(This devotion was written to a specific audience. The staff at a crisis pregnancy center. Yet, it holds truths that apply to many occupations and life situations.)
Recently I’ve been reminded about how important it is to understand others. When I was in retail I had a boss who insisted “the customer is ALWAYS right even when they are wrong”. If he ever caught us treating a customer poorly…well let me just say that you didn’t do it twice. And if you did, you quickly found yourself looking for a new place to work.
For me understanding another person is not just having empathy for them or placating them. No, it is about trying to learn what struggles they face and what their perception of their situation is. For example:
My husband and I have found ourselves living in hotel due to a home issue going on. We are going in to our fifth week. Week one was okay, week two was tolerable, week three was boring and so on. Two days ago we woke up in the middle of the night because the fire alarms were going off. After a while we were able to return to our room because the problem was not a fire but a possible defective sprinkler system in another room that caused the sprinklers to go off and created a major water mess in that area of the hotel (fortunately for us we were on the other side of the hotel). Last night I was talking with the front desk and the woman (who we are getting to know very well after a month) shared with us that the gentleman in the suite with the problem had his heat up as high as it could go and they now think the issue is that his room hit 95 or 100 degrees which caused the sprinklers to go off. To make matters worse he doesn’t speak any English and was so frightened when the sprinkles went off he didn’t tell anyone hoping it would stop and he could just clean things up. I felt bad for him in that moment knowing he is a businessman who was brought in by some company to do some specific task and given his culture this type of embarrassment is more than just being embarrassed. It is a matter of disrespect for his employer. Dishonor is the word that comes to mind.
But I digress. While we were at the front desk the kind woman shared that she received the call extending our room yet another week. I said something like “Well we certainly like all of you here but we hope to get back in our home some day soon.” She laughed and said “I know exactly what you mean. One day I had to spend the night here because the weather was so bad out I couldn’t get home.” She remarked how she had missed her bed. I thought to myself, “Really? One night? Try 30 or 40 nights!” And later I started to think about how hotel management might find it good to require their employees to be guests in the hotel when they first start on the job. Let them really understand what the people paying to stay there experience. I wonder how that might change the way they approach their job.
The other situation that happened is that I was trying to help a young pregnant woman who was homeless find a place to stay. Being homeless you don’t have the basic things you need to change your situation. She was frustrated, lonely and lost. I offered to make some calls for her. It was in that process that I discovered many (not all) of the ministries trying to serve homeless people might not quite “get” what their lives are like. Often I called a phone number only to discover I had to leave a message and someone would “call me back”. I thought to myself “how many homeless people have a phone?” Or the place didn’t have room, or they had room but they only take women 21 and younger, or they only take women with children (pregnant doesn’t count), or they only help women who are escaping from domestic violence. I made a dozen or more calls and found myself very frustrated with the entire process. And I have resources at my disposal. How much more frustrating must it be for those that don’t?
The Bible verse that goes something like “do unto others as you’d have them do unto you” kept coming into my head. I remember hearing it as a child and getting the lecture about “be nice”. I remember finding it hard to be nice, especially when the person (usually a sibling) wasn’t being nice to me. And while I believe the “be nice” interpretation of that Bible verse is valid, I am starting learn there is much more to it than that.
I think God wants us to really try to understand what the other person is going through, from THEIR point of view…not mine. And before I offer to help I think I really need to figure out what the actual need is and then determine if my fix is appropriate for their condition. Sort of like having a homeless hotline number where you actually answer the phone. Or before saying something like “I know what you are going through” making sure you are not comparing a one night stay in a hotel to a 40 night stay. There is a distinct difference, especially when in one case the person actually could go home to their own bed and the other could not.
We also had a situation with a client who is abusing drugs. The volunteer understood that she needed help beyond the pregnancy, the kind a rehab place could give. But she also understood that walking through the door of the hospital alone was almost more than this woman could even begin to think about. There are things in her life that from our perspective seem insignificant compared to drug abuse (like a dog, or being able to have a cigarette). But from her perspective it makes complete sense to her. I’m very thankful the volunteer working with this client didn’t judge her, but instead worked hard to help her.
If you’ve made it this far thank you. For me this has GREAT application to what we do. Not all of us who work or volunteer here have experienced an unplanned pregnancy. For us when a client states her boyfriend will leave her if she continues the pregnancy we might think “let him go”. But we are making that call from a place of safety. She is not.
For some clients just walking in our front door is the scariest thing they will ever do. All their fears come with them. The first “hello” they get tells them a lot about what to expect from us. If they aren’t greeted well or timely and they see people in the office talking (or does it look like gossiping to them?) how will that affect the rest of their experience? If the person counseling them talks more then they listen what will that do in their hearts? If they call our hotline and all they are given is a bunch of numbers to call but they don’t have that ability, how have we helped them?
I think we do an OUTSTANDING job of meeting our clients needs. But I also believe that shouldn’t put us in a position of comfort because I think that is when we have the greatest risk of forgetting about what the client is experiencing and needs. I’ve watched over the years as you and others have modeled Matthew 7:12. Thank you! Keep up the good work! It is because of that attitude that women come here for help. It is that experience that sets us apart from others.
Matthew 7:12
"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
(http://www.adviceandaid.com/)
WELCOME!
T - i - double G - grrrr
December 28, 2010
November 19, 2010
Putting God First - Treasure
Holidays are coming. Presents are on everyone’s minds. What to buy? What will I get? How much should I spend? How much can I spend? Wish I had more to spend.
