Thankful: seeking wisdom
I spent the day with my ninety-two year old great aunt and my five month old baby. Quite the trio, we three girls. We have been trying to fill our days with good things and days spent with Auntie R are never wasted. I sometimes wonder how to seek wisdom in a real and tangible way, giving life to the things I read but don’t know how to live. Here it my answer: spend time with old people.
They have seen at least twice if not three times the amount of things I have, just by sheer numbers. But more than that, they have lived long enough to know a few things. Here is some of the wisdom I soaked up today:
#1 God’s word is a constant companion and filter for life. Only by creating habits and spending time in it will you know it when you run into spots in life where you need it to survive.
#2 Realize the blessing you can be to others, no matter what your situation in life is. You may not be able to get around well but you can knit mittens all day long from your couch to warm the hands of little kids in need. Use the life you have to be a blessing.
#3 Keep a positive outlook on life by counting your blessings. If you don’t, you might end up one of those unhappy old people. Nobody starts out wanting to be them and certainly no one likes to be around them. Auntie R shared that with me today, that sometimes it is hard but choosing to look around you and see the good things keeps you on the up and up.
Thankful for those who have gone before and the opportunity to listen.
Read MoreDry Bones
In one of my classes we spent the entire period discussing the book of Ezekiel. This was definitely a highlight in my brief career at Calvin Sem. We discussed Ezekiel 37 as a pivotal passage within the book. The prophet Ezekiel is told, in a vision, to go survey the situation within this valley full of dry bones. He is then to speak the Word of the Lord to them, and upon doing so, the bones rise up and flesh comes upon them. Finally, he is commanded to prophesy breathe into these bones. The bones with flesh come alive, risen up from complete and utter death.
God’s people, Israel, had left God. Earlier in the book we are told that God moved from one place to the next within the temple, basically begging His people to invite His presence back into their lives…but they wouldn’t. His people became dead, they had failed to hold up their end of the covenant God had made with them. They were dry bones resting in the bottom of the valley. I’m reminded by this song that we were all dry bones at one time, and that it is only because of God’s call on our life and our identification with Christ that we have been given flesh and breathe again. The presence of God now dwells within us. The lyrics and some artwork to this song can be found here: DRY BONES – ART/LYRICS
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Dear Hannah: discovery
Dear Hannah June,
I sat down to write this letter earlier this morning at Starbucks over an admittedly overpriced latte (I just love them) and as you sat quietly by my feet, bundled for the day, something happened. I had planned to write about how this month felt like a month of new discoveries for you but realized that I am still discovering new things myself. I met a new friend in a happenstance conversation over lattes and laptops this morning that led to discussing what each of us are learning. As a result, I think there is something different I need to share with you this month than I had planned.
Here it is. Sometimes we are sure of our gifts and who God has called us to be but we are not sure how to use them or where they will take us. You my dear will have your own gifts, your own dreams and God will create a path just for you. I am realizing how important it is that I lead you well in these things. What that translates into is a leading daily by choosing trust over worry, by having confidence over fear. I will be honest, it intimidates me a bit to realize that you will be watching my every move as you grow up, waiting to see how I embrace life and how I live it out.
I’m thankful for the grace each day to take it one step at a time, to build on the foundation that I know and to have others around me to remind me of where God is leading. Seek community wherever you are. Even if it is in the corner chair at your local coffee shop. You never know who God may use to remind you of the truth you need to hear in that day. When you are seeking what God has for you and others can reverberate it back to you, it has that much more strength. Like twice brewed coffee.
Also, marry someone who loves you enough to challenge you. I have said it before and I will say it again but your Dad knows me. He knows what I am capable of and when I need to be reminded of what my gifts are. My prayer is that you find someone like that yourself. Someone who can help you discover what God’s path is for you in each season you travel through.
Here’s to discovering your toes and your voice, both literally and figuratively. all my love,
Mom
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and the winner is…
First of all, before I share the winner of the lovely Michigan cards from Lief Design, let me just say that I loved reading about all of the places that you each call home. For most who shared, the stories were about Michigan itself but even a friend from Canada chimed in about what it means to love where you live.
I heard things about community and coming back to where you began. About falling in love and magical things that have taken place in the spot that you call home. I loved all of it. So thank you, for sharing a little piece about home and a little piece of yourself with me.
Without further ado, I am happy to announce that the lovely Amanda Taylor was the winning entry according to my very fair random.org process. Here is what Amanda shared:
“When I think of Michigan, my mind is flooded by memories of home and growing up. I have always lived in Michigan, and will make my home with my fiance here after we are married. This is where we both were raised and grew up. This is where we fell in love. And this is where our story together as husband and wife will begin. As much as the snowy weather can be a challenge from time to time, this is my home and this is where the people I love became a part of my story.”
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beautiful things
We sang the song “Beautiful Things” by Gungor this morning at church and I really needed the reminder that it is God who makes things beautiful.
beauty out of dust.
order out of chaos.
beauty out of us.
Not because He has to but because He wants to. Because He wants to restore all things back to Himself.
It says in 2 Corinthians 5:172 Corinthians 5:17
English: World English Bible - WEB
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
WP-Bible plugin that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. I don’t know about you but for me, those words gave me life today.
Experience the song yourself here and find rest in the fact that it is HE is making all things new.
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