If only Monet or Van Gogh could capture some of my childhood memories; they’d make quite a collection– especially the summer months. Summer is my favorite place! Bring on the brightest colors and the hottest temperatures! Ready to be refreshed! Recharged!
So many memories, my treasures, were discovered in the summertime. How deeply these images were impressed during those summers! In my mind, summertime was always green–first. Aboard an outdated lawn mower, wearing a serious layer of Banana Boat™ tanning oil, I’d zip over the five-acre spread first thing every Saturday morning. Freshly cut grass earned me a few dollars plus an envious tan! Of course, if I damaged Grandma’s roses in the process, then the only color I’d see was red–from the switch marks across the back of my legs. Most of my red memories are of fresh watermelons and strawberries, and a couple of major sunburns. Yellow is a definite color of summer. Lemons weren’t just for lemonade: lemon juice was a country girl’s secret D.I.Y. for hair highlights. How can I forget my bright yellow, banana-seat bicycle—forever an icon of freedom and independence! These flashbacks of endless blue skies over white sandy beaches still impress me!
One color, however, lived year-round in “my world.” From deep purple to lavender plus all the shades in between, anything worth keeping had to fall within this category: my favorite brush, backpack, sneakers, bedding, and one highly admired pair of boots. (Y’all may recall the term, “Ropers?”) All thanks to one very cool cousin, whose favorite color, of course, was purple! How’d she do it?
Ever wonder how to influence your own heart? On purpose?
The type of seed we plant determines the type of crop we get. Mark 4:24 says to “pay attention to what you hear. The same degree of thought and study you give to what you hear determines the degree of life and virtue that comes back to you.” The condition of the soil is a big factor, too. From Proverbs 4:4 we find these wonderful reminders to “let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.” I remind my own children of Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
With extra time during these colorful summer days, I try to reflect on the impressions I’m making–not just on others–but also on the condition of my heart! How impressed will you be?
Vulnerability. Exposure. Being laid bare before others. It’s something no one enjoys, because since the fall of man, we don’t like being “naked” in front of others. It often brings a sense of shame, but that’s not at all what our Father’s heart intended for us when He created in us the need to be connected to people, to one another. His intention for the exposure was never to bring shame but to bring healing.
We were never meant to walk the path of life alone or to “figure it out ourselves.” He created us with the purpose of fellowship and connection. He literally said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” And from the very beginning the enemy has conned us into shame and hiding. Man partnered with shame and hid from the very thing, the very One, who had the answer. They assumed that God would reject them for their nakedness, and they hid. Their hiding kept them from the One who would actually cover their nakedness and find a way to repair what had once been and what was lost.
It’s no different today. The moment we feel exposure coming or an opportunity to be vulnerable with our brothers or sisters we hide, afraid of being naked or laid in front of them. We have partnered with the lie that shame and condemnation is what we will be handed in return. The truth is that we are in a process of refining, and part of that process is for dross to come to the surface. It’s not the negative thing the enemy has trained us to believe but rather it means that our value is about to increase. In order for the value of a metal to increase, it has be put to flame and the impurities rise to the surface…exposed. The metal worker doesn’t condemn the metal for it’s impurities, they simply put it to the fire so that the worth the metal worker knows is already there can be revealed.
The Father wants you to know that exposure and vulnerability with others wasn’t designed by Him to embarrass you. It was designed by Him to increase your value. Stop hiding in the bushes of shame. Come out, be healed and made whole.
Psalm 91:2 I will say to the Lord, my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.
Those are big words. I hold them dear and He has proven them true so many times in my life. He. Is. Faithful.
I want to be faithful, but when the really big storms blow in it’s tough to stand firm. Fear creeps in, panic starts to rise and it’s hard to just walk into that fortress and be still.
For sometime now the Lord has been showing me it’s all about choices and actions. I can’t say He is my refuge and fortress if I keep running out to see if I can “help” Him in some way. I have to be still and let Him fight for me. When I say that I trust Him it has to be with everything. I have to surrender my health, my finances, my children, my grandkids, my security…….my everything.
We are living in crazy times. Chaos seems to rule the day. Are you ready? Are you willing to personalize this verse and put your name in that top line. Lay down those burdens and run to Jesus. He will not disappoint.
It seems like everywhere you go today you get to make choices. We can get our burgers, “My way, right away,” we can get 1,063,953 fountain drink combinations at Sonic, and I hear there is even a secret menu of choices at Starbucks. America is a great country and choosing things for yourself is a great thing.
