While on the Metro this week, there was a little girl sitting across from me in a beautiful dress and coat with beautiful pink patten shoes. During the ride she was enthralled with the young men sitting next to her watching some video on a little screen that they held and shared between them. She was chattering with her mother along the way. We played a little game of peek aboo around passengers standing between us.
As the car was screeching to a halt before my stop, I leaned down and told her I liked her pretty pink shoes. She beamed with excitement and talked more with her mother. To my surprise they exited the metro the same stop I did and as I watched them walk away the little girl seemed to be dancing while walking with her mother.
It's fun to make someone happy, whether they are 2 or 82. As you are doing life today, look for one person that you can have an impact on. A simple compliment, a warm smile, whatever...
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Perspective
Today I was running a few errands and it dawned on me that when I was with a group of English speakers, everyone here assumed I couldn't speak or understand Russian. Today, by myself, I was reminded that I am expected to know and understand Russian... or Ukrainian... ;)
Going to the Post Office here is not my favorite place to go. I needed to pick up a letter which of course I went to the wrong office for - I always choose the wrong place. Apparently the letters are on the backside of the building. At least today I didn't bother them during their lunch break. That makes them particularly grumpy.
It feels good to be settling in again. Even the struggle with language is familiar enough to feel like home.
Going to the Post Office here is not my favorite place to go. I needed to pick up a letter which of course I went to the wrong office for - I always choose the wrong place. Apparently the letters are on the backside of the building. At least today I didn't bother them during their lunch break. That makes them particularly grumpy.
It feels good to be settling in again. Even the struggle with language is familiar enough to feel like home.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Jesus' Friends
I just read the story of Lazarus again yesterday. There were several things that impacted me. First, these were Jesus' friends. It's one thing to think about the disciples. They were following him, watching him, learning from his every step. Then, you think about Jesus' friends. John 11:5 says, "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus." Lazarus had been dead for 4 days when Jesus arrives. Martha says, "But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask". She affirms that she believes that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God, and calls for Mary to join them. When Jesus sees Mary weeping, we learn that Jesus wept. Jesus prays to His Father and has the stone moved from the grave and says, "Lazarus, Come out!" He is bound by his grave clothes, but he comes out of the grave, alive!
So, going back to his friends. They know the sting and pain of losing someone they love. They also know the joy of resurrection! Do they remember this today? The day after Jesus is crucified? Do they expect His resurrection? These are the people Jesus hung out with when he needed some 'down time' or when he wanted to relax and have fun. Would I remember Lazarus coming out of the tomb the day after I saw my friend, and my Savior crucified? Did they remember the power? Or, did they think He was completely defeated?
So, going back to his friends. They know the sting and pain of losing someone they love. They also know the joy of resurrection! Do they remember this today? The day after Jesus is crucified? Do they expect His resurrection? These are the people Jesus hung out with when he needed some 'down time' or when he wanted to relax and have fun. Would I remember Lazarus coming out of the tomb the day after I saw my friend, and my Savior crucified? Did they remember the power? Or, did they think He was completely defeated?
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The rest of the Story...
I posted this note on Facebook: But, what does it mean to linger at the cross? Can I ever understand even a small, even tiny glimpse of the suffering Jesus endured by taking on the sin of the World? We, (Westerners), don't like to be uncomfortable. Does this make me uncomfortable? Why do I jump so quickly to Sunday?
...the rest of the story: I've been thinking this Easter Week about how difficult it is for us to linger at the cross. Our humanity wants to jump to the end of the story. After all, we know who wins! And, while I think it's great to celebrate that, I'm learning how important it is to understand Jesus' suffering so that I can fully understand and appreciate His triumph.
Part of it is being in a different culture as well. In Ukraine, you never wish anyone a happy birthday until the actual day. And, of course, you never greet anyone with "He is Risen!" until Easter Sunday morning, or the day after. (still a holiday)
So, my challenge to myself and to others this year is to stay at the foot of the cross until Sunday morning. Let the suffering sink in. And, use this time to pray for those who suffer around the world. I've been praying for those suffering in modern slavery this week. Jesus suffered greatly. He understands their pain and suffering. And, praise the Lord, He meets us all exactly where we are at. This week and always...
...the rest of the story: I've been thinking this Easter Week about how difficult it is for us to linger at the cross. Our humanity wants to jump to the end of the story. After all, we know who wins! And, while I think it's great to celebrate that, I'm learning how important it is to understand Jesus' suffering so that I can fully understand and appreciate His triumph.
Part of it is being in a different culture as well. In Ukraine, you never wish anyone a happy birthday until the actual day. And, of course, you never greet anyone with "He is Risen!" until Easter Sunday morning, or the day after. (still a holiday)
So, my challenge to myself and to others this year is to stay at the foot of the cross until Sunday morning. Let the suffering sink in. And, use this time to pray for those who suffer around the world. I've been praying for those suffering in modern slavery this week. Jesus suffered greatly. He understands their pain and suffering. And, praise the Lord, He meets us all exactly where we are at. This week and always...
