Memorable Traditions

My mom probably struggled in a lot of ways to put on a Thanksgiving feast every year for our family. Money was tight when I was a youngster. Yet she managed to produce a big, memorable meal for all of us Year after year all the favorites were on the table. I don’t remember others bringing food. Seems like she took care of it all herself.

All the regular Thanksgiving fare of course. But I remember celery stuffed with cream cheese, pineapple and chopped walnuts. Spiced apple rings. Pickles. Two or three different pies. I remember the dining room table being added on to and that it stretched into the living room. I think both adults and children all sat at the big table. And I remember my brother serving up potatoes to all the kids and accidently plopping a glob on one of his son’s head!

You are probably remembering your Thanksgiving memories right about now as well. And I’ll bet none of those memories include how much work and worry your mom (or grandma) went through to pull it off. Those same work and worries you may experience now that you are doing the hosting.

So I guess I just want to say – persevere. Keep doing those traditional things. Keep creating opportunities for memories… memories you may not even realize are being made. Because the next generation is coming along, following right on our heels. Don’t be afraid to pick up those old memorable traditions. Even when loved ones have passed. Keep them alive in all our memories with their favorite dish or custom. Bring all the saints, past and present, together on this special day.

Thanks, mom, for all the work and worry you went through to hold the celebration of family and thankfulness together in our minds. I cherish the memories you made for me.

Now pass the stuffed celery!

Getting Ready for a good time, Part 2

I know you’re wondering… how did my cookie decorating go on Sunday, right? Well, I did follow through on my plans. I made up some samples; I explained a few basics; I had the kids all use some hand sanitizer before handling the cookies; I believed there would be adults to help; I stayed busy and let the kids be kids.

A wonderful time was had by all. The kids, big and small (!) enjoyed the wide variety of toppings. No one had one bad word to say… the cookies looked very colorful and festive! Plenty of adults as helping hands. I had to make a couple reminders about taking it easy on the sprinkles. But over all, I let the kids be kids.

Did God truly hear my prayers of concern? Or were my worries unnecessary and for naught in the first place? I was recently reminded that we can worry, because we are relying on our own wisdom or strength, or we can forge ahead leaning into God all the way. It doesn’t mean not preparing at all. You’ll remember I had made plans to have samples, I pulled together a few ground rules to decorating, and I chose to believe in advance that God would guide and direct me in all my ways. Believing and trusting in God does not mean doing nothing. It does not mean sitting there with your hands folded and waiting for God to show up and do it all at the last minute. It means counting on His guidance from beginning to end. It means seeking Him in the preparations as well as the execution.

In this season of Advent, let’s seek Him now in the preparations. Don’t forge ahead in your own wisdom and strength and hope to God the Christmas spirit falls upon you in the final hours. Take time now to pray about all the thinking and planning; lean into Him as you ponder and image... the glorious big event of Christmas drawing near.

Getting ready for a good time!

Holiday season is here! Lots to do in the coming weeks. Are you looking forward with happy excitement and joy-filled anticipation? Or are worries and fears about how things will turn out dominating all your thoughts?

Whether it's a dinner or a party or a performance, now is the time to think and process how to appropriately handle life’s bumps and bruises. First, let your mind wander and imagine how the event might play out. As you do a “walk-through” of your upcoming event, make a list of every little thing that makes you anxious. All the what-ifs. And now, in the stillness of this moment, take them one by one, and consider how you would really like to respond, if you had time and a clear head (and right now, you do!) Write these down as well, if you like. It may help you remember them. Got through that list of worries? Now breathe. And pray that you will respond with forethought and not knee-jerk emotions. Need an example? Okay, here goes:

I have the kids at church decorating Christmas cookies this Sunday. The cookies will be a gift for our homebound and those over 80 years old. What worries come to mind:

·        They will dump piles of sprinkles in the middle of the cookie vs. “decorate”

·        My expectations of what they can do will be too high

·        I might not have enough adult helpers

·        People may be upset to see the kids licking their fingers and still handling cookies (wasn’t that part of the fun growing up?)

