Fountains of Life

Put Your Own Mask on First

by

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

by

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

by

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)

What Are You Thinking?

by

Ever think about what you’re thinking about?

Phil.4:8 tells us: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

I love watching little children at the beach. Exploring the water, jumping into waves, moving their tiny toes in the sand. One day I watched a man repeatedly chase down his three-year-old granddaughter bounding towards the ocean with her water-wings on, laughing and smiling as she scurried away. Pure joy and delight were on both of their faces. I like thinking on these kind of things. 

I also follow certain groups on social media who report on positive news-worthy things going on in the world, like neighbors helping neighbors, total strangers supporting each other, rescues, good deeds, and virtuous acts of kindness and bravery. For me, at least, if I’m going to use these platforms, I prefer to put wholesome things into my mind. There is enough negative and discouraging news all around me, it takes an effort sometimes to counteract those things in my thoughts. 

The Word of God has some great wisdom about our thoughts too. Isa. 26: 3 says we will stay in perfect peace if we keep our mind on Him. Col. 3:2 reminds us to keep our minds on things above and not on things of this earth. Also any chapter in the book of Psalms always has a way of restoring my soul and returning hope to me when I’m caught up in the muck of the world. And check out the apostle Paul giving Timothy some good advice throughout the letters he wrote to him (particularly 2 Tim. 2).

So think about what you’re thinking about and I’ll leave you, my friend, with the lyrics from an old Don Moen song: 

Think about His love, think about His goodness

Think about His grace that’s brought us through

For as high as the heavens above

So great is the measure of our father’s love

Great is the measure of our Father’s love

The Beauty of His Creation

by

I just love the days when you can walk in the ocean and see your feet through the clear green water. I just love the days when the sky is so blue and the sun is so bright that the warmth settles through your skin and into your soul. I just love the days when God displays His beautiful creation for all the world to be amazed by. 

God’s beauty is revealed in His creation — in nature. For me, His beauty stills my anxious heart, it calms my worried mind, and it puts a peace deep within my spirit. And even if only for a day or an hour, His peace reigns inside me and I feel grateful. 

Yes, beholding His beauty causes gratitude to well up inside of me. Listening to birds chirp in the trees, watching dolphins surface on the water, feeling the breeze blow on my face, all of these things cause a stirring of something — no, Someone — bigger. There is a Creator, a Protector, a Presence, watching over you and me. 

I challenge you to sometime today take a moment and go outside. Close your eyes. Sense your surroundings and feel. Take your shoes off and walk in the grass if you can. Find a park, a beach, a balcony or patio to just sit and listen. There may be noise of the city or traffic or dogs barking, but listen beyond those things. Listen and feel His presence. He’s right there. He’s in the sky and the clouds, even if it’s pouring down raining. He’s in the trees and the flowers, even if they’re just in pots in your house. His beauty is everywhere be it the sound of thunder or rustling leaves. Allow His goodness to flow into you from it and your gratitude to flow out because of it. 

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork. — Ps. 19:1

All God’s creation declares His glory. See it. Feel it. Absorb it. Let it quiet your soul. And be grateful.