I have a friend who after many years of marriage, is now single again. We were having a conversation recently about her foray into the brave new world of on line dating, otherwise known as Match.com. There is a whole lotta' stuff going on in that realm that I am blissfully ignorant of. My friend was giving me the run down on all the particulars, the pitfalls, the complexities of sorting thru every one's data, the lists of what they are looking for in a partner, their descriptions of who they are, the importance of your photos, full body shots vs head shots, etc. I confess it sounded more like someone trying to describe the ins and outs of the subprime mortgage mess than just guys and gals trying to meet and make a connection.
One thing she said really struck me. She was talking about how all the men automatically assume that every woman will actually be 10 -20 pounds heavier than they look in their photos or will admit to (do they really ask you to list your weight in your profile?!?!?!). That is just a given. I thought about that for a minute and said "So?". I hope I didn't sound rude, but I probably did. I then asked her this question "So IF a woman just happens to be 10 -20 pounds heavier than she indicated, does that make her automatically not worth getting to know? Even if everything else about her is just perfectly awesome?" Never mind. I know the answer to that. I have a deep understanding of the culture we live in....
So several things struck me about this conversation. First and foremost, how grateful I am that I am NOT in a position where this will ever be an issue in my life. Frankly, I would rather eat ground glass than to have to try to date again! Happily married going on 27 years. Thanks honey! But even beyond gratitude for the love that I have in my own life, I was struck mainly by how truly messed up our culture is. We judge everything by externals. Outward appearance is everything. Looking good. Keeping up with the Jonses. Appearing successful. It doesn' t much matter what's going on under the surface as long as the packaging looks good! It's almost like people don't even stop to look at what's on the inside anymore. Of anything!
I can honestly say that this is not a factor in my life these days. The older I get, the less I care about such things. In fact, I am not interested in anything much about anybody except who they are as a person. I don't want to know what you "do" or where you're from, how big your house is, or how many toys you own. Just not interested. What I want to know is who are you? Whose are you? I find that I have absolutely no desire to spend time with anyone who isn't willing to sit down and have a deep, meaningful conversation with me about life, love, things of the Spirit, faith, etc. Okay, so I like art, religion, music, philosophy, and books too. But the point is- none of these topics are superficial. They impart information about the person you are spending time with. Their views on such things help you to see their heart and soul. What could be more important than that?
No, I will never have to worry about on line dating. But I do like meeting new people. Making new friends. Getting to know people who I might know a little, a little bit more. And my only criteria is that they be beautiful on the inside. Scripture tells us that God looks at the heart of the man. I find it interesting that there is not a single recorded description of what Jesus looked like. Now you think that somebody writing all those Gospels and Epistles would have thought to write down what He looked like while they were recording all the rest of it for posterity. One of my friends likes to say that if God didn't tell us something about _____ (fill in the blank) in His Word, it's because it's not important for us to know. Clearly Jesus' appearance was not something of any importance or we would know about it. If God didn't think to include a physical description of His son in His Word, then I am certain it is not important for us to put any weight on such things either. No pun intended.
So here's to my friends. You are my friends because you are beautiful. Beyond mere appearances. Where it counts. In your hearts. In your souls. In His sight. In mine too.....Shalom!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Saturday Girl
I've had some strange moments recently. Moments when I have felt not like myself at all. Moments when I have felt frustrated and ready to throw in the towel. Moments when I have very much wanted to just walk away. From both people and things that I love and care about. Why? Because life hasn't been going according to my script or expectations. Because sometimes relationships become complicated and road blocks pop up to thwart our best laid plans. Quitting. It has crossed my mind several times lately regarding a couple of situations.
Ever uttered one of these phrases? "I should just quit will I'm ahead." "I should just cut my losses." "What difference does it make anyway?" "Why bother?" Lots of defeatist language here! Lots of self pity too! I pride myself on being someone who sticks it out. Someone who is not afraid to face difficulties. I am no quitter. That is what I believe about myself. So, when I began feeling so discouraged about things it made me wonder - what's going on here?
I think God is trying to show me something. That weakness is in all of us. That we are all capable of quitting and giving up. At any moment. Over anything. Not one of us is strong enough to stay the course without His help. Even Peter who loved Jesus and walked with Him for over 3 years quit. He abandoned Jesus when the going got tough. He walked away and denied ever knowing Him. There is a little Peter in all of us. This past week, I was wrestling with the Peter in me.
Then today, I ran across this in the Max Lucado book we are reading as a Lenten devotional. This book "He Chose the Nails" has been a quick easy read. I like Max. I have read several of his books. Today's chapter struck a real chord with me. Max was talking about the disciple whom Jesus loved- John. Now John was one of the only disciples who stuck around through the crucifixion. The New Testament records Jesus addressing John from the cross and charging him with the care of His mother. After Jesus' death, John continued to stick around. Everyone else fled, scattered, or was in hiding. John watched his closest friend Jesus die on Friday and stuck around through Saturday. We don't know why he did this, or what he did that day. But Max raises and interesting point that I have never thought of. He puts it this way: "What about you? When you're in John's position what do you do? When it's Saturday in your life, how do you react? When you are somewhere in between yesterday's tragedy and tomorrow's triumph, what do you do? Do you leave God--or do you linger near him? John chose to linger. And because he lingered on Saturday, he was around on Sunday to see the miracle."
