Author

Lois Flowers

Curiosity, Homemade Pizza and Other Summer Discoveries

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: Learning to make homemade pizza, proof bread dough faster, take life transitions as they come and embrace the future without fear. ~

I have 8,032 emails in my Hotmail inbox.

I learned this the other day when the desktop computer was running slow and I accidentally hit a wrong key. Fortunately, a little box popped up that asked if I really wanted to delete all the emails in my inbox.

Nope, I did not. Not at that moment, anyway.

Randy, who receives about 150 emails every day at work, strives to finish every day with zero emails in his inbox. When I texted him about the condition of my own inbox, his response was predicable:

“There are no words.”

Hopefully knowing this information about me won’t cause anyone to think less of me or suggest I need professional help. (I probably do, but not because of this.) The truth is, I knew I had a vast number of messages dating back to 2011, but I’ve never found a way in Hotmail to see how many exactly.

Now that I know, I clearly have some work to do. The process of deleting large chunks of email seems like perfect fodder for another blog post, so stay tuned for that possibility.

In the meantime, instead of writing about the usual Share Four Somethings categories this month, I’m going to focus on four early summer learnings.

1. Good-bye, What-Ifs; Hello, Possibilities

Rather than allow the fear of not being able to do something, the fear of a bad result or even the fear of what I might feel to rule my heart, I’m learning to approach the future—along with its potential problems—with curiosity.

As I shared in a guest post for my friend Donna over at Serenity in Suffering, this mindset shift isn’t a cure-all for worry or fear, nor does it happen overnight.

It does, however, “Remind us of our need for other people. It highlights the importance of asking for help. It gives us tiny bursts of courage to take chances and trust God for the outcome. It breaks generational strongholds and frees our kids from a heritage of fear. It even shows us that it’s OK dump an entire bowl full of ingredients in the trash and start over.”

Click here to read more …

2. What “All the Feels” Currently Feel Like

Molly graduated from high school last month. We had a great time celebrating her, both at a grad party with her best friend and at her actual graduation.

I’ve heard all sorts of stories about what it feels like for your last child to graduate, ranging from happiness and excitement to grieving the entire senior year.

So far, I land on the happy end of the spectrum. Molly finished high school well. She was ready to be done, and she’s looking forward to going to college in August.

I wonder, though, what it will feel like to drop her off at school. I imagine there will be sadness and even some tears. Maybe not on her part, but perhaps on mine.

I didn’t cry when Lilly went to college. I missed her, of course, but it was 2020, and my joy that she was able to attend school in person superseded any grief I might have felt about it.

Molly’s departure signals the start of a new season of life. I’m excited about what’s next—for all of us—but getting there involves change, and that’s not always my favorite.

That said, my overarching attitude—at least right now—is one of curiosity, not dread or fear. This transition will feel how it feels, and it will be OK. (Welcome to the new me.)

3. You Did What?

Randy gave me Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Table, Volume 3 cookbook for Mother’s Day. I’ve made the Honey Oat Bread twice so far, using a hack from my other favorite food blogger/influencer.

The hack? Proofing bread dough in the dryer.

This tip comes from Nagi at RecipeTinEats (who also has a new cookbook I highly recommend). All you have to do is turn the dryer on high for a few minutes, then put your covered bowl of dough inside.

Dough rises faster this way, so be sure to check it before the recommended time is up.

Besides saving time, it’s also kinda fun. Just don’t forget the dough is there or you might get an unpleasant surprise next time you do laundry. (I’m not speaking from personal experience, just an overactive imagination.)

4. Pizza Night

Speaking of dough, several weeks ago I decided I wanted to make homemade pizza for the first time in my life. My inaugural attempt wasn’t the best pizza ever, not by a long shot. But it lit a fire in me to keep trying, and I now have a new summer goal: find a pizza recipe the whole family loves.

At this stage in my learning, it’s all about the crust. My first try was too light and bready, while the second tasted like mediocre frozen pizza.

