Slowly Fasting

I think it’s been years since I fasted.  There have been a couple of seasons of regular fasting but they’ve long gone.  So Sunday when there was a call from the Senior Pastor to fast and pray for the Session and budget meetings tonight I was glad.  Sadly, I should have remembered that yesterday when the oldest kid wanted donuts for breakfast and nine are now tempting me from the counter in a room in which I spend most of my day! Nonetheless the renewed moments of time I don’t spend in food plan and prep is always interesting to me.

Fasting doesn’t leverage God.  It does reset my focus.  Who really is the one that sets my priorities?  How much of my life is really within my control?  I know these answers usually, fasting has, through the years, helped me live them.  And it reminds me of the fleeting pleasures and passing moments that are fine to enjoy but not to live for.  My college friend merited a day of fasting as she went to a foreign land to decide upon marrying the man of her dreams and living there, which she does today.  Much prayer and fasting went into our deeply rooted time in the church from which we have recently moved.

And my kids merit more of my prayers than my control, if only I could remember that more often!  There is much in the world to remind us that we need to remember upon whom we can depend.  An ever-present, unsurprised God on whom we can count not to make all our wishes come true but to deliver us to all we could ever wish for in this life and the next.

Blessings for  a day full of reminders of God’s abundant provision.

Endurance

 Autumn is a time when words mean more to me.  I started this blog with a definition of autumnal.  This year’s word is enduring from Dictionary.Com the definition is “an adjective meaning either lasting; permanent such as, a poet of enduring greatness, or patient; long-suffering”.  Endurance is the act of enduring.

Fitting to describe much of this season of my life, if not the somewhat fleeting season itself.   The poet example is perfect as I’ve previously recommended my good friend Anne Overstreet’s lovely poetry book, delicate machinery:  suspended.  I mailed it off to her on the distant Pacific shore and it came back signed with an inscription containing the words “enduring friendship”.  A blessing for which I am very grateful.

My parents have recently returned to their faraway home from the longest visit with us ever.   Two weeks that included a women’s retreat, two days of cemetery visits, an ER trip and an open house with some of the people who have known me longest and loved me best outside of those who live here.  They have endured.  As a side note, so have their marriages.  And they have kept up over the long haul of time, daily distraction and distance with my parents who have loved them well through their own enduring of the circumstances in which they live and minister always with care and concern for the people around them.

And finally, Max with whom we have endured news we never expected.  He has endured unimaginable frustration and isolation, as well as an almost constant education.  Now thanks to the many hands who have served us, and many prayers on our behalf, he has beat the odds before him and finds himself at the end of the need for special education services.  He will still be listed as potentially in need of transitional help and there will be at least one or two staff people at the school who are aware of his condition but he will not have need for an IEP as of November 8th.  He seems very much a typical, though quirky, 8 year old.  And to people who don’t know, they don’t know by watching or interacting with him.  Amazing grace!  Enduring grace!

May the God whose mercy endures forever meet you today in all that you are called to endure.  Blessings!

Transplanted

I was watching the hibiscus plants we moved this summer.  I thought they might not bloom.  They were cut way back this winter, in self-defense against balls, and basement hide-and-seek, flashlight tag, wrestling matches.  When we moved we just picked up the pots took them from our patio in Maryland and placed them on our new deck in Virginia. They have bloomed and are budding still.  But it took its time.

There are a couple of key types of transplanting.  The first is described above.  Moving the whole pot from one place to another.  Another is uprooting the plant to place the whole thing in a new, usually larger pot as the old one gets too small.  This fall we will be replanting Mady’s third grade Arbor Day tree to the yard.  And sometimes, for other plants, we divide them, splitting the roots and re-potting them.

In the past week I could blog more about earthquakes, hurricanes, house projects and three kids starting three new schools, but in each case I find that it isn’t where you are or what is happening around you so much as how deeply you’re rooted to the eternal truth that God loves you and sent His son to show you that. In light of His grace poured out into our lives He intends for us to bloom where He plants us.

Blessings!

Time and Intentions

I would like to write.  Not like I would like to make meals when people are hungry, or get the laundry done when the shorts with the searched-for belt are on the bottom of the basket.  More like I would like to remove my chipping nail polish but can’t remember where I put the remover I just bought and have zero interest in looking for it.  And definitely I would like to be published without the hassle of actually publishing.

