A Search and Rescue Mission applies when someone is lost or missing and odds are favorable that they can be successfully found and returned. It becomes a Recovery Mission at the point where survival is unlikely. When the recovery of the body is all you might expect. I can neither imagine being the person searched for, being the people searching or being the people waiting for the outcome.
When I was little, I wandered off from my mother in a store. Actually, I think she walked away and I was too busy looking at something to notice. I remember the intense fear when I realized that I was alone. I should have stayed close to my mom's side but, instead, I was distracted and now I was lost. I stood there frozen in fear. Afraid to be lost forever, afraid of how mad my mother would be at me, afraid that maybe she just left me. It was only a few moments until she came racing around the corner with a frantic look on her face. She hugged me and scolded me at the same time. And, I was just glad to have her back in my sight. It was a long time before I let her out of my sight again. But, I'm sure that eventually, I did.
I was reminded of that today when I read Psalm 139: 23-24. 'Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.'
When it comes to our hearts, we are to regularly call for Search and Rescue Missions. Just as a child is distracted easily, so are our hearts. According to Beth Moore "Virtually every external sin results from the internal practice of believing a deceitful heart." Along the way, we are distracted by the pleasures and pain of the world. If we are not careful to 'guard our hearts', as we are called to do in Proverbs 4:23, we risk falling into an abyss where we become lost, anxious and alone.
I've been there, multiple times. In the past, before I was a Christian, I just continued to look for more and more things in this world to fill the void missing in my life. People, so I wouldn't be lonely. Alcohol, so I wouldn't feel anxious. Purpose, so I wouldn't feel lost. But, it never worked. At least not for long. Now that I'm a Christian, I still have those times of feeling lost, anxious and alone. But, now I know where to turn. There's only ONE answer. God has given me my purpose, His Word has soothed my anxiety, His Promise has reminded me that I am never alone.
By grace, we never have to worry about our Search and Rescue becoming a Recovery Mission. We are never too far gone or too lost to be found and rescued from our sins. It may be uncomfortable to have your shortcomings pointed out to you. It may make you cringe to realize you have offended your Father. You are not alone. There are so many references in scripture to the failings of the human heart when left to it's own default. Virtually every person mentioned in the Bible had a heart that wandered from God at one point or another. The key is realizing that is going to happen and asking God to go on a Search and Rescue Mission in your life. He will find you and lead you along the path of everlasting life EVERY SINGLE TIME!!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
We weren't promised happiness.
I just heard another story that made me so sad. A marriage of 28 years was ending because one person in the marriage "just wasn't happy". I've heard this so many times. He just doesn't make me happy or she doesn't make me happy.
First of all, if you're relying on someone else to make you happy, you will always be disappointed. It's not our job to make other people happy. Does that make you squirm a little? We naturally want others to be happy but our relationships shouldn't be defined by that. It IS our responsibility to add substance to the lives of others. To love them. To serve them. To value them.
Second, we were never promised happiness. If you think you were, who told you that? It's a myth, more appropriately - a lie. Happiness and contentment are two different things. Sure, we will have moments of happiness in our lives but, it never lasts. Ever heard the saying "this too shall pass"? Well, it applies to happiness as well as sorrow. It always passes thru, never stays forever. Happiness is defined as 'Good luck; good fortune; prosperity'. Contentment is defined as 'satisfaction; ease of mind'. When's the last time you had "ease of mind"? I personally would rather have ease of mind in ANY circumstance than happiness for only certain circumstances.
What would be better, someone making you happy or being someone with ease of mind? Marriage isn't a land of happiness. It gets hard, demanding and stressful. But, if you can have peace of mind THRU all of that, isn't it worth it? You should feel loved, served, and valued. You should know that, when times get tough, you have a partner that is there for the long haul -good AND bad. Aren't those the vows? It doesn't say "In happy times only".
So, if you're dissatisfied with your marriage, don't say "they're not making me happy". Say, "what can I do to love, serve and value this relationship?". Because, like it or not, we weren't promised happiness.
I plan on applying this starting NOW!!
