Author: Susan Panzica

Spring Blessings

Posted on by Susan Panzica
See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come…
Song of Songs 2:11,12
In NJ, we’ve had more than our share of rain. March set a new record for rainfall. But my walk on Saturday morning revealed a hidden blessing from all that rain. The bushes and trees were bursting with blooms – magnificent cherry blossoms, dogwoods, forsythias and magnolias. Peeking through the ground were daffodils, crocuses, and tulips.

For months, these plants appeared dead or dormant, but the end of winter signals a resurgence of life. After weathering the winter in silence, growing and strengthening in the darkness underground, they emerge stronger and more fruitful.
When Jesus was in the tomb, it all looked bleak, but a great work was being done in the darkness. On the third day, He emerged in radiant glory, encouraging His followers to remain strong.

When we experience dark times, we must allow God to strengthen us, remaining confident that such times are not permanent, just a season that will pass in due time. He will bring us through and will use us to encourage others with the comfort we received from Him (2 Cor. 1:4).

May you experience renewed strength, and may you sense His presence in a mighty way. May you have renewed purpose, and fulfill His calling in your life. May you burst forth with the fruit of the Spirit. May you experience the resurrected life.

In The Middle

Posted on by Susan Panzica
originally posted 4/11/2009

Today we are in the middle.

Yesterday was Good Friday –
the pain of suffering,
despair, heartache,
the event that left us full of tears
Tomorrow is Easter –
the joy of new life,
resurrection,
rising from the ashes of pain

Today we are just in the middle-
the preparing for tomorrow’s feast,
tomorrow’s worship,
tomorrow’s new garments

Do you ever feel – in the middle? Having experienced tragedy or loss, but still waiting for the future hope and peace that is promised? We must wait, but not as those with no hope. It was while Jesus was waiting that He set the captives free.


When I was in Israel, one of the most powerful moments for me was at the Garden Tomb. I entered the empty tomb, and after my eyes adjusted to the darkness saw the white garments folded on the stone bench. When I turned to exit the tomb and enter the light, there was a sign that read:

“He is not here;
He has risen,
just as He said.”
Matt. 28:6

Seeing those words in that place was a powerful reminder that He has risen – JUST AS HE SAID! What else did He say?

We have been healed:
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”-1 Peter 2:24


We have a future:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

So we must:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Titus 1:2
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3

Today, while still in the middle, this is my prayer for you:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13

May you have a most blessed Resurrection Day! May you rejoice with Him who rose from the dead to give you eternal life, who endured the darkness to bring us with Him into the light. And may you be preparing for the ultimate feast, worship and garments yet to come!!

The Passover Question

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Part of the Passover Seder is the reading of the Four Questions. Usually this is done by the youngest boy, but since my siblings were too young, it was usually my job to recite – in Hebrew – the Four Questions. It actually is one question with four answers.

Ma nishtanah halailah hazeh mikol haleilos?
Why is this night different from all other nights?
The answers:
On all other nights we eat leavened products and matzah,
and on this night only matzah.
On all other nights we eat all vegetables,
and on this night only bitter herbs.
On all other nights, we don’t dip our food even once,
and on this night we dip twice.
On all other nights we eat sitting or reclining,
and on this night we only recline.



When I saw the movie, “The Passion of the Christ” several years ago, I was stunned by one scene in particular, an ordinary scene that would not stand out to most of the viewers. In her home, Mary, the mother of Jesus, asked in Hebrew, “Ma nishtanah halailah hazeh mikol haleilos?” The subtitles displayed the familiar words I already understood, “Why is this night different from all other nights?”
 
It was a lightbulb moment for me. I had known the question in the context of the Passover Seder, the Exodus, the familiar story from from childhood. Now I heard it in the context of the imminent betrayal of my Messiah.
 
This night was different from all other nights because the sacrifice would be made for the sins of the world, past, present and future.
 
