how the light gets in

Author Archives: How the Light Gets In

• Spiritual Coaching Lesson #1

  Posted at 6:12 pm by How the Light Gets In, on May 16, 2022

  Spiritual Coaching Lesson #1

  Did I tell you I started my dream job? Spiritual Coaching: I didn’t even know it was a thing until I had heard about it on an episode of one of my favorite podcasts, The Next Right Thing Episode 167 with Emily P Freeman.

  I get to do something called Spiritual Coaching.

  Literally combine two of my favorite words to form my actual dream job.

  Have you heard of it before? In a spiritual coaching session, you and I would sit, isolating ourselves from the outside world to talk and listen and listen some more. I’m not a therapist diagnosing. As a coach, my job is listening and encouraging. Together, we are working to connect your struggle to your story to God.

  In an effort to be the best Spiritual Coach, I have been reading pages and pages of books with words like trauma, healing, polyvagal, neurological pathways, the mind-body-heart connection, habits, etc. I’m listening to all the podcasts, taking all the notes. I’m trying to absorb all the knowledge and terminology in order to be the best Spiritual Coach I can.

  Philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein said, “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” Hearing a philosopher say something like that makes me want to read more, to push past the limits of my world and help others do the same.

  One of the beautiful things about coaching is so much of our work is to help people find language for their stories, to put words to their experience.

  Researcher and author Brené Brown writes in her new book, “Language is a portal to universes of new choices and second chances.” She even goes on to say that portal is within ourselves!

  And yet…

  With all her knowledge and research, she stops short. She still doesn’t quite access the portal. And, to be clear, she has actually limited herself by not recognizing Jesus, the Word at the beginning, Jesus, the Word with God, Jesus, the Word through which all things were created, Jesus the Word made flesh to live among us, die for us and break through the gates of hell for us.

  Jesus IS the portal to universes of new choices and second chances AND He is written on my heart and yours. 

  And that’s when it hit me. While expanding my vocabulary (which is great), I have been making my well-intentioned, growing knowledge louder than the Word of God. This is not good for me as a Spiritual Coach or as an Andrea.

  This world is loud and it is constant. Let’s learn this lesson together, ok?

  I am encouraging me and encouraging you to make time for The Word – to read it and learn God’s voice so you can recognize it among all the noise. Tune the tracker of your heart into what He has just for you. Now, more than ever it’s important to be clear on who is calling you, to be clear on who you’re following.

  John 10:27 says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” I know the imagery and comparison to sheep rubs people the wrong way. But watch and pay attention to this short video. What do you notice?

  As you learn to recognize the voice of God (which is a life long journey), let it begin with The Word.

  Are you feeling like you need a rewrite of your story? Read John 21

  Are you feeling invisible? Let Jesus call your name in John 20:16

  Are you feeling overwhelmed by the constant hardship in your life? Read Luke 22:31 and be encouraged on who is praying for you.

  Are you feeling like you are locked in a hurtful cycle because “that’s how it’s always been in your family?” Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 to understand how the Holy Spirit has the power to renew and break through generational patterns of unhealthy and destructive behaviors, to understand how you were created in power for power, so use it well.

  Are you feeling stuck? Make Colossians 1:9-14 your prayer.

  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

  He was in the beginning with God.

  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men and women.

  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. “ John 1:1-5

  That’s our Jesus – “the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

  Isn’t it pure and powerful to consider Jesus as the limitless language for the greatest story of all time? And isn’t it magnificent to consider Him as the limitless language and already part-of-you portal for second chances in your own story?

  Sitting still enough to get quiet can feel scary. I get that.

  If you and I were in a Spiritual Coaching session right now, and you had just unloaded something from your heart; do you know what we would do next?

  We would be quiet together. Maybe take a few breaths. And then listen together.

  We wouldn’t be listening for my newly learned lingo. We would be listening for what the God of the universe might want to whisper for you in the holiness of that quiet moment.

  As you venture towards connecting your struggle to your story to God; make space for The Word.

  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Breath, Brene Brown, Colossians 1:9-14, Hebrews 4:12, How the Light Gets In, Invisible, Jesus, John 10:27, John 1:1-5, John 20:16, John 21, Listen, Luke 22:31, Portal, Rewrite, Spiritual Coaching, Stuck, The Word

• Pursuing Beauty

  Posted at 4:55 pm by How the Light Gets In, on March 18, 2022

  Well shit. I’m coming out of the rubble, still not quite standing, still wiping the dust from my eyes but I want you with me. You always let me be messy.

  Covid messed up the manufacturing and distribution of the hormone replacement pills I’m on. While that might not sound like a big deal to you (which is fair since it didn’t seem like that big a deal to me either) – let me tell you, it is a big deal. I didn’t have the prescription for 5 days. My body went into a weird disconnected, fog-like state. When I finally got back on them, it sent my blood pressure on a nasty rollercoaster ride. When it dipped, I had no energy and felt dizzy. When my blood pressure started climbing, it gripped the right side of my chest and made it hard to breathe. The rollercoaster sent my body into panic mode, where quite literally, I just went from one panic attack to another. I kept opening and closing my hands trying to stretch out the tightness in my fingers.

  Instead of asking for help, I started feeling shame.

  Here’s what I’m learning (again). Shame is shit. Trauma is a jerk. And I was getting attacked by both.

  My body has experienced trauma in many ways over my lifetime. And the poor thing was freaking out on me. My doctor prescribed some fluid pills to bring down the swelling and some Xanax to bring down the panic level. My therapist worked through some tapping exercises with me to remind me where I’ve been and where I am now, reconnecting my body, mind & heart. Both have been helpful, but you know where the real change has come in? Pursuing Beauty. I don’t mean it as an assignment to where I must pursue beauty to see where the light gets in. Nope, not this time.

