easy vs. natural

Sometimes we use the words "easy" and "natural" interchangeably: "That seems so easy for her" has much the same meaning as "It seems natural for her to be able to do that." Merriam-Webster defines "easy" as this: "causing or involving little difficulty or discomfort; requiring or indicating little thought, effort, or reflection; effortless." It defines natural as this: "having a specified character based on the basic constitution of a person, implanted by nature, seemingly inborn."

The definitions make sense in context of a task being easy to complete, or, in other words, natural for someone. But put in the context of my walk following Christ, these words are not synonymous. There is nothing about following Jesus that requires "little difficulty or discomfort." Jesus is frank about telling us that in this world we will have troubles. I never feel like I'm growing in faith when I am not disciplined in my thoughts, my effort, or my reflection. How can I be growing if I am not taking my thoughts captive to Christ, attempting to carve out a few minutes of my day for him, or meditating on Scripture? It's obvious that trying to follow Christ is not at all easy, much to my frustration. When I first became a believer, in many ways I assumed it would be. And maybe it was for the first couple months. But then it got hard--worth it, but definitely difficult.

Following Jesus is not easy, but it is natural.

We are made in the image of God. He formed each of us carefully and wonderfully with bits and pieces of his character within us. There are traits that aren't just "seemingly inborn," but in fact are actually inborn and cause us to desire God and be in relationship with him. We possess qualities and desires to follow God--or follow something--that aren't just happenstance or the easy thing to do. They are "implanted by nature," the nature of God.

So, although this may not be an epiphany for anyone else, it was for me. Though my walk with Christ will not ever be easy, it is natural. It's not something I have to force if I just remember that God created me to desire and worship him with my life. It is a natural thing. That's not to say I don't need discipline or effort, for the lack of those makes something easy. It means that, my character--the basic constitution of who I am--cries out for God. If I will only demolish the idea that this life, and following Jesus in it, should be easy, if only I will stop and be reminded of who God is and who I am, a relationship with Jesus might just come more naturally.

what it takes to be a mommy

Charlie, my brother-in-law: "Maddie, you're so cute. Don't ever grow up."

Maddie, my niece, who is 3 years old: "But Daddy, I have to grow up. 'Cause I've got to be a mommy!"

Maddie: "Neen-neen, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Me: "A chef. Or an international traveler. What do you want to be?"

Maddie: "A mommy."

Maddie is the cutest 3-year-old on the planet (I have no biases). Besides pretending to nurse her baby dolls, she continually makes comments about being a mommy. I hope that, if it's God's plan for her, she will be a loving mommy some day.

Besides the genetic drives and maternal instincts that cause most women to want to be mothers, I know that Maddie's desire to parent comes from her own mommy, who does an absolutely incredible job raising Maddie and her little sister, Taylor. Here are the reasons why Kelly is such a fantastic mommy:

1. She is a working mom. Not only does she care for her little ones at home so well, she somehow manages to love each and every student at her school (and do all the paperwork and meetings and caseloads, etc. involved with her job).

2. Kelly disciplines with love. With her busy schedule, one might think she would turn around and snap at her daughters every now and then. Maybe she has (she is only human, after all), but I have yet to see her lose her temper with the girls. When they disobey, she firmly but quietly corrects them. When they whine, she stops them but gently explains the situation. She knows when they need firm instruction and when not to fight the battle because the whining will end on its own. This leads to...

3. She knows her daughters. She watches them. She listens to them. She spends quality time with them. She knows Maddie's fears and pushes her without making her feel more "scawed." She differentiates between Taylor's "I am being disobedient" mischievous smile and her "I am just being goofy" mischievous smile.

4. Kelly prays for her children. She and Charlie both try to authentically live out their faith, and it makes a difference, even at the girls' young ages. They read Bible stories and devotions to Maddie and get her to try to think from a Biblical standpoint--something to be said about that at the age of three.

5. Kelly makes sure that others are involved in her daughters' lives. I am so grateful that she makes an effort to Skype with me, to tell the girls about me when I'm in Bolivia, and to show pictures of me to Maddie and Taylor so they know their auntie despite the distance. I know she does this with other long-distance friends and family too. This, in combination with being intentional about time with nearby friends, teaches the girls the lifelong importance of community.

6. She is selfless. Kelly puts the needs of others, especially her husband and her children, above her own.

7. There are probably a billion more, but I have to stop and be reminded that the reason why Maddie looks up to her, the reason why she is such a good mommy, is not because of her. It's because of Christ in her. Though she would tell you she is still learning how to let Christ live through her and what that means in everyday life (a lesson I'm sure all the rest of us have obtained...right), there is no doubt that the love, patience, gentleness, self-control and selflessness she has as a mom are gifts from God. He is honored that she uses her gifts in being a mother to bring glory to the Father.

If I ever am a mommy some day, I will certainly take out these notes from observing my superhero sister.

It's obvious that Maddie has already sweetly written these lessons on her little heart.

home

i'll admit it. i'm a gleek. for those of you not down with the lingo, that means a "glee" geek. i can't help it. i'm absolutely hooked on this ridiculously cheesy, unrealistic high school sitcom. so recently i was re-watching the "home" episode (all of the spotlighted characters unpredictably discover or deal with the same theme or issue during an episode). kristin chenoweth sings a beautiful verson of "home," and the beginning lyrics go like this: "when i think of home, i think of a place where there's love overflowing..." i thought this entirely appropriate as i just spent 2.5 weeks in my nc homes and then speedily returned to my bolivian home. so, when i think of home, i think of the places where people give love overflowing:

mom and dad, i'm so thankful that you took great effort (even more than you originally thought) to come visit me in la paz. i'm grateful that you have experienced my home here. i am also thankful to be able to go "home" to greenville, at the house, in our neighborhood and at church.

kelly and charlie, even though i didn't live with you very long, i have always felt at home with you and your sweet family in greensboro. thanks for getting the beach place and making it a wonderful home for the week.

to my community in glenwood, i think it will always feel a little like home when i visit.

to nannie and granddaddy, you always open up your house to so many with such generous hospitality. thank you for sharing your heart with me each time i enter your home.

to my friends across my north carolina/united states home, thank you for letting your love overflow to me. i always feel at home with you.

to my "family" and friends in my bolivian home, thank you for welcoming me with that same kind of love. i am grateful to be able to call la paz my home now.

even though it is at times unsettling to not be, well, settled, i am honored to have so many places that i lovingly call home. i guess the saying's true: home IS where the heart is.