Faith

December 17, 2023

Blankies and Comfort


Did you have a blanket or toy you were attached to when you were a child? I remember the Raggedy Ann doll that my mother made for me. I loved that doll and the comfort it gave me! One summer I took it with me on a trip to my grandparents’ home and was quite concerned until my youngest cousin returned it after carrying it around for a while.

Whether it’s a cozy blanket, special toy, the company of others, or perhaps a special place or person… those sources of comfort stick to our memory, don’t they? Comfort is something we crave from birth, turning toward the source of nourishment and security. I think of newborn Jesus comforted by his mother, wrapped in warm cloths, cradled in her arms, and laid in the security of the manger. I imagine Joseph caring for them both and the light of God’s presence there with them. Can’t you just see that in your mind?!

Think of how Jesus was a source of comfort and healing during his time on earth. Before he was taken back up, Jesus told his disciples that God would send an Advocate or Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to them (John 14:26-27). We are not alone. Then Paul talked about the “God of all comfort”. I love how he went on to say that God “comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” Comfort is something that we share with others, whether it be through words, actions, or simple presence and support.

As you cherish your times of comfort or see a child with their comforting “blankie,” be encouraged. May you in turn reach out to others to offer your own comfort. What a better world this would be if we could be more intentional in doing that. I’m so thankful for God, who both challenges and comforts us.

Charlotte-Anne Allen

November 11, 2023

Leaves


The crunch of autumn leaves beneath my feet reminds me of the changing seasons. Falling leaves swirl around me, carried by the soft wind, twirling in the late afternoon sun. Reds, yellows, oranges, and rusty browns all speak of the shifting seasons. They cling to the trees, that source of sustenance and growth, and then finally release to their next season of fulfillment.

I think of the leaves as a reflection of our own lives. We too grow and change, drawing from God who is our source of strength and grace, and travel through our own seasons and experiences. We are lifted and sent forth to encourage and build up others around us, offering care and a bit of wisdom from past experiences.

I gently swoosh the leaves in my path, as I watch a couple’s dog joyfully bounce through the mounds of newly released leaves. His joy brings a smile to my own face, and a hymn of rejoicing based on Psalm 100 sounds in my mind.

“Oh, be joyful in the Lord all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before his presence with a song. Bless the Lord! Bless the Lord!”

May we be as newly sent forth leaves, rejoicing as the Light shines upon us and as the wind of God’s Spirit lifts us up. Let’s breathe deeply of His presence and step forward with Him by our side, soaking in the peace of a hard day done or lifting words of thanks and song.

Charlotte-Anne Allen

October 8, 2023

Let’s Take a Walk


“I need a break. Come on. Let’s take a walk!”

Growing up in a small town, it was very common to see our neighbors strolling down the sidewalks in front of our house. As we greeted each other they would occasionally stop to chat for a few minutes. It was a place and time of closer communities and greater security. We kids were always racing up and down, our shoes pounding the ground as we played and talked with friends in nearby yards.

Walking. Wearing shoes… Even with our occasional disagreements or upsets, we valued those friendships. That makes me think of another kind of “walk” and “shoes.”

What do we do when we see real or perceived differences in others, whether big or small, that we disagree with? I know that, for myself, these are especially important times for me to step back and try to see and understand things from their perspective. We have probably heard or said, “Put yourself into their shoes” or “You haven’t walked in their shoes.” For some things it’s just a simple and easy adjustment or a matter of miscommunication. Other things may be big challenges.

A neat word for being aware of and responding to something or someone is “sensibility.” It makes me think of “the ability to sense things” about situations or others. Considering things from the perspectives of others is key to empathy and compassion… or just plain dealing with the stressors of life. It reminds me of Jesus’ words to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:28-34)

So, let’s take a walk, in community, and nurture our sensibility. My prayer for us all is that we continue to grow in wisdom and understanding. May we learn to love better and to see others through God’s eyes, uplifting each other in prayer and grace.

Charlotte-Anne Allen

August 13, 2023

In Light

I loved to go camping with my family when I was a girl and always looked forward to the campfire every evening. We would gather around the warm soft light of the fire and talk, perhaps roast some marshmallows or hotdogs, or make “S’mores”. As the fire died down, we could watch the stars or track the moon in the night sky. Summer was a favorite time for camping, enjoying the sunlit meadows or resting in the shade watching the flickering beams of light shining through tree branches.

Have you ever thought about our relationship with the light around us… light that we all encounter in some form each day? There is something about light in whatever form… firelight, sunlight, moonlight, candlelight, and even artificial light that draws our attention. Sunlight helps our body make vitamin D, regulates our immune system, can ward off anxiety and depression, and encourages well-being and happiness. Moonlight regulates our sleep cycle and affects the reproductive systems of people, animals, and plants. Firelight imparts a sense of safety, as well as warmth and provision, and candlelight lends meaning or calm to occasions. With electricity, there came a means to extend our activity into the night hours and within spaces that have little or no natural light.

I was coming out of the grocery store recently and saw a double rainbow briefly shining to the east as a late evening shower caught the falling droplets just right. To the west, the setting sun cast brilliant color through the clouds. How beautiful!

Think of all the metaphors or comparisons we use about light and the lack of light. Light is life. It speaks of truth, knowledge, understanding, things that are pure. Light reveals things, perhaps maybe that’s why those who are dishonest, are doing wrong, or who intend harm to others so hate light, and those who represent the qualities of light.

This makes me think of the Bible’s frequent use of “light” as an illustration. God created light and compares Himself to light. The Pharaoh of Egypt took great notice when the plague of darkness spread over Egypt and the book of John compares Jesus and God to light:

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome (or understood) it. John 1:4-5

Wow! That is so encouraging! There is much that I do not understand and sometimes life’s challenges seem impossible to overcome. Do we step out? Do we see God and recognize His light, especially when our path seems dark?

Light speaks of faith and trust. It reveals to us our Creator God, bringing us comfort and guiding us to who He is. Whether we are resting in the lighted comfort of our homes, before the soft glow of a campfire… or struggling in a dark place, may we draw closer to that greatest Light. I’m so glad that He’s our source of life and fills that essential need in all of us.

Charlotte-Anne Allen

March 18, 2023

Bug’s-Eye View

What’s this I see,
So large before me?!
Scurry hurry back-and-forth
Take a pause and draw a breath

In this small mite
Things seem so daunting
Mountain high or wall before me
Perhaps a chasm so deep and dark

And yet with wings
We rise and lift to the sky
With feet we stand and climb
Or cross over on bridges firm and true

Is not our Creator
Ever surrounding uplifting
Bringing us up over and through
Revealing beauty and shining promise?

In our smallness
We know God’s greatness.

Charlotte-Anne Allen

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