As a Seattle sports team fan, I'm used to inspiring emotion in fans of other teams...pity. Last night, after the Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos for the football championship, my Facebook news feed exploded. It wasn't all nice. Some of it was downright vitriolic. And I was stunned. I'd never experienced the "down side" of winning.
As the accusations piled up, I leaned a few things about real life.
1) Winning inspires excuses. If someone gets a job I wanted, he must have bribed the boss somehow. If she gets the writing contract and I don't, the publishers are idiots and I don't want to work with them anyway. If he is wealthy, it must be because he's doing something illegal or, at the very least, immoral. I know very well how much time and effort I have put into getting that job or contract. I've heard, "If you can dream it, you can achieve it," or "Nothing is outside of your grasp if you are willing to work hard enough to get it," for so long I've started to believe it. But you can't tell me the Denver Broncos didn't dream about winning or work hard enough. And you can't blame the refs for making a bad call every time it goes against you. Sometimes the other person wins because he is just plain better.
2) Losing is inevitable; learning to deal with it is vital. My husband is an Army chaplain. One of his main responsibilities is helping soldiers cope with losing. Losing teaches us to assess our personal strengths and weakness in order to shore up one and take advantage of the other, to come back again and again with our best effort knowing that losing is an option, to devise a new strategy when our first plan doesn't work out. Without those skills, a soldier--or anyone--who suffers a catastrophic setback will give up. It's human nature to throw in the towel when we see that we are going to lose. Without the ability to devise a new strategy, a soldier who has lost a leg will never see himself as anything but worthless. No wonder our suicide rates are epidemic. But what about the girl who can't achieve that model-thin physique? Or the boy who grows too tall to fit inside a fighter jet cockpit? Soldiers aren't the only ones turning to suicide as an answer when something becomes unattainable. I can dream and work hard all I want, but at 5' 9" and 50 years old, I'm never going to make the Olympic gymnastics team. Is my life over? It is if I don't figure out a way to deal with my loss, come up with a new strategy, and give it my all knowing I could lose on that one, too.
3) One person becomes the spokesperson for the whole team--and it's not always the guy you want. Peyton Manning is a class act. He is as gracious in victory as he is in defeat. There is a reason he gets paraded out for press conferences all the time. Russell Wilson is another class act, equally as gracious in both victory and defeat. Richard Sherman is usually eloquent and entertaining. But then he goes and shoots his mouth off for twenty unforgettable raving seconds, and he is suddenly the face of the Seahawks. Those who already hate the Hawks are pointing at him as the reason everyone on the team is a thug. As Christians, we hate that the military funeral picketers of Westborough Baptist are the face of the church. If we wish to be extended the courtesy of being judged for who we are individually, we need to offer the same courtesy to others.
4) Twenty seconds of raving lunacy can spoil a lifetime of outstanding achievements. Richard Sherman is an American success story. His parents are hard-working, blue-collar folks who raised their children in the projects. They inspired such respect, the gang members wouldn't let Richard and his brother join. Richard went to Stanford where he graduated in three years with a 3.9 GPA. In two years, he has become a "shut down corner" in the NFL, meaning you don't want to throw the ball in his vicinity because he will shut you down or pick you off. At the end of the NFC Championship game, he made a spectacular play that quite literally saved the game and sent the Hawks to the Super Bowl. Forty-five seconds later, while his blood was still pumping with adrenaline, he had a microphone shoved into his face. He went on a wild rant. It was awe-inspiring...and not in a good way. No one talks about his humble beginnings. Or his hard work to graduate from Stanford. Or his charitable work in his home town. All they want to talk about is that rant. Should he be called on the carpet for it? Absolutely. But if we want to be allowed to make mistakes, we need to be willing to let others do so. We need to love others as we love ourselves.
5) Winners are hated. I'll be honest, as much as I love football, I love baseball more. My poor Seattle Mariners have the reputation of being so bad you know Spring Training is over when they've been mathematically eliminated from the October playoffs. And I hate the NY Yankees. I don't care how much time or money their players give to charities. I don't care if 99% of them are wonderful husbands and fathers. I don't care, period, I just plain hate them. Why? Because they win so often (although not as much lately, which makes me grin). As Christians, we've won. We know the end of the story and we win. Big time. And we are hated for it. It's to be expected. The Seahawks just moved to the top of the hated list. Every football team and fan will be gunning for them. As is true in real life, there is nothing to do about it except prepare for battle and then fight for every inch.
Until next time,
Becca
Showing posts with label Devotionals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devotionals. Show all posts
Monday, February 3, 2014
Monday, May 13, 2013
The Government Samaritan
It started as one of those Facebook video links espousing a
viewpoint with which I disagreed. I
rarely get involved in those comment strings because they degenerate into name
calling and grandstanding. This one,
however, was posted by a person who sometimes sees things differently than I do
but manages to be both thought-provoking and gracious.
Though the comment string degenerated as expected—and the
ending comments strayed from the original link—my friend challenged me to think
about government assistance in a new light.
Here are a few of the comments which went back and forth between the two
of us:
Him: Why should
we ever assume that the government is not part of God's strategy to provide
help to the poor?
Me: I assume that
God intended for the church to do this, as opposed to a government, because His
desire is that all people be saved. A government doesn't minister to people in
Jesus’ name. A government doesn't feed people in Jesus’ name. A government
doesn't clothe people in Jesus’ name. And if people can get their physical
needs met apart from Jesus, they will not get their spiritual need met. They
can gain the whole world and lose their soul.
Him: I do agree
with you that it is the church’s job to take care of the poor. But the reality
is that we haven’t done it. Period. No excuses, no “what-ifs”, no
“should-haves” – we have dropped the ball. So it has fallen to the government,
to a great degree, to take care of the poor, needy, disenfranchised, neglected
and forgotten of our nation. That’s the way it is, and we have to work with it.
Me: You didn't ask if the church had done their
job properly. Your question was, "Why should we ever assume that the
government is not part of God's strategy to provide help to the poor?" Do
you think God looks at the welfare
program and smiles? I don't. I think He looks at it and His heart breaks. Is
not my heart to break for the things which break His?
Him: That's an
interesting question. Let's look at the parable of the Good Samaritan. The
lesson to be learned is not that God is disappointed in the church (priest and
Levite) for not helping the man. Sure, it's a challenge to the church to step up,
but it's also an admonition to see and accept the "outsider" and be
thankful for his service. Does
God's heart break that the church dropped the ball? Maybe - but no more so than
when I mess up. And it is all viewed through the blood. I heartily believe that
God is pleased that the hungry are being fed. The naked are being clothed. The
sick are being cared for. No matter WHO is doing it. And I believe that pleasure far outweighs any
disappointment.
One of the other commenters basically said it is our
Christian duty to vote for those who support government programs which assist
the needy because of how the poor and disenfranchised will view Christians in
general.
I pondered these thoughts for a couple of days. Since the comment string turned into
something of a bloodbath, my friend put an end to it while I was still contemplating. After two days of tossing this around, I am
still not sure where I stand. But here’s
more to think about.
Is God really pleased that the poor are being cared for
no matter who is doing it? I just have
trouble with that. One of the reasons God
hates idolatry is because He created us to be His image bearer. We—the church, the called ones— are to be His
hands and feet, to show the world what God looks like and how He acts. If we abdicate this responsibility, are we
not setting up the replacement as an idol, as something less than what God
intended? Is it possible that the priest
and Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan figured they could walk by the
person in need because there was a government program in place to care for beat
up travelers? I know I’m guilty of
thinking that way. “Good thing there’s a
homeless shelter. Hope that guy gets
there because he sure looks like a mess.”
