A Memorable Monday

Monday began at thirty thousand feet above the midnight outline of Africa, heading due north.

At fifteen years old, our daughter, Elisabeth, found herself leaving behind a rich experience with precious children she would always hold close to her heart. She spent four weeks at Dayspring Children's Village near Mageliesburg, South Africa, a school for disadvantaged children. She worked with first graders during most the school day, listening to them read and guiding them through their paces. She taught piano basics to all who showed an interest and helped the older students with their writing skills. She assisted teachers by making charts, accompanying the little ones on a field trip, and playing the piano for music classes. Every day found her busy and involved.

Her world expanded to include first-hand connections with hurting kids: orphans, those with abusive home situations, those who would have little hope without the influence of a school like Dayspring. She took a close-up look at the many faces of Africa. She saw poverty manifested in tin shacks, small crowded homes, and those selling their wares on street corners. She experienced bustling highways and an upscale shopping mall. She enjoyed two game parks, offering opportunities to see zebras, lions, hippos, giraffes, and more. She observed three separate church settings with vastly different worship styles, all directed to the same great God. She felt the support of the entire Dayspring family as they gathered in a circle to thank her for coming and to pray for her - out loud all at once for quite a long time.

 A memorable story!
As Monday's dawn began to break, the plane pointed its nose toward Paris. Here Elisabeth (and one of her former teachers who has made the trip to Dayspring many times) decided to take advantage of an all-day layover. They took a double decker tour bus to see the sights: the Eiffel Tower, the Arc of Triumph, Notre Dame, etc.

In the late afternoon, they boarded the plane once more, this time headed for Philadelphia. Somewhere, as they flew west, night fell behind them and six hours added themselves to this memorable Monday. By 8:15 p.m. EST, we had our very-much-missed daughter with us again, heading north on the PA Turnpike and hearing stories all the way home!

A day with lots of shared memories, gratefulness for God's safe-keeping, and an appreciation for our brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world, especially at a little school among the dry waving grasses of South Africa: Dayspring Children's Village!

On Family: It Seems To Me . . .

. . . that family is important. Parents, children, grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws all shape our lives directly and indirectly. We belong to each other—and we need each other.

Thirty-four years ago my husband and I spoke our vows surrounded by flowers and a community of family and friends. In time three wonderful daughters entered our household. Two young men have also joined the Phillips family in recent years. And a year ago last November we welcomed an adorable grandbaby named Ty. When my parents join us, we have ten around the table (plus Eva, the dog!). I savor the times when we’re “all together.”

And boy, are we different!

Different personalities, skill sets, opinions, political views, preferences, tastes, incomes, spending habits, etc. . . . I love it that we’re a diverse unit—often reflected in our conversations over coffee and dessert. Sometimes we laugh with (and at) each other; it just can’t be helped!

What makes a family work? How can we nurture a feeling of belonging in the midst of diversity?

Three words come to mind. I think about them often and hope and pray they will consistently characterize our family:

Grace      Acceptance     Respect

I want our home to be a safe place for every family member when they walk through the door. No one is exempt from making mistakes; we all need grace. We may not all agree, but we still need to feel accepted. We hold to a variety of values and beliefs, yet we all need to sense respect. It all works for the best when each of us gives grace, acceptance, and respect in the same way we would like to receive it.

It seems to me . . . that family is important. My husband and I are blessed. Our “kids” (all seven of them now) mean everything to us. Our family’s storyline isn’t perfect but, near or far, we belong to each other. Isn’t that what family is about?

Vacation . . . More Than a Good Time?

Nearly thirty hours and 1900 miles on the road this past week . . . vacation, they call it. A break in the story. A digression from the plot.

Barry, Elisabeth, and I navigated our way to Covington, KY where we stepped back in time to witness the first eleven chapters of Genesis at the Creation Museum. We learned how the Flood has impacted the world of today and how the Tower of Babel scattered the population to the ends of the earth. We found ourselves flung into space among the stars of the Milky Way and beyond. We pondered the past, snapped photos, and dodged dinosaurs. Time well spent, we decided.

Next we meandered "up north" to Michigan, the favorite gathering place each summer for Barry's side of the family. Here we found a warm welcome and a pink dusky sky awaiting our arrival. Over twenty adults and children came and went over several days, savoring not only the sun-kissed beach but abundant comfortable laughter and conversation . .  the feeling of belonging, all centered in memories built over a lifetime.


