The Splendor of the Earth

"Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." Luke 12:27

We returned home from a week on the Outer Banks of North Carolina where we enjoyed the change of scenery. We traded the bleak, cold rains of New England spring for the cool, sunny beaches of mid Atlantic islands. The change was welcomed and the adventures of everything new was thoroughly enjoyed, but by the end of the week we were ready to return to the familiar.

After twelve hours of driving in drizzle and cold winds, I wondered if we should have stayed. But, as I stepped out of the truck, welcomed by the smells of home, I knew I was in the right place.

I putzed around the house for a few minutes when a tall, slender package leaning against the living room sofa caught my eye. I read the return address label and instantly I worried about its fragile contents. Despite the yellow warning label that reassured me I had three weeks before I needed to be concerned, I doubted the survival of my delicate blueberry bushes inside.

Unable to feel the top branches, I carefully sliced open the top of the envelope. I breathed a sigh of relief when tall, fragile branches peeked through, revealing baby white buds and the promise of my favorite summer berries. I could hardly wait to plant those next to my white picket fence.

With the sun shining again the next day, my husband and I caught the planting bug. We dug into the freshly watered soil and laid those delicate bushes in just the right spot. We broke open our seed germinating kits, our packages of vegetable seeds and planted those babies with care making sure they were given the best chance to grow.

We've got great dreams of harvesting some luscious fruits and vegetables this summer and fall. But, when it comes down to it, nothing depends on us except for the sowing of seeds, the transplanting into fertile soil and the pulling of weeds. The rest is up to God, really; to provide the sun, the rain, the growth.

A beautiful garden is truly breath-taking to me, whether flowers or vegetables. It amazes me how from a tiny seed that looks like nothing but a pebble or a grain of sand, amazing beauty and deliciousness emerges in just a short time. If God takes such care to pack all that into a tiny seed of fruit, how much more is He concerned for the promise of beauty packed inside each one of us?

"If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you?" Luke 12:28

Struggling With Prayer

"In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." Romans 8:26

I don't know how to pray or what to pray for. I look at my loved one who has suffered so much this winter and I'm speechless. Is it right to pray for healing when living means only to exist in the memories of what has passed? Is it right to ask God to bring new life into one that has already lived a good many years? We were created to live forever, I'll agree, but not forever in a broken, earthly body, on this planet in this present time.

So, when I sit to pray for this sickly loved one, I seldom find the words. On occasion when I do find words, I struggle with the guilt of asking for their graceful departure from this world. To sit and watch someone you love gasp for air, sleep their days away or claim no recollection of the conversation they were having with you just a moment ago makes me realize the cruelty of life.

Finally, I confided with a wise and godly woman, known for her gift of intercessory prayer and healing, about my struggle with prayer. While she agrees that God is in the business of healing, the will of the suffering person must align with the will to live in order for healing to come. If they no longer wish to live, then our prayers for healing are for naught. Instead, pray for God to ease their suffering quickly. It is no use to pray for healing if someone doesn't desire restoration or a prolonged life. There does come a time in all our lives when we will tire of living.

It's still not easy to pray for the suffering or to watch the suffering. But now, when I do pray, I pray for God's grace to ease the pain, to shorten the suffering; wisdom for the living and strength to those who will remain.

"I urge you brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me." Romans 15:30

"And I pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for the Lord's people." Ephesians 6:18

Changing Seasons

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3:1

The season has changed. New growth sprouts silently from the muddied ground, leaf buds give life to barren branches; missing birds return, sleepy animals emerge from their slumber. The timeless evidence is unmistaken; it's spring.

It didn't announce its return with any loud fanfare. Instead, it crept in unnoticeably silent. We anticipated its appearance and yet for some reason, we were surprised to witness those first signs.

Isn't it that way with the changing seasons of our lives, too? The spring of our lives is full of growth and changes celebrated with great applause and recognition. All our needs and wants are met (hopefully) by loving parents. In summer we're independent, busy raising our own children, barely taking time to stop and glance into the mirror. Then fall arrives. Life slows down a bit. We take time for "us" and reevaluate where it is we're headed. We finally take time to look at our reflections. At first we're startled to see our mother or father staring back at us. Quickly coming to our senses we wonder, "When did all those gray hairs and wrinkles appear?" Ah yes, those timeless signs of change crept in unnoticeably silent.

