Doug’s Columns

By Doug Creamer

A Different Road

            I wrote about my nephew’s wedding last week. It was great to see my family. It’s hard to get our whole family together because we are really spread out across the country. I have nieces and nephews that live in Montana and Idaho. I have a nephew in Puerto Rico and another in Oklahoma. A number of them live in Virginia. The ones in the Carolinas I get to see for holiday gatherings. 

            I have noticed that like me, they are getting older. Many of my nieces and nephews are in their thirties, with one hitting forty. Several are going through big life changes like expecting a child, changing jobs, and changing life direction. Listening to them reminded me that life is full of changes, some good and pleasant, others hard and challenging. I remember in my own life how critical faith was to help navigate those changes, believing that God would see us through.

            My nephew’s wedding was a few miles past the end of civilization. I left early to get there on time. I am glad I did because I had a little trouble finding the place. I wrote the directions out and had a printout of the directions, but I still struggled. In the directions there was a road that I was supposed to be on for only a short distance. I was cruising along and out of the corner of my eye I saw the name of the road. I turned around and went back to that road without checking my directions.

            This road took me on a beautiful adventure out into the country. It was a twisty, peaceful road. I was enjoying the views and taking in fall’s beauty. After driving for quite a while, I began to think about those directions sitting on my seat. Something felt wrong. I was still on this road but failed to realize this was supposed to be the road that only required a short distance. The peace began to evaporate as I began to think I was going the wrong way.

            That’s when I spotted a fire station. Firemen know their way around. I told the guy where I was going, and he said I was just a few miles from a critical intersection. My peace returned and I began to enjoy the sights once again. When I finally arrived at the intersection, I discovered that I was supposed to be on the road I was crossing, not the one I was on. I made the turn and was back on track. I later realized that I had been on a long journey on a country road that just happened to loop me back around to my destination.

            I believe that life is much like my mistaken turn. We believe we know where we are going but sometimes we get off the road God intended for us. The journey ends up being a pleasant diversion. We are not where God intended but we are also not in danger. God is keeping a close eye on us. We have wandered. He has a plan to get us back on track but it requires that we seek wise counsel and be willing to follow it.

            We all come to forks in the road in our lives. Several of my nieces and nephews are sitting there right now. We can choose which road to go down. One is the way the Lord is calling us and the other may lead us away from His blessing. How do we know which way to go?

            I believe it requires prayer. Prayer should include trusted brothers and sisters in the Lord and our pastors. Seeking wise counsel from people who have your best interests at heart is also a good idea. Be careful of paths that look easy and good. Sometimes God’s path is more challenging, but those challenges will build godly character and lead you into a far better place. I believe God will guide you if you are willing to wait and pray.

            Do you know that God wants you to have a good trip through life? An old pastor friend has worked hard to drill that into my head. I want to encourage you if you are at a crossroads in life…God is with you…wait, pray, and listen for His voice to guide you. God’s way is often not the easy way. God’s way is not the shortcut. God’s path often involves training and developing your personal strengths and character. His path is not about instant success but long-term success. Don’t be in a rush to move forward. God is at work behind the scenes for you, preparing the way for you, wanting to bless you.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

An Interesting Conversation

            My nephew got married over the weekend in a beautiful outdoor ceremony. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect if we had ordered it. The setting was beautiful. The sun peeked through the leaves to catch glimpses of the bride and groom. I saw a swarm of honeybees and a flock of birds fly over. All of nature was straining to get a glimpse of the bride and groom. 

            The ceremony honored both their faith and their devotion to each other. They composed their own vows in which they shared the depth of their love and commitment to each other. Then they exchanged the traditional vows before sharing the anxiously awaited kiss. It was a wonderful afternoon watching my sister’s youngest son begin his life’s journey together with his new bride. Almost my entire family was present and it was great to see my siblings and their families all together. 

            The reception that followed was filled with all the traditional activities: the first dance, cutting the cake, and speeches. The food was very good and the place was packed with warmth and good cheer. Everyone had a great time in what was a well-choreographed wedding ceremony. I am so happy for the bride and groom and their respective families.

            While we were waiting to eat, I was sitting at a table with my brother-in-law, another nephew, who was visiting from Puerto Rico, and a great-niece. My brother-in-law was asking questions for each of us to answer. My great-niece was enjoying the interaction. At one point he asked her, “If you could have dinner with two people, living or dead, who would they be and why?” My niece responded, “Monet.” The three of us were blown away with her response since she is a young child. Then she added Vincent van Gogh and she had us all reeling. How could such a young child pick such great people? Obviously, she is interested in art. We all thought she would pick some movie or TV star or a young heart throb.

