I just arrived home from a glorious vacation. As I sat on the white sand overlooking the crystal blue ocean I uttered, "This is paradise." Paradise is defined as a place or state of bliss, felicity, or delight. Those were the exact feelings that I had as I took in the beauty all around me. There were no chores to do, lessons to teach, bills to pay, meals to prepare, or deadlines to meet. My mind was blank and my breathing was light and easy. I felt closer to God and the unexpected blessings that would come with this much needed rest.
Heaven is a paradise that no human can even visualize. As I walk with Jesus, I strongly believe that He does not want me to wait until I have left this world to feel heavenly blessings. My life is messy, ugly, and broken. As I draw closer to Good Friday, I can grieve the brutality of the crucifixion, but Sunday is coming. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the miracle that allows every Christian to leave the heaviness of this world behind, and find paradise in each and every moment.
Close your eyes right now and take a deep breath. Imagine your paradise...who is with you? What do you hear, smell, taste, and feel? Leave this world behind, and go to your happy place. That is a tiny sample of what Jesus died to give you...now go bless others.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Thursday, April 3, 2014
DANGER AHEAD
One of the best parts of having a break from school, is that I can meet my best friend for walks at 6:30 AM. I love starting my day with some sweat, laughter, and prayer. We are both starting to feel more alive now that the sunshine has arrived.
Icy mornings cancelled more than one day of school this winter. Christine and I would take advantage of my days off from school and try to meet before she had to go to work. The roads were not hazardous on one particular morning, but the shadowy trail that we walked had some icy spots that posed a risk. As we walked our first loop around the track, I slipped on a patch of ice and just caught myself before falling on the hard cement. We continued walking and again I found myself skidding on the exact spot. I chuckled while attempting to explain my carelessness. However, once I went over the sheet of ice a third time, both of us stopped and looked at each other with wide eyes of disbelief.
Someone recently pointed out to me that I am extremely stubborn. Honestly, I have never believed that I embodied this particular trait. I started to examine the way that I make decisions and how I approach change. My stubbornness is not the "I won't give up in the face of adversity" variety. It is more like the "I think I am right" inflexibility that refuses to entertain another perspective. I am drawn to the comfortable path that causes me to slip, fall, and perhaps hurt myself. Just like that cold morning when I continued walking over the same patch of ice, I refuse to admit that the carefully set plan that guides my days might be harmful.
Why would someone keep doing the same thing over and over again if it causes nothing but heartache? I can only answer for myself. I don't want to surrender. I don't want to give up control. I don't want to admit that I don't know what the hell I am doing. I profess to be a Christian, but when it comes right down to it, I don't trust the Creator of everything to take care of me. He might want me to give up some things or people that I want to keep. As I write these words, I am ashamed to admit that my stubbornness has caused pain and suffering. This discovery, although profound, did not cause an instant revision of how I live. I have been forced to minute by minute submit my will and acknowledge that His way is perfect. When fear creeps in, I think of that slippery piece of ice, and purposely walk away from the danger ahead.
Icy mornings cancelled more than one day of school this winter. Christine and I would take advantage of my days off from school and try to meet before she had to go to work. The roads were not hazardous on one particular morning, but the shadowy trail that we walked had some icy spots that posed a risk. As we walked our first loop around the track, I slipped on a patch of ice and just caught myself before falling on the hard cement. We continued walking and again I found myself skidding on the exact spot. I chuckled while attempting to explain my carelessness. However, once I went over the sheet of ice a third time, both of us stopped and looked at each other with wide eyes of disbelief.
Someone recently pointed out to me that I am extremely stubborn. Honestly, I have never believed that I embodied this particular trait. I started to examine the way that I make decisions and how I approach change. My stubbornness is not the "I won't give up in the face of adversity" variety. It is more like the "I think I am right" inflexibility that refuses to entertain another perspective. I am drawn to the comfortable path that causes me to slip, fall, and perhaps hurt myself. Just like that cold morning when I continued walking over the same patch of ice, I refuse to admit that the carefully set plan that guides my days might be harmful.
Why would someone keep doing the same thing over and over again if it causes nothing but heartache? I can only answer for myself. I don't want to surrender. I don't want to give up control. I don't want to admit that I don't know what the hell I am doing. I profess to be a Christian, but when it comes right down to it, I don't trust the Creator of everything to take care of me. He might want me to give up some things or people that I want to keep. As I write these words, I am ashamed to admit that my stubbornness has caused pain and suffering. This discovery, although profound, did not cause an instant revision of how I live. I have been forced to minute by minute submit my will and acknowledge that His way is perfect. When fear creeps in, I think of that slippery piece of ice, and purposely walk away from the danger ahead.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
WHO ARE YOU FOOLING?
This was the question that stared back at me from the pages of my 5 year journal...Who are you fooling? The book, given to me by my BFF Christine, poses a question a day intended to playfully keep record of our daily emotion and thoughts over time. And yet, this morning I failed to find the humor in this particular inquiry.
I have been wrestling with HONESTY. I want everyone to like me. If I fail to meet your expectations, I have a list of excuses ready to provide that can easily get me out of any jam. Years without change, have forced others to either leave or except me as I am. I am not a bad person...I just don't always tell the truth. However, my falsehoods actually have nothing to do with you. The real fool in my life is....ME. My carefully constructed existence is entirely intended to keep me comfortable, but it does the exact opposite. Thankfully, God continues to convict me. He won't force me to do anything differently. I can stay in this land of make believe, or I can surrender every area of my life and be used for His glory.
April 1st is the only day that we are supposed to be foolish, but perhaps I will start another tradition. Maybe today can be the moment when I start to get real. The reflection in the mirror does not have to be flawless, but the source of my power is undeniably perfect.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24
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