Month: February 2025

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

People and poverty: make sure you see them

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 41.

“Blessed is the one who considers the poor!” (Psalm 41:1)

The bible reminds us that not only will there always be poor among us. The psalmist reminds us we aren’t supposed to ignore them, dismiss them, condemn them, or complain about them, but consider them. Don’t just look at the need. Look at the person.

There are many ways to be poor.

  • You may be poor in material things.
  • You might be short on hope. You’re life isn’t going anywhere, and you’re out of fuel.
  • You’re feeling empty when it comes to love. You feel like no one really cares, or you missed out on finding love in your life.
  • Some have little or no knowledge of God. They are spiritually impoverished.

Once again, don’t focus on what’s lacking. Focus on the person. Get to know them. Sure, you may be able to provide what they need. But make sure you find out what they really need. A meal? An education? A Bible? A friend? Some groceries for the week? Or a ride to church? Conversation or encouragement?

A number of years ago I suggested to my church that they start a food pantry. That way, instead of just throwing a few dollars or bags of food at a program, we could get to know the people in our community who need assistance. We could get to know those around us who have needs, who are the “poor” that we are called to care about.

God has a soft spot in his heart for the poor. I think that’s because he knows we’re all poor. And he loves us all so much. We have nothing to offer compared to his great love for us. But that doesn’t bother him. He’s willing to give us everything, even his own son, to give us life.

Posted in Life

Gratitude and awareness: a wonderful pairing

Posted on by William Douthwaite

In a recent newsletter I read, “Noticing sparks gratitude; gratitude sharpens our noticing.” (It might have been Rob Walker’s “The Art of Noticing,” but I haven’t yet found it in my emails.)

I spend a lot of time noticing things on my daily dog walks. Sometimes I count how many houses have a Ring doorbell. Or interesting items at the curb on trash day. I like to whistle back and forth with the birds at dawn. I’m annoyed when I notice newspapers sitting in driveways for weeks.

I have many reasons to be thankful. I’m healthy and can take long walks with the dogs. I live in a safe neighborhood, know a lot of my neighbors, and live where it’s easy to be outside just about every day.

So the cycle of noticing and gratitude resonates with me. When I am tuned in to what’s going on around me, I find new reasons to be thankful. Once I start giving thanks, I begin noticing more things around me I’m thankful for. It’s a good upward spiral that develops both my gratitude and my awareness.

One morning, I notice beautiful colors in the eastern dawn sky. I whisper, “Thank you,” for an amazing sight, for the coolness, and the quiet of the morning. As I see the morning approach, tall pines escape the darkness, and I am thankful that there are still a few lots without houses.

Then I notice how many new houses there are in our neighborhood. I remember building our house decades ago, when these roads were lined with wooded lots. I’m so thankful we were able to build a house where we raised our children.

That’s how it works. Observation directs your mind towards the positive things in your life, spawning gratitude. As you ponder your blessings, you notice more good things around you. Again and again and again.

It’s such a cool concept. I try to initiate the cycle every time I’m out walking, starting with thanks or observation. Give it a try.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

You’re forgiven. Now what?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by CDC on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 32.

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity (Psalm 32:1,2)

I acknowledged my sin to you,
    and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. (32:5)

Forgiveness is an amazing thing. Life is good without shame, regret, and guilt hanging over your head. By the grace of God, all that is off the table when we’re forgiven.

Now what?

Your transgression is forgiven, your sin is covered, and the Lord doesn’t count any iniquity against you. What’s next?

In Psalm 32, David takes us to the next step.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you. (32:8)

We learn a lot from our mistakes. We resolve, “I’m not going to do that again,” “I’m going to think before I speak,” “I’m not going there anymore.” But we will. We’ll drift back into old habits, let our words fly, and make the same stupid mistakes.

I’m grateful for God’s instruction and teaching. I’m thankful he’s keeping an eye on me, to counsel me, and lead me in the way of life. A lot of things look good that really aren’t good for me. His scriptural guidance is always for my benefit and blessing.

Forgiven? Yes! Now go back to class.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

“After prayerful consideration…” redux

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

My most popular post just hit 1,000 views. I wrote “After prayerful consideration…” five years ago, and someone reads this post almost every day. I was upset at the time, and my thoughts and feelings must have touched lot of nerves.

