicing, suffering and perseverance she has undergone.

Hope

I love this next one! Hope! Oh, precious hope.

The Greek word for hope used here is elpis. This word means:

1) expectation of evil, fear

2) expectation of good, hope

a) in the Christian sense

1) joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation

3) on hope, in hope, having hope

a) the author of hope, or he who is its foundation

b) the thing hoped for

We run through the gamut of emotions and look for things to cling to when we reach this phase of the sequence. We have can have the hope of evil or fear or we can have the hope of good. As we see above, in the Christian sense, it can be a joyful and confident hope! Our hope should always be in Christ, my friend. Our hope in Him does not disappoint. It is what brings us out of the pit!

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." ~ Psalm 40:2 (NIV)

Just as God lifted the Psalmist out of the slimy pit, He is our hope to lift us up out of the sufferings we have endured.

"...weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." ~ Psalm 30:5 (NIV)

Our suffering does not last forever. We have the expectation of hope that God will prevail. He truly is the thing hoped for in every aspect of this sequence.

Love

Love is the string that wraps this sequence of suffering, perservance, character and hope all neatly in the box in the end.

The Greek word for love in this verse is agapē. It means:

1) affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love

2) love feasts

It's root word is agapaō, which means:

1) of persons

a) to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly

2) of things

a) to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing

God pours this kind of love into our hearts for others. He gives it to us through the power of His Holy Spirit. He is the epitome of all these things and gives us this love to extend to others as we have gone through suffering, perserverance, character and hope.

This love speaks of faith and hope that drives us to rejoicing through the suffering, propels us into perserverance, enables our character to be developed and beckons us to hope. Love is the foundation of the whole sequence of these events.

Are you suffering? I would encourage you to persevere. Perseverance is what really caught my attention in this sequence in the first place.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. " ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

In Closing

Rejoicing, suffering, perseverance, character, hope and love are all based on trust in the Living God.

Father, Mighty God, King of kings and Lord of lords, enable us under Your mighty power to trust in you as we persevere through life's problems. Your Word says in Hebrews 10:36 that we need to persevere so that when we have done Your will, we will receive what You have promised. We know one of your promises to those of us who believe in You and have taken Your Son as our personal Savior and Lord is eternal life. Help us to persevere and run the race marked out for us with Your help and strength. Thank You for giving us endurance under Your mighty hand and perfecting Your love in us. Help us to receive encouragement from those who have suffered before us, and help us to give encouragement through our sufferings to ease the load of others. Most of all, let it all be wrapped in love and for Your glory, Lord. Trusting that perseverance pays off in the victory of eternal life through the Matchless Name of our Savior and Lord, Amen.

P - Proceed through trials with God's good help. "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." ~ Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)

E - Endure hardships with the peace of God. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " ~ Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

R - Remain steadfast in the trusting the Lord. "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." ~ Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)

S - Stand firm against the Enemy. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. " ~ 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)

E - Encourage yourself by reading the Bible daily. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." ~ Romans 15:4 (NIV)

V - Visualize God pulling you up from the pit. "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." ~ Psalm 40:2 (NIV)

E - Expect the help of the Lord. "In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." ~ Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

R - Reach out to God and to others for prayer during suffering, no matter what the cause. "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." ~ James 5:13-15 (NIV)

A - Accept instruction from godly men and women. "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise." ~ Proverbs 19:20 (NIV)

N - Never forget God's love and faithfulness. "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." ~ Lamentations 3:21-23 (NIV)

C - Continue to praise God. "Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." ~ 1 Chronicles 16:10-11 (NIV)

E - Embrace the victory that will come through the Lord. "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

Look familiar? This is yet another re-run, originally posted March 4, 2009. I'm getting there. Life is busy at work, at home, and my computer is on its last leg. I am shopping for a new one maybe next week. Aunt Dolores, who lived Proverbs 31:25-26 out loud, passed away today, and I thought this post would help me reconcile grief with rejoicing. As I have read through this post, it has! I hope this message touches your heart today and helps you relaize that the perfect sequence is rooted in Christ. As always, if you don't know my Jesus, email me at magnoliaheartbeats@yahoo.com and let me introduce you. Your life will NEVER be the same again, I can promise you that!

