The Son is risen
and the sun is shining.
Life doesn't get much better than that!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Just Laugh
There is a charming little sign above my kitchen sink that reads, "Laugh."
And it hangs crooked.
Time and time again I would adjust it, but the next time I was in the kitchen, it would once again be tilted to the side. One day as I studied it, I realized that whenever I see the sign, I'm focused on the way it hangs crooked, rather than the sign's message and instruction. I decided not to adjust it anymore. Instead when I see it, I will be reminded to laugh.
Life is like that. It hangs crooked at times. We get frustrated trying to adjust it, only to find later on that it has tilted one way or another once again. Instead of enjoying each day even with its imperfections, we are distracted by or consumed with what's not right about the picture. The joy we could have had is lost.
Instead of trying to fix it all, let's just laugh instead.
And it hangs crooked.
Time and time again I would adjust it, but the next time I was in the kitchen, it would once again be tilted to the side. One day as I studied it, I realized that whenever I see the sign, I'm focused on the way it hangs crooked, rather than the sign's message and instruction. I decided not to adjust it anymore. Instead when I see it, I will be reminded to laugh.
Life is like that. It hangs crooked at times. We get frustrated trying to adjust it, only to find later on that it has tilted one way or another once again. Instead of enjoying each day even with its imperfections, we are distracted by or consumed with what's not right about the picture. The joy we could have had is lost.
Instead of trying to fix it all, let's just laugh instead.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
An Attitude of Gratitude
I just finished a book called Attitude of Gratitude, by M.J. Ryan. This is the third book by this author I've read and she always manages to inspire and encourage me to grow and follow Jesus' teachings more closely in my daily life.
Which is interesting, considering the author appears to adopt some Buddhist views. (That would be my disclaimer for any potential readers.) Yet despite our differing views on where we come from and where we're going, M.J. and I seem to agree on the middle part of the journey.
Her passion for living in the moment and being grateful for the blessings of each day are attitudes that we as followers of Christ should embrace. Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, that our Father will take care of it just as He does for the lilies and the sparrows. St. Paul tells us to give thanks in all circumstances, to be content in whatever state.
Through some very real struggles this past year, I have realized anew how important gratitude is in all circumstances. No matter how difficult a cross we are carrying, there are always blessings to recognize if we have the eyes to see.
In the midst of weariness, we can be thankful for the strength and grace of God. In the midst of heartache, we can be thankful that He knows and He cares. When people let us down, we can be thankful for the friends who are tried and true. When we're uncertain about the future, we can be thankful for the family and loved ones who support and encourage us. When we feel like we're in a stretching season, we can be thankful for the hope that God is molding and changing us-- even if we may not see the whole picture yet.
Living with gratitude makes life shine with beauty. Sometimes life is crazy, difficult, painful. But when we embrace gratitude...looking up to the Giver instead of inside ourselves...life is definitely beautiful.
Which is interesting, considering the author appears to adopt some Buddhist views. (That would be my disclaimer for any potential readers.) Yet despite our differing views on where we come from and where we're going, M.J. and I seem to agree on the middle part of the journey.
Her passion for living in the moment and being grateful for the blessings of each day are attitudes that we as followers of Christ should embrace. Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, that our Father will take care of it just as He does for the lilies and the sparrows. St. Paul tells us to give thanks in all circumstances, to be content in whatever state.
Through some very real struggles this past year, I have realized anew how important gratitude is in all circumstances. No matter how difficult a cross we are carrying, there are always blessings to recognize if we have the eyes to see.
In the midst of weariness, we can be thankful for the strength and grace of God. In the midst of heartache, we can be thankful that He knows and He cares. When people let us down, we can be thankful for the friends who are tried and true. When we're uncertain about the future, we can be thankful for the family and loved ones who support and encourage us. When we feel like we're in a stretching season, we can be thankful for the hope that God is molding and changing us-- even if we may not see the whole picture yet.
Living with gratitude makes life shine with beauty. Sometimes life is crazy, difficult, painful. But when we embrace gratitude...looking up to the Giver instead of inside ourselves...life is definitely beautiful.
Monday, March 1, 2010
When the threads of life aren't making sense...
"The Weaver"
by Grant Colfax Tuller
My Life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the underside.
Not 'til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who choose to walk with Him.
by Grant Colfax Tuller
My Life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the underside.
Not 'til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who choose to walk with Him.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The "In-Between" time
I've officially put away my Christmas decorations. The season of celebrating our Savior's birth is over until next year. Considering how quickly time seems to pass these days, Easter will be here before we know it, and we'll be reminded of the reason the Savior was born-- that He came to die for us, to conquer death and rise in victory.
But between those two glorious events-- His birth and His rising from the dead-- there's a time that shouldn't be overlooked.
The 'in-between' time.
The time when Jesus grew up in Nazareth with His parents. Teaching us that a quiet life lived for the Father is pleasing to Him. The time of the Gospels, when He began His public ministry, reaching out to the lost and the hurting. When He healed the sick and the blind and the lame. When He taught those around Him how to live and how to love. The times He laughed and cried. When He was tempted by the devil. When He was rejected by those around Him.
This is a God who not only saved us, but cared enough to live with us. Who not only wants to be our Redeemer, but also our Friend.
He cares about the little details of life. He understands because He's been there. Nothing is too great for Him to handle, but also nothing is too small to bring to Him.
