how the light gets in

by Andrea Smithberger
how the light gets in
  • November 1: Honoring
  • Day 2: Signaling
  • Day 3: Revealing
  • DAY 4: Reminding
  • Day 5: Reflecting
  • Day 6: Changing
  • Day 7: Surrounding
  • Day 8: Healing
  • Day 9: Filtering
  • Day 10: Spreading
  • Day 11: Unveiling
  • Day 12: Distinguishing
  • Day 13: Challenging
  • Day 14: Nourishing
  • Day 15: Unassuming
  • Day 16: Leading
  • Day 17: Delighting
  • Day 18: Reaching
  • Day 19: Shining
  • Day 20: Reviving
  • Day 21: Growing
  • Day 22: Comforting
  • Day 23: Holding Space
  • Day 24: Beckoning
  • Day 25: Stunning
  • Day 26: Igniting
  • Day 28: Introducing
  • November 2020
  • Category: AUGUST 2018

    • Dear Barb,

      Posted at 8:57 am by How the Light Gets In, on August 27, 2018

      I can’t even get caught up in the “WHY did we just have this year and now you’re leaving” discussion.  I can’t because you are a treasure and I am grateful for any and all time we’ve had.  And we jumped into our friendship, both feet, all in.  Didn’t we? Full “this is my story” talks, hair cuts, pancakes, Enneagram discussion, many small-child-interrupted visits… I am a solid 21 years older than you girl. And yet, we good.

      God is the coolest, right? That he would bring us together right at this time! I love that we can talk about the hard, what I’ve learned, what you’re learning and we can LEARN together.

      Let’s get to this England deal.  You’re off on a year-long internship in the UK on ministry. I could not be more excited and proud for you.

      Before you go, I need to be a “2” and gush over you. You are so many things to so many people here Barb.  Maybe that’s the “8” in you…

      Screen Shot 2018-08-27 at 7.48.02 AM

      You are charismatic and encouraging, yes.  You have enormous willpower and vitality, yes. And you have left your mark, yes.

      But you are so much more than an “8” – Because God smiled giving you the roundest brown eyes and the cutest nose.  Because God fashioned you with a determined spirit. Because Jesus lives in your heart.

      This internship is such a unique opportunity.  Here, in Baltimore, your roles are too many to name.  You have so many jobs (SO many jobs), you’re also Young Life leader and a friend and a daughter. All of these commitments ask a lot of you and you give them all 100%.

      100%.

      This, Barb, is your chance to release all those responsibilities and focus on ONE task; allow God to focus on you 100%.  Breathe. Give yourself time to adjust. You will have new rhythms, new faces, new coffee places, same God.

      I will miss you. Lauren will miss you. I won’t even go there.

      Te quiero mucho,

      Andrea

       

      Posted in AUGUST 2018 | 1 Comment | Tagged Barb, enneagram, How the Light Gets In
    • Big and Church-y

      Posted at 4:12 pm by How the Light Gets In, on August 10, 2018

       

      Three big church-y words have been swirling in my head; Redemption, Covenant and Build an Altar.  Told you they were big and church-y.  Let’s take a breath.

      I am NO bible scholar. Nor am I a word scholar.  However, I love God and I love words so this is my take on the big and church-y terms.  As I see it, Redemption is a big rescue. According to my understanding, Covenant is a rock-solid promise.  And Build an Altar is what THE main characters in THE oldest, MOST epic bible stories would do to show appreciation to God.  And they did it over and over.

      These words are swirling in my head for a reason and I’ve got to get it out.

      Sunday afternoon, I was melting in the heavy August heat in the bleachers watching my boy.  Joseph is trying out for a club lacrosse team.  Let’s “build an altar” right there.  And by that I mean, let me stop to acknowledge something really good and say ‘Thank you God.’

      There are dozens of 9-year-old boys out here, weighted down by pads bigger than they are, their helmets bobbing across the turf.  And I’ve got my eye on #95.  I’m doing the best I can to not let the tears fall but come on.

      We have to build the altar here because Joseph is bulldozing kids, sprinting, giving it his all to earn a spot on this lacrosse team.  And we prepped this kid before going out.  A handwritten note of encouragement from Luci.  A pep talk from Lauren.  Hugs from Bean. A last-minute gear adjustment from John.  Lots of kisses from Mommy and a big squeeze from Daddy.

      Were you with us last year?

      Because August of last year, Joseph was getting handwritten notes, pep talks, lots of hugs and kisses from us all for a very different battle.  “You’ve got this, Joseph!” had a very different meaning behind it last year.  That kid would be going into The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for a spinal tap, blood work and MRI to determine if he had Pediatric MS or a sneaky kind of cancer in his spinal cord.

      That right there, friends, is what I call redemption.  Joseph has a big rescue story in his life and he’s only 9.  While I will never understand why we got his miracle; I do know I will never be able to say “thank you God” enough.

      Will Joseph make the team?  I don’t know.  Honestly, I don’t care. I have witnessed God in Joseph’s life.  I have witnessed God showing Joseph is covenant to him; God’s concrete vow to faithfully love and protect and answer him.  Right now, this keyboard is my altar.

      There’s more… always.

