Cicada Lessons

Samuel Orr, a filmmaker.  Published May 28, 2013, Youtube.

"O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures." -- Psalms 104:24

They were crawling all over me yesterday at two outside parties I attended on Memorial Day, and they creeped me out! I had flashbacks of when I was 15 and Doug Trout and Darren Cummings put a shell down my shirt and scarred me for life! Yesterday,as we sat in the shade of a large tree, there were times the song of these creepy creatures were louder than our conversation. They really are strange critters, with their weird red eyes.

As we sat there complaining about them, a friend said that he thought they were a tribute to the power, mystery and reliability of God. Those bugs KNOW to crawl out of the ground every 17 years...not 16, not 18, not 12, but 17 years. You can COUNT on them. 

Contemplate the mystery. People across the world and over thousands of years have also contemplated them. The cicada is a sacred animal in their Chinese culture, and they are considered to be a symbol of resurrection and rebirth.  An Italian myth describes a story of a young woman with a beautiful voice. It is said that her voice was so beautiful that when she died, the gods missed her voice so much, they allowed her to return to earth every so often as a cicada so she could continue to sing to them. There is also an ancient Greek ode to the cicada that says, "We call you happy, O cicada, because after you have drunk a little dew from the treetops you sing like a queen."

Puts a little different spin on the creepiness of them, doesn't it? I watched the video I posted above, and was also touched by the life cycle of the cicada. They live underground for 17 years and emerge with one purpose...to hatch, mate and continue the life cycle. I love the picture of thousands of them marching UP the tree...reaching up as far as they can. Some die before they reach their goal. Some never make it out of their shell. But...some make it out and spend the rest of their short out of the ground lives searching for their purpose and sing, sing sing!

I have seen the cicada phenomenon twice before in my life, but this year it has come to mean more to me. Maybe because I realize I have less time left in my life, or maybe I just think too much. But, I want to use the example of that weird, creepy little creature in my own life. I want to keep searching for my purpose, march onward and upward, marvel in the mystery, power and reliability of God and sing, sing sing!

An invitation

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"There I will go to the altar of God, to God - the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God." -- Psalm 43:4

My practice in the morning is to turn on my music to get me going. I listen in the bathroom as I get ready. I listen as I eat my breakfast, and I even listen as I am doing my devotional time. In the morning, it is always inspirational music that calms my soul. However, this morning, I am again thinking about quiet...and focus.

I had a conversation with a friend last night about Sabbath...the need to rest. This morning I am again thinking about fasting from social media for at least one day a week...it is such a distraction for me! I know that I know this, but I can't seem to do anything about it! My morning devotional had me look up the verse from Psalms above. As I read it, it seemed like an invitation to me. So, I turned off the music and just remained QUIET for a few minutes.

In that moment of quiet, God gave me the sweetest music I could need, a bird was right outside my window singing boldly in the early morning light. It was beautiful! I was reminded that I don't need social media or my Pandora music station to get me going! God provides what I need! He is my source joy!

Oh, Lord, thrill my heart with you today. Be my joy and delight! Please help me clear my life, my mind, my heart and my soul from all the many distractions I allow and I create in my life. Encourage me to be QUIET once in a while...more often...and know that you are God and give me everything I need! Thank you Lord for the invitation you sent me this morning! It has been gladly accepted! Amen.

Planning to Plan...

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." -- Proverbs 19:21

Hello friends! It has been almost a year since I last wrote in my blog. WOW! I knew it had been a while, but I didn't realize it had been a year! There are many reasons for this lapse in doing something I truly loved doing. One reason may be I was lacking in inspiration and motivation. I just didn't wake up in the morning burning to write something...so I didn't write. So what was the reason for THAT? Time is also a factor. I have been so busy in the last year, the last six months especially, and I just didn't have the time to sit down, collect my thoughts and write them down. I tried once again to do the Nanowrimo challenge to write 50,000 words in the month of November and failed at that too. I just couldn't seem to carve out enough time to do it.

