Seasons with Grace

Creative Living

Early in the new year, I embarked on a challenge posed to me in a crafters’ Facebook group to complete an unfinished craft project each month in 2020. How refreshing to know that I did not struggle alone with unfinished projects! Several weeks later as I started working exclusively from my home office and my workload reduced from three jobs to one, I felt energized and was anticipating success in this challenge.

March’s project turned out to be more than what I bargained for. It was a stamped cross-stitch project to make fabric Thanksgiving napkins. Six of the eight had been stitched, so I felt it was an attainable goal for March. I ended up learning alot about life from these turkeys!

The first thing I noticed was that my eyesight was not what it was when I began the project. I could only enjoyably stitch on sunny days sitting in the chair near my living room window. Ugh. That did not make me feel good when my comfy recliner was nearby. But the project had to be done.

Next I reminded myself that I do not really like the look of turkeys (if you do find them adorable, we can still be friends – eye of the beholder and all that). Why did I even buy this kit? I chose to push those thoughts away and focus on the beautiful coloured threads I was using to craft this project. I ran low on a couple of the colours, but in my vast stash of all things crafty I found suitable substitutes. I was NOT going to spend any more money on craft supplies!!

As I stitched my initials and the year on the last one I felt empowered! I was almost done the project. To be honest, it was April now and I had not completed the project within the month. Due to many grey days I could not stitch every day, and on some days, navigating the ever-changing formats of teaching online classes took more than the hours I had originally allotted in my planner. I missed the deadline I had imposed on myself, but that was easily forgiven and I knew the crafters in the FB group would be equally kind.

I found the fabric I had purchased a year ago at least at a local thrift store for the backing. I actually had purchased backing fabric more than once at said thrift store, but I was sure white broadcloth would come in handy for more projects down the line. After assembling the napkins I had one more task; another one that was not my favourite. They had to be ironed before they could be put away in the drawer of my china cabinet where I anticipated pulling them out for Thanksgiving dinner, or maybe even EVERY dinner in October!

As I ironed I looked at my work. I noticed the year that I had stitched on each one at its completion. The first one was 2002! What was my life like in 2002? My daughter was 10 years old and we were living in Prince Edward Island. Changes were in the wind for me. It was an unsettled time in several areas of my life and I remembered sitting and stitching, looking at the water and this brought me such peace.

My daughter’s initials were on one of the napkins. She stitched this in 2002, likely during our first long Maritime winter as we enjoyed being close to the wood stove. I am so thankful that God’s creative spirit flows in her and she has become a fourth generation to show love through handmade gifts. This move was a difficult transition for her and it brings up memories of doubts and fears I had about my mothering skills and what kind of an example I was setting for this precious child. Today, she is an amazingly talented, loving and beautiful young woman and I am blessed and grateful to be her mom.

Not long after that I returned to working full-time after 11 years as homemaker, mom and crafter. The project was set aside as we moved, and moved again. Life fell apart for a while but God was faithful.

I next picked up the project in 2017. Life was so different than it was the last time I held the cloth in my hands. I was the mom of a teenager! Even more unexpectedly, God put my life back together and blessed me with a new family. My husband is a godly, patient man and we walked together out of devastation, betrayal and rejection into a new season in God together. With him, my new husband brought his two children, and I love them as my own. They both love to express themselves creatively in various ways.

I only completed one turkey napkin and then the project was set aside again. I was working as a medical office assistant and medical transcriptionist as well as helping my husband as he pastored a small church. Another new season. I was able to use creativity as I taught children about Jesus and countless opportunities to show the love of God through handmade gifts.

Now, in this unprecedented and uncertain season I picked up fabric, needles and floss again, and this time, while sitting in a sunny window in my living room, I was finally able to finish this project. What a sense of accomplishment! It felt wonderful to slip the completed napkins into the drawer and put the extra floss and needles away.

It reminded me of something my YouTube fitness trainer, Pahla B has said about running. “Life has a lot to teach us about running, and running has a lot to teach us about life.” This can be true about being creative.

Life has a lot to teach us about being creative and being creative has a lot to teach us about life.

I might regret that it took me 18 years to complete this craft project; the inconsistency, the avoidance, the dragging of my feet, the excuses. But again and again, I pulled myself back to it and in small determined steps with pricking my fingers, eyes straining to thread a needle, tears falling as I used creativity to ease the pain of life. And I finished it. I completed the task set before me. I claimed victory and will have remembrance of the journey and the victory every Thanksgiving when they are displayed.

