Then Trust Me...

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did  not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"  Romans 8:31-32 (NIV).

If God is for us, who can be against us?  I love it when the Holy Spirit brings a brand new perspective to something we have seen dozens of times before.  I have read this scripture since I was a child, but when I saw it last week, it was as if I had never laid eyes on it.  Do I believe that God is for me? Well of course I do!  His Word tells me so!  "Then trust me," came the voice from deep inside my spirit. Gulp.   My first inclination was to scroll through a litany of scriptures in my mind about trusting the Lord and relying on him.  "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.'"  Psalm 91:2 (NIV). Yes, yes, I trust God!  Of course I trust him... Well, yes, I worry some. Doesn't everybody? "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which, transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV). There are, well, a few fears that hang around in the in the dark alleys of my thoughts.  "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:19 (ESV).  And yes, I try to "fix" things.   I'm good at fixing things!  The Lord obviously gifted me with an innate ability to "assist Him" in solving my problems.  So, it's all good, right???  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV).  Um, maybe not exactly all good.  Actually, not even a little bit.

When I look at things from a scriptural perspective, I'm pretty convinced that my little bit of worrying, my few itsy-bitsy fears, and my "fix-it" nature are really nothing more than rebellion, manipulation, and disobedience.  Wow, I don't like those words one bit, but nothing else fits when I look at my behavior in light of a sovereign, holy God.  If I really believe the verses I rattled off, it is pretty clear that God is saying my job is to trust him.  To rely on him.   To accept the things he brings into my life with an open heart and a thankful spirit; depending fully on him to always provide what I need to fulfill his perfect plan for my life.

So no whining when things don't go my way, but rejoicing that they are going His way.  A continual process of adjusting my sails as the wind shifts and the next phase of his plan unfolds before me; fixing my eyes on Him no matter what is going on around me.  Taking my fears and worries to the foot of the cross and leaving them there. "Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Psalms 55:22 (NLT). The amazing news is that while this process is daunting, our Lord promises me that my King understands everything I am going through. Everything.  "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us is our time of need." Hebrews 4: 15-16   (NIV). He promises that he wants to take every step with me, and he wants me to follow him and learn how to handle my light and momentary troubles as he would.  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my  burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30.

And yes, the God of the Universe promises that he IS for me.  And in the light of that truth, who indeed can be against me?

It is the journey of a lifetime, taken one baby step at a time.  A race well worth running with endurance.

Choose...

"It's choice - not chance - that determines your destiny," Jean Nidetch.

Choices.  We are faced with a dizzying array of decisions from the moment we open our eyes each morning. What to wear, what to eat, what time to leave the house, whether to stop at Starbucks, to make the bed or not, to exercise or not, and if so, to walk or take a Zumba class; and yes, ladies you know this one, should I shave my legs this morning or not?  Many choices are automatic and often seem insignificant, while others carry tremendous weight and clearly have the power to change the course of our lives.  We all realize the major choices - the career path we select, the person we pledge to stand beside through better or worse - these decisions are obviously life altering, but I wonder if we, if I, give enough gravitas to the power of repeated, daily, seemingly insignificant decisions that can often go unnoticed in the whirlwind of a typical Thursday. The older I get, the more I am realizing that the small things really just might be the big things.

Moses spoke to the Israelite nation on the edge of the Promised Land, bringing God's message to them in Deuteronomy 30:15: "Look at what I've done for you today: I've placed in front of you Life and Good, Death and Evil.  And I command you today: Love God, your God. Walk in His ways. Keep his commandments, regulations, and rules so that you will live, really live, live exuberantly, blessed by God, your God, in the land you are about to enter and possess." MSG.

Thousands of years ago, God told Moses to exhort the people to choose life.  He offers the same choice to us everyday, possibly thousands of times in an average week.  Choose life.  Choose to respond rather than react to situations and people. Choose to offer grace in the face of unfounded judgement and heartache. Choose to let the Lord interrupt your day and your agenda with  an opportunity to lift up another.  Choose to be thankful for all you have been blessed with rather than mope over what you don't have.  Choose to care for yourself and the temple that is your body so that you will be healthy and ready to serve.  Choose to make your words uplifting and edifying, to guard your heart and mind against hardening toward that which grieves the heart of God.  Choose forgiveness when carrying a grudge would seem oh so justified by the standards of this world. Choose faith when telling that mountain to move seems more than impossible.

Moses and the people of Israel didn't have the advantage we have; the advantage of the example of Jesus, the picture of what the sum of these choices looks like.  The individual decisions that become a life. The little things that really are the big things; a legacy and a heritage.  Yes, there are things that happen in this world that are beyond our control, but when I really think about it, I realize that much of what has happened to me in my life really is a result of my choices.  So I am determined to be intentional about my destiny; to choose life, and to choose it now!

