When I finally accepted the challenge of starting a blog, I had lots of fear mixed with great expectations. I truly believe that I am meant to do this. I have been given the words and platform to “Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is Lord”. I really am not sure what God’s plan for all of this is, but the encouragement I received from many of you prompted me to hope for more opportunities and a bigger platform. I  checked the activity  on my  blog this weekend and learned that 23,000 of you have read some of the things I have been inspired to write about. Although the speaking opportunities and subscribers to my blog have been minimal, I have had a taste of expectations fulfilled.

Back in October, I wrote a post called “Sports Zombies”. It struck a nerve with a lot of people and got re-tweeted and shared 998 times (I would have loved to watch that number roll over to 1K). A national radio program emailed me and suggested I come on their show after the election to talk about the lessons I had learned regarding priorities and parenting athletes. I felt so validated, but the weeks passed by and they never got back in touch. I got to experience a taste of excitement and approval and I hungered for more.

A great taste of something should always make us hungry. Our loving and Heavenly Father has given us gifts and longings. It is just plain wrong to feel guilty for receiving the good gifts He has given us. He knows what He is doing and He has chosen whom to give what gift.

Sometimes, God gives us glimpses and tastes of great things to whet our appetites. He knows when the time is right to deliver the full meal. When a taste is all that is offered, either the meal or the consumer isn’t ready. There may be some things that need to be cleared out of the way, taste buds that need to evolve, or some more marinating to do. The dinner bell will ring at just the right time.

I have been so blessed to get to listen to precious friends who long to be married or have babies. I have been trusted to pray for them and for those of you who feel like you have underutilized gifts and skills. Each time, the person who is longing has already had a taste or received a tiny portion of the great thing they are asking for.

There is every reason to be encouraged. God doesn’t treat your tears and longings with indifference. He cares deeply and has a future planned for you that is full of hope.

God designed marriage and Family and He is glorified in them. He gives good gifts and the opportunities to use them. God is not cruel. It is not in His nature to let the smell and taste of hope waft through your air and then withhold them. God’s ways are higher than our ways. We are limited in our understanding and so we have to trust in what we know to be true. This is how our faith grows.

As we look forward to a new year, savor the taste of the good things you have experienced. Remember the flavor with thankfulness and don’t let your longing for more become sour. There is every reason we should live each day filled with hopefulness. God is the best promise keeper. His blessings and mercies are new every single morning and one day soon, He will return. He is preparing a delicious banquet. One day soon, we won’t be limited by tastes and tiny portions. We will savor His goodness and be filled. Go tell it on the mountain. God is good. He never disappoints. He keeps all His promises. Those who hunger for Him will always be filled.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?  Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!  So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:7-11 (NLT)

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

 

“In Jerusalem,[a] the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
    will spread a wonderful feast
    for all the people of the world.
It will be a delicious banquet
    with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. There he will remove the cloud of gloom,
    the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever!
    The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.
He will remove forever all insults and mockery
    against his land and people.
    The Lord has spoken! In that day the people will proclaim,
“This is our God!
    We trusted in him, and he saved us!
This is the Lord, in whom we trusted.
    Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!” Isaiah 25:6-9 (NLT)

This week Bess and I have been working on an “Amazing Race” Application. We are putting together a script and a video while laughing and dreaming of the possibility of this adventure. We love watching the show. It is a blast to watch teams work together and often fall apart. Imagining ourselves taking on the physical, culinary and navigation challenges is a delightful daydream. It is highly unlikely that we would be chosen to compete, but it has been sweet to have some time this week to enjoy a new project together.

In almost every episode of every season, teams will spot the show’s host standing at the finish line, and they will drop all their bags and run with renewed energy to stand on the finish line with him. During the final sprint, you don’t hear complaining, arguing or whining. If there is any sound at all, it is from the other teammate who shouts words of encouragement and motivation.

In Christian circles, devotionals and bible lessons, we hear all the time that this life is like a race:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)

I have run a bunch of marathons, and I can also say now that I have NO intention of ever running another one. In each marathon I ran, there were relatively easy sections and there were other miles that were positively grueling. I hated hills. I smiled more and concentrated on the appearance of my stride when I knew others were watching. My pain eased off when I received oranges and Gatorade at the pit stops. Music and supportive onlookers were so encouraging. I found strength running side by side with other marathoners who had to take every step I was taking. It always helps to know you aren’t “in it” alone.

