Our church is a liturgical church, which means that our congregation follows an outlined service in a Book of Worship. We always say The Lord's Prayer at one point or another, and it seems that on this one particular Sunday, the words of The Lord's Prayer were being repeated very quickly by the congregation. We all say words by rote without thinking and without digesting every word or line. Do we really think about the words that Jesus taught His disciples in The Lord's Prayer, passed on to us?

When I arrived home that Sunday, I opened my Bible to the Book of Matthew, Chapter 6 and started reading at verse 9 and really thought about what Jesus' words meant to me:

Our Father who art in heaven:
Do I respect and honour Him in all things?

Hallowed be Thy Name:
Do I do or speak certain things that will bring disrespect and dishonour to His Name?

Thy Kingdom come:
The kingdom of God is within me and will come when I follow and obey Christ.

Thy will be done:
Do I follow my own self-interests, or do I obey and step out in faith as the Holy Spirit leads?

On earth as it is in heaven:
Do I sit back and do nothing to bring about God's will right now?

Give us this day our daily bread:
Do I acknowledge that everything I have is from God?

And forgive us our trespasses:
Do I live as a forgiven servant of Christ or am I carrying many burdens unnecessarily?

As we forgive those who trespass against us:
Do I hold grudges when someone hurts my ego? I have to remember where I have been and what I have become in Christ.

Lead us not into temptation:
Do I really believe that God is alive today, tomorrow, and forever?

And deliver us from evil:
Do I believe that God is able?

For Thine is the kingdom, the power, the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Not mine.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to meditate on every word that You speak to us through Your holy word, the Bible, a gift from You to us. Reveal, by Your Holy Spirit, Your will for us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

It all started when he came inside our house after doing some raking. He told me that he must have swallowed some dust, because his throat was scratchy and a bit sore. That night, he didn't sleep very well, and started to chew anti-acid pills. He didn't sleep the following night either, so I finally convinced him to go to the hospital. Once there, everything happened in fast-forward. My husband was suffering from a heart attack and was rushed to a cardiac hospital, where an angiogram was done. Once they had found the blockage, a stent was inserted. Because of his vascular dementia and the anaesthetic, my husband was completely confused and delusional. I was at my wits' end and thought that this was the end of the life that I had grown accustomed to. My focus was on the immediate situation, and I found myself getting more and more anxious by the minute.

The following verse came to mind and brought me comfort:

Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. (NIV)

As I thought about this wonderful revelation, I thanked God that my husband was alive. By the Spirit's urging, we had arrived at the hospital in the nick of time, which probably saved his life. I didn't see it at the time, but reflecting, I saw God's hand in the situation. And … that's where my focus should have been.

As I write this, my husband is back home, and I am watching him sleep, because rest is part of the healing process.

As caregivers, we tend to forget about ourselves because our primary concern is about our loved one. God understands. He is with us as caregivers and with our loved ones. God demonstrates His love for us by sending a friend to care for us by sitting at our loved one's bedside as we go and refresh ourselves. They may bring us a hamburger because we haven't eaten yet or just drop by and give us a much-needed hug. Doctors and nurses, who are compassionate, knowledgeable, and empathetic, are also part of the healing process. Things may not always turn out the way that we hope for, yet our loving heavenly Father cares about us and knows what the future holds. When we can't talk to God, others will intercede for us and uphold us in prayer.

Matthew 6:34 – Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)

Prayer: Lord God, we are anxious and worried. We are thankful for doctors, nurses, health technicians, and friends who help us in the healing process of our loved ones. Thank You, Lord, that when we can't pray, others intercede for us. Grant us peace, and instill in us hope and trust in Your Word. Amen.

Special moments like these bring to mind thankfulness. As I sat and reflected, my mind turned to other parts of our planet that we call home, where our brothers and sisters are battling against the forces of nature: floods, wildfires, mudslides, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and giant sinkholes. For them, there are no moments of peace or a time to relax and read.

Even though all seems to be lost, there is always something to be thankful for. We can be thankful for volunteers who go out of their comfort zones to help those in need. We can be thankful for the brave firefighters who put their lives on the line in order to help a stranger. Yet, the greatest gift that we can be thankful for is the death and resurrection of Jesus, God's Son, who willingly sacrificed His life for us.

John 3:16-17 – For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. (NASB)

His life on earth showed us a way to live a life of peace and resurrection from our old ways of life. All we need to do is to accept this, and turn from our old way of doing things. If we ask, the Holy Spirit will show us what areas in our life need to change, and we can be thankful for God sending us the Spirit to help us and direct us.

John 14:26 – But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. (NASB)

1 Peter 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (NASB)

What are you thankful for, and what areas in your life need to change?

Prayer: O Lord, may Your Spirit urge and direct our hearts to give thanks, and may He show us areas in our life that need change. We ask for courage and strength to stand up against injustice and fear. May we be Jesus' examples to make this world a better place. Amen.

