Ready...set...Lent

It is that time of the year again... Not being catholic, I do not observe a traditional Lenten season, but I do like idea of being reflective during the time leading up to Easter.

So for the next 40 or so days, I am going to focus on encouragement. I am going to be looking for things that encourage me, and share them in the hope that they will encourage you.

So...what encouraged me this morning?

It is the fact that God's grace trumps my sin. I cannot do something so wrong, that is past His ability to forgive. Gotta love grace!!

Ummm Good...

I heard a woman once teach, "Do not be spoon fed the Gospel." That thought strikes me now as it did then, as a principle that I wanted to live by. Don't get me wrong, we have, and I listen to, some fantastic Bible teachers. In my church in books and on the radio. I am now just starting a new Bible study and I am so excited to see how God will teach me through it. BUT... God has also given to me the best Bible teacher I could ever have, and it is His spirit that lives in me.

I read a devotional yesterday that was really beautiful. So this morning I started by going back to the verse that was used and started reading. It is a familiar passage of scripture and I have read and heard teaching on it before. Today though it was a little different. There is a portion that I have often heard, "For you will always have the poor with you." A statement made by Jesus in response to criticism from people, when a woman "wasted" money by using a vial of perfume on Jesus instead of selling to give to the poor.

Today though as I was reading it, I realized that the statement was only part of the sentence. That one portion says, "For you will always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them". There is a little more to that verse, but it was the second part of the statement that caught my eye. It spoke to me, "Whenever I wish I can do good to them."

So as I think about the second part to that verse, I start to feel like I did not have the whole story. "Hey, even Jesus said that there would always be poor people". So I will do what I can, I am not rich. I can give some old clothes, maybe some money and those small household goods I don't need anymore and I will have done my part. That just doesn't seem good enough to me anymore? I don't believe that this is the time I am going to "save the world", but I do believe that God is changing my heart for something. Not sure what it is though?

What am I sure of? It is that God wants to speak to us, all of us. I am grateful that God's spirit, that is in me, got me going this morning. Reminded me to sit down, open the word and shut up for a few minutes today. So that He could show me something good.

What's in a name?

I saw my name in the paper today. It was in an article about a man who spends time with homeless people. He brings food, clothing and friendship to a population that live outside the "norm". It was a nice article, but what really caught my attention was the mention of a homeless woman who had died. Her name was Cheryl Mendoza.

They just briefly mentioned her, and the fact that she was run over by a train in November. Since I was reading an online newspaper, I did a search of our name and it brought up an article that reported Cheryl's death when it had occurred. In some ways we were alike. The article spoke of how she grew up in San Jose, was a great cook and loved to read. Three things we very much had in common. Then there were the details of her life that were very different from mine. Of how she was homeless, loved vodka, and how she died. The article was not all sad. They did speak with those who knew her, and had befriended her. Even in a life that is out of the "norm", she had a circle of friends.

It is strange to see your own name, with the details of another's life attached to it. Especailly one that seems so tragic. What led her to a life on the streets? Loving vodka? With an end, that seems to me, to be too soon. It makes me wonder, why am I the Cheryl with the normal life? How did I wind up sitting in my warm living room, while she was sleeping under a bridge? I know many people think they have the answer to questions like that. I read a myriad of opinions that people wrote in response to the article. As for me, I am not so sure of the answer.

I know there have been times in my life that were right on track, when I have followed the rules, worked hard and then the bottom fell out from under my feet. At other times I have been wildly successful, all by accident. Or more likely I should say, by grace.

I do think of Cheryl though, and the people who will miss her. My life may be deemed by society as more acceptable than hers, but you cannot find fault with the impact she had on those around her. They spoke of her with affection and love. In that facet of our lives, I hope I am more like her than not.

Darkness and light

I am more of a sunshine type of girl, but now we are in December, and I marvel at how dark it gets. Even now as I look out the window, there are storm clouds in the sky with patches of the dark sky showing through. The clouds, sky and even the trees in my yard are all shades of black and gray. Cold, dark and somewhat ominous. In the clouds there is a promise of storms, but also of life giving rain. There is also a reflection in my window, it is the Christmas tree,with it's pure white lights. A distinct contrast to the darkness outside.

I thank God today for the birth of His Son, and for the work that would take 32 years to accomplish on earth. I am thankful on that day so long ago...that the work was already done, that there was nothing in heaven or earth to stop the blessing that would come forth.

I also thank God that, even though we may not know the exact day of His birth, we celebrate it in winter. At the time of year that truly reflects our fallen state; darkness, cold and separation. Against this backdrop we contrast the light of the world, where He is truly reflected for who He is. Light, peace and above all hope.

Hope of the world....

I was always intimidated by I Peter 3:15.

"to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you".

I had visions of bible verses memorized and knocking on people's doors. For me, the verse was intimidating. I felt that I could never know enough of the bible to be that person.

Then the Holy Spirit just gave me a slap. God was not asking me to be someone else, He was asking me to be ME. He brought me to His word and showed how Jesus taught using parables. Stories that illustrated whatever point He was trying to make. He reminded me that our relationship is filled, with those same kinds of stories. Of the good things He has done for me, the wisdom He has given me and the struggles He has brought me through.

He let me know that the hope I have within me, is best exemplified through the story of my walk with Christ. Don't get me wrong, it is amazing how God brings all those old scriptures to memory when I need them, but I do not have to be a bible scholar to show those around me who Jesus is....

That for all of us...He is the hope of the world.

Back to basics...

It is funny to sit and read through this blog. I read back and see moments where God gives me clarity. In those times I feel like I know what He wants me to do. Then I lose focus and drift lazily down a river of wasted time.

It has been a long time since I have written, again. It is another reminder that any good, wise or encouraging thought I may write is not from me. When I am in control of what I write nothing is produced, but when God is moving my heart I feel like I may be an encouragment to someone.

That is one thing that I have newly learned. I am not called to write a commentary on life, the bible or the christian life. The only thing that I feel called to write is encouragement. To offer the courage that God has given to me, to others.

how much does it take?

My son once told me he wanted to be a garbage man. He was about 8 years old when he told me this, and I was kind of surprised by his desire. It did not seem to be the type of job that most children aspire to become.

The more I thought about his announcement, the more it made sense. You see, at the time I was babysitting a child and his father worked as a garbage man. We went to church with the family and attended many of the same fellowship activities that they did, so my son was well acquainted with him.

We also were served by some very nice men who did the garbage route for our street. These men would greet the boys and were kind to them.

These men made an impression on my young son. I am not sure if he really wanted to be a garbage man, or if he just wanted to be like these men. Men who took time to show kindness and good humor to a little boy. I think of those men and am so thankful for them. My son does not even recall the incident, but I believe that the seeds of those encounters are coming to harvest in his life. I see it in his soft heart and in the humor he uses with kids, adults and his own family.

How much does it take to make an impression? In the case of my son, it didn't seem to take much. How much will it take for that child in your life?