"Streams of Living Water"

My kids are like fish. They just can’t get enough of the water. Uninhibited, they race past the water’s edge and splash fearlessly in with total disregard to water quality or temperature. I am a bit more cautious. For me, it takes a bit of coaxing.

A few summers back, my husband treated the family to a visit to Calaveras County, California: home to giant sequoias, old gold rush towns, and host of many fond childhood memories. Sean’s family had been vacationing in the small town of Arnold for as long as he could remember. He gleefully shared his stories of carefree days at the lake nestled just around the bend from their cabin. His enthusiasm was quickly deflated when he was told the lake was now for “members only.” Some quick research yielded the directions to White Pines Lake. We packed up the car with children and supplies for a day away from home and headed out for adventure.

After a few wrong turns, we arrived to find the lake and the parking lot deserted. As we made our way past the remnants of last night’s bonfire and a pile of “empties,” I wondered “are you sure this is the lake they recommended for families with children? ” Could this be the right spot?

There was still a chill in the air as the warmth of the sun hadn’t reached past the tops of the tall pines. Yet, the kids were unfazed and took their turn getting slathered in sun screen. They were ready to get wet. I secretly wondered if this was the lake from “Friday the 13th” and if we were Jason’s next unwitting victims.

I kept to the shore, busying myself with our towels and toys, securing our location as a few more families arrived. “Mommy, come play with me,” my son, Charlie, pleaded. It was time to step in. I wanted to be part of the fun.

Charlie led me to the water’s edge. He brought me there and I was willing to be led. The sting of the cold water at my ankles quickly faded as we splashed in the shallow water. He brought me through the reeds at the shoreline to where the water reached my knees. It was harder to move around, and our progress through the water was slower. He brought me out to a deeper part of the lake. The shocking cold of water at my waist nearly sent me back to the shore, yet I persevered. As the lake bottom dropped away, I stretched beyond where I could walk on my tiptoes, I was no longer connected to the earth. It was time to swim.

At that point far removed from the shore, the sun finally arched above the tree line. As the rays of sunlight kissed the flecks of gold-dust embedded on the bottom of the lake, the magnificent sparkle illuminated the entire area. The transformation was heavenly. The golden hue brightened everything it touched. Ordinary objects pulsed with color so intense they seemed afire or alight from within. The water came to life! The water brought everything to life!

Would you welcome that sort of awakening and transformation in your own life? Would you eagerly exchange the ennui of every day for a lifetime of light and life? You’ll have to get wet. You’ll have to dive deep into the waters of His word. Ezekiel learned that “where the river flows everything will live.” (Ezekiel 47:9). The Lord offers an abundance of blessings in the deep waters. The unstoppable waters are teeming with life and purpose for us. Boldly explore your faith and allow the spirit to quench your thirst, enrich your heart and transform your life.

“The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into springs. . . . So that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.” (Isaiah 41:17-18, 20).

CommonUnity - Purpose

What am I doing here? Lured back by the bait of my dream job, I endured rush hour traffic to travel downtown and now I sit and I wait and I wonder. Is this what I am supposed to be doing?

The GPS in the car had guided me safely from my home to the interview. The turn by turn directions were spoken in a voice clear and sure. I placed my trust in the “personal travel assistant” to get me to my goal. If I strayed off the course, the voice would redirect me with a firm but gentle “recalculating.”

Having arrived at my destination, I prayed before getting out of my car. Not a prayer for a job offer, instead I asked for clear vision. “May our time together be productive so we can make wise decisions. Make it obvious, God. Is this where you want me to be?”

Do you question how you should invest your time? Do you wonder if God has a plan for you? Perhaps you know that He has a vision for your life, yet you struggle with following his directions.

I am blessed to have the luxury of deciding if I am supposed to return to work. Others may struggle with the call to coach basketball or to teach Sunday school or to join a study group. Like an endless Sunday buffet, our lives are filled with choices. Some people pack so much into a day it overflows into the next. Is your plate full?

