The Missing Shoe Box

I have a distressing problem. Warmer weather is approaching and I cannot find the box that holds my summer shoes. I packed them, I'm sure we moved them, but I have no clue where they are. I'm leaving in a couple of weeks to go to a wedding, and I'll be going to warmer climate, I'm going to need something on my feet other than boots or clunky clogs, right? I ventured to the thrift store yesterday, in hopes of finding a great pair of summer shoes, but everything I found was either too big or too small. I tried to squeeze into a couple pairs of sweet little flats, which would've been perfect for the outside evening wedding I'm going to, but, no, yesterday was not my day for shoe thrift store shopping.
I pondered the missing box today, and ventured into my closet a couple times to take inventory of the shoes I have. They are all very wintery and dark. Hmm, I might be hot, which isn't a bad thing for me, but I'm not sure that my cowboy boots are the right attire for the dress I'll be wearing. I wonder where that box is with all my summer shoes? I guess it won't matter, as long as I have something on my feet.
This morning, I read in the book of Ephesians, and in chapter 3, verse 12 it says this:

When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go. 

I guess it just reminded me of shoes, and walking wherever I need to walk, trusting Jesus as I go. As I step forward wearing my shoes, whatever kind they are, I'm going to pray for His boldness and the freedom to use it. He is with me all the way, Say That Again, Jesus, if I trust you, I am free to say whatever needs to be said, and bold to go wherever I need to go! You provide the shoes for me to walk in. 

The Free Life

The sun has actually peeked through every day here, and it's been warm!  My kids have been off of school on Spring break. They have been to the park, enjoyed ice cream, raced their bikes around a track, indulged in fast food, played on the X-box, and stayed up later then their usual time. I think, for them it's been a good Spring break so far, and today they have more fun plans. They are excited to be home and not in school. The idea of going back to school next week is not fun for them, they are ready for summer break! Me? I'm not ready for summer break yet, I may need to get a few more things lined up before I dive into summer!
When my kids play together nicely it goes really well, they are happy and the day is smooth. They can play all day with each other in a kind and loving way. But then sometimes we have days when they are not kind and loving; it does not go so well. They can fight, and the more they fight, the less freedom they have. There's tension, and it's just not fun.
This morning, I read the book of Galatians and it reminded me of my children. There was one verse though that struck me:

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life.

A little further down it says this:

If you bite and ravage each other,watch out-in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be?
Galations 5:16

Wow! This is exactly what happens with my children!  So I have to ask myself, how do I bite and ravage others in ways that cause me to loose my freedom? How do I allow self interest and sinful compulsions to take over my relationships in such a way that I can no longer serve in love?
Well, the answers require some pretty serious time on my knees before my Holy God. And, I have to ask Him to Say That Again to me, Jesus You have called me to live a free life, absolutely free, lead the way!

The Easter Morning Gift

I woke up early this Easter morning, as I usually do, and one of my first thoughts was about gifts. It was kind of a carry over from yesterday, the theme of gifts was on my mind then too. Yesterday, I had traveled back to being a kid and giving gifts to various people in my life, handmade gifts. There was one gift in particular that I had crocheted  and given to someone, and then the gift was rejected.  Over the years, I have been less likely to give someone a gift that I've made, because I don't want to feel the emotional rejection. This morning, when I woke up, I thought about the gifts that God has offered His people, and the gifts He has specifically offered me, and how often those gifts have been rejected. His gifts of service through others, His gifts of love and hope, His gifts of friendship. Well, the list goes on. Through the years, I have rejected them all, mostly out of fear.
Now, this morning, Easter morning I am reflecting on the gift of His Resurrection. Life. Even that gift will be rejected by some! But, I know that my heart and soul cannot survive without this gift, and I am praising Him for the empty tomb. I'm asking Him to enable me to be a gift receiver as well as a gift giver. There is great value in both, for the impact of rejecting the gift could be death.  If I am a gift receiver to His children, it reflects Him. It shows others that I value them, love them, care enough about them to receive what they have to offer.
Jesus, Say That Again, open my heart and soul to Your gifts, and teach me to reflect you by giving and receiving gifts.