My long ago, faraway, found-again-on-Facebook friend Anne Overstreet just published a book of poetry.  It is lovely.  The title delicate machinery suspended from a poem about her father’s heart surgery.  They are personal poems, the best kind.  They are words containing layers without narrative or extended explanation.  Briefly set scenes at the beginning of each chapter give a window through which to hold common ground and know bits of the history which the words describe.  I’ve read it and will again.  You should too!  Poetry is a hard fought battle in America.  We value sound bites, fast explanations and Google maps to get where we’re going rather than descriptions of the lovely views along the journey.  Read here for a recent article on our national poet.  Especially if you didn’t know we have one!

The first few words of this blog were in my mind as I logged on today.  Then a crash of glass on the garage floor interrupted what I had hoped would be a moment’s reflection.  A typical circumstance.  I took a picture of Steve, the painter, on my camera to remind me to blog about the therapy of claiming our spaces and the excitement of building together.  It fit well with a view of said Steve out the kitchen window mowing the grass, but then the mower broke and I had to get a funnel and didn’t get back to the thought, until now.  And now, my skateboarding 8 year old isn’t in the driveway.  So I’m off…

Blessings among the many things that occupy your time!

The Good Fight

Today’s blog is about a couple of people who have helped me flesh out my thinking on the issue of fighting (or standing) for what you believe.  Following God’s call with our gifting and communicating our message to a needy world.

First up Erin Rist.  A new friend at our new church.  Freshly minted graduate from Christopher Newport and raising support for Intervarsity.  She’ll spend an intern year at the College of Charleston then hopes to be off to break new ground in ministering to those studying in the arts!

Kudos to Matt McMahon for entering the discussion on the debt-ceiling with a song that showcased his writing and producing ability.  Sorry it didn’t win money.  View his song here.  Write lovely comments about it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9IoV-0cxT0&feature=share

Just a couple of examples of good work from Kingdom workers who are keeping up their faith in the message to transform lives regardless of the political or economic climate around them.  Encouraging news, good for all of us!

Blessings.

Being and Belonging

Today’s lessons were from 2 Corinthians 10 and Genesis 13 in Sunday school and Sermon respectively.  For me, the theme is where we are, the being, and where we feel we belong.   Paul is continuing to justify himself against the claims of false teachers and, to some degree, against his absence, as he  speaks truth into the lives of believers to whom he has brought the Word of the Gospel that brought them to faith.  Ultimately, he leaves “commending” to the Lord and dismisses the false boasts of those who should behave better but don’t.

Abram, on the other hand, is returning from a disastrous but profitable trip to Egypt and builds an altar at which to worship as he repents and God repairs their relationship so that Abram can continue on the path laid out for him.  He allows Lot to choose the “better” land thus separating himself both from his family and from the godless crowds of wicked men in whose city Lot will eventually live.

Both these circumstances ask the question of  what is important about where you locate?  And to whom do you belong?  On this most recent journey of moving, location is a key factor in our “where”.  As I listened to Dr. Silvernail talk about feeling away from his home church while on vacation last Sunday, I thought about feeling away from home.  I haven’t experienced as much of that as I thought I would.  I do feel sure that this house, this neighborhood, this church, and these schools is where we are to be, for now.  I can’t explain why and don’t think I need to.  We are here and God has placed us.  We cannot see all the path ahead, but we can see far enough from day to day to do the things in front of us to do.  As for belonging, it is great to have people and places to belong to in this life but the fear of not belonging can border idolatry if held too tightly.  We belong to the one who has redeemed us out of the death of our sinful origins into the life to which He calls us.  Even if it means taking the time to start the  process of belonging all over again.

Blessings for being sure of Him to whom you belong!

Welcoming

Just about a month ago we adopted Phoebe the pug and still lived in Maryland awaiting the end of school and closing day.  Since being in town, two weeks on Tuesday, we have been invited to dinner, attended the Middle school girls Bible study, attended the adult study in our neighborhood and had a good time at all.  We were specifically prayed over during the communion service, an honor they pay all their families during communion.  There are benefits to a small church like this.  There are things we aren’t used to but over all we have certainly been welcomed.  We’ve been greeted by neighbors with wine and chocolates!  Thursday there is a Middle school event.  Today on the way out of church a representative of the Welcoming committee gave us home made brownies.  And one of the families hosted what was a very nice picnic, until the rain and hail.  Participating has made a big difference.

