God's Spring Break

Well, it is spring break time again. Many people head out on vacation. Many to a warmer climate. Which for us living in the Midwest, would be just about anywhere. Even Canada. We are staying home this spring break. We had planned to go on a short trip to see my parents but it didn't work out. It's okay; I enjoy hanging around home with the kids and doing things here. But, it's only Monday and two of the three are in their rooms until midafternoon. Bathroom privileges only. But seriously-it's okay. Sleeping in was definately in the plan. Being blasted from our bed by bickering was not. Hence the ongoing fusses which led to the aforementioned isolation in separate bedrooms. Getting up at 5 am to take out the trash was also not in the plan. But considering it's tornado season and the gales have been uncommonly strong lately, I didn't feel like chasing it all over our street. And the next. And the next. Did I mention it really was okay? My husband is away this week with his job. Not diggin' the whole single parent thing. Those of you who do this on a full-time basis, my hat is off to you. And, my prayers are with you. Still, museum and movie choices abound. Staying up later with one lucky child to do something fun is also on the agenda. Misunderstanding this entails taking turns (one child per night) has led to some hurt feelings along with tears but again, it's okay. I have to keep reminding myself that not only is this spring break but it is also Holy Week. Wait-what? Yes, Holy Week. Am I pausing to ponder all that Jesus did for me? What this week should mean to me-including talking about it to my kids-but also what it meant to Him? The One who gave all for all of us? It finally dawned on me several years ago what all Jesus went through for us. It was the year my husband and I made it to all the Lenten services. Pre-kid era. Yes, I remember what that was like. Vaguely. I was amazed that Someone could love me that much! Who loves us like that? Nobody. As I travel along this week wading through the aisles of Easter candy, remembering to send those Easter cards and being mom/regulator I need to take the time to consider all that has been done for me and my family. Thanks to God. Thank you for loving us unconditionally. Thank you for sending your Son. And, thank you for not taking a break during spring to do so!

God's Clothes

It's springtime and that means so many things to so many people! But to me, the clothes horse, it means a new wardrobe. Oops, I mean wardrobe pieces. To spruce up the clothes from last spring. Yes, exactly. So, I of course have been shopping. Easter dresses/outfits and then the barrage of extras I pick up along the way. A cute blouse here, a fun t-shirt there. I enjoy shopping for the entire fam, not just myself. However, this year the clothes have gone beyond interesting. Colors and ruffles and fabric roses are not only out of control but downright scary. I mean some of it works. But most of it only works on the mannequin. You've all heard the line, "It looks better on than it does on the hanger." Not this year. Trust me. I saw the cutest dressy tank on a mannequin. (I wish they'd put the heads back on them.) It was a blue, purple and white design. When I found it on the rack and held it up, I swore it was the wrong tank. It didn't look so cute. It looked like someone had drunk a vanilla blueberry shake, (for fun eaten some violets) and then gotten violently ill all over the shirt. I'm serious. My husband always comments that men's fashions really don't change that much. Basically, I agree. I look at the suits in the old photos men wore when my grandfathers and great grandfathers were young. Not too many things differ in what I see men wear today. How is this fair? Think of all we women have been through! Corsets to girdles to underwire bras! No wonder women burned them a few decades ago. I say stoke up the bonfire again sisters! As I drool over the few nice things I see, I'm taken back to the verses in the Bible about worry. Jesus is saying don't worry about what you'll eat, drink OR wear. Even Solomon in his finest was not near as beautiful as the lillies in the valley. Have you ever seen a meadow of wildflowers? Or tame ones for that matter? The mountains rising gently before you? It's not only beautiful; it is breathtaking. God clothes all of us. Sure, he doesn't make up the colors that are out there on the racks-or the styles for that matter. But, He does clothe us. In love. In humility. In trust. And forgiveness. Plus about a hundred other areas. Maybe that's what we should all be gazing at this spring.

God's Laughter

Is there any other gift that really keeps on giving like the gift of laughter? It has been said a good belly laugh is good for your health. The Bible says laughter doeth good like a medicine. Hmmm... How many of us really experience a good healthy chuckle every day? Is it because we fail to see the humor and happiness in our lives? Don't we all know someone that can laugh in almost every circumstance? Where does that joy come from? It has been theorized that happiness and joy are two different things. Having joy fills you up; happy comes and goes I guess. I'm not for sure on that one. Also, how many of us have heard, "It's not what happens to you-it's how you react to it." Really? I believe this is true. But since I am very much a type A personality, it is hard for me to react positively in some circumstances. Like driving. Dealing with our dog. Rude sales people. Rude people in general. Bullies ( and that would be young and old alike). People who annoy me on a regular basis-I feel this differs from rude people. Diet food. Cleaning. Yes, this list could go on and on. So, I try to breathe evenly and look at the bright side of my pet peeves. At least we have a car that runs. Maybe rude people are unhappy about a sad situation. Ditto for the bullies. Diet food helps us lose weight. I do have a house to live in to clean. Notice I left out the dog. Sorry, that may be a blog yet to come. I recently did my first official speaking engagement. I was terrified and as I spoke it was all very surreal. Yet my biggest fear realized, the women there laughed heartily. Some laughed so hard they cried. I prayed about my huge, huge fear. God told me, "THEY WILL LAUGH." He was right. And I was so appreciative. For the support of these women. For their their friendships and confidence in me. I am glad God gave me the gift to look at situations and bring humor and a tad bit of sarcasm to them. I'm glad when I share my experiences with people it does make them giggle. Most of all I'm glad God has blessed us with laughter. He wants us to be happy AND joyful. I'm sure of it. Share your gifts with others. Not only will God smile, He may get a good belly laugh Himself.

