Month: November 2016

Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. Mark 13:33

The election is over, and I have to say that I’m relieved that my phone might not be ringing so much. I’ve tried to talk to animated voices, but their alertness is not quite there to give me an appropriate response. Also, what is it about competition that can bring out nasty character traits in people? We forget that when we point a finger at someone else, we have three pointing back at ourselves.

We make mistakes because we’re human, but how awesome is it that we can learn and grow? It’s a dangerous thing to start believing the lie about not being able to improve. We shouldn’t ever let the devil tell us that it’s just who we are. We need to remember whose we are. We are God’s children! That beats everything else.

I recently realized that I was letting things into my heart that started to affect my character. So not cool! I wasn’t super excited to be around myself, so I can’t imagine that I was a barrel of fun for other people to be around me. We can try to place blame or make excuses, but the fact of the matter is that we need to take responsibility for our behavior. Don’t let a negative character wipe out everything good we’ve learned.

The boys and I did a character study using characterfirst.com where we learned that character is the inward values that determine outward actions. I felt it was time for me to refresh my mind and heart of what God expects. If my outward actions aren’t exactly what I hope for them to be, then I need to be concerned that somewhere along the way my inward values got off track.

When I write these blogs, the things I write about are what I’m experiencing, what I’ve learned, and what I need to work on. It’s a perfect time to focus on how thankful we can be that even though we deal with sin, God has given us the ability to have a strong character. We can’t necessarily control what happens to us, but with His help, we can control our reactions. We can keep our character when it feels like everything else is being taken from us. Nobody can take that unless we let them.

I’m going to go through a Renewing My Character Journey…maybe you’ll want to join me…

The first trait is Alertness-being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right responses (definition from characterfirst.com). The animated voices that I had to listen to over the telephone certainly didn’t have alertness. How often though, are we like those animated voices?

We give the same responses without really listening to what is being said. Here’s an example. Someone says, “What’s going on?” We say, “Fine, thank you.” What? We weren’t very alert because our response didn’t match the question. We just assumed they would ask how we were.  Who knows where our minds were, but it certainly wasn’t in the conversation.

People know pretty quickly when we’re being genuine in our alertness or thinking about something else when they’re talking to us. We really need to listen and engage in conversations without being so worried about what we’re going to say next that we miss out on some wonderful thoughts from the person we’re talking to. Being alert in our conversations is a great way to show respect to others. When we’re alert, we’re saying that we care about those around us, and we’re willing to give them our attention. This goes with the next character trait too!

Today, be alert in what is going on around you. Give yourself permission to be in the moment. If you do, you might hear something God is trying to tell you. Even if you don’t, you’re blessing someone else by showing them respect. Don’t get so wrapped up in the future or the past that you miss out on the present. Stay alert!

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Do you ever blow bubbles with children? I love to hear the giggles and the claps as those iridescent, round globes float in the air! I’ve seen huge bubbles, bubbles with two stuck together, tiny bubbles and even one bubble inside another. Some of them seem to zoom through the air faster than we can catch them. Others seem to simply glide around in a graceful dance. Who knew blowing bubbles could even be an exercise? Listen, when you have a little one wanting you to catch one, you’ll do about any gymnastic move possible! My old pooch would even try to help by getting in on the action!

I admit that I still haven’t gotten over being mesmerized by bubbles even though I don’t have little ones around wanting to play anymore. I’ll let you in on a little secret…you can be completely adult (kind of) while still playing with bubbles. Washing dishes is a very grown-up chore. So, when we can’t shove everything into a dishwasher, it’s time for fun! No, I’m not one of those people who opt to not use the dishwasher just so I can wash dishes. If you are, that’s great, but there’s a reason I have my dishwasher! Ok, maybe it’s kind of because I can hide the dirty dishes so they aren’t all sitting out waiting for me to wash them, but everyone likes that perk…right? Sorry, I get off track sometimes. My point is you can still play with bubbles while washing dishes! I always get bubbles to float in the air, but what people don’t realize is that there’s an art to getting the most out of it. After you squirt that soap into the sink and put the bottle back upright, you give it another squeeze. Oops! Look what happened. I love it! As Cinderella, I can do my chores with bubbles!

Personally, I like to watch the bubbles, but quite a few people like to pop them. They can’t help themselves! Think about it…bubbles are a lot like attitudes. They can be free and flying high, making those around smile until one person comes in and pops it. We need to allow Jesus to strengthen our attitudes so our bubbles aren’t so easy to burst. Have you ever seen one bubble break into two? Let that be us. Take our “flying high” attitude and share it with someone else!

Today, remember the quote “Attitude Determines Altitude”. Keep soaring, and don’t let anyone burst your bubble!

