Me? A Morning Person?

Well, I’m trying to wake up early and be a morning person. Trying. I used to be so good at this, and then I started working at FBC. We like late nights, late mornings…I like my sleep. So I’m making a new goal.
Despite skepticism, I’ve woken up before 7:30 the past 3 mornings! What!? And be impressed, because this goal was set to start on my birthday (yesterday), but I actually started waking up early the day before. Now, Friday was a surprise, as I intended to sleep in. But a certain little brother who needed a ride had other plans. I ended up reading a whole book with all the extra time I had while I wasn’t sleeping in. It was quite nice.

I woke up at 7:30 on my own Saturday, and then had to get ready to meet someone for coffee and a wedding shower. So that wasn’t half bad. I will say, I was falling asleep by about 10:30 last night though. We party hard here.

This morning, I woke up at 6:15 and ran to Walmart. I meant to go last night but torrential rains prevented it. So I woke up early. Slowly but surely I’ll be a morning person.

This is what I learned at 6:30 at Walmart:
1. No one is at Frisco’s Walmart that early…
2. The sunrise happens if you get up early enough to see it. (:
3. People are way happier early in the morning! I had pleasant conversations with about four people who were either working or just out doing the same thing I was. And they were FRIENDLY. In my pre-coffee state, I wasn’t sure I could formulate any real words, but it was as if we all shared a bond because we were up and out before 7. Walmart man, it’s the place to make friends!
4. By 4:30 I was in much need of a short nap! So that’s what I did in the lovely porch sun…until my dog stepped on my face…classic.

In all seriousness, it is worth thinking about. The people I encountered early in the morning were almost friendlier and more open to a conversation than many other people I encountered throughout the rest of my day. Is it that they realize that being awake allows you to savor more of the day? Do they spend more time filling with the moments the Lord gives them? Does it allow more time to breathe in a day, as opposed to just rushing through?

Making Much of This Christmas

It’s Christmas time.  Is anyone else excited about this?

Here are a few things I love about Christmas:

• It’s an excuse to drink coffee and tea ALLLLL the time! (because it’s socially acceptable when the weather’s actually cold)
• Christmas lights make me really happy.  Inside. Outside. On trees. Everywhere.
• Christmas music speaks to my heart.
• Merry Main Street. A classic Frisco Tradition.
• Christmas Eve candlelight service
• Movies such as: Holiday Inn, Christmas Carol (especially the Muppet’s version), A Christmas Story, and The Year Without A Santa Clause
• Christmas cookies and Gingerbread houses
• Christmas Parties.
• Tacky Christmas sweaters

But the thing I love most about Christmas is the excitement that comes with knowing that we’re celebrating the coming of Christ.  I mean, let’s be real, everyone loves the gifts and Christmastime does makes people a lot nicer.  But to me, I get excited about the Christmas story but not just because a baby was born in a manger.  Because we’re anticipating an event that happened 2,000 years ago, as a precursor to the event that we’re still anticipating.  Christ came on a quiet night in a backwoods town to a couple who were nobody.  They had wed and were turned out of the “inn,” or better known as their families’ homes, because the coming of the Messiah was uncomfortable and unconventional to normal society.  But God gave up His heavens – which cannot contain Him – to be held in a tiny hand.  The infinite God becomes infant.

And I love this story.  That Christ was born to a mother and carpenter.  That Shepherds were the first to know.  And then foreign kings came to worship.  But that’s not what gets me giddy at Christmas.  It’s that He came, and He saves!  That Jesus was born so that this aching world might have hope.  And as we look at the Christmas tree, we can be reminded of another tree 2,000 years ago that was hung upon, just as we hang lights upon ours, so that we might be able to celebrate today.  Jesus came and lived a perfect life, a life that was coming to a completion on the cross.  So that we can have life and freedom to celebrate Christmas this season.

