My idea of mission before I came to Houston, Texas to join with Mission Year was very much centered on what I was going to do for God to further the Kingdom. I was convinced that my team and I were going to change the neighborhood for the better and that God was going to show Himself in great and powerful ways. The longer I stay in Houston, the more my concept of mission is changing. I am coming to realize that it is not about how I am going to change anyone or anything, but rather how God is going to change me so that I can be a greater tool in His mission for change. God is the real missionary and I am simply along for the ride. It is my job to be still and look for Him in the moments of chaos, the moments of business, the moments of calm, and the moments of turmoil.
God is moving, and I am learning to look for Him in the everyday, in the routine. God is in the face of the neighbor who joyously hands me a bunch of bananas even though I have nothing to offer in return but my thanks. God is the concern of the stranger as they ask to see if I am okay since I am in a neighborhood not often traveled by young white women. God is in the moments with co-workers and clients at work as we exchange words of hope and encouragement or share in moments of laughter. God is there in the moments of tears and pain shared with housemates. God is there in the embrace of a friend.
There are moments in the everyday, opportunities to show others the love of God in simple and realistic ways. This may be in stopping to have a conversation with the man on the corner looking for work, or offering a smile to the people who pass by me as I wait for the bus. Showing love and letting people know that they have been seen has become my new mission. It is not my job to change people. God is the only one capable of bringing that about, but what I can do is be with people and love them. I can extend a listening ear and a look of recognition. I can offer a smile and conversation. As I am faithful in reaching out beyond myself, God will plant the seeds and water them in His timing.
God is always moving, whether in Houston, Texas or in the Netherlands. God has a mission and I want to be a part of it.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Sweet Memories
Night came
pajamas
brush teeth
jump in bed
snuggle in
then you came
pulled the covers up
spoke a prayer over me
for my dreams
for my future
a soft and prickly kiss on my lips
(or forehead as I got older)
then lights out
eyes close
dreams began
until the next night came
pajamas
brush teeth
jump in bed
snuggle in
then you came
pulled the covers up
spoke a prayer over me
for my dreams
for my future
a soft and prickly kiss on my lips
(or forehead as I got older)
then lights out
eyes close
dreams began
until the next night came
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is approaching quickly, and so I feel it is only right to post a list of the many things for which I am thankful.
-God, who often surprises me in the little things He does
-My friends who continue to love me an pray for me even though physical distance is far, they remind me that I am still important to them.
-New friends who bless me and remind me that I do have a purpose for being here in Texas at such a time as this
-My small group which gives me the opportunity to connect with other believers and exercise my voice
-My family who love me enough to support me in this new adventure
-Surprise packages
-Leaves that crunch under my feet (even if I don't get to see brightly colored autumn leaves of Ohio)
-That I am never to old to learn something new
-That God is not done with me yet
-Being able to provide GED tutoring in math
-Cooler weather (it is in the 70's finally and I am hoping it stays there or goes lower) :-)
-Good books to read
-Paint
-Continuing to discover new things about myself
-Great co-workers
-Meeting neighbors
-Granny Short
-My Guitar
-New music to listen to
-Letters in the mail
-Hot tea
-Fuzzy blankets to snuggle with
-Popcorn
-Transportation
-My morning bus driver (who is always smiling)
-The view of the city on the way to work
-Quiet mornings
-Gourds
-Pumpkin painting
-Fall crafts
-Hoodies
-Being challenged to grow
I am grateful for these and so much more. I am looking forward to what the future brings and more reasons to be thankful as the year comes to a close and a new one begins.
-God, who often surprises me in the little things He does
-My friends who continue to love me an pray for me even though physical distance is far, they remind me that I am still important to them.
-New friends who bless me and remind me that I do have a purpose for being here in Texas at such a time as this
-My small group which gives me the opportunity to connect with other believers and exercise my voice
-My family who love me enough to support me in this new adventure
-Surprise packages
-Leaves that crunch under my feet (even if I don't get to see brightly colored autumn leaves of Ohio)
-That I am never to old to learn something new
-That God is not done with me yet
-Being able to provide GED tutoring in math
-Cooler weather (it is in the 70's finally and I am hoping it stays there or goes lower) :-)
-Good books to read
-Paint
-Continuing to discover new things about myself
-Great co-workers
-Meeting neighbors
-Granny Short
-My Guitar
-New music to listen to
-Letters in the mail
-Hot tea
-Fuzzy blankets to snuggle with
-Popcorn
-Transportation
-My morning bus driver (who is always smiling)
-The view of the city on the way to work
-Quiet mornings
-Gourds
-Pumpkin painting
-Fall crafts
-Hoodies
-Being challenged to grow
I am grateful for these and so much more. I am looking forward to what the future brings and more reasons to be thankful as the year comes to a close and a new one begins.
Two Questions
These two questions keep echoing in my
soul
Who has power forgotten?
Who is religion oppressing?
The answer:
The convict
Minorities
The poor
The LGBTQ community
So often I search for the
easy answer
The neat package
The ‘safest’ route
But this is not what Jesus taught
Rather than easy, Jesus chose difficulty
Rather than neat, Jesus chose
the lepers,
prostitutes, and tax collectors
Rather than safety, Jesus
chose the
cross
Why should I think
that my path would be any different?
Jesus
The ultimate example
‘Let the one without sin cast the first stone’
Judgment is not mine to
bestow
I am called to love
The
convict
The minorities
The poor
The LGBT community
And more
Who has power forgotten?
Who is religion oppressing?
It is anyone who is not being shown love
Love is patient and kind
It does not boast and is not proud
Love is not rude and keeps no record of wrongs
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes and always perseveres
Healing Begins
The newness of everything
reveals the hidden parts of me
insecurities
buried emotions
past memories
they push forward
threatening to be seen
tears form
They must be stopped!
NOW IS NOT THE TIME!
...
But when is the time?
these emotions
these feelings must be heard!
Stillness
A quiet embrace
A sweet melody in my ear
The damn breaks
Water rushes
Healing wounds
Refreshing the weary
and comforting the broken
reveals the hidden parts of me
insecurities
buried emotions
past memories
they push forward
threatening to be seen
tears form
They must be stopped!
NOW IS NOT THE TIME!
...
But when is the time?
these emotions
these feelings must be heard!
Stillness
A quiet embrace
A sweet melody in my ear
The damn breaks
Water rushes
Healing wounds
Refreshing the weary
and comforting the broken
Speak
Speak to be heard
call out
give voice to
break the silence
declare
assert
vocalize
articulate sound with an ordinary voice
An ordinary voice?
Could it be that this is all that is needed?
My voice seems ordinary
Should I not strive for extraordinary?
But God called me in my weakness
before wisdom
before gaining influence
Therefore, speak out!
Raise your voice!
Speak forth God's wisdom
Ordinary speech can
be powerful,
bring renewed hope,
Call forth new life
Speak to be heard
Speak to be known
call out
give voice to
break the silence
declare
assert
vocalize
articulate sound with an ordinary voice
An ordinary voice?
Could it be that this is all that is needed?
My voice seems ordinary
Should I not strive for extraordinary?
But God called me in my weakness
before wisdom
before gaining influence
Therefore, speak out!
Raise your voice!
Speak forth God's wisdom
Ordinary speech can
be powerful,
bring renewed hope,
Call forth new life
Speak to be heard
Speak to be known
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Be Still
I hear Silence beckoning me to be still
My mind keeps racing, telling me to stay active
Yet Silence persists
Be still
To be still goes against my normal bent
What will Silence expose?
What truth will it bring forth?
Be still
Anxiety says, "You're forgetting something"
What could it hurt to try?
Be still
I hear my heart beating faster as Anxiety persists
Lean back and rest secure in me
Be still
I pray
My heartbeat slows
What is the reason for this Anxiety within the silence?
Be still
Silence is unpredictable
Silence is broken in
angry words
shouting matches
Silence
Silence is never peace
Silence speaks tension
Silence speaks discontent
Silence brings anxiety in anticipation of the next broken silence
Be still the Silence beckons
Experience the peace
Feel the love and acceptance
Be still
My mind keeps racing, telling me to stay active
Yet Silence persists
Be still
To be still goes against my normal bent
What will Silence expose?
What truth will it bring forth?
Be still
Anxiety says, "You're forgetting something"
What could it hurt to try?
Be still
I hear my heart beating faster as Anxiety persists
Lean back and rest secure in me
Be still
I pray
My heartbeat slows
What is the reason for this Anxiety within the silence?
Be still
Silence is unpredictable
Silence is broken in
angry words
shouting matches
Silence
Silence is never peace
Silence speaks tension
Silence speaks discontent
Silence brings anxiety in anticipation of the next broken silence
Be still the Silence beckons
Experience the peace
Feel the love and acceptance
Be still
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