Monthly Archives: September 2013

Confi-Dance

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When you’re building a friendship, there’s a lot of give and take. Phone calls, lunches, little trips; they all have the goal of getting to know someone better. The hope is that this person will be a companion, a fellow traveler in life.

Most people won’t invest the time it takes, unless there is hope of a deepening relationship. It’s frustrating to keep reaching out and sharing yourself with someone who will not respond the same way.

Personal strategies toward developing friendships, often get carried over to ideas for deepening a relationship with God. Increased prayer and praise, volunteering for projects at church, and more donations will all result in a richer, deeper relationship with God, right? He won’t ignore all of that effort.

Well, that’s how it works with people. So I think that’s how it works with the Lord too. But the truth is, in spite of all the good works, I still may not be moving as fast as I would like, to a closer relationship with God. And that’s disheartening.

But the Lord doesn’t want me to be sad. There are just a couple of truths I need to remember.

A: I don’t call the shots in the relationship .

God controls my progress in faith. He knows what road is best for me. It might be bumpy; he might be silent. But it will lead to my deepening commitment to reach out to him.

Maybe the way won’t be smooth and clear, but it’s mine. I’d love my relationship with the Lord to be on the fast track. There are always people who seem to be speeding toward knowledge of him.

But for me? It’s usually three steps forward, two steps back.

I’d rather be at the Daytona 500, but God seems to enjoy

watching me learn to samba.

I read somewhere that holiness is constant acceleration. Not constant speed. Go forward, yes. But don’t worry about the velocity. I got that covered. The Lord wants me to sway across that dance floor. Speed won’t be an issue.

B: I am human, so I am not perfect .

If I were given all knowledge and wisdom of him, would I even understand it? The Apostles spent three years with Jesus, but they still had trouble understanding what the heck he was saying half the time.

They were there when Christ healed the sick, made the lame walk, and even know when a fish would have a coin in it’s mouth to pay the Temple tax. But they were still stumped with the question: “Who do you say I am?”

The silence after that question (before Peter answered it with the considerable help of the Spirit) was deafening. If they couldn’t grasp the whole truth, I’m sure I wouldn’t either. It’s much better for the Lord to treat me like the that child I am.

C: I can’t change A or B.

So I guess I’ll just be over here in the corner, practicing my new dance steps. I don’t get very far, or very fast, but that’s ok. As long as I’m making progress, I’ll be fine.


As I dance, I’ll keep repeating : Constant acceleration. Not constant speed.

Linking today with: Monday Musings , Sharing His Beauty , Soli Deo Gloria

Deep Roots

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We were fortunate to be able to go on vacation this summer. Before we left, I canceled the newspaper, asked my neighbor to grab the mail, and my husband got special food for the fish. I called a cab, and off we went to the airport.

After ten days, we returned, and I saw that I didn’t think of everything after all. It had been abnormally hot when we were gone, and no rain. Our outside plants were withered into a tangled mess. Absolute carnage.


I was really sad. We had planted early, and watered almost daily before leaving. Ugh.

I know that I can’t control the weather (big shock!). But it wasn’t only the heat that was an issue. It was probably the constant watering too.

Because of the sprinkling we did, the flowers didn’t grow deep roots. They didn’t need to tunnel down to create a taproot. All the nourishment was on the surface.

When we were gone, the heat came and stayed. Without that daily soaking, the shallow roots just gave out and dried up. The plant couldn’t survive.

This whole experience got me thinking. How I can grow deep roots myself? How can I prepare to flourish in the ‘extreme weather’ of life?
I think it comes down to preparation and choices. Do I thirst for a constant trickle of compliments, pleasure, or awards? That ‘watering’ is just a mist. Choosing that, I’ll be thirsty all the time. Who can live on mist?
Waking each day, I’d be so thirsty! Off I go, searching for a drop of praise, or a new and better place to eat lunch. Grabbing a new assignment, I’ll drive myself crazy trying to get noticed.

If I don’t get these things? I’m going to feel like a failure. I’m going to just shrivel up and die.

Instead of looking for my rewards in earthly things, which

make me shallow and do not feed, I need to find a deeper source of nourishment. I know I will find that source in the Lord.

In order to find my place in him, I’ll have to sink my roots

deeply, passing the topsoil of earthly rewards. That’s hard work.

