September 30, 2012

Pink Lemonade and Popcorn

Some of my favorite memories of my time in full time discipleship youth ministry include Sunday afternoons.  I would set the pink lemonade and popcorn out, ready and waiting.  The knocks on the door would begin and in would tumble a handful of high school girls. At the time, some of them may have claimed what they loved most about the afternoons were the popcorn and lemonade. The most precious thing to me though was watching these girls grow in their relationship with the Lord.

It was with that group of girls I first spouted out my “roller coaster” analogy. It went something like…

Life can feel a lot like a roller coaster at times.

You get on the ride full of excitement. Anticipating the thrill of the ride.

And there is a thrill.  The rush of adrenaline amidst the many ups and downs.  There are the moments of anticipation as the track creaks slowly upwards and your mind begins to wonder what you might be about to encounter next on the drop, the twist, or the upside down turn. And then there’s the excitement as you lift your hands on the drop and scream at the top of your lungs.

But it isn’t all a thrill.  There are parts that are downright terrifying. Many moments that you realize you have absolutely no control.

The great news is that despite the ups and down, ignoring the stomach-dropping moments, and capitalizing upon the exhilarating seconds… you’re always buckled in. 

As in life…

Also full of ups and downs.  There’s great anticipation as we look forward to milestones in our lives.  Tears and screams pour out when life seems to be more than we can handle and we know we are out of control.  We may love the moments of the “ride” that bring smiles to our faces even while wondering what twist or turn awaits us next. 

But all throughout the ride, we are “buckled in.”

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

September 23, 2012

Small, unexpected moments…

Yesterday morning I headed to one of my favorite brunch spots.  I had some reading I wanted to accomplish so I settled comfortably into one of the café’s over easy armchairs with my book and my meal.  Within ten minutes, a man occupied a seat within a few feet of me, probably mid-thirties, excitedly talking on his phone.  The essence of his conversation = wheelin’ and dealin’. He was pulling some deal together successfully and as he gained confidence in his victory, his voice grew louder and louder.

But that was just the introduction to this guy.

Soon after his call concluded, silence ensued from his area of the room for oh, about two whole minutes. Then, he called over the café’s manager, who had been walking around, checking in on customers.

And that’s when the small, unexpected moment that was a blessing to watch really began.

He handed the manager a credit card.  My initial thought was, “Does this guy think he gets served at his table? Can’t he see everyone walk up to the counter to order?”

Bad first judgment call on my part.  Because the next words out of his mouth were:

“I want you to go pay for someone’s meal.  How about that guy, the one in line with white hair?” Can you go take this to the cashier and see that the man’s meal is paid for?”

The manager looked at him astonished. Speechless for a moment.  Then smiled and headed to the line.  He slipped behind the counter and tried to explain what he wanted the cashier to do.  At this point, I could no longer hear across the room, but I was mesmerized watching the events unfold.

The customer that was going to receive this blessing stood completely unaware, about four customers back in line.  I was anxious to see what happened when he discovered his meal was being paid for.  In fact, my book was no longer captivating my attention; I was solely tuned in to the other side of the room waiting for the white-haired gentleman to make his way to the front of the line.

Finally, it was his turn.  He ordered, along with two others accompanying him.  The man reached for his wallet just as the manager stepped up to the cash register and refused to take his credit card.  Although I could not hear the words, the manager had to be sharing that the bill was already paid.  I watched the older man begin to scratch the back of his head.  I imagined, since I was only seeing the back of him, complete bewilderment crossing his face, as the manager stood there explain to him that another patron had paid for his bill.

A small, unexpected moment. But one that was just a fresh reminder of my own bill that was paid.

Sometimes small, unexpected moments remind us of life-changing events.

“But God demonstrates His own love us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him.”   Romans 5:8-9

September 16, 2012

Remembering 9/11

We had a moment of silence at school last Tuesday.  It was an interesting conversation afterwards with a room full of 3^rd graders.  Most were at least aware of a significance attached to the date. Several comments included, “My dad says….or my mom remembers when that happened…”    

But overall, it was mostly curiosity on their part.  That date is not part of their life story.  Their life story includes the aftermath, but not the memory of that day. 

An inquisitive mind asked if I remembered the day.  And as so many of us can say, absolutely I remember the day.  I remember exactly where I was the moment the news first came to my ears.  I remember what I did the rest of the day.  When an event like that occurs, an unshakeable imprint is made on our minds.  We may have trouble remembering what we had for lunch yesterday, but the details of a day like that are unforgettable.

