Paper Chains

In pre-school paper chains were made by cutting construction paper into long strips and then gluing the ends of each strip to itself. This created one link. Repeat this process a hundred times, interlocking them with the addition of each link and you'll find yourself with an award worthy paper chain creation.

As I find myself pondering over past decisions and being approached with new ones, my mind reverts to these paper chains. Stick with me. All decisions are represented by one link in the chain. This includes the small ones, the big ones, the ones that make you swollen with pride, and the ones you wish you could erase. Day after day. Year after year. One choice after another until you look back and realize that these links of decisions slowly build the life you live. This visual makes me feel apprehensive to make any decisions at all.

We are all faced with choices on a daily basis. Sometimes the choices are trivial. For example, choosing to cream my coffee this morning with Hazelnut instead of French Vanilla isn't going to alter the path of my life. Other times, however, our decisions can directly impact our entire future. There comes a moment or perhaps even moments where we must decide who we want to be, how we want to contribute to society, and where we want to devote our time. In this huge world, full of endless opportunity I often find myself overwhelmed and trying to figure out exactly what role I'm meant to play. 

Have you ever found yourself in this situation? 

Maybe we're dealing with this together right now.

Today I woke up finding myself unsure of the direction of my calling. Suddenly, I have felt pressure to discover how being called to study engineering intertwines with the calling of my heart to use my experiences to encourage others.

Um, excuse me God, I can't find this in my planner.

This morning I stumbled across a blog post by Beth Moore. This portion completely resonated with my current struggle. Although it doesn't reveal a specific game plan for life, it does provide all the answers I needed to hear.

 Beth asked,

"What do you look like when you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength?

Because THAT person is who He’s looking for in you.

Who are you supposed to look like in your calling here on earth and in the way you follow Christ? You’re supposed to look like the version of you that loves Jesus with everything in you.

That’s the real you.

And that’s the road down which you will find what He put you on the planet to do. You don’t have to figure out what to surrender to. Just surrender your heart to Jesus. Every single ounce of it. I’m asking you who is INSIDE OF YOU when you are flooded with the fiery love of Christ? Right there in that passion you’ll start discovering that purpose."

The good news is that we don't have to design our purpose because it's already in place. Rather, we just have to be attentive and willing to surrender our plans for His. We're not in this alone.  So instead of being anxious about the future today, fix your eyes upon the One who took our punishment so that we could be made whole, have a future that extends way into eternity, and be set free from paper chains.

That makes today a Good Friday.

jpr

Imperfect Perfection

Group painting classes have become a trendy idea for birthday bashes and low key festivities. A few weeks ago I attended my first painting party to celebrate a dear friends 50th birthday.

I was out of my element.

Self proclaimed as being artistically challenged, I wasn't sure how a painting class actually worked.

Let me briefly explain in case you are in the same boat.

The gathering space was very open allowing opportunity to move, mingle, and let your creative side be unleashed. That is, assuming you have a creative side. Each person chose an individual work station that was surrounded by supplies.

 Brushes. Paint colors. An apron. In the center of each work space was an easel supporting a bare white canvas. The work stations were identical and arranged in close proximity to one another, fostering an atmosphere for comfortable conversation.

As I sat down and claimed a vacant canvas, the class instructor stepped onto a platform in the front of the room. The kind, slender lady presented the finished example of the portrait that the entire group was scheduled to paint. It was then time to begin adding character to the boring print in front of me.

The teacher guided the group through the procedure. Stroke by stroke.

As expressed earlier, painting is not my forte. Leaning in close to the canvas, I spent time focusing on each tiny feature in the instruction process. My nose was pressed near to the canvas. My lips perched to the side with frustration growing inside of me with the addition of every minor mistake. Quickly I became disheartened and I found myself glancing up to scan the room and compare my artwork.

At that time it became evident that no two paintings were identical. I turned back to my own painting, this time looking from a different perspective. Instead of fixating my view on all the faults, I took a step back to enjoy the portrait in its entirety. In doing so, feeling much more pleased with the tedious work that went into painting the canvas. Often we get so discouraged by the details, that we lose our vision of the big picture.

 Although each lady modeled their artwork after the same example, everyone's painting was unique and beautifully crafted with an individual twist. Perhaps the canvases can be used as visual representation of the diversity and stunning imperfections that exists in us all. With a shift in my outlook, I choose to live believing that our faults and dissimilar traits are what make people fascinating and add vibrant color to life.

Learn to love and laugh at personal limitations that are beyond your control, knowing that you are a masterpiece in the making.

jpr

Nineteen-Ninety-One

Last night was ineffective, uninspiring, non-enthusiastic, and completely conventional. I refer to this as couch potato syndrome...CPS for short. Nights like this can be compared to a glass of Pignot Grigio: absolutely superb but only in moderation.

How do you treat CPS?
Well, each case is special. And I've decided there is no immediate cure. So last night, I embraced the couch. Something I rarely do anymore.

As I was scanning through channels (and attacking a box of newly delivered Girl Scout cookies) a handful of stars from my childhood beamed through the screen. It's strange how a video clip or song lyrics from your past can wake up an entire collection of memories. And then suddenly, for a brief moment, I felt like I was back in 4th grade. What an afflicting thought. Fourth grade. A time of innocence, laughter, and carefree decision making.

But also the year of chunky cheeks, athletic shorts, four-square play-ground games, coke-bottle glasses, and butterfly hair clips. Some girls flawlessly transition from being cute to being pretty. Others get trapped in limbo. You guessed it. I lingered in limbo dressed in Limited Too outfits and NSYNC tee's.
See if you recognize these names:

Justin Timberlake                                                        Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson
Jaleel White                                                                 Britney Spears
Dakota Fanning                                                           Joey Lawrence
Jonathon Taylor Thomas (Home Improvement)
Danielle Fishel (Topanga on Boy Meets World)
Jonathan Lipnicki (Jerry Maguire)

Sound familiar? This crew topped the list of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars". 

I know this because while feeling under the weather with CPS, my eyes were fixated on the tv for an amount of time that I'm ashamed to disclose.  The show explained how each celebrity began his or her career and concluded by comparing "then" and "now" pictures. Check it out.

   

While these kids were starring in major motion pictures and signing multimillion dollar record contracts, most of us 90's rugrats were begging our parents to buy Beanie Babies, milky pens, Fruit by the Foot, and the Oregon Trail CD-ROM. Back in this decade, CPS was referred to as nap-time. It was not only acceptable, but encouraged. My adolescent days cannot easily relate to the childhood experiences of these celebrities. However, one fact is consistent regardless of your level of fame. You can't avoid change. Physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, etc. One day you are selling the GS cookies and the next you are a loyal customer. So cherish all phases of life. Even the embarrassing, awkward, and pudgy moments in limbo …because time only moves in one direction. 

jpr