Some Thoughts About Bananas

This past month has been busy, so I've left this writing space to lie dormant.  I have been learning a lot in my new internship, and in life in general.  There have been a lot of changes - watching my brother go off to college, opening the chapter of graduate school...

A huge blessing that God brought me this summer was the opportunity to work at Sendik's.  It is a great hands-on job where I can be surrounded by great co-workers, interesting customers (who make for some interesting stories)...and fresh produce!  Love the produce!  I have been able to continue working the job so far during the school year.  It is a little extra to help set me up for the autonomy and the responsibilities that are inevitable.  God is good.  I don't say that lightly.

So let's talk about bananas!  Great source of potassium.  Your cells need that for good water balance.  I'm sure you don't want to hear too much about that...

In college my roommate always brought up a story about a high school classmate that she had who made a speech in front of the whole school.  (This was a tradition for everyone at the school they went to.)  The girl started out her speech by informing everyone that humans share 50% of their DNA with bananas...that means that there are probably people in this world that you have less in common with than you do with a banana.

At Sendik's we have a kiosk at the end of the tomatoes and melons, which displays our bananas.  Lately, they've been coming in toxic, neon green.  Yum!  So here's how stocking bananas goes: when the bananas get low, you move all of the ones that are currently on the kiosk to one side.  You pile some on top of each other.  Then you put out the new bananas in the remaining space.  As I go, I pull off any bananas that have brown spots.  We set those aside to go to Feeding America.

Here's the thing about bananas.  We do have a lot in common.  From the beginning of a bananas life, it has a purpose.

When it is on the tree, the banana is growing, developing.  It is preparing for the day it will be picked, and sent to a market or a grocery store.  When bananas are super green, they're not extremely appetizing, but I know there are still some people who will eat them.  Green bananas have to be patient.  Their color will soften out to a sweet yellow.  Then, when they're yellow and plucked from the banana kiosk they go great over cereal or with peanut butter.

Then they get some brown spots on their peel.  But look inside - the banana is still great!  Still completely edible!  And you know what it's perfect for?  BANANA BREAD!  And banana bread is so sweet.

So what I've been learning throughout this past year is that changes can happen any time in life.  They will happen any time in life.  We are not created for worldly comfort.  The only real comfort is that which Jesus provides.  We have to trust Him with that.  While we are here on earth, we will constantly be called out of that comfort to a new thing.  A scary thing.  An unsure thing.

But here's the thing.  We always have a purpose.  No matter if we are young and fresh off the tree or old and ready to be made into banana bread.  Remember, banana bread is sweet.  God always has a purpose for us.  God always has a plan for us.

What do you think?  Maybe now you're just hungry for banana bread.  Or look at it this way - a simple fruit, a plain banana, has a great destiny.  Banana bread.  Even when we think we are coasting or unworthy of God's plan and purpose for us, we have to remember that God has a sweet plan in mind for us.

~SP  

Call Waiting: Callings on Our Lives and Jesus' Anointing

Three months beyond college graduation, and I am still excited that God has called me back to Milwaukee.  I am also still excited that He has placed this calling on my life to serve Him as a dietitian.  Last school year brought up a lot of doubt and uncertainty with where I would be headed in terms of a career.  It was a year of walking with God, and learning what it means to trust Him whole-heartedly, and what it means to surrender control of my life to Him.



My pastor used this phrase a lot in his sermons when I was growing up: discern your calling.  I could count on hearing it every few Sundays.  It was a good phrase - and I will honestly admit that as a teenager, I really didn't know what it meant.  So instead of sitting in the pew, and trying to discern my calling, I usually just thought about what I was going to have for lunch.

But, now that I am 22 years old, I've had a little experience with discerning my calling.  Sure, in middle school and high school, the administration sets up those "career days" for students.  They ask you what do you want to be or who do you want to be?  I got sent to the funeral home director info session, and let me tell you, I was far less than excited about that!

As we grow older, and as we grow in our faith, the real question we have to ask ourselves is who is God calling me to be?  We have to discern the calling that God has placed on our lives.  That takes a lot of prayer, a lot of patience, and a willingness to walk by faith.



Here is something I've come to understand lately: there is more than one calling that God has put on my life.  He has not done so to overwhelm me, or to give me a choice between a few different callings.  I am not just called to be a dietitian.  I have already been called to be a loving, and giving friend.  I have been called to be a big sister/older cousin/babysitter/camp counselor, who leads a life that shows God's glory.  I have been called to be an obedient and loving daughter.

I believe God is also calling me to be a leader in my church.  I think one day He is calling me to be a wife, and then a mother.  These are just a few of the possibilities!


Now let me jump to another anecdote for a moment: I got a new phone just recently.  It's probably the least smart, smart phone that you can buy in the United States - but I'm really excited about the group messaging feature!  I know, you're probably wondering what rock I've lived under for the last decade...the phone does what it needs to do.  Calls, texts, comforts me when I'm lonely...(you can laugh, that was a joke).

There is one feature that I will never be able to figure out on any phone: call waiting.  Every time that I am on a call with someone, and another one comes through, I end up hanging up on one of the people.



So back to God's callings.  Sometimes there is one calling we try to focus on in our lives - one that we place above all others.  For some of us at this point, we are going headstrong after that calling to be a husband or wife.  For others, we are charging after the dream career.  It could be anything.  There are all these calls that are coming through to us - and the one we want most has us on hold!

God has put several callings on our life - and He lead us into fulfilling those callings in his own timing.  We have to be willing to listen to God - the God who knows the desires of our hearts.  He wants to fulfill those desires in His own time.  We have got to be willing to set aside our own agenda, and listen to what God wants from us.  One day that call will come through, and the boss will offer you the job.  Or that guy will take you on that first date.


In the Bible we read about a traditional practice that is still used in some religious ceremonies today: anointing.  Anointing involves rubbing oil on a person's head to both bless them and proclaim God's calling on their lives.  In Luke chapter 7, we read the story of a woman who brings an expensive alabaster jar to Jesus, which contains even more expensive oil.  This woman has walked a rough road up to this point in her life.  She is unclean and sinful.  But she brings this oil to Jesus, to bless Him and proclaim His calling.

The Pharisees always have to get a word in there.  They make sure Jesus knows how low and unclean this woman is.  But Jesus puts a stop to their whining.  The woman's gesture is borne out of love.  It is important.  It reminds us that just as God puts callings on our lives, He is the same God that put the calling on Jesus' life to conquer sin and death.

So we have not only been called, but anointed.  We have been blessed with these callings, to allow blessings to flow out from us.

"You call me out upon the waters.  The great unknown, where feet may fail...Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders."

~Oceans

~SP

Peacekeepers vs. Peacemakers: Church Sign Wisdom in Tosa

This week, Underwood Baptist Church, which resides on the corner of 76th and Hillcrest in Wauwatosa, posted this on their church sign:

Jesus wants Peacemakers, not just Peacekeepers

It is a thought-provoking and interesting statement.  Immediately, it made me ponder what the difference is between the two.

The main difference lies in maker vs. keeper.  The term keeper suggests maintenance.  Once peace is established, keep it going.  Within the maintenance, there will also hopefully follow prevention.  Don't let the peace unravel into disharmony.

The term maker suggests that something is being created.  Out of material comes a building.  Out of chaos comes peace.  Maker suggests that someone is getting their hands dirty.  Where peace is not, peace is brought into being.  

The Peacemakers also make an appearance in the Beatitudes.  They are said to be blessed, and will be called children of God, according to Matthew 5:9.

Is one better than the other - certainly not.  But I think we are called to be both.  Peacekeeping alone merely calls us to a life of safety.  We don't want conflict.  We don't want anybody to get upset.  We don't want to allow for growing pains.

At any given time, we may not agree with the leaders of our country and how they approach or manage foreign relations.  We also may criticize foreign leaders and their policies.  However, we have to acknowledge that what they are tasked with, what they have taken on, is not easy.  These individuals aren't just attempting to repair a relationship between two people, but relationships between two or more nations.  They encounter language, cultural, religious, and many other types of barriers.  This work is not just desk work.  Their primary communication isn't email or texting.  These leaders go and meet with one another.  Our leaders go into places like Russia, Iraq, Afghanistan - and many other places that offer only a hostile greeting.  But they know they have to step into the fray.  Restoring and renewing relationships cannot be done passively.    

Repairing relationships between nations isn't even as big as it gets.  God constantly and tirelessly works on repairing the relationship between Himself and us, the world that He loves so dearly (John 3:16).  We can't number the amount of things we do to turn away from or strain that relationship.  But God loves us so much that He is willing to work on that relationship, no matter how much we push away.  He is a Peacemaker, who always enters into the chaos of our brokenness and continues the reparation process.    

God gave us an incredible role model in peace-making.  Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who provides the brand of peace that "surpasses all understanding."  We are called to go into the world on His behalf and to construct peace on this earth by sharing His love and by walking in His way.  

The words of Micah 6:8 provide good guidancee on how to live like the Great Peacemaker: Do justice. Love kindness.  Walk humbly with God.

I am also always brought back to Paul's words in Galatians 5 regarding the fruits of the spirit.  We can strive for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Through prayer and persistence, we can learn to walk in the way of the Prince of Peace every day.

~SP

A Little Wisdom from Mama Duggar

I genuinely admire, respect and love the Duggar family.  I have never had the pleasure of meeting them, but every once in a while they grace my TV screen.  Although we live out our faith in Christ somewhat differently on a day to day basis, the faith of their family inspires me.  Especially that of Mrs. Duggar.

I caught an episode the other morning, and I just wanted to share a word Michelle imparted to a women's Bible study group on the show.

She talked about what character traits she thought were most important to teach her kids as they were growing up.  She had a huge list, but asked the women in the group to identify a few which they thought would be the most important.

The women shouted out answers, like "self control," and "kindness."  Those did fall in Michelle's top few.  However, there was one that I didn't necessarily expect fell into her top three: attentiveness.

Now, attentiveness is a great quality!  If we had more attentive drivers on the road, we would probably have fewer fender benders.  If we were more attentive with our technology, we probably wouldn't let autocorrect get the best of us so often.

But Michelle put it like this on her blog: "It's important that when I call their names [in reference to her children], I get their eyes and have their attention...Because if I don't get their eyes, I don't have their heart."

Spiritually, we often talk about a connection between our eyes and our hearts.  Psalm 121:1 says "I lift my eyes to the mountains -- where does my help come from."  We look with our eyes, but we are also searching with our hearts.  Paul writes in Ephesians 1:18 "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people."

When we give God our attention, when we look unto Him with our eyes, we are also able to lift up our hearts.  God desires our full attention.  He calls us to be on the lookout for ways we can share His grace with others, and to find the places where His light, His word, and His hope are needed most.  

Mrs. Duggar's words bring me back to one of my favorite hymns which goes:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace

May we all choose to turn our eyes and our hearts to the One who created them, and the One who provides the light by which we see.

Amen.

~SP

Neither Height Nor Depth

Have you ever felt nervous entering a new environment?  Maybe it was a new church, college orientation session, your first day of high school...  And once you get the courage to speak up, you say something goofy.  Something you didn't mean to say.  Something that creates an unforgiving silence among the group.  You don't only do this once, you do it several more times.  You've dug yourself a hole, and you feel like there is no way you can recover from this.  You're doomed before you even begin.

Maybe there is a family member or a close friend, and as of late your relationship has been strained.  You don't call for a while.  Then they don't call for a while.  When you do see each other, bitter words are exchanged.  More and more time passes, and you are strangers.  You get a new phone and don't transfer their number.  They have their annual 4th of July bash, and you aren't invited - you only find out about it weeks later from a mutual friend.  How could you ever possibly restore the relationship with this person?

You say that you are going to stop.  You won't go near the temptation.  For some time, you are doing really well.  A lot of good days.  Then you are driving home, you pass the tavern on the corner that you have recently become a stranger to, and because work was tough today, you put on your turn signal and pull into the parking lot.  And this becomes the pattern the next few nights.  And weeks later, you find yourself sitting in that tavern, staring at the small shot glass that seems to have all the power, and you think to yourself this is it...this is how I will live out the rest of my days, however many there are left...

How far gone is too far gone?  Where can you go that is past the point of redemption?  Is there such a place?

I don't think so.

In the Bible, we know the story of Jesus' friend Lazarus.  Jesus is good friends with Lazarus, and both of his sisters Mary and Martha.  And when Lazarus falls ill, his sisters send word to Jesus.  They tell Jesus that His dear friend is ailing.  With minimal medical advancements at this time, the sisters and Jesus both know that Lazarus' prognosis is grim.  But Jesus doesn't rush to His friend's death bed.  Instead He tells Mary, who has reached out to Him, "This sickness will not end in death.  No, it is for God's glory, so that God's Son may be glorified through it." John 11:4

End is the key word here.  Jesus says Lazarus' sickness won't end in death.  This doesn't mean that He will not die - but that won't be the last chapter.

When Jesus enters Bethany, Lazarus' home, Lazarus has been dead for four days.  No pulse.  No breath.  His heart has not known a beat in almost 100 hours time.  Jesus has not entered Bethany to pay His respects to the deceased.  In fact, His disciples has previously urged Him not to visit at all.  They remind Him of His last visit, when people there met Him with anger in their hearts and stones in their fists.  But Jesus is there to call on His friend Lazarus.  And when Mary and Martha tell Jesus the location of Lazarus body, Jesus goes, and says "Lazarus, come out!"  And you know what?  Lazarus does!  Heart beating, blood circulating, lungs taking in air.  Lazarus was dead and is now alive again.

So here is the answer - no distance is too far.  Your heart can stop beating, and Jesus will still go into the depths for you.  There is no line you can cross where your Savior cannot trod and offer you a new, redeemed, resurrected life.

In this story of Lazarus, we encounter the briefest verse in the Bible. Despite its brevity, it manages to show the boundless, ceaseless compassion of the savior.  The verse simply says, "Jesus wept."  While Lazarus was gone, Jesus mourned for His friend.  He longed to be with Lazarus once again.  The story of Lazarus is the story of how Jesus feels about us when we attempt to separate ourselves from His love.  When we stray far away, or when we think we are too far, Jesus longs for us.  The beat of His heart aches for the murmur of ours.

So the story does not end in death, but in life.  New life.  "Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:39

~SP   

Summer Update: Using Our Gifts

God works in all things.  Even through Google.  I'll let you in on a secret: when I sit down to write I usually have some idea of what I plan to write about.  And when I write I try to use God's word in scripture as the center of my own writings as much as possible.  So I sat down to write today, without a scripture verse, but with an idea - I Googled that idea and 1 Peter 4:10 was the first verse that popped up.

Now, for those of you reading that know me personally, you know I'm not the type to be all The Holy Spirit just moved the Google to speak to me this morning.  No. I know how Google works - you get results based on what other people search most frequently.  But, I do believe that God would have brought me to this verse eventually in whatever way He chose.

Enough with that sidebar...

So this summer I am working at Sendiks, a grocery store that is local to the Milwaukee area.  It is a great job!  I get to work hands on (not directly hands on - I'm a food safety professional so I diligently wear latex gloves) with produce.  I love to educate people about food and nutrition, but I especially love working directly with food.  The people I work with are great as well!

But, this wasn't my first job interview or option of the summer...

Back in the spring, during my spring break, I applied to some retail stores at Mayfair Mall.  When I dropped off my application at Ann Taylor, the woman was all like "so, do you shop at Ann Taylor?"  I almost laughed out loud - I shop at Ann Taylor second hand when I can find her stuff on a rack at Good Will.  But I got out an "...um...yes...yes!"  Which was not totally a lie, because I bought one shirt, one time, off a the clearance rack.  I also applied to Aerie and Eddie Bauer - I wanted just a simple summer job where I could smile at people when they walked in the store, help them find the apparel that they wanted, and fold some $80 pairs of jeans.  But no interviews came of those places.

I also had an interview at a great local coffee place.  It was a great interview!  And as a loyal Milwaukeean, I still love this coffee place.  Unfortunately my schedule (with the upcoming internship) was not a good fit for all the training that job would require.  So at the end of that interview, like at the end of a bad date where someone says it's not you, it's me, I couldn't get up fast enough...but that's ok, I'll probably still drink their coffee from time to time.

Then, after a few more applications, Sendik's responded and called me in for an interview - and I got the job!  Which brings me to 1 Peter 4:10:

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

This past year, through the craziness of applying for my internship, I constantly prayed for God to reveal to me that He did want me to become a dietitian and serve Him through that career.  And if that was not His plan for my life, to begin leading me down a different path.  But through that time, I have learned that my passion to become a dietitian, work with food, teach others about good nutrition, are all gifts that God has given me.  

Peter urges us to use those gifts that God has given us.  He also urges us to be faithful stewards - that is the key phrase.  To me, a faithful steward is someone who devotes their gifts in a way that allows God to flourish them.

Even though I will not have this job forever, it is just a reminder that God longs to have me right where He wants me.  In Jeremiah 29:11, when He speaks of His plans to prosper us, His children, He is talking about using the gifts and blessings that He gives us so that they are abundant and prosperous.   That prosperity is for us and people around us.

He who lights the fire within us, will direct its light.

~SP

Summer Update: Mathew 6

May 10th marked my 22nd birthday and the completion of my undergraduate education.  Now that it is summertime, I have begun a wonderful summer (potentially fall/winter/spring) job at a local grocery store (more about that in another post).  I have my internship ahead of me, and I am excited that God has lead me to this place.  Like so many other students out there, my education has been partially funded by the United States of America - and they are going to be looking for a return on that soon.  Even if you got out of college unscathed by student loans, you might be facing the world of job-searching, or the reality of a tight budget.

I see God's grace in the opportunity to return home and do my internship at a location 10 minutes away from my house.  I am grateful to my parents for the home that they have provided and the ability to live at my house during this upcoming year - I won't have to carry the burden of rent and utilities.  (And if you know my parents, they aren't the type to kick their kids to the curb once they are done with school - even so, I want to express my gratitude to them.)

The financial stress we face on the cusp of adult life, or in the middle of adult life, or anywhere in life, is trying.  For me, where last year's journey was learning to trust in God's faithfulness in His plan and calling for my life, this year's journey is one where I will be learning to trust in God's provision in whatever form that may be.

----

This evening, I sat down with a canvas and paintbrush, and I illustrated the verse that has convicted me as I move in to this next chapter.  I drew it out, and now I am prepared to stamp it on to my heart.  Matthew 6:24-26; a passage entitled "Do Not Worry."  I want to break down each of the three verses:

Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money."

We go through life with numerous financial obligations.  There are the monthly ones: cable, electricity, water, rent, etc.  There are the big ticket items: a house, a car, etc.  We have to buy groceries.  We have to buy clothing.  We have to manage money to do these things.  

But Jesus gives us a warning.  He alludes to what money can become: an idol.  We live comfortably, but we are tempted to have more of a cushion.  We have nice, clean clothes, but it would be nice to buy designer brand.  We have a house, but it would be nice to move into a bigger one.  And then we are driven by that next possible pay increase.

Idolatry of money can also happen if we are irresponsible with our monetary resources.  Part of being a faithful follower of Christ is setting an example for other believers and those who don't know Him.  It is hard to be pure of heart when we make selfish decisions or use the blessings that God gives us in a careless way.

Money does not give grace, or love, or forgiveness.  It is an idol that needs to be fed, but will never be satisfied.  We have the choice to surrender to a greater master who asks us to give a mere 10% to His church, our lives to Him - and whether or not we do that well or we stumble along the way, He will continue to pour out blessings unconditionally.    

Matthew 6:25 - "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?"

This middle verse, I have to admit that I struggle with it somewhat.  I know there are a lot of people in this world who don't have enough layers of clothes to make it through a harsh winter.  There are also a lot of people that are wondering where their next meal will come from.  But I think there is something deeper to this verse than just food, drink, and clothing.

Last summer I gave a sermon to campers at Quest.  I talked about David and Goliath, and how God provides exactly what each of His children needs.  For David, God knew that Saul's armor would not help him defeat the Philistines.  God called David to be armed with faith, a slingshot, and a few stones.  

I pray that God's truth was heard through my words last summer.  Over the past year, I heard God speak to me through those same words.  I thought, Sarah, you got up and told those campers and friends that you love how God provides exactly what we need - you need to trust that the same is true in your life.  

Our needs are not the same as our neighbors'; and our needs range far beyond monetary needs. I would like to see everyone in this world with a warm winter coat when needed, and a meal three times each day.  We can help others, and share the blessings God pours out - and when our resources are limited, we have to trust that God provides for others when we can't.  

Matthew 6:26 - "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow, or reap, or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?"

This verse reminds me again, that God is mindful of His children.  God pays attention to detail.  Even the smallest details.

At my house, we have a family room that was built on in 20th century, a while after the original house was built.  Three windows at the back of this room frame our back yard.  When I sit on my couch, I can look out these windows and see the metal fence that separates my backdoor neighbor's yard from mine.  One day in particular, I looked out to see this little puff of feathers perched atop than fence.  A little bird had made it from its nest, wherever that was, to the top of this fence.  The mother bird hovered by her baby, trying to encourage the little puff to once again take flight.  I watched as the little ball of feathers tried to stretch out its legs and take flight.  It took many tries, and then the little bird was finally able to leave the fence.

I'm sure that God was watching this same moment take place from a different point of view.  And if He cares for that little ball of fluff and feathers, He also watches me.  He looks out for my well-being.  He provides exactly what He knows I need.

~SP