Extreme Make Over

This is it. This is the summer we have decided to make-over our daughter's room. Last year the girls decided they wanted their own rooms and the only way we could make that happen is if one of them moved into the guest bedroom. One of them volunteered to move to the smaller, multi-functional room that currently looks like a hospital room - white and drab. Last time we spent any amount of time or effort on the kids rooms they were quite young. Dave and I made the decisions and they dutifully loved their rooms, or were too young to care!

This time around is different.

As is inevitable, our children are growing up, and being responsible parents, we are encouraging them to make wise decisions and in this case, to make wise decisions in spending and choice of personal expression in room decor.

The dilemma? Our tastes are different!

We look at bedding and I get really excited over a duvet cover and she completely shuts down!

I say, "oh, I love this pattern!" and she diplomatically says, "that looks like a mom pattern!"

I see a colour combination and code my dislike with, "Wow, that's bright," to which she responds, "I love that one!"

Now, there's part of me that wants to say, "You know this room decor has to have some longevity. We can't just pick something for now, we want it to last till you're done high school. (The possible deal maker/breaker and power play) I'm paying. (Icing on the cake) Aaaand, guests will be staying in your room!"

These statements all have truth to them but I have to admit that they are deceptive and selfish. I'm all for, and completely convicted about helping my daughter navigate through life in a godly manner. However, the difference between pleasing Mom and pleasing God can be likened to the difference between slavery and freedom respectively!

Words like "love", "grace", "Spirit-filled" and phrases like "freedom from sin" and "dying to self" come to mind. I believe strongly that God came not just to save us for eternity with Him in heaven but also that we are able to live well for Him here during our stay on earth as well. I believe God is the God of large and small moments. Only, it isn't easy to entrust myself fully to this Way.

My daughter and I have been on this road before for different issues and God has been faithful in changing my heart. I have tried to change and convince her using my own tactics, but they NEVER work. They only made her dig her heels in more and cause her to want to recoil into a ball of fear.

It was Truths like;
"A gentle answer turns away wrath." "Perfect love casts out all fear," and "Love comes from God" that spoke slow, gradual change into a heart that held tightly to personal expectations and dreams.

I am revisiting these promises anew, under new situations and with new questions.

Why can't her preferences be more like mine? It would be so much easier! I have such good rationale for these decisions and I know quality and longevity and trends so much better than she...

I am hit square between the eyes...

"You shall have no other gods before me." "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"

Well, we're in the throes of picking out paint colours. I'm extremely aware of the importance of my reactions and I think through the passage I've been reading over and over.

Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them-living and breathing God! Romans 8:5 MSG

So I'm believing God, knowing that even in these little moments He is faithful to grow me. More importantly, He is willing and able to perform the ultimate in extreme make overs; to work through my rather grim leanings to pass on a faith to my children that is filled with freedom and perfect love. That is my hope.

Sunshine with Rain

This past weekend we were in Brandon for a wedding. The ceremony was outside. And although it looked and felt like it could rain, it seemed as though we might get through the ceremony without it.

But then we felt it. The drops started during the vows.

The rain came softly at first.

Without question or pause they continued on. Their vows were beautiful and unique and emotional - very personal declarations of their love and commitment for each other.

As she spoke her vows calmly and sincerely, the rain fell harder and we frantically began fidgeting with our umbrellas, popping them open, hoping to stay dry and keeping our hair and make-up in place.

The water poured down the edges of my umbrella...and onto my neighbors' laps. They continued; unfazed and focused.

In fact even after the wedding, their hope was that, if people didn't mind, they could meet all of the guests. So we with umbrellas went to congratulate them - without.

When I got to the beautiful, not frazzled bride, I commented on her calm and beauty.

Her smile was big and with a slight content - filled laughter she said, "All our best moments seem to come with rain. This just feels right!"

Beautiful.

How true.

Join With Others

We recently had the privilege of hosting a very passionate speaker, writer and follower of Christ - Shane Claiborne.

A number of years ago I was reading through Shane's book, "The Irresistible Revolution." I was deeply impacted by his passion for following God as related through his stories and bold telling of lessons learned through life experiences. He speaks of sacrifices worth making; of community worth building; of faith worth pursuing.

I am thankful for people that God puts in our lives to push us, to make us think carefully about how we live our lives and make our decisions, how we spend our money, how we grow our children and care for those around us. Most importantly, people like Shane show us through example what authentic Christian living looks like. These inspiring people met in books, studies or other forms of media can act as exemplary "visitors" who help to regain our focus as a community; to breathe new life and motivate us to stay or get back on track.

The Bible speaks about the importance of living and growing with other people in faith community. It wasn't easy to be selfless in Bible times and isn't easy to do now either in a society that is praised for individualism and self achievement. It isn't easy to be in the midst of disagreements and sickness and loss. Yet the upside down nature of the kingdom of God is that in sharing these very things that upset us or in giving up their importance in our lives to help others, we find fulfillment - we find encouragement in the working out and sharing of God's love. (See Phil 4:10 - 19.)

I have been deeply moved while reading of Paul's fondness for the Philippians. He starts the letter by saying:

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Phil 1:3-6 MSG

Throughout the letter we find Paul saying things with urgency and with repetition to make a point. The point being, don't give up what you already know and have attained in your faith. Help each other out. These words convict and challenge and comfort.

Just like a running partner can get us out the door for a run in the morning or a friend walking alongside while in a weight loss program can keep you from grabbing food when you know you shouldn't, so to a good friend or group of friends can help grow spiritual disciplines that will keep you growing in matters of self control, fear or other selfish tendencies we want to be freed from.

Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.
My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don't waver. Stay on track, steady in God.
Philippians 3:17, 4:1 MSG

Pressing On

To my eldest, who is (as "everyone" says) growing up far too fast...I love you dearly and pray for you fervently.



You are done elementary school!
I pray that you will live up to what you already know and practise, that you will follow good examples and be a good example.



I pray that you will press on and grow in your faith. That you will know the amazing grace of God in your life as seen through the every day grace of great teachers and great friends.



You are such a gift to me.

So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately, You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 MSG