She bent over her son’s crib, fighting back tears and exhausted from having to redirect his strong-willed nature once again. It was only 12:30 in the afternoon but it felt like the sun could set at any moment. Her whole existence seemed to be wrapped up in keeping him out of harm's way. Evenings were often occupied with thoughts about him growing up and she feared that she’d never be able to understand how to best love him. He was fast approaching his second birthday and still hadn’t said her name. He hadn’t said any words, really. Nothing consistently, anyway. She worried about his well-being, his development, and the delays she was seeing. Her heart longed to connect to her baby boy who'd roughed himself into a rip-roaring toddler.
He was strong as an ox, riding around on balance bikes, and climbing out of his crib like a champ. While incredibly delightful and zany, he had an undeniably quick-temper. Most days, there was a "story" to tell, that ended with some sort of bruise or abrasion. When he’d exhausted all other options and finally calmed down from crying, he’d walk over and stumble headfirst into her lap. Still, the one thing she desired most was to hear him say her name, Momma, but he wouldn't say it.
It was at this moment, riddled with worry, that this young mother realized the source of her exhaustion wasn’t fatigue.
It was disappointment.
In that confession, the fight for control was suddenly over. Tears flooded her eyes and down the sides of her face. She wiped her cheek with the sleeve of her sweatshirt and whispered “So, this is what it feels like to be You, Father.”
Friend, are you in a season of disappointment? Are things not working out the way that you intended them to be? Are people not living up to your expectations of them? Do you feel lost and disconnected in some way?
We have all been there. Wishing things were different and not understanding the season that we’re in. My reminder to you this week is that you have a Father that longs for you to look up and say His name. He differs from this young mother in that He knows the plans He has for you. He knows the season that you’re in and where you’re headed. He’s not worried about you and He’s not disappointed in You. He’s ready and waiting for you. The young mother will be incredibly grateful when her son finally says “Momma” and a new level of connection can occur- but she will be most benefited by reconnecting to her Father in Heaven and remembering how to say His name.
I should know.
Because I am her.
Pray
God cares about the things we care about. I tell this to my daughter all of the time and we pray it often as we give thanks to God for things He has done. I want to pray this over anyone reading my thoughts today. Wherever it may find you. I hope it becomes a staple prayer for you as well.
Lord, you care about the things that we care about. Even the little things. The things that upset us and hurt our hearts. You love us and you care about those things. Help us to see the ways in which you are holding us and healing us even in the little things. You are a Good God. Amen
Reflect
Take time to write your responses down.
1. Are you in a season of disappointment? How so?
2. So you feel disconnected in some way? Explain.
3. Do you find yourself putting more expectations on yourself or on others? Why do you think that is?
Do Something
Think of someone in your community or church body that is going through a time of difficulty. How could you help? Send a not of encouragement? Give a gift card or bring over a meal? Reach out and lighten someone's load today. Do it all in the name of Jesus, and remind them to say His name in their time of worry and disappointment:)
Find a Psalm to pray over your week. Most of the Psalms are honest, vulnerable, and authentic in their reach and pursuit of the Father. Be held by them.
Further Reading
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121: 4-6
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 43: 5
This week, let's try and listen to actual scripture being sung over us. The two songs below contain lyrics taken directly out of the text from Psalm 43. Happy listening!
Send Out Your Light by Sandra McCracken
I Am Satisfied In You by The Sing Team
*This Blog was originally written on November 18, 2021
Halloween Night. 1996. We’re walking back to the car, headed home from our third Trick or Treating excursion. This last round, we hit up the “rich side” of town. That’s where the good stuff is. I’m dragging, my costume is sagging at the waist, makeup smeared into my eyes and mouth, and my whole body longs for my Space Jam comforter and warm bed.
I look over at my baby sister’s trick or treat bucket and see that she’s got a box of Dots. Heyyyyyyy, I think to myself, that’s not fair. I didn’t get any! I quickly strike up a trade but she’s not having it. She’s tired and I’m relentless. We end up fighting in the back seat of the car and my mom turns around and utters the worst phrase known to man.
That’s it! You’re not getting any candy!
