Fruits and vegetables

One day over lunch, a wonderful friend of ours engaged the boys in a discussion on fruits and vegetables.  And as I'm not aware of many fruit and vegetable discussions that don't end up in this direction, we were all trying to remember the difference....what makes a fruit and what makes a vegetable?  Fruits grow on trees, vegetables in the ground?  I don't know, something like that.  I am aware that there is probably a very specific scientific answer to this question, but even as I ponder it I can't help but wonder if the person who started classifying the differences between the two isn't beating his head against a wall somewhere right now.  You know, like every time someone starts an argument over avocado (which is a fruit) and a banana (which is not) he just wants to scream out, "Who cares?!!!  Just eat it!"

Or maybe John Calvin when he broke off from the Roman Catholic Church in the 1500's.  Did he have any idea that his idea of reform would develop into over 40,000 different denominations, sects, movements and organizations of the Christian church worldwide?

Who should take communion? 

Can I get married here? 

That's a sacrament! 

What's a sacrament? 

I thought it was an avocado.
 
An avacado's a fruit!   

It boggles the mind, doesn't it?  When did it get so hard to follow Christ?  Does anyone else have a picture of Him up in heaven beating his head against a wall as we argue about what color the altar cloth should be during the season of Epiphany? 

Don't get me wrong.  I know it's not as easy as that.  I know that even with the most open-hearted, open-minded intentions we will still open God's word and, human as we are, each read something slightly different.  Some of us don't read it at all.  We just go by what we are told.  Or by what clever little poster someone puts together for their Facebook page.  But there is a difference between religion and faith.  There is a difference between going to church and following Christ.  And while I think both are necessary and important, the first doesn't mean anything if we don't make the latter our priority.

I personally love all types of fruits and vegetables.  Except jalapenos.  Don't even get me started on jalapenos.  And hominy...that stuff is disgusting.  And red delicious apples.  They may be red, but they are not delicious. 

But I'll praise their maker while I've breath, and follow Christ with them any day. 

XOXO.....Kelly

Michael, Blake and I in a pumpkin patch fall 2008.  A pumpkin is a fruit!

IKEA People

I made my semi-annual trek to IKEA last week.  It's about 30 minutes from our house, so I don't go often.  But I see something online or get their catalogue in the mail and I eventually convince myself to go check out whatever it is I saw. 

I took Parker and Zachary with me.  I learned really quick that you can't take 4 boys with you to IKEA because even though they have a "family plan" or whatever that is, by family they mean leave your kids in the play area because we don't want them to touch our stuff.  We wound our way through the maze of couches and dressers and kitchen stuff, etc.  If you've never been in an IKEA, you have to follow these blue arrows through almost the entire store until you can get out.  They have these little short-cuts every now and then, but they're a little hard to get to and, again, you have to risk touching the merchandise to get there.  Best to just stick to the path.

We probably made it about 20 minutes this trip before someone ticked me off (that's actually pretty good), so, as per usual, I found myself sitting in the café halfway through the store glaring at everyone around me.

IKEA people. 

IKEA people, despite the fact that they're looking at very inexpensive furniture, are a little snooty.  It's like you have to check your southern hospitality at the door when you go in there.  And they're always dressed a little nicer than I am and know how to use things like Instagram and Twitter and they don't eat gluten or sugar.  IKEA people.  Sitting there all smug with their bergdorfs and ilkentops, trying to decide where to put their shurgenburgens at home after they've plugged their electric cars in. 

And then it occurs to me.

I'm in IKEA. 

I'm enjoying lunch and a beverage in the café.  I'm carrying around a carefully designed Swedish product with instructions that I'll never be able to understand.  Am I an IKEA person, too??!!!

And there it is.  The great human equalizer.  The realization that you are no better and no worse than the people around you (despite my inability to use Instagram or Twitter and being totally accepting of both sugar and gluten).  Did I not just drive myself 30 minutes to get here?  Our van may not be electric, but I use the eco-boost for fuel efficiency!  I kind of don't even mind that they don't give you a plastic bag to carry your stuff home in.  Sweet mother of Lionel Richie....I have become an IKEA person.

So my message for today....cut the world some slack.  We all need forgiveness and we all get grace.  No matter how far up or down your nose you're looking at someone....you aren't really all the different from them in the end. 

God loves us each the same.  REALLY.  He does.  No exceptions.  Even the IKEA people.

Especially the IKEA people.

 

XOXO....Kelly      

New vans and old bladders....

