Be Bold - The Lord Your God Is With You

Last week, I waited in line at a Christian book store and overheard a young woman ask for a job application.  There was nothing remarkable or noteworthy about her appearance or the request.  What was remarkable and noteworthy was the interaction between this young woman and the sales clerk with whom she spoke.

The young woman was told that applications were available online, but the clerk knew for a fact that that store was not currently hiring.  At this point, I realized the young woman was distressed.  I tried not to eavesdrop, but it was impossible due to the close proximity.  The clerk came from behind the counter and hugged the young woman and asked if she could pray with her.  The young woman readily agreed and then began to cry as she explained that she was a widow with two small children.  She had been working as a nurse and had lost her job after her employer downsized.  She was willing to work anywhere, doing anything, in order to feed her children and provide housing for them.

The sales clerk gently placed her hands on the young woman's shoulders and began to pray for her and for her children. She prayed fervently without concern for those of us who stood in line.  I don't know about anyone else, but I bowed in prayer and a few minutes later, opened my tear-filled eyes. 

I have thought about that young woman several times in the last few days, but I have thought more about the sales clerk.

Each time I pray for the young woman and her circumstances, I also pray that God would give me the bold spirit necessary to be like the sales clerk.  I am reminded of the song, "Be Bold."  Are you familiar with the lyrics?

"BE BOLD"

Be bold, be strong
For the Lord your God is with you
Be bold, be strong
For the Lord your God is with you
I am not afraid
I am not dismayed
Because I'm walking in faith and victory
Come on and walk in faith and victory
For the Lord your God is with you

The Bible admonishes us to pray without ceasing.  That I can do.  What I have a hard time doing is praying with or for others in a public, secular setting.  That I can strive to do.  With God's help, I plan to take baby steps toward that goal.  I want to be bold, I want to be strong, and I want to remember that the Lord, our God is with me as I take each baby step.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:5,6

Time: Use It or Lose It

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.  You will have your heart broken, probably more than once and it's harder every time.  You'll break hearts, too.  So, remember how it felt when yours was broken.  You'll fight with your best friend.  You'll blame a new love from things an old one did.  You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.  So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is  a minute of happiness you'll never get back.  Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.  - Anonymous - 

As I was clearing files from my computer, I found this and thought about the wisdom contained in the lines.  It was a great reminder that I need to practice what I preach.  I often find myself wasting minutes in unproductive activities.  I need to stay focused on what is important.

I have been trying to prepare a short story each week for a writer's challenge on the website, FaithWriters.com.  I'm not entering the weekly contest for something to do, I have more items on my "To Do" list than I can possibly accomplish in a lifetime.  BUT, I have always enjoyed writing and a long-held dream of mine has been to see my name on a book spine.

FaithWriters is my springboard.  I need to practice writing succinctly and I need the feedback I get from the other writers on the website.  There are weekly winners and while my focus is not on garnering a spot in the top three, it would be nice to have my efforts recognized.

The time I spend writing is not wasted time.  I need to practice, to improve my skills.  What about the time I spend doing other things?  Time spent watching television is almost always wasted.  A mindless sitcom steals thirty minutes.  Sure, I could say I need the time to "wind down" after a stressful day, but if my need is to "wind down" then why not read a book?  Or watch a program with some educational value?  Some of my time is scheduled for me, I am following someone else's schedule.  Are those minutes wasted because I have no control?

Each minute I spend waiting with my mother-in-law while she undergoes chemotherapy is an opportunity for us to talk.  Or, if she is resting, it is an opportunity for me to read, write, or rest.  I could easily waste those hours reading women's magazines - actually most of the time would be spent looking at advertisements, as there are few articles.  I try to use those hours reading books that will instruct or inspire.  If I write, I choose to write with a purpose.

In sixty minutes, I can write five to ten pages on my latest novel.  In sixty minutes, I can rad two chapters in an inspirational book.  In sixty minutes, I can read my Bible, take notes, and pray.  In sixty minutes, I can do something with my family that will leave a lasting memory.

Or I could take a nap.  I'm not opposed to naps, ask anyone who knows me.  I love naps.  From time to time, I find them to be essential.  But, I can't use naps as a way to fill time.  I can't get that time back, and besides, come bedtime I'll have a hard time falling asleep.

What about the time that must be spent taking care of the household?  The minutes I spend grocery shopping, unloading and putting away groceries?  What about the minutes I spend washing dishes or preparing a meal?  What about the minutes I spend vacuuming and dusting?  I can't get those minutes back.  Are they wasted?

Certainly not.  Some of the best conversations I've had with my kids have happened while we washed dishes, cleaned the house or picked up sticks in the yard.  Some of my most fervent prayers have been offered up while I scrubbed the kitchen floor.

