(Finally, FINALLY! an opportunity to sit and write! YES!)
So many blog stories are collecting in my head, and funny, it's THIS one that demands to be written. It is the newest, the scene witnessed only hours ago...
It's a work day, and I am in the cafeteria, standing in line, waiting to order some breakfast. I notice a toddler and her big brother - himself probably five - walking hand in hand. My Mom-radar goes off, and I watch to be sure they are walking with a purpose TOWARD an adult they know and not searching for one.
Then I see her (phew), not far off, and I hear her ask the oldest, "Did you take her?" He nods. Then to the younger, she asks "Did you tee-tee?" I can barely hold back my grin and I look away as the young girl nods. Her mother nods too.
And then I hear it.
"Yaaaaaaaay!"
It's not the mother - it's the girl. I look back. She is smiling from ear to ear and clapping her hands. Joy.
I smile and wonder.... It's not that I want applause, or exuberant joy every time I use the bathroom, BUT...
I think about the process. At first it's amazing and wonderful, and we celebrate. And then, it becomes common place - OR we are taught that it is no longer a reason to celebrate. Either way, we begin to take it for granted - or worse yet, stifle the Joy.
I watch the children at church, running, dancing and spinning, laughing - and I wonder when and why, as we become "grown-up"s, we lose that. It becomes, somehow, "not appropriate".
But you know none of it is a guarantee. This day, this breath, or the next. None of it. I wonder how many things I have come to take for granted....
And I wonder, too... if I have been taught to be disconnected from Joy - or at least reign it in... if I can learn to see it again, and express it fully.
To dance in the rain and spin in the falling snow and run with the sun on my face and the wind in my hair. To experience Joy in it's fullest.
Of late, some of my favorite moments have been sitting next to my boy-child, and letting him "swype-text" on my phone. He wiggles his finger around on the screen, across the letter pad, and waits, expectedly, to see what word the dictionary chooses to display. And then, it begins. The giggling.
Uncontrollable giggling - contagious to the point of tears. We laugh as the tears stream down our faces. And, once able to breathe fully, he points his finger out again...
Joy...
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Friday, December 23, 2011
Glory to God in the Highest!
The song I have been listening to most recently - again and again - as I drive, and the chorus and melody that fill my head at other times, has been one that I discovered recently "by accident". It is Glory to God in the Highest, by Downhere. (Take a minute to listen, if you haven't heard it... it's OK, I'll wait... )
As is typical of a New Favorite Song, as it sinks deeper and deeper into my being, not only do I begin to feel it, but I begin to imagine myself within it. I also start "seeing" it - in concept form - as the signs come forth, as if I were interpreting it in American Sign Language.
Now, I am sure it is helpful that most of my driving recently has been through the countryside of rural middle Tennessee. I drive along and see the hillsides. I see the livestock grazing. I know the depth of the darkness that occurs there at night with only the moon and the stars as a source of light.
So, when I hear the guys of Downhere singing of "hillsides of moonlight and shooting stars", I see that. I know that. I remember spending a night on a hillside in Colorado years ago. Nothing but "moonlight and [shooting] stars". Quiet. Peaceful.
And I can imagine the shepherds, sitting there or standing there.... having a regular night at work. What I can't imagine - and honestly get choked up and "chill bumps" every time I think of it - is sitting there, having a regular night at work, and having that darkness of "a crisp blue night" suddenly break "with full day light". No WONDER the angels first words were "Fear not". "Afraid" would not even begin to describe what I imagine I would have felt...
Seriously, "hosts of heaven's angels filling the sky".... I see that as I sign it. It's amazing. Indescribably incredible. Words do not do it justice. There are *not* words - only that deep stillness within. Wow.
So as I drive along, belting out the chorus, "Glory to God in the highest...", I am so grateful. For His birth.... and His death, and His resurrection. For the fact that, for me, Christmas is more than a tree and presents, and time with family. Those are great, don't get me wrong. They are just nothing compared to what else we have been given. "The greatest [gift] of Light"
Luke 2:8-20 ESV
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Glory to God in the Highest ~ Downhere
On hillsides of moonlight and shooting stars,
Shepherds keep the late watch on a crisp blue night,
Suddenly the darkness, breaks with full day light,
With hosts of heavens angels filling the sky.
