I was graced with the presence of a Guatemalan celebrity this morning. I wouldn't dare disclose her name (for paparazzi sake) . . . but most of you know who I am talking about. My lifelong mentor, my greatest encourager - my Beauty.
I am always amazed at how much we have to talk about when we get together. It has been a whole year since I've seen her, and aside from a couple of phone calls and some emails, we haven't had much contact. Whether it has been ten minutes or ten months, we always pick up right where we left off. Three hours seemed like twenty minutes this morning. Our visits are never long enough, but always so rich and sweet.
I could write a whole book about the ways that this missionary angel has touched my life. But since I only have a couple more minutes today, I'll just give you the low down.
I could very honestly say that I have not met another with such a deep and lasting love for the Lord. Her connection with God has always been something that I admire. She is wise, and resourceful, resilient and firm. She left it all behind to live a simple life among the Mayans. She experiences a wonderful peace, knowing that she is living out her purpose for this generation. How many of us can say that?
My Beauty has always been somebody who will give it to me straight. From the very first time we met, she has always been good at discerning what is going on in my heart. She will sometimes very gently pull my head out of the clouds, helping me see things for what they really are. She encourages me to stand for my convictions, offering prayer support and unconditional love. There's not another like her.
Beauty, my expression of love for you would be closer to a million completed quilts! Thank you for taking what I have to give. Your friendship brings me so much joy, and is an indispensable part of who I am.
You will always be a celebrity in my book.
Saturday, August 4
Friday, August 3
Deadline
God has so graciously provided this aspiring writer the opportunity to take a writing course. I've been at it for close to a year now. It's an on-line school I've been working with, that promises to prepare me for publication. (Publication or no publication - I am leaving that up to God.) I am provided with a private instructor, who corresponds with me through email. It has been a lot of hard work, but great fun.
I've been working most of today on a writing assignment that is due Sunday. I've procrastinated on this one, due to my "time off". I really just needed to put everything down for a while to clear my head. The funny thing is, procrastination can really pay off for me (although I wouldn't recommend it). The added pressure really gets my creative juices flowing.
I'd love to tell you details about how my story is shaping up, and about how the conflict resolution is finally starting to smooth itself out - but frankly I am almost out of juice for the day.
I think I'll keep today's post short and sweet, with one question for you:
What do you love doing so much that you lose track of time while doing it?
For me, it's writing. Hours will go by, laundry buzzers will sound and phone calls will come in . . . and then there is the eventual setting of the sun. I sit down at my computer, and get lost in the fascination of words! They hold incredible power and influence. Words can encourage and inspire, correct and compliment. The written word can stir an idea, or cause someones heart to burst.
So what's your passion? Working out in the yard? Strumming a guitar? Or shopping for bargains? Maybe it is calculating numbers (somebody has gotta do it), working on cars or holding babies. Whatever it is, know that it is unique to you.
God put a dream in your heart when He made you. It is designed to bring you much pleasure, and to give Him glory. Discover your niche, and carve some time out every day to spend there.
Work on strengthening your strengths, and welcome those deadlines. God is really good at taking care of the rest.
I've been working most of today on a writing assignment that is due Sunday. I've procrastinated on this one, due to my "time off". I really just needed to put everything down for a while to clear my head. The funny thing is, procrastination can really pay off for me (although I wouldn't recommend it). The added pressure really gets my creative juices flowing.
I'd love to tell you details about how my story is shaping up, and about how the conflict resolution is finally starting to smooth itself out - but frankly I am almost out of juice for the day.
I think I'll keep today's post short and sweet, with one question for you:
What do you love doing so much that you lose track of time while doing it?
For me, it's writing. Hours will go by, laundry buzzers will sound and phone calls will come in . . . and then there is the eventual setting of the sun. I sit down at my computer, and get lost in the fascination of words! They hold incredible power and influence. Words can encourage and inspire, correct and compliment. The written word can stir an idea, or cause someones heart to burst.
So what's your passion? Working out in the yard? Strumming a guitar? Or shopping for bargains? Maybe it is calculating numbers (somebody has gotta do it), working on cars or holding babies. Whatever it is, know that it is unique to you.
God put a dream in your heart when He made you. It is designed to bring you much pleasure, and to give Him glory. Discover your niche, and carve some time out every day to spend there.
Work on strengthening your strengths, and welcome those deadlines. God is really good at taking care of the rest.
Thursday, August 2
The "D" Word
I mentioned a few entries back about my tendency to complain about making dinner. This is not because I don't like to cook. Because the truth is, I really do enjoy it. I think my problem is that I can get into a rut. Most of the time, preparing a meal for my family seems like an daunting task. Due to procrastination and lack of imagination, I find myself mechanically making the same meals over and over again.
I've got a whole drawer of recipes just calling out to me. So today I decided to dig into my cookbooks for a little inspiration. Amazingly, I rediscovered the joy of mixing and measuring! I've come to the conclusion (after cooking for fourteen years now) that I might as well get some enjoyment out of something I have to do every single day. Whether I enjoy it or not, there are still going to be four pairs of eyes looking to me for nourishment. Make that five with Ginger. No, seven including our goldfish. Talk about pressure.
My Mom was never one to be in the kitchen. She would always manage to get a nice a hot meal on the table every night, but I don't remember much enjoyment going into her preparation. Dinner was kind of like the "D" word around our house. The "What's for dinner?" question would loom over her head like a dark cloud. I'm afraid that same cloud has managed to follow me through the years. Most days, it gets the best of me.
So this morning I began searching for a little bit of flavor, some texture and a bit of color as I thought about the "D" word. I sat on my couch with cookbooks surrounding me, looking for a succulent idea or two. My eyes landed on the following: Oven Fried Chicken, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Autumn Fruit Salad. I wrote down the ingredients I was missing, and headed to the store.
After gathering the goodies, I spent the rest of the afternoon chopping, mixing and basting. It was a blast! The anticipation of how everything would turn out kept me moving. Would they praise my meal or turn their noses up? With a picky family, I just never know what I am going to get.
When Mark got home from work he lent me a hand. We talked about our day while the two of us prepared dinner together. This rarely happens. Not because Mark is not willing, but who wants to join someone who isn't having any fun? I've never made "dinner making" an inviting kind of thing . . . until now.
Don't get me wrong, I have tried a new recipe before (usually when I'm in my nesting mood), and things don't always turn out like I hope they will. But tonight, everything was wonderful! And I got so much satisfaction out of blessing my favorite tummies.
It may not seem like a big deal to most, but this is huge for me. God has breathed new life into a chore that meets me every afternoon around 3 o'clock. I know that I won't have time to get that extravagant every night. But I can get a little bit fancy here and there. I can improvise and try new things. Today something was rekindled.
So what do you feel in a rut about? Cooking dinner? Picking up a half-finished project again? Working towards a dream? Don't be afraid to get a little instruction - either from a friend, a magazine or a cookbook. The Bible has even been known to have a proverb or two. Like I said yesterday, we serve a redeeming God. He wants to breathe life into those ominous places.
I've decided to change my attitude about cooking dinner. The dark "D" cloud will have to move elsewhere. This girl is going to work on being better in the kitchen. (I think the smiling preacher is really starting to get to me.)
What can I say? Some of us just wait until the fifteenth year before we blossom. Better late than never I guess. I may be a little bit slow on the uptake, but God's timing is always just right.
I've got a whole drawer of recipes just calling out to me. So today I decided to dig into my cookbooks for a little inspiration. Amazingly, I rediscovered the joy of mixing and measuring! I've come to the conclusion (after cooking for fourteen years now) that I might as well get some enjoyment out of something I have to do every single day. Whether I enjoy it or not, there are still going to be four pairs of eyes looking to me for nourishment. Make that five with Ginger. No, seven including our goldfish. Talk about pressure.
My Mom was never one to be in the kitchen. She would always manage to get a nice a hot meal on the table every night, but I don't remember much enjoyment going into her preparation. Dinner was kind of like the "D" word around our house. The "What's for dinner?" question would loom over her head like a dark cloud. I'm afraid that same cloud has managed to follow me through the years. Most days, it gets the best of me.
So this morning I began searching for a little bit of flavor, some texture and a bit of color as I thought about the "D" word. I sat on my couch with cookbooks surrounding me, looking for a succulent idea or two. My eyes landed on the following: Oven Fried Chicken, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Autumn Fruit Salad. I wrote down the ingredients I was missing, and headed to the store.
After gathering the goodies, I spent the rest of the afternoon chopping, mixing and basting. It was a blast! The anticipation of how everything would turn out kept me moving. Would they praise my meal or turn their noses up? With a picky family, I just never know what I am going to get.
