I cleaned out the garage!!

A little DIY carpentry project with my good friend Jennifer (check out her blog at http://www.stilllivingthedream.com/ as she is mucho awesome) led to an entire afternoon of cleaning the garage.  I swept, dusted, threw away, reorganized and decluttered. When I was done all I could think was, "I guess we'll never be able to use the garage again."  It was just so clean!  When the boys came in and threw their scooters down all haphazard and willy-nilly I almost lost it!  Could they not see the new and clearly designated scooter parking zone?  Seriously!!

I have to admit this is not the first time I've had this feeling.  I also tend to get this way when I clean bathrooms, the kitchen, the living room, bedrooms, the linen closet.  You know, like let's just go ahead and move to the fort out back so none of this stuff I spent all this time cleaning gets messed up.

Yes, I know.  It's stupid.

And it brings to mind this scripture. 

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?  Can such faith save him?  Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical need, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17

We have to clean out the garage from time to time.  It's a good thing (less you have recently read the Mary and Martha scripture and think that means don't clean your house...don't even get me started on that one!!).  We have to tend to our faith, nurture it, let it grow.  Go to church, study scripture.  But then we've got to use it!!  James says, "You believe that there is one God.  Good!  Even the demons believe that--and shudder" (v. 19).  Your faith simply can not stop at a belief or what is there to separate you from even the Evil one?  Anyone can believe.  But when our faith and actions work together, our faith is made complete (v. 22). 

Put to good use the things you spend so much time tending to.  In your schools, in your neighborhood, at your workplace.  Put your faith into action.  Your life is not a museum.  Don't live it like one. 

XOXO...Kelly

When there's room for improvement....

In a recent discussion about health and physical fitness, Kevin and I both agreed we have room for improvement.  He wants to eat less carbs and get back into running.  I've resolved to stop eating an entire bag of Buccee's Beaver Nuggets in one sitting.  I know, I know.  We should probably market our new plan.  We'd make millions, but then I'm afraid of what all that money would do to the character of our family.  So in the meantime we'll just consider this a public service and offer this advice to everyone for free. 

You're welcome.

Is there really anything I can point to in my life right now that doesn't have a little room for improvement?  Let's see....

Parenting. 

Nope, looks good there.

 

 

Housework.

 

This is going to look really good when I get finished, so we'll go ahead and put a checkmark by that one as well.

 

Personal appearance.  I have managed a shower almost every day this week.  Not once have I forgotten to brush my teeth.  And then there's my fashion sense.

 

Check. 

 

The kids recently asked me if we could add a spoiler and some racing stripes to the minivan, you know, to make it look cooler.  As if there was any way a white Dodge Grand Caravan could possibly be cooler.  So I'll give myself a check minus there.  But beyond that I think we're covered. 

 

Oh, except for the days when I'm not covered and need this reminder.

 

"Praise the Lord...His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."  Psalm 147

 

Lord be with me on the days that I need to remember that my horses (or horsepower!!) and legs are what they are.  Is there always room for improvement?  Absolutely.  Is there anything wrong with working to make things better?  Not at all.  But God's delight does not rest  here.  His delight comes from the condition of our hearts no matter what the outside of us looks like.

 

I know some people doing amazing things, life-transforming things.  Friends and family members that have lost staggering amounts of weight, fought their way back from depression and anxiety, stepped into the role of a single parent, taken on a new career, overcome bad habits.  Praise God for his work in you!  You are worth the hard work it takes to get there, every bit of it.  Keep up the good work, even after the days that you fall completely off the wagon.  Rest in the assurance that He who began a good work in you will see it through to completion. Phil 1:6  God's love for you is unfailing, and nothing delights him more than those who would receive it today.

 

Receive it, friends.  Receive it. 

 

(I mean, can you believe you're reading this for free?  Again, you're welcome.) 

 

XOXO....Kelly

 

 

 



8-minute miles

Isn't it curious the things we hold on to sometimes?  Like when I was training for the 1/2 marathon back in the winter.  I was obsessed with being too slow.  I couldn't believe that I couldn't beat an 11 minute mile.  I mean, I used to be able to run an 8 minute mile.  In seventh grade.  But somehow my mind totally ignored the fact that was 31 years ago and I was actually upset not to have run faster.

Last night I dreamt about a friend from high school I have not thought about in years.  An incident was brought to mind that I had nearly forgotten about, but now can't seem to stop dwelling on.  It's like the last 14 years haven't happened at all.  My feelings are right back where they were in high school. 

Now for those of you that know me well, this is truly ironic.  I've often remarked what a terrible therapist I would because the only real advice I'm capable of giving anyone is GET OVER IT.  Not entirely thoughtful is it?  I have zero tolerance for baggage and people that choose to carry it.  And yet, here I sit, suddenly burdened by what was a blink in time for my teenage self.  Why such a dream at such a time?  Oh, where is Joseph and his coat of many colors when I need him??

Paul gives this encouragement in Philippians.  "....I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." 

In other words, get over it. 

It doesn't matter what happened yesterday.  Christ Jesus has taken hold of you.  You are redeemed.  You are a new creation.  His love does not erase your past.  It brings you up and out of it and beyond it, for He is greater than that which is in this world. 

Maybe I've never forgiven my friend.  Maybe I've never forgiven myself.  Maybe I've got to stop letting little boys and dachshunds wake me up all night and actually get some rest. 

But one thing is for certain.  Christ has taken hold of me.  Whatever the future holds He is already there.  To look back is to move away from the prize for which God has called me heavenward, to move away from all the He has in store for me.  I'm not who I once was, way back in high school or in seventh grade.  And, frankly, thank God for that!!

