This week has been one of the busiest, longest, hardest weeks I have ever survived. I can't remember the exact moment I started feeling the ground crumbling beneath my feet but the struggle as a whole I will not soon forget.
Was it this week that the wind was so strong I thought the house might move off its footings? I have never in all my 13 years of living here felt the power of the wind like that. I was afraid (read lazy bum) to hang clothes out for fear of a)getting strangled by a sheet and b) having my skivvies land in Father's yard. So I played it safe and did not do laundry at all. I am regretting this today, as I have most other days this week.
Most of it is all sort of one really hazy blur but I do faintly recall a Monday evening turbo kick class that kicked my butt and made me feel muscles I didn't know I had. Which put a major kink in my final week of "training" for my first 5k. My two runs quickly reduced to one painful wet, rainy run on a damp evening. It was less than motivating to say the least.
My accountability partners were what kept me going this week. Dutifully showing up every morning even when I forgot to set the alarm and I was super late and I put my shoes on in the street. Although we had one scare late in the week with an abandoned car that forced us to re-route our normal 3 mile speed walk. I joked that we could be the crime stoppers; we know so much about the soft quiet routine of our little village because of our consistent morning treks that one out of place vehicle makes all our alarms go off.
I am pretty sure there was a day in there that I got some blanket making in with my neighbor. We laid out a few tops for quilts and she even had one finished by the end of the week. We are making recycled fabric squares to sew together for blankets for the Linus project at a local hospital. Maleah came over to help us with color choices because, frankly, my neighbor and I are equal color choice opportunity blanket makers (read; not real fashion conscientious).
There was a lot of planning for the supper club. This time in particular there were some difficult hoops to jump through. I made some phone calls checking prices on some unique ingredients. I ordered some homemade spicy sausage from the local butcher, begged my husband to pick up some printer ink for the food labels and sweet talked my mother into getting the last but most important ingredients. I was trying to get all ends tied up by Thursday night because I had volunteered to ride along for Maleah's field trip on Friday and wouldn't be able to do any supper club prep that day.
My checks finally arrived and I scrambled to pay all the bills that were not-so-patiently waiting for me. Why can't everything just be done online? The kids had practice most evenings so I think we ate supper around 8 every night which is almost 3 hours later than normal for our house. The late meal did not fare well on toddler and child size stomachs making my snack cabinet deplete light years faster than usual. I was down to one gallon of milk by Thursday and managed to ration that out until Sunday, but not without much trials and tribulations. Did you know that there is more to breakfast than cereal?
Thursday night we put most of the finishing touches on the supper club event but even with all my planning, Friday morning began with me (at the wee hours of 5am) putting 50+ pounds of raw pork into roasters at the church. I prayed my husband would remember to check them even though I had a commandeered a reliable neighbor as a backup plan.
I was trying to recall the amount of sleep I had gotten while riding on a school bus with 40 children to the end of the year field trip and all I could really come up with was not nearly enough. My head was pounding and I was recalling how much I (read sarcasm) adored my bus rides as an elementary student. The field trip actually turned out to be an amazing day. The kids had a blast touring the theatre department and getting fake scars on their faces and some new dance moves and a tour. They ended the day with a quick ice cream stop to Cold Stone where I treated my self to a scoop of coffee flavored cream with fudge sauce.
Friday night was as smooth as a baby's bottom. The meals went together with a lot of effort but amazing results. A few kinks were ironed out quickly and pretty painlessly. Honestly I can't remember much of it as I was running on empty until I stuffed myself with turkey meatballs in Marsala mushroom sauce with roasted carrots, beans and asparagus and some chewy bread. After that I was so full I just went through the motions. At the end of the night a very kind friend backed her pickup full of my junk up to my house so I could avoid the dreaded 18 trips across the street to my house.
I noticed the smelly brown liquid only moments after lifting my heavy basket full of meals. Sniff, sniff...it was the bourbon. The bourbon that I spent phone calls price checking and talking to connoisseurs about whether or not I could "get away" with buying the cheap stuff. It was the bourbon and it was leaking all over.
It all happened so quickly but it feels like I watched it in slow motion. I heard the click of plastic an felt the tension give way on my right hand. Then I was holding the handle as I watched the basket full of 9 meals swing to the left and crash into the wall, fall and violently tumble to the bottom of my carpeted basement. The ice cream bucket full of spicy sausage soup was flung into the family room. The pork ribs with bourbon sauce splattered like blood along the wall and door frame. Other bits and pieces of chicken and cheese and unrecognizable bits of food clouded the entire hall.
The next thing I knew I was on the floor sobbing uncontrollably and my husband was yelling, "ARE YOU OKAY?" I was, but I wasn't. I felt like all my work for the week had been flushed down the toilet in the blink of an eye and the worst part of it was, I still had to clean up the mess. Have you ever tried to clean up 8 cups of spicy sausage soup out of carpet? It is not easy. Especially when you are crying the whole time. I just couldn't stop. I carried buckets of slop to the trash and damp smelly towels into the overflowing laundry room. I poured hot water and disinfectant on the carpet and soaked it up over and over until I felt like I couldn't mop up anymore. I washed my hands, put a cold rag on my swollen eyeballs and crawled into bed.
When the alarm went off the next morning I wished I had never signed up for the run. My head was pounding, my eyes looked like someone beat me up and I was extremely sleep deprived. I went to the coffee maker first knowing full well my running pants would regret it later.
Maleah grabbed her pillow and blanket to ride in the car with family on the way to the race. She easily dozed off while we met my sister in law and exchanged packets. We donned our new t-shirts and took out our numbers and then I saw the signs. Each participant got a sticker that said, "I am running for..." I looked at my family as they were writing names on each others and I saw my own name over and over. Again, the tears started flowing. Hugs, tears, hugs and not enough room on my paper for all the names I wanted to write and off we went to one of the most amazing events I have ever been to in my ENTIRE life.
