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
  • Tag: Jesus

    • Mixed Bag Christmas

      Posted at 11:37 am by How the Light Gets In, on December 25, 2022

      There’s a lump in my throat this Christmas.

      Not sure if I want to cry or smile. (I began listing all my reasons here but they’re mine to hold and release.) Here’s an example: the traditional Christmas “monkey bread” was on the table before the kids came down to open gifts and THAT made me mad and tear up… This woman is triggered. It’s just that I’m ALWAYS rushed to make it because they’re ALWAYS down here way too early to open gifts and I’m fighting them back. Not this year. Is that what it is? The always are always changing.

      I have been trying to swallow the whatever it is stuck in my throat. But, I’m realizing Christmas is a BOTH/AND kind of season. Know what I mean? 

      I’m trying something different. This year, I’m not forcing the sad away by wrapping it in big bows or hushing it with loud carols or decorating it into oblivion. 

      Instead, I’m asking myself “why” & waiting gently for the answer… 

      And the answers, big and small, come in waves.

      Some reasons I have control over, some I don’t. And that’s ok.

      Either way, I’m here for it all and I’m grateful.

      On Winter Solstice, I read a quote saying something like you can’t rush the night but you can light candles. And, I double-tapped, even shared the words. 

      But, at this moment, the peak of this season of Wait & Wonder; I’m reminded of how the 3 Kings didn’t rush the night after night of their journey to find Jesus.  

      More of the BOTH/AND here…

      They followed BOTH their calculations based on ancient prophecies AND the stars in the sky to guide their way. 

      I guess what I’m trying to say is if you’re feeling both sad and merry; it’s ok.

      There is still light to be found. 

      If you find yourself unable to “light the candles,” then look to the stars. 

      God placed them in the sky, knows them by name to call out yours. 

      A both powerful and tender declaration like “The Lord had His heart set on you and chose you.” from Deuteronomy 7:7 comforts my mixed bag heart.

      God is a BOTH/AND kind of God. He BOTH knows the hurt on your heart AND wants to comfort you, through candles or stars (or both).

      Again, there is light to be found.

      If you find yourself unable to “light the candles,” then look to the stars.

      Merry Christmas.

      Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged BOTH/AND, Candle, Christmas, How the Light Gets In, Jesus, Stars
    • Healing Notes

      Posted at 12:53 pm by How the Light Gets In, on November 8, 2022

      Three years ago, I was deciding between two options: Pain or Paralysis.

      Which one would you choose?

      Option 1 meant debilitating pain, lots of meds, laying on the couch in the fetal position trying not to take too deep a breath because you don’t want to wake up the pain monster inside, and filling your calendar with one doctor/therapy/acupuncture appointment after another.

      Option 2 meant surgeons going into your abdomen to pull out 8 tiny metal coils left behind from a previous surgery. You should know this surgery had a 97% chance of paralyzing your left leg.

      So, which one would you choose?

      I didn’t go with either of those.

      Instead, 3 years ago today, I walked away from those options and walked into a room at church.

      Opening the door, I was greeted with equal parts sunlight and hope. 

      Lavish and Crazy. Three years later, I stand by those words with a whole bunch of awe and gratitude and “what the heck” mixed in.

      I experienced a miracle – a full, miraculous healing.

      It doesn’t make sense to me either. To be honest, it feels uneven in this wonky world to have been healed when I see and love so many others that I want healed.

      Still, the past 365 days of living, breathing, walking, loving, cooking, driving, celebrating, listening, crying, lighting candles, singing, watching, grieving, yelling, praying, laughing, cleaning, traveling, hiking, sleeping, waking up, hugging, writing, learning, cheering, consoling, baking have felt like a lavish and crazy, what the heck kind of gift.

      We’ve learned a lot together over the years, haven’t we? We’ve learned about waiting and trusting and hope.

      I wonder what your healing looks like. Have you brought it to Jesus yet?

      One thing I’ve learned about hope and healing this year is to live IN expectation, not with expectation.

      My own expectations with my own timetable and my limited vision have held me back.

      Living IN the promise of God, believing He works in the abundantly more kind of way pushes me out in the wild wind of hope, up on my tippy toes, searching the horizon.

      In Mark 5:34, Jesus says, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

      In Luke 7:50, He says, “Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace.”

      Then, in Luke 17:19 “Rise and go, your faith has made you well.”  

      And again, in Mark 10:52 “Go, your faith has healed you.”

      In each of these stories; Jesus has just healed someone and then told them to go and live life because their faith had healed them.  

      The back stories are all different.  The woman in the Gospel of Mark suffered from bleeding for a dozen years.  In the Gospel of Luke, a known adulteress barges into a dinner hoping for a blank slate from Jesus.  Later in Mark, we hear of a blind beggar seeking sight.  And in Luke, the group of lepers asking for healing.  