I will never forget running the New Orleans marathon. As I kept putting one foot in front of the other, I passed a man who was jumping rope. I passed him around mile 7; I imagine that he continued his jump rope marathon for the full 26 miles. As hard as running a marathon is, I cannot imagine how much harder jumping rope for 26 miles would be….What a burden!

The jump rope masochist chose to make the task of running a marathon exponentially harder. There is not a condition or requirement in the rules of running a marathon that ever says you need a jump rope. The race is hard enough on its own without adding on extra burdens.

In the Amazing Race, the teams need their backpacks. The burden of a backpack is necessary, but the people wearing them do their best to keep these “burdens” as light as possible. When the amazing racers spot the end of the race, they can clearly see that nothing else matters. The necessary burden of the backpack becomes unnecessary. The only thing that matters is that they finish the race. At the finish line, they are free from all of their burdens.

Many of us are carrying unnecessary burdens. We add fear and heavy fluff to the already grueling task of racing. We are exhausted jump-roping marathoners. Others of us have packed too much into our backpacks and we find ourselves hunching over from the extra weight. We believe that we need everything in our pack; we are compulsive over-packers.

This morning, I read these refreshing verses:

 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

I needed the reminder. I know that I fall into patterns where I worry about things beyond control. I have been guilty of adding too much heavy fluff to my life load. I have been weighed down by shame and the “what if’s”. I am guaranteed rest and the most capable friend to lean on. I don’t have to choose to be weighed down. Jesus is for me. He is on my team and He is so strong and so gentle. I will finish the race and win if I race by His side.

He offers me even better refreshment than oranges and Gatorade. He is cheering me on. He has graciously put all of us in the race together. There is sweet comfort when we remember that we are not in it alone. We have the privilege of running along side each other while shouting, “You will make it!”.

The finish line is in sight and the one waiting at the end of the race loves us more than we can ever imagine. He has taken all of our burdens and He is celebrating us. Focus on Him. Focus on the finish. Put down your unnecessary burdens and run. Life is grueling enough without having to jump rope.

3 days into the New Year and I fell asleep last night wanting a “do-over”. This morning, I am singing a new song. All the accumulated mess and sick and yuck that transpired in our home has not been washed away, but circumstances are not the dictator of my new song. I would love to tell you why I am singing.

Today is January 3, 2015 and this gem of a verse was the nourishment and encouragement I received first thing this morning:

“Sing to The Lord a new song!” Isaiah 42:10 (NKJV)

Your year may be off to a great start or you may have already used up an entire box of Kleenex wiping away tears this week. Your teams may have won; you might be enjoying a relaxing vacation; you may feel like a ridiculous loser for making and already breaking resolutions, but whatever your circumstances are, you (and I) are told to sing.

I am a terrible singer. I cannot carry a tune in a bucket. I thought it would be clever to pen a poem or song in this blog expressing my heart this morning, but my efforts were laughable. My attempt made “Gangnam Style” look like Chaucer. Because I am terribly lacking in musical skills, I find it even more wonderful that I am commanded to sing… and sing every day… and to sing loudly with all my strength (Psalm 81:1-2).

The God of the universe who commands me to sing is unsearchable. I could never know Him so well that songs I offer Him would get repetitive or dull. He is the King of all creation; He is the captain of Heaven’s armies. He is the vine. His banner over me is Love. He is my shepherd and savior and shield. He is the Alpha and Omega, and as we say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in a new year, my heart is bursting with song because He is Alpha and Omega.

Without rhyme or rhythm, here is a peek into my heart’s song this morning:

“Holy God, You are Alpha and Omega, and I love this about You.

Thank you for being the Alpha.

Thank you that today is a brand new day and that your mercies are new every morning.

Thank you that you are all about new beginnings and creating beauty from nothing.

Thank you for being the first and always going before me.

Thank you for being the one who grows new shoots out of the stump of cut down trees.

Thank you that life begins with you.

Thank you for being the Omega.

Thank you that when you are finished with something, it is over.

Thank you for being the end to my sins.

You died and paid for them and then you sat down, because you finished your job.

Thank you for using death to be the launching pad for life.

Thank you for not being finished with me yet.

Thank you for being the ending so that I can have a clean and fresh beginning.”

Precious friends, today is appointed for you. No matter what today or 2015 holds, it was especially designed for you. You are equipped to thrive, so sing about it.

Recognize that you were chosen for such a time as this….no matter what this time holds.

The apostle Paul lived a life riddled with trials and bumpy circumstances, but he set a great example for us by embracing his “today”. He sang praises during the bad days and the good ones. I am so encouraged to follow his example and to attempt to lift a song that will be a sweet aroma to our God- the Alpha and Omega.

Oh friends, sing with me. We are members of a mighty chorus.

“Paul thanked God and took courage.” Acts 28:15 (NKJV)

“Sing aloud to God our strength;
Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.Raise a song and strike the timbrel,
The pleasant harp with the lute.” Ps 81:1-2 (NKJV)

 

“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Neh 8:10 (NKJV)

 

Our home was broken into today while we were at church and lunch. The dogs, alarm, security patrol and police all did their jobs and responded quickly. Our family, pets and home are no worse for the violation. Our home is tucked in on a safe cove in a safe neighborhood. We are pretty good about locking and dead bolting the doors. We pay a monthly fee to have a neighborhood security company patrol our house. We have an alarm system. We have dogs and one of them recognizes and aggressively barks at strangers. (God love Kevin… at least she’s pretty). We really do everything we know to do to prevent break-ins and establish safety, and today, we saw our efforts pay off.

We are not invincible and a more-clever or determined thief could have successfully looted our home, but that did not happen today. As I securely sit here by the fire, surrounded by my dogs and family I am so thankful for the discipline of being prepared. It takes discipline to remember to lock up, pay the security bills and to set the alarm. It doesn’t take a lot of effort; it has become habit. These habits protected us today.

The assault on the Nelson home today was from a petty and uninteresting thief. The event came and went and might as well be in the dumpster with all the Christmas wrappings. There have been bigger assaults on our family: cancer, death, broken hearts and relationships…. And the effects of those assaults linger, but the trouble of most of our days measure closer to a .02 on a Richter scale. The break-in today was just a little bump, because we were prepared.

I cannot consider the events of today without comparing them to other parts of my life. Every day, I do all I know to do to be prepared. Whether it is a meal plan or laundry, a full tank of gas or scheduling my calendar, I am organized and equipped to tackle the events of the day.

I have made it a habit to begin each day with a quiet time. There is nothing praise-worthy or extraordinary about this habit; I am weak and vulnerable and prime for attack. I need the buffering and strength of the Holy Spirit to ward off all the petty and unimaginative attacks of the enemy. He knows all my weak spots and the perfect place to break in. He tempts me to lie and covet and swim in guilt. He loves to tell me I am unworthy and unimportant. I have to be constantly reminded to set a guard on my mind and an alarm on my heart. I wish the Spirit would bark as loudly as “Donut” when temptation pushes on the doors of my mind.

I am encouraged to know that the habit and obedient spirit that I have been blessed with does so much more than protect me. When I listen to the warnings and alarms, and I take heed, God is glorified. I am being conformed to Christ when I listen and obey. I cannot recognize His voice if I don’t participate in the habit of listening.

As I grow in Him and watch Him faithfully stand with me in the smaller, constant tremors, my assurance in His love and omnipotence grows. He will never leave me and He is just as present and faithful to protect me when the big earth-quaking assaults hit.

His voice is beautiful and strong and wise. I want to know it better. I crave the protection of His promises. We are living in a broken world primed with threats and intentions to harm. We must be prepared in order to fend off the fiery darts and attacks. We are guaranteed immediate results and protection.

Dear friends, set a guard…lock up… get prepared…turn on the alarm. There is no safer place than in the home of the King. There is no comfort greater than being held tightly in the Shepherd’s embrace.

