If You See Something, Say Something

The phrase “If you see something, say something”, was part of a United States Department of Homeland Security campaign after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, to encourage the public to increase awareness of their surroundings so we would report anything out of the ordinary.

It’s a great slogan to help you remember to be aware of what’s going on around you, and to report it if it seems suspicious in any way.  I however, have been thinking about this catchy slogan lately in a very different way than its original intention.

You see, there are people around you and me who are “out of the ordinary” as well.  There are people who are consistent and dependable, there are people who are kind and encouraging, there are people with incredible gifts and talents, there are people who don’t see their greatness and potential, but you do.  If you see something, why not say something?

Why don’t we say something? At least for me, I get caught up in the busyness, I get caught up in myself, I get caught up in the task at hand and I lose sight of what really matters, people.  

How about you?  Do you walk through your days aware of your surroundings, paying attention to the people you interact with?  Do you look for the out of the ordinary all around you and when you see it, what do you do with it?

Your gratitude, your love, your encouragement for others, means nothing if you don’t share it.  

Imagine how much sweeter and fuller our lives would be if we made sure we were people that when we see something, we say something.  

Imagine what joy and encouragement we could bring to countless others if we made it our job each day to look for the out of the ordinary around us and when we say something, we say something.

“Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” – Margaret Cousins.

In the Waiting…

In my college years, I was a nanny for the cutest little curly red haired baby girl you ever did see! Her parents traveled quite a bit and it was not unusual that I would often make a drive to the airport to pick up or drop off one of them. Often times, the little one and I would venture into the airport and wait for their arrival.

During these times, I loved to people watch. I would write stories in my mind of who the other individuals at the gate were waiting on and then see how right I might’ve been when their person got off the plane and they were reunited. One particular trip to the airport I remember watching a lady at another gate as she was waiting, she was watching intently at each person who was deplaning and after each one filed past her and no other bodies were left to exit, she was still waiting…

I wonder if you identify with that feeling? That waiting feeling.

At the very beginning of Luke Chapter 1, we meet a couple of people who are well acquainted with that waiting feeling. Zachariah and Elizabeth had been waiting to make a family. They were hoping for a child and they had been waiting and waiting…years of waiting. Years that likely started off with much prayer and hopefulness and years that turned into dwindling dreams and doubt from all the waiting.

Waiting is not pleasant to talk about is it? Starting is exciting and finishing is fulfilling, but waiting, well that’s the difficult stuff. Waiting is the part where it’s hard work but there’s nothing to show for it. Waiting is a test and you’re never sure how long it will last. Waiting can even be a physical ache as your heart hurts from the longing. Waiting can be lonely, feeling like you’re left tapping your foot impatiently while the rest of the world walks out on you.

I imagine that Zachariah and Elizabeth knew well the pain of waiting. The pleas to God that felt unanswered, the hurt of watching others grow their family while theirs remained a party of two, the challenge to their faith as they turned another year older on the calendar, their hair was getting grayer and still they waited.

Ultimately, Zachariah and Elizabeth made it through the waiting and they welcomed a little world changer named John. That lady who was waiting at the airport, I’m not sure if she ever got her reunion or not, I hope so.

If you my friend find yourself in the middle of a lengthy waiting period and it feels like you are at that airport gate watching everyone else have a reunion while you keep waiting and hoping your turn comes, I want you to know I see you. More importantly, God sees you.

You are not waiting because you are less than. You are not waiting because you are being punished. God is with us in our waiting. He is close in our waiting. He does not grow tired or weary of us in the waiting.

I don’t know how my story will end and I can’t begin to guess your grand finale either, but this I do know, as we move forward while waiting, God is the very best company and our waiting will not be wasted.

The Cost of Avoidance

Friends, it’s been a theme of my life. I wonder if you’ve found it in yours as well? I avoid things.

Not all things. I embrace laughter and watching the sunset never gets old to me. Coffee? Yes, please, A day at the spa, sign me up! Time with a good friend, the best!

I avoid hard things. Things that cause discomfort, pain, heartache, unpleasant feelings of all kinds, forms and variations. I will walk away, I might even run. I will shut down and crawl inside myself so tightly that the very jaws of life don’t stand a chance. I work very hard to avoid things. I am adamant about avoiding things. I will fight tooth and nail to avoid things. I will stand my ground and stiffen my neck to avoid things. I take avoiding hard things very seriously!

Continue reading “The Cost of Avoidance”

Bring It To The Light

When I was a little girl, I hated the dark.  Going to bed at night needed to involve a night light and if for some reason I woke up and needed my mom or dad, my heart would palpitate at the thought of having to get through the dark house to get to safety.   I would close my eyes and run the length of the house and as quickly as my feet would carry me, scoot into my parents room where I didn’t have to be alone in the dark.

It’s strange as I think back to this because somewhere throughout life, I have grown comfortable with the dark.  Now for sleeping purposes this is just fine, but what is concerning is how comfortable I’ve grown with the darkness in everyday life.

Anyone else out there prone to darkness?  For me, darkness is easy.  Continue reading “Bring It To The Light”

Are You All In?

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.  – Luke 1:34-38

So imagine with me…an angel has appeared and announced to Mary, Congratulations! You are single and we know you are engaged to be married to Joseph but God has chosen you to give birth to His son.

How would you respond?

Mary asked a very obvious question…Ummm…I’m a virgin, how is this possible?

Good question Mary!  It would probably be the first of at least a hundred questions I would have.

The angel Gabriel went on to explain that she would not only be with child, but that child would be the Son of God.  Mind blown! Continue reading “Are You All In?”

Down But Not Out

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.  Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.  They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. – Luke 1:5-7

I’m wondering if you’ve ever had hopes and dreams that didn’t turn out?  A great plan that just never came to be?  I hope you can answer “no” to these questions, but my guess is, if you are breathing, you’ll probably answer “yes”.  Our circumstances may be different but dwindling hope feels the same doesn’t it? 

As I read Luke 1:5-7 I am challenged by Zechariah and Elizabeth’s response to their unfulfilled dreams and likely dwindling hopes. Continue reading “Down But Not Out”

What Does Your Pain Drive You To?

Self reflection can be tiring, but I would assume fairly essential to recognizing what in life may need changed.  So this is the question I’ve been chewing on lately.  Do I turn to the right “things” when life is hard?  When I’m overwhelmed?  When I’m ______ (you can fill in the blank).

More importantly, I have been examining what my initial reactions are…what’s my default position when the going get’s tough?  Who or what do I turn to when I need comfort? Continue reading “What Does Your Pain Drive You To?”

What’s Your Excuse?

Excuses.  I’m pretty good at convincing myself and others around me. I have come up with lot’s of reasons over different seasons about why I could not go after what God was calling me to do.  Let’s see…I’ve been too busy, too single, too female, too fat, too quiet, too….  Go ahead, fill in the blank.

What are your excuses?  What makes you not enough?  What keeps you from going for all God has for you?  What do you allow to count you out? Continue reading “What’s Your Excuse?”

Lessons I’ve Learned From A Life That Didn’t Go As Planned

I don’t know that any aspect of my life is as I thought it would be when I was younger.  It is not at all the picture I had in my mind.  This truth has been the source of some, o.k., a lot of heartache and questioning for me.  As I have wrestled with God over the years about the disparity between the life I wanted and the life I have, I think I have learned and continue to learn a few things that I hope will encourage you if you find yourself in a life script that you would not have written for yourself.

Be Happy Today – Don’t wait for tomorrow.  Don’t wait until you’ve finished.  Don’t wait until you’ve arrived.  Don’t wait until the finish line.  Celebrate today.  Give thanks today. Rejoice over progress not just completion.  Life is happening now, embrace it.

Your Circumstances Don’t Define You – Oh, society will scream loudly and well intending people will label you, but you are so much more than your circumstances. Continue reading “Lessons I’ve Learned From A Life That Didn’t Go As Planned”

What Does Love Look Like?

This question popped into my mind today…what does love look like?  It’s easy to quickly think of a Hallmark movie, where two people overcome the odds, kiss in the last scene of the movie and end up living happily ever after.  Now don’t get me wrong, this girl LOVES a Hallmark movie, however, I think we cheat ourselves and others when we limit love to a romantic tale that can begin and end in a 2-hour story line.  Love is so much more than a nanny who has a plot twist and becomes a princess.

I think love takes time.  It is faithful and growing.  It keeps showing up day after day, week after week, year after year, in the good, the bad and the in between.

I think love is sacrifice.  It’s more than chocolates and roses, it’s giving time and attention to someone else, its choosing what makes them feel loved because their happiness is also yours.

I think love is action.  Words are nice but they alone won’t do when it comes to love.  Love responds.  Love gets up and shows up, love fights for what’s right and lends a hand in times of need.  Love is a verb. Continue reading “What Does Love Look Like?”