First of all, if you're relying on someone else to make you happy, you will always be disappointed. It's not our job to make other people happy. Does that make you squirm a little? We naturally want others to be happy but our relationships shouldn't be defined by that. It IS our responsibility to add substance to the lives of others. To love them. To serve them. To value them.
Second, we were never promised happiness. If you think you were, who told you that? It's a myth, more appropriately - a lie. Happiness and contentment are two different things. Sure, we will have moments of happiness in our lives but, it never lasts. Ever heard the saying "this too shall pass"? Well, it applies to happiness as well as sorrow. It always passes thru, never stays forever. Happiness is defined as 'Good luck; good fortune; prosperity'. Contentment is defined as 'satisfaction; ease of mind'. When's the last time you had "ease of mind"? I personally would rather have ease of mind in ANY circumstance than happiness for only certain circumstances.
What would be better, someone making you happy or being someone with ease of mind? Marriage isn't a land of happiness. It gets hard, demanding and stressful. But, if you can have peace of mind THRU all of that, isn't it worth it? You should feel loved, served, and valued. You should know that, when times get tough, you have a partner that is there for the long haul -good AND bad. Aren't those the vows? It doesn't say "In happy times only".
So, if you're dissatisfied with your marriage, don't say "they're not making me happy". Say, "what can I do to love, serve and value this relationship?". Because, like it or not, we weren't promised happiness.
I plan on applying this starting NOW!!
Monday, March 12, 2012
The wait is almost over....
I was going to start this new post by saying "tomorrow I will learn my fate." After a second, I realized this wasn't true. I already know my fate. I've known that since I accepted Jesus as my Savior. The amount of comfort that gives me is indescribable. I can't possibly imagine this wait without my faith.
That's not to say that this hasn't been completely exhausting and nerve racking. The battle to keep my mind from going to those deep dark places has drained me of my energy. Yet, my nerves are so raw that I can't seem to rest. All this and trying not to show my children my concern, well, it's overwhelming. Thank God I'm not doing this alone. I remember that the Holy Spirit lives in me and is giving me His strength. I'm also frequently reminded of the people who love and pray for me.
So, tomorrow (hopefully) I will not learn my fate but, I will be tested and rewarded for my faith - either way. It's easy to have faith when life is going well. Just like it's easy to take your health for granted when you feel good or to stay committed to losing weight when you're having great success. It's harder when life gets messy. When you feel like crap. Or when you hit that plateau in your weight loss. Is that when you give up? No. That's when you grit your teeth, steady yourself and BELIEVE. Believe in the words of your heavenly father, believe things will get better, believe that your hard work and effort will pay off.
Lately, I feel that the more I try to follow God's will for me, the more I am challenged. I could moan and whine and cry "no fair" or, I could take it as a compliment. Satan is scared of the work I can do in the name of Jesus. He should be! God will see me through this fire and I will come out more refined and prepared to do His calling. Be afraid Satan, be very afraid! For my wait is almost over but yours has only just begun!!!
That's not to say that this hasn't been completely exhausting and nerve racking. The battle to keep my mind from going to those deep dark places has drained me of my energy. Yet, my nerves are so raw that I can't seem to rest. All this and trying not to show my children my concern, well, it's overwhelming. Thank God I'm not doing this alone. I remember that the Holy Spirit lives in me and is giving me His strength. I'm also frequently reminded of the people who love and pray for me.
So, tomorrow (hopefully) I will not learn my fate but, I will be tested and rewarded for my faith - either way. It's easy to have faith when life is going well. Just like it's easy to take your health for granted when you feel good or to stay committed to losing weight when you're having great success. It's harder when life gets messy. When you feel like crap. Or when you hit that plateau in your weight loss. Is that when you give up? No. That's when you grit your teeth, steady yourself and BELIEVE. Believe in the words of your heavenly father, believe things will get better, believe that your hard work and effort will pay off.
Lately, I feel that the more I try to follow God's will for me, the more I am challenged. I could moan and whine and cry "no fair" or, I could take it as a compliment. Satan is scared of the work I can do in the name of Jesus. He should be! God will see me through this fire and I will come out more refined and prepared to do His calling. Be afraid Satan, be very afraid! For my wait is almost over but yours has only just begun!!!
