Lynna Clark

By Lynna Clark

I’ve been thinking about a word I saw in Scripture, and praying it for my husband and me. You see, we’ve just let go of a lot of security and left jobs we had at the same school for the past twenty years. Yep. We are that crazy. Anyway, he was a middle school teacher [math, Bible, & culinary] and I was the school secretary. And we really loved it. But the Lord kept nudging us to step out of the boat and do a little wave walking.

A while back I heard a teaching series through the book of Nehemiah. The pastor said. “Don’t allow fear to be bigger than your God.” It was at that point that I had real confirmation that God wanted us to do something more. That was in January. So in March, when it was time to sign contracts for the next year, God gave us both peace and assurance that we needed to be done there. And we let go.

One day I was reading and came across the word equip. It’s contained in a prayer at the end of Hebrews. Chapter 13:20 says, “And now, may the God of peace, Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing His will.” Since we are definitely old dogs in need of new tricks, equipping by God sounds like a great request. So this has become my prayer for us. Today, I saw an interesting commentary on that word. The writer, Dennis Fisher, says it is the same word used in several contexts. Stay with me, this is pretty cool. Ephesians 4:12 uses it to describe what pastors and teachers do for us as they bring us God’s Word. Galatians 6:1 speaks of restoring [equipping] a fallen brother. And my favorite is in Matthew 4:21. Mending [nets] is the same word.

God is so practical. He never asks us to do anything without equipping us to do it. And if we fall, and odds are pretty good we will, He reaches out His hand for us. And when we need mending, He’ll do that too. People may think we are not worth the effort, but God never gives up on us. And the coolest part of all is that the power He uses to equip us is the same power He used to RAISE CHRIST FROM THE DEAD! Ephesians 1:19-“I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead!” Strong stuff! Makes me think we can do anything He asks!

So the prayer for today is for equipping. Lord, strengthen us with the tools we need to build Your church. Put in our hearts what You want us to do. Then give us the knowhow, stamina, and understanding to do the things You want done. Help us remember that we cannot rely on ourselves. Then strengthen us to stay so close to You, that when the waves get big, we instantly call to you like Peter did when he stepped out on the water. Hold us by Your strong and mighty right hand! Equip us to do great things we’ve never done before!

More: Psalm 18:16-20; Matthew 14:22-33; Isaiah 43:2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Isaiah 48:17- “The LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says, I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling like waves.”

By Lynna Clark

The year was 1978. We had no insurance, and no money for frivolities like prenatal care. When I finally broke down and went for a doctor visit, I was advised to terminate our second pregnancy. It seemed the baby was not developing at the normal rate. Plus I had experienced a few complications. To say I was afraid would be quite an understatement. I was 23, in a lot of pain and very intimidated by the growly doctor. Circumstances led me to the hospital where I would have an ultrasound. This was a fairly new procedure and I had no idea what to expect. I was instructed to drink a foot tub of water ahead of time so they could get the best pictures. Apparently a floating baby is easier to see. In fact, I too was floating. And miserable. I think I was about ten months along and since I have a bladder the size of a butterbean, I was pretty sure the waiting room would soon need a clean up on aisle three. My sister was with me and though she was even younger than me, she knew enough to whisper funny things. I can’t remember exactly what was so comical about the man across the way who seemed also to be ten months along. I just remember laughing at my sister and being thankful for her effort to keep my mind off the fact that something was wrong with the baby. Oh and also the fact that my bladder was about to explode.

The minutes ticked by. Nearly an hour after our scheduled appointment, we still sat in the crowded waiting room. FINALLY a nurse appeared and called my name. I hurried toward her in anticipation. Cheerfully she handed me a large cup filled with ice water. “Here hun. Drink this so we can get the best pictures on the first go round.” I burst into tears. As I sat by my sister trying to drink the water between sniffles, a lady took the chair on the other side of me. She patted my arm and shared that she had lost a baby and yet survived to have others. Gently she assured me that God wouldn’t give me more than I could handle.

I wanted to punch her in the throat.

