YOU have been chosen…now what?

Yesterday we sang one of my favorite songs at church.  As we began, I leaned over and whispered to my daughter, "I love this one!"  Keeping things honest, I loved it because of the tune.  It is not difficult, but it has a little more "meat" than some of the other hymns.  Dotted quarters, octave jumps, syncopated rhythms.  I just really like it!

Of course, when I have my eyes closed is when God chooses to reveal himself.  Halfway into the first verse, I started actually listening to the words I was singing.

                                           Church of God, elect and glorious

                                           Holy Nation, chosen race;

                                           called as God's own special people

                                           Royal priests and heirs of grace:

                                           Know the purpose of your calling

                                           show to all His mighty deeds;

                                           Tell of love that knows no limits

                                           Grace that meets all human needs.

I looked around at the faces of my congregation as they sang this hymn, and at my daughter as she sang in her glorious nine-year-old voice.  I felt the enormous gift that God has given us; this calling that He has given this family.  Together, we are His church.  We are "elect and glorious, a Holy Nation, a chosen race, Royal priests and heirs of grace."  This struck me as so powerful!  What an enormously powerful gift, and here it is…laid at our feet…BEGGING to be utilized!

It then goes on to beg us, "Know the purpose of your calling, show to all His mighty deeds.  Tell of love that knows no limits, grace that meets all human needs." 

We are asked to do three things: KNOW, SHOW and TELL.  

How do we KNOW what the "purpose of our calling" is? What does God ask us to do? What is the great commission?  "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:19-20  

How do we SHOW?  I remember an old song I used to sing as a child…"and they will know we are Christians by our love."  Above all else, love others to Christ.  Show His mercy by being merciful.  Show his grace by being gracious.  Show His forgiveness by forgiving.  You get the gist.

How do we TELL?  I'm pretty sure that most every person in the sanctuary with me yesterday morning has a story to tell, about how God has blessed them.  I'm confident that they all can tell of how His love has showed no limits within their families, and how they have experienced His grace that has quite perfectly met their needs.  The catch here is…go and TELL about it!  If other people are like me (and I have a sneaky suspicion that many people are), this is hard.  I can KNOW it and SHOW it, but I fail when it comes time to TELL it.  

This hymn is meant to give us confidence!!  God promises us that we are equipped and capable of doing all this "TELLING."  

He said it.  He chose us.  He empowered us.  We can do it!  We are not alone, because part of His gift to us is His church.  We can do it together!  We have each other to lean on, to give council, to pray with, to encourage and to join together in our calling!  I hope and pray that every member of our church (and beyond into our school families) feels this power.  We are a gift from God to each other.  

Thank you God, for this wonderful family.  Help us all to be strong in faith and to be the people You intend.  Help us to give our lives in joyful service to You.  Amen. 

Church of God, Elect and Glorious; Lutheran Service Book, 646

1 Peter 2:9-109 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

Ephesians 2:19-2219 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Revelation 5:1010 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God and they will reign[a] on the earth.”

The "S" word…Stewardship!

What exactly is "good stewardship?" Sometimes it is a subject that ruffles a few feathers.  I could copy and paste the exact Merriam Webster definition of the term, but I really think that only scratches the surface.  Or, worse, takes something away from what I believe it truly encompasses: a unique relationship with our savior and creator.

Let me begin my explanation here: my church is one of the biggest blessings in my life.  My love for my church is right up there with my love for my husband and children.  Let me take you back in time a few years...

During my college days, I attended church on campus at my Lutheran University.  But…it never felt like "home" to me.  It was college, after all.  Sometimes, I am ashamed to admit, I let other things get in the way of my church going. Even though I was studying Lutheran Education, my campus church didn't always occupy a place of high priority in my mind.

Then, I received a call to teach at my current Church and School.  From the MOMENT I walked into the doors for my first initial interview I felt God calling me.  Calling me to Him, to serve Him, and to be a part of His family.  It was like I found that last puzzle piece to complete the beginning of the rest of my life. I felt surrounded by a new family.  I felt God's love living in the members of this congregation. But most of all, I plainly saw how He placed me there.  I truly felt how He had guided me back into His fold.

