A Simple Reminder

Getting the kids to school on time can sometimes be a challenge!  On one recent morning, we made it out of the house on time, but my daughter discovered that she had forgotten her coat.  She has been fighting a head cold recently, so I decided to bring her coat out to the school a couple of hours later during her first recess.  She was in the gym, so I just placed her coat on the back of her seat and had a short conversation with her teacher.  When I turned around to leave, she was standing behind me.  Her question was one I didn’t expect…

“Why do you think about me so much?”

She then added, “I’m ten years old, Mom!  I can handle being a little cold during recess!”

I responded with the following words, “Well, I think about you all the time because I love you!  I know that you have been fighting a cold lately, and I just wanted to bring a jacket out to you so that you would be a little more comfortable.”

She thanked me, and we said our goodbyes as she ran back to the gym.  As I pulled out of the parking lot, it struck me how much I am like her sometimes in my relationship with the Lord.  Life has big events…situations when we know we are in over our heads and we seek Him for direction, wisdom, comfort, and peace.  Life is also full of “little things” … those situations that we encounter every day that seem fairly insignificant and easy to manage.  Oh how easy it is to get lulled into thinking that we can handle “the little things” on our own.

My encounter with her that morning was a simple reminder of the nature and character of our Heavenly Father.  His children are always on His mind, and He lovingly meets each and every need.  It also reminded me that I need to rely on Him daily…even in the little things. 

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.”  (Jeremiah 31:3)

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:5)

One By One

1151.  Sitting next to my friend M during worship

1152.  Being an adviser for the yearbook

1153.  That my "techie" husband solved my computer woes...

1154.  ...and did so with incredible patience (with me and the computer)!

1155.  Blankets of snow...

1156.  ...and the hush it brings to the world

1157.  Impromptu lunch with a friend

1158.  Eating DQ Blizzards in a snow storm!

1159.  Trees full of plump, red-breasted robins

1160.  Being snowed in...

1161.  ...which meant more family time together

1162.  That we only lost power for a minute

1163.  Watching the Olympics with the family

1164.  Breaking in my new popcorn popper!

1165.  Finding the lid to my favorite casserole dish that got 'lost' in the move six months ago!

One By One

1131.  Christmas 2013

1132.  Sampling my brother's cooking for the first time (yum!)

1133.  The first day in six weeks she said she didn't have a headache from her concussion

1134.  Playing Scotland Yard with friends on New Year's Eve

1135.  Making a special breakfast New Year's Day

1136.  When my pastor put his arm around my son and said, "Come with me, I need your help."

1137.  Little lambs with their heads poking out of the tall grass

1138.  Being a guest speaker at their school chapel

1139.  Mint chocolate chip ice cream with hot fudge sauce

1140.  Reconnecting with my friend Caryn

1141.  That the first Whisperings All-Star Award show was a success

1142.  Sitting on a sea wall in the sunshine, talking with my husband

1143.  Wandering around Laguna Beach, espresso in hand

1144.  Watching the sunset on a deserted beach with my husband

1145.  When she asked her Grandpa if he could make blueberry pancakes...

1146.  ...and he made it seem like a great idea (even though it was already on the menu)

1147.  That she's learning at a young age the importance of keeping your word...

1148.  ...even under intense peer pressure

1149.  Watching my son play a piece written by his father...

1150.  ...and that he did a beautiful job!

Five Minute Friday: Hero

We live in a society that loves recognition.  People love to be named and noticed for the great things they achieve or accomplish.  From a very young age, we are exposed to the concept of a “super hero,” where a man of courage stands atop a tall building in a darkened city, cape flapping in the breeze, ready to fight evil at a moment’s notice.  We are drawn to stories of men and women who selflessly risk it all to pull someone from a mangled car or a burning building.  I admire these people and hope that I would act the same way if the situation presented itself.

As I grow older though, I am finding that my definition of a hero is changing.  For me, heroes are everyday people who live out their faith.  They are humble in spirit, tend to shun the spotlight, and don’t waste time with pretenses.  They make mistakes, but they are not afraid to admit to them, and endeavor to learn from them.  They are people of integrity.  They stand for righteousness, even at the risk of great personal loss.  They praise the Lord and see His goodness, even in the midst of cancer treatment.  When life deals a heavy blow and the battle is raging around them, they get up every single day and see it as a day full of His mercies and covered in grace. 

