"Blessed are those whose strength is in You,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage."
Psalm 84:5
With a broad smile I recall those precious preschool programs--my boys among those adorable 3 and 4-year olds singing so proudly. One song is especially vivid in my memory-- "We're Going on a Bear Hunt." The Bear Hunt was more of a chant with motions as Mrs. Sandy led them through the search and the children echoed her path: through long wavy grass, thick oozy mud, a deep cold river, a big dark forest, and a scary dark cave. (No, I really did not remember all those lyrics. Thank you, Google, for your help!) The only part I did actually recall was the refrain: "We can't go over it; we can't go under it; we've got to go through it!" Perhaps those lines have stayed with me all these years because there is profound truth in these simple words. Some circumstances in our lives, such as illness or grief, cannot be circumvented. We cannot get around them. We simply have to go through them. Ugh.
But the good news is... the good news. Yes, the gospel is our way through. Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) His way through was brutally suffering so that our way through would be simply believing. God sent His Son so that we could have a way through to Him. Although Jesus returned to sit at the right hand of His Father after His resurrection, He left us with the Holy Spirit who "will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26) These reminders, often the precious promises of God, are our way through. "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5) What reassurance to know we go through nothing alone! Sometimes He sends His people to your doorstep or a text to your phone or a card to your mailbox. How many occasions in the past two and a half years has He "shown up" in my life this way! But sometimes He doesn't. Sometimes it is simply in the dark, quiet, tear-filled night that our Father of compassion softly whispers, "I am here. Cry on. I understand." The intimacy of those moments is immeasurable. Maybe these painfully sweet times are the "treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places" that the Lord speaks of in Isaiah 45:3.
Another encouraging promise is also found in Isaiah: "For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'" (41:13) I need Him to take my hand, especially when I don't know which way to turn. (Navigation has always been a serious weakness.) On our "bear hunts" that mud can be really thick, making us feel stuck--almost paralyzed. His mighty hand is there to pull us out. That river is so cold that our bodies are trembling. He will tuck us under the shadow of His wings until we are warm and calm again. Yes, that forest is dark, but He is the light unto our path who will show us the way. The cave, too, is dark and scary, but with the LORD at our side, declaring to rescue us, we need not be afraid. (Jeremiah 1:8) Alas, whatever obstacles we encounter on our journey, our compassionate and loving
Guide is right there waiting. All we have to do is reach for His hand and ask for His help.
At some point in our lives we will all experience a bear hunt: tall grass, thick mud, cold rivers, dark forests, and/or scary caves. No way around them; we have to go through them. May we rest in knowing that our faithful Father is taking every step alongside us, holding our hand all the way. He will see us through!
.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Delicious
"Great are the works of the LORD;
they are pondered by all who delight in them."
Psalm 111:2
Years ago a fourth grade teacher friend shared a wonderful story about a book her class had read called The Search for Delicious. In this book the king's messenger is sent out to poll the kingdom regarding which food should be listed under delicious in the new dictionary since great division on the matter prevails within the castle. The quest proves quite interesting as the responses stretch beyond food, leaving the reader to ponder the answer as well: What is delicious? After discussing it as a class, this savvy teacher then had her students write prominent Mississippi author, John Grisham, asking him to answer the question. She gave me a copy of his letter (dated September 1992) to the class as he offered his insights beyond food on delicious. Here is an excerpt:
"Going to the ballpark and watching kids play baseball is a delicious
experience. Taking a long walk in the woods with my dog Bo on a
cool morning is delicious. Going to church with Renee, Ty, and Shea
is delicious. Watching Ty play soccer and listening to him read a book
is delicious..."
My friend (and her students!) were thrilled that the noted author took time to write them back, and his letter served as a catalyst for their own assignment to define delicious.
I've always loved this story, and through the years have encouraged my students to reflect on what they consider to be delicious. I explain that although we often only associate food with this word, delicious is a close relative of delight. Delicious and delight come from the same Latin root meaning "to please greatly" or "to take pleasure in." Once they get past Grandma's fried chicken, an Oreo blizzard, and Mom's sweet potato casserole, they begin to grasp the idea. Snippets of teenagers' delicious include sleeping till noon on a Saturday, hitting a home run, camping out (especially in an Eno), Christmas morning, beach vacations, riding four wheelers in the mud, finding the perfect prom dress, hearing the final bell ring in May...