Over the years, I have grown along with my congregation.  I have taught, served, and brought my own children into its family. My church has in turn taught me, encouraged me, and baptized and welcomed countless new believers into its family.  It is such an integral part of my life.  I do not want to live without this family.

I love my husband and children.  I give them just about every part of myself, every day.  I could never dream of having the type of relationship with them where I sit back and expect them to serve me all the time.  It is a JOY to give them whatever I have.  It brings me JOY to see them nourished on the food I make, growing strong and healthy.  It brings me JOY to serve them.  I never want this relationship of serving them to end.

It is the same with my church.  It brings me joy to give what I have to my church family.  If I'm good at bulletin boards…I decorate bulletin boards.  If I'm good with children…I teach bible school or Sunday school.  If I'm good with music…I sing in the choir.  I just really want to do all these things because IT MAKES ME HAPPY.  I know that when I am serving others, I am serving my savior.  God gave every one of us different talents.  When we take all those unique gifts and abilities and give them back to the church…IT FLOURISHES.

My relationship with my family at home is not about how they can serve me.  Neither is it that way with my church.  I love my church so much, my question is, "how can I serve today?"

I did not stumble into this church family accidentally.  It is one of my most precious gifts given to me by my Heavenly Father.  I am thankful for it every day.  I never want to see it hurting, struggling or in despair.  I will fight for it, defend it and and give it everything I can.

THAT, my friends, is what stewardship means to me.

Beautifully Distressed

Beautifully Distressed is one of my favorite Pinterest boards.  I thoroughly enjoy browsing the wealth of pictures that have captured the beauty of antique furniture.  Many of the pieces are so old, chipped, dented and damaged, that there has been no other option but to paint them and distress them.  Thus, "Beautifully Distressed."  Today, I realized I should just pin myself onto this board.  I'm distressed in so many ways:

1.  I have three kids.  I'm harried, hurried and sometimes haggard.  My brow is forming a wrinkle from all the "distress-related furrowing."

2. I have, so to speak, "pinned" myself too many times, to quite a few commitments.  All of which I love, of course, but together they can add a little too much patina to my facade.

3.  I'm a worrier.  Every rattling cough or itchy eye, each tale of harsh words spoken at school, all of the fears of impending middle school…they weigh on my shoulders and deepen that furrow.

4.  And here's my biggest reason I'm "distressed:" I'm a hopeless, never-changing, selfish, sometimes broken: sinner.  I'm not just the gently used side table at the flea market.  I'm that old barn door that is so broken, so weathered, so rickety that the only use for it is to salvage its wood.  It is beyond repair by human hands.  But here's where the beauty begins: I happen to know someone who's pretty good at restoration.  His name is Jesus, and when He died on the cross He restored the most important part of me: My Soul.  While I'm on this earth I will keep aging, weathering and distressing.  But inside, deep in my soul, I am a beautifully restored creation…just waiting to be united with my creator and restorer!  I am loved in spite of my imperfections.  I am cherished even when I am broken.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Christ's Sacrifice...and How My Children Understand!!

It is early in the morning. Easter Eve. I am awake early, my mind is on the day ahead: ironing Easter dresses, planning my Easter dinner menu,  Easter baskets and eggs to decorate.  My two oldest children creep down the stairs to sit with me on the couch. 

My oldest son begins talking about our pastor's sermon last night at Good Friday church. He starts by asking if I remember how we learned that two lambs were required to be sacrificed every day, for GENERATIONS, to atone for  everyone's sins. The thought of all the lambs being killed really bothers him. He is visualizing this in his marvelously descriptive 10 year old mind. But he is quick to go on with the rest of the story, telling me how Jesus was crucified in the morning (at the time of the traditional morning lamb sacrifice) and then He died in the afternoon (at the time of the second lamb's sacrifice).  He tells me how Jesus took the place of all those lambs being sacrificed. 

My ever compassionate daughter chimes in with the sermon story she remembers about the very sick little boy, Francesco, who was almost dying during his operation in a remote village. She tells me how he needed blood, and his type was very rare. But his surgeon was that exact match and gave his B negative blood to the boy in the middle of surgery. She goes on to tell me how Jesus has the MOST rare blood type in the world...it is everyone's blood type... and he gave it to all of us. 

