No really, be still...

My mug from Sue!

I entered Christmas break feeling "spent." Drained. Empty.  I was exhausted- physically and spiritually.  Like so many I know, I had been running on the daily treadmill of life and it felt like someone had cranked up the speed to "Maximum."  Oh, it was all great stuff, really- being Mom; attending concerts & sporting events; leading Bible Study,Youth Group, & Sunday School... the list goes on.  Unfortunately, the very obligations that I love were draining me dry.  "I'm so tired..." I would say, as I grabbed what I needed for the next item on my calendar and ran out the door.

Cleaning in the Corners

Cleaning in the corners.

I did some deep cleaning. The kind where you pull out the couch and see what lies beneath. With three boys often it was Nerf bullets, socks, wrappers, and dust bunnies. It was the kind of cleaning that necessitates taking out the "tools" attachment on my vacuum and using my muscles. It was moving the items that had been dusted "around" in the past. Oh, it's subtle at first. Over time the small areas of corners and under things get neglected- because it doesn't seem worth the effort OR it doesn't seen like it matters. But, eventually, it does. The room can even be picked up- appear clean- but I know it's not. It lacks luster. And then, either for show, because I can't stand it anymore, or I finally make time.... I CLEAN... right down to the corners.

Cleaning in the corners takes intention-ality. Effort. Vision beyond that moment.

Recently, I had the privilege to cook at Blue Water Covenant Bible Camp in northern Minnesota with
my mom. For nearly 6 years she has joined me for a week of bonding. Is our spare time we love to find projects in the kitchen. One afternoon while I was re-organizing a storage area, my mom began cleaning the drip pans beneath the burners. As she removed the first, I thought...YUCK! Just put it back... nobody sees it, anyway. "What would it matter?" One could argue.

But she didn't. She wouldn't.

My mother made it shine. It looked brand new. Baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, and elbow grease. Patience. Effort. Intention-ality. She did it because she knew it was there.

It reminded me of our character; our integrity--- what we do when no on is watching. Cleaning in the "corners" of our lives. Doing what's right when no one seems to be watching. The Apostle Peter instructs us to:

"make every effort to add to your faith goodness...knowledge... self-control.. perseverance... godliness...mutual affection... love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Pe 1:5-8)

Each of those qualities are built in in the tedium of life. They are initiated and practiced in the grind of life. The moments when no one but God sees, or understands why.

“No man is born either naturally or supernaturally with character, he has to make character. Nor are we born with habits; we have to form habits.... The great hindrance in spiritual life is that we will look for big things to do. “Jesus took a towel . . . and began to wash the disciples’ feet.” ... Do not expect God always to give you His thrilling minutes, but learn to live in the domain of drudgery by the power of God.... The tiniest detail in which I obey has all the omnipotent power of the grace of God behind it." Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

I remember hearing a story that told of a beautiful carving of a delicate bird fashioned and built into a crevice of a huge cathedral- totally in a place unseen. When asked why such breath taking work would be put where no one could see it, the response... "Well, God sees it."

Living lives of integrity and character are works of art often like that hidden carving, or labors of love like those drip pans- whittled and working us into the character of Christ. We make every effort because...
well... God sees it.

GoD and DoG

In the Everyday Grind of Life, sometimes God uses our very best mutt to share the greatest truth!

As again I sit to spend my time with the One who made me and loves me, I had to laugh.  My dog Zoe seems to want to get in on it as well.  As I sit on the floor she nearly climbs in my lap- her nose pressing and wetting the pages of my journal. She was relentless.

It's happened a number of times now.  I was thinking this morning how she so longs just to be near me.  For me to talk to her, play, and spend time just together... to show her love.  But I get so busy.  Often, she is pushed aside. Waiting.  Patiently waiting until, at last, I sit.

How often do I do that with God?  I did it again this morning.  Although I really planned on sitting down right away this morning for some much needed quiet time with Him, I once again caved to the demands of business. Just this one thing... just clean this one thing.... and ohhh I see that. I cave to what I see, rather than to what I need...  and He waits.

So, once again as I sat this morning- Zoe came.  She nuzzled in. Her wet nose upon my Book. And as I slowed- I saw the lesson. She reminded me how much God loves me.  He longs, not for my work, my clean floor, or sacrifices for him... but He longs for me to love him. To love Him, because... He loves me.  He always has.  He loves you to, my friend.

Love your cell phone customer service agent?!?!- a follow up, pt2

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that." - Jesus Mt 5:43-47

In my last blog-"Love Your Cell Phone Customer Service Agent ????"  I shared my challenge of Christ's command to love my enemies (Mt 5:43-47, Lk 6:35)  regarding a very minor cell phone refund.  To refer to a customer service agent as my enemies probably sounds harsh, unfortunately that was my attitude as I entered the process.  I did not do well.  I was demanding, short tempered.... well, let's compare it to the best definition of love:

Love is patient....   Nope.. I was not.

   love is kind... I don't think my words came out that way

... it does not envy, it does not boast- these... I did ok on those two. 

          ...it is not proud.... ooohhh... Fail!  I was pretty focused on what "I deserved."

...it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

                 Fail.                   Fail.                               Fail.                                           Fail.

   

Perhaps your thinking, it was just a phone call!  What's the big deal?