What Does Faith Look Like?

Wondering if he wants us to stop and chat or keep on going.

The word 'faith' is such an interesting word. When I am looking for writing jobs, I type that word into the search box to describe the subject I want to write about. I also type in 'religion, spirituality and church'. For me personally, each of these words carry an entirely different and distinct meaning. But for general search engines and job categories they are interchangeable. 

Faith looks different in a daily life. The ACT of faith is not the same as the job description. Living a life of faith includes many shades of color and nuance. I used to see very clear and deeply marked lines between what is faith-based and what is secular. Music, organizations, books, philosophies, entertainment, movies, books and social gatherings. But life does not fall into such neat and precise little compartments in reality. The lines are blurred. (And yes, I wish that line did not bring a certain song to my head. See how far I've strayed?) 

Faith looks very different in my life today than it used to look. All believers are ministers, all are in the ministry, but a few years ago when I was paid to be in the ministry, faith looked different than it does today. 

How FAITH used to look in my life:

• Stepping over a stream of sewage in a Philippines slum to pray for a lethargic baby in a filthy bed. Minutes later he stirred and laughed and sparkles came to his eyes. 
• Holding a crying ministry student in my arms as my words tumble out and they bring calm and peace with them.
• With eyes straight ahead, walking past border guards as I helped smuggle Bibles into a country where it is illegal to have them. 
• Standing in front of my church as people are invited to come to us for prayer.
• Praying for a sick woman in a neglected Fiji hospital as she tells me she has been there longer than anyone else. Going back 3 days later to find that she has been sent home well. 
• Asking God for the right words to say to the young wife whose husband left her for another. 

How FAITH looks in my life today:

• Deciding to move my Pandora station to music that will lift me up rather than pull me down.
• Looking out the kitchen window as I wash dishes and telling God how much I love and trust Him.
• Adding another chapter to my WIP.
• Cold-calling a new business in town about writing for their website.
• Praying for my neighbor, inside my house, alone, as I watch the police cruiser arrive once again. 
• Doing 10 more sit-ups.
• Nodding in agreement when my Tax-Man-Dad cheerfully states that my "freelance business" has grown this year. I have never even called it a "business" to myself yet!
• Writing a shopping list.
• Hitting "Send" on another job response letter.  

It looks different...not as dramatic, but it is still faith. 

And ALL of it is terrifying. I was scared to death in every example of the first list. Every single one was accompanied by a pounding heart and a mind that said it would never work. The second list is less scary, but each one is still an act of faith. 

Without fear, faith would be unnecessary. I do not miss the terror of my earlier faith steps. Smuggling was not on my bucket list and I never want to do it again. But my trust in God today is just as intense...just as vital...just as required. The temptation to stay in bed and ignore the world is very real. The fantasy of deleting this blog and all connection to anyone is a familiar one. Counting my words as silly and useless is an easy place to go in my head. BUT by faith I remind myself that God likes my writing...that He swirls around these words and resides in the hearts of all of you who are reading this. 

By faith, I believe that my life today is as important as the days when I was a card-carrying minister. Faith looks different today than it used to. Faith is also a different hue and color in your life. It will appear differently in the changing stages of your life. Faith has way more than 50 shades. 

Your path is marked by steps of faith...tiny steps and huge steps. Don't count one as more or less than the other. Faith is faith. Getting out of bed is as huge as speaking to an arena full of people. Faith is evidenced as you clean your home, care for your little ones and call the friend who's going through a tough time. Faith shows up in the words you are writing on your blog and the tweets you send out that make us look at our lives more clearly. 

What does faith look like? It looks like you. 

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Faith-Candy

Wouldn't it be great if FAITH were a tangible thing? I would like to open up a little square of faith and pop it in my mouth like a sweet Starburst Candy square. On particularly tough days, when it is hard to carry on with faith, I could gobble up a whole package. To hold faith in my hand, and know that it is going to do its' work...that would be lovely.

Instead, FAITH is more like an ultra-super-fine spritz of cologne that has no aroma at all. You know you have applied it...but there is no discernible evidence. You have to have faith that you have faith. What kind of system is this anyway? 

