Finding Joy in a Mashed Banana

I have a very independent little girl.  Lyndsey will be 2 in January and she loves to do everything by herself!  The other day she insisted on having her favorite snack in the car – a banana.  I am personally not a fan of bananas.  But Lyndsey loves them and calls them mananas as she combines the words “my” and “banana”.  She can say banana but often just runs the words together and asks for "my banana" or a "manana".  Any way – she often eats bananas in the car and I didn’t really think anything of it.  Well this particular morning she wanted to have her banana on the way to school.  We have a bit of a drive to preschool and normally Lyndsey is all talk.  But this particular morning she was oddly quiet.  I kept asking her if everything was OK.  She kept saying “fine mommy”.   When we got to school I quickly learned everything was not fine!   

As I opened her door I saw that she was covered in banana – mashed, mushed, nasty banana.  It was all over her outfit, her car seat, and my back seat.  I almost retched.  I actually had to turn around for a moment and compose myself.  Lyndsey, however, was sitting perfectly still with her hands out in front of her, holding up a small piece of banana that had somehow survived the massacre.  As I turned back around she looked right at me and said, “icky, mommy”.  Yes Lyndsey, the situation had become icky. 

Like any mom, I swallowed the gag from my throat and told her that everything was going to be OK.  I quickly grabbed a ton of baby wipes (there is a special place in my heart for the person who invented baby wipes, btw) and began cleaning up my frozen toddler.  As I wiped down the car seat, the back seat, Lyndsey’s arms, and her cloths she suddenly noticed that she still had a piece of banana in her hand and quickly popped it in her mouth.  She gave me the biggest toddler smile and said “yum!”    As we walked into school, Lyndsey’s shorts were a bit wet from being wiped down and she walked almost like a cowboy.  She proceeded to tell everyone we passed that it was “icky”.  I dropped her off with her teacher and she ran over to tell the nice lady that her shorts were icky.  I explained the situation and left for work.  As I got back to my car, I could smell the banana but I was comforted that at least it was cleaned up and the “crises” was over.

As I went into my quiet time with the Lord that day I thanked Him for my little girl and reminisced on the story from the morning.  I actually jokingly thought “I bet you got your laugh this morning, huh God?”  But then as I moved into my bible study I began to see so many parallels in my life with Lyndsey and her banana. 

I find myself trying to be so independent and get everything done on my own.  It is very hard for me to ask for help.  Asking for help from God seems to be the furthest thing from my mind sometimes.  What is worse is then when anyone asks, is everything ok, I answer with a quick “we’re fine”.  When God asks, I tell Him, and myself, that I’m fine.  Why is asking for and receiving help so hard?  I have no idea.  But it is a challenge I find myself constantly working on. 

Then I thought about how Lyndsey went on to tell everyone how “icky” the situation had gotten.  We do this all the time too.  We focus on the icky around us.  We tell people about how we have made it through something horrific or we look and only see the mess.  Each situation is detailed in the worse possible light.  We often forget to mention that a HAZMAT team of baby wipes swooped in and cleared away the icky and now we are walking a way with wet but clean shorts instead of banana-filled ones.  On top of that, we often forget to explain that we made the icky situation to begin with!  Somehow, the positive light and the root of the problem get left out of our complaining. 

As I sat and reflected I took an extra opportunity think about and to thank God for always swooping in with his heavenly baby wipes and for cleaning up all my messes – all my icky as I try and be over-independent.  As I sat, already in total awe of God and how he can clean up all the icky I can get myself into, my heart was reminded of one more piece.

Lyndsey found the joy.  In all of the mess and mashed up banana, she found the one piece that was still whole and she enjoyed it.  That’s the piece of the story many of us need to remember –find the joy!  Life is icky and we do try to be over-independent and God has to swoop in and clean us up but we are called to be joyful; in all things rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4 says it two times in a row so you know it’s important!)  Lyndsey rejoiced that a piece of banana had survived.  I need to be better at that; in all things, at all times – rejoicing in the Lord.  I need to be better at looking around at the mess and the ick and being thankful I have a heavenly creator who is ready to help clean me up.  I need to be better at finding the joy in it all.

Examining Exodus and Excuses

Ever have those great Sunday school lessons that are taught on Sunday morning but stick with you throughout the week and even into future weeks?  I am blessed to be a part of a Sunday school class that has those kind of lessons more often than not.  This last Sunday was no different - A lesson that has really stuck with me and made me examine my life - my excuses.  

I need to start by giving a shout out to our teachers, Steve and Brenda.  They really know how to teach the Word and make it applicable in a deep and meaningful manner.  This last Sunday was no exception and the lesson has stuck with me as I have moved through the week.

This week Brenda led a lesson on excuses.  My dad has an old saying about excuses – excuses are like rear-ends; everyone has one and they all stink.  But when we think about excuses we don’t often think about the Bible and how even some of the most strong teachers and leaders and followers of Christ slipped up now and then and had excuses.  But if we turn to the book of Exodus, God explains His plan to Moses.  He lays everything out, explaining how Moses will go back to Egypt and tell the King to let the Israelites go.   Then Moses has a very candid, a very human conversation with God – one full of excuses.  For each excuse Moses gives, God answers and reassures him of His plan.  As we looked each of the excuses I could see how those same “reasons” are at play in our daily lives today.

Excuse #1:  Who me?

Exodus 3:11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

I think this is one of the most often used excuses that we mere mortals turn to in our daily lives.  We seem to always be asking or rather stating – “Who me?” “You want me to do what?”  “Have you met me?”  “Do you know about my past?”  “You must be thinking of someone else.” Or “Someone else will take care of that – that’s not for me!”

We see things all around us that need our help, our attention, and our prayers.  God can use each of us to serve His purpose but we often let ourselves get in the way.  Look how God answers Moses in verse 12 of Exodus3.  “I will be with you!”  It’s not you that is supposed to make it all work and perform miracles and have this amazing life plan all come together!  But rather God – working through you!  There is a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt that says “A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong she is until she is in hot water”.  This quote makes me smile and on some levels I find it true.  But what is even better to me is that the tea was already strong before it got in the hot water and as Christians we know we are strong because we are a special blend – His blend.  We are strong through Him, hot water or not!  God wouldn’t call us to go somewhere or do something or handle something that wasn’t a part of His plan.  So really if you think about it the question isn’t “who me” because it isn’t about us.  It’s about Him.  God has got this excuse covered!

Excuse #2: I might not know all the answer

Exodus 3: 13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ The what shall I tell them?”

When I first started leading small groups and working with prayer groups this was one of my biggest fears.  What if someone asked a question that I didn’t know the answer?  What if someone wanted to dig deeper and I didn’t have the right shovel or even know which sandbox they were playing in.  To be perfectly honest… that is how it feels sometimes when I sit in Sunday school and some of our more theologically inclined historians get going.  But I have come to see the beauty of these deep discussions.  And each time I facilitate a group or pray with someone I focus on turning the controls over to the one with all the answers, God.  There is a great song by Toby Mac that often plays in my head before I step into any situation that I worry about not having the right answers.  Check out Steal My Show.  Yes, it’s about God stealing Toby Mac’s show/concert but in reality the show is already His and if we step out of the way and give God the stage of our daily lives then He will provide the right answers when the questions are asked.  See?  Excuse covered!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA_HoEC9ixc

Excuse #3:  The What-If Game

Exodus 4: 1 Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”

Wow!  Really Moses?  Were you not listening just a few short paragraphs ago when God explained how His plan would be successful and the role you would play in that?  But then again, how often do we do this ourselves?  How often we worry and fret – “What if this doesn’t work?” or “What if we run out of money before the end of the month” or “What if I loose my job?” or “What if something happens to our children?”  The list could go on and on… I bet right now you could come up with your own personal list of what-if questions that seem to constantly haunt us.  Sometimes when we are called… wait, scratch that…OFTEN when we are called to do something we play the what if game with God.  We worry and fret and what-if the situation to death instead of trusting and doing as we are called.

