Taste and See

Posted on May 3, 2013 by For Glory Sake!

Jesus told a parable about a friend knocking on his neighbor’s door in the middle of the night. Everyone was asleep. The friend wanted bread, but the neighbor didn’t want to get up at that hour. However, because his friend shamelessly persisted, he finally gave him what he wanted.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Jesus  Luke 11:9-10

Jesus was encouraging us to be “shamelessly persistent” in asking God. Really? Shamelessly. Persistent. He then promises whoever searches – finds, whoever ask- receives. Possibly not in the way we were expecting, but we will receive. And we can always rest assure that whenever we hound God, He will answer. Helping us discover more of Him.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good, Oh the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8

Sitting outside today with my new phone Bible App, I began asking Him to show me something new. Pen and journal ready, “I want to taste something good, I want to see something beautiful.” I wanted my eyes opened to a new treasure in His word. Not new like it wasn’t there before… but new, like I haven’t noticed it before. Or new, in that I may discover a new understanding from a Bible commentary.

He answers me every time – it’s amazing! I’m really enjoying this Bible App.

I want to know more about Him. So I can be more like Him and live in such a way to please Him. That’s what you do when you’re in love. So I will continue to shamelessly be persistent in asking for more. 

Thank You, Father, that I can come, and knock and ask to see something new everyday. You fill my soul with tasty treasure.

ForGlorySake! -Anna 

vegetable art – celery
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Mentors

Posted on April 23, 2013 by For Glory Sake!

Yesterday I had lunch with an old friend of 33 years. We had not seen each other in 15! When I first met her, I was the new kid at our small Christian school and the only Episcopalian. Everything was strange to me. The core of 7th grade girls were welcoming. They began to show me what it looked like to truly follow Jesus. Even though we were all so young, they actually lived what they believed. That impressed me. For the first time I saw that learning about God and obeying His word was doable… even cool. Where I came from, I had been the good kid who obeyed the rules, these folks held a higher standard. They loved each other and that challenged me.

Most of my growing up was spent in the world of Ballet. From a young age I was completely obsessed: body, mind and soul. This new realm of God-loving people was sorta foreign to me and somewhat conflicting with the other. A struggle began in my heart. Would I allow God full control at ballet too? Without realizing it, these girls showed me it was possible. When I had the chance to share that fact yesterday, I saw my friend’s eyes well-up with tears. She had just been a young girl back then with her own hurts and struggles, yet God had strategically placed her in my path for such a time as that. He knew I desperately needed a pattern to follow and who I would look up to.

God is so gentle that way. He gives me what I need, when I need it. Never more than I can handle, just enough… and usually with a bit of a challenge. I’ve grown and changed a lot. Thank Goodness! I am not who I was, but surely I am not all I will be. God continues His work, bringing new examples for me to follow.

Thank You, God, for today’s mentors (Alex, Amanda, Bobbi, Elizabeth, Kathryn, Kelly, Nancy, Marianne, my mom, my sisters… my in-laws). What a wealth of women I’m surrounded by! You haven’t left me to figure it out alone… I have living, breathing patterns to glean from – Your mercy is unfailing.

ForGlorySake! – Anna

Grow!
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Prayer

Posted on April 19, 2013 by For Glory Sake!

What if you had a deep sense that Jesus was sitting right across from you when you pray. This might feel like a silly exercise, but it’s had a profound impact on my prayer life. When I picture Him looking me in the eye, it really is like talking to a friend.

Of course He’s more than that, but I can talk about anything. Sometimes we just sit quietly. Other times i share about concerns of friends and family or some question I have. I’m always pondering something I’ve read. It’s just an easy back and forth between us.

You may say, “But, Jesus doesn’t talk to me.” I beg to differ. I believe He speaks a lot, it’s just that we can’t hear Him. The Bible is clear that God’s Holy Spirit resides inside every follower of Christ. He’s called our personal Counselor and Advisor. He’s like a radio station  you have to search for; tuning in to it’s frequency. The more I hush other voices, zoning-in on His, the more I can tell what He’s saying.

