Never really thought of myself as having much in common with a basset hound, but after reading Amy's blog posts about their basset hound "Belle", I think I may have a lot in common with Belle anyway. Seriously, check out Amy's blog (... think about such things) which is linked to the right here. She is one of the most creative writers that I know whether she is talking about her relationship with her husband, the insights their kids provide or Belle's latest lessons, she paints an incredible picture of God for me.
Apparently not only do I have a lot of similarities with basset hounds, but I also had a conversation last night with a friend that as he explained where he was at in life right now I had this feeling like I was having a conversation with myself (I wasn't because there was another friend there as well). This is a rare occurrence for me (I can have those conversation with my friend Jeff, but those don't happen quite as frequently right now as it is a little more difficult to get together and hang out with him half way around the world.) See most of my friends' personalities or the way they process things aren't anywhere close to me. I love them and those differences expand my perspective and challenge me, but rarely does it make explaining something easy and I often doubt that they can really even understand me. I don't know that I was able to help my friend much last night, but for me it was so encouraging to just have that conversation. To hear someone verbalize the things that I struggle with and to realize that I am not the only one was so good for me. I think we all want to know that we are in this thing called life together. We may not verbalize it very often, but to know that we have other people to support us, listen to us, encourage us and challenge us is so important.
Who plays that role in your life? Do they know how important they are to you? Why not tell them today? They probably don't seek that out, but man, it could make their day.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Seeking...hearing...adapting
It's been one of those days where I can't seem to follow one thought all the way through. I catch a thread of an idea and then my mind wanders (or sometimes collides) into a totally different one. So a couple brief thoughts... well, really more questions than thoughts... for today.
Do you seek out input from others? It seems a lot of times that we disguise wanting to affirm our ideas as seeking input, but when we receive something that challenges our thoughts we reject it. That is not the kind of input we were wanting. People also seem cautious of giving real input when it is asked for. They seem to try to figure out what answer you are looking for and then give that as their input. Wonder if these two things are related? Just so you know, if I ask for input it is because I want it. I don't always like the things that challenge me, but I would much rather have that as an answer than what you think I might be looking for. People who challenge my thoughts help me grow. Not that I always like the process, but it gives me a new perspective to see from.
Hearing is not the same as doing. Matter of fact even saying something is not the same as doing it. Ever walked away from a conversation were someone understood what you were saying, but absolutely nothing changed? Or maybe even they promise to do such and such, but then there is no follow through. The default response I often get is "that is just the way I am". Also meaning accept it because I am not changing. We buy into the lie that we can't change who we are. Or is that we easily accept that because that means we don't have to do the hard work involved in changing? It might be tough, but if we understand a change is needed and it is a priority to us, shouldn't we be willing to actually attempt to change instead of just giving it lip service?
We have an amazing ability to adapt. I was thinking the other night about some different things and people that have crossed through my life and how I have adapted to those changes quite easily. Oh, it didn't feel easy at the time, but looking back it really didn't take that long to adapt. I was at a job for several years that added tremendous stress to my life. I adapted to that lifestyle. Then when I switched jobs a couple of years ago, I quickly adapted to a better work environment and to having a lot less stress. I had a friend I was really close to when they moved. We spent lots of time with them for several years and didn't know how things would look when they moved. We adapted. We changed and they changed. I have had some changes recently in my routine and the friendships I have. They have been difficult to adjust to, but if I can step back far enough from the situations I think I might be able to see that I will be able to adapt to those changes as well. Sometimes a look back at where we've been and what we've experienced gives a much needed perspective on the here and now.
A little disjointed in my thoughts, but randomness is a good thing right?
Do you seek out input from others? It seems a lot of times that we disguise wanting to affirm our ideas as seeking input, but when we receive something that challenges our thoughts we reject it. That is not the kind of input we were wanting. People also seem cautious of giving real input when it is asked for. They seem to try to figure out what answer you are looking for and then give that as their input. Wonder if these two things are related? Just so you know, if I ask for input it is because I want it. I don't always like the things that challenge me, but I would much rather have that as an answer than what you think I might be looking for. People who challenge my thoughts help me grow. Not that I always like the process, but it gives me a new perspective to see from.
Hearing is not the same as doing. Matter of fact even saying something is not the same as doing it. Ever walked away from a conversation were someone understood what you were saying, but absolutely nothing changed? Or maybe even they promise to do such and such, but then there is no follow through. The default response I often get is "that is just the way I am". Also meaning accept it because I am not changing. We buy into the lie that we can't change who we are. Or is that we easily accept that because that means we don't have to do the hard work involved in changing? It might be tough, but if we understand a change is needed and it is a priority to us, shouldn't we be willing to actually attempt to change instead of just giving it lip service?
