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Staying on the Path of Letting Go

February 17, 2016 By Lisa Lewis

Lent is a process of confession and repentance.

Yesterday I confessed my struggle with discontent and my resulting focus on what isn’t.

What I didn’t write about was the glorious results of confession and repentance.

After a good cry with Jesus I went on a couple of errands that needed to be done by the end of the business day.

I saw this:

I shared it on Instagram as soon as I saw it. What a gift.

Today I have spent the day encouraging others. Through spoken words, through hugs, through emails, so many ways. Encouragement extended to even the sweet lady who checked my groceries at Smart & Final.

I’m a nice enough person but truly I know it was the Holy Spirit working through me. I know my “fake it till you make it” and this day was not it.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

God’s plans for me on a daily basis include encouraging people with His love and His Word.

When I saw this sign last summer I knew I would need to be reminded.

There would be days like yesterday when I would be tempted to get down on myself or take in hard things that could distract me from my path.

I believe it is valuable to acknowledge the hard places, the suffering we experience when there is loss of any kind. Being misunderstood, over looked, rejected or forgotten; those are all things Jesus knows. He knows how hard and hurtful those experiences are. There is a sweet Mystery that transpires when we do endure suffering; we share in the fellowship of His sufferings.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians he expresses this Mystery this way:

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

We all have hard things. I won’t compare my things to yours; that diminishes each of our experiences. God is not surprised by what we are going through. He is sovereign over all. But in His great mercy, He helps us grow and change, little by little, to become more like His Son.

When I confessed my discontent God forgave me and showered the gracious gift of awareness and eyes to see a beautiful sunset and then He chose to work through me today to encourage others in His name.

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Learning to let go and lean in.

Letting Go of the Land of Not Enough

February 16, 2016 By Lisa Lewis

I’m feeling small today. Like Alice who drank a potion and became small, I am feeling small in my own life. And I don’t like it.

You see I dared to put myself out there in two different arenas: one in a corporate way and the other in ministry. And in both arenas I have fallen. As if I am too small to be of value or to be heard.

So like Alice, I have fallen down, down into an unfortunate locale; I call it The Land of Not Enough. In this Land every where I turn I see reminders, signs that say What Isn’t: You don’t have a real job, Lisa. You are too old to be of value. You used to be… No one cares about your experiences. You are a has been. Not relevant.

I just want to stop and say this hurts.

These reminders of What Isn’t touch up against the message I have lived under most of my life: your value is in what you produce/achieve. The rut in my brain is deep with that repeated familiar thought. So the Land of Not Enough has a familiar feel like an old pair of shoes…and it’s time to throw them away!

Have you felt like this? In the Land of Not Enough? Sometimes it feels like the Land of Not Enough is where we live All. The. Time. The signs are all around us: you need to buy this to be relevant. You need to own this car, live in this area, shop at these stores. Your kids need to be in this school or this activity or you need to parent in this way…

In the Land of Not Enough I see evidences of What Isn’t, but I don’t see a single Truth about What Is. I can focus on all of What Isn’t or I can hunt for the Truth of What Is and speak it to myself. Author Ann Voskamp writes about her journey out of depression in her bestseller One Thousand Gifts. (Depression is a real medical term for a serious condition but what I also think of as The Land of Not Enough. It helps me gain perspective on my struggle) Ann learned the exceedingly abundant practice of counting the Gifts that are daily given; the practice of looking at What Is, and ultimately Who Is.

One of the pastors at the church we left when we moved to this new area spoke of the important difference between a gaze and a glance. When we gaze at something we are focusing our attention on it. When we glance at something we briefly acknowledge it’s existence. He said we often gaze at our circumstances and glance at God. How much better for us to gaze at God and glance at our circumstances.

In the Land of Not Enough I have to hunt for What Is and focus on What Is instead of gazing at the signs in The Land of Not Enough; the reminders that litter the sides of the rut my mind travels.

Romans 12:1-2 reminds me of What Is true.

I urge you therefore brethren by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship.

And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

This is the path I am training my mind to walk when the signs come up from the Land of Not Enough. I don’t have to gaze at those signs even if they are true. They are NOT ALL of What Is. I am learning to let go of the worn out familiar and lean in toward the Land of More Than Enough because of Christ in me, the hope of glory.

