Not So Random Acts of Kindness

 

When a friend who knows you're sick with a cold asks, "Can I bring you soup?" and it arrives in this giant container, and you eat a lot because it's truly a soup-deluxe experience, and this is how much you have left over!

I'm feeling so much better by this morning, and I have no doubt that it's due at least in part to the good medicine of soup-from-a-friend, and the thoughtful TLC that comes with.

And here's another little big thing. The plant beside the soup, which originally I just put there because I thought it would make the picture a little more interesting, is also from a thoughtful friend.

She saw a picture I had taken in Thailand of something that was growing in the garden Yupa's already started on the new property, and recognized it. Brought this over so I could have a little bit of Thailand with me on my kitchen counter.

And if I wanted to continue with not-so-random acts of kindness I've received, this post would be crazy-packed with pictures and stories. My friends are good. I am a rich woman indeed.

And it brings me back to one of my favourite texts and a point I made not long ago in a sermon.

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters,
stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain."
1 Corinthians 15:58

To define "work of the Lord" we have to go back to the rest of that chapter and realized it wasn't just about "church work," as much as we might use that term most often to describe what those in full time ministry are up to. And if we're not carefully we might think of that as the "big stuff." But it's not really.

Instead, the "work of the Lord" can be understood as anything that is moving God's heart-agenda forward towards peace, and reconciliation, and love, and justice, and all things being "on earth as it is in heaven."

And actually, I think this is the big stuff.
And not just because I so thoroughly enjoyed my soup-gift yesterday. Or because this little plant is managing to survive in spite of me.

But because of all the stories out there where something that seems so small ends up meaning so much.

I guess one more point to make on this is that each of these friends expressed their kindness in line with who they are and how God has wired them up. Making delicious meals and growing beautiful things are second nature to these ladies. And while there is no doubt effort involved, there's nothing forced or artificial about it at all.

I love it. Because it means every one of us can make a difference.
No act of kindness is wasted.
There's this incredible ripple effect about it all.

It's been a week.
Glad for the kindness of friends.
Happy Friday, everyone!

Why Work Works

Last Spring - Zachary getting ready to work.

Yay for Friday and the last day of my 'no meeting week.'

It's not been quite as productive as I would have liked. Probably because I tend to overload my list with optimistic confidence any time I think I have a decent space of time open before me.

Even so, a satisfying-enough amount of meaningful work got checked off, and I've got a good vibe going on this morning.
(This, in spite of a dusting of snow last night. - Spring, come on! You had one job!)

For the weekend ahead, there's the final push in prepping the house. Almost ready to list. Oh, I am so ready for this next stage!

And also, I get to preach a three week series at Highview Community Church staring Sunday. Calling it "Dandelion Faith" comparing our spiritual formation to that brilliant beauty that should be showing up on our lawns very soon.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.
Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

And not to give anything away, but just a word about work, and giving ourselves fully to it.

It's kind of a big deal in the Bible, although 'work' might not defined exactly as perhaps we might think.

Came across this study www.theologyofwork.org which I think has some important ideas. And I won't flesh that out too much on Sunday and won't even get into all of that right here. I'll let you check it out for yourself if you like.

But for this morning.
This frosty Friday morning,
when we usually think of it being the 'end of the work week'
I just want to say that in it's own way
it's all work if it's what God's put before you.

I don't mean to say we work all the time.
That's what Sabbath's for.
But paid or not,
seen or invisible,
glamorous or mundane,
whatever...

When it reflects God's agenda of peace and justice and restoration and relational wholeness,
and it provides for the needs of the vulnerable,
and it contributes to anyone's joy and well-being,
or strengthens their faith and their hope....
that matters.

Results of Zachary's labour.

Don't forget that, especially if lately you've been wondering if what you do counts. It does.

So, yes. Happy Friday!
And may whatever God has put before you to do,
bring you satisfaction and joy.

"Real" Work

The happy disruptions of family during last week's March Break has reminded me again that I often settle for a rather narrow definition of what I consider my 'real' work.  

I said it to Ken last night as we were going over the plans for the week ahead.  I said that, for this coming week, I want to get down to doing some 'real' work.  What I was referring to was things I mostly do at my desk, with my computer, and/or at meetings with groups or individuals.  All the things I report on, keep track of, file, preach, teach, plan and otherwise am responsible for in that space that encompasses my job description as Highview's Missionary in Residence.  

I was contrasting that, of course, to the time spent engaging with (which, let's be honest, mostly means feeding) our grandchildren over several days for the (booming sound effects here please) DOUBLE SLEEPOVER that has become something of a tradition over both the Christmas and March Break weeks.  Actually, it's more than feeding them.  It's all the things that happen when children are in the house, all the good, the bad and the messy of it.  And it's all sensational and happy and exhausting and  hilarious, and requires from me very different kinds of energy than does my 'real' work.

In our chat last night, I also found myself contrasting the work we still need to do on the house to get ready to sell, with the 'real' work of my life, suggesting this week would be made up of mornings focusing on the latter and afternoons on the former.  As if, even with the clear understanding that our move is very much in line with how we believe God is leading us, there was a distinction.

Except, something makes me want to stop and think this through again.

What is 'work' anyways?

Especially for those who consider themselves followers of Jesus.

What is the 'real work' of our lives?

What an interesting research paper this could be!

But not for this morning.

This morning I'm just remembering again just two of oh so many references to work and work ethic in the Bible.   I'm thinking this just might help me through the 'work week' in a more wholistic frame of mind.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.

Let nothing move you.

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,

for you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

I'm preparing a sermon using this text (for April 7 at Highview), and exploring what Paul is referring to when he uses the phrase 'work of the Lord.'  Basically, it's anything that is about forgiveness, justice, reconciliation, unleashing potential, protecting the vulnerable, healing, safety, and love.  In other words, anything to do with making things 'on earth as they are in heaven.'  It's a pretty broad job description.

Hebrews 6:10

God is not unjust;

He will not forget your work 

and the love you have shown Him

as you have helped His people

and continue to help them.

Oh I so want to explore this further.  But for now, I'm noticing the clear connection between 'your work' and 'the love you have shown.'  And then the next level of clear connection between loving God and helping people.

Okay, so now it's time to get at it.

Monday morning and all that.

And I do love the time I can spend at my desk, and will relish it with gratitude.

But I am also so very grateful for the other 'work' and 'real' work of my life.

For all those heading into Monday who may or may not have a definitive job description at this point in your life, for whatever reason...

May you find satisfaction in pressing into the 'work' God has laid before you....whatever that looks like!!

Friday Feels

 

In stepping back into city rhythms of work and life, one thing I notice that doesn't happen in the same way up at the cottage is that lovely lift a Friday morning can bring.

Even when you love what you do as much as I do, and even with lots still happening on Saturdays and Sundays, having the weekend be "different" is good. Probably even more so as more and more of us work from home, and/or adjust our work/life balance for various reasons.

My morning walk this particular Friday was fresh but glorious. Coming down to my desk. I've lit my vanilla candle for the first time this season. So yes it's fall, and yay it's Friday, and I'm ready to wrap up this first full week of the season.

A favourite motivator of mine is 1 Corinthians 15:58.
I offer it as an end of the week huzzah to you.

"Therefore (because of the enduring hope we have in Christ), my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain."

So, my dear brothers and sisters, way to go!
We made it to another Friday, and God hasn't wasted a single thing done in His name and for His purposes, in all the ways those things can happen.

Stay steady.
Rest well.
Be encouraged.
And happy Friday!