I've been hearing and reading an interesting tidbit of information. Apparently, it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become world-class at something, anything.
That got me to thinking... 10,000 hours... at 10 hours per day, that's about two and three-quarter years. At the other extreme, one hour a day, a bit under twenty-seven and a half.
I guess here's the thing. I'm going to be doing something for those 10,000 hours, right? What will be my world-class skill? Rocking-chair jockey? Homeschool mom? Wife? Loving individual? Servant?
I would imagine that 10,000 hours needs to be deliberate, a choice. One that includes learning new skills, acquiring a deepening knowledge and understanding of the skill at hand.
I guess it's mostly a wake-up call. Assuming no ill health, and no insomnia, I'll have been awake for 10,000 hours by (roughly) 1 November 2016.
What will I do with those 10,000 waking hours? What goals, dreams, skills will I work on? Where -- and who -- will I be 10,000 waking hours from now?
OK, enough philosophizing for now. But it is an interesting thought to ponder, isn't it?
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Encouragement
Dear Fellow Moms --
I see you in Target, in Wal-Mart, at the library, in the grocery store. I see your online comments and blog posts. You have a small family, a big family. You breastfed, bottle-fed, or some combination. You vaccinate, or don't. You work outside the home, or are a full-time homemaker. You homeschool, public school, private school your kids.
Your decisions are different than mine, but made for the same reason -- you are doing what you believe best for your family and children. You are struggling with your choices, worrying that you are going to permanently ruin these amazing short people that God has entrusted to you for a time.
You sometimes cry yourself to sleep at night, worrying that one of the loud critical voices in the mommy wars will be correct, and you will wake up one morning and your children will hate you.
You are tired, tired of having the same conversation every single day. Listening to the same fighting at the breakfast table. Of teaching the same lesson for what seems to be the 437th time this school year.
Mostly, though, you are tired of having to defend yourself against attacks that come from people who do not know what went into the decisions your made, the research, prayers, tears, and finally surrender. The faith that you cling to that God is ultimately in control, and that your decisions will honor Him for that reason.
I see you. My decisions may be different than yours. The particulars of my life are certainly different than yours. But here's the bottom line -- God gave you those children to rear. Not me. Not your neighbor, not your cousin, not the friend-of-a-friend on Facebook who decided to "correct your thinking" on some decision or other of yours. Despite the fact that she's never even met you.
I see you, and more important, God sees you. He sees the struggle you have daily to serve this beautiful family, to be a servant as He has called you. He sees your heart for them, which stems from your heart for Him. And it is to Him you will ultimately answer, not to anyone else.
So, let's make a pact, you and I. You go on living for your audience of One, and I will do the same, and I will encourage you along the way as best I can. Maybe a smile. Maybe picking up that pacifier that your little one dropped for the 963,082 time this shopping trip. Maybe by educating my children about the differences of other children. Maybe by crying in my car as my heart breaks for you in your struggles. And you do the same. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, assume that you truly do have your children's best interest at heart, that you are truly competent to raise these small ones entrusted to your care by their Creator. And you do the same for me.
Let's see each other -- truly see each other, and look past the superficial differences and to the heart of each other. Let's stop the mommy wars, as much as we are able. Let's be at peace with each other, in so far as it is up to us. I'll trust you, encourage you, and cry for you at times, and you do the same for me, OK?
Let's fight this good fight together, teach our children to see people, not issues. After all, if God had wanted sameness, He could easily have made us that way. It seems to me that He likes the nuance, the beauty of the differences in His children.
I see you in Target, in Wal-Mart, at the library, in the grocery store. I see your online comments and blog posts. You have a small family, a big family. You breastfed, bottle-fed, or some combination. You vaccinate, or don't. You work outside the home, or are a full-time homemaker. You homeschool, public school, private school your kids.
Your decisions are different than mine, but made for the same reason -- you are doing what you believe best for your family and children. You are struggling with your choices, worrying that you are going to permanently ruin these amazing short people that God has entrusted to you for a time.