SHHHHHH! Just Listen!

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."  Leo Buscaglia

"Does Pamela talk a lot at home?" my first grade teacher, Mrs. Kensing, asked my  mom at their first parent/teacher conference. "Yes, yes she does.  Is there a problem?" my mother replied nervously.  "No," the teacher (politely, I'm sure,)  responded.  "I was just curious, because if there is no one for her to talk to, she will just talk to herself."  My mother and I have laughed about this conversation numerous times over the years. Yes, I admit it. I am a talker.  I will talk to pretty much anyone at virtually any time.  Yes, that does include myself.

While my ability to engage others in conversation is a trait that has served me well as an educator, I have become convinced that its much less "showy" alter-ego, the ability to listen, is a characteristic I should seek to develop.

How often, in our technology filled, uber-connected, get it done yesterday, move on to the next thing/project/place world, do we take the time to slow down and listen-really listen-to another human being?Sit down, unplugged, turned off, tuned in, undivided attention--LISTEN.  Such moments are rare treasures for at least two reasons.  First, deep listening requires the greatest gift we can offer--time.  We hurry and rush from one deadline, one appointment, one sporting event, one work/school/church/______you fill in the blank function to the next, checking things off our to do list, on a mission to maximize our precious moments, convinced we have absolutely none to spare.  We often achieve much, but at the end of the day, we sacrifice the deep, rich, personal connections that we are hardwired by our creator to thrive on.  Cultures around the world and throughout history have placed a huge value on the currency of time, but I truly suspect few have had a greater need for the depth of relationship that grows with the investment of time than 21st century America.  Secondly, very few of us have honed the skill of listening itself.  Not conversing, responding, or turning the discussion to ourselves: just listening; with mind and heart fully present.  Often listening needs to be paired with the wisdom of silence; not offering solutions or suggestions, merely hearing and honoring the dignity and importance of another with our attention.

Scripture is filled with those who took the time to listen to others.  Early in the Old Testament, Moses and Aaron calmly heard the disputes and grumblings of the people.  Solomon must have listened with great patience as the two women shared their heated dispute over the baby.  Jesus himself left for us a perfect example of listening to every hurting, sinful, disease ridden, demon filled soul who came across his path. How he must have been bone weary from listening as the disciples tried to tell him how things should have been done, yet he patiently suffered them gladly!  I am convinced if we had been there to meet and talk to the Savior physically, the encounter would have left us changed by His ability to make us feel as if we were the only people in the universe, so great was His gift of making people really feel heard.  Imagine the Samaritan woman from the well. Her exchange with Jesus was brief, but I like to imagine that long after her dark hair had turned gray and the twinkle in her eye had faded, she eagerly shared about her encounter with the man who knew everything about her and offered her living water with anyone and everyone who would hear.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters; You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  James 1:19.  Most of us will never have the discernment of Moses or the wisdom of Solomon.  While we certainly can't claim the divinity of Christ, we can lay claim to His Spirit living within us. We can do exactly what He commanded us to to and offer a cup of cold water in His name, in whatever form that may take.  I am realizing that often, that gift begins with a listening, attentive ear and heart.

Beauty for Ashes

Contemporary American poet Robert Bly has said, "Where a man's wound is, that is where his genius will be."  I read this quote in the work of Mark Batterson, the pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C., and it has remained in my mind and heart over the past couple of weeks.  I don't know about you, but I have never really associated wounds with genius.  Wounds hurt.  Wounds are festering and painful.  Wounds are private, and most of us would probably prefer to heal them quickly and forget their sting.  Genius, on the other hand, should be celebrated, shared, and praised.  What can the two possibly have to do with one another?  Perhaps more than I have ever suspected...

Candice Lightner is a perfect example of Bly's philosophy in action.  You may not readily recognize her name, but you know the organization that was birthed from her wound.  Lightner's genius was developed after what can only be described as one of life's greatest tragedies.  On May 3, 1980,  her 13 year old daughter Cari was senselessly killed in a hit and run accident on her way to a church carnival. Cari's body was left on the street at the corner of Sunset and New York Avenue in Fair Oaks, California while the intoxicated 46 year old repeat DUI offender fled the scene,  Upon learning that the perpetrator would likely serve little or no jail time for the murder of her daughter, Candy Lightner did what many would find unthinkable in the face of such a tragedy; she turned her pain into action and founded Mothers' Against Drunk Driving.  Over the past 32 years, the organization is credited with dramatically decreasing  drunk driving through both public awareness and legislation across the country.

