Life Is Not A Series Of Tasks To Be Accomplished

Occasionally I come across something that is just for ME. It speaks right to my heart and awakens my Spirit so deep, so real, so alive.

I found this just now while prepping for some school things for tomorrow. But I feel paralyzed. Again, I needed this reminder.
I refuse to beat myself up about needing it. It's good. I welcome the reminder.

Here is the blog I am re-posting this from: http://a-pilgrims-heart.blogspot.com/

A golden note of misty light quietly slips through the velvet-black night; noisy birdsong dips and rolls through not-quite morning air. Into my slowly-waking heart, His whisper settles in me:


Life is not a series of tasks to be fulfilled.

It is to be lived and savoured, held close - filled with space and grace – space enough to respond to My call - no matter how inconvenient it may be when it comes.

Oh how well you know me, Father - even half awake you know my mind is already filled with things to do and achieve today, lists to check off. You know how easy it is for me to be structured, maybe even too rigid. How I feel happiest when my list all accomplished. Words that could almost define me - discipline, efficiency, focus...."Come on....time is ticking away", "Hurry up!".

But at the expense of what (or whom)? Are there feelings I have steam-rolled over, children I have nagged and harassed, precious moments I have failed to enjoy in order to finish the task?

Your words of encouragement flow through me - Life is for living:

When your son builds a fort and wants you to play even though you are in the middle of your devotions.

When your children need a snuggle just when you are desperately trying to answer all your long overdue emails.

To dance in the rain when you are supposed to be cooking dinner.

To watch a movie with the family even though they really should be in bed.

To take your time over a piece of work that you are all interested in even when the schedule tells us it's time to move on.

To lay on the floor and eat cookies, listening to music when the laundry needs doing.

Taking the day off to visit the museum or swim in the pool when there is still much to be done.

To sit and enjoy being with your husband, not rushing to put the kids to sleep.

To embrace life's bumps, surprises, mistakes and allow them to be fertiliser for learning and growth.


Life is for living not just for getting through or surviving.

Sometimes we just have to survive - I know that - I've lived it. But so much more is given to us; a life to embrace even with all its thorns and cut-glass edges. We may bleed but if we feel and live grateful and find peace in the small things, we'll find God: open-armed, smiling, delighting in us. In me. In you.

So today I pray -

" I surrender. I surrender my need to control, to have things run according to schedule, to count my worth by what I've achieved each day. I choose to live - not just survive. I want to learn to be."

As I open my eyes, I see a new day has dawned - brilliant blue streaked with fresh linen-white clouds, mellow golden morning-light dancing off the the tips of towering jade-green trees. I am reminded of this verse from His word:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. Lamentations 3:22-24

Thankful for new mornings, I start today.

A secret

Did I draw you in with the hopes of hearing something juicey? Something personal? Something honest? Well, I will share two secrets with you. This is my first:

VegeGreens

That's right. My first secret is VegeGreens. I have been hiding it in a lot of things lately. The truth is that the Birtch Family has NOT been eating their vegetables. Fresh veggies have been rather intimidating to me lately. Washing, cutting, dicing, chopping. Don't get me wrong, I do it. Just not near as often as I once did, or should, or would like to. But enough "shoulding" on myself - I am grateful for VegeGreens!

My second secret: I can be kindof a control freak.

Phew, there I said it. It feels good to know the Truth though, doesn't it? It's an area I am working on and I will write more about that in the future (ie: flying on an airplane was TOTALLY uncomfortable for me because I was COMPLETELY out of control!)

One area that we are really working on is being careful to not over-parent. When good intentions go too far, you have a problem. I firmly believe that extremes of just about anything are not generally good for a person.

Like I said, more to come on this later, I promise! For now, let me show you
1) how too easy it is to be a control freak in the name of "common sense" and stifle your child's growth, creativity, imagination, enthusiasm and courage to try new things
2) how letting go is way more fun!

It was Thursday night, and I was alone with the kids for dinner (as per usual as Nathan works late twice a week). Sometimes I get in a funk with dinners. As of late, the kids have been a little more, hmmm, firm in their cuisine preferences (they've been a little picky lately).
I had planned to make souvlaki pitas - one of my hubby's favorites. I had picked up some 50% off pitas that I had put off making for two days. Needless to say, if I didn't use them that night, I was afraid that my good deal would turn into a bad, moldy, waste-of-a-deal. So I had to make them, but I knew they wouldn't go down little throats so well.

Then I looked at the pita and saw not a pita, but a PIZZA! "YES! I will let them make their own pizzas! They will love that!" I said to myself.

So I gathered various toppings into little jars for them to create with. Landon and I made the sauce (that's him in the above. Good technique, eh?)

I was right. They loved it. See...

Here are their creations:
Big one is for Olivia and Landon.
FINALLY - Olivia gets pizza with no sauce!
Little one, top right: Larissa's
Little one, bottom right: Daddy's (1/2 from 'Liv, 1/2 from Larissa)

Here's the crux of it all - did you notice what is on Larissa's? Can't tell? Look again.