My husband and I have watched winter from a distance for awhile, now. It began as a season of perpetual light with our parents enjoying the harvest of a growing, extended family. They're faces glowed and, except for the crowns of snow on their heads, they seemed younger to me. However, in these past few years, the storms have come with greater frequency. The winter winds are now howling. Timeless signs of change are no longer silent but rather roaring in like a hungry lion. They just can't weather these storms alone any longer.

Recently, God reminded me of His design for family; how we are to care for one another in every season of life. In the Ten Commandments God wrote, "Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12). Unfortunately, our modern families have grown farther apart by distance and dysfunction. We've focused on ourselves ("me") so much that we've forgotten who gave us life. We've forgotten that honoring our father and mother applies to us until their death. Paul says it more pointedly in his first letter to Timothy, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (1 Tim. 5:8). In other words, if we call ourselves Christians but don't care for your closest relatives, then we're hypocrites. Ouch!

I'll admit, winter is a tough season. The storms are frequent and harsh. But weathered together, surrounded by those you love gives you strength. It makes the season more bearable. Like every season, winter doesn't last forever. Silently, from beneath the snow, new life begins.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for Gods wrath remains on them." (John 3:36)

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." 1 John 5:11

Silence, Rest and Solitary Places

" 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.' So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place." Mark 6: 31b-32

Silence. Pure quiet, hear-my-own-heartbeat silence is where I'm most comfortable. Silence is where I rest. Silence is where I gather insights through reading. Silence is where I process life. Silence is where my heart talks and my hands write. Silence is where I hear God whisper loud and clear.

So much of life is full of noise. Screeching sirens, clacking train tracks, engine whistles, honking horns, people walking, children crying, people talking, talking, talking; talking to me or talking at me in real life or on T. V. It's all the same. It's all noise.

When Jesus was at the peak of his ministry his days were full of people, noise and activity. He traveled miles in a day, teaching and performing miracles along the way. People as demanding as the paparazzi followed him around the countryside hoping for a glimpse, a touch, or a word. By the end of the day, he said to his disciples, "I'm beat. Let's get outta here!" Okay, maybe not those exact words but that's what he would've said in modern-day English. In those moments, he taught us all a great lesson: Rest comes when we retreat to a solitary place, with Him.

Today has been one of those solitary days. I've rested...retreated most of the day with only the sound of the ticking clock and the flame of the pellet stove for noise. My mind is rejuvenated; thoughts are flowing and I'm able to gain perspective on things that have been mulling around inside my head. My spirit is fed and while I'm digesting, new ideas are born. That's the creative process of silence.

Jesus knew the importance of silence and the creative process. Without both work and rest, our creativity suffers. Work allows our thoughts, ideas, visions to become tangible objects. But rest is where more thoughts, ideas and visions germinate.

We don't have to be secluded or alone to enjoy the benefits of rest. Jesus rested while he was surrounded by his dearest friends. He even invited them to his solitary place. We too, can enjoy silence, rest and take those we love with us. There are many nights my husband and I spend hours, shoulder-to-shoulder, in silence. We enjoy the presence of one another without speaking a word.

Other times, maybe in the instance of this scripture today, our rest includes decompressing together from the hard day in the seclusion of our living room. We block out the world and share stories of big and small victories or put our hearts out on the table when it's been less than a stellar day. We laugh. We cry. We disagree. We listen. We encourage. We come together. We rest. We end the day together in silence.

Don't fear the silence but relish it. Take full advantage of time, however small or large the chunk, go to a solitary place (even the bathroom) and sit in silence. Allow the day to drain from your veins and invite God's whispers to fill your heart. It's in these moments of rest where God's seed can germinate and we are prepared for the work ahead.

Hope of Spring

"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come." Song of Solomon 2: 11-12a

It was a wonder this weekend witnessing the rapid disappearance of those six foot mountains of dirty snow beneath the thick blanket of fog. What a joy it was to look out my front window and see the bushes, the green lawn and the neighborhood kids playing outside. The calendar is marked...thirteen days and counting...spring will officially be here!

But let's let that be our little secret. You see, today all hope returned when I pulled into my driveway to find spring had already sprung. To my surprise, I witnessed the dainty, lavendar and white heads of waving crocuses, lining the edge of my front flower bed to welcome me home. At first I wasn't sure I'd seen them so I backed up to make sure my eyes weren't just seeing what I was hoping for. Sure enough. There they were, waving back at me.

Oh! The first signs of spring bring such celebration. I guarantee you I celebrated by doing a little jig on the way into the house. My hopes for longer days, warmer temperatures, the smell of fresh cut grass, the hot sun on my face, building sand castles and pushing my grandchildren on the swings return all at once and filled my heart with joy.

