I've started a dream list.
Just a simple page with my dreams written on it. The really big dreams. The little dreams. The ones that I can see come to pass this year, right alongside the ones I can't imagine ever really happening.
Staring at my list made me realize how many, many things would have been on that list just a few years ago, but aren't there now. They're not there because they've already been fulfilled. Oh, the joy to understand He's in the business of making dreams come true.
And I realized I want to be just like Him. I want to be in the family business---making other people's dream come true.
I can start with the dreams alive in my own house, the ones that are dreamed up by the man I call husband and the four little people with big futures.
I can take it out of my house by investing in the dreams that dwell in the hearts of my friends.
I can look past the weariness in the eyes of the cashier at Wal-Mart and pray that the deepest desires of her heart would be met by the Meeter of All Needs.
Mark Twain once said, "Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great."
Lord, please make me great this way. It's a dream of mine.
Words From the Heart
Thursday, September 13, 2012
My husband and I went out of state this week. We took our oldest two with us, but left the younger ones at home in the capable hands of good friends. It's not their favorite thing, really, to be without mom and dad for three days. They enjoy spending time with friends, but would rather it not be at the expense of missing their parents.
It was a last minute decision as we were rushing out the door, already behind schedule. I grabbed a couple scraps of paper, fumbled for a pen in the junk drawer, and hastily scrawled a love note to each of them. I tucked it on their pillows, right next to the beloved stuffed animals.
Just a quick note. A heart reminder of how much they are loved.
But, oh the joy it brought. Both little voices told me so when I returned home, the notes carefully saved on the "treasure" shelves.
I shouldn't have been surprised. It's these two who have still not given up the practice of me making their lunches and have let me know their lunch is not complete without a note scribbled on a napkin.
Such a small act of love to make such a big deposit into a little heart.
And it's not just the little hearts that are blessed by surprise messages. Even my own heart, at the ripe old age of 36, feels nurtured when my husband writes me a letter or my daughter draws me a picture with a few misspelled words to tell of her love for me.
It's the power of the love note--the words that are able to say "I was thinking of you when you weren't around and I wanted to let you know how much you mean to me."
And no matter what form they come in, whether it be on a banana in a lunchbox or fine stationary in the mailbox, they are treasure indeed.
Some ways to send a love note to your treasured one today:
It was a last minute decision as we were rushing out the door, already behind schedule. I grabbed a couple scraps of paper, fumbled for a pen in the junk drawer, and hastily scrawled a love note to each of them. I tucked it on their pillows, right next to the beloved stuffed animals.
Just a quick note. A heart reminder of how much they are loved.
But, oh the joy it brought. Both little voices told me so when I returned home, the notes carefully saved on the "treasure" shelves.
I shouldn't have been surprised. It's these two who have still not given up the practice of me making their lunches and have let me know their lunch is not complete without a note scribbled on a napkin.
Such a small act of love to make such a big deposit into a little heart.
And it's not just the little hearts that are blessed by surprise messages. Even my own heart, at the ripe old age of 36, feels nurtured when my husband writes me a letter or my daughter draws me a picture with a few misspelled words to tell of her love for me.
It's the power of the love note--the words that are able to say "I was thinking of you when you weren't around and I wanted to let you know how much you mean to me."
And no matter what form they come in, whether it be on a banana in a lunchbox or fine stationary in the mailbox, they are treasure indeed.
Some ways to send a love note to your treasured one today:
- Make a collage out of magazine words that spell out your love sentiment.
- Send a facebook message to that far-away friend that's been on your mind.
- Find a free e-card that expresses your heart and send it to someone special's email address.
- Bake some cookies and attach a sweet note.
- Roll up a letter, tie it with a ribbon, and slip it under a pillow.
- Tape a note in the shower entitled "10 Reasons I Love You."
- Jot a message on a napkin and have it waiting with a treat in your loved one's car when they get out of work.
- Write a long letter and put it in the mail, even if it's just coming to your house.
- Write a letter of love to yourself, just like my sweet girl did.
When Mommy Puts Herself in Time-Out
Thursday, September 6, 2012
This week has crushed my house with constant activity. And I've been cranky about it.
A seemingly endless to-do list. All important things with large consequences attached to them if they go undone. Hurried meals. The front door opening with people going, and coming, and going again. Laundry piling up. The copy machine at the church refusing to come to life, the backlog of office work stacking up on my desk, the bills to pay, the school projects my kids are already coming home with on the second week of school, the trip I'm supposed to be packing for...
And the knowledge of so many people with hurts so great they take your breath away to ponder what it must be like to live with that kind of pain.
Because being a minister, you hear about them. Not just in a whispered comment at the grocery store, but eye to eye in the office, the kleenex box between you and the broken heart.
The couple whose marriage is breaking.
The agonized parent dealing with the drug-addicted teen.
