Leslie's Little Devotional

I smile as I touch the view box on my phone and see Erin’s text message of three familiar words; “He’s got this”.   She’s sent it to me in response to the anxiety I am feeling over some things that are going on in my life right now.   “He’s got this” should be on our list of frequently sent “quick messages” menu.   Both of us are busy moms and the bulk of our communication is via text messages.   We remind one another quite often that whatever the situation we’re facing we can be certain God is in control. I’m grateful to have a friend like Erin to remind me that times only “feel” uncertain. The reality is that God has a plan for me. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) As I’ve said in previous blogs, sometimes we have to take detours. I live in Wisconsin where we have two seasons; winter and road construction. I’m very familiar with the conce...

My father was a man of few words.   He chose his words carefully. Those who knew him best knew that when he had something to say it was worth listening to. He has been gone for 28 years now, yet I still count him as one of the wisest men I have ever met. He believed in minding your own business, carrying your own weight, and treating others the way you’d like to be treated. Financially, my father was undoubtedly the most conservative person I have ever known. The only debt he ever carried was a mortgage which he paid off in half the time of the note. He did not believe in debt. Well, let me qualify that statement. My father did not believe in financial debt.   He did believe in helping others.   I think of my dad whenever I read Romans 13:8 “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” Back in the day when it was acceptable, my dad picked up hitchhikers. He often stopped and bought ...

            As a mother of five, I’ve dealt with my fair share of sprains over the years. I’ve even suffered a few of my own. Long ago, I learned a little acronym for treatment of sprains. R.I.C.E. stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. After the injury, these steps help speed recovery.             The other day I was chatting with a friend who was hurting spiritually and emotionally. I was led to encourage her to take the time she needed to heal. My encouragement to her was to treat her spiritual injury in a manner similar to a physical one: with rest and elevation. As our conversation continued, she encouraged me to come up with a R.I.C.E. acronym for spiritual and emotional sprains.             After our conversation ended, I put my assignment on the back burner and forgot about it. However, this morn...

            Several years ago a friend of mine was vacationing in the Caribbean. One afternoon after snorkeling, she and her husband were walking along the beach. As my friend gently brushed her bare feet over the soft sand she felt something hard beneath. Bending down, she expected to pick up a shell but found instead, what appeared to be a diamond ring.   My friend showed it to her husband who laughed and totally discounted the idea that the ring could be real. In fact, he almost chucked it into the ocean. At her insistence, he gave her the ring and she slipped it in her pocket. They looked around the deserted beach in hopes of trying to find the owner. Eventually they made their way back to their hotel and forgot about the ring in her pocket.             When my friend returned home and began unpacking, she found the ring. A few days later she took it to a jeweler...

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us: “ To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” April 27 th marked the end of one season of life and the beginning of another. Our oldest daughter, Shelby married the most amazing young man that day. After months and months of preparation and planning, the day finally arrived.   As if to further punctuate the change of season, even the weather changed to spring that day. The previous months had been cold, blustery, and even snowy. However, we awoke that morning to the loveliest spring day. Two families and many friends gathered together to celebrate Shelby and Kevin’s marriage. All of us, dressed in our best and wearing joyful smiles witnessed the radiant bride meet her handsome groom.   It was a time to laugh, to dance, to embrace, and to speak. It was a time of peace, and most of all a time of love. As I review the pictures of the happy day, the ancient words of Solomon ring true. I’m so very grateful ...

What comes to mind when you hear the words “attitude adjustment”?   I must confess the term has been on my mind and heart lately.   Everyday I stumble across some little tidbit pertaining to attitude, sometimes in the strangest places.   Over the years I’ve learned these things are not a coincidence and the Lord is continually using my circumstances to teach me something.   As “attitude” has been in the forefront of my mind, I decided to study up on the subject.   Being a Scrabble addicted, word lover I typically begin my studies by consulting Noah Webster.   Noah says to adjust is “to bring into proper relationship”.   That definition immediately sent my thoughts to the idea of bringing my attitude into a proper relationship with God’s Word and His will.   Romans 15:5-6 tells us: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one ...

                The day began well. I woke up, grabbed a cup of coffee and my Bible and spent some quality time in the Word. Then I set some praise and worship music to shuffle on my iPod while doing some housework.   After I was done, I grabbed my car keys and headed to the store to pick up a few things. I turned on the radio and began to sing along with one of my favorite worship songs. There I was, headed down the road, praising the Lord and it happened. Out of nowhere, a car cut me off and proceeded in front of me at 20 miles per hour.   Before I knew it my hands were raised, not in worship, but rather in frustration.   My song of praise was replaced with a tirade directed at the oblivious slow poke in front of me.               With no route of escape on a one lane road, I followed my tortoise-like offender all the way to the g...