Walking Away from my Safety Zone

Yesterday at work my boss shared a devotion on the missionary journeys of Paul. There were many lessons to be had that struck a chord with me, but one in particular stayed with me all day, through the night, and remains this morning.

On Paul's first missionary journey, John Mark, who was with Paul and Barnabas, left and  returned to Jerusalem. Later, he wants to rejoin the group, but Paul says "No." Perhaps Paul didn't want a quitter on the team. Knowing the treacherous terrain, the potential for danger, even death, and the huge undertaking of the journey, Paul needed a reliable man.

As it turns out, Barnabas goes with John Mark and Silas teams up with Paul. Two missionary teams. Two directions and more man power to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

My boss and the group discussed the possibility that God intended there to be these two groups. I can see that. But is it possible, also, that John Mark stepped out of God's will when he left? I don't know. What I do know is God's plans always go through. God doesn't need our compliance to accomplish His goals, He will use a willing servant and His work will be done.

What has been on my mind is the possibility that John Mark made a mistake. Maybe even a huge mistake. Perhaps he was being led by the flesh when he left and not by the Holy Spirit. The thing is, the Bible doesn't tell us.

What I get from that scenario, and what remains in my mind and brings me great comfort is this:

When we step outside of God's will, he doesn't throw us to the curb. He doesn't say "Oh, you screwed up and now you are of no use to me."

Did God know John Mark would depart? Certainly. He knows our very words before they are even on our tongue. Yikes! That both comforts and frightens me.

As I look back over my life as a Christian, I see a lot more John Mark than Paul. I see a lot more leaving and seeking the comfort of the familiar. I'm not being hard on myself, just honest. God knows all about it, why should I pretend?

I also see how God has always welcomed me back into His will, back to work and back into the blessing of fellowship with Him. He is never finished with me. My biggest mistakes (and there are many) are never too big for His mercy and grace.

Mercy and grace. God has it in an eternal, magnificent supply. It could never be contained. Boy do I need it. I seek it, I long for it and I am even greedy for it. Me: a flawed, abandoning, comfort-seeking child of a perfect, staying, powerful God.

Today, I seek to walk in the will of God. Likely, my journey will not be dangerous or as uncertain as the missionary journeys of Paul. Nevertheless, I will seek to walk away from my safety zone on earth and into the only true safety zone of the Father's arms. In my life of familiar things, I am less safe than in the arms of a Father that may lead me to places I would never go on my own.

The Simple Things in Life

The simple things in life are still free. I think they hold the most value. A smile, a hug, a warm sunny day, wild flowers… In a busy world that never seems to stop, I look to nature and find inspiration to slow down and enjoy this wonderful world. The other day on a walk I stopped to admire the flowers on the side of the road. Most of them were daisies.

While daisies are a common flower here in the U.S. they originated in Europe and other faraway places. The Shasta Daisies we see in ditches and fields are actually a hybrid created by a horticulturist in California over 100 years ago. Thank you, Luther Burbank.

I love daisies for their simple beauty and long life. Plus, I don’t have to grow them myself. While I enjoy being in the garden, the truth is I didn't inherit my family’s green thumb. My favorite plants are the ones that grow on their own.

The word daisy means “day’s eye.” They received that name because they are open during the daytime and closed at night. The center is like a bright, round sunshine surrounded by a bonnet of petals. While Shasta Daisies come in a variety of colors, the white petals are what we see outside, growing wild.

It is said that daisies have no negative meaning. All of the words and phrases associated with this flower are positive, uplifting, encouraging. While I love a wide variety of flowers, daisies have always been my favorite. I had them in my wedding, my children brought them to me as love-gifts on warm summer days, and I pick them and press them in a flower press my father-in-law made for me 20 years ago.

I think I love daisies so much because they represent a deep longing for what I want in life. Simplicity. Longevity. Happiness. Peace and purity. They are a cheery reminder to enjoy the beauty of all things living and remember the simple things in life are the best things in life.

Almost Home from Camp

Hannah is home from piano camp. Well, she’s almost home. She left pieces of herself behind in the practice room, in the dorm, with her professors, with her new friends.

It is a gradual leaving that is occurring in my home, with my oldest. She is teetering on 16 with two years of high school left. And as her passions in life carry her to places with people who share common interests, parts of her stay behind with them, waiting for her to return. Waiting for the day she can join them and immerse herself into the life she loves, for more than just a week of camp. A life where the piano is her home and her family members are professors, musicians, an audience.

During the car ride home, she told me all about her week of music. Nothing but music all day long. She told me about music classes that her dad and brother and I would hate… long and boring… Nothing but music all day long. Then she said:

“But I loved it!”

There was so much passion in her voice that I felt another little piece of her slip out the car window and float back to the world she left behind.

For now she is home. In her own bedroom. With her old, out of tune piano. With her chores and her babysitting jobs and her small, private high school awaiting her return.

But someday she’ll be reunited with the missing pieces of her. She will go off and study music. All day. Every day. She will love it.

Then, she will leave pieces of herself here, in my home, with me. But today she is home from camp. Almost.