The family who just love their loved one forever.
The children who were sent into foster care.
And it's this knowledge that stops me from sliding into self-pity over my overwhelmed schedule.
Because when I view my life through the lenses of blessings realized, I realize what I often call "pressure" is simply the fruit of a full and bountiful life. And the consequences of the to-do list going undone aren't that large, after all, in comparison to roads others are walking.
And so tonight I stop.
And breathe.
And let the laundry pile up for one more evening.
And give thanks.
And pray for the Father to blow the breath of healing across hearts that are breaking.
And on my way to help with the science report, I find I am grateful.
To be living this life.
To hold this man.
To mother these people.
To serve this city.
To love this God.
To have a chance to wake up tomorrow to bring the healing breath to the broken.
A seemingly endless to-do list. All important things with large consequences attached to them if they go undone. Hurried meals. The front door opening with people going, and coming, and going again. Laundry piling up. The copy machine at the church refusing to come to life, the backlog of office work stacking up on my desk, the bills to pay, the school projects my kids are already coming home with on the second week of school, the trip I'm supposed to be packing for...
And the knowledge of so many people with hurts so great they take your breath away to ponder what it must be like to live with that kind of pain.
Because being a minister, you hear about them. Not just in a whispered comment at the grocery store, but eye to eye in the office, the kleenex box between you and the broken heart.
The couple whose marriage is breaking.
The agonized parent dealing with the drug-addicted teen.
The family who just love their loved one forever.
The children who were sent into foster care.
And it's this knowledge that stops me from sliding into self-pity over my overwhelmed schedule.
Because when I view my life through the lenses of blessings realized, I realize what I often call "pressure" is simply the fruit of a full and bountiful life. And the consequences of the to-do list going undone aren't that large, after all, in comparison to roads others are walking.
And so tonight I stop.
And breathe.
And let the laundry pile up for one more evening.
And give thanks.
And pray for the Father to blow the breath of healing across hearts that are breaking.
And on my way to help with the science report, I find I am grateful.
To be living this life.
To hold this man.
To mother these people.
To serve this city.
To love this God.
To have a chance to wake up tomorrow to bring the healing breath to the broken.
The Wrestling Match
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." - Ephesians 4:29
My husband read this beautiful verse in a church staff meeting today. He read it slowly, pausing to emphasize each phrase. That's how the words "according to their needs" stuck out so profoundly.
I usually have a lot I could say. (Most women do.)
I often have a lot of helpful things to say.
But, to say helpful things...at the right time...in order to meet someone else's needs? That is the gift I want to be able to give, again and again, to everyone around me.
And so we did that, right there in staff meeting today. We went around the room and shared what we admired, respected, and appreciated in each staff member.
And it was amazing.
The entire atmosphere of the room changed. We entered a slightly tired and more than slightly overworked group of people, and we left with smiles on our faces and a spring in the step.
Because needs were met. The deep needs that everyone has. The need for someone else to notice what you do and call it important. The need to be appreciated. The need to feel like you're a part of a community who values you as a person and would miss you if you weren't around.
And I've thought about it all day. How easy it was, really, and yet how hard. Hard to speak about the impact someone's had on your life when they're right there across the table from you, looking you in the eye. Harder still to be spoken to and told how special you are in someone's life without feeling the need to deflect it or make a joke.
And why should it be so hard? Why doesn't it come naturally to build up other people, every day, all the time? Why doesn't it come naturally to allow ourselves to be built up by another person's words?
And why should it be that hard when gossip and sarcasm come so easily?
This last question must be answered, in every heart where Christ resides. And not a passing, flippant answer should be given. It must be wrestled with it until victory is won, with all the poisonous talons of the enemy rooted out and cast aside. It must be dealt with soundly until Ephesians 4:29 becomes the standard of all thought and every word.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
May it be so, Lord. May it be so in me.
My husband read this beautiful verse in a church staff meeting today. He read it slowly, pausing to emphasize each phrase. That's how the words "according to their needs" stuck out so profoundly.
I usually have a lot I could say. (Most women do.)
I often have a lot of helpful things to say.
But, to say helpful things...at the right time...in order to meet someone else's needs? That is the gift I want to be able to give, again and again, to everyone around me.
And so we did that, right there in staff meeting today. We went around the room and shared what we admired, respected, and appreciated in each staff member.
And it was amazing.
The entire atmosphere of the room changed. We entered a slightly tired and more than slightly overworked group of people, and we left with smiles on our faces and a spring in the step.
Because needs were met. The deep needs that everyone has. The need for someone else to notice what you do and call it important. The need to be appreciated. The need to feel like you're a part of a community who values you as a person and would miss you if you weren't around.
And I've thought about it all day. How easy it was, really, and yet how hard. Hard to speak about the impact someone's had on your life when they're right there across the table from you, looking you in the eye. Harder still to be spoken to and told how special you are in someone's life without feeling the need to deflect it or make a joke.
