Category Archives: Sacred Mundane

We arrived home Sunday night from our full weekend away. I told Jeff I’d never felt more tired. But full too.  I told Jeff I was looking forward to a week of downtime, just relaxing, cleaning my house, holing up all by myself, stuff like that.

I had no idea the next morning would change my life.

The details aren’t blog-material, but God brought a miraculous (and unspeakably horrific) circumstance literally to our front door. Bus Stop 32. We spent the next 48 hours involved in a series of events–including police involvement and court-hearings–that will change me forever. Seminary doesn’t prepare you for stuff like this.

It’s late now and as I try to think of what to say to you, there’s no little cute stories or churchy sayings. My prayers these last 48 hours have been a lot different from before. They’re not the obligatory kind or the kind I say without thinking. They’re short and desperate cries, calling down power from on High, asking for the God of the universe to come rescue this broken world. Asking Him to do exactly what He says He came to do:

To bind up the brokenhearted.

To proclaim freedom for the captives.

To release from darkness the prisoners. 

That’s exactly what we need Him to do.

And I have to say, as Jeff and I maneuvered through these last couple days, despite the tragedy and exhaustion, there was this light, this power and hope and sense that this is what the Body of Christ is called to do. Stuff that matters. I get discouraged and weary when I’m just blessing blessed people and discussing the details of healing with those who are already healed. Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

He’s onto something.

Ministering inside my bubble is safe. Convenient. I can schedule it in. I’m not cursed at or put in danger. My children aren’t exposed to the sick, sorrowful world outside our door.

But is that really living?

Today as I swam through a myriad of thoughts and emotions surrounding this situation, even though I was heavy with sorrow and nervous with anticipation and exhausted from it all, I felt more alive than ever. The world outside seemed realer, brighter. God seemed nearer. And this came into my mind:

Whenever you are courageous the world comes alive a little more.

When we are courageous, we come alive. The world comes alive. Why?

Because the LIFE OF CHRIST flows through us to a dying world. 

We are Christ’s ambassadors; we are His light.

But we must go to dark places in order to really shine.

I am going to bed, right now, at peace. A tragic situation is still very tragic. But there is safety now. There is hope. A rescue mission has taken place in every since, and God is great and drawing lost and broken people to Himself.

This isn’t a pep-rally post saying everyone needs to storm the inner city and start trying to rescue people. This is a simple reminder–to me most of all–that when we are courageous, the world comes alive a little more.

We are His light.

Have the courage to enter whatever dark places He puts before you today. 

{Thanks for reading.}

Another post from dear reader Anna of GlassHouseDesign …  be blessed by her encouragement if you find yourself not liking an answer today.

~

Sophie cried bitterly in her room, with her door all but closed. I had told her to go upstairs and calm down. She wanted me to hear just how upset she was. I had answered her question with an answer she did not like.

She thought if she asked…

The injustice involved a piece of fruit. Sophie had eaten plenty earlier in the day, so when she asked politely for more after rest time, I said no. The fruit was not bad for her. It could be said that it was actually good. But, knowing the whole picture, I told her she may not have it. It was not the right time. More fruit right then would have made her sick.

While she calmed down upstairs, the Lord nudged my heart. I had been asking Him for a lot of fruit in my prayers lately. Instead of listening to His answers for me, I had been politely demanding my own way. I asked nicely, thinking I could make my plan. He answered. And I did not like it. Why wasn’t the Lord

giving me what I wanted?! I was asking for good things. I was asking for other people. I was sincere.

But, knowing the whole picture…

In John 11, we are invited to witness an interaction between Martha and Jesus. Martha most likely resonates with a part of us. She loves Jesus, but she is the woman who questions. Who pushes back just a little.

In the first few verses we find out that Lazarus is sick and his sisters, Mary and Martha, send word toJesus. They describe their brother as “the one whom Jesus loves.” When He hears, it seems that Jesus would go, should go, and bring healing, preventing any pain that comes from waiting or experiencing loss.

He loves him, doesn’t He?! Upon receiving this information, however, Jesus explains that the sickness is for God’s glory.

Mary and Martha are not with Jesus. They do not hear His explanations or see His emotion…they have sent the word and wait. They have prayed for a good thing, and they do not like the answer.

Lazarus dies. The sisters have cared for a sick brother, buried him, and found themselves in bitter grief. Jesus had not come. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask” (vs 21-22). She is honest with Jesus. She felt let down. She did not like that He could have prevented grief and chose not to.

Jesus does answer in a mighty way; He raises Lazarus.

But during the waiting process only Jesus knew what would happen. There was a season of Mary and Martha not liking the answer.

Sometimes the glory is revealed in the last moment.

When we feel like all has been lost and we do not like the answer, Jesus is waiting for the sake of His Father’s glory. It would have been nice to heal Lazarus as soon as the sickness came upon him, but the miracle would have been lost. No one would have grown. The disciples would not have seen. Jesus was acting according to the whole picture.

Take heart, sister. You may be somewhere in the waiting process right now, praying for something and so unsure of why things keep happening…but the Lord will fulfill His plan in your life and it will always be for His glory and for your ultimate best. You can trust Him. You can be honest with Him. He will speak to your heart.

“Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
(John 11:40)

Thank you, Anna, for sharing this with us. Thanks, all, for reading.

“Drumroll please  …   Yes, today is the day, we are announcing the 2013 Worst Mom Award … and the winner is:

KARI PATTERSON!!!

Yes, everyone give her a round of applause. Kari Patterson is the only mom this year to accidentally schedule a conference on the weekend of her daughter’s birthday! Yes, that’s right! That’s what we call a “Big Fail.” It’s not as if she even has that many kids — just 2! And one of them has a birthday at Christmas so it’s impossible to forget. So really, she just has ONE birthday to schedule around for the entire year, and she managed to double-book it! Everyone give her another round of applause for this fail with a capital “F”! And now, let’s tell her what she’s won:

GRACE.

(Applause stops. Everyone’s quiet.)

That’s right.

The good news is that she’s won grace. It’s true, when she found out last week that she’d accidentally scheduled a large speaking engagement on the same weekend as her daughter’s birthday, she cried. And cried and cried and cried. Guilt and condemnation are quick counselors, swooping in immediately for the kill. But it didn’t take long for God’s supernatural grace to rain down and remind her how loved she is. How loved her daughter is. How God works all things (even Big Fails) for the good of those who love God. And then He spoke through her loving husband to extend further grace by rearranging his entire weekend and studying schedule to take the kids to the beach for the weekend, right by the conference, so Kari could be with them during her free time. God provided a fabulous place with a special last-minute discount rate. He gave the kids enthusiasm and excitement for the “Beach Birthday Weekend!” And He gave her a really great story–albeit a humbling one–to tell at the conference. The women–bless them!–were warm and receptive and enthusiastic, embracing God’s Word (sometimes hard ones!) and joyfully accepting Kari and shooing her off quickly so she could spend as much time as possible with her family. Several sweet sisters even got together and bought Heidi a special birthday gift, just to “say thank you for sharing your mommy with us!”

Not just grace. Amazing grace. 

Sometimes failing isn’t so bad.

The whole weekend had Kari in awe. The beach house–an old 20’s Cape Cod charmer–was full of children’s toys and enchanting books and games. It had a hot tub (!) and the sun shone all day Saturday. The kids played in the sand (Heidi wearing only her swimsuit and a down-parka), Dutch jumped in the waves wearing his rain-boots (!) and Heidi ran, lept, twirled, and danced her way into being fully FOUR. Not only this, but Heidi’s Oma, Papa, and Nana ALL joined her at the beach for the birthday weekend, making it  a full family affair. And, wouldn’t you know it, but in the cupboard of kitchen they found, yes sprinkles for the pink cupcakes.

Everything–the entire weekend–can be summed up in this one photo of Heidi. It says it all:

That’s right–the lesson here is that our biggest fail turns into our biggest blessing because we have the biggest God. 

This truth is what Kari won this weekend. 

Thanks for reading.

Today when I put your 3T jeans on I stared at your bare ankles in disbelief.  We stood you up against the measuring stick and confirmed our suspicions–2 inches in 2 months!

You’re growing up.

This week I sat and re-read all my posts from this week four years ago, all the pregnant anxious waiting and feeling heavy with hoping and wanting to see you and longing to hold you in my arms. And when I expected a fast labor you surprised me with your looong hard labor and then you came with your head full of dark curly hair and you’ve been surprising me ever since.

You’re entirely different from anything I ever expected.

Of course, I see bits of me in you. You cry–hysterically–when you do something naughty and get caught. You’re sensitive. You’re silly.

But this is what makes you so altogether fascinating and captivating: You’re absolutely convinced that everyone loves you.

That is a precious quality, Heidi, one that will get you into trouble but should be preserved nonetheless. It’s so far from pride. It’s innocence and delight all rolled into a ball. The other night as we sat around the dinner table, we took turns sharing what the highlight of our day had been. When it was my turn, I sat and thought for a moment, “Hmm…what was my highlight?”

You beamed and chimed-in to help me:

“Being with me!”

Yes, Heidi. My highlight was being with you. Of course it was. And of course you know nothing but love. You haven’t met rejection yet. You know nothing but shining. And it is this assurance-of-being-loved that makes you so fascinating. You twirl and laugh and run and play tricks and tell jokes and throw your three-year-old self into this world with reckless abandon.

I pray to God to preserve that precious quality of yours. 

Because this is the last day of 3. And tomorrow you’ll be four and then fourteen and your jeans no longer fit and  you’re growing up and someday you will feel the sting of rejection. The deep pain of a blow to the heart. You’ll look in the mirror and not absolutely adore what you see.

This world shouts its harshness at us loud.

But if this assurance, this foundation of being absolutely convinced that you are loved–if that can be rooted deep enough, nothing else will shake that. 

That’s my job.

That’s your job.

If, by our tenacious affection and our tireless nurturing, training, discipline, by the truth of God’s Word and the power of God’s Spirit, we can show our children that we are wildly fond of them, that we’ve gone completely cuckoo crazy for them, we can convince them to the core that they are loved. By us and by God.

They will trust us when they know they are loved by us.

They will trust God when they know they are loved by Him.

We spend most of our time celebrating firsts. But today I’m celebrating your last day of 3 and praying–pleading–that you’ll continue to know with everything in you that you are loved beyond comprehension. For all the parenting books and child-rearing techniques, it boils down to showing you the love of Jesus Christ.

On your last day of 3, that is my prayer:

For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19)

May you continue to be absolutely convinced that my day’s highlight is being with you, and may you know the crazy-love of Christ all your days. Happy birthday baby-girl.

{May you all know this love too. Thanks for reading.}

Thanks to Anna for this post today. Perhaps today the simple gift you can give your husband is an honest confession and a humble request for him to pray for you. You might find yourself happier … and he might stand a little taller because you asked for his help.

~

Ephesians 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any

other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

I love Anna’s heart in this post. Perhaps you might ask your husband to pray for you today. And however he does that — with confidence or riddled with insecurity — receive it with thanks and encourage him in EVERY effort he makes to lead you closer to Christ. Happy Valentine’s Day. Thanks for reading. 

Every single year I read through Exodus 18 in late January or early February and every single time it’s a schedule tune-up.  Once a year, God inevitably puts His finger on some aspect of my life and says, “What you are doing is not good.”

Here’s the scene: Moses was sitting, from morning until evening, every single day, listening to the disputes of people and giving direction, wisdom–leading them.  His father-in-law Jethro comes to visit, sees all this, and says, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you.  You are not able to do it alone.”

What you are doing is not good.

Hmm.  I can only imagine how Jethro expanded on this: Not only is it not good for yourself, because you will get worn out, but it is not good for the people either, because the leadership, wisdom, and advice that they will receive from you will be less than stellar–it will be tired, irritated, annoyed advice and leadership rather than rested, well-thought-through advice and leadership.  Not only that, but perhaps (total speculation here), Moses’ father-in-law looked down with the eyes of a grandpa and a father and looked at his daughter Zipporah and at his little grandbabies and was a little protective, realizing that these Israelites were getting 90% of Moses’ time, rather than his family. Again, it says that nowhere in the Bible, but it’s interesting that it’s Grandpa who steps in and says, “Enough is enough!  You’re doing too much. Get out of there and spend some time with your babies and wife!”

All of this reminds me of the book of Nehemiah. In Chapter 3 Nehemiah assembled the team to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. It took a team of many people it took to pick up those stones and assemble the various portions. Each person had their our own stones to pick up, carry, and stack on the wall, and they each needed to shoulder their own stones.  As leaders, people often come to us with their ideas for ministry and activities (hinting that we should do it). I remember Joel once saying that when people do that he would wag his finger playfully and say, “Are you trying to give me your stones?  It sure feels like you’re trying to give me your stones… I think those are your stones!”

So true. Some of us have this tendency, as we’re picking up our own stones, to look around and see all the heaps of stones around us and feel so overwhelmed that we just start picking up everybody else’s stones too!  Heck, there are stones to pick up I might as well pick them up!  I remember a few years ago I had this vision of myself, with Dutch hanging on my back, Heidi in a front pack crying, holding my husband’s sack lunch in one hand, my Bible teaching notes in the other, my laptop tucked between my knees, a laundry basket balanced on my head, picking up toys off the ground with my toes, and then trying to figure out how in the world I was going to pick up all these stinkin’ stones that are laying around!  Then God’s Word walks up beside me, and taps me on the shoulder:

“Hey, guess what? Those aren’t your stones.”

So as with any adjustment period, it takes a while to figure things out, make adjustments, and discern what stays and what goes.  I’m sorting through my stones and asking God exactly which ones He’d like me to stack on the wall, and which ones He wants me to leave on the ground, because they’re someone else’s stones to stack.

And now, it is 7am and the house is awake and alive with energy and little hungry bellies.

It’s time to stack some stones.

Thanks for reading.

The kids were beyond excited. Papa was treating us to dinner out at a restaurant. Not just any restaurant, a buffet. Not just any buffet, Hometown Buffet (I made Jeff promise not to instagram any photos of us there, but then here we are … the secret’s out). For this one night the kids could choose anything they wanted to eat and I would keep all my food-snob comments to myself about pesticides and GMOs and feedlots and HFCS. Corn on the cob and pizza? Absolutely! Mashed potatoes and chicken nuggets? Eat your heart out. Popcorn shrimp and beets? Pile ’em on! (Okay, that was me.) I even let them each have a taste of Icee, that bright blue (poisonous) concoction flowing freely from a dispenser. They were in heaven.

When we arrived it was Family Night, so each kid received a balloon. They were delirious with joy. However, Dutch’s wasn’t sealed correctly so within a matter of minutes his balloon was completely flat while Heidi’s bopped happily in the air.

He was crushed. Somehow the excitement of the evening and the busyness of the restaurant and the dozens of food options in front of him completely overwhelmed him (me too!) and he was so upset he wouldn’t eat. He wouldn’t stand in line (it was long) to get another balloon. He couldn’t think rationally. And even though Jeff sat alone with him for 5 minutes trying to talk reason into his brain, he couldn’t get himself put together. Finally, they walked over to me, I suggested we just go eat together, and Dutch agreed and was absolutely fine. Jeff (understandably) felt frustrated. He had suggested that same exact thing for 5 minutes straight:

Why hadn’t Dutch listened to him?

I thought of Exodus 6: “Sometimes people are too crushed to hear you.”

See, the children of Israel get a really bad rap.  Yes, they complained. And complained and complained and complained. But if I read through the exodus story and honestly put myself in their shoes, I must admit I’d be complaining too.

And a short sentence from Exodus 6 might help us be a little more patient with the people in our lives who don’t hear us.

Moses returns to Egypt with high hopes. He’s excited to free the nation of Israel from Egypt’s slavery, and God speaks life and encouragement to Moses, promises of hope.  So Moses takes courage, and goes and repeats all of these words of hope and reassurance to the people of Israel,

“But they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.” (6:9)

I always focus on the part where they don’t listen to Moses.  Listen to him! I think to myself. Listen! Quit complaining and not having faith. See the great things before you! Believe!

But their spirits were broken.

They couldn’t listen. They couldn’t hear. They had no spark of hope or faith left in their hearts. They had endured harsh slavery.  Their spirits were broken.  It was as if Moses was talking nonsense. They had seen no good, no hope, no life, no promise. How could they believe Moses’ words? All they knew was cruelty, slavery, hate, bondage.  Their spirits were broken.

When God calls us to minister (and he calls all of us to minister) He calls us to give hope to those whose spirits are broken. And, if their spirits truly are broken (because of any form of harsh slavery that is sadly present all over our world), it is possible that they cannot listen. They cannot even muster up the strength to believe the good news.  They may not see the vision you see.  They have been blinded by hurt, their sense of hope seared by pain.

Even though it was only a balloon, it was a picture of Dutch’s heart, so when it was crushed so was his spirit, and it took some time before he could hear. 

So what do we do? We share words of hope, life, and truth with others, and if someone cannot listen, we must carry on anyway.  Rather than get frustrated or angry because they cannot see the promised land, we must, like Moses, continue to pursue their freedom, their good, whether they can see the light or not.  If we hold out our hand they bite it (!), we must hold out our hand again.

And again and again.

Remember these words, “They might have a broken spirit.”

This doesn’t excuse others’ sins, but it covers them (1 Peter 4:8). It says, “It’s ok if you don’t listen. It’s ok if you can’t see the vision. It’s ok if you can’t see past your pain. I’ll still take your hand and help lead you out of slavery, help lead you toward the promised land, help you be all that God wants you to be.”

Isn’t that what Jesus did for us?

We live in a world of broken spirits.  God, fill us with a compassion that quells impatience, an understanding that removes frustration. Help us see your people as you see them. And when our spirits are broken, help those around us to be patient with us, and fill us with your hope.

—

Is there someone in your life who won’t listen to your encouragement no matter what you say? Do you find yourself getting frustrated? How can you pray for that person, that God would heal their broken spirit, and how can you choose to continue to bless that person today? Thanks for reading.

• This special family … and our beloved Mary’s last HS basketball game. 
• Seeing Dutch turn bright red blushing when she ran off the court to hug him! My boy has great taste in girls! 🙂
• RENEW women’s night! Love those ladies so much.
• My friend Janae. Just can’t thank God enough for her.
• College roommate reunion — missing half our ladies but still a fun time!

• Growing.
• That God uses us, loves us, cherishes us, despite our weaknesses and failings.
• Believing.
• Trusting.
• A gift of new appliances through our home warranty to replace our (non-functional) ones. Delivered on Valentine’s Day. THAT is the perfect gift for a practical girl like me!
• Clean counters.
• Heidi’s artwork.
• Sleeping in.
• Snuggling.
• People who smile often. Bless ’em! They make the world so much brighter!
• Heidi’s sense of humor.
• Raelene.
• My husband who I love more and respect more every day.
• A morning with Elisa!
• New friends.
• How God connects us.
• Early morning runs.
• Honey.
• Learning different perspectives.
• Seeing hope in hopeless situations.
• That God is ALWAYS GREATER.
• When something hard turns into something good.
• AWESOME parenting book, Boys Should Be Boys. Must-read for mamas of boys!
• So glad the world does not depend on me.
• His amazing grace.
• Rest.
• Loving Sundays.
• Crock-pot.
• Coffee.
• Hope. 

Have a blessed Lord’s Day today, worshipping the Savior with your local church family. Thanks for reading.

This week Jeff and I were laughing and reminiscing about how clueless we were in our first years of ministry and marriage. Oh dear. We seriously didn’t have a clue, but praise God He used us and graciously let us play on His playground in make disciples in our own bumbling way.  We both agreed that someday we would look back and say, “Ohhh…do you remember when we planted Renew?! Oh we were so clueless! What on earth were we doing??!!”

Praise God for His infinite grace.

I’m always encouraged when I see who God chooses to use for His glory in the Scriptures.   Noah, Jacob, Rachel & Leah, Joseph–all of whom had rather obvious shortcomings. Yet they were used for God’s purposes. How encouraging is that?

Though all of these characters has weaknesses, there’s one who was particularly aware of these weaknesses. Too aware.

Conscious of self; self-conscious.

In Exodus 4 God gives Moses the great call to return to Egypt and free God’s people from slavery.  He has already witnessed the burning bush, he’s already had lengthy conversations with the Lord about all this, and now he witnesses two more miraculous signs (staff becoming a snake and hand becoming leprous) confirming that God is indeed calling him to this task. No one else in Scripture thus far has had such a clear calling.  No one else gets a burning bush.

God is making it clear: Moses, you’re it. 

But Moses is quick to make excuses, right? 

“Oh Lord, I am not eloquent … I am slow of speech and of tongue.” (4:10)

Oh Lord, let me go ahead and tell you all about my shortcomings.  I’m really not the man for the job. You must have me mixed up with someone else. My mouth is really not the mouth to use.  There are much better mouths out there.

God’s response?

“Who has made man’s mouth?…Is it not I, the LORD?” (v.11)

How ridiculous is it that Moses is complaining about this mouth.  He is speaking to the God who created it. How incredibly absurd to complain about an obstacle that God Himself created and controls!

That one sentence can put our entire life in perspective.

“But God, the economy isn’t good right now.”

“Who controls the economy?”

“But God, I’m not a gifted leader.”

“Who made the gifts that are deposited in you? Who put them there? Who knows what they are better than you?”

“But God we don’t have enough money.”

“Who made money? Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills? Who gives and takes away? Who rules economies?”

There are no excuses before the God of all things. Before the one who made all things, controls all things, and uses all things for our good and His glory.

The next time we catch ourselves protesting, “But God…”

Remember: Who made ________? Who controls it all? Who is able to do all things?

The God of all creation holds all things in His hand. Let’s keep that in perspective today, when circumstances overwhelm us and our shortcomings eclipse His greatness. God made it all. He is greater than our weaknesses. In fact, He’s glorified in them. This frees us from excuses, once and for all. Whatever He’s called us to He has equipped us for.  And that even applies to the most terrifying calling in the world–that of raising children! Be encouraged, sister.

God made you for this. You’re it.

Thanks for reading.