The bar has been set

So yesterday I wrote about lifting my eyes and my spirit by actually setting a goal so low, that I could reach it.

The bar has been set...and the clock has started.

Here we go.

I'm thankful for the example of perseverance in others or even in nature. I give you the Common Milkweed, Asclepias Syriaca.  This little tender shoot is growing right smack dab in the middle of our yard.

To which you could easily ask, "What's the big deal? Don't you grow milkweed anyway?"

Yes, yes we do. But we have an area where we grow them so they are not mowed down like this one will be.  As a matter of fact, it will be mowed down a few times this summer...as it was mowed down last year. It just keeps coming back, like most weeds do. However, if you know me, you know the significance of this particular plant.  It is the sole source of food for the Monarch Butterfly and if you know even a little about the Monarch, you know that it has a long journey every year from its wintering grounds in Mexico to parts as far as Canada during the summer months.

Along the way they need this plant but unfortunately many of the vast fields where the milkweed has grown freely have been almost eliminated by human population or soybean and corn crops. It's not necessarily a bad thing but what is sad is that these plants can grow alongside roads and in parks but they are cut down.

And the Monarchs' numbers are dropping. Drastically.

Of course there are other factors as well, but for the Monarchs that do survive, they need milkweed to lay their eggs.  No other plant will do for their hungry little caterpillars.

Here's the genius part. These different varieties of milkweed, with the common milkweed being the most nutritious (as I'm told), are just that --weeds. They will grow almost anywhere and they multiply like crazy. They come back, year after year, mow after mow. They are persistent plants and they have a sole purpose -- to continue the life cycle of the Monarch.  It's almost like God knew. [wink, wink]

What?!

He knew mankind would flourish and fill the earth, after all God did command it. He knew the fragile life cycle of the Monarch would be compromised at some point. So in turn, God planned ahead and made the Monarch and the Milkweed partners. He provided the migratory encoding and the wintering grounds. All the Monarch has to do is wait out the winter and God would provide a resilient little plant that can stand as tall as 4ft in some places.

The smallest of smalls isn't so small when it has a purpose.

And no matter where I am planted, I have a purpose.  If negative thought mows me down, I need to remember persistence, just like the common milkweed, and keep coming back. I can give thanks to God for the now, and not concern myself with what I am missing out on.

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers -- most of which are never even seen -- don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works, fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." Mt 6:30-33 (MSG)

Suffering produces perseverance and perseverance produces character. And if beauty is truly on the inside, then may my character be as beautiful as the Monarch butterfly in the hands of someone who loves it very much.

Blessings for your day,




all photos taken by Lisa Arnold with my Canon PowerShot SX150 IS 14 Megapixel 12X Optical Zoom Black Digital

Happy New Year!

I love butterflies.

I don't mean in the little girl, pretty delicate pink and yellow polka dotted butterflies with sparkles. I mean the gorgeous beauties in nature that fight with every beat of their wings to survive. Most especially I love the Monarch.

I love everything about these beautiful creatures.

I will tell you why.

But not today.

Today I will tell you of one verse.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Cor 5:17)

What a wonderful truth to remember as we ring in the New Year with all the grace He has given us!  Celebrate it. Embrace it. Live it.

Blessings for your new year, 

Today

I started a private blog two years ago where I could write and just have a space to myself. Those perceived "walls" of silence were my comfort and friend in the maddening world of cyberspace.  Little did I now how that space, my personal space, would begin a process of opening places in my heart that remained hidden from so many. 

I wrote for myself.

Then one hot day in July of 2008 hit my soul and crushed my spirit in a form of grief I did not recognize. I woke up mornings attempting to function and cast off a heavy dressing of sadness and tears I believed was not mine to wear. I truly agonized. But why? Why was my pain so real and why did I think I had no right to cry? After all, I had only met her a year prior.

Why was it that every time I thought of her and saw his face, I felt a hot spear rip my flesh and stop my heart?

Why?

Today I can tell you why.

Because every life matters and I love her. I have loved her from the moment I first held her little daughter.  Her little girl had me the moment I saw her with her barely-there-red hair and earrings that sparkled just like her momma's eyes. This little girl was a tiny six month old and I drank up every minute I had with her...and I loved her mother for trusting me to hold her while she attended church.

Yes, I love her and I want you to know her name. 

Her name is Sara.

Today I also want you to know his name.

His name IS Brody.

Today I remember him. Today I say his name and know his family. Brody's mom. Brody's dad. Brody's brothers and sister. Brody's family and friends.  Each and every one of them one loved him and still do. Each one grieved by his death two years ago on that hot summer day.

In my own grief I wrote a poem for Sara and because I was so inspired by her own courage, I shared it with her. It was the first poem I ever shared. When I gave it to her, I admitted that there was one line I didn't want to put in because I felt it was out of place.  I told Sara that I had to pray over it and actually felt God speak to my heart and insist I put the line in.  I argued and pleaded but the tugging on my heart had won.

It was a line about butterflies.

Guess what Sara said. She said it was the part that meant the most.

Imagine that.

Today is August 19th - Day of Hope, which was started by another mom who's son died. She lives in Australia and on 08.19.2008, she dreamt of her son playing on the beach.  That day, that morning of hope, a dream turned into a mission.

"A day to give. A day to remember. A day to speak out. All children are miracles"

I knew today was the opportunity to share Brody with you...and with Sara's permission, what I wrote for her two years ago.  After going to my private blog and searching, I found the poem I had posted for anyone to find.  The date: 08.19.2008

Imagine that.

