Love Bible stories. Pretty recently our church did a series on the stories of the Bible and it was interesting to think of them from a child's perspective momentarily and how scary some of them can be. I have several favorites, but the one that I have clung to most recently is The Prodigal Son.
I get it on many levels personally. I have even considered myself somewhat of a Prodigal as I went through a period of thinking I could do it all on my own and did not need my Father. He let me go and suffer the consequences of my choices. My favorite part of the story however is the picture of the Father. He was always watching for his child, and when he saw him in the distance he picked up his robes and against all proper etiquette of the day HE RAN. I love that! It moves me every time. What a picture of love. And my Father welcomed me back. He was there all along. He loved me then, He loves me now and He constantly seeks us out. THAT is crazy love.
The other way I get this story is I am now in the role of "father". I have a prodigal son. Which makes the fact that the father loved his child so unconditionally so much more amazing to me. My son is still walking in the ways of the world and listening to worldly advice and "wisdom". There is an Amy Grant song (OLD SCHOOL AMY GRANT) called "The Prodigal". There is a line in it that I love, "And even if you never do return, still I will have learned how to love you better." I'm not saying I always do well in this area. There is as much frustration at times as there is love. Really a prodigal is anyone who is not walking with the Lord. And the only way any of this will change is when my son asks Jesus into his heart. Until then there have been several deep dark valleys that we have all gone through.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
mirror, mirror on the wall
To make sure no area of my life was untouched, there was work to be done in me as well. I most resemble my dad...maybe not in stature (he was 6'3"), but otherwise...emotionally and physically (for sure I have his hands...cool, but not fortunate...they are big and manly-ish). Both my dad and my grandfather had multiple skin cancers removed, and I was raised in the ridiculous age of using baby oil and even Crisco (HOW DISGUSTING) to tan. I was also a lifeguard and swim instructor for years. So, I was trying to be proactive and see a dermatologist. Still, I was shocked when she wanted to biopsy a spot on my forehead. Once she did the biopsy, I knew what the answer would be...the way my year had been going, I might as well have scheduled the surgery right then and there.
Sure enough it was a basal skin cancer smack dab in the middle of my forehead. Mohs surgery is the latest and greatest for these types of cancers. It is a different experience. I was one of four patients in the office that morning. What happens in Mohs surgery, I call the slice and dice. They slice a very thin layer of skin around the cancer spot then you go sit in a waiting room with all the other patients sliced open while they look at your slice and figure if they've gone deep enough. They either come out and tell you they got enough and they sew you back up or you go back and they take another slice. I must have looked a sight with my head swollen around the cancerous spot. I had the opportunity to pray for the other 3 patients there that they would receive good news. I prayed during my procedure and love that God allowed me peace and knowing He was in control. And I did have peace.
A couple summers in college I was a camp counselor. One summer I was a swim instructor on the waterfront...the great Guadalupe River. Back in the day they use to show you shock films in drivers ed to scare you into being a good driver or just scare you, I guess. Well, they showed all of us a HORRID informational movie on skin cancer. The shock movies had about the same effect on driving that they did on the skin cancer. They were disgusting; but when you are a kid you think you are invincible and that happens to other people. I do remember the man with no face...yikes! But God gave me a peace that transcended all understanding and horrible shock films!
Praise God that they got all the skin cancer on the first slice. He sewed me back up then showed me my lovely stitches and "Frankenslit" that he blended with my wrinkle/worry lines (nice ;)). I got my post op instructions...washing, applying an antibiotic cream, rubbing vitamin E to reduce the scar...and off I went.
Something happened along the way of washing, creaming and rubbing. I "fell in love" with my scar and what I realized it meant. My scar was a visual reminder of God's sovereignty in my life. I quit rubbing vitamin E on it. I didn't want my scar to go away. That visual reminder everyday that God is in control...no way, it was there to stay and it is part of my story of God's grace in my life. God is SO AMAZING! Romans 8:28,
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Sure enough it was a basal skin cancer smack dab in the middle of my forehead. Mohs surgery is the latest and greatest for these types of cancers. It is a different experience. I was one of four patients in the office that morning. What happens in Mohs surgery, I call the slice and dice. They slice a very thin layer of skin around the cancer spot then you go sit in a waiting room with all the other patients sliced open while they look at your slice and figure if they've gone deep enough. They either come out and tell you they got enough and they sew you back up or you go back and they take another slice. I must have looked a sight with my head swollen around the cancerous spot. I had the opportunity to pray for the other 3 patients there that they would receive good news. I prayed during my procedure and love that God allowed me peace and knowing He was in control. And I did have peace.
A couple summers in college I was a camp counselor. One summer I was a swim instructor on the waterfront...the great Guadalupe River. Back in the day they use to show you shock films in drivers ed to scare you into being a good driver or just scare you, I guess. Well, they showed all of us a HORRID informational movie on skin cancer. The shock movies had about the same effect on driving that they did on the skin cancer. They were disgusting; but when you are a kid you think you are invincible and that happens to other people. I do remember the man with no face...yikes! But God gave me a peace that transcended all understanding and horrible shock films!
Praise God that they got all the skin cancer on the first slice. He sewed me back up then showed me my lovely stitches and "Frankenslit" that he blended with my wrinkle/worry lines (nice ;)). I got my post op instructions...washing, applying an antibiotic cream, rubbing vitamin E to reduce the scar...and off I went.
Something happened along the way of washing, creaming and rubbing. I "fell in love" with my scar and what I realized it meant. My scar was a visual reminder of God's sovereignty in my life. I quit rubbing vitamin E on it. I didn't want my scar to go away. That visual reminder everyday that God is in control...no way, it was there to stay and it is part of my story of God's grace in my life. God is SO AMAZING! Romans 8:28,
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
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