I'd like to order a little perspective, please.

I stopped into my local health food store the other day and asked one of the clerks if they carried hot cocoa with mushrooms.  I was just about to launch into my "it sounds gross, but it's really not bad" speech, when she responded, "Oh, that sounds really good."

Although I didn't attempt this, I imagine that if I had made this same request at my local supermarket, the response would have been decidedly different. 

I chalk this up to perspective.  If you are into health and nutrition, you know that medicinal mushrooms are good for your immune system.  If not, Hot Mushroom Cocoa sounds like it should be served on the playground along with Mud Pies.

Everything we've seen, done, read or experienced in life up to this point has formed our perspective.  This leads us to have certain expectations about the future.  As the New Year is about to ring in, and will most certainly bring about change, how can our perspective (the past) and our expectations (in the present) help us navigate the new adventures that await us?

Because, for me, change is frequently equated with fear.  I don't like change.  Things are comfortable just the way they are, thank you, and I don't see a need to make them different.  Even things that aren't that great are at least known.  So, how do I change my perspective on the changes to come?

When I was a young girl, I loved to embroider.  As I got better at it, the finished product was quite beautiful.  But, when you looked at the back side of the stitchery, it was a confused mess of knots.  You couldn't even identify the picture. 

Life is like that.  We can only see the tangled threads, but God's perspective is different.  He sees it from above.  Instead of a confused mess of randomness, He can see the beautiful finished work. 

What I really need, then, is a Heavenly perspective.  Seeing things through the eyes of the One who knows me best, loves me the most and knows the plans He has for me. By keeping my focus on Him as I journey the road ahead, fear will give way to hope and trust.  

I don't know what 2012 will bring.  But, I know Someone who does.   And when I can't find perspective on the menu, I know He'll surprise me with the perfect meal. 

What's in a Name?

Ebenezer.

A word association test would probably reveal a limited variety of answers...

Scrooge
Miser
Humbug
Rock

Wait, what?  Rock??  

Although Dicken's classic tale of redemption has cast long shadows on the name Ebenezer, a much more ancient story tells a different tale.

After an amazing victory against the enemy, a prophet named Samuel set up a large stone as a memorial, a reminder of the power of God.  And he called it (you guessed it) 'Ebenezer', saying, "Thus far, the Lord has sustained us."

During this Christmas season- a season of busyness, shopping, baking, partying, decorating, more shopping, cooking, stress and more stress- we can have a tendency to collapse at the end of a very long day with a loud "HUMBUG!"  We're tired and grumpy with the Christmas Spirit becoming just a dim memory.

It's at those times that we need to have a reminder of all that He has done for us "thus far"; a large rock, if you will, that we chuck down in front of us to help us remember.

In days of old, shepherds abiding in their fields, keeping watch over their flocks, would carve a word or picture into their staff as a reminder of how the Lord had provided...or rescued...or redeemed.  As the years passed, and they, at times, became discouraged, the staff would remind them of all that He had done.

This Christmas, let's find a way to remember, whether it be a journal, a carved stick or even just a big rock.  For surely, thus far, and forever more, He will sustain us.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas has to be one of my all-time favorites.  The iconic tree that only Charlie Brown could find.  Snoopy's fabulously decorated dog house.  And his sister, Sally's, memorable line.....

"I just want what I have coming to me.  I just want my fair share."

Which makes me think: what do I have coming to me?  I mean, really, what do I deserve?

The Word of God makes it pretty clear that it's not "tens and twenties".  In fact, it says that the wages of sin is death.  That's what I really deserve.   Instead, however, I receive grace, a word here which means undeserved favor.  In other words, receiving something good that I definitely don't deserve. 

But He also grants me mercy, which is different from grace.  Knowing that I'll never be good enough on my own, He releases me from the punishment that I do deserve.

Grace and mercy.  Two sides of the same coin.  A gift.  The gift of Himself.  And all that's required of me, is to reach out and accept the gift.

And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

The Marshmellow Test

Nearly forty years ago, an experiment was conducted on a group of four-year-olds.  The test was simple.  Each was given a single marshmellow and told they could eat it right away.  However, if they waited twenty minutes, they could have two marshmellows instead. 

