At the invitation of a dear friend, I attended the first in a series of summer bible studies at Covenant Presbyterian Church this morning. The topic was a biblical study of Mother/Daughter relationships and the speaker was Kay Gresham. I intended to polish up on my mothering skills with Kate but found that it was much more than that. It had as much to do with being the daughter as it was being the Mom. It was the first time I have ever taken a biblical journey as it relates to the dynamics of this very special and often complicated relationship.
1. 'Obey'. We first began in Ephesians 6 on the topic of obeying. Verse 1 reads, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." It is important for children to learn to obey their parents, most obviously, for protection and safety reasons. We also want them to obey because we have past experience in areas that will save them from hardship. But the most important reason is that obedient children obey God. Proverbs 23: 13-14 says, "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death." Get your children's attention at a young age or you, and your children, will pay the price when they are old enough to start making their own choices in life. A pop on the backside wakes a 3 year old up to the dangers of crossing the street verses a dissertation on why cars can hurt you. You need to start early with children. Their lives are in your hands.
2. 'Learning to Be an Adult'. Ephesians 6:2 says, "Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise." And Exodus 20:12 says, "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." When you become an adult, God asks you to honor but he does not say obey. This is the time in your life where you learn that your Mother is not always right. This can be an eye opening experience as your relationship moves from Adult-Child to Adult-Adult. Mother's make mistakes. They are not perfect. It's time to make your own way, but God tells you to always show honor. Proverbs 10:12 tells us that "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs." In other words, love makes excuses for bad behavior. Mom's or Mom-in-laws don't take correction very well. Honor them. Then go home and do your own thing.
Continuing along with 'Learning to be an Adult', Genesis 2:24 reads, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." The first allegiance is to your husband not to your mother or father. Criticize your husband only to God not to your Mother. She cannot change him, and she will remember everything negative you have shared. In fact, many times we find ourselves reverting back to childhood when we go to our parents home. Do not regress to childhood. As adults, we need to do our part and help out. Do not load your Mom down with your problems. Many times we dump all of our problems on Mom and then our situation changes. We go off having a good time and she is left with our baggage.
3. 'Learning to Train Our Children'. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." And Proverbs 13:24, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him." I honestly never realized how many passages spoke directly about the importance of discipline. Sometimes I am guilt-ridden thinking I'm too tough on Kate. Feeling bad with the thought that I have scarred her for life. The bible tells us that hard work needs to be done now so that she will have the life God intended for her. God has given us a responsibility to produce obedient (NOT PERFECT) children. That's a big one in this day and age. Nowhere does the bible tells us that we should be raising perfect children. They should be raised to be obedient to authority. Obedient children are children other people like. Proverbs 29:17 "Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul." And Proverbs 19:18 "Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death." She talked about the Kent State tragedy and the Mother of the shooter being interviewed. The Mother said, "It would have been better if he had just died." You don't ever want to have to get to that place with your child.
4. 'Learning to Let Go'. If our children loved us the way we love them they'd never leave home. Training is over when they become adults. Not during college. But after when they are young adults ready to head out into the world. Train up a child but let them go when it is time for them to start their own lives. Don't tell your daughter her house is messy. The Mother is out of line. TRAINING IS OVER. It's not up to the Mother to take charge anymore. It is not a Mother's business to raise her daughters children, deal with her husband, clean her house, or make sure she is saving money correctly. The most important thing is the relationship. The daughter should train her own children the way she wants to. Her rules. Mother's should make harmony. It is God who holds the daughter responsible, not the Mother. Wait to be asked for advice. Don't discipline the grandchildren in front of the daughter. Do not criticize her husband and don't be nosy and ask too many questions. Wait for her to come to you. Amazing things come from patience and grace. Trust God.