There are rocks, old roots and occasional sprays of mist. It seems like I could make a home here? Nah. I know it’s too

shallow.

I have to continue past the surface to the deeper soil. Then I’ll be with the Word, the Life, and the Spirit of Christ. That’s where the real nourishment is. There is rich soil to spread out my roots and take hold.

When the hot weather comes, I won’t even notice. My roots are protected and fed, held deeply in my Father’s hands.

People with deep roots don’t fail in adversity. They don’t even notice the storm. They are upright, strong and prepared.

Father, that’s my goal. Help me reach out past the surface, to your infinite strength. Together, I know I’ll be strong too.



Linking today with: Bible Love Notes

The King’s Invitation

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For many are called, but few are chosen.

Matthew 22:14

A King sent out wedding invitations to his powerful friends, who promptly rejected or ignored them. A second wave of servants are sent to ask “as many as you can find” to the feast.



So far, so good.
When the King enters the banquet hall, he sees a man who is poorly dressed. He addresses him as “Friend” and asks why he is dressed so shabbily. The man has no defense. He is thrown out of the hall, into the ‘outer darkness.’

I have always been challenged by this Scripture passage.

Why would the King toss out an invited guest?

Why would he invite so many he knew were poor, only to kick out the underdressed?
That doesn’t sound like the King I know. My God doesn’t look at the outside, but values what’s inside of me.

This week I came across an article on this parable that really opened my eyes.

The commentary stated that in Jesus’ time, the wedding guests were given the special garments to wear. If someone refused to put on the garment, it was considered very disrespectful.

This fact really helped me put this passage in perspective. We are all called to a life in the Lord. Few are chosen, because so many reject him.

Being chosen doesn’t involve a hard test, like a cumulative final. And even if it did, we’d be given the Cliff Notes. ‘Called and chosen’ is part of our DNA when we were created. We’d have to actively refuse the Father to become: ‘un-called.’

A soccer player is asked to play in a special game. He is a very valuable player, and the coaches want him on their side. But, at the last minute, he refuses to play. He doesn’t like the field. It’s too uneven, too muddy, too small, not clearly marked. Think of an excuse, he’s already made it.

He also chooses to sit apart from the team. To the fan in the stands, it sure looks like he’s been rejected. He’s sitting all alone at the end of the bench, a towel over his head. It would be natural to feel bad for this poor guy, cast aside by his team. But that’s not the real story, is it?

If everyone really knew what was going on, they’d realize that this guy is having the mother of all hissy-fits. Kind of like the wedding guest who refused his wedding clothes.

Every single one of us is included in the Wedding Feast. We are warmly invited to live in a sacred union. Part of being invited requires putting on something new.

If I agree to attend, I’ll need that new garment. And he stands there, new clothes in his hand, waiting for my decision.

You know what? I’m going to have a great time!

Linking today with: Soli Deo Gloria , Raising Mighty Arrows , Thought Provoking Thursday


Surrounded

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Now maybe it’s because I am not as young as I used to be, but I am exhibiting some interesting behavior.

I’ll walk around the house calling out “Have you seen my glasses?” My husband will then ask if I’m looking for the glasses that are clipped to my shirt.

One time, I started the car, and proceeded to look for my car keys. My mildly amused teenager just pointed to the ignition.

The things I looked for, were right in front of me. I just never noticed.

It reminds me of the story of the little fish. He came home from school (great pun!) and told his Mom that he learned about water that day. After classes were dismissed, he swam to the bottom of the lake. No water. He swam to the shore. No water. “Mama, where is the water?” he asked.

My life in the presence of the Lord can look a lot like ‘forgetful me’ and the little fish too.

That cute little guy was completely unaware that the water he was looking for, surrounded him. At times, I forget that I ‘live and move and have my being’ in the constant presence of the Lord. So I end up running from depths to shore looking for him too.

Where is the Lord in this situation? Why don’t I feel the Father’s presence? Have I been abandoned?

These are all very human questions, and I have asked them more than once. But thanks be to God, who sends me daily reminders of his constant companionship.

Just like the Mama fish had to remind her little one, God knows he has to remind me that he is always with me. He’ll never leave, even if I think he’s the one who is lost.

