Lilac Day – Beautiful and Brief

Devotional Musings, Prayer

Lilac“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8

Spring is always a remarkable surprise after a Minnesota winter, a time to celebrate surviving a harsh winter, but my favorite day in the spring is lilac day.

When we bought our home years ago, a woody, bedraggled lilac bush in the backyard gave only stingy blooms. Each year, we thinned a third of the oldest branches from the ground. The beleaguered lilac has survived our ham-handed pruning, blizzards, hail, and ice-storms, and scorched leaves from the nearby barbecue. When we built a patio, we uprooted it and replanted it under our bedroom window.

Now it explodes with flowers each May. Every year I wait for the day that the blossoms unfold, and I gather armfuls to fill vases in every room.

The scent is liquid confection, and on any other day might be too cloying. But in spring’s rain-scrubbed, earthy air, it’s a perfect note of sweetness. Each year I also try every trick to make the blooms last. Yet they’re fragile. Almost overnight, small lavender petals crumble and fall like a lace hanky; and the lilac’s glory passes, leaving me a familiar melancholy.

We wait, we pray. We endure branch-snapping storms. And as God’s sun coaxes, we bloom into a fragile, short-lived wonder. Lilac day is short. Life is short. A fistful of decades that compared to eternity only amounts to a swiftly wilting lilac day. Yet this short lifetime can bring beauty and joy to our Maker–and to those around us–if we rest our lives in His hands.

Lord, let me bring sweetness and beauty in every bud and stem and twig of my life until that day you change my fleeting life into eternal bloom. Amen.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

(Originally published in May of 2009)

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Mother’s Day Treat

Book Buzz, Renovating Becky Miller, The Secret Life of Becky Miller

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day

This week I’ve been having fun pulling out quotes from my two novels that take a whimsical look at the challenges of trying to be a Supermom. My fictional friend Becky Miller showed me a lot about my tendencies to stress out about doing things for God, instead of simply accepting His love and letting that love change me.

Mothers'Can you relate? Have you ever struggled with “mommy guilt”?

Mothers'

In the midst of all you juggle, treat yourself to a little escape with The Secret Life of Becky Miller and Renovating Becky Miller

Available today as e-books for only $3.99!

Blessings!

Sharon Hinck

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What’s Your Take-away?

Devotional Musings

Take-awayWhen a writer is preparing a proposal, or pitching an idea to an editor or agent, a key question often comes up: what is the take-away value? How will the reader’s life be enhanced from the time investment of reading the book?

I’ve been pondering “take-away” from another angle. For me, recent years have been a time of “take-aways” in a literal sense. Many elements of my life that I treasured have been taken away.

Can we find the take-away value in life’s struggles?

I know that when God allows these painful experiences, He also provides “take-away” value. When we have suffered, we learn how to comfort others. When we are confronted with extreme weakness, we learn more about relying on Him instead of ourselves. When our dreams turn to dust, and the world goes spinning forward without us, we learn that God never forsakes us, and our love for Him finds new depths.

If you are feeling like precious parts of your life have been taken away – health, relationship, career – you aren’t alone.

We can hang on to God’s promise. “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.” – Psalm 138:8

Let’s pray together: Lord, we may not see the value to take away from our current struggles, but we trust that You are not letting our pain go to waste. Strengthen our faith while we wait to see Your purposes fulfilled in our lives. Don’t abandon the work of Your hands. Amen.

Thanks for stopping by. Have you found “take-away” value in recent life challenges? Post a comment! I’d love to hear your story.

His,

Sharon

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Our Place

Devotional Musings

Our PlaceThis morning I read Genesis 36 – the genealogy of Esau.

Okay, perhaps not the most riveting section of scripture, nor the easiest to apply to my life.

However, a phrase jumped out at me in the last third of the chapter. Each king of Edom was listed, with his successor who became king “in his place.” (NLT)

In one sense, we are all irreplaceable–unique and dearly loved by our Creator. But it can be healthy to remember that one day others will take our place.

When illness sidelined me, the publishing world flourished without me. As a parent, I’ve watched others take larger roles in my children’s lives. When I’ve moved, new friendships grew for those friends I left behind. With each job I’ve left, someone new stepped in to fill the need.

The realization that my time on earth is limited isn’t a shock, but it’s helpful for me to remember.  When I know the small part I play, my heart is nudged toward a place of greater humility. It also makes me very grateful for all the times and places He has given me, and stirs in me the yearning to make the most of today’s time and place.

Back in the 90s I fell in love with the Michael W. Smith’s song, “Place in This World.” The song is a beautiful affirmation that God has a place for each of us to belong.

Are you finding some ways to share God’s love in your role today? Feel free to share a comment!

Blessings!

Sharon Hinck

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Journaling Bible

Book Buzz, Random Thoughts

Have you ever lost the excitement of digging into Scripture, finding new insights, being nourished by what God speaks to your heart? I’ll confess to a problem that’s been hard for me to talk about. In recent years, I’ve had a strong resistance to “Bible time.” My love for God, and my awareness of His tremendous tenderness hasn’t left. Prayer was still a joy. But because of several life events, reading the Bible was something I skimmed over quickly. I did the homework for Bible studies. Verses came to mind during the day. I mulled sections of scripture while doing devotion writing. But I struggled to settle in and let God surprise me through His Word.

For Christmas this year, my mom needed a gift idea, so I asked for the Inspire Bible. It has wide margins for journaling on every page, illustrations to color in, and it’s a translation I hadn’t read before. I hoped that all of that could stir a new love for –and interaction with–the Word.

JournalingWow, has it ever!

I’ve always kept a set of color pencils with my Bibles. In high school I created a “Bible Underlining Code” that helped me as I read. I’d underline prayers in yellow, commands in dark blue, promises in purple, praise in light blue, etc. I also wrote dates, tiny prayers, or study notes in the margins – cramped barely legible words.

