how the light gets in

Author Archives: How the Light Gets In

• The “R” Cycle

  Posted at 8:53 pm by How the Light Gets In, on August 1, 2019

  I’m writing this while on vacation. That being said, you might assume The “R” Cycle refers to things like rest, recharge, relax. Ummmmm no.

  My saint of a husband just drove off with all 5 of our children to an ARCADE. Bless that beautiful man.

  So, here I am alone. And, I’m realizing I need a vacation from this vacation. I don’t like them right now. I birthed those children and I don’t like them. I love them but I do not like them.

  There is just a whole lot of quality time happening around here. We keep bumping into each other. And, they keep finding me (because maybe I’ve taken to hiding) to tell me how someone is breathing on them, chewing too loudly or pushing them.

  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stretched my hands out, shoulders shrugged up to my ears, “But look,” I say, “We’re at the beach. Everyone is happy at the beach.”

  “There are so many of you!” I keep insisting like maybe it will click one of these times…”You have built in friends!”

  The beach IS my happy place though. And these people WILL make happy memories together. So, I’m going to lean hard onto The “R” Cycle to get us through.

  • Rupture
  • Repair
  • Repeat

  The first “R” is for Rupture: to breach or disturb a harmonious feeling or sensation.

  Okay, it’s much too luxurious a word for the crap show that a rupture feels like but this is called alliteration. So we’re going with it.

  Every family, every human relationship hits a “rupture” point. Fair? Some may even hit a few disturbances a day. Normal. The shift between seasons, especially into summer, can be challenging. I just wasn’t expecting the multitude of disturbances in a place as harmonious as the flipping beach. Grrrrrrrrrrrupture.

  The second “R” refers to Repair. How am I going to repair the rupture: Listening to the issue without tapping my foot in irritation? Starting my peace treaty proposal minus the eye roll? These are good starts.

  Here’s the golden nugget…

  It’s not about the Rupture, it’s all about how you Repair.

  I can’t take credit for that bit of wisdom. My therapist says it to me a lot.

  The repair is the care, the tone, the time I can take to fix the fight. It’s the words minus the sarcasm and loaded with grace I can choose to tie the loose ends.

  I’m beyond the “you only have so many summers before they’re gone” sap. But I am fully aware that I have them here now. I am fully aware that we are going to rupture and dang it I am determined to repair well.

  And, as if on cue… Jason just walked in with the crew singing “Reunited and it feels so good.”

  Off to work on my R’s with my peeps.

  I do love them. Thanks for listening.💗

  

  Posted in AUGUST 2019 | 2 Comments | Tagged How the Light Gets In, Rupture

• What If…

  Posted at 4:03 pm by How the Light Gets In, on July 14, 2019

  The story is not new. Maybe you’ve heard it already… the one about Mr. Yates? It was new to me but it has stuck with me ever since I first heard it.

  As the story goes, Mr. Yates was an unsuccessful farmer during the Great Depression. He owned a good chunk of land in Texas but no matter what he tried or how hard he tried; Mr. Yates could not produce anything from the farm. On top of that, the bank was threatening him with foreclosure. But then, a man came knocking at the door. He told Yates he worked in the oil business and offered him a partnership to drill for oil on Yates’ land. Crops were dying, debt was growing so Mr. Yates said “yes” to the deal.

  Right away, the oil company began to drill. And, they hit a gusher – an unbelievable 82,000 barrels in one day!

  Think about Mr. Yates working on that land, trying soils, fertilizers, watering patterns, different tools; trying everything to do life right. He had to have been tired, frustrated, desperate, sad. And all the while, thousands of gallons of oil were bubbling just underneath the surface.

  Okay, stay with me now.

  WHAT IF – You are Mr. Yates. I am Mr. Yates. We are all Mr. Yates.

  That means the person asleep next to you, the person begging on the street corner, checking out your groceries, managing your financial portfolio, snubbing you, checking in on you, competing with you, trying to get in the country, fighting for his life in Sudan, marching in Pride parades, your baby, people of every color, affiliation… we are ALL Mr. Yates.

  WHAT IF – The land is your life; including your family, job, hobbies and habits.

  WHAT IF – That oil and its wealth, the subsequent freedom because of that wealth, is God in you.

  And

  Knock, knock, knock

  WHAT IF– The oil man at the door is Jesus.

