Tag: Peace

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

A Short List

Well, this has been a full week so far. On Monday, I received some awful news that a friend’s brother died in his sleep. A husband and father of two. A beloved son, brother, and friend to many. It was completely unexpected, and it certainly rocked the small community where I grew up. This hit home for many reasons, besides the fact that he was about Dave’s age.

Sadly, this is not the first young man I grew up with, who has suddenly passed away in my peer group or hometown. My dear friend and classmate, Seth, died when we were in high school. In college, my cousin, Nick, died, as well as another friend, Wes. More recently, these premature deaths included another classmate, Clint, and another friend, Ryan, among others. And now, Nathan. All different circumstances, but tragic nonetheless.

I explained a little of my heartache to Lydia, but there is so much she does not yet understand. Even though Dave died when she was little, she doesn’t remember him. She doesn’t feel the anguish I have felt over the years, especially as death steals away those we know and love. Of course, she feels a different pain than I do.

Still, this week has had many silver linings. Celebrating life with Lydia on a fancy dress-up day at daycare. My brother’s birthday. Progress on a couple projects. Cheering a friend on a difficult path. Talking with my family and remembering the brevity of life.

If you are still alive, God has given you much grace and much mercy. I hope you will acknowledge His deep love for you today. Reach out to Him; He is right there with you.

Through several texts, my family had a side conversation about grace and forgiveness, and I was reminded to keep ‘a short list’ with others. We never know when our time is up.

When I think about my interactions with others, I think about how I want to be remembered. What will people say about me when I die? Will it be positive or mixed? Did I focus on what really matters? That is, loving God and loving people.

Furthermore, if my actions today set the stage for how I will be remembered, what should I be doing differently? I want to live my life fully with no regrets, doing all God has for me to do before He calls me HOME. Hopefully, many decades from now!

My ‘short list’ includes extending grace and forgiveness to others; telling my family and close friends how much I love them; encouraging people; staying present with Jesus; and telling others by telling others how He changed my life. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so do the most important things today!

Indeed, life is so short, and in our current circumstances every situation seems full of drama and uncertainty. This year has been loaded, for sure. It can be scary at times, but, we do not have to fear death or anything else!

We will never have all the answers for why bad things happen. There are so many variables, and the rain falls on us all. The best thing you can do is to let Jesus be your PEACE. He’s got this.

When I meet Jesus face to face, I will give an account about how I lived my life. None of my good works will make a difference for whether or not I get into Heaven. The only thing that matters is if I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior on Earth.

The good things I do will be rewarded, yes, but only if I know Jesus first! We can never be good enough on our own. So, it boils down to this: Knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior.

I am thankful that everything that really matters is secure in Jesus. He comforts us in the midst of tragedies and redeems our pain. Death does not get the final word!

God is Our Rock and Our Refuge. Everything we need is in Him!

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God, thank You for the gift of Life. Please comfort those who are facing grief and loss today. Continue to walk with them and draw them near to You. Pour out Your love on them, Jesus. In Your Name, Amen

Questions: What is on your ‘short list’ in life? How do you want people to remember you? What are you doing differently as a result? (if anything)

Tasks: Call or send a card (or if appropriate, show up!) to comfort those who are struggling right now. This could include grief, loss, physical health, mental health, or other COVID related issues. Be the hands and feet of Jesus!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #228

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This week was fun and full! Work went well and I enjoyed seeing more Veterans face to face. Lydia practiced cooking at her daycare, and she even came home and made dinner for me one night! She made ‘lasagna cups’ using wonton wrappers in a muffin tin!

On Wednesday, I finished my final exam for my online cooking class! It was a fun class and I enjoyed brushing up my skills on plant-based dishes. I am sure we will continue making them as time goes on. Even just adding more vegetables every day can go a long way to bringing health!

Yesterday, I felt worn down and claimed a rest day. I did some chores and activities, but mostly relaxed. Lydia and I played some games and I worked on a few small projects. We listened to music, prepared some food, called a friend, and watched a movie. It was just what I needed!

Today, another friend called and we had a great conversation, mostly about listening to God and watching our words in this trying time. I encouraged her that God has us covered and we praised Him together! Then, I did some more chores, and later, mowed my lawn while Lydia played with the neighbors. I went over to say hello after I was done. Tonight, we are taking it easy and making some recipes together!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fruit, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Prayer, Wisdom, Words

Dearest, THINK

Like most people, I receive many emails everyday. Recently, I received an email that stood out. The email itself was of little importance, but what surprised me was that it started off with, “Dear Natalie.” I would expect that greeting in a thank you note, but even those are somewhat rare these days.

