I was mildly popular in high school.
Drama kid, did track, cheerleader, mascot, student council, president of the Spanish National Honor Society, soccer player, and worked almost full-time.
But I was never at the popular table. Every school has one and every school has kids who sit at them - and kids who wish they could.
But high school was a LONG time ago, and I should be "past" such things. I should be spiritually mature enough not to care. But I still do.
Our camp hired a new staff member. He is young, hip, creative, funny (moreso than I), and to top it off, he is genuinely likeable. Seriously awesome.
At first, I thought I was at the popular table at work. But not anymore. I am not asked to be part of new committees, focus groups (maybe because I can't focus), nor any cutting-edge projects. We are not invited to dinner or out for events.
But I will tell you which table I DO sit at. It is the wisdom table. After almost 25 years of ministry experience, I have a few insights about what to do and what not to do.
I also sit at the prayer table. I am so honored to pray for the staff every day. I love these people (though most are young enough to be my kids). I truly love them. It is an honor to talk to God about each of them.
I don't need to sit at the popular table. I need to trust that God has a purpose for me at whichever table He chooses to place me.
Amberly
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Monday, September 21, 2015
IN YOUR FACEbook
I love Facebook.
I love viewing baby pictures and honor roll awards and wedding reception photos. I love seeing job promotions, praises about God's provision in the life of another, and updates about people for whom I care.
I hate, however, how I feel sometimes after a stint on Facebook. Not just because some of my more politically charged friends can offend others faster than a speeding bullet (although that is disheartening). It is because I am envious.
I envy the perfect life of those on Facebook.
I am thrilled your kids has gotten straight A's since conception. Mine haven't.
I am pleased that you have lost a million pounds and don't struggle to eat bread every day. I can't say that.
I am excited that you have a great church home with no drama and a thriving ministry. I don't.
I am glad that you LOVE cleaning house. Not me.
I am glad that you can see friends from high school without shuttering at the poor choices you made back then. I can't.
I am glad you get invited to tons of soirees with friends in exotic locations. We don't.
I am glad your spouse makes bazillions of dollars working part-time and still has time to coach all the Little League teams for all 12 of your offspring. Mine doesn't.
We are normal. We are broken. We are imperfect. We make mistakes all the time. We need Jesus. In a BIG way.
I once heard someone use these films terms to drive home a point, "Never compare your 'dailies' to the 'highlight reels' of others".
I need to remember that. Maybe you do, too...
Amberly
I love viewing baby pictures and honor roll awards and wedding reception photos. I love seeing job promotions, praises about God's provision in the life of another, and updates about people for whom I care.
I hate, however, how I feel sometimes after a stint on Facebook. Not just because some of my more politically charged friends can offend others faster than a speeding bullet (although that is disheartening). It is because I am envious.
I envy the perfect life of those on Facebook.
I am thrilled your kids has gotten straight A's since conception. Mine haven't.
I am pleased that you have lost a million pounds and don't struggle to eat bread every day. I can't say that.
I am excited that you have a great church home with no drama and a thriving ministry. I don't.
I am glad that you LOVE cleaning house. Not me.
I am glad that you can see friends from high school without shuttering at the poor choices you made back then. I can't.
I am glad you get invited to tons of soirees with friends in exotic locations. We don't.
I am glad your spouse makes bazillions of dollars working part-time and still has time to coach all the Little League teams for all 12 of your offspring. Mine doesn't.
We are normal. We are broken. We are imperfect. We make mistakes all the time. We need Jesus. In a BIG way.
I once heard someone use these films terms to drive home a point, "Never compare your 'dailies' to the 'highlight reels' of others".
I need to remember that. Maybe you do, too...
Amberly
Monday, September 14, 2015
Help Wanted
My husband is actively looking for a job.
Since moving to Prescott, he has been busy building beds for our new house, unloading boxes, registering the kids for school, holding down the fort while I work more hours in a week than I thought possible, made meals, provided tons of support through my job change (and missing my friends, and gaining weight, and...), served as the carpool master, and pretty much been a rock star.
He has applied for many jobs, but to date, none have recognized what an incredible guy he is.
We have always moved to a new place because of a call on his life, but this is the first time MY ministry has lead to a move. (Please hear me, I know ministry involves both parties, but you know what I mean.)
We have spent a lot of time praying for God to provide a job.
We have spent more time worrying about it, though. At least I have.
It has been hard for me not to micromanage the situation. It has been a good exercise for me to trust God's timing and my husband's abilities long enough to stop fretting.
My fretting is blocking my ability to lean on Him alone. Somehow, I think worrying about it is my contribution to the situation. I can laugh about it as I type this, but I am just being honest.
I. WANT. MY. HUSBAND. TO. FIND. A. JOB.
A job that feeds his soul. A job that helps with the bills. A job that employs his gifts. A job that reminds him of his purpose. A job that provides a great community (like I have at work).
Psalm 62:1 reminds me that the Psalmist needed to trust in God despite his circumstances. "My soul is at rest in God alone. My salvation comes from Him."
God has got this. My back. My husband's back. Our salvation (both literally and figuratively) comes from Him.
I needed to write this post. I needed the reminder. Maybe you did, too.
Blessings!
Amberly
Since moving to Prescott, he has been busy building beds for our new house, unloading boxes, registering the kids for school, holding down the fort while I work more hours in a week than I thought possible, made meals, provided tons of support through my job change (and missing my friends, and gaining weight, and...), served as the carpool master, and pretty much been a rock star.
He has applied for many jobs, but to date, none have recognized what an incredible guy he is.
We have always moved to a new place because of a call on his life, but this is the first time MY ministry has lead to a move. (Please hear me, I know ministry involves both parties, but you know what I mean.)
We have spent a lot of time praying for God to provide a job.
We have spent more time worrying about it, though. At least I have.
It has been hard for me not to micromanage the situation. It has been a good exercise for me to trust God's timing and my husband's abilities long enough to stop fretting.
My fretting is blocking my ability to lean on Him alone. Somehow, I think worrying about it is my contribution to the situation. I can laugh about it as I type this, but I am just being honest.
I. WANT. MY. HUSBAND. TO. FIND. A. JOB.
A job that feeds his soul. A job that helps with the bills. A job that employs his gifts. A job that reminds him of his purpose. A job that provides a great community (like I have at work).
Psalm 62:1 reminds me that the Psalmist needed to trust in God despite his circumstances. "My soul is at rest in God alone. My salvation comes from Him."
God has got this. My back. My husband's back. Our salvation (both literally and figuratively) comes from Him.
I needed to write this post. I needed the reminder. Maybe you did, too.
Blessings!
Amberly
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
The Road Less Traveled
Don't let the title fool you - I am not ABOUT to wax poetic.
Due to training for a triathlon, I have been riding a bike. Not the Huffy 10-speed that I rode as an early teen, but a serious (what was I THINKING) road bike. The kind that you shift. The kind that you need to wear shoes that clip into the pedals. The kind that you need the most unflattering yet expensive shorts you have ever purchased. The kind that increases your prayer life because you are CERTAIN a crash is in your future.
I have learned a lot about the roads in my neighborhood.
The same roads that I drive everyday with no thought of an incline have proven to be MUCH more difficult on the bike.
In a car, one cannot possibly understand the gravity of poor paving, small shoulders of the road, and hills like one can as a bike rider. Or a walker for that matter. Sometimes, when jogging, I am shocked at how different the same road is when I am on my bike.
One cannot truly judge a road from the car.
One can also not judge another's life from a "drive-by" glance of their Facebook post, a quick "ride" through their past, or even a "trip" through the behavior of their children.
I am so thankful for the people in my life who have loved me enough to get out of their cars and off of their bikes long enough to walk alongside me and make my journey more joyful.
I am a better traveler because of them.
I hope I am a blessing in their journeys as well.
Journey on!
Amberly
Due to training for a triathlon, I have been riding a bike. Not the Huffy 10-speed that I rode as an early teen, but a serious (what was I THINKING) road bike. The kind that you shift. The kind that you need to wear shoes that clip into the pedals. The kind that you need the most unflattering yet expensive shorts you have ever purchased. The kind that increases your prayer life because you are CERTAIN a crash is in your future.
I have learned a lot about the roads in my neighborhood.
The same roads that I drive everyday with no thought of an incline have proven to be MUCH more difficult on the bike.
In a car, one cannot possibly understand the gravity of poor paving, small shoulders of the road, and hills like one can as a bike rider. Or a walker for that matter. Sometimes, when jogging, I am shocked at how different the same road is when I am on my bike.
One cannot truly judge a road from the car.
One can also not judge another's life from a "drive-by" glance of their Facebook post, a quick "ride" through their past, or even a "trip" through the behavior of their children.
I am so thankful for the people in my life who have loved me enough to get out of their cars and off of their bikes long enough to walk alongside me and make my journey more joyful.
I am a better traveler because of them.
I hope I am a blessing in their journeys as well.
Journey on!
Amberly
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