You sometimes cry yourself to sleep at night, worrying that one of the loud critical voices in the mommy wars will be correct, and you will wake up one morning and your children will hate you.
You are tired, tired of having the same conversation every single day. Listening to the same fighting at the breakfast table. Of teaching the same lesson for what seems to be the 437th time this school year.
Mostly, though, you are tired of having to defend yourself against attacks that come from people who do not know what went into the decisions your made, the research, prayers, tears, and finally surrender. The faith that you cling to that God is ultimately in control, and that your decisions will honor Him for that reason.
I see you. My decisions may be different than yours. The particulars of my life are certainly different than yours. But here's the bottom line -- God gave you those children to rear. Not me. Not your neighbor, not your cousin, not the friend-of-a-friend on Facebook who decided to "correct your thinking" on some decision or other of yours. Despite the fact that she's never even met you.
I see you, and more important, God sees you. He sees the struggle you have daily to serve this beautiful family, to be a servant as He has called you. He sees your heart for them, which stems from your heart for Him. And it is to Him you will ultimately answer, not to anyone else.
So, let's make a pact, you and I. You go on living for your audience of One, and I will do the same, and I will encourage you along the way as best I can. Maybe a smile. Maybe picking up that pacifier that your little one dropped for the 963,082 time this shopping trip. Maybe by educating my children about the differences of other children. Maybe by crying in my car as my heart breaks for you in your struggles. And you do the same. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, assume that you truly do have your children's best interest at heart, that you are truly competent to raise these small ones entrusted to your care by their Creator. And you do the same for me.
Let's see each other -- truly see each other, and look past the superficial differences and to the heart of each other. Let's stop the mommy wars, as much as we are able. Let's be at peace with each other, in so far as it is up to us. I'll trust you, encourage you, and cry for you at times, and you do the same for me, OK?
Let's fight this good fight together, teach our children to see people, not issues. After all, if God had wanted sameness, He could easily have made us that way. It seems to me that He likes the nuance, the beauty of the differences in His children.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Leadership Matters
Don't know why this is weighing on me, but it is...
Growing up, I received some pretty theologically awful answers to the hard questions I was prone to ask. It seemed like any doubting was to be squelched, and tough questions were to be ignored or given pat answers. Sometimes dangerous pat answers.
Take for instance my (terrifying) question, "What is the unpardonable sin?" This was a question I asked during my teen years, and was given the answer, "Sinning away the day of grace." WRONG. Jesus clearly said that blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the one sin that will not be forgiven. Anyone with a fairly mediocre reading comprehension can figure that out. I wanted to know what He meant, but further questioning was highly discouraged, and I spent YEARS terrified that I would commit the unpardonable sin unknowingly, unintentionally.
Or take another situation that faces many people in our churches today -- depression and loneliness. I'm not talking about cabin fever, or the "let down" feeling that some feel around the holidays each year. I mean real, dark, clawing loneliness and/or depression that many in our churches struggle with daily. Growing up, it was made abundantly clear that "real Christians" do not feel abandoned or deep loneliness or depression. WRONG. It's sort of the emotional equivalent of telling someone that "real Christians" don't get cancer, or Alzheimer's, or MS, or any myriad other debilitating illnesses. Christians have the SAME struggles as everyone else. We are still part of this fallen world. Joyfully, Christians will NOT feel these things once we've received our new bodies in Heaven, BUT we are not there yet.
And this is why leadership matters. Humble leaders will admit they do not have all the answers, but will not grow angry at the questions. Godly leaders will always root their answers in the Bible, not in a more comfortable tradition of man. True leaders will be searching the Scriptures, submitting to the correction of the Holy Spirit where they have been wrong, or incorrect in their understanding.
