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Lois Flowers

One Word Recap: Now

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: I didn’t write much about my word for 2024, but it remained at the top of my mind, prompting me to take action when I needed to—or when I may not have otherwise. ~

It’s that time of year, when people who chose a word to guide them for the last 12 months often report on how that went for them.

I’ve been selecting a word of the year since 2015. I’ve worn many of them around my wrist on a bracelet. And some years, especially more recently, I sprinkled posts about my word over the course of 52 weeks.

Not so in 2024, however.

This is only the second time I’ve written about my word, which was now.

It’s kind of ambiguous, now is. There’s no obvious way to illustrate it, or even to give regular updates about what it’s meant in my life.

I guess I’ll put it this way: Throughout the year, now was ever near, prompting me to take action when I needed to, or when I may not have otherwise.

Perhaps the best way to explain it is to share a few examples.

For Starters …

My knee, which had bothered me on and off for months, started yowling in April. Hoping for a quick and easy fix, I made an appointment and went to the doctor.

Instead of the easy fix, she had some blunt words about my X-ray, which prompted me to decide—right then and there—that I was done running. (It was an easy decision, but also difficult, as I described in a post called “Learning to Adjust to an Unexpected and Hard Change”).

Given my love of endorphins, it was clear that I needed to replace running with a different form of exercise. Biking made the most sense for me, so I went to a local cycle shop, picked a used bike out of the few on display and promptly purchased it.

The way I saw it, there was no need to conduct endless research and weigh all the pros and cons of all the various options. The time to make the change was now.

It took me a while to get used to the fact that I’m not running anymore, but I’ve been riding ever since. And in some quiet way, now helped.

Another Example

I had been thinking about attending a writer’s conference for months, maybe years. It had been more than two decades since I had been to one, and the world of publishing has changed drastically since then, to say the least.

I had narrowed my choices down to two conferences, but sometime in late spring, I decided not to go to either. Then, on the last day to get a discounted price for Write to Publish in Wheaton, Ill.—11 days before the conference started—I changed my mind and signed up.

I had never gone to this conference before, and at that point didn’t know anyone else who was going. It was, to put it mildly, a spur-of-the-moment, out-of-my-comfort-zone decision.

Did now make me do it? I can’t say for sure, but it certainly pointed me in that direction.

The conference was enjoyable. It helped me make some good connections and confirmed some steps I need to take if I ever hope to find a publisher for a book I’ve been working on. I’m glad I went.

Now’s the Time

But again, I don’t know if I would have gone if the song of now had not been playing on repeat in my mind and heart. Now’s the time. Do it now. It’s now or never.

In other words, my word reminded me, don’t put off until tomorrow what I can do today.

Not that I’ve listened every time, of course. I’m definitely a creature of habit, and habits are hard to break.

It has helped, though, I can say that.

Today is all we have, after all—now. The people and projects right in front of us might not be there tomorrow.  And sometimes, we need to heed the still, small Voice and take a step or reach out—even if it makes us stretch in new or uncomfortable ways.

Not Done with Now

I’ve chosen a new word for 2025, but as is often the case with my words for each year, I don’t think I’m done with now. And not just because I like my now bracelet and don’t want to stop wearing it.

In a way that is hopeful rather than stressful, it gently reminds me that we all have a limited amount of time left and we best make the most of it. Starting now.

• • •

Do you choose a word for each year? How did your word guide you in 2024? Please share in the comments.

♥ Lois

The people and projects right in front of us might not be there tomorrow. And sometimes, we need to heed the still, small Voice and take a step or reach out. Share on X We all have a limited amount of time left and we best make the most of it. Starting now. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with One Word 2024, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

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Elizabeth’s Life Provides Encouragement for Us All

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: The pivotal role Elizabeth played in the Christmas story holds inspiration and instruction for each of us, no matter our age or status in life. ~

If Oscars were handed out to participants in the Christmas narrative, I think Elizabeth deserves the nod for best actress in a supporting role.

The first chapter of Luke tells us that she and her husband, the priest Zechariah, were “righteous in God’s sight.” Sadly, though, “they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.”

This devout Jewish couple had struggled with infertility but had long since given up waiting for a baby because it was biologically impossible. They were too old.

