Category Archives: Sacred Mundane

We sat in her kitchen sipping coffee. She was walking through a trial–a long one–and didn’t have a clear end in sight.

“It’s like we started out, and all these people were at our side. I could see them all around. I could hear them cheering. They all seemed to be on board, running beside us. But as the months have drawn on, I find myself looking around … and can’t see anyone anymore. We’ve made some hard choices to obey what we feel God has called us to do, and for whatever reason, I just can’t see anyone around us anymore. It feels so lonely, and makes me wonder if we’re doing the right thing.”

Have you been there too? I know I have. Although it’s critical that we surround ourselves with like-minded people and learn to run together, it’s equally important that we know how to run alone. Why?

Because we’re bound to spend a lot of time doing just that.

Last year, as we were praying, planning, and preparing for the adventure of RENEW, we met with lots of people who are considering whether or not to join this venture. And even though I prayed every single day that only those who God was calling to join would come, I still found myself–in my flesh–craving a nice-sized crowd around us. Sure, it was partly because I was genuinely excited for what God was doing and wanted as many people as possible to be involved.

But also because things are just so much more comfortable when a bunch of other people are around.

The key thought process is this: If a whole bunch of us are running this direction then it must be God, right?

Right?

But what if we’re called to run alone? Or with only a few? Does that mean we’re going the wrong direction?

Does a crowd = God’s blessing?

Does popularity prove it’s the hand of God?

Oh, friends, these lessons are not easy, and chances are we must learn them again and again (I have this past year!). Even though we are wise to consider the wise counsel of others, We cannot determine God’s will based on popular opinion.

Crowd-sourcing theology will never bring us to the heart of God.

If we only run as far as everyone else is willing to go, we’ll never really see His kingdom come.

So, we must learn to run alone. How?

By remembering that we never actually run alone. No matter who is with us and who is not, If we are walking with Jesus we are never running alone.

And as long as we crave the company of man more than the company of God, we will never go far in our Christian walk.  Just this morning in my quiet time I read:

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is none on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:23-26

There is none on earth I desire besides You.

It is awesome when a crowd gathers around. When many are there to cheer us on. It’s such a gift to have people are your right and left, running beside.

But we must be a people who run with God. 

HE must be who is at our right hand. Who we desire fellowship with more than anyone or anything else. No matter who comes and goes in our life, who starts with us or ends with us or comes just for a while. We must run with God. Our Source, our Joy, our Strength.

Revisiting this and recommitting again to run … no matter what. How can you run with Him this week? Thanks for reading. 

{Today I join a great team of bloggers in a Discipleship Series over at Man of Depravity. Enjoy!}

~

I was 18 when I first heard “disciple” used as a verb.

It baffled me at first, but I quickly determined to get with the times and find someone to “disciple” me. I picked a godly woman and penned the following letter:

Dear Elisa,

I heard about this cool thing called “discipling.”  Will you “disciple” me?  I’d really appreciate it. Thanks.

Love, Kari.

That was it. I had no idea what I was asking, but this simple letter was my best clueless effort at entering into a life of discipleship. This was before email, so I sealed the short letter in an envelope, dropped it in the mail, and waited.

A week later a fat envelope arrived. She responded by saying that the only way she would “disciple” me (she too used quotations) was if we could be friends. She then proceeded to share, page upon page, her entire testimony. In my mind, she was the most perfect woman I’d ever met. But here on these pages were highs and lows, joys and sorrows, strengths and weaknesses.

Human frailty, complexity, and a crazy belief in amazing grace.

I stared at the letter in disbelief. 

First, she wanted to be my friend?  I, a lowly and unworthy college freshman, riddled with fears and insecurities, befriended by this beautiful, angelic woman? Could this be real? Perhaps I had expected her to send me assignments, Bible verses to memorize, books to read, projects to complete. I had been waiting to see what she would require of me, or what curriculum we might use. Surely there was a program, right? But instead she only asked for my friendship. 

