It’s Potato Salad and Chocolate Cake Time

That sounds like a crazy combination, doesn’t it? But in my day – in the South – if those words are said together, it means that somebody passed away. That's just what we do. When there’s a funeral, there’s always a dinner that’s provided for the family. Or, the dinner is taken to the home before the funeral. That’s what caring and loving family-to-family is all about. Maybe you haven’t ever experienced that. May I suggest that you move South or you start a tradition now that carries Christ’s love with hands and feet to those around about you.

Today is the third day of Lent. It's the time when we prepare our hearts and minds for Easter. It's a time of intentional laser focus on Jesus. Often we hear the word "Lent" and we think "lint" -- those little fibers that get on our clothes from other fabrics. We use a sticky lint remover tool to get it off. Lent means sort of the same thing -- taking the time to "come clean" -- to rid ourselves of the funk and junk that has settled in our hearts. It's remembering the sacrifice of love that causes us to want to have hearts "swept clean" for Christ’s place of residence in us.

During this time people fast and abstain from things that seem to have control over their lives, and it's also, rather than restraining ourselves, it's the "get ready, get set and go" time when we give to others...very purposefully. Random acts of kindness, being generous, etc. It's all about a heart change -- from the "It's all about me" to the "It's all about YOU, God!"

Lent is a time to remember, to recall, and to renew our love and commitment to God. We spend a lot of time remembering the love God had for us in giving us His one and only SON. We remember the love He demonstrated by coming to this earth, becoming one of us, living a life of servitude. Then He was willing to die, be buried, and rise from the grave to life to draw us to Himself. Lent is about being attracted to Him WHO is attracted to us on a daily basis. What if, rather than it being about what can I do for me -- that it's "What can I do to show Christ's giving nature and heart to others?.

God is OUR Waymaker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness. What if we became "little" Jesuses and we intentionally became the way-maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in their darkness to others. We can. We can offer help with child care, bring someone potato salad and chocolate cake, help a neighbor or a friend by just being with them. Maybe, instead of giving up some food or technology this Lent, we could spend time focusing our thoughts and hearts on Christ and loving, really loving His kids. Maybe this Easter will be a real resurrection to celebrate -- the resurrection from our OLD selves to our NEW selves in Him.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness] will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I." (Isaiah 58)

Mary’s Assignment – My Assignment

I’ve received many assignments from God in my life – many that involved the care for those closest to me, several in my places of employment, others that took us from one state to another, to another country and back to the U.S., missions’ assignments and other assignments that focused on me.

This week, of all times of the year, I am on an assignment to help my Frisco children get packed up and moved from their home that sold at a surprising time-of-the-year (right here at Christmas) and then helping them move and unpack at their new home – just a few miles away. The timing wasn’t exactly according to our plans. It could have easily come in the warmer, less busy time of the year! But God knew and He is the way-maker -- and His ways are higher and better than our ways! God is the Master of assigning and giving sweet assurances along the way -- and even many little miracles come that assures us “this is God’s perfect timing”.

My kids aren't the first to have received an assignment that wasn’t planned or expected. Just look at Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her change of plans was much greater than a few-miles- down-the-road move. Let’s picture her -- engaged to a great guy. Wedding plans in motion. Excitement is building about "the day"! But, then, her dreams are interrupted: “The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus.’” (Luke 1:30-31) When Mary received this news, she didn’t react in fear or doubt. Instead her reaction was grounded in faith: “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’” (Luke 1:38)

Mary responded with confidence because her confidence began with her relationship with God. She built her confidence in Him, not on something that was outside her control. Not on someone, like Joseph. For all she knew, he would leave her once he learned she was pregnant. Did Mary understand everything God was doing? Unlikely. Or resent what He was doing? Doesn’t appear so. Would others judge her? No doubt they would, but Mary didn’t allow people’s opinions to prevent her from embracing God’s calling, even if she didn’t understand it. The lack of details didn’t impact her confidence in His plans for her life, nor her trust in Him to take care of her.

I’m desperately trying to follow Mary’s lead. I’m learning that confidence built on people or positions is a confidence built on unsolid ground. Someone, something or some place will let us all down at some point. When we build our confidence on Christ when difficult times come, our foundation will be firm in Him. The Lord uses changes and moves to faithfully bring us to a place where our gifts will grow. We should always know, just like He was to Mary, the Lord is always faithful.

Hebrews 10:35-36, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”.