WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE

 

WHAT HAPPENED

I stepped away from teaching seven years ago. I stepped away from teaching children in church three years ago. I stepped away from leading women's ministry two years ago. In each case there were compelling reasons. None were done without a great deal of consideration and agony.

When you step away from something you love, it leaves a void, an emptiness. You can question whether anyone cares. Doubt has colored your self assessment. But this is a wrong way of thinking.

You eventually come to the realization that it doesn't really matter what people think. You did what seemed wise and best according to the circumstances. You sought God's help and leading and then pursued the next best thing.

WHAT'S NEXT

You know, it is not wrong to miss what used to be. You gave a lot of yourself, you sweat the hard stuff, you gave and gave, you cared and helped. Those were all good things, and they mattered. But now life is different. Nothing ever stays the same. You have to work at what is now your new normal. This is right thinking.

We all have a responsibility to fulfill our calling, whatever that may be. Situations that stretch us serve as a function to keep us on track. In our humanness it can seem like too much for us to handle. I look back and see how it has a domino effect; one thing leads to another. Each new hill to climb brings its own perspective, an expanding outlook, a greater understanding. We as people are ever-growing, ever-learning, ever-evolving. That is the way it should be.

Be at peace.

WHAT YOU'RE GOOD AT

 

WE KNOW A LOT

 

But Should We Use It?

 

On October 31, 2019 Tamela Hancock of the Steve Laube organization wrote an interesting blog post. She asked us what we could write about, what we are qualified to write about. It was a good question and my random thoughts quickly coalesced.  I've had a lot of varied experiences in my life. I have trained in many pursuits. Yes, I could write about many things though I am not an expert in any of them.

I wrote a response in the comments section. You see, it is kind of fun to play around with the ideas of what you know and how it could be helpful to someone else. I will share some of that with you here.

 

What books are in you? i.e. What books are in me?

Many writings float around in my subconscious and tickle my fancy every so often. I don't give them much heed, but it is invigorating to think about. Maybe I do have something to say that's worth saying in areas I've not yet promoted or presented. Here goes. . .

FARMING-I could write about farming as an analogy to spirituality from my years of farming and my country roots. I spent twenty years as a walnut farmer and that's no walk in the park.

TEACHING-I could write about the compassionate side to teaching, the many ways in which children are reached through novel methods and caring individuals from my years of teaching and as a reading specialist. Children respond to outward and inward stimuli; a thought worth exploring.

CAREGIVING-I might write about the caregiving role of adult children with their aging parents and the major earthquake it takes to make things happen when denial causes resistance. My observation skills and experiences say you persevere on through because you care and you must.

LEADING-I would truly enjoy writing about leading women in the deeper, freeing, spiritual walk, walking them though the areas of hurt and bondage to freedom and grace. This is heartfelt and from my years of experience both personally and in leadership.

MENTORING-I could write about my one-on-one experiences in mentoring grown women. There are ways to do this well, and cautions to avoid in doing it sloppily, that kill the effort. For me, this is one of the most rewarding ventures I have ever done. It is still unfolding and teaching me.

MISCELLANY-And there are several others because of my creative bent: Thematic Teaching, Artistry, Parenting, Visuals, Program Development, Creative Teaching and so on.

Expert knowledge versus experiential knowledge could be where the rub comes in. I think it is worth thinking about the many possibilities. Some day they just may be opportunities.

Maybe you're not an author. Maybe this doesn't interest you. That is not the point. What do you have in you that you could share with others? Think about that. You have learned and developed certain traits and skills and interests that might assist someone else. What do you have to offer?

THIS N THAT

MONTANA

PAUSE & CONSIDER no. 10

 

Random Thoughts on a Busy Week

 

BREAKDOWN
My son's pickup broke down in Ekalaka Montana. Population 400. Great people. Helped him out. Gave him a place to stay. Fixed the truck. Back on the road today. Small town America still has the home touch. Thank you.

YOUNG MARRIEDS
I met a group of singles and young parents last night. They're studying the bible together. I loved listening to their comments as the banter went back and forth. I appreciate their sincerity as they build together a spiritual foundation for living in a broken world. Beautiful connection.

LIES
The truth will set us free. We as a society must uproot the lies that sabotage what is right--like errant weeds in a vegetable patch--to lay claim to the truth that stands supreme above all else.

LIGHT
Come out of the darkness into the light. The light of the world is Jesus.

BEAUTY
Do you want beauty that lasts? Any woman can be beautiful her whole life. The inner self shines to the outer self. I Peter 3:3-4 says it well, "Your beauty . . . should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." The essence of beauty originates from within.

REMEMBERING THE CAMP FIRE

My friend took this photo as they were escaping Paradise that fateful day.

Today marks the one year anniversary of the Paradise Camp Fire; a day I'll never forget. Dad and I looked out his kitchen window in Capay at 8:30 am and saw a huge black plume rising in the eastern sky. It looked ominous.

We turned on the TV news. No way! Unthinkable. But it was true. Paradise was burning.

Later in the day I drove from my father's home across the Sacramento River to Chico (just west of Paradise) to get my computer, pictures, important papers, and run a medical errand for my dad. The atmosphere was truly eerie and scary, like something apocalyptic.

Long lines at the gas pumps; cars literally bumper to bumper coming down the hill from Forest Ranch; fire trucks rolling through town, everywhere; 15 EMT units parked in a row by the Twin Oaks care facility with more joining by the minute, darkness everywhere; I watched a plane fly into the black cloud and prayed for those manning it; I saw traffic crawling at 3 mph heading west out of town on hwy 32; I worried about my daughter's safety, friends' safety, Chico's safety...

As the day unfolded on into the evening, the news media carried the stories, unveiling their horror. We were hearing the terrible terrifying stories of people escaping through the inferno with fire blazing on every side; evacuating the hospital and schools; cars full of children wondering if it was their day to meet Jesus; and the elderly being assisted, unable to manage on their own.

A town wiped out in a day by unstoppable winds and a greedy all-consuming fire. Unbelievable.

For the next few months the town of Chico became a center for the misplaced. The local community and neighboring communities came together to help. Donations came in from everywhere.

But the trauma left its mark on those impacted by the experience and loss. I, also, do not feel as secure as I used to. Redding, then Paradise, too close, too devastating. So on this one year anniversary, I say thanks to all who helped in some capacity. And I thank God for every person who escaped the fire with their life. Indeed.