The Shelf Life: How Long 'til I Expire?

Kolleen Lucariello always surprises me with her fresh approach to pracitcal Christian living. In this Spiritual Life UPGRADE, she points us to three biblical examples to help us meditate on the length of our lives and how we might upgrade what is left of them."When life came to a standstill in March of 2020, I decided there was no better time to rip apart a closet," Kolleen says. "That's when it hit me—expiraton dates are sneaky."

Normally, I (Dawn) think of an "expiration date" as painful—or at the least, unpleasant; but there is a certain wisdom to thinking about it when it comes to life, as Kolleen explains.

Kolleen continues . . .

I’d always wanted a pantry, and the closet in the mudroom had become a catchall for any and every item. It was packed full of food, serving platters, and anything out-of-season; or anything without a proper home.

 Based upon the expiration date stamped upon the bottom of many spices, jello packages, and canned fruit, once an item entered through the bi-fold door, chances were good they might never find their way out again. They had become SHELF-SITTERS, just waiting to be used. 

Waiting on a shelf.

I can relate.

I recall seasons in my life when I found myself sitting upon the shelf of God’s time—waiting for Him to reveal the expiration date indicating my time was done. 

Waiting is difficult.

• I grow restless.
• I question God.
• I repent.
• Sometimes, I even beg.

Waiting is not my favorite thing to do. Is it yours? Probably not.

Yet, it is often a non-negotiable participant somewhere in our story, isn’t it?

Why does God allow us time on the shelf?

Of course, God alone knows His reasons for all that He does; but I think shelf life leads to upgrades.

Here’s how.

1. TRUST

Sometimes, God finds it necessary to place us on the shelf when our disobedience gets in the way of His plan.

Jonah became a shelf-sitter in the belly of a whale when he decided to run from what God asked him to do—go and share His plan of judgment with the people of Nineveh.

Sure, Jonah’s disobedience to God gave him peace—for a moment; but, it had a great impact on the sailors whose boat Jonah boarded. They feared for their lives, lost wages, and finally were put in the miserable position of needing to toss him overboard with the rest of what they’d already lost.

(Have you ever wondered why Jonah didn’t just jump when he realized He was indeed the reason for the storm?)

It’s just awful when a disobedient Jonah enters our boat. I costs us peace, finances, and may even lead to extremely difficult decisions.

No matter how hard you row, God may move people to the shelf when they can’t be trusted to follow His instruction, or don’t have the courage to remove "Jonah" from the boat.

2. TIMING

Shelf-sitting befalls us when we find ourselves waiting upon God’s timing.

While we may be more than ready for our dream or plan to come to fruition, God has His own agenda and time-table in mind.

It’s always been far different than mine. 

Hannah was a woman who endured the pain and frustration of waiting on God’s time.

She lived through a long, out-of-reach wait, while suffering intense longing over her barrenness. Barrenness is a heartache that, unless you have walked through it, is difficult to understand.

Hannah’s husband, Elkanah couldn’t; he thought she should be happy she had HIM!

“‘Why are you crying, Hannah?’ Elkanah would ask. ‘Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?’” (1 Samuel 1:8 NLT).

Ummm… no. Just no.

It’s difficult enough to remain patient and trust God hasn’t forgotten us sitting on the shelf, but when those closest to us question our emotional moments—

• “Why are you…?"
• "Just because you don’t have …. Be grateful for what you do have.”

Ouch!

There’s a time to just sit beside someone as they wait and wrestle it out with God.

3. TESTING

Remember the Israelites and their time in the wilderness? Scripture says the Lord led them through the wilderness for forty years to humble and test them—in order to prove their character and to find out whether or not they would obey his commands (Deuteronomy 8:2).

They grumbled. They complained.

I doubt they were thinking about character development as they set up camp year after year.

During my own wilderness wanderings—those dry seasons when God feels distant—I’ve grumbled. I’ve complained. I’ve hoped God would lift me up and notice the expiration date was soon approaching.

How often I fail to recognize God might have a bit of character development in store for me.

Paul reminds us,

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment” (Romans 5:3-4, NLT).

Our time on the shelf of waiting might not be so exasperating to us if we remember, God is rarely early, never late, and always shows up right on time. He’s going to add us to the mix at just the right time.

As we wait, we might ask:

• Can I be trusted?
• Can I trust His timing? 
• What can I learn during the test? 

Have you thought much lately about your "expiration date"? What life upgrades can you make to create a better Shelf Life?

