A PLANTING SEASON

“Planting: How to create a powerful mindset that anticipates comebacks”

“You are not your label!” That’s on the cover of Demi Tebow’s book, “A Crown That Lasts”. Of course, as I’m glancing at the cover picture, I don’t think it would hurt to be labeled as blond, gorgeous, and a former Miss Universe. So, what in the world do I have in common with Tim Tebow’s wife? (By the way, he is also gorgeous and athletic)

MINDSET THAT ANTICIPATES COMEBACKS

Halfway through the book is a section entitled “Planting: How to create a powerful mindset that anticipates comebacks”. Though we are life experiences apart (I will never be Miss Universe), Demi has a section which deals with the concept of reframing. Rather than looking back at something that hurt deeply and bearing those scars as permanent handicaps, instead look back and begin to pull some positive things you learned.

THE TRUCKLOAD OF HURTS

For example, when I was growing up my parents were absentee parents. It was not a deliberate choice, but they had me later in life and were both workaholics. They were either not present to communicate or else not mentally present to communicate. In some ways they loved me, but their love language in no way coincided with mine. I developed a truckload of hurts I carried around for years because of this.

To illustrate, when I had my first boyfriend, not only did my mom and I never talk about him, but she never asked me what we were doing or where we were. She was mentally absent when I really needed a mom. I was naive as naive can be.

So, dial forward many many years. What positive things can I reframe those hurts with? What good came out of those experiences? I woke up in the middle of the night and began thanking God for these results of my experience:

I decided that when I had children, I would parent by not doing what my mom did.

I learned to write, because there was no one at home who wanted to hear me.

They drove me to God as my Protector.

I learned that no one is going to come in to fix things for me, so no matter what the project is, whether a craft, mechanical, or electronic, I can usually figure out the logic.

THE CHALLENGE

All of these things I am deeply grateful for. I challenge you this week. Pull one of those dark memories from your past and try to begin reframing how you see it. I’m not saying to ignore the hurt. I’m asking what positive things or experiences came about to make that a planting season, rather than a season of complete devastation. It is surprising some positive thoughts that can come about in the middle of the night.

But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! (Ephesians 1:18-19)

LIFE IN THE CELL

For years I have traveled the route of multiple eye surgeries and double vision. Surely my newest eye challenge was an easy fix. Needless to say, I was shaken when my eye specialist said, “I think you have the beginnings of glaucoma in your right eye.” Doesn’t God know that I need my vision?

Doesn’t God Know Joseph Deserves a Good Life?

Then I remembered the saga of Joseph in Genesis 40. Ten years of tragedy, hope, betrayal, and pain. Sold into slavery and eventually given an important job over the house of Potiphar. Despite an excellent work history, Joseph lands in prison, wrongfully imprisoned for the attempted rape of Mrs. Potiphar. What does Joseph do? Does he become obsessed with the unjustness of what has happened to him and plot to overthrow the Egyptian government (or at least draw graffiti on the prison wall)? Does he spend day and night, groaning and moaning, cursing his fate? Or does he choose to give up and resign to fatalism, assuming that God only has plans to harm him. Doesn’t God know Joseph deserves a good life?

Joseph’s Choice In The Pain

Surprisingly, Joseph keeps his heart and trust in God. Does prison hurt? Of course. Every day he clearly remembers, I was taken (stolen) from the land of the Hebrews by [unlawful] force, and even here I have done nothing for which they should put me in the dungeon.”The pain is still there, but Joseph chooses not to let his heart reside in self-pity, even in the cell.

The Cupbearer and The Baker

How do we know? While in prison, the captain of the guard put Joseph in charge of them, (the Cupbearer and Baker) and he served them; and they continued to be in custody for some time.” Instead of obsessing over his own situation, Joseph engages the two in conversation. Joseph chooses not to ignore the suffering of others.

The Cupbearer and Baker experience deeply disturbing dreams. Joseph takes the time to not only listen to them, but also to listen to God. To the Cupbearer, Joseph gives good news: he will be released by Pharoah. Sadly, for the Baker, there is tragic news: he will be executed.

The Cupbearer ecstatically accepts Joseph’s interpretation of his dream. He swears to Joseph that when he comes to freedom, he will help Joseph. All goes according to plan, except the Cupbearer, for whatever reason, never mentions Joseph to Pharoah. Joseph does the right thing, the honorable thing and what does it get him? From his vantage point = nothing. Nada….

Where Do We Get The Idea The Christian Life Is A Bargain?

There is an unpopular truth about God. God always plays the long game. He sees into eternity and plans accordingly. Alistar Begg writes: “Think of the life of Jesus. John chapter 19, Jesus in Pilate’s Hall and the painful interrogation with Pilate. Where do we get this idea that service for Christ is an insurance policy against trial and pain and persecution? Do we find that we have the right to go to bed angry because we lost our job or because our health is failing or because everything has not worked out? Where do we get this idea that the Christian life is a bargain—you know, “I do something good for you, God, and then you do a couple of good things for me, and I don’t expect You to let your side of the bargain down”?

God Is With You In The Prison Cell

“I don’t want you to be surprised at the fiery trial that is coming upon you.” (I Peter 4:12). Whatever your trial, whether it is floundering eyesight or something as grave as Joseph’s plight, if you are God’s, He is with you, every moment, whether you feel it or not. God plays the long game.  God is there, even in your prison cell.

Click to hear Hannah Overton’s prison experience

LIGHT SHINES BRIGHTEST IN THE DARK

God offers to help us to trust in our darkest times.

Psalm 23:4 reminds us that Jesus’ light shines the brightest in the darkest times.  Let me tell you of a time when Jesus’ brightness lit up a dreaded day in my life. 

THIS ISN’T MY HOME

It was a drive to East Stroudsburg University to empty the apartment bedroom of my son, Ryan, after his death of leukemia.  Pulling into the driveway, I was quickly caught off guard. I clearly heard Ryan’s voice say, “Mom, this isn’t my home.” I took a deep breath and walked inside. Dread filled the air like the smell of an old musty blanket taken out of storage.  Ry’s bedroom was untouched with accumulated dust commemorating Ry’s absence. 

My mind quickly switched from a grieving mom to a mom on a mission to box items as quickly as possible.  Ry’s voice again resonated in my heart, “This is not my home.” 

HOW ALONE I FELT

As the last boxes were placed in my pick-up truck, I went to turn the key in the ignition, but something made me stop. God was telling me to go back inside just in case I forgot one last piece of Ryan.  As I ascended the old creaky staircase, I thought how alone I felt.

Is this how Mary felt, knowing her son was going to die on a cross. What crossed her mind when she saw her son struggling to carry his own cross to his execution? 

THE SILVER GLIMMER SPARKLING

I opened the door to Ryan’s room.  It was empty.  But wait, wait…what was that?  A lone ray of sunlight peeked through the dusty blind. I saw a silver glimmer sparkling in what felt like Ry’s empty tomb.  A silver necklace hung from the closet doorknob.  “How could I have missed that?”  Yet here it was…a sign…a sign from God…a silver necklace with a cross engraved into it dangling from Ryan’s closet doorknob. 

HIS KINGDOM IS NOT HERE

In the book of John, John uses Jesus’ trial and crucifixion to teach about Jesus’ power.  Pilate asks Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” (John 18:33) Jesus doesn’t give a direct answer to Pilate.  Jesus replies that his kingdom is “not from here.” (John 18:36).

NO MORE DEATH

What is His kingdom like? It is unimaginable. The world’s power and authority, money, or status have no standing in this kingdom.  Christ’s kingdom comes from heaven, not earth, and it is far more splendorous. Can you imagine a place where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. And there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4)? This verse is a promise of restoration that the old world will pass, and the new world holds the promise that our eternal home will be free from pain, suffering, anxiety, and fear.

The silver glimmer of the cross necklace… a reminder that this world is not our home.  God offers to help us to trust in our darkest times.  May our eyes be opened to the mysterious ways God reveals His promises to us.  God, help us to see the silver glimmers shining brightly in this dark world.

Click to listen to the powerful story of Andy & Jamie Stewart    

THE ABSENCE OF SHORT CUTS

The long way is often better

My husband and I have 2 divergent styles of driving the car.  He likes to meander off the beaten path and enjoy the scenery. For him, “short-cut” means “long-cut.”  My approach to driving is navigating as efficiently and fast as possible. It is a running joke in our household that the fastest route is always with Mom at the wheel.

THE “LONG-CUTS”

Too bad that my style of navigation isn’t God’s style.  God’s life map often includes the “long-cuts.” He does not consult my plans entailing a delightful marriage to a minister with an adoring congregation. Included in the picture is motherhood to at least four loving children and an eventual abundance of grandchildren. Our real estate is a unique beautiful brick house. Along the way, I was to develop as a well-respected teacher. Yep, that was my life map. Well, I got the first plan right:  marriage to a minister.

OUR DETOURS

The off-road detours were not part of my plan:  losing loved friends to terminal diseases, upending our lives and moving 14 times in our marriage, coping with years of strain of unemployment and financial stress, not having any daughters to go shopping with, and saying goodbye to career dreams.  The detour list goes on and on. God does not often match His GPS with mine.

THOSE WHO POINT TO JESUS

We sometimes feel like lost travelers who long for the route in which everything makes sense. Intermittently we find solace in fellow travelers who have navigated the same backroads; those who have not cursed God in the process. The blessings are the travelers who share the pain and point to Jesus.

THOSE SEASONS OF LIGHT

And yet, there are those seasons of light. The times when I had the privilege of directing children’s performances and realized that without God, none of this astoundingly joyous moment would have been possible. The occasions when I share the bottomless truth of God’s Word with a friend and finally see the “aha!” light blink in their eyes. God rides to the rescue in ways I never imagine. Indeed, God shines His light, but seldom when I claim the sole right to turn on the light.

NOT THE NAVIGATOR

I am not the navigator in the pilot seat, but part of the obedient crew in the back of the plane. I am the adventurer of Hebrews 11 who identifies with Abraham, who “was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” God calls us to be explorers who look and long “for a better country – a heavenly one.” 

God may direct my path through the mud, the weeds or choose the well-maintained highway, but point A rarely goes directly and easily to point B. All He asks is that I obediently stay on His path and look at the delightful scenery He places along the way. Lord, help us to trust, even in the “long-cuts.”

Click and listen to the story of Andy & Jamie Stewart

THE HEALING ROOM

The patient is not afraid. It’s operation time. He is healing her. It is good

Nestled in the arms of the recliner.  Legs outstretched in front; body tilted back. She can see laid out to the left of her chair are the doctor’s tools. Some of the instruments are rather sharp, even fearsome, but the patient is not afraid. It’s operation time. He is healing her. It is good.

The Doctor’s favorite scalpel is a battered and marked up Bible.  The patient spends a lot of time with this book; writing notes upon notes in the margins regarding things he points out to her during their sessions. Sometimes she takes the words and comments to heart; other times they get filed away until her wounds break open yet again. The Doctor remarks his patient is rather hard of hearing during some of their consultations. Maybe she also needs hearing aids?

The therapies are not convenient and often not comfortable. Keeping further infections at bay is critical. But healing comes from brokenness. This Surgeon will not turn her away, regardless of her illness. She can be made whole.

This operating room is sacred space. It is here, in the quiet, that God pulls her out of herself, away from her own worries and upheavals and into the Universe where He rules. She needs clarity, especially on those days when she wanders through His Book and it seems as dry as dirt (often a match for her own soul). His plans are far greater than her short attention span can fathom. Her home remedies are futile.

Just a warning, God’s work while she’s in the chair can be painful. There are numerous times when God has told her in no uncertain terms to repent, to eat humble pie, and to let go of prized projects. He nudges her to remember that He alone is the expert with the scalpel, not her. “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Despite the pain, this is the one place in the world where she knows she is guarded, protected and secure. Healing is possible. “Whoever dwells in the recliner of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91:1-2) In this space, she is consistently, heard, valued, and loved. She is safe in the Surgeon’s arms.

For suggested additional spiritual healing, try Sharon Garlough Brown’s book “Sensible Shoes”