Alignment

So I went to the grocery store and somehow ended up with THAT cart. You know the one – it’s got that wobbly front right wheel which pulls the cart to the right as you push it. I told myself it was going to be a quick trip and I could put up with it. It was. I did. But as I left the store and went to my vehicle, I found myself shaking my head. With the badly aligned cart, I actually chose to make the chore a little more difficult and less enjoyable than it could’ve been. I could’ve easily gone back and gotten a cart with better alignment. It’s interesting how important alignment is – ‘the proper adjustment of components for coordinated functioning’. Proper alignment ensures efficient, smooth function and more productivity with less energy.
When you think about it, good alignment is essential to living.
Alignment is necessary with possessions – no one wants the cost of new tires or repairs for a vehicle due to poor alignment, especially when that is totally avoidable. Socially, alignment of values, views and goals allows for better communication, cooperation and productivity. Physically, I know the pain that one’s hip and lower back being out of alignment can cause. Intellectually, alignment of thought in a specific field of study is necessary for learning and attainment of skill. Emotionally, alignment with feelings that are open, caring and the positive is healthier than alignment with feelings of anger, resentment, fear and the negative.
However the most important alignment in life would have to be spiritual alignment.
When you are living your life in line with God’s will, your life – in every aspect – will be perfectly aligned. This perfect alignment brings focus, purpose, contentment, joy, peace that surpasses understanding and blessed assurance.


Psalms 37:4 Delight in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart.


Matthew 6:33 Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

holding patterns

I will admit that one of my biggest pet peeves is being put on hold. I can accept that at times it is necessary - a party may have to search for pertinent information or deal with an immediate situation. I have issues with “on hold” when it becomes a state of suspension or inaction with no progress and no change.

As I sat down at my computer to begin writing again, it was with thoughts of life being put on hold with changes and obligations that I have been experiencing. Perhaps at some point, we all feel like life is on hold.
Maybe, it’s more like experiencing a “holding pattern”. A holding pattern is based on a ‘fix’. An aircraft flies towards a fix and once there will enter a predefined pattern for safety until ground issues (runway safety or availability) or weather issues are solved allowing for destination arrival. I find myself staying in a pattern waiting for life’s ground or weather issues to resolve.
However, in this contemplation of being “on hold” or in a “holding pattern”, I see personal progress and action that has occurred – new direction. I haven’t remained in one state or course – hindered or restrained.
So instead of “on hold” or in a “holding pattern” maybe I’ve been “holding the course”. I continue on towards the goal, persevering, being persistent and resistant as I am going. Overcoming detours, distractions, and obstacles, I find forward motion. I see lessons learned and skills acquired. I gained insight. I discovered. I enjoyed moments.


Philippians 3:12 - Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.


Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Game Faces

This weekend held state play off games for a few of our high school’s athletic teams. Our athletes conditioned, trained, studied, practiced and played hard to make it to the top in the state in their division. They are reaping the reward of all their efforts, time and sacrifice. As they go into final games they must ready one more asset – putting on the Game Face.