Because I endured months of chemotherapy, I was given a survivor shirt which allowed us to obtain the best parking but we were late and I was nervous that all that crying in the parking lot would come back to haunt me. One of the last spots at the far north west end of the parking lot was just waiting there for us. The sea of people was amazing. I really have no words. Standing there in that parking lot being one of many for the same purpose was so wonderfully empowering. I saw several people that I knew. I hugged. I cried. I heard the call for the 5k runners.
We decided as a group to stay together. Our goal was to keep it under 45 minutes as the course was hilly and we were of all ages from 9-36. We started slow but quickly spread out to an even pace that we felt comfortable keeping. The streets were lined with spectators shouting words of encouragement. People were everywhere, on the sidewalks, in the yards, on the corners, in the street. I saw one amazing mom pushing a triple jogging stroller. Every time someone walked by me I read their sticker...for my mom, for my sister, for my friend, for my family...I was moved to tears several times. again. My feet just kept moving. Maleah was fast and slow and she got some leg cramps. I think she needed a little hydration. She became discouraged but she kept on trodding. We stayed in each others sight as we made each turn. I saw friends, gave fives, shook hands kept on moving my feet. I saw Shawn Cable (local news caster) run ahead and snap some photos and then get back in pace with the t-shirts that matched him. I saw Phil (local weatherman) too, he is kinda short :) My father-in-law was standing on the side lines but I missed him.
We really had no idea how fast we were going we walked for a very short time once on the home stretch while we all caught up to each other. Then, my niece said, "we are almost there" so we ran to the finish line. We had the exact same time. She pushed me until the very last step and it was wonderful to have her support.
After we finished we were a little winded and I had to potty (read I peed my pants) so we all went our own ways and we met at the vehicle a few minutes later. I watched the 10k'ers finish and I saw so many people meet their goal! It was really emotional. I hugged people, some I barely knew.
The weather was fantastic. It was the most beautiful morning. I couldn't help but think that the Lord was pointing the sun right down on Sioux Falls. I KNOW He was there because He made my feet move without me feeling them. He allowed me to soak the whole morning in without pain or frustration or difficulty.
I am so ridiculously blessed. What a truly wonderful end to my week! I know He planned it to go exactly like that.
Showing posts with label on being a Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label on being a Christian. Show all posts
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
let the Lenten season begin
from T.S. Eliot's Ash Wednesday
Because I do not hope to turn again
Because I do not hope
Because I do not hope to turn
Desiring this man's gift and that man's scope
I no longer strive to strive towards such things
(Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?)
Why should I mourn
The vanished power of the usual reign?
Because I do not hope to know
The infirm glory of the positive hour
Because I do not think
Because I know I shall not know
The one veritable transitory power
Because I cannot drink
There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is nothing again
Because I know that time is always time
And place is always and only place
And what is actual is actual only for one time
And only for one place
I rejoice that things are as they are and
I renounce the blessèd face
And renounce the voice
Because I cannot hope to turn again
Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something
Upon which to rejoice
And pray to God to have mercy upon us
And pray that I may forget
These matters that with myself I too much discuss
Too much explain
Because I do not hope to turn again
Let these words answer
For what is done, not to be done again
May the judgement not be too heavy upon us
If the lost word is lost, if the spent word is spent
If the unheard, unspoken
Word is unspoken, unheard;
Still is the unspoken word, the Word unheard,
The Word without a word, the Word within
The world and for the world;
And the light shone in darkness and
Against the Word the unstilled world still whirled
About the centre of the silent Word.
O my people, what have I done unto thee.
Where shall the word be found, where will the word
Resound? Not here, there is not enough silence
Not on the sea or on the islands, not
On the mainland, in the desert or the rain land,
For those who walk in darkness
Both in the day time and in the night time
The right time and the right place are not here
No place of grace for those who avoid the face
No time to rejoice for those who walk among noise and deny the voice
Teach us to care and not to care
Teach us to sit still
Even among these rocks,
Our peace in His will
Because I do not hope to turn again
Because I do not hope
Because I do not hope to turn
Desiring this man's gift and that man's scope
I no longer strive to strive towards such things
(Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?)
Why should I mourn
The vanished power of the usual reign?
Because I do not hope to know
The infirm glory of the positive hour
Because I do not think
Because I know I shall not know
The one veritable transitory power
Because I cannot drink
There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is nothing again
Because I know that time is always time
And place is always and only place
And what is actual is actual only for one time
And only for one place
I rejoice that things are as they are and
I renounce the blessèd face
And renounce the voice
Because I cannot hope to turn again
Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something
Upon which to rejoice
And pray to God to have mercy upon us
And pray that I may forget
These matters that with myself I too much discuss
Too much explain
Because I do not hope to turn again
Let these words answer
For what is done, not to be done again
May the judgement not be too heavy upon us
If the lost word is lost, if the spent word is spent
If the unheard, unspoken
Word is unspoken, unheard;
Still is the unspoken word, the Word unheard,
The Word without a word, the Word within
The world and for the world;
And the light shone in darkness and
Against the Word the unstilled world still whirled
About the centre of the silent Word.
O my people, what have I done unto thee.
Where shall the word be found, where will the word
Resound? Not here, there is not enough silence
Not on the sea or on the islands, not
On the mainland, in the desert or the rain land,
For those who walk in darkness
Both in the day time and in the night time
The right time and the right place are not here
No place of grace for those who avoid the face
No time to rejoice for those who walk among noise and deny the voice
Teach us to care and not to care
Teach us to sit still
Even among these rocks,
Our peace in His will
Monday, February 21, 2011
hair addiction
I have scheduled hair cuts for the girls tonight. All three of them. All. THREE. of. them. My stomach is in knots. It is killing me slowly to think of those tiny blond curls dropping to the floor.