And why should it be so hard? Why doesn't it come naturally to build up other people, every day, all the time? Why doesn't it come naturally to allow ourselves to be built up by another person's words?
And why should it be that hard when gossip and sarcasm come so easily?
This last question must be answered, in every heart where Christ resides. And not a passing, flippant answer should be given. It must be wrestled with it until victory is won, with all the poisonous talons of the enemy rooted out and cast aside. It must be dealt with soundly until Ephesians 4:29 becomes the standard of all thought and every word.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
May it be so, Lord. May it be so in me.
First Day of School Blessings (Re-Post)
Friday, August 24, 2012
Author's Note: Of all the blog posts on Treasure the Ordinary, this one post has had more continuous visits than any other, a testament to the desire of parents to partner with what the Lord is doing to bless their children. As a new school year begins, may you find joy in sending out the birds from your nests, sheltered by the God who loves them even more than you do.
All the backpacks are lined up by the front door. The first day of school clothes are waiting on their hangers. The crayons are pointed and unbroken.
My birds are asleep in the nest, ready to fly away tomorrow. And it's this hour that a Mama kneels and prays. She prays that the small wings will be strong as they carry her precious ones into a world not always hospitable to young things. She prays that His breath will blow, lifting them higher, above the reach of that which would entangle. And she prays that they will fly safely home again.
Mama bird blessings:
Many thanks to Melba Burk, who taught me the power of blessing.
All the backpacks are lined up by the front door. The first day of school clothes are waiting on their hangers. The crayons are pointed and unbroken.
My birds are asleep in the nest, ready to fly away tomorrow. And it's this hour that a Mama kneels and prays. She prays that the small wings will be strong as they carry her precious ones into a world not always hospitable to young things. She prays that His breath will blow, lifting them higher, above the reach of that which would entangle. And she prays that they will fly safely home again.
Mama bird blessings:
- I Bless You with courage. (Joshua 1:3-9)
- I Bless You with the Father's protection. (Ps. 91)
- I Bless You with a Godly child’s heart that respects and honors his parents and authority.
- I Bless You with the Holy Spirit’s marking your life so that you stand out in a crowd.
- I Bless You with the favor of God on your life so that others want to go out of their way to do you good.
- I Bless You that people speak to you with kindness and honor.
- I Bless You with confidence in your looks and abilities: you will like who God made you to be.
- I Bless You with strategies of the Lord for your future.
- I Bless You with purity in thought, speech, and action.
- I Bless You with confidence and a complete lack of fear of man.
- I Bless You with the ability to be a good friend.
- I Bless You with the ability to be grieved by sin and the desire to make all things right with the Father.
- I Bless You with truthful lips.
- I Bless You with the ability to honor those around you, even when it costs you.
- I Bless You with the knowledge that you are a joy to your parents and that they are proud of you.
- I Bless You with the knowledge of the Father’s unconditional love for you and your parents’ unconditional love for you.
- I Bless You with the desire to pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers.
- I Bless You with the spirit of a warrior, a Godly warrior.
- I Bless You to be a blessing to everyone you meet.
Many thanks to Melba Burk, who taught me the power of blessing.
A Dream Fulfilled
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
All my life, I've dreamed of owning a cottage nestled into a grove of beautiful trees--aspen trees, with a weeping willow thrown in for artistic measure. And a stream running behind it, and an arbor leading into my flower garden. The cottage would be a creamy yellow, with stone and ivy and a picket fence and flower baskets and...
And I live in West Texas.
It's where we're supposed to be, and I don't begrudge it for a moment. But, I do occasionally peruse pictures on Pinterest of the perfect cottage and sigh. A sigh for a dream that seems impossibly out of reach among mesquite trees and cotton fields.
And there are so many other dreams. Bigger dreams. Dreams that my heart still races after, even after the years have come and gone. Even after the dreams have grown past the newborn stage, marched right through the teenage angst, and are now still seemingly unfulfilled as they approach middle-age.
New dreams are thrilling, because anything seems possible when a dream is born. But, old dreams can hurt when "hope deferred makes the heart sick." (Proverbs 13:12)
And that's why there are tears in my eyes as I pore over paint samples this week.
In honor of our tenth year of pastoral ministry in our city, our church has paid to have our house painted. It's something we couldn't have done on our own. A gift so large, it awakened a dream.
For I hold in my hand a paint sample titled simply, "Cream Yellow."
And as I sit in my front yard and picture what my home will look like when it's painted, I have to laugh outloud at how good my Father is. To answer dreams.
For my stucco house will be a creamy yellow-- nestled in a grove of pecan trees, with a pine thrown in for artistic measure. And a dry creek running behind it, with an arbor set into my picket fence leading to my salsa garden and a zipline...