What are you letting go of in this season of your life?

Practicing Sabbath During Lent

February 14, 2016 By Lisa Lewis

Beauty in the weeds.

It’s in simplicity that we learn to appreciate small things. Slowing down, really seeing what is around us, paying attention; these are elements that can become a part of our daily life with practice.

Practice implies doing something more than once; doing something imperfectly, but doing something with the hope of improving.

Practicing Sabbath during Lent is going to challenge me. I’ve fallen into a rhythm that uses Sunday afternoon as a “get caught up” time rather than a time of slowing down and paying attention.

What needs attention? The house, bills, laundry, groceries all call for attention. Quietly though, I begin to feel something else needs attention. My soul. I start to feel stretched when there has been too much going; too much serving; too much doing; too much listening to others. Without refilling I have nothing of value to give. My soul needs rest from all these things. My hope is that by practicing Sabbath during Lent this draining rhythm will reset.

“The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.” Mark 2:27

God instituted rest for our good. We’re the ones who think we must fill the days with busyness. We fill and over-fill our calendars and keep going beyond what we’re really able. And our souls dry up from the drought; a lack of watering will cause all living things to suffer.

Reading. Reflecting. Resting. Refilling. Reset.

Practicing Sabbath.

I may just see beauty in the weeds of life…

Learning to Cultivate Beauty in Unexpected Places

February 11, 2016 By Lisa Lewis

This beauty has been slowly showing it’s leaves as winter is leaving our area; squeezing through and into a very crowded planter. It’s right by the front door where we live; since May. I haven’t seen this plant before. It’s been too hot and dry or too cold. But the much needed rain helped this hidden perennial take the risk to shoot forth its leaves and today, it’s first blossom.

Interesting: for months I didn’t know it was even alive. Now it’s a thriving beauty in a tight space. As I’ve been reflecting on this beginning season of Lent, I’ve been considering of what I have let go and where I need to lean in.

A measure of letting go for me is stuff. If I have a lot of paper clutter, I am hanging on to unresolved issues of time, emotion or money. I recently started sorting through a file to give away, file away or recycle my too many cute paper products! In the sorting I came across this reflection from several years ago…long before our big move.

What does one come to when all conversations seem to lead to argument? No gracious benefit of the doubt, no overlooking a misspoken phrase, word or tone. When one realizes that all seems lost, does one persevere to the end, hope against hope? Or does one take the coward’s way out and leave?

Better still and a higher road, the path of daily sacrifice of self: it matters not whether there was accuracy or right tone; do not justify oneself.

Give way sincerely without guile.

Allow the other’s interpretation to be accurate and do not defend one’s position.

Give that to God who justifies

Keep submitting oneself to Him who judges justly.

Forgive quickly, sincerely, knowing that Truth wins in the End. One may not see it fulfilled here in this part of life eternal. but one day Truth does completely win.

Make allowances for the loved one; Give grace were none is seen. Be a peacemaker not a peace breaker Remember He keeps one’s heart in perfect peace whose mind is fixed on Him.

So Lord, I submit myself to your refinement I am far too stubborn and stiff-necked. These circumstances are meant for my growth and change.

Forgive me for resisting Your ways. They are right and the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

Change me.

He has in many ways and yet I am not done yet. That’s why I love this season. I am reminded of what has gone before, what still needs confession and repentance and where I may lean in and look for growth in unexpected places.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. For I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19

The cyclamen (the plant in the photo above) is often treated like a hot house flower. You might see them out for Christmas or now for Valentine’s Day. But it is truly a hardy plant. It can look like it’s dead during extreme weather, but it has learned to bloom in tight, unexpected places.

I want to lean in and cultivate beauty in the unexpected places in my life. My marriage was that place many years ago. God saw and changed me. Thankfully.

Where is that unexpected place for you?

40 Days of Learning to Let Go & Lean In

February 10, 2016 By Lisa Lewis

Quiet chords from the organ float through the air as I sit staring at the huge wooden cross at the front of the sanctuary. It is indeed a sanctuary; no loud voices or even footsteps confront my thoughts. I study the 13 pieces of rectangular turquoise glass that allow light to filter through from behind the cross. I wonder why 13?