  Clear away all the metaphors and we’re left with this; God is in you, God sees you and wants to live, work, struggle, win with you to bring you a wealth of freedom, peace and confidence.

  The truth behind this story breathes with urgency as the climate of our world breeds isolation.

  We are all bound together by Divine DNA. And so, Humble healer, Story-teller, Defender, Rescuer Jesus is knocking with this offer for us all: “As the Father has loved me, I love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commands you will remain in my love just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:9-12)

  A scripture verse like that isn’t true for me just because I was baptized in a Catholic Church. You read them. The words are true for you. You just have to accept them 🙂

  WHAT IF – Mr Yates had said no? Oh my gosh right? His life was changed with one yes. If he had said no; he would have lost his farm and been left homeless to starve. The world is full of starving, struggling Mr. Yates’.

  The words are true for you. You just have to accept them.

  Also, just because I go to church or profess a faith doesn’t mean I’m not pulling a Mr. Yates. I know I can turn to worry and emotional eating and panic when things get hard; working the “fields” with my bad habits. And Jesus still comes knocking.

  The story is sticky. I hope it sticks with you too. Because

  WHAT IF – everyone you see is Mr Yates.

  WHAT IF – the words are true.

  WHAT IF – you say yes.

  Posted in JULY 2019 | 1 Comment | Tagged How the Light Gets In, Jesus, John 15:9-12, Mr Yates

• Dear Class of 2023,

  Posted at 11:22 am by How the Light Gets In, on May 29, 2019

  Back up just a few years to when you first got invited to this thing called Wyld Life. Why did you say yes? Maybe because you have an older brother or sister who did it so you did it too. Maybe you said yes because “why not?”

  I’m glad you did. You know I’m crying already, right? I just love you all.

  Wyld Life has been especially awesome for ME because of YOU. These past few years, you brought it. You heard the invitation to something different and you accepted 100%.

  I feel so honored to know you and to have been a part of your life during your middle school journey.

  You are a spectacular group of humans.

  This Class of ’23 is extraordinary – you are good and smart and strong and loving and aware. You listen, you ask good questions and you don’t settle. Also, you bring me Oreos.

  But I hope you know that you are invited to a bigger story not just because of the good stuff in you. You are also invited because you are scared and weird and shy and superficial and disorganized. God wants all of it! Keep being you.

  I pray Wyld Life is not the end of your walk with Jesus. You are invited to more because you are made for more. And you have heard about Jesus and experienced enough of Jesus to know there is MORE.

  In a world where instagram and snap chat and a gazillion other voices are fighting for your attention; imagine Ms Andrea standing on a podium with a megaphone. Mr Brent and Mr Wes are jumping up and down waving their arms in the air and Ms Nicka and Ms Jenna are clapping to get your attention… got it?

  Let this moment be LOUDER. 

  Remember it. 

  Own it. 

  God has been jumping up and down in the funnest ways to get your attention. And I know you noticed. Keep your eyes open.

  

  As you start High School next year, don’t let anyone look down on you because you’re a Freshman; keep setting an example for all you know to be true.

  You are loved beyond measure. The plans God has for you are better than you can imagine.

  I pray God strengthens you so Jesus can live in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, rooted and established in love, can have power with alllll God’s people to really get how wide and long and high and deep is Christ’s love for you.
  

  love you.

  Posted in MAY 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged Class of 2023, How the Light Gets In, Jesus, Wyld life

• except You.

  Posted at 12:01 pm by How the Light Gets In, on May 10, 2019

  Grounding, Bare Minimums, Inhaling, Exhaling, PTSD… yes to all of it. I am learning it, loving it. But living it, living the practice is hard.

  All of the above were put to the test in an unexpected visit to a place I haven’t seen since Joseph was sick.

  Concrete Feet. Concrete Heart.

  Sitting down for some quiet this morning, I realized how much every inch of me was craving the stillness.

  Want to unwrap my present with me?

  From ancient times,

  NO ONE HAS HEARD

  NO ONE HAS LISTENED TO

  NO EYE HAS SEEN ANY GOD

  EXCEPT YOU

  WHO ACTS on behalf of

  the one

  who waits for

  YOU.

  ISAIAH 64:4

  No one wants to wait; for healing, for the one, for an answer. And so, not by choice, I’ve been in places of waiting. Waiting on God is different. Look at what inviting God into the wait does. “God acts on behalf of the one who waits.”

  While waiting, I was always writing.

