Gotta love the Random

Today as I was driving in to the church I had a latent old memory jump up into my conscious mind. I don't remember what I had for dinner yesterday, I don't even remember going to bed last night, but for a moment this morning I clearly remembered being 16 years old, and sitting in my high school gym for a school assembly. The school had brought in a team of motivational speakers called the "Power Team". Each member of this team was bigger than the last - huge muscle laden men in tight red and blue spandex outfits. Their message was that each of us has within us the strength we need to succeed in this world (the underlying message that was vaguely mentioned was that we get this strength from God - remember, we were in a public school, so they had to be on the down low). The Power Team emphasized this message by performing amazing feats of human strength - lifting huge amounts of weights, tearing phone books in two, blowing up a hot water bottle, lifting teenagers over their heads.
This morning my prayer is for strength. I don't need or want to be able to tear a phone book in two (though it would make for an awesome children's sermon illustration!), but what I do want and desperately need is enough strength to get through each day. On my own I am clumsy and weak, but "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13

A God Moment

This weekend, I was cradling Elyse, my 14 month old, in my arms and just admiring her; staring at her beautiful hair, tickling her little Buddha belly, and kissing her toes (as she repeatedly attempted to shove her feet into my mouth). It was one of those parent moments when you feel overwhelmed at the perfection that is your child, and your heart aches in your chest from love and pride. And then, in the midst of my mommy-moment, the Holy Spirit reached out and grabbed hold. I suddenly had this realization that the way I was feeling toward my own child in this moment is exactly how God feels about me. God, the creator of our universe, the sustainer of all life, looks at each of his children (that would include you and me!) with wonder, and overwhelming love and pride. What a lucky group we are!

Self Care

About a month ago I came across a little daily devotional book on my book shelf. I've had if for some time, but had never read it. Its title is Meditations for Women who do to Much (clearly someone who doesn't know me at all must have gifted this little tome to me!). The devotion for today spoke of the binding power of guilt, and how we often feel driven to always place our energies outside of ourselves, feeling overwhelmingly guilty if we keep anything for us. Ever fiber of my being knows this kind of guilt, and an inherent drive to always be doing for others. Part of this inclination is what drew me into a life of Ministry. The author says, "We have to take care of ourselves before we can clearly and cleanly give to others." Logically, I know this to be true, but making my instincts and inclinations believe (and behave) is another story completely. Today, my prayer is that we would each spend a moment in self reflection, taking stock of who and what we are in this moment. How is it with your soul? Do you need to step up, or step back. I give you permission, I give me permission to save some of our energies for us. It is only when we care for ourselves that we can best give to others. We must honor and nurture the Holy Spirit within, before we can ever begin to share Christ with the word around us.

Baby Flowers

Over the weekend, I picked up a little flower growing kit from Joann's Fabrics. It came with a soil pellet, tiny terra cotta pot, and seed packet. Claire and I mixed up the soil and carefully planted the seeds and placed our little experiment in the kitchen window. Claire and I have planted various things before, and she has learned that it normally takes several days if not a week to see any progress. Apparently, these seeds are different! The next morning, just a little over 12 hours from when they had been planted we saw several of the little plants pushing up above the dirt. Now, three days later, all of the seeds have sprouted and stretched over an inch above the soil line. It's incredible! All we have done is add a little water, keeping the soil moist. The seeds already have included within themselves all the nutrients they need to start out in life.
Just like the seeds, we, as children of God, have within ourselves all that we need to spring forth and grow in life. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we have a piece of the divine inside of us, giving us the strength to reach up towards are all loving Creator. Today I pray that each of us would realize how special we are to God, how much strength we each possess, and how beautiful and fulfilling it can be to stretch our arms up to our God.

Overwhelmed....as always!

I read a quote this morning that said, "Feeling overwhelmed isn't surprising. Being surprised about it is." Well hallelujah! It feels nice to have someone honor my daily feelings of being overwhelmed. I think somewhere, I got this crazy idea in my head that I was supposed to be in control of my life. You might also suffer from this delusional line of thinking. As Christians, we profess to have Jesus control our lives, but that doesn't stop us from wanting to be a prime adviser as to how that should look and feel. My prayer for today is to stop futilely grasping for control, and allow God - my Creator, Savior and Sustainer to take the reigns of my life. Surely He can do a better job! :)

A Rainy Day Perspective

When I look out of the window and see dark skies and rain pouring down, I think of the hassle of getting wet, of commuting on slick roads, and no hope of a good hair day. When Claire looks out at a rainy day, she dances for joy at the prospect of donning her pink kitty cat galoshes, yellow puppy dog rain coat, and carrying her rubber ducky umbrella. Same day, same circumstances, different perspectives. Each morning we have a choice as to how we will approach this day that God has given us. Today - I chose to honor my Creator, and praise God in this storm!

Recession or Depression

I heard a quote once that said, "It is a recession when your neighbor loses his job, it's a depression when YOU lose your job." Well, according to this the world, or at least the Kraus house, has been in a depression for about 6 weeks now. It is easy to trust in God's provision when pay checks are rolling in on time, and bills are under control. It gets a little sticky when you become unable to provide for yourself. This time has been a lesson on truly trusting in God - for guidance and provision. I don't know what God's plan is, or what is going on with God's timing, but my prayer today is to just trust. I pray that I can let go, and fully trust in God - for an answer, a plan and a beautiful future.