  Pursuing Beauty...

  by which I mean, Beauty pursuing me. And, I’m letting it find me. I’m letting Beauty pursue me and find me. And it is making all the difference.

  Curt Thompson is a psychiatrist who devotes his work to providing the “framework for understanding science and spirituality.” In one of his recent podcasts, he said, “Beauty is coming to find you. It’s not a coincidence. It’s coming to find you.” And that, “We need to recognize that Beauty is always hovering.” And since, “trauma shatters the lens through which we see our lives;” it can be hard to see Beauty. So, his challenge is to “put yourself in the path of beauty.” I took notes on that episode and listened several times. Turns out, when trauma breaks you; it breaks your ability to see beauty.

  When the idea of looking for beauty came up again during a work call; I knew I needed to pay attention.

  This morning, walking back from taking the trash cans to the edge of the driveway, I notice this.

  

  Disregard my socks and Birks and notice the bit of Beauty pursuing me in my literal path.

  Don’t dismiss this little green plant. Notice how she’s growing defiantly up through a crack in the tar and asphalt. She is resilient. She is stretching. She is alive. She is making it.

  To “put myself in the path of Beauty,” I knelt down and took a closer picture.

  

  Pursuing Beauty looks like the tiniest of details on this little cluster of leaves and the perfect dew drops on her. Isn’t she beautiful?

  

  I’m pushing beyond the broken to find the Beauty already pursuing me.

  Nature has been around a long time carrying the weight of beauty and wisdom. So, we should be paying attention. Nature extends non-verbal communication that there is a God.(“The Songs of Jesus” p32 Tim Keller) Creation reveals God’s artistry. God’s first offering to you and me is in coral sunrises and towering green trees and crashing deep blue ocean waves and looming, ice capped mountains. “Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, But their silence fills the earth. Unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.” (Psalm 19:3-4 MSG) That tiny plant pushing through asphalt offered me unspoken truth this morning. Life may have broken me more than a couple times, but Pursuing Beauty is after me.

  Jesus is after you too.

  I pray you pay attention. I pray you put yourself in the path of Beauty. Jesus tells us, “My Father is still working, and I am working also.” (John 5:17) He’s not sitting around on a cloud or in a book. Jesus is after you, throwing colors and scents and hugs, maybe some Xanax, blossoms and defiant buds in your path. Let’s pray for each other to keep our eyes open for the Pursuing Beauty coming for us. You might be broken but there is beauty to be found.

  Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged Beauty, Broken, Curt Thompson, How the Light Gets In, Jesus, John 5:17, Nature, Psalm 19, Shame, Timothy Keller

• What is your Song?

  Posted at 9:01 am by How the Light Gets In, on December 16, 2021

  What Is Your Song?

  Right this moment, where is your attention? Are you focused on checking off a gift list or preparing a holiday menu? Maybe you’re just pushing through to the end of exams or the work day. Wherever your gaze is, I’d like to hold your attention for a few moments on Jesus’ mother, Mary.

  Because I’m afraid if you look past Mary, you will miss a beautiful gift this Christmas.

  Let’s go straight to the stable the night Jesus was born. God is taking on human form and the first person He sees is Mary – his little eyes blinking open, adjusting to the light, taking in the darkness of her hair, the way her eyebrows frame her face. Jesus, God in human form, breathes in his first smells and it’s the scent of his momma that fills him. It’s her voice that will be the first sound our Savior hears as she says his name over and over – Jesus, Jesus. It’s her neck he’ll snuggle and her hold he’ll crave. When Emmanuel God with us, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty Warrior gets hungry; he’ll reach for her. 

  She is blessed among women. But to be “blessed” includes Mary watching her Son be hated, hunted down and hung on a cross. Mary shows us to be blessed is a BOTH/AND situation. A blessing can feel wonderful and heavy. It can look painful and be full of joy. She shows us how to embrace it all – carrying scripture in her thoughts and treasuring it all in her heart, giving glory to God as she takes it one day at a time.

  “Blessed art thou among women.” Mary was and is greatly esteemed for her very important “Yes.” Her legacy teaches us how about the power of partnering with God. Her legacy shows us a position of gratitude shifts the ground we walk on.

  Mary quietly shows us that holding scripture in our hearts intimately weaves the stories we’re living out with those who have gone before us and the God who is with us.

  These words are known as “Mary’s Song” she said this to her cousin Elizabeth:

  My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

  Luke 1:46-56

  Mary’s song is powerful and eloquent and sweet. The backstory here is that Mary was using some of Hannah’s song from the Old Testament in her very own song. Listen to a piece of Hannah’s:

  My heart rejoices in the Lord;
      in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
  My mouth boasts over my enemies,
      for I delight in your deliverance.

  ² “There is no one holy like the Lord;
      there is no one besides you;
      there is no Rock like our God.

  1 Samuel 2:1-2

  You’ve heard Mary’s song. You’ve heard Hannah’s song. But I wonder what Beth’s song sounds like? Meredith what are your lyrics? Melanie, Isabella, Keyne, Annette, Katherine, Madeline, Kathy, Taylor, Allie, Patty, Kate, Angela, Elsa, Erin, Lauren, Lucy, Rachel, Brittany, Angie, Nicka, Kristin, Becky, Lily, Avery, Diane, Amy, Janis, Mallory, Anoush, Renee, Colleen, Kellie, Josie, Mia, Robyn, Christa, Leah, Anna, Hadley, Ann Stuart, Paige, Riley, Leanna, Arezu, Juliet, Jasmin, Emili, Zareen, Barb, Audrey, Susan, Carrie, Jenna, Dana, Kim, Leslie, Tristen, Jessie, Laura, Grace, Kay, Jill, Peggy, Carin, Anita, Marissa, Courtney, Dawn, Criste, Jodi, Silvia, Shawn, Lori, Stacey, McKenzie-

  SING YOUR SONG!

