Barbara's Banter

Today is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because it’s not my job to fix people or their situations. That’s God’s job, not mine. My job is to love them. I will admit that loving people is not always an easy task, but it is a lot easier than trying to solve all their problems, change their point of view, or live their lives for them.  

All of us are broken in one way or another, but humans cannot fix this brokenness. Only God can do that! Even then, God doesn’t really fix people. However, He will transform those who yield to Him. Transformational change takes time, patience, and love.

My job is to reflect God’s love by listening with a caring heart, showing compassion, pointing people to God, praying with them if they are receptive, and definitely praying for them whether they want me to or not. This doesn’t mean I condone or accept everything they might do, but it’s not my job to fix them. I’ll leave that in God’s hands. Afterall, I can’t even fix myself, so what makes me think I can fix others?

“…The things which are impossible with men
are possible with God.” ~Luke 18:27

This is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). He is also the light that shines in my darkness (John 1:5). I have nothing to fear because the Lord is my light and my salvation (Psalm 27:1). So no matter how dark my days may seem, Jesus is always with me. His light will shine forth to lead the way.

My darkness is not dark to God. He knows what is in the darkness even when I don’t (Daniel 2:22). At times, I may feel confused, but God is never confused. An unexpected event may surprise me, but God is never surprised. I may feel as if my life is out of control, but God is never out of control. If I surrender to God and relinquish my control to Him, I can find peace even when I feel surrounded by darkness.

“He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness…” ~Daniel 22:2

This is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because God remains faithful even when I don’t (2 Timothy 2:13). God’s faithfulness to me does not depend on my obedience to Him.

Does this give me a license to sin? I think not! However, it does require me to daily call on God’s wisdom, power, and strength, rather than depending on my very limited knowledge, instincts, or even natural abilities. As I surrender to God, I must trust Him to do what is best for me.  

Although I strive to obey God, I tend to fall short of my goals. It’s hard to keep perspective. For example, these might be my goals instead of God’s. At these times, I try to think of how far I’ve come, not how far I need to go. My life is frail and unpredictable. Therefore, I am so very thankful that I am not the master of my fate. I can leave that in God’s loving hands.  

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.” ~2 Timothy 2:13

Today is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because life is a banquet. In the book which was made into a stage play/movie/musical titled Auntie Mame, author Patrick Dennis wrote about how his flamboyant aunt knew how to enjoy life. She said, “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death.” I wonder if we forget that the Christian life is a banquet meant to be enjoyed, not endured.  

Jesus came so we could have an abundant life which could be a metaphor for a banquet (John 10:10). In biblical times, another word for banquet might be a celebration or a feast. God apparently loved feasts so much He named Old Testament Holy Days using that very word (Leviticus 23). These special days were meant to be times of celebration. People were encouraged to enjoy good food and yea, verily, even wine. Perhaps that’s why in the New Testament, the first miracle performed in Christ’s ministry was turning water into wine at a wedding party, not so people could get drunk, but so they could continue a celebration.    

I’m sure there will be a few morsels of delight that God has in store for me today. With His help, I can savor what He lays before me.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” ~Psalm 34:8

This is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because the life I lead is all about God, not about me. It’s about His glory, not mine. All creation was made by God and for God. Everything will be done according to His plan and His purpose. Therefore, even my mundane, everyday tasks can be done in some way that will bring God glory. Perhaps it can be thanking God for food each time I eat, or being patient with people who are irritating.   

My life is not about my hangups, my fears, or my problems. It’s about reflecting God’s love in everything I do. There is no need to fret or worry. There is no need to think I’m not doing enough. There is no need to think it’s all up to me whether something succeeds or fails. Of course, I must do my part but ultimately the weight of the world and even the weight of my problems are on God’s shoulders, not mine. I find that comforting.

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God.” ~1 Corinthians 10:31

This is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because God has His everlasting arms wrapped around me (Deuteronomy 33:27). God’s arms are strong and powerful enough to carry me through any hardship I face. God’s arms are gentle and kind enough to comfort me when I mourn. God’s arms are ready to catch me if I fall. They are ready to lift me up to heaven. They hold me close. They provide refuge. They deliver from evil. They keep me safe and secure. They bring peace in a chaotic world.  

God’s everlasting arms are able to keep all of us from falling, and present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Jude verses 24-25). Plus, more than this, God’s arms offer us everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). No wonder Leaning on the Everlasting Arms is a beloved hymn for all generations. 

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are
the everlasting arms.” ~Deuteronomy 33:27 (NKJV)

This is the day the Lord has made…

A New Year has begun and Paul tells us it is time to forget what is behind (Philippians 3:13-14). The old things have passed away and God wants to do something new (1 Corinthians 5:17). In order for this to happen, we cannot afford to dwell in the past. We must embrace each new day!