Sara, this is for you, for your Brody because you know as well as I do that his life still matters today just as it did when I first shared this with you.

Today


Do you know I thought of you today?
Is it safe to call you my sister in Christ?
Is it safe to call you friend?
Is it safe to call?

So many questions
Not many answers
Only a bleeding heart
And empty arms

Do you know I thought of you today?
Did you visit with him?
The place where they laid him?
Did you see the butterfly dance above you?

So many days
But not enough time
The pain so real
You still feel him

Do you know I thought of you today?
Do you dream of him like I do of you?
Is he your first thought like you are mine?
Do you know how hard I pray?

I ask our Lord if I can carry some
Let me shoulder sadness - if only some
So you may have glimmers of joy
If only some

A month ago today
They laid him to rest
At this moment today
I prayed silently for you

Although I cannot take your pain
Although I cannot see tomorrow
Although you do not understand
Do you know I thought of him today?

...

I speak out because of courage. I speak out because I too have lost a baby I loved the moment I knew I carried him but I cannot imagine the pain of so many other mothers who have held their babies and have had to say goodbye.  I speak out because silence hurts. I speak out because I am unafraid. I speak out because my friend's son died...and I love her.

Notice the butterfly.

Imagine that.

Would you mind to take a moment out of your day and sign Brody's guest book on his virtual memorial site?  I know Sara and the family would sincerely appreciate it.  Please click here.

Today. 

Because even though we may lock ourselves away behind the "walls" of cyberspace, healing does begin when we reach out and share.

Blessings for your day,

Time with my Father - Part IV

Please be patient with me because this blog is changing.

GASP!

Not to worry. I’ve received so many beautiful and gracious comments here, via email, or in person that it has been very encouraging. I’m not going to stop writing but I do have to change some things and I’ve gotten the “go ahead” to tell you.

Part of the reason I started writing the series of “Time with my Father” was because of this very blog and those nine little words. I questioned how I could possibly bring my beloved Father all due credit for what was happening in my life, in the lives of others. So we spent a lot of time together and He showed me many things. With every little thing He showed me, my eyes opened wider and my heart grew bigger.

I want these stories to be about these beautiful people and how God is pouring Himself into blessing me in the process. I don’t want to write the stories about these encounters for the purpose of writing or recognition. I want others to feel bold and brave enough to do it also...and feel His mighty love.

In addition, if for whatever reason someone I had asked happened to come to this blog, I don’t want these individuals to ever feel like I exploited them for my purposes. That is why so much time is between each encounter and post. I allow their requests to soak in so I can love on the individual in private prayer.

I also wait for God’s lesson.

The stories are all so different from each other but what remains the same in every experience is that the blessing I receive is immediate and the lesson I learn lingers. For some time afterwards I feel like I am walking in another dimension, as if I have stepped into the lives of those I have spoken with. I become less petty and less critical, even if for a moment, of my life over what I have or don’t have. It’s almost as if I am experiencing the truth behind when Jesus was speaking to a religious leader about loving God and your neighbor as yourself.

Hearing Christ's words he responded, "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." [(Mk 12: 32, 33) emphasis added, mine.]

Oh! You mean not just going to church, and giving, and talking the talk but actually LIVING by serving and LOVING by walking the walk in our communities...our neighborhoods?

Yup.

In asking the question “How can I ask God to bless you today?”, I am having the unique opportunity to see the heart of the one I ask. To see what is not talked about. To see what they carry hidden. Maybe it’s not a secret that they share but a hidden burden, concern, worry or even joy. I also feel God's heart for their request.

I cannot tell you how many times I have seen tears well up or how many times someone has laughed. I cannot tell you how many times I have walked away and wondered how in the world I was able to see God’s heart for that person. His heart? A complete stranger? Just by asking a question? How is that even possible? I certainly do not understand it but do you know what Jesus said to the religious leader who understood what He was teaching?

“‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.” (Mk 12:34)

Out of so many pharisees who dispised Jesus, this one got it! He got the heart of everything God has ever said. Care enough as you would yourself. Care enough to love and you will experience His heart for those around you. Experience His heart and He is magnified in your life. You can't help but to fall deeper in love with Him. It is a glorious circle of loving God, loving people, and feeling completely loved in return. You can't get any closer to heaven on this earth than that.

No wonder those listening to Jesus  in that moment didn’t ask anymore questions. I don’t know how I feel God’s heartbeat when I ask those nine little words, but I do and I don’t dare ask anymore questions. I let the experience fill me.

Which brings me to what is changing about the blog.

These very private moments are between the person I ask, myself and God. At first I told my sweet and caring Papa God that I no longer wanted to write any of these stories because I feel completely inadequate to do it any justice. I felt Him speak to my heart that this mini- adventure I am on is to be shared. But I was still...afraid.

Don't worry. I didn't stop. I have spent weeks asking people those nine little words and debating whether I should share or not or even how. Needless to say, my Creator and I went on many walks and spent a lot of time talking. He’s been very convincing…in the gentlest way of course.

So, I will continue to share the stories but I will no longer tell you the details of where I had the encounter. Yes, I will give you the names because I believe in the power of praying for a person by name. I will also let you see my stumbles and self discoveries but in order to honor the privacy of these people God clearly loves and cares for, I will focus more on what I learned through the process.

Here’s to being “not far from the kingdom of God” by stepping out and pushing away my fear in order to experience the blessing of feeling my Father’s heartbeat…one beat at a time.

I believe it will be a beautiful thing.

...

Photographs of Monarch Butterfly in various by Lisa Arnold
taken with: