Month: November 2013

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Posted on by Wendy
A hawk always demands respect!
A hawk always demands respect!

Respect seems to be in very short supply these days. Husbands and wives don’t respect each other. Children don’t respect their parents. Adults don’t respect their leaders. We don’t even seem to have much respect for the clergy anymore.

What is going on with our society? While I can’t say for sure, I think it starts at home. How do we speak to each other and treat each other within the four walls of our homes? When we disagree with one another, do we respect our differences or do we spiral into name calling and belittling the person we disagree with? Is “your way,” always right?

Do we criticize our spouses in front of our children? If we don’t respect each other, then how can we expect our children to respect us? I once heard a pastor say, that if he couldn’t teach his son to respect his earthly father who was standing right in front of him, then how in the world, was he going to teach him to respect a heavenly father that he couldn’t see?

I think he made a very good point. Should our children respect us just because we tell them to or do we have to earn it? While we can make them behave in a certain way, we cannot make them respect us.

Respect is an attitude, not an action. There are actions than stem from it or lack of it, but respect itself, is an attitude. So, how do we go about earning it? I think we start by respecting God and His rules. The Ten Commandments are always a great start. How are we doing with the top ten?

The New Testament gives all kinds of examples of how we are to love and treat each other as well. Ephesians, chapter six, tells children to obey their parents and fathers not to provoke their children to anger in they way that they treat them. (I think it’s safe to say mothers are included in this as well.) That means don’t treat them harshly for no good reason. It goes onto say, “Bring them up in the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” That mean teach them God’s laws.

Jesus tells us to, “Love each other as I have loved you.” John 13:34.  I think that if we really make an effort to follow God’s blueprint for our lives, we really begin to respect those around us because we begin to respect that we are all His creations and He never makes mistakes.

If we start with respect at home, then it carries over to friends, co-workers, bosses, neighbors and teachers. We can learn to respect differences and not insist on the other person bending to our way. We may find that we end up living with a sense of peace that we haven’t known before.

I think this may be worth a try. What do you think? Feel free to comment.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Life’s Oyster Bars

Posted on by Wendy
That tiny bit of something on the surface is actually a big oyster bar.
That tiny bit of something on the surface is actually a big oyster bar.

When you look at the picture above, what jumps out at you? The sun is really bright and the water is really calm. The photo was taken in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. An unseasoned boater who is out enjoying the beautiful weather and calm waters might plow right over it. That would be really bad.

Here is the oyster bar at low tide.
Here is the oyster bar at low tide.

What looked just like a little place in the ocean that you could just go around and miss, is actually the tip of a large mass of coral type oyster shells. They are very sharp and very hard and could completely destroy the bottom of a boat, leaving the occupants stranded or worse.

When you go out into the ocean, it’s always best to pick a seasoned captain who knows how to navigate the waters that you want to travel in. I wouldn’t want a river boat captain to take me out in the ocean, but I wouldn’t want a seasoned Pacific Ocean captain to take me out in the Gulf of Mexico either. Every body of water is different with different hazards that only a seasoned captain can know.

I think life is kind of like that. When you run into rough waters in particular areas, you don’t always seek advice from the same person. I may have a very close friend who doesn’t have kids. Would I ask her advice on how to deal with my teenager? By the same token, if I were having marital problems, would I seek advice from someone who has been divorced three times? Probably, not.

We were made for community. I believe that God sends all sorts of people into our lives at different times for different reasons and seasons. He even sends some of the same people in and out at different times while He’s weaving the tapestry that becomes our story.

I think when we really need advice, instead of just looking to our closest friends, we should seek out people who we consider wise in the matters that we need help with. The Bible has a lot to say about wisdom. Proverbs 8:11 tells us, “Wisdom is more valuable than rubies.” James 1:5 tells us, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and he will give it to you.”

What does all of that mean? I think it means that God respects our need for guidance and He puts people in our lives who can help us along the way, but it’s up to us to recognize them. There’s a lady at my church who has been a member forever. She raised her kids there. When I started having concerns about church, I prayed about it. Her name came to mind. I picked up the phone and called her. She was incredibly helpful and she gave me wise advice. God put her in my path, but it was up to me to seek her out.

The oceans of our lives are bound to have oyster bars. We have to learn to navigate around them. From time to time, we need to seek advice. It’s up us to seek it from those who are wise, but luckily, if we pray about it, God will point the way. Have you ever needed to seek wise advice? Feel free to share.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

The Spirituality of Beautiful Places

Posted on by Wendy
Egmont Key, Florida
Egmont Key, Florida

Do you ever wonder what it is about the ocean that calls to us? Is it the vastness of God’s creation as we look over the horizon? Is it the mystery that it holds? Maybe it’s something deeper and more spiritual.

