I think I remember when it started. We had been driving all day and had at least three hours to go to reach our destination of Wawa. Now that we were in Canada, the distance was being marked out in kilometers, not the miles to which we were accustomed. We were being cautious to stay within the speed limit, especially since we weren’t in our home country. Kids and parents were tired. I had the idea of celebrating milestones. Every 10 minutes that passed, we would take a moment to celebrate with a few “Woo hoo” ‘s and “Yay” ‘s. The refrain of “Celebrate good times, come on!” rang out.

Jack was on board immediately – he’s a celebrating kind of guy, but there was some eye rolling and skepticism from the older boys. Jack and I stuck with it, and before too long the whole family was watching for the time to celebrate. We celebrated ourselves all the way to Wawa!

Since then, the celebrating of time has changed. Now we celebrate times that are special in a numerical sense, like 12:34 or 5:43 or 4:44. There are lots of opportunities every hour, we just have to catch them. Jack sometimes even stretches the qualifications, like celebrating 8:19 because 8+1=9.

When I was in Haiti in November, I was very excited to learn from a team member named Deb that we should let our faces be like 10:10 and not 7:25. Picture the hands on a clock – 10:10 is a smile and 7:25 is a frown. She even had a little song to sing with this 10:10 advice.

What I’m getting at with all this is the importance of celebration and rejoicing and gratitude. It’s powerful! We can flip the switch from aggravation to joy just by reminding ourselves to do it. It surely sounds corny, but several times during my workday when I check to see what time it is, it’s one of those times for celebrating, and I can feel the internal smile and give a silent “woo hoo!” That split second of joy can do a lot to change my mental atmosphere. Hopefully there is a contagiousness like we experienced on that long car ride, and surely the celebrating makes the journey through the day more fun.

Some people seem to be natural “celebrators,” like my Jack. Others find complaining is more their default. I hate to admit it, but I am one of the latter. The celebrating thing takes effort and practice, but I never regret it.

A Thousand Gifts, by Anne Voskamp, describes her experience listing one thousand things for which she was thankful, right in the middle of the busy and the mundane and the painful and the frustrating. She says, “Thanks is what multiplies the joy,” and “Only self can kill joy.” Her words resonate with me-“There is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things. It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing. The moments will add up.” She says that sincere thankfulness can inspire thankfulness in the people around us. Read the book-it’s great!

When you get right down to it, celebrating is just a way of expressing joy and thankfulness. And it is very Biblical!

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.” Psalm‬ ‭89:15-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

And from Paul to the Thessalonian church, advice that still applies today,
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love this conclusion to the prophet Habakkuk’s writing:
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk‬ ‭3:17-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Maybe we can’t relate very well to failing olive crops and lack of sheep and cattle, but I challenge you to write your own paraphrase. “Though I can’t get caught up at work and though I am having marriage issues and though I’m struggling to make ends meet and though I feel like a failure… yet will I celebrate and yet will I remember that God is enough and far more than enough.”

He is. Light that spark of celebration and fan it into a flame of worship. It’s time!

God, I am thankful. Help me to seize the opportunities You give me to celebrate. Teach me to find joy no matter what my circumstances, and use that joy to encourage others and to give me strength. Remind me to rejoice in Your name all day long. May I see the moments as gifts from You.

-Leah

P.S. I started writing this post on Wednesday, and I have needed to remind myself of its message and practice trading cranky for thankful multiple times since then. I realize the theme is similar to “It’s Just Swim Trunks,” but it is something I am still learning. I hope it is helpful for you also!

Yes, you read that title correctly. I know this is the time of year for cookouts, fireworks, and celebrating our nation’s INDEPENDENCE. And what a celebration that is! Freedom and independence from tyranny are always worth celebrating, and I definitely will be among those joining in that celebration this week.

I have been pondering another reason for celebration in the last few weeks though. As a follower of Christ, I want to celebrate my DEPENDENCE on Him.

That little cutie is my nephew, Jack. Isn’t he adorable? I might be slightly biased, but honestly, I don’t think there’s ever been a sweeter face than that. Now, Jack isn’t this little anymore. He’s growing and changing faster than I can even tell you. But back when he was this little guy, I had the honor and privilege of spending my summers with him and his brothers.

