What's in your pockets?

When my son, Keagan, was younger, he used to love collecting rocks.  Every day he would come home with pockets weighed down with rocks of various sizes, colors and shapes.  For some unknown reason, he really, really liked the gravel they used on his school playground.  This fascination with rocks caused me major laundry headaches.  When picking up his jeans, they were so ladened with rocks they felt like they weighed a hundred pounds.  I couldn't figure out how this skinny little boy managed to walk around all day with all this weight. I'm quite sure that half of the playground ended up at my house.  And I'm equally sure that the garbage men were stunned at the weight of our trash can.  I can see it now, two trash men coming up and collecting our cans, one looking at the other and asking, "Geez, what do they put in their trashcans to make them so heavy?  Rocks?"  Ummmmmm…. yes.

I was so desperate to end rockmagedden in our household, that I took to begging my son to not collect any more landscaping rocks, telling him that I hated to keep throwing them away.  Turns out that was the wrong thing to say.  He looked at me with big, sad eyes and said, "You're throwing away my rocks?"  Uh oh.  I assumed he knew that was what I was doing.  I mean really, where did he think all those rocks were going?  I tried to reason with him by saying that all those rocks were weighing him down.  They were causing him to wear holes in his clothing, not to mention wrecking havoc on my washer and dryer.  And, he was bringing home the same type of rock day in and day out.  There was nothing special or unique about them.  He was quite upset at me.  I felt bad, but I also felt justified in my argument.  We ended the discussion by agreeing to what I thought was a good compromise.  He could still collect rocks, but he agreed to only bring home those rocks that were unique or different or special to him.

The VERY NEXT DAY…. I see him walking toward me as I pick him up from school.  I immediately notice that his jeans are once again turned into low riders.  I sigh….. loudly.  When we get home, I stop him from going into the house and tell him to empty his pockets on the porch.  He does so, reluctantly.  And yes, it's just as I suspected, those tiny little pockets of his were loaded with landscaping rocks.  All looking the same.  Same color.  Same type.  I can feel my blood pressure rising just a little bit, but I calmly ask him if he remembered our agreement.  He looked at me with big, happy eyes and said, "Yes mom, I only brought home the special rocks."  I glance down again at the uninspiring pile of rocks  before me.  I look at him.  He looks like he believes every word he is saying.  I finally asked the question that I should have asked in the first place.  "Son, what makes these rocks so special to you?"  I then spent the most incredible 20 minutes with my son as he picked various rocks and explained what had made each one so special to him.  He picked up one rock, and to my utter horror (because I am a certified germ-aphobe) licked it.  After I got over the horror of thinking about all the "stuff" on that rock I actually clued into what he was saying.  "See mom,"  he said, "This rock turns a pretty dark black when it's wet.  And it sparkles." And then, whispered to me, "I think it might have some gold in it."  And you know what?  He was right, when the rock was wet, it was a pretty color, and the sparkles captured and reflected the sunlight in an interesting way.  But the true gold was in the happiness in his eyes as he told me about that rock.  The next rock was special because one of his friends gave it to him.  The next rock was unique because when you looked at it a certain way, it looked like a face.  And on and on he went, revealing to me how he marked all the special things that had happened to him in his day by collecting those rocks.

This story is a great illustration for life.  We all go through life, collecting "rocks" for our "pockets."  I'll admit, sometimes when I have looked at others, all I see is that they are walking around with pockets full of boring rocks, that do nothing but weigh them down.  I easily dismiss their rocks because I do not take the time to discover the value those rocks have to them.  The true key to understanding and loving someone lies in taking the time to ask about their rocks and the meaning behind them.  To open myself up to viewing their rocks they way they see them.  To truly listen to their "rock" stories.

After that 20 minutes of sitting with my son on the porch, listening to his "rock" stories, I no longer viewed those rocks as unimportant, bothersome, and boring.  Together, we decided to dedicate a space in the back yard to Keagan's rock collection.  He could gather rocks and place them there, as many as he wanted. As expected, Keagan grew out of his rock phase, but while he was still collecting, I made sure to take the time to listen to his "rock" stories.  Those stories provided me great insight as to what was going on in his day to day life.  Even now, as a teenager, he will sometimes find an interesting rock while we are out and bring it up to me to show me what makes it special.  Every time he does this, my heart stops, my ears perk up, and my spirit rejoices that he still does this.

My challenge to myself and to you is to take the time to pause, listen, and encourage those around us to not only reveal their rocks to us, but also to reveal what makes the rocks they are carrying around unique and special to them.  To let them feel comfortable, loved, and understood.

I'll leave you with a few photos of some of the amazing "rocks" I have come across.  Have a great day!

The earth laughs in flowers...

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope that you are enjoying Spring as much as I do.  It feels good to get outside and work in my flowerbeds.  I'm loving watching the new green buds and flowers popping out seemingly overnight.  It reminds me that even though we've had a long hard winter, there is hope for a fresh, new,  green spring.

