God’s faithfulness

Exfoliation, Reprise

/ Patsy Kuipers / Leave a comment

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2

Color Harmony

For most of the years I worked for a large corporation, I served as a colorist. In that role, I developed, named, and presented new carpet color options to our customers. After all the time spent honing my skills at work, I relished the opportunity to choose the interior and exterior colors when we built our home in Georgia.

My late husband’s specialty was horticulture, a no-less creative endeavor. When I chose a terra cotta color scheme for the bricks and shutters, I didn’t realize how challenging it would make it for him to select plants. This was especially true when choosing the must-have southern plant on our list – a crape myrtle.

Nonetheless, being a skilled horticulturalist, Ray made an excellent choice. Unlike other cultivars whose pink or purple flowers would have clashed with our cinnamon-colored exterior and offended my color sensibilities, the creamy-white blossoms of the now-stately Natchez create a harmoniously floriferous cascade each summer. But the brilliance of Ray’s choice is most apparent in the fall, when the annual process of exfoliation occurs.

As summer wanes, cracks appear in the bark along the mighty trunk, signaling the coming changes. Soon, the cracks deepen into fissures as the old skin lifts away from the tree before finally letting go entirely, falling to the ground in long, jagged shards. To the uninitiated observer, this series of events may be unsettling. How could such an extreme shedding of bark possibly benefit the plant? Yet that very act allows the trunk to increase its girth and grow stronger. Best of all, it reveals the most magnificent cinnamon-colored covering.

Ray saw the potential in the sapling he planted so long ago. He knew what it could become.

Putting Off, Putting On

There are several concepts I consider spiritual touchstones. One such idea is the practice of putting off and putting on. In His analogy of an unclean spirit leaving a man only to return to its neat but empty former abode, Jesus made it clear that it’s not enough to merely make a show of getting rid of sinful thoughts and behavior (Matthew 12:43-45). Instead, our repentance must be genuine, the kind that produces fruit in keeping with our profession of faith (Matthew 3:8), as we put on right thinking and conduct pleasing to God.

The Apostle Paul affirms this teaching in his letter to the Romans, where he encourages his readers not to conform to the world but to be transformed by renewing their minds. In his letter to the Ephesians, he goes even further. After admonishing them to “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24), Paul then provides specific examples of behavior to put off, along with corresponding replacements:

  • Put away falsehood and speak the truth. (vs. 25)
  • Let the thief no longer steal but perform honest labor. (vs. 28)
  • Do not use unwholesome language, but that which benefits and builds up those who listen. (vs.29)
  • Put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, and every form of malice. Be kind to one another, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you. (vs. 31-32)

Refined By the Spirit

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf, God already counts us as righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21), but much refining remains. We are not yet holy as He is Holy, and our makeover will not be complete until Jesus returns. Nonetheless, the Spirit is at work in us, transforming us with the same mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:18-20).

At times, our refinement is painful as God strips away parts of our old nature. Our Savior suffered greatly (Isaiah 53:3-6). How better to know Him than by enduring the loss, sorrow, and persecution He endured (Romans 8:17)? Such challenges may prompt outside observers or even believers to question God’s methods, but we can trust that the One who made us has a perfect plan to work all things together for our good and His glory (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28).

Just as Ray knew what the crape myrtle could become, given sufficient time and proper care, God knows who He created us to be (Ephesians 2:10). Furthermore, He’s promised to complete the work He’s begun in us (Ephesians 1:6) and never to leave or forsake us at any point in the process (Deuteronomy 31:8). The Helper will be with us to remind us of His promises, empower us to do His will, and enable us to persevere to the end (John 14:16-17, 26). On that glorious day, our transformation will be complete, and all vestiges of our former selves will disappear. We will gather around the throne, our new selves robed in white, to forever praise our Redeemer King (Revelation 7:9-17).

Epilog

In this morning’s sermon, our pastor reminded us that growing older doesn’t mean we automatically grow up or become wiser. Spiritual maturity requires intentionality, self-reflection, and wholehearted devotion to Christ, which will not allow us to be satisfied with doing the bare minimum for Him and His Kingdom.

 I’ve watched my crape myrtle go through its annual exfoliation process for over 30 years. The trunk is now far too large for me to reach around it, but the process of shedding and growing will continue as long as the tree is alive. May we be like the majestic tree, letting go of anything hindering our growth – even long-cherished beliefs and behaviors – so that we will continue to grow more like Christ until He calls Home.

My Daddy Can!

/ Patsy Kuipers / Leave a comment

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?”
Jeremiah 32:27

Confident Granddaughter

Several years ago, I was spending the day with my grandchildren when one of their toys broke. As 2-year-old Emma watched my futile attempts to fix it, she proclaimed, “My daddy can fix it!”