  

  Here’s my proof. My journals filled with scribbled angry questions, careful cursive words of thanks and uppercase WOW moments.

  I have waited. I have seen. I have heard. And I still forget.

  What are you waiting for? Wait with God, wait on God. He’s acting on your behalf.

  From ancient times no one has heard, no one has listened to, no eye has seen any God except you who acts on behalf of the one who waits for Him. And so I wait, God, because I know. And when I forget, thank you for these friends who will remind me.

  Posted in MAY 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 64:4, journals, waiting

• Wheelbarrows

  Posted at 2:24 pm by How the Light Gets In, on April 19, 2019

  Joseph was about 4 when he asked for a garden. We don’t have too big a yard but we did find a 2×3 spot just right for him. Pop Pop fenced it in. Joseph colored a rock and labeled it in his best chicken-scratch handwriting, “Joseph.” (I was secretly hoping he would have written “Jofess” as that’s how he introduced himself back then.)

  Pop Pop and Grammie bought him a red wheelbarrow that year for his birthday. His best friend gave him gloves and seeds and Jofess got to work. I can see him so clearly in my minds eye. The path to the garden was right across the front lawn. It dips just enough to give him momentum before a full stop in front of the garden.

  After a while, there was a clear path worn out from all the back and forth and back and forth to the same stop.

  As you can imagine, when Jamie, my counselor, referenced the “wheelbarrow” visual as a decision making model; I was all in. As she explained it to me, our brains have lots of well worn paths in them. If you were to sit and think about how you make a decision about work, weight, relationships, etc; you approach these things much the same way every time. Can you almost feel the paths? Now if that’s true, it’s safe to assume your outcome is the same every time.

  Did you just squirm a little? It’s ok. Me too.

  Let’s use me and my wheelbarrow as an example. Ok, so let’s say I’m about to have an uncomfortable conversation with my mom. I do not like confrontation and try to veer that wheelbarrow far off any bumpy path. If it’s inevitable, I will load up my wheelbarrow with deep breaths, maybe even some handwritten notes to guide my words and reminders that we both want what’s best. Then I’ll steer that wheelbarrow to the phone; 9 times out 10, I’ll keep going riiiiight past it to avoid the discomfort. Yep. I am immature but at least I’m aware. Right? There’s power in that realization. There’s humility in that realization. So, HOW WILL THINGS GET BETTER?
  

  What are you trying to change? Maybe you’re mindlessly going down the same path with different stuff loaded in that wheelbarrow every time but the path is worn, comfortable and leads to the same disappointment. Same kind of boyfriend. Same dosage. Same weight.

  Sheesh, what if that were the end of the story… it isn’t.

  There’s something brewing in my soul. It’s way down deep too. Maybe it’s just me getting caught up in the new-ness of everything. Spring has taken over my morning view. The renewing, the growing, the “ing” feels like a fever and I want it.

  There’s more to it than just the colorful landscape and the cute wheelbarrow.

  It’s the promise. There’s more. Can you feel it?

  In my faith, my savior’s story, this weekend, today, Jesus will die. “For God so loved the world, he sent his only begotten son.” For God so loved me, he sent Jesus. Jesus came to the world to die but there’s more. Jesus died and then rose from the dead.

  Did you just squirm a little more? yeah, me too.

  Jesus came to earth and walked the same earth we walk. Jesus saw, witnessed the well-worn paths we fall into and he willingly plowed through your mess and mine to offer a new end.

  God made me for a purpose. Jesus died for me and busted open the gates of heaven for me. The Holy Spirit is in and around me to carry me through.

  How can I go wrong? Well, there’s the issue of me, tripping me up. But- God, Jesus and Holy Spirit – that is quite a team right? Plus I have you! (You can re-read this paragraph out loud and the same is true for you.)

  Scripture says God sings over you and knows the number of hairs on your head. In the Psalms, David reminds us that God lays His hand on us. (Psalm 139:5). In Scripture Jesus asks, “Do you want to get well? (John 5:6) “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41) AGAIN “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). He just wants to hear you say it. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit God gave us “does not make us timid but gives us POWER and LOVE and SELF-DISCIPLINE.” Paul told Timothy, Dude fan that gift into flame! (2 Timothy 1:6)

  This Sunday is Easter. When we celebrate a victory, another way, a new life.

  Are you feeling it now?

