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The Magic of a Smile

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When I first moved to California, I felt like a fish out of water. I had moved from New York City to begin graduate school in a very small town located about an hour and a half drive east of Los Angeles. Prior to living in New York, I had been living in Seoul, South Korea. So as you can imagine, coming from two of the largest cities in the world to a small town took some getting used to.

During my first week in California, I decided to take a walk around my neighborhood. I saw people watering their lawns, picking lemons and avocados from their trees, and pruning their rose bushes.

“Wow!” I thought, “I’ve only seen this stuff happen in movies!”

As I rounded the block, I saw a jogger that was making his way in my direction. As he approached me, all of the familiar city-living internal warning sirens went off.

“Can you see both his hands? Remember, you can use your keys as a weapon. Why didn’t you take that self-defense course when you had the chance!”

As my mind raced, the jogger stopped, asked me how my day was, welcomed me to the neighborhood and went on his way.

“Well,” I thought. “This is new.”

You see, living in a big city had taught me that on some level I was supposed to mistrust everyone around me. And for good reason, there are a lot of bad people out there. But there are also a lot of good people in the world, many of whom would love to be smiled at and asked how their day was. The jogger had every reason in the world to mistrust me. He didn’t even know me. But the small gesture to say hello made me feel good!

The experience with the jogger popped into my head this afternoon as I rode the train home from work. I decided to put down my book and look at the person in the seat across from me and smile. She smiled back. And you know what? That felt pretty good.

“A joyful heart is good medicine. But a broken spirit dries up the bones,” (Proverbs 17:22, NASB).

Jael Amador write’s from New York, New York.

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Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Answers for Me.

Which Way, Lord?

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Dear God: It probably happens once a day. “Which foot does this go on?” asks 4-year-old Tommy as he holds up his shoes to me. He doesn’t mind asking, knowing that if he puts his shoes on the wrong feet, it will not only be uncomfortable, but he’ll have to start all over again getting his shoes on.

Jesus, I could learn a lot from Tommy, but I dislike asking, even though you’ve invited us to. “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9 NLT I don’t think You just mean material things. Nearly every time I decide to guess and not ask direction, I end up with the equivalent of sore feet. Help my hard headedness. Help me to trust that you will give me what I ask you for. Make me childlike.

In Jesus’ name. Amen

Dee Litten Whited writes from Virginia.

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Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Answers for Me.

Beliefs and Facts

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On a weekend evening my husband and I turned to a YouTube video debate among two distinguished English science professors. Both men taught in the same university department, one as a Christian and one as an atheist. The topic concerned whether one could rationally believe in God and science at the same time, or which one was the more rational belief. Debates usually stress me with their high level of defensiveness and posturing. These men were passionate yet civil in their comments and replies. It was obvious from the start that neither of them would change position.

We listened carefully to the discussion, knowing that intellectuals can use verbal manipulation to gain points or confuse. At the end of the debate, we agreed that both men made some understandable points. And people need that kind of recognition to humbly listen to each other. Bottom line, we all have beliefs upon which to base our faith. However, not all beliefs are facts. Christians have faith in God for those still unanswerable questions in science; atheists have faith that the pursuit of science will eventually answer those questions. Christians have an answer for the beginning of all life; atheists are still searching for that answer. Many atheists think that Christians cop out with a “God of the Gaps” who sets things in motion and only reappears to create miracles when nothing else is explainable. Many Christians believe that God is much more personal and involved than that.

People become Christians or atheists for a variety of reasons. Intellectual snobs and hard-headed hypocrites have often influenced other individual’s belief systems. We all have notions of some kind of a god–capricious Greek gods, demanding, judging, hateful gods, warrior gods, animal gods, distant gods, etc. I realize that some atheists have left behind a notion of God that I, too, would abandon.

The most difficult part of listening to the atheist’s ideas about God regarded the nature of Jesus Christ. He was very pointed in ridiculing a pitiful weak God who could create a universe and then “let himself” be tortured and crucified. That kind of God doesn’t make rational sense. I was saddened by the description, yet my heart was filled with the enormity of the God who loves me and whom I worship. I remembered 1 Corinthians 1:18, NIV: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

I believe that Jesus Christ came in the flesh to help correct the misunderstandings about the nature of God and his kingdom. He came as Truth and Light to speak truth to all people. The New Testament is filled with Jesus’ parables regarding the nature of God’s kingdom. The God who spoke the world into existence (Genesis 1, John 1:1-5) also cares to search for one lost sheep, a lost coin, or a runaway son (Luke 15). The God who allows himself to reap the full consequences of evil and die at the hands of his creatures, has never been found in a tomb. He lives to provide humans with the way to be with him eternally. His kingdom doesn’t come from searching with a microscope or a telescope (although those might speak of him), “because the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).

I readily admit, I puzzle at the complexity of the universe and I can’t fathom many answers. I still love learning and discovering. I have a lot of respect for a God who is much greater than my mind. I am thrilled with a God who is so intimate and powerful that he can reside within all who adore him (John 14:15-18)– a God who says we are his friends, (John 15:14, 15).

Questions for personal journaling or group discussion:

1. What are some reasons that people may choose to become Christians or atheists?
2. Do you believe that a Christian can also be a rational person?

Karen Sproul writes from Orlando, Florida.

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Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Answers for Me.

Can God Use Me?

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“Don’t give up! Keep pushing!” As I look into the eyes of this innocent woman, I know right away that I am far from home. She hasn’t been given any medication to help with pain, and her pelvis is too small for the baby to come out easily. I stand at the end of the hospital bed trying with all of my heart to comfort her with the fragment of French words I can understand as I begin to deliver the baby. I am not acquainted with the culture very well, so in my ignorance, I make the effort to show as much compassion, praying she will understand.