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately...what? You find that funny? I know, I think too much all the time! My pastor challenged our whole congregation to choose a word to focus on this year. As he was speaking, one word jumped out at me: PLAN. I think the reason I lacked motivation AND the reason I don't have time is that I don't plan my life very well. For the most part I am a very organized person, but planning my days just wasn't something I took the time to do. See what I mean? It's all about time. I was making my life all about me. Yes, I was doing many things for many people, but maybe all of those things were being done because I don't know how to say no and I want to please everyone all the time. Both of those things are character traits that have plagued me all my life, but this last year I have taken them to new levels.

That old adage, "I haven't planned to fail, I have failed to plan," really works when describing my life recently. I have failed to adequately plan my time, money, meals, my exercise, and my career so all of these areas are not where I would like them to be. What am I doing with my life???

One of my favorite Bible verses, Matthew 25:21, begins "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!...'  It is one of my favorites because I LONG to hear those words from my Father God when I am finally home with him in heaven where I belong. I want my creator to be proud of the person I was when I was here on earth, so I try hard to be a reflection of Jesus, loving and serving others. Perhaps I am trying too hard. Perhaps my Father will tell me "Well, you tried very hard, but you missed the point!" Oh, that is NOT what I long to hear!

One of the goals I have for myself professionally is to be in a position of leadership where I am able to use the skills and talents that I have developed over the years to motivate people to be the best selves they can be and to make a real difference in an organization and in a community. I have tried to "lead where I am" but, so far, every time I try find that place where I belong and can meet those goals for myself, it never happens exactly the way I thought it would. Is it because these are MY plans for myself and not GOD'S? Is it because I have failed to plan and adequately take care of the resources that God has placed in my hands? The last half of Matthew 25:21 says, "You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things." Have I not been faithful enough? Does it go back to my lack of planning and just letting life take me where it wants? Is that why I constantly feel worn, weary and lacking? Questions! Questions!

I think I have found what I want to write about in the coming days and weeks! Perhaps I need to see what God has to say about planning and time management and study his word, searching for wisdom, guidance, inspiration and motivation. Maybe I need to write about my journey in time management and planning to help myself and others too! So, now I am PLANNING to write! More to come!

Remembering to be POSITIVE!

It's Positive Monday!

" May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father encourage you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say." -- 2 Thessalonians 2:16

It is no secret that I TRY to be a pretty positive person. I am not always successful in this quest, but it is my every intention to be more positive than negative each day of my life. Lately, it has been a little bit harder. So, when someone invited me to participate in "Positive Monday", an attempt to encourage people to ditch their negative attitudes for at least one day of positivity, I jumped at the chance!

If anyone had the right to griping and complaining this morning, it was me (and everyone else in Southeastern Ohio!) as I woke up to an icy, snow-covered car and drive way. I started to grumble...but...I remembered that it was POSITIVE MONDAY and I took that negative attitude and scraped off my husband's car before I did my own!

The drive to work, which took twice as long as it normally does, was a little nerve-wracking and my knuckles had a slight white cast as they gripped the steering wheel. Again, I started to grumble...but...I remembered it was POSITIVE MONDAY and I turned up the radio and sang at the top of my lungs and smiled at my silliness! 

As I walked from one building to another on the campus where I work, I started to grumble about how the wind whipped the hood off my head and snow went down my shirt...but...I remembered it was POSITIVE MONDAY and I whipped out my phone and took some pictures of how lovely the Quad and the pond looked blanketed with a new coat of snow. Our Muskingum University campus IS really pretty, isn't it?

So...what have I re-discovered this morning as part of Positive Monday? Our attitude is a CHOICE! We shouldn't need a special day to remind us of that fact. We need to be more aware of our own attitudes and when we catch ourselves grumbling or griping, we need to remember that every day should be POSITIVE MONDAY! We can take the energy we would have used to find someone to vent to and do something positive instead. It really does help!

I am still not happy about the snow covered roads and the freezing cold wind that blows snow down my shirt, but I am amazed how much more content I am later this morning when I DECIDED to turn my negative thoughts into positive ones.

Do you want to give this way of life a try? Then join the other 17 thousand people who are participating in Positive Monday on Facebook.   https://www.facebook.com/events/397653367083015/400333910148294/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity 

Then...remember it should be POSITIVE MONDAY every day and turn your own negatives into positives! #positivemonday

Shake it off

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)

It may be a bit trendy to use the phrase "shake it off" with the popularity of the Taylor Swift song, but I feel it is very appropriate.

