Perspective: Empty versus Emptying

Now that the season of Lent has begun, I keep reflecting on the empty tomb.  The fact that Jesus's body was no longer there meant bad news for the guards who were charged with keeping watch, but it meant good news to all who believed:  Jesus had conquered death once and for all.

As I've thought about the empty tomb, I've wondered about what emptying needs to take place in my life during Lent.  Things that come to mind include bitterness, frustration, selfishness, anxiousness, discontentment, and the list could go on.  I know that in my own power, I can't rid myself of these behaviors or reset my default to joy.  I need to tap into the resurrection power that Jesus displayed in emptying the tomb and that He gives to me.

And the best part, even better than being emptied of those things I listed above, is that once they are gone, I then have the capacity to better live out the fruit of the Spirit, showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Who doesn't want that?!

So as you go through Lent, if you decide to give up something, think about what you are making room for and all the good that can be accomplished with His power when you are empty.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. - Philippians 2:5-7

Things I've (Re)Learned in January & February

Emily Freeman tries to do a post at the end of each month with things that she has learned.  And although I may not do it monthly, I like the idea of thinking back through what I've learned or relearned recently. 

1)  I relearned just how much I like rules.  And I really like when people follow the rules.

2)  Along those same lines, I relearned that I love rules that are absolutes at all times.  For instances, periods and commas ALWAYS go inside quotation marks; there's nothing subjective about that.

3)  I learned that I like keeping Sundays completely task free, meaning that I no longer even attempt to blog on that day.

4)  I was reminded that my prayers are not in vain and that I want in on the Kingdom rewards that come with praying without ceasing, no matter what the circumstances are.

5)  I learned that my allergies are not a fan of 2014's crazy winter weather that can span from 80 degrees to 19 degrees in a matter of twenty-four hours and that the pattern can be repeated multiple times during a month.

6)  I learned that meal planning is not as easy as it looks on blogs.  Tips on successfully doing this weekly are welcomed!

7)  I learned that there's an essential oil to help with just about every ailment but that I'll also gratefully add in the occasional steroid nasal spray when I start itching all over due to #5 above.

8)  I learned just how quickly I devour memoirs after polishing off The Antelope in the Living Room in a matter of hours and Notes from a Blue Bike, which I finished over the span of a few days.

9)  I learned that Ellie Holcomb's new album As Sure as the Sun can brighten up an afternoon or make running errands a lot more enjoyable.

10)  And I've learned that I can't end a list with just nine things.

What fun thing have you learned over the past two months?

The Agitator

As I mentioned in the previous post, the year started off with the purchase of a new washing machine.  As with any electronic, I quickly realized that during the thirteen-plus years between the time I purchased my previous washer and now, the basic washing machine has undergone a major transformation.  There were no longer just top loaders; there were also front loaders.  Based on the scores on Consumer Reports, the clear choice was a front loader.

I was surprised that a front-loading washing machine sans an agitator could get clothes as clean as a top-loading washing machine with an agitation stick in the middle of the drum.  But review after review said that the agitator had the potential to damage clothes and that this new engineering, which uses less water and less agitation, somehow produces better results.  So I decided to trust the reviews and paid the extra money for the front-loading washing machine.

After almost two months, I haven't noticed that my clothes are any cleaner with the new front-loading washer than they were with the old top-loading, agitator-laden washing machine.  Instead, the big thing I've noticed is that it takes more time to do a load of laundry.  My guess is that the lack of the agitator has something to do with that.

And with my one-word resolution this year being "perspective," this whole agitator versus no agitator cleaning process has gotten me thinking about how God removes impurities from my heart and refines my character.  It seems like I pay attention to the refining a lot more when He allows some painful or stressful event (agitation) into my life that requires me to cling tighter to Him and His Word.  This process is not fun, but on the whole, it seems to produce results.  And though the results might still take some time, I'm so aware of my need for Jesus that I tend to notice even the smallest changes He is making in me or my circumstances, which feels like progress is being made.  On the other hand, when I don't have noticeable obstacles (agitation) in my life, I know the Lord can still change my heart.  But I usually don't recognize the change or the growth because I'm not looking for it and because it's harder for me to notice.

