I'm dreaming of a... PERFECT CHRISTMAS

Question for you. 

With the Christmas season exploding all around us, how many of you have the following types of thoughts going through your head (or more honestly, your heart):  This is going to be the best Christmas ever!!… I want everything in the house to be decorated just perfect… I’m going to have my shopping done early so I can do “fun holiday things” like bake cookies and watch Christmas movies with the family… this year’s party is going to be the best ever… there just HAS to be a fluffy white snowfall on Christmas Eve/Day or it won’t feel the same… ect., ect., ect. 

I am a sucker for the holidays.  I LOVE them.  But I head into each Christmas season like this…. how about you?? I think it’s pretty typical for us to hope for - even crave - that Norman Rockwell type Christmas.  That moment when someone raises their glass in love and exclaims jubilantly “God Bless Us Every One!!”.  Yet somehow, it always falls a little short of “perfect”, doesn’t it.  For as fun and festive a time as the holidays ARE, how many of you end the holiday season disappointed in yourself that you didn’t quite get everything done the way you had hoped… or end up just wanting to “get through it” at some point.  And quite possibly, how many of you have been disappointed so many times in past years that you don’t even look forward to the holidays at all??

Ever think of why that is??  I’ve read this explanation that makes perfect sense to me.  It wasn’t specifically for holidays, but it makes sense for a lot of those longings we have inside.  The holes in our hearts that are never quite filled - the cravings that are never quite satisfied.  The unsettledness we feel.  The explanation is this:   

We were created…. for EDEN. 

Remember how the story goes??  Male and female He created them… on the 6^th day… and placed them in the Garden.  The fall of man (and woman) came AFTER that.  We were created for that perfect setting… a perfect world… and perfect relationships.  THEN evil set in. 

I think the way holidays are advertised, they feed on that deep-seeded place inside us that LONGS for that Norman Rockwell setting.   They market their products by tapping into that part of our hearts that craves those type of moments.  It may very well be that when our hearts swoon over “Oh there’s no place like home for the holidays”, it's actually a deep longing for our original home… Eden… the one we were created for… that’s behind it all.  

As we head into the holiday season this year, let’s be consciously aware of why we may crave that feeling.  Know that you were created for it.  Isn’t that a beautiful thought??  Just don’t look for any earthly relationship… or holiday... to fulfill it.

For now, go ahead and deck your halls!! sing some carols!! bake those cookies!! (IF you have time).   Hum along to the carols as you shop for that special gift.  But be okay with letting the holiday be imperfect.  Take the pressure off it so we can focus on what it was meant to be.  A time to celebrate the birth of our Savior with family and friends… with strangers… with those in need.  How can we ever be disappointed in that?? 

Instead of fretting, find a bit of charm in the imperfections this year.  Smile at them inside because you know the best is yet to come!!!

Truly come “home” for the holidays…. and let Jesus fill the longings in your heart.

Thank you God, I love you too.

THAT'S A WRAP!!

Personally, I feel like it should be May/June yet, but considering the fact that I don't want to see a turkey or stuffing again for quite some time... that I have looked at more sale ads in the past 48 hours than I usually do in a year... and that my feet are still sore and swollen from 12 hours of Black Friday shopping...  I guess its time I get the hint that the holidays truly are here!!  Yeppers, we cranked the Christmas tunes... fought crowds in the wee hours of the morning... and got as much Christmas shopping done as possible on the notorious Black Friday.  It's historically one of my sister and my favorite days of the year!!!  Neither of us like crowds AT ALL, and we aren't always looking for specific deals, but there's something about the tradition of that day that we both look forward to!!  We shopped from early morning until early evening... when we were utterly exhausted... and had a car full of bags... that need.... TO BE WRAPPED!!

I get an odd sense of joy from repurposing something.   Using it for a purpose other than what it was made for.  When I walked past a potting bench a couple years ago, I instantly thought:  wrapping center!!  It did do a short stint as it's true self for one summer, but ever since I turned it into a wrapping center, it hasn't gone back to the garage.

To have a work surface at an appropriate height with all my wrapping supplies organized and within reach has made the task of wrapping enjoyable.  No more searching over and under everything for where I laid the tape or scissors only one second prior.  No more hauling everything out and then putting it away each time there are a few gifts to wrap.  No more sitting on the floor until your legs are numb or leaning over a low table.

