Zeroing In - Anita van der Elst

So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?” Luke 15:3-4 NLT

Ever feel lost in the crowd? Though surrounded by people, are we even seen? 

A dear friend shared with me that she’d been accepted as an extra for the filming of season five of The Chosen, a popular Christian TV series set in New Testament times. How excited I was for her. 

Many years ago, she and I were involved in church theatrical productions, sometimes with speaking roles, but often just part of the background crowd, adding a sense of realism. Now, whenever I watch a movie or show, I tend to search out the scenes behind the major players.

One requirement that my friend had to fulfill was to provide her own costuming. A perusal of the tote bin of costumes I’d saved from years before revealed a couple of items that could serve as part of her wardrobe. She was happy to accept the loan of the pieces to augment her own. I told her that I would search for her in the crowd scenes when the show aired, knowing what she’d be wearing. 

The heart of Jesus longs to pick each one of us out of the crowd. Jesus looked for me, searched for me as the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to rescue the one lamb that strayed. 

Jesus zeroes in on the individual. He’s looking for you. He treasures you. Don’t hide from him. 

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

A Collision of Raindrops and Sunshine - Anita van der Elst

When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth. Genesis 9:16 ESV

As my husband and I drove out of a nearby hillside neighborhood, we saw it in the distance. The unmistakable arcs and colors of a double rainbow. But not a surprise to see since a sudden rain shower had come while the sun shone brightly at the same time. A collision of raindrops and sunshine. 

I wanted to capture a picture of it on my phone, but the foliage was too thick, so down the hill we went, chasing those rainbows. The result was a lovely image of two rainbows, one slightly fainter in vibrance, shining against a dark blue sky.

Reading this promise from God, it occurs to me that when I see the rainbow, he and I are seeing it at the same time, an activity we do together. We are in relationship. The rainbow draws my attention to him. 

God promised never to send another flood to punish wrongdoing. However, our sins remain a barrier between God and us. In paying for our sins by dying on the cross, Jesus made it possible for us to be in relationship with God. We are forgiven and washed clean. In rising again, Jesus defeated death forever. A collision of justice and grace.

Now, instead of seeing my sins, God sees me through Jesus. The light of Jesus shines from my heart, and because of Jesus, God promises eternal life in heaven with him forever. 

Make sure you have entered into that relationship with God through trusting in Jesus. 

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Tossing Aside the Useless - Anita van der Elst

Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. Mark 10:50 NLT

Knowing how to dress in the area where I live challenges me.

At eight in the morning, clouds dump buckets of water. Noontime finds a blinding sun in a clear blue sky. The evening treats us to a thunder-and-lightning show accompanied by pinging hail. 

Should I layer a raincoat over a sweater or grab my umbrella and hope for the best? If I wear a coat to keep warm, I get overheated when I enter the grocery store, which makes my shopping task unpleasant. I must toss the coat because it’s a useless interference.

And then I sometimes sort through my closet—determining what doesn’t fit anymore, what would have the fashion police up in arms, or what is plain worn out. They’ve become useless to me and take up space for something new.

I wonder if that’s how Bartimaeus felt about his wardrobe. As a beggar, his coat was probably ragged, smelly, and so full of holes that it would have been easy to get tangled up in, especially since he was blind. 

But with the potential to meet Jesus and be healed of blindness, the blind man let go of the covering impeding his movement. It appears, however, that it was more forceful than just dropping it. No. He threw it.

The old habits and activities we wrap ourselves in only entangle us. When Jesus calls us, we must toss aside all that impedes us from following Him. We need the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life that He offers. He will heal our spiritual blindness so we see Him. Then He invites us to express our wants and needs.

Think about what raggedy old habits or thoughts keep you slumped on the side of the road and away from Jesus. Toss them aside and hurry to Him as Bartimaeus did.

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Open, Cook, Taste, Repeat - Anita van der Elst

How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. 

~Psalm 119:103 NLT

The text message came from a thoughtful and generous family member. I needed to be on the lookout for a box that would be delivered to our doorstep. Because it contained perishable food, it would need immediate attention.

This was a new experience for my husband and me. Inside the box were the ingredients for five separate meals for two. Each meal was bagged separately, and the meats were in individual bags as well. Included were colorful 8 x 10 charts with pictures and instructions for assembling and cooking the meals. Everything looked delicious. An exciting and nutritious culinary week for the two of us ensued.

But what if we had stashed the food packages in the fridge and never took them back out? And then tossed aside the charts, never giving them a second glance? What a waste of good food. We would have suffered physically as well without proper nutrition.

So why do we often put our Bibles on the shelf or table, knowing they contain great content, yet ignore them? The psalmist understood that God’s Word provided all the spiritual nourishment we would ever need and that it was also flavorful. In another place, he said, “Taste and see that the LORD is good. O, the joys of those who take refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8). 

Just as those meals delivered to our door didn’t do us any good until we prepared and cooked them, so too when we neglect to study and apply God’s Word, our souls won’t benefit from that goodness.

Jesus delivers wonderful refreshment in His Word. How do we expect to taste it if we don’t partake of it? 

Take time to open your Bible regularly and enjoy the feast.