When I think about it like that, I'm actually grateful to have an agitator in my life (even if I no longer have one in my washing machine) because I like being able to see the changes and knowing that He loves me enough to continue molding me to be more like Christ.  And maybe it will help you view the agitators in your life a little differently.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4

2014: Perspective

Over six weeks of the new year have flown by, and I have not managed to type a single blog post.  Today's holiday will hopefully enable me to change that, even if it's just to recap quickly in list format. 

--Christmas at home was a sweet time as always.  Mom was sick for the first couple of days, but we managed to get in a trip to eat Chinese food and to watch Saving Mr. Banks (which was not the happy movie that was portrayed in the commercials, but I'm glad I saw it).   My sister and her husband arrived after Christmas, and the time flew by.  We enjoyed putting together puzzles, cooking a few meals, and attending church as a family.

--There's nothing quite like getting back from a trip and realizing that (1) your key ring does not possess a key to your front door because you never come in that way, and (2) the faucet you had turned off under the sink has been dripping for 8 days.  But there's also nothing like a friend who will drive over 20 miles round trip to bring you a key, and a plumber who comes and solves the problem quickly.

--Two days later when your 13-year-old hand-me-down washer does its last load, you will sing its praises for its long-suffering service and be grateful for a $6.95 monthly subscription to Consumer Reports and for Lowe's Sunday delivery.

--When choosing a word for this year, I found that the word chose me.  I read The Noticer and The Noticer Returns, both are fantastic books by Andy Andrews, and kept seeing the word "perspective."  It came up again in Priscilla Shirer's book God Is Able.  So "perspective" is something I will be concentrating on this year.

--I'm learning that "perspective" is imparted through God's Word and through the Holy Spirit.  It's the latter that I am becoming reacquainted with.  As I've been going through Jennie Allen's study Chase with my mentee, I'm seeing just how much the Holy Spirit equipped David and gave him the courage and perspective he needed to face the trials in his life.  Learning lots here.

--I love that the first-ever IF Gathering in Austin provided a livestream so that I could watch in the comfort of my home!  Incredible teaching on repenting, walking in freedom, and following one's calling.  And now they are equipping women with a daily email that has half a chapter from John, three questions to answer, and a 2-3 minute video featuring those same incredible teachers talking through the day's Bible reading.  Good stuff.

--Without college football on Saturdays, I've been devouring my reading stack.  (See the margin for recently read books from the past several weeks through the beginning of last year.)  I'm currently reading a meaty book called Respectable Sins that is also calling me to press into the Holy Spirit. 

I hope that your 2014 is off to a great start and that the Holy Spirit is teaching you how to walk through each day.

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." - John 14:26

Counting His Gifts During the Ice Storm

The ice arrived Thursday evening, and I've been home bound (quite happily I might add) ever since. Thankfully, we had notice of the storm's approach days' in advance, and I was able to stock up on food and prepare for time at home. But being home in the midst of such harsh weather has opened my eyes to gifts that often go unnoticed. Never have I been more thankful for sustained electricity and a salaried job that does not require me to get out in this weather, and never have I been more prayerful for those without power and those whose jobs require that they show up in spite of the ice. I know that many people, both businesses and individuals, will suffer financially as a result of multiple days when businesses were closed or when no one got out to support them while they were open; may the Lord provide for them financially in spite of this time of inclement weather. Here's what else made my gift list during the past few days:

--getting to watch the live telecast of The Sound of Music and for its strong Christian message
--being able to enjoy this view

--first Jesse Tree with devotionals from The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp

--finding out Thursday night that work would be closed on Friday so I could sleep in and not have to worry about navigating icy roads
--a phone chat in the middle of the day with my friend who lives in London and had seen that I would be home due to the ice
--thick socks, blankets, layers, and a hat
--getting to start and finish two books
--provision: shelter, electricity, food, clothes
--not having to drive anywhere or run any errands
--Christmas music
--strength and safety as I shoveled the driveway (a first)

--finding out last night that work would be closed today, so I didn't have to figure out the situation with the roads
--quietness of the neighborhood with no traffic
--sound of icicles dripping
--a time to be still and focus

If you endured the ice storm, what were your favorite moments?

