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An Afternoon with My Dad – Sandra M. Hart
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The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” 1 Kings 19:11 (NIV)

He would have loved this peaceful garden. If I could have one more afternoon with him, what would we talk about?

As I crossed the covered bridge into the prayer garden, the serenity immediately welcomed me. I drank in the beauty of the blooming flowers in the midst of the Mountain Laurel. The brook sang as it skipped over smooth stones.

How I wished I could share this moment with my dad! Four years ago, he had joined my mother in Heaven, a mere five months after her death.

On second thought, I wouldn’t bring him to this mountain. I would take him to a clear stream near his childhood home in the Smoky Mountains. Maybe we’d hike along those paths he once loved.

I’ve often wished for his wise council in the past year. His words had a way of pointing me in the right direction. He helped me consider the costs. Even so, if I could spend an afternoon with him, I wouldn’t ask questions. I’d simply listen to whatever he wanted to say. I’m sure we’d stop talking to enjoy the gentle rush of the stream as the birds serenaded us.

Even though my dad couldn’t meet me here, God did.

God joins us wherever we are – serene gardens, neighborhood sidewalks, and quiet times on our knees. He offers wisdom from His Word and from His Heart, freely given to His loved ones – each one of us. Like a parent with a toddler, He gently guides faltering steps. In our times of prayer, He helps us count the cost of our decisions. His instruction is always just what we need.

God will be with us not only for an afternoon in the garden, but for all our days.

Sandra M. Hart writes for the A Hart for History link on DevoKids.com, where she serves as Assistant Editor. She has written for The Secret Place, Voice, Afictionado, and Common Ground. She is a contributor for Faith & Finance: In God We Trust, and writes historical romance novels.

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The Green Dress – Sandra M. Hart
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Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

When I was nine, my parents gave me a green dress for Christmas. Money was always tight, and the dress was my big present that year.

I didn’t like it. I planned to complain and say it didn’t fit so I could exchange it.

My dad immediately said, “How do you like your present? I picked it out for you. When I saw that dress, I knew it would look pretty on my little Sandy.”

Dad never shopped for our clothes. That was my mother’s department. His favorite color was green and he was excited about his gift for me.

I couldn’t disappoint him, even though I knew I wouldn’t be receiving any new clothes until school started the next fall. I would receive one gift for my birthday, but it might not be anything to wear.

I thanked my dad and tried on the dress. To his immense pleasure, it fit perfectly.

I wore that dress often to please my dad. “Sandy’s wearing that pretty green dress again,” I would hear him say. In time, the green dress became my favorite outfit.

Long into my adulthood, my dad bragged about the time he picked out that Christmas gift for me and I answered truthfully, “I loved that dress.”

I did love the gift. My father chose it especially for me.

Sometimes God gives us gifts we would really like to exchange. One person might desire to sing like an angel rather than have the gift of encouragement. Another person wishes for an outgoing, vivacious personality, but instead displays the gift of hospitality. Someone else wants to be a great speaker, but possesses a generous spirit.

The gifts we would rather exchange may be the way we offer the greatest blessings to our loved ones. God is the most generous giver of all, and He knows what we truly need.

At this time of year, we remember God’s most precious gift, His only Son. That baby, who laid in a manger, brought salvation to the world. God, in His infinite wisdom, knew what we needed most and He gave it freely.

Sandra M. Hart writes for the A Hart for History link on DevoKids.com, where she serves as Assistant Editor. She has written for The Secret Place, Voice, Afictionado, and Common Ground. She is a contributor for Faith & Finance: In God We Trust, and writes historical romance novels.

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Don’t Save Me from the Storm – Sandra M. Hart
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They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah 6:9

Here I was again, walking away from another argument. Another chance to stand tall and face the heated words went out the window. I blew another opportunity to be a positive witness for my Savior. I failed to give an unpopular answer which might have later sparked some serious soul-searching on the part of someone I love.

Instead of facing some uncomfortable moments, I caved like the coward I am.

Worst of all, my daughter witnessed it.

If I want her to live with courage, then I need to portray it. I need to provide an example.

Nehemiah’s enemies threatened to kill him and the other Israelites who worked to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. When the threats continued, Nehemiah knelt to pray. He didn’t ask God to save him or send the enemies away. He asked for strength.

When I’m in the middle of a struggle, too often I ask God to save me. I pray for His protection. I don’t want to endure the pain. I shy away from the battle.

God saves me when I request it, but is He disappointed with my lack of trust? Does He sigh inwardly and wonder when I will learn that these trials can bring Him glory if I allow Him to lead me?

God gave Nehemiah a burden to do what He called him to do. Then He answered Nehemiah’s prayer to help him do it.

Asking God to strengthen us for the storm, rather than to save us from it, may change the outcome as well as our attitude. It could change eternity for someone who silently watches.

God is up for the challenge. He is equipping us, even now, to do what He requires us to do.

Lord, strengthen our hands.