And so began the journey of 15 years (and counting!) of discipleship. 

Perhaps you ask, “Haven’t you graduated by now? Are you still her disciple after all this time?”  People graduate from programs, they don’t graduate from relationships. Relationships change, yes. We’re more peers now, but I still look to her for insight, advice, counsel, prayer. I believe I always will. That’s what discipleship is.

Real discipleship is an intentional relationship for the purpose of growing in Christlikeness.

So, what did she teach me? Here are 15 quick thoughts on discipleship, one for each year of our relationship:

1. To make disciples, my whole life must be an example. In 1 Corinthians 4:15-17 Paul says, “Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me.”  Later in 1 Corinthians 11:1 he exhorts them, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Paul models his whole life after Christ they can model their life after him. Discipleship is not a program, it is a whole-life endeavor.
2. I cannot teach others what I do not know myself. A teacher is primarily a learner.  If I want to teach others, I must identify myself primarily as a learner, one who goes through things, learns, gleans, and then hopefully is able to help others along the way.  More is caught than taught.
3. The most effective discipleship takes place living life together.  Jesus didn’t have little one-hour meetings scheduled with his disciples.  They didn’t go through a workbook. He lived life with them!  He ate with them, drank with them, ministered to others with them, and performed miracles in front of them.  His life was given to these men. This was his method.
4. Life-discipleship requires vulnerability and humility. When we live life with those we disciple, we are opening ourselves to the possibility of pain, criticism, and betrayal.  Jesus knew this better than anyone, and chose to be vulnerable anyway.
5. Choose a few. You can go through a workbook with 15 people at once. You can pump hundreds of people through a video curriculum and pat yourselves on the back for “making disciples.” You can only live life with a few. Maybe one or two at at time. We are wise to follow Jesus’ example and choose a very few to have this special, intimate discipleship relationship with. Pray and ask God for wisdom on who the few should be who you will do life with. Then commit to them.
6. Make God’s Word the core. While living life together is great, every interaction must be soaked with God’s Word if true discipleship is to take place. Read the Word together often. Study it. Pray through it. Obey it. Nothing will happen without it.
7. Pray, pray, pray. It’s so easy to forget prayer. Pray for your disciple daily. Pray together. Model prayer. Encourage the young disciple to communicate with God on her own. Connect her directly to Him, so she’s not dependent on you.
8. Fellowship is spiritual too. Relational discipleship makes space for just hanging out. Often the greatest conversations take place while cooking together, or going for a run, or watching a worthwhile movie.
9. Leave the results to God. Sometimes, you will pour your heart and soul and time and energy into someone, and hewon’t give a lick. Or worse, he’ll turn and reject you. It happened to Jesus. Don’t take too much credit for the success or failure of others. Each person must make his own choices. Leave the results to God.
10. Know when to let go. Although relationships may last a lifetime, seasons change. When a young disciple is flourishing and well-equipped to fly on her own, give her the space to do just that.
11. Avoid making Mini-Me’s. Yes, Paul says, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ,” but we must be drawing people only to Christ and not to our own pet passions or personalities. We are not seeking to make little replicas of ourselves. Just as with parenting, we are seeking to teach, empower, and equip another person to know, follow, and obey Christ in the way they should go. Their path will look different from your own.
12. Beware of jealousy. Sadly, it is possible for us to feel threatened if someone we disciple flourishes spiritually and proves to be wiser, more gifted, or more godly than we are. We must remember that our goal is to lift others higher than ourselves. If we’re ever tempted to keep others below ourselves, repent fast!! The way up is the way down.
13. Beware of loving the love. The truth is that someone you disciple will probably grow to love you. They might even tell you how great you are.  Thank them, praise God, and then forget about it.  Constantly guard your heart against living for the praise of people. As Paul said to his disciples, “Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others” (1 Thess 2:6).
14. People are not projects.   No one likes to be a project.  If you are trying to “fix” people, don’t disciple. If you love telling other people what to do, don’t disciple.  If you love people, you’re on the right track. Don’t just influence people, love them.
15. Disciple–and be discipled by–those who are different from you. The truth is, we don’t learn much from people who are just like us. Purposefully putting ourselves in situations where we are outside our comfort zones enables us to see more of  God, challenging our assumptions and opening our eyes to the multi-faceted beauty of God.

