From Rachel's Heart...
Monday, November 30, 2009
On this grey winter Monday in Baltimore, I listened to the song, Today is the Day by Lincoln Brewster on my way to work. And, I had to share that song with you today. We have it on our video list and you can link to it here www.afterthemiracle.com/Music.html.
If you are feeling a little down today, listen to this song. It will lift your spirits and remind you that today IS the day and we should rejoice and be glad in it. And, that we should not worry about tomorrow.
I know I needed this song today. I hope it encourages you too to cast your cares aside, leave your past behind, and set your heart and mind on Him today.
Monday, November 23, 2009
As many of you already know (and some are finding out right now), my husband and I have decided to make a major life change. Following this school year, we will be moving from Baltimore to southeastern Virginia. And, this change has come after a lot of prayer and listening to where we believe God is leading us.
It’s a long story that has led us to this decision and I would like to share some of that story with you today. Please click here to read more about our decision to move from a large metropolitan area to a small community in southeastern Virginia.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Yesterday was a fantastic day. I feel like I got a lot of things accomplished and I was blessed with the opportunity to talk with a dear friend that has been in my life for many years. This friend has a serious situation going on in her life right now and she called for my perspective. Now, she and I are very similar to each other and we usually joke that we go to each other for advice when we just want confirmation of what we’re already thinking. We have similar personalities and interests and backgrounds so we almost always agree on issues. But, when she called yesterday, she wasn't just asking for me to echo what she already thought, she was truly asking for my help and I was glad to provide it. It's a hard situation that she and her family are going through. And, I hope that I was encouraging and helpful to her. But, what I learned through the multiple conversations that she and I had throughout the day and evening is that having others to rely on and turn to when we need help is so important. She and I haven't lived in the same city for almost 7 years, but we have seen each other through some very dark times. We've experienced deaths and miscarriages and illnesses together. We've also experienced many joys. When her children were born, I flew to see her. And, when my children were born, she came to see us. And most recently, when Isabella was born, she rushed to my side and sat in the hospital with me as we waited to see when Isabella could come home.
My heart aches for her today as she deals with the issue. And, I pray that her family will find some resolution. I am so glad that the Lord has placed people in our lives that we can encourage and can receive encouragement from. And, I believe that the Lord has given us other people so that we can find hope together through so many trials in this world.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Yesterday was my birthday and to tell you the truth, I wasn't looking forward to it. My husband is traveling and I had to do something for work in the afternoon that I really didn't want to do. So, I was alone and faced with a dreadful work task on my birthday – I went into the day with pretty low expectations.
But, you know what? It turned out pretty well. I spent a couple of hours in the morning talking on the phone with Wendy and we laughed and dreamed and talked like we always do. Oh how I cherish our phone calls. And then a dear friend came over in the afternoon to watch Isabella so that I could go take care of that issue at work. And, she came with a sweet card and a beautifully inscribed journal that encouraged me even more than I think she realized. Then my kids and I decided we were going to do a junk food order-out dinner for my birthday. And, we had jalapeno poppers, fried mushrooms, chicken tenders, and cannolis delivered for dinner. We ate until we were all stuffed and then the kids went to bed. I spent the evening talking to my mother in law and to my parents and then I listened to music until I went to bed.
What started out as a birthday that I didn't think was going to be all that great, turned into a sweet day full of dreaming and friendship and fun. It was a good day.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I love the television show The Biggest Loser and am so moved by the physical and psychological transformation that these contestants experience. In fact, I cannot get through an episode without crying. And, last night was no different. As I was watching it last night, one of the contestants said something that really hit me and I want to share it with you today. She talked about how she took care of everyone else, her husband, her family, her business. And, she talked about how she tried to be everything to everyone else. But, she wasn't taking care of herself and as a result had become overweight. She then said something that I think every woman needs to remember: You can't take care of everyone else if you don't take care of yourself.
I think that women have a habit of taking care of everyone else's needs first. And, if we have time, then we take care of ourselves. Now, I'm not suggesting that women become selfish, but I think it is important that there is something in your day that you do for yourself. Run on the treadmill, go for a prayer walk, read a book before bed, watch a television show that you enjoy, call up a friend and laugh, or make your "me-time" your devotion with the Lord. But, try to carve out at least 20 minutes each day that you can focus on yourself. Because, as last night's contestant so eloquently said, you can't take care of everyone else if you don't take care of yourself.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
I'm a big sports fan. I love competition and I can get sucked into almost any football or basketball game. I live in Baltimore, so naturally I am a Ravens fan. But, I lived in Tennessee for 9 years and was there during Peyton Manning's years at the University of Tennessee. So, I am a huge follower of the Manning family and will cheer for the Colts or Giants any day (even against the Ravens, but don’t tell folks around here!).
So, Sunday night when Peyton pulled out the win against the Patriots, I was very happy. But, what really intrigued me about the game was a call towards the end of the game made by the Patriots head coach. You see, the Patriots had the ball and it was 4th down and 2 yards to go. And, the Patriots were up by 6 points and on their own 28 yard line. There were only a couple of minutes left in the game and it seemed like an easy play call. You punt. You certainly don't risk giving the other team the ball with only 28 yards between them and the end zone. Especially when Peyton Manning is their quarterback. You punt. Seems like an easy call. But, the Patriot's head coach decided to go for it on 4th down. So, they went for it and they didn't make it. And, Peyton Manning went 28 yards easily and threw a touchdown pass that won the game.
What really intrigued me about how this game ended was how all of the commentators were second guessing the Patriot's head coach's decision. They were scrutinizing it, debating it, and discussing how it was the wrong call or the right call or just a plain crazy call. It really made me think about how we do the same thing with our own decisions. If they don't turn out the way we had planned, we start to second guess the decision made and regretting that we chose a certain path. But you know, it is not helpful to look back and debate whether it was the right call or the wrong call. Because bottom line, it was the call that he thought he should make based on the information he had at the time. And, he made it. And, it didn't work out the way he had hoped.
The same is true for us. We make a call that we think is right based on the evidence we have at the time. And, sometimes it works out well. And, sometimes it doesn’t. And, when it doesn't, don't second guess yourself and beat yourself up about the call you made. Just learn from it and move on and realize that we can't go back. We can only go forward and continue making the best decisions that we can at the time.
Friday, November 13, 2009
I read an interesting commentary last night on the famous story of Zacchaeus. I'm sure many of you know the story well. Zacchaeus was a tax collector and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus in a crowd (And, some of you are singing the song as you read this!). Jesus points at him and tells him that he needs to stay at his house that evening and this demand for help from Jesus was life-changing for Zacchaeus.
In the commentary that I was reading last night, the author writes about how this can be an example of how asking (or in this case demanding) for help from someone else can give the other person an opportunity to be changed themselves through helping you. Giving to others is very rewarding and can awaken compassion in others. The author was using this story as an example for why we shouldn't be afraid to ask for help. Asking others to help us can actually bless them, as well as help us.
I realized when reading this that I am not very good at asking for help. This week has been an interesting week. My husband has been traveling, so I was alone with the kids all week. And, we fared pretty well overall. We ate pizza for dinner one night, played football in the house, and had fun together. It was definitely tough, though, to be by yourself all week with three small kids.
And, as I reflected on my week, I can see where I am just not good at asking others to help me with what I need. I'm not good at asking people when I need help watching the kids. I'm not good at telling others when I just need to talk. I'm basically not good asking others to help me. I figure I just have to figure it out myself and get it done. I'm going to have to work on that. Work on telling others when I need something.
So, the next time you need help, don't be afraid to ask for it. You could be giving the other person the opportunity to be blessed by helping you.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Do you write in your Bible? I didn't used to. It was one of those funny quirks I had. I never liked to highlight in my schoolbooks and I didn't like to write in my Bible. But, a few years ago, I was listening to speaker who encouraged us to write in our Bibles. To put people's initials or dates or ideas we had next to verses. And then, she argued, that when we go back to that section days, months, or years later, we can have a diary of sorts of where we have been.
After that talk, I was still skeptical about writing in my Bible. You see, I didn't like the clutter that it caused in the margin or how messy it looked (I'm a little anal that way). But, I started about a year ago writing in my Bible and I really did a lot of writing in it over the past 6-9 months. And, a neat thing happened today. I ran across a verse that I had put someone’s initials by and it made me smile. It reminded me of why I wrote those initials and it encouraged me today. If I hadn’t written that in my Bible a couple of months ago, then I likely wouldn't have been reminded of the memory today.
So, if you don't write in your Bible, then I encourage you to. It can be a great record of what God has done in your life and how verses have hit you in the past. And then, when you run across it in the future, you can be encouraged and reminded of how He has worked.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
If there are 4 seconds left on the game clock and your team needs one shot to win the game, do you want to be the one that takes that shot? Or, do you hope someone else does?
I've been thinking a lot about this concept lately. And, I realized that I am the type that wants to take that shot. I like the rush. I like the risk. I like the pay-off. But, more than anything, I like the idea that I have contributed to the final goal. And, there is a big chance that I could miss that shot. And, there is a big chance that I'll let my team down by missing. But, there's also a big chance that I'll make it. And when I make it, I won't be letting my team down.
I think we need to take chances. I think we need to step outside of what is comfortable every now and then and shoot that half-court shot to win the game. Because, I believe the pay-off can be huge when you step out and are willing to take that shot.
Isaiah 6:8 says, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
I like to see that verse as "Here I am Coach, let me take the shot!"
If there are 4 seconds left on the game clock and your team needs one shot to win the game, do you want to be the one that takes that shot? I do. Let me take it coach.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Is there something in your life right now that you believe in? And, I mean really believe in? And, what does it mean to believe in something?
Recently, I have become very fascinated with the meaning of words that we use. When we use words like love or believe or forgiveness, what do we mean? So, I spend a lot of time looking up words and what they mean. When I looked up the word believe, I got the following definition: "to accept as true, genuine, or real" and "to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something."
Is there something in your life right now that you accept as true, genuine, or real? Something that you have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of? I do. In addition to firmly believing in Jesus Christ as true, genuine, and real, I have goals and people in my life right now that I BELIEVE in. Goals and people that I have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of.
What do you believe in today? Who do you believe in today? Take some time today and tell those whom you love that you believe in them. That you have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of them.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Moving is hard. But, not moving is hard too. I've learned that by watching my friends and myself over the past 6 months. And today, I'm going to blog about that.
As most of you know, my best friend moved away from Baltimore almost 6 months ago. And, I was fortunate enough to be able to help her move, actually go with her when she moved, and to visit often over the last few months. And, I have watched as she has set up her new home, learned about her new community, missed the familiar, and made new friends. I have also watched (and experienced) her group of friends in Baltimore mourn her leaving. I've watched them really miss her presence in our lives and struggle with how often to call her or whether to visit her. Most of this struggle has come from their love for her and desire for her to move on with her life and get to know new people and become comfortable in her new community.
What I have realized by intimately watching both sides is that moving is hard. It's hard for the person who moves as you are getting to know new people, learning about your new community, and trying to feel familiar again. But, I actually think it's harder for those who didn't move. You see, those who didn't move are left with a hole where this special person once was. And, they're left watching their dear friend move on, feeling replaced by the new friends she is making and not knowing how to fill the hole that is currently in their life.
My suggestion today for anyone who feels a hole where someone used to be is to also move on. Cherish that special friendship in whatever way that you still can while making new friends that the Lord has for you to fill the hole that this person left. Moving is definitely hard. But, not moving is hard too. Both sides are rebuilding, just in different ways. Pray that the Lord helps you to cherish what you once loved, but also to move on to experience everything and everyone that He has for you in the future.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
I have to be honest with you all this morning, I don't know what to blog about today. I have a lot of things going on in my mind and in my heart and I'm afraid that I hit a pot hole this morning. One of those you actually see coming for a while, but it shakes you anyways. But, as Wendy said in her blog this morning, if I focus on it, it will just become a distraction from what is really important. So, I suppose this morning, I will just echo her comments about the pot holes of life and take some of the advice that we share daily: turn it over to God and drive on.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
For the last 9 months, I have been thinking a lot about transparency and being real. And, I have really been thinking about how important it is to our own psychological health and to our relationships with others. It is very important to be able to be yourself around others and show your true personality, fears, strengths, and faults.
I know many of us occupy roles that include audiences who think things of us or have expectations of us that may or may not be true or reasonable. I laugh when my students are surprised that I am a real person. Like, if I mention going to a football game or updating my status on Facebook, they look at me stunned as if all I do with my life is write articles and lecture all the time. But, I have found that it is those moments of being real that helps me connect to them. And then, through that connection, I am able to teach them and mentor them more effectively.
It's true in my real life as well. Recently, a friend told me that I used to intimidate her because I had this big career at Johns Hopkins, I had three kids, and my house was always spotless (at least it was when people came over). And, she thought that that persona was the real me. Well, guess what? It wasn't the real me. Sure, I had a career at Johns Hopkins and three kids. But, I also had days where laundry was flowing out of the laundry room, my children were fighting about how to put away the toothpaste, and I hadn't made my bed in a week. And, to pretend that I don't have days like that or moments where I am angry, sad, or frazzled is disingenuous. And, quite frankly, it's not helpful to anyone else to think that perfect women like that exist. Because they don't.
So today, I encourage you to be real. Constantly strive to be the best that you can be, but be real while you're doing it. And, share that with others. Share your faults and strengths, failures and victories, and fears and courage. Because when you do that, you'll show others that they can do that too. And, if we were all a little more transparent, imagine how much more connected we'd all be.
Monday, November 2, 2009
I didn't blog on Friday because I wasn't sure what I was going to share. You see, I had a pretty bad week last week. And, I really didn't want to blog about what had me down last week. And, the funny thing is, most of what had me down, I hadn't even shared with anyone but God. And, that is when I realized that I needed to blog today about last week. You see, I don't think it's very helpful to you if I always blog about what's right in my life. Because sometimes, there are weeks that just stink. And, last week was one of those weeks.
But, what I realized this morning in my devotion is that I can share even that with you and most importantly, with God. Because, guess what girls? He already knows! I can tell Him what I am afraid of, what I am nervous about, what I am excited about, what I am angry about and He'll listen. And then, here's the best part. If you're quiet enough, He'll tell you things back.
I had that experience on Friday in my devotion. Before I even opened my book, I let it all out with God. And, I told Him everything I was feeling. And, then I said to Him, "What do you have for me today?" I opened my devotion and then was awed at what I read. It was exactly what I needed to hear. It was exactly what could help me with the aches of my heart.
Now, don't get me wrong, it's not a cure-all. I'm still going to struggle with some of the issues of last week. But, at least I feel like I am not alone. God is with me and will give me guidance when I ask.
I pray that you have this experience too. That you truly talk to God like a friend and that you listen when He speaks.
