Don't Be a Chicken Heart

One of my friends told me years ago she thought I was so brave!  I was a little surprised by that characterization!  I had never even thought about myself in that light.

As I view my life and my mother's life through a different filtered lens since Mom's death, I now realize that perhaps what my friend saw in me was really a grand sense of adventure!   Everything My mom did was an adventure -- whether it was going to the grocery store, the mall or library, eating dinner out or enjoying visits to Mexico, Hawaii or Europe!

My daughter shared an observation/memory about my mother "bouncing around town with an easy-going smile and more energy than seemed natural for a woman of her years." Up until the very end of her life, she had that bounce, and even at the end, that easy-going smile!  I've intentionally focused on having an "easy-going" smile at all times recently.  And I have noticed almost everyone smiles back - even stressed, self-involved drivers in parking lots, at stop lights and in people I pass by at the grocery store. And I find my own spirits lifted when I remember to smile.

You know, as I think about it, Mom instilled that sense of adventure in all of us - at least in subtle ways, if not in the 'live like you mean it' way she did.  Years ago our family went on one of our annual family vacations to Nag's Head, NC. It rained and rained and rained. Picture this: 2 adults 5 children, the beach, rain, rain, rain.  So what did Mom do?  She taught us all to play a Mid-western card game, Euchre.  (It's kind of like poker, bridge, spades . . . )

Since that year - and we were young! - often, when four or five of us were together, a Euchre game ensues.  If one needed to leave for work or some other commitment, somebody would slide in and take their place. All of the 15 grandchildren learned to play Euchre as soon as they were old enough to sit still, or were tall enough to stand by the table and watch us all play. It was just a given in our family -- you learned to play Euchre -- and so did friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, grandchildren! Sometimes we had -- and still do when everyone is together -- two tables going, along with a Risk game - with an assortment of cousins, friends, either playing or sitting around providing color commentary.

When I was in Seattle after my mom's death, one of my nephews told a story that so perfectly captures Mom!  (We were, of course, playing Euchre) He shared that he had just learned to play Euchre and Grandma was on the opposite team.  He was hesitating, uncertain as to whether or not he should declare trump.  He said, "Grandma told me "Don't be a chicken heart!"" (Not mean at all, but rather, in her very matter-of-fact way.) Then she proceeded to trump him - trounce his team (no doubt inclusive on another grandchild).  Then she consoled him by telling him "It's okay!  At least you went for it." 

Mom was definitely not a chicken heart!  And I thank God I inherited that from her. I've done a lot things people didn't think I could/should do. I've self-published a book, started businesses, took on creative projects and undertaken everything in my life with "all-in" determination, and -- I now realize -- approached every thing I've ever done with that sense of  "even if things didn't turn out as I wanted/expected, at least I could look back and say I tried."

So, if you see me "bouncing around town with an easy-going smile," you'll know I'm channelling my Mom. Next time you hear or read about some new venture I've undertaken, you'll know I'm just doing what my mom modeled and encouraged all of her children and grandchildren: Don't be a chicken heart!

"Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold" (2 Corinthians 3:12).

 

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Perfectly Perfect Perfection

Synonyms for irrestible: alluring, beckoning, charming, enchanting, fascinating, glamorous, imperative, indomitable, ineluctable, inevitable, inexorable, invincible, lovable, overpowering, overwhelming, potent, powerful, ravishing, scrumptious, seductive, stunning, tempting, unavoidable, unconquerable, urgent

This is a post about perfection and the pursuit thereof -- okay . . . it's about my perfection and the lack thereof! I was making a statement earlier about my pursuit of perfection and while that is an "easy" word for one to define, I wanted to explain the hold that pursuing something so elusive and impossible can have on us and our lives. Irrestible is the word that came to mind and I knew that was on track, but, being a writer, I wanted just the *oops* perfect word or phrase. So I went to dictionary.com where I found the definitions above.

