Reflections

June 11, 2023

A Shepherd’s Watch


“1-2-3… 18-19-20… Ready or not, here I come!!”

Many of us have fond memories of the childhood game “Hide and Seek”. What is it about this game that we love? Maybe it’s finding a good place to be “hidden” … or it could be the excitement of being the “seeker”. Then again, we simply had fun running around with our friends in the yard, especially in the early evenings as it grew dark. Occasionally one of us would grow tired or would feel the call of nature and slip back inside for a few minutes… which tended to frustrate the one searching!

This reminds me of the biblical comparisons of the shepherd searching for sheep, an image that the people of that day would have understood very well. Their sheep were a main source of livelihood, so a lost sheep would have been a great concern. Unlike us as children, easily slipping away for our Hide and Seek and then returning, the sheep became confused and anxious when they wandered away and were often unable to find their way back. Matthew and Luke told similar stories about searching for lost sheep. In them, the owner of a hundred sheep left ninety-nine safely together in the pasture and went searching diligently until he found the lost sheep and brought it back.

I love the way God connects with us by using things we can relate to. He spoke to Ezekiel, saying, “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” How comforting to recognize God as our great Shepherd who carries His rod and staff to defend us and guide us. Don’t we all need and appreciate reminders and encouragement that we’re not left stuck and alone?! No matter what our situation may be, He comes to us and brings us back into fellowship within His safe fold.

Whether we are hiding, lost, or have strayed away, we can be thankful that God watches over us and seeks us! My prayer is that we live each day secure in that promise. May we hear His gentle reminders that even when we cannot find Him, He stretches out His staff to bring us home to Him.

– Charlotte-Anne Allen
Ezekiel 24, Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4

May 19, 2023

Reflections on Feathers


• Soft and light touches lift our spirits
• A child’s love is downy soft
• What you choose to be, to do, to think is a daily diet
• Your daily diet displays as a rainbow of colors for all to see.
• Exercise your spiritual muscles to warm others and withstand enemies
• There are times when we all just want to fly away
• Shedding the old opens room for the new
• Holding things together is often a challenge
• Changing our wayward directions is like refracted light upon shiny feathers
• A strong center stands against much bending and whipping in storms
• We cover and insulate ourselves from outside pressures
• Extend a hand to lighten each other’s load
• We are covered by our Maker’s wings

From “Reflections from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

April 3, 2023

From Dry Bones


When the Hebrew people were in the land of exile, home of the Babylonians, God first spoke to the Jewish priest named Ezekiel. He was only thirty years old! … God had allowed the people to be taken into exile because they had turned from Him, worshiping idols, offering their children as sacrifices, living immorally, violently, and selfishly.

God gave words to his new prophet Ezekiel to call them back to Himself, hard words and difficult messages. There were some really weird visions!

In one vision, there was a valley full of dry bones!
“Ezekiel, can these bones live?!”
“Only You know sovereign God!”
“Prophesy, speak to these bones. I will restore them and put breath back into them.”

And so, Ezekiel obeyed, and God did as He said He would.

Wow! Dry bones. Dead. Without life. Unable to stand. To walk.
God spoke, breathed on those dry bones, and restored life.
Sinews. Flesh. Bones knitting together.

I’ve had times, and perhaps you have too, when I felt like those dry bones. Like the Hebrew people, we can be drawn away from the true source of life, God eternal. Life experiences, disappointments, unfulfilled expectations, tragedy, and pain shape us and can skew our perspective and understanding.

Yet, like those dry bones, the breath of God’s Spirit will fill us. He raises His children to stand in that dark valley of dry bones. God’s breath! Within us! Ezekiel’s story is an amazing one, one of promise and of hope for us all, isn’t it?! The breath of His Spirit moves within us when we follow God. We begin to take on more of His character, not perfect but striving to serve Him and to care for others. Examining the areas we need to grow in or change is a lifelong process.

We are redeemed. We are restored. We are given new life.

Edited and re-posted

February 26, 2023

What is Good


I was thinking about all the ways I use the word “good” … both positively and negatively!

That’s good.
You need anything? … I’m good. Thanks
Have a good day!
This is no good.
Good morning!
That tastes good.
Be good…
Good Lord!

And what does “good” really mean anyway? Many a debate or disagreement boils down to a different perception or opinion of what is good. We try to teach children to make good choices and to use good behavior and manners. What one person thinks is good may not be good at all to another person. I may decide that something is a good idea, only to change my mind about it later… Changing situations and differences in how we grew up or our current culture, among other things, lead to some differences.

Yet there are many common things for which “good” is very apparent. The Bible sets our standard for goodness using different examples and teachings. I love how it shows real people struggling through life, some failing dramatically and others accomplishing great or positive things for the good of many. Micah said it well!

