by | May 15, 2012

You Can’t Stay on the Mountain

My face caught the brilliant sunshine through the open sunroof. Praise and worship music floated up into the fresh crisp air as I drove up the mountain. “I tell you the truth, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” I was driving to Estes Park on my first personal retreat.

A good friend of mine had helped prepare my way. She put together a basket with piano CD’s, chocolate, tea, and a beautiful white teapot enveloped in an embroidered tea cloth. It was one of those touches that makes you glad you’re a woman – and have such a wonderful woman friend! I had also packed food for a couple of days and firewood. The cabin said it included a fireplace. One to build an actual fire in. My husband and I had been to a cabin before in Estes Park that also mentioned a fireplace. That one, however, was electric with red paper that tried to emulate a flame. Really? When I arrived at my retreat destination, the blackened chimney told me I’d have a “real” fire.

The purpose for my retreat was direction. My life had been going down a planned path for about 30 years (my planned path), and was now detoured onto a God one. What was my role now? What did God want me to do? I was at such a loss that I had to get away, focus on God’s word, journal. Mainly, just be quiet so I could hear God speak. And He did! I filled several pages in my journal as I experienced His light and direction.

When I reflect on that retreat weekend, I remember God’s glory and powerful presence. Mountaintop experiences are often like that. Camp, retreats, get-aways. Francis, our national missionary in Uganda, “goes to the mountain” to pray and hear directly from God. We don’t know if he actually goes to a mountain, or it is just a figure of speech. One thing about the mountaintop experiences – they are rare and you can’t stay there. You have to come down off the mountain. That’s where life and faith are lived out.

Christ brought three disciples up a mountain once. And they had quite an experience. Talk about light and glory! Peter (we’re just like him) wanted to stay. “Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’” – Mark 9:5. But they came back down, and notice that Christ came with them. I’m sure He felt right at home in all the glory, but He knew He had to complete His mission – live it out. In a short time, He was to be crucified. What I also find interesting is that in all the gospel accounts of the transfiguration, it is prefaced with Christ’s teaching of denying yourself and taking up your cross.

Oswald Chambers writes in his direct piercing way, “Never live for the rare moments, they are surprises. God will give us touches of inspiration when He sees we are not in danger of being led away by them. We must never make our moments of inspiration our standard; our standard is our duty.” His verse for the day is 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “We live by faith, not by sight.”

So should we take retreats and experience the mountaintop? ABSOLUTELY! Just know that when you come home, there will be living to do! Perhaps a personal retreat scares the living daylights out of you. Why not consider going with a friend? That’s what I plan to do this summer. A friend and I are planning on leaving on a Friday afternoon. We’ll drive to our destination and get settled in two separate places. We’ll have dinner together that evening and then go our separate ways to have quiet time with God. Then we’ll meet back up for breakfast, and more quiet time away with God spent that morning. We’ll drive back “down the mountain” Saturday afternoon.

God may give us the mountaintop experiences and if you take a personal retreat, the chances are high. But He’s more pleased with the day to day obedience He sees lived out in us. Without faith it is impossible to please God.

 

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by | May 10, 2012

Happy Mother’s Day!

As a mother, I really struggled with doing too much for my kids. In this respect, I have these crosses to bear:

  1. My built-in mothering instinct tells me to provide for my offspring
  2. My love language is “acts of service”
  3. My spiritual giftedness includes mercy and helps
  4. My personal mission statement is smoothing paths to allow peace to flourish (especially for my children)

All these ingredients have the potential for spoiled children and clueless adults. Many times I fell into the trap of “it’s faster and better if I just do myself” and “I’m too tired for a teaching moment right now – I’ll just go ahead and do it for them.” Often I had to literally stop myself and know that it was best for them to do it themselves. (Just so you know, I’m not talking about homework – they definitely did that themselves! Only because I didn’t know how to do their math problems).

When I was a young mother, I read Patricia Rushford’s book, What Every Child Needs in a Mother.  This quote became my mantra when I was tempted to do for my kids: ”Children who learn early to handle and solve problems will be much stronger and capable of surviving in this unfair world, than those who were allowed to believe they should receive their fair share.”