Yes, this time of year our hearts and our thoughts often turn to material things. Some things we will treasure, some we won’t remember. I think back to the many gifts I’ve received over the years and find that there are really only a few that come to mind. And even those few aren’t cherished memories because of the dollar value of the gift. No, it is the meaning behind the gift or the joy it brought when I opened it that matters most.
God offers a gift as well.
Recently in the news I heard about a rare pink diamond that sold for $46 Million!
Even if I could afford to buy a ring for $46 Million, I sure hope I wouldn’t. There are so many other things to treasure. And we can find eternal treasures right here, right now.
I treasure the beautiful jewels of wisdom I find in God’s word. This Christmas invest in your life by looking into the Bible and finding a verse that speaks to your heart and maybe share that with a friend or family member when you gather together during the holidays.
Here’s mine to you:
Psalm 19:10 (from The Message)
God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.
This?
Yes, this time of year our hearts and our thoughts often turn to material things. Some things we will treasure, some we won’t remember. I think back to the many gifts I’ve received over the years and find that there are really only a few that come to mind. And even those few aren’t cherished memories because of the dollar value of the gift. No, it is the meaning behind the gift or the joy it brought when I opened it that matters most.
God offers a gift as well.
- A gift of mercy that extends far beyond anything we can comprehend.
- A gift of love. Not a fleeting love or a love that wavers. His love defines us, molds us, shapes us, and determines our value.
- A gift of sacrifice. A baby of humble beginnings. Left heaven and all that means to walk among His creation only to be despised by the very creation He loves the most.
- A gift of eternal life with Him where there is no more death, no more sorrow, no more tears.
What is the value of that gift? How could I ever do enough or own enough to purchase that gift?
Recently in the news I heard about a rare pink diamond that sold for $46 Million!
Even if I could afford to buy a ring for $46 Million, I sure hope I wouldn’t. There are so many other things to treasure. And we can find eternal treasures right here, right now.
I treasure the beautiful jewels of wisdom I find in God’s word. This Christmas invest in your life by looking into the Bible and finding a verse that speaks to your heart and maybe share that with a friend or family member when you gather together during the holidays.
Here’s mine to you:
Psalm 19:10 (from The Message)
God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.
This?
Or this...
September 13, 2010
Live or die. Listen or talk.
I sat in the room with a beautiful woman in her late twenties and listened as she shared how much she no longer wanted to live. How she dreams about dieing and that if it weren't for her little boy she would already have followed through on that dream. She can't get through today and the idea of planning for tomorrow was, well...just incomprehensible for her.
And I completely understood where she was coming from been having felt that way myself many years ago.
I am far from that place now and by the grace of God a different person. Yet it amazed me how vivid those memories could still be. 2010 has had a lot of death in it for me and those I love. My husband's beloved father, a cousin, parents of close friends, friends who lost their little boy, and more. Even as I type this post I am preparing to attend yet another funeral in about an hour from now.
So perhaps that is why I have been so deeply contemplating eternity. In light of eternity these few years on this planet are put a flash if light that you barely even see. Yet, God thinks they have some value or importance.
How much of my time do I invest in things that have eternal value and how much is just things that mean something for today? How much of my energy is given to others and how much is wasted on things that just don't matter?
I recently purchased an android phone and believe it to have been a wise purchase. Wise for temporal reasons anyways. Yet, this phone with all its bells and whistles has in a strange way simplified my life. So for that, I am grateful.
Not sure why I bothered with that last comment but I will leave it and hope it will have value for someone else that might actually read this post.
So back to the reason I felt compelled to do this entry. Death. How near or far is it? If I live through today will I have done anything with these minutes or hours that in eternity will matter? If I live 50 more years, what then? I believe the answer is not as difficult as I would think. I believe it is about love.
Not the love this world has to offer with empty promises and things we buy. No, that love is fleeting. The love that you feel when you look in a stranger's eye and ask "how are you today" and then stick around to hear the answer. The love you see when strangers rush in to help others in crisis. The love you see when someone has just lost their spouse of 60 years still finds a way to thank you for visiting and asks how you are doing. Not because it is the polite thing to do but because they really want to know.
I started with this young woman who just wanted to die. Let me close with her. We talked a long time and while I felt I wasn't getting through I later found out that she did hear what I and another person had to say to her. At one point in our conversation she shared a dark secret that she had held for many years. Something in that release connected with her soul and while she still has much to deal with she no longer feels like death is the only way out.
Spend this day seeking out what you could do that would count for eternity. Don't wait for it to just fall in your lap. SEEK it out. Look for opportunities to invest in another person. And try to listen more than talk today. It is amazing what you will hear.
After all while the old saying goes "this is the first day of the rest of your life" but the opposite could be true too. If this was the last day of your life how would you spend it? On eternal matters or matters that only count for this day?
And I completely understood where she was coming from been having felt that way myself many years ago.
I am far from that place now and by the grace of God a different person. Yet it amazed me how vivid those memories could still be. 2010 has had a lot of death in it for me and those I love. My husband's beloved father, a cousin, parents of close friends, friends who lost their little boy, and more. Even as I type this post I am preparing to attend yet another funeral in about an hour from now.
So perhaps that is why I have been so deeply contemplating eternity. In light of eternity these few years on this planet are put a flash if light that you barely even see. Yet, God thinks they have some value or importance.
How much of my time do I invest in things that have eternal value and how much is just things that mean something for today? How much of my energy is given to others and how much is wasted on things that just don't matter?