Ouch!
I think it is vitally important that we disagree within
Christian circles. It’s exactly this
kind of debate which takes us out of our comfortable theology and makes us dig
deeper. But while I think THAT we
disagree is important, HOW we disagree is imperative. They shall know we are Christians by our
love.
Until next time,
BeccaMonday, October 8, 2012
A Woman's Purpose
"I could not even fulfill the one reason God created women."
This heartbroken woman spoke of her inability to bear a child. Another woman lamented her single status because she had no husband to whom she could be a "helpmeet." After all, that's why God created women.
While I have no wish to diminish the pain of one who can't bear a child or who has remained single despite a fervent desire to marry, truth compels me to expose their faulty thinking. God did not create women to be wives nor to bear children. God created women for the same purpose he created men.
Genesis 1:27 says, And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. The preposition in translates into as thirty-five percent of the time. It puts a slightly different slant on this verse. Read it again, this time substituting as: And God created man as His own image, as the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.
Man (as in mankind, both males and females) was created to be God's image bearer on earth. Notice it is what we were created TO BE.
Let's look at Genesis 2:18. Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man (Adam, male species) to be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him."
The problem with humans is we tend to look at everything in light of what we are TO DO rather than who we are TO BE. If you read this verse with TO DO glasses on, you see women as servants, there to help Adam complete his tasks. But if you switch out the TO DO glasses and put on the TO BE glasses, it reads something like this: Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to bear the entire responsibility of being My image alone; I will make another who is suitable to help him meet this image bearing responsibility by bringing her uniqueness to the earth."
Now that's an entirely different perspective on what it means for women to be the "helpmeet" of men. And it has nothing to do with being married, nothing to do with bearing children, nothing to do with anything TO DO. It's all about who we were created TO BE.
How does that change the heartbroken cry of the barren or single woman?
Until next time,
Becca
This heartbroken woman spoke of her inability to bear a child. Another woman lamented her single status because she had no husband to whom she could be a "helpmeet." After all, that's why God created women.
While I have no wish to diminish the pain of one who can't bear a child or who has remained single despite a fervent desire to marry, truth compels me to expose their faulty thinking. God did not create women to be wives nor to bear children. God created women for the same purpose he created men.
Genesis 1:27 says, And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. The preposition in translates into as thirty-five percent of the time. It puts a slightly different slant on this verse. Read it again, this time substituting as: And God created man as His own image, as the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.
Man (as in mankind, both males and females) was created to be God's image bearer on earth. Notice it is what we were created TO BE.
Let's look at Genesis 2:18. Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man (Adam, male species) to be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him."
The problem with humans is we tend to look at everything in light of what we are TO DO rather than who we are TO BE. If you read this verse with TO DO glasses on, you see women as servants, there to help Adam complete his tasks. But if you switch out the TO DO glasses and put on the TO BE glasses, it reads something like this: Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to bear the entire responsibility of being My image alone; I will make another who is suitable to help him meet this image bearing responsibility by bringing her uniqueness to the earth."
Now that's an entirely different perspective on what it means for women to be the "helpmeet" of men. And it has nothing to do with being married, nothing to do with bearing children, nothing to do with anything TO DO. It's all about who we were created TO BE.
How does that change the heartbroken cry of the barren or single woman?
Until next time,
Becca
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Feelings and Forgiveness
For too many of us, feelings dictate our lives. Me included foremost of all. For us, feeling is fact. But truth says feelings are feelings, nothing more and nothing less.
Over the past few weeks, this problem of feelings versus facts has been brought home to me culminating in my husband's sermon this morning on forgiving ourselves. I wish you all could have heard him this morning, but I'll sum it up. If I ask, "How can I forgive myself for ________?" I am asking an erroneous question. The real question is, "Do I believe God?" Because God's word tells us:
Over the past few weeks, this problem of feelings versus facts has been brought home to me culminating in my husband's sermon this morning on forgiving ourselves. I wish you all could have heard him this morning, but I'll sum it up. If I ask, "How can I forgive myself for ________?" I am asking an erroneous question. The real question is, "Do I believe God?" Because God's word tells us:
- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness. (1 Jn. 1:9)
- As far as the east is from the west, so far He has removed our sins from us. (Ps. 103:12)
- He remembers our sin no more. (Is. 43:25, Jer. 31:34, Heb. 8:12, Heb. 10: 17)
There are more, but you get the idea. The point is, if we have accepted the gift of salvation through Christ's crucifixion, we are forgiven. Period. End of discussion. To ask how we can forgive ourselves is, in essence, saying that Christ's atonement covered everything except this one thing...this thing for which I feel no forgiveness. Because if I don't feel forgiven, I can't be forgiven. Right?
Wrong. On two counts.
First, Christ's atonement covered every sin. Every. Single. One. And it doesn't matter if you believe it or not, it did. The question is, whether we are talking about forgiveness of sins for eternal salvation or forgiveness for those sins we commit after salvation, do we believe it? Do we act in accordance with the truth? Regardless of our feelings. Because the second error is that how we feel determines the truth.
Take, for example, someone who can't forgive themselves for not loving their parents. Well...here again we have two errors: 1) the Bible doesn't command that we love our parents, it commands that we HONOR them, and 2) whether you feel like honoring your parents is irrelevant, the determining factor is your actions.
(Now for those of you who have heard that "honor" requires a child to submit to every demand of a parent, do not twist--or allow someone else to twist--Biblical truth here. God's word does not condone abuse in the name of "honoring" a parent. Never has. Never will. But it is not abuse to require a child to do some work. And again, I hear, "But it can be!" roaring from the mouths of those who tend hurting children. Well, of course it can be. Anything taken to extremes can be a form of abuse...and is a topic for a whole different discussion. For now, let's agree that what I'm talking about here is honoring a parent who is not asking their child to do anything illegal or immoral. Or honoring elderly parents who need special care. Or honoring parents by not verbally assassinating their character.)
There is a parable in the Bible about two sons. The father comes to both asking them to help harvest the fields. The first son says he isn't coming, but shows up anyway. His feelings were dishonoring, but his final action was obedience/honor. The second son says he will come, but doesn't show. He had every intention/feeling to obey, but his actions were disobedient. The first son, the one who acted regardless of his feelings, is the one Jesus holds up as the right one. (Mt. 21:28-31)
So, getting back to our person who can't feel forgiveness for not feeling loving, he is tied in a knot over feelings which he has taken to be facts. Instead, he needs to judge himself against the truth. First, if he has not honored his parents in actions, he needs to agree with God that this is a sin (confession) and go forward acting out honor regardless of how he feels about it. Second, he needs to hold his feelings up to the light of truth. Every time guilt attacks, he needs to repeat Biblical truth either about how every sin has been forgiven or how actions determine obedience, not feelings.
Because feelings are not facts.
Feelings are not facts.
Feelings are NOT facts...
Until next time,
Becca
Monday, January 30, 2012
Things I Forgot to Say
Hubby and I spent the weekend "suffering for Jesus" at the Denver Marriott. Yes...sometimes life is tough!
Anyway...
We did a marriage retreat and, as is our custom, he took the guys for an hour and I took the ladies for an hour. While we did cover a lot of good stuff, I've been kicking myself for the things I forgot to say...which is not letting me sleep well. So, whether you like it or not, YOU get to hear them:
1) Respecting your husband means you don't play "one up" with your friends when they start talking about what idiots men are. Respecting him in public is every bit as important as respecting him in private.
