What I'm Doing Tomorrow Morning

On Saturday morning, while many of you are enjoying sleeping in late in a warm cozy bed, I'll be dragging myself out of my own warm cozy bed to participate in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk. But it's for a good cause--it's a fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation.

For the past two or three years our office has put in a team to participate, but I've always had a conflict on race day and until this year had been unable to attend. But tomorrow I'll be there with bells on. (Literally. They give us jingle bells to wear on our shoes. I'm sure it will be cute for the first five minutes and then I'll be ready to scream.)

Despite giving up my one day a week to sleep in late, I'm looking forward to it. I've never walked or run in a 5K, so that will be exciting to get one under my belt. Plus, my co-workers are a fun bunch to hang out with and we always manage to have a good time together, so I am sure that I'll burn nearly as many calories laughing with them as I will walking tomorrow.

For those of you who have arthritis, I hope you're encouraged to know that so many people will be walking and running on behalf of you. And for those who don't have it, like me, I hope you take a moment to thank God for your ability to walk and run freely.

Gifts

For as long as I can remember, my immediate family has exchanged Christmas wish lists. Every year around Thanksgiving my parents begin asking us about gift ideas for Christmas. And it seems that every year it gets harder and harder to come up with a wish list.

I'd like to think the reason is that, as I've grown older, I've become content to live with fewer things, but one peek at my shoe collection will dispel that noble thought. The truth is that most of the time, if there's something I really want, like a new sweater or a book or some gizmo for the kitchen, I'll go ahead and buy it myself. So when December rolls around, it's tough to think of things I'd really like that I haven't already bought for myself.

God has truly blessed me with the income to be able to buy things for myself, and I am extremely grateful for that. But I've been questioning lately how much I consciously depend on Him. How many times have I missed out on some great gift He had in store for me because I went out and bought something on my own?

As I've confessed many times on this blog, I struggle with a lack of patience. I'm realizing that buying myself gifts rather than waiting for my birthday or Christmas to receive gifts from others is a symptom of this impatience. Additionally, it signals a lack of trust on the part of the gift-giver to give me what I truly want. Now, I'm not saying that I should never buy myself anything--but there is a great temptation to buy what I want, when I want it, and not wait on God to provide it through some other means, or to provide something even better than what I had in mind.

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:9-11)

As much as I trust God now, I still see that I have far to go in fully trusting Him with every aspect of my life. I'm praying that I'll resist the temptation to provide for myself and trust God more with His provision.

S.W.A.P.*

*Sealed With A Prayer

Here's an idea for when you're addressing your Christmas cards this year--take a moment to pray for each person as you address their card. They may never know the significance of the time you spent over that card, but God does.

Celebrating the Season

I grew up in a church that was pretty conservative, even by church of Christ standards (at least modern day standards). We didn't clap after baptisms. We didn't raise hands during songs. And we definitely did not celebrate Christmas.

Don't get me wrong, we did exchange gifts and decorate our homes and sing "Jingle Bells" in the fellowship hall (after the "closing prayer", of course). But we never had a Christmas tree in the church building, and we never sang Christmas hymns like "Joy to the World" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" during the month of December. Instead, our song leader would pull out those old favorites in July.

In other words, we were all for honoring consumerism and getting days off from work and school and drinking unspiked eggnog. But somehow it was wrong to celebrate our Savior's birth at Christmas.

I'm really not sure why. I did have a Bible teacher at school who had all these facts and figures that supposedly proved that Jesus was born in September, not December. (He also insisted that Jesus did not drink WINE, but rather unfermented grape juice. But that's another story.) Even if Jesus was not born on December 25 or even during the month of December, what's so wrong about taking that time to celebrate his birth? After all, we still got out of school for Lincoln's birthday, even though the day it was observed and his actual birthday did not always coincide.

Perhaps the reason that we as a church did not celebrate Jesus' birth was because everyone else was. Even non-churchgoers took time to acknowledge this event. I watched "Days of Our Lives" as I grew up, and I remember that every year at Christmas the citizens of "Salem" would pause from their sleeping around and trying to figure out whether Stefano DiMera was alive or dead to
read the Christmas story. I remember Grandpa Horton reading from Luke 2 as everyone sat and listened. If even these fictional, messed up folks could take time out to stop and observe Jesus' birth, why couldn't we?

