My current theme song
Happy Valentine's day :)
EED
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Here's to you! (from me)
My life took a tragic turn a few years ago when I returned to Christ on a chilly Sunday morning. My life has been nothing but chaos ever since.
First there was the deafening tug of war in my heart telling me to help somebody. What does that even mean: “help somebody”???? I struggled with questions like these for a while. People have always described me as a “nice person”, but I could already tell that this was way beyond simply being nice: it was about being kind. I had to relearn to be kind, to be kind to:
- the stranger sitting next to me during service (even though I like to concentrate on the message, rather than making small talk),
- to my coworkers (and actually mean it),
- to the person in line in front of me at the grocery store (even though they were paying the cashier with quarters)…
It is so much easier to be kind from afar.
After a few months of these exercises, I felt like it was time to do just a little more. A little being the key words here. I simply was not ready for anything too crazy, or adventurous. So, I naturally ended up in New Orleans, covered in fiberglass from installing insulation (very itchy!), and gutting an abandoned house after a flood. So much for “a little”!
I settled down somewhat since that period of time, gaining a few pounds in the process. I have switched things a little, from just doing stuff to planning instead. I now have more headaches, but less body aches!
If you asked me why I do these things, I would have to answer that it is because the voices in my head tell me to. Well, not really… To me, it is more about the way I felt on that Sunday March morning years ago. I want the people I serve to feel that way. I want the people who read this to feel that way. I want everyone to feel that way! Until then, I’ll keep doing my part, will you?
Here is to more chaos! Hear, hear!
EED
First there was the deafening tug of war in my heart telling me to help somebody. What does that even mean: “help somebody”???? I struggled with questions like these for a while. People have always described me as a “nice person”, but I could already tell that this was way beyond simply being nice: it was about being kind. I had to relearn to be kind, to be kind to:
- the stranger sitting next to me during service (even though I like to concentrate on the message, rather than making small talk),
- to my coworkers (and actually mean it),
- to the person in line in front of me at the grocery store (even though they were paying the cashier with quarters)…
It is so much easier to be kind from afar.
After a few months of these exercises, I felt like it was time to do just a little more. A little being the key words here. I simply was not ready for anything too crazy, or adventurous. So, I naturally ended up in New Orleans, covered in fiberglass from installing insulation (very itchy!), and gutting an abandoned house after a flood. So much for “a little”!
I settled down somewhat since that period of time, gaining a few pounds in the process. I have switched things a little, from just doing stuff to planning instead. I now have more headaches, but less body aches!
If you asked me why I do these things, I would have to answer that it is because the voices in my head tell me to. Well, not really… To me, it is more about the way I felt on that Sunday March morning years ago. I want the people I serve to feel that way. I want the people who read this to feel that way. I want everyone to feel that way! Until then, I’ll keep doing my part, will you?
Here is to more chaos! Hear, hear!
EED
Monday, January 4, 2010
Is it twenty ten or two thousand and ten...?
...I am not so sure of the difference... What I am sure about, is how exited I am to start this new year. I can already see new challenges to face, new people to meet, new projects to take on! Of course, I look back at where I was at this time last year, and I can't help but think about the changes that have occurred since this January 2009.
I feel less scared, less worried, less intimidated by my circumstances. I feel a new confidence, and assurance that I am the right path. On the other hand, I can't help but wonder how callous my heart is getting. Am I building too many walls around me? I think I am... but I can't remember how to put them down. I can't remember why I put them up in the first place... Well, that's a lie... I do remember. I don't like getting hurt. I don't like opening up. I don't like bothering people. Sigh. Will I ever learn? I will... I am. In the meantime, I will keep walking, because I can, because I know I am the right direction.
Would you tell me if I weren't?
Happy new year!
EED
I feel less scared, less worried, less intimidated by my circumstances. I feel a new confidence, and assurance that I am the right path. On the other hand, I can't help but wonder how callous my heart is getting. Am I building too many walls around me? I think I am... but I can't remember how to put them down. I can't remember why I put them up in the first place... Well, that's a lie... I do remember. I don't like getting hurt. I don't like opening up. I don't like bothering people. Sigh. Will I ever learn? I will... I am. In the meantime, I will keep walking, because I can, because I know I am the right direction.
Would you tell me if I weren't?
Happy new year!
EED
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Elom reflects on Scott's reflections: Quick connect series
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-10
The gift of grace is still puzzling to me. It's the one gift I can never repay, the one gift I am and will always be thankful for. To think that I am God's workmanship is even more puzzling... It's hard to get my head around the fact that He uses flawed people to accomplish His will. I was convinced that I needed to have my life in order to do good works. And if my life didn't look good, well I could always pretend it was.
After receiving the gift of grace, I started getting the nudge to do something about it. Not to repay the gift (even though that was my first impulse), but to help others feel the same way I did. When I asked where I could start, my friend Scott shared a profound piece of wisdom with me:
"Start from where you are, with what you have."
OK, simple enough:
- Start from where you are: Finding a place to serve was easy. There are so many opportunities waiting to be filled. Not just in the walls in the church, but outside my comfort zone. I started looking around, listening, caring, and doing what I could. I simply figured that the good works prepared in advance for me to do had to be in there somewhere. I like to think that He honors every act of service we do in His name. I have seen and heard enough stories to be convinced that He uses the most random and routine acts to change people's lives.
- With what you have: I made a list of the things I was good at and started from there. After wondering why I didn't have certain gifts, I started focusing on the ones I have. There is a good reason I don't have the same talents as some of my close friends. We all somehow manage to complement each other when it comes to serving.
The Quick Connect series was all about using the gifts we have to help make a difference in someone's life. I remember reading somewhere that: "Small things done with great love will change to world". When I am not sure I am doing my part, I try to remember that what I did, I (hopefully) did in love, and that's all that matters really...
EED
The gift of grace is still puzzling to me. It's the one gift I can never repay, the one gift I am and will always be thankful for. To think that I am God's workmanship is even more puzzling... It's hard to get my head around the fact that He uses flawed people to accomplish His will. I was convinced that I needed to have my life in order to do good works. And if my life didn't look good, well I could always pretend it was.
After receiving the gift of grace, I started getting the nudge to do something about it. Not to repay the gift (even though that was my first impulse), but to help others feel the same way I did. When I asked where I could start, my friend Scott shared a profound piece of wisdom with me:
"Start from where you are, with what you have."
OK, simple enough:
- Start from where you are: Finding a place to serve was easy. There are so many opportunities waiting to be filled. Not just in the walls in the church, but outside my comfort zone. I started looking around, listening, caring, and doing what I could. I simply figured that the good works prepared in advance for me to do had to be in there somewhere. I like to think that He honors every act of service we do in His name. I have seen and heard enough stories to be convinced that He uses the most random and routine acts to change people's lives.
- With what you have: I made a list of the things I was good at and started from there. After wondering why I didn't have certain gifts, I started focusing on the ones I have. There is a good reason I don't have the same talents as some of my close friends. We all somehow manage to complement each other when it comes to serving.
The Quick Connect series was all about using the gifts we have to help make a difference in someone's life. I remember reading somewhere that: "Small things done with great love will change to world". When I am not sure I am doing my part, I try to remember that what I did, I (hopefully) did in love, and that's all that matters really...
EED
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Elom reflects on Scott's reflections: The growing series
(In order to catch up on my reflections, I decided to write one post per series, at least until I am all caught up).
The series on growing came at a pivotal time in my life. I felt stuck, uncertain of the next step... you know, the feeling you get when you already have the answer, but you are just too scared to actually do anything about it. So, I prayed. I prayed for growth, as painful as it was. One thing I realized throughout the series is that no matter how inconvenient, untimely, tedious it may be, growing is simply necessary.
It's only been a few months since I started praying for continued growth, but I can see the seeds started to give fruits. I can see the changes inside of me, and the effect it has on my family, friends and community. I don't know how long this period will last, but I really like to think of growing as a process... whether lifelong, or just for a season.
Although the series on growth has been over for a few months, I faced my test last week. God's timing is always impeccable. I think I passed, I am not sure. I am not even sure there was a pass/fail grade involved... All I know is that I feel at peace with some of the decisions I have struggled with. It's only taken me a couple of years! HAHA!
God is good!
EED
The series on growing came at a pivotal time in my life. I felt stuck, uncertain of the next step... you know, the feeling you get when you already have the answer, but you are just too scared to actually do anything about it. So, I prayed. I prayed for growth, as painful as it was. One thing I realized throughout the series is that no matter how inconvenient, untimely, tedious it may be, growing is simply necessary.
It's only been a few months since I started praying for continued growth, but I can see the seeds started to give fruits. I can see the changes inside of me, and the effect it has on my family, friends and community. I don't know how long this period will last, but I really like to think of growing as a process... whether lifelong, or just for a season.
Although the series on growth has been over for a few months, I faced my test last week. God's timing is always impeccable. I think I passed, I am not sure. I am not even sure there was a pass/fail grade involved... All I know is that I feel at peace with some of the decisions I have struggled with. It's only taken me a couple of years! HAHA!
God is good!
EED
Friday, November 27, 2009
Precious
I was watching a movie called "Precious" and it made me think about love... The movie takes the main character, named Precious, from a place of pain, despair and hardship to determination, relationships and love... From a life lived with no notion of love, she discovers that healthy relationships can make a difference in someone's life.
The things we do for love... the things we do to be a part of something bigger than ourselves... the things we do to belong. They don't always make sense, they don't always feel right, they are the choices we make.
Love means to put myself out there, love means to make mistakes, love means to admit that I don't have it altogether. Love means to remember that I am precious. Are you?
EED
The things we do for love... the things we do to be a part of something bigger than ourselves... the things we do to belong. They don't always make sense, they don't always feel right, they are the choices we make.
Love means to put myself out there, love means to make mistakes, love means to admit that I don't have it altogether. Love means to remember that I am precious. Are you?
EED
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Just a few notes...
Just a couple of notes and questions from the second book of Samuel...
2 Samuel 3:39- King David? Scared? Weak? "Where does my help come from?"
2 Samuel 5: 10- What is power? How do you get power? Can you ever get be truly powerful without having the Lord on your side?
2 Samuel 6: 22- Humility and worship from the King of Israel to the Higher power... Kind of answers my previous questions in reference to verse 2 Samuel 5:10
2 Samuel 7: 18- Who am I to receive such blessings from the Lord?
David then turns around, shares "God's kindness" with Jonathan's son, and gets asked the same question in 2 Samuel 9: 8. Yes, David made a pact with Jonathan, but I really think this is what happens to people after they personally experience God's touch: they turn around and extend the same touch, kindness, love to others...
EED
2 Samuel 3:39- King David? Scared? Weak? "Where does my help come from?"
2 Samuel 5: 10- What is power? How do you get power? Can you ever get be truly powerful without having the Lord on your side?
2 Samuel 6: 22- Humility and worship from the King of Israel to the Higher power... Kind of answers my previous questions in reference to verse 2 Samuel 5:10
2 Samuel 7: 18- Who am I to receive such blessings from the Lord?
David then turns around, shares "God's kindness" with Jonathan's son, and gets asked the same question in 2 Samuel 9: 8. Yes, David made a pact with Jonathan, but I really think this is what happens to people after they personally experience God's touch: they turn around and extend the same touch, kindness, love to others...
EED
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