POUTING IS RIDICULOUS

And so am I.

Here's how I know…

Sometimes I find myself stuck in a *place* – stuck as the hostess at a big ol' Pity Party, where plenty of whine is served.

Yeah, it's all-too-easy for me to get stuck in a negative place.

I might have explanations for it, but these rarely make good excuses. 

So, here I was last week, fighting a cold, doing the taxes, thinking on life, and feeling sorry for myself.  (By the way, I have found that if you look for the clouds, the silver lining rarely appears – just sayin')

"The Hub" and I decided one day to head down the hill to do some *city things* we needed to do – the banking, the pharmacy, the car insurance, etc.  And, on this trip, we added this to our list – a visit to the BIG supermarket chain.

There is a wonderful little grocery store here in town, and we usually do our shopping up here.  It's convenient, and we like to support the local community.  But, once in awhile, we like to do a "big shopping", stocking up on non-refrigerated items, and it's good to get the savings down the hill.

On this day, we were also on a mission for church. 

You see, we have a local Help Center, a sort of thrift shop in town.  But it's also a place where the less-than-fortunate can get much-needed necessities – like food.  And once a year our church has a food drive to help them re-stock the shelves.

So, this is the setting in which I found myself – a big supermarket down the hill – the setting in which I found out how silly it is to pout.

As "The Hub" and I filled up the cart, I was pondering.  But when we started filling up the cart with food items that were obviously meant for children's lunch boxes, I started tearing up.  All I could picture was the faces of those kids.  How grateful they would be to have a juice box, or a peach cup, or a fruit roll-up.

It brought back so many memories of packing sack lunches for my boys.  The thoughts and feelings that I had when I did it – the love I had for them, the warm sense of being able to care for them, and provide nourishment for their day.

That's when it came to me – in some small way, we were giving other parents the ability to provide for their children.  Something they just might not be able to do on their own.

I'm not kidding, it brought me to near sobs right there in the aisle.

"The Hub" caught my eye – wondering and worrying about why I was on the verge of a melt-down.

All I could get out was something to the effect of how very foolish I had been lately.  How self-absorbed.  How short-sighted.

How my pouting had been so ridiculous.

I had been whining about superfluous things, when people were worried about enough food to eat.

I prayed right there in the aisle, asking the Lord to forgive me for being so shallow.  For losing sight of what's important.  For forgetting to thank Him for all the blessings that He bestows on my family…and me.

And I thanked Him for the privilege of being His hands and feet to those who are needy.

Though it's greatly uncomfortable when the Holy Spirit brings me to a moment of conviction, I am grateful that He does.

Because sometimes I really, really need it.  I need that moment of pause.  I need to be reminded of how *alive and well* that sinful nature is inside of me.

I need to be shown, once again, that all I have is His.  It all belongs to Him, and I am only the blessed receiver of gifts given to me by The Gracious Giver.  And, because of that, I also have the solemn responsibility to share His gifts with others…

I am blessed to be a blessing.

You are, too.

Pass it on…

Make us, we beseech thee, faithful stewards of thy great bounty. 

"And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." (Matthew 10:42, NLT)

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done." (Proverbs 19:17, NIV)

"And the angel replied, 'Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering!'" (Acts 10:4, NLT)

"You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35, NLT)

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." (Luke 12:48, NLT)

"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap." (Luke 6:38, NLT)

"Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too...Do everything without complaining and arguing...shining like bright lights..." (Philippians 2:4, 14-15, NLT)

What can you do today to bless someone else?

(SIDENOTE:  Might I just add that this post had absolutely nothing to do with any commentary about our generosity - but it is all about my attitude, and my conviction that God calls me to something bigger and better than complaining.  Besides, pouting causes wrinkles!!)

Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Laura at PLAYDATES WITH GOD
Jen at SOLI DEO GLORIA
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at UNITE
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY
Kasey at WALKING REDEEMED
Beth at THREE WORD WEDNESDAY
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Lyli at THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY
Crystal at THRIVING THURSDAY
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Bonnie at FAITH BARISTA JAM
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS
Julie at FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

I ALMOST MISSED CHURCH...ON PURPOSE

Yeah, I admit it.