5. 'Learning to Serve'. Be realistic about a Mother's abilities as she ages. In Ecclesiastes 12: 1-7, God describes what the elderly deal with. "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, I find no pleasure in them before the sun and light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets. Remember him before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." God's plan for us is to run down so we long for heaven. Set some boundaries of time wise with your Mother and remember that your first priority is your husband and children. Don't be controlled. Encourage grandchildren to visit your Mom as often as possible. Remember, you are teaching them how you want to be treated. You will be in their care one day. They will adopt this attitude from you. Respect her but don't be afraid to overrule. You started with her in this world as Adult to Child, then it became Adult to Adult, and then it becomes Child to Adult. You will have to guide her in tough choices as she ages. When to stop driving and what purchases they should and should not make. Make sure you call her everyday and always send notes and treats to brighten her day. Always make plans so she can have the joy of anticipation. Surprises are not desirable.
6. Learning to Give Up Your Rights. Philippians 2: 3-4 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." No one wants to be dependent on a child. But there will be a time when you will be dependent. 1)Realize you will not always be independent. 2)Work at being flexible. What is best for my children. 3)Work at being agreeable. Try not to always argue. 4)Be thankful even if we are dependent. Have a thankful heart for our children. 5)Play the Glad Game like Pollyanna. In Romans 8:8 we learn "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Take a look around you and be thankful for what is good in the world. 6)Psalm 71: 7-9 is good for people who are getting there. "I have become like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long." And verse 18 "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come." 7)Be happy, content, and flexible. Focus on Jesus. 8)Be interested in others and take focus away from yourself. We are all preparing today to be elderly one day. To be content and thankful when you are elderly, you must have God.
Kay closed with the following...Unless you have asked Christ in to your life, you can never leave your Mom for your husband. It's hard to be a parent and train obedient children. It's much easier to be lazy. If you don't train them when they are young there will be hell to pay when they are teens. Obedient teens obey Christ. Letting go requires a tremendous amount of prayer. It is both amazing and a privilege to serve your Mother as she ages. It is commanded by God and it pleases him. Be aware of your life and what is to coming or it will wash you away.
LizzieB
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Remember Me
If the Lord delight's in a man's way,
He makes his steps firm;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
-Psalm 37:23
For the first time in much too long, I sat down this morning to reflect on God's word. I had intended to be visiting a parishoner this morning, but she had fallen ill. I decided to take this unexpected gift of time and hang out with God for a little while. I always intend to do this, think about it often, crave it, but ultimately fall short. Today I was going to make it happen.
I started with my Day by Day and read Luke 5:1-11 about Jesus asking Simon to take him out a little ways from shore. Before asking them to put out their nets, he hung out with them in the boat for a little while. Can you imagine hanging out with Jesus for the first time? "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch," he said. Weary from working all night with nothing to show for it, Simon put out his net. Nets so full, they started to break. God's bountiful, beautiful, perfect love had been taught and demonstrated to these unsuspecting souls. Men, who would now give up everything. Leave their livlihoods and families at the shoreline and follow this man they had only briefly met.
I sit here wondering why my intentional time with God is so fragmented. My Day to Day flips me to Psalm 37. I begin to learn some things about myself as I read this aloud. I stop on 37:8 as if highlighted, bolded and jumping off the page. "Refrain from anger and turn away from wrath". It should then read...Or Massive Guilt To Follow. I'm a Mom. Anger and Wrath are part of my persona. I quickly right down these words. Encourage. Respect. Love. Nurture. Lead. Explain. Visualize. Touch. Sing. Smile. Laugh. Care. Comfort. Protect. Understand. Trust God. Ask God. Aha....REMEMBER GOD. And then there it is emblazoned on my heart...Remember God. In all the fretting and worrying and yelling, Remember God is my answer.
Scared I will forget, I quickly right it down on my hand and add the words "in darkness. He is in control. Not me." I write it down two more times on paper so it is firm and planted. "Remember God in the darkness. He is in control, not me."
My Darkness: Irritation with Kate (remember God); deeper relationship with my sister (remember God); hormones (remember God); too many glasses of wine (remember God); Judgement (remember God); the massive guilt that follows all of this (remember God).
In all the darkness, God asks us to look to him. To remember him. To trust him. To love him. He is the goodness in all of our lives. God is smiling at me now. I can feel it. I am in his favor. I quickly run to my printer. I have a brilliant idea. I steal a piece of printer paper which I forbid Kate to use for notes and artwork (but she does anyway), and begin to write her a note. She sends me love notes all the time. It's my time to send one to her.