A dream realized. Maybe a little different. Maybe even better.
And I live in West Texas.
It's where we're supposed to be, and I don't begrudge it for a moment. But, I do occasionally peruse pictures on Pinterest of the perfect cottage and sigh. A sigh for a dream that seems impossibly out of reach among mesquite trees and cotton fields.
And there are so many other dreams. Bigger dreams. Dreams that my heart still races after, even after the years have come and gone. Even after the dreams have grown past the newborn stage, marched right through the teenage angst, and are now still seemingly unfulfilled as they approach middle-age.
New dreams are thrilling, because anything seems possible when a dream is born. But, old dreams can hurt when "hope deferred makes the heart sick." (Proverbs 13:12)
And that's why there are tears in my eyes as I pore over paint samples this week.
In honor of our tenth year of pastoral ministry in our city, our church has paid to have our house painted. It's something we couldn't have done on our own. A gift so large, it awakened a dream.
For I hold in my hand a paint sample titled simply, "Cream Yellow."
And as I sit in my front yard and picture what my home will look like when it's painted, I have to laugh outloud at how good my Father is. To answer dreams.
For my stucco house will be a creamy yellow-- nestled in a grove of pecan trees, with a pine thrown in for artistic measure. And a dry creek running behind it, with an arbor set into my picket fence leading to my salsa garden and a zipline...
A dream realized. Maybe a little different. Maybe even better.
True Sacrifice
Monday, August 13, 2012
One son came to me a month or so ago, asking me to intervene. He had asked his brother how he could bless him and "fill his love tank," a practice we encourage in our family. His brother had answered, "Give me all your wii time." Electronics are closely monitored in our house, so each child has forty-five minutes a day. His brother was asking for a sacrifice, indeed.
He wanted me to talk to his brother, tell him he needed to ask for something else. I asked him what he wished his brother had said would be a blessing.
"I don't know. A hug or something." And then, after a pause. "I really just wanted him to ask me the question back."
I chuckled pretty good over that one. "Honey, I can't do that. If you don't want to give your brother your wii time, you don't have to. But, the whole point of this exercise in love is that you're choosing to do for the other person what would bless them, with no strings attached."
I smiled a few minutes later when he gave his brother all his wii time.
And then, weeks later, it was his brother's turn to come to me. He wanted my advice on what to get the giver of the wii time for his birthday. When he listed all the things he was thinking of purchasing, I gently pointed out that every single one of them were things that he himself was wanting, and nothing that had been on his brother's wish list.
"Do you think you might not be shopping for your brother here, after all, but really shopping for yourself instead?" My question hung in the air between us.
Within a couple of hours, he had asked me to take him to the sporting good store. He, the boy who has no interest in playing football, walked out with a pair of expensive football gloves to be wrapped up in birthday paper. It wasn't hard at all to give him a hug and tell him how proud I was of his gift-giving, both of us knowing the sacrifice involved with the hard-earned money left inside on the counter.
Two brothers who genuinely love each other, but still have to learn what it means to put another's needs above their own. And not just once, but over and over again.
What an important lesson to learn. For without it, how will a marriage one day work? How will parenting work?
Because to love very often means to sacrifice.
But, as I watch the growing respect and friendship between these two brothers, I'm reminded of how much sacrificial love is worth.
Everything.
He wanted me to talk to his brother, tell him he needed to ask for something else. I asked him what he wished his brother had said would be a blessing.
"I don't know. A hug or something." And then, after a pause. "I really just wanted him to ask me the question back."
I chuckled pretty good over that one. "Honey, I can't do that. If you don't want to give your brother your wii time, you don't have to. But, the whole point of this exercise in love is that you're choosing to do for the other person what would bless them, with no strings attached."
I smiled a few minutes later when he gave his brother all his wii time.
And then, weeks later, it was his brother's turn to come to me. He wanted my advice on what to get the giver of the wii time for his birthday. When he listed all the things he was thinking of purchasing, I gently pointed out that every single one of them were things that he himself was wanting, and nothing that had been on his brother's wish list.
"Do you think you might not be shopping for your brother here, after all, but really shopping for yourself instead?" My question hung in the air between us.
Within a couple of hours, he had asked me to take him to the sporting good store. He, the boy who has no interest in playing football, walked out with a pair of expensive football gloves to be wrapped up in birthday paper. It wasn't hard at all to give him a hug and tell him how proud I was of his gift-giving, both of us knowing the sacrifice involved with the hard-earned money left inside on the counter.
Two brothers who genuinely love each other, but still have to learn what it means to put another's needs above their own. And not just once, but over and over again.
What an important lesson to learn. For without it, how will a marriage one day work? How will parenting work?
Because to love very often means to sacrifice.
But, as I watch the growing respect and friendship between these two brothers, I'm reminded of how much sacrificial love is worth.
Everything.
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