A Lenten Journey

 How many of us know that there are 40 days before Easter that are called "Lent?"  It is the 40 days leading up to the death, burial and the the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is a time of "going within" to consider what is most important about our faith.  My dad's family was Catholic, so there was a tradition of "giving up" something for Lent in order to focus more on God and our walk with God.  My mom's family was Presbyterian and some Presbyterians also give up something for Lent.  So usually, I gave up sweets: Coca Cola, cookies, brownies, cakes, etc.  And, I usually lost about 10 pounds every year!  It was great!

Did I grow closer to God?  Perhaps.  But in my earlier years, it really was a form of losing weight while trying to be more faithful to God.  Now, in my later years, I truly try to go within to improve my relationship with the Lord...and to learn more about His character and His incredible Love.

The Upper Room Ministries had a book from 1993 called:  "Readings for Lent and Easter" that was a combination of devotions from various parts of The Upper Room ministries.  It is a book I have read each day for the past 29 years during the 40 days of Lent. It is out of print, but I treasure my tattered copy!!!  I learn something new each year from several of the devotions and my journey grows stronger to God each day and each year that I read this book.

Forty is significant in the Bible.  Forty days for the rain while Noah was on the ark, 40 days Moses spent on Mt. Sinai, and Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years and so on.....40 days of Lent before Easter is meant to be a time of quiet reflection, perhaps a season of the heart for some and a time to look inward in order that we might look up towards God.

Think about that.....what would you give up for 40 days in order to get closer to God?  Is there something that you would be willing to give up to learn more about God?  If so, what would you choose?  A specific amount of time reading your Bible each day? Would you give up lunch in order to pray? Would you consider giving up criticism of others for 40 days?  Would you do something new that is devoted to God's service such as volunteering at a homeless shelter once a week for 6 weeks? 

It is a noble undertaking.  Something to consider as we journey towards Easter.  The most significant day of our faith:  Jesus' Resurrection!!!  He was crucified for our sins........He died for you and me so that we could live with Him in Eternity.....He is worth learning more!!! And it just may allow you to learn about how much your are loved!!! Is that worth giving up something for 40 days?  It is for me.....and I hope it will be for you!

Ordinary days

Today is just an ordinary day.  Nothing special. Nothing pressing. Even the sky is ordinary - it is gray with a bit a sunshine peaking through.  Nothing spectacular. Nothing unusual.

We have just gone through the busiest season the year with Christmas.  And now, we have ordinary days. Routine. Same chores, same errands, same house to clean, same dishes to wash and generally just being.

Ordinary is commonplace, normal, average, usual, customary, familiar. If life is "ordinary" does that mean it's boring?  Uneventful? Mediocre?  Characterless? 

I have always been a very active person.  Some people say I am "too busy."  For me, an ordinary day is something special. It can be eventful. It can even be a spectacular adventure!  And, I choose to make it that way on most of my ordinary days.

Yet as I am recovering from total knee surgery, an ordinary day is unusual for me.  It is one of quiet moments, restful naps, praying for others, listening for the Lord's voice in a new way and pondering the amazing care and provision the Lord has given me.

Ordinary. Amazing. Beyond blessing.

Indescribable

Indescribable is something that is too extraordinary to be described! Can you imagine that? What in your life is indescribable? Is it the love of your life? Your child? A gift that you received that you were not expecting?

Or, consider this:  What in all creation cannot be described?  The beauty of a sunrise or sunset?  The ocean?  The view from the top of a mountain?  The rolling hills of Ireland? The Grand Canyon?  The Red Rock Canyons?

Think about something so magnificent, so majestic, so glorious that you cannot find the words to tell someone else how that object or experience has impacted your life.

For me, it was underneath the stars at a Young Life Camp where I accepted Jesus into my heart at age 16 in 1972.  The stars were shining so brilliantly and the feeling of awe and reverence was so thick I felt I could cut it with a knife!  I felt the presence of God in such a way that I would call it indescribable. And, the gift that Jesus gave me that night was the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of me.  Me! Little ol’ Pam…..And, He gave me that gift for the rest of my life.  Yes, the same power that rose Jesus from the dead as Jeremy Camp’s song “Same Power” says, was now inside of me! WOW!