The email was professional in nature but it struck me as personal, friendly, and surprisingly refreshing. Just those two words, “Dear Natalie,” left me with a positive feeling about the situation.

It has been awhile since I have received an email that stayed with me like that. Perhaps that’s because much of what I (or we?) have seen and heard lately is bickering. We seem to have lost cordiality and common sense!

These days, what we say and do carries big impact. That’s always true, but now it seems there is even more at stake. Our interactions could affect someone else for eternity, either bringing them to Jesus or turning them off.

Yes, we all have opinions, and we have the ‘right’ to share them. However, we need to remember to hold these conversations in the proper time, place, and context so that others can receive them well. Otherwise, we are just a resounding gong or clanging cymbal!

There are opinions, and then there are facts. We tend to confuse the two and elevate the importance of opinions and preferences. Let’s take every thought captive and subject it to God’s Truth (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

We can all quote the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them to unto you.

Then there’s also the adage: If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

Needless to say, we could all communicate better! Let’s see others as God sees them. Treat them with kindness, respect, and generosity. We are all in this together.

That may mean sending a kind note to someone who has been rude. Or, going out of your way to be generous to someone who took advantage of you. Or, just simply respecting the person enough not to argue back.

You may not agree on issues, and that is okay. But consider each person as if they were your own dearest family member. Your parent, your child, your sibling, your grandparent. Treat people well.

Lately, I have seen Christians belittling others in person and online for their choices regarding masks, school, social events, etc. That doesn’t bring God glory in any way!

Dear friends, let’s pray and think carefully think before we speak. Peacemakers.

Discussion is good, and action is even better. But, what we really need right now is God’s mercy and grace. He alone is the Solution we need. 

If we want to be angry, fine. But, let’s seek God’s righteous anger. We, as humans, clearly don’t exhibit anger very well! Let God’s love, care, and compassion lead the way.

If we seek justice, we need to seek Jesus. He is our Peace. If we make plans, let’s first discuss them with the Master Planner. He is our only Hope.

These are tough times in American culture and around the world. Prayer is our first step, not a last resort. After that, let’s listen to each other, walk wisely, and love like Jesus.

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Dear God, thanks for loving us so dearly. Thanks for taking such good care of us. God, we need Your mercy to deal with all our challenges. We cannot do this without You. Please give us wisdom and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: If the Bible says we are to submit to the government and be obedient, don’t you think He will help us as we honor His word? What is at stake if we don’t? (That does NOT mean we follow blindly. We pray, vote, trust and obey God first. Fear God; honor the King.)

Tasks: Before you speak (or write) your thoughts, THINK. Is is True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #227

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This week flew by! Lydia and I participated in our usual activities, such as work and daycare. Behind the scenes, though, we kept busy at home on various projects.

I have some upcoming deadlines for my online plant-based cooking class, so I had several recipes and lessons to finish. I ran to three different stores for various ingredients; the recipes were specific. Then, I spent many evenings watching movies or listening to podcasts while chopping up vegetables and washing dishes! I also had to document each recipe process with pictures and a writeup. It is worth it though!

On Friday morning, I took Lydia with me to get my driver’s license renewed and Real ID. I had made my appointment in advance, but I wasn’t sure how they would handle bringing a child (even though Lydia is well-behaved). Sure enough, they said only I could go in per pandemic requirements. But to my surprise, the lady had a creative solution! She let me fill out the paperwork outside while I stood with Lydia. When it was time to go inside to take my new picture and check my eyes, they let me use the station next to the window so I could see Lydia and one of the workers with her. God’s grace was apparent in the way the workers cheerfully helped everyone else, too, while they are trying to get everyone caught up from the last three months! Thank you!

Yesterday afternoon, Lydia was invited to swim with a friend and then sleep overnight at her house. I decided not to join them for swimming, choosing instead to focus on my cooking class assignments. I stayed up really late so I could finish a couple of the recipes and clean up. I was thankful for the space and peace to get my work done. It really helped, and I made significant progress!

