how the light gets in

Tag: banana butt

• Inside Jokes

  Posted at 9:47 am by How the Light Gets In, on October 15, 2018

  Banana Butt has become a thing.  At least for me it has.

  Remember, it’s the game that you yell out “Banana Butt No Slapbacks” whenever you see a yellow car on the road? When our family plays it, Luci usually says, “God loves you.” Without her knowing, I’ve now associated seeing a yellow car with believing God says, “I love you.”

  There’s also the connection that when you go looking for God, He will meet you.

  Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

  In my case, God meets me in a goofy game.  It’s as if we have an inside joke, just me and God. But, I’ll share it with you.  Every time you see a yellow car, believe God is saying “I love you.”

  But the goofy game is just one example.  You have to know that.

  “Earth’s crammed with Heaven.”

  – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

  I read that the other day on someone’s insta post and immediately loved it. I like the visual of our big, vast Earth; the roads we take to work, the paths we walk to get to classes, the grocery stores, the Targets, the games, the offices, the friends we meet with, our dogs have little messages from Heaven tucked in them.  And it has become my JOY to find them.  To find God meeting me.

  Earth is crammed with Heaven.  What a beautiful thought. Our divided, hurt world has sprinklings of light and hope.  I also believe, if you are bold enough to ask for a message, you will see God.  What you laugh off as a coincidence may just be so much more.

  I am at a crossroads again with my medical SHtuff (typo intended!).  Yes, I still hurt.  I don’t want to go into it though. This weekend, I scribbled out my frustrations and fears and penned my prayer in black ink, “Guide me Father.” There’s my ask. Here’s the answer.  The first words of my devotional were “I will be your Guide to the end.” Heaven typed out in a devotional, timed just for me.  See how special I am? haha

  It gets better. The 3 readings for that day Psalm 48:14, Psalm 78:23-24 and Psalm 25:5 – all have the word GUIDE in them.

  Then there’s Honey. Pain came creeping in and put me to bed early.  Honey hopped up next to me and snuggled close.  She provided just enough pressure and warmth to comfort me. I was trying to withdraw from everyone and that fluffy Golden sought me out.

  It’s powerful and overwhelming to discover your message.

  look.

  listen.

  share.

  Google “Lauren Daigle Rescue.” Pull up the song on You-Tube and close your eyes while you listen. It feels like God has a woman’s voice and She is singing hope over you.

  If these detailed, tailored-just to you messages can make you smile, comfort you, put a pep in your step, encourage you; KNOW that God is that good, that aware, that concerned, that strong, that funny.

  God isn’t contained in a 4 walled building, with or without kneelers.  God is bigger, more creative and more present than that.

  This post, by the way, is inspired by God taking our inside joke to the next level. When I picked up my groceries at Walmart, here is the gift they gave me.

  

  I see you God.

  Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged banana butt, How the Light Gets In, inside jokes

• 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.

  

  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?

  

  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.

  

  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?

  

  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.

  

  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.

  

  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.

  

  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