Finding these leaders is not easy. Often those who encourage questions do not then stand on Scripture. They do not give Biblically sound answers, and many times their answer will depend entirely on the situation. Others will root themselves in biblically sounding answers and catch-phrases and angrily reply to earnest questions. Sadly, both of these types gain a large following. And lead many astray.
Being this kind of leader isn't easy, either. Encouraging those under our leadership to question, while admitting we do not have all the answers is humbling. It's so much easier to give a quick answer, or to grow angry with deeper questioning.
But here is what I remember about growing up in a situation where questions and uncomfortable emotions were met with anger, it teaches that God is not big. That vision of God is too small. He created us, He knows us far better than we know ourselves. He is fully big enough to handle our questions, to guide us into a bigger, better understanding of Himself and His purposes, and plans.
I still struggle with doubts about many things. Some (not all!) of those doubts and fears probably stem from the theologically unsound answers I received from leaders growing up. Some of my struggles could have been lessened with answers truly rooted in the Bible.
This is one of the reasons I encourage my girls to ask questions, one of the reasons I encourage them to seek out our pastor to answer questions. They sit with us during church services, and many times the Doctor or the Cowgirl will have a question about either the passage specifically or about the sermon. I am many times amazed at their questions, given their relatively young ages. The Doctor especially asks deep questions. The Cowgirl often wants to know the traditions, or culture behind the passage. They are quick to notice inconsistency in either content or application.
Basically, leadership matters. Their view of God will color your view of God, either to strengthen your faith, or to put stumbling blocks that lead to doubt. And your view of God will color someone else's. Be careful whom you follow, and be careful where you lead.
Growing up, I received some pretty theologically awful answers to the hard questions I was prone to ask. It seemed like any doubting was to be squelched, and tough questions were to be ignored or given pat answers. Sometimes dangerous pat answers.
Take for instance my (terrifying) question, "What is the unpardonable sin?" This was a question I asked during my teen years, and was given the answer, "Sinning away the day of grace." WRONG. Jesus clearly said that blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the one sin that will not be forgiven. Anyone with a fairly mediocre reading comprehension can figure that out. I wanted to know what He meant, but further questioning was highly discouraged, and I spent YEARS terrified that I would commit the unpardonable sin unknowingly, unintentionally.
Or take another situation that faces many people in our churches today -- depression and loneliness. I'm not talking about cabin fever, or the "let down" feeling that some feel around the holidays each year. I mean real, dark, clawing loneliness and/or depression that many in our churches struggle with daily. Growing up, it was made abundantly clear that "real Christians" do not feel abandoned or deep loneliness or depression. WRONG. It's sort of the emotional equivalent of telling someone that "real Christians" don't get cancer, or Alzheimer's, or MS, or any myriad other debilitating illnesses. Christians have the SAME struggles as everyone else. We are still part of this fallen world. Joyfully, Christians will NOT feel these things once we've received our new bodies in Heaven, BUT we are not there yet.
And this is why leadership matters. Humble leaders will admit they do not have all the answers, but will not grow angry at the questions. Godly leaders will always root their answers in the Bible, not in a more comfortable tradition of man. True leaders will be searching the Scriptures, submitting to the correction of the Holy Spirit where they have been wrong, or incorrect in their understanding.
Finding these leaders is not easy. Often those who encourage questions do not then stand on Scripture. They do not give Biblically sound answers, and many times their answer will depend entirely on the situation. Others will root themselves in biblically sounding answers and catch-phrases and angrily reply to earnest questions. Sadly, both of these types gain a large following. And lead many astray.
Being this kind of leader isn't easy, either. Encouraging those under our leadership to question, while admitting we do not have all the answers is humbling. It's so much easier to give a quick answer, or to grow angry with deeper questioning.
But here is what I remember about growing up in a situation where questions and uncomfortable emotions were met with anger, it teaches that God is not big. That vision of God is too small. He created us, He knows us far better than we know ourselves. He is fully big enough to handle our questions, to guide us into a bigger, better understanding of Himself and His purposes, and plans.
