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The Days Are Evil

I once saw a play (B.C., that is, before children, when we actually had season tickets to do cultural things like that) But…I once saw a play where there was one female actress among a mostly male cast.  She held her own amongst the testosterone ladened banter and she contributed numerous insightful lines.  However, I couldn’t help but notice that she held her post on center stage anchored in the kitchen.  She spent most the play washing dishes or making meals as the men would come and go in and out of the house going about their business doing more interesting things up stage.  There she stood, faithfully washing or drying or putting away the dishes. They had actual running water up on stage, too, to accentuate her continual, repetitive role of rinsing and repeating.  I bet she had actual dish pan hands, too. No make up required for that one.

At the conclusion of the play, I remember thinking to myself, “What a boring role that actress had to play. How the other actors got to do more exciting acting and there she was, staged in the kitchen the whole time.  Couldn’t they have given her some more exciting things to do?”  (Again, I saw this play BEFORE I had children, before I was a stay-at-home mom. Back when I actually had a career and left the house each day to commute to work.)

But these days, I think of that lone female actress often while I’m feeling chained to my kitchen sink. I think of her when I get one load of dishes cleaned up, put away, kitchen counters cleaned off. And then my all male cast returns from playing outdoors or from a day at school and it’s time to feed them again and the cycle starts all over again.  I try to contribute an insightful line every now and again, but I can relate to more than just that actress’s dishpan hands.

I’ve learned, through the monotony of motherhood, that I don’t do well with routines.  In fact, they beat me down.  I know they’re a requirement of the job and a necessity to keep the ship a float, but I struggle  to do and re-do the same things over and over again only to have them quickly un-done.  A meal, once prepared, quickly becomes the next pile of dirty dishes. The laundry, once cleaned, dried, folded and put away, quickly becomes the next pile of dirty clothes. So many other projects that I’d like to tend to are left undone simply that I run out of time – or energy by the end of the day.

Oh, what wisdom was breathed into the Bible when in Ephesians 5: 15-16 it says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”  We live in a fallen world and we are constantly attempting to make order out of chaos. I try to remind myself of this as I’m seemingly always trying to bring order into the chaos of our home.  But I’m also learning that if I flitter away my day standing at the kitchen sink or continually sweeping the ever growing mountain of crumbs that accumulate daily upon my kitchen floor or cleaning the messes off the kitchen countertops – again. That before I know it, that’s all I will have accomplished or contributed to the day.  The days are evil.  I must plan ahead. I must step away. I must leave a mess so that I can tend to more important tasks like reading a story to my son who wants to cuddle or playing catch on a nice spring day with a little boy who actually still wants to play with his mama.  These moments are fleeting.  If I’m continually distracted and busy with seemingly unimportant housekeeping tasks, I’m going to miss the significant motherhood moments hidden in each day – what’s truly important that’s growing up and changing right in front of my eyes.

Lord, this is my prayer: please help me not to miss out on these moments. Help me to be fully present. Help me to see the motherhood moments more than I see the messes. Help me to put the tasks of maintaining a house aside for the tasks of creating a home. Help me contribute to their days, pour truth into their hearts not just create a clean home or pour a warm meal for them.  Lord, please give me awareness, patience and energy level that can only come from you. And Lord, please help me to walk through my days wisely.