Dear Kate:
I love you so much. Today I was reading my bible and I came across Psalm 37:8. Refrain from anger and turn away from wrath. It made me think of how angry and mean I am with you some days. I should never treat you this way. You do not deserve it. God is in control of my life and your life. He made us exactly the way we are supposed to be. I am sorry if I have ever made you feel bad about soccer or school or TKD. You are Gods's special girl and He is always proud of you because He made you in His own perfect way. I love being your Mama and I promise to do better and trust that God knows best for all of us. You are the most amazing daughter. You are a special delivery from God to me. (Heart) Mommy.
Thank you Lord for blessing me with this time today. For giving me the courage to write about it. And for helping me remember that you and only you are in control.
Lizze.B
He makes his steps firm;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
-Psalm 37:23
For the first time in much too long, I sat down this morning to reflect on God's word. I had intended to be visiting a parishoner this morning, but she had fallen ill. I decided to take this unexpected gift of time and hang out with God for a little while. I always intend to do this, think about it often, crave it, but ultimately fall short. Today I was going to make it happen.
I started with my Day by Day and read Luke 5:1-11 about Jesus asking Simon to take him out a little ways from shore. Before asking them to put out their nets, he hung out with them in the boat for a little while. Can you imagine hanging out with Jesus for the first time? "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch," he said. Weary from working all night with nothing to show for it, Simon put out his net. Nets so full, they started to break. God's bountiful, beautiful, perfect love had been taught and demonstrated to these unsuspecting souls. Men, who would now give up everything. Leave their livlihoods and families at the shoreline and follow this man they had only briefly met.
I sit here wondering why my intentional time with God is so fragmented. My Day to Day flips me to Psalm 37. I begin to learn some things about myself as I read this aloud. I stop on 37:8 as if highlighted, bolded and jumping off the page. "Refrain from anger and turn away from wrath". It should then read...Or Massive Guilt To Follow. I'm a Mom. Anger and Wrath are part of my persona. I quickly right down these words. Encourage. Respect. Love. Nurture. Lead. Explain. Visualize. Touch. Sing. Smile. Laugh. Care. Comfort. Protect. Understand. Trust God. Ask God. Aha....REMEMBER GOD. And then there it is emblazoned on my heart...Remember God. In all the fretting and worrying and yelling, Remember God is my answer.
Scared I will forget, I quickly right it down on my hand and add the words "in darkness. He is in control. Not me." I write it down two more times on paper so it is firm and planted. "Remember God in the darkness. He is in control, not me."
My Darkness: Irritation with Kate (remember God); deeper relationship with my sister (remember God); hormones (remember God); too many glasses of wine (remember God); Judgement (remember God); the massive guilt that follows all of this (remember God).
In all the darkness, God asks us to look to him. To remember him. To trust him. To love him. He is the goodness in all of our lives. God is smiling at me now. I can feel it. I am in his favor. I quickly run to my printer. I have a brilliant idea. I steal a piece of printer paper which I forbid Kate to use for notes and artwork (but she does anyway), and begin to write her a note. She sends me love notes all the time. It's my time to send one to her.
Dear Kate:
I love you so much. Today I was reading my bible and I came across Psalm 37:8. Refrain from anger and turn away from wrath. It made me think of how angry and mean I am with you some days. I should never treat you this way. You do not deserve it. God is in control of my life and your life. He made us exactly the way we are supposed to be. I am sorry if I have ever made you feel bad about soccer or school or TKD. You are Gods's special girl and He is always proud of you because He made you in His own perfect way. I love being your Mama and I promise to do better and trust that God knows best for all of us. You are the most amazing daughter. You are a special delivery from God to me. (Heart) Mommy.
Thank you Lord for blessing me with this time today. For giving me the courage to write about it. And for helping me remember that you and only you are in control.
Lizze.B
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
A Lesson in God's Grace
I knew it would happen at some point. A lull or exile from my reflections. Finding myself sort of empty and unfulfilled. Serving, yes, but not passionate or inspired by anyone or anything. It seems to happen to me from time to time. I sort of fall off the wagon and find myself in kind of a no-man's-land until something finally wakes me up.