With Lydia still at her friend’s this morning, I squeezed in a ten-plus mile bike ride along the river. It has been on my bucket list for awhile, but I decided to take advantage of the timing today. It was the first time I’d gone on an early morning ride since last summer when Lydia had a sleepover with the same family. And, it was my first real downtime since February (apart from Lydia with no parenting responsibilities). Self-care is so important, and I felt and extra dose of God’s grace. Thanks again to our friends for the break!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Beyond the Spectrum

Recently, I have come across the words ‘spectrum of light’ in two different settings. When repetition happens, I take note. One instance was the Netflix show, “Brainchild.” The episode was discussing electromagnetic energy, gravity, and other forces. Lydia and I like science shows, and it put some things into perspective for me.

Electromagnetic radiation comes in frequencies or wavelengths. Visible light, or ROYGBIV, is only one part of that spectrum. Light is then absorbed by various objects and we see whatever color bounces off. Other frequencies include various radio waves and microwaves. But they all have to do with energy on the same spectrum.

Humans can only see the rainbow colors, but there are ultraviolet and infrared light waves that are invisible to us. These are just beyond the violet/purple and red wavelengths. Ultraviolet light waves are faster because they are short and close together, while infrared light waves are slow and have less energy.

Ultraviolet rays can be harmful. They can cause sunburns, for example, or damage our eyes. But they can also bring health benefits like increasing Vitamin D production.

Infrared rays are often used in night vision for surveillance or tracking wildlife (think nature shows on PBS or Nat Geo). They are also used in weather satellites. Pretty cool!

As I was watching the show with Lydia, I thought about how God designed our eyes.

Interestingly, He gave many animals greater field of vision and the ability to see more colors. Cats and dogs only see certain muted colors, but some birds and spiders can see UV rays. A chameleon can see 360 degrees (yes, a full circle!) as its eyes are near the top of its head. Its eyes can also operate independently of each other!!

This made me wonder… Why did God ‘limit’ our eyesight compared to the animals? Perhaps it was so we could have less distractions… God knows we often need help keeping our eyes focused on Him.

Or maybe it was so we wouldn’t look funny. I’m glad we don’t have bug eyes! 😉

Either way, the rainbow first appears in the Bible as a symbol of God’s faithfulness. For me, I see it as both a reminder of God’s firm promise and a reminder to trust Him.

We can’t see the future or fathom all that is going on around us. We don’t know what tomorrow holds and can’t see how things work out. We can’t fully understand or control each of those circumstances, either!

Sometimes, our limited vision poses challenges for us. We don’t always have the correct perspective. But it can also be a major blessing in that we don’t bear so much responsibility. We don’t hold the weight of the world on our shoulders.

At the same time, there are invisible spiritual forces of good and evil at war. Like many Bible characters, we would probably freak out if we saw these supernatural beings in real life (think four-faced cherubim or the beast from Revelation!).

Someday, in Heaven, we will see the full spectrum of color. We will see everything as it should be. In the meantime, we can still have peace. We can trust Jesus and thank Him for His protection. He’s got this. 

He is light, and He reigns over the darkness, too.

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God, thank you for the beautiful world you have created! Thanks for letting us enjoy all the colors of the rainbow. Thanks for protecting us and providing good things for us. Help us trust You with all we cannot see. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you ever used night vision? Is it easy or difficult for you to trust God when you can’t see how it all works out? (That’s called faith.) 🙂

Task: Read up about these six animals with incredible vision. God is soo cool!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Wisdom

Wiggle It Out

When I was a kid and had a loose tooth, I wiggled it like crazy until it came out. It was a fun challenge and felt like a rite of passage. For Lydia, not so much.

By now, she has lost a number of teeth and should be used to it. But, whenever she has a loose tooth, she gets upset about the impending loss. She feels lightheaded and is worried about the potential pain. Like her dad, she doesn’t like the sight of blood.

So, this last weekend, it all came to a head when Lydia had yet another loose tooth. I convinced her it would come out faster, and cause less pain overall, if she wiggled it.

Well, of course, Lydia grew a little woozy and wanted to stop. I offered to help and/or pull it out and she waffled. I didn’t want to pressure her, so I let it go.

Eventually, after more encouragement, Lydia let me have a turn. Thankfully, it was mostly ready and came out with a little effort. She ran to look at her mouth in the bathroom mirror. She bravely overlooked the small amount of blood.

Soon, Lydia came back to me with a huge smile on her face. She was relieved. With a sigh, Lydia said, “Wow. I feel like a load is off my shoulders!”