2) If you have trouble with #1, imagine these same women are using this language to talk about your son. Treat your husband the way you want a woman to treat that precious boy you love so much.
3) Should your marriage end in divorce, be very, very, very careful about the language you use when describing your ex-husband. Your sons are listening...so are your daughters. If all men are pigs, your son will learn to either hate himself or you. Neither is good. If all men are rotten, your daughter will interpret everything her husband does in the most negative way possible, dooming her to repeat the cycle of divorce.
4) Speaking of cycles, we have created a vicious one with all the "free sex" society advocates. Despite what movies tell us, you cannot join your body to someone else without also joining your soul. This is true for both men and women. Every time you break up with someone you've had sex with, your soul rips and scabs over. It doesn't take too many of these before you are callous about something God intended to be amazing. So...women become blase about sex, and men (whose self-image is tied up in their ability to please a woman sexually the same way a woman's is tied up in being able to please a man visually) learn to either please themselves through porn and/or masturbation or to use women up like paper towels. Creating more calloused women and more frustrated men. Nice, huh. Please...please, teach your children to wait. Please!
5) The greatest compliment you can pay your husband is to be happy. A sour expression makes him (and everyone else) wonder what is wrong. Knowing men like to fix things, your constant frown grates on him like a never-ending list of chores does on you. Light up when he comes home. At a party, cross the room just to be with him and show everyone how glad you are to be his. Force it until it becomes a habit. SMILE!
There are probably a few more, but these are the ones keeping me awake. I would love to hear any tidbits of wisdom you think should be passed along at the next retreat.
Until next time,
Becca
Anyway...
We did a marriage retreat and, as is our custom, he took the guys for an hour and I took the ladies for an hour. While we did cover a lot of good stuff, I've been kicking myself for the things I forgot to say...which is not letting me sleep well. So, whether you like it or not, YOU get to hear them:
1) Respecting your husband means you don't play "one up" with your friends when they start talking about what idiots men are. Respecting him in public is every bit as important as respecting him in private.
2) If you have trouble with #1, imagine these same women are using this language to talk about your son. Treat your husband the way you want a woman to treat that precious boy you love so much.
3) Should your marriage end in divorce, be very, very, very careful about the language you use when describing your ex-husband. Your sons are listening...so are your daughters. If all men are pigs, your son will learn to either hate himself or you. Neither is good. If all men are rotten, your daughter will interpret everything her husband does in the most negative way possible, dooming her to repeat the cycle of divorce.
4) Speaking of cycles, we have created a vicious one with all the "free sex" society advocates. Despite what movies tell us, you cannot join your body to someone else without also joining your soul. This is true for both men and women. Every time you break up with someone you've had sex with, your soul rips and scabs over. It doesn't take too many of these before you are callous about something God intended to be amazing. So...women become blase about sex, and men (whose self-image is tied up in their ability to please a woman sexually the same way a woman's is tied up in being able to please a man visually) learn to either please themselves through porn and/or masturbation or to use women up like paper towels. Creating more calloused women and more frustrated men. Nice, huh. Please...please, teach your children to wait. Please!
5) The greatest compliment you can pay your husband is to be happy. A sour expression makes him (and everyone else) wonder what is wrong. Knowing men like to fix things, your constant frown grates on him like a never-ending list of chores does on you. Light up when he comes home. At a party, cross the room just to be with him and show everyone how glad you are to be his. Force it until it becomes a habit. SMILE!
There are probably a few more, but these are the ones keeping me awake. I would love to hear any tidbits of wisdom you think should be passed along at the next retreat.
Until next time,
Becca
Sunday, January 1, 2012
My "Word" for the Year
Have Faith.
This year I am doing something I have heard others do in the past. I am choosing a word to be my theme for 2012. I realize "Have Faith" is two words, but it's what fell into place in my heart as I was praying. I even have plans to make myself something to decorate my writing office to remind me of it throughout the year.
Last week, when our kids were here, we watched a video series called "Laugh You Way to a Better Marriage." If you have not seen this, you are missing profound truth coated in comedy. It also has a personality test you can take. We did this as a family and found out some interesting things about ourselves and each other.
My number one motivation is COMPETENCE. I like to already be good at things before I show them to the rest of the world. It's the main reason I never want to go to a gym. Who wants all those people seeing what a complete dork I am? Really! It's what scares me the most about writing. What if I manage to get something published only to read it later and realize it's one of those books other people read and think, "How did something this bad get published?"
So why does "Have Faith" resonate with me so much right now? Because faith is more than a nice motivational thought, it is the essence of life. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. Having faith means persevering through the awkward I-have-no-idea-what-I'm-doing phase until I reach a level of competence. It means pursuing the goal with the kind of passion I would if I knew beyond doubting success was within reach with one more push, one more step, one more...just one more.
As I am writing this, some of the most interesting and beautiful birds I have ever seen are flying around outside my window. When I get up to capture them on my camera, they fly away. When I sit back down and start typing again, they come back. So far, I've seen four different varieties which I don't recall ever seeing before. It's as though God is telling me that, although I cannot capture concrete evidence of these beautiful birds, they are real and must be enjoyed in the moment.
To be honest, I'm not sure how that ties into having faith, but God has something for me there. I know it with the same assurance I know my Redeemer lives. As I struggle to find God's meaning, it will be a special message straight from Him to me when it is revealed.
May your 2012 be full of similar messages which come straight from God's heart to yours.
Until next time,
Becca
This year I am doing something I have heard others do in the past. I am choosing a word to be my theme for 2012. I realize "Have Faith" is two words, but it's what fell into place in my heart as I was praying. I even have plans to make myself something to decorate my writing office to remind me of it throughout the year.
Last week, when our kids were here, we watched a video series called "Laugh You Way to a Better Marriage." If you have not seen this, you are missing profound truth coated in comedy. It also has a personality test you can take. We did this as a family and found out some interesting things about ourselves and each other.
My number one motivation is COMPETENCE. I like to already be good at things before I show them to the rest of the world. It's the main reason I never want to go to a gym. Who wants all those people seeing what a complete dork I am? Really! It's what scares me the most about writing. What if I manage to get something published only to read it later and realize it's one of those books other people read and think, "How did something this bad get published?"
So why does "Have Faith" resonate with me so much right now? Because faith is more than a nice motivational thought, it is the essence of life. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. Having faith means persevering through the awkward I-have-no-idea-what-I'm-doing phase until I reach a level of competence. It means pursuing the goal with the kind of passion I would if I knew beyond doubting success was within reach with one more push, one more step, one more...just one more.
As I am writing this, some of the most interesting and beautiful birds I have ever seen are flying around outside my window. When I get up to capture them on my camera, they fly away. When I sit back down and start typing again, they come back. So far, I've seen four different varieties which I don't recall ever seeing before. It's as though God is telling me that, although I cannot capture concrete evidence of these beautiful birds, they are real and must be enjoyed in the moment.
To be honest, I'm not sure how that ties into having faith, but God has something for me there. I know it with the same assurance I know my Redeemer lives. As I struggle to find God's meaning, it will be a special message straight from Him to me when it is revealed.
May your 2012 be full of similar messages which come straight from God's heart to yours.
Until next time,
Becca
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Laughing at Myself
I am great at giving advice. Got tons of it. I shovel it over anyone who wants a little. Probably over those who don't want any, too. Okay...I hear you. Drop the "probably" out of that sentence.
I can even give great advice to myself...doesn't mean I'll do anything with it, though.
