If you're a reader, you know the feeling you get when you finish a chapter of a book -- sometimes you don't want it to end, other times you are ready to start the next chapter because of the way you are propelled into it. But nearly all the time you see each chapter as necessary and having its own unique purpose to the whole story. Some chapters have great joy while others have a stomach-turning story line that no one could ever imagine. And the pay off is always how the characters persevere -- grateful, humble, weary, resolute, bolstered by family, friends and faith, stronger for the journey.
On November 19, I finished one chapter of my life and began another. If I could describe how I, the character of the story, persevered, it would be all the adjectives above. Leaving a job and a faith family is hard -- a grieving process, really. And I am leaving two families -- a staff ensemble that has weathered all seasons of storms and sunshine, plus a family of God where I have found friends, confidants, colleagues, mentors, and much more.
It will take a long while to properly process the time I spent with this dear work and faith family. There are untold scenarios that I need to "let go" because they will likely never be completely resolved. I am reminded of the verse in Romans 12:17-18, which says, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. " Part of this verse in The Message translation says, "Discover the beauty in everyone." That's what I want to do.
I know that it may not ever be completely possible to bring resolution to all that has happened, but this verse gives me hope by saying "if it is possible" and "as far as it depends on me" I can be compelled to live at peace. I can discover the beauty in everyone. I can be careful to do what is right. And I can resolve to not repay anyone evil for evil.
I can only be responsible for me. And I want to walk humbly, yet joyfully, as a child of God, looking for beauty, and growing stronger every day. In many ways, I'll be "shaking the dust off my sandals" and moving on. But mostly I am leaving the dearest and closest of friends with whom I have made memories that will last a lifetime -- and longer when we all get to heaven!
My next chapter? All of my 59 years to this point -- just like preparation for each of life's chapters -- have prepared me for "such a time as this." I am going to use each experience to mold and form what I do next. I once led a group where we looked at our heart's desires, our abilities, our network of experiences in life, the discovery of strengths that make us unique, and our spiritual gifts from God that equip us for service. All these come together to make us who we are and how we are to make a difference for Christ in this world. I have some work to do, because I want this to be how I go forward.
Prayer: Loving God, give me grace for each moment, a heart of forgiveness and love, a desire to impact others through inspiration and encouragement, a yearning to make others feel wanted, needed and loved, and an unshakable joyful faith in You -- all pressed down, shaken together and running over...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Happy Birthday
Do you remember when you were born?
My granddaughter is five today, and I remember a great deal about her birthday. It was on this day, April 30, 2004, that I received a phone call from my youngest son saying that Maggie, his second daughter, had just been born. Immediately disappointed that we had missed being with them for the birth, I asked, "Why didn't you call? What happened?" He said, "You won't believe it..."
From there he began to tell THE STORY that all of us in the family have come to know and love. And I have a feeling that Maggie will become an expert herself at telling in detail what happened on the day she was born.
Perhaps you might also enjoy THE STORY...
Maggie is sweet, spirited, quirky...and has a strange sense of urgency woven into everything she does. I think this is an accurate description of anyone who happens to be born in a car. Her mom and dad had gone out to dinner and had a wonderful evening. Soon after they arrived back at home, my daughter-in-law's back started hurting. She decided to lay down, and asked my son to rub her back. Beginning with that moment, how were they to know that in 27 minutes (give or take a few seconds) they would be holding their daughter, Maggie?
The momentum of labor continued like a runaway train. Nearby grandparents were called in to care for sleeping Abby, Maggie's older sister. When the grandparents arrived, my son and daughter-in-law were already sitting in the car in the driveway, ready to pull out the moment they knew Abby would be safe.
They lived just minutes from the hospital, but even the short drive proved to be too long. As they pulled up to the entrance of the hospital, they knew they would never make it inside. My son summoned help, and an entourage responded with an instant delivery room to assemble car side. Welcome, Maggie!
Always one to capture everything in pictures, my son was crestfallen that he had no photographic record of Maggie's birth UNTIL...he discovered a couple of days later that everything had been captured on the hospital security cameras--their wild ride in, doors flung open, gurneys rushing out and in, baby whisked away...mom following...dad serving as conductor and choreographer. No pictures? They had a full-blown movie! So much so that the Discovery Channel picked up their story on Amazing Births. The film crew camped out in their home and bedroom for nearly a week, local and regional news covered the action...and follow-up stories.
Don't you wish you had a story like that to tell about your birth? One that you can tell over and over again to friends and family? One that you will never forget?
If you are a Christian, you have a story like that. It began when you were born anew in Christ. He brought you out of a world of uncertainty and doubt about who you are and why you are here...and gave you a purpose in life and a promise and hope for eternity. Sooo...
Do you remember when you were born? Your birth can also be amazing...and simple, so simple.
My granddaughter is five today, and I remember a great deal about her birthday. It was on this day, April 30, 2004, that I received a phone call from my youngest son saying that Maggie, his second daughter, had just been born. Immediately disappointed that we had missed being with them for the birth, I asked, "Why didn't you call? What happened?" He said, "You won't believe it..."
From there he began to tell THE STORY that all of us in the family have come to know and love. And I have a feeling that Maggie will become an expert herself at telling in detail what happened on the day she was born.
Perhaps you might also enjoy THE STORY...