I am a part of a few different ministries that I know I am called to be a part of.  Recently I found myself playing the what-if game and trying to find a way to not continue some of them.  I didn’t mean to play this crazy game or question God.  I just got caught up in it all.  I worried “What if I don’t have child care?” and “What if no one shows up?” and “What if I don’t have time to give it my all because I am just overwhelmed?”  But, as I have prayed over our lesson from this Sunday, my what-if game has come into focus and I knew I was sitting in the same place Moses was when God approached him.  In Jeremiah 29:11 God tells us He has a plan for us.  He tells us He wants us to prosper and not be harmed.  He tells us His plan is to give us hope and a future.  Yet still, we worry and what-if.  It makes me wonder if someday someone will look back at my story and say “Was she not listening when God told her He’s got this?”  Talk about a wake up call.   Excuse definitely covered!

Excuse #4: I’m not good enough

Exodus 4:10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord.  I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant.  I am slow of speech and tongue.”

This excuse seems to be chanted by media, sang by society, and echoed in our hearts until we believe it.  I’ve heard it said in many different ways from “That’s not my strength” to “I could never do that” to “I just can’t do that”.  Media tells us our homes need to be bigger and cleaner and decorated differently and that we must raise our children one way and if we don’t do it this way as a mother than we aren’t good enough!  Look how many people compare themselves to the things they find on Pinterest or Facebook!  It’s crazy!  People believe these things as reality.  We catch ourselves comparing ourselves, comparing our children, comparing our lives.  We find others comparing our choices, our children, and our lives.  And soon in our hearts we begin to believe it. Even if we are talented at something or have a skill or a passion for it often we squash it to avoid offending others or seeming prideful. 

But let’s turn off the noise for a second!  You are good enough!  You are His!  He sent his only son to earth to die on the cross for you.  Let’s not forget that in all of this.  You might not be the best public speaker or you might not see yourself as an event organizer or a super strong prayer warrior but God has a plan for you; to use you for His glory.  Sometimes we are called to do things we aren’t comfortable with but if we are called by God, who are we to argue?  My favorite illustration of this is Beth Moore’s story about brushing a man’s hair in an airport. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtk5WgzZcYA

By saying we aren’t good enough or we don’t have the skill or the ability we are in truth doubting God.  Look through your bible and see how many times God calls the imperfect and the sinners and the weak to accomplish great things.  We serve an amazing God who raises the dead, heals the sick, allows the blind to see, and the deaf to hear.  Yet we doubt him.   

Each of us was made by God – not just slapped together but fearfully and wonderfully made.  We are more than good enough.  Excuse covered.

Excuse #5: Please not me! (Not really a typical excuse but not a good answer either!)

Exodus 4:13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord.  Please send someone else.”

Many times I hear people talk about not wanting to facilitate or plan or take on a leadership role.  They feel they are better at just showing up and showing support.  While support is a good thing it does take boots on the ground to get anything to happen.  But with this excuse we always feel there will be someone else to pick up the task, that God should just go tap someone else on the shoulder and ask him or her to do it.  That isn’t the way it works.   God has a purpose for each of us and calls us to serve Him.  But something that I did find noteworthy hear in Exodus was God’s response to Moses.  He listened to him.  He didn’t completely ignore him or blow him off but rather he gave him a path the Moses could walk and still serve God.  How many times has God done this in my life?  Swooped in at the last minute when I thought I was up against the impossible and made it all seem doable.  I still might not have liked the path but at least – like Moses- I felt I was able to accomplish it and I wasn’t alone.  God was with me.  What an amazing and loving God we serve. Excuse covered by God’s grace!

Over and over again in the bible God tells us to listen and obey.  One of my favorite versus that highlights this is found in Luke 11:28 which reads, He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”  We can make all the excuses in the world and come with all the logical and worldly reason why our way or our plan is better than His but in the end all they are, are excuses.  We all seem to have them and they all stink. 

Now, please don’t read this entire post wrong and think I believe everyone should jump at every opportunity that knocks on their door.  That is not what I am saying! Listen for God.  Answer His call.  How do you know it’s Him?  That is a topic for a whole different discussion J

However, when you do hear him and your mind starts to race and your first instinct is to make a million on one excuses like Moses, remember it all goes back to that children’s worship song we all know and love – Trust and Obey

Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

Learn to Stand

God put some pieces together for me this week... let me explain. I'm spending the week at the beach with my family. My three year old nephew loves the water but is a wee bit frightened of the waves. You see, one big wave can sweep him off his feet and into the dangerous undertow below. Today, we were out in the shallows among the breakers and I had a hold of both his hands. The surf was rough and while I had no trouble keeping my feet and walking into deeper water, he was doing good to touch the bottom every so often.