Oh man, you guys. I wish I could say that this was an isolated incident, but the truth is- I just picked a year. This kind of thing took place more often than not. Something like ‘94, ‘95, ‘96, and on up to the early 2000’s. It was a coin toss to see which one of us would strike first. I wish I could say these patterns of behavior are long behind me, but they’re not. From time to time, I’m still the same selfish little 8 year old I was back then. Looking in someone else’s goodie bag and wishing I had what they had.
Later on, when we were “ungrounded”, we got a chance to try again. This time, digging deeper into our goodie bags to find a ton of things we don’t even recall getting! We would then be so pleased with our individual take that we didn’t mind pouring it all out on the floor and sharing, trading, or just giving each other pieces we didn’t care for. We were kinder to one another and more gentle having seen the full contents of our bounty.
You see where I’m going with this, dontcha?
Yes! Our God is the sweetest and most generous giver. My friends, we are just scratching the surface of all He has in store for us. We look at our neighbor’s well manicured lawn and wish we had “greener grass”, more time, and better resources but we don’t realize that inside our own life, God has stored up a wealth of riches that we’ve yet to discover because we aren’t digging deep enough! We envy what others seem to have in their bag without even taking a look inside our own.
When I’m wise enough to dig into the word of the Lord, and gaze upon the goodness of His grace, I have a perspective that goes beyond what I thought I was entitled to. I’m no longer fighting for what I don’t have. I’m rejoicing and praising God for what He’s blessed me with. My thoughts turn toward heaven and my soul shouts Whoa! Look at what the Lord has done! I’m more eager to share with others and give myself freely to those who are in need of something I may possess. I can look at someone’s blessing and be encouraged by God’s provision in their life rather than harbor jealousy that He’s not doing the same thing for me.
Ok. One more thing, and I’ll let you get to trick or treating.
Every year, my mom ended up with all the Whoppers. I can’t stand them. While we rummaged through our pile, she’d bend down and say, “hey give ‘em here; I’ll take those.” I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why she liked them.
Sometimes God gives us things in our bag that we don’t really care for. Probably something we’re pretty insecure about. A shy personality, a procrastinating nature, a thick and tangled head of hair, or a quirkiness that no one can pinpoint. When we are in a family of believers, someone will kneel down beside you, embrace your insecurities, and say “I’ll take those. I love those.” And it is SO nice to be loved in that way. Just how Jesus intended.
So let’s spread out our bounty this Halloween Day! Let’s dig deep into our bags and see allllllll that the Great Giver has provided so that we may be in the sweet spirit of sharing and proclaiming good things over one another.
Love, Kari
Here are a few more of my costumes over the years. Just for fun:)
I'm the second little one on the left. I think I may have been Cotton Candy? Or a Carebear.....
This was for a science class in college. I was "Gamma Ray".
The pajamas were on. It was 6:30….pm. I observed my children from the comfort of the front porch stoop. It felt nice to sit down for a change. I had survived another “Monday”, and was feeling less than thankful. Griffin and Cola flew past me in the front yard, riding on their green Powerwheels dune buggy. I smiled. They are so gosh darn cute, I thought. A little crazy though, very very hard to handle sometimes, and…. Suddenly I felt the Lord tell me “This is what you asked for.”
Refocusing on my little ones, I considered the times I cried out to God to help me become a mother, years before Cola was born. I laughed, remembering when I wrote in my journal, “Lord, I know I’m supposed to just ask for a healthy baby, and I don’t want to overstep here, but could it please be a boy?” Now that they’re both here, I feel submerged at times. Drowning in “mom guilt”, feeling like I don’t prioritize them enough.
I thought about different areas of service to friends, family, my job, and other commitments. I keep saying yes to things, knowing full well that once again, I’ll end up in this same posture. I hate how I keep doing this, I thought. I sat there feeling bad about booking myself ‘til kingdom come. Conflicted and discontent. Again, the Lord spoke to my heart- This is what you asked for.
To have a full life with a big friends group. To volunteer where my heart felt led, while staying active with and attentive to my kids. To engage in late night conversations with my spouse, make an effort to visit to see family, and to cook more meals at home.
