All tagged the plank-eyed girl
My view from "The Chair" this morning - John 12:24. From my fleshly view, death seems so final. It seems like the end, but maybe I’ve been wrong. Here is what I am discovering, it is most likely just the beginning! One of my words for 2018 was “Death”. Yes, you read that right, “Death”. I was NOT happy with that word and honestly we had a BIG wrestling match over it.
I LOVE that I have a job where I get love notes like this from students! This particular one was written by a new second grader that I had not met yet. What a joy it was to finally hug this kiddo and welcome them to my library. I hung this note up and as I have read and reread it these last few weeks, I have been struck by His anticipation of our meeting and him being able to enjoy the books I have carefully chosen for the library.
Anticipation is the feeling of confident excitement for something that is going to happen. It can also be the act of preparing for something important. I think this kiddo’s letter is such a pure, unblemished example of both types.
I’ve always known these words were here. In fact, I believe I’ve even taught them a few times. Powerful. Straight-forward. These are not difficult to understand in any language. But what does one do when you have done these things to a good friend and need forgiveness? I’d like to say that at the moment of that realization I stopped and ran to this friend seeking forgiveness, but I would be lying to you. Anyone who knows me super well knows that I have a HUGE character flaw. I can be a bit “Peterish” (reactionary). You know, the disciple that cut off the guards ear with Jesus standing right there. I’m a titch reactionary. I’m working on this, but boy is it a messy process. I’m also having to learn some really hard lessons.
My View From “The Chair” this morning - Exodus 35:10. I LOVE that God uses artists and those that want to be artists in His Kingdom. Yesterday, I had the privilege of water coloring with these wonderful ten-year-olds. Their pictures weren’t perfect, but they took great joy and enjoyment in the process. I had forgotten just how much fun it was. I had forgotten that it was okay for it not to turn out like you expected. I had forgotten just how beautiful even the mistakes are and how you can turn them into something else.
This morning I sat looking at my hands. All that I have in them is my love for words, music, storytelling and art. These seem like such ordinary, everyday things to me. As I read and reread this verse, the Lord continued to say, “Yes, those things! I want to use those things to bring my heart to the tired, broken, and hurting people.”
My view from “The Chair” this morning - John 6:9. I have a secret! As I read this passage over and over and over I realized something that is literally life changing and I believe we have missed over and over. Want to know what it is? It’s so simple it’s easy to miss. When this boy willingly handed his lunch to Jesus, he surrendered his rights and agenda with his ordinary lunch that was in his hands to Jesus. His thoughts went from self-absorbtion (I have food and they don’t. This is going to taste so good!) to outward focused (how Jesus was going to use my simple ordinary lunch to feed everyone). In other words, he surrendered the lunch that his mom had packed him and allowed Jesus to use it for His kingdom purposes. The bread wasn’t gourmet seed bread and the fish wasn’t delicious sushi. His lunch was “Ordinary”. It was his “normal” lunch. Yet, his act of surrendering what was in his hands changed EVERYTHING!
Ever have one of those mornings where you just want to be incognito? Yesterday was one of those mornings. My "self-talk" was not good and I was battling the doubts that anything I wrote would even be read, let alone make a difference in anyone's life. However, I also knew that this was not true and I just needed to push through and do it. I knew if I stayed home, I would find all kinds of things to do except put my butt in a chair and write. So, I slipped into my comfortable old yoga pants and scooted over to my local coffee shop. I selected a table all the way in the back corner and proceeded to get all set up. Moments into settling down, I become aware of a person standing on the other side of the table looking at me. Slowly I raised my eyes to meet hers. Then, she simply said, "I think we're Facebook friends, but I've never actually met you. I follow your writing." We chatted for a few minutes and as she left to meet someone else, I couldn't help but think God was giggling. That was the third time in just two days I've met new people who follow this webpage and are connected with me on social media. God used this encounter to poke me and help me keep going. He let me know that I just needed to keep doing what I find as "ordinary" and He will take care of the rest.
My view from "The Chair" this morning - Exodus 4:2. Usually, my eyes glide over simple things as I'm reading, but this morning my eyes and heart have become fixated on this verse and all the implications of it. God asks a simple question of Moses, "What's in your hand?" If I had to guess, I would think Moses was thinking to himself, "A stick, really. All this shepherd's staff really is, is a glorified stick of wood." I know that's what I would've been thinking. Yet, God gives him precise directions that involve the stick. God chooses to use the menial stick in Moses's hand to demonstrate His power. Know what though?
My View from "The Chair" this morning - Psalm 143:8. Laying in bed this morning, my eyes fell across this scripture. Closing my eyes, I pondered the simplicity of this. Listen. Trust. Walk. Sounds easy. Sounds doable. Then, as if someone had given my brain a jolt of an energy drink, my consciousness woke up and sent a hurricane of convoluted thoughts and doubts exploding across my mind. This left me just wanting to pull the covers up and disappear back into sleepland. Does this ever happen to anyone else? The battle was intense.
My view from "The Chair" this morning. Prov 5:25. I don't know about you, but I can be like a squirrel on steroids, zipping this way and that. Looking at what God and others are doing and wishing it was me. Am I the only one that does this? Here's what I've realized - whatever I'm looking at is what I move towards.
My view from "The Chair" this morning. Prov 5:25. I don't know about you, but I can be like a squirrel on steroids, zipping this way and that. Looking at what God and others are doing and wishing it was me. Am I the only one that does this? Here's what I've realized - whatever I'm looking at is what I move towards.
The View From My Chair this morning - Psalm 119:18. I am learning the power of my spoken words. Anyone else learning this? I can think lots of crazy, wonderful, and intentional thoughts but truly they are like dormant seeds until I speak them outloud. Please don't get me wrong, my mind (and yours) is fertile soil and whatever thoughts we allow there get planted. However, something happens when I let a thought get into the vehicle of my mouth and it exits my being for the world to hear. I want the seeds that end up planted in my mind to come from the truth of His words. Can I confess?
My View From "The Chair" this morning - John 12:24. Green houses are literally 50 shades of wonderful! If you've never been inside a backyard one, you should really put it on your bucket list. Greenhouses allow us to plant things when it is still below freezing and down right nasty out. Last summer my Mister toiled in the hot sun to put up our greenhouse. I have to admit, I was enamored with it and wanted to use it as my personal "Studio" for writing. He thought we should use it to grow plants. I found it simply deliciousful to be in there, all dry and protected from the elements and safely tucked away from people. The symphony of rain drumming against the roof along with the intermittent crescendos of howling gusts of wind could make any racing mind forget their troubles.
My View From "The Chair" The Morning - Proverbs 23:5. Have you ever had the chance to observe how fast an eagle flies? It is majestic and so incredibly quick. It seems like just a few flaps of it's wings and it's out of sight. As I stopped to ponder this verse this morning and the shortness of my life on this planet, I am convinced that all my I "wealth" and "stuff" is pointless if only used for my own pleasure. If I belong to God, that would also mean, all my "wealth" and resources are no longer mine. I now move from "Owner" to "Steward" of my earthly possessions and money. Guess what? That makes me free!!!!!!
My View From "The Chair" this morning - Romans 10:15. I think I'm going to start the a group called, "The Pink Shoe Brigade"! Anyone want to grab a pair and join me? I LOVE this verse and here's why - WE, yes...you and I, are the "Sent Ones"! We are called to go love outrageously; live generously; and demonstrate prolifically what it looks to lavishly pour out Jesus on this world. Who's in? This is going to be a wild ride. If you would like to join me on this adventure, post a picture of your feet with pink shoes (any shade and kind work) or just your bare feet and I will get back to you. Until We Chat Again, Crystal - The Plank-Eyed Girl
My View From "The Chair" - Exodus 14:13,14. Recently, okay two nights ago at 11:30 pm, I received a text from "The Precious One" saying that they were being told to slit their wrists and die. There was lots of intense drama going on where they were at. It felt like I was facing some super impossible circumstances. It felt like someone was going to loose it and murder the other one. I was starting to play the "What if" game in my head. Fear was knocking on the door of my mind and running around sticking it's ugly face in the windows of my heart. It would've been so easy to give in and allow the paralyzing fear and angst to wash over me.
My view from "The Chair" this morning - Matthew 7:12. Easy words to read. Not always easy words to live by. I always want mercy, grace, love, and generosity extended to me, especially in times of need. However, I hate to admit it, but more often than I would like to admit to, I find myself wanting to judge; be upset; or even stingy when looking at others and the situations they find themselves in. This morning I am asking the Lord to help this verse be my first filter when looking at situations or people. These beautiful, hand knit socks were an unexpected gift of hope
The view from "My Chair" this morning - Psalm 138:7,8. Have your thoughts every become hijacked and stuck on someone or something? Sometimes my thoughts feel like there is no "Off-Switch" when they wander over to certain people or things. I feel like a hummingbird circling my favorite flower. Friends, this is how God thinks about each one of us EVERY DAY! His loving thoughts about YOU are more numerous than all the grains of sand on this planet. Let that sink in for just a minute. This is difficult for my finite mind to truly grasp. because I reside on a planet where relationships are often "disposable" when they are no longer useful. He will NEVER dispose of us.
My View From "The Chair" this morning - Matthew 6:26,27. Look at this sweet little bird. He is looks well cared for. You know, they don't store up food. Everyday the Lord provides for them. He made them and He takes care of them. This is the same for us. He hand-crafted each of us. He knows every freckle, crease, and mole. He is intimately acquainted with our design and has comprehensive knowledge of all of our needs. It stands to reason that since He takes such fabulous care of the birds, He will also take amazing care of us since we are His workmanship, created by Him and for His pleasure. So, why spend your energy worrying about your needs?
The view from "My Chair" this morning - Hebrews 4:16. When I am comfortable with who I am to the person I am speaking to, I tend to communicate with ease, assurance, and open heartedness. When I am solid in my relationship with that person, I feel free to ask for what I need. This is true for all my human relationships, as well as my relationship with my Father. Because I know that I am His beloved daughter and He loves me far more that I could ever comprehend, I can be assured that when I am in need, He will always be right there full of His mercy and grace to help me. Ponder this with me today -