            When asked the same question, my brother-in-law, who is English, chose Winston Churchill and one of the Queens from British history. We discussed several influential people in British history that would be fascinating to meet. I told the group that I would like to meet Paul who wrote most of the New Testament. As a writer, I would like to learn what I could from the expert. Everyone liked that answer. When asked who my second choice would be, I mentioned a few movie stars. This earned me some well-intentioned teasing from the guys. We all got a good laugh from the suggested stars. To be honest, I would really like to meet several contemporary Christian writers such as Davis Bunn, Frank Peretti, or Max Lucado. I once met Og Mandino, who had a huge impact on my life. But that is a story for another day.

            The question fell to my nephew. Without hesitation he said he would like to meet Jesus. He said he had lots of questions that he would like to discuss with Jesus. We all liked his choice. We discussed a few of his questions and we enjoyed the interaction. A little later, my brother-in-law left the table and I pursued his choice a little deeper. I told my nephew that I would enjoy hearing his questions and discussing them with him. I told him that my father often liked to discuss such things and it would remind me of him in a pleasant way. We decided that we would continue our discussion through email.

            I am looking forward to this exchange with my nephew as we discuss the things he would like to learn from Jesus. I hope that I will be able to answer some questions which I think will help deepen my own faith as I grapple with the things that are on his mind. Talking about Jesus is one of my favorite topics. I imagine my dad would have loved to be a part of this exchange, adding plenty of his own questions.  

            I want to encourage you to explore opportunities that present themselves to you to discuss and share your faith with others. Many people you know have questions that you could answer and help them to understand. My nephew and I have agreed that this is not to be a debate but rather an opportunity to learn and grow in our understanding. I hope we grow closer through this exchange. Sharing our faith and why we believe in a non-judgmental way can be a real blessing. Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

Needing Help

            There is one thing that most people do not want to admit: I need help. We all want to be able to take care of our own needs. We will work hard to figure out how we can do a task all by ourselves. If we can’t see the solution immediately, we will keep thinking about how we can do it on our own. We struggle to accept help in order to get things done.

            The trouble is, especially as we age, that sometimes we need help to do a task. The question becomes, who do we ask for help? What kind of relationship do we have with a neighbor or co-worker? Can we ask them for help? What will they think? Will we feel like a burden to them? Do they feel obligated to help or are they helping out of kindness?

            I find it easier to offer help than to receive it. If a neighbor or co-worker needs help with something I will be there to give them a hand. Sometimes I will do something to help a neighbor without being asked; that’s what good neighbors do. We look out for each other and we care about each other. So why is it difficult to receive that same kind of help?

            I had some tasks that I needed to do outside that twenty years ago I would done without asking for help. I might have had some sore muscles, but it would have felt good to have the tasks done. After hurting my back in the spring, I am a little more cautious. While I feel like I have fully recovered, I decided it would be nice to have a little help to get these things done.

            A friend from church was willing to come give me a hand. In just under four hours we were able to knock out my list. It felt great to get those things done. As a bonus, we got to enjoy some good fellowship and share some great laughs. I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know my friend a little better.

            I will ask the question again, why do we struggle so much with asking for help? Could it be a matter of pride? No one wants to admit that we are getting older or need help. I know I sit down to rest more often when I am working outside. I also make sure I am using my legs to lift and not my back. Regardless, I still want to do things on my own and not have to ask for help.

            Imagine how this translates to our spiritual lives. We want to be spiritually strong and independent. But the Body of Christ is designed so we are dependent on each other. We are the family of God and we will have to lean upon each other from time to time. God designed us with strengths and weaknesses. Each of us has different talents, skills, and abilities. No one can do it all. We need each other for support and encouragement.

            If the Body of Christ was dependent on me for singing, we would be in terrible trouble. I love to sing, but I know that I do not have a good singing voice. God has given me the gifts of teaching, writing, and encouraging. I am good at these things and people need me to use my gifts and talents to build up and encourage the Body of Christ.

