Before Asserting Consider Kindness

 (by Lorie Codispoti)

After painstakingly going through my cabinets and packing up a few boxes for the second-hand store, I asked my husband if he would mind adding to his list of errands and dropping them off while he was in town. He graciously loaded the boxes and headed out.

When he returned home that day, I could see that he was totally frustrated. He reported that, without even checking the contents of our boxes, the sour faced man receiving our donation sharply chastised him by saying, “You know, it costs us a lot of money to haul away other people’s junk.”

WHAT? Are you kidding me?

The nerve of this guy!

My defenses were triggered and I wanted nothing more than to pay this thankless ingrate a visit. I needed to inform him (aka… set him straight) that I don’t give “junk.” I wanted him to know that it takes more time to wrap all the glass and package things neatly into a box than it would for me to simply throw them away. Not to mention the fact that we live thirty minutes from town and it takes time and effort to deliver this “junk” to them for resale... which, by the way, pays his and his co-worker's salaries. I was hot and he was about to be baked in the oven of my fury.

However, when my defense is triggered like this, I’ve learned that before I move forward with any intention, I need to take a few steps B.A.C.K. (Before Asserting Consider Kindness) and assess my heart.

My prayerful contemplation revealed two very unpleasant things about my motives.

1) I had expectations I shouldn’t have had.

While I may have been cheerfully contributing items that help to support the worthy cause of this organization, I was expecting an equal measure of gratitude as compensation. And when it wasn’t given, the ugly in me was pre-heated.

B.A.C.K lesson: Give without expecting others to reciprocate.

“When you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others…. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret...”(Mt.6:2-4)

I understand that Jesus’ illustration here is hyperbolic, but I also think there’s significance to his literal example. What if - because we have a tendency to give with one hand while expecting accolades placed in the other - the key to “giving in secret” involves spiritually putting our left hand behind our back in order to protect the anonymity of our right hand? What a great way to guard our hearts. Pretty cool way to give too.

2) I reacted just like he did.

My response to Sour Face may not have been in-person, but it was as crass and unkind as his response to my husband. I wanted to make him feel the same way his inappropriate comment made me feel. 



B.A.C.K. lesson: Compassion is stirred when one considers the plight of others.

I was angry with this man for impulsively speaking, without taking the time to investigate the contents of our boxes. Stepping B.A.C.K. enabled me to realize that my retort was just as impulsive, and taking time to consider what might be in his box changed my attitude.

This man is assigned to a portable container, stationed in the corner of a shopping center parking lot. He works in all kinds of weather with no heat or air. I’m sure he deals with all kinds of people and has to sort through plenty of “junk” contributions. When I ponder his condition and consider his predicament, all I want to do is bake the man some cookies, and let the oven of God’s kindness bake off all the ugly in my heart.

(I’m not excusing the man’s rude behavior. He is a representative of his organization. He’s the person every contributor encounters. He failed to examine the contents of our boxes before he spouted his distain, and that is inexcusable.)

The last part of the verses I quoted above says, “And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” No earthly compensation can compare to the reward of our Heavenly Father.

Like Jesus, not all of our good deeds are received with gratitude. So, be like Him and give without expectation. And when your generosity is met with unkind words, take a few steps B.A.C.K. Consider your words, as well as the circumstance of your offender.

Who knows, you might want to bake a batch of cookies. Serve them on a plate though; boxes don’t present well.

Interesting Food Origins

(by Lorie Codispoti)

For health reasons, I’ve had to make some radical changes to my diet over the last few years. I’ve learned more about food science than I ever cared to know.

There is something I’ve actually enjoyed learning about food, however, and that is the etymology of some of my favorites. The history behind some of these origins is quite entertaining. I mean, have you ever wondered who put the “marsh” in “mallow” and why there is no “ham” in your “burger”? The research has been fun so I thought I’d share some of my interesting discoveries with you. We all need a bit of comedy these days.

(Before I start, I thought I’d throw in this little, obscure fact about the Food and Drug Administration... Before 1920, the FDA was known as the Food, Drug and Insecticide Administration. Interesting, huh?)

Okay, here we go…

Hamburger - Why all the pigs are safe.

Hamburgers originate from the German city of Hamburg. It’s home to a cut of beef called the Hamburg steak. In 1940 an attempt was made to change the word to “beefburger,” to emphasize the main ingredient, but someone must not have liked the idea because obviously didn't take.

Pizza - Deep dish with lots of mushrooms, olives, and cheese, please.

Though pizza originated in Greece it was the Italian Queen Margherita who made it famous. In 1889, while out inspecting her kingdom she noticed peasants eating large pieces of flat bread. She became so curious that she tried one, and it quickly became one of her favorite foods. To honor his queen, a local chef created a pizza that he topped with tomatoes, Mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil – the colors of the Italian flag.

Coconut - Can anything bad come from a coconut?

Interesting tale: During the 16th century Portuguese parents threatened their children with a bogey-man named Coco (derived from a Latin word that means skull). When Portuguese traders visited the Pacific islands and saw the large, brown fruit of the palm trees, with its three black “eyes,” they were reminded of their childhood horror, Coco. The jury is still out on whether Coco is a nut or a fruit, but “coconut” seems to roll off the tongue easier.

Chewing Gum - I always feel for the kids who wear braces and have to give up their gum for a couple years.

It was 1869, and after many failed attempts at turning chicle into synthetic rubber products like boots, bicycle tires, toys, and masks, Thomas Adams decided to pop a piece of the natural gum from the Manilkara chicle tree into his mouth. After enjoying it and chewing for a while he thought of adding flavoring. It wasn’t long before Mr. Adams opened the world’s first chewing gum factory, and we’ve been chewing on his discovery ever since.

Popcorn - One legend talks of a summer so hot that the corn started popping right off the stalks. (I’d like to live next to that field.)

We all know that the Native Americans introduced corn to the colonists, but did you know that the Iroquois used a pottery vessel with heated sand to make popcorn soup, and that the colonial women mixed sugar and cream with popcorn and served the first “puffed” cereal?

During the Great Depression popcorn was one of the few luxuries one could afford, and the popcorn industry thrived while many others failed.

French Fries - No better way to serve potatoes, in my opinion.

The next time you visit your local fast food restaurant try ordering “potatoes fried in the French manner” and see what kind response you get.

Originally from Belgium, French fries gained popularity among American soldiers when they were stationed there during WWI. But, before that, Thomas Jefferson introduced them to the colonies in the late 1700’s. In one of his manuscripts, he talks about a French dish ,where thin, small slices of raw potato are deep-fried and served hot. Some historians have identified a French chef; maybe that’s how they came to be known as French fries.

In 1853 Cornelius Vanderbilt complained that his fries were too thick, so a chef decided to slice the potatoes paper thin and fry them. Hello, potato chips!

Marshmallow - How about a lovely bouquet of marsh mallows?

The marsh mallow is a hardy plant whose blooms are quite lovely. They were considered to be a weed until medieval herbalists made mallow syrup from the roots and used it as a cough suppressant. Gum Arabic was added and it became such a popular confection that it later evolved into the marshmallow. Hot chocolate and sweet potatoes have never been the same.

Avacado - I refuse to let this influence my love for guacamole.

Colorfully known as the fruit of the “Testicle Tree,” the Aztecs named the avocado after the male body part they felt it most resembled. Fully fruited, avacados hang from the trees in twos, and have a longstanding reputation as aphrodisiacs.

Whoopie Pies - Who doesn’t love cake with cream in the middle?

Though there is no proof, some claim that the name actually comes from the Gus Kahn song "Makin' Whoopee."

Nevertheless, these pillowy, cream-filled confections were created to make use of leftover cake batter. One theory links them to the Amish. Another legend describes children opening their lunchboxes, and upon discovering the treat they would shout, "Whoopie!"

Bubble Drink - Because I love the fizz.

(Technically not a food, but I had to include this favorite. My grandchildren call carbonated water, “bubble drink,” so I’m attributing the origin to them. I’ve become so used to calling it by this new name that I actually ordered it with my food one day. The waitress and I laughed after I explained myself. She remembered me on my next visit and asked, “Bubble drink”? I think it’s catching on.)

What about those foods with strange, or even gross stories? None of these would ever reach my pallet, but I thought their origins were interesting enough to include here.

Century Eggs - Uh, no thanks!

While they are not 100 years old, these eggs are aged for a few months in a brine that turns them black. Sound appetizing?

SPAM - A mystery meat for the brave explorer.

The name is said to have originated from “SPiced hAM,” but in 2019 advertisements turned it into the acronym, Sizzle Pork And Mmmm.

Witchetty Grub - Is this the “cream filled kind” that Pumba talked about in Lion King?

The indigenous Australians were the first to discover that the larva of a moth, that feeds on the Witchety Bush, could be tasty. It is eaten raw or cooked, and is said to taste like chicken. I’m thinking I’ll stick to my chocolate protein shake - I’m sure not to taste it twice.

Rocky Mountain Oysters - While from the Rockies, these are not oysters.

In an effort to keep this article disclaimer free, I’m going to let you research this one on your own. All I can say is GROSS.

Every food has an origin, and very likely an interesting story. If you were writing a family cookbook, which of your favorite culinary masterpieces would you include for future generations?

Forgiveness For Mother's Day

(by Lorie Codispoti)

Every year was the same. I’d search through the card display and walk away frustrated and empty handed.

Most of the Mother’s Day cards host a litany of accolades and thanksgivings. And why wouldn’t they? It’s a day set aside to honor mothers, and a great way to express the biblical command to “honor your father and your mother.” But, I could never find a sentiment that fit. The best I could do was to call my mother, wish her well, and pray for God to intervene and mend what broke.

You see, when your childhood is marked with neglect, abuse and abandonment, and the word “family” is associated with disjointed parts and dysfunctional patterns, your view of a loving parent is skewed. Confusion builds an unstable house and the concept of “home” is a foreign and unattainable one.

