Why Lent is not about trying harder

The scene we witnessed as a student team was both beautiful and haunting, watching a devoted follower crawl through the streets of a large Central American city on hands and knees, a bleeding, thorn-crowned, impersonation of Christ. This happens all over the world this time of year, and we might find this both shocking and moving. Recently, we also saw 21 martyrs answer the call of Christ to face death rather than turn from him. These dramatic events cause us to tremble, and look at our own lives. What sacrifice am I being called to? Is daily faithfulness just as important and sacrificial? Perhaps God is not calling you to something that appears to be as difficult as these examples, but the daily surrender to grace can be difficult as well.

The idea of 'giving something up' for Lent is relatively new to me, coming from a church background that was not especially liturgical. But the idea fits my personality quite well, being the over achiever that I was for years.

This year, I arrive at the Lenten season tired. Can you relate? The year has just started, but do you look at your goals for the year and sigh, knowing you'll never quite meet them? This is the perfect storm for many of us to approach the Easter season with a works-righteousness mindset, myself included. Coming to Christ needy, rather than with something to offer, is just plain uncomfortable.  Does this mean that God might still be calling you to sacrifice greatly this year? Yes, of course, but our response should be obedience more than sacrifice. I often find myself signing up for more than God is ever asking of me. Like my goal to read through the Bible this year - not a bad thing, at all, but why? Motivation in all our actions is key. I'm not going to say my motivation in that goal was bad, but why then have I resisted the Spirit's prompting to let go of that goal, and rather just focus on one passage? One. Not exactly what this goodie goodie wants to hear. I'm finding comfort in that one passage, in this book, and in the resources listed below.

What is God calling you to this Lenten season? Is he calling you to give up worry (like me), to find rest for your soul? Is he calling you to give up consumerism, for the joy of simplicity and contentment? Is he calling you to really just give in to his love, rather than giving up in general, like you might be tempted to do? Can we see the joy of what he is offering, rather than the contrived self-sufficiency that only serves to make us weary?

May we all find relief in his sacrifice this Easter season, rather than striving for righteousness in a way that leads to death rather than life, guilt rather than glory, unnecessary pain rather than purpose, misery rather than marveling at his grace. Because it really is all about him, isn't it? Let go of your need to feel good about yourself with self-imposed deeds of righteousness, and instead, find your worth in having been chosen as the focus of his sacrificial love, before all time and eternity.  By HIS stripes we are healed, not our own.  That's where I'm camping out right now, and the view is amazing.


Additional resources to fill your soul, cover you with love, and release you from guilt...

Resources from Ann Voskamp for Lent (and why failing at Lent could be better)

Ann's weekly Multivitamins post - don't miss this!! Sure to delight and inspire.

She Reads Truth Lent series

The Fringe Hours - Finding Time for You (what if God is calling you to give up busyness, to better care for yourself?) and online book club to go along

Emily Freeman's blog - a space for your soul to breathe

Emily's podcast and Art of Simple podcast (both are fun and refreshing)

Beautiful Enya video - Perhaps the grace of our Savior will keep you singing?

(Photos from some lovely friends at our church in Florida - really missing the sunny people and weather up here in the frigid north...)

The wellness secret that will change everything

Fall snuck in the back door, and just as quietly, is about to leave, replacing brilliant colors with serene and peaceful landscapes.

Long, quiet, lonely days prompt me to pick up the lens and capture moments of joy to remember the beauty right outside my door. So too, is the choice to be thankful... a lovely guest that sits out in the foyer waiting to be welcomed in, but is often ignored while the pesky and burdensome Discontent distracts and dazzles.


Making the choice to really see the beauty we're surrounded by is strangely difficult. Thankfulness is the mortar that holds together the joints and marrow of our souls, giving our lives shape and meaning.



This stony path is littered with beautiful surprises and one small secret spurs me on when my faith lags...

She told me during another rough time that what God was giving me in that season was His best for me...not an afterthought, a punishment, a manipulation to get me to 'behave better'.

