From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Today started much like most other days, except there was a heavy thunderstorm in the morning as we got up to have coffee and watch the news. Amid the darkness, the burst of brightness from lightning, and the sound of heavy rain pouring through the trees and on the roof, it felt like an ordinary day. 

The storm soon passed and normal morning activities continued, except we exercised first thing because today was THAT day.  The day we promised we would begin those new resolutions.  Our one promise was to exercise and eat better. So, we exercised after enjoying our coffee.  And, it felt like an ordinary day. 

Then I drove to see a friend who has been ill.  On the way, I prayed and sang in the car.  And, it felt like an ordinary (but good) day.

I won't give details as to the visit with my friend, but I will say that during our visit the day went from ordinary to extraordinary.  Some people have a presence and a witness about them that just affects everything and everyone around them.  These people turn ordinary into extraordinary. 

As the day changed from ordinary to extraordinary, my heart began to feel so full even from the smallest blessing. Everything that crossed my mind brought joy, no matter how insignificant. 

That is the power of living a life of faith and gratitude.  My friend reminded me of that blessing and my day was transformed by the power of a thankful heart and faith in the grace and love of Jesus. 

The rest of the day didn't disappoint either!  We worked our bees on January 2nd with temperatures in the 70s! And, they were well behaved.  Neither of us were stung.  

Then this happened!

  

How can a day be more extraordinary?  God is so good and faithful.  I'm so thankful!  May you experience the joy of finding the extraordinary blessings in everyday life.  Amen.

Be love and be blessed,

Elections and the Elect

Today, Americans will elect the next President of the United States. It has been a long and unusually divisive campaign season.  I'm certain I'm not alone in breathing a sigh of relief that it will finally be over.  At times the negativity has threatened to rip the last bit of joy from my soul. 

Presidential elections should be a time of hope.  Campaigns should be about ideas that will further our democracy and elevate our way of life.  They should raise awareness about things that need improvement and the ways in which we might unify and make those improvements together as a nation. Ideas, reasoning and inspiration should be central in our Presidential election process.

This election cycle was none of those things.  It was hopeless, ugly, disingenuous, arrogant, divisive and lacking in any meaningful dialogue about how to make our nation better for the next generation.

As a person who loves this country and longs to be inspired by true leaders, it has been discouraging to say the least.  However, I remain hopeful no matter who wins the election today.  And, so should you.

My hope isn't placed in any man or woman. Our future is not in the hands of legislators or government authorities.  Our hope and future is in the One who institutes all authority.

"for there is no authority except from God" - Romans 13:1

I pray for the sake of our country and for all of us who hold it dear, that we will accept the outcome of this election with grace.  May we embrace one another in reconciliation and with hope for more unity in our future.  

Let us put our hope and trust where it should be - in God.  Humans are just that - human.  Fallen, unjust, unrighteous, sinful.  Whether Clinton or Trump wins, each is an imperfect person in need of God's redemption.  And, so are we.  

After the votes are counted and the leaders chosen, let us move forward TOGETHER in grace and unity, striving for a better future for our children and grandchildren.  We are THE ELECT of GOD!  Therefore, as God's chosen people, let us represent Him in worthy fashion - as people of faith, hope and love.

"Yet the peoples saw and did not understand,
or take such a thing to heart,
that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect,
and that he watches over his holy ones."  - Wisdom 4:15

Be love in a dark world,

Longing For The Freedom To Be Broken

Most of us have walls around us. Walls that we've erected to hide our own brokenness. Yet, we long for the freedom to be broken, to let down the wall and allow ourselves to fall apart so that God can put us back together. We long to release our pain and experience true healing. So, what is stopping us?

The walls we erect are fortified by our own pride and foolishness. We are too proud to admit that we are 'those people'. We think we are completely different from those who are down in the "gutter" of life. Believing we have nothing in common with them, we don't care to be in their circles and especially not in the same room (or on the same church pew) as 'those people'.  Truth be told, we are one broken relationship, one paycheck, one drink, one drug addicted child, one night of unprotected sex, one sexual assault, one serious illness, one abusive relationship, one temptation away from being one of those on whom we loathe, or pity, or both.

When we admit to ourselves and those around us that we are broken and need God to repair our lives, we experience a freedom more powerful than any fortified wall. You see, the Divine Potter glues our broken pieces back together with Himself!! His very Spirit is infused in us and wraps around every heartache, every pain, every mistake, every sin, every piece of brokenness in our lives, and that Spirit mends us and transforms us into something brand new and beautiful and blessed.

But, first we must acknowledge that we are one of 'those' people! We are the adulterer, the drug addict, the assault victim, the mentally ill, the abuser, the alcoholic, the debtor, the shunned - at least we are only one blink from being any or all of these. No matter how perfect we think our lives are, we are all broken. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. OF. US. BROKEN.

But this beautiful treasure is contained in us—cracked pots made of earth and clay—so that the transcendent character of this power will be clearly seen as coming from God and not from us. - 2 Corinthians 4:7

My prayer for all of you today, is that you allow yourself the FREEDOM to experience your own personal brokenness, and that you seek Jesus so that your human brokenness may be transformed into a beautiful clay jar infused with the golden Spirit of God Almighty. May you find the beauty in your brokenness and the deep joy of knowing that the Creator of all the universe loves you enough to knit you back together with His very own divine Spirit.

Amen.