It's been a long, cold winter but the promise of spring is here. It's happened without any effort of our own. It's been orchestrated by the Creator...our Creator...the one who formed us in our mother's womb...who numbered the very hairs on our head...who wrote down our days before we lived them and already knows the end of our story. That's no secret at all...

Thumper's Rule

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Lately, I'm so disappointed in FaceBook statuses. I agree, it's been a long, cold, snowy winter in just about every state in these United States and we're all experiencing a bad case of cabin fever by now. We've watched our share of old movies from our dvd libraries and the next NetFlix mailing isn't coming in fast enough to keep up with all the snow days. Our favorite spot in front of the fire isn't as appealing or as soothing as it was in January and our bottoms are spreading out from all the hot chocolate we've consumed. But seriously folks, what's with all the whining?

Is it that misery loves company so when we see one of our friends whining about the cold, the snow, the irritating habits of our spouses or our kids that we feel we must out-do each other and one-up the whine on our own FB status? Trust me, there are days I've said a hardy "AMEN" to many of my FB friends' status reports. I've even felt the need to air my gloomy moods in hopes to make myself feel better but when I typed in my complaint, it only made me feel worse. Besides, I thought, "Who cares?"

Rather than add to the long list of whiney drivel on my Home Page, I've challenged myself to add some sunshine or stick to Thumper's Rule: "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all," (Disney's Bambi).

Please, don't get me wrong. I find FB a wonderful tool to ask for help or prayer for a legitimate concern. What better way to encourage a long distance friend or to see God's hand at work through a tough situation?

As Christians, we're called to lift each other up and encourage one another in our faith with acts of love and through encouraging words. Let's challenge one another to use our FB status' to do just that.

I Just Couldn't Wait Another Day!

"Enoch walked faithfully with God; and then he was no more because God took him away." Genesis 5:24

The first year Peter and I were dating I was "between" colleges. That means I took a year off after earning my associates degree to figure out life. He was a college freshman, 400 miles from home. That year our love survived the distance through Sunday night phone calls, love letters and gifts via snail mail, and occasional visits. As each visit approached I remember saying, "I just can't wait another day!" And when we did see each other, the reunion was sweet.

Love does that...makes you yearn to be in the company of your beloved until you just can't stand to be apart anymore and you go to them.

God loved Enoch that way; not romantically, of course, but in a way that caused God to snatch Enoch from where he stood on earth, fore go death, and bring him into His presence in heaven. Now that's the way to go!

This story of Enoch fascinates me so much that if time travel existed, I'd leap back in time to the day or so before God took Enoch. I'd study Enoch and try to figure out what he did that stole God's heart. I want to know what caused God not to wait another day to be with Enoch.

While I wait for my time machine, all I have to go on is what's written in the Bible. There's not a whole lot written about Enoch, but here's a few facts: he was the great, great, great, great grandson of Adam (Luke 3:36-38). He faithfully walked with God and this pleased God (Genesis 5:22, 24; Hebrews 11:5). He became father to Methuselah at age 65 ( Genesis 5:21) and 300 years later, (middle-aged for that time) "he was no more because God took him away" (Genesis 5:22-24). He prophesied about the second coming of Christ (Jude 1:14).

To know Enoch means it's more about reading between the lines. First, Enoch inherited faith from his fathers. Second, Enoch's faith was active. Scripture says "he...walked with God" which gives us the impression that Enoch considered God as the center of his life, his confidante, his guide; he took God everywhere he went and included Him in everything. Third, Enoch's faith was deeply rooted. He grew in his faith for 365 years. In that time, just like us, his faith must have been tested, matured, refined. Finally, Enoch knew God's heart intimately; spent time talking with Him and listening to Him. If this were not so, God would not have entrusted His words of prophesy to Enoch.

I may not escape death like Enoch but when I come face-to-face with God, may I hear "I just couldn't wait another day!" How sweet that reunion will be. (And certainly, I'll be looking for Enoch)!

Little Grammy

"I show mercy to thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my commandments." Exodus 20:6

Toasting to the new year ahead, I looked into my husband's eyes and said, "I pray that God allows us to grow very old together that we might enjoy our family to the fourth generation."

Two days later, we received word that the husband of a dear acquaintance had passed away. His memorial service was such a tribute to his life; a godly life full of faith, family and friends; a life enjoyed, full of laughter and good humor; a life full of family that he loved and loved him in return. It was one of those services that you make a mental note and say, "That's how I want to be remembered."

