Look Again

Friends, this passage has me so engrossed that I know a sermon is in process...here a just a few of my thoughts.  I pray that it is a blessing. 

“They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ‘Can you see anything’?  And the man looked up and said, ‘I see people, but they look like trees, walking.’ Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” (Mark 8:22-25)

I know all too well what it means to struggle to see clearly.  It started in the second grade, when I began having trouble seeing the chalkboard. Even now as an adult, if I’m not wearing my contacts or my glasses…well, just forget about me seeing anything clearly.  In addition to my experiences with struggling to see in the natural realm, I find this text particularly intriguing because I’m in a space of (re) discovering, (re) examining and (re) imagining divine possibilities and promises. 

The text says some people brought this blind man to Jesus and begged Jesus to touch him.  We have no indication from the text that the man had any desire to be healed.  It could have been that he was comfortable in his condition. It is very well plausible that he was content with the status quo.  However, there were some in community with him who apparently saw (no pun intended) what this man needed, even if he did not want to / could not / or had no desire to.  Thank God for those who care enough to lead us to a place of healing, even if we are too weak to admit, too proud to confess it, too ignorant to be aware of it or to blind to see it.  Thank God for friends who plead to Jesus to touch us.

As much as his friends wanted to help him, there was only so much they could do.  There was only so far they could take him. They recognized their limitations and provided what they could, but ultimately took him to the one who could do what they could not.  Jesus responds to their request, takes the man by the hand and leads him out of the village.  How comforting to know that in the midst of our condition, Jesus reaches out to us.  The text says that Jesus leads the man away from the crowd.   Sometimes our healing will take place in isolation – away from those who are familiar with our condition…away from those people and places with which we are familiar…away from the situations that lull us into complacency. This man trusts Jesus to take him to an unknown place and to do an unusual thing to bring about his healing.  Jesus puts saliva on the blind man’s eyes and touches him again.  Sometimes our healing comes through humiliating experiences.  Imagine this man not knowing how this healing would take place, unable to see what Jesus was actually doing.  He could only feel the wet sensation on his eyes.  Jesus then asks the man if he could see anything. The man replied I see people, but they look like trees.  We have our first indication that he was not always blind.  He was able to see before, but something happened.  What is blinding us from seeing the promises of God?  What prevents us from clearly seeing the possibilities for our lives?

Jesus had to touch him again, the text says, he looked intently and his sight was restored.  Sometimes we expect our breakthrough to happen instantly, but just like our sanctification, there needs to be a process.  The text says he looked intently (other versions say he made him look up).  His vision was restored and he saw everything clearly.  Experiences have a way of clouding what we see. Disappointments have a way of blinding us to what God has said.  Interestingly enough this text comes after Jesus has taught crowds, performed miracles and yet the disciples still have difficulty perceiving (seeing) what is happening. What happens when life presents us with situations that appear contradictory to what we believe God has promised?  My prayer is that we are in a community of believers who will lead us to where we can’t take ourselves and ask God to touch us.  My prayer is that we are not so consumed, depressed or overwhelmed that we can’t take look again.

God,

I pray that whatever we have allowed to eclipse our view of you and your promise for our lives be removed.  Forgive us for focusing so intently on that thing/those issues that we have lost sight of you.  Take us to a place where we can be intentional about seeing you again. 

Abounding in Love and Growing in Grace,

Veronica

Remembering Whitney

On yesterday, we were shocked by the sudden passing away of Whitney Houston.  I am still trying very hard to process it all.  I did not know Whitney Houston personally, but there was still an impact on my life.  Ironically, while I cannot recall the show I was watching, but I remember her performing on a daytime television talk show that came on right after the soap operas went off.  I was a child, but was in awe of this young woman whose voice commanded the attention of all within range.  She graced the stage with such poise and confidence. She was not scantily clad, there were no bells and whistles necessary to enhance her performance; she just stood there and sang.  She stood there in the authority of her vocals and sang.  She stood there and the gift God blessed her with was on display and none could deny its power. From that moment, I was a fan.

