The Bridge

One more step and I'd be on the bridge. Am I ready? Glancing over my shoulder at the well-worn dirt path behind me I notice for the first time how wide and sure it was. Back on that smooth terrain I even ran for a time feeling swift and empowered. I saw God’s glory in the sunsets and budding daisies. I heard His creation cries in the dove’s song and sensed his presence in the cool breeze. Not long ago, a friendly traveler handed me a trail map just to make my travels easier. He’d mentioned not wanting me to have to think too much, and pointed out an easier path, but it seemed to go in circles and it proved to always take me where I didn't want to go so I threw it aside. Today the path began to wind higher and higher as I sensed God calling me forward with every uphill stride. I couldn’t run anymore and my legs grew weary from the climb, but when I reached the top of the mountain and looked across the expanse I knew there is so much more to this journey than I had ever dared to dream. The only way to get there was by crossing the bridge. Dare I admit I don't like heights? There, just within sight at the far end of the bridge was an illuminated path. It was narrower than the one I’d previously traveled, but its beauty was indescribably inviting. Somehow I knew it was meant for me, and I was meant to have faith in its unseen destination. I just had to cross the bridge to get there.   

Taken in with the inviting splendor of this newfound journey I step forward and hear the creaking of aged wood under my feet. Noticing for the first time how high the bridge suspends over the valley and how feeble the planks are sitting on the age-old ropes, I quickly retreat back onto solid ground. The pounding of my heart quieting as I glance behind me at the old familiar comforts of the known path. I was happy enough back there, for a time.  Should I just turn around and walk back down the mountain? Familiarity entices and soothes my fears.  God blessed me on that journey once, I’m sure he’ll do it again. Right? My heart knew the answer before I even turned to face the bridge again. My goal isn't to be the lifelong recipient of good gifts. Somewhere along that path my heart tasted freedom and now it wants more...more than what meets the eye. The unknown depth of my soul’s longing is to experience this journey fully surrendered to God's wild frontier. To stop clinging to my perceived control and get on the bridge. 

So I step forward, trembling inch by inch. The bridge sways in the wind and sounds of falling boards ricochet and crack in the blackened valley below. Fear calls from the depths of my soul urging me to retreat to safety. Should I go back? The answer explodes from a newly awakened space in my heart and mind. Never. I grip the rail as tight as I can and run, tripping on lose boards, hands burning from holding on so tightly, fear warning me to stop, but running...and all the way laughing for the joy of finally living. 

                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Following Jesus is a journey. At unexpected moments, He calls us out farther and deeper than we ever imagined going, but with Him all things are possible to him who believes (Mark 9:23). Believing He is with us, his peace guarding our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:13) as we surrender every moment, even our most paralyzing fears, to Him who pours out his love for us (Romans 5:5) is our greatest adventure. 

Where do you see yourself on your journey? Where do you see God? What fears lie beneath your bridge keeping you from experiencing the freedom of fully surrendering to Jesus? Where has God’s love been so evident to you along the way? 

Jena M. 

Zip Line

I was on my way into church when I had this sinking feeling in my gut. “I really want this time to be ours,” my heart said to God while I sat in my car. And I had this feeling that I was going to encounter resistance. I’d been in a season where I found myself preoccupied with a broken relationship. I’d been trying to “be a big girl” and just “get over it,” but the enemy had been relentless in his efforts to use that tender spot and as gateway to drag me down.

I knew there was a strong chance I would encounter this spiritual attack again tonight. (Isn’t it always when we want to go deeper with God that the enemy ramps up his gameplan? We really should just come to expect it and not act so surprised when it happens!) But I can’t control whether or not a person crosses my path. I knew I couldn’t hide or avoid them. I just knew the enemy’s history of trying to back me into a corner and was therefore feeling a little on edge.

As I muttered these prayers to God from my heart and turned left into the parking lot, God whispered to me, “Think of it like the zip line, Meredith.”

The zip line.  I developed a love/hate relationship with the zip line this past summer while in Colorado with the Heartland Women’s group. We strapped on harnesses, buckled ourselves into some strong ropes, and climbed up into the trees. We traversed thin wires like tightrope walkers, shaking and scared and pretending to be confident. We encouraged each other along the way. It’s a beautiful thing to see sisters face their fears and come out conquering.

