Tassles of Inspiration

     They came from every walk of life, each with their own reason for the pursuit. With incredible determination they cleared the hurdles that lie before them -- language barriers, age, environmental factors, drug abuse, illness, and child rearing--all things that led to dropping out of high school.

   

     Perhaps the most damaging hurdle to overcome was their own self doubt. They labeled themselves. Society labeled them. But tonight, they conquered. Each of them had returned to school to earn a GED, most with plans to continue with a college education, all with a resolve to better themselves. They were here to prove something.

     Rewarded with a strong sense of accomplishment, confidence, and self-worth, this unlikely mix of graduates is ready to tackle their future. New opportunities spread before them like a red carpet ready to welcome movie stars. Already it has been easier for them to find employment and apply for higher education.

     Cheering them on from the sidelines, their families burst with pride. Tears flowed and cheers whooped. You knew that those loved ones walked that tough road with their graduate, and now enjoyed the celebration of completion and redemption. 

     Sometimes all people need is a shot of hope and someone who will walk with them toward their dream.

What's Your Perspective?

   

      I can have a pretty shallow understanding of the world around me. I don't get why certain people behave in ways that cause grief and tension for those around them.


     I question (in my mind) why? Why aren't they.....? What are they.....? Don't they know......? I can't believe she...... The problem is that I don't always leave room in my own heart and mind for others to fall short of my own expectations. It's hard to slow down long enough to recognize the deeper need begging to be filled, and placed right in front of my face by a God wanting me to express His love to a hurting soul. No one wants to be in a desperate state of need. Most are just trying to get through their inner turmoil, leading them to perform at a lower standard than they normally would.


     It seems that anytime I fall into the judgment trap, I get knocked upside the head with the answers to my questions or I find myself in a similar predicament as the one I'm critical of. Then I feel sheepish and ashamed of my critical thoughts and lack of compassion. You would think it would eventually sink in, but no, it keeps happening. Apparently I am a slow learner.


     All around us are burned out, dried up, withered souls fighting to survive circumstances beyond their control. When I open my eyes and heart just a little bit, I see the bigger picture of suffering. The inner critic gives way to compassion. What I have been considering lately is this: "Who else but us? Who will be there to catch them when they fall? Who can they count on when they are hurting? Who will Love them? Who can they go to? Will it be us? Or will we stand there wondering why they can't get it together?


     The pace of life often doesn't allow for inconvenient interruptions, or for people to (gasp!) need me for any length of time. But when I stop and look around at what I CAN do, it is a huge blessing for me to carry it out.

Galations 6:2 "Carry each other's burdens,and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

 

Stand Out in a Crowd

     I have a very small comfort zone. It usually consists of some earth tone clothing paired with very normal denim. Though I am getting better about stepping out into bold color, it is something unfamiliar and thus not my favorite thing to do. Blending in is more my forte.

When everyone is doing something, I have no trouble participating. Like when we all got dressed up in poodle skirts and pony tails for a 50s party in my mom's honor. My grandmother made all of the costumes with my mom's help, and the party was a blast, complete with 50s party music and glass soda bottles. My husband and I were the carhops serving food and drinks out of the "diner".

Last weekend for "Turn Back the Clock Night", the Seattle Mariners held a costume contest for best 50s attire. I figured it was more than a coincidence that we had tickets for that exact night and I just happened to have a carhop costume. I imagined we might forget the year, with all the fans dressed in fifties fashion.

We walked to the game from our hotel, so I toted my costume in a bag. Arriving at the gates to the stadium, my nerves rattled as I looked around at the fans dressed in Jerseys, Jeans, and baseball caps. No one was dressed up and I was fitting right in. Should I change my mind? My grandmother was so excited....of course she was sure I would do well in the contest, but I didn't even know what the prizes were.

We found our seats, and I made the decision to run change and be back in my seat before too many arrived at the stadium. Perfect! No one would see me. But then there's drinks to buy and bathroom breaks to take. People saw me. To deal with that, I mostly avoided eye contact, but some really sweet people stopped me to say they enjoyed my costume.

Though I didn't place in the contest, putting myself out there as the only car hop in the ballpark was an amazing experience. I learned, at least temporarily, to suppress my fear of people's thoughts and opinions. Maybe they thought I was crazy, but so what? A couple wearing a poodle skirt and a letter sweater won two round trip airline tickets. They looked great! Uncomfortable and hot, I ran and changed after making it all the way to the eighth inning.

Do you ever worry about what people think and shrink from putting your true self on display? The willingness and strength to stand alone is one ability that should be practiced and mastered. Is it okay to practice it by being silly? I think so. I am convinced that those who master the skill of being themselves without running over others become truly comfortable with who they are.

Treasures in the Trash

     Today I combed through several bags of garbage, desperately searching for the diamond solitaire that fell out of my wedding ring. As I shook out each piece of trash, my heart sunk and my head ached. I prayed I would find the diamond, and retraced every step. The amazing security people at Target even took apart shelves to look for my tiny treasure.

