Bloodless Fishes and other Lenten pagan practices.

Okay so here I go again. Debunking the idea of Lent. I grew up as a little girl going to a liturgical Episcopal church until I was about 5 or 6, but one thing I remember was my first communion. It was with real wine and those flat tasteless papery wafers. It was pretty special and to this day the liturgical service is one I hold dear to my heart. At some point in my Mom’s journey in faith she moved to a Charismatic church in a barn. Quite different experience and one that became equally monumental but as a child I got a little confused about church in a barn, or in a warehouse because it didn’t have the padded kneeling prayer features and stained glass, but most of all they switched to grape juice. A big boo in my opinion so I’m just going to let it out. Boo! Jesus used wine why can’t we? Also can we use unleavened bread instead of puffy Big Y bleached flour with tons of leavening in it? Now I’m getting cranky.

So onto the Lent issue. I got a lovely little snippet about Ash Wednesday and actually because I write this from an undisclosed location in the middle of the Berkshires I haven’t seen one person with ashes on their forehead. But I turn on my computer and bing!...there’s a reminder. It’s Ash Wednesday. So in light of my past blog posts about holidays, how could I get this big one get away from me without debunking the whole idea of Lent. So I love google and if you have any questions about what I say, please google it yourself and don’t shoot the messenger.

So here’s a question. Why do we feel compelled to go with the rest of the liturgical church in the celebration of Ash Wednesday? When did it start and is it Biblical?

So what if I told you yet again it’s rooted in pagan holidays? Oh gosh darn it. There I go again.
You might as well rub yourself down in lavender oil in the name of George Clooney and it would get you farther down the path of righteousness then smearing ashes on your forehead. So here’s the skinny. In 300AD there was this guy called Constantine. Some say he was true convert but yet when he died, he had a full pagan celebrated burial and yet he not only made it legal to practice Christianity (thanks now the Colosseum is just going to produce animal slayings and not Christian burning) but mandated it as the state religion of Rome. One needs to really pay attention in history class to really get a grip on how this single guy still influences the Christian church today and probably more than scripture if we allow ourselves to be open to historical truth. So the reason for Lent? To merge Christian thought with pagan Roman religion with it’s own thought and while Christians were allowed to “live” they also were not allowed “free will” and any other religions like Judaism and any feasts they celebrated (even if it WAS written in scripture) were illegal with punishment by death. Jews were stripped of their religious culture and freedoms and made to take the “Christian” Constantine Creed in 312AD. So why the ashes? Why the 40 day calender? Lent is no where in the Bible, go ahead and look...you might be surprised. And “observing” Lent does nothing to bring us closer to God even if we pour chocolate sauce on it with good intentions it just puts us back to the Law. Reading scripture gives us a better understanding as to what God expects out of us then leaning into the Lenten season of “observance”. Mind you there were Jews and Christians in Rome that stood against the pagan cultic practices of the day because they refused to worship Cesar or Constantine as in that day thought themselves to be Divine in nature and demanded worship, Christian communities were the underground churches of China today risking their lives even meeting together to pray, they had years of persecution. With Christianity now the state religion of the day, the persecution was now upon the Jews in the Roman empire.

So my question now is should we celebrate or observe Lent? Good intentions fall short much of the time. This would be one intention. Our energy and faith is better served getting to know we are loved we are by the blood of Christ and spread the gospel. That’s what we are to observe. Simply His Grace.

Here are some interesting thoughts on Lent. Instead of what church history says, what does scripture say?

First, understand that the “celebration of the death and Resurrection of Christ” to which the preceding quote refers is so-called “Good Friday” and “Easter Sunday”—holidays deeply rooted in ancient paganism. They were instituted by mainstream Christianity in order to counterfeit and replace the Passover season. Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread were observed by Christ, the original apostles and the parts of the New Testament Church until the destruction of the Temple in 70AD.

You cannot, of and by yourself, create within you “the desire to do God’s will.” True, God has given mankind free moral agency. But the carnal, natural mind cannot—will not—submit to God. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit…Because the carnal mind is enmity [hostile] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:5, 7).

“to make His kingdom come by making it come first of all in their hearts” is a false doctrine taught by this world’s brand of mislead Christianity. It is not taught in the Bible. God is not setting up His kingdom in the hearts of men. There is not one prophesy that supports this doctrine.

The Bible says that we are purified—cleansed, set apart and made pure in God’s sight—by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. No amount of fasting, abstaining from physical pleasures or any other form of self-denial can purify us.

Beiber Fever

Well, running a little late with this weeks blog. But better late then never. This week, I am going to talk about Justin Beiber. Yes, that cute adorable jumping jackaroo of a kid. I saw the movie a couple of weeks ago. In 3D no less. It was like he really reached out and touched me. I took my sweet Justin loving neighbor with me and her Mom. I don’t have girls, but have a great relationship with my little friend and she is growing into a regular teeny bopping gal that just like most girls out there...is CRAZY for the Justin.

I can see his appeal. He’s a social media miracle. He came out of no where and with some raw talent, mixed with his over stimulated boy hormones to jump, run, sing, dance, twirl, zig, zag and have fun doing it I can certainly relate to having three little hellions exactly in the making. His Mom is a wonderful lady who seems to have a strong Christian faith. His grandparents were certainly very involved in his life and thus a sturdy family unit. Justin seems to have grown in the midst of many friends and family, a humble existence before hitting the music industry machine. He has a great voice, a lot of energy and very entertaining.

So, this is where my praise for the Justin will stop. Why Lucy!? you may ask would I have anything against the Justin. Well, firstly it’s not about him...it’s about Him. Maybe the capital Him that Lady Gaga sings about in her new song that she sang fresh from her alien egg. I think it is sad that Justin’s mom has sold her baby to the music industry. In this movie we see how Justin is pushed to 86 concerts within a short period of time. My question is what the heck is the rush?
WHO DOES this to a young kid? Then they have difficulty in getting the kid to rest his vocal cords...he is sick and burnt out. The music industry's producer I see is pretty self centered. He’s out to make money and make Justin famous and he’s very successful at it. But at what expense?

In the movie we see little 6 year old girls screaming, crying with hysteria saying they will be Justin Beiber’s wife. Yes...6 years old. I couldn’t see any 6 year old boys in the mix, but I could have missed them. Not only is Justin Beiber is the object of desire but these moms are allowing their girls to develop the Justin Beiber idol craze. I think this goes way beyond just going to a concert and enjoying some music. This is mass hysteria. In one breath backstage Justin’s Mom prays that “God be glorified” but in Rolling Stone Justin quoted...”I’ll never tell them they need Jesus.” God forbid that Justin Beiber says Jesus to a crowd of screaming girls.

The wonderful thing Justin does, is give back to his audience. He loves them. And why not. They love him more than Him. He takes one girl, randomly out of the audience and serenades her to “No more lonely girls”, gives her roses and if she’s really lucky gently touches her cheek or gives her a hug. Who would not go gaga with that I tell you.

So here is my thing. Justin Beiber has not been in the music industry very long. He’s green and has absolutely NO street smarts. But I do, and as a Mom and I smell disaster waiting to happen.
So what does idolatry+consumerism = you got it. EVIL. I don’t care if the kid was brought up in a Christian home, his mother sold him to Mr. Producer moneybags and it’s only a matter of time that poor innocent Justin gets polluted by fame and fortune if not already. Not because he is going to fall from grace but he didn’t acknowledge the need for God’s grace in his own life aka...JESUS.