One Christmas when I was in elementary school, we had a little store at the school.  You know the school store, right? All the leftover prizes or bad toys that teachers didn’t want were dumped on a table in the hall.  So it was pretty much a junk-sale.  We could bring money and get gifts for people.  So I was so excited to pick something out all by myself.  So I bought Brandon this hot pink monster truck Hotwheels car.  And I brought it home, wrapped it, and knew he would love it!  (We used to play Hotwheels all the time.)  Well, in between the school store and Christmas was at least a week. And when you’re in 3^rd grade, that’s the longest time ever to keep a secret.  So because of my excitement, I showed Brandon what I got him but told him not to let mom or dad know I had showed him.  Well the stinker, on Christmas day, did a horrible job of masking his lack of surprise.  He loved it, and my parents found out that I had shown them.  But I was just too excited to give him a gift to keep it to myself for any amount of time.

Sometimes I think that’s how it ought to be with Christ.  You know?  God was so willing to send Himself for us.  He couldn’t just leave us where we are.  There’s excitement there in saving His people.  And in that, he invites us to meet Him.  He’s reaching for you to have a relationship with him.  We find full satisfaction when this relationship is right.

So where are you?  Some of you, of us, are reaching back for that relationship, striving to walk with Him daily.  Some of you, of us, might not fully grasp what that means, what Christmas means.  God is inviting you to Him today.  And then some still are wanting to be used, to be called even deeper than we are, to make the most of this Christmas season.

In Philippians 3, Paul talks about a race.  Like an Olympic footrace.  He’s talking about how he’s grasped salvation, as many of us have, but he says he hasn’t yet grasped perfection.  Paul, who wrote so much of the NT.  Who healed people, planted churches, who I consider such a spiritual giant.  He says he still hasn’t got it yet.  Woah.  So in those times that I think I’ve “arrived” I am reminded that even Paul, in all his knowledge and faith, has not yet arrived.  He says that only Christ can make him perfect.  He is covered in Grace, but then this is what he says: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  So think of a track star: they strive for that finish line, right?  The Sprinter sees that 100 meter finish line and pushes with all their might towards that line.  They forget everything around them and look toward that goal.  He also says that his prize is the “upward call of God.”  I’ve always viewed this word as God picking you.  Like “you’re called so you better do it,” type of thing.  But here, Paul’s talking about salvation, and the call is more of an invitation to a banquet feast.  Like a giant royal banquet feast with the best guests, the best food, the best entertainment. This is what God’s calling you to.  And just like a wedding invitation, you can choose to accept or to not.  But wouldn’t it be a shame to miss it?

So I challenge you not to miss it this Christmas season.  To make much of this time.  And I think I’m challenging myself too.  Because I get so caught up in the busyness of life that I forget to slow down and remember the excitement of life and of the Gift that God’s given.  And then God reminds me in the red of the changing tree or through His Word.  So let’s celebrate the season with gifts and silly movies and great traditions, but let’s also be excited that Christmas marks the coming of Christ and that He is returning to make all things new, that he gives hope and he has defeated death & sadness & pain.  He has come this Christmas, and He is coming soon! Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

What do you do to make the most of this season?