I believe...have faith that God is good. But I am still confused about some things.

I have faith that God is with me always. But I still feel very alone at times.

I have faith that God is a protector. But stuff still happens, doesn't it?

If only that little square of faith-candy was available so I could chew it up and I could say that I am full of faith. That faith is in me. That I am faith-full. 

And then there is that staple of the faith verses that is already running through your head right now...Hebrews 11:1 

King James BibleNow faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Um, the King James Bible Version of this verse is beautiful...but it also sounds like one of Gollum's sneaky little riddles. What?

On the other hand, this English Standard Version clarifies it a bit better for me...a little bit.

English Standard VersionNow faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hope and trust are sometimes interchanged with the word faith...maybe hope and trust can be braided in with faith. Hope says that we know what we want and what we desire to happen. Trust says that we think that it WILL happen and we are just waiting in faith. That chunky little braid can be a life-saver sometimes.

FAITH has an element of not-knowing in it, doesn't it? We know things and we have faith for things. Here is a fun twisty-turny thought about faith......If we really, really KNOW a thing, we do not NEED faith for it, do we? 

Faith is required in the moments of not knowing. I have to chew on a little fruity square of faith when I just do not get it at all. Do not understand what is happening. I did not need faith to sit down on my couch this morning and begin this tapping to you. I know that my couch will hold me securely. It will not suddenly disintegrate beneath me. Faith is not a requirement for trusting my couch to hold me.

But I DO require faith for the parts of life that I am confused about. The sections of life that do not make sense in the obvious realm. Faith has to be engaged when I talk to God...or to think that I might actually hear Him sometimes. 

Faith is needed when I wonder about my future, my home, my family and my bank account. When I read the world news and pray about the injustice of it all...faith-trust-hope are braided together in a longing for peace and a why-can't-we-all-just-get-along?-kind of question. 

I KNOW that God is real...and good...and full of grace for ALL of us. I have no doubts about those truths in my life. But I do require faith to rest in those truths. Aah, this is the hard part of faith! Maybe the ENGAGING of our faith is all about the RESTING aspect. Resting in this sense is an active word...not a lazy whatever-will-be-will-be kind of word. 

So here is where I am landing this morning. I will pop a sweet and tangy little square of faith into my mouth and trust that it is stronger than a spritz of unscented cologne. I already KNOW that my God is good, so my hope and trust will be proven in my ability to rest...to have faith...to be full of faith...to be faithful. 

I am also trusting that this little post of thinking aloud in front of you is not confusing to you. Your mind goes in circles like this too, right? Right? I am munching on a whole pack of faith-candies today, so we can just blame it on a sugar-high I suppose. 

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Sure, I'll Do Writing Research in Hawaii

I read the freelance writing job ads almost every day. I am willing to do research out of my comfort zone...Want to send me to Hawaii to learn about Hawaii entertainment, sign me up! 

BUT, sometimes I read the job requests and I cannot see myself in a single category on the list.....

Ahem....Do I need to point out that there are spelling or typo errors in BOTH the job ads for the drinking magazines? 

And then there are a few categories that I have no plans to look into at all....

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Happy Birthday, Susie Klein. Your Life is beautiful.

My amazing and delightful son got me all teary-eyed and sniffly at the end of a not-too-fun birthday. I had (still have) a bad headache and spent the day unmovable on the couch. But Facebook Birthday greetings and phone calls kept me smiling...then THIS! I am blessed!

Thanks family and friends, I am a rich woman!

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Soft Kitty Compilation - The Big Bang Theory

Believe it or not, this clip ties in with my contribution to 5 Minutes For Faith today.....


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Argument of the Long Married

She made french toast this morning with a limited number of bread slices available.

