Life in the Moment Archives -

Did You Ever Get a Thank-You Like This?

May 11, 2016October 15, 2018

We attended a wedding and got a thank-you note. But I wasn’t expecting one. The bride and groom had already sent us a note for the gift we’d given them. ‘Hmm,’ I wondered as I opened it, ‘maybe they were worried they had overlooked us, so they’re sending another one.’

Nope.

“Thank you both so much for joining us as we celebrated our big day. We hope you both had a great time as well!!”

Who does this?

Who spends postage to thank guests for their presence, instead of their presents?

Almost no one. And that’s why it’s so remarkable. And sweet.

The truth is, we are grateful to have special people with us, in good times, bad times, and in-between times. The trouble is, we neglect to tell them we are thankful that they are there.

Jesus said, “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Something to think about.

Bump in the Road

July 29, 2015

“Mom!” she yells. “Why are you turning around?”

“There’s a sign back there. I want to take a picture of it. For my blog.”

“Why?”

“Because.”

And for once. For once! She doesn’t press. ‘Because’ is enough of an answer. I thank the Lord for this small mercy.

I don’t know how I could explain it to her anyway….The many reasons why I called her grandmother yesterday, just because I needed my own mom for a few moments…

When I dialed Mom in Florida I looked at the clock and assumed I’d need 10 minutes to vent – to really get it all out. Ten turned into 30, and Mom listened patiently – to all the ways the state of the world had gotten me down. She offered only words of encouragement, a tiny bit of advice, and the gentle reminder that, “The devil loves to see us stewing in anger.”

Deep sigh…I know. I KNOW. And don’t our moms often tell us the truth? Whether we really want to hear it or not?

And then later I see a sign. Literally. A SIGN. Telling me again that all the things I vented to my mom about are just BUMPS. Bumps. And I have been forewarned.

This world is not perfect. And it will continually disappoint me because I was not made for it. I was made for more.

I crave the purity and loveliness of the One in Whom there are no imperfections. And so no matter what might fall or spring up in my path today, I must keep my eyes on eternity and on Him whose perfect sacrifice has washed me clean from the ugliness I loathe in myself and others.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

– John 16:33

Look again at this photo. On the left there’s a father with his child on his shoulders. Dad carries the weary child, and from the new vantage point, the child can see a bit farther. It’s exactly the way my Father in Heaven wants to carry me. And you.

Consider…

June 1, 2015

Sitting around my kitchen table today, I told my two dear friends, “These last few days I just can’t seem to get my mind straight – to focus on any one thing.”

I had exercised, eaten healthy food, spent time in Scripture. Prayed. But even in prayer, my thoughts seemed less…linear. More like a silver sphere whizzing through a pinball machine.

Maybe you’ve had a day or two like that. I want to make things feel less fuzzy. I want clarity. But it’s just not there. Not yesterday. Not today.

At least I know that’s ok. Living like this from time to time is OK. It really is.

So starting yesterday, I cobbled together this post. Because even in our mental meanderings, we can often still find moments of beauty worthy of our attention. When we have eyes to see, grace and gifts are everywhere.

Here’s what I’ve been looking at – just to appreciate them again….

Flowers. Photos of flowers, actually.

I love flowers. Many women do, of course. And none of these are around anymore. But they’re still beautiful.

Years ago, my husband started a vegetable garden in our backyard, and when he realized the things he wanted to grow just weren’t thriving there, he converted the whole bed to a cutting garden – of flowers – that bloom through the spring and summer, for me.

Tulips. Daffodils. Black-Eyed Susans. Gladiolus. And Lilies (my favorite).

All but one of these photos (the roses) are of ‘gifts’ from that bed. And the roses were a gift from the ladies with whom I study God’s Word.

I take photos of the flowers that bless my home all the time, just so that I can continue to “consider the lilies.”

Consider the lilies, how they grow:

they neither toil nor spin;

but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

– Luke 12:27

When Jesus tells me to “Consider the lilies,” He isn’t just pointing them out. God never makes mere suggestions. He wants to me to study them.

See how they do not sweat? Notice how they do not strive? Understand…they grow toward the Light, accept the abundance and good things that come from above, and open themselves to reveal their full glory, in turn revealing the glory of their Maker. They grace the world with beauty – a divine beauty. And when their brief lives are done, they have left us with a joyful, colorful memory of God’s amazing handiwork. yellow lilies 2014

In each beautiful bloom, the Lord has left me a message. And it’s about His Greater Love. And His Purpose. For me.

Not a bad thing to consider, on days when clarity is beyond me.

Building a House…For 17 Years

May 23, 2015

Today, my husband and I celebrate the 17th anniversary of our wedding. As my sister-in-law was taking me to get my hair done on that bright spring morning, she gave me the single best piece of advice: “At a couple points,” she said, “just STOP. Take a look around. Take it all in.” I’m so very, very grateful that she offered me this wisdom, because thanks to her, I have several clear memories of that gorgeous day, when I so easily could have lost them in the shuffle and momentum of the celebration.

Wedding_1998_2 Of the Scriptures that were read, this one stands out for me:

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)

I’m not even going to begin to claim that we’ve done everything right in our 17 years of marriage. And anyone who has been married for any length of time will tell you that rain will fall, floods will come, and winds will blow. Your commitment to one another will be tested, perhaps not to the breaking point, but there will certainly be challenges.

My sister-in-law’s wisdom is still the one and only thing I tell brides-to-be, and I think it applies well to the rest of life too. And I’m sure you’ve heard it before, too – because we all know that life goes by so, so darn quickly. You don’t want to let precious moments with your loved ones or friends slip by unnoticed. But I would argue that stopping to take a look around is also critical for the long-term success of a marriage.

Wedding_1998 When my husband looked into my eyes and pledged to be with me until “death do us part,” I could see in his green eyes that he meant every word. We both meant what we said, and still do.

It’s easy to stop at the good moments – to appreciate sweetness…The feel of my hand in my husband’s. The way he always kisses me goodbye before leaving the house – for any reason, big or small. The fact that he is exceptionally good at picking out gifts for me, and at whipping up the most delicious meals. At these times, it’s also easy to remember to thank God for this good man.

But then of course, storms do occasionally blow through. What I’ve learned is, they don’t have to tear us down – because in the midst of them, we can keep building the foundation of our house – brick by brick. It’s grace that taught me this – worked on me, really.

As often as possible, we STOP in the moment and take a look around. We look into one another’s eyes. We examine what’s really going on in the here and now – take an unflinching look so that patterns we know didn’t work for us in the past can’t repeat themselves. We speak honestly and openly about the present, and if there’s something that needs work – we work on it. Nothing gets swept under the rug. And the words we use with one another are words of affirmation – they support, encourage, reaffirm our connection and commitment to one another. They build up the foundation of our marriage – the foundation of “us.”

A house isn’t built overnight, but when the foundation is re-fortified, it can stand for a long, long time. May ours be built stronger, again and again. This is my prayer for us, on this 17th anniversary of ours.