Tuesdays Unwrapped

I'm linking with Emily at Chatting with the Sky for her Tuesdays Unwrapped series. It is about finding and opening a gift in the midst of an ordinary day.
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As I stood at the sink, hands immersed in hot soapy water, I absent-mindedly watched her rake the leaves. I was proud of her for noticing that it needed to be done and taking it upon herself to help out where she could. I was mentally preoccupied with my "to do" list when I noticed that she had disappeared into the shed.

I continued to wash and rinse, wash and rinse.

She reappeared with her bright red sled and a roll of masking tape.

My hands stopped.

Sensing something special, I quickly dried my hands and grabbed the camera. I quietly slipped out of the back patio door and began to observe.

She had been raking for some time, and had come up with a creative idea to make the work easier.

I watched as she tried over and over again to secure the rake to the sled with the masking tape. She would test out her new contraption, and when the rake would separate from the sled, she would try re-taping it again. She never appeared frustrated with the failure of each test run, only intent and content on seeing if her idea would work.

After many failed attempts, she gave up and began raking again.

A huge flock of geese flew overhead, honking loudly.

Her face turned toward the sky...

...the rake dropped, and she was off....
arms flapping...
face full of joy...
feeling the wind in her hair...
enjoying the chase...

It is all too easy for me to get bogged down with schedules, to-do lists, and responsibilities. What a refreshing gift it was to observe my sweet girl just being who God created her to be and living in the moment.

She did finish raking the leaves, and look at all of the fun, creativity, and joy that she experienced in the process!

One Thousand Gifts

46. Shafts of morning sunlight.

47. Piles of pumpkins.

48. The rat-a-tat of rain pelting the window.

49. Those quick "I love you, Mom's."

50. Sunset clouds rimmed in fiery salmon pink.

51. The flag rippling in the breeze.

52. Gold leaves against an October blue sky.

53. Friendly service with a smile.

54. Pumpkin spice lattes.

55. Our competent and compassionate dentist.

56. Tree-lined streets.

57. The scratchy sound of skittering leaves.

58. The stars at twilight.

59. Thick, misty fog.

60. Hundreds of geese flying overhead (I actually pulled the car over and watched them because it was such an incredible sight!)

Five Minute Friday: Grateful

Grateful.

I’m tempted to start writing a list of all the things I’m grateful for, but when I think about it, what I’m most grateful for is the breath that I breathe so that I can experience the abundance of blessings that He grants to me each and every day. I’m grateful for life, both in the now and the eternal that is yet to come. Each breath that I draw is a reminder of His love, His mercy, and his overflowing extravagant grace.

Grace and Mercy.

I have been working through a lot in my inner world lately, and right now I’ve been experiencing a new and fresh understanding of God’s amazing grace.

It’s overwhelming and the tears flow…

His grace flows…

And I’m grateful…

So very grateful.

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! These are some of the verses that I am dwelling on today.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the Truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." (John 14:6)

Now may the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which he carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident Access through faith in Him. (Ephesians 3:11-12)

But as for me, the Nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works. (Psalm 73:28)

Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. (Psalm 24:8)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3)

The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and Upright is He. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have th elight of life." (John 8:12)

May you and your family be blessed on this day of Thanksgiving.

Extravagance

Extravagant, adj. 1. spending much more than is necessary or wise. 2. exceeding the bounds of reason or moderation; excessive.

There is a song that I love by Casting Crowns called "Your Love is Extravagant." As I was running around town preparing for Thanksgiving, I was listening to the CD with this song on it, and it got me thinking. I don't know how it is at your house, but at mine, dinner is not an "event." If I haven't gotten to the pile of dishes in the sink, we use paper plates. I don't transfer the chicken nuggets from the cookie sheet to a platter...the cookie sheet goes on the table, nuggets and all. Milk is poured from the jug, not a special crystal pitcher. It is a red-letter day if the dinner menu has representations from the five food groups!

A Thanksgiving meal is different. By comparison, it is extravagant. We have a fall tablecloth spread over the table. Often, we will bring out the china and silver. We have a main course, several hot and cold side dishes, a relish tray, rolls, sparkling cider, and dessert. Candles are lit. It isn't just another meal, it is an extravagant feast!

This is the kind of love that Jesus has for us on a daily basis! Think about that! His love for us is abundant, special, over-the-top, lavish! We see an example of extravagant love in Mary, who poured an entire bottle of expensive perfume (worth a year's wages) on Jesus' feet and washed them with her hair. I would definitely define that as a demonstration of extravagant love! What kind of love do we have for Him? Is it a cookie sheet love or a Thanksgiving feast sort of love? That is a sobering thought for me, mainly because an honest answer means that I must admit that I'm lacking in this department.

This season, I am grateful for so many things. I am thankful for my loving husband, my beautiful, healthy children and a circle of family and friends that I can't imagine life without. Most importantly, I am thankful for the extravagant love of my Savior!

