God Writes the Best Stories

This is a photo of Budapest, Hungary at night from the Danube River.  We were lucky enough to visit this incredible country this past spring.  The scene in this photo is iconic and peaceful.. it's what people picture in their minds when they think of Budapest.

But the country of Hungary has an interesting history.  Their history as a country includes being conquered several times, being split up, and even having a revolution.  They also have a history of picking the wrong side in wars.  In World War I they allied with Germany and Austria.  This alliance caused many Hungarians to die for foreign interests and lead to the overrunning of Hungary by the Atlantic countries and the splitting up of the country of Hungary.

They didn't do any better with World War II when they once again sided with Germany against the Soviets.  After that defeat, the Soviets took over the country and stayed for 44 years.   I bet that was not how the country of Hungary thought things would play out when they jumped into the fray.

Which brings me to my thoughts for today.  This morning I came across this sentence... God writes the best stories... and it gave me pause.  Then, when I opened my Bible to read, one of the first verses I read was this one

"We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails."  Proverbs 19:21 the message


2017 is almost gone.  How did your year turn out?  Did it turn out as you expected?  Did things turn out differently than you thought they would?  I can tell you that my 2017 did not go the way I had planned..... AT ALL!  Truly this has been one of the most topsy turvy years I have ever gone through.  It seems like everything I had planned out got thrown into a big old blender and instead of making milkshakes.. something else entirely came out of the mix.

And I have to tell you, there were multiple times that I questioned whether or not God knew what He was doing.  He kept adding different ingredients to the mix and I would look at Him like, are you sure God?  I'm not sure that this milkshake is going to taste good with that thrown in there.  And there were some ingredients thrown in that I did not like at all.  Things that I didn't like the taste of.

And yet, here I sit at the end of the year... in a new city... in a new to me house... in a whole different place than I had planned to be... drinking in this life that God has mixed up for me in the blender... and I am drawn to the statement I read this morning... God writes the best stories.

Wow!  What a true statement.  This story, this mixed ingredient milkshake entitled 2017, has turned out way different than I had planned for, but it is tasting better than anything I would have come up with on my own.  The story is sweeter, better, well blended, and well written because it is written and directed by God.

Don't get me wrong, God didn't take out the bitter parts of the recipe, but He blended those parts along with the sweet so that this year's bitter parts harmonize with the sweet in such a way as to be more palatable, to taste better.  Kind of like the blending of savory and sweet or hot and sweet in cooking.  It works.  And it all works beautifully.

So, if you are like me, and you are coming up on the end of 2017 and thinking that none of this is how you had thought things would go, I pray that you find solace in the fact that you are not the one who is writing the story, God is.  And I can tell you that God is good and that God loves you.

And so, I am sitting here, in my new to me office, enjoying my coffee, and the sunrise, and the story of this crazy roller coaster of a year.  And I think to myself, God really does write the best stories.  I am so grateful and I can't wait to see the story He has planned for next year.  (I will admit I am kind of hoping for a few less free falls in the roller coaster, just saying).

Just a little follow up on the country of Hungary.  Although their history is full of plans that did not go the way they had thought they would, they are now a solidly independent country.  Budapest is listed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  They are known for their architecture and culinary delights.  The Hungarians are an amazing people who kept their unique language and culture alive even through  44 years of Soviet rule, when their language and culture were basically outlawed.  So, Hungary is a very different country than what the leaders had planned, but the photos below illustrate how beautiful the story has become.  Have a great Christmas and New Year!

I am Soul Sore ... and at Peace

Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa

I was deep in a heavy hearted discussion with my husband the other day... struggling to find the appropriate words to describe how I have been feeling this year.. and I came up with the phrase Soul Sore.. and it just seemed to fit.  It fit not only how I am feeling, but I also think it fits how our nation and even our world is feeling this year.

I would define or describe Soul Sore as walking around with a bruise so deep that it reaches down to the core of your being-- clear down into the depths of your soul.  It's not a gaping wound, but it's a sore spot that seems to linger.. and every once in a while something brushes up against it and causes it to throb.  It doesn't always sit out in the open like an open wound, but it never quite leaves you-- never quite heals up all the way.  Soul Sore-- it's a deep sorrow that lingers and clings to you, not always up front and on view, but always there.  Soul Sore.  Dulling the joy, and heightening the pain.

