I pretty much don't ever use my blog to address whatever story is swirling about in the news or on social media. But there is one that has caught my attention as the parent of teenager daughter, heck as a parent and as a human being, that I believe deserves a moment.
In case you missed it, the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, had some, shall we say, "interesting" things to say about who his stores do and do not cater to. His comments are as follows:
"In every school there are the cool and popular kids, and then there are the not-so-cool kids," he says. "Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don't belong [in our clothes], and they can't belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely. Those companies that are in trouble are trying to target everybody: young, old, fat, skinny. But then you become totally vanilla. You don't alienate anybody, but you don't excite anybody, either."
I am pretty sure I am not the only person or parent whose reaction to these comments were outright anger, indignation, and disgust. Who does he think he is anyway?
Well, for starters, you only have to look back to the 2002 Asian-insulting tee shirt controversy to see that Mr. Jeffries is a racist. There is really no other explanation for printing and selling any item that is intended to be insulting toward an entire human race and culture.
But by his own comments (and there are many other equally inflammatory ones out there, none of which I will publish here because quite frankly, they are garbage), Mr. Jeffries is a mean girl.
We've all encountered them. The girls who build their self-image and position off the backs of others, who consider themselves to be beautiful solely because someone else, in their opinion, is not. Who make fun of others to build themselves up, and exclude anyone that they do not deem to be as pretty, fun, popular, or cool as themselves. Their whole worth lies exclusively in demeaning other people, and like Mr. Jeffries, they think that is "cool". Even if you've never personally encountered one, you've likely seen the movie "Mean Girls" and know exactly what I'm talking about.
Mr. Jeffries is the Regina George of clothing CEO's. He has built an entire clothing brand based on the same model....building up himself, his store, and sadly his clientele up solely by belittling others.
But what they really are, are bullies. Sad bullies at that, because take all the "uncool" people away and their self-worth becomes completely baseless, and that is sad.
Instead of being angry, however, I'd like to thank Mr. Jeffries. Yup, I said it. Why? Because he just handed me a fantastic reason for my teenager to never shop there.
I've never particularly cared for stores like his (or Hollister), that use sex as a selling point and that cost way to much for way too little material. But my daughter wants to fit in, and other people wear them.
However, my daughter, while definitely not a saint, DOES understand the concept of mean girls. She has been on the receiving end, and we have frequent discussions about not becoming one. She also understands the concept of being a bully. She doesn't like them, and neither do I. So now that I am done being a bit indignant and angry, I'd like to thank you, Mr. Jeffries, for making my job as a parent that much easier, and for exposing yourself for what you truly are, which is anything but cool.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
He is Still God
If you read my blog last night, you know I went to bed with some stuff on my mind. I just had to share that God woke me up this morning with a fresh revelation of who HE is, and that all the rest pales in comparison, and in the end, even though it may hurt in this present moment, will not matter.
HE IS gracious.
HE IS loving.
HE IS patient and kind
HE IS everlasting, and I can claim HIM as mine
HE IS the friend who never, ever leaves us
HE IS our shield and our defense when accusations come against us
HE IS faithful to the end
And because HE IS faithful to His promises, and I can rest peacefully there in His arms, knowing that even when all hell breaks loose, HE IS still God, and HE IS and always will be, good.
HE IS gracious.
HE IS loving.
HE IS patient and kind
HE IS everlasting, and I can claim HIM as mine
HE IS the friend who never, ever leaves us
HE IS our shield and our defense when accusations come against us
HE IS faithful to the end
And because HE IS faithful to His promises, and I can rest peacefully there in His arms, knowing that even when all hell breaks loose, HE IS still God, and HE IS and always will be, good.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
True Story
One of my favorite songs is by an artist named Ginny Owens, and it's called "True Story". The chorus goes something like this:
You see my imperfections, still You say I'm a masterpiece
A marvelous reflection, the image of Yourself in me
You paint with strokes of grace, undoing my disguise
You say beauty lies in the true story
Of where I've been, of where You've brought me to
Of who I am, all because of You
There are situations in my life right now that are unresolved. There's nothing that makes me more nutty or uncomfortable than an unresolved situation. I can't stand living in limbo. Even worse when you aren't really sure why things still are they way they are. My best efforts weren't enough, and to this day I still don't understand it all.
