The Morning Moon

When a particularly bright moon, a dazzling radiant unanticipated interruption, draws my gaze to a supposed-to-be-dark window, I stop, take in the brilliance and think (actually pray), "Lord, I see you watching over us",  and I smile, feeling safe and noticed by the God of the whole universe.

Then there's the morning moon. It delights me for some reason. I think because it screams that God has held everything together while I was sleeping and I thank Him for that very thing every time I see it. Today was no exception.

I saw this guy shining in the window early and enjoyed my usual soul-pleasing thoughts. A few minutes later, settled in my chair with coffee and blanket, candles lit, Bible on lap, I read Psalm 139 - the homework I gave my Sunday school class for the week.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

  and the light about me be night,”

12 

even the darkness is not dark to you;

    the night is bright as the day,

    for darkness is as light with you. v.11,12

This is one of my favorite verses to rehearse when darkness seems to be eclipsing light in my life. No matter how dark things get or how little I can see in front of and around me, it's not in the dark to God. Not even cloudy! John tells us, 

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, 

that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

What an amazing comfort. He sees it all. Nothing is unclear to Him. Nothing a mystery. He sees all and knows all. He sees me. He sees everything that pertains to me. And if that isn't enough - He loves me! 

Currently darkness has invaded my vision and I can't see a foot in front of me. That sentence is amusing. Can we ever truly see a foot in front of us? No, we can't. And this is why the wisdom belongs to the one who surrenders that desire for control to the Only One who has it.

Morning moon speaks truth. Now my current darkness must bow its knee to God's ever-glowing light. Not unlike early morning fog, the peace God gives in abundance blankets me in - despite the haze - and I can start the day. Now that's illuminating.

Preparing for the Inevitable

Recently we drove by the house we raised our children in. The new owners painted the shutters, removed my custom built window boxes and put a fence around the backyard.

Memories flooded in. Ally pushing her baby in a stroller in the yard. The boys shooting baskets for hours at the end of the driveway. Scott and I taking a walk every night after dinner, inviting the kids to come find us on their bikes....after they do the dishes and clean the kitchen.

I asked Scott if he misses having kids in school (a.k.a. home everyday). It's weird when the school calendar has absolutely no bearing on your daily life after 20 years of it being in the driver's seat. I used to love back-to-school time. New clothes, backpacks full of supplies, September = apples, October = pumpkins, November = pilgrims. You get the picture.

The season is changing. Summer is behind us. This is never more obvious than in a small tourist town when 85% of the businesses close up the day after Labor Day.

I noticed yesterday the leaves are starting to showing off up here in the mountains. Already? My excitement for Fall and then upcoming Christmas and winter is not as strong as it used to be. It couldn't come fast enough when the kids were home. Now it's more like I'm trying to put the brakes on and prolong its coming. Winter has long been my favorite season, am I now afraid of it?

March and April are the problem. Spring comes late in the North. The summer sped by so fast. It feels like the green lush trees just bloomed. I'm not ready for the cold that drives us inside. I will be eventually, but not quite yet.

It's not rocket science to put the clues together. We don't live in a neighborhood anymore. Our kids are grown and out of the house. They aren't here for the whole month of December, sometimes just a week or less. (And we need the whole month of December to watch our extensive Christmas movie collection and for me to read them the stories of their childhood. Yeah, they don't really let me do that anymore anyway, but still.) Winter is long when there are no snow days.

The Bible tells us,

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace."*

That pretty much covers everything. Notice how half are fun and enjoyable and the other half seem to imply loss and pain possibly resulting in fear. However, this I know, throughout the Old and New Testaments, we God-followers are instructed not to fear. Ok, but how?

I've been reading a delightful book about walking with Jesus through the physical and spiritual seasons of winter, spring, summer and fall and I love the author's ideas.

I've never experienced such an accurate description of both the brutality and value of winter. Winters, spiritually speaking, are necessary to achieve a less shakable faith through prayer (how shallow would our prayers be if we never endure difficult seasons of pain, trial and God's silence?), pruning (let's admit there are things in our lives that need to die and fall off), and waiting (while excruciatingly hard, this discipline yields volumes of fruit in an increased ability to trust God and help others do the same that comes with emergence into Spring).