But at the end of the high ropes course you have to get down. So you sit on a platform and wait for the signal and GO! Don’t get me wrong, I love the zip line! But that initial drop in your stomach is reminiscent of a roller coaster (I’m not a huge fan of those, either. I firmly believe your stomach is meant to stay below your throat!) For a millisecond you feel like you’re free falling. Then the harness and rope start to slide and the momentum is so exhilarating you can’t help but scream for sheer joy and you bullet down the mountainside.  When you finish, you’re smiling from ear to ear, breathless, your heart pumping adrenaline through your veins. It’s awesome! It’s scary. It’s fun.

So God was telling me to remember that experience and carry it over here. It might be scary for an instant, but He had me harnessed in and I was safe to fly. I took a deep breath and ventured forth. Sure enough, the familiar feelings of doubt and shame started to bubble up as soon as I stepped foot in the door. But this time, I remembered the zip line. And suddenly, I was enjoying the freedom of Christ and not being paralyzed by the fear of the drop.

Bob Goff tells a story in his book Love Does about taking each of his kids on an adventure trip when they turned ten years old.  I love his concluding words, “..they didn’t need all the details because they were on an adventure with a father who wanted to take them. You don’t need to know everything when you’re with someone you trust.”  Every day God wants to take us on little adventures that grow us to be more like Christ and give Him the glory. He gives us opportunities to go deeper in relationships, to truly love others, to be authentic, to take steps of faith both big and small.  He can be trusted. To paraphrase C. S. Lewis, He’s not safe, but He’s good.

I wonder where else God wants me to experience His adventure. Are there places that I’ve been too scared to go because I’ve been looking at the drop and not the rope holding me securely to the line? Am I missing out on the exhilarating joy because I’m too afraid to jump? Are you? His arms are outstretched and ready to catch you.

Meredith M.

[Sign up for this year’s Heartland Women’s Colorado Adventure Trip! Details here.]

God Is Our Refuge

My life is awash in uncertainty and change these days.  We are counting down the days until we travel out of state for the birth of the baby boy we are hoping to adopt.  Adoption is a series of necessary steps toward finalization.  I hold my breath, waiting to exhale in small increments as each step is taken.  I will not fully relax until the last of my indrawn breath is pushed out hearing the judge declare the adoption final.  But, that isn't the end...adoption is a change that alters two families for life.

Our relationship with his birth mother has been blessed with hills and fraught with valleys.  She is also our youngest son's birth mother and we have been building a relationship with her for a year and a half.  We have had awesome interactions, heartfelt conversations, and epic miscommunications.  There have been break-throughs and disappointments.  We have learned that loving her and building what we hope is a life-long relationship with her take many intentional acts of love.  It hasn't been easy on any of us.  I know it will be a work in progress as long as we are connected.

Doubt and uncertainty are my constant companion.  Have we done enough to cultivate this relationship?  Will she be confident in her decision?  Will we be found capable by the social worker and judge?  Can we do this - five kids is a lot of kids!  Am I cut out for this?  Am I enough?

In the midst of these fears God gives me hope.  Psalm 46 says,

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)  

He is where I can turn when doubts plague me.  His loving grace is my refuge.  He provides strength when I don't have it alone.

Through Him I can rejoice, even in times of stress and worry.  While in prison, Paul wrote to the church in Philippi encouraging them to rejoice.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:4-7)

This passage is so rich!  The Lord is near - I can confidently rejoice ALWAYS.  No matter what I encounter, no matter how I feel, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord.  

However, with that cause for rejoicing comes responsibility on my part.  Paul urges us to "let (our) gentleness be evident to all."  I must take the strength I get from His nearness and allow it to resonate from me, exuding gentleness - even in the midst of fear, frustration, and doubt.  I have control of my actions and reactions and have been given strength by His nearness so show the world glimpses of His love through my gentle demeanor.

What can help me achieve that gentle demeanor?  Paul tells us right here: "...in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Prayer and petition are key actions on my part!  So often we get wrapped up in our struggles and forget the most basic part of our relationship with God - prayer.  

Last night, as a family we were watching the latest episode of A.D. - the show about the time after Jesus's death and resurrection.  A particular scene stood out to me.  The disciple Peter was talking with his daughter while the disciples were following Jesus's instructions to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them.  Peter's daughter simply asked him, "what would he (Jesus) do if he were here?"  Peter's face lit up as realization dawned on him and he answered, "he would pray."  He then excitedly woke the other disciples and they began to pray as a group - beginning with what we now know as the Lord's Prayer.  I realize this is a dramatization and we don't really know exactly what happened in those days other than what is written in the Bible, but it isn't much of a stretch to imagine that Paul's advice to the Philippians was based at least in part on his personal experience.  

