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: One Word

    • 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

      Cloud 1

      OR THIS

      Cloud 2

      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’]

      fullsizeoutput_1d1b

      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
    • New Year, New Word

      Posted at 4:53 pm by How the Light Gets In, on January 14, 2018

      New Year, New Word… Years ago, I gave up the traditional long list of New Years Resolutions and swapped it for the “One Word” project.  This is not my invention but an actual thing.  The “One Word” idea is to give thought to one special word to shape, focus, guide your year.  We do it every January as a family.  We search for a scripture to back it up.  Then, we pull out sharpies of all colors, a pile of 5×7 canvases and command strips.  Our “One Word” time around our table is one of my favorites.

      This year, my word is DISCERNMENT.  Sounds solid, doesn’t it?  I really like it.  I feel like it’s a bold, strong, smart word.  I like the idea of being bold, strong and smart.  My scripture is from Colossians 1:9-10.  I swapped out a few pronouns to make it my prayer for this year.  “I keep asking to be filled with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding the Spirit gives, so that I may live a life worthy of the Lord, and please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all the power according to His glorious might so I have great endurance and patience.”

      2018, let’s do this:  Knowledge, wisdom, understanding, fruit bearing, growing, endurance and patience.  Yes Yes YES!

      IMG_5026

      “The ability to judge well.”  I need that.  I like that.  I love the idea of taking a breath in before I answer or exhaling before I react.

      And right away, January is testing my word.   But, not how you may think.  I mean, yes, I do have 5 kids.  That alone needs a load of discernment: Is the 15 year old burning the candle at both ends again?  How can I help?  What’s going to trigger Joseph?  There’s the husband.  So, sweet husband, how are we going to handle this week’s athletics, work, commitments and oh yeah, us?  I’m a Wyld Life leader.  How are my middle school friends doing?  Where and how can I be meeting them in their lives?  I’m also a sister, a daughter, a friend.

      But, I didn’t pick the word as a mom.  I felt drawn to the word for me, Andrea, the person.  I want the ability to judge well for me.  Do you know about the Enneagram?  I recently took the test and was rated as a 2, a “Giver.”  Who knew a test could sum me up after 25 minutes of this or that questioning?  But it’s true.  I am a giver, a helper.  I will love you by helping you, driving for you, picking something up for you, etc.  And while that is a nice type of person, certainly one of the sweetest types.  Heehee.  I’m not the best giver to ME.  And that needs some discernment.   Also, this blog, do I keep writing it?  I love writing; truly love it.  And yet, I feel this pull on my heart to be doing something different.  And, I don’t know what it is.  Call in some discernment.

      So, God and I have this good thing going where I keep close to Him through prayer and journaling, etc.  And, He sticks with me.  The other morning I journaled (more like scribbled furiously) how annoyed I was with myself, with this yuck-dissatisfied feeling in my heart.  And I asked God to “bring on Discernment.”  My phone dings to announce an email.  Ready?  Two new emails:  One from “She Reads Truth” offering encouragement in my search for clarity this year.  Wow, ok.  And the other is from Word Press asking, “What is your blog resolution for 2018?”  Can’t make it up.  Ummm, thank you God for sending random mass emails tailored directly to my tangled up heart.   Then I get texts from two friends checking in on me because they “felt me on their hearts.”  Cue the heart eyes emoji.  THEN, I open up my “Jesus Calling” and the reading for the day…

      “When you bring me prayer requests, lay out your concerns before me.  Speak to me candidly, pour out your heart.  Thank me for the answers I have set in motion long before you can DISCERN results.  When your requests come to mind, Thank me for answers already on their way…”  The scriptures for the day come from Exodus 33:14 “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”  And John 15:4, “Remain in me as I remain in you.”

      There is something unbelievably mind-blowing about our big, invisible God reaching out from heaven to pat me on the shoulder and encourage me right where I’m at, on the couch, grumpy because I don’t know how to or even want to love myself well.  See how He does it?  Scripture is the obvious way to hear God’s voice.  So, read it, every day; read it.  The more you read, the more familiar God’s voice becomes.  Also, random texts that prove there are no coincidences.  And. my favorite is when God reaches out through my peeps.

      Pray for me, please, to stick to my word.  I know how awesome “steadfast” was for me in 2017.  I look forward to all the ways and people God will use to teach me discernment.  Also, Lily’s word is AAIOIPATPIOIPEAO. May it serve her well.

       

      Posted in JANUARY 2018 | 4 Comments | Tagged 2018, Colossians 1:9-10, Discernment, enneagram, Exodus 33:14, How the Light Gets In, John 15:4, One Word

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