Brenda’s Blog – October 10, 2017

“Your sunroof is for sunny days!”

I love my sunroof – it is my compromise for the convertible-longing which will probably never be satisfied. There is only one negative: it isn’t designed to protect the interior from rain without direction. No, mine isn’t defective – none of them automatically close at the first rain drop… it is a manual operation. And when the driver locks the doors securely, checks into the hotels, and curls up in bed the car is on its own in a rain.

Imagine my surprise when I unlocked my door and noticed soggy books and papers on the passenger side. Then surveying the interior further, I discovered wet seats, console, and dashboard. Thankfully, it wasn’t a gully-washer, but certainly enough to get my attention.

Strangely the day before I visited the Ark Encounter, bought an umbrella, and casually laid it across the space between the front and back seats. Even though it wasn’t open, it’s broad, deep folds gathered water. Noah was saved by a gigantic boat; my interior was protected by a rainbow-hued bumbershoot.

After a good mopping up (and laying my Bible out to dry) I went on toward Tennessee. I thought about how safe I thought I was because I covered all the luggage with either a blanket or the built in shade. I locked the doors activating the alarm. I was a good steward! But I left the sun roof open.

Then it hit me. Haven’t there been times when I thought I had the bases covered but in haste forgot a critical element? Haven’t there been times when pride got in the way?

It makes me think about the soft spots in my character. Where am I vulnerable to ethical downpours? Where have I left openings for spiritual rain? Taking time to check my attitude, my heart, my motivations, and my desires can protect me from drizzly failures. When I let my guard down, I risk making mistakes which will require remediation.

Brenda’s Blog – September 26, 2017

“Ring the bell and something happens”

The line at the post office grew, as did the frustration. “Where is the postal clerk?” “Is anybody working today?” Our small rural facility doesn’t hold a very long line, but this agitated group made much noise.

Finally, someone saw a small hand-lettered sign on the crowded counter: “Ring the bell for service.” Quickly the first person walked up, dinged the bell (several times), and sure enough – a friendly postal worker arrived from the backroom. Each person was served efficiently. The man behind me smiled and said, “Ring the bell and something happens.”

I looked at him, smiled, and said “That’ll preach.” As a lay preacher, he thoughtfully said, “I think I will have to figure out how to use that.” I knew immediately – it was a blog post.

I also thought of the times in my life when I either figuratively or literally sat behind a parked car, fussing and fuming. So many times when I am stuck or at least at a standstill it isn’t because the system is broken, but because I am not in sync. The postal workers didn’t hide in the back wanting to frustrate us. No, they did their sorting work knowing that when they were needed in the front someone would ring the bell.

What bells need ringing in our lives? Are there relationships that seem to be at a dead end, but really just need the ring of a bell to enliven it? What are the assumptions we make at work that create long lines? Is there a solution waiting if we would only read the fine print on the signs? Where are the obvious log jams which only require an objective evaluation and appropriate action? Where are you standing in a line complaining when just a simple action would result in something happening?

Brenda’s Blog – September 12, 2017

“This is not just a bar – it’s an adventure.”

Driving through farmland of Illinois, I entered Minden (population 250). I pulled up to the stop sign in mid-town and looked around. The words on the building made me smile. What a positive outlook.

Wouldn’t it be fun to fill in the blanks for our own journeys? I am not just a ________; I am a ________. This pushes us to move beyond the boundaries of what we do to the consideration of who we are. The art of being is often put on the back burner as we focus diligently on the science of doing.

Hurricane Irma is bearing down on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The Governor Rick Scott has given regular updates. Each time he uses the language: “I am a father and a grandfather. I love my family. I want them to be safe and I want every single Floridian safe, as well.” These heartfelt words express more than his function as executive officer of the state. He is talking in “Am” language.

Who else did this? Our Almighty God when He conversed with Moses. “I AM that I AM.” He was the creator of the Universe, savior of the Hebrew nation, and sovereign God – He had much to put on His business card. But He chose to identify Himself in being words.

Following Him is not just a religion – it is a relationship. The adventure of faith is worth the dedication of our lives. He is not just a force, or a spooky Grandfather – He is our ALL in ALL. He is the ultimate definition of true life. HE IS AN ADVENTURE.

Brenda’s Blog – August 29, 2017

“That’s why we sing”

The bluegrass gospel group The Purple Hulls performed at the Big Sandy Music Hall in Texas last night. These twin sisters play multiple instruments, compose, and sing. Their professionalism is enhanced by their personable, authentic delivery. Fingers flew as they switched from banjo to guitar to mandolin and back again – over and over for two hours.

Their final number included the line “That’s why we sing.” Driving home I considered these words and started musing about my “why I sing.” Isn’t this a beautiful way to begin developing a purpose statement? Rather than impersonally listing strengths and weaknesses, wouldn’t it be fun to simply say “Why do I sing?”