He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 NASB

How do we decide what is good for a given situation or for life in general? What helps us to decide what is good. I find that taking time for self-reflection helps keep me on track. Just stopping, praying, reading God’s Word, listening, and considering recent actions or thoughts and perceptions is a great way to steer back in the right direction! I realize areas where I need to improve and to hopefully consider where I have grown and learned. Do I “do justice” … and what does that mean anyway? It is a high goal – to be founded on love, be honest, have integrity, be true, and be faithful. “To love kindness” is something that attracts, to care for others and to be cared about. When we walk humbly with God, we recognize His sovereignty or authority and our own imperfect nature and we follow Him, secure in His presence and knowing that He walks with us always.

What is good? That which lives out our love for God, our love for others, and His faithfulness and mercy.

Charlotte-Anne Allen 2/25/2023

Related: “Just Justice” (poem)

January 28, 2023

Elijah and the Still, Small Voice (Revisited)


Elijah! I love Elijah. Mighty prophet of God. Strong. Assured. Obedient to God’s commands. Through Elijah, God displayed His authority and great power to the people of Israel who had turned away! Fire from heaven burned up the soaking wet sacrifice… after futile attempts by the priests of Baal, god of fertility and nature, were unsuccessful. “Your god is no god!” … and 450 prophets of Baal perished.

Through Elijah, God withheld rain and a great drought resulted.

Through Elijah, God ended this drought with wind and abundant water… and Elijah miraculously ran before the chariot of King Ahab to a town fourteen miles away.

…Then a vengeful Queen Jezebel declared death to Elijah and he ran away in fear… and ran… and ran… until he ended up in a faraway cave in which to hide.

There God spoke to him, “What are you doing here Elijah?

And Elijah replied, I have given you my all God! Haven’t I obeyed you as best I can? I’ve been very busy doing all these things for You. Now look at these hard-headed, self-centered, angry people! They have rejected you and killed all your other prophets and now I’m the only one left! It’s useless. I might as well die too!”

I love Elijah! Doesn’t his story express the fear and discouragement we all feel at times?!

So, God passed by before that cave. There came a great wind, earthquake, and fire… but God was not in them. He who had spoken so forcefully and powerfully previously so that all would know His authority, did not speak through them this time… God had Elijah’s full attention! But where was God?!

Then there came a still small voice, a quiet calm. Elijah heard the voice of God asking the same question He had asked before, “What are you doing here Elijah?” …and, still focused on himself, Elijah gave the same answer!

But in the quiet of that moment, came assurance that God was with him. “Go back Elijah. I have a job for you. There will be others to help you, kings to anoint and a prophet to succeed you. Why, there are 7000 prophets who will rise up to serve me!”

I love Elijah! His story gives us all hope and assurance. “Go back. I’m with you. You are not alone,” God says. And so, He speaks in that still small voice, in quiet calm amidst our storms. God had not given up on them. He hadn’t given up on Elijah and He hasn’t given up on us! He is mighty. He is faithful.

May we find rest and courage in Him, giving thanks for His promise and faithful presence. Amen.

*Elijah’s story – 1 Kings Chapters 17-19 & 2 Kings Chapter 2
Charlotte-Anne Allen, 5/7/2017
Revised 1/28/2023

December 18, 2022

With Us


“Sit with me! Stay with me just a little longer, please!” Similar plaints of a sleepy child at bedtime speak of need and trust… and a hope of delaying sleep and reluctance to acknowledge the day’s end.

While we often treasure quiet time alone, there is also within us an appreciation and a need of another’s comforting presence, isn’t there?!

“Come on in. Stay a while,” others may say. Spending time with family, friends, and new acquaintances can have many benefits. Shared experiences and interests often bring us together, whether through enjoyment or trials. Spending time together can bring a sense of security, unity, and mutual understanding… especially when we face changes or prepare for a different future than that expected or hoped for.

There is a bonding and strengthening, both in times of loss and of celebration, when someone thinks of us and shares their time and presence. It cheers the heart and turns our eyes toward our Creator God.

All this and more seems to open my heart and understanding to God Himself, to realize His great love and the sacrifice He made to come among us, His children. God offered us His very presence, a Light among us, and invited us to join Him!… How wonderfully amazing is that?!

Through the simple willingness of Mary, Jesus Christ (God’s Son) entered the word to live among us and with us… and to bring us hope and new life.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel”
(which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23

As God came to be with us, didn’t He also open the door for us to come to Him? In coming to God, as we believe in Him, we receive the promise that He will be with us always. I love that we were not left as lonely lost children when earthly Jesus moved back to His heavenly quarters. God’s full presence continued through the Holy Spirit, and He is still with us. *

Wherever we are in life today, may we find comfort and joy in God’s presence. May we come as a little child, remembering the gift of the child and resting with the One who understands and loves us. God be with us.

