In it for the Long Hull aka Long Haul

While Ryan and Shawntel have been away a few days, I’ve stayed here with their boys. I loved big brother, Bear, his girlfriend, Hannah, and oldest brother, Braden, and his wife, Ruth, hanging out with us. My heart has been filled with love. Four boys in this Wuerch family here in Austin – so I must tell you about the joy and fun it was to have some “girl” time, talking girl "talk". It was easy to talk that talk because of the family wedding this weekend.

Ruth, my grandson Braden’s wife, my “granddaughter”, is a triplet. The last of the triplets married her dream man on Friday here in Austin. Of all the places in the world where these two sisters would end up is here in Austin. The wedding had been planned for a later date, but they couldn’t wait any longer. They married in a sweet and intimate outdoor setting (the groom’s parent’s home) here in Austin. Pictured here is Rebeca, her new husband, Ben, and that’s my Ruth, the Matron of Honor, behind her. Photo with Braden, Ruth, Rebeca & Ben includes the third triplet, Ruben, who is a Navy Officer, with his wife. Covid kept them from traveling.

We three girls oohed and aahed at the tender and precious moments as Ruth played the wedding video for us. Both bride and groom had written their own vows, so beautifully said through tears and laughter. My heart was touched seeing this strong man, cry his way through almost the whole wedding. He was marrying the love of his life. The three of us teared up when Rebeca, while saying her vows said “I must stop a moment so I can make a vow to someone else”. Rebeca walked over to Ben’s younger sister and vowed to love her, protect her, and care for her all the days of her life. That’s when the tears flowed from everyone at the wedding and we three girls who were enamored by the beauty of that special moment.

I always love hearing the words from I Corinthians 13 that most often are heard at weddings. The minister started with these words: “Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing. But rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” As soon as the minister started speaking those words, it started to rain and, so the next words were: “I’ve been told on many occasions that rain is a sign that the marriage will be long and enduring. I think we’re looking at a couple who are going to celebrate 75 or 80 years of marriage.” That is when a pause came to reconvene under the patio. Moments they’ll never forget for those 75 or 80 years to come.

Now, with great expectations, Ben and Rebeca have begun their lives together. I’m so faith-filled that I believe their vows before God of loving, caring, sharing, and helping-each-other-reach-their-full-potential marriage will be blessed by God. A beautiful rite-of-passage that once were two hearts, are now one. As I type this blog, I pray those words for my readers today – to remember 1 Corinthians 13, with those love words, and to do a self-analysis. “Is our love still defined by the words of St. Paul? If not – then why not begin again to remember and put those words first place for the long haul? Ben’s last name is Hull – so that was the theme of the wedding “In it for the long Hull”. I pray the long Hull and long HAUL for them and you, too!

How About a Game of Osani?

I read a story about an anthropologist who proposed a game to an African tribe's children. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told them that whoever got there first would win the sweet fruits. When he told them to run, they took each other’s hands and ran together, then sat and enjoyed the fruit together. When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself, they said: “UBUNTU, 'How can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?'” UBUNTU’ in the Xhosa culture means: "I am because we are." Can you imagine how much better the world would be if everyone lived by that motto? Isn't that the way God wants His kids to live?

This photo is of the Efé children of Zaire (Congo, Central Africa) playing the Osani Circle Game. The game teaches that we are much better when we work as a team and think about each other before ourselves. It teaches that each individual can achieve so much more when they approach situations with the mindset and focus on love and cooperation rather than competition. Osani (the Efé word for love),begins by sitting in a circle, feet touching, all connected. Then, for example, each child in turn names a round object like the sun, the moon, a star, an eye and then goes on to name a figurative expression of “round” like the circle of the family. What I love most in this photo is the closeness of the children -- a circle of togetherness, of community, creativity, enjoying each other's company and celebrating the different perspectives each of them bring to the circle.

I often add words to the photos I post on my blogs. In this photo's case, I picked a font that I thought looked somewhat "African" in my mind's eye. Not until I looked at it, after the fact, did I realize the i's in that font, even though it's the uppercase lettering, is still a lower case "i". Aw! Being a little i in life when it comes to wanting to have it my way, or what i want or what pleases me. It's what WE ARE together. WE share. WE love. WE serve. WE give. WE go for what's right together. WE WIN together. UBUNTU -- i AM because we ARE!