The source of my wake up came this morning while cleaning out my desk. I found some notes I had taken from a Cursillo I attended three years ago. It read: "God's grace. Unearned. Unqualified love. God is actively working for your love at all times." The words stung my face. Actively? With action. No boundaries. I suddenly wondered what in the world was wrong with me. Inactive. Without action. Boundaries. Self focused. Uninspired. Blah. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
Well...life happens. We make choices. We give less time to the things that matter most. We find less time to pray and tell ourselves we will get to it later. It goes on and on. And then as I'm digging through stacks of paper, it's God's words that shake me from this fog. God has never left. He is actively working for my love every second of every day. And there it is...God's grace being delivered when I am my most vulnerable and undeserving. I am humbled beyond belief.
My notes end with a single sentence. "Sin is not only what you do, it's also what you don't do." And I wonder how it is that I find myself in these valley's where I am incapable of receiving God's love? Regardless of where I've been, I know this is part of a beautiful journey. It is in these moments of conversion that I find my most authentic self and wake up. Home again in the peace of God's perfect love.
LizzieB+
This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever leaving something in it's place I have traded for it. I want it to be a gain, not a loss - good, not evil. Success, not failure in order that I shall not forsee the price I paid for it. -A Prayer Bear Bryant kept in his wallet
The source of my wake up came this morning while cleaning out my desk. I found some notes I had taken from a Cursillo I attended three years ago. It read: "God's grace. Unearned. Unqualified love. God is actively working for your love at all times." The words stung my face. Actively? With action. No boundaries. I suddenly wondered what in the world was wrong with me. Inactive. Without action. Boundaries. Self focused. Uninspired. Blah. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
Well...life happens. We make choices. We give less time to the things that matter most. We find less time to pray and tell ourselves we will get to it later. It goes on and on. And then as I'm digging through stacks of paper, it's God's words that shake me from this fog. God has never left. He is actively working for my love every second of every day. And there it is...God's grace being delivered when I am my most vulnerable and undeserving. I am humbled beyond belief.
My notes end with a single sentence. "Sin is not only what you do, it's also what you don't do." And I wonder how it is that I find myself in these valley's where I am incapable of receiving God's love? Regardless of where I've been, I know this is part of a beautiful journey. It is in these moments of conversion that I find my most authentic self and wake up. Home again in the peace of God's perfect love.
LizzieB+
This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever leaving something in it's place I have traded for it. I want it to be a gain, not a loss - good, not evil. Success, not failure in order that I shall not forsee the price I paid for it. -A Prayer Bear Bryant kept in his wallet
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Lady in Red
On Sunday, the congregation was given a homework assignment. "What will you offer the world this week?" A question asked at the end of the sermon that landed squarely on my heart. We often talk about how quickly time passes. How weeks roll one into the other and suddenly another year has passed...wondering where in the world the time has gone and what we have to show for it. The idea of offering the world something seems so daunting when we're just trying to grind out our day.
The truth is God isn't asking for anything too complicated. Words are not often required. He is looking for us to get in that place of faith where what we do makes a bigger impact than what we say. Change yourself and watch the miracles happen around you. Slow down and look your fellow man in the eyes. Smile. Embrace. Listen. Walk toward opportunities that you might otherwise have passed by. See Christ in the eyes of the people around you. Believers or non, we are all God's children. And it might be your day to share the message of God's love with one of these people.
I recently found myself in the company of one of God's messengers while anxiously waiting for an MRI. The appointment moved quickly as I was immediately called back. I found an empty seat next to an elderly woman who was decked out in a cherry red velvet warm up suit. We began talking about our ailments and how we had arrived at this place. She was having several tests run that day with the MRI being only one of them. "God poured down his favor on me today, I tell you. He lined up all my appointments so I could have them in one day," she shared. I learned that she was there alone and had taken a shuttle service that was paid for by her health insurance. She only had 10 rides per year and God's favor had allowed her to only use one ride for all the appointments she was having.
I have always been curious when people talk about God's favor. But in such a simple way, my new friend made it clear that she had been treated with a generosity from God that was far more than what she expected. Not surprised, more matter-of-fact, she described her thankfulness for letting God put the pieces together for her this day. Expect the best, I thought, and enjoy the abundance of God's kindness. What if I could do this everyday?