*John 14
Charlotte-Anne Allen

December 11, 2022

Reflections on Bells

• Joy and peace sound out from the heart
• Words and actions will peal far and wide
• A soft voice, like a carillon, sooths, calms, and brings enjoyment
• A welcome call for meals announces care and fellowship
• What we choose to consume in life brings nourishment or illness
• Unexpected announcements bring excitement or dread
• Be vigilant and heed warning signals when they come
• The tolling of bells draws attention to our own mortality
• Guard your senses and cling to faith to drive away harmful impulses
• Welcome joyful messengers both great and small
• Simple hands and strong cords are each of great value
• Victory celebrations and shouts of triumph lift spirits
• God’s calm strength rings out to all nations
• The ringing bell herds us back to the Shepherd

from “Reflections from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

November 13, 2022

Sit a Spell


“Sit a spell and rest your feet!”

What a welcome southern invitation bringing thoughts of warmth, good company, and honest labor! Settling down with a cool drink of water and comfortable companionship lifts one’s spirits. After a long but satisfying day of work, I look forward to sitting and relaxing for a while. Don’t you, too?

I find that it’s harder to get to sleep at night if I haven’t given myself some time to just sit and find refreshment in some simple enjoyable things. Easy time talking with a family member is appreciated, as well as some time alone. I look forward to a nice quiet spot by myself where I can read or write, spend some time in thought, pray, and do other things which I enjoy.

What are some things that refresh you after a long or busy day or week? Those of us who are caregivers may be especially challenged to create moments to refresh yourselves. Seeking ways to pause, if only for brief breaks, will do much for our frame of mind and our ability to do our best with a positive attitude.

This reminds me that even Jesus was intentional about creating those times. As he was traveling with his disciples, they stopped at a well and Jesus sent the disciples off to town to buy some food. He sat down by the well, tired and thirsty, seeking refreshment and welcoming the pause.

Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey,
sat down by the well. It was about noon. John 4:6

I remember my childhood days of warm summer evenings playing outside with my brothers and neighborhood friends. I hear again the sounds of occasional passing cars, televisions, and our laughs and shouts, as our parents sat and talked after finishing the day’s chores… drinking from that well that comes from God. I remember times when we gathered with my family around a campfire, roasting marshmallows and enjoying each other. I’m thankful for those times and for opportunities to create them now, to pause and be refreshed.

May you be blessed this week as you rest in your travels and sit down by the well. Prayers for refreshment and renewal, quiet times of rest, and comfortable companionship!

October 16, 2022

Never


“Well, I never!”

Have you ever heard or expressed these same words? When taken by surprise, when the unexpected or unplanned hits us head-on, this simple phrase expresses it all! Fill in the blank.

Never, never, never… A word that can express relief, disappointment, anger, conviction, and so much more.

– I never have to go there again!

– We never thought they would do such a thing.

– I’m never going to talk to him again!

– I’ll never give up.

Sometimes “never” is a positive word, a practical expression of the end of use for some item (That’ll never come clean or That can never be repaired). At other times “never” is a call of desperation. Think of the times when you’ve worked to complete, learn, or do something and you reach the point when out of frustration or exhaustion you just think, “I’ll never get this done!” When we reach such low points, “never” can loom its head and drive our thoughts downward. We struggle with self-doubt, need, or depression… echoes of The Raven’s “nevermore”!

How do we cope when our thoughts take a plunge?! When “never” seems like a dark storm approaching? Pausing for some quiet time and prayer sure helps. It would be so nice to have some support too, someone to help out or to be a sounding board and understanding presence.

That reminds me of when Jesus spoke of satisfying hunger and thirst, not just physical satisfaction but a deeper hunger and thirst for a full and significant life. He knows our need for forgiveness of wrongs, for peace and happiness, and for God. Jesus was saying that all who come to him will never go hungry or thirsty for what really matters in life. He will never turn anyone away who comes to him. Now those are some good “never-s”! *

As we encounter our “never”, surprised by the unexpected or unplanned, may we be drawn to God’s “ever” …ever with us and ever satisfying our greatest longings and needs.

*John 6:35-37
Charlotte-Anne Allen

September 17, 2022

Reflections on Rice

• It takes a seed to form ideas to have a vision for great things
• We often underestimate the impact of one life upon another
• The effect of one person will have lasting results
• Fear and uncertainty can blind us or hold us back from taking positive steps
• Sometimes we need to remove things which prevent us from growing and becoming
• Cultivate good qualities and use them to benefit others
• A single skill or interest has endless possibilities for expression
• We absorb attitudes, assumptions, ideas, expectations, and philosophies from everything around us
• It is prudent to keep a clear head and take time for contemplation before making decisions and following a chosen course
• Let experience bring calmer responses and clearer insight
• Offering encouragement and value to others is like water to sustain a body
• Food for the soul comes from God, the great provider and source of life

From “Reflections from the Everyday”
“Charlotte-Anne Allen