False Hope and Chasing Peace

Hope. Peace. Love. Joy. 

Oh how these words echo throughout my mind during Advent.  They are so important to me, that I bring them out…one by one…to boldly exclaim my excitement for Christ's birth.

Sometimes I feel like I am chasing these gifts.  Most specifically, peace.  I crave peace. That euphoric feeling when nothing is bothering me, when everyone is healthy, when there are no nagging little worries.

Sometimes I feel false hope. First its joy, followed by that terrifying feeling when you realize a doctor has given you an incorrect diagnosis.  Or first you feel bliss, then devastation when someone you love deceives you.  You wonder how you can ever put hope in anything, when everything and everyone has the potential to let you down.

Sometimes I have been mistaken about who really loves me.  I have put my love and trust in people who I thought (and hoped) returned my feelings. I know and remember the pain when that illusion is shattered, when I felt the emptiness in that very place I had thought was filled with love. It became an empty, gaping hole in my heart.

And joy.  I have felt joy in my hope, in my peace and in my love.  Oh how quickly and vibrantly joy pops into my soul! But also, how quickly my joy can be dashed.  Like those times when I'm feeling on top of the world: I'm feeling the joy of the children I teach, the sunshine on my face, the happiness of knowing my husband will be home early from work! Then I get a call from the principal at school, who is having a "discussion" with my naughty child. Or I open an email to read of the news of a dear friend with a cancer diagnosis. Or I learn of a sweet little first grader in my son's class who unexpectedly lost her mother. My joy is dashed. I feel my own pain, and I feel a fraction of the pain my friends are experiencing.  And I wonder when I will begin to feel that joy again.

I am literally chasing Hope, Peace, Love and Joy.  I am hunting them down with a vengeance.  I am wheeling and dealing to try and place them firmly in my life. But I can never completely do it, and I'm getting really tired of trying.

Then, from deep within my frustration is a still, small voice saying,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest in your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

I no longer need to search. I am wasting my energy, my time, my breath. I don't need to chase anything, ever again.  My precious Savior is telling me, "Wendy, my darling daughter, just come to me. I have what you need…everything." He can handle my burdens, he can give me the rest I need, the rest in my soul. In other words: my Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. 

This verse is a promise! If I take his yoke upon me (His, which is easy and light) instead of my own which is tremendously too heavy for me…He WILL give me my Peace. My Hope is in this promise and He will never let me down. I am guaranteed of his Love for me forever! My Joy in Him can never be dashed, can never be snuffed out. I can rest easy in the Peace of this promise. 

He has sent me countless blessings among the hardships, he has sustained me and lifted me up. He will give me the peace and the strength to survive and thrive amidst the ugliness of this sinful world. He alone makes it possible for me to continually have Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. 

This is the real reason I put up these words on my front porch during advent. In a few weeks, we will celebrate the birth of the One who made me this promise. The birth of the one who will bring us all Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. Oh how we need Him! Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9rw3RLv9AY

So Far So Good!

So far, the thankfulness abounds. Will the newness wear off? Probably. Will they so willingly and enthusiastically submit their thoughts? Probably not. But for the next few days, I'll take it.

Objective: Perfect, Beautiful, Harmonious Thankfulness...

Trying today: a tiny basket of blessings.  Encouraged: family members to jot down blessings for which they are thankful.  Routine: Place in tiny basket. Read notes daily at dinner.

Hopeful: basket will overflow with awesomeness.  Children will gush with love for one another.  Husband will actually contribute notes to basket. Entire family will happily be content and thankful for all blessings from God.

Outcome: ???  To be continued…

God's In There!

Little voices, wandering feet, wiggling bodies, eager smiles.  Four weeks of preschool, and already these little beauties are tugging at my heart strings.  Eighteen tiny friends, some new and some familiar.  