I'm not sure how much time passed while we both waited to be called. I noticed nurses walking slowly by interested in what was happening in this little waiting room. She explained how many times she had been sick and how many times the Lord had healed her. He was not ready for her to die and she wasn't worried about it anyway. She had peace because she knew the Lord. She leaned over to me and looked deeply into my eyes, "I thought I was doing a good job. I was kind to everyone. I have no mens in my life. I do good for people everyday. But when I invited the Lord into my life everything changed." I learned that despite her age she was a new believer. Two weeks walking in the love of Christ. A twelve day church revival right in downtown Birmingham was where she met Jesus for the first time. "Its changed my life. I can do anything now. I can speak. LORD, I CAN TESTIFY". With this she raised her hands high in air and talked about her body being filled with HIS holy water and how it is rising up inside her. Tears filling my eyes, we hugged tightly as they called me back. "God loves you," she whispered, "and everything gonna be alright with you. God Bless you".
As they positioned me for the MRI tears continued to roll down my cheeks. I had forgotten all about my tests and all my fears. It was only this lady in the red velvet suit. "The Lady in Red" I kept repeating as they rolled me in. God's loving kindness being given to me. His favor.
I pray differently now. I thank God only for giving me this day and what blessings, unknown to me, lay ahead. I try to have little worry for tomorrow and ask that He use me for this day to do good things. Quite honestly, I sweat a little in church now with the thought of being thrown from the pew "revival-like" filled with the holy spirit and shouting, "Can I get an Amen." I love how my life intersected with this woman in the most random of places. I love that God put her there to enrich my life in ways I could never imagine. What will I offer to the world this week? Lord only knows. But I can tell you it will be good.
LizzieB
The truth is God isn't asking for anything too complicated. Words are not often required. He is looking for us to get in that place of faith where what we do makes a bigger impact than what we say. Change yourself and watch the miracles happen around you. Slow down and look your fellow man in the eyes. Smile. Embrace. Listen. Walk toward opportunities that you might otherwise have passed by. See Christ in the eyes of the people around you. Believers or non, we are all God's children. And it might be your day to share the message of God's love with one of these people.
I recently found myself in the company of one of God's messengers while anxiously waiting for an MRI. The appointment moved quickly as I was immediately called back. I found an empty seat next to an elderly woman who was decked out in a cherry red velvet warm up suit. We began talking about our ailments and how we had arrived at this place. She was having several tests run that day with the MRI being only one of them. "God poured down his favor on me today, I tell you. He lined up all my appointments so I could have them in one day," she shared. I learned that she was there alone and had taken a shuttle service that was paid for by her health insurance. She only had 10 rides per year and God's favor had allowed her to only use one ride for all the appointments she was having.
I have always been curious when people talk about God's favor. But in such a simple way, my new friend made it clear that she had been treated with a generosity from God that was far more than what she expected. Not surprised, more matter-of-fact, she described her thankfulness for letting God put the pieces together for her this day. Expect the best, I thought, and enjoy the abundance of God's kindness. What if I could do this everyday?
I'm not sure how much time passed while we both waited to be called. I noticed nurses walking slowly by interested in what was happening in this little waiting room. She explained how many times she had been sick and how many times the Lord had healed her. He was not ready for her to die and she wasn't worried about it anyway. She had peace because she knew the Lord. She leaned over to me and looked deeply into my eyes, "I thought I was doing a good job. I was kind to everyone. I have no mens in my life. I do good for people everyday. But when I invited the Lord into my life everything changed." I learned that despite her age she was a new believer. Two weeks walking in the love of Christ. A twelve day church revival right in downtown Birmingham was where she met Jesus for the first time. "Its changed my life. I can do anything now. I can speak. LORD, I CAN TESTIFY". With this she raised her hands high in air and talked about her body being filled with HIS holy water and how it is rising up inside her. Tears filling my eyes, we hugged tightly as they called me back. "God loves you," she whispered, "and everything gonna be alright with you. God Bless you".
