Humanity is so connected. Like the Kevin Bacon game I do think many of of are separated by just a few degrees.
I received a comforting reminder yesterday that no matter how out of control life gets, our lives don't spin away from God's notice.
An old connection has suffered a tragedy. And though I'm no longer in a position to come alongside and bring comfort, God still is. And as I pray about this loss, I can know that God has placed others in their lives, and that He is a present and ready help in their time of need.
This is what we were created for, to have relationships, to make a difference, to love and live and leave a legacy behind. Though I've lost touch with this family, the time we were connected isn't forgotten and even now I can pray for them.
When we are part of the vine of Christ we are not alone. His blood runs through our veins and His Spirit connects us on a level we can't even begin to understand.
If you have a struggle, if you feel alone, if you wonder if this life of faith is worth it, know that you are not a lone wolf. If you are connected to Christ, you are connected to life, and to hope, and to a future.
And if you are not connected yet, someone who is may be praying for you.
My mom always quoted Thumper's mother's sage advice to me when I got a little extra complainy and whiny.
Who could argue with Walt Disney wisdom delivered by a sweet furball?
Certainly not the average seven-year-old in the late 60's. By that I mean me.
Mothers seem to know certain things by instinct.
Things like whining, complaining and mean-spiritedness just aren't good for the soul.
In looking for a definitive answer on how many positive comments it takes to cancel a negative you can find loads of answers. Ten positives to cancel out a negative? That might be a little high. But let's think it through.
How quickly does negativity spread? Like little breeding bunny rabbits, I say. A co-worker or spouse or family member walks through the door with a brooding attitude and the whole climate changes doesn't it?
A scowl involves a whole different atmospheric charge than a smile does.
Some moods actually make the air crackle with intensity. A storm is brewing. Will the lightning be distant passive aggressive flickers on the horizon? Or direct and personal hits?
And our emotions respond to the possible danger. Even if the electrical tension has nothing to do with us, we can still get caught in the storm. And we feel assaulted and respond accordingly.
Laughter, smiles, sweetness, encouragement also breed like sweet little bunnies. Sunshiny attitudes can even chase away little storm clouds.
So. Who do you want to be? A gray storm cloud? Or a beam of sunshine?
The next time you feel a sarcastic, mean, whiny, complainy, negative thought working it's way toward your lips, clamp down on it like a bunny on a carrot. Because, honestly, your comment may paint a better picture of who you are versus who you are complaining about. And it may bring a litter of more negativity. If you can't say something nice, kind, encouraging, then what's your motivation? And does it really need to be said?
The tree is indeed an impressive creation. The smallest of stumps can sprout again. If the roots are alive the tree is, too. Trees also show the life they've lived through their very core. A ring forms and tells the story of the year, the hardships, the challenges and the inner strength of the tree.
Resilience is not just for trees. Humans can bend but not break. Resilience means we can grow in spite of and through circumstances. Are you aware that the rings of your life tell a story of a life lived?
The droughts, the high winds, the rains will come. And scars are inevitable. But as long as there is growth, healing can come. If you are reading this you are alive. Where are your roots planted?
Hang in there. You might be working on the most impressive life ring yet.
Don't you just love those philosophical questions?
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, will it make a sound?
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Knock! Knock?
Points to ponder, but don't lose sleep.
Let the little questions take care of themselves after you wrestle with the big ones, ya know?
Our lives can become bleak.
I have felt like a fish in the bottom of a boat, out of the water, gasping for air even though I am surrounded by it. I have felt like the gray, filthy days of winter will never leave, that the trees will never bud, that the sun will refuse to ever shine again.
Some of the most powerful moments in my life have come when I've nearly given up hope.
My husband and I had some really, really rough spots in our marriage. Honestly, we should have gotten divorced, twice. But, and when I say this I'm not being flippant or pious or holy, I really mean it, God literally held things together.
Because we were both doing our best to destroy our family.
One of the darkest moments happened when he was actively drinking and not sure he wanted a family anymore. We'd been separated and he had come to visit the kids, and as regularly happened, he and I fought.
The baby started to cry. I was so ticked, I started to cry. He flipped both hands in the air in angry surrender and headed to the door, to escape. Our three-year-old began to weep. "Don't leave, Daddy!" He wailed over and over. My husband walked out the door and shut it behind him and didn't look back.
How could we come back from that? It was the ultimate statement.
My life was a bleak gray, filthy mess. No sun. No singing birds. No smiles. No joy.
But the next morning the sun did rise. And I got out of bed. And the following morning the routine happened again. Eventually, a small flame of hope ignited in me. And even though it was so hard, life was put back together again.
That wasn't the only hard time. And I'm not a remarkable woman. I just did what I had to do to survive and eventually, beauty grew and God painted something amazing.
My blessings overflow. And God has created a family that basks in His love. I need His love like I need the air I breathe.
There are miracles all around us. And we become so tunnel-focused and insulated that we forget all about the wonder, the awe, the breathtaking, that is ours to notice.
When was the last time you truly focused on the exact here and now, and marveled in it?
I am so prone to going through the motions. The sun rises. The sun sets. I tell my near dear ones that I love them, and sometimes, it's reflexive. My prayers become lists of what I'd like the God of the universe to do. Even the act of kissing my husband goodbye is often just blah. This, of course, is the same man who can leave me starry-eyed and slightly dizzy.
Everything just becomes routine and the miracles, the special, the wonder, gets lost.
Live in the moment. Taste that first sip of coffee and feel the warmth travel down your throat, smell it, enjoy it. Kiss your significant other like you mean it. Like you really want to take a part of him or her with you through your day. Tell someone you love them, and remember why you love them. Notice the sunrise. Or the puffy clouds floating above the earth. Listen for the singing of birds, or the sweet voice of the child in the other room. Pray like you have a relationship with God....like your relationship is important to you, not because of what He could do for you, but because of who He is. Sing. Just because.
Embrace wonder. It might just change your day.
My vision is SO distorted. This picture is how I see my world. Wavy lines, twisted shadows, and an almost unrecognizable image.
My worldview, my personality, my experiences, my circumstances all pull at my senses so that what I see is a shadow of what is.
I find it fascinating that the Bible tells me I see things as puzzling reflections. Almost as if God understands my condition and that He is willing and able to work on my vision for and with me.
You know what truly amazes me? God knows me completely. And He loves me, anyway. And I can say that about you, too. Regardless of how we see things, what images and shadows and distortions we hide from or shadow box....we are loved. We are valuable to the God of the universe.
What big confusing mirror image would you like to have straightened out? Maybe you should talk to God about that.
Have a great weekend.
