Tuesday, August 7, 2012

A Gift: Food Allergies

Paul, a well-known apostle of Jesus, once talked about the “thorn in his flesh,” the one thing that kept him reliant on the Lord. Although he never reveals to his readers what this metaphorical thorn was, we can certainly learn from his struggle and surrender.
Asking the Lord three times to remove this particular “thorn,” God never did. I wonder why.
I have many struggles that are hard, if not impossible to overcome. Some are emotional while others are physical…my food allergies!
In the recent weeks, I think I have developed an intolerance to dairy. The last two nights, you could find me either curled up on the floor or on my bed gasping from intense stomach cramps. The first night I think I got only 2 hours of sleep because of the pain.
At first, I felt self-pity….”Why me!?!?” “Really? One more thing to add to my list of 10 food allergies?!?!” “Why now, Lord?!”
This is the conversation occurred in my head as my husband rushed out to find some type of medical relief….I am now VERY thankful for the creators of Lactaid! J
Yet last night, day two of the stomach cramps, as a laid frustrated and restless in bed, the Lord revealed to me Paul’s story mentioned above. Just like Paul, God has “gifted” me with my food allergies (and now dairy intolerance) as a means to press more into Him and to draw me closer to Himself. Could it be that the Lord is saving me from something that I cannot see? Is he protecting me from something that could/would happen if I did not have these “presents?”
I believe that God works all things together for good…even food allergies and dairy intolerances! Whether these things came on simply because we live in a fallen world or because my body chemistry has changed, the reason does not matter. God uses all creation to testify about His glory.
It is easy to see allergies, lost jobs, sick kids, or any other obstacle as a pure burden. I have only found grief, frustration, and anger when I look at things like these as burdens. Instead, I am trying to see them as gifts, as presents, as God protecting me from something bigger…from something I cannot see.
What has God brought into your life that on the surface looks like a burden, but is actually a blessing?


Sunday, August 5, 2012

Opportunity or Inconvenience?


God calls us to be a light to the seeing world, to represent Him everywhere we go. This often takes place during our normal work hours, a planned trip to the grocery store, or during a prayer meeting at church…in those regularly scheduled functions of our daily lives where we are readily seeking opportunities to share. Yet, how is our reaction when God brings about an opportunity to share with someone about His saving grace but it is at an inconvenient time?

For me, this happened twice in one day. And, boy, was I convicted about my reaction at the end of the day!

You see, I teach online classes during the summer; and more often than not you can find me at home, still in my pajamas at 2 in the afternoon. I sit on my cozy leather couch as I grade papers and answer emails.

On this particular day, someone knocked on my door around 9am. By this time, I have barely rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, had sipped my homemade latte, or fixed my “beautiful” morning out-of-bed pony tail. A little frustrated, I stood up, put my computer aside, and went to the door. “Who is it?” I asked…three times! No answer. I peeked out the side window and saw a young girl who looked like she was upset. I opened the door to find a woman standing in front of her…wanting to “evangelize” me. First I was frustrated because I was interrupted (and barely awake). Secondly because there was no reply when I asked who was at the door. Thirdly, I was upset to solicited by another religious group who ignored my nicely painted and prominent “No Soliciting” sign. Needless to say, I was not the sweetest person when a track was being forced into my hand. Cutting off the woman, I think I ended up harshly saying something like, “Please, just don’t bother me with your religious stuff! I have my faith. I love Jesus. Now, take me off your list or whatever. Have a nice day.” I shut the door, pick up my computer and continued to work. 

Failed opportunity #1!

Later in the day, maybe around 3:30pm, a young man from the Honeywell Home Security company comes walking up to my door. By this time, I had showered, gotten dress, and had a meal in my belly. I was not as frustrated as I was earlier in the day. In the middle of preparing dinner, I put down my kitchen utensil and opened the front door. He was a pleasant man, trying to diligently earn his pay by selling home security systems. After asking if I was interested, I kindly said no and pointed out that there was a “No Soliciting” sign posted on the front steps. Taking a step back, he located the sign. I could tell almost immediately that he felt bad for knocking on the door. After a quick exchange, he asked if I knew anyone else in the neighborhood who might be interested. I said no and gently closed the door, walking back into the kitchen. 

Failed opportunity #2!


In both of these stories (that just so happened on the same day!), I saw an inconvenience, not an opportunity. Towards the end of my day, I was wrestling with my reactions. In the first story, I had the amazing opportunity to share about how God moves in my life and answers my prayers daily. In the second story, I had the opportunity to share that God alone is my security, not necessarily a home alarm system (although there is nothing bad to have one or not to have one).

I was simply so caught up in MY life and MY order of business and MY priorities, that I quickly saw these God given opportunities as mere inconveniences and annoyances. I hope in the future I will react differently. I pray that my heart will be more in tune with God then with my schedule of events/planned activities.

Where in your life have you chosen to see God’s opportunities as inconveniences? In these moments, I have to realize that this world is not my home. My citizenship is in Heaven! I hope my heart and attitude in EVERY situation reflect this as well as God’s grace and love. 

On Grieving: Oh Glorious Day


One month ago yesterday, I lost a dear friend in a motorcycle accident. He was 31-years old; survived by his beautiful bride of 9 years and two adorable children, 9 and 7.

This month has been a month of processing, reflecting, grieving, and accepting what happened on July 4, 2012 around 4pm.

Like the ocean waves, my grief comes in waves. One moment I am doing okay; and the next, my heart breaks for the lost (and how it is affecting his family and my friends.)

Yesterday, a group from church held a garage sale to raise money for the family. I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the patrons, yet sad as I told them what we were raising money for. Some people knew about the purpose behind the sale and others were deeply saddened when they heard.

In a way, it was good to share what had happened…almost healing. Yet in another way, it made it real all over again. I know that grief has no timeframe and no real end point; but I pray that it will get easier with time for me and everyone affected (especially his family!).
Today in church we were singing “Oh Glorious Day.” Here are the lyrics that touched me:

Oh, Glorious Day
Oh, Glorious Day

One day the trumpet will
Sound for His coming
One day the skies with His
Glories will shine
Wonderful day
My beloved was bringing
Glorious Savior this Jesus is mine


Never more in my life have I desired Jesus to part the clouds and come down to earth. With recent events, my eyes have been opened to the hurt and sorrow in this world. How I would LOVE to see the Jesus that my friend is now enjoying in Heaven. How I would love to have Jesus as our focus. I guess that is the real hope of my faith, the promise of spending eternity with Jesus. This has also been the one hope that is getting me through this whole situation.

I am thankful to have a Jesus who hears me, comforts me, and never leaves me.
If you pray, please pray for all of us who are still grieving from this terrible lost. I know that His ways are not our ways; and His time not our time. 

“Lord, help us embrace this and turn to you daily as our hope!” ~Amen~