a word from The Sponsor ~ August 30

But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. ~Psalm 13:5

 

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Behold! It is NOT about me!

Behold! It’s not about me….

I have been writing, praying, and asking for prayers regarding a particularly troubling situation. This situation culminated in a series of weekend discussions which had the potential to revert to old, unhealthy ways of dialoguing (which is a nice way to say, fighting).

It was late on Saturday night after the discussions. It was the time of night when I knew better and should have been asleep. In the aftermath of a stressful event I began to second-guess myself. There were points I should have made more clearly. Arguments I should have thought to counter bad thinking. Names of people I should have remembered.

I was “should-ing” all over myself.

And then…God is the God of the “And Then.”

My friend and high school tennis partner, Rachel called. Rachel and I were tennis partners in high school. Rachel played the forehand side. I played backhand. Our game plan was simple. I would keep ground strokes going until the opponent had been worn down and would either hit a soft lob or a weak short shot. At this point, Rachel, with strength and confidence, would annihilate the ball, the opponent (sometimes both opponents at once), and win the point. Her serve was so powerful that we rarely lost her serve. Pretty soon our match became just a math equation of tallying up the points and games at the right time to equal victory. Because she was the stronger player on the forehand side, I gave deference to her. This dynamic continued off the court to our conversation Saturday night.

Several years ago, social media, and then visits reconnected us. My daughter loves bowling with Rachel. Her guacamole is legendary. It had been months since I’d spoken with Rachel. And here, in the late, late show hours of Saturday night she called. She has known about the decades’ long battle I have been fighting.

I grabbed the phone and blurted out, “same old, same old…why aren’t the verses I’ve been praying working!”

Rachel, calmly said, “Maybe it is not in God’s timing. Perhaps He kept your mouth closed for a reason.”

There it was. The truth from a trusted source.

Rachel’s response caused me to wonder: Do I need the verses “to work” to prove to me that God exists? Do I require them to work to prove that He is there for me?

Hasn’t He, in sending His Son, done enough? (As if God works for me. As if I command God. God, please forgive my arrogance.)

Behold! It’s not about me…

“Maybe it is not in God’s timing. Perhaps He kept your mouth closed for a reason.”

Well, when my mouth is closed, it is difficult to insert my foot in it.

We are each given unique talents from our Creator.* We cultivate these talents and perhaps rely on them in place of God. Perhaps when we come to the end of our rope of talent, it is then that we arrive at the end of ourselves. Then God’s Grace remains.** And it is a gift beyond measure, no matter what my inflated sense of self says otherwise. It is Enough. Enough is better than Ego.

God will give you the right words at the right time. – Matthew 10:19 NLT

…because I will give you the ability to speak, along with wisdom, that none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. ~Luke 21:15

Perhaps the opposite is also true: when we have no words that come to mind, perhaps silence is needed.

I am still asking to learn the lessons of living in the space between the ideal and the actual, continued conflict, and its latest event from this weekend. But one thing is clear…because of Grace, He is at work. Still.

 

 

 

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*Romans 12:6-8
**2 Corinthians 12:9

Monday Words for The Soul ~ August 24 ~ The 1 Thing Grace IS

Been carrying this around and loving the sentiment more and more as I re-read.

The start of school has brought so many meetings with their emphasis on “benchmarks,” “goals,” “outcomes,” etc… In short, the emphasis is on what to do to earn promotion, tenure, an “A”, or the proverbial brash brass ring.  When I re-read the statement above in light of fluorescent glare of meetings I am so grateful that, because of grace, God is not in the continuing benchmark business!

What is our response? Praise Him. Love, Serve, and Tell others about the Gift (with a capital “g”) of Grace!

Because Jesus is humble, He calls us not to serve ourselves, nor live for selfish advancement. ~Os Hillman

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a word from The Sponsor ~ August 23

God will give you the right words at the right time. – Matthew 10:19 NLT

 

…because I will give you the ability to speak, along with wisdom, that none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. ~Luke 21:15

 

As I continue to abide in the space between the ideal and the actual, I continue to press for a change in a tender matter. Over the next few Sundays, I will share my constant companions–the verses and lessons learned from faithful survivors and prayer warrior friends. My faith-filled friend, Pam, shared with me this website of encouragement, I hope it helps you as much as it helped me. It is called Hope for the Broken Hearted and there is also a Facebook page.

