Thanksgiving in June

 

June 8, 2021 

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:)

• How Jesus Interacted with People by Bible.org
• Thoughts for the Christian Introvert
• Don't Worship At the Altar of Vulnerability by Amy Hales
• Give Your Weakness to God from Desiring God Ministries
  

Listen

Leave This House Singing - United Pursuit 

People Need People- CAIN

Sing Wherever I Go- We the Kingdom 

Article Idea- How Jesus Interacted With Others bible.org 

Free The Spirit- Learning to Unzip the Far Sides of Our Hearts

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?

Further Reading 

Click on the links to explore their content:) 

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit- Moody Bible Institute

Holy Spirit- Video by The Bible Project

Scriptures on The Holy Spirit by Knowing Jesus

How Does The Holy Spirit Help Us?- The Gospel Coalition

Prayer

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. 

Not in a Hurry- United Pursuit 

Come Again- Maverick City/Elevation Worship 

Used to This-  Maverick City/Elevation Worship 

Look for the podcast later this week at See Good Things Podcast

Run Hard: How Much Ground Are You Covering?

The front yard has a vendetta against my son. Or is it the other way around? Unsure at this point. 

It’s really a love-hate relationship. It’s between them. I try to stay out of it.  

My sweet Griffy runs hard. He just started walking at 13 months. Now at 16 months? He’s running! Full fledged. INTO EVERYTHING! Through every obstacle and atop the ever changing surfaces of our little spread of six acres. Plowing through the caliche gravel, sweeping over rock piles, and tumbling down soft beds of grass, my son is running like Forrest Gump kicking his leg braces off for the first time. He thinks he’s got magic legs.  

Let’s pray he doesn’t decide to embark on a cross-country trek anytime soon. My Momma heart can’t take it. It’s all fun and games until he eats it on a boulder or face plants near a shard of metal. Trust me. Both have happened.

I’ve grown to watch him with a varying set of eyes:

Terror, Worry, Optimism, Trust, and of course A Mother’s Ever Praying Hope that he’ll make it to his next birthday.  I’ve thrown in an optimistic “Whatever” followed by “we’re going to the ER, I just know it.” Each day is a struggle, watching Griffy run around. 

One morning while I was visiting with family on the front porch, Griffin took yet another spill and my father in law laughed “He looks like a drunk baby!” Jared had made the SAME OBSERVATION the other day but added “he looks like ME trying to stay on the path of righteousness!” We laughed so hard at that one because it couldn’t have been a more clear picture of how we all look in our pursuit of Jesus. 

You ever feel like you’re watching a reel of your own life as you watch your children? It’s like an out of body experience when I see them pretend to fall down and laugh for the thousandth time or show hulk-like frustration over a game of Chutes and Ladders. (sidebar- Please. Someone. Invent a game where my kid always wins because anytime I win, it’s sheer torture)

I see myself when I watch my children, but sometimes I wish I saw more of myself. With all I’ve mentioned about Griffin’s failed attempts at running, it may surprise you that at the forefront of all my fretting- my soul yearns I wish I could run like that. 

There’s a passage of scripture in Luke 12 that many are familiar with.  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear” Here Jesus challenges us to look at our lives, to examine His favor on us, and to live as if we believe He means what He says. In addition to naming all of the basic things we get caught worrying about, Jesus adds in verse 30 “the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.”

I must confess that it’s been a while since I’ve run hard after the promises and faithfulness of God. I think I get mixed up with the verse that tells me there’s a prize at the end. I think I look around too much. I think I allow my stumbling to stifle me. I want to run like my son. 

God knows what I need, He knows where I’m going, and He knows exactly how many times I’m going to fall down on my way up to where He’s calling me. What if I ran as if I knew that? Can you imagine the ground we could cover if we knew we were covered? 

Griffin? He’s just running for running's sake. Sure, at times there’s some sort of aim, but mostly it’s just the pure joy of running that’s fueling his fat little footies around. The other day, he started kicking around a soccer ball. He probably gets tripped up on that soccer ball more times than he actually kicks it. He gets so excited “ik ik” he mutters! I’m gonna kick it Mamma! Splat. Right on his face. 

What are your goals in life? What are you running after? What if the plans we made are the very thing getting in the way? What if the target has become the obstacle? I read a devotional a few years back and the sounding message I took away from it was that I am too busy running after the things of God rather than God Himself. I needed to change the way I ran. Even now, I seem to have forgotten that lesson. I need tunnel vision for the presence of God in my life. 

