Wednesday, June 24, 2015

It's the Soda Talking



I really love the "Share a Coke" campaign.  For me, scouring (for a few minutes) through a tower or bin of bottles is so satisfying.  It is not about finding my name.  I enjoy spotting those of friends and family, and even get a kick out of seeing a 'Pierre' or 'Raul' in our little town in western PA.  Have you seen a few snapshots here or there of someone and "their" bottle?  The other day I came across 'Kathryn' and had to buy it.  You see, that was my maternal grandmother's name.  So now, my mission is to find my other grandparents' names.  I don't even know why.  Good luck trying to find 'Velma', 'Guy', and 'Ralph', right?

I am intrigued with this marketing strategy so I looked it up.  Coke has this to say on their site:

“Share a Coke gave the brand a new way to do something we’ve done for almost 129 years: connect people… our bottles and cans became a special part of people’s most memorable moments last year. Whether they were hanging out with friends, with their family on vacation or at a wedding, they personalized these moments and made them even more special with Coca-Cola.”

Two words got me: connect people.  Isn't that God's vision, too?  He wants those who are found in Him to connect with everyone: his found children AND his lost children.  Jesus modeled it so well.  Luke 19 documents the day Jesus came into a town, and wanted to have dinner with Zaccheus.  This Zaccheus was no angel, no holy-roller.  He stole tax money from the citizens to make himself rich.  He was rather despised and despicable. Jesus loved him anyway.  He wanted to connect with him.  He wanted others to see this connection! It was unlikely, unexpected, but Jesus embraced the opportunity and had some dinner at his house.

Then there was the time when some doubted Jesus' sovereignty when he allowed a prostitute to pour perfume onto his feet in the midst of a meal at a Pharisee's house.  He set them right when he told them that she was doing the very things that THEY should have been doing.  Her faith saved her from her sins (He told her so)... & just like that- Jesus connected with another lowly sinner, showing the so-called 'godly' folk how to be in His presence.

So in reality, I am positive that even Christ would endorse the "Share A Coke" campaign, too.  In fact, that is His mission for us...(could it be that Coca-Cola borrowed this marketing strategy?).  He invites you to share a Coke, a coffee, a dessert, a whatever, and spend time with others for the sake of His kingdom.  Encourage and share.  Laugh, converse, pray, and CONNECT.  Who needs or deserves your time? It may be unexpected.  But it will be so worth it.


"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  Hebrews10:24-25


"Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality."  Romans 12:13

Monday, June 15, 2015

The Empty Corner



I have been scheming for a while now about how soon to take the rocking glider out of my son's room.  He has hit his 2nd birthday, and yes, we still use the glider daily, but for a brief time (tops: 4 minutes) before bed only. 

It is something that's been part of his bedtime routine since, well, ever.  I have to admit, I am looking forward to just laying him down after his bath, and cutting that cord, since he really insists upon it, with ONLY me.  But, before judging me, (if you haven't already one way or another), the glider has got to go, because before I know it, he will be 13 and I will be rocking him still.

So I did it.  Rather, Colby and I took out the chair today.  In its place for just a few moments was the empty corner.  I did not anticipate my sadness over this one move.  In fact last night as I was holding him there In the dark, I became abruptly aware that this was IT.  I must have kissed him a dozen times. As excited as I seemed to be about the next stage of freedom for both of us, I was equally sorrowed.

Our (my) daily outlook should be that of the psalmist when he said, "This is the day that The Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."  So, I will rejoice in the fact that my little boy is growing into a big boy, BUT...

I am also looking at this instance as "don't be ready for things to be over too soon."  Our world feeds us that impulse of "I can't wait until          (fill in your blank.)  From wishing for 5:00, to waiting for Saturday, to anticipating vacations, we have got it all wrong.  There are plenty of songs I cringe at from the 80's but the message of Loverboy's "Everybody's Working for the Weekend" is the Worst. Anthem. Ever.  

Really? We work and labor for 5 miserable days just to be happy for 2?  

So, this glider situation has gotten me to promise myself to stop saying, "I can't wait."  Because, you know what?  I can.  I can wait for the next big thing, and enjoy all the little ones until then.  God has intended for us to go through seasons, not experience it all at once.  We have today to live and tomorrow will come.  After all, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14). It is so true.  Our short life here on Earth happens quickly enough without us wishing it away.  


