It Covers Me

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
Amazing love
Now flowing down
From hands and feet
That were nailed to the tree
As grace flows down and covers me.

It covers me
It covers me
It covers me
And it covers me

-- Grace Flows Down by Christy Nockels

Uniquely in Unity

Music is the expression of harmony in sound. Love is the expression of harmony in life. - Stephen

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to worship with a couple of extraordinary vocalists. At the end, as I led one of my favorite songs, the guitar faded out and their voices raised in harmony. The richness of their voices enveloped mine in such a beautiful and amazing way. Three distinct voices, becoming one.

There is something special about being able to hold our uniqueness and live in unity with others. It creates a harmony that transforms a simple melody into a moving moment. 

Too often, our differences drive us a part. We compare ourselves with others, who is better and who is not. We compete, fearing that we are the lesser. We call names, sometimes to others and other times to ourselves. All these become wedges that get stuck between our relationships. 

What would it take to have our differences draw us together?  A place where we accept ourselves and each other just as we are. We allow each person to express their voice. We come alongside and encourage the best in each other. We see that together, even with the misunderstandings and difference of opinions, there is more than any of us can do alone. A richness and depth no person can carry alone.

What if it meant the guitar would stop playing? Or the tempo adjusted slightly? Are we willing to sacrifice our part for the better of the whole?

Just as any good musician holds the integrity of the song above their own instrument or voice, so must we learn to hold our relationships above our own opinions and ideas. Opening ourselves to something that is more than any of us can make or do alone. While far from easy, it's so worth it.
 
Living in sync means putting energy into relationships and experiencing the value of togetherness. In work and play, may you find your best life is uniquely in unity. You bring your part and weave it in harmony with those around you. May you find it transforming life's simple moments into fulfilling memories and impact. 


  


 

Calling and Assignments

"I glorified you on earth by completing down to the last detail what you assigned me to do..." John 17:4

Being able to distinguish between our calling and life assignments is an important aspect of fulfilling our life mission here on earth. While the call of God in our lives remains true through all times, our assignments will vary. 

Consider...

Moses: called to be deliverer of a nation, fulfilling an assignment with his family in the desert.
Joseph: called to provide for a nation in famine, fulfilling an assignment in prison.
David: called to be king of a nation, fulfilling an assignment as a shepherd in the pasture.

These seemingly unrelated assignments had everything to do with fulfilling the calling of God. They were the means of personal growth and character, and each provided tests to reveal what God was shaping in the heart and mind of the person.

I dare to say, the greater the calling of God in your life, the more assignments you will be given to prepare you. At first glance, it's easy to dismiss the assignments God gives us as unrelated to our calling. Cleaning the bathroom? Copying music for worship team? Teaching little children in kid's church? Making meals for my family? You may find yourself asking, "What does any of this have to do with my calling and life mission?"

Everything. It is the preparation and process of shaping your life to fulfill your calling. Do not dismiss the assignments God is giving you today. Be faithful when you are tested.

A few of the tests you will face:

Unnoticed: those times when it seems no one notices you and what you are doing, even God.
Unrelated: when you are doing something that seems to be the furthest from what you wish you were doing
Unfulfilling: situations where you wonder why you're stuck here not making a difference as you desire to
Underrated: those times when what you do is not rewarded as you think it should be.

How do you accept God's assignments and pass the tests of preparation?

Humility: live open-handed with what God places in your life. Never too big to do the small tasks, nor too small to do the big tasks.

Faithfulness: listen to those who have gone before you, stand on their shoulders, and remain faithful when you can't see the big picture. 

Joy: delight yourself in the Lord over and over again. Tap into the blessedness of giving with no strings attached and no expectations for what it does for you.  

Living your best life is both discovering your calling AND completing your assignments. In time, you will find yourself enjoying both and seeing how you cannot have one without the other.

