Sticktuitiveness

It is rare to hear of married couples lasting more than ten or fifteen years anymore. My parents are such a great example of Sticktuitiveness. 62 years. 62! I think of how many people I know that have married and since divorced. Not all relationships can be restored, but many don't try. I am not anywhere near 62 years old, but I have been around the block so I can tell you that an alarming 50+% of my peoples have not made it to the finish line. Whether it was one or both, the end was declared, the white flag tossed, the crayons divided.

Is it any wonder that we fail at so many of the other lesser commitments we make? Marriage is the most important so it would seem that losing weight or cleaning out the garage doesn't stand a chance. Right? I ponder this a lot. If a promise to a human can not be kept, is there any hope that we will leave the Ding Dong on the shelf? I say probably not. After all we are talking chocolate....And if we measure our integrity when dealing with people verses say, television, is there a noticeable difference in who wins, showing preference for family over football?

I am not saying that football is bad, but if it means dissing the spouse, kids or a friend in crisis, what are we saying is our choice for intentional living? I am truly committed to ....say.....love my spouse? Never miss Survivor? Always putting down the remote to read to my child? Driving to a friends at 2 in the morning to help in a time of need? When you read it or write it, the decision seems pretty simple, but I think application is the key. And if we are not faithful in the real things,God and people, why would we expect different outcomes in the New Years resolutions such as quitting soda pop or licking that 2 pack a day gum habit.

Sticktuitiveness. We all need some more superglue in our yes or no. When we say yes, let it be and if we nod no, let it be no. Don't be a flip flopper, like some politicians we know. Don't let your words say one thing and your actions say another. Even when you are not having fun, when it is hard or boring, stick with it. The outcome is always good, the reward is even better. And we can not do it just some of the time, as this is a daily effort. I said it, effort. Takes work, commitment and love to have a perfect outcome. So you should log off of the blog, turn off the TV and listen intently for 5 minutes to your spouse, friend or child as they tell you something important about them.

Utter Joy

Though we are often running in circles day and night, the best part is when we are together. My family brings me joy! I love being around them. I enjoy sitting back and watching people. One of my favorite places is at the mall. Families and best friends come out in flocks to seek the prize, the perfect gift. And around the holidays much can be observed in those endeavors.

The hand-holding, the giggles, the smiles and laughter as folks stroll in and out of stores adding bags to their load. People begin listing by mid-day. Or there are those that are tense, arguing about what gift, how much to spend or how much time it is taking to find the right purchase for each relative or friend. The holiday music seems to have no impact on their mood. These folks would not appreciate the Flash Concerts in the mall.

I ponder the motivation for each cluster of shoppers that pass by. What is it that has the world up in arms this one time a year? And are they this thoughtful the other 364 days of the year? Do they shop out of heart-felt affection or obligation? Do they resent the task or find utter joy in it? Would they give a friend a Starbucks gift card just because or only if they are required to?

I know that in a small way most people want to find a way to show how special a person is or how much they love them. They want to find a gift that will not be returned but enjoyed by the lucky recipient. Then there are those who may be purchasing out of guilt, trying to appease or restore a fractured tie. They may even consider re-gifting because they are not really that interested in putting forth that effort.

I think if I look at the example of God, His gift was for everyone, without variance in purpose and with equal measure. He gave everything, with full measure to anyone who would like to receive it. It is easy to give a gift to those you love, or have some fond feelings for and who return those feelings. But to give to those who hate you, or who are strangers to you? That is what Jesus' life was, a gift for all mankind, even those who persecuted Him, beat Him and abandoned Him on the cross. WOW!

Think about it, Manasseh (2 Kings 21-22, 2 Chronicles 33) was saved for only a short time before his death. He was the most evil ruler, but when he called out to God, He received the gift. He received the same reward as Billy Graham who has led the multitudes to the foot of the cross. Two very different lives, same gift!

What was the gift? Utter Joy! Eternal life, complete forgiveness, white and pure, able to stand before the throne without any shame, anger, hurt or guilt! How cool is that, to know that we will sit at the table of the Lord, walk on streets of gold, worship with the angels!!! If you need reassurance about this gift, read below;

Jude 24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

He Cares for You!

Isn't it great that no matter what we do, what we say, we know that we are loved by God! He lets it all roll off His back, never holding on to any offense. He is so big that He never lets go of us even though we let go of Him. We can not do or say anything to make Him so angry that He would forsake or leave us. He holds us in His hand.

Not always the case with the human race. We can probably recite a million examples of how we did not meet up to someones standards or expectations, or how we have failed in meeting their needs. Happens every day. And no matter how many times or how many ways we apologize, there is no grace, no forgiveness.

There may even be times where we are wounded beyond our hearts ability to mend. We are shattered, left with self doubt and a lack of worth. We are unable to find our way through the mire. Much like a chess game we replay the situation time and again in our minds, and yet can not see a different move to make. A stale mate occurs no matter which way we turn.

The good news is that God knows the human condition. He knows that some will walk in peace, able to forgive and some will not. He knows that many are prone to live like puffer fish when we really need to be soft, absorbent, like a sponge able to squeeze out the bad stuff in a cleansing spiritual bath. I know as I wash away the dirt from my dishes I see it disappear down the drain leaving a clean, shiny, blank slate. Oh if only we humans could master that!

God spoke to the issue of offense and what our individual response to it should be throughout the old and new testament. It would only take each human living out a couple of these lessons to change the view in our spiritual dish.

(1 Peter 4:8) Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

(1 John 4:20-21) If anyone makes the statement: “I love God,” and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him, that the one who loves God should be loving his brother also.

So what is it that God tells us to do in these situations? To humble ourselves, let God take over. He says if we hand it all over, He will resolve it. He will defend us. We do not need to be overtaken by emotion or circumstance. There is nothing He can not handle. He cares!! Wonderful!

(Psalm 16:8) I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

1 Peter 5:6-7- Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

Whats in a manger?

What if Christ had not come? What if the promises from the God of the old testament stories not been fulfilled? What if we just woke up, and carried on with our usual day? What if that manger had never been filled?

I could imagine this season would have gone unnoticed. There would be no break from work, no special music to sing, no decorations, no happy sounds of jingle bells. We would watch the news and talk about the weather, what the kids might do for winter school break, who will play the super bowl. No special feast, no family gatherings, no turkey and dressing, no big deal.

And what would we say on a daily basis when troubles arise, when we need help or an answer? There would be no Jesus to intercede for us, no Jesus to hear our cries, no Jesus to comfort us, no Jesus to take our hand and lead us. There would be no payment for sin, no way to open the heavenly gates and no promise of eternity.

But fortunately that is not the way the story goes. You see, the promises did come true, a baby was born, a baby did sleep in that stinky manger and a way was provided for us to find hope, find forgiveness, to find our way. Because of that baby we have a reason to celebrate, a reason to decorate, a reason to sing. Just as the angels announced to the shepherds "Good News!", Luke 2 tells us that a Savior is born and He is going to provide a way.

Christmas is Here

It is always at this time of year that I tend to be more reflective. I am probably not alone in that. I am reminded of Gods' love for me throughout the season. Even as I am wrestling with extremely uncooperative Christmas lights outside, God is there. And He does not abandon me (or my family) when I ruin yet another meal, always giving my wonderful husband the grace to say "It's not bad" as he washes each bite down with a glass of water. Or Cody, who reassures me "Don't worry mom, we can eat pizza!" God still knows my heart. Then there is that whole shopping and shipping thing which,while I have the greatest (or at least good) intentions, it always tests my Christmas (and Christian) spirit. I can just see God, perhaps shaking his head, but then He smiles and pats me on the shoulder reminding me that, even in postal lines, He is there.

It has been a challenging year and yet I am reminded of a few important facts as I survey the events of the day:

We are more alike than unalike.
I am not alone in my suffering.
I am not alone in my stress.
I am not alone in the checkout line!

We are all in the season together, whether or not we remember the real reason behind Christmas. There is a hint right in the holiday name you know. I try to imagine the citizens of the world 2000 years ago getting all hung up over decorations, lights, baking, preparation or shopping. No one even paid attention until GOD provided a real Christmas star (sans bulbs) showing them the place to find their gift. A great, living gift! He is the only gift we need to share or receive, and there is no shipping, postage, line, or stress involved.

THANK GOD for this season and the gift of eternal life in Christ! My advise to you holiday shoppers and procrastinators is simple and oh so easy. Hurry quick to receive this gift as there is no waiting in line for this package. Merry Christmas!