Then One Day …

Zechariah was burning incense before the Lord in the temple and the angel Gabriel appeared to him. The angel told him Elizabeth was going to have a baby, and that the baby would serve as the forerunner to the Messiah.

Though a godly man, Zechariah didn’t believe the angel. As a result, he was struck mute until the baby was born. (I wrote about this last week, in a post titled When Doubt Paves the Way for Hope.)

The angel was right, of course. Elizabeth—despite her age and lack of necessary hormones—conceived and eventually had the child we know as John the Baptist.

In the meantime, she spent considerable time with her relative, Mary, who had recently received her own incredible news from Gabriel.

A Curious Conversation

When the angel appeared to Zechariah, he said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you will name him John.” (Luke 1:13)

His wording intrigues me. I’m guessing this couple’s infertility had caused them great grief when they were younger, and perhaps they still had tender spots in their hearts about the subject. But they were well past the season of praying for a miracle baby.

For God, though, the season of miracles was just beginning. He had heard the prayers they prayed so long ago, and He was answering them now.

If you’re waiting for some kind of divine response this Christmas season, let this encourage your heart. There may be desires that we must hold loosely and even let go because they may not be part of God’s plan for us. But He does hear—and remember—every single prayer.

While it may seem that our prayers our bouncing off the ceiling, they’re not. God will answer—in His way and in His timing.

The Story Continues

After the angel appeared to Mary, the Bible says she “hurried to the town in the hill country of Judah where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth” (who was in her sixth month of pregnancy).

Further, “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: ‘You are the most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed! How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’ ” (Luke 1:41-43)

It would have been easy for Elizabeth to become bitter, angry and disillusioned with God as a result of her infertility, but that doesn’t seem to be what happened to her.

Despite the societal disgrace she experienced, I think she remained wholeheartedly devoted to God in the midst of her pain and disappointment. After all, the words that spilled from her lips when Mary arrived seemed very natural—as if she were used to praising God.

Mary’s Place of Refuge

And did you notice that when the angel appeared to Mary, she hurried to Elizabeth’s house? The Scriptures later say she stayed there for three months, which speaks volumes about the kind of person Elizabeth was. She wasn’t a bitter old shrew, disgruntled at God and everyone else because her life hadn’t turned out the way she thought it should.

She was the person to whom Mary ran when she found out the exciting, troubling, overwhelming, amazing news that she was miraculously pregnant with God’s Son!

Perhaps Mary ran to Elizabeth because she knew Elizabeth would believe her, not cast judgment on her. She knew Elizabeth would praise God with her, and she knew Elizabeth would encourage and support her—all in the quiet safety of her home.

God’s Purposes

Why on earth did God make Elizabeth wait so long to fulfill her dream of motherhood? Why did He choose her to give birth to John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah?

We don’t know the answers to these questions. We only know what happened as a result of her situation, and how it was used in the lives of others.

Just after Gabriel told Mary how it was possible for her to be pregnant, he added this: “And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:36)

Right after that, Mary rushed to Elizabeth’s house and spent those three months under her nurturing wing. How important it must have been for the young, unmarried Mary to spend that time with another recipient of God’s miraculous grace at that specific time in her life.

Granted, Elizabeth was carrying Zechariah’s baby and Mary was carrying God’s Son. But they both found themselves in extremely unusual situations.

Not About Us

Had God answered Elizabeth’s prayers earlier in her life, she would have missed out on many blessings. Not the least of which was the opportunity to encourage the mother of the Messiah! Maybe, just maybe, her wait for a baby had more to do with Mary than with herself.

And maybe, just maybe, the same is true for us. Perhaps there are times in our lives when God allows us to experience things primarily so that we can be a piece of someone else’s puzzle.

Here’s another way of putting it:

Sometimes, our seasons in the waiting room are not about us. They’re all about how God wants to use us and our experiences to help someone else.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

♥ Lois

While it may seem that our prayers our bouncing off the ceiling, they’re not. God hears and He will answer—in His way and in His timing. Share on X Sometimes, our seasons in the waiting room are not about us. They’re all about how God wants to use us and our experiences to help someone else. Share on X

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

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When Doubt Paves the Way for Hope

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: Two people in the Christmas story questioned the angel who visited them. One was chastised; the other was not. Have you ever wondered why? ~

When I hear the Christmas story, I always wonder. Two people in the narrative questioned the angel who visited them. One was chastised; the other was not. Why?