Many years later, I am thankful to be part of a congregation that does acknowlege and celebrate the birth of Jesus. We even have Christmas trees in the building and a Christmas play and everything. And yes, we do sing "Joy to the World" in December.

I am trying to do more to acknowledge the birth of Christ during the Christmas season. I'm challenging myself to do at least one thing every day between now and Christmas to pause and celebrate the season. This morning I listened to Christmas hymns. Tomorrow I may read Scripture relating to Jesus' birth, or I may just spend a few moments gazing at my Christmas tree.

Let me challenge you to also take time this season to really savor it. Whether you grew up in a church that had a full-tilt Christmas pageant every year, or one that did not utter the word "Christmas", let's all take time to remember the real "reason for the season." Of course, we can celebrate the incarnation of Jesus at any time during the year, but in this time where the entire world pauses to acknowledge it, why not join in?

Revival

It's confession time. Lately--I can't put a finger on exactly how long it's gone on--I've had a less than stellar attitude toward church. Okay, my attitude has pretty much stunk.

I've been quick to judge, quick to criticize. I can sense myself becoming more cynical.

I don't like it. I don't like me this way.

I've been praying for revival to break out in our church--but truly, I'm the one most in need of revival. As I told one friend tonight, how can I expect others to live up to a standard that I'm unwilling to live up to? I've been prideful, envious and stubborn. I've been quick to speak and slow to listen. I haven't been gracious and loving and sacrificial.

Yes, there needs to be a revival--start with me, Lord, o wretched (wo)man that I am.

Hope Springs Eternal

Oh well, there's always next year...

Roll Tide

No trash talk, no taunts or bets today...just a simple ROLL TIDE!!!

Children of the King

This morning I accompanied my best friend, her mother and another friend of ours on a photo shoot. This wasn't just any old photo shoot; we went to a home for children whose mothers are incarcerated. Aleah and her mom took pictures of each child there, and the developed pictures will be Christmas presents for the children to give to their mothers in prison.

We saw children of all ages, ranging from mid-teens to a four day-old infant. We saw boys and girls, children of various racial and ethnic backgrounds. Some were eager to be models for us, while others had to be coaxed into sitting still and smiling for the camera.

As I watched the children pose and run and play, I felt so grateful for a ministry that provides a place for these children to call home. I can't imagine the pain they may feel over being separated from their mothers. And I can't begin to fathom the pain that their mothers feel. But I'd like to think that both mothers and their children are somewhat comforted in knowing that the children are in the hands of very dedicated, nurturing people who love them and love the Lord.

Sadly, there are many children in similar family situations who do not have a home to go to. Perhaps during the holidays more than any other time of the year, the value of home is more clearly felt. For those of who do have family to spend time (and better yet, family that we actually want to spend time with), it can be a very special time of the year. For those who don't have family geographically close or emotionally close, the holidays can be incredibly painful.

But I am reminded that, regardless of our physical family situation, all of us who accept Christ as our Savior are adopted into God's family.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:15-17)

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (I John 3:1a)

It is a very comforting, and at times overwhelming, thing to consider that we are God's children. We are entitled to a share of His riches, and we have a permanent home with Him. How incredible that He would choose to call us His children!

Black Friday

I love to shop. Like most women, I was born with the shopping gene. And like most women, I especially love a good bargain, whether it's on a pair of shoes or a pair of apples.

However, I do NOT like to shop at 5 a.m. the morning after Thanksgiving. I can't imagine having a desire to shop so badly that I'd drag myself of my cozy warm bed before daybreak, stand in line in the cold while waiting for a store to open, and risk life and limb (see picture above) all in the name of a bargain. To me, it's just not worth the potential maiming.

I did venture out to a few stores this afternoon, well after the early morning madness, and I did pick up a couple of gifts. If you're one of the bargain-crazy shoppers who actually enjoy hitting the stores at dawn on Black Friday, hey, more power to you. I hope you made it home in one piece.

I have a suggestion for Mark Burnett--when contemplating a locale for the next season of "Survivor", why not consider a Best Buy at 4 a.m. on Black Friday?

Give Thanks

Psalm 111

Praise the Lord!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart
as I meet with his godly people.

How amazing are the deeds of the Lord!
All who delight in him should ponder them.



Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty.
His righteousness never fails.



He causes us to remember his wonderful works.
How gracious and merciful is our Lord!



He gives food to those who fear him;
he always remembers his covenant.



He has shown his great power to his people
by giving them the lands of other nations.



All he does is just and good,
and all his commandments are trustworthy.



They are forever true,
to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.



He has paid a full ransom for his people.
He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!



Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.

Praise him forever!

Fill-in-the-Blanks-Giving

I have to go to work today, but I really don't mind. It's not so bad working the day before a holiday. The phone's usually silent, everyone's in a festive mood, lunch will be brought in for those of us who didn't take today off, and there's a chance that we'll get to leave early--although I'm not holding my breath.

In honor of the scrumptious meals that we'll be devouring for Thanksgiving, I thought it would be fun to ask about your favorite Turkey Day dish. For me, Thanksgiving is all about the side dishes--of course, I'll eat a little turkey, but I'd rather fill up on all the sides. My top two are probably stuffing and sweet potato casserole, both of which I'll bringing (along with dessert) to my family's Thanksgiving feast.

Now it's your turn to fill in the blank: It wouldn't be a Thanksgiving meal without _____________.

Happy Endings

Have you ever watched a movie that didn't end the way you wanted it to? Perhaps the guy didn't get the girl after all, or the bad guys got away, or the hero died in the end. Ever wanted to throw your popcorn at the screen in disgust?


We all love a happy ending. We love those stories where, despite adversity and trial, the good guys triumph over evil and everyone lives happily ever after.


That's not true just in the movies, but in our Bible stories as well. We're drawn to the stories where God works miracles. Stories of great faith, like that of barren Hannah conceiving a child and of little David defeating the giant Goliath and of prayerful Daniel surviving the lions' den unscathed. Those stories can be inspiring and faith-building, and rightfully so.


However, faithfulness does not automatically mean happy endings. Hebrews 11 makes that clear:


Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. (Hebrews 11:35-38)


I am sure that the men and women who were persecuted, tortured and martyred prayed just as earnestly and faithfully as those who did not suffer. I don't have answers as to why God chooses to do miraculous acts in some lives, and not in others.


Our family has known its share of triumphs and tragedy. We celebrate and rejoice in the recovery of my mom from her brain aneurysm just a month ago. And yet we've also pleaded with God to heal other family members, and the healing did not come. We've experienced unexpected deaths and divorces and other painful endings. I would imagine that all of you can think of instances where you didn't get the so-called "happy ending", and you're still struggling to come to terms with that.


While I can't explain God's reasoning on these things, there are a couple of things I do know.


One is that God is good, regardless of the outcome. Bottom line, He can and is to be praised at all times, in triumph and in tragedy.


The second thing is that this life is not the true life, and that the only true loss is that of not knowing Christ as Lord of our lives. For those of us who do know Christ, we DO have a happy ending in store. It may not come packaged as we would expect, in the form of a happy marriage or children or a great job. But it is coming. Someday, it can truly be said of us, "...and they lived happily ever after."

One Foot in Front of the Other

Sometimes God reveals a piece of the puzzle to us, the next step on the map. But rarely--if ever--does He reveal the whole scheme of what He's up to in our lives, at least not all at once.

I don't know about you, but that frustrates me. I like to know in advance where I'm going and and how I'm getting there and how long I'll be gone and what I'll be doing once I get there and what to pack.

I wouldn't say that I'm a control freak, but neither do I relish the thought of giving up complete control. I'm astounded at the people in the Bible who, when called upon by God to do something amazing and scary and totally life-changing, didn't bat an eye. People like Noah and Abraham and Daniel and Mary. Then again, I'm thankful that the Bible also has plenty of stories of people who seemed to wrestle more between the desire to obey God and the fear of actually taking action and how it would change their lives--for good and bad. People like Moses and Gideon and Peter.

But even those who unhesitatingly took a leap of faith and followed God did not suddenly have a huge revelation of what God would do with their lives. In reading the great "faith chapter" of Hebrews 11 lately, I was struck by these particular verses about Abraham:

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. (Hebrews 11:8-9a, emphasis mine)

Even when Abraham had arrived at the land God had led him to, he still had to live by faith. He was still dependent on God. I pray often for wisdom and guidance and direction. But even when I get the wisdom I seek and when I get to the next step in my life, life will still be shrouded in mystery. I'll still be dependent on God's guidance through His Spirit. Wisdom does not always provide answers--at least not the answers we are necessarily seeking. Perhaps wisdom is not about getting answers so much as gaining a deeper realization of our need to depend on God.

Hee Haw Said It Best

We lost.

21-14.

To Louisiana-Monroe.

Third loss in a row.

Iron Bowl's next Saturday.

I think the wise sages on "Hee Haw" summed it up best:


Gloom, despair, and agony on me

Deep, dark depression, excessive misery

If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all

Gloom, despair, and agony on me

Be Careful What You Blog About

The other day I blogged about challenging myself to keep my patience in check and show a gracious and grateful attitude to cashiers and other service staff over the holidays. Wouldn't you know that yesterday I found myself challenged in this particular area not once, but twice?

At one store the line I stood in was at least six people deep, but that didn't seem to faze the cashier. She was as slow as, well, Christmas. At another store, the cashier was faster, but she flung my purchases into the bags and then threw the bags into my cart with no regard for the contents. Luckily only one was breakable, and it seems to have weathered being dropped onto the floor by the cashier and then whipped into a bag and into my cart at lightning speed no worse for the wear.

Sigh. I suppose it wouldn't be a true challenge without some testing along the way, would it? One of these years I am going to do all my holiday shopping over the internet. Maybe order my groceries online too. If I could avoid stepping foot into any store between Thanksgiving and New Year's, that would be sweet...

Holiday Challenge

'Tis the season for long lines, traffic, agonizingly slow checkout clerks and rude customers. It doesn't quite seem to fit in a time of year that is supposed to be full of "peace on Earth and goodwill toward men."

As I've mentioned one or a dozen times before, I am not always the most patient person. I hate standing in line at the grocery or at Target or anywhere else--inevitably, I pick the line with a) a cashier in training, b) a customer in need of a price check, or c) a cashier in training waiting on a manager to handle a price check. My patience is typically lacking year round--and even more so during the increasingly busy Christmas season.

I've been known to mutter, mumble, grumble and gripe while standing in line. Even if I don't voice my displeasure, my thoughts run rampant with it, and my body language (frowns, crossed arms, sighs and scowls) speaks volumes. I may not cause a scene and bless out the cashier for not moving things along. But neither do I often bless them with a smile and words of appreciation for their hard work under stressful circumstances.

Reading today's post on Carolyn McCulley's blog about showing grace to cashiers and other "front-line" employees during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season made me think about how often I pass up opportunities to be Christlike in similar situations. It's all too tempting to gripe and complain about poor service. Even if we feel that the cashier, store manager, waiter or other service personnel do not "deserve" a gracious attitude, we are still expected by Christ to extend grace. After all, none of us "deserve" the grace He freely gives us--and we treat Him much worse than a surly cashier.

I'm going to challenge myself to be extra-sensitive this holiday season to the service people I encounter. Like me, they sometimes have bad days and sleep-deprived nights and headaches and car trouble. While I don't want to be standing in line, they would probably rather be elsewhere, too, like at home with their families.

I'm going to try to show grace to those God puts in my path to help me, and I invite you to join in on this challenge. Let's consider how Jesus would treat the men and women in the retail and food service industries that He would come into contact with, and act accordingly. Let's give them a smile and a "thank you" for their service, even if it's slower than we would like. Let's make "peace on Earth and goodwill to men" more of a reality than just song lyrics. Anyone care to join me?

Greatest Coach Vote

For my fellow Bama fans, be sure to visit ESPN's site to vote for the Greatest College Football Coach of All Time. Bear Bryant is currently running second to Tom Osborne.

Quit Yer Bellyachin'

I've posted before about recognizing my need to refrain from complaining, particularly at work. I've been reminded of this over the past few days. There is a relatively new co-worker who I've noticed lately has a tendency to complain. All the time. About everything.

I'm not sure if I just hadn't noticed it before, or if it's gotten worse over the past week. But I do know that it's irritating as all get-out. Of course, that's a big wake-up call to me that I probably sound as whiny and irritating when I complain. The sad thing is that today I found myself complaining about her complaining!