I like to walk outside for exercise, and I look down a lot. It’s not because I think I’ll trip and fall; it’s just a habit. Catching myself, I’ll lift my chin and oh! What a sight. Blue skies, green trees, little ponds, and children playing baseball… It all inspires me to thank God for his creation.

With my head up, now aware of his life in what I see, I lift my praise.

The Lord used my husband and my child to point out to me, that what I thought was lost, was right there the whole time.

God uses everything in creation to wave, point and shine, so I will see his life in mine. I need to t rain myself to be more aware. That awareness will remind me that the Lord, in his glory and grace, is all around me.
Father, help me to become more aware of your presence in my life. Remind me to see you in everything, because you know how I forget sometimes.

I may, one day, actually lose my keys. But I’ll never lose you.



Linking today with: Sharing His Beauty , Monday Musings , Unite

The New Guy

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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation

2 Corinthians 5:17


I know that God’s grace has made me a new creation. But I often wonder where that new guy is. There sure are times when I don’t act like there is anyone new living in me.


My husband asked me to sign up for the Rewards Program offered by our credit card. No problem. I sat down at the computer and navigated to the log-in page. I tried to log in.

“User ID or Password Incorrect.” You must be kidding me.

After a few tries, I finally got past that page. On to the security questions.

Well, I guess I forgot where I went to high school, because the site won’t accept the town I entered. I feel myself doing a slow burn. I really do not like this right now.

I notice a phone number to call for help, so I dial it, hoping for a quick fix. After the obligatory eon of waiting for a ‘representative’, I get to a live person. She immediately apologizes for my problem today. This does not help my mood. I’m thinking: “You couldn’t care less. You’re just reading the company handbook to me.”

“Paging ‘new creation.’ Report to Ceil’s brain. NOW!”

This woman proceeds to tell me that I have been trying to log in. Yes, I know that. (More fuel on the fire of my already glowing fire-pit.) I get a little snarky and tell her I know where I went to school, why is the account denying my answer? She needs to look at something…

I’m put on hold. Yay! My forehead is now pressed firmly on my keyboard. I am fighting the desire to bang my head on it.

The rep comes back. Well, this is apparently a job for Superman, because I am being transferred to tech support. “Transferring!” she calls out joyfully.

Alone again. Naturally. But at least this wait is only a decade.

So now tech support is on the line, and it’s a good thing too. My head is currently in the oven and I’m about to turn on the gas.

I think my new creation is on an extended lunch break.

I ask this nice lady to PLEASE walk me through the security questions. She tells me the first representative reset everything, so I should just go through it myself. Whaaa? I repeated these instructions back to her, hoping she would catch my irritation. No luck.

“Thank you. Goodbye!” and I click off the line. This situation had reduced me to a big pile of steaming frustration.

I know that my ‘new creation’ was there, inside me, the whole time. But…my feelings took over, and I ignored it. I missed the opportunity to be a better version of me. My ‘new creation’ would have helped me to laugh at this craziness, and be thankful the problem got solved.

I’m really sorry that I was so upset on the phone, Ms. Representative. I didn’t even try to clothe myself in heartfelt compassion, kindness and humility. If I had done that, things would have gone a lot better.

My Lord, please help me to accept the new, calmer version of myself you offer me. No matter what the situation.

Oh, and get this. I found out we had already enrolled in the Rewards Program. AHHHHH!!

Whoops. I mean, “LOL!”

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

In the Beginning

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The Father’s “In the Beginning” is the start of creation.

My “In the Beginning” is when my hand falls on the alarm, and my eyes open to a brand new gift… the new day.

It is a constant source of wonder to me that the Lord continues to make something out of absolutely nothing in my life. Minute by minute, hour-by-hour, day by every day. This must be what awe is.

Now, I’m not saying that God is some kind of magician. It only looks like ‘something out of nothing’ to me. I don’t have an eye for the eternal. That would be his vision.
With my limited sight:

The sunrise is a miracle.

Finding that close parking space is a miracle.

Getting up the energy to exercise is a miracle.

The breeze in my face as I walk down the forest path is a miracle.

Skyping with my son and daughter and their families is a miracle.

Grabbing that last tin of Café Vienna at Target is a miracle.

Finding my glasses….AGAIN! is a miracle. (Believe me, it totally is!)