"Glory to God, in the highest! now here in Bethlehem,
Glory to God in the highest! the Child who will save all men!"
Rushing to the city, sandal slipping cobblestone,
Find they in the great story, for centuries we've now known,
Pouring out with wonder, the shepherds step outside,
and lift worn hands to heaven singing aloud...
"Glory to God, in the highest! now here in Bethlehem,
Glory to God in the highest! the Child who will save all men"
Now until He returns, remember this time;
When least of men where given the greatest of light,
That God chose not to glory in wealth, power, fame..
but with the simple and the small he came.
"Glory to God, in the highest! now here in Bethlehem,
Glory to God in the highest! the Child who will save all men!"
As is typical of a New Favorite Song, as it sinks deeper and deeper into my being, not only do I begin to feel it, but I begin to imagine myself within it. I also start "seeing" it - in concept form - as the signs come forth, as if I were interpreting it in American Sign Language.
Now, I am sure it is helpful that most of my driving recently has been through the countryside of rural middle Tennessee. I drive along and see the hillsides. I see the livestock grazing. I know the depth of the darkness that occurs there at night with only the moon and the stars as a source of light.
So, when I hear the guys of Downhere singing of "hillsides of moonlight and shooting stars", I see that. I know that. I remember spending a night on a hillside in Colorado years ago. Nothing but "moonlight and [shooting] stars". Quiet. Peaceful.
And I can imagine the shepherds, sitting there or standing there.... having a regular night at work. What I can't imagine - and honestly get choked up and "chill bumps" every time I think of it - is sitting there, having a regular night at work, and having that darkness of "a crisp blue night" suddenly break "with full day light". No WONDER the angels first words were "Fear not". "Afraid" would not even begin to describe what I imagine I would have felt...
Seriously, "hosts of heaven's angels filling the sky".... I see that as I sign it. It's amazing. Indescribably incredible. Words do not do it justice. There are *not* words - only that deep stillness within. Wow.
So as I drive along, belting out the chorus, "Glory to God in the highest...", I am so grateful. For His birth.... and His death, and His resurrection. For the fact that, for me, Christmas is more than a tree and presents, and time with family. Those are great, don't get me wrong. They are just nothing compared to what else we have been given. "The greatest [gift] of Light"
Luke 2:8-20 ESV
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Glory to God in the Highest ~ Downhere
On hillsides of moonlight and shooting stars,
Shepherds keep the late watch on a crisp blue night,
Suddenly the darkness, breaks with full day light,
With hosts of heavens angels filling the sky.
"Glory to God, in the highest! now here in Bethlehem,
Glory to God in the highest! the Child who will save all men!"
Rushing to the city, sandal slipping cobblestone,
Find they in the great story, for centuries we've now known,
Pouring out with wonder, the shepherds step outside,
and lift worn hands to heaven singing aloud...
"Glory to God, in the highest! now here in Bethlehem,
Glory to God in the highest! the Child who will save all men"
Now until He returns, remember this time;
When least of men where given the greatest of light,
That God chose not to glory in wealth, power, fame..
but with the simple and the small he came.
"Glory to God, in the highest! now here in Bethlehem,
Glory to God in the highest! the Child who will save all men!"
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Become a Human (dot org)
Driving to work today, listening to my new favorite song, I knew today would be the day I would return to the blog, and I knew exactly what I would write.
UNTIL...
... I took a moment to check out my friend's new website.
I had been hearing about the idea and love the concept, and I had noticed the way God has (from my perspective) not only laid this on his heart, but woven it into his entire being. In our discussions about it, one question had piqued my curiousity... and I began some thoughful, introspective reflection.
"What does it mean to "be human" ?"
As I composed my response, I noted that several answers came from certain (especially trying) "seasons" in my life. Those growth valleys where God and I walked, together - me broken enough to let go of my pride and my desire to control the situation, and fully listen.
