The Nine-Noodle Necklace

My son was just a toddler when his class at daycare began learning numbers and the alphabet. He was excited to recite each letter and identify an animal or object whose name began with the letter.

Then came the letter N. Cameron was so proud to present me with his latest class project: a nine-noodle necklace. He'd painted nine large tubular pasta and strung them on a length of colorful yarn. The next morning, he made sure I was wearing it to work, which, of course, I did.

Throughout the day I attended meetings and conducted business, happy to explain the origins of my unusual accessory.

Was it the most beautiful piece of jewelry I'ver owned? Of course not. I'm sure I got a few disapproving looks from colleagues.

But the value of my nine-noodle necklace came from the giver, not the gift.

Recently, the Lord reminded me of the nine-noodle necklace. I was lamenting the effects of aging on my body and how much I despised them, when he whispered, "Long life is my gift to you. Why are you disparaging it?"

Whoa. Are the veins on my legs or the gray in my hair any less attractive than my toddler's paint-splattered noodles? Not when you consider the Giver, who said:

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. (Proverbs 16:31)

The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. (Proverbs 20:29)

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? (Job 12:12)

So I will embrace this gift, with all its thorns, because I know the Giver. He is good, all the time, and he gives good gifts. Lord, let me wear this gift with thanksgiving and give you the glory!

Footsie With Jesus

They are obviously in love. He watches her every move with such pure adoration. His precious bride! Her face brightens and her smile widens when he walks into the room. Her beloved groom! They embrace. They share a long, languorous kiss.

They sit and she unbuckles her heels while she locks eyes with him. He swallows and relaxes, expectant, kicking off his own shoes. She smiles and moves toward him.

Running her toes along his foot, she settles back into the sofa. He reaches for her but she pushes him away. Intrigued, he leans in for another kiss. She turns her head and laughs, all the while stroking his foot with hers. He tries to pull her closer but she resists. Intrigue turns to sadness as he realizes she doesn't love him the way he loves her. With one last longing look, he leaves.

I know too many people who are playing this very game right now. They love Jesus, they claim to have a relationship with him but when it comes time to go all in, they balk. I call it playing footsie with Jesus.

Jesus was familiar with this type of Christian. In Revelation 3:15-16, he addresses the footsie-playing members of the church at Laodicea:

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Jesus doesn't need someone who only wants to play games. He's looking for men and women who are head over heels in love with him and committed to him at all costs. The woman who turns her back on illicit relationships for him. The man who chooses Jesus over just one more drink.

The truth is, you can't be "all in" with Jesus and cheat on your taxes. You can't choose Jesus and engage in sexual sin. You can't be totally devoted to him and carry a grudge. They cannot co-exist.

Before you conclude that true devotion to the Lord is based only on behavior, let's look at what he says in his word. In Isaiah 29:13, he describes the type of follower he does not desire:

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.

God seeks followers with a single characteristic that marks them as genuine. In Luke 14:33, he says:

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. 

Everything? Really, Jesus? Does that include my career aspirations? My pursuit of a spouse? My friends? My (fill in the blank)?

It's drastic. Audacious. A little unrealistic, perhaps? Not when you look at the drastic, audacious, REAL God we serve!

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

All things means, well, all things. But you must be all in. No more footsie.

Creative Juices

My entire career has been spent working creatively. From writing and editing to publication layout and photography, I love the process of creating something cohesive and beautiful from ideas and facts. For the most part, it has been rewarding.

But two years ago, my company was purchased by a conglomerate with a centralized "creative department." The creative team produces cookie-cutter ads, brochures, mailers, TV commercials and billboards that are used interchangeably across the country.

My creative skills were no longer needed.

So what to do with this drive to create? Do I continue looking for employment that allows me to use my creative skills? Or is God leading me in a different direction?

To be endowed with a talent for creativity is a blessing from the Creator himself. His creativity is evident all around us. When he gifts his children with this ability, we are expected to use it for his glory. To stifle it is to hide it in the ground, like the foolish servant.

I believe God is pointing me toward something greater than a 9-to-5 outlet for my creative juices. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm excited to get there. Stay tuned.

Zero Waste

With a smile, the young woman waved a small square of paper scraps neatly clipped together. This, she declared, was all the waste she produced in a month.

It required a series of well-planned steps, including buying in bulk using recycled containers and reusing items most of us would toss without a second thought. She was doing her part to reduce what winds up in our nation’s landfills.

Her efforts are admirable, but hardly original. God perfected this concept more than 2,000 years ago!

Romans 8:28 tell us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

That’s right: not one heartbreak, not one tear, not one soul-baring wail is wasted in His hands.

It certainly doesn’t feel productive when we are awash in pain. When the cancer doesn’t go away. When the bills can’t be paid. When the child won’t come home.

But when we cling to Jesus – sometimes by our fingertips – we remind ourselves that our heavenly Father knows our hurt and will put it to good use. How? We may never know precisely where it fit into His perfect plan, but we can rest assured that, somewhere among the loose threads and matted snarls, He lovingly placed it in the tapestry of our lives.