Welcome Home!

One of the most wonderful phrases we hear in our lives is, "Welcome Home"! I know how much I love hearing it but yesterday brought new meaning to saying it or more accurately, shouting it.
We live in a beautiful area in the Pacific Northwest that is considered smalltown. Our mayor is a vice principal at the local high school, one of our county commissioner has been a local farmer and almost everybody knows someone who has been deployed with our military. Yesterday, most of our National Guard troops came home from a year plus long deployment. We had the privilege of greeting them as their bus rolled into town.
As we stood, flags waving, holding up signs, clicking pictures, videotaping and shouting "Thank You!" and "Welcome Home!", a gentlemen stood next to us, waving enthusiastically along with the rest of us. When we returned home, as I was looking at the photos, I noticed that his arm was in several shots. When I mentioned this, The Coffee Guy just said "Honey, he was a Vietnam Veteran." At that instant, I was more than happy to have at least a part of him in these photos. In fact, I even wished that I had gotten a good picture and thanked him for his service and sacrifice.
As many know, there weren't parades, folks waving flags or hundreds of people lining the streets when this gentleman returned home. If he was lucky, he avoided the angry protests and horrific mistreatment that so many of our heroes were subjected to those many years ago.
So today I am in awe with gratitude. Gratitude for those who are willing to lay down their lives for their country in order for us to remain safe and free. Even more than that, I am grateful that it seems (at least for now) that we as a nation have learned to say thank you and to make these soldiers know, they are welcomed home!

Always,

Hope

The Year of Lasts

As parents we spend a lot of time photographing, journaling and videotaping our children's firsts. First steps, first words, first spinach, first dayS of school, first dateS, first jobS are all celebrated with victorious applause. This year, our Ray of Sunshyne is celebrating a year of "lasts".


Last first day of school,

last high school drama performance,

last marching band half time show,

and this morning, sending her on her last choir tour (at 6:45 a.m.!).

This is far from the end of our "lasts". In the very near future, we have the last prom, last day of school, last day living at home and more. Some lasts we anticipate while some aren't noticed until long after the fact.

All of this of course is bittersweet. This is what we hope for our children. We hope they will get to grow up, become responsible adults and move on into the world. I am keenly aware that far too many families have children that will not experience this for one reason or another but the majority will. Many will realize too late that those years ahead were much shorter than we thought. Anything we might have put off has passed us by.

Today's encouragement is this, whatever place you are at in your life today, savor it. Like my friend Sarah, savor the morning routine. Justin and Victoria know that although the firsts are taking their time getting here, every day is to be celebrated. Then there is my friend Abbie who along with her husband, just added their fourth child to the family but takes time every day to tackle the small things. My reading list of blogs is filled with women who inspire me, bless me and remind me again of how precious every moment is. I in turn (being the "older woman") hope to inspire the younger women as well to take those moments I took for granted over the last 18+ years and capture them. Take mental photographs, images that are for no one but yourself. Life turns on a dime and today really is all we have. This moment is all we truly get to hold on to and even then it really is only a moment.

Thanks for indulging me today. It is my time of life to get reflective, misty eyed and downright emotional. I am blessed beyond measure with this life I've been given. It is not without pain, trials or regrets but its full of purpose, joy and peace.

Always,

Hope

What Are You Supposed to Be Doing?

Let me preface this post with this thought, I don't write these words or share these thoughts because I have a grasp on anything. This is a project for me. Its one of my classes in the school of life. As I research, read, interact and experiment I am writing a paper of sorts. Sharing with the class the things I am finding out about my life. Just walking along with my schoolmates. Although most of my posts can be applied to everyday life, some make much more sense if you are a follower of Christ. These teachings are part of my journey to know my Creator more intimately and to grow in my love for Him. This post is more towards the church going crowd. Those who attend regularly and serve in one way or another. I have some interesting thoughts tonight. The need to write them down was pressing on me.
I have grown up attending church. As a two week old baby, my first venture our of the house was straight to the little church my Mom and Dad had attended since their dating days. Only a couple of years out of my life have been spent without a church home or a desire to attend so experience plays a role here.

