Real Life by Peggi Tustan

Welcome to Real Life . “Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” –Corrie Ten Boom Will I have enough? Can I make the mortgage payment, cover medical expenses, save for retirement, pay down the loan, gas and repair the car, and still buy groceries? It’s a constant concern. Daily, the cost of living increases. Since the economic meltdown, few feel financially secure. What if I don’t have enough? Someone close to me lost her home through the economic crisis. Recently, she told me, “It felt like the end of the world. I couldn't imagine how we’d survive. I resented the small, cramped home we found to rent. Yet, here I am (a couple of years later). I survived. We (the family) are okay. I've adjusted. I don’t even mind living in our new place. I’m comfortable there. It’s home.” Now, she’s able to encourage others who are in danger of losing their homes. She’s my hero! Jesus told his disciples, “Don’t worry about your life,  what y...

Welcome to Real Life .  How do you respond when God calls you to do something far beyond your natural ability? A friend of mine texted me this morning asking for prayer. As she should. She’s about to embark on something that’s way out of her league. She does this for Jesus and for His people, especially those who feel most forsaken, who the world deems most filthy and most foul, but who are loved by God. They that are whole have no need of a physician; but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. –Jesus I text my friend: Just show up. God will do the rest . I tell her that because that’s what I've been told by other, wiser walkers before me; it’s what I tell myself when I’m about to step out onto the tightrope of faith and have no long stick, no net, just my empty palms held out and turned up. In some ways that’s freeing, that just showing up . But in other ways it’s the hardest part because working up the gumption to push against static frictio...

Welcome to Real Life. What is prayer? According to Webster, to pray is to implore, beseech, or ask earnestly. It’s a bitterly cold winter night. After a long work day, my husband is relaxing on the couch watching the news. The phone rings. It's our son, Calvin. He rents half a duplex and came home to a cold dwelling. The pilot light on the furnace went out. Cal can’t get it re-lit. Though my husband is tired, he pulls on his coat and drives off to assist his son. Just as a phone call moves an earthly father, prayer moves our heavenly Father. Four out of five adults in the U.S. pray. [1]  Why? It’s powerful. I've seen cancer cured, marriages restored, addicts freed, and lives transformed as the direct result of prayer. The power lies not in the words, but in the One we implore. In America, 83% of us believe God answers prayer. [2] “Lord, teach us to pray,” a disciple asked Jesus. Prayer had a radical impact on Jesus' life and ministry. His disciple noticed...

Welcome to Real Life . There's so much to do. Who has time to sit and visit? A Culinary Masterpiece: "Squid Sashimi In Black Plate On Wood Table"   Opening our homes to one another is almost a lost art. Everyone is busy. Time is precious. And, in this era of Food Network, there’s added pressure to place before guests a culinary masterpiece. On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus stops in Bethany. He’s friends with three siblings who live there: Lazarus (whom he raised from the dead), Martha, and Mary. Martha invites Jesus to stay in their home. Since Jesus traveled with his disciples, Martha likely hosted a group. I've worn Martha's apron. I've hosted out-of-town guests. It's a joy and a privilege. Yet, it also involves plain hard work. Beds need to be made, the house cleaned, groceries bought, and meals prepared. While Jesus speaks to the group gathered in their home, Martha’s busy. I see her slicing vegetables, seasoning meat, stoking the kitchen fir...

Welcome to Real Life .  Love your neighbor as yourself?  It's a tall order. “What’s she doing out in the cold?” Jill [1]  was driving home on a blustery January afternoon and noticed her neighbor hobbling down the street. People walk the neighborhood all the time, even on cold winter days. But, Jill knew something was amiss for 90-year-old Shirley to be out. She pulled in her driveway, parked, and walked over to meet Shirley, “Are you okay? Where are you going? Let’s get you home.” She walked her neighbor safely back to the house.  Shirley’s husband has been dealing with extended medical issues. People were re-arranging her home to accommodate his needs. Strangers were coming and going. The upheaval was just too much. So, Shirley took off down the street to clear her head. “You’re my best friend,” she gratefully told Jill as they walked home.      _____ An expert in the law asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What’s the...

Welcome to Real Life . Today's guest post celebrates the gift of life! “This baby's not going to make it,” the doctor said with a twinge of regret. At least she showed a subtle feeling of sadness. The previous evening, the house doctor had been uncaring and cold. Without making eye contact, he muttered, “You’ll probably lose this baby.” His bloodied gloves and the nurses' grave expressions should have indicated to me that my baby was in danger. I’d known happier times. At four months, my nausea and extreme fatigue gradually faded as the kicking grew stronger each day. Seeing the image of a restless, growing baby on the ultrasound made her more real. I felt her dance inside my womb. How wonderful is the gift of life! Words cannot adequately express my sense of wonder. On Mother's Day, we celebrated this gift, now five months alive. Then, I noticed a little spotting of blood. “Nothing to really worry about,” I told my husband. But, questions haunted my mind. Just as my c...

Welcome to  Real Life . Rule of War: Know your enemy.  When I step towards God, I step away from evil. The enemy loses ground. He’s not happy. He’ll fight to regain it. To defeat his attacks, it helps if I recognize his strategies.  Image from Catholic Online Satan was about to lose critical ground in this world, for the Son of God was about to launch his public ministry. First, Jesus prepares by spending 40 days fasting and praying in the desert. He’s hungry. That's when the enemy strikes. Evil Strategy 1 – Plant doubt.    IF you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread. Jesus came to save us from our sins. [1] Only God can do this. If Jesus doubted his identity, he could not fulfill his mission. Satan easily cripples me with doubt. You call yourself a child of God, writer, teacher, (fill in the blank)? You’re selfish, weak, pitiful. How can God use someone like you? Evil Strategy 2 – Attack when weak.      Tell this...