My Little Grammy was like this man. She lived her 98 years surrounded by family, friends, laughter and good humor. I think of her often even though she's been gone for a good 30 years. She was the glue that drew five generations together (at least once) to celebrate her 90th birthday at her tiny house on River Road in Southern Maine. She loved people, especially her family and she knew all of us by name. Her mind was sharp right to the end and always focused on others, except when she wanted to watch her favorite television program, The Lawrence Welk Show. As far as I recall, that was the only time she would ever ignore anyone.

Little Grammy may have been small in stature but she was big in personality and huge in heart. Whenever you entered her home, you were greeted with a cup of tea, a homemade donut or molasses cookie. Then, she'd sit down with you, ask you a question and then listen.

I recall the last conversation we had. I had decided to visit her during my freshman college spring break. As I entered her tiny home I found Aunt Lelia in the kitchen fixing tea and Little Grammy lying on the couch, her fragile body wrapped in a blanket. She still greeted me with her million dollar smile as her aged-with-wisdom hands stretch out from beneath the blanket and beckoned me to sit at her side. Before the tea cup could busy my hands, she clasped them between her own. "What do you want to be when you grow up, Dawnie?" she asked, looking me in the eye and poised to listen.

The rest of the conversation is of no consequence. I answered as any eighteen-year-old college freshman would answer. But why I remember is of consequence. She listened. She was fully engaged in knowing me, her great granddaughter. That day Little Grammy, in the second most needy state of life since birth, passed her wisdom of family relationships to the fourth generation...always love...always listen...always encourage...always dream.

What do I want to be when I grow up? I want to be a Little Grammy who passes God's wisdom, dreams, and blessings to the fourth generation.

Just Do It

"The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true -- These are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what pleases Christ, and then do it."

Ephesians 5: 8-10 (The Message)

All morning I've been combing the pages of one of my favorite books The Rock that is Higher by Madeline L'Engle, for one of her gems of literary quotes. To no avail I cannot place my finger on it so I will assume it's not her quote. None-the-less, I'll paraphrase the thought for which I assumed was hers:We must seize the day to write what God has placed in us for we never know when the day will come that we are unable to write His story.

I think of this every time I find myself making up excuses not to write. Sometimes it gets me to sit at the keyboard or take out my pen and journal. Other times it's just a source of guilt when I'm totally unmotivated and I find myself praying, "Lord, please give me an extension." Too many requests like that and time will surely catch up with me!

This week has been a time of seizing the day. A time when I've consciously taken the initiative to get back to my desk and write. But, getting the words out on virtual paper has been simply strenuous. Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest says inspiration begins when we take the initiative to move. Once we take that first step, God's inspiration comes and "he immediately gives us the power of life." Well, I've taken the first step but I haven't felt incredibly inspired. But, thanks to my friend Madeline, I think I figured out why. I'm thinking too much.

When L'Engle teaches a writing class she instructs her students to "Write. Don't think." It's not that she advocates stupidity or unsubstantiated literary work, rather she advocates creativity by letting go of the cognitive brain. If we over think an idea or a story it separates us from the transcending creativity of God when we just allow the words to flow. It's okay to think before we write and think after we write but during the writing process L'Engle demands, "Write. Don't think."

So, if God has commissioned a good, right and true work to be written, and Christ has shed light on my path, then it's now time to just do it! This is pleasing in His sight.

What is it God has asked of you? Will you just do it?

Re-Gifting

"But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them." 1 John 2:5

If you were given a gift by someone who truly loved you, would you pass it up? Worse yet, would you re-gift? I'm supposing most would answer, "It depends on the gift."

If the gift were something you'd asked for, longed for or was unimaginably perfect for you, my guess is you'd choose to keep it. But, if the gift was less than beautiful (okay, outright ugly) or would make you uncomfortable to use it or be seen in it, my bets are you'd either opt to politely refuse it, return it or re-gift it.

Years ago God gave me a gift and I'm embarrassed to say, I opted to re-gift.

I was in the middle of worship on a Sunday morning. I don't mean just being present in body, in "my pew" inside the physical sanctuary of a church building. I mean fully immersed in God's presence. As I sang familiar words God interrupted my song with words of his own. Today, I can't recall the specific words but I know they weren't mine. I do remember they were just a few words with no specific meaning to me but they kept repeating and I felt compelled to speak them but fear stopped me.

"Lord, I think these words are from you but, what if I'm wrong?" I asked.