Staying familiar with God’s word really helps too! That way, if what I think I hear does not match what He’s already written… I cast it aside (no match/no catch). Many times, as I ramble on, scriptures will come to mind going right to the heart of the matter. I take those thoughts very personally. Songs sometimes do the same thing, just the right word at just the right moment. 

It’s like with that Jesus Calling, devotional by Sarah Young. She writes as though Jesus were speaking directly to you and it’s all based on God’s Word. Wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, all day long, I’ve got a continual conversation happening. Way more than talking to myself… I know He”s there with me, “across the table,” listening.

Prayer is so raw. It’s as honest as I can get. It has grown, developed and become like a heart-beat inside. Involuntary. Be forewarned however, life will change when you realize He’s actually communicating. What an insane privilege – talking with God! 

ForGlorySake! -Anna

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27
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Sprouts

Posted on April 16, 2013 by For Glory Sake!

I have been praying daily for a harvest from all of the seeds sown at Insight. Our son has boldly shared his beliefs and his faith, sometimes receiving a good bit of mocking. Purposeful with his time and efforts, he never seems to hesitant saying he’s a follower of Jesus -even in a huge meeting. It’s inspiring.

Different kids with the program come through here all week. Older and younger, Ben likes to mix it up. Of course there are a few repeats, some we’ve gotten to know pretty well. There are those who immediately catch my heart, others grow on me. One is open for conversation, another is not. A new guy shows up and avoids my hug. Ben tells me not to worry, he pretty much avoids all parents. Yet having stayed several times… today, he stops to talk.

One that’s here a lot, sat with me as I was writing out my Biblestudy notes. He feels like one of my own children. I talk with him about whatever I’m studying.. Today it’s free-will and the foolish choices Christians make. I tell him it frustrates me that when a person decides to follow Christ, God doesn’t just take away the possibility of straying. I want Him to tie us up close to Himself so we won’t even think of doing any unpleasing thing again. He slowly nods.

I can usually can count on honest feedback from this kiddo. Nothing came. I asked him, “When did you know that God loved you individually; cared about your feelings and had a specific plan for your life? Was it before the long dark road of drugs and recovery?” He says, “Well, I was raised in church and I went to Sunday school, but it scared me mostly… I didn’t understand it.”

I tried again, “Well, then when did you realize God was for you personally? That He made you just the way you are and called you to Himself?” He looked at me with crystal clear eyes, “…It wasn’t until I started coming here and hanging around your family.”

I could hardly speak -right here, right under my nose it had been happening. God had answered my prayers and I didn’t realize. We are living in it. Of course He’s moving, He never wastes anything. 

ForGlorySake! – Anna

Go and sow!

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25 Years Ago!

Posted on April 11, 2013 by For Glory Sake!

25 years ago this month, I met the love of my life, my soul-mate. My mother had told me since I was a little girl that “Mr. Wonderful” would show up one day… and so he did!

It was Easter in Jackson, Mississippi and for some strange reason the ballet company I danced with had dropped it’s weekend engagement -meaning we would not be boarding our bus again and traveling to some area of the United States to perform.

We had just come off the road with a short turn-around and prepared to leave, but schedules can change quickly with a touring company. Thus was my life as a dancer. I didn’t have time to make the 6 hour drive to Atlanta to see my parents so I decided to make the best of it in my little flower dress, and went to church alone.

It was a beautiful morning and I sang all the way there. My friend, Dawn, the pastor’s daughter, met me coming in and waved me over to sit with her. What a joy, there weren’t many young adults in the congregation. She and her new husband invited me for lunch afterwards.

Somewhere in the first few minutes of greetings and songs a guy had slipped into our pew, next to Dawn. I nudged her and asked who he was. They obviously knew each other. Her face lit up as she began to tell me all about this long-time friend of her family’s who was now in Louisiana at college (Tulane).

Her whispers, turned to notes as her dad started preaching. This fella sure was handsome and I was glad I’d curled my hair, but the more she gushed about all of his accomplishments and academic achievements the more intimidated I became.

She wanted to set us up on a date. I panicked. I could see her match-making eyes, dreaming of our future together. Instead, I suggested inviting him to lunch, feeling sure that as soon as he heard I was nothing more than a vagabond ballet dancer trouping all over the country, he’d bow out after lunch.