This mantra was tested a few years ago, however. I had to tie my hands behind my back when it came to helping my daughter. She was in college and had dreams of studying abroad. She (We) decided to go for a summer session because of the cost, and she chose a study in Africa involving Uganda/Rwanda. The process for applying and preparing for her journey rivaled an IRS tax booklet. Scholarship applications, updating her passport and obtaining a visa, and the to-do list was overwhelming and did not appear doable, especially while attending college classes and working. Oh, how I wanted to lift her burden and do it for her, yet I knew she had to do it for herself. One of those life things. I kept telling myself over and over, “If she’s going to be across the world on her own in a few months, then she can handle getting everything ready beforehand.” And she did. And sure enough, it prepared her for a few circumstances in which she had to figure out the solution – like missing her connecting flight and spending a night in Cairo!

What did I do? Pray! Actually it’s the most important thing I could do. I love this quote from S.D. Gordon, “You can do more than pray, after you have prayed. But you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” Our kids are grown now, but if I had a do-over, I would pray more – at least before I went and did too much!

On Mother’s Day a few years ago my son gave me a card and wrote – thank you for preparing me for life. I cried when I read those words. Thankfully the lessons stuck. Thank you to both of my children for making me a mother! This mother loves you!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you Moms out there!

Here’s a variety of Mother’s Day movies to catch this weekend – what are some of your suggestions?

  • African Cats (yes, I’m serious)
  • Raising Helen (love the prom/hotel scene)
  • Babies – a Documentary (four babies from around the world – this will cause you to smile at all the child-rearing fad books out there)
  • Steel Magnolias (only if you’re needing a good cry – perhaps you want to wait until Monday after Mother’s Day)
  • The Incredibles (I’m trying to get a variety here)

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by | May 7, 2012

The Firsts

Ecclesiastes says there is a time for everything. There’s also a first time for everything, and it’s more than just a cliché. First time experiences come with a lot of emotion, usually fear and apprehension. First day of school, kiss, job, child – the list is endless. First times are part of life. If you don’t have any, then you’re not living.

When our son was little he was always apprehensive about starting something new. We knew he would like it if he just tried it. But it was a battle to get him to take the first step. We reassured him that we would be right there with him, that it would be okay, and that he would truly be glad afterwards. And he was. It took a lot of control not to say, “See, we told you so.”

Lately, my family and I have been talking about “the firsts.” Since my mother passed away last December, we have the firsts coming up this year, the first being Mother’s Day without her. It just seems like the firsts are the hardest paths to walk. I guess it’s like reliving her death each time and facing the unmistakable void she leaves. I suppose over time, it will get somewhat easier…but for now we have no choice but to walk this path.

The journal I’m writing in has verses printed at the bottom of each page. As I was writing thoughts about this blog in it yesterday, I read the verse  - The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:8. (Thank you, Father, for little touches like that.) He promises to go before us – the minesweeper, the path smoother. And if need be, He’ll carry us. That’s comfort I can walk in this week.

Father, Thank you for being there through all my firsts. You are the First – the Alpha – the Creator. Nothing is new to You and I take great comfort in that. Thank you for going before me down every path I’ve walked. I understand that life’s paths can’t be removed for my sake – I have to walk them – but You have always been there. Thank you for never leaving me.

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by | May 1, 2012

A Precious Gift

The Necklace

Several years ago on Valentine’s Day, a little third grade boy gave his mother’s diamond necklace to a little girl on whom he had a crush. (The necklace was actually a family heirloom as the mother’s grandmother had given it to her.) The little girl opened it, brought it home, and hid it in a drawer having no way to comprehend the extravagant gift. A short time later, the little boy’s mother missed the necklace and inquired of it. Of course, the little girl returned it. Years went by, and both the boy and girl and their love grew. Then one day, the young man asked the young woman to marry him. She said yes.

A few months later, this young woman opened a birthday gift from her future mother-in-law. Inside the box, once again, lay the beautiful diamond necklace. This time, the young woman understood its value and the act of love the gift demonstrated.

This sweet story was unveiled to those of us attending the young woman and man’s wedding reception. My niece, Baylee, and Aaron were married on April 21, 2012.

It made me realize that there’s a little bit of “young Baylee and Aaron” in all of us. Many times in life, we don’t appreciate the value of love, relationships, blessings, health, or education until we’re older. As I reach the half-century mark, the value of health has come to the forefront. I certainly took it for granted while in my younger years.

