The Time My Pinkie Was Naked

February: 
Give Thanks- "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." Verse 3.

Step One: Tell Him Thanks.
Step Two: Thank Others.  
Step Three: Get Over Yourself.  



I knew my friend Ashley wanted a pinkie ring--a pinkie ring with a cross, silver, from James Avery.  When I went to get it for her birthday, I glanced around at all of the jewelry cases, loving the pinkie ring with a cross.  I secretly wanted to keep it for myself, but knew I could never do that.  After receiving the gift, Ashley wore the ring daily, and she knew I coveted it.  So, for Christmas that year, she gave me one just like it.  We were seniors in high school, but our rings were more than just "friendship" rings. By way of a vertical relationship with God, they connected us horizontally on Earth. Later, for graduation that year, we gave our friend Jill her own ring.  

And then there were three.  

All together now, "Awwwww!"

I wore my ring every day, on my left hand. Every day.  And, every time I would glance in it's direction, I was reminded of my dear friendships and how I cherished friends who loved God like I did. 

 My ring lasted all through college: It soaked in sweat, running the 2-mile track around ACU, dried off on countless trips in a topless jeep, acquired grease during midnight runs to Taco Bueno, warmed up holding hands with boys, sparkled during Sing Song moves, traveled the world- to Africa and Italy. My ring went everywhere. 

We drove around Abilene, in the jeep, with these faces.

 It survived my first year of teaching, when I didn't think I would myself.  It came with me to Houston, and experienced youth group trips.  It was at one such youth group trip that it first happened.  I think we were at Harding for Uplift, and if you've ever been to Arkansas, you know how hot and humid it is in the summer.  My fingers would swell, and then go back down inside buildings with air conditioning. Somehow, through all the back and forth with swelling, my ring slipped off my pinkie and rolled down the auditorium filled with hundreds of teenagers. I was devastated.  There was no way to find it, it was gone.  



I mourned the loss of my ring, and though I was sad, I decided I wasn't ready to let go. Upon returning to Houston, I found the nearest James Avery store and purchased the second pinkie ring with a cross.  Soon, it found it's place on my finger, like the other one had. It was shiny, perfectly shaped, and looked different on my hand.  My old ring had scratches, was a little dim (probably from all the sweat and Bueno grease), and shaped to my finger, forming an off centered oval.  It wasn't quite the same, but over the past few years, the new ring has had it's own adventures: soaked with frequent licks from Hurley, jaunting to Ireland, clutching the phone while catching up with friends, lots of baby squeezing.  It continued to hold the same sentiment as the previous ring, while I tried to forget I'd lost the real one.

Because who doesn't like to talk on the phone?

In November this year, I went to eat with my family at our favorite sushi restaurant. I reached into my purse to grab my phone, and realized my ring was not there. "Oh no," I thought, "How could this happen again?"  I had half the table on the floor looking, and I lost my appetite for raw fish (if there ever really was one) realizing it was gone.  This time, I didn't rush to the nearest James Avery for a replacement.  I guess in some way I felt that it was time to let go, sad as it made me.  


This weekend, I traveled to Abilene for Sing Song. I love this weekend! It is full of God, Family, Friends, and TACO BUENO (twice)! On the drive, I dug into my purse pocket for a rubber band, when something cold and metal slipped on the tip of my pinkie.  To my immense joy, it was my beloved pinkie ring, the one with a cross.  

For those of you wondering what Sing Song is about, we bawked in harmony.

Words cannot express how warm my heart was to find that ring (but maybe that picture does).   I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. My ring represents friendship, and that's what Sing Song weekend is all about. My heart is overflowing with thankfulness for the friends I have. You are blessings, and I'm glad you're in my life.



My experience with that pinkie ring reminded me of this parable:


"Imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God." Luke 15: 8-10


What gets me about this story is the kind of "party" God's angels throw.  How great is our God? 

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see."

A Little Less Talk

February: 
Give Thanks- "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." Verse 3.

Step One: Tell Him Thanks.
Step Two: Thank Others. 
Step Three: Get Over Yourself.  

Today, I laughed.   I laughed from the inside, at a joke. The joke was between me and a one year old, but it was funny, and I laughed.  He got it too, and he giggled all over, showing brand new teeth.  No one taught him about humor, he doesn't need anyone to tell him how funny his Lala is (that's me, in case you didn't catch on).  We don't have kids sit around and discuss the whys, hows and whens of laughter. They simply know when to do it, how to do it and why to do it.  They get it.  Stuff's funny.


Why, then, do we sit and discuss Christianity-- the whys, the hows, the whens.... instead of doing it?  Shouldn't it come naturally, from deep within our soul, like a good laugh? 


