the liturgy of birds.

Posted by ronnerock on Thu 05-17-2012
Posted in life, trust

Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. ~Matthew 6

The sun peeks through the window, beckoning me to join in the celebration of a new day with its shining mercies. The birds sing a song of hope and majesty – a melody that needs no words to complete it. My soul sings along in harmony.

And my heart’s wings grow just a bit stronger.

The birds live a liturgy I am learning. They contently live in the shade of trees they’ll never own, happily feathering their nests with borrowed things. They know when to gather strength by flying into the wind, and when to simply be held and carried along by its currents.

They know when to sing.

And they know when to be silent.

They know when to listen to other songs, like the rain that washes over them in a storm or the darkness that cradles them at night.

Their silence makes their songs more beautiful. Being held on the currents fuels them to gather strength.

Nesting in the borrowed shade sets them free.

words well-seasoned.

Posted by ronnerock on Tue 05-08-2012
Posted in kindness, life

I woke up today thinking about words. How, the more visible you are, the more clearly your voice is heard. How, the more authority you have, the more each and every word is taken not with a grain of salt but rather served on a platter to awaiting guests. I don’t think of myself as being that person – of my words having any sense of authority like that of a president or a pastor or a business guru.

But that’s a convenient lie whispered by the enemy. My audience may not be millions of people, but I do still have an audience. While I may not have a platform, I still have an impact. My platter may not be as large, but my words are also served to awaiting guests. They have authority. They have power. They can lift up. They can tear down. They can water flowers or weeds.

Father, today let my words be served well. Let even the smallest of responses be little drops of life-giving water. Let me carry a sprig of rosemary in my pocket to remember to season well each word that is spoken.

Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

learning to embrace.

Posted by ronnerock on Sat 05-05-2012
Posted in family, life, trust

Life isn’t pretty right now. But it is beautiful. And that’s a contradiction I am learning to embrace.

The past two years have been a different difficult. Now, compared to cancer or abuse or abject poverty, some may think the difficult’s not that bad at all. Losing a job normally falls into the category of “tough break” or “lesson learned.” But walking the long road with someone who isn’t given an opportunity to use their gifts and talents fully, who now walks in starts and stops as he continues to search for an employer who will say “yes, join us” can’t be summed up in a simple phrase or fit into a single category. There are no easy answers to “how are things going?” and no simple response to “it looks like your life is perfect.”

Don’t get me wrong. There is a lot of “perfect” in the not pretty. Beautiful things that happen in someone else’s life spill over and I get to stand in the joy. There are moments when just breathing in life, taking in its richness, fills every piece of who I am. And I’ve been invited into spaces where nothing much matters beyond a tender smile, a warm hug, and gentle mercies. Watching my husband continue to be faithful with every piece of work he’s given, continue to be steadfast in caring for others, continue to be diligent in prayer, and continue to be a leader in our home breathes fresh hope in my heart that this season is not forever – and that this season has divinity written in it.

But it’s been a hard two years. I’ve battled doubt, fear, anxiety, anger, depression, distrust, worry. And pride. I’ve tried to cheat the journey. There have been a lot of late-night discussions with God, and a lot of tears shed. There have been a lot of “how wonderful would that be” moments put on hold. There have been a lot of celebrations in the two years, but it’s a two years that are hard to celebrate – there are no gift calendars to look at or a card section at Target or candles that go well on a cake.

And in it all, I’m learning.

I’m learning to fully embrace the contradiction in a not-pretty/beautiful life. I’m learning to believe God’s promises even when they seem locked away. I’m learning to stand with hands open wide even when I’d rather clench my fists. I’m learning what it means to dwell in the shadowlands, knowing there is still sun. I’m learning what trust really looks like. I’m learning to embrace.

If you’re walking a not-pretty/beautiful life, what are you learning to embrace?

treasure that counts.

Posted by ronnerock on Wed 05-02-2012
Posted in inspired, life

No need locking away every treasure you have here on earth. That money you make, those things you build, those big moments and big accomplishments? The words fade, the new wears off, and your trappings are torn up by people who want the benefits of what you’ve done without any of the tending to what you’ve done. Instead, let’s talk about what really counts. Love. Grace. Mercy. Selfless acts of kindness. Counter-intuitive moments that set eternity in motion for someone else. Those things are the real treasures here. Those things are the things even your mind won’t let go of. You will likely forget the details about that first paycheck. But you won’t forget your first kiss, or the first time you really meant the words “I love you.” You’ll never forget the first time you held “the least of these” in your arms. And you never forget when Jesus first captivated your heart.

