Brokenness

        I was in the parking lot the other day and I saw a sight that made me laugh. There were two little old ladies. One was in a wheelchair and the other was pushing her. The thing that struck me about this situation was that the woman pushing the wheelchair was blind and carrying her white cane. At first this seemed comical and a little bit dangerous.
       But as I've been thinking about this, it's started to make sense. Some people might look at these two women and scoff at their brokenness and their seemingly pitiful situation; and yet, these two old ladies have something that so many people seek--a true friend.  We are all broken in one way or another. For some it is a physical brokenness and for others it's a break that cannot be seen. This fact is not something that is meant to discourage us or make us feel bad about our situation, it is only to remind us that we need each other. I can just imagine the conversation of these women. The one might say, "excuse me, would you guide me? I'm blind." Then the other would reply, "My eyes are yours, but you are going to have to give me a push."
       Yes, we are broken, yes we have difficulties and struggles. But that is why God gave us each other. So that when I can's see the way you can give me some guidance, and when you are tired and feel as though you can't make it another step, I'll give you a push. If we had life figured out we would never have a need for the people that are all around us, and we would be missing out on a truly beautiful gift. The gift of friendship. So today, stop trying to hide your brokenness and be okay with yourself just the way you are. You may need help but you also have something wonderful to offer.


"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. "
 ~Albert Schweitzer


Proverbs 17:17
"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need."

The Ice Worker

Jack Frost,
He sneaks in late at night,

And works in silence by the pale moonlight.

He paints such beauty, so elegant and fine.

Masterpieces of swirling, frosty design.

He's a man of mystery, this worker of ice.

There for a moment, then gone when you look twice.

Snowflakes

Snowflakes,

They dance and flutter all around.

With gentle grace they cover the ground.

They're small and delicate, this Winter lace.

They land like crystal on an upturned face.

Like hand-blown glass, they're crafted with care.

And sent to remind us that, there is Beauty everywhere.

Knitting

I love to make things. Be it painting my next masterpiece, gluing together some random objects that caught my eye, or baking something delicious, I simply love to create. These past months I have been knitting. Right now I'm working on making a huge and fuzzy red, pink and brown blanket. But just before Christmas I was working like crazy to get 7 pairs of mittens done. All of this knitting got me to thinking. It says in the Psalms that God knit me together in my mothers womb. This image resonates with me because I understand knitting. It takes time, thought and care to create something. I pour hours into the projects I work on and when I'm done I step back and smile with pride and what I've made. Sure, some of my mittens aren't exactly the same size and the thumbs don't quite match up, but I smile because they are mine and I'm proud of them. And if I can be so pleased with a pair of mittens, how much more pleased is the God of the universe who knit you together before you were even born. And the great thing is, God doesn't make mistakes. I sometimes look at myself and wonder why I am the way I am. But God never wonders that. He looks at me and you sees His masterpiece. He made me to be about 5'4" with blond hair and blues eyes. But beyond physical characteristics, He knit all sorts of quirks and traits into my being to make me the person that I am.  A person who loves to sing and dance. A heart that sighs at every beautiful story and dreams of the extraordinary. A girl who loves the color pink, can't stand mushrooms and occasionally enjoys peanut butter and pickle sandwiches. God knows all of this about me and He knows you too, because He made you and He loves you. You are priceless. Don't ever doubt it. Never look at your self and say, "I'm frayed at the edges, I'm stained, I'm broken, I'm no good." Because that is NOT what God sees. He sees you exactly the way He made you, Beautiful.

Psalm 139:13
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb."

Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

“Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.”
~Judy Garland


“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Christmas

It is December and the season of Christmas is upon us. The lights are twinkling all around, timeless carols float on the air, and their is a dusting of snow on the ground. I've always thought that Christmas is such a magical time of the year. I close my eyes and am taken back to the Christmases of my past, and I smile. The simple beauty of childhood memories are truly a priceless treasure, they are snapshots in the book of our lives. I remember the year my family didn't have enough money for a Christmas tree, so we got crafty with a refrigerator box and some green spray paint. We had to tack the lights and ornaments on, but it was beautiful. I remember the Christmases that my siblings and I sat in the living room with our mom as she read us "The Christmas Carol." I remember hours spent frosting sugar cookies which we proudly called, "lick in sticks," because you licked a little frosting and then stuck a little on the cookie. I remember the Christmas I spent in Namibia and the children's program we had in the little school where I worked. I remember last Christmas, when I was falling in love. All of these days are gone and are tucked away as beautiful memories. But, there is a Christmas memory that is new every year. And that is, that Jesus is the reason for the season. Without Jesus, we wouldn't have Christmas memories or hope. And yet He came. He came to give us life, hope and joy. He is the One who gave us our past memories and He has great plans for your future. So this Christmas season, remember the memories of Christmases past, but don't forget to look forward with anticipation at the journey that God has ahead of you. He is the reason. Merry Christmas.

