What is the real value in a cup of hot coffee?

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

What is the real value in a cup of hot coffee?

We sat bellies full from the hotel’s hot breakfast.

Hot cup of coffee

Outside the wind was ripping and flurries blowing like tumbleweed in a Texas spring. Bundled up from toes to head, business professionals and tourists alike ducked their chins and scurried about. As the frogs’ croaking in a summer’s dawn from my backyard deck, the honking horns and roaring sirens are as necessary to the symphony of Manhattan’s roadside concert.

Inside, hot coffee in hand and my love by my side, it was easy to forget it winter was roaring one open door away.

NYC

Hot coffee in my hands was really a body warmer.

We left our coats 19 floors up, and the bakery was only two blocks down Lexington Avenue, so with a fresh hot cup of coffee in our hands (read: hand warmers), we circled through the lobby exit braced for the impending freeze.

NYC Winter sky line

3-2-1 Yep, there it was. My handsome man walking around NYC wearing a white short sleeve v-neck shirt really caught others by surprise. His size normally steals glances, but necks were really spinning that day especially. My amusement must have kept my body as warm as the hot coffee did my hands. I was strangely immune to my normal bone chill.

I wasn’t as cold as I thought, but the hot coffee was much more valuable.

We came out of each one of the bakeries as quickly and empty handed as we went in, but that was ok because all ten fingers were enjoying holding on to my hot coffee cup. Apparently all of New York does not make Lobster Tail Pastries -breaking news our son back home would not appreciate, as this jaunt through the streets looks to end up being a waste of time enduring the freezing temps and weaving through passersby.

Manhattan passersby

Hot cup of coffee?

New Yorkers walk. A lot. I thought it was the secret to being thin while surrounded by some of the best restaurants in the country, but now I really know. In the cold months, when the pedestrian stop lights flash red it really means to jog in place or else freeze standing there. While I was doing my jog, careful not to spill the yet untouched coffee out of my cup, the little white lighted man showed up giving us the GO to walk across, finally! I waste no time and start to cross. My husband tugs my shoulder indicating he wasn’t ready to walk. WHY? I turned around to hear him as I watched his Starbucks cup change hands, “Hot cup of coffee, Sir?”

That looks so good. And the value of that hot cup of coffee was now evident.

I don’t know why this older man carried a sign and had no home. I wonder where his family is, does he have one and do they hurt like he does? Did life turn so fast and hard he had only the choice of picking himself off the street every morning, or was there a continuum of choices which led him here? I don’t know, and it didn’t matter. He was freezing. My husband knew the Lord wanted him to give him his coffee. It wasn’t much, but it was everything he had to give, and he did. I will probably hear his voice for a long time; it was quiet, it was shaky from the cold, and it was full of gratitude, “That looks so good.”

Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him. Psalm 41:1

I bet in my entire life I’ve never enjoyed a cup of coffee as much as this man did. If you know me, you understand the weight of those words.

If you know the Lord, be encouraged as I was to just think about what the real value in a hot cup of coffee could be, and maybe look around your world a little more, a little longer and a little more selflessly than life’s ordinary pace. My husband, again, teaches me about the still small voice of God. And about obedience. I’m listening, Lord and I’m willing.

Children are a Blessing from the Lord

Friday, March 2, 2018

What is a Christian woman to do with all these Emotions?

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

All the Feels

Toddlers are famous for moodiness. Trying to figure out life when you’re just learning to walk, talk and use a potty can be tough stuff! Thankfully, we don’t stay in a place out where emotions leave us pounding our fists on the floor. Yet, we sure can find ourselves taken by a wave of emotion. Has someone you loved ever asked you the always mistimed question, “Why are you so emotional?” My husband has lit a few bombs in me with just two words:

Calm down.

What is a Christian woman to do with all the emotions?

When we suffer the loss of a loved one and we’re encumbered by grief, there’s an essence acceptance offered us as we ride a wave of emotion whether from empathy or sympathy. Death is universally sad and common. We all die.

There are other times we are angry, fearful, sad, joyous etc and when any of it is received with understanding we are met with a sort of solidarity.

What about the secrets or life circumstances unseen?

For what seems like the 975th time today you’ve cleaned up a spill, changed a diaper, walked the dog-in the mud, told your child he can’t cut his sister’s hair or answered a text from your husband while nursing the baby in the midst of the spills, dirty diapers and messy dog. When the bills pile up but the paycheck doesn’t last. Another pregnancy test reads negative no matter which way you turn it to the light or squint to see a line. Your mom’s tests continue to show a decline in health but you do all you can trying to help her live well while she has life. A best friend found out crushing news and you just want to get there, but you can’t. A personal decision is weighing heavy on your heart. These times and all the ones in between, you feel. We all do, even if and when other’s can’t understand.

Compassion is rooted from grace in our own life not understanding in someone else’s circumstances.

Compassion

Emotional messes are caused by trying to understand. Women like to understand. Men like to fix. Emotions don’t play like that. Scripture tells us to not lean into our own understanding. Praise the Lord, because if it was left up to me-or you-to understand this life, we would have no hope. There’s no fixing. Grief hurts. Trials pain. Parenting is frustrating at times. Marriage is an explosion of emotions. No fixing. Living. And when we live, we feel.

Was Jesus emotional?