So, with a hopeful and renewed mind, I'm going to keep it light today and share a few quotes about spring along with a few photos from my gardens.

"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow."  Audrey Hepburn

"Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?"  Neltje Blanchan 

"Where flowers bloom, so does hope."  Lady Bird Johnson

"Flowers are sunshine, food, and medicine to the soul."

"The earth laughs in flowers."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Spring is nature's way of saying, Let's party!"  Robin Williams

"Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life."  S.D. Gordon

Spring is a reminder that all things are made new.  A hope for a brighter future. Spring reminds us of how blessed we really are.  So, breathe in the fresh, warm spring air.  Look around and enjoy the blessing of new life.  And I am wishing you a great Friday filled with hope, and freshness, and blessings popping out all around you.

Why are you so angry?

I heard a question the other day that floored me.  The question being asked was, "Why are Christians so angry all of the time?"  Wow!  Is that how I come across?  I hope not.  And as I thought about it, I began to ask is that how we, as Christians, are coming across to the world around us?  And my honest answer to that questions was, "Sometimes, yes we do come across as angry." And that broke my heart.

 I've witnessed too many times when people who have different view points use their belief that they are on the "right" side to justify the bloody beating down of another human being.  Then they walk away, feeling justified and good about themselves, while they leave this person deeply scarred, wounded, and bleeding on the side of the road.

We allow ourselves to say the most heinous things to another because we feel that we are on the "right" or "just" side of an issue.  It's too easy to get so caught up in a conflict that you start to focus on yourself and winning the argument and you forget the fact that your so called opponent is a person who is deeply loved by God, regardless of their beliefs. And I will admit that I have done this, but I take no pride in it.  In fact, it makes me a little ill.

I think somewhere, somehow, in the pursuit of being on the "right" side of things we, as Christians, have somehow lost our focus.  Our focus has turned from love to sin.  What I mean by that is that we have started focusing on the sin of others instead of focusing on loving others.  We have made sin the big picture, instead of love, grace, and mercy.  By focusing on the sin we have allowed it to overshadow the one Big truth about God.  God loves everyone, in spite of the sin.

 And, to be honest, I'm a little sick of seeing it happen.  I'm tired of reading statements that are unkind about our president.  No, I do not agree with most of his decisions, but that doesn't give me the right to say disparaging, cruel things about him.  In fact, the Bible calls for me to pray for him, not judge him.  I know that I wouldn't want the job of being the president.  I'm tired of seeing posts on Facebook that are so excited about pointing out the sin of another person.  Of attacks on people's character.  Posts that judge others in meanness, ignoring the fact that that person is dearly loved by God. Posts that justify treating others poorly because they disagree with your position.

 No wonder people are so against God, if that's what we are showing them.  What are they to think if we are saying one minute that God loves everyone, and in the next breath we set conditions on God's love, saying that He doesn't really love everyone, only some.  We treat people we meet poorly, without kindness, dignity, or grace.  We spend our whole time arguing and fighting and bickering about  what sin is bigger, badder, more unforgivable.  Even amongst ourselves we argue and fight about who is right and who is wrong.  We judge our fellow believer's actions, failing to show compassion to those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Who would want to follow a God whose followers are acting that way?  I wouldn't.

 But, I would argue that this is not God's plan for how things should go.  Here's some of what the Bible says about conflict, judgement, differences of opinion and how we should be treating others.

"Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do.  And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with -- even when it seems they are strong on opinions but weak in the  faith department.  Remember they have their own history to deal with.  Treat them gently.  For instance, a person who has been around for a while might be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume all Christians should be vegetarians and eat accordingly.  But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell into criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat?  God, after all, invited them both to the table.  Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome?"  Romans 14:1-4  the message

""Pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences."  Ephesians 4:3 the message

"Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another."  Ephesians 5:21  the message

"Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders.  Don't miss a trick.  Make the most of every opportunity.  Be gracious in your speech.  The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out."  Colossians 4:10  the message

"Even though we had some standing as Christ's apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important with you or anyone else.  We weren't aloof with you.  We took you just as you were.  We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children."  1 Thessalonians 2: 6-8  the message

"The first thing I want you to do is pray.  Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.  Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business."  1 Timothy 2:1-2  the message

"Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights.  God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey.  You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart."  2 Timothy 2:23-25  the message

"Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand.  No insults, no fights.  God's people should be big hearted and courteous."  Titus 3:1-2

"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless."  Titus 3:9  the message

"Listen, dear friends.  Isn't it clear by now that God operates quite differently?  He chose the worlds down and out as the kingdom's first citizens, with full rights and privileges.  This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God."  James 2:5  the message

"With our tongues we bless our God our Father, with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image.  My friends, this can't go on."  James 3:9-10  the message

"Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others.  It is gentle and reasonable, over flowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two faced.  You can develop a healthy robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor."  James 3: 17-18  the message

"Respect  the authorities, whatever their level: they are God's emissaries for keeping order.  Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules.  Treat everyone you meet with dignity.  Love your spiritual family: Revere God.  Respect the government."  1Peter 2:13-17  the message