“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:3 (NLT)

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (NLT)

“In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.” Ephesians 6:16 (NLT)

“For unto us a child is born….” And that child became a toddler and a pre-teen. He was a teenager before He became an adult.

As this year winds to a close, most of us have taken a look back and remembered the ups and down of 2014. This has been a great year in the Nelson home; it has been full of blessings and burdens. In a recent post (“God of Mondays”), I shared how my youngest had been wounded by the perpetual 8^th grade nastiness, and how I had treasured the privilege of comforting her through the pain. I told her about how Jesus had been rejected too. I showed her places in scripture where friends had wounded Jesus and I repeated His promises to comfort her.

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”

Hebrews 4:15 (NLT)

This Christmas season, I keep thinking about the beauty of God’s plan to come to earth as a baby. Jesus came to die. I guess that means that He could have died as an infant or come as an adult. He had a lot of prophecies to fulfill, but He could have found a more expedient way to do it. He is God and He is all-powerful. He laid down His life when the time was right. He died on the cross to save us from our sins when His job on earth was finished.

It is incredibly precious to me that He considered it His job to live every day and stage of 33 years. It shows such kindness and intimacy that He would live and sometimes suffer through each stage. He lived it and so He really does understand everything we are going through. He doesn’t just sympathize, He empathizes.

This truth is especially tender to me as a mom. As I guide my children and teach them what I know, it is such a relief that when I fail or forget or get frustrated with the suckiness of circumstances, Jesus doesn’t. A mother’s heart is tender, but it is also flawed.

When our toddlers throw tantrums or get confused about the shifting family dynamics of a new baby in the home, Jesus remembers the pain. His parents brought a baby brother home and He lived the toddler life.

When our kids jump or run without abandon and their 10-year-old bodies don’t keep up with their expectations, Jesus gets it. He fell down too and He knows how to comfort them.

Jesus was 13. He felt the rejection of shifting friendships. He knows what it was like to be accepted one day and gossiped about the next.

Jesus knew the teenage frustration of being fully-grown and full of information and to still be considered a youth.

He understands hormones and stress. He knows what it is like to be physically exhausted and hungry and in pain. He knows what it is like to work so hard day after day and to not see change. He identifies with the agony of hard work without acknowledgement and with indifference to vulnerability.

God’s plan of coming as a baby who lived every stage shows beautiful compassion. He lived it. He identifies with every circumstance and burden. He came to set us free from our captivity. He gets it. He loves us like no one else even can. Rejoice! Rejoice! Jesus was 3 and Jesus was 13. He is God. He was and is and will be evermore!

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, 
And ransom captive Israel, 
That mourns in lonely exile here 
Until the Son of God appear. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

 

Oh, come, O Key of David, come, 
And open wide our heav’nly home; 
Make safe the way that leads on high, 
And close the path to misery. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high, 
And cheer us by your drawing nigh, 
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, 
And death’s dark shadows put to flight. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

I really hate how prone I am to distraction. I often feel like “Buddy the Elf” or “Dory” as I get completely off track by things that sparkle. It frustrates me that I can have a wonderful quiet time and leave my home excited about all the opportunities to do good and then get preoccupied with my agenda, pleasure and busyness.

I really hate how this played out in my life yesterday.

Yesterday morning I was so blessed by these verses:

 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NKJV)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV)

 “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 (NKJV)

When I got up off my knees, closed my bible and finished journaling, I felt such freedom and joy. I am so blessed to be saved and to have the opportunity to be a mom and wife and to have the means and opportunities to bless and encourage others… and it is Christmas!

After feeding the kids a healthy exam breakfast, I hustled out the door for a haircut and last minute shopping. I really enjoy everything about getting my hair done. It feels extravagant. My friend, Shirley takes the extravagance factor to a new level. She takes about 10 minutes to wash my hair and massage my head and neck. Yesterday, when she was finished, I cried happy tears. I left the Salon feeling merry, blonde and super sassy and in my self-absorption, I forgot all about being bold in the Spirit. My morning intention of looking for ways to bless others and encourage those in need was completely eclipsed by my selfishness and pride. Within an hour of leaving the salon, I ignored 2 pandering homeless people, filled my car with the sound of cuss words while trying to find a parking spot at Macy’s and got inwardly judgy and self-righteous when a sales clerk (while ringing up my purchase) felt compelled to remind me that the holiday is not about shopping. By the time I got to carpool, I recognized how I had blown it. Why didn’t I take the time out to encourage and bless the people on my path? I am not that busy and I have nothing to fear. What would it have been like to talk to that homeless woman and find a way for her to experience the blessing of getting her hair washed and neck massaged? Why didn’t I carry on the conversation with the saleswoman and talk about Jesus being the whole point of Christmas? What happens when we miss the opportunity?

