It's Thanksgiving. Here's what I've eaten today: leftover steak from a really awesome dinner a week ago, a tiny bag of chips, half a Hot Pocket, piece of pumpkin pie I found in the refrigerator at work. Sigh... That's right. I'm at work. It's pretty easy to get down about it. You know what? I let piddly little things like this get me down way too much. Because here's the truth:
1.) I have parents who love me so much and want to be with me that they are hosting TWO Thanksgiving dinners, neither of which are actually on Thanksgiving Day. Both my brother and I are working today. He could get off work Wednesday. I could get off work Friday. To most families, this would mean someone gets a plate of leftovers. Not in Mama Sanders's house. Two Thanksgiving dinners.
2.) Yeah, I have to work. But I have a job. Heeey, economy! Thanks for smackin' us around a little... we get it, okay?
3.) There's so much love in my life right now I sometimes literally feel like my chest might explode. It actually hurts a little. Whoa.
4.) I live in a country where people volunteer to protect my freedom to worship God.
Psalm 107
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say this - those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from each and west, from north and south.
Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.
They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way to a city where they would settle.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,
for he satifies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Standby...
.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A Wise Choice By a Godly Woman
I may be lost in the daze of a growing relationship, when love seems like the easiest thing ever and you can’t even imagine having an argument, but I haven’t forgotten. I haven’t forgotten the bad first dates, the good first dates without a second call, the promising acquaintances that turn into nothing, the conversations that start with “I have a friend you should meet…”. I haven’t forgotten praying for guidance, praying for any sign of promise, wondering if it will ever happen, praying for something…for someone. I remember falling asleep with tears still wet on my pillowcase.
That’s why when I saw my very good friend this week suffer another high-hopes-shot-down date, my heart broke for her. But simultaneously, I was so proud of her, so proud to know her and count her as one of my closest friends.
At the end of this date, which had gone very well, she finds out he goes to church mostly as a social function, as a way to keep good standing in the community. What did she do? She didn’t even hesitate. She told him they shouldn’t see each other anymore. (sound of a theatre-full of people applauding)
She could have very easily made light of it, gone on a second date, and maybe a third, just to have a few more nice dates. She could have gone on to date him for six months, and fallen in love with this person and then had to go through a painful breakup. But she also could have fallen in love with him, found it too painful to leave him, not even realized when her faith was compromised and then start down a path that leads to nothing but a watered-down faith, if any faith at all.
She chose very wisely, my friends. Very painfully, very unpleasantly, but wisely and courageously. Maybe it’s been a long week, but I’m almost crying sitting here thinking about her standing in front of this man who had so much promise, but who had the spiritual depth of a guppy. And knowing immediately what had to happen. And not wanting to. But doing it anyway. Oh, I’m certain He was proud. I’m certain.
Meanwhile, I want to stand on top of the highest building in downtown Louisville (well, maybe not the highest, it would be a little hard for people to hear me) and shout about how awesome she is and how men should be flocking to wherever she happens to be standing at the moment and cherishing everything she says or does. The only thing that keeps me from doing that is the fact that I’m positive it will happen without me acting like an idiot (actually, probably even in spite of me acting like an idiot).
It’s the hardest thing to hear when you haven’t had much past a second date in awhile. It. will. happen.
You’re too awesome for it NOT to happen.
(insert all that stuff about God’s timing here, which is all true, you just already know it)
In the meantime, rest in the comfort of your friends who adore you. Take joy in the eyes of the children whose lives you touch on a daily basis.
In the meantime, and every other time, dwell and live in the love from the One who invented love… who perfected love… who is love. The One who rejoices when you run to Him when you’re hurting and lost.
Psalm 121
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Standby...
.
That’s why when I saw my very good friend this week suffer another high-hopes-shot-down date, my heart broke for her. But simultaneously, I was so proud of her, so proud to know her and count her as one of my closest friends.
At the end of this date, which had gone very well, she finds out he goes to church mostly as a social function, as a way to keep good standing in the community. What did she do? She didn’t even hesitate. She told him they shouldn’t see each other anymore. (sound of a theatre-full of people applauding)
She could have very easily made light of it, gone on a second date, and maybe a third, just to have a few more nice dates. She could have gone on to date him for six months, and fallen in love with this person and then had to go through a painful breakup. But she also could have fallen in love with him, found it too painful to leave him, not even realized when her faith was compromised and then start down a path that leads to nothing but a watered-down faith, if any faith at all.
She chose very wisely, my friends. Very painfully, very unpleasantly, but wisely and courageously. Maybe it’s been a long week, but I’m almost crying sitting here thinking about her standing in front of this man who had so much promise, but who had the spiritual depth of a guppy. And knowing immediately what had to happen. And not wanting to. But doing it anyway. Oh, I’m certain He was proud. I’m certain.