But then… I shook his hand. I don’t remember him saying his name or who was standing around us. I just remember looking into those blue, blue eyes and feeling his warm hand incasing mine. I was in a daze after that. I could hardly breath, much less eat lunch or function.

Days turned into weeks. We learned about each other through cards and letters (snail-mail). We had our first date 3 weeks later -as schedules finally permitted. 4 days together in the same town and we were secretly engaged. A month later we announced our engagement! 6 months after that, we were married.

Today he tells me he never had a doubt. The very day we had lunch  he drove to his grandpa’s house near by and told him, “I just met the girl I’m gonna marry.” And he did.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

1988
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Vegan, Vegetarian, Fruitarian… and so on.

Posted on April 8, 2013 by For Glory Sake!

 

Some say eating only a diet raw food is best.  Some say eat only fruit, carefully combined, never frozen, always fresh and no sweeteners, not even honey or agave. Others claim avoiding animal products is the way to go, but freely eat gluten and natural sweeteners. There are vegetarians who mix and match, swearing anything but organic will poison you.  

Vegan, Vegetarian, Fruitarian…

 All this investigating/reading began when I was hunting up new recipes. Who knew so much was out there! I became confused selecting ingredients. I couldn’t seem to fit into any of the categories. They all seem to say something different. Each article I’ve read today touts one aspect over another. So what’s right for me? And what’s doable while living alongside my large family?

Some of this information was so contradicting I started to doubt what I was doing. I’m not sure what’s right anymore. Traveling over spring break didn’t help. Eating differently from everyone else at the table makes them feel a little uncomfortable. I’ve noticed that my new plant-based diet brings other folks a lot of guilt. Neither of which I want.

So what am I to do? Call it quits on vacation? I’m still working on that. Hanging in there.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

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Blessed

Posted on April 2, 2013 by For Glory Sake!

Tonight I had an opportunity to Skype with another of our “kids.” His name is also David, like my husband’s name, so it gets confusing. We use his initials D.P. for short. He’s now 32 and married to an awesome woman with a beautiful growing family (3 kids, so far). He came into our lives about 10 years ago by way of a Russian student who lived with us for year.

We met her lifeguarding at our pool one summer and when I found out she had no housing near by, we offered our guest room. Olya brought Russia to our house! She was a delight. She also met and introduced us to D.P. When she left for home a year later, we had gained a daughter for life. We also gained a big brother for our boys and he was full of fun-loving southern California ways. 

Stuck in Georgia with his immediate family hours away on a military base, D.P. spent a lot of time with our young family. Our 2 boys especially adored him. It just wasn’t a weekend if he didn’t show up to skateboard in the driveway or take them on some cool river trip. Pretty much anything he did was considered the coolest. He had a way with words that made them listen. And he was never shy about his faith or walk with Jesus! As parents, we saw great potential in him for an amazing adult.

I soon found he had a weakness for homemade bread and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. D.P. would call before heading our way… always with just with enough time for me to make a batch. Over the next 4 years he grew independent and confident, put himself through college and met and married his perfect match. God even allowed us to have a little hand in their love-story, all our kids were in his wedding.

It’s a blessing to see what God will do when we’re open to His nudging. What a gift it is to be a small part of someone’s story, to watch a person grow and change, to see God’s plan unfold and know, He alone did that!

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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Mom and Dad

Posted on March 22, 2013 by For Glory Sake!

Aging varies so much. For some it looks effortless, slowing down gently over a long period of time. For others it comes harshly. My mother and father were very engaged and active until suddenly mom’s health took a turn. We watched her fight for it two years, when surgery confirmed everything had changed. I had to resign myself that they would never quite be the same.

My father assumed the roll of primary care-giver which did not come naturally to him. I did what I could to help, but it took a toll on his health. His thoughts became more scattered and he’d readily confessed to being confused over daily things. What seemed at first to be the strain of his new position, became more pronounced. A neurologist confirmed -dementia.

Now both my parents are suffering from diseases of the brain. Once again I’m learning a new language and a new set of skills to care for people I love. I’ve been with them for so long, yet they aren’t the parents I’ve always known. It’s frustrating to go and help, realizing  they always need more. I to keep it light as I can’t share with them any big concerns about my family like I used to. I miss that… I miss them.