I recently purchased an android phone and believe it to have been a wise purchase. Wise for temporal reasons anyways. Yet, this phone with all its bells and whistles has in a strange way simplified my life. So for that, I am grateful.
Not sure why I bothered with that last comment but I will leave it and hope it will have value for someone else that might actually read this post.
So back to the reason I felt compelled to do this entry. Death. How near or far is it? If I live through today will I have done anything with these minutes or hours that in eternity will matter? If I live 50 more years, what then? I believe the answer is not as difficult as I would think. I believe it is about love.
Not the love this world has to offer with empty promises and things we buy. No, that love is fleeting. The love that you feel when you look in a stranger's eye and ask "how are you today" and then stick around to hear the answer. The love you see when strangers rush in to help others in crisis. The love you see when someone has just lost their spouse of 60 years still finds a way to thank you for visiting and asks how you are doing. Not because it is the polite thing to do but because they really want to know.
I started with this young woman who just wanted to die. Let me close with her. We talked a long time and while I felt I wasn't getting through I later found out that she did hear what I and another person had to say to her. At one point in our conversation she shared a dark secret that she had held for many years. Something in that release connected with her soul and while she still has much to deal with she no longer feels like death is the only way out.
Spend this day seeking out what you could do that would count for eternity. Don't wait for it to just fall in your lap. SEEK it out. Look for opportunities to invest in another person. And try to listen more than talk today. It is amazing what you will hear.
After all while the old saying goes "this is the first day of the rest of your life" but the opposite could be true too. If this was the last day of your life how would you spend it? On eternal matters or matters that only count for this day?
July 31, 2010
The Coo Coo Clock
Many years ago Gary bought a Coo Coo Clock. At the time his sister was taking a trip to Germany and he wanted one bought from Germany. I remember how important this was to him. He spoke of going to his Grandma's house as a little boy and how much he looked forward to seeing her Coo Coo Clock. He had always hoped that one day he too would own such a clock and the someday he would have grandchildren who marveled at how it worked.
That was years before our kids met their current spouses and years before our son and daughter-in-law had a baby.
But on a recent visit Gary saw his dream come true as our grandson just couldn't get enough of Gary's Coo Coo Clock. What a joy and what great memories are being made.
That was years before our kids met their current spouses and years before our son and daughter-in-law had a baby.
But on a recent visit Gary saw his dream come true as our grandson just couldn't get enough of Gary's Coo Coo Clock. What a joy and what great memories are being made.
July 25, 2010
Things that rarely happen after 50
I was driving home from church this morning reflecting on the message and the really great service I had experienced. I took the back roads as I desired to have the windows open since it was not 100 degrees yet. Traveling main highways at 60 or 70 miles per hour with the windows down creates a wind tunnel in my car that wouldn't have been condusive to my mood.
No radio, the sunroof open with the sun shining on me, a comfortable breeze runs through my car. I am deep in thought as I come to a red light. I only notice the car in the left turn lane, just enought to admire it, as I pull up next to it. A yellow mustang with all the bells and whistles, tinted windows, and obviously welled cared for by its owner. I think of my little gold civic as it sits next to it and wonder, if my car had a personality how would it feel right now?
Would it be jealous or would it wish it could be just like this car when it grows up? Now 10 years old, with a cracked windshield, a dented front bumper, a deep scratch on the back bumper and a few other minor dings and dents; this little car just isn't what it once was when it was new. But it gets me where I'm going and still gets great gas mileage. I was so deep in these and other thoughts, probably smiling because of my mood, I never even noticed the window go down on the passenger side of the yellow mustang.
A very deep, sultry voice said "hi". Instinctively I said "hi" back. Since we were only about a foot away from each other I responded at an appropriate sound level (not too loud, not too soft). He said, again in that soothing voice that said hi, "how are you this morning?"
I smiled and said "I'm doing good." The light turned green and I proceeded on my way. The yellow mustang sat at the light until the car behind it gave him a gentle beep that said "hey dummy the light is green for you too".
I wondered, "was he flirting with me?"
NO way. He had to be my son's age. But it has been years since someone I'm not married to has flirted with me, so maybe I just don't know what that looks like anymore. Maybe he was just a very nice young man who looked past the cracks, dents, and scars of my little gold civic and just wanted to be nice on this gorgeous Sunday morning that the Lord has made.
Either way, I am amused.
No radio, the sunroof open with the sun shining on me, a comfortable breeze runs through my car. I am deep in thought as I come to a red light. I only notice the car in the left turn lane, just enought to admire it, as I pull up next to it. A yellow mustang with all the bells and whistles, tinted windows, and obviously welled cared for by its owner. I think of my little gold civic as it sits next to it and wonder, if my car had a personality how would it feel right now?
Would it be jealous or would it wish it could be just like this car when it grows up? Now 10 years old, with a cracked windshield, a dented front bumper, a deep scratch on the back bumper and a few other minor dings and dents; this little car just isn't what it once was when it was new. But it gets me where I'm going and still gets great gas mileage. I was so deep in these and other thoughts, probably smiling because of my mood, I never even noticed the window go down on the passenger side of the yellow mustang.
A very deep, sultry voice said "hi". Instinctively I said "hi" back. Since we were only about a foot away from each other I responded at an appropriate sound level (not too loud, not too soft). He said, again in that soothing voice that said hi, "how are you this morning?"
I smiled and said "I'm doing good." The light turned green and I proceeded on my way. The yellow mustang sat at the light until the car behind it gave him a gentle beep that said "hey dummy the light is green for you too".
