Don't Worry, Be Happy

Remember the Bobby McFerrin song? It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: 

"Here is a little song I wrote 

You might want to sing it note for note 

Don't worry, be happy 

In every life we have some trouble 

When you worry you make it double 

Don't worry, be happy......"

I don't know about you but I've been making it double and doing a whole lot of worrying lately. 

Kid worries. 

Financial worries. 

Friend worries. 

Truth is, most things we worry about never even happen, right?

John Haggai says, "Worry is an intrusion into God's providence."

Martin Luther offers, "Pray, and let God worry."

"Worry is like praying for what you don't want to happen." is my new favorite going around.

And yet, I still worry.

In true Jesus fashion, my Bible reading today just so happened (wink, wink) to be Luke 12. 

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life..." v22

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" v25

"Do not be afraid, little flock..." v32

It makes it harder to worry when Jesus tells us not to. 

Does worrying benefit us at all? No extra hour for me.

And, did He just call us "little flock"? (Love that.)

Truth is, worry is a heart issue, and I need a new heart. Stat. 

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Come. 

Come to Jesus.

This is exactly what I am going to do.

Then I am going to sing with Bobby, you can too!  Sing with Bobby.

Hello happy, goodbye worry! 

Thanks for reading,
L.

I Thought This Very Beautiful...

Each morning

Night's curtain

Opens on a new day.

You are invited

To join the great opening.

Open your ears.

Open your heart.

Open your eyes

To the sacred path

You travel every day,

The path of the hours.

Greet the hours

With joyful awareness.

Greet the hours

With faithful presence.

Greet the hours

With a reverential bow.

Greet the hours

With a sacred pause.

Reverence each hour

As a small stepping stone

On your pilgrimage

Through the day.

Receive the gift

Of seven sacred pauses.

Practice waking up

Seven times a day.

O Pilgrim of the Hours by Macrina Wiederkehr

Seven Sacred Pauses at Amazon.com

I Hated Today and I Didn't Like It.

I saw it all go down. 

A boy with a plastic cord in his hand cantered down the middle school hall. Suddenly the cord became a whip and he thrust it up in the air and slapped it down across another boy's neck. 

I saw the innocent boy cower in pain. I saw the bully laugh.

Enter my adrenaline. 

I shot up out of my chair and went after the culprit. On my way, I shoved my head in a classroom and shouted at the teacher, "I need help!". I didn't want to lose the bully amongst the massiveness of kids roaming the hall. I said, "Brown shirt, straight ahead at the locker, he hurt someone." When the teacher went after him, I came back to a hurt, angry, and not surprised boy. I'm guessing this is not his first physical and emotional wound.

All was handled well, justice prevailed in the direction of the principal's office. 

I sat back down as hatred filled my entire body.

Not at what happened. Oh no.

Hatred toward the bully.

Justified, right? Clearly the bully did this on purpose. Mean people suck.

And then it hit me. Hard. Instead of being angry and full of hate, I should have been broken with sorrow over the action. I should have wept at what was in this boy's heart to make him do something so cruel. I should have felt just as sorry for the bully as I did for the boy who was hurt. 

Without warning, I was overcome by a overwhelming flood of compassion for brown shirt boy. Who's been unkind to him? Who's hurt him emotionally? Physically? Such mean-spiritedness hides one's own wounds. 

So I started to pray for this broken boy. 

Enter my heart-transplant. 

Precious, made-in-God's-image boy, formerly "the bully", became the recipient of my prayers. He needs the unconditional love of a Father who heals for a living. He needs attention and lots of hugs. Taking a closer look at him through different Eyes, I saw he was unkept, and not doted on at home I am sure.  

Truth is there is plenty of this going on all day every day in the world we live in. May my next response be full of grief and actions that make a difference. Not hatred. 

An hour later as I was leaving the school, I saw the boy who was hurt coming out of the school office. I said, "I hope you feel better." He looked at me, said nothing, but cracked a small smile in my direction. You're most welcome sweet boy. 