One Thousand Gifts

31. The cool mist of a waterfall.

32. A lone crane skimming the waters.

33. The simple, symmetrical lines of a praying mantis.

34. Clinking ice cubes in a tall glass of cold lemonade.

35. A lone pine tree standing tall in a meadow.

36. The rich sweet smell of soil and hay warmed by the summer sun.

37. Freckles bridging her nose.

38. Silly games of telephone.

39. Warm summer breezes.

40. Sun-sparkled lakes.

41. Her eyes, earnest and blue.

42. Burnt orange moon.

43. His reassuring hug.

44. Prayers over the phone.

45. Dramatic skies.

Five Minute Friday: Grow

I recently discovered a blog called The Gypsy Mama (http://thegypsymama.com/) where she encourages her readers to write for five minutes on a certain topic every Friday...no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. I thought I'd give it a whirl this week. The subject is "Grow."

GO.

Grow.
Growth.
Stretching.
Sometimes painful.

He's growing up. It seems like just yesterday I held him in my arms and rocked him to sleep. I have been there through it all...long nights, hospital stays, first steps, boo boos and band-aids, celebrating accomplishments, encouraging him in the rough times, teaching him how to read, teaching him about Jesus.

This year is a transition year, for him and for me. In September he began to attend a private school. I prepared myself for that day, and did pretty well with watching him walk to his classroom with a brand new notebook, freshly sharpened pencils, and a really cool backpack. We were both excited about this new stage in his life.

What I wasn't prepared for was not knowing what he does all day. Having homeschooled him from the beginning, I was so used to knowing everything about his school work and activities each day that it was kind of strange to receive this information in one line snippets through a student planner that I had to sign off on each day. It was a strange feeling, the not knowing. It was a stark realization that I am now at the point in motherhood where I need to begin the process of letting go.

That's painful.
...but it brings joy.
I want him to grow.
He is becoming a wonderful young man who loves the Lord.
I am blessed to be a part of the process of watching him spread his wings and fly.


STOP

Come join the fun!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

A friend of mine shared this recipe with me, and it quickly turned out to be a family favorite. I made a big batch yesterday!

1 C butter, softened (orig. calls for 1 1/4 C, but I use 1 and it's fine)
3/4 C brown sugar
1/2 C sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 C flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 C quick oats
1 1/2 C chocolate chips
3/4 C nuts (optional)

Cream butter and sugars. Mix in egg and vanilla. In separate bowl mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix into wet ingredients. Add quick oats one cup at a time. Add chocolate chips. Bake at 375 for 9-11 minutes.

Transparency

As I was going through our pictures from this past summer, I came across this one from a hike that we took in August. I have always been fascinated by dragonflies, and was delighted when I was able to observe this one so closely. I'm drawn to the the beauty of its wings. They are so intricately designed, delicate and transparent that I can't help but marvel at how they can carry such a huge and oddly shaped body with such speed and agility. Just the beauty of this little creature alone is a testament to our amazing Creator!

Observing this dragonfly reminded me that I need to be transparent as I live my life for Christ. As we live our temporary life on earth, we encounter trials. Life sometimes leaves us bruised and hurt, and often we cope with this by putting up masks and walls to protect ourselves. If we don't surrender our hurts and hearts to the Lord and allow him to work in our lives, the mask-wearing and wall-building approach simply leaves us exhausted and broken. We have all observed people going through extreme trials. We notice when people in the depths of the darkest trials imaginable have unexplainable peace and joy. We clearly see the pain and suffering, yet their genuine response is ongoing joy and peace. The definition of transparency is: allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be easily seen. When people who love the Lord allow others to see the pain or hardship, and the process of moving through it...when they are transparent, they are allowing the world to see Christ at work in their lives. This opens up opportunities to witness and minister to others, both believers and unbelievers.

When I first discovered this dragonfly, it was sitting on a rock. Before I could get my camera out it darted over to a log. Either one is symbolic.

The dragonfly was resting on the rock and the rock could be seen through its wings.
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." (Psalm 18:2-3)

The dragonfly is resting on the wood which can be a symbol of the cross, and the wood can be seen through its wings.
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Even though they are delicate, those transparent wings are incredibly strong.
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Transparency in trials allows others to observe the source of our strength and the beauty of the Lord at work in our lives. When our response to pain and suffering is radically different than the world's response, it displays a compelling picture of what it means to have an active and intimate relationship with the God of all creation. People are drawn in, and He receives all the glory.