            We will all find ourselves going through difficult times at some point. Maybe you are going through the loss of a loved one, maybe you are facing financial struggles, or maybe you have recently given your life to God and you need help growing in your faith. Whatever you are struggling with, especially if it’s medical stuff, there is someone in the family of God who made it through that same situation who can pray with and for you as you walk on your journey. God wants us to help each other and to accept help from each other.

            I want to encourage you to be willing to accept a helping hand when you find yourself in the place of need. I know you might prefer to be the helper instead of the one receiving help, but it is God’s design that you need to learn to receive as easily as you give. We need to let someone else use their gifts and abilities to be a blessing and learn to receive that blessing from them. I know it is a hard lesson. I have much to learn. It is part of the beauty of the Body of Christ, blessing and being blessed.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

Testing Us

            I enjoy my job at the community college where I am helping students earn their high school equivalency. There are four tests students must pass in order to earn their diploma. Students have to become proficient in language arts, math, science, and social studies. We have daytime classes in person and online. There is also an online evening program. We push the students to grow in their knowledge and skills so they can pass the tests and graduate.

            We have some practice tests to help students prepare for their testing experience. Nerves can get in the way. Sometimes students struggle with the tests. We are there to encourage and support them through the process. It is so exciting to see our students pass tests and achieve success.

            Despite all the instruction and preparation, sometimes our students come up a little short on the tests. It’s hard for them and we feel it too. We sit down with them and work on areas that need reinforcing. We have been seeing some great success with our students. It is very rewarding when students pass their tests. The excitement spreads like wildfire to the other students.

            When it comes down to it, most of us don’t like tests, especially medical tests. The reality is that we will all face a variety of different tests in life. Some will come out good while others will prove to be challenging. It’s okay to admit that you are scared or don’t like change. We have to own up to our weaknesses and develop strategies for improvement. With faith, grace, and change we will push through and overcome.

            Tests and changes reach beyond the classroom to our professional lives. Teachers and doctors take tests to maintain their licenses. Most professionals that require state licenses will require professional development and often tests. It’s hard to avoid being tested.

            I believe that God is in the testing business, too. God wants to know if we trust Him. The best way for Him to figure that out is to put us in situations where we have to trust Him. When we can lean on Him and believe that He has our best interests at heart, He knows that we trust Him. Can we walk through difficult circumstances while trusting God?

            One specific way is to see if we believe God is our provider. He will allow circumstances in our lives that will test us to see if we believe that God will provide for us. Our bank accounts may not sustain us through a financial crisis, but will we trust God or lean on our own understanding? I have seen God come through for us so many times and provide in what seemed to me to be miraculous ways. Don’t think that I didn’t struggle with doubt and worry…I failed those tests…but I have seen God’s faithfulness time after time.

            God also wants to know if we will be obedient when we are facing odds that are against us. In the Bible, we are told of huge armies that came against Israel. God would tell the people what to do if they wanted to see victory. One time, they sent the musicians in front of the army. Another time, they marched around Jericho for seven days and then God made the city walls come crashing down. And a young boy named David defeated a giant with a small stone. Have you ever faced insurmountable odds and seen God come through for you?

            God knows that the only way to grow your faith muscles is to test them and stretch them. He has to give you chances to trust and lean on Him in order for you to turn to Him in your challenging moments. He wants to come through for you and confirm in you the depth of His love for you. He wants to prove to you that He has an eye on your situation and that He knows every detail. There is no need to worry or live in fear because He’s got you.  

            I want to encourage you to trust in God with every circumstance or situation you are facing. He has a plan that is unique for you. He sees you on the other side. He knows how you will find victory and build a deeper faith and trust in Him. He hasn’t forsaken you. He is walking with you through your situation. There is nothing too difficult for Him. You will overcome because He made you to be an overcomer. He wants to build a testimony in your life to His goodness. So let the tests come, you will pass them one by one.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

Planning Ahead

            Every year about this time many of us receive packets of information to help us choose a health care plan—it’s open enrollment season. Besides a main insurance plan, there are extra benefits available at an additional cost. We have to choose which plans will work best for our health care needs.

            My wife and I are working to get some other plans in place, too. No one really likes to think about it, but it is important to set up a will. The old adage says there are only two sure things in life… death and taxes. We want to make sure that we have plans in place for the inevitable. In North Carolina if one passes without a will then the state will decide what happens to your estate. Passing without a will could really leave your spouse in a bind. Neither of us wants that to happen.