When Mark got home from work he lent me a hand. We talked about our day while the two of us prepared dinner together. This rarely happens. Not because Mark is not willing, but who wants to join someone who isn't having any fun? I've never made "dinner making" an inviting kind of thing . . . until now.
Don't get me wrong, I have tried a new recipe before (usually when I'm in my nesting mood), and things don't always turn out like I hope they will. But tonight, everything was wonderful! And I got so much satisfaction out of blessing my favorite tummies.
It may not seem like a big deal to most, but this is huge for me. God has breathed new life into a chore that meets me every afternoon around 3 o'clock. I know that I won't have time to get that extravagant every night. But I can get a little bit fancy here and there. I can improvise and try new things. Today something was rekindled.
So what do you feel in a rut about? Cooking dinner? Picking up a half-finished project again? Working towards a dream? Don't be afraid to get a little instruction - either from a friend, a magazine or a cookbook. The Bible has even been known to have a proverb or two. Like I said yesterday, we serve a redeeming God. He wants to breathe life into those ominous places.
I've decided to change my attitude about cooking dinner. The dark "D" cloud will have to move elsewhere. This girl is going to work on being better in the kitchen. (I think the smiling preacher is really starting to get to me.)
What can I say? Some of us just wait until the fifteenth year before we blossom. Better late than never I guess. I may be a little bit slow on the uptake, but God's timing is always just right.
Wednesday, August 1
Nesting
Every now and then I will get a wild hair, carrying with it a boatload of motivation to clean. With the new school year starting next week, I shifted into gear this morning. There were beds to launder and move around, drawers to clean out, closets to organize and paperwork to go through. I spent the entire day cleaning and re-arranging furniture.
As I puttered through drawers and laundered bedding, I found myself on the phone catching up with a couple of friends. I seem to get more done when I'm engaged in conversation. With one friend I swapped stories, prayer requests and some of my deep concerns and hopes about this whole "job" idea. With another friend we talked about the magnificence of God and His timing. At one point, I likened my cleaning spree to the indulgence of a hot fudge sundae. My girlfriend thought I was nuts. "Nuts you say? I guess I am a little nutty . . . sure, sprinkle some on!"
Something a lot of people loath, I get great enjoyment out of. Cleaning. I find cleaning to be so therapeutic. I won't go as far as to say that I am always in the mood for it - but when the mood hits me, watch out! All of those drawers that I've been stuffing things into, and the closets that have fallen out of sorts suddenly stand at attention. From pantries to file cabinets, catch-alls to cubbies - no nook is left unturned.
Usually before a new season of some kind, I will begin nesting, a lot like a little bird. I will start gathering the right kind of twigs, throwing out the clutter - all to make my home a place of peace and comfort. There are still a lot of things I would like to do to enhance the look of our home, but even without the painted walls or expensive decor, my home is a creative expression of me. I find great contentment in taking care of the blessings we already have.
Spring cleaning, summer cleaning . . . call it what you will. I find that God will sometimes tap me on the shoulder about my my spiritual and emotional life as well. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit I will get a burst of motivation to clean up my heart. Feeble attempts and bent determination will sometimes get one room of my heart tidy, but there are always more rooms needing attention. I am so grateful that God doesn't expect me to get it all done in one day. And like places around the house, consistent maintenance is needed to keep junk from piling up.
We serve a redemptive and orderly God. Whether it is a corner in your living room or a pocket in your heart, don't put up with clutter and mediocrity. Be ready for those moments of inspiration. When they do come, get God on the phone through prayer. Grab hold of that wild hair with both hands
. . . and let the nesting begin.
As I puttered through drawers and laundered bedding, I found myself on the phone catching up with a couple of friends. I seem to get more done when I'm engaged in conversation. With one friend I swapped stories, prayer requests and some of my deep concerns and hopes about this whole "job" idea. With another friend we talked about the magnificence of God and His timing. At one point, I likened my cleaning spree to the indulgence of a hot fudge sundae. My girlfriend thought I was nuts. "Nuts you say? I guess I am a little nutty . . . sure, sprinkle some on!"