I know how these children and adults feel. I was one of them. I was an innocent target towards which bullets of learned hatred were aimed.

When our family emigrated from Germany to Canada in 1957, it wasn't very long until the children in school found out where I had come from and what my heritage was. I was ten years old, but I was branded as a Nazi and a Hitler-lover. There came a time when I became ashamed of my heritage and retreated into silence. Eventually, children accepted me for who I was and not where I had come from.

Throughout history, society always finds scapegoats. At first, it was the Jews, then the Japanese, then the Germans, then Muslims, and now the target seems to be Syrian refugees. There are still people today who are fearful of what they do not know or understand. It seems that there will always be a few individuals, filled with hatred, who will cause havoc and create fear for each ethnic group or individuals.

Over two thousand years ago, Jesus became the scapegoat for humanity. Back then, as now, people in prominent positions were fearful of the One they didn't understand, shouting insults and accusations at Him, and finally crucifying Him.

Matthew 27:22-23 – Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Crucify Him!" And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!" (NASB)

Do we continue to crucify Christ in our actions and non-action? What can we do today to help the innocent?

Prayer: Lord God, we pray that You would grant discernment and understanding to us and remove the veils of hatred and fear. Grant forgiveness, wisdom, and love to all who are struggling. Help us to accept each other in love. Help us to be peacemakers and to stand up for those who are marginalized. Amen.

As I was thinking about this, I thought about the gift that we are given when we accept and believe that Jesus sacrificed His life for us: our personal GPS — God's Personalized Spirit.

John 14:26 – But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. (NASB)

God's personalized Spirit will direct us if we listen, trust, and obey.

We may find ourselves in strange places that we've never dreamed of — on account of the leading of the Spirit. Due to the nudging of the Spirit of God within us, we may sacrifice our time, or do things that we had never thought of doing, or stand up for persons that are unable to fend for themselves.

1 Corinthians 2:12 – Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. (NASB)

Are you willing to follow where God's Spirit is leading you?

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for sending us our own GPS. May we take the time to listen, obey, and follow the road that You place before us. Grant us the courage and compassion to follow Your prompting. Amen.

At one appointment, the doctor asked me if I had a medical alert bracelet for my dementia-stricken husband. He suggested that I should register him with the local police department, just in case he ever got lost. He asked whether I had checked out long term care places, and whether I had joined a support group. There were other questions and suggestions that contributed to my elevated stress level and information overload.

I was starting to feel down and out. Questions raced through my mind about what would happen to my husband if I ended up in the hospital. Who was going to pay the bills? Who would make sure that there was enough propane in the tank for heat and hot water? Who would shop for groceries, make appointments, and write them down, along with other responsibilities. Who was going to take care of my husband? I felt desperate and sorry for myself, and then, "Why me, Lord?" invaded my mind.

I did not realize it at the time, but the questions that the doctor had asked me were directed towards looking after my self-care. The doctor, in his wisdom, perceived that looking after my husband had caused the stress which had led to my being sick in the first place. Still, how was I going to answer all these questions?

2 Corinthians 12:9a – Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." (NLT)

And there it was: the answer. God's words came at just the right time. When I felt so anxious and distressed, God reminded me that I don't have to do these things by myself and that He will lead me and direct me through this time of uncertainty. He will provide answers and grant me the strength to endure, to plan, and to prepare what is needed.

Are you going through a time of uncertainty? Do you feel that you are at the end of your rope and stressed to the hilt? Remember that God will be with you, whatever you are going through.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for reminding us that without You, we can do nothing. You are the One who gives us the grace to move and to plan for what needs to be done. Sometimes, You put us flat on our backs, yet once again, to remind us of all this. Be with us as we make plans for the future and direct us to the proper authorities. Amen.

I decided to sweep and dust. As I was dusting one of the end tables, I accidentally knocked over a small ceramic bunny that I had purchased at the dollar store a few years before for display at Easter.

So, there it lay on the floor, its two ears broken off and the body smashed to bits. As I got the broom and dustpan to sweep up the pieces, I thought about Easter, what it means, and what was done for us.

Easter is not about bunnies, chocolate Easter eggs, or coloured eggs. Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus, and the promise of a new birth and everlasting life. The broken bunny on the floor reminded me that Jesus' body was broken for us by dying on a cross to pay for our sins. Then, He rose in victory over death so that those who trust Him may have eternal life in Him. All we need to do is to accept this and believe.

We are reminded of this not only at Easter, but every time we share the bread and wine at church with each other in holy communion.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. (NKJV)

Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (NASB)

If Jesus gave up so much for us, what can we do for Him so that His sacrifice is not in vain?

Prayer: Thank You, God, for sacrificing Your Son Jesus to die on a cross for us. Help us to become the children of Yours who we are meant to be. Amen.