P.S.-  We both missed the glider tonight.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

3 Myths I Used to Believe




1. God has favorites.  
You know the names...Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, your next-door neighbor who has been on 13 mission trips.  I truly grew up with the notion that anyone who is someone in God's eyes, must be doing the BIG stuff for him.  The truth is, God appreciates your existence as much as the next person's.  He simply asks us to love Him and love one another.  Be His representative to the world in whatever way you can.  Your talent may not lead you to be on a stage, hop on a plane, or write best-selling books.... But do what YOU can.  He loves you just as much as His Son. (If there was anyone in line to be favored, it was Jesus.)

2. I must be in church every Sunday.  
It is an important and very crucial part to growing and developing in your walk with God.  I won't dispute that.  I actually used to feel extreme guilt, though, if I didn't make a service (sickness, vacation, etc...).  I am not advocating prolonged absence but having a child made me see that God will not be angry with me for not attending.  I had to become flexible with a new little being's schedule, and sometimes, that interfered with church.  What matters much more to Him, rather, would be how I am living day-to-day.  Where is my heart? If not in a church building, is it abiding in Him?  He knows.  The church is not limited to a brick structure.  It is alive and well in all of its members, every day of the week.

3. Everything is as it seems.
This was perhaps, one of my greatest on-going blunders as I was growing up.  You see, my middle name should have been 'Naive'.  I have too many examples to name them all, but I think many of us have been there.  Behind closed doors is an unknown world- yours and mine included.  Appearances are a joke.  If everyone was truly as poised and cheerful as their Christmas cards would have us to believe, we would be living in a perfect world.  Not that we need to hang our heads, and complain when life is less than pleasant, but rather, we should be aware that false impressions happen all the time.  Our world is fallen.  We all sin.  Consequently, reputations collapse, marriages fail, promises dissolve, and lies are revealed.  I am still learning to put down my rose-colored glasses.



Monday, June 1, 2015

"Sexy" and other 4- Letter Words



One of my sweet friends has a daughter in kindergarten.  She was appalled to learn that her daughter used the word 'sexy' when passing a boy in the hall.  As mortified (& angered & confused, etc...) as ever, she asked me what I thought.

The very first thing that popped into my head was not about punishment, nor blaming her daughter (although later we did discuss that she needed to  give some consequence).  I honestly had to tell her first that she should think about the world we live in and what those precious kindergarten ears have heard in the past 6 years.  

Now, "sexy" is not the worst word, I know... it is rather mainstream these days.  It would be quite simple to turn on the radio and hear that term in most genres.  How about television? That's a garbage heap for the ears AND eyes.  More 4-letter words are being used before prime time on tv shows than ever before.  In fact, more EVERYTHING is seemingly allowed now.  What my husband and I would have regularly watched before our son was born is now being replaced by Mickey Mouse or Frosty the Snowman (for the 400th time).  That is fine by me.  I sound like a prude.  That is fine by me as well.

Why?  Tim and I need to guard our hearts and minds as well as Colby's.  He will be exposed to it soon enough.  What we allow into our home is what we also allow to take root in our lives.  We control that. 100%.  

Good.Golly.  Must we hear about casual sex, gender changes, violence, and everything of the like on a daily basis?  Proverbs, chapter 4, verse 23 says, "Above all else guard your heart, because from it flow the springs of life."  That phrase is powerful because of its first 3 words... "Above ALL else."  To me, that means, nothing is more important than guarding your heart.  


If I constantly expose myself and my children to everything happening in the Kardashian family, we will start to see that as the norm.  If my tv, radio, or reading habits conflict at all with what God would have for me, then I need to take the high road and avoid things that would cause me to see my life as a 'free for all.'  Self control, true compassion, forgiveness, wisdom...these are truths.  These are the qualities born out of a life lived in Christ.  

Be vigilant in seeking truth, not what the world feeds us through media.  It affects you and your family.  You cannot unsee nor unhear ideas once they have been presented to you.  Don't see it, read it, or listen to it just because it is #1 on somebody's list.

So, nope.  Sexy isn't the absolute worst word ever.  My friend's daughter will hear more, I am sure.  You will too. But remember, YOU control everything that comes across to you.  YOU choose what you expose your home to.   "Above ALL else."