I didn’t want to lose this baby and have others. And I sure didn’t want to think about the wisdom of God. Have you ever been there? Your world is coming apart and some well meaning soul tries to impart knowledge that doesn’t feel helpful at all. All the Jesus words in the world can’t fix it. And yet I too have tried to comfort others with words of experience. That’s not always best. If the person hurting wants to talk, or cry, or lean on your shoulder, just listen. Keep all that vast wisdom to yourself. Unless of course like me you write a blog. Then you have permission to put on your Jesus goggles and share all the words.

Happy Ending: The baby that was due on July 31 was born safe and healthy on September 29. A miscalculated due date resulted in the doctor’s concern over lack of development. As the stranger-lady in the waiting room predicted, I went on to have another healthy baby two years later. And God did not give me more than I could handle. Looking back I’m glad I did not punch her in the throat.
Well… mostly.

By Lynna Clark

We’re sixty-eight. Well… I am. Though he is a few months younger than me, David knows enough to claim my same age. How well he remembers the time we filled out visitor cards at a church in South Carolina. Since I had already turned 25, I had to check the age box marked 24-35. He had not yet had his birthday so he jauntily checked the age box marked 18-24 and made sure I saw it. That day became a day to remember in our young marriage.

For me, remembering anything is getting harder and harder. David and I have a running game of “Who’s that guy?” You know, the one who used to coach the New Orleans Saints. Or who’s the dude who played in Die Hard? Or the rich one who owns Tesla? We also play the game, “Why am I in the kitchen?” That one’s easier because I usually assume I’m there to get a snack. It’s kind of a win win. I can always go back later when I remember why I really went there… and get another snack.

Anyway, we are sixty-eight. And we’ve been around long enough to have been through some hard things. It’s easy to remember the time our kids were small and we were kicked out of church by a jealous preacher. The times we sat with dying parents and held their hand until they passed; the foreclosure on the house we had poured heart and soul into; the loss of our first grandson before he breathed life; the diagnosis of cancer and the horrible season of chemo. Those things are branded on our souls it seems. But what is important to remember is the way the Lord saw us through them. The time He sent unusual strength when my big strong hero keeled over one night; those times the Lord provided more than enough when we had no resources of our own. How He gently held us as we walked through the very shadow of death.

Psalm 78 mentions many occasions when the Lord took great care of His people. Yet they continually forgot His provision, even demanding things they craved. It goes so far as to say, “Despite His wonders, they refused to trust Him.” The Psalm also says that they “grieved Him; they did not remember His power or how He rescued them.”

Let’s not grieve the Lord. Let’s not demand things of Him as if we know best. He appreciates being remembered and He is honored when we trust Him. All our lives He has provided, comforted, and loved us to Himself. Personally, I have to say that I do not understand Him. And I sure don’t know why He puts us through the things He does. But in every part of life, I’ve learned that He will carry me til the end. Then later, looking back on the trouble, I can remember this.

“When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs.” -Psalm 84:6 NLT

By Lynna Clark

What could he do? It came down to a couple different options. He could break their engagement and tell everybody she’d been unfaithful. Or he could handle things quietly in order to protect her. Being a nice guy he chose option ‘B.’ He would cancel the wedding plans and somehow move on without her.

Suddenly an option was presented to him that he’d never considered.

He could marry her and raise the baby as his own. It would include taking a hit to his reputation and trusting a woman with a very questionable story but…

Matthew 1:19 tells us that Joseph was a good man. Even a good man would struggle with option ‘C.’

Isn’t it remarkable that the King of the universe chose to come to earth as a man so that God’s beautiful plan to buy us back to Himself could be realized? To me it’s interesting that He started and ended with a couple of regular Joes.

The first was just a hardworking, tax paying guy looking forward to having sons of his own and building the family carpenter business. He found himself being the adopted dad of a little boy Who would be revealed as the Son of God. But Joseph willingly gave up reputation and whatever it took to protect this child. When it meant believing a far-fetched story about his fiancée, he was willing. When it meant taking off to a foreign country with his brand new family in tow, he was God’s man.

Good, faithful, hard-working, steady Joe; not much by social standards, but chosen by God.

Fast forward to the end of Jesus’ life.