I agree 100% but that's not what I'm going to write about today. I wrote many a post about spiritual winter when we went through our three year tundra just a few years ago. Feel free to back up and read if you're in your own. Instead, on my mind today is how to not just survive, but thrive in actual freezing cold winter.

I know, I know, we haven't even gotten to the calendar beginning of Fall yet, so why today? Because I'm nervous about what I know is inevitable and I want to get ahead of it as much as is in my control. (That looks like a self-confession of control freakishness. Not going there today either.)

Back to the book I'm reading, the author also suggests the value of winter play. There are things we can only do in winter that need to move to the front seat. "Winter might be handing you a gift...there may be something you can do now, here, that's hard or impossible to do anytime else."**

Outside - skiing, ice skating, snow shoeing, sledding, etc.
Inside - the things we can't seem to get to the rest of the year like puzzles, reading books that have long sat on the "to be read" shelf, journaling, ____________, etc. You fill in the rest of the blanks.

I like to think I already know this. I shine pretty much until mid-January which doesn't cut it when you live in the mountains where winter is forever (slight drama). If I'm honest, I admit that eventually my vigor turns into sluggishness and I curl up on my couch with sweet carbs to hibernate instead of embracing the gift of winter (physical). Then I get to Spring and wonder what I have to show for all those months inside? Wasted time. No more!

As I anticipate the long Adirondack winter, I accept the challenge to proactively enter the cold season with a positive attitude and arranging my time to include some things I usually intend to do, but often let slide as I slumber through awaiting Spring's colorful arrival.

A list! Of course, a list is always the 1st step.

May I suggest a spiritual goal/discipline as first priority? Perhaps reading through the Bible starting in January (or start in December so you're ahead!). Tackling an Advent devotional? Adding minutes and intimacy to your prayer life? Resolving to wait for God without anxiety?

Getting the most out of anything we dread is more likely when spending time with Jesus and growing in His likeness is the initial focus. Once we nail that, we can add other ideas.

Here's my first attempt:

1. Get out a big puzzle that will take a long time to complete and invite guests to join the effort. Good talks happen when working on a project together in a comfy living room.
2. Reread, with a friend this time, the Mitford series. Oh Father Tim, how I love you!
3. Exercise inside as often as I do outside in the summer (resist the couch!).
4. Plant a window garden to watch something grow.
5. Actively learn something from someone else. (My co-worker makes homemade bagels. Homemade bagels! She's promised to teach me.)
6. Make use of the many cookbooks I hoard - try a new recipe every week or two.
6. Learn how to cross country ski. Then ski across the frozen lake.
7. Go on a dog sled ride.

What is this? My apprehension is losing power. I'm actually getting excited for what's ahead. Are you? Let's do this together - add your inspired ideas in the comments so I can steal!

In the meantime, we can rest here - seasons change, but God doesn't. He's present in all of them. He's good in all of them, even when they are long and painful. No need to fear or worry. There's something good and necessary in each one for us.

We just need to chill and let God do His work. Did you see what I did there?


*Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
**Spiritual Rhythm by Mark Buchanan

A Lake Pleasant Miracle

Oh it's starting to happen. Glorious Fall coming up next.

 

And now that the summer season of Camp has ended, we go back to a 5 day, 40 hour work week, which means these happy campers can get outside and enjoy some of the beauty that surrounds us here. Especially before it's dark at 4:30pm. You know that's coming too.

Another highlight of my week was meeting a new friend who was just here for a few weeks to work. I could tell she was someone I wanted to get to know better, so suggested we get together off hours. Because the weather is so gorgeous, it just had to happen outside.

I have wanted to try paddle boarding but admit am not too confident in my skill level. I mean, that's a serious balancing act. This young'n assured me I could do it.

Ahem. Sometimes there is no place for pride. You've got to just go with it and hope that as a 48 year old wife of 26 years, mother of three and grandmother of one, you don't make too much a fool of yourself.

 I can't believe it either. It's not that easy to stand up from your knees with a paddle in your hands. But check it off my list - I've done it! I didn't fall off once. It was a Lake Pleasant Miracle. And it was super fun.

After paddling out a ways, we sat down and talked for a long time. It's so good to hear others' stories. We need to marvel at how God works individually and lovingly in all of His childrens' lives. We need to tell our own stories for the same reason.

No wonder the Bible tells us to encourage each other. Life is hard and we often need someone to remind us to keep going. Life is also beautiful and it's good to rejoice together.