And so I turn the key and open this door to a beautiful surprise, the gift of joy. Realizing that because God gives what is best, I have what I want (who really does know what one's soul deeply needs?) rather than wanting what I don't have. What I have is all I need for today. Perhaps tomorrow, a need or desire will arise, but for today, my soul can be full if I slow down to chew and enjoy the feast of today.




I see light ahead, showing only the next step towards Home. I wipe the dust of fear and doubt at the welcome mat of His throne, and whisper thanks for Him, for my hard-working man, for the simple joy of snapping beauty all around. And I feel His smile and embrace as we warm by the fire of joy.

For further meditation: Matthew 6:25-34, Psalm 30:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

By Grace,

Ruth

Praise the Indescribable One

Watched this video recently and wow- it totally shifted my thinking about who I am and who God is.

Chris Tomlin Indescribable song:

Have a blessed evening!

Ruth

Praise the Creator {for beautiful YOU!} {Day 3}

I love watching the BBC Planet Earth movies with my hubby.  Breathtaking landscapes, mountain views, and delicate insects and flower petals.  But God had something even more wonderful in mind when He created you...in His image.  He does not like it when we belittle ourselves!  Have you ever stopped that negative chatter that rolls around your head and realized you would never think that way about someone else?  Why is it that we do that to ourselves?  God did not make a mistake when he made you.  You are not an after-thought.

Try this exercise to remind yourself (or learn for the first time) how treasured you are by the most High God.  Stand in front of a mirror, and take the time to thank God for each part of you.... one. at. a. time.  When we do this, we acknowledge that He has fearfully and wonderfully made us (Psalm 139) and that we are not a mistake, an afterthought, or anything less than perfect in His eyes.  He sees us as He sees His son, Jesus, so we have nothing to fear.

God, we praise you for the energy you put into making each one of us in your image.  You have crafted this beautiful world for us to enjoy, and you have made us for your own glory and enjoyment.  Help us to rejoice in who we are in You, and resist the urge we often have to belittle ourselves internally.

Bless you, friends....

The Power of Praise Series intro
Day 1
Day 2

The Redemptive Nature of Housekeeping

I tackled a week's worth of laundry today!

My legs ached from yesterday's workout, but I lugged the heavy clothes basket down two flights of stairs and across the parking lot to the laundry room.  The sheets needed to be changed, the bathroom was a mess and our home was in general disarray from having guests for a week.  I got a few things done, and sat down for a minute, looking over at the dirty dishes that were waiting for me.  And even when my home is set aright later today, it will last for just a few days before it all needs to be done again!

This picture always makes me smile--and yes, Paul does help!

Does any of this sound familiar?  Sometimes it is hard to have a joyful heart in the midst of cooking, cleaning, laundry, rinse and repeat!  But as I went about my tasks today, asking the Lord to give me a sense of joy and purpose as I worked, I realized there is more to housework than meets the eye.

1.  It changes me.  Doing mundane things is not my strong suit.  I'm just not a task-oriented person like my husband!  He could attack a list of chores happily, day in and day out.  Or is it just that I am a sinner?  Perhaps some of both.  Doing things that do not get much attention, but yet still need to be done, is the essence of humility.  Taking on the servant nature of Christ, and choosing to serve in some very menial ways, including toilet-cleaning!  (Also not my favorite :)  But I must be quick to say, though it does not provide worldly acclaim to be a homemaker, it is something my husband truly appreciates, and that is enough motivation for me (most days).  Even more, choosing to be a servant is what I am called to as a Christian.

2.  It provides a beautiful and relaxing haven for my family and others.  Paul and I just completed a New Members class at our church, and will be saying our vows in front of the church soon.  As part of this month-long class, we took spiritual gifts inventories, and I was not surprised that hospitality is one of my gifts.  I just LOVE having people over!  But it requires a lot of effort to create a beautiful, serene space for others to put up their feet and feel at home.  Cleaning, cooking, and meeting the needs of those in need are all a part of hospitality.  And even if hospitality is not your 'spiritual gift', it is something we as Christians are all called to.