I can remember at this stage, when I would try to help Jack with something like putting his shoes on or cutting his food into manageable bites, he would put his little hand out and say, “No! Jack got this!” Well, the truth of the matter was, Jack didn’t “got this.” He desperately wanted to do everything for himself, and he did not want my help. Typically, what would happen next is that he would struggle to do the task at hand for a little while. Then, after struggling, when help was offered again, he would begrudgingly accept it.

So, what does that have to do with celebrating dependence? Well, I don’t know if you can relate or not, but lots of times, I’m just like that little boy. I’m in a situation that is too big for me, and instead of accepting the help that my Father is offering, I throw my hand out and say, “No! Dana got this.” Now, I don’t say it out loud, and maybe I wouldn’t even admit it, but that is what my heart is saying. Ridiculous, right? And being the amazing Father that God is, He doesn’t rescind His offer, but He patiently waits while I struggle to do it on my own and then realize that I don’t “got this.”

You see, the truth is I need God for everything. Yes, everything. Here’s what Jesus said –

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Notice, He didn’t say, “You can do some of the easier things,” or “Make sure you call on me when things seem too hard for you.” He said “nothing.” Nothing. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Oh, we can sure try, and if you’re like me, sometimes we do. What He is telling us is that the only way we can do anything of value is if we are abiding in Him and depending on Him. The things we do apart from Him will fall flat.

Over and over again in Scripture, God tells us that He is our help or our Helper. What an amazing thought – the Creator of the universe wants to help us! Here are just a few of those verses –

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” Psalm 54:4

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

There are many more verses like these. Amazing help is offered to us. So, the choice is ours. Will we accept the help that is being offered to us, or will we choose to deny our need and our dependence? Will we let go of the tendency to try to handle life’s situations on our own and forego the struggle that is inevitable if we insist on doing things in our own strength?

This is true freedom in our lives as Christ followers – our total dependence on Jesus.

This week, while we join with all of our fellow citizens in celebrating the great freedom and independence we have in this country, let’s also be sure to celebrate our DEPENDENCE on the One Who has given us everything we need for life and godliness.

Apart from Him, we can do nothing.

-Dana

Do you remember being 13? I know I was 13 once, and despite how long ago that was, I can remember at least some of my early adolescent years. This has come to mind recently because as I mother my own 13-year-old. Sometimes, when I’m shaking my head, wondering what could possibly be going on in his head, I try to recall that stage of my own life. Here’s an example from a few weeks ago.

I can tell you one thing about 13-year-olds today: they are busy. Marco had been away visiting his cousin for several days, and was to leave the next morning for church camp. We got home around 9 pm Saturday night, and began packing for his next adventure. I got up early enough Sunday morning to finish the load of laundry so clothes would be clean for camp.

As we were putting everything into the suitcase, Marco discovered that his swim trunks were missing. A little looking turned into a full-on search, involving both parents. The trunks should have been with the clothes that he had taken to his cousin’s house, and those clothes had been laundered. It was as if the trunks had vanished. Marco was distraught. Maybe that sounds dramatic to you, but if you had been present that morning, I’m sure you would agree that there were intense emotions at play. Luckily, we had several other pairs of trunks that would work in a pinch, but those weren’t cutting it. After we finally concluded that the desired trunks were not available to make the trip to camp, we tried re-directing Marco, comforting him, reminding him of the fun week ahead. I tried to remain calm and be patient. I held Marco’s face and looked him in the eyes and spoke truth kindly. Really, he was just mad. And he was mad at me! He somehow believed that I had lost his swim trunks. I felt strongly that I had not, but told him that, even if I were to blame, he should forgive me and move on. Actually, I had to move on myself-I was teaching Sunday school that morning and had not factored the missing swim trunks into my morning schedule. I ended up leaving Marco in the capable hands of his father, and went to greet the 4th graders at church. Marco did finally re-group, and sent me an apology text. I was able to see him off to Miracle Camp with a hug and good will between us.

Later on, as I was pondering this morning glitch, I realized that Marco had been feeling disappointment, fear of what others would think about his trunks, frustration over unmet expectations. For a little while, this was all he could see. He couldn’t or wouldn’t see the bigger picture-the privilege and fun of a week away at camp and the fact that he still had options for swimming. It startled me to realize that I often act the same way. Something comes up that I don’t like and didn’t expect. I get interrupted, things don’t go my way, I start worrying about what others are thinking, I start laying blame. My focus is on this negativity, and I miss the context of positivity. I get feeling grouchy instead of grateful.