But this version with its artwork and ample margins has coaxed me into lingering much longer…filling the lines with my prayers, questions, and doodles.

DoodleBible (1)

I call it my “Doodle Bible” – and that’s not meant to disrespect the Word. In fact, I’ve realized that the new popularity of art in our Bibles traces back to illuminated manuscripts–carefully hand-penned and illustrated with great reverence and love.

What tools or strategies have aided your study of the Word?

 

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Do You Recognize Your Traits in a Relative?

Devotional Musings, Prayer

Relative WellToday I read Genesis 29, and loved the parallels I spotted. Just as Abraham’s servant found a wife for Isaac by a well, Isaac’s son Jacob finds his wife at a well.

I was also struck by Uncle Laban’s words to Jacob. “When Jacob had told him his story, Laban exclaimed, ‘You really are my own flesh and blood!'” (NLT)

We know that Laban will pull some devious tricks on Jacob in the coming pages. Did Laban recognize that trait of conniving and trickery in both Jacob and himself? Is that why he affirmed their connection?

Have you ever noticed elements of your personality that are similar to a relative–either strengths or weaknesses?

Thinking about how we can reflect characteristics of our family made me extra grateful that Christ has claimed us as siblings.

Lord, I want to be recognizable as Your flesh and blood. Please plant Your heart in me. Amen.

If you could pick one personality trait you’d like Jesus to keep changing into His likeness, which one it is? For me, I’d like Him to transform my selfishness into love. Feel free to comment!

Blessings,

Sharon

 

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What Can I Learn from the Tower of Babel?

Devotional Musings, Prayer

Tower of BabelThe morning I was reading about the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. I grappled with the portrayal of God as one who obstructs. It’s easy for me to become angry when it seems God is getting in the way of whatever new tower I’m trying to build. Yet He knows my motives, He knows the dangers to me. Finally, I wrote this prayer in the margin of my Bible:

Lord, because I trust Your love, when I read about You confounding the plans of people, I believe it was to protect them from new dangers and self-destruction. Help me have that faith in my life when my personal plans are confounded.

But there was a second lesson for me from this brief account. My heart has been aching at the conflict in our culture, between nations, between individuals, within families. Truly we are confused and “won’t be able to understand each other” (verse 7) apart from God’s grace. So I added this prayer:

Heavenly Father, help people “speak the same language” and relate in love. Send your Spirit to help us all understand each other in each place there is conflict.

How about you? Have you ever seen God obstruct your path, and later realized it was a good thing that He did? Or have you see Him heal a conflict?

Sharon

 

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Maundy Thursday – A Day to Follow Our Savior’s Steps

Devotional Musings, Prayer

Maundy

For my Christian brothers and sisters who follow the traditional church calendar, today is a special day with a strange name. As a child, I misheard “Maundy” and always thought we were going to church for “Monday Thursday.”

“Maundy” comes from the word “command” or “mandate” – and reminds us to follow Jesus’ command to love one another, and serve others as He demonstrated by washing the disciples feet at His last supper with them before He went to the cross.

Churches celebrate with worship, the Lord’s Supper, and some do a foot-washing ceremony. But we can also honor the day with acts of humble service and love for others. We could empty garbage even when it’s not our usual chore, or fold laundry for another family member, or fill the car with gas, or wash the kitchen floor. Any task that coaxes us to put others above ourselves can be a reminder of how the King of Kings became a servant to save us, and how He gives us a new command to love one another.

Lord Jesus, thank you for walking the dusty roads of this world, for drawing close to us in all our human experiences, and for showing us how to serve by washing the disciples’ feet. Thank you even more for washing away our sins. Give us hearts to follow in your steps today. Amen.

Blessed Maundy Thursday!

Sharon Hinck

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Holy Week

Devotional Musings, Prayer

Holy WeekThe Last Week of the Lenten Journey

Holy Week has arrived! I’ve always loved the Lenten season of the church year. Even the part about giving something up. In past years I’ve given up chocolate or sugar or pop or social media. I’ve tried ceasing from complaining or criticizing (that was harder to give up than chocolate!) Other years, instead of subtracting something, I’ve added a daily habit to help me focus on Jesus.

This year, my Lenten journey was enriched by a small new task. Each day, I pondered a verse and then found a photo that captured how the verse spoke to me. If you follow my Facebook author page, you may have noticed that I’ve been posting these little “posters” throughout Lent.

Holy Week is full of tender days. We throw our palms at Jesus feet, we break bread with Him in the upper room, we pray with Him in the garden, we weep at the foot of the cross, and we leap for joy at His resurrection. Blessed Holy Week, dear friends!

Sharon Hinck

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God is God Alone

Devotional Musings, Prayer

You alone are GodGod is great–even when I forget that.

Sometimes I look for wondrous things in the wrong places.

When I seek greatness in world systems, I’m left disappointed and cynical. When I search for wonderful things in my own soul, I quickly despair.

Other people carry glimmers of greatness, of beauty, of purpose and answers.

But all the best in the created world, in myself, and in others is best because it most clearly reflects our Creator.

This week I’m trusting God to be doing wondrous things. Not because I deserve it, but because it is His very nature. I hope that as I look away from all the other “gods” that consume me, I’ll be more likely to notice the great things He is doing.

Would you pray with me?

Lord, You alone are God. Forgive us for sometimes being the center of our own little universes, or for obsessing over (and making a god of) relationships, work, or our own plans. Thank You for all the wondrous things You’ve done in the lives of Your children. Open our eyes to see You at work this week. Amen.

Have You noticed some of His wonders lately? Any evidence of His greatness? Please share it with me in the comments. I’d love to hear!

Sharon Hinck

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