SHIKATA GA NAI
Everyday we have choices. We are able see what is not working or to notice what is working. To see abundance or scarcity. To choose joy and gratitude or hurt and revenge. The way we perceive ourselves and others makes us realize that we are imperfect and yet we hold ourselves to high standards. But it’s okay to let go.
Shikata Ga Nai is a Japanese phrase which means to let go of what can’t be changed. It’s the realization that some things are beyond our control and to be at peace with that. By letting go, one can focus on what one can change.
As we draw near to the end of yet another year, I thank the Lord that I am able to choose the blessings not the “blah’s”; choose the laughter over the tears; to learn from the lessons and cheer for the challenges that I’ve been through.
I want to walk in kindness, go offline now and then or sit in the stillness. I want to take deep breaths and take time with those I love. I want to be grateful for all I have, forgive others and even myself praising God for another morning. I want to play, laugh and sleep well. These are the choices I want more of.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas season, we have every reason to share the goodness of God. May He guide us as we are filled with joy, wisdom and courage. I choose to let His light shine and surrender all my plans to His perfect will in my life.
Have a blessed Christmas and may we choose Jesus in 2026 and beyond.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
gratiarumactio
Whether its in Latin, Spanish, French or plain old English, giving thanks is essential to the believer’s walk in faith. Sometimes, I have to remind myself, that despite the storms, the rain and the “ugh” feeling, God is there with me and I need to thank Him. Not for the circumstance, but walking with me through it all. Recently, it’s been the death of my brother who passed away in his sleep. We all wonder, “when’s my time?”
And then there are those who are filled with denial thinking that “my time” is not a conscious thought because ushering death out of sight is much easier than sitting with the memories of our loved one. It sobers us and confronts us with our mortality.
We are made in God’s image, that human part. But nothing prepares us for death because things are never the same as what was before. One day it will be “my time”, but until then, I need to live. And part of that living, is being thankful that I am.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
What will we experience when we cross into eternity? For some there will be screams because hell is a real place. For those of us who are believers, it will be glorious to be in the Lord’s presence forever. Getting excited about eternity is that reality for me.
When the souls are counted, when we are gathered together in His presence, we will know that what mattered most in our lives was love. The love that expresses, was given and received and even fought for and that Christ died for. It is this Agape love that we inherit when we become children of God; not the watered-down, cultural half-life that impoverishes us. Maybe if we spent more time with Jesus, imagined heaven and loved others, we just might become a better person and used our time we have remaining on this earth to make a difference. Our death would not be in vain.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
KAIZEN
Japanese word: Kai means change and Zen is goodness or virtue. This noun is the philosophy of continuous improvement emphasizing small incremental changes that lead to significant enhancements over time.
I love the fact that even as we come to the end of summer, knowing that the leaves will soon turn (and some of them are!), fall from their branches and the cold breath of winter will silence nature for a season, we recall a glorious spring and summer where we watched nature unfold her petals to the sun and we were capturing images in our mind’s eye. Colors of the fresh, bright red berries, the chlorella of the leafy greens and the shades of blue on the water delight our eyes.
I also love the fact that I am by far anywhere to perfect. That God is continually working in my life; correcting me, teaching me and disciplining me. When I understand that making small changes in my attitudes, my habits and my choices is worth the long term effects, I am willing and able to adjust and improve.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
The bible is filled with examples of Kaizen. Abraham’s name was changed from Abram to demonstrate the change in his spiritual journey. He became the father of many nations. Jacob wrestled with an angel and God changed his name to Israel. Jacob went from deceiver to “one who sought God’s blessing.” The New Testament exemplifies Saul’s conversion to Paul on the road to Damascus. He became a devout follower of Jesus after persecuting Christians. Peter denied Christ three times, but was redeemed and had a renewed faith. Mary Magdalene completely turned her life around after Jesus cast out demons from her. The Prodigal Son, Zacchaeus, and so many believers have been transformed because of Jesus.
How are you being transformed because of your faith?
EARWORM
We’ve had lots of rain this summer. The trees are green, the grass is lush and the gardens are growing. I’ve been biking when it’s dry and walking when it’s wet. As I step around the puddles, I see the earthworms splayed across the path and I am reminded of another worm: Earworm which is that song or melody that keeps playing in your head.
It’s that tune on the radio you just heard. It’s the song you sing from the catchy commercial, TV show or movie. It’s the hymn or lullaby you heard over and over.
I love to think that it’s not random. In Zephaniah 3:17, the bible tells us that:
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.
