All God's People

I got a phone call yesterday that went like this: “Holly, this is Angel (Spanish pronunciation that sounds like “Onhel.), Angel, the Mexican. I found a toilet on sale.” I love this guy :) Angel and his wife Janelle and children are some of my favorite people right now. Janelle is an RCA pastor, Angel is in seminary, Miss Miriam is 6 and Miss Lorraina is 4.

This family is living in a house we are rehabbing with the goal of renting to college or seminary students. Angel is working off rent, thus the excitement over a toilet on sale. In his life before seminary Angel worked in construction; painting, laying flooring, drywalling, etc. It is such a blessing to have someone willing and able to help us finish the work.

They are blessed to be able to have a way to rent without having to use up all of their savings. It is a win/win. We met them a few years back in British Columbia, and God has just kept us connected every since, despite both of us making cross country moves....to the same place, though we had no idea this was going to happen back then.

Angel has the greatest sense of humor, alongside a heart's desire for community development that honors and respects all people; that recognizes we are all created in the image of God.

I feel so blessed that Angel and Janelle's and the girls are a part of our diverse “family.” Often I am overwhelmed by the people God has placed in my life. People who can teach me so much about God's world...people who stretch me...people who teach me to eat flavorful new foods..people who make me stop to think about the things I assume are Christian, when really they are just cultural...people whose hearts beat with passions I know little about because of my sheltered beginnings...people whose faith impacts mine....people who are different, and yet in our core beings we are all the same...created in the image of God. This is our primary identity...our uniqueness in all creation.

I read the phrase recently, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” I wish I could remember who said it, so I could give credit. Imagine the difference it would make if we all believed that each person we encounter has (sometimes hidden) within them the image of God! One thing I am confident of; we best live out our image of God in community! We need each other to be the best we are created to be.

Imagine the difference it will make if we all...each and every one of us realized that we are bearers of the image of God as we walk around our worlds loving the other image bearers...the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the not so beautiful, the likeable and those not so likeable. 

The challenge...Believe it! Embrace it! Live it! Be in a fellowship, a community, that helps you wrestle with what this means.

Psalm 8:4  who is mankind that you take thought of him/her, and the son of man that you care for them?
Genesis 1:26  The God said, "Let us make man(kind) in our own image, in our likeness..."
Genesis 2:7  God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.

Living in the Room

LIVE IN THE ROOM in which you find yourself.  This simple phrase is one I heard a couple of months ago.  At first it reminded me of the much used phrase, "Bloom where you are planted."  Now that phrase takes me back to colorful hippy posters in the 60/70's.

But this phrase, "Live in the Room in which you find yourself" has been growing on me.  In part, it speaks to my sense of not being planted anywhere.  What with Al doing transitional/interim pastoral work which means we are never sure what the next 6 months will bring, and my totally transitional work with Midlife Momentum we are never quite sure where the next room will be.

Added to this lifestyle I was introduced to this phrase in Australia, a place I love to be, yet I'm not planted there, but I spent all of November in that room.  I volunteered at Lilah's school, getting to know the teachers and her little friends. I helped Cory and Elisa with some projects they wanted to get done before #3 shows up in February, and spent as much time as I could drinking in the wisdom of 2 year old Luka.  I continued to build relationships with wonderful friends as we all grow in our understanding of living into God's plans and purposes for us---His Church.

Most of December was spent in German Valley, IL.  Talk about a contrast!  Small town, rural congregation, full of salt of the earth warm and wonderful people...okay there might be a couple "ornery" people, like you and like I.  God bless all of us.

The phrase has come to my mind over and over again lately...when I'm missing somebody, or wishing I could be more connected with some cause or organization.  When my heart was longing to be with family, or a friend.  It was like the Spirit would whisper, "Live in this room today.  This is where you are, this is where I AM."  It would reorient me back out of my pity party to see what God is up to in this room.

Each room has blessings and struggles.  Each room teaches me something wise and wonderful.  Each room is filled with the presence of God.  Each room has people who bless and challenge me, and God seems to put me in all these different places at this time in my life...for a purpose.

I think I am sensing a paraphrase of what Paul states in Phil. 4:11.  It goes like this...In whatever room I find myself, there I will be content.  Even as I write this I struggle a bit with that surrender.  What if I don't like the next room?  What if there are things in that room I didn't sign up for?  The rooms I am in right now are all pretty good, Thank you, Lord! 

