Real Life by Peggi Tustan

Welcome to Real Life . It (real life) doesn't always turn out as expected.  THIS TOO SHALL PASS. It might pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass. –Anonymous  2020 has been the year of disappointments. Wedding receptions cancelled or downsized. Baby showers on Zoom. Hospitalizations (and even deaths) without loved ones near to comfort. Jobs lost. Businesses closed for good. Milestone birthdays with no big parties. So many trips cancelled. Sporting events minus spectators. Oh, how I miss the excitement of a crowd, the festivals, and celebrations! 2020 has taught us to appreciate community. In the midst of disappointments and cancellations, I take comfort in the words of King David.  Lord, you are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion. I leave my destiny and its timing in your hands. As people of faith, our richest treasure is knowing Jesus Christ. Because we placed our faith securely in Christ, we have a hope that reaches beyond the disappointments of this lif...

Welcome to Real Life . In a noisy world, we tune out voices. Politician. Parent. Boss. At the sound of her voice, I switched stations. Nancy’s   Revive Our Hearts  program replaced Elizabeth Elliot’s when she retired. Young Nancy couldn’t match Elizabeth’s wisdom and experience. I tuned her out. Fast forward a few years. I work at Moody Radio. Revive Our Hearts  airs on their network. At work, when I heard Nancy's voice, I couldn't switch stations. I grew to love and respect her voice. I even traveled to Indianapolis to attend Nancy's True Woman Conference . Me, Michelle, Joyce at True Woman 2014 Conference Nancy Leigh DeMoss (now Wolgemuth) in red True Woman Conference 2014 in Indianapolis Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness. Hebrews 3:7-8 NIV 1500 BC. Israel is perched at the border of the Promised Land. “Go! The land is yours,...

Welcome to Real Life . I awoke this morning tired, sad, and mean. “I've had the sort of day that would make St. Francis of Assisi kick babies.” ― Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul I'm having one of those days. Actually, two of those days. Yesterday, wasn’t great either. I made some stupid mistakes at work. Then, last night, I offended my husband. He went to bed without speaking to me. If I felt brave enough to face the mirror, I’m pretty sure I'd find an “F” for failure scrawled in permanent marker across my forehead. I'm ready to quit everything and hide in a corner of my attic. Instead, I grab a cup of coffee, sit at my desk, and open my Bible. (Thank God for deeply ingrained routines.) The first verse I read is, Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 NIV) “How can I let your peace rule when I feel so unpeaceful?” I ask my God. As I'm wri...

Welcome to Real Life . Circumstances rise and fall. God is present on the mountain; he is present in the desert wilderness. “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life; I’m no better than my ancestors.”  Elijah just experienced two mountaintop victories over the prophets of Baal and the drought (see previous blog ). Life is good… until Queen Jezebel hears the news. She, a devoted worshiper of Baal, is incensed that he slew her prophets. She puts out a contract on Elijah’s life. Terrified, Elijah flees. He runs to the desert, lies down under a broom tree, and asks God to take his life. Wait just a minute… Isn’t this Elijah—the mighty prophet? Yesterday, he stood alone against 450 prophets of Baal. Today, one little woman has him running scared? Yes, Elijah is a powerful prophet. But, he is also a man “just like us.” [1] After the events and excitement of the previous day, Elijah is utterly exhausted. In his weakened state, Jezebel’s threat is the straw that breaks the pro...