This Is Ministry

Hi there. If you’re reading this you either care about what I have to say, accidentally stumbled upon this site, or genuinely care about girls ministry. Or maybe all three. Hopefully this site can be a place of sharing girls ministry, student ministry, and life. Not that I know it all, but I’d like to share my journey of being a girls minister. It’s late and for the second evening in a row, I’ve been with students until way past closing time. It’s also VBS week, so on top of stretching waaaay beyond my comfort zone into the world of children’s ministry, I’ve also had opportunities of unexpected relationship building, fast food lunches, some Spanish homework help, late night home invasions, and ultimately – ministry. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I just don’t know if this meets the world’s expectation of ministers. While most offices close at 5, aren’t after-hours as a perfect time to be with students? The busy work (getting ready for camp, small group strategic planning, event phone calls, etc.) happens during the day, but the ministry seems to stretch beyond that. Most of my peers that I graduated college with think I’m insane. I’ve seen some unfortunate ministers close shop, being stingy with sharing their time. There is value to guarding your time, but when ministry is missed, hasn’t the point of life been missed? This is how I strongly believe that ministry should happen. I’ve had the privilege to learn from a few very godly men (and a few women) on how ministry should play out. Some of the most impacting times of my time as a student were moments when my student pastor took time out of his day to include me in what he was doing. He would share the ministry with me. And sure, I probably annoyed him to no end when he needed to be working. But he gave of his time and invested in my life. He allowed me to participate in the ministry. We made memories as a group, and because of those moments, I was more receptive to trust the message that he preached on Sundays or Wednesdays. Relationships were formed. And now, I’m fortunate enough to walk alongside him in the ministry at FBC Frisco. I was shown what ministry looks like. Unexpected movie nights will happen, students will invade your home after pranking for hours on end, dance parties might happen in your living room, and sleep will be lost. But in the end, relationships will be built. And isn’t that what it’s all about, anyway? 1 Thessalonians 2.8 “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.” Boom. Paul tells us that we must share our lives with the people as well as the Gospel. This goes against everything the world tells us and requires that we live in an unselfish manner. It’s one thing to preach at students, but to share your life with them is where the true calling lies. In the after-hours. In the times that you don’t want to drive across town to counsel a 7th grade girl. In the moments that matter most to the student, even though you could be catching up with Doctor Who or Psych. These after-hours are what count. And in the end, I believe that if I don’t give my students my all because I was needing “me-time” or I was off the clock, I’ve missed opportunities. I’ve missed opportunities to be Jesus to someone who needs Him; I’ve missed the chance to love, to share the Gospel, and to find joy. So don’t sign up for girls ministry, or student ministry in general, thinking that it’s a 9 to 5 day job. It will permeate your life in a way that will greatly wreck and bless you.

The Breaking of Bread

Family dinner.  As a young child, my earliest memories of my family are gathered around the dinner table.  I am the oldest child of three, so no siblings are yet in this memory.  My father has just gotten home from work; my mother and I greet him as he steps through the door.  Clothes are changed; comfort eases its way into our evening.  Someone sets the table.  Plates are filled with substance, glasses are filled for hydration.  We gather.  My parents sit together with me somewhere in the middle.  Heads are bowed as thanks is given.  We pause.  We share food, most likely cooked together by my parents.  They tell of the events of the day, share news, and take time to be together.  Throughout the years, this scene changes only slightly.  Two little boys enter the picture.  More plates are added, laughter is heard louder, spills become more frequent, and thanks is given.  Hands clasped as we pray together. 

My family has always felt that dinner together is important.  It stressed the need for communion, community, and openness in sharing our lives with one another.  For a few moments we pause the busy schedules, the cleaning of the house, rushing to the next sporting event.  We come together and take a moment to be together to share our day.  Because of the vast age differences, we scatter in different directions throughout the week.  Dinner is a constant – at least now a few times a week it is.  We can’t go through life alone; these brief moments of eating together are opportunities to rely on each other and to enjoy one another.  This community foundation has become stronger over the years because of these moments at the dinner table.  Even if the moments of us all being there are fewer.  The laughter, the stories, the listening and caring, the randomly weird topics, the theological discussions (or debates), and most importantly the bonds have been invaluable to the life of our family.

This practice also instilled in me the importance of prayer.  In the midst of the rushing, hands clasped, heads bowed, we stop and are reminded of our purpose.  We would give the day that had just passed, the future events, worries, and our thanks to the Lord.  He would get the glory.  Pausing before we ate allows for a perspective shift.  No matter the cutting words that had been thrown from girls at school, no matter the poor grade contrasted with a sibling’s excellent grade, no matter the achievement in the band hall, perspectives shifted as we remembered who it was that gave the ability to play music, to interact with the girls at school, to be reminded of what we have been entrusted with. 

The example that my parents gave us throughout the years at the dinner table have lent to prayer and community taking precedence in my life.  The foundation of faith is seen as my family pauses together.  A heart of gratitude, a desire for God’s will, striving for holiness together.  Because of the dinner table.

So may you take time to pause, to give thanks, around your dinner table.  Share a meal, share your prayers, and share moments. 

An Update to Small Group Leaders | Girls Ministry Fall 2013

Hi there,

I want to give a little update on the life of our Girls Ministry.  What a whirlwind of a semester! Or is it just me that feels that way?  It has flown by and it’s already time for Christmas party planning to start! What?!

I wanted to let you all know that I’m very thankful for each of you that are involved in our girls’ lives.  It means so much that they have you walking through life with them, caring for them, listening to them.  I hear stories from so many of our girls of what an impact our small group leaders are making on their lives.  So if they don’t always say so to you, let me tell you on their behalf that you matter and are making a difference in their lives.  I know we tell you all the time, but we really couldn’t do ministry without you all.  It would be impossible for the us to know all the students the way that you all do.  So thank you!

I got a text today from one of our 11^th grade girls that made my heart sing.  It led me to realize that you all might want to be updated on some things I’ve seen God do in our girls this semester.  So much!  He is so good and faithful, even when the days seem crazy or darker than usual.

So here are a few ways that the Lord is moving in our girls:

Girls desiring to know Scripture – This has shown up several times over the past few weeks.  One girl told me in the text mentioned earlier, “BG I really need to get to learn the stories of the Bible better.  I think they’re super interesting.”  What?!  This is a dream text to get.  Usually I get texts about boy drama, or fights between girls…but no, this girl desires to know scripture more. And it’s not just her.  I’ve had conversations with several students desiring to know how to know the Bible better.  This is a cool way that God is moving in their hearts. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to know that they want to know God better. Yay!

Community built – I’ve seen so many instances this semester where our girls are finding true friendships.  I think for a while our students would come, know some people on surface levels, and then go home and hang out with school friends.  I’ve seen over the past semester friendships form that go beyond schools and the church.  They call each other out when they miss church or are not walking the right path.  They have sleepovers without prompting from adults; they are doing life together and encouraging each other in their relationships with Christ.  I think some may see it as “cliques” but I don’t know that they’re exclusive. Sometimes they are, but I think our students have grown over the past semester in accepting new people. This is cool to me!  These friendships share something greater than many school friendships do – they share Christ.  Those who play basketball together share basketball and once basketball season ends, they might have a few things in common, but many times those friendships fade.  Church friendships seem to last, or at least what I’ve noticed, because they share a relationship with Christ.
Another aspect of community is that girls will go to their small group leaders or other members of their small groups before other people when there’s a problem.  They have trust and security within our ministry.  There are also girls sticking up for other girls in hard situations, the love and support they show – and you show – when things get tough for families or friends.  Within our community, they laugh together, hurt together, cry together, are goofy together, and move on together.  This is really encouraging to be part of and to see.

Girls on the fringe – I made a list this year of all the girls active in our ministry.  Whoa, there’s a lot!  And we’ve grown throughout the semester, with new people.  With this list, I started to sort of mark off the ones that I knew well or have conversations with regularly, and that hit a good number of them, but definitely not all.  So then I started to look at who they were and reach out to them and what I learned was that many of the ones I considered “on the fringe” –because I didn’t necessarily know them – were actually plugged in with other girls or with their small groups.  And many of them have just gotten plugged in this semester.  Some that were coming with their boyfriends actually have friends among other girls.  And many of the new girls have come, stuck, and gotten very plugged in.  Like several of the girls in the middle school worship team; they are new-ish and already leading.  There are still some that are probably “on the fringe,” but this semester has been one of community.  I can’t reach them all, but with your help and with the help of our girls, they can be known and cared for.  Cool.