A simple trip to the hardware store can do the same for you (if you happen to have an old potting bench around or can hunt one up).   A simple assortment of hooks and dowels... and you're ready to hang your gift bags, ribbon, and tissue.  Baskets, tubs, and containers that you have around the house can hold the loose objects like bows, name tags, small scraps of wrapping paper, extra tissue, ect.

So if you have a potting bench sitting in the garage... looking lonely now that summer has passed... consider cleaning the dirt off it and put it to good use for the season.  

Well, I'd better get going.  Got some wrapping to do!!  

HE'S GOT.... PERSONALITY

Our Jesus.  That's who.

When I was thinking about the many blessings I have on this day set aside to do such things... I thought of how thankful I am in this past year to have made my walk with Jesus more personal.  Taking Him off the 2-dimensional stain glass window and putting into my daily life intimately has affected just that:  my daily life.  The more I search and read and get to know Him... the more I discover how amazing He was and is.  I am SO in the infant stages yet... which makes it all the more exciting.

I'm a huge fan of John Eldredge's books.  There are so many excellent authors out there, but his style of writing and how he sees Jesus spoke to me.  They have really played a role in helping me find that Sacred Romance with my God that I was missing.  ANYWAY, his newest book "Beautiful Outlaw" was just released in October.  It goes into the Bible, digging into the various stories we all know so well to get to something that seems to be overlooked often:  the personality of Jesus.  It's remarkable when you look the treasure trove of stories there and really look at HIM.  Why did He do things that way?? What does it say about who He was and still is??  There definitely were alot more boring and straight forward ways He could have done things... but He didn't.  Are we to learn something about His personality from that??  Dare say that's a distinct possibility I want to explore!!

It is said that if you want to know something about the artist... look at his work.  How can we believe that the artist of this amazing universe is so stiff?? unapproachable??  2-dimensional??  I have a dear friend whose spiritual walk I admire so much.  During one of our 4-hour discussions she said to me "I wish God had more of a sense of humor".  I said to her... "seriously, have you ever seen an alpaca?"  HA!!

Could it be that we're missing out on something so unspeakably beautiful... like falling IN LOVE with Jesus for more reasons than a ticket to heaven??  

If you have some extra time this holiday weekend and are interested, I'm attaching a link to the Ransomed Heart website.  The podcast for Beautiful Outlaw (called "Outlawcast") is right on the opening page:  www.ransomedheart.com.   It IS 1 hour and 38 minutes long, but I think you'll find it time well spent.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you... and thank you God for the endless bounty of information you have left for us to discover.

TABLE TALK

Ambiance.  Love it.
Tradition.  Love it.
And the holiday that combines both is coming up fast!!

We often host Thanksgiving dinner at our house... which I enjoy.  I've always loved entertaining and really enjoy having family and friends gather around the table.  Holidays, to me, deserve some extra effort... and the ambiance of a pretty table is a great place to show that effort.  I've heard quite often "I could never do that!!"... but I beg to differ.  Okay, I will have to admit there may be some people who's brains absolutely cannot do anything that isn't perfectly symmetrical.  But seriously, it isn't as hard as it looks.  So, I'd like to help you give it a try!!! I set up my Thanksgiving Day table early this year and then dismantled the table scape so I could show you some layers.

(this bird typically is an accessory in my house)

First of all, supplies.  Wander your cupboards, storage areas and the accessories sitting around your house... and grab any items that have a fall feel or tone to them.  I do probably have a more extensive "stash" than most, but hopefully you can find a few items.  A box of those clear votives that you can pick up at Hobby Lobby for less than $5 is a great item to keep on hand.

Personally, I love to add natural elements to the Thanksgiving table.  Other holidays may lend themselves to glitz and sparkle... but to me, Thanksgiving is about the feelings that fall evokes.  Some branches from outside add a nice natural touch... and if you don't have any acorns in your yard, you can pick up some of the mixed nuts that are in the produce section right now.  As you'll see in the pictures, I even use some deer antlers on my table each year.

When you're collecting your stash of items to work with, think varying heights, textures, and sizes.  Start with a defined area... and beware of how much you block the view across the table.  Remember to save room for food... OR if you want to keep your table pretty, you can serve buffet style or have another table off to the side to put the serving pieces on after they've made the rounds.  The centerpiece below is pretty hefty, but I actually have to expand the table to accommodate 10 more people yet!!

