Wednesday, 29 April 2009

• Of Pears, Mangos, and Strawberries . . .

  If you've read my blog very often, you know that you've normally been able to read it - very often! Lately, however, my life has been reminiscent of the childhood game "Upset the Fruit Basket." Hence the title of today's entry. Warning: I have a dear friend who chides me about being "verbose," and I'm afraid I won't disappoint today, for my heart is full, and the page is empty - almost as if asking me to make up for lost time. Read what you wish, skim the paragraphs as you wish, but allow me to share what I've been learning lately.

  I like to feel comfortable. Who doesn't, right? But I'm a comfort-seeker of the highest degree. While I love new adventures, and yes, even taking risks, I love even more knowing that it's all going to be okay in the end. I love the adventure as long as I know where it will end and what will be required along the way. As for the risks, I love taking them if I have weighed the possible outcomes, decided they were within my “risk-taking parameters,” and then personally have chosen to take the risk rather than having it thrust upon me. Yes, I know. If those are the “rules,” – well, actually, if there even ARE rules – then I am neither adventurous nor a risk taker. I like to feel comfortable. I want the fruit in the basket to be ripe, shiny, perfectly edible, and picturesque – at all times.

  So let’s start with the pear. One of my favorite expressions to use when things change unexpectedly is “it all went pear-shaped.” If you look at a pear, you’ll know what I mean – it’s like the bottom fell out – and things landed in a big heap. At the end of February, my world went pear-shaped. I was just able to see my way through a very real “physical funk” which was the result of my major surgery last fall. I finally wanted to be around people again, and could do more than just function by “compartmentalizing” my days. It was like I finally felt like “Brenda” again – and I was glad! Then on a Friday afternoon, my boss came in and informed me that, due to financial constraints, my job position was being eliminated and being replaced with a part-time position with no benefits. He handled very bad news very graciously and in a godly manner, and for that aspect of it I will always be grateful. From that point on, I think I only heard portions - “You can stay until June 30^th” – “If you find something else, take it whenever they need you” – “Nothing you did” – and the rest sort of all ran together – it was like I was listening to the teacher in the Charlie Brown specials.

  Next let’s look at the mango – my favorite fruit EVER! Now in order to incorporate this into my story, I will need to continue with the verbosity for which I am known and loved (ha ha) by telling you why mangos are my favorite fruit – but I will keep my verbosity brief - - - wait, is that an oxymoron?? Oh well - - - In 1993, I went to the Philippines with my parents. We went to a small Bible College in Iloilo City – Doane Baptist College – my father spoke to the students for a special week of chapel services, my mother spoke in special sessions to the female students, and I was privileged to help with a musical group that would be coming to the US that summer. It was there I learned how to choose, cut, and eat mangos! For one of the chapel services, a large choir sang, “Lord, Let Me Serve” – the first I had heard that song. While they were rehearsing, one of the teachers leaned over and told me, “Most of those students will graduate from here and will make $50.00 a month – at the most - serving the Lord in small churches in the hills. So when they sing those words, they mean them.” I think of those dear servants of God every time – honestly, EVERY time I eat a mango!

  One day early in March I stood in the grocery store selecting my weekly stash of mangos, and began to cry. Not a boo-hoo cry, but the kind where you find yourself in the middle of Meijer with a tear running down your cheek, and you suddenly want to abandon your grocery cart and head straight for the car so you can cry it all out before the Lord. It was at that moment that the beautiful singing of my Filipino friends rang out in my memory – and caused me to realize that I was in the place of needing to make that song real in MY life – to sing the words and really mean them. Yes, another item for my fruit basket of life lessons.

  People are longing to learn of the Savior;

  Children are growing not knowing He cares.

  Lord, let me tell them about your compassion.

  Lord, where can I be used?

   

  Chorus: 

  Lord, let me serve; Lord, let me follow.

  Give me a place and a purpose to fill.

  Teach me to serve; teach me to follow.

  Use me to do your will.

   

  Lord, let me serve where ever You need me.

  Make me a vessel through which You can flow.

  Give me a mission, a place of fulfillment.

  Lord, where can I be used?

   

  Ready and willing to give You my talent;

  Show me the task and I'll serve You today.

  Give me a passion to work for Your glory.

  Lord, where can I be used?

    

  Lyrics: Linda Lee Johnson - Music: Tom Fettke

  But God doesn’t leave us there. In His infinite, sovereign mercy and wisdom, He knows the end of the adventures we are called upon to take. In ways far above what I could ever ask or think, He has provided a new area of ministry for me in which to serve Him with the talents and abilities He has given to me – for everything, EVERYTHING, I have, is from Him. Starting on June 1^st, I will be privileged to serve on the staff of Brookside Baptist Church as Executive Administrative Assistant to the two senior pastors. As of the writing of this verbose posting (you were warned!!!), I have no housing, am cashing in some retirement to pay for the moving truck, and may end up driving the moving truck myself! In the midst of very dear friends on both sides of the move, I have never felt more “alone” and “uncertain.” But I am reminded of the story that earned strawberries the final role in today’s title.

  I’m not sure that I’ve got the facts right, but it goes something like this - George Mueller, known for his faith in the provision of God, once told that he prayed for oatmeal for breakfast each day. God provided. Then Brother Mueller looked around and realized others were eating strawberries with cream for their breakfasts. He was disgruntled until he realized he had not ASKED God for strawberries and cream. Yes, he changed his prayer. Yes, he got strawberries and cream!

  When it comes to my future housing and to all things related to the move, I’m reminded tonight to pray for strawberries and cream. I can’t WAIT to see what God does – just because He can!

  Well, my friends, if you’ve made it this far, 1) you need to get a hobby! and 2) you’re truly a friend! I guess I’ll close by using a take off of the over-used saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” and tell you the lesson I am being reminded of in all of this. Instead of focusing on the fact that my carefully-planned, carefully-arranged, comfortable basket of fruit got “upset,” I am choosing to rejoice as God creates this amazing fruit salad which allows me to “taste and see that the Lord is GOOD!”

   

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