Hello, I’m January
Inspiration and thoughts on God and faith, written by a simple human, navigating life through the messy and sometimes chaotic.
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We Give Because He Gave All
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 1 John 3:17
I have the opportunity each month to mentor a few teen girls. While it is part of my role as a mental health provider to also provide some form of group counseling, the challenges of COVID means that the organization for which I work has had to be creative with how we provide this service over the course of the pandemic. As a result, many group counseling sessions take place outdoors or in the local community; at local parks or nature trails.
It was during one of these park activities that the discussion of homelessness came up. There was a homeless man walking along the edge of the street close to the complex where two of the girls lived. They talked about how they had given him money in the past, and one of the girls asked why he couldn’t just get a job. I told them why some of the population may not work, why I don’t give out money, but will stop and provide a drive thru meal, asking them if there was something left we could give that day. With excitement, they all noted we had an extra hot chocolate, and some left over snacks. “Let’s stop on the way back and give them to him!”
And so we did. I made it clear it didn’t matter whether he accepted what we gave, but that we gave what we had in abundance, cheerfully.
Jesus was clear many times throughout his ministry about giving, especially to those in need. In fact, he mentions in Matthew 25:35-40 how giving to the “least of these,” is like giving to Jesus himself:
For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
We are called to give as Jesus gave, and He gave it all. We are called to love as Jesus loved. And he loved enough to die so we could have life. If we profess to love Jesus, we must be willing to give to others as a testament of that love. Not just to those we like. Not just to those that look like us. Not just to those in our inner circle, or those that believe what we believe.
To the hungry. To the thirsty. To the stranger. To the naked. To the sick. To the prisoner. As if they were Jesus.
We give in this way to the “least,” remembering we were once the “least,” and he gave to us first. We give because he loves, and we want others to know this love.
We don’t question who deserves it, we just give.
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Ain’t No Mountain
For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you. Isaiah 54:10
I love music. It has been the permeating sound of my life for many years. Even as a kid. Riding in the backseat of my parents car, I remember listening to what I referred to back then as the “oldies.” Motown classics. Old school crooners like Frankie Valli, and girl gangs such as The Shangri-Las. Rides in my dad’s truck consisted of tape decks filled with The Pointer Sisters, and Huey Lewis and the News. I remember kitchen dance parties with Elvis and my mom. Music was my jam, and I loved all of it.
There is one song that gets me going still today. You probably know it. It’s a duet between Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. It has even been used in movies when the characters are sharing their pledge to stand with each other-no matter what:
If you need me, call me,
No matter where you are
No matter how far,
Don’t worry, baby
Just call my name, I’ll be there in a hurry
You don’t have to worry‘Cause baby, there ain’t no mountain high enough
Ain’t no valley low enough,
Ain’t no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you, babyYes. You probably have heard it. But what does it have to do with God?
If you read through the last half of the book of Isaiah, you will read beautiful lines written of the coming of the blessings God would bestow on the people, and of a coming Messiah who would bring salvation and peace. He also tells of what is to come. Like the mountains and hills he had to make disappear before any of this could happen.
Like the Israelites heavy reliance and trust in things other than God. The Israelites believed in false prophets who didn’t offer God’s truth. They had a false sense of security. A security in man and his ways and power. They placed trust in their earthly kings. Kings God eventually removed. Kings who were defeated and taken over by those more terrifying and evil than anything their prophets could have predicted, who left them confused, unsafe, insecure, and feeling far from God.
We have some strongholds, too. Mountains and hills we place our faith in. Pledge allegiance to that can crumble in any season. Our jobs. Our varied affiliations. Our wealth. Our possessions. We find safety and security in these things, but what happens when they are gone?
What is left?
My faithful love for you will remain, my covenant of blessing will never be broken. Isaiah 54:10
Or…Just call my name, I’ll be there in a hurry
You don’t have to worryHe is left. God. Hopefully He doesn’t have to send you into exile just to prove your security is truly in Him alone for you to cling to Him; but He will do what it takes-scale all these mountains and hills to show you His love is what remains when everything else is gone.
His love is the mountain to cling to; the hill that won’t disappear. There is no mountain too high, and no valley too low for God to get to us. And it doesn’t fade away like those other things. Don’t wait until all those things are gone and your in exile to receive it right now-and every day thereafter.
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Proving You Are His
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35
I want you to imagine the following scenario: You are in line at a local store. Let’s say you are in the return line, because we know those lines can be long. Nerve-wracking at times. You have a couple items you need to return, and there are a couple people ahead of you. You notice the lady in front of you tapping her foot. She is shifting her weight back and forth, and has checked her watch several times. Are you picturing this? Can you see it? You hear a low huff emit from her, as she continues to move back and forth, tap-tapping. It is obvious she must be in a hurry.
