It Happens to Be

Really! It does!

It’s my tagline, it’s my motto, and I say it all the time, even to the extent that I know my friends secretly making gagging motions behind my back – EVERYTHING happens for a reason. Yes! Yes, I do truly believe that.  It’s not just my way of writing things off or making light of a situation, I believe that everything is connected and intertwined and perfectly planned out by God.

 

 I often have people challenge me on that. “If it is all part of God’s plan then why do bad things happen”, they say.  That is a pretty deep question for the not so educated, struggling Christian (that’s me). What I know for sure though is that I am here today – not by any of my own doing, not by luck or coincidence, but purely by the love and grace of God.  He has yet to present me with a problem that I could not work through, although I would not have believed it at the time. Some of them very mountainous problems, but what I found is the closer I got to God and the more I relied on the fact that the problem fit perfectly into His plan, the easier it actually became.  Don’t misunderstand me, I really have dealt with AND overcome some pretty daunting situations, some that I actually didn’t know if I would physically survive. Still yet, with all of my doubts and fears, here I am to tell about them.  My point is this, regardless of what we are presented with, no matter how difficult a situation it may seem to be, God has intended it for good.  Not “my” good or “your” good, but God’s good. It is easy to forget that we were created for God’s glory – created to reflect His image. In His infinite wisdom He has woven together His glory and our good. When we honor God above all other things, we glorify Him and our longing for joy and comfort will be satisfied.

 

Yesterday I received some news about someone that I dearly love; news that made me sad and angry.  I immediately began to question “why”? Why do things happen the way they do? It only took a few minutes though for me to remember that everything happens for a reason.  My anger turned to questions. How does this fit into God’s plan? What can I do to help this person? How can I use this situation to glorify God? Today, I awoke with a heavy heart and concern for how to help this person or make a positive impact on this situation.  I had to ask God to prop me up today. I composed a quick email to the person, trying desperately to choose just the right words to soothe her pain. By lunch time I was sharing a sandwich with her and this afternoon I noted a lighter tone in her voice when she called.  No, everything is not better, everything is not resolved, it is still a terrible situation but I have comfort in knowing it is part of God’s perfect plan.

 

If you’ve recently had a day like this or even a week like this, rest assured “Everything happens for a reason”.

 

Really, it does.

Do you remember?

…where you were five years ago today?  Probably not, unless you are like me and are celebrating the birth of your 5 year old today. Yes, this has definitely been the fastest five years of my life.  Filled with excitement, worry, laughter, tears, sweet kisses and learning experiences.

 

It wasn’t suppose to be Anslie’s fifth birthday yet (she was not due until April) but just like everything else she does, she was in a hurry to get here.  A HUGE hurry. As a matter of fact, I think she is stuck in fast forward – she runs, leaps, bounds, skips, talks, runs, runs, runs. Well, you get the picture; she does everything fast and fast makes me t-i-r-e-d.  If you’ve ever read the Olivia books, you could just pretend it says Anslie instead of Olivia.

 

Tired has its rewards though – I’ll share a few of them with you – In the voice of Anslie:

 

“Mommy, when will I be 39 like you?” (This is only said shouted in very crowded public places.)

“God doesn’t like it when you yell at me.”

“Is there anymore Spegarus?” (That’s Asparagus for all of you who don’t have 5 yr olds)

 “Can you give me some of daddy’s money”?

 “God gave us these wonderful bodies, didn’t he?”

 

Makes you smile doesn’t it?  It makes me smile too.

 

Happy 5^th Birthday Anslie!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then........

 

 

 

 

......and Now

 

 

Lord, we thank you for our many blessings.   ~Amen

Things that make me smile...

  Just a few of the things that make me smile……

• mommy (whispered softly)
• a cold pillow

                                              

• my man in his blue jeans & beige sweater
• prayer
• forsythia blooms

                                            

• having the right answer
• memories of my mom
• strawberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream
• innocence

I’m really very easy to please. Such simple things that bring happiness to my life, how about you – what makes you smile?