"They are from me," he replied. "Just speak."

"But they're not a complete thought." I argued.

"Don't worry. I'll give you the words. Just speak."

"I can't. Please, Lord, give these words to someone else. Not me."

And he did.

I'd like to say that was an isolated incident but it wasn't. It happened several times over a few years. God would put a phrase or a sentence in my head and ask me to speak but I'd refuse and re gift it to someone else. "Lord, please give these words to Linda or Rick. They're known for their gift of prophecy. They're not afraid to speak." And every time, the exact words that had been floating around in my head would be spoken from their lips. For awhile that was okay with me. It let me off the hook of responsibility but then I realized I was acting like a spoiled child. Who was I to refuse God's gift or worse, to re gift it? For awhile, God withheld his words from me. And, believe it or not, I felt slighted and told him so. Can you imagine? (I'm being brutally honest).

Like any parent, God gave me another chance but it came with a warning, "If I entrust my words to you, you must be obedient to speak them. My words are not for your edification but for my glory and the edification of all my people."

A few years ago, God placed more than a few words in my heart. He planted the seed of a book. He's commissioned me to write his story of healing and forgiveness based on some of my life's experiences. It's been a stop and go journey and he's reminded me that I certainly have the choice to refuse and re-gift. I've chosen to accept his gift of words as he continually reminds me that his words give healing and are meant for his glory and the edification of all.

So, I'd covet your prayers as I set out to finish writing down the words he has entrusted to me.

It's Not About Me

"'Love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-39

It's Valentine's Day...and I don't feel romantic. I don't feel particularly moved to write something clever on a red heart. I'm not into getting all glammed up and heading out for an expensive meal amongst strangers in an over packed restaurant serving love on a plate. I don't feel much of anything will light that Valentine's Day spark beneath me and it bothers me.

It could be the fatigue from scraping, sanding, spackling, painting and decorating the spare room last week. It could be the scare I got from the attack of the folk art Grandpa that fell off the shelf above my head last night and hit me between the eyes...in the exact spot of my concussive injury. It could be I simply need a nap or some lunch. It could be a number of different things of which I'm unaware. I don't know.

What I do know is, it's not all about me.

There's a man who deserves my love because he sacrifices his time and energy everyday while I travel the keyboard in my pj's. Each morning he chooses to love me whether I look like a million bucks or a piece of half-chewed penny candy. He dreams with me, rejoices with me and cries with me. He always encourages me to be the woman God created and accepts all the growing pains that entails.

But, it's not all about him, either.

It's about the lover of my soul. It's about the One who formed me in my mother's womb and knitted me together; who knew who I'd be before anyone else; the One who knows me even now. He's the One who gave up His life so that I might live. Now that's love. Today is about Him...my Jesus. I need to spend time alone with Him. Let him into my fatigue, my busyness, my lack and let him woo me into romance.

When my soul is full of Him, my heart can give again.

Ordained to Praise

"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies to silence the foe and the avenger."
Psalm 8:2

Children carry the spirit of truth. Ask anyone who spends significant amounts of time with little ones and they'll concur. As self-centered as children can be, they can sincerely size you up in five seconds flat. There's no faking it around them. If they're too timid to verbalize their opinions, give them a blank piece of paper and a marker and they'll show you exactly what they're thinking.

One day, Jesus was in the temple. After causing a ruckus with the dishonest merchants, the people crowded around him, including the blind, the lame, the chief priests and the children. He touched the blind and they could see. He healed the lame and they could walk. The children took notice and sang his praise, "Hosanna to the Son of David!"

This infuriated the priests. "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked Jesus, as if he put them up to it.

Jesus coolly replied, "Yes. Have you never read 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise?' " And the chief priests had no further argument.

If little children can see the truth so plainly, how is it that us grown ups have such difficulty? What clouds our thinking, our vision, our hearts from the truth? What causes our eyes not to see? Our ears not to hear? Our hearts not to know? I don't have an answer. I only pray to return to that childlike faith.

The children called it as they saw it that day at the temple. They knew they were in the presence of Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Son of David. I wonder what their artwork looked like that day?

Is He Here or Not?