            Sometimes I wish that the DeLorean from Back to the Future was available so I could go back and talk to my younger self about financial planning. I recently spent time with two financial planners who opened my eyes to a number of things I should have done and that I can still do to have better plans in place for our future. One pointed out that we are going to have more health issues as we age. I can put some plans in place now that could help me then. He also had plans on how we could take our nest egg and make it into a much more substantial nest egg.

            I am beginning to realize I have much to learn about the Golden Years of our lives. I learned it’s not too late and that I better get busy and make some decisions sooner rather than later. The data and choices are sitting on my desk waiting for me. Once the decisions are made, I will need to execute them. Some of these decisions are unpleasant, especially those about the end, but if I don’t make them they will be made for me and I may not like what is decided.

            While planning ahead in this life is very important, planning ahead in our spiritual lives is much more important. Many people are under the false impression that God decides our eternal destination. They believe that they will walk up to God who will decide if they are “good enough” to get into heaven. The reality is that none of us is good enough to get into heaven. Even people we believe are good, kind, and spend their lives helping others are not good enough to get into heaven.

            The Bible makes it clear that we have all sinned and fallen short of what God expects to let us into heaven. We can’t do enough good stuff to erase the bad. We also can’t hope that God will just let us in. The decision about where we will spend eternity is entirely in our courts. God has made a provision; He has made a way for each one of us to make it into heaven. We have to choose before we die to follow His plan.

            God made the plan simple. We don’t have to jump through hoops or complete some rigorous task. We simply have to turn to Jesus and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior. It’s that simple. Anyone can do it, including the worst person you know. God is full of grace and mercy. We can see proof of that when Jesus was dying on the cross. One of the thieves who was crucified alongside Jesus asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus told the man that they would be together that day in heaven. The man didn’t have time to do any good works for God yet he will be there in heaven and we will get to meet him one day.

            I want to encourage you to plan ahead for your eternal destination. You don’t want to miss heaven and being with Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. The place has got to be spectacular because it’s going to make this world seem pale in comparison. The other benefit will be that we will be surrounded by God’s perfect love and peace. I hope your plans include going there and that you have made that all important decision. I look forward to meeting you in heaven one day!  Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

Serving is not a Duty

            It seems like we aren’t getting as much mail lately. The trip to the mailbox is often fruitless. The bill collectors regularly keep in contact with us, though. I don’t mind because I like having power, water, and all the other services they provide. Every once in a while, you will find a letter in your box that you wish had gotten lost in the mail. I received one of those letters recently. It was a thin letter. In the upper left hand corner I saw it was from the Clerk of Superior Court. I knew without opening it that I had jury duty. I stood in my driveway and opened the letter to see when I would have to serve. I, like anyone else who receives such a letter, was frustrated and wished I could make it go away. I took a few breaths and let the frustration go.

            I love our country. One of the responsibilities of living in this great land is that sometimes our country needs our help dealing with legal issues. Someone needs us to listen objectively to their situation and determine whether they are innocent or guilty. Any one of us could find ourselves in that situation one day. We would need twelve people plus two alternates to listen to our story and determine our destiny.

            We all might consider jury duty an inconvenience and we may wish we were somewhere else, but for a period of time our country and an individual needs us to help bring about justice. When you consider all the cases that come before our court system and all the people who have served on jury duty to help bring about justice…it is truly amazing. Our system of justice works better than many other places around the world.

            Serving is actually quite interesting. They show you a video explaining how the jury process works. That video should be required viewing for every high school student before they graduate. They explain that we don’t have jury duty, but rather jury service. It is each citizen’s opportunity to serve our country so we can have a fair and equitable legal system. I understand that it is something that we would prefer not to do. However, if we want our system to work, each of us has to be available to serve.

            Serving is a vital part of every organization. We all know that it is normally a handful of people who do the majority of the work within most organizations. Sadly, the same thing applies to most churches. The majority of the church’s work is done by a handful of people. Many people do very little to help build, grow, or encourage the church.

            Many people think it is the pastor’s and staff’s job to take care of everything at the church. The Bible teaches us that it is the pastor’s job to equip the church to do the work of the church. Pastors are supposed to be the mentors and trainers in the church and the members are called to do the work within the church. The members are also called to do the evangelical outreach of the church. It’s the members’ job to reach out and help in our communities.  

