Soul | Strange and Wonderful

This year, God blessed me with the gift of a beautiful summer. If I was to try and capture these last three months in one word, one word which might somehow describe for you the overwhelming mixture of joy and sadness swelling up in my chest, I would say it has been unexpected.

found via pinterest

Surprised? Me too. But if there’s anything long summer days have taught me, it’s that despite all my thinking and planning ahead, I never saw any of this coming. Because well-organized plans and good intentions couldn’t predict the way everything would continually change in an instant.

And yet, it’s funny sometimes how God allows truth to sneak up on us. Even from unlikely places, and especially when He knows we are going to need something to hold onto…

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Recently, my family and I watched a little-known Irish film called, “Ondine.” While this enigmatic, poetry-like film may not be widely-recognized, one brief moment on screen has stayed with me.  

In the story, the protagonists face repeatedly bleak circumstances. In the first few opening scenes, the presence of continual longing clings to the air, as the characters wait in hopes of a miracle. But even so, the fisherman asks his daughter each morning whether “anything strange or wonderful” has happened. She replies no, and after a while finally inquires as to why her father asks this question. And he tells her, that it’s a wish, or a hope, that something just might…

In spite of everything, he asks her to look for moments

when the unexpected shatters the ordinary.

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I happen to be a creature of habit. I find comfort in routines, I’m continually scribbling down plans in my notebook, and I am often looking to find new ways to stay organized. You might have guessed, I don’t like surprises. But, lately God’s been whispering something, trying to quiet my soul…”it’s going to be unexpected. you may not see it coming before it gets here. but trust me, the unexpected is going to be so much better than your idea of how life should be. mind you, it’s going to be both strange and wonderful.”

It’s kind of like the song by John Mayer: //Pain throws your heart to the ground, love turns the whole thing around, no it won’t all go the way it should, but I know the heart of life is good…

At times, the joy is overflowing – almost too wonderful to explain, and at other times, the burdens will hit you like a ton of bricks. Funny thing is, the day will often hold both. But whether you are experiencing the strange or wonderful, the important thing to remember is that He is good. And the incredible vastness of His plan is going to be astounding.

So maybe it’s time we gave up on figuring out life and trying to make predictions. I’ve decided to stop worrying about tomorrow, because my trials and blessings are sufficient for today. I may not know what is coming, but I’m eager to find new ways to appreciate the unexpected moments scattered among the ordinary. Because His promise is secure, and good can be found in both the strange and wonderful.

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

(Proverbs 19:21)

Soul | Think of a Tree

A warm breeze and sun-lit sky remind us that Spring is just around the corner. The cold winter months are all but diminished, and the signs of new growth are starting to emerge. This time of year, almost more than ever, seems to hold the tangible promise of life, hope, and a fresh start. It’s as if the whole earth believes in this moment, they can begin again.  As I sit here anxiously anticipating the fullness of green leaves on the trees, it reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite films…

via tumblr.

Terrence Malick’s “The New World,” is quite possibly one of the most brilliant films I have ever seen. Through the careful eye of a patient director, this film seems to embody everything that is beautiful, enigmatic, and introspective about life and nature. The very soul of the film is poetry. In my mind, Malick is a genius. This film tells the well-loved story of Pocahontas, the Indian princess who will forever be remembered as one who was brave enough to put herself in harm’s way. At a turning point in the story, in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, a kind woman living in Jamestown offers her these words of advice and encouragement:

“A nature like yours can turn trouble into good.

All this sorrow will give you strength,

and point you on a higher way.

Think of a tree, how it grows ‘round its wounds.

If a branch breaks off, it don’t stop, but keeps

reaching towards the light…”

The ability of a tree to continuing growing despite suffering from damage has always amazed me. Instead of allowing the force of the trauma to cut short its lifespan, the tree heals over the wound, and continues on past the scars. These scars become characteristic marks distinguishing the tree from all others around it. Almost as if to say, “See what I have gone through, and look how I was able to withstand.”

One of my dreams in life is to one day visit “The Survivor Tree” in Oklahoma City.¹ This elm tree has grown to become a symbol of resilience and being deeply rooted in faith which sustains. The story is remarkable, how it survived through damage caused by the dropping of a bomb, the force of which caused most branches to be torn off, extensive glass and rubble to be buried in its trunk, and fires from parked cars to blacken all that remained. Yet this tree, though nearly destroyed, continues to thrive for more than 80 years now.

"The Survivor Tree"

Each of us has scars, those we hide within ourselves, and those outwardly visible for all else to see. Damage has been done, both to our bodies and our hearts, and the evidence is left clearly by the marks we can’t avoid. 

But when I think of a tree, I’m reminded of the chance to grow and find a new beginning. With the slow, sweetness of springtime and warm weather, comes the hope that we too may be able to mature and experience new life. Just as the world is reawakened by the touch of the sun, so are we able to be renewed, and to remain whole, if we will only keep our eyes on Christ, who gives life.²

“…And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
(Psalm 1:3)

1. http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/secondary.php?section=5&catid=120

2. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” || John 8:12

Soul | Why are we thankful?

found via pinterest. courtesy of tumblr.

Today, my family gathered together to enjoy the bountiful meal my mother had prepared for us. It’s Thanksgiving, and there’s no better time to be with the ones you love, eating lots of really good food. But, sometimes in the midst of all the cooking and activity of preparing for this holiday, I find myself forgetting what exactly we are celebrating. Oh, of course I know it’s a reminder to be thankful for the good things in our life, but what’s the deeper reason behind our thankfulness?

Looking back, the first Thanksgiving was held by the Pilgrims as an expression of gratitude for God’s faithful provision of food and shelter. They had endured a harsh struggle, and were now blessed with a plentiful harvest. President Lincoln would ensure that we kept this tradition by proclaiming a yearly observance which forever marked it on our calendars. When you think about it, the year 1863 – in the middle of the Civil War – seems like a surprising time for our nation to pause and give thanks. The cruel presence of war had touched every household…but the hope of our nation was to restore unity. By offering thanks for what we’d been given, our nation was reminded of how truly blessed it was.

So this is the conclusion I’ve come to. It’s pretty incredible to consider being grateful when you’re in the middle of hardship. But, that is exactly how this holiday started. More than just turkey and stuffing, or small blessings we’ve been counting, it’s a profound reminder of how the Lord has provided a means to sustain us in the midst of our need. No matter how life looks at the moment, on this day we can pause and give thanks, knowing that God in His goodness is caring for us. That is why we can give thanks at all times, in every circumstance we find ourselves facing.

As I gather around the table with the four people I love most in this world, I want to be reminded of the Lord’s provision in my life. When I need Him most, He is always faithful to sustain me. And for this, I am truly thankful.

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I hope you all enjoyed a very blessed Thanksgiving!

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise!
Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the Lord is good;
His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.”

(Psalm 100:4-5)

The Four Aspects

If we’re going to be talking about wholeness, then it’s important for us to understand the four aspects of our lives – Mind, Body, Soul, & Spirit. These four aspects have a strong impact on one another. Though they exist separately, they are woven together so that the health of one aspect affects the health of all the others. This means that we are meant to live in a way that balances and combines our entire well-being.   

I think that often times, however, we tend to focus on one area. We address the part that seems the most manageable – the part we think we can easily fix and keep under control. Then whether out of fear or other insecurities, we sweep the overwhelming areas of our lives under the rug, hoping that eventually they will work themselves out.

Yet, there is danger in overemphasizing one area above all the rest. By ignoring problems, they will eventually begin to spill over. Instead of gaining control, we lost it; and find ourselves with failed attempts at achieving good health.  

Rather than take this one-track, compartmentalized approach, we should be focusing on the whole person. Wholeness is not a destination, or a bullet point to check off on your to-do list. It’s a way of life that is full and satisfying, because it addresses every area of who we are...

MIND | Your mind is an incredible gift. From it you reason, establish decisions, originate thoughts, and form your opinions. In the midst of all your thought processes, it continues to remind your body of how it should function moment-by-moment. Not only is it a place of knowledge and intellect, but it also stores memories, sparks creativity, and cultivates your imagination.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

BODY | Maintaining the health of our bodies is about more than just our outward appearance or physical fitness. It impacts our ability to think clearly and handle our emotions. Simple common-sense principles that we’re all familiar with (like good nutrition, strength training, and getting enough sleep), can make a significant difference in our overall wellness.

 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. “ (Romans 12:1)

SOUL | Your soul is the core of your being. It is the deep part of you that stores your greatest longings. Immortal, and engraved with the Image of God (Genesis 1:26), it is our soul that calls out to Him and recognizes we were made for more than this.

“My soul thirsts for God…” (Psalm 42:2)

SPIRIT | A spirit may be described as “lively and vivacious,” or it may be known as “quiet and thoughtful.” I think most of us are found to be a surprising and pleasant mixture of qualities, but however you would describe it, your spirit is the aspect that sets you apart as a unique individual. It is your personality, the part of you that desires to interact with other people as you grow and share life together. We are meant to be involved in our community, to befriend one another and help each other through trials and joys. Just as the soul calls for our Savior, the spirit cries out for the warmth of companions.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

As we grow and strengthen each of these four aspects, we can be more certain on our path towards a full and satisfying wholeness.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul

and with all your strength and with all your mind’;

and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
(Luke 10:27)