This night was different because Scripture’s prophesies were about to be fulfilled.
 
This night was different because the world would be forever changed.
 
That’s why we call it Good Friday. It is a night different from all other nights. It was the night that we were redeemed.

Passover: Matzah and the Bread of Life

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Religious families have rigorous preparations before the Passover. Not my family, but those who keep a kosher home will have separate sets of dishes for meat and for dairy, since they cannot be eaten together. These families will actually have 4 sets of dishes, utensils, pots, etc. – 2 sets for Passover and 2 sets for the rest of the year.

Before pulling out the Passover provisions, a complete cleaning of the home is performed. Using a flashlight (or candle) and a feather, the cupboards are swept spotless in search of crumbs, also called chametz – bread and leavened products – meaning products made with yeast. In Ex 12:19, God instructed the Israelites that no yeast (leaven) is to be found in their homes, and they are not to eat anything with yeast for seven days as part of His decree for future generations. He commanded this BEFORE the exodus (Ex. 12:34), knowing that the Israelites would leave Egypt in haste, and the dough for the bread would be taken before yeast was added.

One Jewish commentary suggests that the “The simple ingredients of matzo – water and flour – as well as the flatness of the unleavened bread as opposed to the puffiness of leavened bread, symbolizes ‘poor man’s bread’ as well as ‘humility’ and ‘humbleness’, as opposed to the puffiness of one’s ego that characterizes a wealthy person as symbolized by leavened bread.” This is consistent with what the Jesus and Apostle Paul taught about yeast or leaven. Jesus mentioned the “yeast/leaven” of the Pharisees and of Herod referring to the sin of pride and hypocrisy. Paul called boasting “yeast” and drew the analogy that “a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” meaning that just a little sin corrupts every area of life. (Gal. 5:9)

In Bible times, unleavened bread was similar to pita or other flatbreads. It’s uncertain how it developed its current appearance, like a cracker with pierced stripes. Jewish Christians believe that it is a testimony to the fulfillment of the messianic prophecy in Isaiah 53 –

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his stripes we are healed.

On every Seder table, there is a plate set with a stack of 3 matzos. During the Seder, the leader will take the middle matzo, break it in half, wrap it in white linen (or a special bag), and hide it. At the end of the Seder, the children will search the house to find the broken piece of matzo, called the Afikomen. Whoever finds it gets a prize.


The word Afikomen is not a Hebrew word. Jews say it sounds like an Aramaic word similar to dessert, meaning it comes after the meal. Jewish Christians, however, understand the word Afikomen comes from the ancient Greek, meaning “I have come.” And the 3 pieces of matzo represent the triune God – Father, Son and Spirit. The middle piece, the Son, is broken, wrapped in white linen and hidden away, only to be resurrected later.

Jesus, who said He was the “bread of life” (John 6:35, 48), declared at His last supper, a Passover seder, that the broken bread was His body and the cup was the new covenant of His blood. He said whenever you eat the bread and drink the cup “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Paul goes on to say, “Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Cor. 11:26)
When we put this all together, it is amazing! At every Passover Seder, when the Jews wrap the broken, striped, pierced, unleavened (sinless) bread, the Afikomen (“I have come”), without knowing, they are proclaiming the death and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
.

“Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty…

Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”
John 6:32-35, 57-58

Passover Traditions

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Tradition – it’s not just a song from Fiddler on the Roof. It plays an important role in the way Jews observe not just Passover, but many other events as well.

What are some Passover traditions?
And where do they come from?


Well, some are interpretations of the Word, while others come directly from the mouth of God.


After 430 years in Egypt of enduring harsh treatment as slaves to the king (the Pharaoh), God used Moses to go before the Pharaoh to ask for the Israelites’ deliverance. Due to the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart, God inflicted 10 plagues before the Pharaoh finally agreed to let the Israelites go.