I know why I got off track. I got consumed with myself. I enjoyed a little indulgence and then I over-indulged to the point of blindness. I think the reason we keep hearing the phrase, “Remember the Reason for the Season” is because we are all prone to get off track. We are blinded by pain or loneliness or busyness. We focus on ourselves or our lists or shortcomings. We are paralyzed by guilt or fear and we lose sight of everything important.

It isn’t a Christmas story, but this season, I am reminded of the apostle, Peter. When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he jumped out of the boat. His eyes were set on Christ and He was full of joy and expectation. The minute he got distracted by his surroundings and circumstances, he began to sink.

When our eyes are set on Jesus, our steps are sure and we walk right into blessings.

Like Peter, I took my eyes off Jesus and my circumstances swallowed me up, but Jesus was and is there to pull me out. Peter refocused and finished his water-walk. I will continue to have the chance to encourage and bless others. I am thankful that in my blindness yesterday, I got an eye-opening lesson. It is always the season to be alert and keep our eyes open.

Before Peter died, he wrote encouraging letters to his Christian friends. He says that he has to keep reminding himself of the truth even though he knows the truth. He is aware of how easily we can all get distracted. (2 Peter 1:12-13) This fallible, eager to please, distracted disciple wrote encouraging words that have really helped this fallible, eager to please, distracted woman. I hope you will be encouraged too as we all try to sharpen our focus this season:

“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. “ 2 Peter 1:4

“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)

A few years ago, I was able to take a very special trip with my parents and brother. We traveled on a large ship with about 40 other passengers through the Aegean Sea as we visited the 7 churches of Revelation. Anne Graham Lotz was our teacher and as I received her teaching for 3 weeks, I grew in my love for the Lord, His church and His word. I was also blessed to build friendships with my fellow sojourners, including Anne’s husband, Danny.

Danny is a man that people notice right away. He is very tall and almost always smiling. His smile dominates his face. He is a hugger and a storyteller. He is animated and gentle and he passionately loves his family and the Lord. I loved spending time with Danny. My favorite memory of our time together was during an afternoon on deck. As our ship sailed along, Danny and I stood at the railing and He was telling stories about his family. Like most families, the Lotz’s had their share of heartaches. He alluded to their recent trial and he continued talking. He assumed that because they are a well-known family, I would know what he was talking about. I had absolutely no clue, and so I interrupted him. I told Danny that I couldn’t and didn’t want to pretend to understand what he assumed I knew. I felt a little stupid and rude for interrupting, but I really loved Danny and I wanted to understand. His reaction reassured me that I said the right thing. Danny gave me the biggest hug and his massive smile grew another inch, and then he thanked me for being honest.

That sweet moment served as a platform for a deeper and authentic friendship with Danny. I would have missed such a blessing if I had been rigidly polite while nodding my head, in my well-coached southern manner. Most of the time, I learn more from my mistakes than from what I happen to get right, but the lesson I learned from being authentic with Danny has stuck with me. Today, when I don’t understand something, I am pretty quick to admit it.

This lesson shouldn’t be difficult for any of us to embrace. We tell our children to seek the help of their teachers when they are stumped in their academic lessons. We Google anything and everything we don’t know about, and we seek answers in the Bible when we are struggling with spiritual questions. We seek medical help for physical conundrums and professional help when our tennis or golf swing is out of whack. We need to apply our hunger for understanding in our relationships too.

