Being a Tulip

Jan. 30, 2016

Thoughts about creativity and how it relates to vulnerability have been running through my head lately.  These two go hand in hand.  It is impossible to be creative and not be vulnerable.  Being creative is risky.  Sharing a new idea in a meeting or with a group of people is scary stuff!  You are laying out your “new baby” for everyone to see, knowing full well that someone could say, “That baby is ugly.”  If that happens enough, you soon learn to not take the risk; you learn to keep your mouth shut.  Sometimes, it just takes experiencing this one time for you to clam up and not share your ideas ever again.

Claude Monet and Edgar Degas were founders of the Impressionistic style.  But, did you know, that the term was originally an insult to the style?  “You can’t really paint, that’s just your impression of that landscape!”  Monet and Degas and others were told their babies were ugly.  Instead of shrinking away, they kept at it.  They kept painting.  They stayed open even though you know the disapproving sneers had to hurt.  But, by being and remaining open, people began to take a better look and they saw the beauty of their paintings.

Last week, I gave a great friend a dozen dark pink tulips.  They were beautiful in color and had not yet begun to spread their petals.  The next day, the petals opened and revealed a stunning inner beauty.  At the bottom of the cup (tulips look like pretty cups to me), was an unexpected splash of teal.  She said no one really commented on her flowers until the blooms opened in all their glory.  They were pretty before but when they opened up they were incredible!

I am sure there is some Bible verse that goes along with this writing.  But thinking of one at this point seems like proof-texting.  Maybe you had a verse pop in mind as you read this and, if so, put it in the comments.  For me, what I would really like to focus on is two points.  One, we are all tulips.  We each have a stunning inner beauty.  Knowing that it is risky, the choice is yours whether to show it or not.  I hope you do.  Second, when we see someone else’s tulip opening, when we witness that vulnerability, we must treat it gently and tenderly.   Whether you like what you see or not, whether you think it is a good idea or not, the vulnerability is a thing of beauty.

Abundantly Beyond All That We Ask

Jan. 5, 2016

About 4 ½ years ago, we picked out a timid-hearted, cute-as-could-be schnauzer puppy.  We got her for Kelsey and she has truly been a Godsend for Kelsey and our family.  We picked her for Kelsey but, as it turns out, Sophie picked me.  I’ve heard before how dogs pick their people but I never put much stock in it.  Now I now it’s true.  Sophie blatantly prefers me over the rest of the family, even to a point that seems rude (such as Tim will call her up into the chair with him and she will jump into my lap instead).

So, you would think that Sophie’s preference would be to sleep with me too.  Not so.  She sleeps with Kelsey.  She started out sleeping in her kennel (aka her castle, because she is a princess, you know) and she has grown to sleeping on Kelsey’s bed.  She loves it in there.  That is her place, it’s her routine.  In fact, she asks to go to bed.  The kicker comes when Kelsey is gone for the night.  I can’t even coax her into sleeping with me.  She will not come if I call her.  She gets ugly if I pick her up and take her to my room.  She runs out like she is escaping prison.

Kelsey was gone last night so I tried once again to coax Sophie into my room.  What’s not to like in the MASTER bedroom?  There are two people instead of just one to love on her, it’s a Temper-pedic mattress.  For Pete’s sake, I, the preferred one, am in there!  But, no, she would have none of it.  In fact, Sophie made a beeline straight to Kelsey’s room.  I went in there curious to see which bed she chose: the kennel or the bed.  She chose the kennel.

I say all this because as I stood there looking at her in her kennel, I wondered just how often I turn down the Master’s deluxe offerings all the while thinking that I had the best I could get.  Or, how often did I lose a dream I had only to get a better one God had for me?  How often do I stay stuck in my nice, comfortable routine and miss what God is offering?

Once upon a time, I had a crush on someone.  But he didn’t have one on me.  But God had a better dream for me: Tim.  I once dreamed of being an architect.  God had a better calling for me: counseling and teaching.  I had a dream of good health for both of my kids.  That dream has not been realized the last 5 ½ years.  Other dreams have been fulfilled, though.  I dreamed of a strong relationship with Kelsey.  I dreamed of my kids having a close relationship.  I dreamed of strong faith in my kids.

I have to admit, though, if I am to be completely honest, that it can seem like a steep cost to realize these dream which then makes me wonder if God still has something else planned … another greater dream.  I have to say I wonder if I am still in the kennel or am I lying on the Master’s bed.  Is that being ungrateful to wonder, “Is there more?”  Or, is it a pragmatic realization that God can always do better than I can imagine?

This reminds me of Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians.  He spent six verses (Eph. 3:14-19) praying for the Ephesians and for their faith to grow and deepen.  Then, in verses 20-21, he goes beyond asking for his own dreams and says, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

My challenge, my pledge, for the New Year, is to pray this way.  I will ask for what is on my heart, I will be thankful for what I have, I will acknowledge God for who He is, and, in that, I will ask for His dream to be filled rather than mine.

“God is Able” by Hillsong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTSknArjnWM