i stood silent and still in my hallway the other night as the wind began to blow. as each gust grew a bit stronger, so did the sound of my chimes. they didn’t buckle or break as the wind battered them. as they beat together, they rang louder and louder with their sweet song of grace. see, they are “amazing grace” chimes. each metal rod is tuned to a different note that together create this classic hymn.
this analogy captivated me in its simple truth. the harder the winds of life begin to blow, the louder His grace, mercy and peace seem to ring. even in the middle of the storm, He is present with exactly what we need. (i blogged about this very truth in my first post on this blog.) we just need to remain still enough to hear His song.
as i prepare to teach a workshop next week entitled “broken, burned-out, and bored in kidmin,” we will talk about the rest, grace, mercy, and peace that are present in the storms of ministry life. and of course, i will have to mention the lesson of my chimes. (i just love it when He teaches me like that.) may we all leave with our ears a bit more tuned to the song in our storms.
it has taken three months, but in the last week i could almost literally feel myself turning the corner in my transition to alabama. there have been many sweet ah-ha moments sprinkled in between what i felt was my constant state of cluelessness, but when i walked home from church last wednesday, i experienced a bend in my journey that plastered a smile across my face. i believe i would have sat right there and celebrated had it not happened right in the middle of the road. 🙂
i would have considered myself someone that “loves change”, but when the rubber met the road this summer i saw things in me that were surprising, disappointing, and in need of being challenged. i have failed miserably at some and faced others head on, all while growing stronger and more dependent on God as my guide.
now let’s don’t get all crazy. i still use my gps to get most places and have almost caused quite a few wrecks because i am gawking at the beautiful birmingham scenery or nearly missing a turn. i still have many places, names, and sweet faces to learn. there are also many stories to hear and history in relationships to be developed. i am learning the key to transition is time and i realized i was beginning to embrace this truth when without thinking last week i referenced my little yellow house in homewood as “home.”
for 13 years i have stood on the safe side of change and talked to group after group of 6th graders that were entering a pivotal point of transition in their lives. tonight is different. tonight i stand before a group of kids that i’ve shared 95% of their children’s ministry time with, but left two and a half months shy of their 6th grade graduation. tonight as i speak to them about their new season in life, i stand waist deep in mine. tonight, i am not full of answers, quick fixes, perky cliches, or empty promises. the only thing i am full of tonight is peace.
tonight as i share, i don’t want to recount the past or even dwell on this colorful cast of characters. what i can share with them tonight is that no matter what is written in the next chapter of their stories, if their Salvation is in Christ each stroke is written by a mighty Author.
when they begin to experience that change is hard, they can know that the One who holds the pen has a strong, secure hand.
Hebrews 6: 18-19 “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
when they start to feel alone in the newness, i can assure them of a Savior that will never leave them or forsake them. (whether it “feels” like it at the time or not.)
Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
when their new adventure begins to take them to new heights that can often be scary, i can remind them that their Creator is the strength in their feet.
Habakuk 3:19 “The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”
when the world seems to win and they become weary, i can remind them our God is faithful to give them a safe place to rest.
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
in a world full of faces causing them to just long to be known, i can confidently say their Creator knows them better than they know themselves.
Psalm 138:13-16 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
and when it all may feel like it is not worth it, the snares are many, and the goal line distant, i can challenge us all to continue the fight. because, when we see Jesus, this vapored life will be a no more.
Hebrews 12:1- 3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
we all have a story, and it is in the time of transition i believe we are tested to see the level of our trust. may we each seek to become less, so that the Author of Life, Jesus Christ receives all the glory. oh how i want a story worth sharing even between chapters.
YUC XIV 2011-2012blessed to have done ministry with these sweet friends.
one of the things i noticed this summer about my 7-year-old niece’s stage in life was that she seemed to believe she was never at fault. no matter what happened, she thought she was never to blame. while she continued to point fingers, i wondered how i would be intentional about helping her see her shortcomings. without beginning to understand her sin, how would she start to see her need for a Savior? in love, i wanted to turn times of discipline into teachable moments about how Jesus rescues us in our rebellion. why did i think, even for a second, this lesson i longed to teach her wouldn’t also be for me?
it began on a morning we were late to meet someone. i was frantically running around trying to gather her things, get her to her location, and not be late for work myself. already ten minutes late, the last chore of the morning was to take the dog potty before rushing out the door. when i looked up from the backyard, i noticed not only had my niece come to join me and the dog in the backyard, she closed the backdoor that she also managed to lock. the three of us now stood in the backyard with no key, no phone, and no way to get back into the house. (looking back, i am just thankful i had us both out of our pajamas.)
what a great scenario to display grace; i just wish i could say that i did. in my frustration, i shamed her and watched her sweet face melt. as tears streamed down her cheeks, we figured out how to get another key, but the damage was done. i hurt her. when called to show mercy, i chose to sin. i was now the one needing the reminder of a sweet Savior’s grace.
the lesson i had imagined would include me pointing out her wrong, had me confessing mine and asking for her forgiveness. before reentering the house, we sat on the steps and i explained to her how badly i had handled the situation. i shared that even though i was grown, i often choose my way instead of God’s way. these actions aren’t simply mistakes, they are rebellion against God and they are sin. i told her that it is because of my sin and inability to be perfect on my own that i need Jesus. i couldn’t get those ugly moments back, but i longed to redeem them to point her to Jesus. humbly, i got a fresh few of His mercy myself.
since that week i keep singing the lyrics of laura story’s “grace.” this song (see below) so captures my heart as i continue to confront how i oh so often fall short. while i am incredibly imperfect, He continues to be all sufficient! wow!
Laura Story’s “Grace” lyrics
“My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused. I see the things You do through me as great things I have done. And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me and hold me as my father and mold me as my maker.
Chorus: I ask you: “How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down? And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abound?” And you answer: ” My child, I love you. And as long as you’re seeking My face, You’ll walk in the pow’r of My daily sufficient grace.”
At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged, knowing that someone, somewhere could do a better job.
For who am I to serve You? I know I don’t deserve You. And that’s the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on.
Chorus I ask you: “How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down? And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?” And you answer: ” My child, I love you. And as long as you’re seeking My face, You’ll walk in the pow’r of My daily sufficient grace.” You are so patient with me, Lord.
As I walk with You, I’m learning what Your grace really means. The price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary.
So, instead of trying to repay You, I’m learning to simply obey Youby giving up my life to you For all that You’ve given to me.
Chorus: I ask you: “How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down? And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?” And you answer: ” My child, I love you. And as long as you’re seeking My face, You’ll walk in the pow’r of My daily sufficient grace.”
at first glance it may not make much sense to put pictures of my new office in my blog entitled “clean slate.” well, in my head it makes perfect sense. you see, i am highly visual and i am a slow learner. so i knew if i was going to make the most of this new ministry adventure God has given me, i would have to give myself a daily reminder.
i believe a fresh start in ministry is a precious gift and i want to come face to face with this truth each day. so, the extremist in me went from bright blue, glitter covered walls with a red velvet couch to an office that is, well, white. i simply couldn’t conceive a better palette to scream clean start to myself each day.
here are just some of the things i hope and pray these surroundings remind me of each day:
– have no agenda other than God’s agenda – this new ministry is not the 2.0 version of the last ministry – dream fresh, God-sized dreams – my way is not always the best way, try something new – learn and grow from past failures and conflicts, but don’t let them mar the new ministry
– it takes time to fill a blank canvas – be patient and purposed with each stroke
the other important piece to my new office was one of the scriptures God used in calling me to dawson. (pictured left) ephesians 3:20-21,“now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! amen.” i believe it is when i get out of the way and abandon myself to His vision and dreams, i can experience the Creator’s abundantly more!
they didn’t buckle or break as the wind battered them. as they beat together, they rang louder and louder with their sweet song of grace. see, they are “amazing grace” chimes. each metal rod is tuned to a different note that together create this classic hymn.