Meanwhile, I want to stand on top of the highest building in downtown Louisville (well, maybe not the highest, it would be a little hard for people to hear me) and shout about how awesome she is and how men should be flocking to wherever she happens to be standing at the moment and cherishing everything she says or does. The only thing that keeps me from doing that is the fact that I’m positive it will happen without me acting like an idiot (actually, probably even in spite of me acting like an idiot).
It’s the hardest thing to hear when you haven’t had much past a second date in awhile. It. will. happen.
You’re too awesome for it NOT to happen.
(insert all that stuff about God’s timing here, which is all true, you just already know it)
In the meantime, rest in the comfort of your friends who adore you. Take joy in the eyes of the children whose lives you touch on a daily basis.
In the meantime, and every other time, dwell and live in the love from the One who invented love… who perfected love… who is love. The One who rejoices when you run to Him when you’re hurting and lost.
Psalm 121
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Standby...
.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
They're All Around
On Veterans Day, I typically try to think of all the people I know who have served our country (or are serving our country) and send them a text or an email or give them a call, thanking them for their brave sacrifice. I was going through a mental Rolodex this morning, searching for the names of those people in my life when I remembered a moment at church this past Sunday.
The worship leader invited veterans to stand up so we could thank them (applause) and pray for them. I go to a pretty big church. Thousands and thousands of people in each service. But the sanctuary is built in such a way that you can see pretty much everyone else without really even turning your head. When all the veterans in that particular service stood up, it almost took my breath away thinking of the marvelous visual picture in front of me.
Men…women… old and young… standing together among us. They were scattered throughout those of us who were sitting. And I thought, “Their (standing ones) sacrifice makes our (sitting ones) lives possible.” And I thought of all those who may still be sitting, who had lost loved ones in the same fight. They’d be scattered all throughout the congregation too.
It made me feel proud. And safe. And grateful.
The people who are protecting our freedom are just like you and me, they come from different kinds of families and different places, but they’re all Americans. Those who have served are among us, maybe working in the cube across from you, or scanning your groceries at the store, or fixing your computer when it breaks. That person who now sits across the room from you at Chili’s once stood guard over your freedom. Protecting you in some faraway land while you sleep soundly in America.
Take a minute and thank them. It’s really nothing compared to what they’ve done for us, but it can’t be said enough.
Standby…
.
The worship leader invited veterans to stand up so we could thank them (applause) and pray for them. I go to a pretty big church. Thousands and thousands of people in each service. But the sanctuary is built in such a way that you can see pretty much everyone else without really even turning your head. When all the veterans in that particular service stood up, it almost took my breath away thinking of the marvelous visual picture in front of me.
Men…women… old and young… standing together among us. They were scattered throughout those of us who were sitting. And I thought, “Their (standing ones) sacrifice makes our (sitting ones) lives possible.” And I thought of all those who may still be sitting, who had lost loved ones in the same fight. They’d be scattered all throughout the congregation too.
It made me feel proud. And safe. And grateful.
The people who are protecting our freedom are just like you and me, they come from different kinds of families and different places, but they’re all Americans. Those who have served are among us, maybe working in the cube across from you, or scanning your groceries at the store, or fixing your computer when it breaks. That person who now sits across the room from you at Chili’s once stood guard over your freedom. Protecting you in some faraway land while you sleep soundly in America.
Take a minute and thank them. It’s really nothing compared to what they’ve done for us, but it can’t be said enough.
Standby…
.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Downtown Attitude
Fourth street is a very unique place. Notice I didn’t say “Fourth Street” (as in Fourth Street Live!), I said “fourth street”. Really, all of downtown Louisville. Because here’s the thing: Louisville is stuck somewhere between wanting to be a big city and wanting to be a small hometown. So there are some very ‘downtown big city’ things about it and some very podunk hometown things about it.
When I first moved here, it was a big town to me. I’d grown up in Paris, went to college in Morehead, and was used to Louisville being called the ‘big city’. When I see some of my extended family, they still greet me with a ‘how’s the big city?’… which now almost makes me laugh.
So when I first moved here, fully adhering to all the big-city advice my mom ever gave me, I ‘put-on’ a different attitude when walking alone downtown. Didn’t matter if it was day or night or what part of downtown I was in… don’t walk slowly, don’t look all around like you’re a tourist, keep an eye on people behind you in windows and mirrors and such, keep your purse close, don’t look at people in the face. It’s sort of an attitude. A don’t-mess-with-me sort of attitude. An if-you’re-looking-to-do-something-bad, pick-someone-else attitude.