The fact that you came here today, and are now reading this, is a miracle.

Small miracles, big ones, they all were planned and lovingly placed in the span of my short life. And I have the privilege of discovering them. Minute by minute, day in and day out.

All these blessings seem to have come to me so randomly. Almost by accident. But I know better. Everything was arranged and loved into being by my Holy Father, way back in time.

Yes. Way back. “In the beginning.”



Linking today with: #Tell His Story , Winsome Wednesdays , Wholehearted Wednesday
Three Word Wednesday

Breathing Grace

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“Thanks Grandma!”

We were packing up to leave from my in-laws house, and I heard the kids chirp their thanks. Later, in the car, they excitedly compared their quarters. I decided to ask them a question. “Why did Grandma give you each a quarter?”

They were stumped. It was like I had asked them the atomic weight of Cobalt (58.933u, for anyone who wants to know!). After letting them think about it a while, I turned to them and said “It’s breathing money.”

They got those quarters for no other reason than they are alive, and Grandma loves them. They didn’t earn it, they didn’t even ask for it. It’s just a pure, joyful gift.

I’m not sure if they really understood the explanation, but “breathing money” became a catch phrase around the house. It was like code. It meant they got something for nothing other than just being themselves. And they were loved.

Our Father does the same thing. As his children, we are given grace and power to do his will, every moment of our lives. It’s not earned. It’s a gift given in pure joy.

My life gives my Father so much happiness, that he is constantly gifting me with his protection, mercy, wisdom…well, every good thing. It’s “breathing grace.”

Some may think that such immense gifts require huge efforts. But it’s not that way at all. All of creation is bathed in grace, every prayer is heard. Not because we are worthy, but because we’re family. And He loves us.

I remember the first surgery I ever observed. The nurses told me to plaster myself up against the wall and NOT MOVE. It was a C-section, so there was plenty of action, all focused on the Mom-to-be, and delivering her child ASAP. As I was watching the preparations, one of the nurses came over and told me if I felt faint, I should leave the room.

What? Fainting had never even crossed my mind. I don’t faint. Or do I? Uh oh, what if I do???

Meanwhile, the surgery progressed, and the baby was delivered in a rush of fluid. As the baby cried, I wanted to cry too. It was so beautiful. There was so much joy in that place, and I got to observe the miracle of a life beginning.

Later, I realized that I’d completely forgotten about fainting, or moving away from the wall. As soon as those thoughts were planted, they were taken away, melting in the love of God’s grace.

He had some things to show me, so he gave me every strength to appreciate the experience. No fainting, no sudden moves. Not because I deserved it, but because he was pleased to give it.

Almost ten years later, it would be me standing in that same room. I was the Operating Room Nurse helping deliver babies. God gave me his gift of appreciation for surgery, medicine and life. All for free.

“Breathing grace.” Just because I’m alive and I am loved.

And it shines more than new quarters in a five year old’s fist.



Linking today with: The Beauty in His Grip , Playdates with God
Unite , Soli Deo Gloria , Teaching What is Good

Mercy

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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: Mercy

So, Peter wants to know how many times he should forgive someone. “Is it seven times, Lord?” And Jesus responds, No Peter. Seventy times seven.

Jesus is trying to teach Peter, and me, about mercy.

Peter is exploring the limits of mercy. How much? How many times? But Jesus wants to blow open the closed door that is ‘limits’, and reveal an ocean of forgiveness, of peacemaking, of healing…of mercy.

‘Seventy times seven’ means ‘to infinity and beyond.’ Or, like that AT&T commercial says, ‘Infinity times infinity.’ There is no end to the mercy of the Father.

Did you hurt me…again? Did I hurt you for the bazillionth time? We have a choice. We can put limits on forgiveness, or mirror the limitless quality of mercy found in the Father.

I feel a bit claustrophobic with the limits. I’d rather be boundless in mercy as he as merciful. To put that into practice means that there is healing, forgiveness and restoration.

I want to be that instrument of reconciliation and peace. So come with me, Spirit of God, and help me soar on the wings of mercy. To infinity and beyond.