Since I'm a little higher up the ladder than she is, not to mention a decade older, I recognize that I need to set an example and fight the temptation to complain, especially in front of her. Prayers, y'all. Sometimes it's hard to be the one setting the example!

Call Me Scrooge

On the way home from work tonight, I spotted my first Christmas light-decorated house of the season. While the retailers have been playing "Jingle Bells" and "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" since Halloween, this was the first house I'd seen that had dragged out the lights.

For Pete's sake, we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet, people!

Am I being a Scrooge here? I love Christmas, but I don't like skipping over Thanksgiving to get to it. Of course, Thanksgiving doesn't have all the lights and sounds that Christmas does.

So what's your opinion--yea or nay to cranking up the Christmas spirit in November?

Holy vs Hypocritical

This morning I was reading through the Seeking Him study by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, I came across several descriptions of holiness and hypocrisy. This contrast in particular hit me squarely between the eyes:

"Holy people give themselves unreservedly to God and are patient with others who are still in the process.

Hypocrites expect more from others than they are willing to give of themselves."

Ouch! Talk about humbling. Can anyone else relate?

Change in the Air

Between college football, the beautiful fall foliage and getting to pull my favorite sweaters out of hiding, fall is hands down my favorite season. So far, it's been a fun (with a few depressing moments but fewer than last year) football season so far, and now that the leaves are finally changing colors and sweater weather has arrived, it's really feeling like fall. At least as close as you get to fall in Alabama.

I love it when the seasons change, because I'm reminded that life changes. Although some seasons (particularly winter and summer) seem to linger on and on, inevitably, a new season arrives.

Likewise, in life we go through certain seasons that seem to last forever. We think that we'll always be stuck in them. And yet that is not the case. God does bring morning after night. He does bring sunshine after rain. And He does bring good after bad--in some cases, bringing good out of a bad situation.

If you feel stuck in one of those neverending seasons, take heart--change is on the horizon.

Interesting Quote about Prayer

"Biblical prayer is impertinent, persistent, shameless, indecorous. It is more like haggling in an outdoor bazaar than the polite monologues of the church."
--Walter Wink

Black, White and Gray

Life would be so much easier if everything was black and white. Instead, it's filled with a lot of grays.


Sure, there are many things that the Bible is clear about. Murder: wrong. Forgiveness: right. Cheating and stealing: wrong. Respecting those in authority over you: right.


But there are some issues that we face in life that are not directly addressed in the Bible (and I'm not talking about instrumental worship or whether it's "okay" for Christians to have a glass of wine with dinner). There are times when we come to a crossroads in our lives, and there's not a definitive sense of which way we should go. In those times, every option seems like it could be right, but there's no way to know for sure without choosing one.


Wouldn't it be nice if we knew without a doubt that the decisions we made were 100% on the money every time? How reassuring it would be to be able to see giant arrows reading "Marry this person" or "Accept this job offer" or "Move to this city" or "Commit to this ministry". Think of all the time and energy we'd save by not agonizing over our decisions.


Of course, I suppose having a black and white world would pretty much negate the need for faith, wouldn't it? Living in a world without grays might eliminate a lot of drama. But it would also eliminate a lot of our need to depend on God.


Much as we may hate it, the reality is that many of the big decisions we make in life are not going to be black and white, and we just aren't going to know if we made the "right" decision until after we've made a decision. I've known people who have married someone who might not have been the best match for them, or who have accepted jobs that turned out to be nightmares. Even in cases like that, God can work things out. I believe that He can redeem ANY situation, and even when we make poor decisions, He can turn our lives around when we repent and come to Him humbly.


Making a "wrong" decision isn't the end of God's plans for us. He has the power and will to turn things around and bring us to the place where He wants us. It's when we refuse to make any decision out of fear of making the wrong one that God's plans for us often get put on pause. I think that He can do much more with someone who is willing to take a chance and make a decision, even if it's not the best one, than with someone who refuses to act without a clear-cut sign.


We usually want to see the big picture before making a decision, whereas God often only wants to reveal a tiny portion of it. He's waiting for us to step out in faith, and He'll continue to reveal His plans along the way, a little at a time. That can be frustrating for those of us who like to see what's around the bend in advance...but it IS faith building!

How You Live

Good new song...

