With a Grateful Heart

November 24, 2015November 21, 2015 / morgancreynolds / 2 Comments

This past weekend was our big family weekend.

Well, one of them. It is the weekend we all look forward to with great anticipation. It’s the weekend we always think of when we think of the holidays. This is our tradition we have done for years. We started this particular expression of it when we moved to Virginia almost 8 years ago. We’ve always had some form of it—based on ages and stages of life.

We go to Williamsburg to the flagship Yankee Candle store. This is not your average candle store. No, my friends! This is candle store extraordinaire. This store not only has candles, but an entire store dedicated to Christmas all under one roof! There are hundreds of ornaments and it snows indoors. We are crazy in love with the holidays and this is our kind of store!

First, we pick out candles for the holiday season and then move to the Christmas store. Each person picks out a special ornament that catches their eye or represents something from the past year. The ornaments are whimsical and beautiful. This is followed up with dinner at a favorite restaurant nearby.

This year we picked out our Christmas tree as well. Our church is selling live trees to benefit our benevolence ministry efforts. It was great fun tucking this adventure into our day! Our very own Christmas tree lot. What could be better than that?

The holidays are well under way here in the Reynolds’ Casa. My children hold on to these traditions with great love and fondness. It is a priority on the top of my list. This special weekend is a non-negotiable, everybody clear off the calendar, sort of weekend. I will always cherish this holiday tradition. Traditions give children valuable touchstones in life. They need them. We need them.

In preparation for all of the festivities, I’ve been thinking about gratitude. I know Thanksgiving is the official holiday of gratitude, but, honestly, I’ve decided it needs to permeate the entire holiday season. Actually, I don’t see it as just a holiday mindset, but one that should be a part of who we are throughout the year. However, I love how Thanksgiving compels us to focus our gratitude.

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I am participating in a daily devotion on my “She Reads Truth” devotional app. The focus is on gratitude and the active pursuit of a grateful heart. Today’s Scripture focus is I Thessalonians 5:16-18.

“Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Gratitude is not a passive mindset. I am learning gratitude must be a part of every situation. I don’t have to be grateful for hardship or tragedy. That would be a little strange. But, I am to be grateful for the God who is with me and brings me through it all. He never leaves me and brings me through all things. And, through gratitude in the circumstance, I will become the reflection of Him. So, in this, I can be thankful in all situations.

In active participation of this devotional today, here is my gratitude:

“this joyful thing”

Holiday seasons and traditions. I love spending it with my crew! Memories.

“this unknown”

Some unanswered questions. God knows what is going on and always has my best interest in mind. I can rest in this. I don’t have to have all the answer to be okay.

“this certainty”

God never leaves or forsakes me or my loved ones! I have doubted— He revealed himself in my doubt. I am grateful for grace. His grace is amazing.

“this stress”

Law school has been a real stressor this semester. I have to reframe this circumstance. If my Mister didn’t have this amazing opportunity to attend Regent Law School, we wouldn’t have this stress. But, then, we wouldn’t have this adventure. I’ll take the adventure any day.

“this want”

I am thankful for this dream my heart dreams. It hasn’t happened yet. But, I know in God’s timing for my life, it will. I am thankful He will do what He needs to; I will do what I need to. He gives us good things.

“this sorrow”

Even when hurt of recent days came into our lives, God proved himself faithful to bring peace and wisdom. He always brings what is needed, just in the right way at the right time. He sees and knows.

“this plenty”

He takes care of me. He gives me all I need and so many things I want. My family, my home, my life. I am blessed beyond measure.

I can give thanks. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be good! I will give thinks at all times!

I hope you have a gratitude-filled life and holiday season. I hope it colors your days and covers your nights. Gratitude saved my life. It’s the best adjustment I could have ever made.

Blessings to you and your beautiful family—whatever or wherever that may be! May you always know of His nearness and love for you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Give-Thanks-pumpkin-tutorial-from-StudioJRU-7

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What Did You Say?

November 18, 2015November 17, 2015 / morgancreynolds / 2 Comments

Stuff happens. People say stuff. People do stuff.

