Love – Pilgrim with a Pen

So Long, Farewell, auf Weidersehen, Goodbye…

Published on February 26, 2023April 25, 2026 by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

Goodbye.

It’s arguably one of the most difficult words in the English language.

Not necessarily because it’s difficult to spell or pronounce — but rather because it’s just a really difficult word to hear…and to say, as well. 😕

Nevertheless, we use the word so often that our society has been compelled to create a myriad of ways to express it:

So long
Farewell
auf Wiedersehen
Ciao
Sayonara
Adios
Toodle-oo
Ta-ta
Check you later, dude
Or as they simply say in Roll Tide country…“Ya’ll come back now, ya hear?!?” 😂😉

But I digress…

Maybe you’re wondering, how did all of this business about “goodbyes” start rattling around in my head in the first place?

Well, I’ve been thinking about it ever since stumbling across this quote on Facebook a few weeks back. It said:

“Everything you need to know about the way a person loves you is in the way they left you. If they left you like it was nothing, then you meant nothing to them.”

😳😳😳😳….Wow.

That’s a tough pill to swallow.

Have you ever experienced anything like that in your life?

I know I have…😣😔.

These types of encounters can make you feel so small. Insignificant. Worthless.

Or as the quote implies, like you’re nothing at all.

But just because someone leaves you like you meant nothing to them, doesn’t mean you are nothing!

Do you know why I believe that?

As counterintuitive as it sounds, it’s because we’ve all been loved and left before.

🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 Confused yet?

Don’t be.

You heard me right — this ain’t your first rodeo…and it ain’t mine either.

All of us, from the oldest to the youngest, from the least to the greatest, have been loved and left before!

By the SAME PERSON, no less!!!!!

Now, I know what you’re thinking — “That dirty scoundrel!” 😏😏😏

🤣

But I promise you, it’s not like that.

You see, the person who loved us and left us is not a scoundrel at all…in fact, He’s the farthest thing you could ever get from being a scoundrel!!

And His name is Jesus Christ. ❤️

About 2000 years ago, Christ loved us so much that He died for us. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8-10; John 15:13).

He loved us and left us all on the same day!

Thankfully, that’s NOT where the story ends:

On the third day after His crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead, and according to Acts 1:3 He spent the next 40 DAYS with His disciples before ascending into Heaven.

Now…….I’m from Indiana, so I’m no stranger to long goodbyes…I mean, where I’m from, at the end of a long visit, people will slap their knees and say, “Welp, it’s getting late,” and then proceed to chit chat with their hand on the doorknob for the next 40 MINUTES 😂

…but 40 DAYS?!?! 😱😱😱…even by Midwest standards, that’s a bit over the top!

The more I think about it, Jesus’ goodbye looked more like a farewell tour! 🤣

But just like the quote said:

“Everything you need to know about the way a person loves you is in the way they left you. If they left you like it was nothing, then you meant nothing to them.”

Jesus didn’t leave us like we were nothing. He left us like we were the most somethingest somethings there ever were!!!!!

Even though we didn’t deserve it, He did all of this for us…and He’s still not finished.

There’s a song by the band Cain called “The Commission” that really paints this picture poignantly. If you’ve never heard it, click here to listen. I literally can’t hear it without balling my eyes out every. single. time. 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️

It’s written from the perspective of Jesus as He is about to ascend into Heaven. He’s giving “The Great Commission” to his apostles to go into all the world, teaching and baptizing others for the salvation of their souls (Mark 16:15-16).

The chorus reads:

Go tell the world about me
I was dead but now I live
I’ve gotta go now for a little while
But goodbye is not the end

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😭😭😭😭😭😭

Goodbye is not the end…yes, even a 40-day-long goodbye is not enough for Jesus — one day He’s coming back and taking us with Him for good!!! And at that point, we’ll never have to say goodbye again…we’ll be with Him in Heaven eternally! (John 14:3)

Just as His death was not a final goodbye…if we believe, then our death is not a final goodbye either. (I Corinthians 15)

It’s more like a “see ya real soon”…or as my two-year-old nephew says, a “See ya later, ag-ill-ator” 😂😂😂🐊🐊🐊).

To which, with simple, trusting faith, Jesus simply wants us to reply, “After a while, crocodile!” 🥰🥰

Until next time…

-PWAP

Too Big for Your Britches

Published on July 16, 2022July 19, 2022 by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

“You’re gettin’ too big for your britches!”

For a pretty scrawny kid, I heard this phrase a lot growing up…🙄

Of course, it had nothing to do with me actually outgrowing my pants — it usually meant I needed an attitude check.

As an adult, however, this phrase has taken on a much more literal meaning…

You’ve heard of the freshman 15, right?

Well, over the past two years, I’ve put on the “Covid 19” — if you know what I mean…😜

And as a result, I’ve literally gotten too big for my britches…😂😂🤣😔

When I first noticed that my pants weren’t fitting the way they used to, I thought…no big deal, I’ll just cut back on the calories…take a few more walks…and I’ll be down to my previous weight in no-time.

Ha.

Turns out, it’s a lot easier to pack on the pounds than it is to take them off.

So, despite my good intentions, it became clear that I needed to go with Plan B…

…Buy some bigger pants.

🤣🤣🤣

Ahhh…much better.

In the moment, it seemed my problem was solved…but there was just one glitch.

You see, I changed my pants without changing my habits.

I became so comfortable in my new, roomier pants that it allowed me the wiggle room to continue being complacent in my old eating habits.

Since my old snug pants were no longer there to make me feel like a busted can of biscuits every time I tried them on, there was no longer any catalyst for change.

So…….as I continued along over the course of a few more months, I reached a point where even my new pants were getting a little snug. 😱😱😱

And eventually (I’m ashamed to say), I decided it was time to activate Plan C…

…Stretchy Pants.

😂😂😂

I mean, it was during the height of the pandemic, so we really weren’t going anywhere anyway…(besides Wal-mart pickup, that is)….so it seemed like the perfect solution. 😂

But in the long run, it was more of a band-aid to my problem than a cure.

And in my heart of hearts, I realized that if didn’t break this pattern, it could become an endless cycle…if I outgrew every successive pair of pants I purchased, one day I’d have my own reality TV show and have to be removed from my house by a crane. 😳😳😳

***************************************

But my struggle is nothing new…experts have been spouting statistics for years about the American diet/lifestyle and how it is contributing to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

We get ourselves in these predicaments in at least one of two ways:

1. By eating for taste, not for hunger.

2. And a lack of exercise.

I think we all know that by now.

But what experts have yet to report on is that Christians in America are having similar issues with their spiritual diets as well:

In a spiritual context, choosing to “eat for taste, not for hunger” means we only consume Biblical teachings that are palatable to us (e.g. God’s love, forgiveness, and grace)…without feeding on the Word of God as a whole.

Many believers in America today want to skip over the “meat and potatoes” of the Bible and go straight to the “dessert” — and many churches are responding by holding back parts of the Truth for fear of offending picky palates.

But this isn’t Golden Corral.

You don’t get to just pick and choose what you put on your plate — and you definitely don’t get to skip straight to the Chocolate Wonderfall. (🤭)

By failing to acknowledge both God’s love as well as His severity (Romans 11:22), we’re not just loosening a belt…we’re loosening doctrine itself…for the purpose of our comfort.

And just like my own experience, it’s a slippery slope.

Over time, as we become more and more set in our unhealthy habits, the belt only tends to become looser and looser…the pants bigger and bigger…until, like me, one day you find yourself just lounging around all day in a pair of “spiritual sweatpants” (you know, the ones with the mystery stain and the elastic waistband that’s almost shot) feeling more than comfortable in your sins 😱…

I suppose that’s fine if you’ve got no where to go and no one to see…🫣

But let me remind you of this… just as one day the pandemic waned and I actually had to put on real pants to go out in public again…one day, we will have an appointment with God as well…and the last thing we want to do is show up looking less than presentable.

************************************

God calls us to be imitators of Him, and the only way to do that is through spiritual diet and exercise.

Maybe you aren’t glossing over what the Bible says. Maybe you are feeding on every thing God’s all-you-can-eat buffet has to offer…that’s good and I commend you.

But that’s also a lot of calories to consume in one sitting.

So, we can’t just settle for a sedentary lifestyle…we also need to walk…with God.

James 1:22 puts it like this…”Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.”

Or to use a more familiar phrase…Just Do It.

It may be Nike’s slogan, but it applies to our walk with Jesus Christ as well.

What good are all those calories if we don’t put them to good use? Calories were meant to sustain our energy as we expend it!

In I Corinthians 9:27 (NLT), the apostle Paul says, “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

Indulgence and complacency feel good in the moment, but the effects of their habitual practice are far-reaching…you know what they say, a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. 😉

When it comes to what God’s Word says on a subject, don’t go “shopping around” for a better fit…instead make the effort to allow God to mold you to fit what His Word says…

…because after all, when we find ourselves getting too big for our britches, it not because He’s changed — it’s because we have.

Until next time…

-PWAP

From Rags to Riches

Published on April 8, 2022June 29, 2022 by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

The amazingly intricate patchwork quilt pictured above is a famous Civil War-era relic known as the Reconciliation Quilt. Created by Lucinda Ward Honstain in 1867, it depicts scenes of everyday American life in the aftermath of the Civil-war.