I wondered, "was he flirting with me?"
NO way. He had to be my son's age. But it has been years since someone I'm not married to has flirted with me, so maybe I just don't know what that looks like anymore. Maybe he was just a very nice young man who looked past the cracks, dents, and scars of my little gold civic and just wanted to be nice on this gorgeous Sunday morning that the Lord has made.
Either way, I am amused.
July 3, 2010
July 1, 2010
Stranger...old friend
Who is this stranger inside of me?
The person I don’t want others to see.
She is mean and angry ready to yell.
To control her is hard can’t you tell?
She wants to come out but if she does
Can I put her away and go back to what was?
If she says the things that are on her mind
Others will know she is NOT very kind
She doesn’t care what others think
I do...but does that make me weak?
Weak in my faith and my walk with the Lord
What He thinks should mean so much more.
He sees that girl hiding in me
He hears her thoughts, so how can it be
That He loves me still
Loves my will
Loves me when it’s hard to love myself
Loves me and puts me above all else
Again His love is a mystery
A gift that He wants others to see
God, help me get rid of that old friend
Who comes to visit now and again
Help me remember I belong to You
Help me put You first in all I do
Take captive every evil thought
Help me behave as I ought.
.
The person I don’t want others to see.
She is mean and angry ready to yell.
To control her is hard can’t you tell?
She wants to come out but if she does
Can I put her away and go back to what was?
If she says the things that are on her mind
Others will know she is NOT very kind
She doesn’t care what others think
I do...but does that make me weak?
Weak in my faith and my walk with the Lord
What He thinks should mean so much more.
He sees that girl hiding in me
He hears her thoughts, so how can it be
That He loves me still
Loves my will
Loves me when it’s hard to love myself
Loves me and puts me above all else
Again His love is a mystery
A gift that He wants others to see
God, help me get rid of that old friend
Who comes to visit now and again
Help me remember I belong to You
Help me put You first in all I do
Take captive every evil thought
Help me behave as I ought.
.
June 15, 2010
Tears
This past week has seen many tears and I expect today and tomorrow to follow down that path. For those I love, whose hearts are broken beyond endurance, I know their tears will continue for years to come. These are the thoughts that brought me to do a Bible word search on “tears”. There is so much there that one could get lost in the significance of it all. Here is just a little of what I found.
2 Kings 20:5
“This is what the Lord, the God of your father David says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.”
I thought and prayed about this verse. God sees our tears. He sees the tears of my friends. The tears they cry in front of friends and family. The tears they cry together as they grieve the son they lost. The tears they cry in private when no one else is around, not even their spouse. Yes, not one tear falls from their eyes that God is unaware of. This verse comes with a promise from God as well, “I will heal you.” We don’t know or understand what that healing will look like. We can’t comprehend how this deep pain can ever be healed. But God is bigger than all this and so I have nothing left but trust Him at His word.
Psalm 56:8
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.”
Again this affirms what the previous verse stated. God sees each tear. But this verse goes a little deeper. God not only sees each tear He treasures them. He collects them in His bottle. We read about Jesus’ tears in Hebrews 5:7 “While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death.” And the famous verse where it says “Jesus wept.”, John 11:35. There are others verses as well, but for me this helps me know that God understands our sorrow and our pain. Perhaps even more than we do. He understands it so well that he treasures it by recording it in His book.
And while today and tomorrow will days filled with many tears, there is hope. Not because of some undefined optimistic view of life but because God Himself tells us of it.
Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain.”
2 Kings 20:5
“This is what the Lord, the God of your father David says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.”
I thought and prayed about this verse. God sees our tears. He sees the tears of my friends. The tears they cry in front of friends and family. The tears they cry together as they grieve the son they lost. The tears they cry in private when no one else is around, not even their spouse. Yes, not one tear falls from their eyes that God is unaware of. This verse comes with a promise from God as well, “I will heal you.” We don’t know or understand what that healing will look like. We can’t comprehend how this deep pain can ever be healed. But God is bigger than all this and so I have nothing left but trust Him at His word.
Psalm 56:8
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.”
Again this affirms what the previous verse stated. God sees each tear. But this verse goes a little deeper. God not only sees each tear He treasures them. He collects them in His bottle. We read about Jesus’ tears in Hebrews 5:7 “While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death.” And the famous verse where it says “Jesus wept.”, John 11:35. There are others verses as well, but for me this helps me know that God understands our sorrow and our pain. Perhaps even more than we do. He understands it so well that he treasures it by recording it in His book.
And while today and tomorrow will days filled with many tears, there is hope. Not because of some undefined optimistic view of life but because God Himself tells us of it.
Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain.”
That day is not here yet. But it will come. In that day we will know God more. In that day we will understand events in light of eternity. But today, we live a temporal existence that is limited by time. For those who grieve, today can feel like eternity. Each minute can feel like eternity. So I will not hold back the tears. I will and not be ashamed of them, nor will I look on them as a weakness. If Jesus, who was and is God can cry…God eternal all-powerful…then tears are not weakness they are a form of profound strength and feelings. As I look in the eyes of my friends I will cherish each tear they share and know that God is holding them in the palm of His hand.
June 9, 2010
I was wrong...and I'm okay with that.
There are times when I relish the fact that I was wrong. This morning was one of them. To understand why I need to take you back to Sunday morning...