Thanks for reading,
L.

FREE is Very Beautiful!

Listed below are books I am giving away. I want to offer them first to you, my dear blog family. I am on a mission to purge and simplify every single area of my life. Most of these books I have read and have been blessed. Time to pass the blessing along. 

This Inspirational Study Bible-Lucado
The Women of Faith Daily Devotional
Experiencing God-Blackaby
My Utmost For His Highest-Chambers
Praying God's Word Day by Day-Moore
The Hole in the Gospel-Stearns
Soul Cravings-McManus
A Voice in the Wind-Rivers
Redeeming Love-Rivers
In My Father's House-Thoene
The Atonement Chld-Rivers
Fresh Faith-Cymbala
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire-Cymbala
The Bondage Breaker-Anderson
The Delaney Sisters
Peace Child-Richardson
The Mystery of Marriage-Mason
The Christmas Hope-VanLiere
The Ten(der) Commandments-Mehl
Children's Letters to GodHample
Traveling Light for Mothers-Lucado

Thank you for being a part of "Every Thing Beautiful".  

Grateful,
L. 

Olivia and Moses, Twins?

My beautiful daughter Olivia and I were out recently enjoying a warm summer night. We just came from evening service and felt blessed and famished. Over a shared wok bowl, we were talking about random things when she tenderly spoke with tears:

"If I could have one wish...it would be to see my Chinese mother's face." 

One wish. 

More than anything in the world, all my little girl wants is to see her birth mother's face. 

Her words remained perennials in my heart.

Today, my heart led me to Moses. Olivia and Moses have a great deal in common. Both of their birth mothers couldn't care for them and put them in prominent places to be found and raised safely. Moses was delivered from Egypt. My daughter was delivered from China. Moses was "slow of speech and tongue", Olivia is hearing impaired. Both acquired confidence issues. Both procure an enviable fearlessness. Lastly, both suffered a monumental loss; Moses never entered the Promised Land and my sweet girl will never see her birth mother's face. 

While feeling grief for my daughter's loss, I gained an overwhelming peace as I was ushered into the story of Moses. You see, Moses received something far better. God would speak to him face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Can you imagine?

You know what?

I believe God has something better for Olivia too. 

I can hardly wait to see His best for her.

This post is dedicated to everyone whose one wish is eminently impossible. God has something eminently better for you. 

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." Ephesians 3:20

Thanks for reading,
L.

Crazy Easy Blueberry Hemp Crisp (Vegan)

Before:

After: 

Not only is this recipe crazy easy, it is also crazy delicious! With the capacious amount of blueberries my neighbor blessed me with, I couldn't experiment fast enough. In one word, success! You won't be disappointed. 

Ingredients:

1/2 lemon

4-5 cups of fresh blueberries

3/4 cup of flour (I like spelt)

1/4 cup of oats

1/2 cup of sugar (I use coconut palm sugar)

1 to 2 tablespoon of hemp seeds

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (Vietnamese is my all-time fave)

5 tablespoons of vegan butter, cubed (Earth Balance is perfect)

1 tablespoon of oil (canola or grapeseed oil work well)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an eight inch square baking dish.
2. Pour blueberries into dish and squeeze lemon juice over berries.
3. Place the flour, oats, sugar, hemp seeds, cinnamon, butter and oil in a food processor and pulse a few times until crumbly. Pour over berries and spread out evenly. 
4. Bake 25 minutes. The top should be golden and like any berry dish, the berries should be bubbling.

It's THAT easy. 

I love that you don't cook the berries ahead of time. I love that you don't add sweetener to the blueberries. I love that I can have it "farm to table" in about 30 minutes.

Just one more thing before I leave you to your baking. For those who can't/don't eat dairy or refined sugar, "ice cream" seems inconceivable. Look no further. 

Luna & Larry's Organic Coconut Bliss is sublime. It's low glycemic, vegan, gluten-free, as well as free of soy. In essence, it's heaven in a small container. (Purchased at New Seasons Market.) The Ginger Cookie Caramel was fantastic with the crisp. Blueberries + ginger = nummylicious!  