The counseling room – anyone know what I’m talking about?  Yup.  The bathroom.  Can I just tell you how many times I’ve walked in awkwardly to the bathroom only to find girls crying or hashing out drama?  One particular Wednesday night I walked in on two girls, one was sobbing with the other trying to comfort her.  I stopped to listen and help, but then a visitor walked in on them and the awkwardness continued.  Not to say that this is bad.  It opened up a good conversation later with the visitor.  But the cool thing about this moment was that I wasn’t needed to help this sobbing girl.  The friend had it all under control.  And this bathroom is a place of comfort to the girls.  I asked a small group Sunday how they felt about it, and they all agreed that it was the safe place to cry, collect themselves, and deal with drama.  In the bathroom. Nice.  This happened with some middle schoolers one Sunday morning too.  The bathroom drama stories could be endless, and I’m sure many of you know what I’m talking about.  It is cool that our girls are at a place where they are able to help one another, comfort each other, and walk in life together.
As a side note, I’m thinking of painting the bathroom a happier color and putting Bible verses of comfort around.  Any ideas are welcomed!

Called to Ministry – so many conversations this semester have revolved around our girls wanting to do ministry.  There are several girls feeling the call to ministry.  God is at work, people!  I love hearing girls come to know Christ, and I love when they make friends, and I love that they have a desire for Scripture.  But for some reason, maybe because it’s impacted me personally, when I hear girls tell me or others that they want to do ministry for life, I get giddy.  I think that this reflects the fruit of their relationship with Christ more than some other things.  It means that they really get what Christ is calling us to do and are being selfless enough to understand giving their lives, hopes and dreams to Christ.  There are girls that want to do girls ministry, student ministry, missions, and beyond.  Some are already doing this.  I know a 9^th grader that is leading FCA at Wakeland.  She’s teaching senior football players the Bible.  Not just the happy stories either; she told me she’s teaching on “getting out of the boat,” being connected to the vine (John 15), and calling them all out on the type of language they use.  Awesome!  Others are leading in their schools or within the ministry.  I can’t wait to see how God uses so many of them the rest of this year, and beyond high school and college.

I know that you all have so many stories of what God is doing in your small groups and in your ministries.  I would LOVE to hear them!  We only see a glimpse of what is happening, and so we love to hear your stories.  So be encouraged that God is at work.  He is doing great things in our ministry, and will continue to use you and our girls.  I’m thankful that God has put me in this church, this ministry, and that He is moving in the lives of our girls.

Love,

Brittany

Orphans and Widows, Enslaved and Impoverished.

And true religion is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.
– James, The Bible

What does that look like? Really?

Poverty looks different depending our different situations. Orphans and widows can be defined differently for different circumstances.

Poverty in Frisco doesn’t always look like the children in the Dominican Republic with no food or clean water. Sometimes it looks like broken relationships in a family. Those with no hope. Or poor because they are placing all their worth in what those around think about them instead of the rich life Christ wants to give.
It may look like chains put on not by sex traffickers but by self doubt or believing the lies that the world feeds of worthlessness of false freedom. It may look like those addicted to so many things that they think bring relief – drugs, porn, lies, cutting. It looks like those seeking freedom from anywhere but the freedom Christ gives.
Orphans may be lonely people inside big family systems. They might be those who are isolated in school; someone who has no friends.

It looks different.

But sometimes, it doesn’t, and the orphans are just that. Sometimes the orphans are those in the student ministry who have just lost an only family member. Those who literally are orphans. Just like that. And it hurts. It hurts deep. It hurts those of us around them. This feeling of helplessness. These times when the only prayers that come are ones of deep groanings, trusting that The Spirit intercedes and knows how to pray for us. These times when we don’t know how to pray because the hurt, the grief, and lack of understanding are so great.