The results were fascinating.  Some gobbled the single confection immediately without a second thought.  Others struggled for several minutes before finally succumbing to temptation.  Still others pushed the plate away or even turned their backs on the treat in order to last the full twenty minutes. 

The most interesting part of this experiment, though, was what happened in these kids' lives as they grew.  Those that were able to delay gratification were psychologically better adjusted, more dependable and even scored significantly higher on their SATs. 

Which makes me wonder.... if we can't wait for the little things in life, how will we stand to wait for the stuff that really matters?

For example, I have a friend who absolutely can not wait to open her Christmas presents.  It is such a challenge, in fact, that she pre-opens all of her gifts before Christmas morning every year....then re-wraps them! 

Many others can't stand the thought of waiting nine whole months to be surprised at the gender of their newborn. 

If we can't even wait for these simple little things, how in the world will we be able to wait for the amazing things God has for us? 

Will we wait for Mr. Right, or settle for Mr. Right Now?  Will we grow bitter waiting for healing, or trust that He will heal in His time, in His way?  Will we take the job that somewhat matches our skill set, or wait for the dream job or business that's just around the corner?

Will we accept a counterfeit plan for our lives instead of waiting for the perfect plan that God has for us?

Delayed gratification is never fun.  Sometimes we have to push temptation away or maybe even turn our backs on things that we know deep down are not His best for us. 

Waiting for His timing and His plan, however, works those faith muscles..... and, sometimes, may even result in twice the blessings.



Background Noise

I was becoming annoyed as I strolled from aisle to aisle on my biweekly Costco run.  Despite a smaller-than-usual crowd shopping that day, it was so noisy that I felt myself getting more and more tense.  Finally, I turned down another aisle, stopped my cart to grab a few things off the shelf and was suddenly stunned to find that the store had gone completely silent.  It was then that I realized I was the problem.  All of the annoying noise had been coming from me and my squeaky cart!

I've found that background noise can sometimes be a problem in my mind too.  Occasionally, I find myself singing a song with a catchy tune that I heard several days ago.  Which isn't a problem if the lyrics are also good.  Unfortunately, that isn't always the case, and do I really want to be singing negative messages to myself over and over again?  (i.e. "I would catch a grenade for ya...")

Other times, I realize I have a tape of self-talk running in the background, which is seldom positive and encouraging.  For example, statements like, "Ah, go ahead and eat that eggnog pie, it's the holidays!" can unconsciously sabotage things I'm trying to accomplish.

I've discovered that tapping twice on my smart phone's ON button brings up all of the apps running behind the scenes.  I'm frequently surprised by how much is going on without me knowing it!  Having an awareness of what's running through my subconscious is the start of helping me to make positive changes.

Also, controlling what I'm putting into my head, such as books, movies, music, etc., makes a huge impact on what I think about during the day.  Being purposeful in selecting good things and weeding out the not-so-good things is powerful.

Finally, focus is important.  Just as a driver steers his car toward what he is looking at (and hopefully it's the road ahead!), so will I tend to move toward that which I focus on.  By keeping my eyes on the One who created me, everything else falls to the periphery and can be handled with a purposeful awareness and a Heavenly perspective.   

Thankful

I am thankful for the Light of my life, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

an amazingly talented, loving and hilarious husband,

two fabulous, creative, intelligent children,

a warm, comfortable home,

plenty of nutritious food to eat,

cars that run,

loving pets,

faithful friends,

loving family,

creative gifts,

a purpose to pursue,

and

hope for tomorrow

Clutter

Shopping for Christmas gifts tends to remind me how much stuff I already have.  And, that it's been a while since it was sorted and cleaned out.  I've noticed that, in addition to all of the clutter in my home, there tends to be a lot of untended clutter in other parts of my life too.

My days are sometimes filled with unimportant, even useless (can you say iphone games?!) activities that clutter up what could be a productive day.

My thoughts are frequently unfocused and tend to get cluttered up dwelling on things that are outside of my control or even, dare I say it, none of my business.

Even relationships can become cluttered with baggage from the past that was never sorted and cleaned out.

So how do I solve the problem of clutter?  I believe it is possible, piece by piece, to remove distractions so that I can think more clearly, perform more productively and even become a better listener to those around me.