As you may conclude from this list, discipleship isn’t separate from life. All of life is discipleship. Although some relationships have a more intense focus, all of life should and can be an intentional journey of building relationships which edify, encourage, exhort, sharpen, and draw us close to Christ. We can disciple everyone in our lives by simply being intentional and striving constantly toward a more gospel-centered, Christ-adoring, self-sacrificing life of love and devotion to God.

A wise woman once looked me in the eyes and said, “Kari, you pursue Christ full-steam ahead, and others will be caught up in your wake.”

May others be caught up in yours, for the glory of God.

{Thanks for reading.}

I’m sorry there was no post slipped into your inbox today, or waiting here for you while you sipped your coffee this morning.

I have been enjoying a bit of unplugged time: Lunch with my precious auntie, visit to oncology, and the good news that she’s cancer-free (!!); a double date with dear friends in downtown Portland; a special getaway with my man; a fun opportunity to help a new blogger launching her site; a reconnecting coffee date with my childhood best friend (now a missionary in Cambodia) after MANY years out of touch; lunch alfresco with my discipler-friend of 14 years for one of the last times before she moves out of state; visiting a dear friend who lost a baby this week; and enjoying a much-needed lazy evening by the river with my kiddos. Such real-life richness. There are no words. There is no virtual replacement for real-time relationships.

And, what a joy that this world keeps on moving, even when I have no words. (smile) Have a blessed weekend, friends. Thanks for reading.

This, these little obediences are what add up to give our lives this one beautiful quality: Consistency.

Few characteristics are more critical to following Christ than consistency, and therefore this will be the primary area where spiritual attack will occur. If the enemy of our souls cannot lead us into grievous sin he will at least try to keep us from consistently abiding in Christ.

He will seek to make our lives haphazard. 

Consistency, steadfastness, faithfulness, stability — these qualities aren’t touted and praised much in our culture. We’re told to do what feels good, follow your heart, indulge, let yourself loose.

And yet, growth or mastery in any area requires consistency. Any personal trainer will tell you that consistency is key. Running two miles every single day is better than running fourteen every Saturday. A steady, balanced diet over the long haul is better than a crash-diet to lose five pounds by this weekend’s wedding. Consistency is always the key.

Webster defines consistency as: marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity.

Wouldn’t it be a beautiful witness if our lives were marked by harmony, by regularity and steady continuity?  If we moved between our work and church and family and friends in a seamless manner, not given to hypocrisy but characterized by integrity and wholeness? Consistency is what takes us from a rollercoaster of frustration and defeat to a level path of joy, peace, and purpose.

Consistency enables our lives to sing. 

So let’s hold up the mirror of God’s Word and take an honest look at the consistent character and conduct of our lives.

Consistent Character:

• Joy: Am I steadfast in rejoicing? Am I deliberate every single day in choosing to rejoice despite my circumstances?
• Peace: Is my life characterized by anxiety or peace? What would my family, friends, co-workers say?
• Patience: Do I lose my patience in a check-out line or waiting in traffic? Do I show great patience for others and yet often snap or lose my temper with my family?
• Kindness: Do I show kindness to others only when others are looking?
• Goodness: What movies do I watch? What music do I enjoy? Would I be comfortable letting my pastor look through my internet history? Do I consistently set my mind on things that are good and lovely?
• Gentleness: Am I harsh or short with my spouse, roommate, kids, parents? Do I use sarcasm?
• Faithfulness: Do I follow through on my commitments even when it costs me something personally? When my circumstances change do I remain committed to my word? What kind of friend am I? What would others say?
• Self-control: Do I indulge myself when I’m alone in ways that I wouldn’t if others were around? Do I have a quick-tongue, always speaking my mind, or am I slow to speak?