I love having choices. If I want a triple, grande, half caf, sugar-free, mocha, iced coffee with extra ice, then so be it! For $5.50, I can have my coffee however I want. I am in charge. I am in control. I am drinking a ridiculous, but tasty coffee. Life is good, right?
Now I don’t care how you take your coffee unless I’m fixing it for you. I think you should order it the way you like it. When it is a simple thing of personal preference like coffee, you go ahead and order however you like it best. But I wonder sometimes if our human desire to make choices has gotten a little out of control? I feel like it has seeped into our culture to an unhealthy level. It isn’t just about coffee anymore y’all, and that is scary. As humans, we like to be in control and have independence, I am no different, but I think we need to remember that we are not the ultimate authority. That power rests solely with God. As Christians, we can make any choice we want but it is our responsibility to vet each choice using a supernatural lens. Is my personal choice glorifying to God? Is my choice going to be a stumbling block to my brothers and sisters? Will my choice showcase Jesus to lost people or will it damage my witness before them?
These sound like easy questions, but they represent a hard way of life. Choosing to put away selfish desires is the opposite of our human nature. In fact, we can’t do it…not apart from the power of the Holy Spirit. But God is so gracious to us. He sent His son, Jesus, to die for our sins, so that all who love Him and ask Jesus to forgive their sins and to be Lord of their life can be save. When you ask Jesus to be Lord of your life, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of you. Now you have the living God helping you when you make choices. Now listen, making choices God’s way will not become a natural thing overnight, but if we spend time reading the Bible, praying, and learning to listen to the Holy Spirit within us, we can align our choices with what God wants for us.
Of course, I still struggle with this concept, and I know I fail as much as I get it right, but I want to live within the will of God. I want to make choices that please our Heavenly Father, don’t you? Choosing to live life God’s way won’t always be popular, easy, or even allow us to make the choices that we ourselves want in the moment, but I promise that if you make earthly choices by obeying Godly wisdom, your choices will be good, and pleasing to your Heavenly Father. Philippians 2:13 says “For it is God who is working in you, enabling you to both desire and to work out His good purpose.” Isn’t that what we all desire? So today, instead of “My way, right away,” let’s live life “God’s way, right away.”
You know the one. When the reality of summer sets in and you can finally – after a year full of events and challenges and to do lists a mile long – you can breath.
Man, it feels good. For more than one reason.
Accomplishment. Rest. The sweet relief of stress rolling off of your shoulders. After all, vacay mode is an awesome mode.
I’m not sure what’s on your summer bucket list, but I hope that being intentional in your relationship with God is.
▪️I pray that this summer truly brings you God’s peace and presence.
▪️I pray that you find time to spend in God’s word.
▪️I pray that your relationship with God is rekindled if need be.
▪️I pray that you see God’s beauty all around you.
I pray that you breath.
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
Friends, we’ve done it: we’ve survived another school year and are heading into summer break! And, you know, I’m so relieved. I mean, the last few weeks have been touch and go, right?
True confession, while I am no longer teaching full time, and have no kids at home anymore, somehow, we are still very busy. Like, much busier than I’d like to be. So, while over the past 6 weeks you might have found yourself in finishing up baseball mode, dance recital mode, piano recital mode, end-of-the-school year lunacy mode or any number of other “modes,” or, all-of-the-above, I have been in my yearly “I quit” season.
Yes, every year, somewhere around Easter, I enter my “I quit” season, and I want to quit everything. And, I do mean EVERYTHING – teaching, writing, speaking, small groups, Bible study (sorry, God), cleaning house, cooking, laundry, friends, family, shopping, smiling, showering and quite nearly, breathing. (Which pretty much only leaves eating and sleeping-two things I vow to never quit.)
By this point you might be a little concerned, like, “Sherra, are you serious? Why in the world would you want to quit everything?” Oh, it’s so simple, friends: I’m tired.
Actually, I’m exhausted. And, look, three-quarters of the year, I love and adore all of the before mentioned things, but there comes a point in the year when I’m just done – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I mean, we just go and go and go until we just can’t go anymore! Can I get a witness?
And, truly, the vast majority of our activities are impactful and have eternal importance; but, that doesn’t mean they don’t wear me out. Yep, it’s time for a break, people, and that’s the best thing about summer!
I hope you all take some wonderful trips-to the beach, to the lake, camping, to Walt Disney World, or any other wonderful place you might have a hankering to go to, but more than anything, I hope you get some REST this summer.
