Kay

Camenisch

The dark cloud of Alzheimer’s threatened. I kept forgetting things said and done. Time concepts, simple vocabulary, and familiar names eluded me.

Shocked that firemen sat in front of the firehouse in shorts, I thought it was early March, not late August after a blistering summer. Later, on December 8, I was sure it was the day after Christmas. Once, I thought my name was Pat, not Kay.

Once I had no recollection of home. While taking off in an airplane, I couldn’t recall the name of the town I was from, what my house looked like, what airport I was flying from, or how.

It was 1999, and I was terrified of what the future might hold for me. And for my husband. Desperate, I prayed, seeking strength, courage, and understanding of what God wanted from me.

The Lord spoke as clearly as if I’d heard words. He said, “If you decline until you can’t do anything and don’t know anything except My love, will that be enough? Will you be content?”

Is God’s love sufficient? My measure of worth was too tied up with how productive I was. I doubted I could be content if I was not productive.

After wrestling with God, I conceded, “I’m willing to be content to know only your love, but I need for you to teach me how.”

I discovered I had mercury poisoning. When the mercury was removed, my cognition greatly improved. God gave me a second chance.

However, headaches began to trouble me, increasing in frequency and intensity until my days were dominated by migraines. Doctors couldn’t identify their source or find any help. Headaches ruled my life and greatly curtailed my productivity. For four months, I had one day and two half days when I was headache free and felt okay.

God’s question returned, “Am I enough? Would you be content with just knowing My love?”

God has been with me. I’ve experienced His love, grace, and strength in the midst of migraines. I’ve known that His grace is sufficient.

But, that is not the same as knowing I’d be content with only His love.

I know I grow through hard times (

). The Lord is with me, and will never leave or forsake me ( ). He works all things for my good and His glory ( ), and He is faithful and trustworthy ( ).

And yet I wonder. Can I be content to simply know His love?

In His mercy, God gave me a second reprieve. Unsolicited advice from an acquaintance led to the cause of my headaches and successful treatment. They are almost totally all gone, along with the debilitating symptoms that accompany migraines.  

I can’t remember when I’ve felt so good, and am rejoicing at God’s mercy.

But His question lingers. “Am I sufficient?”

We recently sang Bill and Gloria Gaither’s “Because He Lives,” including the line, “Life is worth the living, just because He lives.”  And I wondered, “Do I mean it?”

God not only lives. He chose me, loves me, protects me, provides for me. He said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (

), and “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” ( ).

I have life because of Him. But, is life worth the living just because He lives?

Is He sufficient? The question is valid for all who know Him. Jesus gave His all for us; He “fills all in all” (

), and He wants to be our all. The question is, “Is He enough?”

Do you know His love? Would His love be sufficient if He were all you knew?

Copyright © Kay Camenisch, used with permission.

Recent events in our nation and around the world have greatly disturbed me. I’m grieved by bold pronouncements of anger, bitterness and hatred as well as the targeted violent attacks on innocent citizens and those who are sworn to protect us. I’m also deeply concerned about what it says about the heart and soul of our nation and our world.

What happened to respect for one another and the sanctity of life? How do we make sense of it? What do we do with the grief?

I’ve continued to ask and process these and other questions. But the one that has haunted me most is, “What can I do about it?”

I am a nobody on the national scene, much less in the world. I don’t have needed clout to make a difference. First, I don’t have answers or solutions. Second, if I did, my voice would be lost in the cacophony of outbursts and opinions.

It seemed there was nothing I can do.

However, I realized that my thoughts and opinions don’t really matter. What matters, is what God says. When I quit ringing my hands and listened, His voice was clear.

It’s time for warfare on a spiritual level. God said,

• “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.” (
  2 Chronicles 7:14-15 Close 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
  NAS) 

(The call is clear, and it is full of hope IF . . .. If God’s people hear and heed the call.)

• “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (
  Ephesians 6:12 Close Ephesians 6:12 For we* are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
  NKJV) 

(Has it ever been more clear that we wrestle against principalities and powers? But our God is sovereign over all.)

• "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (
  Matthew 16:19 Close Matthew 16:19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid* on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit* on earth will be permitted in heaven." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
  NAS)

(As a nation, by condoning murder of unborn babies, we’ve given ground to the spirit of murder. We are also under attack from spirits of anger, fear, judgment, bitterness, hatred, strife, immorality, and more. The principalities are obvious, but God has given us authority over them. We can bind the evil spirits.  We also have authority to loose opposing spirits—of love, righteousness, compassion, peace, unity, and so forth, as the spirit leads.)

I can make a difference. You can too. Together, we can make a difference.

Jesus said, “from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” (

NAS) It’s time for the children of God to become violent (forceful) in dealing with our own sins and shortcomings. 

We may be nobodies in the worldly scheme of things, but we belong to the King of kings. He is sovereign over all. When He speaks, things happen. All things are possible for Him (

), and He is our refuge, strength, help, and deliverer.

“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because (when) they take refuge in Him.” (

NASB)

Have you wondered what to do? 

Let’s join together in battle to make a difference. May the kingdom of God come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Copyright July 2016 Kay Camenisch. Used by permission.

Parenting is probably the most important job many of us face. Some days, it’s also the most difficult. It never lets up. A parent is on call 24/7, requiring unending self-sacrifice, wisdom, love, patience, perseverance, and much more.

One difficulty in parenting is that children seem to learn more by observation than by instruction. As the saying goes, more is caught than taught.

I recall one such incident when we were gathering potatoes from the garden. After briefly watching his father, our toddler picked up a clod of dirt from the freshly-turned soil, carried it down the row, and added it to the pile of potatoes his daddy was making. He didn’t distinguish between potatoes and dirt clods, but he caught on to the system and he copied what he saw his daddy doing.

Children catch our attitudes and our systems of interacting and problem solving too. If they only caught our good qualities, that would be wonderful. But it doesn’t work that way. Consequently, because we want our children to do well in life, we do our best to be strong, be wise, and set a good example.

Traci, mother of two, is concerned because she’s well aware that children learn by modeling after their parents. She’s afraid her children will learn anger through her example. That is not what she wants to teach her children.

Traci finally concluded, “I can’t seem to conquer my anger, but I can ask my children to forgive me when I speak to them in anger.”

It was difficult, but she began to go to Chad, her almost-4-year-old, and ask for forgiveness every time she reacted in anger. She soon realized, “When I ask forgiveness, it is immediately settled for him. He is much quicker to forgive, put it aside, and go on, than I am!”

Traci is learning from Chad to forgive quickly. She is challenged by Jesus’ words, “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (

).

Recently, young friends came over to play. The mothers were visiting when Chad came to them crying and holding his hands over his face.

His playmate had spit in his face.

The friend’s mother had him apologize. Chad accepted the apology, but he didn’t quickly return to play. Instead, he stayed and held his hands over his face as if still troubled.

Traci asked him what was wrong.

“I got angry,” Chad dropped his head. “I was angry at him.” He was convicted of wrong.

Traci led Chad to apologize to his friend for being angry. Immediately afterward, he was fine and ran back to play.

As parents, we try to set a good example, but we rarely admit our failings.

Maybe instead of ignoring our faults, we need to be real, confessing our shortcomings and our need for God’s love and mercy. After all, “A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor” (

).

When Traci humbled herself, her son’s remorse when he responded to the Spirit of God brought honor to her.

As Traci continues to humble herself and ask forgiveness, she will find more grace to conquer her anger. James tells us, “He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (

).

Parenting is demanding and difficult, but the Lord is with us. If we humble ourselves instead of trying to appear perfect, we will find that His strength is made perfect in our weakness (

).

Copyright 2015, Kay Camenisch. Used by permission.