This whole thought process began in a very "ordinary" way yesterday. I had agreed to bring a dessert item to a lunch and learn meeting at church this afternoon.  I had decided I really wanted to make the adorable brownie bite "santa hats" in the picture.  After a trip to the grocery store I began assembly of the "hats" and my husband was surprised that I used "store-bought" brownie bites.

(There is absolutely nothing wrong with using "store-bought" anything! In fact, I had decided earlier in the week that I would, indeed, use store-bought brownie bites to make these.) My dear husband, though, is all too aware of my unrelenting pursuit of perfection - in everything I do (and is very familiar with my from-scratch baking habit). (Not that I AM perfect - rather that I pursue perfection--like a rat on a wheel!)

So . . . if you're still with me . . .  Bottom line is this:  It's appropriate and desirable to desire to be the best we can, in all aspects of our lives. However, pursing perfection can, in and of itself, become our purpose and our primary goal. It can make us (me) crazy - and drive those around us crazy too! But perfection is truly irrestible . . .  we will do anything and everything to pursue it.

I stated in a post on Facebook that when we spend to much time and energy pursuing perfection, it becomes urgently beckoning.  The pursuit takes over our lives, consumes us, turns us inside out! Even though we realize, in our sane moments, that we never can and never will achieve perfection, it is alluring and irrestible, until it becomes both imperative and overwhelming.

What is so "insane" is that the definition of the word I was looking for to describe my pursuit of perfection, actually describes God: alluring, beckoning, fascinating, indomitable, invincible, lovable, overwhelming, potent, powerful, stunning, unconquerable. 

That means that if I pursue my own perfection rather than the perfection that is God, I am guilty of idolotry. It means I am putting myself on the same level as God! That is just plain sinful!  Yes, I should strive to be the best "me" possible, but I sin when I seek perfection. 

God doesn't want us to be perfect--he doesn't expect us to be!  He wants us to seek Him! And he want us to have the same zeal in seeking Him - the alluring, beckoning, fascinating, indomitable, invincible, lovable, overwhelming, potent, stunning, unconquerable God of heaven and earth -- as we do in pursuit of own perfection.


"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:8 NIV).

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Crushed by Grace

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:6-9 NIV).

Once we have experienced grace, everything changes! We change. Our lives change. " However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace" (Act.20:244 NIV).

Life becomes infinitely easier and at the same time infinitely more difficult!  Grace tells us we are saved, redeemed, guaranteed heaven.  Grace also, though, holds us to a higher standard! Once we accept God's grace, we are called to live a life without sin. Of course God knows we are not perfect--except through and because of His grace!

"[Humble Service in the Body of Christ] For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you" (Romans 12:3 NIV).

Grace-filled believers humble themselves - placing others and their needs above themselves and their own needs.  Grace compels us to stop, think, breathe before we speak or act.  'What would Jesus do?' becomes more than just a slogan, it becomes a hallmark and a beacon for how to live.

"[Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ]  What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?" (Romans 6:1 NIV)

Grace compels us to stop sinning. Beseeches us not to conform to society (to be in and not of the world). Grace bids us to be silent when our words will hurt - or add to the godless noise of the world. Grace urges us to speak up and speak out even when ours may be the only voice heard on behalf of another. Grace expects us to never stop hoping, never stop believing, never doubt its power. 

Grace can crush us with the burden of being so unworthy and yet so valued and loved by a God who is not blind to our sin rather who sees above and beyond it. He sees us in our perfect state, and even though we will never be able to achieve perfection - we are perfect in His eyes - because we are His.

A lump of coal becomes a diamond by being crushed and refined and perfected. I thank God that He love us enough to crush and refine and perfect us through and because of His grace.

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Every Beat of My Heart

I woke up this morning, unaided (unhindered?) by my alarm clock, around 5:30. Unable to go back to sleep I poured myself some coffee and settled out on my deck.  Our back deck is a magical, spiritual place and is, by far, my favorite feature of our house.  I like to sit on the deck and share the morning with the birds and squirrels already up and well into planning their day.

The half moon still far above the western horizon, doesn't seem to know it's morning as it lingers for a while, reminding me that day follows night, night follows day, in an endless, perfectly timed rhythm.