Ah, rest; just the word makes my blood pressure drop a few points. In addition to taking one fabulous trip and spending time with family and friends this summer, I fully intend on doing a lot of sleeping in, laying around reading and watching movies, and just generally relaxing.Resting, resting, resting! And, friends, that will do my tired mind, body, and will so much good!
But how do we rest spiritually? How do we make sure, while we’re making time to rest our bodies and minds, our spirits get some attention, too? Well, I intend to REST, and here’s my plan:
• R-ekindle my relationship with God. If you’re like me, when things get crazy busy, some of our very best routines go by the wayside. Unfortunately, this can include the time we spend with God. So, why not take time this summer to rekindle your relationship with your God? Talk with God about all that’s happened over the past 9 months, study a new book of the Bible, start a new devotional; spend time at the place you feel closest to God-the beach, the lake, the mountains or even just your back porch with a cup of coffee. Whatever works best for you to really reconnect with God, do it!
• E-xamine my activities and commitments.This is a big one for me, personally. Busyness is something that can very easily get us off track with our relationships with God and our families-even being busy doinggood things. Some questions I intend on asking myself this summer are:
o “What are the things that I know God has called me to do?”
o “What are some things/activities/ministries I need to give up?”
o “What am I doing that has the most eternal value?”
Examining our activities can be difficult and takes some soul-searching, but it’s also truly beneficial. Be brave! When school rolls around again and regular life comes with it, our willingness to do this hard work will bring us one step closer to living our best lives.
• S-mile. One of the things I should do when I start to feel stressed and overwhelmed, is to count my blessings! It helps me to review the landmarks in my life-recounting the many, many ways God has come through for me, the ways I have grown in my relationship with Him and how dear He is to me. This activity always brings a smile to my face!
• T-rust. Trust God, friends. Trust Him with the questions you can’t answer, trust Him with an uncertain future, trust Him with your troubled past. Trust that He is leading you, giving you wisdom; that He is always with you, no matter where you go or what you’re up against. But most of all, trust that He is good, always; trust that He has only good planned for you and loves you with a fierce, unfailing love. Just trust Him.
As we usher in summer, and all the crazy fun it brings, I so hope that you will find rest for your weary soul. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus tells us,
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
He really means it, friends. Bring your tired, weary self to the One who can make you new. There is no rest like God’s rest. So, let’s do it.friends. Let’s rest.
A message from your latest recovering perfectionist –
We are not called to figure it all out. We are not called to wake up in the morning and have it all together or go to bed at night beating ourselves up for not being perfect during the day. I remember a time where I use to replay scenarios in my head and tell myself what I should of done differently. It was draining. It’s a very refreshing feeling knowing that I have found comfort in the fact that my job is not to wake up and meet the qualifications of my own expectations of perfection.
As I am walking the path the Lord has for me there are still times I find myself at an intersection. Not a highway intersection – although my “life intersection” has many of the same qualities. My life intersection is full of red lights, yield signs, and lines of what seem to always be a slow wait. I share this with the knowledge I’m not the only “recovering perfectionist” that was once crying for a way out. Don’t get me wrong, I love working at every task 100%. I try to put every ounce of energy into what I’m doing to make it perfect. But it’s okay if it’s not. He doesn’t expect it to be.
The problem is when the struggle of perfection makes us yield from what we are called to be. Simply to be obedient.
“How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:103-105
Thank you for the green light at my constant intersection, Lord. Thank you for refreshing my soul – it needs it. Thank you for the reminder that you already sent me with the knowledge that I was never going to be perfect & that’s okay. Finally, thank you for the reminder of how desperately I need the cross.
That’s why Jesus did what he did – for our imperfect, human nature. We have been the problem since the very beginning. It was never my job to be have it all figured out. To be perfect. My job is to wake up daily and give it my best shot. I need to give it my all for Christ by being an example of obedience. That’s my job.
So why do so many of us feel as if it is our job? Our bodies are dying, but our soul is refreshed daily. He needs us to do our job. The job of trusting and resting in the fact that He has every ounce of this crazy highway of life under control. It’s all carefully sculpted in his hands. He tends to take all the broken pieces and transform them into masterpieces.
Today I encourage you to stop allowing the enemy to seep in. You were never meant to live up to this expectation you have set for yourself. God wants to use you to impact this world. He wants to make beauty out of your refreshed soul and imperfections. Simply by realizing that you are called to rely on his love and be obedient will help you find your green light and accelerate through this highway we call life.