At that moment, I did not realize all that would come about in my life. So many times, when I was discouraged or feeling down in the dumps not knowing exactly what to do with my life, I would ponder what path I should take? For instance, after college.  Yes, I had a Music Education degree and wanted to teach music to elementary students, but I could not find a job. It took months!  And, it was 2 weeks before school started that fall semester, that I finally got offered a job in Cincinnati! Whew! Was that a “God-incidence?”  I believe so!

Then, after waiting 15 years to have a child, my son Matthew was born. Now that was indescribable. Just the pure joy I felt in knowing I would have a child after years of waiting was indescribable. We named him “Matthew” which means “Gift of God.”  Yes, he is truly my gift from God. Everyday, I thank the Lord for this gift! His smile makes me melt every time I see him – he is so handsome, smart, funny and considerate!

What other gift is indescribable?  Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! In 2 Corinthians 9:15, the Bible says: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

That is the ultimate “Indescribable” gift…….we can never repay this debt that was paid on our  behalf. Never. And, it is truly the gift that I am most thankful for every day!

Canyon

Do you ever feel like your life is life a canyon – a deep ravine that a river flows through?  Sometimes the canyon is a valley, sometimes it’s a gorge, sometimes it is a chasm, sometimes it is a steep cliff where the walls have been eroded away by running water. Sometimes, it’s a place where a trickle of water that drips ever so slowly….and wears you down.

What if we looked at the deep ravine differently?  What if we saw God’s amazing love as the river flowing through the ravine?  What if we saw His mercy fill the gorge so full that His grace abounds?

Walls being eroded away by running water can be a good thing in our lives.  It can be good because it means we are leaving behind the yucky stuff.  All of us have it.  Stuff we wish we could say never happened in our life or choices that we made that we wish we could change.  Let that yucky stuff erode away in God’s love……….let the river run through it and wash away the dirt and grim by the blood of Jesus!  He can cleanse each one of us from anything that has kept us from living abundantly!  He wants us to be filled to the brim with JOY!  Yes, FILLED!  To the BRIM!

Picture hiking through a canyon.  As you begin your descent, stop and look at the magnificent view from the top of the canyon.  What do you see?  An open expanse that spans the horizon?  Then, look below…..there is a deep valley waiting for you to walk towards it and explore what is around you as you descend.

As you start to walk, you may notice there may be a worn path to follow or there may be rocks and brush that you encounter.  Which would you choose?  Smooth or rough? Straight down or winding your way back and forth to avoid the steep parts?  The outcome is often the result of our choices in life along the path.

Look at the river flowing………what is being washed away?  What is being made new by the washing?  Is it like a babbling brook gently moving through your life or, is it a torrential current that seems to be flushing out the yucky parts?  Gentle or torrential, we all need to clear the way to new paths.  New ways of perceiving why God may be allowing something in our lives that is unwanted. 

Is the flow of the current flushing out old wounds?  If so, remember that you are a new creation in Christ! 

If the flow is softly taking you to a new place of understanding or awareness, be glad!  God’s hand is upon you.

As you make your way down, take time to look back where you came from and notice how far you have come along the way and how beautiful the scenery has been. 

Think about that:  Look up and notice how far you have come!  Breathe…….allow yourself the refreshment that comes with reflection.  Feel a new joy welling up in your heart! 

Opening our minds to all the ways God works in our lives in a very good thing.  It allows us to move on, to forgive and be forgiven.  Or, perhaps this walk through the canyon is allowing you to realize how very blessed you have been. 

Let the river flow!

John 7:38

"He who believe in Me, as the Scriptures has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

 

Present or Presence?

 Have you ever had a present within a person's presence?  I have.  Just this past 10 days.

A friend of mine that I have known almost 40 years came to visit me in KC.  We had not seen each other since 2004 - 17 years ago! I was originally going to have knee surgery on July 8, and due to unexpected circumstances, the surgery is postponed to a later date this year or early next year.  But, despite the surgery date change, my friend, Candace decided to come to KC anyway.  What a gift for me!!!

We have not seen each other since 2004 when I went to Florida to see her after resigning from an excrutiating job where I was working 16-18-21 hour days.  Going to visit Candace back then was a much needed break and a complete place to rest after such long hours for two straight years!  I was so grateful to be done with that job - Whew!  And, Candace was the perfect hostess!!!

