Tradition

  

The day begins early as we travel the familiar mountain road.  Sixteen summers we traveled this road.  

And storms have come and gone.

The road winds, with blind curves . . . and must be driven watchfully.

Excitement would build as we came into the last mile before camp. 

Every year, the children ran the last mile.

At 17, she quietly asks from the back seat of the car, "Can I run into camp?"  

Papa grins and stops the car. "Of course you can."

Smiling, she climbs out of the car and runs because it is tradition. 

And this time she runs alone.  As I watch, it catches my heart.  Would I still run the last mile alone?  Run with endurance the race that is set before you . . . God You have been teaching me this from several perspectives this summer.  The lesson is repeating: to run with endurance is to run faithfully.  And success is faithfulness.  

Some traditions help to remind us. And this one?  Run the last mile.  Go the distance.  Pour it all out.  This tradition teaches me:  Traditions are faithfully repeating something worthwhile like: 

     Greeting my husband with a kiss when he walks in the door each evening.

     Prayer at each meal reminding us of God's provision in our lives.

     Telling our children I love them each time they call.

     Standing in the driveway and waving good-bye until the car lights are gone.

     Creating space in our home for people to encounter Jesus by inviting them in.  

     Running into camp, into summer, into work, . . . into life.  Sometimes running alone.  Even as I know I am not really alone because God has promised:  I will never desert you nor forsake you.  Joshua 1:5

Can we really "get out of the car" and run into life?  And I hear our heavenly Papa saying, "Of course you can."

Love always,

Angie

The Battle

Eyes swimming in puddles are right in front of me, "Do you have time to talk?"  The eyes plead so much more.  She stands timidly and all wait for a response, a split second of eternity.

In that time, thoughts fly through.  I am supposed to be following my husband to the car he has gone to get.  Where is my daughter?  It is dark.  She is supposed to check-in with me.  Newly arrived house guests are standing right beside me, weary from travel.  We are supposed to be hosting them.

As peace pervades my thoughts, to our guests I respond, "Please tell my husband that I'll walk home."  They nod and turn toward the car.  "Supposed to" sometimes waits for puddles . . .

The unleashed puddles become hurt running into words, "You spoke about lies and truth the other day.  Does God hear my prayers?  Does He really listen?  I want to believe He hears, but do prayers really get heard? And if they do, where was God when I asked Him to show up?"

Hurt takes her breath.  Through gasps of love-pain choking truth, she spits,  "I asked God to just let him live until I became an adult, until I graduated from high school."

Father, help.  I have no words for this kind of pain . . . granddaughter love seeking to be grounded, . . . not drowned.  

"When I knew he was getting worse, I even compromised my prayer thinking God could surely give me this request.  I asked God to let Grandpa live until I turned 18.  That was May 10th."

O God, do you see her eyes?  You are deeper than her pain.  Guard her.  You created the deeps where flood gates open.  I can not hold flood waters, only You can and her pain is flooding open. 

"Why would God slap me in the face by taking Grandpa the night before my birthday?  Grandpa was always there for me.  When I would march in the band, he came to every game.  This year, he came to one, stayed only for halftime to see me march.  Then left.  And in May he left life because God took him.  Did God ever hear my prayers?"  

And the battle field of pain is laid bare.  On one side are lies fueling soul-sinking doubts looking for death of hope.  On the other, Truth stands.  And I am drawn in as this war of the soul rages between lies and truth.  And I pray.

Loving Lord, You would never spitefully slap your children.  But she feels red hot sting in the deeps.  She wonders if you are mean.  She wonders if  You are absent.  You aren't.  But what do I say right now? I'm waiting for Your words.  Give us You.  


The battle belongs to the Lord . . . And, for a moment,  we sit in battle silence.  

Then Truth marches gently, bubbling like a brook over the hard places strengthening as Living Water gathers.  "Sweet friend, I don't know why God took your grandfather when He did.  I. . . don't . . . know. . . why.  What I do know is that God reminds me that He is in heaven and we are on earth.  And He says, 'My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are you ways My ways,' declares the Lord.  'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8-9

Flood gates begin to close.  Eyelashes balance tears. . .