Frequently, a helping hand from He-Hauls may be required to dispense with some of the bigger junk. And, occasionally, there may be times where you just have to throw in a grenade, duck for cover and start over from scratch. 

Radical? Yes.  But, out of the ashes, a new foundation can be laid; a foundation that is stronger because of its past trials.  In addition, inviting the Master Mover to park His truck outside, will allow me to daily remove the things that threaten to clutter up my life.  And, as He removes them, piece by piece, He will leave behind His uncluttered peace.

Bus Stop



Life is a little like riding the bus. 

We decide where we want to go, get on the right route and, eventually, arrive at our destination.  For example, say the Lord puts it on your heart to be a teacher.  You pick a college that has a great program in that field, sign up for classes and in four years you've reached your goal and can start sending out resumes.

Life can be like that.  Or, sometimes, not so much.

Sometimes, we miss our stop. 

So, what happens when you think you heard Him say one thing and it just doesn't happen?  Perhaps going to college never materialized because of financial challenges.  Or, you went to school, but changed majors to something else entirely.  Or maybe you even got off the bus early and dropped out of school before completing your goal.

In essence, you've missed your original stop. 

Have you missed this window of opportunity entirely?  Will the bus do another lap around the same route to give you another chance?  Or is there another opportunity just around the bend that's good too...just different?   Did you even hear Him correctly??

Or, is it possible, like in Narnia, that the signs look different down here?  You look around and see that you really are a teacher - teaching your own children at home, or maybe sharing words of wisdom with a friend, or even instructing your dog on how to be a decent member of society? 

One day I will be asking the Bus Driver these questions.  But, even though I may have missed some amazing things that He had for me at a previous stop, due to my own laziness, ignorance or willful disobedience, I know He works all things together for good. 

And, the next stop will be my best so far because He is the One driving me there.

The Elusive Fruit

There is nothing quite like sinking your teeth into  mealy fruit.  There's a lot of things better, but nothing quite like it. 

Having married a man who spent considerable time growing up in "apple country", I've been well versed on finding the perfect apple.  It must be slightly green by the stem, smooth to the touch, no pits in the skin and can only be found in the early to mid-fall.  The rest of the year, fruit is no longer fresh from the field but brought out periodically from cold storage.  Definitely not the same as fresh. 

You can tell when someone has found the perfect apple.  You hear the juicy crunch, and see the slow smile begin to creep across their face.  Pure pleasure and a brief break from the world. 


Finding time to truly rest can be just as daunting as seeking out that perfect apple.  There is a season for all things, including working and resting from that work.  I believe our amazing Creator has designed us to live from rest to rest.  

Our day, one revolution around our own axis, begins and ends with rest.  Our months go from a new moon rising and falling; and our year, a trip around the sun, begins on New Year's Day with a day of rest and ends on New Year's eve, with an evening of fun and, hopefully, reflection.  Rest to rest.

Only our week has nothing to revolve around.  It is strictly a God-created cycle especially made for us to know how to rest.  In His wisdom, He knew that we have the potential to run from thing to thing, never stopping for a break.  And so, He modeled it for us. 

But how do we rest when there's so much to be accomplished?  And for Him, no less??  And, when we do find the time, what are we supposed to do to be rested?  Does it mean sleeping in?  Playing with the kids?  Going golfing with the fellas?  What does it mean to truly rest? 

I believe finding the rest and refreshment we seek, is like digging in that apple bin.  We tune out the world for that moment; we are focused on something outside our usual activity and, in that quiet moment, the Lord can speak.  He can show us the perfect fruit.  It is then that He gives us rest, true rest, as a loving gift.  It is not something we find on our own, but as we take time away from our usual activities, time to pause and reflect, in that quiet space when our focus is on Him, He reveals it.

Crunch.  Ahhh....

What If...

Well, I can no longer say I never win anything. As of this week, I have now won two amazing prizes in my lifetime. One, a large leafy plant that threatens to one day become something huge enough for Rick Moranis to deal with, and two, a movie on DVD called simply What if...

 

It's a story about a man who is gently forced (is that an oxymoron?) to see what his life might have been like had he made a different choice at a major crossroads in his life. Kind of It's a Wonderful Life in reverse.

 

After watching it, the idea of “what if...” got me thinking.  What if I started thinking outside the box?