On the other hand...He who has been faithful throughout my life, will be right there in the room with me.

 

Ready?

Luka at 2 1/2 loves his trains.  He is also just begining to talk and put his beautiful thoughts into words. This is probably my very favorite stage of childhood.  A few mornings ago he was very busy setting up his tracks, lining up his Thomas and cars.  Everything was all set up as he played, just talking away to no one but himself.

And this is what I heard him say,"Ready?  Not Yet.  Few Minutes."  Then he just waited on his knees beside his train.  Pretty soon, "Ready?  Not Yet.  Few Minutes."  Some more waiting happened.  He didn't look around.  He didn't add anything.  He just waited and then repeated the same phrases, again.

It fascinated me.  What was he thinking?  What was he waiting for?  I thought about how often we use those phrases with children.  "Not yet, we have to wait a few minutes."  "Just a minute."

It also drew my thoughts to our Father, which art in heaven.  I thought about hearing God prompting and calling me.  Sending that still small voice that asks me to go...to do...to be...to submit...to trust...to love...  I imagined Him waiting, saying, "Ready?"  And all too often my response is, "Not yet.  I'm not prepared, I'm not sure if I'm hearing you right. I need more Bible study...more training...more faith....others could do it so much better...I don't feel comfortable...I'm not ready."

I shared this story with a friend today and immediately she connected it with her prodigal son.  She talked of her struggle to really trust God to love this son of hers, to let go and submit to whatever God needs to do to bring him home to the Father.

We talked about that sense that we are never enough...that our faith is never great enough, that we know we can't conjure up what we think is needed in those kinds of situations.  But we are also incredibly thankful that God's love is so great, God's power is unlimited, God's ways are beyond our understanding, and we can know that God is enough.

Ready?  Okay, Lord.  I believe, help me in my unbelief.  Make me ready.

Dancing in the Opera House

Monday evening Lilah, our 6 year old grand-daughter had her first performance at the Sydney Opera House.  She was one of two kindergarteners, or kindies as they are called here, at a musical extravaganza involving 24 area schools.  Obviously she was the best!  (At least according to this grandma.)

It was a wonderful night of music from a conbined choir of 600 students, several dance teams, a few instrumental groups and a few solos.  There was one little Japanese violon player that you would absolutely not have believed!  It was a great night for all.

I loved Lilah's comment after the concert when she said, "When we finished the last dance I couldn't take the smile off my face."

Pure joy in doing something she loves.  At 2 years old we could tell her body was made to dance.  If she hadn't danced during a day she would be upset at bedtime saying, "I didn't dance today!"

So I am wondering...what is it that gives you so much joy you can't take the smile off your face? What was it when you were a child?  Is there anything you need to reclaim  from your childhood that you have shelved because you didn't think you were good enough?  Or did you let something go that there just wasn't time for, and now you want to re-explore it?

Unless you become like a little child you cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven.  Matt 18:3

I hope today, or tomorrow, or soon you do something that gives you so much joy you can't take the smile off your face.  To LIFE!

Totally Aussie

I am spending the month of November in Australia with son Cory and his wife Elisa and their two little ones, Lilah 6 and Luka 2.  I love looking for thoses totally aussie moments and yesterday was one of them...

Cory's church belongs to a greater ministry called Wesly Mission in the heart of Sydney.  Yesterday was the 100th annual Wesley Fair; basically a craft, baked goods, rummage sale combination.  I was waiting for the elevator on the floor with the offices when I ran into three other folks heading down.

One of them asked, "Have you been down  to the fair?

Response:  No I'm going down now for a "sticky bake."  (At least that is what I heard.)

I responded:  "Ooo, that sounds yummy.  Is that a sweet roll?"

Chuckles.

Response:  No, I mean I'm going for a "look see."

Aah, of course..."sticky bake...look see."

So later that evening I asked Cory why in the world they say, "Sticky bake" when talking about taking a look around?

Chuckles.

He responded:  It's "sticky beak", not "sticky bake."  (Well that cleared up everything...not.)
"Sticky beak means to stick your beak into something and see what you find...check it out," he said.

It's amazing how hard it can be to understand someone who is speaking the same language.  It makes me realize that so much of our "Christianeze" language is totally foreign to those who grow up outside of our churched communities.  What we assume is powerful language might make no sense to someone first encountering the Good News.  We don't intend to shut them out, but if we are not careful it happens so easily.