      I was watching Lily get her ‘pack-cack’ ready for Kindergarten when it dawned on me. Lily, with her round eyes and non-stop chatter and soft brown hair, is an exquisite picture of another one of God’s overwhelming rescues in my life.  Valentine’s Day weekend of 2003, I woke up to a doctor telling me the surgery had gone ok but there was a lot of internal damage from the hemorrhaging and that she was sorry but “I would never have children again.”  You’ve heard that part before. BUT, did you know, do you realize that ten years later…

      Lily Amaris Smithberger was born on February 15, 2013.

      That’s ten years, to the very weekend, that my 5th child was born.  Why hadn’t this hit me sooner?  Maybe God needed me to be a little slow on appreciating that detail.  Just slow enough so that at the right time, in God’s time, He could use our precious girl to remind me, encourage me, push me to remember God is real.  God is good. God is on my side.

      Ten years passed between that doctor’s harsh sentence and God’s gift.

      That’s more than 3,650 days.  And in that time there were even more miscarriages, the birth of three healthy babies and the loss of our niece. Ten long years.

      What do some of your redemption stories look like?  Have you been a little slow, like me, to tie the details together?

      Look for them.  They are a treasure worth discovering and holding onto.  Those gifts of a promise kept, of a love bigger than you could ever dream are worth seeking, finding and relishing. Finding those gifts NOW is key for moving me forward.  Understanding God sees me overwhelms me. It gives me something no medicine, no exercise, no person, no wine can provide. God’s commitment to ME gives me hope.

      And I need it right now.  My pain is mean, attacking for no reason and for every reason.  I was letting the pain bring me down. But then, my therapist reminded me, “a doctor also told you you’d never have any more babies.”  ohhhhh…  Isn’t she good?

      More than one doctor has told me I will have this pain for the rest of my life.  But doctors have been wrong before. And I believe God put the spotlight on these beautiful redemption gifts in my life to highlight His covenant with me.

      God’s promise is bigger than a doctor’s diagnosis.

      •this is where my Southern friends say “Amen”•

      God’s commitment is stronger than any heartbreak.

      •Amen•

      God’s vow to stick beside you is thicker than your deepest fears.

      •Amen•

      Finding the redemption stories in your life, seeing the covenant God is trying to offer you, then building an altar; that’s the faith journey. That faith, put into practice turns into hope.

      My eyes are open.

      And I can’t wait to see what happens next.

      Posted in AUGUST 2018 | 1 Comment | Tagged Build an Altar, Covenant, How the Light Gets In, Redemption
    • Banana Butt

      Posted at 7:48 pm by How the Light Gets In, on August 2, 2018

      “Banana Butt” is this annoying game the kids play on the road.  We’re running errands and as soon one of them sees a yellow car, that kid yells out “Banana Butt No Slapbacks” and smacks the other kids around them.  This game is nothing but intelligence and joy in its purest form, obviously.

      img_2720.jpg

      When we first started playing the game, I didn’t think we would find any yellow cars. Oh banana butt, was I wrong! There are a lot of yellow cars out there!  How did I never notice them before? Yellow cars.  Truly, how?

      IMG_2746

      Now, ofcourse, even when the kids are NOT in the car; I can’t help but spot the yellow cars, blurt “Banana Butt” to myself and roll my eyes.

      Funny how that works. You don’t notice something until you look for it.  Hmmmm…

      God is trying to get your attention all the time.  Do you know that?  I believe with my whole heart that God is speaking to all of us. Are you noticing?  Let’s be clear, I am not saying God looks like a yellow car.  However, let’s also try not to limit God to a deep voice coming out of puffy clouds, with beams of light or that He only speaks in church or that He only speaks to Christians.  God is bigger than that.   God knows you better than that.  God is WAY more creative than that.

      Let’s look at me.  I’m just Andrea doing my thing in Maryland.  But God sees me and tries to grab my attention.  And I LOVE LOOKING for Him.

      Here’s an example. I love writing. We all know this. I’ve always wanted to write a book.  And, God knows this because I tell Him.  When I saw the “She Speaks” Writers Conference come up, I really wanted to be a part of it.  I prayed about it and asked God to show me if I should go.  I opened my bible up to Jeremiah 30:2 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.'” Banana Butt.

      img_2711.jpg

      Getting ready to leave, I was anxious about driving the 7 hours because of all the rain and flooding we’ve had.  The entire trip was nothing but blue skies and an open sunroof.  Are you seeing this?

      84West

      Then just to spoil me, God sets the table with beautiful flowers and even more beautiful new friends.  I see you God. I drove 7 hours away from my family to pursue a calling I feel on my heart and God was just cheering me on the whole time.  And I was clearly excited about it in this picture.

      IMG_2761

      The kicker was after one dinner I was hoping for a treat (because I have a sweet tooth or 2).  I got up to leave and just outside the meeting room was a platter of these.

      too good

      Please zoom in on the chocolate chunks to appreciate how well God sees me. Amen?

      Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and FIND me when you seek me with all your heart.”  

      You are going to find what you are actively looking for, period.

      So, look for God.

      Let him surprise you in the most delicious, beautiful, cozy, quiet, loud, tailored-to-you ways.

      img_2725.jpg

      Banana Butt No Slapbacks

      Posted in AUGUST 2018 | 2 Comments | Tagged banana butt, How the Light Gets In, Jeremiah 29:13, Jeremiah 30:2, She Speaks

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • how the light gets in
    • Join 107 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • how the light gets in
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...