I still struggle with doubts about many things. Some (not all!) of those doubts and fears probably stem from the theologically unsound answers I received from leaders growing up. Some of my struggles could have been lessened with answers truly rooted in the Bible.
This is one of the reasons I encourage my girls to ask questions, one of the reasons I encourage them to seek out our pastor to answer questions. They sit with us during church services, and many times the Doctor or the Cowgirl will have a question about either the passage specifically or about the sermon. I am many times amazed at their questions, given their relatively young ages. The Doctor especially asks deep questions. The Cowgirl often wants to know the traditions, or culture behind the passage. They are quick to notice inconsistency in either content or application.
Basically, leadership matters. Their view of God will color your view of God, either to strengthen your faith, or to put stumbling blocks that lead to doubt. And your view of God will color someone else's. Be careful whom you follow, and be careful where you lead.
Friday, December 5, 2014
The Unworthy (Terrible) Servant
I have been struggling for a while. For a long time (years, maybe), I begged God to allow me to see myself as He sees me.
In my mind, I had visions of being assured of being His beloved child, of Him showing me how much He cares.
Instead, the passage that leapt out at me one morning was Luke 17:7-10. Yeah. Not what I wanted to hear. Not a passage I can recall ever hearing a sermon on, in fact. "Unworthy servant?!"
I cried. Several times over the next several days. Each time my attitude about something stunk, I would pray, "I am an unworthy servant."
See, I am a terrible servant. I don't WANT to serve. I want to be left alone, to be allowed to do my thing, or sometimes, for others to serve me. I want to help those whom I choose, when I choose. And my heart rebels at the thought of being God's servant. And admitting my unworthiness.
I've been struggling again more recently. Rebellion against the whole servant thing again. It happens a lot with me. Some people seem to naturally serve. Not me.
The verse that keeps coming to mind? Galatians 6:9 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Mostly, the "do not grow weary" part keeps reverberating in my head. But I am weary.
So what to do? I pray. I am learning to pray differently. To focus on how much I have been forgiven, on what I am to do, not on the shortcomings of others. I am learning to ask that God change ME, my heart. my attitudes, and actions.
I am just beginning to see that I need to be doing things in service to God. In the story in Luke, I believe that God is the Master. It's Him I am serving, not people. Yes, the people around me may benefit from that service, but the service must be rendered to God, because He commands it, not because they need it, or I can do it, or it's convenient to my schedule. So, I guess it's time for changes. Changes that do not come easily to me.
Left to myself, I would not serve. My very being rebels at the thought. But I am a new creation in Christ, so serve I must. Starting with those closest to me. The ones who know me best, and the ones that I most expect to serve me.
Good night, and God bless.
In my mind, I had visions of being assured of being His beloved child, of Him showing me how much He cares.
Instead, the passage that leapt out at me one morning was Luke 17:7-10. Yeah. Not what I wanted to hear. Not a passage I can recall ever hearing a sermon on, in fact. "Unworthy servant?!"
I cried. Several times over the next several days. Each time my attitude about something stunk, I would pray, "I am an unworthy servant."
See, I am a terrible servant. I don't WANT to serve. I want to be left alone, to be allowed to do my thing, or sometimes, for others to serve me. I want to help those whom I choose, when I choose. And my heart rebels at the thought of being God's servant. And admitting my unworthiness.
I've been struggling again more recently. Rebellion against the whole servant thing again. It happens a lot with me. Some people seem to naturally serve. Not me.
The verse that keeps coming to mind? Galatians 6:9 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Mostly, the "do not grow weary" part keeps reverberating in my head. But I am weary.
So what to do? I pray. I am learning to pray differently. To focus on how much I have been forgiven, on what I am to do, not on the shortcomings of others. I am learning to ask that God change ME, my heart. my attitudes, and actions.