Emotional Contentment

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." ~ Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)

Was Paul some kind of superhero that he could remain content no matter what? Did he just have such a reign on his emotions that he found it easy to be so even-keeled?

• What challenges do you face in remaining content?
• How do you remain content in joy and in times of trouble?
• What's the secret?
• Who's the secret?
• Is it us or Jesus?
• How do you define contentment?
• Is it a feeling or a state of being?
• Is it based on the state of your heart and mind or is it based on where your heart is focused?

Paul was far from a superhero. He was human, merely a mortal, just like the rest of us. I believe that as a man he was probably more level-headed (read hormonally free) from acting on emotions as I know I am prone to do as a woman, but he faced some major ups and downs along the path he traveled.

If asked, I doubt he would say it was easy to remain so even-keeled. In fact, throughout his letters he showed us that he did indeed have a temper. He did become down. He was beaten and imprisoned for Christ. He was bitten by a snake. He was sick with fever. He sewed tents for a living. His duties weren't preaching 3 sermons a week and feeding one flock. He shephereded many and traveled extensively to do so.

And Yet He Remained Content

The Greek word for content is autarkēs and means:

1) sufficient for one's self, strong enough or processing enough to need no aid or support
2) independent of external circumstances
3) contented with one's lot, with one's means, though the slenderest

The second definition stands out to me. Independent of external circumstances. Can we remain content despite the externals around us?

Since we don't live in a bubble, it's safe to say that the externals of life are crazy busy trying to worm their way into our hearts. Worries, fears, concerns, activities, jobs, busyness, entertainment, vices, time-stealers, etc.

We all face circumstances in our lives that threaten to rock our world. With each phone call or email or visit from someone, our worlds are threatened to be rocked. Can we remain content despite the external circumstances surrounding us? Yes. We can take a lesson from Paul.

Paul's Secret...Our Secret

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." ~ Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

We find in this verse that although Paul faced many challenges in remaining content, he had Jesus on our side. We can say the same.

Whether we are high on the mountaintop or in the throws of depression, we, too, can be content, or rather, have the potential to become content, knowing that our strength comes from Jesus.

The Greek word for strength is endynamoō. This verb means:

1) to be strong, endue with strength, strengthen

2) to receive strength, be strengthened, increase in strength

3) in a bad sense

a) be bold, headstrong

It's all about Jesus. Looking up when we are feeling down. Looking up when we're feeling up. Looking within our hearts where He dwells. Finding our strength for contentment in Him.

It's easy to be content when times are good, but truth be told, it's hard to be content all the time. I do believe there are some things we can do that can help us *learn* to be content.

Breathe - Sometimes we just forget to breathe. Taking a deep breath re-fills our lungs and sends oxygen to our brains, clearing our thoughts, reminding us that God has us in His hands. God has made our life nothing but a vapor. "You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Selah" ~ Psalm 39:5 (NIV)

Focus - Focusing on Christ as the source of our contentment can help us find peace during the hardest of times. "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." ~ Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

Pray - God is faithful to hear our prayers. Just knowing He is listening is very comforting. Think back to a time when God has answered your prayer and remember His faithfulness. "I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer." ~ Psalm 17:6 (NIV)

Release - Literally casting our anxiety on Christ, we can find true contentment. The key to this is not taking that anxiety back. Leave it with Jesus, who is far better equipped to deal with it than we are. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." ~ 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Wrapping It Up

No matter what our circumstances are, let's learn with the apostle Paul to be content whatever the situation. Let's take a stand and decide today that we will not let anxiety or emotion keep us in the pit. Let's rest in the knowledge that with God on our side, the victory is won and there is hope for a better tomorrow.