His Grace in the Details

I woke up on Wednesday morning to an email on my phone from my favorite transportation carrier, Amtrak.  Without providing details, it stated that my train would be delayed and that I should call Amtrak to find out more.  The first representative I spoke with informed me that the train would be on time.  When I questioned her about whether the train was in Texarkana, she replied that it was outside Little Rock.  I remarked that I didn't think that the train could get to Cowtown by 2 p.m. if it was that far away, expecting her to give Amtrak's standard reply, "Trains can make up time," though I haven't seen that play out very often.  She then looked closer and discovered that Amtrak was trying to secure buses but had not been successful and asked me to call back in an hour.

On the drive to work, I contemplated whether riding a bus from Amtrak, which would be leaving at 2:10 p.m. and would be making numerous stops, would be a smart idea because of the inevitable bumper-to-bumper traffic that would be accumulating on I-35.  I also wondered where Amtrak might get buses on such short notice and was concerned about whether such buses and bus drivers would be up to par.

After arriving at work, I started looking into other travel options.  I was hoping that I might get a ride from a friend traveling to Austin, but he was planning to fly down to Austin on Thanksgiving Day.  I looked into Megabus, which I had recently heard of, and saw that they had several buses leaving on Wednesday.  I knew that I would need to take one sooner rather than later because it would be traveling on I-35 and would inevitably succumb to major traffic delays, and I needed to meet my sister and brother-in-law at the airport in Austin at 8 p.m.

I called Amtrak back and learned that they had still not yet secured buses.  When I asked if I could get a refund, Amtrak asked no questions and gave me a full refund.  I then purchased a ticket on Megabus, though I was not able to get their famous $1-each-way special because of the last-minute purchase. 

With a ticket in hand, I had to figure out how to get to the bus station in Grand Prairie.  I initially thought I would take a cab so that I could leave my car at work, but then a co-worker suggested that I drive to Grand Prairie and leave my car there.  That made more sense because I would be coming back to Grand Prairie on Saturday via Megabus instead of to Fort Worth on the train.

Instead of leaving work at 1:00, I immediately packed up my things and left work at 10:30.  On the way to the parking garage, I noticed a helicopter circling overhead.  I thought it was odd that it would be circling over downtown, rather than giving aerial updates on the holiday traffic.  But I couldn't think about that for too long because I was in a hurry to make it to the bus.

When I started my car, I noticed that the low tire pressure gauge was illuminated.  It had not been on during my drive to work in the 31-degree temperatures but now was on even though it was above freezing.  The only other time that the light was on, I had a nail in my tire.  I prayed that I wasn't being obstinate in trying to drive to Grand Prairie, but it was too late to walk to find a cab.  I asked the Lord for safety and to air up the tire.  After driving almost twenty miles, about eight miles from the station, the tire pressure light turned off. 

When I pulled up to the bus station, the entire lot was coned off and signs were posted that it was "drop-off only."  I circled around trying to figure out where I could park, knowing that the bank across the street would likely tow my car, and finally rolled down my window to ask one of the attendants.  He asked where I was going and then motioned for me to pull forward.  He wrote out some information on a sheet of paper, placed it on my dashboard, and then entered a code into a security gate, which opened and allowed me to park in a gated lot behind the station.

There was only one other gal in line for the bus to Austin/San Antonio and thankfully she had ridden Megabus numerous times and was in the know.  She answered my questions about whether they would take my luggage (thankfully, yes) and then the attendant, who was part cheerleader by the way he exuberantly greeted us, got us on the bus in no time.

Once on the bus (which, for those unfamiliar with Megabus, is a two-story sightseeing bus equipped with Wi-Fi and a porta-potty type bathroom), I checked my email and learned that the helicopter that had been circling downtown was looking for a murder suspect who had cut off his ankle monitor and was on the run.  On the way to the parking garage, I had walked right past where he had escaped. 