Thanks for reading,

L.

Our Greatest Privilege and Responsibility

Our children have one prominent way to see and know God's love and that is through us. 


We can't leave this to chance.


If we don't show our children God's love, who will?


We've learned the world is not the best teacher of His love. It says you have to look and dress a certain way in order to be accepted. It says you have to act a certain way, saying all of the right things at the right time in order to be affirmed and validated. The world says you can't make mistakes. 


The fact is we will teach and influence our children. The question is what and how?


It's a Privilege 
I know of no greater privilege we have than showing our children God's love through our words and actions. We are their first look into who He is and how much He loves them. We get to pave the way to the greatest gift there is!


It's a Responsibility
Are we showing them God's love is unconditional? Are we quick to forgive and restore our relationship? Does our love and grace flow freely during the "unlovable" times? We have one shot at this, but it's never too late. 


Here is my goal and prayer:
I want my children to know that God loves them no matter what and that nothing they have done or will do can do can separate them from His love. Nothing. When they mess up, and they will, everyone does, there are consequences but God's love is unwavering and isn't measured by their choices. It is a gift. The best one we can give them. 


Thanks for reading,
L.

10 Things I've Learned Being Married 9,132 Days

Here are the ten best things I have learned being married for over 9,000 days. I have not perfected any of them, and they are a good reminder for me as well. They are not listed in any particular order. 

1. Men cannot and will never be able to read a women's mind. Don't get mad at your husband when he doesn't pick up your vibes like your girlfriends can. He may get lucky sometimes, "Everything okay?", but don't punish him if he doesn't, it's not intentional. They aren't wired that way like women are. You have to tell him. 
2. Please continue to date. You fell in love dating your spouse, right? That's how you really got to know each other. Dare I say, magic happens on dates. 
3. It's okay to be mad at your spouse, or not even like them, for a brief period, but don't stay there. It's normal to feel mad at your spouse and not like them from time to time. Extremely normal. But nobody really talks about that. We are human, we are selfish by nature, and people make mistakes. Give each other some space, pray alone, then pray together and talk it out. I repeat, don't stay there. 
4. Every now and then ask yourself, "What's it like to be married to me?" Am I kind? Affectionate? Encouraging? Forgiving? Healthy? Patient? Protecting? Respectful? Or am I selfish? Easily angered? Critical? Cold? A downer? Be willing to work on you when it's needed. 
5. Sex is to your marriage what water is to your garden. Gardens need LOTS of water. ;) No water for your garden leads to a dehydrated, starving plant, no fruit and no joy. The same is true for your sex life and marriage.
6. Make a budget, stay on budget. Also, agree on an amount each of you can freely spend without checking in with the other person and or give each person an allowance each week to spend however, without question. 
7. Pray together regularly. There is a beautiful intimacy that comes with praying with your spouse. It takes the focus off of one another and invites God in. He will honor this.
8. Do not compare your marriage or your husband to other marriages or other husbands. We don't compare fairly. We are tempted to compare our spouse's weaknesses with another's strengths. Comparing usually leads to pride or envy, neither is healthy.
9. Just because marriage can be hard, it doesn't mean it's bad. Don't confuse the two. If it's a hard patch, acknowledge it, and work through it positively and with hope. EVERY couple has them.
10. If you are struggling in your marriage with communication, expectations, sex, finances, or spiritually, get help. Your marriage is worth it. Talk with someone you admire, trust and respect. 

I still have a lot to learn but I am grateful for all of the lessons along the way. Here's to the next 9,132 days David Manning! Love you babe. 

Thanks for reading,

L.

Everyone Needs an Angel

I have an angel. She does Zumba. 


My angel's name is Jan and she just turned 80 years young. Her favorite birthday gift? Red cowboy boots of course!  


Her words are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. When Jan speaks to you, she cares from the depths of her heart, as if no one else mattered on the planet in that moment but you. 


Her words are life-giving and memorable.