I came across a Biblical example of a similar scenario this week when I was reading the story of Esther. Haman was second to the king, rich and famous.
“Haman went out that day happy and in good spirits. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, and observed that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was infuriated with Mordecai; nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home. Then he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh, and Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the ministers of the king. Haman added, ‘Even Queen Esther let no one but myself come with the king to the banquet that she prepared. Tomorrow also I am invited by her, together with the king. Yet all this does me no good so long as I see the Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.'” (Esther 5:9-13 NRSV)
This guy had everything, but couldn’t even enjoy it because he was irritated by one thing that didn’t go his way.

Sometimes we miss the forest for the trees.

Last summer our family was discussing this saying, and I asked Marco if he saw the forest or the trees. He thought a minute and answered, “All I see is the town.” This is classic, and true! Sometimes we miss the forest for the trees, and sometimes we are looking the wrong direction entirely and can’t see either. We need to re-focus and ask God to let us see with His eyes. He sees the big picture.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NRSV)

These little blips in our days that put us into a tailspin are as minimal as missing swim trunks. We are still going to camp. We will still be able to swim. The here and now is a tiny speck in the universe of eternity, and even big disappointments and setbacks in this life cannot threaten our forever future.

Paul, a man well-acquainted with aggravations, disappointments, and much worse, said,
“…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39 NRSV)

When I first met him, my father-in-law used to tell me, “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff.” It is our choice: we can take an attitude of gratitude and confidence and refuse to let go of our joy, or we can growl and complain about things we can’t change.

God, You know how my mind wants to get trapped in negativity. Please help me to see things from Your perspective. Help me to let go of frustration and be thankful. Keep me looking at You, and help me to inspire joy in those around me. Remind me that nothing can separate me from Your love, and that Your love is all that I need.

-Leah

Every one of us has been touched by cancer.  If we haven’t had it happen in our own bodies, we have friends and family members who have fought it or who are still fighting it.  Cancer steals health and joy and time and money and sleep.  It causes fear and worry and stress.  I haven’t had cancer, but it has touched my life over and over.  Right now, I have two friends who are living their lives under the shadow of recurrent/metastatic cancer with lifelong chemotherapy.  That is heavy.  The shadow tries to push its way into every part of their lives.  Yet they live with grace and hope.  They focus on truth and on today and lean on God.  Both of these ladies are inspiring examples of living faith in a real God.

My suspicion is that the biggest mental challenges dealt by cancer are uncertainty about the future, loss of control, and fear of separation from loved ones.  Really, we all face those challenges, no matter what our circumstances, but cancer tends to bring them front and center.  I had an experience last November that brought me some of those same feelings.

Haiti was in a time of crisis.  Frustration from poverty and hopelessness and a belief that the government was corrupt and had stolen funds from the people led to protests and threats of more protests.  The main form of protest was to blockade the road.  Understand, that in Haiti, as in many countries, one road connects the cities.  For a vehicle larger than a motorcycle to travel, that road is the only option.  So closing the road makes a statement that is heard by many.  Our trip to serve in the Haitian people had been planned and prepared for.  It had been prayed over and anticipated for weeks and months.  We began hearing of the unrest about a week before we were to leave.  There were reports from the US State department and from mission organizations that the protests would escalate on the day we were to arrive, 11/18/18.  This was a day of historic significance for the Haitians, the anniversary of the last battle to win their independence from France.  There were groups that canceled trips and pulled team members out of the country.  We decided to enter the day before, believing that if we arrived before the major protesting we would be safe at the mission compound in a small community on the coast.  

We received word during our layover in Miami that all was quiet and peaceful in Port Au Prince.  So, off we went.

Things went smoothly as we arrived in Haiti.  We met our leader, Pastor Herve and started our 1 ½ – 2 hour drive north.

Another team member told me later that she realized that Pastor Herve was driving with a little more urgency than usual, but that escaped me at the time.  He was on his phone off and on, and at one point he slowed down and pulled off the side of the road and told us, “We will slow down and let some other cars go by in case the road is blocked.”  But several cars whizzed by us, so we hit the road again.

