2013 February

Out of the Blue :: Adventure

If you are playing along, here are a few things to remember:

1. New to link-up’s or have questions? Read this first.

2. Since we all dig surprises, please surprise another writer by leaving a comment on her post *or* by giving a facebook shout-out or tweet. Use the hashtag: #outoftheblue.

3. Be sure to include the out of the blue banner {see below} in your post or link back to Chasing Blue Skies so your readers can join in the fun. That way, we can all easily find each other.

God is full of surprises, and He uses these different blessings to prove His dependable faithfulness. Out of the blue helps us look expectantly for them as we live our lives exploring them.

When the Thing You Fear Becomes the Thing You Needed All Along

The street sign- the one perched on the lane where the blacktop ends near dairy farms and the Arkansas River - holds the same name as my maiden one. It marks the spot where my childhood sprang up like the oak trees that dot themselves near alfalfa fields and holstein cattle. Where little girls play pretend games with sweet sisters until the hot sun descends behind the timber line.

I grew up in Osage County and flourished under the warm blanket of blue skies and comfortable familiarity. Surrounded by extended family and ever ready playmates, I didn’t know the meaning of lonely. So when I grew up and married an Air Force man, I feared getting acquainted with unfamiliarity. Seasons of loneliness would be the price I paid for the awaiting adventures the military lifestyle brings.

Sometimes this was true.

But I was surprised how often it wasn’t.

Sure, awaiting adventures meant all kinds of new experiences. New scenery. New addresses. New accents. Lonely times. But also wrapped in the new adventures were relationships waiting to be formed:

My friends and fellow teachers I prayed alongside at Mark Twain Elementary.

My sisters from Juniper Court who stood with me as I cut new Mama teeth.

The Wednesday morning Bible study girls from Emmanuel Lutheran who woke me up to Scripture through my first Beth Moore study.

The community of Calvary South Maui who gave David, the kids and I family on a far away island.

And all these folks are just part of the story.

While we hopscotched across this country, the Lord heard my cries and set this girl and her family in a community over and over again.

Sometimes it came slowly.

But it came.

Eighteen years ago, I worried a yes to adventure also meant a yes to lonely unfamiliar. Little did I realize God would use one to cure the other, that adventure would be found in people more than places. There’s no denying the truth: He gives immeasurably more than we ask, think, or imagine.

And that’s one surprise I’ll never get over.

Next week’s out of the blue prompt: What unexpected, surprise appreciation did you receive from someone or extend to someone? How did God use their thank you to make a difference in your day, your year, your life? Or in that of someone else’s?

February 28, 2013 3 Comments Filed Under: out of the blue, Writing

For the Days You Think Your Grown-Up Report Card Reads Straight F’s

By Kristen

My boots clip-clop clip-clop on the linoleum floor as I canter into the school auditorium. Today is Faith’s “Student of the Month” luncheon, and I come bearing her requested lunch treat: Subway. When I round the corner and my eyes find her, I’m surprised she looks trembly. As I set her lunch down and swing my legs under the long table, I ask what’s wrong.

Her doe-eyes clouded, she replies,

“Oh, nothing. I just thought you forgot.”

She smiles feebly in her relief.

I look at the cafeteria clock and see it reads five minutes into her lunch. Goodness. I’m five minutes late and she’s worried I forgot completely. Then again, it’s no small wonder she thinks I forgot since I completely and totally forgot both her brothers’ student of the month lunches earlier this year. My saving grace is that both middle school boys assured me that most middle school parents don’t come because mom, it’s really more of a little kid show, anyway.

The next fifteen minutes hold chatting and smiles and hugs. By the end, Faith’s eyes laugh happy. But as I make the short drive home, my mind travels back to this morning when the bickering between two of the three young’uns clawed at my head like fingernails on a chalkboard, resulting in my very unSunday school voice telling both perpetrators exactly what I thought of their behavior.