The phrase “to run hard” means to press in competition, to urge or press importantly, or to banter severely.

That’s Griffy alright. Bantering severely into a trampled flower bed over and over and over again! Lost in the joy of running hard because running frees him. Running gets him somewhere. Running is life! It terrifies his mother! Simply because I’m not sure how it’ll end and I usually think it’ll end badly! Even still- I want to run just like him. 

I imagine that a God that knows my outcome would delight in my journey all the more. May it be my life’s mission to race toward Jesus in the same way. Arms flailing behind me, feet stumbling but never stagnant, running hard after Him each and every day. 

Reflect

1. Do you run like Griffy? Why or why not? What are you chasing after? What are you stumbling over? How easy is it for you to get up and try again? 

2. Compare the verse found in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 to the statements made in this week’s blog. According to scripture, what ought to be our aim? How can we re-focus that aim daily? 

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we are imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do Something

1. Go out in your front yard and run within your ability. Just get out there and run to your fence and back! Or try around the block. Feel the wind on your face. Can’t run? Go drive with the windows down and be reckless for a little bit. Ask God to breathe life into your dark places and over your worries. 

2. Make a list of some areas in your life in which you’d be better served running to Jesus instead of running yourself ragged. What plans have become obstacles for you? 

3. Read through these verses on running and jot down what they show you about Jesus and His love for you. Can you think of some more verses to add to this list? 

• Hebrews 12:1
• Proverbs 18:10
• Luke 12:30
• 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
• 2 Samuel 18:23
• Psalms 147:15
• Proverbs 4:12
• Isaiah 40:31

Listen

Run to the Father- Cory Asbury 

Forever Reign- Hillsong Worship

Let It Happen- United Pursuit feat. Andrea Marie 

Pray

Jesus, 

Help me to feel Your delight in me as I stumble and stagger in my unabandoned pursuit of You. Remind me that you're with me, laughing alongside me. Loving me ever more. 

It's Ok If You Don't Play With Me: a note on being all things to all people

Sometimes, God just has to spell it out for you. In this case, he used my four year old daughter to do just that. 

It's okay if you don't play with me. 

Unsuccessful for the 5th time this week, I was attempting to prioritize my writing for upcoming devotionals and blogs I had been working on. Coming off of a never-ending few weeks of events: a Six-day-ice-storm power outage, women’s retreat, trip to six flags, daughter’s birthday party, trip to the zoo, family in town, other family in town and now? I was desperate to purge. There aren’t enough outlets at a Home Depot for all the crazy energy I needed to rid myself of. It had been weeks since I felt peace or solid relaxation. Almost all that had unfolded in the weeks before were life-giving (yes, even the power outage), but none of them left me feeling rested. 

So when I asked my sweet little girl to play beside me on my bedroom floor while I worked on some writing- her note hit me like a punch in the stomach. It's ok if you don't play with me? Umph. My heart sank like an anchor to my feet. 

But as I turned around to apologize, I was met with the most perfect smile this side of heaven. 

“Baby, I’m so sorry I’m not playing with you. Mommy just needed a little time to…”

“Mommy- it’s ok.” She placed her hand on my knee, y’all. 

“Mommy you’re doing your work and you love that work and it’s making you happy and Mommy that makes me so happy.” 

Not sure how you can be this close to God’s goodness and not weep like a baby. She continued with her generous spirit in so many words that I ended up crying right in front of her. She’ll never know how much I needed to see this note, written with the most intentional tiny hands, and the acceptance that came with it, echoing through a royal blue crayon. Without punctuation. Without manipulation or passive aggression. Just a simple “ I see you enjoying yourself and that’s a good thing.” 

Don’t you know that any moment I try to take for myself, I think of ten reasons I shouldn’t? Don’t you know that any time I try to take a moment’s rest- I can think of a thousand reasons why I don’t deserve it? In that moment, the enemy would have had me feel terrible that I wasn’t being all things to all people. That I had chosen blogging over my little girl. 

You’re so selfish. You’re absolutely going to regret this time you’re not spending with her.

Perhaps during dinner, when I’m frustrated that she hasn’t finished, he’ll remind me “well if only you had played with her, she wouldn’t be acting this way.” Leaving me locked in a shameful state, feeling self-serving, and full of remorse later in my day. 

Which is exactly where I need to be if I’m going to be made useless by Satan. 

The enemy likes to take cheap shots. To play off the things that are already running circles in our minds, wreaking havoc. I know many fathers in this same cycle. Trying to fill every need at all times. Working long hours, sweating over tight budgets, all to provide for their families that they no longer feel present within. Feeling out of the loop, aloof, and cast aside. 

