Recipes and Controlled Outcomes

Doesn't this look delectable? Oh, my. Whatever it is, it's what it was meant to be. Someone followed some kind of recipe -- they assembled all the ingredients, did the prep work, and ended up with this stupendous concoction.

I just jumped into a book by Donald Miller, a rather unflinchingly genuine writer who writes about being an unflinchingly genuine Christian. (Okay, so maybe sometimes he flinches, but he'll probably tell you all about it.) He compares self-help formulas to following a recipe. If we try to "do" certain things to please God, we're actually trying to control our own outcome. Having a relationship with God is like... having a relationship! There are good days and bad days, and times when we're totally together and times when we're out of sync. But the point of the relationship is the relationship.

Humanly speaking, it is extremely frustrating to realize that there's no toothpick test for doneness, no measure that shows I'm progressing adequately toward the desired product. Come to think of it, whose product am I, anyway? I don't have a photograph to aim for, except I know that I am to grow up in all aspects in Him who is the head, even Christ. But I won't ever turn into His clone -- I'll be me, made in His image. I will have certain quirks and gifts and weaknesses, just because I am me. My only goal is to become more like Him.

I think I'd like to have a recipe to follow and a photo to emulate. But that's not how He works. And if I really had control, it would mean I would have to control everything about myself. That means I'd have to be responsible for all my failures. No forgiveness, no mercy, no arm around the shoulder with a gentle, "It's okay now."

It's decided, then. I'll keep trying to do this His way, without formulaic instructions, so He can lavish me with undeserved love and pure affection, in spite of my shortcomings. It's all about grace.

Connections and Connections

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to share a prayer request with some fellow believers. A friend's daughter injured her eye, and I asked friends in the blind community to pray for her. I knew they would have a special empathy for this girl and her family. What made this special, though, was when I got responses from several individuals. They wanted the family to be assured that they were praying, so I bundled those notes and also mentioned where each person lives. My friend was heartened to learn that there were specific people praying for her daughter -- people all over the country, whom she has never met and probably won't meet on this side.

Another kind of connection was renewed last weekend. Most of the cousins on my dad's side of the family got together for an afternoon. There wasn't a reason for this gathering, except to reestablish family ties. It was good to be there, to know that those were people with whom I share a heritage. We live in different places, in different situations, but we have that one thing in common.

We need connection. We need grounding. We need the touch of another hand in time of trouble. A wise man said, "A friend loves at all times, and [if that isn't enough,] a brother is born for adversity." Another said, "Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ." I have been thankful many times for friends with whom I share a special closeness, and also for family members who know my history and walk with me from afar. Maybe these are the touch of God.

Dreams of Rest?

One thing I'll say for dogs, they know how to sleep. Whether it's all night long or many naps during the day, they get it done. Wish I could say the same for people.

We've been learning about sleep apnea in our house. This is a condition that creeps up on you. A little extra tissue at the back of the throat, a little extra weight on the body, and a lot of loud snoring that doesn't let any near neighbors get a deep sleep.

The symptoms of sleep apnea may include short attention span, irritability, and daytime fatigue. They're subtle, and more so since they add up over months and years. It's just part of life, right?

But then enters the amazing CPAP machine. By forcing air into the nose, it keeps open that flap of tissue that had blocked the airway. Now, breathing happens all night, all the time. Sleep can happen all night, all the time. Oh, the joys of a really good night's rest! Increased mental stamina, patience, and no more dropping off for a nap during lunch.

Is there such a thing as spiritual sleep apnea? If it came on slowly, how would we know? Its symptoms might be short attention span when relating to others, irritability with their shortcomings, and fatigue as the weight of the world rests on your shoulders. If this sounds familiar, you may not be getting enough spiritual rest. Would you like to have the benefit of an internal CPAP device?

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."