I was up early, very normal for me, and decided it looked like a nice morning to take a walk before getting ready for church. So by 6:30 AM I am out the door and the minute I walked outside it just took my breath away. It was almost 70 degrees, no humidity, the sky was a perfect shade of light blue and I couldn't see a cloud no matter what direction I looked. My walk takes me past a pristine golf course, into a park, past two small lakes in the park, into the woods, and through a rose garden. The scenery and the weather was spectacular. I thought to myself, "this is the best weather to walk in". I was so content that the thought of returning home didn't appeal to me much. But I knew that I was expected back and so staying in the park and enjoying the walk longer was not an option.
Then I got lazy and didn't walk Monday or Tuesday. This morning, I looked outside and saw the heavy clouds and knew it would be very wet out there due to the almost four inches of rain the day before. I remembered back to Sunday morning's walk and felt a great sadness knowing that this morning could not compete with the experience of that walk. Reluctantly I got up and put my walking clothes on.
The minute I stepped outside I was hit by the heavy wetness that filled the air. Soggy is a completely inadequate word to describe how wet everything was. I began my walk in my usual fashion which consists of crossing the street, getting on the sidewalk, and glancing down the path ahead of me. I frowned when I realized it was garbage day and that I would have to maneuver around the garbage cans and recycle bins set on the sidewalks awaiting the garbage truck's arrival. Oh well, I had my book with me and knew that once I started reading while I walked I would get lost in the story line and not even notice these distractions.
(Okay, before you judge or think you read that wrong. YES, I read while I walk. And NO it isn't as dangerous as it sounds, even for me. I find it far safer then texting at sixty miles an hour while driving a vehicle that could easily cause the death of others if not operated attentively. And NO I do NOT text while driving that is merely an example that I think others can relate to.)
Back to my walk. I made it about one block when I had to close the book. It started to drizzle. While reading and walking isn't overly challenging for me, reading while the book is getting wet is. Disappointed and not in the mood to listen to my music I just walked. As I did I started to realize what an incredibly beautiful morning it was. The rain that came down in buckets the day before had completely cleaned every leaf and flower of any Kansas dust that had been covering it. The grayness of the morning disappeared as I saw the crispness of the yellow flowers, the thousands of different shades of green in the trees and grass, the deep purple flowers that I never noticed before, and heard the joyous chirping of birds rinsing themselves off in the myriad of puddles available to them.
My thoughts turned to my Lord who created all I see. Who brought beauty through His creation to an otherwise gloomy morning. By now, the drizzle had turned to a steady light rain. Very fine but steady. It was so soft I could barely feel it hit my face and arms as I just stood there, face up, arms stretched out, and let it cover me with what one could only describe as peace.
As I continued my walk I scanned the scenery taking in every detail my eyes and brain could process. I happened upon a very large evergreen tree with long pine needles. The needles went out from the branches in every direction and on the end of each individual needle was a droplet of water. The clouds had gotten lighter and each droplet was reflecting back the whiteness from the clouds. The beautiful dark green giant looked like it had thousands of tiny white pearls placed with loving care on the end of each needle. I marveled at this treasure before moving on.
Other trees that decorate the path I walked were so spectacular to see. The bark was dark because of the rain and that made the green, shiny leaves stand out even more. HD TV could not even begin to compete with the vivid colors of nature this morning. WOW!
I rounded the last corner that would bring me back to my humble little house on a quiet corner lot. I reflected back on all I had seen this morning and tears of complete humbleness gently flowed from eyes. "Thank you God" is all I could think. So happy I didn't let that first thought of not taking my walk today because of the weather be my driving force this morning. So happy that I was completely proven wrong that only on a sunny day will I see nature's full beauty. This morning was truly the most incredibly beautiful morning of any walk I can remember. It will forever be in my memories for me to pull up and reflect on when I'm in need of a ten minute mental mini vacation.
I had at one point on this walk turned on my music. The radio station played a song by Audio Adrenaline called "Ocean's Floor". A great reminder how God removes our sins from us and chooses to see them no more. I walked this same path many times and had no idea what vivid bright colors existed because of the Kansas dust that seems to cover everything causing it to be duller than how God had made it. Then HE opened the skies and let His rain clean every leaf, flower, and blade of grass that I could see. Not only clean them but decorated them with sweet tiny droplets of water that looked like priceless, flawless pearls. This is the picture God has for you and me. Our choices in life that lead to sin dull who we were created to be. They dull our view of ourselves and they dull how others see us. They limit our ability to shine His light so others can truly see who He is. But when we confess our sins and let God wash them away, then and only then, will we be adorned with the beauty that brings God the honor and glory He deserves.
Forgive me Lord. Wash my sins away. Love me Lord. This is what I pray. Amen!
I was up early, very normal for me, and decided it looked like a nice morning to take a walk before getting ready for church. So by 6:30 AM I am out the door and the minute I walked outside it just took my breath away. It was almost 70 degrees, no humidity, the sky was a perfect shade of light blue and I couldn't see a cloud no matter what direction I looked. My walk takes me past a pristine golf course, into a park, past two small lakes in the park, into the woods, and through a rose garden. The scenery and the weather was spectacular. I thought to myself, "this is the best weather to walk in". I was so content that the thought of returning home didn't appeal to me much. But I knew that I was expected back and so staying in the park and enjoying the walk longer was not an option.
Then I got lazy and didn't walk Monday or Tuesday. This morning, I looked outside and saw the heavy clouds and knew it would be very wet out there due to the almost four inches of rain the day before. I remembered back to Sunday morning's walk and felt a great sadness knowing that this morning could not compete with the experience of that walk. Reluctantly I got up and put my walking clothes on.