These are my “caped crusaders.”  I am blessed to be surrounded by such people in my life.  As I walk through life with them, I aspire to learn from them what it means to “live out loud” as we seek Christ together.


            

One By One

1116.  A next-day appointment with the specialist

1117.  Being awakened at 5:56 a.m. with an excited whisper..."Mom!!!"

1118.  Holding her hand as we tiptoe downstairs to look out the window

1119.  Snow on the valley floor!

1120.  Going back to bed knowing we can sleep in (no school!)

1121.  The kids' "No School Because of Snow" dance!

1122.  Hot chocolate with extra marshmallows

1123.  Eaves lined with icicles

1124.  Choosing just the right Christmas tree

1125.  Watching the children decorate the tree

1126.  Going outside in sub-zero weather, just to feel what that is like!

1127.  A toasty warm house to retreat to!!!

1128.  That our pipes didn't freeze

1129.  Beautiful sunsets several days in a row

1130.  Walking together in the snow

One by One

1101.  Discipleship night with my daughter

1102.  Hearing my husband create new pieces

1103.  Getting in and out of the after-hours clinic so fast

1104.  Laughter around the dinner table

1105.  Her recent interest in cooking

1106.  Her willing compliance with activity restrictions due to her concussion

1107.  The two hot side dishes she made for Thanksgiving

1108.  Thanksgiving 2013

1109.  My new counter top roaster oven

1110.  That she still catches frogs...

1111.  ...and names them (Phineas)...

1112.  ...and then releases them

1113.  Slow but steady recovery from her concussion

1114.  Coffee and a recipe exchange with my friend

1115.  Peppermint Mocha scented candles

On the Journey

During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, I always enjoy the traditional decorations that appear, whether it be in the community or in my daughter’s backpack in the form of a craft project.  The cornucopia reminds me of the abundant blessings in my life, both tangible and intangible.  I live in a free country, there is food in the pantry, a roof over my head, and I am in good health.  The turkey, the main centerpiece of the meal, reminds me of the blessing of fellowship.  I’m thankful for all of the wonderful people in my life, both family and friends, that live with me, laugh and cry with me, and pray with me.

It would be challenging to get through a Thanksgiving season without giving pause to remember the pilgrims and the history of how our great nation was formed.  I listened to a pod cast series by Matt Hannan this summer on the Songs of Ascent.  The Songs of Ascent are Psalm 120 through Psalm 134.  These songs were sung on mandatory pilgrimages to Jerusalem each year.  As the travelers walked toward Jerusalem, they would sing songs to the Lord and remember that He delivered them from Egypt, led them through the wilderness to the Promised Land, and dwelt with them in the Tabernacle.

Pastor Hannan mentioned something that I want to share, as it seems appropriate today.  There is a marked difference between a journey and a trip. 

A pilgrim takes a journey directed by God. 
A journey is done with others, and develops character. 
There is no intent of turning back.

A tourist takes a trip, which is designed by himself. 
A trip usually is done alone and for the purpose of increasing comfort. 
The traveler intends to return home.

The pilgrims who came to America were on a journey.  They sought to remove themselves from the control of the king of England to serve and worship the one, true King in freedom.  History has countless stories of how this journey developed character.  While the road to freedom was brutal at times, and even fatal for some, it was something that they were committed to and had no intention of returning from whence they came.  With the hardships came immense blessings, and the Lord was with them through it all.

Where are you in your walk of faith?  Do you consider your walk with the Lord through the lens of a pilgrim or a tourist?  Do you see the Christian life as a journey or a trip?  Jesus said in Mark 8:34, “And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”  Jesus calls us to journey with Him (directed by God).  A life in Christ will develop character.  Upon salvation, we become a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).  Our old sinful ways should be left behind as we pursue righteousness and His will for our lives.  As the old hymn says, if we have decided to follow Jesus, there is no turning back. 

On this blessed Thanksgiving day, let us remember that we are aliens in a foreign land, journeying toward our eternal home.  We need to be about the business of our Father in heaven.  Connect with fellow travelers, pray with them, encourage them, give thanks for them!