Fountains of Life

Put Your Own Mask on First

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I seem to be running into countless people these days who are too tired, overworked, or busy to take care of themselves. They are great people who care about those around them — they’re running friends to doctor’s appointments, working overtime at work, volunteering at church every week, homeschooling kids, or a plethora of other marvelous deeds — but they’re not eating well or exercising. So much time and effort is being put into others that they themselves are feeling worn out and drained. 

Whenever I hear someone say this to me, I’m reminded about the safety instructions they give you on a plane. You know, the ones the flight attendants review as you’re pulling away from the gate. There’s that part where they say, “In the event of a decrease of pressure, masks will drop from overhead. Please put your own mask on first before helping the person next to you.” Usually, if this is a video, they show a mother putting her mask on then helping her child with theirs. It looks so precious. But why is this so important?

You see, if you don’t have your own oxygen mask on to enable you to breathe, you may not be capable of helping anyone else with theirs. You might even pass out, and where would little Suzy be then, huh?

Think about Jesus. Mark 1:35 says, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Jesus took time for Himself — first! First thing in the morning He connected with God and filled Himself up before going to give out to others. He put His own mask on first (figuratively speaking, of course).  

Here’s a few other verses that come to mind:

  • Matt.11:28 — Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
  • 1 Pet. 5:7 — Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
  • Isa. 26:3 — You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 

It’s very clear that we need to take time to rest our bodies, our minds, our emotions, and get rejuvenated so that we may have something to give out to other people. Boxers take a time out between rounds, and most sports have some sort of a “halftime” to regroup and refresh — and so must we! 

We are of no use to anyone as tired, empty shells, putzing along barely making it “by the grace of God.” I believe God wants us to witness to the world as a vibrant and “living sacrifice.” He wants us to be alive! It’s in Him we move and have our being! (Acts 17:28) But we have to take a time out and get with Him first!

So my dear reader —You can’t give out of what you don’t have. If there’s no coffee in the pot, you can’t pour any out. And please, put on your own mask first, then, by all means, help someone else with theirs. 

By Cyndi

Casting Cares

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Ps. 55:22— Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you.

This is a great verse, especially the first word: “cast.” Having grown up around the water, I’ve seen lots of fishermen in my life — some on boats, some on kayaks, some on the beach — and all of them “cast” their lines into the water. There’s a certain knack to casting; you have to hold your rod and reel just right, pull it back over your shoulder, and fling it so that the bait and tackle go as far out as possible into the deep where the fish are. This isn’t always an easy thing to do.

And neither is casting our cares. 

I think sometimes by simply mentioning my worries to God He’ll quickly remove them from my thoughts and they’ll be gone. Sometimes this does happen, but, like fishing, usually I have to “practice” my casting of cares. My mind wants to keep dwelling on those worries, or I stay anxious and get snappy at people, so I have to choose to put these things in His hands repeatedly, over and over again. I have to learn to cast.

What else helps? I try to stay in the Word, maybe spend more time meditating on His goodness, being grateful, letting go of trying to control situations or people. You know, when you cast with a fishing pole, you can’t hold onto the line, you have to release it with a fling. And yes, you have to fling it! Let ‘er rip! It’s not a gentle drop or a toss of your hand, it’s a slinging motion — with purpose!

And so it is with casting our cares. Sling those troubles away! Over and over again, throw them onto the Lord. If they come back into your thoughts, fling them out to Him again. Keep declaring they’re all in His hands and that you don’t need to worry, He’s a good God. 

This psalm says that when we cast our cares on Him, He will sustain us. Father God wants to hold you up, support you, and  give you peace, but these cares want to keep you down and depressed. So practice your casting, make choices to believe His Word over your worries. Fling those cares off and rest in His love!  

 

(by Cyndi)

Seasons of Firsts

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As the holidays approach, I find myself in prayer for many of those experiencing their first “firsts.” Myself having lost a father, grandparents, and having lived in another country during the holidays, I understand how difficult of a time it can be to get through the first “first” in a new situation. 

The first holiday celebration without a loved one, the first time away from home, or the first event apart from your family isn’t easy. Especially when these circumstances are not by choice.

Living in a Navy town, I saw on the news today where a ship had just come home in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families. There were tons of hugs and kisses shared and some of the men finally got to see their new babies for the first time. Separation is a difficult thing. 

So whether it be those off in college, family members who have passed away, someone stationed in another country, or any other reason there’s a distance — good or bad — these “seasons of firsts” are just a part of life. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us:

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:  A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;  A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;  A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;  A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;  A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;  A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;  A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. 

So my dear reader, if you are one who is undergoing some mourning or heartache during these holidays, know that you are loved and that Jesus has borne your griefs and carried your sorrows. (Isa.53:4) You are not alone. If you are one who knows of someone who is experiencing a “first” this year, pray for them, encourage them, even include them in festivities if you are able. Help “bear one another’s burdens” as Jesus asked us to do. (Gal. 6:2) 

We cannot change the past, nor always change our current situation, but we can embrace one another through the Spirit right now. And what about the future? Ecclesiastes 3:11 — He has made everything beautiful in its time. Time is a healer.

There will be many different situations but only one “first” to have to go through each time. May God give you grace as you travel on your journey. 

(By Cyndi)

Others

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So many times it seems like when we help others it actually helps us more. Whether it’s holding a door open for a person behind you, carrying a package of groceries for someone, or letting another driver merge into traffic in front of you, if our hearts are right, we feel God’s pleasure. 

In Joshua chapter one God gives the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh their settlement east of the Jordan River, yet when the rest of the Israelites were crossing over the river to take the Promised Land to the west, Joshua had asked them to help fight on behalf of the other tribes’ lands. Once the others had settled down, they would then be allowed to return to their own property. These brave fighting men readily agreed to cross over and help their brothers. (Josh.1:12-17)

I find this interesting that God wanted them to help their brothers win their land before they settled themselves. He wanted them to put others first. 

But isn’t this what Jesus did? Didn’t He put us first?

In 1910, the founder of the Salvation Army, General William Booth, was aging and near the end of his life. He was unable to attend their Christmas convention to encourage the soldiers on their relentless service, especially during the holiday season and during the cold winter months, so he simply sent a one-word telegram to be read. And what was that one word he sent that summarizes their whole mission? “Others.”  

That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Others?

In a world where some people are simply looking out for themselves, it’s refreshing to see those who are looking out for others. Those who stay a little longer just to help out a co-worker, those who bring meals to the sick, help out the elderly, read to children, or a slew of other types of volunteers — all this is done for the sake of others. 

Matt. 7:12 — “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, 

do also to them…”

So as we go throughout our day, let’s ask the Lord to show us opportunities to help others. And if we can’t physically, then let’s fight for them with prayer and encouraging words. I believe that when we serve others out of love and not obligation, we express the true heart of Father God. 

Be Nice

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Lately I have found myself within the halls of hospitals and I must say, it’s not my favorite place to be. I’m not sure it’s anyone’s true joy to sit in waiting rooms or listen to the myriad of sounds in the corridors of a medical facility, however, these things do occur and must be managed. 

In certain situations, I get a lot of reading done, which I DO like to do, though standing by waiting to speak to a medical person about someone who was rushed to an emergency room can be a bit wearisome. Yet, it was here where I found a touch of kindness in the midst of chaos.

My sister and I had been in the ER waiting room amongst crying children and suffering patients for about thirty minutes after my mother had arrived by ambulance. We were listening for an attendant to call her name and talk to the family when a man with a tie and badge on walked up to us (must have been an administrator being dressed up) and asked who we were waiting for. After having told him and disappearing behind the automatic double-doors, he returned with good news that we could come back and sit with her. His voice was calming and reassuring as we followed behind him into the hallway.

It was sincere kindness during tension and turmoil.

He was nice. And so was every other person we came in contact with at the hospital. Though it was late into the evening, I was truly amazed at how considerate and friendly these doctors, nurses, technicians, and staff were. They were all nice. Which meant a lot to me in the middle of this stressful situation. 

Not only in the emergency room, but throughout the entire hospital I found genuine  gentleness and goodness. And you know the other thing I found out? That kindness breeds kindness. As I received the graciousness and forbearance from these hard-working souls, I found myself being kinder to others too — in the lobby, driving home, at the store.

These verses popped into my mind:

  • Eph. 4:32—“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
  • Gal. 6:9-10—“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
  • Luke 6:35—“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” 

Reflecting on these, the lesson Father God had for me was simply: “Be nice.”

So that’s my goal. With whomever I come in contact with, wherever I am, just be nice. Smile at people. Help them if I can. Speak encouragement or kind words to them. If an over-worked medical team can walk in kindness during critical, even life-threatening situations, I think I can try to do so also.