I used Joanna Gaines’ pizza dough recipe for my third and fourth tries. It’s good, but it’s a bit thick and lacks the yeastiness I’m yearning for. So the hunt continues.

Thus far, I’ve learned not to put raw mushrooms on a pizza (they make it soggy). I’m still trying to figure out how to keep the top layer of cheese from scorching while the crust bakes completely. And I don’t have a pizza stone, which some food bloggers say is of utmost importance.

My pizza making is very much a work in progress, but it’s been fun to experiment and get feedback from my crew each time I try something new. It may get worse before it gets better (see photo above), but one of these weeks maybe I’ll hit upon the perfect combination of toppings, crust and sauce.

Until then, I’m finding there really is joy in this leg of my culinary journey.

• • •

Now it’s your turn. Dare I even ask about your email-inbox management philosophy? If you have an empty nest, what was it like to launch that last child? Finally, if you have any baking hacks, pizza-making advice or a tried-and-true crust recipe, please share in the comments.

♥ Lois

Instead of writing about the usual #ShareFourSomethings categories this month, I’m focusing on early summer discoveries about email, pizza and my approaching empty nest. Share on X My daughter's upcoming transition to college signals the start of a new season of life. I’m excited about what’s next—for all of us—but getting there involves change, and that’s not always my favorite. #emptynest Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with sharefoursomethings, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

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How to Find Peace Instead of Expecting the Worst

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: It’s easy to feel like everything is a crisis these days, but there is a better way of living. Counteract the worst-case scenario mindset with these helpful ways of thinking and responding. ~

When we visited Yellowstone National Park last summer, we stayed at a vacation rental in Idaho, about an hour and a half from the park.

On our daily trips to and from Yellowstone, we had to navigate a bumpy gravel road for about 30 minutes. It was intermittently wet and rainy while we were there, so in addition to all the dust from the road, we also drove through mud and tried to avoid big puddles.

After we returned home, I noticed a vibration in the back end of my car. It was only four years old, and we’d never had a problem with it before.

Now, though, anytime I drove between 50 and 70 miles an hour, the entire vehicle shook.

What in the World?

I put up with this annoyance for a few months, then took the car to our usual tire chain/repair shop. They balanced the tires and sent me home, but the car still shook.

When I brought it back again, they did the same thing, with the same result.

A neighbor recommended a local mechanic, and Randy eventually made an appointment. In the meantime, my mind got to work.

We hit a big bump on the road to Yellowstone once; maybe it had damaged the rear axles or some other part that required thousands of dollars to repair.

I wanted to hope for a simple fix, but from the get-go, I couldn’t help but expect the worst.

Everything is a Crisis

Does that remind you of our world these days? Everything is a crisis. Everything is overwhelming.

Everyone is out to get us, to hurt us, to beat us to the next red light.

This happens personally, nationally and on the world stage. At every level, it’s exhausting, unhealthy and—dare I say it—often unnecessary.

Sometimes the Worst Does Happen

I’m not saying the world isn’t hard and getting harder, that it’s not dark and getting darker.

There are plenty of times when the worst does happen, suddenly or gradually. In situations like these, we need God’s strength, comfort, wisdom and help. He has an abundance supply of all this and much, much more.

Other times, though—especially when we are not directly involved in either the problem or the solution—we would do well to simmer down (as Randy is fond of saying).

Take a Deep Breath

We don’t have to automatically assume the worst. We don’t have to go from zero to 100 in half a second.

When we suddenly notice we’re having trouble hearing, for example, we don’t have to jump straight to “a brain tumor is pushing on my ear canal.” We might just need to make an appointment with our audiologist, who just might tell us our hearing aids need to be adjusted.

(Did this scenario actually happen? I’ll let you decide.)

A Better Approach

So how do we get ourselves out of the worst-case-scenario mindset? Is it possible to counteract all the real and imagined crises with more helpful ways of thinking or behaving?

I think so.

Maybe we begin by giving other people the benefit of the doubt. Not borrowing trouble before trouble is confirmed. Focusing on today and letting tomorrow worry about itself.

