Living in the Ordinary

Joan of Arc, Moses, David Livingston, Abraham and John Wesley's mom... are you wondering what they all have in common? Yes, they were great people in history. Yes, they accomplished great things. But most importantly to me... they had ordinary lives that were seasoned with a few extraordinary events...well, except maybe David Livingston. He really lived on the edge all the time.

I can picture Noah and his wife... every day he gets up, eats breakfast, grabs his saw and hammer and gets busy on building his boat. I wonder if he relished every day, or if rather he looked at his splinter filled hands and sighed a bit? Do you think his wife occasionally shook her head wondering when he was going to be finished with his "little" project?

Or how about Moses? He had grand ideas of saving his people..messed up, then found himself shepherding in the desert for years on end? Do you think he might have gotten a bit disillusioned with the dream he felt in his heart and his current circumstances?

Now, the great evangelist,John Welsey, had a mom who has always been a symbol of an amazing woman to me. If my memory is correct, she had quite a bundle of children...and rather meager means. Her days were probably filled with cooking, cleaning and teaching her children. Rather ordinary, don't you think?

I was reading through some old emails of mine today. I mean, here I am in Africa, looking for ways to serve God here..and what are those emails full of? Children at school..church...work..family...normal ordinary stuff. Nothing anyone would call "extraordinary adventure" for sure!

Yet, I truly believe that my plain, bland, nothing extraordinarylife is something useful (and not just for my children who lose their shoes, or my husband who is hoping for a late night cup of coffee!).

In those ordinary moments...driving the kids to school...paying for groceries...waiting in the queue at the Home Affairs office...I am aware of God at work. Sometimes it is through me being able to offer some encouragement or care...sometimes it is someone offering those things to me.

So, while I might not be traipsing through the jungles of Africa, sharing the love of Christ with unknown people groups, eating slimy grubs and being eaten alive by mosquitos...I am experiencing my own version of extraordinary....looking for what God is doing here around me...in my ordinary...and joining Him in it.

Time Flies!

I know it is terribly cliche.

And something only "old" people remark on.

But, REALLY, why is it that only once you are old enough to appreciate the time given to you, does it fly by at such speeds that only dizzy the mind? When I was young, the days crept by at such a sluggish pace. I was sure that the 20 minutes I was told I had to sit in the corner (for fighting with my brother on a Saturday morning, usually), equalled the longest possible sentence available to mankind. Then of course there was the interminable wait for the next holiday or birthday. And of course while I was enduring the endlessly long days at school, I would think about how high school and graduation seemed a life time away.

Well, sometime in the process of growing up, I entered into a time warp. I never volunteered, I promise you! Now I look at my graying husband, my son ( who is taller than me by a head), my daughter (who will be heading of to University in January) and my two little babies, who were born "just other day", and I can't believe that so much time has gone by in my short little life!

Still, while I grimace at how I feel caught up on this speeding train, I am full of gratitude for my family and am so proud of all of them. So for sentimentalities sake, here are some "then and now" photos.

1986-Young and in love

1997-a rare shot of David beardless

2004-leaving on our big adventure

2006 Family at a Nature Reserve

The Joy of Recreation

re-cre·a·tion [ree-kree-ey-shuhn] –noun
1.the act of creating anew.
2.something created anew.
re-cre·ate[ree-kree-eyt] –verb (used with object), -at·ed, -at·ing.
to create anew.

Now,before you think that I'm going to go give you a detailed description of our last holiday (which has just ended, and now we are living once again in the blessed land of routine, which always feels good after alot of adventure), have a good look at the definitions above.

One thing I have always enjoyed is crafting. It took David about 10 years to appreciate that this is not just a hobby, but a need I have. I LONG to create things. It all started on those long summer vacations. My mom would set me down with her sewing box (it looked something much like my Dad's fishing tackle box), and let me have at her collection of threads, buttons and bits of fabric. I think one summer every woman I knew got the tackiest little handsewn "purses" decorated with all my favorite colored buttons from Mom's box.

I have tried all kinds of crafts, but my most favorite of all has been what I am calling the art of re-creation. Taking something and repurposing it, giving it new life and color and a new place.

