A Lasting Legacy

Day 73- A Lasting Legacy

What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you want to be a firefighter, ringmaster of the circus, a professional athlete? Most of us probably grew up to be something other than we planned, unless we received divine intervention in our youth.

What if we had parent’s that were raising us to be warriors for Him? I am pretty sure that if each of us were armed with the knowledge of who we are in Christ our outcome would be different. I remember one day in particular when God’s purpose for my life resonated in my heart.

I was a junior at Michigan State University and I had been volunteering at a homeless shelter. I knew a man named Milo Mitchell. He was a big man with puppy dog eyes, a smile that I could feel from across the room. Milo was gentle and quiet. He had fallen on hard times after his mother had passed away, losing his home and income.

One day I had asked Milo what he wanted and he said that he would be grateful if he had an apartment, a bike and a burner to cook his food on. That order didn’t seem too tough to fill, so we began the process.

It was a fall morning and I was due to pick him up in an alley at 6 A.M. I arrived promptly and Milo was nowhere to be found. I began calling his name and soon his face of courage peeked out and he sauntered over to my car. He seemed nervous and I tried to calm his fear with a gentle pat on his knee.

The thought had crossed my mind as to why he hadn’t applied for financial aid prior to my initiating but I brushed it off as humility.

The truth became clear after we arrived at Social Services and the nice lady behind the desk handed Milo a clipboard stacked with forms. We sat down at a round table and he stared blankly at the first line asking for his full name. At first I thought that he needed glasses and that was quickly added to our “to do” list but it was more than that. Milo wasn’t able to read.

Upon discernment that this gentle soul was too proud to have reached out for help, I began reading the form to him and asking him the questions that led to his freedom. After that day, his future changed he would no longer have to meet someone in the alley, he had a home. He didn’t need  to walk to the shelter, he had a bike. He no longer needed to wait in line for a meal, he had a burner. One man, one college girl, a society to help, and the Lord to orchestrate it all. After that day, I decided that if I went to my grave at that moment that I had made a difference. A difference was made in the life of one, which was worth every breath I had already taken. 

Things Aren't Always What They Seem

Day 72- Things Aren’t Always What They Seem

I woke up this morning bright and shiny as a penny. I began to walk, patiently awaiting my favorite Parisian café to open. Visiting this café has become a tradition for me as I visit my mom at her place in North Palm Beach, Florida. When I walk in, I suddenly feel as though I have time traveled to a small café in Paris, France. The walls are lined with glowing articles about the chef and his wife. Tables are neatly set amongest wicker chairs. Fresh brewed coffee and baked croissants linger in the air.

This morning was a day to celebrate me, while I sipped freshly brewed java and read my book on Raising Kids for True Greatness” by Dr. Tim Kimmel. I had tried to read a novel, but I find myself dismayed by the drama, so I quickly returned to non-fiction where I find my inspiration.

As I began to read about stories where parents had “tried their best”, only to find that their kids had turned out differently than they had planned, I couldn’t help but notice a dad and his son who had sat down for breakfast. The boy was dressed in pressed khakis and a polo shirt that was sported from the nearby private school. Dad was extremely friendly and I was intrigued how he began talking to his son about not feeling pressured about attending a summer camp. My first reaction was how refreshing it was to hear a dad be supportive of what was best for his child. On the outset it seemed that he was raising his child for true greatness but then it took a quick turn. Suddenly his actions and words no longer matched, when he was confronted by diversion.

The man rose from his chair to greet a friend. The gentleman was sitting with a woman and two children who were perfectly coiffed. As he introduced himself to the “family friend” the first thing he asked her was whether or not she was married. When the woman said “no” the covert flirting began. By the time he left the tableside to return to his son he had made a comment about calling her. Then to top it off he sat down, whispered to his son, probably something about an indiscretion that his friend may have been having.

Things aren’t always what they seem. What I thought was a nice father son breakfast became a modeling nightmare. The dad went on for the balance of the breakfast to look at his phone and occasionally pop in a question about what time his son’s game was over the weekend. The last and final comment was the dad asking this middle school boy what time school started which abruptly indicated to me that breakfast with dad was not an on-going tradition.

Perhaps I was more sensitive this morning because of the content of the book I was reading but doesn’t it seem like the wheels fell off the track? The message that this boy received was initially positive with what seemed to be true interest in his well-being, but it was quickly masked with what I would call poor judgment.

If I could have stepped in to say something I might have encouraged the dad to sit with his son for the entire meal, leave the phone in his car and be less concerned with “who” was in the café and more concerned with the precious time he had to pour into his child.

I know this also tickled my spirit because I am consistently interrupted by the life that swirls around me. I often wonder  if I have ADD or is it just a short attention span? It makes me realize that at times when my social butterfly begins to flutter, I may be sending a message to those that I am with that they are somewhat less important. What I realized is that things “are”, what they seem. What we do, how we do it, when and where, leave a lasting legacy. 

The Hail Storm

Day 71- The Hail Storm

Quiet as a church mouse, I sit. The lights flicker in my kitchen. Scaredy pants aka Duffy the dog, trots in from outside and the hail begins. Pitter, patter, pitter, patter. It seems like mini ping pong balls are bouncing off my roof. It stops. Just like that- start and stop.

Steam rolls off my heater setting the mood. Stillness fills me and I feel a loss of control. I am uncomfortable in the unknown. I start and stop. Reminding myself of God’s masterpiece. I begin to wonder why did he create hail in the first place?  I remember that I certainly benefited during one hail storm where I was able to get my new Audi at a discount. Maybe it is used to just wake us up and remind us that we can’t predict what comes next.