We all have 1440 minutes in our day.  We either use them or lose them.  God expects us to be good stewards of our time. Make every minute count.

Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes

At what age do we start validating ourselves based on the opinions of others?  Middle school?  Grade school?  

I love working with young people.  I did my student teaching with middle school students and taught high school.  I've lead youth groups and taught Sunday School classes for these age groups.  I've had a lot of heart-to-heart conversations...

I'm not sure when it starts, but I do know that girls spend entirely too much time focusing on the approval of others.  Do you remember what it was like to be that age and feel like everyone was watching your every move?  Worrying that everyone saw you trip and fall? Worrying that everyone noticed your shoes or clothes were an off brand?

These poor girls want desperately to fit in and at the same time they want to make a statement and be different.  No wonder they're insecure.  The media tells them they're all too fat and that they need plastic surgery to enhance their inner beauty.  No wonder their insecure.  Their teachers compare their achievements or lack of achievement to other students.

And their mothers, well we don't have a clue, do we?  How could we possibly understand what it's like to have a guy walk past and not notice you?  How could we possibly know what it's like to see everyone else get picked for a team while you get ignored?  How could we understand feeling like you'll never be good enough?

We can assure our girls that other people have their own problems and aren't focusing on them.  Kids are too self-centered we tell them, they make a cruel remark and as far as they're concerned, it's over.  You keep dwelling on what was said, but the other person is probably oblivious to the pain they inflicted.  They're too busy dwelling on the pain someone else inflicted on them.  Does this sound familiar?  Have you had conversations like this?

Hypocrites, aren't we?

Last week, several women joined me on a Facebook discussion thread.  I've been reading Beth Moore's book, So Long Insecurity and wanted to share it with my friends.  Most of the women do not have copies of the book; so, I am reviewing the book one chapter at a time and tossing out questions. 

We had a small number actively participating and I am hoping those who followed along but did not comment, will join in this week.  Hmmm.  We're talking about insecurity and the comment I heard repeatedly was something like this, "I was afraid I'd sound stupid, so I didn't type anything." 

Ladies - we are ALL insecure.  Even those women you know who always look so perfect!  AND, men are insecure as well - not about the same issues - but they are insecure, too.  It's time we stepped out of our shells and started living for today.  Don't wait until you've read a few more books, lost a few more pounds, cleaned the house. . .

In this book, Beth Moore is able to convey what most of us are thinking.  I love this book!  And I know that if you read it you will, too.  But, if you can't get your hands on a copy, consider following along each Monday at 7:30 pm for a lively discussion. 

I don't know about you, but I care about the opinions of other people.  Sure, I try to tell myself that it doesn't matter what others think - I am who I am, take me or leave me.  But the truth is, I do care.  And when I sense people don't like me or would rather not spend time with me, it hurts. 

Do you focus too much on the approval of others? 

God could have made you any way he wanted to - and He did.  Have you thought about that?  With all of the options for hair color, eye color, skin color, facial features, body types, God made you exactly the way He wanted you to be.  

Are your insecurities holding you back from serving Him?  As Christians, we are gifted people. God knew what He was doing when He created you.  AND, he knew what he was doing when he selected your gifts so that you could serve others on his behalf.  

God sees you as you are, but more importantly, he sees you as you can be.  Don't let insecurity keep you from being the best you that you can be.

Time-Consuming

(This would have been my entry for FaithWriters last week had I not missed the deadline....)

“These staff meetings are a waste of time.  They’re all the same.  ‘Brenda, you’ve done such an ex-cell-ent job this week.  Brenda, you can do no wrong.  Oh, please can we bow down and kiss your feet?’” Carolyn’s bitter tone spoke volumes.

Having worked at Vi-Tech the longest, Carolyn struggled with a sense of entitlement.  Unfortunately, management did not recognize her longevity at weekly staff meetings.

“Brenda does a good job and she’s great with the customers.  She deserves the accolades.”

“Janet, don’t tell me you’ve fallen under the spell of Miss Goody Two-Shoes.”

“I’m not under anyone’s spell, I just think the company would benefit if all of us adopted her attitude.”

Carolyn looked closely at Janet.  “What did you do, go and get religion this weekend?”

“What?”

“Never mind.  The company doesn’t care about little peons like us.  Why should I work harder to make the head honcho richer?  He’s not going to share his profits with me.”

“Maybe he would if we all had Brenda’s work ethic.”

Flared nostrils and heavy breathing replaced a verbal response.  Carolyn turned away from Janet and walked into the conference room.  Waiting for Carolyn to be seated before entering the room, Janet chose the chair furthest from Carolyn’s.

