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The Real Kind of Kindness

Merriam-Webster defines the adjective kind as: : “having or showing a gentle nature and a desire to help others : wanting and liking to do good things and to bring happiness to others.”

I love that this definition uses the words having, showing, wanting, liking.

Having — the desire to help others is present; it doesn’t need to be generated

Showing — kindness takes action

Wanting — when the need or the opportunity presents itself, the longing to be a part of the solution jumps to the forefront

Liking — it doesn’t need to be forced; it’s enjoyable

For some reason, this has been a tough week for me personally—trust me, being a grown up is not all they cracked it up to be!—and the evil ick [for those new to this blog, that’s my term for the devil since I generally can’t even stand to give him any space by typing his name] has been at work on my heart, mind, expectations, desires, and thoughts.

But God is greater.

As part of my God-and-I-Time this morning, I chose to do a Praise Walk [after reading this, you can download the free, brief, explanatory e-book here]. In a nutshell, I go through the alphabet and focus on a name, character quality, or action of God. When I came to “K,” I used the word kind, and the Lord stopped me there with a simple question in return:

“But Brenda, are YOU kind?”

Stick with me. This really does all fit together!

When I looked back on my week (which was my first problem—I’m a look forward kind o’ gal, remember?), I saw MY problems, MY disappointments, MY thwarted plans, MY unmet expectations. Are we sensing a problem with my focus here?

When I pondered the kindness of my Lord, I was quickly reminded that it’s sooooooo not about me.

God loved.

Christ came.

Christ died.

God forgives.

God gives.

It’s all about having an outward focus.

No, I’m not saying that we neglect ourselves or think that we have no value (hello, God placed value on each of us when He offered for His Son to pay the incomprehensible debt we owe for the sins that separated us from Him). But His exemplary actions demonstrate that the kindness we show is the natural outpouring of looking beyond our own small worlds. As we see needs or opportunities, we have and show a desire to meed that need or utilize that opportunity. We want to do good, and we like to bring happiness to others.

So today, I’m using my weekly “day off” and my time out of the house to show kindness. Some things I’ll tell about later, in an effort to encourage others with ways that they can do the same; others, I’ll just do because I like doing them!

But one thing is certain, my outward actions will come from an outward focus created by an upward look.

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By Petals from the Basket | January 31, 2014 | Family, Friends, God-and-I-Time, Ideas, Life Changes |

Quit Holding on to Your Zebra Print

Today’s post is, I hope, the first of many guest posts from Samantha Loucks. Samantha is a first-semester senior at a Christian University in South Carolina, majoring in Journalism and Mass Communication. To learn more about Samantha after reading her post, click here.

The Women’s Entertainment TV channel used to show a number of bridal shows, and my favorite was My Fair Wedding with David Tutera. In this show, Tutera, a mastermind of all things wedding, would go to a bride’s home just a few days before her wedding, and he’d save the day, transforming her DIY-Dollar-Store wedding into a platinum wedding only found in Pinterest-board dreams.

I loved this show not only because I love a good wedding (an extravagant one, at that) but also because I so enjoyed seeing the bridal transformation that took place. The brides often had a theme—from white diamonds to butterflies to Alice in Wonderland—and Tutera would take it and run with it. Typically, he scrapped a bride’s entire plan (because it included dollar-store flowers and garage-sale wedding gowns) to create something above and beyond the bride’s dreams.

Tutera treated his brides like royalty, and he did everything in his power to make their dreams come true. He called in favors from personal friends and wedding vendors. He pulled strings so that he could surprise his brides with fireworks, princess carriages, and six-foot centerpieces.

Looking for a wedding planner? He’s your man.

Then there was the Zebra Bride. Her theme, of course, was everything zebra: The bridesmaids’ dresses were zebra print. The cake was zebra print. All the décor? It was zebra print. Now, Tutera honored her theme, but he wanted to make some changes. Zebra Bride refused. She fought him and threw temper tantrums, and she kept him from pulling off an incredible wedding because she was attached to some safari-looking fabric.

I could’ve screamed at the TV while I watched Zebra Bride fight David over her dress, her table decorations, and her venue.

Are you insane? I thought. This is David Tutera! He knows what he’s talking about, and he won’t steer you wrong! David Tutera is the master of weddings. If he’s your wedding planner, you do everything he says.

Hold it right there. Truth, in the form of a bridal show, just slapped me in the face.

Jesus Christ is the King of Kings. If he’s your God, you do everything He says.

We so often have a dream for our lives, and we hold on to that plan with the utmost ferocity. Our clutches on our dreams can’t be loosened—don’t even try to mess with them. The sad thing is that those dreams fall into our narrow scope of what life could be. They’re the dollar-store flowers and garage-sale dresses.

But God comes to us, knocks on the door, and says He’s there to save the day. Save the day? Uh no, I have my zebra print right here. I’m fine.

Would you talk to God that way? Maybe not. But our actions may scream that message. Stay away from my zebra print!