The word addiction can be defined as "what we devote ourselves to habitually". I can see things all around me that are addictions. I devote time to my computer, the girls' hair, food...do I devote the same time and attention to my God?
Psalm 86 1-3 reads, "Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly."
I am thankful that God hears us, answers us, protects us, saves us, and shows mercy on us as we devote ourselves to Him. I know that I need this encouragement and God's help to devote, serve and trust God instead of all the other addictions I give into- things that have no importance in God's plan.
It grows back, right? That is what I keep telling myself. Asking the Lord to remind me of what is important will help me get through this, too. It will still be painful, I know. But I will get through it.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Finally Friday again
Well, the whole weaning from the internet has gone better than expected. I try to log on once a day to do my "business" and then get off and on with my life. It has been difficult but bearable.
You would think I would be a little more 'present' in my daily life because I am not on the laptop all day but actually, get this, I feel disconnected. I feel like I am not in the know and sort of marooned on Gordon family island. The internet is my connection with the world. It's not always a good connection but the communication is open none the less.
So, my Bible has been the replacement for the loss of surfing. It is going well. This regular old book of Genesis has some pretty amazing historical implications. Moses really knows his stuff. Satan attacks Genesis quite fervently so that alone tells you there is some solid stuff in there... I am still studying but it is a wonderful lesson. I am using the book What the Bible is all about by Dr.Henrietta C. Mears. My brother gave it to me for Christmas.
Keep my father in law in your prayers this week, please. He had gallbladder surgery. He is at home recovering. I hope it goes quickly for him.
Have a wonderful weekend. Monday will be here before you know it.
You would think I would be a little more 'present' in my daily life because I am not on the laptop all day but actually, get this, I feel disconnected. I feel like I am not in the know and sort of marooned on Gordon family island. The internet is my connection with the world. It's not always a good connection but the communication is open none the less.
So, my Bible has been the replacement for the loss of surfing. It is going well. This regular old book of Genesis has some pretty amazing historical implications. Moses really knows his stuff. Satan attacks Genesis quite fervently so that alone tells you there is some solid stuff in there... I am still studying but it is a wonderful lesson. I am using the book What the Bible is all about by Dr.Henrietta C. Mears. My brother gave it to me for Christmas.
Keep my father in law in your prayers this week, please. He had gallbladder surgery. He is at home recovering. I hope it goes quickly for him.
Have a wonderful weekend. Monday will be here before you know it.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday Multitudes #609-622
Still counting with me?
I haven't had my coffee yet this morning and we are in full swing with birthdaypallooza. Addison turns three today. She was a real miracle conceived a month after chemotherapy and born whole, healthy and amazingly wonderful. I still have a hard time believing she is mine.
Today, Lord, I have so much to be thankful for. So much more than on this simple list. I am blessed. Ridiculously blessed beyond recognition. I am blinded by all the wonderful gifts you have given me.
a family birthday party with wonderful fellowship and food
a bountiful church supper and country store and most importantly a wonderful time had by all
time for dad to hunt
time for me to attempt to make a puppy costume for Maleah
my sister to come and "rescue" my puppy costume, Jo - you are amazing!
"new" doors
beautiful fall weather
good friends, really awesome spectacularly wonderful friends and even better family!
good health
healing for mom, JoAnn, Harriet, Janel, Pat,and Jack
someone to walk with who keeps me accountable for moving
the strength to bake a cake and finish a puppy costume today, Lord, please
a busy week, again
I haven't had my coffee yet this morning and we are in full swing with birthdaypallooza. Addison turns three today. She was a real miracle conceived a month after chemotherapy and born whole, healthy and amazingly wonderful. I still have a hard time believing she is mine.
Today, Lord, I have so much to be thankful for. So much more than on this simple list. I am blessed. Ridiculously blessed beyond recognition. I am blinded by all the wonderful gifts you have given me.
a family birthday party with wonderful fellowship and food
a bountiful church supper and country store and most importantly a wonderful time had by all
time for dad to hunt
time for me to attempt to make a puppy costume for Maleah
my sister to come and "rescue" my puppy costume, Jo - you are amazing!
"new" doors
beautiful fall weather
good friends, really awesome spectacularly wonderful friends and even better family!
good health
healing for mom, JoAnn, Harriet, Janel, Pat,and Jack
someone to walk with who keeps me accountable for moving
the strength to bake a cake and finish a puppy costume today, Lord, please
a busy week, again
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday Multitudes #575- 589 (on a Tuesday:))
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see...
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:1
In the children's sermon on Sunday Pastor asked the kids something and one of them answered with the word, LUCKY. Pastor jumped on that so fast my two year old jumped. "It's not luck" he said, "you are blessed!"Amen. Faith will get you through this life. It is the only thing that can get you through. I am praying that you all have some. Here are the blessings I can identify in my life a direct and intentional gift from my Lord and Savior.
#575 - one last camping weekend with friends in late September (it has been a long time since I counted my blessings)
a fantastic reading rally program put on by an adorable first grader and his classmates. I sure love that my kids love to read.
a productive church rummage where I broke my hand but also sold a car. The bake sale and lunch was a huge a hit, too!
my mother, who cleaned up my items for me since I was swollen and broken, I am so thankful for my mom, she is always right, whether I choose to admit it or not at the time :)
project season for daddy aka project man, in the works; a new mailbox, roof repair, new garage shelves and insulation, new bifold doors in all the kids rooms, and a hint of actually installing the sink that has been sitting on the floor of my laundry room for years now...and I am still working on the kitchen remodel we're closer than we have ever been before
a beautiful and warm entrance to my favorite season of the year
a diagnosis of mono (which was a blessing because I thought it was something much much worse) for the birthday boy.