The light outside is fading; the west facing windows are darkening their stained glass images fading. I wonder about a lot of things on this evening of Ash Wednesday. Candles on the altar are lit and someone slowly brings the dimly lit sanctuary into more full light. We’re told to open our Wesleyan hymnals to And Can It Be? My ten year old perspective on faith is youthful and full of questions: why did Jesus die? And why for me?

Today marks 48 more trips around the sun since that evening long ago. I haven’t always marked Ash Wednesday with questions and reflection but this year 2016 I want to be intentional and ask questions.

Perhaps you have asked them too?

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, a day of remembrance and confession. We remember what Christ came to do and has accomplished on the Cross in our place. We confess the many reasons that awful punishment was meant for each of us; but because of mercy and love we receive grace instead. Some fellowships will mark the foreheads of believers with a Cross of ashes (usually from the burning of last year’s Palm Sunday palms) as a remembrance that our physical body will undergo death and decay while our soul will live on with God.

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain—

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Let’s spend the next 40 days Learning to Let Go of so much…pre-conceived notions and mindsets; old hurts; unforgiveness; physical items that don’t bring joy; you name it! Let’s spend the next 40 days Learning to Lean In… toward the freedom offered us as we respond to God’s Word-Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

I’m going to present a daily challenge, a new way of being perhaps, for each of us to practice. They will be fun, creative and will hopefully draw you closer to Jesus. Lent isn’t intended to be an add on to your full life; it’s intent is to bring your awareness of God more regularly in view within your regular life. Pretty regular, eh?

So here’s a regular challenge: look around you right now. What is one item in your view that you can see that reminds you of an act not yet taken care of? Confess it. What is another item in your view that brings a smile to your face? Who can you thank for it?

Can We Learn Hope?

December 3, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

The end of the year is coming up quickly, more quickly than the amount of time left to accomplish all the big ideas and projects I had in January. How about you? Do you look back over this year with a confidence in how you have stewarded time?

I do and I don’t. In many areas I have shown up for myself and done what I set about to do. But in all areas? No. I have not written as many words as I had committed to.

What has kept me from writing? Me. Plain and simple. I have dodged the discipline of writing for nearly 6 years since I first felt that perhaps God wanted me to write a book about grief. Grief isn’t a light and fluffy topic; not one that would draw you in unless…

Unless you or someone you know has experienced loss.

Wait. We ALL experience loss of one kind or another. We all grieve because so much in life comes up against the 2^nd Law of Thermodynamics—everything toward entropy. Everything changes in this world. And not always for the better. And sometimes with change, we face loss. Who wants to lose something?

Change can be hard but it can also be good. If you’re anything like me (and you are because you’re human) then change is great when you’re in control of it. But if change is foisted upon you without your permission? Well that’s another thing entirely. Depending on the severity of the loss/change we can develop patterns of behavior in response to future loss/change. Sometimes those patterns hinder relationships—with family, with friends, with ourselves and with God.

I’m going to use the terms loss and change nearly interchangeably because in my life experiences even good changes have come with a loss; a letting go of one kind or another. With loss there is grief—even if we don’t acknowledge it. And really, that’s the purpose of my writing most of the time—to help us develop skills and embrace tools for dealing with loss/change of any magnitude so that we can come out healthy and whole on the other side.

Change comes in lots of flavors: annual — like birthdays & holidays; seasonal– like weather & vacations; vocational– like student to employee, or job to no job. You might look at these kinds of changes as simply ‘something to deal with’ and you’re right. But hang with me for a bit; HOW we deal with change is what this life is all about. Learning to have hope in the middle of change is a choice.

We all have choices when we face change. Not all our choices benefit us. I will go so far as to say that many of the debilitating diseases, addictions and even suicides stem from a series of choices in how we deal with change/ loss. And those choices lead away from hope. I believe if we have awareness of how change affects us and tools to face change/loss then we can develop healthy habits to grow through change/loss. Then we can face change with hope.

I have picked up a lot of sea glass over the years I’ve beach walked. I distinctly remember looking at the first piece I found while walking the beach on Catalina Island in 1977 and thinking “I wonder what this used to be?”