We got a new(er) van just before Christmas.  For those of you that know of our old van, you know it was dearly loved, but pretty much just what you would expect for a family riding around with four little boys.  Rough.  We resolved to give up on prideful vehicles a long time ago, but when the door locks stopped working Kevin put his foot down.  So we upgraded and our new(er) van has all sorts of fancy bells and whistles.....a DVD player, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic doors and door locks that work.  As I often like to say, there is sooooo much on this van for us to break.  It's going to be great.

Earlier this week, Parker and I headed out of Jazzercise for a quick trip to Target.  I should have used the restroom before we left Jazzercise, but I still like to believe I have the bladder of a 20-year old.  Everything else is aging, so I try to cling on to what I can.  It, of course, is nowhere near the bladder of a 20-year old and so I was in a pretty desperate condition by the time I got to Target.

Parker has just recently learned to use the automatic door lock buttons and insists on opening and closing the door by himself every time we go somewhere.  While he understands the basic principle behind the button, the particulars trip him up sometimes.  Like, don't hit it more than once or don't hit the button when someone is standing in front of the door.  And so there I stood, in the Target parking lot, trying to get my 2 1/2 year old out of the van--who is managing to pin my arm in the car door because he won't stop hitting the automatic door button--and all the while ready to pee everywhere.

When I finally freed us, I noticed a young 20-something young man staring as he passed by.  Wonder what he was thinking.  After all, there's not much more attractive than a 35-year old mother of four wetting her Jazzercise pants in the Target parking lot while shouting at her son to quit slamming the door shut on her arm. 

Fortunately I made it into the store before any real damage was done and managed to get the few groceries I came for as well.  We'll call that one a success.  Next time, who knows.

Some days the sun shines, the sky is blue and Target has everything you need in stock.  Other days you pee all over yourself in the parking lot before you even get inside.  Can there be peace on such as day as this?  You betcha.

"We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed....Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."  2 Cor 4:8,9,16

God's work in you continues, my friend, every day--rain or shine, good or bad--no matter what.  His peace renews us, providing light where darkness threatens to take over.  Father, help me to rely on that.  When my patience is tested and my circumstances seem desperate, let your peace take over.  When my body fails and technology backfires, it is the only way.  Amen.

XOXO......Kelly

Mama Jan

A long time friend of mine lost her mother this weekend.  "Mama Jan" struggled for so many years bravely and gracefully, and is at peace at last.  I think about the many ups and downs her family went through alongside her, the spirit of hope that kept them all together. 

We've all been there in one capacity or another...staring into the face of fear and uncertainty.  Illness, job loss, a broken relationship.  Mistakes abound.  Circumstances fail us.

But there is always hope.

I lift my eyes unto the hills--where does my help come from?
My help is in the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2

Let what brings us to our knees, be what brings us to Christ.  Let our heads not bow in defeat, but in fervent prayer.  Let hope replace your sorrow, your fear, your uncertainty.  There is always hope.

To my friend, I know your pain is great and your loss immeasurable.  What an inspiration you and your family are, how you've lived for so long in hope and joy and faithfulness.  This road has been a long one, the road ahead longer still.  May God's peace surround you in the coming days.  May His hope continue to live and grow in each one of you.  You are in our thoughts and prayers always. 

XOXO....Kelly

Greater

I learned recently that in the first 100 years after the Great Wall of China was built, it was breached only three times.  And none of those times included any damage to the wall itself.  All the enemy had to do was bribe the gatekeeper.

A week ago I ripped the sinks and countertop out of our 2nd upstairs bathroom and began a little remodeling up there.  I enjoy a good home project and more than once Kevin has come home to find a countertop taken off or a giant hole in the ceiling because I got inspired by something I saw on Pinterest.  On a good day, I regard home improvement as a hobby.  Something that keeps my hands and mind busy, my creativity fed.  On a bad day I am obsessed with it.  As if a new set of sinks and a countertop is the answer to whatever anxiety or frustration I am feeling at the moment. 

All too often I find myself paying more attention to what's going on around me than focusing on what's going on within me.  Like a gatekeeper at the Great Wall, it matters not the magnitude of what I've built, tended and painted.  If I am not willing to tend to what's inside me first, all the enemy has to do is walk right through.

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."  1 John 4:4

There's a great song from MercyMe called Greater and it is based on this verse.  I take great comfort in knowing that no matter what is going on around me, that none of it is greater than the God whose spirit lives inside me.

Are there circumstances you are trying to control in order to make you feel better about something that's going on inside of you?  Or maybe it's your circumstances that are the problem.  Your clothes, your house, your job, your friends....they just never seem to measure up.  Take comfort--there is still peace to be had.  Peace when in plenty, and peace when in want. 