So many things, I asked for. So many things to juggle.
I spent the rest of the evening looking out for these “answered prayers”. What were the “big asks” in my life? Did those gifts from the Lord cause gratitude or grievance to flow from my heart?
Last year, about this time, I wrote about being burdened by our blessings. What if, in reality- God never meant for us to be overwhelmed? What if we’re the ones who asked for more and then ran off without asking for His help?
Here’s my confession, church. I often think that I’m forsaken. I recognize all that He’s done for me, but I forget that He still holds it all. When I don’t know how to manage it, I feel like I’m letting Him down. Like I’m not trustworthy with what He’s given me. Then I run myself ragged trying to keep up with the weight of that burden. Feeling like He’s left me to fend for myself. It’s a lie straight from Satan- to think that you’re left to do it on your own. Jesus even said “I am with you always, to the ends of the earth.” (Matthew 28:20)
God told Moses, “I will be with you.”
He reminded Joshua, “Wherever you go, I go.”
Through Isaiah He called to Israel saying, “I will feed you, carry you in My arms, gently lead you, and hold you close to My heart.” (Isaiah 40:11)
David declared, “God does not abandon His people; His heritage. He holds my right hand and guides me with His counsel. Whom have I but Him?” (Psalm 94:14, 73:23-25)
God doesn’t “help those that help themselves”. God helps those who turn to Him and ask. for. help. It’s time I take inventory of the answered prayers in my life. May I approach each one with a new understanding that the Lord of All is in the business of redeeming my feeble attempt at controlling it all.
Maybe then, the conversation with my Heavenly Father will look more like this:
This is what you asked for.
Ok Lord, now show me how it works.
Lord, I haven’t a clue. I’m grateful, but I’m buried in these blessings. Show me how You intend to use the things You’ve given me. What would you have me say to this friend? When should I approach this issue at work? Where do I invest my time and finances? How would you have me show grace to my children? And in the name of all that is holy, how am I supposed to relate to this man you so graciously gave me?
I know I asked for it all. And I thank You for every ounce of it. Please show me how it works.
That’s my prayer for us this time around. That we would be open to seeing our answered prayers, recalling where they came from, and bringing our generous God back into frame so we can better picture His plan for us. There’s no shame in needing a never-changing God to direct us in this ever-changing heap of blessings.
A few weeks ago, the Children’s Ministry started a variety of new and exciting programs! Their goal is to bring the message of truth to transform and shape some of the youngest minds of our congregation. Children’s Church brings the Sunday morning message to even the smallest of ears:)
Full disclosure: bringing the bible to a bunch of inquisitive children is no small task! One must be prepared. One must be ready to answer the most outlandish and curious riddles known to man! Like “So… Ms. Kari....did the whale have a room inside of it!?”
There’s a hidden blessing of accountability in all that questioning, if we choose to see it that way. When the children are reaching for answers, it summons the heart and mind of the adult to go deeper into the endless ocean of God’s wonder, grace, and majesty.
Honestly? It makes me a little nervous each week as I go in to prepare. Reading through the lens of a child, I’m looking at details in these classic bible stories and they seem to be hitting me for the first time! It’s like “I don’t remember hearing this at all! Since when did it say that Jonah threw a hissy fit whenever the people of Nineveh were saved? What a jerk! I think my Sunday School teacher left that part out.”
I can name a handful of men and women in my formative years that invested a lot of time in my biblical upbringing. The Sunday School teachers, Wednesday night volunteers, and church camp chaperones. We spoke of the bible often and I’m sure that wonderful things were spoken over me. However, when I really stop and think about my childhood, there’s a lot I don’t remember. Some things do stick out though, and I recall incredible truths, filled with details and information from scripture that brought me to a greater understanding of the Jesus I know and love today.
So maybe the problem isn’t that I didn’t hear all that much about Jonah. Maybe something else got in the way. Of course someone told me all about the wondrous love of Jesus. Maybe it’s just that a lot has been said since then.