 

What if...learning a foreign language wasn't as hard as I thought? I've found that spending a mere 10 minutes a day 'gently forces' these new words into my subconscious until the new language starts to become intuitive.  This became apparent one day when I mispronounced "Chinco de Mayo" on the back of someone's t-shirt coming out of Costco.  It was then I knew my Italian letters and sounds had become second nature.

 

What if....everything I knew about healthy eating was wrong. Gary Taubes, a highly acclaimed scientific journalist, tackles this controversial topic in his exhaustive tome, Good Calories, Bad Calories, and, since reading said tome, I have made different decisions because he took the time to think outside the box.

 

What if....you could write a novel in thirty days? My daughter and her cousins are about to stretch their imaginations and find out.  I'm looking forward to reading them on December first!

What if... the extremely long, well-thought out and detailed email I wrote to my cousin regarding homeschooling that was subsequently lost when my computer went down unexpectedly, what if that was supposed to happen because Someone wanted me to say something different? 

 

What if...God really was bigger than my problems?

What if...He really does have a plan and purpose for my life?

What if...even though I don't understand why He's allowed certain trials and challenges in my life, He really does know best?

What if....because He unconditionally loves me, I can, after all, unconditionally trust Him...with everything.

Hurricane Season

 I know it's a real phenomenon, but what's up with hurricane season?  Six months out of every year there's a weather condition so bad that it destroys homes, businesses and even lives.  Every year!  And these people continue to live in these places?  It's kind of like saying, "Ok, everyone, just a reminder that Godzilla season is coming up, so be on the lookout for a large T-Rex-like creature roaming the countryside seeking to destroy everything in its path.  Oh, and be sure to stock up on food and supplies."

 I don't have to move to the Southeast to experience a hurricane.  I'm living in one right now.  From the car needing a new transmission, a dog requiring teeth removal, a son desperate for help with a long writing assignment for school, a daughter requesting advice on finding the perfect man, a husband traveling across the country for work, to starting a new company, filing tax forms, getting business licenses, serving at church at o'dark hundred, learning to paint in the hopes that one day it can be a potential source of income, all the while living with a chronic health condition that gives me less hours in the day to get things done than I'd like....whew.  Out of breath.  It's hard to breathe in a hurricane.

And I'm supposed to be the glue, the hub that my family revolves around; offering wisdom, comfort, and perspective.  How do I do that when everything is swirling around me so fast that it's hard to focus on any one thing?

Then I see it.  Blue sky, sunshine, light ahead.  The eye of the storm.  Fighting my way out of the swirling mass, I head to the center and look up.  And He's there waiting for me.  It's calm here, quiet, peaceful.  He offers me wisdom, gives me comfort, and puts everything in perspective. 

Finally, I get it.  He's the glue, the hub that everything revolves around.  And, while I can show others the way in, I'm not designed to be the center.  He is.  And as the hurricanes of life move through, I need to move with them, keeping a weather "eye" on Him.

iPhone Home

You've probably seen the ads.  A basic cell phone with really big numbers.  And NO extras.  This is what I told my husband that I wanted.  I don't want to text, surf the net, play games or take pictures.  I just want a BASIC phone that calls people.  Really, that's all I want. 

Then I saw the iphone for the first time.  It was elegant.  Intuitive.  Comfortable to hold and very easy to use.  In the twenty or so minutes I spent waiting for my husband to handle whatever business he had at the AT&T store, I was hooked. 

That was two years ago.  Now, as I prepare for my upgrade to the latest and greatest, I realize that I would be hard pressed to live without this amazing device.  I have been able to keep in better contact with friends I don't see very often by using Facebook.  I get periodic updates from my kids during their work/school day via text that they never would have called me about.  I have taken pictures I never would have captured since I'm forever leaving my camera at home.  And then, of course, there's Angry Birds....nuff said.

I realize that I make some pretty ridiculous demands of God too.  I give Him my list letting Him know exactly what I want..... and don't want.  Specifically.  I think He must be chuckling up there as He prepares to give me exactly what I need instead.  I may think I want simple or basic, but He, out of all of His vast storehouse of resources, wants to give me elegance.  I want to settle for easy; He wants to challenge me to try something new.  I want to focus on one thing; He wants to show me my potential.  