"To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory." (Isaiah 61:3 NLT).  There is power in the realization that perhaps God's greatest glorification comes through our willingness to let Him use our hurts to make a difference in the world around us.  

I recently had the privilege of hearing an amazing young couple share their true "beauty for ashes" testimony.  They are raising three young children and are leaders in our local church.  Both are active in key areas of ministry, discipling men and women at every opportunity; the picture of servant's hearts.  Their family is truly an example of what is right in the church today.  Turns out, their backgrounds are as far from where they are today as you could possibly imagine.  Both grew up with little or no knowledge of God in homes full of abuse, drugs, and horrible neglect.  Their stories involved their own addictions,  legal troubles and incarceration, and I sat in total amazement listening to them share how God has transformed them completely. They have struggled with setting boundaries with seriously difficult extended family members, and they have rejoiced at the willingness of Godly mentors to step up and fill the roll of grandparents in their children's lives.  They could have easily decided to guard their hearts and cover their wounds from public view, but their genius truly does lie in their willingness to be vulnerable and tell others who may be struggling with similar issues that there is someone who understands, and no matter how desperate your past has been, your future doesn't have to be. "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."(Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

For many of us, our wounds are not nearly as dramatic as those I have shared, but we all have hurting places that, if we allow Him to, God can create genius from, be glorified through, and bring true healing to. Plans, hope, and a future.  Beauty from ashes.  The young couple I spoke of admitted to being able to see "the look" of a hurting brother or sister, and to feeling called to minister to them.  Perhaps we should all be open to seeing those around us who hurt in ways we can relate to and become willing to offer our own "genius," such as it may be, to help them on their journey; to pay it forward, if you will.  Is it challenging? Absolutely. Is it frightening? Undoubtedly.  Is it what we are called to do? I am convinced it is. 

I have spent a lifetime struggling with weight.  Until now, I have been completely unable to maintain a reasonable weight in a healthy manner.  Slowly I am building confidence in my ability to understand how to truly care for the temple that is my body, and the most amazing thing is that, with time, I am building a certain credibility on the subject.   Gradually I am finding myself able to share parts of my struggle and how I won the battle.  I am learning to spot "the look" and find ways to reach out and share hope.  Right now my knowledge and comfort zone most often lead me to send people to those who helped me.  It's certainly no huge leap, but it is a start; a beginning I am certain God will honor.   

Have my wounds built genius? Yes, yes they have.  Yours have, too.  Maybe we can all begin together to use our genius, the wisdom of experience, to bring beauty for ashes in our lives, in our communities, in our world. 

Glory to God Alone

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.  He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of Heaven and Earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.'"  We have all met that street sweeper.  Oh, he may be a check out clerk at Kroger who remembers your name every week, or the restaurant server who goes out of her way to make sure you get exactly what you want, no matter how far off the menu it may be. Yes, we've all seen him, and the excellence with which he carries out his job never fails to impact us.

I immediately thought of one of those "uncomfortable" verses of scripture that proves the truth of Dr. King's words.  Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  Whatever you do. Wow. 1st Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) echoes the same sentiment:  "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  Seriously, the Lord is concerned about what I eat and drink? The context of that verse is dealing with conflicting views between Jews and Gentiles on traditional Jewish dietary laws, but if God hadn't meant it, He wouldn't have put it in scripture where I could read it 2,000 years later. The truth is that if I claim to be a child "of the Book," I had best for a child who lives "BY the Book!"  If I want to associate my name with His, how can I do any less than work "as if for Him?"  The answer is, I can't.

Many people miss the great significance of the mundane tasks we are faced with every day.  I wonder if those who achieve great things in this world make it their life's goal to achieve great things, or if they achieve great things because they seek to do the small things that dot their daily calendars and to do lists with excellence.  I believe the answer can only be found in trusting the Lord and relying on Him day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.

The world renowned composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, did something that we can all learn from.  A trademark of his original works are the initials "JJ" carefully scripted at the top of a composition.  "JJ" stands for "Jesu Juva," "Help me Jesus."  Bach recognized that he was incapable of completing the work without the help of the Lord, and he clearly sought God from the beginning to the end of the composing process.  When the work was finished, there was a final trademark left by the master.  At the bottom of the final page, the initials "SDG" can also be found.  Soli Deo Gloria. Glory to God alone.  What a concept.  Trust in the Lord and rely on Him daily, and when the day is done, give Him all the glory.  I am no theologian, but somehow this picture of working with all my heart as if for the Lord resonates within me. Pastor Robert Morris says the Lord doesn't need us, but he wants to partner with us.  I don't know about you, but this seems like an offer I shouldn't turn down.