an awesome bowling birthday lego football bonanza for my one and only boy, he didn't even know he was ill
a family baking session for the lego cake, if I hadn't had broken my hand I would have never had so many helpers, it was a really wonderful activity to share with the kids
plans for a wedding and a shower in the family, the third blessed event this year alone
a new niece or nephew on the way, a surprise blessing, I have a few of those in my family:)
a celebration of life for an awesome grandpa of my dear friend, thank you Lord for sharing him with us even if just for a while...
a prayer for health and healing of a dear friends mother who is undergoing surgery again this week, one of several...Lord, guide the professionals to do your will and be with Harriet and her family as she faces this challenge Lord, all things are possible Lord, all things...
a new kitchen aid mixer for the broken mommy that came with a promise of never leaving the cookie jar empty, great for dad's tummy, not so great for mom's rump :) oh the sacrifices I make
two more birthdays this month and a full ten days when I will have two two-year olds in the house, prayers graciously accepted ;)
pulling my first all nighter with Nora last night, my heart aches for sick children, she couldn't keep a tablespoon of water down, hoping and praying that she can get through this and without a lot of suffering and pain for her, I am blessed and reminded that I have four healthy children and an occasional illness wonderfully reminds me of how "lucky" I really am, this month alone we have been blessed with an ear infection, pink eye, mono, and now Nora's upchucking and then there is my hand, but technically that was last month...Lord, thank you for all the months of the year when we are healthy and take it for granted.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Go and get it
I just finished reading the Shack by William P. Young. It was, for lack of a a much better word, interesting. I think I may have to reread it.
If you haven't read it you should. I don't want to give away anything but here are a few quotes that really got me thinking...
...relationships are a whole lot messier than rules, but rules will never give you answers to the deep questions of the heart and they will never love you.
...Nouns exist because there is a created universe and a physical reality, but if the universe is only a a mass of nouns, it is dead. Unless "I AM", there are no verbs, and verbs are what makes the universe alive...
...The trouble with living by priorities is...is that it sees everything as a hierarchy, a pyramid... If you put God at the top, what does that really mean and how much is enough? How much time you give (Him) before you can go on about the rest of your day, the part that interests you so much more?
...Each relationship between two persons is absolutely unique. That is why you cannot love two people the same. It is simply not possible. You love each person differently because of who they are and the uniqueness that they draw out of you. And the more you know another, the richer the colors of that relationship...
It also has a pretty fantastic story with some amazing characters in it. It was a page turner for me. It'll spark your brain for sure.
If you haven't read it you should. I don't want to give away anything but here are a few quotes that really got me thinking...
...relationships are a whole lot messier than rules, but rules will never give you answers to the deep questions of the heart and they will never love you.
...Nouns exist because there is a created universe and a physical reality, but if the universe is only a a mass of nouns, it is dead. Unless "I AM", there are no verbs, and verbs are what makes the universe alive...
...The trouble with living by priorities is...is that it sees everything as a hierarchy, a pyramid... If you put God at the top, what does that really mean and how much is enough? How much time you give (Him) before you can go on about the rest of your day, the part that interests you so much more?
...Each relationship between two persons is absolutely unique. That is why you cannot love two people the same. It is simply not possible. You love each person differently because of who they are and the uniqueness that they draw out of you. And the more you know another, the richer the colors of that relationship...
It also has a pretty fantastic story with some amazing characters in it. It was a page turner for me. It'll spark your brain for sure.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
love thy neighbor
The other day the family and I were on the interstate and drove by a van with a shredded tire. The driver was on his phone and for a split second I looked at my husband and then we both dismissed it. I don't think I gave it another thought, until the sermon this morning.
The text for Pastor's sermon today came from Leviticus 19:18; Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
The whole idea of commanding love is a little hard to swallow. Pastor used the example of children arguing and the mother putting her hand on her hip and pointing her index finger and saying, "LOVE ONE ANOTHER". We cannot make another person have deep rooted feelings of love for another person. This is not the love that the Lord was commanding us to have for each other.
In Luke 10:25-37, the parable of the good Samaritan we learn of not one but two ministers who walk right past a man in need. Sound familiar? Were they in a hurry? Was it not convenient? Did they forget God's command?
What would happen if it was my family stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire? Would I want someone to help me?
But the Parable of the Good Samaritan says more than "It's good to help people in need." The parable is also about excuses. About self-justification. About letting oneself off the hook.
Are we like the lawyer who was listening to Jesus and who questioned, "who is our nieghbor?" How did Jesus answer him? 'What is written in the Law?' Jesus replies 'How do you read it?' " (Luke 10:26) In other words, you know the law, how do you explain it?
And the man answered... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
The lawyer began by asking for a definition of "neighbor" in order to justify limiting his love to his fellow Jews only. Jesus doesn't define "neighbor" in so many words, but his story makes it clear that our neighbor is whoever has a need. It doesn't matter who they are. Jesus' command to love our neighbor as ourselves knows no self-satisfying limits.
"Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise.' " (10:37b)
Jesus isn't content just to define what "neighbor" means. He commands us to do as the Samaritan does, to show mercy to our fellow man who is in need.
Are Christians to be "do-gooders"? Yes, I suppose. But our motivation for doing good must be love for others, an interest in meeting their basic needs, a heart of mercy that is moved by compassion.
What are we -- as disciples of Jesus -- supposed to learn from this story? For me the answer is to examine my own heart. What motivates me? How much have selfishness and a dogged adherence to my own agenda leached away the mercy that Jesus holds dear and wants to flourish in my heart through his Holy Spirit? I may be efficient, but am I merciful. When "push comes to shove" do I put myself first, or do I put the needs of others first?
For me, Jesus' command, "Go and do likewise," means that I must value acts of mercy over personal productivity. What does it mean for you?
The text for Pastor's sermon today came from Leviticus 19:18; Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
The whole idea of commanding love is a little hard to swallow. Pastor used the example of children arguing and the mother putting her hand on her hip and pointing her index finger and saying, "LOVE ONE ANOTHER". We cannot make another person have deep rooted feelings of love for another person. This is not the love that the Lord was commanding us to have for each other.
