Blog – Page 4 – Dana Huffman

A Door of Hope

Would God ever lead you into a desert? Yes, but not without a promise. God was talking about his people Israel when he said:

“I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.
There I will give her back her vineyards,
and will make the Valley of Achor (which means “trouble”) a door of hope.
There she will sing as in the days of her youth.” Hosea 2:14-15 NIV

Deserts are hard places. The days are extra hot and the nights extra cold. Needs are intensified. “I’m thirsty.” “Where are my friends?” “Am I on the right path?” “I feel confused.” “Is that real or is it a mirage?” If God has led you into the desert it will be tough, but according to the verse above you have four excellent promises.

First, God will speak tenderly to you. So, watch and listen for his tenderness.

Second, God will give you back something you have lost. And He will determine what it is. For Israel it was vineyards. Remember, fruit often comes from plowed up ground, a good seed, watering, and pruning. That means you need, an open heart, God’s word, daily prayer, and the willingness to let go of things that are weighing you down.

Third, God will turn your trouble into a door of hope. Doors lead somewhere, and I love the thought of a hopeful threshold to cross, don’t you? Watch for it.

Lastly, you are promised that you will sing like a child. Children don’t sing about cheap thrills or love gone bad, they sing about hopes fulfilled and dreams coming true. What have you been singing about? Do you need to change your tune?

God never leads his people into the desert to die. He leads them there to carry them through, to a promised place.

This Little Light of Mine

It had been a stormy week and I was praying. My heart was full of fears, dark thoughts and doubt. My faith felt rattled. I talked to God a long time and finally ran out of things to say. I couldn’t find the answers I was looking for. I ended my prayer with a question. “Lord, is there anything you want me to know?” I tried to listen. I was desperate for something. I waited… nothing.

Then… as if on a breath, this verse came to mind. “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” (Matthew 12:20 NIV) The verse surprised me. My thoughts gathered around it. I thought about how you handle a candle whose wick is sputtering, about how you don’t grab it and shake it, but instead quietly approach, and gently blow.

A quiet approach. A gentle blowing. That is what I felt in response to the storm raging against my soul. In a moment I knew for certain that God was near and guarding my flickering faith. There was no, “what’s the matter with you” shaking. No harshness or rebuke. Just this impression, “I am here and I will keep your faith light burning. Don’t worry so.”

As I calmed down my thoughts drifted back over my week. I remembered some things that happened, and saw other ways God had been there cupping his hands around the light of my soul, shielding it from the snuffer. All that day I marveled over a God who would offer such undeserved kindness to such a weak and sputtering person, me. I still marvel. That’s who he is.

Who am I that you are mindful of me? Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family that you have brought me this far? Although I am less than the least of all God’s people: this grace was given me, to preach… the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Psalm 8:4, 1 Chronicles 17:16 NIV, Ephesians 3:8 NIV

You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Psalm 18:28 NIV

I Do

Jake was wooing me. Over meals, on walks and through talks Jake shared with me who he was, what he believed in, and where he felt he was headed in this life. He told me he loved me. Then he asked me to marry him. Would I be joined with him forever in love, life and purpose? I have to admit his proposal was a little scary. I knew that Jake was a man who would think nothing of living without electricity in the African bush. If I said “yes” where would he take me? What would I end up doing?

I couldn’t know that. I could only believe and trust. Believe that he loved me and trust his love to blanket each decision he made about us. When I stood at the altar and said “yes” to Jake I wasn’t placing my trust in a wedding ring, a special ceremony or even in the “institute of marriage.” I was trusting in him.

Jesus came into our world. He has shown us who he is. We see that he is brave and kind, that he saves people from horrible things, that he always forgives, and that he loves to the death. Jesus has invited us to accept his love and join him in his purpose. We can’t know ahead of time all the places he will lead us, but we can know that his plans for us will be covered in his love. When we say “yes” to Jesus, we’re not trusting in a cross around our necks, a special prayer or ceremony, or even in the “institute of religion.” We are trusting in Him.

Jesus has said, “I love you. I will never leave you.” He’s made his promises. He said, “I do.” Will you?

“…we know and rely on the love God has for us.” 1 John 4:16

The “Streams in the Desert” Sisterhood

“Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard…”
Malachi 3:16 NIV

Recently I was asked to think back on a hard season of my life and recall a good or funny memory from it. I thought about when I quit my teaching job some years back, about the loneliness and confusion I felt as I set out to become a writer. Soon I began to smile and even laugh in my heart as I remembered three friends God gave me during that time. Two of them were going through some very hard and heartbreaking things; the other was our upbeat and wise cheerleader.

Our foursome kicked off when one of the heartbroken friends began raving to the rest of us about a devotional book she was reading. She would get so excited saying that it always had the perfect word for her discouraged heart. She even quoted to us from it. The book was “Streams in the Desert” and it wasn’t long before we all had a copy.