“Love one another.” That’s a basic command. We teach it to our kids in our efforts to teach them to be kind. I, however, have been struggling with this basic command.
God has been really working on me in this area. Do I really love as God loves? That’s the question.
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34 We think we love others by just not being mean, but look at that whole command, “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another”. OUCH! That’s hard! It’s definitely more than just not being mean!
You know that busybody that’s always in your business? Yep, we are to love them. That person that likes to tell you what to do because they ALWAYS know EVERYTHING? Yep, we are to love them. That person that just gets on your very last nerve? Yep, we are to love them. That person that smells bad and is dirty? Yep, we are to love them. That person that is living life contrary to biblical standards? Yep, we are to love them. That politician that is lying? Yep, we are to love them. That mean person? Yep, we are to love them. That hyper critical person always picking you apart? Yep, we are to love them. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is that there is no reason for us not to love.
Jesus tells us to love as He loved. That’s huge. “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 He loves us so much that He gave everything for us. We are the busybodies, the know it alls, the one getting on the last nerve, the smelly, dirty sinners, the disobedient, the liars, the mean people, the hyper critical, and yet, Christ with His boundless merciful love gave His all so that we could be saved from being what we as humans see as unlovable. When we encounter the “unlovable”, let’s stop and consider that we were once “unlovable”. Let’s not run the other way. Let’s face them head on with words and actions that point to the love of Christ. I don’t have to agree with them to love them. Jesus certainly didn’t agree with my sinful life!
He did not run from me. He ran to me with open arms, even while I was disgusting. In light of such love, what right do we have to withhold love?
The woman walking around the sports store with toilet paper stuck to her shoe. The mom aimlessly wandering the parking lot of the grocery store clicking her key fob because she forgot where she parked. The lady digging like Mary Poppins in her bottomless purse for the wallet at the register only to realize that she accidentally left it in her car. These are my people. I’ve lost an i-pad and two cell phones to the wind that blew them off the top of my vehicle. I got a phone call from a neighbor in Beaumont while I was at a concert…in HOUSTON…”Rachael, your car is still running in your driveway…” in BEAUMONT. Most recently, I physically misplaced my breakfast…and never found it and then showed up for a doctor appointment a week early…all within one morning. Y’all! I’m a mess! And, it’s okay! Even more so, it’s okay to talk about it. I have found that transparency of my hot-mess-ness puts people at ease around me and helps lessen the pressure for others to act like they have it all together around me.
Now, sometimes I’m probably too transparent. For example, all of my students in my classroom know if I sneeze, Mrs. Scoggin just peed a little. My soccer players know that if I suddenly bust into a movement even slightly athletic with no forethought or preparation, Coach Scoggin definitely just wet her pants. It’s a true story. You’re welcome. BUT, with the laughter at such an unfortunate reality comes a light-hearted peace and undeniable familiarity that allows for pure honesty and vulnerability giving these sweet teenagers an opportunity to express their fears and reveal their own imperfections in a safe place. They know that I will love them just for who they are…right where they are with no judgement. Isn’t that what we all want for ourselves–someone who loves us unconditionally, no matter what we’ve been through or what we’ve done in the past?
As Anne Wilson says, “Let me tell you about my Jesus.” (Best song EVER, by the way!) Jesus is the One who loves people THROUGH me just for who they are, right where they are. He’s the One who taught me through my own experiences with people that it’s okay to not be what our society says is perfect. All throughout scripture, He is sitting with the sinners, standing up for the women, raising up the poor, and eating with the unclean. He tore down walls of division and instead taught about reconciliation. He goes as far as telling us to love our enemies and pray for them!
Mark 2:15-17 tell us, “And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Why did the tax collectors and sinners feel comfortable enough to follow the Lord Most High? What made them feel like they could fit in with that crowd? Well, they realized that Jesus loved them right where they were…just for who they were. He knew from the beginning of creation that those people were going to be hot messes. He knew we would be too! And, guess what? He loves us anyway! He wants to eat at OUR table, and wants us to invite other messes to eat with us! He wants to stand up for US, and wants us to stand up for others. He wants to care for US, and wants us to care for others. No expectations of perfection allowed. He loves us right where WE are and just for who WE are. He wants us to do the same. So get out there and start loving on the hot messes in your life! You’ll be blessed by it, and so will they!
Rays of Sunshine inc 