Second cup of coffee.  The red eye flight from the West Coast just passed overhead, headed east to the airport, and I hear the train whistle--Amtrack heading North--announcing the first crossing of the day 2 miles away. Our dog, Katie, is standing guard, head between the slats in the deck rail, daring any creature - with 2 legs or 4  - to cross her line of sight; tail wagging.

The summer morning air is surprisingly cool and pleasant as I mull over all the challenges of the past week and those anticipated in the week ahead.  My mind and soul ease into a state of satisfaction -- God sending me gentle reminders through the morning activity around me that He's got it all covered.  It's all figured out in the heavenly realm.

As I finish my coffe I decide to linger a while.  After all . . . if the moon can linger . . .

This day is a gift.

For every breath I draw and

For every beat of my heart

I thank you Lord.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3 NIV).

Blessings on your journey, Mary

Asking God for the "Big Stuff"

So I've been asking God to bless me -- about lots of things and in lots of ways and He has been so faithful and I am so blown away! Of course, when things turn out they way we want them to it's easy to be thankful and happy!

On Friday I had a thought: "If I trust God to answer all those little prayers, why am I not asking Him for the "big" stuff? I realized God answers all those little prayers to encourage us--rather to implore us--to ask Him for the really big, important, life-impacting blessings. I know this! I have known this!

Sometimes it takes a few quiet moments in the car to get my head on straight. Sometimes I need that time with God--not so I can tell Him what I want or think I need--rather to listen to Him. Prayer is, after all, a two-way conversation and sometimes we need to shut up and wait for Him to speak!

On Friday, I listened! God spoke - not like thunder or in a cloud of smoke, not with a voice I could hear. He spoke to my heart and my head -- He reminded me that, "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV). Also, "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened" (Luke 11:9-10 ESV).



I won't share the details, but my list is being compiled. There are some HUGE requests on the list. You might think it's nuts to ask for BIG blessings. You might think it's "impolite" or ungrateful. I did for a long time. I sort of figured I have "enough" and there are so many who don't that it is greedy to ask God's blessings. Wait a minute!!!! Doesn't that limit God? Isn't that a mindset that says God has limited blessings to dole out?

Hello!! If I have limited blessings it is because I don't trust God enough to be without limit - whether it is in my own life, in the world, or in the universe! God is limitless-Alpha, Omega, I AM. HE IS. God who cannot be confined or contained is the God I ask to bless me - in ways that I cannot even fathom! He's done it before -- which is the really crazy part - He has blessed me in this way in the past! He wanted me to keep asking. I didn't--again my limited mind and reasoning limited me.

God wants us to ask Him for our heart's desire. He wants to bless us extravagantly! "Ask, Mary," He bids me."Just Ask."

I'm not asking Him to deliver while I sit back and wait! I fully recognize I will be required to step up my prayer life. I'll also need to be open and receptive to His leadings--that still small voice.

I fully expect His blessings. How about you? Is your faith in a small God? Do you believe God can "kind of" help you? Do you ask God for the little stuff and never even think to ask Him about the BIG stuff? I urge you to let go of the gospel of "a little" and begin studying the God of abundant and extravagant grace manifested as blessings He longs to pour out into our lives.

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

The God of all comfort

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV)

"If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. (2 Corinthians 2:5-8 NIV)

Sometimes in life it's hard to do the right thing, to not judge others, to allow God to work His will. I all too often want to rush in and "fix" a given situation to my will, without waiting for the God of all comfort to step in and do His work. It's especially challenging when I know without doubt that I am right and others don't see it.

These are the times Satan interjects himself into our lives. As my husband stated last night, sometimes he doesn't even need an invitation, because the door's wide open! I am praying today that I can keep that door shut and locked.

I'm praying for God's grace and comfort today -- for myself and my family and for you.

Thank you Dear Heavenly Father for pouring out your mercy, comfort and grace upon your beloved children.

Blessings on your journey,
Mary