The story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning and found everything withered and dying. He asked the oak tree that stood near the gate what the trouble was. The old oak replied that he was sick of life and was determined to die, because he was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was all out of heart because it could not bear grapes like the vine. The vine was going to throw its life away because it could not stand erect and have as fine fruit as the peach tree; and so on through the garden.

Coming to a little purple violet, the king found its bright face lifted as cheery as ever. "Well, violet, I'm glad amidst all this discouragement to find one brave little flower. You do not seem to be the least disheartened."

"No. I'm really not an important flower, but I believe that if you wanted an oak or a pine or a peach tree or a lilac, you would have planted one; but since I know you wanted a violet, I am determined to be the best violet I can be."

-Spurgeon

So, I’ve been thinking that it’s high time that I write a little more on here. It’s been my practice thus far to only post my writing after it is completely “finished” – when I have articles that run together and seem complete. Lately, I’ve been having this urge to just write a few of the thousand-and-one things that have been running through my head, even if it isn’t one of those polished thoughts. After all, “real life” lessons rarely come in completely organized form. For me, they usually come through muddling through mental quandaries, stumbling over words, scribbling notes on scrap paper, and asking a ton of questions because I don’t have the answers. Real life is saying “I really don’t know why” and learning to put one foot in front of the other before seeing the conclusion clearly written out. But you know, that’s okay… in fact, it’s better that way.

So, I’m going to write today as if you were sitting across from me over a cup of tea. You can stir your cup thoughtfully and give an occasional nod. I’ll chatter away rather haphazardly, completely forgetting that I have a hot beverage in front of me (which is okay - I don’t like tea that much anyway.) And who knows, maybe we can make sense of some things together.

Okay?

Okay.

So, since we’re getting real here, I thought I would talk about real life.

You know, the everyday.

We all have them.

Right now, my life has settled into a relatively regular routine, which has given me lots of chances to think about how to spend my “every day.” If you looked at my calendar right now, you would see many days in a row that say “Work: 9-5” that neatly repeats over and over and over again. That’s right. That means an early-morning groan when the cell phone alarm goes off (thanks to Anna who is keeping me accountable to get up early!) and the sigh of relief at the end of a day as I fall into bed … and everything in between. The days kinda mesh together sometimes, and honestly, it’s been all too easy to fall into the rut of the everyday and forget to live.

You know, I’m so glad that God knows what these days are like. :) In fact, I read a verse last week that I believe he designed specifically for people like me.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

To sing praises to your name, O Most High;

To declare your steadfast love in the morning

And your faithfulness by night

~ Psalm 92:1-2

Out of all the times in the day, why would He say to declare steadfast love in the morning? He says the same thing several other places (Psalm 59:16, Psalm 90:14), so obviously this early morning ritual is very important.

I’ve been thinking about this the last several mornings as I’ve stumbled out of bed. Since I’m not generally a morning person, getting up early isn’t exactly the easiest thing in the world. The only way that I’ve been able to cope with this practice is to set my cell phone just out of reach so that I have to actually get UP, get myself dressed and ready so I don’t fall asleep again (cold water helps!) and then finally wrap myself in a big quilt to have my time with God. It is usually THEN that I look out the window and see the sky beginning to change colors… and the morning suddenly looks much more welcoming.

Declaring “his steadfast love” to me has been much like wrapping myself up in that comfy quilt in the early mornings. It’s realizing that – even in spite of all the discipline and “hardships” that come with the normal daily routine – I have His arms wrapped around me. It’s remembering that I’ve slept in them all night long and they are there to wake me up to a new day of living in His presence. There is just something about focusing my mind on the steadfastness and assurance of His love that helps me to face the day ahead.

.

And then, the day flies by … and nightfall comes. I think my favorite time of the day is right before sunset. Sometimes I’m just driving home and can watch the sun slowly disappear on the horizon. Other times I manage to look outside just long enough to catch the fleeting rays of sunshine before the world is enshrouded in the blanket of darkness. Either way, God says to remember His faithfulness by night.