All at once, about 5 minutes from our destination, there was a big tree partially blocking the road and then all at once a delivery truck in the middle of the road in front of us.  We saw sandbags being pushed out the back of the truck on to the road.  Ahead we could see flames.  Pastor Herve quickly backed up and turned us around, and as we were turning around, a rock was thrown at the van.   It was dark, so we couldn’t see who was throwing rocks, but if they were hoping to rattle us, they had the desired effect.

Pastor Herve drove us back a quarter of a mile or so to a National gas station in the little town of Montrouis.  He told us we would wait there for a while.  He continued to be on and off the phone, talking in Creole.  We prayed.  We tried not to worry or allow fear to creep in.  We encouraged each other.  We waited.  I have to admit, that in addition to those activities, I was trying to figure things out.  Could we go back to Port Au Prince and fly home?  Was there a place to stay in this little town?  Could we walk around the road block?  We were right by the ocean-how about a boat?  I had to keep reminding myself that Pastor Herve would have to decide what was possible and best.  We waited a long time.  We made several attempts to drive north, but each time turned around.  It was too dangerous.  There was a pick up truck with a bed full of armed soldiers near the blockade, but they were just sitting and watching.  Motorcycles were making it through, but all the other vehicles were turning around and heading south.  We kept returning to our spot in the parking lot of the National gas station, and we kept praying.  We sang songs.  We sweated.  It was hot, and we couldn’t keep running the van to have the AC on.  We giggled.  We bonded.  We were just a part of a team, 3 blonde ladies, one who was in her early twenties and had never left the country.  We tried to guess what Pastor Herve was thinking and what he was saying in Creole to the people on the other end of the phone and to the people who stopped to talk to him through the open car window.  After about 3 hours, our leader told us he had an idea.  He would send us through the blockade on motorcycles.  There were some local church people with motorcycles and we could ride through with them.  It sounded scary and exciting and a little crazy, but if Pastor Herve was recommending it, we agreed that we were willing.  And then, he told us to give him our passports.  And our money.  And our cell phones.  

For some reason, giving up those things was HARD.  It was like letting go of any chance we had of controlling things on our own.  It took some major trust that Pastor Herve knew the situation better than we did, that he had a good plan, and that he had our best interests at heart.  We turned everything over to him and started getting ready for our night time motorcycle blockade run.  

The quick end to the story was that we did not go on motorcycles-Pastor Herve decided that was too dangerous.  After more waiting and a quick bathroom break in the gas station, we got word that we could pass in our van.  We tried again, turned back again, and then went for it.  The protestors had gone and all that was left was some pretty big rocks and a large tree to swerve around.  We started praying for our tires, and before we could say “Amen,” we were turning in to the mission compound, safe and welcomed by the rest of our team.  

So, although not anywhere close to the challenge of dealing with cancer, this was a time of uncertainty about the future, loss of control, and fear of separation from loved ones.  Again, these are fears we all face.  Here is what I jotted in the dark as I sat in the hot van with Belinda and Hannah and Pastor Herve.

When we feel that shadow of uncertainty and fear from life’s circumstances, we can know that God’s shadow is bigger.  

When Elisha and his servant found themselves completely surrounded by the angry king of Aram and his army, the servant said, “ ‘Oh no, my lord!  What shall we do?’ “  Elisharesponded, “ ‘Don’t be afraid, …those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’  And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’  Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”  (2 Kings 6:15-17)

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” Psalm 23:4

We can trust that, even more than in Haiti with Pastor Herve, this journey is in God’s country.  He cares about us and has a plan that will succeed and is for our good.  He knows the end from the beginning.  He is powerful and able.  He will get us through, and the destination is full of light and security and rejoicing.

The Bible talks about the security of being under God’s wings.  

Psalm 36:7  “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!  People take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”

Psalm 61:4  “I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”

Psalm 91:4  “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness with be your shield and rampart.”

Psalm 63:7  “Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”

Psalm 17:8  “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”

Psalm 57:1  “Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge.  I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”

Imagine the shadow of God’s wings!  Not a tight cramped place, but a shadow that is bigger than the shadow of cancer and of any kind of trouble.  A place of security and rest.

Sounds like it is our choice whether we accept that security.  Jesus said, “ ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, … how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.’ “ (Luke 13:34)

God offers His wings to us.  We make the move to be close to Him and let His nearness overshadow all our fear.  