Today, I'm thinking of ways that we can join our hands and hearts together to be a part of something greater than i -- greater than my 4 and no more -- greater than "What's in it for me?" What if we began to pray and humble ourselves to become servants that live a life of "What can i do for you? What can i do for the cause? What can i do for the team? What can i do for others?” UBUNTU -- i AM because we ARE!

There is so much competition in life -- between family members, co-workers, friends, political and news pundits, and so many others. I wonder "What if we thought more like these kids...."I am...because WE ARE!" Those kids sound like the kids that God calls us to be: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:2-3)

How about a game of Osani? i AM because we ARE!

Better to be Patient than Powerful

Patience is what we should pray for, but when we do.....it seems we encounter even more reasons to pray "Lord, give me patience, but PLEASE give it to me NOW!!!"

As I type this post I'm asking God to forgive me for my IMPATIENCE. I loved my neat and tidy world here in Tulsa. Beautiful home. Wonderful friends. Sweet family members. Awesome churches. Needs met. Many connections for faith and outreach. THEN, my home sells and I hear God's voice and feel His nudge...."Time to move on!" I take those words in with great excitement, energy and motivation and I set out to make it all happen. But, while I'm putting together my must do's, strategies, and deadlines, I'm hearing God say "Slow down. Don't be in such a rush. Be patient. Instead of being a "human doing", I want you to be a "human being" -- being in My presence while I take control of it all."

Seriously, I don’t consider myself someone who grasps for power, but as I get closer to my leaving Tulsa date (around November 8th or 9th), I realize I want power over certain things. I want to control how this transition will go. I want everything all neat and tidy there like it's been here. So I've relentlessly looked for homes online, had my kids running all over to check out properties for me and even driven to Texas (several times) to check out the homes.

Then I read that scripture "Better to be patient than powerful." (Proverbs 16:32). Suddenly what I realize, all this need to make it happen, is different than patience. Because patience is about receiving. It’s about believing that everything will work out. It’s about resting in the shade of God’s love instead of toiling in the sun of striving.

Patience isn’t just about time; it’s also about trust. It’s about saying, “I don’t have to be in control. I don’t have to hold the power because I know the One who does. And He is for me. He is always working on my behalf. And this means I don’t have to strive or reach for control.” The truest work of patience is when I realize that even more than having to be in control is being cared for by SOMEONE who truly loves me.

Then, I let out a sigh of relief as I realize all over again that God is for me and His plans are for my good. He has been so patiently waiting for me to get it. I'm sure it's a really good idea to succomb to His agenda for my life. Instead of asking God to get onboard my train as a passenger, I think I'll move to the caboose and let Him engineer this ride. I expect He'll stop it RIGHT at the place and RIGHT at the time when it's best for Him AND me!

Better to be Patient than Powerful

Patience is what we should pray for, but when we do.....it seems we encounter even more reasons to pray "Lord, give me patience, but PLEASE give it to me NOW!!!"

As I type this post I'm asking God to forgive me for my IMPATIENCE. I loved my neat and tidy world here in Tulsa. Beautiful home. Wonderful friends. Sweet family members. Awesome churches. Needs met. Many connections for faith and outreach. THEN, my home sells and I hear God's voice and feel His nudge...."Time to move on!" I take those words in with great excitement, energy and motivation and I set out to make it all happen. But, while I'm putting together my must do's, strategies, and deadlines, I'm hearing God say "Slow down. Don't be in such a rush. Be patient. Instead of being a "human doing", I want you to be a "human being" -- being in My presence while I take control of it all."

Seriously, I don’t consider myself someone who grasps for power, but as I get closer to my leaving Tulsa date (around November 8th or 9th), I realize I want power over certain things. I want to control how this transition will go. I want everything all neat and tidy there like it's been here. So I've relentlessly looked for homes online, had my kids running over to check out properties for me. A "real deal" shows up and I think "This must be the one!"

Then I read that scripture "Better to be patient than powerful." (Proverbs 16:32). Suddenly what I realize, all this need to make it happen, is different than patience. Because patience is about receiving. It’s about believing that everything will work out. It’s about resting in the shade of God’s love instead of toiling in the sun of striving.