One Thousand Gifts

16. A vivid rainbow arching promise over my afternoon.

17. A yellow ribbon of daffodils, stretching along five and a half miles of country road.

18. "Welcome home, Mom!" posters

19. Barren branches silhouetted like black coral against a pastel winter sunset.

20. The moon - marbled pearl in a black velvet sky.

21. Raindrops - disappearing craters on my window.

22. Sleep sounds of my children.

23. Cool spring breezes.

24. Quiet conversations about the Lord.

25. New friendships.

26. Red and yellow tulips in my kitchen window.

27. Shimmering, transparent wings of a dragonfly.

28. Moss-draped trees.

29. Wild huckleberries.

30. Seven bands of color slicing through a stormy gray sky.

Gettysburg - Part II

After viewing the introductory film, we were ushered into a circular room to view the cyclorama. A cyclorama was a popular form of entertainment in the 1800's. It was a large oil painting on canvas that usually depicted epic events. The "Battle of Gettysburg" cyclorama is 359 feet long and 27 feet high and depicts the final day of battle on July 3, 1863. Some scenery such as grasses, shrubs, and cannons has been added around the base of the picture to give it a 3-D effect.

Viewing the cyclorama is a multi-sensory experience. As the story is told, you are standing in the middle of the room completely surrounded by the painting. It literally feels as if you are in the middle of the action. You ponder the chaos of war around you -- burning homes, staggering horses, fallen soldiers. You hear cannons meet their mark and feel the booming vibrations in your feet and feel the thud in your chest. Bright flashes behind the painting direct your attention to a new hit. It is a sobering experience.

Scripture tells us that living a life of faith is to experience a spiritual battle. "Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:11-12) We may endure harsh words that cut like a bayonette, or feel the searing strike of betrayal. Perhaps we struggle with fear or depression that feels like a dull and constant roar of chaos in the back of our minds -- seemingly ever-present and never-ending. Remember that Jesus endured harsh words and betrayal. He felt emotions like grief and anger. He endured the cross so that those who believe could have eternal life. He understands our pain. "In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." (Heb. 5:7-8)

Throughout His life and ministry on earth, Jesus never lost His focus. He was here to do the will of His Father. We need to be accomplishing His will in our lives. "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb. 12:1-2) Come alongside those who are staggering and struggling on the battlefield of life and encourage them. Pray for them and with them. Remember that we are a witness for our Savior. We must teach our children what it means to be a soldier of Christ.

As the cyclorama presentation closed, the narrator read a quote by Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain that I found powerful and worthy of consideration:

"In great deeds, something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate the ground for the vision-place of souls. Generations that know us not and that we know not of, [are] heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them..."

Paul instructs Timothy to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called..." (1 Tim. 6:11-12)

When future generations hear your life story, what will your legacy look like?
Will they see a life of faith and obedience?
Will they see Jesus?

Gettysburg - Part I

My husband and I recently had the opportunity to visit Gettysburg National Military Park. Before touring the battlefield, we watched the movie in the Visitor's Center to get a brief reminder of this time in U.S. history. The country was embroiled in civil war. One of the main issues dealt with freedom of the slaves. The unity of the country hung in the balance. The film was narrated by Morgan Freeman, and near the end he said, "Freedom, like power, will always be contested."

This was a reminder to me that this is true for the spiritual life as well. We see in Isaiah 14:13-14 where Satan challenges God. "But you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the most High." God's response to this brazen statement is to cast him out of heaven. From the very beginning of time we see Satan asserting and inserting himself in situations where he can create confusion, cause doubt, grasp for power, and try to bind us up in the grip of sin. In the Garden of Eden, he creates doubt in Eve's mind about God's instructions and the consequences of eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. She chooses to disobey God's instructions, sin enters the world, and humanity becomes enslaved to sin.

We must remember that we have freedom in Christ. Galatians 5:1 says, "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Christ died and rose again so that we could be forgiven of our sins and live a life of freedom in Him. In verses 7-9, Paul says, "You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough." Satan wants nothing more than to hinder and bind up the believer as we run the race for Christ. Sin, if left unchecked, can permeate throughout our lives spreading destruction and binding us up with pain and guilt. Sin is a hindrance to a life of freedom. In verse 13 Paul says, "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

We should not be surprised by Satan's constant attacks on our freedom in Christ. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that this is the enemy's very nature, and has been since the beginning of time. In this same verse, Jesus also tells us why He came, and what His desire is for His children...

"The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

"Walk by the Spirit..." (Galatians 5:16)
"Press on toward the goal..." (Philippians 3:14)
"Walk in the newness of life." (Romans 6:4)

Be free
Run well
Live abundantly!

One Thousand Gifts

(I started this list earlier this year, but haven't gotten around to posting these until now. It is my intention to post my list every Monday, so these first few weeks will be somewhat dated...)

1. My son's eyes pausing to look up and gaze at the night sky.

2. The smell of damp soil in the breeze.

3. Sunlit birch branches scratching a charcoal sky.

4. Pink cheeks flush with excitement.

5. Husband and daughter skating hand in hand.

6. Family game nights full of laughter.

7. Eyes twinkling with mischief...

8. A flock of swans resting on rippling waters.

9. Husband and son playing duets on the piano.

10. Quiet time with You.

11. A quiet meal alone.

12. Delicate pansies clothed in regal purple and vibrant yellow.

13. Bread fresh from the oven -- warm, soft, crusty.

14. Tastebuds.

15. Distant blue mountains, covered in patchwork snow blankets.