Sometimes we get all wrapped up in what "we" want that we lose sight of the bigger picture. What is the bigger picture you ask? The bigger picture may be a relationship, a job, a pursuit of happiness. You name it. All of these things have a set of must haves and also a set of deal breakers. Sounds like we're on a dating sight, right? No, we're looking at life.
What works and what doesn't work. What we will and will not do. And yet, sometimes it's not all black and white, there is a lot of gray matter in between. Therein lies fertile ground for compromise, for accepting the unexpected, for owning our part of the struggles and working together for resolution. I used to be very firm about deal breakers, now I find there is room for adjusting those parameters. Sure, some are non-negotiable. Sometimes if I give a little, I get a lot. Life is like that. Give a little, for the greater good. Give a little in the name of understanding, in the name of faith, in the name of working together.
We are working on a list of 1000 gifts that grace our life. We're at 135. Dang we have a long way to go. Ever notice how much easier it is to list the things that aren't right, rather than those that are? Are you stuck in the good things, or stuck in the bad things in life right now? Perhaps it's time to turn the page.
You know, sometimes it takes a tragedy to provide a wake up call, sometimes it is simply a quiet resolution to appreciate what we have in all it's messiness, with all it's challenges. It is our bigger picture at stake. We can chose our response, and in doing so add to the things that grace our life.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Luke 2:19
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. ...
I feel like I've been in Mary's shoes lately. Perhaps it's a woman thing, or a Mom thing. Some of my pondering comes in the form of worry. Try as I might, I struggle with this. Owning it is the first step, you know?
I ponder the future, the past and the time in between. I look forward, but can't resist a peek backwards. I believe since I ponder things that my heart is actively engaged. That is a good thing my friends.
Recently I've been pondering the approach of Christmas, the traditions, the celebrations, the fact we don't live in a perfect world. If things were perfect we could lavish all we love with gifts beyond measure. Maybe lavishing love beyond measure is the best gift we can give. Maybe it's human nature to want to go above and beyond, to give big, to show love in tangible ways. It's humbling to offer just the depth of our love and trust it is good enough. I tell my kids I wish I could do more, and they tell me I've given them more than they could ever ask for.
Maybe this is love. You always want to give more and you are unaware how deeply your love touches others. So you give what you have and you ponder all these things in your heart. And you do it in the company of Mary....so you are not alone.
I feel like I've been in Mary's shoes lately. Perhaps it's a woman thing, or a Mom thing. Some of my pondering comes in the form of worry. Try as I might, I struggle with this. Owning it is the first step, you know?
I ponder the future, the past and the time in between. I look forward, but can't resist a peek backwards. I believe since I ponder things that my heart is actively engaged. That is a good thing my friends.
Recently I've been pondering the approach of Christmas, the traditions, the celebrations, the fact we don't live in a perfect world. If things were perfect we could lavish all we love with gifts beyond measure. Maybe lavishing love beyond measure is the best gift we can give. Maybe it's human nature to want to go above and beyond, to give big, to show love in tangible ways. It's humbling to offer just the depth of our love and trust it is good enough. I tell my kids I wish I could do more, and they tell me I've given them more than they could ever ask for.
Maybe this is love. You always want to give more and you are unaware how deeply your love touches others. So you give what you have and you ponder all these things in your heart. And you do it in the company of Mary....so you are not alone.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Saying Yes
Have you ever struggled with saying yes? Seriously? I have, in fact I'm doing it right now. Sometimes in life we get stuck in the "no's". No I can't. No I shouldn't. Not right now.
Perhaps it's fear that keeps us stuck, or perhaps our faith is shaken and our level of trust is wobbly. It is a path we all walk at some point in time.
This week's struggle came in the form of a new foster dog named Gunther. We knew coming in he was a doll, and easy keeper, a distinguished gentleman in fur. Much like my beloved Mickey. Chill, cool and stellar.
Your struggle in this arena might be in saying yes to a new career opportunity, to owning a truth, to taking a risk, to stepping outside your comfort zone. Saying yes to the unknown.....frankly who isn't scared of that. It takes courage at times to say yes. Yes I will. Yes I can. And the flip side is saying No. No I won't. No I can't.
In this case we've chosen to say yes to Gunther, to adding him to our family as a permanent member. But it has given me pause to consider if my heart is open to the "yes" opportunities life is sending me. So for me, and for you I pray to be open to the good things life is offering. Take a look around you, they are there waiting to be embraced.
Perhaps it's fear that keeps us stuck, or perhaps our faith is shaken and our level of trust is wobbly. It is a path we all walk at some point in time.
This week's struggle came in the form of a new foster dog named Gunther. We knew coming in he was a doll, and easy keeper, a distinguished gentleman in fur. Much like my beloved Mickey. Chill, cool and stellar.
Your struggle in this arena might be in saying yes to a new career opportunity, to owning a truth, to taking a risk, to stepping outside your comfort zone. Saying yes to the unknown.....frankly who isn't scared of that. It takes courage at times to say yes. Yes I will. Yes I can. And the flip side is saying No. No I won't. No I can't.
In this case we've chosen to say yes to Gunther, to adding him to our family as a permanent member. But it has given me pause to consider if my heart is open to the "yes" opportunities life is sending me. So for me, and for you I pray to be open to the good things life is offering. Take a look around you, they are there waiting to be embraced.
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