Another Joe steps up. This time it’s a rich man with great social status. But he refused to accept the verdict of his fellow religious leaders who had wrongly convicted Jesus. With wisdom he stepped out from the Jewish high counsel and made a decision. He would personally take the body of Christ and bury it in his own tomb… the one he just paid good money to have carved out for himself. This rich man with great social standing did not ask servants to do the difficult task. He made his request to Pilate, then took the body of Jesus and carefully wrapped it in fine linen, placing it in his own tomb. What courage! He could’ve lost everything by associating himself with Jesus.

Instead, he is forever chronicled in Scripture as Joseph from Arimathea, a good and righteous man.

Two Joes: One poor, without clout; the other rich, with high social standing. Each faithful, steady and strong in character, just doing life as the Lord guided.

In my life, the people who have influenced and encouraged me most have not been dynamic, flashy, or extremely talented. They have been beautiful though, because faithfulness is a beautiful thing.

Don’t you love how God uses us regular Joes for His most important tasks?

PS: You can read more about Joseph the step-dad in Luke 2:1-24 & Matthew 1:18-2:23; and Joseph of Arimathea in Luke 23:50-56 & Matthew 27:57-61.

Sometimes Beautiful Joes are named Dennis, David, Randy and Tom

By Lynna Clark

“Hey man! Don’t be takin’ my donkey!”

That’s what I would’ve said if a couple of strangers came up to my house and started untying the family beast of burden. I mean, how will we get the firewood home, or take grandma to prayer meeting? You can’t just go around taking people’s stuff all willy nilly.

“The Lord needs it.”

Jesus told his friends to say that when He sent them to fetch the donkey. Apparently that’s all it took. The owner had no problem sending his valuable property with strangers. He wasn’t promised a great return on his investment. He wasn’t promised the donkey would be brought back fed and watered… or even returned at all. All he knew was that the Lord needed something he had. If I had a donkey, I can hear myself reasoning…“Sorry guys. It’s the only donkey I’ve got. You’re gonna have to find yourself another mode of transportation. I just made the last payment. Had to finance it for seven years, but finally it’s all mine.”

“What? The Lord needs it? The Lord has everything. Why does He need MY donkey?” I’m afraid me and my donkey would’ve missed the Jesus parade… the only one He ever had. In fact, I think I would’ve missed a lot of things.

I don’t believe I would’ve climbed a tree to get a better look. People would surely laugh at a grown woman perched in a tree. I wouldn’t have called Him up for a night time meeting so He could answer my questions either. What would the neighbors think? I doubt I would have given my lunch to Him when everyone realized it was time to eat and there was no food. What good would my little pitiful sack lunch do? And I KNOW I would not have stepped out of a perfectly good boat to go traipsing across the choppy sea. Who would take such a risk?

Not me.

In fact, everything is just fine the way it is. So Lord, I’m here for You… right here in my cozy house, with plenty to eat, and my nice warm bed, surrounded by things and people I love, with my precious donkey safely tied outside.

Hmmm… Sounds like a parade off in the distance. I wonder what I’m missing.

By Lynna Clark

I have two sisters who are twins. Not with me, with each other. Otherwise I guess we’d be triplets. Anyway, they are nearly four years younger than me. Unlike me they are still very active. They play Pickleball regularly. Both of them still get outside and walk often. They have card playing buddies and get together with them for tournaments and such. Best of all they still teach Bible classes and love their students. Tamra teaches elementary boys in her church while Janice brings weekly studies to ladies of advanced wisdom. Oh how I love them both. They make me laugh and think and think about laughing. Though we share the common thread of sisterhood, we are very different. While they enjoy people and love a good party, or fellowship as the church folks say, I tend to be a homebody. Please don’t make me go. My favorite plans are cancelled plans. I don’t even own a welcome mat because I don’t want to be a hypocrite. Annyyywayyy…

There is a running joke between us sisters about three old women who live together. These ladies live a confused life, much like my own. The other day we were trying to remember how the joke goes but couldn’t get it right. If that wasn’t so sad, it would be funny. Eventually sister Tamra texted it to us. It goes something like this.