Some of my Soul Soreness is coming from my personal life... my mother is nearing the end of her 12 year battle with cancer, and my Soul is Sore and aches for her physical pain and the emotional pain of my whole family.  My son is growing into an adult and making both good and bad decisions and I worry, as all mothers do during this transition time... Soul Sore for the bad decisions, yet glad for the good ones.. and balancing how much and when to step in and give advice and help.  Soul Sore for friends who are going through tough and hard times, both physically and emotionally.  Soul Sore for other family members struggling with health issues.  Soul Sore because I know that there are other endings coming our way, ones that are being added to our very full calendar and I am not at yet at liberty to discuss, even as I write this blog.

Soul Sore over the endless anger and pain that seems to be pouring out of everyone in our country right now.  Soul Sore over the loss of life caused by senseless acts of anger.  Soul Sore over the problems arising from several natural disasters.  Soul Sore over the fact that there are millions of people displaced in this world due to wars and famine.  Soul Sore over the  violence, hunger, thirst, and despair that still stalk our planet.


Oh dear God, some days my Soul is Sore.

I believe the following verses in Psalm describe this feeling,  this Soul Sore feeling...

"I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.  When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted."  Psalm 77:1-2

If you are in this place, this place of Soul Soreness,  I hear you.  I understand it.  I know it can be overwhelming.  I have lived there (and sometimes to be honest, I still do, in moments of time, struggle there... this Soul Soreness hits me sometimes without warning).  It is raw.  It isn't pretty.  But it's real.

I have learned a few things about life (not everything but a few things). At least for me, I've learned that there are some years that leave a mark on you-- some may call it a scar.  Whatever you may call it, it will be permanently etched into the fiber of your being.  For me, and for many of you as well, 2017 is going to be one of those years.  Denying it doesn't change that fact.  Acceptance of what is helps you to move to the next step, which involves finding some way to have peace about the situation.  Now, finding peace doesn't mean that you still won't feel the pain, it just means that you find a way to keep moving through the pain-- that you don't let the feeling of Soul Soreness overtake you to the point where you just stop everything... stop moving forward, stop living life, stop enjoying life.

The question then becomes, how do you find peace in the middle of Soul Soreness?  How do you find the balance?  How do you balance the tension that occurs naturally between being Soul Sore and yet at peace? It's a good question, and there are no easy answers. This is what I have been doing personally to help me deal with this Soul Soreness I am experiencing.

Prayer.  When I am feeling overwhelmed-- instead of immediately praying for help -- I have shifted into saying a simple prayer of "Thank you God."  Sometimes I thank Him for specific things, but often, in that first moment of feeling overwhelmed and sore, the only prayer I get out of my mouth is "Thank you God."  And I repeat it as long as it takes, as often as it takes, for me to begin to feel some relief from the throbbing soreness.

 I am honest with a few close friends about where I am at and how I am feeling, and ask them to pray for me.  And I pray for them.  Shared burdens help lighten the load.  Isolation only adds to the feeling of Soul Soreness.  Sharing the load with someone else is like adding a balm that soothes away some of the pain.  I am trying to be careful to not overshare or over burden, but I have fantastic friends who step up beside me anytime I ask (and often when I don't ask but they see that I need it).

I found inspiration from the following scripture,

" I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.  I will meditate on all your works and consider all you mighty deeds." Psalm 76:11 &12

I am being deliberate in seeking and finding the good stuff.  I am purposefully re-posting photos on my Facebook and Instagram account of all the amazing things I have seen in this world, all of the beauty that surrounds us all, all the good memories with family and friends.  I am reminding myself daily of how blessed I am.  I make time daily to surround myself with something enjoyable, something I find beautiful.  I am meditating on the good and beautiful all around me.  I start my day, in my office surrounded by my favorite photos and memories, reading about God's goodness in the Bible.  The rest of my day may suck, but I try to always begin the day with goodness and joy.  This practice provides good fuel for my soul for the rest of the day.