Job reminds us that “if they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.” (Job 36:11). Take time to pray about your direction in life. God shows us “the way.”

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Teach me to do our will, for you are my God; may your Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143: 8,10).

CommonUnity - Common Possessions

It’s about 11am as I hear the noisy sputter as the mail truck chugs down our street. As I walk down the driveway I fantasize about a letter from Ed McMahon’s prize patrol, or a windfall check from a long lost relative, or (my wildest dream) a lucrative job offer from a stable company that offers health benefits.

Today is a typical Tuesday and Eugene the mailman has brought the usual mix: a phone bill, a few catalogues, an unemployment check, some pizza coupons, and several requests for charitable donations. The bill gets tossed onto the stack in the office. The catalogues are quickly recycled; I don’t even look at them anymore. The check and the coupons are a welcome sight. Our home now has a dedicated spot of honor for both of these items. They won’t sit there long.

One letter is disguised as “real mail.” It looks hand written and has a stamp instead of a postal meter mark. I open it hesitantly not recognizing the return address. Three girls my daughter’s age smile back at me from the card. Inside the note pleads, “there’s no reason they - or anyone else in our community - should go hungry... especially at Thanksgiving. Can we please count on your support once again?” It’s doubtful that I can repeat my gift from last year per their request, yet I can’t throw this one out. I set it aside for later.

I don’t have to guess what’s in the next envelope. World Vision, for all the good they do, will never be accused of subtlety. We may face hardships in our household, but they don’t compare to those of the child on the mailing. “Walk in my shoes,” the envelope demands. It’s hard to ignore their suggestion to step out of our own circumstances for a moment and consider those less fortunate. “Right now children are facing sickness, hardship, and death - and they don’t have medicine, decent clothing, or shoes to protect them.”

After reading about these children and the hardships they face, I see more clearly the blessings in my life. I can better appreciate the gifts I have been given. I realize that after six months of unemployment, we don’t have as much as we once did, yet we still have something to share.

Finances are tight for many of us. With 70% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, fears about the economy or job losses are very real. Reports in the news and the gyrations in the stock market have people nervous about their savings for college or retirement. Life is good, yet I remember more carefree times.

Did you notice the drop in fuel prices this week? When did $3.43 for a gallon of gas start to feel like a great deal? The reality is that I can reflect on a time when things were easier. Comparing prices and bargain hunting were once hobbies, not the necessities they are now.

It’s tempting to look “up” the socioeconomic ladder and feel envious of what others have. I could grumble about hard times and lament the bad hand we’ve been dealt. It would be easy to use the current financial crisis as an excuse to stop giving to those in need. I could simply toss those charitable requests and cut back on my past pledges for support.

Instead I choose to look with compassion at those less fortunate than us. We might not have much, but we still have something to give. Last year’s boots and coat can keep another child warm this winter. The books and DVDs that are gathering dust in my cabinet can be boxed up as Treats for Troops. Our church publishes a “Giving List” of the items most needed by local agencies. Pray that God will open your eyes and your hearts that you would see the opportunities to share.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Each year at Christmas our family run business would collect small gifts for children at a local orphanage. A large box would sit in our lobby, waiting to be filled with donations. As the drop off date neared, my father would grow impatient with the slow trickle of presents. Gathering two or three office employees, he would head out on a shopping expedition and fill a cart with toys and gifts and paper and bows. Our office overflowed with joy on those afternoons as we merrily wrapped presents we would never see opened. The joy returned far outweighed the cost of those small gifts.

As you go about your week, look for ways to share your time and your talents and your resources with others. Why wait until Christmas to share cards with loved ones? Do you have a neighbor who would enjoy a friendly visitor? Is there a relative who could use a helping hand with their grocery shopping? Perhaps you could hold the hand of a friend awaiting news at the doctor’s office?

Our lives and our communities grow richer as we give to and share with others.

“Trust in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.” (Psalm 37:3).

http://www.hcl.org/generosity/giving-list/the-giving-list.html

Commonunity - Common Place

Do you know someone like me? Many days I am so focused on goals and my “to-do” list that I miss out on everyday interactions. At school, I may be so busy trying to recruit new volunteers that I forget to make friends. At a meeting, my goal is to efficiently complete the agenda and I don’t notice the group member in need of extra time and attention. At home, my focus is on paying bills, making beds and cleaning up. Did I forget the children in the midst of all the chores?

September 22nd marked the 7th annual “Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children.” This national initiative was created to remind parents about the importance of “parental engagement in their children’s lives.” Where are our priorities as a society that we need a holiday to remind people to sit down as a family and spend time with our families?

To be honest, I had to check my calendar to tell you where we were on the 22nd. It was a typical day spent racing from one activity to the next: a carefully coordinated schedule of pick-ups and drop-offs. I think we ate dinner together but I imagine our conversation was centered on, “hurry up and eat so you won’t be late for your next activity.”

The busyness seems to cut across all generations. My parents are retired, yet their schedules are full: doctors appointments, tee times, book clubs, bridge matches, gardening, errands, shopping, etc. Our days are filled with activity, but are our lives full? Are we so busy pulling weeds that we don’t take time to smell the roses?

I have a prayer on my bathroom mirror. Each morning as I start my day it reminds me to “trust God that [I] am exactly where [I] am meant to be.” He chose this family, this time and this place for me. It’s a powerful reminder of God’s power in my life and of His plan. After all, it’s His agenda that counts, not mine.

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us.” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

Today I will reach out to those around me. I will be content knowing that God has a plan for me. In my family, my neighborhood and my community I can demonstrate His love. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22).

I will grow where I’ve been planted.

Commonunity - Common Problems

Five years ago, a friend invited me to her house. She and her husband welcomed me graciously into their home. We were not alone. As the kids ran off to play, we descended into the basement to join the other couples, seated in neat rows in front of the T.V.

I had joined a small group. I agreed to join before I really knew what it meant. I stood, clutching my standard, church issued, blue bible. Would it shield me from harm or danger? These people would seem harmless enough if encountered in ones or twos, but assembled as they were, as a pack, I was intimidated. "Don’t be fooled by their easy smiles and the punch and cookies," I cautioned myself. What did I have in common with these people? How could they understand my life and its problems?

We took turns introducing ourselves. With each story, I felt more out of place. I was new to church, still teetering in my faith, just a toddler in my faith-walk. Surrounding me was a room filled with bible-study veterans. My head started to spin. It seemed that everyone there was born and raised in a faith-filled environment and had never strayed from the path. Not me. I had a past. I had enough skeletons in my closet for a Halloween parade. How long would it take for them to run me out of the house with pitchforks and torches?

We started the video. I felt safe with the lights out. Rick Warren’s voice was comforting and the message was inspiring. I longed for comfort and encouragement. I came seeking a purpose for my life.

After the lights came on, we began to share. Although I felt my history, my understanding, and my experiences were unique, it turned out, we had so much in common. As I looked past their fancy Bibles with gold leaf edges, indexed tabs and custom carry cases, I realized we were not that different. We were all broken and hurting. We had all made mistakes. Deep down, our problems were all the same. We came before God seeking direction and answers. We joined as a group seeking comfort and compassion.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13).

As you go about your busy life and your busy week, be on the lookout. All of us struggle with loneliness, endure fears, seek purpose, and search for connections in a disconnected world. Look for those who need your help. We can provide a way out and a way through for those in need. We can borrow the strength and compassion of God and serve those in our community. Like strands of thread that grow strong when joined together as rope, we must stand together and share our common problems.

Our small group came together. Saving, helping, keeping and loving each other, together we grew stronger. No one cared about my plain blue bible. They cared about me.

“Carry each other’s burdens. Let us do good to all people.” (Galatians 6:2,10).

CommonUnity - Promises, Promises

The eight-foot tall cell phone in the atrium at church stood mocking me. The centerpiece of a new sermon series, it teased me with its full battery symbol and four bars of signal strength. How many times have you needed to make a call and found your phone wasn’t up to the task?

The cell phone providers outdo each other with splashy ad campaigns promising superior coverage and new technology. “Can you hear me now?” They assure us that our phones will work when we most need them. They make a lot of promises.

If you’ve ever waited up, sitting by the phone, for a call that never came, you know the disappointment of a broken promise. My husband travels a lot. When the kids were small, it was hard to be at home for long stretches of time, without adult conversation. He would promise to call between flights, just a quick call to touch base and say “hi.” Things didn’t always work as planned. The phone didn’t always work in the remote areas where he traveled or flight delays meant there was no time to call between connecting flights. Technology disappoints.

We reach out to others for strength and love. We seek companionship, encouragement, and understanding. We reach out to others to insulate us from loneliness. People make promises. Many try earnestly to keep their promises, yet “there is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20) It is inevitable that people will fail us.

As children, we rely on our parents for many things. Beyond the basics of food and shelter, we look to our parents for love and approval and the answers to life’s questions. My kids are still young enough that I’m still their “go-to girl.” They run to me for a kiss and a bandage for their scraped knees. They call to me for help with homework or to help resolve a dispute. It won’t last forever. By the time they are teenagers, I’m more likely to hear a sarcastic “Mom, what do you know about anything?” than an appreciative, “Mom, you’re so smart!” Loved ones will disappoint us.

How old were you when you realized your parents were only human? Did you feel let down?

Sometimes our expectations are too high. Many people look to their families, their jobs, their spouses, or their belongings as a source of happiness. They look all around for joy and satisfaction. They seek perfection from the imperfect.

Instead, of looking around, we need to look up. If we seek perfect peace, there is only one source with a perfect track record for promises fulfilled. We need to put our expectations at the feet of God. Life disappoints but the Lord delivers. “God had power to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:21). We can look to our Abba Father for a love that never fails and know that Christ is faithful to every promise ever made.

"Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he has promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.” (1 Kings 8:56).

September 11th

This isn’t my regular day to post, yet I felt moved to reach out today, September 11, 2008. At times, these seven years feel like a lifetime ago. Other days the events seem just a heartbeat away.

My mom sent us a children’s book. The book’s jacket describes a “moving portrait of September 11, 2001 and its aftermath. A Nation Challenged records one of the most important and devastating events in modern American history.” The feelings were so raw, I put the book on my son’s bookshelf to gather dust while I summoned the courage to explain what happened and why.

Each year I pondered if he was old enough. Deep down, I guess I didn’t want to be the one to break the news and shatter his sense of safety. He’s so young, so trusting, so innocent. Yet as we put our flags out, I wanted him to recognize the significance of the day.

I paged through the book for a starting point. The pictures of the crash and collapse were haunting reminders of the loved one that were lost and the lives that were forever changed. The starkness of time lines and maps contrasted with the pain and grief of the world as it mourned. People from across the United States and around the world came together. In churches and mosques and temples, we united to cry and lift our voices in song. People gathered together and prayed in the streets and at work and at schools around the globe.

This is what I will show my children. Along with the pain and the sadness I will share the hope and the faith and the love. Pictures of people in New York, Florida and Los Angeles are along side pictures of people in Kenya, Taiwan, India, and England. Each person with hands folded in prayer.

For all of our differences, there is much we have in common.


We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8)

The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. (Psalm 145:14)

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus....And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:7)


Please join the conversation. Click below on comments to add your thoughts, recollections, or encouragements with others. Speaking with Integrity will resume on Sunday with the new series Commonunity.