3.  It is an act of redemption, returning chaos to order, over and over.  Redemption is very important to me.  I love seeing old, broken, or dead things brought back to life.  This could apply to hundreds of different scenarios.  But as I knocked down spider webs on my front porch (the spiders just won't stay away!), I thought about how these seemingly mundane tasks are quite profound.  You see, I am taking on the redemption nature that my Lord and God has, as He goes about making our lives, our souls, and a host of other things beautiful in their own time.  God is the God of Redemption, and caring for the beauty around me is a way to partake in my calling as a Christian.

I hope you are able to approach your mundane tasks with joy, knowing you are impacting the Kingdom of God in a powerful way.

Blessings,

Ruth

Choose Thankful Submission...and Restore Childlike Wonder and Joy

A reminder every morning to value our union

It was Saturday afternoon, and I had had a rough morning. There was some tension between me and my sweet man, and it was largely my fault. I had spoken harsh words, and was not willing to yield some of his ideas...and the result was a collision of wills.  My lunch had burned, and it added insult to injury...but my audio book version of 1000 gifts struck a chord with my hard heart.  Thankfully, I was now willing to listen. She spoke of the joys of surrender, of opening ourselves up to the ways of God, and how this restores our childlike wonder and joy.  I recalled my photo adventure just a day earlier, as I had chosen to look for little displays of grace and beauty in my world.  God did not disappoint. I will leave you with some of those grace-moments, and urge you to pick up your camera, and go on a beauty-hunt yourself!

A welcome to others by our front door--the joys of hospitality

You will be amazed at all the beautiful things around you, that will open you up to living with childlike obedience.  

Reminders of our special day

Stepping out on our patio for some fresh herbs!

Bird of paradise flower, thoughts of our eternal paradise that waits

This happy hibiscus

Mama duck and her babies

 I pray that moments like these will help you turn from your rebellion and hardness of heart, and find the joy and wonder that I have found in true surrender.  I have realized again,

that choosing to submit to God and my husband, is really a door to joy, that can be found no other way.  Choosing my own ways over His, over my husband's (apart from following into sin) is really not the answer.  Joyful surrender is becoming more and more of a delight.


And finding the beauty all

around me in these joy moments, little snippets of grace, makes the hard days oh-so-bearable.  How do you fight through the hard days?  Please share in the comments.


As for the conclusion of my tough day...in his ever gentle ways, my honey helped me find my way back to repentance, the refreshing streams of Grace that only God can offer, but that often come to me through Paul's words and actions.

Christmas: Embracing the True Beauty

The Rose Garden at Leu Gardens, Orlando, FL

This IS possible in sunny FL, in December!

Soft and sweet

There are so many strikingly beautiful things about the Christmas season....more superficial things like the holiday lights, Christmas decorations, lovely wrapped presents, and softly fallen snow.  However, I'm thinking of the hearts of those that have brought Christmas memories to me over the years, friends and family with their hearts to honor the Lord....like my sweet husband has done for me this holiday....and even more, the players in the Holy Story.  Mary, with her desire to give herself to exactly what God had in mind, Joseph, with his courageous choice to remain betrothed to Mary and protect the unborn child, and of course, our Lord and Savior, who humbled Himself to come into our world and be born into a life of struggle and grief....for our sakes alone.

This Christmas, Paul and I have enjoyed our Advent readings and making weekend memories that will last a lifetime.  While I may be scarce the next few days, I do hope for all of us that during this time we are able to embrace the True beauty of the season, found in Jesus Christ alone.

And here, just for your perusal, I've included some of the beautiful creation we enjoyed this past weekend at Leu Gardens.

May God make all your Christmas moments truly beautiful, in Him.

Christmas Blessings,
Ruth

This rare variety, also known as my husband, is a keeper!

I chose style over comfort, and paid for it!  Still enjoyed myself, however...

The REAL Charlie Brown Christmas tree :)