I am just beginning to see that I need to be doing things in service to God. In the story in Luke, I believe that God is the Master. It's Him I am serving, not people. Yes, the people around me may benefit from that service, but the service must be rendered to God, because He commands it, not because they need it, or I can do it, or it's convenient to my schedule. So, I guess it's time for changes. Changes that do not come easily to me.
Left to myself, I would not serve. My very being rebels at the thought. But I am a new creation in Christ, so serve I must. Starting with those closest to me. The ones who know me best, and the ones that I most expect to serve me.
Good night, and God bless.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Ugly Speech (or Why I Rarely am Controversial on Facebook)
Facebook -- I love it and I hate it. I have a FB page, and several friends. Many of whom do not agree with me, or with each other, on various topics. Most of these topics are benign, like whose baseball team should win the World Series, or whether Clemson University or the University of South Carolina has the best football team. (Go Tigers!)
Some of these things, however, are controversial. Like abortion, corporal punishment, the Second Amendment, school choice, capital punishment, and politics. I have opinions on all those topics. Very strong opinions. But I very rarely, if ever, voice them on Facebook.
Why?
Several reasons, really, the main one being I don't like where "discourse" in this country is going. Or not going, as the case may be. One person jumps on FB and posts a comment with a strong pro- or anti- opinion on one of the above topics. Someone else jumps in with an opposing view. Sometimes, they are civil. Most of the time, they are not. Then the original poster gets angry, and the original two, plus various supporters on each side, jump in and call names, cast aspersions, get ugly and personal. It's just not worth it.
I am called to be salt and light in this world. Christ said that the world will know us by our LOVE. Not by our clinging to our "rights" or clinging to our opinions. I cannot win someone to Christ if I will not love them. And calling ugly names is not loving someone, no matter how important the issue is. It will not matter in eternity where someone stood on the sanctity of life if they have rejected Christ. And woe to me if they reject Christ because of me, because they know I claim His name. Christ was humble. Yes, He stood up to corruption within His people. He called THEM names, said "harsh" things to them. But why? Because He was zealous that people be able to get to Him, and to His Father, and these people were standing in the way.
Sound much like today's discourse with so-called Christians? Are we standing in the way of people coming to Christ by the way we talk, to them and each other, when we disagree? Would those names that Christ called the Pharisees and other leaders of HIS people back then fit us today? Would they fit me? All too often, the answer is "yes."
I'll admit -- this is an area of weakness for me. I like being "right." I like having just the thing to say to fire back at someone who is "wrong." I know if I post something, or comment on something, that a firestorm might ensue. That things will be said to me, and I will say things back. And I will have hard feelings toward the person who was harsh or just plain mean. So, I keep my thoughts to myself. I prevent myself from sinning in the future by not speaking now. Generally, the point I would have made is already being articulated by someone else anyway. It's a way of loving others for me. Others can handle the back-and-forth with grace; without firing back, or holding a grudge. I struggle with those two things, so I keep quiet.
Another reason is this -- I will not change someone's mind with a FB post. I will not make someone see things "my" way. And they will not change mine. The best I can hope for is an "agree to disagree." Which, in my opinion, is best done one-on-one and face to face. You see, tone is lacking on a FB status or comment. I may write something that is sarcastic in my head, but it may be read seriously. (Or vice-versa.) Plus, once something is "out there," it is out there for all time. Ten years from now, that topic may be moot, but the harm I may have caused will still stand.
Finally, I do not know everything about everything. Often, the topic involves the "controversy du jour." And I rarely have all the facts. I do not know the situation, the ins and outs of various things. Sometimes, what seems to be the case isn't, and the unlikely is exactly what happened. It is best to hold my tongue (or, as it has been said, "better to be silent and thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.")
So, generally, I keep quiet on controversy on FB, saving my opinions for those who know me and my heart. Afterall, my primary objective is to be salt and light, and the best way to do that is to LOVE others.
Some of these things, however, are controversial. Like abortion, corporal punishment, the Second Amendment, school choice, capital punishment, and politics. I have opinions on all those topics. Very strong opinions. But I very rarely, if ever, voice them on Facebook.