Both were told impossible things. Both had reason to doubt. Their responses to the news they received even seem similar, at least on the surface:

“ ‘How can I know this?’ Zechariah asked the angel. ‘For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.’ ” (Luke 1:18)

“Mary asked the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?’ ” (Luke 1:34)

Why, then, was Zechariah struck mute until his “well-along-in-years” wife Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist, while the virgin Mary received a gentle explanation about how she would bear God’s Son?

I’ve long been puzzled by this. Aside from the standard “God knew their hearts,” I’ve never been able to figure it out. And maybe that answer is enough.

Another Perspective

This year, though, I thought of something else. Zechariah was an old man. Luke 1:6 describes both him and his wife as “righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord.”

Mary was a teenager, perhaps 15 or 16 years old. When she discovered she was pregnant, she went to stay with her cousin Elizabeth. Maybe that was the best place her parents could think of to get her out of sight—for her sake, or perhaps for theirs.

Either way, she was a teenager. She was God-fearing and probably mature for her years, but she was still young and inexperienced. (I know our modern society is completely different from the Jewish culture of Mary’s day, but how would the 15-year-olds you know have responded in her situation?)

Zechariah, on the other hand, had an entire lifetime of trusting, praying, following and seeking after God under his belt. Could it be he lost his voice because he should have known better than to doubt?

Let’s Frame it This Way

When my girls are struggling, I try to help them. But I also try to remember they are much younger than me, with decades of growth opportunities ahead of them.

I have plenty of growing to do too. But I also have 54 years of working through hard situations, learning to wait, developing patience, watching God answer prayer.

It’s all ongoing, believe me. Even so, I’m further down the path than they are, and I cannot expect them to share or understand my perspective in every situation. My daughters will learn as they grow older, just as I have done and continue to do.

A Plausible Explanation

Maybe this explains why the angel responded so differently to Zechariah and Mary. Zechariah’s age, righteous life and understanding of scripture may have warranted the expectation of immediate acceptance and obedience, while Mary’s youthful innocence required that she receive more detailed information.

This could be discouraging for those of us who are no longer teenagers or young adults. Higher standards are harder to live up to and present more opportunities for failure, after all.

And yet, Zechariah’s story didn’t end in doubt. And maybe that simple fact could bring us comfort today.

Yes, he had to deal with the consequences of his unbelief, but God was gracious to him. Despite his initial reaction, the elderly father-to-be eventually accepted his situation. And in the end, he demonstrated the strength of his faith by naming his child John, just as the angel had instructed him to do.

Hope in Redemption

This chapter of Zechariah’s story is recorded in scripture from start to finish. So instead of fixating on his doubt, let’s find hope in his redemption.

No matter how old we are, it’s never too late to grow, to obey God, to set an example of faithfulness for those who are coming along behind us.

This Christmas season, I hope that encourages your heart as much as it does mine.

♥ Lois

Zechariah had an entire lifetime of trusting, praying, following and seeking after God under his belt. Could it be he lost his voice because he should have known better than to doubt? Share on X Zechariah’s story didn’t end in doubt. And maybe that simple fact could bring us comfort today. Share on X

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

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What to Remember When You’re Facing an Uncertain Future

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: A recent radio interview prompts thoughts about change, how God works in our lives and the best way to respond when the future is cloudy. ~

Last week, I had an interview with Moody Radio Florida about a recent blog post titled When You Fear Your Best Days are Behind You.

Near the end of our conversation, the hosts of Kurt and Kate Mornings took a call from a 44-year-old listener named Rose who had recently lost her job. Understandably, she was wondering what she was going to do and questioning why God had allowed her to be without a career after so many years.

Kurt asked if I had any words of encouragement for her, and I did my best to help in the spur of the moment. As is often the case, though, I thought of all the other things I could have said later.

It Occurred to Me …

That Rose is 10 years younger than I am. As I considered all the changes that took place in my life during the last decade—most of which I never saw coming—a few more thoughts came to mind.

I can’t share them with Rose, but I can share them with you. And, if I’m honest, with myself too. They don’t just apply to 44-year-olds, after all. They’re words all of us might need to hear, especially when we’re tempted to wonder what the future holds and if we’ve outlived our usefulness.

A Few Quick Truths

• There’s no way to predict what might happen to us or how God might use it in our lives.

• Our heavenly Father knows what we need and will lovingly provide it, even if it’s not something we would have chosen for ourselves.

• When we’re waiting for God’s plan to unfold in our lives, one thing leads to another (although we often only see this in retrospect).

• Strength comes along the way, never all at once.

A Few Quick Encouragements

• Don’t be afraid. God is with you.

• Don’t ask why. Ask what next?

• Don’t lose heart. Remember God’s goodness.

If you’d like to listen to the podcast version of my interview with Kurt and Kate Mornings—including my interaction with Rose—you can tune in here:

• • •

Lately, I’ve been realizing the importance of been choosing to be thankful instead of complaining about my circumstances. This week, as we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States, I hope you know how grateful I am for each and every one of you.

♥ Lois

Our heavenly Father knows what we need and will lovingly provide it, even if it’s not something we would have chosen for ourselves. Share on X Don’t lose heart. Remember God’s goodness. Share on X

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

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How an Editor’s Painful Feedback Changed My Life

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: Criticism that had nothing to do with writing exposed a huge blind spot in my life and paved the way for future growth. ~

I’ve had the opportunity to work with many wonderful editors over the years. People who appreciated the value of a perfectly turned phrase, who explained when it was better to use a long dash or a semicolon, who taught me to write the language of my readers rather than the jargon of the businessmen and women I interviewed.

But as much as I learned from these wordsmiths, the greatest lesson I ever learned from an editor had nothing to do with sentence structure or the Associated Press Stylebook.

It was about pride.

All Puffed Up

See, I’ve been a writer for a several decades, and there was a time—many years ago—when I thought I was pretty darn good. So good, in fact, that I had a terrible time accepting constructive criticism or feedback from my editors.

I really don’t know where I got off thinking like this. Maybe it had something to do with being an honors student all through school. Perhaps there’s something about excelling academically that makes one prone to thinking one knows everything when one enters the real world (ahem).

Whatever the case, I didn’t receive feedback or correction very well in my early days as a newspaper reporter. I would argue and insist I was right and resist making changes that were probably very good.

I’d like to think I didn’t do this in a loud, noticeable way, but it did happen.

It was pride, and it was ugly.

Called Out

At my second newspaper job, I had an editor who was tough but fair. As I recall, she had been raised by a godly mom and gone to a faith-based college. But although she was well-versed in matters of religion, I don’t think she was what one would consider a practicing Christian.

She knew I was, however.

And one day she called me out on my attitude. I don’t remember the exact conversation, but the basic gist of it was that, even though I said I was a Christian, I wasn’t acting like one in how I received feedback.

I was devastated.

Ashamed.

Embarrassed.

Humiliated.

I’m pretty sure I felt every emotion you could possibly feel in such a situation except for one, and that was anger.

I wasn’t angry because she was right.

My Response

That evening, I went home and cried my eyes out. I also determined in my heart to change.

I returned to work the next day and apologized to my editor. And from then on, I made it my aim to stop arguing about feedback.

At first, I almost had to put my hand over my mouth to keep the defensive words from pouring out. With God’s help, though, I persevered. And the more I responded correctly, the easier it got.

Turning Point

That long-ago encounter was a turning point—in my journalism career and in my life.

God used my editor to expose a huge blind spot in my mind and heart. The experience hurt badly, but it also was a gift—one that paved the way for future assignments.

For example, my next job involved a significant amount of collaborative writing. If I had still been insisting on my own way and not able to take criticism, this task would have been extremely difficult. It turned out to be one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had, but it would have been a disaster if God hadn’t seen fit to humble me at the newspaper.

The pride wasn’t gone, of course. I still had a lot to learn—lessons that went far deeper and took much longer. It’s an ongoing growth process, even now.

But It Was a Beginning

And to this day, I’m so grateful for the editor who—for whatever reason—wasn’t willing to let me get away with being a hypocrite.

