Pam Vredevelt's Blog, page 10
June 26, 2015
Trusting God in the SLOW
We are quite naturally inpatient to reach the end goal without delay.
We like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new.
And yet, it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability - and that it may take a very long time.
Above all, trust in the slow work of God, our loving vine-dresser.
Compliments of a French Jesuit Priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
June 20, 2015
Do I treasure . . .?
Do I treasure loving God and loving others above all else?
Do I do everything I can to not shine the light on another's flaws and mistakes? Do I intentionally protect and preserve their dignity? Does my love cover a multitude of sin? Do I persist in loving, even when it's messy and hard?
Not always. But better this year than last, as I make efforts to cultivate this habit.
The big deal isn't that we persist in loving others better. If we are people who want to grow strong and mature in our faith, this is a given.
The big deal is the surprising serendipity that occurs IN us as we persist. Communion with God grows sweeter. Our eyes see more clearly. We remember that God's love and favor cannot be earned or sold. It simply is. Experiential grace sparks reconciliation within, and without. As we accept the light and dark places in ourselves, pride slithers back into it's ugly hole, and we discover new freedom to better love, accept, and forgive others.
It's a treasure worth holding close forever.
May 1, 2015
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February 27, 2015
How Big is Your JQ (Joy Quotient)?
What if we erred from an excess of giving grace to ourselves and others rather than from a stingy legalistic lack of it? I wonder how this might effect our JQ?
Grace transforms us into our own best friend. Guilt transforms us into our own worst enemy.
While feelings of guilt cannot always be dominated by logic or reason, they are highly susceptible to action. The intentional choice to give ourselves and others grace, and to act accordingly, creates within us a greater capacity for joy.
"There are three distinct meanings of grace in the Scriptures: the mercy and affectionate love of God; the winsome attractiveness of God; the strength of God to overcome." Charles Allen
How will you choose to give yourself grace today? How will you act in grace towards another? Follow through. . . then check your JQ . . . If you like what you find, select another way to do it all over again.
February 21, 2015
February 20, 2015
The Honor of Your Presence is Requested
"No despair of ours can alter the reality of things, or stain the joy of the cosmic dance which is always there..." Thomas Merton
The honor of your presence is requested today by the Lord of the dance. He invites you to forget yourself on purpose, to stop taking life so seriously, to throw caution to the wind, and tap your toes in rhythm to His music. His dance is always happening around you, awaiting your notice. You are the center of His never-ending delight. How will you respond to His bidding?
February 14, 2015
Stubborn Joy
Can you see the face of Jesus light up with a smile, and his body burst with happy laughter?
His presence brought sheer delight to the sick and dying, to weary women weighted down by the cares of this world, to children who asked him to play, and to party goers enjoying Happy Hour. His stubborn joy sent an unmistakable message: "I'm crazy in love with you."
Someone close to us is afraid and needs our reassuring smile. Someone we know is lonely and needs our presence. Someone near by needs the delight on our face and happy in our eyes to blow away their dark clouds of doubt and confusion.
When we bring joy to someone in need, we bring Jesus to them.
Sounds like a Valentine mission for me.
February 7, 2015
What if we move into tomorrow...
. . . with the simplicity of heart and playful spontaneity of a child? Might this chase away the subtle discontent of obligation and duty that robs us of what Jesus calls unquenchable joy?
January 30, 2015
What if Disappointment . . .
. . . and despair are not terminal, but signs of impending resurrection.Is this not the message of the cross?
January 26, 2015
A Cup of Comfort
Tears welled up as I boarded a plane for the west coast, leaving our son behind on the the other side of the country. I've never been good at good-byes. The ache of empty arms runs deep. Ever since our son, Nathan, relocated to heaven, acute emotional yearnings for my children seem more easily triggered. There are moments when I secretly wish I had a magic switch to flip off the feelings. But a healthy heart doesn't work that way. They say, the more you love, the more you hurt.
A cheery flight attendant came along side me at 30,000 feet.
"Ma'am, may I get you something to drink?"
"Yes. A cup of comfort please." (Freudian slip)
"What was that?"
"A cup of coffee please."
Sipping Seattle's Best, I scanned through my journal writings from several months ago and landed on this:
"God is our merciful Father, the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others."
Mercy - the expression of God's unconditional love, consistent compassion, and consuming commitment to restore me, and to free me from the misery of my most foolish choices.
Merciful Father - One who has deep intense longings for his children who live disengaged, or far away.
Deep sigh. Ahhhh.....You get it God! You feel what I feel.
Seattle's Best is good. But nothing can top a fresh cup of comfort served by the One who comes along side with His strengthening presence. New mercies are ours to receive each and every day. What longings need attention in you? Why not push pause, take a break from the busies, and lift your cup?
