Zebra Question

March: 
Be Involved- "In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around.  The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body..." Verses 4&5

Step One: Need Other People 
Step Two: Get To Know New People 

Step Three: Know Yourself

   Zebra Question

I asked a zebra,

Are you black with white stripes?

Or white with black stripes?

And the zebra asked me, 

Are you good with bad habits? 

Or are you bad with good habits? 

Are you noisy with quiet times?

Or are you quiet with noisy times? 

Are you happy with some sad days?

Or are you sad with some happy days? 

Are you neat with some sloppy ways?

Or are you sloppy with some neat ways?

And on and on and on and on 

And on and on he went. 

I'll never ask a zebra

About stripes

Again. 

- Shell Silverstein, A Light in the Attic 

If you can't tell, third graders are learning a few things about poetry right now. I read this particular poem in class today, and I want to know, are we Christ with some worldly ways? Or are we worldly with some Christ ways? Do we get our meaning from the body of Christ, or does the body of Christ get it's meaning from us?

This month's goal is to be involved, and as the verse says, "Each of us finds our meaning and function as part of His body."  I think that in order to really do this, we need to give ourselves a little evaluation: a zebra question.  

The Sunburn Sneak Attack

March: 
Be Involved- "In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around.  The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body..." Verses 4&5

Step One: Need Other People 
Step Two: Get To Know New People 


March is my favorite for many reasons. A few of those include: Houston rodeo, St. Patty's Day, March Madness, Spring Break, Spring, Jeep Weather... etc.  March is awesome.  But, one thing that I can always count on from March is the sneaky sunburn.  You know what I'm talking about, the accidental-just-talking-outside-in-the-pretty-weather-sunburn.  

While I gladly welcomed a little sun to my Irish/German paleness, I in no way expected to swelter hours later in stinging remembrance of the sun.  As I sit here, I can feel the heat radiating from my legs, through my jeans, and onto my arms.  March's sunburn sneak attack.  It gets me every year.

It's funny to me how sneaky a sunburn in March can be.  I guess it's because we've been cooped up all winter, and are just now baring our skin, but you would think a clear sunny day would give it away.  I mean, come on, it's not rocket science. Or maybe it is, something about rockets and the sun seem to go together. 

Here's how it happened for me today.  I went for a run, and if I'm honest, it was the longest I've ran. Ever.  Okay, it was 5 miles, but let's face it, that's a lot! (All of your marathon runners can keep the comments to yourself.)  I am training for a 10k with my friend Nicole, and today, I felt great.  Afterward, as I refueled, I sat by the pool and talked to my aunt Lisa.  It was a gorgeous day, and I basked in the sun, enjoying it's warmth.  It was perfect weather, and I never felt hot-- until now.  That sun crept up on me, and tricked me into believing it was as good as it felt.

I think pride is the same way.  In the beginning, feeling good about yourself feels great, like fresh Spring sun.  But, after a while, pride stings with regret. 

March's goal is to be involved.  My first step is to need others, but my second step is to get to know new people.  I recently attended a wedding with my friend Jill. She was gushing over the people she had just met stating, "I've met so many cool people here! Like people I would call to hang out with! I love meeting new people."  My response? Yeah, that's not my thing.  If I'm honest, I don't really enjoy meeting new people. It's kind of awkward, a little uncomfortable, and really, will you ever see them again? 

But, if I truly am trying to accomplish March's goal and verse, I need to meet new people. I need to remember that I am a part of a body-- Christ's body.  It's not just me and my awesomeness... or lack thereof.  

Chopped Off

March: 
Be Involved- "In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around.  The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body..." Verses 4&5

Step One: Need Other People 

A bowl of half eaten popcorn sat on the coffee table amongst remotes and lemonade cups.  Tinker Bell credits stood frozen, hidden on the powerless TV.  In the darkness, a small hand touched me on my arm, and then it happened again.  It didn't seem intentional, as it played with my elbow, and then my wrist.

"Turn over, Mia." I grumbled, sleepily. 
I heard her breathing, she was so close. 
"Hold hands!" She whispered.

I twisted my body through the tangled sheets, and pushed away the toy giraffe that shared the same bed.  Then, I wrapped her small soft hand in mine, and we slept through the night. 

And at that moment, it didn't matter that the popcorn was left out.  It didn't matter that only a few miles away, her baby brother had just been diagnosed with type one diabetes.  It didn't matter that his family wept for his suffering, praying that God take it away.  What mattered was that Mia, snuggled with a beloved giraffe and her Lala, was loved. 

And though I comforted her through a dark night, she comforted me in my fear.  How amazing a relationship with a three year old can be, and how debilitating pride can be. 

I know I'm late this month, and I didn't close out February.  But, I'm ready for March.  The goal this month is to be involved.  It's about unity, being connected instead of isolated.  It's about needing to hold hands with a three year old as much as she needs it. It's about realizing you can't do it on your own.

"But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we?"