Unusable Decorations

I usually love decorating for the Christmas season. But this year as I sorted my way through boxes of decorations - trying to decide which ones would fit in our tiny, new condominium and which ones would be left in the boxes, sadness and a deep longing to return to our large home in the country overwhelmed me.

I missed our huge Christmas tree and windows filled with Yuletide greenery and candles. I remembered the tiny, white lights spread out over a cascade of greenery atop our piano and the colorful outdoors lights that framed our house and deck. I yearned for that “Home for the Holidays” feeling and wanted to celebrate the way we always had in the past. But the mounting stacks of boxes filled with unusable decorations with no place to be displayed reminded me in no uncertain terms of my new reality.

Willingly tumbling into a downward spiral of negative emotions, I started imagining that everything good about the Christmas season would now be gone forever. I recalled the simple Christmas traditions of wrapping gifts, decorating the tree, sipping hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows, and exchanging gifts with family and friends. I pictured the precious smile on my grandson’s face as he plunged cookie cutters into the dough while making Christmas cookies with me in my old kitchen. I remembered the fun we had baking and decorating them and the simple pleasure of sharing a few cookies with him along the way.

My self-pity grew to resentment as my husband brought in box after box of unusable Christmas treasures and I continued to convince myself that I would never again experience another precious Christmas memory in this dreary little condo. How could Christmas be special here with little to no room for my seemingly endless treasure trove of decorations?

I needed to do something, anything to take my mind off the resentment I felt for not being able to use all of my Christmas decorations. Unbeknownst to me, in the midst of my selfish attitude, God was already at work – preparing to answer the unspoken prayer of my heart.

I walked out of our tiny, dreary condo and headed down the hall toward the elevator. As I entered the third floor lobby I noticed someone else walking toward the elevators. We struck up a conversation and I learned that she was in charge of the decorations for the building and was looking for someone to decorate the third floor. Before I knew it, I was the newly-appointed volunteer in charge of decorating the entire third floor of our building for Christmas.

While my newfound friend was overjoyed at finding such a willing volunteer, I was beginning to realize that God was once again at work in my life. After my new friend finished showing me where all of the seasonal decorations were stored I hurried back to our little condo with a heart full of joy, excitement, and a childlike anticipation of Christmas cheer. I now had a plan for those stacked boxes of unusable Christmas decorations.

I dove into the stack of boxes again and after a long session of sorting, arranging, re-sorting, and re-arranging, I was ready to decorate the third floor. An angel with golden wings now presides over the coffee table near the double doors. My special glass vase sits atop the grand piano in the lobby surrounded by a gorgeous display of holiday greenery laced with tiny, white lights. A beautiful Christmas swag accented with rich, red candles adorns the mantle over the fireplace and the windows are filled with greenery and flowers. A holiday garland bedazzled with a shimmering assortment of Christmas decorations offers a festive greeting to residents as they step off the elevator. The unusable decorations transformed the third floor lobby into a beautiful tribute to the Christmas season.

As I decorated this huge common area and the lobby began to sparkle and shine with the joy of the season, a miraculous change took place in my heart. My attitude began to sparkle and shine as my bitterness and resentment were replaced by a deep sense of joy and peace. The tidings of comfort and joy we sing about filled my heart.

I asked God to forgive me for my attitude of selfishness and resentment and thanked him for providing a way to share special Christmas treasures that mean so much to me with the other residents in the building. As I continued to fine tune the Christmas décor throughout the week, a number of people commented on how pretty everything looked and what a great job had been done on this arrangement or that display.

So in addition to being able to use all of my Christmas decorations, God also allowed me to share my joy with others. The sense of joy and appreciation I see in their smiles and hear in their comments is something I never would have experienced in the big, old house where we used to live – and for this I am grateful.

The Struggle

Always be joyful. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

For years I struggled to understand these verses. How could God expect us to be thankful for everything (all circumstances) in our lives? Being thankful for the good things in my life made perfect sense – but being thankful for the bad things? No way!

I could never imagine saying, “Thank you, God that I am sick today” or “Thank you that my car broke down on the freeway.” On a more profound note, I have never been thankful that my oldest son was killed in a car accident when he was eighteen.

Then I took a closer look. God didn’t say to give thanks “for” all circumstances. He asked us to be thankful “in” all circumstances. I think this passage is encouraging us to find the joy of living in the midst of life’s pain and disappointments. God wants us to keep on trusting him and praying in spite of the difficulties and disillusionment we often face. We must thank him for taking us through the darkness while we are still going through it.

Look for the silver lining. Find and believe in the blessings that are hidden in even the most difficult circumstances. God didn’t promise that life would be easy. He never said we wouldn’t experience bad things, hard times, or devastating circumstances. But he did say he would be with us and never forsake us and for that we can be thankful.

If I can believe that God loves me enough to send his only son to pay the death penalty for my sin, surely I can have faith that he has my best interest in mind no matter what circumstances I am experiencing. If nothing else, I can be thankful that one day my trials will end and I will spend eternity with the God who loves me more than I know or understand.