God's Finer Things

I recently spent an awesome evening with a group of special ladies. Some I've known for years, others I met that night. We had a great time. Lots of laughter, lots of Jesus and a few tears.
I marvel at friendships. They come and go. The really strong ones endure a lifetime. The best ones find their way back to each other after a misunderstanding. Why? Because the people involved were humble enough to admit their mistakes and apologize. Those are the strongest. Those are the most cherished. Those are the best.
As women, we tend to guard our friendships and not always let new girls in. I've heard it said that men need women for intimacy and women need women for companionship. Maybe even as the mother they needed and never received. Don't mess with momma-she's a lion. I don't get these relationships. Aren't there plenty of us to go around? Can't we welcome someone new into the pride? Is this still third grade and are we on the playground? I'm warmed to my toes that the ladies I have just started to get to know don't fall into that category. Everyone has a swing on our playground. And everyone is invited to soar as high as they are able.
It is hard to maintain our friendships though. We are in a constant state of go, go, go! Go pick up the kids, go to the store, go out with our husbands-and not only to Menard's please honey-go do some volunteering, go to work... If we are lucky we run into our friends at the grocery store or mall. We chat for a bit and then we are on the go again.
When I'm overwhelmed, I go to my Bible. (Best place to go.) As I'm comforted by God's word and all that Jesus did, I see He had some pretty wonderful friends Himself. His disciples started out fairly clueless but they got the hang of it as time went on. They took up Christ's work. Many of them lost their lives because of it. Yes, it was God's plan for them but it all started out as a friendship. A common thread. Listening to the call of Jesus. A finer thing to be sure.

God's Finer Things

God's Green Eyed Kids

Sometimes we have to be honest with ourselves. Usually, as the saying goes, the truth hurts. However, as the other saying goes, it can also set you free.
A little over a year ago I realized something. I am a jealous person. Just typing that in gives me pause. Yet, when I was truthful with myself upon that realization, I did feel set free. Suddenly, past hurts were pulled into perspective. I felt as though I had had a mental sigh. Relief flooded me. I wasn't embarrassed and only minimally ashamed.
Acknowledging this helped me to open my eyes and begin to heal. Memories rolled in. In college it was as though some of my friends were still on the playground in third grade. I remember thinking jealousy is the cause of a lot of problems in many different circumstances. I didn't mean to be judgmental; I just hadn't concluded it was a problem for me. Other memories helped me conclude a particular friend or relative wasn't always in a closer relationship with someone I loved. It was a different type of relationship. What I shared with whomever was what I was given as a blessing.
How do we combat that green eyed monster? It's not so easy. Shouldn't we take the high road and be happy for people? Yeah, we should but it doesn't always happen. We've all been hurt by the little barbs of envy hidden in a joking comment, wondering why a good friend treated us that way.
When we moved to a bigger house people said things like, "Guess we'll have to hang out with the maid" and "How's life in the palace?" I tried to laugh it off but I was cringing underneath. Finally, someone asked me if I was ever going to invite them into the castle. I responded, "Sure, but you have to swim across the moat first." That pretty much silenced any other comments. Another friend was anxious to see our new home. I was close to humiliation showing it to her. As we walked from room to room she said more than once, "Good for you all." Salve to the swipes left behind by the others.
I think about God telling His people He was/is a jealous God. He meant we are to only worship Him. I guess I think of this as righteous jealousy. The only good kind since He warns us not to be envious. Of anything or anybody. Friends come and go. Family at times feels distant. I think God is having this occur to remind me He is the one constant. Reaching out to Him is what I should be doing and where I should be going. He shares His love with everyone. There's no limit to it for any of us. Look to the cross when you question your importance. The ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate gift. After a blessing like that, we don't need to be jealous of anyone else. We have God's full and complete love. Each and every one of us.

God's Wheel

I have been hit lately with those questions we have all been asked when tragedy occurs. "What kind of God would do this?" And the all popular, "Why?" Questions like these have come my way from a friend who is struggling in their relationship with God. Can any of us answer that? Of course not.
There are several ideas though from many different points of view. One is God always has a plan. Another? You have to trust in God. Other folks would comment that you must always remember God is love. Some say it isn't God; it is the devil. Or it is sin. We have free will, God did not make us robots and we make our choices. My husband had an eye opening view. Even in the garden of Eden, the devil was slithering around. I hadn't heard that before. Mind boggling.
A former pastor once said in a sermon he doesn't know what to say to people who ask him, "Why? Why my wife or child?" The hard part for him is people expect him to have the answer because he is a pastor. He does ponder that perhaps it is because our relationship with God is like a wheel. God wants us right there next to Him in the center of that wheel. However, because we are sinful, selfish and (my personal favorite) think we know better than God we don't ask for His wisdom and do our own thing. We slide out on the axle of our own selfishness if you will.
Let's face it, we do this all the time. And, be honest, how much do we pray when things are just jim dandy? But, when times are hurtful, we are down on our knees. It's like having a friend who only calls you when things are crummy, never when they are a blessing. My sister says sometimes God gets our attention in little ways and sometimes He gets our attention in big ways. No matter what way He gets our attention, we should listen better.
I like the wheel theory. Maybe because I am so visual and it paints a picture I can relate to. God allows some things to happen to bring us back around to Him. When "bad" things have happened to me I usually worry, cry , shake my fist at God or even curse. Not the best choice. I have even turned my back on Him. But He never turned His back on me. He was always there, waiting patiently. He knew I'd come around. I'm not that full of myself, though at times I come pretty close. Since He knows me best-all of us for that matter-He gets that too. Loves us anyway.
We don't always get our answers to "why" or "what kind of". We aren't supposed to. We are suppose to walk with God and listen closely. Stay in the center of God's wheel. The ride is smooth and the view is beautiful!