Something a lot of people loath, I get great enjoyment out of. Cleaning. I find cleaning to be so therapeutic. I won't go as far as to say that I am always in the mood for it - but when the mood hits me, watch out! All of those drawers that I've been stuffing things into, and the closets that have fallen out of sorts suddenly stand at attention. From pantries to file cabinets, catch-alls to cubbies - no nook is left unturned.
Usually before a new season of some kind, I will begin nesting, a lot like a little bird. I will start gathering the right kind of twigs, throwing out the clutter - all to make my home a place of peace and comfort. There are still a lot of things I would like to do to enhance the look of our home, but even without the painted walls or expensive decor, my home is a creative expression of me. I find great contentment in taking care of the blessings we already have.
Spring cleaning, summer cleaning . . . call it what you will. I find that God will sometimes tap me on the shoulder about my my spiritual and emotional life as well. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit I will get a burst of motivation to clean up my heart. Feeble attempts and bent determination will sometimes get one room of my heart tidy, but there are always more rooms needing attention. I am so grateful that God doesn't expect me to get it all done in one day. And like places around the house, consistent maintenance is needed to keep junk from piling up.
We serve a redemptive and orderly God. Whether it is a corner in your living room or a pocket in your heart, don't put up with clutter and mediocrity. Be ready for those moments of inspiration. When they do come, get God on the phone through prayer. Grab hold of that wild hair with both hands
. . . and let the nesting begin.
Tuesday, July 31
The Smiling Preacher
Having a melancholy personality, I find myself feeling mopey now and again. My mind seems to automatically default to the doom and gloom. This is not God's best for me - He promises a life of abundance, not drama. I had a special friend once tell me, "It's time to stop parking on your bottom lip." I've parked there so much, I'll bet there's a dent.
When I'm in a funk, I'll usually pull out on old favorite off of my bookshelf to help change my thoughts. Some that work well for me are, "Battlefield of the Mind" and "Praying God's Word." Currently I am reading "Live Your Best Life Now" by Joel Osteen (the smiling preacher). That guy can always get me in a good mood. I will sometimes catch his broadcast as I'm flipping through the channels, and it doesn't matter what I am facing that day - I always feel a little bit taller after hearing him preach.
I absolutely LOVE what he does at the beginning of his sermons. Before he "starts with something funny", he has everyone in the Compaq Center hold up their Bibles, and repeat this phrase . . .
"This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly confess, my mind is alert and my heart is receptive. I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible Word of God. I will never be the same, never ever ever, I will never be the same, in Jesus' name."
That statement alone can pull me up out of any pity party. What I like best about Joel, is that this guy knows where to point the people. The Word of God is what He bases every challenge and encouraging principle on. These simple truths are a lot of times what trips me up. Like this verse . . .
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~Romans 12:2
Joel takes the simple and most basic of God's precepts, and challenges us to start living them out. I think we could all benefit from less education and more obedience.
It may seem to some people like Joel's ministry is too commercialized - but think of how many "worldly people" are getting a peek into the abundant life! God's Word tells us to go into all the world and make disciples. A big showy ministry can work just as well as a humble act of kindness. Both can point to the kind of hope this world is hungry for.
God Joel Osteen has chosen to change his poor thinking patterns. His father broke the generational curse of poverty and mediocrity. Joel believes God for big things, not material things, but he lives with the expectation of God's favor. He is facing his fears, reaching millions and living out his destiny - all to the glory of God.
Simple, but great. No wonder he is always smiling.
When I'm in a funk, I'll usually pull out on old favorite off of my bookshelf to help change my thoughts. Some that work well for me are, "Battlefield of the Mind" and "Praying God's Word." Currently I am reading "Live Your Best Life Now" by Joel Osteen (the smiling preacher). That guy can always get me in a good mood. I will sometimes catch his broadcast as I'm flipping through the channels, and it doesn't matter what I am facing that day - I always feel a little bit taller after hearing him preach.
I absolutely LOVE what he does at the beginning of his sermons. Before he "starts with something funny", he has everyone in the Compaq Center hold up their Bibles, and repeat this phrase . . .
"This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly confess, my mind is alert and my heart is receptive. I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible Word of God. I will never be the same, never ever ever, I will never be the same, in Jesus' name."
That statement alone can pull me up out of any pity party. What I like best about Joel, is that this guy knows where to point the people. The Word of God is what He bases every challenge and encouraging principle on. These simple truths are a lot of times what trips me up. Like this verse . . .