Always be joyful. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

A Wedding Tale

The entire wedding party disappeared with the photographer immediately after the ceremony and I followed the crowd to begin that (often much too long) break where wedding guests mill around the reception hall munching on mixed nuts and making small talk until the bride and groom return with their attendants to get the party started. But then something great happened - something I had never experienced before.

The lights dimmed and a larger-than-life image of my niece joscelyn and fiancé-now-husband Wade appeared on the huge video screen behind the head table. The casually dressed couple extended a pre-recorded video welcome, an explanation of what they were up to at the moment, and an explanation of how the evening would unfold.

After the opening comments, an entertaining and well produced video clip chronicled the high (and low) points of their entire relationship – from their first date on through a number of romantic milestones and comical episodes in their growing love story. The grand finale was a complete video reenactment of Wades very romantic and highly creative proposal to my niece, complete with commentary from the happy couple as to what they were thinking and feeling as events unfolded.

As the video played, I was impressed with the sincerity of my new nephew’s love for my beautiful niece. Much time, thought, and effort went into making their engagement day special and memorable for both of them. This theme of fun and creativity continued up to and throughout the day of their wedding, which was filled to the brim with much love and laughter.

The deep and growing love these two young people share for each other and for God was obvious and ever present throughout the entire wedding celebration.

o From the words spoken by the bride and groom about their abiding love for each other to their joyful and solemn vows of commitment to love and cherish each other for the rest of their lives…

o From the meaningful and powerful counsel of the groom’s older brother who officiated the ceremony to the spoken blessings from both of the happy couple’s fathers…

o From the countless endearing and heartfelt comments of family and friends – especially a particularly poignant toast by the bride’s younger sister Allison.

God was honored, Christ was central, and true love was celebrated.

Endnote:
The wedding was incredible. The reception was full of fun and memorable moments. Late in the evening, while my niece and new nephew changed their clothes, hundreds of guests were handed sparklers (instead of rice) and asked to form two long lines - from the reception hall to the double doors leading outside. As the happy couple paraded their way down the sparkler-illumined pathway through the dark night air that was filled with encouraging shouts and cheers from the human hallway, they ran to a waiting helicopter that had just landed nearby – a helicopter my niece knew nothing about until that moment. As they flew off into the night sky, I realized that in every way possible, the “how to do a wedding” bar was raised to new heights that day (literally).

Congratulations, Wade and Joscelyn. May the love, beauty, fun, creativity, and adventure of your wedding day be a fitting prelude to married life. May God richly bless you both as you begin your new life together. Here’s to a future of unlimited possibilities and God-sized dreams. The best is yet to come!

On A Clear Day You Can See Forever

I attended a wedding recently. On a bright and sunny Saturday morning, I ventured out on a beautiful drive to Pacific City with my husband and mother-in-law to witness one of our favorite niece’s wedding celebration. The setting was idyllic, the weather was perfect, and the wedding was beautiful. End of story… (Well, not quite).

Wendy and her new husband Jeremiah (Miah) met about two years ago and many of us knew from the start that he was the one for her. They both have an amazing love for the outdoors and for things that go fast. Wendy’s 5-year old son Noah bonded quickly and deeply with Jeremiah while Wendy and Miah’s love and respect for each other grew in leaps and bounds from the start.

Wendy is an “outdoor” girl who has always chosen comfort over style when it comes to fashion. A sweatshirt and jeans was about as dressed up as I’d ever seen her. Imagine my surprise when an elegant and beautiful bride dressed in satin and lace with her hair done in cascading ringlets began her walk down the aisle to meet her future husband.

As I often do at weddings, I sneaked a peek at the groom while the beautiful bride was making her way down the aisle. I was not surprised to see a huge smile on Miah’s face as he wiped a tear from his eye.

The wedding was very much a family affair with sister, cousins, brothers, and friends making up the wedding party. The flower girls were adorable. The ring bearers (one of which was Wendy’s son Noah) were so handsome and cute you just wanted to reach out and squeeze them. There were a few unique and non-traditional twists in the ceremony that were creative, fun, authentic, and endearing. The entire event was a joyful celebration of love and commitment, surrounded by family and friends.

I found myself wondering if Jesus did his first miracle at a wedding as a trailer for the blockbuster release of Heaven – as an appetizer for the wedding feast to come. Those of us who know God through faith in Christ will all be in heaven someday - surrounded by family and friends, brothers and sisters in Christ who believe the good news that Jesus is the way to God and life eternal.

I know Wendy and Miah believe this and will pass this heritage of eternal life on to Noah and their new daughter, Jaycee. What a blessing to know that deep, abiding fellowship and joyful celebration not unlike Wendy and Miah’s special day in Pacific City will be never ending in Gods eternal kingdom.

