With spring's arrival, and since I need to do it anyway, I've been cleaning out our closets. The kids have grown, so some of their items are being handed down or handed over to ministries that can help them find new homes. I'm trying to follow the rule, "If you haven't worn it in so many months, get rid of it." I finally had to admit that even if some styles come back in fashion, I didn't really like the items that much the first time!

Today's verse, since it mentions "clothe", caught my eye. Then, I read what we can clothe ourselves with. Wow! Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience — how much different our days would be if we were to pull our clothes from that closet!

Right before that verse, there is a list of all the things we could be rid of:

Colossians 3:7-10 – You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (NIV)

Those are not even worth recycling or handing down. It's time for a new self and a better closet. Look out, best dressed list! We've got a new wardrobe.

Prayer: God, thank You that You know what we need, even when it involves a new attitude. Thank You for the words of wisdom in the Bible. Help us to clean the closets of our hearts and minds, and fill them with brand new ideas from You. Amen.

Last year, I had surgery on my neck, due to a disc pressing on my spinal cord. For numerous reasons, I was not looking forward to it. I was scared of surgery — not because I thought something would happen, but just the fact of the unknown. How would I feel afterward? How long would it take to recover? I had things to do. This would be a crimp in my plans.

I do not consider myself vain, and did not really think about the wound or subsequent scar. I was told it would be on one of the lines of my neck and would not be that noticeable. Considering the work that needed to be done, it is a small scar that is healing and becoming less noticeable.

When I first took off my bandages, though, I was disappointed at how red the wound looked. It was more raised up than I had thought it would be. For a long time, I wore a small bandage over it. I was uncomfortable with the fact that people would notice and then I'd have to explain what had happened — as if the bandage itself wasn't noticeable!

The Bible doesn't mention a lot about scars. It mentions wounds quite a bit. I think of the wounds that Jesus suffered at the hands of His accusers: the whipping and beating that He took on our behalf; the long, painful walk that He took bearing our cross; and His hanging on the cross where He was wounded even more deeply. The scarlet blood that flowed from His wounds is blood that washed away our sins.

Jesus, when wounded on the cross, had a deep feeling of being forsaken. Yet, His chief concern was not His earthly body. He died knowing that His woundedness would bring healing and the opportunity for all who trust Him to have a restored relationship with God.

Isaiah 53:4-5 – Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (NLT)

Prayer: God, You know us better than we know ourselves. You know the wounds we have and have tried to hide. You know the wounds we may have inflicted on others. Thank You for Your devotion to us through Jesus. Thank You for the freedom we can have through You. Thank You for the scars that can help us lead others to You. Amen.

I have a problem with judging distance; I always have, as far as I know. Overall, this has not caused too many problems, except for some with driving and parking — to which my family will attest! One of my biggest problems has always been with parking ramps. I try to avoid them at all costs.

Recently, my mom was in the hospital. The hospital has a parking ramp. On a couple of days during the week, I had no choice but to park on the ramp. On the first day, I cautiously approached the ramp, driving my van. The bar at the entrance hangs at the seven-foot mark. My head knows that in most ramp parking lots, my van will fit. My eyes, though, tell me a different story. My eyes make me think that I will be bashing my way through — if I get in at all.

I have had to learn that my eyes are not always my most accurate source of information. Sometimes, I need to lean on the fact that there is more to something than what my eyes see. As I was pulling into the ramp that first day, I was reminded that faith is often like that, and I remembered today's verses from Hebrews. There are many versions; basically, it boils down to the fact that faith is not based on what we see. Faith is believing in what we don't/can't/won't see.

I realized that faith is much more firm and structured than I had thought and had been feeling. Faith is what my heart knows, but my head (logic) and my eyes try to convince me otherwise. We need to keep our eyes and our hearts open for those little ways that God uses to let us know that He's there.

Prayer: God, thank You for the times when we are reminded that we can believe in what we may not always see with our eyes. Thank You for little nudges that move us in the right direction. You are a firm foundation for both our heads and our hearts. Amen.

John 20:24-29 – Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (NIV)

Today, it could be any one of us. We can read the Bible, we can feel God's presence and peace, but that little feeling of doubt is never too far away. Thomas didn't just want somebody's word for it. He wanted proof! If we're honest, would we have asked for anything less? Do we now?

Jesus told Thomas to go ahead and touch His hands and side, and then, "Stop doubting and believe." Thomas did, and then he believed.