Such is my walk of faith. Days where I am too tired to read my Bible. Mornings when I cannot bring myself away from the busyness of life to come to meet God in prayer. Pushing aside the call of God and His Truth that would heal and complete me if I laid down my own agenda. Excuses why I can’t do it right now, God.

But again and again, He calls me close to Him. To open myself up to His work creating a me that resembles Jesus more and more as I sit in the sunny window of His love. Days when He gives me strength and armour to keep serving when the words and actions of people prick at my heart over and over. When my tears pour like a flood for the lost ones in my world as I plead with God to soften their hearts and allow me one more opportunity to show the way to peace, to acceptance, to Him.

One day, I will complete the tasks He has planned for me and then I will go home and I will never have to move again. I will be displayed as His much-loved daughter and it will always be a day for thanksgiving and rejoicing. I will see the full magnitude of His creativity its beauty.

So out comes the next unfinished project. I will stitch and glue and stamp and present a gift to someone to show I love them enough to spend precious time working on something creative just for them. And I present myself to Jesus as a yet-unfinished project and allow Him to do His creative work and make me someone that He can give to this hurting world to show that He loves it enough to make it beautiful and whole.

Does this speak to the season in your life? I’d love to hear from you! Maybe you know someone who needs some encouragement that God is working to make something beautiful in their life. Feel free to share this post. If want a great YouTube fitness trainer who will encourage you to success, check out this woman who makes me sweat and smile several days a week, Pahla at pahlabfitness.com.

Give Us Barabbas

I have been thinking a lot this week about the events of what we call Holy Week. Its a time when I needed to read those familiar Scripture passages as if it was the first time and let the images take shape in my mind. As I did, a long forgotten memory came back to me.

Years ago, I was singing in an Easter cantata, where during a portion of the drama, the choir became the crowd at the trial of Jesus. When Pilate asked the crowd who they wanted released, we yelled, “Give us Barabbas!” Next Pilate asked, “What would you have me do with this man (meaning Jesus)?”, we yelled louder, “Crucify him!”

I diligently rehearsed my lines in the drama and the choir music. I was so focused on the production and knowing my part inside and out that I was not really meditating on the message we were presenting. Then came Easter Sunday’s performance.

As the Word was read, and as we sang about Jesus, the presence of God flooded that little church. The homemade costumes transported me to Jerusalem. I saw Pilate rise to address the crowd before him.

Pilate said, “I have Barabbas and Jesus. Which do you want me to set free for you?” The people answered, “Barabbas.” Pilate asked, “So what should I do with Jesus, the one called the Christ?” They all answered, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked, “Why? What wrong has he done?” But they shouted louder, “Crucify him!” When Pilate saw that he could do nothing about this and that a riot was starting, he took some water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. Then he said, “I am not guilty of this man’s death. You are the ones who are causing it!” All the people answered, “We and our children will be responsible for his death.” (Matthew 27:21-25 NCV)

The choir shouted out as the crowd of that day, but as my mouth started to form the words, I found I could barely whisper them. How could I choose Barabbas? How could I look at Jesus standing there and say that I and my children would be responsible for His death? Unexpected tears ran down my cheeks as I wondered how people could forget so quickly the miracles, the teaching, the love of Jesus as He walked among them the past three years. I have never before or since felt the immensity of His sacrifice for me. For me.

Christ in Front of Pilate, 1881, Mihály Munkácsy

So easy it may be to judge those in that crowd. I have the advantage of the knowledge of Scripture and the revelation of the Holy Spirit. But am I any better? I haven’t always chosen Jesus. There have been times when I will be honest, I have chosen to follow the crowd rather than to stand apart. Times when I have chosen to act selfishly rather than serve. Times when I acted out of pride instead of remembering that all good gifts, come from God. Times when I have chosen Barabbas, and pushed aside the plan of God for that moment.

Forgive me Lord.

Such an incredible sacrifice made. Torture, humiliation, ridicule, torment and death. For me. For you. When it all came down to the wire, Jesus chose me. The least, the very least I can do in my life is choose Him every time.

As I prepare my heart to ponder the sacrifice of Good Friday and celebrate Resurrection Sunday, I hear echoes of the words of this African American spiritual:

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Give me Jesus.