When the phone calls and text messages started to pour in, I was in such a state of disbelief.  I turned on the television and my computer wanting to discover that this was a cruel hoax.  Even though it was confirmed, I still sat waiting for some announcement that a mistake was made.  I shared with a friend that I know some will think me over spiritual, but I cannot but help but to consider the forces that were warring for Whitney’s soul. This woman was clearly anointed with that beautiful voice, but she grappled with the vices and vicissitudes of life. Her songs touched many in ways that some sermons preached from the pulpit have not, but those virulent things that oftentimes come along with fame and fortune overtook her.  From the number of people (self included) who stopped what they were doing to reflect on her life, it is apparent that she had an impact on many.  Unfortunately some took this occasion to highlight the negative/painful moments in her life.  I don’t deny that she had struggles, but she was still someone’s daughter, mother, friend – she was still human.  The difference between Whitney and the rest of us is that her “stuff” was lived out on a very public stage.  We are all giving the freedom of choice. However, we don’t really know until faced with the challenge whether or not we will give in to the pressure and make the choice that will leave us with regret.

I spent some time in prayer and meditation with God asking what is it that I am I to take away from this moment. I do believe there are some lessons we can learn. The first is obvious; we must all number our days because time is indeed short. The second lesson is that we must be vigilant about protecting and nurturing relationships (including fostering a healthy relationship with our own selves). Where reconciliation, restoration, healing and/or forgiveness need to take place let it.  The third lesson is we must be grateful for and aware of the grace and mercy of God that covers us and keeps us in the midst of our own struggles. 

I pray that Whitney has found the peace that she could not find in this world. I pray that God brings comfort and healing to her mother (Cissy), her daughter (Bobbi Kristina) her ex-husband (Bobby Brown).  I can hear the gasp of some now, but before we judge and assume let’s pray.  We don’t know his personal grief, regret and pain; we only see what is portrayed in the media. I pray for the host of other relatives, friends and fans who are grieving.  I pray God extend both compassion and conviction upon those who would relish in judgment and condemnation. Ms. Houston, no one will ever be able to say it better than you, for you sang it best, but I (along with millions of adoring fans) will always love you!!!

Abounding in Love and Growing in Grace,

Veronica

Handle with Care (Pt. 2)

“People just don't know what I'm about...
They haven't seen what's there behind my smile...
There's so much more of me I'm showin out...
(These are the pieces of me)

When it looks like I'm up...sometimes I'm down
I'm alone even when people all around
but that don't change the happiness I found...
(These are the pieces of me)

So when you look at my face...
You gotta know that I'm made of everything love and pain.
(These are the pieces of me)
Like every woman I know...
I'm complicated for sho...
But when I love, I love til there's no love no more...
(These are the pieces of me)…” 

Pieces of Me - Ledisi

Yes, it is clear that I’m back on my music kick again this week.  My first blog dealt with how God handles us carefully, even when it feels as if life is killing us. God does indeed know how to properly insulate us against the pressures of this journey. I’m certain that we can learn lessons about how to treat one another if we would just examine how God handles us.  It doesn’t matter the socioeconomic status, level of education, marital status, gender, religious affiliation…we all struggle with something. There are areas where we are broken, struggling, bruised and confused. I’m unsure as to who first coined the phrase, “Hurt people, hurt people and broken people, break people”, but it is a harsh truth. We offend and we are offended. I’ve come to learn that when we offend or are offended, oftentimes it’s a result of the broken/bruised areas of our lives that we have avoided or refused to admit exists.  At some point, we must confront these areas if we are to be made whole and stop the cycles continuing to live in hurt as well as hurting others.  I love this song by Ledisi because it shows the complexities of our lives.  We can experience loneliness in the midst of a crowd. When it looks like we have it all together, we are sometimes operating in “fake it til we make it” mode. The cover of her cd is also genius.  It is a puzzle picture of her face which is still being put together. We are still works in progress. The picture that’s being put together will reveal who we are; it is made up of all of victories and defeats, who we’ve loved and who we lost, our greatest fears and biggest dreams.

Writing this blog compels me to evaluate my own relationships and experiences. I’m drawn to a moment when I facilitated a small group at church.  The author of the book asked us to write a letter to self we were ten to twenty years ago. This is an excerpt from my letter “…you will learn and you will grow…you will learn that while the relationship may not last, the lesson will, you will learn to see in yourself what others see and sometimes what they cannot…While there are some moments that will challenge everything (and sometimes everybody) you believe in, know that you will make it. I’m amazed at your resilience…When you are challenged there is something I want you to remember…Remember God always sends people to come alongside to be a support, remember to seek those little things that warm your heart when life gets cold, remember that every day you survive brings you closer to your victory/destiny, remember to laugh (being silly is one of the things you do best) and oh yes, remember to flirt with the cute guy.  Veronica, there is a community who is waiting for you, they will embrace your story and your gifts and you will in turn embrace their stories and their gifts. You will be amazed at the new home you will find, so much so that it won’t matter who walked away or what you lost.”

This process revealed to me areas of tremendous growth, but it also showed areas that are still underdeveloped. It revealed why I offend others and why I’ve been offended.  It made me smile, but it also made me shed a few tears. It forced me to vacillate between introspection, retrospection and extrospection.  I once again came to the conclusion that “Hurt people, hurt people and broken people, break people.” It’s up to the individual to decide if they want to remain in that state or move toward healing/wholeness. I choose healing.  In healing, I must forgive myself and others.  In healing, I must be honest about what I chose to allow and the red flags I ignored. In healing, I must learn the lesson so as to not repeat the course. In healing, I discovered that people (self included) can only give what they have to give. What will you choose? I encourage each of you to write a letter to yourself.  I encourage you to discover and remember. Discover what experiences have brought you to your current space. Discover what is making up your picture. Remember that others are too discovering what makes up her/his picture. Remember to handle each other with care, even in times when tough love is necessary – let’s remember to not break what’s already fragile or leave bruises. Remember to not only handle others carefully, but treat your own soul/self with a special care.  You not only need it, you deserve it!!!

As God continues to divinely orchestrate the pieces of my puzzle, I continue to sing….

“So when you look at my face...
You gotta know that I'm made of everything love and pain.
(These are the pieces of me)
Like every woman I know...
I'm complicated for sho...
But when I love, I love til there's no love no more...
(These are the pieces of me)

I'm a woman...A woman... a woman, woman, woman
Yes I'm a woman, a woman…
these are the pieces of me... Yeaahhh”

Abounding in Love and Growing in Grace,

Veronica

Missing God

This is a devotional that I was honored to have published in Journey to Wholeness: The Immersion by Dr. John E. Guns.  I hope it blesses you!!!

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek Him" Hebrews 11:6 NIV

This passage urges those who encounter it to understand the premise of accessing God --faith.  Critical to the implementation of faith is that we believe God exists and rewards those who seek His presence.

While visiting the hair salon one day, I was reading a book for a homework assignment. I came across a passage that caused me pause. Author Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz wrote, "True spirituality has to do with living a reflective life, knowing that we are guided by God from within, that we are loved and admired by God. This God who falls in love with us over and over again...waits for us to reciprocate."

As I reflected on the words of the author and the goodness of God in my own life, I became aware of the times we miss (overlook) God.  God's presence was so real to me at that moment, but yet everyone else was absorbed in the happenings of the salon.  I was greatly moved by the heavenly visitation, but grieved by the lack of awareness. I was convicted.  How many times have I missed God? Have I been so busy and so overwhelmed that I have overlooked the divine? God falls in love with us over and over again. The proof exists in the new mercies we receive every morning. As people of faith, we must seek God. We must look for God's presence everyday in various ways, even in the mundane and chaotic. Otherwise we will simply continue to miss (overlook) God until we miss (have a longing for) God.