Fast forward a few decades.

Due to circumstances outside of her control, my mother was forced to move in with my sister - across the street from me. My sister became an instant caregiver, and I became her assistant (picking up the slack when she was working). To say that this time was difficult is an understatement. Mom didn’t want to be here, and if I’m honest, I’d have to say that I didn’t want her here either. I was perfectly content with the shallow relationship we managed to salvage from the wreckage of our experience together. I knew that her being this close would mean we’d have to face some things we had both swept under the rug a long time ago. I was not eager to deal with the dust cloud I could see coming when God steps in to renovate areas that have been neglected for a long time.

Forgiveness is hard to walk, but beautiful to live.

To forgive means “to lift off - to carry away.” It communicates a loosening or complete removal of a barrier.

One of the things I learned about forgiveness, after my mother moved here, is that while there is the “one and done” price that Christ paid in order to secure the forgiveness of our sins, there’s an ongoing feature of forgiveness that involves “lifting” and “removing” the dirt that surfaces during the process of rebuilding a relationship.

Anyone that renovates houses will tell you that it’s easier to build from scratch than it is to refurbish an old house. Renovations are expensive, time consuming, and can involve unforeseen obstacles that take you by surprise.

When God is invited into a broken relationship, He begins the renovation process. His love tears down the barriers that keep forgiveness from flowing; His word softens and transforms hard hearts; and His Spirit enables you to pick up those broken pieces, look at them, and surrender each one to the Master Renovator.

During the years that Mom was here with us, God did amazing things - more healing and restoration than I ever thought was possible.

When Joseph forgave his brothers for throwing him in a pit, selling him as a slave, and telling his father he was dead, he said, “What you meant for evil, God meant for good.” He was reunited with his family and they began the process of renovating their relationships.

Was everything Joseph lost, including years of separation, restored to him? No! You can’t restore what’s been lost, but sometimes you can be reconciled and walk in the renewal that God’s forgiveness affords every believer.

Mom, I can’t send you a card this Mother’s Day, but if I could:

~ The cover would picture a white rose in the foreground. (Your favorite flower, and a symbol of new beginnings.)

~ And, behind the rose would sit an old house, under construction. (Illustrating the ongoing and transformative work active in our relationship.)  

~ Inside, the card, I would express my appreciation to God, for the years He gave us to mend the holes that brokenness wears in the hearts of wounded people.

~ I’d tell you that I miss our fun times, and laughing together over silly things.

~ I'd tell you that those last months of reading and discussing books that talked about our forever home, where renovations cease and all is restored, meant as much to me as they did to you. 

"Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

Victory Dance

(by Lorie Codispoti)

I love a good victory dance!

We’ve all heard wonderful testimonies of people that have overcome incredible odds and won great battles. Victories are part of what make every story great and its heroes memorable.

When we hear the word “victory” it's typically paired with the word “over.” As in, “I’ve gained victory over ____.” (Fill in the blank.)

Victory is defined as “an act of defeating an enemy or opponent in a battle, game, or other competition.” It carries with it the idea of success, triumph, and defeat.

The ability to overcome obstacles is worth rejoicing over, but I think we inadvertently limit this gift by relegating it to the end of the story. What if we broadened the scope, to see that victory is just as attainable in the middle of our trial as it is at the end? It’s not always about gaining victory over something; sometimes victory travels alongside brokenness and defeat as we press on in our faith.

Genuine faith is realized when the battle rages. It’s when we’re in the thick of our trial that we discover victory - not in the sense of winning the battle necessarily, but in discovering Who enables, Who provides, and Who gets the credit. “Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Ultimately, we will see victory overcome every obstacle; God promises that. But God also provides victories IN our difficult and trying circumstances. It’s part of the cumulative process He uses to sanctify us and draw our hearts to Him.

I know a woman who gets up every morning, and goes to bed every night, with a debilitating condition. She has battled it for years, and barring a miracle, she will continue to fight her condition until she dies. Does the fact that she battles, but has never conquered her condition mean that she will never taste victory this side of eternity? Absolutely not! In fact, if you knew how victorious her life has been, you'd be awed at the God who has enabled her to run her race with such grace that she inspires all who know her, including me.

Victory has not been relegated to the end of our story. God never placed that kind of restriction on victory, nor did He place a cap on the number of victories we can have as we "fight the good fight." Discovering this truth is liberating.

Our idea of what it looks like to be victorious boxes us into a very small frame. In reality, the picture is much bigger than that.

Did you know that the Hebrew word for a song leader is linked to the word for victory? When we lift our hearts in praise it boosts our confidence in God and strengthens our resolve. Anxiety and fear are pushed out of the way and gratitude fills the void.

It was no coincidence that God appointed worshipers to lead in battle. Victory starts at the gate and follows a warrior all the way to the finish line. When our enemy hears us singing to the only One with the power to throw “horse and rider into the sea” (part of Miriam’s song of praise in Ex.15) he does the back-step-shuffle. He knows what it means when God's children begin to sing and dance.