Maggie is sweet, spirited, quirky...and has a strange sense of urgency woven into everything she does. I think this is an accurate description of anyone who happens to be born in a car. Her mom and dad had gone out to dinner and had a wonderful evening. Soon after they arrived back at home, my daughter-in-law's back started hurting. She decided to lay down, and asked my son to rub her back. Beginning with that moment, how were they to know that in 27 minutes (give or take a few seconds) they would be holding their daughter, Maggie?
The momentum of labor continued like a runaway train. Nearby grandparents were called in to care for sleeping Abby, Maggie's older sister. When the grandparents arrived, my son and daughter-in-law were already sitting in the car in the driveway, ready to pull out the moment they knew Abby would be safe.
They lived just minutes from the hospital, but even the short drive proved to be too long. As they pulled up to the entrance of the hospital, they knew they would never make it inside. My son summoned help, and an entourage responded with an instant delivery room to assemble car side. Welcome, Maggie!
Always one to capture everything in pictures, my son was crestfallen that he had no photographic record of Maggie's birth UNTIL...he discovered a couple of days later that everything had been captured on the hospital security cameras--their wild ride in, doors flung open, gurneys rushing out and in, baby whisked away...mom following...dad serving as conductor and choreographer. No pictures? They had a full-blown movie! So much so that the Discovery Channel picked up their story on Amazing Births. The film crew camped out in their home and bedroom for nearly a week, local and regional news covered the action...and follow-up stories.
Don't you wish you had a story like that to tell about your birth? One that you can tell over and over again to friends and family? One that you will never forget?
If you are a Christian, you have a story like that. It began when you were born anew in Christ. He brought you out of a world of uncertainty and doubt about who you are and why you are here...and gave you a purpose in life and a promise and hope for eternity. Sooo...
Do you remember when you were born? Your birth can also be amazing...and simple, so simple.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
"If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life..."
Are happiness and holiness connected?
The message of first and above all seeking God and his wisdom runs as a prominent thread from the Old Testament to the New Testament. And you may know the beautiful scripture in song, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto to. Alleluia!" But what are "all these things" that will be "added" to us? And will they make us happy?
When you think of genuine happiness, what are your thoughts? Being wealthy, popular and beautiful? Or being content, at peace and in an active, right relationship with Jesus Christ? Yes, we all think from time to time how more money or more "clout" or more, more, more might make it easier to be happy (admit it :-). But aren't those just distractions from what really matters? And don't those distractions (money, busyness, envy, selfishness) become what actually make us UN-happy! We don't need to worry and fret about things--we need to focus on loving God and righteous living--and God will supply all of our other needs just like the song says.
There is an early 1960ish pop song that goes: "If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life don't make a pretty a woman your wife. So from my personal point of view get an ugly girl to marry you!" Funny? Not really. Crude and insulting? Of course. But the point hidden in there (you really have to look hard!) is that we concentrate most of the time on what we think we want, deserve, and believe to be just the thing that will make us happy. While in reality, we are surprised to have abundant joy when we merely change our priorities, and focus our energies in a different direction from what the world says we should do.
And that different direction is holiness.
So the question then becomes: Can you handle holiness? (No, I'm not suggesting that men who marry ugly girls are more holy than those who marry pretty ones! And I can see it now...I'm in big trouble for using that song! But admit it...it has shock value!) Where was I? Oh, yes...can you handle holiness? Because it is to a holy life and way of living that God is calling us.
Holy, holy, holy; Lord, God Almighty.
All thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea.
Take time to be holy; speak oft with thy Lord. Abide in Him always and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God's children; Help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Happy the home where Jesus' name is sweet to every ear;
where children early speak his fame and parents hold him dear.
Happy the home where prayer is heard and praise is wont to rise;
where parents love the sacred Word and all its wisdom prize.
Happy day, happy day; when Jesus washed my sins away.
He taught me how to watch and pray and live rejoicing every day.
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee; God of glory, Lord of love.
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.
Thou are giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,
well-spring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother, all who live in love are thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.
Thank God for the hymnwriters/poets of songs such as these that echo what the Bible says about true happiness coming from living lives that imitate our holy God. Scripture such as:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Romans 14: 17 - 18
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Ephesians 5:3
But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation...[ Rules for Holy Living ] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God...Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 1:22, 3: 1, 12
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 1 Thessalonians 4:7
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5: 11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5: 11
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94: 19
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. Psalm 119:111
I challenge you to continue to search the Bible for more examples of the joy and happiness that comes from pursuing holy living as a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Read of the Fruit of the Spirit, the Beatitudes, the Psalms, Prayers of David (1 Chronicles 17: 16 - 27; 1 Chronicles 29: 10 - 20).
So happiness and holiness ARE connected--when we pursue the right things. What are you seeking? What do you want more of? Are you ready to say "Yes" to what matters?
I challenge you to continue to search the Bible for more examples of the joy and happiness that comes from pursuing holy living as a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Read of the Fruit of the Spirit, the Beatitudes, the Psalms, Prayers of David (1 Chronicles 17: 16 - 27; 1 Chronicles 29: 10 - 20).
So happiness and holiness ARE connected--when we pursue the right things. What are you seeking? What do you want more of? Are you ready to say "Yes" to what matters?
- Yes, I want more, more, more...more of Him.
- Yes, I want beauty...the beauty of His holiness and love.
- Yes, I want abundance...abundant joy.
- Yes, I want to be busy...busy preparing for active and true worship, busy leading a disciplined life of Bible study and prayer, busy helping and serving others in need, and busy witnessing to others (family, friends, strangers) about finding deep fulfillment and happiness through our relationship with Christ--no matter what comes our way.
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