Her: Come and get it Honey, these are yours.
Him: I don't need that much, take those two.
Her: No, you eat more than me, I have enough right here.
Him: Well, I'm not taking that last one, it's yours.
Her: I don't want it, honestly. I would say so if I wanted it.
Him: No you wouldn't. You lie all the time and say you don't want something when I know you do.
Her: Um, no, you are the one who does that because you think you are selfish, so you over-compensate by pretending you don't want stuff.
Him: I am not going to eat that last one, do what you want.
Her: I do not want it either, guess I will give it to the dog. (Totally bluffing.)
Him: Whatever. (Totally bluffing also.)

Layla (the dog) won this argument. 

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Hawaiian Dreams - Random Journal Link-up

It's RANDOM JOURNAL LINK-UP!

The Random Journal Link-up is a simple blogger community excuse to read the secret journal writings of strangers. But understandably, we do not remain strangers for long! Ha! Well, that just sounds creepy doesn't it? It is not creepy at all and our dear blog-friend Dawn is biting her finger nails this month as she has transitioned to a brand new blog site and now she is waiting to see if we will show up to share our journal links at the new party-house. We're coming, Dawn, on our way! After you read this post, go on over to Enthusiastically, Dawn, read some juicy journals and leave your own link ok? Thanks! (Goes LIVE Feb 7th)

Tonight I opened the beautiful green leather journal pictured above and I landed on a January entry from 2008. We were on Hawaii celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary that was coming in February. I guess that something about the beauty and the deep relaxation of Hawaii sent my mind into some future hopes and dreams. I do not often think along the lines that I see written on these pages. Our sons were 25 and 21 at the time and they were not with us....but my thoughts were with them obviously.

"I am imagining returning to this beautiful place in 10 years for our 40th anniversary with the boys and their wives. Either or both could be married by then, and even though neither one has a girlfriend right now, it is not a terribly far-fetched idea. ....... 

My guys with brides, God I pray for those 2 young women right now and ask you to bless them with an overload of your goodness today. Please protect their young hearts and bodies so that they will hear your clear voice when you cause their paths to cross the pathways of my sons. 

Allow them the freedom to be creative and the strength that comes from your joy in them. Pour yourself into them even today. I ask you to mend the broken parts in them and let them see who the REAL rescuer is. Keep their hearts tender, both my guys and their girls, even though they may be broken as they search for your mate for them. 

I can "see" 6 adults in line at the airport and my heart is full as I watch my men with their women. Hubs and I will be laughed at by them and we will laugh at them as they see whales for the first time or go snorkeling with us for the first time...........(I filled another page with prayers and imaginings.)

God I am asking for this. Is it too extravagant? It feels like too much...but maybe it's your idea more than mine!"

Interesting! Well, Writer Son is married now and who knows what could happen with Rocker Son in the next few years.....no pressure Honey!......but we are about to celebrate our 36th anniversary.....it could happen by the time we have our 40th, right?.  :) 

Today I look at these pages and I am thankful for the adorable and talented daughter-in-law that has joined our family. And I love that I prayed for her long before I knew her. She is a true delight to Hubs and me and we love seeing how happy they are together. 

Thanks God!

.....Here's to our future awesome Hawaii trip!!

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Why A Writing Schedule Is A Really Good Idea

--I use Grammarly for proofreading because not every rule has a rhyme.--

As most of you know, I am a freelance writer who works from home with no other day job. I used to have a full-time day job that I loved completely… it consumed my life in every way. I would come home in the late afternoon exhausted but content. After spending the day with dozens of people in challenging situations, I was drained and longing to veg the evening away in front of the TV.

But I always found a way to write. I filled journals, blogs and a small nonpaying newspaper column. I sometimes imagined that it would be Heaven to just stay home all day every day and write to my heart’s content. If anything could be more perfect than my ministry job, it would be being a full-time writer!

I have now been writing “full-time” for two years and um….nope, it is not Heaven. Silly me, I discovered that self-discipline is not my strong gifting. I can waste multiple days away without producing a single worthwhile sentence. Who knew that waking up to a totally blank day could leave you just as blank when you hit the bed again that night?

But in recent months I have experimented with setting up a writing schedule that works for me. This is where the helpful part of this blog post will begin. I have learned a few things that may be useful to other work-at-home writers.

