Let me be an “echo” Lord.
Where Your words pierce my heart
and fall from my lips,
at the very beginning of every
conversation I may have …
about You with a friend,
or even those looking to
mend a broken heart.
May I speak eloquently
on your behalf,
so they may hear Your words
come sweetly from my mouth.
May my words bathe them
in kindness, and soothe their souls.
May your kindness flow through me,
so they may see
and feel You every time we meet.
Sandie Heckman
As I was stopped at a traffic light, I spied the most beautiful sight as a mother and her twin boys crossed in front of my car. Twins, not older than two! I couldn’t help but stare at this beautiful family as this inspiring mother guided her children across the street, while all three held hands in unison. The mother and toddlers held hands in a single line, and I noticed the one twin looking back watching his twin brother as they were walking. This little boy never took his eyes off of his brother, nor did they ever stop holding hands. As they walked across the street, it was like a symphony playing in time to the rhythm of their movement, it was just breathtaking! These twin boys knew each other’s movements so accurately, they looked as if they moved as one in motion. These boys were so identical in nature, I’m not even sure if their mother can tell them apart! I’m sure she can, but to me, they were truly beautiful boys! Magical was the motion as they moved, and I had to wonder if they saw themselves in each other when they looked into each other’s eyes. How soon do identical twins separate their identities, and how long after they are born do they realize that they are not one in the same if they look identical from birth?
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God Ephesians 5:1-2
I couldn’t get this beautiful image of this family out of my mind, and I started to question what it would be like if we were so in tune to Christ, so “twin like” that we moved with a magical rhythm to Jesus daily? Is it possible to walk in Jesus footsteps so closely, that we can indeed become “twin like” or identical in his image? How often do you hold hands with Jesus and walk in unison every minute of your day? How often do you turn around and know He is right there beside you?
Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked 2 John 2:6
The more we move to the rhythm of our life becoming Christ like, the more we will be in tune to our Christ like image. Consider for a moment, that each and every day when you look in the mirror who do your see? Do you see yourself, or do you see Christ’s likeness? Every time we walk to the rhythm of God’s calling, we represent Him and His essence to those around us who are watching. Quite possibly, we could be the only link for someone who has never heard of Jesus. It is vital that we continue to strive to be as “Twin like” to Jesus as possible.
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48
My hope is that when I walk down the street, people see Jesus in me. My hope is that my light shines so bright and my image is so “twin like” to Jesus, that I mirror His image in everything I do. Of course we cannot be a carbon copy of Jesus for we are sinners and He was not, but I hope that someday I will express a “twin likeness” to Jesus becoming a better witness for Him.
Never stop trying to be a better Christian! Never stop leading others to Christ! Never stop believing.
SANDIE HECKMAN
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 ESV
I was always accustomed to wearing “Cranky Pants” on and off my entire life. Lately though, I’ve been changing or “flipping the script” in my life, and my “Cranky Pants” are now uncomfortable! If you are not familiar with “Cranky Pants”, or have never heard of them before, let me be the first to introduce you to this unique form of attire. First off, I am sure that you have had these form fitting cranky pants in your personal collection for quite some time. Odds are you’ve slipped them on unknowingly or have always worn them each and every day. Cranky pants can become the most comfortable, form fitting attire that you will ever have in your life, if you allow them to become part of your everyday wardrobe. Most people grow so accustomed to wearing them, that they become immune to taking them off at any point in their day. Cranky pants when worn will make even the sweetest person, become bitter and ungrateful and they won’t be able to see all the good in their life. Point made, Cranky Pants when worn will change your entire personality into a wretched, disgruntled soul! You soon become irritable, agitated and plain hard to live with. You can’t stand to be stuck at red lights, or have to put up with screeching kids in a grocery store. The little things start to bother you, and soon you are so miserable you can’t even stand yourself.
If you wake up on the “wrong side of the bed”, or your baby was crying all night, or you have “nothing to wear” in your closet, it can ultimately change your entire day. It can change your day if you choose to let it! There are points in our day or week that ultimately deserve for us to be slightly cranky. There are moments in our week where “cranky pants” are hard to take off, when your car is sent to the shop for repairs, or your seven year old is entirely nasty and wearing “Cranky pants” of their own. , or a loved one is sick and there is nothing you can do about it to help them. We all suffer through our own personal turmoil daily, yet it is how we decide to “suffer” that determines how people see us from the outside world. We can be in the moment and be disgruntled, or we can try to make the most of it and move on in our day with grace, showing those around us that we can prevail and stand tall in any situation.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV
If you allow yourself to stay in constant company with disgruntled, unhappy people, you too will become one in the same and your “cranky pants” will remain a single garment in your wardrobe forever.
Have you ever been caught up in the trap where your friends are sitting around complaining about a co-worker or other friend; where they sit and speak so badly of this other person, that by the time they are done you too cannot stand this person any longer? Misery love’s company is the truest statement in our vocabulary, because once you are around unhappy people, if you allow their moods to affect you, you too will become unhappy and angry.
If we could all become people of grace, and be the followers of Christ that radiate a happiness that is contagious, you soon will see that angry people are no longer in your circle of friends. You no longer want to be around people of this nature, and you crave the constant companionship of happy, positive people! Although, at first it is hard to change our attitudes, over time with much attention to our thinking, we too can begin to shred the “cranky pants” of our life and become Christ like in how we radiate God’s love all around us.
I grew so accustomed over time to being caught up in my “cranky pants” moods, I didn’t even realize that even today after receiving God’s grace and being baptized that I still fell into the trap. My parents have been ill, and I live quite a few thousand miles away. I can’t change the situation of being so far away, yet I allowed myself to fall into my “poor me” state and rallied around a constant battle of being angry and frustrated. When I was confronted by a friend, she simply stated that the moods I was experiencing were simply me not allowing Christ to comfort me and surrendering my pain to God. I have all the tools and knowledge to be a good Christian, yet I still conform to my old ways, and wake up on the “wrong side of the bed”. After having pondered these ideas of living in the moment, and not allowing my moods to swing into frustration, shame and guilt I soon began to realize that I no longer want to wear my “cranky pants”. I enjoy being happy. I enjoy my new found friends in Christ, and what better way to show them that I’ve changed than to walk in the moment in a happy state and surrender the fear and pain to God.
Philippians 4:7: And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. 4:8 AMP
Sandie Heckman
On dreary days, on rainy days, on sunny days and more, sometimes a simple reminder is all it takes to lift a friend out of a desperate time. A simple reminder of God’s love for us all.
When you are up, and your friend is down, all it takes it the word, and finding the message there, the magical book, our roadmap to our future, our journey in life.
Send a friend a “love letter from God”. A simple uplifting word, words of wisdom to let them know that life, life is hard, but they are not alone.
Send your message today – to the ones on your heart, the ones you love, the ones who need the words of wisdom to keep going on a Son-filled day into our future.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
soul writer for him 