I came oh-this-close to not attending church this morning.

Why?

Because I didn't feel like it, because I didn't want to go.  (Confession is good for the soul, right?!)

OK, so here's how it went down.

I usually set my alarm well ahead of time, because I am not a morning person.  So, awakened out of a deep sleep this morning, I began my dance with Mr. Snooze Alarm.

I must have been really tired - because I kept falling asleep in the 9-minute intervals.

When I wasn't sleeping, I was arguing - (with myself?  with God?)

"I can't go.  I don't fit into my clothes right anymore - even my *fat jeans* are snug (ish)."

("Jesus doesn't care about appearances.")

"I have a huge pimple." (I do...)

("Really??  That's an excuse??  See above.")

"I'll have to go alone.  "The Hub" doesn't want to go."

("This is between you and God...only.")

"I don't feel like going."

("Did Jesus feel like going to the cross?")

"I don't want to go."

(SILENCE)


I turned off my alarm.

A few minutes passed.  My guilt finally overcame me, so I reset my alarm, just so I could put off the wrestling until it was time to get up for the second service.

Of course, this time I could not fall asleep.  And so, I got up...less than 1/2 hour before church was supposed to start.

I went through the motions of getting ready.

At each step, I was battling.

I almost gave up.

Finally, as I checked my hair and makeup (and makeup-disguised pimple) in the mirror, I had one last thought...

"You know, it would be rude if I walked in late..."

And so I checked the time.

It had only taken 20 minutes to get ready...even dragging my feet...even hiding a pimple.

I wasn't late.

Grabbing a protein bar and the keys on my way out the door, I sighed.  I'm chagrined to tell you that I actually went so far as to sit in the car in the parking lot for several minutes...still almost not venturing in.

But, like a robot, I finally walked slowly to the door.

The singing had already started.

It was at this moment that I realized one of the reasons that I didn't want to go to church was because I did not feel like talking to anyone.  I dreaded the question, "How are you?"

How could I possibly answer?

The token, "Good, real good."

Or the truth, "Feeling pretty depressed and fighting the enemy.  But thanks for asking."


I'd like to tell you that the message completely turned my heart around, and that I left the sanctuary singing and rejoicing.  No commentary on the sermon, but I did not leave feeling that way at all.  I still felt incredibly blah.

But I learned something.

I learned that sometimes obedience isn't pretty.  It isn't natural. Sometimes it doesn't feel good.

I learned that sometimes obedience is a war zone, a battleground, a contentious battle between our feelings and our faith.

Sometimes obedience wears a bandaid over deep wounds.

Sometimes we have to obey even if we're bleeding.

Obedience is willful.


Do I think that the heavens broke out into cheers when I took my place in church?  A mighty victory won?

No, but I think maybe God smiled.

For in some small way, I had made a choice for Him.

A choice against myself.

(Might I just add that my phone alarm went off right in the middle of the message?  I'd forgotten to turn it off!  As I embarrassingly silenced it, I had this thought: "Ha, chalk one up to me and God!  I'm here!!")


As I sit here reflecting upon my morning, I am not celebrating or patting myself on the back.

But I do have a smile.

For, once again, the Lord proved to me that He has a tight hold on my heart...

And He won't let go.

These thoughts from John 17 (what the sermon was based on):

"...they belong to You..."

"...You have given them to Me..."

"...protect them by the power of Your name..."

"...keep them safe from the evil one..."

"...not one was lost..."


Yes, I am held by Jesus.

The Savior who will not let go - 

The One who draws me to Himself...

...in spite of myself.

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers...
He will certainly care for you.

(The view from the parking lot this morning)

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)

"This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus." (Revelation 14:12, NIV)

"...blessed are those who hear God's word and obey it." (Luke 11:28, NIRV)

"You are my friends if you do what I command you." (John 15:14, ESV)



Are you having any trouble with obedience lately?



Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Laura at PLAYDATES WITH GOD
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at SOLI DEO GLORIA
Jen at UNITE
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Kathy at ALL THINGS BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS
Kasey at WALKING REDEEMED
Beth at THREE WORD WEDNESDAY
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAY
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Bonnie at FAITH BARISTA JAM
Lyli at THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY
Crystal at THRIVING THURSDAY
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Wanda at THE FRIDAY FIVE
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

SOLITUDE CAN BE A PRISON

Silence is golden.

If that is the case, then sometimes I live in a cage made out of gold.

I live on a mountain, up a winding road, on the outskirts of town.  It's beautiful, yes, but sometimes incredibly lonely.

Yes, sometimes I feel trapped by the peace and quiet that surrounds me - for it often brings neither quiet nor peace.

OK, I am grateful that I don't have to work.  But retirement can be a mixed blessing.  Having time on your hands is a gift, until you find yourself unable to fill the hours with any meaningful goal or activity.

Have you ever questioned your place and purpose in the world?

It seems that my father's death has triggered a sadness that has lingered deep within my soul.  Like a hidden leak in the pipes that goes unnoticed until the ceiling caves in.

Watch out, Chicken Little.

Lately, my solitude has felt like a weight on my shoulders...

Now, don't get me wrong.  "The Hub" is a great companion.  Easy to get along with, kind and thoughtful - he is an easy conversationalist.  So it's not his fault.

It's not him.

It's some other grief that seems to have invaded and gripped my heart.


What am I mourning?

I miss my dad.  Not how he was the last few years, but just for the fact that I had a dad.  I keep feeling like I should have said more or done more.  I remember too many memories, and long for the chance to re-do some things. Now it's too late.

I miss my mom.  Because she doesn't want to be alone, we are shuttling her between my brother, sister, and cousin to take care of her.  I spend time with her when I'm in town, but if I was still living there, she'd be staying with me. And we don't talk as much as we used to.

I miss my sons.  Yeah, they're off on their own lives, as they should be, but still.  After 9 years, I have not completely settled in my empty nest.  My *mom feathers* are still ruffled.  I can't quite get comfortable.  Sometimes I still miss the old days.

I miss my grandbeagle, Marty.  Sometimes he's the only one who can bring me comfort.  His fur is healing.

I miss my old house, my friends, my familiar routine.  After almost two years, I am still not *at home* in my new home.

And, I miss me.

Truth be told, I'm not even sure who *me* is supposed to be anymore.  I'm almost 60, and I'm having an adolescent "identity crisis."  Wondering why I'm here, and who even cares.

But you know something?

Somehow, this doesn't feel like a physical depression, it feels spiritual.

Yeah, it feels like an attack.

I've prayed.  Oh boy, have I prayed.  Late night prayers, middle-of-the-night prayers, first-thing-in-the-morning prayers.

To sum them up, it goes something like this:

"Lord, I hurt."


I'm not sure how He's going to solve this one.  Maybe He won't.  Maybe He has a purpose for this ongoing thorn.  Evidently, He still has a purpose for me, 'cuz I still keep waking up!

But I'm not living abundantly, at least not like I define it.

This current *wilderness* is made so much more difficult because of "The Hub."  He serves as a stark contrast to my weary.  He is thriving up here. He loves the isolation, the stillness, the solitude.

Sometimes I starve.


So, what to do?

I'm not sure if I'm going to post this or not.  It's pretty raw.  But if you're reading this, something inside me (the Holy Spirit, no doubt), prompted me to take a courageous leap of vulnerability and hit the publish button.

Why, I wonder.

Perhaps for this reason.

To let you know, if you are struggling, or suffering, or just feeling lost and lonely and sad, you're not alone.

I get it, and I'm with you.

And I am not the only one.

One of our deepest needs as human beings is to know that we're not alone in the universe.  Think of all the technology involved in searching for intelligent life on other planets.

How silly we are.

We need only search for intelligent design.  And we need look no further than a bookshelf to find the Intelligent Designer.  He is there, permeating every word in His Word.

Maybe I've lost sight of that.

Maybe the solitude has fooled me.

Maybe it's not a prison after all, but rather an opportunity to seek the Presence.  A chance not to focus on the stillness, but on the still, small voice.

