God amazes me, because he reveals things to me from time to time. It’s not that I always want to hear it, but the timing is so perfect.
My car has been having some problems, apparently the solenoid cylinder has a problem and needs replaced. Not being mechanically minded, please don’t ask what this very mechanical sounding thing. I just know that the car doesn’t run correctly if it isn’t fixed. They very graciously loaned me a loner car. Sitting down in the car, I had a twinge of a groan. Okay, a full blown groan.
The loner, tattered and smelling kind of stale, ran. Yes, a spot of grumbling was shown up in me.
The next day, after febreezing the car thoroughly, the pup and I headed to her check-up at the vet. Driving back, it was a great time spent in prayer.
God, I’m sorry about the groaning. You have provided for me, and even though it wasn’t what I was looking for, you provided. Here I am groaning and you provided!
I continue to try and change out my grumbling for gratitude, recognizing God’s provision. Though it’s not always easy, it is a conscious effort and means that I am open to what God reveals to me.
Showing posts with label attention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label attention. Show all posts
Monday, May 10, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Recognizing
We often wait until there is a ceremony, an event, or even a funeral to express how we feel about someone. Have you ever wondered why? How much would it mean to someone if we simply recognized them for showing up on a regular day, with regular weather, regular happenstances, regular, regular, regular…. But, in the midst of all that regularity, what if we stop to say thank you or I appreciate you? What a way to change a regular day into an irregular day.
How the world changes, the world of one individual simply explodes into fireworks when we recognize them for their efforts. Let’s give it a try! Inspire someone, share joy with them.
How the world changes, the world of one individual simply explodes into fireworks when we recognize them for their efforts. Let’s give it a try! Inspire someone, share joy with them.
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Woman with the Scarf
I went to get lunch the other day at a local coffee and sandwich shop. In front of me, in the line, was a rather elegant looking woman with a black suit and a lovely grey scarf. After ordering a tasty chicken salad sandwich and a chilled coffee that was full of lovely tastes and caffeine, I moved along to the check out register. Noticing this woman in front of me, I complimented her on her scarf.
My perception of this woman, well dressed, manicured, confident posture, it appeared she was quite self-assured. Just a simple compliment led her to share a thank you, and how she was just never certain wearing scarves, but that she had a ton of scarves and never wore them. Here this lovely and assured person who was effected by a simple compliment from a stranger.
You never know how a simple compliment can make a difference in someone’s life.
My perception of this woman, well dressed, manicured, confident posture, it appeared she was quite self-assured. Just a simple compliment led her to share a thank you, and how she was just never certain wearing scarves, but that she had a ton of scarves and never wore them. Here this lovely and assured person who was effected by a simple compliment from a stranger.
You never know how a simple compliment can make a difference in someone’s life.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Just on Time
Different plants bloom at different times. I don’t if you ever noticed, but it is spring – so take a look around. There are some trees which have budded, bloomed, leafed out and look ready to go for another year. Others are somewhere mid-process, while still more are just beginning to bud. What would happen if we set up a timetable of when this should occur? All trees that are going to be productive are going to bud and be fully leafed out by April 24. If they are not, then they are just weaker or dying and we are cutting them all down.
That sounds rather foolish doesn’t it? We don’t do that with trees, flowers, but do with people. So, let’s change the metaphor just a bit. If someone is to bloom, I’m not talking about an age range or biological factors. Instead this is blooming by perceiving and then reaching towards meeting your potential and purposes. Society often has this preconceived timetable of when this should be, the mysterious and shrouded “they” are in charge of this time table. We know that when someone tries to bunk the myth and ask why, “because they say so....”. Who says you have to college at a certain age, who says you are going to learn a new skill, you have to learn it by a pre-appointed time. Does that mean if I don’t meet your timetable that my head will explode or the time continuum as we know it will shatter?
Sometimes, we need to just provide a little encouragement. Provide a bit of fertilizer and nourishment, a word or two of pep talk, and then sit back. After some time and lots of sunshine, you may find that this person is not only blooming, but is one of the best fruit producers of the whole lot.
In the church, do we put age limits on ourselves or others? I’m too young to do that. I’m too old to do that. I had my time, now I get to sit back on my laurels and just watch. No offense, but who really wants to sit on a laurel – ouch! Nonsense! There may be years and years of nourishment that has gone into this person that suddenly springs forward in a burst of blooms and ability that is absolutely breathtaking. Where would we be if we just cut them down? It is important to remember that our timeline is not God’s timeline. He will insist we bloom just on time.
That sounds rather foolish doesn’t it? We don’t do that with trees, flowers, but do with people. So, let’s change the metaphor just a bit. If someone is to bloom, I’m not talking about an age range or biological factors. Instead this is blooming by perceiving and then reaching towards meeting your potential and purposes. Society often has this preconceived timetable of when this should be, the mysterious and shrouded “they” are in charge of this time table. We know that when someone tries to bunk the myth and ask why, “because they say so....”. Who says you have to college at a certain age, who says you are going to learn a new skill, you have to learn it by a pre-appointed time. Does that mean if I don’t meet your timetable that my head will explode or the time continuum as we know it will shatter?
Sometimes, we need to just provide a little encouragement. Provide a bit of fertilizer and nourishment, a word or two of pep talk, and then sit back. After some time and lots of sunshine, you may find that this person is not only blooming, but is one of the best fruit producers of the whole lot.
In the church, do we put age limits on ourselves or others? I’m too young to do that. I’m too old to do that. I had my time, now I get to sit back on my laurels and just watch. No offense, but who really wants to sit on a laurel – ouch! Nonsense! There may be years and years of nourishment that has gone into this person that suddenly springs forward in a burst of blooms and ability that is absolutely breathtaking. Where would we be if we just cut them down? It is important to remember that our timeline is not God’s timeline. He will insist we bloom just on time.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Claiming the Lime Light
Have you ever stood back and thought, that was my work – I deserve the credit? Or perhaps the mistake of impression of how you look, what kind of an impression has taken you over to the point that you have forgotten that the substance underneath is of drastic significance.
It’s fine for someone to pat you on the back, to say congratulations, to recognize your unique abilities and special possibilities. But, there is a turn that comes when this becomes a burden rather than a pleasure, a craving rather than a highlight.
We aren’t alone with that. It’s not new. Jesus commented about the Pharisees, comparing what they said verses what they did. “Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on the garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’” (Matthew 23: 5-7).
These were men gravitating to the lime light, craving the bright lights and big letters on the marquis, wanting the write ups in the newspaper. Maybe this group had forgotten how much fun it is to give in secret, to know that someone would be blessed and not know who is was from. Perhaps they forgot how much joy can be found in doing the right things, not for public approval, but for God’s approval.
Let’s not forget.
It’s fine for someone to pat you on the back, to say congratulations, to recognize your unique abilities and special possibilities. But, there is a turn that comes when this becomes a burden rather than a pleasure, a craving rather than a highlight.
We aren’t alone with that. It’s not new. Jesus commented about the Pharisees, comparing what they said verses what they did. “Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on the garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’” (Matthew 23: 5-7).
These were men gravitating to the lime light, craving the bright lights and big letters on the marquis, wanting the write ups in the newspaper. Maybe this group had forgotten how much fun it is to give in secret, to know that someone would be blessed and not know who is was from. Perhaps they forgot how much joy can be found in doing the right things, not for public approval, but for God’s approval.
Let’s not forget.
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