"And He reminds me that just as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there with out watering the earth . . . So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire . . .without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:10-11

"And He promises  . . . you will go out with joy, and be led forth with peace . . .  Isaiah 55:12a

He also lets me know in the darkness of life He hears and advises.  I know because He has taught me when I am willing to listen to Him . . . I will bless the Lord who has counseled me . . . instructs me in the night.  Psalm 16:7    He says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you."  Psalm 32:8

In the turmoil of life He listens and sustains.  It is His gift . . . Peace I leave with you; My peace I give  to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.  John 14:27

In the rejections and destructions of life He hears and protects.  I know because He has covered me before.  He will cover you with His pinions, and under his wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield . . . you will not be afraid . . . Psalm 91:4-5

You ask if He hears our prayers cried out to Him.  Yes, He listens to our cries.  I know because He collects them.  You have kept track of all my sorrows.  You have collected all my tears in your bottle . . . Psalm 56:8b

Love always,
Angie

Manager of the Estate

Darjeeling, India, has the majority of the world's tea estates because the climate and the terrain are perfect for growing tea.  My friend, who has a fair trade business called Yobel Market, visited the estates.  After walking through a couple of them, she noticed that a specific person was making a huge impact.  The impact was evident in the contentedness and joy within the community of workers on some estates as opposed to the downcast countenance and worse working/living conditions on other estates.  


The person who makes the difference carries the title "Manager of the Estate."  This man hires the workers, organizes their schedules, sets the pay scale, cares for their sick, decides which schools the children will attend, settles civil disputes, and grants free time.  In short, he is lord of their lives.  His ability to know and understand the big picture of running a tea estate and to have the ability to communicate with and care for "his people," are the deciding factors between the differences in estates.  


My kitchen counter, where we discuss these differences, is half a world away from Darjeeling.  And the importance of the concept stares at us.  


Who is the "Manager" of our estate, of our lives?


When it is me, I fall short.  I am unable to see the bigger picture and I mess up.  I get tired.  The chores and responsibilities become overwhelming.  And I fall short as manager of my life.


But Jesus does not.  When Jesus is Lord of my life, the circumstances of daily living don't change . . . they are simply managed well because He has full knowledge of the big picture of life, He understands and communicates well.  And, . . . I am most content and joyful when I am surrendered to His authority.


When frustration sets in because I am unable to care for myself, He invites:

Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water!  Are you penniless?  

Come anyway—buy and eat!  Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk. 

Buy without money—everything's free!

Why do you spend your money on junk food,   your hard-earned cash on cotton candy?

Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest.

Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words.

Isaiah 55:1-5  The Message

When I am worn down by the daily schedule of life, He comforts:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

When I lose sight of the fact that I have been created for His purposes and not my own, He reminds me:

For we are God’s workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

Jesus is the Manager of my estate.  Who is yours?

Love always,

Angie

Family Mission Statement

Almost 10 years ago, my husband gave our family a gift that made a difference in our home.  It was a family mission statement,  a common place for our family to stand before God.

It hangs on our wall to remind us of this stance in the midst of all circumstances.  And this is what we read:

"Follow Me!"

 -Jesus

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement 

give you a spirit of unity among yourselves 

as you follow Christ Jesus 

so that with one heart and mouth 

you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."          

 -Paul    

(Romans 15:5-6)

My prayer for our family:
     -  That we each individually be alive in Christ, surrendered to Him and abiding in Him.
     -  That each member of our family be everything that God intended as He created them.
     -  That our actions as a family would be in pursuit of God's glory
               and the advancement of His kingdom on earth.

And,
     - That we would commit ourselves to prayer, worship and God's Word.
     - That we would die to ourselves (keep our eyes off ourselves).
     - That we put each others interests above our own.
     - That we would build up and not tear down.
     - That we would be brave, honest, diligent and hard-working.
     - That we would pursue purity with our hearts, discipline with our minds and bodies,
               and excellence with our actions.      
     - That we would be active in a healthy local church.
     - That we would be responsible citizens.

Finally,
     - That we would fully experience God's love and in return love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Glorificate Deum  -  Honorate Familiam

Where do you stand in your home?  What is your mission statement?
Love always,
Angie

What If

What if all I have today is what I was thankful for yesterday?