I was reminded today of the old story about the farmer who had a donkey that fell into a deep well. While the donkey was braying and crying and wanting out, the farmer tried and tried to think of to get him out, but couldn't figure it out. He decided to give up and just fill in the hole...with the donkey still in it! He started shoveling in dirt and the donkey cried all the louder. But, after a few shovels, the  farmer noticed the donkey was doing something. As each shovel full hit his back he shook it off and stepped on the dirt. He kept this up and finally stepped right out of the hole!

This is a simple old story to teach a lesson, and it is easily forgotten. However, today I see the importance of doing just what the donkey did! I need to shake off the negative feelings I've been having. Shake off the behaviors that are weighing me down and trying to bury me. Shake off the feelings of doubt and fear that have been keeping me from being as productive and happy and content with my life.

Shaking off is not as easy as dancing around as Taylor Swift does, It takes a shift in my thinking. A state of mind that allows me to let go of the pain and hurts that are holding me back will require work on my part. Exercising those muscles in my mind is as difficult as excercising my out of shape leg and ab muscles. Practice and persistance is required.

I imagine I am not alone in the need to "shake it off." Are you with me? If so, share with me what you need to shake off and how you plan to do it. It's easier if we do it together. It's also easier if we allow God to help us. I pray we can do this! I know I will be better off! How about you?

A little discipline...

"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered." -- John 6:43

A mother cares so much for the well being and the future of her child that she says things and does things to discipline her child. When the child is doing something that could harm her, or if her child is creating a habit that could be dangerous for her future, the mother explains to the child why she should stop...sometimes this explanation hurts the child's pride. Sometimes, if the behavior is bad enough, the mother's discipline hurts the child's behind.

Well, this morning, I can relate to the child's pride being hurt because...I have been disciplined! Not by my mother, but by my Father God. Two verses that I read today talked about complaining and grumbling. Ok, Dad...I get the message!

I have been struggling lately. I have been trying to solve problems in my life and when my solutions don't work, I get sad, a little depressed and then I...complain. I talk to friends, coworkers and anyone who will listen, really, about the things that are making my life difficult. My friends and coworkers are very sweet and they listen, give advice and lift my spirits during my complaining. I really appreciate these people in my life! However, this morning I really stopped to think about the grumbling and complaining I have been doing. Is it productive? Is it solving anything? Is it just a way for me to get attention from my friends and coworkers? Is it sin?????

When I think of my own behavior, I think I am doing a pretty good job living a good life. I try to do the right things, be helpful to others...all those things we tell ourselves when we want to think we are a good person. But...have I complained? Have I worried? Have I grumbled? Has my grumbling taken up so much of my thoughts I have missed opportunities to help others who are in need? The uncomfortable answer to all of those statements is yes. Since all of those statements describe me being focused on me, me, me, instead of focusing on the power of God in my life...it can be considered sin.

Because of this sin in my life, I have snapped at people I love and argued with those that I cherish. That has made me feel ashamed, guilty and bitter. Because I feel this way, I complain even more! The vicious cycle continues.

THAT'S why I needed some firm discipline this morning. My loving Father sees my behavior and knows that calling attention to my bad behavior and giving me suggestions on how to right the wrong that I am doing, I CAN change the bad behavior.

Discipline is not fun for the giver or the receiver. However, it is a necessary part of life. Today I am thankful that I have a caring Father who sends me messages that I need to hear, even if I don't want to hear them. My goal for today is to stop grumbling and complaining. Not only will I be changing some bad behavior, but I think my friends and coworkers will appreciate it too!

Standing firm in the sifting...

"Simon, Simon, behold Satan demanded to have you that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren." -- Luke 22:31-32

In anticipation of the sifting
Here I stand.
A stalk of wheat in a huge field of my brothers and sisters.
I have grown from just a tiny sprout.
I fought my way through the soil
Stretching to feel the sun.
I let the rain, sun and soil nourish me.
Taller and taller I grew each day.
Green, though I was, I flourished.
Wind and storm came and tried to beat me down.
I reached up toward the sun and let it shine on me and in me.
Fruit developed at my top.
This is my purpose, to produce fruit.
That fruit will be nourishment for others.
It is the fruit that they search for.
As my color turns from green to tan, I know it's coming.

