En garde

Recently, while getting ready for work, I noticed a big, hairy intruder strutting across my bathroom floor. I did not pause to shout, “En garde!” before I engaged him in a battle to the death. The steroid-fed spider resembled a brown recluse; evidence is inconclusive as I did not stop to inspect him before I ushered him into the afterlife. My first two blows dazed and angered him, but he still had a cocky swagger as he charged me. I whispered a prayer and pounced again. Thanks to a trusty tennis shoe and some good aim, I was victorious.

My healthy fear of spiders resulted from two previous bites, each of which landed me in the ER. But this sinister arachnid’s unwelcome presence in my home reminded me of something else: a friend’s recent warning to be alert and on guard, watching for the enemy. Her response was generated by a convo in which I shared that lately God had brought to my mind the Old Testament saint Nehemiah.

Through God’s miraculous favor, Nehemiah was allowed to leave his prestigious and pivotal role as King Cyrus of Persia’s cupbearer in order to return to Jerusalem and attempt to rebuild the city, particularly the city’s wall. Once there, he faced logistic problems, economic woes and taunts from his enemies. In response, Nehemiah prayed then stationed a guard, a watchman on the wall, whose job was to warn everyone of impending danger just as Peter warns us: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT)

As work progressed, the Jews’ enemies continued to mock and ridicule them while the Enemy of their souls assailed them with doubt, confusion, and fear. The adversaries’ terror campaign escalated into a full-blown plot to kill the man of God. Nehemiah responded by posting guards in all of the wall’s gaps and encouraging the people with words of God’s strength and faithfulness. When caught in the enemy’s crosshairs, we would be wise to follow Nehemiah’s example: to pray first and then take practical measures to guard ourselves against the enemy’s devices by filling our hearts with God’s promises. Only then, through God's power, can we ruthlessly crush the enemy as I did that stealthy spider.

The Simple Life

“Tis a gift to be simple

Tis a gift to be free

Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be

And when we find ourselves in the place just right

Twill be in the valley of love and delight.” 

--Shaker hymn

A couple of weeks ago I stumbled onto a mash-up of two of my old-time favorite songs when I found “Over the Rainbow/ Simple Gifts” by The Piano Guys. The first song, of course, comes from the movie The Wizard of Oz. The second is a Shaker hymn which my mom and I used to sing together. The words of the hymn remind us to lead a simple life. For me, that means eliminating clutter, minimizing spending, and leaving time in a warp-speed life for rest and contemplation.

A simple life also holds the invitation for me to retain the childlike wonder God gives us to enjoy Him and His creation. To sing back to the birds who serenade me in the morning. To watch the clouds changing shapes against the backdrop of an infinite blue sky. To pause and admire the trees’ new spring wardrobe. And to spend time with a Creator who treasures me.

Albert Einstein is credited with saying: “There are two ways to live life: as if everything is a miracle or as if nothing is.” I choose the first. And in doing so, I think I am fulfilling Jesus’ proclamation that to enter His kingdom, you must come as a little child. A child empty of preconceived notions and agendas. A child filled with simple faith and awe at the beauty and majesty of God.

Link for The Piano Guys video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzF_y039slk

Love Life

In my favorite musical rendition of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Albert Finney plays Ebenezer Scrooge. One of the best moments in the film comes when Scrooge drinks the milk of human kindness proffered by the Ghost of Christmas Past. Scrooge becomes drunk and giddily begins to sing, “I like life. Life likes me. I like feeling the way I’m feeling.” Before Scrooge’s “conversion,” his life is filled with selfishness, greed, and self-pity. Post-ghost encounters, his life is filled with a love for others and selfless acts of kindness.

The changes wrought in Dickens’ most well-known character reveal a great spiritual truth: in order to love life, you have to have a life of love. Jesus taught it’s not enough to love your friends and family. He insisted we love everyone, regardless of their social status, ability, influence, or even their enmity toward us. Speaking of love was not sufficient for Jesus; His actions demonstrated His love. He fed the hungry, He healed the sick, He comforted the broken-hearted, He encouraged the widow. Ultimately, He carried the cross to Calvary.

Unlike the cup from which Scrooge drank, Jesus drank from the bitter cup of persecution, torture and death. But even as the shadow of the cross loomed across His life, He still took time to celebrate the Passover and to care for His disciples. Jesus’ life of love testified to His love of life. During His earthly ministry, He attended weddings, played with children, and enjoyed feasts with His friends. After His resurrection, He even cooked breakfast on the beach for His disciples. Jesus taught through both His words and His deeds how to enjoy life and celebrate even ordinary moments. And He did all this so that we might enjoy your lives. L’chaim!

What's Love Got to do with It?

I can almost hear Judas Iscariot ask that question when Jesus told His disciples: “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Judas seems to be the least loving disciple not merely because he was the one who betrayed Jesus, but also because of his harsh responses to acts of grace. When Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with expensive spikenard, Judas rebuked her. His question exposes his heart condition: “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”

It might seem Judas, who was in control of the group’s money pouch, had a tender heart toward those in need. But the next verses refute that idea by calling him a thief, painting him as a sort of embezzling biblical CFO. The incident also reveals Judas’ attitude toward his Master by implying Jesus was just another man, no one special. Why should He be the recipient of such extravagant love? It sounds like grumblesome, disgruntled Judas was filled with jealousy as well as greed.