When we go to the beach, it’s usually for a vacation, for a break from the everyday busyness of life. We take time to enjoy our spouses and our kids. We relax. We laugh. We rest. For a very short time, we remember who and what matters most to us. We take photos and make memories.

Then, we pack up and go home. We get busy again and stress sets in as our tans fade. We get consumed with everyday living. But, we dream of returning to the beach. We make plans six months or more ahead of time for the next trip. We save our money to go. Our kids get excited about going back year after year.

I think there are some places that are simply spiritual because they are glaring examples of God’s beautiful creativity. The oceans are mentioned in the Creation story right at the beginning. He didn’t have to create sugar, white sand and crystal clear waters, but He did. The rhythmic sound of the waves can soothe even the most ornery soul. The beach appeals to all of our senses. I doubt that is by chance.

Blue Ridge, Georgia
Blue Ridge, Georgia

The mountains is another place that feels spiritual to me. I can see so much of God’s handiwork in all of the natural beauty that surrounds them. The endless vistas that stretch on for miles really make me want to sit down and drink it all in. The quiet serenity there is like a comfortable blanket. I feel close to God when I’m there.

I think we have an inborn desire to be closer to God and closer to each other. When we visit beautiful places, there is no denying that God is here with us. His fingerprints are everywhere. When we feel closer to the One who created us, then we naturally feel closer to the ones He created to walk with us. Our families are gifts from God, just like the mountain vistas and sandy beaches and they are just as beautiful.

There are certain places that help us remember how much we love each other, how special family is and how time flies when we aren’t looking. They are gorgeous reminders that we are loved by the One who flung the stars into existence and we are to love the treasure of family that has been given to us. I just love being reminded of my blessings in beautiful ways. Don’t you? Feel free to share.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

God’s Quilt

Posted on by Wendy
Check out all of the tiny pieces.
Check out all of the tiny pieces.

My husband inherited this fabulous quilt from his grandmother. Some quilts have very intricate designs and some tell stories. But, most of them are works of art created for warmth from whatever scraps the seamstress had access to. Once upon a time, not so long ago, people didn’t throw things away when they got worn. They re-used them in a different way. Recycling was born.

From clothes with holes to flour sacks, if it was made of fabric, it was usable and it was used. Those tiny pieces of scraps created something beautiful and useful. People saw the possibility in what seemed to be trash.

God is a lot like that with our lives. We make huge mistakes and messes that stem from bad decisions and the Master Weaver takes our garbage and creates something beautiful and useful.

In my own life, I had a disastrous marriage in my early twenties that ended in a painful divorce. I remember being on my knees praying that God would forgive my mistakes and lead me back into His will for me. He did. I prayed more and listened more. I began to follow His lead, not mine and he sent me a fantastic Godly man to share my life with. Then, He blessed me with two great kids.

Next, He lead me to teach a Sunday school class which was kind of intimidating, because there was no curriculum and it was middle schoolers and I had toddlers. I reluctantly answered the call. I really had to start reading the Bible and I enjoyed the class and the kids and what I was learning.

We changed churches and my hubby and I got to participate in an adult class for the first time and we enjoyed it too. We learned a lot together. Then, there was a need for someone to teach the middle schoolers. This time, we both answered the call. We have learned so much about God and grace from the kids and from each other.

I would have never believed in my twenties that I could have been so fulfilled and useful in my forties, but God knew. Just as He knew with Ester, when she agreed to stand up for her people or Ruth, when she decided to follow her mother-in-law to a foreign country, even though her husband had died.

These women had some hardship to overcome and they had difficult decisions to make. But, God was able to take their scraps and weave a beautiful story that eventually produced a savior. Who would have known?

My hubby's grandmother's quilt
My hubby’s grandmother’s quilt

God is the greatest recycler of all time. Give Him your mess and watch what He can create. Just be prepared to be amazed! Feel free to share how God has used your mess to make something beautiful.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

God Rejoices When We Get it Right.

Posted on by Wendy
Smile! God loves you.
Smile! God loves you.

I always look forward to the children’s sermon every Sunday. Whoever the lucky member of our clergy happens to be, is usually in for a surprise. I’m sure he or she puts a lot of planning into the little message and tries to anticipate how the children may answer the questions posed to them. But, it’s  always a huge gamble when dealing with children. Like Forrest Gump said, “You never know what you’re gonna get.”