My mind started to wander over all the possibilities: a bottle? A window? A vase? Then I started to wonder how long it had been tumbling and over how many miles it had traveled. Most metaphors break down at some point in relating them to life but sea glass has been a metaphor that God has used to help me understand the benefit of brokenness in my life and I dare to say in the lives of others. Holding a broken piece of glass that has been tumbled and resurfaced through the tumbling makes me think of how God has worked in me through times of hard change.

I’m reminded of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome:

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

3-5 There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

The words above are from the Message. In the Bible translation I read there is one word for the phrase “alert for whatever God will do next”. That word is Hope. I love this! When we are met with change/loss if we remember to “be alert to whatever God will do next” we are demonstrating Hope. In my translation it says: “and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We can learn to have hope when change and loss come our way. It is possible, because all things are possible to him who believes!

Need help with Hope? I’m linking up today with Faith Barista who is encouraging her Kindreds to share on Hope during this week of Advent. Click the link below and check out what others have shared about Hope.

Can Fiction Save Your Sanity?

November 6, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

Once there was a little girl with a bright, inquisitive mind who possessed a passion for consuming the written word. She read good books, books beyond her years. She often searched for the meaning of an unknown word in the library-sized dictionary her mother purchased for just such occasions. Her understanding of words grew and so did her vocabulary; it was one area she received affirmation from her mother, from whom an encouraging word was rarely heard.

From all appearances the little girl’s world was lovely; she had her own room with a full size canopy bed, matching furniture, and her very own bookshelf filled with her familiar friends —books.

At 9 she was the possessor of her very own library card; a ticket to freedom and imagination. Trips to the library were regular, but she had always finished her books sooner than the trip to seek new ones, which left her to develop a habit of re-reading one of the favorites. Books were safe. They provided a way of escape from the chaos of her home life. She would go to her room to lose herself in a book as often as opportunity provided. This little one had to find a way out from the tension, the turmoil of parents whose lives were stretched too thin with tempers to prove it. Her only brother was often the cause of chaos at home; born too soon in an era without knowledge or resources to aid families with difficult children; his special needs were not visibly obvious so his outbursts and behaviors were often shamed. Teachers mis-understood him, family mis-understood him and he was often considered a “problem”. So sad…

It was during these years of childhood she learned to “go away” in her imagination; carrying the characters and dialogue, settings and events of books as internal comfort within the external chaos. Her imagination saved her…

A great-aunt wisely sent the little girl a very special series of books. Special because her middle name and the main character’s name are the same. Special because they were all hard-back, grown up looking books with beautiful book jackets. These books were published the year her mother was born and that made them OLD.

Anne’s story was intriguing to the little girl from the first pages. Set in a part of the world and a time in history she was not familiar with, the little girl wanted to know where Prince Edward Island was, if it was a real place. She ran downstairs to search the family encyclopedia; P.E.Island was real and was located off the coast of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. If Prince Edward Island was real, then Anne could be real too!

It didn’t take long for the little Anne to fall madly in love with Anne Shirley. She wished her hair was a lovely auburn, she grew her brown hair long to be able to braid it. She painted on her play house door “Green Gables”. Little Anne was caught up in the beauty and freedom of imagination.

“Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive—it’s such an interesting world. It wouldn’t be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There’d be no scope for imagination then, would there?”

Scope for imagination. Kindred spirits. Love for Octobers.

Ah what would I have done without the Great White Way or imagining the possibility of a bosom friend like Diana?

I am so thankful that my Great-Aunt Mildred sent me those precious books at a time in life that was so challenging.

If you have not read Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, I highly recommend it. To quote another great author:

“No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.” C.S.Lewis

Finish Well

October 31, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

This month of the #write31days challenge has been quite a ride! Posting daily has not been a discipline for me in my six year blogging life and I have to say, I’ve actually enjoyed it in many ways. There were hard days and easy days, but that’s just life, right?

I am spending the weekend in the mountains of Idyllwild, CA with the sweet people of Westminster Christian Assembly. The theme of the weekend is based on Psalm 97:1 Let all the earth rejoice! I will have the privilege of speaking three times: Rejoicing in Rest, Rejoicing in Re-creation and Rejoicing in Renewal.

I love being able to put into action what I’ve been learning: to rely on listening the Holy Spirit to guide my planning and preparation; demonstrating what Living in Tandem can look like. These are God’s people and He knows what they will benefit from hearing, what encouragement they need.