The Nail

I went to a service with my family at the church last night. It was about the crucifixion of Christ. It was somber, holy, and thought provoking. Every person was given a large nail, like a spike, maybe something similar to what was driven into the hands of Jesus.
The home I was raised in did not talk about the crucifixion of Christ or His Resurrection. I did not experience this blessed news growing up, and even now as this time of year comes around I recognize that it does not totally sink in with me. I find that I am in a battle, fighting the lies inside my head.
Isn't it amazing that the God of the Universe loves me and you so much that He nailed all my sin to a cross? He took it all upon Himself, and He died! I think it's hard to sink in, because it's just so much. I make a lot of mistakes, I sin, yet God has taken that sin already on that nail and hammered it into His hand on the cross for me. FORGIVEN.
Amazing, Holy, Awesome, God. Say That Again, You were nailed to the cross, and you rose again, so that I can live with You for eternity. Thank you!

The Parties

My daughter is turning eight years old soon, we celebrated her birthday yesterday because her brother and his family are home from college. She was very excited. Initially, her list was a about three friends, but it didn't take long for the list to grow significantly. By the time she had it completed, including our family, she had a crowd. We had her favorite meal of Taco's, and played her favorite games, tag and soccer. We decorated picture frames and my husband took pictures of her with all her friends so they had something to take home with them in their frame. We ate cake and ice cream and opened presents, and listened to little girls run through the house as her big brother chased them.
She felt celebrated, loved, delighted in, wanted, and enjoyed. I'm happy about that. She had a great time, and just as I anticipated, she's thinking about her party next year.
I've had a lot of parties the last few weeks, every weekend, actually. It's been busy, with a lot to celebrate. The image that comes to mind for me lately is Jesus and all His parties. He was always going to some kind of party. He was eating and drinking, and visiting with sinners. He was dancing, enjoying people, loving them. Not all people were overly impressed with the way He did things, maybe they thought He was having too much fun, a few too many parties, possibly. He did have a lot going on, He must have been a joy to be with, right?
For me, I continue to pray that my life will reflect the life of Jesus. When there's a party, it will be a Jesus party, full of His character and His love. Jesus, Say That Again to me, You celebrate Your children, love us, delight in us, dance over us, and find great joy in us. Thank you for the parties you bring into my life and the celebrations!

The Derby Race

My son is in Scouts and last night they had a race. He was very excited because he and his dad spent a lot of time making a car for the race. He was certain he was going to be the winner. On the way into town he talked about all the names he should have painted on the back of his car, such as "bye bye" or "see ya" or "champion", as he was convinced his car would leave all the others far behind!
His car had a Lego head glued to the top of it, which I thought was a pretty clever idea. The first race, he lined up with three other Scouts, and at the count of three the cars were off. My son came in second place! He was pleased. Next race, he came in third, he seemed a little discouraged. Next race, fourth place, uh-oh, the Lego head fell off, as well as a weight, this isn't looking good.  My son, burst out loudly, "I've lost my head!" and the crowd broke out in laughter. This lightened his heart, and seemed to give him some hope for race number four. He came in second again on the last race, and we left the derby in high spirits, with a headless car!
It was fun to watch all the boys racing their cars, and having such a good time. Even with the difficulties of loosing weights and heads, they kept going until the race was over. They all had fun, and they all worked well together.
As I thought about it more this morning it reminded me of the verse in 2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Whatever happens in life, just keep going and finish the race. It's a good fight, because it's a fight for Jesus! Keep the faith, because it's for Jesus, finish, even if I loose my head! And, there are days that it feels like I might  :)

Jesus, You are the Perfecter of my faith, You fight for me, You race along beside me, continue to Say That Again to me, and I will finish the race!

The Trek through the Woods

 We went on a trek thought the woods, there were hills and big rocks. We saw a pond, too and our children begged my husband to push on the pedal with all his might and storm through it, but thankfully he thought better of that idea! I was there to navigate away from anything to dangerous, although possibly the value of my Land Rover has diminished. We had fun.
Thank You, Jesus, for fun. Say That Again, Jesus, You bring fun into life and Joy. I appreciate that.