To me, that is very easy to see, especially at the END of the day. My mind is still fresh with all the conversations, “to-do” lists, feelings and activities of the day … and it’s usually pretty easy to see where I’ve failed and where God has come through. There is nothing quite like falling into bed at the end of the day, realizing that you’ve made it through because He was carrying you.

“We must begin and end every day with praising God, must give him thanks every morning, when we are fresh and before the business of the day comes in upon us, and every night, when we are again composed and retired, and are recollecting ourselves; we must give him thanks every morning for the mercies of the night and every night for the mercies of the day; going out and coming in we must bless God.” ~ Matthew Henry

And you know what? He says it is good for a reason.

It really

REALLY

IS.

Kinda makes the "everyday" seem a little less ordinary, doesn't it? :-)

I’ve been promising to write a little about my trip to Mexico for over a month now. My apologies for not posting this sooner. :-) I hope you enjoy a little peek into what God is doing around the world and catch a vision for what He’s doing in your corner of His Kingdom as well.

There were eight people on our “Do Hard Things” team, representing seven different states. Our goal was to be a blessing to the Coult family, specifically by finishing the second story of their home and aiding in any other ministry work in the village. This meant full days of construction work, as well as involvement with their church to distribute “Operation Christmas Child” boxes, outreach ministry in a migrant camp, and being able to participate in the daily life where needed. It was a very full week, but one that none of us would trade. In the end, we were all able to say “mission accomplished!” with smiles on our faces.

I could tell you so many stories of God’s fingerprints…

… how He provided the necessary finances to complete the construction project (a small miracle in itself!)
… how He gave unity among our team members and others, allowing people from all different families, churches, and geographical backgrounds to work together in love and harmony
… how He gave chances to share the gospel, even through language barriers
… how a long midnight walk on the beach renewed my own weary heart
… how we saw evidences of spiritual warfare quite clearly, but also His victory over darkness
… how He protected us physically through all the construction and traveling… and in ways that we don’t even know
… how a practical joke or two might have aided in “sibling harmony” among our team members (okay, so this last one may have had more of OUR fingerprints on it. :) )

… and so, so much more (for other team accounts and pictures, check out here: Hillary, Daniel, Joanna, Sarah). However, all the individual stories are just part of one larger picture that I want to leave with you.

[continued from Part 2]

A sturdy pair of hiking boots.

I stare at them for a moment… they look rather familiar. Oh yes. I wore them the last time I learned this lesson. Here I go again, for round two (or is it twenty-two?) I looked out at the road ahead of me: two jobs, a growing church family, a lot of learning left to do and a lot of ministry.

The steps begin.

Faithfulness. Contentment. Perseverance. Contentment. Patience. Contentment.

The themes echo in my heart again and again. The scenery changes very little. Sometimes the trees seem so very tall and the trail never ends. Other times, the path opens into a wide field that is just teeming with sunshine, dancing leaves, and clear blue skies.

A new trail off to the left seems appealing.

................“Not yet, my child. Not yet.”

I venture a step to the right … maybe this trail, Lord?

.................“Not yet, my child. Not yet. Will You trust me?”

The ever-so-loving question rings in my ears. Will I trust Him? Even when the trail seems boring or meaningless? Even when I can’t see the ending?

He promises that He will never leave me. He will work everything together for my good and His glory. His timing is perfect…He is never late.

Will I believe?

The year draws to a close.

A few days into the new year, I find myself standing on a beach in Mexico late at night. Before me stretches the wide expanse of the ocean, with frothy white waves crashing against the moonlight shores. The sky above is an array of light as the stars shine forth with such brilliance as I have never seen.

It was here that the year 2009 flashed before my eyes. The running shoes. The traveling sandals. The ice skates. The hiking boots. Now, the memory of bare feet running along the sand...

And You asking me to be still.

“Be still and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

The Lord of Hosts is with [me]

The God of Jacob is [my] fortress.”

Psalm 46:10

The journey in 2009 was a long one, but one of indescribable worth. I can look back and see Your sovereignty shining through every single step. That knowledge alone makes me excited and thrilled to run into 2010.

It is a new year. May it be one filled with more of You, Lord Jesus.

He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

Read Part 1 ---- ~ ---- Read Part 2