The ride to Austin was slow going with periods of smooth sailing that came to an abrupt stop and were followed by much tapping of the brakes, resulting in the worst car sickness I've ever experienced.  Had it been warmer (it was freezing; even with gloves and a coat, it was tough to stay warm), I likely would have needed one of those bags that the airlines provide.  But during the ride, I knew I had made the right decision because I received a text from Amtrak around 1 p.m. stating that it was delayed until 7 p.m. Even with the heavy traffic on I-35, Megabus arrived in Austin at 4 p.m., which was an hour late but that meant I had only four hours to kill instead of five.

Although the Megabus stop in Austin is merely a parking lot between two buildings, it is located next to the AT&T Conference Center, and so I managed to find a cab quickly.  The cab driver even had Christian music playing as he drove me to the Four Seasons Hotel.  During the bus ride, I had tried to think of a place where I could eat (something I couldn't do at the airport because I didn't have a ticket) and where I wouldn't look out of place with luggage.  I settled on the Four Seasons because they have an excellent restaurant and because I knew from attending conferences there that they would stow my luggage while I ate.

After I checked my luggage in with the concierge, I proceeded to their restaurant Trio and asked for a table for one.  The hostess kindly asked if I'd like some reading material, and then she opened a closet with every newspaper in Texas, or so it seemed.  I wanted to read what the sportswriters had to say about the Longhorns, so I settled on the local paper and was seated near the window.  It was at that point that I realized that I might actually get to see the team because they stay at the Four Seasons the night before each home game. 

The waiters were kind and left me to read and managed to pace my dinner and dessert over the span of two hours.  At the end of that time, I made my way to a bench outside the conference rooms, hoping that the Longhorns would be having their team dinner.  I didn't see them, but I saw on Facebook that a friend was having dinner at Trudy's in Austin and sent him a message to see if he would be able to take me to the airport instead of having to get a cab.  He was just wrapping up his dinner when I texted him and graciously agreed to come be my personal taxi driver.

During the drive, I was able to catch up with this young man that I babysat so many years ago.  And he got to visit with Erin and her husband when they arrived before we got our rental car.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have been able to plan out all the details of this day--from getting a last-minute ticket on Megabus for the exact amount of my train ticket, to protection on the walk to the parking garage while a murder suspect was on the lam, to safety driving on low tires, to sustaining me during car sickness, to getting a cab so quickly and one that played Christian music, to having dinner at a nice restaurant, to providing a friend to drive me to the airport.  In a twelve-hour span, the Lord really showed Himself and showed that He is in the details.

And but for all His grace, it would not have been possible to be together for Thanksgiving.

His Grace in the Sameness

I've been trying to pull my thoughts together over the past few weeks to see if there is enough material for a post because right now, it's fall outside and in my life.  Activities that I used to participate in have dried up and fallen away for various reasons, which is why the November 7 devotional in Jesus Calling spoke to me:

. . . My main work is to clear out debris and clutter, making room for My Spirit to take full possession.  Collaborate with Me in this effort by being willing to let go of anything I choose to take away.  I know what you need, and I have promised to provide all of that--abundantly!

Your sense of security must not rest in your possessions or in things going your way.  I am training you to depend on Me alone, finding fulfillment in My Presence.  This entails being satisfied with much or with little, accepting either as My will for the moment.  Instead of grasping and controlling, you are learning to release and receive.  . . .

Last week, the Lord gave me a visual for what I've been feeling.  I have a plant outside my front door that had blooms on it when I bought it in June, but then they all fell off a few weeks later.  It didn't have flowers on it for the rest of the summer.  This is about par for my ability to keep plants alive for long during the summer months.  But because there were portions of the plant that were still green, though there were no buds, I kept watering it weekly.  And last week, I went outside and saw this:

  

It encouraged me that God is still at work even when things don't look fruitful on the outside for months at a time.  This is a lesson that His creation reflects each spring, but the plant outside my front door was a pleasant reminder - that some things bloom in the fall when everything else is going dormant for the winter. 

Whatever season you are in, may the Lord encourage you that He is still at work and that He hasn't forgotten about you.