She cries for your children's trials and heartaches when you cannot cry anymore. 


She speaks up for those who cannot speak for themselves and she defends the rights of the poor and needy.


She prays fervently and she's a fighter. A darn good one. 


She is funny:

Jan: "It is really cold out there, I should have worn a heavier jacket."

Me: "Yes, it's damp cold."

Jan: With a straight face, "Did you say it's damn cold or it's damp cold?", then she breaks out in a contagious laughter.

She is beautiful on the outside too...

Everyone needs a Jan. She inspires me to be a better everything. 


"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Proverbs 31:29


Grateful for my angel,
Leslie

Life-Giving Words

"Olivia, It's your birthday! You are such a great friend, and I am so glad that you live close by so we can hang out a lot! You are so nice, smart, and caring!"


The young girl who penned these sweet words in her birthday card to my just-turned-eleven daughter has no idea of the profound impact of her words and how much they mean to her. 


They made her day. Her week. Her month. Her year. 


This young author used life-giving words. Words that affirm and encourage. Words that heal deep wounds. Words that replay over and over in your mind because they feel so good. Words that you run and return to when ugly words barge in. 


Do our words give life?


I am reminded once again of the power of our words. May I choose ALL my words (to others and to myself) as carefully and purposefully as this young friend did. 


Thanks for reading,
L.

18 Comes Fast

I used to be a perfect parent. Until, that is, I gave birth. 

Stormie Omartian says this about parenting:

"It's the best of jobs. It's the most difficult of jobs. It can bring you the greatest joy. It can cause the greatest pain. There is nothing as fulfilling and exhilarating. There's nothing so depleting and exhausting. No area of your life can make you feel more like a success when everything is going well. No area of your life can make you feel more like a failure when things go wrong."

Can I get an "Amen"?

A surplus of emotions like the ones described above are flooding me as I gear up to send my first-born out into the big, big world. I have these moments where I am talking to my son and right before my eyes, he's nine again. Remember that scene in Father of the Bride when Steve Martin is talking to his daughter and she becomes a little girl again? Yes, just like that!  

It's true. Kids grow up faster than you can say, "Am I doing anything right?"  

In all honesty, yes and no. 

Beyond question, the single most important thing I have done as a parent is pray for him. Look at this beautiful visual in Lamentations 2:19:

"Pour out your heart like water

before the face of the Lord.

Lift your hands toward Him for the

life of your young children."

Can you picture your prayers for your child flowing out from your heart like an ocean, knowing they will meet God's face? We can raise our hands in prayer for help from the best parent there is, our Heavenly Father.  

While I certainly haven't done every thing right as a parent, I have prayed and will continue until my last breath. Although his Nana would argue otherwise, my prayers have not beget a "perfect" son. They have, gratefully, protected him more times than I can count. They have also imparted an immeasurable amount of peace. As parents, we need this peace to steady us through the difficult times.  

If you don't have children yet, start praying for them anyways. If you have children and haven't prayed for them ever or in a long time, start praying. It's never too early or too late.

My "baby" and me

Thanks for reading,

L.

Trust - Part Three

"Why does it hurt to smile?" asked my sweet girl.


(Hurt to smile?)


And then it made sense...


                                       it's been a long time since my girl has smiled.  


I am reminded when we don't use certain muscles for a while, they become sore when we start using them again.  


This, however, is a good sore. A profoundly good sore.  


My little girl is doing better.


She is learning God views her through eyes of unconditional love. 


She is learning His words are never unkind, never shameful, never blaming, and never condemning.  NOT EVER.


She is learning His voice is gentle and gives life; His voice heals. 


She is learning she is wonderfully made.


She is learning to extend compassion to herself.


She is learning she is valued and she has SO MUCH to give.


There is far more to travel on this journey, we haven't arrived yet. But that's okay.


My little girl is smiling.


I am learning...


                           trust is not a natural response.


