Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Whooo Are You?


When I was a little girl Alice in Wonderland was one of my favorite movies. It’s not surprising… for a girl with an imagination that liked to run wild.

When I found out they were making a new Alice movie I started counting the days. Finally opening day came and I headed to the theatre.

As the movie opens we find that Alice is all grown up. But strangely, magically, she finds herself back in Wonderland, only she doesn’t remember it. Doesn’t remember the Tweedles, the Rabbit, or the Red Queen. And even more disheartening… Alice doesn’t remember who she is.

But the others do… Hatter, the March Hair, Chess… they all remember her. And as they try to tell Alice who she is and why they needed her to return to Wonderland she adamantly denies that she is the girl they seek.

Fortunately for the little girl in me, Alice eventually remembers Whooo she is. She remembers the brave girl with the unquenchable curiosity. She remembers her friends, and her love for them. She remembers the Jaberwocky, the sword, and the power she has to slay the dragon. She remembers that she’s not the girl who fits in the mold. She’s the girl who stands out in the crowd. Who has crazy dreams. And who lives life with passion.

Lately I’ve found myself whispering the question “Who am I?” The world would like to tell me who I am. What mold I’m supposed to fit in. How I’m supposed to act. What I’m supposed to wear. What I’m supposed to say. And, like Alice, I’ve followed the world’s rules. Tried to fit in, not cause a scene.

But the whispering won’t go away… like Absolom whispering to Alice… God is whispering to me “Whooo are you?”

And I remembered… I’m the little girl who loves a good story. I’m the curious soul who loves to explore. I’m the dreamer who believes the impossible. I’m the brave one who loves to dance in the rain. I’m the daughter of the King, the princess in disguise.

I am Alice. And that Jaberwocky better hide.

I'd love to know... Whooo are you?


Friday, August 27, 2010

Go Play!

Today I had the chance to do two of my favorite things… I went to lunch with my girlfriends, and I sat quietly surrounded by nature and poured my heart out on paper.

Too often I neglect the things that bring me joy.

But today I am thankful that I made time. Time to laugh. Time to connect with friend. Time to be quiet. Time to listen to God.

I know that when I get up from this computer there will be many things waiting to pull me in many different directions. Good things. But things that will stretch me. Demand energy of me. Things like thawing chicken, helping with homework, sorting whites and adding bleach, balancing check books, and feeding pets.

The “have to’s” of my day.

Most days I dread the “have to’s”. Most days I feel stretched too thin, like I have nothing left to give.

Today I feel full. Energized. Ready to tackle my list.

Why? Because I stopped. I made time for peace. I made time for joy.

What brings you joy? What fills your heart and gives you energy?

Is it journaling? Scrapbooking? A quiet walk? Talking to a girlfriend? Bubble bath? Crafts?

When was the last time you made time for what makes you smile?

What’s stopping you from making time today?

Go play!



Friday, August 20, 2010

Home

Well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.

Daughtry, Home

Home is sitting at the foot of the cross

Home is wrapped in my husband’s arms.

Home is Uno Flash at the dining room table.

Home is good night hugs, and whispered prayers.

Home is bubble baths with a brand new book.

Home is quiet worship in deep woods.

Home is tickle fights and Wii bowling.

Home is weeding flower beds.

Home is licking batter from bowls.

Home is fresh paper and my favorite pen.

Home is quiet coffee houses with favorite friends.

Home is head on pillow, Bible in hand.

Home is where His love is enough.


I don’t regret this life I’ve chose. But at times it’s draining. At times 4am gets old. At times I miss home. At times the business of life robs me of the simple joys of life. But, I’m going home. I’m taking time.

I’m going home to find refuge. To find strength. To find joy. Home refreshes and renews. Home equips us to live our life with no regrets.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Mathew 11:28-29 The Message

I’m going home.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Salvation is Calling

Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why are you troubled, O my heart?

Why are you fearful of winds and waves,

Of darkness and night?


Have you forgotten joy?

Have you misplaced peace?

Have you abandoned faith?

Lift up your head! Lift up your eyes!


Do you see Him?

Sleeping in the boat with you.

Put your hope in Him!

He is your refuge in the storm.


Look as He wakes.

Listen as He speaks.

Marvel as the wind obeys.

Rest in the peace He brings.


Fear not, sweet child.

For He has redeemed you.

He calls you by name.

He knows just where you are.


He will not abandon you

In the depths of the sea.

He will not leave you

In the raging fire.


Lift up your face.

Look to Him.

Salvation is calling.

Love waits for you.


But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior… Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you… Do not be afraid, for I am with you Isa. 43

Monday, August 9, 2010

Restless

I’m pretty good at juggling. Always have been. I’m not sure if it’s just part of my nature, or if it’s something I developed after having 4 kids, a job, and ministry. Regardless, it’s a fact. But the last week the juggling that is usually a joy has become a strain. I feel like at any minute I’m going to make one wrong move and drop everything. And it’s stressing me out.

I can always tell when I’m overly stressed because I find myself clinging to my lifeline of music. I’ve always said life should be a musical, but in the trenches music moves from the background to the forefront. Friday God sent me a song. It’s beautiful, peaceful, full of hope!

Yet this morning I realized that there’s a big difference between a song and a musical. Songs are sung, musicals are acted out. And if I really want my life to be a musical then it’s time to put on my dancing shoes and put some action behind the words. It’s not enough to sing of resting in Him. I. Must. Rest. In. Him!

So today that is my goal. To stop juggeling long enough to rest. To find peace again.

Are you restless? Tired? Weary? If so I’d love to share my song with you…


Restless by Audrey Assad

Our praises filling up the spaces

In between the frailty and everything You are

You are the keeper of my heart


And I’m restless, I’m restless

‘Till I rest in You, ‘till I rest in You

I’m restless, I’m restless

‘Till I rest in You, ‘till I rest in You

Oh God, I wanna rest in You


Oh, speak now for my soul is listening

Say that You have saved me, whisper in the dark

‘Cause I know You’re more than my salvation

Without You I am hopeless, tell me who You are

You are keeper of my heart


And I’m restless, I’m restless

‘Till I rest in You, ‘till I rest in You

I’m restless, I’m restless

‘Till I rest in You, ‘till I rest in You

I wanna rest in You


Still me heart

Hold me close

Let me hear a still small voice

Let it grow

Let it rise

Into a shout

Into a cry


And I’m restless, I’m restless

‘Till I rest in You, ‘till I rest in You

I’m restless, I’m restless

‘Till I rest in You, ‘till I rest in You

Oh God, I will rest in You





Thursday, August 5, 2010

Lift Up Your Face

Today I am weak.

Yesterday I fell.

Tiredness. Temptation. Testing.

Arrows from many directions sailed toward me. And for a moment, I dropped my shield and my heart was pierced.

Angry words.

Cold stares.

A sleepless night.

Morning came. And with it regret. Guilt. Sadness. Confession. Repentance. Forgiveness. Acceptance.

The cycle of life.

I desperately wish I wouldn’t fall. Wouldn’t speak angry words to innocent hearts. Wouldn’t let weakness cause my words to sting.

But it is here… in brokenness that I realize how much I need Him. How horribly things go wrong when I forget to depend on His strength.

And here… in my weakness He sings to me.