  Shout for joy, daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, Israel! 

  Be glad and exult with all your heart, daughter Jerusalem!

  The LORD has removed the judgment against you, 

  he has turned away your enemies. 

  The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, 

  you have no further misfortune to fear.

  On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: 

  Do not fear, Zion, do not be discouraged. 

  The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior, 

  who will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, 

  who will sing joyfully because of you.

  Zephaniah 3:14-17

  Because of you, God is singing.

  Why are you singing this Christmas? Are you singing at all? Are you aware of what God has done for you? Can you feel Jesus making a new way in your life somewhere? Borrow some of the these phrases if you need to but take a little time to hear and understand Mary’s song. Then, discover your treasures, recognize your burdens, feel the weight of your blessedness and SING.

  Posted in DECEMBER 2021, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged 1 Samuel 2:1-2, Advent, Blessed, Christmas, How the Light Gets In, Jesus, Luke 1:45-56, Mary, Mary's Song, Song, Zephaniah 3:14-17

• Stacking Stones

  Posted at 12:29 pm by How the Light Gets In, on November 8, 2021

  Stacking Stones Podcast Episode

  Two years ago this very day, I walked away from surgical options and walked into a room at church. That room was flooded with equal parts sunlight and hope.

  Two years ago, at this time I was laying it all down at your feet Jesus. I walked in hoping for a miracle and walked out with so much more.

  So, do you know what we’re doing today?

  On this 2 year Anniversary of my HEALING, we are stacking stones.

  That’s right. Oh, that’s not how you celebrate? Maybe you should start. Because in my experience, in order to appreciate a gift, you have to acknowledge the pain. Stacking Stones is a practical way to do both.

  Nobody teaches this better than Joshua. So, before you head out to find some rocks. I want you to hear this story. Pay attention to the details. Remember the details.

  For some context, we are picking up after the crazy miracle of God splitting the Jordan River so the Israelites could cross on dry land. Again, huge miracle in and of itself. But let’s get to the lesson and pick up the story in Chapter 4, appropriately called:

  The Memorial Stones

  4 After the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord spoke to Joshua: ² “Choose twelve men from the people, one man for each tribe,³ and command them: Take twelve stones from this place in the middle of the Jordan where the priests are standing, carry them with you, and set them down at the place where you spend the night.”

  ⁴ So Joshua summoned the twelve men he had selected from the Israelites, one man for each tribe, ⁵ and said to them, “Go across to the ark of the Lord your God in the middle of the Jordan. Each of you lift a stone onto his shoulder, one for each of the Israelite tribes, ⁶ so that this will be a sign among you. SO THAT THIS WILL BE A SIGN AMONG YOU In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ ⁷ you should tell them, ‘The water of the Jordan was cut off in front of the ark of the Lord’s covenant. When it crossed the Jordan, the Jordan’s water was cut off.’ Therefore these stones will always be a memorial for the Israelites.”

  ⁸ The Israelites did just as Joshua had commanded them. The twelve men took stones from the middle of the Jordan, one for each of the Israelite tribes, just as the Lord had told Joshua. They carried them to the camp and set them down there. ⁹ Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant were standing. The stones are still there today. The priests carrying the ark continued standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything was completed that the Lord had commanded Joshua to tell the people, in keeping with all that Moses had commanded Joshua. The people hurried across, and after everyone had finished crossing, the priests with the ark of the Lord crossed in the sight of the people.”

  That’s a lot. I know. We’re focusing on God’s request to set up some stones.

  

  Those Israelites were so freaked out they hurried right through their miracle. I would have too, totally. But God gave them another gift (that’s just His way). He knew they’d rush through so God gave the priests and Joshua a command to stand; giving them a chance to watch all of them pass by, making eye contact with so many faithful followers and encouraging them to keep going while they held the ark.

  Do you remember where Joshua set up his own stack of stones? Right in the middle, like a secret just for him and God to remember together.

  Imagine Joshua looking for those rocks and piling them right there in the middle of his obedience. He should be drowning but God made a way. I bet with each stone he’s thinking of the names of the people they lost along the way. Because even on the way to a miracle, there will be loss and there will be things you need to grieve. And you must. I’m sorry but you must grieve the sad and the hard. Take the time to fully understand and name the hurt.

  “We don’t remember the past great works of God so that we can live in a dreamland of the past, thinking that the best days of our Christian experience are behind us.  We remember them as a point of faith, so we can trust God for greater and greater works in the future, because we have seen and experienced His past faithfulness.” If you just watched the video of me, you need to move right on out of dreamland and recognize the living, powerful, right next to you God that is capable of greater and greater works.

  Two years ago, I walked away from pain and possible paralysis and I am walking in power. It’s not just for me. It’s for you too. Remember who you are, to whom you belong, remember the plan is good, not easy but it is good and full of hope. Remember, God doesn’t work according to this world’s economy of shortages. He works in the Abundantly More kinda way. Get out of your head. God wants to make a new way.

