toe-stepping season

They step on my toes. Continually. Like my feet bear a target, and it's a game. But it's only life. And my toes suffer.

My mom says that one day it won't be my toes. It will be my heart. Yikes.

Today is Tuesday. Over at Chatting at the Sky on Tuesday's we take a moment to remember the small things. The things often overlooked in the day-to-day. Today I pause to remember this toe-stepping season.

We drove across town last night on our way to a little family time. As we passed billboards, bars, and life happening outside the windows, I couldn't help but think, "I don't want to wish away these toe-stepping moments."

Life outside our air-conditioned car proves harsh and demanding. Stealing of innocence. Life "on the inside" boomed with song, conversation, and yes, a little whining. But seemingly safe...and under the control of seat harnesses. One day, after blinking a couple more times, they will be out there.

A whole new place of trust in my Lord.

So today I choose to enjoy the toe-stepping season. With all the "mines" and "nos" pounding from the lips of three little ones. With all the bruised toes. "This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24, emphasis mine.)

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preceding love

He is always loving us. Always.

It recently hit me.

In everything that God allows into the lives of His children--His children--He is loving us. In the moments of those who name Him "Daddy," His love precedes Him.

Through difficult relationships, long lines, broke-down treasures, disobedient cells, He sheds the self-life in His own. He continually teaches of His sufficient grace. Nothing is arbitrary.

Do you believe that? Do you see His acts of love in moments far from ideal?

Do I?

His love does not equal our happiness. At least not as the chief motivator. His love pursues with vision of our transformation into a holy vessel, for His glory and our ultimate good. His love pierces, heals, reveals, and soothes the places within us that hinder the flow of Himself.

Life apart from His love filling and overflowing in us leaves one sensing the futility. Meaning and hope arise when we rest in the truth of His Word, regardless of circumstance or ever-changing feelings:

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that...(nothing) shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39)

His love comes first.

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enlightened by ketchup

My daughter enlightened me yesterday through her observation of ketchup packets.

Sometimes we as humans do things the way we do things because we have always done things that way. Not that it is necessarily the best way, the right way, or the most effective way, it's just our way. Anything else feels unfamiliar and inevitably...wrong.

We were at lunch enjoying some girl time and she said, "Mommy, why do they make these ketchup packets so small? I mean, everyone has to use two or three at a time." And I said, "That is profound. I don't know why. You should write a letter to someone."

Then I thought, ketchup packets have always been that size. At least as long as I can remember in my thirty-plus years. Maybe the ketchup manufacturers are in a rut. Maybe they cannot think outside the box because they have always done it that way. Anything else would feel...wrong.

When it comes to being led by the Spirit of God, it seems that fluidity is key. Us remaining open to change and variation in our agenda. Open to tweaking the production line. If we have our eyes too set on "the way it has always been" then we may miss the fresh wind of our Lord. And I don't want to be numb to His nudge.

His adventure wows the mundane and colors the lifeless. Enter His gates with praise. Enter into the song of heaven. He is on the move.

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