Devotion: Not Just Another Love Story

by Sherma Webbe Clarke | @sdwc8181 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) 

I received three red dresses this past Christmas in a variety of shades and styles. Is red my favorite color? No. Did I thank the giver sincerely each time I opened a box and pulled out another red dress? Yes. Will I try to wear each dress in appreciation of his gifts? Yes.

Starting on Valentine’s Day.

After all of the red that surrounds the Christmas season, I need a break. Time to settle back into my usual colors and clothes. But as Valentine’s Day approaches, I begin to think about red again. And love. I open my Bible and mine for stories of love.

1. John 3:16 

One of the first verses I learned as a child was John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. This verse acts as a synopsis of what I know about God, from creation to end-time events. This verse contains hope, a promise, and a future. The plan of salvation is the ultimate gift to a fallen race of people from a loving Father. During a visit to Jerusalem, I walked in the footsteps of Jesus when he cloaked himself in humanity. What caused the Lamb of God to leave the throne room of heaven to live a life of poverty in a sin-sick world? Love.

2. 1 Corinthians 13 

When I was a young adult (oh, so long ago!), it was almost expected to include a reading of 1 Corinthians 13 at weddings. The Love Chapter. The happy couple would look into each other’s eyes as the characteristics of love were declared. My husband once gave me a small pamphlet that contained this passage of scripture in an abundance of versions. Each version held a different tone, from Old English language to colloquial, but the message remained the same. Love never fails. Now as an older adult, I understand that the theme of this chapter transcends romantic or marital love. The love of God should flow through us and drench every area of our lives. In our ministry positions, demonstrate a loving spirit. At the workplace, be kind. When faced with an obstacle, exercise wisdom. God’s love is the answer to the complexities and is the source of joys in our lives.

3. Luke 15:3-32 

Jesus, the Master Storyteller, talked about God’s love in short stories called parables. The Bible says ‘parable’; these days we might say ‘flash fiction’. Of the three parables in Luke 15, the relationship between the wandering son and hopeful father is the most poignant to me. The imagery in this story is compelling and vivid. I imagine a stubborn boy walking away from his heartbroken father. I picture the split screen of an empty, self-indulgent lifestyle versus the stability of home. And when the repentant young man finally returns home, he experiences quick forgiveness and is restored to his former position. Our patient, long-suffering Father waits for us to come to our senses and turn or return to Him. And when we do, He wraps us in His righteousness and calls us His own.

4. Psalm 23 

Because the word love does not appear in the twenty-third Psalm, the chapter is an effective example of showing, not telling. David set his words to music and many of us have the lyrics committed to memory. He depicts God as a shepherd, a leader, a comforter, a protector, and a provider.

While occasions like Valentine’s Day put the focus on temporary gifts such as flowers, chocolates, and romantic dinners, the love language of the Bible appeals to us on a deeper level. Not just for a day or a season, but eternity.

About Sherma . . . 

Sherma Webbe Clarke is a contemporary fiction writer and a 2017 ACFW First Impressions Finalist. Her inspirational writing has been included in Christian devotional books: Grace Notes and Blessed. She loves to take her husband by the hand to explore nearby and far-flung areas of the globe. This wanderlust has its perks. She credits many of her story ideas to these adventures. Quiet, early-morning walks along the railroad trails on her home island of Bermuda provide inspiration when she is homebound.

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DEVOTIONAL: Remembering Jesus

Leila Halawe | @LHalawe

And just like that, November is almost over and December is fast descending upon us. Blink and Christmas will be here, with all its tinsel and Christmas carols and fruit cake. I don't know about you, but I don't think I'm ready for Christmas because it feels like just yesterday that I was handing out Easter eggs. Surely it hasn't been eight months already?


