to be alone with me (us)

This morning, I woke up with the chorus of a song in my head:

"To be alone with me
 To be alone with me
 To be alone with me
 You went up on a tree."

Last night I was worried about a lot of things that are ultimately out of my control. I was driving to meet a friend and the "what if's" started to knock on my door. I tell my friends that the "what if's" will destroy but until you experience the battle, it becomes a mere phrase that covers a large wound.

As I turned the corner of my street just before the highway, I caught sight of something absolutely spectacular. A sunset. I was completely in awe of such beauty. The shades of blues, yellows and whites were intricately woven together across the horizon of the skyline. It was a picture that no painter could have ever produced. Creation was the author.

In this moment, I was reminded that God is in control. It is not by my doing that the sunset was beautifully formed or that the grass turned green. No. I cannot do these extraordinary things that are so simple for God to do. Instead, I stand as a breathless child who experiences a rainbow for the first time. 

Last night, I was mesmerized by such indescribable beauty and comforted by the truth that it's ok. It's quite all right that I do not possess nor have all the answers to all the questions that tumble around in my mind. It's quite all right that I may not know exactly what happens today, tomorrow or ten years from now. For when I get  worried and long for unending assurance, God wraps me in a hug. The kind of hug that a mother gives to her child after she falls and scrapes her knee. Or when a guy and girl who are in love just sit and gaze at each other, each equally lost in the amazement that they could be loved by someone. God gives us this universal hug that crosses all bridges in order for us to give that love to someone else. His beauty is nature, his face is found in the homeless and his heart is nailed up on the cross for all to see. We can choose to walk by the human statue or stop, take it in, and ask "what then shall I do?"

One World, One People

Even in the turmoil, God is at work.

Today, I picked up a book called Six Months in Sudan. Written by Dr. James Maskalyk, he tells of his journey to Sudan working with Doctors Without Borders. I have begun reading it and I encourage all of you to read it, too. His blog inspired this book. Check it out at http://www.sixmonthsinsudan.com/.

Despite the oppression, wars and disease there are people who are making a difference. Someday, I hope to serve as this man and many of my friends who are doing. Hats off to those serving here in the U.S. and around the world. To those serving in the army, on college campuses, in teaching children and in many other ways too numerous and beautiful to name, thank you for all that you do. You have impacted me and changed my life in extraordinary ways. 

Too Big & Too Personal to Wrap

Ever felt like you have nothing to give a person?
Nothing of value? Nothing that a box and a bow define as speechless?
Some of us may be "looking" for the "next big thing"; we search so often for the "right gift" that we often miss the beauty coated in a warm hug, a friendly smile, a kind word.

I'm a firm believer in what you may call "simple acts." A gift that shiny paper and a gaudy bow cannot match. So frequently, I observe people buying clothes for a friend to celebrate her birthday or a gadget that is up-to-date on the latest technology for a long-time boyfriend. But just imagine, if we gave up these material things that cease to last forever, that lose their special "touch" when they are consumed and instead, gave the gift of laughter, of hope, of humility? Wouldn't the gift of joy for a hurting person be more rewarding and fulfilling than another purse, another pair of shoes, another night out on the town?

I was watching a rerun of a 7th Heaven Epsiode last week. For those who haven't seen this program, Brenda Hampton (producer) highlights the life of the Camdens, a religious family who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ in their everyday lives. No one is perfect, as depicted with the seven children, a dog named Happy, and a minister who willingly helps all who come his way.

In this particular epsiode, Eric Camden was in Heaven. He was met by an angel who showed him the true lasting gifts. He received the gift of courage and forgiveness for his eldest daughter Mary, in the form of an eraser. These gifts were intricately wrapped and adorned with a bow but the gift inside was truly amazing. Unlike the everyday aspects of life that we take for granted, these gifts targeted a specific area of his children's lives.

What if we chose to give a gift that could not be wrapped?
The gift of

a smile
a hug
a handshake
friendship
listening
humilty
fearlessness
hope
peace
joy
laughter
helpfulness
compassion
forgiveness
understanding

the gift of love?

Imagine what the world would be like if for Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, birthday's, or whenever, we gave one of these gifts? What if these gifts were inside us all along and we just nurtured them to become fruitful? Sometimes you may not know how much a person appreciates that hug or willing ear until they share their story with you afterwards.

Just imagine if we chose

to say "sorry" in a heated argument,
to hold a friend when they cried upon your shoulder,
to purchase a meal for a sick friend without expecting anything in return,
to value their opinion more than yours,
to be more interested in their words, their day, their life, than constantly talking about the "things" that happened to you today.

Would our economy be in a better state than it is now?
Would there be more people working?
Would people not have to worry about how they are going to pay the gas, electric and heating bills at the end of the month?
Would there be less racism, less prejudice, less fights at schools?
Would there be more teamwork?
more valuing of opinions?
Would there be more realizing that people aren't perfect and that a way to improve this "fault" is through "simple acts"?

I like to think so.
for, a "simple act" goes a long way.