God Talks on Mondays

Warning: First paragraph transparency level, 7

Last week stunk! Yesterday was Sunday, and I woke up feeling exhausted and annoyed from the drama of the previous week. I wasn't looking forward to gathering for worship at church. I just wanted to get it over with. (I'm human, acknowledge and move on.) The 'stinkiness' didn't end at church. Chris and I were both frustrated, resulting in a ruined lunch. Can I just say, "Aaagh!" I wanted to come home, and drown myself in some mind-numbing television. Chris wanted to watch Golf--so I guess we both won. Things are looking up! Honestly, by the end of lunch, we had said our apologies and we moved on from the frustration of the day. :)

Thankfully God speaks on Monday mornings too.

"Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

What a lovey-dovey passage of scripture. It sounds so encouraging and "comfy". THEN...the going gets really tough. Things in life are pushed so far it is difficult to trust that walking with God will give us a life that is free and light. In the toughest of circumstances we are left with the question: "What in the world do you mean by easy? Because I'm with you God, and it doesn't seem true as far as my eyes can see!"

When we read God's word, we realize that there is no promise that following him was going to be an cushy life. In fact, if we do some 'not too in-depth' character studies, we soon realize that God is forever asking his followers to do hard (if not close to impossible) things.

Abraham, leave your home and family. I'll tell you where you're going later. Also, don't forget "sacrifice your son Isaac".

David, take three small rocks and kill the giant.

Esther, approach your husband the King without being summoned, even though the results often lead to death.

Hosea, marry that prostitute woman and redeem her with your love.

Jesus, give up your glory. Live among the wicked. Let yourself be tortured and killed.

God's ways seem anything but easy and light. We see over and over again that he asks his followers to live dangerous, risk-filled lives! Could it be that your job, your family, your crazy situation has been purposefully placed in your life for a reason...to grow you, or to reveal God's glory. So, how do we rest in him, through the risk and danger? Or, how do we trust him during the challenging circumstances that we face? How do we exchange our worry, weariness and burdens for Christ's peace, joy and rest?

The answer is simple. We need to stop picking up our old yoke. I wonder if sometimes we think Christ's easy yoke just feels too light and awkward. Our's is heavy and painful, but we've been trained so long under it, that it feels like a fit. So, we make the choice to carry our burdens around with us when Jesus offers a renewed life.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28-30, The Message

So, there ya go. That's what God said to me today. I'm with Him and my difficult, risky, sometimes impossible life is easy and light.


(Side note: I know there is a lot more theology behind the yoke and how it relates to the rabbi's, and their additional rules and regs for people to follow. But, that was not the topic of this blog. Rather, the practical aspect of the weary and burdened finding rest in Christ.)

Monday Commentary- My Assignment

Hmmm…didn’t I just wipe down that counter? Wait, don’t use that toilet, I just cleaned it! What? It’s mealtime AGAIN? Let’s just eat over this napkin…

In all honesty--there’s a part of my portfolio that I dislike. I mostly love what I do, but I am included in the 59% not actively engaged at work when it comes to the laundry. And I’m definitely a part of the additional 14% that is actively disengaging from their job when it comes to mopping the floors!

Yesterday was week 2 in our January Series My Life, My Mission. We focused on My Assignment. I'm an "at-home mom". You might have different job. Do you ever become dissatisfied? Maybe it’s mundane, or you’re frustrated with people. We learned yesterday that work is important to God. God worked. He created Adam and gave him work. Work is eternal. So even though we live for the dream of retirement in a warm place, by a beach, sipping an iced tea…it (work) will not be over.

So, how can I transform my perspective of work? The "easy" answer: stop viewing it as a curse, and start seeing it as an assignment. Sometimes I feel like my work has no value. No one notices that I picked up the house today, did some laundry, or organized a closet. Sometimes I feel like I’m not getting anywhere-just toiling. And I’m going to get to do it all again tomorrow! But a key statement from our talk yesterday was this,

“The value of your job isn’t the title or the assignment, but in whom you work for.”

That changes everything. “Whatever you do, do it whole heartedly as though you were working for your real master and not merely for humans.” -Col. 3:23

Now that I sense that the work that I do is a call from God, I gain new energy and purpose from the ONE who called me…and not from the job.

God, help me to embrace your calling and find joy in my assignment, as my life and my work is driven by a passion to honor you.

9 Blessings of 2009

I'm a little behind in reviewing the year 2009. I'm a lot behind in reviewing the decade (maybe I'll do that next, or tomorrow.) So this isn't really a full review of the year, just a few of the blessings our family experienced in 2009.

9 blessings of 2009

1. We brought a wonderful season of ministry at New Life Assembly, in Kearney, NE to conclusion in February. We were so blessed by our friends' words of love and encouragement to us and our children.

2. God gave our family safe travels to Arizona.

3. Wonderfully smooth transition for our children into their new schools.

4. God provided a beautiful home in a nice neighborhood, and gave us a wonderful Christian family with kids to play with...right across the street.

4. We found a great interim church for our kids to plug into on Wednesday nights. So thankful they are able to learn about Jesus with lots of other kids!

5. We've seen many new faces at Copper Mountain, including several young families.

6. I was able to take a trip to Rapid City with Chloe, to visit my mom, sister and brother.

7. I have been able to develop some meaningful relationships with women/moms my age.

8. I have been able to volunteer in Ryan's kindergarten class, I enjoy spending time with him in that setting.

9. We enjoyed a wonderful holiday season--especially watching Juliana and Ryan sing in their little programs at church.

Thankfulness

5 things I'm thankful for: (These are obvious.)

1. Jesus- What a God! He loves me, he loves me, he loves me.

2. Chris- He tolerates me. He takes me out for lunch. :)

3. Juliana- My talking partner...she pretty much always has something to tell me.

4. Ryan- My Sonshine. I love that skinny boy.

5. Chloe- Such an angel. So sweet, kind, funny, easy-going...such a fun kiddo to haul around with me where-ever I go

I'm Losin' It

The other day I decided to start the Weight Watchers diet (at home). I've done it twice before, never enrolling in a program...I just used info I received online and from relatives who were part of the program and attending meetings. Anyway, both times before it was successful for the purposes I needed it...to drop 10 pounds quick.

Anyway, I still haven't lost all my weight from being preggers with Chloe. I was down to only needing to lose about 6 pounds, but then I had my muscle injuries last May which depleted my ability to work out for a while. After moving to Arizona, I've been enjoying all the lovely restaurants around and not paying attention! SO...here's my deal. My "realistic" goal is to lose 14 pounds. My dream goal is to lose 24 pounds. I'll let you know when I get there.

Now I'm going to go eat lunch at Paradise Bakery! And I'm going to watch my points! I'm sad I won't eat the cookie, because it is 7 points. :) I will give it to Chloe.

What I'm thinking...

I have recipes to type.
I spend too much time on Facebook.
Tonight I got to talk to some adults, WOW!
I will be tired when I have to get Juliana ready for school in the morning.
Tomorrow I'll get more accomplished. I promise.
Tomorrow is lunchrun...I wonder where the teenagers will want to go.
I love my family.
Chloe could not be a better baby.

Let's get caught up!

Summer is over...

I have been looking forward to the end of summer since before it began. Don't get me wrong, I love my children, and I love spending time with them, but I really love education. And I really love my children being educated 5 days a week in a classroom setting.

Last thursday Juliana went back to school. She started second grade and is SO excited to have Ms. Olson, a brand new teacher, to spend this year with. Yesterday we met Ryan's preschool teacher. He will start on August 27th and he is very excited!

I realize that it has been quite a while since my last posting. So here is the summer run down of our summer events...

*In May, the last day of school, I was admitted to the hospital with Rhabdomyolosis. The very short version of the story is that I severely damaged the muscles in my legs during a group cyling class. I don't recommend getting Rhabdomyolosis as it is VERY PAINFUL and I thought I was dying. So I was in the hospital for 4 days and was catered to...given all of my meals in bed and basically left alone to heal...it was wonderful and peaceful, despite the pain.

*In June, the family packed up and went to summer camps in Lexington, fun times. After camps, Chris had some time off and instead of taking a trip out of town we stayed home and did some things at the house like painting and "what-not" as he would say.

*July flew by. My brother, his wife and my niece came to visit, followed by Chris's brother and family. The rest of the month was mainly consumed with random youth events.

*August 1st, Chris flew to NYC for a missions trip. My mom came to visit, yeah. We ate out every day and I haven't been on the scale to see the damage. I have taken time off from the YMCA while I was healing, but planned to go back to working out when the kids started school, and for some reason the Y is closed all week...just my luck. I am forced to just not excersize for 1 more week...(I guess I could walk outside).

Juliana is lovely, wonderful and smart.
Ryan is an adorable, hilarious monkey.
Chloe is sweet, precious, an angel baby...and growing too fast!

Wish me luck, I'm going to try and do better!