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I Wish I Were OCD

I’m having one of those days today, where I wish I were more OCD.  I feel like I’m always late, always over budget, always running behind, never able to complete anything…  My desk is always a mess, my  to do list is usually M.I.A. and there’s no time to catch up or catch my breath. I want to learn to play the piano, but there’s never time to practice. I want to write, but there’s never a quiet place. I was trying to explain to one of my single friends why I can’t get together for coffee until April. From her perspective, all I do is go to the grocery and meet my kids after school at the bus stop.  Really, when I look at things from that perspective, I wonder why I’m all tangled up in knots? But time is so elusive and seems to slip away.  Field trips and homework projects aren’t just assigned to them and when I get behind on any part of our schedule, it’s like train cars crashing into one another.  If I miss doing laundry for a week, six laundry baskets crash into one another and all of us notice. Same with if I neglect going to the grocery or take the night off from cooking dinner. I’m lucky if I can get a workout in, a shower and a grocery run and then before I know it, it’s bedtime! And time to wake up and do it all over again!  I feel like a failure most the time. I wish I were more OCD-  one of those women who loved routines and doing the same thing over and over again.  The type who color codes her sock drawer and got a thrill out of organizing and inventing systems.  Honestly, I think the only way I survive is that I’m not OCD. I mean, I literally just wiped my youngest son’s mouth with a dirty sock that I found on the floor in the mud room because he wanted me to help him tie his shoes to go outside and had just finished the last of his pb&j from lunch and it was hanging on his cheeks like peanut butter whiskers. All the while,  I’m hunched over a laundry basket in my laundry room/office typing and he’s incessantly asking “Can I go outside? Can I go outside? Can I go outside?” until he finally gets my attention by slapping me on the bum.  Now they’re all outside and I’m listening to the whoosh of my washing machine, with papers scattered all around the surface of my desk.  I could take the time to stop writing an organize my desk (which is what I probably should do) or I could finish writing and see where this leads? And here in lies my problem.  But God knows this about me… that my strengths lie in doing original tasks, joy, for me, comes from a blank page, the freedom to choose how to fill it.  But we don’t always get to choose how to fill our days, or our pages. Many tasks in life are chosen for us, requiring what is required of us to complete the task.  Let us work as though working for the Lord, for in fact, we really are.  Let me organize and tidy, clean out and throw away to the best of my ability for the glory of the Lord.  Let me do my best, even in the despised tasks – in fact, even more so. Let me lift them up as an act of Agape love and serve Him first, then my family second.  And my prayer is that perhaps in the newly created white space on my desk I will be able to find more white space in my days.

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Sweet Southern BBQ Prayer Method

My husband and I had just touched down in the airport from a little get-away trip, just the two of us, to escape the winter doldrums. A day or so before we left, I had just had my annual mammogram. This was my third or fourth year of having that done and I know the drill; you go and experience one day of pain (ok, more like 15 minutes) then you get a follow up letter in the mail the next week saying you’re in the clear for another year.  Except this year, as soon as we touched down on U.S. soil and my phone spoke the language again, I noticed I had a missed call and had a voice mail message from the nurse at the radiology group waiting for me. They had found an abnormality in my scan and wanted me to come back immediately. My heart sank.  It was late on a Friday night and I couldn’t do anything about this until Monday morning.  Welcome home to reality.

Just moments before I’d retrieved that message, we’d indulged in some Southern Style Beef Brisket at the Carolina Pit BBQ kiosk. It was delicious! As we went through the line, the cheerful African American Southern gal behind the counter said, “I got ‘ya!”when I asked for the BBQ sauce on the side and she laughed heartily and showed her huge grin when she asked if I wanted corn bread with my supper I replied, “Is there another way?.” But when my hubby came through the line behind me, he gave her a little grief for her hot-potato two step dance she was doing behind the counter. She told him she had just dropped some hot meat on her foot. But instead of yelping or screaming out some expletive instead she said “Oh My Jesus!” really loudly. Not “Oh my toe!” or anything else but “Oh my Jesus!” It struck me that they are one enough that she exclaimed “Oh My Jesus!” when she hurts.

That image is still fresh in my mind as my thoughts are now swirling about the uncertainties of my recent scan and the impending doom to which I’m returning home. I started praying the moment I got the voice mail message but I prayed differently, having just seen this Southern Soul Sister call out to “our Jesus” in such an intimate, real way.  It wasn’t just a “Help me Jesus!” flippant kind of prayer, but a reflection of their intimacy- if I hurt, He hurts, reciprocal kind of prayer – like He was a part of her, an extension of her.

