how the light gets in

Tag: Annie F Downs

• Trees

  Posted at 3:22 pm by How the Light Gets In, on October 23, 2019

  I know I just posted BUT BUT BUT I listened to a podcast on trees and

  1. It’s too good not to share and

  2. It jogged my heart memory to when I wrote a little blurb on trees a couple of years ago.

  So, let me first share the podcast interview with Dr. Matthew Sleeth here: http://www.anniefdowns.com/2019/10/22/episode-179-dr-matthew-sleeth/

  And here’s what I wrote back in April 2017 -when we were still praying for a diagnosis and the right treatment for Joseph who was 8 years old, with crossed eyes, a swollen brain, and no clear path…

  I ran across something on Pinterest about the story of Zacchaeus.  

  I have always loved this story.  But the perspective the “pin” offers is just awesome.

  Zacchaeus was a tax collector who took his collecting to a personal level – not cool.  Taking money from people made him the town villain. And the story points out he was very short.  So, Jesus was coming to town and Zacchaeus had to see for himself.  

  So he ran towards the crowd of haters.  Then he climbed up a tree.  And Jesus walked right to that sycamore and called him by name.  Makes me smile.  Every time.

  So, here is the pin:

  LONG BEFORE ZACCHAEUS COULDN’T SEE JESUS, THE TREE WAS ALREADY PLANTED TO MEET HIS NEED.

  Already planted… No coincidences.  Just God. 

  God doesn’t force himself on you but He really just wants to meet you, all day every day, wherever you are.  He wanted to meet Zacchaeus. And God thought “this guy’s gonna need a tree to see Jesus” so He planted a sycamore.  Zacchaeus saw the tree, climbed it and the son of God walked up to him.  I don’t know about you, but my smile just got bigger.  

  I feel like I can run towards a lot of things; as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, human being.  As I have been in full sprint, I’ve seen the sycamore.  Sometimes I pass it. But ANY TIME I CLIMB, God is there.  

  We all need those trees.  We all need a little help to climb sometimes.  

  So let me tell you this story…

  A guy named Johnny Kelly wrote Joseph an email.  Johnny is a student at Ohio State University & on the OSU lacrosse team.  Johnny had an eye injury and suffered through Lymes.  As a result, he wasn’t able to play lacrosse.  The parallels of pain are striking and beautiful.  

  He wrote Joseph to share his story and some encouragement “it’s easy to feel angry or sad… but just know the Big Man upstairs has a plan for your life and trust that he will use it to make you a better, more caring person.”  Johnny is playing again.  In fact, OSU beat Maryland in overtime this weekend.

  God is real.  God is so good.  Through that email, Johnny put Joseph on his shoulders to see Jesus, feel hope.

  It is just ONE beautiful example of how intricately and intimately God sees us & loves us.

  Be hope-filled. 

  Climb your trees. 

  Jesus is waiting to meet you.

  Posted in OCTOBER 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged #thatsoundsfunpodcast, Annie F Downs, Buckeyes, Dr Matthew Sleeth, Reforesting Faith, Sycamore, Trees, Zacchaeus

• Bread + Therapy

  Posted at 1:36 pm by How the Light Gets In, on February 17, 2018

  Fun fact about me.  I’m a quitter.  I’ll start an embroidery project or drinking water; and before too long, it’s just meh.  So, a few months back, a circle of special girls decided we would tackle “100 Days to Brave” together.  It’s a devotional written to inspire, educate and love you to courage rooted in truth.  And it was 100 days.  Like, consecutively.  Not my M.O.  However, we did it!  I did it!  100 days of scripture to push me to a Brave life.  HOORAY!

  So, what would Brave look like for you?  After 100 days of hearing, YOU GOT THIS! What would you do?

  I baked bread.

  Those little yellow packet of “active yeast” have always intimidated the heck outta me.  Homemade pizza crusts, pie doughs, breads wigged me out because of the yeast part.  Why?  Please.  There is no logic here.  However, let me say it again; I baked bread.  And it was alright.  And I faced the dreaded yeast step again and again.  Now, I make a lovely Honey Oatmeal bread.