Kolleen Lucariello is a writer, speaker, and the author of the book, #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time. Kolleen also co-directs Activ8Her, Inc., a woman’s ministry endeavoring to Activ8Her potential to influence, affect and unite the world for God’s glory. Kolleen advocates for others to live the abundant life Christ died for them to have by understanding their true identity is found in Christ. Kolleen lives in Central New York with her husband, Pat. She is mom to three married children, and Mimi to her six grandchildren. Learn more about Kolleen at her website.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Samantha Gades at Unsplash.

Road Work Ahead — Expect Delays!

Dianne Barker's clever use of everyday symbols and circumstances offer lessons for our Christian journey. In this Christian Living UPGRADE, she writes about the tough time so many of us have with waiting.

"'Road work ahead, expect delays.' That’s what the construction sign said. "In other words, prepare to wait," Dianne said.

Oh, how I (Dawn) hate to wait. I always think it's such a waste of time. But Dianne encourages us to get a fresh perspective on delays.

Dianne continues . . . 

The sign provided appropriate advice for the road of life.

The problem with most of us is that we aren’t prepared to wait. We’re geared for full speed ahead.

Waiting is unplanned and unwanted because it often leads to an unexpected and undesirable detour. Reaching the destination has top priority so waiting is never welcome.

I don’t love waiting, yet waiting consumes a large part of life. I should be getting used to it, but it always catches me by surprise.

I never include interruption and delay in my daily plans.

This very moment may find you in an interruption and waiting phase.

• Waiting for biopsy results.
• Waiting for a prodigal child to return.
• Waiting for a family conflict to be resolved.
• Waiting for a terrible hurt to heal.

Sometimes we wait with sweet anticipation.

• Waiting for the husband of our dreams.
• Waiting for a child to be born.
• Waiting for a promised promotion at work.
• Waiting for a spectacular family vacation.

Other times we wait with paralyzing dread.

Once, in such a place, I heard a soft whisper in my spirit:

“You aren’t waiting on a person or a circumstance. You are waiting on God.”

That truth changed my perspective.

Delay is annoying, and my typical response is grumbling—which never has a favorable impact on my situation.

Knowing God holds my life in His hands and that I’m waiting on Him, I only need to surrender my fretful spirit and confirm my trust in His wisdom.

Perhaps God is also waiting—waiting for us to trust Him fully, confident that delay is always for His greater purpose.

Could it be designed to reveal our devotion?

“…The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him” (Deuteronomy 13:3b-4 NIV).

I'm wondering if God’s purpose in our waiting might also be to teach us to rest.

Psalm 37 gives a simple strategy for times of waiting.

“Trust in the Lord… delight yourself in the Lord… commit your way to the Lord… be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”

What an exciting possibility!

To be still—to rest—and wait patiently, no matter what. If we rest today, we rest in our present circumstances.

How do we get to that place of resting and waiting patiently?

Here are THREE CHOICES to help us use our time productively in the waiting-arena.

1. THANK God, knowing he is using delay to shape us as His instrument.

2. PRAISE God, knowing he is setting the stage to display His power.

3. HONOR God, knowing we can trust His promises.

Our world has spent the last year on pause, waiting for the virus to finish its deadly mission, waiting for restrictions to be lifted, waiting to reunite with distant family members.

Waiting during COVID-19 has spawned discouragement and loneliness.

The challenges of this strange interruption—this unplanned waiting—threatened to drain our joy and hope.

Here’s truth: waiting doesn’t mean inactivity.

Trusting is active. Praying is active.

Begin with this:

"Lord, I surrender this to you. It’s yours. Whatever you do is okay with me. I will praise you because of your righteousness, not my circumstances. Let me hear your voice behind me saying, this is the way, walk in it. My soul waits for you and in your word I will hope."

Use your season of waiting to rehearse promises that slip by unnoticed in the hectic pace of normal life.

• Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3).
• Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).
• And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

As you continue the journey, keep this in mind — God is working on the road ahead. Expect delays but proceed with expectation.

Now then, stand and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes! (1 Samuel 12:16).

Who knows what may happen when we wait and trust?

David, the shepherd king, wrote:

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

Will you dare to believe you are not waiting on a person or a circumstance but on God?

Dianne Barker is a speaker, radio host, and author of 11 books, including the best-selling Twice Pardoned and award-winning I Don’t Chase the Garbage Truck Down the Street in My Bathrobe Anymore! Organizing for the Maximum Life. She’s a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, and Word Weavers International and a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries. Visit www.diannebarker.com.

Graphic - East Rock Hill Township (Penn.) road sign.