Friday, March 11, 2011
Bringing out the God Flavors in Everyday Life
As I've been intently observing people's driving habits in preparation of driving myself in Ukraine, I've noticed that they often park anywhere. Literally. I wasn't particularly judgmental of this trait, just observant. I've also noticed that people have an uncanny awareness of the space of their car. They can fit through spaces that have only a few centimeters to spare on either side. They back up until you want to yell stop to perfect strangers before they hit the tree; and somehow they seldom hit anything!
Some of you know that this past Tuesday was International Women's Day. This translates to business being closed and most celebrating at home with their family. It also translates to very, very little open parking available. After picking up my flat mate, we headed to a friend's house to have dinner and play games. Upon arriving back at our apartment, it became quickly apparent that there was no parking to be found. The look on both of our faces as we realized that this meant me backing out of a very long, narrow spaces between cars crammed in on both sides was priceless. I refused to look at this as an option. Instead, I proceeded to turn around in this cramped situation which meant using the fee sidewalk space as turning ground. I then 'found' an open space on the children's playground and parked there until I could move the car in the morning.
As I maneuvered between the bush, the planter and the slide, our dajhournaya - little elderly woman who 'guards' our building just inside the entrance - watched intently as I parked. I sheepishly walked towards her, joking that she was going to chastise me for parking where children play. Instead she exclaimed that she had hung up the March 8 Women's Day Congratulatory Card that I had printed out and given to her as I left the building earlier in the day.
I realize that this entry may seem wordy and trite. I am sharing this because looking back, I am reminded of how much of my daily life is filled with the trite and mundane - the business of parking if you will. And, somehow, along the way, God allows moments when we often least expect it - to show Himself. Many times it is the things that we least expect that make an impact in someone's life. A card, a smile, a hug, listening,... acknowledging their value and worth and seeing them through God's eyes. My prayer is that I'll bring out the God colors and the saltiness of life to those that God brings across my path - wherever I am.
One of my favorite passages is Matthew 5:13 - 16. It is immediately following when Jesus gives us the beatitudes: Here's the passage from The Message:
13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Some of you know that this past Tuesday was International Women's Day. This translates to business being closed and most celebrating at home with their family. It also translates to very, very little open parking available. After picking up my flat mate, we headed to a friend's house to have dinner and play games. Upon arriving back at our apartment, it became quickly apparent that there was no parking to be found. The look on both of our faces as we realized that this meant me backing out of a very long, narrow spaces between cars crammed in on both sides was priceless. I refused to look at this as an option. Instead, I proceeded to turn around in this cramped situation which meant using the fee sidewalk space as turning ground. I then 'found' an open space on the children's playground and parked there until I could move the car in the morning.
As I maneuvered between the bush, the planter and the slide, our dajhournaya - little elderly woman who 'guards' our building just inside the entrance - watched intently as I parked. I sheepishly walked towards her, joking that she was going to chastise me for parking where children play. Instead she exclaimed that she had hung up the March 8 Women's Day Congratulatory Card that I had printed out and given to her as I left the building earlier in the day.
I realize that this entry may seem wordy and trite. I am sharing this because looking back, I am reminded of how much of my daily life is filled with the trite and mundane - the business of parking if you will. And, somehow, along the way, God allows moments when we often least expect it - to show Himself. Many times it is the things that we least expect that make an impact in someone's life. A card, a smile, a hug, listening,... acknowledging their value and worth and seeing them through God's eyes. My prayer is that I'll bring out the God colors and the saltiness of life to those that God brings across my path - wherever I am.
One of my favorite passages is Matthew 5:13 - 16. It is immediately following when Jesus gives us the beatitudes: Here's the passage from The Message:
13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Monday, January 10, 2011
I am a stranger in a strange land...
Living in a different culture, I am reminded daily that I am an outsider. It's not always blatant. It's not always uncomfortable. But, it is always in the back of my mind.
This morning I was riding a mashrutka - little yellow bus - to the Seminary with my friend Julie, also an American. We were speaking in English but surrounded by Ukrainians. As we were traveling, we both were thinking about how 'normal' everything has become. The buildings, the weather, the people, the language and even the drab winter days. Just as we are thinking this, the bus stops in the road and opens the door... Our stop is on the side of the road, about 100 feet in front of us. Julie looks at me with a childlike expression asking for direction or affirmation.
And, again, we are both quickly reminded... we are strangers in a strange land.
What jolts us into remembering that we are all strangers in a foreign land? As we journey towards our heavenly home, what does God bring into our everyday lives that serves as a reminder that we are not in our homeland?
This morning I was riding a mashrutka - little yellow bus - to the Seminary with my friend Julie, also an American. We were speaking in English but surrounded by Ukrainians. As we were traveling, we both were thinking about how 'normal' everything has become. The buildings, the weather, the people, the language and even the drab winter days. Just as we are thinking this, the bus stops in the road and opens the door... Our stop is on the side of the road, about 100 feet in front of us. Julie looks at me with a childlike expression asking for direction or affirmation.
And, again, we are both quickly reminded... we are strangers in a strange land.
What jolts us into remembering that we are all strangers in a foreign land? As we journey towards our heavenly home, what does God bring into our everyday lives that serves as a reminder that we are not in our homeland?
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