Lenting 14: Morning

Blessed morn' arise to see

another day

come heart believe

find Strength to know

to press

to sing

find Joy in Him

praise unto Thee

glory to Thine Love and Grace

glory to the Son who laid

life and trust to God

His hands

behold upon the Hope

of now

behold upon the Hope

of all

Good morning sun as you rise

Remind me of His Son

Our God

Lenting 13: Ponderous Asking Thoughts

You ever have a lot of questions that you'd love to just ask?..shamelessly, no fear of them being out of line or embarrassing.

I do. All the time. Truth be known, sometimes I do ask. Come to find out, it's mostly not a big deal to the answeree.

Yesterday, for example, a very, very tall man was standing beside me. TALL. And I felt very short.

With relatively little hesitancy I asked, "Sir, can I ask you a question?"

"Six foot seven." He didn't hesitate to respond with a valuable answer at least! However, that wasn't really what I was going for.

"Oh, wow, that's great," I said applaudingly. "I was really wondering though whether you felt as tall right now as I feel short." I think that caught him off guard a bit because I think that he answered that question again with a close-ish answer.

There were laughs. And to be honest, because there were laughs I was okay with the turn out.

We are just people with one life. Sometimes if I don't ask the question I'm thinking to the person near me I might miss a sweet moment. Sweet moments, gosh they are fabulous. Worth the risk so far, but never easier.

However, I've noticed the closer I am with someone the more I hesitate. Not everyone. When you receive enough blunt questions from Mom, you start to ask some yourself.

You ever hesitate to ask Jesus questions? Really, do you? I do. Why when He says to ask.

Matthew 7:8 "But whoever ask receives, whoever seeks finds, whoever knocks the door will be opened to them."

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

And, Jesus has the right to answer somewhat like Tall Tom; a different answer than I expect.

But really, I fear the cost of losing respect and appreciation from someone that's let me enter their life; and them, mine. Or, what if my question is unwelcomed? Or, what if my question doesn't come out right? Or, what if I'm asking for too much? Too little?

Knowing that there are certainly moments to keep it shut, I just am thoughtful now of what holds me back. Others back.

Yea, i've had some bad experiences. Some well deserved, and others not.

To end my thoughts. God, can you please help me, help us to ask You what we want to? Need to? By the way, can You help us trust Your response?

Thanks.

Lenting 12: Collision...Woot

The ultimate collision. :)

Hope you enjoy this as I did.

The heart breaking makes a sound
I never knew could be
So beautiful and loud
Fury filled and we collide

So courageous until now
Fumbling and scared
So afraid You'll find me out,
Alone here with my doubt

Here it comes, a beautiful collision
Is happening now.
There seems no end to where You begin and there I am now
You and I collide

Something circling inside,
Spaciously you fly
Infinite and wide,
Like the moon and sky
Collide

Here it comes, a beautiful collision
Is happening now.
There seems no end to where you begin and there I am now
You and I, collide

Yeah Yeah Yeah

Here it comes, Here it comes, Here it comes now
Here it comes, Here it comes, Here it comes now
Here it comes, Here it comes, Here it comes now
Collide
Here it comes, Here it comes now (You and I)
Here it comes, Here it comes now (You and I)
Here it comes, Here it comes, Here it comes now
Feel it coming on, Feel it coming on now, Here it comes now
Here it comes, Here it comes, Here it comes now

Lenting 11: Colliding

Last night a group of old and new friends all joined together at the house to play games. We all had a blast. Even Dad joined in on the fun with a special appearance. :) This retirement thing is really loosening the pop's up I think!!

When world's collide, there is beauty. Obviously there are exceptions, but the lives brought together are beautiful. My cousin Lisa and her husband Joe are two hilarious and fabulous people that I've gotten the privilege to share life and chicken pot pie dinners with since they've been married.

How these two have not spent time with me and my friends Kristina and Chad that are fabulous, sweet, hilarious friends...i have no clue. Sunday night...beautiful collision.

And Mom and Dad. We can all agree, they are wonderful, great...beautiful two. :)

From working at Panera I have gotten to know my sweet Swiss friend Maya. I want faith like her and want to hang out with her and her husband Shane when possible. Not to mention, her parents are visiting from Switzerland and they joined in the collision!

I don't want this to seem like bragging on having friends. I need instead to confess our God is good. Our God is amazing doing exceedingly more than we can ask or imagine. My life looks nothing like I planned moving home. I've needed Him to take control. My heart is thankful.

As a result, I can't keep these blessings to myself. I want my friends to know each other and the richness of how wonderful God has made each of them.

There is grace as I look at these friendships. I'm thankful God has let me find joy in being a third wheel. I know this perhaps is not trendy, but I love seeing relationships, marriages. Couples that are inviting to a single gal is such a blessing to me. We just avoid games like checkers...or rotate! Double elimination anyone?!

As I get to know a friend of mine Dustin, in community and among friends, I hope my life is as inviting as the ones I shared the room with Sunday night. I hope my time with Dustin welcomes and is encouraging. Sure, we have lots and lots of fun together which is great. Perhaps this too, a beautiful collision.

Lenting 10: Moments.

It's very obvious that I am a lazy lenter. Lazy. Lenter.

Sure, my life is very "un-lazy," but I fail to excuse myself from lent-blogging...other than...i'm tired. So tired. However, I am very thankful for the sweetness of life. God is very kind to be Him, give rest, and give strength.

And, I wonder, looking back on this week, how moments of life shape me and I don't even realize it. Some examples:

In the wine room a man came in and shared stories of his childhood raised on a farm and in the years of segregation. He told stories of movie theatres that separated black and white skin by seating and signs over water fountains. I grew up going to the same theatre. I grew up in the same town. I can't imagine what that would look like. Feel like. Sound like.
4 high school friends of mine have come to eat at Panera this week. We didn't get to talk much, but it made my heart happy.
Dad cleaned the house for Mom so that she didn't have to leave a "dirty house."
Moments of silence.
Moments of laughter.

Hearing the race cars practice while sharing life.

I can go on and on....and on. I wonder if you feel the same.

Lenting 9: 1 John

Got to read 1 John with Mom and Dad this morning before leaving.

1 John 1:7 "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Grace. Confession. Jesus. Light. Fellowship...with each other...with Mom and Dad.

Dear Jesus. Amen.

Lenting 7: Spring

:) it's the first day of spring.

what's new? what's budding for you?

I can tell you a few of mine: friendships (from work, from church, from just being home). hopes (for today, for tomorrow). opportunities (a garden, possible trips and adventures, areas to serve).

i feel full of excitement and anticipation of each of these. sure, there will come a season of pruning and weeding. but now...now there is life. new life! my heart is thankful for that. my heart is thankful for the treasures that are present. treasures that are Beautiful now, and beautiful to see grow.