"Is the Lord among us or not?" Exodus 17:7b

They were just released from hundreds of years of slavery, walked across the Red Sea on dry ground while they watched the Egyptians and their chariots drowned in the waves behind them, received breakfast manna from heaven every morning and quail for dinner every night without lifting one finger. Now the Israelites were thirsty. You would think they'd get it by now. God was providing, watching out for them. But, no. They raised their fists to Moses and complained...again...saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

Is that not like us today? One day we're raising our hands to heaven in praise and the next, when life throws us a curve ball (like long, snowy, wintry days with leaky roofs) those same hands turn into fists and we complain, "Are you really there, God?" What's wrong with us? Just like Moses, I picture Jesus turning to God and asking in a Yiddish accent, "What am I to do with these people?"

Jesus (God in human form) walked this earth among us, ate with us, worked with us, performed miracles for us, took our punishment and died for us yet, we still dare to wonder if God is with us or not. Scripture is filled with God-with-us stories; real life encounters of men and women personally experiencing God.

None of us living today have seen Jesus face-to-face, but just as he promised before he left this earth, he sent us his Comforter, the Holy Spirit to live in us. He is that still small voice we think sometimes is our own, but kinder and wiser. He is still among us.

If we stop a few minutes, look over our day, our week, our month or our year we can point to our own God-with-us moments. We need to draw our faith and our strength from those moments in time. Those moments are what builds our faith so we don't drown in the waves of life. Take some time today to stop, recall your own God-with-us moments. Journal them somewhere so you can turn to them on days when you start to wonder, "Is He here or not?" Then, you'll have something that reminds you, "Yes, yes He is!"

Stand the Strain

"If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied." Exodus 18:23

With each passing moment the "to do list" grew ever longer. The house phone was ringing, the cell phone too. The builder came knocking at the back door. FedEx was ringing at the front door. Sick children were crying out from their beds, the cat wore new wounds from a lost tomcat fight and the new gallon of milk spilled all over the kitchen floor. The drier was buzzing, the washer spinning and mama was ready to be hung out to dry.

Have you ever had such a day? Maybe you've had a month of those days and you're wondering how you're ever going to make it. Relief seems so distant, maybe even nonexistant. It's these moments we all wonder, "How'd my mother ever do this?" Or, maybe we've played the lone ranger so often, we no longer recognize our need for help. Today's society calls us to be independent, self-sufficient until we pronounce, "I can do it myself!" as though it were a badge of honor.

Then, in a weak moment, we dare to answer one of those ringing phones and we hear, "Hello, my friend. How are you today?" In that instant we have a choice to live honestly and ask for help or hide the truth and and stay the lone ranger.

Jethro, Moses' father-in-law called on him in the desert one day. At first, Jethro just sat back and watched Moses work. He quickly recognized how overwhelmed Moses was, leading the Israelites in their physical journey through the desert, caring for their spiritual journeys, relaying the words of God, and listening to everyone as they had need. After a day of this, Jethro finally spoke up, like any good father-in-law would do. He asked, Why do you do all this alone, while the rest of the people just stand around all day? This isn't good for you. It's too heavy for just you. It will only wear you out. You cannot handle all this alone. And he proceeded to give him some sound advice: delegate; train, teach and empower other godly, trustworthy men to do the easy tasks and bring only the difficult tasks to Moses. "If you do this and God so commands," said Jethro, "you will be able to stand the strain..." (Ex 18:23).

It seems easier, in the heat of the moment, to handle everything ourselves, doesn't it? But, at the end of the day, we're spent...nothing left to give our spouses, our children or even God himself. Too many of those days strung together can lead to sickness or physical and emotional collapse. Then, we're no good to anybody and who will look after you?

Whether you're a lone ranger in your business, your workplace or at home consider the story of Moses and Jethro. In times when you become overwhelmed, seek a coworker, a friend, a family member who is willing to share your load. Then, at the end of the day, you'll find some of you left over to share and everyone will go to sleep full and satisfied.

Ring, ring. "Hello, my friend. How are you today?"

An Artist's Heart

"To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness."

Ecclesiastes 2:26

An artist's heart looks no different than any other heart, but how it perceives, reacts and creates is another story. It's altogether odd.

Whether he creates a picture of his experience through paint, clay, pencil, word or musical notes, he expresses what his heart feels. Everything is extraordinary to one who creates. The world holds countless creative possibilities: from the first glimpse of light outside the bedroom window, to the person standing in front of him at the grocery store, to the last kiss goodnight. An artist's heart is always listening, always perceiving, always reacting to his world.

It's like he's born with extra sensory nerve endings...every sense kicked into high gear...every emotion on high alert. He perceives the details of every moment: the slightest raise of an eyebrow, the simplest breeze through the open window, the conversation in the corner, the colors of the sky, the pattern on the butterfly wing. These experiences, unnoticed by the ordinary eye give way to the artist's creative abilities to share the extraordinary.