Like it or, Christmas is coming. And so are all the crowds vying for the latest toys and hams. The gatherings will start up, which for some means stress and anxiety, while for others it will bring joy and community. For some, this season will bring unprecedented loneliness and heartache. So much happens during December in the lead up to Christmas and then before we know it, Christmas Day has come and gone and we start getting ready for the next social event.

Yet in the midst of all the crazy that December silly season brings, let's not forget to remember that there is a reason for the season, and it's far from silly. For in December, as we stop to observe Christmas, we stop to remember that Salvation came to earth in the form of a baby in a manger.

In this season, let's not forget to remember to give thanks for the birth of the Saviour.

In this season, let's not forget to remember Jesus, the One that left His rightful place in Heaven to come down and walk among those He created.

Let's not forget to remember that Jesus knew that coming down and taking on flesh would be the beginning of a journey that would end in Him dying on a cross while people cast lots over His clothing.

Let's not forget that Jesus was born for us, so that we could be reconciled with our Father in Heaven and spent eternity with Him.

In the midst of all that is happening around us, let's not forget to stop and seek His face; to fix our gaze on the One who loved us so much that He willingly came down knowing that He would end up dying for us.

As you prepare for Christmas and whatever that brings with it, I pray that you would have some moments of sweet fellowship with Jesus, knowing that His birth on earth was with you in mind.

This post was cross-posted at ACW.

Leila (Lays) Halawe is a Sydney based coffee loving nonfiction writer and blogger. She has published a short devotional, Love By Devotion, and shares her views on life and faith via her blog page Looking In . You can connect with her via Facebook at Leila Halawe Author  and via Twitter at Leila Halawe.

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Living a Balanced Christian Life (and other funny jokes) ... a devotion from Dianne J. Wilson

If you're anything like me, you spend most of your time juggling many things, wondering if you should have them all on your plate and trying to figure out how to 'balance' it all. Sound familiar?

Sometimes I feel like I'm limping along on a flat. Who am I kidding - most times.

I've attempted to fix my life pizza-style. You know, rearrange things into equal time sections so that everything at least gets a touch. That's not realistic though, so I whipped it all about into some sort of redeemed Mazlo's Hierachy... God first, family second, then church... oh wait. Is it meant to be church then family? I just can't get it straight. But where do you fit a book deadline into that? Or car repairs? How about elastics that need to be stitched onto a ballet shoe? Does that legitimately belong in family?

I've winged it too... on-the-fly-allocate more time to those things that are apparently more valuable than others. But you know what? All it takes it one cat with a fur-ball who decides it's time to let it all out over the lounge carpet to blow my priorities out the water. Or a kidlet who forgot about a speech that has to be done for tomorrow. Or a dropped bottle of ketchup-slash-tomato sauce... Fill in the blanks.

I've come to realize what I was missing from the whole equation. To run smoothly every wheel needs an axle, a central point that is constant. For us, that's Jesus. Once He is securely central, the origin for each thing that captures our time and energy... then our lives run balanced.

Here's the funny thing - there will be seasons of complete and utter 'unbalanced-ness' for each of us. A deadline, a new baby... whatever hits your life with enough force to shake you wonky. But when Jesus is smack in the middle, somehow the wheel can still run smoothly.

How can it though, when the spokes - AKA all the demands on us - are sometimes so unequal? Ask any cyclist how bumpy a ride with spokes like that would be.

Here is the secret... Jesus is a magnificent spoke equalizer. He doesn't just stand on the sidelines, barking orders and smacking his forehead when we get it wrong. He is right in the middle of our mess, His grace, the elastic that reaches the bits we can't get to. He stretches and holds on our behalf when our internal elastic is so frayed that our mental and emotional pants are falling down.

Right now for me, life is a stretch. I single-parent during the week, miss my hubby between weekends, try my best to mommy my girls, work, do home & pets and chase my deadlines. Some days I feel like something has to give or I'll conk out. But you know what? I just need to stay cuddled up to Jesus. He has all these things that pull at me, these spokes... He has them all. Where I fall short (so so short) He doesn't. And He's got you too.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Dianne J. Wilson writes novels from her hometown in East London, South Africa, where she lives with her husband and three daughters. She is writing the third book in YA series, Spirit Walker, with Pelican / Watershed. Book 1, Affinity is releasing on the 8th of June 2018.