So I tried it.  Not that praying is a new thing for me, I’ve long believed that I could call out to the Lord and he hears my prayers and I’ve even felt his responses. But this time, I tried my Southern Soul Sister’s method of prayer.  Not just calling out to the historic Jesus I’ve read about in the Bible in a distant, formal, “In Jesus’ Name” kind of way but, instead, I prayed in a way as if I could reach out to MY Jesus and touch him, I could call upon MY Jesus and He’d hear me, and I would know that when I hurt, He hurts and he feels things as intimately as I do kind of way. The same Jesus who called Peter out of the boat to walk with him on the waters, the same Jesus who knew everything about the woman at the well. The same Jesus who called out to his Heavenly Father to let this cup pass from him in the garden. He’s the one I know I can call out to and He’s right there with me, holding me, keeping me from sinking, knowing my every thought before I even say them out loud – My Jesus.  So I prayed that “we” wouldn’t have to walk this path together, that “we” would be spared this journey.

And I practiced another discipline I’ve learned from reading and absorbing the daily “Jesus Calling” devotions:  Anytime anxious thoughts would creep to mind or steal my faith I’d try to exhale, “I trust you, Jesus.”

When we got home I also called in some back-up reinforcement calling upon some prayer warrior friends of mine among my group of Soul Sisters.  Just knowing that others were lifting me up in prayer helped give me peace to get through the long wait of the weekend.

Late Sunday night, I carved out some time to sit and be still and had my Bible in hand when I accidentally dropped it on the floor.  It feel face down and I carefully lifted it up to the open page, knowing that God would most likely reveal a nugget of wisdom for me from that page, I was just praying it was good news!

And then I read the words that were previously underlined in my Bible on that page from Exodus 9:16:
“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

I wasn’t too sure how to interpret that verse.  I was actually a bit nervous reading them, again, calling out to “My Jesus” that this cup could please pass over me and that my having to face cancer wouldn’t be the purpose for me or the way He might be proclaimed.  More anxious thoughts were brewing.  But then one overriding reassuring thought swept over me: that I’d just have to wait until tomorrow for the test to confirm what God already knew. So in this present moment I could trust Him and continue trusting him, regardless of the results.

I was able to get one of the first available appointments Monday and had a dear friend willingly step up to watch my kiddos so I could attend at that time. I’m so thankful to report that the Lord graciously allowed this cup to pass from me and the re-scans confirmed that the abnormality was non-cancerous and non-worrysome (at least to the professionals!).  Tears stung in my eyes as the doctor sat down and calmly reassured me this was just a precaution and they really were not concerned.

“Thank you, MY Jesus!” my heart called out as I skipped out of there, hopefully, until next year.

But that verse from Exodus still hung curiously in my mind.  “For what purpose?,” I kept wondering. A few weeks later, during a sermon at our church, as we’re going through the book of Romans, that same verse from Exodus came up again.  In Romans 9:17 it is re-quoted “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might be proclaimed in all the earth.” and it goes on to say in verse Romans 9:18 “Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy and he hardens whom he wants to harden.” Which, I learned, is a reference to a verse in Exodus 33:19 when Moses has asked to see God’s glory. And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live.”

Now, much of this is too complex for this feeble mind to comprehend, but our minister explains it in a way that begins to open my mind and I feel I have a glimpse of the meaning. (Comprehension and re-telling it are two different stories! But I’ll try…) I took it to mean that in these verses in Exodus, God was revealing himself – his glory – to Moses. But not just physically allowing his goodness to pass by Moses, but also proclaiming his identity. This was God, Yahweh, the “I AM” of the Bible, proclaiming that another facet of his identity is He is the One who can choose to have mercy on whom He chooses and the One who can choose to have compassion on whom He chooses to have compassion. And that this same God is the one who is MY Jesus and who hurts when I hurt.

It’s been three weeks now since my negative test results (negative equals positive in this scenario) and again, hearing this verse, tears stung in my eyes.  So grateful that the Lord choose to give me compassion and mercy this time – and so many times previously.  He has allowed his ‘goodness to pass in front of me’ in so many undeniable ways.

I can’t begin to comprehend how? Or why? And why not me? Or why others don’t get passed over? Or don’t receive what we would consider His compassion and mercy?  All I can say is “Thank you, My Jesus!” and I keep clinging to Him regardless.