There is a particular little guy, named Hunter, who always raises his hand and always asks lots of questions and tells lots of stories. He’s five and there’s not a shy bone in his body. Once, the pastor asked him if he would like to help and preach the morning’s sermon. I don’t think it occurred to him that Hunter would say, yes. He did and then the pastor had to gently explain to him that he was just kidding.

This Sunday after the children’s sermon as the kids went off to children’s church, Hunter forgot something in his pew in the back of the church. He went to retrieve it and then went running to the door to catch up with the others. He fell with a loud thump. The entire congregation gasped collectively as the mom in the pew closest to him, scrambled over to check on him.

After no more than a couple of seconds, he popped up and gave the congregation a smiling thumbs up and yelled out, “I’m alright!” Everyone burst out into laughter and a few folks clapped for him as he headed out the door. It really struck me at that moment, how as a congregation, we all care about our children. For just a moment, we were fearful for him, but then rejoiced with him when he recovered.

I think Jesus feels just like that about us when we fall, both physically and spiritually. He tells us in a parable in the Book of Luke, about a woman who has ten coins, but loses one. She  searches all over the house until she finds it and when she finds it, she calls her neighbors and asks them to rejoice with her. “In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Luke 15:10

What does that mean? It means when we mess up, and we all mess up, there is rejoicing in heaven, when we make it right. God wants us to ask for forgiveness, get up and keep going. The very next parable Jesus tells is the Prodigal Son which really should be called the Loving Father.

When the son asks for his inheritance, the father gives it to him. When he loses all of it on partying, think: drinking and chasing women, he goes home and humbly asks his father if he can work as a servant for him. Does the father start lecturing and say, “I told you so?” Nope. He throws him a party. He rejoices. It’s not about the wayward son. It’s about the all loving and all forgiving father.

So, wherever we are, no matter how far we have wandered off the path to God, we can always turn it around. There are no exceptions to this rule. If we ask for forgiveness, God will welcome us back with open arms. There will be rejoicing in heaven. Now there’s a scenario that makes me smile and gives me hope. How about you?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Learning to Wait

Posted on by Wendy

I just spent the day subbing in the media center at the local elementary school. You remember the place; it used to be called the library. I rarely visited the school library when I was growing up, unless I was working on some type of research paper or project.

Finding a book was rather cumbersome. You first had to navigate the card catalog and then there was the ever intimidating, Dewey Decimal System. Sometimes you had to look up articles on something called microfilm. It was cutting edge stuff. Not to mention, you had to be quiet, something I was never really good at.

Boy, how times have changed. The media center I spent the day in had five student computers, plus one for checking books out, one for checking books in and one connected to a Smartboard. The card catalog is long gone and with a computer, the search for a book is instantaneous. The kids can search by author or subject and it will even tell them exactly where to find it. Done. No fuss. No muss.

This is a much better way, right? But, then I start to wonder, while no one misses the card catalog, didn’t using it teach us patience and perseverance? As a society, I think we’ve become like that bratty little rich girl, Veruca,  from Willa Wonka. Her main line was, “I want it now!”

I often talk to the middle schoolers in our Sunday School Class about the vending machine attitude towards prayer. We want to say a prayer and have it answered now, thank-you very much. We want prayer to be like putting change into a vending machine and pushing the button, for instant results. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.

The Bible gives us plenty examples of the fact that God’s timing is different than ours. Abraham was seventy-five years old when God promised him he would be the father to many. He was one hundred years old when Isaac was born. It took the Israelites forty years in the desert to make what should have been a fairly short trip to the Promised Land.

In the New Testament, Jesus tells his disciples that he must go up to heaven so that the Holy Spirit can arrive. They watch him ascend into heaven and walk back to town and lock themselves in a room, praying non-stop for seven days before the Holy Spirit comes roaring in with a big whoosh. Seven days may not sound like a long time, but have you ever prayed non-stop for seven days?

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that patience is a fruit of the Spirit. Waiting can not only be difficult, but excruciating at times, especially if we’re waiting on news from a loved one or for test results. But, waiting is a part of life and if we have faith, we can grow our patience and with faith and patience, the waiting isn’t nearly as hard. Patience is a lifelong quest for most of us, but the peace that comes from it is well worth it. How about you? How well do you wait? feel free to share.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Me first!

Posted on by Wendy

I have been a substitute teacher at a local elementary school for seven years now. While many things have changed since I was in elementary school, some things have not.  One thing that hasn’t changed is the desire to be first, first in line, first to finish an assignment (whether or not it’s done correctly), the first one to the bus, the first one in a race on the playground, the list is almost endless.

The “me first” attitude seems to be timeless and can have dire consequences. I suspect many if not most, broken relationships and marriages stem from the “me first” mantra.  The desire to put ourselves first appears to be inborn, but Jesus has another way. If I were to ask you to name the twelve disciples, how many could you come up with? (I’ll give you a minute.) Out of the ones you came up with, which one was first? I’ll bet you didn’t know that the very first disciple was Andrew. Did he even make your list?

Andrew was the first to follow Jesus and he introduced his brother Peter. I’ll bet you remember him. Andrew is also the disciple who brought a little boy with two fish and five barley loaves to Jesus. Jesus took that small offering and fed five thousand people. Andrew made his purpose in life to bring others to Christ. He didn’t argue about being first or sitting on the right hand of Jesus. He simply brought people to Him. While other disciples stand out in our minds, Andrew’s contributions are no less worthy. He didn’t insist on being first.

Jesus said at the end of one of his parables, “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” Matthew 20:16 While this verse was part of the parable, I think we can look to it for larger meaning. As human beings, we love to be first, to be in the spotlight, to be recognized by other human beings. I think Jesus may be saying that we shouldn’t seek human accolades and adoration.

There’s certainly nothing wrong with sporting events and 5k races; everyone wants to win sometimes. But constant competition with each other for the human spotlight keeps us from seeking the path to Jesus. I think the better path is probably the one that Andrew took. The servant hearted people who lead others to Jesus behind the scenes are every bit as important to God as the celebrity preachers who preach to thousands on television every week. Every soul counts. Period.

We all have a calling and it is rarely to run to the front of the line and declare our own greatness. No, I think it’s usually  quieter and more purposeful. So, the next time you feel like your contribution doesn’t matter, remember Andrew and know that God loves you and all of your contributions no matter how small they seem to you. He doesn’t use the same system of measurement that we do. Thank goodness!

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Winning a Battle with Prayer

Posted on by Wendy

I had one of those non-stop, hectic days, yesterday. I began the day with a to-do list that was way too long, before I even got started. I was setting myself up for frustration and failure to begin with and then of course, there was a problem with the cable that required a phone call. It was just one more thing on the list and I dreaded spending thirty minutes to an hour on the phone trying to troubleshoot the cable box, when I knew they would have to send someone out.

I was grumbling as I looked for the phone number and I grudgingly stayed on the phone with a computer voice for fifteen minutes or so before it realized I needed a real live person. When the person finally came on, I went through all of my information. He was very kind and when he re-set whatever he re-set, it disconnected me and I had to call again. Did I mention that we have our phone service with the cable company too?  The second representative was also very polite and apologetic, but I had to give all of the same detailed information one more time. She sent a special signal as well that also, you guessed it, disconnected me.

At this point, I began to see red. How could these people be so incompetent? I saw my day slipping away. Since I’m trying to be more intentional about letting others control my emotions, I had to put the phone down, take a deep breath and say a prayer. “Dear God, please help me to remember that in the big picture, this tiny sliver of time won’t matter. Please help me try to remember that no one is intentionally trying to ruin my mood or my day. Please help me to remember that these people are people just like me who are trying to do their jobs. They didn’t try to fail on purpose. Most of all, Father, please help me to remember that I have a choice here. Amen.”

I calmly picked up the phone and dialed a third time. The fellow on the other line was delightful. After listening to my story and trying a couple of things, he sent a repairman that afternoon. We ended up with a new box with a clearer picture than ever and he did something to speed up the internet while he was here too.

I could have been angry or annoyed for the rest of the day over those forty-five minutes or so of frustration, but who would have won? There certainly is a time and place for righteous anger, when we have been seriously hurt or wronged, but this was not it. I’m working on trying to remember that emotions that are opposite of the fruits of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control,” likely come from somewhere else.

I am happy to say that I won this particular battle and I know without a doubt that it was due to prayer. It really is a powerful weapon. How about you? How do you do with daily frustrations? Please feel free to comment.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Scratches on the Wall

Posted on by Wendy
Sandy's scratches in the paint.
Sandy’s scratches in the paint.

