Now don't let your mind go wandering in the wrong way! Our More than more time this Thursday night, May 2nd, is going to be quite a bit different than usual.
You see, at Mtm, we are focused on noticing - we notice the amazingness of God in everyday life and soak up the wonder of life around us. And we notice people - we notice how amazing they are and also how broken they are...and we look for chances to reach into their world and support them, to love them, in practical ways. It's fine to say, "How's it goin?" but it is better to be ready to do something if it is not going well.
So, every so often we like to put out noticing to work. And, we have noticed someone who needs our help!
So, what we hope is that you will put on your work clothes, your dirty old shoes, and your smile, and meet us a McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette, at 6:45 this Thursday. We will be gathering in the parking lot and driving to the outreach location together. There we will hang out and work and if it is like the many before it, laugh and enjoy the evening!
No excuse to not come if you have no work skills, if you are old or weak or anything like that - consider yourself a cheerleader then and come cheer us on - hang out with us and enjoy some time together - there is just almost nothing better than giving of your time and energy to help someone!
Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Oh the Rain
Rain.
Lots of it.
Soggy, squishy, sloppy earth.
Dark clouds
rumbling thunder
flashing lightening.
Dreary indoors, cloudy skies, heavy air.
Typically i like rainy days. I like the smell of dampness and the feel of the rain on my skin. I like the sound of the pitter patter on the roof and the look of the mini-splashes each drop makes in the puddles.
But lately my life has been filled with storms. Too much darkness and not enough light. Too much pain and not enough joy. Too much sogginess and not enough warm sunshine. Too much indoors and not enough outdoors.
And i find, as i try to drag my scraggly butt out of bed on another rainy morning, that i am longing for some light. I am craving some warmth. I am dying for some positivity, some joy.
I grapple with the rain, the circumstances of life that weigh, that darken, that cover me. I fight against them, rage against, wrestle with them. Never seems to help very much.
then the idea occurs to me...talk to God - he understands darkness - so i do - i talk, He listens - and the more humbly i come, the more open handed and open hearted to whatever is best for me and those i love, the more the answers come..
But the answer is not always sunshine...
Many, maybe even most, of the times, the rain keeps coming down - the circumstances don't change - there is not suddenly more money, less pain, resolved conflicts, less stress. Seems the rain keeps falling a lot of the time.
Thing is...
I see it differently. Instead of musty, it smells sweet. Instead of drowning, it seems like maybe i should swim. Instead of mud puddles to run from, i see the perfect place to splash and play. Instead of destroying my day, i see rejuvenation of plants and birds playing in the puddles. Instead of pain, i see God changing people's lives. Instead of lack of money, i see a new focus on all the things money can't buy that are the most important. Instead of conflicts, i see a chance to forgive & to ask forgiveness and to see trust grow. Instead of stress, i see God providing what we need and i find myself resting in the simplicity of life that is right in front of me.
So many times seems we go to God hoping, even expecting, that He'll change our circumstances - that our rain will go away - no more pain, no more problems - but seems like maybe the best thing that can happen is that He helps us see what was there all along - to help us notice.
Or, as my sweet Emily has written on her wall: "Life is less about waiting for the storm clouds to pass than it is learning how to dance in the rain."
So, here's hoping for some sunnier days, but in the meantime, i will be giving all i can to notice the beauty of the rain.
If you are looking for a change in perspective - sick of the "life as usual" American way, we would love to have you join us this Thursday night, April 18th, 6:45-8:00PM, McAllister Recreation Center, just off Schuyler and 20th, Lafayette. As always there will be free, fantastic activities for all ages.
Hope to see you there - better bring your umbrella!
Lots of it.
Soggy, squishy, sloppy earth.
Dark clouds
rumbling thunder
flashing lightening.
Dreary indoors, cloudy skies, heavy air.
Typically i like rainy days. I like the smell of dampness and the feel of the rain on my skin. I like the sound of the pitter patter on the roof and the look of the mini-splashes each drop makes in the puddles.
But lately my life has been filled with storms. Too much darkness and not enough light. Too much pain and not enough joy. Too much sogginess and not enough warm sunshine. Too much indoors and not enough outdoors.
And i find, as i try to drag my scraggly butt out of bed on another rainy morning, that i am longing for some light. I am craving some warmth. I am dying for some positivity, some joy.
I grapple with the rain, the circumstances of life that weigh, that darken, that cover me. I fight against them, rage against, wrestle with them. Never seems to help very much.
then the idea occurs to me...talk to God - he understands darkness - so i do - i talk, He listens - and the more humbly i come, the more open handed and open hearted to whatever is best for me and those i love, the more the answers come..
But the answer is not always sunshine...
Many, maybe even most, of the times, the rain keeps coming down - the circumstances don't change - there is not suddenly more money, less pain, resolved conflicts, less stress. Seems the rain keeps falling a lot of the time.
Thing is...
I see it differently. Instead of musty, it smells sweet. Instead of drowning, it seems like maybe i should swim. Instead of mud puddles to run from, i see the perfect place to splash and play. Instead of destroying my day, i see rejuvenation of plants and birds playing in the puddles. Instead of pain, i see God changing people's lives. Instead of lack of money, i see a new focus on all the things money can't buy that are the most important. Instead of conflicts, i see a chance to forgive & to ask forgiveness and to see trust grow. Instead of stress, i see God providing what we need and i find myself resting in the simplicity of life that is right in front of me.
So many times seems we go to God hoping, even expecting, that He'll change our circumstances - that our rain will go away - no more pain, no more problems - but seems like maybe the best thing that can happen is that He helps us see what was there all along - to help us notice.
Or, as my sweet Emily has written on her wall: "Life is less about waiting for the storm clouds to pass than it is learning how to dance in the rain."
So, here's hoping for some sunnier days, but in the meantime, i will be giving all i can to notice the beauty of the rain.
If you are looking for a change in perspective - sick of the "life as usual" American way, we would love to have you join us this Thursday night, April 18th, 6:45-8:00PM, McAllister Recreation Center, just off Schuyler and 20th, Lafayette. As always there will be free, fantastic activities for all ages.
Hope to see you there - better bring your umbrella!
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