This, of course, inspires me to consider what I deem delicious. A few similarities but I believe that delicious changes for us as the seasons of our lives change. Here is a sampling from my current list:
* sunshine and 70 degrees after a long, dreary winter
* curling up with a good book on a rainy afternoon
* hearing the voice of an old friend on the phone
* quiet mornings with my Bible, devotionals, journal, and pen
* discovering a handwritten letter or card in the mailbox (or on the counter)
* watching the sun set at the beach (or anywhere else)
* finding an unblemished sand dollar along the shore
* seeing a rainbow
* reading a children's book
* belly laughter that leads to tears
* watching a baby sleep
* cooking for a friend in need
* sitting around a campfire
* seeing the sun rise from behind the hills
* sharing a weekend getaway with friends
* sharing a meal and stories around the dinner table when all the boys are
home
The list is truly endless, but as I study it, I realize how all of these are "great works of the LORD"! Everything in creation, family, friendships, books, laughter--it's all of Him. (Colossians 1:16) He spoke everything into existence; He designed families and friendships; He gave the talent for authors to write and illustrators to draw; He purposed a cheerful heart to be good medicine. (Proverbs 17:22) How gracious He is to bestow such gifts! When we trace the roots of our delicious, we find that He is surely the Maker of all.
I especially find this time of year delicious, embracing the emerging springtime. Signs of resurrection all around us foreshadow the coming celebration of our risen Lord: Japanese magnolia blossoms, flowering Bradford pears, clusters of daffodils, patches of phlox, shades of green peaking through the barren ground... All of this without man touching a garden tool. How grateful I am for these delicious reminders of new life! Indeed all creation does testify of the Creator and His most marvelous gift--His risen Son Jesus, our Savior and Lord.
My prayer today is that the Lord might open our eyes to see His great works everywhere and that as we ponder them, we will praise Him. Delicious indeed!
they are pondered by all who delight in them."
Psalm 111:2
Years ago a fourth grade teacher friend shared a wonderful story about a book her class had read called The Search for Delicious. In this book the king's messenger is sent out to poll the kingdom regarding which food should be listed under delicious in the new dictionary since great division on the matter prevails within the castle. The quest proves quite interesting as the responses stretch beyond food, leaving the reader to ponder the answer as well: What is delicious? After discussing it as a class, this savvy teacher then had her students write prominent Mississippi author, John Grisham, asking him to answer the question. She gave me a copy of his letter (dated September 1992) to the class as he offered his insights beyond food on delicious. Here is an excerpt:
"Going to the ballpark and watching kids play baseball is a delicious
experience. Taking a long walk in the woods with my dog Bo on a
cool morning is delicious. Going to church with Renee, Ty, and Shea
is delicious. Watching Ty play soccer and listening to him read a book
is delicious..."
My friend (and her students!) were thrilled that the noted author took time to write them back, and his letter served as a catalyst for their own assignment to define delicious.
I've always loved this story, and through the years have encouraged my students to reflect on what they consider to be delicious. I explain that although we often only associate food with this word, delicious is a close relative of delight. Delicious and delight come from the same Latin root meaning "to please greatly" or "to take pleasure in." Once they get past Grandma's fried chicken, an Oreo blizzard, and Mom's sweet potato casserole, they begin to grasp the idea. Snippets of teenagers' delicious include sleeping till noon on a Saturday, hitting a home run, camping out (especially in an Eno), Christmas morning, beach vacations, riding four wheelers in the mud, finding the perfect prom dress, hearing the final bell ring in May...
This, of course, inspires me to consider what I deem delicious. A few similarities but I believe that delicious changes for us as the seasons of our lives change. Here is a sampling from my current list:
* sunshine and 70 degrees after a long, dreary winter
* curling up with a good book on a rainy afternoon
* hearing the voice of an old friend on the phone
* quiet mornings with my Bible, devotionals, journal, and pen
* discovering a handwritten letter or card in the mailbox (or on the counter)
* watching the sun set at the beach (or anywhere else)
* finding an unblemished sand dollar along the shore
* seeing a rainbow
* reading a children's book
* belly laughter that leads to tears
* watching a baby sleep
* cooking for a friend in need
* sitting around a campfire
* seeing the sun rise from behind the hills
* sharing a weekend getaway with friends
* sharing a meal and stories around the dinner table when all the boys are
home
The list is truly endless, but as I study it, I realize how all of these are "great works of the LORD"! Everything in creation, family, friendships, books, laughter--it's all of Him. (Colossians 1:16) He spoke everything into existence; He designed families and friendships; He gave the talent for authors to write and illustrators to draw; He purposed a cheerful heart to be good medicine. (Proverbs 17:22) How gracious He is to bestow such gifts! When we trace the roots of our delicious, we find that He is surely the Maker of all.
