Okay - jumping the gun a bit, but I figured this was a good "thank you" for the New Year. I wrote this about ten years ago and sent it to my mom after she'd had a particularly bad year. It was found when we were cleaning out her house.
January, 2001
It's that time of year again, a time to ponder all of the wonderful miraculous blessings that we have received for yet another year. Sometimes it's difficult to separate one year from another. Time flies so swiftly, and we forget that what was so troublesome to us last year has now become a distant memory at best. That's how quickly God can and does change things in our lives.
Sometimes I find myself neglecting to remember just how much God has answered my prayers. At these moments I truly realize how ungrateful I am. So God, please forgive me, and help me to remember:
Help me to remember the sore throat that went away, the toothache that never came, the car bill that wasn't mine to pay, the accident that never happened, the roommates and apartment that were mine to share, the extra money that helped me go on that trip, the doctor's visit that proved everything was A-OK.
The extra long smile from my brand new niece, the surprise week off from school, the long visit with my mom, a hug from a friend that changed my whole day, the Word of Life teaching my soul, the extra soft pillow on my bed at night, the stars shining brightly in the sky, the electricity we never lost, the rainbow reminding us that You keep your promises.
The newborn babies I got to hold, the Saturday nights we spent with friends, the Sunday morning trips to church, the cows in the meadow and the grass in the field, and every other single blessing I've received so ungratefully from such a gracious hand as yours.
Amen.
P.S. Help me to have a better memory next year.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Love is as Strong as Death
Wow! Stare at a blank page and wonder if any words will come to explain what’s happening. As the verse in scripture goes the Spirit intercedes for us when we know not how or what to pray. So here I am wordlessly praying that something good, even beautiful, will come out of all the pain that’s stored up in my heart.
Having her so close to death during the Holiday season is certainly no fun. It makes me wonder if this time of year will ever be celebratory again for my family and me.
Lately, I have wondered in my heart why God would allow my mother’s last days to happen during a season that is supposed to be filled with hope, joy, and peace. Is this some cruel twist of irony? I have to say that as I watch her walk through this final struggle I almost feel angry with God. What kind of God would do this to us? Why should the holiday season be forever tainted by this loss?
But the other day as I drove up to be with her, I played Christmas music. Don’t’ ask me why. It just seemed to be the right thing to do at the time. And though my stony heart rebelled against the joy, the hope, the peace of the music, in time it became perfectly clear to me why losing mom during this Christmas Season is a beautiful thing. God has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NIV)
I know it sounds crazy and that losing her now means that the holiday season will always be bittersweet. But it is the season we are in now that gives me hope. There is a passage in the bible that reminds me of something. It reminds me that while my mom will be leaving her earthly body soon there is something that is even stronger than death. The verse comes from Song of Songs:
6 Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
its jealousy[c] as enduring as the grave.[d]
Love flashes like fire,
the brightest kind of flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
nor can rivers drown it.
If a man tried to buy love
with all his wealth,
his offer would be utterly scorned. (NLT)
like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
its jealousy[c] as enduring as the grave.[d]
Love flashes like fire,
the brightest kind of flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
nor can rivers drown it.
If a man tried to buy love
with all his wealth,
his offer would be utterly scorned. (NLT)
The phrase that caught my attention? “Love is as strong as death.” I’ve been thinking about it and reflecting on it. It all ties together with a moment when everything clicked for me.
A few weeks ago, I called Mom to check in on her. At that point she was still feeling relatively well - more like her “old self”. At the end of every phone conversation we always express our love to one another, but at the end of this phone call mom uttered an addendum to the normal “I love you.” Her three simple words, “Never forget that,” were a benediction of sorts - a memory that will burn in my heart for years to come
Since that conversation her health has continued to deteriorate, and, while I know that when she passes life will go on for the rest us, there is a part of me that will never be the same. But even in the midst of this loss, there is hope. Though the grave may take her from us, for now, – the love more powerful than death will hold us in an inseparable bond – mother, daughter now and always. And no death is going to rob me of that joy – not ever. 1 Corinthians 13:12, 13 Now we see but a poor refection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Is God a republican?
I've been thinking a little bit lately about how much we judge a book by its cover in many areas of life - especially when it comes to judging people. We try to stuff a person into a box as if they are only one dimensional in their personality, character, looks, beliefs. Oh he's a conservative that must mean that he has no appreciation for preserving nature, no inclination to reach out to the poor and needy assisting in any way possible. Or that liberal must not be a Christian based on their beliefs.
I remember in 2008 when Obama was running against McCain I watched a debate that was mediated by Rick Warren. One of the points of hosting the event, Warren explained, was to engage people in a civilized debate - a debate that would pave the way for understanding rather then "demonizing" the other side. And aren't we really good at that - demonizing the "other side".
But you know what when I think about it I really don't fit every stereotype that one might label me as a Conservative Republican. I do care about the environment. I don't believe the rich should get richer while the poor get poorer. I think it's important to be socially responsible to all people regardless of creed, color, or beliefs.
Some might say that if God were on earth he would be a republican. But really, really do we think that God takes sides when it comes to politics? Personally, I don't think he does. Rather, I believe that He's above the fray, the debates, the indignation that some feel towards the other party.
You might wonder why I came to that conclusion. Well, part of it stems from how Jesus responded to "politics" when he walked on the earth. Over and over again he told the people that his kingdom is not of this world. Rather it is an eternal one. It is a kingdom of people not of politics. It's about individuals - individuals he loves and would die to save - people he would sacrifice anything for to bring back home.
There's a story in the old testament that intrigues me when it comes to this idea of taking sides. It's the story of when the Israelites were getting ready to march into the promised land. They know that to inherit the land they will have to defeat many of the peoples who have established civilizations there. Joshua is to be the leader of the armies of God. So before they enter one such city - Jericho, Joshua scouts out the land and the city itself to make a battle plan. On his way to do this he comes across a "man" who is brandishing a sword. Here's what happenes:
Joshua 5:13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
"Neither," [the angel] replied "but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." (NIV)
What?! He's not going to take sides? The Israelites are God's chosen people. The ones he led out of Egypt and guided through the wilderness to bring them to the land he promised to their ancestors. He's made a covenant with them; He is their God, they are his people. When I read this verse out of the book of Joshua, I was stunned by the angel's response. If he was sent by God wouldn't you expect him to say something like, "I'm all for ya brother, cmon on lets go kick some Jericho butt." But he didn't answer that way. So the question is if God doesn't pick sides then who are we really fighting against in this battle of life?
Ephesions 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Who are we really fighting against when we take sides, snub our noses at, or put others in boxes? It's Satan, the liar, the one who loves to create division among people, particularly God's people. So maybe the next time you feel tempted to put someone in a box, or look at them in a one dimensional way you should remember who the real enemy is. Reach out and try to understand the person you despise, disgust, loathe - the one you consider your enemy. Rather than creating more division maybe we can learn to civilly disagree, and in that understanding live without demonizing the other person or side.
I remember in 2008 when Obama was running against McCain I watched a debate that was mediated by Rick Warren. One of the points of hosting the event, Warren explained, was to engage people in a civilized debate - a debate that would pave the way for understanding rather then "demonizing" the other side. And aren't we really good at that - demonizing the "other side".
But you know what when I think about it I really don't fit every stereotype that one might label me as a Conservative Republican. I do care about the environment. I don't believe the rich should get richer while the poor get poorer. I think it's important to be socially responsible to all people regardless of creed, color, or beliefs.
Some might say that if God were on earth he would be a republican. But really, really do we think that God takes sides when it comes to politics? Personally, I don't think he does. Rather, I believe that He's above the fray, the debates, the indignation that some feel towards the other party.
You might wonder why I came to that conclusion. Well, part of it stems from how Jesus responded to "politics" when he walked on the earth. Over and over again he told the people that his kingdom is not of this world. Rather it is an eternal one. It is a kingdom of people not of politics. It's about individuals - individuals he loves and would die to save - people he would sacrifice anything for to bring back home.
There's a story in the old testament that intrigues me when it comes to this idea of taking sides. It's the story of when the Israelites were getting ready to march into the promised land. They know that to inherit the land they will have to defeat many of the peoples who have established civilizations there. Joshua is to be the leader of the armies of God. So before they enter one such city - Jericho, Joshua scouts out the land and the city itself to make a battle plan. On his way to do this he comes across a "man" who is brandishing a sword. Here's what happenes:
Joshua 5:13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
"Neither," [the angel] replied "but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." (NIV)
What?! He's not going to take sides? The Israelites are God's chosen people. The ones he led out of Egypt and guided through the wilderness to bring them to the land he promised to their ancestors. He's made a covenant with them; He is their God, they are his people. When I read this verse out of the book of Joshua, I was stunned by the angel's response. If he was sent by God wouldn't you expect him to say something like, "I'm all for ya brother, cmon on lets go kick some Jericho butt." But he didn't answer that way. So the question is if God doesn't pick sides then who are we really fighting against in this battle of life?
Ephesions 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Who are we really fighting against when we take sides, snub our noses at, or put others in boxes? It's Satan, the liar, the one who loves to create division among people, particularly God's people. So maybe the next time you feel tempted to put someone in a box, or look at them in a one dimensional way you should remember who the real enemy is. Reach out and try to understand the person you despise, disgust, loathe - the one you consider your enemy. Rather than creating more division maybe we can learn to civilly disagree, and in that understanding live without demonizing the other person or side.
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