Do you remember the Bible story about Gideon? Here's the link if you want to zip over and have a quick read, otherwise I'll give you a little rundown. When we first meet Gideon, the Israelites are in trouble and this "mighty warrior" is hiding in the winepress threshing wheat. Hmm...looks like Gideon was lacking in the confidence department. While all the people are hiding in the hills, trying to stay out of the way of the Midianites, God hears their prayers and sends a prophet to assure the people that He is taking action. And that He intends to use Gideon to do the job. (Not quite what Gideon had in mind.)
Over the course of several days, God convinces Gideon that He indeed intends to answer the prayers of the people and restore their homes to them. Gideon (also apparently lacking in faith) requires a series of "proofs" from God; little tests to make sure that he hears God clearly. God consistently directs Gideon and patiently endures his many questions and requests for proof, resulting in Gideon eventually taking God at His word.
Finally, Gideon rallies an army to fight off the Midianites; as a true mighty warrior he prepares to lead his troops into battle. But now it's God's turn to make requests of him. While Gideon stands proudly amidst his thousands of soldiers, God says quite simply, "There are too many of you. If you win this battle, you will say that it's because of your strength." In a matter of moments, God whittles down Gideon's great battalion to a mere three hundred men. Gulp. (Again, not quite what Gideon had in mind.)
And God's not done yet.
"You will send each man with a trumpet and a torch covered with a clay pot. This is how you will drive out your enemy."
Can you hear the crickets chirping in the silence that followed that series of instructions? (Most certainly not quite what Gideon had in mind.) A trumpet and a torch against the swarming army down in the valley, equipped with all manner of weapons? I'm quite certain that Gideon felt a bit squeamish and perhaps even a bit like he would much rather head back to his winepress and hide some more.
In the end, God's way works. In the middle of the night, the small army surrounds the multitude of soldiers and when they blow their trumpets, shout and break the pots, the sudden noise and lights throw the enemy into confusion and they annihilate themselves. (Not the battle Gideon had in mind.)
The Israelites are stunned and then they erupt in songs of rejoicing and celebration, praising God for the victory. The victory that could only be traced back to God. God had heard their prayers for help and then provided the help that reminded His children of His sovereignty and power. And His love.
I've been identifying a lot with Gideon lately in the midst of our battle to sell our house. While the Bible contains no details about the who and when of the buyers of our house, (trust me, I've been searching!) I do know that my God is faithful and true and He will not abandon us. We know deep in our hearts that this move to Denver is God's plan for us, even if the process has been longer that we had anticipated. (Not quite what we had in mind.)
Being planners, Brett and I had mapped out much of the summer and it included us settling in over in Denver and finding our feet before school starts. We have watched the days slip by and now as we see the middle of summer behind us and the start of school looming in the nearer future, we cock our heads and scrunch our brows, puzzling at this place where God has us. Treading water and waiting and wondering. (Certainly not what we had in mind.)
But I know --- God is orchestrating the many details of our move and when the time is right, He will set in motion His plan and we will stand back as the pieces fall into place and say, "Wow. Only God could have done this. And only He gets the praise."
I would love to write this from the other side of the victory and have the whole story, but Gideon didn't have that luxury and he was still willing to stand with his trumpet and his glowing torch stuffed in a clay pot, trusting God. Following in his footsteps, I will wait for God to work out His plan in His way and in His timing -- with a kazoo in one and and a sparkler in the other -- and then we will celebrate, unable to keep our praise contained!
(That's what I have in mind.)
Showing posts with label Praising God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Praising God. Show all posts
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Life Set to Music
I have often thought that if life were a musical, it would be more fun! Actually this past weekend, the kids and I were brainstorming about our upcoming Spring Break Stay-cation and Norah and I voted that one day should be a musical morning!
Everything would be set to music ... we would sing out the breakfast options, sing through quarrels and sing our way through folding the laundry. Unfortunately, the other family member voted it down. I guess Norah and I could always have our own mini-musical morning ... just to drive the rest of the family nuts!
I think this is genetic, by the way. My mom can turn anything into a song and she claims that she learned it from her grandmother. I think it's a wonderful inheritance!