Justin says in Rolling Stone, “the Bible says you only need God in your heart and you go to heaven...” oh baby..someones been lying to you if your actually read scripture correctly it says no one can have eternal life but through Jesus. You need Jesus in your heart. God can be anything in todays culture...it could be cookie monster for goodness sake in your heart.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

So when Justin says he’ll never say to his fans they need Jesus, but at the very end of singing duets with Mily Cyrus dressed in leather thigh highs...think about the message little Hannah Montana sends out in her provocative wares to those little girls. It certainly isn’t ”God loves you!”
This is the commercial over sexualization of our young children is driven by the music industry at it's finest and Justin's mom as well as the production crowd are all part of the picture.
I really wonder if this is the type of "giving God the glory" that Justin’s Mom had asked God to honor in her prayer backstage. Justin gives his fans credit knowing they could someday stop buying his music, which is true...my question is, what will you have Justin when the music industry turns sour on you. In an interview with Diane Sawyer, she asked if he was going to go to college. And he said he already has a career so he thinks he’s doing alright. But while this is true, what message does that send to kids about education? So Justin (if he ever reads this) you said if there was one person in the Bible you would want to be it would be Job. If you don’t give glory and honor to Christ in your time of abundance and feel shame to mention the name of Jesus if you say you are a Christian because Mr. Producer might drop you like a stinky sock then be careful of what you wish for. Will you be content with just lunch meat in your fridge once again?
I doubt it will get to that, but as a Mom of faith...I must protect my children from the over sexualization of our culture and provide the truth which is that every girl out there screaming YOUR name need Jesus and His Grace more than they need a dozen roses and serenaded by your lovely virginal voice. If you give God the glory, He will never let you down.

As a Mom who is Christian, is saddens me to see such young girls completely idolizing a young kid that for all of the 2 minutes he’s been on the scene get so hysterical over the perfection of Justin Beiber. Mostly because I can foresee his rise and fall. He says he never wants to let his fans down, ever. But the music industry doesn't exactly allow him to be set up for success in this arena. He’ll loose that popularity because his clean virginal ways will grow old with the world and frankly the money clock is set to microwave popcorn mode. Just ask the Jonas brothers...where are they? The industry has complete control over his image and like Britney and Christina who also were raised in Christian homes, at the first hint that the records and stadiums don’t sell out...they repackage, remarket with a different message...and it certainly won’t be “You need Jesus”.

So I pray that Justin wakes up and if he’s old enough to drink coffee...maybe he and his Mom will come to their senses and see the truth of the music industry and ship that kid off to college.

The Kings Speech

So I finally found a babysitter that will take my three sweet little terrors and listen to all they want to say about superheros so my hubby and I can duck out and catch a moment to ourselves.

This blog is turning out to be quite a hodge podge of information, but hey...that’s what you get when a mother of three that probably has ADD and is raising a family all to which have inherited the attention qualities of their parents combined ability to focus. I do have to say, in sneaking out of the house and praying that the babysitter would keep the children from lighting the house on fire, that our wishes for a lovely evening were answered. We popped into our local sushi bar and had some spider rolls and off to the independent cinema to see the best film of the year-The Kings Speech. After the movie was over, I knew I had to do a “review” or at least a two thumbs up regarding this movie. 

Firstly, I might say we as Americans really disdain the idea of a Monarchy, but the Brits simply love it. We simply fail to realize this aspect of importance in European history and especially British life. Here in America we are centered around individuality and democracy and self governance. In today's culture, we give ear to master orators, elected leaders that are effective debaters, we value political savvy, and pride ourselves a success when someone that has been promoted from within a structure or organization because of the sweat on their brow. In a Monarchy, as many of you know, the whole aspect of having a King is centered on the presupposed view of “Divine right to rule”. So the idea of a King in our culture is unfathomable, and yet this movie gives light to how important the Prince of Windsor thought of his place within the royal family and the question of who was worthy of standing in such a position.

In an era of broadcast communication, the radio was a powerful propulsion in expanding ideas as we can see how TV, the Internet and social networking have influenced our own culture.

Most political figures are elected because they have succeeded in their communications with the masses. Even our current president has mastered the art of communication and stands as living proof of our success in communication strategies. But what if we had a President that couldn’t physically speak? I highly doubt he would ever get to office. Society would simply reject him, as tolerant as our society claims itself to be this is the truth. Being a good communicator is probably the most important quality we as Americans seek in a political leader. We pick political leaders I dare to say to like cast show on NBC, and I will stretch it a bit more and say because we would rather be entertained than actually care about some of the dire situations this politcal leader would end up facing. 

