For the Invisible Ones

The pull of wanting to be seen

And yet wanting to blend in

The struggle of walking outside with a smile

Or staying in your room with a book or paintbrush or pen

The reality that life is to be lived and experienced

Paired with the reality that life can be scary and lonely

Looking at those traveling the same path

Wondering if anyone else struggles with

The pull of wanting to be seen

And yet wanting to blend in

The Beginning of Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday.

On the church calendar, this marks the beginning of Lent.  A season to prepare our hearts for the coming remembrance of the death of Christ, and the celebration of His resurrection.  For some it can be time to give up certain things - perhaps to join in the suffering of Christ by sacrificing some habit or item that we hold perhaps, a little too closely. 

Chocolate
Certain TV shows
Certain language
Soft drinks
Red meat

You get the idea.

Are these really sacrifices?  Or are they ways we make ourselves feel like we are contributing something, you know, "doing our part" to remember...

Jesus knew what was coming.  He went in to Jerusalem the week before His death, knowing the pain, suffering and sacrifice He would endure.  And He still went. 

For us.

To pay a debt we could not pay.

To conquer something we could not even begin to fight.

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it."
Acts 2:21-24

I Believe

There is so much going on right now, my mind is in a fog.  As I dropped one of the girls off at youth group tonight, the CD that was in the car started playing a song that I love.  Andrew Peterson's "The Good Confession". 

It tells the story of a young boy who heard the call and was baptized.  As he took his preacher father's hand, he was asked to "say the words" - words I learned as a child growing up in the Lutheran church.  Words we memorized early on, and recited over and over.  Words that are meant to be something more than just words.

The words hit me tonight, with things happening, where is my trust?  Where does my faith stand?  How deep does my belief go, and what do I believe?  Do I believe that I truly am saved through faith in Jesus Christ, that His death on the cross was the sacrifice required by God the Father, and willingly given for me?  That there is nothing I need to do to earn this salvation, except to confess my sins, accept His grace and gift, and believe that He is the Son of God. 

How then shall I live?

Purpose

It is a small word with big implications.

Purpose

What is it?
What is mine?

When I think of purpose, I think about meanings.  What is the meaning of my life here?  Where will I find meaning?  What does this meaning look like, feel like?  Will I know when I find it?

Then I think about the "bigger than me" picture.  My purpose shouldn't be about me and what I can accomplish in this life.  It should be about others and what I can do to help make a difference for them.  This life isn't about me.  I was put here for a reason, a purpose, yes, but the focus of that purpose should be so much more than my little bubble of existence.

So I continue on this journey. . .

The Day Begins

I wake to a quiet house
Sounds of cars outside heading down the street
I begin my morning Summer routine
Preparing my lunch
Making coffee
Getting myself ready for work
All in the quiet

Thoughts of gratitude
For the people who sleep
For the quiet that surrounds
For the provision of all of these

Thoughts of the day ahead
Of tasks to tackle
Of lists to complete
Of time on the clock moving constantly forward

I step out of the quiet house
On to the porch near the street
Making my way to the car
Making my way to the office
Getting myself ready for work

The day begins...

Grace, Mercy and Influence

Grace - the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings - OxfordDictionaries

Mercy - compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm  - OxfordDictionaries

Influence - the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself - OxfordDictionaries

These are some of the words running through my brain this morning.   There are circumstances all around us - any of us - at any given time or day, that require us to consider each of these things.  What or who influences us, and what influence might we carry?  Where are people or places in time where I need to offer, or ask for mercy?  How do I accept the grace given to me, and extend that to others?

Consider these things for yourself. 

Where has grace been extended to you?  Here is a touching example...

Is there a situation where mercy is required of you?  A person that needs forgiveness?  Is there a place where you need to humbly request mercy from another?

Do you have an influence on those you come in contact with?  If so, how are you using that influence?  Do you recognize it as a sacred thing, or is it a tool to accomplish a goal?  Is your influence leading others in the right direction?  (Hint: it shouldn't lead to you...)  Are you following the right influences? (Hint:  Where are they leading you?)

These are all things I am pondering, reviewing and praying about.  There are so many places that aim to grab our attention... 

Pay attention.

A Letter - On Brokenness

Dear you,

Since it isn't possible right now, for all of us to sit around the same table and sip coffee and talk about the things that are going on in our lives, I wanted to invite you to this space, this common space, to let you in on some of the things I have been thinking about. We  have been through a lot in this span of life we have lived.  We have traveled many different roads, most with ruts, bumps and the occasional detour.

Let me be the first to say that I am broken.  WE are broken.  None of us has all of the answers, none of us is perfect.  If we pretend we are fine, that nothing is wrong...well, that just proves how broken we really are.  Sometimes pride or fear keeps us from owning those cracks.  Sometimes we don't realize that we are broken, because brokenness is all we have known. 

Our faults are not to be worn as a badge of courage, a banner to wave when we feel slighted, insignificant or hurt.  Our faults need to be admitted, recognized and called out for what they are.  But we also need to recognize that when others present their faults to us, they are to be handled with care, mercy and grace.  If there is correction needed, then correction must be given and accepted in love.  If there is reconciliation needed, then it also must be attempted and if possible, accepted. **I do believe that if any party is not in the right place, then attempts for correction and reconciliation can be more damaging and hurtful.**

We are works in progress.  We will not see the final result of our striving this side of eternity.  But that doesn't mean we should sit back and accept where we are.  We press on and move forward.  We can try under our own strength and will, but that won't last long.  We will get exhausted. 

There is One who has already done the work.  Some of us may know this.  We need to remember to go to Him with our faults.  This One has carried all of our faults to a hill.  There they were all carried on His back, nailed to His cross, and the payment was made in full.  Payment for what?  For this thing called sin.  Sin separates us from the Most High, El Elyon, Jehovah, I AM.  He is holy, righteous and just.  He cannot tolerate sin.  So for we who are born sinful, with faults, what does that mean? What do we need to do?  We look to Jesus, ask forgiveness for our wrongdoings, accept His wonderful, extravagant gift!  The gift that God's Son took our faults, our brokenness, our sin upon Himself, paid the ultimate, horrendous price that was for us, and did it willingly so we could be set free. 

Do you know Him?  If you do, thank Him for His grace, mercy and love.  Go to Him with your struggles and ask Him for direction.

If you don't know Him, please call out to Him.  Go to Him with your struggles and ask Him for direction.  Tell Him of your sin (confess) with a contrite heart.  Ask Him to forgive your sins - by believing they were nailed to the cross when Jesus was crucified.  Accept His grace and mercy through Jesus.  Follow Him.  Love Him.  Praise Him!