Swimming Sideways

 

I got caught in an undertow in the 7th Grade. Our school took the 7th-12th graders on a fun outing to one of the most beautiful beaches of my childhood.

My best friend couldn't go, so I ventured out into the water alone. The water was so refreshing. I floated, looked up at the beautiful clouds and daydreamed about everything!

When it came time to swim back to shore, something caught my foot. I now understand why we need swimming buddies. I had never heard of an undertow. It was strong, pulling me out to sea fast. I paddled as hard as I could, flailing sometimes, but wasn't giving up. 

I then noticed something: The surface water was going into shore, and if I could stay on top and swim in, I knew I'd make it. 

But it wasn't so simple as the undertow was about two feet below me, so dipping just slightly into that current whisked me back out to sea.

I yelled for help, but the people behind me and the people on the beach didn't respond. All I wanted was to be on dry land with my friends, having a good time. 

Meanwhile, I rested from time to time by floating and enjoying the Windows 95 day.

The real ordeal lasted about 30 minutes, but it felt longer. Once I got to shore, it took what felt like another 30 minutes to find my group. Being nearsighted didn't help either. I know I was a sight to strangers peeking under umbrellas.

I don't think I was ever so happy as the moment I found my friends! I recall flopping down on the sand, exhausted. I believe I fell asleep for a long time as I looked like a boiled lobster that night. It took me a couple of days to heal and I missed school the following Monday.

But then I was as good as new! I thanked God for literally slowing my mind down enough to run a viable solution passed my panic.

You'd think I'd hate the beach, but it is one of my favorite places. I can't wait to get there, set up the umbrella and wade out into the water!

Maybe you are in a circumstantial undertow. Maybe it's been so long that you wonder if you ever were on dry land. You yell for help. No one comes. You try to describe what's going on. It seems unreal. No response. People do care, but may not understand what's going on. It's okay. 

As Dori in Finding Nemo says, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."

But yes, you were on dry land once. You basked in the sunshine and felt the wind on your face, and you will again. Get the rest you need. You've gone through something big, but it didn't get you down. 

Now you're ready to tell your story. If you try to tell it in the middle of the panic, it will come out wrong, backwards, upsidedown. But once you've rested, you will realize by God's loving grace you got through it and are stronger, kinder, more patient and a better listener. And now you can help others with the lessons you learned. In fact, you may find some humor in parts of your story given time.

I can still see the people jumping when I looked under the umbrellas. I jumped myself. In fact, I am so glad I happened to pick the right direction when I headed up the beach. Imagine if I had chosen the other direction? They might still be looking for me!

Someone told me later in life what to do if caught in an undertow:

Swim sideways.

It can be a handy life philosophy as well.

Swimming sideways can be whatever it takes to get you out of any life loop; it's healing, it's rescue, it's life-saving. If you try to swim into shore, you will exhaust yourself.

Just swim sideways...not forwards, not backwards, sideways as fast as you can and you'll be away from the current quicker than you can say "something's got my foot and I can't get out"!

But you can get out.

In these unprecedented times, I echo the words being said globally, We'll get through this. I don't say this idealistically, nor disrespectfully, but I truly believe we will.

We will hug again, kiss on the cheeks, high five, chest bump, feel the love, have dreams and build a better tomorrow.

In closing, I thank God for our emergency and medical workers, our leaders, entertainers who keep us laughing, and family and friends who comfort and keep us connected! What are you thankful for?

Nature that Nurtures the Soul

I am nearly finished with Philip Yancey's book "Soul Survivor," and constantly feel he has taken a walk through my mind, asking the same questions and looking for them using the same methods I use. And yet, Mr. Yancey continues to challenge me practically, stretch me mentally and provide a safe place for my emotions as I continue learning how to express encouragement to others.

I so enjoy reading one who appreciates nature as John and I do and weaves it into real life, uses it to train his psychological acuity and expresses his gratitude for the material world.

 

Want to take a free vacation?

 

Take a walk or go for a bike ride. 

 

Want to meditate on God when the Bible does not make sense?

Look at the skies.

 

 

Want to show friendship when there are no humans to be found?

 

Love on a pet.

G.K. Chesterton stated in his book Orthodoxy that "Nature is not our mother, Nature is our sister."

To walk with Bible in hand staring only at it's printed words while under God's cathedral of Creation misses the stage on which God's play is playing out.



He gave us bodies to use, care for and nurture in order to help teach others how to do it better.




He gave us a mind to use, educate and churn out ideas in order to help those created in His image know more about God and His purposes.

 

He gave us emotions to use, harness their energy and focus on expressing truth to serve humanity.

 


We may seek a normal and placid existence, but the truth is, this state is only best and realistically lived out in our soul. I believe this is true inner peace.

The design also includes the ability to redeem one's body through exercise and proper nutrition, through education and artistic expression & productive innovation of any kind.

