FRESH START
1Peter 5:8-11
The Message: “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only one plunged into these hard times…The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes He does.”
1Peter 5:8-11
The Message: “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only one plunged into these hard times…The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes He does.”
“Thud. Thud. Thud.”
Josie ran to the window and saw a U-Haul truck. The opened rear gate showed furniture and boxes. She ran outside her apartment. In the third floor hallway, a couple lugged a couch up the stairs. A boy followed, loaded down with an overstuffed backpack. He looked into her green eyes, noticing her brown pony tail, and nodded at her.
“Hi!” Josie welcomed the people, looking at the boy. “So you’ll be my neighbors across the hall!”
The couple grunted; the boy approached. A tingle rose up Josie’s spine when she looked into his dark eyes and smiling face framed with black hair. “Hi back. My name’s Ladell.”
“I’m Josie. Will you be going to my school? I’m in fifth grade at Overbook Elementary. Classes won’t begin again until next Monday, January 11th.
“Cool. I’m in fifth, too.”
Josie’s Dad stepped into the hall as Ladell’s Dad opened their front door. “Welcome, neighbors. Moving day’s a drag. Let me help.”
“Many thanks.” Ladell’s Dad said, approaching with an outstretched hand. “We’ll register Ladell this Monday. Get acquainted, Son. We’ll do the moving.”
Ladell’s Mom smiled at the kids. “Glad that you’re right across the hall, Josie.”
Ladell threw down his backpack. “Whew! We’re finally settling down. We’ve been homeless this whole year.”
“That’s awful, Ladell!” Josie said. “2009’s been the worst year ever—for me, too. My Mom died this past July.”
Ladell sat down. “I’m really sorry, Josie. Let’s take a calendar of 2009 and shred it!”
Giggling, Josie sat down. “Great idea, Ladell! As 2009 shreds, I’ll cheer, ‘Good riddance, good-bye, and farewell. When 2010 arrives, I’ll welcome it by ringing my bell.’”
“Are you a cheerleader?”
“How can you tell? Do you play football?”
Take Home Nugget
Starting over brings hope after a season of hardship, trial, and tribulation. Persevering through trouble takes courage. Never give up, for tomorrow is a new day. 1Peter 5:7 advises us, “Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.”
God’s grace is present whatever we face, for He provides power for us to persevere.
J.D. Griffith
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My background is a life time of worship, but seriously following Jesus came with age. Spiritual maturity is a leap of faith. Sometimes we don’t know what we’re missing until living on the edge of God’s leading. My life of self sufficiency ended abruptly when losing my job as an analytical chemist after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Now living on the edge of God’s leading has become a way of life that I wouldn’t trade for anything else.
Surrendering one’s will to the Lord can be scary. Why did I wait so long to do it? Diving into an intimate relation with the sovereign God of creation is the most secure position in the universe. Will you share your experience with me? Will you let me give you my testimony? May I introduce you to the Jesus I know?