So began what I call “The Streams in the Desert Club.” Oh it wasn’t an official club. In fact it was very unofficial. But a meeting came to order anytime one might see another and say, “Did you read ‘Streams’ today?” (Our upbeat friend called it “Storms” since she thought the topics were always about something so stormy.)

In our club of four I knew I could count on four things: confidentiality, sympathy, prayers, and laughter. It was a sweet sisterhood. And though it’s been years since that time, I still smile when I think about us.

Here is a truth: In every trial there will be a blessing. In sorrow or hardship, you will find something sweet. Watch for it. Count on it. It is God’s way.

I’ll leave you with this passage from “Streams” today.

“The burden of suffering seems a tombstone hung about our necks, while in reality it is only the weight which is necessary to keep down the diver while he is hunting for pearls.”
-Richter

Back On My Diet

Several years ago I put myself on a diet. This week I fell off the wagon, again! Determined to get back on, I hunted around in my files for this little piece I wrote back then. It will explain everything…

I have a size 8 ½ mouth. I know because I put my foot in it several times last week and it fit perfectly. Upset over saying some things I regretted, I decided to go on a verbal diet. I determined to speak only what was good and necessary. I would skim the fat from my conversations by refraining from complaining and criticizing. And I would stop all my opinion giving binges. How did I do? Not very well. But I happened to do just well enough to be surprised by the benefits of such a plan.

The first thing I noticed on my verbal diet was that I experienced more peace. I never realized how much worry accompanied words of complaint and criticism, or how much angst went into my attempts to influence others with my opinions. Secondly, I noticed that my relationships seemed to improve on the spot. I became a better listener when I wasn’t waiting to get in my two cents. I enjoyed people more and understood them better. Thirdly, I noticed that when I talked to people less I talked to God more. What I wanted to tell them I turned into prayers to Him. When I started this diet I worried that my relationships might go hungry on fewer words. Instead I found they were better nourished and more deeply fed!

“…be quick to listen, slow to speak…” James 1:19

A Blessing in Disguise

Would I recognize a blessing if it showed up on my doorstep?

Before Jesus came, God spoke to people through prophets, and one of those prophets was Elijah. One day God sent Elijah to the town of Zarephath so he would be taken care of, because a great drought had devastated the land.

Elijah arrived at the gate of Zarephath hungry and thirsty (and just in time for a divine appointment). A widow was there and he asked her, “Will you bring me a little water to drink?” The widow went to do as he requested and Elijah called after her. “Bring me a piece of bread too please.”

She stopped, faced Elijah, and cut to the quick of the situation. “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. I have one drop of oil and a handful of flour and that’s it. I was just going to use it to cook my son and me our last meal before we die.”

Harsh conditions! But Elijah was not taken aback. He did not flinch and say, “Oops sorry, never mind about the bread then.” Instead he said, “Don’t be afraid!” And “Do just as you were going to, but make my bread first. Then make some for the both of you. Because God has said that you will not run out of provisions until the crops return to this land.”

Wow.

It was a strange sort of blessing God was giving this widow wasn’t it? He didn’t arrange for a strong man to show up with a giant vat of oil and a 50 lb sack of flour. I mean that would have made everything clear from the beginning right? That’s how a blessing looks right? God gives us money, a new job, a new car…

God had something different in mind.

This blessing would not be a giant one-time provision. This widow wouldn’t wake up to see (and fawn over) a full jar of oil. And she wouldn’t have to worry about anyone taking her king-sized bag of flour.

No. This blessing would be daily. And personal. Every day a little fresh flour and oil would appear, enough for her needs. God would never forget. He wouldn’t miss a day. Each morning there would be a new mercy. Each morning a gentle whisper, “Yes, my eye is still upon you little sparrow.” How sweet is that? This would be a special relationship.

I have found myself thinking about how I would have responded had I been in the widow’s situation and Elijah asked me for some bread. I feel pretty sure I would have lost it, snapped, and said something like, “You’re kidding right? My husband has been taken from me. My land has dried up. And now God wants my last meal?”

I wonder how often I have misjudged God. Been insulted by a request he made of me. A request that was meant to bless. I wonder what I have missed out on while trying to guard, what I thought was surely, my last dollar, or my last nerve, or my last bit of energy, my last hope… my last drop of oil.

Are you down to your last drop of oil? Will you be open to receiving a blessing in disguise?

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36 NIV

Confessions of a “Know it All”

God asked, “Who is this muddying the water, ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?” Job answered, “I admit. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me, I made small talk about wonders way over my head. I admit I once lived by rumors of you. I’m sorry—forgive me.” Job 42: 2-6 (The Message)

As a young girl I appreciated my fathers love but I didn’t always appreciate his authority. Why didn’t he like me driving around after midnight on weekends? What was wrong with going to a class alone in downtown Minneapolis at night? Why spoil my fun and scold me for riding through an icy parking lot on the back end of a car?