Here are a few little ditties from my youngest. She may not get all the words and letters right, but she is aspiring to have her life set to music, too. And that makes me happy because a singing child is a happy child!
Actually the Psalms in the Old Testament are filled with songs! The writers of the Psalms often wrote with the purpose of calling the people to worship in song because music is a gift from God ... an opportunity for us to turn our hearts and voices to Him. And when we do that, joy will follow.
Take time today to make a joyful noise to God! I think you'll find some happiness there, too!
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
Psalm 40:3
Everything would be set to music ... we would sing out the breakfast options, sing through quarrels and sing our way through folding the laundry. Unfortunately, the other family member voted it down. I guess Norah and I could always have our own mini-musical morning ... just to drive the rest of the family nuts!
I think this is genetic, by the way. My mom can turn anything into a song and she claims that she learned it from her grandmother. I think it's a wonderful inheritance!
Here are a few little ditties from my youngest. She may not get all the words and letters right, but she is aspiring to have her life set to music, too. And that makes me happy because a singing child is a happy child!
Actually the Psalms in the Old Testament are filled with songs! The writers of the Psalms often wrote with the purpose of calling the people to worship in song because music is a gift from God ... an opportunity for us to turn our hearts and voices to Him. And when we do that, joy will follow.
Take time today to make a joyful noise to God! I think you'll find some happiness there, too!
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
Psalm 40:3
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Cartwheeling for Jesus
Today is my biggish, little girl's eighth birthday.
There are a number of distinctive qualities about Norah that make her who she is. She is a forever student ~ the world, literally, is her classroom. Sometimes it wears me out, all her inquisitiveness and curiosity! She is an incredible helper ~ if I need something done, I go to Norah. She has even gotten her dishwasher duty down to a science. She is a funny girl ~ whether it's her quick wit or her funny faces and voices. She also has a delightful giggle for when she cracks herself up! She has a soft and tender heart ~ her tears come readily and quickly ... prompted by real life or events scripted out in books and on the screen. Sorry, Honey, you get that from your Mom!
She is a gymnast ~ a cartwheeling, back hip-circling, coupé-ing, vaulting gymnast. I am dizzy with the things she can make her body do! I love it!
We are anticipating a bit of a change in Norah's gymnastics. For a year we have known that she would most likely move up to the competitive level. They invited her last year and we wrestled with the idea for a few weeks. How would it work? Adding a night of practice, adding additional (actual) meets, adding to the commitment, adding to the skills she has mastered, adding to the busy-ness of our family, adding to the demands on her little life? In the end, we opted to keep her back ... twelve months to give us some time to prepare, to wrap our heads around potentially living at the gym, to "just keep having fun".
Norah in her sweet and not-seven-year-old maturity accepted our decision, but she has been biding her time until January. Her passion has not wavered. Her focus has not faltered. Her excitement about gymnastics has not lessened. Her technique has not grown sloppy. She loves it!
Over the course of the summer, I continued to wrestle a bit with the amount of time, energy and money that we were intending to put into Norah's gymnastics. At least, that is, until God shared a little bit of His heart.
He has gifted Norah in a lot of ways. She is a student who will be discovering on a daily basis the wonders of the world ... and the Creator who set it in motion. She is a servant to her family and her classroom and her teammates ... Jesus has put His servant's heart in her heart. She is a goofball because a lot of life is funny ... and when life isn't funny, her joy isn't squelched because her heart is in the right place. She is a softy, just like Jesus wants her ... hard hearts don't experience the intimacy with God like a child-like heart does.
And she is a gymnast because God made her that way ... and it brings Him joy to see her cartwheeling, back hip-circling, coupé-ing and vaulting! He loves it!
There is a line from "Chariots of Fire" in which the runner, Eric Liddell describes his own passion in this way: "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure." That gives me goosebumps every time! Feeling God's pleasure because he was doing what God designed him to do. To run! And in Norah's case ... to cartwheel, back hip-circle, coupé and vault!