            There is a place for everyone to serve in the church. If you are musically inclined, not me, there is the choir and musicians. Churches need Sunday school teachers. Churches need greeters to welcome people. Churches need ushers to help people find seats and collect the offering. Churches need people to love the babies in the nurseries. Churches need creative people to help with the arts and crafts in the children’s area. Churches need people to pay the bills, run the office and create and manage the budget. Churches need people who love to cook for the meals we enjoy at church. Every church needs people to clean and maintain our facilities

            I want to encourage you to use your talents, skills, and abilities to serve in your church. God needs each one of us to do our part to help advance and grow His kingdom. It takes all of us, not just the pastor and church staff, to make a difference in our world. The church needs you! Jesus wants you to contribute and make your church a better place. No job is too small. There are plenty of behind the scenes jobs if you don’t want to get noticed. Find your place. Do your part! Let your light shine by serving God.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

Finding God in the Everyday

            I like going for walks, working in my garden, and reading on my front porch. These are peaceful activities that allow me to quiet my mind, spirit, and soul. The world is loud. The world is crazy and getting crazier all the time. The news is mostly negative. Some people can be angry and impatient. Worldly pressures push me towards being quiet. It all seems counter to my personality, which is more outgoing and positive.

            When I meet someone new, I always seek to find the good in them. I believe that there is good or at least the capacity for it deep inside each one of us. Sometimes life struggles and circumstances have caused people to bury the goodness. It’s there waiting to be called out. We are created in the image of God and He places the seed of His goodness inside each one of us. We have to choose to let that seed grow within us.

            I think it comes back to what we are feeding ourselves. If we listen to the news all day long we are going to struggle with depression because the news is depressing. If we listen to music with angry lyrics then we are going to be angry. If we spend hours scrolling through social media and see how perfect everyone’s life appears compared to ours, then we are going to be discouraged. We tend to forget that people only post their best moments.

            If we feed our hearts and minds these false impressions of the world around us then it’s going to give us a negative outlook on life. True, there really are some bad things going on in our world. True, some people may get to take great vacations. True, we might need to examine our choice of music and not allow the negativity to infect our spirit. We need to stop and consider what we are feeding ourselves.

            When I go for a walk I can see and appreciate the beauty God created. I can also stop and meet my neighbors. We have great neighbors who are kind, friendly, like to laugh, and are real people with joys and sorrows. Meeting the neighbors removes the mystery and helps me discover the goodness of God in their lives and gives me the opportunity to be a blessing or sometimes to be blessed.  

            I believe the goodness of God is just waiting to be discovered in our neighbors, in the beauty of nature around us, and even in the mundane things of everyday life. Many people see the goodness of God in the beauty of fall as trees put on their magnificent show of color. People will travel long distances to drive through the mountains and take in the beauty. It is hard to deny the creativity and majesty of God when spring begins to wake up in all of its splendor. Most of us can see God’s fingerprints in nature.

            How do you find God during the mundane moments of life? I think God is with us all the time; the problem is that we are unaware of His presence. I like to talk with Him while I am washing the dishes or cutting the grass. I believe He is with us when we are cleaning the house, doing laundry, pulling weeds, washing the car, and driving to work. The Bible tells us that He will never leave or forsake us, so He must be there but we just aren’t paying attention.

            Some people might say we need to tune our spirit to His so we can receive His presence. I believe God wants to draw close to us and in fact He is very close to us. We are simply too distracted by our daily tasks to realize He is right there with us. He cares about us and for us. Recognizing His presence and opening our hearts to Him can turn the mundane tasks into a time of sweet fellowship with Him.

            I want to encourage you to open your hearts and minds to God’s presence in the midst of everyday tasks. He doesn’t live in your church; He lives in your heart. He is as close as your every breath. When you begin to look for Him, I believe you are going to find Him. Look for His hand as you watch the leaves turning. See his handiwork in the next sunrise or sunset. See if you can find Him the next time you wash the dishes or cut the grass. He is waiting to be discovered in the wonders of nature and in the everyday activities of your life.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

Seeking Wisdom

            Have you ever needed help to figure out something in life? Most people Google the question and find the answer. You might turn to AI to generate a solution. Would you consider a computer-generated answer wisdom? It’s nice to get the answer to questions or help on how to repair something, but I am not convinced that the internet can give me wisdom.

            I believe that wisdom comes from life experience. If you are having a relationship issue, I don’t believe that Google is going to be able to help you solve your problem. You need the wisdom of someone who has been through similar situations. While the internet may be able to offer you insights and symptoms for your medical condition, it’s the doctors who are going to be able to offer you wisdom. The same thing applies if you find yourself in some legal problems. It’s best to seek the wise counsel of a good lawyer rather than the internet. Wisdom comes through people and friends who care about you.