There's a Frog on the Table

Kolleen Lucariello is one of the people in my life that I wish lived nearer, because I'd love to spend time with her—to laugh and learn. In this Spiritual Life UPGRADE, she shares a humorous story with a profound application. "Mimi, why is there a frog on the table?"

Not wanting to disappoint my grandson’s prank, I replied, "A frog on the table, huh? I don’t know, Mason. Why is there a frog on the table?" 

I (Dawn) think this is such a cute story—and leave it to Kolleen to create a powerful application.

Kolleen continues . . .

"No, really, Mimi! There’s a frog on your table," Mason said.

I chuckled and made my way to the table. "Okay, let’s see this 'frog.'" 

"Oh! There IS a frog on the table." 

'See Mimi! I told you!" Mason exclaimed. "How did he get there?"

With a bit of confusion, I replied, "I’m really not sure." 

After Mason assured me that he did not bring the frog in and put him on the table, I began to consider all possibilities of how he did get there.

Glancing around the room it hit me—the hibiscus tree.

I'd taken my small tree outside to enjoy the warm sun and brought it back inside with the cooler temperatures predicted that night. It never occurred to me that a sneaky little frog would become attached to it; much less find its way to the kitchen table—but there it was.

In a place it did not belong.  

I can't say I blame the poor little critter. The tree was pretty, and the night was going to be chilly. However, the house was not where the frog belonged, so back outside he went.

We placed him by another pretty tree, said our goodbyes, and hoped he'd live a spectacular life free from any harm.

"A frog on the table"—I laughed for days over that.  

Every now and then I think about that little frog that found himself on our kitchen table, because he attached himself to a tree. 

I can relate. I've found myself attached to a few 'trees' of my own. I've hidden myself within devotions to friends and opinions; dreams and expectations—even a few attitudes and beliefs.  Yet, each one, at times, has left me clinging to a place I didn't really belong.

I'm sure we’ve all experienced bonds that have taken us away from where God intended for us to be.   

Mary Magdalene seems like someone who understood attachments. I envision her as a woman just barely holding on when she encountered Jesus.

What a defining moment that must have been for the woman whose life had been interrupted by tormenting demons—seven of them to be exact (Luke 8:2).

The Bible mentions some symptoms of demon possession: 

• speechlessness (Luke 11:14),
• blindness (Matthew 12:22), and
  
• convulsions and foaming at the mouth (Mark 9:17-27).

We don’t know the full extent of Mary's suffering; it certainly isn't difficult to imagine her life was unstable and hellacious.  

Mary was out of her natural element; that place God intended. Until one day she encountered Jesus, and He put her back in the place where life was enjoyable again.

Can you imagine it?  

One day she was attached to a tree of torment; and then, thanks to Jesus, she wasn't.  

What an upgrade Mary experienced when she attached herself to Jesus for the remainder of His days. She traveled with Him, financially supported Him, and she was watching as He suffered on the Cross.

She was the first to see the resurrected King and announce the news to the disciples.

Just as the frog had enough guts to let go of the tree he’d attached himself to and check out his new surroundings, Mary's relationship with Christ brought her the courage to let go of the life she'd been tormented by.

Her gratitude to Jesus is evident by her devotion to Him.  

Often, when we find ourselves attached to something outside of God's will, He sends help to lead us back to the place He intends for us to be.

For the frog, we were the help.

For Mary, it was Jesus.

When she connected with Jesus, she found the courage to jump right into a new identity. He will do the same for us.  

Mary Magdalene’s story instills hope within my own.

She helps me upgrade my thinking by showing me:  

• One encounter with Jesus has the possibility to change everything.  
• He brings power and authority to our relationship. If we allow Him, He will reveal and confront any unhealthy attachments. 
  
• When Jesus delivered her, Mary never looked back. Regardless of circumstance, she walked closely by His side.  

Mary was one of the many women who "went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God" (Luke 8:1, NKJV).

Perhaps she related well to David’s words,

"No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope" (Acts 2:26, NLT).

I imagine the women were held captive by her testimony as she shared her story.

Where are your attachments?

If you haven’t fully attached yourself to Jesus, I encourage you to stop hiding where you don't belong. Your heart will be glad; your tongue will shout His praise, and your body will rest in hope! It’s time.

How have "attachments" where God doesn't want you hurt your walk with Him? What can you do to "detach" from those hindrances today?