As they positioned me for the MRI tears continued to roll down my cheeks. I had forgotten all about my tests and all my fears. It was only this lady in the red velvet suit. "The Lady in Red" I kept repeating as they rolled me in. God's loving kindness being given to me. His favor.
I pray differently now. I thank God only for giving me this day and what blessings, unknown to me, lay ahead. I try to have little worry for tomorrow and ask that He use me for this day to do good things. Quite honestly, I sweat a little in church now with the thought of being thrown from the pew "revival-like" filled with the holy spirit and shouting, "Can I get an Amen." I love how my life intersected with this woman in the most random of places. I love that God put her there to enrich my life in ways I could never imagine. What will I offer to the world this week? Lord only knows. But I can tell you it will be good.
LizzieB
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
A Reflection on MLK: Changes of Heart
A week ago Monday was the school holiday that honored MLK's birthday. I decided to make the 10 minute drive from our house to the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum with my daughter. I was surprised at how much she knew about this day and this man when I told her of our road trip. She quickly ran to her backpack and proudly returned with a neatly handwritten note she had copied from a book at school on the previous day.
January 20, 1986, was an important day. It was the very first Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed everyone should be free to work at any job or attend any school. Everyone should be able to do the same thing. At one time many laws in our country were unfair to African Americans!
With great enthusiasm, we dressed and headed for downtown Birmingham.
On our way into the Museum, we walked past the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. It reminded me of the story my friend told me about her older sister dying in the basement of that church. Four little girls, just about my daughter's age, innocently going to the bathroom. A bombing that would forever mark the history of this city. "Who would do such a thing?" I was thinking this while Kate announced it. Hate is a powerful emotion. Fear is even more dangerous.
While we have come a long way since Civil Rights, hate and fear are alive and well. Most notably within the Christian faith, we let the things that make us different turn into anger. The world certainly shows us enough hatred already. Why would we not do as Jesus says and simply love each other. I am pretty sure God isn't going to line us up by church denomination when we get to heaven. Who among us knows for sure that our church is getting it right 100% of the time? The perfect message. The perfect people. The perfect church. Where does love fit into the hierarchy of religion. Change your heart, change your enemy and change your world.
As we exited the museum, Kate looked at me with pause. "Am I white?", she asked as she pinched her arm. "Yes", I said knowing it was a leading question. She pulled me closer and whispered, "Is it bad that I'm white?"
Civil Rights is definitely part of our history. But it doesn't have to be part of our here and now. God made each and everyone of us different and special and beautiful. Be at peace, see Christ in the eyes of your fellow man, and be the person you were meant to be. The more I pray for change the more I begin seeing the reflection of Christ in faces all around me. People can sense genuine kindness and respond with only the grace that God can provide. We are all God's children. Even those who do not believe. Get in that faith place, change your heart and let God work miracles in your life.
Ron Hall writes in 'same kind of different as me', "I cannot see into a persons heart to see his spiritual condition. All I can do is tell the jagged tale of my own spiritual journey and declare that my life has been the better for having followed Christ."
"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the staircase." --Martin Luther King Jr.
LizzieB
January 20, 1986, was an important day. It was the very first Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed everyone should be free to work at any job or attend any school. Everyone should be able to do the same thing. At one time many laws in our country were unfair to African Americans!
With great enthusiasm, we dressed and headed for downtown Birmingham.
On our way into the Museum, we walked past the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. It reminded me of the story my friend told me about her older sister dying in the basement of that church. Four little girls, just about my daughter's age, innocently going to the bathroom. A bombing that would forever mark the history of this city. "Who would do such a thing?" I was thinking this while Kate announced it. Hate is a powerful emotion. Fear is even more dangerous.
While we have come a long way since Civil Rights, hate and fear are alive and well. Most notably within the Christian faith, we let the things that make us different turn into anger. The world certainly shows us enough hatred already. Why would we not do as Jesus says and simply love each other. I am pretty sure God isn't going to line us up by church denomination when we get to heaven. Who among us knows for sure that our church is getting it right 100% of the time? The perfect message. The perfect people. The perfect church. Where does love fit into the hierarchy of religion. Change your heart, change your enemy and change your world.