I read this verse this morning out of Luke 6:9, "But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss.”

 The foolish man built his house upon the sand... 

The foolish man built his house upon the sand... 

The foolish man built his house upon the sand... 

And the rains came tumblin down... 

The rains came down... and the floods came up... 

The rains came down and the floods came up... 

The rains came down and the floods came up...

And the foolish man's house went.... SPLAT! 

Did you ever sing that song in Sunday School? The splat part was always my favorite. Talk about giggles from kids. It's about as bad as "... and if the devil doesn't like it he can sit on a tack."  That one was sure to render chaos.

Know what's scary?  "SPLAT!" is about to happen to us. Because the rains will come, there's no doubt about that.  Things happen all the time that rattle your faith, ruffle your feathers, and shake your foundation. 

What is the point of knowing verses and all the right answers, if we aren't going to act? If I can accept that God is the good within me, then at some point I've got to trust Him.  Playing it safe in bible studies isn't what was intended.  If God's goodness is given to me, then it should be natural to use the words of Jesus effortlessly, like laughing with a child. 

The thing is though, it's not.  It's hard.  My Romans 12 Project is about presenting my life as an offering to God. I'd like to add characteristics to my life that unfortunately don't come naturally. I get what Jesus is saying in Luke.  We can't just talk. We've got to walk.  

This Valentine's evening I had the pleasure of laughing with two of my sweet little cousins.  I'm thankful for them-- their preciousness.  They laugh from the inside, the way I want to live my life-- like the wise man... whose house didn't go "SPLAT".  I'd like to be a child of God who walks in the light instead of talking about it in the dark.

The wise man built his house upon the rock... 

The wise man built his house upon the rock... 

The wise man built his house upon the rock... 

And the rains came tumblin down... 

The rains came down, and the floods came up... 

The rains came down, and the floods came up... 

The rains came down, and the floods came up... 

And the wise man's house stood firm.

Vicks: 1, Mucus: 0.

February: 
Give Thanks- "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." Verse 3.

Step One: Tell Him Thanks.
Step Two: Thank Others. 
Step Three: Get Over Yourself. 


The hacking continues as my body angrily throws a tantrum in response to that ridiculous smoke episode last week.  Between coughs, it seems as though a mouse (we'll call him Mucus) squeaks in my chest.  A week ago, I proudly ran 2.6 miles (I know this via May My Run), and felt beyond fantastic. Endorphins are great when you don't keel over at the end. Tonight, however, I simply walked upstairs and was out of breath (Granted, it could have been from the giant Hershey kiss I smothered with peanut butter and ate, but that's a different story.) 


I find myself amazed at the power of Vicks vapor rub. No, seriously. Either it does it's job well, or I have some sort of addiction.  Those cool vapors saunter up through my nose and kick butt in my chest.  Vicks: 1, Mucus: 0. 


You know, you never really think about how healthy you are until you aren't.  I haven't had a cough in three years, despite it's frequent visits when I was a child who had asthma (and lived in a corn field, but whatever).  Tonight, though, I'm thankful for my health, squeaky cough, or not.  I am very healthy, and even when I'm not at my best, someone invented Vicks vapor rub to come to my rescue.

There are those who do not have health on their side.  In my prayers right now are two:  First, little baby Kynian, born at 24 weeks, just contracted Influenza A.  And second, sweet Laura, battling uterine cancer.  I pray for their healing, strength, and patience as doctors work to help them. 


Our bodies are complex and amazing things, and our God is an awesome God.  He's like Vicks, but for every illness.  Say a prayer tonight for those you know struggling in their health. 

"Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power and love
Our God is an awesome God"

All That And A Bag Of Chips... And Some Dip

February: 
Give Thanks- "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." Verse 3.

Step One: Tell Him Thanks.
Step Two: Thank Others. 
Step Three: Get Over Yourself.  


"The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." 


Mistake #1-  Trying to make a fire last week and breathing in smoke, even though your body said to stop.
Mistake #2- Shopping in Wal-Mart, and deciding not to buy more creamer. 
Mistake #3-  I coughed all night because of the darn smoke, I'll just push snooze twice.
Mistake #4-  Who can drink coffee without creamer? I'll just use a gift card and run through Starbucks. 
Mistake #5- Oops. You have a parent conference this morning. Way to be late. 
Mistake #6- Now your coffee is cold, because you had to make up for lost time talking. 


Somehow, after that, it was a downhill slope full of mistakes.  And when I mess up, I mess up big.  I ended up apologizing ten different times--at least-- and to all different people! Some of them were honest mistakes, and some of them were simply impulsive.  A day later, I reflect on some of those actions and wonder to myself, "What were you thinkin?" 


It's kind of funny how many self-help books there are out there. In fact, there is a whole section in the book store! Why is it so hard for people to know themselves? Why do we need to see therapists and have someone else explain it? It would seem that knowing yourself would be an easy thing, but strangely, we struggle with it.


While I don't pretend to know the answers, I do think about the latter part of this month's verse.  "The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us."  It serves as a reminder to me that a) I am not good, b) God is good, and c) God "does" for me.  The good in me is from Him. 


Mistakes are frustrating.  But, mistakes usually happen when I am trying to control something that I shouldn't.  Mistakes happen when I think I know what I'm talkin about.  Today, I'm thankful for mistakes and their ability to humble me.  Step three for this month's goal: Get over yourself.  A little humbling never hurt anyone, and maybe my mantra for this month should be, "I am not all that and a bag of chips. I am not all that and a bag of chips. I am not all that and a bag of chips."


But know who is?  God. Lyrics to praise with: 

"Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
And blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be Your name"

To All My Hedwigs

February: 
Give Thanks- "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." Verse 3.

Step One: Tell Him Thanks.
Step Two: Thank Others.  


The hallways buzzed with noisy children, disobeying the rules posted here and there.  I scribbled in folders, passed out homework, answered 5 questions, and made sure everyone had a coat-- all in about three minutes.  I have a student teacher right now, and at the end of the day today she said, "I don't know how you remember all of the things you have to do."   You and me both, sister.  

This got me thinking about my every day.  I wake up at 5:00, make coffee, pack my lunch, read my bible, play some games... Then, it's time to get ready for school, take Hurley out, clean the kitchen and get to school.  Then, let's say another 500 things happen at school. After school I work out, pay bills, take care of church and family things... this leads me to the conclusion that people are BUSY! I don't even have kids or a husband, and I feel like there's a heck of a lot happening.


I think if you live this life, day after day, checking things off of a needless checklist, you are eventually going to crack.  I kind of think this is why many divorces happen, or midlife crises.  Sometimes we get so busy, that it annoys us when others are in our way, and somehow, we just lose it.  I think of how easy it is for me to rattle off several emails right in a row and avoid actually talking to anyone.  Check. Check. Check.  For some reason, I don't pencil in "real people time". 

How sad would it be to go through life, keeping up with that endless checklist, and never stretch outside of it?  Or worse, never have anyone notice? There are many people who have done much for my life, going out of their everyday check list, investing in me.  I am using February's focus as a way to thank God for those in my life and to thank the people who have made a difference.  

God has given goodness to His people.  I truly believe that He uses us for the good of his Kingdom.  Many blessings of mine arrive via someone else -- like Hedwig  in Harry Potter, who brought Harry his mail, faithfully, until the end.  So, to all of my Hedwigs from God, this month is for YOU! :) 

Where The Pecans Grow

February: 
Give Thanks- "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." Verse 3.

Step One: Tell Him Thanks.

Where the pecans grow, 

Stands a warm house, 

Filled with family, 

Who like to eat,

After a prayer, 

And before laughing, 

When children play, 

And grandparents hug, 

While babies are kissed, 

Biscuits are served, 

As lives are shared, 

  Where the pecans grow.  

Today, I am thankful for my family. A family who eats together, prays together, and lives together.  And, this is why Saturday morning breakfasts on Pecan Grove are what I look forward to each week.

Woman vs. Fire

February: 
Give Thanks- "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." Verse 3.

Step One: Tell Him Thanks.

I slipped on my Uggs and an old, oversized, bleach stained sweater, grabbed my keys, and went to Randalls to pick up some firewood. 3 bundles, and many wood "crumbs" later, I huffed into my house, ready to sit by the fire and watch a movie. I unloaded some wood into the fireplace, and gathered my junk mail to be used as kindling.  Good bye, credit card companies. I don't need anymore of you!

Soon, I moved on to paper towels. It just wasn't catching like I needed it to, and it didn't help that the logs were a bit damp.  At one point, for some reason, the smoke blew into my house and not up my chimney.  Hurley started sneezing and whimpering like he thought I was crazy.  At that point, I think it became a challenge. Me. And Fire. 

I sat in my old, oversized, bleach stained sweater, covered in ashes and smoke, glaring at the logs that wouldn't light. They were giving me some serious attitude.

After much perseverance, I saw a tiny flame that was working all on its own. It was short lived, though.  A few hours and frustration later, my fire was started, small, but started.  I crawled up into my big, favorite quilt, and watched TV.

