Perspective June 9, 2008

 This post so wants to be eloquent and well thought out, but I am sleepy so it will likely be mediocre at best. How’s that for setting the bar low?

Today, I met a dear friend for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory at the base of the John Hancock building. I told Lily that this building was a really big one and if she behaved at lunch I would take her to the top. She was so delightful during lunch and even tried her hardest to keep her napkin on her lap the whole time. She was so frustrated that it kept falling off cause she has such a tiny lap. Too precious.

Anyway, after lunch we took an elevator up to the 96th floor and looked out at the city. To be honest she seemed rather unimpressed. We looked out over Lake Michigan and I showed her where home was, I showed her the Sears Tower and explained how it was even taller. We got back on the elevator and headed back to the condo we are staying at.

On the way home, Lily kept pointing at buildings and talking about how tall they were. I kept explaining that they were a fraction of the height of the building we were just in. To which she would inevitably reply, “Yeah, but look at that one, it’s one of the tallest buildings.” Then she talked about how tall our condo was. It is seven stories high.

It wasn’t until we got back into our condo which has an amazing view of the Chicago skyline that I walked her to the window and pointed to the John Hancock building and she finally saw just how tall it really was. Her eyes got big as she realized that she had really been in a REALLY TALL BUILDING. One that dwarfs most other buildings in her sight line.

So I am reminded that when we are right in the middle of something it is so hard to see what is really going on. All sorts of things seem to be truth that really aren’t at all. It isn’t until we step back and see things from a distance that we can really get a proper perspective. Oddly enough, I just said to a friend today that God is bigger than her circumstances and knows the whole picture when we can only see a tiny portion. Isn’t it funny how sometimes everything seems so big and we forget just how big God is?

I am not going through anything in particular right now, but I hope I am reminded of this lesson Lily taught me next time I am. I hope for someone, this is exactly what they needed to hear today.

Remembering Abby-Jill March 16, 2008

 I have been sitting here trying to figure out how to fit my experience this weekend into a blog post knowing full well it is impossible. I recently lost a friend to a 2 1/2 year battle to cancer and Saturday was the memorial service. The funny this is, Abby-Jill wasn’t one of my closest friends by any means. Yet the thing about her is, if you knew her at all, she was a friend. She just was that kind of person. So the hubby and I headed back to Chicago to celebrate an extraordinary life at the church that we used to call home.

I don’t say that term lightly. People often use the word home when referring to the church they attend. But for many years Park Community Church was my home. I moved to this huge city and didn’t know many people and found this amazing church. Immediately I fell into a group of musicians who simply embraced me as family. Ryan came into the picture shortly after and we “did life” with these people. They weren’t just our Sunday morning. They were our Wednesday night, our Friday and Saturday night, our Sunday afternoon. They were our “family” away from our real family.

A few years into our attendance there, the church went through a semi-ugly church split. Suddenly this group of people that had been a huge part of my life splintered into all sorts of directions. Of course we kept in touch, but time tends to make things harder. We had kids and everything changed. We stayed at the church and made some new and equally wonderful friends. But the music changed and the people singing it changed and nothing quite felt the same. It was this moment in time that disappeared before I even realized what I was going to miss.

So yesterday standing in the space where church used to be held, singing along with the band that I started out singing with, singing the praise songs that are now “too old” to sing anymore, I could not stop crying. Not just for a friend whose life was cut way to short, but for a space in time that I can’t get back and won’t ever be able to. And then it hits me that what I am longing for I won’t ever find on this side of heaven. I got a taste of it yesterday singing Abby-Jill’s favorite praise songs looking around the room at the faces of so many people I love. This week Abby-Jill got to fully realize what I got a glimpse of this weekend. We aren’t meant for this world and I find myself strangely longing for that place when I am once again singing in a room full of “family” without a care in the world. Thank you AJB for reminding me and for touching my life once again.

For another perspective on Abby-Jill check out what my hubby had to say about her legacy.

Notes from a sermon November 18, 2007

 Our pastor gave a great sermon this week that concluded an eleven week sermon series on the “Story of the Christ.” There was so much amazing about these sermons, but something he said this week really hit me. He spoke about Jesus’ last words on this earth, sometimes called The Great Commission.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

There are two parts to this command. The first is to make disciples by baptism. Our pastor referred to this as people becoming “Believers.” In other words those who have made the decision that they need Christ as their personal Savior.

The second part of this is to teach others to ”obey everything I have commanded you.” Our pastor referred to this as people becoming “Disciples” which is about being a student and of all that Christ had to say and being willing to live it out.

He then said something that really struck a cord with me. He said, “I submit to you the reason that Christianity in America is so lame is that we have too many Believers and not enough Disciples.“

Aren’t we missing the point if we as Christians are so focused on “converting” people without living a life that models that of Christ? Lame indeed.

For more fabulous, thought provoking sermons, head here.

Blog you should read September 24, 2007

 I have many friends who have started blogging in the last few months. I sometimes mention them, but I have never shared about this particular blog…until now.

I have an amazing friend who is teaching me everyday what it means to walk in faith. She is a mother to 2 of the most beautiful girls. She was living the American dream until one day her husband came home and told her he didn’t want to be married anymore. She fought for her marriage, but it is ending.

I know I don’t have a ton of readers, but if you are one, head over to check out her blog Resouling the Stilettos. She is one of the most incredible writers and has been sharing her journey through the pain of her divorce and how God is carrying her through it. She could really use some prayers and encouragement this week so head on over and give her some. I think you will be changed by what you read.

Tired Mom- needs feeding July 15, 2007

 I have definetely come down from vacation high, and I hit hard. I am so tired, I need a vacation from my vacation.

While sitting in church today, I realized I am burnt out. Let me give you my church leadership resume (believe me this is not to toot my own horn, I am not earning my way into heaven). I lead worship and a married couples small group. My hubby and I lead and teach marriage prep. I have recently been approached to be a table leader at MOPS next year. I told them no, unless they were desperate, because I seem to have a problem giving a firm no.

Anyway, I realized today that I am doing so much leading that I am not getting very fed which is leading to major burnout.  Soon I fear I will fall into the trap of doing a lot of “God stuff” without a lot of God. I will fully admit that I am smack dab in the middle of a yearly summer spiritual slide. I also think when you spend your days mainly around people who are under 4 feet tall it is nice to have a place for spiritual growth that you are not in charge of providing.

Anyone relate out there? I would love some words of wisdom.

Why Aren’t More Christians Funny? July 9, 2007

  I came across this post today and decided I would definitely sit next to this woman in heaven. Anyone who calls themselves Christian and smart ass is totally someone I want to be friends with. Why is it many Christians seem to think the eleventh commandment is “Thou shall not have a sense of humor?” To me there is tons of evidence that God has a great sense of humor: farting, curling as an olympic sport, the platypus, the fact that men have nipples (why?) and this.

I have been so excited to come across so many Christian women in the blogosphere who are so freakin’ funny. I have found some kindred spirits who think its ok to laugh at ourselves, at others (with them, not at them) and even bust out laughing at an inappropriate moment in church. My husband and I both have warped senses of humor and are both created fully in God’s image.

I will leave you with a very important scripture that I believe points to the fact that Christians ought to have a sense of humor.

Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me go on and speak further to my Lord, even though I am but[t] dust and ashes. (Gen. 18:27)- Ok, that was for my mom. It makes her giggle everytime.

3 Things I Want My Daughters To Know June 29, 2007

 MamaBlogga is having a writing contest with the theme “3 Things I Want My Kids To…” I have actually been thinking a lot about what I want to write. I toyed with the idea of a humorous post, but in the end this is what I came up with.

Three Things I Want My Daughters To Know

1. They are Beautiful: Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want girls who are vain and obsessed with their looks. I have known women who were imprisoned by their parents by being told they were pretty so much that they feel like they have nothing else to offer. We all know as we grow older that beauty fades and then what are you left with? What I am talking about is combating the images that bombard young girls today… waif-thin, airbrushed, starlets with fake hair, nails, lashes and boobs. I have difficulty coping with these images, and I am not thirteen and awkwardly hitting puberty (thank God). I try to tell my girls that they are beautiful because they are a creation of God and that we are striving for beauty on the inside. It’s hard to internalize when everything around them is telling them the opposite.

2. They are talented: I am always appalled when watching the parents of the kids who audition for American Idol with absolutely zero singing talent. In their interviews, they go on-and-on about how talented their kids are and how the judges have really missed the boat not realizing how fabulous their kid is. I don’t doubt that their kids are talented… just not at singing. I know my kids won’t be good at everything, but they will be good at something. I think our job is to find that something that they are passionate about, and talented at, and encourage them to be the best they can be. They might not be a prima ballerina or sing at the Metropolitan Opera, but they will always know their mom and dad are proud of them.

3. They are Loved: I really don’t think there is a day that goes by around here when we don’t tell our daughters this. I have met many women in my life who weren’t given this validation growing up and man, did they go looking for it in all the wrong places. There are all sorts of men in this world who will offer a cheap and counterfit version of the love we all long for. I hope that when all is said and done in my job as a mom, this is what my daughters will most know to be true: not only that they are loved and cherished by their parents, but that God does it even better than we do.

You still have one more day to join in over at MamaBlogga. I hope you do, it is a great thing to think about.

Creating a Giving Spirit June 23, 2007

Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required (Lk. 12:4

I was raised with this verse said to us over and over as I was taught how to be generous with what we had. My husband and I are committed to raising our children with the same values of generosity, gratefulness and compassion that we were taught growing up.

This is very difficult when everywhere I turn my kids are innudated with commercials and product placements. I don’t even enjoy taking them to the grocery store because everyone and their dog has stuck Dora or Disney princesses on their food. I watched a very disturbing 20/20 (or Dateline or one of those shows) where children were given a choice between a cupcake with an American flag or a banana with Shreck stickers on it and like 90% of the kids picked the banana. Although this does lend itself to some creative strategies to get my kids to eat better, it is a bit frightening.

I admit, I am a sucker for that sweet voice asking me for the lastest Disney princess toy. It is hard to resist buying things for your kids when you can afford too despite the fact our house is overflowing  with toys. However, I am thrilled to say that we have had some minor success around here in the parenting department.

Our church was collecting money from all the Sunday School classrooms to support an amazing orphanage in Africa. My 3 year old got really excited about the prospect of helping another little girl who didn’t have toys get some toys (pretty sure the money wasn’t going for toys, but I didn’t want to crush her spirit). For a week she would go around the house looking for “chores” to do so she could get some money to bring to church. I loved watching the sparkle in her eye as she handed off her money at church.

I write this not to toot my own horn. There are plenty of moments where she is throwing a fit because she can’t have something she wants. I just think we sometimes underestimate our kids and they are so moldable at this age. I believe it is much easier to teach giving when you are young than to learn it as an adult when all sorts of things are vying for your money. We believe in the biblical concept of tithing and it is a lot easier to tithe off a $1 allowance than a six figure salary (not that we have one, but I imagine it is hard).

I would love any tips you have about teaching your kids about giving. Leave me a comment.

Something to think about… June 17, 2007

Our pastor spoke today about Noah and was talking about how drastic it was to wipe everyone out. Then he said, “What if God takes our sin more seriously than we do?”

I can’t get that phrase out of my head. The list of sin I need to take more seriously is probably a long one. My prayer is for awareness.