Yet, this highly sensitive heart can also be a detriment to the creative person. His heart can misperceive. It can be fooled to believe what isn't true. It can catapult the artist into a melancholy baby pretty quickly. So, how does the artist cope? Some don't. Others drink. Many choose seclusion. The world says, "Stop being so sensitive! Grow a thicker skin." Have you ever tried to NOT react to something that effects the core of who you are? Impossible.

For this artist, running to the One who created me is the only way to cope (along with a box of tissues and my journal). When my overly sensitive, artist's heart is overwhelmed with melancholy; when this heart is caught in a tangle of misperceptions and the tissues run out; when it is totally overwhelmed I run to God's arms for comfort and just listen. I listen for His words to pour over me...His words of worth and truth and love.

Solomon, the wisest king who ever ruled, said this, "To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness..." Ecclesiastes 2:26. I hang onto that. I create, I live, I breathe to please God and no other. For pleasing any other besides God only frustrates the heart of the artist. Nothing created will ever satisfy the artist's heart unless he knows his work has eternal purpose and the smile of the One who placed the creative spirit in him.

More Than Just a Block of Wood

"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." Psalm 145:3

Mr. Magorium gave Molly Mahoney a large block of wood to carry with her wherever she went. Supposedly it was a magical block of wood that held some greatness and Molly's mission was to discover that greatness. Day after day Molly carted that lifeless, heavy, wooden cube everywhere. It became a burden and a source of discouragement. She believed it was a magical block of wood because Mr. Magorium said so. But in her hands, it showed no signs of life let alone, magic.

"It is a magical block of wood that in the right hands, would reveal some greatness we can't even imagine!" Molly emphatically exclaimed to the Mutant. And with that, the once lifeless block of wood flipped over on the counter behind her.

"Say that again," the Mutant commanded wanting to see if the cube would move again. "Say that again."

"I believe it with my entire heart! It is absolutely more than just a block of wood!" Molly exclaimed. And with those words, the magic was awakened inside that block of wood and it began to swirl and dance around the toy store breathing life and hope into everything within the store.

"It's you! Molly, YOU are a block of wood. What you need to believe in is YOU," the Mutant said in amazement of all he witnessed.

"And so began the life of Molly Mahoney."

God has given us all the great gift of life, held together with flesh and bones. We are born. We live. We die. Those are the cold, bare facts of our earthly existence. If we stop there, we are no more valuable than Molly Mahoney's lifeless block of wood. But, we are more than just a block of wood; more than just flesh and bones. We contain the very breath and image of God. And what's more, God has placed unique gifts inside for each of us to unwrap and share with the world.

I'd have to agree Molly was right to say the block of wood needed to be in the right hands in order for the greatness to be revealed. We cannot reveal the greatness locked inside our hearts without the hands of God on our lives. We are only human which means the forces of the Enemy are against us from the beginning...feeding us every excuse and discouragement possible to stop us from the touch of the Master. But, the words of our mouth are powerful. When we say, "I believe with all my heart that Jesus is Lord, that he died for my sins, that he rose again and lives at the right hand of the Father," the power of heaven comes down into our lives and the Enemy no longer has control. Then, the greatness of God is revealed.

Thus, begins the life of every believer.

The Impossible Gift

"For with God nothing will be impossible." Luke 1:37 (NASV)

The year of planning a wedding is busy and full of emotion, especially for the bride. She shops for the perfect dress that's "just her," the proper flowers to adorn the wedding party, the church and reception hall, chooses the gals who will attend her, helps decide who will be on the guest list and so much more. And, if any of this goes awry...the tears do fly.

For Mary, the betrothed of Joseph, her perfect wedding plans certainly went awry. Her wedding plans were unexpectedly interrupted by the angel Gabriel. While wondering why Gabriel called her favored by God, she was given a most impossible mission.

"Pregnant? I'm to become pregnant? With God's son? But how? I'm not even married?" she asked.

Yet, in the midst of this incredibly, unbelievable conversation, scripture does not depict Mary in any frenzy of an emotional breakdown. Instead, Mary pondered and humbly accepted God's word to be truth and that which was impossible He would make possible.