This darling young lady is the first dancer/singer living in New York City I've met. She has an amazing self-awareness and heart that loves Jesus. Hard worker. Dreamer. Obedient. Kind. Funny. She really had an impact here because she intentionally made many friendships in a very short amount of time. A lesson to me for sure. Be generous with your time and pay attention to those around you. It makes others feel so valued. This is one of the many reasons why I love spending time with younger women. I learn so much and am inspired to live better. To shave off some of my comforts and be brave.

Just like the scene in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we were so engrossed, we didn't notice where we ended up - a little too close to the shore - on the other side of the lake. Ooops! The wind had picked up by then too making the water choppy, challenging the balance issue. Had I been alone I may have whimpered and tried to figure out how someone, you know who, could come get me but I had to suck it up and be tough. I'm glad I did. Another life lesson - you don't know what you've got in you until you're put to the test.

I made her dinner after our adventure. Our conversation just kept going and going. What a gift! Yup, I knew I would benefit from spending time with her and I certainly did.

In other news, we got this young lady all tucked into her dorm room for 2nd year. If you can zoom in, notice the blanket under her arm. She has slept with this very one for 19 1/2 years and I don't think there's anything wrong with that.
 

Today Scott and I are in the middle of our first two days off in a row together since the beginning of June. Feels good.

I can't seem to sleep any later though. But you know what's great about dark early mornings?

Candlelight devotions. Try it sometime, you'll see.



 

Summer Has Come....In Every Way

Well, it was a long winter. Even though I say all the time that it is my favorite season, I sure am enjoying Spring/beginning of Summer. Our little town here in the mountains pretty much shut down for many months of cold weather and we stayed inside a lot. 

A. Lot.

But now? I insist on almost daily sunset walks along the beach. The whole staff, who we spend most of our time with, is practically giddy with the sunshine, warm temperatures and gorgeous landscape coming alive.

Camp starts next Saturday when our first guests arrive. This week summer staff started to arrive. I believe we will gain about 300 to our number by Monday. It's all so exciting. Everything is abuzz! 

The college kids assigned to Scott and me are mostly all here and we've been training everyday. I've noticed we've already started putting in the expected 54 hours a week, more really. But when you love your job, it's not hard to do. Good thing we live only a short walk from our home. No travel commute.

Anyway, so today after work I took a stroll through Camp to see what's happening and thought you'd like to see some pictures. Allow me to narrate.

First stop, I see the Guest Services 'limo' golf carts are out of storage and zipping around. This is Scott's area.

 

Either I'm getting old or I'm starved for color, because everyday I mention how gorgeous all this green is. Every day. If I had a quarter for every eye roll from Scott and Ben...
It was a long brown winter if you know what I mean.

It didn't take long to wander into the Arts and Crafts building, one of my favorite spots. I see they are busy setting up all the crafty possibilities. Thursday nights are for adults only and they can't come soon enough.

Next up the Trading Post (aka best gift shop in the Adk). It was locked, so this crazy lady tried to take a pic through the window. Lucky for her, she knows one of the higher ups who carries a key to everything......sssshhhhh.

 Last summer I pledged to purchase one piece of jewelry each week. I may or may not have achieved that goal.

 I don't know if 10 weeks are enough...

You see my problem?

May have to double up this year.

A cute guy came by and walked with me....

to the beach. Ahhhh. 

Flowers everywhere - finally.

I heard there was an ice cream shipment delivered here today. I guess I'll have to check that out too. I mean it's my job to participate in all areas of Camp. I don't see how I have a choice.

Everywhere you look God shows off His creative genius in the natural beauty of blue skies, mountains, streams, tall pines and so much more.

 We will hear amazing speakers here.


Scott is quite proud of this fountain. I guess it hasn't been functional for some time. This is our view when we walk home everyday.

It is not lost on me that one year ago this weekend our lives changed in a big way. We thought we were just coming for the summer to prevent us from rattling around our house with no job prospects and no kids at home in hopes that one of us wouldn't snap and possibly harm the other. Ahem.

We didn't know they would have two year-round full-time positions perfectly suited for both of us. That we would serve Camp guests sort of like we used to serve our church people.

We didn't know by the end of our 9-week contract that we'd be selling our home and moving our life up here to Speculator, NY.

We didn't know that once a week our dining room would be filled with strapping young men who could use a Mom's cooking and a Dad's kind, loving presence.

We didn't know I would have so many young women to love, encourage, learn from and pray for.

We didn't know God would restore all that we had lost in a long season of un and semi-employment.

There was so much we just didn't know.

But God did. He had been preparing it while we were in the dark. When we didn't know but dared to trust Him anyway. If you missed that story, you can catch up here.

The moral of this story is that God knew. His eye was on us and we were on His mind. He was listening to our prayers.

Yes, He made us wait. Yes, we were confused. Yes, we were hurt. Yes, one of us cried buckets of tears. Yes, we were straining under the weight of the wait.

Then just when we were hoping most and praying hardest for it, even with no indication on any horizon that it was near, He showed up! Not only did He show up, but He showed off. (See Psalm 66)

We love Him more than ever now.

He really is a good, good Father. He leads His sheep tenderly. He doesn't let even one get away from His gaze. No, not one.

Look at me now, I'm talking to you. Are you waiting? Are you confused? Are you hurt? Have you cried buckets? Do you wonder if He sees and hears you? If He cares?

Let me say with confidence He does. Don't grow weary or lose heart. Fix your eyes on Jesus. He loves you. He is working in ways you cannot see but make no mistake, He is working. One day it will be revealed to you and you will see.

Hang in there. Hold on tight (to the promises in His Word).* Soon you will marvel and so will everyone who has watched you wait. It will all be worth it.

A place of beauty awaits you.


*Just for fun, do a word search in the Bible for 'wait' or 'waiting'. You will be amazed at the volume of blessings promised to those who endure.

Two Of My Favorite Things

If you've been reading this blog, a.k.a. my heart, for very long you know I have lots of favorite things. We all do I imagine.

I clocked another birthday of a non-remarkable, albeit still shocking, number this past Sunday. On Friday a dear, sweet, thoughtful, funny friend showed up at my door with her husband, a cake (my favorite kind), a pastry to be saved for my actual birthday morning, a sentimental card with some spending money and a gift of two brand new books. She announced, "We are only staying as long as it takes to order pizza for dinner and eat it with you."

You can imagine my delight. What love! My favorite part? Well, I savored every detail, but of course - the books! This woman has bought me books before and always hits a homerun. She introduced me to Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts a few years ago and it changed my life. Which basically means for any future selections, I pay attention.

Favorite #1 - when someone who knows me presents me with a book specially chosen for me because it reminds her of me. (I totally despise that sentence because it says 'me' four times. Please forgive me. Ugh, there I go again.)

Favorite #2 - when I pick up a new book, begin reading and immediately identify with the author and the content. Like put the book down and have an ugly cry kind of identifying. In other words, I feel like it was written solely for me (narcissist much?) or it's so similar to my current situation that I could have written it myself.

I love when either of those things happen. Both of these favorites collided this weekend and it is glorious. I know God was behind it.

I just have to share a few morsels with you. Get it? Morsels? Bittersweet? Chocolate? Haha - sometimes I crack myself up.

Yeah, I know, don't quit your day job.

First of all, were you able to make out the subtitle? "Thoughts on change, grace, and learning the hard way." That's more bitter than sweet. After reading the title, I lifted my eyes to meet my friend's which were still on me and she said, "I got myself a copy also because I think I need it too." Oh man, I love her. Took the sting right out. This is grace.

Just the prologue alone was so rich I had to read it twice. I wonder if it will resonate with you.

"Bittersweet is the practice of believing that we really do need both the bitter and the sweet, and that a life of nothing but sweetness rots both your teeth and your soul. Bitter is what makes us strong, what forces us to push through, what helps us earn the lines on our faces and the callouses on our hands. Sweet is nice enough, but bittersweet is beautiful, nuanced, full of depth and complexity. Bittersweet is courageous, gutsy, earthy."

Rotten teeth. Check. (Hereditary from my Dad and possibly a lifetime of chocolate sweetness.) Lines on face. Check. (I don't want to talk about it.) Callouses on hands. (Well, do warts count? I have two.) So, check.

Still, the description smells like purpose to me. And I love purpose.

