Monday, June 22, 2015

Offer them Christ

"Offer them Christ."  Said to be John Wesley's last words to Thomas Coke before he sent Coke to America to spread the Methodist Church.  Our pastor shared the story with us during his sermon one Sunday and the painting by Kenneth Wyatt that depicts the scene. 

 
Offer them Christ. 

Something in these words has resonated with me ever since.  If I was to declare one philosophy on making a youth ministry successful after my own service as a youth director, it would very much echo this sentiment.  Anyone can race go-karts, go to a water park, play basketball or compete to drink an entire gallon of milk.  You don't need church for that.  If you want youth to come and keep coming you've got to offer them something they might not get anywhere else.  You've got to offer them Christ.

Isn't that what always makes the difference?

My dad was (and still is) an amazing father.  He invaded our Barbie get-togethers with his remote controlled tank.  He took us on vacation and coached us in softball.  He attended concerts and plays and art shows.  His list of fatherly credentials goes on and on and on.  But not a one of these things would have had the impact on me that it did had he not offered me Christ alongside it. 

"If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."  (1Cor 13:1) For where would I be if the Father's Love had not come to me through my own father's love?  All the fun and time and memories are just noise when there is no echo of God in them. 

For my sisters and I, there was no doubt growing up what God looked like.  He looked like my dad.  Thank you, Dad, for all you offered me growing up, for all that you were and still are as a father.  But most of all, thank you for offering me Christ.  Happy Father's Day.




XOXO....Kelly



Friday, June 12, 2015

Jupiter

On Wednesday night we discovered that Michael's pet gecko, Jupiter, had passed away.  We have buried dogs and flushed fish, but this death was significant.  As Michael's first pet of his own, he was understandably very upset to lose him.  And, of course, nothing brings out the tough life questions like the death of a pet.  As I struggled to explain many things I finally landed on this....that we don't know how long we'll have with the people or dogs or lizards or anything else in our lives.  None of us can know how or when the end will come for anyone.  So the best we can do is to take care of each other, the best we can, while we have the chance.

It isn't a complicated truth, to love one another.  We like to muddle it up pretty good, though.  Taking a position on this, having an opinion on that.  Time, energy, finances.  And believe me, I'm at the top of the excuse-making pyramid.  But several times in the last week or two I've heard someone talk about when you've been nudged to do something--like reach out with a phone call, deliver flowers, provide a meal--and put it off until you've talked yourself out of it.  I think perhaps God is whispering to me about this.  Take care of each other, He says. 

To love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your soul and with all your strength...and your neighbor as yourself.  There is no commandment greater than these.   

In the love and example of Christ, take care of each other indeed.  Those times we feel nudged to reach out to someone, but don't....that's all on us, putting the other commandments first.  Before and above all else, love God, love one another.  Only this, very simply, in whatever capacity you can manage.    

Michael did a great job taking care of Jupiter.  I believe he's in heaven now, the best of him alive and well with God.  And until we can see him again, may we do the best in love that we can, in His image here on earth. 


XOXO....Kelly

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Last week.

Good riddance to last week!  It started with a tornado warning, kids up at 6:15 sitting in a closet with flashlights.  It ended with me shutting Parker's fingers in a door.  Somewhere in the middle there was storming, flooding, school canceled, the last day of Pre-K for Zachary and Kevin's appendectomy.  It's a new week now and a new month, so we shall have no more of that.  I have declared it.

Here's the thing about a week like last week.  No one thing is insurmountable, but all together it's just a big hot mess.  You've barely had time to process the first event before the next one is upon you.  You are pushed to the edge emotionally and physically.  It is at moments like these that the only recourse is to throw your arms in the air and declare, I give!

"When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your love, oh Lord, supported me.  When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."  Psalm 94:18-19

These are the days the Lord has made for me, days to rejoice and be glad in.  Though my circumstances are not always ideal, not a moment goes by where I am not held in the perfect strength of Jesus Christ and His love for me.  My feet may be slipping, but my spirit is steady, resting in an exact me-shaped niche in His hands.  I am not forsaken.  I am loved.  The Lord does not roll his eyes at my anxiety and worry, but expects it, soothes it, turns it into peace.  And so, I give. 

..........Still--seriously, though--I've had enough.  Here's to June.  :)

Blake. 
Taking out the trash, moving on. 
Now who's ready to party? :)

XOXO.....Kelly