Jesus knew it would be more difficult for us. Look at verse 29: "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Jesus looked far into the future and knew that there would be days when we would know that we love God, but He just wouldn't feel real close. Jesus still offers us His hands and side as proof that He did what He said He would do. He died on the cross, rose the third day, and went back with His father to prepare a place for us to live eternally.

Deuteronomy 7:8-9 – But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. (NIV)

We're one of those thousand generations. He is faithful. He still welcomes doubters, seekers, or whatever we need to call ourselves when things aren't going like we think they should. We can ask Him to prove Himself to us. He will, no doubt about it.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You so much for the gift of Jesus. Thank You for knowing us better than we know ourselves. May we be willing to move beyond our periods of doubt and continue into Your presence. Amen.

Recently, I felt that I had lost a sense of peace and balance in my life. Life was coming at me way too fast, one day blurring into the next, and I realized how long it had been since I'd been to church or had devotions. My spirit felt empty.

Our family took a vacation, which helped the relaxation process. We stopped by a large waterfall. As we were looking at the falls, I noticed a seagull calmly perched on one of the only dry rocks in the river right on the edge of where the water tumbled below. Water was rushing by quickly on both sides. The seagull stood facing away from the falls, basking in the sunlight. I took a picture to remind myself that my life can be like that.

Waterfalls seemed to be a big part of the following week as well. I travelled with high school friends. They too have been very busy. It was good for all of us to slow down and enjoy the beauty around us. The waterfalls served as a reminder that we can let anxiety and troubles fall away.

I took time to journal, and spent time really thinking about God. I slowed down. I found my rock amidst the rushing waters of life — a place to stand and face the Sonshine, with my back to my troubles. The peace returns!

Matthew 8:26 – [Jesus] replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (NIV)

Maybe it is not possible right now to take a physical trip. Sometimes just a mental break is needed. May it be a time to hear God rebuke the winds and waves of this life and help us find the calm in our storm.

Isaiah 55:12 – You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (NIV)

Prayer: God, You know the trials, fears, and troubles that threaten to take away the peace You promise us. You are the Prince of Peace. Help us to take the time to seek the peace You offer. Thank You for the calm we find only in You. Amen.

Hebrews 13:3 – Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow-prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering. (NIV)

My son and I were doing devotions recently, and the subject of persecuted Christians came up. He asked me if that really happens. We talked about how there are places in the world where people have to meet in secret to have church because they risk financial ruin or losing their life.

I have to admit that I have not thought much about Christians outside of my little world. My son#39;s comments made me consider how much we both have to learn. I started doing some research, and I am saddened by what I have found. However, knowledge is the beginning of change.

What about us? We can worship freely. We can own Bibles. We may hear a snide remark, "Oh, you#39;re a Christian?" every once in a while. Does that make us back down, or do we stand up proudly and say, "Yes, I am!" Do we have that kind of courage to continue to worship in the face of discomfort?

Sometimes when something is free, we tend not to treasure it as much. If we have to fight for it, we become more involved.

Prayer is a powerful weapon in the fight.

Ephesians 6:18 – And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (NIV)

Prayer: God, help us to be aware of the situations of Christians in countries all around the world. May we treasure the freedom we have to speak Your name out loud in public. Thank You for the Bible and for its many words of wisdom that tell us how to handle these situations. We pray for those Christians around the world who are not able to worship You freely. May they have the courage and strength to remember that they are persecuted, but not abandoned &mdash by You, or by us. Amen.

As my daughter and I wait for her bus in the morning before school, we often play with shadows. She tries to make her shadow look taller than mine. We step on each other's shadows. Our shadows do what we do. If we dance, our shadows dance.

A shadow is an area that is darkened because the light is blocked. It is the absence of light in the shape of the object blocking the light. Shadows can look big and overwhelming, depending on how close or far away the object is from the source of the light.

Job 12:22 – He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light. (NIV)

Our world today can seem dark and scary. The shadows of our problems can feel like they are ready to overtake us. Maybe darkness feels like it is trying to move into our life. We don't have to stay there.

Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (NIV)

There are many who still need to meet the source of our light. Will we be someone's shadow, or will we help project the light that they need to make it through that next tough step?

Prayer: God, thank You so much for being the light that keeps even our darkest days from overwhelming us. Please put people in our path who need Your light. Help us to project that light and chase away the lingering darkness. Amen.