Not One is Wasted

There are in this world blessed souls, whose sorrows all spring up into joys for others; whose earthly hopes, laid in the grave with many tears, are the seed from which spring healing flowers and balm for the desolate and the distressed. - Harriet Beecher

We recently saw the movie, The Shack. I delayed seeing it because the book had such a deep, healing impact in my life several years ago. I feared no movie could do it justice and didn’t want to taint my experience. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when Natalie was lying on the couch recovering from a tonsillectomy and at the end of her patience with the healing process. 

Desperate for a distraction, I suggested hitting a Redbox and seeing a new movie of her choice. I’m thankful to say the movie was well done and we both were touched at different parts of it.

***SPOILER ALERT***

My favorite scene of the movie was the Holy Spirit bottling Mackenzie’s tears of sorrow and loss; which later came back to water Missy’s grave and make a beautiful garden grow. 

This week I experienced one such moment.

Many of you know Living In Sync sponsors a scholarship award called Light A Candle. I was blessed to honor our second recipient and to share hope with a house filled with grieving family and friends.

Life came full circle for me. I found myself on the other side of conversations and scholarships I had received 15 years ago after the loss of my husband and mom. I am so grateful.

Gardens grow in mysterious places. Living your best is trusting that and living into healing, hope, and the love God has for you. He is bottling your tears, not one is wasted.

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Psalm 126:5

Living In Sync

“… the most important thing in our lives is not so much what we can do as leaving room for what God can do.” Jacques Philippe

Earlier this spring, I felt stuck on a ‘hamster wheel’ of things to do. There didn’t seem to be enough time to breathe and my list never ended. There were the typical signs of edginess and the drive to escape through entertainment, food, and sleep.  

I was saying “no” and withdrawing from things, but it wasn’t completely getting resolved. I could tell things were askew on the inside, so I began taking extra time to pray and seek God about it.

He gave me two words - Entangled and Escape. Two reactions that were feeding off each other. One, I was getting too entangled by being over-caring, over-responsible, and over-doing. That was leading me to want to escape, as I mentioned above, trying to cut things out of my schedule, sleep more, etc. Not that those were wrong things, they were just more of “me trying to control life” and not giving him room to do what only He can do.

His invitation was for me to Engage. To actually go back to some of the areas of my life that I had cut out and say yes again, because those were life-giving activities for me. When I cut them out, I was cutting out renewal and restoration. Interesting, huh?

I began to allow space for God to do His part and I do my part. Instantly, I felt more lightness and freedom.

Living your best life is one lived in sync with Him. Moment by moment, day by day. He does his part, you do yours. It's creating space for God to do what only He can do.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

2017 Light A Candle

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Living in Sync is excited to announce our 2017 recipient of the Light a Candle Award, which is a $500 academic scholarship given in recognition of someone who has overcome adversity and exemplifies a giving spirit towards others.

Rather than being shut down in the challenges of life, this person embraces hope and a determination to make the world a better place. They embody the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

This year's recipient is Tia Rieckhoff,19 year old sophmore at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. - Bob Marley

Strong is not a word that described Tia’s feelings the day her father died unexpectedly after what was supposed to be a routine hip surgery.

“My dad is the one person who continuously showed me what strength is until November 9th, 2016 at 5:55 in the morning when my dad became my guardian angel. I remember the moment I leaned over and put my head on his chest as I had done many times before, but this time there was no longer a heartbeat. Many would think this would be the hardest part, but the hardest part is to continue living without my dad.” ~ Tia

Despite this tremendous loss, Tia is courageously pressing forward in life.

“Tia has shown that although gone, Brad lives on in her. She is determined to stay positive, continue her education, and be the support that her mother needs at this time.” shares her Aunt Brenda.

And this isn’t Tia’s only life challenge. At 10 years old, Tia was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Learning how to live with diabetes requires many life changes that need to be made not only for the person living with the disease but as well as their family. Tia learned from her parents at an early age to overcome a struggle was to remain positive and press on.

After her first year of living with diabetes, her own struggles motivated her to help others, as well as find a cure. In 2008, Tia started her first JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) walk team. She and her family rallied together to set a positive example to other families facing the same disease. She has raised funds a variety of ways: by having bake sales, helping her grandma with bridge luncheons, as well as holding fundraisers at her mom’s work. To date, Tia has raised $60,305! Her 2017 goal is another $10,000.

Tia is passionate about making a difference for people and generous in making the world a better place. According to a family friend, she is a blessing - very positive, outgoing, and always willing to help others when needed.

Tia’s dad, Brad, loved photography, and being daddy’s girl, she fell right into his footsteps using her first camera at age 3. She is currently enrolled in the Graphic Design program at DMACC. Tia’s goal is to get an internship next year, and eventually get a job at a small business and design for them. She is excited to follow her dreams and make both her mom and dad proud.

Tia exemplifies all that the Light a Candle Award stands for and we are proud to honor her and the strong young woman she is.

Light a Candle Award funded through the generous gifts of people who know the power of lighting a candle together and the difference it makes in people's lives. Donate to the scholarship fund here.

Tia and her dad.

Tia's family.

Staying an Artist

“Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up” – Pablo Picasso

Last weekend I went to Canvas and Conversations at our church. It is one of those events where they give you step by step instructions to paint a canvas. There are appetizers and desserts out. Wonderful friends and conversation starters. Each setting has a blank canvas, three paint brushes, paint palette, and cup of water for cleaning the brushes. Sounds like a perfect girls night out, even as I type it.

I quickly tried to size up my creativity skills by asking the women at my table if they were good at painting, had done this before, etc. Everyone appropriately downplayed their artistic ability, even the lady handily mixing her own paint colors and creating the most beautiful teal, blue-green color. I soothed my growing apprehension by nibbling on some delicious chocolate as we waited for the instructor to begin. 

The first stroke included three colors on the paintbrush. Within minutes, my inner perfectionist was hidden in the recesses of my soul. It gave up, I guess. Enjoying the silence, I let myself begin to enjoy the process. The joy came and went. At one point our table was so intently caught up in the project, that someone blurted out, "Am I even breathing? Breathe!"

Towards the end, we began to make flowers. I learned my best lesson of the night right then: listen to the instructor to know what you're doing and then stop listening. All the details, highlights and techniques she was giving were simply beyond my skill level. Once I let go of it and began to simply look at what I was doing and enter into what I was creating, they started to look like flowers. And the fun returned. 

My favorite part of the night was walking around and seeing 30 different interpretations of a similar piece of art. The masterpieces were as varied as our lives and it was beautiful. 

Living our best lives doesn't mean we'll all paint like Picasso, but it does mean we can silence our performance mindset long enough to enjoy creating. And once we learn to enjoy the creating, we can let it lead us wherever it wants to.

Here's to staying an artist... painting, creating, friendships, and joy.

It's Well Worth It

Yesterday was a busy day at the Optometrist office I work at. The phones were ringing one call after another, and in the midst of it I answered one from someone with very broken English. As I had her repeat everything she first said, I silently said a prayer inside... "Lord, help me understand." She eventually slowed down a little and I began to pick up threads of what she needed. 

She had a prescription called in for eye drops last week and when she went to pick them up at the pharmacy she was charged $100. She was looking for "cheaper", as she put it.  After I talked with the doctor, he said she should make sure she was getting the generic brand of the drug, not the name brand. I called her back and left the message on her voicemail. 

When she received the message, she called back confused and I tried to explain that she needed to simply go to pharmacy and ask for the generic. We went around and around, and clearly we were getting nowhere. She didn't understand the concept of a generic drug. Eventually, she was willing to give it a try, but asked would we please help her if she went to pharmacy and needed help to explain. I said yes, and then told her I wouldn't be at work any longer that late in the day - but there are other ladies here that will help you. 

She wasn't too happy, but bravely said, "Okay." 

After hanging up, I faced a choice. Keep plugging away at the work in front of me or try to do something further to help this dear soul. She had given me the street address of pharmacy she was going to, so I looked it up online. I gave a call and was able to ask the pharmacy tech to change the prescription to the generic brand. Within moments it was done and she confirmed the copay would only be $10. 

I called the patient back. When I gave her the news that it was all straightened out and would cost her $10, she was elated. I couldn't tell if she was laughing or crying or both at the same time. In the midst of her celebration, she asked, "What your name? What your name?" After telling her, she repeatedly thanked me, using my name over and over again. I was touched that she wanted to know who I was so she could express her appreciation fully. 

Something that was so simple for me meant the world to someone else. 

Living our best lives means pausing long enough to really care and go the extra mile. Sometimes it means you won't get everything done or you'll have to stay late to do it. And you know what? It's well worth it.

Lay them down

One of my favorite worship songs is We Fall Down by Chris Tomlin. It’s a song written about Revelations 4, describing what it looks and sounds like around the throne of God in heaven. It is pretty amazing to consider that as we worship here on earth, we join the songs of heaven.

In considering the ‘crowns’ we lie down at his feet, these are often assumed to be our human accomplishments and successes… the things we are strong and proud about. And yes, they rightfully go at his feet.

The other ‘crowns’ that may be less recognized, would be as the one Jesus wore to the cross. A crown of thorns, bearing persecution and suffering… the areas we are weak and challenged in. And I’m here to let you know, they rightfully go at his feet also.

The miracle of the cross we celebrate, is laying it all down at his feet.

This Easter week, may you experience a fresh invitation to surrender yourself to his mercy and love. And may you rise up in his resurrection power… free. Unburdened. Unrestricted. Unattached. Unworried. Living our best lives everyday in his love.  

I have loved you as the Father has loved me. Abide in my love. John 15:9

Compassion

This weekend we got out to see the new movie of Beauty and the Beast. Whether or not you find yourself a fan of the movie, there’s something in the story that resonates deeply within the soul. I find myself here a couple days later wondering where we all are in this story of good and evil.

In the beginning, it shows the how the prince ‘fell’ from his humanity into the form of a beast because he lacked compassion towards a woman in need. Not only he, but his entire castle darkens and his serving staff transform into inanimate objects.

The heroine, though beautiful, is cast as a misfit in society, as one who would be most unlikely for a heroic role. Certainly not seeking the spotlight and often attempting to avoid it, Belle is moved by compassion to act justly and even sacrificially towards her father and later the Beast.

Compassion. We watch one character fall without it and another one rise because of it. We watch it redeem the fallen and bring about transformation, restoring the original design of goodness.

Every day we have the same choice.

Do we love well or do we not?

Are our lives rising or falling?

Living our best lives means to rise, knowing that those around us are depending on it. May we find more beauty than beast within and may it release transformation to the people and world around us.