When God laid this on my heart, my entire perspective changed! I would never want to come between the gifts that Norah has and God's purposes ... and His delight. In a curious way, when Norah sets her heart on tumbling or bars or the balance beam, she is worshipping God - because when she uses her gifts, it makes God's heart happy.
I don't know what else God has in store for my girl, but in the meantime she'll be practicing her back hand spring ... and making God smile.
Happy birthday, Nuna-girl!
There are a number of distinctive qualities about Norah that make her who she is. She is a forever student ~ the world, literally, is her classroom. Sometimes it wears me out, all her inquisitiveness and curiosity! She is an incredible helper ~ if I need something done, I go to Norah. She has even gotten her dishwasher duty down to a science. She is a funny girl ~ whether it's her quick wit or her funny faces and voices. She also has a delightful giggle for when she cracks herself up! She has a soft and tender heart ~ her tears come readily and quickly ... prompted by real life or events scripted out in books and on the screen. Sorry, Honey, you get that from your Mom!
She is a gymnast ~ a cartwheeling, back hip-circling, coupé-ing, vaulting gymnast. I am dizzy with the things she can make her body do! I love it!
We are anticipating a bit of a change in Norah's gymnastics. For a year we have known that she would most likely move up to the competitive level. They invited her last year and we wrestled with the idea for a few weeks. How would it work? Adding a night of practice, adding additional (actual) meets, adding to the commitment, adding to the skills she has mastered, adding to the busy-ness of our family, adding to the demands on her little life? In the end, we opted to keep her back ... twelve months to give us some time to prepare, to wrap our heads around potentially living at the gym, to "just keep having fun".
Norah in her sweet and not-seven-year-old maturity accepted our decision, but she has been biding her time until January. Her passion has not wavered. Her focus has not faltered. Her excitement about gymnastics has not lessened. Her technique has not grown sloppy. She loves it!
Over the course of the summer, I continued to wrestle a bit with the amount of time, energy and money that we were intending to put into Norah's gymnastics. At least, that is, until God shared a little bit of His heart.
He has gifted Norah in a lot of ways. She is a student who will be discovering on a daily basis the wonders of the world ... and the Creator who set it in motion. She is a servant to her family and her classroom and her teammates ... Jesus has put His servant's heart in her heart. She is a goofball because a lot of life is funny ... and when life isn't funny, her joy isn't squelched because her heart is in the right place. She is a softy, just like Jesus wants her ... hard hearts don't experience the intimacy with God like a child-like heart does.
And she is a gymnast because God made her that way ... and it brings Him joy to see her cartwheeling, back hip-circling, coupé-ing and vaulting! He loves it!
There is a line from "Chariots of Fire" in which the runner, Eric Liddell describes his own passion in this way: "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure." That gives me goosebumps every time! Feeling God's pleasure because he was doing what God designed him to do. To run! And in Norah's case ... to cartwheel, back hip-circle, coupé and vault!
When God laid this on my heart, my entire perspective changed! I would never want to come between the gifts that Norah has and God's purposes ... and His delight. In a curious way, when Norah sets her heart on tumbling or bars or the balance beam, she is worshipping God - because when she uses her gifts, it makes God's heart happy.
I don't know what else God has in store for my girl, but in the meantime she'll be practicing her back hand spring ... and making God smile.
Happy birthday, Nuna-girl!
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides. If anyone is gifted with crazy flexibility, super pointy toes and springy feet, they should use those gifts, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11, with a little liberty from me)
Day 1: Mom in the Midst
Day 2: My Button is Lame
Day 3: Splendidly Lavish
Day 4: Keeping My Head Above Water
Day 6: Me, Myself & I
Day 7: Food For Though ~ Bacon
Day 9: I Heart You
Day 10: Who is Me? {part 1}
Day 11: Who is Me? {part 2}
Day 12: Who is Me? {part 3}
Day 13: Handmade with Care
Day 15: A Bunch of Rocks
Day 16: Not Recycled ... Redeemed
Day 17: What Do You Do?