As we exited the museum, Kate looked at me with pause. "Am I white?", she asked as she pinched her arm. "Yes", I said knowing it was a leading question. She pulled me closer and whispered, "Is it bad that I'm white?"
Civil Rights is definitely part of our history. But it doesn't have to be part of our here and now. God made each and everyone of us different and special and beautiful. Be at peace, see Christ in the eyes of your fellow man, and be the person you were meant to be. The more I pray for change the more I begin seeing the reflection of Christ in faces all around me. People can sense genuine kindness and respond with only the grace that God can provide. We are all God's children. Even those who do not believe. Get in that faith place, change your heart and let God work miracles in your life.
Ron Hall writes in 'same kind of different as me', "I cannot see into a persons heart to see his spiritual condition. All I can do is tell the jagged tale of my own spiritual journey and declare that my life has been the better for having followed Christ."
"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the staircase." --Martin Luther King Jr.
LizzieB
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Deeply Searching
In December, I attended a two-day women's worship conference at my Mother's invitation. I had been to Deeper Still twice before and thought this might be overkill. Same speakers, same music, same message. But the Bible is a big book and my life seemed to be taking unexpected turns everyday. Off we went with my sister and Mom's best friend in tow.
Kay Arthur spoke first. Older and wiser of the three and radical to some. Certainly plain speaking and certain of her beliefs. She said something I hope I never forget, "Jesus is not something you can add to your life like salt and pepper. Jesus is your life!" I dialed in on her definition of 'repent', and it is especially fitting for how I find myself looking for change in this new year. She simply said to repent is to turn around, change your mind, seek God. Up to now repent for me was tied to failure and remorse. How wonderful to think that at that very moment all I had to do was turn around. Imagine Jesus laying his hand on your shoulder as if to say, "I've always been here. Where have you been my friend? Follow me."
What is it about the human race...women especially. We really do make things so complicated. In my quest to follow John 15:17 and simply love each other, I am beginning to realize that I have to be comfortable with loving myself first. Only then can I truly thank God for the simple fact that I woke up today. Only then can I be vulnerable and come into that "faith place" where miracles can happen.
The reality of this message was delivered by Priscilla Shirer. Married and Mother to three young boys, she spoke of the realities of trying to find that "faith place" in our busy lives. I can relate. How do I step into that place and stay there? I'm in one minute and wondering how I got so far away the next. I'm tired of starting over. I want to stay in that "faith place"...but how? It goes back to using this day, this gift God has given me. Not what's past or future, but what is at my disposal today. On those busiest of days, it may not seem like much. But, Priscilla shared, "if I trust that God has his hand on it, it can become so much more than I ever thought it could be." I've tried this in the last week, and I can honestly say that its working in my life. And because of this effort, I can see it changing the lives of the people I treasure as well. It is becoming evident that God is waiting on me to get into position so miracles can happen.
Beth Moore capped off the event by asking us to repeat this sentence, "There are treasures out there." Interestingly it sounded more like 14,000 women asking the question...Are there treasures out there? She said it again and we repeated, "There ARE treasures out there!". We made this exchange several times until we all said it with belief.
Indeed there are treasures out there, and we will miss them if we look past the hardship and the pain. If we are looking for the next easy streak, we will miss the treasure. This stuff defines us. It's who we are. Battle wounds...signs of courage. I loved the way, Beth, described that we can live with pain a lot better than we can live with purposelessness. Go find your treasures. Lay claim to them! I treasure this journey I am on. I treasure that my heart is awakened. I treasure my husband and my daughter even though being a wife and a mother is not always easy. I don't want to look past the tough times. I want to embrace them and use it to come out on the other side with purpose. I will paraphrase her closing because she tied it all together so well. "When you feel like you've lost the treasure, look for Jesus. In Him, in Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Jesus has the other puzzle pieces, you only need a few. The whole portrait will come together and it will all make sense--your whole life. In Christ we live happily ever after, but right now we walk in faith."
Amen.
Pictured here: Alice and Mom. A testimony to treasured friendship. A real gift for me and my sister to witness.