·        Maybe I’ll seem too domineering or mean trying to get kids to do a better job and someone will let me know that and my feelings will get hurt, and that will ruin the fun for everyone

Okay… breathe…pray. Now think of a good way to handle these worries:

·        I can make up a few simple samples for them to see

·        I can teach by explaining in a few simple steps what to do

·        I can demonstrate how to sprinkle gently with a spoon

·        I can realize that kids are kids and lots of people think what they do is just adorable

·        There’s usually adults around at Sunday School time; willing to help

·        I will pray and breathe and relax and I will anticipate an enjoyable time for all with an adorable, darling array of childlike decorated cookies to delight our seniors

I feel better already! I think I’ll save this list and see how things turn out on Sunday. I know God hears my prayers and that even the smallest little concerns matter to Him. Thank You, God!

Yes, You are in control

I had a pretty good “mad” going on the other day. You know the kind… where you really relish being mad and justifying why it’s okay to be mad and really diggin’ it – you know you are right to be mad. But somebody better do something right quick like, to change my mood!

Then someone walks into the room (a loved one most likely) and I want that person to fix whatever it is that upset me. I want something changed, I want that person to do it, and do it right now! Can’t they see how upset I am? Shouldn’t their first priority be to fix everything so that I will be happy again? And if it’s a spouse (husbands in particular), they should be able to figure it all out without me having to explain it, right?

Well, wrong. Dead wrong. It’s nobody’s job to outguess what is going to make you happy at any given moment. You get a “good mad” going – chances are you may relish it until you tire of it. You decide when you are tired of being upset, pouty, angry. Then you choose to move forward and get back into being happy. You get a “good mad” going, people can do a thousand different things and it won’t make a difference if you’re not ready to let go and move on.

Are you determined to be mad about something? It’s nobody’s job to make you happy day in and day out. You are in control of being mad, and how long the mad lasts, and you control how much time you want to invest in being mad... or happy. But let me tell you something: life is short. Life is short. Choose wisely.

Trust and never doubt

But when he asks,

 he must believe and not doubt… - James 1:6

I admit I struggle with this verse a little. Oh, I’m very practiced at the asking part. But the believing without any doubt - well… I don’t doubt that God can do anything, I guess I wonder and doubt if He will. Is there some hidden meaning behind my suffering and struggling?

So what are you struggling with right now? Overeating? Overcommitting? Sadness, depression, fears… spending too much time on ____________. Whatever the bad / rut / habit, I don’t think God wants you to live like that. I bet His will for you is to live a more healthy, joyful, balanced life.

First, stop trying to rationize, justify, explain away past attempts as an excuse not to trust in God today. Let’s deal solely with today. Today, choose to believe God can and God will change you to live a more healthy / joyful / balanced life. Write that down. Read it every hour. Ask to be convinced of it.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine

or nakedness or danger or sword? – Romans 8:35

Nothing – no thing – can separate you from the love of Christ! And how about, nothing can separate you from the power of Christ either!

Is there a bible verse that you firmly believe in? Tie it in with your new belief statement from above. Here's an example:

After his suffering, he showed himself to these men

and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive (Acts 1:3)

and so too,

I will ask and not doubt (James 1:6)

 that God can and will change me to live more healthy / joyful / balanced today.

It’s why He is known as the Higher Power, the Almighty, the Lord of all.

Recipe for Success

I tried a new recipe the other day. Wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out. On my own, I’m not much of a cook. So I was a little nervous and doubtful in the beginning that my attempt would look like the picture. With not much experience or knowledge of cooking more complicated dishes like this one, I surrendered to following the recipe step-by-step. I trusted the author of the book. And in the end, much to my surprise, it came out quite good! Woo hoo!

How about you? Ever face something with fear and doubt? Thinking about your own capabilities, strengths, experience? May I suggest:

You look in the “Book”

You follow step-by-step

You trust the “Author”

There are endless possibilities beyond your own self, with God. Seek Him through His Word and find the recipe to successful living. Despite fear and doubt, put your trust in the Author and follow Him step-by-step. And like me, may you rejoice when it comes out so good!