Maybe there are no bars, but only an illusion created by the enemy so that I will stop seeking The One.

Maybe the solitude, the sadness is a gift, an invitation to find the Man of Sorrows, the One well-acquainted with grief.

The One who experienced separation from the Father, so we would never have to.

Maybe only by feeling so terribly lonely can I ever hope to understand that I am truly never alone.

Maybe, just maybe...He is more than enough.


I have written this post, sitting in a parking lot in town, rather terrified to go back home and face the quiet.

But in the writing and the reflecting, a Voice has been speaking.  

Over and over, His Truth has overwhelmed me:

"Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

OK, Jesus, let's go home.

Come unto Me... 

"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go...for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:15, NASB)

"Do not let your heart be troubled...I will not leave you as [an orphan]; I will come to you." (John 14:1, 18, NASB)

"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." (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)

"They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you..." (Jeremiah 1:19, NIV)

"One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him..." (Psalm 27:4, NIV)



What lonely battle are you facing today?


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Laura at PLAYDATES WITH GOD
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at SOLI DEO GLORIA
Jen at UNITE
Kasey at WALKING REDEEMED
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Beth at THREE WORD WEDNESDAY
Lyli at THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY
Crystal at THRIVING THURSDAY
Bonnie at FAITH BARISTA JAM
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Wanda at THE FRIDAY FIVE
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Salina at HEART REFLECTED
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

WHAT WOULD JESUS PRAY?

Remember those old wristbands – "WWJD" – What Would Jesus Do?

Well, our pastor is doing a series about something else – What Did Jesus Pray?

He's specifically focusing on what some people call the *real* Lord's Prayer (found in John 17).  The prayer that Jesus prayed right before His traitorous encounter in the Garden of Gethsemane.

It's been a wonderful series.

I love our pastor, I love our church – I love the Lord.  But still, sometimes it's very hard to get up and go to church.  Especially today with the time change.  (Does anyone else get *jet lag* from one measly "spring forward"??)

But, I had a strong feeling that this morning was important.

And I was right.

The sermon was about JOY.

(Oh, the Lord is hysterical.  I can't get away from that word!!)


Pastor Tim focused this morning specifically on verse 13:

"…I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them." (John 17:13, NIV)


Joy.

Not happiness.

Happiness is an emotion, and it depends on right happenings, on the outcome of circumstances.  At best, happiness is fleeting.

Joy is an attitude, and is not dependent on circumstances.  So what does it depend on?  What was the basis of Jesus' joy?

Good question.


Here's some thoughts:

First of all – Jesus based His joy on the sure knowledge of His Father's love. 

"…that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me." (John 17:23, ESV)

"I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them..." (John 17:26, NIV)

And, because of Jesus, we can also know the Father's love.

In fact, Jesus told us that God loves us as He loved Jesus, His Son!

This is an amazing thing!

Do we forget the Father's love for us?

Maybe not, but we sure don't live like we know it sometimes.  We wallow around in self-pity and defeat.  We all too easily get mired in the enemy's muck.  We diminish what His love can do.

His love is a life-altering fact.  It can make us fearless, purposeful, deeply satisfied, complete.

It surrounds us with His safe and secure protection – soul protection.

Life may toss and turn us, rip our hearts out and beat us up, but we are eternally enfolded by God's love.


Here's the second thing – Jesus based His joy on obedience.

"If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:10-11, ESV)

Yes, joy is dependent on obedience.

(Ouch)

It comes in obeying what God has said.  Joy *holds hands* with your obedience.  We cannot have God's things in our own way.

And, if you ponder the path of your life, weren't the times when you were really unhappy also the times when you veered from God's ways?

I can look back at some severely unhappy times in my life.  And they were most often the times when I wandered away from obedience.  Desperate to "do my own thing," I only ended up losing my joy.

Why?

Because God knows us better than we know ourselves.  He created us, and His commands are geared to our sinful natures, they are fashioned to keep us from falling prey to the "devouring lion" that stalks us all the time.