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Soul Trainer

At the conclusion of our first Soul Spa Retreat, a new friend and Soul Sister stood up and shared that she willingly pays a personal trainer to put her through the paces of an exercise routine. Then she declared she had a new name for me, her “Soul Trainer.” She continued, that she willingly paid to attend our retreat and she entrusted me to put her through the paces to help her tend to her soul.  I feel honored that anyone would entrust me with their soul! And I was completely humbled that the room full of Soul Spa Sisters who not only attended, but trusted me enough to attend. And I am honored to be considered anyone’s “Soul Trainer”!

I can’t help but note the difference, however, that we “work out” our bodies. Push ourselves to the limits, raise our heart rates to fat-burning levels, count our steps and our calories and deprive ourselves indulgences in order to maintain or lose weight and meet our fitness goals.
Soul tending is the exact opposite!  Even the words differ – “work out” verses “soul tending”.  One sounds painful, the other a more gentle process, almost like gardening – nurturing, keeping, weeding, tending. Instead of depriving our souls of the much needed attention of which they are starved, instead, we indulge in a little quiet time and space. To sing praises to the Lord and let Him rejoice over us with His singing.  Instead of running and hurrying and pushing ourselves to the limits, we try to be still and know that He is God.  Instead of raising our heartbeats, we quiet ourselves and try to let the Spirit be the only thing to quicken our pulse. Instead of counting calories we live in the moment and try to make each day count. We quiet the outside world that says “Just do it”, “Be all that you can be”, “push yourself”, “make something of yourself” and instead we listen to that still small voice that says “I have loved you with an everlasting love. Nothing you do can separate you from that love.  As far as the east is from the west, so you, too are from your transgressions.”  And then instead of running as far as we can comprehend that distance to be, instead, we marvel that someone else has already run the race in our place. 
One other difference of note: with working out we arrive with a goal in mind. With soul tending – we simply arrive, with an open mind.  Open to where the Lord will guide us.
And we soon discover that unlike other indulgences that leave us feeling guilty and uncomfortably stuffed – instead when we indulge in spiritual nourishment, we feel a satisfaction deep within yet we come away hungry for more! 
So as your newly appointed “Soul Trainer” let me encourage you in a way your personal trainer probably never has: to indulge regularly, tend gently, and be still and know that He is God.
I’m hungry for more time with my Soul Sisters, too! How about you?

A sweet gift from a Soul Sister….
a painting that actually says “Soul Sisters”!
The taller one says “I heart your heart”
Couldn’t put it better myself!

I heart your heart!
Love,
Your Soul Sister!

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Life Cycle of a Busy Mom

I have long since felt that the state of my laundry room reflects the state of my internal life.  When the pace of my life is relatively calm, my laundry room/office is neat and organized, everything in its place; I’m up to date on my laundry, everything’s cleaned, washed and put away.  But when life is on hyper speed – overflowing with school parties, birthday parties, Christmas, or other special occasions in life – my laundry room is overcrowded with mountains of laundry piled up, rolls of wrapping paper, boxes of gifts needing to be wrapped, To-Do lists on post it notes all over the place and a illusive grocery list that gets buried under the mess -that’s when my life is spinning like it’s on spin cycle, swirling out of control and sometimes sending the load off kilter and life’s banging around and thumping into the dryer.  It’s moments like that – when I can’t even walk around in my laundry room – I know it’s time to recalibrate and stop the cycle.  But how exactly do you do that? I have one friend who does a load of laundry every day. Her machine is constantly spinning. That seems to work for her. But for me, I’ve learned I can’t do laundry every day.  If I do, it leaves me feeling that I’ve never completed a task. I’ve never rested. Never let the spin cycle stop and rest.  I’ve learned the importance of stopping. Resting. Being still.  It’s applies to laundry as it does to life. If we’re constantly spinning, always working, never resting. It seems to drain the joy out of life. But when I stop the spinning, and actually allow myself to rest. Instead of turning around and around with that out of control drained feeling, instead, I feel refreshed, renewed. Better able to handle it when life gets off kilter and bangs me around a bit.
I know another friend who is intentional about having “Prayer Stops” in her day. She sets her phone to chime a church bell serenade that calls her to pray for a minute three times a day.  She is disciplined about stopping the spin cycle.  I aspire to incorporate her prayer discipline into my daily routine.  I’m going to try during the remaining days of Lent to incorporate prayer stops into my days.  I’m also going to clean up my laundry room so I have some white space in which to think.