ENOUGH... an acceptable place to stop

Remember that old comedy TV show where a guy is obsessed with tools and more power? Never satisfied with the standard tool – no, he had to keep adding on and making it somehow bigger and better and more powerful – to an extreme. Okay, to be fair, I can use an example of women as well. She sees a blouse she likes… needs slacks to go with it. Which leads to needing earrings, necklace or scarf… and hair, makeup and nails done. Which leads to a night out on the town!

I see the same type of thing happen at potlucks and parties. We fill our plates over full, then go back for seconds. And go back for a sampling of some of the desserts. Our stomachs aching the rest of the day from too, too much.

Our culture demands us to reach for more. Whatever you currently have is not enough. What exactly is enough? Enough is choosing contentment. More is the place just past enough.

I’ve been trying to watch what I eat lately. Choosing contentment with healthy food choices. Part of the trick in my success is planning what I will eat for a meal in advance and then choosing to believe that it will be sufficient; I will be satisfied at that point, I don’t need more beyond that point of contentment. What I have on my plate – is enough.

Now, let’s take this train of thought a step farther. How many of you think you’re “plate” is too full? So many commitments. So many responsibilities. So, so much to think and plan and do and take care of and deal with. Overextending in numerous areas of your life. Tacking on more and more even when you have a full plate before you?

Choose contentment and peace and be satisfied. Enough is enough. Enough is an acceptable place to stop. An appropriate, acceptable place to stop.

This post is finished. I’ve said enough. I am satisfied.

From UGH to Ahhh...

I have a contemplative prayer book that I use on a regular basis. Topics vary from affirmation, thanksgiving, Christlikeness, intercession and such. Today’s was confession. UGH!

Seeing how the Lord got me up at 5:00 a.m. (!!!), I figured He had something in mind. Like some real digging in deep with this topic of confession. So I grabbed my journal and started writing. Sins, huh? Well, I named one or two… then I really started scribbling along. When I slowed down to look at what I was writing, I realized I had composed an in-depth listing of excuses. Lord, this is why I sin. He wasn’t buying it. And persuaded me to get back to looking at my sins.

I have not been loving to all kinds of neighbors as myself. And worrying about what others might think of me, especially if I make a mistake. Never arriving to a place of contentment regarding that.

To repent, I guess I need to choose right now, to not live that way anymore. Sounds like a huge undertaking that will never be perfected. Don’t know how to begin except to trust in God and to somehow grasp His love and acceptance of me. Me. God loves me, all of me. God loves me and it doesn’t really matter what all these other humans think. Some do love me and some just don’t. That’s the world for you… you need to stick with God as Your main focus and do and be what He desires of you. Don’t worry about an entire lifetime. Just do the next right thing. Love God and love the people in your sphere of influence. Let go of the weighty baggage of people-pleasing and puffing yourself up for your need of equality (or superiority). Return to the thoughts of being safe in God’s constant presence. Just as you are - today. I share a piece of my prayer time with you:

O Lord, help me to find peace in following You. I believe I am pleasing You in this very hour. With the Spirit’s help, little me can please You – again and again. I can please You by drawing strength from Your Spirit to feel safe and secure in any situation because I am trusting in You and I am completely filled and satisfied with Your love for me. Please, Lord, embed that into my heart and head. Help me to set down the burden of protecting and defending myself from real and imagined hurts. May I find that perfect rest in Thee, safe and secure in Your 100% love for me. May I breathe unrestrained now. May any arrows of shame or embarrassment not go deep into me. You are my Protector and Guide. Guide my thoughts away from that which is not centered on You. Help me to loosen all these fearful binds.Too many thoughts. Too many unsettling thoughts. Convince me, Lord, that I am precious in Your sight. Protect me from self destructive thoughts that make me feel less than I am. No matter what people think or say about me, no matter what I think or say about me, I am still and always a beloved child of God. And so are they. May God-pleasing be my sole quest and reason for being and living in this moment and the next. God honoring above all else.

I humbly share this because I believe I am not the only one carrying this kind of cross. This confessing and seeking morning time has indeed brought some anchoring peace into my day. Ahhhh… Read the prayer a second time from your own heart and surrender your heavy burdens today as well.

God loves you and so do I!

Running ahead of God

(Note: changed the title to this post because " God's ways are not my ways" sounded like I didn't want to follow God. Truth is, His ways are always big, better, best!)

