Brother Hugs

This week has been one for the record books. I will not soon forget it. An incident with a client rocked my happy little world and nearly lead to the filing of a police report. What is comical now that all has been resolved was terrifying for about 72 hours.

I am blessed to work with some wonderfully godly men and women who helped me find my way through the whole mess on a professional level, but so many times each day I found myself just wishing for a good, strong hug from one of my Christian brothers. Unfortunately, most of the ones I have counted on for such things in the past were unavailable this week, either having moved away or being out of town on business. On Wednesday night, I asked some godly women in my life to pray that God would strengthen me to do whatever was going to be required of me and that He would comfort me, even as I longed for someone with "skin on" to reinforce the message.

All day Thursday the Lord provided such incredible peace. He brought verses to mind that helped me remember that the battle was for Him to fight and I needed only to rest in Him. And, sure enough, when the resolution came, it was in a way I'd have never imagined. It was swift, decisive, and even provided some very welcome humor.

This morning, as I woke, came to work, and went about my tasks, the weight I'd been shouldering all week was gone, and I reveled in a refreshed sense of joy in my work, quickly putting all the drama behind me.
Then, about mid-morning, I received a very unexpected phone call from JJ, one of those brothers I was missing this week as he had been out of town on business. He was running some errands and realized he was near my new office and wanted to come by. By the time I returned the call to tell him to "come on over!" he was already in our parking lot. He came in, greeted me with a warm hug, and visited for a few minutes. I gave him the tour, walked him back to the parking lot, hugged him goodbye and went back to my desk. It was only after I sat down, thinking about what a pleasant surprise it was to see him today, for the first time in a couple of months, that I realized God really had heard my request for a brother-hug and sent one just as soon as He could. JJ's plane landed last night, and here he was in my office before noon this morning. How sweet of God to punctuate His love by sending a hug from someone with "skin on!"


Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

On Mother's Day

In our family, my dad is the sentimental one, famous for stepping back from a gathering of family or friends and stating thoughtfully, "it'll never be exactly like this again." This morning at the breakfast table, he tried to suggest that we take turns sharing things we learned from our mothers, mine sitting right next to me. Mama and I both groaned and refused to play the game, but I've been thinking about it all day long.
My mom and I are very different people. My mom is shy, never ever one to be the center of attention. She turns clammy and trembles at the mention of having to speak in public. My mom is proper, in dress, in speech, in decorum. She works hard not to stand out. My mom never breaks the rules, and she rarely bends them. She is punctual, does everything that is expected of her, never lies, and always follows directions to the letter. My mom is extremely observant, rarely forgetting a face, catching every detail. My mom is obedient, even her mother will tell you she was a perfect child. My mom is practical. She doesn't like flowers because they cost too much and die too soon. She doesn't waste time or money or energy or words. My mom doesn't complain.
I, on the other hand ... well, you know. I mean, I blog because I have so many words all the time. I buy myself fresh flowers when it strikes my fancy. My mother would tell you I was the definition of a strong-willed child, difficult at every turn. I'm terrible with faces and only slightly better with names, and I miss the most obvious details. I push the proverbial envelope at every turn, often just to get a rise out of others, usually her. I love bright colors, and I am happiest when speaking to an audience. We are very different people.
As I was growing up, these differences were difficult for both of us. As I matured, moved out of the house, made my way through college, and headed into graduate school, we seemed to find more common ground, or at least brokered a general peace. I grew to appreciate who she was as a woman and began to understand how much I could benefit from her softer, gentler ways.
Lately, more often than not, I look in the mirror first thing in the morning and feel as though I am saying hello to her. While we may not be much alike in personality, the similarities in our appearance are undeniable. And, with each passing year, I realize that while she will always be my mom - older, wiser, more aware of the pitfalls ahead of me than I can imagine, more concerned with my welfare than I'll ever understand - she's also my friend. I love being in her home, relishing her hospitality. I love calling her in the middle of the day to tell her something outrageous, then hanging up and imagining her sitting at her desk shaking her head at me. I love to shop with her, learning to appreciate her eye for fashion and enjoying challenging her conservative choices in accessories. I love to plan meals with her. She has so much to teach me! I love to introduce her to new music, movies, and technology.
I am thankful that she taught me that my feet, my face, and my hair are worth spending money to take care of. I am thankful that she taught me that presentation matters when it comes to hospitality. I am thankful that she taught me to appreciate Christian music and sound Bible teaching while we worked around the house or ran errands on Saturdays. I am thankful that she never let me get away with dusting around the picture frames, but made sure I picked each one up. I am thankful that she stayed after me to learn better penmanship. I am thankful she encouraged and nurtured my love for reading. I am thankful she forgave me and was doggedly determined to love me through my most unlovable years. I am thankful she worked harder than she had to, so that I could experience so much of life. And, most of all, Mama, I am so thankful that you always turned the mixer off BEFORE you handed me the beaters! ;-)

In Him

Two little words are pounding in my heart and mind today. In Him.

...He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him ... in Him, my heart trusts and I am helped ... I will hope in Him ...whoever believes in Him may have eternal life ... whoever abides in Him bears much fruit ... whoever believes in Him receives forgiveness through His name ... in Him we live and move and have our being ... whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame ... in every way you were enriched in Him, in all speech and knowledge ... for all the promises of God find their "yes" in Him ... And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together ... For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell ...

I could go on and on and on!

Here's what's gripped me today. In Christ, I lack nothing. I want for nothing. But, I go around day after day, living like an incomplete person, pretending as though other things can fill me. Far too often, I live a powerless life. I wring my hands anxiously, needlessly. I've ignored who (and Whose) I really am. "In Christ, the fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him who is the head of all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10) What?! The fullness of deity dwells in Christ, and Christ dwells in me.

Shield! Refuge! Hope! Salvation! Redemption! Eternal Life! Forgiveness! Chosen! Inheritance!

In Him.

Early on in my CWJC career, another site coordinator talked with me about operating out of a place of peace, reminding me that our clients operate in constant panic and chaos, but it is our joy to demonstrate peace for them through Christ. This lesson can be carried out in every aspect of life in Him. While the world around us operates blindly, anxiously, hopelessly, it is our joy to introduce them to light, life, peace, hope, and power ... in Him.

I cannot even come up with a metaphor to describe the futility of squandering or denying such a vast heritage such a wealth of power at work in me. I fear that it might be like holding a sack full of bread while watching others starve or perhaps, holding a water hose yet refusing to turn on the spigot while the neighbors' house burns. It's a terrible, tragic, heartless atrocity we commit when we fail to live in Him. We are not the only ones who suffer when we choose to deny our rightful inheritance in Christ.