This excerpt below is from J.M. Farro, who I do not know, but from whom I have learned so much.

“As you minister to others and have an impact on their lives, Satan and his evil cohorts are going to try to discourage you. Make up your mind now that when he puts people in your path who criticize you and find fault with your message that you are going to go straight to God with your doubts, fears, and insecurities. Ask, ‘Lord, is this from You, or from another source? Help me to respond exactly the way You want me to.’ Be open to correction–but not to condemnation. If after heartfelt communication with God, you discern that the criticism is not from Him, shake it off and move on. Remember that you’ve got a job to do. The last time I went to the Lord after receiving some criticism, He asked me several questions: ‘Did you pray and ask for My help beforehand? Was your heart right when you delivered the message? Was your goal to help others, to draw them to Me, and to glorify Me?’ As I answered yes to all of them, He told me–‘Then enter My rest and leave the consequences to Me.'”  ~J.M. Farro

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This Weekend ~ August 22 ~ Rest

Here is the link to Hope for the Broken Hearted if you would like to learn more

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Mid-Week Question: Can you live in the space between the ideal and the actual?

What makes the desert beautiful,’ said the little prince, ‘is that somewhere it hides a well…” ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Can you live in the space between the ideal and the actual? When you see an injustice, a change that needs to be made in the life of another, a loved one perhaps, can you enter into the change arena? Most of us can leverage the energy of love to be an advocate.

But then …

Things don’t always work out for the best, despite the pithy admonition.  At least not on our timeline. That is where the real grace is needed. Grace, then to stay to minister when circumstances are less than ideal or just flat out wrong. Grace to not give up and abandon those in need because, “well, I gave it my best shot.”

That’s why bereavement experts say to check on folks who’ve lost a loved one at the 1, 3, 6-month marker. That is why AA has chips at recovery intervals. That is why we push through the desert of rotten circumstances in search of the well, the one refuge.

I am not talking about fatalism. I am not talking about refusing to see damage, trouble, problems, challenges. I am not talking about “putting on a happy face” or “looking the other way.”

I am talking about abiding with others who have a need. We need you. Abiding with those who need longer to heal, to recover, to get healthy, and even to speak up for themselves.

Abiding and Finding the well, the respite, the energy to minister, finding, the well of Saint-Exupéry.

It is so difficult to do this. I was about to give up myself until the nudge of a strong friend gave me new energy. Energy to stay in the space between the crisis and the relief. To accept a timetable not of my choosing.

If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is live in the space between the ideal and the actual.

But, because of grace, it is possible.

Might you share how you live in the space between the ideal and the actual? The verses or practices that help you persevere–Between the need and the change?

Habakkuk 2:3
John 15:10
1 John 2:27
Romans 12:13
Psalm 62:8

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Other questions

Monday Words for the Soul ~ August 17

Follow your passion. The rest will attend to itself. If I can do it, anybody can do it. It’s possible. And it’s your turn. So go for it. It’s never too late to become what you always wanted to be in the first place.

J. Michael Straczynski

Here is a lived experience example of this quote in action:

Harriette Thompson, 92, Becomes Oldest Marathon Finisher

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More Monday Words for the Soul

a word from The Sponsor ~ August 16

 And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs as your father David did, I’ll also give you a long life. ~1 Kings 3:14 (MSG)

 

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Mid-week Question of the Week ~ August 12

A Reflective Question of Hindsight this week:

What Happened Instead?

What blessings came your way instead of the things you thought were blessings that did not?

What people, places, situations, and things came instead of what you thought was necessary?

When the answer to your prayers was “No” or “Not Now,” what came instead?

What Happened Instead?

