Lessons from Connections

1:14 p.m. Today's project is to spend most of my time with Steve. I had spent a busy day here at Raincross yesterday, with lots of visitors. Steve's cousin Stephanie, John & Kathleen (my son-in-law's parents); daughter Heidi and her husband; and last but not least, my oldest son Sean, his wife and our two teenage grandsons Adrian and Xavier. Pastors have stopped by to pray as well. The hundreds of blessings, prayers and expressions of love from my personal friends on Facebook have just been so uplifting and tenderhearted, as have texts, emails and calls. Such love we have the privilege of giving and receiving as believers! I often quote Psalm 133:1, but it blesses me every time I read it, to know how God has designed the best way for His people to live.

Behold, how good and how
  pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in
  unity!

This morning I attended second service at Harvest because it's not very far from Steve's location. Our long-time friend Pastor Jeff Lasseigne gave a fine expository teaching on Ephesians 5:15-21 that was apropos for the imminent new year, entitled, "The best way to live." In pondering these verses, I want to key in on what the Lord has shown me in the last week as Steve lies dying across the room from me, vv. 15-17 (NKJV):

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

I've always enjoyed the many ways you can characterize "walking circumspectly," (other than the actual definition of  looking around, then walking carefully, exactly and precisely). My absolute favorite is Chuck Swindoll's description of the way you walk through a cow pasture--or how I walk through my backyard with the pooper scooper!

As believers, we just don't go wherever, whenever, with whomever, or in any way whatsoever. We're not to be fools! We pray, listen to the Lord, find his will for us in the Bible, and then proceed. Interestingly, I saw a good example of the concept of  "walking circumspectly" earlier today.

I was sitting with Steve when I saw these tiny black shoes inching, inching past the open door. They belonged to the feet of a wheelchair driver who had yet to appear. They had to have belonged to a lady, by the style of them. I was fascinated. The owner of the shoes was going so carefully, so daintily, so cautiously that I couldn't wait to see the legs appear, which they finally did, then I saw the arms rolling the wheels, the body, and finally the dear face of Jackie, one of the more lucid residents of the  memory care Connections Village. She peeked in, and said, as she often does, "Hello, Dana. Have you had lunch yet?" I assured her I had. She crept on, smiling with satisfaction that all was well and in place.

How simple a matter it was to give assurance and comfort to this dear lady! But think how we complicate things, how we can lack faith that God is in control, and doubt that He will guide us through these evil days referred to in Ephesians 5:16. He cannot guide us, however, if we do  not use our time wisely, seeking Him. We are to be steadfast in reading the Bible and prayer, that through the power of the Holy Spirit we might discern His will.

Father, may we not only walk wisely and discern Your will, but redeem this time in which we live, as we anticipate Your soon return!