Which is exactly where the enemy would have you rendered useless. 

What negative thing are you telling yourself today? How is Satan using that to tear you away from the things that you’ve been called to do? What’s so wrong with taking a moment to remind your children that you were created for a higher purpose? To serve God, to delight in God, and to fill your cup with His goodness. Even if it means a round of golf or a few hours in your bed listening to music, reading, or taking a nap. 

Jesus in the flesh— that’s what my daughter was for me at that moment. Jesus telling me “it’s ok if you don’t play with her. She’ll be fine. She was my child long before she was yours. Take a moment to spend time with me and write the things I’m showing you. You were my child long before your were her mother.”  

Dear friend- it’s ok if you don’t ________ (fill in the blank). More so, there is no fault in seeking time to work on that which you feel called toward. God places desires in our hearts that need to be pursued, meditated on, and taken seriously. Our identity cannot be consumed with what we’re producing for our families and careers. Slow down. Take a beat. 

This Sunday is Palm Sunday and I’m believing in the same hope that Jesus brought as He entered the city of Jerusalem. People thought many things about themselves that day. Father of the Year, Employee of the Month, Best Mom Ever, Redeemed and Forgiven weren’t yet on their radar. They were overwhelmed, overtaxed, and overjoyed at the sight of the Son of David. 

“Blessed is He who comes 

in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest Heaven!”

 -Matthew 21:9-

He is Hosanna in the Highest. The Hope of our Salvation. The savior we so desperately need. Here today and forevermore. I can’t help but feel the relief of the mother who struggled to put food on the table. The fisherman who didn’t bring in a great cast that day. Or the shepherd that stayed a little too long in the fields, needing more time with His God, leaving more chores for him to do that evening. Finally. Hope for the weary. Yes, Jesus alone is all things to all people. We can rest in knowing that it’s ok that we aren’t. 

The Calming Room- Finding Rest in the Name of Jesus

“Well what if we did this?” 

We were already trying to find a way out of selling the house. Even though we knew it wasn’t an option, we tried to come up with an alternative solution. This conversation happened shortly after we finished our first big post-decision project. The guest room. 

For months now, my kids and I have been calling it "The Calming Room" because even before the renovations started, it was a quiet place for Mommy to come and do some blogging/reading while Cola played with legos or something tranquil. We loved coming to The Calming Room to help our minds settle down. It makes sense that shortly after its remodel (with fresh white paint and a beautiful morning view of the front yard) I was scrounging for ways to stay forever. 

The guest room is the first big change we’ve seen since we’ve started working on the house to sell. I can’t tell you how nice it is to have this room now. As you can imagine, my soul desperately needs a place of rest given the current state of our home. The moment I walk in, everything outside seems so much smaller as my worries blur and fade into oblivion. I’ve been known to do my best thinking around water (washing dishes, taking a shower, and kayaking on a river), but I most certainly do the best resting near pillows. Lying down on a bed doesn’t have to take place for me to feel that repose. If there’s a room set aside for that specific purpose- I’m at ease within its walls. 

Come unto me, all ye who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. - Jesus 

Oh how quickly we forget to rest in the name of Jesus. A place specifically designed to give us rest at all times. 

There’s a hymn I can recall singing at the Church of Christ circa 1990 something, sitting in my Granny’s lap and chewing a piece of fresh Juicy Fruit gum. 

Jesus, Jesus.  Sweetest name I know. Fills my every longing. Keeps me singing as I go. 

Those words. That melody. It’s etched in my brain and tethered to my heart. So why then, are its truths so easily lost on me? 

If there can be a room in my house specifically designed for me to be still and find peace- why then can I not find that space in my heart? Why not make room on my tongue for the name of Jesus to be spoken more? When we were children, they told us that Jesus was in our heart and I imagine I’m not the only one that envisioned this small cellar door that we could open and wave to Jesus. As we grew older, we learned that He’s omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. I wonder though, that in the reality of how BIG God is, we’ve forgotten how easily accessible He is for His children.

Lord, it is the cry of my heart to be able to utter your name and feel instant rest.

Jesus. 

When my kids are screaming at one another (or at me!), when all the laundry is piled up, and the dishes are still “soaking” from three days ago. 

When I’ve cancelled on yet another invite though I’m in desperate need of community. 

When I’m too disappointed in myself to even step foot inside that Calming Room. 

Jesus. 