  

  What if, WHAT IF we could harness that love, that relationship, that power; load it up into our wheelbarrows and try a new path. We can. You were made BY more FOR more. My heart is thumping now. Let’s grip our hands on the wheelbarrow and bravely try a new path.

  Posted in APRIL 2019 | 4 Comments | Tagged Easter, How the Light Gets In, wheelbarrow

• Ground Beef Heart & TACOS

  Posted at 10:35 am by How the Light Gets In, on March 22, 2019

  Yikes. Nice title, right? You know me well enough by now to know this will all make sense. Promise.

  When anxiety strikes, what part of your body does it hit? We all experience anxiety differently – maybe it’s migraines, an upset stomach – for me, anxiety gives me what I call Ground Beef Heart. Yes, it feels as yucky as it sounds.

  Worry and doubt can grind up my peaceful heart until it feels raw. Those vivid “worst case scenarios” our brains are so good at launch themselves on my heart and stick. When my heart is not strong, the “what if’s” settle into the mush.

  You get the picture. Now, here’s where TACOS come in. TACOS, while a great food, is an even better acronym for how to pray. Here it is:

  T A C O S

  T-Thanks. Start by giving thanks for the people around you, the food you’re about to eat, the day you had. Step one is saying thank you.

  A-Adoration. Think of words you would use to describe God and tell Him. Here are some ideas; awesome, good, sweet, faithful, loyal, steady.

  C-Confession. This is where you check your heart and share with God where you may have messed up or gone wrong.

  O-Oration. Pray for someone who needs it. Pray for a situation that you can’t heal or help.

  S-Silence. Shhhhhh… time to be quiet now. Take a deep breath in and listen. Give it a minute. Just shhhhhh.

  To review: Ground Beef Heart can be remedied through TACOS. Haha, imagine if we just left it there.

  Pretty much all of life’s big and small moments are made better with TACOS (to be fair, that’s true for actual tacos and the prayer structure).

  Now for a little throwback to Moses, made real for you and me now…

  “No one (no thought, no worry, no doubt) will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, SO I WILL BE WITH YOU. I will never leave or forsake you. Be strong and courageous.”

  Joshua 1:5-6

  Thank you God for the Ground Beef Heart that brought me to this moment.

  Awesome and patient and steady and faithful are just some of the words I know to be true of you.

  Checking my heart reveals that it feels like ground beef because I don’t have control of everything and I don’t like that. Help me with that issue please.

  Oh, I pray for anyone reading this that they may see YOU in my anxiety and immaturity and awkward faithfulness.

  Sitting now in quiet and listening for your word God.

  Amen.

  Posted in MARCH 2019, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged Anxiety, coronavirus, Ground Beef Heart, How the Light Gets In, Joshua 1:5-6, TACOS

• Moses, God, Me & You…

  Posted at 1:35 pm by How the Light Gets In, on March 13, 2019

  Lily’s been home sick with the flu this week. We HAD to get out of the house to pick up groceries at Walmart. I told her this would be the easiest “job.” We park, we wait, we get the groceries and off we go.

  “Moooooom. That’s the hardest. Waiting is the hardest. Waiting feels like hard work.”

  Doesn’t it though?

  The hard work of waiting makes me think of Moses. Everybody knows Moses. And while we could look to his story for so many reasons; for now, let’s focus on his relationship with God. The connection Moses has with God is goooooooood. In fact, it is so goooooood; Jews, Christians AND Muslims recorded his walk with God into words on pages for you and me to read.

  So, let’s do this: Moses and God. Me and God. And yes, You and God.

  Exodus 14:21-22 describes this scene: “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back with a powerful east wind all that night and turned the seas into dry land. So then waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with the waters like a wall to them on their right and their left.”

  Moses stretched out his hand over the sea.

  Right this moment, would you stand up and stretch out your hand? I dare you. Hold your hand out there for a moment.

  In this story, Moses is struggling but Moses is trying. He’s all vulnerable, stretching his hand out away from his body over a mass of dark water. God told Moses to stretch his hand over water and Moses is listening.

  The next sentence reads “the Lord drove the sea back… all that night.” This is profoundly beautiful and powerful. At Moses’ darkest, God himself is working right alongside him. Moses wasn’t able to see it happening but God was working.

  Moses does his part and God is right next to him. Moses’ blind faith and God’s almighty power working together so “the waters were divided and the Israelites went THROUGH the sea on DRY GROUND.” Come on. There is real power when we say yes to God.