We played together, ate together, worked together. Some hiked the dunes; others poked around the Main Street shops. The brave splashed in the frigid lake water while others preferred a walk on the pier to the lighthouse. On the fourth, we all climbed the hill to see the parade and stayed up late to watch fireworks on the beach. A diverse bunch in every way, yet bonded together by blood . . .  and a commitment to connect, miles notwithstanding.

Late Saturday afternoon we pulled into our driveway, home once again, back to our usual schedules and calling commitments. But we carry the memories with us, memories tucked into our hearts. Perhaps what we call "vacation" is more than a pause in our routines, more than thirty hours and 1900 miles on the road, more than a good time. These experiences add color and texture to our story lines and depth to our souls. Our small worlds suddenly expand with sun and sky, sea and sand. We hear the stories of those we love, and they nudge us to see broader and with deeper awareness and appreciation for all that comes our way. 

And a deeper appreciation for life itself.

"Special Shoes"

Lately, I've been thinking more about my parents' influence on my life story. And for their sacrifices for me over fifty-some years. The words "thank you" seem so inadequate at a time like this . . .

Yet, as inadequate as they appear, I want to express my appreciation to them, perhaps one memory at a time . . .
 
My mom has recently slipped under the umbrella of hospice. I drive up the hill to see her and my dad often these days. As I climb the familiar stairs and crack open the door, my hustle-bustle life slows to a quieter pace. I tip-toe over the mauve carpet to give a gentle hug to Mom's waning frame and predictable smile. My dad and I make up the beds, fold laundry, or finish up the dishes. Then the three of us sit and chat. I treasure every minute.

Today I'm thinking of their sacrifice as brand new parents. Their first baby girl, born with feet that turned in, needed corrective shoes, another expense to an already tight budget . . .

  

Special Shoes

Tossed on an attic shelf
Among unknown volumes and forgotten boxes
Lay, what my mother always called, "special shoes."
Tiny and toeless,
Scuffed and worn,
Shaped like the antennas of an insect.

Chubby baby feet,
Turned in and clubbed
Lovingly buckled in
All day and all night,
Sweaty,
In the long hot summer.

Gratefully,
I look down to see
Those same feet grown,
Straight and free.

They kept those shoes for years and passed them on to me. A love token to remember. Thank you, Dad and Mom, for taking care of me in this small yet significant way. Because of your sacrifice, I have pleasant memories of running, of hiking, of climbing all those steps inside the Statue of Liberty. Remember the miles we walked while touring Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.? Together we reminisce. Special shoes . . . special times . . . 
 
When it's time to go, I squeeze them both once more and softly close the door behind me . . .  down the familiar stairs, down the hill to the busy traffic below. Sometimes tears flow down my cheeks all the way home. I feel blessed.

Can we ever adequately thank those who have cared for us and made a difference in our life stories? Probably not. But perhaps we can appreciate them one memory at a time.

Trusting God to Write Your Story

A very special group of ladies converged on the campus of Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, PA this weekend. The occasion? The annual Ladies' LYFE (acronym for Living Your Faith Everyday) Conference, complete with four main sessions, twelve different workshops (choose four), a concert, a banquet and program, and some free time to relax and make some new friends. Oh! And a book table. There's always room for one more book in your bag. 

I had the privilege of leading a workshop titled "Trusting God to Write Your Story." Everyone has a life story, after all, a unique, one-of-a-kind story. During our time together, we laid our life stories alongside those of David, the apostle Paul, and Thomas. We studied Psalm 18:30-32 and 138:8 along with Philippians 1:6 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. I shared some of my story. Traci Thompson artfully performed an allegory based on my "conversations" with a loving Heavenly Father who writes our stories with purpose. We learned that God listens to our questions and often gives us glimpses of His much larger story from His Word. 

I have a few more book recommendations by authors who have helped me on my journey:

The Reflective Life: Becoming More Spiritually Sensitive to the Everyday Moments of Life by Ken Gire
The North Face of God: Hope for the Times When God Seems Indifferent by Ken Gire
When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Estes
Hinds' Feet on High Places (Delightfully Illustrated and Arranged for Children) by Hannah Hurnard

I thought perhaps it would be helpful to include a list of the verses quoted in the allegory. I pray they will help you as you trust God to write your story.

Psalm 91:11

Jeremiah 31:3

Job 23:10

1 Peter 1:7

Isaiah 41:10

Philippians 4:7

Hebrews 12:2

Lamentations 3:22, 23

Romans 8:28

Isaiah 55:8, 9

Psalm 46:1

Deuteronomy 33:27

Philippians 4:19

2 Corinthians 9:8

Hebrews 13:16

Ephesians 3:20

Isaiah 43:1

Matthew 20:15

Romans 9:21

Isaiah 45:9

Isaiah 43:2

Book Review: Epic: The Story God is Telling by John Eldredge

"Here's something that's perfect for you." My friend, Leslee, slid a little book across the table. I picked it up, glanced at the title, and smiled. Epic: The Story God is Telling. "You have to read it. It reminds me of your book."

My book . . . On Story. On trusting God to write your story. I just finished rewriting all ten chapters. My writing group, Leslee among them, has hung with me as we've read chapter after chapter, all gathered around my dining room table. Multiple viewpoints and opinions have wonderfully converged and spilled over onto my pages. We critique each other's manuscripts line by line. We've grown in our writing--and in our friendship.

So, I tucked John Eldredge's 104 page volume into my reading pile. Because of Leslee's markings throughout its pages, I felt like I read right along with her. I like this part, too, Les. Hmmm. Great thought. I found myself thinking about what I read. Some of the ideas paralleled the focus in my writings while other themes brought a familiar yet different twist. I found plenty of  premises fresh and new.

Here's a brief summary from the back of the book:

Sure, good things happen, sometimes beautiful things. But tragic things happen too. What does it mean? We find ourselves in the middle of a story that is sometimes wonderful, sometimes awful, usually a confusing mixture of both, and we haven't a clue how to make sense of it all. No wonder we keep losing heart.

We need to know the rest of the story.

For when we were born, we were born into the midst of a great story begun before the dawn of time. A story of adventure, of risk and loss, heroism . . . and betrayal. A story where good is warring against evil, danger lurks around every corner, and glorious deeds wait to be done. Think of all those stories you've ever loved--there's a reason they stirred your heart. They've been trying to tell you about the true Epic ever since you were young.

There is a Larger Story. And you have a crucial role to play.

I couldn't read Epic and then just pass it back to my friend. A few cliques on the Amazon website brought this story-book right to my front door. And now, I'm sliding the same little book across the table to you. Let me know how you enjoy it!

Life is a Journey

This morning, I had the privilege of speaking at a Mother/Daughter Brunch at Faith Baptist Church in Peckville, PA. What a wonderful group of ladies and girls. The theme for the morning? Life is a journey. It is, isn't it? Whenever I think of a journey, I think of a road trip. We pack our map or GPS. We make sure we have snacks, water, sunglasses, phone, a credit card, some cash. We fill the tank with gas, and off we go . . .

Sometimes we enjoy our trips. This time of year we see trees and flowers in full bloom. The grass boasts its greenest green. We pass through quaint villages full of history and stories. Majestic mountains rise up in the distance. The sun warms our souls as we go along.

On our life journeys, we can also find ourselves traveling through God's blessings on every side. We find our relationships blooming. Our jobs adequately meet our needs. We're on the right road leading to a bright future. God gifts us with periods of abundance. "Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from above . . ." (James 1:17).

At other times, though, we suddenly find our road trips a bit more challenging. Thunder rumbles in the distance, the wind kicks up, lightning strikes. Before we know it, we encounter a full-blown storm. Or we meet up with a detour sign, taking us miles out of the way. Or we find ourselves stalled at the side of the road with engine trouble while others zoom by. And then there's all that traffic.

Life journeys include similar "bumps in the road." Our relationships bring stormy conflicts. Much to our dismay, we find ourselves on a detour far from our intended plan. Our bodies break down or our finances go south. We face unexpected limitations. We grieve our losses. 

Jesus said, "In this world you will have tribulations and trials and distress and frustration, but be of good cheer, take courage. I have overcome the world. In me you may have peace and confidence" (John 16:33, The Amplified Bible). 

We’re headed for a glorious destination on this journey called life. 

Every year our family drives fourteen hours to a family reunion in Frankfort, Michigan. It’s long. We get tired and cranky. There are detours, traffic, all the rest. But when we finally arrive and we see the welcoming faces of those we love, and we feel the Lake Michigan breeze, see the sand and the lighthouse, I always think, "The long journey was worth it."

  
Our life journeys include both blessings and trials. We find bumps in the road every day. But someday we will finally see the welcoming face of the Lord Jesus. We can have courage on our life journeys, in our life stories, because . . .

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus….. 

Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ; 

One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase, 

So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

(Esther Kerr Rusthoi, 1909 – 1962)