The question that followed reminded me that mere knowledge was not enough. I need to put hands and feet to my humanity. You see, he had also asked:
"What are our responsibilities to Humanity?"
Again, I made a list to summarize my thoughts. And then I sat back and really LOOKED at the list...and wondered, "how many of these am I really doing?"
So today, when I pulled up the site (which, by the way, won't officially launch until after Christmas, but I encourage you to see it now!), I sat back and all I could say was "WOW!" It's awesome! The mission, the purpose, the Become a Human Project itself. It is so encouraging!
I do have passions and gifts... and I do want to use them for good. I am inspired and I have pledged to do my part...
It is so awesome to see God at work!
Check it out: http://www.becomeahuman.org/
UNTIL...
... I took a moment to check out my friend's new website.
I had been hearing about the idea and love the concept, and I had noticed the way God has (from my perspective) not only laid this on his heart, but woven it into his entire being. In our discussions about it, one question had piqued my curiousity... and I began some thoughful, introspective reflection.
"What does it mean to "be human" ?"
As I composed my response, I noted that several answers came from certain (especially trying) "seasons" in my life. Those growth valleys where God and I walked, together - me broken enough to let go of my pride and my desire to control the situation, and fully listen.
The question that followed reminded me that mere knowledge was not enough. I need to put hands and feet to my humanity. You see, he had also asked:
"What are our responsibilities to Humanity?"
Again, I made a list to summarize my thoughts. And then I sat back and really LOOKED at the list...and wondered, "how many of these am I really doing?"
So today, when I pulled up the site (which, by the way, won't officially launch until after Christmas, but I encourage you to see it now!), I sat back and all I could say was "WOW!" It's awesome! The mission, the purpose, the Become a Human Project itself. It is so encouraging!
I do have passions and gifts... and I do want to use them for good. I am inspired and I have pledged to do my part...
It is so awesome to see God at work!
Check it out: http://www.becomeahuman.org/
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Eucharisteo - Thanksgiving
It is a great word: Eucharisteo: "To be grateful, feel thankful. To give thanks".
It's perfect. I love it. I need it. To live it. I need to LIVE it.
I have recently been introduced to the book, A Thousand Gifts: A dare to live fully right where you are. One of my favorite quotes, thus far, is the reminder that "Thanksgiving always precedes the miracle". Quite often, the "miracle" for me, is changing my perspective - turning my eyes from the mess of my life to the glory of Him who loves me through it.
It doesn't matter the situation - I am reminded that the appropriate response is thanksgiving. Sure, it is easier when everything is going well - when I could effortlessly scream my thanks from the mountaintop. But it's in the midst of the struggle - the midst of REAL LIFE - that it has been most important for me to remember.
My friend, Karen, always reminded me, "there is a gift in the pain".... and she has been right. I have never experienced a difficult or painful situation that didn't come with a gift hidden within it. The challenge has been to search for it - and to trust that it is there.
One of the things I most appreciate about this book: It is challenging me to remember (and frequently search for) the "Thousand Gifts" that surround me in in my everyday life. The little things - perhaps more so than the great, obvious gifts. The things I tend to overlook. The gifts from God that I walk right past because I am too busy or self-focused to realize are waiting right there for me. Especially for me.
In searching for and seeking those things, those gifts, the miracle happens: my perspective changes, my eyes are open, and I get to see Him at work, and experience His goodness. Right here. Right now. Right where I am... in the midst of my messy little world. In literally thousands of ways!
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18
It's perfect. I love it. I need it. To live it. I need to LIVE it.
I have recently been introduced to the book, A Thousand Gifts: A dare to live fully right where you are. One of my favorite quotes, thus far, is the reminder that "Thanksgiving always precedes the miracle". Quite often, the "miracle" for me, is changing my perspective - turning my eyes from the mess of my life to the glory of Him who loves me through it.
It doesn't matter the situation - I am reminded that the appropriate response is thanksgiving. Sure, it is easier when everything is going well - when I could effortlessly scream my thanks from the mountaintop. But it's in the midst of the struggle - the midst of REAL LIFE - that it has been most important for me to remember.