“I’m sure Daddy can fix it. He’s a good fixer,” I concurred.

“My daddy!” she replied adamantly. Yes, Emma was, and still is, confidently possessive of her people and their abilities.

A recent Bible study lesson reminded me of this conversation and the importance of being equally confident in the abilities of our heavenly Father.

The Story

The fifth chapter of the book of 2 Kings recounts the story of Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Syria. Although Naaman was a mighty man of valor, he had a troublesome skin disease.

God providentially placed a little Israelite girl in Naaman’s household. She had been carried off to Syria in a raid and was serving Naaman’s wife. Aware of Naaman’s predicament, she told her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:3)

Naaman made the proper arrangements to travel to Samaria, laden with gifts and a letter of introduction and supplication from his king to the king of Israel, who thought the whole scenario reeked of intrigue. He tore his clothes upon reading the letter, declaring, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy?”

Elisha, the prophet the little girl had referred to, heard about the misunderstanding and told the king to send Naaman to him. However, instead of greeting him personally, Elisha sent word directing Naaman to wash in the Jordan seven times, thus insulting him. Naaman’s servants prevailed upon him to follow Elisha’s instructions. He was healed and returned to Elisha, proclaiming, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel.”

I hope you’ll take the time to read the full account (2 Kings 5:1-27). There is much to glean from this short story, but I want to focus on the little girl’s faith in contrast to the attitudes of the king of Israel and Naaman.

Child-like Faith

We know very little about the servant girl, but from what we are told, we can draw some conclusions. Someone, possibly her parents or grandparents, had taught her about the God of Israel before she was separated from her people. Perhaps her family was one that had faithfully passed down the mighty deeds of the Lord who rescued His people from Egypt (Psalm 78). Regardless, she remembered and had confidence that His prophet could heal Naaman.

It is also interesting to me that she didn’t hesitate to share this information. Despite being taken captive, it appears she didn’t bear a grudge against those who took her but instead sought their welfare. Her willingness to share underscores her confidence in Elisha’s abilities, since there likely would have been serious consequences for her if Naaman had made the gift-laden trip and no cure had been forthcoming.

Faithless King

Contrast the little girl’s confidence with the response of the king of Israel, who should have been the nation’s spiritual leader, depending on God for guidance. He tore his robes and lamented the arrival of the foreign contingent, thinking they were out to trick him instead of inquiring of the Lord, which he could have done through Elisha, the same prophet the servant girl referred Naaman to.

Sadly, by this time in Israel’s history, the kings had long since strayed into idol worship, disobeying God’s commands, discarding His word, and leading His people astray.

Prideful Commander

Elisha’s dismissive behavior – not greeting Naaman personally, but sending directions by a messenger – offended the mighty warrior.  Still, Elisha knew there was no room for pride if Naaman was to receive physical and, more importantly, spiritual healing.

Children come humbly, aware of their great needs, while adults often must overcome their self-confidence, self-reliance, and pride. Even Naaman’s comment about Syria’s rivers reflects a prideful attitude (2 Kings 5:12), whereas you can imagine a child eagerly following Elisha’s instructions, happy that the cure was so simple and accessible.

Fortunately for Naaman, his servants convinced him to do as Elisha directed. He was healed, just as the little girl knew he would be, and he returned to Elisha, humbled and grateful, ready to make a profession of faith in the one true God (2 Kings 5:15).

Spiritual Amnesia

Pride isn’t the only thing that hinders our faith walk and delays our approach to God’s throne of grace. Like the Israelites who experienced God’s deliverance and witnessed His mighty miracles in the wilderness, yet still doubted His ability and willingness to fulfill His promises to them, I sometimes “forget” all He’s done for me and my family. When a foreign contingent of challenging, unexpected circumstances appears on my doorstep, my first inclination is to wring my hands and wonder what I’m going to do instead of confidently asserting, as Emma did, “My Daddy can fix it!”

Fortunately, the spiritual amnesia is usually short-lived, as I intentionally remind myself of God’s past faithfulness and His promise to never forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6). When exceptionally trying events assail me, I’m thankful for faithful friends who, like the little girl and Naaman’s servants, point me to the truth and encourage me to follow God’s instructions – ask, seek, knock (Matthew 7:7). I am a beloved daughter of the King. My Daddy can provide, protect, and guide through the darkest valley or on the sunniest mountaintop.

Heavenly Father, please help us to have the faith of a child, the unwavering confidence to know that nothing is impossible for You! Thank You that You never lose sight of us, and Your ears are ever attentive to our cries (Psalm 34:15).