There are even some days when I’ve been known to close the door on my messy laundry room and go find another place where I can sit and be still. Is it hard for me to leave a task undone, walk away from a mess? Yes! But at the same time, when I’m too soul weary to tackle it and instead feel I’m under the mess – it’s best for me to take a break. Start afresh in the morning. Then I’m better able to find the matches for the missing socks, answer the questions, respond to the emails, check off the next thing on my to-do, or even unbury that missing to do list!  Life’s messy. What I’m learning is if I wait to rest until every mess is cleaned or wait to eat until the kitchen is cleaned – I’ll never rest and I’ll never eat! Instead, I think we’re supposed to look to God’s example.  Even He rested on the seventh day!  So that’s why if you come to my house you might find a mess piled up in my laundry room. But let’s just close the door and sit down with some coffee to chat!?

The sign of a busy week!
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Soul Spa

I’ve had a gift certificate for a pedicure for a year now. I got it as a Christmas gift last year.  I just had to throw it away – unused – because in the past year, never once did I take the time to go and get some pampering. I carried it around in my wallet for the whole year. It was all tattered and torn. And a few times I would think – “Oh, I should go get a pedicure after I go….”  to the gym or the grocery or to have lunch with the boys at school or whatever else I put ahead of a little pampering. It would be inconvenient to walk around in those throw-away flip flops afterwards, the polish would get wrecked if I put my shoes back on, I don’t have any cash for a tip… I’d come up with a million excuses and would always end up giving myself a late-night pedicure at home. In this season in life, pampering myself seems to be my last priority.  I have so many others to take care of that I skimp on myself.  But I am pleased to see that as the year draws to a close, that I’m about to fill up another journal for the year. That in those moments when I had a spare moment to breathe and I had a choice of how to spend my fleeting free time, instead of going to the walk-in pedicure place, I would spend some time filling another journal page.  And I feel a sense of accomplishment as I flip through the pages of my fifth visual journal… Sometimes I draw a picture of a place I’ve been or something related to a quote from a sermon or a movie or a Bible verse, other times I cut out pictures from magazines and glue them into my blank book.  I doodle, draw, write over pictures, quote lines from my favorite Jesus Calling devotional or scribble out thoughts and prayers and pour out what’s on my heart.   It’s like a treasure map of my soul.  It shows me where I’ve been, what God’s been teaching me, and helps me articulate thoughts I didn’t know I was thinking and feelings I didn’t know I had until I took the time to write them down.  As I reflect on the year and flip through the pages of my journal – I feel that I have “chosen what was better”. I’d rather spend those precious few moments pampering my soul than pampering my soles.  My resolution for 2015 is to spend more time at the Soul Spa. Care to join me?

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New Box of Pencils

I got a new box of pencils
Every color- red to brown.
I’ve been carrying them around for months now,
Never time to put them down.
Waiting for a time to use them
for a moment just right,
a project worthy of their fresh tips
and their colors so bright.
But days turn into weeks
that quickly pass by as months
And there the box sits, untouched
and blank pages collect dust.
The heart desires to create
longs to connect with Creator.
To capture moments, play with words
and color — co-creating.
But days are filled with type set-
Lunch boxes and errands,
laundry piles and dinner deadlines,
whiney cries to be met.
Snuggling boys awake me, in my bed each morn
And the days blur together- patterns that are worn.
This morning I got up at dark and tip-toed quietly downstairs
Fixed a cup of tea and settled into my chair
At last, a quiet moment
Some white space in the day
I finally open the shrouded colors
And indulgently am going to play!
When little footsteps round the corner and again mom puts down her pencils…
Praying for grace and right response,
I’ll be creative when you’re older.