What an amazing God.
Thank you, Lord, for being born for us. Thank you for saving us. And thank you for the in-between time.
But between those two glorious events-- His birth and His rising from the dead-- there's a time that shouldn't be overlooked.
The 'in-between' time.
The time when Jesus grew up in Nazareth with His parents. Teaching us that a quiet life lived for the Father is pleasing to Him. The time of the Gospels, when He began His public ministry, reaching out to the lost and the hurting. When He healed the sick and the blind and the lame. When He taught those around Him how to live and how to love. The times He laughed and cried. When He was tempted by the devil. When He was rejected by those around Him.
This is a God who not only saved us, but cared enough to live with us. Who not only wants to be our Redeemer, but also our Friend.
He cares about the little details of life. He understands because He's been there. Nothing is too great for Him to handle, but also nothing is too small to bring to Him.
What an amazing God.
Thank you, Lord, for being born for us. Thank you for saving us. And thank you for the in-between time.
Monday, December 28, 2009
My Texas White Christmas!
Riding horses on a sunny 70's December day
Building a snowman after the blizzard came the next day!
Bundled up in our stylish parkas for the ice sculpture exhibit
Singing Christmas carols with the family
Making Christmas goodies (and eating them!)
Remembering the true meaning of Christmas
All is calm, all is bright.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
What do I know?
Addison Road has done it again. Written a beautiful, stirring song that reaches to the depths of me with lyrics that speak to my soul.
I remember listening to their song, "Hope Now," on the way home from one of my doctor visits during my PCOS appointments. The words encouraging me to have hope in the One who created me, the One who sees the whole picture and not just the moment. That when we feel broken down by the world, His love sets us free, as the songs says.
And now I've been hearing another song on the radio, "What Do I Know of Holy?" I was sold on it the first time I heard it. Letting the words sink in during a time when I'm learning that life cannot fit in the perfect little box we'd like it to...and neither does God.
"I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small...
I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees"
I know I've made Him too small at times. Snuggled up for my prayer time with my Father, ready with multiple hopes, sorrows, supplications. Focusing on my life, my little world.
But it's not my little world. It's His. It's all His. And it's huge. I make Him too small when I am only concerned about what He can do for me. With where I am at this moment in life. The small portion in front of me instead of the big picture in front of Him.
Not that He doesn't care. Because He does. With a never-ending, unconditional, amazing love.
Yet when I focus solely on my limited vision and my struggles, I need to be careful not to make myself the god. Not to think I am the one things should revolve around. "What do I know of holy?" The one who "spoke me into motion"? The "God who gave life its name"? Am I remembering his power and his might and his perfection? Am I realizing that if I saw Him in all His glory, I would fall to my knees? The qualities that make God so mysterious and huge and beyond my human thoughts are the same qualities that make His personal love, His willingness and desire to be part of our individual lives so amazing.
That a God we still can barely comprehend wants to be close to us. He doesn't mind that we can do so little compared to what He has done for us.
As we begin Advent, preparing for the birth of Jesus, I feel so incredibly blessed...
that we serve a God who is so infinitely above us, but who comes down to our level to bring us to Him. That the God who created the universe sent His Son to become one of us, that we would not be afraid to come to Him.
What do I know of holy? Maybe not much...but the Holy One asks me to follow Him, to learn to know Him. And though today I may only know a fraction of Who He really is, I have the hope of all of eternity to keep learning.
I remember listening to their song, "Hope Now," on the way home from one of my doctor visits during my PCOS appointments. The words encouraging me to have hope in the One who created me, the One who sees the whole picture and not just the moment. That when we feel broken down by the world, His love sets us free, as the songs says.
And now I've been hearing another song on the radio, "What Do I Know of Holy?" I was sold on it the first time I heard it. Letting the words sink in during a time when I'm learning that life cannot fit in the perfect little box we'd like it to...and neither does God.
"I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small...
I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees"
I know I've made Him too small at times. Snuggled up for my prayer time with my Father, ready with multiple hopes, sorrows, supplications. Focusing on my life, my little world.
But it's not my little world. It's His. It's all His. And it's huge. I make Him too small when I am only concerned about what He can do for me. With where I am at this moment in life. The small portion in front of me instead of the big picture in front of Him.
Not that He doesn't care. Because He does. With a never-ending, unconditional, amazing love.
Yet when I focus solely on my limited vision and my struggles, I need to be careful not to make myself the god. Not to think I am the one things should revolve around. "What do I know of holy?" The one who "spoke me into motion"? The "God who gave life its name"? Am I remembering his power and his might and his perfection? Am I realizing that if I saw Him in all His glory, I would fall to my knees? The qualities that make God so mysterious and huge and beyond my human thoughts are the same qualities that make His personal love, His willingness and desire to be part of our individual lives so amazing.
That a God we still can barely comprehend wants to be close to us. He doesn't mind that we can do so little compared to what He has done for us.
As we begin Advent, preparing for the birth of Jesus, I feel so incredibly blessed...
that we serve a God who is so infinitely above us, but who comes down to our level to bring us to Him. That the God who created the universe sent His Son to become one of us, that we would not be afraid to come to Him.
What do I know of holy? Maybe not much...but the Holy One asks me to follow Him, to learn to know Him. And though today I may only know a fraction of Who He really is, I have the hope of all of eternity to keep learning.
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