Twelve Years

/ Patsy Kuipers / Leave a comment

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24

Dear Readers,

July 1 marked the twelfth anniversary of my start in the blogging world. Buoyed by a lifelong love of writing, years of journaling, and a desire to tell others about God’s faithfulness, I began Back 2 the Garden. I wasn’t sure if anyone would be interested in reading what I wrote or how long I would continue. All I knew was that God had given me a lifetime of examples of His goodness and the ability to craft stories, an ability I longed to use for His glory.

I soon discovered that writing is a lonely endeavor. There have been many times when my words were met with silence, and I wondered whether they mattered or whether I should even keep writing. Inevitably, during those times, the Lord would nudge someone to comment that one of my posts had helped them, giving me the incentive to stick with it. I often remind myself that I’m responsible for using the gift God has given me, trusting Him for the outcome, even if I never know how He chooses to use my efforts.

So, here I am, twelve years and more than 300 posts later, still plugging along. I hope my writing has improved over the years, as I’ve taken classes, honed my craft, and labored to find the right words to convey the message behind each post. Regardless, my original objectives in launching Back 2 the Garden – to glorify God and encourage others – remain the same.

Some of you have been reading my posts from the beginning, while others are more recent visitors. Regardless of your tenure, thank you! I pray you’ll always leave feeling glad you stopped by, having found at least one seed of hope-filled truth to plant in your spiritual garden. 

Here, with a few edits, is the post that started it all on July 1, 2014:

Consider it pure joy

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3

It was February 1998, and I felt anything but joyful. Ten months earlier, my beloved husband, Ray, had died of a massive heart attack a few weeks after his 39th birthday. Even though I was a rational person and knew all too well the details of what had happened, on some level I maintained a protective mantle of denial. I couldn’t accept or fathom how he could go to work on a sunny spring Saturday and never return home to our two young daughters and me. But bit by bit, the reality seeped into my soul, leaving an underlying sadness that colored many of my days.

In preparing for Ray’s funeral, I wrote a letter to him, which one of our pastors read during the service. Among other things, I stated that he’d left a lasting legacy not only in the lives of our daughters but also in the beauty of our garden. You see, Ray had a degree in horticulture, and he planted many interesting things in our yard. He would tell me about the special plants he selected and teach me their names. Although he didn’t shun better-known plants like pansies and daffodils, he also liked unique specimens. When several of his horticulture colleagues visited and walked the garden with me after Ray died, oohing and ahhing over various plants, I took note, all over again, of how special that part of his legacy was. I also recognized how important it was for me to learn to take care of it; otherwise, it would only be a matter of time before it was gone.

And so that February day found me outside, preparing to remove the blanket of leaves still enshrouding the planting beds, with an ache in my heart as I longed for Ray and wished he were there to help me. As I started clearing the beds, I noticed several of the perennials Ray had planted were beginning to emerge from the soil. Seeing those plants, knowing they had persevered through the cold, dark winter, gave me a glimmer of hope. If they could make it through that stark season, maybe I could survive my season of darkness.

Little did I know that gardening would become my passion, providing many moments of hope and healing, as well as a very real connection to Ray. Not only has God faithfully provided for my family and me since Ray’s death, but He has also ministered to me again and again through the beauty of His creation. While “playing in the dirt,” I’ve been reminded of His promises, seen tangible examples of Scriptural principles, and found solace for my soul.

This blog is born of a desire to share some of what I’ve learned spiritually and horticulturally. I hope you’ll come back to the garden with me.

Father’s Day Reflections

/ Patsy Kuipers / Leave a comment

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
Psalm 68:5

Fatherless

I’m thankful for the steadfast love of my ever-present heavenly Father, who provides us with earthly fathers, and reserves a special place in His heart for those whose fathers are no longer with them.

I joined the ranks of the fatherless three years ago. My dad lived to 92, so I was blessed to have him in my life for more than six decades. I know many, including my daughters, lose their fathers much earlier. No matter how old we are when our fathers die or what our relationship with them was like, their passing leaves a void. The space he once filled with tales, advice, and shared activities is now empty.

Except for our memories.