This wise “old lady” thought a new school year would be all about circle time, centers and snack.  I thought I would be basking in the glow of alphabet learning, book loving and tempera painting.  I envisioned singing voices, untied shoe laces and tooshies tucked neatly into cubbies.  But yesterday, my infinitely clever Heavenly Father showed me that I am a foolish and limited dreamer.

The children in our preschool class have been enthusiastically sharing something with each other…their bibles.  First one student brought hers to share, then another, then another.  Our teacher, who knows how important these treasures are to the children, lovingly reads a story from every special bible. 

One little girl, while carefully holding her bible, told me something unforgettable.  She said,

“This is my bible.  God’s in there.”

It was one of those moments that puts everything into perspective. Simple concept, right? Its true, of course!  At first I nodded and agreed, “Yes, He is in there!” But as we lined up to walk to the playground, my mind began to swim with the enormous, simple, wondrous truth to her statement:

God is in His Word! All scripture is the God breathed, infallible word of God.  Our Heavenly Father has promised to come to us in scripture.  It is not merely words on a page or a historical account of events. Christ speaks to us through His word! 

So when this innocent little girl told me God was in her bible, I began to realize a few things. 

First, I often forget the power of scripture. Where else can I go to hear my Father speaking to ME? I need Him every day.  I can open my bible and read HIS words, and know He is with me. He is comforting me and leading me. He is there. Such a small child had spoken such an important truth.

Second, this old lady had a pretty narrow vision of “who would be teaching who” this year in the four year old preschool classroom! There is no limit to God, no person he cannot reach, no method he cannot use.

I looked at these small blue eyes, so joyful and proud of her prized possession, and I saw Jesus.  I saw how He works through all of us, even little children.  He has a message to share and He WILL share it.  I cannot put limits on Him.

And the most beautiful part of this story…Jesus is living in her tender and open little heart.  Oh Savior, may you always live there! 

A Fair Weather Fan? Or the Opposite...

This morning I was just randomly flipping through the hymnal (something I've been doing since my last post) and I ventured upon My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, hymn 575 in the Lutheran Service Book.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
No merit of my own I claim, but wholly lean on Jesus name.
On Christ, the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

This one's an oldie but goodie.  I've been singing this hymn my entire life, and it may even be in the "old" Lutheran hymnal.  By this, I mean the one my parents call the old hymnal…the red one that we had before the blue Lutheran Worship of my youth.

I think (in my infinite Lutheran wisdom…tongue in cheek chuckle inserted here) I know the reason it is routinely surfacing in our hymnals: it has a wonderful message!

There are days when I literally have nothing else to cling to but Jesus.  I don't have anyone strong enough to lean on, because hey...humans are just human. Sometimes things happen that absolutely shake all my trust and hope.  What once seemed comfortable and peaceful can vanish.  Those are the moments when clinging to Jesus is the only possible lifeline.

But as I type this, I realize what I am actually doing.  When the going gets tough, this girl leans on Jesus.  When the going is great…oh dear.  When my house is peaceful and I'm having a great stretch…uh oh.  God doesn't want me to rely on Him only during those times when I think I need Him.  I should be relying, clinging and leaning on Him daily.  Even hourly.

My grandmother's favorite bible verse was:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

God knows that there will be terrible times in our lives when we will need Him like we've never felt or experienced before.  He promises to be our lifeline and our hope.  But in Thessalonians He reminds us that He wants to be a daily lifeline for us, even in the calm and peaceful moments.  He wants us to rejoice in Him ALWAYS, pray CONTINUALLY, and give thanks in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.  It is his will for us to do these things.



My Savior, My Comforter, My Hope…I want to be close to you every day, not just those moments when I feel despair.  Help keep me in your word!  Help me to pray and keep up a close fellowship with you!  I want to be pleasing to you in all I do.  I want to feel your power and protection, wrapped around me at all times.  I know you freely give me Your love, comfort and peace.  Help me keep down the walls that I build in my complacency, that keep me from You.  Amen.

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.