The minute I stepped outside I was hit by the heavy wetness that filled the air. Soggy is a completely inadequate word to describe how wet everything was. I began my walk in my usual fashion which consists of crossing the street, getting on the sidewalk, and glancing down the path ahead of me. I frowned when I realized it was garbage day and that I would have to maneuver around the garbage cans and recycle bins set on the sidewalks awaiting the garbage truck's arrival. Oh well, I had my book with me and knew that once I started reading while I walked I would get lost in the story line and not even notice these distractions.
(Okay, before you judge or think you read that wrong. YES, I read while I walk. And NO it isn't as dangerous as it sounds, even for me. I find it far safer then texting at sixty miles an hour while driving a vehicle that could easily cause the death of others if not operated attentively. And NO I do NOT text while driving that is merely an example that I think others can relate to.)
Back to my walk. I made it about one block when I had to close the book. It started to drizzle. While reading and walking isn't overly challenging for me, reading while the book is getting wet is. Disappointed and not in the mood to listen to my music I just walked. As I did I started to realize what an incredibly beautiful morning it was. The rain that came down in buckets the day before had completely cleaned every leaf and flower of any Kansas dust that had been covering it. The grayness of the morning disappeared as I saw the crispness of the yellow flowers, the thousands of different shades of green in the trees and grass, the deep purple flowers that I never noticed before, and heard the joyous chirping of birds rinsing themselves off in the myriad of puddles available to them.
My thoughts turned to my Lord who created all I see. Who brought beauty through His creation to an otherwise gloomy morning. By now, the drizzle had turned to a steady light rain. Very fine but steady. It was so soft I could barely feel it hit my face and arms as I just stood there, face up, arms stretched out, and let it cover me with what one could only describe as peace.
As I continued my walk I scanned the scenery taking in every detail my eyes and brain could process. I happened upon a very large evergreen tree with long pine needles. The needles went out from the branches in every direction and on the end of each individual needle was a droplet of water. The clouds had gotten lighter and each droplet was reflecting back the whiteness from the clouds. The beautiful dark green giant looked like it had thousands of tiny white pearls placed with loving care on the end of each needle. I marveled at this treasure before moving on.
Other trees that decorate the path I walked were so spectacular to see. The bark was dark because of the rain and that made the green, shiny leaves stand out even more. HD TV could not even begin to compete with the vivid colors of nature this morning. WOW!
I rounded the last corner that would bring me back to my humble little house on a quiet corner lot. I reflected back on all I had seen this morning and tears of complete humbleness gently flowed from eyes. "Thank you God" is all I could think. So happy I didn't let that first thought of not taking my walk today because of the weather be my driving force this morning. So happy that I was completely proven wrong that only on a sunny day will I see nature's full beauty. This morning was truly the most incredibly beautiful morning of any walk I can remember. It will forever be in my memories for me to pull up and reflect on when I'm in need of a ten minute mental mini vacation.
I had at one point on this walk turned on my music. The radio station played a song by Audio Adrenaline called "Ocean's Floor". A great reminder how God removes our sins from us and chooses to see them no more. I walked this same path many times and had no idea what vivid bright colors existed because of the Kansas dust that seems to cover everything causing it to be duller than how God had made it. Then HE opened the skies and let His rain clean every leaf, flower, and blade of grass that I could see. Not only clean them but decorated them with sweet tiny droplets of water that looked like priceless, flawless pearls. This is the picture God has for you and me. Our choices in life that lead to sin dull who we were created to be. They dull our view of ourselves and they dull how others see us. They limit our ability to shine His light so others can truly see who He is. But when we confess our sins and let God wash them away, then and only then, will we be adorned with the beauty that brings God the honor and glory He deserves.
Forgive me Lord. Wash my sins away. Love me Lord. This is what I pray. Amen!
May 1, 2010
At rest in Grandma's arms
Recently my 16 month old grandson came in town with his parents to visit. (Interesting, I just noticed that I have demoted my son and daughter-in-law to "his parents". Must be what happens when God introduces grandchildren into your life.)
I thought that after having lived over five decades I had at one time or another experienced every kind and level of love imaginable to mankind. I had no idea that there was yet another level of love to experience and feel and that it would come in such a little package as a grandchild.
It is hard being a grandparent of a child that lives far away. Especially when he is this young and every day is a new adventure and holds so many new things to learn. You wonder, what does he remember from having met us so many months ago? Will he know us? Will we need to wait a few days until he warms up to us before he will feel comfortable? Will he just get to know us and then it is time to get back on a plane and go home? Will he forget who we are when he gets back home? Yes, it is hard.
But this wonderful bundle of joy wrapped up in a little boy is so precious that all those questions and fears disappear the minute we see him. Nothing else really matters in that moment. It is enough to just take in each facial expression, each look of wonder when he sees something new.
One afternoon we are at a restaurant and my grandson agrees to let me hold him on my lap. I watched as he looked back at momma to make sure it was okay and to just be assured she was still there. He trusts grandma because he knows his momma trusts her. His whole world is centered on his parents. Where are they? Are they watching how cute I am? He makes sure that he knows where to look just so he can see they are still close by.
After a little while he has turned and is resting his tired head on my chest. I can tell by how his arms go limp that he has fallen asleep in my arms. It is in that moment that I am sure life doesn't get any better than this. It is in that moment that if God were to take me home, I would go knowing I had experienced all that is good in this world. It is in that moment, when it is well with my soul, that I would slow down time if I could to make it last just a little bit longer.