I may not be able to dance like I used to, but I'm still practicing my moves. I plan on singing my Savior's praises as I dance my way home. I want to be ready for the party!

Earth Day

(by Lorie Codispoti)

Earth Day marks the anniversary of the environmental movement that began in 1970. According to one article, it’s the largest secular observance in the world, with over a billion people promoting awareness and involvement. While I think recycling is a great idea, love hugging trees, and am all for saving baby turtles, the extreme politics behind the movement prevents me from supporting the majority of ideas promoted by those in this camp.

Does that mean I can’t celebrate the day? On the contrary; I think Christians should be celebrating like no one else.

Due to God’s revelation in nature, Christians have been given a unique lens. Our planet is like no other in all of creation, and the brush strokes of our Creator reveal things about Him that cultivate an awareness of an amazing Artist.

When I take time to observe the variety of mountain ranges, each with their own design and unique color pallet, I am in awe of the Designer. When I drink in the beauty of the underwater world I am inspired to cultivate a relationship with the One who created this one-of-a-kind canvas. Understanding that God masterfully planned and executed the design of this earth before sculpting mankind out of it reveals to me the loving care He had for us long before anything even existed.

While I believe that our natural world displays the evidence of God’s existence, and gives us a basic understanding of some of His attributes (Psa.19:1-3 & Rom.1:20), I do not believe that we can know God and be saved through that awareness. Author, Don Stewart puts it this way: “Any conclusions about God's character and purpose one might make from nature must be evaluated in light of what God has said about Himself and what Jesus revealed about God when He invaded history. Nature is a witness to God's might and power but it does not supply all the knowledge a sinner needs to develop a personal relationship with God. That is the job of God's written Word-the Bible.”

This year’s Earth Day theme is “Restore The Earth.”

I love this theme, but it’s not because I dance to the beat of the climate changer’s cadence. In their view, they alone have the ways and means to bring about change; believing that the power to restore lies within their hands. What they don’t realize is that their efforts are futile.

This theme is notable because it’s prophetic.

Every Christian knows that the Earth is dying. The death sentence was pronounced when sin disrupted God’s created order and turned our world upside down. (Mtt.24:35 & 1Jn.2:17) No man can fix what sin did to our world, and no man will prevent the inevitable destruction to come. And that’s good news!

This theme echoes God’s promise to restore what sin broke. (Isa.65:17-25, Rev.21:1-5, 2Pet.3:10-13)

The incarnation of Christ set in motion God’s redemptive plan and His death and resurrection secured that plan. Consider a world where pain and suffering have been removed, where there is no more crying over sickness and death, and gone forever are the consequences of living with theft, betrayal, greed, envy, murder, etc.

Another great feature of this theme is that while it points to what’s coming, it speaks to the current restoration already in progress.

When I surrendered my life to Christ, it was at that moment that He began making “all things new.” (2Cor.5:17) The work won’t be completed until Jesus comes back, but I don’t have to wait until then to see that restoration began with my salvation. Jesus said, “I am making everything new.” (Rev.21”5) That statement is in the present tense. It’s happening right now! This proclamation energizes my soul.

So go ahead and plant a tree, clean the beaches, and do what you can to save the forest animals and sea creatures - God called us to be good stewards of His creation. But, don't forget to celebrate Earth Day because of the One who created this amazing planet. He not only tasked us with caregiving, but He invited us to be an active participant in His redemptive work to restore what was stolen.

The beauty that I view from the lens of redemptive eyes is awe-inspiring, but it is veiled like velum over a masterpiece of art. The day is coming when the overlay of sin will be removed. Our lens will change again, as the radiance from the Light of the world displays a canvas of beauty that is beyond anything we can reference or imagine in our world.

Choose The Bruised Fruit

(by Lorie Codispoti)

Several bushels of peaches were in the kitchen waiting to be canned the day we arrived at my friend’s house. After lunch, her children were anxious for us to try some of the "best ones" they had picked from their orchard.

Something was strange though: The children purposely searched for and selected the bruised peaches. “Here’s one!” they declared with great enthusiasm, and they searched until they found a bruised one for each one of us.

When I questioned their mother about it later, she told me that when she was growing up "snacks" were found among the family's fruit trees. In order to prevent waste her mother convinced the children that the best peaches were the ones with bruises because they contained the sweet spots. My friend carried on her mother’s frugal tradition, and in the process taught her children to be content with what was provided. Her children had picked out the very best pieces to serve us that day and I was greatly humbled by their generosity and joy.

How often have you picked up bruised produce only to cast it aside for a more perfect piece? I’m not advocating the purchase of bruised produce, but there's a great lesson to be caught and taught here.

(Interesting fact: Up to 30 million dollars a year is lost in potatoes alone due to the damage caused from shipping and handling. The produce industry is continually looking for ways to preserve the quality of their product, from the time it leaves the field till it arrives in your hand. This is because our culture demands perfection.)

Ever heard of Esther Ahn Kim?