  Now, there is another element to Moses’ life story that is so worth lingering with just a bit longer. When Moses couldn’t hear God, he didn’t give up on Him. And because God wasn’t showing up in a burning bush or booming voice, also doesn’t mean that God wasn’t still right alongside Moses.

  And just a few chapters later, we read about one other way God works with us, for us. While the Jews were still recovering from their escape, they came under attack by the Amalekites. Moses ordered Joshua to choose a group of elite soldiers to go fight. In the meantime, Moses would go stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in his hands to pray with his friends, Aaron and Hur.

  Standing on the top of that hill, watching Joshua and his men fight the angry Amalekites; Moses holds up the rod and prays to God. But war takes time. And over time, the three men noticed something interesting.

  Exodus 17:11 “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands the Amalekites were winning. When Moses hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Then, Aaron and Hur held his hands up — one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady…”

  The outcome of war depended on Moses holding his hands up. That’s a lot of pressure. And when the weight of the waiting and war became too much, God sent Moses a few friends to carry the burden. So they “held his hands up… and his hands remained steady.” The Amalekites were defeated.

  Sometimes, when we’re looking, trying, holding our hands up; God sends a friend. I see it over and over in my life. I’m sure you do too. After I shared about Grounding and my pain, you showed up in the most beautiful ways – with carefully mixed essential oils for my pain, with a mug that says “Stay Grounded,” with fun earrings, with messages of encouragement. You, my beautiful friends, reflect God in the sweetest ways.

  

  

  The detailed, loving ways YOU show up for me give me glimpses of the way GOD cares for me.

  Here’s where it all comes together.

  The God who helped Moses – the God who worked right beside him, the God who sent Moses a friend, the God who split the sea, the God who listened, answered, kept showing up – Moses’ God is your God.

  Present tense now.

  That means God works right beside you, God will send you a friend, God will make a way for you, God listens to you, God answers you, God keeps showing up.

  Maybe you’re still waiting. Maybe you’ve seen or heard God before but it’s been a while. Maybe you’ve never seen or heard God. Scroll through some of my older posts. Let my glimpses be your first glimpse.

  This is where I WISH I could fade in the music! But I can’t so click on this link.

  CLAP. YOUR. HANDS.

  God did it for Moses. He is doing it for me. God wants to do it for you.

  Posted in MARCH 2019, Uncategorized | 3 Comments | Tagged Elevation Worship, Exodus 14, Exodus 17, Moses

• Grounding

  Posted at 10:24 am by How the Light Gets In, on February 8, 2019

  Any of you in therapy? You should be. Now now, it’s not just for crazies like me.

  Think of therapy as investing in a life coach to unravel your layers of crap so you can start moving; or in my case, start Grounding.

  Seeing that I am a 2 on the Enneagram, aka The Helper (generous, demonstrative, people-pleasing, possessive); it only makes sense that I would gift you the How-To on Grounding because I want to help. Also, I am an external processor.  Okay, I’ll stop now. I’m just transparent and it’s important to me. (Dang this self-awareness.)

  This is how I practice Grounding:

  First, I look down at my feet and make sure they’re planted firmly on the floor (car floor, hospital room floor, lacrosse turf, Trader Joe’s, etc).

  Next, I look around me to SEE what I see; sunshine, or an anxious kid, or a table full of family around the table, or maybe a sad friend.

  Then, I take a deep breath in and relax my hands.

  And last, I make a mental list of where I am.

  That’s it. Just like that, I end up aware of where I am.

  In an easy scenario, my feet are flat on my kitchen floor, I’m sitting next to Lily at the table. We’re making a play-doh “feast” for her Calico Critter families. I notice one of her bottom teeth looks slightly off; which means my baby will be losing a baby tooth soon. And, then I notice her soft round face. I take a deep breath in and feel so grateful to have my hands in play-doh, at 43 years old, next to my 5th healthy child, in a great house, with the machine gun rattles of Fort-Nite coming up from the basement, Luci strumming her Ukelele and Honey begging for food.

  I lock it into my heart’s memory.

  In a not so easy scenario, my feet are flat on the kitchen floor but this time I’m watching Joseph hold his head, telling me “I can’t focus my eyes, Mommy.” Fear from the past claws to the front, trying to force me into diagnosing him, making a note of which doctor I will call to demand imaging. But, no. I remember, he’d just been sick the night before. He needs water. Maybe I do too. I relax my fists and take a deep breath. And remember, we’re not in 2017 anymore. This is 2019.