Even pre-sharpened!
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Joy Bursts

It’s silly, but sometimes, it’s the simplest things in life that can bring us little bursts of joy.  Recently, for me, it was new socks.  I know, it sounds strange, but… You see, I’ve been needing new running socks for about four years. Why is it that it’s so much easier to buy wants instead of needs? Or I take care of my kid’s needs (and wants) but not my own. So, it was a rare occasion that I found myself remembering while I was at the store that I needed to get some socks. (And not just when I’m standing in my closet.)  I was looking at the package of all white socks and realizing that they cost more than I had remembered. Maybe with the economic downturn sock prices have increased in the past four years? Regardless, I put them back on the sock hanger and noticed a package of white socks with multi-colored edges that would show around your ankle. And then looking closer, I noticed they were five dollars less. It made me change my opinion from “Who would want those?” to “Mmmm, those wouldn’t be so bad.” Always a deal hunter, I bought them.  Now the proud owner of green, blue, purple, pink and two white pairs of new running socks is actually matching her outfits to her socks! And as silly as it seems, that little flash of color that’s coordinated to my jog bra of the day is adding a little spring in my step.  A little burst of joy – right there on my ankles!  I think this is one small, tangible way we are able to grasp that we are to ENJOY this life we’re given.  Take a risk. Add a dash of color to your life. And see if it adds a little glimmer of joy.  And if it does.  Say a simple “thank you” to the one who made joy possible. (And I’m not talking about the sock manufacturer!)

May you seek a little spring in your step today.

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Recharge

My phone died today. It was a sudden death, brought on by some internal hardwiring malfunction that would not allow it to charge anymore. Yesterday it was fine, charged up to 100% and I went about my day and thought nothing of it. Today, I awoke and it had only 5% battery life left after charging all night. Uh-oh.  I quickly backed it up to my computer knowing that the prospects for it’s survival were slim. It performed it’s last duty when I queried Siri “Where is the closest Verizion store?”  She listed three that were nearby.  I followed her circuitous directions with her 2% remaining energy that had me circle around the round about two times and turn around in a church parking lot wasting valuable battery life until she finally had me head east on 96th Street all the way across a main through fair U.S. 31.  With less than one percent of battery left, her dying words were a heroic proclamation “Your destination is ahead on the left” and she finally sputtered and blipped out.  However, there was no Verizion store to be found! Ahead on the left were just a collection of office buildings. Ding Dang Siri had led me astray again! Then I looked up and, with a laugh, noticed that on the top floor of the closest 15 story office building “on the left” had a big bold neon letters it said “Verizion Wireless” – it was one of their district office headquarters! Although I was tempted to walk in the lobby to ask where the closest storefront was, instead I shot up a prayer: “Lord, please help me find the closest Verizion store!” I know, it sounds crazy. But you see, I’m directionally challenged. And I was feeling really vulnerable for those last few miles  as my phone crashed and burned.  We don’t realize how reliant we are on our phones until you either leave it at home or it dies, as mine just had.  In addition to the fear of being lost, I kept thinking, “What if preschool is trying to get a hold of me?” Or my husband was actually on an airplane at the same time and we stay in touch as he travels via texts and “what if he’s trying to reach me?”  But thankfully the celestial GPS kicked in and guided me to the closest store.  And I think it’s no coincidence that while waiting in the store I ran into my former college roommate/sorority sister whom I haven’t seen except for Christmas cards for too long.

Finally, they attempted to resuscitate my phone, to no avail, but while doing so, the Verizion associate imparted some cell phone theology with me. (Which was also no coincidence.) He asked if my phone had been updated with the latest software, which it had not. He asked if I could remember seeing a number one on the settings icon, like it was an update in waiting. I reluctantly answered, “I think so…” He called me by my first name in a  maternal way, gently scolding me for neglecting the updates. And then he challenged me and drew the parallel asking “Have you ever had the same reoccurring thought all day? The kind that just lingers and you can’t get it out of your head?” Yes, I had to confess, I have.  Then he continued, “It wears you out, doesn’t it?” I nod in agreement. If he only knew… “Yes, it most certainly does.” He then said that our phones are the same way– they get worn out from ruminating on the same app just like we do!  I’m not sure it was depressed, but certainly sluggish and run down. But what was the fatal demise of my phone was that it couldn’t recharge. Again, I found myself relating.  God was using my critically ill cell phone to remind me of the importance of staying plugged into the power source and being intentional about recharging. When I neglect to this all important step in my day – it’s as though my battery is faltering and my life cycle comes to a screeching halt.  Oh, that I would glean the lesson from my phone! That I need to be plugged in to the great power source with great frequency in order to operate at optimal levels when my batteries are fully recharged. That there are updates from God for me waiting to be downloaded. I just need to take the time to receive them.