"There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries."   ~W.J. Cameron

"God Bless us, everyone." ~Tiny Tim

The Voice

I was walking the other day and I realized that I couldn't hear the birds singing or the wind in the trees because there was road construction going on and the sound of the heavy machinery was overpowering everything else. And then, something occurred to me, fears are often like heavy machinery. They come in loud and overpowering until you feel as though there is no escape from it. They drown out the beautiful sounds of the world around you until you feel lost in a sea of noise, fear and distraction. But then I realized something, just because the machines are trying their best to overpower everything else, the birds are still there, the breeze is still dancing in the trees and the snow is still crunching under my feet. Just because I've stopped listening for it doesn't mean it has left. You just have to train your ears to listen over the construction so that you can hear the symphony all around you. Fear is relentless and if you give it power you will soon be sitting in the corner with your hands over your ears begging it to stop. What we must realize is that God promises to be with us always and He says that there is no fear in Him. So, when the fear begins to drown you out, you have to stop and listen. Listen past the clamoring thoughts and distractions in your mind. It says in the Bible that God doesn't always blare His words at you, He wants you to listen for them. Moses was expecting God to come thundering from the mountain tops, but He didn't. Moses had to wait and listen for that still small voice. So, when the fears and doubts begin to scream at you remember that though they may be the loudest, that doesn't mean they are the truth. God designed us to be in communion with Him. When we listen to the fears and believe them we stop communicating with God, the source of truth and peace. So, my challenge to myself and you is to start training your mind to listen for the still small voice. It is not going to be easy, because the fears aren't going to just give up, but listen past them and don't give them the time of day. Because the more time you give them, the more real they will sound. So, laugh, love, live and start listening for the still small voice.

1 Kings 19:12
"Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake;  and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice."

"The key to change is to let go of fear." --Rosanne Cash

The Perfectionist

I must admit something, I am a terrible perfectionist. When someone is hurting, I want to make it better. When I don't understand something, I want it laid out in clear, precise terms. When I fail, I take it personally. In other words, I like to be in control and when life is not in perfect order I don't know what to do. And today I realized something, I can't be in control of everything. As I look back over my life, I realize that I have all to often been legalistic. I've tried being a perfectionist for myself, others and God. I believe that Jesus died to save me from my sins and yet I still keep trying to measure up. I've given my life to the One who created it and yet I still try to hold on. I try to attain some unreachable standard, and I can't. I realize that I still look at God as a task master, someone who is waiting with a list of "To Do's". When the truth is, God sent His Son to die, so that the "To Do" list could be erased. My perfectionism has gotten in the way. It's okay to strive to be our best but what we must remember is that our best will never be good enough. That's why Jesus died. There is absolutely nothing we can do to earn that gift, we just have to take it.  The list that is in our heads, the list that makes us feel hopeless, the list that feels so long is not God's list at all. The only purpose that this list serves is to make us feel hopeless and defeated, because no matter how many things you mark off the list it will never be enough. So, that is what I have learned today; perfectionism is only going to get in your way, because you can never be perfect enough. So I'm going to have to let it go. I'm going to have to let some things be messy and some things be unanswered and I'm going to have to trust. Because I know the hope that is in Jesus Christ, it's for you and me. Don't let perfectionism get in the way of the beautiful life of freedom that is waiting for you.


Ephesians 2:8-9
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast."

The Jump

      The girl is standing on the edge of a cliff and tears begin to roll down her face. It feels as though there is no more hope. For her beautiful meadow has come to an end and there is nothing before her but a great drop. She is discouraged for it feels as though there is no choice but to go back, the canyon is simply too big. And then suddenly, He appears. At first she does not see Him and he quietly watches the conflict play out on her face. Just when she is about to turn back He places His hand on her shoulder and asks, "What's wrong?' The girl looks at Him with tears in her eyes and replies, "What do you mean, 'what's wrong?' It's obvious, I can't go forward any more and I'm going to have to turn back."
          He shakes his head and with a slight smile, says, "No you don't. There is always hope and moving forward is the only way to truly live. You just don't see how, because you are looking at the canyon. You're gaze is downward not upward."
          The girl looks up and sees nothing but the sky and wonders what He means. Then He takes her hand and says, "The only way is forward and right now it seems impossible, because you are not fully trusting Me. It is easy to trust when you know where you are and how things are going, but it is times like these that your trust and faith will be tested. Are you willing to step out regardless of how you feel about the circumstances? Are you willing to trust Me even though you don't know what lies ahead? Are you willing to trust Me even though your mind is saying that the only way is backwards?"
         The girl looked at the canyon and it seemed so very big, and then ever so gently He took her hand. "I'm not going to make you do this alone," He said. "I promise to go through it with you. You just have to make sure that you keep a hold of My hand. When you let go of my hand and your trust wavers, you'll start to feel as though you are spinning out of  control. So hold on tight, I promise I won't let you go." And so, she took his hand and without looking back, she jumped.  
         Have you ever been there? At that place where you feel as though you have no hope and that the only out is back. Forward seems scary, because you have no idea what's out there. Your mind is screaming at you that it is not the right move and the enemy would have you believe that if you take that jump you will be lost, because he doesn't want you to win. But the One who created your heart, knows these struggles and He doesn't promise that they will go away. But He does promise to hold your hand through them. So today, stop looking back--It's not an option. The Lover of your soul is waiting for you to take His hand and trust Him. Your mind may scream at you, the world might tell you you're crazy. But look into His eyes and see the love that He has for you and Jump. You won't regret it.