And that's it, really.  It's a balancing act and some days I am better at it than others.  So, although I am Soul Sore, I am also at peace.

I don't know if this helps anyone else out there.  I only know that it has helped and continues to help me.  This blog is as much for me as it is for anyone else.  It helps me verbalized and think about all that is going on in  life.  I hope you find a measure of peace today in this soul weary, soul sore world.  To be fair, I need to state that I am not living in a constant state of sad, not by a long shot.  I feel more joy than sorrow on most days.  But sorrow needs to be acknowledged as well.  I'll leave you with a few photos and verses today that provide me with a sense of God's goodness and peace.  Have a good week!

Maine

"The Lord gives strength to his people;  the Lord blesses his people with peace."  Psalm 29:11

Munich, Germany

"I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."  

Psalm 27:13

Outer Banks

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure, the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places:  surely I have a delightful inheritance. "  Psalm 16:5-6

Germany

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation."  Psalm 13:5

Venice, Italy

"Taste and see that the Lord is good."  Psalm 34:8

Florence, Italy

"To the faithful you show yourself faithful."  Psalm 18:25

Luca, Italy

"True Wisdom and real power belong to God;  from him we learn how to live and also what to live for." Job 12:13

Notre Dame, Paris

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

Kalahari, South Africa

"The heavens declare the glory of God;  the skies proclaim the works of his hands."  Psalm 19:1

Saint Chapelle, Paris

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."  

Isaiah 26:3

West Virginia, my neighborhood

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

The Battle...Fight Like a Giraffe

The Giraffe.  I have yet to meet someone who doesn't like Giraffe's.  They conjure up all types of images and feelings in people.  Usually, one thinks of them as the awkwardly charming gentle giant of Africa.

We were lucky enough to see some Giraffe while in Africa.  And I can tell you that they are indeed amazing!  They can be amazingly quiet, making almost no noise while walking calmly from tree to tree.

 And for such a large animal (males can grow up to 18 feet tall and weigh up to 3,000 pounds), they can blend into the trees and forest remarkably well.

But, as we discovered one day, you shouldn't be fooled by the perception that these animals are gentle giants who wouldn't harm a fly.  Listen, they live  out in the wild and they are on the food chain.  They are often hunted by lions.  And the lions are not hunting just the young calves, they will take down a full grown Bull Giraffe.

Looking at a lion and then looking at the Giraffe, you might assume that it wouldn't be a fair fight, that the Giraffe would end up on the dinner plate more often than not.  But the Giraffe have a few things up their sleeves.  For starters, those long legs can pack quite a punch.  If they land a kick on a lion, it's going to smart.  They have been known to break a lion's jaw with one swift, well timed kick. And they are no slouch in the speed department either, they can run up to 34 miles an hour-- pretty fast for such a big animal.  So, just knowing those facts alone should garner the Giraffe some healthy respect.

However, it is the way that the Bulls battle for dominance that got my attention, and respect. One day, while out and about, we came across a small herd of Bulls doing this...

It's called necking, and it's a battle for dominance.  The males compete with each other for dominance by steadying their legs and swinging their necks at each other to deliver sledgehammer like blows to their opponent.  A full grown Bull's neck can weigh up to 500 pounds.  You might also notice that they have two short but strong horns on top of their heads called ossicones.  They will use these to head butt the soft underbelly of their opponent to inflict damage.  And remember those kicks I mention earlier, they are not above using those legs against each other as well.  You can hear the sounds from them "necking" each other up to a half mile away.    The goal is to either tip the opponent over, injure him so severely that he gives up, or to simply intimidate the other male to the point of surrender. They have been known to break necks, jaws, ribs, and legs in this process.

Brings a whole new meaning to the term fight club.  Before witnessing this behavior, I would have thought the saying of " you fight like a Giraffe" to be a derogatory one.  Not any more.  These Giraffe's mean business.

Now these two were young males, and more than likely they were practicing honing their fighting skills.  Their efforts were a little clumsy and not entirely serious.  But when they fully mature, that will change.