Yikes! That had all the subtlety of a bullet between the eyes. Ouch! It never ceases to amaze me how God will speak in His own time, on His own terms, in whatever way He sees fit. Sometimes it comes through a conversation with someone. Sometimes it is a song you hear. Sometimes it is from a book you just happen to be reading. I did a lot of praying this past week for guidance regarding all the issues I was wrestling with. God was strangely silent. Until today. Today I heard Him loud and clear.
The answer to my dilemma is that God wants me to be a Saturday Girl. The kind of girl who sticks around, though the going gets tough, though the future is uncertain, to see what He will do. Instead of packing up and moving on, He is asking me to stick around. To be patient. To bear some discomfort. To hang in there. To stay close to Him and watch for a miracle. I don't always get it right. But I have learned to wait until I get some instructions. I think I just read those today in the words of Max Lucado. Be a John, not a Peter. It's a Saturday in your life. Choose what you will do with it. Shalom!
Ever uttered one of these phrases? "I should just quit will I'm ahead." "I should just cut my losses." "What difference does it make anyway?" "Why bother?" Lots of defeatist language here! Lots of self pity too! I pride myself on being someone who sticks it out. Someone who is not afraid to face difficulties. I am no quitter. That is what I believe about myself. So, when I began feeling so discouraged about things it made me wonder - what's going on here?
I think God is trying to show me something. That weakness is in all of us. That we are all capable of quitting and giving up. At any moment. Over anything. Not one of us is strong enough to stay the course without His help. Even Peter who loved Jesus and walked with Him for over 3 years quit. He abandoned Jesus when the going got tough. He walked away and denied ever knowing Him. There is a little Peter in all of us. This past week, I was wrestling with the Peter in me.
Then today, I ran across this in the Max Lucado book we are reading as a Lenten devotional. This book "He Chose the Nails" has been a quick easy read. I like Max. I have read several of his books. Today's chapter struck a real chord with me. Max was talking about the disciple whom Jesus loved- John. Now John was one of the only disciples who stuck around through the crucifixion. The New Testament records Jesus addressing John from the cross and charging him with the care of His mother. After Jesus' death, John continued to stick around. Everyone else fled, scattered, or was in hiding. John watched his closest friend Jesus die on Friday and stuck around through Saturday. We don't know why he did this, or what he did that day. But Max raises and interesting point that I have never thought of. He puts it this way: "What about you? When you're in John's position what do you do? When it's Saturday in your life, how do you react? When you are somewhere in between yesterday's tragedy and tomorrow's triumph, what do you do? Do you leave God--or do you linger near him? John chose to linger. And because he lingered on Saturday, he was around on Sunday to see the miracle."
Yikes! That had all the subtlety of a bullet between the eyes. Ouch! It never ceases to amaze me how God will speak in His own time, on His own terms, in whatever way He sees fit. Sometimes it comes through a conversation with someone. Sometimes it is a song you hear. Sometimes it is from a book you just happen to be reading. I did a lot of praying this past week for guidance regarding all the issues I was wrestling with. God was strangely silent. Until today. Today I heard Him loud and clear.
The answer to my dilemma is that God wants me to be a Saturday Girl. The kind of girl who sticks around, though the going gets tough, though the future is uncertain, to see what He will do. Instead of packing up and moving on, He is asking me to stick around. To be patient. To bear some discomfort. To hang in there. To stay close to Him and watch for a miracle. I don't always get it right. But I have learned to wait until I get some instructions. I think I just read those today in the words of Max Lucado. Be a John, not a Peter. It's a Saturday in your life. Choose what you will do with it. Shalom!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Entertaining Angels
I love to travel. I love to write. I love to write about my travels! A few days ago I was in Nashville just hanging out with my husband listening to music, my other all consuming passion, all over the city. It was my first time ever in a honkytonk. There are a bunch of them on Broadway in downtown Nashville ( why does every city insist on a street called Broadway? Are there no more street names readily available? Has the supply been exhausted?) :-)
Anyway, in addition to the new experience of the honkytonk, I saw something else new and different on the streets of downtown Nashville. Homeless people all over the streets selling newspapers for a buck. A newspaper by homeless people, about homeless people, for the benefit of homeless people! What a concept! The name of the paper, aptly, is The Contributor. Byline: Diverse perspectives on homelessness. Genuine opportunities for advancement. One afternoon back in out hotel room while resting my feet, I picked up the paper we had purchased and began to leaf thru it. It was inspiring to say the least! As well as informative. And myth busting. I was amazed at the array of stories, poems, song lyrics written by homeless contributors. This one caught my eye. Written by a homeless songwriter named Chris Scott. The name of it is "Entertaining Angels". I thought it was lovely. These are obviously song lyrics, but I thought I would share them with you anyway. So my blog post today is dedicated to Chris. Wherever he is. With hope, love, and prayers for a better tomorrow.....
There are things that can't be understood
In a world that can't be seen
Like deja vu....You remember you...
Once saw this in a dream
Things that can't be recognized
When they're right before your eyes
And that lost soul you showed kindness to
May be an angel in disguise
Entertaining angels...They stop by from time to time
God sends them to help us and make sure that we're all right..
When you do the best you can...Treating strangers like old friends...
Help your fellow man....You're entertaining angels again....
Now you can doubt and say it can't be true...Say it isn't so...
It's probably happened before to you
And you didn't even know
Angels walking among us...And they're closer than you think...
I've seen my share of angels out there
But I never saw their wings....No I never saw their wings....
Entertaining angels...They stop by from time to time
God sends them to help us and make sure that we're all right...
When you do the best you can...Treating strangers like old friends...
Help your fellow man...You're entertaining angels again...
As sure as there are angels out there...Demons are out there too...
Trying to do their very best to do their worst to you
The darkness fights against the light
And the wrong is defeated by the right
You can't see the enemy...Or the angel by your side...
The angel by your side...
Entertaining angels...They stop by from time to time...
God sends them to help us and make sure that we're all right...
When you do the best you can...Treating strangers like old friends...
Help your fellow man...You're entertaining angels again...
It's a simple message. It's a powerful reminder. Jesus reminds us that as we do unto the least of these, we have done unto Him. I wonder if it is a coincidence that just before we left for our trip I downloaded a book to my iPad called "Angelology". I have never even heard of this. Apparently angelogy is bonafide area of religious research devoted to the study of angels. It goes back over a thousand years. My book is a novel, but it is packed with information and scripture references about angels. It's funny. I have never thought much about angels. But the Bible talks a good bit about them. The New Testament says that after his 40 days in the wilderness, angels came and ministered to Jesus. If they ministered to Him, it stands to reason that they would minister to us. That they might be among us. Even if we can't see their wings. "There are things that can't be understood/in a world that can't be seen". Thanks for the reminder, Chris. Shalom!
Anyway, in addition to the new experience of the honkytonk, I saw something else new and different on the streets of downtown Nashville. Homeless people all over the streets selling newspapers for a buck. A newspaper by homeless people, about homeless people, for the benefit of homeless people! What a concept! The name of the paper, aptly, is The Contributor. Byline: Diverse perspectives on homelessness. Genuine opportunities for advancement. One afternoon back in out hotel room while resting my feet, I picked up the paper we had purchased and began to leaf thru it. It was inspiring to say the least! As well as informative. And myth busting. I was amazed at the array of stories, poems, song lyrics written by homeless contributors. This one caught my eye. Written by a homeless songwriter named Chris Scott. The name of it is "Entertaining Angels". I thought it was lovely. These are obviously song lyrics, but I thought I would share them with you anyway. So my blog post today is dedicated to Chris. Wherever he is. With hope, love, and prayers for a better tomorrow.....
There are things that can't be understood
In a world that can't be seen
Like deja vu....You remember you...
Once saw this in a dream
Things that can't be recognized
When they're right before your eyes
And that lost soul you showed kindness to
May be an angel in disguise
Entertaining angels...They stop by from time to time
God sends them to help us and make sure that we're all right..
When you do the best you can...Treating strangers like old friends...
Help your fellow man....You're entertaining angels again....
Now you can doubt and say it can't be true...Say it isn't so...
It's probably happened before to you
And you didn't even know
Angels walking among us...And they're closer than you think...
I've seen my share of angels out there
But I never saw their wings....No I never saw their wings....
Entertaining angels...They stop by from time to time
God sends them to help us and make sure that we're all right...
When you do the best you can...Treating strangers like old friends...
Help your fellow man...You're entertaining angels again...
As sure as there are angels out there...Demons are out there too...
Trying to do their very best to do their worst to you
The darkness fights against the light
And the wrong is defeated by the right
You can't see the enemy...Or the angel by your side...
The angel by your side...
Entertaining angels...They stop by from time to time...
God sends them to help us and make sure that we're all right...
When you do the best you can...Treating strangers like old friends...
Help your fellow man...You're entertaining angels again...
It's a simple message. It's a powerful reminder. Jesus reminds us that as we do unto the least of these, we have done unto Him. I wonder if it is a coincidence that just before we left for our trip I downloaded a book to my iPad called "Angelology". I have never even heard of this. Apparently angelogy is bonafide area of religious research devoted to the study of angels. It goes back over a thousand years. My book is a novel, but it is packed with information and scripture references about angels. It's funny. I have never thought much about angels. But the Bible talks a good bit about them. The New Testament says that after his 40 days in the wilderness, angels came and ministered to Jesus. If they ministered to Him, it stands to reason that they would minister to us. That they might be among us. Even if we can't see their wings. "There are things that can't be understood/in a world that can't be seen". Thanks for the reminder, Chris. Shalom!
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