I barely remember the situation that prompted my words seven years ago. A trusted leader wanted to step away from responsibility, and used the guise of prayer to justify her actions. At the time, it hit hard. In hindsight, it was just one of those things. I hate it when people frame their words with insincerity. Just be honest and straightforward. I’m a big boy. I can take it.

I have no idea why this post became so popular. I was just venting. I’m not holding a grudge of any kind. The person who inspired this post disappeared off the face of the earth. Life went on. And today few even remember her name.

But I remember the emails, the texts, and the letters. She sent emails, and I responded with texts, emails, and hand-written letters. Tell me more. Help me understand. I want to learn.

I never heard from her again. She never responded to email, texts, or letters. I tried so hard. I saw her once at Walmart, but she glanced at me with disdain. And that was five years later.

I don’t know why these words get a lot of attention. I don’t know what makes a post popular. I don’t know if I care. I just hope my words gave some food for thought and hope for the future.

Posted in Life

What if no one shows up?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jonas Jacobsson on Unsplash

I host and facilitate a weekly online men’s bible study and discussion group. As host, I open up the Zoom room a few minutes before the scheduled start time and wait for everyone to join.

For some reason, it really feels strange being on Zoom all by myself. I sit there for a few moments and look at myself. I make sure I look okay. I brush my hair to the side. I make sure the lighting is okay. I make sure I’m not too close or far away from the camera. I shuffle my lesson papers around.

My mind starts to wonder.

  • What if no one else shows up? What if they all forget that we’re meeting today. I sent out reminders, so that doesn’t seem possible.
  • Maybe I set up the room wrong. No, that’s not possible. I don’t set up that part of the meeting.
  • Maybe everyone is traveling or sick, and can’t make it today. Would all fifteen guys would be indisposed on the same day? Doubtful.
  • Maybe the internet isn’t working right. I check my email. Everything is in order.

<Ding>

The first person shows up, and seconds later, more appear on my screen. All those thoughts drain from my mind, and our group is underway.

Years ago I had some similar analog thoughts. Analog means we actually met in person. I would open up for an appointment, meeting class, and then sit there wondering if anyone would show up. There were times when I got stood up for an appointment. No call, nothing, just a no show. A few of those and you start to get paranoid.

It really only happened a few times. But one time is enough to get your mind racing with all the “What ifs…”

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

It’s okay to ask for help

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by youssef naddam on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 31.

How many times have you not asked for help or accepted an offer of help?

I’ll go first. Too many times. More than I want to admit. Far more often than I should.

“Can I help?” “No, I’ve got it.”

“Need any help?” “Not right now.”

“Here, let me help you.” “I’m okay.”

The world is filled with people who are entirely self-sufficient and more than willing to help in any situation. Which means we’re paralyzed. We all want to help, but there is no one who needs our help. Everyone is doing just fine.

David never hesitates to cry out for help in the psalms.

Incline your ear to me;
    rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
    a strong fortress to save me! (Psalm 31:2)

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
    my eye is wasted from grief;
    my soul and my body also. (v9)

Make your face shine on your servant;
    save me in your steadfast love! (v16)

David is a trained soldier. He’s got victories over lions, bears, Goliath and ten of thousands of Philistines under his belt. He’s definitely a number one draft pick.

And yet he cries out to God for help. He’s under attack, experiencing grief, and in distress. I believe one lesson we ought to learn from the psalms is to never, ever, be ashamed to ask for or accept help.

I know, in a culture that admires strength, independence, and fortitude, we don’t want to look weak. We don’t want to appear helpless. We want to be an asset, not a liability. We want to contribute, not be a drain on resources. We want to be strong, not weak.

Guess what? You are dependent, weak, and a liability. We all are, whether we admit it or not. We need the Lord. We need each other. We need help.

Those truths are the first step towards truly depending on, trusting in, and worshiping God. It’s good news. I don’t have to have it all together. He does.

Posted in grandparenting

An afternoon of Valentines crafts!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Three of our granddaughters spent the day with us yesterday, ages 6, 4, and almost 2. Will it be hard to entertain them for the day, while their mom sought to regain some sanity until dad got back from a ski trip? Nope.