Less is Peace

In October 2018 I saw a Facebook post about the Minimalism Game. If you haven’t seen it, in this game on the first day of the month you get one item out of your house. On the second, two items, and so on for thirty days. If you complete the “game” you have rid your home of 465 items at the end of the month. My husband and I chatted about it and decided to give it a try.

We did not expect this game to be so addictive! We were finding things left and right to get rid of. We sold some items, donated and tossed a great deal. We did not complete the month’s challenge, but did rid our home of 352 items. We were hooked on the results so decided to keep going, just being diligent about decluttering, not really challenging ourselves to a certain number per month. Here we are in April of 2020 and we are still playing the game!

October to December 2018: 551 items
January to December 2019: 791 items
January to March 2020: 259 items

That is a lot of stuff!! We are not hoarders (my husband might disagree when it comes to my craft room) and we have been regularly releasing items throughout our marriage. But what is really happening here?

We are living intentionally, holding more loosely to material things. Do we like nice things? Yes we do. But we do not need a lot of things or constantly to have newer things. I want to spend less time caring for belongings and more time building relationships. I love the peace I have knowing that my home almost always is “company ready”. When we are able to entertain again, I will not be in a panic if the doorbell rings unexpectedly. If I find out someone has a need and I can fulfill it, I am not emotionally attached to the “stuff” but ready to meet the need.

I also believe that this urge to simplify and declutter is part of the preparation for the new season God is preparing for us. It is impossible to reach for the future and gain ground if you are held to the past, and that includes the stuff our homes are filled with. When God says, “Now”, I don’t want to be weighed down or held back by concerns of material things.

I am sentimental about family heirlooms. I love that connection with previous generations and their legacy. I spent some glorious time with my cousin looking at china and glassware from generations past. Did I bring some pieces home? You betcha. Just a few. Really, the joy was in the looking and the story telling and the time spent with someone I love. Those pieces will be used, as they were intended to be. Tea with a friend using delicate china cups and saucers makes the friend feel loved in a way no dollar store mug can do. So , I let go of some mugs to make room for what is precious and lovely.

Memory over memorabilia.

Having less and being surrounded by things that have purpose or that I enjoy looking at has brought peace to my soul. When my husband and I married we wanted our home to be a refuge. A cozy, comfortable place for us, family, friends or strangers. We’ve never had a full blown clutter problem, but now with extra space, it is like breathing room for the soul.

So we will keep playing the game. Letting go of things and taking hold of hearts. Making our corner of the world a relaxing place, a loving place, a place where God is present with us.

Storm Snacks

What day is it? It doesn’t take long for me to lose my bearings a bit after not being farther than a neighbourhood walk away from home in days. I am used to grading papers and transcribing reports for many hours a day, entering the date on each one, fully cognizant of the day of the week to keep the plates spinning in my busy life.

So much has changed in the past couple of weeks and it seems to keep changing daily. While part of me wants to stay connected to those I care about, the other part is weary of rehashing the news. Self-isolation can take many forms, and for me, self-care means not spending too much time on social media these days. Time is lost track of and it leaves me feeling unsettled.

While I am losing track of what day it is, I need to make sure I stay focused on what’s important. My heart’s desire is to keep God in first place. Faith over fear. I have no idea what tomorrow may bring. I certainly never expected to be in this place, but I have found myself in unexpected places and situations before and God has never failed me. I am unafraid.

The Lord will keep you safe, from secret traps and deadly diseases.He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. You won’t need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. And you won’t fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon. (Psalms 91:3-6 CEV)

I also need to stay healthy. That means staying home and washing my hands. That also means staying on track with my healthy eating plan. Thousands of little choices helped me shed 164 pounds and I have been successful in keeping it off. A season of uncertainty is not going to change that. I have to remember that when I’m on social media and people show me pictures of everything they are eating and baking. I remember this when I’m reminded that it’s “Take Out Tuesday”. We have so many awesome restaurants in our city, and I have compassion for how this affects them, but right now, for my budget and for my healthy eating goals, I need to eat at home. I am actually happy to have time to make meals without rushing for a change. I’m rediscovering recipes and a joy in puttering in the kitchen.

When I moved to Prince Edward Island, I learned about something called “storm snacks”. When a storm was in the forecast, copious amounts of snack foods and beverages were purchased to keep us appeased as we waited it out. I have heard some people mention storm snacks in the context of our current retreat into our homes. But food doesn’t take away stress or anxiety for more than a minute. Storm snacks do not take away boredom that some may be feeling. I have learned that food cannot comfort me in any lasting sort of way.