I've been called a lot of things by some people, completely ignored by others. And that's okay. They hurt at the time. Truth be told, they still hurt sometimes. I'm human. But I can take comfort that not only does God see and know the whole picture, He holds the whole world in His hand, and is more than capable to see to that which concerns me.
More importantly, God knows me. He alone knows my heart, and the intents and motivations of it. I want so much to be holy, to be like Him as much as possible, but the amazing thing is I am learning I don't have to be good enough. I'm never going to be. That takes so much pressure off. Cause He knows that. He loves me anyway. He paints my life in strokes of grace, undoing my disguise. And He says beauty lies in the true story...of where I've been. What He's brought me through. Of who I am, and it's all because of Him.
No more pressure. No more stress or striving. Resting, even when the memories of what used to be try to come around and haunt me. He sees the true story.
You see my imperfections, still You say I'm a masterpiece
A marvelous reflection, the image of Yourself in me
You paint with strokes of grace, undoing my disguise
You say beauty lies in the true story
Of where I've been, of where You've brought me to
Of who I am, all because of You
There are situations in my life right now that are unresolved. There's nothing that makes me more nutty or uncomfortable than an unresolved situation. I can't stand living in limbo. Even worse when you aren't really sure why things still are they way they are. My best efforts weren't enough, and to this day I still don't understand it all.
I've been called a lot of things by some people, completely ignored by others. And that's okay. They hurt at the time. Truth be told, they still hurt sometimes. I'm human. But I can take comfort that not only does God see and know the whole picture, He holds the whole world in His hand, and is more than capable to see to that which concerns me.
More importantly, God knows me. He alone knows my heart, and the intents and motivations of it. I want so much to be holy, to be like Him as much as possible, but the amazing thing is I am learning I don't have to be good enough. I'm never going to be. That takes so much pressure off. Cause He knows that. He loves me anyway. He paints my life in strokes of grace, undoing my disguise. And He says beauty lies in the true story...of where I've been. What He's brought me through. Of who I am, and it's all because of Him.
No more pressure. No more stress or striving. Resting, even when the memories of what used to be try to come around and haunt me. He sees the true story.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
ember
Ember. A small, glowing piece of coal or wood, as in a dying fire. A hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or
smoldering.
Have you ever felt so burnt out by a situation, or just by life in general? Or maybe you are the person that has been burnt by another person. Life has knocked you around and you just don't see it getting any better. Perhaps you just want to give up because it hurts to much to care, and hope is not a promise but instead a painful reminder of all that hasn't happened, or all that has been taken from you, and all that remains are the smoldering ashes of a life that once was, or one that you have come to believe never will be. What will you do?
Notice that an ember glows, even when it's dying. There's something of a spark that burns brightly amidst the gray dullness of the ashes. If you're still breathing, there's still hope.
I Timothy 1: 5-7 says, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
Inside an ember lies the choice of life or death. You can step on it, and kill the fire forever. Or you can fan it into a flame, and let your light shine. That thing that maybe you thought would kill you may be the very thing that sparks your life into the brightest flame anyone has ever seen.
It's amazing what God can do with a broken, burnt out shell of a life. I know, because He's done it to mine. And I am living proof that even if you are the one responsible for the wreckage, there's no person that does not have that little spark of hope, that is too far gone for God to breath life into the ashes and spark a flame that will never die.
Don't you give up. Allow God to fan into flame the gifts, the passion, the spark that He placed in your life. You know, that thing that refuses to die even when the rest of your life is in ruin and all you want to do is quit. Don't. Allow God to breathe life into your ember, that small glowing piece in the midst of your dying fire. Because your life matters, even if all that's left is an ember.
Have you ever felt so burnt out by a situation, or just by life in general? Or maybe you are the person that has been burnt by another person. Life has knocked you around and you just don't see it getting any better. Perhaps you just want to give up because it hurts to much to care, and hope is not a promise but instead a painful reminder of all that hasn't happened, or all that has been taken from you, and all that remains are the smoldering ashes of a life that once was, or one that you have come to believe never will be. What will you do?
Notice that an ember glows, even when it's dying. There's something of a spark that burns brightly amidst the gray dullness of the ashes. If you're still breathing, there's still hope.
I Timothy 1: 5-7 says, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
Inside an ember lies the choice of life or death. You can step on it, and kill the fire forever. Or you can fan it into a flame, and let your light shine. That thing that maybe you thought would kill you may be the very thing that sparks your life into the brightest flame anyone has ever seen.
It's amazing what God can do with a broken, burnt out shell of a life. I know, because He's done it to mine. And I am living proof that even if you are the one responsible for the wreckage, there's no person that does not have that little spark of hope, that is too far gone for God to breath life into the ashes and spark a flame that will never die.
Don't you give up. Allow God to fan into flame the gifts, the passion, the spark that He placed in your life. You know, that thing that refuses to die even when the rest of your life is in ruin and all you want to do is quit. Don't. Allow God to breathe life into your ember, that small glowing piece in the midst of your dying fire. Because your life matters, even if all that's left is an ember.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
When I Can't See
Today I got my very own Skype account. I know, I know, welcome to the 21st century I guess. I got it to communicate with a friend who is far away traveling. And I've been thinking about how much my perspective changed from when I could not see their face until the moment I could. It's amazing the difference that seeing can make.
I mentioned before that there have been a lot of big things that have happened in my life this year. There have been many wonderful and amazing things, but also some tough things that in the moment I have not understood, and a few that I still don't understand now.
One of the major things that has happened is the loss of people that I cared deeply about. Some, gone from this life. Some, walked out of my life, either for a season or for real. There have been many times that I have felt forgotten. Alone. Abandoned. And for the life of me, I really did not understand what possible purpose God could have, or why He would allow the things He did.
In those moments, sometimes many times over, faith was a hard choice. I had to believe, even when I could not see, that I was still loved and wanted by God. But it was the only choice...trust or shrivel up and die.
Truthfully, I can't complain...even through the darkest moments, there were and are people near and dear to me who walked with me. Who comforted me, listened to me cry and sometimes vent, who loved me unconditionally and still do. They were Jesus with skin on and I will be forever grateful.
But I remember a point when things when one situation came to a head. I remember getting off the phone after the most shocking conversation I'd ever had in my life, and having to go back to work without being able to put one thought together in my mind.
As I sat there begging God to help me focus, even better to make sense of what I had heard, I will never forget hearing His still, small voice. "Do you see now? I wasn't doing this to HURT you, I was doing it to SAVE you. Because this would have consumed you."
And as I looked back over the situation in my mind, for the first time, I SAW. It's amazing what seeing can do to your perspective. But I realize now it's in choosing to believe, trust, and obey when I CAN'T see, in the moments when I don't understand, that make my faith, faith. Without it, I'd never be able to see at all. And I am grateful.
"When I can't see where You're leading me, still my heart. Help me to believe that You love me, all of me"
I mentioned before that there have been a lot of big things that have happened in my life this year. There have been many wonderful and amazing things, but also some tough things that in the moment I have not understood, and a few that I still don't understand now.
One of the major things that has happened is the loss of people that I cared deeply about. Some, gone from this life. Some, walked out of my life, either for a season or for real. There have been many times that I have felt forgotten. Alone. Abandoned. And for the life of me, I really did not understand what possible purpose God could have, or why He would allow the things He did.
In those moments, sometimes many times over, faith was a hard choice. I had to believe, even when I could not see, that I was still loved and wanted by God. But it was the only choice...trust or shrivel up and die.
Truthfully, I can't complain...even through the darkest moments, there were and are people near and dear to me who walked with me. Who comforted me, listened to me cry and sometimes vent, who loved me unconditionally and still do. They were Jesus with skin on and I will be forever grateful.
But I remember a point when things when one situation came to a head. I remember getting off the phone after the most shocking conversation I'd ever had in my life, and having to go back to work without being able to put one thought together in my mind.
As I sat there begging God to help me focus, even better to make sense of what I had heard, I will never forget hearing His still, small voice. "Do you see now? I wasn't doing this to HURT you, I was doing it to SAVE you. Because this would have consumed you."
And as I looked back over the situation in my mind, for the first time, I SAW. It's amazing what seeing can do to your perspective. But I realize now it's in choosing to believe, trust, and obey when I CAN'T see, in the moments when I don't understand, that make my faith, faith. Without it, I'd never be able to see at all. And I am grateful.
"When I can't see where You're leading me, still my heart. Help me to believe that You love me, all of me"
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
A Heart Full
I started this blog with the best of intentions, and with intention I have erred, because I for a while really did not keep up with it. Not necessarily on purpose, but mainly because there was life to be lived and the joys and the struggles have been more than enough to keep a person occupied.
The past year has brought some really tough stuff my way, stuff that I'm not really going to talk about now, and I don't know when I will. But it brought me to my knees in new ways, and shook loose the things that needed to be shaken. Some by choice, some by circumstance, and some by merely saying, "Okay God, break me. Just break me. You're gonna do it anyway, so here I am willing. Just break me."
I'm not entirely sure WHAT I was thinking when those words actually came out of my mouth, but let me forewarn you now, when you say something like that to God, He takes you seriously. And by the end of the year, I had given up. On my dreams, on music, on anything ever being better than it is right now. And even though the circumstances in the "right now" were gut-wrenching, I also realized in a whole new way just how lucky I was (and am) to have the love of a good man, four beautiful kids, a good job, and a roof over our head. Life had proven itself to be wholly uncertain, and I decided that perhaps I should just learn to be content with what I had.
I have to say, being content with what you have is always a good thing, but in this case, I felt as though I was "settling" to be content. I've always been a dreamer, and dreaming small has never been a problem of mine. But I was hurting, and tired, and tired of waiting for something good to happen.
And I was just done.
I'm grateful for a few things. Number one, a husband who is too stubborn to let me quit. Seriously. How he puts up with me, I'll never know. Secondly, for friends who let me call them any time just to cry even if they really didn't understand all that was going on (Nanci, Lindsey, Heidi, Mrs. P, Candace...I love you all way more than you'll ever know, and can't say enough thank you's for those conversations), and put up with me and encouraged me when I was a complete and utter mess. But I'm mostly thankful that even in the middle of being broken, God works ALL things for my good, and is faithful even when I am faithless to the point of giving in.
I'll write more details later, but here's the skinny...since the beginning of this year, the changes that God has brought have been amazing, scary, and hard to grasp. He has restored relationships with both my best friend and my dad, and out of that has come an opportunity to record a project in Nashville (squee!) in just under three months from now. My heart is full, and my cup overflows.
My goal is to start chronicling how we got here and where we are going. But I ask that you pray for all three of us and our families. The challenges along the way are numerous, but we know and have seen time and again that God is FAITHFUL. Even on my worst days, I cannot ever go back and say that He is not. And I can't wait to share this journey with all of you.
The past year has brought some really tough stuff my way, stuff that I'm not really going to talk about now, and I don't know when I will. But it brought me to my knees in new ways, and shook loose the things that needed to be shaken. Some by choice, some by circumstance, and some by merely saying, "Okay God, break me. Just break me. You're gonna do it anyway, so here I am willing. Just break me."
I'm not entirely sure WHAT I was thinking when those words actually came out of my mouth, but let me forewarn you now, when you say something like that to God, He takes you seriously. And by the end of the year, I had given up. On my dreams, on music, on anything ever being better than it is right now. And even though the circumstances in the "right now" were gut-wrenching, I also realized in a whole new way just how lucky I was (and am) to have the love of a good man, four beautiful kids, a good job, and a roof over our head. Life had proven itself to be wholly uncertain, and I decided that perhaps I should just learn to be content with what I had.
I have to say, being content with what you have is always a good thing, but in this case, I felt as though I was "settling" to be content. I've always been a dreamer, and dreaming small has never been a problem of mine. But I was hurting, and tired, and tired of waiting for something good to happen.
And I was just done.
I'm grateful for a few things. Number one, a husband who is too stubborn to let me quit. Seriously. How he puts up with me, I'll never know. Secondly, for friends who let me call them any time just to cry even if they really didn't understand all that was going on (Nanci, Lindsey, Heidi, Mrs. P, Candace...I love you all way more than you'll ever know, and can't say enough thank you's for those conversations), and put up with me and encouraged me when I was a complete and utter mess. But I'm mostly thankful that even in the middle of being broken, God works ALL things for my good, and is faithful even when I am faithless to the point of giving in.
I'll write more details later, but here's the skinny...since the beginning of this year, the changes that God has brought have been amazing, scary, and hard to grasp. He has restored relationships with both my best friend and my dad, and out of that has come an opportunity to record a project in Nashville (squee!) in just under three months from now. My heart is full, and my cup overflows.
My goal is to start chronicling how we got here and where we are going. But I ask that you pray for all three of us and our families. The challenges along the way are numerous, but we know and have seen time and again that God is FAITHFUL. Even on my worst days, I cannot ever go back and say that He is not. And I can't wait to share this journey with all of you.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
From A Thankful Heart
So, I realize it's been a while since I updated this here blog. So much has happened that I am not entirely sure where to start. So I'm thinking it's time to make a list of things that have happened that I am beyond excited and grateful over.
*I was asked (and able) to "pinch hit" on background vocals at a gig with the incomparable and always wonderful Tenley Westbrook (you think I'm just saying that...totally not, she is tops).
*I found out that I will be an auntie again this spring...twice! Yea for nieces and nephews!!
*The kids and I were able to go with my mom to visit relatives from The County...it has literally been years since I have been able to go up there for a real visit and it was absolute heaven. I loved seeing the family, and I can't tell you adequately the feeling of awe you get when you come the top of a hill and all you can see is field and trees and big, big sky...it seems like you can see forever. Especially at sunset. Oh, the sunsets!!!!
*I was invited to sing at a concert with Justin Havu, musical genius (again, you may think I'm kidding...not even close. Totally brilliant) for a live (and I hear recorded for DVD) concert. Way cool and way fun. If and when it is released I will totally post the details.
*I got a new job!!!! This one is HUGE. Totally wasn't looking for it, but once again God is just beyond good. It is four days a week, better pay and hours, at Great Works Chiropractic and Wellness. Look us up on facebook or better yet if you live in Seacoast ME/NH come on in and say hi and check it out. I love it, and it is affording me the opportunity to spend more time with the kids and also the time to (finally) get serious about writing and singing and all that.
I have one other big thing in the pipeline that I can't quite share yet...but since the other ones are so good, I just know you'll be keeping those eyes peeled for it! :)
*I was asked (and able) to "pinch hit" on background vocals at a gig with the incomparable and always wonderful Tenley Westbrook (you think I'm just saying that...totally not, she is tops).
*I found out that I will be an auntie again this spring...twice! Yea for nieces and nephews!!
*The kids and I were able to go with my mom to visit relatives from The County...it has literally been years since I have been able to go up there for a real visit and it was absolute heaven. I loved seeing the family, and I can't tell you adequately the feeling of awe you get when you come the top of a hill and all you can see is field and trees and big, big sky...it seems like you can see forever. Especially at sunset. Oh, the sunsets!!!!
*I was invited to sing at a concert with Justin Havu, musical genius (again, you may think I'm kidding...not even close. Totally brilliant) for a live (and I hear recorded for DVD) concert. Way cool and way fun. If and when it is released I will totally post the details.
*I got a new job!!!! This one is HUGE. Totally wasn't looking for it, but once again God is just beyond good. It is four days a week, better pay and hours, at Great Works Chiropractic and Wellness. Look us up on facebook or better yet if you live in Seacoast ME/NH come on in and say hi and check it out. I love it, and it is affording me the opportunity to spend more time with the kids and also the time to (finally) get serious about writing and singing and all that.
I have one other big thing in the pipeline that I can't quite share yet...but since the other ones are so good, I just know you'll be keeping those eyes peeled for it! :)
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