"Isn't it obvious that  God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God."
1 Corinthians 1:14  the message

You see, God's plan was always about showing love, not anger, to others.  God's plan isn't about arguing and fighting with others to prove your point.  The only thing you prove by by arguing with someone is that you can be just as stubborn as they are.  However, what argument can withstand in the face of love?  Seriously, nothing shuts down an argument with someone faster than the statement of "I'm not going to argue with you because I love you, and because God loves you."   I love this quote:

"We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are.  But by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all of their hearts to know the source of it."  Madeline L'engle

The other part of God's plan that you should never lose sight of is your own sin.  But for the grace of God in your life, you would be lost.  Tim Keller put it this way:

"You are more sinful than you could dare imagine and you are more loved and accepted than you could ever dare hope."

That doesn't mean that you can't have opinions or beliefs.  It doesn't mean that you can't or shouldn't voice those beliefs.  I'm just saying to make sure you do it in love.   Remember that those who are on the other side of the argument are human beings created by God, and treat them as such.

So my challenge to you and to me  is to avoid being the "angry" Christian.  Instead, be the loving one.   Watch your words and actions, for there are those out there who are desperately looking for love to touch their lives, and you may be the only one to bring it to them.   Look past their sin, look past their appearance, and see the person who God loves deeply.  And respond to them in love, instead of defensiveness and anger.  Show the world the true face of God.

I am a Prisoner of Hope

Hope.  Such a small word for such a powerful feeling.  When we have hope, we look forward to a future, usually a better one.  Hope is what drives us to find cures for disease.  Hope is what gets us up and moving in the morning.  Hope drives us.  Hope is what often comes to mind when we look at our children and the future of this world. Hope is what has saved many a person when they were in the darkest spot of their lives.  Hope believes in solutions. Hope brings direction and a vision for the future. Hope looks for the good. Hope is empowering. Hope brings joy.

And as powerful as Hope is, the loss of hope can be equally powerful.  When someone has lost hope, they no longer see a future that is better.  The loss of hope in a situation is the opening to a chasm that is a dark pit, void of goodness.  There cannot be true life without the possibility of a future (hope). Loss of hope lacks vision.  Hopelessness breeds weakness.  Hopelessness sees only the bad. Hopelessness brings nothing but sorrow.

I saw this quote, "I am a prisoner of hope," along with a reference point of Zechariah 9:12 on the internet this morning, and it struck me between the eyes.  The full verse is this:  "Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you."  NIV

Immediately my mind conjures pictures of what a prisoner is. When I picture a prisoner, I picture chains wrapped around hands and feet, someone who is bound, unable to remove themselves from the chains.  Someone firmly locked in place.  Someone locked in a impenetrable fortress. Now, that can be a hopeless image until you picture those binding chains as chains of hope, firmly locked in place around arms, hands, legs and feet.  Completely encapsulated in a fortress that is made of the impenetrable stones of hope.  Wow!  What an image.

And that is what I want to be.  I want to be a prisoner of hope.  I want to wrap myself up in hope so tight that even in the darkest places, I still have a vision for the future.

So, that leads me to my next question.  Where do I get that hope from?  For me?  I get my hope from God.  This scripture says it best:

"God, the one and only--I'll wait as long as he says.  Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not?  He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, an impregnable castle:  I am set for life."  Psalm 62:5-6

And here's the key question that many ask me.  Why?  Why do I say I get my hope from God.  Why is He my source?  Now I could get all theological on you here, or quote some more scripture, or even just say that dreaded word "Because."  But I'm not sure that any of that would truly answer the question.  And I admit, as I type this, it's hard for me to verbalize my why, but I'm going to try.

Let's start with the obvious-- I believe in God.  And there are many reasons for that, but this blog is about hope.  Although I will track off point to say this-- I am a person who likes there to be concrete answers to things--I like science and discovery and that sort of stuff. And yet,  I cannot look at all the detail that nature has to offer, all the complexities, all the nuances to be found in nature, and believe that it is a random event.   For me, God had to be the creator of this world.  And that ties in with why I have hope in God.  Look at what he created.  The fact that all species can recreate life in the form of offspring is a study in hope.  Hope for a future for each species.  For me God embodies the essence of hope.    Hope that there is one who loves me beyond comprehension.  Hope that there is one who looks out for me.  Hope that I can become a better person.  Hope that there is a meaning and purpose to my life.  Hope that there is goodness in this world. Hope that there is something better ahead.  God offers all of that and more.

I am not sure that I am knowledgeable enough, or eloquent enough to fully verbalize my hope and it's source.  But maybe, I said enough that you at least understand what I was trying to say, in my stumbling, bumbling way.

So, my challenge for myself and to you is to become prisoners of hope.  To wrap hope so tightly around myself that I am forever bound to it.  That I find, in every situation, a vision of hope that I can cling to. I can say this, I would rather live full of hope than full of hopelessness!  Have a great day!

I'll leave you with a few photos from a fortress in Puerto Rico.