Lenten Devotions 3/1- 3/7

Monday, March 1st

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Devotion: As a Steamboat native who had been living in Denver for many years, I looked forward to returning at some point with my own family. We often talked about it, but logistically it just never seemed to make sense. After these conversations, I would often pray, “God, if we are meant to live in Steamboat, please make it clear.”

About a year after our daughter was born, we thought it seemed like a good time to make the move. Just as things started to seem “clear”, my husband, Scott, was diagnosed with cancer and we learned he would need a bone marrow transplant to survive. Instead of moving to Steamboat, we moved to California so that we could be with his family during his treatment. Our world was turned upside down and our perspective on life’s priorities changed in many ways. I grew closer to God as my reliance on him increased. There was so much that was out of my control, and the only way I could find peace was to turn to God and trust that He would take care of us.

Six months later, we found ourselves back in Denver - Scott still on a rough road to recovery, but thankfully, doing well. Now more than ever, we wanted the quality of life we felt we could find in a place like Steamboat. Even though our dream seemed even more out of reach than before, trusting God to make it happen gave us hope.

I started meditating on these verses in Proverbs and really trying to trust in the Lord despite all of my doubts. As I did this, I experienced what I would call nudges to take steps that seemed silly or pointless in my mind. One in particular was over a weekend when I was visiting my family in Steamboat and on a whim decided to see what houses were listed for rent in the paper. Then I called to inquire about one, then I went to check it out. None of this was in my plans for the weekend. Afterwards, I called Scott. We laughed at the fact I had spontaneously done something like this.

Three months later we were living in Steamboat and ten years later we are still here - happy, healthy, and living what was once a dream.

Some versions of this verse say, “…he will make your path straight”, or “…he will make your path smooth”, but the one I resonate with the most is the one that says, “…he will direct your path.” For a long time, my prayer was for God to make it clear that moving to Steamboat was the right thing to do, but it wasn’t until nothing made sense and the only thing that seemed clear was that we needed to let go of our idea of how this was supposed to go. The path was not straight or smooth, but as we trusted God, and acknowledged him by listening to “the nudges” we were blessed beyond what we could have imagined or done on our own.

- Becky Slamal

Prayer: My prayer, in conclusion, comes from Paul in Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Tuesday, March 2nd

Scripture: Hebrews 13:2 - “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

Devotion: Open Table I invited all my friends To my table Some blue Some red Some purple I looked out And saw more I invited them in

All were bruised.

Some relieved Some afraid Some hopeful Some angry

I put a leaf in the table Stretching its space

Then I put love on the table

And I listened and said

“Yes”.

- Marianne Hagemeier

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to see that we are all created in your image and guide us to share and show that truth in the way we live our lives. Amen.

Wednesday, March 3rd

Scripture: Hebrews 6:19 - “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain…”

Devotion: Our hope is secure and immovable, anchored in God, just as a ship anchor holds firmly to the seabed. I find this scripture is comforting in a time of so much change and fast paced life. The knowledge that God is with me every step of the way grounds me. Hope is deep inside me and is a sanctuary that I can revel in. Hope sits with me in meditation and starts my day. I am hopeful for a safe and healthy world. Hopeful for our country that will love more than hate. Hopeful for a community that accepts all.

-Kate Nowak

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for being our anchor, especially in times of change. Amen.

Thursday, March 4th

Scripture: Job 5:15-16 - “He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; he saves them from the clutches of the powerful. So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.”

Devotion: In the summer of 2019, during a children’s reading and enrichment program, an amazing thing happened. The enrichment theme for the day was “Everyday Heroes” and included local law enforcement and fire and rescue personnel. The session began with the reading of a book, offered by the Police Chief. There were crafts to be made, and games to be played, but were quickly put aside when the Chief and several officers opened the doors to their patrol vehicles and invited the children to climb in. These children, initially hesitant, quickly found out that they could do just about anything they wanted to do. They turned on the roof-top lights, made the siren squeal, and announced their orders through the speaker system. This went on for quite a while, so that there was only time enough to have a snack with the officers, and head home, after many hugs, high-fives and thank-yous.

This was a huge step forward for the children who had come to fear the presence of law enforcement. These children had grown up seeing neighbors, and sometimes family members arrested and taken away from their close-knit community. These children had been warned to stay out of law enforcement’s way, to not trust or engage with them. But, on this day, the officers gently took the time to earn the trust of the children. And as a result, a bond was formed; a bond of trust, a bond of relationship, and a bond of hope. Hope of a future where people come together to learn and work together for acceptance and love.

- Marci Huntsman

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for those who take time to build trust with others. Amen.

Friday, March 5th

Scripture: Psalm 33:22 - “May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.”

Devotion: Most often when we say hope, it is for something with little meaning like a golf shot that we think we hit well enough to get over the water but are not sure. It’s a frivolous kind of hope because we’ve already hit the shot and the result is determined. If we hit it well it will go over; if we did not it will fall in the water.

More substantial hope comes from trust in God, knowing that while nothing is promised, we will and can overcome much. As obstacles confront us, having hope in the future that the sun will continue to rise, and we will successfully overcome those obstacles over time, is important to our faith community. This kind of hope inspires us to actively work together to improve our circumstances.

Our faith community at Heart of Steamboat is strong and together we share hope in what the future brings.

- David Lundeen

Prayer: Lord, help us to see hope through You. Amen.

Saturday, March 6th

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Devotion: Many of you know that one of my passions is Girl Scouting: mentoring Girl Scouts, encouraging leadership, fostering creativity and creating a community of caring, giving and contributing, modeling habits of doing good deeds - making that a habit.

Most of you also may know that I am the mother of two sons. I’ll say that again: Two Amazing Sons. So then you ask, why are you so passionate about GIRL Scouts!?

For me, much of the answer to that question is guided by Hebrews 10:24-25: “Spur one another on toward Love and Good Deeds! Encourage One Another. And all the more….”

That is what happens when I am involved in Girl Scouting! Modeling leadership skills that encompass hope and love and good deeds always reaps many benefits. Sometimes it’s seen right away, many times, those benefits come along down the road.

I see my role in Girl Scouting as fostering love and good deeds in everyone, and especially in my Girl Scouts! I love to encourage and “cheer on” others. It’s one of my spiritual gifts. I see that by growing confidence, character and courage in girls, it rubs off on all the guys in the world and even my two sons! For me, that is where HOPE comes in. As Helen Keller says below:

- Nancy Mucklow

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to seek ways to lead by example. Amen.

Sunday, March 7th

Scripture: Micah 6:8 - “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Devotion: WHY NOT LOVE? Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit. The best thing to hold onto in life is each other. It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.

This saying about WHY NOT LOVE? does not say who wrote it, but I like it…and it really resonates with me at this time of being more lonely (and that’s okay)…than I ever have been in my life. It was not MY choice…however I have learned SO much to continue loving even when it is difficult to give and receive hugs to those who we love SO dearly. When “WE CAN” hug (okay…I have snuck in more than a few this past year!)… I will give the longest, most meaningful hugs out there even to those I don’t even know…I feel that people/friends come into your life for a reason and you have to embrace it… and LOVE it and spread it…LOVE that is…

I live life to the fullest with all the many, many activities Steamboat has to offer everyday…I have 4 almost grown children whom I am very proud of and I continue to send quotes and positive verses, pictures and songs to them to make their days brighter…I am thankful…I am grateful…I am honored to be a part of this wonderful community and why not?...WHY NOT LOVE?

- Sue Thompson

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to love fiercely. Amen.