For example, when I first started this blog, one of the Bible studies was on Abraham's servant and how, regardless of the outcome, his obedience was all the success he needed. Well...here I am to tell you that I do not live that truth. I am a perfectionist. An all or nothing kind of girl. And I want a guaranteed success at the end of the journey in order for me to feel it's worth taking more than a few steps down the path.
Today, my husband and I started a Bible study on grace. While answering the discussion questions, we meandered onto this question: What does God's approval look like?
For me, the answer is a straight, easy path. Now I know that isn't right. I know it. But the minute I encounter resistance, I'm wondering if God is really for this path. Knowing what I do, I'll go a little further, but much more resistance and I'm going to sit down and not move. Because the problem with being an "all or nothing" person is, too often, it results in me doing nothing. Sitting down. Not moving. Waiting for God to make the path easy before I move again.
But if God's approval doesn't look like a straight, easy path, what does it look like. I don't know.
Do you?
Until next time,
Becca
I can even give great advice to myself...doesn't mean I'll do anything with it, though.
For example, when I first started this blog, one of the Bible studies was on Abraham's servant and how, regardless of the outcome, his obedience was all the success he needed. Well...here I am to tell you that I do not live that truth. I am a perfectionist. An all or nothing kind of girl. And I want a guaranteed success at the end of the journey in order for me to feel it's worth taking more than a few steps down the path.
Today, my husband and I started a Bible study on grace. While answering the discussion questions, we meandered onto this question: What does God's approval look like?
For me, the answer is a straight, easy path. Now I know that isn't right. I know it. But the minute I encounter resistance, I'm wondering if God is really for this path. Knowing what I do, I'll go a little further, but much more resistance and I'm going to sit down and not move. Because the problem with being an "all or nothing" person is, too often, it results in me doing nothing. Sitting down. Not moving. Waiting for God to make the path easy before I move again.
But if God's approval doesn't look like a straight, easy path, what does it look like. I don't know.
Do you?
Until next time,
Becca
Monday, July 4, 2011
Sacrifice
Sacrifice measures depth of love.
Want to know if someone loves you? Easy. What are they willing to give up for you?
A couple days ago, I had a conversation with the mother of a special needs child. The whole family has given up many things in order to accommodate one member. Being a modern mom, she is networked with other families with children sharing her daughter's condition. She was pretty fed up with the string of e-mails from parents unwilling to make their own sacrifices. Why would a parent risk a kid's health because it would cost an extra $100 a month to make a change? Especially since both parents work full time.
On this 4th of July holiday, and with the subject matter of my novel, I am reminded of the things given up in order to secure our independence. As I wait for my husband to return from his year in Afghanistan, I have a glimpse of what it must have been like for colonial women to kiss their husbands goodbye. But only a glimpse. They had no Skype, reliable mail service, or even an eventual return date. Add to that the amount of work which fell on their shoulders to keep up the home farm and animals. And what of the men? The left their families at a time when too many soldiers (on both sides of the fight) thought unattended women were...shall we say "fair game" to keep the PG rating on this blog. Overwhelming! All because they loved a dream which had about as much chance of becoming reality as I do of becoming an Olympic gymnast.
Closer to home, how do I know my husband loves me? Because, for 25 years, he went to work every day at jobs which were less than his ideal in order to provide a roof over my head and food on our table. He gives up his time and energy to do things with me which are NOT on his list of fun things to do (think ballet and opera) because I want to do them. He knows I love him by the sacrifices I make to either do things he wants or give him time with his own friends.
Why do I create hand-made cards? Because the sacrifice of time speaks more to communicate my love for the recipient than the actual pieces of paper or sentiment.
John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
There are many ways of laying down your life. Very few involve physical death. Most are putting to death your own plans, dreams, hopes or desires in order to accommodate those you love.
Sacrifice measures depth of love.
Until next time,
Becca
Want to know if someone loves you? Easy. What are they willing to give up for you?
A couple days ago, I had a conversation with the mother of a special needs child. The whole family has given up many things in order to accommodate one member. Being a modern mom, she is networked with other families with children sharing her daughter's condition. She was pretty fed up with the string of e-mails from parents unwilling to make their own sacrifices. Why would a parent risk a kid's health because it would cost an extra $100 a month to make a change? Especially since both parents work full time.
On this 4th of July holiday, and with the subject matter of my novel, I am reminded of the things given up in order to secure our independence. As I wait for my husband to return from his year in Afghanistan, I have a glimpse of what it must have been like for colonial women to kiss their husbands goodbye. But only a glimpse. They had no Skype, reliable mail service, or even an eventual return date. Add to that the amount of work which fell on their shoulders to keep up the home farm and animals. And what of the men? The left their families at a time when too many soldiers (on both sides of the fight) thought unattended women were...shall we say "fair game" to keep the PG rating on this blog. Overwhelming! All because they loved a dream which had about as much chance of becoming reality as I do of becoming an Olympic gymnast.
Closer to home, how do I know my husband loves me? Because, for 25 years, he went to work every day at jobs which were less than his ideal in order to provide a roof over my head and food on our table. He gives up his time and energy to do things with me which are NOT on his list of fun things to do (think ballet and opera) because I want to do them. He knows I love him by the sacrifices I make to either do things he wants or give him time with his own friends.
Why do I create hand-made cards? Because the sacrifice of time speaks more to communicate my love for the recipient than the actual pieces of paper or sentiment.
John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
There are many ways of laying down your life. Very few involve physical death. Most are putting to death your own plans, dreams, hopes or desires in order to accommodate those you love.
Sacrifice measures depth of love.
Until next time,
Becca
Friday, May 20, 2011
A Sad Day
May 21, 2011...the end of the world.
Wait. I thought that was supposed to be Dec. 21, 2012 when the Mayan calendar runs out.
Or any number of other days which have come and gone in past centuries, including September 6, 1994, Harold Camping's other end of the world date prediction.
Just gonna take a wild leap here and guess this guy is wrong...again.
So is Camping all wrong?
And he is giving the entire Christian body a black eye. We don't need any more of those. What with the adulterous affairs of Christian leaders, the church who pickets military funerals, and those who preach false doctrine, it's no wonder we are a laughingstock. But the Christian message is serious...life and death serious.
The LORD will come. There will be a great tribulation. The world as we know it will end.
Just not on Harold Camping's time table.
Until next time,
Becca
Wait. I thought that was supposed to be Dec. 21, 2012 when the Mayan calendar runs out.
Or any number of other days which have come and gone in past centuries, including September 6, 1994, Harold Camping's other end of the world date prediction.
Just gonna take a wild leap here and guess this guy is wrong...again.
- Acts 1:17 "He (Jesus) said to them (his disciples), 'It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority.'"
- Matt. 24:36 "Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son —except the Father only."
- Matt. 25:13 "Therefore be alert, because you don't know either the day or the hour."
- Mark 13:33 "Watch! Be alert! For you don't know when the time is coming."
- 1 Thes. 5:2 "For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night."
So is Camping all wrong?
- Duet. 18:21-22 "And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him." (Bold my emphasis)
And he is giving the entire Christian body a black eye. We don't need any more of those. What with the adulterous affairs of Christian leaders, the church who pickets military funerals, and those who preach false doctrine, it's no wonder we are a laughingstock. But the Christian message is serious...life and death serious.
The LORD will come. There will be a great tribulation. The world as we know it will end.
Just not on Harold Camping's time table.
Until next time,
Becca
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Facts and Questions
When this year of solitary began, I knew it would be a chance for God to reveal things about me which I have avoided simply by being a busy wife and mom. Kids are grown and gone, husband is in Afghanistan for a year, and the in-laws moved into assisted living. I don’t even have a pet to take the focus off me.