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

It’s the time of year that stores are starting to carry pinecones that smell like cinnamon. I like to put them into a basket and sit them on the mantle in the living room. The smell signals the holidays are about to begin. It isn’t a smell that fades away very quickly either! When we start thinking about spring and it’s time to take away the pinecones, I dump them into the bottom of the trash can. This way, each time we pull out the garbage, we get a pleasant smell. I’ll keep them there until they’re replaced with the ones from the next year.

God didn’t just put pinecones in the woods for us to use as decorations. I learned a thing or two about them while the boys were studying botany. Certain species of pinecones rely on fire to spread their seeds. The pinecones of jack pine trees are very durable and remain dormant until a fire occurs and melts its resin. The fire also clears the forest floor to make room for these seeds. The fire is what causes them to pop open and spread their seeds. How ‘bout that? Pretty interesting!

Looking at those pinecones we just bought made me wonder what God placed in me that was just staying dormant while waiting for a fire to bring that seed to life. In what areas do I need to wake up?

I remember these little sponges that were in capsules. The boys loved to get the dinosaur ones. When they were put into water, the capsules would dissolve and there would be a dinosaur! They didn’t know which one it would be until it opened up. It would drive them crazy knowing they were there, but not being able to see what was in them.

Is there a gift God gave you that lays dormant? Is it placed in you like the pinecone or one of those capsules? I would hate to see any of us go to heaven with presents still wrapped up. That would have to disappoint God too. I know I would feel awful if a present that I knew would be just perfect for someone came back to me unopened!

Today, let God start a fire in you to clear the way for new growth.  God can melt that hard resin for your seeds to wake-up. Then, keep water on those gifts that God planted in you to allow them to grow! Don’t leave this earth, returning to God, with those unopened presents.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

There’s something to be said about wisdom and good advice. There are times when God can give us wisdom by showing us the mistakes of others. There are other times when God will give us advice by speaking through those same people.

My aunt just passed away, but it wasn’t a good-bye. It was a see-ya-later! In the meantime, when we lose someone we love, we can honor them by living life in a way that passes on something good of them.

As I’m sitting here reminiscing, let me share just a few memories and what I’ve learned from my great-aunt with you:

• When she was young and on a long road trip, she would read…and drive. You think that texting is bad? This is the olden days’ equivalent! Also, stop signs were suggestions according to her. If they were put in a place that didn’t make sense, then you don’t need to stop. Terrible advice! However, she also taught me that you can’t control what other people are doing on the road (obviously she knew), so it was better to stay closer to that solid stripe on the right side of your vehicle instead of being closer to the center line. Good advice.
• It’s very important to dry well between your toes after getting out of the shower. Personal experience? Not sure.
• She lost her pointer finger down to her knuckle in an accident. Be careful around machinery. Also, maybe it isn’t the best thing to go on a road trip and point out places of interest with vehicles on both sides while using the next finger as your new pointer finger. Just saying…things learned without a word being spoken.
• I had two favorite books at her house. She eventually gave them to me and now my children have read them. You never know many generations your simple generosity will touch.
• It’s ok to spend an hour and a half eating breakfast. Take breaks often and let the stories roll! Why are we always in such a hurry?
• I enjoyed our hour long phone conversations. She taught through actions about how to listen and support your loved ones. She really did have solid advice.
• As a young girl, I loved to sit in my special seat at her house while she made out her bills and so patiently showed me what she was doing. I was her secretary! I was able to come back as an adult and help her do those bills when she was older. Take the time to show young ones how to do certain tasks; you just may benefit from it years from now!
• As we would walk down her basement steps, she had a poster tacked above that read, “Hang in There, Baby!” We couldn’t make a trip down there without saying it as we went. Great advice!

Whether we cringe or get excited, our reaction to advice usually has to do with who it’s coming from, if it’s coming from a Godly place, if the timing is right, and how it’s given. Unfortunately, there are times when people will use the excuse of giving advice to be condescending, to get someone to do their wishes, or to feel superior. This is when we need to be careful.

It’s always a good thing to let God help us distinguish between good and bad advice since people are human and do make mistakes. It’s best to ask Him to help us sort out what we should let go and what we should hold close to our hearts.

My great-aunt was one of the people who I enjoyed listening to and receiving advice from.  I’ve been blessed to have several people that I can’t wait to hear what they have to say. Let me get a notebook! Those pieces of advice are given from a loving place and there is exceptional wisdom behind their words. My prayer for you is that you’ve had people like that in your life. I also hope that you become that person for someone.

Today, take the good you’ve received from others, and honor them by passing it on. Be the person that people want to hold close to their heart, and no matter what happens…“Hang in There, Baby!”