I NEED a Writing Schedule!

You may think that having unlimited time to write would make the creativity flow like water. Surprise, surprise…not for me! I have an empty-nest (sorta) and no outside appointments of any kind. My time is my own. I have complete freedom. The fact that I have time has caused me to procrastinate enough to become the high and not-so-mighty Queen of Procrastination.

I have discovered that this lady really needs to be on a schedule in order to accomplish anything. So I figured out how to schedule my writing assignments. That leads to my next lesson learned.

Finding a Writing Rhythm

I have 3 client articles due each week, every week. Another client expects an article once a month. Since the due dates are constant and very close together, if I fall behind…it is a grand mess! So the early days of writing whenever I feel like it are gone. Thankfully, my clients have allowed me to set the schedule. I was able to organize the posts to work with my rhythm of work and rest.

My Writing Calendar is marked with just my regular writing jobs. In between those due dates I respond to job ads every single week. I submit to a weekly writing contest and write for a website that pays me if my post receives enough votes from readers. I also keep a careful chart of every job submitted, invoiced and payment received.

But one or two days a week I do not do any of that. (At least I TRY not to.) My mind can become a constant swirl of worry and concern because I am self-employed and it rests on me to be organized and careful. My small, but consistent income helps us pay our bills each month. The problem with working for yourself is that you cannot leave the job at the office. It is there all the time, even when you could be relaxing.

So if you do not schedule a day or two off, you will find yourself worrying about the work even when you are not working! Let’s say your spouse suggests a trip to the library or a movie. You feel guilty for enjoying some fun because a task is waiting for you and you don’t know when you will do it. If you have a schedule for each task, you will know that tomorrow it will get done, and today can be a fun day. What a beautiful difference that makes!

Social Media Shutdown

Logging out of Facebook is another key that has changed my productivity in a huge way. It seems like a simple and obvious step, but I LOVE FB! As a stay-at-home person with very little outside communication…umm I need me some social on the media. I love my online writing group and depend upon them to answer questions, challenge me and give me some giggles in between assignments.

They have become an accountability method for me in recent months and it is working beautifully. I tell my group (or all of FB sometimes) that I am logging out from 10am to 3pm. This forces me to stay off, because they will know if I hop back online. There have been some very interesting side benefits from this practice.

Now I get up and move around between assignments instead of popping over to FB for a bit. If I need a writing break, I go fold some laundry or empty the dishwasher. I often do stretches and a short work-out between assignments. No social media during working hours also allows my mind to drift and be more creative and inspired. I can enjoy social media without guilt during the non-working hours and that is much more fun!

I hope this long post has inspired you to find your writing rhythm and create a workable schedule. It will free you up to enjoy the present with less worry about the future. Being a Freelancer ought to involve some freedom, right? 

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I Spoke Too Soon

I look like the letter "L" in Hubby's size 12 cowboy boots.

Back in October I excitedly told you all (or Y'all?) that we were so happy to be moving to Texas to live near our married son and his bride. That post explains our reasoning and my excitement to at least be "Out of LimboLand At last!"  

In my enthusiasm and joy I spoke too soon. I forgot that when most people read the words..."We are moving..." they think that the writer is in the process of packing up the house and...well...moving. 

So in recent weeks we have run into friends and old work colleagues 4 different times who look at us in shock and say, "What are you doing here? I thought you moved!!" 

Who can blame them? It is an understandable reaction. But, wow, if feels very weird and unsettling, you know?  

I clearly spoke too soon. My excitement ran away with me and my fingers flew across the keyboard with abandon. 

Yes, we are STILL GOING TO MOVE TO TEXAS this year. But I get the serious heeby-jeebies when I imagine walking buyers through this house we've been in for 19 years. I am ready to move on, yes, but the house is not ready. The list of repairs, paint and new appliances is long and costly.....and pretty much overwhelming.

I do not know when we will move. But it will be this year...gotta be this year. I am so ready!  It is only January now and I hope that by summer we will be packing up and outta here. Pray for us? Thanks!