I can still feel that moment in my heart. I have pondered all the emotions tied to the memory since it happened. It is such a beautiful example of how our Heavenly Father wants us to feel in His arms. Content. Perfect abandonment of all we know and all that is around us. Total and unconditional trust.
We get so busy being and doing that we forget to rest in the arms of our Father. We don't take that time or make it a priority. How sad. I wonder what we are missing. I wonder if God's heart aches for those moments.
My grandson woke from his short nap and immediately looked for his mother. Refreshed and renewed, he was ready for what adventures were in store next. He was done being in this restaurant and desired to go outside and explore. We eagerly followed his wishes.
Psalm 131:2
Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me.
Have you ever considered why the "weaned child" is the word picture we are given in this verse? An unweaned child/baby, while very precious, will go to his mother for nourishment. For a reason of need and provision. To put it simply, the baby has purely selfish motives. The weaned child, rests against his mother with contentment. No demands on her for food. Just seeking comfort and safety. The desire (not the demand) is one for love.
As I remember my grandson resting in my arms I pray that I have those moments with my God. Moments where I just abandon my own motives for going to Him. Moments when I don't go expecting something in return. Moments were I just rest, and know He is God.
I thought that after having lived over five decades I had at one time or another experienced every kind and level of love imaginable to mankind. I had no idea that there was yet another level of love to experience and feel and that it would come in such a little package as a grandchild.
It is hard being a grandparent of a child that lives far away. Especially when he is this young and every day is a new adventure and holds so many new things to learn. You wonder, what does he remember from having met us so many months ago? Will he know us? Will we need to wait a few days until he warms up to us before he will feel comfortable? Will he just get to know us and then it is time to get back on a plane and go home? Will he forget who we are when he gets back home? Yes, it is hard.
But this wonderful bundle of joy wrapped up in a little boy is so precious that all those questions and fears disappear the minute we see him. Nothing else really matters in that moment. It is enough to just take in each facial expression, each look of wonder when he sees something new.
One afternoon we are at a restaurant and my grandson agrees to let me hold him on my lap. I watched as he looked back at momma to make sure it was okay and to just be assured she was still there. He trusts grandma because he knows his momma trusts her. His whole world is centered on his parents. Where are they? Are they watching how cute I am? He makes sure that he knows where to look just so he can see they are still close by.
After a little while he has turned and is resting his tired head on my chest. I can tell by how his arms go limp that he has fallen asleep in my arms. It is in that moment that I am sure life doesn't get any better than this. It is in that moment that if God were to take me home, I would go knowing I had experienced all that is good in this world. It is in that moment, when it is well with my soul, that I would slow down time if I could to make it last just a little bit longer.
I can still feel that moment in my heart. I have pondered all the emotions tied to the memory since it happened. It is such a beautiful example of how our Heavenly Father wants us to feel in His arms. Content. Perfect abandonment of all we know and all that is around us. Total and unconditional trust.
We get so busy being and doing that we forget to rest in the arms of our Father. We don't take that time or make it a priority. How sad. I wonder what we are missing. I wonder if God's heart aches for those moments.
My grandson woke from his short nap and immediately looked for his mother. Refreshed and renewed, he was ready for what adventures were in store next. He was done being in this restaurant and desired to go outside and explore. We eagerly followed his wishes.
Psalm 131:2
Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me.
Have you ever considered why the "weaned child" is the word picture we are given in this verse? An unweaned child/baby, while very precious, will go to his mother for nourishment. For a reason of need and provision. To put it simply, the baby has purely selfish motives. The weaned child, rests against his mother with contentment. No demands on her for food. Just seeking comfort and safety. The desire (not the demand) is one for love.
As I remember my grandson resting in my arms I pray that I have those moments with my God. Moments where I just abandon my own motives for going to Him. Moments when I don't go expecting something in return. Moments were I just rest, and know He is God.
April 15, 2010
Putting God First - Taxes
Matthew 17:25-27
After they had returned home, Jesus went up to Peter and asked him, "Simon, what do you think? Do the kings of this earth collect taxes and fees from their own people or from foreigners?" Peter answered, "From foreigners."
Jesus replied, "Then their own people don't have to pay. But we don't want to cause trouble. So go cast a line into the lake and pull out the first fish you hook. Open its mouth, and you will find a coin. Use it to pay your taxes and mine."
Isn’t this interesting? I often wonder what it was like to follow Jesus while He was here on earth. How often did the disciples think to themselves, “Is He nuts?”
I mean really. Go fishing, open the mouth of the first fish you hook, there will be a coin in it. It had to either take a lot of faith on Peter’s part to follow this instruction or he just loved and respected Jesus so much that no matter how weird the request sounded, Peter did what he was asked. Either way I am in awe.
If it had been me, I imagine I would have had to ask Jesus all kinds of questions first. And if I did as instructed I would have had the attitude of “whatever”. I would do it but most likely wouldn’t expect to even catch a fish; let alone one with a coin in its mouth.
Jesus often did this didn’t He? God often gave instructions that seemed, well…a bit odd.
• Feed thousands with just a few fish and a few loaves of bread.
• Go ahead of Me and tell them to give you the donkey and its colt.
• Destroy a fortified city with a large army by walking around it making a bunch of noise.
• “I will make you fishers of men.” (Did they even know what that meant?)
What is God asking of you today? Does it seem impossible or improbable?
In the verses above, what was the lesson for Peter? Was it to pay taxes even if they might not be required? Was it to not cause trouble? Was it to look for coins in the mouth of fishes? Or maybe, it didn’t have anything to do with taxes. Maybe, just maybe, Jesus used it to teach Peter something else. Something about who He was.