Abounding in Love and Growing in Grace,


Veronica

Catching My Own Drift

I am a lover of music – all types.  If there is a message in the song, I can usually find some form of appreciation for it.  One song that has been on my mind lately is Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror.  The gist of the song is that if you desire to make the world better, you’ve got to start with yourself.  Over the past few weeks, I’ve been engaged in a battle with myself.  What is my responsibility to my family, my friends, my community, those I’ve yet to meet?  What is my responsibility to myself? Was I ready to look at myself and be honest about what I thought, felt, saw..? Would I let fear rule or would faith dominate? Would regret and remorse regulate my course or would belief in the redemptive power of God to transform the human spirit/mind/will triumph? It is normal for people to start to make resolutions as we enter into a new year.  However, this year I’ve decided I need to do more than simply resolve to make something happen.  I need to make a promise to myself and find those that will help hold me accountable to make 2012 the most unforgettable, spectacular year ever. I need to do more than write the vision; I’ve got to act on it.  Consequently, I’ve deemed 2012 as “The Year of the Comeback!!!” 

This year, in fact the past few years, have been filled with difficulties, disappointments, disillusions, - in other words there were many, many moments when I felt just plain - DISSED.  But somehow there remains a glimmer of hope, there is something within that inspires me to continue to believe.  The past few weeks have been especially difficult and certain transitions have left me feeling as if I’ve lost my grounding.  I had to find the strength and courage to move beyond this space.

The phrase, “Do you catch my drift?” is used when asking a person if they understand what you are saying.  I found myself in a battle with myself and had to literally speak to myself. I literally stood in the mirror and had a conversation with myself. I had to have my own come to Jesus meeting. I had to do what the bible says and bring those negative thoughts captive – making them subject to the spirit of God in me.  I had to remind myself that in spite of what I may be feeling, I remain the apple of God’s eye.  I had to encourage myself to move beyond emotions and walk into purpose. Essentially, I had to catch my own drift. I approach this upcoming year with great expectation, but please understand there is some fear and trembling that accompanies me.  Nonetheless, instead of reverting to old habits of allowing fear to stop me in my tracks, I will use it to propel me into purpose. 

So this is my end of an old year, beginning of the New Year wish to each and every one of you – I pray that you would start with the woman/man in the mirror, find your source of strength and “Catch Your Own Drift.”

Abounding in Love and Growing in Grace,

Veronica

Handle With Care

These three words warn the person about to handle a package that there's something delicate inside. Recently, I was transporting a fragile item which belonged to a friend.  It was in packing and transporting this item that I thought of life's journey. During the packing process, I made sure to carefully insulate the item and strategically place it within my luggage so that it wouldn't be damaged during the transport. While the item was designed to withstand a certain amount of pressure, temperature and handling, the wrong move, the wrong force could damage it beyond repair. 

Just like that item, even the strongest among us have areas, moments, days, spaces in our lives where we are vulnerable to circumstances and need some extra care.  I've learned over the past few years that God is masterful at handling us with care.  While we sojourn through this thing called life, we are certain to be bounced around from time to time. Even though we may feel every bit of turbulence, we may experience some motion sickness and we may even be frightened during the ride, God skillfully insulates us so that the ride doesn't break us. God carefully places us so that we can arrive safely at our destination.  What feels as if it will be our certain destruction turns into a testimony. We realize that there were some people surrounding  us to comfort us, some circumstances underneath us holding us and some prayers covering us that kept us from irreparable damage.

 I'm reminded of the song lyrics, "...But the Captain of my soul, He's always on board, He rocks me in His arms, While riding through the storm..."  If we can just trust God while in transport and stay in place, we can avoid the breaks, cracks, chips, scratches that we encounter when we are out of position.

....to be continued.....

Abounding in Love and Growing in Grace,

Veronica