Every day, sometimes every hour, I need to choose to trust that God WILL continue to heal the deepest, darkest wounds of my daughter's heart.  It will take time, His time. I need to choose to trust that one day she WILL forgive her Chinese mother. I need to choose to trust that He is good ALL the time, and that He is in control. 


My sweet girl said to me the other day, "Mom, it doesn't hurt to smile anymore!"


Tears. Of. Joy.


Thanks for reading,
L.

The Secret to Survival (Hint: It's Not Chocolate)

When you hear the word "stronghold", do you think of something negative? I do. 

I mean, I did. Until a couple of days ago:

"He is their stronghold in time of trouble." Ps. 37:39 

"The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?" Ps. 27:1

Definitely not negative.

Check out this definition:

Stronghold: A place of survival. A refuge. An impenetrable fortress.  


This seriously sounds too good to be true.  


God is a place of survival. Your place. My place. Why would I run anywhere else? 


And yet, I do. Repeatedly.


I have bolted to food (sugar-laden anything, not broccoli), and WAY too much of it. I have run to girlfriends, "You are NOT going to believe what happened?!!" (and I am right, right?). I have sprinted to media/technology (little box, please distract me and make me feel better). 


Rather than run to our Stronghold, the most satisfying and exhaustive Refuge EVER, I run to what I think will make me feel better. 


Yeah, that lasts about five seconds.


Oh sure, I run like heck to Him with the "colossal" stuff, but not so much the "little" stuff. As if God rates our needs (He does not). Or, as if He doesn't care about the "little" stuff (He does).  


He just wants us to run to Him.


God is our place of survival. He is our retreat, our sheltered protection, our haven. He is our utmost security where NOTHING can separate us from Him.


While food, media and too many other things frequently seduce the need to soothe my soul, they are temporary at best.  


The secret is out, our Stronghold is waiting for us.


Thanks for reading,
L.

Fear EXPOSED

Cowardly Lion: All right, I'll go in there for Dorothy. Wicked Witch or no Wicked Witch, guards or no guards, I'll tear them apart. I may not come out alive, but I'm going in there. There's only one thing I want you fellows to do.
Tin Woodsman, Scarecrow: What's that?
Cowardly Lion: Talk me out of it!


What is something you would do if you were not afraid? 


It doesn't matter if it's little or big, nonsensical or important, there are no rules here. 


Maybe you would start writing. Maybe you would go to a third-world country. Maybe you would go back to school. Maybe you would start your own business. Maybe you would switch jobs. Maybe you would try a new sport. Maybe you would sing louder.


This is what I think about fear: fear is a fallacious attempt to persuade us to not do something which will be completely wonderful.  


Mentioned more than any other command in all of Scripture is some derivative of "do not fear" and "do not be afraid". 


Also, more good news, fear is NOT from God:

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."                                2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

So, what's with fear any way? We tend to hold ourselves back from doing things because we are afraid to fail, "What if I fail, what will people think of me?" Note to self, so what and who cares?  


Here is what I have learned: Fear and fail are nothing but naughty, four letter, F-words!  That's right, I said it.  


God's alternative to fear?


Courage. Courage is where risk and bravery meet and birth something completely wonderful.  


Without courage from the Father, I would not have adopted China's cutest, little girl.  I would not have returned to college with three children. I would not have started this blog. Without courage I would not have gone to Africa. Twice. 


Let us use that spirit of power, love and sound mind that the good Lord has given us today and tomorrow and the next day and the day after that. 


Completely wonderful things await us.  


Cowardly Lion: Read what my medal says: "Courage". Ain't it the truth? Ain't it the truth?


Thanks for reading,
L. 

Never Alone - Adopted Twice

"Is it true, are you my fake mom?" 
                                                proposed my daughter with tears in her eyes.


(A well-meaning friend of hers had innocently implied I was her "fake" mom.)  


Holding her tight, I cried back, "No baby. It's not true at all. I am your real mom. You are mine forever and ever." 


After being together seven of her ten years, I confess I felt surprised she needed to ask and that she still needed, in my mind, assurance of what appeared like a simple answer.  