Three elderly ladies lived together. One was upstairs and called down in a panic. “Somebody come help! I’ve got one foot in the tub and I can’t remember if I was getting in or out.” The second lady headed upstairs to help when suddenly she stopped on the staircase. “Oh no! I can’t remember if I was going up the stairs or down!” The third lady who was sitting at the dining table shook her head and commented. “I hope I never get that forgetful. Knock on wood. Wait… was that the front door or the back?”

So when Tamra sent me the text, I replied: “Since I can’t get in or out of the tub by myself, and I sure can’t be climbing no steps, can I be the one at the table? Knock on wood. Hang on. There’s somebody at the door.”

I have no idea where I was headed with this story. I guess the moral of it is to enjoy life no matter the season. Maybe even laugh, or think, or think about laughing while we still can.

Knock on wood.

“In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Thy comforts delight my soul.” -Psalm 94:19

By Lynna Clark

I’m kind of clumsy when it comes to social graces. Like Don Rickles on the Andy Griffith Show, I’m rather inept. To me, people are scary… down right intimidating. However, for twenty years I worked at the front office of a small school. All day long I dealt with people. I was a little bit good at that. I think because I could help them quickly and they’d be on their way without too many words. If I had to make a phone call, I learned to practice what I would say beforehand. Even now, I do the same. Like last week I needed to check on strawberry plants at the local nursery. In my head, I had the questions ready but when a gruff old dude answered, my words came out “blah blah blahder berrydo have you some?” Also “what is the time of which you shall be closed?” I sounded like Yoda but not as intelligent. Maybe that’s why I write.

Annyyywayyy…

It turns out I’m not real savvy with the technology talk either. Someone was trying to call while I was listening to a Marco message from Permaculture Daughter. I thought I could just hit the orange button that popped up to see who was calling. But somehow I got Google assistant who said, “Try saying, ‘Remind me to take out the garbage.’” So I hit that button trying to get rid of her since my cell was still ringing and Marco was still playing. Of course Google Lady said, “Okay! I will remind you at nine o’clock tonight to take out your garbage.” She seemed so pleased to help that I hated to disappoint her. Without practicing, gently I said, “No Google Lady. Do NOT remind me about the garbage to be out at nine o’clock.”

Bless her heart. I think she was trying her best, but she informed me in her very-pleased-to-be-of-service voice. “Okay! I will remind you NOT to take out the garbage at nine o’clock.” So I gave up on her and hurried to answer my incoming call. But alas. They were gone. So I continued the tour of my daughter’s backyard garden on Marco. At least I’m savvy enough to send her a well-deserved thumbs up, heart AND happy face. I’m sure she was impressed. Plus! No words were harmed in the process.

Sadly, the call I missed was something from a desperate prince who needs money. I’ll have to catch up with him later. Maybe I’ll just text him so I can plan my words. I sure don’t want to insult the royalty which is surely him by misspeaking. But first, I might ought to take a nap. I have a call scheduled past my bedtime to remind me NOT to take out the trash.
Lord help me!

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight O Lord my Strength and my Redeemer.” -Psalm 19:14

By Lynna Clark

We have three grown daughters scattered about making their little corners of the world better. During a recent weekend the one living nearby was at a beach retreat with ladies from her church. I checked the weather app and was happy to see she was enjoying 73 degrees and sunshine. Wow. How perfect. Our middle daughter had plans to visit the farm of a friend who is into Permaculture… whatever the heck that is. I had to Goggle it. She too had great weather for the Permaculturing adventure. Woohoo!

However, as I checked the weather for our poor firstborn living in the Midwest, she was experiencing something called “frozen fog.” I have never heard of such a thing. I wondered if she were to drive through it, would it scratch her car.
That can’t be good.

Later that day I decided to make homemade banana pudding. You know, the kind mama made by cooking egg yolks. Since the local daughter has a gold mine in her backyard [she raises chickens and therefore has eggs] we have a generous portion of the motherlode. After adding four yolks, a little flour and sugar to a warm pot on the stove, I stepped away to grab the milk. Literally two steps to the fridge and two steps back. Of course there’s no telling how long I peered into the coldbox trying to remember why I was there. Upon returning to the stove I discovered darkness hovered upon the face of the deep. I snatched the pot from the flame but it was eternally too late. Scorched globs of gunk greeted me and I knew.