  

  How is this brave?  Yeast aside, the process is slow.  Slow is not my speed.  The Honey Oatmeal Bread process requires time.  Carefully, I measure out the flour. Heating butter in a saucepan until it just melts and mixing in the honey and oats smells amazing and gives off the most wonderful smell.  Then after a few more steps, I get to put this mound of dough on the counter and knead it with my hands.  My speed, slow and deliberate, is intentional now.  Deep breaths in.  Long exhales.  There’s something magical about letting the dough rise, seeing it double in size.  And then, poof I deflate it and fold it into buttered pans to rise again.  And the SMELL that fills the house is a prize alone.

  It’s not a big deal but it’s a step.  It might sound dumb but it made me proud and feel pretty good about myself.

  That was the baby step. There always needs to be a first step, right?  Even if it is a loaf of bread.  My next brave move was:  I started therapy.  I stepped into an office with a professional and walked out alive.  The days after have left me feeling raw and kind of yucky feeling.  This therapy is shedding light on old wounds.  Wounds I’ve kept to myself.  Over time, those wounds have wrapped themselves in sticky lies and shame.

  This is what happens when the light gets in.  Those hard things I’ve kept to myself get the light of truth and love all over them.  I deserve this though.  Right?  I mean, yes, right.

  “You can’t have true courage unless you open yourself up to vulnerability.”  Thank you Brene Brown.  I am holding onto that.  I am brave because I am letting it go.

  Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians,

  “Everything exposed by the light becomes visible – and everything that is illuminated becomes light.”  – Ephesians 5:13

  God has been with me through my whole journey.  I believe He has waited patiently and lovingly for this moment and He is cheering me on.  “Be strong and courageous.  Don’t be afraid; don’t be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9. That’s good stuff.

  Bread + Therapy, this is how the light gets in for me these days.  Pray for me to not give up, on the bread or me.

  Posted in FEBRUARY 2018 | 1 Comment | Tagged 100 Days to Brave, Annie F Downs, Baking Bread, Brene Brown, Ephesians 5:13, How the Light Gets In, Joshua 1:9, Therapy, Vulnerability

• Waiting Rooms

  Posted at 11:51 am by How the Light Gets In, on December 24, 2017

  If there was a vote for worst room in a hospital, every time I say it’s the “Waiting Room.”  Waiting is the worst. This time last year, ugh.  This time last year, we had finally gotten into Hopkins, visited with several specialists, had several tests done; all to wait and wait and WAIT.  This December is different.

  I don’t know how I got to be so lucky… to be able to look back while my completely healthy boy sits at my side; but here we are.  I still pinch myself. And Joseph.  With such a miraculous gift of healing I love looking back to see how to keep moving forward.

  A devotional I’ve been reading, launched my perspective for this post.  I’m on Day 55 of “100 Days to Brave.”  {sidetone: if you don’t know Annie F Downs or her writing, do yourself a favor a pick up one of her books or the devotional!} The title for today is “in the waiting season.”  Again, the wait.  The scripture at the top of the reading says,

  “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”  

  Psalm 27:14

  David used his writing to encourage you in the wait.  I like that the Bible acknowledges that life is not easy, that waiting is hard.  It makes me feel better that the stars of the Bible had it rough too.  Is that selfish?  Anyways, David’s words are everything; especially if you are waiting.  Be strong, he says.  Let your heart take courage.  Don’t fill your thoughts with deadlines and timelines.  Don’t set your hopes or next move on the “perfect moment” or the right doctor or next month.  Let your heart take courage.  Let it be brave.

  Jesus.  Reading my journal from last year, I see how hard the wait was but how Jesus kept showing up in the wait in so many beautiful and knowing ways.  There is so much comfort in handing over the pain of the unknown, the wait to Jesus.  It might sound weird, but what else have you got while you wait?  Really.  What do you have that’s better; working off the anxiety at the gym, drinking away your worry, hiding from friends, drowning in social events?  I see you.  I am you.  We are all human.  The wait is hard for us all.  And I am telling you, holding your hand and telling you; God has you.  Whatever it is your waiting for; can you invite Jesus into the wait with you?

  The season of Advent is all about the wait. Let your heart take courage. Breathe in deep peace.  Waiting is hard.

  Lucky for you, for me, for all of us; the wait is over.  Jesus is born this night.  Invite him in.

  Merry Christmas.

  Posted in DECEMBER 2017 | 2 Comments | Tagged 100 Days to Brave, Advent, Annie F Downs, Courage, How the Light Gets In, Journal, Psalm 27:14, waiting room