In Luke 10:25-37, the parable of the good Samaritan we learn of not one but two ministers who walk right past a man in need. Sound familiar? Were they in a hurry? Was it not convenient? Did they forget God's command?
What would happen if it was my family stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire? Would I want someone to help me?
But the Parable of the Good Samaritan says more than "It's good to help people in need." The parable is also about excuses. About self-justification. About letting oneself off the hook.
Are we like the lawyer who was listening to Jesus and who questioned, "who is our nieghbor?" How did Jesus answer him? 'What is written in the Law?' Jesus replies 'How do you read it?' " (Luke 10:26) In other words, you know the law, how do you explain it?
And the man answered... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
The lawyer began by asking for a definition of "neighbor" in order to justify limiting his love to his fellow Jews only. Jesus doesn't define "neighbor" in so many words, but his story makes it clear that our neighbor is whoever has a need. It doesn't matter who they are. Jesus' command to love our neighbor as ourselves knows no self-satisfying limits.
"Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise.' " (10:37b)
Jesus isn't content just to define what "neighbor" means. He commands us to do as the Samaritan does, to show mercy to our fellow man who is in need.
Are Christians to be "do-gooders"? Yes, I suppose. But our motivation for doing good must be love for others, an interest in meeting their basic needs, a heart of mercy that is moved by compassion.
What are we -- as disciples of Jesus -- supposed to learn from this story? For me the answer is to examine my own heart. What motivates me? How much have selfishness and a dogged adherence to my own agenda leached away the mercy that Jesus holds dear and wants to flourish in my heart through his Holy Spirit? I may be efficient, but am I merciful. When "push comes to shove" do I put myself first, or do I put the needs of others first?
For me, Jesus' command, "Go and do likewise," means that I must value acts of mercy over personal productivity. What does it mean for you?
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday Multitudes # 391-410
Today I am ever so thankful to my Lord and Savior for:
a week full of ballgames and no injuries or postponements
sunshine to dry up the too wet places and to get the garden growing again
husbands that help with projects that I volunteer for especially when I am not too good with the four-wheel drive
all things He has created so beautifully on this earth especially the rocks
strong suspension in vehicles to carry the rocks home
air conditioning
rhubarb sodas
cherries
rhubarb
hanging clothes on the line to bake dry in the summer sun
motivation to organize the bathroom closet
changing the girls several times a day because they just can't stay out of the pool
the city pool for a cool family swim on a Saturday night
the baptism of a nephew in the middle of a thunderstorm
a survivor party and for Denise and her wellness
Sunday sermons that rock and remind me to quit complaining and get to work just like Elisha and Elijah
Sundays that allow me to relax even for just a few minutes
beautiful summer evening ballgames and the sound of the kids laughing and playing
bug spray :)
Have you counted your blessings lately?
Friday, April 16, 2010
oh PRAISE the One who paid my debt
I loathe doing the dishes. I procrastinate until we are down to the last fork and plate. It is really awful how much I avoid them. I beg the children to do them and offer bribes of money and ice cream but with the nice weather we have been having I can't get any one to commit. So, I have been forced to do them myself.
To help me get in "the zone" I crank my under the counter cd player up with some rockin tunes from audio adrenaline and kryptonite. I always turn it up loud and sort of lose my self in the song and the suds. I have had the same cd in for so long it has begun to skip. The music was a gift from someone when I was sick.
Anyway, last night I was washing and singing and something came over me. It was...I know it was the Holy Spirit, but it was so beautiful and amazing I don't want to ruin it with words that cannot fully describe the moment. I was so moved, my body was completely covered in goose bumps. I knew right after it happened that I wanted everyone to feel like this. I wanted to climb to the top of the mountains and shout it out loud, "HE washed it white as snow!"
It is so hard for me to imagine someone not knowing about Jesus. My life would be so empty, so completely worthless without God. I pray that everyone everywhere can hear about the debt that Jesus paid. I pray that everyone can feel His amazing love.
I googled the song and it seems I am not the only one who has had "a moment" with these words. I hope you can enjoy this one even if just for a moment.
As for me, I think I need to do a lot more talking about Jesus and for the time being a lot more sinks of dishes :) All to Him I owe! Amen.
To help me get in "the zone" I crank my under the counter cd player up with some rockin tunes from audio adrenaline and kryptonite. I always turn it up loud and sort of lose my self in the song and the suds. I have had the same cd in for so long it has begun to skip. The music was a gift from someone when I was sick.
Anyway, last night I was washing and singing and something came over me. It was...I know it was the Holy Spirit, but it was so beautiful and amazing I don't want to ruin it with words that cannot fully describe the moment. I was so moved, my body was completely covered in goose bumps. I knew right after it happened that I wanted everyone to feel like this. I wanted to climb to the top of the mountains and shout it out loud, "HE washed it white as snow!"
It is so hard for me to imagine someone not knowing about Jesus. My life would be so empty, so completely worthless without God. I pray that everyone everywhere can hear about the debt that Jesus paid. I pray that everyone can feel His amazing love.
I googled the song and it seems I am not the only one who has had "a moment" with these words. I hope you can enjoy this one even if just for a moment.