Finding Mia is available from Amazon, Pelican / Harbourlight, Barnes & Noble and other bookstores.

Shackles is available as a free ebook from Amazon & Smashwords.

Find her on Facebook, Twitter and her sporadic blog Doodles.

DEVOTION: Consider Him

By Leila Halawe | @Lhalawe

I was reading a devotional the other day and I came across this verse: 

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls - Hebrews 12:3 (NKJV)

As I sat and pondered the verse, my eyes kept going back to the first few words: For consider Him. 

Consider Him. 

As I sat there staring at the words, I asked myself how often I consider Him. Really consider Him, not just say some quick thanks for the day and for my food and for safety. But really stop and consider Jesus.

How often do I stop and consider Him who created me? That question led me to stop and really take stock of all the things I know about God. Like the fact that He created the heavens and the earth. And the fact that it is Him who makes the sun go up each day. Or the fact that He was the one who placed every star in the sky and calls each one by name.

How often do I stop and consider that He knew me before I was born? When I stop and think about how often I consider Him who left heaven and came down to earth to walk among us and show us the way to heaven, I realise that I don’t stop to consider Him as often as I should. I don’t stop often enough and consider Him who took my burdens and shame on His shoulders; who went to the Cross as an atonement for my sins, and was tortured so that I would not have to deal with the consequences of our actions. I realised that I don’t spend enough time considering Him who lay in darkness for 3 days before He was raised to life again; He that defeated death so that it would lose its sting over my life. Him, who sits on the right hand of our Father in Heave advocating for me so that I can draw closer to God and have eternity with Him in Heaven. I don’t know about you, but I realised that I spend far too much time considering other things, and nowhere near enough time considering the One who loved me so much that He sent His Son for me.

In the coming days, most of us will start to stop and think about Easter. We will think about that needs to be done; the gatherings and meals and services. We will stop and celebrate the victory we have in His resurrection. But let’s also stop to really consider Him and all that He has done. Not just His place on the Cross in exchange for us, which still baffles my mind, but let’s sit at His feet and consider all He has done for us; the miracles we have seen. The provision He has provided. The kindness He has shown us over and over and over again. The favour He has poured out over us. Let’s stop and consider the blessing it is to know Jesus; to intimately know the One that was there before the foundations of time. The blessing and joy it is to be known by the Creator of Heaven and earth and know that He knows us by name. And as we consider Him, let’s lift up our eyes and our hearts and sing praises to the One who deserves all the honour and praise and worship. May your Easter season be one of love and peace and sweet communion with God.

*This post was cross posted at Looking In

Leila (Lays) Halawe is a Sydney based coffee loving nonfiction writer and blogger. She has published a short devotional, Love By Devotion, and shares her views on life and faith via her blog page Looking In . You can connect with her via Facebook at Leila Halawe Author  and via Twitter at Leila Halawe.

Time marches on

Paul Baines | @ICFWriters

Time is a curious thing. It exists. We can measure it and we are aware of its presence. Yet we cannot touch it. We cannot hold it in our hands or store it in jars. It may appear to travel at different speeds and, according to the theory of Relativity, it actually does, but we cannot stop its relentless march onward.

It is now well into 2018. I remember in 1978 as a ten-year-old reading about the year 2000 and being astonished. I tried to imagine so far into the future. I tried to picture being so incredibly old.

Someone once said that we do not conceptualize about space and time. Rather we conceptualize within space and time. Trying to imagine no space or no time is impossible for us because we were designed to exist within it. So you could say that we are prisoners of time. There is no escaping it. The clock is always ticking. In 1978 I could not imagine living to 2000, and yet it came and went just as 2017 did.