The person in front of her finishes their transaction, and she heads to the counter. She throws her unwanted purchases down and grunts something to the cashier. You can’t hear everything that is said from the next register over, but her actions say it all. Arms flailing. Receipt clutched in hand. Anger written all over her face. You hear her yell an angry, “I don’t have time for your incompetence today,” as she storms out.
You are taken aback. Even more so, as you walk out, watch her get into the car with the personalized plates, and the magnet advertising her association with her church, and Jesus. Wow, is that how Christians act, you wonder. I don’t want to be in that church.
You familiar with this story? I know I am. I have been each person in this story. I have witnessed this type of behavior in public. I have worked in retail and been on the receiving end. And…I have also been the foot-tapping, huffing and puffing, arms flailing, “don’t have time for this” customer, who treated people unkind, and then walked out to my car plastered with faith stickers.
In those last moments I was showing anyone who encountered me that I was NOT a true disciple of Jesus.
I now have a large, brightly colored vehicle. It is adorned with a number of messages about faith, and Jesus. On any given day I may get a text while in a drive-thru that lets me know someone is behind me that I know. My son often texts me, “I see you at the Starbucks.” I can’t be acting sideways in my car. Yelling or giving people one finger waves. I am mindful of this, every time I step in it, drive in it, and step out of it.
But I should not need a car to remind me of this. A sticker. A decal. The spirit of God that dwells in me should be enough. A gentle reminder that each day I walk out the door, I am Jesus within the flesh of January to everyone I meet.
If my encounters are sprinkled with irritation, impatience, and anger; people won’t see Jesus. No. Instead every encounter must be sprinkled with compassion, gentleness, and love.
That is how they know I am His.
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Everything Happens For a Reason
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
“Everything happens for a reason.”
That phrase at times irritates me. Maybe because it seems to be thrown out as a response to people who are struggling through something hard, or asking that “why” question. We say this with the best of intentions, but perhaps we are really uncomfortable with all the unknowns of the current situation ourselves.
I’ve often been irritated by that standard phrase because I have asked my own “why’s” over the years.
Why was this person placed in my life? Why was I called to this, only to not complete it? Why is this journey taking as long as it is? Why did some people leave without warning? Why?
Most of those “why’s” have no answers. I may never know the answer on this side of eternity, which makes that “everything happens for a reason” phrase so difficult to stomach at times.
But it’s true. Everything does happen for a reason. One that’s outlined in what has become another one of my favorite verses-it’s all according to what God has planned.
Some things happen so others can grow closer to Him. Others so we can. Some things happen because we veer off course, and God has to get us back on track. Other so He can grow our faith. Some things happen and unfold in the ways they do because it simply wasn’t time, or He has something else for us. Others because of our fallen nature.
Everything happens for a divine purpose. Everything can be used by God for his glory. For His purpose. To show others His love, sovereignty, and power.
The good things, and even those intended to harm us; He is working everything out for our good.
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Hospitality: It’s More than Just Good Food
Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. Hebrews 13:1-2
When you think of hospitality, of what do you think? We often think of the “hospitality industry.” Restaurants, hotels, caterers, travel agents, businesses that offer food, drink, and a place to stay. For the most part, their aim is to make a stranger feel welcome. Cared for. Comfortable in their space.
Among believers this includes inviting others into our homes. Again, offering food, drink, and a place of comfort and safety. A place to hang out and rest.
For a number of years it has seemed that our home has been a revolving door of guests. Strangers at one time. Having three kids, all in various stages of life, means most often playdates and parties. But it often seems at times these extended into loud, rambunctious sleepovers. This place became the place where people crashed. It is often filled with loud, giggling teens, and has been for years.
While there is food. Drink. A place to stay. That isn’t all that keeps the door revolving.
Because here’s the thing. Wherever you are invited-the food could be fantastic, and the bed perfectly made. You can be served a spread to your heart’s content, and still not feel welcome in some spaces.
While we equate the art of hospitality to eating and sleeping at times, it is more than ensuring these needs are met. It’s that special ingredient that has people sticking around long after the food is eaten, the dishes are washed, and many of the guests have left.
In terms of biblical hospitality-yes, it is welcoming others into our homes, but it extends beyond this. It is welcoming both “friends” and strangers alike. Not keeping outsiders on the fringes and outskirts of your group. It is a big smile to the ones you know, and the ones you just met. It is greeting a person by name. It is inviting someone new to your table at that after church potluck meal, or to sit with you on that youth group sofa. It’s doing these things inside the walls of your church, just as much as you do them inside the walls of your home.
It is serving more than just good food to a select few, but offering Jesus to all.
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About Me
I am January! Wife, mother, meemaw, pastor, and mental health provider who makes it through the day with my coffee, my journal, and my God; and I am also on some days a hot mess. A simple human, navigating life through the messy and sometimes chaotic.
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