Moms of All Kinds

courtesy of Sela Photography

Moms come with a variety of personalities, abilities, strengths and weaknesses. We have stay at home moms, career moms, creative-artistic moms, logical-analytical moms, moms who bake and others who buy readymade. Some moms love the Lord and are compassionate and nurturing, others are gruff and distant. But every mom, no matter how dysfunctional, is a blessing in some way or other. This Sunday is a day to thank God for who they are and how they have blessed us—even if only for the gift of life.

My mom was not a stay at home, cookies and milk mom, but I remember experimenting with my Easy Bake oven and chattering away at her while she made dinner. My mom was a well educated, high powered career woman, and busy at church. But she was always approachable when I needed to talk, and I had fun helping in her three year old's Sunday school class as a teenager. 

She didn’t tell me I had to read the Bible every day, but she always tucked an age-appropriate devotional into my Christmas stocking. When I was in high school I began going to the family room where she read her Bible each morning. Her example was one of JOY in the Word of God. So I started drinking coffee like her and reading my Bible every day. Since she was a reference librarian and lover of books, she always brought home other delightful books and magazines on whatever each of us were interested in.

When I had babies she didn’t ask to babysit or keep my girls overnight, but she always had toys at her house—Fifi, the milk wagon, assorted books. She stopped by our house often, and has developed relationships with each of her grandchildren, loving and praying for them daily. Now she is also Mom to three son-in-laws and her granddaughters’ husbands. She’s establishing relationships with great grandchildren, and is “Mom” to a host of missionaries and others who look to her for wisdom, prayer, and kindness.  

There was a time when I didn’t see or appreciate all this about her. I had a picture in my head of what a mom should be. I selfishly wanted her at my beck and call, not taking into account her passions, needs, and giftings. Now that I’m a mom and grandma, I treasure all she is and all she’s poured into my life. She continues to bless me and a growing throng of others. I’m grateful God gave me just the right mom.

I’m also grateful my daughters, sons in law, step kids, and grandchildren show understanding and appreciation for who I am, not who they wish I was. I am free to be myself—creative, quirky, a lover of God and nature, a bookworm, baker of sweet treats, and a bit of a neat freak.  Their acceptance frees me to love them to the best of my abilities, even if they might sometimes wish I was a little more of this, and a little less of that.

I encourage you to shower love and appreciation on the moms in your life this Sunday, and beyond. God created them to be one of a kind, unique, and beautiful. Tell them what you love about them and how they have blessed and continue to bless your life. So many of us have insecurities about all we are not; it’s wonderful to hear some things we’ve done right.

Happy Mother’s Day!

#mothersday #appreciatingmom #whatkindofmom #iloveyoumom #whatsgoodaboutmothers

 

Recovered and Recovering

“Hello, my name is Beth and I’m a grateful believer in Jesus Christ. And I struggle with…food issues, insecurity, selfishness, pride, people pleasing…” There's the raw honest truth! The second part is different every week, sometimes every day, because I'm a work in progress. But I'm glad to tell you the first sentence remains the same; no going back.

I haven’t arrived yet. For so many years, though, we in the Church acted as if we had. We got saved, sanctified, and self-satisfied. In our hearts, of course, we knew all the dirty little secrets about ourselves. Since no one was sharing, we thought no one else struggled with them, so we put on a good face and went around looking like we had it all together. All the while we were dying inside. The world wasn’t impressed, because they either saw through our sham, or they thought they wouldn’t be accepted into the club because they weren’t good enough.

When I was thirteen I asked Jesus to save me from my own self-destruction. I was born again—into a brand new person. He transformed me; my life now has meaning and purpose. He set me free from the weight of sin in my life. In a sense, I am a recovered sinner. But I am also still in recovery, because as long as I live in the flesh, I will continually be at war with the temptation to sin--to withhold love, kindness, and forgiveness, against emotions that rage within me, and my own mind and selfish will.

Apostle Paul said it well, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:12-14).

So I’m a grateful believer who still struggles. But the great news is I no longer struggle alone, nor do I struggle in vain. If you know Jesus Christ you understand this too. His power is available to us when we’re weak. We have always been and always will be weak. We just haven’t always admitted it. 

I think it’s time the world knew that Christians, true Christians—not just those who slap on the title, but the ones who truly, deeply love and long for Jesus to be Lord of their life—are still in recovery, still fighting the battle. Our testimony is not how strong or perfect we are in ourselves, but how strong and perfect our Savior is. He daily works His transforming power in us to follow in His ways by His Spirit and His grace.