Kay Arthur spoke first. Older and wiser of the three and radical to some. Certainly plain speaking and certain of her beliefs. She said something I hope I never forget, "Jesus is not something you can add to your life like salt and pepper. Jesus is your life!" I dialed in on her definition of 'repent', and it is especially fitting for how I find myself looking for change in this new year. She simply said to repent is to turn around, change your mind, seek God. Up to now repent for me was tied to failure and remorse. How wonderful to think that at that very moment all I had to do was turn around. Imagine Jesus laying his hand on your shoulder as if to say, "I've always been here. Where have you been my friend? Follow me."
What is it about the human race...women especially. We really do make things so complicated. In my quest to follow John 15:17 and simply love each other, I am beginning to realize that I have to be comfortable with loving myself first. Only then can I truly thank God for the simple fact that I woke up today. Only then can I be vulnerable and come into that "faith place" where miracles can happen.
The reality of this message was delivered by Priscilla Shirer. Married and Mother to three young boys, she spoke of the realities of trying to find that "faith place" in our busy lives. I can relate. How do I step into that place and stay there? I'm in one minute and wondering how I got so far away the next. I'm tired of starting over. I want to stay in that "faith place"...but how? It goes back to using this day, this gift God has given me. Not what's past or future, but what is at my disposal today. On those busiest of days, it may not seem like much. But, Priscilla shared, "if I trust that God has his hand on it, it can become so much more than I ever thought it could be." I've tried this in the last week, and I can honestly say that its working in my life. And because of this effort, I can see it changing the lives of the people I treasure as well. It is becoming evident that God is waiting on me to get into position so miracles can happen.
Beth Moore capped off the event by asking us to repeat this sentence, "There are treasures out there." Interestingly it sounded more like 14,000 women asking the question...Are there treasures out there? She said it again and we repeated, "There ARE treasures out there!". We made this exchange several times until we all said it with belief.
Indeed there are treasures out there, and we will miss them if we look past the hardship and the pain. If we are looking for the next easy streak, we will miss the treasure. This stuff defines us. It's who we are. Battle wounds...signs of courage. I loved the way, Beth, described that we can live with pain a lot better than we can live with purposelessness. Go find your treasures. Lay claim to them! I treasure this journey I am on. I treasure that my heart is awakened. I treasure my husband and my daughter even though being a wife and a mother is not always easy. I don't want to look past the tough times. I want to embrace them and use it to come out on the other side with purpose. I will paraphrase her closing because she tied it all together so well. "When you feel like you've lost the treasure, look for Jesus. In Him, in Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Jesus has the other puzzle pieces, you only need a few. The whole portrait will come together and it will all make sense--your whole life. In Christ we live happily ever after, but right now we walk in faith."
Amen.
Pictured here: Alice and Mom. A testimony to treasured friendship. A real gift for me and my sister to witness.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Looking for a Change
Yesterday was a glorious day. I found myself at the newly opened Changed Lives Christian Center. A shelter for men living on the street who are looking for a hand up. Men who are looking to take personal responsibility for their lives and weave themselves back into society. I was fortunate enough to hear the stories from some of the residents. One had arrived by way of prison. Another was struggling with finances and depression. Each full of hope and faith and trust that better days are ahead. Happy they woke up and absolutely certain that it was a gift from God. They had Christ in their eyes, and I drove away knowing I had just visited a house of God.
We're asked to take care of the least among us, and each time I am in the presence of the so-called "least of us" I end up on the receiving end. Perhaps I'm the one in need and God has put them in my life. I found myself reading Matthew 25, Jesus telling about the Final Judgement. With highlighter in hand I came to verse 40, "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Today, the lines are blurred as to who actually is the least among us. I think the natural inclination is that the poor and helpless are the needy. I am beginning to think that its the other way around.
Lizze B
We're asked to take care of the least among us, and each time I am in the presence of the so-called "least of us" I end up on the receiving end. Perhaps I'm the one in need and God has put them in my life. I found myself reading Matthew 25, Jesus telling about the Final Judgement. With highlighter in hand I came to verse 40, "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Today, the lines are blurred as to who actually is the least among us. I think the natural inclination is that the poor and helpless are the needy. I am beginning to think that its the other way around.
Lizze B
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