I especially find this time of year delicious, embracing the emerging springtime. Signs of resurrection all around us foreshadow the coming celebration of our risen Lord: Japanese magnolia blossoms, flowering Bradford pears, clusters of daffodils, patches of phlox, shades of green peaking through the barren ground... All of this without man touching a garden tool. How grateful I am for these delicious reminders of new life! Indeed all creation does testify of the Creator and His most marvelous gift--His risen Son Jesus, our Savior and Lord.
My prayer today is that the Lord might open our eyes to see His great works everywhere and that as we ponder them, we will praise Him. Delicious indeed!
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Glory Revealed
"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge."
Psalm 19:1-2
For many of us January seems interminable. We crawl through, mumbling about the cold temperatures, the overcast skies, the piercing wind. Barren trees, crunchy lawns, and swirling leaves mark our neighborhoods as we bemoan the bleakness of winter. The twinkling lights and festive Christmas decorations are stored away, college football is over, and we long for the radiance of sunshine. Well, this week I think we got our Sonshine.
Here at the end of this long month we were graced with an unexpected blessing--a snowfall that paralyzed a city within an hour. A blessing you say? Thousands of children remained at school. Countless people could not leave work. Many were stranded along the roads. Yes, a blessing. For as many unfortunate circumstances the snow created, the kindness and compassion of friends and colleagues and strangers appeared--the hands and feet of Jesus. The stories continue to pour in: people getting out of their cars and enduring the frigid temperatures to help another push his or her vehicle to the side of the road; people offering those walking a ride home or at least as close to home as the ice would allow; people opening their homes to others needing a bed and a hot shower; friends taking in others' children whose parents were stranded...
At a time when technology seems sometimes to be distancing relationships, through the snow the Lord offered us a window to see what really matters
--people and relationships. I was at school where our extraordinary administrative team set the tone for magnanimous leadership and calm in a difficult situation. Overseeing several hundred teenagers overnight is a daunting task, yet they carefully devised a plan for supervision that worked. After dinner each of us gathered ten students (separated by gender) that would be our charges for the night. We took them back to our rooms for movies, games, and hallway walks until lights out at 11:00; then they curled up on the floor with backpacks for pillows and jackets for blankets, making valiant attempts to sleep. These students were remarkable. Perhaps they saw the "No Whining" sign in my room, but there were few complaints. I think the more stories we heard and pictures we saw of those stranded out on the roads, the more thankful we became for being sheltered in a warm, safe place. Many of the teachers didn't really sleep much, alternating between resting for a while and then joining a group of "hall monitors" for a while. But in these wee hours of the morning relationships were forged. This snow-induced sleepover offered opportunity for conversations beyond the classroom and a bond sealed by these circumstances. We told stories and laughed and cried and learned much about one another. Throughout the night administrators walked the halls checking on both students and teachers, asking if we needed anything. As people sought comfort, there was a mass sale of HHS sweatshirts from the SGA sponsor, and those with exercise clothes at school offered tennis shoes and t-shirts and sweats for those who had been wearing skirts and heels. One teacher dug out several years' worth of old classroom curtains to serve as blankets for her students. Phone chargers and saline solution were exchanged. Stashes of Laffy Taffy and lollipops were shared. A tube of toothpaste became a precious commodity Wednesday morning as students eagerly lined up for a dab on their finger, murmuring "thank you" as they began the finger brush. Their gratitude for the little things has left an indelible heart print.
Among the unsung heroes of this night at the school were the dear ladies in our lunchroom. Three delicious meals they graciously prepared, serving them with bright smiles and exceptional patience. Students were called to eat by floors so in three shifts they served each meal. These ladies had worked diligently, offering four choices for dinner Tuesday evening; then we enjoyed scrambled eggs, sausage, grits, and biscuits Wednesday morning and chicken sandwiches later that day for lunch. Each time they greeted students and staff with smiles and kindness in spite of their own sleep deprivation. They actually seemed delighted to be able to serve us!
The ladies at the front desks also modeled incredible patience. Answering the incessant phone calls and paging students for check out intermittently from about 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Tuesday; then starting again about 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday there was a steady flow of parents checking out their children throughout the day. Their voices over the intercom never revealed the exhaustion they must have felt. Grace under pressure. What a privilege to work among such servant hearts!
Though many want to place blame on weather forecasters, this surprise "snowpacolypse" (as many have come to affectionately call it) is simply a reminder that the Lord indeed is sovereign, and the skies still proclaim the work of His hands. Regardless of forecasts, the heavens ultimately declare His glory. Not too long after I returned home Wednesday afternoon, I glanced out the window and caught the magnificent sunset below. Yet another reminder of the splendor of His glory. I'd like to think years from now as we reflect on this history-making event, our memories will not be of the inconveniences or discomfort but on the benevolence and hospitality displayed in our community--people being kind to one another, loving one another, and serving one another. Because of the snow, the gospel has been on display by so many, reflecting God's glory in immeasurable ways. Yes, the Son did shine in January after all--a blessing indeed...
the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge."
