Month: November 2014

A Time to Speak

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shy

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak
Ecclesiastes 3:1,7

As a young girl I was shy and deeply introverted. This resulted in a rock wall of silence that took me years to chip away. In my high school classrooms I never spoke. I answered every question in my head. I came up with witty responses to the silly banter of adolescence, but never actually delivered them. My teachers begged me to participate, but the words just wouldn’t come out. Looking back at my high school yearbook, almost every note from teachers and acquaintances remarked on how quiet I was. Only to my friends did I open up and reveal my inner life. I felt safe with them. I could trust them with my truth.

This reticence lessened in college and more so in graduate school, but only by a little. My graduate advisor understood. She knew I wasn’t just sitting there, disengaged with all that was happening in class. In fact I was quite busy. I was learning, discovering, uncovering, soaking in, turning over, deciding, proving, agreeing, dissenting. All this was happening within the safe walls of my own mind. I knew that more was expected of me, but the words just wouldn’t come out. Almost like a crowd of people trying to get out of an elevator all at once. They were wedged in. Stuck.  If you’re an introvert like me, this feeling is probably all too familiar. Continue reading →

Journeying in Faith

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man hiking
I pray for the strength of Abraham.
How difficult it is for me to set off not knowing where I am going.
I am always one for charting the course ahead.
For knowing exactly what to expect.
But only You know what lies in store for me.
And I must have faith if I am to receive my inheritance.

Dear Lord I walk with You in FAITH
The substance of things hoped for
And the assurance of things unseen.

I pray for the certainty of Abraham.
Just as he looked forward to a new city in a new land,
Help me look forward to this unseen future,
Knowing that You are its architect and builder.
And You are mighty!

Dear Lord I walk with You in FAITH
The substance of things hoped for
And the assurance of things unseen.

I pray for the faith of Abraham.
He knew hopelessness and despair, as he yearned for a child
Though he was old and his wife was barren.
But You blessed Abraham and Sarah with a child.
Not just one—descendants to number the stars in the sky!
Bless my new journey, let it bear the fruits of Your glory.

Dear Lord I walk with You in FAITH
The substance of things hoped for
And the assurance of things unseen.

Loving God, bless me as You blessed your chosen one, Abraham
Teach me Your paths and guide me in Your ways
Let all that I do reflect Your love, mercy, and compassion
For my faith lies in You.

AMEN.

Show Me the Way

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road
I hate driving to new places.

Anytime I have to do it I follow the same procedure. I look up the directions. Write them out in giant print so I can read them in the car. Try my best to memorize them. And head out, still a bit nervous.

This is not a good way to be. And I’ll admit this fear has kept me from trying new things and seeing new places. Lately I’ve been trying to pinpoint the reasons why I’m so reluctant to venture out to places I’ve never been. Two reasons stand out to me.

I like to know where I’m going. And I hate getting lost. Continue reading →

Jesus, the Bridge Builder

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For today’s reflection, I would like to share the following story.  The author is unknown, and the story can be found in various places on the internet.

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on the older brother’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s toolbox. “I’m looking for a few days work” he said. “Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?”

“Yes,” said the older brother. “I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor, in fact, it’s my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a tall fence so I won’t need to see his place anymore. That’ll show him!” Continue reading →