Sushi in the Sand

On a whim, I decided to take off for Porter Beach in Indiana today by myself. It was a great drive with music blaring and the windows open. After getting situated in my beach chair, I decided to open up my perfect lunch of perfect sushi only to have it fall right into the sand! The irritation was quickly replaced by determination to eat this perfect lunch, no matter what. I rinsed it off in the lake. A little sand never hurt anybody, after all...

This made me think about a conversation I recently had with a friend. We were talking about living life with the glass half full and persevering through trials.  It is interesting how when you are having a good day, everything looks bright. Even the jerks in your life become good ole souls. But, when there is a little thumbtack sticking in your foot, or your sushi falls in the sand, suddenly everybody becomes an irritation for one reason or another, including the ones who appear so happy.

I have been told that my writing is more geared toward women. I've also been told that there is too much lamenting and negativity in what I share. Ironically, I've also been accused of "pretending," being "holier than thou," and even in denial. Others are inspired and encouraged. Some find me "very religious" said in such a way that I'm not sure "religious" is that attractive. The good news is that I've increasingly begun to care less. I've increasingly begun to write with more abandon and authenticity as the Spirit leads and it feels WON DER FUL! I always want to be real and I always want to honor God. My prayer is that I may be used to encourage someone. Anyone. Probably, because of my own pain.

In a world full of hurt, it's refreshing for me to see posts of people's kids, families, birthdays, graduations, milestones, prayer requests, devotions and scriptures, jokes, and what not. Just because someone posts a beautiful family picture does not mean that the kids weren't pulling each other's hair and the baby didn't have snot running out of her nose seconds before it was taken. Who cares?! It doesn't mean that the smiling couple celebrating 25 years of marriage (oh wait, that would be my husband and I today) haven't hated each other on occasion and haven't worked DANG hard at what they have. Why must we be miserable to be accepted? Furthermore, why must we appear to be perfect to be accepted? We can hold both sadness and joy at the same time. Really, truly, we can. And we can do it, and find acceptance. Life is rarely one or the other. We may have seasons of each, but for most of us on the planet, things can hit the fan in the morning, our heart may be aching, and we can still share a real laugh with a friend at noon and even go to bed with peace in our heart. It's LIFE.

You've probably heard the little saying, "Don't let anybody dim Your sparkle." I like that. Find the good about yourself, others, and your life, and ponder it. Celebrate it with gusto. Shine. Think about God's faithfulness to you in the past. Stay there for a while. FEEL what it felt like when He came through for you.  And, don't be afraid or shy about being yourself. You have been wonderfully made by God, in His image, and He rejoices over you. Share your good news not because your life is perfect, not because you need to impress, but because you're happy - because you've chosen joy!

It is good and well to lament. It's healthy. It strengthens our relationship with God. But, it is ONLY good when it eventually empties you out and brings you to a place of surrender, and then praise of our beautiful, kind, and merciful God. Lament should bring you TO God, not away from Him.

I have to admit that while my sushi tasted good, I could feel the grains of sand in my teeth. A real bummer. On the other hand, I am at the beach! The sun is out and I'm listening to the waves. I'm more than okay.

PONDER WHAT IS GOOD. IF YOU HAVE TO SEARCH FOR IT THEN ASK THE LORD TO BE YOUR SEARCH PARTNER. GOD LOVES YOU AND YOU ARE OF GREAT VALUE.

 "Now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)

Why Shine?

There is a hurting world out there who are desperate to believe that God is real. They don't want to just hear about Him, they need to see Him because in that sense, seeing really is believing. 
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said:"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." At first read, it sounds a little pompous, doesn't it? It is if we consider Matthew 6:1, "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven." There is no contradiction here. The difference is in the heart of man and oh, what a tangle the heart can be! 
Jesus is saying that our good deeds (kindness, generosity, praise, forgiveness, joy, perseverance, peace making, sacrifice, compassion...) should shine not for our own glory, but for HIS! And, why? So that "everyone will praise your heavenly Father." It is so people who don't know Christ will WANT to know Him and those who already do will be ENCOURAGED in their faith. Our actions must be rooted IN JESUS. They must be born out of a huge love for Him. They must be done with a desire to see His kingdom furthered and to see 'on earth as it is in heaven.' They must be done to change lives for the better like He has changed our own life. 
Part of this is stepping out and sharing our stories of what God has done and is doing in our life. Lights are meant to shine and to provide a way to see clearly. We wouldn't turn a flashlight on and then stick it in the closet. We are to be light shiners. It reminds me of REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling." There is a line that goes, "You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night." I always loved that. That is who we need to be to our world. If we do it for own glory, we lose out. We really do lose the reward from our Father and who wants to experience that? And, if God isn't given the credit, and we are instead, what gain is that for others? It's a loss for them as well. 
When our actions come up and pour out from a place of heart connection with Christ, they will shine in such a way that people see less of us and more of God. AND, IT IS GOD WHO PEOPLE ARE WANTING TO SEE.
It IS a challenge, no doubt. It's really something how much good we hold in our hearts right next to all that can be ugly. Sometimes I shudder at the home I'm providing for the Holy Spirit to live in!  But, He still stays. He's my God. He's my family. His rightful place is in illumination. It is God who saves.
So, go be a light shiner wherever God has placed you and do it so that the Lord may be praised!