As a sci-fi writer I enjoy playing with time. While I believe time-travel is impossible, it can be used to great effect to tell stories. Who of us hasn't wished we could turn back the clock and do things differently? This past year has been a painful reminder for me that things done cannot be undone. If time-travel were possible I would be the first to sign up, even if it was just for a few seconds so that I could tell my wife that I love her one last time.

As a Christian, I often wonder about when Jesus will return. He lived and died 2000 years ago. At the time the New Testament was written, His return was seen as imminent. You can almost feel the anticipation within the pages. In the lead up to 2000, prophecies of Jesus' return sprang up like mushrooms. I remember watching Gloria Copeland discuss starting a new teaching series--if they "had time". That was in 1997 and all those prophecies were proven wrong.

Last week I heard a Christian speaker talking about Isaiah and his prophecies of the Messiah. I have always known that Isaiah foretold the coming of Jesus, but something the speaker said struck me straight between the eyes. I had heard it before but it never sank in. Isaiah's prophecies of the Messiah were made 700 years before the events actually took place.

Think about that for a moment. It would be like someone in the Middle Ages predicting events of today. Or somebody 150 years before Columbus discovered America prophecying that Donald Trump would be president of a country that would not come into being for another century and a half.

In 2 Peter 3:8 it says "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."

I find great comfort in this scripture because it show that, in God's calendar, 700 years is only a brief period of time and 2000 is not much longer. Jesus may return today or it may be in another 2000 years. Only God knows. All I know is, I want to be ready.

DEVOTIONAL: Tis' the Season

By Leila Halawe

Christmas is almost upon us. Decorations are going up, carols are playing and Christmas presents are being wrapped and stored under the tree. It is an exciting time of year where we get to stop and fix our eyes on the miracle that is Jesus. It is a time when we can gather together and give thanks for the year that has been; the blessings and joys and highlights that were sprinkled throughout 2017. It is a time when we can sit with our loved ones and enjoy a meal and make new memories to tuck away in the corners of our hearts. Yet for some, it can also be an exhausting time of year. For some, Christmas is a time when family gatherings bring anxiety and weariness and fear of potential conflicts. A time when gift shopping and the expectation of doing Christmas right adds stress to an already tight budget. A time when weariness from working so hard all year seeps in and you are aching all the way down to your bones. For some, Christmas brings with it the knowledge that another year has gone by with prayers unanswered. 

If you find that Christmas has lost its glow in the midst of life, be assured that you are not alone.

It is easy to let the chaos and burdens of life get in the way of what Christmas is all about. I imagine that Mary and Joseph were both feeling weary and overwhelmed as they traveled to find a place to birth Jesus. While the bible doesn’t go into detail about how they felt, it’s not hard to imagine how weary Mary and Joseph would have been feeling as they traveled from Galilee to Bethlehem to complete the census that had been decreed at the time. It’s not hard to imagine the aches and pains they would have felt as they tried to find a place to settle so that Mary could give birth. It’s not hard to imagine the fear and anxiety and nervousness that Mary would have been feeling while Joseph tried to find a place to rest and deliver the baby. I imagine that upon walking into the stable, there would have been a sigh of relief to finally be able to get off their feet and get some rest.   

But then Jesus came along.

Despite the long travel, the fear, anxiety and weariness that would have been their companion, it all came to a stop when Jesus arrived. It all stopped at the sight of baby Jesus. Everything faded away as they beheld the face of the One that would save the world. The world faded away as they fixed their eyes on the greatest gift the world has ever seen, Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus didn’t change what was happening outside; they were still in a stable, still under threat and still exhausted. None of the external factors had changed, but they had changed. They had stopped. They fixed their eyes on Jesus and they beheld Him and adored Him. And that is what we can do this Christmas.

We can stop.