Losing patience with kids. Late for lunch. I see my parenting grade for the day.

Parenting: F

So I walk through the garage door – the one which opens to the laundry room – and see laundry laying on top of floors that need mopping next to school papers that need organizing. And really, that’s just the tip of the housework iceberg. My mind tallies up another grade for the day.

Housekeeping: F.

And I remember two nights ago, how the hubs wanted to watch a movie but I shook my no and mentioned working on my ebook with a How ’bout tomorrow night? But then tomorrow night came and I forgot it was the one night of the week where David and I are two ships passing until 10 pm. And sure enough, the next grade shows up bright red.

Wife: F

And so I step over the mess and trudge upstairs to my blue and silver workspace and open the laptop to re-read some of my own blog words. I lean back in the white chair annoyed for choosing such a poor title and ending. That post didn’t get too much traffic, so I assume others agree. And while I’m at it, I’ll just assume my grade in this area, too.

Writer: F

So I slam down the laptop and decide to go make chocolate chip cookies, because if there’s one thing I can ace, it’s cookies. As the cookies swell in the oven, I stare out the window at the whirling snow that is gaining momentum.

Why do I let a mistake or two gain momentum ’til I believe I’ve gone and flunked the entire day?

“If I do not stop and pray immediately – restating His love for me and my righteousness in Him – Satan will take my wave of sorrow as a vulnerability to accusation, and he will proceed with a hurricane of condemnation.” ~Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word.

Sometimes tsunamis come and crush hearts in seconds. But sometimes the enemy gains more ground by grabbing onto a mistake or two and using them to chip away at our hearts a little at a time. If I give him an inch, he’ll take a dozen miles while mowing down my heart like roadkill.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because thorough Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” ~ Romans 8:1

I know there are practical things I can do to show up on time and better manage all 1,982 things I do each week. But the purpose of living a Christ-filled life is to walk in the power of resurrection. I can pray Scripture and let His Word keep Satan’s lies from carving rivers in my heart that turn into canyons of condemnation.

The snow covers everything outside, and I can’t get over how my corner of the earth here gleams white and clean.

I’m thankful He does the same for my heart.

Just a reminder, tomorrow is our next out of the blue link-up! Feel free to stop by and share how God used a surprise adventure to give you joy or grow your faith.

February 27, 2013 28 Comments Filed Under: Faith in Action, Family, Grace, Hope, Prayer

When You Want to Make Your Father Proud

By Kristen

Last weekend, we loaded up the van with out family of five, a cooler full of snacks, towels, and our folding green canvas chairs. We wound our way through the northeast part of Colorado Springs before arriving at Rampart High School, the location for Faith’s swim meet. After unloading the van, we move inside the high school to find wall to wall people stacked together like pickles in a jar.

Holy crowds. Are all indoor meets going to be safety-hazards full of people?

The place was so packed – especially the pool area – that we set up camp in a hallway. We pick up a program and scout which heats Faith will swim. While we wait for her warm-ups to start, we look around at the pool. She points to the little white platforms at the opposite end of the pool and swallows hard.

“Whoa, Mama. There’s the blocks. They look awfully high.”

Faith’s practice pool doesn’t have blocks, and this first swim meet will be her baptism-by-fire experience with them.

I crouch down, patting her back,

“Don’t worry baby. It’ll be like diving off the edge. It’ll just take you a bit longer to reach the water, that’s all.”

I hope I sound convincing.

After warm-up laps in the pool, her team lines up to practice from those blocks. Faith moves to the back of the line. But even the back of the line reaches the front eventually, and so she slowly inches herself onto the block.

She bends into position, hands at the edge. Even though I’m a fair distance away, I see her take a deep breath. In one motion, she moves her arms above her head and springs forward.

She dives again and again in both warm-ups and races. And each time she jumps in, I cheer like a crazy person. I’m anxious to tell her I’m already proud of her performance.