A little while later, she came over again and said, “Mom! My new tooth is already poking through. Gosh…. That was fast!”

The new adult tooth was just waiting on the baby tooth to leave!

That night, Lydia and I talked about how her sense relief was far better than her fear. She had been worried but realized she didn’t need to be…

Baby teeth have purpose for a time, before giving way to adult teeth. Losing them is totally normal and natural. Similarly, God’s plan for us also is perfect and purposeful. It doesn’t need to be scary or odd!

Interestingly, on Monday, Lydia was excited to watch me get my teeth cleaned at the dentist! Going to the dentist is kind of uncomfortable, but of course important.

As we drove to daycare and work after the dentist, we talked about teeth and also how fear plays out in other areas of life.

Often, we stop short of what God is calling us to do because we are afraid. We may fear missing out or what is required. We may want to play it safe and stay comfortable.

Still, we cannot have Victory when we give in to fear and doubts. Instead, when we have questions, we can take them to Jesus. In His presence, our worries fade and we grow stronger in faith.

When we let Jesus write our stories, He brings a better outcome than we could have imagined. It may look different than expected, but He always gives us something good.

Sometimes transitions are tough. They might make us wiggle and squirm! But change and growth are always worth it. We don’t have to be afraid.

God is trustworthy and faithful. He has a special purpose for each of us and will never let us down! Now that’s something to smile about!

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Heavenly Father, thanks that Your burden is easy and Your yoke is light. Thanks for doing the most difficult work on our behalf. Help us trust You more and follow Your lead. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is something that you need to let go? Do you need to change your mindset or adopt a better attitude? What about changing your schedule or trying something new?

Tasks: Don’t be afraid of change. Let go of anything that is holding you back. God’s grace is more than enough.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #224

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This was a relatively calm week. Lydia and I enjoyed our family Zoom video chat and loved ‘meeting’ my new nephew, Alexander David. He’s so cute! 

During this pandemic, I signed up to take some free online classes on various topics. This week, I finished a couple of them. I learned a lot about photography and a couple of phone apps. I still need to finish my (paid) online cooking class though!

Yesterday, I noticed some great messages left in my little free library. I also mowed the lawn. It wasn’t very long, but I knew I would be crunched for time (or weather) later. Plus, it was a beautiful day! Lydia went to play with our neighbors and jumped on their trampoline. That was a huge help to me!

Today, we have really enjoyed relaxing. Lydia and I slept in, made pancakes, exercised, and made a few calls. I worked on a couple projects and did some laundry. Then, we played some games and watched Netflix. 🙂 I’m grateful for a slower day without a full agenda!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Words

Discussion, Not Division

Well, here we are about halfway through 2020. I don’t think any of us expected it to be like this! So many wildcards… though, I am grateful God can take everything bad and work it for good in His time and in His way. He is faithful!

Lately, I have seen a few posts about how we need to ‘get angry’ and if we don’t speak up, we are part of the problem. On the one hand, I agree. Much of what has happened this year is upsetting and should absolutely be discussed.

But, I don’t make great decisions when I am angry or emotional. “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires” (James 1:20). Besides, we don’t just need words, we need action. We have to make changes that will last.

Sadly, I have seen a number of my Christian friends flat-out argue with each other online about what needs to happen. Some of those are heavy topics, sure, but I hate seeing such division. I’m sure it breaks God’s heart, too.

It’s alright if we disagree! None of us is perfect is or has it all figured out. But we need to take better care of each other… be kind, be patient, listen. A house divided will never stand.

In many ways, it seems we are playing right into our Enemy’s hand, stirring up strife and hatred. Yet, Jesus said the world will know us by our love, not by our arguing.

Ironically, I have also seen several people tell others exactly how they should think or feel, march or protest, vote or use their voice. They have strongly stated it is unChristian or unAmerican to do this or that. This assumes the person agrees and shares their perspective.

This happened to me recently. I was rebuked online for pointing out facts in a news article that was clearly biased. The person said they “just did a quick Google search” to learn about the topic but then posted the article anyway. The topic had nothing to do with this person or where they live, and there is much more to the story than the one article suggested. I gently suggested looking at all the sides before making conclusions, but I received an eyeroll emoji and a strong rebuke.

I’ve come to the conclusion that this is one reason why people stay silent and don’t speak up in public. Yes, that needs to change to some degree. But, it seems we are damned if we do and damned if we don’t!

