Poppy

 A couple of years ago, my dear friend Greg Beadles turned me on to Michael Hyatt's life planning resource. At the outset of the planning guide, Hyatt states "A good plan starts with the end in mind." That is true whether you are building a house or taking a road trip. You must define your destination.

On July 4, my dear father-in-law, Louis Eubanks (Poppy), went home to be with the Lord. When he was on his death bed I expressed desires to Sondra to do his funeral message, but the Lord changed my mind to just observe and what I observed taught me more than I could've learned or imparted in preparing a 20 minute tribute.

It started as we brought him home from the hospital to spend his last few days in his home (our home) and the house was FILLED with prayers, food, well-wishers, and lovers of Poppy. In our home —surrounded by family, friends, and so many people whose lives had been touched by Poppy—I saw the kind of ending worth aiming for.

It was not an ending marked by applause, recognition, or great wealth. But a legacy. A life that left a mark.

My eyes were further opened at the viewing and funeral services. What a crowd!! I heard too many kind words to count—stories about how he served, loved, encouraged, and just showed up. Stories from Sunday School classes, ballfields, hospital rooms, classrooms, and quiet moments of friendship. It gave me a fresh vision for what I hope my own life can be.

Poppy lived simply and faithfully—and in doing so, he shaped the lives of everyone around him. He left a mark.

He showed me a great end to aim for. And for that, I’m deeply grateful.

Naked and unashamed

I had this thought last night while I was bathing my children. One of these days, Jay and or Josie will likely cross a line where they are somewhat ashamed of their nakedness. I can hear it now in the echoes of my own voice and the voices of my sisters growing up. “don’t come in here mom!! I’m naked! (that’s Ne-kid, not nay-kid)

I’m not sure what flipped the switch in me, although I’m glad it switched or else things would be weird, but something definitely switched.

Right now, I’m still cherishing these early years while they are still naked and unashamed. They are so much fun. They enjoy life without any of the entrapments of sexuality, puberty, self-consciousness, etc… I think Jay would gladly take up streaking if we let him. Naked just simply isn’t an issue for him.

In my tangled way of relating things, I thought last night about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They were Naked (that’s Nay-kid, not Ne-kid) and they were unashamed. They were completely comfortable in the presence of the creator without any shame, remorse, or regrets. They were in complete fellowship with Him.

As I thought about this further, I thought about what Christ has done for us as believers. He has forgiven us. He has cleansed us. He has restored the fractured relationship that existed between God and man. He has made us righteous!! Even in our sinful fallen state, we can be Naked and unashamed before God. We can come before him with confidence that we are redeemed, that we are accepted, we are His!!! Even in all of our imperfections, weaknesses, insecurities, etc…

So, the question remains for me. Why don’t I? Why am I still so often hiding in the bushes from God, like Adam and Eve did, because I am naked and ashamed?

We all need to be naked before God. Be real with Him. He sees through our “clothes” anyway!

Better things are coming...

I've really been struggling a lot lately and I have a friend that reminded me yesterday of one of the purposes of struggles in this life.

As CS Lewis wrote about in Mere Christianity, we are never to be fully comfortable in this world. A constant feeling of discontentment with this life (in varying degrees) is a reminder to us that we were not made for this world, but for another. It is that life and that world (the one to come) that we should fix our hopes upon and our attention upon. This will maximize our contentment here and now.

Romans 8:18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Hebrews 12.. Encouraging words.

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

God, be my Source!!

Psalm 62:5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

I long for this kind of trust in God and God alone for EVERYTHING. I get the sense from reading this Psalm that even if the whole world crumbled around David, he really would not be shaken, but would stand confident and complete in God. For crying out loud, when I have a bad day or bad week, I often lose hope.

God, I long for you in this way. Help me to hope in you and nothing else so that even if my world is turned upside down, I will still be at peace in You. Remove this unrest from my soul and replace it with peace and faith.

Don't forget to love on somebody today!!

Gal 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

So Be it!!!

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.