That would not be good.

So I started over. Different pot, fresh ingredients, lower temp and constant stirring would surely lend a good result. Mama would be proud. Later after it cooled and thickened, I relished the sweet pudding over bananas while I watched the birds outside my window. Naturally I dribbled pudding on the reading glasses hooked in the front of my shirt. As I tried to remove it, the pudding smeared all over the left lens. Okay, so I may have licked it off. But even after dousing my glasses in water, things were still foggy. But at least it was not frozen fog. Because that would surely not be good.

Ahhh sweet Saturday! A day filled with sunshine, scorched pudding and fog. I’ve come to realize; even with the good, the bad and the ugly… my life is pretty good. It’s hard sometimes to recognize just how good we have it. Scripture says it like this.
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” -1 Corinthians 13:12

Soon the fog will lift. Pain will disappear and the truth will be evident. In the grand scope of things, life really is pretty darn good.

By Lynna Clark

We used to have the best doctor. When David’s A1C registered high, she gave him a plan to lower it. Of course the plan came with a stern warning about his consumption of grits and other Southern manna. But her advice worked. Even better, she treated him like a son and praised his efforts each time he had bloodwork. She was so encouraging that his blood pressure, which usually shot through the roof like a rocket during a visit, came down to somewhat normal. But then she committed the unpardonable.

Our beloved Mrs. Caroline Adams retired. Dang encouraging grandma. Oh how we miss her. Life will never be the same.
As you surely know by now, I am a delicate flower. Currently I’m going through another health issue on top of the mystery illness I deal with. Of course the older I get the more the crazy symptoms pile on. In fact I told the Lord this morning that I am tired of asking for help and getting none. I decided to just quit asking. Then the story in the Daily Bread devotional spoke of the eerie quiet in a Russian orphanage where the babies learn not to cry because they know that no help will come. What a terribly sad commentary. Just as I finished reading the article the Lord reminded me of this verse.

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.” -Psalm 56:8

Apparently Somebody does care.

Then I wondered how large that bottle must be. Since I’m a big ol’ crybaby, the Lord probably uses a five gallon bucket… or three. So let’s do this.

The next time we get to wondering if anybody cares at all, let’s practice this. Let’s go ahead and cry out to the Lord and know He loves us enough to collect all our tears. His Son also cried out. He even wondered why God had forsaken Him.
I bet His bucket is even bigger than mine.

By Lynna Clark

Don’t you love seeing daffodils this time of year? Around our house they seem to be popping up everywhere. My neighbor has three large flowerbeds loaded with them. So pretty. Their big ol’ heads nod at the cars passing by like “Look over here! Winter won’t last forever! Hitch up your britches and face this passing season.”

At least that’s what I hear. But I’m a few bulbs short of a full flowerbed.

In our yard we can count on daffodils popping up first in the woods to the back of the lot, then in various places around the house. This year a few rogues sprouted in the middle of the grass in the front yard. We’ve lived here a long time and those have never been there before. I guess they washed in from some random place and decided to bloom where they were NOT planted. There’s bound to be a lesson in there somewhere… though at the moment I can’t think of what it might be. I just know that each morning when I open the front curtains, their presence brings me joy.

Last night just before bedtime we flipped past the news. Generally speaking, I don’t watch it. But this caught my attention. Those who’ve studied Biblical prophecy have known for years that in the end times, right about when Jesus is ready to return, Russia and China will become allies.

Guess what was on the news. Yep. It was the first time I had ever heard of those two countries getting together as a possible superpower. Apparently the world is changing and there is not a lot I can do about it. The way I see it there are two options. I can wring my hands and cry out to anyone who will listen that the sky is falling. OR I can look to the One Who actually controls what’s going on and trust Him.

Today, as I open the curtains to see the daffodils nodding back at me, I rest. Though it is winter and the news forecast is bleak, there is hope for this season. I will continue to walk with the One Who has held my hand throughout my entire life. With His love He has calmed all my fears.

Do you know the Lord enough to trust Him?
It might be time.