Questions for Reflection: Are you willing to choose to be content despite the externals around you? Where does your source of contentment come from?

Prayer: Father, help us to choose contentment. Help us to remember that with You the victory has been won over all the externals in our life competing for our emotional struggles. Thank You for Jesus and the grace that comes through Him to give us this contentment. We praise You for settling our hearts on You and helping us learn that true contentment is a marker of spiritual maturity in You. Help us keep growing and learning in You and please receive the glory and honor we give You for the life's lessons we learn. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

C - Look for comfort from God, not the world. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me." ~ John 14:1 (NIV)

O - Operate based on what God's Word says, not what your emotions say. "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." ~ 1 John 2:5-6 (NIV)

N - Nourish yourself by reading God's Word daily. "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path." ~ Psalm 119:103-104 (NIV)

T - Trust God to keep you in perfect peace, no matter what comes your way. "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." ~ Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

E - Ensure that you spend plenty of time with God in prayer. "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." ~ Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

N - Never doubt Jesus as your source of strength through faith. "Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done." ~ Matthew 21:21 (NIV)

T - Trust God so completely that living a life of contement and emotional stability is as natural as breathing. "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah" ~ Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

If you liked this post, you might enjoy I Don't Have to Know It All or How Great is His Love.

Note: This post is a re-run from Monday, May 18, 2009.

Blogging Break

I'll pop in and read some blogs but won't be posting until Monday.

Always feel free to email me at magnoliaheartbeats@yahoo.com or find me on facebook. I love hearing from friends!

Welcome to Tuesdays Together in the Word, hosted by DeeDee Warren at I Have No Greater Joy... We are a group of bloggers reading God's Word and sharing with each other a "nugget" or three of what we are learning. DeeDee has the plan posted on her sidebar. Join in with us, won't you? You don't have to begin at the beginning.

This week we read:

• Ephesians 2-6
• Psalm 54-55
• Proverbs 13

Weighing Our Words

"He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." ~ Proverbs 13:3 (NIV)

The first time I read the Bible from cover to cover, the Holy Spirit had a running theme going with me. I saw a commonality throughout the Scriptures that the words I speak do matter and that I should pay careful attention to them. This was a Scripture I really thought about for quite a while. Our words have weight behind them and can lead to victory or ruin in our lives.

Guard My Words

What does setting a guard over my lips actually entail? The Hebrew word for guard is natsar. This is a verb that means:

1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep
a) (Qal)
1) to watch, guard, keep
2) to preserve, guard from dangers
3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity
4) to guard, keep secret
5) to be kept close, be blockaded
6) watchman (participle)

Guarding my words involves carefully considering what I say. Wisdom, discretion and motive are things to be considered here.

I have to ask myself if what I have to say is something someone really needs to know. Some of the words that are so easy to speak are actually things that should be closely kept, guarded as a matter of confidence, perhaps because someone has asked us not to say anything or because we know that discretion dictates not telling everything we know just to be saying it.

How can we keep our words so closely to our hearts? I think the outline of biblical usage for guard as mentioned above is key. We do what it says.

Watch, keep, guard, preserve, keep close, blockade...

Rash Talk

Speaking rashly can cause a downfall in our lives more quickly than anything else. If we utter profanity, we lose our witness. If we gossip or slander someone, there's a great chance it will get back to them before we know it.

Rashly speaking hurts not only ourselves but those we love and those we have other types of relationships with.

The Hebrew word for rash is pasaq. This verb means:

1) to part, open wide
a) (Qal)
1) to open wide
2) to be talkative (of the mouth)
b) (Piel) to open wide

Is it easier to hold our tongues when our mouths are open or closed? Closed, of course. We should keep the lid on rash talk. But how?