And so, if we do not obey Him, we will be subjugated to the enemy's world system – a system that is dedicated to doing anything and everything to cause us to separate from our trust and faith in, and our love for, God.

Jesus emphasized in this prayer that we are "not of this world."  

And our "otherworldliness" is demonstrated in our obedience.


Finally – Jesus based His joy on His unshakeable assurance that God's plans were perfect even if they involved pain.

Obedience does not guarantee an easy way.

Often, in fact, it brings persecution, trials, and suffering.

Do we have any better example in this than Jesus Himself?

He was actively persecuted, He was literally put on trial, He suffered more than we'll ever know.

And He told us to expect the same:

"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." (John 17:24, NASB)

Hate.

Not sorta dislike.  Not just be intolerant of.  Not kinda annoyed at.

Hate.

A strong and powerful, and frightfully accurate, word.

The devil hates us, just as he hates Jesus.

He hates us because of Jesus.  He hates us because we love Jesus.

Our faith humiliates him, it wounds his pride.  It makes him less.

He isn't just a lion hunting us down.  He's a devouring lion, who wants to eat us up.

And his biggest weapon, the one he's used since the Garden of Eden, is this seemingly insignificant, yet so insidiously dangerous question:

"Is God really good?"

Oh, what a devious inroad he seeks.

I wonder how many times he whispered this to Jesus in those last few hours before the cross?  I wonder if he cackled and shouted it when Jesus uttered these soul-wrenching words:

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

It didn't work.

No, indeed.

Because Jesus didn't doubt God's perfect plan, even if it caused Him incredible pain.

He counted it joy.

"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame." (Hebrews 12:2, NLT)

Can we do any less?

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." (James 1:2, NLT)

Joy when we consider the glory we can bring to God now, and the glory that we stand to inherit one day in eternity.


So, what did Jesus pray?

Quite a lot, my friends.

And He prayed all these things for us, too – "for those who will believe in me through their message."

Today I am contemplating my Word for 2014 – JOY.  I chuckle, for it seems that I cannot escape its presence in my life!

And today I heard once again what it means for me.

It means learning, through the very words of the Lord’s prayer for me, how to have HIS joy.

By knowing God's deep and abiding love.

By obeying God's commands and remaining in His way.

By believing with unshakeable faith that God and His plans are perfect and good.


As in all things, dear Lord, You are our example.

Jesus, Only You.

You are to name him Jesus,
for he will save his people from their sins.

"Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal's death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."

(Philippians 2:6-11, NLT)



What is hardest for you - to find JOY in accepting God's love, in obedience to Him, or in the assurance of His goodness in spite of pain?

Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Laura at PLAYDATES WITH GOD
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at UNITE
Jen at SOLI DEO GLORIA
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY
Kasey at WALKING REDEEMED
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Beth at THREE WORD WEDNESDAY
Lyli at THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY
Bonnie at FAITH BARISTA JAM
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Wanda at THE FRIDAY FIVE
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Crystal at THRIVING THURSDAY
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

CAMP JOY-A-LOT

"The Hub" and I love camping.

We haven't gone for a while, but still…I hear those tents and campfires calling.

A camping trip takes a lot of planning.  Especially if you're *tent-camping* – because you know all those amenities that you find in an RV?  Well, they don't exist in a tent!

You've got to take your clothes, your bedding, your food, your lighting, your tools and supplies…oh yeah, and the tent.

"The Hub" has been known to start packing days before we leave on a trip.  He carefully lays out everything, just to make sure (and double-sure) that we indeed have everything we're going to need out in the wilds!

Then we find a way to *squish-pack* all of our stuff into the car.  It's usually a very tight squeeze.  Especially when we add the first few days' worth of firewood!  (I am a master squish-packer, by the way).  I really could fit 100 clowns into a circus car, or 30 people into a phone booth, or maybe even find a way to stuff my body into a Spanx…

The next step is the long, long drive to the campground.  That journey is an adventure it itself at times.  Crazy beautiful scenery, unfamiliar back-roads, and wide open spaces.

But, after the arrival, the most important step occurs.

Picking the campsite.