Years ago I heard someone say, “Don’t die with your music in you.” As a Christian I don’t believe God takes me out until He has accomplished His purposes and finished His work. But I do know I have choices about the way I spend my time, use my gifts, and invest my money. I would like to leave shooting for a high C. As an alto moving toward tenor, this would indeed be a stretch!

The old gospel hymn says “I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He cares for me.” That is a good reason to sing.

Our song should express who we believe we are designed to be by God. Our song should resonate with praise for our Maker. The more we sing, the more convinced we should be about the fit. “This is my story, this is my song” wrote Fanny Crosby. Owning our song strengthens us.

Let’s sing our songs with fervor. Let’s eagerly vocalize our purpose.

Brenda’s Blog – August 15, 2017

“Superheroes have bumps…”

With a smile and great hope my son Jeff asked his five year old daughter, “Do I look like a super hero?” All Dads are bigger than life in the eyes of their little girls, so he expected a “Yes, Daddy!”

Instead, she just looked at him with an expression of surprise, “Oh, Daddy – you don’t look like a superhero – they have bumps on their arms and you don’t!” You could hear the wind rush out of the paternal balloon.

It made me think… how do I identify the super heroes? Do I look for the bumps on their arms? Do I look at the costumes they wear or the powers they seem to possess? Do I spend time looking at the external?

Scripture tells us we look on the outside, but God looks on the heart. How do we judge others? How much time do we spend examining someone’s heart? The world puts emphasis on “stuff,” but that isn’t a fail-safe measure. Dad used to tell people when they casually asked “how much is he worth?” they were actually asking about accumulation, not value. Our worth is established by our heavenly Father, not our stock broker. Bigger bumps don’t mean greater character.

My granddaughter has a genuine super hero for a Dad. He is a man of integrity, strength, faith, and love. His bumps will be seen through his legacy as a husband, father, and pastor. Let’s strive for bumps that are eternal.

Brenda’s Blog – August 1, 2017

“Come before winter” – Apostle Paul

Rick Southerland, BWF’s media director, emailed me: “The August 1st blog post will be your 100th – make it something good.” No pressure, right? So, I thought about nifty spins on 100 – without success. Then I did what I tell others to do – write about what God is teaching you.

For months I planned (and re-planned) a trip to West Virginia to see a dying friend. Details kept changing and I kept working for the ideal schedule. I wrote her saying I wanted to be there with her. I kept hearing Paul’s words from prison to Timothy repeating, “Make every effort to come before winter.” Paul knew if Timothy and Mark didn’t arrive in the next few months he would not see them on this earth. He certainly didn’t doubt the eternal reunion, but he longed for their physical presence.

My friend died a few days ago. She was surrounded by her family and many friends who loved her. She was not sitting in a cold dungeon, aching for the comfort of friends. But I didn’t get there before her winter. Yes, I will see her again in heaven – but I missed the opportunity to hug her, tell her I loved her, and thank her for all her life meant to me.

Why do I choose this for such a milestone? Simply because it points out the fragility of life and the moments which pass quickly. Life gallops these days – no slow sauntering along. We are caught up in the rush of daily-ness. Perhaps it is good to stop regularly, catching up with those we love and taking a reading on the status of our relationships.

Appreciation doesn’t have to be formal. A casual visit, a short card, a quick phone call – all give us an opportunity to be grateful. Notice the commonality in that list? They are all old school forms of communication. At some deeper level, our social media culture doesn’t satisfy the longing Paul expressed for human interaction.

Winters don’t have to be death. They can be emotional losses, physical struggles, business setbacks, or spiritual crises. Our friends send out “come before winter” signals. It is our joy and privilege to respond with the love of Jesus.

What is God teaching you right now? What is He writing on your heart? Who needs to hear it? And blessings on you as you answer the “come before winter” calls in your life.

Brenda’s Blog – July 18, 2017

“Workout complete – great job!”

The bicycle in my community exercise room knows motivation techniques well. After 30 minutes of demanding rotations, it beeps then digitally scrolls these “atta-girl” words. Funny, but they keep me going when I get midway and begin rationalizing a shorter ride. My affirmation requirement is low, isn’t it? But it works.

The Apostle Paul talked of his desire to run the race well, receiving the victor’s crown. That reward is the “well done” commendation by our God. Certainly that is a worthy goal. The earthly workout is complete and there is a “great job” waiting.
Zig Ziglar used to say daily food and daily motivation are both necessary for successful living. We must fuel our bodies and spirits. The fumes of empty tanks, both physical and psychological, make poor substitutes. Just as cars out of gas cough and sputter, so do we when we run low on authentic motivation.

I have several friends who define their lives as “overwhelmed.” They feel the pressures of relationship tensions, financial shortfalls, life changes, and loneliness. It becomes difficult to operate smoothly… life sputters. During these periods, encouragement and inspiration provide impetus to get going.

