The Lucky Dog

They called him Scooter-Booter! Seriously?! We were committed to making him a part of our family, but that name wouldn’t do! On December 26, 2014, we introduced Miler to the world. The world of Facebook, that is.

Miler had a new name, a new stuffed squeaky toy, a family that adored him, plentiful food and water and lots of exercise. What more could a dog want? He seemed to adjust well to his new life. After about a month of transition, we heard him bark for the first time. And then we started to see the “old” that came with the new. We had adopted an insecure, whiney, passive-aggressive Australian Cattle dog.

Frequently, I remind Miler just how lucky he is to be a part of our family. Who else would put up with his whining, demanding and selfish ways? Who else would love him despite his threatening and defensive attitude? Yup, he is one lucky dog.

One morning, Miler was watching my husband prepare for work. Jon pulled on his hoodie and then put on a cap. Miler lost it! He was whining, barking and cowering. Jon spoke to him in soothing tones to no avail. When Jon came to say good bye to me, Miler placed himself between me and my man with fear and trembling. Miler was literally shaking.

I don’t know what Miler experienced during his first three years of life. I assume he had an abusive and traumatic start. His former life, a far cry from the present. But his former response is ever present.

Maybe I am not all that unlike my pathetic dog.

I have a Master. An amazing, loving, kind, forgiving, strong and protective Master who abundantly provides for my every need. I know Him. I can trust Him.

Change the circumstances and I tend to forget all that I know to be true. I respond with my old self – fearful, anxious, worried, doubtful, insecure, angry.

My Master didn’t change. He is still the amazing, loving, kind, forgiving, strong and protective Master who abundantly provides for my every need.

Shouldn’t I trust Him in every circumstance?

I am so blessed to be a part of my Master’s family. He rescued me from certain death. He puts up with my whining, demanding and selfish ways. He loves me despite wrongful attitudes and behavior. I can trust Him. I don’t have to live in fear or uncertainty. He is good to me.

Maybe, just maybe, I am the lucky dog.

Reconciled to God

This past summer and fall, I really struggled with whether or not God wanted me to continue attending our church. For whatever reason, I was no longer connecting with others.  I didn’t feel like I was benefitting from services.  I was disappointed and hurt by other members. I didn’t see my kids growing spiritually. My list of reasons for looking for another church continued to grow, reasons that were valid and justifiable.

The journey was painful.  As I prayerfully and sincerely sought God’s will, I experienced not the joyful resolution and peace that I so desperately desired, but a surge of discouragement and doubt and frustration as God revealed to me my true character and ultimately, broke me. Today, I know I am where God wanted me. I decided to stay.

God used His words and His people to help me arrive at my decision.

Through His word, God reminded me that I had value, that I was created with a purpose, that He has good plans for my life, that I am a part of the body of Christ, that I was made to serve and bring glory to God, that I was designed to worship God.

Through His people, God reminded me of how the church had been there for me in former times of need, that life isn’t just about me, that I am part of the body of Christ that is incomplete and inefficient without my personal contribution, that my perceived needs may not be in line with God’s word, that the purpose of church attendance is worshipping God.

God used this experience to speak directly to the depths of my heart and soul, a place barricaded by hurt and disappointment, a place formerly impenetrable.

I realized that the act of change is not above the Agent of Change.  I wanted change. I was seeking transformation.  But what I needed was God Himself.

God’s truths are applicable to time and circumstance outside of my own experience.  Maybe some of the lessons I learned on my journey will be an encouragement to you as well.

The process I underwent can best be summarized with three powerful words: Remember, Realign and React.

REMEMBER

“To recall to the mind (with effort or determination); think of again; to retain in the mind; keep carefully in memory; to keep someone in mind as worthy of affection or recognition”

- The American Heritage Dictionary

Psalm 77

¹⁰ And I said, “This is my fate;
the Most High has turned his hand against me.”
¹¹ But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
¹² They are constantly in my thoughts.
I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

As David did long before, I recalled the forgotten past goodness of the Lord and His people to me.