I think Mother Teresa brought another piece to this discussion that bears serious consideration.  She said, "We can not do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love."  Great love that has it's source in the one who promises if we come thirsty He will give us living water.

So what ever we do-teach children, care for the sick, serve food, educate people on health and wellness, engineer buildings, or sweep streets-let's partner with the God of the Universe-for His glory.

Until next time..
Pam
SDG

It's Never Too Late to Become What You Might Have Been

"It's never too late to become what you might have been."  I absolutely love the hope that bubbles out and spills over the rims of this thought.  I most recently found this quoted in Mark Batterson's book, The Circle Maker.  A little research led me to discover that the quote is most likely originally attributed to George Eliot, a Victorian era novelist actually named Mary Ann Evans.  I can only imagine the feelings she must have had as she penned those words; a woman living in a society where in order to use her God given talent she had to masquerade as something she wasn't.  

While Evans' story seems extreme to those of us living in the open society that is 21st century America, it strikes me that the modern version of her dilemma might be more related to the fact that we live at such a pace that we never slow down enough to ponder some pretty basic questions.  Our world is filled with rushing, eye-popping images, deadlines, demands, and mind numbing noise; all of which serve to prevent us from asking fundamental questions like,  "What did the Lord put me here to accomplish?" "What is it that I want out of life?"  Many of us are are good at handling responsibilities and meeting obligations, but do we stop to figure out whether we are really on the path that the Lord intended specifically for us?  Are we using the unique gifts and talents He gave us to fully glorify Him?  Batterson says, "We have not, because we ask not, and we ask not because we don't know what to ask for."  I wonder if that thought is as disturbingly true for others as it is for me some days.

In my little world, the past couple of years have been profoundly trans-formative.  On January 7, 2012, I embarked on a health journey that resulted in a total weight loss of 75-plus pounds.  I am rather "petite" to be politically correct...ok, who am I kidding?  I am 4'9", which makes me down right short!  My total loss was approximately 45% of my body weight, so in a very real way, I am a brand new person.  The process was steady, slow, and for the very first time in my life, healthy.  My success was based on the fact that I (finally) let go of Pam's way of doing things.  I committed 100-plus percent to the program I selected, (Weight Watchers) and I decided if things didn't work, by golly the problem would be that the program failed, not me.  Turns out, if you do the program, it works!  No tricks, no gimmicks, it just flat stinkin' works! No quick fixes, no short cuts, no magical secrets.  My point is that I realized I had so many mixed up, crazy ideas that I was absolutely certain were true, I didn't allow myself the kind of success I could have had much sooner if I had only been willing to slow down and let go. I had to finally decide that my way hadn't worked for a lifetime, and maybe it was time to surrender to someone who actually knew something about the weight loss business.

Somewhere along the way, it occurred to me that perhaps this was true in all areas of our lives.  Maybe I had done other things in certain ways because it was how I had always done them, so I began asking the hard questions.  The kind of questions that stop you dead in your tracks or wake you from a sound sleep in the middle of the night.  The kind of questions that cause you to reinvent not only who you are on the outside, but who you are at the core of your being.  The kinds of questions that bring you to your knees.

Just as I asked the weight loss pros about changing my body, I have earnestly sought the Lord about what He truly wants for me. Matthew 7:7-8 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."  I am utterly convinced that the Lord of the universe wants to hear our concerns, and that Matthew 7:7-8 is a promise straight from Him.  So I am peeling my fingers one at a time from the steering wheel of my life and asking the ultimate professional what He wants for me next. What am I finding?  Well, turns out there are no quick fixes, no short cuts, and no magical secrets.  Just a Heavenly Father who loves me dearly, wants me to trust Him, and promises to give me good gifts!  I know that He wants to teach me how to be a better wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher.  He is also showing me that rules and limits I put on myself for a lifetime, don't necessarily have to be so.

Recently my husband and I traveled to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon. I had visited as a child--a fat, asthmatic child--who had no idea it would ever be possible for me to go beyond the rim and hike into the canyon.  I was nervous, but my husband and I were both convinced that this was an adventure we were to take together.  On two separate days, we hiked 3 miles down (and three miles back up!) experiencing the beauty of two different trails. The views were absolutely breathtaking, the challenges of the hike were daunting, and the feeling of going beyond what I had always perceived as a limit: priceless.

I am becoming more and more convinced every single day that it really never is to late to become what you might have been. It's the journey, the adventure, the dream of a lifetime. 

Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life."