Why?
Several reasons, really, the main one being I don't like where "discourse" in this country is going. Or not going, as the case may be. One person jumps on FB and posts a comment with a strong pro- or anti- opinion on one of the above topics. Someone else jumps in with an opposing view. Sometimes, they are civil. Most of the time, they are not. Then the original poster gets angry, and the original two, plus various supporters on each side, jump in and call names, cast aspersions, get ugly and personal. It's just not worth it.
I am called to be salt and light in this world. Christ said that the world will know us by our LOVE. Not by our clinging to our "rights" or clinging to our opinions. I cannot win someone to Christ if I will not love them. And calling ugly names is not loving someone, no matter how important the issue is. It will not matter in eternity where someone stood on the sanctity of life if they have rejected Christ. And woe to me if they reject Christ because of me, because they know I claim His name. Christ was humble. Yes, He stood up to corruption within His people. He called THEM names, said "harsh" things to them. But why? Because He was zealous that people be able to get to Him, and to His Father, and these people were standing in the way.
Sound much like today's discourse with so-called Christians? Are we standing in the way of people coming to Christ by the way we talk, to them and each other, when we disagree? Would those names that Christ called the Pharisees and other leaders of HIS people back then fit us today? Would they fit me? All too often, the answer is "yes."
I'll admit -- this is an area of weakness for me. I like being "right." I like having just the thing to say to fire back at someone who is "wrong." I know if I post something, or comment on something, that a firestorm might ensue. That things will be said to me, and I will say things back. And I will have hard feelings toward the person who was harsh or just plain mean. So, I keep my thoughts to myself. I prevent myself from sinning in the future by not speaking now. Generally, the point I would have made is already being articulated by someone else anyway. It's a way of loving others for me. Others can handle the back-and-forth with grace; without firing back, or holding a grudge. I struggle with those two things, so I keep quiet.
Another reason is this -- I will not change someone's mind with a FB post. I will not make someone see things "my" way. And they will not change mine. The best I can hope for is an "agree to disagree." Which, in my opinion, is best done one-on-one and face to face. You see, tone is lacking on a FB status or comment. I may write something that is sarcastic in my head, but it may be read seriously. (Or vice-versa.) Plus, once something is "out there," it is out there for all time. Ten years from now, that topic may be moot, but the harm I may have caused will still stand.
Finally, I do not know everything about everything. Often, the topic involves the "controversy du jour." And I rarely have all the facts. I do not know the situation, the ins and outs of various things. Sometimes, what seems to be the case isn't, and the unlikely is exactly what happened. It is best to hold my tongue (or, as it has been said, "better to be silent and thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.")
So, generally, I keep quiet on controversy on FB, saving my opinions for those who know me and my heart. Afterall, my primary objective is to be salt and light, and the best way to do that is to LOVE others.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Thanksgiving
Today is Thanksgiving. A day for giving thanks. To whom? Well, originally, it was meant to thank the Creator God for all He has done for us...
Of course, we should thank God each day for that day's blessings. Ideally, we would live in moment-by-moment communion with Him that includes giving thanks in all things. Yes, all things. Not so easy, particularly when we don't see the good in any given thing.
So why set aside a day each year?
I think, in part, because it's so much easier to complain. It's so much more "natural" to focus on the things that are wrong, the things that need to be changed. We focus on our pain, our disappointments, our unhappiness. We so long for perfection that we fail to see the beauty in the middle of the mess.
So we set aside one day each year.
But that day seems to have lost its focus. Sure, people post random thankful posts on Facebook and other social media sites, but mostly, it seems, that Thanksgiving is more the "gateway to holiday shopping." We have turned it on it's head. As soon as Halloween is over, the "Holiday shopping" sale papers begin to come out, ads for what "super deals" we can score for "the holidays."