Isaiah 46

⁸ “Do not forget this! Keep it in mind!
Remember this, you guilty ones.
⁹ Remember the things I have done in the past.
For I alone am God!
I am God, and there is none like me.
¹⁰ Only I can tell you the future
before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass,
for I do whatever I wish.

I recounted stories of God’s faithfulness to me and to others. I remembered what it was that so attracted me to God, His word and His people when I chose to submit to Him so many years ago.

Psalm 111

¹ Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart
as I meet with his godly people.
² How amazing are the deeds of the Lord!
All who delight in him should ponder them.
³ Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty.
His righteousness never fails.
⁴ He causes us to remember his wonderful works.
How gracious and merciful is our Lord!
⁵ He gives food to those who fear him;
he always remembers his covenant.
⁶ He has shown his great power to his people
by giving them the lands of other nations.
⁷ All he does is just and good,
and all his commandments are trustworthy.
⁸ They are forever true,
to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.
⁹ He has paid a full ransom for his people.
He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!
¹⁰ Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.

Praise him forever!

Those remembrances were reality based. But what about my feelings? My perceptions? Were they accurate? Did they have a place in the life of one who truly desired to please God? Honest consideration of those questions helped me to realize several nasty truths about myself. Confronted with the truth, I had to choose what to do with it.

REALIGN

“To put back into proper order or condition” - The American Heritage Dictionary

God showed me that my feelings and expectations were not in line with His truth.

 Isaiah 55:7-9

⁷ Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.⁸ “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
⁹ For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

I confessed my pride, my self-centeredness, my anger as well as my desire to please God in my being, my actions, my thought life.  As a plumb determines depth and establishes a true vertical, my God realigned my thinking.

REACT

“To act in response to a stimulus or prompting; to act in opposition to some former condition or act;

 to undergo chemical change” - The American Heritage Dictionary

God’s promptings through His word and others prompted me to take decisive action to seek Him and His truth above all other people and things, both tangible and inanimate. I needed God’s help to let go of those distractions from the truth: anger, pain, self-pity, perceived needs. I had to allow God to be my Agent of Change. I am not what I once was. I am a new person of God.

As Paul says in Galatians 6:

¹⁴ As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. ¹⁵ It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. ¹⁶ May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.

2 Corinthians 5

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

I thought my problem was the church.  God showed me that the problem was me. The one thing within my control fought instead to control everyone and everything else while denying personal responsibility.

Ephesians 6:11-13

¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

In allowing God to do some personal repairs and upgrades in my life, I received some unexpected, but welcomed benefits: relationships flourished, needs diminished, attitude uplifted, hope restored. My circumstances didn’t change. My church didn’t change.  The only thing that changed was me.

Perhaps God wishes to invite you on a similar journey.  I encourage you to consider the following:

Do you remember why you fell in love with your Savior? When is the last time that you recalled those precious moments when God met a need, showed mercy or rescued you?

Do you need to realign your thinking to God’s truths?  Have you been deceived by feelings and perceived needs?

Will you react with all that is within you to God's truth?  Do you need to make God your Agent of Change?

All scripture quoted from NLT via biblegateway.com

Good-bye Summer!

I'm not ready to let go of summer! It has been an amazing season of growth, surprise and relating. But, let go, I must. When the end draws near to a wonderful event, and the kids don't want to leave, I tell them that means it is the perfect time to go. We should leave still wanting more. So I leave the freedom and spontaneity of summer to embrace the prescribed routine of fall. But I take the memories with me and seek opportunities to create more!

This summer ~
We tried new things.
We made new friends.
We eliminated "stuff".
We read, and read and read.
We laughed.
We shared.
We challenged our faith.
We sacrificed.
We gave.
We accomplished.
We laughed.
We surprised.
We prayed.
We picked.
We ate.
We served.
We laughed.

What did you do this summer?

Empty Seats, Full Heart

As Thanksgiving Day draws near, I find myself reflecting not only on those things for which I am thankful, but also on those for whom I am thankful. Holiday celebrations mean family gatherings. And I can't help but think of those who will not be joining our dinner table.