So here in the Kings Speech you have an individual with the “Divine right to rule” in an era of communication advancement that simply is inability to speak to anyone without stuttering, 

even his own children. You also have the rise of Hitler’s regime looming down the distance, a master orator and obviously effective at communication spreading his voice throughout Eastern Europe. What is a prospective King to do? Well, this builds tension doesn’t it?

Of course there are several things in this movie that give light to how our society have delt with communication defects in the past. We have come a long way, however the social stigma still does not change the social emotional difficulties anyone faces if they live with a communication disorder. One is that intimidation never works. Two, is that crazy marbles in the mouth methods do not work. At the heart of of something like this underlays a deeper issue such as neuro connections in the brain, possibly epilepsy and other defects in brain pathways. What worsens the problem, is making the person feel like they can control the defect from the start with their “hard work” and just “making up your mind” to do it. The shame of having a terrible speech defect as a countrymen or pauper is one thing, but to be King and have to address the nation? The mounting pressure of looming war drew hard on the heart of the King and yet, how utterly powerless and isolated he felt. 

The soon to be Queen, played by Helen Bonham Carter was simply lovely. In searching out all kinds of things to help, she finally came to the spirited Aussie Lionel who is played by Geoffery Rush. Finally in a desperate last resort, sought for his ability to help “speech defects” and with not one royal credential takes on the Kings issue. The fact is that Lionel is not “approved” or given “proper” credentials by the church of England or anyone else for that matter only makes this story even more redeeming to me then just the simple plot. We pride ourselves even to this day on credentials and diplomas. However, how like God’s mysterious ways to use something utterly unconventional to help this King overcome his speech. It is only when the King, finally accepts the trust of Lionel’s friendship and equality as a fellow human being the emotional walls are broken and the King is able to bridge the gap of this gaping reveene of fear of rejection. 

This movie shows how the effects of fear, shame and hurt turn into defense, pride, anger and how the bondage of those relationships, disables us from fulfilling our potential that God has for us. This movie  also paints a picture of grace in the relationship of the Kings wife, who forever is by his side and knows the intimacy of his struggle and desires to help heal those wounds.  The risk of true friendship in Lionel was something that was a salve to the Kings heart, who never had a friend in his life as a royal member and also as person whose disability handicapped the King from socially taking risks. The final moment of redemption of the King being able to open his mouth and speak was triumphant for both Lionel and the King. He gave the King a voice and it was the performance of a lifetime to a nation in grave crisis. In fact, many people have said post WWII  it was the Kings speeches that gave them hope and knew that the King had not abandoned them during that time of chaos in history and stood strong by their side especially has it took the courage to hold fast to their position and not relocate to Canada as the government continually requested.

Exodus- Moses said to the LORD, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAm7gRXFiRo

Happy Fisher Cat Day!

So how about some comic relief? Between ice dams leaking in my kitchen, and bathroom, snow days mid week and family members being sick I think the good old fashioned medicine in order is some humor. It’s February and this is not yet “hump” month in New England...that’s more like April. We have had record snowfall and everyone knows that more is coming, after all several years ago I remember it snowing on April first. I think that was God’s way of saying it’s spring! April fools! At this point, we hear reports from our family in Australia about how hot it is, in fact they’ve had cyclone Yasi hit. That means fall is around the corner on that end of the globe like hurricane season over here indicates climatic change. So hear me when I say the change is coming! But here in New England it seems like the same weather forecast over and over again. A bit like the good ol’ movie Groundhogs Day with Bill Murry. This is always been one of my favorite movies because I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and that cute little furry groundhog was a national icon...to my childlike eyes of 8. I love comedy and I love movies. Especially the silly slapstick ones with Bill Murray. So if you are finding it hard to cope with the weather, the dark, the bitter cold or if you are sick and tired of hearing the drip, drip drip of water in a bucket or maybe you are reminiscing of that hot day in tropical paradise you had last year in February and wished you hadn’t complained about it maybe a comedy choice on Netflix is the medicine you need.

