My 2 Cents

So, everyone's been writing about Valentine's Day today. Some are happy to celebrate their romatic love. Some are reminding themselves and others of God's greatest love. Some are bemoaning the reminder of their singleness. I thought I'd go ahead and throw my two cents in for the day. I don't honestly care one way or the other about Valentine's Day. I mean, I don't dread it, but neither do I look forward to it. I get a kick out of sending silly messages to my friends, and it never hurts to have a little extra chocolate around, but that's about the extent of it for me. Here's my secret.

I like being single.

There, I said it. I mean, some days, I get lonely, come home and want to talk about my day, cook for someone, wish for a shoulder to cry on, and I do hope for the opportunity to raise children one day -- sure. What single adult woman doesn't? But, on the whole, I enjoy my life and my freedom. Mostly, I think I can say that confidently because of what I wrote a few days ago ... God is good ALL the time. God's not just good to those of you who married your sweetheart right after college, got a job, bought a home, and started a family. He's good to those of us who struggled through grad school, lived in dumpy little apartments, and still drive beat up cars. He didn't put my life on hold to help you get started with yours. He's been writing my story right along with yours ... it might be a different genre, but it's still His work. So, for those of you who've cautiously wished me a half-hearted "Happy Valentine's Day" -- thank you. Thank you for thinking of me and for wanting me to know that I am loved. But, please don't pity me. I'm living a great adventure, and I am not disappointed. (see Romans 10:11)

Thank You, Snopes

I received an email today that attributed the following poem to Maya Angelou. After checking it out at www.snopes.com, I discovered the true origin of this poem was from another author entirely, but the beauty of the message still hits home.

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved


Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer

ALL the time

Recently a friend reminded me of a very simple truth with a new inflection. It was in the middle of a crazy week, and I was struggling with circumstances around me. She listened patiently, then stated simply, "Kristen, God is good ALL the time."
I've thought about that a lot ever since she said it. I've even repeated it to others. And, last night, as I lay down to sleep, I thought about it again.
You see, for a variety of reasons, I expected yesterday to be one of those really fabulous days from the Lord, filled with abundant jump-up-and-down-for-joy blessings. I just did. But, as the day closed, and I lay in bed before 10:00, with an all over ache that made me nervous about my own health, and I reflected on the day itself, I couldn't come up with anything particularly wonderful to say about the day. It wasn't a bad one by any means, but neither did it seem particularly remarkable. The words played through my head again. "God is good ALL the time." Even when I can't see it? Even when I can't feel it? Then, I thought about something I have told our Bible study many, many times. "Faith is believing that God is good despite all evidence to the contrary." Faith is believing that God is good when circumstances look bad. Faith is believing that God is good when His hand over a matter isn't apparent. Faith is believing that God is good when there's nothing extraordinary about a day that I expected to be fabulous. Faith is believing that even though I didn't see evidence of greatness yesterday, God was working for my good.

Crazy or Jesus?

I have decided that I need to start offering regular installments of this theme, stories about things that God does that have to be absolutely crazy ... or Jesus! When I was in high school, I used to pray that my life wouldn't make sense unless a sovereign God is in control. How God has enjoyed showing me what fun the answers to that prayer can be, I'm sure!
Yesterday, I got a call from my cousin, Sassy. She and her boys (6 months and 2 1/2 years old) were driving down a busy highway in their city when she had to hit her brakes to avoid colliding with a large Suburban. When she did that, the brakes locked, and she lost control of her vehicle, sliding from one side of the four lane highway to the other, spinning into a 180 degree turn, and landing on the other side of the highway facing oncoming traffic. She said that she'd braced herself to slam into that final guardrail and closed her eyes, only to come to a stop inches from the rail and see that all other vehicles and managed to avoid hitting her and gave her space to turn her vehicle around and get back on the road, her boys sleeping through the entire incident! I marveled when she said that the "landing" was like being tossed against a giant mattress, soft, and not even jarring, just inches from the guardrail. She was understandably shaken, even tearful, but then she told me the most interesting part. "Kristi, when I tucked the boys in last night, we said our prayers like we always do, only this time, I added a special request that each time we get into the car God would post His angels around us to keep us safe." She said, I don't always pray that, but I did last night, having no idea how much we would need that protection from the Lord today.
A mom of two in an SUV slides across four lanes of traffic -- twice -- and comes to a stop facing oncoming traffic without a single scratch on her vehicle, anyone else's car, or her body, and both of her young sons sleep peacefully through the entire incident. Crazy ... or Jesus???

Three Weeks Later

Okay, so I didn't forget that I promised an updated report about Papa's anniversary in Rio Hondo, I just have been overwhelmed at the thought of figuring out what to say. I think I'll just provide you with a list of the highlights as I see them:

1. Friday night, surprising Nana by having her brother and sister and their families show up a day early and join us for dinner at Peter Piper Pizza!
2. Saturday afternoon at the reception, seeing the Fellowship Hall bustling with people and reunions taking place all over the place before the 2 o'clock start time was even close.
3. Saturday night, family dinner and share time, hearing Nana's youngest brother talk about how the parents that raised him were so different from the household Nana described growing up in because by the time he came along, Papa had led Grandmother and Grandpa Gautier to the Lord.
4. Sunday morning -- wow. The packed out auditorium. Jerry Hartzog rewriting a verse of "Thank You for Giving to the Lord" to reflect Papa's role in his own testimony of salvation. Norris Nance being helped onto the stage between Papa and Uncle Vance, knowing that he was there against his doctor's advice but determined to bless and be blessed by participating. Travis' version of "Haven of Rest". Papa's singing "The Lighthouse" on his knees, overcome with gratitude. Nana dropping her dove during the symbolic dove release outside!
5. Sunday night, family chill time, the hokey Horton family sing-a-long with hand motions, watching Danny break dance, and hearing Nathan tell everyone about his disappointment in the Charger's loss.

There really aren't words to tell you what that weekend was like for us as a family, but I cannot thank you enough for your prayers and support in preparation for it. And, for those of you who've had to hear all of these stories in detail, in person --you're my heroes this month!