I could get all sappy, but there is no need. To mothers, daughters, surrogates, sisters, women and girlfriends...
Happy Mother's Day!
Blessings!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
I LIKE NAME TAGS
But now, this is what the LORD says -- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. - Isaiah 43:1
For years, I have had this fascination for name tags. The allure is not what's stuck on the clothing or hanging around the neck, but with who's wearing the tag. I mean if you have to wear the thing, who are you, after all? There may be a face to the name, but the point of the tag is to connect, right?
Although the name tag connection has generally diminished for people, my allure teeters on illusion. Oh, people still connect to the sticky backs at formal functions, but have you gone into a random store, market, fast-food joint or hardware place lately? Did the person in front of you (of course, not you!) either look up from what he or she was doing or (gulp!) stop his or her cell phone conversation long enough to say, "Hello, so-and-so! How are you?"
When the art of connection makes the simplest of communication complicated, it is then we have lost our ability to truly connect. A simple "Hello, so-and-so!" coupled with a smile demands no monthly fee or service contract. It shows, in life, we care and that we aim to live a balanced, Christ-like existence in an imbalanced, self-absorbed world.
As Christ followers, we know what it means to be known by name. How else can our Father redeem us, to "make something acceptable or pleasant in spite of its negative qualities or aspects?" My name may be Doris, but to Him, I am loved and accepted when He speaks my name.
Yeah, I still like name tags and making those random connections. But now with a bit of thought, connection can be made with a smile and Christ's redemption at the core because you cared enough to say, "Hello, so-and-so! How are you?"
For years, I have had this fascination for name tags. The allure is not what's stuck on the clothing or hanging around the neck, but with who's wearing the tag. I mean if you have to wear the thing, who are you, after all? There may be a face to the name, but the point of the tag is to connect, right?
Although the name tag connection has generally diminished for people, my allure teeters on illusion. Oh, people still connect to the sticky backs at formal functions, but have you gone into a random store, market, fast-food joint or hardware place lately? Did the person in front of you (of course, not you!) either look up from what he or she was doing or (gulp!) stop his or her cell phone conversation long enough to say, "Hello, so-and-so! How are you?"
When the art of connection makes the simplest of communication complicated, it is then we have lost our ability to truly connect. A simple "Hello, so-and-so!" coupled with a smile demands no monthly fee or service contract. It shows, in life, we care and that we aim to live a balanced, Christ-like existence in an imbalanced, self-absorbed world.
As Christ followers, we know what it means to be known by name. How else can our Father redeem us, to "make something acceptable or pleasant in spite of its negative qualities or aspects?" My name may be Doris, but to Him, I am loved and accepted when He speaks my name.
Yeah, I still like name tags and making those random connections. But now with a bit of thought, connection can be made with a smile and Christ's redemption at the core because you cared enough to say, "Hello, so-and-so! How are you?"
Monday, April 30, 2012
ONE WORD...HOPE
What motivates you beyond the tough times and even the tougher obstacles? What stimulates your resolve even when life is anything but fair? What encourages you to dream on even when the hole from which you squint out measures an eternity away?
ONE WORD...HOPE
Hope's motivation does not give up in the tough times. Hope's resolve does not cower in unfairness. But hope, as we define it, can change as quickly as the tense of a sentence. Our now can turn into a once was by the hope we place in people, places and things. As people do not set out with intent to disappoint us, they will.
"A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. BUT the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love" (Psalm 33:17, 18).
ONE WORD...HOPE
Hope defines itself as a "strong and confident expectation." Jesus is that strong and confident expectation. Where his Word offers comfort, assurance, peace, and tools for dealing with life's obstacles, we become a part of life's greater design..."To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
You might not think going through tough stuff can be constituted as a part of a greater design. With so many stories out there, I stumbled across this beautiful mystery. May you find God's strong and confident expectation after viewing it. Blessings!
ONE WORD...HOPE
Hope's motivation does not give up in the tough times. Hope's resolve does not cower in unfairness. But hope, as we define it, can change as quickly as the tense of a sentence. Our now can turn into a once was by the hope we place in people, places and things. As people do not set out with intent to disappoint us, they will.
"A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. BUT the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love" (Psalm 33:17, 18).
ONE WORD...HOPE
Hope defines itself as a "strong and confident expectation." Jesus is that strong and confident expectation. Where his Word offers comfort, assurance, peace, and tools for dealing with life's obstacles, we become a part of life's greater design..."To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
You might not think going through tough stuff can be constituted as a part of a greater design. With so many stories out there, I stumbled across this beautiful mystery. May you find God's strong and confident expectation after viewing it. Blessings!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
ACCUSED OF BEING BORING...PART 2
Accused of being boring, time froze. Much like picking up the plot from last season's cliffhanger, I stood at the crest of my past braced for either a rude awakening or an amazing revelation. Our son's actions tended to yank my chain, but I had to make certain my reactions weren't open wounds left over from my dysfunction. The dilemma made my prayer all the more poignant as God urged me to connect with Him on this...
Connecting with a dysfunctional past goes against our nature, doesn't it? Show of hands if you or anyone you know can identify with any of the following past scenarios:
• the caregiver to one or more alcoholic parents
• the recipient of a physically-abusive parent
• role reversal for a parent with severe mental health issues
• the whipping post for verbally-abusive parents
• the abandoned daughter to the absentee father
• the flawless wonder to a perfectionist mother
When you've spent your entire childhood surviving, not every lesson you've learned translated into a perfectly-packaged, adult response. To connect is to understand the lessons you learned and the distinctions they play in your life. You felt helpless; now you can depend on God. You felt overlooked; now you can embrace Christ as your true advocate. The amazing revelation is we can connect to a Savior who walks with us through our past and teaches us new ways of coping, dealing and living.
Years of learning my lesson well have brought me to this place called boring. I know my past and I am at peace with it. I also know my future and who has taught me to live it connected. I pray you connect with your past as well and maybe one day you'll be accused of being boring.
God help me see my life your way because living my life like this is insane.
Connecting with a dysfunctional past goes against our nature, doesn't it? Show of hands if you or anyone you know can identify with any of the following past scenarios:
• the caregiver to one or more alcoholic parents
• the recipient of a physically-abusive parent
• role reversal for a parent with severe mental health issues
• the whipping post for verbally-abusive parents
• the abandoned daughter to the absentee father
• the flawless wonder to a perfectionist mother
When you've spent your entire childhood surviving, not every lesson you've learned translated into a perfectly-packaged, adult response. To connect is to understand the lessons you learned and the distinctions they play in your life. You felt helpless; now you can depend on God. You felt overlooked; now you can embrace Christ as your true advocate. The amazing revelation is we can connect to a Savior who walks with us through our past and teaches us new ways of coping, dealing and living.
Years of learning my lesson well have brought me to this place called boring. I know my past and I am at peace with it. I also know my future and who has taught me to live it connected. I pray you connect with your past as well and maybe one day you'll be accused of being boring.
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