#overcomingsin #celebraterecovery #admityourstruggle #gratefulbelieverinJesusChrist 

Take Off the Grave Clothes

Everyone gathered at the tomb. Jesus finally came, but Lazarus had been dead for days. The whispers started to circulate.

Why didn’t He come sooner?

I thought they were friends.

Surely Jesus could have done something to prevent this!

Look how the sisters are grieving. Oh Lazarus, why did you have to die so young?

Look, Jesus is weeping too. Well, a lot of good that does now.

Open the grave? You’ve got to be kidding! He’s been in there four days; the smell is going to be dreadful!

Jesus called to His friend and Lazarus came out, still wrapped for burial. “Take off his grave clothes and let him go,” Jesus told those standing near (John 11:44).

What did Lazarus say? How did he look? Was he deathly pale, pocked, and scarred by the disease that killed him? Or was he pink like a newborn baby? Was he embarrassed by the watching crowd? Or did he dance with joy and hug his astounded sisters? Surely he and Jesus grabbed each other for a man-hug and some hearty laughter.

The Bible doesn’t tell us, except the chief priests decided to include Lazarus in their plot to kill Jesus (John 12:11). Lazarus’ resurrection was big news; evidence that convinced people Jesus was the real deal. And the religious leaders couldn’t have that.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus asked those standing by to remove the grave clothes? Couldn’t Lazarus have done that himself? Did they need to be a part of the miracle? Did they need to smell death on his wraps to be convinced the resurrection was not a hoax?

I believe that’s part of what we are to do for each other in the Body of Christ today— strip away the grave clothes of death. We need to witness and be a part of the miracle. We were once dead in sin and are resurrected to a new life because of what Jesus did on the cross. The Church is meant to help and heal, comfort and challenge with the Word of God. Sometimes that means stripping away lies and worldly wrappings that hinder resurrected living. Sometimes it means offering hope and rebooting one another’s faith.

What are the grave clothes that keep you from fully living the resurrected life? Do you still wear remnants of shame from your past or worries about your future? Do you fear standing naked before the Lord, or hesitate to leave the comforts you’re accustomed to, even those that smell of death? Does hopelessness weigh you down? 

Tomorrow we will celebrate our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He conquered death and sin and God raised Him to life. Because He lives, we can die to sin and be raised to life with Him. He calls us out of the dark tomb into the bright light of resurrection living. 

Like Lazarus, we need the Spirit of God to fill us with joyous energy that can’t stop praising Jesus. Our resurrected life should pose a threat to Jesus-haters, because it draws attention to His power and authority.

Jesus has called us from death to life. Who is choosing to follow Jesus because of our story? I pray it will be an ever-growing number as we help each other remove the grave clothes of sin and death, and give Jesus all the praise.

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

So can we!

#Easter #resurrection #Lazarus #graveclothes #nomoredeath #Jesusroseagain

A Long Obedience

One of my favorite book titles is Eugene Peterson’s A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. Long. Obedience. Same. No catchy words in that title to market Christianity to spiritual shoppers. The subtitle of the book spells it out even more clearly: Discipleship in an Instant Society. We see that in microcosm during Holy Week. How quickly the crowd gave up following Jesus when He came in a way they did not expect, or want.

The Jews expected the Messiah to come as a conquering king and deliver them from Roman domination. Instead, Jesus came as a baby and rode into town on a donkey—the symbol of peace. The crowds who praised Jesus with Hosanna! (Save us) on Palm Sunday were persuaded to demand His crucifixion less than one week later.  They were quick to turn from “Save us!” to “Kill Him!”

They were only willing to follow Jesus as long as He fed them, healed them, preached about love, and rebuked their harsh and hypocritical religious leaders. But when He started getting personal—talking about carrying their cross, partaking in His body and blood, forgiving their enemies, praying for those who mistreated them, even loving them. Well, that was taking it a bit too far.

Yet, how different are we? How different am I?

Peterson’s words penned thirty-seven years ago are even truer today: “There is a great market for religious experience in our world: there is little enthusiasm for the patient acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for a long apprenticeship in what earlier generations of Christians called holiness.” We want sensation without self-discipline. We want heaven—as long as it doesn’t take too long or cost too much to get there.

But heaven is for those tenacious to know the person of Jesus and become like Him.

The sad thing is many supposed seekers, like most followers of Jesus’ day, are more self-centered than God-centered. “Everyone is in a hurry. The persons who I lead in worship, among whom I counsel, visit, pray, preach, and teach,” said Peterson, “want short cuts. They want me to help them fill out the form that will get them instant credit (in eternity). They are impatient for results. They have adopted the lifestyle of a tourist and only want the high points.” Palm Sunday tourists.