Life's Little Surprises

Life catches us all by surprise at times - the ringing of the phone in the middle of the night; a chance meeting with an old friend you haven’t seen in years; an unanticipated layoff; an unplanned pregnancy when you thought you were finished. And the list goes on.

It’s a mixed bag. Some of life’s surprises are good while others are difficult and challenging, leading to hard times or seasons of great uncertainty. A life full of surprises (good and bad) is to be expected. It’s part of what makes life worth living.

But when it comes to the “bad” surprises of life – the difficult, challenging, heartbreaking ones, the key to living a life of peace in the midst of the storm lies in our power to choose how we will react to life’s surprises. Panic is not a requirement.

If you are a Christian, the one constant and unchanging thing in your life is Jesus. He never changes and is always with us through the surprises of life - good or bad. He is our source of peace, refuge, and comfort in the bad times as well as and the giver of all things good in our lives.

So if life has caught you by surprise today (good or bad) remember to turn to God for help through the bad surprises of life and to thank Him for the good ones.



Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7

Bumpy Roads of Life

Four mornings a week I go to our local aquatic center to work out and swim. Because I am an early riser, I usually try to get there by 5:30 AM when they open.

I am a little nervous about driving in the dark anyway - so I am extra careful when I drive the three short miles to the pool. I have driven the road enough times that I am familiar with the possible hazards I could encounter. I always choose the well-lighted route and am extra careful when driving on darker streets that have rough patches and bumps in the road.

As I was heading to the pool this morning I thought about how God often lights our way and steers us through the dark places. And how he sometimes allows rough patches and bumps in our lives to help us learn what he wants us to know or to help us to grow in our faith.

Have you come to a dark place, a rough patch, or a bump in the road in your life? Remember that our light and our hope is in Christ. Trust him today to take you through it.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. ~ Psalm 119:105

The Reunion

“She was just as I remembered – cool, confident, and possessing an easiness with people that made them feel at ease right away. I couldn’t believe it had been nine years since I last saw her. In many ways, it seemed like yesterday.

Out of everyone I reconnected with that day, she was the one who had changed the least. A strong, powerful, charismatic woman with a “take charge” personality, she never seemed afraid to speak her mind and say what needed to be said. You could always count on her to make things happen.”

Nearly a decade ago, I spent eight years of my life in production work for an industrial bakery. I was part of an assembly-line team that packed, wrapped, and shipped over a million cookies to the uttermost parts of the world every day. People that know me and follow my blog are often surprised to learn that I was a card carrying union member during these years. The occasion for this reunion was unique – an enterprising retiree organized a reunion tour and lunch event for past employees of the plant.

Many of my ex-coworkers arrived at the huge cookie factory and the grand tour began. We walked the same halls, crossed the same floor, and passed by the same machines we had operated for so many years – but everything was different because it was no longer our plant. It was no longer me packing the cookies that flowed down the line from the industrial ovens like a controlled river. It was no longer me visiting with the ladies on the line - coworkers that became friends over time as we worked side by side day after day for weeks, months, and years of our lives.

I saw the young man I had trained from his first day at the plant. None of us thought he would ever learn to pack, but when the production manager suggested we fire him. I recommended that we give him another week. Nine years later, he is still there – packing cookies like a pro. I greeted the feisty woman who is rough, tough, and gruff on the outside. Her harsh personality is a thick veneer that hides a secret treasure that very few of us know about – a heart of gold. The list of people who touched and impacted my life grew longer as the event continued.

Powerful memories of my love-hate relationship with this place and the people who worked there flooded my mind and surged through my heart, immersing me in a swirling gush of mixed emotions. I wanted to smile, laugh, and cry all at once. Strange as it may sound, I loved packing cookies.

The tour went well and it was fun to reconnect with people. Then we all went to lunch at a local pizza parlor for a chance to “catch up” and learn how life has changed for so many of us. Stories and picture of children and grandchildren filled the room. Conversations about who was missing from the gathering were popular. I learned that the funny woman with the great sense of humor who knew how to make us laugh and the sweet, kind-hearted single mom who was loved by most and liked by all had recently died.

Then the treasured old-timers who had the longest careers were featured as our event coordinator facilitated discussion and elicited stories of what they have been doing since retirement. Their stories and snapshots of life gave me a sense of who they are and reminded me that life is precious and meaningful no matter what season of life you are in.

We heard stories of fifty-year wedding anniversaries and terminated marriages. Some people were flourishing in retirement while others were struggling to adjust to life outside the plant. One woman led with her sense of humor and a few people seemed defeated – beaten down by life with little to no hope or joy in their life.

As I observed these cookie industry alumni and listened to the stories of their lives, I was filled with a sense of gratitude and recognized that I am fully known and fully loved by a God who has forgiven my sins and past mistakes and healed my shame. He loves and accepts me just as I am – warts and all. I am blessed with a husband and family who fill my life with joy and meaning.

And today, in a huge cookie factory, I was reminded of the enduring value and great blessing of friendship.