Earthly Father

I would like to say that Dad and I had a close relationship like the one I had with Mom, but that wasn’t the case. I will save that story for another day. Despite the challenges we faced, I knew Dad always had my back. He was my defender, protector, and provider. A few examples:

  • As a teen, I was studious, socially awkward, and not particularly attractive. On the few occasions I gathered up the courage to go to a school social, I spent most of my time on the sidelines, hoping someone would ask me to dance, though that rarely happened. If the band was still playing when Dad came to pick me up, he would ask me to dance.
  • Dad bought me my first car, a bright yellow VW Rabbit, and taught me to drive a stick shift. When I took it in for service, they didn’t treat me with the respect Dad thought I deserved. He called the service manager and made it clear he didn’t want his daughter treated that way again. I expect Dad used a few choice words, some I wouldn’t use, but he got the message across. When I showed up for service again, they knew I wasn’t just some random teenager. Dad’s clout was behind me.
  • Dad put a high priority on education. He paid for me to go to college, something his father wasn’t willing or able to do for him. Years later, when my daughters were born, he set up college funds for them.
  • When my husband died at 39, leaving me with two young daughters to raise, Mom and Dad graciously moved from their home in North Carolina to one just two miles from mine in Georgia. Having them close by provided the love and stability we would have sorely lacked without them.
  • Dad planned carefully and invested wisely, leaving an inheritance that not only makes my life more comfortable but also enables me to share with others, including his granddaughters and great-grandchildren.  

Heavenly Father

Although Dad was an imperfect father, as all fathers are, I have a perfect heavenly Father who shows great compassion to those who fear Him, including children and fathers alike. He knows how we are made and remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:13-14). Furthermore, God holds a special place in His heart for orphans and widows and admonishes His people to care for them.[1]

Not sharing the same Biblical worldview and foundation of faith contributed to the distance between Dad and me. I longed for him to know the unconditional love of our heavenly Father, but I was careful not to push my beliefs on him. I learned early on that such an approach creates resistance, if not outright resentment. I prayed instead. In the last few weeks of Dad’s life, after nearly 50 years, God answered my prayers.

Though Dad’s faith was still the size of a mustard seed, I believe it became sight the moment he breathed his last and God welcomed him Home (Luke 17:6; 1 Corinthians 13:12). I rejoice in knowing I will see Dad again. Our relationship will be fully healed and restored because God has promised to make all things new (Revelation 21:5).

Until then, I will be grateful for the way God exhibited His care for me through my earthly father, who protected and provided for me.

[1] See, for example, Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 10:18, 24:19-21. 27:19; and Zechariah 7:9-10.

Encouragement for Weary Souls, Encore

/ Patsy Kuipers / Leave a comment

Dear Readers,

I originally wrote this post to encourage friends who were navigating serious health issues with loved ones. Their journeys reminded me of the challenging paths I walked with Mom and Dad in the final months of their lives. Yet the memories were also laced with Scripture passages that sustained me during those trying times.

Now, over a year later, several friends have lost those loved ones, others are still caring for theirs, and some have received news that has placed them on the path of prayerful watching, waiting, and wondering more recently. Thus, I decided it was time to share these powerful promises from God’s word again, promises that I not only clung to as I walked Mom and Dad Home, but also return to when other difficult situations arise.

I expect some, maybe many, of you are on an arduous journey of your own. It is my prayer that one or more of these passages will offer the hope you need in the days ahead. 

New Mercies

But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23

I was often mentally, physically, and emotionally spent by the time nightfall arrived each day, but every morning I would imagine the Lord had refilled my bucket overnight, so it was overflowing with His mercies for that day. 

Eyes Fixed

For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you (2 Chronicles 20:12b).

There were so many decisions I needed to make regarding Mom and Dad’s care, some of them downright gut-wrenching. I thought of the decisions being the great horde coming against me, and I prayed Jehoshaphat’s prayer – Lord, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are fixed on You – repeatedly, sometimes multiple times a day, seeking wisdom from the Lord.

Light and Momentary

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

When we’re in the midst of trying circumstances, the affliction doesn’t feel light or momentary, but for those who love the Lord, we know He’s working all things together for our good and is fitting us for our heavenly Home (Romans 8:28-30).

Weary

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

Sometimes the journey feels so long. You don’t know if you can keep going, at least not in the right spirit, without becoming frustrated or resentful. I asked people to pray that I wouldn’t grow weary in doing good, so I could honor my parents and God, who entrusted their care to me. I longed to reap the harvest of helping them finish their earthly lives with dignity.

Gentle Savior

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

We are blessed to have a gentle Savior who understands our frailties and offers rest for our souls. He has promised never to leave or forsake us (Matthew 28:20b).

Comfort Others

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

As citizens of Heaven sojourning in a world marred by sin, there will be instances when we or our loved ones don’t get the diagnosis or outcome we hope for. At such times, we can rest in the assurance that Jesus is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). He comforts us so that we may comfort others and point them to the hope we’ve found in His steadfast love and faithfulness.

Ultimate Hope

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. (Revelation 21:1-6a).

