Tenderness in Transitions

Life has been full at my house this summer with life transitions facing us in all corners.  We've "seen it all" in some respects from coordinating care for aging parents, "middle-aged" health issues of our own and parenting a severely handicapped teenager to sending our second off to college.

I won't pretend this has been an easy season but some of the things that have been challenging about it have surprised me.  For example, Larry and I have struggled being stuck feeling sorry for ourselves because we won't get to experience the flexibility, spontaneity and other benefits that many other "empty nesters" have.  Even though Carly doesn't graduate from high school for another 3 years, our lifestyle won't change as much then as it is now because she will always be completely dependent on us to ensure she's well cared for.  (For readers who don't know, Carly has Angelman Syndrome.)  So the changes we are experiencing this year as our second youngest moves on to college may well be the most significant parenting-related life change we'll have until grandchildren.

Now please don't get me wrong.  We are absolutely DELIGHTED!  We have had such a blast being parents.  We've thoroughly enjoyed every stage, are really excited for our adult daughters and are now having a lot of fun watching their independent lives unfold.  And I'm not afraid to admit I'm looking forward to some "simplicity" at home with fewer mouths to feed, fewer calendars to juggle, less laundry — and even a different kind of quiet.  It's just that it won't even be as easy to run to the restroom or Target when I can't call to one of the girls, "can you please keep an eye on your sister for a minute?"

I'm used to looking for the silver lining in tough circumstances.  I wouldn't say it comes naturally to me to be optimistic but it is a learned skill I am grateful God has been developing in me.  Nonetheless, I've spent a lot of time this summer hiding myself away in the bedroom or on the deck writing in my prayer journal, singing and crying out to God asking Him to move me out of this woe-is-me place that I am so sick of!  

It's been one of those seasons like I experienced when Carly was a few years old and we began to worry that we were wearing out friends and family with our consuming, high-maintenance life.  I became afraid to pick up the phone, meet a friend for lunch or ask someone to pray because I was so wrapped up in my own head that I didn't want to inflict anyone else with it.  Larry and I have to be — GET to be— in this for the long haul but I don't expect others to stick around.  We are humbled and overwhelmed when some do but we don't expect it.  I will say that I believe Jesus would want His people to stick around for each other when life is hard (even if hard lasts a lifetime) but reality often veers from God's good design.

Well, now my dining room is full to the brim with boxes and the U-haul is rented.  We'll head out to make the first dorm delivery in just a few days and I'm relieved to report that I'm feeling tearful but experiencing a sweetness with Jesus that is such a blessing.  I sense him so tenderly allowing me to simultaneously experience weeping and smiling. I've sense Him insisting that I sit with Him in my aching and let Him breathe something new into me.  My mind and body are not easy to slow down.  I tend to hurry through those melancholy conversations with Jesus and spend more time in let's-getter-done mode.  So it's been a gift to be still, soak in His nearness and allow God's Kingdom perspective to move me out of my concerns about the future.

In the background while I write, Clay Crosse's new song "Good Morning Lord" is playing in the background and I'm moved again to tears.  (God has brought Clay Crosse's new CD Rededication to me in His always timely fashion.)  Another tender touch from heaven.

God has also allowed me to see and hear so many special treasures to re-assure me that His loving tenderness has been planted all around me and will continue bearing fruit for years and years to come.  One such moment occurred a few weeks ago as my daughter Erin and I were throwing our last items into suitcases before heading to the airport.  We were going to be attending her college orientation for two days and our oldest, Alex, had offered to stay home caring for Carly. 

While helping Carly dress, Alex explained, "Yup, Erin is getting ready to visit her new school. She's going to be moving to Nashville at the end of the summer.  She'll be a long way away." Carly had been whining but settled into listening with a rather stern look on her face.  She doesn't like to see people around the house packing.

Then I heard the part that made my heart swell — with pride, with love, with a little laughter — at Alex's tenderness and cleverness.  She said, "That so lame. Should we just skip it? Naw! We have to be grown-ups."

What a beautiful picture of Jesus' tenderness towards us when change is hard.  He lets us whine and vent to Him but invites us to hunker into the comfort and empowerment of His teaching and wisdom.  He sets our mind and heart on the bigger picture of things that matter most.  

Things like the profound gift of sisters who love each other very much.

Colossians 3:1-4 and 15-17  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Remembering the Shekinah Glory Story

This fall marks five years since Carly's story was published. But Finding Glory in the Thorns is really more than Carly's story. It was one of the ways Larry and I felt prompted to put God's power and presence on display — in our own hearts and lives as well as the hearts and lives of others God allowed us to intersect with during a remarkable experience of community.  Those tumultuous early years of Carly's life with Angelman Syndrome were an incubator for us to soak up encouragement, prayers and practical help while learning profound things about how the loving presence of Jesus is expressed around us today by the power of the Holy Spirit in His people.  

When we see the word "glory" appear in the Bible, sometimes it is referring to the fame or renown of God.  Other times, the original Hebrew word is Shekinah and refers to the actual manifest presence of God. For example, the Divine presence dwelled among the people within the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night as the Israelites were led by God out of Egypt (Exodus 13:21). God met with the priests in the Tabernacle by manifesting His Divine presence when He hovered over the ark of the covenant beneath the wings of the cherubim (Exodus 25:22).  There are many more examples (look them up some time for a richly encouraging reflection on some ways God has revealed Himself to His people over the years).  Best of all, after Jesus' resurrection, we were given the gift of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 1:3) and with that came the opportunity to experience God's eternal indwelling presence (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:19-22).  Have no doubt, my friends, about the reality of God's power and nearness!  

Over the years, Glory Stories have been a centerpiece of Walk Right In Ministries.  Glory Stories are one awesome way God reassures each of us that we are never alone, how He shows us His Kingdom purposes and how He spurs us on when life gets bumpy.  We are privileged to see that the original Finding Glory in the Thorns (also an eBook now) continues to inspire people to encounter the glory of God in their own challenges.  Participants using the Finding Glory small group curriculum have been spurring one another on towards adventure with Christ throughout the US and in Canada.  The Walking Partners model promotes the sharing of Glory Stories as part of a lifestyle that helps us point one another to Christ.  And Wednesdays have become a day on our blog for featuring Glory Stories from folks around the world just like you and me — people recognizing that there is a beautiful power released from God when His activity within us and around us is spotlighted and declared. 

God is alive!  He cares about you. He is near to you.  And His power will never be subdued.  We have the authority, comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit and our adventures can be fully embraced when we allow Him to join us in them!

Please consider sharing a Glory Story with us.  And be encouraged to make talking about the power and presence of God your lifestyle!

Pastor Jon's Birthday Glory Story

The worship pastor at my church is regularly used by God to teach and inspire me.  Beyond his gifted and anointed leadership in music and prayer, Pastor Jon Russel’s passion burns to help us encounter Jesus and experience the intimacy of His presence.  As a member of the worship and prayer teams, I also get to read his occasional personal notes of reflection to all of us serving in those areas.  When Pastor Jon posted last week, I felt affirmed and stretched in some areas where I’ve been struggling lately. I also felt strongly prompted to share His insightful and encouraging note with our blog readers.  So with his permission, I share Pastor Jon’s Glory Story below.  I would love to hear from you about how God used this man’s experience of the power and presence of God to inspire you also.

I turned 50 a week ago! I didn’t think it would hit me quite like it did, but I can say that I have more hope and more anticipation for the future than I thought I would at this point in my life. 

One of my favorite parts of the Bible is in the book of Acts. The Holy Spirit came like a mighty rushing wind.  There was lot’s of cool Holy Spirit stuff and Peter stands up and reminds the crowd of Joel’s prophecy… 

"'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17 

We’re in  “the last days” and as I read that verse, I realize that I now fit into every one of those categories! I’m a son, so I prophesy. I’m still a young man, so I see visions. But now that I can apply for an AARP card, I dream dreams!!! That’s what I want to talk briefly to you about. 

Today in the evangelical church, I don’t believe that we have enough white-haired (or no-haired) men that understand their Kingdom relevance of being dreamers. For some reason, it seems, they’ve become more obligated to the function of the church as an organization than to their fascination with God. Don’t get me wrong, the former is good, but the latter is ultimate. When we begin losing our fascination with the presence of God, we start living our lives looking back. Any time your memories are more powerful than your dreams, you sabotage your future and, look out, the next generation’s future. When fear creeps in and says, “you’re too old and irrelevant” we can become people who will do or say anything to protect what we have or what we’ve had. The “new” becomes a threat as opposed to an adventure to be enjoyed with sons and daughters. 

In the late 1800’s there was a fiery Methodist preacher named Milton Wright. On one particular Sunday, Bishop Wright stood in the pulpit and proclaimed, “If God had intended man to fly, He’d have given him wings.” Sitting in one of the pews that Sunday were two of Milton Wright’s sons — Orville and Wilbur. What one generation was proposing as restrictions, regulations, rules and limitations, another generation was hearing as possibilities. Now, to be fair to Bishop Wright, he did become one of Orville and Wilbur’s biggest supporters and encouragers. At age 81, Milton went for a ride with Orville in a Wright Model B and thought Orville was flying a bit too conservatively. He could be heard shouting over the noise of the engine, “higher, Orville, higher!!” 

I’m a dreamer – always have been. And I never want to get in the way of, or stifle the next generation of dreamers. Nor do I want to be a bystander. In fact, they’re going to have to run fast to catch me ‘cause I’m about to catch my second wind and outrun them all! I hope you get my drift. But I do have a heart to put the next generation on my shoulders and exclaim, "Higher! Go higher!"

Hopefully you’ll see that this note isn’t just for the “old men.” It’s time for all the dreamers to come alive.  It’s time to rise up out of the conformity and be the ones dreaming dreams of the possibilities of God for the future generations!

Thank you, Pastor Jon Russel of Plymouth Covenant Church for sharing.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, young man!