Do I enjoy a treat? Sure I do! But I am being mindful about how often I indulge and what I choose to indulge in. I watched a YouTube video suggesting that we don’t consume storm snacks more than once a day. At once a day, I would be seeing the number on the scale creep up, feeling defeated and my circumstances unchanged.

There are other ways to treat myself and care for mental health while not abandoning my healthy lifestyle. Engaging in hobbies does wonders for me. I have tried a new knitting pattern. I have been making Christmas cards, and don’t tempt me, or I might mail them out too! Learning new skills keeps my mind engaged and distracted from worry. Laughing with my husband is one of the best mental health exercises I could ever do. Being active. Exercise releases endorphins which relieve stress. Enjoying those scented candles I never have time to burn. Reading and resting.

My goal is to return to normal life (don’t get me started on what that is!) healthy, rested, strong and full of faith. With God, I can get through this, and my friend, so can you. So put the storm snacks back in the cupboard and take time to feed your soul.

I Believe in You

When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers— the moon and the stars You set in place— what are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them? Yet You made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything You made, putting all things under their authority— the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. O Lord, our Lord, Your majestic name fills the earth! Psalm 8:3-9 NLT

Sitting at my desk grading papers as my students worked away at the day’s assignment. The course was almost over and there was an underlying nervous excitement (well, with a class full of young women, it wasn’t always underlying!). Internship was coming, and then a whole new chapter as they started their new career.

I was ready for the break between courses. It had been a successful term, and I love what I teach, but my mind was reevaluating my purpose. God had been impressing on me for some time that a new chapter was coming. Writing, speaking, leading other women. More women. Just thinking about it was WAY out of my comfort zone. My own underlying thoughts were racing. How I could possibly make this all work? Work filled my days. My husband, my church, my home and family filled the rest. How could I study more? When could I write more?

But the real question was this – what on earth do I have to say that someone else isn’t already saying? I felt the passion, the fire in my bones to take on this new season, but underneath it all I was restless, feeling small and ordinary and unremarkable. How could something I say help anyone make lasting change in their life?

Pushing the thoughts aside and focusing back on my grading, I heard the printer whir and looked to see the screen light up as a single sheet of paper slid out onto the tray. A bit confused, as my hands were not on they keyboard, I stood up and went to the printer, fully expecting the paper to be meaningless. I could not have been more wrong.

There was one line on the paper. It read, “I BELIEVE IN YOU”.

I turned to my computer monitor, but no, I hadn’t typed that. I checked the multiple tabs I have open at any given moment. Nope. As I stood, I looked out over the classroom. All the students were either finishing their task, or conferring with a classmate. But it would be impossible, the student computers cannot even access the printer. The only one who maybe would have access was the IT guy in the back hallway. I know he thought I was a good instructor, but he was much too busy for goofing around or trying to prank me.

Class ended and I packed up, placing the printed page carefully in a folder to take home. I put it up on the bulletin board next to my desk. My thoughts kept going back to it.

I could rationalize this act with computer glitches and crossed wires, but there was nothing accidental about this. God was intentionally reassuring me in a way that would get through my easily distracted, over-thinking mind. He believes in me.

Slowly, the truth sank in. Of course! I was correct. I absolutely do not have a message that can guide anyone else to change. But God does. I don’t need to strive to come up with a niche and a platform and multitudes of followers. He has a message and He knows who needs me to share it with them. He believes in me, that I am up to the challenge, willing to have my plan interrupted. All I need to do is listen and follow. He will provide the words and opportunities.

I know my husband believes in me and that helps me to be confident when I am feeling inadequate. My mom and my kids believe in me too. I am blessed with an amazing support system of family and friends. Its a great feeling to have someone believe in you. But to know that GOD, the One who knows my every secret, my every failure and insecurity believes in me that I am capable with His help to fulfill His purpose in my life and encourage others is incredibly empowering.

Maybe you’re reading this feeling a bit empty, a bit weak because you don’t feel you have any support. My friend, you do. God believes in you every bit as much as He believes in me. He made you for a specific purpose, to accomplish something in this world through Him that no one else can do in just the way you can do it. And if God believes in you – I do too.