My sister and I had a stint of making teddy bears out of old worn denim jeans (there wasn't a second hand shop in town that had a proper pair left for sale once we had gone through), then I was inspired by my mom's ability to place her garden plants in all sorts of odd containers - old shoes, teapots..you name it. Not too long after that I was collecting odd pieces of broken glass and doing glass mosaics. Then I was smitten with the scrapbooking bug. You wouldn't believe all the odd cast offs that make good scrapbooking componants! Collecting those bits and pieces as well as finding new uses for old children's books, writing tablets and tins became a bit of a hobby on its own.

It's such a great feeling to take something that is more or less useless and breathe new life into it.

2 Corinthians 5:17, it says “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come.”

I guess I could say that I am a project of recreation! My life before I became a Christian was not too cheery. I was a very insecure lost girl, looking for acceptance from anyone who would give it to me. Then, I was introduced to Christ. I learned that He accepted me just as I was, broken and tattered. He offered me a free gift, forgiveness for my sins and eternity in heaven. But not only this... He re-created me, gave me new purpose.

I'm not saying that I was magically transformed into the perfect person (just ask my family!). But He gave me hope and strength and a desire to live differently. All that once held me down, no longer had the same power over me.


“Hard sayings of the Bible” states: “The new” which has come is our relationship with God in Christ, a relationship which empowers us for a kind of living in which the continuing reality of sin can be overcome again and again. To be a “new creation” is not to be perfect or faultless, or immune from anger and pain, or insulated from the tough experiences of life. Rather, to be a “new creation” is to live life turned toward the God whose grace has reclaimed us in Christ.”

So, if I analyze my crafts, I could say that I subconsciously am working out what God has done for me - He took me, a bit of a cast off, and is changing me into something with new purpose and beauty.

You are not forgotten, you are not without use. God loves you and will give you the same beautiful makeover that He offers to all those who turn to Him and trust Him.

Life is Fragile

When life is going well, why do we take so much for granted?

This week, I got to experience this lesson up close and personal!
It just took one simple action...me leaning over my bed and lowering my laptop onto the floor...when crash!it slipped out of my hand and dropped about 5 inches.

I grimaced slightly, hoping the noise didn't wake David..rolled over and went to sleep. It wasn't until 10 am the next morning,when I needed to hurry and print an invoice for David that I found that my computer was not well... in fact it just was not..period.

My blissful life of orderly little folders with treasure troves of photos, images, writing...all gone. Oh, and did I mention 4 months of accounting documents for our new business? Sick just doesn't quite describe how I felt.

It's quite a reminder that life cannot be taken for granted! That deed undone (like, backing up those files on our external harddrive), or words unsaid can become the seeds of many years of regret and sadness.

Those promises made to ourselves when last we had that little reminder of mortality are so quickly forgotten when all is rosy and easy. It's more than just "smelling the roses" and enjoying life...it more of a necessity to never, ever assume anything.

The days we have been given.. do we automatically presume that they are ours to control?
Or do we live each day as if it might be our last to enjoy, to share, to believe?
Do we realize that life is fragile, and precious, and while we mustn't live in fear, we also must never chose to procrastinate, to put off, what we know in our hearts we must do.

So, back up your hard drive...tell your family how important they are to you...don't put off for tomorrow what you know you must do today.
Most importantly - be sure that you have taken care of the most important thing...that you have placed your faith in something, SomeOne that is solid, true and faithful. So that on that day, when you have finished your life here on earth, you can walk confidently into heaven, knowing that you didn't put off what you knew in your heart to be true.

Jesus said,"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except by Me"

(post script: one new harddrive, and one miracle later, we were able to retrieve a backup file off the old damaged harddrive, and my accounting records are up to date. I'm still missing all my email contacts, some photos and writing, but am counting my blessings for what we were able to save!)

Can Do!

I have a confession....
I am a DIY Addict.

There is just something very exciting about starting out with a dumpy broken object, and fixing it up into something usable and beautiful.

Now, I didn't say I was a DIY Expert. This translates into.... I like the IDEA, and even the process...but the end result is often disappointing. I have great vision and dream... I can plan and organize and gather supplies...but when it comes to properly accomplishing my plan, I tend to muddle it up somehow. However, I tell my husband that this is when my artistic side steps in, because a little button here, a painted design there and before you know it, you can't see ANY of my mistakes!