Staying in close connection with Him in that comfortable, intuitive relationship that I constantly seek is key to accepting all He has for me...whether blessing or challenge.  And that's a great reminder to "phone Home."

Thinner

The year I turned 15, my life was forever changed by a number.  A seemingly innocent question by a friend of mine about how much I weighed ripped off the rose-colored glasses of childhood.  Not only had it never occurred to me to weigh myself, it had also never crossed my mind to compare that number with everyone else.   And so began a thirty year battle with numbers - numbers on a scale, numbers on a measuring tape, numbers on a clothing tag.

Growing up as a dancer didn't help.  No bump or roll could be hidden in the leotards we wore to class.  Every Monday was a new diet to be tried and every Friday was the beginning of a weekend food bender.  Working out and studying diet books became my hobbies.  Everything revolved around getting thinner.

Amazingly, it's only been in the past few years that I've come to terms with who I am and how I'm made.  I'll never look like Angelina Jolie.  And, that's ok, because I'm finally discovering the power of true thinness.

In truth, I am just a clay jar sitting on the Potter's wheel.  But slowly, as He turns the wheel and works that clay, bit by bit, I become thinner.  The process is not easy, and is sometimes downright painful.  Over time, the clay softens in His skilled fingers. As I allow myself to be stretched and shaped, I become thinner and thinner until the once thick, heavy clay now appears almost transparent.  But the power isn't in my transparency; the power is only found inside the jar....filled with the pure gold of the Master Potter Himself. 

Pure gold that can now be seen because He has changed me. And made me thinner.

Moving Day

I have never been more excited to see a moving van.  Yesterday, our drug dealing neighbors in their red gang colors finally moved out, personally escorted by the men in blue.  For two years we have watched as crime increased in our beautiful neighborhood, helpless to do anything about it except report license numbers and suspected activity.  Apparently, enough was enough....it was time for them to go.

Which invites the question:  How do we know when it's time for us to move on?  We may have followed the Shepherd's leading to our current home, job, mission field, etc. and knew we were in His perfect will for our lives - at the time.  Of course, some things have obvious endings, such as homeschooling my kids.  When the last one graduated this past June, I knew that I would be moving on to something else.  But what about this home that we were led to through extraordinary circumstances?  What about that perfect work circumstance that doesn't seem so perfect anymore?  How do we know when it's time to go??

It's not that I don't think I can trust His leading; it's that I want to make sure it's His path and not my rabbit trail.  My daily prayer is for Him to close doors that He doesn't want me to go through, and open the one He does.  The only challenge with that is when I hear door after door slamming in my face.  I tend to forget that I asked for this. 

Then I have to remind myself that doors closing are an answer to prayer.  And a great reminder that when it is time to move...He'll send the van.

Masterpiece

We live in a turn of the century home that had been condemned and abandoned for eight years. Thankfully for us, it was completely restored about ten years ago.  Although previously the eyesore of the neighborhood, it is now the gem, an amazingly beautiful blending of the old with the new. 

 No detail was forgotten.  The ceiling in our living and dining rooms, for example, was redone by a 70 year old man, the local expert in the field.  It was, in fact, his very last job before retirement.  The workmanship is amazing.  The entire surface is textured with swirling half circles that perfectly line up in every direction, and at certain times of day, it shows off the sunlight beautifully.  It is so amazing, in fact, that I have to wonder if this was his very best work, his magnum opus of sorts.

Which makes sense.  You spend your entire life developing your talent until towards the end of that life you finally complete your masterpiece.  I sometimes wonder if that's what the Creator was thinking when He created woman.  Yes, mankind was His last creation, but, technically, woman was the final beautiful masterpiece, the icing on the cake. 

Unfortunately, the enemy of our souls would love to destroy that beauty.  He would encourage us to tear it down with our own negative thoughts as we pick apart every detail of the Artist's work.  (My legs are too fat, my hair is too thin, my ears are too big, need I go on??)  Or worse, we compare the masterpiece that we have been created to be with the Artist's other works, as if we could compare a Monet to a Van Gogh!  Both have their own beauty, in their own way, just the way the Master Artist wanted it and created it to be. 

 I heard about an actress recently who had her highly recognizable nose "fixed".  She was lamenting the fact that now she looked like every other actress out there; there wasn't much to distinguish her from the crowd. 