Monday, February 13, 2012
What's Your Sign?
What's your sign?? Am I talking about a cheesy pick up line? No, I mean, if you had to wear around a sign that listed all your faults, what would it say? I was thinking about this as the everyone was making judgments about what happened to Whitney Houston. She battled a private issue very publicly. How many of us have had millions of people know what our weaknesses and faults were? What if you had to wear around a sign that listed those things? How would you be treated? How would you treat others as you read their signs? What would your sign say?
The list could go on and on. But, you get the point. Some of us have little secrets, some have big secrets. Some have qualities in our personality that we try to hide from others. But the fact is, we all have faults and weaknesses. What if you had to wear them around for everyone to see? Imagine for a moment that people would treat you according to your sign. What would that look like? You're probably glad this isn't a reality. Well, it isn't for most of us. But, there are those who must suffer this fate. Everyone knows what they've done and they have to face the criticism and judgment of the masses. If you're thinking "well, my faults and weaknesses aren't as bad as theirs", be careful. It would probably depend on who you ask. If you think lying a little and gossip isn't as bad as doing drugs - why don't you ask the person you lied to or gossiped about. Think about it!
So, what's your sign?
- I lie, not all the time but, sometimes - you figure out when.
- I committed adultery
- I gossip (about you? Maybe)
- I hate someone
- I drink every night
- I can't forgive
- I had an abortion
- I have an eating disorder
- I have depression/anxiety
- I tried to kill myself
- I judge people (you? Probably)
- I committed a crime (shoplifting, stealing from work, rape, murder - you figure it out)
- I suffered abuse
- I'm promiscuous
- I have homosexual thoughts
- I think I'm better than some people (you? Maybe)
The list could go on and on. But, you get the point. Some of us have little secrets, some have big secrets. Some have qualities in our personality that we try to hide from others. But the fact is, we all have faults and weaknesses. What if you had to wear them around for everyone to see? Imagine for a moment that people would treat you according to your sign. What would that look like? You're probably glad this isn't a reality. Well, it isn't for most of us. But, there are those who must suffer this fate. Everyone knows what they've done and they have to face the criticism and judgment of the masses. If you're thinking "well, my faults and weaknesses aren't as bad as theirs", be careful. It would probably depend on who you ask. If you think lying a little and gossip isn't as bad as doing drugs - why don't you ask the person you lied to or gossiped about. Think about it!
So, what's your sign?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
It's all Downhill from Here...
Have you ever been downhill skiing? I would venture to guess that most of you haven't. So, I'm going to give you some insight as to what it's like. My family and I finally went up north skiing this past weekend and here is what I discovered:
1. The conditions (weather and snow) make a HUGE difference in your skiing experience.
2. Your attitude and the attitude of those around you make a HUGE difference in your skiing experience.
3. Your expectations make a HUGE difference in your skiing experience.
Sound alot like life? hmmmm
I've skiied in perfect and horrible conditions. I prefer perfect. Perfect was this Saturday with temperatures in the 30's and slopes groomed so well they looked like corduroy. That's actually how they refer to it - corduroy. Smooth. It's so easy to ski on this, you just glide down the hill with very little effort.
Then there was Sunday, we went to Boyne Mountain where they apprently thought it was not necessary to groom the slopes. When snow is not groomed, it scrapes off in some areas to reveal ice. Only to pile up in surrounding areas to make large mounds of snow that practically stop you in your tracks. So, you're sliding on ice and getting stuck in the piles. It really takes skill and effort to ski in these conditions. It's hard.
Saturday I was in a great mood, healthy and happy. And, everyone in my family was happy. And, everyone who worked at the resort was friendly and accommodating. The kids took lessons in the morning and loved their instructors. All the people working the lifts said hello and asked how our day was going. It was fun and enjoyable.
Sunday, I was sick. I started feeling bad Saturday night and apparently kept everyone awake most of the night with my snoring. My head felt like it was going to explode and I couldn't stop coughing and sneezing. So, my family was tired. The people at the resort didn't talk, I didn't talk, we all felt a bit "off". It was work to make the most of the day and "pretend" we were having fun.