We can fix our eyes and we can behold the gift of salvation that was so freely given to us.

We can let the rest of the world fade out as we make time to stand in awe and worship the Son of God that came for us. We can put the lists and plans aside and meditate on scriptures that tell of why Jesus came. We can set our hearts on Him in childlike wonder and give thanks for the gift of salvation that Jesus was and is. The turkey will still need to be cooked and the presents will still need to be wrapped and Uncle Jack will still be falling asleep in his soup over the dinner table, but let’s put all that aside for one moment and just worship. Let us intentionally stop and adore Him. And let’s remember that Jesus is the reason for the season and that only He can restore and redeem us. As we gather with our loved ones, let us remember that He is worthy of our praise and love and let’s thank Him for all that He has done, is doing, and will do. 

Leila (Lays) Halawe is a Sydney based coffee loving nonfiction writer and blogger. She has published a short devotional, Love By Devotion, and shares her views on life and faith via her blog page Looking In . You can connect with her via Facebook at Leila Halawe Author  and via Twitter at Leila Halawe.

DEVOTIONAL: All in.

By Leila Halawe

But I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. - Luke 22:32 (NRSV)

If there was one thing that Jesus demonstrated to us, it’s that He is a cheerleader of people. He was an advocate; a defender for those that society deemed unsuitable and unworthy. He was a defender of the weak and the social outcasts, for the sinners and the unrighteous. While He walked the earth all those years ago, Jesus showed time and again that He was for people. More than 2000 years later, He is still an advocate and a defender of people. He is still a cheerleader, only not just for the outcasts, but for you and me.

When Peter passionately declared that he would die for Jesus, Jesus tells Peter that he would, in fact, deny Jesus before the night was out. Jesus knew what Peter didn’t; that within a few hours the fear of persecution would overcome him and he would deny Jesus not once but three times. Jesus knew that Peter would not loyally and boldly stand up and defend Jesus, but instead cower in the shadows. He knew the fear would overtake Peter before the night was out but instead of rebuking him, Jesus encourages Him. Jesus urges Peter to be strong, to get back up and strengthen those around him. At a time when Jesus would have been well within His rights to tell rebuke Peter harshly or walk away from Him, He prays for him. Why? Because He loved him.

And He loves us.

One thing that can be said about Jesus is that when it comes to loving people, He is all in. He gives it all. For the love of the Father, He left His rightful place in heaven and came down to earth to fulfill the greatest rescue mission ever known to man. And for the love of us, He willingly went to the Cross and endured the pain and sin and shame. He endured it all because He loved us. He loved us before we even knew who He was and He loves us now, even when we don’t deserve it. especially when we don’t deserve it. Why? Because that’s who He is; love and grace and mercy. If you struggle to grasp that sometimes, you are not alone. I am regularly asking God why He still loves me despite my failings and inadequacies. Despite occasionally turning my back on Him and raising my fists to heaven because my prayer is going unanswered. Yet, He still loves me. Jesus still went to the Cross for me knowing full well the amount of times I would be ungrateful and unworthy of His love. But He is all in. For me. For you. And instead of being disappointed in us when we stumble and fall, He prays for us. He stands in the gap and advocates for us. He cheers us on from Heaven because He loves us.

Wherever you may be right now, I pray that you can take a moment and just rest in His love. Rest, knowing that He is all in on this journey with you and won’t let you go. Ever.

Leila (Lays) Halawe is a Sydney based coffee loving nonfiction writer and blogger. She has published a short devotional, Love By Devotion, and shares her views on life and faith via her blog page Looking In . You can connect with her via Facebook at Leila Halawe Author  and via Twitter @LHalawe.

The Power of Story

By Jebraun Clifford

I had the privilege of being the speaker at a holiday camp last weekend, though at first I admit I was a little terrified apprehensive at the prospect. While I regularly teach Sunday school, I have, on average, only fifteen kids in my class who I know and whose parents I know. The kids are used to me, and we always have a good time. Plus I keep my pockets stuffed with lollies to bribe them for good behaviour.