And, quite honestly, I got a lot of remarks about it. Those people who make downtown feel like a small town would look right at me and say something like “What’s wrong, honey? You mad?”… or “You’re too pretty for that frown!”… or “Smile, lady! It’s not that bad!”
Those of you who don’t live or work in downtown Louisville probably don’t believe me. Those of you who do know I’m telling the truth. People will actually say that to you.
So I suppose over time, it’s THOSE people who wore on me, because I started thinking “why DO you look mad when you’re walking around downtown?” Because truly, it’s the opposite of my personality. Also, aren’t we here to display and proclaim the awesomeness that comes with trusting in Christ as our Savior? Pretty hard to do that when you’re scowling at everyone.
Well… maybe I went a little too far the other direction.
I was walking down ‘fourth street’ just this afternoon, yummy lunch in hand, smiling as I thought about my awesome boyfriend and exciting plans for the weekend, and getting to wear a dress I love, and the sun shining, and wearing a cozy scarf around my neck, and feeling great in fall weather… when some dude either tried to grab my tush or steal my credit card (which was in my pocket), I’m not really sure which. I’m thinking probably the first one, because there’s little to no chance he knew my credit card was there. (no, mom, I won’t do it again)
So I wasn’t paying attention. He was walking right toward me. Right in front of me.
I noticed his too-close motion without time to change stride, but in enough time to shift my body position so his hand landed on my hip (still not fun) instead of my rear. I didn’t even stop walking, wanting to be as far away from him as possible. He didn’t stop walking either.
In the next twenty steps or so, shock wore off and I got really, really mad and was glad to be not far from work.
It’s a fine line, friends. We’re always talking about having that kind of light shine through that makes people want to ask you, “what are you so happy about?”, so you can tell them about what it is that sets us apart from the world. But here’s the thing: we still have to live in the world for now.
So… do we shine the light sometimes and not other times? I’m pretty sure the Bible has something to say about that (see: Let Your Light Shine VBS story, re: baskets and cities on a hill). So… are we supposed to just accept it when every once in awhile some dude thinks it’s okay to grope you on the street? Um, I don’t know… are we? I’m pretty sure God doesn’t want me to feel the way I felt when that happened… like an object. But I’m also pretty sure we aren’t supposed to back down when crappy things happen, Heaven knows tons and tons of people have been through worse.
The easy thing would be to be really mad at that guy, and go back to scowling at anyone and everyone downtown. The harder thing is what I’m going to try to do: pray for that guy, ask God to work in his life in some way, give the occurrence to God and ask Him what I’m supposed to learn from it… and keep smiling.
Standby...
.
When I first moved here, it was a big town to me. I’d grown up in Paris, went to college in Morehead, and was used to Louisville being called the ‘big city’. When I see some of my extended family, they still greet me with a ‘how’s the big city?’… which now almost makes me laugh.
So when I first moved here, fully adhering to all the big-city advice my mom ever gave me, I ‘put-on’ a different attitude when walking alone downtown. Didn’t matter if it was day or night or what part of downtown I was in… don’t walk slowly, don’t look all around like you’re a tourist, keep an eye on people behind you in windows and mirrors and such, keep your purse close, don’t look at people in the face. It’s sort of an attitude. A don’t-mess-with-me sort of attitude. An if-you’re-looking-to-do-something-bad, pick-someone-else attitude.
And, quite honestly, I got a lot of remarks about it. Those people who make downtown feel like a small town would look right at me and say something like “What’s wrong, honey? You mad?”… or “You’re too pretty for that frown!”… or “Smile, lady! It’s not that bad!”
Those of you who don’t live or work in downtown Louisville probably don’t believe me. Those of you who do know I’m telling the truth. People will actually say that to you.
So I suppose over time, it’s THOSE people who wore on me, because I started thinking “why DO you look mad when you’re walking around downtown?” Because truly, it’s the opposite of my personality. Also, aren’t we here to display and proclaim the awesomeness that comes with trusting in Christ as our Savior? Pretty hard to do that when you’re scowling at everyone.
Well… maybe I went a little too far the other direction.
I was walking down ‘fourth street’ just this afternoon, yummy lunch in hand, smiling as I thought about my awesome boyfriend and exciting plans for the weekend, and getting to wear a dress I love, and the sun shining, and wearing a cozy scarf around my neck, and feeling great in fall weather… when some dude either tried to grab my tush or steal my credit card (which was in my pocket), I’m not really sure which. I’m thinking probably the first one, because there’s little to no chance he knew my credit card was there. (no, mom, I won’t do it again)
So I wasn’t paying attention. He was walking right toward me. Right in front of me.
I noticed his too-close motion without time to change stride, but in enough time to shift my body position so his hand landed on my hip (still not fun) instead of my rear. I didn’t even stop walking, wanting to be as far away from him as possible. He didn’t stop walking either.