Two days later, a friend completely unaware of my daughter's question, said she had been given a Bible verse for Olivia:

"My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in." (Ps.27:10 The Message)

I could hardly believe my eyes. He knows. He loves her. He's got this.  

The whole story is, we are all adopted. Ponder these excerpts from Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT, emphasis mine):

"Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us...God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family...this is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure."

My prayer for my daughter is that she will embrace the truth that, in fact, she has not been adopted once, but she has been adopted twice.

May we all be assured that we are loved, chosen, and adopted by our heavenly Father. 

I'll end with this description of adoption which I very much like:

"We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time and miles, growing within our hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands." (Author unknown, emphasis mine)

Thanks for reading,
L.

Forgiveness

I am crazy about this coin purse. At first it doled out inspiration to be brave and "get out of the cage" and start writing.  This week, however, it is a visual of a bird who is set free, who is not locked in a cage anymore.  


I live with someone who struggles with forgiveness, her name rhymes with Bolivia. :)


Not meaning to pick on her, I know forgiving someone IS hard. I have lived both "in the cage" of unforgiveness and now, "out of the cage", as one who, with God's help and strength, can forgive. I desperately wish for my sweet girl a freedom, joy and peace that surpasses all understanding that only true forgiveness brings. I don't want her locked in the cage any more.  

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and to discover that the prisoner was you."     Louis B. Smedes

The truth is we live in a broken, messy and unfair world.  We WILL get hurt and we WILL be treated unfairly. 


I have learned our level of forgiveness will determine our level of joy and peace. Forgiving little equals little joy and peace. Forgiving much equals much joy and peace. The quicker I forgive, the quicker I am filled with joy and peace. I have also learned it is a command from our Creator, Colossians 3:13. 


And... didn't He forgive us?


Praying that my sweet girl obsesses not about how hurt she is, but rather about how amazing God is who gives us strength to forgive.  


Thanks for reading,
L.

Comfort Food

Where is the virtual "scratch & sniff" when you need it?


For the last week I have been dreaming about making pancakes with chopped pears in them, something I had never attempted before. Late bloomer. 


Still feeling the sting from a hurtful email yesterday, this foodie needed some serious comfort food. It is obvious now, my pear pancake fantasies were anointed and had great purpose. Can't believe I ate as many as I did.


After consumption, I can assure you, these pancakes exceedingly comforted and delivered in every dietary and soulful way possible. What is it about comfort food?


Maybe it was the healing and intoxicating aroma of cinnamon?


Maybe it was doing something with my hands?


Maybe it was taking the focus off of myself? (Hard, but good.)


Maybe it was sharing them with someone else?


I submit, all of the above.  Any who, these pancakes rocked and turned a hurting heart into a  thankful one and had me asking God to bring beauty out of a hurting heart by the last swallow.  Here's the hook-up:


Comfort Vegan Pear Pancakes


2 Cups of your fave flour.  (I LOVE one cup of buckwheat + one cup of spelt.)
1/4 Cup coco palm sugar.  (Bulk at New Seasons, it is NOT refined, cheering!)
1 Tablespoon ground flax seed (This and the applesauce below replace eggs.)
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 Teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 to 1 Teaspoon of cinnamon (I ADORE Vietnamese cinnamon, super nums!)


Whisk together in a large bowl.


1 Cup of water
1 Cup of unsweetened nondairy milk (you pick: soy, hemp, rice, or almond)
2 Tablespoons of canola oil
2 Tablespoons of apple sauce, unsweetened
1 Teaspoon of pure vanilla extract


Whisk together in a medium bowl. Add to dry ingredients.


1 Pear


Chop pear into small dice and fold into batter with a spatula.


You know the drill from here, add a little canola oil in the frying pan over medium heat, pour 1/4 cup of batter at a time, flip after miraculous bubbles appear. Top with soy butter and REAL maple syrup and enjoy!  Makes about 12 to 14 pancakes, about 1 or 2 or 4 servings, entirely dependent on how much comfort you need.   


Thanks for reading,
L.