faith

Through a Different Lens

Home Decorating, Life in Christ, Photography

Today was dreary. Rain clouds loomed and my to-do list was extra long. Even though I know that these kind of external things should not have an effect on my mood, I found myself discouraged and somewhat stressed. The negative aspects of a day can push out the beauty, and stress can distort the good.

As a junior in high school I discovered the thrill of photography. My dad let me use his heavy metal Nikon from the 60s and I experimented with capturing on film what I found to be beautiful and captivating. I’ve personally discovered that the lens of a camera can transform what you see. When you place the viewfinder up to your eye and peer through, the rest of the world disappears. What’s to the right, to the left or behind you is not visible. You are forced to focus on beauty.

Over the years I learned to use my camera as a tool to see what is already there. When my kiddos were tiny and I was weighed down by their whining, needs, and my own exhaustion I would grab my camera and plop them down where the light streamed in through a window and begin snapping. Most of the pictures were not impressive from a technical standpoint, but they revealed to me the stunning beauty of the life I had been gifted with.

Back to today. I walked into my bedroom to see my unmade bed, dusty furniture and laundry on the floor. But then I noticed the stack of pillows with just a tiny bit of light from the overcast sky creeping in through the window. I grabbed my camera (straightened the stack a bit), looked through the lens and snapped the picture. It was tiny thing… only took a minute… but my spirit was lifted and I smiled as I put my camera back on the shelf.

There’s a similar privilege offered to those who know Christ as their Savior. Scripture confirms what we already know about life. It’s not easy. Stress and discouragement creep in constantly. But when we fix our eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, the rest of this world seems to almost disappear. We are able to see what’s in front of us through the lens of the goodness of God and the hope of the Gospel. Not only can we see His gifts, but we can see His grace. Through the lens of Christ, my failures aren’t final…my weaknesses can testify to His strength…broken people and circumstances can be redeemed…light can push through darkness.

You may not be a photographer. You may not be someone who relishes aesthetic things like I do. But regardless, there’s still so much light and beauty to be seen! Slow down, open your eyes, and ask the Creator of all that exists to help you see His goodness and His endless grace. It’s always there.

Blessings,

Try Not to Act Weird.

Family, Life in Christ

Nothing says “Homeschool Family” like going out somewhere, all seven of us, in the middle of a school day! Having two girls in high school has limited our ability to go out as family on weekdays, but in years past when we did, I repeated one phrase quite often. As we entered a store, an estate sale, or a restaurant I would tell my kids, “Try not to act weird. Everyone knows you’re homeschooled!” I always said it with a smile, and my kids knew I was mostly joking. But let’s be honest, we all feel that way sometimes! We continually try to keep ourselves from standing out too much, drawing unnecessary attention or especially attracting criticism.

Part of the reason I could smirk and make a comment like that to our kids is based on the fact that they are very comfortable with being weird. In fact, we talk about it all the time. My oldest will laugh at herself and declare, “I’m weird! …which I’m totally okay with!” We are a weird family and frankly that’s the way we prefer it. Homeschooling is often thought of as weird. Having five kids is weird to some. Being part of a pastor’s family can draw unique attention. We like quirky old things. We enjoy sarcasm maybe more than most. And we all have unruly curly hair! I could go on…

But then there are the days when the tone is different. Laughter falls away and a child will come up to me and ask, “What’s wrong with me?” Or feelings of doubt creep in and they question their place in the world and how others view them. This is so common and normal in childhood, but the reality is it’s not just them. Even the most secure adult struggles with the concept of appearing weird at times.

There are endless trivial things that can categorize us as abnormal, but in light of eternity only one area really matters. Only one question really matters when it comes to how others perceive us. Do we reflect Christ and are we willing to look a bit weird doing it? Our need for security and affirmation can prove problematic as the gap between the life of a Christ-follower and the way of the world continues to widen. The enemy knows this, and will exploit our need for acceptance at every turn.

I’m not sure where your mind goes when you picture a believer who stands out in the world. If you’re thinking long denim skirts or extreme stances, that’s not what I’m referring to! Rather, are you willing to hold fast to what scripture calls us to even if the world disagrees? Are you willing to lavish love on an unbeliever even if your friends and family think it’s impractical or unnecessary? Are you willing to forgive when the world says you should seek retribution? Are you willing to lay down your preferences and comforts to preserve peace? Are you willing to truly honor others above yourself in contrast to the world’s insistence that self-focus/love/care is supreme?

This is only possible when we learn to find our identity and security in Christ alone, rather than in the opinions and affirmations of those around us. So are you good with being a bit weird? Not as a way of virtue signaling or gaining attention for yourself, but as a way of pointing others to our good God? May we, the Church, be a collection of weird people who are oddly loving, oddly kind, and oddly concerned about pointing the world to Christ.

“As for my and my house, we will serve the LORD,”….. and be a bit weird. 🙂

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

Blessings,

He’s well aware…

Life in Christ

When each of my babies were around 4 weeks old they lost a good portion of their hair. This was a particularly sad occurrence with my first two girls who had beautiful dark hair at birth. I remember with my first, I cried. Silly maybe, but it mattered to me. Of course the hair grew back, and now our family is marked by borderline extreme amounts of hair! ….five curly headed girls, a mop-top boy, and a dad with huge beard.

In Matthew 10, Jesus gives His disciples instructions about going out and announcing the kingdom of heaven. But His instructions hold unsettling details about what the disciples inevitably must face. He says, “Look I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” Jesus informs them that they will suffer and be hated, as they proclaim His name.

But it’s within this passage that Jesus also says, “Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Jesus doesn’t say that they don’t need to be afraid because He will shelter them from the suffering, from the evil, from the brokenness of the world. No, He tells them they don’t need to be afraid because He is well aware…and in control. Not a single tiny sparrow falls to the ground without our God giving permission. Not a single hair is lost from a baby’s head, without our Father allowing it. We have a Savior, a God who is not oblivious. He is not distant or disengaged. He walks with us as we walk through this life, and not a single moment slips through His fingers or is out of His control.

I was comforted by this truth 16 years ago when my baby began to look like a very tiny, very cute balding old man. Jesus’ words from Matthew 10 were actually shared at my baby shower, at the exact time those dark little hairs began to fall out. I remember smiling to myself, realizing that my God intentionally provided that little reminder for me. He was aware of my fear, my emotions then, and He’s still aware now.

We live in a potentially overwhelming world, where fear threatens to creep in from all sides. And we will undoubtedly face hard things. But from the small details to the life changing trials, He continues to be aware and meet us in those places. He sees. He cares. And He’s in control.

“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

Blessings,