The most surprising thing I’ve learned is that I no longer seek out friends. I can still “work the room” if I have to, but I much prefer hanging back and observing than actively trying to make new friends. I don’t remember being this way as a kid. Yeah…more years ago now than I’d like to admit, but still a valid reference point. There are several possible explanations for this change, but does it even matter? I’ve changed. Period. The real question is whether or not I need to do anything about it.
Here are the facts:
1. Army life means lots of moves and, therefore, lots of opportunities to make new friends.
2. Officers are supposed to look out for the soldiers and families within their unit.
3. I’m not really sure how much of #2 is the responsibility of officer spouses.
4. It makes no difference that I’m a Chaplain’s spouse when it comes to #3. It does make a difference that I’m a Christian who wishes to honor God by being used to touch the lives of people around me.
5. I strongly feel God’s leading in the area of writing. It’s a solitary profession. It encourages you to make friends with the people in your head rather than the ones next door.
Here are the questions:
1. If I wait for others to approach me, will I be missing out on potentially great friends and/or opportunities to minister to others?
2. Will I be failing my duty as an officer’s wife, or more importantly as one called by God to love those around me, if I hang back and wait?
3. Is God okay if I wait for Him to bring people into my life He wishes me to minister to one-on-one rather than actively seeking them? Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Can I do something different simply because it’s my personality?
4. Is the time and energy it would take to work at making friends taking away from the call to write? Is writing the way God wants me to seek out those who are lost?
There are a few months left to this solitary life I’m leading. In that time, my prayers will be for answers to the above questions. And, much as I like you all, I’m not asking for your opinions. This is between God and me. My call is different from yours; my situation unique. You have your own set of facts and questions. I’ll deal with mine. Will you figure out and deal with yours?
Until next time,
Becca
The most surprising thing I’ve learned is that I no longer seek out friends. I can still “work the room” if I have to, but I much prefer hanging back and observing than actively trying to make new friends. I don’t remember being this way as a kid. Yeah…more years ago now than I’d like to admit, but still a valid reference point. There are several possible explanations for this change, but does it even matter? I’ve changed. Period. The real question is whether or not I need to do anything about it.
Here are the facts:
1. Army life means lots of moves and, therefore, lots of opportunities to make new friends.
2. Officers are supposed to look out for the soldiers and families within their unit.
3. I’m not really sure how much of #2 is the responsibility of officer spouses.
4. It makes no difference that I’m a Chaplain’s spouse when it comes to #3. It does make a difference that I’m a Christian who wishes to honor God by being used to touch the lives of people around me.
5. I strongly feel God’s leading in the area of writing. It’s a solitary profession. It encourages you to make friends with the people in your head rather than the ones next door.
Here are the questions:
1. If I wait for others to approach me, will I be missing out on potentially great friends and/or opportunities to minister to others?
2. Will I be failing my duty as an officer’s wife, or more importantly as one called by God to love those around me, if I hang back and wait?
3. Is God okay if I wait for Him to bring people into my life He wishes me to minister to one-on-one rather than actively seeking them? Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Can I do something different simply because it’s my personality?
4. Is the time and energy it would take to work at making friends taking away from the call to write? Is writing the way God wants me to seek out those who are lost?
There are a few months left to this solitary life I’m leading. In that time, my prayers will be for answers to the above questions. And, much as I like you all, I’m not asking for your opinions. This is between God and me. My call is different from yours; my situation unique. You have your own set of facts and questions. I’ll deal with mine. Will you figure out and deal with yours?
Until next time,
Becca
Sunday, April 24, 2011
New Life
As I prepared my heart for Easter Sunday, God impressed on me what "new life in Christ" can mean.
Of course, it implies that there is an old life which must be dealt with first. Oh...the implications. Old life where the marriage is falling apart. Old life where bitterness rules. Old life where rebellion against authority leads to chaos. Old life where the soul is dry and barren. Old life where confusion clouds every decision. Old life where bad habits have gained such strength they feel insurmountable. Old life where ________ (fill in your story).
Then comes death. I know, it feels like the saying, "Life sucks, and then you die." Well...maybe that's the whole point of life being sucky. We do not change course until it hurts too much to stay where we are. There's another saying, "Old habits die hard." But death must come before new life, a truth illustrated to us every Spring.
But before new life can begin, death must be buried in forgiveness. Jesus, while dying on the cross, spoke of forgiveness. It was His way of blessing those who persecuted them. He not only spoke the words, he actively gave up something in order to pour blessing onto those responsible for his pain and suffering. It is the meaning behind the exhortation for us to take up our cross and follow Him. Matthew, Mark and Luke all record this saying in their gospel accounts. I like Luke's version best. It says to take up our cross daily. (Luke 9:23) Take a moment to let that sink in. Every day, we are to look for a way to bless those who cause our pain and suffering, to forgive them not only with words but in deeds. Even if that person is us.
Burying a dying marriage in forgiveness.
Burying bitterness in forgiveness.
Burying rebellion, confusion, selfishness, and bad habits in forgiveness.
Burying things which needed to die, things which sometimes have to be killed daily, in forgiveness.
Burying them by being a blessing.
Because then comes new life. Abundant life. A life exceeding our expectations. Life given by the One who created the earth out of nothingness, who causes rain to fall on the dry places and makes a garden, the only One who can give life after death.
Jesus.
May you be blessed with a Happy Easter. A Happy Resurrection Sunday. A Happy New Life!
Becca
Of course, it implies that there is an old life which must be dealt with first. Oh...the implications. Old life where the marriage is falling apart. Old life where bitterness rules. Old life where rebellion against authority leads to chaos. Old life where the soul is dry and barren. Old life where confusion clouds every decision. Old life where bad habits have gained such strength they feel insurmountable. Old life where ________ (fill in your story).
Then comes death. I know, it feels like the saying, "Life sucks, and then you die." Well...maybe that's the whole point of life being sucky. We do not change course until it hurts too much to stay where we are. There's another saying, "Old habits die hard." But death must come before new life, a truth illustrated to us every Spring.
But before new life can begin, death must be buried in forgiveness. Jesus, while dying on the cross, spoke of forgiveness. It was His way of blessing those who persecuted them. He not only spoke the words, he actively gave up something in order to pour blessing onto those responsible for his pain and suffering. It is the meaning behind the exhortation for us to take up our cross and follow Him. Matthew, Mark and Luke all record this saying in their gospel accounts. I like Luke's version best. It says to take up our cross daily. (Luke 9:23) Take a moment to let that sink in. Every day, we are to look for a way to bless those who cause our pain and suffering, to forgive them not only with words but in deeds. Even if that person is us.
Burying a dying marriage in forgiveness.
Burying bitterness in forgiveness.
Burying rebellion, confusion, selfishness, and bad habits in forgiveness.
Burying things which needed to die, things which sometimes have to be killed daily, in forgiveness.
Burying them by being a blessing.
Because then comes new life. Abundant life. A life exceeding our expectations. Life given by the One who created the earth out of nothingness, who causes rain to fall on the dry places and makes a garden, the only One who can give life after death.
Jesus.
May you be blessed with a Happy Easter. A Happy Resurrection Sunday. A Happy New Life!
Becca
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Our Father...
“I’ve always thought of God as…good,” Helen Hunt whispers brokenly in her film Then She Found Me. “But what if…”
Bette Midler’s character says, “He’s just like us,” and she goes on to name human failings like busy, distracted, unreliable.
