This Wild and Precious Life by Susan Barclay

Good new year, everyone.

As I considered this month’s writing prompt, I was reminded of a book I read last year, A Curious Faith by Lore Ferguson Wilbert. An entire chapter is devoted to the question, “What is in your hand?” Lore offers a different and thought-provoking perspective: “When God asks what is in Moses’s hand, the staff in his hand is there because so many things have gone wrong in Moses’s life.” Lore suggests that when God asks you what’s in your hand, he is asking, “What did you not expect to carry into this ‘wild and precious life’?”

A close friend shared this with me: “I don’t always like what is in my hand, and often look at what is in someone else’s hand and wonder why I didn’t get that. But I know God gave me what is in my hand and know he must have a purpose and use for it. I believe that God has given you the issues you are dealing with now, because he knew you could handle the job. And that you would handle the job with Christian love and grace and would be a witness to those around you. One day God will say to you ‘thanks for taking care of that, I knew you were the right person for the job’.

What is ‘in my hand’ is a story I never wanted and never sought out. It is a story involving prodigal children and a challenging caregiving journey. The stage of life I am in looks nothing like what I expected or hoped for. But God has shown me my faith is built on the solid rock of Christ. I may be tested and tried, my “trunk” may be bent against hurricane-force winds, but I will stand in him. He is faithful, he is good, he is kind, he is the one true Promise-keeper.

I trust that God will use what’s in my hand to bless others, whether that is in my writing or in conversations and offering support. As Lore says, “he uses our grief to make space for another’s grief. When our grief is palpable and present, mourners find their way alongside it sooner or later.”

Moses used his sheep-herding staff to astound a pharaoh, split the Red Sea, bring water from rock, and help the Israelites win a battle against enemy forces. God didn’t waste Moses’s flock-tending years; he redeems the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25). Since he doesn’t waste anything and turns for good what the enemy means for evil (Genesis 50;20), I can hardly wait to see what he does with what’s in my hand! May it be soon, Lord Jesus!

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c. Susan Barclay, 2025. For more about Susan and her writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com

In Everything Give Thanks? - Ruth L. Snyder

As I write, my heart is heavy. Yesterday morning (October 25) in a community less than 50 kilometres from where I live, a van smashed through a fence and a window/wall into a school, pinning three grade 6 students underneath it. Five other students were also injured. The three girls were removed from underneath the van, pronounced to be in critical condition, and flown by STARS to Edmonton. Today one of the girls died. Police are still investigating the incident. Here's a report from the Edmonton Journal.

The Apostle Paul tells us in I Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (KJV) When tragedy strikes, giving thanks is usually the last thing on our minds. After all, there seems little to be thankful for, at least from a human perspective. Perhaps some other Scripture verses can shed light for us.

• Psalm 50:23 "The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (ESV)

• Hebrews 13:15 "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name." (NIV)

• Psalm 107:22 "Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing." (NASB)

In her latest post, Lynn Dove reminded us that thanksgiving is a choice. It's easy for us to be thankful for things we like - obedient children, finding a beautiful dress on sale, hearing the birds sing, warm sunny days, etc. However, Scripture seems to indicate that when we choose to offer thanks during difficult times, we are actually worshipping God - offering him a "sacrifice of thanksgiving."

God doesn't expect us to thank Him for the tragic death of a young girl. However, we can thank Him for the following:

• God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Events do not change God’s character.

• God is with us and walks with us through the difficult times ("When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2 NIV)

• God hears our prayers, even when we don't know how to pray. ("In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26 NIV)

• God will work all things out for His glory ("And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28 NLT)

Today I'm choosing to give thanks. It's a choice that will bring honour to God. Do you agree?




Ruth L. Snyder
www.trusteesnyder.blogspot.com (Education information)
www.ruthlsnyder.com (Ruth's writing and family life)
www.earlyyearssuccess.com (Information for caregivers of children ages 0-5)
Follow Ruth on Twitter:www.twitter.com/@wwjdr

Does God Care About the Details of my Life? - Ruth L. Snyder

Last week I had the opportunity in my work as a school board trustee to fly to Boston for the National School Boards Association conference. My flight was delayed for an hour, so I used the time to catch up on emails and read the latest news. When the boarding call was finally made, I switched off my iPhone and headed for the departure gate. The flight itself was uneventful. However, because of the late departure I only had twenty minutes to race from one gate to another in the vast Toronto airport. (A fellow traveler joked that we were running our own version of the Boston Marathon!) I was relieved to discover others also had a tight connection and the plane was being held until we were all accounted for. Just over an hour later as I disembarked in Boston, I reached into my jacket pocket for my phone. It wasn't there.

The next morning as I was discussing my lost phone with a friend I commented, "Everything happens for a reason."

He replied, "I don't believe that. Sometimes it's just bad luck."

It struck me that his world view is different than mine. I believe in a God who loves me intimately, who is always with me no matter where I go, who knows how many hairs I have on my head, who provides everything I need. In Matthew 6:25-34 I am reminded that I don't need to worry about my life, or what I will eat and drink, or what I will wear. Instead of worrying, I am challenged to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." (verse 33)

When "bad" things happen, I have a choice. I can complain, fret, worry, get upset, and focus on the negative, OR I can choose to give thanks, trust, rest, and focus on God's consistent character. Sometimes God will intervene and change the circumstances. Other times, the circumstances will remain the same.

Despite contacting both airports and the airline's lost and found, my phone is still missing. (In case you're wondering, I had not downloaded the "Find my iPhone" app.) However, I enjoyed a wonderful conference. I was able to interact with other school board trustees, learn some new skills, and enjoy listening to inspiring speakers like Salmond Khan and Geoffrey Canada. Next week I'm looking forward to receiving a new cell phone.

Ruth L. Snyder

Check out Ruth's blogs: www.trusteesnyder.blogspot.com (Education information) www.ruthlsnyder.com (Ruth's writing and family life) and www.earlyyearssuccess.com (Information for caregivers of children ages 0-5)

Follow Ruth on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@wwjdr