plastic snow boots

 

 

As a child I grew up in the Midwest.  Wintertime held the promise of sledding, snow ball wars and ice skating.  Expansive lakes would ice over providing solid ground which our biblical friend Peter would have esteemed.
At the age of 5, I was off exploring the icy terrain of Fox Lake.  Fitted with my off-white plastic snow boots I scooted along the snow covered ice.  I was in all my glory as I investigated the fresh terra firma.  Then, I detected a sound that I will never forget as long as I breathe.  It was the horrendous echo of thin ice fracturing beneath off-white plastic snow boots.  Ahh!  Thoughts raced through my head.  Do I sprint, stand still or am I about to become frosty the snowdiane?  As I decided the sprint idea to be the most excellent, my boots skidded me towards solid ground.  Upon my arrival, my heart in my stomach, I resolved that these feet would never again find themselves upon anything more expansive than non-detrimental puddles.  I glanced behind to see a mixture of crackled ice, soddened snow and puddled water from which I had narrowly escaped.

Unfortunately, my misadventure translates into a personal life lesson much too late.  It is just like me to traipse off like an emotional 5 year old; skipping merrily-not grasping the dangers that may well lie ahead.  I passionately dislike that about me and wish it to change-yesterday.  Well, perhaps I should rephrase that statement as I thoroughly enjoy the traipsing portion.  

"Be still and know that I am God," Psalm 46:10

He gently whispers...(and, okay at times throws up significant barriers as diversions.)  

Convey that to an emotional 5 year old-but I am endeavoring; learning to simply breathe rather than brambling impetuously through life.  Thankfully, He never wearies of me.  You can't see but I am currently shaking my head in wonder.  Thank you Daddy!

target cart

 

 

 

 

 

So, I am sitting in the park reading and luxuriating in the noontime warmth of the October sun.  Fully engrossed in my book I hear...
ta-tunk, ta-tunk, ta-tunk... in the near distance.  I look up from my paperback and notice a red Target shopping cart being impelled by a man along the sidewalk; his belongings overstuffed into this modest red cart.  I instantaneously glance back to my book.  I'm assuming that he will solicit me for money and contemplate a justifiable retort (excuse).  The red Target shopping cart slips by  uneventfully and I can hear ta-tunks ebbing into the distance.  Then it hits me!  I didn't have the civility to recognize this individual.  I didn't glance long enough to even recall his features.  I felt ashamed that I didn't simply take one moment and acknowledge this man as a human being.

But, here's the kicker-the book I was reading was crazy love-OVERWHELMED BY A RELENTLESS GOD by Francis Chan.  The quote I had highlighted not 10 minutes earlier was "I believe He wants us to be known for giving of our time, our money, and our abilities-and start a movement of "giving churches."  So, gentleman with the Target shopping cart would you please forgive me?  God, would You please forgive me and grant me another opportunity...so simple...yet so powerfully tender and meaningful?

overwhelmed

I long daily, to be overwhelmed by my God.  To thrive within His embrace.  To feel His very breath upon me.

It is my desire to worship as I breathe.  To be consumed by the knowledge that He sings and dances over me....that my God bends His ear towards the resonance of my voice.  Sanity exists solely within His sanctuary and all else pales to compare.  The question is no longer "how can I make time for Him?"  The question becomes "how can I not?"  Once I confront this certainty, then existing within Him becomes the standard rather than my fall back posture.  At the thought of having no time for Him my heart trembles.

Once you have sought and experienced Him, literally fallen in love with Him, there is miraculously nothing but time for Him. He becomes your beloved, and you-His.  

You ask, "how is this possible?"  Seek Him for this and He will not disappoint   Pray beseeching Him for a hunger for His presence.  It really is that uncomplicated as it is His very heart for every one of us.

fingerprints

 

Though I’ve worked in ministry for many years, these past two months I have immersed myself in the incredible world of Preschool Ministry!  It is such an amazing fit for me as I am an interminable child at heart.    I consider it a remarkable privilege to oversee a department that empowers our little ones to experience Jesus!
So I’ve asked myself, what is my deepest desire that I wish to translate to my teachers, assistants and volunteers?  And two, what is my deepest desire that I wish to translate to these precious preschoolers?
Plain and simple, it solely comes down to relationship.  That it is possible to have a close, personal friendship with Jesus.  That he is tangibly available to each one of us!  That spontaneous conversation with him in grocery store lines, driving to soccer practice or playing in the park would be as commonplace as our breathing.
 I envision this amazing group of teachers and assistants who seek him, moment to moment; walk hand in hand with him.  We have a hunger for him and to learn more about him.  I also envision the end result which is the reflection of this, walked out before these children every time they encounter Spirit filled teachers, assistants and volunteers.  The Spirit of God is so contagious.  How intensely excited I feel at the thought of how each little life will be changed.  That Jesus, reflected by us will then be reflected in the life of every single child.
God, do not allow us to deviate from this cornerstone principal.  Grant us a hunger for you and your Word.  Guide us in your ways. Grant us your eyes, ears, hands, feet and heart as we dive into this ministry together.   Help us to remember that you are the cornerstone of this ministry and our very being.