I am even addicted to DIY TV. In fact, this probably feeds my fantasy that "I could do that!". David backs away cautiously when I switch on my favorite Saturday shows, because he knows that undoubtedly, I will walk into the room and announce my latest and greatest idea. (After 20 years, he's learned that if he responds correctly, the moment will pass, and he will be safe from my enthusiastic outburst).


It's a serious problem.


What is it about people that makes them think they have to "do it yourself"?

How many people do you know who have tried and tried to make themselves better, or to do some type of service and have fallen flat...exhausted, burned out and bitter at the end?

In the Bible (Psalm 127) addresses this issue:

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

In vain you rise early and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat

— for he grants sleep to those he loves."


How many times have I attempted something in my own strength, based on my own dream, and in the end, seen it collapse for no apparent reason?

One of my favorite writers is Oswald Chambers. His insight into the truths of Scriptures really strikes home. In one of his articles, he talks about a Christian's tendancy to react on impulse rather than following a lifestyle of surrender to Christ.

".... Paul said, according to the Moffatt translation of this verse, “… I take every project prisoner to make it obey Christ … .” So much Christian work today has never been disciplined, but has simply come into being by impulse! In our Lord’s life every project was disciplined to the will of His Father. There was never the slightest tendency to follow the impulse of His own will as distinct from His Father’s will—“the Son can do nothing of Himself …” (John 5:19). Then compare this with what we do—we take “every thought” or project that comes to us by impulse and jump into action immediately, instead of imprisoning and disciplining ourselves to obey Christ.
Practical work for Christians is greatly overemphasized today, and the saints who are “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity” are criticized and told that they are not determined, and that they lack zeal for God or zeal for the souls of others. But true determination and zeal are found in obeying God, not in the inclination to serve Him that arises from our own undisciplined human nature. It is inconceivable, but true nevertheless, that saints are not “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity,” but are simply doing work for God that has been instigated by their own human nature, and has not been made spiritual through determined discipline."



This has really been a good lesson for me...I am an emotionally driven person and tend to launch off into things based on impulse, instead of taking the time to really see what God was doing, how He was working and how He has placed me. This is the discipline. And it takes KNOWING GOD, spending time with Him, talking with Him, searching out His Character in His Word. And this is discipline as well. But not discipline for discipline's sake (because that leads me right back down that DIY path!), but it is discipline for the sake of relationship with my Lord. Just as I spent time talking to David and watching how he worked and reacted to life situations in order to know him when we were dating (spurred on my love for him), I do the same with God.



No more DIY projects for me....at least in the spiritual realm. The hammer and nails and measuring tape of life are still needed, but I'm going to let God draw the plans, and manage the job. I'll just do my best to swing that hammer.

Perspectives

This last week was a bit of a whirlwind. Some friends from our church back home visited with their two teenagers. Suddenly our busy house of six was a very busy house of 10. Along with all the news from home and evenings talking and playing boardgames, I came to a realization... over these last three years, my perspectives have changed. I'm not seeing things exactly as I once did.

Remember those 3D Posters that were all the rage 10 or 12 years ago? You had to stare really really hard at them, and sort of unfocus your eyes to really appreciate what the poster was about.

(try this one! If I can get it, anyone can! - post a comment if you were able to see it)

Admittedly, I was the fool who had to stand there long after everyone else had moved on because "I just don't see it!"Those posters were so cool! And it was awesome to see something that at first didn't appear to be there, suddenly emerge from the background.

In life, there is nothing like stepping out of your normal existence to gain a different perspective on it. Sort of the whole "can't see the forest through the trees" problem. When you are in the midst of something, you just can't really get a grasp on what it is that you are experiencing. It takes getting through it, or somehow stepping away from it to really appreciate it for what it is.

How many times have I, or friends of mine, gone through things in their lives - circumstances, struggles, tough relationships, and wondered "what ever is this about?" The difficulties experienced, at first glance, seem destructive and debilitating. However, once we are able to take a step back, take our focus off the struggle, we can see something much more intricate and involved~not just a "greater good", but an actual moulding, making and perfecting of who we are, why we are here, and what we are to do.

I look at my life back home and see it differently now. It wasn't just a waste of time while I was looking for the next thing...it was a preparation time, a growing time. Even my time here, while not at all what I had pictured it to be, has proven to be defining and clarifying. Slowly, as I step back and unfocus my eyes so I am no longer seeing the circumstance, but rather what the Artist intended.. the picture is beginning to take shape...to emerge from the busy background of life.