Whenever I read this passage, I want to shout, “Hallelujah! I can’t wait!” No more tears or death or mourning or crying or pain – that’s what God’s beloved children have to look forward to because He will indeed make all things new!

It has been five years since the Lord called Mom Home and almost three since Dad joined her. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss them, but I wouldn’t wish them back from Paradise. Instead, I look forward to spending eternity with them in the presence of Jesus. Until then, I will cling to God’s promises and strive to keep my eyes fixed on Him. I pray you will do the same. May you find great hope in these and other passages.

Transformation

/ Patsy Kuipers / Leave a comment

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18

I was invited to share some thoughts at our women’s brunch yesterday about how God has transformed me since calling me to Himself. The timing was fitting, as one of the most transformative events of my life occurred 29 years ago today, when I became a widow at 38.

This post is based on the comments I made at the brunch.

Looking Back

There are challenges that come with getting older, but there’s one thing I truly cherish: gaining a long-term perspective. I was baptized and made a public profession of faith shortly before my 16th birthday, just over 51 years ago. I didn’t know much theology back then, but I knew I was a sinner in need of a Savior, that Jesus loved me and died for me, and that I wanted to live a life pleasing to Him in gratitude for all He’d done for me.

When I consider the habits and attitudes that characterized my teen years, I cringe. God had replaced my heart of stone with a heart of flesh, yet I still had a long way to go when it came to looking like Jesus.

Gains and Losses

God blessed me with a mother who embraced and embodied her faith and was my prayer warrior. He also gave me a godly husband, grounded in sound theology and more mature in character, to help me grow in the faith. God brought me to Georgia nearly 34 years ago, where I came under Susan Hunt’s sound teaching on Biblical womanhood. Each of these people and relationships was key to my spiritual transformation.

Equally important are the hardships and losses God providentially placed in my life:

  • God called my husband, Ray, Home on April 19, 1997, leaving me a widow with two elementary-aged daughters to raise.
  • Years later, after my daughters were grown and on their own, my 30-year career ended when my position was eliminated.
  • More recently, my parents have gone to be with the Lord.

To borrow a phrase from a friend’s husband, each of those losses further unbolted me from my love affair with the world, transforming me from a woman too driven by immediate circumstances into one who embraces an eternal perspective (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Those hardships have also drawn me closer to God and deepened my awareness of His faithfulness and enduring love.

Whose Strength?

As I’ve persevered through challenging times, various people have said, “You’re so strong. How do you keep going?” My reply? “It’s not my strength!” If God’s power had not been made perfect in my weakness, I would have crumbled long ago (2 Corinthians 12:9). His grace is sufficient, and He’s never forsaken me.

Sometimes I wonder if Ray would recognize me if he came back, not so much because of the wrinkles and other effects of physical aging, but because of the changes God has brought about through the power of His Spirit at work within me. Would Ray see a gentler, quieter spirit, more patience, peace, and selflessness than when he last saw me?

I think he would. Ray always thought more highly of me than I did of myself. During premarital counseling, we filled out various forms, including one that asked us to list the top five strengths we saw in our future spouse. Ray’s list included, “She’s serious about her faith.” He saw the potential and what I could become in time as the master Potter shaped and molded me (Isaiah 64:8), and he was willing to marry me, even though I had plenty of flaws.

Mighty Makeover

Even more significantly, God knows who He created me to be and has been patiently transforming me into the image of His Son. Sometimes, especially during times of great loss, it’s felt like He was using a sledgehammer. At other times, it’s been more like fine-grained sandpaper and a polishing cloth. Regardless of His method, His commitment has never wavered.

God knew every sin and flaw in me, yet He chose me before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), sent His precious Son to die for me (John 3:16), and has promised to complete the good work He began in me when He calls me Home (Philippians 1:6). That’s true for every one of His children.

All of us are at different stages of transformation, and God will use diverse means to bring about the desired changes. We can be confident He will do so, because those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29).

We are being transformed from one degree of glory to another. We will be like Jesus when our faith becomes sight and we see Him as He is (1 Corinthians 13:12).

To God be the glory!

Training for Godliness

/ Patsy Kuipers / Leave a comment

Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:7b-8

Watching the Winter Olympics last month reminded me how fitting the Apostle Paul’s comparisons of spiritual and physical training are.

Helpful Analogies

Like millions of other people around the world, I watched countless hours of coverage. I caught myself holding my breath multiple times, as athletes went hurtling down hills at speeds comparable to those I drive on the interstate, and did flips and tricks that left me mesmerized and marveling that human bodies can even perform such stunts.