A Perfect Example

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.   Romans 8:28

These are probably not the pictures that your mind conjures up when you hear this scripture but it’s one of the first things I thought of when I saw the Eco-Dorm garden at Warren Wilson College.  Even the casual observer can see how these creatures are working together; some pollinating, others eating harmful insects and some just beautifying the landscape and making me smile.  What was amazing was how many critters there were in such a small area.  You haven’t seen bugs until you’ve seen the likes of these guys – thousands of bees, butterflies, ladybugs and others that I couldn’t even identify – all living in harmony for a common goal.  So what if their goal was survival, for us (humans) it means life as well.  Only about 10% of flowering plants are able to pollinate without animal assistance, which leaves a whole lot of work to be done. We can be thankful that so many of the fruits, vegetables and flowers we enjoy are made possible by those “working together for good”.  Not only were the insects hard at work, there are some pretty special people working hard to make this garden so impressive. I was fortunate enough to meet Jeremy who is one of the caretakers of this little slice of heaven. 

Jeremy was full of knowledge about the plants and overflowing with energy about his work and the sustainability of this project. For those of you who don’t “buy in” to the green living and sustainability culture, Warren Wilson College is a perfect example of how these practices are being successfully employed.

Thanks to Jeremy for indulging all of my questions and sharing some exquisite blackberries and tomatoes with us!! Oh, and an extra-special thanks to Leah (Jeremy's sister) for so patiently waiting to go to breakfast - which wound up being lunch because we chatted so long!

These berries were part of their breakfast, er...Lunch.

This girl is having some breakfast too....isn't she (I know, this is probably a male L)the most spectacular sight!

Check out more photos of this wonderful haven at my flickr photostream.

Ciao ~ Renee

One of a Kind

Now every mother thinks her child is “One of a Kind”, we just can’t help it.  When it comes to describing our children, each one is special. What is really exciting though is when others acknowledge the traits and talents that make your child who they are – an individual.

Society believes that childhood is an idyllic time: carefree, filled with lazy days and contentment. No pressures, just toys, television, perfect playmates, summer vacations and the likes of which are publicized in skads of parenting magazines and assorted media around the world. The truth is – childhood is HARD. Sure children typically don't have the worries of high gas prices, food shortages or the multitude of most other adult problems, BUT they do worry and they do have stress. A lot of childhood stress comes from the pressure to be like everyone else – that’s where being “One of a Kind” can sometimes be painful, very painful. As a child it is impossible to see how being different can serve you well in life. “Mom, if I don’t look, dress and talk like the rest of the group they make fun of me”. That sentence makes me want to cry because I know the truth in it.

As a society we have conditioned our youth to believe that clothes, cars and money define who we are. Shame on us!!! I mean that.  What is wrong with us when we no longer value the true qualities that make people special? When you take off those expensive clothes, step out of that fancy car and federal regulators shut down your bank, you will still be that same special individual – minus the fluff.  That’s what I want my children to learn.  I want them to appreciate their friends for their kindness, humor and intelligence, the stuff on the inside.  I also want to appreciate my children in the same manner, to be able to realize that each one is different and treat them as such.

Speaking of which, last week Jordan (my 10yo son) participated in drama camp which culminated in a Friday night performance. All week he practiced his lines and talked about which parts he was playing and when I should be watching for him. This is one of my favorite things to do – watch him perform.  He is oh so dramatic and funny.  He can sing, dance, act and improvise at the drop of a hat.

Great talents for any ten year old but, especially so since he is mine! (I know bragging is not becoming of a lady – today I choose to be unladylike).

As we got settled in for the performance, the director came on stage to introduce the camp theme and give an overview of the week.  She also handed out camp awards – Dear Lord, I can feel that lump appear in my throat out of nowhere. It’s as if I’ve been harboring a fugitive toad in my stomach and he has decided at this very moment to relocate!! Don’t laugh, every parent knows the feeling – “will my child get an award”? So, I patiently waited and smiled as campers crept from behind the curtain to collect their acknowledgements. As I waited, the stack of awards got smaller until there was only one award left – oh, I hope that one is for Jordan! Then the next sentence out of the director’s mouth made the frog in my throat do a double back handspring triple somersault.

“This last award is the ‘One of a Kind Award’, it goes to a camper who, let us just say, made a lasting impression on us and is truly one of a kind”. (OH NO, I change my mind, please Lord, don’t let it be Jordan).

"Our One of a Kind Award goes to Jordan Rhea, come on out Jordan”! (uuugh!  Hooray!!)

(Applause here!) And in an instant with his perfectly bright smile and gracious stage presence he appeared to accept his award.  A brief handshake, slight bow to the audience and he disappeared behind the curtain.

I slumped ever so slightly in my seat. Are people looking at me? Muttering about the kid who is “One of a Kind”? Wondering if he was out there? What kind of impression did he make that would be so lasting? Stop It Renee!! You are paranoid, nobody is looking at you and nobody thinks anything.  He went to camp and showed who he was; his individuality.  Dear Lord, please forgive me for thinking the worst. (Remind me sometime to tell you about my “Nosey Award” at Girl Scout camp – I believe that frog has been hanging around ever since.) To my relief the lights dimmed and it was show time.

As I sat there watching the performances of these 30 or so young actors and actresses I realize that I put too much emphasis on what I expect my children to be and not enough emphasis on who they truly are.

All of these participants are brave beyond belief.  Each one revealing their individual style, creativity and talent to a group of total strangers – that’s impressive. As many times as I have read chapter one of the Purpose Driven Life I still forget that my children are exactly who they are supposed to be.  God made them for his own purpose and carefully planned out every detail of their physical and spiritual being.  I am thankful that He has enough faith in me to entrust three of His precious children to my care. I am proud of my three “One of a Kind” children for who they are.

Today I’m especially proud of Jordan for his ambition, talent, humor, kindness and his heart of gold. He is so special and truly one of a kind. I know that God has great plans for him.

I can’t wait to see his next performance - this one was FABULOUS!

Each new child brings the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.  ~Tagore

Uniquely me,

~ Renee

Happy Whatever Day

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, this appears to be your average, everyday, roadside mailbox, but it is so much more than that.

Today, it was the vehicle for my joy. Instead of seeing a pile of bills, junk mail or wasted paper – what I saw when I opened the mailbox door today was JOY!  I had a surprise. You can always tell when there is something extra in the box.  It may be a little larger than the rest or maybe a different color envelope or even bear the now extinct handwritten address. YEP, ink pen is a sure sign that you have gotten something extra in the box! I immediately felt my heart leap. It’s not my anniversary or birthday or anyone else’s in our family for that matter so who was getting the “extra” envelope today?  Thump-thump, thump-thump, I could feel the excitement building as I reached into the box.  Sure enough, in neat black ink the address read, Mrs. Renee Ollis – it’s for ME! I just got a letter, I just got a letter, I just got a letter – wonder who it’s from?

     

There was a return address that I didn’t recognize but no name. Now my heart was really starting to pound.  Somebody has been thinking about me and I don’t even know who it is. I couldn’t wait to open it. As I tore open the envelope and pulled out the card, I knew this card was special.  This card had been handmade especially for me. Someone had spent hours hand cutting and decorating this card with meticulous care and love – All just for me! Imagine as I’ve been going about my routine this week someone had stopped everything they were doing – JUST FOR ME!! I am so lucky. So loved. The card read “Happy Whatever Day” – with the Chinese symbols for love and joy.

Beautiful, yes the card - but even more beautiful is the person who painstakingly created it for me.  This friend and I had recently had a conversation about the importance (my view) or unimportance (her view) of sending cards through the mail.  She wanted to know why an e-card wasn’t as good as a card in the mail since the thought was all the same.  I think there is something purely wonderful and thrilling about the unexpected receipt of a card in the mailbox and I wasted no time expressing this. Thank the Lord she is patient and tolerant (oh! so, so tolerant). She let me have my say, and since we had briefly had the conversation before, I knew her view. No matter, this week she stepped beyond what she thought because she puts others before herself – she sent me an envelope of joy.

I admire her. She is one of very few people that I know who lives what she believes and believes what she lives. She is good and kind and honest. Rare. The most intriguing part about receiving a card in the mail is not knowing that you are in someone else’s thoughts or even the element of surprise, It is knowing that you are loved enough for someone to sacrifice their time for you.

Happy Whatever Day to you too Marcia.