Esther was an upper class, Korean woman who was imprisoned by the Japanese during World War II.

Long before her imprisonment she began to feel the Lord preparing her for the prison ministry she would have as an inmate.

Though they could afford otherwise, one of the ways that Esther prepared herself for the poverty and deprivation she saw as part of her calling was to relocate with her mother and sister to the poorest neighborhood in their community. There she purchased complete lots of poor produce from the nearby market and culled through them for the edible pieces. She gave those pieces to her mother and sister while she ate what was left in preparation for the rotten food she expected in prison.

Several years later Esther was in prison, and her physical condition was deteriorating. As she lay in her cell, preparing to die, she had a strange craving. She prayed and asked the Lord to give her one, whole apple to eat.

Later that same day, Esther overheard the soldiers talking about a shipment of rotten apples that no one wanted. She asked for and received the whole shipment. Due to the condition of her teeth she would have never been able to eat a crisp, firm, ripe apple, so her heart was filled with thanksgiving for the brown, soggy apples the Lord provided especially for her that day.

Esther did not die in prison. She was physically revived enough to press on, and after the war she married a godly man. They ministered together for many years before she died in her nineties.

What are we teaching our children about contentment? About hardship? About suffering?

The apostle Paul testified in Romans 8:18, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Are we learning to embrace the suffering that God allows in our lives and trust Him with the outcome?

We live in a culture that encourages us to avoid suffering at all costs. The same technique we employ in the produce department is what we teach our children - avoid the bruised fruit. Rather than choosing and embracing the bruised fruit we’ve cast it aside and labeled it “bad.” What we’ve failed to understand is that while this may be a good technique for grocery shopping, it’s not the best one for harvesting good spiritual fruit in our lives. And it certainly won't produce joy.

I heard a father instruct his children to note the marks of great Christians, not by there popularity or what they have attained in this life, but by what they have suffered for the cause of Christ. These are the lessons that build faith and produce the kind of fruit that can be harvested and shared with others.

Though most of us will never suffer the way that Esther Ahn Kim did, we will all experience a measure of hardship and watch those we love suffer.

Whenever I walk through a hard place now, I’m not interested in hearing about the lives of those that appear to have it all together. My Father has taught me to search out the bruised fruit among my brothers and sisters in Christ. Their stories are the ones that encourage me to persevere with contentment and joy.

I exhort you to spend some time walking through the orchard, searching out those whose lives have been bruised and used by God. Look for the ones who testify, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13)

Then make a pie and invite your friends over. It will be the sweetest spot in your day!

Bloom

(by Lorie Codispoti)

I’ve always loved the phrase, “Bloom where you’re planted.” It’s full of hope and it makes me smile.

Remember the story of Naomi? The book of Ruth opens with this woman grieving deeply over the loss of her husband and sons. All she has left is her two daughter-in-laws. In her love and concern for their futures, she tearfully implores them to return to their homeland, where she’s convinced their chances for a brighter tomorrow reside. As far as her own future, however, she remains broken and hopeless as she tells them, “…the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.” (Ruth1:13b) Even after Ruth chose to stay with her she remained unconsolable. They traveled to Naomi’s hometown and when the women there saw them coming they were excited. They asked, “Is this Naomi?” to which she replied, “Do not call me Naomi (which means “pleasant”), call me Mara (which means “bitter”), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” (Ruth 1:20) She goes on to say that when she had left Bethlehem to follow her husband her future was hopeful, but now she was returning empty from God’s affliction.

As a bride-to-be, Naomi probably envisioned her life as one being settled in one place, raising a family, and watching generations grow up and bloom all around her. I imagine she took the seeds of all she had learned growing up in her father’s house and planted them in the rich soil of her new home. How many seasons of blooms did she enjoy? Likely many if she watched her sons grow up and get married.

But one day tragedy struck and the unexpected happened. Violence ravished the landscape of her life, ripping her roots from the soil of everything she had meticulously cultivated over the years. In an instant it was all gone. Imagine the shock - the grief - the heartache.

Transplanting is necessary.

Just as the Bible tells us there are times and seasons for everything in this life, we know there are times when God transplants us.

Personally, I like the fact that we’ve lived in the same place for several decades. I grew up in the military and by the time we got married and moved here I had moved 13 times. I can remember telling John, “I really want to be from somewhere.”

If you’ve ever worked a flower bed you know how messy and ugly everything looks when you have to get in there and thin things out. It’s hard because sometimes everything looks picture perfect, but you know that if you don’t get in there and work that bed the plants are going to crowd and choke themselves out of a space to flourish.

The same thing happens to us. Seasons change and because God is the Master Gardener, He knows what needs to take place in each one (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) in order for the soil of our hearts to be cultivated and nourished into the blooms that show off His radiance in our lives.

Do you know what I love about Naomi’s story - my favorite part? It’s at the end of the book, when Ruth gives birth to a son and the women proclaim to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age…” (Ruth 4:14-15) This heartbroken widow, who felt like she was too old to bloom was filled with hope after God transplanted her.