Rules of the Road

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Mosaic Law consists of 613 different commandments, or ‘mitzvot.’
I couldn’t help but wonder why they were necessary. Moses got ten pretty good Commandments from God on Mt. Sinai. They appear all-inclusive. Why so many more?
As I thought about it, a reason came to mind. I think there are just too few people in this world who believe that we live in community. It’s not about ‘me’, but about our human family.

And we should love each other as our own bodies. Not a lot of buy-in there either. It’s that disconnect that gives rise to the need for extra instructions.

Take speed limits, for example. The limit is set at 30 mph for general safety. When someone sees a 30 mph speed limit sign, what do they really see? 35 mph? 40 mph?

Breaking that limit gets you pulled over for speeding, resulting in a ‘warning’ or a ticket.

Get a ticket, you pay a fine. Or go to court.
Go to court, you can plead guilty or not guilty. You pay the fine or present your case.

Refuse to pay or go to court? You will lose your license, or pay court costs and fines; and perform community service.

Ok. How many rules is that? And that’s just with speed limits! Actually, 613 rules doesn’t sound like that much anymore, does it?

And don’t get me started with KP (Kitchen Police) duty. “Clean up after dinner “ doesn’t sound very complex. But it becomes a problem to the preteens and teenagers who don’t see it as a help to the family.

If a job is seen as a huge burden, sure as shootin’, you’re going to need some more rules.

No sweeping the floor crumbs under the rug.
Use soap on the cook pots. Don’t just rinse them.
Wipe down the placemats.

Rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

It’s starting to sound like a jail in here. All these rules! And what do the kids focus their frustration on? The rules, of course.

It would be better if their energy was aimed toward understanding. What if they realized that helping was a privilege and that they were lifting a burden of housework from their Mom? Maybe they’d also grasp that they were learning the skills needed for their own homes one day. Maybe then, KP duty wouldn’t need all those qualifiers.

But they are teenagers, the Israelites were stiff-necked people, and I am a driver in a hurry. Not much difference between us. It’s focusing on ‘me’ and not ‘my community.’

The only ‘rules’ we really need, are the three things that point us outside of ourselves. Faith, hope and love.

The greatest of these is the biggest ‘extra law buster’ of them all. Love.



Linking today with: Wednesday Prayer Girls , A Little R and R , Winsome Wednesdays
Wisdom Wednesday , Wholehearted Wednesday
Thriving Thursdays , Intentional Me , Raising Mighty Arrows

This I Believe

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What do you believe?
Could you express it in 300 to 500 words?

National Public Radio started a project that challenged people to do just that. Each person wrote a short essay entitled: “This I Believe.”

A friend of mine told me about the books containing collections of these personal reflections. I read several of them, and they were both revealing and inspiring.

The authors of these short articles are both famous (Newt Gingrich, Leonard Bernstein, Carl Sandburg) and unknown. These snippets are not meant to describe a whole life. Instead, they aim to define just one idea the author has come to accept as true.

It got me thinking about what I believe. It was a good exercise. I had to try to put into words some truths I had never taken the time to name.

I’d like to share with you some of the ideas I had. Some of them I knew. Some were a fun surprise!


I believe that ‘no’ sometimes means ‘not now’ or ‘not the way you think.’


I believe that doing something is better than saying something.


I believe that turning down an opportunity might be the best thing I’ll ever do.


I believe that although I have been married to the same man for 32 years, I will never stop learning new things about him.


I believe that waking up in the morning is a little gift; a movement of trust by God that I’ll do what he needs me to do today.


You know how you’re supposed to learn one thing every day? I might not. I’m a slow learner, and I often have to repeat the classes.


I believe that if ‘Jesus loves the little children’, then I know I’m safe. I usually can’t open the jar of pickles either.


I believe that God has a plan for me and it’s not as mysterious as I make it out to be.


I believe that I have the capacity to hurt you, and you have the capacity to hurt me. I’ll still want to get to know you.


I believe in the value of silence.



These are only a few of the things that I believe. Oh my gosh, there are so more…but these are what rose to the top. It’s a great exercise because it got me thinking, and it got me thanking God.

How about you? Go ahead! Take a few minutes and consider what you believe. I think you’re going to find that there are so many things. For the most part, they’re not earth shaking, but they are yours. And that makes them beautiful.

So I have to ask…what do you believe?

Linking today with: Unite! , Soli Deo Gloria , Encourage 24/7