Monday, April 28, 2014

Imprints On The Heart

Over the years, one of the lessons that the people of Africa have taught me on my mission trips is "interaction before transaction."  I have watched them in the market place, in the shops, out in the community and they almost always take the time to ask about you and create a connection with you before starting to do business with you.  I have worked to make sure this principle is at work in my life, but I often struggle with it.  I get focused on a task and stops and starts are hard for me.  In the grocery store, at the bank, selling jewelry at an art festival, wherever I am, I constantly have to remind myself, "slow down and SEE the people...  love them...  be a blessing to them."

But today I want to tell you about a man who lived this principle maybe better than anyone I've ever known...  I am sad to say I am writing this as a tribute to him as he went home to be with Jesus last Tuesday.  He was the father of one of our son's closet friends...  we spent time with him at many wrestling events and he was our dentist.  And the thing that struck me about Dr. W. in every area of life that we interacted with him was that he always, ALWAYS had time for people.  He always took time to be interested in our lives, to encourage us, to have conversations of substance about faith, family, parenting, etc.

I knew when I scheduled a dentist appointment to schedule plenty of time to sit and talk with him.  He didn't just provide excellent care for our teeth, he also took time to minister to our hearts.  He was more concerned with interaction than transaction.  He listened if there was a struggle to share, he encouraged if he sensed discouragement, he opened the door to tough and challenging conversations and he was always ready to offer wisdom about a variety of topics, if asked.  And most of all, he was a great friend and mentor to our son.  He always had time for the boys whenever they stopped by, either at his office or at his home.

And most of all, he always made sure we knew we were appreciated...  Whenever I went to the dentist, or took one of our children to see him, I never left without a big bear hug and his saying, "I appreciate you. I appreciate your family."  And I heard that same story from many others too.  We all loved Dr. W.  We will all miss him...  he touched our hearts and left an imprint that won't be forgotten.

So take time this week to remember to really see people...  love them...  don't just think about how much you appreciate them, tell them...    And if you would, say a prayer for his sweet wife and their 3 sons.  I can't imagine the hole his departure left in their lives. 

Have a great week!
Sharla

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Coincidence?? I think not....

Spoiler alert! -- Yes it's a blog about Easter and Spring.  It's a shocker I know.

I love how Easter falls during the Spring season when all things are 'made new.'  We can look around and see the dormant reviving, seeds sprouting and the emergence of life (even if some of the 'emergence' are the bugs that appear in the Spring).  Springtime is a daily visual reminder of the work that God did to renew our lives and give us eternal life.  Yet, unlike Christmas which was a holiday put on the calendar, Easter is a holiday tied to a historical reality.

Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover, since is was the Passover that Jesus celebrated with his disciples prior to his crucifixion.  Easter is not a set date because Passover is not a set date.  Passover is determined by the Jewish calendar which is based on the lunar cycle.  Passover and Easter usually coincide (although there is an exception because of leap year).  Because Passover always occurs in the Spring, Easter also occurs in the Spring -- and that was God's plan to remind us of His work.




One of my kid's favorite TV shows when they were little was Blues Clues.  It was a story about a dog that would find clues that would lead to a message.  Because of that show they would look around for 'clues' which were usually just objects out of context or random trash but they would enjoy finding things or seeing 'clues.'




I love how God loves us so well by giving us hints and clues in our daily lives to see Him.  Just as Easter and Springtime are concurrent to remind us of God's ultimate work, I believe God sends us reminders of His work in our daily lives.  Sometimes it might be a 'coincidental' call or email, perhaps it is an unexpected kindness, maybe it's a thing of beauty in an unusual place or possibly just a cool breeze on a hot day -- just like my kids looking for 'clues'  we must be present, we must be aware and our eyes must be open to seeing God.

May you see a 'clue' of God's love today - Cynthia

Monday, April 14, 2014

not as it should be.

