Let's Take a Walk

I lost a FitBit challenge...again.  For the past five weekends or so, a group of staffers at the camp have challenged me (the one who is at least TWICE their age) to a Weekend Warrior competition for who can take the most steps.  I got schooled again this weekend.  It is hard to look at my phone (at the final scores) and be reminded that there are those who are much stronger than I.

In addition to the FitBit challenge, I was also challenged this weekend to find a Samuel.  A Samuel is that person who is bigger, faster, and stronger spiritually.  There is not FitBit for one's spiritual steps, but I am keenly aware of those who love more, know more, and serve more than I.  But am I ready for the challenge and vulnerability it takes to come alongside one of those folks and walk with them?  It is vulnerable to recognize how far I have to grow.

I think one of the other keys is also to BE a Samuel.  To encourage, challenge, cajole, pray for, uplight, spur, cheer, and love another who is not as strong in the faith is an honor indeed.  But it takes vulnerability to answer their questions, to leave room in one's schedule, and to prepare oneself for the lessons that can be learned from being a mentor.

I am ready.  I am having coffee with an amazing lady this morning.  My husband and I are mentoring her and her boyfriend.  They are amazing and it is an honor to walk alongside them.  There is no need for a FitBit on those walks, but as much as I would like to think that the mentoring is for them, Scott and I are equally if not more blessed by the time together.

Are you a Samuel?  Do you need one?

Pray about it and see who "walks" into your path.

Blessings on your week!

Amberly

Dare to Not Compare

This morning, in staff meeting, we had a local pastor revisit a story I had heard/ read a thousand times.  A thousand.  Okay, maybe 200 hundred, but nonetheless, I learned something new.

We were reading from Luke 10: "38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'

41 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'"

I have always known I am a Martha.  And not in the good "I am a lot like a character in the Bible" good.  

I love being busy.  It makes me (falsely) feel purposeful.

I (sadly) do not mind pointing out when I am working hard and others aren't or when things do not seem fair.  It makes me (falsely) feel important.

But this morning, I recognized that Martha also compared herself to her sister.  I compare myself ALL the TIME to others.  On Facebook.  In Christmas cards.  On Instagram.  Even in church. I try to (falsely) find satisfaction in doing better than others whilst being crushed when I fall short, which is every time.  Every time.

Jesus called Mary out on it in verses 41 and 42 and He called me out on it this morning.

Ouch.

Will you join me in giving up comparison for Lent?  Or for Wednesday?  Or just for this moment?

Let's choose the "better" together.

Amberly

A Note to Remember

My interns are awesome.  The other day, I was having a tough day.  I seem to be having a lot of those lately.  I think learning a new job and different leadership styles has proved new tricks for this old dog.  Seriously.  Hard.  My interns knew the stress of the day had taken its toll on me and I came back to my office to find this:

A note.  And a bouquet of flowers.  And a Starbucks iced tea.

I was one happy boss.

The flowers were beautiful and the iced tea was refreshing, but the note will stay on my office wall until it is too dusty, dirty, and soiled to be readable.

It is exactly what I needed.  I needed to be reminded that I am loved by God even when I don't feel lovable or worthy of love.  I needed to be reminded that I am supported even when I feel like I am falling.  I needed to be reminded that despite my shortcomings that God is tall in the grace department.

I needed a sticky note of kindness.

The flowers and Starbucks cost a good bit of money, but the note cost them nothing and yet was an invaluable tool of encouragement.

Do you have someone in your life who needs a sticky note of kindness?

Ask God to heighten your awareness.  Maybe it is a neighbor.  Or one of your kids.  Or your spouse.  Or an intern.  Or the cashier at your favorite grocery store.  Or the stay-at-home-mom with a ton of kidlets and a limited amount of energy.  Or yourself.

Write one (or twelve) and you may become the very encouragement that person needs today.

Need some incentive?  Here are a few from Proverbs:

Proverbs 12:25 "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."
Proverbs 15:23 "A person finds joy in giving an apt reply - a how good is a timely word!"
Proverbs 16:24 "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

I love the Proverbs - even the name inspires - "Pro"= for and "verb" = action.

Go and love others - one sticky note at a time.

Blessings!
Amberly (Mama Pines :))

I Do Not Want To Build A Snowman

I love snow.  I love the majesty of it.  I love how it makes everything look idyllic, almost magical.  I love the fact that I had to buy snow boots to traverse through it (any excuse to get new shoes works for me).

This is the view from my office this morning:



The snow is beautiful; it covers everything, including the path from my door at home to the front mat of my office door.

But it is also dangerous.  The very same substance that makes my front yard look like Narnia also contributes to the demise of people and vehicles.  Although usually not directly, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads, have heart attacks whilst shoveling snow, and can die from hypothermia from prolonged exposure (National Severe Storms Laboratory, 2016).

This provides an interesting juxtaposition.  The same mixture of precipitation and low temperature that kids build snowmen in can literally kill them.

When I am walking through the powdery glitter, I can hardly wrap my brain around the fact that it has the power to hurt me.

Similarly, I sometimes struggle when it comes to grasping both the beauty of God and His power.

I am so acquainted and comfortable with His love, grace, kindness, forgiveness, and goodness that sometimes I forget to fear His might.

The Psalmist somehow found a balance and decided to celebrate God for ALL the facets of His awesomeness: "But I will sing of your strength in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely." (Psalm 59:16 and 17)

I celebrate God through loving others, loving myself, enjoying His creations, singing His praises, entrusting Him with my concerns, and finding joy in the every day.

I am now going to leave the office and celebrate Him by playing in the snow He blanketed my front driveway with this morning.

Amberly

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