Although we have enjoyed many seasons of life rooted in this location, the landscape continues to change with every season. My young self was never a fan of change, but I have learned (am still learning) to let God have His way with the soil. It’s very messy at times, as He digs in and separates me from the things I want to hold onto, but He always reminds me that while I may currently be “from somewhere,” I have not yet reached my final destination. In my forever home He will root me in a garden more beautiful than I can even imagine. And the flowers there never stop blooming where they are planted.

(Origin: While the sentiment is clear, "Bloom where you're planted." does not come from Scripture. It was derived from something a bishop wrote in the 16th century... “Truly charity has no limit; for the love of God has been poured into our hearts by His Spirit dwelling in each one of us, calling us to a life of devotion and inviting us to BLOOM in the garden WHERE He has PLANTED and directing us to radiate the beauty and spread the fragrance of His Providence.”)

The Value Of A Sparrow

(by Lorie Codispoti)

For the longest time I thought our resident woodpecker was an aviary escapee. Seriously, I thought someone’s pet had flown the coup and resettled in our little cluster of trees. With his loud, tropical song, he rivals every other bird in the forrest.

The Bible mentions birds 300 times. One example is found in Mathew 10:29-31, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Contrary to some of my bird savvy friends, my entire collection of ornithological knowledge wouldn’t fill a hummingbird egg. But sparrows? Really?

I don’t have to be an ornithologist to know that sparrows are not only a common bird, whose numerous flocks number in the thousands, but they are so common that predators can feast upon them and still barely put a dent in their population. So plentiful were they in biblical times, that this passage indicates that you could purchase two for a penny. (Cheaper still, if you bought in bulk - five for two cents according to Luke 12:6.)

Cue the curiosity that sparks the questions that drive me to dig a little deeper.

Starting with the big one: Why? Why does God use a seemingly worthless, no-frills sparrow to express our value? I mean, wouldn’t the glamour of a more exotic bird be what garners the attention of esteemed publications? Wouldn't their colorful plumage and unique characteristics be the thing that compels every bird lover to upgrade their binoculars? No bird club is going to race to be the first to post their encounter with a lack luster sparrow when they wouldn’t even qualify as a contestant in the flying beauty chain.

In hopes of filling a bigger egg with my bird knowledge, I did a little research.

Did you know that because of its location, Israel is a country of continual migration? Over 500 million migratory birds cruise Israel’s celestial highway, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Imagine the display.

The common house sparrow is not, however, among those just passing through. Claiming six continents as home, sparrows are among one of Israel’s resident nesting birds. They love being around people and will nest in and on just about any structure (rafters, streetlamp, gutters, gas pumps, planters, etc. - no crevice is off limits). These greedy little beggars are also aggressive and persistent, stealing everything from a french fry to your burger’s wrapper if given the chance. They compete with other birds over nesting rights and will elbow out their neighbors at the feeder.

Sparrows are apparently a bird lover’s kryptonite, causing them to question their loving devotion to the entire winged world. One bird watcher confesses he wouldn’t mind seeing a few hundred of these winged interlopers land claws-up on the ground, but says they’d likely survive a nuclear attack. Superstitions abound as well. Some believe that if a sparrow flies into your home it means someone is about to die. Others say trouble is on the horizon if you dream of an injured one.

So again, I ask, if sparrows have been dubbed the lab rats of the avian world by most cultures, why would Jesus tell His disciples they were “of more value than many sparrows”? (Mtt.10:31) Was that supposed to make them feel better, because I don’t think I’d be feeling the love.

I found the answer within the three omnies of God.

Omniscient. God is all-knowing. He not only has full knowledge of every creature that has ever lived and died, but He has numbered the very hairs on our heads (Mtt.10:30). While we cannot count the number of stars, He has named each one (Psa.147:4). The psalmist even references God’s thoughts toward us as outnumbering the grains of sand.

God’s knowledge, says the writer of Psalm 139, “is too wonderful for me” - so high that “I cannot attain it.” (Vs.6) Job echoes this sentiment and acknowledges God’s omniscience when he proclaims, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.”(Job 42:5). In a world that elevates knowledge, I find great comfort in the fact that God’s knowledge is too wonder-filled for me to wrap my thoughts around. It enables me to rest in the assurance of His loving care.

Omnipotent. God is the supreme Ruler. He exacts ultimate control over every aspect of His creation. God’s word tells us that not one sparrow falls outside of His will (Mtt.10:29), and that He provides for their every need (Mtt.6:26). In both of these passages we are encouraged not to worry about the things to come. Because God’s rule involves caring for the needs of every creature under heaven, even a new believer (which is what Jesus' disciples were at this time) can fully trust in His sovereignty and be assured that nothing has the power to usurp His divine rule and reign over their lives.

Omnipresent. God is present. Everywhere. All the time. From the beginning of time He’s never been absent from any event in human history.