Of course there is also the danger that we never get into any situations where everyone doesn't already know all the "Christianeze," because that can seem a lot more comfortable.  So I invite you to have a "look see"  go out for a "sticky beak" and see what God is up to in places you may not have frequented lately...or ever.  Stretch your vocabulary!!

Out of the Darkness and Into the Light

I think I've figured out why it has taken me so long to blog again. What is on my heart is not a feel good story; it is a heart-wrenching reality that needs a response. Some of you know that this past year I have gotten involved at the Center for Women in Transition. The name speaks to the HOPE they offer, rather than focusing on the evil they address. (Sexual assault and domestic violence)

This blog is about:

1. A little 9 year old who comes to the center for counseling to help him deal with the domestic violence and abuse in his home. He is a wonderful, outgoing, resilient child making a lot of progress. Within 10 minutes I wanted to adopt him. The rescue impulse had kicked in...full strength. So much more needs to happen for him to live in a safe and loving home, but progress is being made.
2. It is also about the voices of women calling in on the crisis line...fearful voices, tired voices, desperate voices, sad voices, voices trying to be brave enough to leave their situation, voices desperate to find shelter for the night, voices with little ones crying in the background, voices of pregnant women. And these voices belong to women of all ages, races, financial situations, educational backgrounds. 
3. It's about the fact that at a Midlife Momentum small group setting in this past year there were 6 participants, 4 of whom had experienced abuse in their family of origin or in a marriage. This blew my mind, and it continues to break my heart, as I realize how many children are living in fear of those who should keep them safe and loved.
4. It's about the fact that there are 3 times as many shelters for animals as there are for women and children. There is something very wrong with this picture. It breaks my heart every time I need to tell someone that our shelters are full to capacity when they have finally gotten the courage to leave their situation. We try to find other options, but it isn't always possible. Because of the limited space we can only offer immediate shelter if the situation is lethal.
5. I could go on and get into the area of human trafficking...but I better save that for another time.

Isaiah 1:16-17 Wash yourselves, make yourself clean;put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; SEEK JUSTICE, REBUKE THE OPPRESSOR, DEFEND THE FATHERLESS, PLEAD FOR THE WIDOW.

I think the Father's heart puts the abused and assaulted in the same category. How can we be partners who help break the cycle? How do we create places of safety and welcome?  When the situation looks so dark how are we able to bring light?  How can we be lovers in the name of Jesus in this broken world?  It starts in our homes.

Lord, Please help us, that we might help others!!

I'm in Australia for the month of November, so I'm sure there will be some grandma stories coming...apologies in advance, but you know when you have such beautiful reminders of God's goodness around you have to pay attention.

Telling Stories

Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of history keeping and communication of which we know.  I love hearing a good story, reading a good story and telling a good story.  Having children settle all around this great world I am thankful for the advances of technology that allow me to stay connected with my kids and grandchildren.

Recently when we were skyping with our grandkids in Australia I told them about meeting an Australian in a Kohl"s department store.  I drew the story out.  I made them an important part of the story. I told it well.

I met a cashier in Kohl"s that had an aussie accent, so I asked where she was from.  She said Australia, and I mentioned that I go there every year.  I told her where Cory lives and she got so excited, commenting, "You not only know where Sydney is, you know the suburbs!"  I told Lilah how she lived near Manly Beach and went to Macquarie University, how she knew right where they lived, and how excited she was to talk about "Home" with someone who knew her area.

When I got done telling my story Lilah asked, "Do you have another story?"  She wanted more! Stories connect us with one another.

I love telling stories.  Every time we skype, at the end we give a blessing, and now I want to make sure that each time I talk to the grandkids I try to have a story to tell.  Even if it isn't long or of great significance I want a story to share.   We all love a good story.  We are people of the story.

One of the great challenges of us "more mature" members of the family is being "keepers of the story;" both our own family stories and our FAMILY story of creation and redemption and sanctification and salvation...and all that lies within and beyond.  We need to tell the stories, not just of what God did in Scripture, but what God is doing today...in our lives, communities and the world!

One time when teaching an advent lesson in a children's program at a church in Michigan a neighborhood child said, "I've heard about Jesus.  Didn't he get hit by a car?"  Boom!  Reality check! We need to be telling stories!! We need to look for opportunities to tell THE STORY.

Ps. 78:1-4  O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.  I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things from of old...what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us.  We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.