Inspire Project: A little R&R2

   Not THAT R&R…I mean, Rest & Repentance/Remembrance…hence the R squared.

This past week really inspired all of those things. One factor was the continuation of a long term substitute position that means my days are completely full from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. I have realized how much I need rest and to be intentional about scheduling in things that are restful and rejuvenating—like daily exercise and taking time to read and journal. I need those habits to stay rested and to be recharged for the next day. In addition, in a Wilberforce book I’ve been reading (but sadly had to return to the library before finishing…) Real Christianity, he relates the importance of taking adequate time to be refreshed and to study scripture. Even though he wrote the book over 200 years ago, it rings true when he states that “so often people think their leisure time must be spent in mindless things to be restful…we think studying the scripture is too serious and weighty to be refreshing…when actually spiritual refreshment through study is what we need” (MY paraphrase). SO true—I have to be intentional (and I’ve been failing miserably the last few weeks with the new schedule) in carving out time in my busy day to read and to simply rest.  Thankfully, each week it has gotten easier to get up early, and my energy hasn’t dragged as much in the mid afternoon. I keep reminding myself that it is always a blessing, that God is in the small things—like all the little victories with the kids each day—and that while this is a huge benefit for grad school—there is purpose in it for today.

Another part of this week’s inspiration and lessons has been the reminder that I need to live in repentance and remembrance. Through journaling, reading that trusty Wilberforce book, and the sermon on Sunday, I was reminded of  Isaiah 30:15-“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it” (NIV). How true this is of me—so easily forsaking times of quiet, solitude, and yes—self-reflection that leads to new goals, humility, and repentance for ways I have been selfish, cowardly, prideful. Today, as I made time to work out physically—my thoughts wandered to this verse and I realized that in many translations repentance means “returning”. Yes—when I do take the time to reflect and repent—I return to so many things—peace, joy, hope, contentment—all because I have put my Savior in His rightful place—first. I return to him and gain perspective this allows me to rest. Rest because I don’t have to get it right, be perfect.

For the third R—remembrance—well, I’ve just had a week of strong memories of Kenya—the hard red dirt beneath my feet, the sound of sporadic building projects in my neighborhood, the smell after a hard rain, the view from the tree house, the feeling of being bombarded with hugs and showered with “how are you”. I have also been flooded with many bittersweet memories—full of people I can’t make new ones with—a reminder that this life is short, tomorrow is not guaranteed, I don’t want to waste it.  One of my good friends remarked yesterday that one of the changes she sees in me since coming home is that I do take more time to rest and that it is so counter-culture because us Westerners deny the truth that rest isn't wasted time. I have been inspired to plan for the future in prayer and in hope—knowing that this day isn’t just a stepping stone on the way to the dreams I hope to live out—it’s a part of it, today matters. Today I must choose to rest, repent, and remember.

 

Full Week, Full of inspiration--update 3

         I apologize for the lack of updates. Last week was my first full week in a self-contained elementary classroom. I also continued to work with the family. Man, I worked more hours in the first three days of the week than I had in the last 3 weeks! I am so blessed! It was a routine shake up for sure--waking up at 6:25 is not something my body is used to. I was so encouraged and inspired as I worked in a new setting. I was also reminded to be SO grateful for the past--my previous position prepared me in incredible ways for working in the school districts. It was an invaluable experience that I humbly gave thanks for last week.
        I also was inspired by seeing the new kids grow and continue to work hard each day. It is incredible to see how far they come with repetition and hard work--something we can all learn from. Similarly, I was inspired to remember that each life is valuable and special. We all have things that no other human posesses in quite the same way. The precious kids with special needs that I work with remind me daily that we need the special. We need to be reminded by their example that asking for help is a sign of strength, that we all see the world a little bit dfferently and that should cause us to ask questions, to be humble, and to be willing to learn from others.
        I was inspired to persevere--just like the ways the kids work on their tasks and are (mostly) willing to be led and prompted--I need to take heed of that--remembering that I need guidance too.

Overall, I was incredibly inspired last week and I can't wait to see where the next 6 weeks take me.

How does your job inspire you?

Reciprocal Inspiration

Inspire: to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural; to exert an animating, enlivening, or exalting influence on.

                As I have been reflecting on what inspiring looks like the past week, I have realized that it has to be reciprocal. I can’t simply seek to influence those around me—I have to take time to be poured into so I have something to give.

 My church has been focusing on fasting this month and one thing that I realized as I took 24 hours away from social media/internet/television and from carbohydrates, was just how busy and cluttered my day is when I fill it with the hollow entertainment of television and how much more prone I am to get myself into a “comparison riddled despair” when I compare everyone else’s “highlight reel on facebook” to my own behind the scenes. That’s not healthy…I also was reminded of the precious children I know by name who may not have a single decent meal in a week—and just how insanely blessed I am to live in a country of abundance.

In light of those reflections, I wanted to share a few of the things that inspire me. In no particular order—here goes:

Reading—anything by C.S. Lewis, John Piper, or Jan Karon (see the Mitford series),of course, the Bible

Nature—taking a walk, watching a sunset, or simply staring at a flower longer than 2 seconds can be such a refreshing thing to do. I want to commit to do more of this.


Creating—writing, painting, making “do it yourself” decorating projects


Listening—to my Savior as he writes his words on my heart, speaks them through my circumstances, or shows me in the love of friends and family. Especially to a good friend over a cup of coffee or tea at unique "hole in the wall" place around Seattle
 

My job—working with Children with special needs is SO inspiring—there’s nothing quite like the triumphant smile or the shared joy that comes from seeing a child be able to do something they couldn’t the day before.


Today, before heading into a very busy week—the first full scheduled week since returning from Kenya, I want to remember that while inspiration takes time, it doesn’t take much to make a difference.

 

What inspires you?

When Death Still Stings February 6th

Death and taxes. Both sting, both are inevitable, both seem like an injustice. As I sift through a new wave of the underlying emotions and realities that 2012 brought, death has been quite central. Not simply the sheer number of people around me—family, friends, acquaintances, school children—but its reality. It really is inevitable, the last phase of life on earth. For those of us with faith in Jesus, we are called to not mourn as those who do not have hope (of eternal life with Jesus in heaven). But what does our mourning look like? Mourning with hope does not mean we mask the reality of loss; the pain, the grief, the million habitual actions that die along with our loved one. No, I think mourning with hope actually gives us a freedom to experience and express each of those aspects of loss. It frees us up to enter into grief—all its tears, pangs, anger, maddening sadness—because we know that it is not all there is. There IS hope.

                Similarly, the apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, assures us that “⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” ⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”  ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15, NIV).

                This is the hope when death stings. Goodness, it stings. Can we all admit that? Stop with the platitudes of “he’s not suffering anymore”, “she’s in a better place” and be brave enough to enter into the reality of the sting? Those sayings may be true—but that doesn’t mean that death doesn’t sting for us. Stuffing the suffering brings no benefit. Jesus wept—we can too. All too often I think we see suffering and hope as antithesis when it comes to death. Like oil and water they can’t possibly be mixed, it’s all or nothing. I just don’t think that’s the case. We can grieve because we have hope. One day we will see the victory over death. The imperishable will clothe. When that time comes we will be able to fervently say “death where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?”

                But until that day, until we are reunited, whole, clothed—it’s okay to grieve, to admit that death stings. The sting of death IS sin. On earth, we will never fully escape the effects of sin—that is the death that stings. Sin puts to death so much—dreams, love, hope, contentment—and ultimately, life. Sin stings. Death stings. Let the reality of this propel us to hope, to the foot of the cross, the One who has swallowed up death and its sting.

                So what do we do when death stings? We admit it, we grieve, and we trust in the hope that awaits us, not by denying the pain but by clinging to the Cross.

Inspire Project Update

Here are some snippets of how I was inspired this weekend and today.

2/2-Saturday- It is hard to put into words how humbling and inspiring Gib Martin's Funeral was. Before we went I knew I had somewhere to be at 6, and the funeral started at 1, and I thought to myself "yeah...I may be home in time". Sure enough, we got home around 5:30. Yes, the service was 2 hours, but it was incredible. From the honest memories, the touching tributes, and the fact that there were anywhere from 600 to 800 people present, it was a moving afternoon! After the service many stuck around to re-connect with "family" and it was amazing to see.
  I was inspired to live my life in a way that matters, as a person who takes time for others and who genuinely cares about their welfare. Inspiring to say the least. I hope I was able to encourage Gib's family as well as the others I reconnected with.  Inspiring is a two way street, you have to take a step, reach out a hand, speak a word. Inspiring is intentional action!

2/3-Sunday- I was blessed to watch my pastor's kids before the church service and it was such an opportunity to encourage and affirm them.

2/4-Monday- I was inspired because I was able to spend more time in the profession I love--working with children with special needs in an elementary setting. I have been blown away by how many doors have been recently opened for me to ease back into the school setting, I don't take it for granted, or lightly, that I have been called and trained to help these kids grow and succeed. There are many milestones--from riding a bike to counting to 7.

I can't wait to see what the rest of the week holds.

The INSPIRE Project

The INSPIRE Project

    As I drove to work after a blessing-packed morning—brunch with my mom, stopping by my “second family” aka I practically grew up at their house, and generally enjoying the partly sunny Seattle day—I realized I had been inspired.  My morning had rejuvenated my soul because I took time. I made a point of having conversation, connecting, appreciating delicious food and scenic Puget Sound. My next thought was that I was inspired because each of those things was shared with others. I want to keep this going.

                I’m not big on resolutions, but I want to try something for this month, the shortest one of the year, the one that supposedly represents love (as if candy hearts and chocolate exemplify true love), to live out inspiration. I want to continue to be inspired and to pay it forward. For the next 27 days I will commit to inspiring one person in one small way, each day. From notes, to calls, to inexpensive gifts, or acknowledging and affirming a dream or passion, I want to inspire.

                As I exited the freeway, I also thought through the “why” of this personal challenge. What is my motivation? A pat on the back? To make the world a little bit happier? Both? I think it’s much deeper than that. I am most inspired by my faith—by the savior that gave his LIFE so that I could live. In a small way, this inspiration project is mirroring that. I can’t wait to see what the next month does for my soul as I seek to serve and to inspire.

 

Who’s with me?

 

My desire is for you to join in, and if you do…pass it on, inspire others to inspire. Let’s make this the month of living love, not just a day. I would love to hear your stories, what inspires you and what intentionally looking to inspire others teaches you. Post in the comments section and keep this going. I will be posting updates weekly as the month continues.