According to the clarafordfoundation.org, the Reconciliation Quilt was sold at Sotheby’s in 1991 for $264,000!!!! — making it the most expensive quilt ever sold at auction.

Who would’ve thought that what started out as just some scraps of fabric and spools of thread, could one day be worth so much!

Mind = Blown 🤯

I don’t know if I’d ever pay that much for a quilt (let’s face it, $264,000 is more than I paid for my first house!!!😳😳😳), but I still think they are soft, cozy, and beautiful.

I especially loved my great-grandmother’s quilts. I remember going to her house when I was little, grabbing a peppermint stick from the mason jar on her counter and staring in awe at all of the beautiful patchwork she had lying around her house.

She made things like pillows and baby dolls, but “Grandma Abernathy” had a special talent for taking tattered pieces of fabric and lovingly sewing them together into magnificent quilts.

*******************************

My dear friend Miss Ruth wrote to me the other day with an idea she had for one of my blog posts. She said, “I was looking at a quilt a friend had made, and the thought came to me that she makes quilts beautiful from scraps (of material); but what does God do? He makes scraps (wayward man) into things beautiful (when they obey).” 😊

And you know what? She’s exactly right.

Just like my great-grandmother, with a pattern and a purpose, these quilters take seemingly insignificant scraps and make them into something beautiful (and useful) — and often selflessly give their finished projects away as gifts to family and friends alike. ❤️

When we choose to give the tattered scraps of our lives to God in humble obedience, reconciling our will to His, God can turn the fabric of our lives into a magnificent “Reconciliation” Quilt of His own.

In fact, the Bible teaches us that “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

The Bible is full of stories where God is threading people’s life events together for His purpose…and for our good.

Right now, we’re studying the life of Joseph in our Wednesday night Bible class. He’s kind of the perfect example of how God can take scraps and turn them into something beautiful — if only we’ll be faithful to Him.

Do you remember the story of Joseph? You probably do — you know, he was the one with the “Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat…”

(Or wait…maybe that was Donny Osmond??? 🤔)

😂😂😂😉 Anyhoo…Joseph was given that special coat because he was loved by his father — which unfortunately only made his brothers hate him even more.

The target of a murder plot, sold into slavery in a foreign land, falsely accused, and thrown into prison — Joseph’s life ended up as tattered and torn as his beautiful coat did.

And for a while, Joseph was seemingly forgotten by God…despite his faithfulness.

But behind the scenes, God was always there.

Sitting at his proverbial heavenly “sewing machine,” He was threading together the tattered pieces of Joseph’s life with a purpose and a pattern in mind.

As much as Joseph’s earthly father had loved him, he was about to find out that his Heavenly Father loved him even more.

God took Joseph’s dire circumstances as a slave and prisoner, and ultimately promoted him to second-in-command, right under Pharaoh himself — leading him to the conclusion that his brothers had meant “evil against [him], but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20)

Joseph knew who was behind his rags to riches story. He knew who was sewing his scraps together. And he trusted that in time, God was making them into a beautiful…life.

Are you trusting God to do the same for you? He can turn your rags to a priceless quits too, if you will only let Him — if you will only be faithful to him, like Joseph.

Remember that really expensive quilt that we talked about before? The one that cost more than my first home?

Why was it sold for such a high price?

The materials themselves were certainly not worth that much. Neither was the labor.

But it’s a one-of-kind. It’s rare and beautiful and represents something profound in American history. So, therefore it has great value.

The value we put on something directly corresponds to the price we are willing to pay for it.

We too are each one-of-a-kind — rare and valuable in the eyes of God.

And God was willing to pay the highest price there is for our reconciliation — the precious blood of His son Jesus Christ.

And for those of us who choose to bring the scraps of our lives to the cross, He is faithful to weave them together for our good and His glory.

And the finished product will always be beautiful…and priceless.

Until next time…

– PWAP

Forgive and Forget

Published on February 20, 2022June 29, 2022 by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

The other day, my six-year-old son came running to me from the playroom with a flushed face and big crocodile tears in his eyes.

Assuming he had been wrestling around with his big brother again, I braced myself for impact as I anxiously asked, “Buddy — what’s wrong?!??”

He buried his head in the arm of my chair as he broke down into full-on sobs. I stroked and patted his little back, waiting to hear what had happened.

Eventually, through his tears he got a few words out a a time: “Mom…I’m…so…sorry!!!”

“For what?!?” I said.

“Remember that time…I broke the…the…the pirate flashlight? I’m sorry!!!”

Despite his conviction, I honestly couldn’t remember the incident at all …but I knew what he was referring to because he’s told me this story before at random intervals. Always with tears in his eyes. 😔🥺 He’s my youngest and my most sensitive child.