In Psalm 102 we read the plight and heart’s cry of a broken person pleading for God’s presence. Overwhelmed by his affliction, he likens himself to “a pelican of the wilderness,” an “owl of the desert,” and “a sparrow alone on the housetop.” (Vs.6-7) Since pelicans live near water, and eat fish, this expression symbolizes hopeless destitution. An owl’s nocturnal hoot has long been associated with a mournful death cry. And, since a sparrow is rarely seen far from his life-sustaining community, the sighting of a lone one represents deep loneliness and sorrow.

The lamenting soul is one who feels alone and abandoned. Because God is ever-present He hears and comes to the aid of the broken. “You, O Lord will endure forever. You will arise and have mercy.” (Psa.102:12a&13) “He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise it.” (vs.17) “For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven the Lord viewed the earth, to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those appointed to death…” (vs.19-20a)

In Matthew 10, Jesus is preparing His disciples by telling them what they will face as they are sent to proclaim the gospel… They will be sheep among wolves - rejected, hated, tortured, accused, and even put to death. He knows there will be times when they wonder if God knows what they are going through (omniscience). He knows they will question God’s rule (omnipotence). And, Jesus knows that their circumstances will cause them to doubt God is with them like He promised (omnipresence). His words arm them, and He prepares them with the truth they will need for the times when they will feel as worthless as a dead sparrow hanging in the market, and as deserted and destitute as a lone bird crying in the wilderness.

Christian, in a world filled with migratory wonders and nesting beauties, it’s easy to feel like an insignificant little sparrow, easily lost among a multitude of our own look-a-likes. It’s easy to think we’ve been abandoned when the enemy’s “arrow that flies by day” targets and fells us to the ground, leaving us broken and defenseless. However, our God provides a “secret place” for us to hide and abide when we feel overwhelmed. He “delivers us from the snare of the fowler” and “covers us with His feathers.” It’s “under His wings where we take refuge.” His “truth shall be our shield” and no evil predator will have the power to destroy us when we “make the Lord our habitation.” (Read and ponder these beautiful truths, found in Psa.91.)

It’s not about having the greatest wing span in the sky. It’s about the One whose shadow dwarfs yours because He “sits above the circle of the earth.” (Isa.40:22) It’s not even about out-singing your woodland counterparts, (like our resident woodpecker) because you know it’s “God’s voice that thunders and melts the earth.” (Psa.46:6)

When God choses to place value on the insignificant, it’s because He is significant. And because of who He is, the common little sparrow becomes the most beautiful bird in the sky.

“I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

The Enduring List

(by Lorie Codispoti)

“Make a list of your enemies.” the author wrote.

Those instructions grabbed my attention. I thought, “Hmm, would I list disease, poverty, corruption, violence, etc., including all seven things the Bible says God hates?” (Prov.6:16-19) Certainly, they would qualify as things we battle.

Then it occurred to me that none of these things answer the question. I only have one enemy - the list is simply the result of his activity in our broken world.

What if I flip the question & ask myself to make a list of my allies? Hmm, how could I possibly include everything on this endless list of blessings? … home, family, friends, church, country, a good job, nutritious food, easily accessed care (medical, military, police, firefighters, etc.). Perhaps I would cite the sunshine & the beauty of nature as an ally. I'd certainly include heroes of the faith.

Then it occurred to me that none of these answer this question either. I only have one Ally - my list is simply the result of His activity in a broken world.

After pondering both lists my heart landed on this glorious truth... The biggest difference between my enemy & my Ally, as it relates to their activity in our broken world, is that my enemy & all his activity has an expiration date! My Ally, on the other hand, is everlasting. He has a plan that will result in fixing our broken world. His activity will continue, and involve restoring, renewing, & recreating everything from His original design.

Only one of these lists will endure, as will our Ally, King Jesus.

I like compiling lists, so I hope to continue recording all the wonders our King has planned for us.

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1Cor.2:9)

I’m gonna need a lot of paper!

Get Busy!

(by Lorie Codispoti)

It’s time to get busy … resting!

Sounds like a contradiction of terms, doesn’t it? Well, to borrow a phrase from the infamous Inigo Montoya (Princess Bride), “I do not think it means what you think it means.”

BUSY VERSUS BUSYNESS

Before we can fully embrace what it means to rest, we must understand the difference between being busy (commendable work with purpose) and being caught up in busyness (a precursor to physical, emotional, and spiritual breakdown).

When I was raising my children, life was busy. Crazy busy. My days were filled with everything that goes along with nurturing and caring for young children. Most of the time I would reach the end of my day completely exhausted, yet I was also happily content. Every task had a purpose and I was fully engaged in the mission of mothering. However, on the days I neglected my need for rest, I would wolf into a miserable creature. By nightfall my perspective had skewed, and I found myself thinking life was nothing more than a monotonous cycle of repetitive tasks that had little to no value.

Busy and Busyness are incompatible adversaries. Busy reminds you that everything she does has a purpose; her goals are clear and attainable. She was designed with a rechargeable feature, known as rest, which you can access anytime, day or night. Busyness, on the other hand, is a thief. She’s not rechargeable and her goal is to sap your strength by convincing you that there is no time for rest. She will run you, helter-skelter, and transform you into a ravenous wolf who tears her house down.

