Tuesday, April 26, 2011

It's A Great Day!

It's a GREAT day!

Yes, I am aware it is pouring outside, and I have a to-do list that is eight miles long, but that doesn't change a thing-It's a GREAT day.

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~Psalm 118:24

I don't remember when it began exactly, but a while back, I noticed my uncle CONSTANTLY saying, "It's a GREAT day!"  It didn't matter the circumstance: weddings or funerals, bills paid or not enough to make ends meet, sick or healthy...He felt the same.  It's a great day.

At first, most of us just chuckled at him. Some family members got mildly irritated by the always optimistic attitude. Some just ignored the comments altogether. I couldn't let it go. He wasn't just saying those words; he really and truly meant them.

How could someone smile and say what a great day it is while standing in a receiving line at a family member's funeral? I remember saying to him that day, "Not such a great day today, huh?"
Guess what he said? "Are you kidding?! The sun is shining, the family is together, and God has given me another day. Sure, the circumstances aren't the greatest, and obviously I am sad...but that doesn't change the fact that today is a GREAT day."

My outlook on life changed that day. Of course I have crabby days- days where things don't go according to my plan. I still get mad and sad and disappointed and pessimistic...but guess what?

It's a GREAT day. Every day. No matter what.

Tell yourself that. Every morning when you wake up, before you stretch or brush your teeth or eat your breakfast. Whether you slept well or didn't sleep at all-say to yourself, "It's a GREAT day!" Watch how your life changes. It will and you will thank me someday. My uncle Donnie changed my outlook on life, and even on the worst of days (you can ask my husband) I still wake up and say, "It's a Great day!"

God is good. All the time.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Perfect Imperfections

I make mistakes. I let bad words slip. I don't always put God first. People sometimes annoy me. I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I get upset with myself. I don't agree with everyone. I lose my temper.

Despite all my imperfections, God remains. Always.

Did you catch that? Are you hearing what I'm saying?!


Take a second to let that soak in.

It doesn't matter what you do. God's love is not complicated. You can list off every bad thing you have ever done and it still won't matter. God's love remains. Even if you don't love God, God loves you.


Ephesians 3:18-20
I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  


God is good. All the time.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

I Will Praise You In This Storm



This weekend marked a moment in history that Merrill residents, families, friends, workers, employers, and visitors will never forget. The damage is devastating. The losses are heartbreaking. The sights are overwhelming. My heart, thoughts, energies, and prayers go out to all who were affected by this remorseless tornado. 


And yet, I continue to hear people praising God:


A young woman, who lost the only home she has ever known, said to me, "It could have been so much worse. Yes, this sucks, but we are all ok and things will get better again." Praise God. 
A man was thrown against his vehicle and trapped there by an unhinged, blown apart garage door...and walked away. Praise God.
A family was at church when the storm took their home. No one was harmed. Praise God.
A man was trying to get his new dog downstairs when the tornado threw the dog who-knows-where. The dog was found, unharmed, the next day. Praise God.
Community members are doing everything and anything they can think of-from donating food, to cutting down trees, to cleaning out closets, to lifting families and individuals in prayer. Praise God.
Churches from across the country are calling to see what they can do to help our community. Praise God.
These stories go on and on. 


I was speaking to someone at the site of what was once their home on Tuesday afternoon, when they brought up a song that they said, "has really brought them a lot of comfort." I figured since it is helping one person through this disaster, perhaps it will serve the same purpose for another.  


And I'll praise you in this storm 
and I will lift my hands 
for You are who You are 
no matter where I am 
and every tear I've cried 
You hold in your hand 
You never left my side 
and though my heart is torn 
I will praise You in this storm 
~Casting Crowns (Praise You In the Storm)



It's easier said than done though. I completely get that. Not everyone is ready to praise God right now. And that is okay.


Everyone deals with things differently. Some people are angry with God for "allowing" this to happen (please read the blog on "why bad things happen" found here). Some people are confused-wondering, "Why me? Why my home or my job?" Others are uncomfortably happy they live on the "other" side of town. Some people are strong and able to work the necessary machinery required to physically "do something" and help with the aftermath. Others feel helpless; hopeless. There are so many feelings, and so many combinations of feelings it is impossible for me to touch on all of them right here right now.  Pastor said something to me today that was said to him during a similar situation: 


Everything we are feeling and all of our responses are a natural reaction to an unnatural situation.


He went on to say that we are not wired for these situations. They are awkward and difficult and, as the quote says, unnatural. There is no right or wrong answer. There is no "appropriate" way to feel. God is with each of us-wherever we are in the process...whatever feelings we are harboring. We will get through this, and we will be-one way or another-stronger because of it. 




God is good. All the time.  


Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Ugly

Ugh. My hair is frizzy, my jeans are too tight. I have a big nose. My complexion? Don't even get me started on that topic.

Have you ever had a day like this? A day where you just feel "ugly"? Sometimes when I have ugly days on the outside, my insides get ugly too. I think I look ugly, so I feel ugly, so I act ugly.  That is a lot of ugly.

Seriously though, who makes us believe we are ugly?  Is it the media: TV, magazines, billboards?  Is it in the schools? Where are we picking up these ideals about what is or is not beautiful? Does Hollister make us more beautiful than Walmart brands? Whose vote counts more? Your significant other might think you are the most beautiful person on the planet, while the kid next door rates you a big fat zero on the scale of attractivenesses. Whose opinion matters? And why?

I bet you a million dollars I can find someone who thinks you are the most amazingly beautiful person on the planet. Someone who created you EXACTLY as you are for a reason. Someone who knows everything from the number of hairs on your head to the number of sweat glands in your feet (Hey Focus-you up for a soda chugging contest!?!). In all seriousness, God loves you. God loves all of us-and not because we wear the right clothes or have amazing hair, or hang out with the "right" group of friends.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
      Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
                      ~Psalm 139:14

We all have ugly days-days where we just don't feel at our best.  I challenge you to remember the above verse on those not-so-pleasant days and look inside yourself for your light.  God's light is inside of all of us and it's beauty outshines even the worst complexion.  When we find that light, and allow it to shine for the world to see, we become a reflection of God.  Now what could possibly be more beautiful than that?!

God is good. All the time. And you are beautiful.