Sunday morning, my pastor preached one of those stay-with-you-and-forever-change-how-you-view-something sermons on The Lord’s Prayer. It was on the first line only: “Our Father, which art in heaven.” That’s it. That one line.
He said, when Jesus began teaching his disciples how to pray with “Our Father,” the term father would have stunned his listeners. Old Testament Jews viewed God with a distant awe, a reverence for His majesty which kept their faces averted. We have become so accustomed to thinking of God as our father, we have lost something invaluable. He also said “heaven” wasn’t an address. It’s not so we know where to look when praying. Instead, it is a testament to God’s authority. He is the one who rules the heavens and uses the earth as a footstool; the only One to command every knee to bow and every tongue to confess He is LORD.
God is not like any earthy father. This is important. Really, really important. He is not just like us. What’s so critical about that? The girl sexually abused by her father (or any father figure) needs to know. The boy abandoned by his father needs to know. The woman kicked out of her home needs to know. The man unsure how to raise his own children for lack of a role model needs to know. Children who worshipped their fathers only to find they had feet of clay need to know. Let this truth permeate your soul: God isn’t like your earthly father.
In the movie, Helen Hunt’s character makes bad choices out of her overriding desire to become a mother. Then, when it doesn’t work out, she blames God. How can He be good if He allowed such pain and misery in her life? God is not like an earthly father. He doesn’t always protect us from our home-made messes. He doesn’t rush in to save the day or sweep aside the consequences just because we’re sorry.
But He is also the Father with all authority in heaven and earth. He can take all our chaos, the ones we create ourselves and the ones forced upon us by the sin of another, and work it for our good. Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.” For several years, I’ve known the “all things” included sin perpetrated against me when I was innocent. But now God tells me the “all things” also means my own sin…the muck I got into all by myself. Imagine that. Even when I have blown it, even when the pig sty I’m wallowing in was my own choice, even then God can take it and (after I’ve repented) work it out for my good.
No, God is not like any earthly father. He’s much better…infinitely better. He rules the universe, bends all power to His will, and we get to crawl into His lap and say, “Daddy, I need Your help.”
Until next time,
Becca
Bette Midler’s character says, “He’s just like us,” and she goes on to name human failings like busy, distracted, unreliable.
Sunday morning, my pastor preached one of those stay-with-you-and-forever-change-how-you-view-something sermons on The Lord’s Prayer. It was on the first line only: “Our Father, which art in heaven.” That’s it. That one line.
He said, when Jesus began teaching his disciples how to pray with “Our Father,” the term father would have stunned his listeners. Old Testament Jews viewed God with a distant awe, a reverence for His majesty which kept their faces averted. We have become so accustomed to thinking of God as our father, we have lost something invaluable. He also said “heaven” wasn’t an address. It’s not so we know where to look when praying. Instead, it is a testament to God’s authority. He is the one who rules the heavens and uses the earth as a footstool; the only One to command every knee to bow and every tongue to confess He is LORD.
God is not like any earthy father. This is important. Really, really important. He is not just like us. What’s so critical about that? The girl sexually abused by her father (or any father figure) needs to know. The boy abandoned by his father needs to know. The woman kicked out of her home needs to know. The man unsure how to raise his own children for lack of a role model needs to know. Children who worshipped their fathers only to find they had feet of clay need to know. Let this truth permeate your soul: God isn’t like your earthly father.
In the movie, Helen Hunt’s character makes bad choices out of her overriding desire to become a mother. Then, when it doesn’t work out, she blames God. How can He be good if He allowed such pain and misery in her life? God is not like an earthly father. He doesn’t always protect us from our home-made messes. He doesn’t rush in to save the day or sweep aside the consequences just because we’re sorry.
But He is also the Father with all authority in heaven and earth. He can take all our chaos, the ones we create ourselves and the ones forced upon us by the sin of another, and work it for our good. Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.” For several years, I’ve known the “all things” included sin perpetrated against me when I was innocent. But now God tells me the “all things” also means my own sin…the muck I got into all by myself. Imagine that. Even when I have blown it, even when the pig sty I’m wallowing in was my own choice, even then God can take it and (after I’ve repented) work it out for my good.
No, God is not like any earthly father. He’s much better…infinitely better. He rules the universe, bends all power to His will, and we get to crawl into His lap and say, “Daddy, I need Your help.”
Until next time,
Becca
Friday, January 14, 2011
Blue Tarp Covering
For two weeks a blue tarp has been the only thing protecting my roof from snow, sleet, rain and hail. A windstorm sheared off the entire roofing layer. I still have the wood, but the actual roofing is lying in my yard. Every day I check each room upstairs for leaks. So far so good, but I never know how much longer that flimsy blue tarp will keep out water. It's nerve wracking waiting for possible but not certain destruction.
The insurance company assures me the tarp is good. Sorry...that doesn't make me feel any better. They should be here "soon" or "when the weather clears up." Uh, excuse me. That's precisely my point. Bad weather + blue tarp = ???
Did the Israelites feel like this? Was every year a wait and see if disaster befell them before they could have their sins covered by the temple sacrifice? Were the sins they committed too much to be covered?
I've only been living with this tarp thing hanging over my head - literally - for two weeks. Imagine years just waiting for doom. Year after year, offering sacrifices, waiting for the Messiah to come and offer a permanent solution. To cover them with a full and final protection.
I will be very grateful when the last contractor leaves and my home is restored. I am eternally grateful for the sacrifice of Christ Jesus for paying the full price for my sin so I never, ever have to wonder if what I've done has ripped a hole in His covering over me.
The insurance company assures me the tarp is good. Sorry...that doesn't make me feel any better. They should be here "soon" or "when the weather clears up." Uh, excuse me. That's precisely my point. Bad weather + blue tarp = ???
Did the Israelites feel like this? Was every year a wait and see if disaster befell them before they could have their sins covered by the temple sacrifice? Were the sins they committed too much to be covered?
I've only been living with this tarp thing hanging over my head - literally - for two weeks. Imagine years just waiting for doom. Year after year, offering sacrifices, waiting for the Messiah to come and offer a permanent solution. To cover them with a full and final protection.
I will be very grateful when the last contractor leaves and my home is restored. I am eternally grateful for the sacrifice of Christ Jesus for paying the full price for my sin so I never, ever have to wonder if what I've done has ripped a hole in His covering over me.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Exciting News
I've been PUBLISHED. Sortof. Enough to get me excited . I have the devotional over at Faith Writers today. It's one of my "Random Thoughts" from last February. I hope you will go check it out and leave a comment there. Maybe if it generates enough comments, I'll get to publish another one. Wouldn't that be fun?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
For Girls Only
When I told my daughter I wanted to write a book, the first thing she thought of was a compilation of the letters I've written to her over the years offering bits of advice. The vast majority of those reading this are not going to be my daughter, and she's already married, but I'm going to stick my nose in and offer dating advice anyway. Males need to tune out now...don't want to give away feminine secrets.
Dating 101 for Girls:
The 201 course will go into things like what to do if he has no interests of his own and always needs to be with you (run away), or his interest wanes after a couple months and he's not really making an effort to pursue you anymore (run away faster), or he's only after sex (run away fastest). Hmmm. Guess I spilled that lesson.
There's a 301 course and a 401 course, but I'll save them for another day.
Until next time,
Becca
Dating 101 for Girls:
- Guys are never going to be more motivated to learn what makes you tick than when you are dating. Your job is to teach him. After marriage, the motivation will wane but, if you've done your job, he will at least have the knowledge.
- In order to accomplish the above, you must know yourself well. To quote the famous Dolly Parton, "Find out who you are, and do it on purpose."
