HSBC Coffeebreak Devotional

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
2 Peter 3:18 NASB

Warm sunshine poured through my kitchen window. There sat my plant – healthy, green and outgrowing its pot. I was reminded of the need to transplant this lush creation, so I set about doing that very thing. As I gathered my garden gloves, a bag of soil and a bigger pot, my thoughts drifted beyond the task before me. Not only was I thinking about my plant but also about life. I enjoyed my hearty ivy and could clearly see that in order for it to keep growing, it needed more room-- a bigger pot. I thought about life and the fact that sometimes I, too, need to be transplanted to a situation with more room to grow.

As I carefully tucked dirt around the roots of my plant, I contemplated what this foliage might experience in the days to come. Sure, it may be droopy after being taken out of its familiar pot, but it would adjust. Then it would grow; it would become even bigger and more luscious.

Again, I thought about my life. Leaving the comfortable confines of familiarity is not desirable at times. God, in His infinite wisdom, lovingly transplants me so that I can grow in strength and inner beauty. The process can be a bit disconcerting at times, but the result is definitely worthwhile.

That day, it was as if God spoke to my heart saying, "When you, my child, are removed from your place of comfort and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings, remember that you are being carefully transplanted to a situation that will enable you to grow." Sensing a warm embrace from my Heavenly Father, I looked upward; He tenderly assured me that He enjoys me, His creation, and that my growth brings Him glory.

Father in Heaven,
I choose to trust Your loving wisdom. May You be glorified through my life as You strengthen me to grow. Amen.

Written by
Jodeen Erickson

HSBC Coffeebreak Devotional

"A merry heart does good like a medicine."
Proverbs 17:22

The evening started off sober. My blind, diabetic grandmother needed some help, and my sister and I decided we'd give my parents a much needed break. We'd go help Grandma this evening. She had some wounds on her legs that needed daily care. She was in her 90's, weak in many ways, but determined not to give up. Diabetes complications made the wound care challenging. We knew Grandma was frail, her skin tore easily, and infections were almost impossible to cure in her condition. We nervously handled the removal of the old bandages from the calf of her leg. We carefully, cautiously cleansed the wounded area, and did our best to keep the new gauze we were to apply, sterile.

Grandma was sitting on a kitchen chair at her table, the place she'd read the Bible (braille) and where she'd sing hymns on her omnichord, the place she often greeted visitors who stopped by... I've seen her in that chair numerous times. She had one leg resting on a stool in front of her. My sister was on one side of her outstretched leg, I was on the other. We began gently wrapping her leg with gauze. We got to a point where we either needed to lift her leg, or she needed to, so we could finish wrapping it.

My sister asked Grandma, if it would be better for us to lift the leg for her (carefully so we didn't tear her skin) or if she wanted to try to lift it herself. Grandma didn't hesitate - she just lifted up her leg on her own strength, quite surprising to both of us.. but in the process, she bonked my sister, who at that point was leaning over Grandmas leg, right in the nose! I couldn't help but chuckle! Grandma was a bit startled for just a second, but then she realized what had just happened. We all started laughing. My ninety year old blind, diabetic Grandma had just kicked my young able bodied sister in the nose! It started as a snicker, then a chuckle, till finally we were all laughing so hard, I thought Grandma might fall off the chair! In that moment, a lot of the tension that previously filled the air disappeared. My sister and I talk about that moment frequently. Such a sober moment turned into a hearty belly laugh in a split second. God is good.

Perhaps I remember this story because it was one of the last hearty laughs I had with my Grandma and sister. Less than a year later, Grandma went to be with the Lord. I'm sure Grandma is sharing many stories and chuckling heartily, filling all of heaven with laughter.

Proverbs 15:15 says, "He that is of a merry heart has a continual feast." Much of life offers sober moments, tentative situations, grueling tasks. It reminds me that God can use a merry heart to lighten a moment that once seemed burdensome. We just need to not be afraid to laugh a little... not take everything so terribly serious.. and go ahead and enjoy a chuckle! Be blessed by a grin and some laughter - God has gifted us with moments to giggle at... don't hold back! Enjoy a "continual feast" of laughter!

Written by
Melody Foster

HSBC Coffeebreak Devotional

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!"
Philippians 2:6-8

I was raised in a Lutheran Church. In the Lutheran Church, we celebrated Lent and Advent. So for a time in my life, during Lent I was trying to get a better understanding of what Jesus had done for me on the cross. I suffered one year, fasted another and one year I wanted a better understanding of the humility that Christ went through when He became man and died a most humiliating death. So I shaved my head.

At first it was strange looking in the mirror, but I got used to it, so no real humility there. Then I went out into society. People always looked at me. I could feel their eyes looking at me. In the grocery store I could hear people talking about me. The worst, though, was at church. Some thought I had cancer, others who talked to me before would not talk with me now and still others, even in my own church, talked about me. I realized at this time how superficial society is.

About two or three weeks after I shaved my head, I was becoming humble, or was it that I was feeling sorry for myself? I started crying and talking to God. This is the moment God revealed to me that He was not looking at the outside, He was interested in the inner being. He showed me that being humble was not degrading myself. Being humble is by giving of myself, when I am willing to serve others as Jesus did when He served me on the cross.

At Easter time I am always reminded of the wonderful blessing it is that God loves me so much! All of me!! He served me through humility on the cross and gave my life worth so I could serve others.

I wish all a blessed Easter!!

Written by
Ruthie Hill