Are you willing to commit to a LONG obedience in the SAME direction? Even if Jesus doesn’t relieve your pain? Even if your finances don’t improve? Even when people misunderstand? Even when they leave you, like they left Him?

I say Yes. I have not come this far to turn back now. I will wave my hands in praise on Palm Sunday, and stay with Jesus through the dark in the Garden of Gethsemane. I will weep as He is mocked, beaten, and falsely accused. And I will stand at the cross through the hours of agony as the perfect Son of God pays the penalty for my sins. Only then can I celebrate His resurrection on Sunday morning when the heavens ring with Hosannas and Halleluiahs.

The life of a disciple is a daily walk with the risen Christ. It never changes course. It doesn’t give in to public opinion or current trends. It is steady and sure and worth every sacrifice. Because the goal is heaven and the prize is to be in the presence of our Savior and King forever and ever.

#Easter #PalmSunday #hosannatocrucifyhim #obedience #perseverence #changingcourse

The Ultimate Love Story

What do the movies “Message in a Bottle,” “The Notebook,” “The Love Letter,” and “P.S. I Love You” have in common? All are stories about the power of the written word to express or initiate love between people. I believe each reveals one aspect of the ultimate love story. A love story we’re all invited to experience for ourselves.  If we choose to say yes to the proposal.
 

The Love Letter: Refusing to Settle

Have you ever yearned for more in life than what others desire or expect for you? You don’t want to be alone, but you don’t want to settle for less either.

In this movie a woman in the 19^th century corresponds with a man in the 20^th century through a hidden compartment in their ‘shared’ desk. Neither wants to marry the one they’re supposed to, but feel doomed to follow through. Then they find each other.

God understands this yearning for more than the status quo. He calls us to a higher, deeper, grander love than anything we can imagine in this life. “I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him…I will search for the one my heart loves” (Song of Songs 3:1-2). He makes a way for us to find Him—across space and time, even into eternity.

The Notebook: Rekindling Lost Love

Why would an old man visit another resident in his nursing home just to read her the same story day after day? She has Alzheimer’s and seldom remembers much of what he’s read. He does this because she’s his wife, and he is reading their love story. It’s the most thrilling thing in his life, and hers, when she remembers. So he persists, for the occasional moment when she remembers she loves him too.

God also tells us the same story every day—through His words in the Bible, through songs, through people, through the breathtaking beauty of nature. And every day He hopes we will remember the love story that has changed our life, “I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness” (Jer. 2:2). He hopes we will love Him back with equal abandon.

P.S. I Love You: Moving Forward

Death can be paralyzing—whether it’s the death of a loved one, a dream, a job, or something else we hold dear. When Holly’s husband dies she can’t seem to get past the grief. Knowing how she would struggle, Gerry prepared a series of notes to be delivered to her after his death. At first she’s freaked out, and so are her mom and friends, but Gerry knew his love would give her confidence to let go and live again.

Jesus did this for His followers too. After His resurrection He sent the Holy Spirit, to give them direction and confidence to move forward. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you… the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:18, 26-27).

This same Spirit is the One who comforts us when we are immobilized by death. The Spirit reminds us of Jesus’ love for us in the past, and the future life in heaven for those who love Him. In the meantime, He gives us energy to live now, to love now—to take the next step, knowing He is with us always.

Message in a Bottle: Falling in Love with the Lover

Do you remember when you were a kid and everyone took an envelope of cards to school for a flurry of exchange on Valentine’s Day? Did you ever get someone else’s Valentine by mistake? At first, there’s this thrilling moment, when you believe the boy/girl you think is cute has noticed you too…then you realize it’s not addressed to you, but someone else.

In this movie, a woman finds a bottle on the beach. Inside is a love letter from a grief-stricken widower to his wife. This is obviously a man who’s able to love deeply, completely, and relentlessly. The woman just has to meet him; see if he is real. When she does she falls in love, and the attraction is mutual. However, he can’t bring himself to release the past to embrace a new love, and the movie ends tragically. 

Thankfully, this is not the way God treats us. He fully intends for us to find His message of love. When we do, it’s not addressed to someone else, but to us—personally. “I have called you by name; you are mine” (Isa. 43:1, Living Bible). He pours out His love—unfailing, unconditional, tender, and compassionate. When we love Him too we find we’re home at last. 

Do you love Him?

#perfectlove #Godslove #valentines #Godinmovies #unconditionallove #justsayyes