For three years, Judas walked with Jesus. He saw the compassion in His eyes when He healed the sick and fed the multitudes. He witnessed the Son of God cry when His friend Lazarus died. And He saw Him weep over Jerusalem’s lack of repentance and absence of mercy. And Judas got angry. Many scholars believe Judas was one of the zealots, a sect of Jews who were trying to overthrow Roman rule. If so, his disillusionment with Jesus becomes clear. Judas was not looking for a kingdom filled with love where its Ruler taught forgiveness of cruel oppressors. He wanted the kingdom ushered in through violence. But violence never produces joy and hatred never brings about peace. Jesus said to love your enemies. He said that the greatest love is not destroying others for the sake of your country or your beliefs, but laying down your life in sacrifice for the sake of your friends.

Recently, my friend shared a story she heard on the radio; it was the testimony of a Muslim man who declared he had grown up in a culture of hate. When he left Islam, he became an atheist. Eventually, though, Christians won him over through their demonstrations of unconditional love. He said they did not try to badger him, debate him or condemn him. Instead they simply loved him. God’s love is the most powerful force in the universe and when we allow Him to fill us with His love, we can change the world.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

True Love

Today Mom and Dad would’ve celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary, one week before Valentine’s Day. Mom used to share with me the story of Dad’s proposal and how she wanted to marry on that quintessential “romantic” holiday. But Daddy insisted he wanted to be married six months to the day from the time he proposed. That meant the wedding date would be for one week earlier on Feb. 7. Thus began years of compromise, sacrifice and teamwork. Mom and Dad weren’t the perfect couple in the sense that they got mad and yelled at one another. Often. But at the end of the day, each one knew how much they were loved by the other.

Through the years I told my friends that Daddy lived to make Mom happy and he did. While he seldom brought her bouquets of flowers, he did give her cards with heartfelt messages and he brought her souvenirs from all of his travels. But far more than that, Daddy faithfully cared for Mom through fifteen years of serious illnesses and hospitalizations. Not only did he care for her physical needs, he showered her with affection and encouragement. Through both good times and bad, he never failed to pray for her. Mom cared for Daddy in all those same ways. And it was a running contest between them to see who could make the other one laugh the most and the loudest. Momma used to say Daddy’s voice was the first one she wanted to hear in the morning and the last one she heard at night. After Momma died, I said to Daddy that he always acted as if Momma hung the moon in the sky. His simple reply? “Well, didn’t she?” I am grateful to my parents for showing me love can last a lifetime. It can overcome any obstacle. And it can sustain you when everything else fails.

“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Cor. 13:7-8

Take Two

“The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Prov. 16:9

I had a plan. This was gonna be the January my house was so organized that Martha Stewart would personally visit to take notes. Instead, I had to stay in bed for days just trying to breathe as I fought off some flu imposter. For the new semester, I was going to be so prepared that I would dazzle my students with my knowledge of literature and my rapier wit. Instead, I showed up to the first day of class with a bad case of laryngitis and a hacking cough. And that exercise plan? It went out the window and was replaced by a regimen of vitamin C, zinc and antibiotics. Sigh. I had a plan.

God has a plan too. He promises in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a good plan for each of us. Ever-faithful, ever-prepared, ever-gracious, my sickness did not derail His plan. He protected me all fall semester from numerous illnesses to which I was exposed and allowed me to enjoy the holidays before I got sick. He used friends to minister to me and remind me how much I am loved and how to bless others when they are in need. Still, I missed my new year’s rituals of contemplation and simplification. But with God, every day can be a new beginning. So now that I am nearly well, I am re-starting my new year and I am excited to see what God has in store for it. Instead of hoping my plan comes to pass, I will be praying that God’s does.

“Father, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10)

Happy New Year, Lord

“For all the blessings of the year, we thank You, Lord.”

As 2014 was slipping into 2015, I kept singing the line above which comes from a Thanksgiving call to worship. The words remind me to thank God for all the blessings of the past year. For friends and family who support and encourage me. For new friendships that have blossomed and old ones that have deepened. For work I enjoy and through which I can see God’s hand at work. For miracles in my life and the lives of those I love.

God’s blessings have taken many forms this last year. After four years of not seeing them, I had two opportunities to spend time with friends who are more like sisters and are separated from me only by the physical distance of hundreds of miles. I had the joy of planting flowers in my yard and then watching them bloom and attract butterflies and hummingbirds which brought me the gifts of wonder and delight. The children and teenagers in my life have often renewed my spirit by sharing their innocence and their exuberance. As I started an additional job adventure, colleagues and co-workers offered much-needed advice, help and encouragement.

And there have been tremendous gifts from God Himself this year, both seemingly big and seemingly small. He has given me wisdom and guidance when I needed it most. He has afforded me strength and comfort as I continue to grieve and heal. And He has given me an inexhaustible supply of joy. So, as 2015 begins, I thank God not only for all He has done in the past year, but I thank Him in advance for all the blessings of this new year.