Category Archives: Devotion & Inspiration

An Open Door

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Yesterday afternoon when Tahoe and I returned home from a class, we headed through the garage entry to the kitchen.  ‘Yikes’, I thought, as I realized that, ‘Houston, we have a problem!’  The bi-fold doors to the laundry room were ajar and one of them obstructed the garage door from swinging fully open. Let’s not discuss the flawed architectural design of these two passages…they are what the are…barring an expensive renovation.

Previously, on more than one occasion, this situation created a broken laundry room door, and I was keenly aware that there was potential damage and destruction on the other side of this pathway. If I gently push through the doorway I might have a chance to protect and salvage the laundry entrance.   ‘Be careful. Ease through the door with caution,’ I thought.  For a moment, I was tempted to get upset because the laundry room doors had not been closed…um…again. Hmmm.  ‘Who can I blame?’  I was irritated.  But, as I squeezed through the garage door (as if a wheelchair can squeeeeeze through anywhere) to minimize damage, I reasoned, ‘It’s only a door. It can be fixed.  I’d like new laundry doors anyway!’  Victory over the blame game is oh so sweet.

I ignored the damaged door and gave Tahoe a break and some playtime, worked on emails, ate a bite and made a few calls.  Then I headed back to the door to inspect the casualty. Fortunately, it was merely knocked off it’s track and was easy to maneuver out of harm’s way until my hero engineer husband came home and repaired the minor mishap.

Doors…

I like closed doors.  I really like closed doors.

Closed doors are clean and attractive.

Closed doors give privacy.

Closed doors hide the chaos behind them.

In our house, it’s my ongoing adventure to ‘control’ the disorder even if it’s behind a closed door.  Let’s straighten, organize and label!  Let’s make everything tidy and neat, and if there’s not enough time to thoroughly clean, let’s stuff the disorder in a drawer or behind a door and close it so the house ‘appears’ spick-and-span .  I have amazing helpers to ‘physically’ organize – you don’t want that job, do you?

This year has challenged me to move beyond my ‘closed door compulsion’ to ‘open new doors’, particularly in the area of friendships…to move from control and closed  to open and intentional.   I’ve recognized that as I tread toward more transparency and vulnerability, I’m able to relinguish myself and encourage with greater passion and effectiveness.  It’s made me a better friend.

Closed doors are a barrier.

Closed doors exclude.

Open doors invite.

Open doors allow exposed messes.

Open doors create opportunities.

There’s no doubt that closed doors protect.  Protection and safety are good things to a point – there are seasons and occasions to keep doors closed.  But there are also times to wrangle our tendencies toward risk-aversion and self-protection so they don’t cost us the intangible riches of fully living and giving.

I admire those who seem to have a knack for outward focused openness.  God’s helping me learn to navigate new ‘open doors’ with wisdom and trust – as well as respect for the person He made me to be.  It’s scary and exciting!

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
Proverbs 4:6

Is the balance between trust and protection a challenge for you?  Would love your insights. Leave a reply or if you prefer a little more privacy, I get it…feel free to email me.

My Bacon Secret

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Bacon is bad.

Bacon is very bad.

I like bacon.

I like bacon crispy.

I like bacon almost burned.

Bacon makes things better.

We don’t eat much bacon at our house. Actually, I don’t eat much of anything even though I like to cook and talk about food. Eating is something I need to work on since my handsome and  fit 6’6″ husband loves food and is frequently thinking about his next meal.  He’d appreciate it if I expressed more excitement for food.  Before my spinal cord injury I used to be obsessed with food. Even though I wasn’t fat or even heavyset, my thoughts focused too much on food and I’d pray, ‘Dear God, please help me not care so much about food and my weight!’  My fervent prayers about a food and weight obsession when I was a teenager gives me an appreciation for eating issues and disorders so many have today. Strangely and thankfully, since my injury, food has not been an obsession for me. Now, I’m free – free to enjoy a few slices of bacon without guilt and without wanting more. Well, sometimes I want more.

Bacon is nice to have on hand for a quick BLT sandwich or an occasional topper for salads and potatoes. What I don’t like about bacon the is the mess it makes when you cook it on the stove or griddle. Yes, the oven is a cleaner option, but it takes a long time, and the microwave is not the same, right?  I used to be convinced that the easiest and most practical way to get bacon was to cook it in the oven. There’s no splatter and it’s easy to clean the pan if you line it with foil and use a rack with non-stick spray. Then you can refrigerate it in ziploc bags and use it as needed – don’t eat it all at once or you’ll pray, ‘Dear God, help me stop’.

Recently, I discovered life’s  best way to get bacon.  At last!  Drum roll please….Buy it already cooked off the Whole Foods breakfast bar!  For those of you who don’t have a WF near you – so sorry. Maybe there’s another breakfast bar close by, or maybe you’ll have to go to a bar, order a sparkling water, cry, and eat free peanuts and pretzels.

Even though the WF breakfast bar is $8.00/lb you won’t believe how much bacon you can get for $3.00 when it is pre-cooked.  It’s easier and less expensive than buying it uncooked.  Plus, WF has the hearty, thick bacon. Just make sure you skip the ‘heavy’ (expensive) scrambled eggs, cheese grits and oatmeal, and fill your box with ‘light’ bacon. I’m warning you…don’t be tempted by those expensive cheesey grits.  Once you get the bacon home, refrain from eating more than a few pieces or you’ll pray, ‘Dear God, help me stop’. Refrigerate it, and use as needed. You may not get that permeating delish bacon smell throughout your house, but it’s a small price to pay for this almost grease free convenience.