Consistent Conduct:

• Do I show up on time for work? Do I often make others wait for me? Am I habitually late for meetings?
• Do I follow-through on my chores or work at home? Do others often have to pick up after me or cover for me?
• Do I have good personal hygiene habits? Do I exercise regularly? Do I eat a healthy, balanced diet?
• Do I attend church regularly? Do I tithe regularly? Do I read my Bible and pray regularly? Do I regularly meet with other believers for fellowship and accountability?
• Do I serve on a regular basis? Have I diligently explored ways that I can consistently use my time and talents to serve others and further God’s kindgom?

Am I someone who others can count on? Am I the same at work as I am at church? Do I have anything to “hide”?

All of us have areas of inconsistency in our lives. The key is remembering that in reality we always act in ways that are consistent with our beliefs. So if our actions aren’t lining up with what we say, chances are we don’t really believe what we say we believe. We always act out of what we believe. If we believe God is glorious and good and altogether sufficient, our actions will be wholly consistent with that. If we do not, in some measure, believe that, our actions will be consistent with that too. This is why all sin is a personal affront to God. It all comes from some area of unbelief.

So our job is to evaluate these areas honestly and ask God to show us where we have unbelief in our hearts. We can repent, turn, and be given a fresh measure of faith to overcome these areas of inconsistency in our lives. And we must do just that every single day.

{For today, what area of inconsistency is God putting His finger on? Who might you sit down with and read this list together, being honest with how you desire God to change you this year?  How can you agree with Him and ask for His grace to grow? He loves us too much to let us stay the same! Thank you, friends, for reading.}

It was there at the kitchen counter, debating LEGO sets and mosquito nets, when the reality struck me: I am the most powerful ad my children will ever see.

He had wanted to compile a wish list. But obscene price tags had frustrated his plans, and I could see his anxiety mount as we tried, again and again, to find a LEGO set for under $50.  The brightness in his eyes dulled, eyebrows furrowed, his voice tight in frustration.

Finally, I drew the line.“We’re all done, Sweetie. This isn’t good; it’s making you upset and frustrated.”

“But I want to look!”  He argued, jumping down from the stool.

“Looking at all of these things is making your heart greedy, and not content with what you have, and not grateful.  You’re not happy…”

I thought for a moment, then lowered down on my knees, leveling my eyes with his. “Dutch, do you see me sitting on my computer and looking at things I want?”

He thought about this. “No.”

“No. Do you know why? Because when I start to sit on my computer and look at all the things I like but don’t have, it does the same thing to me. It makes my heart greedy, and then I’m not content with what I have, and then I’m not grateful.  And then … I’m not happy.”

He was quiet. Slowly, his face changed.

I reached out my arms and he stepped in, leaning close into my hug. He looked up at me and smiled,

“I’m going to go play.”

And with that, he was gone, lost in the priceless world of imagination. 

~

So why am I making such a big deal about consumerism? What exactly is consumerism, anyway? Consumerism is the social and economic order that encourages the purchase of goods and services  in every-increasing amounts.

I recently watched a video where the regional VP of a well-known cosmetic company laughingly says,

“The great thing about this product is that it’s consumable. Every single morning, all those women wash all that product off their faces and right down the drain! We love that! We love thinking about that! It makes us so happy thinking about that! That means they keep coming back for more.”

Now, please understand: Not here throwing stones at cosmetic companies. I’m one of those women washing product off my face and down the drain! I consume coffee, mascara, and plenty of other non-essential items.

In fact, God created us as consumers. We consume oxygen, water, and food, in order to survive. In fact, He makes us consumers because He wants to be the Sustainer, the Provider. He created us to be dependent on Him, for our breath, for our life.

But the enemy loves to take good and tweak it. Pervert it. Warp it. He loves to take our very legitimate need to consume a few things, and twist it to make us obsessed:

We become consumed with consuming.

