I didn’t have to try. God placed reminders that he was there, beside me, there every time “I turned around.” They were things that made this week very non-ordinary. My husband received a letter from the Navy! He was teased that he, at 80 years old, was being called to serve! But on opening it, he found out that, yes, they wanted him—for some ID and for some of his DNA! It made my husband start to think about stories he had heard long ago of different members in his family. He remembered hearing of his missing great uncle. Included in the letter was a family tree graph that did nothing to help me understand family relationships. Hmmm? I’m glad that God keeps track of who we are and how we are part of His big family. And I am glad that I am included in His family. My place in His family tree is assured.
Receiving a DNA request letter from the Navy regarding a missing service member can be a moment fraught with deep emotion for some families. It can be from decades of old grief, a flicker of hope, and the sudden reality of potential closure. It is a moment that echoes the great sacrifice made for freedom and the promise that our nation “leaves no one behind”. But that wasn’t the case for my husband. He found it more curious and it brought back memories of stories that he had heard from childhood. There is a Bible verse that seems to speak about soldiers in God directed battles. “Then I will make a reckoning of my servants, and not one is missing.” (See Numbers 31:49; Psalm 121:4) When a service member has been listed as “Missing in Action” or “Unaccounted For” it brings distress. The lack of a body often means a lack of a final goodbye, keeping the family in a state of suspended grief. Receiving a DNA kit is a surreal experience for some; it is a tangible piece of paper and plastic that asks you to bridge the gap between the past and the present. In the Bible, when soldiers returned from battle, the leaders would take count to ensure everyone came home. Today, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency acts on that same vow—that no one is left behind.
This letter we received is a testament that nothing is truly lost to God. Just as a DNA kit holds the key to identifying a loved one’s remains, Scripture promises that we are known intimately by God—down to the very fabric of our being (Psalm 139). While the physical body may have been lost at sea or on a distant battlefield, that person has not been forgotten—not by God! And God wants to confer honor on each and every person. He wants to bring each hero (you and I ) home to families, home to our Heavenly Home where we can all rest in peace. This moment offers a chance to turn the “Ambiguous Loss” into a “Confirmed Honor.” It is an opportunity to bring a hero home, allowing them to finally rest in peace with the honors they earned.
So this week, we realized that Sacrifice is Honored: The letter was validation that the ultimate sacrifice was not in vain. Even when bodies are not immediately found, God holds their story, and the nation continues to search for a hope of learning the full story of the missing. God alone will know the full story if even one of us is missing from His family. He knows where we are or will be even without DNA. He knows me totally, even to how many hairs I have today, and how many I had ten days ago. I don’t even know that!
This week I stood and watched some little baby chicks—precious little balls of fluff—and I listened to their soft little peeps. I have fond memories from long ago of baby chicks. Back then I had the responsibility of putting 300-500 little yellow balls of fluff to bed. That meant I had to pick them up, sometimes 3 and 4 at a time and place them under the “mother hen” kerosene brooder stove in the center of the small building. If I didn’t then they often would pile up in the corners of the building trying to keep warm but in reality, smothering to death. Then I would sit and wait for every little baby to “settle down” though the whole group was constantly in motion as the outside babies would climb up over their sisters to get to the center where it was the warmest. I often sat on the floor during that waiting time, holding and cuddling a baby. There is nothing like having that small downy soft little baby peep-sing itself to sleep in your hands. I was in love with those babies. Baby chicks symbolize new beginnings and growth, reminding us of innocence and vulnerability. Their presence offers me lessons in connection and resilience, encouraging my personal growth and self-exploration. The chicks’ journey can inspire us to embrace change, cultivate resilience, celebrate small victories, and find community with others. Each new chick stands for new chances, reminding us that change is a part of life and can be beautiful. Luke 13:31-35 illustrates God’s love and protection. The lesson in Luke 13:31-35, is the one where Jesus compares His care for people to a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings. Both big and little people explore the idea that Jesus wants to protect, nurture, and guide them, just as a hen keeps her chicks safe and warm. Sixty years after caring for those babies, I am still drawn to the sounds of peeping when I hear them. And I am so glad for the lessons that show us how ready God is to care and protect His children, you and me!
This week I had a decision to make! It is a decision I have postponed for many years. While I knew it was mine alone to make, I dreaded the decision’s results. I wanted the need for the decision to just go away. Of course, postponing it did not make it go away—that is the original problem and need for a decision—it just got increasingly worse. It could not fix itself. As much as I could have prayed for a miracle, I knew what I should do. I did not want to do that! But now I am committed to the decision and cannot return to the previous state of affairs. I am determined to learn from this decision. My experience is going to be a significant transforming journey for me. It will symbolize the release of some old habits, the opportunity for some mental healing, and maybe could be the beginning of a spiritual renewal. This process will be a transition to a new phase in my life. I might even be encouraged to reassess and embrace new ways. In a spiritual context, this type of decision can often signify transformation and renewal. I want to try to embrace the changes ahead with an open heart and mind, but I go forward with prayers for God helping me along the way as I still don’t want to do it!