I feel the tremble of fear in my roots, but I reach for the sun again.
The cycle has been repeated again and again through time.
I will be ripped from the ground.
Violent shaking will happen to sift my fruit from my chaff.

The seeds at my top will be taken away, cleaned and processed.
Nutritious food will be made from the heart of me.
Bodies will be nourished and palates will be satisfied.
I know that is my purpose.
That is why the Father created me.
I know this, but I anticipate the pain and suffering I must endure.
I don't want to leave the comfort of this field.
I want to stand here and bask in the sun.
I stand tall and know that I can bear it.
My creator is in control and will be with me through it all.

He will make sure some of my seeds are planted so the cycle continues.
His wisdom ensures my future.
Here I stand...waiting.

A friend of mine brought this verse from Luke to my attention this week, and it struck such a chord in my heart. I looked up the verse. I looked for other people's interpretations of this verse. I looked at pictures of wheat and of the process of sifting wheat. It all inspired me to think a lot, write the poem from the perspective of the stalk of wheat, and REALLY take the words of Jesus into my mind and heart.

These words in Luke are the warnings of Jesus, preparing Peter, (and all of us, really) for the trials and tribulations that will inevitably occur in his life. How he explains about Satan demanding control of Peter's life is much like how Satan was given permission to work terror into the life of Job in the Old Testament. There were a few very comforting ideas to come out of these verses.

God is in control. Even though Satan is at work in our lives, shaking us, beating us, throwing difficulties at us, trying to separate us from our faith, he must ask permission. He asked to take things away from Job, as he was sure that when things were tough, Job would curse God. God allowed it. This is one of the toughest theological questions of history...WHY does God allow Satan to hurt us with his power? 

I do not claim to be learned enough to understand this difficult question or even try to answer it. My faith in God is strong enough to TRY to understand God's motivation...to seek peace in my doubts. I believe that God knows our faith in Him is refined when we go through trials and suffering. If we did not have trials to bring us down, our flawed human hearts wouldn't feel the need for an all powerful Father God to have faith in. In my life journey, it has been in the difficult times that I sought out God the hardest and drew closer to Him. My faith was honed and refined when I needed Him the most.

Jesus' words to Peter also bring another comforting idea. Jesus said he has prayed for Peter, that his faith may not fail. Jesus prays for us! Jesus truly IS our friend as well as Savior! He supports us, loves us AND prays for us! He stands between our sinful selves and God so that all God sees when He looks at us is Jesus. Surely I can remain strong in my faith when I remember that Jesus is not just there, but He is battling for me and supporting me!

The last comforting idea I got by reading Luke 22:31-32 comes from the last line. Jesus told Peter when he turned again, (after his faith has been tested) he should strengthen his brothers. Could this be the most important thing that comes out of our trials? Jesus wants us to take lessons we learned during our hard times and love, support and strengthen others who are struggling. Pay it forward, right? 

My friend did that for me yesterday when she shared the "sifting verses" with me. She has been tested and sifted and learned lessons from it. She was sharing with me what she learned: that we need to remain faithful to God even when it is hard. We talked about how difficult it is to do that. When you are in the middle of hard times, it is so easy to get so wrapped up in the pain that you lose sight of Jesus. 

The thing we need to remember: even if we lose sight of Jesus for a time, He doesn't lose sight of us. He is there, praying for us. God IS in control, even when we can't see that at all.

I want to stand firm during the trials that I am facing. When I am struggling to hang on to that faith in God, I want to continue reaching toward the son and allow His light to nourish me and sustain me while I am weak. I want to push through those times and not run away from the problems. Then, when I have made it through, I can use that pain I experienced to reach out to others who might be going through their own hard time and support them. It's not an easy cycle to be in, but it's one that I WANT to be in. 

Wind and storm try to beat me down.
I reach for the Son.
Here I stand.