  Grounding is a practice that literally makes a present out of the present.

  Grounding is not where you were, not where you will be.

  Grounding is about where you ARE right now.

  Grounding is a way of noticing where you are rooted and how you’ve established patterns in your life.

  I don’t know where you are physically in this very moment. But you know what I DO know about you?

  You are rooted in God’s love. You are established in God’s love. And that love is so wide and so long and so high and so deep; right where you are.

  Remember that the next time you plant your feet on the floor.

  Get Grounding.

  Posted in JANUARY 2019, Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged enneagram, Ephesians 3:17-19, Grounding, How the Light Gets In

• Geek for Ancient Greek

  Posted at 10:46 am by How the Light Gets In, on January 17, 2019

  NERD ALERT: I love digging for word meanings. 

  You say ‘Ancient Greek’ or ‘Hebrew’ and I am all in. When there are those extra layers to word meanings, I get giddy. Like, nerd giddy.

  The word right now that has me excited is ‘clouds.’ Random and seemingly insignificant, yes, but I’m digging into clouds (and the Ancient Greek definition) because of my 2019 Word.

  I don’t want to lose you here. But, if you remember, I don’t do New Years Resolutions. Instead, every year I pick ONE WORD — my one word

  My one word for 2019 is PERSISTENCE.  As tradition goes; once I find the word, I pick a scripture to go with it.  The verse should encourage, define and propel my word. And so, I chose Hebrew 12:1-3.

  Now that you have the backstory, here’s where clouds come in. Take a look at the verse I chose.

  •Hebrews 12:1-3 says “Since I am surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let me throw off everything that hinders me and the sin that so easily entangles me.  Let me run wih perseverance the race marked out for me, fixing my eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of my faith… Consider Jesus, so that I will not grow weary or lose heart.”

  When it comes to persistence, this verse is perfect with phrases like “let me run with perseverance” and “fix my eyes on Jesus.” However, it’s the cloud that grabbed me.  What kind of cloud do you think of when you read this verse?

  THIS

  

  Cloud 1

  OR THIS

  

  Cloud 2

  I have always believed the cloud in this Hebrews verse to mean a small fluff, floating in the sky representing loved ones who have passed on or even Saints who are praying for me from above.

  And yes, clouds are fluffy, floating things. But the Greek word for cloud, Nephos, has another meaning. Ready? Can you feel my excitement? Nephos, according to one of my faves Ancient Greek, also means the highest seats in the bleachers of a stadium. {Thank you Rick Renner renner}

  And that right there is why I knew this was the verse for me and my goal to persist this year.

  There is a stadium full of people who are watching, encouraging, texting, loving, challenging, laughing, crying, running this race of life with me. And that is how it should be! Life is not meant to be lived alone.

  You’re in my stadium.

  And I am in yours.

  Now, I am NOT a theologian or bible expert. I only know me and how God moves in my life. Based on my knowledge, I believe with my whole heart that the cloud Paul writes about in Hebrews 12:1 is not some fluffy white poof.

  Instead, Paul is saying (again, my thought) that God has built a stadium around you. And you are choosing who sits where.  Not only that you are deciding who gets the loudest voice. That is powerful so let’s make it bold and centered.

  You are choosing who sits where and who gets the loudest voice.

  The seats in my bleachers are filled with so many kinds of people. I like to think there’s a suite for my loved ones who have passed but whose encouragement I still hold.  There’s a 20-something section, where Allie and Barb and Taylor stand and cheer and I can’t believe I am lucky enough to call them my friends.  I have a middle school section where all my Wyld Life peeps listen to my voice and they don’t even know the impact of their voices on me!  My girls and the friends in my life from forever ago to this moment, my friends fill my stadium with their love. Jake Cox, you have a special seat bud.

  I have my family, front and center – front and center.

  Who’s in your stadium? Fill it well.

  Who’s stadium are YOU in? Cheer them on.

  Don’t you forget, Jesus is on the field, beside you. He always has been.  He already ran the race. That’s why I’ll be looking to Him on how to live PERSISTENCE well and to all of you to keep me going.

