Excuse me, may I sit here?

Today I enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Nashville Farmer's Market. Since I sit in an office all day long, I didn't want to waste the sunshine so, naturally, I sat outside for lunch. There were two tables outside that I saw, and one was occupied. From where I sat I could see the lovely Bicentennial mall, and the couple eating lunch at the other table. Now to the point.

What is it about our culture that says in that situation, you're invading someone's space? Now, if I had not been eating alone, it would not have been a "space invasion" at all. However, since I sat alone and just enjoyed the scenery, I'm sure the couple must have thought I was thouroughly enjoying their conversation (I didn't hear any of it, I promise). I truthfully didn't mind the awkwardness, and I'm sure they didn't either. In fact, Eric, being more confident than I today, initiated great conversation.

Still, I wonder, is this delicious awkwardness a human thing or a cultural thing? I'm going with cultural. Maybe we just like our space, or because I was alone and wasn't occupied, I really was only there to listen to their conversation. Or - maybe -because I was alone and unoccupied, I was the only one who thought it a strange situation!

Thank you, Eric, for great conversation and for giving me a topic for yet another blog post. For everyone else - go check out the Farmer's Market. I am taking fresh peaches and pears on my road trip this weekend! Happy Labor Day weekend.

Mercy Ships

Here's a great organization I thought you should know about. Check out their blog here.


MISSION
Mercy Ships, a global charity, has operated a fleet of hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor, mobilizing people and resources worldwide.


VISION
Mercy Ships seeks to become the face of love in action, bringing hope and healing to the poor.


VALUES
Desiring to follow the example of Jesus, we seek to:
Love God
Love and serve others
Be people of integrity
Be people of excellence in all we say and do

Held

This song by Natalie Grant has been loving on me this week.



Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred know our sorrow.
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

Bridge:
If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

Yummy goodness

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”- Romans 8:32

Encouragement: ask for only what you need for today.

CASA

Yesterday I officially started training for a nation-wide volunteer program called CASA. Court Appointed Special Advocates work with children who are in the court systems as a result of abuse or neglect. CASA's mission is "to expedite the process through which these abused and neglected children find permanent, safe homes."

I became more and more excited as I sat through the introduction class. Working with children in the court systems has been my dream since I was 15, so this is the perfect opportunity to see if it's something that I will actually enjoy. Check out the program. I'll try to keep you posted on my experiences!

Reconcilliation through Redepmtion

Recently, our church has been talking about Forgiveness and Reconcilliation. Each week I think "that's great - I get it", but I haven't really had to put it into practice. It really isn't as easy as it seemed while I was sitting in the middle of those sermons. However, this week reconcilliation has taken on an entire new meaning....

I hate how you've treated me. And I hate that I allowed you to do it. But I'm finally understanding what this whole "reconcilliation" thing means.

I love Jesus because of what he did for me. I was nothing. And now, through Him, I am beautifully made and whole.

You were nothing. And now, through Him, you are beautifully made and whole.

And I can still hate what has happened.

But I no longer hold it against you.

Through The Cross, I can love you.

Through The Cross, I can forgive you.

Jesus has redeemed you.

You are no longer held responsible for the way you treated me.

Now don't think this means that we are going to be friends. It doesn't even come close to meaning that. We've been through this before and I moved on. We went through it again and I moved on. A third time. How could I be loving to you if I let this happen again? Change has not happened. But it will now.

It's okay if you don't change. I don't expect you to be what I want you to be.

But I don't have to allow this to continue.

You are loved. You are redeemed. You are forgiven.

And I have changed.

I used to love you because of myself. Because I wanted to love you out of my own personality, character, will.

Now I love you because of Jesus. Because of His personality, character, will.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

Waiting

What is this pain that I cannot bear alone?
Yesterday: anger.
Today: pain.
Tomorrow: unknown.
Each day: Christ.

Jeremiah 29

Jeremiah 29

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

I read a book last week that emphasized verse 11 above and have been repeating it to myself all weekend. This is such a great comfort to me in this time of my life! As my friend Jared noticed yesterday, I'm "itching" for something to happen. Like the well known hymn below, every hour I'm constantly attempting to look to Christ and trust that I'm in the place He wants me to be, and that my future is under His control.

Refrain
I need Thee, O I need Thee;

Every hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

Words:
An­nie S. Hawks, 1872.
Music:
Ro­bert Low­ry