It turns out welcome is a two-way street.  It is great if people welcome you.  It is best if you can accept offers of activities that allow for getting to know people.  It takes both sides to create relationship.  We have been on the welcoming side for many years and now we find ourselves on the accepting side.  This beginning to connect also makes us feel more welcome in a house that doesn’t quite yet feel like home.  Many things need “work”.  Some major, some minor, some to get done the necessities like laundry and dishes and some just to update an older home to our own tastes.

And so we begin our lives in a new house, having found a new church, met a few new neighbors and anticipating new schools.  Big changes that will require active participation in following the path God has so graciously laid ahead of us.  We cannot see too far ahead but thus far we are blessed to be here and thankful for each prayer on our behalf.

Blessings.

Worth the Wait

Newly adopted!

We recently talked about getting a dog.  Now that we’re waiting to close on the sale and purchase of a couple of houses it seems the perfect time for an addition to the family, right?  No surprise to those who know me I wanted a Pug.  Not first on anyone elses list though so we combed through picture after picture of up for adoption dogs that are filling rescues all over Maryland and Virginia, not to mention the rest of the nation.  It seems to me as fitting as it does crazy that we’ve rescued Phoebe now, as we wait.  She spent many more months than we have waiting for a home and it is a privilege to watch her learn to trust us with each passing day.

She trusts that we will take her from the crate each morning.  Trusts that she’ll be walked, fed, rubbed, bathed and played with.  And that we will not abandon her to a shelter or another stranger for her to learn.  We are the third home with a shelter or two along the way.  So you can see why she is wary of the process.  She has never before been an only dog.  I think she likes it!  She has adopted Mad as her person of favor with the rest of us filling in as Mad subsitutes as best we can.

I thought a day or two ago, as she sat on my lap and I sang to her while rubbing behind her ears and waiting for the snore that would surely follow, that my relationship to Phoebe is quite like my relationship to God, at times.  Only, I’m the dog.  I don’t fully understand the language God speaks to my life.  I don’t completely trust that He’ll do for me better than I choose for myself.  I yank hard on the leash, or fight it being put on altogether.  Or I simply run away.

Yet even in this life, God has been gracious to me.  I have what I need and most of what I want and am getting more!  How gracious God is to clean me up and bring me home, restoring me to His family and gently training me through His Providence to trust Him more each day.

May you know God’s faithful provision of grace and love in your life this week.  Blessings!

Celebrating

I like celebrating.  Good things happen.  Sometimes in small ways and sometimes in larger ways.  For us, of late, there have been many.  My dad is in the process of recovering from a knee replacement surgery.  His recovery will be painful and hard work but seems to already be helping his mobility.  My mom is getting her first down time since moving.  We have a contract on the house we are selling and had an offer accepted on a house to buy.  Wow!

In the midst of all this Mike was accepted into the Junior National Honors Society, Mady planned a very successful surprise party for her bff, and Max turned a numerical math problem into a word problem on a quiz!  Amazing growth and progress representing amazing grace poured out into our lives.  I recently saw Facebook pictures of our friends helping their almost married son with his fixer-upper property.  It looked like work.  It looked like fun.  It looked like God’s grace poured out on them and they could see it!

Blessings for you to see and celebrate God’s grace in your life today!

Go to Prom!

So the parent’s make dumb, predictable mistakes or are mostly absent from the lives of their teenagers thus a somewhat typical Disney movie.  But the non-typical moments are striking, in a refreshing way.  First, the team sport depicted is lacrosse, not football.  Second, a prom movie that doesn’t glorify losing your virginity along the way.  And third, no mention of potential alternate lifestyle angst.  Wow!

The primary moral of this tale is that while fun in the moment, high school is not the defining be all, end all that the musicals would have you believe it to be.  Relationships are important but based on the superficial criteria of cliques and looks fade, as the future knocks and the door to the unknown opens wide.   One last lesson, don’t miss out on the moments worth celebrating!  Good lessons, in a light but fun movie.

Blessings.