As I viewed the various events, I kept thinking about how hard the athletes had to work and how many years they trained to reach the Olympics. You don’t just wake up one morning and master triple toe loops and backflips on an ice rink, or develop the stamina for cross-country skiing and speed skating overnight. 

All this pondering reminded me of Bible passages that call us to apply the same discipline and dedication required of elite athletes to our spiritual development. These two came to mind in addition to the introductory verse:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

Key Parallels

There are several parallels between physical and spiritual training:

  • Discipline: Just as athletes need ongoing physical discipline in areas like diet and exercise, those who follow Jesus also require discipline in spiritual practices such as prayer, Bible study, and worship. Serious athletes wouldn’t think of eating a steady diet of junk food or going for days without practicing. Likewise, we must feed on God’s Word, pray, and participate in corporate worship, not occasionally or when we “feel” like it, but consistently.
  • Endurance: The Christian life is often compared to a marathon. Having seen my daughter train to run that distance several times, I know it requires not only physical preparation but also mental toughness. Jesus is our ultimate example of endurance. He persevered through all of the trials set before Him, including death on the cross, remaining focused on the joy that awaited. Because of His work on our behalf, we can be confident that we, too, will finish the race and be seated in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:4-6).
  • Fans: Athletes receive support from devoted fans and enthusiastic followers, including fellow athletes who have competed in the past. Believers have a great cloud of witnesses who testify to God’s faithfulness (Hebrews 12:1). Their lives serve as examples of what faith and perseverance in hardship look like. I imagine them cheering us on toward certain victory in Christ (Philippians 1:6).
  • Coaches: Skilled coaches who know their sports and can teach and motivate their athletes are priceless. Similarly, those who are further along in the Christian walk can exhort and encourage those who are younger in their faith; in fact, they are instructed to do so (Titus 2:1-8), and there are multiple examples in Scripture, such as Moses and Joshua, Naomi and Ruth, and Paul and Timothy. What’s more, we have the Holy Spirit, the ultimate coach, who counsels and empowers us (John 14:26).

Key Differences

  • Effect: Because of the Fall, our physical bodies will wear out over time. No matter how much training we do, fitness and strength will decline. Not so with spiritual training, which helps us become more and more like Christ and produces eternal fruit (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23).
  • Prizes: In sports competitions, only one athlete or team wins. Even then, the medals and trophies will eventually tarnish and decay. But every child of God will receive an imperishable prize of far greater value than a gold medal: eternal life with Him!

Though we will never achieve perfection in this life, we must continue practicing, training, and pressing on toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14), knowing that we do not strive alone. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, empowered by the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, and accompanied by a perfect Savior who has promised never to leave or forsake us.

Covenant Family

/ Patsy Kuipers / 2 Comments

So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:5

Not only am I blessed to be part of a close-knit family of kinfolk, but I’m also blessed to be part of a covenant family that knows how to love well.

A Hard Day

Twenty-nine Valentine’s Days have come and gone since my husband and forever love, Ray, was last with me to celebrate. I never know how the holiday will affect me. Some years, I remain upbeat; others, I feel my partner’s absence so keenly that tears overtake me throughout the day. This year was one of the latter.

Despite my best efforts to stay focused on the blessing of sharing life and love with a godly husband for 13 years, my thoughts kept returning to the fact that he’s no longer here and to how much I lost when the Lord called him Home.

It didn’t help that I couldn’t find the last Valentine’s card Ray gave me, the one I pull out each year to remind me how he felt about us. I knew exactly where it was supposed to be, but I found only an empty envelope. Dreary weather and spending the day alone deepened my melancholy.

By the time I crawled into bed that night, I was downright dismal. Unfortunately, my mood didn’t improve while I slept. A text from my daughter saying they wouldn’t be at church made me consider not going either. After all, tears were still flowing easily, and there would be no hugs from my grandchildren to ease my loneliness.

But I went.

Corporate Worship

As my adult daughters will tell you from childhood experience, I don’t take skipping church lightly. In-person, corporate worship is a duty and a privilege, ordained by God. Not only are we to praise Him and be cleansed, fed, and renewed by His word, but we’re also to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Simply being together, hearing one another’s voices raised in song, prayer, and praise, is encouraging (Colossians 3:16). I knew I had to get there. I had to be with my covenant family.

It certainly wasn’t the first time feeling low nearly kept me at home, but whenever I’ve made the effort to go, regardless of how I felt, I’ve never regretted it. Time and again, being with God’s people has reminded me that I’m not alone, ever, and has lifted me out of my sadness.

Last Sunday was no different. When first one sister in Christ and then another asked how I was, I answered honestly, “Not great.” Hugs followed my admission. One friend in particular didn’t shy away from the tears that flowed as I told her how hard it is to be without Ray, not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day.