            I found myself seeking wisdom recently. I was talking to a friend, seeking his wisdom, when he told me that he knew I would find the wisdom I needed. He said that when you seek the advice of many counselors the scriptures say you will discover wisdom. He said that after I had gathered all this advice I knew the next step, seek the Lord in prayer. He said that God will show me the right path forward.

            I find that I am a little anxious as I walk on this new and unfamiliar path. The more I have learned and the more notes I have taken from wise people, the better I understand the decisions I have to make. I also realize that I can take a little more time making the decisions. Becoming more informed helps to bring a peace. I also know better how to pray for His guidance and wisdom.  

            As a teacher, I realize that this is a good life lesson. I can apply what I am learning now and what I have learned in the past to make the best decision for my situation. I think back to when I was considering retiring from teaching. I remember seeking out people I trusted and asking about that process. With each conversation came a deeper understanding and a stronger peace. When I finally made that decision, I knew I made the right decision. 

            The more I think about this new path the more I realize that life is full of big changes for all of us. Choosing where to go to college. The stages of life. Starting families. Changing employment places or careers. Moving. Retirement. Each of us approaches big decisions in different ways. We each process and consider them uniquely. Hopefully, we seek the wisdom and guidance from those who have our best interests at heart. We can take each of their perspectives, insights, and wisdom and apply them to our decisions.

            All this gathering of information does not complete the process, we must take the knowledge we have gained and ask God for His wisdom and guidance. God is not bound by time and He can see the outcome of our decisions. He knows which paths will lead us in the right direction and which will bring about bad results. He knows each one of us individually. He knows what is best for us and the long-term results. I have heard friends say that God was leading them to make a decision that didn’t look like the best one on the surface, but several years down the road ended up being the best thing in their lives. That’s why we have to trust Him, not our feelings, or what looks like a good thing at the moment. Prayer works. Getting others to pray for and with us in the midst of our big decisions can point us in the right direction.

            I want to encourage you to take your big life decisions (and your small ones, too) to God, your Heavenly Father, who will help you choose the best thing for you in your situation. Be willing to give up what you think because there are always things down the road you can’t see. He is watching out for you and wants the very best for you. It requires faith. It requires trust. You have to believe that He loves you and cares about each decision that you face. Seeking wisdom is important but nowhere near as important as seeking the Lord in prayer.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

A Breath of Fresh Air

            When I went off to college in the Shenandoah Valley many years ago, my parents helped me move in. They stayed overnight, and one thing we all noticed was the temperature really dropped that night and the next morning was quite cool. I remember putting on some jeans. It was August and I wanted a pair of jeans. That didn’t happen on the coast where I grew up. There were some warm nights later on, but that particular morning was cool, much like we are experiencing right now.

            I am used to the dog days of August that are unbearably hot and humid. The end of this August and the first week of September are a welcome change. I have been enjoying eating my lunch and reading on the front porch. I know this is not the perfect weather for those going to the beach, but for those of us who are home, it’s wonderful!

            I spent Labor Day weekend catching up on some sleep and working on some chores. I pulled several wheelbarrows full of weeds. I was able to mulch some garden beds and they look great. The plans for a fall harvest were messed up. The beans and peas were looking great until the deer wiped out everything in one night. I replanted, but am not confident I will get a harvest due to the late date.

            While I am really enjoying the cool days, I am not fond of the thought that fall is on the way. I have noticed that the days are getting shorter. I worked outside until after eight and it was quite dim before I got inside. I have also noticed that I am getting up in the dark. While the cooler weather is welcome, I am not quite ready for the full onset of fall.

            There are a number of fall chores that I want to get done this year. For example, my raspberry bed needs to be cleaned out, fresh soil brought in, and new plants put out. I love my raspberries and have missed them the last couple of years.

While I need to pull weeds in the natural, there are some things that probably need attention in my spiritual life, too. Have you ever spent more time thinking than praying during your quiet time? Have you ever been worried about a conversation that needed to take place and practiced it instead of praying about it? Have you ever sat down to read some scripture and you read it but your mind was far away thinking about something else? Have you ever missed quiet time with God?