For me another key phrase in that passage is, "with thanksgiving."  If I am always looking for things to be thankful for, I have found that my outlook is brighter and it is harder to dwell on my fears, frustrations, and doubts.  When I have eyes for His blessings, I see my troubles less.  When I am busy being thankful, I have no time to fear or feel sorry for myself.

What does Paul promise will happen when we shift our focus and go to God with our prayers and petitions?  "...the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  God will imbue our hearts with peace that will guard both our hearts and minds.  If you are a visual person, another scene from A.D. may help you imagine this.  The disciples were standing in a circle praying fervently to the Lord when a column of fire came down from heaven, circled the house they were in, came in and circled the gathered disciples before entering each of them, filling them with the Holy Spirit.  It was then that the disciples were emboldened by the Holy Spirit and set out for the Temple preaching the Good News to all.  

Close your eyes and imagine the fire of the Holy Spirit entering you covering your heart and mind in a cloak of protection.  Now, how much easier does it seem to rejoice and let your gentleness be evident to all?  Do you need a reminder to take your worries to God in prayer and petition?

Katrina K.

Spring is roaring in!

Isn’t March supposed to come in like a lion and out like a lamb?  Seems like Kansas missed that memo as we’ve been thrown full force into the blustery, ever-changing, unpredictable season we have known as SPRING.  However, I can’t complain because I’d much rather have the warmth that SPRING brings than to be back in the throes of winter.  Have fun with a few ideas below to really get SPRING fever coursing through your veins!

Make wind machines from recycled materials.  A wind machine is anything you or your child want it to be…let imaginations and creativity flow with paper towel tubes, streamers, tape, straws, fabric, lids, cartons.  The possibilities are endless!  Don’t forget to take it outside and test it out too!

Get dirty and plant something…a garden, seeds, bulbs, flowers.  Then when you’re finished, whip up some dirt and worms for a fun treat.  You can find the recipe here.   

Pack a picnic lunch and attend the kite flying festival at the Overland Park Arboretum.  It happens every Sunday in April so you’ve still got time to go!  Bring your own kite or purchase one there, entry is just the cost of admission ($3), and it’s fun for the whole family!

Go on a family walk.  Look for my article in the next issue of KC Baby for ideas to jazz up an ‘ordinary’ walk.

Spring cleaning!  Throw open your windows, put some music on, and put the family to work sprucing up the house a bit.  When you’re done, move out to the cars.  If yours looks anything like mine, you’ll want to!  We had salt, dirt, grass, gravel, sticks, rocks, dirty footprints, indoor turf pellets, etc.  It feels SO good to have it all tidy on the inside!  

Whatever you choose to do to celebrate SPRING, enjoy this season because before long, we’ll all be complaining about how hot it is!  ☺

Julie C.

Grace

We live in a broken world. The enemy has his hands on our world for now.  We are flawed, broken people. We fall short of God's image every day. We also hold up others' weaknesses and transgressions, whether to make ourselves feel better or merely so we don't feel alone in our failure.

This morning I awoke to the sound of my kids involved in some altercation in the kitchen. A cry of frustration erupted from one, followed by running footsteps as another raced toward me to report some transgression committed.

The Lord held my tongue and tone in check this time and saved me from my own flawed, instinctual rebuke of the the tattler and the transgressor. Instead I asked, "why don't you help instead of telling?" What would it look like if we instinctually offered grace first instead of condemnation?

Last night I became aware of a Facebook page dedicated to publicizing the flaws and foibles (real and imagined) of adoptive parents (and those hoping to adopt). The sole purpose of the page is to "call out" the perceived shortcomings of people who seek to welcome children into their families through adoption.
What if we first looked at those we don't understand or agree with through the lens of grace rather than skepticism, fear, or judgment?

and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭24‬ NIV)

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ NIV)

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ NIV)

We did not earn the grace that was given to us. Why, then, should we withhold it from others?

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. (‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ NIV)

Salvation through grace is available to ALL people. We are given grace in such abundance that it can flow freely from us to others.

Grace that flows like a river

Washing over me

Fount of Heaven, love of Christ

Overflow in me

(Thank You Jesus, Hillsong)

What would it look like in your life to offer grace FIRST to all people?  

- Katrina K.

The Second Chance Life

Hey friends, 

I hope you're all having a great week leading into the Easer weekend. Here's some words on second chance living and what it means in the face of a YOLO culture. 

https://unravelgrace.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/the-second-chance-life/

He is risen!

Jena M.