Monday, November 16, 2015

a different lens

As minutes become hours, hours become days, I see life through a different lens.  One that realizes my time here is fleeting, my life is half over and what to do with the rest of it?  

In high school, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I answered truthfully, "a chef".  Mrs. Wolfolk, the guidance counselor gave me a smirk.  "That's not a 'real' job", flashed into my head.  Ok, IT it is.  And so, I have a crumby degree in IT that I will never do a thing with.  Lesson learned.  Be you.

Years later, God is still using my gift and love of food to minister to others.  I am perfect in Him.  Degree or no degree.

In high school, so much emphasis is put on sports these days.  Really, when I look back at my high school years and the sports I played, so much is trivial.  So much.  I don't remember the softball tournaments we won in our parks and recs division or what great plays I made on the JV team or how many girls I struck out during my first varsity game.  When I look back, I remember being in relationship with my teammates.  My friends.  I recall fun times with them.  Car rides.  Bus trips.  Giggles.  Singing "Thank you LORD" as we pulled into the school parking lot late at night.  I remember people.  And isn't that what this life is about?

My baby girl is growing up and will soon be off to college.  Our influence into her world is coming to a close.  She'll make her own decisions, vote for public officials according to her vision for the future, wash clothes and mess them up, burn Hamburger Helper.  She'll be her own.  Set out from the nest to make her way.  I've learned that doing the fun things - shopping, little trips to town with extras - coffee or ice cream, are the times I'll remember. Not really ever remembering what those things were but, memories of our time spent together.

Our whole lives are centered around being in relationship, forgiveness and people.  Relationship with the LORD, relationship with His people.  Forgiving as He forgave, and forgives us daily.  Being ambassadors of Christ.


So many times, I forget I'm an ambassador.  In the school pickup line when I want to rant about the people who got their license from Kmart.  Or how the school officials get under my skin with their arrogance.  Even people driving with no lights on when it rains.  How forgiving of them am I?  What am I teaching my children by being disgruntled over the small things?  Behold, there's a world of God's majesty in front of our eyes if we would just focus our lens a bit differently.

For instance, glance the morning light during the different seasons - in fall, it's a beautiful golden yellowish-orange; in winter, it's a cool blue-gray.  Look at a sleeping child and see the face of an angel.  Taste a homegrown strawberry and taste God's glory.  If you've never read "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp, I encourage you to do so.  It will open your eyes to a different light, a way of seeing God, face to face this side of heaven.

There will be phases, I know, but I pray we will always return to the light.  To seeing His presence in everyday life.  That we wouldn't dwell in the darkness but, learn to embrace those times as we draw close to him. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says... But he said to me, "My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.