Anyway, let's get to work.  Grab a glass of wine, put on some inspiring music, take a deep breath... and let your creative juices flow!!  Most of all... have fun.

Start with some larger items of varying heights as your focal
(These mini pumpkins are set on a cake pedestal)

Tuck in some branches or decorative leaves

Add some smaller decorations like birds, pumpkins, antlers, ect.

Tuck several smaller candles in here and there...

To add a nice final touch, sprinkle some random rocks or nuts around outside...

See??  You did it!!  Just that easy...

Time to get cookin' now... chop, chop!! 

PICTURE PERFECT

I love to wander. 

We were on a trip out west recently, wandering between Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.  There’s a reason that area of our nation is referred to as “God’s country”!!  Oh my… I don’t know how many times my breath was taken away at what was around the next turn.  How many times I heard the verse my dad liked to recite as we drove Harley together in my younger years:  “Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth….” (Psalm 8). 

Anyway.  Somewhere between southern Montana and northern Wyoming, I spotted a mature antelope with beautiful large horns.  He was magnificent.  This guy was literally standing perfectly broadside on a small hill right on the side of the road.  Problem is, at the rate our convertible mustang was traveling on those open roads at the moment, by the time I scrambled out of my seatbelt, turned on my camera, and jumped up on my knees…. he was gone!!  We hit the brakes and slowed down enough to see him running up a distant hill… so I quickly just threw up my camera and grabbed a quick shot… and I mean quick.  GGGrrrr….  I hate missing an opportunity like that.

A good portion of the rest of the ride that day was me grumbling about missing a perfect shot like that.  Broadside!!  Mature antelope!! How often do you see something like that in the wild!!  I replayed it in my mind (as I have a nasty habit of doing anyway).  Should’ve done this… should’ve done that… blah, blah, blah.  That night I downloaded the pics onto my laptop.   I hit slideshow and was reviewing the day’s collection when I came across the following pic of the antelope.

I hit pause and stared.  What are the chances??  What are the chances of a perfectly centered picture… vertically… horizontally… with this beautiful creature at the exact crest of the hill.    And yes... I've measured.  It's perfect. 

I LOVED IT. 

MORE than the classic broadside pose I had missed. 

I just stared at it.  

Something about it drew me in.

Then it came to me.   I was busy fretting over a missed opportunity, but little did I know… God had something better in mind.   A gift.    Just for me.

I've had this post written for awhile, but just didn't know when to publish it.  Never felt right.  Then I got an email update this morning from a friend who's daughter was struggling with a career situation... and I felt prompted to post it.  I KNOW my little picture situation is SO much smaller than her situation and so many others.  A microscopic dot on the canvas of life.   But I also knew at that moment when I had this picture before me that the "picture" was not the point.  The point was that God knows ME better than anyone.  Better than myself.  HE has a life to offer me.  HE has a way to redeem every missed opportunity.  HE has special gifts in store for me.  Sometimes we just need to look backwards before we actually see it.  Then we'll see that HIS plan was... picture perfect.  

Thank you, God… I love you too.

KNOCK, KNOCK.... who's there???

You don’t have to literally raise your hand here… but if you find yourself smiling while you read this, then you’re guilty as charged (as am I)!!!

Here’s the scenario: 

You’re standing by whatever window overlooks your driveway.

To your sheer terror, you see someone driving up your driveway… unannounced.

Your house is a disaster.

YOU are a disaster.

As they approach your front door, your reaction is one of the following: 

            a).  You scream to someone in the house:  “QUICK… run out there!! Don’t let them in!!  Stall!!! Stall!!!

            b).  You quick throw all the dirty dishes into the oven and the laundry room becomes a catch-all for everything else.

            c).  You let them in and spend the majority of the visit apologizing and fretting about what they must think.

  

Sound familiar??  Most likely we’ve all been there.  I know I have been utterly AMAZED at how fast I can move when I need to under those circumstances.  What exactly am I trying to prove anyway?? What image am I trying to maintain??  I feel “exposed” for the imperfect person I really am. 

Revelations 3:20 says “Here I am!! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with Me.”  If I’m honest with myself (and you), I’d have to admit to pulling some of the same stunts listed above with Christ.  I may make excuses for my actions, or try to hide the raw truth of my brokenness.  There are times when I may even feel like ignoring the knock altogether.  But He’s there… standing at the front door of my soul…. knocking.  Not just once in awhile.  But constantly.  Persistently.  He REALLY wants to spend time with ME!!  He wants to come in.  And the beauty of it is, when I open the door and let Him in… it’s ME he’s focused on.  Not my imperfections.  Not my mess.  Oh, He knows the disaster is there all right… He knew it before I even opened the door.  In the midst of the mess though, His face is focused on ME.  He wants my heart…  not perfection.   

Don’t wait until you feel that everything in your life is neat and tidy.  Don’t wait until you think you are worthy of a visit from someone such as Him. 

INVITE HIM IN. 

INVITE HIM to come into the daily situations of your life.  Constantly.  Persistently.

INVITE HIM INTO… the whole ugly mess.

SEGUE

I'm struggling with what to do with posting about my time in Guatemala.  Words will never do the experience justice.  Where do I begin?? Yet to just move on without going into it??  HHHmmmm.... not so sure.  How do I move from the brokenness and redemption I saw there... into a new cake recipe??   There's a lot I need to reconcile in my heart and mind about what we saw; about the amazing people we met.  So, right now I'm just going to say that the words I can't seem to find to truly relate the experience,  will find their way into future posts... because the experience is forever in my heart.

Forgive me if the change seems abrupt.

CAN touch this...

Those of you who know me know that I am a country girl more than a city girl.  Enjoying time in the country, you come across vultures now and then.  They have to be my least favorite animal (besides snakes mentioned in the  earlier "Lift Up Your Head" post that is!!!).  They disgust me as I watch them eat the remains of what is left of a carcass... after whatever animal first made it it's prey.  They pick at the leftovers.  

That's the vision that came to me today as I stood high on top of a cemetery hill in Guatemala City, overlooking the city dump, watching upwards of 11,000 people below me scavenge through trash as the dump trucks unloaded their cargo... bulldozers pushing it towards the edges.   Tears flowed as I watched thousands of human beings literally competing with thousands of vultures.... for the leftovers.... for survival.  

These people are the lowest of the low on the social ladder.  They are the "untouchables"... to everyone, except Christ.  Our Christ would reach out His hand and touch the leper.  Our Christ would touch the unclean.  Our Christ embraced the unwanted.

With vultures swarming and swooping around me... I watched these people and realized that they are God's children down there.  FULLY as much as I am.   I have to wonder if His heart mourns and if He weeps as I did... when He sees what has become of His world.

Red and yellow, black and white... we are ALL precious.. in HIS SIGHT.

HOLA

When I was a little girl, my family attended a pretty traditional Reformed Church.  While I'm very thankful for that upbringing, one particular part of the service really bothered me.  The minister would stand up and say in his very booming voice "Whom shall I send??? Who will go for me??" and we all were to respond "Here am I Lord, send me".  Well, I have a secret to share (ssshhh... don't tell my parents).  I used to mouth the words... or skip them altogether.  I was terrified that if I actually SAID the words, God would take me up on that offer and send me to some foreign land!!  Considering that at this very moment, I'm sitting in Chichicastenango, Guatemala, I'd say that plan didn't work out so well for me!!  Ha!! I guess God was onto my scheme.  He probably had a good chuckle over that little girl so many years ago.

Seriously now, my heart did change after a number of years.  Until this point though, my heart for international mission was expressed through my pocketbook only... and it's time to put my mouth where my money is.  It's time to check this out up close and personal.  I've already had quite an awakening... and know there's more to come.

There's a song I especially love.  Here's the link if you have a couple minutes to check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGr8as7pPBE

God made it emphatically clear in His Word that we are to care for the widows, the orphans and those in need.  We are to be His hands and feet.  Opportunities are all around us.  You certainly don't need to cross an ocean to find them.  They exist in our own backyards... in our communities... in our own country.  They're there... we just need to be open to seeing them.

Whether it's cooking meals for a family in need... slipping a family in need a gas card... spending some extra time with a widow... donating clothes... writing a check to a charity... or heading to a far away land.... we have the OPPORTUNITY to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  To show His love.  That's what this life is all about, isn't it?? Giving.  Giving of ourselves, our time, our financial blessings.  And in giving, we receive blessing.

If you'd like to, please join me in making this prayer part of your daily life:

"Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart willing to respond to the need You put before me."

Just be ready... because HE WILL.

(p.s. please pray for health and safety as we continue our journey)

PINK DOORS (... part 3)

Time to wind this 3-part series up.  Fast forward with me a couple weeks later.  I’m at the Captivating Retreat (www.ransomedheart.org) in the Colorado Rockies.  I was surrounded by 450 Christian women… and a bunkmate who I found out was NOT a Christian at that point yet.  She was searching… and was there at the suggestion of a friend.  On the final morning of the retreat, we bumped into each other at the coffee shop.  We were both there bright and early waiting for it to open when we started up a conversation on finding ways to help others.  She told me how she was involved in an animal rescue organization… and I began telling her about my opportunity to help Compassionate Heart with their dinner.  I told her about meeting these “kids” and how the blessed me so much.  As I told her the “wait for Easter, wait for Easter, it’s the very best part” story… a smile came across her face and tears rolled down her cheeks.

You see, my friends… it doesn’t matter if we don’t look like everyone else… or even if we do!! It doesn’t matter if our personality is a little more “colorful” than some… or if we are by nature quiet and reserved.  God NEVER once said “oops” when he created someone or something.  Scripture tells us quite the contrary:  “… and He said, it is GOOD”.   We were created and put here for a purpose… each and every one of us for HIS purpose.  FOR HIS GLORY.   To radiate His love to the world.  We are each unique by His design… and valuable.     

I have no idea why the connection was placed in my heart, but every time I drove past the pink door barn this summer on my way to the cottage, I smiled warmly inside. I have a new appreciation for it.  I love it now.  I see value.  I see uniqueness.  I see beautiful personality.  I see that young woman who made my Easter… who was SO willing and eager to share “the best part”.    

How will God use you??  He can, you know.  God used a freckle face little boy to take down Goliath.  He used a man named Moses who had a speech impediment to approach the mighty Pharaoh.  And he used a special needs young woman to touch a non-believer’s heart clear across the country. 

LET HIM. 

ASK HIM to use YOU… in your own unique way.   

In the special way He designed ONLY you. 

... Pink Doors and all.   

PINK DOORS (... part 2)

(Welcome back for story time!!)

Last spring I became involved with a beautiful local ministry called Compassionate Heart.  They are an organization that opens its doors and hearts to special needs young adults, ages 14-35.  They have a “club” type atmosphere where they can build friendships, learn about God, and hang out with peer mentors from area high schools.  If you’d like to check them out, they’re at www.compheart.org .  Anyway, they had asked me to decorate the Pinnacle Center for their annual fund raising dinner.  I was happy to help, but didn’t feel right that I’d never seen what their organization was about… nor had I met any of the participants.  To be honest, I had very little (if any) experience with people who have special needs… and will admit to being uncomfortable around them because of that lack of exposure.  I met my girlfriend there one afternoon to just “hang out”.  It was a remarkable experience.   What a great ministry.  What awesome young people!!  During “couch time”, the topic was Easter since it was just around the corner.  The woman leading the lesson was holding up those colorful plastic eggs,  shaking them until one of the participants guessed what was in them from the previous week’s lessons.  When they got to one particular egg, a young man raised his hand and guessed that it was a cross made of nails they had seen the prior week.  He was right.  They started talking about how Jesus had died on the cross for them.  At that moment… a girl from the back of the room started bouncing up and down on the couch raising her hand anxiously in the air and shouting “Wait for Easter, wait for Easter, it’s the VERY BEST PART!!!”.  She was SO enthusiastic.  The leader continued her discussion about the nail cross in the plastic egg… and once again, the girl bounced up and down eagerly saying “But wait for Easter, wait for Easter, it’s the very best part!!!”  Her enthusiasm, joy and love was SO PURE… it brought tears to my eyes.  You see, I had been so busy getting things ready for the fundraising event that I really hadn’t even thought much about Easter.  I said to myself at that moment, “Young lady… little do you know, you were MY EASTER this year”.  

STAY TUNED.   We'll finally wrap this all up.... tomorrow.