In the next twenty steps or so, shock wore off and I got really, really mad and was glad to be not far from work.
It’s a fine line, friends. We’re always talking about having that kind of light shine through that makes people want to ask you, “what are you so happy about?”, so you can tell them about what it is that sets us apart from the world. But here’s the thing: we still have to live in the world for now.
So… do we shine the light sometimes and not other times? I’m pretty sure the Bible has something to say about that (see: Let Your Light Shine VBS story, re: baskets and cities on a hill). So… are we supposed to just accept it when every once in awhile some dude thinks it’s okay to grope you on the street? Um, I don’t know… are we? I’m pretty sure God doesn’t want me to feel the way I felt when that happened… like an object. But I’m also pretty sure we aren’t supposed to back down when crappy things happen, Heaven knows tons and tons of people have been through worse.
The easy thing would be to be really mad at that guy, and go back to scowling at anyone and everyone downtown. The harder thing is what I’m going to try to do: pray for that guy, ask God to work in his life in some way, give the occurrence to God and ask Him what I’m supposed to learn from it… and keep smiling.
Standby...
.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
A Few Election Day Thoughts...
Undecided Voters
Who ARE these people?? I don’t get you, undecided voters, I really don’t. I keep ‘hearing’ about you… on the radio, on CNN, in commercials. It’s because I don’t get you that I can’t really say much to you except this: after this election, you need to do some serious inventory of what’s important to you, REALLY important. Figure it out. These candidates are so different, it shouldn’t take you forever to choose.
Awesome Commenters on CNN
I was watching CNN yesterday (Situation Room mania) and ol’ what’s his name (kraggly face guy) was reading comments from viewers about the potential for long lines at the polls.
Letter One (my paraphrase):
“I am seven months pregnant and it is very uncomfortable for me to be on my feet for long periods of time. So if I get to my polling location tomorrow and there is a line, I’ll probably just leave without voting because it is quite painful to be on my feet.
It’s ridiculous that in a country as advanced as the United States, we can’t figure out a better way to vote. Obviously, they don’t want us to vote or lines wouldn’t be so long.”
Letter Two (my paraphrase):
“I am seven months pregnant and it is very uncomfortable for me to be on my feet for long periods of time. But if I have to stand in line for 18 hours tomorrow in order to vote, I will do so. Nothing will keep me from voting.
My husband is serving in Iraq, and it’s his sacrifice that allows me to exercise my right to vote and I would never think of dishonoring his service to our country. If a little discomfort is the price I have to pay for a functioning democracy, I will pay it, with a smile on my face.”
Ummm… lady who wrote letter one: you feel pretty stupid, don’cha?
Perspective
Friends, we don’t all agree on politics. And, truly, this election season has been a bitter one. Tomorrow it will be a new day, but all the challenges that face our country will be the same.
I hope all of you are praying for our country and for the man who will be our next President. And I hope we can all keep in mind that we live in a great country. A truly, great country.
Standby…
.
Who ARE these people?? I don’t get you, undecided voters, I really don’t. I keep ‘hearing’ about you… on the radio, on CNN, in commercials. It’s because I don’t get you that I can’t really say much to you except this: after this election, you need to do some serious inventory of what’s important to you, REALLY important. Figure it out. These candidates are so different, it shouldn’t take you forever to choose.
Awesome Commenters on CNN
I was watching CNN yesterday (Situation Room mania) and ol’ what’s his name (kraggly face guy) was reading comments from viewers about the potential for long lines at the polls.
Letter One (my paraphrase):
“I am seven months pregnant and it is very uncomfortable for me to be on my feet for long periods of time. So if I get to my polling location tomorrow and there is a line, I’ll probably just leave without voting because it is quite painful to be on my feet.
It’s ridiculous that in a country as advanced as the United States, we can’t figure out a better way to vote. Obviously, they don’t want us to vote or lines wouldn’t be so long.”
Letter Two (my paraphrase):
“I am seven months pregnant and it is very uncomfortable for me to be on my feet for long periods of time. But if I have to stand in line for 18 hours tomorrow in order to vote, I will do so. Nothing will keep me from voting.
My husband is serving in Iraq, and it’s his sacrifice that allows me to exercise my right to vote and I would never think of dishonoring his service to our country. If a little discomfort is the price I have to pay for a functioning democracy, I will pay it, with a smile on my face.”
Ummm… lady who wrote letter one: you feel pretty stupid, don’cha?
Perspective
Friends, we don’t all agree on politics. And, truly, this election season has been a bitter one. Tomorrow it will be a new day, but all the challenges that face our country will be the same.
I hope all of you are praying for our country and for the man who will be our next President. And I hope we can all keep in mind that we live in a great country. A truly, great country.
Standby…
.
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