     Sitting on the sidewalk in a pile of daycare trash, I considered the  parallels to life. Lots of trash happens in our lives. It's up to us to pick through and find the treasures among the half eaten sandwiches and dirty diapers. Sometimes the garbage can be overwhelming, causing us to lose focus and forget that there is any good to find.

     Though I have yet to find my diamond, there is something good in the trash and I will not stop looking for it. Have you ever found something important in your trash?

     "Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?" Luke 15:8
      

That, My Friend, is the Grace of God

Pre-baptism interview with Pastor Doug

     "Mom, I really want to get baptized."Our church was gearing up for baptism Sunday, and the deadline was closing in. My husband and I were not convinced she was old enough to grasp the meaning of baptism, but our daughter grew more persistent as the time drew near. We conversed with her about whether or not she really understood the commitment she was making, to live her life for Christ and walk according to the Spirit of God.

     A portion of that argument was brought to you by the fact that my husband and I were baptized together just five years ago, after an intense ride through the rapids of life.

     We read all about baptism and discussed it in the weeks leading up to the big day. Though she remained adamant, I thought I had convinced her to watch the baptisms this time and think about being baptized the next time it came around. I was wrong. Tired of my relentless questioning, she finally blurted out, "Mom, God wants me to get baptized!"

     Well, my argument was pretty much finished with that. I turned out the lights for bedtime as I agreed to get her a meeting with the pastor and see what he thought about baptizing her.

Declaration of faith

     My shy little girl, who had been afraid to death of standing in front of the church, now followed the pastor around, reminding him that she needed to talk when he had the time. That night, out of curiosity, I asked her, "How do you know God wants you to be baptized?"

     "Easy," she replied. "I asked Him and he said I should." She prayed about it, then had a dream with her answer.

      She was baptized a week ago Sunday based on her understanding that baptism is not salvation or a ticket into heaven, but on her desire to publicly declare her dedication to Christ. The miracle of that day will remain forever emblazoned in my memory.

Submersion

     Where would our family be now if five years ago, we had succumbed to the brutal attack on our marriage? Turned, not toward God, but away from Him? My heart is eternally grateful for His work in our lives. As the pastor declared at the baptism, "That, my friend, is the grace of God."

Unexpected Treasure

 

     My antique upright piano is the focal point of the living room. I don't play much anymore, so it has become the backdrop for my family photos, and I love that such a sweet piece of my history now showcases my future. Twenty Five years ago, a dear woman passed away and left the piano to me so that I could continue to play.

     Mary was a neighbor of my grandmother's and was in her late eighties. She graciously allowed me to practice in her basement several days a week since I didn't own a piano. In turn, I helped her with yard work and picked the berries in her garden. Though I sometimes had to muddle through chores I wasn't in the mood to do, those are now treasured memories.
 
     When she passed, she informed her family that I was to have her piano. I enjoy having that special piece of Mary's history that has now become mine, and I love that I can sit on that bench and be transported back to my childhood with Mary beside me helping me to find all the right keys as I painstakingly hammered out each song.

    Yesterday, while searching for a gift for my friend who adores all things vintage, I opened the piano bench.  I don't often open that bench where the music is stored, unless I plan to struggle through a piece I once played. Most of the music belonged to Mary, so some it is close to one hundred years old.

     As I pulled the music out piece by piece, I marveled at the excellent condition most of it was in. There were choir schedules and notes from the prime of her singing days. I realized how much she loved playing and singing music, and for a little while I could see her on the many stages she graced.

     More than once, I considered getting rid of the music inside. It was over my head and I figured I would never learn to play well enough to use her books. I always enjoyed listening to her play those complicated songs, and longed for the day when I could play them too. Though that day has never come, I now treasure this time capsule that serves as a daily reminder from Mary to make time for what I love.

   

Does This Thing Have Training Wheels?

      I figured out how to make one and how to post, but now what? Where are my blog's training wheels? I need a crash course, so maybe I don't need training wheels. Perhaps I should just get on and ride, pretending my mom is running along behind me holding onto the seat, waiting for the perfect moment to let go....when I say I am ready.

     Every time I am around my writing friends, they insist that blogging is great for improving writing skills, building internet presence, and increasing self discipline. I know they are right, and that it is good for me. Tight writing, and the improvement that comes with posting regularly hopefully develops into my writing.

     What worries me most is that I never easily learn anything. When I learned to load the dishwasher, the entire kitchen was foot deep in suds. While laundering our family's clothes, I flooded the basement.....twice. My first two weeks of cooking for work, the stove caught fire twice. Nothing I manage to do comes without massive effort, and loads of mistakes.

     Surely those mistakes cause most of my fears about blogging. Please forgive my slip ups while I learn what in the world I am doing, and I will do my best to blog with honesty and integrity. I will write to encourage and uplift. I have flood insurance, a fire extinguisher, and my helmet is tightly fastened. Let the journey begin!