I think it is vital to pray before we begin our day or to go into meetings, even before answering the phone or chatting with friends, whether in person or online. One prayer I pray every time I go to meet with friends is this verse:

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." ~ Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

Do I always have victory in this area of my life? Let me give you a word picture for the answer.

I'm striving toward it!

Besides prayer, we need to check our self-control meter. We temper our words and lack of self-control in this area if we are struggling. Most of all, we need to purpose in our hearts that each and every one of the words we speak will glorify God and bring Him honor, not discredit Him to others who are watching and listening to the example we set.

S - self-control is so important in guarding the words we speak
P - pray about the words you say, do they honor God, do they honor others
E - expect fallbacks - we are not perfect, but we can be forgiven
A - always count to 10 before you share something or respond to something "questionable"
K - kindness goes such a long way in setting an example for others to follow
I - invite God to be your mouthpiece before you begin your day
N - notice the speech of those around you - it can rub off on you
G - grumbling mouths are a sign of grumbling hearts

At the Well - Have you Been Overlooked?

It's happened to all of us. Whether we were the last chosen for kickball in gym class or passed over for a promotion at work or perhaps not even given so much as a thank you for hard work, being overlooked is something that has been happened in the past, still happens today, and will continue to happen in the future. Why? I think it has to do with two things.

The Outward Appearance

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." ~ 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

The Lord instructed Samuel to keep going on down the line when he was looking for the next king the Lord would name for Israel. Samuel saw one of David's brothers, apparently a handsome and strong looking guy, and thought, "This is the one!" Samuel made the mistake many of us have done before. People who are more outgoing or more handsome in appearance tend to become noticed before one who is more introverted or quiet does.

I would encourage you to seek out those who are quiet and befriend them. Ask them to participate in service and in your circle of friends. Are they not the best dressed, most refined people in the pews? Oh my stars! David came straight in from the field, smelled like sheep and was annointed king over Israel! He had a ruddy complexion in a world where most men were probably evenly tanned. I imagine he was so red from being windburned out in the field keeping watch over the flocks.

Busyness

Another reason I believe people are overlooked is because of the busyness of the world. We get so caught up in the externals that we forget to look at those around us. We go in to church, check our kids in the nursery, speak to everyone we haven't spoken to in a few days and gravitate toward the familiar people in Sunday School or church, perhaps not even paying attention to the new couple in the pew (unless you need help in the nursery or a Sunday School class that needs teaching.) Show the love of Christ to them. Don't ignore them. Speak to them more than once and call before Monday night visitation to see if you can run by for a minute to tell them how much you enjoyed having them in the church.

In daily life, slow down. Don't get so stuck in your routine that you exclude people from your life who aren't just like you. Jesus ate with tax collectors and the sort. We, too, should seek out the ones around us who are in need of a friend.

The Remedy

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." ~ 1 John 4:11 (NIV)

Being overlooked is never a good feeling. We should be quick to extend God's love to everyone and keep it in action. Let's develop relationships with those who are new in our circle of friends. Make it on-going. Don't speak to a person once and assume you've greeted them with a holy kiss so your due dilligence is done. That's not how it works. It takes effort. It takes time. It takes love.

When we're overlooked, what can we do?

The same. Love one another. Rather than stewing in our juices that someone hasn't taken notice of us, let's keep working for God. Rather than being sad that no one other than the preacher and the deacon of the week spoke to us at church on Sunday let's find a church home where we are shown love.

Laurie, the hostess of At the Well this week, asks:

Have you ever been overlooked?

I have.

How did it make you feel? How did you react?

It reinforced the belief (at the time) that since I didn't have children I was doomed to be an outcast forever. It hurt. I was shocked at the lack of love shown since we had just come from a church with no youth group to a larger one for Kristyn to be a part of. When I would get to the sanctuary before Steve, I would sit in the pew and watch all the women who had either grown up together or had children the same ages in the same schools all congregate up at the front of the church and it would break my heart. When Steve was with me things were so different. We were welcomed by the men and their wives. But when I was alone, even a woman I considered a good friend (we visited together outside almost every night for a few years) would walk up the aisle, lay her hand on my shoulder, and join the women up front.