What I am asking myself is, “Ok, so what are you going to do with that?”

Words hurt. Words get into your heart and soul.

I am noticing unkind words spoken about me or someone I love leave a mark. I am getting better at being able to look at what was said and putting them into perspective mentally. I can look at the situation and logically realize these people speaking have no real consequence in my life.

To put it honestly, they really mean nothing to the big picture of my life. I don’t mean that rudely. In relationship to my life, they have not invested in me nor are they a part of the circle of influence in my life. They have not walked with me or listened to my heart. They’ve not prayed for me and are not committed to my welfare.

Yet, words can be crushing.

The Scriptures say there is power of life and death in the tongue.

Proverbs 18:21 says,

“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.”

Have you given any thought to the words you speak to others? I am paying more attention. It matters. It’s too easy to quip off something without thinking of the consequences.

But, my experience this past week has been on both ends of the spectrum.

I have heard words spoken to me and loved ones that were more poison than fruit. Words that had the potential to bring death. But, then I have also heard many loving words of life. Words that speak life, hope and encouragement.

Which ones am I listening to?

I have had to do some hard work to properly deal with the hurt that came from the hurtful words.

Logically I understood the place those words have in my heart and mind. Yet, the words caused a grief I could not shake. It settled over me like a heavy blanket. It took a couple of days to shake off the heaviness that covered me. The words were an indictment against who we are and everything we hope to be. Cruel and dark.

These words tried to carve a giant, black X over our hearts.

“Not good enough. Not EVER going to be good enough. Broken. Not loved. Hopeless. Death. Rejected. Inadequate.”

But, after my Sweetheart and I prayed over our hearts and those we love, the true work began. It has proven difficult to shake off the death grip of those words.

It’s not coincidence that hurt follows on the heels of victory or success.

The Scripture talks about a “lion who comes to steal, kill and destroy.” Lions are stealthy and swift. The lion worked steadily all week through a totally different and unrelated interpersonal issue. This work was meant to distract me and cause me to lose focus. Then on the heels of great joy and victory, a lethal strike came from a completely unexpected angle.

I began to wonder.

Why do I listen and take to heart more the words of hurt than the words of healing? Why can’t I shake this?

It takes hard work. I knew I had a choice. Either I was going to give up and lose the ground I had fought hard to win, or I was going to army crawl, if need be, through to victory.

What do you do when you don’t want to become the victim of a strategic spiritual attack? Scripture says we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against powers we don’t see.

Sometimes it is confusing. It isn’t so easily recognized. Hurt is hurt. Misguided and misinformed people often are unwittingly used to strike and wound. It sure looks human. But, really it is a spiritual attack in nature.

So, here is what I have done this past week to counter attack and increase my strength. It doesn’t come easily.

It requires a concerted and mindful effort on our part.

I realized I can either roll over and let this disrupt God’s work in my life. Or, I can fight, quite literally, the Hell out of my situation.

It’s working.

Pray over the words spoken to you. God has the power to nullify the effects on our hearts and mind.
Cry. It hurt. I am human. I can’t pretend it doesn’t—nor am I required to.
Remember, actively, who I am in Christ. He calls me good. That is enough.
Fill your world with worship. I’ve been listening to worship music quite a bit lately.
Read the Word and soak in life-giving words.
Turn to a trusted friend to hear your hurt. Mine was a safe place to bandage my wounds.
Put it into proper perspective. Remind yourself of the truth.
Keep moving. Keep doing the good you know you are doing. Don’t quit.
Keep giving it to God. We can be slow. It often takes repeating.
Be mindful. Be careful not to rehearse and relive the words over and over. They can settle in and take root.

I realized something the other day.

Have you ever felt God reveal something to you? Well, He did the other day.

He gently spoke to my heart.

“Who are they to mark what I have declared GOOD, as not good?”

That pierced my heart and mind!

God has called me and mine GOOD. He has taken our pain and wounds and broken pieces. He promised to heal and has done a mighty fine job! And, then someone declares that divine work “not good enough” and “broken”? That is not part of His plan.

God does all things well.

We don’t always know all the good work He is doing in a life. This very fresh lesson gave me pause even today as I sat and talked with a loved one.

There would be no carving of an X today.

What Now?

November 11, 2015November 10, 2015 / morgancreynolds / 2 Comments

“Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.”

OR

“People with good sense are slow to anger, and it is their glory to overlook an offense.”

Proverbs 19:11

I am amazed! Maybe that’s not the best word for it. I am troubled. I think that is more appropriate.

The offense of this week is the red cups of Starbucks.

I’ve noticed something. Christians are too good at being offended. Trust me. I know. We are all subjected to it. I’ve lived it personally. Up close and in living color.

I wonder.

I wonder what it must say to the world. We are having high-speed come-aparts over a red cup. A secular company. Their great commission is not concerned with reaching people with the gospel. Their commission is serving great coffee and creating a comfortable place for folks to gather. Which they are fulfilling. God is not depending on Howard Schultz to spread the real reason for the season through Starbucks.

Unfortunately, I think Christians are living out their reputation of being angry, spiteful and opposed to everything. We are experts at being offended and being angry. This isn’t what is going to invite in the hurting. And, why would it? Why would they want to subject themselves, their mistakes and regrets to the scrutiny of Christians? I’m sure a root canal without anesthesia holds more attraction.

It doesn’t have to be a red cup.

Just pick a topic. Ahhh, and just think about all the wasted time boycotting. For the most part, we would not have any place to eat, shop, or entertain ourselves. Maybe we should boycott movies and theaters—maybe television. Let’s not go to movie theaters or subscribe to Netlix, Direct TV, Amazon or Barnes n Noble (shouldn’t support the book publishing industry). For goodness sake, we probably should all become self-sustaining and walk everywhere. That way we do not support or even concern ourselves with anything that could possibly be of the world. We won’t sully our hands this way.

How about this one?

We are really good at bashing our own. Take your pick of national ministers. They offend someone theologically or maybe it’s just the size of their home, and God bless them. I wouldn’t want to be them. And, don’t forget, it always has to be a public scathing on social media. Who are we to feel so superior to judge so harshly and diminish a person’s ministry over differing viewpoints? It does more damage than good. (I won’t even get into the hurt it must cause their families.)

“People with good sense are slow to anger, and it is their glory to overlook an offense.”

Christ followers should be the most joyful, grateful, grace and hope-filled people around. But, it sure seems like sometimes we only know how to be offended. I’m not talking just about on a national scale. But how about our average every day, in and out? It’s living in our local churches and communities. It’s no wonder discouragement is the number one hazard of ministry. Those who are involved in ministry often feel they are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. It’s often never good enough.

I think my biggest concern is that we are often times too easily and too quickly offended. We are too quick to call each other out. What has happened to just overlooking an offense? What has happened to civility? Why can’t we realize people make mistakes or are just different than we are? Where is grace?

Graciousness is an art form that is all too easily neglected.

Let me be very clear. I am not talking about ignoring and condoning sin. I am not talking about being lazy or lassez-faire in guarding our own. But, first, the right to speak into someone’s life must be earned. That is only done through relationship and commitment. Gossip or slandering on social media, or just among ourselves, is not the responsible way to handle issues. I’m going to use a southern term—it’s ugly. Why do we want to be ugly? It doesn’t compel anyone.

I can be too easily offended. I am constantly working on giving the benefit of the doubt. I know life is more peaceful and joyful when I am not allowing myself to give in to offense. Offended people are not happy people. It only leads to bitterness.

The greatest fight we can engage in spiritually is to refuse to be offendable.

Let’s live out of a life-giving mind and heart. Not everything must be confronted or called out. Not every offense even needs to be acknowledged. Sometimes, we just need to shake it off and give it no other thought. That takes discipline and strength. But we are all better for it. Not only between each other, but in the eyes of those who watch from a distance. And, quite frankly, we all won’t look so ridiculous!

Yes! Keep up the good fight.

But let it be done from love—not offense.

Fight against injustice.

Fight against a culture of death.

Fight against poverty.

War against evil and it’s ravaging.

But, do it from an un-offendable heart.

Fight for justice and life.

And through this, we will be known by our love.

Withering Cherry Trees!

November 4, 2015November 5, 2015 / morgancreynolds / 3 Comments

Sometimes I look around and become, well, unhappy. Dissatisfied. Discontented. Ungrateful.

Do you ever do this?

I see the laundry still hanging out long after its dry. I see the messy rooms just begging for me to put some order back to them. I look at my vehicle. It’s not the newest or shiniest—it has driven my family a lot of miles. It has some scuffs and little scratches and even a dent someone put in it and didn’t bother to leave a note. I have some drawers that are sticking and not closing right. And, gosh, the to do list. It could use some whittling down. Due to all of those many miles I taxi, and my own responsibilities, I can’t seem to figure out how to cook healthful meals as much as I want. And let’s not mention, a few pounds may have been added. I have a pile, or maybe a couple, that house several “to handle later” items. I hate those.

You get the picture. Life. It is going mighty fast. Some days stuff just falls through the cracks. Maybe it’s just us. But, I’m not thinking so. My husband has a favorite saying. I have to admit, it can drive me crazy. God love the man. He’s right. We don’t always want to hear it. But, he’s right.

Here it is. “You are going to have to reframe.”

God bless this man of mine. Yes, sometimes, I think if I have to hear that again, I may fall over dead. Right there, right then. One time I told him I already knew that. I knew all of his tips and tricks, but I just needed a good cry. Dr. Husband let me have that good cry. All of that minutia and wounded-ness from self-criticism had taken its toll. I had hit the tipping point and had NO interest in reframing ANYTHING!! (It may not have been said in an inside voice.)

Well, he’s right. In life, we are faced with stuff. The detritus of this crazy life. In the natural life, too much stuff, too many cracks for things to fall through, it all piles up. In the emotional life, we are faced with the constant refrain of “not good enough.” And it all seems to add up to “NEVER good enough.”

I have a passage of Scripture that I love. I think you will, too. Habakkuk 3:17-19:

Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted. Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty. I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain!

I know this passage is talking about seasons of life when provision is low and they are depending on God to save the day. But, it sure seems to fit life when things are not as we would like them and we just desperately need His help to reframe.

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So, look at the line where the focus changes.

It says, “I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.“ And from there to the end of the passage, the writer has done some major reframing. Dr. Husband is right. Imagine that! It’s true, you know.

Reframing is the key to taking the ugly and untidy, worn and used and shining them up to beauty.

I can look at any given situation—whether it’s the ginormous mess or the task overlooked, again and again or the critics who are unkind and careless—and look at it in ugly, harsh tones. Or, I can do some editing and enhancing, shifting the shading, perhaps zoom in or zoom out. It’s my choice. I can put the frame around it in a new and pardigm-shifting perspective.

We can look at the mess OR we can look at the blessing that caused the mess.

Our choice.

I’m choosing to look at the blessing that caused the inconvenience or mess or extra work or busy-ness. It’s amazing how my heart takes strength and God gives me just what I need to keep going. Many people don’t have the blessings I do and would appreciate a little inconvenience. I’m afraid the things I complain about, someone else may be praying for. Reframe.

We are going into the beautiful holiday season. My very favorites of the year! Many are clued into the “30 days of Thanksgiving”. I’m all for it. It’s important. But, honestly, gratitude and joy are the gifts of reframing any time of the year. God has these beautiful gifts waiting for us and we bypass them every time we choose the lifeless, flat perspective of not reframing.

I’ll repeat Dr. Husband, “You are going to have to reframe.”

Ugly shifts. Hard softens. And gratitude and joy slip in and sidle up next to you.

It really is all in the reframing.

Amberly reynolds

sweet sage lane

Month: November 2015

With a Grateful Heart

What Did You Say?

What Now?

Withering Cherry Trees!