None of us, no matter how smart, rich or poor will ever be able to predict the future. Some of those cute Andora types with batwing sleeve dresses, think they can, while the sign in the window blinks, “Palm Reading”. But they can’t. Books, people, doctors, lawyers and pastors cannot predict the future.

So, who does and where do we find it? The Bible is the only true source for what has been, what is and what will come. It may seem ancient but it is still relevant. The Old Testament is pretty dark and at times confusing but it lays the ground work for why God had to send his only son. We see in the New Testament how God’s grace moves us past the storm. It is filled with metaphors, stories and shows us how to live life. Check out “The Message” version of the bible, it is much easier to read or go to Biblegateway.com.

If you haven’t read the bible much I’ve heard it is best to start with the gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The gospels give an account of Jesus’ journey. I also love to read Ephesians because it seems that most life lessons can be found here. Wherever, whenever just pick it up and read. When you do try and make it relevant for your life today. Your masterpiece is waiting to be painted. 

Grace Calls

Day 70- Grace calls

My friend called and said” Kimmie, I am having a hard time feeling the spirit. I get the whole God thing and I believe, but I just can’t feel Him”. He described his loneliness and how difficult it is to be alone since his divorce and separation from what he thought would be his next wife. He just couldn’t understand how God would leave him so lonely. He said he felt unworthy.

As we talked, I took a quick peek at the back of my bible to find scripture on worth and the word grace came to mind. I was quickly led to Ephesians 4:24 in The Message bible and it says, “Take on an entirely new way of life- a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you”.

The light bulb went off! That’s it he said, “God wants me to be alone until I find Him. He is making me wait”. We laughed about how God has a funny sense of timing and then settled in to the fact that the spirit had just moved. Within 30 minutes of my friend saying that he couldn’t feel God’s spirit, it came.

This is how God works. God moves through people and circumstances, flowers and rain, storms and rainbows. He is everywhere, all of the time. Stop. Listen. What is God saying to you right now?

Are you flustered? Have you convinced yourself that you can’t hear Him? I just did. For a quick minute as I quieted my soul I went into fear mode. What if he doesn’t speak? How do I know I am not making this up in my head? Why would he listen to me? Because, He created you.

God calls us to travel on the same road and in the same direction as it is noted in verse 4. He made sure that we don’t travel alone. He brings phone calls at just the right time on a Thursday afternoon, prompts us to reach out to a friend who’s dad just passed away two hours prior, asks us to go on a mission trip without the finances. He brings non-believers into the fold so that you can be bold for Him.

I love the surprise of finding out what God is up to in people’s lives. It seems that God’s grace is the one thing that springs hope eternal. It is the first thing we are given at birth and the last thing we have to hold on to at death. Knowing your creator and getting to know Him personally is the greatest gift you will ever give to yourself and others. Grace is the gift you receive for being.

What is holding you back from hearing His voice, sensing His presence? Root it out and Let Go.

A New Canvas

Preface

Staring at a blank page, I begin to fill with excitement. I recently finished printing my first book called “Letting Go” and in Murphy style, I am on to this book, “Letting Go Too”. The page stares back and asks “now what?” I love that I don’t know because I have already learned that when I choose to “Let Go” something miraculous happens.

 I began writing my first book on November 21, 2007 after I opened up the shower curtain to hear God say, “today is the day you will begin to write”. Six years later a 66 page devotional was born. It is less than perfect, it is beautiful.

Today begins Day 67. The titles began streaming in about 3 am last night when my new puppy woke me up for “play time”. Imprints, His Prints, Footsteps, His Steps, Fade, Identity Thief, Girl Chat, Just Because, Owling, Strife, The Sleeping Dog, Broken Dreams, Pennies in my Pocket, Scratching the Surface, Flavor, The Bar Nap, Miss Mustard Seed, Quiet Desperation, Being Earnest, Playing it Safe and the list goes on.

I sit now at my kitchen table in Aldie, Virginia with my same little computer admiring tulips that are beginning to die, but still have beauty in every petal.  I am willing. I am able.

A quiet prayer sneaks in to ask for God to show up. And He will. I just have to trust. God doesn’t pick perfect people, He picks you and me. So here we go. Jump in and let’s take another ride on “Letting Go”.

 

Day 67 A New Canvas

Each day we write a new story. A blank page stares back. So many decisions. Do we go right, left, straight, forward or back? How do we decide? Who decides? We get stuck, stay in neutral. It feels safer than taking a risk. Yet there is no reward.

I wonder if that is what God did during creation? Imagine staring at a blank canvas called the world. He added blue for sky, green for trees, red for tulips and yellow for sun. Each color reminding us that blue is for sorrow, green for envy, red for sin and yellow for hope. Then he took a brush and made a zebra black and white, a goldfish orange, a canary yellow and best of all he made his people multi-colored.

The seasons were created and  became our guideposts. Winter for rest, spring for new life, summer for fun and fall for football (that’s for you Redskin fans!) Each day a new beginning. Each night an opportunity to restore.

It seems so simple. Straight forward. Yet, we all articulate life differently and it is in the knowing that we learn the difference.  The question to ponder is can we feel safe in not knowing? Do we need to see to believe?

Most of us would say that having faith means believing in things unseen.  I would say that believing can be seen in the miracle of everyday life. In people, plants that pick up when you water them, dark sky on Good Friday, ten toes and ten fingers, the hoot of an owl, the cancer that is cured, the marriage that is saved, the bee that stings, and the heart that beats.

So, what happens when we choose to believe that Jesus died for you and me? Do we get a free car wash or an ice cream sundae? Nah. We get eternity! A place where there are colors that have never been seen. Arms that are always open. Perfection. A canvas that has been permanently painted by our Maker.

Each day we get another chance to “Let Go” and see what God is up to. Sometimes that glass looks half empty but when we allow Him to fill us up, we are always sure to be full.