Here.
It's strawberries.

Yes. Strawberries. You read that right.

She says to me, "MOMMY!" (with such intensity) "Can I put strawberries on my pizza?"

My initial response is of course, "What? You silly girl, did you just say strawberries?"
"Yes! Mmmmm that would be good" she tells me.
So I say, "I don't know if you'll like strawberries on pizza!"

Then catch myself. I'm doing it.
She wants to try something new and different. She wants to combine two of her favorite foods. Why would I stop her from that endeavor? Because I think it sounds disgusting? Seriously. I am the girl who loves to dip fries in frosties and eat cheese dorritos with cottage cheese and dill pickles (are we still friends? You think I'm sick now. That's ok).

"GO FOR IT!" I tell her. And then I change my song to be completely encouraging, supportive, excited for her new creation.

Guess what? She loved it.
And I didn't mind it.
And I loved watching her get excited about her idea and discovery.

Note to self reminder: Don't be afraid to try new things.
(but that's another story)

Family Day!

Family Day: a Sabbath for the Birtch Family. A much-needed day of rest and relaxation. Sure, we did some crafts, some painting, some fun cooking - but that's just part of life and what was relaxing to us that day! It wasn't a list of to-dos, but instead a list of to-want-to-dos!

The girls have been wanting to make new beds for their dollhouse with Daddy.
Here they are!

Olivia's design:

Larissa's creative touch:

I have had this shelf since I was a kid. It was natural wood, but I painted and stressed it for Olivia. She chose this special picture for it and her African lizard

When we got bunk beds, Olivia had a bit of a hard time saying goodbye to her old bed. I thought that painting a rainbow overhead might make it more fun and special to sleep under. I was right. She loves it!
(Notice the shelf and her letter O hanging?)

While I painted the bed, Nate distracted them with their own painting.
This is Landon's work of art.
He says it is a forest and animals.
Clever.

Then we pulled out the wii~ a good time had by all!
Bowling, tennis, running, climbing, kyaking. Even Landon was in on it!

Correction: Even the cat was in on it!

I love home-made pizza! Then everyone is happy.
Pinapple for Larissa, Landon, Daddy.

Loaded veggie for Mommy,
plain cheese and minor veggie for 'Liv.

And we made chocolate strawberries for dessert!
Mmmmmmmmmmmm

One thing is for sure. We love family day. And we love eachother!

Prepping The Boy

The moment my son was born I knew.

I knew why there is often friction between the new wife and the mother-in-law.

If you have a son, you know. If you don't, let me tell you.

I love my girls more than life itself. I cherish my relationship with them deeper than I ever imagined possible. As they grow I look forward to becoming more and more their friend as they transition into adulthood. One day, should they choose to get married I will be happy for them and nothing will really change in our relationship. I hope we will only become closer friends.

But with Landon I know my time is limited. Right now I'm his world. He knows it, I know it, everyone knows it. I'm his Mama. I carried him in my womb, birthed him, nursed him, cuddle him every day and kiss all his "ouch"s away. And believe me, I am savoring every day because I know that he will grow up too. And though nothing will every change or replace these years, and though I will always be his Mommy, I also know that if he chooses, then one day he may also get married. When that day comes that he finds the woman to pledge his life to, then he is hers. She gets him. His heart is hers. She takes the rightful place of the woman in his life - and rightly so.

So with this knowledge I begin my efforts to prepare him for her. To be a man of God that will honor and cherish his wife. That he will learn now to share, to communicate, to express, to give, to sacrifice, to respect.

But really guys? C'mon, you're not even 2 years old!!!!!

I guess I will have to kick it into high gear! Landon, please make us breakfast:

(and dear son, do it with a smile!)

Hey Bud Bud, can you help out around the house please?
(I actually didn't even need to ask, he just did it - isn't that what all women want?)

Please stoke the fire

and do the dishes.

And dear, precious future daughter-in-law: know that I also love you too and pray for you now.
Dear dear mother-in-law: thank you for teaching your son well and loving me too! You're always still Nate's Mama.

P.S. The little girl Landon is puckering up for is Ellie. This is a note to her Daddy: Ross, we have officially taught Landon to call you "Ross Sir", which comes out "Rosser" :) and the girls are teaching him to say, "Yes sir Ross sir!"

If God Is So Great and God Is So Good, Then Why?

It amazes me how many people recite a prayer before a meal. It amazes me even more how much fun it can be: "Thank you Lord, you are the giver. Thank you Lord this ain't liver!" or "Good bread, good meat, Good Lord, let's eat!" I chuckle writing this, though we'd never say it at our house (but might at someone else's just for the reaction).

Most of us, however, have probably said that classic prayer around the dinner table at some point in our lives that goes like this: "God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for this food. In Jesus' name, Amen".

Likewise, all of us at some point find ourselves in the midst of trials and suffering. Pain is a fact of life (and like my Pastor said on Sunday, if you haven't encountered much suffering yet - hope you're enjoying the ride so far, because it's coming, I promise!).