The Game Face is somewhat of an oxymoron which both conceals and expresses player emotion. Game face comes form any expression held that conceals the player’s emotions. Some players call it the THUG MUG. Others call it the ICE GRILL. Both of these versions use hostility and bravado to block out showing of authentic emotion. And let us not forget the POKER FACE which shows absolute lack of facial expression all together. But is does communicate intention and focus.
Sarah Gerhard (top competitive surfer) said "the winner’s game face is really a mental, spiritual and emotional quest – The minute you get into that zone your whole being, body language, expression and mentality changes. You see that stare, that intensity and the focus."
As I stand still pondering the game faces in these playoff games, it seems obvious that Game Face isn’t solely used as a sport asset. I think people are quite adept at using Game Face in all situations of life:
A leader trying to maintain control throws on the ICE GRILL.
A young person struggling behind the scenes with their home life throws on the GAME FACE in social settings. 
A student is beginning to feel behind – maybe a lack of friends – maybe unsure about the future decides to “man up” behind the façade of the THUG MUG.
A woman deals with changes in relationships with her kids,  friends seem to be distant maybe not quite in the same spot of life she’s in, tired of running on the treadmill of life feeling one step behind on come the POKER FACE.
Each of us has a whole repertoire of Game Faces we could claim.Truth is … Game Faces are bogus. First off – more people that you may realize, as you work so hard to maintain the facade see through it … yep …right through it, clear as day.
Why do we actually compound the weight and effort of maintaining the Game Face façade when it is worthless?
Secondly and more importantly, God has made each one of us uniquely different with our own strengths and weaknesses. He knows exactly who we are. He thoughtfully and lovingly designed every individual with purpose. So Game Face or no – He sees right trough it. He knows you and has confidence in who he made you to be. He uses not just our strengths but our weeknesses.  He gave us others around us to encourage us and support us. He sent His Son to overcome our greatest obstacle and lead us.
Now Stand Still. Look in the mirror. See yourself without any of those faces. Embrace that self. Allow others to know that self; support that self and encourage that self. Turn to His Word for the game plan this self should follow.
His Purpose awaits.






Galatians 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.


Psalm 100:3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his.

Of Serendipity, Coincidence, Fate and Luck

Recently someone’s need, my readiness of circumstance, and timing all came together to bring about an opportunity and change in my life.

‘Serendipity’ was the word someone used to describe the situation as I shared the news. I’ve been standing still in consideration of “serendipity”.
Good fortune; luck; happenstance; coincidence; fate; kismet – all words and concepts that fall with serendipity. I have probably used each of these words. But in standing still with ‘serendipity’ I know that I really don’t believe in a single one of them.
Providence.
This is what I do believe. There are no such things as serendipity, coincidence, chance, fortune, luck or fate. Nothing happens by accident.
It is Providence.
God in His omniscience provides direction, guidance, causation, benevolence and care according to His will and purpose. He does so for each of us out of great love. Everything happens in accordance with God’s plan.
Our Father’s greatest Providence came through His Son. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, He reconciled each of us unto Himself. This is the purpose of His heart. 1 Timothy 2:4 tells us He “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
Providence gives us what serendipity, coincidence, fate and luck never would be able to – a deep and lasting peace, hope and assurance.






Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.


Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


Psalm 33:11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Hearing or Listening?

It was about dinnertime the other night. Kid2 and kid3 were intensely working on attaining the next level for a video game they’d been going at for awhile. Twice I had asked them if they were at a point that they could pause and help out with last minute dinner readiness. I poked my head out from the kitchen into the other room and asked in that firm mommy tone “Did you hear me??” Kid 2 looked over his shoulder quickly and said “More precisely mom – what you might want to ask is if we’re listening.” I raised an eyebrow and cleared my throat at which point the game was paused and I immediately had two helpers in the kitchen.



As I reflect on the past week, I find myself standing still with hearing and listening.
Two words I often perceive as being interchangeable similar in meaning. For the most part, I guess they are. But there is a difference, however subtle. Hearing refers really refers to the more physical aspect of registering sound – to perceive by the ear speech or sound recognition; the faculty of perceiving sound vibrations. Listening has more to do with the attention one gives to that which is heard – to heed; to attend closely for the purpose of hearing.


Standing still I wonder of myself – am I in the habit of hearing or listening? I think that my child’s perceptive comment was a reminder for me. I need to strive for listening each day – be attentive and engaged in my daily interactions with others. I especially need to be listening, not hearing, in my relationship with the Heavenly Father. I wonder how many times He’s raised His eyebrow at the use of my hearing.


Another thought comes to mind that makes me smile – I can know with certainty that God both hears and listens… attentively and lovingly.






Proverbs 1:5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—


Psalm 66:19 but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.