Three-year-old Caitlin seemed oblivious to everything around her as she dug in the sand. However, she was alert, ready for danger. If a wave got too close for comfort, she jumped up and ran to safety.

Her brother and sisters were in the ocean, laughing as they welcomed incoming waves. But not Caitlin. She didn't want anything to do with the tongues of water that chased her.

We tried to coax her into the water, but she was afraid. For two days, she kept her distance, choosing to play safely in the sand.

However, on the third day, she summoned courage and braved the water and waves. She laughed as she stomped and splashed, having a blast in her new-found freedom.

However, she was still alert. As she played, she held tightly to her Daddy's hand. When a wave approached, she moved closer to him. If a larger wave threatened, she moved so that Daniel stood between her and the ocean. She stood straight and tall, holding her daddy's hand until danger passed.

Her father, Daniel, was her shield, fortress, and shelter from the storm. Her frolicking was tempered only by her tight grip on his hand. She gained courage from her father to face approaching danger.

As I watched Caitlin, I thought of our heavenly Father. How often do we miss out on God's best, because we are we insecure and fearful?

The Lord is patient. He doesn't force us. He lets us sit on the sidelines and dig in the sand. However, while huddling in our comfort zone, we miss experiencing God's protection, His grace, and the joy and fulfillment of joining in the work that He is doing.

Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:20 Close Matthew 28:20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

(NKJV)

He will be with us when we step out of our comfort zone to join in His work. Just as Daniel stayed by Caitlin's side, the Lord will not leave or forsake us. Our problem is that we lose our grip on His hand. We get so involved in our pleasures, our problems, our inadequacies, or in our service to Him that we forget to hold His hand and look to Him for guidance and protection.

In

Joshua 1:9 Close Joshua 1:9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

NKJV, God says, "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Daniel would give his life to protect Caitlin—but he's limited. The Almighty God has no limits in His knowledge of what is best, His power, His love, or in anything. With Him by our side, we don't need to fear what a situation will bring.

Like Caitlin, we need to stay close to our Father and remain alert to danger. Our enemy is real. Satan would like to defeat us and to destroy God's kingdom. However, with the living God by our side, we have nothing to fear. He will stand between us and danger.

"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him."

Nahum 1:7 Close Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good,  a strong refuge when trouble comes.  He is close to those who trust in him. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

(NKJV) 

Knows refers to intimacy and understanding. When we grasp the Lord's hand and venture forth, we find security, understanding, and fellowship with our Father.

While playing in the sand, Caitlin was very quiet and solemn. However, when she held her daddy's hand and went beyond her comfort zone, she bubbled over with joy.

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"

Psalms 34:8 Close Psalms 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.  Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

(NKJV)

Copyright Kay Camenisch. Used by permission.

It's the time of year that we think about Thanksgiving, with turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings. On good days, we might even remember to take time to give thanks. After all, we have much to be thankful for. Besides, God said,

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High" (Psalm 92:1 NASB).

I'm grateful for a season where we are reminded to give thanks and praises to our God. It's good to have an annual reminder because it's easy to become lax and take our blessings for granted. In addition, too often trials in life steal our gratefulness. It's good to be reminded.

I recently had a trial that taught me benefits of being grateful. In the midst of a struggle, I found myself on edge and easily angered for weeks.

The problem started when I got a new computer. I had more than my share of frustrations dealing with the new system. Stress was heightened because I was trying to finish a book and standardize its layout.

Every day I encountered several challenges and spent half my time trying to solve computer problems rather than accomplishing my goal. The days of aggravation turned to weeks, and I became more and more frustrated.

One day, I was ready to throw the thing out the window, when a quiet inner voice said, "You're not very grateful for your computer, are you?"

I thought, "Of course I'm grateful. I work on the computer all the time. I'll take a computer over a typewriter any day. I'm glad I can delete, copy and paste, and move things around. Besides, my old computer was dying. I'm grateful I could get a new one."