And so, have you ever asked the question: "If God is great, and God is good, then why...?" If so, you're not alone. People have been asking this for centuries, including yours truly.

One of the greatest minds ever to have put a pen to paper, in my opinion, is C.S. Lewis. He wrote a book entitled The Problem of Pain. Clive says,

“If God were good, he would wish to make his creatures perfectly happy, and if God were almighty he would be able to do what he wished. But the creatures are not happy. Therefore God lacks either the goodness, or power, or both”.

To answer this, he says, we need to look more closely at erroneous assumptions built into the words “all-powerful” and “good” when ascribed to God. I absolutely agree.

Here's the thing though. When we're hit with the 2x4 of life, we're not really thinking logically. No, we're thinking with our emotions (which sometimes isn't even thinking clearly at all!). Our souls cry out for a reason to make sense of it all. We feel so desperately that if we could just know WHY we have to walk this path of suffering, then we could make some sense of it. We would feel it could somehow be justified. We want to know there is at least a purpose for our tears, no?

So why not have these conversations before the circumstances of life come like a tidal wave and knock the wind out of us. Let's be real with each other, more vulnerable to ask the tough questions. Let's stop walking around refusing to deal with these sorts of questions we all have. That way, when we get the phone call from the Doctor; when we are betrayed by a friend; when we lose a child; when we can't pay the bills and have our home taken away; when the tsunami hits; when we are faced with the suffering that a sinful world promises - we will have some kind of an anchor. Something that we can hold unto, something to sustain us. Some reason to HOPE.

People are hurting (emotionally, financially, relationally, mentally). I'm going to just go through some logical points regarding suffering. In the end, you'll see we're just barely scratching the surface!

There are different categories of suffering:

Some suffering is deserved as a result of poor choices.
Some suffering is mysterious. There doesn't seem to be a rhyme or a reason and we just can not make sense of it.
Some suffering is undeserved. Some people are the victims of other people's bad choices. It's not fair and is unjustified.

These warrant a couple of responses to suffering:

Ignore – deny your own suffering, avoid the suffering of others, put a band-aid on it, try to forgive and forget never dealing with it.

Exalt – suffering becomes your identity; an all-consuming victim mentality that can be used to excuse and overlook sin, get to the roots.

Accept - we live in a broken world. Suffering happens.

Hope - that one day there WILL be justification and answers.

The bible is still relevant today. I like this:

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8

When Christians suffer it causes them to focus on what matters most.
Suffering enables Christians to show sympathy and compassion to others.
Suffering makes love among Christians possible.
Suffering cultivates tender hearts.
Suffering cultivates humble minds.

"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
1 Peter 3:9

The natural way to respond to evil is with evil.
The supernatural (gospel) way to respond to evil is with good.
At the heart of the gospel is a man dying to love his enemies.
It takes more courage, strength, and dignity to be like Christ than to instigate further evil.

And also, suffering makes God’s love tangible.

God sees your life, hears your prayer, opposes your enemies, blesses your suffering, and can remove your fear. He left the glory of Heaven to move into our neighborhood (John 1:14).

I want to encourage you if you are a Follower of Christ: suffer in such a way that you learn about Jesus and that other people may learn about Jesus too.
Many Christians are good at winning arguments but could care less about winning people. Build respect and trust with people, and answer their questions with humility and honesty.
People want to see if Christianity works, as demonstrated in relationships and community.
Suffering allows us to be a humble, loving, considerate, respectful, gentle people that embody the gospel.

If you don't consider yourself a Christian or Follower of Christ, I hope you don't just think I'm some bible-thumper. I hope I don't come across that way! I do hope that you can just see this is what makes sense to me. Without hope, without some purpose beyond making money and children (neither of which I can enjoy from the grave) there would be no point to my life. My search for something more than this here and now life has led me to my conclusions.

Let me just say this: I love talking about this stuff, ("really?!" you say!). If you want to have coffee, PLEASE let me know! Let's talk about these realities of life. You want coffee? I'll buy you coffee. You want a venti chai tea latte? I'll give you a venti.

But if you decide not to take me up on the offer, allow me the opportunity to say this.

God is so far beyond us we actually can't even comprehend it. Try it. Try closing your eyes and imagining NOTHING. Can you do it? Try, seriously, to think of NOTHING. Imagine a world of nothing - nope, you're still imagining a world. Ok, take away the world - now imagine nothing. Did you do it? No, because you saw outer space. Try again. How's it going. Does your mind go a little crazy for a moment? That's because YOU CAN'T because there is no such thing and deep inside you your spirit knows it.

But if nothing else, cling to this: there IS hope.


The promise of heaven, at times, is all that's kept me going. It's the only thing that has given me strengths in my darkest moments. Without hope, it's all pointless. I can't live a pointless life, can you?


**Mars Hill Church has a great sermon series called Trial that I really recommend and took some notes on and used in this post.