How ridiculous does that sound?

Our God is the Sovereign One who’s in the business of creating incredible lives—not to the world’s standards, but to His. Are you dreaming of an incredible life but refusing to trust the One who orchestrates your life?

Ephesians 3:20–21, NASB – Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Talk about pulling strings! God is able to do far more abundantly than we could ever think! If He can orchestrate miracles (and He can!); if He can create the most intricate organisms (and He can!), and if He loves us unconditionally (and He does!), shouldn’t we run to Him with nothing in our hands?

When we clutch onto our measly zebra print, we’re settling for our tiny ideas of what would be good for us: this home, this job, this person. Instead, God has a better, grander idea of what’s best for us. Think of how peace-filled our lives would be if we chose, moment-by-moment, to rest in God’s all-wise plans, instead of throwing a fit every time He prompts us to follow Him and let go of our selfish plans.

It’s time to ask ourselves: What’s my zebra print? Am I willing to let it go? Or am I throwing a Zebra Bride temper tantrum? If David Tutera were your wedding planner, you’d place the entire day into his hands. If God is your King and Savior, you should place your entire life into His hands!

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By Petals from the Basket | January 30, 2014 | Bible Reading, Family, Friends, Guest Posts |

Singing with the Angel Choirs

Three of my friends lost their fathers yesterday—all for different reasons, all in different locations, and all at different times throughout that twenty-four-hour period. But all three of those friends, in the midst of their deep sorrow over the earthly loss of one they loved so dearly, have hope, for they know that their loved one is now truly healed, beginning eternal life where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, no more tears. There is, however, an eternity in which to worship and honor the One Who gave them their life on earth and Who gave His life for them while He was on earth.

They are realizing firsthand that eternity is not long enough to pay adequate homage to the God of heaven and earth.

People often say things at a time like this that are intended to comfort those left here to grieve and to complete what God has yet for them to do. I confess that I don’t know exactly what happens once our spirits are freed from their earthly homes and permitted to enter heaven’s gates at the moment of death. I know that the Scriptures tell me that once I’m “absent from the body” I will be “present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). But I don’t know the details of all that heaven will be like.

For example, people often say, “Oh now that your loved one is gone, he or she will be watching over you and smiling down on you.” When I hear that, I know that the intentions are undoubtedly pure and good, and they are meant to bring comfort to the sorrowing one. Though I’m certain of my future home in heaven, maybe I’m the one whose not clear on how things work. I don’t wish to sound flippant or disrespectful of the deceased, but I’m pretty certain that once I reach heaven, all y’all won’t mean diddly to me—I’ll be sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning about him and from Him face-to-face and worshiping Him from the get-go in word, in song, and in silent, awestruck adoration.

My fear is that in our efforts to comfort others, we too often attribute earth’s knowledge to heaven’s incomprehensible glory. We speak of reuniting with loved ones as though they are there, making up the guest room for us or as if they will hold the same role in our eternal dwelling place that they held in our earthly lives. Again, maybe it’s just that I’m ignorant of all the details or that I’m not as “studied up” on this as I should be, but we aren’t living eternally to “hang out with the old gang.” We’re there to worship the Lord of Lords!

So as I write notes to my three friends today, sharing with them my love for them, my support for them as they grieve, and my longing for them to have the comfort that our heavenly Father’s everlasting arms provide, I will rejoice with them that their loved one has faith that is now sight, and that each of those loved ones is joining the angel choirs and those who have gone before in singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lamb that was slain!”

Revelation 5:11-13, NLT

Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

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By Petals from the Basket | January 29, 2014 | Bible Reading, Family, Friends |

Dear February: Bring It!

There are only four good things about the month of February:

1. My dad’s birthday

2. My brother-in-law’s birthday

3. Valentine’s Day (I love that it makes my friends’ hearts smile.)

4. March is just around the corner

That’s why I started making February a contest month here on the blog. (Those from my pre-PetalsfromtheBasket blog remember our first letter-writing contest well, and I’ve continued the tradition here!) It’s purely selfish because even though February is the shortest month of the year, it just seems to take FOR.E.VER to get to March and its promise of spring, so I need something to keep me moving forward—on many different levels!

Before I tell you briefly about the awesome contest this year—and it’s seriously awesome!—I have to share exciting news! Well, two things really. First, unsolicited, someone noticed the start of the changes that are coming from my health and fitness efforts! [Can I get a “Woo Hoo!”] I’ve decided that the four sweetest words to me right now are not “I love you, Brenda” but “Have you lost weight?”

The second piece of news is that I’m thrilled beyond belief that my new friend Samantha Loucks will be guest posting for the blog! This is one awesome college student! I’ve already read her first post, and I can’t wait to share it with you on Thursday of this week. I’m hoping she’ll write often and add the “younger generation” perspective that can teach all of us so much! I’m also hoping that you’ll greatly encourage her in her pursuits of using these talents for Christ!

Okay, back to the contest. It starts on Saturday, it’s different from last year, and here’s an overview of how WRW Month will work (details and links will be posted on Friday).

Points will be given for:

Writing cards, letters, and non-business-related e-mails

Reading articles, books, and…Petals from the Basket!

Walking, exercising, and intentional fitness

Bonus points will be awarded every Saturday for:

Subscribing to Petals from the Basket (100 points per week, so if you already subscribe, you have a sure 400 points!)

Posting a comment here on the blog or on the Facebook Page

Reporting your points via a new easy, electronic system that will only take one click to access!

But here’s the biggie:

The prizes are better than ever—and they’re already purchased, so they’re guaranteed!

Actually, here’s the really big biggie for me: I’m not going to post every day in February! I’m being deliberate this year about keeping my focus on the blog—writing about what God is doing in my life at that very moment and providing ideas, encouragement, and resources in the process—so the blog won’t really change much other than a few “woo hoos” and “rah-rahs” as we proceed through the contest!

So, for today, just spend some extra moments in God’s Word. He created you, gave His Son on your behalf, loves you, and gave you brand new mercies this morning! I’d say that deserves at LEAST a few minutes of your time reading what He has to share with you today! (Lamentations 3:22-23 are GREAT verses for today!)

As for the month of February, I have only two words to say: Bring it.

_______________

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By Petals from the Basket | January 28, 2014 | Events, God-and-I-Time |

The Monday Morning Mirror – Week 2

In my quest for returning to better health and fitness (after you’re done with this post, you can read about it here), I’m sharing my journey as I walk it and posting updates here on Mondays. Your encouragement via comments here and on the Facebook page as well as through e-mails and notes this past week truly overwhelmed me! Thanks bunches and bunches—ten thousand times over! And to those of you who shared that you are walking this same path, keep moving forward!

Reflections on the past week:

Exercise. This past week, winter won—but only regarding my exercise location! I’m thrilled to report that, in the end, I won because I completed my goal of exercising five days! I walked anywhere between one and three miles each of those days, and I also did a twenty-minute set of muscle-specific exercises four of those five days. (The day I did three miles on the treadmill, I was ready for CPR, not for more exercise! Yikes! It seems like yesterday I spent an entire year walking five miles a day in the north woods of Wisconsin! I will do that again!)

Eating. Many of you gave me fantastic tips, recipes, and ideas for snacking, and I followed some of those. I’ll keep adding some of those into my weekly routine! My meal choices were okay, but they weren’t great. Believe it or not, I had to remind myself that, surprisingly, I probably haven’t been eating enough calories in a day—let alone the right ones. I wrote down everything that I ate or drank. I have a confession. I love Hot Tamales, so I bought a bag of those—and ate it. {Hides head but then remembers that failure isn’t permanent. Lesson: Don’t buy Hot Tamales if you’re a person with very little self-control to repel their whispers!}

Reading that inspired me this past week:

On Tuesday mornings, I’m doing a Ladies’ Bible study at my new church. We’re learning from the life of Gideon—and, oh my heart, I realize anew that I AM Gideon!—and in Judges 6, the angel of God calls out to Gideon to prepare him for a task. A quotation by Priscilla Shirer (the author of the study) was the reading (outside of Scripture) that inspired me most this week. It served to remind me that if I want to be healthy tomorrow, I’ve got to get my tookus and choices on the right path today!

“Today’s tasks are preparation for tomorrow’s calling.” (Priscilla Shirer)

Realistic goals for the week ahead:

I will keep writing down my food and beverage intake. I will purchase some protein powder so that I can return to my more organic approach of getting better quality foods through smoothies and the right kinds of calories, minerals, and vitamins. [Though I’m planning to do this, it might not work to purchase this until I return to Wisconsin next week to begin packing my things. I can get the good stuff from my chiropractor there, and I’m not certain what the travel weather will be here this week.]

I will exercise five days again this week—probably inside, if the weather forecast holds true. At least two of those days, I will—will!—walk two miles. And one day I will—yes, again, will!—walk three miles! And even though it’s short, I’m also going to memorize Priscilla Shirer’s quotation (above) and review I Corinthians 9:27 this week.

God is good, and I’m moving forward!

WAIT!

I almost forgot to mention this! I started a Pinterest Board called “The Monday Morning Mirror,” and I’ll be pinning things that I’m using or that I think would be helpful to others who are also on this journey. I’m not posting the odd, peculiar recipes or photos of a twenty-something’s body—that’s not the goal. If it’s not possible to eat or to do, it’s not getting pinned. Only real, workable, edible, and encouraging things get pinned! I’d love for you to follow it! [Click here to visit my Pinterest Board: “The Monday Morning Mirror.“]

 
Image courtesy of Witthaya Phonsawat / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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 Would you like us to e-mail our posts to you? We’ll only send you the blog posts—no spam—and we won’t give your information to anyone else! In fact, you can unsubscribe at any time, and we’ll still be friends!

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By Petals from the Basket | January 27, 2014 | Bible Reading, Life Changes |