      The approach in each situation is vastly different.  The hemorrhagic woman quietly touches the edge of Jesus cloak.  The blind beggar screams out repeatedly in front of everyone.  The adulteress walks right into a house full of her biggest critics.  And the lepers, a big ol’ group of them, approach Jesus as one. 

      How would you approach Jesus for healing?  

      Why would you approach Jesus for healing?  

      Why don’t you approach Jesus for healing?  

      RUN OFF TO MEET JESUS. TELL HIM THE PROBLEM. ASK HIM WHY HE DIDN’T COME SOONER, WHY HE ALLOWED THAT AWFUL THING TO HAPPEN. AND THEN BE PREPARED FOR A SURPRISING RESPONSE. I CAN’T PREDICT WHAT THE RESPONSE WILL BE, FOR THE VERY GOOD REASON THAT IT IS ALWAYS, ALWAYS A SURPRISE. BUT I DO KNOW THE SHAPE IT WILL TAKE. JESUS WILL MEET YOUR PROBLEM WITH SOME NEW PART OF GOD’S FUTURE THAT CAN AND WILL BURST INTO YOUR PRESENT TIME, INTO THE MESS AND GRIEF, WITH GOOD NEWS, WITH HOPE, WITH NEW POSSIBILITIES. – N.T. WRIGHT

      Happy Anniversary to all of us.

      Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged Church of the Nativity, healing, HOPE, How the Light Gets In, Jesus, Miracle, NT Wright, Pain, stories
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • What if

      Posted at 1:03 pm by How the Light Gets In, on March 11, 2021

      If you’d rather listen, click here for What If

      How the light gets in is the name of this podcast and my blog but what we do here is so much more than taking in pretty sunrises and silver-lining type ideas. You know that though.

      Do you remember how we went looking for light back in November? If you don’t, go to the blog (it’s not super organized, sorry) but, there you’ll find a bunch of words ending in -ing.

      Those words represent a random idea that sort of hatched in the fall of 2020 – when the country was throbbing with growing racial tension, divisive politics and of course Covid. And, as if the world couldn’t feel dark enough; the actual amount of sunlight was going to be cut short starting November first. 

      Where I live, we set the clocks back an hour in the Fall for Daylight Saving Time.

      Watching the news, setting the clocks back and losing an hour of sun was just the push I needed to find the list.

      Then, we began what I thought would be a month long exploration of that list. As it would turn out, writing out all those verbs was a good exercise for my mind to be aware of all the ways I could think of. But on November First, when I started the self- assigned work, I quickly realized the words, the ways, the verses, the images, the memories would be put on my heart one light filled day at a time.

      Do I believe God put this assignment on my heart? Yes. Just stick with me.

      We took it one day at a time starting with the word Honoring on November 1. The next day was Signaling, then Revealing, Reminding, Reflecting, Changing, Surrounding, Healing, Filtering, Spreading, Unveiling… For each word, I would look for a picture to go with it and a scripture or share a lesson I’d learned.

      It didn’t take long for me to realize this work and the words were all leading to what I’ve come to learn about Jesus.

      I know you know I love Jesus but I promise this wasn’t supposed to be about anything other than looking for light.

      But it ended up being about so much more. And I think the work is beyond me, that it is for you too.

      It’s been a few months now since we wrapped it up. And, I’m feeling another tug. Maybe it’s because we’re about the change the clocks again. This time we will “Spring Forward” and set the clocks ahead an hour. While we are losing an hour of sleep, we are gaining more light. 

      In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” 

      I’ve always thought Jesus was saying “my yoke is easy and my burden isn’t that heavy.” 

      But now, I’m wondering WHAT IF, what if Jesus is saying, “My yoke is easy and my burden is LIGHT.”  Reflecting, healing, honoring, nourishing, reaching, growing, comforting, unassuming, beckoning LIGHT.

      To me, Jesus is all those things. And after exploring all the ways the light gets in, I’m wondering what if He was saying “my burden is light.” It is hard, heavy, intentional work trying to reflect, hoping to honor, reaching out to comfort others.

      Jesus is light.

      Your burden is light- when you think about it; It feels like a great privilege and a great burden.

      According to the Farmers Almanac, the general idea behind Daylight Saving Time is that it allows us all to make better use of natural daylight. 

      So, how will YOU let the light in?

      There are so many different ways: Delighting, Leading, Challenging, Reaching, Igniting. The list on my messy blog is just the beginning. Jesus shows us.

      Your burden is light.

      Literally.

      Light is not easy. It can be heavy lifting these days. 

      In our world, at this time, where darkness is so heavy; what if you can look to Jesus and see how your burden is light?