For the One that is in you will ALWAYS be greater than what's going on around you.

XOXO....Kelly

"Greater" by MercyMe

 

Bring your tired
And bring your shame
Bring your guilt
And bring your pain
Don't you know that's not you're name
You will always be much more to me

 

Every day I wrestle with the voices
That keep telling me I'm not right
But that's alright

 

'Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

 

Bring your doubts
And bring your fears
Bring your hurt
And bring your tears
There'll be no condemnation here
You are holy, righteous and redeemed

 

Every time I fall
There'll be those who will call me
A mistake
Well that's OK

 

'Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

 

(He's Greater, He's Greater)

 

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
'Cause the cross already won the war

 (He's Greater, He's Greater)

 

I am learning to run freely
 Understanding just how He sees me
And it makes me love Him more and more

 (He's Greater, He's Greater)

 

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
'Cause the cross already won the war

 (He's Greater, He's Greater)

 

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how He sees me
And it makes me love Him more and more

(He's Greater, He's Greater)

 

'Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

 

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
'Cause the cross already won the war

He's Greater, He's Greater

 

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how He sees me
And it makes me love Him more and more

My God is greater (He's Greater, He's Greater)
Than he who is living in the world

 

Love takes three.

Kevin and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary this weekend.  Love you, Boo!!  Our marriage thus far has included six dogs, a handful of fish, one rabbit, four kids, law school, two moves, five years as a youth director, six vehicles and a whole other host of challenges, blessings and path markers.  I bet you're wondering what our secret is.  I have no idea.  I married a man who has an amazing patience for my constant need for a creative outlet and he married, well, me.  Early on we invited God into our relationship, which was a really smart move.  Because you always need someone level-headed in a relationship, and patience and creativity aside, neither of us really fit that bill.     

When I was in college, a pastor showed me this diagram. 

The idea is that when you focus on God, the closer you draw to him.  As you and your partner focus on God, not only to do you draw closer to Him but you draw closer to each other. 

Our diagram probably looks more like this, the black bullets representing the always inevitable competition for our focus....

We are probably no better at this whole marriage thing than when we started, but we are a whole lot better at leaning on God.  Our marriage has as much need for grace as anything else in our lives.  Its successes and struggles remind us that there are a lot of ways to go about accomplishing something, but a focus on God is always the best way.  

I should also note that my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary the day after us.  Forty years!!!  Kevin, can you imagine 40 years together?  Do you know how many dachshunds we could own in that time?!  Here's to many more...

(Many more years, not dachshunds.  Well, okay, maybe also dachshunds.  We'll just see how it goes.)   
XOXO....Kelly

   

You.

"The true celebration of Christmas is not the birth of Christ.  The true celebration is the birth of Christ for you." 

--Rev. Matthew Ruesch

By now you're probably getting tired.  By now you've probably made 115 trips to Target, baked 47 casseroles and signed 715 Christmas cards.  By now you've moved your Elf so many times you can't keep track of where you've already hidden him.  Christmas music on the radio has become less of a novelty and more of a challenge in avoiding the Christmas Shoes song. 

Christmas is starting to wear on you.

And then someone somewhere (maybe this blog) encourages you to slap on a smile, keep on going and remember the real reason for the season....Jesus of course!  But what if that isn't the whole truth? 

I could feel myself settling into a similar mid-December slump when I read an article this weekend by Rev. Matthew Ruesch, a missionary for the Lutheran church.  "We are the reason," he writes.  YOU.  ME.  It's us.  We're the reason there's Christmas.  From somewhere deep within myself I heard an echo of the word.

"YOU.  For you, daughter." 

How had I missed something so obvious, so important?  These words that changed my holiday.  And like the Grinch whose heart grew three sizes that day, I felt Christ settle somewhere inside of me I'd didn't even know I was missing Him. 

Christmas is not just the celebration of a great man sent by a loving God.  It's the celebration of God's gift TO US.  We don't need Christmas to remind us that Jesus came.  We need Christmas to remember that God sent Him FOR US. 

God loves us, friends.  More than we can ever possibly understand.  More than time or earthly wisdom has ever been able to prove.  If you do anything to celebrate this Christmas season, don't do it because God needs it or wants it.  Don't even do it because you're trying to spread Christmas cheer.  Do it because you need to remember how much God loves YOU.  He'll take care of it from there.

You are the reason, friend, and you always will be. 

XOXO...Kelly