- You must learn what makes your guy tick.
- In order to accomplish the above, you have to get past the "mushy, gushy" time when anything you want to do is great with him. Of course, this also assumes he knows himself well (see #2) so he can tell you or show you what that is.
- Now you can find out if there are at least a few things he loves to do which you also enjoy so, when you suggest a date night (because - face it, girls - after your married you have to do a lot more date night planning), it will be something you both will have a good time doing. This is what your parents mean when they say it's important that you have some things in common.
- Pre-marital sex short circuits the whole process. You become too attached too quickly and aren't willing or able to rationally assess any of the above.
The 201 course will go into things like what to do if he has no interests of his own and always needs to be with you (run away), or his interest wanes after a couple months and he's not really making an effort to pursue you anymore (run away faster), or he's only after sex (run away fastest). Hmmm. Guess I spilled that lesson.
There's a 301 course and a 401 course, but I'll save them for another day.
Until next time,
Becca
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Great Rivalry!
Do you know why I love the Army/Navy game? Because it reminds me what a great rivalry is all about.
Two years ago, my husband and I traveled to Philadelphia for the game to see our son. See him...he's right there! What a thrill to be in the stadium and watch 4000 Army cadets from West Point and 4000 more Navy cadets from Annapolis march onto the field of play. To have AirForce 1 "buzz" the stadium. Watch President Bush walk through a line of cadets. So cool...actually freezing.
The game itself was secondary to everything else going on...or maybe that's only because Army got trounced that year. They never even scored. And yet, despite how lopsided the games have been in past years, it is still considered the greatest rivalry in all of sports.
Christians have some pretty great rivalries, too. At least we could if we followed the tradition of Army/Navy. Instead, we have stooped to simply wrestling around in the mud for no purpose other than knocking each other down and getting everyone dirty.
Here's how we can stop just making a mess and start doing something people want to see:
GO ARMY!
Becca
The game itself was secondary to everything else going on...or maybe that's only because Army got trounced that year. They never even scored. And yet, despite how lopsided the games have been in past years, it is still considered the greatest rivalry in all of sports.
Christians have some pretty great rivalries, too. At least we could if we followed the tradition of Army/Navy. Instead, we have stooped to simply wrestling around in the mud for no purpose other than knocking each other down and getting everyone dirty.
Here's how we can stop just making a mess and start doing something people want to see:
- Recognize we are all playing the same game. We may come from different angles, focus on one part of the playbook rather than another, but it's still football. (One preacher said, "If you aren't willing to hang on a cross over a particular point of doctrine, it's not worth arguing about it.")
- Let the competition inspire us. Army and Navy play multiple games throughout the season; none of them inspire the same effort as this one game. Players work extra hard. We should let theological iron sharpen iron...pushing us to dig deeper and discover why we believe what we do from our "playbook."
- When the competition is over, it's over. After every game, cadets from these two academies join together. It signifies how, after they graduate, they will stand side by side to take on any and all who come against them or our nation. Wow! What would happen if Christians everywhere kept their fight inside the stadium and adhered to the rules of fair play then stood united in the real battle?
- Do your part only. Quarterbacks do not pass to themselves. Running backs don't sack. Offensive linemen don't "go deep." They only do what they are best at doing, what they've been trained to do, what their physical capabilities can handle. Off the field, Army doesn't try to navigate ships and Navy doesn't occupy territory. Individually, we need to do our part within our churches; and our churches should do what they are best at doing. Some are strong at overseas missions; others at home missions. Some minister to children; others to the homeless. Imagine how much ground gets covered if we all do our part.
GO ARMY!
Becca
Saturday, August 14, 2010
House Work
It has been a very busy couple of weeks. I've been shopping almost every single day, actually developed a blister on my feet from all the walking through showrooms, and am sore everywhere from painting, cleaning, furniture assembly, and anything else related to home decoration you can possibly imagine.
My son comes home from Iraq any day now. Before he left in May, he made an offer on a home. It was a "short sale" which, in the end, was neither short nor a sale! After nearly 4 months of back and forth, we finally gave up with three other homes in the same area dropped their sale prices low enough they fell into his price range. So...my husband, who was still here at the time, and I made an offer on a home he now owns but has never seen except in pictures. Over the last week, my parents and I have been working feverishly to paint practically every wall, buy furnishings and decorations, and get the weeds out of the yard. We are almost done...just need one more day to add some finishing touches and it's as ready as it's going to be.
We took a much needed break today and I treated my parents to dinner at Bahama Breeze.
I've barely had enough time to read e-mail, pay bills, and take phone calls from my sweet husband in Afghanistan. WHEW!
Well, that's all! Just wanted to let you know what I've been up to. Pictures will be posted of the house after Steven gets home...wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!!
Until next time,
Becca
My son comes home from Iraq any day now. Before he left in May, he made an offer on a home. It was a "short sale" which, in the end, was neither short nor a sale! After nearly 4 months of back and forth, we finally gave up with three other homes in the same area dropped their sale prices low enough they fell into his price range. So...my husband, who was still here at the time, and I made an offer on a home he now owns but has never seen except in pictures. Over the last week, my parents and I have been working feverishly to paint practically every wall, buy furnishings and decorations, and get the weeds out of the yard. We are almost done...just need one more day to add some finishing touches and it's as ready as it's going to be.
We took a much needed break today and I treated my parents to dinner at Bahama Breeze.
I've barely had enough time to read e-mail, pay bills, and take phone calls from my sweet husband in Afghanistan. WHEW!
Well, that's all! Just wanted to let you know what I've been up to. Pictures will be posted of the house after Steven gets home...wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!!
Until next time,
Becca
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Fifth Wheel
I'm currently out at Cannon Beach, OR with my family. For the past 22 years, my side of the family has met here for a week of refreshment and renewal at the Christian conference center on the North end of town. We have not all been able to come every year, and sometimes we only manage a partial week, but there have been "Smiths" here consistently.
This year, my parents are here with all three of their children...me, my sister and my brother. My sister's entire family is here. Her married son lives in Cannon Beach with his wife who works at the conference center. Their college age son is here. My brother's entire family is here complete with two teenagers. And then there's me. My husband is in Afghanistan, my son is in Iraq, and my daughter is in Wenatchee, WA with her husband, so it's just me.
I've been doing pretty well with the whole "husband deployed for a year" thing. My first week was full of driving and working on a house my son has purchased but never seen. His first house deal fell through so he let me and my husband (who was still home at the time) pick a whole new house for him. He's seen pictures but that's all. I signed papers to close the house and am now working on getting it painted and furnished in time for his return from Iraq later this month. Busy, busy, busy. Literally got a blister on my feet while wearing fully broken in shoes from all the walking around furniture and appliance stores.
Now, I'm here in Cannon Beach taking a breather from all the busy-ness and, although I don't exactly wish I was back building blisters, I'm having a bit of a tough time being the fifth wheel. I don't want family sympathy or my mother arranging nephews and neices to take me for walks, nor do I want to be left entirely alone. What I want is my entire family here and nothing short of that is going to feel quite right.
The speakers this week are discussing the importance of staying encouraged through tough times and embracing change. Hmmm. You think God might be trying to tell me something?
So...that's it. Nothing profound; no spouting of spiritual wisdom; no creativity; and I don't even want you to KNOW what I've been eating. Yep. Pretty much a waste of your time and effort today.
And yet, I'm not a complete mess. Somehow, despite all of this, I've got this deep-routed, solid as a rock knowledge God is with me and has something important for me...just me..me. But whatever it is, I'm also getting the feeling the antidote will be about you...all of you...more you's then I can possible imagine.
