Anything Like Me

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The Church

My thoughts on the Church.

thinking Jesus Devos

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Your Worth

I love watching those television shows where someone will bring an old piece of junk to an antique collector and find out that it’s actually worth thousands or millions of dollars. I find it amazing that something that looks like trash to me can actually be extremely valuable.

We tend to do the same thing in life sometimes, don’t we? We look at a person or situation and only see the flaws. Aren’t you glad God doesn’t do that?

God views our damaged lives and says we are beautiful. He sees our failures and, even though we may think that because of them we are useless, he calls us Holy (Colossians 3:12). We’re from broken families and suffered our fair share of broken hearts, but our God, in his son, says we’re complete (Colossians 2:10). He calls us his chosen, precious children (I John 3:1).

Our father knows where we’ve been and what we’ve done and yet still offers not only a second chance but an opportunity to use our past to bring others to him. Our God is a God of restoration. A perfect God of imperfect people. A God who sees our scars and calls us valuable.

The world is going to tell you that you’re not good enough, thin enough, or rich enough. It will try to sell you the lie that happiness can be found in appearance and possessions. It will work day and night toward the delusion that you need to fit in with the crowd. You will never have peace, hope, joy, or true wealth if you seek your worth in the world.

When life gets you down and you begin to think that you’re not worth anything, take a good long look up at the cross. God said you were worth it.

The Great Day

I had barely slept the night before. My head was pounding, my nose running, and I knew that whatever it was that I had was probably only going to get worse before I could get to the doctor the next day. This day had too many obligations and not enough free time even for a quick doctor’s appointment (which we all know doesn’t exist on this planet).

I had resigned myself to muddling through and trying to do so without much complaining. Still, I wasn’t exactly happy about my predicament.

I was in the school cafeteria when I encountered an adorable first grader. She smiled up at me as she passed by, “Hi, Mrs. Paula! It’s a great day!” The way her eyes sparkled and the innocence in her voice reminded me that, yes, it was, even though I certainly didn’t feel like it.

Today is the day that the Lord has made (Psalm 118:24). We’ve heard the verse and we usually get to rejoicing and counting our blessings so I did: “Today, I am healthy enough to be out of bed. Today, I have a job that allows me to be with good people and precious children. Today, I have a healthy family.”


After I thought about it, today was a great day but it had nothing to do with me and how great my life may or may not be. Even if I lose my health, today is a great day. Even if I lose my family, today is a great day. Even if I lose everything, today is a great day because this day isn’t about me. It’s not about the trials I wake to or the failures I bow to. It’s not about my best day or my worst.

It’s about a God who gave. It’s about a Savior who rose. It’s about a people, chosen and holy. It’s about a church that flourished amid grief and violence. Yes, today is a great day. The sun rose and the sun set. God provided another chance for those who don’t yet know him. God gave his people an additional opportunity to tell others about his great love and enduring Salvation.

I’m thankful that God chose a sweet six year old to remind me of the big picture. Now, go enjoy this great day and don't forget to tell someone else about it.

The Storm

I went to Joplin last year after the tornado and was planning on writing about the trip when I returned, but couldn’t. Every time I sat down to write, I found myself staring at a blank Word document trying to find the right words. Damage, destruction, obliteration- those just don’t seem to cut it.





Don’t know their last names but this picture was taken on Jim and Sharon’s front porch. Sharon was battling Cancer at the time and Jim was doing his best to care for her. I wonder how they both are today, nine months after we met.

You can’t grasp the sheer devastation when you’re standing in the midst of it so a picture doesn't really do it justice. It’s too hard to process.

One day, life is normal and routine, the next, everything has changed. You’re reminded, in the most violent of ways, that you don’t know what tomorrow holds and you certainly aren't in control of this life.

Storms are terrifying and trying but we all go through them. Some are small and inconvenient; others are life shattering.

You can choose to tough it out alone or you can give it to Christ and let Him get you through. I’d much rather have shelter in my storms than to be out in the middle of them alone. How about you?

I took several other pictures but this video shares many of the same ones I have. Plus, the song is too good not to pass along.

Hugging Jesus

I was praying recently, more talking with God then actual head bowed, on my knees praying. I seem to do that more the older I become. On-going conservations about this crazy life and how He is going to get me through it because I definitely can’t do it on my own, are what get me through my hectic days.