My friend, Karen, always reminded me, "there is a gift in the pain".... and she has been right. I have never experienced a difficult or painful situation that didn't come with a gift hidden within it. The challenge has been to search for it - and to trust that it is there.
One of the things I most appreciate about this book: It is challenging me to remember (and frequently search for) the "Thousand Gifts" that surround me in in my everyday life. The little things - perhaps more so than the great, obvious gifts. The things I tend to overlook. The gifts from God that I walk right past because I am too busy or self-focused to realize are waiting right there for me. Especially for me.
In searching for and seeking those things, those gifts, the miracle happens: my perspective changes, my eyes are open, and I get to see Him at work, and experience His goodness. Right here. Right now. Right where I am... in the midst of my messy little world. In literally thousands of ways!
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Getting Back to Gratitude...
The day had been a little difficult, so I did what I have been taught to do: Be of service and get back to gratitude.
I have been reading a book called "A Thousand Gifts", which talks about gratitude being the one thing... the only thing... and the only appropriate response to the "thousand gifts" we have been given. But that book... I am just beginning.... and deserves a blog post of its own.
The quiet portion of the day, I spent in stillness and preparing for a service project I'm involved with over the next few days and months.
But, I struggled with the gratitude. I could list a few things, yes, but *feel* it... not yet.
Early evening, I headed out to pick up my kids, listening to a song - aptly named, "The Gift". The rhythm of the music lulled my heart.... and began the unveiling of my Gratitude List.
I have been reading a book called "A Thousand Gifts", which talks about gratitude being the one thing... the only thing... and the only appropriate response to the "thousand gifts" we have been given. But that book... I am just beginning.... and deserves a blog post of its own.
The quiet portion of the day, I spent in stillness and preparing for a service project I'm involved with over the next few days and months.
But, I struggled with the gratitude. I could list a few things, yes, but *feel* it... not yet.
Early evening, I headed out to pick up my kids, listening to a song - aptly named, "The Gift". The rhythm of the music lulled my heart.... and began the unveiling of my Gratitude List.
- I am grateful for music that lulls my heart.
- I am grateful for lyrics that touch my soul.
- I am grateful for the people in my life who lead, guide and encourage me.
- I am grateful for the people who have removed the stones and helped to "un-build" the walls I have constructed.
- I am grateful for the places of healing and of growth.
- I am grateful for the places of beauty and majesty so grand that there is no denying Him.
- I am grateful for the places of rest and rejuvenation.
- I am grateful for the thorns that keep me depending on Him.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Community
I have been "convinced" that I need to actively pursue community in my day to day life.
Oh, I have people who know and love me, for sure. And, I have people I could call in a pinch if I had a need, or needed help with my kids.
But, what I need to develop is a community of people that know me and love me - AND know and love Jesus. A group of people with whom I can be honest, and who will be honest with me. A group who will challenge and encourage me to seek greater knowledge of and closeness to Christ, to be in the Word, and "sharpen" me with honesty, accountability and Truth.
Because, what I have realized - as we have been praying for community - is that if I am not involved in a community that is actively seeking Jesus, I will be actively involved in the community of the world.
And I have been reminded, again and again, to be "in the world, but not of it".
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
~ Romans 12:2
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
~ John 17: 15-19
Oh, I have people who know and love me, for sure. And, I have people I could call in a pinch if I had a need, or needed help with my kids.
But, what I need to develop is a community of people that know me and love me - AND know and love Jesus. A group of people with whom I can be honest, and who will be honest with me. A group who will challenge and encourage me to seek greater knowledge of and closeness to Christ, to be in the Word, and "sharpen" me with honesty, accountability and Truth.
Because, what I have realized - as we have been praying for community - is that if I am not involved in a community that is actively seeking Jesus, I will be actively involved in the community of the world.
And I have been reminded, again and again, to be "in the world, but not of it".
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
~ Romans 12:2
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
~ John 17: 15-19
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