But how would a room full of fifty-five 8-12 year olds react to a stranger? That age group is notoriously challenging. Not to mention wriggly and easily distracted. Could I be engaging enough? Funny enough? And how on earth was I going to fit the whole gospel message (without being too preachy) in two half-hour evening sessions and one breakfast devotion?

It turned out better than I expected in that wonderfully chaotic way only God can orchestrate.

And it’s all because of the power of story.

Picking out a broad theme—God’s love for us—I found three parables in the gospels that detailed a different aspect of His love and what our response to it should be. One of the parables I chose was about the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine sheep in the fold to look for the one lost sheep.

It’s no coincidence that when I arrived at camp Friday afternoon, there were three newborn baby lambs gamboling about. Or that one of the campers’ duties was to feed the lambs. Everyone got very attached to these adorable creatures and their habit of snuggling with whoever held them. If the lambs were lonely, they’d bleat pathetically until someone ran to their pen to pay attention to them, and we had more than one camper disappear during mealtimes to get some sneaky individual cuddle time.

When it came time to present the parable of the lost sheep, I asked them to imagine one of our beloved lambs was afraid and wandering alone somewhere in the dark, and everyone became immediately invested in the story. They all insisted they would brave the cold and the wet in order to rescue the missing lamb and promised they wouldn’t rest until the lamb was found. Nothing would stop them until the lamb was home safely.

When I explained that the love, tenderness, and protectiveness they felt towards the lamb was a smidgen of the thoughts God has towards them, you could see the realisation sink in.

One simple story, personalized and made very real, brought home an eternal truth to these kids in a way a boring (to them) sermon never could. All I did was follow my Saviour’s example.

Instead of laying out complex theological treatises, Jesus often told stories. He took powerful truths about the kingdom of heaven and cloaked them in the images of a treasure in a field, a mustard seed, and a net full of fish. He enthralled His audience with thrilling tales of wicked vinedressers, a foolish farmer, and an unjust judge. He populated His narratives with people we could each imagine ourselves as: a wayward son, an unforgiving servant, and a woman who lost a valuable coin.

These parables spoke volumes about God’s unfailing love. A love we get to tell others about.

And that’s what I love best about writing stories.

I get to weave my Christian worldview—that life is rich and amazing, that each one of us is deeply cherished, that we all are designed with unique gifts and talents for a good purpose, that we have a Creator who ardently pursues us and holds all things in the palm of His hand—into a fictional tale anyone might pick up to read.

It’s an opportunity we each have when we sit down to write a story.

Whether you pen fantasy, romance, mystery, or historical fiction, you get to hide your unique perspective of who God is and what His love means to you into your writing. Isn’t that exciting?

What powerful truths do you disguise as story?

About Jebraun Clifford

Jebraun Clifford always wanted to step through a door into an imaginary kingdom, so it’s no surprise she now calls Middle Earth home. Too short to be an elf and too tall to be a Hobbit, she lives in a gorgeous town smack-dab in the centre of New Zealand’s North Island filled with thermal activity, stunning lakes, and enough Redwoods to make her Californian heart swoon.

Her unpublished YA fantasy, The Two Queens of Kyrie, won both the American Christian Fiction Writer's 2015 First Impressions contest and the 2016 Genesis contest. She loves coffee, tree ferns, dark chocolate, and Jesus, and harbours a secret penchant for British spelling.

You can find Jebraun online at:

https://jebraunclifford.com/
https://www.facebook.com/jebraun.clifford.author/
https://www.instagram.com/jeb_clifford/

Unmasked

 Unmasked

My mask, a smile

My defence’s camouflage,

The barrier to being known.

My mask hides

Sadness,

Strife,

Stupidity!