A few years ago when someone suggested we move to be near our grown son, my response was very negative. I knew we were finished in our current city but had no clue what was next for us. The idea of moving to "be near the kids" sounded like retirement...or giving up...getting old and done with life. So my answer was NO WAY. I will be 59 next month...not done...no where near finished! 

But somehow, some way, I believe that God prepared my heart to hear the idea one more time and see that living near family does not mean I am giving up on life and meaning. No matter where we moved, we would be starting over and finding new direction...so why not begin the next adventure near my son and daughter-in-law? 

So...I spoke too soon...but it is still happening...sometime in 2014. This beautiful home where we raised our two sons is going to get a bit of a make-over in the next few months and then we are moving on to the next chapter in our lives.....Thanks for your prayers.

Susie


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R.E.S.P.E.C.T. ---- You Are Welcome, Kids

Read it here.

...And THIS would be why my blog is so bland. Oh, it COULD be very juicy, yes indeed! Ha!
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You Are Altogether Beautiful, My Love..

Faith must be engaged when we struggle to accept how much God loves us. Verbalizing His love for us is a healthy way to move from hope, to faith, to real belief. When we speak these affirmations to ourselves, about ourselves, it changes the way we think and believe. For more on this subject, click on over to 5 Minutes For Faith to read my full post. Thanks, 
Susie

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Book Review - Bent But Not Broken

I don't often post book reviews, but this one is irresistible because I want you all to read this amazing book! Bent But Not Broken is a new book by a very close friend of mine. Hubs and I first met Joel Butz and his adorable wife, Heidi, when they became our Associate Pastors in our small church nearly 20 years ago. (wow, really, that long ago?) 

They live in a different state now, but Joel and Hubs enjoy long theological talks on the phone at least once a week. The calls do not begin with "Hi how are you?", they begin with Joel saying, "So I've been thinking, what if God......?" and they are off! 

Here is my Amazon Review...

"Review of Bent But Not Broken- by Joel Butz

The author of “Bent But Not Broken” is a good friend of mine; I may as well say that from the start. I ordered this first book of his as a show of support and encouragement. To be honest, (sorry Joel) I expected it to be a bit of a chore to read. Joel is a brilliant, big-thinker with a high education and deep thoughts that often leave me intrigued and in awe. So I was concerned that this book would be too difficult to grasp and actually enjoy.

I was wrong. Very wrong. The author’s words came across as a comfortable and engaging conversation. His new ideas of how our relationship with God can look, are refreshing and challenging and always backed up with scripture and personal stories. The reader will love God more and feel more loved by God after reading this book.

Joel Butz has wrestled valiantly with each of the powerful ideas presented in this book. I have watched and listened to the process over the 20 years that I have known him. Bent But Not Broken is a beautiful Journal of Devotional Theology, as the sub-title states. It has enhanced my relationship with God in unexpected ways and I highly recommend this book to anyone who is ready for MORE.

Susie Klein"

My friends, I finished reading this short book slowly, because when I read a book in one sitting, it does not stay with me, if you know what I mean. Though it is not a "devotional" in format, it became one as I savored it with my yellow highlighter kept handy. I found myself lowering the book to my lap and looking out the window and contemplating the words I had just read. I could not stop myself from re-reading parts of it aloud to myself so that the words could resonate more strongly with my spirit...if that makes sense to you. 

An excerpt from the Forward...

"This is not a theology book. My goal in writing this book is not to tell you how to think, but to help you re-think. I am intentionally making very little effort to "prove" anything; I simply want to help you reboot your thought processes. I want you to think again about the God who loves you as much as he loves Himself. I want you to think again about the Lover who loves you with the same love with which He loves the beloved Son. I want you to think again about the God whom Catherine of Sienna knew as "pazzo d'amore, ebro d'amore" - crazed with love, drunk with love. Why? Because there is a voice and I want you to hear it calling, even as I am learning to hear it calling....Arise my darling. Come away, my beautiful one. My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Song of Solomon 2:10, 2:14 HCSB"

Bravo Joel, you have created something lovely. And as if that was not enough to be impressed by; the cover art is by Heidi Butz and the cover is designed by their daughter, Ariel! Wowza! Love you guys!