Kolleen Lucariello, #TheABCGirl, is the author of the devotional book The ABC’s of Who God Says I Am. Kolleen and her high school sweetheart, Pat, reside in Central New York. She’s a mother of three married children and Mimi to four incredible grandkids. She desires to help others find their identity in Christ, one letter at a time. Visit Koleen's website at www.speakkolleen.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Pexels at Pixabay.

A Certain Hope for Uncertain Times

Kathi Macias has become one of my go-to friends for biblical wisdom applied in practical ways. In this Encouragement UPGRADE, she reminds us circumstances may change, but our hope is in our God who never changes.

"My favorite scenario is that Jesus will arrive and scoop us up before the going gets REALLY tough," Kathi says, "but Jesus Himself told us that no one knows the day or the hour when He will return."

I (Dawn) admit that I'm also hoping Jesus returns... SOON! As our culture disintegrates, sometimes my heart fills with fear. But then I fix my eyes on Jesus, and something else too—which Kathy writes about here.

Kathi continues . . .

I’ve noticed that a lot of people tend to be dividing into two different camps lately:

• those who run around pulling their hair and screaming that the sky is falling, and
• those who have no clue, nor do they care what’s going on beyond their own little self-developed bubble.

This wouldn’t disturb me so much if it were strictly unbelievers reacting this way, but even some Christians seem caught up in one or the other of these behaviors.

I have a tendency to lean toward the screamers, since I too sense we are living in perilous times.

But then again, when in history have times not been perilous, at least somewhere in the globe?

Of course, I don’t want to discount prophecy, and it’s difficult not to listen to the news and try to line it up with Scripture.

But whether we’re in the last days, the next-to-last days, or the last of the last days—

Is stocking up on peanut butter and toilet paper really what we are called to do as Christians?

All right, I admit that I’m of practical German stock, and I like the feeling of security I get from being out of debt and having enough canned soup on hand to last me until the millennium—just in case.

My favorite scenario is that Jesus will arrive and scoop us up before the going gets REALLY tough, but Jesus Himself told us that no one knows the day or the hour when He will return. The only thing we can know for certain is that He WILL come . . . and when He does, it will be at the perfect time.

So where does that leave us, particularly as we work our way through 2021, with looming economic problems, virus vaccines and lockdowns, and uncertainty at every turn?

It leaves us in exactly the same place as when things were going more smoothly and everything seemed right within our own little world. It wasn’t right, of course; it only seemed that way because our personal life situation wasn’t threatened.

And that’s the point.

People have lived with threats and wars and terrorism and economic instability since Adam and Eve were exiled from the Garden.

Might we be living at the end of the age, when everything comes to a head and Jesus really does return? Most certainly.

Then again…

It really doesn’t matter, for how we live is not to be based on what we think tomorrow might bring, but rather on what God has called us to do TODAY.

• “Every commandment which I command you TODAY you must be careful to observe…” (Deuteronomy 8:1, emphasis added).
• “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for THE DAY is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34, emphasis added).
• “TODAY, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8, emphasis added).

We are called to be faithful TODAY—not to lament our failures of yesterday or fret about tomorrow.

If we are true believers, then we are to be about the Father’s business, as Jesus was when He walked the earth. We are to fulfill the Great Commission of going into all the world to proclaim the gospel and make disciples.

That’s what we need to focus on TODAY—whether tomorrow seems to threaten turmoil or promise peace. For the Scriptures are clear that regardless of what we face, God’s thoughts and plans for us are “of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Several years ago, I wrote a book called The Moses Quilt, a contemporary romance told against the backdrop of the life of one of America’s greatest heroines, Harriet Tubman.

This amazing woman of faith and courage was born into slavery and went through life uneducated and nearly penniless. Yet she not only escaped slavery herself but went back into the “lion’s den” nineteen times to successfully lead out about 300 other slaves, including her elderly parents—all the time knowing there was a “wanted dead or alive” bounty on her head.

How was she able to do it? By refusing to allow the circumstances to dissuade her from following what she believed was God’s call on her life.

Harriet stood on God’s promises.

She stood on scriptures she had memorized from hearing others recite them—because she was unable to read—and lived accordingly.

Those same promises that fortified Harriet Tubman’s courage are available to us.

With that in mind,

• we don’t need to scream and pull our hair,
• nor do we need to hide within our personal safety bubbles and ignore the world around us.

God is calling us to so much more; He is calling us to be about His business and to enter into those plans and thoughts He has for us… to give us a future and a hope, just as Harriet Tubman and so many others did before us.

How are your responding to these uncertain, sometimes scary times? How might standing on God's promises and the encouragement in His Word give you sure hope and a plan for moving forward in obedience to Him?

