In this space, I am sharing devotions written by our dear Barbara Meade.
Barbara grew up a Quaker and is a regular attendee at Spiceland Friends Church. Her faith and Quaker roots go deep as her uncle was a Quaker pastor, evangelist, and artist. Barb's writings about her many life experiences reveal her faith in Christ and highlight the memories of a great family, her years in the banking industry, and her time as a local small business owner. Barb's desire is to serve those around her through her encouraging devotionals and writings from her life. Barb has recognized that our relationship with Christ grows throughout our lives, both in good times and through life's challenges.
January 18, 2023
In God's Time
Hopefully, this week will speak to us about patience, faith, and understanding that God's timing isn't the same as ours. Please go to spicelandfriends.org and learn more about us. Adding a little note about our history, Spiceland Friends Meeting "church" was erected in 1828 as a log structure. Before this, Friends worshipped in a log barn. The first meeting was under the trees in 1824. So much history and years of serving the Lord. Our ancestors taught us well; our roots are deep.
So many times in life, we are disappointed and hurt that things didn’t turn out as we thought they should. What we weren’t considering was God had other plans for us. We weren’t where he wanted us, using the gifts he had given us.
God will direct you and open those doors. When those hard times come, and they can be earth-shattering. There is only one way thru them: FAITH. The Lord will turn around those times; now, it may take a long time. God’s time and ours are very different.
The Lord never gives us what we cannot handle; he helps us handle what we are given. One day you will look back and realize if those things hadn’t happened, you would never be where or who you are now. It was God’s plan all the time.
Psalm 25:4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your path.
Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: Do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Amen
January 25, 2023
What is Heaven Like?
One year ago tomorrow, Don went to his heavenly home. I grieve and cry for myself; it hurts so bad. Then I remember the promises of heaven.
Since losing the love of my life, I’m sure I’ve asked every question that can come to mind. I’ve asked about our relationship with God, my husband, my family. I’ve read, studied, and read some more.
I always come back to knowing, “Heaven is perfect.” Whatever God has planned is going to be perfect.
Corinthians 2:9 Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those who love him.
I know heaven is so much greater than anything our minds can imagine. So much to look forward to.
Revelations 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away.
We see an image of Christ in our minds, arms open, saying, “welcome home.” I know I’m going to be hugging all my loved ones.
Amen
February 8, 2023
The Importance of a Smile
We sometimes forget how an expression can affect others.
Think about how you feel when someone enters the room with a beautiful smile. Regardless of how down you are at that moment, that smile gives you joy. Proverbs 15: 30 says, “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart.”
Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is a good medicine.
That verse takes me back to when I was 17 and working as a tray girl, which means I prepared & served meals at the Henry County Hospital. I will never forget a heart patient we had. When I entered the room, he'd always say, “there is my gal with the million-dollar smile.” Unfortunately, we lost him, but he smiled for a few minutes out of his day.
As we go through life, we don’t know how many others we touch. Just make sure we leave them with a smile.
Proverbs 15:13-15 A glad heart makes a happy face. A broken heart crushes the spirit. A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while a fool feeds on trash. For the dependent, every day breed’s trouble: the happy heart is a continual feast.
Smiling through pain shows strength, and I know how hard that can be. Remember, my patient, when you enter a room, put on that million-dollar smile. That’s what it’s all about.
Amen
Eric is our associate pastor, working with outreach and youth ministry as well as adult discipleship and growth. Eric retired from a 28-year career in public education as a high school band director in 2019 and is now living his lifelong dream as a pastor. Eric and his wife, Diana, continue to live in Henry County where they have been lifetime residents. They "raised" three children and are now making their best attempt at "raising" themselves.