And so instead of being dependent on God, we are dependent on Amazon. Or Nordstrom. Or Groupon. Or Target. We dream about what we do not need, and consume more and more and more and more …

And they —our littles–are watching. They watch us more than any ads on TV. We may lament about the world “out there” but the culture is us. We are the culture! As Mark Twain said,

“The Public is merely a multiplied me.”

So, the question for us: What am I multiplying? Ken Wytsma writes,

“Wherever we are, and whatever we are doing, our lives are being broadcast. … All of us are exporting certain cultural values and assumptions, projecting them out into our neighborhoods, our country, and even distant parts of the world. … The question to ask ourselves, then, is, what is my life exporting?” (Pursuing Justice)

Nowhere is this more true than in our homes. Every day we advertise a certain life for our kids. Again, not boycotting iphones and eye-cream, just encouraging us all to live life wide awake, alert to the constant temptation to live as consumers instead of answering the call of Christ.

The call of His cross, and to the fullness of abundant life. Life lost and found.

{Thanks for reading.}

She knows nothing but shining.

She twirls, head back, her laugh a waterfall, cascading, filling the room. I laugh too, holding her damp starfish hands in my own, twirling with her, jumping, dancing.

Unencumbered. 

Right then, as I dance with Heidi, I feel how God intended us to feel. Wildly loved. Cherished. Beautiful. Uninhibited. Free. I listen to the song that’s playing, and a tear spills over, down my cheek, as I look at her and realize that her entire life will be filled with opportunities for that shining to be dimmed. Hidden. Shrouded.

Shrouded by shame.

After Eve sinned, she hid.

We’ve been hiding ever since.

She hid, rightly, because she had nothing but fig leaves to cover her marred image of God.

But we have the blood of Jesus Christ.

Shame was defeated at the cross. 

Because sin was defeated at the cross. 

Apart from sin we have nothing to be ashamed of.  ”When we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) Meaning this: We need not walk in shame. 

My shining daughter knows nothing of shame. She knows nothing of the cruelty of 10-year-old girls (and 32-year-old girls!). She knows nothing of abuse. And even though I call her my little bunny, someday someone will call her a beaver because of those precious, beautiful teeth.

The world will sling mud at us, that we know.

So will we walk in shame? Or will we shine?

I remember a few years ago Jeff and I attended attended an art unveiling in Bend.  At the unveiling, we met the painter’s wife and two daughters.  One daughter, a freshman in high school, had some birth defect which had misshapen one side of her face.  However, when I met her, she just shined, beaming, welcoming me and oohing and ahing over Dutch, teasing that she wanted to be the president of his fan club, and wondering if she could marry him when he grew up.  She stood tall and looked me in the eye, a glowing, beautiful, shining, utterly confident girl.  She obviously knew this truth.

Whether or not we walk in shame depends entirely upon what we believe. About God. About ourselves. About the cross.

If the cross has covered all of our sin, we have nothing of which to be ashamed. 

We can shine.

As Heidi and I continued to spin, dance, laugh, I prayed God’s mercy on my little girl, that she would shine His glory all her days. The song we were listening to? You were made to shineby the Sonflowerz. The dear girls I had the joy of ministering with several times last year. They wrote this song after talking to a 12-year-old girl who had been bullied and ridiculed by other girls, who had been walking in shame. It goes like this:

I won’t repeat what they said
They tore you down and broke your heart
The words resound in your head
And make you feel like nothing
I know you’re chosen for great things
Child of God, a work of art
Fancy clothes and diamond rings
will never match what you are worth
Hold on to the beauty inside of you
No one can take that away

You were made to shine
A brilliant light to radiate His glory
You were made to shine
Its your life, its a new beginning
More than the stars in the night sky
You were made to shine

Now is the time to stand your ground
Be the spark you’re meant to be
Let the glow of love abound
Show the dark its remedy
God’s love is the fire inside of you
No one can take that away
You were made to shine

Oh You were made to shine His glory
Oh You were made to shine
Oh You were made to shine His glory
Oh You were made, You were made
God’s love is the fire inside of you
No one can take that away

{UPDATE: I’m excited to announce the Sonflowerz’ new MADE TO SHINE kickstarter, tour, and pre-teen devotional going on right now. Please take a moment and check out this fabulous opportunity to support these beautiful girls.}

And now: I pray, sisters, you could believe Christ’s work on the cross to remove all shame, and walk in fullness and freedom today. Now, it’s time for you to go dance. Thanks, friends, for reading. 