Of course, their dinner table will be a much grander affair - golden place settings, bright white linens, long time friends and family, unlimited fine wine, color and beauty beyond description and pure joy! They will be feasting with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

It is hard to believe, but this will be the ninth year without some of my beloved family members: my mother, Ruth Ann; my step-dad, Earl; and my grandfather, Floyd. And just a few years ago, my grandmother, Virginia, joined their ranks. I miss them still but will honor them for the time we shared together, the unforgettable memories. And for that, I am thankful.

Each of my family greatly influenced my life. I can still hear their voice speak to my heart some of their notorious responses, whimsical advice and lingering lessons.

"Don't make my mistakes. Learn from my mistakes and go make your
own." -Mom

"Always carry a pair of scissors." -Mom

"Well, sure you do!" -Grandpa and Grandma

Dance with the one you love! -modeled by G'ma and G'pa

"You have good tires on that car?" - Grandpa

"You turkey, you!" -Earl

When you think of your loved ones, what do you fondly recall? Add your quotes and memories in the comment box.

What's A Mom To Do?

Balancing family and work is a challenge! When I have a sick child, I feel torn between being a mom providing for my child's health and comfort and being a dependable employee assisting the educational needs of other people's children. Usually, my child wins.

Today is such a day. My amazing G has struggled with headaches for years. When she came home from school yesterday, it wasn't long before she voluntarily went to bed. We made several attempts to awaken her, but she ended up sleeping most of the night until morning. And the headache still persisted in addition to a sore throat and coughing. She ate, took some ibuprofen, and waited for it to kick in. School is not something she wants to miss. After the bus came, the headache was still going strong. Not feeling well myself, I encouraged her to stay home and rest for the day. This is my sleeping beauty, my strong, optimistic daughter, resting on the couch, but fully prepared for reading in the event that her headache diminishes.

Thankfully, my current employment permits me to take time off for sick children. I realize that is not the case for so many working moms. I am extremely thankful to have a job that I love and that allows me to be a mom first.

As far as the headaches go, G is keeping a "Headache Journal" and we have a follow up appointment with a DR. next week.

There's No Place Like Home

Much of our summer was spent at a campground in Bristol, Indiana, where the kids and I enjoyed swimming, biking, walking, visiting local attractions and , of course, patronizing the local library on those rainy afternoons. The camp site was just 10-15 minutes from the job site that demanded most of Jon's working hours throughout the summer. The campground provided a nice distraction and get-away, but there is no place like home.

By mid-August, each of us was ready and anxious to return home. Cleaning, shopping, preparing for school and catching up with friends and television programs occupied our days until school began.

So now, we are entering our third week of school and I predict a great school year!

N is a bright 7th grader who mostly tolerates school. His passions include youth group, LEGOS, all things Star Wars, music and art. Next week, he will enter the phenomena of teenager!

G is a highly determined 5th grader. She has grown and matured so that many new friends assume she is our eldest child (not that she minds)! G set a very high goal for herself to qualify for Avant Garde and was recently invited to participate in this prestigious program. Pulling her away from her summer reading was a challenge, so we were thankful for the times that she "Graced" us with her presence and engaged in face to face conversation. She awed us with reading over 12,000 pages this summer and enlightened us to the huge void that exists for engaging and appropriate pre-teen fiction for girls. Through it all, she is learning and exercising discernment. G definately has her own style not to be thwarted by peers, siblings or mom. A few weeks ago, I suggested she wear some boots, dress shoes or sandles with her skirt (anything but those tennis shoes) to which she replied "Mom, you're just going to have to get used to me being me!"

A is a confident 2nd grader. Some of her interests include music, reading, art and watching as much tv as mom will allow. She has her sweet, silly ways that make her unique.

When I think of our children, hungry for knowledge and thirsty for acceptance, I am reminded of the importance of the role of parenting. What a blessing to be given this opportunity to shape these lives and what a huge task!