I see in this section of scripture a God who is wise and gentle. Teaching and instructing with lessons that will be remembered for years. I know I certainly would never forget pulling a coin out of a fish’s mouth to pay my taxes. I see a God who doesn’t use conventional methods to accomplish His will. I see in this lesson that I need to be ready for “WHATEVER” God asks of me, even if it seems odd. Expect God to do great things. He has in the past, He is right now, and He will be in the future!
After they had returned home, Jesus went up to Peter and asked him, "Simon, what do you think? Do the kings of this earth collect taxes and fees from their own people or from foreigners?" Peter answered, "From foreigners."
Jesus replied, "Then their own people don't have to pay. But we don't want to cause trouble. So go cast a line into the lake and pull out the first fish you hook. Open its mouth, and you will find a coin. Use it to pay your taxes and mine."
Isn’t this interesting? I often wonder what it was like to follow Jesus while He was here on earth. How often did the disciples think to themselves, “Is He nuts?”
I mean really. Go fishing, open the mouth of the first fish you hook, there will be a coin in it. It had to either take a lot of faith on Peter’s part to follow this instruction or he just loved and respected Jesus so much that no matter how weird the request sounded, Peter did what he was asked. Either way I am in awe.
If it had been me, I imagine I would have had to ask Jesus all kinds of questions first. And if I did as instructed I would have had the attitude of “whatever”. I would do it but most likely wouldn’t expect to even catch a fish; let alone one with a coin in its mouth.
Jesus often did this didn’t He? God often gave instructions that seemed, well…a bit odd.
• Feed thousands with just a few fish and a few loaves of bread.
• Go ahead of Me and tell them to give you the donkey and its colt.
• Destroy a fortified city with a large army by walking around it making a bunch of noise.
• “I will make you fishers of men.” (Did they even know what that meant?)
What is God asking of you today? Does it seem impossible or improbable?
In the verses above, what was the lesson for Peter? Was it to pay taxes even if they might not be required? Was it to not cause trouble? Was it to look for coins in the mouth of fishes? Or maybe, it didn’t have anything to do with taxes. Maybe, just maybe, Jesus used it to teach Peter something else. Something about who He was.
I see in this section of scripture a God who is wise and gentle. Teaching and instructing with lessons that will be remembered for years. I know I certainly would never forget pulling a coin out of a fish’s mouth to pay my taxes. I see a God who doesn’t use conventional methods to accomplish His will. I see in this lesson that I need to be ready for “WHATEVER” God asks of me, even if it seems odd. Expect God to do great things. He has in the past, He is right now, and He will be in the future!
April 4, 2010
Victory (Easter 2010)
He died so that you could live
What more do you need Him to give?
.
He came to earth just to die
Many still question "Why?"
.
Love held Him to that cursed tree
Now He asks..."Are you free?"
.
He died to bring you new life
No more sorrow, no more strife.
.
But what is it that He asks?
What can you give and not take back?
.
Give your heart and you will see
He wants you in eternity
.
God, then man and God again
Where His life ends, yours begins
.
The grave is empty, the battle won
Christ paid the price, "It is done."
.
March 28, 2010
Palm Sunday - the year of our LORD
.
"Who is he? What's happening?" was the little girl's plea.
"It's him! It's Jesus!" her mother replied with great glee.
"The Messiah, our Savior, God's promise fulfilled!
He has come. He is here. In the way God had willed."
The little girl much too small to see through the crowd.
Asked others to lift her, no one heard, it was loud.
She worked through legs that were blocking her path.
Now in front of the others she didn't look back.
.
The praises she heard kept her heart from all fear.
The crowd was excited this man was now here.
Not knowing for sure what all this might mean.
She would never forget that wonderful scene.
.
February 12, 2010
February 10, 2010
Getting ready for Chinese New Year
Chinese Almond Cookies - in the oven
Now out of oven and looking good!
Chinese New Year Cookies! YUM!
January 18, 2010
Two go in, one comes out
Artist: John Hendrix - http://johnhendrix.com/
Two go in, one comes out.
(Written by: Barb Gosa)
The dark hall seemed endless as she followed it out.
What now? What now? She wanted to shout.
Her head hung low, tears ran down her face.
The one thing on her mind was just to escape.
The dark hall seemed endless as she followed it out.
What now? What now? She wanted to shout.
Her head hung low, tears ran down her face.
The one thing on her mind was just to escape.
But she followed the others, held by fear, held by lies.
The lie “this will fix it”, was the counselor’s cry.
“Just minutes, it’s over” is one that visits her yet.
Dreams cast with memories she tries to forget.
Never over; that past; that pain just won’t leave.
Regrets fill the tapestry of life she now weaves.
Abortion. The promise was one of pregnancy ended.
That promise fulfilled creates another unsaid.
The moment the baby died in her womb.
That moment she felt enclosed in a tomb.
Silent prison, private grave, of anguish and pain.
Mother of a dead child that day she became.
Silent prison, private grave, of anguish and pain.
Mother of a dead child that day she became.
Deceived by the lie “abortion’s the answer”.
Abortion, it covers her soul like a cancer.
Always there, ever growing, darkening her heart.
If only she’d listened back at the start…
Outside the clinic she saw a man standing that day.
Held a sign, said no words, just stood there and prayed.
She remembers thinking, “What is that all about?”
The sign simply read, “Two go in, one comes out.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)