Sunday, January 16, 2011

Jewel Thief

What I say and what I do
I learned from one or all of you.
And when you lived your very best
I stole your gems for my treasure chest.

Unfortunately, this too is true
I learned to compromise from you.
The times you cheated or you lied
Just made me feel more justified.

But don't lose heart I also learned
To hate my sins each time you turned.
Each weakness that you've overcome
Has also shaped what I've become.

We all are learning everyday
From what others choose to do and say.
You never know who steals your jewels
Or uses you to break the rules.

So do your best and give your all
Be careful, don't let others fall.
God made you to hopefully
Teach me the best that I can be.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Life is a Garden

Ok so by now if you have been reading my blog, you can see that I am fairly philosophical, like to reminisce, and am a sentimental fool. So, here goes it: my thoughts on life and why it's like a garden.

I just turned 40, and it's funny, I've heard myself begin to say things like, "When I was young," or "Over my life I have learned," or "When I was your age I used to..." etc etc. But I can say I have learned that life is truly like a garden: YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW. It's true. Each good thing I do is like a seed that sprouts something lovely. Each friendship I cultivate, making sure to weed regularly and water plentifully, eventually nourishes me. No full watering can or set of dirty knees ever goes unfruitful. Water a seed and take care of it and it will bless you with good fruit, nourishing vegetables, or beautiful flowers.

Hmmm weeds like water and good soil too! Uh-oh! Well, that's where good life maintenance comes in. It takes work. Make those phone calls, care about people, send that card, say the meaningful, loving things you need to say- including lots of "I'm sorry." Just like a garden, you don't know what will work, whether this or that, but if you do it and expect nothing in return, then you are satisfied merely doing the work. The payoff is a beautiful life, filled with a garden of people and experiences that are good and nourishing to the soul.

On the flip side, as the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:6: "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." I have at times wondered why I felt lonely or why my friendships just weren't what I wanted them to be. I was tempted to blame the people around me, but the most helpful solution always came when I looked at myself. How thoughtful was I? How encouraging am I to be around? Is it always about me? Do I refresh others or do I bring others down? Hard questions, but usually the answer came as I was honest with myself.

I love that scripture in Romans 2:6-8 "God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." I love imagining that life of GLORY, HONOR AND IMMORTALITY. That's a beautiful garden. That's worth getting my knees a little dirty.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

War and Peace

The holidays have come and gone - a bittersweet time. My husband was visiting his mother overseas, and we missed him. My mother came for an extended visit for Christmas and to help me while he was gone. My brother and his whole family also came for a week - what a full house! It's funny, the holidays are SUPPOSED to be the season of "Peace on Earth" and "Goodwill Toward Men" but so many of us end up stressed, exhausted and empty. I was determined to not feel that way. I was determined to be joyful and set my mind on things above.

Guess what? It worked! Unfortunately my brother's family came very needy with a sick mommy and a stressed-out daddy and two kids who were ready to go! I cooked, cleaned, was a nurse, a babysitter, and a counselor. I had to rely on God to keep the ship afloat and keep the peace. I wanted that peace, not only for myself, but to really set an example of what a Christlike home FEELS like: calm, loving, restful, kind, willing...things they do not see and feel on a regular basis.

So, why is it so hard to feel and live these things with my spouse sometimes? I realized while he was gone that I have been expecting the peace to just BE there, as if it's the natural state. God reminded me just before he got home that, in fact, WAR IS THE NATURAL STATE! War within ourselves, the spiritual war waged full-time all around us, war among the nations. Wow, I had been fighting the wrong war.

God tells us in 1 Peter 3:11 that whoever would live a good life must "seek peace and pursue it." It's an intentional thing. It's a mindset. It comes from submitting to God and "keeping in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25). It also comes from a desire. I pursue what I desire. My husband is my best friend. I desire a peaceful home and relationship with him.

If war is all around me, then I must choose my battles wisely. I am grateful for the time to think and realize these things while he was gone. Now I know what armor to wear so I can fight the battle and win!!