"This is what I've come to believe about change: it's good, in a way that childbirth is good, and heartbreak is good and failure is good. By that I mean that it's incredibly painful, exponentially more so if you fight it, and also that it has the potential to open you up, to open life up, to deliver you into the palm of God's hand, which is where you wanted to be all along, except that you were too busy pushing and pulling your life into exactly what you thought it should be."

Please tell me that last sentence made you shiver too. If not, go back and read it again. I'll wait for you. Talk about a bittersweet sentence. Be sure and note the beauty in it. Friend, sometimes the truth hurts, but we need to hear it.

With Easter just a stone's throw behind us, resurrection and new life have very much been on my mind lately. Specifically the end of Winter and the newness of Spring. It feels like Scott and I have been in winter figuratively for almost three years now. We ache for new life, new beginnings, new growth.

I often refer to a favorite Bible passage that has been real and relevant to so many areas and seasons of my life. God speaking:

Remember not the former things, 

nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert. Isa. 43:18-19

Wilderness? Desert? New thing. Springs forth. Keep talking, Lord.

Then this:

"I believe that God is making all things new. I believe that Christ overcame death and that pattern is apparent all through life and history: life from death, water from a stone, redemption from failure, connection from alienation. I believe that suffering is part of the narrative, and that nothing really good gets built when everything's easy. I believe that loss and emptiness and confusion often give way to new fullness and wisdom."

Are you still with me? How do you feel about change? Are you fighting a change you didn't want in the first place or waiting for a long awaited change? Me too.

"...change is one of God's greatest gifts and one of His most useful tools.  ...change can push us, pull us, rebuke and remake us. It can show us who we've become, in the worst of ways, and also in the best of ways. ...change is not a function of life's cruelty but instead a function of God's graciousness.

If you dig in and fight the changes, they will smash you to bits. They'll hold you under, drag you across the rough sand, scare and confuse you. But if you can find it within yourself, in the wildest of seasons, just for a moment to trust in the goodness of God, who makes it all and holds it all together, you'll find yourself drawn along to a whole new place, and there's truly nothing sweeter. Unclench your fists, unlock your knees and also the door to your heart, take a deep breath, and begin to swim. Begin to let the waves do their work in you."

And that's just the first chapter.

I so get how real the feelings of fear and confusion can be. You probably do too. Why not let's together take this author's advice and trust in the goodness of God, who makes it all and holds it all together, including our lives and hearts? Don't you want to let the waves do their work in you? Remake you? Bring out something new? Oh I do. I do. Pick me!!

I truly believe with all my heart God will eventually reveal that He was up to something good the whole time. Believe that with me.

Keep your eyes open all around you for new growth. After all, the long winter is over - it's Spring - the season for new life. Again the verse above... "Remember not the former things or consider the things of old." New life is in front of us. Hope is in front of us. Keep moving forward. No more looking for it back there behind us. It's not there any more than Jesus is still in the tomb.

Do you not perceive it?


All bold quotes from Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist
italics mine

Women

I'm a little surprised to discover that we are ten days into November and I have not written a word about Thanksgiving. I am well aware that it is holiday time! Oh yes I am. If there was any doubt, keep reading. These friends made an appearance November 1st.

And the first tree went up too.  Now don't get offended.  There's nothing Christmasy about this tree (except that it is a tree with lights on it). You can clearly see that it is decorated in all brown (ornaments, ribbon and garland compliments of Hobby Lobby).  Not a Christmas color.  A Fall color.  It screams Thanksgiving!

Here's my favorite room in the house all set for November. Even though we are not eating the main meal here this year, I will still enjoy it for the month.

Scott has been preaching the last few weeks about gratitude. It's always good to put that in the front seat in November. I keep a daily list year-round of things I'm thankful for, what brings me joy each day, and even things I don't want that I'm trusting God will use for my good like many of you do. Doing this kind of feels like Thanksgiving everyday, without the turkey and pumpkin pie.

When I think about what I'm thankful for, women a little further down the road than me and their wisdom always rises to the top of my list.  I am very blessed to have many older women willing to take an interest in me and pour their experiences and advice into my life.

As a woman I have always been well acquainted with my inadequacies and insecurities.  Because of that, I have always been hungry for the advice of women I admire figuring if I want to turn out like them, I need to get close enough to ask how and listen.

I'll share a little secret with you - it always pays off. I have received more than this blog has the space to record.

