enLIVEn Devotionals

Abiding in Jesus - Overflowing His Spirit

Old Recipe Box

We were sorting through donations for a rummage sale when my friend and I spotted a small, rusty old metal box. One of the hinges on the lid was missing; probably because the little box could barely contain its contents. Worn corners of aged index cards and newspaper clippings peeked out, beckoning my attention. I sensed the box held something very precious. The moment I lifted the lid I knew that it was someone’s old recipe box – a history of what one family had enjoyed around the dinner table. There were handwritten recipes and other recipes clipped from newspapers and magazines. Recipes ... Read the Post

Rainbow

I remember as a little girl swinging on a swing set in my back yard, looking out over one of the many wheat fields of Kansas. There was a beautiful rainbow stretching across the clear sky, and I could see that the rainbow’s end was somewhere in the golden hills just beyond my house. The day was warm with a cool breeze, and I enjoyed imagining the pot of gold that was hidden just out of view. I remember thinking that I should go find the gold, but imagining it seemed safer and much more interesting. That has always been my problem. I have a very detailed and wonderfully colorful imagination, ... Read the Post

Restoration

Restoration for me has always been a term related to old houses or furniture or fine paintings. Today, this word took on a new meaning. I like to think of myself as a calm person. In my mind's eye, I walk down the street, light on my feet, living life on an even keel, almost skipping, and ready for anything that comes to pass (I even sport a cheery yellow daisy top, lemon capris with lace edged legs, a thick white headband, and a cute pair of lemon espadrilles). Unfortunately, there's nothing like a bit of destruction at the hands of my son to challenge my finely tuned vision. This ... Read the Post

Red Light

On a hot August morning in 1983, I set off to take care of some last minute details for my daughter's eleventh birthday party. My three children were home, and I had a limited amount of time. I hurried on my way to get the engraved Bible I had bought her. My little red Volvo and I were making very good time. I had developed the habit of praying as soon as I got in my car. My children were usually with me most of the day, so I had learned to take advantage of "pieces of time" with only Jesus. On this day, as I was pulling up to a busy intersection in town, I got into the left turn lane. As I ... Read the Post

Rewarded Obedience

I am a wife and working mother who spent nearly ten hours a week commuting to my job. During almost every prayer, I would ask God to open up a position closer to home. One evening during First Wednesday service at my church, God told me to “stay where you are.” I was devastated. How could God ask me to stay in a job that kept me from my family? I did not know the reason, but I conceded and stayed were I was. I quit asking God to move me and started asking him to use me. A short time later, I was sitting in church praying and an image flashed into my head. I was standing in a classroom where ... Read the Post