The Passover observance was commanded by God BEFORE He actually delivered the nation of Israel from the Egyptians, before the 10th plague, the killing of the firstborn in Egypt. Before they were freed, they observed the first Passover Seder. The word “Seder” in Hebrew literally means “order”; “an ordered event, especially the meal eaten on Passover.”


And this day shall become a memorial for you, and you shall observe it as a festival for the LORD, for your generations, as an eternal decree shall you observe it. For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove the leaven from your homes … you shall guard the unleavened bread, because on this very day I will take you out of the land of Egypt; you shall observe this day for your generations as an eternal decree. – Exodus 12:14-17


The details are spelled out in Exodus 12, details that are followed to this day. But there are additional traditions that are followed as well.


Tomorrow, I will share more about the unleavened bread, but today, we’ll go over the items that are found on the Seder plate.





Charoset is mixture of apples, nuts, wine and spices. It is symbolic of the mortar the Jewish slaves made in their building for the Egyptians. It is a mixture of chopped apples, walnuts, honey, cinnamon and red wine. (As children, this was the one thing we looked forward to eating.)



Z’roa is a lamb shankbone. It is symbolic of the Paschal lamb offered as the Passover sacrifice.


Beitzah is hard-boiled egg. The egg is symbolic of both the regular festival sacrifice brought in the days of the Temple, traditionally the food of mourners, as well as a symbol of new life.


Karpas is a vegetable, usually Parsley. The karpas, representing spring, is dipped in salt water to represent the tears of the Israelites under slavery.


Maror is bitter herbs, usually Horseradish. Maror represents the bitter life of the Israelites during the time of their enslavement in Egypt.


Chazeret is a bitter vegetable. Celery or lettuce can be used. It is obligatory to eat Maror or bitter herbs twice at each Seder.


Each of these items, plus glasses of red wine, a plate of 3 matzos, and a cup of salt water, are used during the reading of the Haggadah which not only tells the story from the book of Exodus, but includes songs, instructions for dipping the herbs and sipping the wine, the reading of the Four Questions, and more, all in proper order.


An extra cup of wine is always put on the table because Elijah is expected to come during the Passover, expressing hope that the age of Messiah will return and the sacred Temple will be rebuilt. As Christians, we know that the Messiah did come during the Passover 2000 years ago, and because He was the sacrifice once and for all, the Temple does not need to be rebuilt. It’s interesting to me that from the time of the tabernacle through the building of all 3 Temples, the sacrifices were continually made as part of the Law given to Moses. However, since the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., there has not been a sacrifice made. For the last 2000 years, the Jews are unable keep the Law.


The seder ends with a Hallel, a song from Psalm 136. Jesus ended His seder, the last supper, that way too.
When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Matt. 26:30




It’s Passover

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Growing up in a reform Jewish home, my family was not very religious, but we did celebrate Passover every year with our extended family. All would gather, sometimes at our house, other times at the cousins’. The table would be set with all the traditional elements: matzo, wine, charoses, Seder plate, salt water, white linens, candles…. More on that later.
Now, as with all Jewish “holidays” (btw- most Jews refer their special days as “holy days” not holidays), the actual day begins at sundown. That’s because in the account of creation, Genesis 1:5 says “God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” Evening and morning = the first day. Day began at evening.

So when we’d gather together, everyone was eager for dinner, but we had to read through the Haggadah before we could eat. The retelling of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt could take over an hour or more. So our family used Cantor Applestone’s abbreviated version. The cantor (rabbi’s assistant and song leader) in our synagogue created a shortened account of the Exodus story, sort of a Cliff Notes version, and every year, we’d pull out the tattered mimeographed copies (remember those!). I never even knew we had a real Haggadah book that was my mom’s when she was a girl. Here’s a picture of our Seder plate, and my mom’s original Haggadah. The mimeographed pages have long been lost.