I did try to participate in the group, but I didn't fit in. How do you contribute to conversations about teething and immunizations when you just don't know? I'd try to change the subject but it came back to children. I was glad I made the effort, though. Remaining impassive will leave you wondering. The fact was that I just did not belong. Eventually I just stopped going. Some of the men called Steve. None of the women called me. Not even the one I hung out with outside of church. We still hung out together but she never mentioned our not going. Funny thing: I invited her to the church. How strange is that? She had children and fit right in.

It's important to note that sometimes we are overlooked because of an attitude or behavior we display, so I did a self-check. I am well-liked at work. I don't cuss, I pretty much know when to keep my mouth shut, and I don't dress out of the norm. I am a nice person. I don't smell. I am not sure why, other than the fact that perhaps they thought infertility was catching, I was excluded. I wasn't excluded at any other church I had ever attended. I moved on. It's also important to note that I'm not blasting women in the church. Not even the women in that church. Maybe they didn't even realize they were excluding me. Maybe I just wasn't a fit for their group. It's not something I ruminate on and stew about. In fact, today is the first time I thought about it in a long time, but I have to say that it still stings.

What can you do as a Titus 2 woman, to be sure you don't overlook the important things (or people) in your life?

I think it is so important to reach out to women and make sure they are included. We need to seek out the ones sitting alone and introduce them to our friends. We need to invite them to join in on conversations and make a concerted effort to reach out to them.

Mentoring other women and modeling Christ's love is the heart of Titus 2:3-5.

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." ~ Titus 2:3-5 (NIV)

We need to ask ourselves the tough questions. Are we being reverent in the way we live? If so, then we will reach out. Are we teaching what is good? If so, then we will reach out. Are we ensuring that no one maligns the Word of God? If so, then we will reach out.

We must reach out. We must include. We must. We must love.

For more At the Well posts and to share your own, be sure to visit and link up.

Thankful Thursday - Spiritual Sweet Tooth

Laurie, from Women Taking a Stand, is hosting Thankful Thursday for the month of June.

Laurie asks, "What kind of taste does reading and meditating upon the Word leave in your mouth? Is it a sweet taste or a sour one?"

God's timing is always perfect. Last night I asked God to wake me up early this morning so I could spend time with Him in the Word. Usually I sleep until the alarm goes off, but this morning my eyes flew open about 40 minutes earlier than normal. I was completely rested, which was a surprise, given the fact that I had stayed up way too late reading last night.

I'm journeying through the Old Testament right during my personal devotion time and I'm in 2 Chronicles. I'm reading about what I just read about in 1 Chronicles, the articles for the temple that Solomon built for the Lord. It used to be that my favorite readings from the Bible came from the New Testament, but God has given me a taste for the richness of the history of how His chosen people worshipped Him, and how devoted some were to Him. I love reading about the history of the kings, the battles they fought and how some came to a place where they realized they were not honoring God and made changes. Sadly, some did not. I love how God spoke during the Old Testament times.

I thanked God this morning that I live in a country where I am free to read my Bible in my home without fear of a secret police knocking on my door and making my life miserable. I am so thankful that I don't live in constant fear of knowing that this could be my last day on earth just because I chose to worship God in prayer and in reading my Bible.

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" ~ Psalm 119:103 (NIV)

What are you thankful for today? I'm thankful for the Word of the Lord, that He has quickened it to my heart and leaves me desiring more of it every day.

For more Thankful Thursday posts, visit Laurie at Women Taking a Stand.

Note: I have a busy day today! I'm supposed to be in meetings from 9 - 11 and from 2 - 4. That could change but somehow I doubt it. I'll catch up with everyone this evening or tomorrow. Much love and blessings, and may you have a Happy Thankful Thursday!