What if we truly decided to make the holidays about their original purpose? What if we made Thanksgiving about truly being thankful to a Creator who loves us, who blesses us in the midst of our sinfulness? Who, ultimately, longs to spend eternity with us, and who made that possible? What if Thanksgiving DID become a gateway to a time of anticipation of Christmas, not for what we are about to "get," but for what we've already been given?
What if Thanksgiving kicked off a season of gratefulness and of blessing others? What if, instead of stressing over the "perfect" gift for "the man (or woman, or child, or teen) who has everything," we focused on making ONE person's day better each day, giving one person a reason to be thankful that day? What if we spoke kindly, smiled more, spent less time stressing over "perfection" and just thanked God in all circumstances?
Start with the cashier the first time you go shopping during this stressful time of year. Smile at the cashier, call them by name (kindly), and thank them (sincerely) for helping you. Ask about their day, sympathize with their troubles. Standing on your feet all day is very hard work. Treat them as you want to be treated at the end of your day. (No, don't give them a foot rub. That would be weird. And possibly criminal...)
Move on to the post office worker when you're mailing mountains of boxes (or cards). Maybe take a treat for them to share within the post office. (This probably works better in smaller towns.)
Knit mittens or socks or hats for a homeless shelter. Make baby blankets for a crisis pregnancy center, or a women's shelter.
Make "angel baby" blankets for the local NICU. (These are small blankets/quilts given to families whose babies do not survive. Sometimes they are used for burial, sometimes, they become a special "something" that the family keeps as a memorial. Talk to your local NICU. Many of them desperately need these, and very much prefer handmade over those impersonal hospital issue blankets.)
Basically, remember all the ways you are blessed, and do something for someone who is not similarly blessed. Thank God and then do something. Make Thanksgiving count.
Of course, we should thank God each day for that day's blessings. Ideally, we would live in moment-by-moment communion with Him that includes giving thanks in all things. Yes, all things. Not so easy, particularly when we don't see the good in any given thing.
So why set aside a day each year?
I think, in part, because it's so much easier to complain. It's so much more "natural" to focus on the things that are wrong, the things that need to be changed. We focus on our pain, our disappointments, our unhappiness. We so long for perfection that we fail to see the beauty in the middle of the mess.
So we set aside one day each year.
But that day seems to have lost its focus. Sure, people post random thankful posts on Facebook and other social media sites, but mostly, it seems, that Thanksgiving is more the "gateway to holiday shopping." We have turned it on it's head. As soon as Halloween is over, the "Holiday shopping" sale papers begin to come out, ads for what "super deals" we can score for "the holidays."
What if we truly decided to make the holidays about their original purpose? What if we made Thanksgiving about truly being thankful to a Creator who loves us, who blesses us in the midst of our sinfulness? Who, ultimately, longs to spend eternity with us, and who made that possible? What if Thanksgiving DID become a gateway to a time of anticipation of Christmas, not for what we are about to "get," but for what we've already been given?
What if Thanksgiving kicked off a season of gratefulness and of blessing others? What if, instead of stressing over the "perfect" gift for "the man (or woman, or child, or teen) who has everything," we focused on making ONE person's day better each day, giving one person a reason to be thankful that day? What if we spoke kindly, smiled more, spent less time stressing over "perfection" and just thanked God in all circumstances?
Start with the cashier the first time you go shopping during this stressful time of year. Smile at the cashier, call them by name (kindly), and thank them (sincerely) for helping you. Ask about their day, sympathize with their troubles. Standing on your feet all day is very hard work. Treat them as you want to be treated at the end of your day. (No, don't give them a foot rub. That would be weird. And possibly criminal...)
Move on to the post office worker when you're mailing mountains of boxes (or cards). Maybe take a treat for them to share within the post office. (This probably works better in smaller towns.)
Knit mittens or socks or hats for a homeless shelter. Make baby blankets for a crisis pregnancy center, or a women's shelter.