How You Live
by Point of Grace

Wake up to the sunlight
With your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
Have what you want
But want what you have
And don't spend your life lookin' back

Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

So go to the ballgames
And go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth
'Cause you can't get away
Just face it and you'll be okay

Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

Oh wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin

So give to the needy
And pray for the grieving
E'en when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
Make peace with God and make peace with yourself
'Cause in the end there's nobody else

Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

We All Need Somebody to Lean On

I'm not a very good leaner. I prefer to be the lean-ee, the person that others lean on in times of crisis. I like to be the one who prays for others, brings meals to others, runs errands for others, sends cards to others.

I suspect that pride is at the root of my hesitancy to ask others for help. I don't want to feel like I'm a burden to anyone. And yet there is no sin in being a burden--in fact, we are instructed to bear one another's burdens, and that means that there are times when we have to be the one revealing our own burdens in order for others to help us bear them.

A couple of weeks ago, when I found out that my mom was being taken to UAB with bleeding in her brain, I sent a hastily-crafted email to several friends asking for prayers and then headed home to pack up and get ready to head to Birmingham. On the way, friends of mine called and told me that they were coming over to drive with me to UAB. I didn't have to ask. It wasn't expected of them. They just decided on their own that I needed them--and boy, were they right.

Over the next few days, as my mom went through brain surgery and recovery in the ICU, we had friends show up at the hospital, call, and send emails and cards of encouragement. Throughout the past couple of weeks, we've had friends offer to pick up our mail and newspapers, take care of my dog while I was in Birmingham, cook meals for us, run errands, you name it. They're not making these offers reluctantly; we realize that they want to do something to help us.

They are giving us a great gift of their time and resources. In return, we are giving them the opportunity to be blessed for their service. I'm realizing that when I don't allow myself to lean on others, I am denying them the opportunity of blessing. I think that through all of this, I'm learning to be a better leaner.

Great Expectations

God is perfect. He is fully holy and righteous. He is omnipotent and omniscient. He is full of grace, wisdom, truth and love at all times.

But we, His children, are not. Although the Holy Spirit lives in us and guides us, we don't always follow His lead. We don't always make the best decisions. We don't always respond to others with grace and love. As the apostle Paul said, day by day we are being transformed--meaning that the transformation is still taking place. Until we meet God in Heaven, we will not be perfect. We will continue to struggle and stumble and, at times, really screw up. Sad, but true.

I think we tend to forget that. I think that we don't cut ourselves--and each other--enough slack. Now, I'm not saying that we shouldn't spur one another on to lives of excellence, nor should we dismiss sin or not deal with the consequences of poor judgment or lack of wisdom in our actions. But too often, I act surprised when someone (particularly a dedicated Christian) makes a mistake. Too often, I place others on a pedestal high enough to give a giraffe a nosebleed. In setting expectations unrealistically high, I put others in an unfair position. And when I put such lofty expectations on myself, I inevitably become discouraged because there's no way I can achieve everything I think I need to in order to see myself as a "successful" Christian.

I was raised in a microwave generation. We are used to having things done quickly. Fast food drive thrus, pay at the pump, self check-out at the grocery store...we don't like to wait. We see it as a waste of time. The faster we can get in, get what we need and get out, the better.

While that may work for businesses, it's a recipe for disaster in our Christian walks. We're not used to having to wait for things, including answers to prayers or increased maturity levels. We expect too much, too soon from our brothers and sisters, and when they don't deliver in our self-appointed time frame, we are discouraged.

I find these unrealistic expectations creeping into my life most often when I am focused on myself and my trials. I forget that life isn't all about "me", and that's a surefire way to end up disappointed. Every now and then God knows I need a good wake-up call to my self-centered focus and He does a good job of knocking me down a few pegs and reminding me that I need to place my lofty expectatons on Him, not on myself or anyone else. It's funny how much easier it is to forgive others and be understanding and gracious toward them when I'm not so self-centered.

Home

A week and a half after suffering her aneurysm and undergoing brain surgery, my mom was discharged from UAB this morning and is now safe at home. I imagine that she will get far more rest at home than in a hospital, as wonderful as UAB is, and she may recover from all of this faster than my family and I do.

We know that thousands of prayers around the world have been offered up on her behalf, many by some of you, and we are extremely thankful for them. Please continue to pray for my mom's recovery. I'll blog more later, but I'm brainfried right now and ready to settle in for the night.