As for me, I think I need to do a lot more talking about Jesus and for the time being a lot more sinks of dishes :) All to Him I owe! Amen.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
swimming
couldn't hear the sermon today because this was swimming around in my head....
sunshine sunshine sunshine sunshine sunshine sunshine sunshine
snot snot snot snot snot snot snot snot snot snot snot snot achoo
laundry laundry laundry laundry laundry laundry laundry laundry laundry
baseball schedule baseball schedule baseball schedule baseball schedule
spudfest plan spudfest plan spudfest plan spudfest plan spudfest plan
vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs
should be listening should be listening should be listening should be
sit still wipe your nose put your feet down cover your mouth when you cough are you listening sit still wipe your nose put your feet down cover your mouth when you cough are you listening
homework piano lessons homework piano lessons homework piano
dishes dishes dishes dishes dishes dishes dishes dishes dishes dishes
till the garden till the garden till the garden till the garden till the garden
tomatoes peppers onions tomatoes peppers onions tomatoes SALSA
God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting Him set the pace not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade. Romans 3:27-28 MSG
sunshine sunshine sunshine sunshine sunshine sunshine sunshine
snot snot snot snot snot snot snot snot snot snot snot snot achoo
laundry laundry laundry laundry laundry laundry laundry laundry laundry
baseball schedule baseball schedule baseball schedule baseball schedule
spudfest plan spudfest plan spudfest plan spudfest plan spudfest plan
vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs vbs
should be listening should be listening should be listening should be
sit still wipe your nose put your feet down cover your mouth when you cough are you listening sit still wipe your nose put your feet down cover your mouth when you cough are you listening
homework piano lessons homework piano lessons homework piano
dishes dishes dishes dishes dishes dishes dishes dishes dishes dishes
till the garden till the garden till the garden till the garden till the garden
tomatoes peppers onions tomatoes peppers onions tomatoes SALSA
God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting Him set the pace not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade. Romans 3:27-28 MSG
Monday, October 19, 2009
Generations of dirt piles.
This morning (no judgements please) I swept up the remnants of the party yesterday. As I scooted it into a neat little pile, tears welled up in my eyes. I saw bits and pieces of a wonderful day. It was so pretty with blue bits of moon sand, orange pieces of play dough, glitter and stickers, tissue paper and ribbon and cheerios. The thought of taking a photo crossed my mind, I should have. You all already think I am quite nuts.
I don't appreciate my dirt piles, nearly enough. These four kids and this life are making me realize what a blessing really is. Yesterday we were able to spend the whole day with family and friends visiting and celebrating the girls' birthdays. This is something we should do more often. It was so wonderful to see them. Having a big family makes it difficult to spend time together. We are all so busy and rarely have the same days available. It is such a blessing to be able to get together, whatever the occasion.
My first thought is to thank my mom and my in-laws for creating such families. I spend all this time in my little bubble and I forget about the family as a whole. My parents are amazing people. I can only hope that I will be such a mother as my mom and my mother in law. I was visiting with my sister yesterday about how when you see a 'good' kid you know that they must have had amazing parents.I pray that my kids will turn out to be 'good' kids. Teaching them how to Love God with all their heart and love their neighbor as themselves are invaluable lessons.
Speaking of big families always makes me think of God's BIG promise to Abraham in Genesis.
This truth (which is much too big for this post) becomes extremely important as we investigate the work of one of Abraham’s descendants, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our eternal salvation is based upon our relationship to Jesus Christ who came into this world through Abraham’s family. We become beneficiaries of God’s promise to Abraham through Christ.
But our being “in Christ” depends upon God and God alone! Our eternal life and our future destiny are all of Him! God promised and God alone sealed the deal.
We accidentally or (more likely) purposefully forget to instill the little things in our children's lives that will make the most impact. I am talking about the character issues of the heart like grace, forgiveness, patience, faith, commitment and kindness in our daily actions. Remember the the promise? "You shall be a blessing" rings loud in my ears. I KNOW there is so much more to those verses than the blessings of a family...if I can just teach my children that God blessed them and they can be blessings...
Having my big family around me makes me want to be a better mom. It helps me see the beauty in the dirt piles. What have you swept up lately? Did you count the blessings?
I don't appreciate my dirt piles, nearly enough. These four kids and this life are making me realize what a blessing really is. Yesterday we were able to spend the whole day with family and friends visiting and celebrating the girls' birthdays. This is something we should do more often. It was so wonderful to see them. Having a big family makes it difficult to spend time together. We are all so busy and rarely have the same days available. It is such a blessing to be able to get together, whatever the occasion.
My first thought is to thank my mom and my in-laws for creating such families. I spend all this time in my little bubble and I forget about the family as a whole. My parents are amazing people. I can only hope that I will be such a mother as my mom and my mother in law. I was visiting with my sister yesterday about how when you see a 'good' kid you know that they must have had amazing parents.I pray that my kids will turn out to be 'good' kids. Teaching them how to Love God with all their heart and love their neighbor as themselves are invaluable lessons.
Speaking of big families always makes me think of God's BIG promise to Abraham in Genesis.
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." {Gen. 12:1-3}
This truth (which is much too big for this post) becomes extremely important as we investigate the work of one of Abraham’s descendants, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our eternal salvation is based upon our relationship to Jesus Christ who came into this world through Abraham’s family. We become beneficiaries of God’s promise to Abraham through Christ.
“And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise” (Gal. 3:29).
But our being “in Christ” depends upon God and God alone! Our eternal life and our future destiny are all of Him! God promised and God alone sealed the deal.
We accidentally or (more likely) purposefully forget to instill the little things in our children's lives that will make the most impact. I am talking about the character issues of the heart like grace, forgiveness, patience, faith, commitment and kindness in our daily actions. Remember the the promise? "You shall be a blessing" rings loud in my ears. I KNOW there is so much more to those verses than the blessings of a family...if I can just teach my children that God blessed them and they can be blessings...
Having my big family around me makes me want to be a better mom. It helps me see the beauty in the dirt piles. What have you swept up lately? Did you count the blessings?
Monday, July 06, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
First comes LOVE...
In this cold and dreary February the talk is about love. It is everywhere you look.
Every first grader has a notebook that they bring home once a week. The child writes a letter and the parent writes a letter in response. This week Maleah wrote a letter about her valentines party. I noticed as we were making her valentines that she paid particular attention to the stickers that she applied to each 'tine. I think partly because she is reading now and partly because she is beginning to discover what this thing called love really is.