But the most precious gift of all – God’s loving grace through His Son – is perhaps the one I undervalued the most at a young age. There was no way I could fully understand the value of His gift. I came with child-like faith and accepted Christ into my heart. But it wasn’t until I grew older and saw my daily need for a Savior (I miss the mark every single day), that I appreciated the value of His gift. And the day I stand before God in Christ-confidence, will be the day I FULLY appreciate and know how precious it is.

I can’t help but end with the words to this song, simply because I’ve been humming it in my mind the whole time I’ve typed these words.

Lord, You are more precious than silver;
Lord, You are more costly than gold;
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds;
And nothing I desire compares with You.

By Lynn DeShazo

Aaron and Baylee on their wedding day, April 21, 2012

Congratulations, Aaron and Baylee!!

And thank you for letting me use your story!

 

 

 

 

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by | April 26, 2012

Kindness

Memoirs. They are my favorite reading genre, and they transport you to a place you either can’t or wouldn’t ordinarily go. As you read, you find some form of emotional connectivity with the author – most of the time, a complete stranger.

I think we shallowly look at people and find ourselves envying them. We dream up their comfortable or exciting life when in fact, we have no idea. Memoirs remind me of that false thinking. We’ve all been through something. Everyone has some kind of pain – some “the how did you ever survive” kind of pain.

Right now I’m reading James McBride’s The Color of Water, A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother. His mother grew up in the 30′s and 40′s as a Jewish Polish immigrant in Virginia. She eventually moved to New York, married a black man and became a Christian. She also raised twelve children who all have degrees – some with Masters and Doctorates. When I read her life story, the thought kept coming to my mind the whole time, “What if I had been sitting by her on a plane?” If I never talked to her (which is highly likely since I don’t typically strike up conversations with complete strangers – especially on planes), I would never know her incredible story. We just never know….

I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there can be any kindness I can show, or any good things I can do to any fellow human being, let me do it now and not defer it or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.

- William Penn

PS – James McBride’s mother was white and he was black. When he was a small boy he asked his mother if he was black or white. “You’re a human being!” she said. When he asked her what the color of God was, she said, “God is the color of water.”

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by | April 18, 2012

It’s Not Over

Galen, Corey, Shaelee, Me

Does anyone else find this ironic? Our grown children joined us in delivering a parenting message at church this past weekend. Then Sunday night (right before bed) our two dogs decided, for a reason known only to them, to take off. We live in the country, so my husband and I drove all around looking for them in the dark, wishing they had cell phones AND could answer them. We then drove back home and waited up for them longer than I ever remember waiting up for our children. I was tired and just wanted to go to bed but didn’t feel like I could until they were home. What if they were getting in trouble? Based on experience, that was highly probable. What if they were making bad choices – like running down the highway? And just like we taught on Sunday morning, we couldn’t discipline in anger when they finally showed up – three hours later!! And boy was I angry! This wasn’t just past curfew – they weren’t supposed to be out at all. Well, I find it ironic.

It’s Not Over – that was the theme for Easter this year at Cheyenne Hills Church and our teaching series for the remainder of April. It’s not over when Christ is involved. It most definitely wasn’t over for Him, although several who followed thought so. When all hope seems lost, it’s not. It’s not over when it comes to parenting, families, and marriages. And I guess it’s not over when you’re an empty nester and have two dogs :)

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by | April 13, 2012

And Now You Know…

Paul Harvey is gone, and I miss his “Rest of the Story” segments on the radio. I grew up listening to them in the car, and even as a little girl, I couldn’t wait for him to tell us the person or place behind the story and then hear him say – in the same voice tone every single time, “And now you know the rest of the story.” I came across a story (from a documentary) and want to attempt to tell it as Paul Harvey did. By no means do I claim to have Paul Harvey’s story-telling talent, but it demands his format.

The year was 1956 and a young woman from the south was living in New York City. For eight years she had been working as an airline reservationist. In her free time, she plugged away at her typewriter, building a story and forming characters based from her small hometown. She lived by herself and had one set of close friends, a husband and wife with two small boys. They too were originally from the south, so they formed a bond in the large northern city. She often went to Joy and Michael Brown’s house on the weekends, ate dinner and babysat for them. They were familiar with her developing story and encouraged her.

Michael had just completed a songwriting/performing venture and was paid a little extra money. Joy brought this up one evening and asked Michael, “We don’t really need that money, why don’t we help our friend?” Michael agreed and they planned their surprise.