"Grateful?" echoed the little voice.

"Well, I'm grateful when it acts like I want it to ... sometimes I'm grateful."

I finally relented. I wasn't grateful. Indeed, I was ready to throw my computer out the window.

The more I thought about how my computer facilitates communication and how much I rely on it, the more grateful I was. As I became grateful, frustration and turmoil were replaced with calm.

It didn't solve my problems. I continued to have issues where my new computer didn't work like I expected. I still had to learn the new system. But the change was like night and day.

When I was grateful instead of angry, my insides didn't go into knots when I ran into challenges. My mind didn't freeze and my emotions didn't flare. Instead, I was able to look at the problem calmly and find a solution. Because of the change in me, it seemed that my computer quit giving me problems.

The trouble was in my heart. When I got my heart straightened out, my brain and emotions didn't short-circuit with anger. Consequently, I was able to work through challenges in much shorter time.

My frustration with my new computer was minor compared to many problems we all face. However, God tells us,

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Close 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

 NASB).

Whatever we face, when we give God thanks in the midst of the problem, it aligns our hearts with His. In addition, it opens our hearts so we can receive His grace to walk through it.

"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name" (

Hebrews 13:15 Close Hebrews 13:15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

 NASB).

When it is hardest to give thanks, it is probably the time we most need to give it.

Have a blessed Thanks-giving.

Copyright 2014, Kay W. Camenisch. Used by permission.

Being discharged from Hospice is reason to celebrate. After all, Hospice offers comfort while awaiting death. Discharge means you’re looking toward life, not death. That’s reason to rejoice.

But we didn’t rejoice. Saying good-bye to Hospice meant we were losing helpers who had become family. Several times over 14 months it seemed my 93-year-old father-in-law was in his last days. Hospice was by our side each step of the way, with love, care, comfort, and guidance.

Release meant we’d miss the attention and cheer from the chaplain, social worker, and volunteer who visited Dad regularly. The nurse and doctor who knew him and were familiar with his case would no longer be caring for him.  The aide whose banter brought cooperation would no longer bathe him three times a week. Suddenly, we were on our own.

Symptoms that qualified Dad for Hospice had stabilized. He was no longer eligible and had to be dismissed. But he continued to decline nonetheless. As we bid the team farewell, we faced greater demands--without our team.

We reminded ourselves to trust in the Lord instead of our own understanding. If we acknowledged Him, He would be with us and guide us (see

). We’d take one day at a time and lean on Him.

Almost immediately, Dad seemed weaker, and his daily care was more demanding. Increasingly, he needed a wheelchair instead of a walker to get to the next room to eat. Bathing him was also a challenge, but the days passed relatively smoothly.

God provided. A brother from out-of-state came to help a few days. A nurse from church volunteered to sit with him occasionally and give him a good bath. Nevertheless, the daily burden of care and responsibility rested on my husband and me.

The Veterans Administration rushed the application process to take Dad under their care, but it was a still couple of weeks before a nurse could come for an assessment. The doctor planned to come a week later but his visit was postponed an additional week because of icy roads. Meanwhile, we waited, wondering what the future held.

Dad became weaker, more unstable, and more dependent. His cough keeps us all awake at night. Because of his instability and lack of sleeping routine, we have to be constantly vigilant for his safety. We need assistance.

Finally, the doctor came. He was cordial, gentle, and seemed competent. We answered his questions, trying to help him understand our situation, eager to hear how the VA could assist.

He didn’t have hoped-for answers. He said he was new in that position and is still learning where to go to for needed information.

We were devastated. Still no help. Still no answers.

Over lunch, my husband prayed, “God, help us not look to man for the things You want us to get from You.”

Guilty. I was hoping in man—rather, in a government institution. I had not been trusting “in the Lord with all my heart” (

).

After lunch, I dipped into Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. The devotion for March 5 began, “Make friends with the problems in your life.” The Scripture listed was familiar, reminding me that “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (

).