I wonder if I would ever have opened my home to entertain without women showing me how to do it by teaching me in their homes.

I doubt I could be enjoying a 24 year long marriage without the stories of experienced women describing the sometimes too funny to get rattled over God-given differences between husbands and wives.

I'm sure I could not have raised these three kids if I didn't have older women to listen to my doubts, fears and sometimes panic reassuring me, "You can do this. Here's what worked for me. Here's what didn't." 

I never could have led women's ministries for all the years I have if they weren't there to notice me, affirm my gifts and abilities, and show me how best to use them.

Just the other day I met one of these irreplaceable ladies for lunch. Whenever I'm with her, I come away energized, ready to plunge deeper into the life I've been given with renewed resolve, and wanting to be like her when I grow up.

As always, she inquired about everything that pertains to me. Then she reviewed items discussed during our last visit and asked about progress (i.e. accountability). She promised her continued prayers for my family. She encouraged me to trust God with everything.  Then she said something she hasn't said before. "We all need a kick in the pants once in a while. I promise I'll give you one when you need it."

I didn't laugh, but I did smile because I felt the love behind it and appreciate this so much. She wouldn't be the first. I remember many a kick in the pants from my own mother. Unfortunately, for awhile I was not a very good student.

Then there's the older woman in our little church who watched an unbelieving boyfriend of mine walk the aisle and pledge faith. She warned me to wait for the fruit. I didn't and a number of consequences happened. Talk about regret.

Still another calmed down my overactive emotions when I wanted to let a leadership team member go who regularly got on my nerves. I listened and humbled myself. No regret.

It can be easy to come alongside and be a cheerleader. To encourage and affirm. They like us when we are always positive, but what if the young women in our lives are not making the best decisions? What if they are heading down roads we know they will later regret?  Do we have a responsibility to speak that?  Not everything they want to pursue is good for them or for the body of Christ that is looking on. (Don't forget as a Christian all of our decisions affect others.)

It's tricky because we are living in a culture of tolerance. Everything's good. Nothing is "wrong". If she's enthusiastic, we don't want to be the wet blanket. If there isn't a black and white directive in Scripture we back down even though our advice is consistent with what the Bible teaches.

Sometimes a little I-care-enough-about-you-to-interfere can stop or at least slow down a possible train wreck. Consider 1 Corinthians 6:12 "Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial..."

Maybe it's a sign of getting older, but I just can't do it. I'm not into false flattery and I can't give politically correct advice when asked.

Recently a sweet young woman I love asked how I thought she should handle a situation she was facing.  Having experience from the other side of it, I knew my response wasn't going to be what she was expecting but I wanted her to consider her perspective was not the only one. When I shared what I thought she should do, she said that she never in a million years imagined me saying that. She was expecting the opposite (me taking her side). And that she hadn't thought of it that way. And that it made sense.

Sensing I had her best interest at heart (this is key), she slowed down, deciding to wait it out and pray. (Bonus - it gave value to the pain of my experience.)

I think we older girls owe the young'ns the honesty of confidently saying, "Maybe that's not the best idea or have you considered the consequences?" Surely we have benefitted from that at some point or another whether we took the advice or ignored it. If we don't, who will?

If you are a young woman, I can't encourage you enough to find an older woman you respect, who has the fruit of godliness and wisdom displayed in her life, and ask her for input. Over and over again in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, we are advised to live wisely and seek Godly counsel and warned about what results if we don't - foolishness.

Whenever I'm feeling particularly self-important or unwilling to listen  to someone who is for me, this verse comes to mind.

"Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they (God's instructions) will not come to you."  Psalm 32:9

Isn't that the main thing anyway? That God's instructions will come to us. Another reason why we need each other. So grateful.

Anyone else need some Spring?

Good morning!

It's a dreary day here in Johnson City.  A stark contrast to the bright sunny skies I enjoyed this last weekend. The older I get the more I notice my moods/outlook can be affected by the weather.  I don't like this!  Except on sunny, warm or snowy days.

I greet you from a corner booth at our local Panera Bread restaurant.  I like to come here periodically to sit, think, read, pray and write.  Of course, I can do this at home, but there's something about getting up and out that inspires me when I'm feeling humdrum. Dark, dreary, rainy days can definitely cause humdrumness (new word, you like?)   I realize recently that more than any other winter since my kids were little, I have basically hibernated these last few months.  Lots of time inside.  Lots of time alone.  It's not all bad, mind you, but it can lead to an unhealthy isolation.  I'm not willing to go there.  I like people too much.  So here I am with people (kind of).