Finally, after forcing the baby to come out by pushing on the mother’s stomach, she delivers. Her uterus is not contracting well and she is bleeding excessively to the point of being anemic. I begin to run from family member to family member trying to find the correct blood type that matches hers. Either no one has the same blood type or they aren’t willing to donate even though they know it is for her survival. I realize after awhile that I match her blood type. I can give my own blood to save her life! Her blood pressure drops drastically, and she is loosing blood rapidly.

I run to the laboratory and tell Clara about the emergency. She promptly sits me down and retrieves a blood bag. As soon as I see the needle, I turn my head away. It is practically the size of a PVC pipe (a little over exaggerated). I start to pray that it will be over quickly. Thank God my blood came out fast, and before I know it, I have a pint (500 ml) of blood ready for the patient. Eliminating strenuous exercise after giving blood is out of the question today. I immediately stand up and run as fast as I can back to maternity where the mother is still struggling for life. I try to stay courageous, but deep inside my heart is welling up with frustration. I refuse to believe that this woman would go through so much for her little child, and then not be there to raise him. My job is to hold the baby while the other nurses’ frantically take the bag of blood and start running the IV. I fall in love with this mother and her little helpless baby boy in my arms as I wait for a miracle.

Being in the medical setting in Africa has been quite different from America. I decided to take my mission experience at the Koza Seventh-day Adventist hospital in Cameroon. Each day I have to be careful about what supplies to use for fear that there might not be enough for the next day. I’ve had the privilege of working with some very talented people who are quite resourceful, and at times when I haven’t known what to do, God has provided. He has given me the energy to work hard and get through many challenging days. To His glory, He has been accomplishing the task He sent me here for.

I have been in Cameroon for almost five months and I have found every minute worthwhile. When I surrender my selfish ambitions and give my life to Christ, the most exhilarating feelings come over me as I work for Him. It is the highest honor to see first-hand what God is doing around the world — and to be apart of it! I’ve had the pleasure of helping with surgeries, delivering babies, and comforting people by the bedside. I know God has called me here, and although sometimes I don’t know all that I’m here for, Christ keeps giving me reasons to stay just a little longer.

After much prayer and waiting, the mother survives, and I begin to take care of her as she heals from this traumatic experience. It is impressive to see the miracles of God as I work with Him in His plan to save souls physically and eternally. Since I have been here, reading the book Ministry of Healing has lead me to the faith that God can do anything. Ellen White states: “Faith is a mightier conqueror than death. If the sick can be led to fix their eyes in faith upon the Mighty Healer, we shall see wonderful results. It will bring life to the body and to the soul.”

My prayer for you today is that you have faith enough that God can mold you into his likeness and character. Take every opportunity that God presents to you to help others. It is a life full of surprise and fulfillment. He is calling you to be part of His story.

Elissa McMurry writes from the Pacific Northwest.

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Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Answers for Me.

Navigating Transition

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I enjoy a variety of interests so it’s fairly easy for me to become involved in groups and issues. One of my latest adventures is joining an alliance of mental health providers who are interested in maternal/baby wellness. Postpartum depression and anxiety have become more recently recognized in the popular media as worthy of our attention and the need for support and possible treatment. I have had a personal interest for many years since I experienced a period of postpartum depression after the birth of our last child. Our group is just starting to figure out mission and goals but it’s really all about helping new mothers avoid postpartum mood disorders. Having a baby is a life changing event—physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. I have always maintained that a lot of those issues involve grief and loss. Births involve change or loss of the former identity; change in relationships, finances, location of home; and change in body image and health, etc. Sometimes there is even loss of a grandparent, parent, or baby around time of the birth.

After our last alliance meeting I also received a phone call from a young colleague. She has been employed as a consultant for helping professional athletes transition out of their careers into “civilian” life. She is taking on a new job with the military where she will be involved in helping soldiers with the same kinds of transitions. We talked about her concerns regarding a retiring athlete who is having adjustment problems.

I immediately remembered a former client who was a semi-pro athlete and his struggles, including the need for in-patient treatment. Later I recalled when I worked with a retired career military man who transitioned to educational employment. His military expectations didn’t always align with the way things were done in a different setting. The distinct cultures for those who have made their careers inside a particular profession can result in a difficult time for creating the “new normal.”

I am seeing some similarity between postpartum grief and life transitions grief. Don’t many of us really experience periods of “postpartum?” Word origins of postpartum can mean “bringing forth” or “to bear.” Similar issues of loss and grief can occur when people finish, leave, or retire from a position within a very distinct culture (think language, uniforms, schedules, jokes, worldview!). It calls for a new birth of reorganization of support, daily schedules, and changes to relationships when that time has been fulfilled and a new identify must emerge.

Many people look forward to a new position, completion of a project, or to retirement. In another year my spouse may enter into a career transition that will mean changes for both of us. We will soon become part of a large generation dealing with “retirement” issues. I am increasingly aware that life phases can seem fearful, daunting or discouraging for some people. Acknowledging what we have accomplished or lost often helps us to more clearly see the path and possibilities forward—along with strong social support and faith for our futures.

Questions for personal journaling or group discussion:

1. What losses and gains have you experienced in a recent life transition?

2. If you could retire tomorrow, how would you like your life to change? Do you need to wait for some of those changes?

The post Navigating Transition appeared first on Answers for Me.

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Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Answers for Me.

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