I've been reading from the books of law in the Old Testament lately. Actually I've been highly entertained by the audio version from my amazing YouVersion app during my drives home from work. One of the actors that reads several chapters of Leviticus literally made me laugh out loud with his dramatic articulation. Now back to the point...If you haven't read from Leviticus lately, prepare yourself for some very specific rules and regulations. This is NOT a book to read while you are already sleepy. I can assure you, you may pass go and head directly to Dream Land. However boring or inapplicable the laws may be to us now, I am still amazed at how thoughtful our God is.
The Jews had been delivered from years of slavery and abuse. They were now a free people. They were now a force to be reckoned with...a huge group of people quickly growing into a powerful nation. However, God saw that their newfound freedom could easily evolve into a new form of slavery, slavery to foreign gods, to alien customs, to immorality. The list could go on. Therefore, the laws that God was communicating through Moses had a purpose. Their purpose was to protect the people of Israel and to give them the best possible life, full of growth and happiness and health. God is an amazing Father, always looking out for the best interest of His kids.
The laws and rules have changed a bit in our world. We have been set free from the regulations of the Law because of the sacrifice of a King. However, there are still rules to follow. Boundaries have been established. Lines have been drawn with clear instructions to stay on this side. The world may consider the Christian faith and immediately see only the "No" areas. We may get labeled as intolerant or old-fashioned or completely unrealistic. I admit, those thoughts have crossed my mind at times. I do not really enjoy being told "NO."
I try to make excuses or rationalize my way around the rules. I try to tell myself that the rule really doesn't apply to me or my situation. I am somehow different.
Lately, I have been feeling a bit differently. I have seen the results of what happens when we choose to walk outside God's boundary lines because we think the rules do not truly apply to us. The times where consequences do not follow are few and far between. Most often, I see tears and pain because of the fight to right what was wrong. I see families separated and torn apart. I see children hurt and abandoned. I see pain.
And I am reminded, my God is a good Father. He wants what is best for His kids, whether we realize we're His kids or not. He wants to protect us from the pain that will come from touching the hot stove or running into the street. He sees the results and simply wants better for us. He has come to bring us life and life abundant. If that means, I have to color inside the lines for a bit, so be it.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Work, work, and more work...
As most of you know (and by most, I mean the 2 people who read my blog), I'm a manager at Bath and Body Works. While I enjoy my job (for the most part) and love the people I get to work with, I can say with certainty that retail is not my calling for life. I started working at BBW nearly four years ago because I desperately needed a change from my previous job. I stepped into a completely foreign field to me and discovered that I enjoyed it and that I was good at it. For once I began to think that I may have found a career path. I could grow with the company. I could transfer to another region if I found a spot calling my name. I got days off within the week while the rest of the world was stuck at work. Every day was different, leaving me excited to see what the day would hold.
After four years, each day is still different. However, the excitement is harder to come by. I get frustrated that my schedule varies so differently from my friends. I feel like I'm missing out on so much of life cause of the ever-changing schedule. The days off in the middle of the week have lost their appeal. I must say, I would probably be able to do retail for life if it were Monday through Friday from 9 to 5. Some would say I have a problem with contentment. Perhaps I am looking for the perfect job that just does not exist. Or maybe my creative personality does not lend itself to a job that I will enjoy for the rest of my life. I have not yet decided.
What I currently know is that my God-given dream is worth fighting for. I may not know how the story unfolds, but I serve a God who will guide my every step. I used to think that I needed a word of knowledge or prophecy from someone "qualified" to truly confirm what I sense in my heart. Truth is, I'm a child of God and am just as qualified as the "prophet" on TV to speak positive and powerful things over my own life.
1) My temporary circumstances (uncertainty about the future, desire for something new, ministry, etc.) are not my forever.
2) My God may not give me all the answers when I think I need them, but His delay is not a denial. He will come through.
3) And the false evidence Satan continues to fling my way is not God's reality. There will always be people who want to kill the dreamer...the one who dares to believe Jesus meant it when He said He came to bring us life and more abundantly.
