Ready to Bloom

Lately I have been out of sync. Not able to concentrate as well and my prayer times are unclear too. Today though, I was praying in my bedroom and during the prayer I was briefly distracted, or so I thought, as I began thinking about the roses I planted a couple of weeks ago.

Two weeks ago I decided to buy 5 rose bushes and plant them in a bare spot beside my house. I had never planted rose bushes before, and proceeded to plant them just like every other flower or shrub. But later that night a friend mentioned how difficult roses can be to plant and take care of. I did some quick research and soon realized that I had not taken this project as seriously as I should have. After reading some good tips, I went and purchased some compost (aka manure) and some bananas. I also dug out some coffee grounds. According to some rose bush enthusiasts, roses love bananas and coffee grounds.

So, I dug up the newly planted roses and replaced some of the dirt around them with compost, baked banana peels and coffee grounds. I also put some peat moss around the top of the soil for added moisture absorption. After my research and hard work, last week I had yellow and red roses blooming.

Back to the prayer. God brought the roses to my attention to show me that planning and care that I put into the roses (which was a lot more than anything else I planted) was the same level of commitment and care He put into his plan for me. It was good to hear that, although I wondered how the banana peels factored into my spiritual life. (;

A New Level of Complaining

At the beginning of this year, we did a series at church entitled 24. We had 5 challenges that were 24 themed. One challenge was 24 hours without complaining. Once you started the challenge, anytime you failed, you had to start over. It took me a several tries before I made it the entire 24 hours. Even though I really dislike others complaining, this exercise helped me realize how much complaining I did myself.

Right now I am reading through Jeremiah, and as I read through chapter 20 earlier this week, I was struck by Jeremiah's complaint in chapter 20. Jeremiah, amidst his ranting, cries out to God, "I wish I was never born." Now that is a new level of complaining. I know I have had my fair shair of "pity parties," as my mother would call them, but those complaints would never reach the point that Jeremiah arrived at in his prophetic journey.

As I reflected on Jeremiah's statement, I realized that there is some good perspective to draw from it. First, as bad as it may get for me, I will probably not have an entire city/country that hates me and criticizes me. As difficult as things may get, I have plenty of friends and supporters that God has put around me. The other thing that Jeremiah's complaint has brought to my attention is that during our lowest points in life it is important to be open and honest with God, but to do so with an attitude of honor and love for God. In this same rant, Jeremiah makes it clear that, "the Lord is with him like a mighty warrior," and that we should praise Him who will rescue those in need.

So, thanks Lord, for staying right by my side and listening to my many complaints. Help me to remember that you are the "Mighty Warrior" that is ready to fight my battles for me.

Fear Factors

I remember watching that show called "Fear Factor" when it first came out. It was interesting to see what they would use to try and frighten or gross someone out with each week. Whether it was lying in a coffin full of snakes or eating a pigs head, the folks at NBC always had something new and disgusting for contestants to overcome. After a while though, the show became rather routine since most people would eat anything (or at least try) and risk whatever with 50k waiting at the finish line.

But it seems to me that between the TV news, the paper, Oprah, Dateline and the rest, there is a new, yet less entertaining reality show that is ongoing. The constant message from these outlets is "what you should be afraid of now." Identity theft, scams, swine flu, the economy, gas prices - the list goes on. After I watch or read something like this, my initial reaction is, "how should I protect myself from this? What should I do to prepare for the worst?"

Once panic gives way to reason, however, I begin to accept that there will always be something that I can choose to be afraid of. And that's the key; it's a choice. As a person of faith, I know that God is bigger than identity theft or the most recent flu epedimic. I always try to remind my self of the 23rd Psalm where it says, "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me." That verse is both comforting and challenging. It's great to know that God is with us no matter what the newest scare is, but it is a very real challenge to remember that when it hits home.

Time Thieves

This week I was chatting with someone about a recent hassel they endured when switching cable companies. The switch took way too much time away from him and his family and he was very upset with that company. I couldn't blame him. In fact, I could relate. Recently we updated a few rooms in the house by selling some furniture and electronics and changing things around. It all started with, "I've got an idea." But the idea and the plan did not go smoothly. A faulty cable resulted in multiple trips to Sam's Club and the furniture has been a whole other ordeal.

As I have reflected back on these situations, I now describe them as more than a hassel - I think the proper description would be "time thieves." These are situations that usually begin with good intentions and end with regret and little added value to our lives. I can think of many times that I wanted to save us money or improve something, only to regret it later because of the time and energy it took to accomplish my original goal.

So, in looking back, I wondered, "how can I avoid these time thieves?" The best solution I came up with was to use the lesson I learned at the end of a regrettful situation - such as, "it wasn't worth it" - and apply it to my future decisions. Moving forward then, I should ask myself, "is it worth my time and energy to do this?" Once I ask myself that question, I will remember the failures of the past and the time I have lost. And hopefully, I will be able to accurately determine whether my "idea" is really a good one.

Lost and Found

Last night was a bit frantic for me. My favorite metal Bible was missing. I looked everywhere for it. The usual places: my office, by my bed, the kitchen, the car. No where. It became clear that I had left it somewhere else. I had lost it.

I started worrying a bit. What if I couldn't find it? This was a Bible that I purchased six years ago and I used in devotion for much of that time. My highlight marks, underlines, and notes would be gone. Yes, I could buy another one, but it wouldn't be the same. Before I went to bed last night, I remembered that I had read the Bible over lunch at Burger King while Jackson was in the play area. At 11pm, I wanted to drive over there and ask if they had it. But I waited until morning.

Next morning, at 9:30am, I went to Burger King. I asked the cashier if they had a Bible and a book and she went to check with the manager. I watched her ask him and was relieved when he came out of his office with my Bible.

I'm glad that I am at a place in my journey that I was that concerned about God's word being lost. But in reflection, I realized that it took me a couple of days to miss it. As I move forward in my journey, I want to miss reading His Word as much as I missed my Bible when I thought it was lost.

A Happy Meal Perspective

A few days ago, I took my three year old son to McDonald's for a nutritous lunch. He was looking forward to two things: a happy meal with a new star wars toy and some quality time in the playland.

Once we arrived, Jackson assisted me with the order, as always, waiting until I finished with his order and chiming in, "and a toy." The cashier then informed us that they were out of star wars toys - the ones in the display case next to the order counter for children to drool over. Instead, kids had their choice of one of three (rather lame) Ronald McDonald toys. My son snatched up the most interesting one and I grabbed the grub and we headed to a booth near the playland.

After we started eating, I asked Jackson if he was disappointed that they were out of the Star Wars toys. He replied, "yea." Then, I followed with another question, asking him if it made him sad. His second reply took me by suprise. Jackson, without hesitation and with an animated voice, said, "nobody died!"

I nearly choked on my fries hearing his response. I then chuckled a bit and said to my three year old, "your absolutely right. I am glad that you have such a good perspective on this."

As I think about my own life and the circumstances that sometimes don't go my way, I can always remember the wisdom of my son and his ability to put things in eternal perspective. If he can do it at 3, then surely I can do it at 33.

Getaway

I left earlier this week for a 2 and a half day prayer retreat. I got a hotel room and spent time at the public library in Kearney, a church, the hotel breakfast room and my hotel room to study, journal, and pray. I didn't have one moment that was revolutionary or anything. But the time away and alone was good. It was great to be quiet before God and focus on him.

I won't be able to do retreats like that often, but who says retreats have to be miles away and for days? Jesus would often sneak away from the crowds and his disciples, but never for long distances. Retreat and solitude is necessary and possible for everyone. The real question is whether you want to make it happen. Being alone with God is very vulnerable and it's easy to be afraid of what God might reveal to you. But the reward is certainly worth the risk.

As my getaway was coming to an end, I clearly didn't want it to. It wasn't long enough. But I will be grateful for the time I had, and use this experience as motivation to "sneak away" much sooner.