Petals from the Basket

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She’s One of Ours

With the Olympics just around the corner, much is being said about the athletes who are in their final stages of preparation. As I watched a news clip about one team of athletes, the focus was on how this particular group had recently given interviews that were a poor reflection on their status as Olympians. The reporter concluded his piece by stating that these athletes needed to remember that their actions both on and off the field are done as representatives of the United States. He added that we need to be proud to say of each of them, “She’s one of ours!”

For some reason, that hit me between the eyes. As a believer, my actions— “on and off the field”— are to bring honor to the One I represent—the Lord Jesus Christ. The particular athletes that were on the screen had used humanly-understandable excuses for their behavior, but the news reporter kept coming back to the bottom line that they represent the U. S. at all times because they are known as U. S. Olympians. Period.

Paul gave Timothy wise advice regarding this that we should all follow, regardless of our age:

“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith andpurity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (I Timothy 4:12, NASB)

Today’s post is a short one because its lesson in my life was simple: I am to live every area of my life in a way that positively represents the One Whose name I carry. Period.

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Thank you for reading “She’s One of Ours.” Are you planning to watch the Olympics? Which event is your favorite?

By Petals from the Basket | July 25, 2012 | Events |

Weaving and Waiting

What craft or hobby would you spend your time on if you had time to spend on it? I would weave baskets. In fact, I planned time in today’s schedule to weave a market basket to sell soon!

Several years ago, my friend Sandy and I went to her friend’s garage where several women had gathered to learned how to make baskets. We received great instruction and left that evening with a completed “jelly basket.” We were certain we were probably the best rookie basket weavers in all of North America, and used that overly confident thinking to propel us into purchasing supplies and making many many many more baskets! We actually did become pretty good weavers! [My mom still has my first basket and quite honestly, it’s not so great! Good thing I didn’t know that at the time!]

As our skills improved, we taught a few classes at a local quilt shop and also enjoyed selling our handwoven baskets at craft shows and home shows. It was a hobby we enjoyed and that allowed each of us to make a little extra income.

While teaching one basket class a few years later, I neglected to take a completed basket with me. This was a big mistake because it was always helpful for the weavers to know what the finished product would look like.

I started the class that evening by telling them that they would need to trust me to walk them through every step in order to reach the goal of a completed jelly basket. Shaping the basket correctly was important in the process of creating a basket that would fulfill its function of holding two full-size jelly jars. Therefore, I would talk them through one step, wait for each of them to complete it and then move to the next step.

One lady in the class was certain she knew what the basket should look like and really didn’t like waiting for the next set of instructions. Despite my encouragement to wait for the next important shaping step, she seemingly wanted to be the first one done and moved forward without waiting for instruction from the one who knew what the basket should look like! The result? Her basket would only hold one jar of the two jelly jars I had purchased for each student to take home with them. She later not only apologized for her actions, but also admitted that she eventually threw out the basket because it really served no purpose and only reminded her of her impatience that evening.

So often I think I know what the “finished product” of my life should look like. I become impatient when things aren’t going at the speed I think they should, and I jump into the “next step” before I am ready to be there. Instead of looking to the One Who knows what the finished product should look like, I act as though I know best how to reach the goal. The problem is, I don’t.

In the current phase of my journey, I would love to know what the completed “basket” of my life is going to look like. But the Instructor is telling me, “Trust me. I know how I want to use the finished product. Without properly shaping it, it cannot fulfill its intended function. Wait. I’ll show you.” And so I wait. I trust. I learn. I become what He wants me to be in order to be used by Him as He plans.

“Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.” (Psalm 25:4-5, NKJV)

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Thank you for taking time to read “Weaving and Waiting.” Please feel free to leave a comment!

 

By Petals from the Basket | July 23, 2012 | Life Changes |

Scripture Saturday – July 21

Photo of the Badlands - Copyright BL Strohbehn

I took this photo on a trip through the Badlands of South Dakota a few years ago.

Sometimes life can feel like a walk through the Badlands, but we must not give up.

“At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing!”

 
Copyright 2012, B. L. Strohbehn, PetalsFromTheBasket.com
 
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Do you ever grow tired of “doing what is good?” Are you ever tempted to “give up?”
How are you doing today on waiting for your “harvest of blessing?”
 
By Petals from the Basket | July 21, 2012 | Bible Reading, God-and-I-Time, Life Changes |

What I’m Reading

As I continue to reach out to companies in an effort to build my client list for proofreading and editing, I am seeking to use my “waiting” hours to increase, update and strengthen my knowledge in this field. [I clearly inherited the never-stop-learning gene from both of my parents!] However, one can only read the Gregg Reference Manual, technical style guides and publishing materials for so many hours at a time! So to help provide variety, I’ve added the reading of books dealing with leaders who have done it well, books of ideas and numerous articles on building a client base.

However, not only must I increase my knowledge of the freelance proofreading and editing industry during this time, I must also increase my knowledge of my Helper and Guide in the process—my loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

So today I’m just sharing with you what’s on my bookshelf of recently-read or currently-reading books. In full disclosure, I receive compensation for orders placed through the use of these links, but my sincere intent is not to get you to buy them for that reason, but simply to share information and opportunities for you to do so.

Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, by Michael Hyatt (Former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing) AWESOME book for everyone seeking to update their knowledge of how things work in 2012! (Kindle Edition)

Off Script: What to Do When God Rewrites Your Life, by Cary Schmidt (I read this earlier this year, and had to re-read it again already. This is a must-read for every believer!)  (Kindle Edition)

The 100-Dollar Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future, by Chris Guillebeau. (This book was highly-recommended by Michael Hyatt, and I think it’s wise to read what leaders read! I’m glad I did! Combine the contents with a personal trust in a sovereign God, and you have a truly motivational book!)

And yes, I’m honestly reading this next one and going through it right now (and I would be foolish NOT to list it!):

THE ABC’s of T2:3, by Brenda L. Strohbehn

Happy Reading!

By Petals from the Basket | July 18, 2012 | Books |