Digging down a little deeper, perhaps we make an intentional effort to think about and pray for other people’s problems, not just our own. Even for those with whom we disagree, that it may go well with them and that they would come across people who can point them to Christ.

Seek Out Older People

Finally, no matter how old we are, we can all benefit from the life experience and wisdom of godly people who are further down the road than we are. I’m talking about spending time with people who are older than we are—15, 20 or 30 years older.

Parents, if we still have them, or even grandparents. Aunts and uncles, older mentors and friends from church. They often have a way of putting things in perspective that only comes with age and a lifetime of walking with Jesus. (Honestly, 30 minutes with my 81-year-old friend Mary or my 92-year-old Aunt Renate might be the best therapy anyone could ask for.)

If we happen find ourselves on the older end of the age scale (and by that I mean over 50), let’s pray for opportunities to share our stories and practical wisdom with the younger generations in our lives. We are all still needed, especially face-to-face, whether social media makes us feel like it or not.

We can gently help others remember that not everything is the end of the world, while at the same time reminding ourselves. It’s a win-win, right?

What About My Car?

Speaking of wins, if you’re wondering what happened with my shaky car, I have good news.

Turns out, the wheels were so tightly packed with gravel and dirt that it was throwing the whole driving experience out of whack. I don’t know how the tire technicians missed this during two complete tire balances, but they did.

The local mechanic’s shop cleaned the road debris out of all four wheels, and the car was as good as new. All for less than $150.

It wasn’t the end of the world after all.

♥ Lois

We can avoid the worst-case scenario mindset by giving other people the benefit of the doubt. Not borrowing trouble before trouble is confirmed. Focusing on today and letting tomorrow worry about itself. Share on X Let’s pray for opportunities to share our stories and practical wisdom with the younger generations in our lives. We are all still needed, especially face-to-face, whether social media makes us feel like it or not. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

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A World of Encouragement in 1 Short Verse

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: When fear overwhelms and the future is uncertain, my favorite scripture provides a powerful framework for building trust and fighting discouragement. ~

Maybe it’s because my word for 2023 is remember, but lately God seems to be reminding me—in fresh new ways—of verses that have been foundational throughout my adult life.

I’m not hearing an audible voice, but the message seems clear.

Remember this? Remember these truths that helped you before? They’re still true. Still relevant. Still powerful and active and able to light the path before you (even if it’s just for the very next step).

This even applies to my favorite Bible verse—Deuteronomy 31:8.

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (NIV)

Timeless Truth

Moses spoke these words to Joshua and the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. But the truths about God that they impart haven’t changed since then.

I first stumbled across Deuteronomy 31:8 almost two decades years ago, after Randy learned he was going to lose the job he’d had for the first 10 years of our marriage. Since then, these two powerful sentences have steadied me through moves, job transitions, loss and change—in my own life and in the lives of my loved ones.

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

The NIV translation is posted on my refrigerator door and displayed on a wood sign over my piano. It’s the version I memorized originally, but I also appreciate the wording in other versions.

For example, The Message paraphrase puts it like this:

“God is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t worry.”

Perennial Encouragement

I’ve mentioned my favorite verse in this space many times over the years. (See here, here and here for a few examples.) As my empty nest looms and my girls await open doors and new opportunities, though, it seems like a good time to go through this verse phrase by powerful phrase, mining for truth that steadies and comforts through every question mark and future unknown.

I love the logic of Deuteronomy 31:8. Each segment sets the stage for the next, and in 27 words, we have a wonderful framework for building trust and fighting discouragement.

Your circumstances are probably different from mine, but I hope you are encouraged as you take this journey with me.

The Lord Himself

Forget about substitutes or representatives. We’re talking about God Himself—the Maker of the stars, the Savior of the world, the Alpha and the Omega, the One enthroned in heaven, the One who has all the days of our lives written in His book.

Goes before you

God doesn’t hang back and wait for us to forge our own path. He knows what’s coming—every pain and praise, every gift and grief, every hill and valley—and He gets there ahead of us, every time.