  C.S. Lewis wrote “Most people don’t need to be taught, they need only to be reminded.” Stacking stones is a beautiful way to remember that Eternity is written on your heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The Spirit of the Lord is on you because the Lord has anointed you (Isaiah 61). You were chosen before creation (Ephesians 1).

  You just need to be reminded.

  This is me reminding you.

  If I were to stack Memorial Stones right now, it would look like a heap of pain pills, medical bills, cards of sympathy and encouragement, scriptures, time-lapse videos of sunrises, white boards in hospitals with my nurses names on them, a stack of journals, a bunch of blog posts and a lot of you. Those help me remember my pain. They help me say thank you.

  

  If I were to stack some stones for November 8, 2021, celebrating two years of healing; it would look like hiking trails, picking out which torpedo or slam ball to lift, white boards with crazy workouts written on them, standing at soccer games, deep breathing, no more pills, plenty more journals scribbled with scripture and questions and gratitude, Jesus showing up in all the beautiful ways and a lot of you. It all helps me remember my pain, be blown away by my health and helps me say thank you even louder.

  

  Today, would you go out and find 3 or 4 rocks? Look, if you need to go to the craft store and get the smooth ones; that is all good. Spend some time stacking stones. You can choose to make each rock represent someone in your family and make a pile praying for them. You can lay out that big hope on your heart and let each rock be part of the prayer. Display your Memorial Stones. Let your friends and family ask you questions. “Let them be a sign among you.” and “When others ask, what do these stones mean to you? You should tell them.”

  Stacking Stones is a powerful way of letting the light in.

  Stacking Stones playlist

  Posted in NOVEMBER 2021, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged healing, How the Light Gets In, Joshua 4, Miracle, Stacking Stones

• Crepe Paper Thoughts

  Posted at 1:04 pm by How the Light Gets In, on November 2, 2021

  

  Spiritual Coaching Lesson #1 – How The Light Gets In

  I started something new. Learning a lot. Bringing you with me.

  1. Spiritual Coaching Lesson #1 08:08
  2. Grounding: Practicing Presence in your Present 09:00
  3. What is your Song? 07:02
  4. Stacking Stones 08:35
  5. Crepe Paper Thoughts 07:19

  “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”

  -Proverbs 25:2

  I heard this verse for the first time yesterday. And, for the past 24 hours, it’s been unfolding and aha-ing in my head. And you should know by now, that when I need to process, well, it happens here with you.

  “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of Kings.”

  Right away, these words unlocked a memory on my heart from Joseph’s birthday just a few weeks ago.

  

  Of all my children, Joseph is the creative. He thinks outside the box and invites us all in. So, for his birthday, I couldn’t just hand him a wrapped package. Rather, I grabbed a roll of crepe paper and some tape. Starting just underneath the table, I wound the paper very carefully up over a chair, around the lamp, behind the tv, under the couch and so on. This $2 roll of flimsy paper unfurled into a messy matrix of celebration. Along certain points, I left a small card or gift to encourage him to keep going, like the bird Lily painted for him from a smooth stone. The only rule was that Joseph couldn’t break the paper. That was tougher than it sounds but he kept following the lead, careful of where he was going.

  Watching him smile and duck and look at me like “what?” may be one of my favorite mommy memories.

  And, when he finally got to the end, we cheered.

  You might be thinking, “Andrea, how does this connect?”

  “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, to search out a matter is the glory of Kings.”

  Just the language of this verse describes God’s values and esteem. God’s glory, his honor and splendor, is to tuck away bits of Heaven. And we, as His royal sons and daughters, have the honor and splendor of searching it out!

  When I read this verse I believe the very same delight, love, devotion, encouragement, even creativity I felt as a mom watching her boy on his birthday is God’s heart for you and me as we follow the leads in our lives.

  Elizabeth Barrett Browning said, “Earth is crammed with heaven.” So, what if your life and mine are a messy matrix leading us, if we’re willing to follow, from one gift after another planted lovingly and knowingly by our Father? That’s a “what if” worth going after.

  “I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel who summons you by name.”

  Isaiah 45:3

  There’s the invitation again in Isaiah.

  It is the glory of God to watch you, to encourage you, to smile on you as you discover little bits of heaven tucked in a friend’s text message, behind the lyrics in a perfectly timed song, in scripture after scripture spelling out God’s love.

  Colossians 3:16 says “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.” There’s that language again. Do you see it? Let The Word bring you a word to teach you, to comfort you, to discipline you, to love you “richly.”

  Those bits of heaven, revealing the heart of God, are not just for moments of celebration. It was during some of my darkest days that I put one foot in front of the other begging God for a glimmer because I was mad at Him or felt deserted by Him. That stinker always showed up.

  When the birthday crepe paper trail headed towards a tangled mess; Joseph kind of shook his head, smiling. Do you know why? He knew I made it. He knew I wanted to challenge him. He knows that I know that he is up for the challenge. So, when the trail looked messy, he kept going. We need to be that tight with God. I want to be that tight with God.

  Do you know that God knows that you don’t know it all? Cause you don’t.

  Are you willing to follow His lead? This is more than a treasure hunt. These bits of Heaven, pieces of wisdom, glimpses of eternity connect us to our Creator. There is more. Are you willing to search, examine, investigate, explore, ask, ask ask again and then listen for all He has tucked away for you?

  Your God delights in you. Delight in Him. He gave us free will and is jumping for us to choose Him.

  I mean, can we talk about Moses for a second? Exodus 3 “Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his father in-law… and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb. There (here comes a crepe paper trail moment, earth crammed with heaven moment, God concealing a matter moment) There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush.” Now, this is where Moses “searches out the matter.” Verse 2 says, “Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.” (Moses is noticing.) Verse 3, “So, Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight – why the bush does not burn up.” (Moses is thinking and now moving.) So, Moses goes over to the bush and God calls out his name. God conceals his desire to talk to Moses within a flaming, but not burning up, bush. Moses searches it out and finds God.