{found via pinterest}

here's the thing about this week: it reminds us that we are great sinners, and it reminds us that we have an even greater savior.

this world is not how it should be. that doesn't mean that wonderful things do not exist within it, and it certainly doesn't mean we shouldn't be grateful for what we've received from a gracious God. but it is a reminder that we are broken. we are reminded that christ alone can make us new, because christ alone could go to the cross for us. christ alone could conquer death and sin for us.

this world is not how it should be. we as people do not live in perfect union with our creator. plain and simple. but the above sentiment is just as plain and simple: you are not the mistakes you have made. our God is big enough to redeem them. every. last. one. of. them. no matter who you are, and no matter what you've done.

it's easy to think that people are too far gone for God. it's almost automatic in a way. it's not that we think that about everyone, but we do think it for some people. for certain people. "that's just the way s/he is," "s/he'll never change; i should have known better." but the thing is, miracles happen every day. and our God is a God of miracles. there is never anyone too far gone for God.

this week is about sacrifice - the greatest sacrifice ever made - and the opportunity for redemption. at some point we were all too far gone, but God didn't leave us there. he came and found me in my too far gone place, and he brought me to himself.

no, this world is not as it should be, but take heart - we serve a God who has overcome the world. we serve the great redeemer.


happy easter!
xo,
katie

Monday, April 7, 2014

The Simplest Lessons...

Some weeks it's just hard to write a blog post...  when I get focused on a task, trying to divert my energies is like trying to change the course of a rushing river, almost impossible.  This was one of those weeks!  I am in "get ready for an art festival" mode and 98% of life feels like an interruption (just keeping it real).  And yet, God gave me SO much I wanted to write about...  this could have been 'pages' long!

But just yesterday, I was reminded of such a sweet truth...  I was telling Amanda Mascara about something that happened a couple of weeks ago with their adorable son, Knox.

It was after Sunday School and I was chatting in the fellowship hall.  Knox was trying so hard to keep up with the 'big' boys and it took about 30 seconds for him to get run over, literally.  As he got up, you could tell he was trying so hard not to cry, but he was hit hard and as we started to move towards him, he spotted his daddy standing nearby.  He wanted nothing to do with us 'stranger' ladies...  he only had eyes for his daddy.

Tim stopped his conversation, comforted him and before long, Knox was back in the midst of it...  And about 30 seconds later (again), it happened a second time... and he went straight back for his daddy.

It didn't hit me at the time, but yesterday when I was relating the story to Amanda, I realized how profound the simplest stories can be...

Where do you run when the world runs you over?  I hate to admit it, but too often I get distracted by "strangers" (aka. idols) who can't really comfort me...  comfort food...  comfort shopping...  comfort television... any escape to distract me from the pain...

But what if I set my sights on my Abba Father and didn't let any other promise of sympathy, comfort or relief pull my focus from Him?!  I bet I would find the strength to get back in the game as quickly as Knox did.

Why don't you take a minute and ask God to show you where you tend to run when life runs you over?  I'll leave you with these verses from Psalms that I love so much (Psalm 73:25-26)  "Whom have I in heaven but you?  And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Let God be your strength...  your refreshment...  your everything!

Sharla

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Wilderness - what do you see??

Years ago there was a list the US Forestry Service put together that were actual comments left on comment cards at wilderness areas.  Some of the ones that I really liked:

"Trails need to be reconstructed.  Please avoid building trails that go uphill."

"Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs.  Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests."

"Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them."

There were two things I noticed about these comments (after I snickered for a while).  First, they all have to do with making the individual's visit better.  Sometimes I find myself doing this in my daily life - rather than look around at the many blessings I have - I want to things to be better.  I chose to be frustrated by traffic, schedules, my to-do list and people who frustrate me.  How much better would my days be if I were thankful that I have a car to drive, children that have things to do, the ability to get things accomplished and the privilege of being in a community where I am only frustrated by others and not physically harmed by insurgents, suicide bombers, or an oppressive military.

Second, I think the people who made the comments failed to see the reality of the situation.  Wilderness is called WILD-ER-NESS  precisely because it is "wild-er" than other areas.  The same goes for the world around us.  We are subject to sin and it's effects all around us.  While that can be challenging, uncomfortable and less than optimal, it is the nature of our surroundings.  However, just like there is beauty and goodness to be found in the wild -- there is beauty and goodness to be found all around us.  We just have to be willing to focus on the right things.

God clearly advises this in Colossians 2:6-7  "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

May you find joy in Christ by giving thanks for the blessings we have amidst the day - Cynthia