"There will come a day when the haters will have to bow to the dream." - Jentezen Franklin
After four years, each day is still different. However, the excitement is harder to come by. I get frustrated that my schedule varies so differently from my friends. I feel like I'm missing out on so much of life cause of the ever-changing schedule. The days off in the middle of the week have lost their appeal. I must say, I would probably be able to do retail for life if it were Monday through Friday from 9 to 5. Some would say I have a problem with contentment. Perhaps I am looking for the perfect job that just does not exist. Or maybe my creative personality does not lend itself to a job that I will enjoy for the rest of my life. I have not yet decided.
What I currently know is that my God-given dream is worth fighting for. I may not know how the story unfolds, but I serve a God who will guide my every step. I used to think that I needed a word of knowledge or prophecy from someone "qualified" to truly confirm what I sense in my heart. Truth is, I'm a child of God and am just as qualified as the "prophet" on TV to speak positive and powerful things over my own life.
1) My temporary circumstances (uncertainty about the future, desire for something new, ministry, etc.) are not my forever.
2) My God may not give me all the answers when I think I need them, but His delay is not a denial. He will come through.
3) And the false evidence Satan continues to fling my way is not God's reality. There will always be people who want to kill the dreamer...the one who dares to believe Jesus meant it when He said He came to bring us life and more abundantly.
"There will come a day when the haters will have to bow to the dream." - Jentezen Franklin
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Let me tell you about my sisters...
I have two sisters. One is 4 years older and one is 7 years younger. We've had our ups and downs. We've had our moments of hating each other. We've had more than our share of fights. We've moved far too many times together and now live 3,000 miles too far apart from each other. There was a time when I could not wait to be out of the same house as them...when I was jealous of my only child friend...when I was eager to be grown up and apart. Now I miss them more than words can say. Washington, DC, is a very long ways from Chino, CA.
Many of my California friends will never really know my sisters. For those of you who do, you know just how true this statement is: my sisters are courageous. My sisters are strong. My sisters have overcome significant odds and are truly amazing women.
One sister courageously left everything she knew behind and faced a journey to take back her life. She has grown exponentially in the past year. She is discovering how much she is really worth and how truly amazing her life is going to be. The possibilities are endless.
My other sister (not to be confused with "The Other Sister") has endured more in her years than most do in an entire lifetime. She is a survivor. However, she is not satisfied with just surviving. She is changing her world. She stands when everyone else would cower in fear. Actually she does more than stand. She fights. She keeps moving forward and moving up. The doors of opportunity are just now beginning to open and the world hasn't seen anything yet.
My sisters...truly amazing. Deeply inspiring. Absolutely strong.
Many of my California friends will never really know my sisters. For those of you who do, you know just how true this statement is: my sisters are courageous. My sisters are strong. My sisters have overcome significant odds and are truly amazing women.
One sister courageously left everything she knew behind and faced a journey to take back her life. She has grown exponentially in the past year. She is discovering how much she is really worth and how truly amazing her life is going to be. The possibilities are endless.
My other sister (not to be confused with "The Other Sister") has endured more in her years than most do in an entire lifetime. She is a survivor. However, she is not satisfied with just surviving. She is changing her world. She stands when everyone else would cower in fear. Actually she does more than stand. She fights. She keeps moving forward and moving up. The doors of opportunity are just now beginning to open and the world hasn't seen anything yet.
My sisters...truly amazing. Deeply inspiring. Absolutely strong.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
It's All About Perspective
I've been having one of those weeks. You know the week I'm talking about...the one where every day feels just a bit off. It seems that everyone is a bit more negative or touchy or critical. Drivers are more ridiculous. Customers are more exhausting. Minor annoyances seem monumental. Ring any bells? Let's just say I am more than happy to say good bye to this week and hello to the next.
I feel a little discombobulated this week. Perhaps it is my sugar and soda withdrawal kicking my butt. Perhaps I am emotionally sensitive this week. Perhaps I am overwhelmed by the expectations I place on myself. Whatever the reason, I do not quite feel at home in my present circumstances. That is not a feeling I welcome or enjoy even slightly.