I have a dog that gets so excited to see me when I come home, that he stands by the door on his back legs and scratches the wall until I get through the door. While I have scolded him repeatedly, he won’t stop. He can’t seem to control his enthusiasm for me. So every couple of months, I sand the spot and re-paint. It doesn’t take long for him to scratch up the wall again, but truthfully, it doesn’t take that long for me to repaint the spot either.

Now, let me give you some background on this dog. He followed my kids home from the neighbor’s house one day. He was a stray, covered in fleas. He looked just like the dog from the movie Annie, so my daughter named him Sandy. Keep in mind, we weren’t looking for another dog. We already had two. When we took him to the vet, they found a chip in him. He had an owner and we had to leave him. My kids were crushed, but when we checked in with our vet the next day, we found out that his owners didn’t want him and we were free to take him home. Talk about jubilation, my kids were thrilled.He was even featured on my daughter’s birthday cake that year.

Isn't he precious?
Isn’t he precious?

Whenever I find myself getting aggravated by the hairballs or scratches on the door, I try to ask myself, “Will this issue matter twenty years from now?” The answer is usually, “no”. Life is messy. Pets are messy. Kids are messy. They leave toys all over the place or their school work or their art supplies. My son is like Pigpen from the Peanuts. Remember how he used to walk around in a cloud of dust? Matthew leaves something behind him in every room he walks into. While it may frustrate me from time to time, in the end does it really matter? In just a few short years he will be off to college and I can have my perfectly orderly house and sadly, Sandy won’t be here forever either. The heartbreaking truth about dogs is that they never live long enough.

But, that brings me to my next question. Do any of us ever live long enough? Wouldn’t just about everybody ask for more time with loved ones if they could get it. The Bible says, “Three things will last forever-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

I think these are very wise words. Paint chips and messy houses will certainly fade, but the love of family or of the family dog, well, that’s forever. So, I’ll sand and paint from time-to-time and treasure the moments with the people and pets I hold dear, remembering they truly are a gift. How about you? Are you treasuring the things that matter most?

You can hardly see the scratches!
You can hardly see the scratches!

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

What are Your Distractions?

Posted on by Wendy

When I sit down at a computer, I can become easily distracted by the internet. I may go to look up one thing, but find myself looking into something else altogether. On my homepage, news stories scroll through and inevitably, there will be one that I just have to read, thirty minutes later, I still haven’t started what I intended to. While the internet can be a fabulous tool for research, it can also be a distraction.

I suppose all electronics have the capability of being a liability, in that they steer us off course. One of the major threats on our roadways these days are drivers who text while driving. Most of us thought that the talking part was bad, but texting creates a whole new level of distraction and the results are sometimes deadly.

My daughter is drawn to the television. When it is on, she wants to watch. It doesn’t really matter what the show is about. My son would be one with his iPod Touch if it were possible. If he picks it up before he gets dressed in the mornings, his time simply disappears and he has no idea where it went.

There’s a very popular book series out called Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief.  In it, three kids are in hot pursuit of Zeus’s lightning bolt. While they are on the run, they step into the Lotus Casino. It has every game and snack imaginable and they are free. They decide to rest a little while. Percy realizes something isn’t right and they decide to leave. The bellhop attempts to lure them back, but when they get outside, they realize they have lost five whole days and only have one left to their deadline.

I use this example because distractions can be dangerous to our spiritual health. If I pick up my Bible to read while the television is on, I get distracted. I can’t concentrate. I can read the same page a couple of times and still not get the meaning.  The same thing happens if I try to have a conversation with my hubby with the television on. I can’t hear what he says if I’m listening to the t.v. My conversation with him should always trump my entertainment, but does it?

What about prayer? I’m a big believer in regular prayer. I can pray in the car or in the shower. But if I’m in the car and the radio is on, am I giving God my full attention? How can I expect my prayers to be answered if I ask half-heartedly, not really paying attention?

I think we need to be ever-mindful of this world’s distractions. Competition for our attention is at an all-time high. From an endless array of electronics to pressures at work and home, we are distracted from intentional living. We sort of plow through everyday, distracted by the latest Candy Crush game and pay less and less attention to our human relationships as well as our God relationship. This, I believe is the work of the enemy. There is one who wants us to be distracted, tired and unfulfilled. He wants us to just live our lives not to truly experience all of the joy that comes from true communion with each other and with God.

The only way to stop him is to live intentionally and be mindful of our choices and our distractions. We need to turn off the radio, t.v., iPad, etc.. when a person is talking and definitely find some silence when we want to pray. This isn’t easy in the noisy world that we live in, but I believe it is worth it. What about you? Feel free to comment.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