For instance, I remember hearing how Jesus wasn’t real, around the time I found out Santa wasn’t real. I recall being at a lunch table in the 6th grade when a close friend made a snarky comment about how “church people are just hypocrites'' and it confused me a great deal. I loved church people! I had friends in high school tell me that I was a prude and a goody goody. It became all too clear that nothing I valued was valued outside the walls of my church. The experiences of Jesus and the bible around me began to shape me from the inside out.
So what happened to the truths spoken over me all those years ago?
Simply put- They got pushed out.
You’re not my friend anymore.
No one’s going to like you if you don’t do it.
If you really loved God, you would stop sinning.
You’re just not my type.
No one cares what you think.
You’re a Jesus Freak.
This is way more fun than some stupid bible study.
The church is a joke. They’re all set in their ways.
Those people don’t love God. Stay away from them.
Instead of opening my bible to combat what I was hearing, I tuned in to every channel where these lies were being spoken. I would rather sing the tune of a popular song than to be made fun of for the melody in my heart.
What are we allowing the world to speak over us? What negative influences are pushing out all the positive kingdom advances of our youth? How has “The Jesus Of Back Then” faded into the background of our lives? How did He go from being the main character in our story to being casted in a supporting role?
I’ll be the first to say it. “Lord, forgive me.”
Good news is all around us in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It ought to be the cry of our hearts that Jesus’ name would ring louder than any sound. Not as a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:41), but as the majestic and powerful melody that it is. (Psalm 29:1-4) I repent of the things I let push out the goodness of God’s love and lordship over my life. It’s time to take back those years, dig back in, and hold ourselves accountable to recalling what’s really real.
When Jared and I first got married, I thought I knew everything there was to know about him. He wore cool shoes, held a good job, loved Jesus, and seemed to like me a lot :) As for the other details, I figured they’d come naturally. As far as his likes and dislikes were concerned, I was confident I had him pegged.
I soon found out my post-nuptial assumptions were dead wrong. I actually knew very little about my new handsome hubby. In fact, I had more misinformation about him than I realized, which led to one misunderstanding after another. Believe it or not, it all started with a bag of Reese's pieces.
I thought Jared loved Reese's pieces candies. For Christmas, I would put them in his stocking. Anniversaries, birthdays, movie nights, “just ‘cause” presents, … you name it. I’d throw in a box of those chocolate coated peanut butter circles and wait for his reaction. Best wife ever! Or so I thought. One day, he finally spoke up. It’s important to note how difficult it must have been for him to say this. He’s the sweetest guy on the face of the planet but he had finally endured enough.
“Babe. I don’t like these.”
“What do you mean you don’t like these? You LOVE these!” I jested.
“No I don’t. I’ve never liked these.” He used the word never. It crushed me. Inside, I was red-faced.
“But I buy these for you all of the time.” I argued.
“I know you do. And I don’t like them. I like Reese's peanut butterCUPS. Not pieces.”
It didn’t stop there. Over the next several months, it all started to unravel. Suddenly, I was wrong about everything. I thought “What Happens in Vegas” was his favorite movie. Wrong. Watching baseball was his favorite pastime. Wrong. I bought him several flat-billed caps only to discover that he found them to be “too boxy.” Wrong again. He didn’t seem to like anything I picked out for him; I was failing at every attempt I made to move forward.
It’s painful to describe how this made me feel … like a lousy wife, a terrible listener, and an ignorant friend. How could I be in love with this guy when it seemed like I barely knew him? For a time, I started to doubt that we were even supposed to be together.
Instead of taking each of those instances as opportunities for closeness, I chose to walk in the shame and upset that comes from being wrong. These could have been occasions for insight into yet another side of my sweet husband but I allowed it to become a huge stumbling block in our marriage. Rather than embracing this new information, I wanted to have absolutely nothing to do with it. In that season of our relationship, you could have asked me anything about Jared and I would have told you, “I have no idea. Sorry. Can’t help you.”
Fortunately; I had godly friends who helped me wake up, stop moping, and encouraged me to grow closer to my husband instead of grumbling over a B-rated movie and some candy preferences. As luck would have it, I also had an insanely patient husband who saw me fail miserably time and time again and kindly helped me get to know who he really was. As I allowed for space for him to speak, he in turn became more vocal. Truthfully, we began to thrive. I have to say, he grows sweeter with time.
As this season took a shift, I became more confident in engaging with Jared, planning for him, and speaking on his behalf. My “I have no idea,” turned into “Oh, he would love that!” or “I’m not sure, let me ask him.” I’ve gained a newfound confidence as his wife and friend. I can honestly write this with a smile because I know there’s still so much I don’t know about that man, but I now delight in the newness of his ever-changing personality and interests.
Gummy bears. Those are his absolute favorite. Nowadays, I can plan a movie night in which I pick up the pizza (another favorite), buy the candy, and select a movie I think we’d both enjoy. Granted, I’m not always spot on, but I’m close enough. Close enough to love him and appreciate the fact that he loves me even in my unknowing.
Friends, I must confess that the same is true with my relationship with Jesus. Time and time again, I think I have Him pegged and yet, I constantly misstep in my pursuit of Him. I think I know everything there is to know about His word, but I’m painfully mistaken and unsettled as a result. I mistreat His people, misrepresent His word, and misunderstand His heart. Oftentimes, it causes me to grow frustrated because I’ve been in a relationship with Him for so long and yet, I still seem to know very little.
Just as it was with my spouse, the Father is slowly revealing things about Himself that are different than we’ve grown accustomed to understanding. It’s hard to accept in the beginning. But I find that if I can swallow my pride, engage in conversation with Him through prayer, and seek after His heart, I can receive far more than I ever did in fighting for what I thought I knew. Whether you’re brand new to the faith or thirty years in, it is a dangerous assumption to believe that you have God pegged. There will come a time in your life when you’ll be reading scripture, scratch your head, and think “this doesn’t look like You. I have no idea what this means.” The faith-filled life is a constant surrender to the things we don’t quite comprehend. It’s only when I surrender my assumptions that I find peace and confidence in truly knowing Him.
The good news is that our God, while vast and complex, is never-changing and never-failing. To misunderstand Him is an honest mistake. A mistake we have all made. Give yourself a break. Of course you’re not going to understand it all; He’s the one who’s all-knowing! There’s freedom found in the realization that He is bigger, and greater, and far more than we could ever fathom. There is so much about Him that we will never fully understand and those gray areas will only serve to strengthen our faith if we let them. My prayer is that when we feel that gentle correction fall upon us, we would welcome it. We would earnestly seek to dive deeper. We would know Him more.
I leave you with this verse. May it go before you, excite you into seeking more, and guide your heart into depths unknown :)
Love, Kari
When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever- faith, hope, and love- and the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:11-13
Pray
Lord, help us to delight in our misunderstandings. May it draw us nearer to Your heart. Let the covenant of Your grace in our lives sustain us in the unknowing. In Your mighty and majestic ways, may we find freedom in the lovely realization that we don't have to know it all. Help us to rest in the peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen
Reflect
1. How comfortable are you with things you don't understand? What fears arise when you come across things that are clearly out of your control?
2. How do you feel when someone acts out of character? Does it concern you? Why or why not? Do people in relationship with you feel free to "change" areas of their life if need be?
3. For the following questions, mark your answers on a scale of 1-10.
How well do you think you know God's will for your life?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
How much of scripture makes sense to you?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
How much of scripture do you feel uncertain about?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
4. How do you approach new ideas in scripture? When's the last time you read something that caused pause? How did you react?
Do Something
Speak with your local pastor about some of the things troubling you in scripture. See if they have any resources they could recommend that might help you make peace with these areas of "unknowing".
Get familiar with parts of the bible that are foreign to you. See if you can participate in a book study with another friend or bible study group.
Pray over your concerns. Pray over your doubts. Pray over your fears. Ask others to partner with you in prayer as you admit to the things that are beyond your comprehension. Take delight in them!
Write down areas in your relationships where you are having trouble with someone's sudden change or shift in "who you know them to be". Pray over these things and ask God to give you peace and discernment moving forward.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Listen
Bigger Than I Thought by Sean Curran
Endless Ocean- Jonathan and Melissa Helser
How Deep The Father's Love For Us- Austin Stone Worship
I’m scarfing down my third plate of leftovers. Turkey, dressing, broccoli-rice casserole- the whole nine yards that’ll soon turn into 10 pounds. Knee deep in all the carbs and deliciousness commonly known as Thanksgiving Dinner. Except it’s June. Some would say “ew. Way too hot for that.” I would say “ew. Get away from me with that negative energy.”
This has been a dream of mine. To have a Thanksgiving feast for my birthday dinner and my adoring husband made it happen this year. He even cooked the turkey, y’all. It was fabulous. Friends came over with their babies and we had a house full of tiny squeaky giggles. I even attempted to put a football game on, just to help with the aesthetics. ESPN Classics was only showing basketball games. Bummer. Nevertheless, it was a grand time and it did my heart such good to be around my nearest and dearest people.
Sometimes when you’re that filled with joy, you catch yourself caught in some sort of transient state. At least I do. The room seems to slow down around me, like in an alternative rock music video or comedic drama where the character finally comes to some climactic realization. During this birthday dinner, I remember having this thought:
My friendships should outlast me. They should extend beyond myself and ripple outward indefinitely.
Friendship has been one of God’s greatest and latest gifts in my household. For the most part, I’m extroverted and extremely interested in other people, so I’ve been pretty good at making friends for the majority of my life. However, cultivating meaningful relationships in adulthood (juggle that alongside having a spouse and two children) has become one of the harder things to manage. It seems like we’re all too busy to be present. Too tired to have coffee. Too overwhelmed to even say “thanks for asking”. Too caught up in our reasons why we can’t make it happen and missing out on what’s happening all around us; without us.
Most everyone that came out to the house for my birthday dinner knew at least one other person that was in attendance, but we did have a few newcomers or family from out of town. It was a badge of honor to see my local friends spark conversations and ask an uncomfortable amount of questions to these poor new souls, all in the name of love. One newbie that showed up jumped right into it! He chatted with most everyone there and because of his willingness to buy into what was happening, he left feeling full and excited for more! As did we!
Sad to say, I’ve been on the receiving end of that sort of loving pursuit and it definitely takes some getting used to. “Gosh. It was like we were playing 20 Questions! I felt like I was being interrogated!” It makes you feel tense and it's much easier to call that person a weirdo than it is to admit your own insecurities. “What’s wrong with them?”
Shouldn't we desire that kind of love, though? To feel seen in a crowd of strangers? To be pursued despite the fact that you’re not fully known? Aren’t these the things we love so much about having a relationship with Jesus?
It seems we would rather deflect intentional community and embrace solitude. We live in a culture that is shouting for solidarity with the weak and oppressed but we’re only relational behind cell phone screens instead of knocking on a neighbors’ door and inviting them over for a barbeque.
We love that Jesus cares about us, but to experience a stranger starting to show interest in our wellbeing, we think something weird must be going on. Much worse- we find ourselves on the other end of that and face rejection every time we attempt to get to know someone. It’s easier to stay home than to have your friends flake out on you. Been there. Done that. But Jesus designed us to be together.
I hate that we question togetherness so much. I hate that in our society and within our relationships, there’s so much happening on the surface that the deep end seems dangerous. Sure you can swim in the shallow end, but why would you want to? Defeats the purpose of knowing how to swim.
After my birthday, I was swimming in enthusiasm, let me tell you! Not only because of the delightful food aforementioned- but because of the fellowship! One year olds running around getting into toy bins and purses, pushing buttons both figuratively and literally. Mom’s shrugging their shoulders at one another while the men carved the turkey and talked about how spicy the queso was. We played a game called Throw, Throw, Burrito (look it up and thank me later) and people were coming out of shells they didn’t even realize they were in. Belly laughs and cackles could be heard by the neighboring houses. My heart was full.
I can be sure that the friendships I hold with the people at that party will outlast me. I can be sure that no one left hungry. I can be sure that when the doors of my home are open, God’s people go to work and love on the least of these. I can be sure that anyone who didn’t enjoy themselves, misunderstood the meaning of gathering.
Jesus got in people’s business. He came straight into their homes. He didn’t put it on the calendar first. He simply walked in and they wanted nothing more than for His presence to be near them. Jesus put hands on the afflicted. He called on the name of the rich and the proud to follow Him. He sat with money-hungry men who were despised by all and knelt beside lepers that no one would be within three feet of. You’d better believe He asked uncomfortable questions. And yet- here we are. A byproduct of His barrier-breaking love. Thousands of years later, hearing more and more about Him, but looking less and less like Him.
Don’t walk through life hoping that no one talks to you. Be open to new relationships in your life. Let the love of Jesus flow from others onto you. You are not an island. Even if you were, He’d cross the seas to find you. Are you open to being found?
Pray
Jesus, help me to see how You’re pursuing me through others. Help me to reach out and love like You love. Help me to engage in those uncomfortable conversations in Your name. To bring light to dark places and hope to the weary. Help me step outside of my normal to live a life that is abundantly evident of Your influence on my heart. Help me to heal of past hurts or hinderances from bring an asset to Your Kingdom here on earth. Lord, when I do seek isolation to recharge and replenish my soul- be my source and my guide in that rest so that I may be strengthened to go out and share the goodness of your grace once more. Amen
Reflect
What sort of expectations do we set for our friends? Do we want friends that come to our party, fluff us up, and leave others out? Or do we live out discipleship in the midst of having our own needs met? Are you friendships set up in such a way that they will outlast you?
Take careful thought with the verses below and give yourself time to honestly answer each question that follows.
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”- Proverbs 27:17
Are the people that you are in relationship with being sharpened by Christ’s work in you?
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”- James 5:16
Have you ever confessed sin to a friend? Is this something you do regularly? Why or why not?
“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body, and we all belong to each other.” Romans 12:4-5
How do you feel about “belonging” to someone else? How does it make you feel to know that God gives you a “special function” in His body of believers?
Do Something
Think of a time when someone made you uncomfortable in intentional conversation. What was at the root of your hesitation to engage?
Call up a few friends and ask: Am I easy to talk to? Am I a good listener? Be open to learning from their answers.
Write down three ways that you could be more approachable and place them in your bathroom mirror or car. Work on these things as you go throughout your week.
Make a list of things that are uncomfortable for you to talk about. Start praying over those things and ask God to help you be more vulnerable with other people in the faith.
Think of someone who needs community in their life. Then think of two or three friends that would pair well with that person. Invite them all for dinner, for coffee, or just an evening hang out in your home (yes, you can do it). See how God facilitates future gatherings. Be open to that.
Further Reading
Read the following familiar stories. Try not to skim through. Really take your time and highlight important details in the conversational style of Jesus through these encounters. What is common in these stories? What’s Jesus’ overall goal in these interactions? What can you learn from this? How can you better minister to others in your life?
John 4:1-44 The Samaritan Woman
John 5:1-15 The Lame Man
Matthew 19:16-30 The Rich Young Ruler
Here are some interesting articles for those wishing to dig further:)
Adventure awaits the Banks Family in 2021! We are now the proud caretakers of our very own Dutchmen pop-up camper! Fully furnished with 90’s geometric shapes printed on the cushions. Complete with cream formica countertops and more curtains and zippers than you could ever dream of! The best part of it all? Absolutely free! A gift from some clients of my husband who decided to reach out and bless us well into the next decade! You have no idea what this means for our little family and how many far-reaching prayers it will fulfill. More time together, the ability to travel affordably, and quenching our thirst for the Great Outdoors to name a few. So many spoken and unspoken prayers. Proving once more, that God is ever clever in His pursuit of His people.
A week ago, my husband rolled it up the driveway on his way home from work. The house we live in has four bedrooms but you better believe we slept in the camper that night! In the driveway. Why?
Because we just got a free camper!Sorry. Still excited.
It proved to be the perfect night, too. Although my daughter would have had us gather ALL of our bedding and bring it downstairs (and she did try to force my goose down comforter through the front door), we had a few quilts and pillows that sufficed. The three of us fell asleep holding hands and thanking the Lord for being so undeniably kind to our family.
