Wanda’s Journal

When my sister and I were little we would often sit under the Christmas tree and try to guess what was in each of our gifts. We wanted to peek, but were afraid if we got caught we might not get anything for Christmas.

Like the temptation to peek at Christmas gifts, I’ve sometimes wished I could see into the future–especially with a new year just a few days away. But I know my focus should be on today, and there’s no point in trying to peek into the future.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” God wants us to leave the future in His hands, knowing He will be there to help us through anything that might occur. If we become too concerned about things that might happen, we’ll lose sight of the joy God has given us today. It’s never good to try to peek into the future or worry about what lies ahead. Our future is in God’s hands, and He will see us through. Here’s a thought for the New Year: You can’t see around the corners, but God can.

There’s always a sense of excitement as Christmas draws near. I remember as a child, I was always wondering what gifts I would get for Christmas. I hoped it would be something I wanted, of course, but I knew I should be grateful for whatever I got, as my parents didn’t have a lot of money to spend. One year I got a puppet when I really wanted a baby doll. That was a disappointment, but looking back on it now, I realize that receiving the puppet was what sparked my interest in ventriloquism. Sometimes the gifts we think we don’t want are the very things we need.

In church last Sunday, the pastor talked about gifts–specifically, what gifts can we give God? He suggested a few possibilities: God values our love for Him. He appreciates our obedience, our devotion, and our gratefulness. We can also show our love for Him by giving to others. During these next two weeks, I’ll be thinking about the gift I can give God, as well as to others this Christmas. Is there some special gift you would like to give God or to someone you know who might need a special touch during this blessed Christmas season?

It’s just a few days past Thanksgiving, and I’m still reflecting on all I have to be thankful for–family, friends, and especially God’s love for me. Sometimes, when things aren’t going as well as I might like, I remind myself to be thankful for all the things God has done for me.

It’s important for every believer to not only feel thankful, but to take the time to tell God how much we appreciate Him and all the blessings He’s bestowed on us, as well as our families. Knowing that God can use all things for His good is more than enough reason for me to give thanks in everything.

I wrote a poem sometime ago entitled, “Thankful Attitude,” and it goes like this: We should be thankful for the abundance that is ours, for the beauty of this world, the sun, moon, and stars. For our family, friends, and God’s everlasting love, we should give thanks to the Father above. We should be thankful for the clothes we wear, and for the opportunities we have to share. For the Son whom God sent because of His love, we should offer our thanks to the Father above.

“Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 136:1.

What are you thankful for today?

As I prepare for Thanksgiving, I usually begin thinking of all the blessings God has given to me, and I’m thankful. However, this year I am not only thanking God for His many blessings, but I’m asking Him to show me how I can bless others.

I know many of my Amish friends who bless others by helping whenever they can. In fact, I’ve seen them drop whatever they are doing to help when a friend or relative has a need. I believe that God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. He desires for us to have a giving, loving heart. We are to imitate Jesus and go about doing good, as mentioned in Acts 10:38.

God’s Word also tells us in Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

What are some ways you have been blessed this week? What are some things you can do to bless others?

As a minister in the Church of the Nazarene, one of the first things my husband has always stressed while counseling couples preparing for marriage is the necessity to communicate with one another. Without communication, how will others know what we want and need? Without communication, how will we know their wants and needs? The important thing about communication is not merely in telling others our wants and needs, however. Communication is a two-way street, where we listen as well as speak.

The other day I was watching a program on TV and was astonished to hear a young woman monopolize all the conversation. The poor man she was talking to could hardly get in a word, and when he did, she kept interrupting him. It made me stop and think about my own communication with others. Do I listen as much as I speak? Do I take an active interest in what others are saying, or is the conversation all about me?

Have you ever noticed how people seem to light up when you ask about them or take an interest in the things they are doing? It’s a joy and a privilege to really listen when others are talking, because we can often learn a lot about that person, which in turn, will draw as closer to one another.