"For the God who calls you is faithful, and He can be trusted to make it so." I Thessalonians 5:24

Our Roots

Saturday I had an opportunity to take a drive through the rolling Iowa countryside. Blue skies, bright sunshine, and the rhythmic cadence of my tires hitting the seams of the highway. Rivers, tree lines, farmsteads, and desolate winter fields. Something so homey and restorative. It's been awhile since I've been in the lands of my childhood.  The scenery carried me back to memories of driving to Grandma's house and "checking the fields" with my dad. Farmers have their own way of driving. All those who grew up on farms know what I'm talking about. It's been over 25 years, two states, and multitudes of friends, travels and experiences in between; and I still drive like an Iowa farm girl.  We often compare life to a journey, and that it is. Today I'm reminded how it's also a garden. Our roots began where our lives grew up, and grow deeper through youthful stomping grounds and the people who surrounded us in our early years. And while we grow up and move on to different places in life, those roots are what bring home with us and what bring us back to home when we need it.  Living your best life is both a journey and a garden. As a journey, we move into new destinations and adventures that seize life and the changes that cause us to flourish. As a garden, we stay rooted in our sense of purpose and identity and rest in the deep strength that holds us focused and steady through whatever the changes bring. We need both.  As the farmers diligently care for the soil of the earth, may we care for the soil of our lives with the same attention and joy. And may we grow a fruitful harvest to enjoy and share with others.  -- Becky Waugaman beckywaugaman@gmail.com 515.669.0144 living-in-sync.com The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving. Oliver Wendell Holmes Click here to Reply or Forward 3.05 GB (20%) of 15 GB used Manage Terms - Privacy Last account activity: 5 minutes ago Details

Finding Your Voice

Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.

Today, our puppy Leia found her voice. This was a paramount experience, as a mere two weeks ago, she sat and shook or ran away from everything. Literally. 

She stood tall as Biscuit, the neighbor dog, did her thing... yapping, yapping, yapping... in that stereotypical high-pitched bark of little dogs trying to control the world. Suddenly, Leia barked. I am not sure who was more surprised, Leia or Biscuit. She stood her ground and continued to bark. Biscuit became completely quiet. The stare down was on. That was all it took. 

Leia stood even taller and leaned forward with her bark, and off ran a whimpering Biscuit to his back door...  crying, crying, crying... for someone to let him in. 

I wish you could have seen Leia. Pretty sure she grew a whole inch in that exchange. Her chest popped out and she nonchalantly walked around claiming the back yard as her peaceful domain. 

We all deal with Biscuits in life. Things that yap at us, barking in our ears incessantly at times. I hope we can all gain a little courage from little Leia Grace today. 

Living in sync doesn't mean our voice doesn't shake or knees knock; it simply means we speak up anyway. We refuse to tolerate the things that steal our peace and joy and reclaim our home and lives. 

Here's to living your best life and speaking the truth even if your voice shakes. 

Enjoy the View

I remember being a young girl and looking out the different windows in our old farmhouse. My bedroom looked out at the biggest oak tree with the tire swing in it. The living room picture window was the best view on the gorgeous peony bushes as they bloomed in the summer. And one of the favorites places was standing in the kitchen doing the dishes and watching a good snow or rain storm swirl in. 

There is something almost magical about looking out a window. It's a place of watchful rest and beholding what the world gives you. There is nothing you can do to make something appear or change outside that window. It simply is.   

There are also windows we are given in life. New views and perspectives. Opportunities and beauty. Things we don't earn or deserve. They simply come to us. 

Living your best life includes a good seat at the window, delighting in what has been given.     

Be free to be with what you see for now, knowing that this is not the whole of what you will ever see; nor does it need to be.  It is what it is for now and it is enough.

Enjoy the view.

Getting Through the Door

Meet Leia Grace, our newest family member... 12 weeks and 10 pounds of sweetness and fur. She came home with us yesterday afternoon and so begins the adventure of puppy-raising. 

As February in Iowa would have it, today was a BLUSTERY frigid day of snow and wind. Not exactly the weather conditions either of us would have chosen for going potty outside in a new yard. In fact, whenever I said "potty" and it was time to go - she would sit. I had to carry her out every single time. 

Not only then, but when she'd hear a noise that startled her or she was unsure what to do - she would sit. All I can think is her little fear was rising up and she was doing what most of us do when we get anxious or worried - we stop.  

What Leia needed to overcome that fear was not 3 easy steps to overcoming fear or a lesson on courage. It simply took me getting her through the door frame and to the grass, then with a little coaxing she would take off. Sitting every now and again if a neighbor dog barked, but up and moving again with encouragement. 

Whether it's ourselves or a loved one battling fear, let's be gentle. Sometimes all we need is a helping hand to get over a threshold and encouragement to keep walking. And that is definitely something we can do for each other. 

The Lord is ever present with us. Don't be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come. And know that the peace of God will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One. Philippians 4:5-7

Living our best lives is doing it with a God who is ever present and good friends to help out along the way. Keep walking. It's all going to be okay.