The thing about pride is this: It’s easy to spot in someone else, but practically impossible to identify in yourself.

Yes, God resists the proud. But when He reveals pride in His children, we do well to look at it as the gracious gift of a loving Father—the only One who knows exactly what we need to become all that He designed us to be.

♥ Lois

The greatest lesson I ever learned from an editor had nothing to do with sentence structure or the Associated Press Stylebook. It was about pride. Share on X When God reveals pride in His children, we do well to look at it as the gracious gift of a loving Father—the only One who knows exactly what we need to become all that He designed us to be. Share on X

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

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Season of Challenges Calls for New Outlook on Change

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: Change has never been my favorite, but a series of unexpected transitions uncovers the need for a new perspective. ~

For years, I’ve worked through life’s challenges by plunking myself down at my laptop (often after a good run), typing a few words about what was happening and then drawing out some notes of encouragement that might be helpful to someone.

Lately, though, something’s been off.

I’ve been wanting to write this post since the middle of the summer, at least. So why has it taken me this long? I can answer in one word: change.

I’m not talking about the kind of change thrust upon someone due to a devastating accident, an unexpected betrayal or a sudden loss. Rather, I’m referring to the kind of changes that, when they come one after another after another, add up to what my friend Natalie calls “death by a thousand paper cuts.”

Anyone else know what I’m talking about?

What Happened

Here’s a brief (though incomplete) rundown. Starting in late April, a bad knee forced me to stop running, get physical therapy and begin riding a bike for exercise. (As I wrote in Learning to Adjust to an Unexpected and Hard Change, all of this was more difficult and came with more feelings of loss than I ever expected).

While I was still hobbling around the house, older daughter Lilly graduated from college and got a job that has her living and working remotely at home (at least for the time being).

In June, we left our previous church and began searching for a new one.

In early July, huge rains caused our basement to flood, resulting in foundation work outside and an unexpected remodeling project inside. We had an unusable guest room and bare concrete in our family room for weeks as we waited for new carpet to arrive.

We even switched our homeowners and auto insurance to a new company. (This was the one change that required little adjustment and actually saved us quite a bit of money.)

Trouble Adjusting

Summer always brings new rhythms, but this year, I had trouble finding the beat and staying on it. Particularly when it came to my knee, I found myself longing for the way things were before.

Amid all the adjusting, though, I realized something about myself.

When life is hard—when I’m grieving and exhausted and everything is out of my control, for example—I’m more aware of God’s presence and involvement in what’s happening.

But in a season of small challenges, like the one I’ve just described, I’m more likely to complain.

I’m also more prone to say or think things like, “I don’t like change,” “Change is not my favorite,” or even “I hate change.”

Not Helpful

Gradually, it dawned on me that such statements—while true—were not constructive. Dwelling on how much I hate change wasn’t helping me manage the changes that seemed to be coming in rapid succession.

Those of you who are further down the path can tell me if I’m right. But I’m guessing this is increasingly what life will look from here on out. Change after change. Some welcome, many not. Some expensive, some merely inconvenient. Some full of joy, others full of sorrow.

The good news is that, no matter how much change life throws at us, our God does not change. Immutable is the theological word for it.

Malachi 3:6a says, “For I the Lord do not change.” Hebrews 13:8 adds, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

This is a huge comfort, isn’t it? On regular days as well as during pivotal moments like the one our country is living through right now.

Change is Inevitable

We still can’t escape the fact that change is inevitable, of course. And if last summer taught me anything, it’s that I need to change my attitude about it.

Should I find some way to welcome change? Learn to embrace it, even?

Maybe I’ll get there someday. For now, though, I’m trying not to complain about it so much.

• • •

Now that I’ve shared my current thoughts about change, I’d love to hear from you. Not to be repetitive, but how has your perspective on change changed over time? What helps you get through seasons of small challenges, like the one I’ve described above? If you are middle-aged or older, what words of advice or encouragement do you have about change for people coming up behind you?

♥ Lois

Dwelling on how much I hate change wasn’t helping me manage the changes that seemed to be coming one after another. Share on X Should I find some way to welcome change? Learn to embrace it, even? Maybe I’ll get there someday. For now, I’m trying not to complain about it so much. Share on X

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

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