I still have no clue how this new season will unfold. I have a classroom of new eager young women, that I know already are going to succeed. My plate is still seems full with this life and all the people I love. But as a beloved daughter of the King, I will follow God’s leading, listening to His truth over the world’s distractions. When the time is right, the niche, the message and the platform will move into place. It is enough to know He believes in me.

Maybe it was for a moment like this that you came to be part of the royal family. Esther 4:14 CEB

Snow Day

We’ve had an early blast of winter in my neck of the woods and several centimeters of snow fell over the last 24 hours. As I was preparing breakfast this morning I received an unexpected text from the college where I am an instructor that classes would be cancelled for the day. At that moment, my plans were changed and the day opened like a beautiful present. I got my husband off to work, trying not to rub it in that he still had to head out, and made myself another cup of coffee. Not just the regular coffee mind you, but my special peppermint fudge coffee. As I sipped it, delighting in the scent, warmth and dessert-like sweetness, I also savoured the day ahead. The possibilities seemed endless as to what could be accomplished.

Immediately, that to-do list that stalks me, whispered the same old list. Yes, some things still had to be done; a test prepared, medical reports to be transcribed, some fact checking to be done. But all of those things were already on the list for the day. What about those hours when I was supposed to be at school? What could I do?

My mind returned to my first thought upon reading the text that classes were cancelled. It was a gift. The gift of the present. A few hours to savour like a hot cup of specialty coffee. Time to recharge while my world was still for a short time.

First, I enjoyed an extended quiet time. Instead of pushing to get through the devotional, I drank it in thoughtfully, really applying the truth to my life. Then just the right playlist of worship music. Normally I have time for just a few songs, but today, I luxuriated in the entire playlist, singing and praying, the presence of God surrounding me like the soft afghans my grandmother had knit for me. Just taking this time, an hour or so, refreshed my spirit. I was both energized, and relaxed.

Then I decided to treat myself to a longer workout than a work day normally permits. I was mindful of feeling my heart rate increasing, my muscles tensing and then relaxing, the movement of my feet and the beat of the music. I do workout several days a week, but its something I often have to cram in somewhere between other tasks. The danger is that it can become an obligation, not a celebration of health and fitness.

By this time, the sun was shining and through the window the world looked so bright with the blanket of snow. I decided to head outside for a few minutes to not just see winter, but feel it. I heard the snow crunch. My eyes blinked at the incandescence and my lungs relished the freshness of the frosty air. My backyard had been transformed in a day and it looked beautiful. My friend’s new bride has just come to Canada from Africa and would be experiencing for this wonder for the first time. In those few minutes, even though I’ve seen more than fifty Canadian winters, I took it in as if it was my first time. God is the most amazing artist.

Opening the door to head back inside the warmth rushed towards me, as if eager to experience the beauty for itself. I knew I had to start to move towards those few things I had to do today, but it did not take me long to realize that taking those few hours to refresh my spirit and my body allowed me to be so much more productive than if I had just tackled the desk work first thing. I worked for a while and then returned to the kitchen to try a new recipe for supper instead of making the same old type of thing. A creativity break. Knowing there was something yummy in the oven encouraged me to head back to the office and finish what needed to be done for tomorrow.

How magical it seemed to get all my work done, and even a bit more than I planned, even with taking time to savour the gift of a snow day. There is no magic to it really. Rushing does not help me accomplish my goals, pausing in the midst of it does. Hurrying and multitasking does not build relationships, investing in them does.

So there is a lesson in a snow day. I can hear it as the delicate flakes fall. Pause. Pray. Relish. Explore. Recharge. Sing. Create. Use your senses. Be present in the gift.

I want to take this with me into the rest of the week, into the already full Christmas season. Hustle and bustle wears me out and makes me cranky. I will draw margin around it to build my relationship with God, my family and even strangers. I will use my senses to enjoy this life and not just try to conquer the calendar.

I took time to get breakfast prepped for tomorrow so I can partake in the gift of a new morning. What small step could you take to draw margin in your day to savour life?

“She had a good sleep that night and awakened in the morning to find herself and the world transformed. It had snowed softly and thickly all through the hours of darkness and the beautiful whiteness, glittering in the frosty sunshine, looked like a mantle of charity cast over all the mistakes and humiliations of the past.” L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)

Season of Joy

Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Psalm 96:12 (NIV)

Its a beautiful season in this part of the world right now. Cool, foggy mornings give way to warm afternoons. October is my favourite month. As we made our way to church the trees seemed to express a visual ‘Hallelujah’, rejoicing loudly in their vibrant colours, making harmony with their hues of gold, red and green. It is a joy like no other. We see it, but do we join in?

Last week I was driving to work, deep in thought (probably planning something), when my eye caught sight of a man on a bench waiting for the bus. He was dressed casually, but what was remarkable was his posture and his expression. He was not hunched over his phone, or tapping his foot and inspecting his watch to see how much longer he had to wait. No, he was leaning back comfortably as if he was in an easy chair, arm stretched across the top of the bench in a relaxed manner. And he was singing. My windows were up keeping the heat inside my vehicle, but I could tell he was belting out a favourite song at the top of his lungs. On his face – joy. He was joyful in his season, where many would be restless and impatient.

Many of us think of Christmas as the season of joy. But why box all that joy up into one day, or one month? Can’t today be a season of joy? After I saw that man singing, my heart was lifted and I turned up the radio, paused my mental planning and sang the rest of the way to work. In those seconds, a stranger changed my perspective on the day. Maybe a little expression of joy in my day, in your day, could make the difference for someone else too.

Are you waiting on the bench? Waiting for your ship to come in, or your goal to be reached? If you have to wait, you might as well wait with joy. I might as well wait with joy. Regardless of the waiting, the messy relationships, the challenging finances, or a doctor’s diagnosis, there is blessing to be celebrated in every season. God has blessed each one of us. He loves us and longs to see that joy on our faces. There may be someone in your home, school, workplace, or even your church who is hard pressed to find any joy at the moment. Share some of yours. The old proverb is true, “A joy shared is multiplied; a sorrow shared is divided.” Be strengthened and refreshed in this season of joy.

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3 (NIV)

Lazy Days

This past Saturday, my husband and I spent what felt like a decadent day. We did not blow the budget, nor did I stray from my healthy eating plan. How did we pass the day? It was by “doing” almost nothing. We lingered over our coffee and talked and talked and talked. About big things and little things. About people we love. About decorating for Christmas. About our past. About the dream that God has placed in us and our next steps.

We never run out of things to talk about. Give us a bit of time together and my husband and I will drive right past our own house because we are talking. We still sit in the van in the garage and finish a conversation before we go into the house, even though we are empty-nesters now. We are communicators and we show love through conversation.

Life gets busy, and stays busy these days and often there is so little time for a full conversation. Days when we pass in the kitchen and blurt out all the things we want and need to say to each other in a disjointed way before we have to leave, just so they are said. This leads to things being forgotten, misinterpreted and misunderstood. Ineffective. We do not have time to waste being ineffective in this life, especially in communication. Our relationship is too valuable for that.

Sometimes I can treat my prayer time like this too. “Sorry, Lord I have an early meeting this morning so here’s my list of needs. Love you. See you tonight.” I do not have the confidence in these prayers being answered, not because God is not able, but because I have been ineffective in prayer and treated time with the One who loves me most of all in an insignificant way. I am not refreshed or encouraged because I do not give Him time to do so.

Prayer is conversation with God. He wants us to be real in conversation, no King James language (unless you talk that way all the time), just a conversation with someone we love. Laughing, crying, bursting into song, speaking, and listening. Effective. Refreshing. Fulfilling. Life changing.

That Saturday with my husband was simple but what my uncle would describe as “wonderous”. I was heard. I was loved. I was accepted. I hope he felt the same.

How I long for my prayer life to be like this. God always hears me. He always loves me. He has accepted me. I hope He feels the same after we have had time together.

I love the Lord because he hears my prayers and answers them. Psalm 116:11 TLB

Maybe you feel the same. Perhaps it has been a long time since you have prayed effectively and sincerely, or maybe a long time since you have prayed at all. Dear friend, He’s waiting, longing for that “lazy day” or a coffee break to have a conversation with you. He loves you. He hears you. Just start the conversation and your life will be changed.

Feasting on Fellowship

This past weekend part of our family celebrated our second annual Thankbirthmas festivities. My husband and I both took a day off work to invest in our family relationships. We drove several hours in frustrating traffic to reach the home of our son and daughter-in-law. We spent the weekend together celebrating Thanksgiving (Thank), our four birthdays, which fall between September and December (birth) and Christmas (mas). As we are all actively involved in ministry, our schedules and the distance normally only permit a once-a-year visit. We make the most of it!

So often, celebrations become so food-focused and this has led me to be stressed out about them in the past. In my weight-loss journey, and now in maintenance, I feel much more in control of my food choices when preparing and eating “regular meals”. Celebrations with extra sweets, or seasonal foods has led me to over-indulge and then feel guilty about it. This time I wanted it to be different.

I do not have any foods that I avoid because they are “bad for me”. I make conscious healthy choices and practice portion control. If I want something indulgent, I plan for it and eat it if I can work it into my food plan. I know eating some things on a regular basis is not wise, but anything once in a while helps me not feel deprived and able to stay on my plan. I keep one of my life verses close to mind.

“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 CSB

Any food is permissible but not always in my best interest. Some foods are trigger foods that may cause me to overeat if I am tired or stressed and so I should put off indulging in them until I am emotionally stronger, more rested, and better able to exhibit the self-control needed.

So how did I work this into Thankbirthmas? I made sure I attended my wellness check-in and weighed in Friday morning just before we set off. I had my current weight recorded and planned on making one conscious healthy choice each day of the celebration. For example, I packed lunches for on the road to avoid fast-food stops. I had fruit and yogurt for breakfast when I knew our celebration meal would be that evening. We went out for burgers one day and I choose to have my lettuce-wrapped instead of having a bun.

Did I have desserts? You betcha. Did I enjoy my holiday favourite of turkey stuffing. I sure did. But I do not feel the least bit guilty about it. I chose mindfully.

The best thing I chose was to feast on the fellowship. Laughing, talking and hugging my family. We went to church and worshiped together. We also went for a long walk on Sunday afternoon and marveled at God’s creation, displayed in glorious fall colours.

When I recall that weekend, what I will treasure in my heart are the sounds of laughter, hearing my son sing as he came in the door from an early morning work shift, just like his father does, the hugging and the conversations. The calories I can burn off, they are so temporary. The feasting, the grabbing of every moment with those I love so much, will never leave me.

Watching father and son together satisfies my soul more than the most decadent dessert ever could. As the occasions come: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and Christmas…may you feast on the love and fellowship of those around the table more than the plates sitting upon it.

Embracing Interruption

I think God is trying to get my undivided attention. My friends, I am being vulnerable here. I have been working away on my October planners, lesson plans for church and school, baking lists, Christmas shopping lists….. But, I am feeling that God wants me to learn to be interruptable. How do I know this? In recent reading and conversations with friends I am hearing these words:

“Lord, unrush me.”

“Jesus, you have permission to mess with my plan.”

“God, interrupt my day with Your plan.”

“Surprise me, Lord.”

When I read that last one this morning, I surrendered. I thought I had before, but my planner nature easily tries to take charge again. I can make a plan, and I know God made me a planner-girl. But I have to remember that the plans I make are to live a life that glorifies God and blesses others. If I am so captivated by my ideas for how this day is going to turn out that I wear blinders to the people and opportunities that He places in front of me, then I am missing the mark. Its a matter of doing an excellent thing in place of a good thing.

We’ve all heard those stories of people who had an interruption that caused them to miss a train or plane that later crashed. We rejoice in the interruption later, but at the time of the interruption was there much rejoicing?

The Lord says, “My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 NCV)

Not too long ago, a friend from many years ago contacted me on social media. I was glad to reconnect. When she asked for my number, I gave it to her. When she called not long after, I made an excuse to myself that I did not have time to talk to her and I would call her back. I did not take the call. About a week later I found that she had passed away suddenly. Imagine the regret I felt. Still feel. That was a lesson I will never forget. But still I found I did not heed the lesson the Lord taught me. I know well enough that I will keep taking that test until I succeed. I am determined to succeed. I do not want to miss an opportunity like that again.

So now, in the morning, I pray that God will interrupt my plan with His; that He will surprise me with how He can connect me to unexpected people and opportunities to be a blessing, or just to see His hand at work in my life. I want to be flexible and adaptable to the flow of the day, not stressing about what is left on the list. Seriously, my friends, do we ever come to the end of those lists?

I believe that embracing the interruptions in our day will help us live more purposeful lives than any perfectly completed to-do list can give. A purposeful life is a more contented life. Contentment springs from gratitude and certainly we need to be grateful that God loves us enough to mess with our plan with something unexpectedly amazing.

I’m not going to throw away my planners, or stop making lists. I’m going to start writing my plans in pencil and embrace the interruption.