  All this to say, God wants to be found by you. Keep your eyes open wide and your heart even wider.

  Posted in NOVEMBER 2021 | 2 Comments | Tagged Colossians 3:16, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 45:3, Proverbs 25:2

• Grounding: Practicing Presence in your Present

  Posted at 9:35 am by How the Light Gets In, on October 28, 2021

  Listen Here

  Raise your hand if you have been to a Chuck E Cheese.

  Raise your hand if, after skeeball of course, you went into the Ticket Blaster.

  A pro would know to step into that cylinder with your shirt tucked in and your hair pulled back in a ponytail so you’re ready to grab everything you can.

  Because just like that, a tornado whips around you sending tickets in a swirly mess. Since the booth is transparent, from the outside it becomes instant entertainment for anyone who chooses to stop and watch you. From the inside, your goal is to grab as many tickets as you can so you can cash in for the grand prize of a stale tootsie roll and maybe even a glittery pencil. Every ticket was one more opportunity to earn a bigger prize. Your eyes are darting up, down, left, right trying to catch any and every ticket you can. It’s frantic and loud and messy but fun.

  Life is feeling like a ticket blaster these days – for good and for bad.

  Like this past weekend, all 5 kids were home. We packed 48 hours celebrating Bean’s birthday with Cheeze-It Chicken and duckpin bowling and ice cream at The Charmery, with basketball games (for Lily and even Jason – which is a fantastic story for another time). All good things, right? And I found myself trying to lock in on each kid and my husband to capture and hold their faces, the way they were getting along (because they were actually getting along), the smell of the bowling alley, the creaminess of the surprisingly amazing vegan ice cream… all of it. I wanted to capture and hold all of it, both hands.

  On the flip side, I’m aware of friends and family awaiting test results, going into surgery, watching a tumor, witnessing the passing of a beloved Uncle and I find my self praying, yet frantic to capture and hold all of it, both hands.

  If I haven’t said it before here, I’ll say it now; it is tough being a human being. And I am forever grateful for my therapy. It just helps me be a better human.

  I had never considered God as a therapist until I read this interaction He had with Elijah.

  We’re going to read through a bit of a “Ticket Blaster” situation Elijah finds himself in and then how God moves with him through it.

  Elijah is a model of obedience and focus and endurance when it comes to a relationship with God. And near the end of his assignment, Elijah starts tripping on his own feet grabbing at whatever he can. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah is running away from Jezebel (with good reason since she’s threatening to kill him). Elijah is afraid, he’s tired, he’s done. “I have had enough! Lord, take my life, for I’m no better than my fathers.” He wanted to die. The story continues, “Suddenly, an angel touched him. The angel told him, “Get up and eat.” Then he looked, and there at his head was a loaf of bread baked over hot stones and a jug of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the Lord returned for a second time and touched hm. He said, ‘Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you. So he got up, ate, and drank. Then on the strength from that food, he walked forty days and forty night to Horeb, the mountain of God. He entered a cave there and spent the night.”

  Suddenly, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “what are you doing here Elijah?” He replied, I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my ife.”

  Then He (being God) said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.” At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

  Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

  Let’s notice what just happened. God just pulled a Jamie here. Jamie is my therapist. If and when I’m overwhelmed, a practice Jamie walks me through is “Grounding.”

  This technique engages all five senses with these prompts:

  • search for 5 things they can see
  • search for 4 things they can touch
  • search for 3 things they can hear
  • search for 2 things they can smell
  • search for 1 thing they can taste

  Now do you see how God pulled a therapist move here with Elijah? God asks his faithful servant a question. But, Elijah is too overwhelmed to answer. So, God walks him through some Grounding. He sends wind Elijah can see, an earthquake he can hear, a fire he can feel and smell and then a whisper.

  At the end of the experience, God repeats the question. It’s important to notice, the circumstance hasn’t changed. So what’s different?

  Elijah answers with the same words but I bet the tone is different. He’s grounded. He’s more aware. And he knows God is with him.

  “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

  Again, notice Elijah’s answer is the same.

  But, now that they’ve taken a breath together, God recognizes Elijah is ready to move. And Elijah recognizes he’s ready to move.

  There’s a lot of power in the “here,” as in where you are this very moment.

  There’s a lot of power in knowing and being aware.

  I love that God uses the gifts He’s given us- our senses- to pull us back to our senses.

  It’s more than a realization of the details. Grounding pulls all of you in the moment you’re in. It shows me how much God values every bit of me that He would invite me into the good and the bad with all of me to remember He’s in it with me.

  Remember how we talked about stacking stones as a practice to remind you where you were? Let Grounding be a practice to establish where you are right now. The past should be remembered but don’t stay there too long. And forget the future – I don’t know about you but the future can look a little too wacky with my imagination.

  God made me with more than just two hands. Life is not a Ticket Blaster. God gave you and me our senses, therapists and Grounding to realize His presence in our present. Let’s cash in on that prize today.

  Posted in FEBRUARY 2022, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged 1 Kings 19, Elijah, Grounding, How the Light Gets In, Jesus, Therapy

• Imprinting

  Posted at 1:57 pm by How the Light Gets In, on September 10, 2021

  Imprinting Podcast Episode

  Almost as quickly as a zebra is born, it disappears. Do you know this? The wobbly, striped baby and his momma steal away from the herd for the first two days of the foal’s life. The two stay close to one another, limiting direct contact with other zebras so he can learn to identify her by sight, smell and sound. This process, this special time is called “Imprinting.”

  Stripes are as unique to each zebra as a fingerprint is to you and me. That makes imprinting a powerful and important time for the baby to learn where he comes from and to whom he belongs.

  Sitting nose to nose with his momma, the baby zebra will notice the rich blackness in her markings. He will become aware that her white hair is soft, almost creamy. He will learn how her stripes drip into a diamond pattern just between her beautiful, big eyes. Sitting this close to her, he will breathe in her scent and unknowingly lock it into his heart.

  

  When the imprinting is done, momma will release her baby back into the herd. Can you imagine the overwhelm of black and white and neighs and manes? That’s where the imprinting is key – in the midst of the chaos, he can lift his head, look for the diamond on her face, the cream in her stripes and breathe in until he finds his momma.

  Leave it to one of my favorite bible teachers, Priscilla Shirer, to point out the way imprinting is just as important for us and our connection with Jesus. I’ll let that settle in with you a moment. I just think it’s so good.

  Taking time to focus in on the character and promises of the One who loves us the most is powerful imprinting for you and me as we head out into the “herd.”

  So, let’s do it. Right now. Together, let’s steal away for a moment with the One who loves us the most to get up close to His voice, His breath, His words.

  If you’re walking, slow down. If you’re waiting in carpool, pull your windows up. If you’re waiting on an appointment, this will only take a moment.

  Rather than list a bunch of scriptures, let’s pay attention to this one story from the Gospel of Mark:

  Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you!” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”

  Mark 10:46-52

  What do you notice about Jesus in this short story? He was traveling. He was with his disciples plus a bunch more. Jesus sought out friends and welcomed everyone. Also, how about Bartimaeus? The reputation of Jesus’ power was so compelling that this blind, beggar would be bold enough to shout out his name. And, Jesus hears him and sees beyond Bartimaeus’ blindness, stench, dirt straight through to his willing heart. If a cloak was all that man owned, Bartimaeus threw it aside the moment Jesus called his name. Now, this could have been a fantastical scene of power, drawing all sorts of attention with a big booming voice and fanfare. But, instead, Jesus called Bartimaeus in close to ask him a question. “What do you want me to do for you?” I wonder if the blind man was breathing in the scent of his Lord and recording the inflection of Jesus’ voice on his heart. Deflecting any honor, Jesus tells him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately, he could see. And released into the bustling world, what does Bartimaeus do? He looks for the one who loves him most – Jesus.

  This world is crazy and awful and hard and loud and fun and beautiful.

  When you find it’s all too much, try doing what we did here just now. Choose a story from the gospel of Matthew or John and pull out the details that tell you about Jesus. Or ask what Jesus is saying about you. If you feel like you don’t know who you are; read through Ephesians 1-3 a couple times to understand how purposeful and spectacular and powerful and necessary God says you are. If you’re suffering through a series of hard blows and find yourself asking why over and over; then read through the story of Job. If you have a lot of feelings, google a Psalm about those feelings and read what you find. You have a God who is for you, beside and waiting to hear from you. You have eternity written on your heart. And His plans for you are good. Take that into the herd.

  Don’t let the noise around you confuse you. Don’t let the chaos make your legs buckle.

  Steal away with the One who loves you the most and let imprinting be the way the light gets in.

  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Bartimaeus, Bible, healing, How the Light Gets In, imprinting, Jesus, Mark 10, priscilla shirer, zebra

• Catch

  Posted at 9:21 am by How the Light Gets In, on May 7, 2021

  CATCH – listen here

  According to http://www.dictionary.com the word “Catch” means to intercept and hold.

  Why “catch”? Look, sometimes a word or idea gets stuck in my head. And, I pray on it. Then, if I pay attention long enough and I start getting posts about it on my Instagram feed, personal text messages, songs and nature; then yes I go with it. So here we are.

  Thanks for being here with me. 

  Catch – to intercept and hold. Here are a couple examples I’ve observed of catch in action:

  •For Easter, the littles got a WOWMAZING Giant Bubble Wand Kit. You mix their special soap packet with water in a bucket. Then you dip the wands in, slowly pull it up and out. And yes, it is everything you would expect Wowmazing to mean. The problem was we ran out of the soap mixture. Luckily for us, we have a Joseph. That kids’ brain is always churning. He came up with a soppy mixture of (get this) molasses, Dawn soap, a little corn starch and water. It was nasty looking. But, it’s Joseph so you trust him. Watching him dip the wands into the homemade mix and then pull it up and out was magic. There were bubbles! Huge bubbles!  We watched the wonky blobs catch the light; intercepting it and holding it in wild shapes, sending off magical glimpses of color.

  •A few months ago, we had a tree taken down in our backyard. The problem with the tree was it was so dead that they had to cut it at the bottom and then pull down into the forest. When the big old tree came crashing down it took out maybe three younger trees. It also created a little clearing in the woods. We thought it would be cool to clean it out and see if we could grow something there. It’s only 7 feet across by maybe 10 feet in length. Anyways, we pulled up roots and turned the dirt. We bought a packet of seeds that promises a meadow. And we sprinkled the hay and seed mix all over our hopeful little patch of newly exposed dirt. After just a couple weeks of careful watering, we saw sprouts! Here is where catch comes in – Tiny bits of green pushing up through dirt and hay intercept the afternoon sun, holding its warmth and using it’s power to grow.