We have been asked to make some changes that needed the services of a lawyer. They were things that we needed to do that would make the future easier for us and for our sons and for others. Everyone should do these same things—wills, powers of attorney, living wills, and numerous other important papers that needed to be signed by
us in front of an “official”. We had done some of it but had never totally completed everything properly. And the papers to sign needed to be prepared by a legal representative that knew what we needed in order to be in accordance with the civil laws of our country. The lawyer has gone to school and spent much time learning the rules. We sat in the room that was filled from ceiling to floor and on all four walls with big thick volumes of legal knowledge—mind boggling amounts of information. There is wisdom in planning ahead for the future. Not many enjoy making last minute decisions when the choices become limited. The Bible says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” — Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) Life is a gift, but it is also fleeting and our allotted time often runs out before we expect it to. Scripture reminds us to live with both gratitude for today and wisdom for tomorrow. Preparing a will or power of attorney is not a sign of fear—it is an act of stewardship, taking the job of supervising or taking care of something. Just as Joseph stored grain in Egypt for the years of famine, we should and can prepare for the future so that our loved ones are cared for and our affairs are in order. I enjoy synonyms and like this list of synonyms for stewardship: management, supervision, handling, administration, operation, control, oversight, governance, government, direction, leadership, presidency, guidance, regulation, conduct, care, running, charge, superintendence, superintendency, intendance, custody, protection, agency, guardianship, logistics, engineering, rulership, manipulation, safekeeping, trust, tutelage, generalship, keeping, lap, ward, aegis, co-management, machination, codirection, coadministration. When I think about those words, they do seem to be what we want in a lawyer who is the steward of our important papers. A lawyer can be a tool in God’s hand, helping us navigate the complexities of the law with integrity and clarity. When we prayerfully choose someone to guide us in these matters, we are not only protecting our resources but also leaving a legacy of order, peace, and love. Lord, give me wisdom to prepare well for the future. Guide me to the right counsel, and help me make decisions that honor You and bless those I love. Amen. “But all things should be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40 (ESV) God calls us to be faithful stewards of what He has entrusted to us—our time, talents, and resources. One way we can live this out is by ensuring our legal affairs are in order. The will and power of attorney are not just legal documents; they are acts of love and responsibility toward those who will one day carry on without us. Just as we seek a doctor for our health or a pastor for our spiritual growth, we can seek legal counsel for matters that require law expertise. In doing so, we reflect God’s character—bringing order, clarity, and peace into situations that could otherwise be confusing or stressful for our families. Father, thank You for the wisdom You provide through skilled profess -ionals. Help me to take the steps I need to prepare well, trusting You with my future and my loved ones.
This week has been a week of warnings! Warning of world events and wars and rising prices to name a few. And for Iowa, warnings of severe storms with high winds, large hail, and tornados. Those three weather events made me turn to my phone to see live radar pictures, and to the news on TV. One day, our local TV weather expert started the afternoon reporting on the weather event that involved large hail, severe thunderstorms, and tornados. He talked about these happenings that could hurt people and property, talking continuously from about 3pm till 10pm that night. Never once did I see him leave for a restroom break, water, food, etc. That is being committed to the safety for me and millions of other viewers. Just as meteorologists issue watches and warnings to prepare us for storms, God often gives us “Heaven’s Weather Alerts,” spiritual alerts through His Word, His Spirit, and even the circumstances around us. A watch means conditions are favorable for a storm—it’s a time to be alert, prepare, and stay tuned. Spiritually, this might be when God nudges your heart through a sermon, a verse, or a quiet conviction. It’s His way of saying, “Pay attention—something could be coming.” A warning means the storm is here—action is needed now in my life, this can be a crisis, a temptation, or a sudden challenge. God’s warnings are not to frighten us, but to protect us. They remind us to take shelter in Him, our refuge and fortress (Psalm 91:2). The difference between being caught off guard and being safe often comes down to whether we listen and respond. Just as ignoring a tornado siren can be dangerous, ignoring God’s gentle or urgent promptings can leave us vulnerable. Are we, you and I, tuned in to God’s “spiritual radar” through prayer and Scripture? When He issues a watch, do you prepare your heart? When He gives a warning, do you take immediate refuge in Him? Lord, help me to hear Your voice in both the gentle alerts and the urgent warnings. Teach me to stay ready, to trust Your guidance, and to find my shelter in You when life’s storms come. The Age of Information certainly has its benefits, and tools like weather apps can be helpful. But we must remain vigilant about how accurate those sources are, search for the one you trust the most. As Paul reminds us in his letter to the church in Corinth, God bestowed in us a deep inner-knowing—“the spirit within us”—which is far more reliable and steadfast than anything we can find on the internet. When you see or hear something that doesn’t feel quite right, trust your intuition. Trust the spirit within you, calling and guiding you toward life-affirming and love-filled choices for yourself, your community, and the world. Spirit of God, help us trust the Spirit within to guide us. Amen.
I watched, kind of glued to those radar pictures and warnings of baseball size hail and observed tornados. I felt that I wanted to know what was coming—possibly to prepare for danger or have relief and praise for safety. When we see the signs of trouble it is like a woman in labor with pain, the end will be future joy when Jesus comes. But, when peace and safety are the norm, we are to be aware! The storm is yet to come. 1 Thess. 5:3.
Are my eyes glued to the signs of Jesus coming and the need to prepare?