Month: July 2022

Too Big for Your Britches

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“You’re gettin’ too big for your britches!”

For a pretty scrawny kid, I heard this phrase a lot growing up…🙄

Of course, it had nothing to do with me actually outgrowing my pants — it usually meant I needed an attitude check.

As an adult, however, this phrase has taken on a much more literal meaning…

You’ve heard of the freshman 15, right?

Well, over the past two years, I’ve put on the “Covid 19” — if you know what I mean…😜

And as a result, I’ve literally gotten too big for my britches…😂😂🤣😔

When I first noticed that my pants weren’t fitting the way they used to, I thought…no big deal, I’ll just cut back on the calories…take a few more walks…and I’ll be down to my previous weight in no-time.

Ha.

Turns out, it’s a lot easier to pack on the pounds than it is to take them off.

So, despite my good intentions, it became clear that I needed to go with Plan B…

…Buy some bigger pants.

🤣🤣🤣

Ahhh…much better.

In the moment, it seemed my problem was solved…but there was just one glitch.

You see, I changed my pants without changing my habits.

I became so comfortable in my new, roomier pants that it allowed me the wiggle room to continue being complacent in my old eating habits.

Since my old snug pants were no longer there to make me feel like a busted can of biscuits every time I tried them on, there was no longer any catalyst for change.

So…….as I continued along over the course of a few more months, I reached a point where even my new pants were getting a little snug. 😱😱😱

And eventually (I’m ashamed to say), I decided it was time to activate Plan C…

…Stretchy Pants.

😂😂😂

I mean, it was during the height of the pandemic, so we really weren’t going anywhere anyway…(besides Wal-mart pickup, that is)….so it seemed like the perfect solution. 😂

But in the long run, it was more of a band-aid to my problem than a cure.

And in my heart of hearts, I realized that if didn’t break this pattern, it could become an endless cycle…if I outgrew every successive pair of pants I purchased, one day I’d have my own reality TV show and have to be removed from my house by a crane. 😳😳😳

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But my struggle is nothing new…experts have been spouting statistics for years about the American diet/lifestyle and how it is contributing to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

We get ourselves in these predicaments in at least one of two ways:

1. By eating for taste, not for hunger.

2. And a lack of exercise.

I think we all know that by now.

But what experts have yet to report on is that Christians in America are having similar issues with their spiritual diets as well:

In a spiritual context, choosing to “eat for taste, not for hunger” means we only consume Biblical teachings that are palatable to us (e.g. God’s love, forgiveness, and grace)…without feeding on the Word of God as a whole.

Many believers in America today want to skip over the “meat and potatoes” of the Bible and go straight to the “dessert” — and many churches are responding by holding back parts of the Truth for fear of offending picky palates.

But this isn’t Golden Corral.

You don’t get to just pick and choose what you put on your plate — and you definitely don’t get to skip straight to the Chocolate Wonderfall. (🤭)

By failing to acknowledge both God’s love as well as His severity (Romans 11:22), we’re not just loosening a belt…we’re loosening doctrine itself…for the purpose of our comfort.

And just like my own experience, it’s a slippery slope.

Over time, as we become more and more set in our unhealthy habits, the belt only tends to become looser and looser…the pants bigger and bigger…until, like me, one day you find yourself just lounging around all day in a pair of “spiritual sweatpants” (you know, the ones with the mystery stain and the elastic waistband that’s almost shot) feeling more than comfortable in your sins 😱…

I suppose that’s fine if you’ve got no where to go and no one to see…🫣

But let me remind you of this… just as one day the pandemic waned and I actually had to put on real pants to go out in public again…one day, we will have an appointment with God as well…and the last thing we want to do is show up looking less than presentable.

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God calls us to be imitators of Him, and the only way to do that is through spiritual diet and exercise.

Maybe you aren’t glossing over what the Bible says. Maybe you are feeding on every thing God’s all-you-can-eat buffet has to offer…that’s good and I commend you.

But that’s also a lot of calories to consume in one sitting.

So, we can’t just settle for a sedentary lifestyle…we also need to walk…with God.

James 1:22 puts it like this…”Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.”

Or to use a more familiar phrase…Just Do It.

It may be Nike’s slogan, but it applies to our walk with Jesus Christ as well.

What good are all those calories if we don’t put them to good use? Calories were meant to sustain our energy as we expend it!

In I Corinthians 9:27 (NLT), the apostle Paul says, “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

Indulgence and complacency feel good in the moment, but the effects of their habitual practice are far-reaching…you know what they say, a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. 😉

When it comes to what God’s Word says on a subject, don’t go “shopping around” for a better fit…instead make the effort to allow God to mold you to fit what His Word says…

…because after all, when we find ourselves getting too big for our britches, it not because He’s changed — it’s because we have.