We have an amazing ability to adapt. I was thinking the other night about some different things and people that have crossed through my life and how I have adapted to those changes quite easily. Oh, it didn't feel easy at the time, but looking back it really didn't take that long to adapt. I was at a job for several years that added tremendous stress to my life. I adapted to that lifestyle. Then when I switched jobs a couple of years ago, I quickly adapted to a better work environment and to having a lot less stress. I had a friend I was really close to when they moved. We spent lots of time with them for several years and didn't know how things would look when they moved. We adapted. We changed and they changed. I have had some changes recently in my routine and the friendships I have. They have been difficult to adjust to, but if I can step back far enough from the situations I think I might be able to see that I will be able to adapt to those changes as well. Sometimes a look back at where we've been and what we've experienced gives a much needed perspective on the here and now.
A little disjointed in my thoughts, but randomness is a good thing right?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
3 conversations
Funny how three short conversations can energize me. Last night I had three distinct conversations, none of which lasted more than 5 or 10 minutes, that continue to impact my thoughts today. I didn't really say a whole lot, but mainly listened. Heard people speaking from their heart about what is impacting their lives at this point. Basics of those conversations were as follows:
- One talked about the discovery of what true joy looks like for him. He was talking about an experience he had recently that allowed him the to be selfless, to learn to follow instead of lead, to be surrounded by community and to love and be loved. The question he had was - so how do I bring that to my everyday life now? I've experienced it, now so what? (One of my favorite questions and one of the toughest to answer.)
- Another conversation was about following the prompting of the Holy Spirit even when you don't know why exactly. I love when people do this. Risk the unknown to experience what God has planned. It can be scary, but man, it can also be exciting. Love to hear that mix of fear with excitement of the possibilities. Isn't that really where we should be living most of the time anyway? Waiting to see what God is going to do next.
- The other conversation was about laying down the baggage he is carrying around. Knowing he is loved as he is. No additional clean up needed before he is good enough to be loved. The fact his past doesn't define who he is. We all have a history. It shapes us and our life experiences are part of the process of molding who we are becoming, but we don't have to have arrived to be loved. I told him I don't think we ever arrive during our life. We continue to grow, to wonder what is in store next, to make mistakes, to learn and to keep chasing after Jesus. I wonder how much ego someone must have to think they have arrived and have it all figured out? I think I continue to learn more of just how much I don't know.
Three conversations, none of them probably registered as life changing for the people, but for me... it gave me hope. Hope in the fact that people care. There are others who crave community. Others who have doubts and baggage to deal with. People willing to risk being real and more importantly willing to pursue a life chasing after Jesus. A much needed night for me. A small glimpse of what energizes me.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
For or against?
What are you known for? Is it what you believe in or what you are against? I have a couple of friends that I could tell you what they are against, but I wonder what they are for? I wonder if people know what I am for or rather what I am against? One says this is how I live my life, the other says this what I criticize in others. Just wondering aloud this morning.
I read on Anne Jackson's blog sometime last week her list of "instead of" statements. I like this idea and have been thinking about it since then. These are some of the characteristics I want to be know for:
I read on Anne Jackson's blog sometime last week her list of "instead of" statements. I like this idea and have been thinking about it since then. These are some of the characteristics I want to be know for:
- Generous instead of entitled
- Patient instead of demanding
- Understanding instead of judgemental
- Honest instead of popular
- Serving instead of self focused
What "instead of" statements would you like your life to say?
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is one of those things that looks good when someone else does it, but isn't as wonderful when it is something personal. We look at athletes who are able to slam dunk a basketball or hit a home run with one sweet swing and wish we could do the same. We see the incredibly talented musicians who seem to be able to play anything and pick up instruments easily. We see the results, but we ignore the sacrifice it takes to get there. The long hours of practicing the same things over and over, the things passed up so that they could concentrate on doing this one thing well, the frustrations involved as they learned.
We do the same thing in the Church. We see the person who goes on the mission trips and think how incredibly gifted they are. If only we could do something like that. We see the person who starts an outreach to their community and makes a huge impact. If only we were that talented and had their resources. Some things I might not be able to do (I don't think I will ever be able to slam dunk), but most things can be accomplished if I am willing to personally sacrifice. The problem isn't that we can't accomplish some incredible things in chasing after Jesus, the problem is we aren't willing to sacrifice anything for them. Well, at least not much that would make us uncomfortable. Wonder if we would still want to watch March Madness as much the next couple of weeks if the athletes didn't put in the effort and sacrifice they have over the years? Wonder what God thinks with the effort we put into His plan? What are you willing to sacrifice?
We do the same thing in the Church. We see the person who goes on the mission trips and think how incredibly gifted they are. If only we could do something like that. We see the person who starts an outreach to their community and makes a huge impact. If only we were that talented and had their resources. Some things I might not be able to do (I don't think I will ever be able to slam dunk), but most things can be accomplished if I am willing to personally sacrifice. The problem isn't that we can't accomplish some incredible things in chasing after Jesus, the problem is we aren't willing to sacrifice anything for them. Well, at least not much that would make us uncomfortable. Wonder if we would still want to watch March Madness as much the next couple of weeks if the athletes didn't put in the effort and sacrifice they have over the years? Wonder what God thinks with the effort we put into His plan? What are you willing to sacrifice?
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