As I was driving home from work tonight, I was mulling over the events of the week. Analyzing what I have said or done and what those around me have said or done and what that means for my future...over-analyzing would probably be a more accurate description. I drove home completely overwhelmed by my feelings of inadequacy and angst. I was hoping to walk into my home feeling exactly that...HOME, peace, calm, rest. However, I felt the exact opposite.
As I was ranting and raving, (ask my BFF about the ranting), I simply said, "God, I can't do this anymore. I can't be here. I need it to change." Right then the still, small Voice that had been speaking to me all day finally broke through my chaos.
I feel a little discombobulated this week. Perhaps it is my sugar and soda withdrawal kicking my butt. Perhaps I am emotionally sensitive this week. Perhaps I am overwhelmed by the expectations I place on myself. Whatever the reason, I do not quite feel at home in my present circumstances. That is not a feeling I welcome or enjoy even slightly.
As I was driving home from work tonight, I was mulling over the events of the week. Analyzing what I have said or done and what those around me have said or done and what that means for my future...over-analyzing would probably be a more accurate description. I drove home completely overwhelmed by my feelings of inadequacy and angst. I was hoping to walk into my home feeling exactly that...HOME, peace, calm, rest. However, I felt the exact opposite.
As I was ranting and raving, (ask my BFF about the ranting), I simply said, "God, I can't do this anymore. I can't be here. I need it to change." Right then the still, small Voice that had been speaking to me all day finally broke through my chaos.
Relax. Take a deep breath. Stop seeing things through your eyes and let Me show you what I see. I see promise and potential. I see victory and abundance. I see peace and possibility. I see lives changed because of who you are and where you are. Rest. Let Me do the work. Let Me bring the breakthrough. It's not up to you.Inhale. Exhale. Rest. Tomorrow is a new day and my God promises new mercies and unfailing love.
Monday, January 3, 2011
And He Saw That It Was GOOD
Every detail of creation reflects the thumbprint of God. From the smallest insect to the largest whale, from the grain of sand to Mt. Everest, God was concerned with the details. He spent each of the days of creation thoughtfully crafting each feather and hanging each star just so. And He saw that it was good.
I imagine with every stroke of His artist's paintbrush, He saw more than just the creature at hand. I imagine He saw every dog that would ever bark, every bee that would ever sting, and every fish that would swim...in a bowl or the sea. I imagine He saw the entire rain forest as He painted the trees in place. I imagine He saw every mountain being conquered and every stream refreshing all who stepped in. And He saw that it was good.
I imagine His infinite mind saw every detail, both good and bad, of all time. I imagine He felt the sting of pain at His creation, broken or destroyed. I imagine He cringed in sorrow when the sparrow fell to the ground or the lone wolf lost its pack. But He saw that it was good.
And finally, I imagine He saw every face of every child as He gently sculpted the details of Adam's face. He saw every broken bone and scraped knee. He felt every broken heart and caught every tear. And He saw that it was good.
God does not see just what is in the viewfinder. He sees the entire landscape. He seez beyond the single stroke of the paintbrush to the entire masterpiece. Despite His view into all of eternity, the destructiion, the joy, the tears and pain, He saw that it was good. Very good.
I imagine with every stroke of His artist's paintbrush, He saw more than just the creature at hand. I imagine He saw every dog that would ever bark, every bee that would ever sting, and every fish that would swim...in a bowl or the sea. I imagine He saw the entire rain forest as He painted the trees in place. I imagine He saw every mountain being conquered and every stream refreshing all who stepped in. And He saw that it was good.
I imagine His infinite mind saw every detail, both good and bad, of all time. I imagine He felt the sting of pain at His creation, broken or destroyed. I imagine He cringed in sorrow when the sparrow fell to the ground or the lone wolf lost its pack. But He saw that it was good.
And finally, I imagine He saw every face of every child as He gently sculpted the details of Adam's face. He saw every broken bone and scraped knee. He felt every broken heart and caught every tear. And He saw that it was good.