Brenda’s achievements were highlighted during the brief staff meeting.  Her sales quota was higher than expected.  The sales managers sang her praises and lauded her customer service feedback.  Janet looked over and noticed Carolyn was seething.

Janet moved closer to Brenda and timidly asked, “Could I talk to you for a few minutes?”

After the last salesperson left the conference room, Janet shut the door.  “Brenda, I want to ask you about time management.”

“Me?  Time management?  Oh, I’m probably the last person you should be asking about that.  I’m always rushing because I haven’t budgeted my time well enough.”

“You never work on Sundays because you have church stuff in the morning and at night.  You never work past five on Wednesdays because you have more church stuff.  Your kids are always involved in things at church and a lot of nights you have to leave early to take them.  And every time I turn around, you’re bringing in food, because you have extra from baking for someone who’s had a death in the family or someone’s sick. Last year, you took your vacation time and went to Honduras with your family for a mission trip.  Your time is consumed with church activities.  How do you do all of that and still be top salesperson week after week?  There are people putting in a lot more hours and their numbers aren’t even close to yours.  And, Sunday is the best day for sales, I know you know that, but you’re the only one who doesn’t work on Sundays.”

Brenda smiled, “Janet, Vi-Tech employees me and they give me a check each week, but I don’t work for Vi-Tech.”

“What are you talking about?  We all work for Vi-Tech.”

“Are you familiar with Colossians 3:23?  That verse is my motto:  ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters . . . ‘”

“I’ve never heard that before.  Is that why you work so hard when you’re here?  You’re pretending you work for God?”

“I’m not pretending, Janet.  I answer to God.  He is my supervisor.  Each day, I ask myself if my actions have pleased God.  If the answer is ‘no’ I ask myself, ‘why?’ Then I vow to try harder the next day not to let Him down.”

“But all that stuff at your church is so time-consuming, how do you get everything done?”

“When you say ‘time-consuming’ it sounds negative.  Everything I do at my church and for my church is out of love.  I want to do those things and when you want to do something, you find a way to fit it into your schedule.”

“What about work?  It consumes at least a third of your week?”

“Again, that sounds negative.  I try to remind myself that I am fortunate to have a job and I know God had a hand in providing this job.  If I work hard to earn His approval, I know those in management will be happy with my performance.”

“You religious people sure see things differently.”

“Janet, do you attend church?”

“No, not since I was a little girl.  Why?”

I was wondering if you’d like to see things a little differently?”

Lydia, Seller of Purple Cloth

 

When I was pregnant with my first child (back when you didn't know the sex of the baby until birth), I had a name picked out for a girl.  It was a name I loved.  Unfortunately, Marlin hated the name.  In fact, he told me that if I had a daughter she would never forgive me for giving her such an old-fashioned name.

What was the name, you ask?  Lydia Grace.  Isn't it a beautiful name?  It just rolls off the tongue.  It didn't matter.  I had a boy.  And then another boy.  But, I've never lost my fascination with the name.

Most of us are familiar with the Biblical account of Lydia found in Acts 16: 13-15 and later in Act 16:40.  Lydia is described as a woman who sold purple cloth.  I can't remember ever hearing a sermon about Lydia.  I've heard her mentioned in passing, but never an entire sermon devoted to Lydia.  (As our pastor preaches through the Bible, I expect this to change.  We are on the book of Luke, so sometime this summer, I will be taking notes as he preaches about this woman who is near and dear to my heart.)

I am drawn to Lydia for two reasons:

First, Lydia was a seller of purple cloth.  When we read the short account of Lydia in Acts 16, no mention is made of a husband.  We are to assume Lydia is a widow with a family and a household of servants to support.  She is selling purple fabric, therefore she is selling to an elite clientele.  It doesn't say whether she was a wealthy woman or not, but many choose to believe she was.  In my opinion, it doesn't matter.

Like me, Lydia is a businesswoman and I haven't found a lot of businesswomen in the Bible to serve as role models.  The short glimpse we have of Lydia does not tell us about her business practices.  We can look at the details we have and guess.  This leads me to my next point.

Second, Lydia opened her heart to Paul's message.  When she hears Paul preach, the Bible tells us, "The Lord opened her heart."  I believe this to mean she felt the presence of the Holy Spirit.  She immediately believes and acts in faith.  She is baptized, as is her entire household which would include her children and servants. 

A few weeks ago, I decided to do a little research on Lydia.  I "googled" her and found conflicting information.  Not everyone agrees with the long-held belief that Lydia was a wealthy woman.

According to some sources, Lydia was not a woman's name, rather it was a place.  Some sources imply that Lydia was probably a slave and therefore was not referred to by name, but by the town where she lived.  It has also been suggested that Lydia was not selling an expensive fabric, but that she was selling an imitation, a knock-off fabric made from plant dye. 