It wasn’t until I became a Christian that I really began to appreciate all the elements of the Passover.
Tonight March 29th is the first night of Passover this year, so this week, I will be sharing some insights that I have learned over the years.

What we commonly call the Last Supper was a Passover seder. And so much of what Jesus and the disciples did and spoke about have meaning beyond what appears on the surface. For example, the bread and wine that we partake during communion are important elements of the Passover seder. Much of what is celebrated in Jewish homes across the world has important meaning for Christians as well. Jesus, after all, is referred to as the Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7).

There are many elements to this special week, and I will only be able to touch on a few. But I think one of the most misunderstood ones is the meaning of the word “Passover.” In Hebrew, the word “Pesach” means “exemption.” And in the book of Exodus, it refers to the Passover sacrifice = the spotless, unblemished lamb.
Exodus 12:11 = This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; IT is the LORD’s Passover.
Exodus 12:21 = Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.

We usually think the word Passover comes from the angel passing over the homes of the Israelites. But Exodus 12:27 says, “then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’ ” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.”

The Passover refers to the sacrifice, the spotless lamb who’s blood was shed to save the lives of God’s people. The lamb provided the exemption for God’s people from death. That is why Jesus was called the Passover lamb. He was sinless, spotless, unblemished, and He paid the sacrifice for all God’s people.

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. John 13:1

Healing Faith

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Our adult Sunday School class has been studying the Book of Acts, a book I never tire of studying. It is an AMAZING book, rich with drama, history, action as well as theology, preaching and doctrine. Sometimes it’s hard to move along because there is so much to be gleaned. Today’s discussion got hooked on one short verse. 

In Acts 14:8-10, Luke shares the story of Paul’s entrance to Lystra:
In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

Our discussion centered on part of verse 9 – Paul looked at the lame man and “saw that he had faith to be healed.” What exactly does that mean? What kind of faith is the faith to be healed? Is it different from other faith? Was it Paul’s “spiritual eyes” that saw the man’s faith? Did the man himself know he had the faith? If he had faith, why wasn’t he healed already? Why are some of God’s faithful healed physically and some are not? 

What about our friends and loved ones? Some were healed, some were not. Some were sitting in our class. Some went home to the Lord years ago. Should we pray for healing? Should we pray for God’s will? Should we pray at all?

Interestingly, none of the study notes or commentaries addressed this particular part of the verse.  Our hour-long discussion is too much to be posted here, of course, but let me just say this: God is God. We are not. He is trustworthy, and we need to keep our eyes squarely on Him and view life – the good, the bad and the ugly – through His lens. We pray simply because He instructs us to do so. As a mom, I want my children to come to me with every concern, and how much more does our heavenly Father. Also, prayer is not about getting things or even getting answers. Prayer aligns our desires with His. As we pray and have two-way conversations with God, our spirit has fellowship with the Spirit, and we are changed by it.

Paul was used by God to bring about healing of this lame man. Yet Paul also asked the Lord three times for his own “thorn in the flesh” to be removed, and God’s answer was “My grace is sufficient for you.” The Susanpanzica translation: “Stop looking at your thorn and start looking at Me. I’m all you need.” See my post on that here.

After church, I came across this video in my inbox. It puts many of today’s questions in proper perspective.

My dad is battling stage 4 prostate cancer with a new chemo regimen started this week.
Kelly, a sweet friend of our family, will have surgery on Tuesday to remove a tumor on her pituitary invading her brain. She’s in 10th grade.
You all have a story to tell as well. Would you pray for these requests, and let me know your requests so that I can pray for you?
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray.
Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.
Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 
Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
James 5:13-16

What’s It All About?

Posted on by Susan Panzica
The question is one that has been asked for ages. What’s it all about?

Back in college, my husband and his friends were published in the school newspaper with one of the two winning answers to the reporter’s question, “What’s it all about?”
My husband’s group’s response: “Alfie-ness”
Some of you may be old enough to remember the inspiration for their answer – the theme song “What’s It All About, Alfie?” from the movie “Alfie”. 