Love One Another

But God didn’t stop there. In His over-and-above way, He provided more love from my covenant family in the form of a cheerfully decorated bag filled with homemade cookies and cards from the youth.

As I thanked one of the youth leaders on my way out, she told me they’d encouraged the kids to empathize with the recipients of the treats, those in our congregation who no longer have their spouses, and that some had gone deep in expressing their sentiments. Such was the case with the young man who wrote the note in my card. He shared several pertinent verses (Psalm 68:5, Deuteronomy 31:6, and Matthew 28:20b), then added a personal message that included, “Your earthly half may be gone, but your heavenly One isn’t, nor will He ever be gone.”

By the time I got in my car to head home, my mood had completely changed. Adam isn’t the only one for whom solitude wasn’t good. God made us for community, and last Sunday He loved me well through my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Epilog

Unlike last week, I eagerly got ready to attend church this morning, anticipating being with my covenant family. I smiled when I saw that our Scripture reading included the following:

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25, emphasis mine).

It felt like an exclamation point to the gratitude I’d been feeling all week for the kindness I received, kindness that turned my tears into joy.

So, dear reader, show up! Maybe you’re the person who needs a hug, but more importantly, you might be the person God will use to give a hug to someone like me!

Plans and Purposes

/ Patsy Kuipers / 2 Comments

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

This time 15 years ago, I was finishing up my last full day of work. The next day, my 30-year career at a large corporation would come to an end, not by choice, but by decree. My job no longer existed. But God had a plan. He always does.

The Backstory

All careers have ups and downs, good bosses and not-so-good ones. During the last year of my career, I was the only person reporting to a newly minted manager, one who systematically dismantled my position.

I was angry and resentful, wondering if I should retire or stay. Did God want me to humble myself and grow from the challenging circumstances, or was He preparing me to leave? I asked several close friends to join me in praying for His guidance.

As my annual performance review approached, I told my family I expected to be let go or put on probation. Thus, I wasn’t surprised when my boss and her manager joined me in a windowless conference room and announced, “I know you’re expecting your annual review, but you won’t be having it because your job has been eliminated.”

My first thought, “This is real!” was immediately followed by “Thank You, Lord, for giving me a black-and-white answer.”

It was a classic departure scenario. I handed in my computer, badge, and credit card and left without saying goodbye to anyone. I exited into the gray January afternoon, numb and unemployed. But the next day I awoke to sunshine streaming through my window. I later echoed that optimism in a Facebook post: “30+ years of continuous employment came to a halt yesterday when my job was eliminated. God obviously has something else for me to do. I can’t wait to see what it is!”

Regardless of my supervisor’s motives, it became increasingly evident that what she may have meant for evil, or self-preservation at my expense, God meant for so much good.

Horticulture Diploma

In the months leading up to my dismissal, I spent a lunch hour reviewing the requirements for the horticulture program at our local technical college. My passion for plants grew over the years as I cared for the garden my husband left as part of his legacy, when he passed away at the too-young age of 39. As I scrolled through the course catalog, I kept thinking, “Oooh, I want to take that class! And that one! And this one!” As lunchtime drew to a close, I wrote “My dream: Environmental Horticulture Diploma” on a sticky note and stuck it in the back of my planner.

Two days after my career ended, I began the process to enroll in the horticulture program at our local technical college. The following year, I realized my dream, having devoured the course material like someone savoring an exceptional meal.

Grammie Days

My grandson Joshua was born six months after I lost my job. He was my study buddy from his earliest days, as I pointed out plants while we strolled the neighborhood, and he is as passionate about plants as I am. Sisters Lyla and Emma, now lovely and lively 6th and 4th-graders, joined the family in 2 ½-year intervals.

Photos and Facebook memories attest to the blessing and privilege of being a consistent part of my grandchildren’s lives from the time they were born. We coined the term “Grammie Days” for my weekly routine of spending Mondays and Wednesdays with them. Those days laid the foundation for lasting relationships.

Even though Grammie Days aren’t as frequent during the school year, we enjoy the times we have together, be it at church on Sunday mornings, over a meal, or during drivetime conversations while shuttling from one activity to another.  

Available to Help

My parents lived long, productive lives. Healthy and independent into their late 80s, they eventually reached the point where they needed assistance. Sometimes when I accompanied Mom to an appointment, she would tell the doctor, “Patsy is the mother now. She takes care of me.”

Dad had a stroke six months after Mom died. I helped him move into an assisted living facility and oversaw his care and finances.

It broke my heart to watch Mom and Dad’s decline, but when our roles shifted, it was a privilege to come alongside the ones who had cared so well for me.