How do you recharge? Do you plug in multiple times a day to ensure your operating at 100% battery life or do you allow your batteries to operate in the empty red zone?  It’s a choice.  Let’s be intentional about recharging together.

For me, I’ve learned, it’s a combination of getting enough sleep, eating the right kinds of foods to help me refuel, exercising my body and pushing myself to keep gaining strength instead of losing it and also exercising my mind by reading – both scriptures as well as inspiring, challenging words from good writers. And spending time alone with God in prayer, study and worship. Allowing Him to replay the previous day – learning from the growth opportunities and praising him for that which went well. I’ve also found I need to carve out time to be creative and play more. Life spent with all work and no play is extremely draining. And  finding the balance of protecting my alone time as well as being open to sharing time with others – my husband, our family, friends and meeting and making new friends and also serving others. Although sometimes I view this last one as something that might drain my battery power – pouring myself out in service to others can actually help me feel recharged – if operating in my areas of giftedness.

It’s time to plug in.

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What is Loveliness?

A dear friend is putting together a gift for her daughter’s sixteenth birthday and has asked a small group of her close friends to sit down and meet with her daughter on a variety of topics. A type of community mentoring approach to teaching a young woman about womanhood. Topics ranging from how to throw a dinner party and etiquette to conversation skills and beyond. I’ve been assigned the topic of loveliness. At the moment, we’re on a rustic vacation where we’ve been backpacking and camping in the deep woods. I’m itchy with poison ivy and covered with chigger bites and not feeling especially lovely. But the Lord gently reminds me that he sees me as lovely, no matter my external appearance. So I’m collecting my thoughts to share with this young woman about to turn sweet sixteen. I thought I’d share. What are your thoughts on loveliness? I welcome your input. 

Loveliness is much more than an external look.  More than a pretty face. Loveliness radiates from the inside out. It happens over time. It’s more of a refinement process than a beauty regiment. It comes from a source of strength – a reliance on the Lord. No one starts out lovely. One arrives at loveliness. You are able to react in a graceful manner when you, yourself are steeped in grace. Loveliness is more strength than fraility – although culture would tell us that that which is fragile is lovely, I believe the opposite to be true. It’s pushing through the pain to bring life into this world. Or letting life’s hardships soften you instead of harden you. Bearing the loss of a loved one or the death of a dream. Each of life’s disappointments has the power to harden you, embitter you. Just as the rushing waters of a river wash over hard stones with rough edges and makes them smooth. So too, life can smooth out your rough edges and make you softer and more beautiful if you allow it to wash over you. 

Loveliness comes from thinking about that which is lovely.  Choosing to see the good in others. The heart of the matter. Not jumping to conclusions or assuming the worst or that others are out to get you – but instead trusting people until they’ve given you good reason not to.  It comes from seeing the world from another’s perspective.  Seek first to understand, then be understood.  Loveliness comes from compassion and empathy for other’s who might not have been given the same opportunities as you. It comes from serving those who are less fortunate and the perspective you gain from walking a mile in their shoes. It comes from not having to have all the answers but being able to say simply, but profoundly, “I don’t know…” and accepting the mysteries of God.

Loveliness pours out of a heart that is overflowing with gratitude. If you take time to notice the beauty that surrounds you each moment, each day, you will become a better reflection of that beauty, that loveliness.  Recognizing the source of beauty in life being the Almighty Creator God and being thankful for the way he made and crafted all things – even you.  That said, loveliness comes from a quiet confidence of accepting who you are and being thankful that you are who you are and that you are how you are.  Of course, there are always ways we can improve – work harder, seek to attain goals, challenge ourselves to continue learning, growing, improving and observing life each day. Growing in discipline.  But there are other things we must simply accept as they are. I’m not going to grow taller. Wrinkles will leave their marks. But we can choose – will they show where the smiles have been or the frowns.  Do what you can to take care of the body you’ve been given, but treat it as the temple that it is – not an idol.  Love yourself. Be kind to yourself. Even indulge occasionally. Recognize that your body is but a part of you – an extension of who you are. But that you are truly recognizable by your character.  What will you choose to do with the position in life you earn or are granted? Will you use your authority to make a difference in someone else’s life? Will you stand up for the weaker soul? Extend kindness to the outcast? Go out of your way to reach out to the lonely?