God understands me and He’s probably the only One who really does. He realizes that I have a tendency to look like a complete moron in front of people I greatly admire. He knows when I get nervous, I tend to interrupt and He probably cringes, too, when I stick my foot so far in my mouth that I feel like I’m going to choke to death.

He is aware of the fact that the more I study, the more questions I have. He sees my faith evolving and gets that I’m still trying to figure it all out. He knows that I wish Christians would quit using terms like conservative and liberal and just get along the way He intended. I’m sure He sighs and shakes his head sometimes as I stumble down the pathway of life.

So we were discussing love the other day.

I have no problem loving my children, my husband, and other family members. I even love my friends and job but they’re easy to love. They’re tangible. Let’s be honest- God isn’t that easy to love. It’s hard to love someone that you can’t hold, touch, or see. That’s where faith comes in and fills up the cracks in our relationship. We discussed my shortcomings in that department. I talked. He listened.

I couldn’t help thinking of our conversation throughout the day and fought the feelings of guilt that seemed to come with it. I’d like to think that I am a strong Christian. I hope that I could describe myself as being in love with Jesus but I want to love them more.

So that evening as my youngest child cuddled up beside me, I wrapped my arms around her and every now and then would gently hug her closer to me. It was then when I finally started to grasp the answer to my dilemma. I can touch God. I can hug Jesus.

They are there in the eyes of my sweet child. The innocence, the smile of full trust, and total love.

When I thought back over my life, I could see them. Both of them were there in the loving and accepting eyes of my parents, husband, and the first cries of my newborns.

They were also there in the hard times. I know they were because even in the midst of grief and discouragement, I’ve always had hope of a better day.

I’ve seen them in the smiles of the homeless and at work in the lives of the school children I encounter daily. I felt them when I prayed with a sweet friend on her death bed.

So I thanked God again for the subtle way He chose to answer this prayer and after I tucked my youngest into her bed, I drifted to sleep ever so peacefully in mine.

I don’t put much stock into dreams. Some of mine are bizarre and rarely do I ever remember them. This one, however, has lingered and I’m glad.

We were on the Parkway; the one close to my house. The same one that has fatal car accidents every now and then. My husband was driving and our car was packed with family. I was sitting in the back seat in the middle with my children and my husband’s aunt was in the passenger seat. As we came around the sharp curve on the ramp, the car slowly drifted off the side.

It only took a second or two to go completely off the road. I remember bowing my head to pray as we headed straight down, careening actually into the neighborhood that lay below. I remember the way my children screamed.

I was surprised by how the car landed. Not with a thud, bang, or even a jerk. It sailed to the ground ever so gently and the doors opened automatically.

Once out of the car, we were greeted by several people. None looked familiar. As we walked with them, I turned toward the car and saw what had actually happened. Our blue Buick had left the Parkway and plummeted through the air. As soon as it hit the ground, it burst into flames.

I wasn’t shocked. As dreams go, I accepted it and when I turned back around, saw a room that was small but large enough to hold hundreds if not thousands. There were bleachers of people on each side. They were close but not within reach.

I continued to scan the room and then turned to my left and saw a long banquet table. At one end, people gathered around a man. I wish I could describe what he looked like, but I can’t remember. (I couldn't even remember the moment I woke.) I stood and watched him laugh and talk with the other people fully aware that He was Jesus. The way he smiled and listened and every now and then patted someone on the shoulder or hugged them encouraged me to walk closer.

Within seconds, I stood beside him and waited as he talked with others. He turned to me and smiled with a smile I recognized even though I had never seen it before. That’s when I hugged him. I held on tightly and remember the way his shoulders felt. They were solid and real. After a while, I told Him I had to find my parents and He nodded.

Before I knew it, I was walking through throngs of people. I remember the shock of seeing someone that I didn't think should have made it to Heaven. Wish I could remember who that was. I’d like to call them and apologize.

I woke and felt a bit disappointed that all this had just been a dream. I know a day will come though when I’ll stand in front of Jesus. I’m looking forward to that hug. Until then, I’ll be sure to look for him in those people and moments I encounter every day.

Put your life in the hands of a God who will one day hold you tightly. He'll get you through this crazy life. I promise.