My heart, a vault

Secrets and stories stored
         Away from prying eye
    My vault hides

                                           Deceit,

                                           Desire,

                                                 Depravity!

                                            My mind, a pit

                                                 A cavern, bottomless.

                                                 Integrity lost in darkness.

                                                  My pit hides,

                                                    Graft,

                                                    Grief,

                                                      Guilt.

          I want to run, run, run!

            But where can I run to? 

            I want to cry, cry, cry!

            But no tears can wash the past.

                  I want to be free, free, free!

               But where the key to the locks?

                  A stranger confronts my mind,

        Calls to my heart!

              Hands, head scarred.

           Eyes of fire.

              Voice of love.

                        He says He knows me well.

His Name is Jesus.

He speaks my name.

He looks, I’m uncovered.

He speaks, I’m redeemed.

He embraces, I’m cleansed.

He smiles, my mask dissolved.

My mind, now a well

The water of life now within!

A new dignity has begun.

My well provides

Wholeness,

Wisdom,

Wonder.

My heart, a door.

Secrets shredded, not dreaded!

Forgiveness frees me.

My door welcomes

Mercy,

Mystery,

Ministry!

My smile, unmasked

Is genuine with sincerity

Capable of intimacy

My smile radiates,

Grace,

Gratitude.

Godliness.

©Ray Hawkins.2017

Ray is a themed Devotional writer . His 8th book 'The Warrior Lord's Triumph has just been released. In Christians bookshops or contact him direct. R.R.P. $11:95.

God has allergies? Devotion by Dianne J Wilson

I have horrendous pet allergies. Does this stop me having pets? (Three cats, three dogs *cough*) Nope. I wouldn't choose to live without pets if you paid me. I get by with lots of hand washing after cuddles and a permanent stash of allergy tabs within reach.

Just this week I'd gone a bit overboard on the cuddles and rubbed my eyes without thinking. Anyone who suffers allergies will understand. Once you start rubbing, it is almost impossible to stop. That small oversight cost me an entire night's productivity as I had to down some strong allergy tabs to calm my system down. Pretty soon my brain turned to mush and the best option for me was to find my bed and sleep it off. I'm sure I gained a few years in wrinkles from rubbing my itchy eyeballs.


Needless to say, I wasn't keen to touch any of our fur-babies the next morning. They trooped in with tails wagging for brekkies and their morning loves. They just got brekkies. I didn't dare touch any of them because I knew it would set me off and I couldn't spend the whole day doped up on allergy tabs. 

By the time we left the house, there was none of the usual warm, fuzzy, happy-to-be-a-family feeling left. They'd taken turns being naughty and I found myself getting angry rather than teaching them right and wrong in a peaceful way. I left the house that morning feeling awful.

Then the Holy Spirit highlighted it for me. It was something like that with us and God. We are all born with a sinful nature. If you don't believe me, think of it this way - who teaches their offspring to be cheeky? No parent I know of. That stuff has to come from somewhere. 

So God, our Heavenly Dad, wants nothing more than to love us and keep us close, but he dare not come close to us in our sinful state. Our loving fellowship is broken and we are split apart. How would He fix this problem? 

Enter the perfect spiritual allergy tablet: Jesus! When Jesus is applied to our lives, we become acceptable to God. We no longer make His eyes stream or His chest close up. We are forever free to cuddle up close to Him with no bad side-effects for Him or us. Loves and cuddles are restored and the warm, fuzzy, happy-to-be-a-family becomes a permanent part of our lives. How lovely is that?

Allergies and God... I know it's not perfect theology, but I think you get the point. 

Dianne J. Wilson writes novels from her hometown in East London, South Africa, where she lives with her husband and three daughters. She is working on a three book YA series, Spirit Walkers, for Pelican Book Group / Watershed.

Finding Mia is available from Amazon, Pelican / Harbourlight, Barnes & Noble and other bookstores.

Shackles is available as a free ebook from Amazon & Smashwords.