 Since I last wrote, our clocks have sprung forward bringing longer days and I have changed the house decor from winter to spring. It's the most noticeable change all year when it comes to seasons because I have about 5 large rubbermaid totes full of winter decor and only 1 for spring/summer.  It is quite obvious what my favorite season is.

That said, while it is a fact that Christmas/Winter is my favorite time of year, I truly do enjoy all the seasons.  The best part:  the changing from one that usually has outstayed it's welcome to the next which seems to be dragging it's feet to appear.  I think most everyone agrees that winter seems to be the longest season and spring can't come soon enough.  Except when we're sweating to death in high humidity into September hoping for a cool breeze and a jacket!

But come March I'm ready to turn my pasty white face up toward the warm sunshine, peel off a few layers of clothing and see bright colors spring up from the brown earth. 

I've been thinking about this change and my life lately.  You see, winter is a time for the earth and even some living creatures to rest, to hibernate.  The freezing cold temps have their purpose.  Trees and plants lose their color and shut down so to speak for a few months.  From spring to late fall they've been busy bearing fruit, bursting with color, energy and life, delighting those of us to take the time to notice.

But in the winter they take a break and lie dormant. One might even call it a form of death.  We know, of course, that it's not a permanent death, for they will bloom again.  Still, during this bleak time, there is still life.  I believe something's going on just below the surface where we can't see. A preparation for what's to come.

After this break, at just the right time, green shows through the brown ground.  Tiny buds will appear on trees and bushes.  Soon they will bloom to full color.  They will dazzle us again with their beauty, their time to shine, their purpose.  And we will be glad again.

Not so different in life, I think.  Solomon puts it wisely in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

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 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,

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 hate,

a time for war and a time for peace."

It's been a long, cold winter.  For me, it has been a time for some 'deaths', a time of uprooting, a time to heal, a time to mourn, a time to refrain, a time to search, a time to mend, and a time to be silent (as silent as I can be).  I haven't felt very fruitful at times.

But I know that God is at work. Ourside and in me.  I know that even though I can't see what He's doing, He is doing something.  I pray it will result in more glory for Him.

I think of some favorite verses like Jeremiah 17:7,8  "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." 

And Psalm 1:1-3  "Blessed is the man....whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers."  

Another thing about the coming of this new season, spring is the celebration of Easter.  Jesus came here to Earth to suffer and die, take on our sins as His very own, to purchase salvation and eternal life for each one who will believe.  Three days after His horrible death, He came out of the grave alive!  Resurrected.  I believe those three days must have been the darkest, coldest, bleakest, days in all of history.  A winter of sorts.  Life left the building.  But even when there seemed to be no hope, God was working in our darkness.  I imagine that Sunday morning when Jesus appeared, the earth must have swelled with new life and beauty.  Everything was alive again!  We are going to be alive again too.

Hold on to this for hope...

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland...to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim (celebrate) my praise."  Isa. 43:18-21

Yup, I'm ready for some spring!  I want some resurrection, some new life.  How about you?  Fasten your seatbelt.  It's coming.  Keep your eyes open and perceive it.

I Guess I Have To Admit Christmas Is Over

Here it is January 23 and I took the Christmas tree down today (finally to some of you!).  Unusually, I was ready and ironically, my family wasn't.  But alas, two strands of lights had gone dark and that is not ok to look at every day.

This is not the latest I've ever taken it down.  I believe February 5, 2011 is the current record.  No matter when I do it, though, I tend to get sad, hating to see the season end and settle into the bleak mid-winter.

So, in an effort to head off the meltdown at the pass today, I decided to experiment with listening to Christmas music (for the last time) as I put everything away.  It actually worked!  I'm still happy.  No sadness.  Naturally, I played MercyMe's Christmas Sessions first and twice, but it was a different one that helped seal the deal.

Matthew West.  He clearly gets me.  Here are two songs that make me smile and laugh and feel hopeful.