      Posted in March 2021, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Beckoning, Burden is Light, Challenging, Changing, Comforting, Delighting, Distinguishing, Filtering, growing, healing, Holding Space, HONORING, How the Light Gets In, Igniting, introducing, Jesus, leading, Matthew 11:30, Nourishing, Reaching, Reflecting, reminding, Revealing, Reviving, Shining, signaling, Spreading, Stunning, surrounding, Unassuming, Unveiling
    • my response

      Posted at 2:31 pm by How the Light Gets In, on January 8, 2021

      Fight or Flight: two basic responses to stress.

      Which did you choose January 6th?

      To be honest, I don’t usually choose to fight or run away. I freeze. Very mature. I’m working on me though.

      I woke up feeling like I don’t want to fight, don’t want to flee, don’t want to be stuck either. I do feel the need to face “it”. [For the record, I’m not going into the “it” because “it” is different for all of us.] There’s a rumbling for vulnerability in this country. And we need to address it, one by one, for the good of the whole.

      Our country is a mess. I believe there’s a calling out there for you and me right now. We don’t need a new leader to fix it. You, me, we can all be leaders in our families, our circles for change. I need you. You need me. WE need to work side by side, extending Grace to each other while we respond to the call.

      So, how do we do it?

      Rather than fighting or running away or freezing:

      1. FACE it.

      Are you angry, hurt, sad? With the Church? Racism? Trump? Biden? Covid-19? the mask? White people? Karens? Fox News? CNN? God? WHO? WHY?

      Ask God to untangle the mess inside. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

      While you’ve got God working in there, ask Him to show you all the gifts you have too (you’ll be needing those).

      2. SIT with it.

      Push past the anger to the real feeling: Is it fear? Fear of the Unknown? Do you feel exposed? Uncertain? Vulnerable? Guilty? Dumb? Territorial? Wrong? Shameful?

      SIT WITH IT.

      Isaiah 30:15 says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” There is strength to be found in stillness.

      While you’re sitting with all the things; invite Jesus in please.

      “Come Lord Jesus” – you say the word and He will be there beside you.

      To have the powerful companionship of God – your God who knows tears and injustice and isolation and hurt- while sitting with all of the stuff makes all the difference. Inviting a holy presence into the process will transform you. Promise.

      3. NAME it.

      Named must your Fear be before banish it you can.

      There are three strategies that I’ve seen work to transform always knowing into always learning.

      1. Name the issue. It’s a tough conversation, but clear is kind: I’d like for you to work on your curiosity and critical thinking skills. You’re often quick with answers, which can be helpful, but not as helpful as having the right questions, which is how you’ll grow as a leader. We can work together on this.

      Knowers often have a lot of people talking behind their backs, and that’s unkind.

      2. Make learning “curiosity skills” a priority. Some people may be perceived as naturally curious, and others need to be taught how to be more curious. Don’t assume people aren’t curious because they don’t care. They may not know how to be curious.

      3. Acknowledge and reward great questions and instances of “I don’t know, but I’d like to find out” as daring  leadership  behaviors. The  big  shift  here is from wanting to “be right” to wanting to “get it right.”

      We define grounded confidence as curiosity + the willingness to rumble with vulnerability + practice. While armor is our greatest barrier to being brave, grounded confidence is the heart of daring leadership.

      *Adapted from Dare to Lead: Brave Work, Tough Conversations, Whole Hearts (2018)

      Look. You, me, we BELONG here right now. God put us here today and so we will be equipped for the work ahead.

      I, for one (while slightly terrified) am also excited to think that if I do the work well, I can bring some change to this world. What fills me even more hope is the idea that you are here at the same time! And if we do the work well TOGETHER – WOW!

      Let’s be terrified and excited TOGETHER! WE are here for a purpose. You are meant to be here. Don’t throw your story away in anger or violence or stereotypes, we are worth much more than that.

      Come Lord Jesus.

      Sit beside us in our fear and anger until we can acknowledge what’s in our hearts. Jesus, you promised to be with us in the storm. And this, Lord, is a shit storm. Beyond the promise, you are inviting us to “the other side” of the storm. I pray we say yes to the invitation.

      Help us embrace the love and patience and wisdom and humility and goodness and mercy and grace you’ve woven into each one of us. I pray we learn to accept our faults and to receive our gifts. Thank you for my brothers and sisters who are as messed up as I am and want better.

      Fix our eyes on you Jesus. Amen.

      Posted in JANUARY 2021, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged always learning, Biden, Brene Brown, Clear is kind, Fight or Flight, How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 30:15, Jesus, leader, Psalm 139:23-24, Racism, Revelation 22:20, Trump, Yoda
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