Sandra M. Hart writes for the A Hart for History link on DevoKids.com, where she serves as Assistant Editor. She has written for The Secret Place, Voice, Afictionado, and Common Ground. She is a contributor for Faith & Finance: In God We Trust, and writes historical romance novels.

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The Spirit is Willing – Sandra M. Hart
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Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. Matthew 26:40 NIV

I am in God’s waiting room.

I’ve been praying and asking for guidance for a particular request for several years. While I have had some answers and direction, I am still waiting.

In the meantime, I haven’t been idle. I have worked toward the goal where I feel God is leading me. I’ve suffered through some painful times when it seemed that God was doing His part to prepare me for the future.

Sometimes I want to tell Him, “Surely I’m ready now, Lord. Can this be the time?” It’s not easy to wait when I can’t understand the reasons behind the delay.

“Could you not wait for me for one hour?”

His question brings me to my knees. My spirit is willing to trust His leading, but I’m so very weak.

Jesus spent tortured minutes in the Garden of Gethsemane, pleading with God to avoid the brutality of the cross. If there was any other way to save us, God would have cleared the path. But there wasn’t. Jesus had to go to the cross.

His disciples didn’t understand His agony and fell asleep when He most needed their support.

We don’t always comprehend the unseen struggle unleashed by our prayers. We simply look for an answer – yes, no, or not now. He says all three answers to our prayers at different times.

There’s another possibility. Maybe He wants us to trust Him for an answer He’s not yet ready to give.

Sandra M. Hart enjoys writing historical fiction novels set in the Midwest. She is inspired by the people around her. Those labeled as “everyday people” are the ones who inspire her most. She hopes to have a nonfiction book published about a couple of these ordinary heroes who fill our lives with hope.

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Taking a Chance – Sandra M. Hart
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Jesus looked at him and loved him. Mark 10:21a

The barefoot teenager, Bill, caught the bus to the hospital where his brother-in-law lay recovering from an illness. His sister, Sophie, sent him over to check on her husband while she remained at home to take care of her young children.

Bill brushed back the hair from his eyes, pausing at the door to Wayne’s room. He had acquired an unearned reputation for being a tough character due to the company he kept. He often felt the undeserved censure of others when he walked into a room, an attitude that was actually pushing him to become what they already thought he was.

He hoped he wouldn’t see that condemnation in Wayne’s eyes when he entered the room, for he respected his brother-in-law.

Pleasantly surprised to find genuine welcome, he enjoyed the visit.

Wayne reached for his wallet when it was time for Bill to leave, extracting a twenty-dollar bill. “Take this to Sophie for me. She’ll need this soon.”

Bill’s eyes opened wide. Twenty dollars was almost a fortune to him.

He left the room, his head reeling. He could buy a pair of shoes, with some left over. Then he thought of Wayne, who trusted him to take the bill to Sophie. No one had believed in him for a long time.

Stuffing the cash into his pocket, he walked to his sister’s home. She accepted the money gratefully.

Someone took a chance on him.

Something happened to my dad that day. He changed. As he grew older, he helped others who lost their way. He tossed them a lifeline, if they were ready to grab hold of it.

God loves us like this. He sees in us what others so easily miss. He trusts us to do His will and picks us up when we falter. He sees our potential and invites us to grow.

He took a chance on us. He sent His Son to the cross.

Sandra M. Hart enjoys writing historical fiction novels set in the Midwest. She is inspired by the people around her. Those labeled as “everyday people” are the ones who inspire her most. She hopes to have a nonfiction book published about a couple of these ordinary heroes who fill our lives with hope. Sandra is an Associate Editor with Devokids.com.

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When Grief Hits – Sandra M. Hart
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Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

My dad fell and broke his hip in early February. Released from the hospital with internal bleeding, he suffered a stroke the next day. Both of my parents were in different hospitals by the end of the week. Despite our best efforts, they were both released to different nursing homes a week later.

The doctors reported that my father-in-law had bone cancer two weeks before it claimed his life. Before his death near the end of winter, my mother entered hospice care. She died one month later, when the spring flowers bloomed. Near the end of a long, grief-filled summer with more family deaths, the doctors found colon cancer in my dad. We said our final goodbye to him two weeks later, as the leaves turned to rust, orange, and yellow.

In the space of six months, my husband and I lost three parents. Many can relate to long stretches of time when it seems God doesn’t hear heartfelt prayers.

But in the midst of it all, I know that God never left my side. He has been with me the whole way, even though it was not easy to see at the time.

We all face tough times when it is difficult to understand God’s will. I think these are the times God is closest to us, for His compassions never fail. He waits to provide strength and comfort when we are ready to receive it from Him.

May God bless and comfort all who are in the midst of grief. May you find that He is never far away.

Sandra M. Hart enjoys writing historical fiction novels set in the Midwest. She is inspired by the people around her. Those labeled as “everyday people” are the ones who inspire her most. She hopes to have a nonfiction book published about a couple of these ordinary heroes who fill our lives with hope. Read Sandra’s devotions.
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At the Foot of the Cross – Sandra M. Hart
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It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun had stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Luke 23:44-45

I’ve had the pleasure of staying at a popular Christian conference center in North Carolina. This beautiful center, built on the Blue Ridge mountainside, contains a large cross, visible from most of the campus.

