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Sunday, July 24, 2011

Day of Rest



This evening I am thankful for...

The sound of the wind and waves and nothing else
Days that are slow enough that we don't have to look at the clock
Bright pink beach towels and ice cold water
Getting reacquainted with C.S. Lewis beautiful imagery of Aslan
The remnants of the tangy burn of Sweet Chili Sauce on my lips
Well executed surprises
Having a sweet man to walk through life with

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Passion and Discipline



I have been watching "So You Think You Can Dance" this summer and I've never watched it before.  I find it so fascinating!  I'm an artistic person in many ways with my music and even some visual art, but dance is very outside of my realm.  So I think one of the reasons I find it so engaging is that I relate to the beauty of the art but the way it is portrayed is so foreign to me!  It is truly beautiful.

Another thing though is that these dancers passionately and courageously put there hopes and dreams and talents right out there for all to see.  They don't hold anything back, but outwardly and loudly display who they are and what they are passionate about.

It inspires me actually.  Inspires me to live out loud!  Not to change who I am, but embrace it and show it.

I have also noticed these dancers have discipline. To get to where they are, to be able to produce such beautiful movement, they have to be extremely disciplined.

For myself, I am beginning to appreciate the worth of discipline in my life.  If I want to become a beautiful Christian woman, it takes discipline to build that relationship with God, to continue in the fight against all the things that want to distract me from prayer, God's Word, from living for Him.  If I want to become a beautiful musician, it takes discipline in warming up my voice, in keeping my hands in practice on the piano.  If I want to have a healthy body and feel great about myself, it takes discipline to choose to go for walks, to deny myself those small treats that I don't have room for, and to keep at it every day.  But the beauty of discipline comes when the day to day plugging away turns into a natural flow of what you have been practicing.  These dancers - the things they can do - the jumps, the lifts, the twirls and kicks, it is all so incredible - but behind it is years and years of daily working on flexibility, balance, etc.

I hope someday that my natural tendencies are to pray throughout everyday.  To trust Jesus no matter what.  That my voice stays strong and loud even as I age.  That I love others beautifully and naturally.  I hope that the things I struggle with and try to work on each day continue making me into a beautiful person.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Home

Home I think is more than a physical place.  Home is feeling like "this is exactly where I should be and where I belong."  Here are a few places that are home to me.

In the thick of a crowd bursting with worship, or anywhere for that matter singing Jesus' praise at the top of my lungs


Standing at my kitchen counter testing cookie dough


Deep in the thick green of a mossy forest


Being in my husband's arms






Thursday, July 7, 2011

Unforced

My blog is titled "The Rhythms of Grace."  A few weeks ago listening to a sermon, our speaker shared Matthew 11:38 only in the Message.  Here's what it says -

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

It definitely caught my eye because of the "rhythms of grace."  But then I was drawn to the word "unforced".  Unforced rhythms of grace.  What a beautiful and perfect way to define relationship with Jesus.

Unforced
         Free flowing
                     Chosen
                              Not demanded and
                                        Not taken against someone's will 
                                                       Engaged in with delight

I think a lot of people see God as a tyrant, as someone who dictates and demands His own way.  But this verse speaks of such a different reality - an invitation of rest, a relationship that produces life, walking together, learning from the Master, keeping company with Him, flowing in grace, feeling the rhythm of God's heart.

This is beautiful and special to me.