And will be with you

Although it may not feel like it 24/7, part of God’s immutable character is His omnipresence. He is everywhere all at once, which means He is always with us. You, me, our loved ones. Psalm 139:7-10 describes this so well:

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

He will never leave you

Not only does God promise to be with us, but He goes one step further with the assurance that His presence is permanent. No matter what, no matter where. He will not leave us.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2)

What a comfort, especially in the wake or aftermath of rejection or abandonment. As Psalm 118:6 puts it, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Nor forsake you

When I think of this phrase, Hebrews 13:5 comes to mind. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ”

The fact that this verse ties contentment to the truth that God will never leave or forsake us is profound. No matter our circumstances, financial or otherwise, we can be content because God is with us. Truly, He is enough.

Do not be afraid

I don’t know exactly how many times the Bible uses phrases like “don’t be afraid” or “fear not,” but there’s no doubt that it’s a recurring theme. God wouldn’t have prompted the writers of scripture to say it so often if He didn’t know that we, as frail finite humans, would often struggle with fear.

Thankfully, we don’t have to fear because of what we’ve already read—that God goes before us, is with us and will not forsake us.

Do not be discouraged

Discouragement (or dismay, as many translations put it) is an insidious enemy. It can sap the very life out of our spirits. This final thought assures us that, no matter what is happening at any given moment, it’s possible not to be discouraged. Instead, we can be encouraged by the truths in this entire verse.

• • •

Now it’s your turn. Is there a specific phrase from Deuteronomy 31:8 that is especially meaningful to you? Please share in the comments.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

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What to Remember When the Future Is Foggy

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: Living through a foggy season can be disconcerting and exhausting. Here’s encouragement to keep pushing through to the other side. ~

“You know the end from the beginning. You go before me and you will be with me. You will never leave me nor forsake me.* Please give me faith to trust you more, even when I can’t see into the fog.”

This snippet from my prayer journal provides a good indication of where my heart and mind have been lately. As someone who likes to read the end of books first—or at least flip to later pages to see how a current plot twist is resolved—a foggy future is disconcerting.

I suppose the future is always foggy to one degree or another, but it seems thicker during certain seasons. Amid illness or financial problems. As the empty nest looms. When a loved one is nearing death. While waiting to adopt or give birth. After an unexpected loss.

How Fog Feels

Sometimes the fog is tinged with joy and expectation; sometimes it’s weighed down by sorrow. Then there are those occasions when the way ahead is marked more by question marks than specific emotions, which, ironically, also can result in anxiety.

Other kinds of fog have more to do with the present than the future. The fog of not sensing God’s presence, of fluctuating hormones, of depression, of grief, of memory loss. I could go on, but you get the picture. You could probably add to the list yourself.

A Key Truth

Although I don’t live in an area where actual fog is common, there’s a truth about this weather condition that I think is helpful to remember. Fog is disorienting, for sure. But when it overtakes an area, the trees and street signs and houses we can’t see are still there. They’re right where they were before the fog rolled in, and they’ll be there when the fog dissipates.

The same applies to metaphorical fog in some ways.

It’s easy to get confused or turned around when we’re living through a foggy patch. When we can’t see clearly, our minds can play tricks on us. We might get paranoid or start questioning truth or facts that normally stabilize us.

When the fog lifts, as it usually does, those foundational facts and truths are right where they’ve always been. They didn’t change, no matter what we thought or felt when we couldn’t see our hand in front of our face.

What To Do

So what can we do when the fog threatens to overwhelm us?

Pray: “Send your light and your truth; let them lead me.” (Psalm 43:4) I don’t always use the same words, but some variation of this request shows up frequently in my prayers, for myself and my loved ones.

Remember: Chances are, this is not the first time you’ve faced the fog of uncertainty, sadness or chaos. How has God worked in your life during past such seasons? What specific prayers did He answer? How did the situations work out?

You Will Survive

I want to tell you that it gets easier, this pushing through the fog. And in some ways, it does. Once you live through something you dreaded or perhaps thought would take you down, it can build confidence in other areas. Not that you can do it on your own, but that you will survive.