There are a variety of ways to tackle injustice or use your influence for good. Based on your personality and life experiences, perhaps you are comfortable leading the charge and voicing your opinions. You might have a quick ‘reaction time’ while others have a much slower fuse. That’s great! Just give others time to catch up.

Or, perhaps you prefer to have face-to-face conversations over coffee, volunteer locally, or write to Congress. If you like to work behind the scenes, thank you! We may never see the contribution you are making. I challenge you to speak up in your own way, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s not good enough!

Either way, there are many ways to serve, and each person can make a difference.

It’s okay if you don’t know how to think or feel on a topic. But do your own research.

Consider all angles before making decisions. It is wise to have as many details, pros/cons, and facts as possible. Don’t ask advice from random people on the internet, but do ask people who have experienced what you need to know.

The method may vary depending on the topic. Read your Bible and pray. Research key points through trusted resources, and/or study the science behind whatever you are thinking about. Have a good understanding of the issues at hand. Challenge your own opinions with facts!

Unfortunately, the public tendency to second-guess experts combined with the noise of social media doesn’t help. We can’t rely on easy answers for complex topics.

I have seen differences arise when one person is holding fast to principle while the other person is touting a different perspective. It is quite possible both people are right… Still, we can be compassionate as we seek to learn from each other. Discuss, but don’t divide!

For me, the bottom line is this: We represent Jesus to a world in desperate need of healing. Don’t stand in the way of anyone coming to Him!

Don’t let your behavior (online or in person) prevent anyone from meeting the One who died for them, the One who makes all things right. Find common ground. Use your gifts, talents, and platform wisely. Be an example, don’t turn people off!

Thankfully, in any situation, there is a right way that honors God. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and Life (see John 14:6). Therefore, our goal as Christians is to always find the best path forward (the one that pleases God) knowing He will help us!

This includes a path of humility and open-mindedness. We may have to admit we were wrong, but growth means change is coming! Therefore, let’s embrace the discomfort knowing God is with us and for us.

The path forward ALWAYS promotes peace, justice, love, grace, and mercy.

Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Each of us has different goals and plans, but we can support one another and move forward together.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for holding us all together. You are sovereign, and we praise You! Please help us use our words to build each other up and not tear each other down. May we stand firm in what You have called each of us to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: As you speak with other people, are you letting your emotions get ahead of you? After you leave, are you still telling yourself you are in the right? Or are you able to let it go and praise God?

Tasks: Meditate on these verses: James 1:20; Ephesians 4:29; and Romans 14:1. Consider what you post on social media. Is it to gently inform or encourage? Is it truthful and helpful? Have you fact-checked your sources?

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #222

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This was a wonderful week filled with God’s grace! We went to church for the first time in several months. It was great to worship God with other believers. I even met a new friend. She was of a different ethnicity and we briefly introduced ourselves and found out we had many things in common. God is soo good!

I appreciate the feedback I received about this week’s blog post. As Christians, we must speak up for injustice. If not, nothing will change! It took me awhile to form my thoughts (and will continue to do so), but I hope to make it an ongoing conversation with those around me. For instance, Lydia went a friend’s house to play, and I had coffee with the little girl’s mom who is also a dear friend to me. We discussed injustice and other topics, as well.

Early in the week, a friend from work asked to switch on-call weekends with me. She had to attend a funeral unexpectedly today. I asked my mother-in-law to also switch her plans around, so she could come watch Lydia in case I get called in. I was grateful she was flexible, as today, I did need to go in to work!

Today after work, we went shopping for Lydia and bought her some shorts. Next, we went to eat frozen yogurt and then attended the annual Parade of Homes. It is always fun to walk around the fancy houses, but I am also thankful for the house God has given me. I even ran into the realtor who helped us go through the building process ten years ago! She was happy to meet Lydia, of course!

Tonight, we are watching the movie Doolittle (out in 2020). We might also eat some strawberry rhubarb crisp I made earlier in the week!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom

Speaking Up for Injustice

Disclaimer: While the scope of my blog is not political, it is a place where I can gather some of my thoughts on current events. Keep in mind I am a work in progress… thank you!

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Being rather nonconfrontational by nature, I often prefer to avoid difficult conversations. Even now, I generally don’t comment on controversial posts online because I don’t want to deal with the negativity or keep up with all the comments. Who has time for that?! Besides, arguing with people remotely never helps change anyone’s mind.