A dear friend of mine loves to room at the building closest to the cross, where she has a clear view of the impressive symbol of death and life. “I feel like I am sitting at the foot of the cross when I stay here.”

The cross symbolizes peace – a peace made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice. It symbolizes hope – a hope of eternal life in Heaven, a place with no tears. It gives comfort to the grieving. It offers forgiveness to all who are willing to receive. It clears the path to eternal life in Heaven.

No wonder so many people contemplate God’s sacrificial love when they see a cross.

However, the cross was also a scene of death, agony, contempt, and derision. Soldiers mocked Jesus. The chief priests, elders, and teachers of the law mocked Him openly, now that He was dying. Those passing by hurled insults at Him. Even one of the robbers crucified at His side ridiculed Him.

The Son of God bled to save them from their sins even as they scorned His sacrifice.

Jesus took on our sin and God turned His back on His Son for the first and only time. The sun stopped shining for three hours as Jesus hung suspended between heaven and earth. Something momentous was happening.

God took a cruel method of execution, turning it into peace, hope, comfort, and forgiveness for all of us.

The power of the cross is love – a Son’s obedient love for His Father and God’s sacrificial love for all His children.

He wants us to spend eternity with Him so badly that He paid the price of our admittance.

At the foot of the cross. Sounds like a good place to start our day.

Sandra M. Hart enjoys writing historical fiction set in the Midwest. She is inspired by the people around her. Those labeled as “everyday people” are the ones who inspire her most. She hopes to have a nonfiction book published about a couple of these ordinary heroes who fill our lives with hope. Read Sandra’s devotions

Wiping Our Tears Away – Sandra M. Hart
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He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

As an active child of three, I fell and hurt myself almost daily.  One hot summer day, my mother lifted me up to the sink to wash and bandage yet another skinned knee.  I cried throughout the process, protesting my unhappiness.  My uncle came over and offered to catch my tears in his shirt pocket.  He wanted to save them.

His strategy worked. About the time I tried to cry a tear into his pocket, the tears dried up. He told me  he was sure he had caught at least one tear to show me when I grew up.

The Bible tells us numerous times that God will wipe away our tears.  I love this passage in Revelation. Some day, those events causing our deepest pain, will pass away.

So many trials can break our hearts – death of a loved one, serious illness, fatal diseases, divorce, bad choices, unemployment, job changes, and hurtful relationships. God longs to shelter us in His arms and comfort us.

Unfortunately, some of our pain may last a long time. We have the assurance that, even if the pain follows us throughout our lifetime, one day the hurt will be gone.

I can only imagine how our Heavenly Father anticipates that day as much as we do. Whether your tears are great or small, let Him dry them.

Sandra M. Hart enjoys writing historical fiction novels set in the Midwest. She is inspired by the people around her. Those labeled as “everyday people” are the ones who inspire her most. She hopes to have a nonfiction book published about a couple of these ordinary heroes who fill our lives with hope. Read Sandra’s devotions

The Money Jar – Sandra M. Hart
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“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

When I was nine, my dad gave each of his children a money jar for our weekly allowance. The clear jar, placed on top of the kitchen cabinet, allowed us to watch our money grow.

Money was scarce in our home. Dad could only afford to give us fifty cents a week, and we had to earn it.

My sisters and brother generally spent all their money on candy. I tried to save my money for bigger items. Slowly my dollars accumulated—two, three, five. I never recall having more than five singles in that jar at a time.

Times grew difficult financially for my parents until our allowances were phased out—gone. Once, Dad asked if he could borrow two dollars to tide him over until payday. He promised to return it after payday, a promise he kept.

The next week he borrowed money to make it until payday again. I agreed, but I began to worry. I was old enough to see the strain of worry on my parents’ faces. I knew that my friends had more than us, but were we poor?

Dad continued the pattern, but my attitude about it gradually changed. After a time, I was glad that I hadn’t used my allowance to buy candy. If I had, it wouldn’t have been there when Dad needed it.

Today, I think about the lessons of that money jar. I believe my parents’ goal was to teach us about saving. What I learned was far more valuable.

I learned how to give and I watched my parents give financially to others, far beyond their means. God always provided for us, always shook together the kindness, the need and the giving to turn out abundance. There wasn’t much, but the Father never let us go without.

Sure, our money jars taught us to save, taught us generosity and willingness to give, but more so, they showed us the way God fully provides for His children. The measure you use will be measured to you.

Sandra M. Hart enjoys writing historical fiction novels set in the Midwest. She is inspired by the people around her. Those labeled as “everyday people” are the ones who inspire her most. She hopes to have a nonfiction book published about a couple of these ordinary heroes who fill our lives with hope. .

Read Sandra’s devotions.