Alfie was all about himself, his desires.

Driving past this store last month, I just had to stop to take these pictures.
“It’s All About Me!”
Deeming that this sign sums up so much of our culture today, I looked down my sanctimonious nose at the owners of this store. Until it dawned on me that I’m as guilty as anyone of living in my “all about me” universe.
Recently, I had a few situations where due to MY actions or suggestions, something positive happened. Yet afterward, when the story was retold, MY contribution (which made it all happen, people!!) was omitted. Uh, hello???? Remember me? The suggestor? My inital annoyance eventually receded as I slowly realized that the main thing was the positive result itself, not MY contribution to it. It is not about ME.
Last summer at a writers’ conference, a lovely new friend, Lisa, at my dinner table described her book project. She could have been reading MY notes aloud. After picking my jaw off the table, we started to share our vision for our similar projects. By the time dessert ended, we grasped that our projects were not ours at all. They were God’s words, His work, His vision. We prayed together and accepted that whether it was her book or mine that was published, the main thing was that His word would be shared, that women would be encouraged, that the message would be delivered. What did not matter was WHO was the deliverer of that message. Our calling was to be obedient to the heavenly vision, and to allow God to take care of the rest. It is not about ME.
The summer before that, I saw Alan and Denise Jackson on the Today show. Not much of a fan of country music, I had no idea of his music or their story. High school sweethearts, Denise’s life was dedicated to her husband and his growing career. The years sped by, and eventually, Denise lost herself in Alan’s world. Her life was “all about him.” Eventually, she rededicated her life to God and wrote a book titled “It’s All About HIM.” Her life no longer about “him” (Alan) anymore, but about “Him” (Jesus, her Lord and Savior).
Alan wrote a song to go with Denise’s book. Here’s part of the lyrics:

it’s all about Him
and the love that He gives
redemption and hope
for all who have sinned
you can walk all alone, never find your way home
till you see deep within
it’s all about Him

its not about ego
or things you can hold
its not about power, or silver, or gold
not who’s at your table
or where you lay down
it’s not about spreading your wings on the ground
so look in the mirror
and look at your life
it may seem perfect, but just don’t feel right
lay down your fences, and let the love in
right there beside you,
it’s all about Him
What was the other winning answer back in my hubby’s college days?
It came from a rare Christian on that campus, “It’s all about Jesus.”
It’s not about Alfie.
It’s not about me.
It’s not about him (or her).
For generations past, present and future, it’s all about Jesus.
What’s it all about for you?
Susan

How To Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day

Posted on by Susan Panzica

What did you first think when you read the title of today’s post?
Leprechauns? Shamrocks? Pot of gold?
Drunken revelry? Celebrations out of control?
Green bagels? Green beer? Green painted people?

After working in NYC for years, I’ve seen it all. I find it most curious the way that people “honor” St. Patrick on March 17th.  I once witnessed a near-fatal showdown between mounted police and carousing, green-faced partygoers who spilled out of a bar and blocked 33rd St. and nearly became a casualty myself!

Have you ever read the prayer of St. Patrick? After reading the words and sensing the heart of this godly man, it grieves me to see the misunderstanding that the celebration of his life has become.

I wanted to find just the right thing to say today, and I found it in my pastor’s weekly newsletter. So- many thanks to Pastor Steven Creange, for this post and for serving the Lord so effectively day in and day out, year after year.


 

REFLECTIONS…

One of my favorite Christian singer/song writers is Fernando Ortega. It is not so much the music (which I enjoy) or the lyrics (which are very good) but it is the spirit that I sense comes through him; through his voice, through his instruments, through his passion. When I play his CD’s or listen to him on my IPOD I sense the presence of Jesus. This is not true of every Christian artist or every Christian song that I hear. But for me, there is something very beautiful and calming and I am taken to a place that agrees with my spirit… (“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit..” Romans 8:16). He may not be the greatest singer or the greatest song writer or the greatest musician. Fernando Ortega may not even have any effect on you at all; but when I hear him sing I sense the presence of Jesus.