Until next time…

-PWAP

You are the Song That I Sing

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My seven-year-old will NOT stop humming. 🙄

In the playroom, in the car, on the toilet, it doesn’t matter where he’s at, the kid comes with a built-in soundtrack…😂.

Couple that with a 10-year-old who has recently learned the art of whistling, and we’re practically one washtub away from having our own jug band.

— that is, a jug band that exclusively covers John Williams’ hits.

😂😂😂

But who exactly is John Williams 🤔, you ask?

(Sounds about as famous as the guy next door, right?)

Well, he’s actually the musical mastermind who composed the scores for such iconic films as Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, E.T., and Raiders of the Lost Ark — which happen to be some of my kids’ favorite movies!

In fact, he’s composed so many well-known movie scores over the years that Apple Music even has a “John Williams’ Essentials” playlist now!

And……..of course we had to listen to it.

So, there we were on a Tuesday afternoon heading home from the grocery store — just a former music major and a couple of music “minors” — humming along down the road to one orchestral arrangement after another…

When all of the sudden, a song came on that I was not expecting to hear AT ALL…in fact, it was a song I hadn’t heard in over 20 years.

And yet, as soon as I heard the music start, it was like Carpool Karaoke meets the Day of Pentecost (minus James Corden and the Holy Spirit, of course)…and I couldn’t help but sing along:

“Bee ya ma yee ah, 🎶

bee len geisia bee gammah. 🎶

Bee ya ma yee ah, 🎶

bee len geisia tee yamanga…🎶

…Mu ya mah mu yeh, 🎶

Mu ya mah mu yeh, 🎶

Mu ya mah mu yeh, Afrika.” 🎶

The song is called, “Dry Your Tears, Afrika” from the movie Amistad — And in case you hadn’t noticed…the lyrics aren’t in English — they’re in the west-African language of Mende.

But it was no miracle that I was singing along…I knew the words because we sang it in our school choir one year.

And while not miraculous, it was nothing short of impressive.

How is it that over 20 years later, I can’t remember anything my teachers said (in English)…but I can still remember an entire song in MENDE???!!

Let’s just say, hearing it struck a chord in me for the rest of the week.

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The whole experience made me think about how Ephesians 5:19, tells us to “[speak] to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord…” and how God in His infinite wisdom knew the benefits of singing long before we could figure out the science behind it all.

According to Opera North, singing not only enhances our memory, it releases endorphins, enhances lung function, helps you relax, builds a sense of community, lets you express yourself, can help relieve pain, boosts your confidence, and enhances your overall wellbeing!

These benefits are even more apparent when it comes to the developing brains of children.

Kids learn better with music.

In fact, according to an article published in The Washington Post earlier this year, “Music speaks to children in the areas of the brain that process sound and emotion, which are both fully developed at birth,” and “…taps into the emotional and memory centers of the brain, so information and instructions delivered through song are more likely to stick…Consider this: How did you learn your ABCs, and do you still remember them?”

It turns out that the art of making imperfect music with another person…releases feel-good hormones that bond people together. It’s also a surprisingly mindful pursuit. “When you’re making music with other people, your thoughts don’t stray, because you’re drawn into the orbit of synchronization, and that requires focus and attention.”

Which explains why when my kids were toddlers, their pediatrician would end every visit, instructing me to “keep singing to them.”

From a medical standpoint, he knew that it was crucial to their development.

And from a spiritual standpoint, it’s vital to our development as well.

Even if we can’t carry a tune in a bucket, we have to keep singing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” with and to each other…especially our children.

Your kids will remember what they sing, so bring your babies to Bible class, bring your kids to Sunday school. Bring them to worship and let them hear the voices of the saints blending together in praise to God.

It’s never too early — or too late to start.

So, this is yet another reminder to myself as a parent to turn off the KidzBop 2022 for a minute and sing along in the car with some Bible songs, too.

My friend Holly suggested a series of kid’s Bible CDs called “Slugs and Bugs,” that sets Bible verses to music. She said her kids have memorized a ton of scripture this way without even really trying! And now I think I understand why.

We followed her suggestion and started listening to Slugs and Bugs, too…and now my kids have added these to their humming/singing/whistling repertoire as well 😂…and so have I.

Until next time…keep on singing.

-PWAP

Write on My Heart Every Word

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My youngest son (who just turned 7) was sitting on the end of our pew during worship this morning.

He was a little farther away from me than usual, so I couldn’t see exactly what he was doing during church, but it looked like he had his pen and paper out, so I assumed he was listening while quietly drawing one of his world-famous pictures of Jesus. ❤️

Boy, was I wrong…😂.

When the final “amen” was said, he made his way straight over to show me his “artwork.”

Oh, it was artistic alright…but instead of using paper as his canvas, he had used the entire backside of his arm instead…😱🙄🤦‍♀️.

“Look, mom! I got a tattoo!”

As unsightly as it was, part of me was just glad it was only pen and not Sharpie. 🙏🙏🙏

I fussed at him for a minute…and then sent him off to Bible class.

But shortly after I finished preaching to him about his arm…his little arm preached a sermon right back to me…

You see, he was (in his own weird way 🙄) actually on the right track as far as what God desires for us all…

As the church hears the Word of God taught each Sunday, God is making an indelible mark on our innermost being…so, in a way we are each getting tattoos of our own.

Week after week, the Word of God is being tattooed on our hearts…the most intimate place you could EVER get a tattoo!! (Despite what you’ve heard to the contrary…🤭.)

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 says:

“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

When we teach, we tattoo. When we learn, we become tattooed.

And whether we realize it or not, our tattoos themselves have the ability teach others, as well.

With one glance, a tattoo can tell the world a little bit about us. It’s a powerful representation of who we are and what we love.

And this is even more true when it comes to tattoos of the heart — because our hearts determine everything else we do:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)

For this reason, it’s vitally important to be careful about what we choose to tattoo on our hearts, because unlike my son’s “temporary tattoo,” permanent ones are not as easily removed.

Which is exactly the reason why my husband always says, “If I ever get a tattoo, I’m getting the words ‘Know Regrets’…because I’d probably end up regretting it…” 🙄😂🤣.

But he’s right in a way…getting a tattoo is a long, tedious, costly, and even painful process…so it is a choice you want to be sure of.

In a lot of ways, the process of tattooing the Word of God on your heart is really no different.

But don’t let that scare you away from becoming His disciple…because I can tell you one thing for sure…it’s something you’ll never regret. ❤️😊

Until next time…

-PWAP

Here’s Your Sign

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I was driving through town the other day when the car in front of me suddenly turned its hazard lights on and began driving suuuuper slow…until finally coming to a complete stop.

I was trying to pass, but the oncoming traffic was relentless — so, for the moment I was stuck.

As I sat there waiting, I started to wonder…why is this car come stopped?

Is it car trouble? A medical emergency?

Dozens of pessimistic possibilities began swirling around in the compartment of my mind that does all of my overthinking for me…🤔.

My initial annoyance was quickly turning to concern.

So, when I finally got the chance to pass, I peeked over just to make sure everything was ok.

The good news?

Everyone in the car appeared to be fine — whew, what a relief!

The weird news?

Apparently, the driver stopped because of a sign. 🙄🙄🙄🙄

And I’m not talking about one of those little red and white octagonal ones either. 🛑🤣🤦‍♀️

Nope — this woman was holding up traffic all to take a picture of our town’s welcome sign.

Wait — what????

Ummm, like it’s not even that great of a sign, people — it’s plain, it’s old, and for all intents and purposes, it might as well be labeled “Podunk, USA.” 🤣

I’m just kidding, I like the town I live in. But the sign? It’s definitely nothing to write home about.

So, as I passed this stationary vehicle, part of me wanted to roll my eyes…🙄🙄🙄

But the other part of me wanted to roll down my window and shout…“Don’t stop!! Keep going!!!!”

Now, at this point, I you’re probably thinking, “Road rage? 😳 This is sooooo not where I pictured this story going.”

🤣…but I promise it wasn’t anger-management issues that triggered my hypothetical outburst…no, quite the opposite — I promise my intentions were good.

You see, I wanted to tell the driver that just up the road, our town has a pretty hip Instagram-worthy “Greetings from…” sign painted on the side of one of the quaint little buildings downtown.

Simply put, I wanted to tell them that there’s something even better up ahead.

If only they knew…

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Sometimes, I wish I could go back and express a similar sentiment to my younger self…

If only you knew what was ahead…that better things are waiting for you down the road.

I don’t know if I could count all the times I’ve stopped short, not putting enough faith in the One who holds the future.

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I get it…there are times in this life when it’s tempting to turn on our flashers and pull off to enjoy all this world has to offer.

But what we have to remember is that this earthly life can’t even come close to comparing with what’s waiting for us up ahead — in Heaven.

When we stop short, we sell ourselves short in so many ways…

It’s like settling for crumbs, when God the Father has prepared an entire table for us. (Luke 14:12-14)

Or selling your birthright for a bowl of porridge. (Genesis 25:29-34)

It’s asking for an early inheritance — and squandering it all. (Luke 15:11-32)

It’s hoarding the treasures of earth in lieu of the blessings of Heaven. (Matthew 6:19-21)

When I think of these verses, I know what God is trying to teach us.

And I know that when it comes to seeking God and trying to love Him every day with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind — I won’t stop. I can’t stop.

And don’t you stop either. Keep going— because nothing this life has to offer can compare to what’s ahead.

Take Paul’s advice and “…press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14

Until next time…

-PWAP