REALLY? As Much As I Want?!

For my daughter's birthday this year, we took a group of girls for a scavenger hunt around the city and ended with a celebration at Menchie's Frozen Yogurt shop. 

 

Maybe you are familiar with the frozen yogurt bars? Where they give you a big bowl, in front of a line up of around 10 freshly made yogurt choices, followed with a topping bar with every topping you could imagine! It's kind of like Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory all over again. 

At the end, you put your masterpiece on the scale & choose your favorite spoon while the adult pays way too much for this journey of enjoyment. 

 

It's great. And it's also Natalie's favorite treat, so that's how we ended up there.

As the girls begin to sample the yogurt samples, one walked up to me with her big bowl and asked, "How much can I get?"

"What do you mean? Get what you want." I answered. 

"Well, when mom takes me I am only allowed a small portion because it's really expensive and I just want to make sure I know how much I can get."

Ding, Ding, Ding. Now, I knew it was an opportunity to make a memory for a girl and I jumped all over it... "You get as much as you want!" I replied with a smile. 

"REALLY?!?" she asked with large eyes. "As much as I want?!"

"YES! Get as much as you want!"

She wandered around, almost unsure what to do. In fact, she came over another time to make sure it really was okay to fill her cup as full as she wanted. 

 

Not only did it make a special moment for her, but for me too.

 

It reminded me of the Father heart of God and how extravagant he is with us. In fact, according to Psalm 23, he makes our cups run over. 

Bring your empty cups, and let him fill them. He takes great pleasure in it.

 

 

Eyes For Only One

Last weekend, I attended my daughter's show choir performance. Her team is comprised of 73 middle school students and bringing together the music, singing and dancing with a group that size is no small feat. 

As they took the stage, I thought to myself, "This time I am going to watch the whole group to see how the choreography looks as a whole and how they do as a team." Mind you, this was the fifth time I have seen this particular show.

And then it happened. In fact, it happens every time she performs. I lose sight of every other person on that stage as my eyes settle on her. The music and dancing begins and my heart grows so big inside my chest it feels like I may pop as the corner of my eyes fill with tears. I track with that girl up and down and all over that stage. Every spin, head turn and smile is captured. I have eyes for only one. 

How is it possible to feel this much love over and over again for my child?

If you have ever experienced a deep friendship, fallen in love, or watched your child perform, you know exactly what I'm talking about! 

"He who keeps you will never take His eyes off you." Psalm 121:3

Maybe these moments provide us a glimpse of the Eternal Father's love for us. 

I think I have a new definition of grace... it's your Papa having eyes for only one. You know, He can do that. That's what makes it amazing. He can have eyes for only one - - for each one for us at the same time!! Not because we've done everything right or special, just because we're His. 

Yep, He has eyes for only one. You. 

The Journey

"Everyday is a journey, and the journey itself is home." Matsuo Basho 

In the familiar story of The Wizard of Oz, we see a cast of characters on a journey. Dorothy is looking for home. Scarecrow is looking for brains. Lion is looking for courage. Tinman is looking for a heart. They set off on the yellow brick road, believing their journey will lead them to the Great Oz, the one who will grant their deepest desires. In the end, Oz is found out to be a hoax and the disappointment of the sojourners is evident. Their hopes are dashed in reaching what they believed was the purpose of their journey. 

It seems easy to cast our vision on a preferred future as a destination of outward significance. That somehow once it is reached, the accomplishment will be fulfilling and our sense of quest complete. We'll have "reached" the purpose of our journey. Many people spend their whole lives pursuing their vision, but that sense of reaching the destination remains slightly out of reach.

Maybe we have a wrong perspective on what the journey is. 

What the characters in The Wizard of Oz found out, was that the journey itself was the destination. Finding a home, brains, courage or a heart was found throughout the experiences of the journey. The experiences that seemed to only exacerbate their weaknesses & deficiencies was the very journey to realizing their dreams & desires. 

What we most long for is found in the places we most want to escape. 

Dorothy found home far away from a physical location. 

Scarecrow found brains when facing situations he had to think. 

Lion found courage by facing his fears.

Tinman found heart by being in situations that required caring.

What do you most desire today? 

How are the experiences in your journey helping you realize that desire?

Yes, Dorothy was able to click her heels three times and be brought back home. I think what we'll find, is that as we find ourselves in the journey; things will click for us as well and we'll find ourselves in those places in rather simple ways. 

Living our best life is not about reaching a particular destination or accomplishment.  Living in sync is the simple rhythm of life that helps us find our best lives right where we are today. 

Taken By Surprise!

"The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us." - Ashley Montagu

Last month, my brother had generously filled my freezer with some meat, as he prepared for a fresh beef to be delivered. If you've ever ate home-grown beef, you know how amazing it is! You also know it comes in very generic white wrapping paper with pink lettering telling you what is inside.

Well, earlier today I thought I'd put out a package of meat to thaw for dinner. I reached into the freezer and grabbed out a package that looks exactly like the size of a pound of ground beef. Perfect... tacos it will be. Around 6:30 tonight, I whipped the package open as I grabbed out a skillet...evidently STILL not reading the print... and out plops two steaks.

Befuddled, I look at the packaging print filet mignon. Whoa. Taken by surprise. I tell you, a true moment of happiness as I grilled those up, made potatoes and a salad. Eating like a king on a Monday, no less!

As you plan and prepare for the New Year, my prayer is that you would be seized by moments of happiness as you enjoy the surprises of life.

Happy 2015 to you!

[Photo not my steak. Was long gone by the time I thought of this blog.]