But fog is fog. And if you’re anything like me, it can be disconcerting and exhausting, no matter how many times we go through it.

It requires us to take one step at a time. To do the next right thing. To seek help if we need it. To sometimes put ourselves on autopilot and trust that God will direct and lead us through.

He will, you know.

♥ Lois

When the fog lifts, foundational facts and truths are right where they’ve always been. They didn’t change, no matter what we thought or felt when we couldn’t see our hand in front of our face. Share on X Once you live through something you thought would take you down, it can build confidence in other areas. Not that you can do it on your own, but that you will survive. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

* Deuteronomy 31:8

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When the Future Holds More Questions Than Answers

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: What to remember when you’re at a crossroads and don’t know what’s next. ~

Two notable events took place in May 1993. I graduated from college, and Alan Jackson released the iconic song “Chattahoochee.”

If you weren’t paying attention to country music three decades ago, this award-winning song shot straight to No. 1 on country radio and eventually became the top tune of the year.

I didn’t realize the song came out the same month I graduated until I sat down to write this post. I think it’s fitting, though, considering the line from the song that hits me every time I hear it on my running playlist.

“Never had a plan just a livin’ for the minute.”

Oh, the Irony

As I look back over my life in light of this lyric, I can’t escape a bit of irony. As much as I worried about all sorts of future events and circumstances, I’ve never been much of a planner.

I suppose I should clarify. When various situations arose—say, a pending job loss, a move or a loved one’s health crisis—I had plenty of plans for how they should be resolved. I didn’t hesitate to share these ideas with God in prayer, sometimes in minute detail.

This should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, but God usually didn’t implement my plans. Sometimes the things I worried about didn’t happen at all, but most of the time, the outcome looked nothing like I had spelled out.

A More Relaxed Approach

When it comes to parts of life that actually fall within my control, however, I think it’s fair to say I’m more relaxed. I have a rough to-do list for my days. But I’ve never set career goals or made outlines about where I hope to be in five or 10 years.

For the most part, this has worked out OK during my years as a stay-at-home mom of school-age kids. But that season is ending.

Molly graduated from high school last weekend. Lilly is gearing up to spend her next semester of college abroad.

The Great Unknown

All three of us are pondering questions about the future. But while the girls are in an exciting phase with many wonderful possibilities ahead of them, I find myself staring into the great unknown with scarcely a clue about what to do.

Perhaps you’re right there with me. Whether you’re anticipating an empty nest, finishing up grad school, contemplating the future without a loved one or confronting some other kind of crossroads, the questions far outweigh the answers.

For some, this might be an exciting place to be. For others, myself included, it’s easier to get excited when we know what’s coming and we have a concrete plan for how it’s going to happen.

That’s not how life usually works, however. Not mine, and probably not yours.

Zigs and Zags

When I imagine a timeline of my life, I don’t see a straight ascent from one season or job to the next. I see a lot of zigs and zags. A lot of “this prepared me for that, but I didn’t know it at the time.”

Regrettably, I see a few opportunities I turned down largely out of fear. But I also see opportunities that seemed to come out of nowhere that turned out to be wonderful.

It’s not that God wasn’t listening when I used to give him those detailed instructions about how my life should go, it’s that He had other plans for me. And perhaps for you too.

God of All Our Days

It’s God, not us, who is sovereign over our entire lifespan. As Psalm 139:16 says, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (NIV)

This verse provided hope when Randy and I were waiting to adopt our daughters and comfort when my parents were nearing death. But I sometimes need to be reminded that it doesn’t just apply to the beginning and end of life.

It applies to all those days in the middle too, including the ones full of question marks.

Moving Forward

This might be a stretch, but I think that catchy line from “Chattahoochee” is a good starting point to help us move forward into that unknown future.

Perhaps it’s time to actually make some plans, and then offer them to God with open hands, trusting that He will complete the work He has started our lives. While we wait for the way ahead to become clear, we can live for each minute by devoting our energy and attention to the people and tasks right in front of us.