I'm sure there's more to the story than what is told in the lines of Scripture. Culturally, Mary was in danger of being stoned for being pregnant outside of marriage. Emotionally, she and Joseph were on the outs and her perfect wedding was now a nightmare. She fled to the hills, literally, to stay with her cousin Elizabeth, who was also carrying a miracle child. We don't know if her parents sent her there for her safety or if she fled on her own. But, what we do know is that she found comfort and confirmation of all Gabriel had spoken was true. She found that what was impossible, God was making possible.

We all face impossible situations in our lives, sometimes more than once. Our perfect plans are interrupted and go awry. We head off down the road of emotional frenzies and wonder how we'll ever see the end of it. We think the solution will never come or change is just impossible. But, God is always faithful to those who put their trust in Him.

His plans for us may not look like the perfect gift wrapped present dolled up with a flashy red bow but they will always be perfect and always made possible. The question is, will we be humble enough to receive from Him? Will we be like Mary who said, "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." (Luke 1:38)

O Tannenbaum

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7a

My daughter brought home a shiny red apple ornament with the year "1997" penned in gold paint across it from her second grade teacher. I thought it an odd symbol for a Christmas ornament but never-the-less hung it by its gold cord amongst the myriads of other decorations on our evergreen tree. It now adorns my daughter's tree in her first home.

I never knew until today, the significance of that ornament. According to my devotional, The Heart of Christmas by Hank Hanegraaff, the origin of the German Christmas tree began with the "paradise tree." The paradise tree was a freshly cut fir tree (tannenbaum) brought inside and decorated with red apples as a reminder of the Tree of Life from the Garden of Eden; the tree that promised eternal life in the presence of God.

The Garden of Eden also represents Paradise Lost with the entrance of sin through Adam and Eve. So why would we want a symbol of what was lost to adorn our Christmas tree?

The birth of Jesus ushered in God's plan for atoning our sin. Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension points us all toward Paradise Found. If we confess our sin and believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord, then we are promised eternal life in the presence of God.

Jesus points us back to the Tree of Life.

I'm not one to enjoy a tree with only one type of decoration adorning it. But I do think from now on my tree will include some shiny apples.

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11

One of my favorite scenes in the movie, "Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is where Christmas returns to Narnia. After 100 years of being "always winter with no Christmas" Father Christmas (the Anglican St. Nicholas) returns bearing gifts for Lucy (healing), Susan (trust) and Peter (tools of protection). When asked "I thought there was no Christmas in Narnia?Father Christmas answers, "The hope that you have brought (your majesties) has started to weaken the Witch's powers."

I agree that Christmas has taken a giant leap toward commercialism leading many people away from the true meaning of Christmas, as the coming of Jesus, God's son. But the original Saint Nicholas was a fourth century Christian bishop who lavished gifts on needy children on Jesus' birthday. He not only believed in the same Christ of the Christmas story, but he also showed God's compassion, mercy, grace and love to the children who had nothing.

We've always included St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) in our family Christmas traditions. We didn't allow him to take center stage, nor did we state that Santa was the reason for the season. We did allow the legend to take form by telling the story of St. Nicholas bringing gifts to children on Christmas Eve, how he placed them in their stockings and (we added) left one special gift besides.

However, we balanced all that with the reading of Jesus' birth from the Bible; celebrating Jesus' birthday by giving gifts and a birthday cake for Jesus.

Can a Christian family celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus? I believe they can. I believe a parent can use the story of St. Nicholas to infuse the Christmas message: that gifts are given because of the hope Jesus brought into the world by his birth.

Fragrance of CHRISTmas

"Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life." 2 Corinthians 2:14 (The Message)

My senses are completely immersed in the Christmas season. I love the sound of Christmas carols playing everywhere; the lights twinkling through the long, dark afternoons; the red bows that adorn the greens around my home; the aroma of fresh baked cookies lingering for hours after the last batch has cooled. But, my favorite part of Christmas is the fragrance of a fresh cut evergreen tree. I especially love how it's scent fills every room of the house, even the bedrooms. It's the first thing I smell when I wake up and the last scent I remember as I fall asleep.

Aromas ignite our imaginations, awaken forgotten memories and move our hearts to respond.

Paul reminds us that we are an exquisite fragrance; the fragrance of Christ. We leave a lasting scent as we share our stories of knowing Christ with others, how we interact with our family and neighbors in our everyday comings and goings.

As we immerse ourselves in the scents of Christmas, may we be reminded of the One whom we are celebrating. May we be the exquisite fragrance of Christ that fills the rooms as we pass by. May those who don't know Him come to appreciate the fragrance of Christ through us and respond to Him when He calls them by name.