Until next time,
Becca
This year, my parents are here with all three of their children...me, my sister and my brother. My sister's entire family is here. Her married son lives in Cannon Beach with his wife who works at the conference center. Their college age son is here. My brother's entire family is here complete with two teenagers. And then there's me. My husband is in Afghanistan, my son is in Iraq, and my daughter is in Wenatchee, WA with her husband, so it's just me.
I've been doing pretty well with the whole "husband deployed for a year" thing. My first week was full of driving and working on a house my son has purchased but never seen. His first house deal fell through so he let me and my husband (who was still home at the time) pick a whole new house for him. He's seen pictures but that's all. I signed papers to close the house and am now working on getting it painted and furnished in time for his return from Iraq later this month. Busy, busy, busy. Literally got a blister on my feet while wearing fully broken in shoes from all the walking around furniture and appliance stores.
Now, I'm here in Cannon Beach taking a breather from all the busy-ness and, although I don't exactly wish I was back building blisters, I'm having a bit of a tough time being the fifth wheel. I don't want family sympathy or my mother arranging nephews and neices to take me for walks, nor do I want to be left entirely alone. What I want is my entire family here and nothing short of that is going to feel quite right.
The speakers this week are discussing the importance of staying encouraged through tough times and embracing change. Hmmm. You think God might be trying to tell me something?
So...that's it. Nothing profound; no spouting of spiritual wisdom; no creativity; and I don't even want you to KNOW what I've been eating. Yep. Pretty much a waste of your time and effort today.
And yet, I'm not a complete mess. Somehow, despite all of this, I've got this deep-routed, solid as a rock knowledge God is with me and has something important for me...just me..me. But whatever it is, I'm also getting the feeling the antidote will be about you...all of you...more you's then I can possible imagine.
Until next time,
Becca
Monday, July 26, 2010
Manure and Other Sermons of God
God speaks in the oddest ways if I am ready to hear. Sunday morning, my devotion was Ps. 1. I had literally just finished typing my blog about it and had the imagery of green, leafy, fruit-bearing trees planted by streams of living water and the promise of an abundant ministry in my mind when I opened the hotel room door to continue my road trip and was greeted by the fragrance of farm country…manure.
About a year ago I learned that manure must be aged before it can be used. I didn’t know that. But it makes sense…and it has spiritual implications as do most things about tilling the earth. Fresh manure is too acidic. It will burn any plant life beneath it. Have you ever been under a pile of life’s manure? You feel the burn, smell the stench, and no matter where you turn it clings to you. But give it time and eventually what you’ve gone through become useful enough to spread around and encourage young things to grow.
I’m driving West on Hwy 84 from Colorado to Oregon while God is preaching this sermon and, just as I’m getting the point, I reach Paradise Valley, Idaho. For those of you not lucky enough to view this place for yourself, it is a fertile valley lush with green leaves in straight, planted rows where the Snake River winds and curves. It is surrounded by high hills, yellowed by the hot sun with purple rock plateaus. Gorgeous.
But, God says to me, what good is perfectly aged manure on the mountain top? It needs to be spread about down in the valley.
Seven years ago, my husband and I were deep under the manure pile. It burned, it stunk, and it followed us everywhere. But God graciously took us out of the valley of our hurt and placed us high. It allowed us time to rest from our labor, recover, and glimpse some of the fruit we had worked so hard sowing during that time. The recovery process took time. Nathan’s return to full-time ministry as an Army Chaplain marked the beginning of a new “field labor”, but to tell you the truth, it was still a time which felt very “high” for us. We are now at the beginning of a year-long deployment and, I’ll be honest, I’m not looking forward to it. A definite “valley” experience. But it’s where all the growth is, and it’s the best use of Nathan’s “aged manure.”
At this point, I’m starting to smile. So God throws a second sermon in for good measure. Water, He reminds me, doesn’t flow uphill. Whether it’s a trickling stream or rushing river, it will be found at the lowest place in the valley. Trees planted firmly by the water’s edge are only a few feet above the lowest place in the valley.
And then God tops the whole thing off by reassuring me that, although I’m used to thinking of valleys as “hard” times, it is not a place to be feared. Yes, there are occasional floods and manure drops, but it’s generally just a place where hard work gets done. Hard, rewarding work which produces a lush, green harvest.
Until next time,
Becca
About a year ago I learned that manure must be aged before it can be used. I didn’t know that. But it makes sense…and it has spiritual implications as do most things about tilling the earth. Fresh manure is too acidic. It will burn any plant life beneath it. Have you ever been under a pile of life’s manure? You feel the burn, smell the stench, and no matter where you turn it clings to you. But give it time and eventually what you’ve gone through become useful enough to spread around and encourage young things to grow.
I’m driving West on Hwy 84 from Colorado to Oregon while God is preaching this sermon and, just as I’m getting the point, I reach Paradise Valley, Idaho. For those of you not lucky enough to view this place for yourself, it is a fertile valley lush with green leaves in straight, planted rows where the Snake River winds and curves. It is surrounded by high hills, yellowed by the hot sun with purple rock plateaus. Gorgeous.
But, God says to me, what good is perfectly aged manure on the mountain top? It needs to be spread about down in the valley.
Seven years ago, my husband and I were deep under the manure pile. It burned, it stunk, and it followed us everywhere. But God graciously took us out of the valley of our hurt and placed us high. It allowed us time to rest from our labor, recover, and glimpse some of the fruit we had worked so hard sowing during that time. The recovery process took time. Nathan’s return to full-time ministry as an Army Chaplain marked the beginning of a new “field labor”, but to tell you the truth, it was still a time which felt very “high” for us. We are now at the beginning of a year-long deployment and, I’ll be honest, I’m not looking forward to it. A definite “valley” experience. But it’s where all the growth is, and it’s the best use of Nathan’s “aged manure.”
At this point, I’m starting to smile. So God throws a second sermon in for good measure. Water, He reminds me, doesn’t flow uphill. Whether it’s a trickling stream or rushing river, it will be found at the lowest place in the valley. Trees planted firmly by the water’s edge are only a few feet above the lowest place in the valley.
And then God tops the whole thing off by reassuring me that, although I’m used to thinking of valleys as “hard” times, it is not a place to be feared. Yes, there are occasional floods and manure drops, but it’s generally just a place where hard work gets done. Hard, rewarding work which produces a lush, green harvest.
Until next time,
Becca
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Itty, Bitty Break
It's crunch time around our house. The living room has piles in it...one for stuff Nathan is taking with him to Afghanistan and one of stuff I'm taking to our son to help him furnish his new house. Between trying to spend as much time with my husband before he deploys for a year and preparing for my own month-long trip, I've been taking a bit of a blogging break.
However, rest assured that part of my preparations includes some new projects I'll be sharing from the road. I will also be at a Christian conference center in Cannon Beach, OR in about a week, so I'll be posting pictures and thoughts from there.
I do want to say thanks to everyone who visits and takes time to read my entries. I especially love the comments. Right about now, I could use the prayers of every one of you as I kiss my honey good-bye soon and then have a two day drive.
Until next time,
Becca
However, rest assured that part of my preparations includes some new projects I'll be sharing from the road. I will also be at a Christian conference center in Cannon Beach, OR in about a week, so I'll be posting pictures and thoughts from there.
I do want to say thanks to everyone who visits and takes time to read my entries. I especially love the comments. Right about now, I could use the prayers of every one of you as I kiss my honey good-bye soon and then have a two day drive.
Until next time,
Becca
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