Let Your name bring me peace every time I say it. Your word says whatever I ask in Your name, you will do, so that Your name will be glorified. (John 14:13) Well, this is what I ask. That You would be my number one source of rest. 

That little girl who sat on her Granny’s lap at The Whitney Church of Christ all those years ago loved to sing the name of Jesus. The very mention of His name sent joy bursting through her soul. This morning, her daughter sat on the front row and sang His name with the same light in her eyes while watching Mommy sing. When they got home later, the daughter asked the mother, “Can we sing that song with Jesus in it?”

Oh to be people that long to hear His name spoken once more. Knowing the power, the presence, and the permanent peace that it holds. 

Today, I’m going back into time, to Granny’s lap and singing this song once more. 

There's within my heart a melody;

Jesus whispers sweet and low,

"Fear not, I am with you, peace, be still,"

in all of life's ebb and flow.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Sweetest Name I know

Fills my every longing

Keeps me singing as I go

He Keeps Me Singing- Luther B. Bridgers (1910)

Reflect

How might you find more room in your heart for the Lord this week? What are some spaces in your home that you might consider reimagining in order to invite Jesus into those areas? 

Scripture References

Matthew 11:28

John 14:13

Music For Your Week

Come To Me- Aaron Shust 

Call On The Name of the Lord- Jared Anderson 

Make Room- Community Music

And I’ll make room for you 

To do whatever you want to

Do whatever you want to

He Keeps Me Singing - The Harmony Quartet 

Into the Unknown- An Exciting Update from the Banks Family

I can look out this window and name off twenty or more memories. Right inside that little grove of trees. I could easily recall the sound of my now three year old daughter’s laughter because it’s mimicked in the giggles of my one year old son. It’s not the house that I’ll be mourning when we move away. It’s time. 

I’ve found that the strive for achievement comes at a high cost. My daughter is now reading and writing most of the letters in the alphabet… but what I wouldn’t give to hear her squeak “shoes” and sign “wah-wah” once more.  

I walked both of my babies down the rocky road to the mailbox. I flew down the driveway holding onto a rope, slinging them both in a beat up, faded old fire truck. I watched them skin their knees and run for the woods all around that little grove of trees outside this window. Leaving this house will be one of the hardest moves I’ve ever made- yet we feel most compelled to do it. 

“But WHY?!” Has been the most prominent question we’ve heard from close friends and family members. “It’s such a good house and you’ve done so much!” Trust me, throwing away something we’ve worked so hard for isn’t my idea of fun either- yet here we are. Trusting God and leaning on His promises. 

One of the verses that keeps coming to mind as we’ve started on the house is found in Psalms, 

The one thing I ask of the Lord- the thing I seek most- is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. Psalms 27:4

The truth is, Jared and I have been back and forth about this decision for years- and now that we have the means to get the house finished- we really feel like it’s the best option for us. A few weeks ago, we sat out on the front porch while the kids played in the yard, head in hands. I looked up and said “as long as you and the kids are with me, I could live anywhere.” By the grace of the Holy Spirit, every ounce of me believed what I was saying. 

My heart cries out as I’m writing this as long as You’re with me, Lord I can live anywhere. I can go anywhere. I can do all things through You. For where I am lacking, you are boundless. Where I am weak, You are strong and the list goes on and on. Inwardly, He's changing me. Fear and worry have crippled me for years, thinking that we just needed to stay and settle and hold on forever. Thinking we'd never get this back if we lost it. People that roam around all over the place? They must be lost! I used to think this way. Thank God that’s not true. The real truth is that you can be found by Jesus on a path toward His promises just as easy as if you were sitting in your mansion up in sky. He’s everywhere. That’s kind of His thing. The idea is not necessarily to get settled in- the true purpose is for you to find your place in His will and in His vast kingdom. That too, is kind of everywhere.

He asks us to serve. To move, to grow, and to give. Even though my Momma heart deeply longs for a Homestead and a place where weary travelers and burdened hearts can find rest- I need to be obedient and trust God when He tells me that my timing is a little off. I need to rest in the fact that my Father knows what’s best for me and His “not yet” isn’t the end of the road.

So much more, I’d love to share- but for now, we’ll leave it at this.

I can’t do this without knowing that He can.

I can’t leave the home my children grew up in.. without knowing He will heal my heart. 

I can’t be sure the housing market won’t turn on us...without trusting first that His promises are true. 

I can’t possibly rearrange my house and live in it while tearing it apart...without knowing He will give me peace. 

And friends, I believe He will do all of this and more. 