Apparently of all the thoughts a person thinks in a day, about 80% of them are negative. But we can wake up with a song in our heart, change those negative nags into positives and we can shift our thoughts to thinking about Jesus, joy and jubilation. Even playing worship songs can help us focus on Him instead of our circumstances.
When Paul and Silas were in jail they were actually singing (Acts16: 25-26). David’s song from 2 Samuel 22: 50 tells us:
Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing the praises of your name.
When that song gets “stuck” in your head, maybe God is trying to remind us of something. Maybe He’s trying to get our attention. He just loves us so much that He can’t help but sing over us.
Next time it happens. Stop. Look up and smile. God rejoices over you with singing.
EUDAEMONIA
“As the ball bounces” is an expression that tells us that “it’s just the way things are” or “it’s the way things worked out” and there’s nothing you can do about it. But there is!
Happiness; well-being and a life of purpose. Isn’t that what we all want?
To be joyful, cheerful and playful. Healthy. A direction in our days; a worthy life.
Rick Warren’s opening line in his book, Purpose Driven Life, is: “It’s not about you.” We can be living our life with eternal purpose. This world will disappoint. People will hurt us. We won’t always feel like we matter, but living out the purpose we were created for, gives meaning to our days and leads us toward a life we were meant to live. Warren’s book is a 42-day search for three of life’s questions that we often ask: Why do I exist? What significance do I have? and What’s my purpose here on earth?
We are a song, waiting to be sung. A flower ready to bloom. A laughter waiting to erupt from our bellies. We are God’s children always loved. And yet…
When we look at the grey sash of a day, heavy curtains over our eyes and a chill in the air, we can be pulled into the vortex of dismal, sadness and sickness. Like a deep well that permeates our souls, we long for the light and the vibrant squeeze of love to take us into a bright step of the sunshine.
King David, Job, Paul and Ruth from the bible were in those dark places, but they were prompted by promises from the Lord. When our souls cry out; the Lord hears. Even Jesus used laments; with Lazarus and before His death on the cross.
Psalms of lament are heartfelt words pleading for Divine Intervention. Some are personal and others corporate, but most of them end with hope.
Psalm 130:1 is a cry: “Out of the depths, I cry to you Lord; Lord, hear my voice.”
Psalm 6:3 is one of pain: “My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?”
As believers, we are saddened by the brokenness of our world, but as Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18, we have hope. We are to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15) and long for Jesus’ return.
Until then, we are to live with joy, peace, love and life. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Our purpose is to glorify God and live in relationship with Him forever. Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? It’s as simple as A - B - C.
Acknowledge that you (like all of us) are not perfect. Believe that Jesus died (on a cross) so you could live eternally with Him. Confess that He is in control of your life. Give it all to Him.
Pray that prayer and ask Jesus to come and live in your heart and start your relationship with Him today. You will be glad you did!
LISTICLE
I am a “list” person. I have sticky Post-it notes of every color in my notebooks, with my calendar, on my dashboard. Lists. We use them for all sorts of things. There’s the “to-do” list, the list of baby names, menu items and recipes, the list of accomplishments and lists of books. I have my shopping list and I could list a thousand reasons why I’ve been blessed.
A “listicle” is a story or article written in the form of a list or that includes a list. We love to organize, to tick off our list and list the “do’s and don'ts.” The bible is full of lists: plants, names, sins, virtues, genealogies, instruction, prayers and even names of Jesus. The bible even talks about recording the names of His followers in the Book of Life. What a list that will be and what a privilege to have our names included! Luke 10:20 reads:
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”
At the end of 2 Samuel Chapter 23, David gives a list of his mighty men, whose deeds were recorded. The list of names is not really inspiring, but reminds us that every passage of the Bible is written for our benefit. What we can know is that these men were dedicated to King David. All Scripture is provided, inspired by God, and given to us so that we might learn from it.
It reminds me of my father’s binders of genealogy and a recent incident that my son shared. My father recorded hundreds and hundreds of names in his research. Each bears significance to our history but we were looking for a common name that a colleague of his shared. After comparing records, we discovered the name that connected us. And we all live in the same community just as our ancestors did at one time! Scripture also has a guiding list as we continue to grow on our spiritual journey.
The qualities of the Fruit of the Spirit serve as a list for how we should act toward one another. Galatians 5:22-23 tell us to focusing on:
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self-control
Hopefully, the list above would inspire us to live out our faith in a way that reflects God’s character to the world around us so their names may be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life with us.