As I read through all of the information, I found myself questioning the story as I had learned it.  And then I wondered, does it really matter?  This story's importance comes not from the product Lydia is selling, but from her reaction to Paul's message.

Lydia is not a Jew; she is a Gentile. Lydia is intrigued by the Jewish God, Yahweh and is worshipping with other women when we first learn of her in Acts 16.  Her heart has been opened by God, allowing her to listen to Paul with an open mind. 
Lydia is open to the faith shared by Paul.  She doesn't hesitate to invite Paul and those with him to stay in her home.  These two things impress me.  She isn't cynically asking, "What's the catch?"  or "What's in it for me?"  She simply listens to Paul and yields to the Holy Spirit.   And then, she acts on her faith as she is baptized.

I am also impressed by Lydia's offer to provide food and shelter for Paul and his entourage.  She is willing to inconvenience her family; in fact, she is willing to inconvenience the entire household.  She has an opportunity to learn more about Christianity and she doesn't hesitate.  She is a faithful servant to the church and the community.  Later, after Paul and Silas are released from jail, they return to Lydia's home to preach to the believers gathered there. 

I want to be more hospitable.  Instead of worrying about the extra workload or the inconvenience, I want to be open to the opportunities God places before me.  I want to open my heart and home to those who love Christ so we can encourage each other.  I want to be like Lydia.

God Will Provide

I wrote a short story last week for the FaithWriters weekly challenge.  I didn't place, but did enjoy writing this story.  I hope you enjoy it!

 God Will Provide

Lydia Barnes was rushing through the house trying to multi-task. If she could use the nervous energy that came from worrying about unpaid bills and sick children, and focus that energy on cleaning her house, the entire place would soon be spotless.

With four children and a recently unemployed husband, Lydia had been trying to make a little extra money by sewing for other people.

Her current focus was on what had been the family room, a room who primary purpose now was work, not leisure. With the exception of the coffee table, everything related to sewing was contained in this area. The coffee table was temporarily burdened by the weight of at least a dozen recently acquired books that had originally belonged to Lydia’s great-grandmother.

“I wonder what it would have been like to live in simpler times. Great-grandma could go to the general store and pay for what she needed with egg money, or she could put the items on store credit.”

Lydia reached down and lifted three books from the pile. “The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle” sounded intriguing. Gently replacing the more familiar titles, Lydia carefully opened the cover and found her eyes drawn to two inscriptions dated 1911 and 1961. This book had been in her family for at least a century.

Lydia smiled as she read, “To my dearest daughter on this your wedding day. Many a day will find you “in a pickle.” Read and remember this story, my lovely one. Life is an adventure, best experienced with patience and humor. Your loving, Mother.”

The second inscription read, “To my dearest Amy, I received this book fifty years ago, on my wedding day. Today, I give it to you. May you enjoy the many gifts it holds. Your loving grandmother, Lydia Webster.”

Interrupted from her reverie by a text message, Lydia read “Start Monday. Home soon. God is good!” Tom’s interview had gone well. Bills would soon be paid; they would all be able to relax.

Returning to the book in her lap, Lydia was overwhelmed by emotions that could not be given words. Her great-grandmother had held this book one hundred years ago. Her great-great grandmother as a gift of encouragement had lovingly selected this book for a new bride, Lydia’s namesake, her great-grandmother.

The women of her past had affectionately held this book. Gently closing the book, Lydia watched as a yellowed envelope fell to the floor. Picking it up, she recognized the handwriting. “My firstborn daughter, someday you’ll be in our lives and when you marry, you’ll find yourself “in a pickle” on more than one occasion. This gift was passed from my grandmother to my mother, from my mother to me, and someday soon, from me to you. If you must use the gift inside, use it wisely. If not, your daughter may need it. Your loving Mother.”

Lydia gently unfolded three letters. The first read, “When the children were small and Tom was sick, I saved money. When the children were sick and Tom had died, I saved money. When the children were grown, the banks failed and I lost all I had, I saved money. A little here, a little there. This is my gift to you, not the money, the will to fight. The knowledge that God will provide. As you fight through the struggles of this life, know this: God is with you and so am I.”

Lydia’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide in wonder. This letter had been written in 1940, the year Lydia’s mother was born. Her great-grandmother had written the letter and her mother had written the note on the envelope. Through the years, each woman had contributed money to the envelope before passing it on to the next generation.

This envelope and the money it contained, held the answer to so many prayers, but this money would not be touched. Lydia would continue to sew and the money she saved would go into this envelope. Someday, she would write a letter about the women who, in the last century, had fought for the welfare of their families and stood on the promise that God will provide.