Saturday, I had no expectations. We had no idea what the conditions would be when we arrived. We just decided that, no matter what, we were going to make the most of our mini vacation. If the snow was bad or non-existant, we were just going to "go with it" and have fun. Well, the snow was great and we were pleasantly surprised. It set the tone for the next day...
Sunday, I expected the conditions to be the same as the day before. They weren't. I was disappointed.
So, isn't that life? If everything is perfect around you, life is easy and fun. But, how often does that happen? Most of the time it takes "skill and effort" to navigate life's messy terrain. And, if you're happy and the people around you are happy, life is good. But, seriously, that's like all the planets aligning at once. Most of the time, either you or those around you are a "bit off" and you have to put on that fake smile just to get thru the day. What about your expectations? Don't you find that when you either expect nothing or expect little, you are pleasantly surprised? And, when your expectations exceed reality, it leads to disappointment.
What have I learned from my ski trip? I am not in control of things around me, I am only in control of how I choose to react to those things. I am equipped to handle difficult terrain, I am in control of my attitude and all I should expect is that which I know to be true everyday, everything else is subject to change! I still prefer perfect but, I can handle horrible!
1. The conditions (weather and snow) make a HUGE difference in your skiing experience.
2. Your attitude and the attitude of those around you make a HUGE difference in your skiing experience.
3. Your expectations make a HUGE difference in your skiing experience.
Sound alot like life? hmmmm
I've skiied in perfect and horrible conditions. I prefer perfect. Perfect was this Saturday with temperatures in the 30's and slopes groomed so well they looked like corduroy. That's actually how they refer to it - corduroy. Smooth. It's so easy to ski on this, you just glide down the hill with very little effort.
Then there was Sunday, we went to Boyne Mountain where they apprently thought it was not necessary to groom the slopes. When snow is not groomed, it scrapes off in some areas to reveal ice. Only to pile up in surrounding areas to make large mounds of snow that practically stop you in your tracks. So, you're sliding on ice and getting stuck in the piles. It really takes skill and effort to ski in these conditions. It's hard.
Saturday I was in a great mood, healthy and happy. And, everyone in my family was happy. And, everyone who worked at the resort was friendly and accommodating. The kids took lessons in the morning and loved their instructors. All the people working the lifts said hello and asked how our day was going. It was fun and enjoyable.
Sunday, I was sick. I started feeling bad Saturday night and apparently kept everyone awake most of the night with my snoring. My head felt like it was going to explode and I couldn't stop coughing and sneezing. So, my family was tired. The people at the resort didn't talk, I didn't talk, we all felt a bit "off". It was work to make the most of the day and "pretend" we were having fun.
Saturday, I had no expectations. We had no idea what the conditions would be when we arrived. We just decided that, no matter what, we were going to make the most of our mini vacation. If the snow was bad or non-existant, we were just going to "go with it" and have fun. Well, the snow was great and we were pleasantly surprised. It set the tone for the next day...
Sunday, I expected the conditions to be the same as the day before. They weren't. I was disappointed.
So, isn't that life? If everything is perfect around you, life is easy and fun. But, how often does that happen? Most of the time it takes "skill and effort" to navigate life's messy terrain. And, if you're happy and the people around you are happy, life is good. But, seriously, that's like all the planets aligning at once. Most of the time, either you or those around you are a "bit off" and you have to put on that fake smile just to get thru the day. What about your expectations? Don't you find that when you either expect nothing or expect little, you are pleasantly surprised? And, when your expectations exceed reality, it leads to disappointment.
What have I learned from my ski trip? I am not in control of things around me, I am only in control of how I choose to react to those things. I am equipped to handle difficult terrain, I am in control of my attitude and all I should expect is that which I know to be true everyday, everything else is subject to change! I still prefer perfect but, I can handle horrible!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Remnants
How hard is it to rinse off your dish after you use it? I'm not asking them to wash it or even put it in the dishwasher. Just rinse off the ding dang things! I spend way too much time scrubbing dried on food off dishes. Way more time than it would take to just rinse it off in the first place. I've asked them, multiple times to PLEASE do this one simple thing for me. It lasts a day, maybe two, and then they're back to their old ways. Sitting dishes NEXT to the sink, instead of in it. With cereal flakes clinging to the side of the bowl. Remnants of last nights dinner on a fork. A plate on top of another plate and now they're stuck together. And so I scrub and scrub, trying to remove the mess. Do you recognize this as your life? Do you have things in your life that you just set off to the side? Letting it pile up and dry on? Is God constantly trying to scrub you clean but you insist on going back to your old ways? Are you letting the remnants of your past build up until it seems too difficult to face?