So why am I anxious?  Why crushed by the lack of answers?

The pressures of life are in God’s hands. He is sovereign and sufficient. He is with me and will never forsake me. He’s at work in this situation. And in me.

Dad continues to weaken. It’s been over a month. We’re tired, and we still don’t have answers. Nevertheless, it’s time to rejoice, give thanks, and celebrate.

            Indeed, God will supply all our “needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (

) . . . if we but trust in Him.

Copyright © 2014, Kay Camenisch. Used by permission.  

Recently, Laura, a 13-year-old friend, sobbed as she sought counsel on how to get along with her father. “He yells at me so much,” she said, “I don’t even listen. Normally I don’t like for people to get mad at me, but he doesn’t bother me any more. I just ignore him.”

She tried to brush off her father’s rage, but Laura was in tears. She was wounded from the things he had said, and aching because she had no hope for peace. In their latest encounter, she tried to be respectful, accept responsibility, and remain calm, but it seemed her efforts were futile.

Parents are often frustrated because their children don’t follow directions. Anger grows out of frustration and the effort to force compliance. However, Laura paid less attention to her father because of his anger. Instead of helping, anger hinders.

God tells us in

,

“The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God" (NASB).

In the moment, it seems a raised voice helps achieve desired results. It might bring compliance, but with each outburst of temper, respect and the desire to please are damaged and diminished. Even though anger seems to accomplish conformity, it undermines other desired results. With our children, it destroys initiative, attentiveness to detail, and joy in serving. In short, anger interferes with long-term goals.

Anger also destroys relationships. “He says he loves me,” Laura said, “but I don’t know. He doesn’t act like it.” The hopelessness in her voice emphasized her doubts concerning her father’s for love her.

Laura’s father is generally calm, kind, and loving but in the moment all Laura remembered was his recent rage. She was right about one thing. Screaming, yelling, and blaming don‘t exhibit God’s love. Whether to our children, spouses, extended family, or co-workers, anger—explosive or sullen—does not exhibit love. Anger tears down the relationships we work to build—especially if we habitually resort to anger.

How To Overcome Anger

What can we do to overcome anger? One thing I’ve found that works is love, God’s love. My husband, Robert, conquered volatile anger through love. For me, for almost a year, God used a framed cross-stitch on my bedroom wall to confront me. When I’d get angry, the Lord would draw my attention to the words,

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:7 Close 1 Corinthians 13:7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

I was confronted by it every time my love failed. When tension developed between Robert and me, those words were usually enough to remind me of my own shortcoming—particularly the phrases “bears all things” and “endures all things.” Then I’d remember other qualities from

, such as,

“Love is patient, love is kind, . . .  it does not seek its own, is not provoked, and does not take into account a wrong suffered.”

When looking at these verses, I feel I’m a noisy gong.

Seeing my short-coming was not enough. I discovered that my efforts to remain patient and kind, not taking into account a wrong suffered are inadequate. Self-centeredness undermines me. When I try in my own strength, I fail. However, I kept meditating on the meaning of God’s love, sought God’s forgiveness, and asked Him to build those qualities in me.

I found hope. God’s love never fails, and He will love through me! When I’m weak, the Lord's strength is made known. All I have to do is give up and let Him change my heart. As I have kept going back to Scripture, repenting for my sin, and asking God to make me patient, kind, long suffering, and such, He is changing me. I’m angry less, and those qualities are becoming more natural. I don’t have to work so hard at it.

1 Corinthians 13 ends with,

“But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (

1 Corinthians 13:13 Close 1 Corinthians 13:13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

b).

Laura’s faith is shaken and her hope is crushed. Her father’s probably is too, because he blew it again.

However, love—the self-sacrificing love of 1 Corinthian 13—can conquer the anger, restore faith and hope, and heal their relationship. I know. It’s happened in my life.

Copyright 2012 Kay Camenisch. Used by permission.