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Time to Change - Anita van der Elst

Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! Psalm 66:5 NIV

Fall back. Spring ahead. Just when we get used to one, it’s time to change. 

For most of us in the United States, the switch between daylight saving time and standard time occurs twice a year. Originally put in place during World War I to conserve fuel and power, and then abolished at war’s end, the Uniform Time Act was passed in 1966. But it has never made sense to me.

After all, God created systems that help us know day from night. He put everything into place—sun, moon, stars, planets, all we see and don’t see. For thousands of years, people knew nothing about molecules, atoms, viruses, or anything microscopic, and had no means to do so. But God also gave people minds and brains to wonder and think, the desire to explore, and the ability to discover and invent. And still there is much we have yet to see and discover.

How thankful we are that the Holy Spirit gives us understanding as we discover what God tells us in his word. No matter how we manipulate the way we measure the passing of time, all of our times are in God’s hands. 

The important thing is how we spend the minutes and hours in those times. Do we give attention to learning more about God and sharing his most awesome deed for us? In his love, he sent his Son, Jesus, the Messiah, to live on earth. And by his grace, he offers us eternal life in heaven when we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Are you ready for what lies beyond your time on earth? If not, it’s time to change. Make sure that your destination is heaven by acknowledging your need for Jesus and believing in Him.

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

 

 

Sustained by God - Anita van der Elst

Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble. The LORD protects and preserves them — they are counted among the blessed in the land — he does not give them over to the desires of their foes. The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. Psalm 41:1-3 NIV

As I peeled apples for an apple crisp I intended to serve at my women’s small group in my home the following morning, I noticed how my hands and finger joints ached more than usual. My head felt heavy, and not long after I put the dish in the oven, everything ached, and the chills began. 

When the oven timer buzzed, my body seemed to echo the sound. I set the glass baking pan on a rack to cool, and took myself to bed. The thermometer indicated a fever, so with disappointment, I notified my small group that they all needed to stay far away the next day.  

An unpleasant few days followed, as the virus ran its course. The ensuing weakness, fatigue, and residual cough continued weeks longer, curtailing several activities and events I’d looked forward to. At least I was in good company, as my husband quickly followed suit with all the same symptoms.

With thankful hearts, we accepted our daughter-in-law’s offer to bring us groceries while we convalesced, including a surprise treat of M&M’s. Kids aren’t the only ones who enjoy those colorful, sweet candies. May God bless her in her regard for us in our weakness.

How reassuring to read the biblical announcement that God sustained His loved ones even on their sickbed and restored them. As I read this passage in my recovery time, I realized He delivered, protected, and preserved my husband and me through the challenge of illness.

Depend on God when you experience illness. Then, look for ways to bless others who are ill. 

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

God Remembers Me - Anita van der Elst

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Psalm 9:18 NIV

“Oma has a walking stick!” 

The announcement by my grandson, not quite three years old at the time, stated the obvious. Not a random branch found where it fell from a tree, but a designed and carved wooden staff made special because it was given to me by my son. It still serves a necessary purpose. On unlevel ground, it keeps me balanced as I walk.

As my physical body ages, my need for assistance in strength, stability, and endurance increases. My afflictions are not severe, but they do restrict me in some ways. As time passes, these will continue to worsen. Mentally and emotionally, I find that my own thoughts attack me and cause me stress and shame. But my spiritual need is the greatest since I can do nothing to save myself.

Therefore, I am grateful for my neediness and affliction—conditions that let me know God remembers me. He remembered that I desperately needed a Savior. He sent his Son, Jesus, to bear the punishment for my sin. He suffered death on a cross so that I could experience forgiveness. The Holy Spirit reminds me to carry my sins, shortcomings, and hurts to the foot of that cross in my prayers. In leaning on that cross, I find freedom, stability, and assurance of eternity in heaven.

Put your trust in Jesus and lean on him as you walk.

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Spiritually Anorexic - Anita van der Elst

You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. Hebrews 5:12 NLT

Food is not something I’ve ever avoided, since my waistline amply advertises. But neither do I want to become spiritually anorexic. 

Church potlucks (especially the dessert table), family and holiday feasts, favorite restaurants, and the snack aisle at the grocery store all get my hearty approval and participation. I don’t drink milk, but I do indulge in its ice cream form. It goes down so easily, but without much nutritional benefit. Occasionally, I’ve gone the less-is-more route to gain better health, but still enjoyed good food while doing so.

I’ve noticed, however, that after being on one of those portion-controlled episodes, and I try to eat more, somehow, I just can’t shovel in as much as I used to. My stomach has shrunk.

A spiritual realization also occurred to me. In not attending church services for long stretches of time, I limit myself from receiving food that feeds my spirit. No wonder my faith falters and I feel weak. I’ve become spiritually anorexic. 

Once I’m back again and hearing solid teaching from God’s word, I find that it takes me a while to fully comprehend the messages. Staying away for months on end results in my spiritual stomach shrinking in size with no room to process. Thankfully, little by little, I can once again chew the hearty biblical meat offered in the sermons. 

Don’t limit your solid spiritual meals. Think of ways to get back on a healthier diet that feeds your soul.