So, make the leap with me today to a somewhat practical application.  Sort of....I'll admit the leap is big today. We have all heard the term that you "choose" gratitude.  And I somewhat agree with that term, but like our somewhat soft views of the nature of a Giraffe, I think the term "choose" is too soft for what you have to do in order to live a life full of gratefulness.  1st Thessalonians 5:17-18 says this: 

"Be joyful always;  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  NIV

the Message says it this way:

"Be cheerful no matter what, pray all the time;  thank God no matter what happens.  This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."

I think, in life that there are some days where maybe gratefulness comes a little easier, and the choice is an easy one.  You get an unexpected promotion or a raise or you receive a surprise gift. Gratitude in those instances is easy to have and readily expressed.

What about in the day to day things?  Like a pretty sunrise, or hearing a child laugh, or eating a good breakfast?  If we are honest, we are probably half in half on this one .  We don't always feel or express gratitude.  Sometimes we do, sometimes we don't.  But, if it is pointed out to us that we didn't express our gratitude, most of us would feel bad, and then comply.  It wouldn't be hard to express gratitude in those circumstances. Still fairly easy.

But, let's take this a step farther-- what about the day that someone hits and totals your car?  The car you just finished paying off?  You are physically unharmed, but your car is toast. And they don't have insurance.  And you really can't afford a new car.  Give thanks, even then?  Most of us could at least come around to a grudging level of gratitude by at least acknowledging that although the car is gone, we are unharmed.  But this gratitude thing is getting harder, right?

How about when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious disease?  Or when your child is severely injured?  Thanks even then????  

What about when a loved one is told that they are dying, and there's nothing more to be done.  You watch them suffer.  You see the pain. Or you loose a child.  Still, we should be grateful?

This gratitude thing, that upon first glance looks so awkwardly charming, suddenly becomes hard.  You see, life is a BIG opponent.  Life happens.  Hardship, illness, poverty, loss, and yes death.  It's all part of life.  And yet, we are instructed to be thankful for it all.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said this about gratitude, " Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously.  And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude."

I'll be honest with you, I highly value gratitude.  It is one of the character qualities I most value and strive for (I often fail).  Often, it has been easy for me to be grateful.  I have a lot in my life to be grateful for.  Family, friends, opportunity, and  beauty are all around me.

And yet, this year my biggest battle has been to remember to be grateful in ALL things.  Don't get me wrong, I have had many times that I have been grateful for, but not always.  Not in all things.  Most people probably wouldn't blame me for the moments that I didn't feel gratitude.  There are events in life that are hard and tragic, and most of us would fail to find gratitude in those moments.  But, the scripture I quoted from Thessalonians didn't say anything about selective gratitude.  It was quite clear that thankfulness was to be present in all circumstances.

And that is where the real battleground takes place, those events that come at you like a 3,000 pound Giraffe swinging it's 500 pound neck towards your ribcage while it jabs it's short hard horns into your underbelly-- leaving you bruised, broken, and hurt. And during those times... we are to be grateful and thankful.  And it is hard.

So, how do you make headway in this battle for gratefulness in all things.  I think the key battleground maneuver is stated in the few words just before we are told to give thanks.  Pray.  Pray continuously.  Pray all the time.  Pray.  

Let's take a side step into this prayer thing.  I think sometimes we think we need to "clean up" our prayers that we present to God.  Like He doesn't already know and understand what we are really thinking.  But I don't think that is the type of prayer that will be effective in the heat of the battle.  In the deep depths of  fierce battle, you don't have the time to "clean it up."  When you are in the battle, you need urgent, immediate help.  God isn't scared by your messy and honest cries for help.  He doesn't shy away from the hardness of battle.  Pain, doubt, suffering, disbelief, loneliness, anger, despair, grief, shame, horror-- none of these things are new to God.  He knows and understands these feelings inside and out.  You won't scare God away with your messy prayers.  