Laughter is one of the best ways to cope with adversity, don’t let anyone else tell you different.
Like people laugh when they are nervous. That is a load of you know what. Laughter is Life!
At this point in what the weather brings, I have to laugh. I laugh at the weather report. I laugh at the thought of all of New England having to shovel their roofs, not once but three times a week.
I am laughing and crying at the same time. Crying because it feels so good to know that March is around the corner and Puxitawny Phil furrball will be groundhog soup if he isn’t right this year. We need our own New England animal that we yank out of hibernation to ask prophetic weather questions of. I think the animal should reflect the types of winters for the area of the nation. For New England, I say Fisher Cat. Let’s ask Mr. New England Fisher Cat if we are going to have 6 more months of this shall we?

Snow, partly cloudy with snow, more snow, ice pellets, sun...which melts the snow and makes ice dams, then more snow, rake roof with neighbors rake because they are all sold out at home depot, Snow, partly cloudy with a “wintery mix”, more snow...another snow day, people running to the store like crazy people buying milk and bread, water leaking into kitchen and bathroom...call ice man, ice man says...I’ll put you on the list, insurance adjuster comes...more snow, rake roof, find water in the basement, kids have cabin fever, send them outside to make an igloo, go to the store and pray to find Easter eggs coming soon because you are sick of snow flake motifs and don’t even want to look at candy hearts because it’s a reminder that it’s only Feburary, the cashier says even a bigger storm is coming on Superbowl Sunday, that means....SNOW! Rake roof, shovel the driveway, defrost the car to get to the store, dig a spot for the dog to pee, knock icicles off roof so kids don’t get impaled or blinded, sun and maybe some rain, this cascades off your roof into your basement and down the side of your house, Freezing rain and ice, sub zero temps that encrust your entire home in ice....don’t forget to salt the walk so the mailman delivers your Netflix comedy film.

See, when you have winters like this...you’ll go to the extreme risk of mulling yourself to ask a sleeping Fisher cat what the next 6 years will be like. Phil is very tolerable, he should be commended for his service. Most of the time he’s wrong. So, my recommendation is to find some comic relief where you can. Make some tea, make a fire and get those comedy films delivered to your house and enjoy your staycation.

My top 10 stupid laugh so hard you don’t care about anything anymore films by the way are:
Dumb and Dumber, Blades of Glory, Neapolitan Dynamite, Austen Powers, Meet the Fockers, anything with Will Ferrell, Rushmore, The Cable Guy, The Royal Tenemboums, Fun with Dick and Jane, Liar Liar..anything with Jim Carey. Would love to hear from anyone that has a fav.

Out of the Blue

What do we do with the unexpected things in our life that happen that we just for the life of us can not explain the hows and the whys? People have wrestled with things like this for centuries maybe even longer. Freak accidents, things that pop out of nowhere, chance sightings or even maybe being hit by lightening. On a trip to Australia we listen to a lot of old fashion wave technology...it’s called a RADIO. We do. We listen to a lot of radio in Australia and in fact they have really interesting radio unlike here that is filled with clap trap and commercials.

I once heard a story about a man who had been hit by lightening and could all of a sudden play the piano like a genius. I am not joking...I didn’t believe him until tons of testimonies held that same account, even his mother and there he was...now he gives concerts all over the world. I believe he had complications too like heart issues and other health issues, but before that he was in a totally different world that had nothing to do with the piano.

I was thinking about this whole miracle if you want to call it that this week because a dear friend of mine died from TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome). She was 40 and had 2 kids. She was absolutely gorgeous and was one of the sweetest people I have gotten to know through my kids being friends. This news and the whole aspect of TSS has come to a huge shock, this is so out of the blue that I’ve had to stop and think truly about the big picture stuff in life. The aspect of my friend never having cancer, never driving on a dangerous road, never over dosing on drugs, never committing suicide, not even being killed has even been more explaining of the hows and whys. I can explain evil, I can see evil but really ...a tampon? I mean I get the crazies that do horrible stuff to people, that is just obviously evil. But complications of a tampon? Really?
The fact is TSS is deadly. Just like the chemicals and material that is used in the manufacturing of tampons has suggested to be there are warning statements on the box. And yet, I know as a Mom she would have felt sick and gone to bed thinking she had a virus or something. But she never woke up again. It sucks. It’s unfair. But I could totally see myself not going to the doctor or thinking I'd feel better in the morning.

I have struggled with questioning God’s sovereign ways this week. It’s been hard to look at the lovely picture of her, think about our last chance meeting in the store and engaged in that blossoming friendship that will never be. In any crisis of faith I have to go back to the big picture and place myself under it. What is God doing? I’ve had some questions in that direction for sure. Why would this happen to her? How sovereign are You O Lord? Usually God points me to the direction of Job in this way. He also pulls me back to the reality that life is fragile and to take care of what God has given to us because in an instant, it can be gone. Love one another. Our lives are like grains of sand on the expanse of the oceans. We have limited time here with our loved ones, with our spouses, with our children, and with our friends.

So, what do I conclude for now with regards to my friend? Well, I know that God on this day has done His plan and not mine. I am never promised all the answers to why, how and who. The fact is, it’s very rare for people to come out of a lightening strike with perfect concert pianist abilities...usually people drop dead from electrical shock. In walking here on earth, we walk in fragility more often than strength and sometimes need to be reminded of that.

Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!"

But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks.Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Dedicated to Juliana

Icy Heart

I have had a rough week. We’ve had two days off from school and a day of complete ice that has literally iced me from doing what I wanted to do, and to top it all off my laundry machine broke. Probably from overuse as I do yes, not one but anywhere from 6 to 8 loads of laundry with 4 boyz to men in my house. Needless to say, this could possibly could be the worst thing aside from having the electricity go out during a snow storm that could happen. Trudging to a laundry mat with my kids sounds so so well, let’s just say it would push me over the edge...my teeth hurt at the thought. Having three boys with cabin fever and getting low on milk only adds to the stress of the situation and why don’t we mix a good dose of familial bickering to that too.

Calgon take me away! Or better yet...let’s fantasize about a trip to Canyon Ranch.

Lucy found herself quite satisfied once the kids were in bed and all is quiet in breaking the ice off the cars, and knocking icicles off the house. There was something just very satisfying in getting some pent up frustration out by breaking ice. I watched my kids even this morning waiting for the bus, (yeah! a full day of school once again!) punch their fists through the ice, kick their boots into it or just fling sheets of ice across a virginal plain of snow covered ice.

Lucy also realized that maybe at times her heart is a bit frosty to what God has said over the years said to her or even tried to say to her but she iced over her heart AND her hears.
Well, I need to allow God to take a chisel or scraper or how about just smashing the ice at times.

I remember listening to a young pastor years ago talk about making it a priority to study the Word of God aka...the Bible! Even if you were a young mother with children. I can still remember how I balked at the inexperience of this guy. I thought “hey, how bout you have three kids hanging on you for every meal and change three kids’ diapers and still have time to have a decent conversation with your husband at the end of the day!” I completely wrote off what this pastor had to say from that comment on. Heart turned to ice and I continued to never make much of a priority to daily study scripture again...or at least until my kids were out of diapers....or in preschool....or actually in grade school. Not that God didn’t give me Grace for the day, but honestly I have continued in complete disobedience because the main message God had for me which was “learn how to prioritize” or you “are what you serve.” seriously. This is every Christian Mom’s struggle, especially one that has multiple children.

In my latest endeavor, I am taking a Bible Study Methods class online. It’s for credit. I paid money and my investment is for long term. As I am reading Living by the Book I am realizing that I have never properly prioritized my time to serve God first, even over my family. That’s not to say I never cracked my Bible open, but in snow storms of crisis and times when I just can’t get out of my house I could be happy to let the kids be in their PJs and watch a movie SO THAT I could take care of my highest priority which IS to study the Bible, because “ I long for the pure milk of the WORD like a NEWBORN BABY”.