Get it HERE on Amazon

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Where I Betray My Dog

Hi Gang, today's post is just a silly betrayal of my doggy-buddy as I reveal one of her odd quirks. You and I have bad hair days every once in a while, right? Layla has a bad EAR day every once in a while. Normally her ears hang down sweetly, as pictured above. 

But sometimes one of her ears has a tendency to flip straight out to the side and just stay there. Hubs calls her the Flying Nun when this happens. (Many of you are too young to know that reference.)  It is always that same ear. I recently wrote a parenting article advising parents to refrain from shaming their kids online and telling embarrassing stories about them, but Layla is not my kid and I never let her read Recovering Church Lady anyway. 

"Please stop taking pics of me on my "Bad Ear Day." 

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My ONE WORD is LISTEN - Random Journal Day Link-up!

Button Design: Melanie

Happy New Year, Dear Readers!

For the last few years I have joined the online trend to "choose" one word (here is another site) that will be a guide or a sort of mini-New Year Resolution for the year ahead. My method is to ask God about it and then wait and see what happens. Most often, it is the first word to pop into my head after I ask Him about it. Aaaand this year, as in other years, I argued about it for a week or so as the old year turned into the new year. Why do I argue with HIM? Doy! 

I recall having a "discussion" with Him about giving me the word "Trust" for 2012 because it felt so passive and I wanted something more exciting and daring. Then last year's One Word was "Embrace" and I think that I did embrace more freedom, more new possibilities in 2013. I believe that this simple little practice makes a difference in how we view the year. That one word can become a good default to go back to when you feel lost or confused. 

SO, this year my ONE WORD is Listen. Once again, it feels like a very passive word. A boring plan that has no bite to it. But I know it is the right word, because even in the first 3 days of this year, it has popped up in front of me twice already. 

-- The other day I was near tears as I washed dishes. No earth-shattering crisis, just very non-global problems that are piling up. I knew it was time to "pull up" or I would begin the familiar downward spiral that leads...well, down! I decided to think about my One Word and put on some music. I randomly hit an unfamiliar name on Pandora and went back to the hot dish pan. 

The sweetest music and voice poured out and into my kitchen! The words "It's Going To Be Alright" made me gasp with relief and thankfulness there in the soapy water. Every phrase was like a soothing balm as I listened. (Sara Groves - Album: Add To The Beauty, Song: It's Going To Be Alright) If I had not listened intentionally to the music, I would have missed the sweet assuring message that I needed. 

-- This morning as I read a new section in "The Artist's Way", the writer said, 

"God as my source is a simple but completely effective plan for living. It removes negative dependency - and anxiety - from our lives by assuring us that God will provide. Our job is to listen for how. 

One way we listen is by writing our morning pages. At night before we fall asleep, we can list areas in which we need guidance. In the morning, writing on these same topics, we find ourselves  seeing previously unseen avenues of approach. Experiment with this two-step process: ask for answers in the evening; listen for answers in the morning. Be open to all help."

I am hoping to finish my book in 2014 and actually see it published. In order to make that happen I need to listen for HIS direction while I edit, refine and get braver than I've ever been. I cannot do this by myself. I need you, God and people I have not even met yet to help me. I am going to have to get quiet so that I can hear and follow the correct advice. 

So scary!

BUT also so good and exciting and NOT boring! 

---------------

Random Journal Day Link-up!

It's the first Random Journal Day link-up of 2014!! Woo-hoo! Thanks to Dawn for organizing this great little gathering of journal scribblers! I love it so much and am so happy that it is continuing into the new year! Click on over, read and add your journalings to the collection! 

--

I picked up a green leather journal from 2007 and randomly let it fall open...The page is full of notes from a guest speaker at our ministry school. The words have been taken to heart and proven true over the years. They have become my own words, my own truth.

"Being a worshiper changes every atmosphere you walk into. Your authority over the atmosphere is more powerful than anything else in the room."

