My 2008 Christmas Adventure

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This adventure was my Christmas gift from Chris. We had such a great time.

Journey

Success is not a place at which one arrives

but rather the spirit with which one undertakes the journey.

- Alex Noble

Single-Hearted

So often I want to get ahead of God... to be out there doing something that looks great and wonderful to me. But I am constantly reminded that the best place to be is sitting quietly at his feet observing what he is doing, listening to what he has to say.

Just as Elijah experienced, the Lord was not in the wind. The Lord was not in the earthquake. The Lord was not in the fire. The Lord was in a gentle whisper.

Lord, help me to stay so close to you that I can hear your gentlest whisper. Give me a singleness of heart that causes me to recognize every opportunity you have for me to share your love and grace with others. Make my heart and intentions pure so that my life will bring glory to your name.

Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace. If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is. - Amy Charmichael

Mark

My youngest son's name is Mark and today is his 15th birthday. I remember the day he was born. (Isn't that what moms are suppose to say?)

I often joke that he was born in the gym, thus explaining his basketball expertise. Actually, we did make it to the hospital on time but since that day Mark has seen more than his share of the inside of a gym. He's spent countless hours watching his father coach, watching his older brothers play, and proving that he has a pretty good shot of his own.

But even if Mark wasn't good at basketball, or ping pong, or badminton, or baseball, or backgammon, or guitar hero, or the many other things he's good at... I would still love him. I would still be proud of the person he is. He's independent with a mind of his own and goals that he is aiming to achieve. He's friendly and funny and generous. He's becoming a wonderful young man.

Now if we could just get him to go to bed on time!

Birthdays

Today is my brother's birthday and today is my sister's birthday. A day to celebrate a brother found and remember a sister lost. A day to know that God is faithful.

O Lord, by all thy dealings with us, whether of joy or pain, of light or darkness, let us be brought to thee. Let us value no treatment of thy grace simply because it makes us happy or because it makes us sad, because it gives or denies us what we want; but may all that thou sendest bring us to thee... - Phillips Brooks

Utter Extravagance

This past Christmas, the gift I received from my sister included a note...

... I think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him - endless energy, boundless strength! (Ephesians 1:16-19 The Message)

At the time, I never would have guessed how God would answer her request. Who would have thought I would find myself at home - not working. But now I just love getting up in the morning to sit on the deck and read my Bible. Every day I'm reminded that God is completely in control and that he will never fail to provide exactly what I need. It is indeed an immensely glorious way of life. God is utterly extravagant in his working in my life... what an amazing truth!

One Little Word

My oldest son's name is Christopher. Most people call him Chris. Apparently some people use the remaining part of his name and call him Topher.

Chris graduated from college in May. We made the trip to Southern California for the big day. While we were there, I was helping to clean out his dorm room. In the process I found the most interesting post-it note stuck to his closet door.

The note had originally read, "Topher! have a lovely, fantastic, joyful day." But the note had been slightly altered to read, "make a lovely, fantastic, joyful day." Only one little word had been changed. But that one little word changed everything! No longer was it about what was going to happen to him, now it was about what he could make happen... in his own life and in the lives of those he would come in contact with.

After the graduation ceremony, Chris' roommate came over to tell him that a particular person was there. If they hurried, maybe they could get a picture with him. I didn't recognize the name, but from their excitement I thought it might be a favorite professor. To my surprise, I was introduced to the janitor from their freshman dorm. What a wonderful man! A man who had learned the post-it note lesson. It's not about your particular circumstances, it's all about what you choose to make happen regardless of your circumstances.

Chris left home today to return to Southern California to pursue his Master's Degree. I'm so proud of him! I know he's going to be a great success because he's deliberately choosing to be the kind of person that makes things happen - he's choosing to make a difference in the lives of others by being the person God intended him to be.

I'm still going to miss him, though.

Daffodil Hill

The weather was beautiful. It was the perfect time of year. I couldn't miss the opportunity to visit Daffodil Hill. I called my mother. We made our plans. Sunday afternoon we were off on our adventure. We spent Sunday night in Folsom; a familiar, comfortable spot. Monday morning we would drive the rest of the way to Daffodil Hill.

We set ourt early getting on Highway 50, a road we had traveled many times. It wasn't long, though, before we exited and found ourselves on unfamiliar, narrow country roads. A couple of times a car came up behind us. I pulled over and let them pass. We weren't in a hurry. We were enjoying the scenery along the way.

We drove on and on and I began to wonder if we were headed in the right direction. Then I saw it. There by the side of the road was a little sign. Daffodil Hill - 6 miles. We were almost there. Just a few miles more and there it was right in front of us. A hill just covered with thousands of beautiful daffodils.

Sometimes I think my spiritual journey is a lot like my trip to Daffodil Hill. I know in my heart it's the right time. God wants to show me something new, something beautiful. So I set off, perhaps tentatively stopping in a familiar spot, taking roads I've traveled many times before. But then God says, "Take this exit," and I find myself in unfamiliar territory. Occasionally I'll run into someone along the way. Maybe I'll have some company. But I hear God telling me, "Let them pass. I want you to focus on Me and the things I have to show you."

I think God often chooses the scenic route for me, the long way. I begin to wonder if I'm really headed in the right direction. Have I come all this way just to find I've taken a wrong turn? Am I lost in the middle of nowhere not knowing where I'm headed? Then I see it. The little sign that reassures me that God has not left me. Just a little farther and there it is; a beautiful new revelation of God's greatness. A new insight into what God is doing in my life. Then I'm glad I trusted God and begin looking forward to my next adventure...