First off, let me say: I’m so grateful that the last post was an encouragement to so many of you. God is so gracious to give us each other, isn’t He? To cheer for each other and remind each other of this great and holy calling that is motherhood.

But if you’re like me, sometimes I read something like that and shake my critical head and say, “Um, yeah. That’s very sweet and all, Kari. But what about all the stuff that really cannot wait??”

Like, doing the dishes?

Like, taking care of my own well-being?

Like, obeying Jesus’ clear commands to proclaim the gospel, to love and serve the poor, the widow, the fatherless?

If we don’t wrestle through these issues, we’ll find ourselves more frustrated than before. Thankfully, God skips the detailed list of dos and don’ts and instead just paints us a beautiful, inspirational picture to help us navigate these issues. And no, she’s not SuperWoman, Tiger Mom, or Martha Stewart.

She’s that Proverbs 31 girl.

Perhaps you’re thinking, “Oh yes. Her.” You love her. You hate her. Perhaps the Proverbs 31 woman discourages and overwhelms you. Perhaps you feel you could never measure up to her (join the club!). But the goal isn’t do be her. (That’s where Rachel Held Evans got all mixed up with her biblical womanhood book. But don’t even get me started.) I don’t have to hold a spindle (what exactly is a spindle?), or plant a vineyard in my backyard (pretty sure that’s not the best use of my time), but this picture shows us one beautiful example of what it looks like to care for our families, to honor our husbands, to be industrious and hard-working, to be a self-starter, and to carry ourselves with confidence, wisdom, grace, and generosity.

Just a few things that stand out to me from this passage:

1. Everything she does and says benefits her husband.
2. She’s insanely hard-working, never idle.
3. She makes wise financial choices and investments that benefit her family.
4. She’s strong and dignified.
5. She serves the poor and the needy.
6. She speaks and teaches with wisdom and kindness.
7. She puts the needs of her household first.
8. She fears the LORD.

Clearly, a “good mom” does not just sit around and play LEGOs all day. A “good mom” does not ignore the needs of the poor because she spent all her money on sports camps. Children do not gain confidence by having parents hover around them all day. Children gain confidence by having parents who listen, love, engage, discipline, and bring them along as they serve Jesus.

They gain confidence when they know: Yes, I am loved unconditionally and No, the world does not revolve around me. 

What I love about the Proverbs 31 portrait is that how we follow in her footsteps will be different for each one of us. Those 8 items I listed are general–there are millions of ways we can live those out in our ordinary daily life. For example, Jeff and I believe that I am called to write and speak (teaching of wisdom and kindness). But we are seeking more and more ways to travel as a family, to include Heidi in my meetings, to embrace all our ministry activities as a family, teaching our kids along the way. So, our goal is to have our children with us as much as possible.

This doesn’t restrict ministry, it enhances it. (Which begs the question, what is our definition of “ministry”? But that’s a post for another day.)

So here are some questions to ask ourselves that can hopefully help us navigate these gray areas and find a place of balance, confidence, and peace as we raise our littles and engage with the world.

1. Does everything I do benefit and honor my husband? Does he have final say in what activities I engage in? Do I ask him his opinion often and value his input? How would he answer this question? (Ask him!)

2. Am I hard-working? How is my time-management? Do I treat home-life with the same effort that I would a paying job? If I had a “boss” watching me all day, what would he say?

3. How do I handle God’s money? Is my husband pleased by my financial decisions? Are there any areas I can grow in managing the money God has given us?