            I went for a walk the other day and I was part way through my walk before I realized He was walking with me. I have been so distracted by all that has been going on in my life that I haven’t noticed that He’s been with me. One thing I have noticed is that my heart and mind have been encased with His peace. For that I must thank all those who have been keeping me and my family in your prayers, because it is unusual for me to be walking in this kind of peace.

            I look around my spiritual garden and see it needs attention. I feel this abundant grace that God understands and He is filled with compassion and love. He has sent friends who will share their stories and listen patiently to mine. Friends have stood with me and held me up. Spiritually I feel that I have been granted a breath of fresh air. A moment to rest. A moment to catch my breath. A moment to realize that life has changed and it will be okay. A moment to receive from others when I would much prefer to be the giver. A moment to see a new and different future. A moment to see God in a new way and know we are going on a new journey.

            If you feel life has been moving too fast or you have been overwhelmed by some circumstances, then I want to encourage you to stop and take a deep breath. Pull out of the fast lane and breath. Sometimes we need perspective and to know that God is not in a hurry. He is there and been there all the time. He is waiting for you to take your eyes off the craziness of your life and to put them on Him. He knows the way. He is the peace you need. He provides the joy that will ease your tension. It requires you to slow down, breath, and turn your eyes upon Him. It’s like…a breath of fresh air. 

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

Sometimes it’s too Much       

            What did you do last weekend? I went to two funerals. The first was for my brother’s mother-in-law. The second was for my Dad. It was a tough and long weekend. I am glad they are behind me, but there are still feelings that I need to process. There is my own pain and loss, and then I think about my brother’s family, who lost two parents in a matter of days. About a month ago, my sister lost her father-in-law, so her family has also had to deal with two losses very close together. To say that we are tired and weary is an understatement.

            My brother hosts most of the holiday gatherings at his house. The main ones are Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve. Every one of those gatherings included my brother’s mother-in-law. She had a laugh and a hug for everyone. She wanted to make sure that everyone was included in family gatherings.

            Her memorial service on Saturday was a great reflection on her family life. Several family members shared great stories. I really enjoyed the music. We sang a hymn I have never heard, I Danced in the Morning. It’s a great old hymn. They ended the service by singing Silent Night while we all held candles. It was beautiful.

            My Dad’s memorial service was on Sunday. I thought we would have a small service with mainly family members. I walked into a full room. There were people there from his church, community, bridge club, and his golfing buddies. I was impressed by the big turnout. Everyone was kind and supportive.

            I spoke about how one life can have a huge impact. My Dad had been to 15 different countries in his lifetime. His children and grandchildren have lived in 18 states and the territory of Puerto Rico. There were over 26 different careers represented between the children, grandchildren, and their spouses. That created quite an impact on our world. I ended my portion of the memorial sharing the fact that his children and grandchildren have been on mission trips or supported missionaries in 14 different countries. That means his legacy includes missionary work on 6 of the 7 continents.

            One other interesting thing my brother thought of for our dad’s service was an opportunity for people to share why they came to his service. We gathered and read what people wrote after the service. Some people wrote funny things, others were heartfelt, and still others were words of comfort and support. It was very comforting to our family.

            It was a long weekend for our family. I really feel for my brother and his wife who were dealing with two losses. The stress level has been high for about a month now for all of us. I hope things will gradually quiet down into a normal routine soon.

            I have heard the old expression that God never gives us more than we can handle. A friend said that they heard it differently. They heard that God WILL give us more than we can handle so we will turn to Him for the help and guidance we need. I am not sure I like that, but I have found myself turning to Him often over this last month. There have been a number of sleepless nights over the past month. My body is exhausted but my mind is racing.

            I have been pressing in to get closer to God because I am desperate to know Him in the middle of this difficult time. I talk to Him while I am lying awake in bed. I am thinking about and meditating on His Word and His promises to me. I am worshipping Him in the midst of the questions and struggles. He has been drawing close to me. He has given me His peace and comfort. He is my ever present help. He is my peace. He is my joy. He loves me.

            If you feel like you are struggling with “too much” right now, then I want to encourage you to draw closer to God. Push yourself closer. Seek Him in His Word and in your prayers. Worship Him because of who He is in spite of your circumstances. Trust Him even through you don’t know the way He is leading you. Open your heart to Him. Expose the pain and hurt and allow Him to lift you up and bring healing and peace. I do know it is a process and I believe He will help you and me through it. I bid you His peace, grace, and love.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com