A word often heard in our home is enough... Is there enough bread for sandwiches tomorrow? Enough leftovers to feed six? Enough clean socks for school in the morning? Enough money to pay that big bill at the end of the month? Somehow we always do have enough - enough food on the table, enough rooms for everyone to have their own space, enough clothes in the closet (or in the dryer, at least!) Enough is good, it is right and peaceful. It is contented and satisfied.
A prevalent message from Madison Avenue is that less is NOT more, and sometimes even more isn't more. And yet when I slip into this vortex of want, a song that soothes my heart and feeds my soul is Enough, by Jeremy Camp:
All of you is more than enough for
all of me for every thirst and
every need you satisfy me
with your love and all I have in you is
more than enough.
Thank you Jesus, that your grace is enough, and you give us all that we need. Fill us with contentment and let us rest in the abundance of the moment in every way.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Have you seen the commercial where the dad skips down an office supply store behind his cart singing, "It's the most wonderful time of the year"? The kids of course are dragging behind, faces downcast. The first day of school felt like Christmas to me this year. Not that it was this joyous occasion, but just that it seemed it would never get here. But like every anticipated event, it arrived right on time.
Of course it goes without saying that I love my kids, I adore my kids, I would do anything for my kids. BUT they were tired of looking at my face and each other and my Camp Mama Bag of Summer Tricks was empty, with a capital EM. Nothing like some real bonenumbing boredom, paired with a little sibling rivalry and a lot of rain to make three kiddoes so happy to return to school - not that all of them admitted that, mind you.
The last couple of days have been filled with school supply gathering and labeling, lunch packing, first day outfit selecting and ironing, all the details that needed to be set straight so this morning would go smoothly for the kids. As I get older, I'm noticing the little details of life that point to the brilliance of God, Abba Father. He really thought of everything, didn't He, sorting out this world so that all would go well with us?! One example of his attention to detail is the seasons, the gradual transition in weather, schedule, life space. Each season has so much to offer - I'm not sure I could live in a place with two seasons instead of four. Last year I dreaded this time of year and was full of Mama angst and torment; this year I am filled with peace and excitement, knowing what great things are in store for my first, third and fifth grader. Yes, they are growing up, but it's good, it's right, it's what God desires for them and right now, in this season of their lives and mine, I can embrace that.
"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1
Of course it goes without saying that I love my kids, I adore my kids, I would do anything for my kids. BUT they were tired of looking at my face and each other and my Camp Mama Bag of Summer Tricks was empty, with a capital EM. Nothing like some real bonenumbing boredom, paired with a little sibling rivalry and a lot of rain to make three kiddoes so happy to return to school - not that all of them admitted that, mind you.
The last couple of days have been filled with school supply gathering and labeling, lunch packing, first day outfit selecting and ironing, all the details that needed to be set straight so this morning would go smoothly for the kids. As I get older, I'm noticing the little details of life that point to the brilliance of God, Abba Father. He really thought of everything, didn't He, sorting out this world so that all would go well with us?! One example of his attention to detail is the seasons, the gradual transition in weather, schedule, life space. Each season has so much to offer - I'm not sure I could live in a place with two seasons instead of four. Last year I dreaded this time of year and was full of Mama angst and torment; this year I am filled with peace and excitement, knowing what great things are in store for my first, third and fifth grader. Yes, they are growing up, but it's good, it's right, it's what God desires for them and right now, in this season of their lives and mine, I can embrace that.
"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Letter to a Grownup Friend
I was blessed to hear from an old friend of mine, a former student who is all grown up, married and finding her way in this mysterious journey with Christ. Here's what I wrote her...
Okay, so my mind is full of questions for you... bear with me... What makes your heart beat fast? If there were no hurdles, no obstacles, nothing to deter you, what would you be doing with your life? When you imagine yourself at your 20 year reunion, what would you like to be able to say about yourself and your lovely life? What do you do currently? What do you love about it? What do you hate about it? What did you do in Australia? What did you love about it? What did you hate about it? Why did you come home? The 20s are possibly the most challenging and amazing lifespace - a paradox of time. You are coming into a fuller sense of yourself, and the intricacies and beauty of the relationships and responsibilities around you. Lean into the process, but also push through it. God uses transition to speak into and through us. The tricky part is knowing how long to linger, and when to power up on the pondering place. If God calls you to something, it's so often a whisper, but will He stop whispering if we don't respond in His timing? I pray not. I do know that He never lets go or gives up, even when our way seems a bit cloudy to us. He disciplines us, too, in these times of waiting because He's crazy for us and knows who we're designed to be. He won't let us stagnate. Have you read Hinds Feet on High Places? A beautiful allegory of our journey with Him. We are finite creatures; He is without end. Yet He adores us and has created each of us to fulfill something unique to our giftings. And yet that's not quite it either b/c it's not about doing, it's about being - His and only His, yet while giving ourselves freely to those around us. Know there are seasons in our lives of full engagement with Him and with our callings, then there are times of quiet and stillness, and even static, like the static of my ancient laptop. By the way, I love your writing. Always have.
Faith, hope & love to you,
-anne
(So much for paragraphs.)
Okay, so my mind is full of questions for you... bear with me... What makes your heart beat fast? If there were no hurdles, no obstacles, nothing to deter you, what would you be doing with your life? When you imagine yourself at your 20 year reunion, what would you like to be able to say about yourself and your lovely life? What do you do currently? What do you love about it? What do you hate about it? What did you do in Australia? What did you love about it? What did you hate about it? Why did you come home? The 20s are possibly the most challenging and amazing lifespace - a paradox of time. You are coming into a fuller sense of yourself, and the intricacies and beauty of the relationships and responsibilities around you. Lean into the process, but also push through it. God uses transition to speak into and through us. The tricky part is knowing how long to linger, and when to power up on the pondering place. If God calls you to something, it's so often a whisper, but will He stop whispering if we don't respond in His timing? I pray not. I do know that He never lets go or gives up, even when our way seems a bit cloudy to us. He disciplines us, too, in these times of waiting because He's crazy for us and knows who we're designed to be. He won't let us stagnate. Have you read Hinds Feet on High Places? A beautiful allegory of our journey with Him. We are finite creatures; He is without end. Yet He adores us and has created each of us to fulfill something unique to our giftings. And yet that's not quite it either b/c it's not about doing, it's about being - His and only His, yet while giving ourselves freely to those around us. Know there are seasons in our lives of full engagement with Him and with our callings, then there are times of quiet and stillness, and even static, like the static of my ancient laptop. By the way, I love your writing. Always have.
Faith, hope & love to you,
-anne
(So much for paragraphs.)
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