What is the point in being as busy as we are and filling up our calendars with all that we do, if we are not deeply investing in people along the way? I feel so loved and encouraged when the question of, “How are you doing, Catherine?” is followed up by a second or 3^rd more detailed question. I believe most people want to be known, and they want to tell you more than how their day was or how their weekend was. Even if they don’t trust you with their stuff, just by asking, you have let them know you care.

We are on this planet to love the Lord and love people. We cannot do that in a sterile, icy-polite, frenzied manner. We have a short time here to be authentic in our love for others and to be authentically vulnerable in the sharing of ourselves. If you have a minute, please help me learn. What are some of the best questions you have been asked, or a great question you asked someone else?

I miss Danny, but I am so thankful for the lesson I learned from him. Oh precious friends, don’t miss out on the blessing of being real.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Col 3:12 (NLT)

Last week on a very long flight, I had a really chatty seatmate. My husband was seated 20 rows ahead of me and I was all the way in the back of the plane… one row in front of the bathroom. Bob sat down beside me. Bob was wearing a reflective vest, cowboy hat and a heavy beard. By appearance alone, you could tell that Bob was quite a character. He maximized the space next to me and could not figure out how to fasten his seatbelt. I helped him and asked if this was his first flight. Sometimes all it takes is one simple question in order to prompt the telling of a lifetime of stories. It was not his first flight, but it was his first in 40 years. Bob had spent the last 40 years in prison for killing someone. He met his 5^th wife in prison and proudly showed me her picture and talked about her bra size. He actually thought I would like to know all of his wives bra sizes… I did not and I responded by pulling my jacket tighter around my own chest. Bob was flying out west to drive a truck back to the east coast. He filled the next hour with prison stories and trucking fantasies. My dismissive, southern, soft-spoken responses only stimulated more stories from Bob. I was failing miserably in politely shutting him up, so I got out my 8lb Bible and journal in order to clue him in that I was done listening. I figured I had treated him like Jesus long enough. In my clever mind, I was sure that bringing out the Bible was obvious, although blatantly rude. My attempt to help Bob put a sock in it backfired. Bob saw my Bible and got fired up. He met Jesus in prison and wanted to tell me all about it. I was humble enough to giggle inside over the blunder of my Bible stunt. I could fill up pages of Bob stories, but there is one among the dozens I listened to that day that has stuck with me all week.

Bob had some crazy theology. In the middle of his testimony, I sneezed. Bob told me that I was allowing Satan to have control in my life. He didn’t believe that Jesus had ever been sick and that we are called to be perfect just as Jesus is perfect. (Matthew 5:48). Bob believes that Christians have the power over sickness and that we are called to perfection in our health. He suggested that my sneezing is sin. Bob said that he had not been sick one day since becoming a Christian. Bob also had not been rained on since his conversion and told me stories of riding his Harley on dry roads as it rained on every side of him. I told Bob that I could not even pretend to agree with any of his radical thoughts. I was able to tell him of Jesus’s suffering and his compassionate empathy as He identifies with all of our pain. I showed him passages on the special privilege of suffering and how it shapes us and how one day we will be free from suffering. One day we will be perfect, but that day is not today.

I cannot wait until I see Jesus face to face and to be holy like He is.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

We are living in an in-between time. Jesus conquered sin and death once and for all when He died on the cross. All my past, present, and future sins have been paid for. I am counted as righteous, because my life is hidden in Christ, but this side of heaven, I am going to sneeze and I am going to sin. We are living in a place akin to the island of misfit toys. Everyone here has missing buttons and broken parts. We don’t work perfectly and we are not what we are intended to be, but we are not going to remain here forever. Today, we are strangers and aliens. We instinctively know that there must be something better. Our better home has been prepared and it is promised; when we get there, we will be as perfect as it is, and we will fit in beautifully. We won’t sneeze or suffer or have to trudge through the rain. All our parts will work beautifully and we will love and be loved perfectly.

We are cherished today as we bump along in our “missfitness”, but our tomorrows will be better.

Today, we are called to encourage our fellow misfits. Bob and I are misfits and you are too and we are so deeply loved. Cling to the love of our perfect savior and His promised hope for tomorrow until we get off this island of misfit toys. XO

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
(Great is Thy Faithfulness)

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3 (NIV)