Valentine’s day is just around the corner. Baking and crafts are on the menu. We already had some small heart-shaped sugar cookies baked. I am amazed at how quickly the two older girls could load them up with icing and bury them under a mountain of white, pink, and red heart-shaped sprinkles. (Don’t worry about the youngest. She was busy dumping out buckets of toys on the back patio.)

On to the next project: making valentines. I was equipped with a pile of pink, white, and red construction paper, markers and crayons, and some Valentines washi tape.

They were so ready. “I’m going to make a Valentine for my mom, cause I love her so much.” “I love my mom, too.” And we were off.

Each started with a pink sheet of construction paper folded in half and a pink marker. Don’t even try to suggest a different color. Not going to happen.

They were fascinated by my ability to cut out various heart shapes as they drew elaborate pictures of family on their cards.

“Do you want to glue on some of these hearts?”

“Glue? Oh, yes!” I had them apply glue to back of the small hearts with a small brush. They knew exactly where to stick each one. Just keep them coming.

As they worked on that, I showed them how to make a person from a heart-shaped doily and accordion-folded strips of paper. “I want to make one of those.” And so we did. And they did a really good job.

As they completed their Valentines, I glued a doily heart to the top of a spiral-cut piece of paper, making a little springy Valentines thingy. They got to take those home, too.

We worked for about an hour while the youngest took her nap. I am not sure who had more fun: me or them. Of course it brought back vivd memories of doing this with my children decades ago. It never gets old.

What about dad? I know he’ll get a hug and a kiss, and maybe a picture, but at that age, mom’s the one who gets the majority of the love.

Posted in Life

Gridlock at the grocery store

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Tara Clark on Unsplash

Stopping at the grocery store for just a few items took a lot longer than I planned. The Saturday afternoon gridlock of aisle wanderers lengthened my shopping experience.

First thing on my list is a few containers of frosting from the baking aisle. A man with a cart filled with bags of pretzels (?) paused to look up and down, back and forth at all the boxed cake mixes. I doubt he was there to buy any. He was mesmerized by pictures of picture of delicious cake. I waited a few moments, and when I realized he wasn’t leaving any time soon, I reached up and grabbed what I needed and scooted off to the next aisle.

Or at least I tried. At the end of that aisle was a couple bickering about whether they needed anything in that part of the store. They were stalled out, so I looped around to the other end to get what I needed. They might still be there, deciding if they need air freshener or not.

I thought I could make a quick swing through the meat section for a steak. Nope. A couple of offensive lineman sized female shoppers blocked off my approach from every angle. They certainly had no 40-yard speed to boast about. I decided to return after an attempt at the dairy section.

I had trouble getting near the dairy items, too. Three women were strolling side-by-side past the eggs, lamenting the inflated prices, oblivious to others in the store. There was no way to get by them. I patiently followed until one of them noticed me with a start and said with a note of annoyance, “O, excuse me!” and let me get some butter. I just smiled. At least on the outside.

I am always thankful to leave the grocery store in one piece mentally. It’s not easy, is it. The shopping may be a pleasure, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Posted in dogs, Life

He never saw it coming

Posted on by William Douthwaite

On a recent walk with my Great Dane, I shocked a young man back to reality.

Our two mile loop isn’t far from the community’s middle school, and on this day we were walking right around afternoon dismissal time.

I would guess the young man was in 7th grade, weighed down with a substantial backpack, head buried in his cell phone. As we closed the gap, I shook the leash to jingle her Dane bling, her large metal prong walking collar. He didn’t look up, absorbed in digital conversation.

We stopped, waiting for him to pass by, but he didn’t notice us until he was one foot in front of us. But then he did notice and jumped a foot up and back when he saw the beast staring at eye level, tail whipping back and forth, excited to greet a new friend. He was terrified, nervous, and shouted, “Whoa, I didn’t see you!”

It’s hard not to notice that 115 lb. of dog from 50 feet away. Whatever was on my phone would have to be amazingly absorbing to isolate me from every other reality surrounding me.

When he jumped, I couldn’t help laughing out loud. Sometimes we really worry about who’s watching us and what they think about us. Guess what? They aren’t watching you, they’re not thinking about you, and they don’t even know you’re there.

Not until they come nose to nose with that nose!