On Christmas Eve 1956, the Brown’s and their friend sat among the wrapping paper and children’s toys. Joy pointed to an envelope on the tree. Their friend noticed it had her name on the outside, took it off the tree, and opened it up. Written inside were these words, “You have one year off from your job to write whatever you please. Merry Christmas!” Overwhelmed she said, “That’s quite a risk.” Michael answered back, “No it’s a sure thing.”

Not wanting to let her friends down, she wrote. And a few years later Nell Harper Lee walked into a publishing company carrying her manuscript. Today, To Kill a Mockingbird has sold over 50 million copies and is a required read in public schools. And now you know the rest of the story.

Talk about smoothing one’s path! What an awesome gift the Brown’s provided for Harper. This story might never have been written without this loving gesture.

I received my flyer for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference the other day. Every year I get it in the mail and every year I remember the women who paid for my first trip several years ago to Estes Park. Thank you – you know who you are! And thank you for smoothing my path so many years ago when I shared my desire for writing. I think of you often and thank God for you!

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:3-6

 

 

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by | April 3, 2012

No Regrets

One by one they spoke of their dear colleague, friend, and family member. They gathered in the warmth of a home celebrating the life of the one they treasured. “Each of them spoke and paid tribute…Morrie cried and laughed with them. And all the heartfelt things we never get to say to those we love, Morrie said that day. His ‘living funeral’ was a rousing success. Only Morrie wasn’t dead yet.” – taken from Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.

Many of us have attended funerals where we celebrate the life of the one who has passed. We smile as we remember the qualities that made the deceased one’s life here on earth worth celebrating. We choke on words as we express the impact that one had on our life. So many times we don’t have the choice as Morrie did to plan ahead – before death – to celebrate a life. Death can come unexpectantly and often there are regrets of unspoken words and undone actions.

In the last days of Jesus’ ministry here on earth, He spoke of His imminent sufferings, death, and departure. There was opportunity for those closest to Him to express their love and gratitude for all He had taught and shown them. They could have washed His feet. They could have stayed up all night and prayed with Him. Instead…

…they lived in denial. “Never Lord!” Peter said. “This shall never happen to you!” – Matt 16:22b
…they couldn’t grasp God’s plan for redemption. “But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.” – Mark 9:32
…they argued. “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” – Matt 18:1b

There was one, however, who would have no regrets for her actions as she later watched the Savior of the world die. “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.” – John 12:3. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, displayed an outpouring of love as she realized the true depth of her need for a Savior. Perhaps she associated herself with the sinful woman who earlier also poured perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. Maybe through her actions, she stated I am a sinner, Jesus, and I want to thank you now for what you’re about to go through.

Of course the others in the room (i.e. Judas) saw it only as a waste and criticized her actions. Jesus stepped up and said, “Leave her alone.” Don’t you just love that! Have you ever been in a room full of people and bared your soul only to have someone shoot down your motives and totally misunderstand your actions? Can you imagine Christ standing up for you? Wow! He continues, “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial…but you will not always have me.” Isn’t it strange how no one would have criticized Mary for applying the perfume on Jesus’ body at the tomb. Yet she believed His word about His destiny and wanted to express her love before it was too late. No regrets.

We’re on the other side of the cross now. We have the opportunity to express our love to our Savior before He comes back. Read and meditate on 1 John 4:7-21. It encompasses the two greatest commandments – loving the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind AND loving our neighbors as ourselves. If we can live out these verses, we’ll be able to stand before Christ someday – and have no regrets.

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by | March 30, 2012

Something About That Name

Frustrating. That best describes my day yesterday. And then the Name above all names changed all that.

Before I go into yesterday, let me back up three months to January 1. Every new year I write down goals and other things I want to accomplish. This past year I realized that I haven’t touched the piano in a very long time. Part of it was because of my knee injury – it’s the leg that moves the sustaining pedal – which you have to use. This new year I decided I’ve got to start playing again. (Of course, I decided this while recovering from knee surgery….so I knew it would have to wait a bit.) While praying over my list, I came up with the idea of playing the piano for some care homes here in town. This would be a great motivation to get me practicing again and minister to people through music. Two and a half months went by and I did nothing about it.

The second week of March, I received an email via our Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra website. It was from the Activities Director at one of the care homes in town. She wrote, “We are looking for musicians to entertain our residents. Would you or any of your orchestra members be available?” (italics mine) Okay, God, I’ll get going! I instantly replied and set up a time to visit with her.