"The Hub" is not a fan of neighbors.  He likes to be as isolated as possible. Gotta be honest, I agree with him.  After all, for us camping is all about the peace and quiet!

We've had really good luck with campsites.

Only had a few bad experiences. Like the one time we got the last campsite available on the first night of a multiple-day trip – the site next to a group of teenagers, loud and drinking teenagers.  Yeah, not much sleep that night.

Or how about the time we were nearly eaten alive by an onslaught of marauding mutant mosquitoes?  Only to be awakened in the middle of the night when a huge tree came crashing down, just a few sites away…(can you say "TIMBER!!")

Or the time "The Hub" literally lifted up our tent and walked through the campground to a new site because we couldn't handle the crying toddler, the barking dog, and the loud parents who moved in right next door?

Yeah, sometimes it happens.

But, campsite selection is important, vital, crucial to what your attitude is going to be, and whether you're going to enjoy your stay or be miserable.

Trust me.


So, where am I going with this?

Well, I was having a conversation with my sister the other day.  We were talking about the last six weeks since my father died.  There's just been an incredible amount of things to do, situations to work out – and of course, the in's and out's and up's and down's of all our feelings.

I shared with her, as I did with all of you last week, that I've really been struggling to stay on top of it all.  I've been struggling to find joy.

And then, she talked to me about camping.  (My sister loves camping, too)

She reminded me of the whole process of picking out that all-important campsite.

She asked me, "Sharon, where do you go?  Do you go to a crummy site, that's dirty and dingy and depressing?"

(Um, no, I think to myself).

"No, you look for the site with the best view, that's all clean and comfortable, right?"

(Yup, I do).

"And why do you do that?"

I answered her, "Because that's where everything feels good.  My attitude is better, and I'm happy and at peace."

"Exactly," she said.  "So the same thing is true right now with your feelings.  Where do you want to camp?"


You know, what she said stopped me then, and it's still got me pondering.

Where am I camping?

And why?

The enemy would like me to camp at the worst site in the worst campground.

That's because he’s the "Camp Host" there.

He loves torturing visitors.  He enjoys throwing trash all over.  He thinks it's fun to steal their firewood, leaving them out in the cold.  He hysterically delights in making lots of noise, and scaring campers with weird sounds in the middle of the night.

Why would I want to stay there?

In real life, it would be ridiculous to *set up camp* in such an area.  

Why do I do it in my heart?


My sister's wise words were so true, and I've thought about them a lot.

Where am I camping out?

And, if I'm in the wrong place, I have a choice.

I. CAN. MOVE.

So yeah, I'm dealing with a lot of stuff right now.  And, that's OK.  I'm giving myself some grace for a very stressful last few months, and especially the last few weeks.

But, in spite of all the legitimate reasons I might be feeling what I'm feeling, I have still found myself sitting in a crummy campsite.

Setting up my tent, moving in, looking at the trash, shivering in the cold, trying to close my ears to all the noise, and jumping at scary sounds.

And then, there's the "Camp Host" to deal with…

Yeah…him.

My sister pointed out a grand truth that I sometimes lose sight of – I HAVE A CHOICE.

I don't have to stay here.  I can move.

I can see Jesus approaching me…as I sit huddled in my misery.

"Dear Sharon, come follow Me.  There is beauty just over here, by the green pastures and the still waters.  Here will be peace and quiet…"


Yes, Lord.

I will move to Your beauty, and I will stay camped there.

Camp Joy-A-Lot.

Sounds wonderful!!

Search for peace,
and work to maintain it.

"Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it.  And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp.  In this way, they traveled and camped at the LORD's command wherever he told them to go." (Numbers 9:17-18, NLT)


So, where are you camped out today?


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Laura at PLAYDATES WITH GOD
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at SOLI DEO GLORIA
Jen at UNITE
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS
Kasey at WALKING REDEEMED
Beth at THREE WORD WEDNESDAY
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAY
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Lyli at THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY
Bonnie at FAITH BARISTA JAM
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Wanda at THE FRIDAY FIVE
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Salina at HEART REFLECTED
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"