9/11 is one of those memories that as a nation we share.  But each one of us has our own monumental moments along our life journey that are also imprinted into our hearts and minds.

Those moments that we can remember the details of where we were, what we were wearing, sometimes the sounds and smells around us.  Some of those moments are captured in great happiness, while others are poignant, reflecting times of loss and grief. They elicit emotions and sometimes when remembering, we seem to be transported back to the very moments.

For some reason thinking about this today, made me also think of the gospels. What a gift! Words from those who experienced the life of Jesus.  As they are retelling the events of Jesus’ life or the years just following his death, little did they know we would be relishing their words thousands of years later.

Just like the 3^rd graders had not experienced 9/11, I obviously did not experience the actual life of Christ.  Yet, the Lord wanted me to have the treasure of that time through the gift of His Word, penned by those that slept near Him, questioned Him, followed Him, learned from Him, prayed with Him, and eventually set out to share about His death and resurrection.

I wish I could say I wake up each morning ready to devour the Word, ready to immerse myself in the truth it offers to me. But that’s simply not true.  Sure, some days I relish in what I find and the ways God is revealing Himself to me.  Other days I find myself reading out of obedience. It’s true that I’m guilty of taking the Good Book for granted. Some days it even remains closed on my bedside table.

But this little reminder today makes me think:

It’s time to go read. With renewed eyes as I glimpse into the heart of my God.

September 9, 2012

I’m in a hurry…

When the song, “I’m in a hurry to get things done” (by Alabama) first came out a number of years ago, I had an instant connection with it. In fact, you could say it was the perfect theme song for my life. 

The chorus from the song:

I’m in a hurry to get things done

I rush and rush until life’s no fun.

All I really got to do is live and die

But I’m in a hurry and don’t know why

Not exactly the best theme song for life.  But it overwhelmingly fits.  You see I’m a list maker and a “doer.” In fact, when being completely honest with myself, I find joy and satisfaction in making a list and checking items off.  I’ve even been known to reflect upon my day, and realizing that I managed to accomplish a number of things NOT on my list, I’ve added them to the original list just so I could check them off.

Of course, list making can be a great strategy, don’t get me wrong.  I’d have no way of remembering everything I needed or wanted to do if I did not write it down.  The difference is, when that list determines all the moments of your day, plans your weeks and months.  And leaves you no time to just live.

That’s the problem. That’s when you know you are in a hurry just to get the list done, only to find there are more things on the next list.  And all the hurrying and “doing” leaves less time for the joy of living.

I’m not writing today to say I’ve found an answer. Far from it. 

But I’m writing these words down as a reminder, a reminder I really need each and every day.

So here is my revised list for today:

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” Matthew 6:33

September 2, 2012

Back to School

The unplanned hiatus from the blog is now over.  The start of school has monopolized my time and attention. That’s just the life of a teacher.  It’s the season of the start of school that obliterates all other focus as we begin the school year. It’s a season that happens each and every August.

And it’s led me to contemplate the “seasons” of life.  Not my first time to ponder on this, but definitely timely.

Where many may consider January the beginning of a new year, for me, it is August, the beginning of a new school year. Everything starts all over again.

Ecclesiastes speaks to the “routine” of life.  That’s an oxymoron really…the routine of life and yet, 

"What has been will be again,

     what has been done will be done again;

      there is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9

Nothing new, and yet how often I'm surprised with what I discover around the corner. Sometimes surprised with elation, and other times with trepidation.

If I held only to those words, that there is "nothing new," I would not be surprised ever would I? 

And yet I am.

So I need to keep reading...

Ecclesiastes 3:

"There is a time for everything,

  and a season for every activity under the heavens:

   a time to be born and a time to die,

  a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

   a time to kill and a time to heal,

  a time to tear down and a time to build,

   a time to weep and a time to laugh,

  a time to mourn and a time to dance,

   a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

  a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

   a time to search and a time to give up,

  a time to keep and a time to throw away,

   a time to tear and a time to mend,

  a time to be silent and a time to speak,

   a time to love and a time to hat,

  a time for war and a time for peace.

What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time." (Ecc. 3:1-9)

The reminder for me today...

I may be surprised, but my Lord is not.

He's set forth the seasons just as He has determined my days.

AND..."He's made everything beautiful in its time."

The new beginnings, the same old routines, the welcome surprises, and the not so fun encounters around the corner = "He's made everything beautiful in its time."