I know some people are going to say “you’re too hard on yourself”...or like me “she’s got kids in school of course she can have time to study the Word”....I know deep in my heart I’ve made excuses and let the priorities get all out of balance. I turned my heart to ice those years ago thinking that what that pastor said was out of “inexperience” and lost years of growth and maturity because I was not willing to reorganize my life and put God first. It is a sacrifice to re prioritize your whole life. Turn off the TV. Wake up at 6am. Go to bed early. Don’t spend time on Facebook. I keep thinking back at those crazy infant days, constantly nursing, constantly changing diapers and realize now that I should be like that with God. That I should have been like that with God even then, figuring out how to balance my life with children with God at the top. I don’t know if I was longing for anything other than sleep, but I know now that I should be constantly hungering because I got a lot of growing to do.

The Word of God has been like a blowtorch to an icicle (one method a certain person in our house has tried...I don’t recommend it but stealing the metaphor)...it melts iced over areas of our heart that we haven’t realized that we have allowed to harden. We have allowed the storms of life to ice over areas of our heart instead of cling to them as sustenance, sanity and refuge. It has certainly been worth allowing God to break, chisel, smash that ice covered heart and allow my growth by the “pure milk of God’s Word” to begin in areas that have never been cultivated.

Paths in the Snow

I live in the Northeast, a part that gets a lot of snow and is bitter cold at times that makes you want to scream for Mama. This week we got about 2 ft of snow plonked down on us over a 18 hour span and blanketed us with this wonderful powdery substance that makes living this far north worth it. I also have a sweet little dog that is about shin high, a pure bred Shiba Inu and I will spare you at this time the story of how I got her, but she is a wonderful dog that is equally affectionate as she is regal. I had another Shiba that loved the snow before Sheba came to our family. She would jump into the snow and absolutely delight in it. Since Sheba is also a Shiba, I assumed she would react to this lovely powder the same way...even if it was over her head.

 

So I opened our back door and Sheba simply looked at me as if I was out of my mind. She clearly could see it was over her head and frankly my expectations of her just bounding out the door in the 2 ft of snow was a bit presumutious. Sheba also needs to go to the bathroom outside. I closed the door and told her she was going to have to wait until I could take her outside. Still looking at me with expectation...I simply had to do it, she was a creature of habit. I got my shovel, my snow pants, hat, gloves on and got the shovel and started digging us out from the backdoor. I started digging the path and invited Sheba to come out...maybe if I started she would move ahead into full Shiba bouncing motion and carve her own path. As I was shoveling I notice Sheba waiting behind me patiently, she had to go...”Really” I thought...she is not going to go anywhere but her favorite spot. So I shovel, and shovel and shovel. A long path to the far end of the yard. As I am shoveling God brings this picture to my mind about how much He loves us. Also at our inability to make a path in lifes storms on our own. Relying on His strength to go before us, so that we can simply cope with adverse conditions...even if it is only 2ft of snow. Sheba by nature, can not shovel a path anywhere mostly because she has paws but partly because she is less than 2 ft tall, and the snow is simply over her head. That’s often how I feel in light of what is going on in my life. But God sent Christ to show us how we are to walk, and yet He also is the only one that can shovel the path for us. 

 

It’s funny...Sheba stayed on the path I shoveled but I tried to get my kids to stay on the path as an excersise in obedience. That didn’t work so well. They were making their own paths, undermining my “vision” of a network of paths for Sheba. I see myself more in their shoes, going in my own direction often times and not allowing God to be the one to shovel me a path. As a result, I fall in the snow and get stuck or worse yet I loose a boot or a glove. I love it how God shows us some little lessons even with the relationship with our animals. Eventually this lesson that I was trying to press upon the kids, they joined in and we made my system of paths for Sheba to go make her “yellow brick road” so all is well and happy. 

Let God shovel your path!