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~Romans 12:2
Joel takes the simple and most basic of God's precepts, and challenges us to start living them out. I think we could all benefit from less education and more obedience.
It may seem to some people like Joel's ministry is too commercialized - but think of how many "worldly people" are getting a peek into the abundant life! God's Word tells us to go into all the world and make disciples. A big showy ministry can work just as well as a humble act of kindness. Both can point to the kind of hope this world is hungry for.
God Joel Osteen has chosen to change his poor thinking patterns. His father broke the generational curse of poverty and mediocrity. Joel believes God for big things, not material things, but he lives with the expectation of God's favor. He is facing his fears, reaching millions and living out his destiny - all to the glory of God.
Simple, but great. No wonder he is always smiling.
Monday, July 30
Outside of the Box
I am taking this last lazy week to finish up with some of my reading. I usually like to have two or three books going at a time, so that I can match my reading with my mood. It's time to gather in the herd and tie up those loose ends. I've read some pretty good ones while I've been off.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, I've managed to make reading a daily discipline through the years. There is something so redeeming about looking into the heart and mind of somebody who has been places. I don't necessarily mean "places" around the world - I mean places of intellect and heart. Most of the books I like to read challenge me to grow by breaking up a lot of my assumptions and even some cynicism. There have been authors I favor, and some I don't agree with. And once in a while I will come across a masterpiece. I just finished one today. It is called, "Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness" by Jerry Cook.
A friend of mine lent me this book a couple of months ago. It has been on my list to devour since, but up until Friday night, it hadn't made it to my end table. God knew that I would read it when I needed it most. I find myself stuck in a pocket of hurt, desperately wanting to forgive. Looking into this new ministry season, there is so much this author has articulated that God has been whispering to my heart. God works in such amazing ways.
This is one of the most incredible pieces on what "the church" is supposed to look like. I had a similar experience when I read "Velvet Elvis" last year. Both books have taken my whole perception of church and turned it upside down. They are different in content, but very much the same in thinking "outside of the box".
I feel the need to add this disclosure . . . books are written by human beings, and human beings are not perfect. Every piece of material (published or not) should be always measured up against the Word of God. It is very important to receive someone else's teaching with a grain of salt. Books, Bible studies, magazine articles and even commentaries are often times based on a person's opinion. The ONLY pure unadulterated Truth out there was written as a love letter to you. It is the incorruptible, unchanging Word of God.
But of course that doesn't mean we can't learn from one another. I would just like to encourage you to read with discernment. If something you are reading isn't sitting right with your spirit . . . it's okay to put it down. I've had to stop myself right in the middle of a study before. I just couldn't get past the opposing opinions and the gobbledygook, and that's okay.
Pastor Dave and Gena have both recommended this book on their blog site, and for a good reason. I am so grateful to my friend for passing it along to me. I can see why Gena has read it a number of times - there is SO much to take in. I am going to purchase a copy of my own so that I can refer back to it now and then.
"Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness" mirrors what Pastor Dave has been preaching for months now. The church is not confined to four walls and a steeple. The church is you and I. How can we step up to the plate and begin living out The Great Commission?
The possibilities are endless . . . and something tells me, they live outside of any kind of box.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, I've managed to make reading a daily discipline through the years. There is something so redeeming about looking into the heart and mind of somebody who has been places. I don't necessarily mean "places" around the world - I mean places of intellect and heart. Most of the books I like to read challenge me to grow by breaking up a lot of my assumptions and even some cynicism. There have been authors I favor, and some I don't agree with. And once in a while I will come across a masterpiece. I just finished one today. It is called, "Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness" by Jerry Cook.
A friend of mine lent me this book a couple of months ago. It has been on my list to devour since, but up until Friday night, it hadn't made it to my end table. God knew that I would read it when I needed it most. I find myself stuck in a pocket of hurt, desperately wanting to forgive. Looking into this new ministry season, there is so much this author has articulated that God has been whispering to my heart. God works in such amazing ways.
This is one of the most incredible pieces on what "the church" is supposed to look like. I had a similar experience when I read "Velvet Elvis" last year. Both books have taken my whole perception of church and turned it upside down. They are different in content, but very much the same in thinking "outside of the box".
I feel the need to add this disclosure . . . books are written by human beings, and human beings are not perfect. Every piece of material (published or not) should be always measured up against the Word of God. It is very important to receive someone else's teaching with a grain of salt. Books, Bible studies, magazine articles and even commentaries are often times based on a person's opinion. The ONLY pure unadulterated Truth out there was written as a love letter to you. It is the incorruptible, unchanging Word of God.