I think, like viewing a painting, we need to step back and see the big picture.  Things are always blurry up close.  Details are messy.  There may be things that we consider to be imperfections, but are there by design.  These things provide the character and the differences that make life interesting.

  I just need to remind myself that I am an original work, a masterpiece created by the Master Artist.  And, even as He textures the corners of my eyes with the swirling half circles of new crow's feet (which line up perfectly in every direction!) I know, as I smile the smile He's given me,  they will help me show off the Sonlight beautifully.

The New Normal

After months of diligent effort and considerable financial outlay, I have, at long last, achieved my goal and received my reward...the Starbucks Gold Card.  After the whirlwind of excitement upon achieving said accomplishment and finally being able to take advantage of all the exclusive benefits, you can imagine my complete and utter discouragement upon discovering that I have....... a dairy allergy.  And, let's face it, what is coffee without the cream, the cafe without the latte??  Yes, I realize Starbucks has tea and (gulp) soy milk, but those things just don't provide the same comfort as a tall ristretto sugar-free cinnamon dulce breve latte with whip.   (Side note: my theory is that Starbucks fills a need in all of us formula-fed babies that breast-fed babies just don't understand.)

So, now I face the challenge of what I like to call 'The New Normal'.  Things are constantly changing, and we have to change with them or pay the price, whatever that may be.  I have to discover and, maybe one day, learn to love cheese-less pizza and coconut milk ice cream.  My son, who has been homeschooled since first grade, has to learn how to thrive in an online college classroom.  My daughter, whose friends are beginning to branch off with their significant others, has to find a way to meet new people, while maintaining her current friendships.  My husband, who is starting a new company at age 50, is discovering how to balance his current job, the new business and his many relationships with friends and family.  Even our little old dog, Piggy, who recently broke off several teeth, including the last of her canines, will have to learn to chew in the back.

I guess my point is that life is always changing, and always will change, no matter how much we want to stay in our comfort zones.  Kids grow up and move, aging parents pass away, jobs change, illnesses may come, and life is never static.  The key to a happy life lies in dealing with the New Normal.  One trick I've discovered is to set a goal to make it through the next two weeks. Just survive for two weeks.  For many of life's minor changes and challenges, two weeks is enough time to set new boundaries around that comfort zone.  Obviously, major life crises may take months or even years in which to adapt. 

Sometimes, you may even be hit on multiple sides of your comfort zone at once.  It's at these times, especially, that I've found that getting into the zone with the God of all comfort, is the only place where I truly find peace when life gives me lemons.  Ultimately, He leads me to the New Normal. 

Lemonade, anyone?

 

Ember

Imagine living in a city hundreds of feet underground, and not knowing it.  You believe you understand everything about this world, that you've seen it all.  Your community is lit by a thousand lamps by day which shut off promptly each evening at bedtime.  It never rains, but is a constant somewhat chilly temperature.  There seems to be nothing more to explore, and no hope for anything better.  Nowadays, however, the lights begin to flicker a little too often and even go out completely during the day for several moments at a time.  You begin to look for a way out...

Welcome to the City of Ember.  I think the reason I enjoyed this book so much is because, living in the Northwest, we dwell in our own type of Ember.  It is gray at least ten months out of the year, even if it's not raining.  Although we despaired of having no summer this year (like last year!) it finally arrived August 1st and has continued, so far, through mid-September as I write this.   In spite of this, even on this beautiful, sunny day, I find myself dreading what is surely to come.  I begin to look for a way out...

After much research, however, I discover that Phoenix is too hot, Florida is too humid, San Diego is too expensive and Eastern Washington is too far from my kids (they refuse to move there!)  So, the answer seems to be to settle in with my little blue light this fall (and winter, and spring and early summer...) and just deal with it. 

Recently, though, I've had the metaphor expanded for me even further.  The Pacific Northwest really isn't Ember; this world is. Tsunamis and earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes, bank failures and financial crises around the world are occuring with more and more frequency.  The lights are flickering. 

 Thankfully, the One who created this Ember has provided The Way out, and all who choose to follow will one day journey higher. For now, I strain to see past the flickering lights, constantly seeking the one true Spark that will lead us home.