 

It is amazing, when we look back on what we thought we knew for absolutely sure that we wanted — even things we grieved over because they never happened. It is amazing how blessed we are that those things never happened or because we never ‘got’ the things we thought for sure that we wanted. ~Brave Girls Club

 

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Previous questions

Mondays Words for The Soul ~ August 10

I surely need to remember this today:

I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring. ~Isaiah 44:3

 

 

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a word from The Sponsor ~ August 9

However, as the scripture says, “What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love him.” ~1 Corinthians 2:9

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Midweek Question ~ August 5 ~ Comparison

Can you arrest the Comparison Thief that robs you of joy in your life?

 

 

 

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Additional Questions

Monday Words for the Soul ~ August 3 ~ The Disease of Not Enough

The Disease of Not Enough is cured when you give thanks for more than enough grace. ~Ann Voskamp

 

 

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a word from The Sponsor ~ August 1

a new month and a new home for my daughter…a verse of Blessing for her new home:

“And thus you shall greet him {or her}: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have.’” ~1 Samuel 25:6

Top 7 Bible Verses For Blessing A New Home

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This Weekend ~ July 31 ~ Road Trip

I’m on a Road Trip this weekend, in a car following a moving van. My daughter is going to graduate school in a state 2000 miles away.  Raymond Chandler wrote, “To say goodbye is to die a little.” If this is true, then I am on life support.

This weekend, if you see us on the road, honk and say graces for us.

 

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Midweek Question ~ July 29 ~ What to Pack

What do you pack when you’re going to change your life?

 

Take special care to pack everything well… ~Numbers 4:18

She must have been listening all these years. When I would tell her she was chosen, born from love, and Beloved of God. When I attempted to explain that Because of Grace she could do anything, she must have quietly agreed. When I whispered over her sleeping head every night, “you will do great things for Jesus” she must have registered it in REM sleep. She’s studied, graduated, apprenticed, and taught middle school for the passed four years. She encouraged, traveled with, and showed love to over 320 kids.

She has more energy than I do.

She rises early this summer. She chooses and folds and packs. She wraps and tapes and positions her things. She calls and makes appointments. We fight over the necessity of medical visits and last trips to the dentist before the school district insurance expires. She assents to my motherly advice and prevention wins.

In the posts of this blog, I’ve wondered how to mark the milestones in her life. I’ve wondered what to say and why I never look like the Eileen Fisher models in a Hallmark movie set when I dispense my cornbread nuggets of slapstick wisdom.

My parents were wise. I merely echo the parts of conversation I can remember from them. My friend, T.B. reminds me that when I was my daughter’s age I thought I would live forever and the forever was a long, long time. When I was my daughter’s age, I was married and just getting to know a one-year-old her.

Take special care to pack everything well … Aaron and his sons can direct each person’s role and their transportation of the items. ~Numbers 4:18

My role is different now. I pause. I ask questions. I marvel at her checklist and her confirmation calls to movers and landlords and utility companies. It must be summer allergies, I tell her of my watering eyes. I hold a little too long perhaps during a hug. Our road trip to her new home begins tomorrow.

I am not sure what to pack for this part of the journey. I have more questions than answers.

 

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Previous questions

Monday Words for the Soul ~ July 27 ~ Fun

 Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one. ~ Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 

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a word from The Sponsor ~ July 26

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. ~Isaiah 43:1

 

 

 

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This Weekend ~ July 24~ Trust The Process

 

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Monday Words for the Soul ~ July 20

I think there’s a supreme power behind the whole thing, an intelligence. Look at all of the instincts of nature, both animals and plants, the very ingenious ways they survive. If you cut yourself, you don’t have to think about it. ~Clyde Tombaugh, American astronomer and discoverer of Planet Pluto. July 14 was the New Horizon Mission’s flyby of Pluto.

Click on the picture above or the link below to see an intriguing video

Video by NBC News: http://player.theplatform.com/p/2E2eJC/nbcNewsOffsite?guid=x_30_nn_nasapluto_150715

And there’s more! NASA’s mission to Pluto

A small amount of Clyde Tombaugh’s ashes are on board the New Horizons spacecraft which launched on January 19, 2006.

 

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