After all, in the words of the Psalmist, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, ESV)

• • •

Do you relate to the “Chattahoochee” lyric I quoted? Or does a line from another song—country or otherwise—describe you better in this season of your life? Please share in the comments.

♥ Lois

It’s God, not us, who is sovereign over our entire lifespan. As Psalm 139:16 says, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Share on X While we wait for the way ahead to become clear, we can live for each minute by devoting our energy and attention to the people and tasks right in front of us. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

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Hands High or Not, Our Hearts Are Still Full of Praise

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: Whatever our worship style, old hymns remind us of timeless biblical truths and turn our hearts toward heaven, where we will all praise God together. ~

“O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come.”

Written by Isaac Watts in 1719, these lyrics came to mind one morning the week before Easter.

Googling the song led me to Reawaken Hymns on YouTube. One guy singing old hymns set to modern music isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, to be sure. But I immediately downloaded the entire collection on Spotify—all 9 hours and 58 minutes of it—and have been listening to it ever since.

The Soundtrack of My Youth

Hymns are as much a part of my DNA as storytelling and Italian spaghetti sauce. I listen and remember: Worship services in the sanctuary of my childhood church, organ on one side, piano on the other, wooden pulpit in the middle. Standing with dear friends, red hymnal open between us, trying to match their voices as they sang the alto part.

As a girl, I preferred hymns with choruses. “Wonderful Grace of Jesus.” “I Stand Amazed in the Presence.” “Standing on the Promises.” “Trust and Obey.” I haven’t sung these songs congregationally in decades, yet the words are at the tip of my tongue as I type.

The church of my youth frowned on music with a beat. During those song services I remember so well, nary a hand rose in the air. Not even close.

I have a feeling this was difficult for my mom. She left behind her Assembly of God roots when she married my dad, but she couldn’t divorce herself from her Italian spirit.

More Free to Worship

When I was older, the churches my parents attended were much freer in their expressions of worship, which my mom enjoyed immensely. Even in her 80s, she appreciated videos of contemporary groups singing on YouTube.

“I love to watch the young people worship,” she told me.

In all the years we went to the same church, I never once witnessed my mom raise a hand in praise. Randy saw more from his perch in the tech booth, though. I will be forever grateful for his covert photography skills.

When the Spirit Moves

Hand-raising seems to be somewhat selective at the church I attend now. Certain songs prompt hands—including my own—to go up here and there, but not often during hymns. Instead, as the lines of “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” or “Crown Him with Many Crowns” flood the auditorium, I’m more likely to be wiping away tears as I remember my childhood church, and, of course, my parents.

At home, though, when listening to these hymns with the catchy accompaniment, I almost can’t keep my hands down, right there in the middle of my kitchen.

Those who sing with “hands high, hearts full of praise,” as Phil Wickham’s song says, aren’t any more or less spiritual than those whose hands hold hymnals every Sunday. I don’t know how you feel about it, but in my opinion, it’s a matter of preference, personality, tradition and comfort level.

Heavenly Praise

I like to imagine the scene in heaven—folks from every tribe, tongue and nation worshipping God in the way that is most closely aligned with how He made each of us.

I can picture myself there in the heavenly throng, along with my husband and daughters, parents, siblings, friends I’ve known over the years and countless millions of strangers who perhaps will become friends in eternity. Those who went to heaven before me and those who came later—voices raised in perfect praise.

I think it might sound something like this:

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home:

Under the shadow of your throne your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone, and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood, or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God, to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in your sight are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream, soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the op’ning day.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home!

• • •

Did you grow up with hymns? How do they fit into your worship now? Please share a favorite or two, if you like.

♥ Lois

Hymns are as much a part of my DNA as storytelling and Italian spaghetti sauce. Share on X Imagine the scene in heaven—folks from every tribe, tongue and nation worshipping God in the way that is most closely aligned with how He made each of us. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

Photo Credits: Rock formations by Esther Ware; church service by Randy Flowers.
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