Be Still & Blog.... already.

 The conversation was over the summer but it stuck. Hearts open, laying it out as a friend and I pounded it out on the pavement. Sweet fellowship. Overwhelmed with the lessons we were learning and His patience towards us as we talked about how often it seems we learn the same lesson over and over,and more often than not, in greater depths. Onion layers being peeled back one at a time. Overwhelmed realizing His patience toward us is unfathomable. We are slow learners with a patient teacher. 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you..(2 Peter 3:8-9) Fast forward: My students tackled time this week---elapsed time, a daunting task for both teacher and student. Also fitting for the lesson to be remembered and relearned from the summer, our tim...

The question posed, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" and they answered... "I want to be..." ...a famous singer. ...a famous artist. ... a famous fashion designer. ... a famous baseball player. They all wanted to be famous. They wanted to be known, important. Their child-like boldness proclaiming desire untainted by disappointments and realities. Their dream to be famous allowing a window into their hearts. Maybe even into our own. My inner cynic came out(I mean, everyone can't be a famous baseball player) as I watched their interactions  until I realized their desire to be famous is really at the heart of all of us-it's the desire to be known. To do something that matters, to be apart of something bigger than ourselves. Because really when it comes down to it, isn't that your desire? You want to be known so you throw yourself into work, school, relationships, sports, music, fashion, exe...

"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken."(Psalms 62:1-2) Silence. Waiting. Neediness. He seems to work in themes patiently bearing in love, drawing  with chords of kindness not surprised by the messiness but instead using it to transform, to restore. Most of life involves waiting. Abraham waited for God's promise of a son. The Israelites waited 400 yrs to be delivered from Egypt. 40 years to enter the Promise Land. Along with countless accounts of His people waiting for His promise to be fulfilled. Never in the time frame demanded or expected. In the waiting, they saw His faithfulness. In the waiting, they were reminded of his steadfast love.  In the waiting, they were being transformed. In the waiting, he teaches, he molds. He strengthens. Wait and take courage. For even youths shall grow weary and faint but those who wait...

One of the joys of babysitting and working with little ones is seeing child like faith, and seeing how the Lord uses a child's faith or at least their simplicity in word and deed to speak truth and life. (most of the time I'm quite sure they don't even know it) Here's a glimpse of these truths being spoken, embedded  into my heart through the mouths of babes and the working of His Spirit.   They wanted to play doctor... they love to play doctor.I think it's mainly because they get to pretend to cut my hair(no worries, the scissors have been checked multiple times just to make sure they are indeed pretend) As we were playing, they started covering me with bandages "We are taking you to the cross.." I thought maybe I misheard them and asked again. "where are you taking me?" "To the cross..." "Why are you taking me to the cross?" "To be covered in the blood... Take her to the cross!" "Why do I need to be ...

Samuel took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer—"the stone of help"—for he said, "Up to this point the Lord has helped us!" —1 Samuel 7:12, NLT 23 years. Here I raise my Ebenezer. This year of life can be compared to standing out in the ocean with waves catching you by surprise. One passes by and you've had just a moment to take a breath before another swallows you whole, and maybe the next gets you before you've caught your breath and boom there you are back under the water.  "all your waves and your billows passed over me" (Jonah 3:3). Notice Jonah says all YOUR waves and YOUR billows. He knows these are from Him. It may seem strange that  it gives me comfort in knowing these are His waves because knowing they are from Him allows me to trust they are meant for my good and His glory. He is good.  Although we may feel like we are drowning,  He promise...