I took some time in her letter this week to let her know that there are lots of different kinds of love. The biggest and best kind, being God's love for us.
Every first grader has a notebook that they bring home once a week. The child writes a letter and the parent writes a letter in response. This week Maleah wrote a letter about her valentines party. I noticed as we were making her valentines that she paid particular attention to the stickers that she applied to each 'tine. I think partly because she is reading now and partly because she is beginning to discover what this thing called love really is.
I took some time in her letter this week to let her know that there are lots of different kinds of love. The biggest and best kind, being God's love for us.
This is real love.
It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us...
1 John 4:10
It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us...
1 John 4:10
I told her that He loved us so much that He sent Jesus, his one and only Son, to die for us. That is so much more than any parent I know could bear. What an amazing and powerful sacrifice!
Unlike the mattress I will strap to my son's back the minute he begins to play football, there is no lock and key for my daughter's human heart. It will undoubtedly get stomped on, squeezed tight, left alone, or broken more than once in her life. I just hope and pray that she will always remember that the Lord's love for her, and that it will never fade. Love is the essence of God. Love is what motivates Him to do what He does for - down to the last detail - even when we don't love Him in return. Knowing that should give tremendous meaning to our lives. God's unconditional love for us should motivate us to love others unconditionally. Love isn't even an option. We are commanded by God to love others.
Unlike the mattress I will strap to my son's back the minute he begins to play football, there is no lock and key for my daughter's human heart. It will undoubtedly get stomped on, squeezed tight, left alone, or broken more than once in her life. I just hope and pray that she will always remember that the Lord's love for her, and that it will never fade. Love is the essence of God. Love is what motivates Him to do what He does for - down to the last detail - even when we don't love Him in return. Knowing that should give tremendous meaning to our lives. God's unconditional love for us should motivate us to love others unconditionally. Love isn't even an option. We are commanded by God to love others.
A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34
Dear Lord,
Help me teach my children that unconditional love comes only from our Heavenly Father. I want them to know that God does not help us because we deserve it; He helps us because He loves us. I pray that they find their self-worth in God's unconditional love for them, not in their accomplishments. I want them to know that loving God is the greatest thing that they can do.
Amen.
Help me teach my children that unconditional love comes only from our Heavenly Father. I want them to know that God does not help us because we deserve it; He helps us because He loves us. I pray that they find their self-worth in God's unconditional love for them, not in their accomplishments. I want them to know that loving God is the greatest thing that they can do.
Amen.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The power of believing or You gotta have faith
Matt 17:20 The transfiguration
...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
We began a new Bible study last night. New year, new study, new president....lots of new stuff. It is a Beth Moore study, Believing God. I am psyched about it. We listened to her on a cd last night I love her southern drawl. With any study you must keep yourself focused on the Word of God and measure everything up to it. I know some of my family are skeptics of evangelists. My personal thoughts are if someone can motivate you to study the Bible more and that book stops collecting dust, it's a move in the right direction.
It sounds pretty 'back to basics' Believing God, right? I think I could do the exact same study every year and learn something new. This study is mostly old testament with some paralleling to the new. It originates from a concept in Isaiah 43:10. Last night we were flipping pages so much my book was smoking (must have been the dust). Can't wait to shake all the cobwebs out and get down to the nitty gritty.
All weekend the verse I typed above has been swimming around in my head. Can my faith really move mountains? It reminds me of another verse in Philippians 4:13, 'I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength'. I know it was faith that got me through my fight with cancer. I know it is faith in the Lord that gave me the strength to make it through two pregnancies back to back. The Lord gives me strength to move mountains (of laundry) every day. Why is it so hard for us to believe it? Is it because we don't think miracles happen any more? Are we afraid to give God the credit for his Master Plan? I am not sure. Some days go by and I think I will never be able to make it to tomorrow. I should be so thankful to the Lord for his presence (and for the Holy Spirit who guides me in understanding) in my meager little life.
I have a friend whose husband is battling the big bully of lung cancer. I am going to write this 'faith can move mountains' verse in a card for him this week. I pray that he will believe the truth of it and his faith and God's love will help him get through the journey he is just beginning.
A few years ago I found a little plaque on clearance in the holiday section. It said, "Believe". I bought it because I wanted to hang it year round in my house to remind me that God is with me all the time and to remember how important my faith is. (If I could only find it in one of my closets.) With my faith and His love I can be the best mom,wife, sister, daughter and friend to others in my life. Thank you Lord for giving us your Word so that we can study it and believe in you. I pray that all who do not know you will find you and with faith, believe.
...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
We began a new Bible study last night. New year, new study, new president....lots of new stuff. It is a Beth Moore study, Believing God. I am psyched about it. We listened to her on a cd last night I love her southern drawl. With any study you must keep yourself focused on the Word of God and measure everything up to it. I know some of my family are skeptics of evangelists. My personal thoughts are if someone can motivate you to study the Bible more and that book stops collecting dust, it's a move in the right direction.
It sounds pretty 'back to basics' Believing God, right? I think I could do the exact same study every year and learn something new. This study is mostly old testament with some paralleling to the new. It originates from a concept in Isaiah 43:10. Last night we were flipping pages so much my book was smoking (must have been the dust). Can't wait to shake all the cobwebs out and get down to the nitty gritty.
All weekend the verse I typed above has been swimming around in my head. Can my faith really move mountains? It reminds me of another verse in Philippians 4:13, 'I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength'. I know it was faith that got me through my fight with cancer. I know it is faith in the Lord that gave me the strength to make it through two pregnancies back to back. The Lord gives me strength to move mountains (of laundry) every day. Why is it so hard for us to believe it? Is it because we don't think miracles happen any more? Are we afraid to give God the credit for his Master Plan? I am not sure. Some days go by and I think I will never be able to make it to tomorrow. I should be so thankful to the Lord for his presence (and for the Holy Spirit who guides me in understanding) in my meager little life.