  

  If you’ve been here before, you know this is going to circle back to light and Jesus. So, here we go. I just wonder – if a DIY soapy mess can catch light, transforming into a brand new orbs of color or if a seed can use dirt and water to push on with an instinct to catch the sun in order to grow – doesn’t it make you wonder what can happen to you when you catch the light of Jesus?

  The verse that’s keeps showing up with persistence is from 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” I know. Demolish and captive and obedient – It’s all very high and mighty, religious-y language. But let’s intercept these words and hold them long enough to learn what they could mean. What needs to be taken captive here? “Arguments and every pretension” that block us from knowing God. Those thoughts of fear and shame and worry and anger and resentment build a wall between us and God. But let’s not limit this scripture to a directive. There’s more. It reveals God’s heart. God knows your heart. And He wants you to know His heart. 

  Let’s play catch. 

  We’re going to read some more Scripture. Let the words intercept you where you are and hold them for a bit.

  “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ‘I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity.’”

  Jeremiah 29:13-14

  What caught you on this one? There’s a promise or two in this verse from Jeremiah. “I will be found by you.” God is on stand by waiting for you. And when you seek Him, you will find HIm. Oh, but don’t miss the condition: You will find me WHEN you seek me with all your heart. Are you all in? God wants it all. Don’t just kinda sorta pray; get after it with all your heart.

  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever.”

  Hebrews 13:8

  God is God is God – always has been and always will be. I don’t know about you but this feels like such a relief. The world is constantly dividing itself against itself. And, thanks to the killer combo of our information superhighway and cable news; we can hear all about it 24/7. While the world upends itself, God remains unshakeable, immovable, right beside you.

  “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.”

  Malachi 3:3

  Eeeesh. Refining and purifying are things that involve a lot of fire and a lot of change. If you feel like you’re in a furnace of change; hold onto the promise here. “He will sit.” God, again, is close. He’s not turning His back or getting up and moving on. God is next to you, watching to make sure you withstand the fire and come out gold.

  “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those who hearts are fully committed to Him.”

  2 Chronicles 16:9

  This was written more than 2,400 years ago. God has been and always will be searching for fully committed hearts so he can strengthen them.

  Loaded with promises and stability, fully committed and waiting close by is your God.

  I pray you will let Him intercept the worry that jolts your eyes wide open at 2 a.m. with To-Do lists and worst case scenarios. Let God intercept the anxiety that thumps through you so fiercely you swear the person next to you can see your actual heart moving. Let God intercept the panic that grabs hold of your airway so tight you gasp for air even though you opened all the windows and the sunroof.

  I pray you will allow Him to hold you.

  God wants you free, strong, never alone, all in.

  Did you catch that?

  Posted in May 2021, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged 2 Chronicles 16:9, Catch, Hebrews 13:8, How the Light Gets In, Jeremiah 29:13-14, Malachi 3:3, wow

• Now What

  Posted at 11:06 am by How the Light Gets In, on April 20, 2021

  Now What?

  I asked you to consider sitting in the suffering with me. I dared myself and you to not look away but to look at Jesus and the cross. You did it.

  So, now what… This is the best part!

  This is the best part of knowing Jesus and letting Him know you. This is the best part of understanding that while this world will mean suffering; there’s more because of Jesus.

  Now, it’s time to stand. The suffering of the cross is not the end of the story. The end is that we live.

  Because of Jesus, we live. Easter was not just Jesus dying on the cross but also His busting open the gates of heaven.

  Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, blood, whipping, humiliation AND because of His leaving a tomb empty, going to hell and then sitting next to God the Father in Heaven – because of Jesus we live.

  So, now what?

  Now, we start living the life we were meant to with purpose, through a promise.

  You did it. You were brave enough to look at the cross, to see Jesus suffering. You were brave enough to sit long with your own suffering. It was dark and heavy. That’s enough now. It’s time, you brave and beautiful person.

  Get up.

  Stand.

  Stand, knowing you are worthy.

  Stand, knowing you are loved.

  Stand up.

  If you know me, then you know right now I am standing and my arms are louder than my words because this “now what” part is THE BEST part, all because of Jesus.

  Because of Jesus; death isn’t the end of the story.

  Now what?

  Now there’s hoping.

  Now there’s rising.

  Now there’s living.

  You have purpose you spectacular human being. The way God made you, this world He’s put you in, the pain you’ve been through, may be going through and will go through; He sees the potential for you to rise and live and hope.

  ANTICIPATING so hard your calves are sore, LOOKING so hard your eyebrows are high up on your forehead, EXPECTING so much your heart is pumping hard in your chest – that’s what Jesus has done for me.

  If the only God you’ve seen is through parts of my story here on this babbling blog, Praise God. But there’s more for YOU.

  There’s still more for me too. I think I forgot! You know what looking at the cross did for me? It jogged my memory back through so many pain points AND through more miracles than I can count. I hope you didn’t get stuck on the pain points. It’s time to stand.

  After Jesus died, his disciples were alone and scared. Jesus could have stayed up in beautiful, cozy Heaven but He came back. Can we just recognize that? Let it sink in? He came back. John 20:19 sets the scene; “The disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came and STOOD among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.'” Sometimes, suffering can lock our hearts in fear. If that feels true for you, read that story again.

  Let the message be clear, there is a God old and powerful enough to part waters for His people, creative and beautiful enough to push crocuses up through winter’s frozen dirt, loving enough to constantly be on the search for open hearts so He can pull them in close under the shelter of His wing, bold enough to send His one and only Son after you – YOU. Are you clapping yet? It is ridiculously beautiful and generous and true.