I know this to be true. that's why I write and talk so often about being the one to choose our mood, our attitude. Even though I find myself in desperate moments of depression or fear as described above, I know how to pull up and out. I know that worship is all about looking at HIM. And to look at Him, I must look away from my mess...at least for a moment. 

My lack of worship will lead to depression. I lose any authority I have gained when I neglect pointing my eyes in the right direction. Then the random atmosphere of the things I read and watch will have more power over me than I have over them. A morning of reading stupid comments, articles and rude posts will mess me up because I am allowing the wrong atmosphere to have the power. Can I hear another "Duh!"?? Haha! 

Father, forgive me for slipping into the wrong atmosphere. Thank you for your always-open-arms. You are too good to me. 
I am listening...

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What My Sons Taught Me About Christmas

What My Sons Taught Me About Christmas

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Payback Time

Writer Son has abandon his sheep for maracas. 

I am writing at 5 Minutes For Faith today! Click on over to read one of my favorite personal Christmas stories.  See that adorable little shepherd in blue up there? Yep, he is the star of the story. Sorry Honey, it's too good not to share repeatedly. Let's just call it payback. 

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God is Fine with Hair Fluffing

Rocker Son

I reached back to fluff my hair because I had been leaning my head back against a wall and I did not like my hair to get flat back there. 

As soon as I did it, I talked to myself....and then God talked to me.

This memory has been popping back into my mind this last week and it just will not leave me alone...so you get to hear about it. 

The fluffing of my hair was immediately followed by a stern reprimand. I have fine, limp hair and spend a lot of time getting it to plump up, poof or curl so that it will not just lay there being boring. I know there is nothing wrong with fluffing. 

BUT, this particular fluffing took place WHILE I was praying! It was an early morning prayer time a few years ago and I was going to be around a lot of people following the prayer time. So I fluffed. And the very next thought and inner voice berated me strongly.

I scolded myself for being vain while I was supposed to be praying and I looked around to see if anyone had seen me fluffing. 

Then God said......First of all I want to warn you that God does talk to me. Some do not think He kept talking once the Bible was printed. They believe He said it all right there in black and white and we do not need to hear anything more. I disagree and I hope you will not click away and think that I am too big for my britches if I think that the God of the Universe would take the time to talk to little old me. Because, well, I am too big for some of my britches, but He still talks to me occasionally and it always makes a huge impact on my life. That is why I remember each time so clearly. 

So, on this particular morning He said to me,

"What if NOTHING you did was wrong?

Experiment with that thought a bit."

WHAT? 

What if God looks at us like an adoring new parent? 

I have a lot of friends who are in the young parenting stage and my Facebook Feed is full of baby pictures and videos. These mommies and daddies are so proud of their babies....just for being born! The photos are celebrations of a one month old blob of baby in a cute outfit. The baby is drooling, burping or laughing and the mommy is enthralled! 

I watched one video of a newborn yesterday that was titled something along the lines of "Cute Breathing". The baby was sound asleep and we all got to watch and listen to her BREATH! Haha! Breathing! I kept watching in case something funny was going to happen at the end...nope, just breathing!

Can you play with the idea that God is just as entranced with you? That He is simply so in love with you that you can do no wrong? I KNOW! That is a crazy ridiculous thought. But experiment with it a bit. 

What if God's love for you is bigger than your mess-ups? What if He watched you fail at something and in His eyes it was just a baby burp? It was a bit of drool sliding down your chin? Is He going to yell at the attempt to take a few steps and become impatient when you land on your behind? 

Yes, we all need to mature beyond the baby steps. We grow and learn to control our burps. (Well, most of us do.) But I am convinced that God's love for us is bigger than our capacity to fail. And yes, that ability is huge. We can mess up on a grand scale...daily.

But God is bigger. His love for you, for me, for all of us is full of eternity's patience. He looks at us with adoring new-parent-eyes. We can do no wrong in His eyes. Look, she burped, isn't that the cutest thing?

Take that thought and play with it a bit, won't you?



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