Kathi Macias (www.kathimacias.com) is an award-winning author of more than 50 books. A wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she lives in Southern California with her husband, Al.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of ambermb at Pixabay.

COVID Came Calling

Author and caregiver Sally Ferguson has grown in her faith in God since the coronavirus changed so many lives in America. In this Spiritual Life UPGRADE, she tells her story and the scriptures that helped her through a difficult year—scriptures that can help us too.

"When COVID came knocking at my door," Sally said, "I was unprepared for how it would turn my life upside down."

I (Dawn) don't think any of us knew how our cirumstances would seem to spiral out of control during the pandemic; but almost everyone I've discussed that with admits God taught us important lessons in our struggles.

We will never be the same; and in some ways, that's a good thing—as Sally explains.

Sally continues . . .

Our family had taken the necessary precautions and followed guidelines for safety. Yet, ten months into the lockdown, not one, not two, but five members of my immediate family tested positive for the coronavirus.

For the most part, I felt I had adjusted to the changes COVID-19 brought to our country and to our county.

I’m an introvert, so I loved being home more, and took online workshops. I made more phone calls to stay connected with my small groups, and checked in with my extrovert friends to see how they were faring.

However, April dawned with attending our daughter’s wedding via Zoom.

• I watched my husband weep at not being able to walk his daughter down the aisle.
• I mourned not being able to assist her preparations.
• The reception in our home state was postponed twice, and then put on hold indefinitely.

In August, elective surgeries were again allowed, and Hubby flew to Florida to help his parents while his dad recuperated from shoulder surgery.

September 8 his mom fell and fractured her back. What followed can only be seen as a bizarre set of events.

The COVID-19 lockdown prohibited visits to her in rehab, where she entered the barren corridors of dementia. She was released only as a shell of her former self.

Hubby came home and I made the trek to Florida to help with her care.

In November, our family packed up my in-laws’ home and moved them north so they could be close by for assistance.

December 21, my father—also in our care—was taken to the hospital with stroke-like symptoms, where he was diagnosed with COVID-19. One week later, my hubby and his dad went to the ER and tested positive.

On January 7, my father-in-law passed away in the hospital.

Why have I shared the events of my COVID-year?

Not because my story is unique. At this time, over 400,000 deaths have occurred in the United States from the coronavirus.

I went into some of the details of our lives because I want to share the most important point.

I have learned through the worst of times that God is faithful.

God never deserts His own.

When I ponder how we will continue to care for my mom-in-love and for my dad, I often wonder how we will keep it up.

But, God.

He gives us strength for today, and tomorrow will do the same.

Now, if I could just tape that to my forehead, it might be a daily reminder. I get into trouble when I try to figure it all out by myself.

What verses would I recommend to a fellow traveler on this road of suffering?

1. Isaiah 40:11 — The Lord will hold me close. He will carry me.
2. Isaiah 40:27 — God knows. He cares.
3. Philippians 1:29 —It is a gift to believe and to suffer. Yes, even in caregiving, because, “If you’ve done it for the least, you’ve done it for Me” (Matthew 25:40).
4. Psalm 66:12, 20 — We went through fire, but God has not withheld His love from us.
5. Psalm 73:16-17 — I am overwhelmed when I try to understand why COVID hit our family. God grants me perspective, knowing He is still in control.
6. Psalm 18:16-19 — Our enemy launched an attack on us, but God is our Rescuer and our support.
7. Psalm 22:24 — God does not turn away from suffering.

Have your circumstances brought despair? It may not be COVID-caused, but we can all relate to hardship in this year of change and uncertainty.

Hang on to hope in the God who sees you (Genesis 16:13) and is fighting for you (Deuteronomy 1:29-31).

• May He usher you into His sanctuary for refuge and renewal (Psalm 40:1-3).
• May He take your breath away in awe of His power over the things that leave you feeling powerless (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• And, may you stand confident in knowing you are never alone (Hebrews 13:5).

How will you seek the Lord’s comfort in your turmoil? Will suffering draw you closer to God, or will it put a wedge between you? How will that define your response to Romans 8:35-39?

Sally Ferguson is a caregiver for her mom-in-love, her dad, and her grands, and writing a Bible study for caregivers. She lives in western New York with her hubby of 33 years. Look for her words at EzineArticles, AlmostAnAuthor, Upgrade with Dawn, Amazon and sallyferguson.net.

Graphic adapted, created by Wirestock, courtesy of www.Freepik.com.