Loveliness is more than setting a pretty table or decorating a beautiful room – though I appreciate these things greatly.  Loveliness is more than appearances.  Instead, it’s the atmosphere you create – the feeling others have when they are in your presence. Do they leave feeling encouraged, refreshed, edified? More than filling their bellies with gourmet food – are you filling their hearts with encouragement? Praising and affirming others for their strengths, telling them what you admire most about them, inspiring them to use their gifts and talents in new ways?Loveliness practices hospitality without grumbling – to the VIP as well as the difficult guest or even the sweaty workman.  I always want all people who come into our home to feel welcomed and appreciated.  From the workman to the lonely child.  A gracious hostess practices hospitality and extends loveliness to all – even the least of these.

Loveliness understand that words have power and she uses words gently and cautiously.  Biting your tongue and saying nothing at all at times exercises more wisdom than having a witty quip or rapid fire retort. It comes from making right reactions in the heat of the moment.It goes the extra mile without expectation of returned favor.

Fashions come and go and are truly superficial. Don’t get all caught up wasting time and precious money wearing the latest fads. That’s just it – they’re fads.  Current for that moment and out of season the next.  Instead, create, define, refine your own signature style. What suits you? Extends your personality? Looks best on you and accentuates your figure.  Stay true to that style.  Your style.  Not what someone else or some magazine filled with paid advertisements defines as stylish.  Now, grated, you must remain current – in part to be taken seriously by others – especially those for whom fashion is important. But be sure to question trends and ask yourself “Does this look good on me or am I just wearing it because it’s stylish?”  Additionally, exercise caution to  dress tastefully and never provocatively. Until you are married and understand more fully the male species exercise discretion when selecting what to wear and if you feel a little uncomfortable or if you’re questioning the appropriateness, change before you leave the house. You want to walk out of the house in full confidence that you feel and look your best.

I would encourage you to find someone in the public eye whom you admire and follow her fashion cues. Maybe it’s someone current, maybe a fashion icon of the past.  When I was growing up, I admired Princess Diana and watched over the years how her style evolved as she grew into her own woman. I have come to understand that’s what fashion is – an outward expression of the woman we feel we’ve become on the inside. However, the dark side of my admiration was learning how much sadness was in her marriage and how insecure she actually was for many years.  Another lesson about the importance of true confidence; that beauty must radiate from within and is truly a reflection of the love of the Lord radiating from the inside out. If we lack that faith at our core – we reflect it on our exterior.

I’ve heard it said that beauty fades and each woman must choose for herself what her signature mark of lasting beauty will be. I can think of your own mother, using her intelligence and her giving of herself to her family first and her enormous capacity to serve all her patients providing quality medical care to them with the love of Christ.  Praying with her patients who face uncertain diagnoses or walking with them through medical uncertainty as they face life or death trials. 

Or one of my mom’s closest friends who serves as a federal judge using her intellect and God-given discernment to provide justice and wisdom as she decides someone’s fate.My own attempt to carve out my signature mark is less admirable from a career standing but trying to practice hospitality to those I encounter and trying to practice thoughtfulness through giving gifts or bringing meals to those in need.

Something as simple as writing a prompt thank you note or writing a note when you’re praying for someone or showing up to show your support by attending a funeral calling or sitting with a friend who is facing an uncertain diagnosis.

Loveliness is approaching life with an attitude that everything I have is a gift from God – including gifts and talents like intellect as well as time and any material possessions.  How can I use all that I’ve been given to glorify him. not looking to glorify myself or make myself beautiful or lovely but in self-sacrificing in the pouring out into others. That’s becomes thy signature mark of beauty, and ultimately the most lovely ambition one can have.

Simply put, loveliness is approaching life with love.  For what is lovely without first having love?