God’s Good Plans

Left to my devices, my career would have ended years later with a retirement celebration attended by family, friends, and longtime colleagues and customers. But God had other, better plans (Proverbs 19:21). Furthermore, the events of the past 15 years are a testament to His ability to bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3). Earning a horticulture diploma, establishing close relationships with my grandchildren, helping Mom and Dad end well –  these are over-and-above blessings (Ephesians 3:20) that wouldn’t have been possible had I kept working, priceless gifts that more than outweigh the abrupt end to my career.

Lord, thank You that Your good plans prevail (Proverbs 16:9). Please help me to trust You with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, knowing that You will make my paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Through the Desert

/ Patsy Kuipers / 2 Comments

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8

A Desolate Route

Last summer, I joined my family for a portion of their epic road trip. I flew into Albuquerque and out of Las Vegas, visiting places like the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Joshua Tree National Park along the way.

After touring the latter, we stopped by a Starbucks to pick up lunch and some snacks to keep us going as we drove to Vegas, about 220 miles away. While waiting for our order, we pulled up directions. One route option would take almost an hour longer. Not paying close attention to the details and wanting to get to the rental house and its pool sooner rather than later, we selected the shorter option. Who wouldn’t?

In hindsight, I wouldn’t! At least not at night or alone.

In our haste, we failed to see that our chosen route would take us straight through the Mojave Desert and mile after mile of desolation. After enduring a couple of hours of the same vast vista with few signs of life, I understood why the barista shook his head and smiled knowingly when I asked if there was another Starbucks between 29 Palms and Las Vegas. “No ma’am. There’s really not much of anything between here and the Nevada state line.”

No kidding!

Frayed Nerves

We didn’t have cell service for most of the trip, but fortunately, the map app kept working. Each time the directions indicated a turn in the next X miles, I would get my hopes up that after I made the turn, I would see civilization. Nope! Though turns weren’t numerous, the ones we did make revealed more of the same scenery stretching to the horizon.

Multiple repetitions of the hope-turn-more of the same landscape cycle taxed my mental strength. I began to think we might never make it out of the desert, and my empathy for those who made the trek before there were roads, much less towns, deepened. I could understand how they might snap before ever reaching their final destination. After all, I was in an air-conditioned car, not a covered wagon or on horseback!

Sustained by caffeine and my daughter’s assurance that we would eventually emerge from the seemingly unending desert, I continued to follow the directions, one after another. Finally, after what felt like days instead of hours, we made a turn and saw I-15 in the distance. I’ve never been so happy to see an interstate!

Spiritual Parallels

As I pondered that trek across the desert, several spiritual parallels came to mind.

We were quick to choose the route we thought would be easier. It was indeed shorter, but it was fraught with potential perils. How often do I opt for what I perceive as the less challenging route in life, only to find hazards and temptations I wouldn’t have encountered had I taken the time to submit my plans to God and His word before proceeding?

Yet, there are times when God providentially ordains that we walk through the wilderness, something we would never choose. He uses those experiences to conform us more to the image of His Son, who endured His own wilderness experience (Matthew 4:1-11). We may wonder if we’ll ever come out safely on the other side. When we do, we emerge with our faith strengthened, ready to comfort those with the comfort we’ve received from our compassionate Father (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).

Having food and a traveling companion made the desert ordeal more bearable. Never underestimate the sustaining power of God’s word and the blessing of having a fellow believer come alongside you during wilderness wanderings. Even when we don’t have another person with us, we’re never alone. God has promised to go before us, never to leave or forsake us, and the indwelling Spirit is always with us.

Epilog

Several weeks after my journey through the desert, I visited relatives in South Dakota. There are multiple routes to choose from when driving from the Omaha Airport to Platte, the small town where my husband grew up. I picked one based on a timely stop for dinner. I thought I had chosen the same route for the return trip, but halfway through, I realized I no longer recognized any of the scenery.

As I followed the map prompts, making turn after turn that took me along roads bordered by flourishing fields of corn and soybeans, doubts similar to those I experienced in the Mojave crept into my mind. “I don’t know where I am or how long it will take me to get through this maze! What if I’m late for my flight?”

Almost as soon as the misgivings materialized, I shook my head as I realized how much I’m like the Israelites who forgot about God’s miraculous deliverance and provision a few short days after the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 16:2-3).  

Not trusting a GPS is one thing, but not trusting God? That’s an entirely different matter! Whether I’m traversing deserts or wandering through lush landscapes, God is Sovereign over every detail of my life and will never lose sight of me.

And when this life is over, God will receive me into glory, my ultimate destination (Psalm 73:23-24).