My Dad’s wisdom influenced men and women for decades. His words spoken to others often helped me. But there were others directed to me which became engraved on my skull, ever ready for application. “Brenda, just start!” During a particularly difficult time he quietly listened to my moaning and responded with those words. Years later that motivation still works. Taking the first step or accomplishing the first task, (much like putting my feet on the pedals and rotating), kick start activity.

Consider carefully: What starts your engine? What keeps you moving? What motivation spurs you to activity? Be grateful for these prompts and techniques which enable us to live productively.

Brenda’s Blog – July 4, 2017

“We Made Too Much”

The sign over the baked goods caught my eye. The marketing department hit a home run. “Day old -on sale half price” is common in bakeries. I am drawn to their marked down items.

This header on the shelving unit made me smile. “We Made Too Much.” They could have just as easily posted “We Sold Too Little” and sent the same overage message. But someone understood the power of an apt phrase.

The book of Proverbs gives us this visual: “Like apples of gold in settings of silver so is a word skillfully spoken.”

The construction of words can greatly impact the effect. I am working on a shift from “have to” to “get to.” It changes my energy and my attitude. Dad told the story of Beverly Sills, the internationally known operatic singer, who prepared to leave an early social gathering by saying, “I must go for I have to sing at the Met tonight.” She no sooner uttered those words than she turned and corrected herself with, “No, I get to sing at the Met.” My challenge is to notice how many times “get to” can be substituted for “have to” and a marvelous lift occurs. For example, “I have to pick up my granddaughter after school.” That is a declaration of a task. But, “I get to pick up my granddaughter after school” comes with a smile and joyful expectation.

Another shift I am making is saying “Always remember” rather than “Never forget.” They both say the same thing, but one is strong and hopeful while the other has the sense of a wagging finger.

Shaping, molding, and crafting phrases is an enjoyable mental exercise. Considering the weight of words and their symmetry gives us an opportunity to create something apt. Ultimately, our expression can bring impact and influence.

Brenda’s Blog – June 20, 2017

“We’re here where we know where here is.”

My 94 year old friend Nance and I traveled 260 miles during the day on a road trip to celebrate her birthday with her son. The day began early and she was somewhat confused. She wasn’t familiar with the route and it took a while for her to start enjoying the trip.

When she saw her son, her face lighted up and she relaxed. We took a tour of a beautiful little Texas town then enjoyed a delightful lunch together. He and his wife recently moved into their brand new home. This was my friend’s initial visit. She looked for familiar furniture, but found nothing but one small piece. I could see her trying to piece together unfamiliar territory.

The day was joyful and she so loved being “out and about.” But she continually tried to put everything into context. “This is where I went to high school.” “You and I have been here before and had lunch.” Of course, neither was true. She struggled to accept everything as new. She wanted anchors.

Happily, as we traveled home she went on and on about how much fun it was to have a birthday party. She also regaled me with reading after reading from a poetry book she carried with her. Long after she transfers from earth to heaven I will remember her recitation of, “Jenny Kissed Me.” Or, hearing her tell me her Dad memorized and quoted so many of the poems in the book. The trip home just flew by!

Then, we turned a corner, came over a rise, and she smiled broadly. “We’re here where we know where here is.” What a profound thought!

Don’t we all feel like strangers sometimes? Don’t we all fight to put our experiences into workable boxes? And then isn’t it a relief when something feels like home and feels like “here?”

Brenda’s Blog – June 6, 2017

“…havoc”

I typed an email to a friend using the word “wreaked.” Before I could even begin to type another word auto-correct added “havoc.” How predictable was I when even auto-correct fills in the spaces in my cliché-riddled email?
Why can auto-correct read my mind? Or is my mind so given to the hackneyed that I fall into one of their algorithms? Then why does it play such havoc with words I know I want to use yet it refuses time after time to leave it alone? How can it possibly think it knows what I am thinking?

Then I think of the comfort of predictability… knowing how a person will react, expecting a certain outcome, or moving confidently ahead. It takes energy to constantly be on the alert for a head fake. It is pleasant to have a certain degree of “I just know” in life.

I saw a shoe hack on Facebook yesterday giving clues on taping toes together to relieve the pressure on the balls of feet in order to wear shoes that were designed by a sadist. What is wrong with wearing footwear that actually feels good? What social faux pas do we commit when we don’t have to tape body parts together in order to reduce extreme pain? What is wrong with living life with a certain degree of predictability that allows ease of motion, socially and relationally?

Certainly, there is energy generated by the unexpected. Dad used to tell me “there’s nothing wrong with you that a little excitement won’t cure.” And I agree… to a point. Too much excitement, too much unpredictability, too much “where in the world is this going?” leaves me with blisters on my soul.

Okay, so the next time I type wreaked and auto-correct smartly pops in with “havoc” I will just smile and type over it with some other word – even though havoc is probably the best choice.