Day 18: Washed on the Delicate Cycle
Day 19: Know Thy Limits
Day 20: One Snapshot ~ Many Stories
Day 21: Food For Thought ~ Malt-O-Meal
Day 22: Cartwheeling for Jesus
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Shade, Sweet Shade
As we trudge up the hill to school, my five year old trots alongside me. There is room next to Lydia in the double stroller, but today Ashley has opted to walk. She feels a little more grown up that way, I guess. Being on the ground also enables her to fulfill her role as look-out.
Yesterday on our way back from school, Ashley spotted a few little cactus plants that had cropped up along the sidewalk. She is determined to keep us safe from those pokey little pests. She has also taken it upon herself to alert me of broken glass, cars on the road and red ants. Who knew that our quarter mile stretch between our house and the elementary school could be so fraught with danger?
As we near the crest of the hill, however, it isn't the cactus, glass, cars or ants that have my attention. It's the heat.
Wow. It is a hot one today.
The intense sun is blazing. I feel a trickle of sweat run down my back. The heat off the pavement is scorching.
I look down at Ashley and her flushed little face tells me that she's about done in.
"Just a bit further, Honey, and we'll be under that tree."
As we roll under the branches of the cottonwood, there is a noticeable difference in temperature. I put on the brakes and reach for the water bottle in the stroller. After a cool sip, I hand the bottle to Ashley, who has collapsed in the spare seat.
At that moment, another mother on her way to the cross walk pauses under the tree.
"The shade is lovely," she sighs.
This little patch of shadow is an oasis on this blistering day. For just a moment we find relief, respite and rest. We still have to continue on our trek, but briefly we have found a bit of much needed refreshment.
In the same way, God has promised to be our shade on this sometimes exhausting, tiring and taxing road of life.
7 Show me the wonders of Your great love,
You who save by Your right hand
those who take refuge in You from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
hide me in the shadow of Your wings (Psalm17:7-8)
You who save by Your right hand
those who take refuge in You from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
hide me in the shadow of Your wings (Psalm17:7-8)
He promises that He will hide us there in the shadow of His wing. In that shadow we will find relief, respite and rest. We will also find refreshment. A spiritual refreshment that will restore us for the remainder of our trek.
Of course we have to head back out into the heat of the day, into the heat of our trials, but we start again with a sense of renewal and a reminder that we are not on this road alone, but with Jesus.
And He's trudging alongside us as our faithful Look Out.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Stressed Out
Poor Petey is stressed.
He is in the midst of a six-week molting season and he's miserable. He sits trembling on his manzanita twig, fluffing what feathers he has left and periodically peering out of the cage with one black beady eye. He has obvious bald patches on his belly and shoulders and with each fluff of his wings, more yellow feathers flutter out of his cage and to the floor. He still has a hearty appetite and can regularly be found sitting in his food dish picking through his seed. It would appear that flax seed, oatmeal, broccoli and wheat bread are his only actual comforts in life. He periodically will plop into his bird bath for a quick soak, but even that simple task seems to be exhausting to him. He is skittish and frightened. Someone simply walking past his cage prompts him to hurl himself to the furthest corner of his cage. It's pathetic.
The absolute worst part of this re-feathering season, however, is that he has apparently forgotten how to sing. My sweet little friend who typically serenades me as I wash dishes now sits silently on his perch, eyes closed and head tucked.
A song-less canary fluffing his featherless-ness and quivering. So sad.
According to all the websites I've explored, this is a natural part of a bird's life. It might be inevitable, but that doesn't make it any easier. On Petey or me. I can't wait for this stress-filled season to be behind us.
Like Petey, we also face the inevitability of stress in our lives. And like Petey, that stress often presents itself in a variety of ways.
What do you do when you are stressed?
Do you stuff it in or let it explode?
Do you go for a run or run to food?
Do you chew out your kids or chew on your nails?
Do you get quiet and withdraw or do you get vocal and expressive?
Do you search high and low for a quick fix or do you settle in and wallow?
In all honesty, I am a stuff-it-in, stress-eating, kid-chewing, withdrawn wallower.
And you?
Stress in my life seems to come and go in seasons, too. I find that stressful times typically are the result of too many demands and not enough time, energy or inspiration to manage it all. I can get so focused on the pesky and stressful aspects of my life (no names, please ... ) that I lose sight of the good and lovely aspects of my life (Aaron, Norah, Ashley, Lydia, Brett, Jesus ... ).