First Timothy 6:18 reminds us that we should be willing to communicate. Is there someone you need to communicate with today?

Have you ever stood in a grocery line, tapping your foot and feeling impatient because the clerk was taking too long, or there were too many people ahead of you? I’m sure there are times when everyone feels impatient–to get a job done faster, to move quicker in the grocery line, or to wait for an answer to prayer.

Having recently returned from a trip to Ohio, I found myself thinking about the patience I saw in some of my Amish friends while we were there. I believe their patient attitudes come from being taught at an early age that we can’t always have what we want when we want it. We must learn to wait for certain things, and waiting patiently makes the wait easier.

I am reminded of a little poem I wrote for my devotional, A Celebration of the Simple Life, entitled, “A Patient Attitude: The nature of a flower is to wait patiently for spring.” Flowers don’t worry or complain about every little thing. The nature of a flower is an example to all. When wind and rain threaten, a flower stands straight and tall. Let the flowers be your example for having a patient attitude. For when you face each day with patience, you’ll be in a better mood.

Is there something you’ve been praying about and not yet received an answer? What are some things you can do as you wait patiently for answers from the Lord? Hebrews 10:36 says, “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

Several years ago my husband and I had a puppet ministry. We traveled around the State of Washington and put on programs for Bible schools, Sunday schools, church camps, and various other functions. In order to add more interest to our programs I learned ventriloquism, and my husband learned how to make twisty balloon creations. Having grown up believing I had no particular talent, it was fun to learn that I not only had a talent in ventriloquism, but I enjoyed doing it, too. I often use my talent of ventriloquism when we visit Amish and English schools.

I also enjoy using my ability to write books for adults and children. I feel blessed when someone who has read one of my books shares with me that something I have written has touched their life in some special way.

God gives each of us talents, and I believe He wants us to use them for Him. The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:17: “And whatsoever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” What are your special talents, and how are you using them for Him?

Sometimes the busyness of life weighs in on us, and we forget that others have needs. Time and time again I have seen how my Amish friends show their community spirit by helping their own as well as others whenever there’s a need.

Hebrews 6:10 reminds us: “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown toward him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

Our lives are really about relationships with other people, and one of the most important things we can do as Christians is to love, support, and encourage one another when there’s a need. This week I’m asking myself if I know of someone in my family, neighborhood, or community who has a need, and what are some things I might do to offer support and encouragement? How about you? Is there someone who needs your help today?

A few weeks ago the message at the church we attended was about how what we say can affect others, and the scripture reference the pastor used was from James 3:1-12. The things we say can either delight and lift others up or destroy and crush their spirits. What a person says reflects how others will think of them — in a positive or negative light. What a person says will either bring joy or sadness to God’s heart. Gossip is one of the most hurtful things we can do, and so are words spewed forth in the heat of anger.

Have you ever been on the receiving end of gossip? You know how much it hurts to hear someone say something about you that isn’t true, or even something you’d rather not have others know.

Proverbs 16:24 reminds us: “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” With God’s help I want to speak kind, soothing words to my family and those I meet. What battles do you think you could win in the area of the tongue this week?

A few days ago I finished a deadline for a novel I had been working on since early spring. It took commitment on my part to finish the book, because I had so several interruptions along the way. It would have been easy for me to become sidetracked or let other things stand in the way of completing the novel, but I knew I had to stay committed or it wouldn’t get done.

Sometimes it’s hard to stay committed to something because we become tired or sidetracked. But Galatians 6:9 says: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Our Amish friends are some of the most dedicated, committed people I know — attending church regularly, caring for others, and preserving their way of life. However, I’m sure that even they struggle with the issue of commitment at times.

The life of commitment, for anyone — Amish or English — means being steadfast. We’re committed to things we know are helpful to someone. We’re dedicated to things we know are important. If we are faithful and committed to God, then we’re more likely to be faithful to other things as well.