But the good news is that God is sovereign. He intercedes for us; prays on out behalf. His plan is so much greater than ours and He works all things for His good. He loves and redeems us. And He wants to involve us on His work to comfort the orphans and widows, the poverty stricken. We don’t know everyone’s story and we don’t know what type of poverty or chains they may be in – whether brought on by themselves or by circumstances outside of their control. The beautiful thing about not knowing is that we are just called to love. Love them all like Jesus. And be used by Him as He wraps His comforting arms around us.

So what does it look like for you to look after the orphans and widows God places in your life; to take care of those impoverished around you, enslaved to difficult chains to break-the invisible chains we put ourselves in? What would it take for you to open your eyes and see past the outside mask of people around you? To see them with the eyes of Jesus.

May you be comfort and be comforted in this season.

Viewing Scripture, Part 1

Working on my Master’s courses tonight, I was faced with an interesting question, and wanted to post the question for your opinions and wanted to post my response, also for your reactions.  It’s a question that church leaders often are faced with and wrestle with.  Hopefully it does not strike you as too difficult, but if it does, maybe you can use this as an opportunity to learn.

The topic was giving the Bible the prominence that it deserves as teachers of the Word.  The exact wording was:
What can we do in our churches to give the Bible the prominence it deserves and how can we ensure that our Bible teachers use the Bible as the text and not just the curriculum guide?

Here’s my opinion:
In our churches, there are a few ways that we could give the Bible prominence as we teach people.  For starters, we can believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God.  God spoke the words and they do not contradict each other and are completely true. As leaders, if we do not hold this key truth then what we are teaching will reflect that.  As we believe this and teach this to our congregations, we put more emphasis on Scripture and its importance in speaking to us.  We allow Scripture to speak through us in what is taught and in how we act.  It does not need to be added to and it is not appropriate to take bits of scripture to fit our own agendas.

Secondly, we can teach from the Bible.  There are several good books in Christian circles, but the Gospel can stand on its own.  Scripture speaks for itself enough that it does not need to be choked out by human thoughts.  Emphasizing Scripture as the curriculum instead of a topic would allow for teachers to use the Bible as text instead just the curriculum guide.  It isn’t bad to do book studies every now and then, but if that is the only thing being taught, it is time to get back to Scripture.

I also think that if we allow Bible teachers, such as Sunday school teachers or small group leaders, the freedom to pace their class, Scripture could be relied on more.  Some groups need to camp out two verses at a time while others prefer the entire chapter.  Each group has different dynamics and when church leadership constricts every group to the same method, despite differences that may work better for a group, teachers are more apt to see the curriculum guide as more important instead of using Scripture as text.

Finally, if we instill in our churches the weight of the gospel and the importance of a personal relationship with God through His word, Scripture will take the prominent place it deserves.  If the people of the church place the Bible as a lifeline, priority in their personal lives, and the teachers allow for Scripture to penetrate every aspect of their lives, then the standard of prominence for the Bible will rise.

_____________________________________________

Thoughts?

Tea, Lemonade and Cupcakes!

Last Friday, our 6th grade girls got together for a little tea party! I am so excited to have these girls in our student ministry now! It’s been a blast getting to know them over the past few weeks! I’m looking forward to all that God is going to do in the lives of these girls over the next few years.

I thought of no better way to kick-off their time in our ministry than with a tea party! (We substituted real tea with some raspberry tea and pink lemonade!) What a great time we had of being girly, silly, and laughing so much. The goal of the night was to make the girls feel special, girly, and like the princesses that they are. I feel like we were definitely girly and we talked about how much we are loved and valued in God’s eyes.

Here are a few pictures from some games we played, a photo booth, and the giant cupcakes (thanks to Dimples bakery) we ate!

Who doesn’t love 4 boxes of cupcakes?!

These lovely ladies are a few of our 9th graders who were a tremendous help setting up and cleaning up Friday. It is always good to see older students getting involved and investing in younger girls.

Another great night, and another reminder of how blessed I am to serve these girls!

“A Dare to an Emptier, Fuller Life” | An Arguement and A Challenge

I’ve been rereading this book by Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts.  This book changed my perspective on life the first time I read it, and now that I’m rereading it, I feel refreshed all over again.  In this book, she talks of how the way to a full life is gratitude.  God says that we are to live a full life, in Him, and Ann’s argument is that the way to do that is with a heart of gratitude.  I think this is true. However, I also think that there are other ways to live a full life, completely for Christ.  I find that knowing Him, and His Word, and serving Him are doorways to a full life as well.

[I hope you read the book so that what I’m going to say has context. It’s really a very good book.]

As I’m reading this book, her idea of counting gifts brings healing and brings her into a deeper understanding of eucharisteo, thanksgiving.  What I’ve noticed in her counting is that she counts things.  She counts the gifts of “mail in mailbox,” “sun-rays spread across hardwood floors,” and others.  Sometimes she counts things about her family, but most of her gifts are tangible things.  I understand that in order to be grateful for all things, putting a name to it brings about gratitude.  And in noticing the details of life, she is able to have a joyous attitude. 

I’ve learned that people have a happier, fuller life if they invest in experiences instead of stuff.  For example, typically there are two ways for people to budget out their money.  There are those who place value on vacations and doing things, and those who place value on having nice homes, cars, and stuff.  Now, the tricky thing is that sometimes things play a role in experiences, but overall those who invest more in experiences are more content in life.  Stuff always changes.  There will always be a new smart-phone to buy, a bigger TV, and a newer, faster car.  But experiences can be constant.  They happen, and they can’t be outdone, because they are ours. 

As I’m reading through this book and on a quest to live fully as God intends, I think that counting experiences and relationships has more value.  God calls us to live in relationship with Him and His creation, not with the things He’s placed around us.  It is important to appreciate nature, and I think that it brings us to an attitude of contentment, but I think there’s also more.

I also find it difficult to read this book because Ann lives on a large farm in Canada.  She’s in nature every day.  She home schools her children, and has the opportunity to be in her home, in the outdoors, and be grateful for that.  The majority of Americans live in metropolitan areas, such as myself.  Is it possible to be grateful in Dallas?  Amidst all the concrete, money, attitude, and people?  Ann has time for solitude, reflection, and gratitude…but do I?  When my weeks are full of youth, and school, and rushing, and I feel that my life is full already, is gratitude like Ann talks about really the ticket?  Is it how God fully wants us to live?  Maybe in gratitude, we turn our attention of what is in front of us to Him, Creator, and in doing so He is glorified.  Do I need to name them in the city?  Can I just be thankful that today I’m breathing and that He is reigning?  Can I discipline myself to stop and spend time in solitude?

 

“This pen (writing of gifts): this is nothing less than the driving of nails.  Nails driving out my habits of discontent and driving in my habit of eucharisteo.  I’m hammering in nails to pound out nails, ugly nails that Satan has pierced through the world, my heart.  It starts to unfold, light in the dark, a door opening up, how all these years it’s been utterly pointless to try to wrench out the spikes of discontent.  Because that habit of discontentment can only be driven out by hammering in one iron sharper.  The sleek pin of gratitude.”

So here I am.  At a place where I must do something, change something.  I know that if I ignore God’s teaching in my life, I’ll perish with discontentment.  So I’m going to start, for the next three weeks, naming gifts in the city.  I’m shooting for a few a day, no set number, just for the next three weeks.  And I’ll see what happens from there.  But my gifts must be experiences.  They are of the people I come in contact with, the lessons God teaches me, the small things that make a meaningful, lasting difference.

 

Join me?  In this discussion of gratitude and fullness, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

An Encouragement for Your Day

BrittNicole’s “Gold”