Jon continues to work in Southern Michigan and Indiana. And I will begin tutoring full-time next week. We are continually thankful for God's provision of jobs we love!

As we enter into autumn, we are looking up and sensing the changing winds. What a great place to be.

I Am Changed

It has been a long while since I have shared my heart with you. Although I cannot express all that has culminated in the past months, I can sum it up with these words:

"I AM CHANGED"

I am changed by the Great I AM.

I am not what I was.

I am not what I thought I was.

Nor am I who I hoped to become.

But I am what I am. And the Great I AM approves.

Years of hurt and bitterness....

gone! Not just buried or lying dormant deep within, but vanished!

Fears and anxieties that plagued me mercilessly....

nothing but a vapor!

Unrealistic expectations and lies long held as truth....

exposed and discarded!

LISA

Consecrated to God.

Called by Him to BE.

I am imperfect, but important.

I am unworthy, but purchased at great cost.

I AM because He Is!

Summer Splurge

We did it! We gave away our old, ugly couch and ushered in a new sectional as well as a new curtain and valance for the living room area.

It was no easy feat, although very much worth the effort. All the hours invested in looking, pricing and saving was worth it since we were able to pay cash for our purchase! No new debt makes the couch even more attractive!

Cherishing Letting Go!

PERCEPTION
This is my beloved, "most comfortable ever" couch! If you have been to our home in recent years, you have probably cringed at the thought of having to sit on it! Yeah, I saw that look in your eyes. You look at my couch and see rips, smudges, grime and....isn't that a bed sheet?

But when I look at my couch, I see something totally different! I recall two young lovers making their first major furniture purchase over 16 years ago. I remember the countless nights of sharing dinner on our couch while watching Star Trek Enterprise. I think of our naughty puppy, Sasha, perched upon the back of the couch, staring out the window, awaiting my return from work. I see friends laughing and lounging and proclaiming what I have always known, "Yes indeed, you do have the most comfortable couch ever!" I see our first-born infant napping with dad. Years later he is protectively posing with his baby sister and later still, the two of them taking turns feeding a bottle to our third child. I hear stories being read, songs being sung, boisterous laughter and muffled cries as we shared our joys and burdens through the years. My couch is forever intertwined with all that I treasure. It is my sentient scrapbook.

I am reminded of something in scripture:

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.

Man looks at the outward appearance,

but the Lord looks at the heart.

I Samuel 16:7b NIV

Thankfully, God treasures me more than I treasure my couch.

Mercifully, He sees me, not for my flaws, but as I am fixed in His son.

Pain-stakingly, He removes my stains and restores me.

PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THINGS.
I say this to my kids regularly. Slowly, methodically, I have been trying to model this by easing my grip on those inanimate things that I so cherish. I have been shopping for a replacement for my ugly couch. I want our home to be comfortable for entertaining. I hope that instead of our home being a place where you are counting the minutes until you can leave to wash off the possible contamination from decades of stains and germs lurking on my couch, it will be a place where you are free to spill your drink on my new, stain-guarded couch and where you dread the closure of our wonderful time together.

My husband, who hates to shop, has been accompanying me on countless furniture excursions over the past three weeks. I guess that is because I am more important to him than things, like relaxing on our soon to be replaced ugly couch. That, and he doesn't want me to come home with something too flowery or too expensive or too petite. I'm not the flowery type, nor am I a heavy spender. But I could be a minimalist, and I am grateful for the company and feedback. Finding the perfect furniture at the perfect price is a big undertaking; and the perfect guy is at my side through it all!

This is me letting go. Or trying to.

Letting go of my couch and cherishing the memories.

Letting go of my desire for perfection and cherishing my time with others.

Letting go of my perception of failure and cherishing the lessons learned.

Letting go of my inhibitions and cherishing embracing life.

This is me, cherishing letting go!

A Little Song and Dance

I was able to capture our seven year old in the middle of her private worship. She had no idea that I was recording her until......well, I don't want to spoil it for you! Enjoy!