Lost? The second Friday in December is National Lost and Found Day. Ever hear of this holiday before? I certainly hadn’t, but the idea invited me to consider how being lost and found weaves throughout my life experiences. Lost and Found Day Lost and Found Day encourages us to return any items that we may have found during the past year to the people who have lost them. The official Lost and Found Day is a day for renewed hope and belief that lost items should never be forgotten or abandoned to lost and found limbo. A time to try to find any personal belongings which we have lost and put an end to the frustration of having to go without something we need. Celebrated first in 2012, this fun day is an unofficial holiday that reminds people to not give up on the things they have lost and to increase their efforts to find them. I read one survey that reported that one in five of us loses or misplaces personal items every week. Car keys are the number one item lost and cell phones … [Read more...]
Being Grateful – Henri Nouwen
Being grateful. I am being grateful to you all today. Let's give thanks to God today and everyday. Check out this post about the powerful practice of gratitude. Being grateful was a spiritual discipline one of my favorite authors, Henri Nouwen, wrote about. Besides turkey, chew and digest these words today: "To be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives—the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections—that requires hard spiritual work. Still, we are only truly grateful people when we can say "thank you" to all that has brought us to the present moment. As long as we keep dividing our lives between events and people we would like to remember and those we would rather forget, we cannot claim the fullness of our beings as a gift of God to be grateful for. Let's not be afraid to look at everything that has … [Read more...]
How To Savor the Season
The holiday season is upon us. In the U.S. this week welcomes Thanksgiving. Advent begins December 3 then time spins and speeds to Christmas and New Years. I don’t know about you, but I was bombarded by Black Friday ads right after Halloween amidst Christmas music. Whew! How do we catch our breath during the busy holiday rush? Wait! I want to savor the season, not just survive its spiraling spin. How can we slow down and breath this time of year? Savor the Season Tips When I began to write this post, I tried to create a clever acronym, an easy to remember witty expression or a wordy recipe to follow. I felt tense, making things too complicated. My writing mirrored the crazy muddled holiday emotions I was striving to avoid. I paused. I hit delete. I chose simplicity. Not a bad plan of action for the holidays either - pause, delete, and chose simplicity. Here is what I am going to do during Thanksgiving and Advent to prepare my heart to welcome … [Read more...]
Seven Fun Facts about the Fourth of July
The Fourth of July has arrived. Where is the summer going so quickly? In the U.S., we celebrate freedom as today was the day the country’s founders signed the Declaration of Independence. In essence, our country’s birthday. Or was this the actual day? I’ll answer that question later. Reflecting on both our personal, our family’s, and our country’s history helps us understand ourselves better and how we fit into God’s grand plan. Whenever I study a person of faith’s story or read about a past faith movement, I take the time to also explore their world view. What else was happening around them that shaped their thoughts and beliefs? What is happening right now in our world that influences us too? Does terrorism make us more cautious? More fearful? Does the political atmosphere drive us into action or press us into the shadows of doubt? How does the current culture affect our faith and the practices we use to express our relationship with God? How would you describe your … [Read more...]
What is Pentecost? – Let’s Celebrate!
Pentecost! What is your favorite faith holiday? Families plan big get togethers for Christmas. We decorate our homes – inside and out. We bake up a storm – sharing all the caloric goodies with everyone the whole month of December. We hunt for just the right gift to bring a smile to our loved ones. We hold candles and sing hymns that stir our hearts in holiness on Christmas eve. Families plan big get togethers for Easter, too. We bake the ham. Put bunnies on the table. Hide eggs in the backyard. Gorge ourselves on Cadberry eggs and jellybeans. The old wooden cross and a crown of thorns brings tears to our eyes. We vow to love more like Jesus and to live as he did. What about Pentecost? My latest pet peeve is that as Christians we go all out to celebrate Christmas and Easter, but what about this significant holiday in our faith? I think it is time for Pentecost to have its due! Christmas – God came down to us. Easter – Jesus rose, defeating sin and death. Pentecost – the … [Read more...]
Easter – Don’t Miss God’s Surprise!
God's surprises! He loves to give to us more than we ask for, beyond our meager human imagination. He lavishes us with love and delights to shower and dazzle us with his favor. Personally, I don’t like surprises. I like to know, to control what is happening, to be prepared ahead of time. But I am learning that what I expect is narrow, limited and small. God’s expectations reach beyond, is always More, and sweeping and spacious. I have to remind myself surprises are also fun, so it comes down to my ego and the misperception that I have some control over life. Life can be crazy, so knowing we have a God who loves us and enjoys surprising us with his goodness gives me hope, strength, and encouragement. God is in control and something good will emerge from every situation. I am slowly learning to watch for God’s surprises and take delight in them. God’s Surprises are Not New The Bible overflows with God’s dazzling unanticipated moments. George Herbert wrote, “Bibles laid open, … [Read more...]
March Merriment
March Madness Merriment How about some March Madness Merriment? Winter dreariness is getting me down. The news, arguments, and tensions wear on my nerves. I need some joy, a touch of laughter, and something whimsical to ponder. And March is my birthday month so why not write about something light, inspirational and fun today! Brain Pickings printed an insightful article about Hermann Hesse's wisdom about busyness. Here is one quote that jumped out for me: "I would simply like to reclaim an old and, alas, quite unfashionable private formula: Moderate enjoyment is double enjoyment. And: Do not overlook the little joys!" Let’s have some March Merriment! Middle Name Merriment Did you know and miss that March 10th was National Middle Name Day? I know I missed that celebration. What is your middle name and how did you get it? My second name is Anne and I was named for my great Aunt Anna. And yes, as Anne Shirley would say proudly (if you watched Anne of Green … [Read more...]
Falling in Love with God on Valentine’s Day
Falling in Love with God on Valentine’s Day During the children’s moment at church on Sunday we talked about Valentine’s Day and how this day gives us an opportunity to tell the ones we love how much we do love them. I took the kids over to the painting in front of the church and we looked at Jesus praying. Who is he talking with? Who is Jesus listening to? Do you think they are telling each other about their love for one another? A few years ago, I read a reflection where the writer wrote how much she loved God and was falling in love with God more and more. It was at that point, I realized though, I felt I had a good relationship with God, I was NOT madly in love with him. God and I had an honest conversation about the distance of my heart from his. I asked him to help me fall in love with him. God answered that prayer and now I find myself over and over again amazed at his love, head over heels in love with the Creator and wanting to spend time with my … [Read more...]