Tonight, as I do my homework for our Bible study ("The Armor of God" by Priscilla Shirer VERY GOOD), a light bulb came on. In Ephesians 6:13-14, God says 3 times to stand. Sometimes, that's the only thing we have strength to do. In spiritual warfare, He has no trouble blazing forward in victory while we are doing good just to keep our feet. That's why He says "Stand!"  When you've done everything else and you've exhausted all options to advance, just take your stand, and let the waves crash around you unmoved. Because God is right there beside you, holding your hand, victorious in this battle. The waves might sweep you off your feet but you won't go far before the strong arm of your Heavenly Father puts you back on your feet. Don't lose heart. Just stand.

Cooking for One

About three years ago or so, I moved into my own tiny but fabulous apartment in my hometown. I was thrilled to finally have a place of my own. As I settled in and welcomed independence with open arms, there was one hurtle I had not anticipated: cooking for one. You see, I grew up in a family of five.  My mom taught me everything she knows about cooking, and she's a very good cook but we rarely had more than a portion or two as leftovers.

For years I had been cooking meals for the family, never realizing portions would be different when I lived alone so I threw myself into cooking with the energy of ignorance. The first meal I made in my little apartment was great... for the first couple days. By day 4 or 5 of the same thing for lunch or dinner, I was beyond sick of it! If I saw another spaghetti noodle or spoon of meat sauce, I would hurl it at some unsuspecting victim. It's taken me several years, but I have finally started to figure out how much to buy and make. My freezer has become by new best friend!!! :)

As I was making dinner this week, I was remembering that disastrous "first meal." It occurred to me that sharing a meal with family or friends is very similar to Bible study and fellowship. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (ESV) Neglecting to fellowship with other believers makes life much harder than it has to be.  Like trying to cook for only one person, good things like Bible study or going to church can become monotonous or even boring if you don't have someone to share it with. I'm still cooking for one but have learned, if I have extra, to share it with a neighbor or friend. That way, I'm not the only one who gets the blessing. Don't let someone sit alone in church or miss joining you at Bible study. Fellowship makes the Christian walk fun! 

That's it for now. Love ya!

From the mouths of babes….

Hi Friends!  So this has been on my heart a lot as we have looked at starting this blog journey so I thought I would share it.  Enjoy!

Lyndsey (my 18 month old daughter) woke up one morning this summer very upset. She was crying and the tantrum only escalated as I tried to figure out how to make her happy. I changed her diaper and tried to get her some milk but she didn’t want anything to do with it. She just kept crying. So I asked her what she wanted and she said “Jesus Momma, Jesus!” I quickly thought to myself… what? How can I give her Jesus? (Please remember this is 6 in the morning!) So I tried to soothe her and give her other things and she only got more upset. The tears flowed and she started throwing herself on the ground, screaming for Jesus. Yes – she did look a little possessed. I picked her up, trying everything I could think of and still came up with nothing that would make her happy and I wasn't any closer to understanding what she meant by saying she wanted "Jesus" So finally, I put her down and said, “Lyndsey – show me Jesus! Show Momma what you want!” She then stopped crying and ran to her bookshelf. She got her big children’s picture Bible down and brought it to me, crawled in my lap and in her little upset voice, pointed to Jesus on the front cover and said “Jesus Momma, Jesus!” We spent the next part of our morning reading bible stories and talking about Jesus. She was fine after that but insisted on taking “Jesus” with her in the car to go to school.

We should all want so badly to spend our time with Jesus.  

In 1 Peter 1-3 We are told to put away all hatred, lies, hypocrisy, and evil and to grave God like an infant longs for milk so that we may grow in our salvation.  

2 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. ² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. ~ 1 Peter 1-3

This is my prayer for each of you today.  So often we discuss the hurt, hardship, and hatred that surrounds us in our daily lives.  I pray we put all of that down.  I pray we crave Jesus, crave spending time in His word, and crave our prayer time with Him.  I pray we all take away a small lesson from Lyndsey – spend time with Jesus.  Even if you have to throw a tantrum to get it to fit into your day!

Love,

Jenelle