Family Chat

She stopped in the doorway to tell me she was leaving.

Off to babysit her nephew for the day, my daughter-in-law smiled as she took in the sight of me propped up in bed, coffee mug in hand, dog cuddled up next to me and my Bible, journal and devotional book spread out before me.

“My day is off to a roaring start, isn’t it?” I asked with a laugh.

“It’s the best start,” she answered. “I’d still be in bed myself if I had the chance!”

After she left I wondered if she knew that Jesus was sitting in the chair that was pulled up to and facing the bed... if she had any idea that the Holy Spirit was perched on the exercise bike in front of the dresser… or that I was leaning on the (pillowed!) “everlasting arms” of the Father behind me. What looked like a Bible study/devotional time was really a Family chat!

I thought then of the human “family chat” message stream on my phone, one in which usually everybody takes part, offering advice, commentary, adding pictures and memes to promote points or poke fun at one another. There’s always a lot of laughter and love spelled out in the words on the screen… a safe and fun place to be.

If people viewed their “quiet times” with God in a similar fashion, they’d realize they are often anything but… and yes, truly the best way to start the day!

“… ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”

(1 Samuel 3:9 NIV)

 

I Don't Want Oscar's Outlook

 

I woke up feeling a little grouchy today.

No special reason – I slept well, I feel great… I generally have no complaints! But I noticed when I took the dog out for her early morning run that I was impatient with her repeated stopping and sniffing of the ground. I can’t blame her; the October wind blew in all kinds of leaves and delectable scents that needed investigating! I just got a little irritated with having to constantly wait for her.

I don’t want to be that way. So how do I imitate the overturned trash cans at the top of the driveway and dump Oscar the Grouch out on the ground?

My friend Mary sent me a “good morning” meme that had the answer. It came with a “Happy Friday” greeting, and underneath I found a few short phrases that spelled out the solution:

1)      Good coffee. Yes, I am totally on board with this! I’ll take pumpkin spice if you have it, but coffee of any kind today is more than just a joy… it’s a must!

2)      Fall vibes. It’s such a beautiful time of the year, and it’s gone in the blink of an eye. So I’ll open my eyes today and drink in all the October beauty along with that coffee mentioned above.

3)      Grateful heart. Yes, yes, yes! Counting my blessings and actually taking the time to thank God for them moves my mind, heart, and soul in a positive direction.

4)      It’s Friday! Even if you’re happily retired, as am I, it’s important to keep that “Friday feeling” alive to thrive!

(Oscar doesn’t know what he’s missing!)

“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

(Psalm 118:24 NKJV)

Start the Right Way Before the Project Gets Underway

I was sitting silently, pondering what to write about today when a recent episode of the “Project Runway” fashion design television series popped into my mind. The weekly challenges usually begin in the same way: On-air mentor and co-producer Tim Gunn says, “Designers, you have thirty minutes to sketch your designs, and then we’re going to Mood [Fabrics]. Make it work!”  

I laugh because perhaps God is saying the same thing to me. I sit silently for a few minutes until an idea comes to me and I see how it might shape up… then I start writing and complete the thought.

Shouldn’t that be the blue print for our days, as well? Spend time with the Lord, getting inspiration and direction, and then plan the day ahead. The pack up your “sketchbooks”, get on with the day and “make it work”! It’s when we skip the sketching stage and don’t consult the One Who has designed all our days that we wander aimlessly through the hours available to us and end up with nothing finished or a creation far short of our potential.

The opportunity to be on the show is a huge gift to up-and-coming fashion designers… a chance to use the gifts they’ve been given to accomplish something truly extraordinary.

We start each day the same way – having been given gifts and the opportunity to use them. Consult with the Master first thing and have the only Judge whose opinion matters say, “Well done!” when He looks at your work at the end of your days.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:21 NIV)

(photo credit: Unsplash/BenIwara)