In some ways our relationship is sweeter, more simplified. Like when my tiny mom puts her head on my shoulder or reaches for my arm to steady herself. Or when my Dad holds my hand as we head across the parking lot for yet another doctor’s office. He is trusting like a child, very different from the father I grew up with. My dad was always the tallest, the smartest, the quickest about everything from cars to finances. He was my go-to for advice and information.

Now he looks at me worriedly and places his face in his hands, “I’m so confused.” I’ve sat many times in his spot, receiving counsel. Oh, that I might give just a little back of all they’ve given me. This is a new journey. I’m seeking out every bit of help I can get. We are trying various in-home care options on days I can’t be with them. So far, they have been ok at night. I don’t know exactly what the future looks like, but I know I’m not alone.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

Caring for my parents 2010-2015
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Gone Green

Posted on March 18, 2013 by For Glory Sake!

I’ve accomplished two months on this plant-based lifestyle. My eye is still clear, my clothes are looser and my allergies are better than they’ve been in 20 years! I take a tiny Loratadine daily, when everything is in full bloom. However, in the past this just wasn’t enough if I sat on the soccer field, clipped bushes or cut the grass. Here I am, outside enjoying spring without any added reaction, WOHOO!

I’m amazed at how smoothly meals are running from breakfasts of: hot tea and kale/spinach & banana/berry smoothies, to a mid-morning porridge of 2Tbl. ground flax and chia with stevia. Lunch: a Big salad (quickly thrown together in the early morning rush) and  snack: a “protein-ball” (almond butter, ground chia, oatmeal & raisins). Dinners vary a bit: heavy on cooked veggies with some kind of beans or a grain (like quinoa or brown rice). Dessert favorite by far: fruit ice-cream (just frozen fruit& water, blended).

It’s all very tasty to me and something I actually crave. My son, recently leaned on the counter and commented, “It’s just amazing that someone can change their eating habits over the course of a month.” Hah, I guess I’m walking proof. It’s taken a good bit of experimentation to pick out what really works for me, but I’m determined and it’s paying off.

My life in general has been like that. God seems to use this formula time and again. He shows me what needs to change, then offers a hopeful solution. I try, sometimes fail, but I keep on learning. Through each experience I gain new wisdom. these custom-made lessons, bring me closer to becoming more like Jesus. Whether something big or small, looking to Him has proven: God never fails.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

Gardenias, by anna
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Scattered Seeds

Posted on March 16, 2013 by For Glory Sake!

Bright eyes look down at me. What a big smile he has. I love that smile! We had been watching a huge bird fly across the sky and then I asked him, “Don’t you wish we could fly like that?” I tell him I believe we’re going to someday. He stares at me, with a steady gaze. I reach out to his shoulders, facing him. “Are you gonna be there?” He immediately looks down at the ground, “I don’t know much about that stuff, I mean… I never learned about it.”

I tell him he can have assurance.

I tell him that God has made a way for everyone and He doesn’t make it hard for us. I explain the Bible says if you only confess with your mouth, that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. The smile suddenly reappears, “That’s not so hard.” I agree. “God made it easy, He knew we couldn’t get there on our own.”

We turn our gaze back at the bird soaring higher and farther away. “You know the best part? Salvation’s a gift. There’s nothing you can do to earn it. He takes you just like you are.” Quick hugs are exchanged and a promise to see you later. I walk away with a full heart, knowing that once again God has allowed me to participate in something bigger than I can comprehend.

Another soul has been laid at His feet for His cultivation. I rest knowing… for now, it was enough. How do we share the hope that’s inside us? Sometimes it’s straight forward because someone’s asked. Sometimes it’s how we’re seen handling the messes of life. Every word sprinkled with just a bit of salt. Being careful to leave some for later. Think of it in bites. You may offer one, the rest coming from another. 

“Thank You, God for the kids you bring through this house. Thank You for using me just as I am… flawed and utterly human. I’m Your tool for planting. Let each seed grow in Jesus’ name. 

ForGlorySake! – Anna

 

birds on a beach by anna
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