At this early hour in the day, I have been given a gentle but powerful reminder, coming from Christ through the voices and hearts of my amazing children. This weekend is about my sin. About my Savior who became that lamb and gave me His blood so that my sin can be wiped clean (like the removal of a tattoo...another sermon story, remembered by my daughter). 

My heart is overflowing with joy, knowing that my children LISTENED, REMEMBERED, CONNECTED and BELIEVE. And that this is not just a story, Christ died for them!  

Thank you, my amazing Savior, for giving up your life for us. For my children who love you so much, and still trust so innocently and blindly in you! May they always keep that love and awe. Thank you for sending them to me, to help my faith grow, even as I foolishly think I will be doing all the teaching! Your grace and mercy are new to me every day!  Amen. 

Three Things

I have three wishes for each of my children. That they will live a long, happy, and healthy life.

Just three little things.  That's not too much to ask, right?

I guess it might seem small when I phrase it as just three things, but in my heart I know I am wishing for so much more.  And, also I know I'm not really wishing. I'm fervently praying.

These three hopes for my children are completely intertwined with one another. I want them to live a long life, yet I want it to be healthy.  I don't want them to lead a long, miserable life. I don't want them to have a short, happy life. These three things are a package deal. And I'm afraid to say that I have a rather demanding attitude towards God, that he had better deliver on my tall order.

Praying to Him, that "His will be done" is surely the hardest part of my life as a human. So I struggle with this, as I'm sure every parent does.

As I pray that our Heavenly Father will take care of my children according to His will (not mine), my next breath must be  "help me trust you...help me trust you...help me trust you."  I know that God is smarter than me, sees our futures, knows our needs, loves beyond measure, never tires, and PROMISES to take care of us.

Lord, my prayer today is that you will take care of my children. You know what is in my heart, and exactly how I want you to bless us! It is my prayer that you would grant me that blessing!  But if you have other plans for us, and my children, please help me be able to accept your blessings in the ways you bestow them. Help me trust in your wisdom and lean on your strength. Amen.

Why Lutheran Schools?

My oldest son is 10 years old.  This summer he will turn 11, and in August he will begin a new chapter in his life…middle school.

All three of our children attend a Lutheran school.  I could write one hundred blog posts about how God has blessed us through this school,  from preschool all the way through fifth grade…and then still have more to say!  But a larger topic has been on my mind lately, as I ponder this jump my eldest is about to make.

Public middle school vs. private Lutheran middle school.

Since my son was born, back in 2003, I knew he would graduate from our Lutheran school.  I knew that many families make the decision to move their children to the public middle school at 6th grade, but I also knew that God's plan for my children would be to remain at our Lutheran school.

I do not judge anyone, and can never fully know a family's circumstances behind their decisions in raising their children.  But I would like to share my reasons for enrolling my children in our Lutheran grade school and middle school.

1. Opportunities.  This may seem like a strange reason on my part, since clearly the public middle school has the ability to offer my children countless activities, electives, sports, classes, etc. that our Lutheran school cannot offer. But I'm looking past middle school...past high school...past college…to the many opportunities that my grown child will have to serve his Savior. I'm looking to when he is choosing a wife, raising children, and working as a man of God in His kingdom.  God will give him so very many opportunities to spread His word, to help pass on the spark of faith in others' hearts…including his wife, children, co-workers, and fellow church members.  Maybe even others around the world?  Who knows how far God will lead him in his lifetime?  

In these precarious middle school years, our Lutheran school is going to help give him that foundation of maturing faith that he will need to become a man of God.  Yes, drama club and advanced graphic arts design class would be fabulous, but a firm foundation of faith in Christ is my (and God's) first priority.


2. Eternal life.  At some point in my children's lives, they will die.  I'm literally tearing up as I type this, because it could be today, tomorrow or 80 years from now.  But it will happen.  This life is fleeting, but life in heaven with our Savior is forever!!  I literally CRAVE a close walk with God for my children.  That He will live in their hearts, that they will spend their days here on earth as believers in Christ.  That when they die, they will be enfolded in His loving arms.  That everything they do in this life will be for Him, because they love Him. 