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study. 

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

 

 

Influenced - Anita van der Elst

Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. 

~3 John 11 NLT

Bad examples are everywhere. Even we Christians have a tendency to act according to our sin nature and do hurtful things. And that includes a finger pointing at myself. 

As I thought about avoiding behaviors that I shouldn’t emulate, I realized this is not just refraining from following in the footsteps of those who do wrong. The question is, how am I influenced by their unkind and disobedient actions? Do I let what they’ve done affect my attitude or get in the way of my relationship with Jesus?

I realized that when I dwell on the hurtful actions or words toward me and become resentful, I am letting those bad examples influence me. When other believers act poorly, I should not be affected one way or another by them. My course as a child of God is to follow the good path. 

One part of that course involves confessing to Jesus my own sin of harboring resentment and repenting of it. He welcomes me to do so. Because Christ died for all my sins, I am cleansed by the blood He shed. His Holy Spirit is ready and able to help me follow the good. Jesus made it clear that we should pray for those who act spitefully. By doing so, our feet are right in step with Him.

Think of attitudes you need to evaluate that have been influenced by others’ bad behavior. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in confession and repentance.  

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study. 

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Red Carpet Ceremony - Anita van der Elst

Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:11 NLT

Music blared into the street from loudspeakers as we walked past the temporary barricades set up at one end of Main Street in our little town. Local vendors lined the sidewalks in colorful booths. A sign on one booth proclaimed, “Ice cream solves everything.” I assure you, it will take much personal experimentation to determine the truth of that statement. It was a red carpet ceremony. 

We discovered the main attraction was an official cornhole competition. A couple of dozen target boards occupied the street next to the curbs. Teams congregated on opposite sides of the street. They took turns tossing little bags filled with dried corn kernels across the street toward the holes in the target boards. Observers crowded the sidewalks, milling about, shouting encouragement and advice. Cheers went up as corn kernel bags found their mark. It was a grand occasion, and the winners were awarded.

But God is planning a much grander event for us as Peter notes (2 Peter 1:11). The gaiety and party atmosphere on a small town’s Main Street in its noisy chaos pales in comparison to the celebration awaiting us in the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Will it be a red carpet kind of scene? Will we jump and leap through that entrance, shouting and singing his praises? Or will it be a solemn procession? My heart wants it to be the leaping and jumping kind of event, especially since I’ll have that new body. Whatever the case, it will be better than any sports activity, concert, or awards ceremony here on earth.

Arrangements must be made ahead of time to enjoy this celebratory occasion. Trusting in Christ as our Savior is the key. Make sure you have made arrangements to be included in this grand red carpet ceremony.

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study. 

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Rest Is Good - Anita van der Elst

As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 NLTP

They needed to come out, those three wisdom teeth, and I opted for IV sedation for the extraction procedure. The dental care was excellent, and all went well. But I didn’t expect my energy level to be so low in the aftermath. I discovered that rest is good. 

Because of my lack of energy, I canceled my weekly small group gathering at my home. I also missed out on a ballet performance by my daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Additionally, I missed a music recital in which both grandkids and my son participated. 

Disappointing, to say the least. Housework went by the wayside. Since my diet was restricted to soft foods for a whole week, I didn’t cook meals either. I must confess, however, I didn’t mind having frozen yogurt every day.

Around the fifth day after the oral surgery, as I complained to the Lord about how weary I still felt, Paul’s instruction to the folks in Thessalonica came up in my daily reading. 

I realized that by taking care of my body and getting enough rest, I was doing something good. Although I missed serving my dear sisters in Christ in my home, God allowed me extra time to rest and recuperate. He would eventually restore me to full capacity. Yes, I was tired, but not of doing good. 

When you are tired, remember that resting your body is something good that God encourages because He is a good, good Father. 

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study. 

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

The Job of Encouragement - Anita van der Elst

When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:12 NLT

While staying for a couple of weeks with my daughter after the birth of her firstborn, I visited a nearby church. I was delighted that the church had a small café where one could enjoy a quick breakfast and specialty coffee before the worship service. 

Waiting for my latte and wanting to connect, I tried to engage in conversation with some folks sitting nearby. I was slightly surprised that they didn’t seem interested in doing so. This would have discouraged me in the past, but the Lord has brought maturity over time. I know He wants me to be encouraged, like Paul desired, and to encourage others. So, I looked for a connection somewhere else in the area.

The Lord did not disappoint. The next person I saw stood in the middle of the room in a circle designated “Next Steps.” A sign hung from the ceiling that read, “Start Here.” She smiled, and we conversed. Her job may have been to greet and help people, but her interest was genuine. She offered to sit with me in the sanctuary, and I readily accepted. 

Our shared camaraderie and love for our Savior greatly enhanced the worship experience. We exchanged phone numbers, and although I would go home to another state, we agreed to stay in touch. Our encounter encouraged me in my faith journey, and she said the same.

If I had let the first failed attempt to connect dictate the rest of my morning, what a loss I would have experienced. And the same for my new friend. How much better to go with the motive of seeking to encourage others in the faith.

Think of ways you can encourage others in their faith. 

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study. 

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.