Bouncing Back
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
— Proverbs 25:11 (NLT)


As a junior in high school, I was devastated when I was cut from the top volleyball team and sent to the second team. I felt disappointed, embarrassed and dejected. That evening, I spoke with a friend who passed on these words of wisdom, “It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce back that matters.” I wrote the quote on my mirror and committed to doing my best for this new team, instead of sulking over my personal loss. Instead of continuing to fall and spiral, I committed to bounce back.

What I learned that day is that what happens to me in life doesn’t count as much as how I react to those things. I had a choice the day I was cut from the team: I could wallow in misery and quit the team, or I could choose to fight through my circumstances and work hard to improve. Each day, choices like these present themselves. When people are cruel, I can choose to accept their apology or let my bitterness grow. When I am treated unfairly, I can vengefully plot a way to get even, or I can seek the Lord’s wisdom and demonstrate patience as He shows me what to do. When I am fired from a job, I can learn from why things did not work or I can blame everyone else around me for my misfortune and never learn, grow or change. When I am congratulated for a job well done, I can either pat myself on the back or thank the Lord for providing me with the skills to succeed.

Life throws different circumstances our way every day, both good and bad. Wherever you are in your life, it is important to remember that people are watching and looking to see how you are living your life. You will long be remembered, not only for what happened to you in your life, but for how you handled life’s circumstances. When those circumstances cause you to fall, I challenge you to bounce back!

From every corner of society, voices tell us to identify our deepest desires and then to pursue them with tireless determination. This mind-set has so influenced our way of life that many of us — followers of Christ included — are left weary and frustrated. Even when a milestone is reached or a desire is met, moments of satisfaction are short lived. “Keep reaching,” the voices insist, so we press forward.

As the pattern repeats, pursuing our heart’s desire becomes an arduous chase: striving to be the perfect spouse or parent; seeking a well-paying, fulfilling career; pursuing a position on a prestigious board or on an influential committee within the church. After a time, the pursuit of desires becomes in itself an unexpected crosswind. Its relentless gusts damage relationships and shove peace of mind beyond reach. What we identified as our deepest personal desire becomes a blur.

Through the author of Psalm 37, the Lord invites us to hear a different voice, the Divine Voice. “Delight yourself in the Lord,” the psalmist writes, “and he will give you the desires of your heart.” I’ve often wondered what the psalmist intended by the words “delight yourself in the Lord.” How does a person go about that? The answer could be as straightforward as Webster’s definition of the verb. Delight: to take great pleasure in something or someone. If true, our Creator invites us to look to him not just for help in a crisis or forgiveness when we sin, but also for the pleasure of a soul-satisfying relationship.

It has been my experience, and probably yours, that when I seek satisfaction in things of the spirit, my desires seem to change. Some slip quietly into the background; others disappear entirely. My lasting desires, though, seem to fall nicely into place over time. God doesn’t promise to gratify all our whims or appetites, but he can be trusted to give us the desires of our heart. I like to think that when my heart is open the Lord puts those desires there in the first place.

Just Stuff....

Well, first of all I am up very late, but that is because I am completely burning the candle at both ends this week. Today was the usual work and orthodondist appointment and dealing with finances and just doing life. Tomorrow is a day in Nashville at the Capitol for my last day of Leadership Franklin County before I graduate. Wednesday - close on my brother's house and also close out his probate - finally! This is such closure for me and as I have thought about it tonight will be a relief, but also sorrowful at the same time. I will never be at his house again and I think, in some way, it will be a grieving process all over again. Thursday - work both jobs and Friday - work and then chaperone our youth at Acquire the Fire in Nashville. I know that God is setting me up this week to rely on Him and also I am praying that He is setting me up to hear a word from Him this weekend. I pray that all is well with those I love and that this week will go quickly - something I normally don't wish.......Lord knows life goes to quickly as it is.

Go Light Your Candle!

Diaroma Night at the Brown House

Abby worked her little hiney off tonight making a diaroma of the Tuck's House from the book Tuck Everlasting. It was fun to help her out with the spray painting and just to sit back and watch her use her creativity. I love that little thing! I am, of course, sure she will worry about it in her dreams and all day tomorrow. She puts a lot of worry into this class........God bless her.

Snow!

WOW! I am so grateful for warmer weather today. Boy, would I love to be on a beach somewhere warm with my toes dug into the sand! We had a great Ash Wednesday service for the youth last night and now we are in the season of Lent. Chris has given up red meat, I have given up any frivilous spending, no eating out, etc., Abby has given up complaining, Emma has given up "giving up to easily" and Jacob is still undecided - imagine that. He said he was thinking about not arguing during Lent - but that would just flat out be a miracle from God! Bless him....

Famine Video

The best I could do after hours of sleep deprivation.

Famine Over!

What a great success we had with our Famine. Praise to God and to all the hard work from our youth, we raised $4334.00! We also were able to get 7 kids sponsored by families in our church this past Sunday! How exciting! I will be posting pics of the Famine later this afternoon. I am always blessed when I just pour everything of myself out to service and this was no different! I will share soon! Love, Melissa