So! - I encourage you to walk alongside us as we both explain the reasons why and explore the reasons unknown!  Each week or so, we will post updates as we journey toward the full renovation and selling of our Mountain Home abode;) I will be running a series on the See Good Things podcast along with a weekly blog over at seegoodthingswithkari.blogspot.com that will share pictures and video of the remodel as we go along. Jared will be joining me every step of the way (doing most…. All of the work… as I keep the kids at bay). 

My hope is that those reading and listening can share in this process and find hope in letting go. Maybe there’s someone out there that feels trapped in their circumstance or in a rut. Maybe small changes aren’t cutting it and you’d like to trust God with the drastic “whatever Your will be done!” I hope we can offer you some encouragement- and some perspective. It’s not going to be easy, and rarely will it be fun, but if moving forward is what you feel led to do- then you’ve come to the right place! 

You might think we’re flippin crazy for selling- so that’s what we’ll call it. Flippin’ Crazy with the Banks:) 

Episode 1 of our Flippin’ Updates will be posted to my facebook account over at Kari Banks (blogger) and Jared will be with me! He and I will be sharing following episodes on that page months to come! I’ll share on my personal page as well, but if you’d just click like and follow over there, I can start keeping things in one place:) For now- check out this video of my two boys finding love in the mess of a remodel. For more cute videos here and there, follow me on Instagram @seegoodthingswithkari 

I can’t wait to catch you guys up on what’s happening with us! Please partner with us in prayer over this new and exciting season. Into the Unknown we go! 

*Taking a break from social media? If you'd like to be added to an email list to get updates on new videos, blogs, and podcasts, just shoot me an email at banksjonesk@gmail.com and I'll make sure to get that out to you weekly:) 

Just Like That, It's Gone

 December 31, 2020

In an effort to bring some jovial send-off to the year, I’m met with a wave of melancholy. Scrolling through my social media, I see everyone giving 2020 the boot, with an astounding “good riddance”. My end to this unfavorable year looks very different from what I’m seeing all around me. 

This afternoon, we made it home from visiting my in-laws in Midland where we were greeted with a spectacle of snow all around us! We were beaming with joy! What a fantastic completion of an already joyful season of Christmas.

See, the God we serve isn’t confined to 365 days. He doesn’t wake up one day in Heaven and say “Hey, Gabriel- go downstairs and send people hope and good news! It’s January 1st again! Holy Spirit- set a fire in their hearts! We’ve got to get the ball rolling on this new year!” No. As funny as that sounds, I think we assume that. Instead, the word of God tells us that “His mercies are new every morning.” 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22–24)

I think we’ve willfully operated in this New Year Hope because we’ve seen the past year as hopeless. Dear friends, if your hope is on a day of the year, your hope is in the wrong place. Jesus Christ died for you to have new hope every day. Every moment. Every second has hope within it! There’s no such thing as a hopeless year. No such person is a hopeless cause. When we are at a loss and brought to a feeling of helplessness on this earth- He is our ever present help in time of need. Hopeless, we are not. 

January 1, 2021 

It’s not that we didn’t want to celebrate the coming of 2021. I’m sure we were just tired. So we went to bed around 10. As the clock struck midnight, I was sound asleep atop a mattress on my guest room floor. My husband and daughter cuddled close as our baby boy slept in his crib. The roof had leaked onto my daughter’s room and my own bed had been muddied up by the snowy paws of my canine children. So there we were, snuggled in tight with a space heater to keep us warm. 

I woke up before the sunrise to a very chatty 1 year old. Yay, 2021. As we shared breakfast, I looked out my window and saw that the snow had faded. The sun invaded our front living room as the ice melted and rained onto the porch. I thought to myself- just like that. It’s gone. 

I know this year has been a tough one for so many of us. I’m not here to negate any of that. People have lost jobs, said goodbye to loved ones, missed the births of grandbabies, and so much more. But just like that, it’s gone. I can’t help but think of all the terrifying seasons I’ve walked through in my life, thinking there was no hope, no end in sight- and before I knew it- God had made a way. 

Disruption, destruction, death, dismay, discouragement, discord, and dissent. Such is 2020. Such is 2019, 2018, 2017, and so it will be with 2021 if we aren’t careful. 

We will always find reasons to carry hurt. This year, I pray we find more reasons to carry hope. 

Our God, He is a great God. He has the power to bring the snow and melt it away any day of the week. We only need to continue to trust Him, and seek Him out in every moment. Great is His faithfulness. 

Happy New Year, aka, Happy Friday!

Love, Kari