Many years ago I attended the District Assembly at the Maranatha Church of The Nazarene in Paramus. The presiding General Superintendent was Dr. Charles H. Strickland. When I approached him to shake his hand I immediately sensed I was in the presence of Jesus. As I shook his hand the power of Christ seemed to surge through him. He was a short, stocky man who wore glasses. By the measure of any standard he was common; unimpressive to the human eye. But he didn’t have to say a word; I knew I was standing on holy ground. Christ was in him and flowing through him and I felt so small yet so in awe.


My desire is that I would have Christ flow through me in such a way that it is His Spirit that people sense. I know that too much of “me” gets in the way and I have to allow the Holy Spirit to have free reign. John the Baptist said “He must increase while I must decrease.” The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ live in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, l who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Saint Patrick’s beautiful prayer says:

I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear for me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
Christ be with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my lfeft,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise.
Christ in the heart of everyone thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.
Christ in every eye that sees me.
Christ in every ear that hears me.






Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have people know that we have “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13) without us even saying a word. I think praying the Prayer of Saint Patrick is a prayer to be prayed every day not just on March 17th. I think we would actually witness the power and presence of Jesus through us touching the lives of others. What do you think?


God’s Blessings,
Pastor Steven

May your day today be filled with His presence. And may His presence flow through you to those around you today and everyday.

Susan

Susan

Spring Break

Posted on by Susan Panzica

The hubby, kids and I will be traveling to Florida next week for Spring Break.

Think – a geriatric version of Where The Boys Are.

I have previously shared with you my trite observations of this lovely southern state when I visited my folks last September – Why I Don’t Live In Florida. But with our summer days largely spoken for with mission trips, cross-country camp and dance training, we decided to head south for Spring Break. Frankly, I’m rather honored that my college kids have agreed to spend their spring break with their parents. We’re just so cool… 

We’re flying out of LaGuardia, and I have been praying nonstop that there would be no geese around when we take off. I honestly have imagined our vacation spent on the wing of a plane floating in the Hudson River. I pray that our pilot is as skillful as Capt. Sully Sullenberger.

Once in sunny (and by sunny, I mean excruciatingly hot and humid) Florida, we’ll be spending a few days with my folks and a few days at the beach. Please keep my dad and stepmom in prayer as he has been in and out of the hospital with prostate cancer procedures that have weakened him and stressed her.

And feel free to keep my hair in prayer. As some of you know, I have naturally curly (and by curly, I mean huge, intermittently frizzy) hair that expands with the humidity. I am powerless to fight it. And of  course, I hate the way I look when it’s curly. Ladies, why is that???? We straighten our curls, and curl our straights.

But the humidity foils all our efforts. Ahhh – the great mystery – the very same humidity that swells my hair makes another’s straight hair flat. Just like the very same boiling water will make an egg hard, but a carrot soft. So we must conclude – it’s not the humidity nor the boiling water that is the problem, it is how we react to it! Likewise, a difficult circumstance will reduce one to tears, yet cause another to fortify her reserves. And so we must conclude – it’s not the circumstance that is the problem, it is how we react to it. We can’t always control the circumstance, but we can control how we react to things. To carry this a little further – When in hot water, we should be more like a coffee bean than the egg or the carrot because the egg and carrot react to the hot water, but the coffee actually changes the hot water. In it’s brokenness, it infuses the water with its fragrance and substance and positively affects the situation. It creates an improved environment. I’ll need to remember that this week 🙂

And so, my friends, as we speed along towards spring, may you have a blessed week, and I’ll catch up with you on the other side!

Susan
ps – Speaking of mysteries and seasons, here’s a favorite – Daniel 2:19-23
During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king.”