All of the fire stress probably defeated the purpose for it in the first place, but oh well.

Today,  I am thankful for fire. When you think about it, it's pretty cool.  It can start so small, and grow into something powerful.  In the same way, God's love smolders in us.  For that, I am thankful also. 


I can't write a blog about fire and NOT include the lyrics to my favorite campfire song, Pass it On. We used to sing it on the side of a mountain at Blue Haven, and we would literally shout.  I bet God liked our raw worship on nights like that. When we poured our hearts up to the stars, I just knew he heard us.

"It only takes a spark, to get a fire going.
And soon all those around, 

can warm up it it's glowing.
That's how it is with God's love, 

once you've experienced it,

it's fresh like spring, 

you want to sing, you want to pass it on.
What a wondrous time is Spring
When all the trees are budding.
The birds begin to sing,
the flowers start their blooming. 

I wish for you my friend
this happiness that I've found
You can depend on him
It matters not where your bound. 

I'll shout it from the mountain tops
I want the world to know
The Lord of Life has come to me
I want to pass it on."

Rolling Blackouts and Other Nonsense

February: 
Give Thanks- "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." Verse 3.

Step One: Tell Him Thanks.

I'm not going to pretend today was my favorite day.  Multiple power outages, a headache, and a few other frustrations got in the way of it being a favorite day.  Things that seemed significant to be upset about earlier seem a bit silly now looking back. 

This leads me to the conclusion that maybe we are spoiled. (Yeah, just a little bit) You're telling me we had one day with off and on power, and we are complaining like someone is telling us to cut off a limb. 

This morning as I was getting ready, listening to the news, blackness suddenly engulfed me ---without any warning!  I stood frozen for a minute, considered that a serial killer might be about to break in, and then felt around for a lighter and candle.  I continued to get dressed holding the candle, and managed to keep all of my hair from being singed away. 

After arriving at school, I learned that Texas was experiencing what they called, "Rolling Blackouts".  Excuse me, what? So, like anyone else, I googled it as soon as I was able.  Surprisingly this is a real term, and many third world countries experience it. It's where the power company turns off the power every so often to save on electricity in order to prevent a massive blackout.

I had to laugh, because how ridiculous do we look? All in a huff because it was in the 30s today, and we lost power a few times.  And, to think there are many in the world without power ever, and with much worse weather conditions. Some even deal with this every day and just plan around it!  I feel silly.

Today, I am thankful to be taken care of.  I have more than what I need to survive, and I am thankful.  Had I thought of this earlier, being stuck in the dark with 22 third graders might not have been as bad.  In fact, maybe today would have been a favorite. And tonight, my prayers are for those who do not have, and instead, need. 

Dancing Trees

February: 
Give Thanks- "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." Verse 3. 

Step One: Tell Him Thanks.   

Tonight the wind blows, and it rattles the roof. Trees are dancing, but everyone is inside.  Sitting here, warm, with my sock monkey slippers, memories of my childhood flood into view.  Walls vibrating, wind howling, cold air creeping into every nook and cranny of the house.  I would lay in bed, perfectly still under layers of quilts, tucked in for the night. I took great care in not moving even a toe, because the sheets were a frigid startle to peaceful slumber. The wind sang me to sleep, as it did most nights, and I would wake with a cold nose in the morning.   I loved winter nights. 

Wind can be menacing at times.  Hurricanes and tornadoes bring damage to anything in their path.  Or, as in the case today, wind can make recess pretty stinkin cold.  But to me, wind has always been fascinating.  I love that it's uncontrollable, unpredictable, and unfathomable. 

It can be beautiful, too. Have you ever seen snow drifts sparkle when the sun comes up? Or, rock smoothed into art? 

You generally can't see the wind before it hits you, but it's easy to believe it's there.  I think faith is hard for this same reason.  We have to believe in what we cannot see, and a lot of times, that's tough in today's Google world.  What's dangerous, is I'm afraid we think we need proof for everything --instantly. 

January was a great month for me, I felt a stirring, as if something was changing inside me.  Romans 12:2 has a few things I want to remember:

1.  Don't fit in. 
2.  Focus on God. 
3.  You will be changed. 
4. Respond to what He wants. 
5. God matures you.  


There are a lot of lessons I will continue to learn from this verse, and I am adding verse three today.  Daily, I want to give thanks to the One who is responsible for the goodness in my life -- God.  

Tonight, I am thankful for the wind.  I'm thankful for a Spirit working in us, even when we can't see it.  And, as the West Texas wind sang me to sleep, the Holy Spirit sings in my soul.