I can tell you that in the midst of some of my most honest, messiest, heart wrenching prayers-- God has met me.  He has given me peace when I needed it.  Comfort when I needed it. He has listened to it all-- all the vomit of emotions that I spew out-- and He has been there.  Steady.  Never wavering.  And that is where I find my gratitude.  That is where the seeds of gratefulness are planted and begin to make deep roots in my soul.  In the midst of hardship, I find that I am thankful for a relationship with a God who is always there, listening, leaning in to hear my whispered prayers, and even my shouted ones.  And I find myself grateful.  Grateful that God is there...always. It's still a battle some days, this gratitude thing.  But, It's one well worth risking, because the reward of having a grateful heart makes my life richer, fuller, more colorful and vibrant, more meaningful, and full of joy.

I know that many of you are fighting this battle, right now., as you read this.  I know that most of us, if not deep in the battle currently, will at some point in the future face this same battle.  I want to encourage you to be fierce.  Be persistent.  Brace your legs and get ready to swing your neck. Learn how to fight like a Giraffe.  PRAY. PRAY.  PRAY.  Pray messy, heartfelt, gut-wrenching, real prayers.  God is listening.

I'll leave you with a few more Giraffe photos.  Hopefully you will at least look at this amazing animal with a new appreciation.

Be Still

The photo above is from the Okavango Delta in Botswana at sunset.  We had the privilege a few years ago to go out and explore this Delta on a boat one evening.  After spending a few hours weaving in and out of paths made through patches of tall papyrus reeds and marsh grasses, stopping every once and while to observe the wildlife, we ended the evening with the boat just sitting still, watching the sun dip below the horizon.  It was truly one of the most peaceful moments I have ever experienced.  

We sat there, listening to the birds sing, hearing the hippos begin their nightly calls to each other-- which sounds sort of like a soft grunting noise-- and the various bugs adding their soft buzzing and chirping to the mix, with the water, perfectly, peacefully calm.  On the air was the light sweet scent of the marsh grass and the sharp scent of the wild sage that grows in Botswana.  The water here is crystal clear and crisp-- the grasses that grow here act as natural purifiers.

It was the perfect end to a busy day.  It was a perfect end to a fun but very full and busy vacation.  

Stillness brings with it time of reflection, feelings of deep satisfaction, calmness, and peace.  We place a lot of importance in life on movement.  Keep moving forward.  Never give up.  Don't stop.  All of that is important-- we were not meant to remain still or stagnant. But we forget that times of rest are just as important.

We need those times to stop and reflect.  We need those times to remember how much we have to be thankful for.  We need those times to rest not only our physical bodies, but our emotional and mental beings as well.

And we need to be still and let God talk and minister to us in times of heartache and pain.  

I have had a busy, but completely enjoyable week showing one of my nephews  Washington D.C.  I walked his legs off in an effort to show him all of the incredible and important history that is housed there.  And I loved every minute of it!  But some of my favorite moments?  Those moments when I had a chance to be quiet and still,  whether I was viewing an amazing piece of artwork, or gazing at a memorial that was spectacularly lit up at night.

This verse has been playing over and over in my mind these past few weeks:

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

I don't know what is going on your busy life this week.  Maybe chaos has been reigning and you are tired of all the craziness.  Maybe you have been dealing with heartache or pain.  Or maybe, you are just physically run down.  If so, My advice to you (and to me) is to make the time to take a moment and be still.  Stop, and let God speak to you.  Stop, and let God love you.  Stop, and rest.  Stop,  and be grateful.  Stop, and reflect.  Stop, and enjoy a moment of quiet.  God is not unaware of where you are and how you are feeling.  He wants to meet you right where you are-- you just need only be still.

That's it, no great words of wisdom today.  Just something simple, yet so important.  I pray that you find rest today.  I pray that you  find time to be still.

I'll leave you with one of my favorite songs from Stephen Curtis Chapman and a few more photos from that incredibly still water in the Okavango Delta.