Annie Dillard said, "Beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will sense them. The least we can do is try to be there...so that creation need not play on an empty house."

 

I believe that Creator wants us to enjoy his gift, find solutions to better our lives and share them with others.

Or God would not have made nature to compliment us.

It's Never Too Late

Life's seeming impossibles can either define us or refine us. It's our choice.

If I only see my time, talent and treasure as mine to hold on to, to mold into the things I want within a certain time frame or expiration date, then I lose. They vanish as visible dust is carried away by invisible winds.

When I see my time, talent and treasure as God's gifts, even though these things are temporary, my options are practically endless. The visible dust now has the ability to take on the form of a body of work that can outlast my short existence.

My time, talent and treasure are limited, but including my perfect loving Father, Jesus my perfect brother and friend, and with the perfect attitude the Holy Spirit offers, I can't lose.

What time, talent and treasure is in my possession today awaiting God's blessing of multiplication into a body of work that will glorify Him? A second question is how can the borders of His Kingdom be further spread with what He has given me?

In the world we age out, expire in some area of our lives or run out of energy. In Christ have unlimited vision, have joyful length of days and indescribable vitality!

It's never too late to learn more, Agape-love more, give more, stretch a talent more, smile more, be available more, edit the unnecessary more or even revive a dormant dream that you are now prepared to realize, so that God's Kingdom borders might be spread more!

A Good Apology

As a Christian I am amazed at how much a good apology among friends, acquaintances and even adversaries can keep the peace, and even change the course of things headed for disaster. Randy Pausch, author of the book, The Last Lecture says that "a bad apology is worse than no apology." A bad apology looks like:

"1.  ' I'm sorry you feel hurt by what I have done.' (You are not really wanting to put medicine on the wound.)
 2.  'I apologize for what I did, but you also need to apologize to me for what you've done.' (You really wanting an apology and not asking for one.)"

Dr. Pausch says that he learned the mechanics of making a good apology from his parents, and that it is a three-step process:

"1.   'What I did was wrong.'
 2.   'I feel badly that I hurt you.'
 3.   'How do I make you feel better?'"

I speak only my opinion and experience here on this matter: To say that as Christians we follow Christ's example of not apologizing is inaccurate at best, and foolish at worst. Christ was perfect. We are not. We need to learn the heart and wisdom of apologies.

I have searched my house for my copy of Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest," and searched the online version and cannot find the quote. Mr. Chambers said something to the effect that if I have injured Christ's name, I must take the injury to my own name so that Christ's name remain clear. In other words, when others see that I have been wrong and call myself a Christian, I better make it right, but only in light of what Scripture says, not according to my feelings.

It is to my dismay that I am writing on this matter only because I've found myself at the apologizing end more than I would like to admit. But the good news is that the Lord forgives, as have others, and my hope is that these thoughts can save someone unnecessary grief, or a remedy to patch things up with loved ones correctly.

When we really wrong another, even in good conscience or because we are stronger, the end is the same, we've made a mistake. We can tell ourselves our versions of the story ignoring how we affected another, even telling the story in a way that makes it sound as if we were simply standing up for Christ.

But let's be honest, when we're wrong, we need to make things right. Now, at the other end of the spectrum, let's not apologize to seek the favor of others, to insure popularity or financial gain. Let's apologize because it's right, let's do it immediately and humbly. If it's a complex issue, let's take it to the Lord in prayer, asking His wisdom in helping us relay our apology, asking His timing for the apology and above all, asking Him for the right heart.

One last thought, if we talk about our failings to those whom we have not injured while those we've injured [and we know we've injured] are awaiting apology, this is not the same as apologizing. The hard work is looking the one in the eye [or speaking over the phone if it is the best way] who is injured and making amends. We are then better positioned to speak on the matter once we've humbled ourselves, if we need to speak at all.

The Lord forgave us, He will continue forgiving us as we ask sincerely and humbly, and He will guard us when our humble attempts are rejected by others. He will also teach us to love others despite fractures in relationships so that we may unlatch any baggage that hinders our spiritual race.

Verses for thought, though not exact matches for apologies, they offer some wisdom on the matter. If you have verses to contribute, I would love them in the comments section.

Proverbs 17:9
Proverbs 18:21
Ecclesiastes 10:4
Matthew 5:25
Matthew 12:36 
II Corinthians 13:11
I John 4:20

Muddy Shoes

Dried mud everywhere! Where did it come from? I had a good laugh on myself this morning when I realized the dried mud trail came from my own running shoes.

Have you ever had days, or even a season of life, when you just love others and give in the name of Christ and "no one seems to be getting it"? It seems like everyone is living under a cloud; you ask yourself "humbly," in similar words, "What's wrong with everyone? Why doesn't my Christian family live like they believe in Christ"? Or "What's wrong with the world; yesterday was so much better, today everyone is doing so much wrong"!