I ask you, why? Even if you have to ask *everyday* for forgiveness for the *same* thing, just keep doing it. Just keep rinsing off your past sins and allow God to let you start over clean everyday. Eventually it will become habit and you will see that you have let the past go while learning from it. Your past is like a dirty dish sitting next to the sink. Looking at it everyday and being ashamed isn't getting it clean. Only God can scrub it clean - you just have to put it in the sink!! Love to all!!
I ask you, why? Even if you have to ask *everyday* for forgiveness for the *same* thing, just keep doing it. Just keep rinsing off your past sins and allow God to let you start over clean everyday. Eventually it will become habit and you will see that you have let the past go while learning from it. Your past is like a dirty dish sitting next to the sink. Looking at it everyday and being ashamed isn't getting it clean. Only God can scrub it clean - you just have to put it in the sink!! Love to all!!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
So, what motivates you? Really, really think about it. Why do you do the things you do? Anything - EVERYTHING you do is motivated by something, isn't it? I'm motivated by happiness. I would like to tell you that I want to make other people happy. And, I do. But, I think what motivates me even more than that is how *I* feel when I make other people happy. I really don't like that about myself. I would typically say that I'm not a selfish person. I like to do things for other people (family, friends, strangers). So, why do I feel bad about getting some sort of enjoyment out of it? I'll tell you why. Because I don't know if I would do it if I didn't get enjoyment out of it. But, it's kind of like "what came first, the chicken or the egg?". Is there a definitive answer to my dilemma? Would I do things for others if I didn't get something in return? How could I ever not get something in return when helping others makes me happy?
Example : I truly dislike being cold and I've never been an "outdoorsy" type person. But, I learned how to ski because my husband loves to ski. He was practically born skiing (now that's a vision I'd rather not have). Did I do it because he wanted me to go skiing with him? No, he would have been fine going alone or with his friends. I did it because I didn't want to be left alone when he went skiing. Oh and I was miserable the first few years. Not miserable as in a bad skier, miserable as in I made everyone else miserable because I disliked it so much. A couple beautiful trips out west kind of changed my perspective. As long as I looked good on the slopes and in the apres ski bar - I was golden! Now, as a mom of two children, I knew what was coming. He was going to want to teach them to ski. Ugh, more pressure! So, once they were around 4 or 5, we took them skiing. Of course, they love it. And, you know what? I've never loved skiing more. Which is why we've been so brokenhearted this year. No snow = no family ski trip. We're still hopeful but, it's not looking promising. So - a snow bunny I've become. But, I still did it for me even though the whole family really benefits.
So, what motivates you?
Example : I truly dislike being cold and I've never been an "outdoorsy" type person. But, I learned how to ski because my husband loves to ski. He was practically born skiing (now that's a vision I'd rather not have). Did I do it because he wanted me to go skiing with him? No, he would have been fine going alone or with his friends. I did it because I didn't want to be left alone when he went skiing. Oh and I was miserable the first few years. Not miserable as in a bad skier, miserable as in I made everyone else miserable because I disliked it so much. A couple beautiful trips out west kind of changed my perspective. As long as I looked good on the slopes and in the apres ski bar - I was golden! Now, as a mom of two children, I knew what was coming. He was going to want to teach them to ski. Ugh, more pressure! So, once they were around 4 or 5, we took them skiing. Of course, they love it. And, you know what? I've never loved skiing more. Which is why we've been so brokenhearted this year. No snow = no family ski trip. We're still hopeful but, it's not looking promising. So - a snow bunny I've become. But, I still did it for me even though the whole family really benefits.
So, what motivates you?
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