Patience isn’t just about time; it’s also about trust. It’s about saying, “I don’t have to be in control. I don’t have to hold the power because I know the One who does. And He is for me. He is always working on my behalf. And this means I don’t have to strive or reach for control.” The truest work of patience is when I realize that even more than having to be in control is being cared for by SOMEONE who truly loves me.

Then, I let out a sigh of relief as I realize all over again that God is for me and His plans are for my good. He has been so patiently waiting for me to get it. I'm sure it's a really good idea to succomb to His agenda for my life. Instead of asking God to get onboard my train as a passenger, I think I'll move to the caboose and let Him engineer this ride. I expect He'll stop it RIGHT at the place and RIGHT at the time when it's best for Him AND me!

Patience is Waiting

Day 292 of Photo Inspirations -- Patience is WAITING
So this week, at our Bible Study, we're looking at the Fruit of the Spirit quality of PATIENCE.  Lord, please give me patience RIGHT NOW!  Patience is a word we seem to want to avoid talking about because when we start talking about it or asking for more of it, we get lots of reasons to NEED IT in abundance.

Yesterday, I walked outside and I breathed in my favorite time of year.  The freshness of the rains the day before and the cooler temperatures made me so aware of God's creation and the absolute precision He operates in.  I wanted it to be Fall several weeks ago.  I was ready for cooler temperatures.  I was ready to get out my cozy Fall clothes and boots.  But no.....God's precise way of doing things trumped my desires.  I'll be PATIENT!

Yes, Fall has been slow coming this year, but leaves are turning colors and the fallen ones crunch beneath my shoes. As I am surrounded by the beauty of the change of seasons, I lift my eyes to Him and I am reminded to be still and WAIT.  WAIT??? But God, I'm too busy to wait.  I've got this to do and that to do and don't you know my kids are coming in town next week and I've just got to have everything JUST RIGHT for them.  Doesn't that sound a lot like Martha and all she thought she had to get done for the Master?

I think God was assigning this Bible Study to me, and for me, to cultivate even more in me than the ladies I'm speaking to.  I'm hearing Him say.... "WAIT.  Be still and know I am God."  We all have different journeys in life and along the way there is going to be a time for waiting -- PATIENCE -- in the grocery line, the traffic light, in the pick-up line for the kids from school, at the doctor's office.   We live in a culture of FAST food, FAST oil change, FAST internet, FAST lane, FAST digital cameras  Waiting isn’t really on our minds. We ALL want what we want . . . NOW!  But there is a peace that can comes in the waiting. I have grown tremendously during those times of waiting.

Patience is such a great gift. It has taken me time to see it as a gift.  I'll be sharing that with our group. I have learned when my patience is tested, I must give it to God. I give Him my worries and frustrations and trust Him completely because I am called to walk by faith. I wait in hope because He surrounds me like a shield, He is my protection along the way and He will be my strength. Waiting and patience are part of His Master plan for me, so I might as well GET IT sooner than later because I sure don't want to have to go around this mountain another time.  I want to learn my lessons well the first time.....so I think I'll just sit right down here by these still waters and wait!

The Pearl of Great Price

God is relentless in His pursuit of us. He speaks to us in a thousand different ways, endeavoring to get our attention. He is passionate in His love for us, and patient in His tolerance of us. And, just in case you ever doubt your self-worth, here is proof positive of how special and amazing you are:

In Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus told a simple little story about a merchant who was on a venture, trying to find expensive, beautiful gems. He was especially interested in finding pearls. Jesus said this man, looking for valuable pearls, found one pearl of great price. It was so exquisite, so beautiful, so rare, so valuable, he sold everything he had and he went and he bought that pearl.

YOU are the pearl of great price and God’s highest treasure. He searched far and wide for you, and He was overjoyed when He finally found you. You may have been covered with a little dirt when He first dug you up, but that didn’t matter to Him. He saw the beauty inside you, and He is committed to cleaning and polishing you until you glow with His radiance. Yes, you are His precious child who possesses the character and likeness of Him, the perfect Pearl. And doesn't that make us want to return His love by a relentess, consuming and passionate pursuit of Him?