I have. I then realize the common denominator is me; I'm the one taking the gloomy cloud everywhere I go. In fact, after reflecting on these situations I realized an awful truth. Many of the people with whom I doled out my gloomy wisdom had probably been more joyful before I showed up.

James 4:6 has been in my mind lately, "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

Pride is like a muddy shoe sole; the top of the shoe looks great, but underneath lies the potential to dirty up a well-kept floor. I too can look great on the outside, but in a wrong frame of mind, unchecked and unhindered in action, can leave ugliness in my trail. The Scriptures say that God resists the proud; He cannot bless us when we are "blessing ourselves" at His expense.

But there is more grace for us when we admit our need for God; when we need cleaning up and cannot do it on our own. When we leave a trail of ugliness, sorrow and blackness in our wake but wake up to God's unending promises of forgiveness and renewal. He accepts our confession and repentance, showing us great mercy when we deserve the judgment we've wrongly given out (Mathew 7:1-2, Isaiah 30:18, Lamentations 3:22-25).

Thanks to our great God, we have forgivess according to His Word, instead of according to emotions or intelligence. No, it's because He says so. Psalm 103:11-12 beautifully washes my soul when my eyes have been opened to my sin, "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."

I believe, help my unbelief.

The Barometer and the Rudder

Feelings are barometers, not rudders. Facts are rudders. Both are needed to navigate life. Take a journey of mixed metaphors with me...

It is amazing how our personal barometers struggle with our much needed personal rudder for control of our lives. I believe the reason being that a barometer is exposed, and if the attention is not good, our barometers increase in pressure. If our external barometers are not guided by our internal rudder, the pressure keeps rising, possibly to explode under pressure.

The rudder, however, is under water. Who knows what it looks like and if it is strong enough to withstand the waters it is traveling. But the waters have a way of testing us and pressing against our internal rudder. The barometer pressure rises and because it is tethered to the rudder struggles to gain control.

Decisions are made, words are said, all never to be taken back except in apology to another and confession to God. How great is the news of forgiveness in Christ, that we have Him to turn to when others may not forgive us, or when forgiveness returned and trust restored may delay longer than expected?

To whom do you go when your barometer's pressure is high? How sturdy is your rudder to withstand the uncertain waters below? Our internal rudder can only be formed by one thing, the words of God. What does He say are the facts about the matter? And if the matter is not clear, what does he say about the barometer of my attitude towards the uncertain matter at hand?

When my internal rudder is steady, my barometer returns to normal. If I know nothing but God in flesh born, died and raised, seated at God's right hand, I will have the courage to withstand, for God promises it to be so.

"You will keep in perfect peace [barometer] all who trust in you, all whose thoughts [rudders] are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3

Just when you think it's over...

I love the verse in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."

At any age we can have hope if we are resting in the Lord. About 13 years ago, John and I met a wonderful family when we lived up in Boston. They were Brazilian and working temporarily in the U.S. to get on their feet financially, move back to Brazil and get on with their lives.

They relied on hand-me-down clothing for their children. Their furniture came from sidewalk donations that would eventually be picked up by the bulk trash truck. They spent frugally and the father worked as many jobs as possible to save up money as well as provide for their family of four, which became five by the time they moved back to Brazil.

One night we went over for dinner and they had served up a feast. Their home was cozy and their hospitable attitude overpowered any sense of lack that they had; we were in the presence of royalty and they treated us royally. We laughed at funny stories, talked of sober matters that though weighty, were filled with purpose and infused energy into our lives.

One of the stories the man told was that of his faithful Christian father who suffered from cancer for many years without good healthcare. This man said that he asked his father if he was ready to go on to his next life, and the man's father replied, "God will take me when He's ready. Meanwhile He must have more work for me to do here, so I will do it."

I think on this good Christian man's courage with little to show for his life on earth, but a bounty of spiritual crowns he accumulated before his death, according to our friend. Spiritual crowns that were laid at His Master's feet when he passed through to the other side, and as he entered those gates, he must have lept for joy in a spiritually perfect state to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

It's not over until it's over. There's always more work to do...

It's a New Day

You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth.

-Psalm 104:30

It's a new day and I'm truly happy to be reviving my blog. A red glow caught my eye this morning as I ran through the kitchen. The new day was unfolding in magnificence and I thought about how today is an opportunity to glory in God and reflect it in my life despite yesterday's failings and tomorrow's uncertainties.

I pray you have a wonderful day, and should you be in the middle of a challenge, may you find the courage you need.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
-Psalm 51:10

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
-Psalm 89:1

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
-Psalm 118:24

The LORD [is] good to all: and his tender mercies [are] over all his works.
-Psalm 145:9

The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame.
-Zephaniah 3:5