This time, it was my turn to host!  We gallavanted around KC, Parkville, and Weston, MO!  We had a blast going to the Plaza, Westport, the Nelson Atkins Art Museum, The Kauffman Gardens, The Church of the Resurrection, Black Dog coffee, KC Rivermarket, Planters Seed store, and the OP Farmer's Market (even though it was rained out!). We covered a lot of ground!

Plus, Candace and my new dog Tula got along famously!!!  It was so much fun to see the two of them together...boy!  Did they hit it off!!!  Tula kept looking at me all week, saying with her eyes:  "Can we keep her, Mom?  Can we???" (Ha! Ha!)

So, when a person hasn't seen a friend in such a long time, how often do they see and recognize the gift that was just given?  By God's grace, I have been blessed to see, receive and recognize the many, many gifts the Lord gave me this week through Candace....think about that!  

What present does a friend give you?  Here are just a few of the gifts I have been given this week:

Her time... her willingness to come visit despite the changes to your schedule.....her love...her ears to listen and share each of  our stories...her heart to offer compassion for what has been going on in our lives over the past 17 years...her companionship and company....her laughter....her smile.....her hugs.....and these are only to name a few!  

Candace is also a very good cook, so I was blessed to have several meals which she cooked from scratch ready to eat when I got home from work - Delicious!!!  Plus, she treated me to several meals out at places like Black Dog Coffee and the Mediterranean Restaurant ft the Rivermarket!!!

In giving me the gift of her time and energy, she gave me the gift of her presence as well.  Each day, I was able to unwrap a new gift.  First, we untied the ribbon on a elegantly decorated package with all the moments we shared "catching up."  Then, we carefully unwrapped the wrapping paper by sharing fun adventures and extraordinary "Holy Ground" moments when we visited the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood and Holy Trinity Historic Church in Weston.  We got to experience seeing the Documentary on the making of a 100 yard stained glass window of our Blessed Lord, Jesus, with His arms open and inviting us to come and give all our heavy laden burdens at His feet!!!  And, finally, we shared the actual gift inside of the package - Candace and her presence!!!  

We laughed, prayed, talked, played with the dog, took Tula for walks, shared meals and adventures to unique places like Pryde's in Westport, tasted wine together at Ladoga Ridge Winery in Smithville, and did a Whiskey tasting at the Celtic Ranch in Weston - what fun!!!

She was (and is) a gift.  Her presence calmed me down after a long day at work, lightened my load by cooking and cleaning while I was a work, and lifted my spirits to look at life through a new lens and a new perspective!  WOW!!!  

Candace truly brought me a gift that was priceless:  Friendship.  Love, Time. Attention.  Physical presents like a beautiful  new bracelet from the Nelson Art Museum, bread from Black Dog coffee, but most of all, I received the gift of a lifetime:  Her presence was my present!!! 

I am so very grateful for this time that we had together and hope it won't be another 17 years before we see each other again!  

Thank you, Candace!  And, thank you, Lord for such an incredible gift this week!!!  You amaze me, Lord!!!

The Struggle

Struggle. To be strenuously engaged in a problem or task.  To exert energy or pressure against a force or mass.  Are you strenuously up against something so daunting that you feel it is a massive struggle?  Do you wrestle with an issue over and over again until you want to just give up and throw down the fight?  I have been there.  And, I’ll bet you have too.

Many of us come up against issues finding the right career, the perfect job, or meaningful work.  Some are fighting finances constantly.  Just when you think you are starting to get ahead, another major expense crops up and eats up your savings. A large number of people battle with health issues – chronic pain, fatigue, heart concerns, COPD/asthma/lung issues, cancer surgeries followed by chemo and/or radiation, major diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc.  Then, there are relationship struggles:  Poor or no communication with the ones we love.  Misunderstandings happen again and again.  Grudges are held for years and years.

It’s painful to be in the struggle.  It is gut wrenching at times.  Horrific situations plague our bodies, our finances, our relationships, our community, and our country.  How do we possibly get past the struggle?  How do we surrender the pain?  Well, there is a place we can go.  His name is Jesus.

So many times, we ask again and again: “Why, Lord, why?”  But, I believe there is a better question.  “How do You, Lord want me to view this situation?”  and “What do You want me to do next?”  So much of our growth as a person comes through struggle.  Adversity teaches us lessons we would never learn if we did not have to struggle.  Is it fun to go through troublesome times?  Absolutely not.  But, that is where our perseverance is honed.  Purified.  Strengthened.  Made complete.