I will do everything I can to help foster this close walk with God for my children.  Our Lutheran school is doing the same thing, in additional ways that I cannot do by myself in our home.  My children are witnessing adults who have chosen to serve Him every day.  They are seeing their classmates faiths' growing.  They get the opportunity to pray with other peers.  They are able to worship as an entire school every week at chapel.  They can study God's word everyday.  They are part of a Christian fellowship of believers that is a truly amazing blessing!!


Thank you for listening to my heartfelt beliefs.  As I look at all the beautiful faces of the children at our school, I want these blessings for ALL the children…not just my own.  This is why I chose to share with you today.  

My Grandmother and Corrie

I have this memory of my grandmother.  We are in her kitchen, and she is standing in her favorite corner (where she always stood, next to her coffee pot) and I am sitting at her counter, in the swivel chair.  She is telling me about Corrie ten Boom.

I have another memory of my grandmother.  She and I are sitting in her mauve chairs in her mauve living room, sipping Coke from cans, and she is telling me about Corrie ten Boom.

I have yet another memory of my grandmother.  I am sitting on her waterbed in her lovely silver and pale blue bedroom.  She is sitting on the chair next to the bed, we are eating potato chips and sipping (what else?) Coke, and she is telling me about Corrie ten Boom.

When I was a child, Corrie ten Boom had a profound impact on my grandmother.  I couldn't see it through my young eyes, I just knew she told me about her.  A lot.  

At that time, Corrie's book, The Hiding Place, had been in print for around 10 years. It is a story about Corrie and her family, and how they made a terrifyingly difficult decision to harbor Jews in their home in the dark days before and during world war 2. It also goes on to tell of her time spent in prison and concentration camps, finally at Ravensbruck.  In the early 80's, the book was still relatively new.  Like all bestsellers, this book had a broad reach…and it swept right into my grandmother's living room, guided without a doubt by her Heavenly Father.

I've had many years to think about Corrie ten Boom and her book, but I didn't actually read it until last year.  Oh, how I wish I had read it before my grandmother passed away!  I now know why she admired this quiet, foreign woman.  I understand why she felt so compelled to tell everyone about the captivating, horrendous, amazing, and heart-wrenching story.

My grandmother had a difficult life.  Growing up, she was "dirt poor" as my mother always puts it. She recollected hearing mites "pop" when ironing her clothes. When she was in high school, her father burned down their house while in a fit of rage.  Her husband passed away when her three children were still young.  She had failing health when she was in her late 60's and early 70's, and passed away at 72 young years of age. 

In Corrie's book, she speaks about the need to love all humans, whether they are Christian or not.  She speaks about the atrocities that she and her sister Betsy were forced to endure.  But Betsy and Corrie never gave up hope or lost faith.  In fact, they amazingly continued to witness throughout their torturous years.  One quote from the book resonated with me, and I'm sure it is a quote that gave my grandmother enormous comfort:

"There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still."

My grandmother had been in the pit. And, like Corrie, she felt the love of God keeping her from drowning.  I know my grandmother's situation was not the same as Corrie's, but I would like to think that part of Corrie's purpose in writing her book was to help strengthen faith in others, no matter what their circumstances. 

I know that my faith is a direct result of the faith that my grandmother passed down to my mother, and then passed down to me.  As a child, I admired a woman who was kind, gentle, slow to anger (what anger? I never witnessed any), and full of love for me. As a young teenager I grew to know a Grandmother who prayed for my husband (wherever and whomever he might be) she had yet to meet, who gave me my precious bible I still use today, and who shared her knowledge and wisdom with me. As an adult I grew to know this woman was my "kindred spirit" as she used to call me, who knew even when I didn't that God was in my heart, who knew God had marvelous things planned for me, and who knew a Savior that had infinite love for all.

Long ago, on April 14, 1892 in the Netherlands, a woman was born who would grow up to be a marvelous witness for Christ, one whom God would use to help strengthen the faith of so many of His children.

Including my grandmother. And now, including me.