But of course that doesn't mean we can't learn from one another. I would just like to encourage you to read with discernment. If something you are reading isn't sitting right with your spirit . . . it's okay to put it down. I've had to stop myself right in the middle of a study before. I just couldn't get past the opposing opinions and the gobbledygook, and that's okay.
Pastor Dave and Gena have both recommended this book on their blog site, and for a good reason. I am so grateful to my friend for passing it along to me. I can see why Gena has read it a number of times - there is SO much to take in. I am going to purchase a copy of my own so that I can refer back to it now and then.
"Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness" mirrors what Pastor Dave has been preaching for months now. The church is not confined to four walls and a steeple. The church is you and I. How can we step up to the plate and begin living out The Great Commission?
The possibilities are endless . . . and something tells me, they live outside of any kind of box.
Sunday, July 29
Matching Socks
We have a drawer in our laundry room that I use to collect all of the unmatched socks. How these little critters appear in loads of laundry is forever a mystery to me. It must have something to do with math.
I pulled it out this evening to work on pairing some up. I found a couple dozen matches in there. Now, how they lose their mate going from the washer to the dryer is the formula that makes my head hurt. Anybody have a theory?
As I sat on my couch working to create sock balls, somebody very special to me came to mind. My cousin Jodie. Back sometime ago, God revealed a wonderful truth to her about matching socks, and she shared it with me. With fear that I will get the story all wrong, I am choosing not to try and re-create it. The concept is as clear as crystal in my mind, but I don't remember exactly how Jodie grabbed hold of the inspiration.
Jo Jo, if you are reading this, would you mind writing the story in a comment? We would all LOVE to hear it! Nobody tells it like you can.
It was a simple truth requiring child-like faith. You know the kind of revelation that is so simple that you can find yourself tripping over it? I've got several of those that God is just waiting for me to grab hold of (for more than ten minutes). Forget about seminary, and building a giant ministry program . . . God is in on the look-out for someone with child-like faith.
My cousin Jodie has a gift for recognizing the presence of God in children. She will discover God in kid's games, little giggles, some pretty big messes and hilariously goofy faces. And the best part? Jo Jo encourages me to live out the child in me.
Jodie will sometimes invite me to spend an afternoon drawing (something I would never think to do on my own). Other times I've found myself trailing behind a stream of kids who've created a real marching band. And then one of my all time favorites is when she whips up her famous batch of chocolate chip cookies.
Matching socks? I'll bet you're all wondering . . .
What I will tell you, is that it was a divine moment between a little girl's heart and the Most High God. Now try and figure a formula out for that.
I pulled it out this evening to work on pairing some up. I found a couple dozen matches in there. Now, how they lose their mate going from the washer to the dryer is the formula that makes my head hurt. Anybody have a theory?
As I sat on my couch working to create sock balls, somebody very special to me came to mind. My cousin Jodie. Back sometime ago, God revealed a wonderful truth to her about matching socks, and she shared it with me. With fear that I will get the story all wrong, I am choosing not to try and re-create it. The concept is as clear as crystal in my mind, but I don't remember exactly how Jodie grabbed hold of the inspiration.
Jo Jo, if you are reading this, would you mind writing the story in a comment? We would all LOVE to hear it! Nobody tells it like you can.
It was a simple truth requiring child-like faith. You know the kind of revelation that is so simple that you can find yourself tripping over it? I've got several of those that God is just waiting for me to grab hold of (for more than ten minutes). Forget about seminary, and building a giant ministry program . . . God is in on the look-out for someone with child-like faith.
My cousin Jodie has a gift for recognizing the presence of God in children. She will discover God in kid's games, little giggles, some pretty big messes and hilariously goofy faces. And the best part? Jo Jo encourages me to live out the child in me.
Jodie will sometimes invite me to spend an afternoon drawing (something I would never think to do on my own). Other times I've found myself trailing behind a stream of kids who've created a real marching band. And then one of my all time favorites is when she whips up her famous batch of chocolate chip cookies.
Matching socks? I'll bet you're all wondering . . .
What I will tell you, is that it was a divine moment between a little girl's heart and the Most High God. Now try and figure a formula out for that.
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