Psalm 19:1-2
For many of us January seems interminable. We crawl through, mumbling about the cold temperatures, the overcast skies, the piercing wind. Barren trees, crunchy lawns, and swirling leaves mark our neighborhoods as we bemoan the bleakness of winter. The twinkling lights and festive Christmas decorations are stored away, college football is over, and we long for the radiance of sunshine. Well, this week I think we got our Sonshine.
Here at the end of this long month we were graced with an unexpected blessing--a snowfall that paralyzed a city within an hour. A blessing you say? Thousands of children remained at school. Countless people could not leave work. Many were stranded along the roads. Yes, a blessing. For as many unfortunate circumstances the snow created, the kindness and compassion of friends and colleagues and strangers appeared--the hands and feet of Jesus. The stories continue to pour in: people getting out of their cars and enduring the frigid temperatures to help another push his or her vehicle to the side of the road; people offering those walking a ride home or at least as close to home as the ice would allow; people opening their homes to others needing a bed and a hot shower; friends taking in others' children whose parents were stranded...
At a time when technology seems sometimes to be distancing relationships, through the snow the Lord offered us a window to see what really matters
--people and relationships. I was at school where our extraordinary administrative team set the tone for magnanimous leadership and calm in a difficult situation. Overseeing several hundred teenagers overnight is a daunting task, yet they carefully devised a plan for supervision that worked. After dinner each of us gathered ten students (separated by gender) that would be our charges for the night. We took them back to our rooms for movies, games, and hallway walks until lights out at 11:00; then they curled up on the floor with backpacks for pillows and jackets for blankets, making valiant attempts to sleep. These students were remarkable. Perhaps they saw the "No Whining" sign in my room, but there were few complaints. I think the more stories we heard and pictures we saw of those stranded out on the roads, the more thankful we became for being sheltered in a warm, safe place. Many of the teachers didn't really sleep much, alternating between resting for a while and then joining a group of "hall monitors" for a while. But in these wee hours of the morning relationships were forged. This snow-induced sleepover offered opportunity for conversations beyond the classroom and a bond sealed by these circumstances. We told stories and laughed and cried and learned much about one another. Throughout the night administrators walked the halls checking on both students and teachers, asking if we needed anything. As people sought comfort, there was a mass sale of HHS sweatshirts from the SGA sponsor, and those with exercise clothes at school offered tennis shoes and t-shirts and sweats for those who had been wearing skirts and heels. One teacher dug out several years' worth of old classroom curtains to serve as blankets for her students. Phone chargers and saline solution were exchanged. Stashes of Laffy Taffy and lollipops were shared. A tube of toothpaste became a precious commodity Wednesday morning as students eagerly lined up for a dab on their finger, murmuring "thank you" as they began the finger brush. Their gratitude for the little things has left an indelible heart print.
Among the unsung heroes of this night at the school were the dear ladies in our lunchroom. Three delicious meals they graciously prepared, serving them with bright smiles and exceptional patience. Students were called to eat by floors so in three shifts they served each meal. These ladies had worked diligently, offering four choices for dinner Tuesday evening; then we enjoyed scrambled eggs, sausage, grits, and biscuits Wednesday morning and chicken sandwiches later that day for lunch. Each time they greeted students and staff with smiles and kindness in spite of their own sleep deprivation. They actually seemed delighted to be able to serve us!
The ladies at the front desks also modeled incredible patience. Answering the incessant phone calls and paging students for check out intermittently from about 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Tuesday; then starting again about 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday there was a steady flow of parents checking out their children throughout the day. Their voices over the intercom never revealed the exhaustion they must have felt. Grace under pressure. What a privilege to work among such servant hearts!
Though many want to place blame on weather forecasters, this surprise "snowpacolypse" (as many have come to affectionately call it) is simply a reminder that the Lord indeed is sovereign, and the skies still proclaim the work of His hands. Regardless of forecasts, the heavens ultimately declare His glory. Not too long after I returned home Wednesday afternoon, I glanced out the window and caught the magnificent sunset below. Yet another reminder of the splendor of His glory. I'd like to think years from now as we reflect on this history-making event, our memories will not be of the inconveniences or discomfort but on the benevolence and hospitality displayed in our community--people being kind to one another, loving one another, and serving one another. Because of the snow, the gospel has been on display by so many, reflecting God's glory in immeasurable ways. Yes, the Son did shine in January after all--a blessing indeed...
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