Let your heart be full of treasure that counts.

(inspired by Matthew 6)

raveling at the edges

Posted by ronnerock on Sun 04-22-2012
Posted in grace, life

“The moment a person finds their voice…is the moment their life takes on grace.”

This quote has been rolling around in my soul. The more I consider it – let its words stencil themselves on my mind - the more I think it just might be a little upside down. At least for me. Maybe it’s when we take on grace, when we wrap ourselves in all its rich depth and overwhelming kindness, that we then find our true voice. If “voice” is more than style or delivery, if it’s more than the way we craft words and phrases - if it’s really an expression of who we are – then grace has sewn its way through me.

You see, I am a patchwork person. There is no single voice in me. Maybe that’s why I’ll never call myself a writer – because there is no well-crafted manuscript in me. There is a single divine thread, but there is no beginning and end of a story, no expert opinions or witty remarks that would make for a great book tour. There’s simply the fabric of who I am.

I am canvas – painted with words that see fragrances and breathe in color. I am burlap – harsh and rough and frayed and hurtful. I am gossamer – unable to mask the transparency that reveals whatever is resting inside. I am cotton – printed with bright and dark patterns that tell stories. I am silk – heavy and complex.

I am paraphrased pieces, raveling at the edges, quilted together by a God who is a master tailor. I am content and restless, joyful and troubled, blessed and broken. Every voice is misshapen, yet the unbroken thread of grace transforms each shape into something He calls worthy. Something He calls beautiful.

He calls your voice beautiful too. Even if you’re like me, with no well-crafted manuscript. Even if you’re like me, raveling at the edges. Even if you’re like me, a patchwork person. His grace awaits, ready to sew its way through you.

every single bloom

Posted by ronnerock on Thu 04-19-2012
Posted in inspired

Trust in God and walk with Him. Let Faith be your best friend. She knows Him well, and she trusts Him too. Live in the neighborhood He’s give you. Dance in His yard, enjoy the fragrance of each flower in the garden He’s planted. Look around – every single bloom you’ve ever wanted to see is a gift from Him. (inspired by Psalm 37:3-4)

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

(musings) answer to prayer

Posted by ronnerock on Thu 04-19-2012
Posted in kindness, life, musings

Your life can and will count, in small ways and large, in ways you might expect and in ways beyond your imagination, if you’ll simply open your eyes to the world around you and open your heart to the possibility that you might be someone’s answer to prayer.

— Donna Partow

path

Posted by ronnerock on Wed 04-11-2012
Posted in life, musings

He spoke stars and trees and sun into existence, and then smiled and said, “This is good.” And then ever so delicately, He painted my path. Your path. A path wide enough for two. Because when we walk alongside Him, He smiles and says “This is good.”

There is a horizon to view. There are stories to be shared. There are miracles to see. There is light and shadow and color and life. He’ll speak. And He’ll smile.

Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life;
not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
Open my eyes so I can see
what you show me of your miracle-wonders..

~Psalm 119:17-18

he will if you will.

Posted by ronnerock on Thu 03-15-2012
Posted in musings

All through the Bible we see the interworking of the will of God and the will of man. It was God, Creator and Sovereign, who conceived freedom for man–the glorious likeness to Himself in “the dignity of causality,” to use Pascal’s phrase. All things are so arranged in God’s universe that He may work his will through man’s exercising his gift of a free will. It is a gift, and one which, while it confers staggering power on us humans, also limits the Almighty.

Here lies the tremendous mystery–that God should be all-powerful, yet refuse to coerce. He summons us to cooperation. We are honored in being given the opportunity to participate in his good deeds. Remember how He asked for help in performing his miracles: Fill the waterpots, stretch out your hand, distribute the loaves. ~Elisabeth Elliot

everyday new.

Posted by ronnerock on Tue 03-13-2012
Posted in life, musings

For if a man is in Christ he becomes a new person altogether—the past is finished and gone, everything has become fresh and new. ~2 Corinthians 5:17

…See! I make all things new. ~Revelations 21:5

God makes all things new.

new mercies

new grace

new hope

new redemption

new salvation

new love

new life

In Him, there are no leftovers. There are no second-runs. There are no expiration dates. There is nothing out-of-season. There is nothing deeply discounted. There is nothing that doesn’t matter anymore. Including your life.

If you are His, you are new. If you are His, you are relevant.

Every single day.