Would I have lived differently yesterday?

Yes.

If it (the thankfulness) is real, it will be manifested in words, actions, and attitude.  It will be evident in the manner in which I walk through my day. . . no matter my circumstances.

I am most thankful for the simple things.  

At the same time, it is the simple things that I sometimes forget to be thankful!  

Sunrises that faithfully come because my faithful God set them in place.

Hot showers.

A precious husband.

A home with a table for my family and friends at meals.

Friends, health, and exercise!  

Powerful, graceful animals that roam the fields near our home and feed many of us.

Coffee with a friend.

Food.  Daily.  And colorful!

Our God is so generous.  He is so faithful.  Merciful.  Understanding.

Be thankful.  (Colossians 3:15)

What if all I have tomorrow is what I enjoy with gratitude today?  

Love always,

Angie

Success is Faithfulness

How do you define success? 

I listened to a man speaking about life purpose while driving to Colorado Springs the other day.  He began talking about success within our lives.  His statement challenged my idea of success.  

He said, “Success is faithfulness.”  

The Lord reminded me of the heroes of the faith from Hebrews chapter 11.  Why would we call them heroes unless we consider them successful? 

Reading through the chapter was amazing because what they actually did was ordinary!

Able brought the right sacrifice.

Noah built a boat.

Abraham moved his family.

Joseph gave orders.

Moses led a nation.

Rahab opened her door and kept a secret.

Ruth stayed with her mother-in-law.

David humbled himself.

Success did not mean their every whim had come true with comfort and good connections:

Able was murdered.

Noah was ridiculed, having a job for 100 years that no one understood.

Abraham lived as a foreigner, almost had to kill his own son, had his wife

taken from him twice, and settled on land that was less desirable.

Joseph was sold into slavery.  Lived in prison.  When he was removed from

prison, he was still regarded as an undesirable even though he was

second in command under Pharaoh.

Moses grew up as a Hebrew in Egypt, ill treated in Pharaoh’s household.

Rahab was always known as a harlot, even after she married.

Ruth became a widow at an early age and learned to work in fields for

sustenance while living in a foreign country.  

David was the forgotten youngest in a large family of boys and lived on the run for much of his adult life.

It was for whom and how they lived that made them a success!  

As I lay my head on the pillow tonight, I want to know my day was successful. 

May we live faithfully for our God.

Love always,

Angie

Run with Endurance

The sensation of nausea is growing.  I am cold.  The sun is not up yet and the track has puddles of melted snow.  We are running sprints in a line.  Five of us are running.  I am the only one that pulls off to try and regain composure, and NOT throw-up.

I am the oldest in the group, too.  And the lies of inadequacy sneak into the shadows of my thoughts as I believe them.  Embracing them gives them credence.  And then, I respond to them.  The lies begin to control my actions and unless they are exposed for what they are, I stop!

In my car, I hear the lies rumbling around in my head.  They are lies because they produce guilt, self-pity, shame, fear, disappointment, etc.  When I am weary and tired, the lies sneak into the shadows more quickly and it takes longer for the light of Truth to expose them.

Exposing lies comes in many forms, but it is always based in the same foundation: Truth.  Exposure today is in the form of a friend who lives in my town.  He is my age.  He remains disciplined without excuses.  And I brake to watch him run past, so poignant is the moment.

. . . run with endurance the race that is set before you, fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross despising the shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who endured such hostility by sinners against Himself so that you do not grow weary and lose heart.  (Hebrews 12:1b-3)

Father, You have called me to be disciplined with my body, mind, heart and soul.  You command me to love You with all of it!  (Matthew 22:37-39)  You tell me to buffet my body so that I am not enslaved to it. (1 Corinthians 9:26-27)  You tell me that I am to hold every thought captive. (2 Corinthians 10:5) You tell me to trust You with my heart. (Proverb 3:5-8) You say that You are the rester of my soul. (Matthew 11:28-30) This is all Truth.  

And You give me exactly what I need to be and do all that You ask of me today.  

Thank You.  

And I drive home with a smile in my heart and a lump in my throat.

May you run with endurance the race God has set before you while you fix your eyes on Jesus!

Love always,

Angie