God does not see just what is in the viewfinder. He sees the entire landscape. He seez beyond the single stroke of the paintbrush to the entire masterpiece. Despite His view into all of eternity, the destructiion, the joy, the tears and pain, He saw that it was good. Very good.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year. New Blog.
I have the best of intentions, but you know how the saying goes. I will not go so far as to say that I am paving the road to hell; however, my best of intentions were simply not good enough this year. I intended to run more regularly. I intended to not drink soda or eat any fast food. I intended to read through the Bible. I intended to blog weekly. The list could go on.
That is what is so beautiful about a new year. Nature (or Pope Gregory) sees fit to turn the page on the year past and offer a blank slate for the year ahead. That, my friends, is a wonderful thing. As the first day of this new year comes to a close, I am reflecting on the past year and dreaming about the future. I am trying to imagine what could possibly happen...what breakthroughs are just around the corner, what dreams I have yet to dream, what impossibilities are destined to be realities.
I have decided that resolutions are ineffective and only manage to help me wallow in guilt. And who needs help wallowing in guilt? Instead, I have decided to allow myself to dream and imagine. A little every day. And not simply dreaming on accident. I will dream on purpose.
My intention is to write more regularly about my dreams and plans, but we know what happens with my intentions. Perhaps this year you will join me in the dream world. One can hope.
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." ~ Walt Disney
"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly." ~ Langston Hughes
That is what is so beautiful about a new year. Nature (or Pope Gregory) sees fit to turn the page on the year past and offer a blank slate for the year ahead. That, my friends, is a wonderful thing. As the first day of this new year comes to a close, I am reflecting on the past year and dreaming about the future. I am trying to imagine what could possibly happen...what breakthroughs are just around the corner, what dreams I have yet to dream, what impossibilities are destined to be realities.
I have decided that resolutions are ineffective and only manage to help me wallow in guilt. And who needs help wallowing in guilt? Instead, I have decided to allow myself to dream and imagine. A little every day. And not simply dreaming on accident. I will dream on purpose.
My intention is to write more regularly about my dreams and plans, but we know what happens with my intentions. Perhaps this year you will join me in the dream world. One can hope.
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." ~ Walt Disney
"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly." ~ Langston Hughes
Monday, October 25, 2010
Precious Life
I learned that a college friend went from here to eternity today. Twenty-eight years old. Full of life. Passionate. Lover of God. Lover of people. Adventurous. Vibrant. Joyful. Young. You expect to read news of an engagement or relationship, perhaps a new baby on the way. Death is not the news you expect to read.
Tragedy strikes when we least expect it. Tragedy is not something for which we plan or prepare. It seems trite to say that tragedy is simply part of life. Unfortunately, it is the truth. We live in a broken world, full of disease, accidents, strife, and war. We live day by day. We learn how to make tomorrow better than yesterday and trust that God has a plan.
While Praise was not one of my close friends, her love for life was evident from every word posted and picture shared. She was passionate about living fully and loving completely. She shared true joy with every person she met and truly left a legacy of love around the world.
The news of Praise's death made the fragility of life all too real. Today is the day to live life fully. Tomorrow is never a guarantee. My life is blessed. I am surrounded by amazing people. I am successful at my work. I am planted in a church family and am learning to use my gifts day after day. I am alive and breathing and that is a precious, precious gift.
Tragedy strikes when we least expect it. Tragedy is not something for which we plan or prepare. It seems trite to say that tragedy is simply part of life. Unfortunately, it is the truth. We live in a broken world, full of disease, accidents, strife, and war. We live day by day. We learn how to make tomorrow better than yesterday and trust that God has a plan.
While Praise was not one of my close friends, her love for life was evident from every word posted and picture shared. She was passionate about living fully and loving completely. She shared true joy with every person she met and truly left a legacy of love around the world.
The news of Praise's death made the fragility of life all too real. Today is the day to live life fully. Tomorrow is never a guarantee. My life is blessed. I am surrounded by amazing people. I am successful at my work. I am planted in a church family and am learning to use my gifts day after day. I am alive and breathing and that is a precious, precious gift.
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