We all need to make time to be silent with Him.

We all need time to re-create in His Presence.

We all need to invest and prioritize time with others to be living life with them.

Learning to live in tandem is a process. No one gets on the bike and takes off without developing some awareness of what’s involved. Submitting my will to God has not come without struggle or missteps. But He looks at me and you with eyes filled with love when we’ve slipped…

‘“My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in weakness..” Therefore I will boast all the more in my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’

I need reminding that the work is already done. All I need to do is join in with what God is already doing. Henri Nouwen said it this way:

Spiritual Formation is simply following the movements of the Spirit.

Truly friends, Living in Tandem is simply that; learning to follow rather than trying to control.

My prayer for us is simple.

Help us to know You more Lord. Help us to be willing to let go of our need to control. Help us to follow the movements of the Spirit where He leads.

Help us.

Why Should Living in Tandem Matter to You?

October 30, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

It’s Day 30 of the #write31days challenge. I’ve tried to express the benefits I’ve experienced from learning to live in tandem in relationship with God, my husband and others. I imagine there’s at least one of you who has looked at the theme and thought Why does this matter to me? I don’t ride a tandem bicycle. I don’t even have a husband.

Why should Living in Tandem matter to you?

I now realize the most powerful action we can take after responding to God’s invitation to become part of His family, is learning to take the back seat in relation to God. The Biblical term is submission.

God the Father had an amazing plan to redeem the whole world. That plan would only work if the Son would actively participate. Being fully God, Jesus the Son took on the humble form of a human baby. He who had been worshiped by angels became a helpless infant born into the poorest circumstances; a feed trough for animals. Part of this amazing plan, Jesus the Son showed us the Father. Through His life and choices He also showed us how to submit His will to God’s will. In the ultimate act of submission, Jesus expressed His opinion, His desire several times. But God the Son said not My will but Yours be done as the Son submitted His will to the Father’s will.

Submission isn’t easy. Jesus showed us that. It requires a sacrifice. We give up our right to our own way to choose to follow Jesus on the Way. Submission brings about a depth in relationship with God the Father that demonstrates respect, love, trust and obedience to His plan for your life.

And in God’s amazing economy He blesses your sacrifices with His Presence, His peace, His love, His power to accomplish the hard things you face.

Like forgiving those who have wounded you.

The way up is the way down. A paradox of submission.

Living in Tandem matters for each one of us. It is simply a metaphor for what God’s Word teaches us.

Living in Tandem teaches us that the hurried life, the too full calendar, the distracting ourselves to death, do not fill the need, the emptiness that is in the center of our lives. Only God can fill our need. And He doesn’t force Himself in; we need to make the choice to take the back seat and learn from Him.

Living in Tandem means learning to listen to the One who is in the front seat; the One who knows where you’re headed, knows how to navigate the bumps and hills, knows when to push harder and when to rest. Living in Tandem means you follow and share and do your very important part. But you don’t do more than is yours to do either.

I want so much to express how different I am than 18 years ago! I want to share this freedom from the lies of do more, be less. That’s how the enemy twists submission.

Grace tells us we are enough. Satan tells us we’ll never be good enough.

In the words of Bob Dylan…You gotta serve somebody…

I pray you’ll choose to get on the Tandem with God.

Relationships are Better in Tandem

October 29, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

We are meant for relationship. We’re born into a family and people are an integral part of life for each of us. Yet our lives get so full of doing that we hardly have time for simply being with people.

No agenda. Just being together.

I’ve had relationships not work well. Lots of reasons that has been true but when something in a relationship doesn’t work smoothly it hurts.

I don’t know about you but my natural inclination is one of two responses: withdraw from the hurt or defend my position. Neither of which moves toward the person to work things out. So the hurt doesn’t get dealt with and then the relationship is broken in some way. Blegh.

I’m learning a different way. The way toward others instead of away from. The Way.

Paul tells us to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.

This Way is Jesus’s way of being in relationship. Choosing to think of others as more significant than myself is an intentional choice. It’s not natural. But I will say that when I have made that choice the relationship works more smoothly. Following Jesus isn’t just reading your Bible and going to church. Following Jesus means living with different choices, priorities, purpose. Following Jesus closely is living in tandem with Him.

Jesus really is everything.

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