Paper or Plastic

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ~ 1 Peter 4:9

It was Saturday afternoon. Makayla and I had just swept through Food Max, picking up the week's nutrition. Food items had been payed for, and a line made of munchies sat patiently on the conveyor belt.

I made my way to the end of the line, ready to begin the packing process. This is when she came into view. She offered to help in a polite but insistent way. I stepped aside, ever so grateful - and began watching ministry at its best.

Many times I find myself having to bagging groceries myself - which I really don't mind. To be honest, there is something kind of fun about the whole process, getting to step into the role of grocery bagger for a couple of minutes. Like a little girl playing house, I delight in the daydream.

Most grocery baggers would probably not share my same enthusiasm. Many of the baggers who offered to help in the past, did so in the same polite way . . . but something was different about today. Something was different about this particular bagger. She went above and beyond the typical "paper or plastic" sentiment. She was out to make every bit of our grocery experience fun.

As Makayla and I stood still, we all chatted while she packed. Careful about what went in which bag, she kept the colds separate. Every bag was strategically placed. Fruit and bread rested on the top.

We learned a lot about this angel in disguise that day. As a mother of four herself, she had a very different view of a trip to the grocery store, and a very special attitude about her job. Unlike the usual teenage boy baggers, this mom worked with a unique kind of enthusiasm.

With attention to detail and playful conversation, this woman's ministry was amazing. A kind word, a smile . . . getting someone to giggle can bring joy to any monotonous chore.

Who would have thought? A grocery store can be a great place to shine. I am grateful for this dear woman's example. She made the best of her circumstances and whistled while she worked, sending us home with a song of our own.

I admired her silent ministry, and thanked God for such heart.

New Chapter

Like a fresh chapter on the pages of my life, I begin a new season. It has been quite refreshing to take a month off. Room to stretch my legs . . . space to simply be.

If you happen to land on this blog, I welcome you with open arms and a warm heart. Some of you are dear friends of mine, while other eyes belong to faces I have never seen. Both are precious to me for different reasons.

You may notice that I have changed the name of my blog. This signifies a monumental transition for me. While it can be seen on the outside, it is mostly discerned within. This name change, the tap tap tap of my keyboard is a step of faith - my response to His call. The call to write.

Taking some time away, and stepping down from an honorable ministry position, has given me new insight into what God is truly calling me to. While I have been pondering several thoughts such as: who my audience is, my topic and niche' -- ultimately I have one story to tell, one message to convey.

God is my life.

Some days that message may be delivered in a story about fighting with a tube of toothpaste. Other posts may include wisdom (something a little bit more sophisticated) and then again, maybe not. You might find yourself being posed with a question about your own happenstance, your choices, your life.

As we tread the path of self discovery . . . we are very likely to bump into Him. I am honored that you are here to join me. Together we can work on discerning God's will. What does God have planned for your life? I have been called to a writing kind of path. What about you?

It is my prayer that our response to God, will be one of absolute DEVOTION.

It's great to be back.

A Few Crumbs

"How many loaves do you have?" ~ Matthew 15:34

I've seen God work miracles through my cousin Jodie. I am so proud of her. From Awana commander and chief, to the simplicity of genuine friendship - she sets a great example for all of us.

It was a lazy summer afternoon, and I remember puttering around the office tending to this and that. Out of nowhere, inspiration hit me, and I knew I needed to pick up the phone. Makayla was old enough to play soccer. So was Lilly. Like a tornado, thoughts began swirling around my head - thoughts of large hair bows and pink soccer cleats.

Knowing I would be taking the jump with her, I dialed the phone. We had talked about coaching together before, but with the deadline staring us in the face, this was the moment of truth. After thinking it over and praying it through, Jodie was up for the challenge.

Neither one of us had much to bring to the table. We'd never coached before. I guess you could say we had a measly basket with a few crumbs.

Monday came, and as each family joined us at Dennis Earl for practice, I watched the miracle unfold. One kid after another was greeted by Coach Jodie, with open arms and a warm heart. I watched Jodie work her magic for the next hour, as kids were instructed, nurtured and loved. Standing close by, as her assistant, I marveled at how fulfilling it can be to watch another person shine.

