In Pursuit of Peppy Cola

When my little sister, Lisa, was two, she discovered the bubbly, sweet goodness of "Peppy Cola." You might know it by the more widely-used name of "Pepsi." In the late seventies, you could get a half gallon of Pepsi in a giant glass bottle called the Pepsi Boss, and it was a staple in our house. Of course, my mom understood the folly of fueling up a toddler with large amounts of "Peppy Cola," so Lisa was only allowed to have it occasionally, and only in small amounts. And Lisa responded by locking my mother in the basement.

At the time, we lived in one of those big, old houses that had keyhole locks on every interior door, with charming little keys to match.  My unsuspecting parents—clearly underestimating the clever machinations of their cola-craving two-year old—foolishly left the keys in the keyholes.

On a day when no one else was home, and Lisa was occupied with a book or Sesame Street or something, my mom ran down to the basement to grab a load of laundry from the dryer. Knowing she'd be gone only long enough to fill her laundry basket, Mom's only worry was that Lisa would follow after her and fall down the basement steps. Confident her preschooler couldn't turn the old-time door handle, Mom closed the basement door firmly behind her and ran downstairs.

Something to Look Forward To

What a blessing it was to spend this past Saturday basking in Amazing Grace at the NLICC Women's Conference. I was especially blessed to hear the personal testimonies of "grace moments" and to share one of my own.

It is always uplifting to hear (and tell) stories of God's faithfulness, mercy, and provision. Stories that tell of how He has comforted us in distress, sustained us through our struggles, and triumphed over our difficulties. How wonderful it is to reflect on God's grace and declare to His people, "Look what our God did! How great is our God!"

In the midst of our difficulties, however, it is sometimes easy to lose sight of that. Sometimes the heartache, uncertainty, fear, disappointment, or pain of our troubles press down on us, and it seems our joy can never be restored. There are times when we are weary, disheartened, and struggle to hold on to hope.

If that is where this post finds you today, I encourage you to take heart. The One who shed His blood to save you will never abandon you. The LORD's compassions are unfailing, and His heart is tender toward His children. Though you may have cause to weep today, He will give you cause to rejoice in His perfect time. Look forward to the day when you can declare to His people, "Look what our God did! How great is our God!"

Matthew 28:20, Lamentations 3:22, Psalm 30:5

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5-6a

A "Good Day" vs. A "God Day"

I’m pretty sure the first thing I do every morning  is sin. At least on the days that are heralded in by that incessant beeping. In those first few seconds of consciousness, I am filled with contempt for the new day God has created. I usually take it out on my alarm clock. Wrapped in my cocoon of comfort, I want nothing more than to wallow in self-indulgence indefinitely. Since asking God to turn back time a few hours is futile (I know, because I’ve asked), I begrudgingly drag myself out of bed and often settle instead for asking for a “good day.”

I’m ashamed to admit what I mean by a “good day” in those first few minutes, when my selfishness is at its peak. In those earliest moments, a “good day” is a day that is easy, safe, and comfortable. A day free of conflict, hassles, hurdles, opposition, and surprises (well, good surprises would be okay).

Tuning In

About halfway into our trip home from Club Nan on Friday, Zack's iPod battery died and I got bored with the songs on my iPhone. Scanning through the radio stations, I found two stations (Oldies and Classic Rock) to alternate between which spurred an impromptu game of Name That Tune. Admittedly, it was a one-sided game. Keenly aware that he was no match for my vast knowledge of popular music (at least anything pre-Y2K), Zack feigned disinterest and bent his head over his video game.

As someone who grew up in the pre-digital music era, when you couldn't instantly download single songs to something that would fit in your pocket, but instead just had to listen to whatever was on the radio, I am awesome at Name That Tune. Just ask Zack. I still remember almost all the words to the songs too. Really, it's true, just ask Zack. He tried to pretend he was kind of annoyed, but deep down, I think he was impressed.

"My World is Empty Without You" by Diana Ross & the Supremes, "Do You Believe in Love" by Huey Lewis & the News, "Two Less Lonely People in the World" by Air Supply, "Boogie Oogie Oogie" by Taste of Honey, "I Love Rock & Roll" by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty, "Faithfully" by Journey, "Le Freak" by Chic, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper, "September" by Earth, Wind, & Fire, and "Honky Cat" by Elton John. I was kind of miffed that "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and "Do You Believe in Love" (two songs from my high school days) were played on the Oldies station, but I'm sure it was just a mistake. The only one I didn't get was "Teenage Wasteland" by the Who, which I technically guessed correctly, but I didn't count it because the fact that they just sang the words "teenage wasteland" over and over again pretty much gave it away.

Hallelujah! He Has Risen!

"It is finished!" The debt has been paid! What incomprehensible love is this that God-made-flesh would pour out His blood as a ransom for sinners? Christ has triumphed over sin and death and has reconciled us to the Father. Saved by His mercy, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and justified by grace alone, we have "become heirs having the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:5-7).  Our King rules over all creation, and surely He who has loved us so lavishly is worthy of our trust and praise.

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." -1 Timothy 1:17

(Zack and I are celebrating Easter break at Club Nan (what Zack calls my mom's house), so I will not be posting anything mid-week. Look for a new post next weekend. Have a blessed Easter!)

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade…" 1 Peter 1:3-4

A Mysterious Sort of Beauty

Yesterday, while waiting for me to clean the baseboards so he could caulk them, my husband turned to me and said, "you look like a movie star." (I bet you didn't realize how romantic home maintenance could be.)  In response, I made a face. I was wearing no make-up, not even lip balm. My hair, which I had spent all of five seconds twisting into a hair clip several hours earlier, had gotten sweaty and wind-blown on my walk. I had not showered since said walk and was wearing paint-splattered walking pants and an old t-shirt. Oh, and I was holding a dust mop.

It was clear, however, that he was serious, and my husband is not a flatterer. He answered my "yeah, right" face with a simple nod of confirmation. It was enough to make me turn to get a glimpse of myself in the hall mirror. I made a face again, this time at my own reflection. "Do you mean like a movie star playing a deranged housewife?" I asked. "No," he said firmly, "you look beautiful." Protesting, I ticked off all the things that made that impossible, but he would not be deterred. In the end, all I could do was laugh and wonder what he sees. I can only guess it's something that flows from his love for me.

I often have similar conversations with God.