Yet, over the years, I have learned that sometimes it is better to deal with conflict head-on. At any rate, I don’t want someone to mistake my silence on important issues as indifference. Because, unfortunately, they look very similar… God forgive me.

With a blog called “Grace and Lemonade,” my goal is to glorify God for what He is doing, especially when life is difficult. Often, I wrestle with various issues and consider how to move forward in faith, not fear. My other goal is to bring encouragement and challenge my readers to see God’s grace in their lives. In turn, we can all share these gifts with others.

After all, grace means favor. The essence of grace and refreshing lemonade is meant to bless others, too. It is an overflow of God’s goodness!

Yesterday, Lydia and I were in the car listening to the radio when something was said about staying positive. But, in light of current events, I turned it off to make a point.

I said, “You know, Lydia, it is really good to be positive and focus on what is going well. I think we do that every day. But sometimes…”

“We might ignore talking about what is important,” Lydia said.

I’ve never been so glad she interrupted me! I was a little surprised at her understanding, but it meant that we were on the same wavelength.

I confirmed her thought process. “Yes! If we’re not careful, we might bypass difficult topics because they are unpleasant. But, in that case, nothing changes.” We soon applied this to the topic of racism and the need to change the status quo.

In terms of racism, America is ~400 years behind. It is a complex issue we inherited, and we have been averse to dealing with it as a nation. Now is the time.

 Racism is subtle and will take some unlearning. Quite often, we (or at least me, as a white person) don’t even recognize it! We have to accept responsibility and speak up for injustice. We cannot give up when it becomes uncomfortable or inconvenient.

When I read/watch/hear about George Floyd’s death (and Ahmaud Arbery’s and so many before that), I also think of my cousins, friends, neighbors, and patients who deal with prejudice every day. I cannot fully understand how racial discrimination feels, but I can empathize and speak up when I see it.

I also think about how all this injustice breaks God’s heart. Each of us is made in His image, and each of us invaluable. BELOVED. Furthermore, no one should feel unsafe while jogging or walking their dog or grocery shopping.

Tackling racism can look different depending on the situation, but it is necessary no matter what. On the one hand, I have been working toward this with Lydia since she was little. I have a wonderful multicultural family, and we seek out opportunities to meet people, not like us. We have had age-appropriate conversations and read several children’s books my aunt gave me a few years ago. That’s a great start, but it’s not enough.

So, Lydia and I have been talking more deeply about these issues lately. Her ‘anti-racist’ education starts with me! I have shown her certain news clips showing injustice and what is wrong, systemically. We have talked about white privilege, what that means, and how we can use it to speak up and serve others. This YouTube clip was particularly helpful.

As we went to the grocery store recently, we discussed how masks are somewhat uncomfortable but essential to help with coronavirus. I added how our black family, friends, and neighbors may feel unsafe wearing them and how unfair that is. On our way to work and daycare, I mentioned how, when we get ready for the day, we may think about our outfits or activities, but we never think about getting killed.

These conversations are ongoing, and I appreciate all who have shared resources. Change begins at home, but can’t stop there. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but I am finding teachable moments to plant seeds and will keep watering them over time. I also plan to discuss this further with my friends and extended family. We can’t stay silent.

When it’s all said and done, only Jesus can fully understand the issues and heal our nation. But I can educate myself and my daughter, speak up when I see injustice, and show compassion. I have to give Jesus something to work with!

Bottom line: Don’t do nothing. Speak up. Be an advocate. Educate yourself on racism. Learn about other cultures. Have difficult conversations. Volunteer with an organization. Vote. Love your neighbor. Put a real face with the issues. Don’t spread disunity or hatred. Don’t make excuses or quit when it is uncomfortable.

What holds one of us back holds all of us back.

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God forgive me for the times I have taken this life and the gifts You have given me for granted. Forgive me for when I haven’t spoken up for the things that break Your heart. Teach me Your ways, and help me love others like You do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are you doing to become ‘anti-racist’? How can I help? (This is a newer term to me, so I am still working through it myself!)

Tasks: First, bring all your thoughts and feelings to Jesus. Let Him bring wisdom, understanding, compassion, and if needed, correction. Then, check out these books on anti-racism, which are helpful in understanding the issues at hand. Finally, start reaching out, speaking up, and talking with others. Use your voice for good!