Three hours later, Faith finishes her last swim. As we pack up our things and walk into the bright outdoor sunshine, I think about how we all did a whole lotta waiting for three minutes of swimming.

Later that night, after she’s had her fill of pizza and ice cream, I tuck Faith under her purple butterfly comforter. She wants to relive the swim meet, and I tell her again what a joy it was to watch her and how proud her family is of her.

As I snuggle in next to her, I see a picture of the Father leaning in towards His daughters, His eyes watching as our toes leave the block and we dive bravely into something new. He’s already rejoicing over us simply because we did our best, regardless of the outcome. And during the waiting, waiting, waiting – because we stand there shivering fearful or because His timing hasn’t given a divine Go! – He is anxious to have us lean into Him during all the inbetween.

And when we dwell there, He’s anxious to tell us,

“Girl, I’m already proud of your performance.”

Giveaway winner: Using random number generator, the winner of the giveaway Holley and I hosted is – believe it or not – comment number one: Carolyn Marie! Carolyn, check your inbox and get back to me. Congrats, girl!

February 26, 2013 6 Comments Filed Under: Family, Hope, waiting

Out of the Blue :: Friendship

By Kristen

If you are playing along, here are a few things to remember:

1. New to link-up’s or have questions? Read this first.

2. Since we all dig surprises, please surprise another writer by leaving a comment on her post *or* by giving a facebook shout-out or tweet.

3. Be sure to include the out of the blue banner {see below} in your post or link back to Chasing Blue Skies so your readers can join in the fun. That way, we can all easily find each other.

God is full of surprises, and He uses these different blessings to prove His dependable faithfulness. Out of the blue helps us look expectantly for them as we live our lives exploring them.

When an Unlikely Friendship Is Exactly What You Need

In my mind’s eye, I see Cheryl breezing into Rebecca’s back yard, the location for our “get to know the new neighbors” tea. In a whopping five minutes flat, I discover this wonder of a woman would be equally at home participating in a Capital Hill mixer as a head-banging rock concert as an intimate tea.

And twelve years later, I haven’t changed my mind.

Cheryl has the ease of a modern day Grace Kelly, and her heart is bigger than her home state of Texas. A tune always swirls around her, and she snaps fingers and hums along whether washing dishes or waltzing through Target. She owns a smile that could light stadiums and has a fire about her that is magnanimous as all get out.

Cheryl exudes the confidence of a female version of Tom Brady and Kanye West put together – without the obnoxious arrogance.

When I think of my history with Cheryl, here’s the part that makes me squirm: I almost wrote off real friendship with her because I considered us too different. It wasn’t that I only sought out friends who were exactly like me. Far from it. But I didn’t go looking for friends that made me uncomfortable, either.

And Cheryl made me uncomfortable…at first.

In the dawn of our friendship, I wore insecurity like an invisibility cloak. And whether it was the fog of mothering little ones or the sleep depravation that comes with it, I felt as fiery as ketchup. So rather than appreciate Cheryl for all she was, I only saw in her what I was not.

I looked at Cheryl – the one whose name means ‘darling gem’ – and felt the rough edges of my own lackluster self.

But just as the Lord takes us to uncomfortable places to stretch our faith, He plants us in community with different people who stretch our faith, too. Iron sharpens iron, and our dullness disappears fastest when our weaknesses find renewed strength in other’s examples. When we humble ourselves to learn from one another’s gifts, we form a strong, diverse tapestry of community that benefits all its members.

While I haven’t lived near Cheryl for ten years, she remains a close friend. We rub shoulders once a year or so, but we rub hearts much more often. And each time I do, the cloak of invisibility covers less as my confidence in Christ covers more.

Her friendship began out of the blue, but it remains a true-blue gift.

Next week: What is an unexpected adventure the Lord dropped in your lap or asked you to take? Your adventure might look like a trip, but it might look like something completely different {i.e. marriage, parenthood, a new job opportunity}. I can’t wait to hear your stories!