My friends with the cancer, they are choosing this.  They are praying for eyes that see the army of God that is infinitely bigger than cancer and cancer treatment and fear and discouragement.  They are abiding in the shelter of God’s wings, not huddled up doing nothing, but living the victorious life God has given them, one day at a time.  

 

Father, teach me to see You.  Open my eyes.  Help me to be willing to trust that Your plan is good and that You never fail.  Help me to trust You enough to give up all my control and do what You ask me to do, one step at a time.  Let Your presence overshadow me, and let me choose to live in the shadow of Your wings.

-Leah 

 

 

I was raised to love golf. My grandfather was a talented golfer. What my dad lacked in talent, he made up for in love for the game. Since my dad was my world as a kid, I wanted to love what he loved. That’s how I came to love golf. I have precious memories of being on the golf course with my dad.

Having watched a lot of golf in my life, one thing I know for sure – no one pays much attention to the caddies. Caddies are the guys whose job it is to walk beside the golfers and carry their heavy golf bags. They also replace divots, clean golf balls, and give advice to the golfer about which club to choose or what kind of shot to take. Many times, they are exceptional golfers themselves, and they know the golf courses as well, if not better, than anyone. They aren’t household names, and they are often unnoticed.

I probably already lost some of you with an introduction about golf, but don’t give up on this post yet. I promise I’m going somewhere with this.

Fast forward to the present. My husband loves watching sports of all kinds. So, on Sunday afternoons, we turn on a golf tournament when we can. It provides a peaceful cadence by which to nap – sort of like a lullaby. Sometimes, when we wake up, if we don’t have anything pressing to do, we will watch the rest of the tournament.

In a recent tournament we watched together, one of the golfers was unhappy with his shot and threw his golf club. He then walked on toward his golf ball, leaving his caddie to pick up his club. A little while later, in the same tournament, a golfer discussed his next shot with his caddie, disregarded the caddie’s advice, played an unfortunate shot, and then proceeded to exchange heated words with his caddie. I, as a spectator, had seen enough. I said to my husband, “What is wrong with these golfers? They don’t listen, mess up, get mad, throw their clubs, and expect the caddies to pick them up. If I was a caddie, I would tell that golfer to pick up his own club. I would never want to be a caddie.” My sweet husband laughed and said, “No, you wouldn’t make a very good caddie!” We laughed together and then went on about our evening.

The next day at work, I found myself knee deep in what I considered to be menial tasks. There were a barrage of questions that people should have already known the answers to and requests for help with things that were’t really my responsibility. To top it all off, there were 4 mail crates of old files that needed to be recycled. Each file folder had to be opened and all paper clips had to be removed from the papers before they could be put into the recycle bin. It was taking a long time and keeping me from what I considered to be more important work. As I was removing paper clips, I was grumbling and complaining to myself. My attitude was going from bad to worse.

All of a sudden, my husband’s words from the night before came back to my mind – “You wouldn’t make a very good caddie!” Next, I was reminded of this beautiful set of verses in the Bible –

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:3-8 (ESV)

Right there by the recycle bin in that storage room, I saw something in my heart that I didn’t like. I prayed, “Jesus, please teach me how to be a good caddie.”

You see, the truth is, the reason I wouldn’t make a good caddie is because I have a problem with pride. I have a knack for making everything about me. I want to be the star of the show, not the best supporting actress. I’m not content to do the menial tasks because I consider them to be beneath me. Doesn’t everybody know that I deserve better, that I am worth more, that I am not their servant?

But wait a minute – that’s not at all like what we just read about Jesus. Paul tells us to have this mind which is ours in Christ Jesus – this mind, this attitude that chooses to empty ourselves and to take on the form of a servant. Let’s consider for a moment who Jesus is. He is the King of all kings. All of what He did by taking on human flesh was beneath Him. It’s not that He didn’t have rights – He forfeited them in order to serve. His serving involved humbling Himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross. 

Even typing this right now, I see my great need for God’s grace. I can’t even serve in small ways sometimes without my pride getting in the way. Nothing in my human nature wants to let go of my perceived rights in order to serve other people or to count them as more significant than myself. But when I look at the picture of my Savior that is painted in this passage of Scripture, everything in me wants to learn to live like Him. This One who upholds the universe by the word of His power told us –

“You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Luke 10:42-45 (ESV)

Jesus, please teach me how to be a good caddie.

-Dana