The welcome mat in front of my door looks rough! I am either very sentimental or quite lazy because I have had the same welcome mat since I moved away from home after high school. This welcome mat has weathered four years of college, a move to Nashville TN, a move to Montgomery, AL, and now 11 years after its debut finds its current residence in Prattville, AL. I like my worn out mat. It is a reminder of all the feet that have stepped in and out of my home, my life, and my heart in the past 11 years. I can stand on that mat and stand with strangers who became friends, friends who became family, and family who make the mat worth its welcome. My mat has beautifully worn to ruin; but after all isn't that what a mat is for?
I like my couch with its now uneven cushions and hollowed out sweet spots. I like the discolored spine of my Bible and the creased up pages of my favorite books. I like foot prints in my carpet and fingerprints on my car windows. I like crows feet (I better) and laugh lines and freckles and scars. These are signs of life lived loved.
My new goal is to not try to avoid wear and tear but instead to wear out well. After all, isn't that what a life is for?
Monday, August 23, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Jesus and Indiana Jones
The last time my family went to Disney World was a couple of years ago. As always we went to watch the Indiana Jones stunt show. My youngest nephew, Logan, had just turned three at the time and was sitting in my lap. If you haven't seen the show then you should know there is a lot of fire and noise and action. Logan was a little afraid often covering his eyes and peeking through his tiny fingers to see what was happening. During a particular scene, Indiana Jones is being chased and attacked by the bad guys. Logan, in one quick motion, pulled his hands from his face, turned and looked at me as if a lightbulb were over his head, and declared, "Jesus will help Indiana Jones!"
Do you remember when Jesus seemed enormous to you and able to leap tall buildings and rescue you from the monsters? When "my God is so big, so strong, and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do" was not just a song but the reason you loved Him and the foundation of your faith. As we get older, we shrink Jesus and put God in a box. He goes from Mighty Warrior to something we sew on a pillow. But God's Word tells us, "Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in! Who is the King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in! Who is this King of Glory? The LORD of hosts. He is the King of Glory." (Psalm 24:7-10)
The King of Glory is strong and mighty. He is mighty in battle. He is able to conquer the enemy and overcome every opposition and obstacle of this world. My God IS so big. There IS nothing He cannot do. May we be like Logan who's first solution and hope was the Mighty Lord Jesus who is able to save.
Yes, buddy, Jesus will help Indiana Jones.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Vacuum Lines
When I was a kid I hated to vacuum (well, let's be honest, I don't love it now. When I would get to our basement, where I was out of sight, I would turn the vacuum on and leave it sitting in the middle of the floor roaring proudly while I took a little rest. Of course then there was the problem of a freshly "vacuumed" carpet with no vacuum lines. So, after I wrapped the cord I would run the now silent vacuum around the room so the carpet would have lines. Smart, huh? No one would know. Years later I told my mom about my ingenious scheme; she replied, "for all that work, you could have just vacuumed." She was right. The truth is, I had to take extra steps and do more work to fake vacuuming instead of just vacuuming. The work was actually harder - I mean, just try moving a vacuum around the room while it is off.
How much time and energy do we spend trying to make ourselves look like we are living obediently instead of just being obedient. I think of Jesus' woe to the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:27, "For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." We work hard to make it seem like we are committed instead of just being committed. We work hard making it seem like we are kind and loving instead of just being loving. We work hard to make every excuse in the world as to why our "obedience" and "godliness" doesn't look like what Scripture demands. We painstakingly beautify our tombstone hoping no one will notice the bones inside. Oh, we have the vacuum lines but the carpet is far from clean and really, no one is falling for it - especially our Heavenly Father.
What could you do "for all that work. . ."?
How much time and energy do we spend trying to make ourselves look like we are living obediently instead of just being obedient. I think of Jesus' woe to the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:27, "For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." We work hard to make it seem like we are committed instead of just being committed. We work hard making it seem like we are kind and loving instead of just being loving. We work hard to make every excuse in the world as to why our "obedience" and "godliness" doesn't look like what Scripture demands. We painstakingly beautify our tombstone hoping no one will notice the bones inside. Oh, we have the vacuum lines but the carpet is far from clean and really, no one is falling for it - especially our Heavenly Father.
What could you do "for all that work. . ."?
Friday, August 13, 2010
For Alaina
“I’ve got a blog for you”, she said to me across the dinner table while opening a jar of baby food and juggling a cup of juice. “You should blog about how God sometimes lets us get hurt so we will remember not to do the thing that hurt us again – just like I have to do with Aubrey.”
Aubrey is super mobile but just like all baby’s she doesn’t know her limitations. She wants to go head first off the couch or climb off of the brick hearth or stick her little fingers in cabinet doors. Sure, I suppose my sister could clear her home of furniture, pad the walls and floor, refuse to let Aubrey sit or crawl or walk; and that would keep her safe, but what kind of life is that? No, she has to let her try and fail and get hurt so that she learns now, “Feet First! off the couch.” Nothing teaches us caution quite like a few knots on the head.
The same is true of our Heavenly Father. He has to let us feel the pain of our wanderings so that we will remember well the hurt and be careful to draw near to Him and look to Him for guidance and supervision. Sure, we would all love to have our memories of sin and failure erased, but then what would keep us from walking that path again. A little pain now to save us from great harm later.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Love Me Less
In a movie I recently saw, the "God character" tells the main character that everything he does he does because he loves him. After a series of disasters and heartbreaks the main character looks toward heaven and says, "love me less". Have you every felt this way? Sure we have. Think about when you are a kid and you have to eat your vegetables because your parents "love you and want what is best for you". You get invited to a party as a teenager and your parents will not let you go on the grounds that they "love you and want to protect you and keep you from trouble". In those moments you probably thought to yourself "love me less" or maybe it came out like "stay out of my business", "I know what I'm doing", "I can make my own decisions", etc. The request is the same.
But do we really know what we are asking? No, that stern Fatherly hand of God that loves us enough to discipline us and break us when necessary is the same hand that leads us to still waters and green pastures. We do not always understand His love. As the years pass by I realize how many heartaches I escaped not by the skin of my teeth or my good judgment but because of the love of my parents and their willingness to be unliked for the moment. These lessons we learn in the family unit we can see played out in our walk of faith. I may not always understand what God is doing but I know in time I will look back and be so grateful that He did not love me less.
But do we really know what we are asking? No, that stern Fatherly hand of God that loves us enough to discipline us and break us when necessary is the same hand that leads us to still waters and green pastures. We do not always understand His love. As the years pass by I realize how many heartaches I escaped not by the skin of my teeth or my good judgment but because of the love of my parents and their willingness to be unliked for the moment. These lessons we learn in the family unit we can see played out in our walk of faith. I may not always understand what God is doing but I know in time I will look back and be so grateful that He did not love me less.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
All About Eve
No, not that Eve – she is off the hook for now. I’m talking about “eve” as in “the period before some event.” Today is my niece’s first birthday. I cannot believe that twelve months have already gone by. That means that last night was Aubrey’s First Birthday Eve! You think I’m kidding but I was up well into the wee hours doing laundry, packing, wrapping my gift, and just being excited. My sister has a blowout luau planned this weekend to celebrate with all of our family and friends. Such a sweet time to commemorate this wonderful life God blessed us with and to recognize the potential for great things in store for her in Christ. I love her and I am pumped! Happy Birthday Binky!
Half the enjoyment of a big event or holiday is the eve. The great anticipation of things to come and the hope of delight. An eve gives us the opportunity, should we choose to make good use of it, to get ready for the big day. Without an eve sometimes we do not get to properly acknowledge an event, like when you find out it is a coworkers birthday about ten minutes before you clock out. Eve is a warning, a heads up – “something big is coming; be ready”.
What is today the eve of? What does God have on the horizon for me that I need to prepare for? What anticipation should I be enjoying with due diligence and great joy? Clean out the refrigerator, do the laundry, pack a bag, and gas up the car. Today is the eve of something great in the Lord. Today is the day to prepare for obedience and to do His good pleasure. Is today the day after a fight, an accident, a catastrophe? Or an anniversary of heartbreak? Do not despair. Today is His Glory Eve!
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
Half the enjoyment of a big event or holiday is the eve. The great anticipation of things to come and the hope of delight. An eve gives us the opportunity, should we choose to make good use of it, to get ready for the big day. Without an eve sometimes we do not get to properly acknowledge an event, like when you find out it is a coworkers birthday about ten minutes before you clock out. Eve is a warning, a heads up – “something big is coming; be ready”.
What is today the eve of? What does God have on the horizon for me that I need to prepare for? What anticipation should I be enjoying with due diligence and great joy? Clean out the refrigerator, do the laundry, pack a bag, and gas up the car. Today is the eve of something great in the Lord. Today is the day to prepare for obedience and to do His good pleasure. Is today the day after a fight, an accident, a catastrophe? Or an anniversary of heartbreak? Do not despair. Today is His Glory Eve!
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Excellence
Have you ever noticed how beloved imperfection can be? I love the misspelled words on birthday cards from my nephews and the black, smudged patch on my dining table where my mom tried to repair a discoloration I may or may not have caused. It is not the pristine and shiny that become our cherished keepsakes but rather the stuff of thoughts that count, A’s for effort, well meaning attempts and life well lived. The most valuable art I own still has flicks of crayon on the paper and the memory of big round eyes looking up at me beaming with the sacrifice of effort and the hope of praise. Perfection and excellence are not the same thing.
Perfectionism is often a roadblock to excellence. Sometimes we are so focused on (our subjective idea of) perfection that we miss an opportunity for excellence. “My way” is not a synonym for perfection and when we insist on arbitrary criteria we can stifle others from pursuing excellence as well. As followers of Christ we are called by “His glory and excellence” so that we “may be partakers of the divine nature”. We are called to excellence and therefore should strive to imitate Christ in morality, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. (2 Peter 1:1-7) Instead, we focus on our own idea of perfection and sometimes miss the mark of excellence in the way we work, play, teach, serve, love, etc.
“My way” does not equal perfection nor is it demanded by Excellence.
Perfectionism is often a roadblock to excellence. Sometimes we are so focused on (our subjective idea of) perfection that we miss an opportunity for excellence. “My way” is not a synonym for perfection and when we insist on arbitrary criteria we can stifle others from pursuing excellence as well. As followers of Christ we are called by “His glory and excellence” so that we “may be partakers of the divine nature”. We are called to excellence and therefore should strive to imitate Christ in morality, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. (2 Peter 1:1-7) Instead, we focus on our own idea of perfection and sometimes miss the mark of excellence in the way we work, play, teach, serve, love, etc.
“My way” does not equal perfection nor is it demanded by Excellence.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Life Syllabus
Today is “Syllabus Day” – something of a holiday in my circle, but not in a good way. I am finishing up a Master’s degree as an online/extension student. Every semester I receive an email from each of my professors for that term containing the course syllabus. I read the syllabus for my upcoming class, review the book list, my head explodes, then I resume my day. There is a lot of stress on Syllabus Day because I become aware of just how busy I’m about to get and just how ignorant and ill equipped I feel. The work seems so daunting and I am always fearful that I will cave under the pressure.
Reading God’s Word is sometimes like Syllabus Day. We are blessed and relieved to have been given such clear instruction for our purpose even provided objectives, assignments, and in some instances a grading scale. But as sure as we are invigorated by this sense of direction we are gripped by fear and inadequacy. However, we need not stress (no one’s head has to explode) because the great Shepherd of the sheep has been raised from the dead and the God of peace will equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Just imagine that the fine print on the bottom of our life syllabus is that the God who ordains all things is going to pour out the grace and equipping necessary to please Him. What a teacher! What a Savior!
Reading God’s Word is sometimes like Syllabus Day. We are blessed and relieved to have been given such clear instruction for our purpose even provided objectives, assignments, and in some instances a grading scale. But as sure as we are invigorated by this sense of direction we are gripped by fear and inadequacy. However, we need not stress (no one’s head has to explode) because the great Shepherd of the sheep has been raised from the dead and the God of peace will equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Just imagine that the fine print on the bottom of our life syllabus is that the God who ordains all things is going to pour out the grace and equipping necessary to please Him. What a teacher! What a Savior!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Proverbial Shorts
I wore shorts today. I don’t usually wear shorts because that seems like a little too much Allison, but today it was particularly hot and I knew that I was going to be outside for several hours so I pulled out the one pair of shorts I own and wore them like I meant to. I wanted to be more comfortable. My wearing shorts did not change the temperature outside or bring on a more consistent breeze, but wearing shorts did make the conditions a little more bearable.
That’s what being comforted is, is it not? Not a change of our circumstances but rather what is necessary to endure them; otherwise, we wouldn’t say we were comforted, but would declare that we had been healed, rescued, or delivered. Comfort is not the removal of hardship but is the encouragement and help necessary to persist even when it seems impossible to do so. At the very least comfort gives weight to our feet until the winds of despair have died down.
“This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me.” Psalm 119:50
That’s what being comforted is, is it not? Not a change of our circumstances but rather what is necessary to endure them; otherwise, we wouldn’t say we were comforted, but would declare that we had been healed, rescued, or delivered. Comfort is not the removal of hardship but is the encouragement and help necessary to persist even when it seems impossible to do so. At the very least comfort gives weight to our feet until the winds of despair have died down.
“This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me.” Psalm 119:50
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