The scriptures say in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in Me (Jesus) you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation (trouble, trials, distress and frustration);  but be of good cheer (take heart, take courage, be confident, certain, be undaunted), for I have overcome the world.” (AMP)

He has conquered every fear, every anxiety, every disease, every chain, every ounce of hopelessness, every despair, and every enemy has been conquered and is dissolved by His love, His faithfulness, His healing, and His forgiveness.  Every struggle laid in His arms is given a new light.  If only we will surrender.  Lay down the struggle.

Look up.  Help is on the way.

Check out this awesome song/video on Youtube called: “Turn Your Eyes” and sung by Natalie Grant.  It will knock your socks off!!!

 

Home

 

Home is a place where one resides. A house.  An apartment.  A studio. A place where a family lives in a dwelling.  A habitat. A customary environment.  A place of origin.  A homestead.  A place where your heart dwells.

Where is home for you?  Is it a place where you can always go and know you are welcomed?  It is a place where comfort resides?  Love?  Joy?  Some of us were lucky enough to have such a place of warm and wholeness. 

Others, however, did not or does not have that experience.  And, if not, is it a place that you are still searching for?  I hope so.  Read on……..there is a surprise waiting for you!

Home for me is in Ohio where I grew up and will always have very fond memories of living on Acton Rd. where I spent most of my childhood.  Playing “Kick the Can” games each summer night in our neighborhood and having a blast with friends will always live on in my memory.  Catching fireflies, running, laughing……….home!

Canton, Ohio has fond memories too………it is where our brother was born.  And, mom made us dress up in our Sunday clothes and sit on a certain chair in our living room to hold him when he got home from the hospital.   What an amazing memory that is for me!  The awe, the wonder and the joy of a new baby brother!!!  He was so loved and still is!!!  And, the memory of rolling down a grassy noll in the front of that house which when I was 3 years old I thought was a mountain!  When I was older and visited our family home, the hill was about 1 foot high!  Ha! My perspective was certainly different when I was 3 years old!

Then, we moved to Akron, Ohio where many memories reside in my heart!  My baby brother learning to “fly” by falling out of a neighbor’s tree saying: “Look, I can fly!” And, boom!  Down he fell to the ground where I thought he was dead!  Running across the street to get my mom declaring: “He’s dead, he’s dead!” was a very scary moment for a 6 year old!  Luckily, Scott had just knocked the wind out of himself and to this day, is still an excellent pilot!!!  And, Akron is where we got to go to NCR

Columbus, Ohio was where I went to Grade school, Jr High School, High School and College at Ohio State University. I remember walking to school in 3^rd grade and by the time I got home, my mom knew exactly what had happened to me along the way!  Interesting how other mothers informed my mom of my adventures!  Ha!  And, I remember riding the bus or my bicycle to and from classes, working at the Overbrook Pharmacy all during high school and college, and teaching swimming lessons at Olympic Pool, etc, etc.  Home.

Home is also here in KC where I raised my son.  I have lived in the house I raised him in for now 21 years.  It is a place of refuge and comfort.  It has been our anchor.  And, a place of joy!  I hope one day, my son will buy this house and raise his family here. 

Home.  It is definitely where the heart is.  No matter how old I get, my home will always be in these places and with the family God blessed me with.

And finally, there is a Heavenly home that is described in John 14:1-3 where Jesus says:

“Do not let your hearts be afraid.  You believe in Me, believe also in God.  In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes).  If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.  And when I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Doesn’t that sound amazing? The Lord has promised to take those who believe in Him and His forgiving grace to be with Him AFTER this life!  We will always have a home in Him.  But, in the meantime, He still dwells within believers through His Holy Spirit.  That is truly amazing……He makes His home in our hearts……if we believe….if we trust….if we ask for His forgiveness to cleanse from all our mistakes, all our flaws, and all of our past.  He comes to dwell in us.

Home. Have you made your home in His love?  It’s a place of refuge, of comfort, of welcome, of rest, of refreshment.  Every day.  This is the surprise each of us can have, if we choose.

Home.  What memories are triggered for you?  I hope you have many fond memories of family, of faith, of love and of JOY!  And, I hope you will choose to have your home in Christ and ask Him into your heart!!!

Home.  Always.  Forever.