Remember when Jesus wept? His friend had died. Remember when Jesus was angry and flipped tables? Some were turning His house into a gambling parlor. Remember Jesus’ warning to anyone who would cause a child to stumble in sin? They’d be better off drowned. Remember the stark compassion Jesus met the woman at the well with? He met her there, where she shouldn’t have been, living a life of sin- and He meet her need; He changed her life. He had compassion. Remember the anguish with which Jesus pled to His Father? He sweated even drops of blood. Remember when He knew the hurt to come He asked it be done quickly? Betrayed among His closest friends. Remember the love He showed-to you & me? He was obedient- to the death of the cross!

Jesus knows the feeling you’re struggling with from whatever its source.

He designed us to be emotional people. Imagine the world void of compassion and joy.

That would be the cost of a people who knows no trial or sorrow.

He understands. Go to Him.

Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away. You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it. LORD You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me. This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty: I am unable to reach it. PSALM 139:1-6

Titus 2 women are not photoshopped

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Titus 2 women are not Photoshopped

The lies: prettier, sexier & stronger

Anyone who has known me for while will tell you “spunk” could have been part of my name in years past. My mom tried her best to direct the immaturity she saw in my fierce determination and veraciousness or life. Not until after years of growing would her training, and the Lord’s changing, manifest a more lovingly and meek spirit through me. If only my younger whipper-snapper self would have known to simmer down. Or even have wanted to! I didn’t. {Pride is a hard nut to crack!} I’ll still stand for God’s Word and His truth, for sure, but He has shown me what is required of me {Micah 6:8 Do Justly, Love Mercy & Walk Humbly with my Lord}.

The WORLD shows us photoshopped women at every glance.

The lies: prettier, sexier & stronger

We’re all learning. Our world is sending us its version of womanhood all the time! Next time the computer flashes an ad, the TV is on, or you’re near a magazine rack, notice the message: The synonym triplets: prettier, sexier & stronger -the standard of beauty in an unhealthy, unattainable and photoshopped lie. And a dangerous roar replaces a once whisper, permeating from every side.

Where’s our calling? What’s best for our lives? How can we spend our time and be sure we are following God’s will? What does it take for us to be pleasing to the Lord?

The WORD says differently. The women in Titus 2 are not photoshopped.

They’re molded by following the Lord’s plan for women.

Titus 2 :3-5

In the same way, older woman are to be: reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine.They are to teach what is good so they may encourage the young women to: love their husbands, love their children be self-controlled, be pure, be homemakers. be kind, be submissive {gulp; I see ya!} to their husbands, that the Word of God not be slandered!

God is speaking of intentional teaching and with specifics in the standards we women are to align our “successes.” Are we surrounding our selves with holiness? Guarding our hearts? Learning to live the things God desires of us?

Or, are we confused, disorganized, lumbering through life bouncing between moments of our day without any real idea of how to do this life and just trying to stay afloat? God’s way is a better plan Let’s seek Him and become the women God wants us to be right now, right where our circumstances find us.

Together we can around the Lord and His word. We can find encouragement and be encouraging through Him.

I’m excited to be in your company. Thanks for coming and thanks for staying!

How can I encourage you today? Please leave a comment or send an email.

Have you seen him?

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Have You Seen Him?

It’s the morning after Christmas and I’ve been a bit under the weather, so I slept in some. As I was thinking about the Lord, sitting in the chair I try sneak in my quiet time each morning, I realized the sun had already slipped to the other side of my pretty window. I wouldn’t be watching its rise from the east nor shielding my face from its penetrating warm glow today. Not now at least.

With Christ’s birth fresh in my heart, I thought about beholding HIS glory. Creator God made that sun to rise in the sky each morning, to hang there throughout the day and set each night, and I-WE-get to enjoy it. I love most to be at the ocean and talk to the Lord; He feels so close to me when I am there. Last year my brother took me out for an incredible dinner. He’s one of my best friends and for it to be just the two of us was really special. Making it even better was the sand under our toes and the sun setting front and center on the south west Florida coast. MAJESTIC! Dinner was relaxing as we talked and laughed with the calming ocean serenading us. The dining area, both inside and out, was perfect; private without being confining. Several rows of empty white chairs lined up to our right. I would suspect they were arranged for sunset weddings or renewals, because how perfect can you get? As the ball of orange in the sky dropped closer to the horizon, those chairs filled up. Some people had champagne and pearls, some wore flip flops and shorts. All were visibly enjoying life. Me too! Before long there was no vacancy and 50 or more people had joined us basking in the glory of the sun setting. I can still see it. And it’s still beautiful. Everyone with seeing eyes has seen the sun set, and I think most people enjoy it like me, but I suppose some ignore it too. Yes, I think some ignore a beautiful sunset. I know, how crazy is that? But not this night. Those people came to those seats, you know-like the movie says, “If you build it they will come,” they came and I don’t think it was their first hoorah. They came. They sat, They watched. They chatted it up. They gasped. (Seriously, it was worthy!) ANNNNND, (this was new to me), they APPLAUDED! Yes, all around me there was wooing, whooping and CLAPPING. All for the sun’s final setting of the night. I was in great company because I was in the mix of others who enjoyed the son’s glory as much as I did. I do.

Naples Sunset