The supposed transgression apparently happened a few years ago when we were living in our previous house. From what I’m told, I bought each of the boys a new toy, but because my younger son liked his older brother’s toy better, he immediately threw his own flashlight to the ground, causing it to break. He couldn’t have been more than 3 or 4 years old at the time.

I said, “Buddy, you were so small…you didn’t even know any better.”

He began to cry again.

“Yes, Mom…I did know that it was wrong — but I did it anyway.”

I hugged him tightly…it was obvious his heart was breaking and mine was breaking for him! I looked at his quivering lip and tear-stained cheeks, and said, “Buddy, don’t worry — I forgive you…I forgave you a long time ago for that…and I don’t even remember it anymore!”

The next morning, I got up and as I was brushing my teeth, a thought hit me. It’s not a new thought by any means, but it nonetheless hit me in a very new, very freeing way…

God forgives me.

There’s been so many days that I’ve come to God in prayer, still riddled with guilt and shame over past sins.

He doesn’t literally speak back to me in prayer, but through His Word the Bible, it’s as if God is saying: I forgive you…I forgave you for that a long time ago…and I don’t even remember it!

“For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 8:12

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.” -Psalm 103: 8-13

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” – Romans 8:1-4

But there is only one way to take part in the forgiveness of God — by becoming His child.

Just like my son came to me for forgiveness…if we are children of God, we can come to our Father in the same way, also!

Because “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.” -Psalm 103:13

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9.

If you are already a child of God and struggle with believing that God forgives you, I would suggest listening to a sermon called “Saved Without a Doubt” by Don Blackwell . All you have to do is click on the underlined words and it will take you straight to the video on YouTube. His message was a blessing to me and I hope will be to you as well.

Until next time…

-PWAP

Random Acts of Kindness

Published on February 17, 2022June 29, 2022 by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

When I found out that today is National Random Acts of Kindness Day, I couldn’t help but write a post. ❤️

As I was driving home this morning, I looked through the drizzle that was slowly collecting on my windshield and saw a rainbow starting to form in the sky.

I followed it all the way to the end of my street, where I was surprised at what was waiting for me at the end — It was definitely NOT you’re typical pot of gold…but rather (as you can see from the picture) it was a “pot” of a completely DIFFERENT kind. 😂 💩🚽😂

I pulled into my driveway as the rainbow began to fade, but I couldn’t miss such a Kodak moment, so I hurriedly snapped this picture of my neighbor’s port-a-potty at the end of the rainbow.

In a strange sort of way, I thought it was a PERFECT representation of what “Random Acts of Kindness” day is supposed to be — trying to be a rainbow in someone else’s otherwise “crappy” day. 🥰💩🚽🌈😂

But we all know we don’t have to wait for February 17th to do this kind of stuff…

The Bible has so many admonitions for us to be kind each and every day!

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” – Luke 6:35

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10

So, look for someone today…and tomorrow…and the next day, who you can be a blessing to. It could be someone you live or work with — or someone out of the ordinary! I guarantee it will make your day as much as it makes theirs.

Mahatma Ghandi is often credited with the idea that, “We have to be the change we want to see in the world.”

The Bible, it seems, is leading us to a similar conclusion — We have to be the good we want to see in the world.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

We do good to spread good, but it’s not because WE are good — it’s because GOD is Good! Give Him the glory.

Maybe your random act of kindness today will be no more than a simple prayer for someone. Really, that’s the best place to start. (James 5:16)

And speaking of prayer…if you happen to be the recipient of an act of kindness today, don’t forget to thank God. 🙏🙏🙏 All good things ultimately come from Him and through Him. ❤️

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” – James 1:21

If something kind or good happens to you today, you can be sure it’s ultimately from God. The moments of goodness and mercy we get to experience in this life are just one of the ways we know He loves us, that He wants to call us His children, and that He longs to have a relationship with you and me.

He proved that to us in the ultimate act of kindness — Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. (John 3:16)

How do we receive that love? Through belief and baptism. (Mark 16:16)

How do we love Him back? Keep His commandments. (John 14:15)

Until next time…

-PWAP

P.S. If you have any personal Random Acts of Kindness stories you would like to share, please comment! I would love to hear them! ❤️

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know

Published on February 14, 2022July 20, 2022 by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

For the last 13 years, I’ve been blessed to have a built-in Valentine, my husband. 🥰

But before we met, things in my love life were not always so stable…

In fact, just prior to meeting him, I was involved in a short string of pretty crummy relationships…the likes of which could rival Taylor Swift’s menagerie of old boyfriends, hands down. 😂

Okay, fine — Maaaaaybe that’s a stretch, but you get the picture.

You guys probably know by now that I’m not the type to “kiss and tell”…but in honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d rip a page out of Taylor’s Songbook and do just that. 😉 — I figure if she’s managed to fill up nine albums worth of material on all of her “exes,” surely I’m capable of one blog post. 😂

**********************************

If someone asked me for the best advice I’ve ever received about dating, it would have to be this: “Be careful who you date, because every marriage starts with a first date.” — How true is that?!!

But even if you’re selective about who you go on a date with, it doesn’t always guarantee it’s going to be a smooth time…I speak from experience. 😒🤣

I’ve been on first dates with guys who:

– Made fun of our waiter behind his back the whole night🙄😒

– Talked about quantum physics all night 🤯🤓

– Clapped SO LOUD during a concert that I thought my ears were going to bleed👂👏

– Took his shoes off during dinner to show me his webbed feet🦶👟

– Asked me to pick him up and drive…only to find out it was because his license was suspended for DUI 🚗👮‍♂️

And if that wasn’t bad enough…one guy even told me his 5-year-plan included quitting his day job, selling everything he owned, and moving to Jamaica. 😳😳😳🇯🇲🤣

And after that…I gave up on dating altogether.

I know what you’re thinking…”I would, too.” 😂

But to clarify — the reason I gave up on dating altogether was because somehow Jamaica boy convinced me to marry him…🤭😂.

Funny how that happens…🤔.

So, I guess the quote is right, not every first date leads to marriage, but every marriage starts with a first date….🤭🥰🤔😂😂🤣🤷‍♀️.

(ICYMBI, after we got married, we did NOT in fact end up moving to Jamaica. 😂 Somehow I convinced him to stay right here in the good old US of A. But I will say after 11 years of marriage, a mortgage, and a couple of kids…suddenly Jamaica doesn’t sound so crazy after all…😂🤣😉.)

But in all seriousness — no marriage ever goes quite as planned…that’s why at our weddings, we make vows to stick with each other through the ups and downs…for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do us part, right? It’s an unconditional and even sometimes sacrificial love that keeps marriages together through the good times and the bad.

Maybe that’s why the Bible refers to the church as the bride of Christ — Christ died to save the church in the ultimate act of sacrificial love. And there’s sooooo much we can learn from Him and apply to our own relationships.

***************************

But…….I’m getting ahead of myself here.

Today’s post isn’t about marriage — it’s about dishing on old boyfriends 😏, so let’s get back to that…🤣.

Because just as Christ teaches us how we should love in a marriage…old boyfriends can teach us how NOT to act in a relationship — and ultimately, how NOT to behave in our relationship toward Christ.

Hey, sometimes experience is the best teacher — and you can learn just as much from the bad ones as you do from the good!

*********************************

1. The Multitasker:

Back in the day, when people actually used to talk on the phone, I had a long-distance relationship with a guy who would always be doing something else while he was talking to me — folding clothes, washing his car…sitting on the toilet…🙄🙄🚽💩.

And while I can appreciate multitasking as much as the next person…productivity isn’t really the goal when it comes to relationships. And definitely not when it comes to your relationship with God.

God doesn’t want us to be distracted when it comes to serving Him…He wants us to seek Him first! He wants our full commitment.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33

2. Rear-View Romeo:

I once had a boyfriend who constantly made references to his ex-girlfriend in a “nostalgic” way…she was a singer and once he even tried to make me listen to one of her CDs in the car during our date! 🙄🙄🙄 It just always seemed like he was pining for the “good old days” and that I was just never going to live up to the comparison.

Do we ever do this with God? Do we pine for the way our lives were before we had to “give up” our worldly ways? Or are we still trying to dabble in those past sins while still naming the name of Christ!

If we love the Lord with all our heart, we won’t be looking back at our past sins with nostalgia…we will realize that what God has to offer us is far better than any moment of fleeting pleasure here on earth.

“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” – Luke 9:62

3. The Double-Dipper:

Once I had a boyfriend that told me to my face that he made plans to spend Saturday night alone with another girl. 😱 His excuse? She had offered to paint a picture for him…When I said I wasn’t comfortable with that, he still refused to break the plans…which painted a pretty clear picture for me — that is not the guy for me.

Sometimes when we serve the Lord, we are going to be required to make tough choices…but our allegiance should always lie with God.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other…” -Matthew 6:24

4. Gone With the Wind:

One time I had a boyfriend who just disappeared…all the sudden I just stopped hearing from him altogether…I knew he was still alive because I saw him posting things on his Facebook account, so I assumed I was being “ghosted.”

About a month later, he texted me like nothing had even happened. I was so confused…I thought we were over, but it turns out he thought that a month’s lapse in communication with no explanation was perfectly acceptable…bad news is that I legitimately thought we had broken up…so, I had already started dating some one new…whoops, my bad. 🤭

He missed the boat on that one…by the time he finally called me back, that ship had sailed. But pals don’t let that happen with you and God. Seek Him while He may still be found! None of us is promised tomorrow — if you keep putting Him off, you may find yourself missing out altogether. Don’t wait til it’s too late.

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;” – Isaiah 55:6

****************************

I look back and laugh about it now, but the truth is that back then, those betrayals really hurt…and it makes me understand why it’s so wrong to treat God that way. He is our Creator and our Redeemer. He deserves better than that.

If we are in a committed relationship with God, we will seek Him first with an undivided heart and never look back. And we are sure to reap the blessings of that…the blessings of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness.

When I finally married my husband, I found unconditional love. When someone loves you unconditionally, you don’t earn it or do anything to deserve it — it shows THEIR character, not yours.

And that’s how God loves us. He loves us not because WE are good, but because HE is good.

With God we will never have to sit and wonder…does He love me…or does He love me not???

…because Jesus Loves Me, this I Know, for the Bible (the most beautiful love letter ever written) tells me so!

Praise God — what more could we ask for!?

Until next time…

-PWAP

Free Breakfast Sandwich

Published on January 13, 2022June 29, 2022 by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

Recently, we went through the drive thru at McDonald’s at breakfast time. The kids were fussing in the backseat while I was at the speaker trying to place our order.

When we pulled up to the window, I paid and the lady handed me the bag full of what I assumed was the correct order and I hurriedly drove away. We parked in a nearby parking spot and I opened the bag to divvy up everyone’s orders. That’s when I noticed there was an extra breakfast sandwich.

Great. With all the chaos going on in our van at the time I ordered, did I accidentally order an extra sandwich? I checked my receipt. Nope, not on there.

So, they gave us this extra breakfast sandwich for free.

I thought, should I go back around and try to return it to the restaurant? No…they would probably consider it contaminated and have to throw it away.

If my hubby had been with us at the time, he would have known just what to do with it — thank God for the extra entree and add it to his plate. 😂

But he wasn’t with us that day and none of us were hungry enough to finish off our own orders plus an extra sandwich…but it just seemed like it would be a shame to let it go to waste.

Just then, I looked over and saw a man and a woman standing next to the side of the road with a sign that said “Homeless, need help.”

That’s when it hit me, we’ll offer it to this homeless couple.

As I drove up to them, I rolled down my window and explained that we had been given an extra sandwich with our meal and were wonder if they would be interested in taking it off our hands.

They gladly accepted and said it must have been meant to be.

The whole thing brightened our day and theirs and it really cost me nothing. It was out of my abundance that I gave, so it was really no credit to me…I wasn’t the one who created the blessing, I was just a vessel for delivering it.

As I drove away, I couldn’t help but think of the spiritual implications of our encounter…

God has blessed each one of us so richly…especially those of us who have been saved by his grace through belief and baptism.

The salvation He offers each one of us through the death of His Son Jesus is free…just like that breakfast sandwich.

He just asks that each one of us who’ve already been blessed by the gift of salvation to share it with others, just like we did with that breakfast sandwich.

Isn’t it stingy not to share the good news of salvation with others when you already have what you need and Jesus has already paid the price?

We live in a world where so many are spiritually homeless and carry around an invisible sign that says, “Need help.”

Won’t you share the Gospel of Jesus today?

Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16)

Until next time….

-PWAP

Home for the Holidays

Published on November 21, 2021June 29, 2022 by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

This time of year, a lot of people are thinking about going home for the holidays…others of us are busy preparing to host family or friends in our own homes.

My parents, on the other hand, are just waiting for the construction on their new home to be completed, so they can actually have a home of their own again for the holidays.

It’s been a long time coming for them and I know they are just dreaming of the day when they can have a chance to host Thanksgiving again.

If I think back to holidays past…I can see it now, my mom in the kitchen making her melt-in-your-mouth meatballs, yeast rolls that are as big as your head, and of course her famous cherry cheesecake — basically a feast fit for a king! (with enough left overs to feed an entire royal army…😂). Her philosophy? You have to “cook with love.” 💕

All the while, every year my dad is busy incessantly refilling everyone’s glass of sweet tea (especially his own, ahem 🙄) and simultaneously adding in corny dad-jokes like, “I’m a heavy drinker” and “I’ll eat you all.” (It’s a long story, but yes that last one actually happened 😂). I think that’s why it took so long for my sister and me to find a steady boyfriend growing up — or at least that’s what I’ll blame it on. 🤣

Most people, myself included, think of hospitality as having people into their homes. But the other day, the preacher at our church explained what the Biblical view of hospitality really means based on the original Greek word…and it actually made a whole lot of sense.

He explained that the Greek word for hospitality is actually a compound word, “philio-xenia” (hope I spelled that right, Brother Bill🤞).

“Philio” simply means “love” — Not a romantic kind of love, but more of a brotherly love. That word may sound familiar, since one of our American cities is actually named for it: Philadelphia…the city of brotherly love. ❤️

The second half of the word, “xenia” may not sound quite as familiar to you (actually, to me it sounds like a Japanese brand of TVs or something, but google says otherwise…🤷‍♀️). Anyway, this Greek word actually means “stranger.”

🤔 Aha! Just as I suspected…it turns out my parents have had this whole hospitality thing down pat all along! — Mom’s in the kitchen cooking with love, while Dad’s in the living room saying stranger things than any of the guests have ever heard. What more could be more hospitable than that??? 😂😂😂

😉 But seriously…by putting “brotherly love” and “stranger” together, you get the true meaning of hospitality — showing love to strangers.

The word “philioxenia” is used many times in the Bible and the sentiment of showing love to strangers is echoed even more frequently:

In Matthew 5:43-47 Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”

Wow! The whole idea of hospitality really gets turned on it’s head when you start to think of it as more than just inviting friends and family over to show them a good time.

In fact, the true meaning of hospitality was perfectly demonstrated in the love Christ showed for us on the cross —in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8-11) A sinner is not just a stranger in God’s eyes, as these verses go on to say — a sinner is actually an enemy of God himself. 😱

And yet Christ died for sinners…for strangers…for enemies…in what was the ultimate act of love and hospitality.

So this Thanksgiving, let’s remember that hospitality means so much more than a beautifully set table and a perfectly roasted Turkey (and sides😋).

Opening your home is one way to show love to strangers (I Peter 4:9), but it’s certainly not the only way.

We don’t even need a physical home to be hospitable…we just need to have humble, loving hearts that are willing to invite people into them — showing them the same kind of love, mercy, and grace that Christ has so graciously shown to us.

Because…as forgiving as your favorite stretchy pants are after Thanksgiving dinner — they can never compare to the forgiveness found in the blood of Jesus Christ.

Praise God for that. 🙏❤️🙏

Until next time…

-PWAP

Thumbs Up

Published on November 19, 2021June 29, 2022 by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

This week, I did a thing…

Actually it really all started last month…after I made a suggestion to our church that we should try utilizing a virtual meal sign-up list for sick/needy members. The idea came from a website that my boys’ school uses to allow parents to sign up for different volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

Well, this week I got a call from one of our ladies asking me to implement this suggestion.

Wow, a golden opportunity to use my time and talents for the work of the Lord’s church!!! — I was excited and a little nervous at the same time…I’d never headed up something like this before and I didn’t know how many kinks I might run into or how it would all go.

To most, creating and managing a meal sign-up list may seem like a small endeavor (I know, I know, it’s not rocket science, right?), but let me tell you —for me, moving forward with this task meant getting out of my comfort zone BIG TIME and it felt like nothing short of “one small step for man, one giant leap for Kaylakind.” 😳😳😳🙏🙏🙏

The main reason for my trepidation was (and this may sound totally weird) talking to people over the phone is a HUGE anxiety trigger for me – like, I don’t even like calling in a pizza order unless I absolutely HAVE to. How did I even function before Papa Johns had an app?!!? 😱😂🤣

If you’re a member of the “thumb tribe,” I’m guessing you can relate…(and if you don’t know what that means, you’re probably not a millennial 😂)…according to Wikipedia, the term “Thumb Tribe” is a slang phrase that refers to “the younger generation…who are more adept at texting using their thumbs than talking on the phone.”

While my phone-a-phobia started way before texting was ever invented, the modern advent of apps that allow you to communicate without dialing a single digit or uttering even a word has certainly enabled me to remain the absolute basket case I am today. 🤣

But this week, I fought back those demons and I made several phone calls to members of our church to get this thing coordinated — it wasn’t easy, but it’s true, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

And in doing so, I actually feel I became a member of a completely different kind of “Thumb Tribe” this week — the “All Thumbs” Tribe. Let me explain…

You see…although things seemed to go pretty smoothly with the meal-list this week, inside I still felt like I was “all thumbs” with this thing. It was new, it was scary, and I just felt awkward and clunky at moments…and as I was trying to coordinate all the pieces, it kind of made me wonder, can I really do this?

But then I thought about how the Bible refers to the members of the church as the very body of Christ; Christ being the head of the church and the church is the body, with each of us individually being members of it. (I Corinthians 12:27)

So figuratively speaking, we are each the hands and feet of Christ — and that’s when it dawned on me.