The last time I went to WF to get bacon, the lady that helped me fill my box told me a lot of people buy a box of bacon...and I thought it was my secret!

Bacon on the bar
Thank you Whole Foods for your BACON bar!

Words for the Roller Coaster of Life

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Almost fifteen years ago Brent and I went to Six Flags for the first time together.  It was a big date early in our relationship. We spent the day loving every roller coaster and got soaked in water rides!

Six Flags is a blast for me because my wheelchair gives us a pass to the front of every line.   Then we are usually encouraged to stay for a second ride to avoid the hassle and slight delay of lifting me in and out of the seat!  Let me know if you want me to go with you on your next visit.

Toward the end of the afternoon we headed to the amphitheater for featured speakers and a concert with Point of Grace and several other artists.  We relaxed and were thankful that Brent’s back survived lifting me all day and my bottom survived the bumpy rides without my cushy seat.  The speaker, Andy Stanley, began to share.  It was the first time I had heard him, and I couldn’t believe it then, and I still can’t believe it now – the verse he used in his talk was etched in my memory.

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.  Proverbs 22:3

The fact that I walked (I mean rolled) away from a fifteen minute talk with a take away biblical principle and a verse that I have quoted over the years, and shared with others, is a hallmark of why I consider Andy Stanley one of the best communicators.  He has a gift, yet I’m sure he works hard to leave a listener with truth to remember, apply in their own lives, and use to help others in the future.  I’ve experienced other pastors and speakers who do this, just not quite like he does.  His one liners pack a powerful punch and resonate with me long after their delivery.

Here are a couple of my favorite quotes/principles from Andy Stanley:

“Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.”

“Direction, not intention, determines your destination.”

We have an amazing church home – it’s ‘family’ – and we learn and serve there each week.  Even if you have a local church where you lock in, grow and serve in Christ, I hope you seek additional valuable resources.   Be encouraged by the great technology available to us today and check out some wisdom from outside your church’s walls.  You could start now by tuning in to a message at North Point’s service online ‘live’ at 9:00 or 11:00 on Sundays or during one of four rebroadcasts.  Additionally, the podcast is available later.  This week they launch a series called, ‘Be Rich: Do More. Give More.’   Interestingly,  I just read an article featured in this month’s Consumer Reports magazine, written by a neurologist, titled ‘Surprising health benefits of giving.’  We have some other terrific ‘giving’ resources…ah…sounds like a post on ‘Giving’ is on my horizon.

“Be Rich: Do More. Give More”  just might be a new favorite quote after this series.

Two Odd Refrigerator Staples

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Do you have any odd items that you always keep in your refrigerator?  In our household there are a couple of strange staples we added to our meager repertoire this summer.   Oh yes, Brent always needs his milk, and we keep half and half and veggies along with eggs. But what about strange things that cause great remorse if they are absent?

Staple #1
The creamy thick substance is sweet and full of calories. I like to put my finger in the container or double dip the spoon; however, my ‘non double dipping’ husband won’t have it!  He insists that a new spoon be used each time the fluff is removed from its container – something to do with germs? The silky, creamy, smooth texture adds to the sweet’s delectable qualities.  This scrumptious delicacy is homemade cream cheese frosting!

Strawberries are my all time favorite accompaniment with this treat.  I’m not big on desserts, but this frosting is something to crave.  What we like about it, is that unlike ice cream, when you mix the strawberries and frosting, the strawberries can’t freeze.  Don’t get me wrong, we like ice cream and strawberries, but there’s something about the way the strawberries freeze in ice cream that is just wrong.  This wonderful frosting will last in your refrigerator for a few weeks if you don’t eat it all at one time!  You’ll often find me skipping the strawberries and digging a spoon deep down to get a shovel full because I know that the ‘double-dip nazi ‘ might be on the lookout.  I really should try to freeze this frosting on a stick (or spoon), but I won’t put a healthy strawberry in it – just wouldn’t be prudent.

Imagine strawberries and cream cheese frosting on cupcakes….subtract the cupcakes and consume a dozen. Heaven.

 

 

 

Staple #2
The second odd staple we keep (and my current favorite) is balsamic vinegar reduction. Brent is not as keen as I am on this treat, but he is a willing participant in this mouth watering surprise.  If you haven’t ever taken a couple cups of high quality balsamic vinegar and reduced it down by 60 or 70%, you are really missing out.  This thick molasses-like syrup is delicious on salads, fish, vegetables, and believe it or not, it is great on peaches and strawberries.  I don’t always put cream cheese frosting on my strawberries – sometimes I use vinegar!  Peaches are fabulous with this sticky substance drizzled all over them.  My healthy choice of balsamic vinegar reduction is more versatile than the frosting.  It’s getting tough to find good strawberries at reasonable price anyway.

OK, that’s it.  I’m taking frosting off the staple list.  Thanks for the healthy therapy session.

‘…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things’. (Philippians 4).  I’m sure this verse must be referring to icing and balsamic vinegar.  Winter is on the way and I’m looking forward to citrus, and I’m afraid the cream cheese frosting is taking a back seat for awhile.  Maybe my sweet tooth has toned down for the cold weather.  Healthy is better anyway.  Right?  What kind of odd staples do you keep in your refrigerator?  Do you have to run to the store for bread, milk, balsamic vinegar and cream cheese?  I need your easy secrets to bring culinary delight to our winter!