The Importance of Foundations... Lessons from Europe

"The beginning is the most important part of the work."  Plato

Duomo in Milan, Italy

Old Cathedral in Montepulciano, Italy

St. Peter's Basilica, The Vatican

St. Stephen's Cathedral Vienna, Austria

St. Stephen's Budapest, Hungary

Notre Dame, Paris

By now, you are probably familiar with my great love for old European Cathedrals.  I am fascinated by them.  My goal in life is to visit as many of them as I possibly can.  Really, one of my secret goals is to one day publish a coffee table book containing my photos from all the cathedrals I have visited.  I doubt anyone will buy it, but I will put it on my coffee table within easy reach, so that when I am unable to travel, I can reach down and relive fond memories.  

It's safe to say that my immediate family members (my husband and my son) are not quite as passionate as I am about these old churches.  To quote my son, "I mean these old cathedrals are cool and all, but after visiting the 20th one in one day, you kind of loose your enthusiasm.  Except my mom, my mom walks into every single one of these things and is still in awe, every single time."  Yup, that's me.  Guilty as charged.  I just still find it amazing, every time I walk into one of these majestic old buildings, that people managed to build them without the use  of modern equipment.  That they were carved piece by piece, stone by stone, by hand. The artwork, the carved stairways, the statues and sculptures, even the original benches and pews that people have sat and worshiped in for centuries-- all made by someone's hand.

But probably the most amazing thing to me is that these buildings have stood for centuries.  They have outlasted natural disasters, famine, poverty, wars, and in some cases even fire.  Longevity.  It's amazing!  

This week our country will celebrate our  241 "birthday", known as Independence Day-- the day we claimed our independence from Britain.  In essence, we are celebrating our "Foundation."  Which circles me back to my previous line of thought and the longevity of my beloved cathedrals.  So why is it that these majestic buildings have survived for so long?  I mean St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican was built is 333AD (it received a facelift in the 15th century).  That's longevity!

So, curious as to find some sort of answer to my questions, I began to do a little googling on how to build a long lasting solid structure.  And everything I read came back to this one principle-- the foundation is important.  The foundation can make or break an architectural structure. Foundations are important because your entire building sits on top of it.  If you skimp on the foundation, you risk the failure of the whole structure. In fact, any mistakes you make in the foundation will only get worse as you go up.  This is known as compounding defects and it means that mistakes grow bigger as you build up. Also, a good solid foundation usually contains a cornerstone-- a piece that helps transfer the weight of the building evenly to the ground- which helps to prevent one part of the building from bearing all the weight and thus sinking on one end.  Hmmm.....

So next, I looked up the definition of the word foundation and here is what I found. Foundation can be defined as the act of founding or starting;  a basis upon which something stands or is supported; an underlying base or support.  

"Stability is everything.  Be it emotional or physical.  You need solid ground to build anything on."

"He set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."  Psalm 40:2

This foundation principle can be applied to our lives as well.  In fact, it should be applied.  Let's be real,  life if full of what one can call natural disasters.  Circumstances and events can cause things around us to feel shaky and uncertain.  Metaphorically (and sometimes literally) one can experience times of famine, poverty, war, and fire.  And when those times come, and they will for that's part of life-- your foundation will be tested.  As you build your life, you will add more weight to your  building. And it will either hold up, or you will experience structural failure.

So my question to myself, and to you today is this:  What makes up your foundation? What makes a good, solid, strong foundation?  I looked up Bible verses that contained the word foundation.  There were a lot of them, but here are just a few (you want to know the rest?  Look them up).

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it.  But each man must be careful how he builds on it." 

1 Corinthians 3:10

"So then you are no longer strangers and alien, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone."  Ephesians 2:19-20

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock and the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.  Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand." Matthew 7:24-27

"Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed."  I Timothy 6:18-19

There are  famous quotes out there about the importance of a good foundation in life.  There are a lot them as well. Here are a few:

"The foundation stones for a balanced life are faith, honesty, character, integrity, love, and loyalty."

Zig Ziglar

"The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid." Thomas Kempis

"Without a solid foundation, you'll have trouble creating anything of value."  Erika Oppenheimer

"You cannot build a superstructure on a cracked foundation."  Billy Graham

"Foundation is the key to longevity."  Jeskilz

"It is not the beauty of a building you should look at;  it's the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time."  David Allen Coe

"Faith becomes the foundation I'm built on."  T.D. Jakes

It seems like most people agree that a solid foundation is key, to both building and life structure.  But what exactly does this mean?  I by no means have this life thing figured out.  I still am, and always will be, a flawed, messy human being.  But what I know for sure is that without my solid foundation of faith in God, the life I have built (and am still building) could not have withstood the storms that I have been through.  I will honestly tell you that there have been days where the only solid thing I had to cling to was the foundation/corner stone of my deep belief and faith in God.  I have an amazing husband, but what really makes our marriage solid and stable?  Our shared belief in God. Our marriage is built on the foundation of faith.  The foundational stone of God provides stability in my life.  God will never leave me nor forsake me is a truth that bears the weight of life for me.  The fact that God loves me is a stabilizing force that allows me to feel secure, even when I am feeling my most vulnerable.  

I want to make one more observation about foundations before I wrap this up.  Did you know that sometimes a poor foundation can be fixed?  It's not easily done.  It involves a lot of time, hard work, and can be costly.  But it can be done.  Usually it involves them coming in and through a series of lifts and equipment, lifting the structure up off the ground, and then placing structural supports under the foundation to help strengthen and lift it.

If you find yourself struggling today.  If you feel like the life you have built is listing to the side and about to topple over.   Or if you even feel like you are standing in the middle of the toppled over ruins of your life, I would like to bring you gentle, heart felt encouragement.  Go back to your foundation of faith.  If you started out with that foundation-- simply find your way back to that corner stone.  If you never had faith in God as a foundation, just like a I mentioned in the paragraph above, you can add God to your foundation now.  

I hope you all enjoy a great week of celebrating our countries "foundation."  I'll leave you with a few more photos from some of the most awe-inspiring  (in my opinion) structures on our planet.

Old Parish Church   Budapest, Hungary

Vienna, Austria

Vienna, Austria

Linz, Austria

Budapest, Hungary

Durnstein, Austria

Sunbathing... Practicing the Pause...A Lion Life Lesson

It was a cold South African morning, during their winter season,  and we were at a lodge that was located in the heart of the Sabi Sands game preserve.  This area is named after the Sand River.  Winter is their dry season, and as such, there were several places where the river had dried up and all that was left was this long bed of river sand.  And this is where our story today begins, in that patch of dried up River, in the sand.

We came across this lioness and her three three month old cubs all laying in the sand, soaking up the heat that it provided.  I really can't overestimate the cuteness factor here.  There is truly something magical about cubs.

As we were observing this small pride, our guide began to tell us the story this little family.  These little cubs had already had a rough start in life.  First of all, as small cubs, they are particularly vulnerable to other predators.  They were also under threat from other male lions.  Often, when a new male comes into the territory, he will kill all the cubs (which are not his).  Very recently some new male lions had been pushing into this territory, so they were under threat.  And to top it all off, the young cubs had come down with a case of mange.. which is a disease often picked up from hoofed animals, and which can be life threatening to a young animal whose immune system is easily overwhelmed.  The risk of starvation is very real. In fact, very few cubs actually make it into adulthood. All of these problems were very real worries.  And yet, here this little pride lay, in the middle of an open patch of dried up riverbed, exposed to the very real dangers and problems.  

Now listen, lions sleep... a lot!  And I understand the wisdom of this mother using the suns rays which were heating up the sand combined with the sands nature of holding such heat to help keep her cubs warm on this crisp cold morning.  It all seems very practical.  And yet, in the midst of all this practicality... one of the little female cubs does this.... (see photo below)

She lifts her head to the sun, and closes her eyes in what looked to be sheer enjoyment of the moment.  Her circumstances hadn't changed.  The hard of aspects of her life were not going away, but in that little moment, she was just enjoying where she was.  She was enjoying the warmth of the sun hitting her face.  She was enjoying the closeness of her mother and siblings.  She was enjoying the warmth of the sand beneath her.  I like to think that she was even testing and enjoying 

the freshness of the air on this crisp clear morning.  She was "Practicing the Pause"  -- enjoying everything about that particular moment.  Feeling the goodness of that moment, in spite of the trouble still lurking for her and around her, and being grateful  for it (as much as a lion can be grateful).