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

"Faith is two things: Either you'll take a step and find your on solid ground. Or you'll learn to fly." --Unkown

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." --Unknown

Flying

One of my all time favorite stories is Peter Pan. It is great, there are adventures, pirates, a magical island and best of all, he could fly. Flying is something that I have always dreamed of being able to do. I remember when I was very little, my Dad picked me up and was "flying" me down the hallway. I remember thinking, "just let me go Daddy, I've got it from here." Of course he kept a firm grip on me because he knew the law of gravity, but I just knew I could fly. In the story Peter is telling the children how to fly and he says, "All it takes is faith and trust...And pixie dust. Now think a happy thought and fly." As I was thinking about this the other day, something occurred to me. So often in this life, we feel as though we are just barely getting by. Nothing seems good or beautiful anymore and we feel as though we are stuck on the ground. And, sadly we have trained ourselves to believe that this is the only way. Oh, but there is so much more. Though we will never literally be able to defy gravity and fly, the One who has given us life desires for us to live victoriously, chase our dreams, love unconditionally... to fly. But you may ask, "how can I ever get past these circumstances? I've lost sight of dreams, love and faith." Well, my advice to you are the words of Peter Pan. Have Faith in the One who loved you enough to die. Trust in Him regardless of the circumstances. And think a happy thought, meaning, believe in the beautiful things of life. Set your mind on the positive, for the only place negative thoughts will take you is in a downward spiral. So next time you start to feel discouraged and stuck, take Peter Pan's advice, Faith, Trust and Happy thoughts...and soar!.

"All you need is faith and trust...And a little bit of pixie dust." --Peter Pan

"Childlike faith focuses on our Heavenly Father--Not on our fears." --Unknown

Live

I've decided something. I look at my life and realize that all to often I have not been living. I've been making do, getting by and, more often than not, struggling. I am so richly blessed and yet I don't often live like it. I struggle with fears, doubts and worries and they do nothing more than dull the colors around me to a muddy gray. I sit and look at my shoes trying to think of all that I have to do to get it right and it overwhelms me because I just can't. And then yesterday something clicked in my head. I felt as though God whispered in my ear, "Beloved, stop. Stop looking at the mud because it's not going to get you anywhere. I have set you free but you are not living in it. It's time to start living." Jesus Christ paid the price for me and you to live a victorious, free life. So I'm going to stop looking at what I think I have to do to make myself worthy of that gift and instead, I'm going to look into the eyes of the One who gave it to me. I'm not saying it is going to be easy, even today I started to look back and get caught up in that nasty, muddy mess. But regardless of how I feel, I'm going to rest in the arms of the One who loves me more than I will ever know. So my challenge to myself and you is this: Let it go. Life is waiting.

"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all." --Unkown
              

The Clocks

 I live in a apartment in a big yellow house on a quiet street in a little town. The people who lived here once, long ago, were watch makers. I made a discovery the other day and it got me thinking. I was down in the basement the other day and there, way in the back was the watch makers desk. It was covered with watch faces, clock pieces and all the tools of the trade. The drawers were full of things just waiting to be discovered and the ledger sitting there dated back to the forties. What really struck me, were the glasses. There was an old wire rimmed pair of eye glasses sitting there amongst the clocks. It was as though the wearer had been in the middle of something when he set them down to run upstairs for a cup of coffee, and he never went back. It made me wonder why he had stopped and what ever happened next. And then I began to think. We only have so much time. Life is a precious gift and yet so often we spend our days worrying, grumpy, struggling, or wishing we were somewhere or somebody else. That is not the way we were meant to live. When God set your life in motion, I'm quite certain He smiled. Because He said, "I know the plans I have for you...They're good plans." So, don't let worry, fear, the grummpies, or discontent ruin your day. Because God has something much better for you, and it may very well be right in front of you but you won't be able to see it if you don't look. So, today with the precious time you have, let it go, smile, laugh and live the life you have been given. It's good.

"Know how to live the time that is given you." --Dario Fo