I have a friend whose husband is battling the big bully of lung cancer. I am going to write this 'faith can move mountains' verse in a card for him this week. I pray that he will believe the truth of it and his faith and God's love will help him get through the journey he is just beginning.
A few years ago I found a little plaque on clearance in the holiday section. It said, "Believe". I bought it because I wanted to hang it year round in my house to remind me that God is with me all the time and to remember how important my faith is. (If I could only find it in one of my closets.) With my faith and His love I can be the best mom,wife, sister, daughter and friend to others in my life. Thank you Lord for giving us your Word so that we can study it and believe in you. I pray that all who do not know you will find you and with faith, believe.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
I'm rearranging again...
The sermon today was on stewardship. Your first thoughts are about money, right? I was pleasantly surprised that Pastor wanted us to focus on stewardship of our whole person. Our head, hands, and heart mostly, then the pocketbook.
It's amazing I get to listen to the sermon these days. I am nursing a baby while watching my mother wrestle a one-year old and grandpa handle the older two. It's a zoo. But, I am thankful for those helpers or we wouldn't even make it to church these days. Truth is, I got most of my knowledge of the sermon from Pastor's email and not from the words he spoke from the pulpit this morning. When I got to put my pennies in the can this morning (I have a birthday this week), Pastor asked the congregation to guess my age and I blurted out "90" because that's how old I feel. I know it's just new baby lack of sleep, but I am exhausted, and I have the circles under the eyes to show it. Who has time to apply makeup?
My quick wit reply to Pastor's email read something like, "thanks for understanding that I can barely remember all my kids when we leave the house on Sunday morning let alone my offering envelope and I hoped you would see my filling of the pews as a big part of my stewardship." Thinking back, I hope Pastor saw the circles under my eyes this morning and wrote my reply off as complete craziness from woman who hasn't slept more than 3 hours a night in weeks.
Nursing gives me a ton of time to sit and think. Mostly about what I should be doing the minute I lay the baby down. On top of the daily grind of dishes and meals there are maternity clothes to be packed up and rooms to be organized and projects to be finished. There is the budget, oh the never ending saga of not having enough money. I wish we could all be more content with our position. We are in the middle of an amazing group of human blessings and I can barely find the time to spend with them. There is always a nagging to do list.
Since the hubby started full-time weekends, Sundays are my hardest. I have no energy left. The house is a mess, the dishes aren't done, the clothes are piling up in the laundry room and my brain is fried. Today is a beautiful warm summer like day and I haven't been out except to walk across the street for church. It's a darn shame. So today, after church when grandma took the older kids to a benefit breakfast I put the babies down for a nap and thought about rearranging.
My priorities are all messed up.
Matthew 6:32-33 says "Your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
Do you have any idea how much of my day is spent worrying about my needs and the needs of my family? I think it's about 99.9%, about 100% too much. Talk about shame...
I need to put God back at the top of my list. He is so great at handling the small stuff, if I would only let Him. If I can just focus on Him all those other details will fall into place. It's a lot harder than it sounds. No screaming at the kids or feeling worthless or way out of the Jones' league. Letting those worries go is pretty darn difficult but lucky for me He's not concerned with how long it takes me to get it right just that I focus more on trying.
I am trying to make God more meaningful in my WHOLE life. I need to move Him from my head to my heart to my hands.
I think I like that arrangement.
It's amazing I get to listen to the sermon these days. I am nursing a baby while watching my mother wrestle a one-year old and grandpa handle the older two. It's a zoo. But, I am thankful for those helpers or we wouldn't even make it to church these days. Truth is, I got most of my knowledge of the sermon from Pastor's email and not from the words he spoke from the pulpit this morning. When I got to put my pennies in the can this morning (I have a birthday this week), Pastor asked the congregation to guess my age and I blurted out "90" because that's how old I feel. I know it's just new baby lack of sleep, but I am exhausted, and I have the circles under the eyes to show it. Who has time to apply makeup?
My quick wit reply to Pastor's email read something like, "thanks for understanding that I can barely remember all my kids when we leave the house on Sunday morning let alone my offering envelope and I hoped you would see my filling of the pews as a big part of my stewardship." Thinking back, I hope Pastor saw the circles under my eyes this morning and wrote my reply off as complete craziness from woman who hasn't slept more than 3 hours a night in weeks.
Nursing gives me a ton of time to sit and think. Mostly about what I should be doing the minute I lay the baby down. On top of the daily grind of dishes and meals there are maternity clothes to be packed up and rooms to be organized and projects to be finished. There is the budget, oh the never ending saga of not having enough money. I wish we could all be more content with our position. We are in the middle of an amazing group of human blessings and I can barely find the time to spend with them. There is always a nagging to do list.
Since the hubby started full-time weekends, Sundays are my hardest. I have no energy left. The house is a mess, the dishes aren't done, the clothes are piling up in the laundry room and my brain is fried. Today is a beautiful warm summer like day and I haven't been out except to walk across the street for church. It's a darn shame. So today, after church when grandma took the older kids to a benefit breakfast I put the babies down for a nap and thought about rearranging.
My priorities are all messed up.
Matthew 6:32-33 says "Your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
Do you have any idea how much of my day is spent worrying about my needs and the needs of my family? I think it's about 99.9%, about 100% too much. Talk about shame...
I need to put God back at the top of my list. He is so great at handling the small stuff, if I would only let Him. If I can just focus on Him all those other details will fall into place. It's a lot harder than it sounds. No screaming at the kids or feeling worthless or way out of the Jones' league. Letting those worries go is pretty darn difficult but lucky for me He's not concerned with how long it takes me to get it right just that I focus more on trying.
I am trying to make God more meaningful in my WHOLE life. I need to move Him from my head to my heart to my hands.
I think I like that arrangement.
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