It's a good life lesson, this practicing of pausing and finding the joy in a moment.  It's not always easy to do, and I very often forget to do it.  It's really easy for me to get swept up in the natural drama of life, to worry about the next step, to become so busy that I tell myself that I don't have time to pause because stuff has to get done.  And yet, when I don't make time to pause, I find that I become less... less peaceful, less grateful, less kind, just overall less.  And by not taking a moment to pause, and really enjoy the place that I am at, I miss out on some of the small but meaningful good moments in my life.

I wrote  a few weeks ago about my mom's cancer struggle, and about abundant living in spite of trouble.  And I think the key to abundant life is this practice of pausing, and enjoying, small moments.  Life passes so quickly and people (myself included) often buy into the belief that they do not have time to pause.  And yet studies have shown that the biggest regrets people have at the end of their life are rooted in the lack of taking the time to pause and enjoy the moment.  You can't get time back, once it's gone, it's gone.  And I don't want to rush through life, moving from moment to moment, next step to next step, only to discover that although I may have accomplished a lot, I have no joy in those accomplishments because I never took the time to pause and appreciate the moment.

The truth of my life, and yours, is that there are big changes on the horizon.  And while I am trying my best to prepare and plan for these changes, I am also trying to be conscious of the everyday moments.  I am trying to keep one foot in the present while getting ready to take the next step.  So what does this look like?  How am I practicing the pause? 

My moms illness means that I will have to say goodbye to her on this earth sooner than I want-- but my focus for now is pausing, and enjoying the time I have with her right now, in this moment-- instead of focusing on what will come (BTW-- it will be just a goodbye for now, I know that I will see her again one day in heaven).  I am enjoying every meal, every talk, every hug.  And I am grateful for it all.

My son is now an Airman in the Air Force.  He is growing up and maturing.  He is getting ready to start his adult life.  And I am enjoying it with him.  I am celebrating his accomplishments, enjoying our conversations, cherishing every hug, loving every meal, and cheering him on from the sidelines.  I am grateful for it all.

My husband and I have a little more free time together now.  He travels a lot for work, and so I am joining him when I can.  I am enjoying our evening meals together, meals where we can eat slowly and talk at length.  Taking time to pause and appreciate some of what we have accomplished (with God's help) so far in life.  Taking pleasure in knowing that we still have great love and respect for each other.  I am grateful for it all.

Spending time with friends laughing and eating, and just sharing in all that is life.  Most of us are at the stage where our children are , if not grown, at least older, and we are enjoying the freedom this brings for more spontaneous gatherings.  Playing lawn games, eating good food, and laughing together.  Pausing for a few hours to spend life-building, uplifting, encouraging, and fun time together. I am grateful for it all.

I am making time to enjoy my gardens, reading, practicing photography, and learning new skills.  Pausing several times during the day to quickly and quietly pray.  Challenging myself to try new things, travel to new places. meet new people, and to take time to pause several times a day-- especially on those days that seem ordinary--- to reflect on whatever I am doing at the moment and to be grateful for it all.

This practice of pausing doesn't change the fact that life happens.  It doesn't change the fact that some things in life are hard.  And it doesn't negate the need for planning and hard work.  It just helps me to live life with more gratitude, more purpose, more enjoyment, and more peace. An abundant life contains moments of action and moments for pause.  You need both.  We often plan for the action moments, but we are often neglectful about making time and intentionally pausing.  But don't just take my word about the importance of pausing and reflecting, here's what the Bible says about worry, pausing, and reflection:

"Don't fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.  Before you know it a sense of God's wholeness will come and settle you down.  It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.  Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious -- the best, not the worst;  the beautiful, not the ugly;  things to praise, not things to curse.  Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized.  Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."  Philippians 4:6-9 the message

 My challenge to myself and to you is to practice the pause and see the difference it makes.   Be like this little cub who,  in spite of everything going on and the dangers she still faced, took the time to enjoy something as simple as the sun warming her face.  I promise you a life where you practice pausing and enjoying the moment is infinitely more fulfilling.  I'll leave you with a few more photos of this little pride.  Have a good day!