4. How do I carry myself? With strength and dignity? Do my children see me stand tall, take care of my physical body, dress myself in a way that shows self-respect?

5. Do I regularly serve the poor? Are there ways I can include my children in regular service to those in need? This doesn’t even necessarily have to take us outside our homes, but it could! (One idea here.)

6. What words come out of my mouth? On facebook, on the phone, and in person with my husband and children. Do negativity, sarcasm, complaining, or criticism mark my words? Or do wisdom and kindness characterize my speech?

7. Is my household first in priority? What would my husband and children say? (Ask them!) Do they feel well-taken care of?

8. Is the fear of the LORD first and foremost in my heart? Is loving, serving, and seeking God the most important thing in my life? (This doesn’t necessarily mean attending every Bible Study. It means seeking God each day and submitting to His Word as the authority in our lives.)

I realize as I read through this list, some may shake their heads and feel like a failure. You are not! (Or rather, we all are!) The goal is not perfection, the goal is to keep on keeping on. To continue growing. To continue seeking Him and striving to be the wife, mom, disciple, and daughter of the King who reflects His beauty in this world. The truth is, we all fail. Often. Daily. But Jesus is our righteousness, and the power of His Holy Spirit is what enables us to live a life pleasing to God.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corin. 10:31

{May you find hope and inspiration this week as you seek to glorify God in all that you do. Bless you, precious Mama! Thanks for reading.}

Last week Jeff and I had the rare treat of a morning run together. It reminded me of this.  Last summer apparently I was enrolled in the How to Follow 101 series and this summer it’s the How to Follow 201 series, because I find myself learning these things all over again (and again). Enjoy:

“How far?” Jeff looked up at me as he pulled on his running shoes, a little challenge in his voice. How much was I up for?

I took a deep breath, clipping my ipod onto my shorts.

“Six miles.”

He smiled. “Alright.”

We hadn’t run together in ages. With two little monkeys on our hands, we always run separately. And while I’d passed the six-mile mark on my own, I usually choose the flattest route possible and run my snail-pace and make the whole endeavor as painless as possible.

I hate pain. 

We slipped in our earphones and jogged out onto the narrow country road by our house. He took the lead and with no idea where he would take me, I resolved just to follow.

I’ve been learning to follow. 

Literally. Back on June 1st, God put on my heart to focus all my energy this month on following Jeff. On blessing him, cheering for him, serving him, praying for him, encouraging him, affirming him, loving him and championing him. To simply following his lead, wherever it took me.

So that’s what I’ve been doing for a month.

It was good I’d had some practice before Jeff took me on this run. 

After two miles Jeff turned us off the regular flat-route I call home, and took us down trails, through parks, up and down different roads, and through the forest. Up and down we went, my thighs burning. Every once in a while he’d look over and raise his eyebrows and give me a thumbs up to ask, “You ok?” I’d nod and try to smile and give him a thumbs up back. “I”m alive.”

Now, I don’t mean to be overly dramatic–it was only a 6 mile run. But it was far harder and faster than I normally run and I’m not exaggerating when I say I prayed the entire way. See, I’m a wimp when navigating the unknown. When I run, I always run the same path. I always go the same pace. I usually go the same distance. I get easily frightened when I’m challenged to do something physical that’s outside my comfort zone. I’m really really really not one of those hard-core workout people who loves risk and daring new adventures. Nope. In fact, if I really had my way … I’d walk instead.

But Jeff knows me. And he knows that I’d prefer a stroll through the park and a caramel macchiato, and he also knows that I can do much more than I think I can. He knows I won’t actually die even though I say I will. More than a decade of running together has taught him that.

So as we run I pray, and I can see so clearly that learning to follow Jeff is simply learning to follow God. Do I trust Him? When He takes a sharp left turn and leads me straight UP the hill instead of down the flat course, Will I follow Him?

Will I follow Him even when the path doesn’t look safe at all? 

Will I commit to following Him wherever He goes? Whatever route He chooses? However long? At whatever pace?

