Real Life by Peggi Tustan

Welcome to Real Life . Today is no ordinary day! “You can find something truly important in an ordinary minute.” –Mitch Albom On an ordinary day, in an ordinary home, to an ordinary young woman, God sent a messenger. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” [1] With Gabriel’s greeting, Mary’s life was forever changed. Ordinary transformed into extraordinary! Our God delights in invading the ordinary! He chose to enter this world as a baby—just like you and me. He came to an unremarkable town. His birth was announced to working-class shepherds. He was born to a couple with no special status or importance…except in God’s eyes. I wonder why God choose Mary for this extraordinary assignment. Perhaps the answer lies in her response. For although she could not fathom how this miraculous event would occur, she told Gabriel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” And so, it was. On that starry night in Bethlehem, only a few knew the truth. This was...

Welcome to Real Life . It (real life) is not always easy! It is a poverty of imagination that bankrupts hope. –Ann Voskamp, Waymaker I was a young wife, not yet twenty, when my husband abandoned me. I was devastated. All my hopes and dreams for the future had walked out the door. Then one day in church, I heard this promise and clung to it. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 The Lord made this promise to his people at a time when they were devastated. All their hopes and dreams—their homes, nation, house of worship—everything was gone. Israel had turned away from God and committed idolatry, even sacrificing their children to foreign Gods. [1] And so, God removed his protection and brought judgment. He allowed Babylon to destroy Jerusalem and lead his people away as captives. The Flight of the Prisoners  (1896) by James Tissot Though they cried out to God in the...

Welcome to Real Life . Where do you find peace? “And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” –John Muir Our family often camps at Pymatuning State Park. A few quiet days serenaded by crickets is good medicine for the soul. The still waters of Pymatuning Lake never fail to calm me. They bring to mind the words of Psalm 23. He leads me beside the still waters. David wrote this psalm. Before he rose to be king of Israel, David was a humble shepherd. He tenderly cared for and protected his flock. God chose a man after his own heart, a good shepherd, to become the most beloved king of Israel. David walked in vulnerable honesty and intimacy with his God. When I long to feel God’s nearness, when I’m anxious, when I can’t sleep, I often pray David’s words. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  Lord, you are our Good Shepherd. We are your flock, your sheep. We trust you to provide everything we need—love, peace, strength, healing, finances, faith, and hope for our tom...

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 . Nothing is impossible with God! [1] “Son of man, can these bones live?” the Lord asks Ezekiel.  “Sovereign Lord, only you know,” the prophet answers. He’s afraid to hope. Israel had turned away from God. When they did, God removed his blessing and protection.  King Nebuchadnezzar's army marched in, overthrew Israel, and carried them away captive. “Our bones are dried up. Our hope is gone. We are cut off,” the Children of Israel cried from their captivity in Babylon. They were removed from their homes, their villages, their lives. They believed their nation was dead. But it's not over until the Lord says it's over.  The Spirit of the Lord transports Ezekiel from Babylon into the midst of a valley covered with dry human bones—the remains of a people long dead. It's an image of the nation of Israel. "Prophecy to those bones, Ezekiel, saying, ‘ Hear the word of the Lord. You will come to life! ’”  When he does, the prophet hear...

Welcome to Real Life . One person can hold incredible influence. Darkness had fallen on Judah. Ahaz, their king, turned his back on God. He embraced the detestable practices and pagan idolatry of the surrounding nations… even to the point of sacrificing a son in the fire to Molech. Symbolic of the completeness of Ahaz’s apostasy, he boarded up the Lord’s temple. All of Judah followed Ahaz’s evil example. God will not bless a person or nation in their pursuit of evil. With God’s protection removed, the Assyrians attacked and overpowered Judah. They carried off plunder and captives. This should have been a wakeup call. Instead, Ahaz foolishly believed his enemy’s strength had come from their god. And so, he also began to worship the god of Assyria. Ahaz was blind to the fact that he was the cause of Judah’s downfall. Royal Seal of King Hezekiah recently excavated.[1] Eventually, Ahaz died. His son, Hezekiah, was crowned king. As his first official act, Hezekiah re-opened the ...

Welcome to Real Life . Hope often arrives in the smallest of packages—like a newborn babe.      _____ When I returned to Bethlehem, my old friends asked, “Could this be Naomi?” “ Don’t call me Naomi, call me Mara (bitter)… I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty…the Almighty has brought misfortune on me.” My troubles began in the years of famine. As food grew scarce in Israel, my husband Elimelech heard of a bountiful harvest in Moab. So, he moved our family there. Initially, we prospered. However, within a decade, both my husband and our two sons had died.  Oh, Elimelech, why did we think God would bless us in a pagan land?  I decided it was time to go home. My sons left no children, but they did leave two Moabite widows, Orpah and Ruth. When I kissed my daughters-in-law goodbye, Ruth clung to me. She had been the curious one. Why is that blood on your doorposts? Why can’t you eat pork? Why is Israel the Promised Land? Shortly a...