Of course! Every body has a hand…and every hand has a thumb…👍

So maybe it’s no accident that I’ve been feeling “all thumbs”…maybe that’s exactly what I am supposed to be…I’m a just a big thumb!

And as awkward as it feels sometimes, maybe Christ needs me to keep being the thumb for the sake of the rest of the body…honestly, where would any of us be without an opposable thumb? 😉

And that’s where I’m leaving it tonight folks — whatever part of the body you are, embrace it, give the glory to God for it, and most of all…use it!

Because you know what happens when we don’t use our body parts on a regular basis? A contracture happens. A contracture is a medical term that refers to the permanent tightening of the muscles, tendons, skin, and nearby tissues that causes the joints to shorten and become very stiff, preventing normal movement of a joint or other body part. Contractures may be caused by injury, scarring, and nerve damage, or by not using the muscles. (Definition from cancer.org)

So there you go, like they say —if you don’t use it, you lose it.

And as awkward as it may feel – I’d much rather use it than lose it —especially when it comes to my soul. It’s of no use just sitting around twiddling your thumbs anyway.

Until next time…

-PWAP

Rainbow Road

Published on November 14, 2021June 29, 2022 by Pilgrim with a PenLeave a comment

A few weeks ago, on my way home from dropping the boys off at school, I was blessed to see the biggest, brightest rainbow 🌈I think I’ve ever seen. The contrast between the sunny and stormy skies was striking! And I’ll tell you why…

It was all because of the the road I was on.

The long, straight, 2-lane country road that I was driving home on, was positioned so perfectly between the two sets of skies that it seemed as if the road itself was some sort of dividing line between the light that was on my right side and the darkness on my left.

🤔🤔🤔And then I was like, wait…I’m on this scarcely populated…straight and narrow…road…that leads to my home…with light and darkness on either side of me…and there’s a rainbow that represents one of God’s promises shining bigger and brighter than I’ve ever seen before?!?!…😲😲😲 Is it just me or am I pretty much driving through every Bible verse I’ve ever read right now!?!?! It was such an awesome moment – I felt like Carrie Underwood when she sang, “Jesus, Take the Wheel!” 🤣

Obviously, I’m only kidding, Jesus did not actually take the wheel…I DID keep driving…but as I drove, so many Bible verses came to mind…I thought about how Jesus in Matthew 7 describes the spiritual road that leads to an eternal home in Heaven as one that is straight and narrow and traveled by few!

The skies also reminded me of the way light and darkness are used in the Bible to contrast good and evil (John 3:19-21), and how throughout our lives, we will absolutely be surrounded by both! It’s easy sometimes when we become tired or distracted to end up swerving between the two (PSA: never text and drive!). But if we heed the guidance God gives us (His “rules of the road” can be found in the Bible), we can correct our steering and keep our lives on the straight and narrow instead of in the ditch.

And ultimately, I thought about the rainbow. On my left, amidst a background of darkness, there it was. A physical symbol of the spiritual promise God gave to never destroy all life with flood waters again. I wanted to just stop and stare at it in awe and wonder, but I knew I couldn’t completely take my eyes off of the road, so I just kept driving yet looking up at it from time to time, thanking God for letting me catch a glimpse of it’s magnificent beauty.

As I continued to drive and think about these things, I came upon a group of workers doing road construction. One man was flagging cars, telling them when to stop/slow down, a hindrance I could’ve avoided by taking a short cut/detour down one of the side roads on the “dark side,” but I instead I chose to wait it out and stayed on the straight and narrow…wow, another life lesson.

Then the rain began to sprinkle, just a little at first…and then harder…so I turned on my wipers (thank you God for blessings even/especially on “rainy” days!)…thanks to the wipers, I could still see the rainbow…which also reminded me of how it important it is to keep sight of God’s promises, even during during the hard or sad times.

But sometimes that’s easier said than done…because as I drove down a little further, the trees began to close in on either side of me, completely blocking my view of the rainbow…but I didn’t stop, I just kept going…and after a while, the trees tapered off and I could see that rainbow again…it was there…even when I couldn’t see it, it was always there…and you know what? It followed me all the way home.

I know God associated the rainbow with a specific promise to never destroy the whole of mankind with flood waters again, but to me it also serves as a reminder that if God is faithful to keep that promise, I should trust Him to be faithful to keep His other promises as well. Most importantly, the promise of salvation to all who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and obey His commands.

Needless to say, it was quite a drive today…maybe Robert Frost was right after all…I think the road less traveled does make all the difference. ❤️

What road are you on?

“13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy1 that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and hthe way is hard that leads to life, and ithose who find it are few.” – Matthew 7:13-14

“13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” – Genesis 6:13-16

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” -John 3:16-21

Until next time…

-PWAP