Each new day is the day the Lord has made and we are admonished to rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). I think this would make a great blog theme for 2026! So let it be said; so let it be written!

Today is the day the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad today because this day is a gift from God. Yea, verily, each new day is a fresh start! Each new day is an opportunity to learn more about Jesus. Each new day is a chance to make a difference in the world through a smile or word of encouragement. As we yield to God, each new day is full of endless possibilities.

So let’s rejoice and be glad! Today is the day that the Lord has made!

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice
and be glad in it.” ~Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)

Short and sweet thought for the week…

As we approach a new year, I have some advice. Look forward. The past is to learn from, not to live in.

Many people want things to be the way they used to be. Well, guess what! That is not going to happen.

We can’t afford to get mesmerized by nostalgia. After all, our memories may not be as accurate as we think. That’s why nostalgia may be good to look back on, but not to live in. Believe it or not, the poodle skirt is long gone and so are most movie stars you remember as a kid.

Others wish things had been handled differently by those they feel wronged them. Well, guess what! It’s too late! Wishing does not change the past. Everyone has legitimate reasons to feel hurt. If we don’t let go and let God, bitterness will consume us. There comes a time when we need to just get over it and move on. It is foolish to be held captive by things we can do nothing about. 

Living in the past immobilizes us. It keeps us from enjoying the present and prevents us from moving into the future. Christian lives should not be held in suspended animation. Paul says to forget what is behind (Philippians 3:13-14). The old things have passed away and God wants to do something new (1 Corinthians 5:17). However, God can’t do new things with us if we keep clinging to the old.

God wants us to move forward with faith (Hebrews 11:1). We cannot see into the future, so it can feel scary. However, God is with us. God will take care of us. God knows all our needs and doesn’t want us to worry (Matthew 6:25-32). Instead, He wants us to trust Him completely (Proverbs 3;5).   

There is no better time to focus on the concept of looking forward than when we are entering a new year. Our future lies ahead, not behind us. If we don’t keep moving forward with God, then we will get left behind.

“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your
gaze directly before you.” ~Proverbs 4:25 (NIV)

Short and sweet thought for the week…

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and I’m so glad. I love the Christmas season. While some hate the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, I relish it. Yes, I know Christmas commercialism has gotten way out of hand, but Christmas is a time when the whole world celebrates the Savior’s birth whether they think they do or not. Without Christ, there really is no “Christ”-mas.

I especially love Christmas songs. This includes Christmas carols like Silent Night, holiday standards like White Christmas, and goofy songs like Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. I’m not remotely offended even though I am a grandma!

Music can be a positive powerful influence. Studies show that music can boost moods, reduce stress, sharpen recall, help slow cognitive decline, and bring back pleasant memories. Neuroscientists say that music and memory are like neighbors in the brain—physically close and emotionally connected. When we hear a melody tied to our past, it affects the same regions that help us store and retrieve long-term memories. It’s not just a flashback, but more like a sensory time machine.

People will forget where they put their keys, but will remember the words to carols like O Come All Ye Faithful or O Little Town of Bethlehem, even if they aren’t Christians. I think God must smile when He hears atheists sing, “O come let us adore Him.” In some ironic way, they are giving honor to the one they deny exists. On the other hand, I’m sure it pleases Him greatly to hear Christians jubilantly sing Joy to the World!

So have yourself a merry little Christmas! Don’t be shy about singing or humming along when you hear a favorite song. After all, it’s been a rough year. So we need a little Christmas and a lot of Christ who makes the season possible.   

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord…” ~Psalm 95:1 (NAS)

Short and sweet thought for the week…

Most of us yearn to be understood. We want people to know where we are coming from, why we do what we do, and what we mean. Yet so many times we are misunderstood, but not by God. 

God understands us and knows us far better than we know ourselves (Psalm 139:1). He views us through the eyes of grace, so we should never be afraid to bare our souls to Him for He loves us completely. When we feel like no one else seems to understand, that’s our opportunity to draw close to the One who does. Only He can refresh us, renew us, and heal us.

However, when it comes to others in our lives, perhaps it’s more important that we strive to understand them, than have them understand us. St. Francis of Assisi’s famous prayer gives us some insight on this. Most focus on the “make me an instrument of your peace” section which is very significant, but I find the second paragraph just as meaningful.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

The Bible admonishes us to esteem others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). Perhaps one way to start would be to make St. Francis’s prayer our prayer, too.

“…The Lord searches every heart and understands every
desire and every thought…” ~1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV)