Monthly Archives: August 2013

The Baby Phoenix

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So I told you all about my new bird feeder (see post: Seeds for the Soul)? Seems like some of the birds are getting a mite picky.

The finches love their sunflower seeds. It’s that darn wren. He seems to have developed an advanced palate.

I have a bib my daughter used many years ago. On the front of it is the phrase: “Picky, Picky, Picky.” And she was, so it was a perfect sentiment. Now I have to restrain myself, with every ounce of my being, from dashing out there and throwing it on that uppity little gourmand.

Up to the perch it comes, and starts the selection process. It’s like he’s on a Quality Control conveyor belt. Especially heinous are the corn niblets. His bird beak tips in the air like it smelled something horrid, tossing the offending tidbit to the ground.

Pick, flip. Pick, flip. I have quite a healthy corn crop budding under the feeder.

Rejected, buried, reborn. Tossed aside, pushed down in the dirt, transformed into a new creation. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

How many times do we undergo the pain of rejection, loss or failure? How many times are we buried so deep, it feels like we’ll never breathe again?

Jesus showed us that pain can be transforming. But we have to make the decision to rise up again.

She is tossed aside by her boyfriend of three years. She thought this guy was ‘the one.’ Never saw it coming. He says, “It’s not the same.” And it’s all gone.

She is thrown down so hard that she buries herself in Rocky Road and old weepy movies. Her wrists invite carpal tunnel syndrome from all the texts she sends, asking what went wrong.

It seems like the end, but it’s really the middle, and after a while she sees that too. All the Kleenex is gone, she’s up three pounds and her wrist’s in a splint, but she’s ready to be reborn. It’s going to be okay. She’s going to be stronger.

The mother watches her little one stands up for a breathless second, before he plops back down on his diaper and starts to cry. And that’s the end of standing for about three days. But like a Baby Phoenix, he rises from the ashes of the hallway tiles and stands again. This time it’s for four seconds followed by a great big grin. And the cycle continues.

1) Thrown down

2) Buried

3) Reborn

Maybe steps 1 and 2 are inevitable, but step 3 is all about choice. The worries, bad things, challenges and problems can knock us down and bury us up to our necks. But they can’t make us reborn. Being reborn is a process that is accomplished through the Lord. We have to decide to rise and then, through our resolve to try again, God assists in our rebirth.

I’m going to let that corn grow. It’s a good reminder to pray every day to the Lord, “Please raise me up as a new, better version of myself. I’ve been thrown down and buried, but I want to get up again. Yes Lord, I’m ready.”



Linking today with: Faith Filled Friday , Bible Love Notes , Faithful Friday , Essential Fridays

Clueless

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Interviews, fingerprints, background checks, home inspections,

family interviews; not to mention the oceans of paperwork. What the heck have we gotten into?

The time had come; we decided to become a foster family. I never liked the ‘foster parent’ label. It was never going to be just my husband and me. We knew our children would be involved in accepting and caring for the little ones who would come to live with us.

Once the decision was made, the real fun started. What a process!

Now, I’m not saying it wasn’t necessary. Taking over the care of another human being is an awesome responsibility. But I had no idea it was this complicated.

Abram would understand, because he was called too. The Lord spoke to Abram and told him to leave his camp in Haran, and go out to a land that God would show him. So at the age of seventy-five, Abram picked up and left his home, taking his wife Sarai, his nephew and all of their possessions.

Out they go, on their way to…well, who knows where? I can relate. We didn’t know where we were going either.

Abram had a few bumps on the way to Canaan, just like our mountains of paper and twisting roads to final approval. We felt like we were walking without a map. For Abram, it was exactly that.

In the end, Abram found his new home.

In the end, we were approved as a foster home.

Just as Abram pitched his tent in the new land, we began to settle into our new family purpose. For about eight years, we cared for lots of little lives. We cared for babies, most no older than three months. Some stayed a few days, some a few years, but it was all fun.

It was a ‘new territory’ for our family, but God gave us the grace and strength to enjoy and nurture each child that came to live with us. It wasn’t always easy, but raising children, no matter where they come from, has its ups and downs. God called our family to this beautiful service for him, and for his little ones.

Groping our way through the rules and regulations, we made it to our Canaan. And it was a beautiful country.

So now, when I am being called to go out and do new things, I have a reference point. I might not have any idea how it’s going to work out, but I’ll just remember Abram. I’ll see him starting out without a clue either.

Abram’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. So Lord, help me to follow your will, wherever you send me. It might look like a great big mess, but I’ll keep the faith, waiting to find the land of milk and honey you have planned for me.

It’s worth the twists and turns and steep learning curves. In the end, I’ll be accomplishing your will. Just like Abram.



Linking today with: Hear It On Sunday, Use It On Monday , Monday Musings , Playdates with God
Unite! , Teaching What Is Good

So Here’s the Story

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A Modern Parable


A man lived in a small village next to the mountain. Every morning, he would sit on the bench behind his house, and speak to the Lord.

One day, the Lord said to him “Take the rock you see in front of you. Put it in your cart and take it to the top of the mountain. It is needed there.”
That seemed like an odd request. But, it was the Lord asking, so he picked up the rock, put it in the cart, and started down the dirt path through town.
It was a gorgeous day, sunny and cool. He was used to pulling heavier loads, so the task was easy. He even started humming while making his way to the foot of the slope.
Walking along, he heard his name. He turned, and saw his uncle in the doorway of his house. “Where are you going?” his uncle called. He replied: “I am taking this rock to the top of the mountain.” “Perfect! Would you take this bolt of cloth with you? It needs to be delivered to the top of the mountain too!”
Being generous of heart, the man agreed. The bolt was loaded into the cart.
Passing another house, again his name was called. “Brother! Where are you going?” Would he take some of her melons with him? He couldn’t deny his sister. In the melons went. This happened again and again, and by the time he got out of the town, he had quite a load.
Pulling the cart on level ground was not easy. But now the mountain path loomed.
Rising up the path to the summit, the man had to make many stops. He was getting overheated now, the sweat running down his red face. His breath became labored in the thinning air.
He started to complain. “Lord! Why did you give me such a hard task today? I am getting tired, and my muscles are so sore. I don’t think I’ll make it to the top. Why did you set me up to fail this way?”
The Lord answered him gently. “My son, I only gave you the rock to take with you. And that burden was light and easy for you. It was you who decided to take the additional loads.”
The Lord continued: “Now you are overburdened, and that is right. Those parcels were never meant for your cart.”


I love this story. It reminds me that God does not choose ways for me that will make me resentful, overtired and breathless. His burden is easy and light. Sometimes, I just make my day much more complicated than it has to be.

Lord, help me carry my burden today. It’s enough for me. Help me to encourage others, as they walk their mountain path too. They have their load, and I have mine. Together, we’ll make it to the top.

Linking today with: Faith Filled Friday ; Bible Love Notes , Faithful Friday , Essential Fridays ,
Friday Five

Seeds for the Soul

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There are so many ways God calls a soul into his presence. We are all human, all the same, but all different too. He knows each of us, and uses what we love to call us. The goal is to get our attention, so he can feed us.

I have a bird feeder in my backyard. I’m new to this whole bird-feeding thing.

Wandering through a Kmart that was closing, I found a tube style feeder. Very inexpensive. Hmm…this might be fun. I brought it home, wondering what kind of seed I should use. My neighbor told me that she had two feeders: one with wild birdseed, and one with black sunflower seeds. Each attracts a different type of bird.

Not being able to make up my mind, I went out and bought both. I filled the feeder half way with wild seed, and finished with the sunflower seeds. Everyone’s happy.


What fun it is to sit out on my screened porch and watch! It’s fascinating. Each bird searches for just the right seed. A finch lands on the perch of mixed seed. One peck and it moves to the next perch, hoping for those black sunflower seeds.

It’s the same with the wrens. One nip at the sunflower seeds; up to the next level they go. They know what they want. No second-rate lunch for them.

Different seeds for different birds. But, in the end, all of them are fed just the way they need.

God uses all different kinds of ‘seeds’ to draw his children to him too. Some people just love soft music, or opera. The melodies make their hearts soar to the heavens. Some might experience the presence of the Lord in nature. Rolling waterfalls and wildflowers turn minds to the Creator of these wonders.

For me, it’s nature and candlelight. I live by an Arboretum and I love walking along the nature paths. I never walk fast, just sort of amble about, head tilted up to see the leaves play with the sky. Or I might be looking down for the little flower that waves for attention. It’s so calming for me, and turns me to thanks for all the beauty. And I am fed.

Candlelight, or the white mini-Christmas lights lit up on my porch, fill me with peace. I love to pray and read in that room, surrounded by the soft glow. It reminds me of the light that God is in the darkness. The calm invades my soul. And I am fed.

All of life sings its songs, hoping to attract attention long enough to lure me stop and perch for a while. In the middle of that rest and praise, God feeds for the journey.

There are so many ‘seeds’ that can call a soul into the presence of God. What resonates with you, makes you different and fascinating; and makes me stand in awe of a bountiful God. He shows himself in all things, so we may be sure to see him in whatever wraps us in wonder.

It’s Tee Time

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God has a chore list for me today. There will be jobs listed on it that only I can do, and he can’t wait for me to get started. Armed with my own unique gifts and talents, I wake up, looking forward to the day.

(Well, I look forward to it after my coffee… I’m all about full disclosure.)

So off I go to the golf course. Ready to start the day, I tee up my talent. Turning to grab my driver, I can’t get to the bag. There’s an Anakim standing in front of me.

I stand helplessly before this giant. I can’t get around him; I can’t go through him. Hanging my head, I sadly shuffle off to the clubhouse.
Today, I read a passage of Scripture from the Book of Numbers. The Princes of Israel had just returned from scouting out the new land of Canaan. The Lord told Moses that this was Israel’s possession, a land flowing with milk and honey. The spies had returned, confirming that Canaan was beautiful and filled with good things to eat. They even brought samples of the fruit.
But. However. On the other hand…
This beautiful land was also a place that “consumed its inhabitants.” Enemies were everywhere. Especially frightening were the Anakim, a “race of giants.”
“Forget it. We’ve never going to win.” The house of Israel panicked, wailing in fright into the night.
Hmm. This got me thinking. What are the ‘Anakims’ in my life that scare me, causing me to give up?  I’ll have a mission, and I’m ready to use my talents to achieve it. “I can do it!” I say to myself at the tee…but here they come: ‘I’m scared’, ‘I’m not ready’, ‘I’m not sure it’s right’, ‘I don’t think it’s my turn.’
But. However. On the other hand…
These excuses are my ‘giants.’ They are the Frankenstein’s that block my progress. In the golf analogy, I can’t get to my clubs. In life, I can’t get off the couch.
I can do it, I really can. But somehow I think about all the ways I can’t. So I don’t. Faced with these giants, I slink away, defeated.
Time for a new way of thinking. Those Anakim in the Scripture were ‘veritable giants.’ But so what? Hey, Israel! If God says the land is yours, the land is yours! Those giants won’t know what hit ‘em.
The same goes for me. If God calls me to tee it up and get moving on a project, then I’d best be going.


The Anakim? Get out of my way; you don’t matter. No more buts, howevers or ‘on the other hands.’ I have a job to do. No giant will block me from the will of God.

My tee shot is going to be a thing of beauty. Watch out. I am going to crush that ball.

Linking today with: Hear It On Sunday, Use It On Monday , The Beauty in His Grip , Playdates
Unite! , Teaching What Is Good

Five Minute Friday

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FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY

So now on Fridays a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind and just write without worrying if it’s just right gather to share what five minutes buys them. While the kids are changing into their swimming suits, while the popcorn is popping, while the dog is outside doing his business, while the show cuts to commercial. Just five minutes.

Today, the prompt is: Small

“You think you’re so big!”
When I was a kid, this was a common playground retort. Actually, it was the child equivalent of a high insult.
“You think you’re so big!” What does that mean?
It means you think you think you are higher, better, and stronger; and you have power over me.

So the message here, from the mouth of a child, is: Don’t be big. Be small. After all, it’s the small people who bring out the Christ in everyone.
Babies are little and cute and helpless, and we feed and hug them. Just like Jesus did.
The sick are in pain, or feel hopeless, and we bring them compassion and comfort. Just like Jesus did.
Friends and family, who have experienced a loss, allow us to support them as we attend the wakes and funerals. We come to be with them, and cry with them.
Just like Jesus did.
If someone is lost, we help by giving directions to show the way to the destination, whether they are lost physically or spiritually. Just like Jesus did.
If I am small, I will witness others being Christ to me. If I see someone in need, being ‘small’, I can be the hands and feet of Christ to them. It’s a win/win.

Back on the playground, let’s listen to that child’s response to a hurt. Maybe the world wants big. But the real grace? It’s in the small.

Linking today with Five Minute Friday

Ace is the Place

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My husband and I came home from vacation last month, and we were treated to the sight of a waterfall. It sounds better than it was, actually. The water was cascading from our kitchen ceiling light fixture.

Welcome home, y’all!
Fortunately, it was an easy fix. The grout in the upstairs shower had cracked. We (and when I say ‘we’, I mean my husband) needed to scrape the old stuff out, and apply some caulk. Problem solved.
Scraping started; I headed off to our local hardware store for caulk. I like to go there when I can, because the people working there are friendly, and are happy to help.
Walking into the store, I was approached by Linda. I know her by name because last time I was at Ace, she helped me with a large order.

Back then, she told me that she had some recent surgery. It went well, but she was left without the sense of smell or taste. We talked a while about the challenges, like motivating herself to eat. And there was a treatment she was trying to get, so she could get her sense of smell back. I hadn’t seen her since then.
Seeing her again, I asked how her recovery was going. As we headed down the caulk aisle, I found out the treatment was helping, she could taste ‘a little bit.’ She turned to me and said “But I know I’m lucky. I recovered; the tumor is gone. It’s not so bad.”
She went on to say that every day she sees customers with all kinds of problems. Elderly people struggling to keep up their property, a parent caring for a sick relative and her own children at the same time, and people ‘going under’ with house payments. “That’s what really gets to me,” she said. “This economy is really hurting people.”
She went on to tell me an incredible story. A man came into the store for a hardware item. He got to talking to Linda (not surprising), and told her he was about to lose his home. His job gone, he was unable to pay his bills. What really got to her were the two little children, each holding one of their Daddy’s hands while he spoke.
“What a sad situation!” I said to Linda as I grabbed the caulk tube tighter. How many other families in my town were affected like that?
But this man’s story didn’t cause Linda to wonder at all. She told me that she led the little family to some chairs,  and then called our local county office. On the phone, she explained the predicament this man was facing. He didn’t know where to turn. Could they be of any help?

“Just send him over,” they replied. “We can help, and we’ll take it from here.”
I just stared at Linda. I was in awe of this woman. The passage from James flashed though my mind. “…and you say to them; ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled; without giving them the things they needed for the body, what good is that?’”
Walking to my car, I was so inspired. God makes his appointments and then eagerly waits to see what we will do with them. Linda did not disappoint.
Reminders of those God-appointments are everywhere, aren’t they?

Lord, please lead me gently where you want me to go. Give me the grace to help when I can, and convince me when I think I can’t.

Who would have expected that a visit to the hardware store would be so inspirational?

Ace really is the place.

Linking with: Tell His Story , Winsome Wednesdays , A Little R and R Wednesdays ,
Wednesday Prayer Girls
Intentional Me

Hospitality 101

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Clean houses make me nervous.

If I am coming over to your house, please don’t strain yourself by cleaning for hours. I really don’t require your home to look like a staged photograph from House Beautiful. It would make me feel like I’m going to break or spill something. Not that I am overly klutzy or anything. It’s just that all that order puts me on the defensive.
I like clutter. It looks a lot like my brain, so I am comfortable in the middle of it. I actually prefer a few coffee cups in the sink; a few toys here and there on the floor. To me, these things are decorations. It’s the proof that life is happening right here. There is peace in that fact, and I am instantly at ease. It’s the polar opposite of how I’d feel in House Beautiful.
Little messes tell me that you have priorities, and getting on with them trumps the vacuum. You are silently witnessing to me the fact that you dive into the joy of the moment- the child on the floor trying to crawl, the phone call from a friend who needs you today.
You don’t have to tell me not to look at your dining room table. Mine looks the same way. Oh! You think you’re supposed to eat off that? Come on now. We all know the ‘dining room table’ is a code word for: ‘file folder.’ As in: “I don’t know where to put it…I know! I’ll put it on the file folder!”
The fact that you’ve invited me here shows me how much you value the friendships in your life. The fact that you didn’t find it necessary to sterilize your kitchen tells something too. You know I’ll be comfortable with your life, and you don’t mind letting it just hang out there for me to see.
The dishrag, hung over a kitchen chair to dry, is a familiar sight. It makes me feel like I have a sister! Chairs are multi-taskers, just like us. They’re not just for sitting. They are a clothesline too! I recognize what I see and I’m at home.
So let’s get together for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. But only if you promise me not to fuss. I enjoy seeing your toys and papers spread out on the floor and on the dining room table. It gives me the contentment of seeing another life that is always moving, but never fast enough to erase the joy.

I don’t want to be a reason for you to worry. I want to be a reason to celebrate, relax, talk and laugh. You can sweep, dust, vacuum and scrub later. After all, I’m here to visit you. Not your house.

Linking today with: Hear It On Sunday, Use It On Monday , Sharing His Beauty , Playdates with God
Unite! , Titus2sdays , Teaching What is Good