  [Remember, Lily chose AAIOIPATPIOIPEAO for her ‘one word’ last year? I’m happy to report Kindergarten is serving her well and she chose ‘Organize’ for 2019. Not sure what the elephant, lion or frog with a Santa Hat have to do with her word. Maybe 2020 will bring ‘clarity’]

  

  Posted in JANUARY 2019, Uncategorized | 5 Comments | Tagged 2019, Ancient Greek, Clouds, Hebrews 12:1-3, How the Light Gets In, Nephos, One Word, Persistence, Rick Renner, Stadium

• bare minimums.

  Posted at 6:20 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 10, 2018

  Our Christmas tree is not up yet.

  And we’re in the double-digits of December.

  If you know me, you know enough to gasp and drop what you’re holding. Fair? Fair. Dramatic? Sure, but this is me.

  Every year, every single year, the house is decorated for Christmas and the tree is up THE Saturday just after Thanksgiving.  As in 48 hours after gathering around the turkey and the stuffing and the pie, our house is transformed by the tall Frasier Fir a glow in the piano room.  I love the anticipation of it. Swapping the leaves and gourds for ribbons and garlands and lights and ornaments.  The kids now expect it too.

  

  one of my favorite traditions

  And right there are the two words I’ve been sitting with the past few weeks; anticipation and expectation.

  It’s the holiday season.  And for a lot of us, the holidays bear more tidings of heavy expectations than joy.  Are you feeling the weight of expectations?  I am.  The lack of a Christmas tree is hard for me. So difficult, in fact, I brought it up to my therapist.

  Hey, are you laughing at me?

  ‘Tis the season of giving so I want to share my latest life lesson with you (even if you did laugh).

  ∞B A R E  M I N I M U M S ∞

  Using Bare Minimums requires a shift in thinking, for sure.  Here is how it works: BEFORE going into a conversation, on a trip, on a date, sitting down to a family get together; you think of THREE things in your control that will make it a good experience.

  It’s so simple and ordinary but the results are beyond that because you’re making room for something more. Releasing the grip of how things should be done or have always been done, can feel like you’re handing over control.  Let it go.  Bare Minimums help you let it go and make room for something more.

  Here’s an Andrea real-life example. Over Thanksgiving Break, we went to Disney!  This was going to be Lily’s first visit.  And we had one day.

  Here is what a list of “Smithbergers are going to Disney Expectations” could have looked like:

  1. We wear somewhat coordinated outfits.
  2. We would get the perfect Christmas card picture because…
  3. We would all be happy.
  4. We would get a picture with as many princesses as we could!
  5. The weather would be mild.
  6. I wouldn’t hurt.

  See how I don’t even really have control over a lot there? Luckily, I had my 3 bare minimums because as for #1, I didn’t pack card-worthy coordination, just comfort. And believe it or not, we didn’t even see a single Princess!

  Here were my Bare Minimums for our Disney visit:

  • First, that we wouldn’t rush through.
  • Second, We would bring snacks to avoid hangry Smithbergers.
  • Third, I would try at least one ride.

  And off we went. 6 of the 7 of us arrived at Disney, in unmatching yet comfy outfits, on a cloudy day with some snacks. And we had the best time!

  Remember how I said the Bare Minimums can make room for something more? The simple list clears space so anything that happens beyond them becomes a bonus to tuck in your hearts memory.

  Like this face.

  

  Seeing the Castle for the first time

  Bean had no expectations. She walked in. Her jaw dropped.  I cried.

  Expectations and anticipations aren’t altogether bad. But my thought is that maybe they can hold us captive in the ordinary.  And those disappointments trap us from the extraordinary, especially at Christmas time.

  God and his love for you and his plan for you are simple. We’re the ones mucking it up. I know I am. The tree will go up when it does.  And it will be special even if Jason doesn’t cut down the family pick at Mary’s Meadows and we just all agree on one from Home Depot.

  What are good Bare Minimums for this season? Hmmmm… I’m working on my list.

  Let’s clear it out.  Spot what grips your heart, what makes your mind race and clear it out. Don’t let the ordinary keep you from the extraordinary.

  Make way.

  Make room.

  The story of Jesus birth tells of how Mary and Joseph went knocking door to door, begging for a room.  But one person after another said, no.

  Don’t say no because it doesn’t fit your plan, it isn’t on your list, there’s no time or that’s not what you do.

  Hold space in your sweet heart for the most extraordinary Hope of Christmas.

  Jesus.

  Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged bare minimums, expectations, How the Light Gets In