Do I actually trust Him?

Do I trust that wherever He leads me will be for my good? Do I trust that He will never run me to death? Do I trust that however long this race, He will give me the strength I need to run with endurance? To finish strong?

It was perfect that we did our run in silence. There was no space for objection, complaints, whining. I held my tongue, prayed to God, and followed my man.

And each time he looked back I gave the thumbs up: “I’m ok.”

Oh God for the grace to do that each day. To hold my tongue, pray to You, and follow my man. To stick right behind him and when he glances back, to give him the thumbs up sign and let him know I’m ok. No matter what we face, I’m ok. No matter how scared I am, or how steep the road looks, I’m ok. 

As I’m learning to follow my man–and my God–that is my prayer. 

{How are you learning to follow the Father today? Please share any life-lessons with us, so we can glean as well. Thanks so much for reading.}

{I felt this way yesterday. Re-read this. So much truth and hope here. I pray you are encouraged to run … for faithfulness.}

Exhausted, I stare down into the sink. It’s clogged. Has been for several weeks. When it does slowly drain it leaves a dark grimy film, and no matter how many times I scour it, the grime returns each time it’s clogged.

(Which is daily.)

I stare at the water; it isn’t going anywhere. I look up into the mirror, my face red from exertion, hair soaked with sweat. I just got off the treadmill.

The absurdity of it strikes me: I’m exhausted from running nowhere.

In so many ways.

Tears sting my eyes as my reflection blurs sideways. I had thought about it while running, had thought about how ridiculous it was to run, all alone, for forty minutes and not get anywhere.

Why God?

Why am I getting nowhere?

Everyday I get up. You do too. Everyday we obey God in the mundane details of life behind the scenes. We wipe counters, noses, and bottoms.  We listen, labor, love–often alone. We wash, work, worship. And then we wake up the next morning and do it all again.

Kinda sounds like a treadmill to me.

I poured this out to Him as I ran, one foot in front of the other, scenery never changing. The only thing ahead of me was a wall.

That’s how my days feel sometimes as well.

My exercise is in obedience to God. I’m obeying Him with my body. He clearly called me to this, so I obey. Get up each morning. Get on my knees. Spread out His Word. Ask. Seek. Lace up the shoes. Run the miles. Write the words. Raise the kids.

Repeat.

Sometimes the scenery never changes.

Then why run it?

I ask Him this, these exact words, while pounding out the steps, keeping pace with prayer. His still small voice:

“Because you’re training.”

Tears fall on the treadmill.

Yes. Of course. He’s training me. He’s training you. These long days where the scenery never changes. These long days putting one foot in front of the other. These long days with nothing ahead but a wall. These long days alone. When we’re sweating and exhausted and getting nowhere at all … we’re training.

We’re getting stronger. We’re building endurance. We’re learning not to quit.

The scenery may never change, but we’re changing.

That’s why we run on a treadmill. Why we do the duties each day, choosing to delight instead of despise, because we choose to believe He’s changing us as we are faithful in the small things each day.

Oh sister, I know the Sacred Mundane can be hard. There’s no adrenalin rush in the trenches of life. I know it’s not exhilarating to run on a treadmill, alone, staring at a wall and getting nowhere. Doing the duties no one else sees and at the end of the day looking around and wondering, All that work … for what?

For faithfulness.

Because God is watching, sister. Because God is training you for His glory. Building endurance, building character, growing some choice fruit that can only grow in the shade.

When the scenery never changes, keep running.

When no one’s there to cheer, keep running.

When all that’s ahead is that same bleak wall, keep running.

When it seems you’re getting nowhere, keep running.

Race Day may come and you’ll be ready. Opportunity may knock and you’ll open that door. But most importantly, a day will come when you hear the most glorious words,

“Well done; you have been faithful with little things. Enter into My joy.”

Keep running.

–

{Feel like you’re running hard and getting nowhere today? How can I pray for you? Please let me know  … thanks for reading!}