I woke up the other morning with this really great idea! I mulled it over in my mind – different facets of this enticing project. I dreamed. Planned. Envisioned. Imagined. I got excited! What to do first? Where do I start? Then it came to me… I settled down to pray.

I waited for the Lord.

The next morning the idea was there again. I couldn’t wait to get to my little “prayer corner” and see what God might have to say. And BAM! That morning’s devotion was a direct hit of confirmation! So I excitedly took that as a “GO!” and started more planning and more detailing until… until I got myself overwhelmed and worn. So I settled down to pray and…

I waited for the Lord.

The third morning I approached my “prayer corner” a little more cautiously, no, humbly. And once again, a morning devotion addressed the stumbling block issues on my heart. But the message still seemed to be, “Go.” Later that same day, as I was having coffee with a half dozen good folks from church, the discussion we were having somehow turned to this very topic of mine and before you knew it, “nervous-nelly, introverted” me – was on a soap box about this idea I’ve had! I couldn’t believe the passion coming from my mouth… Comments from the group were supportive, with additional thoughts and ideas as well as some constructive criticism mixed in. So off I went again, wanting to plan it all out in detail. And wanting everyone to get on board my train. I wanted it to be my baby, my vision… but why?

We weren’t created to envision alone. To make others do solely what we want. We were meant to work together, live together, create together, put pieces together – together! So, here I am, settling down to pray again and…

I wait for the Lord.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

and your plans will succeed. – Pr. 16:3

Grasping Goodness

Ever have one of those days? Do you know what I’m talking about? By day’s end, your spirits are down and you wonder why you ever got out of bed. Was it something somebody said? Or you made a mistake… or forgot something… fill in the blank.

Did anything good happen on that day? Stop and think. Because many times, we can be guilty of charging a day as “bad”, when really only one bad thing happened (okay, maybe two) – and we have nursed that bad feeling all day. Do you go to bed listing all the stupid, crummy things that happened?

Well, stop it. With a whole day of the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing things happening all around you, don’t you let one harsh word, or one slip up – ruin the whole day to the point where you lose your focus on the beauty God brought into your day as well. Yes, there are people with challenging personalities at work and church and social clubs; in the stores and on the road. Don’t let them define the memory of your whole day. My, oh my! What a motley crew God has to work with! Shake your head in amazement at what He is able to do through us.  And now, imagine yourself enjoying what you have on your daily planner. Imagine yourself having the energy to do it. And all those niggling little worries taking precedence in your mind right now – will you or anyone else remember them 100 years from now?

Tonight, when you go to bed, list the things that went right – however small. Small things make a difference in life for you and for others. Small things count! Did someone say something negative about you? Well, shame on them! You take a minute right now and say two or three things good about yourself. Come on now, you can do it! You have several good qualities about you because we are all made in the image of God. You extended kindness to someone. You helped or prayed for someone. Good for you!

Have a good day! It’s within your grasp.

... ALL things are possible

Remember back to your school days… some kids were quiet and shy; some fun and friendly; and some bossy and mean. Why was that? I imagine a scenario like this: woke up having wet the bed, got up late, parents yelling, no breakfast, teased and bullied on the bus, forgot homework, couldn’t get locker open… or, imagine a scenario like this: gently awakened by a calm, loving parent, breakfast hot and ready, prayed over as they head out the door, a best friend saving a seat on the bus for them, companionable conversation as they open their locker… get the picture? Can you imagine how it would affect you? Whether it’s a one day thing or endless years – it could by why people act the way they do.

The same could be true of church, or work, or any social club. There is someone rough around the edges. Sharp. Rude. Bossy. Even mean. Why is that? I know you want to turn and run before you say something you shouldn’t. But maybe what we need to do is stay and say something you should. Something nice. Put your arm around their shoulders. Give a little pat and a smile. Maybe they don’t deserve it but it could be that they sorely need some gentleness and kindness in their life. And it could just change the direction of the next few moments – instead of escalating the spiraling, downward, emotional direction it could take.

Remember the school kids and do something to make today a little lighter and a little brighter for someone. Have mercy. Yes, you can. With God… even this is possible.