Around 1am, my husband and I woke to the camper rocking about; the wind blowing violently through the screens. As far as Colette was concerned, none of this happened. She had sunk like a rock. Jared went to zip the screens back up, but the problem wasn’t caused by the opened screens. Several screens on the far side of the camper were still sealed up. The wind was getting caught inside, tossing the whole structure to and fro. We decided to unzip more screens so that the wind could move through the camper freely.
It was evident to me that the Lord was speaking at this time. He’s pretty methodical in waking me up at odd hours of the night to tell me something special. See? Ever clever, is our God. The Holy Spirit moved me to jot down some notes by the light of the Edison bulbs hanging through the trees.
I wrote: Don’t close off the Spirit. Let Him move freely.
There I was, laying in this free gift after opening up all sides, tucked into my covers, feeling the gentle brush of the wind over my forehead. How can you not feel God’s love in that moment? Like a mother kissing her baby one last time before leaving His room. Never wanting to leave at all. Running her fingers through his hair. Over and over again. Whispering, You’re safe. You’re loved. I missed you. I love you. You’re cared for. I’m not going anywhere.
This is exactly how the Spirit of the Lord shows up in our lives.
The wind didn’t die down after we opened up the camper. It was still stirring around like before. This time, it passed through, over my head and brought great comfort. Like a wave passing over me. Coming and going and coming again. For a while, it continued to keep me awake, even. But here’s the thing...
I knew what it was, I knew it wasn’t leaving, and I had given it room to move.
The Spirit of the Lord desires to awaken the hearts of God’s people. Like a low flying plane stirring gusts of wind overhead, the Spirit of the Lord cannot pass over us without leaving its impact. When our hearts are left unopened, it can feel like a furious jolt of energy passing through. It can seem overwhelming and sometimes disturbing. If we keep those walls up, if we try to close up the sides of our heart that we had already opened, we miss out on the freedom that comes from fully surrendering to God’s love for us. Let us be like watchmen waiting in the night. For when the children of God decide to get up in the middle of our slumber and unzip the far sides of our hearts, I believe the Spirit of God runs freely in our lives and the center of our souls start to settle.
And much like the wind keeping me up that night, once you’ve been awakened over and over again, you’ll learn to rest in it. I pray you find rest in His Spirit and learn to embrace its ever comforting presence in your life.
Your friend in Jesus,
Kari
First meal in the camper: Pasta Primavera
Reflect
1. Consider the following scripture and think about the veil that Christ has lifted in your life. What limitations might you still have up that Jesus is asking you to uncover.
Whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.- 2 Corinthians 3:16-18
2. Have there been times in your life that the Spirit of God felt more like a stranger than a friend? How did you overcome this? How can you help others to embrace the move of The Spirit in their lives?
Do Something
1. Write down 5 limitations or distractors that limit your interaction with the Holy Spirit. Next, jot down 5 different avenues that the Holy Spirit speaks to you. For example:
Limitation- Insecurity about my shortcomings during worship
Avenue- Music
See here? Sometimes the very places that the Holy Spirit takes hold of us can be some of the most difficult places for us to feel confident in.
2. I'm always amazed at how little I understand about the mystery of this one aspect of The Trinity. Just when I think I've figured it out- I'm reminded of the hugeness of God. All I can do is spend each day with open arms for more of His presence. Set aside time this week to read scriptures and articles regrading The Holy Spirit.
Below, you'll find some resources to get you started.
At the end of the week, ask these questions: How has your viewpoint of the Holy Spirit changed? How does this help you in your relationship with the Father and the Son? How can you begin to share this new perspective with others? How might you ask the Holy Spirit to guide you?
Come Holy Spirit. Wherever I am. Whatever it costs me. Help me to abide in You so that the Father's Name may be great in my life and the Son should shine through me. Help me to recognize areas in which I've attempted to thwart Your work with or without knowing it. Help me to be more open to the heart of my Creator. Speak for me when I'm speechless, move me toward the paths I am to follow, and lead me ever-so gently as I learn to make room for You in my life.
Listen
Literally way too many to list but here are a few with a lot of weight behind them. Listening to them really helps me to overcome distractors in my life.