In the midst of a stressful episode, I find myself wishing for a giant bowl of chocolate to sit in and eat from, desiring to fluff myself up and hide my head under the covers and flee from anyone else who might possible need something from me.
I also would admit that when I am stressed, I forget to sing. This is certainly one of the worst parts of stress.
In the Bible, Jesus tells us that one of our jobs is to sing praises to God. It's not only a job, however, but a privilege. Jesus goes on to say in Luke 19:39-41, that if we choose not to sing praises to God, that the stones of the earth will cry out instead.
How often have I allowed daily stresses to steal my privilege to sing?
How often have I let my inevitable stress rob me of the joy of praising God?
And how often have I missed out on the miracle of having my perspective changed through praise?
I know that poor Petey can't help his predicament. In a few weeks, he'll find himself re-feathered and ready to sing. I, however, have a daily choice. I can choose to stuff it in, eat my way through it, chew on a few kids and withdraw into silence. Or ...
I can choose to praise.
And you?
He is in the midst of a six-week molting season and he's miserable. He sits trembling on his manzanita twig, fluffing what feathers he has left and periodically peering out of the cage with one black beady eye. He has obvious bald patches on his belly and shoulders and with each fluff of his wings, more yellow feathers flutter out of his cage and to the floor. He still has a hearty appetite and can regularly be found sitting in his food dish picking through his seed. It would appear that flax seed, oatmeal, broccoli and wheat bread are his only actual comforts in life. He periodically will plop into his bird bath for a quick soak, but even that simple task seems to be exhausting to him. He is skittish and frightened. Someone simply walking past his cage prompts him to hurl himself to the furthest corner of his cage. It's pathetic.
The absolute worst part of this re-feathering season, however, is that he has apparently forgotten how to sing. My sweet little friend who typically serenades me as I wash dishes now sits silently on his perch, eyes closed and head tucked.
A song-less canary fluffing his featherless-ness and quivering. So sad.
According to all the websites I've explored, this is a natural part of a bird's life. It might be inevitable, but that doesn't make it any easier. On Petey or me. I can't wait for this stress-filled season to be behind us.
Like Petey, we also face the inevitability of stress in our lives. And like Petey, that stress often presents itself in a variety of ways.
What do you do when you are stressed?
Do you stuff it in or let it explode?
Do you go for a run or run to food?
Do you chew out your kids or chew on your nails?
Do you get quiet and withdraw or do you get vocal and expressive?
Do you search high and low for a quick fix or do you settle in and wallow?
In all honesty, I am a stuff-it-in, stress-eating, kid-chewing, withdrawn wallower.
And you?
Stress in my life seems to come and go in seasons, too. I find that stressful times typically are the result of too many demands and not enough time, energy or inspiration to manage it all. I can get so focused on the pesky and stressful aspects of my life (no names, please ... ) that I lose sight of the good and lovely aspects of my life (Aaron, Norah, Ashley, Lydia, Brett, Jesus ... ).
In the midst of a stressful episode, I find myself wishing for a giant bowl of chocolate to sit in and eat from, desiring to fluff myself up and hide my head under the covers and flee from anyone else who might possible need something from me.
I also would admit that when I am stressed, I forget to sing. This is certainly one of the worst parts of stress.
In the Bible, Jesus tells us that one of our jobs is to sing praises to God. It's not only a job, however, but a privilege. Jesus goes on to say in Luke 19:39-41, that if we choose not to sing praises to God, that the stones of the earth will cry out instead.
How often have I allowed daily stresses to steal my privilege to sing?
How often have I let my inevitable stress rob me of the joy of praising God?
And how often have I missed out on the miracle of having my perspective changed through praise?
I know that poor Petey can't help his predicament. In a few weeks, he'll find himself re-feathered and ready to sing. I, however, have a daily choice. I can choose to stuff it in, eat my way through it, chew on a few kids and withdraw into silence. Or ...
I can choose to praise.
And you?
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