SOMETIMES WE NEED A REMINDER

I am, by no means, a gardener, but I have experimented with growing and canning vegetables over the years (which is precisely why I buy them now). I remember being surprised by the need to recalibrate my pressure cooker. The temperature gauge has to be adjusted periodically in order for the cooker to work properly. The cooker has no way of knowing how vital this adjustment is, but the one using it does.

Jesus prioritized the need for rest when He commanded His disciples to “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31a). This directive reaches the ears of His disciples during a time when they are elated over the amazing fruit of their ministry, yet at the same time deeply grieving the loss of their friend, John the Baptist. 

Contemplate the emotional roller coaster they had to be riding. Then mix in the fact that the crowds kept coming. The needs were so many that Mark records the disciples “did not have time to eat” (vs.31b). They knew the importance of rest because it was modeled for them when the crowds pressed in for more of Jesus and they watched Him “withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Lk.5:16). Nevertheless, it took hearing “come away” from their Lord to convince these men of their need.

We need to stop glamorizing the destructive cycle of busyness and realize that rest is not only necessary, but it’s a mandate given by a Holy God who has prioritized knowing and loving Him over serving Him.

Now, don’t read that wrong. I’m not saying that you should walk away from service and sequester your life away, singing Kumbaya until Jesus comes. What I am saying is that our need for rest is a built-in feature designed for us to know God. And in order to do that we must step away from the pressures of life and allow His Spirit to recalibrate our hearts to Himself. And since kumbaya means “come by here,” go ahead and sing it ’til Jesus comes!

REST IN PEACE

We don’t have to wait until we die to rest in peace. However, we do have to find a way to shed the dead layers of this world’s influence if we want to enter into the kind of rest Christ offers His children. The beautiful thing is that God never requires us to shed the dead without blanketing us with words that layer renewal... “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (Jn.6:63b).

Several years ago, my friend adopted a child whose issues with anxiety peaked during the night hours. The lack of sleep had negative effects on the entire family. Through prayer she felt led to investigate the therapeutic benefits of a weighted blanket. She decided to try it and found that it helped to calm her daughter’s restlessness. Before long the whole family was sleeping peacefully through the night.

Whether you are single, married, raising children, employed, volunteer, or all the above, the ministry God has called you to is both rewarding and exhausting. Refreshment happens when we take the time to blanket our minds with Truth.

The apostle Paul understood this principle when he appealed to the believers in Rome:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rms.12:1-2).

He identified their need for a transformed mind and warned them about being conformed to the world’s way of thinking.

Do you think the believers in Rome were busy? After all, they were the first generation of Christians raising up the next generation of Christians. I’m sure their mission of “going into all the world and making disciples” felt a bit overwhelming at times.

Paul was well acquainted with the weariness that comes with ministering to the needs of others, but instead of attempting to bolster their reserves with empty platitudes like, “Man up!” or "You've got this!" he calls for them to make a sacrifice.

Huh? “Isn’t that what we’ve been doing, Paul? We’re ‘giving it all we’ve got, and yet, you’re telling us we need to sacrifice?” I can hear the defensive tone in their collective response.

In his article, How Do We Find Spiritual Rest, author, J.D. Greear says, “… the gospel tells us that when following Jesus gets difficult, the answer is not to ‘work harder’ but to ‘rest better.’ Only by learning to rest in Jesus will we have the strength we need to thrive.”

Resting is a necessary sacrifice we all need to put into practice.

CRAVING MORE THAN FISH

If it takes 20 minutes from the time you start eating for your brain to tell you that you’re full, how long do you think it takes for your soul to tell you that your life is full? What signals you to stop running and take the needed time to digest?

I love fish! It’s been a favorite since I was a little girl. My grandparents lived on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia and every day my grandfather went fishing after work. Eating fresh fish with my grandmother’s cornbread and butter beans was like feasting at Heaven’s table.

Physically speaking, as we age, our metabolism slows down and we need less food than we did when we were younger. Spiritually speaking, however, I have found that as I mature I need to ingest more. As much as I enjoy fish, it doesn’t compare to the Bread of Life and my Savior’s living water. I long to hear His voice, like the disciples did that morning on the beach when He called for them to “Come and eat breakfast.” (John 20:12)

Even though Jesus had miraculously filled their empty nets with an abundance of fish, when they heard His voice, they dropped everything to be with Him. My guess is, that by now they had learned that Jesus could feed more souls with a few fish and some bread than they could with overflowing nets, and that His presents were no match for His presence.

Do you know who burns the candle at both ends? Busyness! She may burn bright for a moment, but her light is frenetic and unsustainable. I suggest you snuff her out and build a campfire next to Busy. She'll wrap you in a blanket of rest, feed you, and give you time to digest the life giving truth your soul needs.

If you can hear the One who created you with a need for rest calling, "Come away!" maybe it's time to get busy... resting!