Who Are You?

In my most recent Beth Moore Bible study, "The Quest," Angela Duckworth writes:

Identity influences every aspect of our character, but it has special relevance to grit. Often, the critical gritty-or-not decisions we make--to get up one more time; to stick it out through this miserable, exhausting summer; to run five miles with our teammates when on our own we might only run three--are a matter of identity more than anything else. Often our passion and perseverance do not spring from a cold, calculating analysis of the costs and benefits of alternatives. Rather, the source of our strength is the person we know ourselves to be.

Beth Moore continues this thought by writing: For people of faith, our source of strength is far more impressive. It's who we know God to be. However, if we never connect His identity with ours, the pipeline built by the cross connecting us to divine power stays mostly clogged by unbelief.

When I think about my growing up years, my years in college, raising children, marriage, this all makes so much sense. I hope it does for you, too.

Changing Landscapes

Perhaps if we thought of time as running forward rather than running out, we could view the world differently. What we think as usual, may be captivating because we look with a different perspective.

For example, this morning, one could have viewed my world as dreary. Rain spilling from a murky sky with no where to go --the earth unaccepting, frozen, barren. But the view out my backyard window seemed almost comforting.

Pumpkins flattened, plants coated in seasonable colors, a diminished wooden palette, and water rushing from a nearby culvert. Dreary? I had left the pumpkins and plants for the deer and rabbits. The palette had served its purpose. Muted colors blended and ever moving--running forward.

I watched from my window as a pot roast burbled in the slow-cooker and witnessed the changes. In a few short minutes, rain turned to snow. Big white blobs. I wondered why any of us watch television or play games on our computers. Why not just look outside? God has provided an intriguing, changing landscape.

Considering our life's landscape, we may feel like nothing is happening, or all the wrong things are happening. ...And, time is running out. I didn't get that job I always wanted, or was it a vacation, or a soul mate, or....

We are on a timeline; no one lives forever; but, we are running forward, to a Kingdom--a Kingdom that is in the distance but also a Kingdom that is already present in each of us if we would but accept it. Knowing this, we can seek out the joy wherever we are, whatever the weather is like, whoever we are with--whatever the landscape.

If you don't think much happened in your life, reflect on it for a few minutes and realize how the plot has thickened. Some changes come quickly; some wished for don't come at all. Some changes are dramatic and not wanted. Some are subtle and we wonder about the mystery. This life (landscape) of yours will continue to be an adventure all your own. See it with different eyes running forward. Let God take your hand. Everything is easier when you have your best friend along for the journey.

A Long Ago Wedding and a New Discovering

My parents married January 13, 1946. I have always loved this picture, and, of course, focused on my mother's dress she made, my father's stylish suit, and the so-young look.

As I sit inside my house on this -10 degree day in the Midwest, I am reminded of how different a January day can be. My parents are outside, without coats.

It wasn't until a couple of years ago when I dug the picture out of a shoe box that I studied it more carefully--including Grandpa Harry's car, his house behind them, and noticed the figure framed by the kitchen window. Who was that?

I had heard that it was a very small wedding--just parents, a maid of honor, a best man, so I asked my oldest brother... who knows more of our family stories than anyone.

Well, Grandpa Harry was a widower.
The neighbor lady across the street had always had an interest in him.
She had not been invited to the wedding.
However, she did let herself in the front door porch, walked to the kitchen, and wondered where everyone was--
You can see her shading her eyes to get a good look.

I never met this lady, but hearing this story, I hope that eventually, Grandpa Harry asked her to take a walk, play a game of checkers, or sit on his front porch to share a story or two.

It reminds me of the importance of relationships at any age.

Freedom--and how to get it....

Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom....
2 Corinthians 3:17-18

I have had some issues with feeling free in my life. Growing up on a farm in the middle of virtually no where, I had no place to feel free but the grove surrounding our farm. Climbing an apple tree, playing in the treehouse, hiding out in the barn from any one of my five brothers each gave me an inkling of freedom.

While in college, under the burden of studying, working--even though off the farm which I now missed--there was little sense of freedom.

Responsibilities came on like ocean waves with a new teaching job, a marriage, and soon-to-come children. A sense of freedom was hard to come by....

So when I first read this verse from Corinthians, it, of course, caught my eye.

Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom....

How do I get this Spirit of the LORD?

I've determined that it is an on-going journey and not an easy one. It's not easy because we are all so human. All it takes is faith and trust in an awesome God, so it seems simple; but somehow our lives and others intermingle and we make a mess of things.

I have also determined that the on-going struggle to be where the Spirit of the LORD is is worth it. It's not only worth it, it is essential to life. Plus, there are blessings....

...And, we who with unveiled faces, all reflect the LORD'S glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the LORD who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Being transformed into HIS likeness? Sounds miraculous, and, yet, He who is capable of any miracle has promised us this. There is a freedom that surpasses any earthly sense of freedom.

If this hasn't made much sense yet, let me simply tell you that reading the Bible, having an active prayer life, and an awareness of God's presence and guidance allows you to be where the Spirit of the LORD is. In this presence, you will feel as free as one possibly can as long as we call ourselves earthlings.