For before Christmas, we have this song:
click here if you want to listen while you read

"Come On, Christmas"

It's almost Christmas time, everybody
And I can't wait

I left the lights up all year ‘round
I just couldn’t bear the thought of takin’ ‘em down
I’ve been singing “Jingle Bell Rock” since July
All the neighbors look at me like
I’m crazy but I
I, got a feeling that I just can’t shake
You see it’s lasted three hundred sixty four days
And now I’m too excited, I can’t sleep a wink and
I stare at the snow outside my window just thinkin’

Come on, Christmas
I don’t know why you’re taking so long, Christmas
Well, I’ve been waiting all year for you to get here
And I can’t take another second, can’t you hear me beggin’
Hurry up, Santa Claus
Here’s my number just in case your reindeer get lost
I sure wouldn’t mind, if you’re early this time
So, come on, come on, come on, Christmas
Come on, Christmas

Well, there’s just something about this time of year
You can feel the excitement in the air
Everyone’s hangin’ with family and friends
And it’s making you feel like a kid once again

Steal a kiss under the mistletoe
While old Bing sings, “Let It Snow, Let It Snow”
The only thing that’s left on my Christmas list is
I’m hopin’ to catch a peek of old’ St. Nick

Come on, Christmas
I don’t know why you’re taking so long, Christmas
Well, I’ve been waiting all year for you to get here
And I can’t take another second, can’t you hear me beggin’
Hurry up, Santa Claus
Here’s my number just in case your reindeer get lost
I sure wouldn’t mind, if you’re early this time
So, come on, come on, come on, Christmas

Hearts are racing all around the world
Smiling faces on the boys and girls
Waiting just to hear those sleigh bells ring
Singing, come on, Christmas do your thing

Come on, Christmas
I don’t know why you’re taking so long, Christmas
Well, I’ve been waiting all year for you to get here
And I can’t take another second, can’t you hear me beggin’
Hurry up, Santa Claus
Here’s my number just in case old Rudolph gets lost
I sure wouldn’t mind, if you’re early this time
So, come on, come on, come on, Christmas

(Hearts are racing all around the world)
Hearts are racing
(Come on, Christmas)
Come on, Christmas
I can't wait any longer
And the feel is getting stronger
So what you're waiting for?
Come on, come on, come on, Christmas

And then for a day like today we have this song:
click here if you want to listen while you read

 "Day After Christmas"

Here comes the letdown Christmas is over
Here comes the meltdown, there goes the cheer
But before we have a breakdown, let us remember
The light of the world is still here

Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here
The light of the world

Come January I’m ready for summer
The Super Bowl’s over and I’ll settle for spring
Sometimes we all need a change in the weather
But it won’t change the reason we sing

Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here
The light of the world
The light of the world
The light of the world

So take down the stockings, take back the sweaters
Take down the lights and the star and the tree
But don’t let this world take your joy after Christmas
Take joy to the world and just sing

Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here
[x2]

The light of the world [x7]
  
Yup, everything's going to be just fine until November - it's only 10 months away!  The Light of the World is still here....and He loves me.  And He loves you!

New Life Springs Forth

 For a winter lover such as myself, I must say these last few months have been rather disappointing.  I love a good snowstorm, or two or three or four.  But I'm losing hope that it will happen for us in 2012.
 Instead, this is what I've been looking at most of the winter outside of our house.

Just this....lots of brown.  Until yesterday when we got a random 50+ degree day here in Johnson City

And I saw these little guys sticking through the ground.  So I searched for more......

and found all of these!  So exciting!  But they are too early. Clearly there is underground confusion due to the lack of a frozen white winter blanket.

Even better....COLOR! 

Dig under the leaves a little and wow, surprise!!!

Not this.....now that's a snowbank!!.....

When I saw this one, I knew that Spring is on the way.  The earth has laid dry and barren and hibernating all winter....but it's almost over and right around the corner new life will spring up all around us.  Immediately, I thought of Jesus' resurrection.  What a day that must have been!  For 3 days life for those who knew Him was full of death and darkness, but in the morning of the 3rd day...LIFE and LIGHT!  Jesus said in John 10, "I have come that they may have life and live it to the full."  Probably my favorite thing about Easter is celebrating that new life that Jesus rose to give us. 

I hope some things in me have died and  been buried over the cold, dark winter and God will bring forth something new and beautiful and full of light and life. "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"  Is. 43:18,19  That's something to celebrate!

"This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Tim. 1:9b, 10