XOXO....Kelly

Praying

I'm praying for someone today who doesn't believe, but who could really use God's comfort and peace right now.  I'm praying despite all of her doubts and misgivings and cynicism because God is way bigger than any of that stuff could ever be.  I'm praying that He would reach down to her and maybe this time she'll reach back.  I'm praying because it's too important not to.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I shall fear no evil
For you are with me.
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
In the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil.
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23

Praying for you, friend. 
XOXO....Kelly

They said it was daft to build a castle on a swamp!

I sang a JJ Heller song, "Your Hands", this weekend in church.  The chorus starts with this line....

When my world is shaking, Heaven stands.

See, we have this Lego castle.  It's got 15,970 pieces and takes a little over 4 days to construct.  I'm exaggerating.  A little.  But it's definitely one of those structures that, once complete, should get "the kra*gle" (super glue in case you've not seen the Lego Movie).  We haven't gotten that far over here so, Kevin and I have rebuilt the Lego castle a good 7 times since the boys got it at Christmas.

It's sort of like that scene in Monty Python....

We will probably continue to rebuild this castle until the boys leave for college.  Then we'll get a break for a  few years until our kids have kids of their own and then it will start all over again. 

How many other things have I rebuilt over and over and over again?  My attitude, my behavior, my parenting skills, my finances, my health.  Starting over and over and over, bound and determined to get it right, because when everything else falls and crumbles and fails, Heaven stands. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing. It is the gift of God.  Not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:8-9

It's the only reason the rebuilding is even worth it.  Despite all of our failings and missteps, God makes us worth it.  Is it hard sometimes?  Yes.  Maddening?  Frustrating?  Exhausting?  Yes, yes and yes.  But try we must because for we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.  His grace is ready, His glory is waiting.

They said it was daft to build a castle on a swamp. 
But I built it just the same. 
Just to show 'em.

XOXO....Kelly

Being Still

My mom’s childhood church stories are some of the funniest.  She is one of five kids and both of her parents sang in the church choir, leaving the children to sit unattended during the service.  And with all that freedom they couldn't help themselves.  They rolled up the offering envelopes and pretended to smoke them like cigarettes, waited for a quiet moment to ruffle the hymnal pages and slam the book shut and rolled marbles down the church aisle from the back of the sanctuary.  My uncle and his friend licked the communion wafers and stick them to their foreheads.  It didn’t matter how hard my grandparents glared from the choir loft or how bad the punishment was when they got home.  It’s a wonder that all five of them have grown up with a love of worship and rightness with God!  You would have thought my grandparents would have thrown in the towel, but it was clearly more than just good discipline practice at work.  It was God’s grace.  Somewhere, in the midst of all those shenanigans, a seed was planted.  God’s grace allowed it to grow.

I’m sharing this because this morning I grumbled at my child during church.  I wanted him to listen and learn and appreciate, not draw on the back of the bulletin and try to lay down in the pew.  But somewhere inside my heart I felt the Lord say, Be still. 

Be still and know that I am God.  Be still and know that I am faithful.  And relax! Sew the seeds I’ve given you and let my infinite grace do amazing things.

As our pastor, Lynda Zelenka, likes to say, Lord, put me aside.  Put aside my pride and my prejudice.  Put aside my weariness and my aggravation.  Put aside the things that bind me to this earth and let instead your glory shine through.  Let your grace water the seeds we are so humbled to plant for you.  Let your grace allow us to grow.

XOXO....Kelly

And, P.S., God's seed can't grow if you don't plant it in the first place.  Get your kids to church. Get yourself to church!! Pass it on. 

How to Build a Family of Champions

Zachary recently learned to swim and a ride a bike on his own, big milestones indeed!  To celebrate he got a trip to Menchie's and picked out a new toy at Target.  On the way home Blake announced that he couldn't wait for his next reward, which he intends to collect after learning to whistle.  That's right.  Whistling.  Blake wasn't born without lips, so as I was trying to figure out why a feat such as whistling might be reward-worthy, my mind flashed to the image of this ribbon he recently won at a swim meet...

Yes, you're reading that right.  It says 14th place.  This ribbon might be cool if there were like 750 swimmers in the competition.  I think there were 30.  Someone, somewhere at the Acme Ribbon Company is planning a very exotic vacation right now from their fancy new sports car because they are making a KILLING on sporting awards.

It's not that I'm not proud of my kids.  Did I squeal in delight when they first learned to sit up/crawl/walk?  Of course.  I've not seen a performance yet of Lowery Elementary's hit Kindergarten program "How Does Your Garden Grow?" that hasn't brought tears to my eyes.  I'm just wondering if 14th place and rewards for whistling might be taking it a bit too far.

It's not that I'm a hugely competitive person.  Ask me how many sports I played as a kid.  I signed up for dance because of the recital costumes.  When I learned you had to also dance in a recital I quit.  And frankly I think there is way too much meanness in the world.  We need to build each other up.  We need to promote and protect the sanctity of life, the preciousness of God's creation. 

But it can't come from a ribbon.

If we don't know that we are special, that our lives matter, no amount of frozen yogurt and sporting trophies are going to fix that.  If we don't see ourselves as God sees us, beyond what any new car or house or cell phone or clothing label could possibly do for us, then we are sunk.  And what hope do our kids have? 

You matter.  And not because of your job performance or place in society or athletic prowess or your ability to whistle the entire Battle Hymn of the Republic in four part harmony.  You matter because you are God's creation, fearfully and wonderfully made, so treasured that He sent His only son to die on the cross that we would have life eternally with Him.  The things that matter, the things that count have nothing to do with how fast you run, swim, walk or bike, how much money you make or the people you know.  His glory is there for each one of us, that we might be the light of the world, the best kind of champion. 

It doesn't come from a ribbon.  It never will. 

XOXO....Kelly