Opportunities come a knocking every single day. Often times we don't feel like we have enough to bring to the table, so we'll shrug our shoulder and brush off something God has in the makes. A bit of time here, not much skill or experience there. But when God initiates things through inspiration of the Holy Spirit - when He wants to feed lives - we don't have to worry about the few crumbs left in our baskets. God alone will do the feeding. Our job is to show up.

So what have you been tossing around in your brain lately? Been contemplating stepping out, but feel ill equipped? Take comfort my friend, God promises to go with you. If it's His call, He will be certain to show up, take over and run the show.

Do proceed with wisdom though. Not everything that is dangled in front of our noses would be beneficial. Take some time, pray it through.

Jesus fed the multitude with the benevolence of a young boy and his lunch. He wants to do the same through you. Never underestimate the power of a poured out heart. God will use every ounce of love you are willing to give.

Ministry is often times born of inspiration.

Be listening.

Oasis

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom . . . ~ Proverbs 9:10

We all have weak spots. Places that seem insurmountable. Demons that keep revisiting. The enemy will go for the chink in your armor every time. He likes to play dirty.

It is a beautiful Saturday morning. I find myself in the throws of nature. All signed up to join the Jr. High kids for camping, I grab my courage (what little is there) and join the bunch for a nature walk. These youngin's are leaping to and fro without any effort or hesitation. I, on the other hand, want to park underneath the closest tree and read a book. But still, I press on.

We reach our destination, and a hundred feet below sits a beautiful creek filled with fresh water. Large boulders and loose dirt blaze the trail to the oasis. From underneath the shaded tree, I watch as every person, child and adult heads down the dusty trail. I participate with eyes only, and decide to stay where it is shady and safe. Watching from a bird's eye view was this girl's fancy. I was not wired to trample around in mud and sand. Some may call that fear, but I liken it to wisdom.

Taking a step toward God's voice takes a lot more courage than I can ever muster up. I am not much of a thrill seeker myself, usually retreating to the safest and most comfortable spot. I am sort of an inside girl, I guess you could say, when it comes to - well, a lot of things.

Hearing His voice and responding will often times mean recognizing who God made in you. There is freedom in the embrace of yourself. We long to fit in, and will often times try and alter our own personality to fit the mold. Which mold? If I remember correctly, God created each of us unique - there are no two of us alike in the whole world . . . in all of history.

The chinks in our armor can often times go unseen. Being down on yourself for not being just like everybody else is a slippery slope. Don't go there.

God made you the way you are on purpose - for a purpose.

If jumping into fresh water with reckless abandonment is your thing - then go for it! But if you'd rather park it underneath the cool shade of a tree, then have a seat my friend.

Fear can be pretty sneaky.

Fear of the Lord can keep all other fears at bay -- even the fear of knowing and trusting yourself.

Peace

"Lord if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." ~ Matthew 14:28

So many times I've heard myself send that same question to the sky. "Lord, is that you?" Darkness looms. The wind and the waves threaten to sink me for good. But walking on water is worth the risk. Jesus is worth the risk.

I'd like to write today about some friends of mine who are stepping out onto that water. Greg and Sandy Hazenburg, God's chosen ones for a task of great magnitude. They have heard the call. Throwing caution to the wind, they are stepping out of the safety of a boat that has kept them afloat for a long time . . . all for the sake of grabbing God's hand.

With a heart for the west side of Turlock, these special friends will be planting a brand new baby church. Being pregnant with this dream for a year now, this birth brings great joy. Prayer walks, contact with families, visions and leadings from the Holy Spirit - they walk forward with much to tend to - many lives to impact. I am so proud of them for taking this step.

God asks all of his disciples to take a very uncomfortable and risky step at some point. My experience has been that He asks several times -- all for the sake of knowing Him. It may not necessarily be to plant a church, but we've all been called to leave everything behind to follow Christ.

So what has God been calling you to do? Has it seemed impossible? Crazy even? There is one surefire way of knowing God's voice amidst the wind and the waves. Great precipice jumps and high wire acts of service to God have strengthened my listening skills through the years.

If you are ready to take that step, and can't be sure if it is in fact the Lord calling your name, then ask yourself this question . . .

Where is your peace?

While steps towards God will often times cause us to grow in leaps and bounds, and even break our hearts in two -- peace is always present when it is Jesus calling out.

It's okay to ask Him, "Lord, is that you?"

When His answer comes, I want to encourage you - don't hesitate a single moment. Blessing awaits. Something brand new longs to be born.