While meeting with the Activities Director, she told me that the residents love familiar music. It’s very peaceful and comforting to them. This fit hand in hand with my “smoothing paths to allow peace to flourish” mission, so I was thrilled. This will be a wonderful fit, and I was excited to get started. I purchased some familiar 1940′s/1950′s melodies and also dusted off my own repertoire of both romantic and Christian songs. This brings me up to yesterday.

I was scheduled to play in the afternoon at the care home, but first I had some work to do for the symphony. It was a large bulk mailing for our season renewals. For those of you who have processed a bulk mailing with the post office, nothing else needs to be said. For those of you who have not – imagine your worst day at the DMV – and then triple it! When I left the bulk mail center, I was sinning in my heart. Then I met with my Bible study partner and sinned with my venting. From there, I drove to the care home to “minister to the residents.”

I cracked open the 1940′s/1950′s book first and began with “Blue Moon.” As I played through about six songs, some of the residents began to sing along. Then a lady sitting right beside me said, “Play ‘Jesus Loves Me.’” Everyone joined in. Then the requests started coming, and I had to grab the hymnal on top of the piano. “Victory in Jesus,” “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” “Oh, How I Love Jesus.” They wanted to sing about Jesus. It brought tears to my eyes and my spirit was suddenly lifted. I thumbed through the hymnal and kept playing. I then came to “There’s Something About That Name.” Yes there is! When I left, the bulk mail center of the post office was the furthest thing from my mind.

I showed up at the care home yesterday to hopefully “smooth their path for a while.” Instead, they reminded me of the One who “smooths all our paths.” All you have to do is say His Name.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

There’s just something about that Name

Master, Savior, Jesus

Like the fragrance after the rain.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Let all heaven and earth proclaim

Kings and Kingdoms will all pass away

But there’s something about that Name.

by the Gaithers

 

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by | March 23, 2012

All Inclusive

Liberty and Willow

It amazes me how God teaches me lessons through nature and animals, mine in particular. If I pay attention, He presents one almost daily.

One day I took our dogs, Liberty (the black Lab/Border Collie Mix) and Willow (the Golden Retriever) to the dog park. I didn’t feel like walking them, and I wanted to let them run out their winter kinks. I was pleased when we arrived because there was only one other couple and their one dog. Immediately, Liberty and Willow sized up the other dog and then went about their sniffing and exploring. I visited with the other couple about our common bond – our dogs. We had a nice, friendly conversation.

Suddenly, car after car began pulling up to the dog park. People and their dogs began piling out. It seemed comical that everyone was arriving at the same time. Then the other couple and I realized something else. All of the dogs bounding into the dog park were Golden Retrievers, the same color as Willow. Before long, I counted 15 Goldens! What is going on? I wondered. After over-hearing conversations, I soon found out: a one-year birthday celebration for a litter, complete with the mother and father. The breeders thought it would be a fun idea to get everyone and their dogs back together.

Willow joined in the fun. I had a hard time keeping track of her, she fit in with the litter so easily. Pandemonium erupted with playful dogs moving as one pack. And Willow was right in the middle of it, feeling one with the group of Goldens. Of course, Goldens being the breed that they are, fully accepted her as well.

It was then that I thought of Liberty and began looking around for her. She was nowhere among the dogs or the rest of the park as I scanned the boundaries. I turned to look behind me and there she was, sitting on top of a stone bench, right smack in between the couple I had been visiting with. I apologized for her intrusion and they simply put their arms around her and said, “It’s okay.” Even among strangers, she felt safer there than with the other dogs. Poor Liberty – she didn’t feel included (even though the Goldens would have accepted her). I know some of you believe dogs don’t have feelings, but that’s when the lesson came to me.

At church or a Bible study, how often do I congregate with those I’m most familiar with? People that think, believe, or relate to me. I’m an extreme introvert, so I know that’s when I’m the most comfortable. Laughing and visiting conversations that only those of us on the “inside” would know about. I needed to be reminded of the person sitting on the perimeter, feeling safer there than stepping inside the circle. I needed to be reminded to approach them and make them feel included. It’s not hard, but it’s difficult to remember, especially when I’m in the middle of sharing life with those who know me best. It’s fulfilling and what fellowship is all about.

Fellowship is a wonderful thing and God’s design for us. He wants us to share our dreams, struggles, pain, and joys. But He reminded me that it’s an all inclusive kind of deal – not just for some happy breed. :)

 

 

 

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