I didn’t go to work with my father, so I didn’t understand his job. I knew he was a police officer, but I envisioned him writing traffic tickets all day. I had no knowledge of the situations he came across. I had not been to accident scenes, witnessed the effects of a drunk driver, or taken reports of rape and abuse. When I questioned my father’s boundaries for me, I spoke of things I knew nothing about. My view of life was little. His was big. I understand better now how my father’s higher knowledge impacted the decisions he made for the daughter he loved.

Dear God,

I don’t know the paths you travel. I have no idea what all you see and do. I imagine I understand your work. But my view is limited. I have rolled my eyes at your commands and argued with you about your way for me. I have spoken of things I don’t understand. I am sorry. Help me to trust in your love, rest in your wisdom, obey your commands, and appreciate your authority.

Amen.

Just As He Said

Jesus’ disciples should have known what was coming that morning, they really should have. Jesus told them he would be raised to life after three days, so why wasn’t everyone hanging around the tomb on that Easter morning, excited, expectant? Why were his followers somewhere else, cowering, despairing, disappointed, afraid? Maybe for the same reason I hide, or cower, despair and fear… Because I don’t believe what Jesus has said. If I did, wouldn’t I be near that tomb, standing in that hard place? That difficult place that whispers, “This thing is over with, it’s sealed, dead.”

Thankfully, the resurrection of Jesus never depended on his follower’s faith in his words. Thankfully there was no belief meter deciding if everything came true, deciding if he would come through for doubters and skeptics and flagging friends and misguided enemies… Jesus said he would rise and he did. He did it in spite of the frowns, suspicions, and sealed tomb. With no help from a cheering section or venture capitalist, he rose. Just as he said.

And then, it gets better. He walks through the doors people were too scared to open and says, not “What’s wrong with you, why didn’t you believe me?” Not, “Well, you don’t get much now after the way you behaved.” No. He walks through doors people were too scared to open, passes right through walls they’ve been hiding behind, and says, “Peace be with you!” Halleluiah, what a Savior!

Makes me want to run to the tomb, doesn’t it you? Makes me want to run to that hard and sad and carefully guarded, sealed, dead thing and stand there. Stand there all alone if I have to, waiting, for the third day. Waiting, because I’ve learned that Jesus will do… just as he said.

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” Matthew 28:6 NIV

I’m Here for You

One thing the cross teaches us is not to flee when things get hard. On the cross Jesus was showing us that he could endure when things were tough. That he could be there for people, though they abandoned him, disappointed him, rejected him. Jesus knew how to stay when staying was hard. It’s the nature of God. Though it pains him, he will keep his promise of love.

Faithful love. It’s what we all want. Sometimes we suffer because people are unfaithful in their love for us. Sometimes we suffer trying to faithfully love others. Either way, all is solved at the cross. Jesus goes first in giving and forgiving. And if we follow him, he gives us strength to do the same.

Remember, in your worst moments, Jesus is with you. He won’t leave your side. Ever. He’s not there because he has to be, he’s not grudgingly hanging around, he’s not tapping his foot or glancing at his watch. He really loves you. He wants to be with you. Even if no one else does. Do you truly know that? If so, then you are ready to share it.

Is there some tough place in your world that Jesus intends to show up through you today? Is there somewhere he’s calling roll hoping you’ll say “I’m here”?

“Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12 NIV

Prepare for Your Big Day

As God’s people approached the Promised Land 12 spies were sent out to survey it. Upon returning 10 spies said, “It’s true. The land does flow with milk and honey and the fruit is enormously good! BUT, our worst enemies live there and we are as small as grasshoppers compared to them. We cannot enter, we’ll be devoured.” The other 2 spies said, “Yes, the land is gloriously good, and the enemy is daunting. BUT, the Lord is with us. Don’t be scared!” Of the 12 spies, only those 2 lived to enter the Promised Land.

I have wondered what made those 2 spies different. I mean, everyone had been on the same trail through the very same wilderness. Everyone ate the same food and had the same water to drink. So what gives?

I think those 2 spies were just different all along. I think that when manna fell from heaven for the umpteenth time and others were saying, “Not again” or “Same old same old” those 2 said instead, “Thank you.” I think when the people were really thirsty and Moses struck that rock and everyone cried out, “Finally! We were dying of thirst!” those 2 said instead, “Wow. Awesome.” I think when those wilderness wanderers encountered yet another hardship and the general population complained, “Let’s turn back!” or “Why did we ever come out here?” those 2 said instead, “Lord, help us.” I think that day by day those 2 spies had responded in faith (gratitude, awe, and prayer) to all the smaller things, so that when it came time for the big thing, they were ready.

We really do prepare for our big moments and big days, in small moments today.

Whoever is faithful in small matters, will be faithful in large ones. Luke 16:10 GNT