Make "angel baby" blankets for the local NICU. (These are small blankets/quilts given to families whose babies do not survive. Sometimes they are used for burial, sometimes, they become a special "something" that the family keeps as a memorial. Talk to your local NICU. Many of them desperately need these, and very much prefer handmade over those impersonal hospital issue blankets.)
Basically, remember all the ways you are blessed, and do something for someone who is not similarly blessed. Thank God and then do something. Make Thanksgiving count.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Weighing in on Ferguson
Here in the US, it seems like events in Ferguson, MO are on everyone's minds. Many loud voices have added their opinions to the mix, many people have shouted each other down, called each other names, and generally said mean and hateful things about all parties involved. Mostly, it seems to be along the lines of, "If you don't agree with ME, then you are WRONG, and EVIL." Sadly, this seems to be what passes for "discourse" in our country any more. (But that's a whole 'nother post for another time.)
But what seems to me to be missing, at least from what I can see, is a looking at the humanity of the situation. In all the name-calling, and anger, and screaming from both sides, no one is looking at the genuine heartbreak.
A man has died. And that's exactly what he was -- a man. A young man, yes, but a man nonetheless. He was not a child, not an "innocent" as so many want to portray him. He was old enough to vote, to defend his country, to enter into a legally binding contract. Barely, but he was.
Now, he stands before his Maker. That's all that's left. The Bible says, "...it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment," (Heb. 9:27, NASB) The bigger, eternal question is this -- was he ready? Aside from the hype, aside from the angry voices, was this young man ready to meet his Maker? If not, he is in a sad state indeed.
You see, the manner of death has NOTHING to do with his eternal destination. The violence, or calmness, of one's passing does not determine where one spends eternity. I cannot make the determination on his soul's eternal home. Thankfully, that rests with the Righteous Judge. But I do know this -- his decision is now final. He cannot change it. What he decided in this life is now his decision to live with for eternity, for better or for worse.
So, my takeaway is this -- be ready. We never know when this is the end. It could come when you are young, youngish, oldish, or old. I could walk out the door today, be hit by a car, and die. I know where I am going. Do you? Do your family, and friends? Please, please, don't wait until the decision is unchangeable. Grab hold of Christ, follow Him, lean on Him, obey Him. Make Him Lord -- truly Lord -- of your life. Then, no matter the manner and timing of your death, you will be ready. You can live and die without fear of judgment. "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 8:1, NASB)
But what seems to me to be missing, at least from what I can see, is a looking at the humanity of the situation. In all the name-calling, and anger, and screaming from both sides, no one is looking at the genuine heartbreak.
A man has died. And that's exactly what he was -- a man. A young man, yes, but a man nonetheless. He was not a child, not an "innocent" as so many want to portray him. He was old enough to vote, to defend his country, to enter into a legally binding contract. Barely, but he was.
Now, he stands before his Maker. That's all that's left. The Bible says, "...it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment," (Heb. 9:27, NASB) The bigger, eternal question is this -- was he ready? Aside from the hype, aside from the angry voices, was this young man ready to meet his Maker? If not, he is in a sad state indeed.
You see, the manner of death has NOTHING to do with his eternal destination. The violence, or calmness, of one's passing does not determine where one spends eternity. I cannot make the determination on his soul's eternal home. Thankfully, that rests with the Righteous Judge. But I do know this -- his decision is now final. He cannot change it. What he decided in this life is now his decision to live with for eternity, for better or for worse.
So, my takeaway is this -- be ready. We never know when this is the end. It could come when you are young, youngish, oldish, or old. I could walk out the door today, be hit by a car, and die. I know where I am going. Do you? Do your family, and friends? Please, please, don't wait until the decision is unchangeable. Grab hold of Christ, follow Him, lean on Him, obey Him. Make Him Lord -- truly Lord -- of your life. Then, no matter the manner and timing of your death, you will be ready. You can live and die without fear of judgment. "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 8:1, NASB)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)