Burnout has been a reality in churches for as long as I can remember. A few people doing the majority of the work. Those who call themselves Christians dragging through church and life in a tired state. Many children end up as "pew orphans" and families become strained until something gives. I once heard it said that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. Perhaps that is true but there is another truth I've experienced. Many of that 20% don't want to give up control of "their area" of service. There are plenty of gifted folks among the 80% who would be glad to step in but a portion of the 20% feel as if the role belongs to them. Giving up any part of that may mean surrendering control. Even walking away from something that they started. They view it as their baby and can't imagine that anyone else would love it as much as they do.
What came to mind tonight is what if you were willing to give up one or two of your jobs? If you were asked, what would you give up? Would you hand over your favorite job or the one you least enjoy? Would you be willing to step in and take the chance that they may do it better than you? Luke 6:27-30 ²⁷"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. ³⁰Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹Do to others as you would have them do to you."
I'm not suggesting that anyone step out of where they are called but are you called to do so much that you sacrifice your family for the sake of a church position? Are we afraid to say no to an area we aren't called to serve because we are afraid of getting passed over for one we have always wanted? We aren't supposed to sacrifice our relationships with others in our church body either. What we are supposed to sacrifice and lay down is our pride, our ego, our selves! 
My challenge to you (and to myself) is to think about these things. Are you the only one called to serve? Are you the only one with a gift? Would you be willing to partake in true growth by dying to self and letting someone else have the chance to serve? What is God truly calling you to do? Are you willing to get out of the way and let God do something new in your life and the life of your church?

Always,

Hope

Resurrection Day Reflections

Ever since I can remember I have enjoyed acting. As a child I was thrilled to be picked for "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth". I was one of the lucky ones whose teeth were int he right stage of development to be part of the song. Still, I am sure I was out to prove that it was on my abilities alone that I was chosen for the part. In middle school I was Helga the Spy in "Suitable for Hanging" with a memorable dive over the couch during dress rehearsal and getting whacked on the head by the green room door while trying to exit to my scene. As a teenager I was part of a youth group drama team that performed short one scene vignettes to other churches.
This past week I have been privileged to act in a production of an original play titled "The Passover Lamb", written by and directed by members of our pastor's family. It is a true to Scripture account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I was excited to be part of telling this deep and meaningful story, I had no idea at the time I signed up, just what it was going to mean to me.
At the beginning of the production I had a small part as a vendor, selling goods to those who were preparing for Passover. A few minutes in I am stolen from and the two men who steal from me end up crucified on either side of the cross that holds Jesus. Further into the play I played part of the crowd who began murmuring against Jesus and calling for His death. As I stood there, yelling "He's a liar!", "He's not OUR Messiah!" and "Crucify Him!" I was stunned at the realization that it really was my sins that condemned Him to a horrible death. It was my disbelief that caused Him to prove His love to me.
Ray was part of the makeup team and was asked to help with applying the "bruising" for the beating scene. I came in to help. While sitting on the floor, applying life like bruises to the feet of the actor, I was overcome by emotion with the realization that it was my transgressions that caused those bruises on Our Lord and Saviour. Isaiah 53:5 NKJV says " ⁵ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. " 
Thankfully, that is not where this story ends, it is only the beginning. Towards the end of the program, there is triumph when the angels roll the stone from the tomb and Jesus emerges victorious over death! The scenes are beautiful as  He reunites with the disciples. As this story ends, a small child's voice is heard shouting "Look! Its JESUS!" and we run towards Him, He greets or embraces each one who comes to Him.
On this day, Resurrection Sunday, I am reminded of the enormous sacrifice Jesus Christ was willing to make for me in order that I can someday be greeted by His embrace. My confidence is even stronger now that He completely loves me no matter what I've done, how far I have ever fallen away or at times walked away and denied who He is, Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) applies to me when it says"³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
What truth do you need to be reminded of on this day? What is standing between you and your intimacy with truly making Jesus you Lord? Do you know the amazing sacrifice Jesus made "even while we were yet sinners"?
Always,
Hope