  To keep us pushing through, I am stealing and paraphrasing this paragraph from Priscilla Shirer’s “Elijah” Bible study (p157).

  Stand up.

  Lord, I present myself to you. Here I am Lord. I want to walk in step to the rhythm of Your Grace. I want to lean on and depend on the empowerment of Your Spirit. I’m looking for you Lord. Show me how you want me to adjust my life so I can honor you. I pray Your Spirit would consume me. Give strength to my calves and eyebrows and hands as I live in the anticipation and expectation and hope of Jesus. Amen

  Before you hit play on this one, turn up volume okay? Let it shock you. Let the words bring you to your feet in gratitude and joy – THIS is life with Jesus.

  Posted in APRIL 2021, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Elijah, How the Light Gets In, I Thank God, Jesus, John 20:19-21, Maverick City Music, Now What, priscilla shirer

• Chasing

  Posted at 6:19 pm by How the Light Gets In, on March 21, 2021

  

  Spiritual Coaching Lesson #1 – How The Light Gets In

  I started something new. Learning a lot. Bringing you with me.

  1. Spiritual Coaching Lesson #1 08:08
  2. Grounding: Practicing Presence in your Present 09:00
  3. What is your Song? 07:02
  4. Stacking Stones 08:35
  5. Crepe Paper Thoughts 07:19

  For months, it’s worked.

  I lean my phone on the same window ledge in the corner of the living room to capture a time lapse of the sun rising. For months, it’s been a no fail set up. Until it failed.

  Thursday skies poured nothing but gray, cold, heavy drops of water all day long. Friday came in with a forecast promising blue skies and eye squinting sunshine.

  So Friday morning, I set up the phone, I hit the red button for time-lapse and off I go.

  While the sun was filling up the living room, I went to sneak a peek only to find the phone was capturing zero sunrise. The phone angle was just where it had always been but the sunrise had moved by a lot! I shifted the phone towards the sun’s new spot and hit record again.

  As I was walking away, it occurred to me that the whole set up, the looking around, the repositioning; was me chasing the light. And this chasing, reminds me of what we talked about last time. Do you remember?

  In Matthew 11:30 Jesus says, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I’m still wondering what if Jesus was saying my burden is more than just not heavy but my burden is light. And, it seemed to strike a nerve with you too from the comments and voicemails you left and conversations we had.

  Aside from the fact those ways the light gets in reflect who Jesus was (stunning, igniting, reaching, etc), grammatically they reveal what He is… livING. Because, if you’re dead or just a character in a story, you aren’t -ING anything. Jesus is so much more than a character in a story. Jesus is so much more than a character in my story.

  Recently, I was invited to be a guest on a podcast. The interview jogged my memory for a walk through my faith story and who Jesus was and is in my life. Church was certainly part of it. But, it was my mom who introduced me to God in a way that went beyond going to church and reciting prayers. The way she talked about God made Him a very real and present friend, like she was pulling Him in to come and shake my hand.

  Thinking back to my childhood then funky middle school years and my not so cool high school years; I remembered so many God moments. God was there through the braces and the awful bangs and the friends I still have today from way back when.

  Flipping through my bible now and seeing all the grafitti of underlining and dates and circled words and questions; I see me and God in an ongoing conversation.

  That’s when it hits me. That’s when I remember this lovely piece about looking for God. Each and every time I’ve gone chasing after Him, I find He’s already chasing after me.

  All along.

  The God who makes the sun rise, who aligned all the right people at just the right time to get me where I belong, who put a rainbow in the sky as a promise so long ago; He has been chasing after me all along.

  “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord.”

  Jeremiah 29:13-14

  He’s chasing after you too, the Bible tells me so 🙂

  Look at the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis Chapters 37-50. Joseph’s life did not go as planned. He suffered.He went through broken relationships, betrayal, imprisonment. His life shows how a good God and suffering can exist. And, I think a huge part of that is because while Joseph was busy chasing after God; God was busy chasing Joseph. And if you zoom out and look at Joseph’s brothers and his dad and the prison guard you’ll see how God was waiting and hoping on all of them too, not just Joseph. It took Joseph’s life to bring others to a life with God. His story, my story, your story show God’s favor looks different than human favoritism. So, if you’re hurting right now in some way, don’t you think for one second that because you are down, God is gone.

  “The Lord was with Joseph.” Genesis 39:2, 21, 23

  “Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

  “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Psalm 139:7-8

  Dang it. He does not quit.

  I’m doing a bible study now on Elijah with a circle of sweet friends. Priscilla Shirer, the author of the study, points out Elijah and Jonah’s stories for comparison. Elijah was in constant communication with God with a life full of obedience in action. And God was with him. It wasn’t easy but Elijah didn’t quit God. Jonah, on the other hand, hears that God wants him to go to Nineveh. Jonah said “nah” and ran away. As the story goes, he ended up in the belly of a whale. According to the Storybook Bible (which is one of my favorites) this is what happens next:

  

  After three days, the fish spat Jonah safely onto a sandy beach. Just then, Jonah heard someone calling his name. “Go to Nineveh,” God said. And this time? Jonah said, YES!” He went straight to Nineveh and told everyone God’s wonderful message. ‘Even though you’ve run far from God, he can’t stop loving you,’ Jonah told them. ‘Run to him!”

  There it is. Run to Him.

  Maybe chasing isn’t your speed but can I encourage you to start turning towards Him? A simple invitation right now with eyes wide open and your heart too; “Come Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20) is all you need.

  Right now, try shifting your view, re-positioning your heart and you’ll find a big, powerful, creative, promise-keeping, good God is chasing you.

  He has been all along.

  Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment