Cookie Cutter

Romans 12:1-21    
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ...

This past week both my kids went back to school.  To pass the time I thought of baking some homemade cookies for them and some other kiddos that I know & love.  When I taught I would make cookies or bring in fruit snacks with a special note for each student.  I wanted them to know they were unique, cared about, and we were going to have an awesome year in learning.  And, I prayed over each of those souls for the school year.  As, their teacher I helped to encourage, counsel, and provide an atmosphere that was based on respect and kindness. 

I'm the first to admit that my kids are gifts from God & help guide my path.  This week I was reminded of that when I got home over the weekend.  I had bought Dale some new shirts for school and two that I thought were ahh-mazing he took one look at and said, "Nope not gonna wear it" and gave them back.  Why I asked him.  He told me he refuses to wear a huge label across his chest and advertise for a company.  He doesn't see the point of marketing to the masses and following the rest of the kids that wear that stuff and act like jerks.

 I asked him what if it was another label and gave examples and asked what do those mean.  He said to me, "Mom, they are labels that manufacturers make and market as cool.  That doesn't mean it is.  It's no different than any other shirt...they are the same.  The difference is in who is wearing them.  I'd rather not associate with any labels and just be who God made me.  Does that make sense?".  Ohhh, my goodness!  What Dale meant was the only label he needs to know is that of Christ and walking with Him.  And, this kid is 15....how does that happen?  Dale knows Christ and realizes He is your label, status symbol, and basing your life on His.

Can I tell you how much I love that my 15 year old gets that concept? And, that he challenged his mom's view of what is cool, popular, or even worthy when it comes to clothing & life. I thought of Romans 12:1-21 and Paul.  He was desperately trying to get the people to understand Christ as our Savior and our function with Him.  He was trying to reach them that we are all one yet individuals.  This took on a whole new meaning for me as my son challenged my follow the flock ideals of fashion & who I am this week.

God tells me "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ... " .  That means that I'm part of God's posse right?  I roll with him. I'm sure if Dale heard that he'd give me a look...wahahaha.  But it's true.  No matter where I've been or where I go I'm with Christ.  And, because he's known me forever he created me not to fit in a "cookie cutter" image.  We are all unique!  Isn't that freeing to hear you are "unique"?  As a kid "unique" meant being kooky, weird, or different....far from a "cookie cutter".  But in Christ and through him that same girl that can be kooky & different can shine for Him.  I love that!

As, for the cookies I delivered those to a  handful of kids that I'm praying for this school year. I gave each of them a special scripture that I'll pray over them this month with an encouraging note.  One of their moms thanked me and told me how special it was because people don't do things like that.  I told her it wasn't me it was God.  After all, God knows me, created me to do what is "good and acceptable" through him.

Can you imagine if we all did one of those smalls that God pushes us to do?  Who are you making cookies for this week?  That's a metaphor for the week.  I challenge you to open up to the smalls that God puts on your heart & take action.

Peace be with each of you this week- Sherry

Cumbersome

1 John 5:3
"In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome"

Dang it!  This is a hard confession.  I'm a self motivator.  I admit loving being left up to do things.  Having things dropped in my lap that's a challenge.  And, being trusted to take care of something or handle it that's the icing on the cake with sprinkles.  

When I was in my 20's I would tell you I thrived in chaos and stress and loved every moment of it.  That is exactly where I was in my personal life in chaos and I didn't thrive or love it.  What I did do is learn that I had to give up control and give it all to God.  I had to sincerely ask for his fix and move on and find the joy in the moment, day, or week.

Believe me I learned to refine my statement about where I thrive.  In my 30's it was I thrived in the classroom, surrounded by students and meeting their challenges through Christ.  Ahh, see I learned to put Christ in that statement.  I also learned to breathe, relax, and not burn all my bridges. 

I'm now in my 40's and what is my statement.  Where do I fit in and where would I thrive for God.  Believe me that's been the big talk JC and I have been having this past year.  I'm a creature of habit I love being trusted with a project & challenge.  What I'm learning is that those "projects" or "challenges" aren't necessarily ones that a boss, the Tedster, or people place in my life.  I'm in a season that God is placing those things in my lap.  If I'm truthful he has for a long time but I didn't stop or think I could dare.

Because of my less than "daring" attitude God placed me in situations where he gave me what I asked for.  He's given me a people that need my help but really don't want it and take the joy from it.  Can you relate?  They say they want your help, your prayers, and your honesty.  When all that is given you look around and just see people who tell you what you want to hear.  But their actions show you that they don't want your help.  They tell you to your face they don't want your prayers....ahh, heartbreak for this gal.  Prayer is essential in my life and a gift from God how can they not get that?  And, finally, honesty....well, I've found they don't want that either.  My truth and honesty aren't part of their picture.  Basically, they want you to be who you are but not. For me it's been a series of they love Sherry from her red hair to her toes but that's where it stops.  The outward shell....the inward shell that loves the Lord, has a teacher heart, management skills, can write, give, and care.  Well, those aren't necessarily what they want or need.  Have you been there?  Loved a job and then found out a co-worker was undermining you?  Maybe that a family member was lying about you?  Or being told that you have to comply and in turn you lose who God designed you to be?  I've been there, done that, and right back into a similar situation.

I was pouring my heart out to God this past month and I got the word "cumbersome" that kept popping up.  I thought of the song lyric, "I have become cumbersome to this world" and literally started to cry.  Is that what God was sharing to my soul. I'm cumbersome meaning unnecessary? I looked up a definition of cumbersome and saw "awkward, clumsy".  God, that's not even funny because you designed me and know I'm both.  But then I went on reading the definition and stopped when I came to the word "unwieldy".  Unwieldy means not able to move because of it's weight.  And yes, I thought, God not a fat joke and I really did and laugh out loud.  What I heard was that I am unwieldy in what I think God wants me to do.  And, that I needed to free myself from that title in order for a tidal wave to wash over me.

The thought of a tidal wave coming over me freaks me out!  Know why?  I don't like my face getting wet....not the fear of drowning, being submerged, or even being tossed about.  Nope it's getting my face wet....wahhahahaha. I believe God has something in store for me that will take my breath away because I'm listening to him. Now if I would just be willing to get my face wet imagine what He's got in store.

I'm "listening" this season. Here's what's happening:

•  I did lunch with a gal pal and ask her if I could share my dream with her.  I told her about wanting to do Creation Station with children in my community and asked if I could use a building space.  She asked me how soon and talked with me about figuring out funding for it because of the time, energy, and supplies I'll need.  I love her because she dreams big like me. She sees that  Creation Station could turn into an incredible outreach of bringing God's love through art to kids in my community. 
• Another gal pal whose in the know about grants and funding said there is nothing in Cass County like it. She sees that it covers so many areas. She could see me use it to reach young girls and inspire them, teach kids to use the arts as a form of communication and awareness in their lives.  And, to build their mental health through creativity to escape depression, anxiety, and express their feelings. She's got me in contact with a grant writer that teaches how to write grants. 
• I've been contacted by that church down in Dallas again.  They wanted to check in on me and my progress with my artroom.  I love that.....know why?  They don't know me.  They only know my blog.  But they are checking in. 
• I've started to write my business plan so I've got it ready for anyone or organizations to help me.  God sent me to college as an English major that wanted to work as an investment broker. I can see what I learned how to do is going to be used.
• I'm praying this week on how to network with homeschool co-ops and preschools in order to do a WOW (workshop on wheels) for their groups.  And, how to design art workshops that would help them meet art criteria for their students.

God is so outstanding when you allow yourself to stop being "cumbersome" & "unwieldy".  He preps you for a little water on your face from the tidal waves.  I know that I've spent a season being "unwieldy" and that stops today.  I'm ready for a splash.

Peace Be With You- Sherry

Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay

For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17

What does a season mean to you?  There are four : spring, summer, fall, winter.  Or it can be a time in your life that things are moving in a new directions and change.  That is the kind of season that I'm talking about although the hot summer weather doesn't help.

The change I'm in is experiencing being a listener.  The problem is that when you listen it isn't always something you want to hear or should have to hear.  As a listener I close off part of myself that wants to jump right into "helper" mode.  And, because of me siting back I've heard some things that are heart breaking to me from friends and my family.  Instead of trying to defend myself or yell I just take it all in, say nothing, and walk in peace.  Do you know how hard that can be?  Betcha there are some of you that do.

 My mom would always refer to Thumper's mom in Bambi and tell me "if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all".  I find myself if a season of saying nothing because there is nothing nice to say in a lot of situations.  There are friends that I would love to tell what I really think or how they hurt me but instead I think stay silent.  When my hubby breaks my heart for the zillionth time I say "I understand" rather than what I feel.  When I offer to help and no one returns my calls I take it as a message from God to stay silent and my heart breaks each and every day.  There is something in my very fiber of who I am that doesn't stay silent but I've felt God telling me to just be quiet.

I prayed on this blog long and hard because it was complicated and had so many layers that I would bore you if I went into.  I'm not designed to be a crybaby, complainer, or negative.  That's just not who I am.  I'm the one that finds joys in the everyday, loves the Lord, and praises Him for each small & large victory.  Lately, I feel like that person is being silenced.  That Sherry is being held captive because she doesn't want to cause a stir, hurt someone, or just be mean.  The Sherry that I've been the last couple of months is not what God intends and I feel broken.

Know the best thing about feeling broken?  God takes all those fractured pieces and builds you back up piece by piece.  This week I feel a pull in my soul to take action and accountability for myself....yeah, you heard me.  I'm responsible for my attitude and I chose joy, positive thoughts, and to do the smalls that make life live-able because that is who God designed me to be.  He also gave me grace where I step (yes, most of you know what I klutz I am are giggling).  He allows me to choose my words wisely, pick my battles, and be accountable to Him alone.  And, that is something that I thought I wouldn't be able to do again .  What I've found out is that God didn't take the feisty gal away he just gifted her with the ability to silence herself.  He gifted me with the ability to listen and not to talk no matter how hard that can be.  And, he took me through some heartbreaking situations to let me see a path of what I can do.

This week I'm starting out in a different mode.  What is it? To live in joy by doing the small stuff that I'm capable of, asking for help when I need, and being grateful for each step of the way. I've asked my kids to help me with projects around the house.  And, I made an appointment this morning to see my cancer counselor in a couple of weeks when the kids go back to school.  Those are all joys to my day. I also am starting to feel that I'm hatching out of this season of my life with a newbie philosophy of taking care of myself, finding a voice to say what is acceptable and unacceptable, and learning to have a new respect & gratitude for my family and friends, and the ability to listen without reacting.  Ohh, God, you are so cool! 

I would encourage all of you to find your voice this week. If that means going through a season of staying silent, observing, and being a listener....do it.  As I'm writing this Otis Redding is crooning about Sitting on the Dock of the Bay....oh, God what a great reminder to my spirit of what has been going on & changing in my world.  I've come out being aware of who I am, what I stand for, and been gifted the ability to sit back, listen, and reflect before reacting. 

It's really a magnificent feeling but I'm tired from it and thankful that I can feel God's presence through it.  I'm praying for each of you that read this that our Heavenly Father be with you each step of the way and encourage your progression no matter the season of your life.

Peace Be With You- Sherry