Signs

My sister and I walked in to the restaurant.  The lady behind the counter barked, "What can I get you?" It pierced our hearts. The harshness of her words seemed to almost knock me backwards.  How could she be so cruel? Did she not see my broken heart? Couldn't she tell how fragile we were? Obviously  not.  We ordered and quickly got back in the car.  As we looked at each other, tears started to stream down our faces.

You see, we had just left the funeral home, making plans for our mom's funeral.  Our best friend, our support in good times and bad, our mentor, our encourager, our cheerleader - was gone.  After a brave  battle with cancer - she was gone.  Resting in the arms of Jesus.  No more chemo, no more hospital bed, no more fear - but also no more "here".  Our next hugs would be when we reach our heavenly home.

We thought our sadness was so visible - yet to this person - we were just another customer and just another sandwich to make.

We thought it was written on our face - we knew it was written on our hearts.

That got us thinking how much easier it would be if our hurt was easier for others to recognize. What if there were "signs" to help others be more kind when we are hurting.  I can imagine passing people during the day..."Happy", "Lost Job", "Sick", "Struggling", "Lost" , "Scared", etc... wouldn't it be so much easier to help someone if we just knew what they were facing?!

If it were only that easy, but we don't know...We walk by people that would be  wearing those exact signs and we miss the opportunity to hug them, to encourage them, to cry with them.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4: 8-10

It doesn't surprise me that we were looking for kindness when our hearts were broken - we had witnessed our mom show kindness to a multitude of people - undeserved kindness. The sort of kindness that you know comes from Jesus.  We asked her once, "How can you be so nice to ____? They are not nice to you!" Her response, "Girls, be kind. You don't know the circumstances behind their mean spirit, but you can change their heart by being kind."  We watched over the years as this person softened and actually became a pleasure to be around.  Mom had a gift for seeing the signs.  She also had a gift for being kind even when she couldn't see them.  So, even when the signs are unclear - it can change someone just to be kind. Take the time to get to know them.

Our love of Jesus can take many forms.  As it says in 1 Peter - we are all given gifts to be faithful representatives of God's grace here on earth.  I was blessed to see His love thru her.  I am forever grateful that she took the time to introduce us to Jesus. More than that, I am grateful that I could see Him thru her.  Helping me to have a better picture of what being a Christian looked like during a normal work day.  I pray that I can give my daughter the same gift.

Lord,
Thank you for my mom.  Thank you for letting me have her for 35 years.  Thank you for the many lessons she taught me.  Help me to be aware of those around me.  Help me to be that same picture of Your love that she was for others. Help me to slow down and to look for the signs.
Amen

Being Goal Oriented

This isn't the first time I've been up late walking circles around my house to get those last few steps or calories burned.  When I had a Fitbit it was to get over 10,000 and now with the Apple Watch it is to get all three circles around to goal.  I call myself goal oriented.  My husband has another term....obsessed!! I can't go to bed without those circles showing I met my goal. If I have to miss a day I find myself feeling sad and defeated. I failed. I missed my goal! I missed it by 20 calories! Might as well be 200!

As I was looking back through my workout history I saw that I've only missed my goal about ten times in the past six months. Not too shabby. 

Then I thought, what if my spiritual life had that same resolve. I will NOT go to bed without spending time with the Lord. I will NOT step a foot on my floor without giving Him my day. What would my goal chart look like if I tracked my time with Him?  I imagine it would not be quite as pretty. 

Don't get me wrong - keeping my body healthy is important. But, keeping my heart and soul healthy is more important.  My spiritual growth won't be tracked by my Apple Watch - but by my growth in understanding His word.  Of all the things that I work out to get smaller...my spiritual walk will grow bigger as my worldliness becomes smaller.  

I will not be defined by the world's beauty - but by my beauty in the eyes of Christ.  He doesn't care what dress size I wear.  He doesn't care if I met my circle goals on my watch.  He cares if I was light in a dark world. He cares if I spent time with Him. Allowing His word to wash over my sinful nature.  

So, I will continue to be goal oriented. But, thanks be to Him, my goal is shifting. Allowing Him to transform my body to be more like His. I love the passage below! 

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:14-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Lord,

Thank you for the urge to increase my walk with You as well as my walk on the treadmill. Thank you for pointing me to this passage and reminding me that You alone can transform my body, heart, mind, soul.  Continue to re-align my goals to be more like You.

Amen