Take courage from Greg and Sandy's example.

It's time to step out of that boat.

To get a taste of the incredible ministry God is calling Greg and Sandy to, visist http://www.sandyhaze.blogspot.com/.

Soil

He who has ears, let him hear. ~ Matthew 13:9

Some of life's lessons have a tendency to go right over my head. Just when I think I'm heading down the right path - bam. I hit a wall of sin. Broken, I look to the sky, needing a lift from my Saviour. Ever faithful, He picks me up, brushes me off and sends me on my way.

I sat in Matthew's seat at school last night. Surrounded by parents and teachers for back to school night, I realized that I fell into the grown-up category. How could this have happened?

It was just yesterday that I was facing Jr. High myself, and everything awkward that went along with it. Greasy skin, shapeless bod, goofy hair and mismatched clothes. I was anything but cool in Jr. High, but I so longed to fit in. Seeing things from an adult perspective last night made me ache, wishing I could give it just one more go around.

Did I just say I wish I could be in Jr. High again? Wait just a minute - there is something really wrong with this picture. Why would anybody want to re-live such torture? I think what I mostly longed for, was to do seventh and eight grade again - as an adult. I'm a different person since I accepted the Lord.

Back then, every lesson fell on the rocky soil of my life. Not only was I squeezing God's message out, so many school of my disciplines were missed, several lessons I never took to heart, homework that went undone and tests I should have studied harder for. Regret can be a poisonous thing.

I prayed silently for my son as I sat in that little chair, grateful that he will get the chances that I missed. The chance to feel good about himself, to really apply himself and know where he is going. Matthew already knows which college he wants to go to, he already knows what he wants to be when he grows up.

The soil of his heart is ready.

Jesus spoke in parables. Stories that people of his day could really relate to and apply. He used common examples to explain the intricate tangling of theology. The soil of one's heart measured their teachability.

How's your soil? Have you choked God's messages out due to worry and unbelief? Have you tasted the bitter weed of regret, letting it choke the fruit out of your life?

Precious friend, while it is true that we only get one go-around on this earth, we must always remember. We serve a God who is in the business of second chances, and third, and fourth . . .

It's never too late to discover what you want to be when you grow up. God's still peeling back the layers of dirt in my life.

Believe He can do it the same for you. From mustard seed to fields of green - every chapter of your life tells a story.

Every story matters.

Rules

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice . . . " ~ Matthew 12:7b

Written in stone were my goals for the weeks ahead. Knowing where I am supposed to be going made filling my agenda easy. Every slot of time held productive activities, from studying to writing - all for the dream of going somewhere.

I looked my dear friend square in the eye, professing to live out the words that hit my spiral journal. With trepidation, and the loud beating of my heart, I knew that the first step was going to be to let some things go. The rest would mean consistency - the daily choice of letting go - the choice to pick up the new.

The first week I soared like an eagle. I didn't miss a single beat. My life mirrored the perfectly planned out rulebook. But somewhere between the weekend and Monday, my best intentions began unraveling. My commitments got clouded up in what I "felt like doing." Ever been there?

Friday was set for writing. It being my day off, I had a huge block of time to devote to a new assignment. It was in my list of rules, sitting patiently between reading and blogging. But something more important tugged at me, giving me permission to throw out my rule book for the day. My son Matthew needed school clothes. Jr. High would begin in a couple of days and this was our chance to spend some quality time. This was my chance to bend the rules.

Rules. They can either make us or break us. In Matthew chapter twelve, Jesus is ridiculed for not keeping the Sabbath holy, one of God's great big rules. While the rules were put in place as guidelines (for our protection and good), something more important took precedence. Healing the sick and saving sheep seemed more in line with God's most important rule - that of love. The Pharisees just didn't get it.

Where have you become too rigid? Have you carried the guilt of failure in the name of keeping the rules? Are you your worst disappointment?

I encourage you today, to hold the rules loosely and get back on that horse. While being a good steward of the time and resources God gives is important, it should never take the place of the divine appointments Jesus sprinkles in here and there. Keep balance, but leave enough margin on your calendar and in your heart for God's interruptions.

Rules keep order and align our hearts to Him. Without them, we can become a crooked and perverse generation. But just remember, God's rules and our rules can be worlds apart.

However lofty the goal, always remember . . . LOVE trumps.